Face Mask Updates and a Brand NEW Store — Here's ALL the Disney News You Missed This Week!

Another week has passed, which means it’s been another week FULL of Disney news.

Balloons at Downtown Disney

This week alone we’ve seen a NEW exhibit open at Disney World, testing of Castle Projections in Disney World(!!), and MORE! Did you catch all of this week’s biggest news stories? We’re sharing them all here with you so you don’t miss a thing!

1. Castle Projections

We’ll start this week’s news recap in Disney World. Although Magic Kingdom’s fireworks still have not returned, we were treated to some extra special Castle projections during Christmas last year. But, we did see some projections being tested on the Castle from the Poly recently!

Castle Projection Testing

The Castle lit up in a few different colors and we heard some music coming from the park as well. Perhaps these are new projections for Valentine’s Day? We’re not sure but we’re on the lookout for any more information!

Click here to see more photos and a video of these projections being tested!

2. New and Returning Things Opening Up in Disney World

This past week we also saw some brand new things open and a few older things reopen at Disney World. In EPCOT, guests can now visit the newly opened Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure exhibit in The American Adventure.

The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure

In this exhibit, you can go on a journey across America with Joe Gardner from Soul to discover all kinds of unique stories about Jazz and see some really impressive pieces.

The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure

So, if you’re looking for something unique in EPCOT, you can now stop by this spot.

Click here to see more photos inside the Soul of Jazz exhibit!

February is Black History Month, and aside from the opening of The Soul of Jazz exhibit, Disney is doing all kinds of things to celebrate. For example, Disney Springs is hosting a whole bunch of activities including live jazz music on select nights, new Soul art displays…

Soul Art Displays

…special petit cakes inspired by Soul and Tiana at Amorette’s Patisserie…

Petit Cakes

…and more. We got the chance to see some of these special offerings this week, and we’ll keep our eyes open for more in the future.

Click here to see how you can celebrate Black History Month in Disney World!

Also at Disney Springs, the M&M’s Store opened recently! If you’re a big fan of this candy, this is an awesome place for you to check out the next time you visit Disney Springs.

M&M’s Store Opening

There were all kinds of unique M&M’s products, and you can even create your own CUSTOMIZABLE M&M’s there!

Minnie M&M’s

Whether you want to get M&M’s shirts or special M&M’s treats, there are all kinds of things to check out here!

Click here to see photos and videos inside the new M&M’s store!

Over at Magic Kingdom, Liberty Square Market reopened…

Liberty Square Market

…and we saw the Liberty Belle Riverboat…

Liberty Belle

…and rafts to Tom Sawyer Island back in the water.

Tom Sawyer Island Raft

Both Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Belle Riverboat reopened today, February 5th.

Go on a tour of Tom Sawyer Island with us!

3. Carthay Circle Reopening and MORE at Disneyland

Over at Disneyland Resort, we’ve heard quite a bit of news this week as well. Several restaurants are reopening now that the stay-at-home order has been lifted in California. But this week we got some extra special news with the announcement that Carthay Circle Lounge — Alfresco Dining, as well as two other Buena Vista spots, will be serving some yummy treats to guests once again starting today, February 5th.

Carthay Circle at California Adventure

Reservations have already opened up for Carthay Circle, so be sure to check and see if any are still available for when you want to visit.

This week, we also got an opening date for the new Star Wars Trading Post location coming to Disney Springs.

‘Star Wars’ Trading Post

Ready to go on an intergalactic shopping adventure? Well, you’ll have a new spot to do just that very soon!

Click here to see the opening date for the new Star Wars Trading Post location at Disneyland Resort!

This week we also heard about a bill being proposed by the California Assembly aimed at potentially speeding up Disneyland’s reopening.

Read all about this bill here!

4. Updated Policies about Face Masks and Large Groups

Thinking about wearing one of those new face masks with a transparent covering over your mouth? Wondering if you still have to wear a mask in Disney World or Disneyland if you get your COVID-19 vaccine? Well, this week both Disney World and Disneyland updated their websites to give you answers. First, both Disney World and Disneyland have noted that guests MUST continue to wear face masks even AFTER they have received the COVID-19 vaccine.

Festival of the Arts Mask

Both Disney World and Disneyland’s websites also note that masks with those transparent coverings over the mouth area may be worn IF they meet certain requirements, including that it is a fabric face covering with a solid plastic panel with no openings which is attached to the fabric on all sides, and more.

Walt Disney World website screenshot

You can see all of the requirements these transparent masks must meet by looking at our full post.

Click here to see more about the transparent face mask rules.

Disney World also specifically updated its distancing policies about large groups. Disney’s updated rules now specify that “Guests traveling in parties of more than 10 are asked to split into smaller groups in queues, dining locations, and other areas around our parks and resorts to allow for physical distancing.”

EPCOT Crowds

This is an important change to know about and keep in mind if you’ll be traveling with a large group.

Click here to see more about this updated policy.

And those are our BIG news stories for the week. Wondering what else happened this recently? Well, the Three Caballeros went a bit…FLAT, Disney Cruise Line updated some of its notifications regarding COVID-19, and Disney World’s Annual Passholders started to get 30%(!!) off select merchandise in the parks again for a limited time.

Gran Fiesta Tour

We also heard more about mask requirements for cruises, REJOICED over the fact that Brandy’s Cinderella will be coming soon to Disney+, and we HACKED both a Grilled Cheese Bacon Donut Sandwich AND a mac & cheese burger.

Grilled Cheeeeeese Bacon Donut Sandwich Hack

What will next week bring? We’re not sure, but you can bet we’ll bring you all the biggest things you need to know!

Click here to see what’s new at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!

Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!

With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs!

With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet.

Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today!