We bring you a lot of stories every single day. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up. So in case you missed anything from our feed, we have rounded up all our stories in one place to get the news at a glance. Here is your Daily Recap for Wednesday, May 24, 2023.

Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom

• New scaffolding has been erected for the water tower at the construction site for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

EPCOT

• A Figment Annual Passholder magnet will be available next week in EPCOT.
• A limited time Passholder Lounge and other special treats are coming to EPCOT during V.I.PASSHOLDER Days.
• Menu boards were recently added to the Refreshment Station registers near Test Track.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• An exclusive Annual Passholder WALL-E & EVE Magic Shot is coming soon to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Disney Springs

• AMC in Disney Springs received some live-action ‘The Little Mermaid’ décor added ahead of the film’s upcoming release.
• A new princess tea set celebrating Disney100 is available at Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers.

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

• The two new structures are connected as construction continues on Vacation Club Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
• A new ‘Moana’-inspired prop photo op is also being featured here.

New Merchandise

• A new legacy lightsaber hilt inspired by Ezra Bridger is coming soon.

Other Walt Disney World News

• Walt Disney World Cast Members will receive exclusive digital content this summer.
• Walt Disney World Annual Passholder discounts are about to increase this summer for V.I.Passholder Days.
• Walt Disney World will be hosting the Make-A-Wish Ball during World Princess Week.
• The My Disney Experience App is now asking for seating preferences when checking in for dining reservations.

Disneyland Resort

• More walls and scrim surround the Boudin Bakery Tour as Pacific Wharf becomes San Fransokyo at Disney California Adventure.
• Ride vehicles were spotted back on the track at Matterhorn Bobsleds in Disneyland.
• The Sprinkles bakery was demolished in Downtown Disney.

Entertainment and Media

• Singer Tina Turner passed away at the age of 83. Over the years, she had many musical collaborations within Disney media.

Guest Trapped on Navi River Journey, Annual Passholder Lounge to Open (News Today)

That’s it for today; we hope you enjoyed this Daily Recap. Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll see you tomorrow!

The post Seating Preferences Now Offered for Dining Reservations, Limited Time Passholder Lounge Coming to EPCOT, and More: Daily Recap (5/24/23) appeared first on WDW News Today.

As is tradition for every major anniversary celebration, Japanese company U-Can is releasing a new “Music-Go-Round” 12 CD collection of in honor of Tokyo Disney Resort’s 40th anniversary. The collection is now available for pre-order with a July 12 release date.

Music-Go-Round CD Collection

The CD collection will have 155 songs in total, including 21 songs that are being released for the first time. The collection will also include a music guide, songbook, Tokyo Disney Resort map, and shopping bag.

Here are some of the Tokyo Disney Resort songs that will be on the regular version:

• Disney Harmony in Color (Full Version)
• Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade Dreamlights (Immersive Sound Mix)
• Disney Light the Night (Full Version)
• Mickey’s House and Meet Mickey (Walkthrough Mix)
• Usatama on the Run! (From “Disney Easter 2022”)
• Hello New York! (Christmas version)
• Every Wish Deserve a Dream (English Version)
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic (2022 Renewal Version)
• Minnie’s Style Studio (answering machine)
• Every Wish Deserve a Dream (Maihama Station Down Line Departure Melody)
• Living in Color (Maihama Station Inbound Line Departure Melody)

Music-Go-Round Deluxe Edition

The limited “Deluxe Edition” will include a 40th anniversary tin container featuring Mickey and friends, and an additional CD containing 17 more songs from Disney Parks around the world.

Here are the songs that will be included with the Deluxe Edition:

• Walt Disney’s Dedication of Disneyland [Disneyland Resort California Grand Opening]
• It’s Wondrous (from “Wondrous Journeys”) [Walt Disney Company 100th Anniversary]
• Start a Wave (from “World of Color – ONE”) [Walt Disney Company 100th Anniversary]
• Magic Happens (from “Magic Happens”)
• Remember When [Disneyland Resort California 50th Anniversary]
• The Magic is Calling [Walt Disney World Resort Florida 50th Anniversary]
• You are the Magic (from “Disney Enchantment”) [Walt Disney World Resort Florida 50th Anniversary]
• Happily Ever After (from “Happily Ever After”)
• Share a Dream Come True (from “Share a Dream Come True Parade”) [Walt Disney 100th Anniversary]
• We Go On (from “Illuminations: Reflections of Earth”)
• Remember the Magic [Walt Disney World Resort Florida 25th Anniversary]
• Un Monde Qui S’illumine [Disneyland Paris 30th Anniversary]
• Ready for the Ride (from “Dream…and Shine Brighter!”) [Disneyland Paris 30th Anniversary]
• Just Like We Dreamed It (from “Disney Once Upon a Dream Parade”) [Disneyland Paris 15th Anniversary]
• Magical Surprise [Shanghai Disney Resort 5th Anniversary]
• What a Beautiful Surprise [Shanghai Disney Resort 5th Anniversary]

Notably, music from “Harmonious” was not included, although “Disney Enchantment” was.

The Music-Go-Round Deluxe Edition is 35,760 yen ($257.05), which can be paid in 12 monthly installments of 2,980 yen ($21.42). There is a limited quantity available.

Check out the Tokyo Disney Resort 40th anniversary “Dream-Go-Round” merchandise collection.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the original “Jurassic Park” film, new snacks and dishes will be introduced at the Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood.

30th Anniversary Food & Beverages at Universal Orlando Resort

A new Coconut Cajeta Churro will debut at Thunder Falls Terrace in Universal’s Islands of Adventure, near the Jurassic Park River Adventure. The churro itself is caramel-infused with coconut flakes and caramel sauce.

On the savory side, the Prehistoric Raptor Wings will swoop in, chargrilled and marinated with olive and spices. The wings are tossed in a sweet chili sauce and served with sides of cilantro lime rice, black beans, and a plantain chip.

A special flavor of Fanta themed to Jurassic Park will be available in the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines starting June 1 — the “Wild Refresherrr.”

Islands of Adventure additionally hosts a wealth of “Jurassic Park” and “Jurassic World” rides to experience, including the aforementioned Jurassic Park River Adventure, Jurassic World VelociCoaster, and more young child-friendly Pteranodon Flyers.

30th Anniversary Food & Drink at Universal Studios Hollywood

At Jurassic Cafe in the Lower Lot of Universal Studios Hollywood, an entirely new menu is coming this summer. These new featured items include:

• Grilled Veggie and Beef Skewers
• Brazilian Cheese Bread
• Raptor Hummus
• Coconut Flan
• Dino Chocolate Tres Leches Cake
• Family Feast (two half chickens and two skewers, hummus, chips, cheese balls, mojo pork, and vegetables)

Over at Isla Nu-Bar, their menu is expanding, with a “Jurassic Water” cocktail and dinosaur-themed wines: Pterrior Dactyl Rosé and Blanco-Osaurus. The “Wild Refresherrrr” Fanta from Orlando will also be available in Hollywood.

Both locations are situated near Jurassic World – The Ride, not too far from the new Super Nintendo World area. A far larger version of this concept is currently being built in Orlando for an anticipated 2025 opening, part of construction for Universal’s Epic Universe theme park.

A 30th Anniversary 65 Million Years in the Making

Theme park celebrations, as well as exclusive film and new 90s-inspired nostalgia products, will be hitting retail throughout the year to celebrate a franchise 65 million years in the making. Highlights include specialty food and merchandise outlets as well as limited-edition anniversary branded merchandise.

As part of Universal’s marketing plan to get everyone excited for the event, a faux Jurassic Park training video set in the 1990s was recently released for the first generation of InGen scientists. The video featured Mr. DNA as the narrator.

A Tribute Store opens at Universal Studios Florida Friday, May 26, while annual passholder previews will be held tomorrow.

Are you excited for this anniversary? What is your favorite “Jurassic Park” memory from the films or any of the rides throughout the Universal parks? Let us know in the comments.

To find out details about how Universal plans to celebrate Jurassic June at other parks around the globe, take a look at our full write-up here.

For more Universal Studios news from around the world, follow Universal Parks News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news, visit WDWNT.

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We noticed further progress on the Disney Vacation Club Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort today, as two of the previously standing structures are now joined by concrete walls.

Vacation Club Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

The construction crew continues to work on the foundation for an additional structure being added to this site.

A myriad of construction materials are still present, and crews are actively working on the project.

We reported on progress for this third structure last week.

Concrete walls have been constructed connecting the two previously reported structures. Take a look at the older image below for reference. This picture was taken about a week ago.

Two stories have already been added to the front of this new addition. Wooden safety railings have been installed in several of the windows.

A crane is hoisting additional concrete slabs into place.

A few of the windows are much larger than the others. Take a glance at the concept art below to get an idea of what they may look like when the building is finished.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Disney’s Polynesian Resort underwent an extensive refurbishment recently. While the standard rooms received “Moana” theming, the Disney Vacation Club Studios got “soft goods” refurbishments, meaning just the upholstery, art, and such were updated.

The hotel received a new Monorail station and port-cochére. The entrance to the resort was redone as well to match the new structures. Kona Café recently reopened after an extensive refurbishment, with all new seating, decór, and more. The Kiki Tikis Splash Play Area and Lava Pool slide were also recently refurbished.

The rugs and most upholstery in the lobby of the Great Ceremonial House were recently replaced.

For more Disney Vacation Club accommodations at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, check out our video tour of the Bora Bora Bungalows.

Alongside the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort turned 50 in 2021. The resort opened on October 1, 1971 with Disney’s Contemporary Resort (Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds also celebrated its 50th anniversary, but it didn’t open until November 1971).

It’s also home to the fan-favorite tiki bar, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. Guests don’t need a reservation at the hotel to visit the on-site bars and restaurants.

Are you looking forward to booking at stay at this Disney Vacation Club property? We’d love to see your plans in the comments below.

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For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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A new “Moana”-inspired prop is available for guest photographs at the entrance to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort in Walt Disney World.

‘Moana’-Inspired Oar Prop

Guests may now snap a photo of themselves with a “Moana” inspired wooden oar standing in a planter near the entrance to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. The oar has an etching of Maui’s fish hook, Te Matau-a-Māui, as well as a heart.

A red flower headdress reminiscent of the accessory worn by the future Chieftain sits atop the oar. In addition, a copy of Moana’s necklace,  where the heart of Te Fiti was kept safe throughout Moana and Maui’s journey, hangs from beneath the flowers.

More ‘Moana’ News

Less than seven years after the original animated “Moana” film hit theaters, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson announced that Disney will make a live-action version of “Moana.”

Johnson voiced Maui in the original film, and Auliʻi Cravalho voiced Moana. Johnson is producing the remake with Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia under their production company, Seven Bucks Productions. Beau Flynn of Flynn Pictures Co. is also producing, and Cravalho, with Scott Sheldon, is executive producing.

Jared Bush, who wrote the original screenplay, is working on the new script with Dana Ledoux Miller. A director and actors are not attached.

Beginning April 22, Moana will greet fellow voyagers on Discovery Island at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park – just in time for the park’s 25th anniversary.

A “Moana” and “Zootopia” land is in early development to replace Dinoland U.S.A. at Animal Kingdom. A single piece of concept art was released showing the potential land, including Moana’s boat on a lake and an aerial carousel ride.

There is a “Moana” unit of Disneyland’s “Magic Happens” parade, which recently faced criticisms from Polynesians unhappy with the depiction of hula.

Journey of Water, Inspired by ‘Moana’

In addition, Journey of Water, Inspired by “Moana” is scheduled to open this fall. It’s near the center of EPCOT, behind Spaceship Earth, and part of the World Nature neighborhood.

Disney CEO Bob Iger stated Journey of Water will be the final element of the years-long EPCOT expansion.

Guests will enter near a tall section of rock featuring Te Fiti’s swirl. The attraction is made up of water features built into fake rockwork. The rocks are covered in fake plants and moss, and feature some Easter egg carvings. Guests will encounter Te Fiti herself in the form of a 16-foot-tall statue.

“Along with Moana as a steward of water conservation, Te Fiti is a symbol of how we should protect and nurture water wherever we find it,” Reid Ekman, Lead Concept Designer at Walt Disney Imagineering, wrote on Disney Parks Blog.

“This is an important theme in Journey of Water, where guests will learn more about how water travels from our skies to the ocean, and back again. This story will unfold along a lush trail inspired by the environments and art style of the beloved Walt Disney Animation Studios film.”

Will you be stopping by to snap a photo with the new “Moana”-inspired prop at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort? We’d like like to read about it in the comments below.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Demolition crews have moved onto the former location of Sprinkles in the Downtown Disney District following our Uva Bar & Café report from last week.

Sprinkles Demolition

The Catal restaurant and its outdoor Uva Bar & Cafe closed on April 9 to “make way for an exciting new addition to the Downtown Disney District!” The new addition will be the Mexican restaurant Paseo and Centrico from Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Gaytan.

Sprinkles appears to be next, with construction work transitioning over to the bakery’s former space.

The Sprinkles bakery also closed down permanently in April. This closure was part of a larger reimagining of Downtown Disney District, which is set to include the opening of new dining and shopping options, as well as open space green areas to promote guest relaxation and comfort.

Sprinkles first opened in 2012. The eatery was a favorite destination for tourists and locals, and it was known for its signature cupcakes made with high-quality ingredients and decorated with colorful sprinkles.

The site is now being demolished, making space for new changes and improvements to the area.

Downtown Disney Overhaul

The Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort is currently undergoing a transformation that includes several new shops and restaurants on the way. The new spaces set to be constructed are inspired by the mid-century space age look, which was incredibly popular in California during the 1950s and 60s.

This process has slowly progressed over the last few years. However, Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock has now revealed an 18-month completion time frame, which roughly sees the District fully embracing its fresh face around the end of 2024.

We’ve heard about plenty of these new outlets thus far, such as the award-winning Din Tai Fung, which serves Chinese food, including bao, wontons, and more. Other outlets on the way include the beloved Porto’s Bakery and a new permanent home for Earl of Sandwich. Currently, the sandwich shop sits in the former home of La Brea Bakery, which will be the site of Porto’s in the near future.

All of this work on the resort’s entertainment, shopping, and dining hub is merely one minuscule portion of larger plans connected to the DisneylandForward initiative — a multi-year public planning effort that seeks to map out the next thirty years of vision with the City of Anaheim and Orange County.

DisneylandForward primarily aims to obtain more flexibility for land the resort received approval to develop in the 1990s, ideally adding a mix of theme parks, hotels, retail, dining, and entertainment on the eastern and western edges of the resort. Currently, Disneyland has used less than half of the millions of square feet already approved for development, according to the Orange County Register. All plans stay within the existing 500-acre property in Anaheim with no physical expansion or additional acreage.

Are you excited about all of the upcoming Downtown Disney District changes? Let us know in the comments.

Take a look at more of our recent Disneyland coverage using the links below:

• PHOTOS: Scaffolds Up Around Red Rose Taverne at Disneyland, Restaurant Still Open During Refurbishment
• Soarin’ Around the World Adds Single Rider Line at Disney California Adventure
• The Villas at Disneyland Hotel Preview Center Opens, Tower Name Revealed as ‘Discovery Tower’
• Court Will ‘Take No Action’ Until Motion to Disqualify Judge is Resolved for Disney v. DeSantis Lawsuit
• Disney is Not Interested in Regional Park Expansion, Says Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro

For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.

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Staying at a Disney World Resort hotel can make your trip.

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

There are plenty of conveniences you get by staying at them — free transportation, extra magic hours, and earlier access to Advanced Dining Reservations to name a few. But, now and then, Disney Resorts can create a bit of a headache. They have to undergo maintenance, just like any other hotel, and unfortunately, that can negatively affect your trip if you’re not prepared for it.

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is in the middle of a lengthy refurbishment, so there have been a few challenges that its guests have had to deal with for the past few months. The lobby bathroom, for instance, was under construction for a long time. Fortunately, this has since reopened, but we recently noticed a new struggle that guests will have to deal with.

Disney’s BoardWalk lobby bathrooms have finally reopened!

This Friday, May 26th, from 1:00 AM to 5:00 AM, the hotel is going to have a scheduled water outage.

scheduled water outage

This outage will specifically affect guest rooms 4201-4285 and 5261-5285, so plan accordingly if you will be staying at this resort this week! Fortunately, this outage is at a time that most likely won’t be too much of a disturbance, but we’ve seen disruptions at more inconvenient times in the past. Sometimes they can happen in the middle of the day — a time when a lot of folks might want to shower after a day at the pool!

Water outage!

This is something to keep an eye out for when booking a resort that is in the middle of any type of refurbishment. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on Disney’s closures calendar. We’ll keep you up to date with any construction updates as we see them, so stay tuned to DFB for more!

Click here to see the complete guide to eating at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort

Has your Disney World vacation ever been affected by a water outage? Let us know in the comments below!

The post The Major Disney World Hotel Problem You’re NOT Expecting first appeared on the disney food blog.