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Disney’s Hollywood Studios officially reopened last week, and we’ve been checking it out to see what it’s like to spend a day in the park! Disney’s Hollywood Studios We’ve noticed that so far, the wait times for attractions in Hollywood Studios have tended to be the longest of the four parks. And with Rise of the Resistance using a virtual queue, we’ve found that Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway has regularly had the longest line in the park. So, if you’re going to be spending a decent amount of time in the queue, you might as well know what you’re in for along the way! We spotted a Cast Member holding a sign outside of the attraction to help direct guests to the start of the queue! Cast Member outside of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway And since social distancing can make the queues look a bit confusing, there was another Cast Member holding a sign at the end of the line! End of the Line for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway As with other queues throughout the parks, there are social distancing markers throughout the line to show guests the proper space between parties. Social Distancing Markers There is space left between the line switchbacks to ensure guests can maintain distance, and there are umbrellas throughout the outside portion of the queue for shade! Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Queue Let’s head inside to take a look at the rest of the queue! Welcome to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway! There are social distancing markers throughout the indoor portion of the queue as well. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Queue There’s also space left between potential line switchbacks throughout the indoor portion of the queue. The Line is Laid Out to Allow Lots of Space Between Guests In some places where a close switchback is unavoidable, there’s yellow and black tape to show guests not to stand close to the railing. Taped Off Areas in the Queue At this point in the line, each party is directed to a number on which to stand. Each Party Gets a Number! There are plexiglass dividers in the loading area! Plexiglass Dividers There is hand sanitizer available to guests right before they get on the attraction — it’s visible in the far right of the photo below! Guests Hopping on Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway All aboard! Runaway Railway Ride Vehicle Based on the wait times we’ve seen since the park reopening, there will probably be a line for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway if you head to Hollywood Studios in the near future. If that’s the case, now you know what to expect during your time in the queue! From merchandise to food, check out what’s new in EPCOT! Have you had the chance to ride Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: NEW Eats, Merch, and Construction Updates: Disney’s Hollywood Studios Review! We’re Celebrating the Grand Opening of Runaway Railway with Mickey and Minnie’s Blueberry Pie! We Now Know The OPENING DATE of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Disney World! View the full article

It’s been too long since we got our Tonga Toast fix! We headed back to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for a special breakfast at Kona Cafe. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Lobby On our last adventure to Kona Cafe, we shared what the dining experience is like since it re-opened. We indulged in crispy pork and vegetable potstickers and washed it down with a giant pineapple filled with Lapu Lapu. Now we’re BACK and stuffin’ our faces with one of the most popular breakfast classics at Walt Disney World. The Polynesian is known for a great view of Cinderella Castle, yummy tropical drinks, and (for us!) Tonga Toast. It’s not a morning trip to the Poly unless you leave with a belly full of fried bread! Kona Cafe Let’s head inside Kona Cafe and see what breakfast is like since the re-opening. Atmosphere Disney has adjusted dining experiences by using mobile check-in when you arrive and limited menus for many restaurants. Kona Cafe is adhering to the same health and safety protocols with social distancing and increased sanitation. Some booths and tables were closed to create distance between travel parties and the sushi bar seating was also closed. Closed Sushi Bar Seating Despite some changes, Kona is as tropical and vibrant as ever! We love that the restaurant is located on the mezzanine and open to the second floor too! It gives you a chance to people-watch while you take in the sights and sounds of the lobby below. Kona Cafe Eats Ok, now for the good stuff! We held back our urge to order everything on the limited breakfast menu. Those Macadamia Nut Pancakes are to die for, by the way. Part of the Kona Cafe Limited Breakfast Menu Coffee lovers unite! This one is for you. One of our favorite treats at Kona is the option of ordering a French Press that is large enough to serve two, full of fresh coffee. Kona Cafe uses its very own specialty beans roasted by Joffrey’s Coffee! We couldn’t resist having a cup or two (or three). French Press Pot Coffee Now for the real deal! We’ve reviewed Tonga Toast many times before for good reason — it’s an absolute classic. Some guests find the dish to be too sweet while others love the rich decadence. If you’ve never heard of it before now, let us take you on a taste journey. The whole meal costs $16 and we’re almost certain you’ll leave feeling nice and full (for about 29 minutes because carbs). Tonga Toast The Tonga Toast consists of a HUGE slice of sourdough bread, which is deep-fried. To add to the majesty, the bread is stuffed with bananas and dusted with cinnamon sugar. What’s Inside the Tonga Toast On the side, you get some strawberry compote and maple syrup to bathe your toast in ooey-gooey goodness. Tonga Toast with Strawberry Compote To top it all off, you also get a choice of ham, spiced ham, bacon, or sausage. We went with some crispy bacon to accompany the crispy fried bread. Tonga Toast and Bacon with Coffee The amount of Tonga Toast and coffee was definitely a big enough portion for two people. Bring a friend and share or sneak out and treat yourself to an enormous breakfast date with YOU! Now time for our required Tonga Toast disclosure: Tonga Toast is amazing, but NO you don’t have to make a reservation at Kona and pay $16 for it! If you venture downstairs to the Polynesian’s resident Quick-Service location, Capt. Cook’s, you’ll find the SAME Tonga Toast on the breakfast menu for $9.29. The ONLY difference? No strawberry compote (and no ham as a side option if you want to get really picky!). So decide if that strawberry sauce and the sit-down experience is really worth almost $7 more. For us, sometimes it is, sometimes it isn’t. Nosh or Not Consider dining at Kona Cafe if: You want to experience a delish and low-key table service meal before heading into Magic Kingdom You want to experience a taste of Disney’s Polynesian Resort without staying at the hotel (it’s usually easy to snag a last-minute reservation here!). You might want to skip Kona if: You want something cheap. $16 for fried bread isn’t exactly a bargain, so maybe consider checking out the cheaper version at Capt. Cooks. You want something quick. This is a full table service meal. Don’t plan on sitting down and eating in under 30 minutes before rushing to the Monorail! Overall Kona Cafe is one of our favorite places and is often overlooked. Despite reminding us of a typical hotel restaurant in decor, look, and feel, the open concept allows you to take in the Polynesian’s atmosphere and the restaurant serves up some really great classics. The Tonga Toast is a treat that has been around since the beginning of Walt Disney World. For many guests, this dish tastes like coming home. We think a fresh pot of coffee and a slice of Tonga Toast is a great way to start off your magic morning! Start your day at this tropical paradise, grab your grub, then take a short monorail ride to the Magic Kingdom! This wasn’t our first visit to Kona Cafe and it certainly won’t be our last. Be sure to follow along with us as more restaurants re-open at Disney World too! Heading to a Disney World hotel soon? We answered all your questions about the hotels re-opening here! Are you heading to Kona Cafe soon? Let us know if you’ll be trying the Tonga Toast for the first time or 100th time! Related posts: #OnTheList: Tonga Toast at Captain Cook’s in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Review! We Just Ate the INSANE Turtle Cinnamon Roll in Disney World! Review and Photos: Is Dinner at ‘Ohana in Disney World Still One of Our Favorites?! View the full article

Disney World is currently promoting many new health and safety measures in its newly reopened parks. From face masks to temperature screenings and physical distancing, several elements are now mandatory for guests. Magic Kingdom But other procedures, while strongly encouraged, are still considered optional. One of these enhancements is Mobile Order, a contactless way to pre-order and pre-pay for your food using the My Disney Experience app. While many of us already know how convenient and handy the Mobile Order feature can be for skipping long lines and walking right up to the pick-up window when we’re ready to eat, some guests are having a harder time adjusting to using this new method to get their food. Pinocchio Village House Right now, most Quick Service locations are strongly encouraging guests to use Mobile Order. Guests CAN enter locations and order in person but they’re trying to limit that to guests with dietary concerns, no smartphone, or those paying with cash. We’ve seen Cast Members stationed at entrances to dining locations discouraging guests from entering without a Mobile Order. Pinocchio Village Haus Cast Member But we know even pre-closures, many guests still weren’t using Mobile Order as a regular part of their park days. So how can Disney entice guests to make the change? If Disney World really wants to make Mobile Order more appealing to a broader audience, they might want to consider offering an incentive — like a discount! Ordering Area Disney World has been adding more and more locations to its list of restaurants that utilize Mobile Order. But due to the size of some popular dining locations, not every counter service restaurant can accommodate a Mobile Order pick-up window. Smaller stands or kiosks would have a hard time operating Mobile Order pick-ups and regular order pick-ups from the same window, BUT… Mobile Order Pick Up Area …if more guests could get acclimated to using Mobile Order, Disney might be able to offer it exclusively at smaller places such as Storybook Treats or Sleepy Hollow in Magic Kingdom! Those are a few spots we think could benefit from having it since the wait times can get REALLY long at these spots. Mickey Waffle at Magic Kingdom This might sound scary to you if you’re never used Mobile Order, but we promise you, it’s extremely accessible and easy to use — not to mention, it’s totally free! Disney World is currently offering a higher than normal merchandise discount for Annual Passholders — 30% as opposed to the standard 20% — in gift shops around property, so we know that extra discount incentives are very much something they COULD offer. A tiny discount, say as little as 10% off, would go a long way towards helping more people get more comfortable using Mobile Order. Mobile Order Your Dole Whip! Once many guests saw how much easier it is to use the app instead of waiting in a line, they might be more inclined to continue to use Mobile Order. A kiosk or alternate ordering method for guests needing further assistance or for those without a smartphone could easily be implemented away from the actual counters where other guests are receiving their orders. Pecos Bill Meal We’ll continue watching for new restaurants appearing on Disney World’s Mobile Order feature (including this one which just showed up!), and we’ll continue dreaming our discount dreams! ;-D Click here to see how Disney World is breaking the theme park reopening mold! Have you ever tried using Mobile Order? Let us know if you’d be willing to give it a shot on your next Disney World trip in the comments below! Related posts: 21 Myths About Walt Disney World Food DEBUNKED The 31 Things To Eat In Disney World If You’re Obsessed With CHEESE!! Going to Disney World?? You Need Our BEST Disney Dining Plan Snack Credit VALUES for 2020! View the full article

Although the Fourth of July was the beginning of this month, we’ve been feeling extra patriotic watching Hamilton on repeat at home! Magic Kingdom While we’ve been toting around the Fourth of July Loungefly Backpack and wearing star spangled shirts, we can’t help but want to put on the newest pair of sparkly ears in Disney World! Although the Minnie Mouse Americana Ears have popped onto shopDisney before, they’ve made their official debut into the stores in Disney World! The red sequined ears have a giant bow decked out like the American flag… USA Ears …that would be perfect to wear year-round in our opinion! While we found them in the Emporium, the Minnie Mouse Americana Ears are available around the parks for $29.99. USA Ears Do you think these ears will make us look as fabulous as the Schuyler Sisters or the rest of the Hamilton cast?? Read This Next! — Take a look at the cutest park themed shirts we spotted in Disney World today too! What has been your favorite thing to do in a newly re-opened Disney World? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: We LOVE the NEW Dapper Designer Ears at Epcot’s Festival of the Arts! We Spotted ANOTHER Pair of Pin Trading Minnie Ears in Disney Springs Today! SPOTTED! Disney Character Face Masks Available For Purchase in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom View the full article

Savi's Workshop and Animal Kingdom's bird show open with major changes. View the full article

WOO-HOO! Today is Ice Cream Day – although many of us feel that every day should be Ice Cream Day! In honor of this very special occasion, we have a recipe for you to make at home – the refreshing Island Navigator (made with ice cream, of course!) from our friends at Disney Cruise Line. We are also dishing up our favorite distinctly Disney frozen treats from around the world – past and present. Enjoy! Island Navigator from Disney Cruise Line Serves 2 INGREDIENTS 1 cup pineapple juice 1/3 cup coconut cream 6 to 8 ice cubes 1 cup vanilla ice cream or frozen vanilla yogurt Pineapple triangles, maraschino cherries, for garnish Combine pineapple juice and coconut cream in blender. Blend to combine. Add ice and pulse until ice is crushed. Add ice cream and blend until smooth. Garnish with pineapple triangles and maraschino cherries, if desired. Serve immediately. Note: This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version. As a reminder while preparing this recipe, please supervise children who are helping or nearby. Click here for a print-at-home version of this recipe. Disney Parks and Resorts Across the Globe: Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bars Disney Cruise Line: Specialty Ice Cream Flavors from Vanellope’s Sweets and Treats on the Disney Dream; Mickey and Minnie Sundaes from Sweet on You on the Disney Fantasy Aulani – A Disney Resort & Spa: Mickey Shave Ice from Pāpālua Shave Ice with a choice of base ingredients: standard shave ice, ice cream, or sweetened condensed milk. Disneyland Paris: Exotic Paradise Ice Cream Cone from Hakuna Matata; Gibson Ice Cream Treat from Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor Tokyo Disney Resort: Soft-Serve Ice Cream from World Bazaar Hong Kong Disneyland: White Peach Soft-Serve Ice Cream from Midtown Delight; Mickey and Minnie Treasure Bowl Ice Cream Sundaes from Main Street Corner Café hosted by Coca-Cola Disneyland Park: Mini Ice Cream Sandwiches from Golden Horseshoe; Ice Cream Sundaes from Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor Disney California Adventure Park: Hard Floats and Hand-Dipped Ice Cream Bars from Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream Downtown Disney District: Birthday Cakes and Blackberries, Meyer Lemon with Blueberries, Goat Cheese and Marionberry Habanero Ice Cream from Salt & Straw Shanghai Disney Resort: ‘Olu Mel Honeydew Melon-flavored Ice Cream Cone, Fresh Watermelon Ice Cream Sundaes, Donald Waffles with Watermelon-flavored Ice Cream, and Donald Watermelon-flavored Ice Cream Cones from Il Paperino Walt Disney World Resort: Ice Cream Specialties from Sleepy Hollow at Magic Kingdom Park; Seasonal Ice Cream Flavors from Plaza Ice Cream Parlor at Magic Kingdom Park; Ice Cream Sandwiches from Hollywood Scoops at Disney’s Hollywood Studios; Artisan Ice Cream Scoops from L’Artisan des Glaces at EPCOT Walt Disney World Resort: Artisanal Gelato Shake from D-Luxe Burger at Disney Springs; Specialty Sundaes from Dino-Bites Snacks at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park; Kitchen Sink and Specialty Milk Shakes from Beaches & Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Beach Club Resort Complete your look in Disney Style by wearing an Alex and Ani Bangle with a Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar charm or a cute 90s-style women’s shirt with Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar and DOLE Whip® design from Her Universe. Both are available at Disney Parks and online at shopDisney.com. Stay connected with Disney Parks Blog  for more delicious Disney stories and recipes. Be sure to share the magic with other Disney fans using the hashtag #DisneyMagicMoments. View the full article

Now that Disney World has re-opened, the parks are testing new health and safety guidelines and adjusting protocol around limited park capacity to ensure guest and Cast Member safety. Magic Kingdom Balloons While we’ve known that Disney would be implementing a mandatory mask requirement for everyone on property, we’ve also noticed that they are required at all times on attractions. The only place guests are able to take them off are when they are swimming, visiting a relaxation station, or dining. But since the parks have opened, Disney has had to make language and policy changes to better fit what is best for everyone visiting. While face coverings have been clearly defined (and do not include gaiters or bandanas), and now the language regarding where and when masks need to be worn has been updated again. Cast Members Previously, Disney Cast Members and Guest Services confirmed that guests could pull their masks down to eat or drink while they were walking around Disney property. For example, if you had a cup of coffee, you could walk around Magic Kingdom and pull down your mask to take sips. But today, Disney has updated their website language to state that face coverings can be removed when someone is eating or drinking, but that the guest must be “stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing.” So, that means sipping on your coffee while walking down Main Street is a no-go for now. ©Disney When we were in Magic Kingdom today, we confirmed this new health and safety measure with a Guest Relations Cast Member, and it seems that this could have significant implications for the 2020 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival. Walking around the World Showcase snacking on the tapas-sized eats from the festival booths has always been a beloved past time for many EPCOT guests! But note that this year, EPCOT has set out many more tables around the World Showcase. And with limited capacity in the parks, it wasn’t too difficult for us to find an isolated table at which to stop, remove our masks, and nosh. Food & Wine Tables Although we might not be able to have that special moment snacking on a Mickey Bar while we walk around the parks, it’s still just as magical to chill out and eat at one of the tables! ;-D Read about the disposable face masks available around the parks here! Have you been back to Disney World yet? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: DFB Video — Latest Disney News: Disneyland Opening Postponed, a Splash Mountain is Changing & Park Reservations! The 10 Yummiest Disney Recipes To Make At Home This Week! Disney Recipe: Make Disney’s Churros at Home with THIS Recipe! View the full article

It’s been quite the journey heading back to Disney World (especially since the Skippers aboard the Jungle Cruise keep taking us on wild adventures to the backside of water). Jungle Cruise Dress at The Dress Shop in Downtown Disney ©DisneyFoodBlog While we’ve already seen the Jungle Cruise Dress, Funko Pop, Backpack, and more, we’re taking you with us to spy shirts that are perfect for a trek through Adventureland! Over at the Emporium in the Magic Kingdom, we spotted TWO new Jungle Cruise Shirts that make our adventurous hearts happy. Jungle Cruise Tee While one Jungle Cruise Tee has the “world famous Jungle Cruise” logo on the front… Jungle Cruise Tee …the back has an illustration of a Skipper having a grand ole’ time as he sails on down the river, probably singing a Disney tune to his hippo and fish friends for $36.99. Jungle Cruise Tee And, if you’re looking to have some extra “pun” in the jungle, you can put on the matching blue Jungle Cruise Tee… Blue Jungle Cruise Tee …that shows plenty of jokes, characters, and greenery from all around the Jungle Cruise ride for $24.99! Blue Jungle Cruise Tee Do you think the Skippers aboard the boats would like our new threads?? Take a look at everything happening in a newly re-opened Magic Kingdom! What is your favorite attraction in Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: The Popular Jungle Cruise Dress From Disney World is Now Available ONLINE! SPOTTED! Disney Character Face Masks Available For Purchase in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Attention, Skippers! The NEW Jungle Cruise Funko Pop is Now Available Online! View the full article

If you’re spending a whole day in Disney World, using your phone all day long can drain your battery pretty quickly in the parks. Cinderella Castle Although you can bring your own portable charger from home, one of the best tools in the park is the FuelRod option for guests. The stations located all throughout the parks and resorts allow guests to purchase a portable charger and swap it out once it has been drained of power. Previously, FuelRod would allow anybody who has purchased a charger to switch it out for free. However, last year, the company tried to instate a swapping fee for FuelRod users. After a large number of guests were upset by the change, Disney backpedaled on the decision and the fee was reversed. FuelRod Station However, now FuelRod has put a Founders status in place where guests who purchased a kit before October 26th, 2019 would be able to take advantage of the free swapping status. Customers who made the purchase after the date would be required to pay a $3 fee. So basically, the change of charging $3 per swap is back and (seemingly) here to stay, but they threw OG FuelRod users a bone. During our most recent visit to Magic Kingdom, we noticed the new policy is already in place. FuelRod Although guests can check online ahead of time if their email is eligible for Founders status, they can also download the FuelRod app to check as well. The FuelRod app is also another option for contactless charger swapping that will allow people to receive the charger without heavily interacting with the kiosk. FuelRod App If guests sign up for the free app, they will also receive a $3 credit that will allow them to swap their FuelRod once for free. Guests who sign in with the same email they used previously will be recognized as a “Founders’ status” customer. FuelRod App After you choose whether you’d like to buy or swap the FuelRod… FuelRod App …you can scan the QR Code or enter the location’s ID manually to be able to receive the FuelRod from the kiosk. FuelRod App If you’re purchasing a portable charger for the first time, the FuelRod costs $30 for the service. FuelRod App When you’re swapping your FuelRod, be sure to follow the instructions on the app to place it into the machine the correct way… FuelRod App …before either confirming that you have a $0 or $3 swapping fee! FuelRod App The FuelRod will be released for guests to take before returning back to another location to swap their charger again. FuelRod Station Although the new modified system for FuelRod customers allows people who previously signed up for the service to take advantage of that free swapping fee, there is still a price increase for new customers. Since the original short-lived price hike was a HOTLY debated topic amongst Disney World guests, this is at least a way for Founders to maintain their free swapping status. If you waited to get that FuelRod though, you’ll be hit with a $3 swap fee each time. While we keep exploring Disney World, we’ll keep you updated on any other new procedures we find in the parks! These are the best ways to keep your phone battery charged! Have you used the FuelRod service before? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: These Face Coverings from Sephora in Disney Springs Are SO Cute! (And Give Back to Charity!) SPOTTED! Disney Character Face Masks Available For Purchase in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom 7 Things We Expected to See in Disney World…But Didn’t View the full article

Going to a newly reopened Magic Kingdom has definitely been a unique experience. Magic Kingdom One of the things we’re constantly on the lookout for is new merchandise. Recently, we spotted six new to us short-sleeve button-down shirts in Magic Kingdom and you’ve got to see them!! Move over spirit jerseys! Button-down shirts are TAKING OVER! We spotted these beauties in the Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom and fell in LOVE! New Shirts in the Magic Kingdom WOW! Talk about awesome!! These shirts have it all – color, style, and your favorite characters and even some fun park icons! First up is one of our favorites, the DISNEY TRASH CAN SHIRT! Trash Cans Button Down Shirt You didn’t know you needed this, but now you definitely do! Check out that adorable trash can design all throughout the shirt! We love it! If you’re looking for something with all the colors of the rainbow though, then you’ll need to grab this Rainbow Mickey button-down shirt! Rainbow Mickey Button Down Shirt He’s a stylish mouse, that Mickey, and he’s looking to become a part of your style too! That repeating rainbow design throughout the shirt will definitely have you shouting “HOT DOG!” This feels like a fitting shirt after we spotted SO MUCH rainbow gear for Pride Month last month. If you like to think sunny thoughts and sunny words, then the Orange Bird shirt will be JUST what you’re looking for! Orange Bird Button Down Shirt With a beautiful, bright smile on Orange Bird’s face, you’re sure to be happy in this shirt! Plus, it would go perfectly with a citrus swirl! Maybe head over to EPCOT and check out the Taste of Food and Wine Festival and pick up an Orange Bird Sipper to match your look! Your mind may see more than what your eyes see, but my mind and eyes are both quite pleased with this adorable Figment button-down shirt! Figment Button Down Shirt This shirt is sure to spark your imagination! Once your imagination is ready to go, you’ll surely be in the mood for an adventure! As you know, adventure is out there! The Up inspired button-down shirt, featuring the grape soda pin all over it, is the perfect adventure outfit! Grape Soda Button Down Shirt It’s absolutely adorable!! We think Carl would approve. Last, but certainly not least, we were so happy to find a shirt featuring our favorite rooster, Hei Hei from Moana. Hei Hei Button Down Shirt Hopefully you won’t have to convince Maui to board your boat, sail across the sea, and restore the heart of Te Fiti, but if you do, at least you’ll have Hei Hei around to help! Maybe wear it around Adventureland if you’re still mourning the loss of the adorable Hei Hei Cone . You can take home these shirts for $59.99 each. They’re all so cute, we can’t decide which ones to get!! Click HERE to Check Out NEW Haunted Mansion Merchandise We Spotted! Which of these shirts is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New at Animal Kingdom — A Rotten Apple Cocktail, Up Phone Cases, And Your FAVE Disney Recipes! We Literally NEED All 26 of These New ABC Mugs in Disney World! Let’s DIAL IN on New Holiday Phones Cases at Disney’s Magic Kingdom! View the full article

Now that EPCOT has officially reopened, we’ve been checking out the park to see what’s new! EPCOT Upon reopening, the park also kicked off A Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival! Of course, we visited all the booths to see what they’re serving up this year! But let’s take a look at what ELSE is new in EPCOT! EPCOT Food Update Rose & Crown Pub We stopped into the Rose & Crown Pub in the U.K. Pavilion to see what the ordering process is like with the new social distancing measures in place. Rose and Crown If you’re looking for a bite to eat, they’re offering either fish and chips or sausage rolls and chips, which can be ordered to go. After ordering, guests are sent to a designated spot to wait, which is marked with a number. Guests are sent to a numbered space to wait for their order Guests are NOT allowed to stand at the bar to eat or drink, and there are plexiglass dividers in some spaces. Rose and Crown There are a limited number of tables available, and tables that are unavailable are marked with a sign. Table inside Rose and Crown So, even though there aren’t many tables available inside, if you’re looking for a drink or a bite to eat on-the-go (or maybe you’re craving some fish and chips since Yorkshire County Fish Shop is currently being used as a Relaxation Station), Rose and Crown has some options available! Check out our Best of the Fest list for our top picks from this year’s Food & Wine Festival! Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie We noticed that one of our favorite spots to grab a snack, Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie in the France Pavilion has reopened! Les Halles We’ll definitely be stopping in here regularly for some delicious, freshly baked treats! Check out our review from the nearby France Food & Wine booth! Via Napoli First, let’s take a look at the offers at the Via Napoli “donkey cart” outside of the restaurant! Italy Pavilion We noticed that the boozy popsicles aren’t currently available at the cart, but they DO have a tiramisu popsicle for $8.25! Menu at the Via Napoli Cart Via Napoli is currently featuring a limited menu inside the restaurant. Via Napoli Limited Menu Now, let’s take a look at the other dining changes in the Italy Pavilion! Tutto Italia There’s also a limited menu available at Tutto Italia Ristorante. Tutto Italia The Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar is not open at the moment, but the space is being used for seating for Tutto Italia to allow for social distancing between parties. Check out our review from the nearby Italy Food & Wine booth! Karamell-Küche For years, we’ve loved stopping by Karamell-Küche in the Germany Pavilion for alllll of the caramel treats! But on this visit, we noticed that the typically well-stocked bakery case was featuring some slim pickings. Bakery Case You CAN still find a good number of our favorite sweet and sticky treats. We’ll keep an eye on this on our next few visits to see if the selection ramps back up! Here are the eats (and drinks!) available at the Germany Food & Wine booth this year! Joy of Tea Our last food and beverage update comes from the Joy of Tea stand in the China Pavilion. This is home to one of our favorite Epcot drinks, the Tipsy Ducks in Love! According to a Cast Member we spoke with, they switched up the ingredients for the drink a bit. Tipsy Ducks in Love Now, before you panic (like we did!) the ingredients aren’t totally switched up — they’ve just started using a different type of coffee! WHEW! We snagged all the eats at the China Food & Wine Festival booth — check out our review! EPCOT Merchandise Update Gateway Gifts Now that Disney World has officially re-opened, we have been ready to pick up more Minnie Ears to add to our collection (you never can have enough ears!!). And, the newest Rainbow Minnie Ears are bright, colorful, sparkly, and basically have our name written all over them! Rainbow Minnie Ears Since the ears were made for Pride Month, the side of the headband also has “Love” etched in rainbow colors with a little Mickey head that’s an adorable surprise. Rainbow Minnie Ears Check out all the details of the Rainbow Minnie Ears here! Gateway Gifts also had disposable masks at the register for sale in case guests lose their masks, accidentally break their masks, or just need an extra mask on hand. Disposable Face Mask The Cast Member working at the register told us that all Disney stores should have them for sale for $1.50 per mask, so you can find them all around the parks! Disposable Face Masks This is a great, affordable option for those in a pinch needing a new mask. Take a look at all the details on Disney World’s disposable masks here! MouseGear Disney World is nearing its 50th anniversary next year! And, we’re loving the newest Vintage Mickey Shirt with a winking Mickey Mouse, the Walt Disney World logo, and the founding year of Disney World. Gray Mickey Shirt Although the NBA is resuming their season in Disney World soon, race car fans are going to want to head over to EPCOT to grab the newest racing-style Mickey Shirt. (Lookout, Lightning McQueen — you’ve got some competition!!) Nascar Mickey Shirt Both of the shirts are available for $24.99 each or 2 for $22 each (so you can stock up on all that Disney merchandise you’ve missed during the closures!). Shirt Prices MouseGear has rolled out with new MagicBands to celebrate Mother’s Day, Graduation, AND Earth Day all at once. It’s like a MagicBand Spring…er…Summer cleaning! Let your mom know that she’s the best with the new Dumbo MagicBand… Mother’s Day MagicBand …featuring baby Dumbo (ahem, Jumbo Jr.) and Mama Jumbo happy to be together again. Mother’s Day MagicBand Since Graduation is a big deal, let your scholarly friend or family member know just how proud you are of them with the Knowsmore MagicBand! Graduation 2020 MagicBand Maybe your new grad can give Knowsmore himself a run for his money with that new degree! Graduation 2020 MagicBand While taking care of our big, blue world is one great way to celebrate Earth Day, the newest MagicBand featuring Wall-E characters is another one! Earth Day MagicBand The Wall-E MagicBand shows Eve looking as happy as ever as she celebrates life on Planet Earth! She’s the cutest, right?? Earth Day Magic Band Since the Food and Wine Festival has influences from the Flower and Garden Festival, we’re happy to see that the Flower and Garden Passholder MagicBand is available, along with the Spike the Bee Sipper and Spork! Flower & Garden MagicBand The orange band shows off Spike the Bee chilling and having a grand ole’ time as he visits all the food booths around the festival. (We feel ya, Spike.) Flower & Garden MagicBand Each of the MagicBands at MouseGear are $34.99 each (and we want them all)! Read all about the new Mother’s Day, Earth Day, and Graduation MagicBands here! Arribas Bros Crystals Although there are plenty of souvenirs to take home from your trip to Disney World, the Arribas Bros Crystals kiosk in Germany actually lets you design your own crystal! Design Your Own Crystal Once you’ve selected whether you’d like to make a picture frame, pendant, night light, trinket dish, or suncatcher, you’ll choose your glass pieces and colors to be assembled. Design Your Own Crystal However, Cast Members are handling all the placement and touching so there is less contact at this time! Design Your Own Crystal Well, that’s all for this What’s New at EPCOT! We’ll catch you next time for more merchandise and food updates! What are you looking forward to seeing the most in EPCOT? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New at Epcot: The Return of Gourmet Flavored Popcorn and the NEW Art of Disney Store! When Disney World Reopens THESE Are at the Top of Our Must-Do List This NEW Skyliner Souvenir is Already SELLING OUT in Epcot!! View the full article

We headed back out for another day in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway So far, we’ve already seen an exciting update to the Rise of the Resistance boarding passes, and we’ve discovered a virtual queue GLITCH that could impact your trip! And while we’re out and about exploring what the crowds and wait times are like following Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ grand reopening, we ran into some friends! Chip ‘n’ Dale were sauntering their way through the park today as part of the new Mickey & Friends Motorcade! Mickey & Friends Motorcade This mini-parade is one of the new impromptu Character Cavalcades we’ve been catching every now and then since the parks reopened. And check out Minnie’s new custom convertible! Point us to the auto dealership that’s selling this gorgeous WHIP! (Seriously — look at those RIMS!) Mickey & Friends Motorcade Mickey Mouse also has his own customized ride. We love the cartoonish paint job which features Mickey’s signature color palette of red, black, and yellow. And it was nice having some kisses blown in our direction! Mickey & Friends Motorcade Pluto is also part of the show, of course! He ran over to pose for a quick pic before he scampered on down the road! Pluto We also spotted the new Disney Junior Stars Motorcade! Fancy Nancy was leading the way, and she looked happy to see us! Disney Junior Stars Motorcade And she was followed by Doc McStuffins, in her adorable custom convertible! Disney Junior Stars Motorcade Rounding out the party, Vampirina was also following close behind in her sweet ride! Disney Junior Stars Motorcade And we also spotted the Pixar Motorcade! Sulley started the party off looking like the cuddly monster that he is… Sulley …with the Green Army Men marching in tow! Of course, we were jamming along to the beat with our favorite toys! Green Army Men Woody and Jessie were also ready to have a rootin’ tootin’ good time with everybody back in Hollywood Studios… Our Favorite Cowboy and Cowgirl! …while Buzz Lightyear was cruising along in his out-of-this-world ride (looking as dashing as ever, might we add)! Buzz Lightyear The Supers were out to wave to the Citizens of Hollywood as Mrs. Incredible looked amazing in her outfit… Mrs. Incredible …and Mr. Incredible was nothing but smiles as he greeted everyone (FYI — Mr. Incredible does NOT skip leg day! ). Mr. Incredible Edna Mode was also driving by in her hot new ride (since she is the genius behind the Incredibles’ outfits)! We’re just glad we weren’t wearing our capes when she was coming by. Edna Mode So far we’ve been pretty busy riding Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash, and Toy Story Mania to check out their new safety procedures, but stay tuned as we explore and report our findings on more attractions shortly. We rode Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run yesterday! See how its changed here! What do you think of the new Character Cavalcades at Disney World? Are you a fan? let us know in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New in Disney’s Hollywood Studios: New Mickey Shorts Theater Signage and Our Favorite New Baby Yoda Shirt! News: Disney World Is Expected to Call Back Equity Performers Soon ALL the Characters You Can Expect to See in a Reopened Disney World — And WHERE to Find Them! View the full article

The 2020 Taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival is officially here! A Taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival Whether you’re snacking on some mac and cheese or sipping on a frozen drink, there are lots of ways to enjoy this festival. Some of EPCOT’s own residents are even celebrating the occasion in their own special way! Pick up a bag of caramel popcorn from Karamell-Küche, and keep walking to the far right of the Germany Pavilion where you’ll find an adorable garden train display and the village’s tiny residents. These residents love to celebrate EPCOT’s festivals and have now decorated their little town in the style of the 2020 Taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival! Germany Train Village Displaying Flags for the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival Check out those little blue flags with the new festival design! Absolutely adorable! Germany Train Village Food and Wine Festival Flags Now, we just have to wonder, do they make tiny versions of the festival food in the village as well? Maybe even some tiny frothy ramen? 2020 Taste of EPCOT Food and Wine Festival If you haven’t stopped by the beautiful train display in the Germany Pavilion before, be sure to check it out on your next visit! Click HERE For a Free Printable For ALL of the Booths at the 2020 Taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival! Is the train display a must-do for you on your trips to EPCOT? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Photos: There’s a Maple Syrup PARADISE at the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival (And You Know We Taste Tested)! FULL MENU For The NEW Cool Wash Booth at the 2019 Epcot Food & Wine Festival! ANOTHER Performer Has Been Added to the 2019 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Eat to the Beat Concert Lineup! View the full article

There are lots of sweet and savory treats you can find around World Showcase in EPCOT. France Creperie A fan-favorite spot has opened once again at the France Pavilion in EPCOT and we just had to stop by to see what changes have been made here. Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie in the France Pavilion in EPCOT is a fan favorite, and a great choice for a delicious snack or even a full meal. The entry to Les Halles is through the gift shop at the back of the France Pavilion where Impressions de France and/or the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along show lets out its guests. To maintain guest safety, there are now social distancing markers in the gift shop leading all the way into the entrance area to Les Halles. Social Distancing Markers Once you get to the entrance of Les Halles, there are clear entrance and exit signs to control guest flow in and out of the location. Les Halles Boulangerie Entrance and Exit Signs There were social distancing markers throughout the stanchions, clearly marking where guests should stand. Les Halles Boulangerie Entrance and Exit Signs Digital menus hanging above listed those food items that were available, like the croissant jambon fromage and the quiche lorraine. Les Halles Boulangerie Food Options More digital menu boards continue to display more snack and dessert items like brioche chocolate, macarons, and creme brûlée as they did previously. Les Halles Boulangerie Menu Finally, if you’re in the mood for some champagne or an espresso, more digital menu boards up above detailed the drink options available. Les Halles Boulangerie Menu As always, the food items were safely located behind clear barriers, and you could ask the kind cast members to retrieve whatever items you desired. We’ll take one of everything please! Les Halles Boulangerie Food Options While there are certainly lots of sweets in this spot, there are also quite a few savory options, like the sandwiches pictured below. Les Halles Boulangerie Food Options The cast members were wearing masks for the safety of the guests and those around them, and were ready to help guests pick out the perfect French meal. Les Halles Boulangerie Food Options There was also plexiglass and hand sanitizer available near the registers. Plexiglass and Hand Sanitizers When we stepped out into the seating area, we noticed these sanitization signs on the tables. As the signs indicate, the tables are sanitized for guest safety and protection. When you finish your meal and leave your table, you are asked to throw away the sanitization card so that cast members can clearly see which tables are in need of being sanitized before a new set of guests can sit there. Sanitization Cards We thought this was a really nice touch and clearly showed their dedication to keeping the area sanitized for guest safety. Click HERE to Read All About Whether Masks Affect the Way You Eat Around the World at EPCOT! What is your favorite treat from Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Review: Roule Lard et Fromage (Bacon and Cheese Roll) at Epcot’s Les Halles What’s New at Epcot: The Return of Gourmet Flavored Popcorn and the NEW Art of Disney Store! These 15 HUGE Disney World Snacks Are Totally Worth Wearing Your Stretchy Pants! View the full article

Welcome to the Four Seasons Orlando at Walt Disney World! The Disney Help Desk at the Four Seasons Orlando The Four Seasons Orlando has some delicious dining options, but one of the most unique experiences they have right now is one of the few character dining experiences currently open on Disney property at Ravello Italian Restaurant! The only other character dining experiences currently open are Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort and the Garden Grill in EPCOT, with some surprise character appearances at Be Our Guest as well. So, we definitely had to eat our way through the menu at Ravello and get all the details! Let’s head inside! Atmosphere Ravello offers a modern take on fine Italian cuisine within the luxurious setting of Four Seasons Orlando (located on Disney World property at Golden Oak). Open kitchen at Ravello With an open kitchen design and elegant atmosphere, you are truly transported into a world of Italian luxury, particularly at dinner. There is both indoor and outdoor seating available at Ravello. At breakfast, though the atmosphere maintains its elegant feel for the most part, some of our favorite characters get to join in for Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy and his Pals! That makes the atmosphere a bit more casual and fun for sure! You can’t really be stiff and serious when Goofy’s bouncing around! Goofy at the Four Seasons Orlando – Ravello Currently, according to the Four Seasons website, you can experience Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy & His Pals at Ravello on Saturdays from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Mickey Mouse at Ravello We made our way over there for breakfast and got to try some items off of their modified menu. Food As is the case with many restaurants around Walt Disney World, Ravello has a contactless menu available that we could easily pull up on our phones by scanning the QR code provided to us. Ravello Character Breakfast Menu QR Code While Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy and His Pals used to be a buffet breakfast, due to the efforts to maintain guest safety and comfort at this time, the buffet experience has been swapped out to a pre-set menu where the items are brought to your table. The character breakfast is a set price — $48 for adults and $28 for children 12 and under. We called to confirm the children’s price with Four Seasons and were actually told kids can pay $20 each and order from a children’s menu. If you have kiddos with you, be sure to verify the price before ordering! The fixed price menu includes a bakery basket and sliced fruit, your choice of entree, and your selection from coffee, orange juice, grapefruit juice, and any other drinks they may have. The price is the same regardless of what entree item you select. Ravello Menu The bakery basket and sliced fruit are included with every meal. Ravello Bakery Basket Those were brought to our table for us to enjoy. Yum! Ravello Bakery Basket We also got a great sliced fruit plate! Ravello Sliced Fruit We tried the Huevos Rancheros which featured eggs any style, corn tortillas, avocado, pimento beans, queso fresco, and ranchero sauce. This were delicious! We really enjoyed the flavors of this dish and the balance between the softness of the eggs and the crunchiness of the tortillas. We also tried the Three Egg Omelet which was served with breakfast potatoes and your voice of toast. Overall, the Three Egg Omelet was just okay. It was definitely a more basic breakfast item. Compared to the Huevos Rancheros, it was lacking in flavor. But, if you’re dining with a picky eater who prefers menu items on the simple side, the Three Egg Omelet may be a good choice for them. Characters Like we mentioned before, Ravello is one of the few character dining experiences currently open on Disney property. Minnie Mouse at Ravello The Four Seasons website says this about character interactions: “As part of our new character dining experience, all guests will be able to see Goofy & His Pals as they parade through the restaurant in their stylish outfits, unique to Ravello. While autographs and character photos with each individual party will not be possible, all guests will have their photo taken upon arrival, which will have a little Disney magic.” Goofy at Ravello The character experience is one thing we really enjoyed about Ravello! The characters paraded around the restaurant A LOT! Goofy came out for his own solo set. Then, Mickey and Minnie did a set together! Look at how adorable Minnie’s outfit is!! Then, all three characters came out at the same time and met with us as a group — from a socially distanced spot, of course! While you could only really take socially distanced selfies with the characters, it was still a great experience. Because the characters did some solo and some paired or group parades around the restaurant, it felt like we got lots of (socially distanced) character time! Nosh or Not Stop by and say ciao to Goofy and his pals at Ravello if: You’re looking for a lot of character time with Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy in their adorable outfits! Character dining options are extremely limited at the moment, so if characters are a MUST DO for your family, and you were unable to get another character dining reservation, then you may want to consider Ravello! Also, if you’re staying at the Four Seasons, then it may be worth it to stop by Ravello for a fun start to your morning! While not everything on the menu was a total hit for us, Ravello does have some decent food options that you and your family can enjoy. You may want to say addio to Ravello if: Transportation is a concern. Ravello is located at the Four Seasons Orlando, which is a bit further out of the way than some of the other character dining options. Transportation to this location is also not as easy as a quick hop on the Skyliner or your standard Disney bus. If you are not staying at the resort, you’ll need to coordinate for a personal vehicle, rideshare service, taxi, or something similar to make it over there. You’ll have to pay for parking. Thankfully, parking is validated at Ravello, but even with the validation, it will still cost you $5.00. Also, at $48 for adults and $28 for kids, it’s not the most expensive meal on Disney property, but it is a bit on the pricier side considering some of the options available. Overall The food at Ravello was good, although pricey, and the character time was great! If characters are important to you and you couldn’t snag a reservation at Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort or the Garden Grill in EPCOT, or even Be Our Guest, then consider making your way to Ravello! Click here to see what character dining looks like at Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort! What do you think? Would you make a special trip to the Four Seasons to eat with Goofy and his pals? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Breakfast and Lunch Review! We ate TWO Meals at Once at Tusker House in Disney’s Animal Kingdom! Review: Crystal Palace at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Looking for a Buffet This Valentine’s Day? Disneyland Has Got Ya Covered! View the full article

Looking for a fun way to add more magic to your cooking? Spice it up with these adorable Disney and Star Wars kitchen items from shopDisney! Mickey Mouse Pot Holder and Oven Mitt Set, ©Disney From potholders to a Millennium Falcon Waffle Maker (!!!!) shopDisney has TONS of NEW and exciting items that will make your time in the kitchen WAY more fun!! The Mickey Mouse Pot Holder and Oven Mitt Set takes your regular kitchen items and makes them WAY more exciting! This set even has some funny sayings like “Take Whisks!” Plus, Mickey’s ear pops out on the side of the oven mitt which is absolutely ADORABLE! Mickey Mouse Pot Holder and Oven Mitt Set, ©Disney Even if your casserole or cake comes out terrible, you’ll have Mickey smiling back at you, which makes things so much better! While the front of these items feature fun designs, the backs will keep you safe with thermal insulation backing. Mickey Mouse Pot Holder Back, ©Disney This set is currently $19.99 on shopDisney. With your cute Disney cooking gear, you can even pretend like you’re on Be Our Chef on Disney+! Disney+ Be Our Chef, ©Disney Since you can never have too many Mickey kitchen items, you’ll also want to check out the NEW Mickey Mouse Spoon and Spoon Rest Set! This set is sure to have you saying “OH BOY!” with its adorable wooden spoon featuring a Mickey Mouse cutout in the center, and the black, ceramic spoon rest shaped like our favorite Mouse. Mickey Mouse Spoon and Spoon Rest Set, ©Disney You can grab this set for $16.99 on shopDisney right now! Mickey Mouse Spoon and Spoon Rest Set, ©Disney Last, but certainly not least, you can take your breakfasts to another galaxy with this adorable Millennium Falcon Waffle Maker! Move over all Mickey and other waffle makers, the Millennium Falcon Waffle Maker may not have shot first, but it is certainly not throwing away its shot! Millennium Faclon Waffle Maker, ©Disney It has indicator lights to let you know when you can pour in the batter and when your waffles are ready to blast off — light speed to your plate! Millennium Faclon Waffle Maker, ©Disney It’s also got a coated, non-stick waffle plate with an awesome design so you can get have waffles that not only taste delicious but look great too! Millennium Falcon Waffle, ©Disney Pour yourself some blue milk, sit down with your favorite Baby Yoda companion, and enjoy these waffles like you’ve just made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs! This waffle maker is $49.95 and is available right now on shopDisney! Click here to check out MORE ADORABLE Mickey Mousewares for your Kitchen! Disney kitchen items can add magic to even the most ordinary of cooking tasks, and Star Wars kitchen items can really help you hone in on those Jedi cooking skills (that’s totally a thing right?)! Display your meals with these gorgeous Disney serving trays! What Disney kitchen item have you had your eye on for a while? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: May Disney’s NEW Star Wars May the 4th Merchandise Be With You! Find It Online SOON! News! Disney Merch Released for Star Wars Day Will Use a Virtual Queue! Disney Is Experiencing Technical Difficulties…Again. The Saga Continues. View the full article

Now introducing: the greatest taste test you never knew you needed — MAPLE SYRUP taste testing!! While it’s not as extravagant as the maple popcorn milkshake, you can find this sweet tasting experience at the Taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival inside of the World Showplace. World ShowPlace World Showplace is a big blue tent-like structure near the UK Pavilion in World Showcase. Since they are monitoring how many people are inside World Showplace at any one time, you may arrive and be asked to join a virtual queue. Once you’re inside, head over to the maple syrup booth featuring the unique and wonderful flavors from Burton’s Maplewood Farm! There were three main maple syrup options as part of the taste testing, and we were so excited to try them all! Maple Syrup Taste Testing The maple syrup to the front of the tray was the “B” Grade Maple Syrup. It was absolutely delicious! This is definitely more of a traditional type of syrup. Think high quality maple syrup served with fancy Belgian waffles and spiced bacon at your favorite upscale brunch spot! Maple Syrup Bottles The one on the far right of the tasting tray was the Starlight Maple Syrup. Maple Syrup Options The Starlight syrup had a distinct, smokey taste to it. We heard it was distilled with fire?? This sounds like the type of syrup you could share with Hades! Bring on the flames!! Last, but certainly not least, was the one on the far left of the tasting tray — the Kentucky Burbon. Maple Syrup Bottles This maple syrup was THICK! This is the type of syrup that would be perfect for basting or marinading some meat before placing it out on the grill! Maple Syrup Sets We were even told these maple syrups could be used in cocktails!! Here’s how to do it: just upgrade the simple syrup in a standard cocktail recipe to one of these delicious maple syrups, but be sure to only use about half of what the recipe would have called for in simple syrup! If you fall in love with the flavors you can buy the Disney Parks Exclusive maple syrup set for $80! The set comes with: the Kentucky Bourbon, the Starlight, and one called Napa Valley. The Napa Valley maple syrup came exclusively as part of the set, and could not be purchased separately. Maple Syrup Taste Testing If you’re not ready to drown all of your breakfasts, brunches, lunches, and dinners in maple syrup, you can just buy single bottles as well! The “B” Grade maple syrup can be yours for $25, or you can take home the Starlight or Kentucky Bourbon syrups for $40 each. We were really excited to try these unique maple syrups and we hope to see more fun taste tests in the future! Read This Next! Learn about the NEW Mac and Cheese Booth at the Taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival 2020! Will you be heading over to World Showplace to taste these maple syrups? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: What You Need to Know BEFORE You Book Your Epcot Food and Wine Festival Events! FULL MENU For The NEW Cool Wash Booth at the 2019 Epcot Food & Wine Festival! FULL REVIEW — The Donut Box Booth Is Now OPEN at the 2019 Epcot Food and Wine Festival! View the full article

It’s been quite the week for Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! The park officially re-opened last weekend and we’ve been keeping our eyes open for new merch, construction, and attraction updates just for YOU! We wanna start off with the most important merchandise update of all. This downright incredible Forky Hairbrush. Can you imagine combing out your luscious locks with this beauty? It is most certainly not trash, but rather, a work of art. We found him heading for the garbage can at the Emporium. Forky Hairbrush Get a closer look at Forky here! Alright, alright. On to more serious content. We’re here to report that the camel outside The Magic Carpets of Aladdin STOPPED SPITTING AGAIN. She wasn’t spitting at the opening of Magic Kingdom, started spitting a few days ago, and quit again today. Maybe she’s just dehydrated. We’ll keep stopping by to keep an eye on the situation for you. (Currently) Non-Spitting Camel More Adventureland news! Remember those incredibly adorable Jungle Cruise dresses we spotted on opening day and later on shopDisney? They sold like hotcakes at Magic Kingdom and we couldn’t find them for a couple days. Well, they’re back and restocked at Uptown Jewelers! Cruise on over to get yours before they disappear again! Jungle Cruise Dress See the 8th Wonder of the World (AKA the Jungle Cruise dress) here! Anyone up for chickie nuggies? We spotted some adorable new Baby Yoda and other Mandalorian stickers at the Emporium too! The cuteness is strong with this merch find! Totes Adorbs Baby Yoda Sticker Check out all the new stickers here! Disney World said “Welcome Back!” with the Together Again collection on opening day. These also sold out lightning fast! We saw that the shirts were back and well-stocked in all three styles today at the Emporium! (We also spotted them at World of Disney in Disney Springs if you’re heading there.) Together Again Collection Take a closer look at the new collection here! Tom Morrow is NOT answering our pages lately. The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover didn’t re-open with the other attractions at Magic Kingdom on opening day, and we’re still waiting for this classic ride to start up again. PeopleMover Closed Lament with us about the PeopleMover being closed here! Time to get your favorite song stuck in your head again! Construction walls were put up around it’s a small world when we first entered Magic Kingdom. We noticed today that the walls were taken down! Now we get a better view of the face clock when we walk by! The Construction Walls Around “it’s a small world” are gone! Learn more about the construction walls here! Hitchhike your way to Memento Mori because we spotted a BUNCH of new Haunted Mansion Merch today. Socks adorned with the stretching room portraits, t-shirts featuring the singing busts, and a chilling ghost figurine! Singing Busk Shirt Hop in your Doom Buggy and see all the new merch here! Many high-touch activities and attractions (i.e. Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak) have been temporarily paused due to the new health and safety protocols. Usually, there is a box of crayons and a pile of paper that kids can use to mail a letter to Santa at Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe. The writing utensils were missing as an effort to reduce sharing contact with others. Kids can still get their wish list to the North Pole though! The mailbox is still present and operational! Send Letters to Santa at Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe! That’s a lot of new merchandise we spotted this week! We’ll definitely keep sweeping through Magic Kingdom to share everything that has changed since the park re-opened. More importantly, we’ll be keeping a close watch on that tricky camel! Wanna hear our tips for navigating limited capacity at Magic Kingdom? Check it out here! What do you think of all the new updates? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Spotted! New Disney Parks Exclusive BABY YODA Pandora Charm in Disney World! We Already Have 999 Disney World Christmas Stockings But There’s Room For 1 More! The PeopleMover Was STILL CLOSED in Magic Kingdom Today! View the full article

Looking for a special way to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Disneyland? Download part three of Disney Paper Parks to add Sleeping Beauty Castle to the already released activity sheets of Main Street, U.S.A. and the “Magic Happens” parade! As you make your paper version of Sleeping Beauty Castle using scissors, glue and other simple supplies, feel free to use your imagination to add new elements and proportion your castle as you envision it. The activity sheets even include fireworks! As a reminder, we recommend printing the sheets at their actual size for best results, not scaling them to fit the page. We also recommend adult participation or supervision for those with little ones. We look forward to releasing more printable, 3D activity sheets of Disney Paper Parks, designed by talented Imagineers Amy Young and Stephanie Jazmines for the Disney Parks Blog. Share how your Disney Paper Parks are coming together with the hashtag #DisneyMagicMoments! By downloading Disney Paper Parks, you acknowledge and agree that these materials are being provided to you for personal, non-commercial use. View the full article

After such a long time apart, it’s been a…JOY!…to see our favorite Disney characters back in the parks! Mickey and Minnie in EPCOT Whether it’s character cavalcades in Magic Kingdom, Chip and Dale on boats at Animal Kingdom, or waving at stormtroopers before you ride Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run in Hollywood Studios — seeing our old friends back in the parks has been a true silver lining! Recently, we saw two of our very favorites — Mary Poppins and Alice in Wonderland — are BACK greeting guests in EPCOT in a whole new way and we couldn’t wait to say hello! Grab a snack from the Taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival and make your way over to the United Kingdom pavilion to share a socially distanced spot of tea with two of the BEST characters around! You’ll want to walk over to the back side of the pavilion by the gazebo. UK Pavilion There, within the gazebo, you’ll find two very special (socially distanced) character interactions! Both Mary Poppins and Alice in Wonderland were standing within the gazebo, a safe distance from guests, with the gate to the gazebo closed, but both were still able to talk with us, which was great!! We never need a reason and never need a rhyme to spend some quality (virtually distant) time from our very favorite nanny — Mary Poppins! She looked practically perfect in her Jolly Holiday dress, with a cup of tea in hand! We only wish we had brought a spoonful of sugar to her for her tea! Mary Poppins Greeting Guests at the United Kingdom Pavilion We asked if she had jumped into any chalk paintings lately. Sadly, we told her we couldn’t draw any ourselves for her to jump into. Mary Poppins Greeting Guests at the United Kingdom Pavilion But she wisely advised us that we could use Bert’s help at a time like this! We’d love to be in glad company with this sweep and hope he’ll show up around the parks sometime soon! It looks like Alice is following some very good advice and keeping her social distance from guests! Alice in Wonderland Greeting Guests in EPCOT She reminded us that ALL ways are the Queen of Heart‘s ways, and that we must always curtsy and say “YES your majesty!” Alice in Wonderland Greeting Guests in EPCOT Looks like Alice has been practicing those curtsies during the quarantine — the queen would be pleased! As with all character greetings right now, there’s no set schedule for their appearances, so you’ll definitely just want to stop by the United Kingdom pavilion the next time you’re in EPCOT and see if you can grab a spot of tea with these two fantastic characters! Click HERE to See What It’s Like to Interact with Characters in the Character Cavalcades in Magic Kingdom! What characters are you hoping to see on your next trip to Walt Disney World? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Say “Hiya, Pal!” to the New Character Meet-and-Greet Locations in Epcot! We Know Two of The Performers to Expect at Epcot’s 2020 Eat to the Beat Concert Series! Another BIG Question About The Future Of Epcot in Disney World May Be Answered With This UPDATE View the full article

Greetings from Day Three of EPCOT’s grand reopening! Spaceship Earth We’ve been exploring the newly reopened park all week! So far, we’ve ridden Test Track, Spaceship Earth, and Soarin’ in Future World in between frequent trips the World Showcase where a Taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival is happening (and we have photos of EVERY FOOD ITEM FOR YOU HERE)! We’ve been enjoying our time here all week since the crowds have stayed pretty light and the wait times have stayed pretty low as well. And now we just spotted another reason to be excited — EPCOT is now selling disposable face masks! These will come in super-handy if your cloth face masks get wet or too sweaty! Disposable Face Mask We’ve previously seen disposable face masks being sold at the Disney World resort hotels along with hand sanitizer and some other health-related items, but we haven’t seen them for sale at many theme park gift shops yet. We spotted these at Gateway Gifts near EPCOT’s main entrance for $1.50 each. Disposable Face Masks These are also great to “double-up” with in case you want to add an extra layer to your face mask. We’ve been doubling up on masks a lot whenever we find ourselves in more-confined areas such as riding Disney World’s monorail or buses! In fact, we’ve become face mask-wearing experts from being at the theme parks all day while wearing them — see what we’ve learned WORKS the BEST here! Read THIS Next! 10 Tips We NEVER Thought We’d Have to Share About Disney World! Have you purchased any disposable or cloth masks for your Disney World trip? Tell us which type your prefer in the comments below! Related posts: NEWS AND PICS! Gateway Gifts Has Reopened in Epcot! What’s New at Epcot: Regal Eagle Construction and SO MUCH Mickey and Minnie Clothing! Act Fast! NEW Coral Minnie Ears Are Now in Disney World! View the full article

Now that all four Disney World theme parks are open this weekend for the first time since the closures, you might be wondering if guests are complying with Disney World’s mandatory face mask rule. Magic Kingdom We’ve been very concerned with making sure our own masks have been nice and snug since the parks reopened — even doubling up our masks when entering more enclosed queue areas, the monorail, or indoor rides. But we’re getting lots of questions from readers about how the whole mask compliance thing is progressing — and how Disney World’s staff is addressing the issue when folks AREN’T following the rules! Disney World can provide a much-needed escape from reality under normal circumstances, but these are unprecedented times. The global health crisis is still prevalent — especially in Florida — and our safety is impacted by the people around us. That’s why Disney has enforced a strict mandated face mask policy, requiring all Cast Members and guests over the age of 2 to wear one at all times. Main Street, U.S.A. They’ve even formed a new squad of Health and Safety Cast Members to ensure guests are following the rules. These Cast Members can be identified by their bright yellow shirts and are stationed at various locations throughout the parks. Guest Relations Cast Member There are plenty of additional Cast Members monitoring the crowds of guests as well. Are Guests Compliant? So far, guests seem to be doing a really good job following the new face mask rule. But the issue we’ve encountered most prominently has been people not wearing their face masks correctly. It’s that “pulling your mask down below your nose” problem. This happens ALL. THE. TIME. Especially toward the end of the day when people are tired and flagging…and when there aren’t any Cast Members around to reprimand them. Maybe they think the mask is still effective since it’s covering their mouth? But, no — the whole point of a mask is making sure it covers both your nose and mouth…because you breathe out of both…and you can expel germs out of both — so it’s significantly less effective when your nose is free and clear. Cast Members on Main Street, U.S.A. When we’ve seen this problem occur, we usually will eventually see a Cast Member ask the guest to fix their mask, and it hasn’t become a larger issue. So what if a guest flat out refuses to wear their mask? We asked a few Cast Members what sort of training they’ve received and they said it’s really a case-by-case scenario. Ultimately, their goal is to have the guest wear a mask, but if the guest is being stubborn, they’ll be asked to leave. It’s uncommon for a guest to become belligerent, but it happens from time to time. Line for Slinky Dog Dash Social Distancing Protocol and Enforcement The larger issue for Cast Members now, however, is addressing clusters of guests who are not social distancing. Cast Members are responsible for separating these larger groups of guests when they spot them. We’ve personally witnessed some clusters being “broken up” by Cast Members while inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge but to us, it seems like stricter limitations in this land might need to be enforced. Crowds Near Galaxy’s Edge’s Entrance What’s going wrong with the reopening of Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Click here to find out. The unique footprint and flow of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge can be disorienting for guests and it certainly has a lot of pinch points. And the foot traffic for two of the park’s most-popular rides (Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run) is adding to the strain on this rather cramped area of the park. Galaxy’s Egde PhotoPass Protocol and Enforcement We think it’s also interesting to note Disney World will not issue guests their PhotoPass images if they appear to have removed their face masks. Even when taking pictures, all guests need to keep their face masks securely fastened to their faces…not their chins. And this is true for both PhotoPass pictures in the parks and on rides. If you take your mask off during a PhotoPass enabled attraction, you may not be able to access your photo. Mask Protocol While Eating and Drinking, and Enforcement And you might ask if you can still eat and drink while walking around a newly reopened Disney World theme park, especially since a Taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival is currently underway. Normally, guests can still stroll around the World Showcase — and other areas of Disney World’s parks — while enjoying a snack or a drink. And they still can, but they must keep their mask on. It’s okay to lower your mask while you’re actively taking a bite or a sip, but a Cast Member will ask you to fix your mask if your mask is lowered for no apparent reason. 2020 Taste of EPCOT Extra tables have been provided at the Food and Wine Festival this year to encourage guests NOT to walk around while eating and drinking. We’ve confirmed with a General Manager Cast Members guests are allowed to remove their face coverings when standing at one of these socially distanced tables. Tables Removing your mask at a relaxation station, or while seated and dining at a quick service or table service restaurant is also acceptable. Otherwise, your mask must stay on while you munch and sip if your body’s in motion! Learn more about Disney World’s mask-free relaxation stations here! Overall, compliance with the new rules in Disney World is relatively high; and Disney World has Cast Members trained to remind guests to follow the social distancing and mask-wearing requirements. But it remains to be seen what will happen once the new rules aren’t novel any longer. Compliance can break down toward the end of the day when there aren’t as many other guests — or Cast Members — around in certain areas of the parks and in Disney Springs. So we’ll continue to keep an eye on the situation and report back to you! Is Disney World safe right now and should you even go? Read our answer here. Would you feel comfortable visiting Disney World right now? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Related posts: How Do Disability Access Services Work NOW in Disney World? We’ve Got the Details! Transportation Update! Here’s When Disney World’s Skyliner, Monorail, and Select Resort Boats Should Resume! The 31 Things To Eat In Disney World If You’re Obsessed With CHEESE!! View the full article

Welcome back, DFB friends! We’re here with another DFB Video, and today we’re talking about the latest Disney news. Spaceship Earth The Disney World parks and Disneyland Paris have now reopened to guests, but one Disney park has now closed its gates again! We’ve got an update on the state of the Spaceship Earth refurbishment, as well as a few other previously announced EPCOT projects! It’s been an eventful week of Disney news! Check out all of these recent updates and announcements in our latest DFB Video! And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our DFB YouTube Channel! By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode! Plus, you can get a full list of Disney World’s biggest changes here! So check out the video and then let us know: Which of these Disney parks updates surprised you the most? Related posts: DFB Video: 7 Things You NEED to Buy Before Disney Raises the Price! DFB Video: Disney Ride Tips and Challenges for the Competitive Traveler! DFB Video: How to Save BIG on Your 2020 Disney Vacation! View the full article

No matter how many times we see Cinderella Castle, it’s still just as magical as ever! Cinderella Castle We love finding merch that lets us show off our love of Disney with our outfit! From sparkly Minnie Ears to Haunted Mansion socks, we can literally dress Disney from head to toe! And if you get the warm-and-fuzzies every time you walk down Main Street, U.S.A., we spotted a shirt that might just sum up your feelings perfectly! While browsing through Legends of Hollywood in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we saw “this” — that’s right, a “This” Cinderella Castle Crop Top! “This.” Cinderella Castle Crop Top We love how this shirt manages to so briefly sum up our feelings about the castle — it’s EVERYTHING to us!! Here’s a peek at a mannequin modeling the crop top for an idea of how it fits! “This.” Cinderella Castle Crop Top That’s what we call serious Disney style! You can snag one of these castle crop tops for $36.99! Check out these retro Mickey t-shirts we spotted in EPCOT! Do you plan on grabbing this castle crop top? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: What’s New in Hollywood Studios — Christmas Decorations, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Menu Changes, and More! What’s New in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Massive Crowds, RARE Character Sightings, and Twisted Spirit Jerseys! Have We Ever Seen A Cuter Line of Disney World Merchandise? No. No We Haven’t. View the full article

We’ve been spending a lot of time at EPCOT lately checking out the 2020 Taste of Epcot International Food & Wine Festival! But in between all the eating and drinking, we love stopping by Mouse Gear to check out the latest merchandise! Tucked away among the endless choices of fun collectibles and merchandise, we found some NEW T-SHIRTS we just had to share with you! We love a good classic Mickey, and this fun t-shirt collection we spotted had us totally fangirling! Just look at these! New Mickey Mouse T-Shirts at Mouse Gear in EPCOT These shirts remind us of the classic Mickey Mouse Club Era and we can’t get enough of them! Mickey Mouse was WINKING RIGHT AT US in that stylish grey shirt! The black and white vibe on this shirt really captures that classic character charm and totally takes us back! New Grey Mickey Mouse T-Shirt at Mouse Gear in EPCOT We’re winking right back at ‘ya, Mickey! You’re looking sharp! Where Else Can You Find NEW DISNEY MERCHANDISE? CLICK HERE To Find Out! While the black and white design is great, we love a pop of color on our t-shirts too! Here’s another shirt featuring Mickey Mouse that caught our attention! NEW Mickey Mouse T-Shirt at EPCOT’s Mouse Gear Mickey Mouse is front and center on this shirt, surrounded by beautiful bright colors! The colorful design, combined with the plain, white background of this shirt, make our favorite mouse REALLY POP! What Can You Expect At Epcot Now That It’s Re-Opened? Click Here To Read All About Our Experience from the Reopening! These shirts are $24.99 each or $22 apiece if you buy two at the same time. We are having a hard time choosing which one we like best! What do you think of the newest Mickey Mouse t-shirts from EPCOT’s Mouse Gear? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: ANOTHER New MagicBand Has Bibbity Bobbity Booed Its Way into Disney World! Honey, Look What We Found! Check Out the Adorable Pooh Cozy Knit in Disney World! NEW DISNEY COLOR TREND Spotted at Epcot’s Mouse Gear! View the full article