Can you remove your mask for photos in Disney World? When are tickets for Disneyland going on sale? What’s going on with the Jungle Cruise re-theme? You’ve got questions — we’ve got answers!

This week was FULL of big news when it comes to masks, Disneyland, transportation between Disney World and the airport, and SO much more! Today we’re breaking down the top 5 Disney news stories you NEED to know about and sharing a whole bunch of updates, so you can be best prepared for your next Disney trip.

1. NEW Service Will Replace Magical Express

Earlier this year, Disney announced that Magical Express will be going away in 2022. Since then, we’ve taken a look at the best ways for you to get between the airport and Disney World once the Magical Express is gone. BUT now we’ve learned about a NEW service you’ll be able to use!

Recently, Mears — which is the company that currently operates the Magical Express — announced “Mears Connect!” This is a new service that will connect Orlando International Airport to the Disney resort area.

Mears says this will be “the same reliable, safe, express service” you’ve come to expect from the Magical Express. Pricing details haven’t been released yet.

So, if you love the convenience of using the Magical Express, Mears Connect might be the alternative you’ll want to use in the future.

Click here to read more about Mears Connect!

2. BIG Disney World Mask Policy Change

Disney World’s mask policy has changed and evolved since the parks first reopened. This week, we got another BIG update when it comes to masks in the parks. Under Disney World’s new policy, guests are now allowed to remove their masks temporarily when taking outdoor photos, so long as they are stationary and physically distanced from others.

The new rule was set to begin as of April 8th, but we noticed it was already in practice on April 7th.

Click here to see how Disney’s new face mask policy for outdoor photos works!

3. Trader Sam Is GONE!

Disney World and Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise attractions will be undergoing some re-theming this year. As part of the re-theme, the rides will get a new storyline, new scenes, and more. This week, we got an update on whether the ride in Disney World will close while these refurbishments are taking place.

But, the biggest thing that happened this week in terms of the Jungle Cruise is that Trader Sam was MISSING from the ride when we rode it recently! The Trader Sam animatronic is the one that you usually see at the end of the ride — he’s the head salesman who typically offers to sell you two of the shrunken heads he’s got for your head. Either way, you come out ahead!!

Disney hasn’t specified what the refurb could mean for the Trader Sam animatronic, but we’ll keep an eye out for more details.

Click here to see more details about the changes coming to the Jungle Cruise!

4. Vaccine Passports

When it comes to Vaccine Passports and other COVID-19 related news, we’ve seen quite a few BIG things shared recently. First, Florida’s Governor signed an executive order regarding vaccine passports in the state, essentially forbidding the state’s government from issuing them and indicating that businesses cannot require them. Recently, Dr. Anothony Fauci also spoke about whether vaccine passports would be required by the federal government and indicated that they will likely come into play more in terms of private businesses requiring them.

When it comes to masks, we also got an update from the Mayor of Orange County, Florida about when the county’s mask mandate could end. Just keep in mind that masks continue to be required in Disney World and they are expected to be required in the parks through 2021.

What are vaccine passports? Who might they affect? Click here to see everything we know about vaccine passports so far.

5. ALL the Disneyland Details

And finally, in terms of BIG news bombs, this week was FULL of important updates from Disneyland. Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park are both set to reopen on April 30th. Over the past week, we got info on ticket purchasing guidelines, when tickets will be on sale, when Park reservations will open up, whether guests will be able to visit both parks in one day, and limits in terms of the sizes of groups that can visit.

We also got confirmation again that ONLY California residents will be able to visit the parks, got to hear about the restaurants and rides that will reopen with the parks, got updates on when Disneyland restaurant reservations will become available, and MORE!

We CANNOT wait to see more from Disneyland as the reopening gets closer. But, in the meantime, we’ll keep enjoying all the treats and fun over at A Touch of Disney in Disney California Adventure Park!

Click here for more info on the historic reopening of Disneyland!

6. Avengers Campus!

This is related to the Disneyland news, but it’s SO BIG we had to give it its own section. We’ve heard quite a lot about Avengers Campus — the new Marvel-themed land coming to Disney California Adventure Park. We’ve had a look at some of the food that will be coming to this new land, and we’ve even gotten a peek at the NEW Spider-Man ride that will be there. But, one BIG question we still had is WHEN exactly the land would be opening.

Well, this week we FINALLY got our answer!! Disney’s CEO had previously said the land would open “later this year,” and recently we learned that Avengers Campus will be opening on…June 4th! WOOOO!

We are READY to see that Quinjet, help Spider-Man, and check out ALL the cool Marvel merchandise in this new land. We’ll keep an eye out for more details on Avengers Campus and let you know if we spot anything new!

Click here to get a closer look at the NEW Spider-Man ride coming to Avengers Campus!

What else happened this week around the Disney parks and beyond? Here’s a peek at some of the other big stories:

• Some guest rooms at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge will look DIFFERENT when the hotel reopens!
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shared their next phase of guidelines for cruises, and have indicated that cruising might be able to begin again this summer. In the meantime, Disney Cruise Line has canceled more cruises.
• Adventures by Disney has also canceled more trips.

• The ugliest part of the EPCOT transformation is complete!
• A Disney legend is selling rare collectibles!
• There’s a NEW Black Widow trailer and a new one for Cruella too!
• Brunch is back at an underrated Disney World restaurant.
• Cinderella Castle is getting more decorations for the 50th Anniversary.
• RARE characters have made an appearance in Disney World!
• The Contemporary refurb started and it’s something… . 

WOWZERS. That’s a LOT! We can’t wait to see what next week brings. We’ll keep an eye out for more Disney news and bring you all the latest updates.

Chocolate Mickey Waffle Sundaes are BACK in Disney World — click here to find out more!

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Are you planning to visit Disney World, Disneyland, or go on a Disney Cruise this year? Tell us in the comments!

The post BIG Mask Changes, Magical Express Replacement, and an Opening date — It Was a CRAZY Week in Disney News! first appeared on the disney food blog.