Disney World Christmas Plans, Disneyland and Hong Kong Re-Opening Possibilities, Polynesian Closing, and More!
Disney News on Parade for September 8th, 2020
Walt Disney World has announced its offerings for the holiday period. We look at what’s coming and what’s not. There are significant pieces that are missing, but it still feels like the holidays. We also consider the real reason why Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is making such a substantial closure over such a long period of time. It’s not about Moana. We have good and bad news around re-opening the Disneyland Resort. That’s added to promising news out of Hong Kong Disneyland and the Tokyo Disney Resort. And Disney Studios Paris? We’ll look at that rumor too in this very busy Disney News on Parade for September 8th, 2020.
You can find our podcast here on Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, MyTuner, and ListenNotes. Key links, videos and photos are below, but you’ll find most of my commentary on the podcast.
Walt Disney World Announces Holiday Plans
The holidays will be offered at Walt Disney World from November 6-December 30th. There are many aspects of this holiday in place, and many that are modified. Missing are
- Castle Dream Lights
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
- Candlelight Processional
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort to Close Until Summer 2021
Orlando Sentinel confirmed with Disney that the hotel portion of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort would close until summer 2021.
Many refurbishments have been done prior. Why is this one necessitating closing the entire hotel portion of the resort (minus the DVC units) to include closing off not only the Great Ceremonial House but even the use of the monorail line.
We offer a very likely, very plausible reason on the podcast beyond room refurbishment with Moana designs. Remember, that the resort will be 50 years old as well come 2021. Listen to the podcast to know more.
Disneyland Getting Closer to Reopening
According to the Orange County Register California is “getting closer” to reopening Disneyland and other theme parks. Newsome announced on Tuesday that Orange County, the home to Disneyland Resort and Knotts Berry Farm has moved from the most restrictive Tier 1 “widespread” risk level to the next lower Tier 2 “substantial risk level.
Meanwhile, some Cast Members are suggesting that Disney is not being open or transparent about the number of Cast Members who are coming down with COVID-19. This comes via a story by the Daily Beast. More to come on this story in the days to follow.
Hong Kong Disneyland to reopen soon
Yahoo Finance has reported that Hong Kong’s government has announced plans to relax health and safety measures. Given that, Hong Kong Disneyland hopes to follow suit in a “responsible manner”.
Hong Kong had re-opened earlier, but then had to shut down again.
Rumors of Walt Disney Studios Paris Closing in Off Season
The internet is abuzz with rumors that management is considering closing Walt Disney Studios Paris park during the off season due to low attendance. Then they noted that management has denied such rumors, while never really sharing any source for the news.
What is certain is that much of the park is undergoing renovation. And its hours are fairly generous, currently showing 10 am to 7 pm.
Fireworks & Parades Return to Tokyo Disney Resort
Light the Night fireworks returned on September 1st to the resort. This is the second Disney resort to bring back fireworks, Shanghai being the first.
Additionally, the return of Nightfall Glow happened on the same date. This is the first time a parade type event has ran in any park. It is a step up to the Big Electrical Parade they typically run.
Here’s Nightfall Glow:
Here’s what Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade Dream Lights looks like:
Finally, Cast Members will start previewing The Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast that is the centerpiece of their new Fantasyland addition. They still have not announced a formal opening date.
There’s Much More!
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