Things are changing all around the Disney parks, and this week a number of big changes have been announced!

Mask rules are changing in Disneyland and Disney World, more restaurants and snack spots have reopened or are set to reopen soon, and more news has been announced. We’re breaking down all the news you need to know right here!

1 — Change in Indoor Mask Policy

Earlier this week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued updated mask recommendations. The CDC now recommends that vaccinated individuals resume wearing masks indoors in public, indoor spaces in areas where the transmission levels of COVID-19 are high or substantial. As of July 30th, Orange and Osceola Counties (where Disney World is located) are both in the “high” category, and Orange County, California (where Disneyland is located) is in the “substantial” category.

Soon after this announcement, the Orange County, Florida mayor declared a state of emergency. 

Now, Disney World and Disneyland have announced changes to their mask policies. In both parks, all guests ages 2 and up (regardless of vaccination status) are now (as of July 30th) required to wear masks indoors.

Additionally, masks are required on Disney World’s buses, monorails, and the Disney Skyliner. Disney World’s rules note that masks are required upon entering and throughout all attractions.

Disneyland’s rules note that this means masks will be required upon entering and throughout many attractions, as well as on enclosed transportation vehicles.

Of course, mask rules are subject to change. We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more updates.

Click here to see more about Disney World’s updated indoor mask rules.

2 — More Reopenings

This week, a number of spots reopened in Disney World and Disneyland, and more are set to reopen soon. Cheshire Cafe reopened in Magic Kingdom with those classic Cheshire Cat Tails and something NEW.

That’s right, move over Dole Whip, there’s a NEW frozen treat in town (and spoiler alert: it’s delicious!!).

Click here to see our full review of the new Curiouser and Curiouser Slushy from Cheshire Cafe!

Prince Eric’s Village Market also reopened in Magic Kingdom with BEER CHEESE. And we finally got to snag the Mermaid slush we’ve been waiting over a YEAR to try.

Was it worth the wait?

Click here to see our full review!

Kat Saka’s Kettle in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney World also reopened. But, an iconic snack is missing!!

In terms of future reopenings, we got quite the set of announcements this week! Columbia Harbour House is set to reopen in Magic Kingdom in early August with some fan-favorite items making their return (like the Lighthouse Sandwich).

Pizzafari is also set to reopen in Disney’s Animal Kingdom in just a few days! Click here to take a look at Pizzafari’s reopening menu.

An opening date has been announced for Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. And Toledo — Tapas, Steak, and Seafood at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will also be reopening soon!

Reservations are now available for both Yachtsman Steakhouse and Toledo. And you can click here to take a peek at their reopening menus.

But, that’s not all. Things will soon be changing up at California Grill. Disney has announced that reservations for this spot won’t be accepted after a certain date as it prepares to host a special dining experience for Disney World’s 50th anniversary.

Over in Disneyland, Pacific Wharf Cafe reopened (BREAD BOWLLLSSSSS), and Golden Horseshoe also became available for guests to enjoy once again.

We’re on the lookout for more reopening news so be sure to check back for updates.

Click here to see a list of the restaurants that are and are not open in Disney World.

3 — Disney Cruise Line News

Disney Cruise Line is set to resume its sailings from the US in early August, but it’s already looking well into the future with its newest ship — the Disney Wish! The Wish will set sail in 2022, and we’ve already got some great details about what guests can expect onboard.

This week we got even more news with special details revealed about adults-only offerings on the ship! There will be a new outdoor spa area, a salon-inspired by Tangled, and we got details about some of the new bars and lounges coming to the ship — including a lounge inspired by Princess and the Frog!

We also got a look at a few of the Disney Wish Cast Member costumes! We can’t wait to learn more about this ship and share more details with you.

Click here to see more information about the Disney Wish!

4 — A SOLD OUT Disney Event

This week we got more details about the Destination D23 event and what fans can expect to see during the event. There will be a kickoff presentation from Disney CEO Bob Chapek, and a session about what’s next for Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products from Chairman Josh D’Amaro, plus much more.

This week tickets went on sale for Destination D23, but they sold out in MINUTES! Some of the events will be live-streamed from the D23 website, so we’ll be on the lookout for more information about that in the future.

Click here to see more about what’s been announced for this event!

5 — US Travel Restrictions

If you’re planning a trip to Disney World or Disneyland and you’ll be flying in from abroad, there is an important update you need to know about. Earlier this week, the United States announced that due to the level of COVID-19 cases in the country and the impact of the Delta variant, it will not be lifting its travel restrictions yet.

In the United States, the Delta variant accounts for over 80% of all sequenced COVID-19 cases in the US as of July 20th. Keep in mind that the US travel restrictions presently bar most non-US citizens from entering the US who have, within the last 14 days, been in “the United Kingdom, the 26 Schengen nations in Europe without border controls, Ireland, China, India, South Africa, Iran and Brazil.”

Be sure to check and see how this may impact any of your future trips.

Click here to see more about the announcement regarding the US travel restrictions.

6. BIG Star War: Galactic Starcruiser Announcements

Disney just released a TON of new info about the upcoming Star Wars hotel! The Galactic Starcruiser will open in Spring of 2022 and, in a video from Imagineers, we learned about more of the story. They said you can help smuggle characters onto the ship, help characters with missions by gaining their trust, and even discover hidden parts of the ship! There will even be a brig that someone might get thrown into, or you can help someone escape from!

Imagineers also revealed that the food will be like nothing we’ve seen at Disney before — it will be inspired by locations and food in the Star Wars lore, like a dish based on the planet Mustafar! There’s also a VERY interesting-looking blue shrimp…drink? We’re not quite sure WHAT it is, to be honest! We do know now that, kind of like cruises, meals will be included in the price of your stay on the Galactic Starcruiser.

We also got confirmation that Kylo, Rey, and Chewbacca will be on the ship! Imagineers then told us that when passengers visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, they will play into the larger story that guests are part of meaning they will learn more of the back story to things like the smuggling going on at Smuggler’s Run (including who the buyer is for the coaxium that you’re stealing!).

Of course, more things happened or were announced this week that could impact your future Disney plans. Check out some of them below:

• Could the new Cirque du Soleil show make its debut soon?
• Are single rider lines actually any faster in Disney World?
• The Darksaber is back in stock in Disney World — here’s where to find it!
• What’s going on with the Citrus Swirl in Magic Kingdom?
• California’s commuter rail system could make it easier to get to Disneyland soon

• Maple popcorn + ice cream = our latest Disney World snack hack!
• Disney World is hosting an online hiring event
• We spotted some new ears that totally gave us Frontierland vibes
• Disney World Park Passes are starting to fill up for upcoming holidays

• General registration is open for the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
• See what rope drop looks like now in Magic Kingdom
• Disney had a livestream event recently that was…interesting
• A digital key feature is coming to Disneyland’s resort hotels
• Night of a Million Lights by Give Kids the World is coming back to Orlando this year
• Limited-time Jungle Cruise food and drinks have arrived in Disney World

And that’s it for us from this week! We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more Disney news and we’ll share all of the latest updates with you — so stay tuned for more!