There’s been a lot of change in Disney World, at Disneyland, and all throughout the Walt Disney Company lately.
Disney World
This week, the announcements have just kept coming. We’ve got 2 different restrictions or requirements reportedly under consideration that could REALLY impact your travels around the U.S., the closure of a Disney animation studio, the reopening of a Disney park for a super special event, and more. There’s been some BIG news shared this week and we’re sharing all of the most important stuff with you.
1. Soon You Might Need to Take a COVID-19 Test Before Flying in the U.S.
Thinking of traveling soon? There are a few things you need to know. First, masks are now required in airports, on airplanes, and on some other forms of transportation. Additionally, COVID-19 testing is required for those flying into the U.S. from international locations.
Airplane
But, aside from the things that are already in place, there are some potential new things that might be required soon which you need to know about too. Earlier this week, we shared that the U.S. might start requiring COVID-19 testing for domestic flights. So, even if you’re just flying from Missouri to Florida for your Walt Disney World trip, the U.S. might (at some point in the future) require you to get a negative COVID-19 test before you fly.
Flight from Orlando
As of right now, that ruling has not gone into effect and a negative COVID-19 test is not yet required for domestic travel. But, it is being considered.
Click here to learn more about this potential new travel requirement.
2. Domestic Travel Restrictions May Be Under Consideration
In addition to considering whether to require COVID-19 testing for domestic flights, the White House is reportedly considering placing restrictions on some domestic travel, including to places like Florida. According to some sources, these restrictions are being considered due to the spread of COVID-19 variants and the concern that this spread might reverse the progress that’s already been made in fighting the pandemic.
Welcome to Disney World!
Cases of the U.K. COVID-19 variant have already appeared in Florida, including in Orange County (where Disney is located). In fact, the U.K. variant now accounts for 15% of new cases in Florida and is spreading rapidly there.
COVID-19 Testing Site at WDW Maingate Complex
But, one White House spokesperson has now noted that while the administration is discussing recommendations, “no specific decisions are under consideration.”
Click here to learn more about the domestic travel restrictions reportedly being considered.
3. Special Event INSIDE Disney California Adventure Park Coming Soon!
The Disneyland Resort theme parks have been closed for nearly a year now. Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure Park has reopened for some limited shopping and dining. But, soon the ENTIRE Disney California Adventure Park will be open for a special, limited-time ticket event.
Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure
Guests will be able to enjoy special food and drink offerings from around Disneyland Resort and get the chance to walk around California Adventure. BUT the experience will NOT include attractions. We don’t have too many details about this special event yet, but we’ll share more with you once we do.
Click here to see more about the special ticketed event!
4. Disney is Closing One of Their Animation Studios
When Disney acquired 20th Century Fox and its associated studios, tons of new divisions became part of the over-arching Walt Disney Company, including Blue Sky Studios. Blue Sky Studios was 20th Century Fox’s animation division which created films like Ice Age.
©Blue Sky Studios
Additionally, the upcoming Blue Sky film Nimona, which was set to be released next year, will be halted and will not be released. According to a spokesperson, this closure is due to the economic situation caused by the global pandemic.
Click here to see more about this studio closure!
5. The Future of Masks in the Parks, Park Capacity, and More
Recently, we got to hear from several Disney executives regarding the financial results from Disney’s first quarter for the fiscal 2021 year. Disney shared their billion-dollar deficit over the most recent period due largely to COVID-19 restrictions and park closures.
Disney also noted that they are still operating in Disney World at 35% capacity. According to Bob Chapek, Disney’s CEO, their ability to increase capacity or potentially open some of their closed parks around the world will really depend on vaccine distribution.
Magic Kingdom
During the last earnings call, Disney also confirmed that Avengers Campus is set to open in 2021, but Disneyland is expected to remain closed at least through the end of March. In terms of face masks, Chapek also noted that masks are expected to be required in Disney World through 2021.
Festival of the Arts Mask
Those are some big updates that could impact your future trips to Disney World or Disneyland, or just give you a better idea of what to potentially expect.
Click here to see the losses Disney recently reported.
Aside from Disney parks updates, we also got an update on the number of Disney+ subscribers, which now is OVER 94 million! That’s a LOT of people subscribed to the service!
Disney+ Logo ©Disney
And those are some of the biggest stories shared this week.
Wondering what other new things have happened recently? Well, the Leave A Legacy display has returned in a new, colorful way to EPCOT. This week, the first Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival topiaries and garden also appeared. Just a few days ago, we got a peek at the Star Wars hotel from the sky; and we developed a Nutella waffle and ice cream food hack that you will definitely want to try. AND we got new trailers for Raya and the Last Dragon and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Nutella Waffle Hack
You know we’ll be keeping an eye out for new updates all throughout this upcoming week and we’ll be sharing it all with you. Come back to DFB for all the latest Disney updates!
Click here to watch our video about the 21 things you NEVER knew about Magic Kingdom!
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Interesting that we “the British public” have been told it is illegal to fly unless essential and the USA is a no fly destination and yet 15% of reported covid cases in Florida of the the UK strain (known as the South African strain in the UK). As much as it pains me to say, until people stop travelling anywhere outside of there local area for a prolonged period(say 6 weeks) this virus will continue to spread and mutate. Due to the enormous populations of some countries like the US and Asia this thing will run for years… Not months! 😭
This is all so frustrating! I leave for Disney World on Friday morning and I’m in Houston we just had a snowstorm! now we’re just praying that we’re able to get on a flight because if a test were to be required before Friday we can’t even get to the places to take the test! All of our roads are shut down right now.