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Disneyland’s theme parks have been closed for OVER a year now, but soon both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park will be reopening! That View Tho. In advance of the theme parks reopening, Disneyland has updated some information on their website about unused tickets. If you were planning to visit Disneyland last year before the parks were closed, you had already purchased your tickets, and you weren’t able to use some or all of your tickets, this is information you need to know. The Disneyland website now specifically notes that if you have some unused tickets, you might still have some options to visit the Disneyland theme parks when they reopen. But, it all depends on the kinds of unused tickets you have. You Could Be Visiting Mater Soon! So, for example, if you have unused non-promotional single-day tickets that expired on December 30th, 2020 or are set to expire on March 31st, 2021, those tickets will actually have their expiration dates extended to December 16th, 2021. Dreaming of This View If you have non-promotional multi-day tickets that are entirely unused and those expired on January 12th, 2021 or are set to expire on April 13th, 2021 — those tickets’ expiration dates will be extended to December 16th, 2021. The ticket will then expire either 13 days after their first use or on December 16th, 2021, whichever takes place first. Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle The situation is a little different though, if you’ve got multi-day tickets and you used your first visit between February 28th, 2020 and March 12th, 2020. If you fall into that category, but you haven’t reached your ticket’s maximum number of uses, then your unused tickets will actually have their 13-day expiration period extended to December 16th, 2021. You can see more directly from the Disneyland website below. Here’s a Breakdown of the Rules ©Disney There are also special situations for unused non-promotional single day tickets that expire on different days, the Southern California Resident Ticket, promotional child tickets, promotional Canada Resident Tickets, and other specific ticket types. You can see a screenshot of more information from the Disneyland website below, so you can see what situation applies to you. Be Sure to Check Which Rules Apply to You! ©Disney Disney also notes that the expiration dates for eligible tickets will be updated before Disneyland’s theme parks reopen. Once they’re updated, you’ll be able to link your ticket to your Disney account to check the updated expiration date. Check Those Expiration Dates! ©Disney So, if you had some unused tickets for Disneyland, be sure to see if any of these rules apply to you, and check for those updated expiration dates when you link your ticket to your Disney account. Just a reminder that when Disneyland reopens on April, under the current rules, only California residents will be able to enter the parks. We’ll keep an eye out for more updates about Disneyland’s reopening and let you know what we find! Click here to learn more about the upcoming reopening of Disneyland’s theme parks! Disneyland Reopening Details and Info Click HERE for the All Latest Updates Disneyland Aims to Reopen Late April California Residents May Be the ONLY People Allowed to Visit Reopened Disneyland Initially Avengers Campus Still Set to Open at Disneyland "Later This Year" Click Here to Learn More About the "Touch of Disney" Ticketed Event in Disney California Adventure Disneyland's Grand Californian Hotel Reopening Date Announced! Everything You NEED To Know About Wearing Masks at a Disney Park Join the DFB Newsletter To get all the latest Disney Park Closure News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Are you planning to visit Disneyland Resort when the theme parks reopen? Tell us in the comments! The post Got Unused Park Tickets for Disneyland? Here's What You Need to Know first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: NEWS: Disneyland Prepares For Reopening With Union Return to Work Agreements PHOTOS: Two Iconic Disneyland Statues Have Been Refurbished! What Could Disneyland’s New Membership Options Look Like? Here’s What We Know View the full article

Tbh, we’re still not over the news that Disneyland will finally be reopening in a little over a month, and we can’t wait to finally get back inside! We’re Getting Teary Just Looking at This Pic This week, Disney Parks shared an adorable look at Horticulture Cast Members working hard to prep an iconic Disneyland feature for the opening — and to give him the perfect touch of spring! First off, for those of you not on TikTok yet, consider this your sign: @disneyparks is constantly putting up cute behind-the-scenes clips we wouldn’t get to see otherwise! No judgment if you feel the need to watch it a few (dozen) times. Not only is it fun any time we get to watch Cast Members in their element, but we also have to agree that Mickey is such a sight for sore eyes! It could be just because we’re really missing Disneyland, but seriously…has he ever looked better?? © Disney Parks If you’re looking for more Disney content on TikTok, we’ve got you covered. Just make sure you’re following us over at @disneyfoodblog! Have you seen any other Disney Parks TikToks? Check out this one for a fun surprise! Disneyland Reopening Details and Info Click HERE for the All Latest Updates Disneyland Aims to Reopen Late April California Residents May Be the ONLY People Allowed to Visit Reopened Disneyland Initially Avengers Campus Still Set to Open at Disneyland "Later This Year" Click Here to Learn More About the "Touch of Disney" Ticketed Event in Disney California Adventure Disneyland's Grand Californian Hotel Reopening Date Announced! Everything You NEED To Know About Wearing Masks at a Disney Park Join the DFB Newsletter To get all the latest Disney Park Closure News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe What do you miss most about Disneyland?? Let us know in the comments! The post Behind-the-Scenes Video: Planting the Iconic Mickey Flowerbed in Disneyland first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: BREAKING NEWS! Disneyland Resort JUST Announced Their Proposed Reopening Dates NEWS: Disneyland Extends Offer for Guests Affected By the Closures Through July Spend Valentine’s Day With Ice Cream and Candles in Downtown Disney! View the full article

Oh PeopleMover, how we’ve missed you. PeopleMover It’s been closed for over a YEAR — since March 2020 to be exact. We’ve been following the refurbishment’s ups and downs closely — even as the poor ride vehicles were PUSHED by a Cast Member! And we’ve gotten our hopes up for its reopening multiple times, but Disney keeps dashing them by extending the closure over…and over…and over again. But today, we finally saw a MAJOR sign that we may get to cruise around Tomorrowland again soon. The PeopleMover is currently scheduled to reopen on April 4th. That’s next Sunday! And while that sounds SUPER exciting, Disney’s extended the closure at the last minute before, so nothing’s guaranteed. But we have good news! PeopleMover, let us ride again! We spotted some testing going on today. First of all, the ride vehicles were making their grand circle of Tomorrowland (without guests inside, of course.). Seems like everything’s running a-okay there! Even though the sound is painful, we’re happy to hear it coming from the PeopleMover! Maybe we can start counting down to that April 4th reopening, after all. We’ll keep you posted with more updates on the PeopleMover — and any other Disney news — so stay tuned to DFB! Check Out the Latest Update on the PeopleMover! 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! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you excited to ride the PeopleMover again? Let us know in the comments! The post The Terrible Sound We Were So Happy to Hear in Disney World Today first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: PeopleMover’s CLOSURE Extended for the Millionth Time in Disney World PHOTOS & VIDEO: Real PEOPLE Were On the PeopleMover in Disney World Today! NEWS: PeopleMover Refurbishment Extended AGAIN (!!!) in Disney World View the full article

A Look At “The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers” With Maxwell Simkins | Walt Disney World Resort View the full article

We love keeping an eye out for the latest Disney finds! Downtown Disney We’ve seen quite a few new ears in the parks lately: Orange Bird ears, yellow floral ears, balloon ears, and more! And while Disneyland Resort JUST got a bunch of new designs, we spotted yet ANOTHER pair. At World of Disney in Downtown Disney, we found a brand-new pair of pastel rainbow ears! They’re shimmery with a swirl of iridescent pinks, blues, and yellows. Pastel Rainbow Ears That same mash-up of colors continues on the bow… Look at all those colors! …and onto the band, which is made of the same sequins as the ears themselves. If you love sparkles, you’re gonna want these ears! Now, if you think you’ve seen these ears before, you may be thinkin’ of the Lily Aldridge designer ears. They’re pretty similar, except for the bow! But this new pair is quite a bit cheaper: you can snag ’em for $29.99. Remember these?! If you’re a fan of rainbows, sparkles, and all things bright and colorful, you may wanna grab a pair of these new ears! We’ll keep an eye out for them around Disneyland Resort — and on the east coast, too! Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news. Check Out Those Lily Aldridge Ears in More Detail! Check out more Disneyland Food Reviews Here!! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What do you think about these new ears? Let us know in the comments! The post New Ears Alert! Disney Debuts Pastel Rainbow Ears first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: PHOTOS: Wait. Haven’t We Seen These Disney Ears Before?! STOP. These Are the Most ICONIC Disneyland Minnie Ears…EVER. THREE Pairs of Sweet-As-Can-Be Ears Just Arrived in Downtown Disney! View the full article

Earlier this week, Disney World announced that they began testing a new facial recognition technology for park entry. Cinderella Castle It’s just another way the Disney park experience seems to be going hands-free, in the wake of the new MagicMobile service, and My Disney Experience updates that enable Mobile Order, digital merchandise check out, and more. But this tech-y new feature seems like a BIG step into the future…and a big change overall. Right now, Disney’s just testing the facial recognition technology in Magic Kingdom until April 23rd. Participation is entirely optional: you can join the line to try it for yourself or opt to use any of the other tapstiles the normal way. No pressure! Facial Recognition Test Sign Basically, the software will capture an image of your face (even with your mask on), convert it into your own personal number, and associate that number with your park admission. You’ll have to bring your normal park admission (like your physical ticket) the first time around, so the technology can make that pairing. Scan Away! If you’re on the fence about whether or not you want to participate in the facial recognition testing, we went through the process to show you exactly what it’s like! But we wanted some MORE insight into this new process, we decided to ask you, our DFB readers, exactly what you thought. Are YOU comfortable with Disney World using facial recognition technology?! Let’s Get Scanning! Ultimately, the results of our Instagram poll were kinda even! 58% of you said you’d be comfortable with the facial recognition technology, and 42% decided they’d prefer to opt-out! Here’s what YOU said! A few of you volunteered some info on WHY you were comfortable with the new tech. According to one reader, “Passes used to have your photo on them anyway, so to me it’s just the next phase of it, technology wise.” Not to mention, guests used to have to scan their fingers to get into the parks, so Disney already has that info. Those seem like the old days now! Magic Kingdom Entrance Another reader said that “My phone and computers already have it too at this point .” And ANOTHER reader piggy-backed off that, adding, “Most people’s phones have face recognition too. If you use current technology, your info is all over the place. It’s just the world we live in.” Sounds like pretty solid logic to us! Here’s what the scanning device looks like! Still, 42% of our readers shared that they weren’t comfortable with the new facial recognition. And that’s completely okay! Disney has emphasized that this testing is ENTIRELY optional. If you don’t wanna use it, you don’t have to! But, if it goes well, it could be sticking around for much longer. Who knows. Let us know your thoughts on this new technology! And stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news and updates — and to our Instagram for more polls. Check Out the Facial Recognition System in Action! 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! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are YOU comfortable with facial recognition in Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post Fans Are SPLIT on Disney World's New Face Scan Entrance Technology first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: NEWS: Facial Recognition Being Tested for Disney World Theme Park Entry VIDEO & PHOTOS: First Look at the NEW Face Scan System in Disney World! Photos: Rose Gold Details Added to the Magic Kingdom Entrance Sign! View the full article

The situation with the pandemic and COVID-19 vaccines continues to change and develop throughout the United States. Not too long ago, President Biden indicated that the United States could have enough vaccines for all adults by May, and he directed states to make all adults eligible for the vaccine by May. Disneyland Health and Safety Sign Earlier today, we shared that Florida plans to make all adults eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine next month. And now, we’ve got updates from the state of California and when more adults there could be eligible to become vaccinated. According to a recent Tweet from California Governor Gavin Newsom, California will soon be expanding eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine. Starting April 1st, Californians who are ages 50 and older will be able to sign up for a vaccine appointment. COVID-19 vaccination tents at the Disneyland Resort ©Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG Starting April 15th, that vaccine eligibility will actually be expanded to everyone ages 16 and older. Health and Safety Signs in Disney World in Orlando In Florida the timeline is a bit different. In Florida, all adults ages 40 and up will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine starting on March 29th. On April 5th, anyone 18 and older will be eligible. Disneyland Health & Safety Reminders We’ll keep an eye out for more updates about these vaccine timelines and let you know if we find any further changes. Stay tuned for all the latest Disney news. Click here to see Disney’s face mask policy regarding those who have had the COVID-19 vaccine. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post NEWS: California Will Expand COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Soon first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: NEWS: California Receives Its First Batch of COVID-19 Vaccines NEWS: California to Receive 393,000 More Doses of the COVID-19 Vaccine Next Week NEWS: Changes Announced for California’s COVID-19 Tiers View the full article

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Can you believe that Easter is almost here!!? It seems like just yesterday we were snacking on all the green Disney snacks and now we’re chowing down on chocolate bunnies! Wake up to a Disney-filled Easter basket! If you’ll be spending the holiday at Disney World, you can be sure that the Easter bunny visits your resort room by stopping by the merchandise stores. But, if you’re spending it at home and want to fill the basket with Disney gifts, then you need to do a little more planning…and you need to do it NOW! Today is the LAST day to order your Easter gifts from shopDisney if you’re hoping to get them in time for the holiday with standard shipping! So, it’s time to get shopping for all the items to fill up those baskets and Disney has a HUGE selection online! Click HERE to Start Shopping! If you’re looking for a plush that will be the center of attention in the basket, you can choose between FOUR different characters that are sporting Easter bunny costumes. ©Disney Oh, and SCORE, these are on sale today as part of shopDisney’s March Magic deal! So, you can pick up a cuddly Disney character dressed as the Easter bunny for only $10. That’s MORE than half off! Click HERE to shop the Easter Plushes! If you need something smaller to fill up the Easter basket, you can order one (or more) of the Mickey Mouse and Friends Mystery Figure Easter Egg. This one is fun because it’s an EXTRA surprise for the kiddos. Not only do you get to unwrap the Mickey Mouse-themed egg, but one of five Disney character figures comes in a mystery bag inside. So, double the fun of opening a gift! ©Disney These Mystery Easter Eggs are available for $9.99 each. Purchase the Mystery Easter Egg here! And, if you have a trip to Disney coming up, you can load that Easter basket with something that can be used while you’re on vacation. The Ducky and Bunny Easter 2021 MagicBand features two rare characters from Toy Story 4 and will link with any park ticket that you purchase. Let’s Celebrate Easter with a NEW MagicBand! The MagicBand is a limited edition and is available online right now for $34.99. Click HERE to grab the MagicBand! And, if stocking up for Easter knowing it’ll arrive on time isn’t enough, Disney is also hosting a sitewide SALE on purchases of over $75. So, when you shop today, you can get 20% off your order of $75 or more and 25% off orders of $100 or more. MORE savings! ©Disney All you have to do is use code “SAVEMORE” at checkout. PLUS, you’ll earn FREE shipping on your order of $75 or more. LOTS of savings here! Click HERE to shop online! Easter bunny business is very important business so, head on over to shopDisney and pick up those last-minute Easter gifts! This is the LAST day you’ll be able to guarantee that it arrives on time with standard shipping. As always, stay tuned for more Disney news and updates! Build a Disney Easter Basket for Under $30! Click HERE to Find Out How! 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! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Where will you be spending Easter this year? Let us know in the comments! The post Why You NEED to Do Your Disney Easter Shopping Online TODAY! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Build a Disney Easter Basket for Under $30! Disney’s 2021 Easter Plushes Have Arrived! You’ll Have to Click “Add to Cart” to Get Disney’s Latest Deal View the full article

Fans of The Muppets: we’ve got big news! Kermit the Frog Topiary We love seeing The Muppets get the attention they deserve, from nuiMOs plushes to topiaries at EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival. But now, the iconic crew is being recognized on a MUCH larger scale. Disney has announced that “The Rainbow Connection,” written by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher, was included in the National Recording Registry Class of 2020. That’s a pretty big deal! The Library of Congress picks songs and audio recordings for this list that are “worthy of preservation for all time based on their cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.” Wow! ©Disney In case you’re wondering just how big of a deal this is, Kermit is now in the company of Janet Jackson, Kool & the Gang, Labelle, Louis Armstrong, and many more. “The Rainbow Connection” is the very first song from the OG The Muppet Movie in 1979, so it definitely has some history! Muppet*Vision 3D Kermit himself seemed pretty thrilled by the news! He shared, “Well, gee, it’s an amazing feeling to officially become part of our nation’s history. It’s a great honor. And I am thrilled — I am thrilled! — to be the first frog on the list!” You can watch his full interview with Dr. Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress, here: Congrats to Kermit and the rest of the Muppets gang! We’ll keep ya posted with more Disney news and updates, so stay tuned to DFB! Have You Seen the New Kermit and Miss Piggy Plushes? Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you a fan of The Muppets? Let us know in the comments! The post VIDEO: You HAVE to See Kermit the Frog’s Interview After His HUGE Honor first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Get a Sneak Peek at 2 NEW Disney Items Coming Soon Kermit is BACK! Check Out the New Trailer for ‘Muppets Now’ Coming to Disney+! The Muppets Are Hosting Tonight’s NFL Game! (Yes, You Read That Correctly) View the full article

Ducks (still) fly together! Nearly 30 years after first taking flight, “The Mighty Ducks” returns in a brand new series, “The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers,” on Disney+. Actor Maxwell Simkins, of the all-new original series, took time out of his recent Walt Disney World Resort vacation to stop by ESPN Wide World of Sports. Just […]http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/cXB0gPAOoes View the full article

It’s reunion week for Gatorland's “School of Croc,” the early pandemic program on YouTube that starred attraction's staff and reptiles. View the full article

People are happier at Disney World parks now — during a time when visitors must wear masks and can’t get the full experience — than before the pandemic, the company’s leader said. View the full article By GABRIELLE RUSSON ORLANDO SENTINEL | MAR 25, 2021 AT 12:37 PM Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Orlando Sentinel. Tigger entertains guests wearing masks after Disney World reopened in July. (Joe Burbank/AP) Disney CEO Bob Chapek made some bold statements. People are happier at Disney World parks now — during a time when visitors must wear masks and can’t get the full experience — than before the pandemic, the company’s leader said. “Our guest satisfaction scores since we’ve reopened across the world have shown that, indeed, our guests are even more satisfied than they were prior to the pandemic,” Chapek said during March 17 interview with Bloomberg. Disney World declined to provide to release the guest satisfaction scores or provide more details on what the results actually said. Certainly no one, including Chapek, would ever wish for a pandemic that has killed more than half a million Americans — including more than 32,000 Floridians. But Chapek said the pandemic has given Disney a chance to make decisions previously considered nearly “impossible,” such as eliminating the annual pass program at California’s Disneyland, and retooling the guest experience at the parks. “Our teams here have been hard at work, making sure that when we reemerge, that we’re going to do so in a way that’s actually going to improve the guest experience even versus a pre-pandemic situation,” Chapek said in a recent Bloomberg interview focused on Disneyland’s reopening next month. A family takes a selfie on Main Street USA in front of Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom around Christmastime. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) Much at Disney World is still not normal. You can’t hug Mickey Mouse or Elsa up close. The night sky is dark with no fireworks that might draw a big crowd. Not all the hotels, restaurants and performances are back open, and beloved runDisney in-person races and ticketed holiday parties have been paused, too. But many regular park-goers say they agree with Chapek that some things truly are better than before the pandemic at Orlando’s parks. After Disney World reopened in July, they noticed technology improvements that make it quicker to go through security or order food and how Disney has reimagined its live entertainment making it more spontaneous and stress-free. Many praised the mini parades spread throughout the day so they no longer have to fight the crowds for a spot on Main Street, U.S.A., to catch the full show of parades. You might see pop-up, unannounced appearances from Mickey Mouse and Winnie-the-Poo roaming the parks at a distance. Others rejoice over not having to book FastPasses, which Disney has suspended since July. When asked this week, Disney World declined to comment on when or if FastPasses will come back. Goodbye FastPass Before, Steve Forcum’s wife, Amie, always set her alarm for 7 a.m. sharp 60 days out before one of the their many trips to Disney World. The race to get a FastPass for a far-off vacation was on. FastPass? “I hate it,” Steve Forcum said. “I hate it with the heat of 10,000 suns.” Without FastPass, he said he felt liberated. The pressure is gone. If it rains, they can switch plans. If they’re tired, they can sleep in. “The ability to just kind of let the day take you where it takes you has been refreshing in the couple of trips we’ve made down there because you don’t have to have everything pre-planned down to the minute months ahead of your trip,” said Forcum, an annual passholder from Massachusetts who works in sales and marketing. A Minnie doll reminds guests "masks on, please" at the screening tent in front of the Magic Kingdom in January. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) Orlando theme parks writer Seth Kubersky is rooting for the FastPasses to go by the wayside, too. “Most of all, it creates this FOMO (fear of missing out). This feeling that ‘I’ve got this Fastpass at two o’clock and if I miss it, my day is ruined,’” said Kubersky, author of “The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando 2021.” “You know how often I’ve seen parents and children having breakdowns yelling at each other over a missed FastPass?” At first glance, this new FastPass-less Disney World seems intimidating with a line for Epcot’s Frozen Ever After stretching all the way through the China Pavilion. “It does feel different with not having FastPass,” said Alicia Stella, a theme park writer who runs the Orlando ParkStop site. “Even though the lines are socially distant, and they’re out the door, and they look long, they move very fast.” Give me space Between the parks limited to 35% capacity and the spaced-out ride queues, some visitors say they don’t feel so claustrophobic. For Disney World, that is something new. People “don’t have to worry about someone breathing down their neck. They don’t feel jammed in like sardines, and I think that leads to a better experience,” Stella said, joking about getting space away from “that one person who forgot to wear deodorant in Florida in the summer.” That feeling won’t last forever. Expanding capacity is tied to the country’s vaccine rollout effort, Chapek has said. Still, several said they hope Orlando’s theme parks keep the ride queue markers on the ground as a permanent way to space everyone out. What could stick around long-term, Kubersky speculates, is the theme park reservation system that everyone from resort guests to annual passholders must make in advance to get into a specific park on a particular day. For Disney, the reservation system was rolled out to tightly control its capacity during the pandemic, but Kubersky says Disney benefits from getting more precise numbers of who is coming every day so it can deploy employees more efficiently and set park hours accordingly. “The pandemic, especially with the reservation system has given (Disney) a really key data point that they didn’t have before. And I’m sure they’re not going to be too willing to give that data up now,” Kubersky said. Disney World allows reservations to be made as far into advance as mid-January 2023, although the company declined to comment on the future of the program. A visitor poses for a picture at Epcot in January. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) Others applaud Disney for its health measures. Before the pandemic, Orlando nurse Iris Lalli was already uncomfortable with germs when she touched the ride safety harness or the fingerprint scanner at the turnstiles. She immediately washed her hands. Lalli is impressed with all the mobile hand-washing and hand sanitizer stations around the parks. She hopes they remain even after the coronavirus pandemic is over. She likes the other contactless updates that make going to the parks quicker and easier, such as the recent security change where she walks straight through the metal detector without a security guard digging through her bag. Through her Disney phone app, she orders off the menu and schedules her food pick-up without waiting in line. The existence of Disney World’s mobile dining has been around since 2017 but it has soared in popularity during the pandemic and expanded to more quick-service restaurants. In early 2020, less than 10% of visitors used it. Now, more than eight out of every 10 visitors ordering food at the parks does it through mobile ordering, according to Disney. The true sentiment With all the changes, are guests truly happier at Disney World? Forcum disagrees. He reflected on a recent trip where, yes, there were no FastPasses, but other changes bothered him. The Monorail ran limited hours because of park cuts, many hotel restaurants were closed and he had to use his full Disney Vacation Club points to cover his stay even though Disney offered steep discounts to other guests. Stella is on board with Chapek. Maybe people are just thankful to return to Disney World after last year’s four-month closure, grateful for the Disney employees who are working and enforcing the safety rules. It’s a communal spirit that Disney-goers haven’t felt before, she said. “There’s a feeling, we’re all in this together,” Stella said. “We understand the bigger picture and that probably leads to more happiness.” grusson@orlandosentinel.com

A few weeks ago, we gave you a sneak peek of the newest Stitch Crashes Disney plush. ©shopDisney In the Stitch Crashes Disney collection, our alien pal Stitch — ya guessed it — crashes into various classic Disney movies. And so far, the collection has been a little…terrifying, to say the least. We’ve seen a red-eyed The Lion King Stitch plush covered in BUGS that may or may not be the stuff nightmares are made of. And while the Beauty and the Beast and Lady and the Tramp plushes were a little better, we’re breathing a sigh of relief for next month’s collection. Stitch is diving under the sea in April as he crashes The Little Mermaid! And phew — we’re actually fans of the soft blues and greens. And now, we have an official release date: April 16th! ©Disney The collection will drop at 7AM PT on shopDisney ONLY. We’ve seen the past months’ collections pop up in stores, too, so we’ll keep an eye out for when you may be able to buy this month’s set in person. And as always, we’ll keep ya posted with the latest Disney news and updates, so stay tuned to DFB! Check Out Last Month’s (Scary) Stitch Crashes Disney Collection! 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! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Do you like this new collection? Let us know in the comments! The post Our Favorite Stitch Crashes Disney Collection Yet Officially Has a Release Date! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: FINALLY…A Stitch Crashes Disney Plush That Doesn’t Terrify Us. No Lie. We’re TERRIFIED of Disney’s New Plush. Disney’s NEW Pearl Minnie Ears Will Be Available Online SOON! View the full article

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. We love keepin’ an eye out for ways to save on Disney gear! Emporium We’ve been bringing you Disney’s March Magic savings EVERY day this month, and we let you know whenever there’s a special deal you should know about! And if you’re planning to do some Disney online shopping, heads up! There’s a special offer you NEED to hear. From now until Sunday, March 28th, Disney’s Save More event is taking place! Now, there’s a few parts to this deal. First of all, you can save 20% sitewide off orders of $75 or more, and 25% sitewide off orders of $100 or more. ©Disney You can ALSO get free shipping on orders of $75 or more! To take advantage of any of these offers, make sure you add the promo code SAVEMORE when you check out. Time to do some shopping?! One more thing to keep in mind! Today is the LAST day to order from shopDisney with standard shipping if you want your purchases to arrive before Easter. Okay! Got all that?! If you’re planning on doing some shopping, this week may be a great time to do it! We’ll keep you posted with more Disney discounts, so stay tuned to DFB. Check Out MORE Disney Discounts! 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! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you planning on doing some Disney shopping? Let us know in the comments! The post Hurry! There’s 3 Ways to Save BIG on Disney Merch Online first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Score $8 Disney Cups Today ONLY! Today Only! Get a HUGE Disney Tote for $10! D23 Members Can Get FREE Shipping and a Discount on Disney Merch Right NOW! View the full article

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Happy spring, DFB friends! ©Disney We’re back with another day of March Magic! EVERY day this month, shopDisney’s offering special savings — but the deals only last for 1 day each. We’ve been keeping ya posted with each day’s new deal, from free collectible keys, discounts on Loungefly bags, BOGO pins, and so much more. But today’s special offer really puts us in the mood for Easter! For today ONLY, you can snag a Disney Easter plush for just $10! There’s four different characters you can can choose from, like this Mickey Mouse Easter Bunny Plush. He’s got the year on the bottom of his foot, making him a pretty fun keepsake! ©Disney And that bowtie sure does remind us of Mickey’s signature yellow shoes. Click Here to Buy the Mickey Easter Bunny Plush! Of course, what’s Mickey without Minnie?! You can grab a Minnie Mouse Easter Bunny Plush, too! ©Disney She’s a soft pink with a springtime green bow. Click Here to Buy the Minnie Easter Bunny Plush! We’ve recently seen some pretty terrifying Stitch plushes, but the Stitch Easter Bunny Plush is much cuter! ©Disney His iconic ears are tucked into that two-toned suit and replaced with rabbit ears instead! Click Here to Buy the Stitch Easter Bunny Plush! And lastly, the season got a little sweeter with the Winnie the Pooh Easter Bunny Plush. Like the others, he’s got rabbit ears and a fuzzy tail! ©Disney The Stitch and Winnie the Pooh plushes are a bit smaller (15 inches) than the Mickey and Minnie plushes (18 inches), so just keep that in mind if you’re buying. Click Here to Buy the Winnie the Pooh Easter Bunny Plush! All of these plushes normally retail for $24.99, so you can get them for a MAJOR discount for $10, today only! And if you wanna make sure you get them before Easter, today is the last day to order them with standard shipping so that they’ll arrive on time. We’ll keep you posted with even more ways to save, so stay tuned to DFB! Check Out MORE Disney Discounts! 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! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Which of these plushes is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! The post Select Disney Plushes Are Over HALF Off, Today ONLY! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Disney’s 2021 Easter Plushes Have Arrived! Get an Easter Plush for $15 With ANY Online Disney Purchase! 2 Disney Collectibles Are Totally FREE, Today ONLY View the full article

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Disney World, and Disney is getting ready to throw a VERY glitzy birthday party! Decorations are already going up! And decorations at Magic Kingdom are already going up! The castle got a spiffy new paint job, along with some brand new GORGEOUS decor! Bonjour Village Gifts just got a new look, AND we’ve even learned that the Main Street Confectionery is about to get a serious makeover! But Disney World is just getting started because there is SO much more going on (and we haven’t even mentioned the EPCOT transformation!). We just recently found out that Fantasyland will also get a makeover! According to Disney, “Whether it be a freshly painted castle turret being adorned with 50th anniversary décor, or shimmering gold leaf being added to your favorite Fantasyland attractions, our cast members are hard at work making Magic Kingdom Park shine like never before.” ©Disney Why gold? Well, gold is the traditional 50th-anniversary gift, so Disney is gifting us all with a beautiful golden new look for Fantasyland. We can’t wait to see it! And we’ll be there taking photos of the Fantasyland transformation (as well as everything else), so stay tuned to see it all! Could this be the reason for all the scrim at Peter Pan’s Flight?! We will have to wait and see, but we can’t wait to find out! Find Out If You Should Visit Magic Kingdom or EPCOT on the 50th! 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! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you as excited as us about all the 50th anniversary updates the parks are getting? Let us know in the comments! The post Some Magic Kingdom Rides Will Look a Bit More SPARKLY Next Year 🤩 first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: PHOTOS! Disney World’s Iconic Sign for “it’s a small world” Is Visible Again! Heads Up, Your Disney World Castle Photos Might Look a Little MORE Different! PHOTOS: Gaston’s Fountain Has Been Drained in Magic Kingdom View the full article

Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort has officially reopened! All-Star Movies Earlier this week we walked you through all of the biggest changes when it comes to health and safety measures and updates to transportation, and now we’re going to take you on a tour of a standard room! Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort is one of three All-Star resorts in Disney World. These resorts fall into the Value category and have some of the cheapest and smallest rooms on the property. Standard Room We’ve seen these 260 square foot rooms range from around $120 to over $240 per night. The two room layouts include one with two double beds and one with one king bed. Standard Room So let’s take a look around! The door, which opens to an outdoor hallway, features the standard Disney hotel doorknob along with a deadbolt and a security guard. An emergency plan is also posted. Door Locks Nearby on one of the bedside tables, there was a “Room Occupied” door hanger to let Cast Members know when you’re in. Do Not Disturb Hanger The curtains have a punchy design on them that matches some of the other features in the room such as the cabinet and the chairs. Closed Curtain Views at All-Star Movies can vary to include parking lot views, pool views, and courtyard views. As we were in the Mighty Ducks section, our view looked out on an oversized hockey stick. View The large cabinet is actually a murphy bed and when folded up gives the room a lot more space. Bed and Murphy Bed Near the door and window, you’ll find a cabinet with some various amenities as well as two trash bins. Cabinet The cabinet features a Cuisinart Coffee Maker… Coffee Maker …and an ice bucket. Ice Bucket As for supplies, open the drawer to reveal cups, lids, sugar, sweet ‘n low, creamer, coffee stirrers, green tea, earl grey tea, and Joffrey’s coffee. Coffee, Teas, etc. The thermostat is located to the right of the cabinet and was set at 68 degrees when we arrived. Standard Room The TV is mounted across from the beds above a small dresser with three drawers and one cabinet. The cabinet holds an extra pillow, a bible, and a standard hotel safe. TV and Dresser On the dresser, you’ll find information on enhanced cleaning, a guide to Disney World, and a bagged and sanitized remote control. Information and Remote The remotes are one of the many items that are fully sanitized between guests. This is standard at Disney World hotels since the reopening. Remote Here’s a closer look at everything in the room that has received advanced cleaning! Enhanced Cleaning Information The TV is a good size and, of course, turns on to show the Walt Disney World TV channel. TV All-Star Movies features adjoining rooms so larger parties can book rooms that connect to one another. That door features a deadbolt and you’ll find some coat hooks nearby. Connecting Door The bathroom is in the back of the room behind a sliding door. Standard Room The sliding door allows for added privacy without sacrificing space. Standard Room The double bed comes stocked with enough pillows for both itself and the murphy bed (8 in total). Plus, you can spot Mickey, Minnie, and Donald in art above the bed! Double Bed There was ample space below both beds to store luggage. Under-bed Space Each bedside has a light switch to control the two rectangular lights on the sides of the art plus outlets and USB ports. The telephone is also placed between the main bed and the murphy bed along with some safety information. Phone and Side Table When the murphy bed is folded up, the space is used for a table with two chairs. Closed Murphy Bed To pull the murphy bed down, you need to move the two chairs out of the way. Take a look at the fabric on the seats! It has motifs for Music, Sports, and Movies — the three All-Stars! Moved Chairs The murphy bed is pillowless when you first pull it down so you can move some of the pillows from the main bed. Lowered Murphy Bed As you can see, the print on the wall of the murphy bed adds even more color to the room. Standard Room If you look closely, you’ll notice that it features Huey, Dewey, and Louise dreaming about playing sports, heading to the movies, and playing music. That’s the three All-Stars again! Standard Room With both beds down and the chairs pulled to the side, the room feels much smaller. Standard Room You can see just how little walking room there is between the TV and the beds. Standard Room Now let’s take a look at the bathroom! The washroom is pretty small but features a bright mirror, a sink, extra toilet paper, a hairdryer, an iron, and an ironing board. Plus, this is where you’ll find a small closet space. Bathroom The sink comes stocked with hand towels and washcloths, facial soap, and tissues. Bathroom Here you can get an idea of how little the closet is. Still, for a short vacation, it may be plenty of space. Bathroom To the left is the separate toilet and shower room. Bathroom There are plenty of towels as well as noted to help conserve water by reusing your towels. The shower/tub combo is behind a sliding glass door. Bathroom In the shower, there’s a nook for your personal toiletries as well as sanitized refillable pumps of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Bathroom The showerhead is a wide variety that has moderate pressure. Bathroom Overall there’s a lot packed into such a small bathroom space, but it does feel on the small side. This room might be cramped for parties that need a little more space! Bathroom The toilet and shower room can be closed off with another sliding door that features a full-length mirror. There’s also a magnifying face mirror! Bathroom And there you have it! That’s what a room at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort looks like. If you have any specific questions about staying at All-Star Movies, feel free to ask them in the comments. As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney pics and info. Click here to learn more about the reopening of Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort! 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! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Will you be staying at All-Star Movies soon? Let us know in the comments! The post PHOTOS: Disney World's All-Star Movies Resort Standard Room Tour! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: PHOTOS! Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort Has Officially Reopened in Disney World! PHOTOS! Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Has Officially Reopened in Disney World! Olivia’s Cafe Is Being Added to Disney World’s Table Service Mobile Order List Soon! View the full article

Food at Disney World is expensive. It can be the largest part of your vacation budget so you want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth everywhere you eat. Monster Brownie Sundae We asked our followers on Instagram which restaurants YOU wanted to hear about and today we’re gonna talk about the most frequently requested restaurants and if they’re worth it or not. Check out all this and more in our newest DFB Video!  Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! Check out our latest video and let us know: Your favorite Disney World restaurant! The post DFB Video: 26 Restaurants You’re Worried About in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: DFB Video: When Should You Go To Disney World Now That Your Trip Is Ruined? DFB Video: Why You Should Bring Your Own Food to Disney World! DFB Video: 9 Bad Ideas You’re Going to Have in Disney World! View the full article

The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine is continuing throughout Florida. COVID-19 vaccination tents at the Disneyland Resort ©Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG Shortly after President Biden directed that states should make all adults in the U.S. eligible for the vaccine by May, Orange County lowered its vaccination age to make anyone age 40 and up qualified. Now, as part of the state’s goal to offer the vaccine to all adults before May 1st, the rest of Florida is following suit. According to Fox News, throughout the entire state of Florida, all adults ages 40 and up will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine starting on March 29th. And on April 5th — just one week later — anyone 18 and older will qualify. Florida Palm Trees Governor DeSantis said of the change, “We’ve been able to expand eligibility to those age 50 and above and we’ve seen additional success. Now because of this success, I am pleased to announce additional vaccine eligibility expansions.” He explains that over 70% of Florida’s seniors have now been vaccinated, allowing the younger population to now qualify. Orange Bird Mask! We’ll continue to keep you posted if this vaccine timeline shifts more. As always, stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news! Check Out Orange County’s Vaccination Timeline! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post Florida to Make ALL Adults Eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine NEXT Month first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: NEWS: Florida Vaccination Eligibility Age Lowered to 50 NEWS: Florida Aiming to Offer COVID Vaccines to All Adults Before May NEWS: Florida Surpasses One Million Positive COVID-19 Infections View the full article

Some of us are REALLY looking forward to the return of cruising when it’s safe — especially Disney cruising! Disney Cruise Line Disney Cruise Line has been periodically canceling sailings due to the global health crisis and might resume limited operations this fall. Disney Cruises might be limited this year, but you COULD put a 2022 cruise in the books! Last week, Disney released the itineraries for Summer 2022 cruises and now they’re available to book for ALL GUESTS. Today, Disney Cruise Line opened up bookings for sailings through September 2022. DCL Website Screenshot You could find yourself setting sail to the Mediterranean, Greek Isles and coastal ports of Greece, France, Italy, or Spain or places like Iceland, Norway, and the British Isles. Or cruise domestically to the Caribbean, Bahamas, or even Alaska! Mickey at Castaway Cay So, yes! You can get planning your next fabulous Disney cruise adventure TODAY with bookings NOW AVAILABLE. Worried about selecting the right cruise for you? Then you might want to book through our friends at Small World Vacations. Disney Cruise Line pool Not only will you take away all the hassle of finding the right cruise and price point for you, but you’ll also get the chance at snagging some onboard credit for FREE. Remember, travel agent services are completely FREE and they’ll net you personalized advice to make sure you plan the BEST cruise for your fam. Disney Dream These travel professionals can help to answer any and all questions you might have. How do I book a dining reservation? How do I make special requests? What room level is right for me? They’ll get you the answers to these and WAY more. Disney Cruise Line If you do opt to book through a travel agent, we recommend our friends at Small World Vacations. We totally love their services and right now, they’re running a special promotion that could get you onboard credit to spend during your cruise! That’s right, depending on your Disney Cruise fare, you could get an onboard cruise credit for booking directly with Small World Vacations for sailings through 2022. Yes, FREE MONEY PEOPLE! Picture It: You on the Beach With One of These in Your Hand. Perfection. So, if you’ve got cruising on the mind, consider reaching out to Small World Vacations to book for Summer 2022! As always, keep an eye on DFB for all of the latest Disney updates! Click here to learn more about 2022 itineraries! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/customemailexample.jpg Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Will you be cruising in 2022? Let us know in the comments! The post Booking Now OPEN for Summer 2022 Disney Cruises! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Disney Cruise Line Itineraries for Summer 2022 Have Been Announced! Read This if You Plan on Taking a Disney Cruise Disney Cruise Line Website Updated to Reflect the Suspension of All Departures Through Mid-December View the full article

A call from the cruise industry to end the conditional sail order by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by July was met with opposition Wednesday, but the 74-point plan for ships to return to business may be getting changes. View the full article

Lamplight Lounge has FINALLY reopened at Disney California Adventure (after a year of being shut down) as a part of the “A Touch of Disney” ticketed event! Helloooo From Pixar Pier! Lamplight Lounge has a prime location on the water at Pixar Pier , and their menu mixes highly themed drinks with iconic DCA dishes. Plus, they have a (not-so-secret) secret menu! We previously shared a first look at our experience, and now we’re here to give you all of the details! Let’s cross into the world of Pixar and dive right in! Atmosphere As you enter Pixar Pier you can’t miss Lamplight Lounge. It’s the big white and red building to your right as you enter (look for the big red pointy rooftop!). Lamplight Lounge opened a few years ago when it took over the space that was once the Cove Bar and Ariel’s Grotto. Lamplight Lounge! The vibe at this restaurant is very relaxed and laid back, and the decor celebrates all things Pixar! The famous bouncy Pixar lamp, Luxo Jr., inspired the name of Lamplight Lounge. You’ll spy tributes to him everywhere, including in the logo! You can get a FULL look at the decor by checking out our review from when it first opened. That View Tho. Lamplight Lounge has an outdoor patio upstairs, as well as indoor and outdoor seating downstairs. For the event, they were only seating guests outside. The style is very casual with cafe-style tables and chairs as well as bar seating. Seating On our last visit, tables were pretty tight together, but now due to health measures in place, they were much more spaced out. Seating Not that we would ever complain, because look at this perfect view!!! It’s no surprise the spot has copious outdoor seating — it’s a popular location to get a prime view (with food and drinks!) of the nightly World of Color showings (when they’re happening!). We Missed This View! We visited on the first day of the event, and were very impressed by the service! The cast members were definitely excited to be back (more on the service in a bit!). Lamplight Lounge Now on to what we really came here for, the FOOD (and maybe a drink. Or two. Or three…). Food During A Touch of Disney, Lamplight Lounge will be offering a few main food items, kid’s items, and assorted wine, beer, and specialty cocktails. Once we were seated, we were given paper menus to peruse. Menu With a VIEW! The menu has been reduced to just a few options. There are various types of burgers, nachos, and bar snacks… Menu …paired with beer… Menu …and wine… Menu …as well as their signature Pixar-themed cocktails… Menu …and mocktails! Menu But we weren’t after THOSE drinks. Those “in the know” know you could typically order from an extensive SECRET menu here back in the Cove Bar days and, thankfully, into the Lamplight Lounge days as well! These drinks were all mainly layered concoctions that were MAJORLY Instagrammable and often quite strong. We were curious if the secret drinks made the Touch of Disney cut and THEY DID! (Cue us doing a major “OMG they’re still here!” happy dance!) We started with two drinks that have been legendary to DCA since this location was still the Cove Bar: The Fun Wheel and the Neverland Tea! Both of these drinks are from that secret menu, which makes them feel even more special! These are the perfect Instagram drinks! The “secret” menu drinks here are all takes on a Long Island Iced Tea. Most of the drinks range from being moderately-strong to VERY strong but are still VERY sweet (bright fun colors in a mixed drink often mean SWEET! That certainly applies here!). You definitely get bang for your buck in the booze department with these. First up, the stunner Fun Wheel. This starts with your standard Long Island ingredients — gin, vodka, and rum — but the color comes from pineapple juice for the yellow, then X-Rated Passion Fruit Vodka for the pink layer, and then blue curaçao (Disney’s favorite ). Oh Fun Wheel, We Missed You! This drink is just very sweet and fruity. You get a bit of pineapple with it but mostly a strong boozy flavor and, again, SWEET! This one will cost you $14. Next up, the Neverland Tea for $13.25. You might think you can fly like Peter Pan after too many of these, so careful! Neverland Tea! This big greenie is made with vodka, gin, and rum plus peach Schnapps, Pineapple Juice, and Midori (the neon green you see above!). The flavors here are still super sweet but the Midori lends a nice mild melony flavor. Combined with the peach and pineapple, it’s very drinkable. For food, we started with the Lobster Nachos and the Spotlight Nachos. Because what is better than one plate of nachos? Two plates of nachos!!! The One…the Only…Lobster Nachos, Ladies and Gents. The Lobster Nachos are a staple DCA item that has been around for-e-ver. They are made of warm lobster with black beans, aged cheddar-Oaxaca cheese sauce, pico de gallo, and chipotle crema (plus plenty of fresh jalepeño slices!). It’s a MONSTER plate of chips! The toppings are flavorful and there’s a nice zing from the chipotle. And who doesn’t love a drippy cheese sauce? Lobster Nacho The lobster on top had a nice flavor, but we would have liked a little bit more to go with all those chips. Mmmm. Lobster. For $21, this is majorly sharable and (if you like seafood) basically a rite of passage if you eat here! The Spotlight Nachos are a more classic version of nachos and consisted of chile-spiced beef barbacoa, pinto bean puree, spicy tomatillo salsa, onions, cilantro, chipotle cheese sauce, queso fresco, and pickled jalapenos. This is a good option if you aren’t into seafood but still want nachos. We love that there’s a nacho dish on the menu for everyone! Spotlight Nachos We thought that they were very tasty BUT…they’re the same price as the Lobster Nachos — $21. If you’re comparing nachos to nachos here, you get WAY more toppings and a MUCH bigger plate full of chips with the Lobster Nachos. The Barbacoa nachos were just kind of underwhelming in comparison and not as good of a value. But, they did have a nice flavor and will satisfy those looking for a more traditional plate of nachos. We also got the Angus Beef Sliders for $22. The Sliders pay tribute to an upscale burger and are made with a beer and bacon cheese sauce (!!!), tomato-habanero chutney, lettuce, and pickled onions on toasted Amish buns. Angus Beef Sliders with BEER CHEESE They are a crowd pleaser, and we think kids would enjoy them as well! The toppings aren’t TOO exotic. Still your basic burger flavors here. The chutney flavor was strong but not overpowering. And who wouldn’t want to just drink beer and bacon cheese sauce straight out of a bucket?? Beef Slider The menu notes these are cooked to guest preferred doneness but we were never asked what temp we wanted ours. The result? Well… Slider Inside …fairly “well done” burgers. We would have preferred if we had the option to ask for these to be cooked a bit less, but the meat still had a good flavor and was surprisingly tender for being so cooked. The Tuna Poke was made of Yellowfin tuna, “magic” watermelon, avocado, edamame, shishito peppers, and a spiced mango nectar. The dish comes covered in a “rice bowl”, which, when removed… Where’s that Poke Hiding? Hmm… . reveals the beautiful poke tower! Tuna Poke Revealed! The poke was very light, and is a great guilt-free option. We thought it was a little mild in flavor but very refreshing. It’s the most adventurous item on the menu, and a great choice if you enjoy poke bowls! Be careful of the shishito peppers, about one in ten is super spicy! Tuna Poke Tower The serving is fairly small, but it’s also one of the cheaper items on the menu at $18. Poke Scoop The food menu is small, so make sure there’s something for everyone in your party before making a reservation. Even though the options are limited, they are still just as delicious as we remember! Word. A full belly and two colorful drinks later, we were stuffed! Nosh or Not Bounce right to this spot if : You’ve never been to California Adventure before, as this is an iconic photo spot, especially at sunset! You are looking for a place to relax and have a drink because this place is alllllllllll about the cocktails! You want to try some iconic California Adventure foods. Sit down options are very limited in DCA right now, and we thought this was a great pick. Pass this spot by if : You’re looking for more kid-friendly options (or more options in general — the menu is pretty limited right now!) You are looking for a quieter spot; the Incredicoaster is right next door and can get NOISY (although the rides aren’t operating right now, so it’s a bit quieter now!) You don’t want to waste time sitting down for a meal. There’s plenty of great options to grab as you make your way around California Adventure if you’re short on time! Overall We were just so happy to be eating in this spot once again! We LOVED it as Cove Bar, we LOVED it as Lamplight Lounge, and we LOVE that it’s back open finally! Aside from those OG nachos, nothing registers as destination-worthy food to us here. Everything we tried was good, but not the BEST. This is a unique spot where the drinks are still the main draw. Well, and those bomb Lobster Nachos. A year later and they’re still delish. This spot is a fantastic location for first-time California Adventurers looking to take it all in as well as for folks just soaking up as much of the “back in the park” feeling as they can right now! (We feel ya!) The views are still killer. We timed our meal just right to get gorgeous sunset views over the Pixar Pal-a-Round Wheel and the Incredicoaster. Sitting here on this covered patio just feels like being in California Adventure to us. And on our first day back in California Adventure for Touch of Disney, this was the perfect endcap to the day. We can’t wait nosh on more goodies once Disney’s California Adventure is fully open! Check out more information from A Touch of Disney here! Disneyland Reopening Details and Info Click HERE for the All Latest Updates Disneyland Aims to Reopen Late April California Residents May Be the ONLY People Allowed to Visit Reopened Disneyland Initially Avengers Campus Still Set to Open at Disneyland "Later This Year" Click Here to Learn More About the "Touch of Disney" Ticketed Event in Disney California Adventure Disneyland's Grand Californian Hotel Reopening Date Announced! Everything You NEED To Know About Wearing Masks at a Disney Park Join the DFB Newsletter To get all the latest Disney Park Closure News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Will you be visiting Lamplight Lounge anytime soon? Let us know in the comments! The post Review: We're BACK at Lamplight Lounge in Disneyland (We Swear Those are Tears of JOY in Our Lobster Nachos!) first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: #OnTheList: The Secret Drink Menu and MORE at Cove Bar in Disney California Adventure PIXAR PIER SUPER SNEAK PREVIEW! Tons of NEW Info on Food, Attractions, and MORE! Lamplight Lounge on Pixar Pier Will Feature A Cove Bar Favorite!! View the full article

Thanks to Spring Break crowds in Disney World, it has been challenging for many people to find Disney Park Pass reservations at the moment! Expedition Everest Since the parks reopened, reservations are required to visit the Disney World theme parks, in order to help control capacities. We’ve seen many days fill up recently, and just yesterday we reported that park passes were almost completely FULL until April 8th. But this morning, more availability opened up, and our reader Joe (@schreiberjoe on Instagram) gave us a heads up! If you’ve been trying to get in a park, now’s your chance! For the next week, we’ve seen a few options open up for theme park ticket holders. During our last update, no parks were available, but now guests can find Disney Park Passes for select days at Animal Kingdom and EPCOT. ©Disney April opened up quite a bit as well, with mostly Animal Kingdom and EPCOT available throughout the first part of the month. In the back half, some days still have park passes for all four parks! ©Disney Looking at options for Disney Resort guests, things look pretty similar for the rest of March. Your only choices at this time are Animal Kingdom and EPCOT. ©Disney The same is true for the first half of April, with more options opening up later. In fact, the availability calendars for theme park ticket holders and Resort guests are nearly identical! ©Disney There’s a bit more availability for Annual Passholders, but it’s important to keep in mind that Gold and Silver level passholders will soon be blocked out for Spring Break. ©Disney Even so, there are still several options left after the blockout dates end mid-April. So ahead and make those reservations now! They will likely go fast again. ©Disney If you were hoping to get into the parks in the next few weeks, now’s your chance to book! Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney Park Pass updates and all the latest park news! And we will be sure to let you know if more availability becomes opens up. Here’s What You Need to Know About Disney Park Pass Reservations! 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! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you ever made a Disney Park Pass reservation? Tell us in the comments! The post Book Fast! Some Hard-to-Get Disney World Park Pass Reservations JUST Opened Up! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: MORE Park Passes Added For This Spring in Disney World Could March Be the Busiest Month in Disney World Since Reopening? Disney World Park Passes Are Filling Up for the Rest of 2020! See the Availability Here! View the full article

Main Street, U.S.A. is getting some spiffying up soon! Main Street, U.S.A. We’ve been closely following all the construction at Magic Kingdom as the park gets ready for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration (ICYMI, that kicks off October 1st and lasts a whopping 18 months!). We’ve already seen the Cinderella Castle transformation begin to take shape, and now, the front of the park is getting some work, too! The iconic shops on Main Street, U.S.A. are gonna play musical chairs for a little bit while they undergo refurbishment! Earlier this month, we clued ya in that the Main Street Confectionery would be closing on March 29th for a lengthy refurb. Now, Disney’s announced more of what we can expect when the shop reopens! The home of Disney’s sweetest treats! When we can step inside Main Street Confectionery again, we’ll notice an expanded layout and interactive activities to customize our sweet treats. Pretty exciting! Disney hasn’t released more details just yet, but we’ll be keepin’ a close eye on the construction. Easter Chocolate Cupcake from the Confectionery If you’re craving your candy fix while this refurbishment goes on, don’t worry! While the store will be closed through June 5th at the earliest (maybe even longer!), you can find its wares at the Emporium and Main Street Cinema (which is currently closed to make way for its tasty new merch). Bakery Case Now, here’s where it gets a little tricky! The artwork and collectibles previously for sale at Main Street Cinema are shifting over to Bonjour Village Gifts, which JUST reopened with a fresh coat of paint. And one more thing! The Chapeau on Main Street, U.S.A. is closing for a bit of refurb, too. You can find your Disney hats at Box Office Gifts (that’s at the Town Square Theater!) in the meantime. You can head here soon for your candy fix! Phew! That’s a lot of changes. We’ll keep you posted as these refurbs begin — and we’ll ALWAYS let ya know where you can find a good ol’ Disney cupcake in the meantime. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news! Learn More About Main Street Confectionery’s Closure! 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! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What’s your favorite treat from the Confectionery? Let us know in the comments! The post Main Street Confectionery Is Getting a NEW Look and More in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: NEWS: A Magic Kingdom Staple Is CLOSING for a Lengthy Refurbishment A Main Street, U.S.A. Store Has CLOSED Temporarily in Magic Kingdom 5 Things That Will Be DIFFERENT in Disney World in March View the full article

Today, I’ve got some SWEET news to share about exciting work happening at Magic Kingdom Park as we prepare for the beginning of The World's Most Magical Celebration at Walt Disney World Resort this October!http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/OEF_sEojHgA View the full article