Weekly News Roundup!

Okay, okay...I know! I always do a "Mid-Week Roundup", but on Wednesday, I just could not stop watching the inauguration! (I could go on and on about this...but I think I cried 1,000 HAPPY tears!) Anyway, since the world had its eyes on President Biden and Vice President Harris' inaugurations, I'm delivering this news a few days late. Remember, the best way to stay updated with all Disney and Universal news is still to follow my Facebook and Instagram pages. (Both are linked below!)

Walt Disney World
Festival of the Lion King Returning!
More singers, dancers, technicians and other Cast Members are returning back to work...because the incomparable Festival of the Lion King is coming back THIS SUMMER! Festival of the Lion King is one of the most popular shows at Walt Disney World Resort. The Harambe Theatre at Animal Kingdom will present the show in a modified format to be mindful of the current environment. There will be some adjustments to audience seating, the show onstage, and backstage areas to allow for appropriate physical distancing for Cast Members and Guests. It’s going to be an amazing celebration! Are you as excited as I am?

Disney Cruise Line
Disney Wonder 2-Night Seattle Sailing Available for Booking!​
I feel like its been forever I've been able to share some positive cruising news! A new Disney Wonder 2-Night Seattle sailing on July 5, 2021 is now available to book! The 2-Night sailing will leave from and return to Vancouver, British Columbia and will stop in Seattle Washington. This sailing is in addition to the June 28, 2021 7-Night Alaska sailing. (The June 28th sailing replaced a June 28th 9-Night Alaska sailing. Guests who were previously booked on that 9-Night Alaska sailing are eligible for a 10% discount* if they rebook this 2-Night sailing.)

*Guests must have been booked on the applicable sailing at time of cancellation (Dec. 11, 2020) by Disney Cruise Line to qualify for the 10% discount. Guests who were booked on Disney Wonder June 28, 2021 9-Night sailing will be eligible to apply 10% of the June 28, 2021 7-Night Alaska sailing and/or July 5, 2021 2-Night Seattle sailing.

Flexibility Options Extended
Beginning January 22, 2021, a temporary final payment extension, relaxation of the cruise cancellation fee,  and a Cruise Date Flexibility option were added to all Disney Cruise Line sailings through Aug. 31, 2021.
With the Cruise Date Flexibility option, Guests have the option to change the sail day up to 15 days prior to the cruise. This means that for any new or existing cruises booked prior to March 31, 2021, for sailings through Aug. 31, 2021.

Disneyland
Sunset of the Disneyland Resort Annual Passport Program
More sad news out of Disneyland. Due the continued uncertainty of the pandemic and limitations around the reopening of California theme parks, Disney will be "sunsetting" the current Annual Passport program. They will be issuing refunds for eligible Disneyland Resort Annual Passports. (No word yet on what "sunsetting" means in the long term. I personally think we might be seeing something similar take its place once California parks can open, but that's purely speculation on my part!)

First Look at WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure!
When Avengers Campus opens at California Adventure, you'll notice a very familiar face inside the Worldwide Engineering Brigade (or WEB as the kids call it.) Tom Holland will reprise his role as Peter Parker for WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure!
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In the WEB workshop, you'll get to see Spider-Bots, which are designed to be robotic sidekicks capable of building anything a Super Hero might need. When Peter’s demonstration goes awry, the Spider-Bots are stuck in a replication loop, creating even more Spider-Bots! Your mission will be to test-drive a new invention, the WEB Slinger vehicle, and discover your own web-slinging super powers! Through specially designed, innovative technology that recognizes body movements and gestures, you will actually be able to reach out your hands and sling webs from your own wrists! As the WEB Slinger vehicles progress, you will virtually pass through Pym Test Kitchen, Avengers Headquarters and the Collector’s Fortress (also home to Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!)