Another week has gone by and more, BIG Disney news has been shared!

This week some 50th Anniversary merchandise became available for guests to purchase, Disney’s new Halloween After Hours event took place for the first time in Magic Kingdom, and Disney shared some big financial updates. Ready to dive into all the Disney news and updates you need to know? Let’s go!

1 — 50th Anniversary News

Disney World’s 50th Anniversary is less than 50 days away! Late last week we got a first look at the 50th Anniversary merchandise, and then this week a number of 50th Anniversary items became available online and in the parks.

There’s a MagicBand…

…shirts…

…and some other items you can already pick from, but lots of other 50th Anniversary collections will be released in the future as well.

Click here to see what 50th anniversary items you can get online!

Disney also shared that a one-of-a-kind shopping experience will be coming to Disney World for the 50th Anniversary. It seems that will include some special shopping displays.

Click here to see some concept art and to learn more!

This week we also saw Spaceship Earth lit up for 50th Anniversary testing!

Are you planning to celebrate Disney World’s 50th Anniversary? Click here to see 3 things you’re not thinking about when it comes to this big occasion.

Click here to see more photos of the lights testing on Spaceship Earth!

2 — Halloween News

After Hours Boo Bash

This week marked the first Disney After Hours Boo Bash event! This is a special, Halloween-themed, separately ticketed event that will take place on select nights in Magic Kingdom from now through October 31st, 2021. During the event, guests can see spooky characters, ride attractions, go trick-or-treating, and more.

We shared lots of photos and videos during our time at the event.

We also took a look at some awesome guest costumes, shared our reviews of nearly all of the event-specific drinks and treats, took a look at those Halloween cavalcades, and shared all the details about the entertainment you can expect to see during Boo Bash (including some spooky characters).

We also shared a look at the crowds and wait times, as well as a list of the attractions you can ride during the event.

Click here to see our ultimate guide to Boo Bash, including details on cost, crowds, characters, entertainment, and more!

Some of you might be wondering whether Boo Bash is worth the cost. We’ve asked our readers about this before and shared their thoughts.

After experiencing Boo Bash ourselves, we worked on a full breakdown of our thoughts as to whether it is worth the cost.

Is Boo Bash worth the price? Click here to find out!

Halloween Merchandise and Food

Even if you’re not heading to Boo Bash, you can still grab some great Halloween merchandise and lots of snacks throughout the parks and resorts this season. This week, we found of a whole bunch of NEW Halloween merchandise in Disney World! There are Halloween Crocs and spooky charms…

…2 new sets of Halloween ears…

…and more!

Whether you are a huge fan of Hocus Pocus…

…or just love pumpkins…

…there are quite a few things to pick from!

Click here to check out all of the new Halloween merchandise in Disney World!

Note that Disney was limiting Halloween purchases, so that’s something to keep in mind. Also, if you’re a big Haunted Mansion fan, be sure to check out the new Betsey Johnson Haunted Mansion jewelry collection that is now available in Disney World!

Feeling a little hungry? Well, Disney has you covered with all kinds of spooky snacks this season, some of which have already arrived in the parks! There are pumpkin spice treats, drinkable candy corn(?!), and more that you can get right now and other treats are coming soon.

There’s even a new mummy Mickey popcorn bucket on the way! Click here to see a full list of all the Halloween treats coming to Disney World. And click here to see photos and our reviews of all the Halloween snacks we’ve had so far. We’ll keep updating that reviews page throughout the season so be sure to check back for more.

See our photos and reviews of the Halloween snacks here!

If you’re looking to dine with some Disney characters dressed in their Halloween best, check out one spot in Hollywood Studios where you can do just that!

We’re only in August, so more Halloween fun is on its way. Be sure to check back with us for all the updates.

3 — Holiday News

This week we also got some BIG holiday news! While Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party has been canceled, the NEW Very Merriest After Hours event is set to take its place. We’ve already shared a look at how these two events are different, and the times and general date range announced for Very Merriest. But this week we got more information about this new event.

Disney has officially announced the pricing for the tickets for Very Merriest After Hours.

The tickets range in price from $169 to over $200, depending on the night.

Click here to see more details about the ticket prices!

Disney also announced that Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade is coming BACK for the After Hours event. This will be the first parade that will return to Disney World after the pandemic closures. All we’ve experienced at the parks since the closures has been cavalcades, not full parades.

We also got a full look at the dates for the Very Merriest After Hours event.

And Disney shared that guests at Very Merriest will actually be able to catch 2 DIFFERENT fireworks shows at Magic Kingdom in one night!

Guests will be able to watch the new 50th Anniversary fireworks show, Disney Enchantment, and they’ll also have the chance to see Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks during the After Hours event.

Click here to learn more about the Very Merriest After Hours event!

4 — Big News From Disney’s Earnings Call

This week Disney held its earnings call for the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 and they released a financial report to go with it. In the report and during the call, we learned that for the first time since the start of the impacts of the pandemic, Disney’s theme parks division reported profitability.

We also got an updated look at the number of current Disney+ subscribers. And Disney announced that a Disney+ Day will be coming later this year.

Wondering just how close Disney World’s theme park attendance is to the parks’ capacity limits? Disney provided an update on that too.

On the parks side, during the call, Disney also released more information about the Genie Planning App. And Disney’s CEO, Bob Chapek, commented on the COVID-19 Delta variant and its potential impact on the parks.

On the entertainment side, Chapek discussed Disney+ and theatrical movie releases amid the ongoing Black Widow lawsuit.

Click here to see the BIGGEST announcements from Disney’s earnings call!

5 — Space 220 Opening Timeline

We have been eagerly awaiting any news about the new space-themed restaurant that is set to open in EPCOT — Space 220. The restaurant was first announced a number of years ago and was previously set to open in the winter of 2019. After several delays, the Patina Restaurant Group (which will be operating the restaurant) shared that this spot was aiming for a fall 2021 opening date. But now we’ve got a BIG update on when the restaurant will (hopefully) open to guests.

Recently, Disney announced that Space 220 is set to open in mid-September of 2021!

Disney also shared a video with a first look inside the restaurant and shared some menu details. We cannot wait to learn more about this spot and finally get to experience it when it opens.

Click here to learn more about Space 220!

And that’s it in terms of the main news from this week. But, of course, more news has been shared that you should know about. Check out the details below:

• A tropical storm/depression is projected to potentially hit Disney World this weekend
• EPCOT will start opening earlier soon
• One of the most controversial snacks has returned to Hollywood Studios
• You can spot 2 more princesses in EPCOT now and a third one has been spotted as well
• A Disney World hotel discount for Passholders and Florida Residents will be ending soon

• See why buying masks in Disney World could be more difficult now
• Disney World has revealed more extended evening hours and dates
• Some changes have been made to Disney World’s rider switch policy
• The runDisney Wine & Dine Medals have been revealed!
• The themes have been revealed for runDisney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend

• Get a first look at the Muppets Haunted Mansion special coming to Disney+
• More Disney World leaders have been honored with a window on Main Street, U.S.A.
• Disney Cruise Line has added more dates for December 2022
• See what happens with the Italy booth at EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival runs out of 2 menu items
• When could Splash Mountain get its Princess and the Frog update?

• A super popular Disney souvenir is now online
• Gideon’s Bakehouse has added a SECOND hot cookie hour
• Disney is holding some hiring fairs and offering $1,000 new sign up bonuses
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure preview for Annual Passholders is now full
• Dates have been announced for the D23 Gold Member previews of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more Disney news and let you know what we find!

Click here to see 7 important Star Wars hotel details you missed during Disney’s last news drop.

 

Are you planning to visit Disney World soon? Tell us in the comments!