NEWS ROUNDUP: New Restaurant Announced in Epcot, TRON Coaster Progress Update, Magic Kingdom Attraction Reopens, Toy Story 4 Previews and Merch, Limited Release Mickey Ears & More!

This week has been full of exciting news for Walt Disney World fans! We got updates on the construction of new TRON attraction coming to Magic Kingdom in Tomorrowland. Over at Epcot, a brand-new restaurant was announced for the Japan Pavilion. There are a handful of construction updates impacting guests now that you need to be aware of. Also, even though summer is still a month away, it’s time to start planning for those fall vacations, and we have a run-down of all the reasons this fall is going to be a great time to visit Disney World! Catch all the details below to learn about all the exciting news from this week!

1 – Progress Being Made on the TRON attraction in Disney’s Magic Kingdom

One of the many exciting new additions coming to Walt Disney World just in time for its 50th Anniversary in 2021 is the new TRON coaster that is currently being built next to the Tomorrowland Speedway at Magic Kingdom. Just seeing photos of the coaster in Shanghai Disneyland makes us super excited to have the chance to race on a lightcycle. Progress continues to be made, and we have new updates! Click here to learn more!

2 – Tomorrowland Speedway is Open After 5 Month Closure

Speaking of the Tomorrowland Speedway, the attraction just re-opened after a five-month closure. The track had to be slightly re-routed due to the addition of the Tron attraction being built nearby. The landscaping and paint have also been updated.

3 – Be Prepared for Construction at the Epcot Entrance

Earlier this year, Disney announced significant changes coming to the Epcot entrance, including the moving of Leave a Legacy to a new area. Construction walls are already up, and the tram drop off and pick up areas have been moved as Disney prepares to begin construction on this area. New walkways are in place to guide guests coming from the parking lot to the park entrance. Signage and Cast Members are in place to get you to the right spot but be prepared that the tram will no longer get you as close you as might like!

4 – Disney’s Hollywood Studios New Tram and Bag Check Opens

If you’ve visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the last year, you’ll know that construction at that park entrance had also re-routed the tram drop off for guests. We’re happy to report that the new tram drop off area is complete and open. The tram drop-off is now located near the former bus stops, which gets you very close to the main entrance and to restrooms. A new bag check area is also now open, with the old bag checked walled off for construction. It will become a new bag check area for guests arriving from the resorts. All of these updates are apart of the transformation of the Disney’s Hollywood Studios arrival experience. The main entrance to the parking lot was relocated earlier this year along with an expanded parking lot and a new bus loop.

5 – Disney Announces New Restaurant in Epcot’s Japan Pavilion

There are so many amazing restaurants all over Disney World with many of the excellent choices found in World Showcase in Epcot! This week Disney announced that they will be opening a brand-new restaurant in Epcot’s Japan Pavilion giving guests even more options for dining. This restaurant will feature signature dining and will offer guests another opportunity to experience Japanese cuisine. Click here to learn more!

6 – 9 Reasons to Visit Disney World in Fall of 2019

The fall is always a fantastic time to visit Walt Disney World. However, the fall of 2019 is an especially perfect time to visit because there is so much going on and so many new experiences debuting. There are multiple parties, grand openings, and so much more, that you don’t want to miss out on all the fun things happening this fall! Click here to learn more!

7 – Highlights from Our Instagram Account

We love to highlight the latest Disney treats and merchandise available on our Instagram account! This week we shared new Aloha Mickey Ears, a yummy new Tangled Wall Éclair, a delicious Lion King themed cupcake and new Disney park buttons! Also, on Monday evening, we attended the DVC Moonlight Magic event at Epcot and enjoyed meeting our favorite characters in unique outfits. Click here to check out the highlights of our night!

8 – New Merchandise Inspired by Forky from Disney and Pixar’s ‘Toy Story 4’

Toy Story has been a fan favorite for years, and we have grown to know and love many of the different characters introduced within the series. Forky, a lovable spork, is about to be your new favorite character and guests will be able to show their love with new merchandise inspired by the character! Cast Member Thomas Smith has all the details below:

If you’re one of the many people who love “Toy Story” films, then your next favorite character may soon be an adorable disposable spork named Forky from Disney and Pixar’s upcoming film “Toy Story 4.” And today, we are featuring new Forky items now available at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.

New Forky inspired merchandise includes special plush, apparel and more (none of which is disposable)!

FORKY (voice of Tony Hale) is not a toy! At least that’s what he thinks. An actual spork-turned-craft-project, Forky is pretty sure that he doesn’t belong in Bonnie’s room. Unfortunately, every time he tries to get away, someone yanks him back into an adventure he’d rather skip. Check out Forky in the film’s latest trailer.

Forky-inspired merchandise is available at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort.  For Disneyland, merchandise can be found in Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure park and World of Disney at Downtown Disney District. For Walt Disney World, merchandise can be found in Beverly Sunset Boutique or Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and World of Disney at Disney Springs.

Look out for Forky in Disney·Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” in theaters on June 21, 2019.

*Forky MagicBand available only at Walt Disney World Resort starting June 21*

9 – Sneak Peek of Disney and Pixar’s ‘Toy Story 4’ Coming Soon to Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line

In addition to merchandise, Toy Story fans have another reason to get excited! Soon guests will be able to enjoy a sneak peek of ‘Toy Story 4’ and get ready for when it comes to theaters June 21st. I know we are excited to see our old pals up on the big screen again and we can’t wait to get a little peek at what’s coming. Disney Cast Member Shawn Slater has all the details below:

I’ll never forget the first time I saw “Toy Story.” It was a revelation! It had a great story, with great characters, and it looked unlike anything I had seen before. Each new adventure with Woody, Buzz and the rest of the toys has gotten better and better, and now I can’t wait to experience “Toy Story 4” later this summer.

We won’t have to wait long at all, though, to get a special look at part of the movie. For a limited time this summer, a preview of scenes from Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” will be presented in sneak peeks coming to Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line. Here’s Tony Hale, who provides the voice of Forky in the film, to tell you more:

At Disneyland park, the preview of “Toy Story 4” will be presented at the Tomorrowland Theater beginning May 24, and starting the same day Disney’s Hollywood Studios will include this advance look at a portion of the film as part of the Walt Disney Presents attraction. Guests aboard Disney Cruise Line can catch the sneak peek during sailings between May 24 and June 20, and Disneyland Paris will offer this unique opportunity in the Studio Theater at Walt Disney Studios Park from June 18 – 28.

When we catch up with him in Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 4,” Woody (voice of Tom Hanks) has always been confident about his place in the world, and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie. So when Bonnie’s beloved new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky (voice of Tony Hale), declares himself “trash” and not a toy, Woody takes it upon himself to show Forky why he should embrace being a toy. But when Bonnie takes the whole gang on her family’s road trip excursion, Woody ends up on an unexpected detour that includes a reunion with his long-lost friend Bo Peep (voice of Annie Potts). After years of being on her own, Bo’s adventurous spirit and life on the road belie her delicate porcelain exterior. As Woody and Bo realize they’re worlds apart when it comes to life as a toy, they soon come to find that’s the least of their worries.

10 – Limited-Release Designer Mouse Ears Coming to Disney Parks and shopDisney

Mickey Mouse ear hats and Minnie Mouse ears have always been a classic accessory to add to any outfit, and we love how Disney has really made those ears even more special. Beginning May 24, Disney will be releasing Mickey Mouse ear hats and Minnie Mouse ears designed by celebrities, designers, and artists! Cast Member Thomas Smith has all the details below:

Have you heard about the all-new Disney Parks Designer Collection? Starting May 24, guests at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort can get their hands on a series of limited-release Mickey Mouse ear hats and Minnie Mouse ear headbands that, for the first time ever, are designed by notable celebrities, designers and artists!

The collection will introduce signature elements of each collaborator to the iconic silhouettes of Mickey and Minnie for a never-before-seen look. For those of you not at the resorts, you’re in luck! They will also be available online at shopDisney.com.

Each month, new designs will be released such as a bridal-inspired design using hand sewn crystal and pearl embroidery by Vera Wang, a decadent crystal-encrusted ear hat from The Blonds, a classic pink-puffed ear headband by Betsey Johnson, a mommy-and-daughter set by Cupcakes and Cashmere and a genuine crafted leather, floral-inspired ear headband by COACH, as seen above.

Legendary supermodel, television host and entrepreneur Heidi Klum also designed a dazzling pair of ears coming this fall, as seen above. And in early 2020, another stunning ear headband will hit the shelves from American supermodel and entrepreneur Karlie Kloss.

The creative collaborations don’t stop there! Other designers in the collection include HARVEYS (as seen above), ALEX AND ANI, Loungefly and a design from a galaxy far, far away by Star Wars actress Ashley Eckstein for Her Universe.

Artists from around the world will also expand upon the stories of some of the most beloved characters and attractions in a whole new way. Some designs from artists as featured in the WonderGround Art Galleries include: NOAH, SHAG, Jerrod Maruyama, Dave Perillo and John Coulter.

Many of the designs in the collection take inspiration from beloved Disney characters and Disney Parks attractions, including an Enchanted Tiki Room-inspired design pictured above and forthcoming designs by Disney Imagineers such as Kim Irvine, Kevin Rafferty and Joe Rohde.

For those of you looking to get your ears on, check out the jam-packed release schedule, with even more designs to be announced in the coming months:

• HARVEYS – May 24th
• Betsey Johnson – Summer 2019
• ALEX AND ANI – Summer 2019
• Noah Fine Art – Summer 2019
• Kim Irvine – Summer 2019
• Her Universe – Summer 2019
• SHAG – Summer 2019
• Jerrod Maruyama – Fall 2019
• Heidi Klum – Fall 2019
• The Blonds – Fall 2019
• Loungefly – Fall 2019
• COACH – Fall 2019
• Joe Rohde – April 2020
• Vera Wang – Spring 2020
• Cupcakes and Cashmere – Spring 2020
• Kevin Rafferty – Spring 2020
• Karlie Kloss – Spring 2020
• John Coulter – Summer 2020

Get ready to show your #DisneyStyle when these new designs from the collection hit The Disney Dress Shop, Disneyana and Off the Page at Disneyland Resort in California, Ever After Jewelry Co. & Accessories, MouseGear, Uptown Jewelers, Once Upon a Time and Discovery Trading Company at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and online at shopDisney.com/Disney-Parks-Designer-Collection.