Jungle Cruise is reopening early following a two-month refurbishment at Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World is testing plastic reusable cups & mugs at counter service restaurants to replace paper, and the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance single rider line is no longer skipping pre-shows— all this and more in today’s daily recap for Friday, October 4, 2024.
Walt Disney World
Magic Kingdom
- The world-famous Jungle Cruise is set to reopen earlier than expected at Magic Kingdom, following a nearly two-month-long refurbishment.
- With the spooky season in full swing now that October has arrived, we found that select 2024 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party merchandise is now available for day guests to purchase at Magic Kingdom
EPCOT
- Animal rights activist Ric O’Barry has posted an open letter to Disney executives asking for a “proper retirement” for the dolphins set to be relocated from The Seas at EPCOT.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Guests using the single rider line for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will no longer skip the pre-show scenes.
- Check out our Thursday photo report from Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs.
Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
- Since our last update, the Disney Vacation Club Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has seen significant updates, including a new mural and a full swimming pool.
New Merchandise
- Disney Research Fellow and Imagineer Lanny Smoot has expressed the possibility of turning Rey’s “real” lightsaber from Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser into a toy you can actually buy, according to a report from The Verge.
- Months after releasing at Disneyland Resort, the Mickey’s Toontown bubble maker has arrived at Walt Disney World.
Other Walt Disney World News
- The InSneider reports that the Muppet Studios Lot, which was originally Charlie Chaplin Studios, has been bought by the Church of Scientology.
- Walt Disney World is now testing plastic reusable cups and mugs at counter service dining locations to potentially replace the current paper products in use.
- The now-defunct Walt Disney World attraction ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter is being parodied as a gore-filled play in Hollywood, California. (via Variety)
Disneyland Resort
- “World of Color – ONE,” the nighttime spectacular performed on Paradise Bay at Disney California Adventure, has set its reopening date following a six-week refurbishment.
- A new wave of Honor collection merchandise salutes veterans and active-duty members of the United States military.
Tokyo Disney Resort
- East Japan Railway Company (JR EAST) and Oriental Land Co. (owners of Tokyo Disney Resort) will launch a Fantasy Springs-themed bullet train this month.
Entertainment and Media
- Development of Disney’s “The Princess Diaries 3” has reached a new milestone, as Adele Lim of “Joy Ride” has signed on to direct.
Universal Studios
- Universal Studios Hollywood has announced two anime IPs (intellectual properties) for its upcoming Universal Fan Fest Nights, happening in spring 2025.
Guests Might Get to Buy Real Star Wars Lightsaber, Figment Arrives at Shanghai Disneyland
That’s it for today; we hope you enjoyed this Daily Recap. Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll see you tomorrow!
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