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Hong Kong Disneyland will shut down again this week View the full article

Annnnd we’re back in EPCOT for the very first time since the closures. Last week we took a detailed look at all of the changes at Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. Epcot Entrance Now, we’re live in EPCOT for a Cast Member preview (we were invited by a friend) to check out all of the new processes and changes! And don’t forget, the Taste of EPCOT Food and Wine Festival kicks off this week. You can view the full menus here. Follow along with us this WEEK as we will be updating this post with new information! Entering EPCOT When we arrived this morning, Cast Members and guests were directed into the EPCOT parking lots. Spaceship Earth Parking is every other space like we’ve seen in the other parks. EPCOT Parking First, it’s off to the temperature check tents. Like the other parks, AdventHealth professionals administer the checks using handheld infrared thermometers. Temperature Checks The Recheck Tents for those who exceed the maximum temperature reading were air-conditioned. Recheck Tents Lines throughout this area were distanced and Security had a similar process to Magic Kingdom. We were asked to remove umbrellas and metal water bottles and to carry the rest of our items through the scanners. When the scanner detected too much metal, we were asked to dump our bags into a bin for a no-touch search. Social Distanced Queue After you’re cleared from the two screenings you can head to the gate. Notice the A Taste of Epcot International Food & Wine Festival posters! EPCOT Entrance Since this is the Cast Member preview, we were checked in using a tablet instead of the usual system. The gate area had plenty of distancing stickers as well. EPCOT Entrance Construction Updates First thing when we entered, we noticed that Future World construction is still very present. Spaceship Earth Click here for a pre-closure look at Future World construction. Attractions Updates Spaceship Earth Though it was supposed to close for refurbishment a few months ago, Spaceship Earth is open in its current form. Spaceship Earth The queue was arranged for social distancing and there were guiding stickers on the ground. Spaceship Earth queue Click here to learn more about the reopening of Spaceship Earth. As a reminder, we will be updating this post throughout the week, so be sure to check back!! When do you plan to return to Disney World? Let us know in the comments below. Related posts: ANOTHER New MagicBand Has Bibbity Bobbity Booed Its Way into Disney World! News! FULL FOOD BOOTH MENUS for the 2020 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival! Review! Here’s a Look at Regal Eagle’s Outdoor Bar in Epcot! View the full article

Magic Kingdom has been looking just as beautiful as ever since we’ve returned back to Disney World (especially with the redesign of Cinderella Castle). Magic Kingdom Although we’ve been exploring everything happening in the parks since they’ve opened again, we have loved being able to pick up new merchandise, like the Together Again collection! And, while we were in Magic Kingdom, we were excited to spot the new Vera Bradley collections make their way from online into the parks! The floral bags consist of two different collections called Mickey’s Colorful Garden and Mickey’s Colorful Meadow (and they’re just as pretty as they sound)! Vera Bradley Collection Mickey’s Colorful Garden consists of a Campus Backpack to carry everything you need for a day in the parks for $130. Mickey’s Colorful Garden Campus Backpack Or pack everything you need for a pool day at home with the Tote Bag for $75! Mickey’s Colorful Garden Tote Bag If you’re getting ready to travel to Disney World or maybe just go for a staycation back in your hometown, the Travel Bag has lots of space for $120. Mickey’s Colorful Garden Travel Bag But, you can also get the Mickey’s Colorful Meadow RFID Wristlet to keep your extra MagicBand, park passes, charging cables, and more for $45! Mickey’s Colorful Meadow RFID Wristlet We are OBSESSED with how gorgeous the new Vera Bradley lines are (and we think they would pair perfectly with a photo in front of the pink Cinderella Castle now)! Here’s a look at the new shopping procedures in Disney World! Do you own any Vera Bradley bags? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New in Disney Springs: a NEW Caramel Sundae, Neon Merch Galore, and Refillable Popcorn Buckets! SPOTTED! Disney Character Face Masks Available For Purchase in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom The Popular Jungle Cruise Dress From Disney World is Now Available ONLINE! View the full article

Although the Fourth of July has already passed, you can still find plenty of red, white, and blue merch in Disney World right now (especially since Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom are back open)! America Collection As we’ve been exploring all the stores that have opened in the parks as well as the new shopping procedures, we love spotted new items like the latest patriotic collection in the World of Disney. But, we’re popping over to Magic Kingdom to pick up a new MagicBand (and maybe a snack or two while we’re there ;D)! You can head over to the Emporium to add a pop of red, white, and blue to your summer outfit with the new Americana MagicBand! Americana MagicBand The red MagicBand features Mickey looking very dapper in a patriotic outfit complete with a top hat and a vest… Americana MagicBand …while the other side has Cinderella Castle decked out in star-spangled colors with fireworks, stars, and LOTS of Disney magic (of course)! Americana MagicBand You can get the Americana MagicBand for $29.99 so you can wear it the next time you return to the parks! And, maybe you can pick up the Minnie Mouse Sequined Starts and Stripes Mini Loungefly Backpack and Mickey Mouse Americana Pullover Hoodie to go along with it. Take a look at even more patriotic merchandise here! Have you been back to the Disney Parks yet? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: News: We Couldn’t Say No To This NEW Annual Passholder Magic Band in Disney World! This NEW Disney World MagicBand Will Have You Celebrating Summer and Spying Hidden Mickeys! SPOTTED! Disney Character Face Masks Available For Purchase in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom View the full article

Our hearts have been so happy seeing all the characters out and about again in Disney World! Goofy, Chip & Dale! Although we’ve been checking out all the characters during the cavalcades in Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, we’ve spotted a few new character coffee mugs to add to your kitchenware collection! Since Pluto is a classic character, we think that the new Pluto Mug at Disney’s Animal Kingdom would be an adorable way to sip on your morning coffee! The mug costs $14.99 and we also spotted it at Star Traders in Magic Kingdom recently! Pluto Mug And Pluto needs his BFF! That’s while we’ll also be picking up this new Mickey Mug for $14.99! It’s an updated version of a similar mug we’ve previously seen. Mickey Mug Of course, Mickey will need his lady love, so the new Minnie Mug will also be coming home with us! Minnie Mug And being super fans of the Number One Duck, we can’t pass up this new Donald Mug either! Donald Mug How many mugs are we up to now? Four? Well, might as well just complete the set with this new Goofy Mug too! Goofy Mug That’s ’cause this set only seems to get cuter with each mug you get! Even if you’re not a big coffee or tea drinker, these mugs are really cute to decorate your kitchen with! Character Mugs Maybe we can get some of that Pumpkin Spice Crème Brûlée Cold Brew to drink in our new mugs! Actually, we’ll probably head over to Disney Springs to round out kitchenware collection with a few other goodies next. These are the things we expected to see in a re-opened Disney World but didn’t! Have you been back to Magic Kingdom yet? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: These NEW Space Mountain Sweatpants Rock Our World in Magic Kingdom! Pretty In Pink! A New Minnie Mouse Dress Has Twirled Into Disney World! One of the Most Colorful Spirit Jerseys EVER Has Made Its Debut in Disney World! View the full article

Walt Disney World officially reopened two of its four theme parks to the general public this weekend. Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom began welcoming guests back after an unprecedented nearly four-month closure. EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will officially reopen their gates to guests on July 15th. Magic Kingdom We’ve been on the ground in the parks all week, experiencing both cast member previews and Annual Passholder previews, which served as an opportunity for Disney to test their new health and safety protocols on groups that would more closely approximate a public crowd. We’ve also been to the grand openings of the two currently open-to-the-public theme parks. As Disney reopens in the midst of the global health crisis, our focus has been on helping you understand what to expect when you get to the newly reopened parks, as well as how to navigate Disney’s new planning systems and procedures — from the new Disney Park Pass reservation system to big changes to Disney’s hotel, park ticket, and dining reservation processes. But, the one question everyone still has about Disney World right now is: Is it safe and should I go? We’ve got a broad perspective on this for you — with lots of quotes and specific, firsthand reporting. But we’ve also got an anecdotal perspective on this from our time in the parks and Disney Springs. I was shocked…by my own behavior. And that’s what I think is the most important part of this article for you to read. So hopefully these two sides of the coin will help you as you’re making this very important decision for yourself. TLDR: Disney World has excellent health and safety protocols in place and, in a vacuum, should be perfectly safe. But you’re not in a vacuum. You’re around thousands of other people who may not follow those protocols. And YOU (read: WE) could also be part of the problem. Let’s dig in. Peter Pan Queue Should Disney World have reopened? Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products, explained the decision to reopen Disney World in a recent interview with the New York Times. “The world is changing around us, but we strongly believe that we can open safely and responsibly,” D’Amaro said. “For those that might have questions or concerns, when they see how we are operating and the aggressive protocols that we have put in place, they will understand.” We’ve experienced these health and safety protocols firsthand and they are indeed rigorous. From near-comprehensive physical distancing procedures everywhere from resorts, to transportation, to the theme parks themselves, to ongoing cleaning and sanitization processes, Disney is without a doubt delivering on these promises, with few exceptions. Cast Members Cleaning And yet, COVID-19 is very much an ongoing presence not only in Florida, but throughout the country, so are Disney’s precautions enough to warrant a trip to Disney World? That depends. “This is our new normal. Our new reality,” D’Amaro said. “Covid is here, and we have a responsibility to figure out the best approach to safely operate in this new normal. Businesses across the country are open, whether it’s a local pizza shop in Orlando or an airline taking on new guests.” Without a doubt, staying home will be safer than going to a theme park. “By visiting Walt Disney World Resort you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19,” the resort says on its website. But, to D’Amaro’s point, as the country continues to reopen, Disney, like so many other businesses, is doing so with approaches that support the health and safety of guests and Cast Members to the extent that it’s possible during an unprecedented pandemic. Even The Best Health Protocol is Useless If People Don’t Follow It Here’s where we as guests enter the picture. In a vacuum, Disney’s health and safety protocols should go a LONG way toward keeping guests and Cast Members safe. With required masks, regular hand-sanitizing and hand-washing opportunities, and physical distancing requirements accounted for nearly everywhere within the parks, these measures can go a long way toward minimizing exposure risks. But, you’re only as safe as the person next to you. Or in the enclosed space with you. Or within six feet of you. YOUR behavior and that of your fellow guests could, in theory, play a MUCH bigger role in whether you’re safe at Disney World than you think. There will always be outliers who ignore the protocol, AND there are some choke points (i.e. narrow pathways and specific situations that tend to get crowded more quickly than other spaces) in Disney World that seem to be perpetually too close for comfort even with limited capacity in the parks. And this is a huge component of why physical distancing and making good choices in the parks for your own personal health and safety is so important. Disney hasn’t disclosed official capacity numbers or limits, so we were extremely curious about what opening day crowds would look and feel like in the parks. While crowds were not as light as those at Cast Member and AP previews, our experience (and that of others) at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom this weekend was that most of the time, the parks appeared nearly empty. Tree of Life Some on social media criticized the low crowds as a “failure,” but Disney has made it very clear that controlling capacity is both deliberate and strategic. Here’s what crowds looked like in Animal Kingdom on reopening day! “Our capacity will be a function of the six-foot social distancing guidance that we have from the CDC, so the number of people we put in the park will be a function of that calculation,” Disney CEO Bob Chapek said in an interview with CNBC. Adventureland crowds during Magic Kingdom’s grand reopening In our experience, we were able to maintain more than six feet of distancing from our fellow guests in most cases. We did spot a few issues Disney will still need to work out. Guests needing to visit Guests Relations prior to going into Magic Kingdom on Saturday found themselves in a lengthy queue outside the park gates that lacked distance markers. This line blocked the way for guests trying to get to the park from the Contemporary Resort, and ensured the impossibility of social distancing with no other option for the guests in the queue or the guests walking to and from the Contemporary but to be very much within six feet of many other people. Guest Relations Line And there were also a few pile-ups during downpours, and in front of quick-service locations while guests waited for their Mobile Order numbers to be called. (At the time, Pecos Bill’s in Frontierland was not allowing guests into the restaurant until their Mobile Order food is ready.) Pecos Bill Mobile Order pick-up crowd. We were also a bit uncomfortable on the monorail and in other areas where barriers between guests were flimsy and incomplete. (On the monorail, there is a flexible barrier that drops down between the two sections of each car, but there’s at least an inch gap at the bottom between the barrier and the seat. If that gap is going to be there, and you’re seated within inches of the person behind you, it’s not protecting you from the spread of droplets if the person on that seat sneezes or coughs.) But, at least in the parks, because of the reduced capacity, should guests find themselves faced with one of these scenarios that lack the requisite distances, there’s usually plenty of room to step away and avoid these situations. In most circumstances, Disney has been quick to swoop in and address guests not adhering to regulations — we spotted Cast Members reminding guests to pull up their masks if they weren’t being worn property and to maintain appropriate distancing. (Though we were also party to a few times Cast Members didn’t remind guests to do so.) And, by and large we were impressed with just how compliant guests were. We saw very few guests not wearing masks when they should be (except in Disney Springs, where it seems to be much more common to ignore protocol than it was during the initial opening weeks — especially in the evening), and were particularly impressed when we spotted guests in line for Pirates of the Caribbean who continued to maintain their distance rather than running for cover during a downpour. Pirates of the Caribbean Queue It’s important to note that in such an unprecedented time, there will be an exception to EVERY rule. But our takeaway from opening days is that Disney’s theme parks feel as safe as any public space COULD be right now, and given that the biggest threat to guest safety as it relates to contracting COVID-19 is, in most cases, OTHER GUESTS, the exceptionally low capacity of the parks helps to give us individual control over our proximity to other guests and our ability to avoid uncomfortable or unsafe situations. Click here for coverage of reopening day at Animal Kingdom! So is it safe to go to Disney World right now? Florida is in the midst of a massive spike in COVID cases. At press time, the epicenter of illness in Florida is in Miami, so Orange County, where Disney World is located, could be considered slightly safer than the more southern part of the state. But cases are still rising, and from behavior we’ve seen outside of Disney World (and, honestly, behavior we’ve seen in Disney Springs), there are many people in the area who are not taking the pandemic seriously. It is VERY Easy to Backslide — I Say From Personal Experience As we stated, the safest place to be right now is AT HOME. Disney World has implemented excellent health and safety protocols, but, again, these are only effective if they’re being strictly followed and adhered to by every single guest and Cast Member. And sometimes, there are breakdowns. Even with rule-followers like me. Protocols to Enter Disney Springs Personally, I’ve been shocked at how easy it is to lower my guard as I’m out and about after diligently self-isolating for months. I went from being terrified to sleep in the hotel bed on Day 1, to forgetting to sanitize my hands when getting off of an attraction by Day 6!! The backslide is rapid. So keep that in mind — when you’re doing a common-during-normal-times activity (like riding an attraction in Disney World or visiting a favorite restaurant), it’s very easy for your muscle memory to kick in and forget the important new protocol — putting your mask on and KEEPING it on correctly, sanitizing your hands, not holding on to high contact touch points like lap bars or railings any longer than you must. I stood up to walk to the restroom while in a restaurant and FORGOT — 100% FORGOT — to put on my mask. I walked to the restroom without it! I was mortified when I, personally, realized the error and literally covered my nose and mouth with tissue to walk back to the table. But take my mistakes as an indication of how easy it is — even for a very dedicated-to-the-rules-and-honestly-terrified-to-get-sick-and-infect-my-family kind of person like me — to mess up. You can promise yourself and your family that you’ll sanitize regularly, avoid crowded areas, BE CAREFUL. But just know that it’s difficult to be the kind of careful you want to be once you’re in the situation simply because there’s SO much to be paying attention to. And if you’re surrounded by thousands of other people, no matter how vigilant you are about your own safety, someone’s going to be making a mistake. And, yes. I realize that my one or two subconscious errors likely did not get myself or anyone else sick. But expand that times the thousands of people in Disney World every day. All it takes is one slip-up from someone like you or me to contribute to the statistics. Animal Kingdom If you do choose to go to Disney World like I did, remember to always be aware. If there’s a choke point between Fantasyland and Liberty Square (you know — where everyone always gets squashed together over there by it’s a small world and Peter Pan’s Flight), wait until you can socially distance appropriately through the area, or choose another route (avoid tight and narrow pathways; walk all the way through Tomorrowland if necessary). If you pull into Disney Springs and realize it’s taking a LONG time to find a parking space, it’s probably too busy in there to be fully compliant with the rules. Head back to the hotel and try Disney Springs on a weekday morning instead. You are in charge and in control of your experience most of the time in Disney World, and if you start to feel uncomfortable (like I did on the monorail), double up with a second mask and get out of there. Can you go to Disney World safely? Of course! Many people will go to Disney World without contracting this illness. But with cases rising, so are risks. So only you can answer the question of “how safe is safe enough?” Is Disney World safer than your grocery store? Probably. But the difference is that you’re in your grocery store for 15 minutes, and you’re in Disney World for hours and days. Also, Disney World parks are doing great right now on the safety and protocol front. But so was Disney Springs when it first opened. In the meantime, after two trips to Disney Springs in the evenings this week, protocol is breaking down there a bit, crowds are rising, and it’s much easier to see what happens when regulations begin to loosen. The initial wave of people to a newly-reopened location tend to be respectful of the rules and awed by the novelty of the situation. But once things become ho-hum and hum-drum, it’s easy to let behavior slide…pull your mask down off your nose because there aren’t too many people around, walk too closely to someone because it’s a hassle to take another route and it’s just for a second anyway…and it’s all too easy to convince yourself that those slip-ups don’t matter. But they can. And if we’re all doing them, they will. Finally, once you determine if it’s safe for you and your family to go to Disney World, also consider your responsibility to a greater community. If you do get sick, you could pass it on to others during those very contagious and often asymptomatic first two days of infection, continuing to spread an illness that the country is struggling to contain. So consider self-isolating for a bit when you return home. Everybody’s definition of “safe” — for themselves and others — is different. But since we’ve been in the thick of things for a week now, we wanted to share how we’re feeling about this after our experiences. I hope this has helped you as you’re making your decisions. Will you be revisiting reopened Disney World? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Ticket Discounts on Disney Theme Parks, Water Parks, and Special Events! See How Much You Can SAVE! The BIGGEST Time Wasters in Disney World — And How To Avoid Them! Why Disney World Could Be Very DIFFERENT When It Reopens View the full article

Back in March, we learned Ample Hills Creamery, a popular ice cream spot at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn with a new location going into Disney Springs had filed for bankruptcy. Mickey Mouse Club Ear Bowl While we knew this was a strategic move on the owners’ part to restructure and refocus the business, we didn’t really know what the final outcome would be. Now, it appears the original founders of the company are stepping away and the new owners will be taking over. Ample Hills Creamery was founded in Brooklyn in 2011 by Brian Smith and Jackie Cuscuna. According to a post on Ample Hill’s Instagram, the couple has made the painful decision to move on from the business. The brand, scoop shops, and factory will all continue to operate under new leadership. Ample Hills Construction The new owners of Ample Hills Creamery is a company called Schmitt Industries. Its CEO, Mike Zapata, is a former Navy SEAL and U.S. military combat veteran. Zapata (whose wife and children are also big fans of Ample Hills) says they are, “100% committed to preserving the integrity of the brand, and are working side by side with long-standing Employees to ensure the company reflects something we can all be proud of.” Ice Cream decor Still, many fans are concerned with Brian and Jackie no longer in the picture, the general vibe and atmosphere of Ample Hills Creamery could change. This brand has an incredibly loyal fan base who has already begun to express their concerns to Ample Hills Creamery’s new management in the absence of the original founders. Folks are worried Ample Hills Creamery could be heading in a more corporate direction, subsequently, losing its unique charm and family appeal. Sally Sells Seashells in an M&M Cone We’ll certainly be following this story as well as the development of the new Ample Hills Creamery location at Disney Springs to see what changes, if any, the new owners decide to make! Cirque de Soleil has recently filed for bankruptcy. Learn more here! Have you been to Ample Hills Creamery before? Tell us what your favorite flavor is in the comments below! Related posts: NEWS! Ample Hills Creamery Has Filed For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy 12 Disney World Food Upgrades That Are Totally Worth the Cost! Ample Hills Creamery Introduces Marvel-Inspired Ice Cream Flavors to Commemorate 80th Anniversary! View the full article

We’re always pumped for new dessert spots in Disney World. Peanut Butter Espresso Cookie ©Gideon’s But we may be ESPECIALLY pumped for the opening of the new Gideon’s Bakehouse location in Disney Springs later this year. We can’t wait to get our hands on these high-demand cookies and DELISH-looking cakes. Now, Gideon’s Bakehouse has just announced a new addition to the team, and she’s got some experience under her belt! Meet Chef Kristy Carlucci! Carlucci has been brought onto the team at Gideon’s to both oversee their existing menu AND introduce new limited and secret menu items at the various Gideon’s locations — including the one coming to Disney Springs. ©Gideon’s Bakehouse Carlucci has been a baking a pastry chef staple in Orlando for several years. Her most recent position was as the pastry chef at The Osprey Tavern, but she’s also held positions at The Ravenous Pig and Cask & Larder. Her experience and education from The Culinary Institute of America have seen her grow to bake for celebrities, professional athletes, and political figures. Just last year, Carlucci was inducted into Orlando Magazine’s Dining Awards Hall of Fame. ©Gideon’s Bakehouse Carlucci has quite the resume under her belt! We’re so excited about the skills and FLAVORS that she’ll bring to Gideon’s Bakehouse. We can’t wait to give them a try when the new Gideon’s location opens in Disney Springs later this year! Click here to learn more about the opening of Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs! Are you excited about the opening of Gideon’s Bakehouse? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: NEWS! We Now Know WHERE Gideon’s Bakehouse Will Be in Disney Springs! Find Out When You Can Meet Wolfgang Puck in Disney Springs! Review! These SECRET Menu Items from D-Luxe Burger in Disney Springs are Worth the Calories! View the full article

Welcome back, DFB friends! We’re here with another DFB Video, and today we’re talking about how Disney changed their minds in a BIG way. Spaceship Earth Remember when Disney opened a theme park in Virginia? And that super cool Mt Fuji coaster in EPCOT? Oh wait…Disney totally changed their minds on those… . Check out all this and more 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 planning cheat sheet for your Disney World vacation here! So check out the video and let us know: Which Disney changes you want to know more about. Related posts: DFB Video: 7 Disney Changes We Can’t Believe Took This Long DFB Video: The BIGGEST Disney Openings and Happenings THIS YEAR! DFB Video: Latest Disney Parks News: NEW Animatronics, Ride Refurbs, and Even More FastPass Changes! View the full article

Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom is newly re-opened and operational. Now, it’s Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot’s turn to welcome back guests. Epcot is kicking off the theme park’s re-opening with a modified Food & Wine Festival on July 15th! Epcot’s Spaceship Earth The new version of Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival will be serving up old favorites like the Frothy Ramen and Teriyaki Chicken Bun and soon-to-be favorites like the booth that’s dedicated ENTIRELY to mac n’ cheese! The festival may be modified, but there’s still plenty to eat. We’ve got a free printable checklist that will help you make sure that you’re not missing a single thing! Check out all the booths, food, and drinks coming to Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival 2020 here! We’ve got DFB Printable Food & Wine Festival Checklists for ALL the eats and treats at Epcot! Click to Download Printable! Be sure to print our your list for Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival here so you can eat your way around the world without breaking a sweat! Are you heading to Food and Wine Festival this year? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: FULL MENU For The NEW Cool Wash Booth at the 2019 Epcot Food & Wine Festival! REVIEW!!! Mezzo Mix Has Found a New Home in Disney World Post-Club Cool! Review! The Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen Returns To Epcot AND It’s Bringin’ A SUSHI CHRISTMAS TREE! View the full article

Hong Kong Disneyland reopened after its historic closure on June 18th. ©Disney After almost a month of reopen with new health measures in place, the park is once more taking significant action in response to the global health crisis. Hong Kong Disneyland has announced that the resort will be RECLOSING due to an uptick in Covid-19 cases in the region. Hong Kong Disneyland released a statement today that notes that the park will temporarily close from July 15th until further notice. The Hong Kong Disneyland Resort hotels will remain open with adjusted services. According to the statement, this decision has been made in line with requirements by the government and health officials for prevention efforts taking place across Hong Kong. Keep an eye on DFB for all of the latest updates and news about Hong Kong Disneyland and the other Disney parks around the world. Click here to learn more about other Disney closures in China. What do you think of the reclosure of Hong Kong Disneyland? Tell us in the comments. Related posts: NEWS: Disney Explorers Lodge Has Officially Reopened at Hong Kong Disneyland It’s Costing Disney HOW MUCH To Close The Theme Parks?! Disney CEO Bob Chapek Comments on the Future of the Disney Parks View the full article

It might be the peak of July, but we’re SUPER ready to welcome that crisp Fall air and sweater season back again! Magic Kingdom Although we might not be able to have all the Pumpkin Spice treats of our dreams, there’s still a way to add a bit of Autumn to your hot summer day in Disney World! While we’ve been happy to sip on the many cocktails around the parks (and grab some morning Starbucks from the Main Street Bakery), we found a special surprise during our visit to Joffrey’s Revive in Tomorrowland! It may not be Fall, but Joffrey’s already has the Pumpkin Crème Brûlée Cold Brew. Pumpkin Creme Brulee Cold Brew The cold brew is flavored with pumpkin pie and vanilla custard for $4.09 (and it feels like the perfect treat for the Florida heat right now)! Pumpkin Creme Brulee Cold Brew If you’re back in Magic Kingdom after the park’s grand reopening, we definitely think you should stop by Joffrey’s for one of the ONLY places to get Pumpkin Spice this July in the parks! Anybody else as ready for Halloween as we are?? Find out all the details on Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party’s cancellation here! What is your favorite Pumpkin Spice treat to get in Disney World? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: NEWS! Aunt Polly’s Is BACK OPEN in Magic Kingdom! (We Can Taste Those Biscuits NOW!) SPOILER ALERT and Review: The Gorgeous NEW Cinderella “Cake” in Disney World Is Not AT ALL What You’d Expect! Review! The NEW Royal Majesty Cake Pop Has Stolen Our Hearts in Magic Kingdom! View the full article

As Disney World has started its initial reopening this week, we are back in the parks to say hello to our favorite characters and eat all the snacks our stretchy pants can handle! Magic Kingdom And, along the way, we’ve encountered plenty of surprises since Disney World looks completely different than we’ve known it to be before. Although we had expectations about how the parks would be operating when we returned, we were shocked to see that these things weren’t featured during Disney World’s initial reopening! Virtual Queues When Disney Springs first opened, we saw Virtual Queues put in place to stagger guests visiting stores to distance them from one another. Then, Universal Orlando started using Virtual Queues at its attractions as an effective way to help guests get the most out of their experiences in the parks. World of Disney Virtual Queue sign In the past, Disney World has used their own form of Virtual Queues with the Boarding Passes on Rise of the Resistance and, to some extent, with the creation of the FastPass system. Many Disney go-ers (including ourselves) thought that Virtual Queues would be the next normal part of going to theme parks once they reopened. Since there has been a need for distancing efforts, Virtual Queues have been helpful for reducing crowds at even the most popular attractions. Boarding Group Status Then Disney announced that the parks wouldn’t be utilizing FastPasses, Single Rider lines, or Virtual Queues before the parks reopened initially. Instead, guests are only able to use Stand-By queues, which was a completely unexpected choice for Disney to make, in our opinion. Jungle Cruise Missing FastPass Line But, what shocked us even more than that was the announcement that Rise of the Resistance would be suspending Boarding Groups in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (which COMPLETELY changed the game for visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios). Rise of the Resistance Eventually, Disney backtracked to state that Boarding Passes would actually be available with a new modified system, including dispersed releases of passes throughout the day, a limit of only one Boarding Group per person, and more. How do you ride Rise of the Resistance now? We’ve got all the details here! Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Even though there haven’t been Virtual Queues put in place for other attractions, Disney has still made sure to maintain distancing though markers, partitions, barriers, spaced seating, and more throughout the attraction and ride queues. We were surprised by how quickly lines are moving and how low wait times are. While the wait times have been consistently low during the first week of reopening, we aren’t sure when (or even if) crowds will pick up in the parks. This may really depend on if Disney increases park capacity. Peter Pan’s Flight However, if they do, there might be some changes as time goes on to accommodate guests and abide by distancing measures. So, Virtual Queues could pop up for attractions later on (since Disney has been surprising us left and right recently). These are the Disney World tips we never thought we’d have to share! More Brand New Merchandise in Stores Many of our favorite merchandise locations have reopened to guests. Although we’ve spotted loads of merch we had seen prior to the closures, as well as a few newer items dropped online during the closure, we were pretty taken aback to see the LACK of brand new items. Main Street, U.S.A. However, that didn’t stop fans from flocking to store to pick up souvenirs to take home. The need for Disney merchandise was VERY real, especially over at the Splash Mountain gift shop. Splash Mountain While there weren’t any new things for sale, plushes, tees, and more were selling out ridiculously fast since Disney announced that the ride would be redesigned to a The Princess and the Frog theme. The line ranged from a 180-minute wait to a 240-minute wait before the Virtual Queue line for the store eventually reached capacity at one point. Splash Plushes But, there was one new line of merchandise that DID sell out in the parks initially. Disney rolled out a “Together Again” collection to welcome everyone back into Disney World. Since people were obviously excited about the prospect of the latest merchandise to hit the shelves, the collection began to sell out fast as well (since it didn’t seem like the parks stocked a lot of the tees anyways). We’ve seen a few of the shirts appear today in the parks, but the demand on reopening day was certainly high. Together Again Collection Although there wasn’t a lot of new merchandise, the biggest change that we saw in the retail world of Disney was that there was a new way to shop. The stores operated with designated entrances and exits, distancing measures, glass partitions, the capability to turn on a Virtual Queue, and more. Here’s a full look at how shopping works in Disney World now! Fan-Favorite Menu Items Oh, how we’ve missed snacking our way through the parks with all the amazing eats and treats Disney World has to offer! We’ve been grabbing Mickey Bars and Dole Whips galore, but a few of our favorite snacks are missing from the parks (say it ain’t so!). Dole Whip While we were at Aloha Isle, we spotted that the classic Pineapple Upside Down Cake and Kakamora Float were both missing. In case you never got to try the Moana-themed float, the coconut flavored Kakamora had become one of our FAVORITE versions of a Dole Whip float since it debuted at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (and then secured a spot as a full-time featured item in Magic Kingdom). Kakamora Float If that doesn’t make your Dole Whip loving heart sad enough, the Peter Pan Float also disappeared from Storybook Treats. BUT, the good news is that you can still get a Lime Dole Whip over at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort! Peter Pan Float While we were exploring Animal Kingdom, we found that the Simba Pretzel had gone missing (we can’t believe it either)… Simba Pretzel at Harambe Fruit Market …on top of Flame Tree Barbecue‘s Pulled Pork Fries! Although a basket of fries may not seems like a big deal, the Pulled Pork Fries were a GREAT snack option (that could practically serve as a meal) with so much pulled pork and plastic cheese piled on crisp fries. We’re getting a little emotional just thinking about them being missing now… . Pulled Pork Fries with Cheese at Flame Tree Barbecue Since the Disney Resorts have also opened along with the parks, disappearing menu items were bound to make their way over to the hotels too. While we recently dined at the newly reopened California Grill in Disney’s Contemporary Resort, we spotted that the cheesy and delicious Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli was missing from the menu. Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli at California Grill Although there are SO many other items vanishing from Disney World right now, we will be keeping a close eye on these treats to see if they come back as the parks move past their initial reopenings. Cast Members have informed us that kitchens have limited access to certain ingredients and menu items in order to maintain distancing in kitchens (and since third-party manufacturers may not have all the items available). Fingers crossed that we’ll see you again, Kakamora!! Keep up with all the menu changes happening in Disney World here! No More Pin Trading Pin Trading is a serious business for many guests who spend time collecting and exchanging their pins to make the ultimate collection. However, Disney originally stated that Pin Trading wouldn’t be happening in the parks during the initial reopenings as a health and safety measure. When Disney Springs opened, spots like Pin Traders had the experience suspended, so we weren’t really expected to be able to trade in the parks, at least not initially. Pin Traders Buuut, then Disney changed their tune by saying that Pin Trading would be available in a modified fashion. We weren’t really sure what to expect with the new form of trading since so much of the experience was based around people physically being able to swap out pins for others. Pin Trading Experience However, we’ve now seen Pin Trading return on boards around the parks and resorts for guests. The experience has changed so there is less contact happening during Pin Trading. Now, a guest will be able to choose up to two pins to trade, which will be given to them by a Cast Member who handles the board. Pin Trading Cast Member lanyards, pouches, books, and other means of Pin Trading have been suspended at this time to encourage distancing and prevent unnecessary contact. Pin Board We’ve seen Pin Trading so far in places like the Artist’s Palette at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, near DinoLand U.S.A. in Animal Kingdom, stationed at Fantasy Faire in Magic Kingdom, and multiple other locations that are available in Disney World currently. You may not find the pin boards EVERYWHERE you used to see them before the closure for now, but if you’re looking to trade, you can scratch your pin trading itch! Here are all the ways Disney is handling Pin Trading in the parks! Very Few Characters Out and About in the Parks and Resorts When Disney announced that fireworks, parades, and character meet-and-greets would be suspended, we thought that there would be way fewer opportunities to see characters. Although Character Cavalcades were announced as the next form of modified Disney entertainment, we didn’t expect there to be as many characters out as we ended up seeing! Magic Kingdom Character Cavalcade On top of the floats going by with Mickey and his friends, the Disney Princesses (and a special appearance from Angus), boat-rides with Chip and Dale, and more, the character experiences didn’t stop there in the parks! Royal Princess Processional at Magic Kingdom Characters were stationed around the parks to wave to guests passing by from distanced stations or even on the balcony of Cinderella Castle (what’s up, Anastasia and Drizella??). Anastasia and Drizella We were excited to see pals like Buzz and Stitch in Tomorrowland… It’s Buzz! …the Country Bears at the Country Bear Jamboree… Country Bears …Jack Sparrow near the Pirates of the Caribbean… It’s Jack Sparrow! …and so many more (our hearts were full of joy seeing them again)! Here are all the places you can spot your favorite Disney characters in the parks! Hiya, Tigger!! Although there aren’t many Character Dining experiences returning back to Disney World at this time, we visited Topolino’s Terrace to see all our friends out and about in the restaurant. While you might not be able to take pictures with them (you can take distanced selfies or pictures of the characters instead), you actually have the potential to see the characters a few more times since they don’t have to stop by every table! Mickey at Topolino’s Terrace At Topolino’s Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy paraded around the restaurant so guests could interact with them at a distance. Plus, there was even a giant dance party where all four characters came out to give a performance! Another unexpected character surprise appearance came over at Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom. The restaurant typically only serves a table-service meal in the evenings but since reopening, lunch is served as a prix-fixe sit-down meal and with it, a special guest is present! You can wave hello to the Beast! Beast! While the parks start to open again, more Character Dining meals may be instated with similar experiences for guests. We already know that Garden Grill Restaurant in EPCOT will be open with a character experience again! Take a look at a modified Character Dining experience in Disney World here! Water Fountains Would Be Shut Off Since Disney is following strict health and safety measures, we expected to see the water fountains around the parks shut off when Disney World reopened. However, we were shocked to see that many water fountains were on, while some refillable water bottle stations were turned off (which seems a little strange to us). Water Fountain Although we’ve seen water fountains on in Disney Springs, we weren’t entirely sure if water fountains and refillable water bottle stations would be turned on in the parks upon reopening. Water fountains in particular seem to not meet with distancing guidelines put forth (you know, since they require guests to put their mouths so close to them!). Bottle fillers seem a bit more sanitary, so we were surprised to see them on some places like the Flight of Passage queue… Water Bottle Refill …and marked off as closed for safety reasons at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe in Magic Kingdom. It doesn’t seem like there are set regulations surrounding where and whether the fountains will be turned on or closed. Water Fountain However, the water fountains and refillable water bottle stations aren’t the only ways to get water in Disney World! Free Cups of Water The quick-service restaurants are still providing free water cups for guests who ask for them so you can cool off while you beat the heat in the air-conditioning. Even though Cast Members are limiting guests from entering Quick Service locations without a Mobile Order or the intention of ordering, if you mention you want water you’ll be allowed in. This was our full experience dining at a quick-service location in a newly re-opened Magic Kingdom! Longer Wait Times and No Pre-Shows While Disney stated that the wait times would be low when the parks initially reopened, we honestly expected them to be a LOT longer than they were. Five minute wait times for Flight of Passage ALL DAY LONG?? UNHEARD OF. Flight of Passage Both Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom had some of the lowest wait times we’ve ever seen in the parks. While Animal Kingdom had lines that ranged from five to 20 minutes for Tier One attractions (we’re still shook), Magic Kingdom’s longest wait time of the day was for Splash Mountain. Splash Mountain The attractions also went through routine cleaning every two hours, so the lines were dispersed consistently throughout the parks. Although we thought that the distancing and use of new health and safety regulations would make the lines longer, we were surprised to find that wasn’t the case during the initial reopenings. Magic Kingdom Wait Times as of 3:15PM on July 11th We also thought that pre-shows for attractions would be halted, but we happened to find many of them in action (in a modified way). Instead of hosting two pre-shows, Flight of Passage spread guests out over the two rooms and only showed the first pre-show without the “connection” sequence to the Avatars. Dr. Stevens However, Dinosaur’s pre-show was completely normal, except for the limited room capacity and distancing measures put in place. Dinosaur While Hollywood Studios and EPCOT haven’t opened yet, we will have to keep you updated on how the other parks’ wait times and pre-show situations look when the parks welcome guests again on July 15th. Rise of the Resistance Although Disney just keeps surprising us over and over again, we are looking forward to seeing all the ways that the parks have changed. And, while we’re back in a newly reopened Disney World, we’ll be taking you with us to check out all the things that are different in the parks! Why didn’t anybody tell us these 5 things before we went back to Disney World? What things surprised you about Disney World’s reopening? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New at Coronado Springs, Old Key West, and Saratoga Springs Resorts: Spicy Firecracker Shrimp and ADORABLE Disney Parks Watches! What’s New at Disney’s All-Star Resorts! The Disney Foodie Collection; Pixar Merchandise; and One of Our FAVE Returning Cupcakes! What’s New at Disney Springs: The Lightfloat, More ABC Disney Merch, and the Return of the Avengers! View the full article

We’ve had a LOT of feelings about returning back to Disney World during the first round of reopenings this week. Main Street, U.S.A. Although we expected to see distancing measures and new places to spot characters, there were quite a few changes that Disney sprung on guests when they entered the parks. Whether you’re someone who really loves riding attractions or you’re all about the food, Disney World has really shaken things up when it comes to how the parks are working now. While we may be Disney pros, there were plenty of things that we didn’t expect to see happen when Disney opened again. And, since nobody told us to expect them, we’re sharing some of the biggest changes we didn’t anticipate seeing in Disney World! You Don’t Have to Get Up at the Crack of Dawn Anymore It’s almost become a “normal” part of many of our Disney vacations that being “up and at ’em” first thing in the morning is essential to our visits. Most of us would make sure we were well on our way to the parks as the sun was rising (or even before then) to snag those early morning ride times or get a Boarding Group for Rise of the Resistance. Hollywood Studios Before Park Opening Waiting to Get Boarding Groups for Rise of the Resistance However, Disney as we know it has basically changed completely. You CAN’T get to the parks hours before opening at this time. It’s strange to say that now you don’t have to be up so early. As the parks start to re-open, Disney has made it pretty simple to take advantage of low wait times and (hopefully) grab a Boarding Pass for Rise of the Resistance when guests are visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Magic Kingdom Reopening Day What’s the reason behind this? Well, Disney doesn’t actually want there to be excessive crowding in the parks first thing in the morning as a health and safety precaution. Since distancing measures are so important right now, a bunch of guests waiting outside the gates sounds like a big no-no at the moment. However, Disney has started restricting the time anyone even arrives at the parks to reduce crowding. Welcome Back Home! Although Disney Buses previously started running from the resorts two hours before the parks opened, the hours have been reduced to a start time of only 45 minutes. While we were there this week, a Cast Member even stated that Disney Transportation may not even begin operations until 8:30AM each day (but the 45-minute guideline is a little safer to stick with). Disney Bus The Walkways from Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and most likely Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort (when completed) won’t be opening until 8:30AM for guests staying at the hotels (which happens to be one of the biggest perks of choosing these resorts). Ticket and Transportation Walkway Currently, the parking entrances only seem to begin opening up about 20 minutes before the parks’ opening. After that, guests still have to get through the long line of cars to park, which has been modified to a car in every other spot. Trams won’t be running during the initial reopening, so everyone will need to walk from their cars to the gates or Ticket and Transportation Center. Parking Many guests would get up extremely early in order to get a prime Boarding Group spot for Rise of the Resistance (we’ve been in the 5AM crowds. It’s a THING!). However, Hollywood Studios’ most popular attraction will be using a modified system instead of the previous version we’ve seen. While previously, guests needed to be in the park as it opened (and typically showed up hours before) to get a Boarding Pass, now groups aren’t doled out until 10AM, 1PM, and 4PM on the My Disney Experience app. Do keep in mind that Hollywood Studios is set to open at 10AM next week. Rise of the Resistance In order to allow everyone a chance to get on the ride, you’ll only be able to join Rise of the Resistance’s Virtual Queue ONCE per day. My Disney Experience will keep guests updated with what availability there is for specific windows and allow people to join back-up Boarding Groups. However, a virtual queue slot is not a guarantee — you still may not be able to ride the attraction, even with a Virtual Queue spot. Lieutenant Beck on Rise of the Resistance Overall, it seems like Disney has reduced the amount of time guests have to arrive and congregate at the entrances to maintain distancing guidelines. While a lot of this is due to concerns overcrowding, there are some perks to being able to take advantage of shorter wait times and more time to sleep in. Here is the biggest piece of Disney planning advice you’re probably not thinking about! Mobile Order Would See Some Changes Mobile Order has easily become one of our favorite tools to use during a trip to Disney World. Who wouldn’t want a quicker way to grab a Dole Whip or have lunch before hopping on the Haunted Mansion? Buuut, we were surprised to see that Mobile Order also received a few alterations during the parks’ reopenings! Dole Whip Mobile Order would usually allow guests the ability to choose their designated time to return back to a quick-service location so they could waltz inside and grab their meals. However, the procedure has changed to promote social distancing. Cosmic Ray’s Disney is really pushing for guests to use Mobile Order to order and pay for their food. While you are still able to order inside, it can sometimes feel like you’re not allowed to or that you’re doing something wrong. But do know that it is still an option, you may just need to explain your reasoning. For example, if you need to see an allergy menu or if you’re paying with cash, you’re welcome to order inside. Mobile Order Sign Although guests are able to still choose their return time, they will have to select “I’m Here. Prepare My Order” when they arrive. Guests can choose to wait outside or inside behind designated distancing markers before being given a notification that their food is ready along with a designated pick-up location. Ordering Area Since there are health and safety measures in place at Disney’s restaurants, picking up your own condiments or refilling your own drink may not be an option right now. Some restaurants will have tubs of individually packaged condiments for guests to pick up. Or, you can choose your condiments and sides through Mobile Order instead. Condiments Free water is still just as accessible at Quick-Service locations too, since Cast Members prepare the cups to hand to guests who want a drink. Free Cups of Water All you have to do is ask someone working at the restaurant for a cup of water, and they will allow you to enter to get a free water cup! Here’s a look at the new quick-service dining process in Disney World! Wait Times Would Be SO LOW Before the parks reopened, Disney projected that its wait times would be low during the initial reopenings (hence the lack of Virtual Queues at attractions). But, we have to be honest — we did NOT expect them to see as low as they have been! Big Thunder Mountain Disney’s Animal Kingdom operated with lines that were consistently only 5 minutes throughout the day (!!!) with the longest lines ranging from 15 to 20 mins that we happened to see. It’s WILD to think that we could literally walk on Tier One rides like Flight of Passage (that can typically have at least a two-hour wait!) in the parks without planning months in advance how to snag the best FastPasses. Animal Kingdom Wait Times as of 2PM on July 11th Magic Kingdom also operated with so many low wait times that could range from 5 to 50 minutes, even during the peak times of the day. Both parks would temporarily close their attractions to clean them every 2 hours, according to Cast Members. During those times, the lines were dispersed even more, so you never really had to wait a crazy amount of time to get on an attraction. Magic Kingdom Wait Times as of 11:10AM on July 11th The wait times could change when the crowds pick up (if they even pick up at all or if Disney increases capacity). However, it’s shocking that we’ve been able to hop MEGA popular attractions consistently at 5 minute wait times as opposed to possible 2+ hours or more of standing in the Florida heat. Flight of Passage We’re pretty sure we’ve been on Flight of Passage more times in the past few days than we probably have in the last few YEARS combined since Pandora opened! Here are some of the best and worst things we’ve seen in a re-opened Disney World so far! Merchandise Is a HUGE Deal Right Now Since it debuted, Splash Mountain has been a big part of the Disney Parks around the world. And, when Disney World reopened this weekend, Splash Mountain was the MUST-DO attraction of the parks. It had the longest wait time in Magic Kingdom (yes, even over the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train) with times reaching up to 45 or 50 minutes. Magic Kingdom Wait Times as of 10:15AM on July 11th Since the ride will be experiencing a redesign from the classic story of Br’er Rabbit to a contemporary The Princess and the Frog bayou ride, people were set on getting Splash Mountain items to take home with them. This is why the line for the GIFT SHOP was the biggest line we’ve seen since the parks reopened (and possibly even before the closure!). Splash Mountain merchandise The line during Passholder Preview stretched to a 240-minute wait, while the reopening had a 180-minute wait (and then reached capacity) to get into Splash Mountain’s gift shop. And, if you think about it, the gift shop wasn’t super popular before the announcement that the attraction would see some changes. Now it’s THE place to be in Magic Kingdom! Splash Plushes Disney has also rolled out a “Together Again” collection to welcome guests back into the parks. Since guests were super psyched to be back in the parks, the line of tee shirts was selling out extremely fast (commemorative merchandise is typically a big deal with many guests, but for the historic re-opening, this merch was extra unique). Together Again Collection There wasn’t a high quantity of the shirts stocked in Magic Kingdom, so they were practically gone from the shelves at the end of the day. Together Again Ladies’ Shirt We’ve seen a few styles of the shirts restocked today, but we’ll keep checking back in the parks to see if we can be reunited with more of the Together Again collection! Here are the ways shopping in Disney World has changed! Temperature Checks Would Actually Be One of the Least Weird Changes When temperature checks were first announced for Disney World, it seemed like a totally strange concept to fans everywhere. Many people were worried that it would add a bunch of additional time trying to get into the parks and that it could be invasive. In reality, it’s been neither of those things from what we’ve experienced so far. Temperature Checks The procedures are all conducted the same with AdventHealth team members conducting the temperature screenings before guests go through the bag check into the parks. Temperature Checks Since we’ve been back in the parks, the temperature screening portion of the entrance procedures actually goes by quickly as guests are moved along in an orderly fashion. While temperature checks being a part of the new normal may seem a bit weird to think about, they have been surprisingly simple to go through (and we don’t really mind them all that much). Magic Kingdom Temperature Check Tents Although there have been plenty of things that have surprised us about the parks reopening (and probably will continue to do so when EPCOT and Hollywood Studios open in just a few short days), it does seem like many guests don’t mind the changes. We’ve noticed that quite a few of the modifications in the park haven’t majorly affected guests’ visits or have even made them a bit easier. These are the ways Disney World is breaking the theme park reopening mold! While we continue to explore Disney World during its initial reopening, we’ll keep bringing you all the new and different things we see during our time in the parks. Let us know if you have ANY questions about what it’s like right now in Disney World! These are our biggest tips for wearing a mask in a theme park right now! What is one of the strangest things you’ve seen in Disney World so far? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New at Coronado Springs, Old Key West, and Saratoga Springs Resorts: Spicy Firecracker Shrimp and ADORABLE Disney Parks Watches! DFB Video: Latest Disney Parks News — NEW Hotels, NEW Restaurants & TONS of Festival News for 2020! What’s New at Disney’s All-Star Resorts! The Disney Foodie Collection; Pixar Merchandise; and One of Our FAVE Returning Cupcakes! View the full article

Now that Disney World has reopened, we’ve been combing through the parks to collect all the brand new tips you need to know! Magic Kingdom In order to enter the parks, all guests ages two and older are required to wear an appropriate face covering. So, since nearly everyone who enters Disney World will need to wear a face mask, we figured this is a pretty important topic to cover! And while wearing a face mask in Disney World definitely takes some getting used to, it’s not unbearable — especially if you do it right! So, here are our top tips for wearing a face mask in the parks! Bring Several Different Types of Masks We’ve found that it’s important to have extra masks for each day — between the rain, humidity, and sweat, ours always seem to end up wet after a few hours! But we’ve also found that it’s helpful to have several different KINDS of masks — meaning different style, material, and fit! Rainbow Mickey Face Mask That way, if one particular type of mask starts to rub in an uncomfortable way, we can swap it out with a completely different mask that fits different. In fact, we’ve even found it helpful to change into a new mask mid-day, regardless of whether our first mask has started to feel worn-in! Did you know that you can get a Disney Food Blog face mask?? Check them out here! Mask Thickness and Material Make a Difference for Comfort We’ve worn a wide variety of masks around Disney World, and we’ve found certain materials are more comfortable for us. But this largely seems to be a matter of personal preference, so we suggest trying out masks made of different materials to see what you find most comfortable! Face Masks at Disney Springs It’s helpful to test out your masks before your vacation so you can get a feel for how they will wear after spending some significant time in them. Try to go for a walk outside to see how comfortable they are while you’re active! Here are three things that surprised us at the Disney World Annual Passholder preview! If You Have Long Hair, Bring Clips to Secure Your Mask on Thrill Rides This tip won’t work for everyone, but if you do have long hair, this can be super helpful! If you’re worried about losing your mask on one of the high-speed thrill rides, pack hair clips to secure the ear loops of your mask! Expedition Everest We tested this out on Expedition Everest, and it worked like a charm — even when the coaster zipped backward through the mountain! Check out our LIVE coverage from the reopening of Animal Kingdom! Plan a Sit-Down Meal Mid-Day Guests are required to wear masks in the parks at all times — except when eating or drinking. Guests may remove their masks when seated at a restaurant, as long as they remain at their table. Be Our Guest Restaurant By planning a sit-down meal mid-day, you can create a built-in break for your family where you can get out of the heat, remove your masks, and relax. These are the restaurants that are reopening with each of the Disney World parks! Find Out Where the Relaxation Stations Are Located So, what happens if you REALLY need a break outside of mealtime? Guests will find “relaxation stations” at each of the parks. These are designated areas where guests can remove their masks while maintaining distance from other parties. These spots can be a HUGE help for giving the kiddos a much-needed break! Relaxation Zone in Magic Kingdom Find out where the relaxation stations are located in the park you’re visiting so you know where you can go if you need to spend a few minutes without your mask! Here’s where the “relaxation stations” are located in the reopened Disney World parks! Take Care of Your Lips! While wearing a mask in Disney World, we’ve found that our lips tend to get chapped pretty quickly. So, be sure to pack lip balm in your park bag! And if you wear makeup, you’ll also want to bring lipstick and a compact for touch-ups! We Stash a Compact and Lipstick in Our Park Bag! So, even if these aren’t items that previously made their way into your park bag, we’d suggest adding them on your next trip! You won’t believe how low the wait times were on Animal Kingdom’s reopening day! Make Sure You’re Drinking Plenty of Water With the heat, humidity, and amount of walking involved in a trip to Disney World, dehydration can sneak up on you fast! And even though guests are allowed to move their masks to take a drink, we’ve found that we’ve been drinking water less frequently while wearing our masks. Free Cups of Water So, make sure you’re staying hydrated and drinking enough water in the parks! You might even want to set an alarm on your watch or phone as a reminder to stop and take a sip! Here’s how you can get water in the reopened Disney World parks! Be Diligent About Applying Sunscreen to Your Face! Just like staying hydrated, protecting your skin is always important. Make sure you don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your face just because you’re wearing a mask! We opt for a sunscreen with a high SPF for extra protection! Cast Members And reapplying throughout the day is also important — trust us, we’ve ended up with some interesting face mask tan lines! Most people who are booking their Disney World trips right now don’t know THIS! So, while wearing a face mask in Disney World is definitely a different experience than we’re used to, we’ve found ways to make it easier for ourselves! We hope these tips are helpful to you on your next trip to the parks! Here are 10 new Disney World tips we never thought we’d have to share! Have you been back to Disney World since the reopening? Share your face mask tips in the comments! Related posts: 10 NEW Disney World Tips We NEVER Thought We’d Have to Share! NEWS: ‘Relaxation Zones’ May Offer Guests a Chance to Briefly Remove Face Masks When Visiting Walt Disney World PHOTOS: First Look at Disney World’s “No Mask” Relaxation Stations View the full article

Now that Disney World has reopened, we’ve got some brand NEW tips to share! Disney World Balloons We’ve visited the parks, hotels, and Disney Springs to get a feel for what it’s like to visit a reopened Disney World. And with all of the changes in Disney, that means we have some NEW tips for your vacation that probably would have sounded a little weird at this time last year! Bring Plenty of Face Masks! All Cast Members and guests age two and up must wear a face mask in the parks at all times (except when eating and drinking). And with the summertime Florida weather, you’re likely to encounter thunderstorms, heat, and humidity — and the resulting sweat! Disney World Cast Member Which means, your mask is likely to get wet throughout the day! Whether you opt for reusable or disposable face masks, pack extra for your trip, and throw several in your park bag for each member of your party before you head out for the day. That way, you’ll be all set if you need a fresh mask! Did you know you can get a Disney Food Blog Face Mask?? Check them out here! Set a Reminder to Drink Water We encourage our readers pretty regularly to make sure they’re staying hydrated as they navigate the parks. But from the time we’ve spent in a reopened Disney World, we’ve found we aren’t drinking water as often as usual. Free Cups of Water Guests are allowed to briefly pull down their masks to take a drink or a bite of food, but since it’s less convenient with a mask on, we’ve been guilty of not hydrating as often! If you think there’s a chance you could fall into this habit as well, consider setting a reminder on your watch or phone to stop and take a drink every so often. Trust us, it’s better than getting dehydrated! If you DO forget and find yourself in a bad way — either through dehydration or heatstroke — swing by the First Aid Center in each park. They’re well equipped to help you if you need it. Here’s how you can get water in the reopened Disney World theme parks! Pack Your Own Hand Sanitizer We’ve found the ample hand sanitizer around the parks but, while there are lots throughout the parks, hotels, and Disney Springs, we still recommend packing your own! Spaceship Earth By packing your own hand sanitizer, you won’t have to search for a hand sanitizer station. And you’ll have it available when you really want it — like when your meal arrives at a restaurant or when you’ve just pulled down your lap bar on an attraction! Here’s what it’s like to eat in a recently reopened restaurant in Disney World. Speaking of Hand Sanitizer, Consider One that Clips to Your Bag! Another piece of hand sanitizer advice — we’ve found that having ours clipped to the outside of our park bag is super convenient! ©Walmart That way, we don’t have to dig around inside our bag (and touch all of our other belongings in the process!) when we need it. Here’s a good multi-pack of sanitizers we like. Here’s how you can find the nearest hand sanitizer station in Disney World! And Bring Lotion for Your Hands Also! One side effect we’ve noticed from all of the handwashing and sanitizing we’ve been doing — our hands get super dry! H20 Products So, while regular moisturizing lotion isn’t typically at the top of our list of park bag necessities, it’s definitely become an MVP for us in recent weeks! If your room provides travel-sized lotion, pop one not your bag. These are a great option as well (and ultra-moisturizing). Here’s a big piece of NEW Disney World planning advice you’re not thinking about! Keep a Close Eye on Disney Park Pass Availability In order to visit the reopened Disney World parks, all guests are required to have a Disney Park Pass reservation. There is a cap on the availability for Disney World Resort guests, regular ticket holders, and Annual Passholders in each park every day so when they’re all gone, they’re gone. ©Screenshot From Disney Park Pass BUT, we’ve noticed that the Disney Park Pass availability can change, and occasionally, parks that were previously listed as full have become available again. So, if you didn’t get your first choice of park when making your initial reservations, check back regularly to see if the availability has changed! Click here to see our Disney Park Pass tutorial! Be On the Lookout for Characters in Unexpected Places During the initial reopening period, guests won’t find traditional character experiences like meet-and-greets, parades, and character dining (with the exception of the modified character dining experiences at Topolino’s Terrace and Garden Grill). Mickey at Topolino’s But that doesn’t mean you can’t spot characters on your vacation — there will be new (socially distanced) experiences in each of the parks! We’ve already had the chance to see these in action in Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, and characters will pop up in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT as well! Merida in Magic Kingdom These character experiences will be unscheduled and will pop up as a surprise, so don’t camp out to try to catch them! But keep a sharp eye out as you’re wandering through the parks and you might spot one of your favorite characters! We were kind of shocked by how MANY characters we’ve seen since we’ve been back. While you can’t get an autograph or a hug, it’s kinda neat to see so many characters in a day! Click here to learn more about these new character experiences! Reapply Sunscreen to Your Face Regularly! It’s important to protect your skin regardless of the circumstances of your vacation, but now this common tip has a new twist! Don’t forget to regularly reapply sunscreen to your face! This can help you avoid both a sunburn and unwanted face mask tan lines. Rainbow Mickey Face Mask You also might want to use a high SPF sunscreen on your face, to help cut down on the face mask tan lines! This is a great one made especially for your face! See which face masks are the MOST comfortable to wear all day in Disney World — and which ones you should avoid! Bring Lip Balm We’ve found that wearing a mask around the park all day has caused our lips to get dry super quickly. So, another park bag essential that has found its way towards the top of our list is lip balm! © Amazon Here’s a bonus tip — since these are typically pretty small, they can fall to the bottom of your bag easily. So if possible, keep your lip balm in a small, outer pocket of your bag for easy access! Here are three things that surprised us at the Disney World Annual Passholder preview! Bring a Portable Phone Charger With the focus on reducing contact, your cell phone (and My Disney Experience app) is more important than ever! You can use your phone to Mobile Order, pull up QR code menus, process contactless payments, and more! Mobile Order Sign Disney World does offer swappable FuelRod chargers at several locations, but keep in mind that guests who signed up for the program after October 26th, 2019 will now have to pay a $3 swap fee. FuelRod Station So, while there are portable phone charging options available in Disney World, you may want to bring your own from home to avoid swapping fees! This is a reliable charger that can provide you multiple charges in a day! Click here to learn more about the FuelRod swapping policy change! We’ve been scoping out all of the ins and outs of navigating a reopened Disney World — and we’ve learned A LOT along the way! We hope these new tips will help you maximize the magic on your next Disney vacation! What else do YOU want to know about reopened Disney World? We’re in the parks every day checking out the changes and here to help you be in the know. Most people who are booking their Disney World trips right now don’t know THIS! Have you been to Disney World since the reopening? Share your new tips in the comments! Related posts: Potential Solutions For Disney World’s New Guest Transportation Problems “What If I Need to Change My Disney World Park Pass Reservation?” We’ve Got An Answer… Making Your Disney World Plans? Here’s Something You Need to Know About Disney Park Pass Availability! View the full article

We’ve been running around Magic Kingdom checking out everything new the park has to offer since it re-opened! Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe Stockings Earlier, we spotted a ton of new stockings and Christmas merch in Disney Springs. But recently, we stopped into Ye Old Christmas Shoppe to see if they added anything new. On our way in we spotted something spooky. A brand new Haunted Mansion stocking! Call in the spirits wherever they are at! This stocking features our favorite happy haunt, Madame Leota. (You know, the woman who’s head is inside a crystal ball on The Haunted Mansion?!) The stocking is modeled after her tombstone that you see on the way into Haunted Mansion. Don’t worry, her eyes won’t follow you here! Haunted Mansion Stocking Confused by how to stuff your ghoulish Christmas stocking? We were too. Turns out, there’s a big pocket in the back! The stocking costs $29.99. Haunted Mansion Stocking We’ll be hurrying back to grab a stocking of our own. But, consider this chilling challenge — to grab one before they’re out of stock! Will you be buying this stocking? Give us a hint while ringing the bell! Wanna know what’s like shopping at Disney World now that’s re-opened? Check out our shopping guide here! Do you love this Haunted Mansion stocking? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Dress Up Your Chores With the NEW Cinderella Apron We Found in Disney World! The Haunted Mansion Fragrance Has Materialized In Disney World (And It’s Deadly Good)! NEWS! Get Ready to Walk in a Winter Wonderland — The Holiday Decor is BACK in Magic Kingdom! View the full article

Pull out the Triple Sec! There’s a new tequila coming to EPCOT and we’re only ordering it on The Rocks. La Cava del Tequila Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is starring in the newest movie based on a Disney RIDE — The Jungle Cruise. But do you know what’s cooler than the backside of water? The fact that he is making his own line of tequila! That’s right! The tequila will be available to sip and mix at La Cava del Tequila in the Mexico Pavilion. It’s called Teremana which translates to “Spirit of the Earth.” Excuse us while we fire up the blender. Do you smell what the rock’s cookin’? I mean, drinking? This spirit will be the perfect addition to all the tasting tequila and fresh guac that makes La Cava famous. You can watch his introduction to the tequila here! ©Teremana La Cava mentioned in their Instagram this will be available “as soon as La Cava del Tequila opens up,” which SHOULD be opening next week with the rest of EPCOT. In the meantime, EPCOT is kicking off their re-opening with a modified version of Food and Wine Festival next week. There will be plenty of margs to hold everyone over until then! Ready for a Disney marg right now? Frontera Cocina has a new Champagne Margarita and you gotta try it! Do you wanna try this new tequila? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Review! We’re LOVING the NEW Neil Patrick Harris Black Magic Margarita in Epcot! Find Out Where You Can Get a FREE Margarita Jello Heart in Disney World Today! Limited Edition Mezcal to Celebrate La Cava del Tequila’s Tenth Anniversary — But You’ll Have to ACT FAST! View the full article

We have been making our way all over the Disney Parks as they re-open. Although we’ve hopped on water rides like Kali River Rapids and Splash Mountain, we can’t neglect that old favorite, the Jungle Cruise in Magic Kingdom! Cinderella Castle It seems Disney is giving the Jungle Cruise a LOT more love right now too! We’ve spotted ornament sets, backpacks, and even dresses. Now the Jungle Cruise Funko Pop we told you about is available online as well! We’re taking a journey to the backside of water with the adorable Jungle Cruise Funko Pop, since it’s finally arrived on shopDisney! ©Disney The Funko Pop shows a Skipper going on a ride through the jungle aboard his trusty (original red and white roofed!) Congo Queen boat (probably complete with lots of ridiculously funny jokes along the way). ©Disney You can get the Jungle Cruise Funko Pop for $39.99 (and maybe you’ll be making your own DIY Jungle Cruise at home while you’re at it!). Want that Jungle Cruise dress to go along with your Funko? Click here! Have you been back to Disney World yet? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: The Popular Jungle Cruise Dress From Disney World is Now Available ONLINE! Disney News This Week: ALL the News and Updates from the Most Magical Places on Earth! Go on a Grand Circle Tour of Tomorrowland With the NEW PeopleMover Hat in Disney World! View the full article

Now everyone can set out on an island getaway aboard the Jungle Cruise in Magic Kingdom now that the park is officially open to guests! Jungle Cruise We checked out that Eighth Wonder of the World (the Backside of Water, of course!), BUT we also checked out what was new in the shops in Magic Kingdom, including the dapper Jungle Cruise Dress we spotted on Main Street. Now, you don’t have to go to Disney World (or nab a Park Pass) to get yourself one! Soon after we spotted this dress, we returned to the shop to find it had SOLD OUT. Thankfully, there are other ways to get your Disney dress fix sans tickets. Jungle Cruise Dress Now, you can order the Jungle Cruise Dress from shopDisney to be delivered to your home (so you don’t have to even leave your couch!). ©Disney The gorgeous blue dress features wildlife, tikis, and greenery from all over the attraction so you can take a little slice of paradise with you wherever you go! Jungle Cruise Dress The Jungle Cruise Dress is available both in-park (we’ll keep an eye on if it gets restocked!) and online for $128! Now we just need the Jungle Cruise Backpack to pair along with it, and we’re set for a day in Magic Kingdom! We also spy a new Jungle Cruise Funko that you’re going to LOVE here! What is your favorite part of the Jungle Cruise boat ride? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Go on a Grand Circle Tour of Tomorrowland With the NEW PeopleMover Hat in Disney World! When Disney World Reopens THESE Are at the Top of Our Must-Do List Rep Your Favorite Disney World Attractions With These Mini Ear Hat Ornaments! View the full article

If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World, there is a LOT to think about right now. As a result of the global health crisis, we’re seeing some big changes to the way we do Disney World. We’re talking updates to the dining reservation system, an all-new Disney Park Pass theme park reservation system, and no more Park Hopping, to name a few. Magic Kingdom If you’ve been hard at work planning or rescheduling an upcoming Disney vacation, you may have wrapped your mind around some of the big changes. But, there are still quite a few things that most people booking a Disney trip right now DON’T know. Many of the changes Disney has implemented — and the corresponding uncertainty about what comes next — could be longer lasting than you might think and they may affect vacations more than a year from now! Here’s how. Park reservations may be required through September of next year. Did you know theme park reservations may be necessary through September of next year or beyond? Currently, guests visiting Disney World will only be able to enter the theme parks with a Disney Park Pass reservation. Park Passes are available through September 26, 2021, so if you’re planning on heading to Disney World any time between now and then, you’ll need Park Passes to visit the theme parks. Walt Disney World Resort entrance Here’s what you’ll need to do to get Park Passes for your upcoming trip. First, check out Disney Park Pass availability before you book. Right now, Annual Passholders are the ticket type with the least availability for Park Passes. For Disney resort guests and ticket holders, the first two weeks of Park Passes are the only times that have shown any reduced availability to date — leaving vacations planned far enough in advance in an OK spot. Still, keep an eye on it and get those reservations booked ASAP to make sure you don’t run into any availability issues. Pro tip! If you find you’re not able to get the Disney Park Pass reservation you need, keep trying. Sometimes more become available as other people cancel their passes and there’s always a chance Disney could add more availability along the way. Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom It’s also important to remember that September 2021 is a long way off. If the Disney Park Pass system remains in place, things could still change. After all, this system is entirely new and Disney might make updates or improvements along the way. We’ve already seen a number of Park Pass system glitches swiftly resolved. Beyond that, the parks’ capacities could be expanded if there is an improvement in the global health crisis, leading to more Park Pass availability. Disney has also said that they hope to bring Park Hopping back soon and it’s currently possible to book the Park Hopper add-on with 2021 tickets. If Park Hopping returns while the Park Pass reservation system is still in place, then we might see another system change that would allow guests to make reservations for multiple parks per day. Click here for a tutorial on using the Disney Park Pass system! You won’t get your 50th-anniversary trip booked right now. There might be further implications to that September, 26, 2021 date, too. It’s not just Park Pass reservation bookings that currently end then — tickets aren’t on sale past that date either. Chances are, this has something to do with the fact that Disney World has a very big milestone on the horizon. TRON: Lightcycle Power Run is coming in 2021 to Disney World Disney World’s 50th anniversary is next October. The 50th anniversary has long been expected to be a high-demand time for travel to Disney World. But, with so much up in the air with health concerns, new protocols, and the current need to curb capacity to support physical distancing, it’s possible Disney doesn’t want to open the sales floodgates for the 50th anniversary period just yet. Keep in mind that it’s very possible that some of these measures (like Disney Park Pass) could continue into October 2021 and beyond and affect your 50th anniversary trip. Click here to learn more about what we can expect for Disney World’s 50th anniversary! Some Disney World hotels do not yet have a reopening date. There are some Disney World hotels that still do not have reopening dates and aren’t currently an option for 2021 vacation packages. We’re not sure when these hotels will open, and if you’re planning to book a 2021 trip, this could have an impact on where you stay. Grand Floridian Resort The following hotels are currently unavailable for 2021 reservations: Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort Disney’s All-Star Music Resort Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Note that Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village and Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House are available for booking.) Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (Note that Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge are available for booking.) Of course, this list is always subject to change and Disney could announce more hotel reopenings at any time, but for now, you’ll need to book your 2021 vacation elsewhere. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort As we’re continuing to see, the ongoing global health crisis and resulting changes to the way Disney World operates could have an even longer-term effect on the way we plan and experience a trip to Disney World. As always, stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for all of the latest updates and tips for returning to Disney World! Click here to learn more about the 2021 Disney World vacation package availability. Are you planning to book a trip for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: There Are Still 9 BIG Disney Question Marks Before Reopening Day… . Here’s What You Need To Know. Disney World Tickets and Hotel Reservations for 2020 are Available RIGHT NOW! Why Disney World Could Be Very DIFFERENT When It Reopens View the full article

Two of Walt Disney World’s theme parks have officially reopened, and, we’ve been on the ground at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom to check out all that’s new and different in the parks. Balloons While riding Haunted Mansion and waving to your favorite characters is all well and good, we’ve been pretty stoked to snack on our favorite treats again in the parks. But, we have to be honest — although you know we love our Disney eats, we may have just spotted a new BFF that is more devoted to Disney chicken nuggets than we are! While we were making our way through Magic Kingdom, we just happened to stumble across a sight that might actually feel rather familiar to anyone who’s ever dealt with a snack attack at the parks! This little squirrel was snacking away on a Disney chicken nugget like it was the best thing he’s ever had (same). Our New BFF, Art the Squirrel We’ve basically already hired him to become the latest member of the DFB team and named him Art the Squirrel after Chef Art Smith, the fried chicken king himself over at Homecomin’! The Disney ducks are QUAKING (er, quacking?) in their feathers at getting some competition for our love. He’s Really Going to Town on the Chicken Nugget But, perhaps the best part of our encounter with Art the Squirrel was that he decided the best position to eat a Disney chicken nugget was sprawled out on a rock (which was the equivalent of eating in bed, tbh). He really understands us on a deeper level. We Stan an Icon Welcome to the team, Art! Maybe he’ll give us a full review on that chicken nugget we can share with you guys soon! ;D Take a look at everything else happening in the Magic Kingdom today! On the scale of one to Art, how much do you love Disney chicken nuggets? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: When Disney World Reopens THESE Are at the Top of Our Must-Do List NEWS! Aunt Polly’s Is BACK OPEN in Magic Kingdom! (We Can Taste Those Biscuits NOW!) Review! The NEW Royal Majesty Cake Pop Has Stolen Our Hearts in Magic Kingdom! View the full article

Although Disney World has opened some of its BEST restaurants all around the property, one place to grab a quick and easy option (especially if you want to take food back to your hotel) is McDonald’s on property. Magic Kingdom Ever since the reimagined McDonald’s has popped up on Disney property, we’ve loved seeing the innovative elements at the restaurant, like the bikes outside and solar-powered lights. However, some restaurants around Florida haven’t been opening their dining rooms and only offer to-go and curbside pick-up options. And, the McDonald’s on the Disney World property is one of the locations that is only operating with drive-thru at the moment! McDonald’s After you place your order at the drive-thru area… McDonald’s Drive-Thru … you’ll pay at the window, where you’ll see team members in masks. McDonald’s Drive-Thru We couldn’t help but want a chilly shake in this Florida heat (and, boy, was it GOOD)! ;D Although they aren’t sure when they will be opening their dining room, McDonald’s hopes to be able to welcome guests back again soon! They are currently getting a few things in order before opening their dining room to everyone. A Shake on a Hot Summer Day! But, if you’re missing Disney food as much as we are, you can take a look at everything happening in Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom during their grand reopenings today! These are all the restaurants reopening in Disney World here! Have you been to the McDonald’s in Disney World? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Frontera Cocina Launched Online Ordering in Disney Springs for ALL Your Taco To-Go Needs! What’s New at Disney Springs: Dogs Wearing Face Masks, Four Pounds of Loaded Fries, and MORE! Terralina Crafted Italian Is Back OPEN in Disney Springs! View the full article

It’s been months since we’ve been back in Disney World. We have to say that it’s been pretty surreal to return back to the resorts and parks after they’ve been closed for so long! Welcome Back Home! However, Disney World is definitely not the same place we’ve grown to know and love over the years. There are a lot of changes that honestly have us rethinking how we are going to need to plan upcoming Disney vacations in the near future. While there is limited capacity in the parks with an entirely new reservation system required to even enter, the changes don’t stop there. As we’ve returned back to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom this weekend for the parks’ grand re-openings (and will be back in EPCOT and Hollywood Studios in just a few short days on July 15th), Disney has shaken things up all around the parks in order to abide by increased health and safety guidelines. Cinderella Castle While many of us have become accustomed to getting up early to head into the parks, one of the biggest things we’ve seen is that Disney is REALLY pushing for guests to arrive later in the day. Since the crowd levels we’ve seen so far in Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom have been decently low, it appears Disney’s efforts to reduce crowds has been relatively successful. Pandora Crowds Part of the way they’re currently doing that is putting procedures in place to encourage guests not to arrive before the parks open for the day. Many diehard Disney World guests are fans of rope dropping, meaning arriving to the park well before scheduled opening for the day to get a jump on the crowds. For now, rope dropping (at least how we were used to it) is a thing of the past. Magic Kingdom Instead, Disney has created a new park structure that doesn’t require guests to be there super early or stay there all the way through the end of the day (especially with those lower wait times in Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom). Disney Transportation and Parking When guests stay at a Disney Resort, they are usually able to take advantage of the Disney Bus system that leads straight to the parks. Prior to the closure, buses started running about 2 hours before the parks’ openings to allow guests ample time to get in line at the entrances. However, now buses are only running around 45 minutes before the parks open up for the morning. Contemporary Resort’s Bus Stop Today, Animal Kingdom opened at 8 AM and Magic Kingdom opened at 9 AM. However, a Cast Member informed us that Disney transportation between the hotels and parks only started operating at 8:30 AM (which doesn’t really allow guests to get to the parks first thing). We’re still trying to get clearer confirmation if buses are running earlier to Animal Kingdom since the park OPENS at 8AM. Disney Bus Plus, we also noticed that the walkways to the Ticket and Transportation Center were closed until 8:30AM according to a sign at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Ticket and Transportation Center Walkway While some guests choose to drive themselves to the parks, there was still less time to make it to the entrance right as they open. Although Animal Kingdom opened at 8AM, the cars leading into the parking lots were held outside the entrance until 7:40AM. Parking Then, they were able to park their cars and walk to gates (since the trams aren’t currently operating). Here’s a look at all the re-opened Disney Transportation! Rise of the Resistance Many of us were shocked to hear that Disney World would only be operating with Stand-by lines during the initial park re-opening. Virtual Queues for attractions would not be used, including the Boarding Group process for Rise of the Resistance in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Rise of the Resistance However, Disney has taken a few steps back to announce that Boarding Groups actually WILL be used, but in a new modified way when Disney’s Hollywood Studios opens on July 15th. Although that’s already enough of a BIG surprise as it is, guests will be even more startled that Hollywood Studios has changed the Rise of the Resistance boarding pass game so people don’t have to arrive at the crack of dawn to get on the ride. Lieutenant Beck on Rise of the Resistance Although the previous Virtual Queue only gave guests physically inside the park at park opening each day the opportunity to snag a pass (so basically, you needed to scoot on out the door before the sun was even up in hopes of getting in), now people can have opportunities throughout the day to join the queue. Rise of the Resistance will open up Boarding Groups at 10AM, 1PM, and 4PM through the My Disney Experience app. Hollywood Studios Before Park Opening Waiting to Get Boarding Groups for Rise of the Resistance However, you’ll only be able to join the Virtual Queue ONCE per day to allow other guests the opportunity to ride the attraction. The app will show if there is no availability for a specific window, but guests may be able to join back-up boarding groups. Still, that means a spot in the Virtual Queue doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to ride Rise of the Resistance. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance So what does this mean for your mornings? You’ll get to sleep in! Well…by Rise of the Resistance pre-park closure standards, at least! You’ll still need to have your finger ready to do some clicking n your phone at those specific times, but at least no more arriving at 5AM! Find out more details on the modified Rise of the Resistance process here! Rope Drop Since Disney World has switched things up for how guests are able to visit the parks, it’s pretty likely that Rope Drop isn’t going to be the same as we’ve seen it. Normally, it’s not been abnormal to see a whole crowd of people rushing to get to Slinky Dog Dash first thing in the morning. Slinky Dog in Toy Story Land However, distancing measures in the parks are most likely going to change how this works. In general, it seems like guests aren’t guaranteed to even make it to the gate by the time a park opens for the day. So, that might mean there is no NEED for a rope drop anyways. Rope Drop For now, there’s no getting into the parks early for coffee or shopping. Since you won’t be able to actually GET to the parks until right at opening time each day, there’s not much of a need for rope drop in the traditional sense. Magic Kingdom on Re-opening Day But, if Disney World does host rope drop, guests and Cast Members will need to be kept six feet apart. With that being the case, there might just be long (distanced) lines instead of the normal rope drop procedures. Main Street, U.S.A. Although Disney may be changing its park procedures (and it can be a little confusing for guests who have been to Disney World before), the initial re-opening stage has different health and safety precautions to keep everyone safe. Although we don’t know if all these things will be permanent, we will keep checking back as Disney opens all its parks again to see how they continue to change! We didn’t think we’d like this character experience as much as we did in the parks! Have you been back to Disney World yet? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: DFB Video: 11 Game Changers For Your Disney World Trip This Year! Disney News This Week: ALL the News and Updates from the Most Magical Places on Earth! DFB Video: 10 NEW Ways To Use Your Smartphone in Disney World! View the full article

It’s been a wild ride this week in Disney World! While Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom have officially reopened to guests, Disney Springs is still welcoming everyone back to shop, dine, and have a great time! Disney Springs Although there are SO many places to eat in Disney Springs that have reopened to guests, those visiting Disney World can once again eat a meal during a thunderstorm and have a VOLCANOOO! for dessert once again! Rainforest Cafe is back open for guests in Disney Springs (and Animal Kingdom if you visit the parks soon!). The Rainforest Cafe in Disney Springs The restaurant will still be taking guests on a family-style dining adventure, but they will be following strict health and safety guidelines like the other locations have implemented around Disney World. ©Rainforest Cafe We will be sure to report on all the new details soon. So, stay tuned! Take a peek at how the crowds look in a newly re-opened Animal Kingdom here! Where is your favorite spot to sit when you go to Rainforest Cafe? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Review: Chocolate Paradise and Some Pasta Too! We’re in Disney Springs at the Reopened Terralina Crafted Italian! Terralina Crafted Italian Is Back OPEN in Disney Springs! Umm, Can We Talk For a Sec About These BIZARRE Snacks From Disney World?! View the full article