While we’ve been collecting the news into a single post every week or two (or three…), this week we’ve got two bigger posts this week that you’ll also want to check out.
First, we have a post discussing Disneyland’s Reopening Hurdles. In that post, we discuss the new guidelines from the state, particularly focusing on Disney’s actual and expected responses (including a lawsuit?).
Second, we have a post highlighting the new deals at Walt Disney World. There are new discounts available for early 2021, so if you’re thinking about a trip check out that post (we also briefly discuss whether you should be thinking about a trip).
Now, onto the “smaller” news of the week…
PREVIOUS UPDATE + WDW MASTERPOST
In case you’re behind (it’s easy to fall behind these days…even for us), our last update was on October 19. If you’re brand new and would just like a thorough look at the Disney World reopening, we have a Disney World Reopening Masterpost that covers the basics and links to our deeper content.
All Star Movies Resort Reopens February 9
Disney will see added value resort availability leading up to spring break, as All Star Movies (Review) is set to reopen February 9. Movies was the first of the All Star resorts to complete its room refurbishment, and the rooms are now essentially the same as those at Pop Century:
Guests staying at All Star Movies will need to rely on bus transportation to all four parks if using Disney transit. If that makes you uneasy, you’ll want to rent or bring your own car (or consider Uber).
If you’re interested in alternative value options, Pop Century and Art of Animation (reopening November 1) both have Skyliner access to Hollywood Studios and Epcot.
Park Hours Change
Yes, again. I hate to be a broken record, but you’ll just have to keep checking the official park hours until and during your next visit, because Disney makes changes regularly. This time it was an extension of holiday hours and new hours posted for early January.
Epcot Festival Updates
We’ve also gotten big news for two Epcot Festivals.
Taste of Festival of the Holidays
Disney announced new details about the Festival of the Holidays, which will return as “Taste of Epcot International Festival of the Holidays.” As with the “Taste of” version of Food & Wine, this will be a slimmed down festival, though depending on what you’re really after you might not notice a difference. The festival will be held November 27 to December 30, 2020.
Here are some highlights from the announcement (snippets from the above-linked blog post):
Return of “Holiday Kitchen” food booths
New holiday cavalcades — “Frozen Holiday Promenade,” “Mickey and Friends Holiday World Tour,” and Santa Claus
Performances by: Voices of Liberty, Mariachi Cobre, JAMMitors, and JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season
Holiday Cookie Stroll (chance to earn a free cookie for purchasing several others)
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition (scavenger hunt)
With streetmosphere suspended throughout Walt Disney World, there won’t be the traditional holiday performances at each pavilion, and, as previously announced, there won’t be any Candlelight Processional.
Taste of Festival of the Arts
Also, Disney announced that the Festival of the Arts will return as “Taste of Epcot International Festival of the Arts.” The Festival of Arts will be held January 8 to February 22, 2021. So far, Disney has only announced the following details:
Indulge in over 15 Food Studios serving culinary art all around World Showcase
Explore and purchase the brilliant and diverse work of Disney and other invited artists on display in marketplaces encircling World Showcase Lagoon
Step into the scene at special photo locations scattered around the park
Participate in a paint-by-number mural that serves as a collaborative art project for all
Watch as visiting artists create magic right before your eyes
Catch performances by favorite EPCOT musical artists Mariachi Cobre and the JAMMitors.
Join an artful scavenger hunt as you search for Figment around World Showcase
Shop for festival-exclusive merchandise
The big missing things (from what I can clean) would be workshop-style events (like painting classes), along with the Disney on Broadway concert series.
Resort Friendship Boats Return November 1
The Friendship Boat service between Hollywood Studios and Epcot with stops at Boardwalk, Yacht/Beach Clubs, and Swan/Dolphin will return November 1.
Fort Wilderness Bans Trick or Treating
If you’re unfamiliar, Fort Wilderness is a unique place on Disney property. I hesitate to use the word “community” but the campgrounds really do feel like something of a neighborhood. Particularly during the holidays, you can walk around and see lots of sites decorated to the nines:
Unfortunately, the pandemic will mean changes are in store this holiday season, and the resort has banned trick or treating (via BlogMickey).
Now, I had no idea this was a thing at Fort Wilderness, but it doesn’t surprise me one bit, and I’m disappointed to see them forced to make this change.
This isn’t a huge story, but I’m including it mostly as an example of how cool Fort Wilderness can be. Trick or treating there is definitely on our bucket list now!
Tokyo Disneyland Ends Annual Pass Program
The complexity of allocating spots to passholders and other guests apparently became too much, so Tokyo Disney Resort is (presumably temporarily) ending their annual pass program.