WOW. That’s all we have to say. “WOW.”

Okay, obviously we have more to say than just “wow” or there would be no article! But this week was seriously a BIG one when it comes to Disney news. From huge Halloween announcements to some hotel news you’re not going to want to miss out on — we’ve got it all wrapped up in one, nice little package for you right here! What are you waiting for?! Let’s get on with our summary of the biggest Disney news from this week!

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is Coming BACK (& More Halloween News)

We’re officially celebrating Halfway to Halloween with Disney! This week started with some announcements about spooky Halfway to Halloween treats that would be available in the parks (some of which we already tried and are sharing reviews of!) news about a Halfway to Halloween TikTok event, virtual wallpapers, and more.

But then things got REALLY interesting.

Disney then made a HUGE announcement and shared that Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will be coming BACK to Magic Kingdom this year! That’s right! The Halloween Party is BACK! GET THOSE PUMPKINS READY!

For a full list of prices and dates for the Not-So-Scary Halloween parties, click here!

The party will feature the return of the Boo-To-You Parade, the Headless Horseman, ride overlays, a stage show featuring the Sanderson Sisters, a Disney Junior dance party, Halloween fireworks, and MORE!

Click here to see everything confirmed to return to the Halloween Party this year!

But wait…there’s MORE. This week Disney also shared a first look at some of the Halloween merchandise guests will get to buy at both Disney World and Disneyland. 

Disneyland will be getting in on the Halloween event fun this year as well. Disney has confirmed that Oogie Boogie Bash will be returning to Disneyland Resort in the fall.

This year, Minnie and Mickey will also be getting NEW Halloween outfits in Disneyland. Get a sneak peek at those outfits here!

On Disney Cruise Line, there’s lots of Halloween fun to be had. In fact, this year you might just find that the Sanderson Sisters have made their way to Disney’s cruises in a very UNEXPECTED way!

Guests will also get to enjoy some Halloween festivities at Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland. When you learn about these events, you might just book your plane ticket to Disney’s international parks A.S.A.P.!

Click here to learn more about Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party!

MagicBand+

You might be very familiar with regular MagicBands (those bracelets that help you pay for things, scan your park ticket, and more in the Disney parks). But soon there will be a NEW form of MagicBand on the scene — MagicBand+.

Disney had announced MagicBand+ a little while ago, but recently we finally got a FIRST LOOK at one of the new devices. This particular MagicBand+ is a Star Wars design and it appears to be held up next to a Bounty Hunter mark.

We actually spotted that same mark on a construction wall in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge later today!

MagicBand+ will debut in Disney World later this year, and will feature some new things like color-changing lights, gesture recognition, and haptic vibrations.

Click here to learn more about MagicBand+

A Pixar Hotel?! And More Disneyland News

Ready for more BIG Disney news? Over at Disneyland, the Paradise Pier Hotel will be getting a PIXAR retheme!

From a Pixar Lamp balancing on a ball in to the lobby to artwork and decor inspired by the Pixar films, it’s going to give the hotel an entirely new feel!

Click here to see more about this big hotel change!

But that’s not the only new thing Disneyland will be getting. Disneyland Resort is also getting some NEW restaurants at Downtown Disney, and some restaurant refurbishments.

One of the new spots that will be opening a location in Downtown Disney is a place that is FAMOUS for its mind-blowing dumplings and multi-hour waits! We’re talking about Din Tai Fung!

This place has quite the following, so we expect it could be verrrrry popular when it opens its location at Disneyland Resort.

Click here to learn more about Din Tai Fung!

Disneyland is also bringing back a special shopping perk — the ability for Disneyland Resort hotel guests to have their purchases sent from the parks to their hotel. That service still hasn’t returned to Disney World, but we’ll be interested to see its return over at Disneyland.

A NEW Grad Nite After Hours event is also coming to Disneyland. The event will feature dancing, cafeteria-inspired dishes, character appearances, and more — all meant to evoke that feeling of nostalgia surrounding being part of a graduating class!

Early Theme Park entry will also be coming soon to Disneyland Resort for hotel guests.

And finally, Mickey’s Toontown is undergoing a MASSIVE overhaul in Disneyland Park. We’ve already seen some concept art and heard a bit about what this space will become, but recently Disney also shared a look INSIDE the refurb.

Click here to check it out.

Learn about the 6 GROUNDBREAKING changes coming to Disneyland Resort!

Refillable Mugs

While it’s not nearly as “groundbreaking” as a brand new restaurant or entire hotel refurb, we know a lot of you out there loooove your Disney World refillable mugs (we can’t blame ya — they’re fun!). Recently, these refillable mugs actually got a bit of an UPGRADE, Mickey style!

The tops of the mugs now feature a Mickey design covering the opening that you drink out of!

We have a feeling this new design will make these refillable mugs even MORE of a collectible for those visiting the Most Magical Place on Earth!

Check out more about this refillable mug change here!

Reedy Creek and Disney’s Inclusivity Program

Finally, we end our summary of big news with some updates from Florida’s government. We’ve shared a number of details about the bill that was introduced in the Florida legislature this year that will dissolve Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District — the district arrangement that essentially lets Disney act as their own county and have a great deal of decision-making power over the land on which they operate in Florida.

Last week, the bill passed the Florida Senate and Florida House of Representatives, and late in the week it was signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, making it law.

But there might be a major roadblock in attempting to dissolve Reedy Creek which deals with the District’s bondholders.

Essentially, Reedy Creek has made a statement indicating that Florida has essentially pledged to fulfill the terms of agreements made with bondholders. As some put it, Florida basically had a contractual obligation NOT to interfere with Reedy Creek until the bond debt has been paid off. We’ll be sure to keep an eye out for more developments on this.

Click here to see more about this major roadblock and what it could mean

In addition to the situation with Reedy Creek, Disney has been in the news recently due to the passing of Florida’s “Stop Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees Act” (also termed the Stop WOKE Act). The act prohibits training or teaching on certain things. Governor DeSantis has said that his goal for the bill is to block activism like critical race theory being taught in schools and classrooms.

One of Disney’s employee training programs that is part of its Reimagine Tomorrow campaign has been criticized as potentially “pushing critical race theory on employees.” During the signing of Florida’s Stop WOKE Act, one activist (who was invited to speak at the ceremony by Governor DeSantis) warned Disney that there would be “consequences” if their Reimagine Tomorrow training program for employees continues. 

You can learn more about that situation by clicking here.

Boycotting Disney isn’t new. But does it work?

Of course, other news was also shared this week. Check out those stories by clicking the links below:

• Get a FIRST LOOK at the reimagined Finding Nemo musical coming to Animal Kingdom
• See what the Guardians of the Galaxy ride in EPCOT looks like at night & get a NEW look inside the ride
• One of the most popular nighttime tours in Disney World is at…a hotel?!
• Mask requirements changed for Disneyland transportation

• Disney World’s longest golf course is closing for refurbishment
• See how Netflix is cracking down on password sharing
• EPCOT’s Moana attraction has taken a BIG step forward
• Terry Crews will star in the new Guardians of the Galaxy ride in EPCOT
• Florida residents can get 2 water park tickets for the price of 1

• Face painting is now available at the Star Wars Hotel
• Get an EXCLUSIVE look at Salt & Straw’s upcoming ice cream flavors
• Space Mountain is CLOSING for major refurbishment in Tokyo Disneyland
• Disney is asking guests about their dining and shopping habits in a new survey

• We got PLOT details for Disney’s new Haunted Mansion movie
• Dr. Anthony Fauci has said the U.S. is out of the “full-blown explosive pandemic phase”

And that’s it for big Disney news from this week! WHEW! Be sure to check back with us for all of the latest updates.

How many rides can you get on with Genie+? Disney World guests tell ALL

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What Disney news from this week surprised you the most? Tell us in the comments!

The post The Only Disney News Update You Need to Read This Week first appeared on the disney food blog.