Happy Friday everyone! Are you ready to catch up on ALL the big Disney news from this week?

Perfect! Then you’ve arrived at the right spot. From news about Annual Passes to all kinds of Halloween updates and photos of the adorable, new 50th Anniversary statues, there’s a lot to share this week. Let’s dive in!

1 — Annual Passes Are Available to Purchase Again!

That’s right folks — Annual Passes for Disney World are now on sale! Keep in mind that Disney has introduced a NEW Annual Pass program with 4 available pass types.

Trying to make your Park Pass reservations? Bonus Park Pass reservations can also now be made by Annual Passholders. These bonus reservations don’t count toward your overall Park Pass limit.

With the sale of the new Annual Passes, a new Annual Passholder calendar has also appeared. Click here to see how to use and understand this calendar.

Thinking of adding PhotoPass to your new Annual Pass? Read this first to get some important information that could save you money!

Want to upgrade your park tickets to an Annual Pass? There’s a complication that could arise with respect to your Park Passes. Click here to see more about this problem.

We’ll keep an eye out for more updates about the Annual Pass program, so be sure to check back with us for updates.

Click here to see the pros and cons of Disney World’s new Annual Pass system.

2 — BIG EPCOT Opening Dates

This week we got some big news about 2 new things coming to EPCOT.

First, the opening date has been announced for EPCOT’s new Creations Shop (the shop that will replace Mouse Gear). Mark your calendars — the Creations Shop will open on September 15th!

The shop will feature a brand new merchandise collection and we have a feeling it’ll be VERY popular with EPCOT fans.

Excited to see what this spot looks like? Get a first look at the Creations Shop sign here!

But wait, there’s more! The revitalized version of Club Cool also now has an official opening date! Get ready for the return of Beverly because Club Cool will open on September 15th as well.

We’ll be checking out these spots when they open on the 15th, and we’ll be bringing you all the information you need to know, so be on the lookout for more updates!

Click here to see some details about Club Cool!

3 — 50th Anniversary News

This week was also a big one when it comes to the 50th Anniversary. In Disney World, more 50th Anniversary decor has arrived.

Disney buses have gotten a 50th Anniversary makeover, as well as the Disney Skyliner.

Excited about the NEW fireworks show (Disney Enchantment) that will arrive in Magic Kingdom at the start of the 50th Anniversary? Click here to get a sneak peek at the music that will be featured in this show!

Disney Cast Members are starting to get their 50th Anniversary name tags. And, in some of the most adorable news of this week, the first 50th Anniversary statues have arrived in Disney World!

So far, we’ve seen statues of Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Lady and Tramp, and more.

We can’t wait to see all of the 50 statues once they’re up around the parks.

Click here to see photos of ALL of the statues we’ve seen so far!

Want to have fun celebrating the 50th Anniversary at home? Soon you’ll be able to collect 50(!!!) McDonald’s toys themed to the 50th Anniversary!

Also, 50th Anniversary calendars (including a really cool poster calendar) have arrived online so be sure to snag yours while they’re available!

We’re counting down the days to Disney World’s 50th Anniversary and we can’t wait to see what else Disney has in store for these big celebrations!

Get a peek at some of the special experiences coming to Disney World for the 50th Anniversary by watching this video!

4 — This Is Halloween

It might not be October yet, but Halloween is in full swing at Disney World and Disneyland. This week we got a first look at Disney’s new Mummy Mickey Halloween popcorn bucket as well as the glow-in-the-dark Halloween popcorn bucket that is now available in Disneyland!

In Disney World, the Jack Skellington Annual Passholder popcorn bucket has arrived, as well as one of the iconic cauldron popcorn buckets!

Love Haunted Mansion and The Nightmare Before Christmas? Click here to ride Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland with us (a.k.a. Haunted Mansion with a Nightmare Before Christmas overlay)!

Staying at Disneyland Resort for a second, Oogie Boogie Bash has begun at Disney California Adventure Park and there are 3 NEW villains to see there (including Agatha from WandaVision)! We’ll be bringing you more coverage of and details about this event soon, so be sure to check back with us!

Looking for more Halloween merchandise in Disney World? Halloween Mickey Balloon ears have arrived in the Most Magical Place on Earth!

And more spooky treats have arrived in Disney World too including chocolate treats, a Haunted Mansion petit cake, all kinds of pumpkin snacks, a colorful Halloween flight, a sweet & spooky cocktail, and more!

Celebrating Halloween at home? Check out a FULL list of Halloween content on Disney+.

Click here to see our reviews of ALL the 2021 fall and Halloween treats in Disney World!

5 — The Monorail Station Has Reopened at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Also, this week the monorail station at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort reopened!

If you’ll be staying at this resort in the future, be sure to check out that updated monorail station and know that you can once again hop aboard the highway in the sky right from the hotel.

Click here to see more photos and information from the reopening of the monorail station at the Polynesian.

6 — A NEW Holiday Event is Coming to Disneyland

This week also brought us some exciting holiday news out of Disneyland! Recently, Disney announced that the NEW Disney Merriest Nites After Hours event will be coming to Disneyland this year.

The event will feature not 1, not 2, not 3…but 6(!!) different “merry parties” featuring fan-favorite characters like Miguel from Coco, Tiana, and more!

There will also be special photo opportunities, access to select rides with limited capacity throughout the park, specialty treats and merchandise, and more. Tickets will go on sale on September 14th and start at $165.

Click here to see what else this holiday event will include!

In terms of other news, a bunch of other things were announced this week. Check out some of the latest updates below:

• See the Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure merchandise
• Go INSIDE Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure with us!
• See our FULL review of La Creperie de Paris
• POG juice is back with a new supplier
• 2022 Walt Disney World Marathon medals have been revealed

• You probably shouldn’t buy face masks in Disney World right now — click here to see why
• There’s a new Starbucks tumbler in Disneyland
• There’s a new pamphlet in Disney World that breaks down the retirement of FastPass+
• Here’s when the new Muppets Halloween special will debut on Disney+
• The TRON ride construction has taken a big step forward

• Kali River Rapids will close soon for refurbishment in Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• Disney Cruise Line will resume lengthier sailings soon
• Owen Wilson will star in Disney’s new Haunted Mansion movie!
• Getting a Rise of the Resistance Boarding Group just got easier — see why!
• The Main Street Confectionary construction walls are down

• Menus have been revealed for the Swan & Dolphin Food & Wine classic
• Disney has announced the DATE when tickets for the 2022 D23 Expo will go on sale!
• Expedition Everest will have a 3-month closure in Disney World
• Select animatronics have gone missing from EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth
• Yehaa Bob Jackson is coming BACK to Disney World

And that’s our wrap up of the big Disney news from this week! As always, be sure to check back with us for more updates.

What piece of news from this week are you most excited about? Tell us in the comments!