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Select restaurants and businesses in Downtown Disney are getting ready to reopen to the general public on July 9th while the rest of Disneyland Resort will remain on hiatus. Downtown Disney’s World of Disney And we’ve just learned Disneyland is extending a special offer to its Cast Members, giving them the chance to visit the District for a soft opening on Wednesday, July 8th. ©Disney That’s right — Downtown Disney will open on July 8th for Cast Members before its grand reopening on Thursday, July 9th. If you’re a Cast Member and would like to take Disney up on this exclusive opportunity, registration will open today at 5PM Pacific. Additional information can be found on the HUB (that’s a special internal communications system Disney uses to stay in touch with its Cast Members!). And for all the latest health and safety information regarding Downtown Disney’s phased reopening, click here! Downtown Disney will reportedly reopen with outdoor dining only. Learn more info here. Let us know if you’re a Disneyland Cast Member and are planning on going to the soft-opening below! Related posts: What’s New at Downtown Disney and the Disneyland Resorts: TONS of Wedding Merchandise, a Sparkly Galaxy Parfait, and More! We’re Reviewing EVERY Holiday Treat At Disneyland Resort! See Them ALL Here! Review & Photos: NEW Menu Items At Disneyland’s Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes View the full article

You…are…A…TOY!!!! We’ve been enjoying a lot of quality time lately with our Pixar pals Woody and Buzz! Toy Story Mania new entrance And while earlier this week a new line of Toy Story Mania Wishables debuted, they SOLD OUT online in mere moments! But good news, Playskoolers! The Toy Story Mania Wishables have been re-stocked and they’re now available on shopDisney once more! ©shopDisney Each blind bag costs $9.99 and you’ll get either Bo Peep, Trixie, Jessie, or boardwalk barker, Mr. Potato Head! ©shopDisney We can see why this set sold out lightning-fast! Each one of the new Toy Story Mania Wishables is a total mini plush masterpiece! The Mr. Potato Head Wishable even has an outline of the little compartment to store his parts on his back! ©shopDisney As of right now, it looks like Woody (which you can purchase individually) is still sold out. We will let you know when he’s back in stock. If you want to bring any of these cuties to your door, we wouldn’t wait around for very long! And if you’re interested in seeing what else we’re obsessed with on shopDisney right now, click here! Click here to see the lineup for Disney +’s new summer movie series! What do you think of the new Toy Story Mania Wishables? Let us know if you’ll be buying them in the comments below! Related posts: “Star Wars” Harvey’s Bags Launch in Disney Parks and on shopDisney! Play Disney Parks App Now Offering NEW Achievements and Pins! DFB Video: Latest Disney Parks News — CEO Shakeup, HUGE Refurb News, and MORE! View the full article

Walt Disney World Cast Members Prepare for Opening with Health and Safety as a Focus View the full article

Celebrate 4th of July with the Apple Pie Recipe from Whispering Canyon Café | #DisneyMagicMoments View the full article

One of our favorite spots, Wine Bar George, is ready to help you celebrate the long 4th of July weekend with a returning favorite in Disney Springs! Wine Bar George On Twitter, Wine Bar George has shared that the Tomahawk for Two is back for dinner from July 3rd through 5th! The 36 oz. (!!!) Santa Carota Tomahawk for Two (or — as Wine Bar George says — “or even three or four”) is served with pepper bacon relish and Yukon potatoes. ©Wine Bar George Guests can make a reservation to celebrate at Wine Bar George on the Walt Disney World website, or via OpenTable or Yelp. Read about our most recent meal at Wine Bar George by clicking here! Of course, if you partake in the Tomahawk this weekend, that presents the perfect opportunity to try The Hoot Cocktail featuring Hooten Young American Whiskey. Just sayin’. No matter where you celebrate, we hope you have a Happy 4th of July! Have you ever dined at Wine Bar George? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: Find Out Where to Treat Dad to An Incredible Father’s Day Brunch or Dinner in Disney World The 31 Things To Eat In Disney World If You’re Obsessed With CHEESE!! Where To Do THANKSGIVING in Disney World! View the full article

It might be summertime, but we’re already looking forward to Halloween in Disney World (it’s one of our favorite times of the year)! Halloween at Magic Kingdom But as the parks get ready to reopen, Disney has shared that parades, fireworks, and character meet and greets are halted for the time being and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has been canceled for 2020. But never fear, ghosts and ghoulies! Since there will be NO party this year, we’re taking a look at how guests can STILL celebrate Halloween in the parks. Dressing Up in the Parks Halloween is the time to explore your ghoulish side or live out your Disney Princess dreams with a new costume in the Fall! Usually, guests of all ages are welcome to dress as their favorite characters for a night during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. But what are guests to do since the event isn’t happening this year? Well, there’s still a way you can dress up in the parks this year! Guests under 14 years old are able to wear costumes in the parks whenever they’d like. While guests 14 years of age and older are not technically allowed to wear costumes, they can Disneybound instead! Seven Dwarfs at MNSSHP In case you’ve never heard of Disneybounding, it’s when guests put together outfits to look like characters from their favorite films, represent attractions around the park, and more — without actually wearing a costume. Madame Carlotta outside the Haunted Mansion Although you can gather up items from your own closet at home, The Dress Shop at Marketplace Co-Op in Disney Springs also has some gorgeous numbers that would be perfect for Disneybounding. And, since spooky season is just around the corner, you can expect a few more Halloween-inspired dresses to wear soon! Halloween Dresses While Disney has had a requirement in place that masks cannot cover the whole face when a child wears a costume, everyone will still need a protective face covering in the parks this year. And you can mix and match your face masks with your costumes or Disneybounds to complete your ensemble. Halloween Treats Although the exclusive treats from Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party won’t be available this year, Disney will likely still roll out different Halloween treats throughout the parks! Get ready for pumpkin-spiced EVERYTHING, people!!!! In honor of the Fourth of July and Father’s Day, we’ve already seen themed feasts and brightly colored goodies to ring in the holidays. And while there are usually exclusive Halloween party treats, Disney also rolls out standard fall treats through the parks each year. We still anticipate that Disney will do the same this year. 2019 Pumpkin Spice Milkshake We can expect some of the same cupcakes, cookies, cinnamon rolls, and ice cream treats that are usually themed for the fall to come back again. Constance’s For Better For Worse Wedding Cake Buuut, there will most likely be NEW snacks since Disney World introduces batches of original creations just in time for Halloween. (Disney, please bring back the Pumpkin Spice Milkshake and Constance’s For Better or For Worse Wedding Cake.) These are the Halloween treats you might be able to spot every day in Disney World! Halloween Decorations and Entertainment When the parks reopen, there are going to be a lot of changes with new sanitation and distancing measures, modifications in entertainment, temperature checks, and more. While we don’t know too much about Disney’s plans for decor this year, since the party is canceled, we will probably see SOME of the amazing decorations we look forward to each year! Halloween in Magic Kingdom You’ll be able to spot Halloween banners and bunting all around, scarecrows welcoming everyone to the parks, little pumpkins, and the cute Mickey Jack-o-lanterns on Main Street. PhotoPass will still be in the parks, so guests will have opportunities to take pictures in front of Cinderella Castle, the Haunted Mansion, and other spots around Disney World. Haunted Mansion Photo Op ©Disney PhotoPass has already stated that different props will be made available, where guests will be asked to stand behind specific props or the props will be wiped down between each use. There are also usually some themed backgrounds that Disney puts out (so maybe you can pose with the Oogie Boogie Man himself!). Take a look at all the attractions, entertainment, and stores that will be back in the parks when Disney World re-opens! Halloween Merchandise Just like there have been themed holiday treats in Disney World, we’ve also seen merchandise for the Fourth of July and Father’s Day. Most likely, we will be seeing Halloween items in the parks as well (hopefully with the Sanderson Sisters!). Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular Spirit Jersey We’re talking about the themed ears, take-home candy from around the parks, spirit jerseys, and MORE. We hope to have more popcorn buckets like the Oogie Boogie Popcorn Bucket or an entire collection of spooky MagicBands to take home with us! Oogie Boogie and Purple Cauldron Popcorn Bucket Annual Passholders will possibly still have the chance to pick up Halloween merchandise that Sandy Claws has put out especially for them. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Passholder Exclusive Pin Whether Passholders want to show off new pins or tees in time for the Fall festivities, we can’t wait to see what items Disney World conjures up soon! Here’s all the Halloween merchandise that could materialize in the parks this year! Halloween Activities at the Disney Resorts If you think the parks are the only spots to get in on the fun, you’re going to want to visit the Disney Resorts (if we can resort hop by then) for more Halloween and Fall spirit! As the resorts start to reopen over the next couple of months, they will hopefully introduce the same activities and decorations that they have used each year. Halloween Decorations in Magic Kingdom We’ve already seen touchless activities, like trivia and Movies Under the Stars, brought back at the resorts. So we wouldn’t be surprised if the resorts transformed into their own wicked wonderlands to celebrate Halloween. Contemporary Resort Cast Member Pumpkin Carving display In the past, we’ve seen golf carts with skeletons and crisp Fall leaves at Disney’s Fort Wilderness, a lobby makeover at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and themed treats galore at places like Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. Halloween Decorations We’re hoping that the resorts bring back familiar activities like costume contests, arts and crafts, and Halloween movie screenings in some capacity that guests of all ages will be able to enjoy. We just really want to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas under the night sky again!! Take a look at the grand re-opening of the Disney Resorts here! A Taste of Epcot International Food and Wine Festival A new addition to this year’s Halloween line-up will be the extended Epcot Food and Wine Festival! Since the parks closed during the Flower and Garden Festival, the new Taste of Epcot International Food and Wine Festival this year will combine elements of the Flower and Garden Festival along with Food and Wine for an amazing time. Food and Wine Festival Sign The festival will be starting on July 15th, which is the same day Epcot reopens, and it will last throughout the Fall. So it will be the longest Food and Wine Festival EVER. There will be 20 food booths throughout the park with returning spots like Hawaii, Hops and Barley, and Islands of the Caribbean. 2019 Islands of the Caribbean Booth Although you might not be able to trick-or-treat like you used to in the parks, you can still hop around to the different food booths in Epcot for some new and returning treats instead. Check out our Best of the Fest from last year’s Food and Wine Festival! While Disney World will still be having Halloween festivities in the parks, we’re curious to see how Disney will be adapting its holiday celebrations to fit the new safety guidelines. Halloween may not be the same as we’ve seen it before, but it’s still going to be a terrifyingly good time, no matter what! Here’s what our readers think about Disney World’s re-opening timeline! Will you be going to Disney World during Halloween time? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: DFB Video: Latest Disney Parks News — CEO Shakeup, HUGE Refurb News, and MORE! When Disney World Reopens THESE Are at the Top of Our Must-Do List What’s New at Coronado Springs, Old Key West, and Saratoga Springs Resorts: Spicy Firecracker Shrimp and ADORABLE Disney Parks Watches! View the full article

Disney parks around the world are beginning to reopen. Disneyland Paris Opening the same week as Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris will begin a gradual reopening on July 15th — but that’s not the only result of getting back to business. Construction has also resumed in the park on several highly-anticipated upcoming attractions, like the Marvel Hotel! Check it out. Disneyland Paris announced that in-progress construction and renovation work will resume this week. These projects include Disney’s Hotel New York — The Art of Marvel, Avengers Campus, Cars Route 66 Road Trip, and Disney Junior Dream Factory. Concept Art for Disney’s Hotel New York — The Art of Marvel ©Disney Recently, Imagineering President Bob Weiss gave us an update on construction at the Disney parks around the world. He assured that Avengers Campus in Disneyland Paris (and in Disney California Adventure) would “be able to surge forward.” As construction resumes, the health and safety of Imagineers, Cast Members, contractors, and suppliers remain a priority. Imagineering has implemented new health measures such as face masks and physical distancing. Disneyland Paris Natacha Rafalski, President of Disneyland Paris, said of the resumption, “I am very pleased to welcome our Cast Members, the Imagineers, and the contracting companies to relaunch the construction of new and exciting experiences that will entertain and delight our visitors in the years to come.” Stay tuned to DFB for all of the latest updates about the reopening Disney parks! Click here to learn more about the latest Disney parks construction update! Are you excited that progress has resumed in Disneyland Paris? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: BREAKING NEWS! Disneyland Paris to Reopen on July 15th! NEWS: Here Are the Health and Safety Measures You Can Expect to See at Disneyland Paris NEWS: Disney Shares An Update On Construction Schedules For In-Progress Theme Park Attractions View the full article

The West Side of Disney Springs is really springing back to life. City Works The Disney Springs food trucks have returned to Exposition Park and City Works Eatery and Pour House has reopened along with House of Blues. And now Splitsville Luxury Lanes has just announced they’ll be reopening on Friday, July 10th — that’s one week from today! Splitsville The upscale bowling alley and restaurant combo will reopen at 4PM with new health and safety measures in place. To book a table or lane, you can go to their website to make a reservation! Click here for our ultimate guide to everything that’s reopening at Disney World! Are you excited Splitsville Luxury Lanes will be reopening next week? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: STK Has Reopened in Disney World…And They’re Doing Things a Little Differently This NEW Burger Joint Has Reopened in Disney Springs! News! The Boathouse in Disney Springs Will Be Reopening May 20th View the full article

Walt Disney World is preparing for guests to re-enter the theme parks starting with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11th followed by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th. Cast Members at Topolino’s Terrace Of course, before welcoming back guests, the Resort is welcoming back thousands of cast members that help make the magic all around the Resort. In fact, training has already begun ahead of the reopening, and Disney has shared a video of some of the cast members arriving back “home.” The training focuses on new protocols with the goal of promoting health and safety for both cast members and guests. You can watch the video below: Disney also shared the following: “With the return of every cast member, and at the conclusion of every training session, you can feel how passionate and ready the team is as we get one step closer to the first theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort welcoming guests home.” Cast Member in Disney Springs Additionally it was shared: “Many of us are returning to places that look and feel a little different, and collectively, we’re dedicating thousands of hours to health and safety training because we know that it will take all of us working together to responsibly create the magic once again.” Welcome home, Walt Disney World Cast Members! To catch up on the latest information about the reopening of Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Parks around the globe, you may visit any of the links below. Do you have a special memory of a Walt Disney World cast member? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: NEWS! New Ticket Sales and Hotel Reservations On Pause for Initial Reopening Phase of Disney World NEWS: ‘Relaxation Zones’ May Offer Guests a Chance to Briefly Remove Face Masks When Visiting Walt Disney World NEWS! Revised Park Hours Posted for Disney World’s Planned Reopening! View the full article

Disney World is going to be a little different when we get back into the parks in July. For one, capacity is going to be significantly limited for the theme parks and rides will have all new protocols. Add in that many of the shows won’t be reopening and it gets pretty hard to imagine what Disney World will look like — especially what wait times will look like. But we need to know! Disney World With Fastpass+ gone, how much time will we be spending in line in a reopened Disney World? And how many rides will we be able to ride? Let’s start with what we DO know. How many people will be in Magic Kingdom? Magic Kingdom is Disney World’s flagship park and wait times tend to be pretty significant. We’re going to focus on Magic Kingdom to try to figure out what lines will look like in Disney World. Let’s start by talking about just how many people will actually be in the parks. Magic Kingdom According to the Disney Parks Moms Panel, Magic Kingdom has an estimated maximum capacity between 80,000 and 100,000; but the average daily attendance for the park is around 55,000 people, per the Themed Entertainment Association. When Shanghai Disneyland reopened, they limited the capacity to below 30% of what it was prior to the closures. A capacity cut to 30% of the Magic Kingdom’s max capacity would mean fewer than 33,000 guests each day. Taking into account that the maximum capacity is an estimate and that there may be discrepancies in demand, we’re also taking a look at the situation if capacity limitations end up with the parks at a third of attendance level. If Magic Kingdom is brought to 30% of average attendance, it will mean roughly 16,500 guests each day. That’s a pretty notable cut. Click here to learn more about the health measures taken in Shanghai Disneyland! Even with fewer people, won’t the rides operate at lower capacity? Now, just because there may be significantly fewer people in the park, this doesn’t automatically mean wait times will be nonexistent. The rides are going to be operating at lower capacity as well, so that means it will take longer to get through a ride queue and get people on the rides. Magic Kingdom The ride capacity is going to be lowered because of the new health measures that are being introduced. Universal Orlando theme parks are seating groups in separate cars on rides with small vehicles, and with rows between groups on larger vehicles. There is also sanitation between guests for many rides. It takes only a moment, but those moments add up to affect hourly capacity. All of the opening rides in Magic Kingdom have a total ideal hourly capacity of 38,710 guests, according to TheParkDatabase measures. That means that in a given hour, around 38,000 guests can actually fit on the Magic Kingdom attractions, not including Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, Enchanted Tiki Room, and Swiss Family Treehouse (for lack of conclusive capacities). Peter Pan’s Flight Let’s say that ride capacity is halved due to spacing guests, not running some vehicles, sanitizing and cleaning vehicles, and portions of attractions being closed. (Remember though, some attractions may be able to run at almost full capacity — think Omnimovers like Haunted Mansion or Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid. So halved, in this case, is a slight overestimation.) Haunted Mansion If ride capacities are halved, that takes these attractions from being able to accommodate 38,710 guests each hour, down to 19,355 guests. In most instances, lower ride capacity would mean longer lines — but NOT if you take the updated park capacity into account. Will there be long lines? Let’s see what combining these two capacity figures can show us. On a peak capacity day with ideal ride capacity, 39% of guests can be accommodated on the attractions per hour. Everyone else is in line, dining, walking around, etc. On an average day with ideal ride capacity, 70% of guests can be accommodated on the attractions. Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin queue BUT, say Magic Kingdom opens at 30% capacity (like Disneyland Shanghai) with rides running at 50% hourly capacity or higher. You’ve got 30,000 people in the park with 64% of them on rides in a given hour. That seems awfully close to an average Disney day. Disney CEO Bob Chapek has mentioned lines being crazy short, so what gives? For one, keep in mind that even though the percentages are similar, there are still fewer people TOTAL who will be out and about in the park and in lines. On an average day, 70% of guests on rides means that approximately 16,500 people are free to be in lines in a given hour. With the capacity cut, 64% of people on rides means that only around 10,800 people are free to be in lines — and that makes a difference. On top of that, our figures are pulled from the estimated MAX capacity of Magic Kingdom — but Disney doesn’t release those numbers officially, so the number of people in the park could be lower. We’re also using a HALVED figure for ride capacity, when, with some rides able to operate almost as they normally do, that’s on the lower side of estimations. If anything, MORE people will be able to be accommodated on rides in a given hour. To take into account the discrepancies in Disney’s capacity figures, estimates for ride capacities, and potential demand; we’ll look at what the parks will look like operating with 30% of average attendance rather than max capacity. In this case, 117% of guests would be able to be on a ride during any given hour. That’s space on rides for almost 3000 MORE guests than there are in the parks. That means there would be enough space on the attractions to accommodate EVERYONE in the parks. With practically no one left off of rides to dine, walk around, shop, and WAIT IN LINE. If Disney caps average capacity to 30%, there won’t be enough people to make for long waits! Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Of course, some rides could still see waits in this scenario. If everyone would rather ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train than Astro Orbiter and Barnstormer, a decent wait could crop up for Mine Train. Still, with rides operating at 50% capacity, there just wouldn’t be enough people to make for long lines. Overall, we’re looking at somewhere under 10,800 guests not accommodated on rides in a given hour, and possibly significantly under that number. That’s a pretty steep difference from the average of 16,500 people not accommodated. Take into account some of those guests dining, shopping, and walking from place to place, and it sure starts to sound like lines will be pretty short. NOW it makes sense why Disney CEO Bob Chapek said that a day in reopened Disney World will be, “quite the magical day.” Click here to read Bob Chapek’s comments on short wait times! So, how many rides can you REALLY ride in a day at the reopened Disney World? Based on the way other theme parks have opened, it seems that you’ll be able to ride a LOT of rides in a day at the reopened Disney World — like, basically all of the rides that are open in the theme park you’re visiting. The biggest limitation would be time spent just getting to each ride and navigating the parks! If the parks follow the same model we’ve mocked up for Magic Kingdom, we might have the rare experience of seeing a mostly low-wait and wait-free Disney World. Magic Kingdom That would be a pretty crazy sight. So, we’ll be waiting eagerly to see how things pan out when the parks reopen on July 11th. You can bet we’ll report in with how things are running — and how much (or how little!) time we spend in lines. Click here to learn more about how Disney might limit capacity when the parks reopen! Would you be willing to travel to Disney World right when it reopens? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: Spotted! Guest Experience Team Now At Your Service in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! Spotted! Digital Tip Boards Have Arrived in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! Why Disney World Could Be Very DIFFERENT When It Reopens View the full article

Apple pie is iconic. For many of us, it represents comfort and a feeling of home so it is no wonder this popular dessert is truly a slice of Americana – perfect for a 4th of July celebration! How popular? According to the American Pie Council, pie is the preferred dessert for holidays and apple pie gets the top nod with 1 out of 5 Americans naming it as their favorite. In honor of 4th of July, we are serving up America’s favorite pie with our recipe from Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Their version is layered with tart Granny Smith apples and has a cake-like top crust that is simply delicious. And you know what else 1 out of 5 Americans confess to, according to the American Pie Council? Eating an entire pie by themselves. Hey – no judgement here! Apple Pie from Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Makes one 9-inch pie PIE CRUST 4 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces 1/4 cup shortening 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 4 teaspoons sugar 1/8 teaspoon coarse salt 1/3 cup 2% milk APPLES 1 cup water 6 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced 2 teaspoons apple pie spice APPLE PIE BATTER 1/2 cup butter, softened 2/3 cup sugar 2 egg 1 1/2 cups flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup heavy cream FOR PIE CRUST: Combine butter, shortening, flour, sugar, and salt in bowl of electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix at medium speed until crumbly. Add milk and mix until incorporated. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and rest in refrigerator for 30 minutes. Roll to 1/4-inch thickness and place in 9-inch pie plate. Set aside. FOR APPLES: Bring water to simmer in large pot. Place apples in a steamer basket and add to pot. Steam for 10 minutes. Remove from water. Cool to room temperature and toss with apple pie spice. FOR APPLE PIE BATTER: Cream butter and sugar in bowl of stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until fluffy. Add eggs and mix until just incorporated. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in small bowl. Slowly add to mixer and beat on medium speed until combined. Add cream and mix until smooth. Set aside until ready to bake. FOR APPLE PIE: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place 1/2 cup apple pie batter on top of pie crust, spread until smooth. Top with apples and remaining apple pie batter. Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake 20 more minutes, until golden brown. Cool to room temperature before serving. If desired, top pie with sliced almonds and dust with confectioners’ sugar once cooled. Note: This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version. As a reminder while preparing this recipe, please supervise children who are helping or nearby. Click here for a print-at-home version of this recipe. Ava, a 13-year-old junior chef and daughter of Disney photographer Matt Stroshane, made this recipe in her home kitchen with the help of her personal sous chefs (mom and dad) and official taste tester (her 11-year-old brother, Adam). Check out Ava’s video below. Stay connected with Disney Parks Blog for more delicious Disney recipes and be sure to share the magic with other Disney fans using the hashtag #DisneyMagicMoments. Happy cooking! View the full article

Over at The Landing in Disney Springs, Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC serves up tasty vegan and allergy-friendly baked goodies. Cookie Monster Cupcake at Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC We’ve been frequenting the bakery lately and trying everything from sweet cupcakes (we love the Cookie Monster Cupcake) to savory Veggie Bombs! So we thought we’d fill in our fellow fans on an update to the bakery’s hours. Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC announced via Instagram that the Disney Springs location hours are temporarily changing to 1PM – 9PM daily. Erin McKenna’s Bakery Case It’s also noted that they will be open on the 4th of July in Disney Springs, and that they’ll keep us informed when hours are extended again. We’ll be sure to pass that news on to you when it is announced! Read about our latest visit to Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC here, and see what’s new in the bakery case here! So, make a plan to stop by Erin McKenna’s a little later in the day… and grab a cupcake for us while you’re there! Have you stopped by Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: TWO New Vegan and Allergy-Friendly Cupcakes Have Made Their Way to Disney World! Find Out Why Our Favorite Vegan and Allergy-Friendly Bakery in Disney World is Closed Today What’s New in Disney Springs! August 10, 2018 View the full article

We’re coming to the end of Walt Disney World’s historic closure, and wow, what a roller coaster ride it’s been (and we’re not talking the fun kind). Big Thunder Mountain Disney World’s theme parks will be reopening soon with some significant changes, but many people are relieved to see any semblance of normalcy return, even if the parks look a little bit different than we remember. And yet, we’re wary. Could a closure like this happen again? As much as we’d like to say no, it’s a little more complicated than that. Take a look. Disney will have more protocols in place for health crises, but that doesn’t mean they definitely won’t close. Part of the reason the current closure has been so lengthy (more than 100 days!) is due to the fact that the current global health crisis is completely unprecedented. Disney has had to build protocols for the closure and reopening from the ground up. The last time a health crisis was this severe — during the the 1918 outbreak of Spanish Flu — the parks didn’t even exist. (Walt Disney was just 17 at the time and actually contracted and survived the virus.) Walt Disney World Resort entrance Once we emerge from this current closure, it does mean that we may be better prepared in the future. If there is a next time, the company can use what they learned during this crisis to help craft the response to the next one. Depending on the nature of the next health crisis, this could help to shorten a closure or potentially avoid one altogether. Unfortunately, “the next crisis” is something we do have to worry about, according to Time. This won’t necessarily be the last pandemic in our lifetime. Part of what makes a virus turn into a pandemic is a lack of sufficient treatment or cure. If a future illness can spread effectively despite the health measures that Disney has implemented, it could force another closure as the world contends with it. Boardwalk Resort In fact, even the path of the current pandemic is uncertain. With case numbers on the rise, especially in Florida, another set of closures and restrictions is not impossible. We have already seen Disneyland’s proposed theme park reopening delayed. The fate of Disney World’s eventual reopening comes down to both governmental guidelines and whether or not Disney can effectively keep guests and cast members safe given the current state of the pandemic. Click here to learn about all of the times Disney World has closed in the past. Health crises aren’t the only situation we need to worry about. Although this closure has been the longest by far, Disney World has closed before for other reasons. It’s possible we’ll see the parks close again for a non-health-related situation. For instance, Disney World closed in response to the terror attacks on 9/11 because of concern that the parks could be a target. If there is ever such a threat to guest safety, Disney World will not remain open. Hurricane Skies in Disney World’s Epcot Mother Nature poses another threat to Disney World’s ability to stay open. Hurricanes are a pretty regular cause for shutting Disney down. Even with a well-crafted hurricane policy, sometimes it’s safer if the parks close when a particularly inclement storm comes through, to ensure the safety of Cast Members and guests. In fact, Florida is facing an especially active hurricane season this year. It’s feasible that Disney will need to close if any of these storms threaten the area. Click here to learn about what an active hurricane season means for your Disney trip! So, yes, Disney World might close down again — but they might be a little more prepared for crises in the future. It can definitely feel frustrating that the parks could close again in the future, especially when this closure has been so trying. It is the reality though. Luckily, going forward, Disney will have options to turn to in the event of a similar crisis. The current situation means that new health measures and long-term closure protocols are now a part of the precedent: Disney now has a playbook. Closed Path to Epcot In fact, it’s possible Disney already has teams working on what-if scenarios in the event that this ever happens again! As disappointing as they may be, closures can be necessary to keep guests and cast members safe. Whatever happens, Disney Food Blog will be here to keep you up to date on all the latest at Disney World. Click here to learn about Disney’s reopening procedures! Do you think the Disney parks could close again? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: Florida Surgeon General Warns That Current Measures Should Continue Until a Vaccine Exists. What Does That Mean for Disney World? What Will Happen if You Refuse To Wear A Mask In Disney World? When Disney World Reopens, Can You Even Go? View the full article

With just eight days until we reopen our first theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort, tens of thousands of cast members have been straightening up our nametags (and grabbing our face coverings!) as we begin to return to work. As we count down to the phased reopening of our theme parks, we’re looking forward to welcoming our fellow cast members home to begin training in preparation for reopening. And this week, that special moment finally arrived for a group of our theme park cast members as they put on their nametags, reunited with their work locations and fellow cast, and began their first days of training to learn new health and safety protocols. With the return of every cast member, and at the conclusion of every training session, you can feel how passionate and ready the team is as we get one step closer to the first theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort welcoming guests home. Many of us are returning to places that look and feel a little different, and collectively, we’re dedicating thousands of hours to health and safety training because we know that it will take all of us working together to responsibly create the magic once again. Though our world may look a little different as we return to familiar and cherished places, we’re eager to open the gates and navigate this new world together with health and safety top of mind. Take a look at some of the first special moments as cast returned to their favorite parks and began prepping to welcome guests home with a smile in their eyes. View the full article

We gotta hand it to Disney’s villains — they make being bad look so GOOD! Color-Changing Poisoned Apple Mug Ever since we spotted this color-changing Poison Apple Mug inspired by the Evil Queen, we’ve shoved all our other coffee cups off to the side! Heroes are great and all, but if you prefer Disney’s darker and more devious side, you’ve gotta see the new board game we just spotted at World of Disney featuring some of our favorite baddies! Clue: The Classic Mystery Game is a whodunit detective story that normally takes place in a mansion, but with this new Disney version, you’ll be entering the Villains Lairs! Disney Villains Clue Mayhem is afoot now that a spell has been cast and the portals to each Disney Villains’ realm have been opened! Can you find out which villain is responsible for causing the big commotion? Disney Villains Clue This game looks like it will be hours of diabolical enjoyment and we can’t wait to see what you guys think of it! We spotted the new Disney Villains Clue at World of Disney in Disney Springs today for $44.99, but we wouldn’t wait to pick it up since these types of items have been flying off the shelves fast! Earlier today, we saw some Haunted Mansion Puzzles, but when we blinked they were gone! Have you been playing lots of board games lately? Tell us which ones are your favorite to play in the comments below! Related posts: This is the Most POPPIN’ Phone Case We’ve Ever Seen in Disney World! Clear Some Room on Your Fridge For THESE Adorable New Disney Kitchen Magnets in Disney Springs! Some of Our FAV Disney Sidekicks Are on New Merch in Disney World — And We’re Panicking! View the full article

We couldn’t wait to put our pedal to the metal ever since Disney World announced Test Track would be one of the rides guests could enjoy when Epcot reopens. Test Track And it looks like we’re not the only ones who are looking forward to Test Track’s SIM cars zooming by! This adorable pic of Test Track’s Cast Members was posted on Walt Disney World Cast & Community’s Facebook page and shows that the Test Track crew is back! Photo Credit: Walt Disney World Cast & Community’s Facebook Page If you’ve got a need for speed, we think you’ll get a thrill out of Test Track’s 65 miles-per-hour experience. And if you’d like some advice on how to design a really fast concept car, make sure you click here! Of course, we’re equally excited to ride Spaceship Earth now that its refurbishment has been postponed. We’ll probably be walking back and forth in Future World A LOT to enjoy both of these iconic Epcot attractions. Click here to read our ULTIMATE GUIDE to everything that’s reopening at Disney World! Which iconic Epcot attraction will be you riding first? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: The ULTIMATE GUIDE To Opening Dates for ALL THE 2020 Disney World Attractions! This POPular Epcot Food and Wine Festival Treat is STILL Available in Epcot! NEW DISNEY COLOR TREND Spotted at Epcot’s Mouse Gear! View the full article

Our “Adventures at Home” have taken you on a safari expedition to South Africa and a western-style journey to Montana and Yellowstone National Park. Today’s virtual trip by Adventures by Disney invites you to embark on a luxurious river cruise and sail through the south of France and the beautiful region of Provence. So, gather the famille, grab your boarding passes and get ready for an “Adventure at Home: Rhône River Cruise.” 1. Bienvenue à Bord (Welcome Aboard) Prepare to set sail along the Rhône river with Adventures by Disney to discovery the rich history, charming culture, inspired art and delectable cuisine of the south of France. Just play this virtual tour on your computer or smart device to experience the architectural landmarks of Lyon, the vineyards of Tournon, the medieval monuments of Avignon and more. 2. Adventures by Disney Presents: Qui est le Personnage? (Who is the Character?) On select nights, our river cruises feature a series of special activities hosted by the ever-entertaining Adventure Guides. To keep this tradition going, here is a fun family game that will put your Disney knowledge to the test… in French! The rules of the game are simple, we are going to show you the French names of various Disney characters and you have to guess them in English. Every correct guess gets you a point and the person with the most points wins! TIP: Many streaming devices and smart TVs allow you to mirror your smart device/computer and play videos directly on the big screen. 3. Prêt à Manger (Ready to Eat) Today’s “Adventure at Home” invites you to prepare a treat that has become the ambassador of French confections, the macaron. These sweet, meringue-based pastries are available in a rainbow of colors and a symphony of flavors. Our friends at Disney Family shared the recipe to create Mickey Mouse French Macarons. 4. Vues Impressionnantes (Impressive Views) If you want to add some French flair to your next video conference, here is a downloadable background to showcase your worldly side when chatting with co-workers, classmates, friends and family. This picture-perfect sunset features Gordes, one of the most beautiful hilltop villages in France. To use the background, just right-click on the image and save it to your computer. Be sure to check out the  terms of use  about using the background before you download it. Then, follow the conferencing platform’s instructions to add some Adventures by Disney magic to your video conferencing. If you are looking for additional ways to experience Adventures by Disney at home, make sure to check out our safari to South Africa or join our expedition to Montana and Yellowstone National Park. Stay tuned to Disney Parks Blog for even more #DisneyMagicMoments and experience the magic of Disney wherever you may be. See ya next time, adventurers! View the full article

As Walt Disney World continues to move ahead with its phased reopening, we’ve been keeping our eye on how construction is progressing around the resort. Construction on potential walkway between Grand Floridian and Magic Kingdom Although some construction projects have recently been paused, we’re excited to see that there are quite a few that are forging ahead, like the expansion of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin with the construction of a brand new tower called The Cove. Let’s take a look. Ground was broken on the 14-story tower in 2018 and was originally slated to be completed in 2021. There’s a chance this opening could be delayed due to the current health crisis and related closures, but from what we saw while we were checking out the newly reopened Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course, it sure looks like things are moving right along! The Cove Construction Construction has steadily progressed during Disney World’s unprecedented closure, and it looks like 12 of the 14 stories are well on their way. The tower will have 349 guest rooms including 151 suites. It will also feature a nearly 17,000-square-foot elevated deck with a fire pit and pool and a 90-seat restaurant. Guests at The Cove will also benefit from the same perks of staying at an official Walt Disney World resort that guests of the Swan and Dolphin currently receive Find out what counts as a “Walt Disney World Resort” here. The Cove Construction Construction crews have even begun installing some of the windows which, based on the concept art, will go a long way toward giving the tower its stylized look. Here’s a look at the artist’s rendering of the finished hotel. Artist rendering of The Cove ©Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort The Cove HAD to bring some signature style to complement its VERY DISTINCTIVE siblings, the Swan and Dolphin. Read about our favorite places to EAT at the Swan and Dolphin here! Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resort All eyes are on the Swan and Dolphin right now with the arrival of Major League Soccer players, who will be staying at the resort during the MLS Is Back Tournament. Guests who had been scheduled to stay at the resort from July 1st to July 29th are being relocated to the brand new JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa that just opened down the road in the nearby Bonnet Creek area. See what Major League Soccer players are having for lunch in Disney World here! We’ll be keeping a close eye on The Cove as construction progresses and will let you know when this STUNNING new tower has an opening date! Headed to Disney World Soon? Order one of our Disney Food Blog face masks for your trip! Will you be staying at The Cove when it opens? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: News! Florida’s Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force Tourism Group Advocates For Re-Opening Disney World News! Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Asking July Guests to Confirm Reservations! A NEW Hotel Is Now OPEN in Disney World View the full article

Yesterday, Governor Newsom announced that 19 California counties needed to close reclose restaurants and movie theaters. Black Tap And while yesterday just the parking lots at beaches were expected to be closed in some parts of the state, we’ve just learned Orange County will be closing down many of its beaches entirely over the holiday weekend. Changes keep rolling in regarding new closures. So far, Disneyland’s grand reopening has been delayed while Downtown Disney’s July 9th resumptive date seems to be moving along as scheduled — although restaurants might only be providing outdoor dining. California Beach California Governor Newsom is allowing cities and counties to act on their own regarding whether or not they should close their public beaches. Today, several cities have decided to close their beaches. These include several popular Orange County beaches like Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Sunset Beach, Laguna Beach, and Newport Beach. California Beach Some beaches haven’t announced if they’ll be closed or not, and for now, many of the beaches that will be closing have only stated they’ll be shutting down for the weekend. Of course, we’ll let you know if anything changes between now and July 5th! Anaheim, California has mandated face masks must be worn in all public areas. Learn more details here. What are your thoughts on California closing its beaches for the weekend? Let us know in the comments below. Related posts: Governor Newsom Expected to Close All California Beaches and State Parks News! Disneyland Could Potentially Reopen in Less Than a Month, Say California Officials A BIG Update Points to a Potential Mid-July Reopening for Disneyland View the full article

Here at Disney Food Blog, we like to say “we gotchu” A LOT! That’s because we don’t want you to worry or struggle with any of the major challenges planning a Disney vacation can sometimes impose on having FUN! Your Besties Will LOVE This DFB Dole Whip Tee Since we’re all getting our gear ready to head back to the Disney parks, we want you to be PREPARED! That’s why we’ve decided to expand our t-shirt store into a t-shirt AND face mask one-stop-shop! That’s right — many of your favorite DFB t-shirt designs are now available to wear on yo’ face! DFB T-Shirt Store Our cloth masks cost $14 and some are even customizable! They’re one-size-fit-all and provide full-coverage of your nose and mouth which means you can wear them at any Disney park — or wherever you like! Even though our masks are non-medical grade, they do meet CDC requirements and each mask has two 6″ elastic straps to loop around your ears. And the best part? For every mask you buy, we’ll donate $1 to No Kid Hungry! So what will it be? Maybe the Sonny Eclipse GALAXY TOUR Mask in honor of our favorite Cosmic Ray’s crooner? Sonny Eclipse GALAXY TOUR Mask Or maybe you’ll want to tell the world your winning Disney World with this Winning Mask! Winning Mask If you’re as stoked as us to get your Rise of the Resistance on (uh, reportedly WITHOUT a virtual queue!) this Winning Studios Mask would really suit you! Winning Studios Mask And you know we’ll be flying on the backs of some banshees while we’re winning Pandora with our Animal Kingdom Mask on! Animal Kingdom Mask Dole Whip! We think our Pineapple Face Masks with stylish Japanese katakana lettering and cute lil Dole Whip baby are super kawaii! Pineapple Face Mask For you Disney fans who are looking to dig up some fun at Magic Kingdom when it reopens, don’t forget your MK Geological Survey Mask! MK Geological Survey Mask We also made a Kingdom Mask just for our Magic Kingdom peeps! We love how the graphic looks with the blue! Kingdom Mask You know we gotta rep for one of our favorite Disney World parks with this Winning Epcot Mask especially since Spaceship Earth’s refurb has been postponed! If that isn’t winning, we don’t know what IS! Winning Epcot Mask And speaking of all things grand and miraculous, how about picking up our Grand Spaceship Mask? We think the Phoenicians will really get a kick out of this one! Grand Spaceship Mask We also made this similar-looking World of Tomorrow Mask with a little Japanese Kanji thrown into the mix! World of Tomorrow Mask Let us know if there’s a style you’d like to see in our shop and we’ll try to come up with some exciting new styles for you! Until then, make sure you read our 7 tips for wearing a face mask all day and everything you need to know about wearing a face mask at Disney World here! To find out what does and doesn’t qualify as an acceptable face mask at Disney World, click here! Which of our styles do you like the best? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: DFB Video: Latest Disney Parks News — CEO Shakeup, HUGE Refurb News, and MORE! Play Disney Parks App Debuts in Disney World and Disneyland Resort SOON! ALL the LIMITED TIME TREATS Coming to Disney World and Disneyland for MICKEY’S 90TH BIRTHDAY Celebration!! View the full article

Disney is indefinitely suspending the Disney College Program, saying it doesn’t know when it can reopen the Disney-owned apartments where the students had lived together. View the full article

The Bahamas will enter Phase 2 of its reopening with new coronavirus guidelines. View the full article

Disney Springs has been reopened for a while, but now that many Disney World Cast Members are returning for the grand reopenings of the resorts and theme parks, we spotted a great dining discount JUST FOR THEM! Disney Springs In fact, these two restaurants are so happy to have Cast Members back, they’re offering them 35% off their check! Terralina Crafted Italian posted their special discount offer for Cast Members on Instagram a little while ago! ©Terralina Disney World Cast Members can enjoy 35% off their entire bill — excluding alcoholic beverages. Terralina Crafted Italian has reopened in Disney Springs! Check it out here. And Paddlefish (which is owned by the same restaurant group) has also extended a 35% off discount to Disney World Cast Members. ©Paddlefish This discount is also good for food and non-alcoholic beverages now through July 31st! Read our review and see what the newly reopened Paddlefish looks like here! We will be on the lookout for more discounts. So, stay tuned!! Click here to see what it’s like to eat in a newly reopened Disney World restaurant! Have you been to Disney Springs since it started its phased reopening? Tell us which shops or restaurants you’ve visited in the comments below! Related posts: Paddlefish and Terralina Crafted Italian Will Be Laying Off Workers in Disney Springs Select Disney Springs Restaurants Are Now Accepting Reservations Starting June 1st! Did Your Favorite Disney Springs Meal Survive These Menu Changes? View the full article

Calling all cupcake lovers! Sprinkles is BACK with another limited-time cupcake that is making sparks fly! Sprinkles Cupcakes in Disney Springs Remember the Pineapple Upside Down Cupcake we showed you back in June? How could we forget! The gourmet cupcake shop in Disney Springs released another specialty cupcake that is downright patriotic. We made a special trip for the NEW July 4th Red Velvet cupcake released just today. This sweet treat is only available between now and July 5th and costs $5.99. The cupcake is fairly simple made with a red velvet cake, cream cheese frosting, and topped with patriotic sprinkles. While the recipe may not be incredibly innovative, it tasted SO GOOD. Let us explain. Sprinkles 4th of July Cupcake The cake is one of the best red velvet cakes we’ve tasted at Disney in a while! It was incredibly moist and chocolatey, but not too sweet. This was the perfect complement to the cream cheese frosting, which was definitely sweet. Sprinkles Fourth of July Cupcake The sprinkles were actually a cute surprise! Although they look a little dull on the menu pictures, they were really bright and sparkly in the sun. Making it the perfect cupcake for an Instagram pic. Sprinkles Fourth of July Cupcake This cuppy cake delight is beautiful on the outside and the inside! You can see the frosting isn’t layered on too thick. Which honestly, is totally fine because it’s so sweet you shouldn’t need any more than what you get! Inside – Sprinkles Fourth of July Cupcake If you happen to be at Disney Springs this Fourth of July weekend, we think this cupcake is definitely worth a stop. But, don’t worry if you can’t make it out to Sprinkles! They are releasing a few more specialties this July like the ooey-gooey S’mores cupcake and a Caramel Chocolate Chip cupcake. Can’t make it to Disney Springs for dessert? Try making your own with this Mermaid Tail Cookie Recipe from Disney Cruise Line! Will you be at Disney Springs this weekend? Let us know if you’re picking up a 4th of July cupcake! Related posts: Sprinkles Cupcakes Introduces NEW Watermelon Mojito Cupcake for a Limited Time! IT’S BACK!! This Popular Cupcake Has Returned to Sprinkles! REVIEW! We Could Eat an Entire BOX of the Samoa Cupcakes at Sprinkles in Disney World! View the full article

As you can imagine, Cast Members have been significantly affected by the closure of the Disney parks. College Program Pins One such group are students participating in the Disney College Program. When the parks closed, Disney announced that the college program would be suspended in Disney World and Disneyland and it is still unclear when students will return. Well, it seems it will be a little bit longer; College Program participants have started to receive notification that their fall programs have been canceled. Thanks to a reader, we can share the email that the college program participants are receiving. In it, Disney explains that due to the nature of the reopening process, the Disney World College Program will continue to remain suspended. This particular readers program was supposed to run from August 17th through January 7th, thus meaning that Disney has canceled the Fall College Program. College Program Email The email goes on to note that Disney is working on revising the eligibility requirements for the College Program. When the program is welcomed back, students who were affected by the cancellations may be able to apply again. College Program Email The same is true for the participants who were expected to have their program at Disneyland. Disney Programs on Twitter shared both the statements for Disney World and for Disneyland. Disneyland College Program Cancellation So, at this time, it looks like Disney will not have College Programs assisting in the parks for the remainder of the year. We’ll be keeping an eye out for more updates about the College Program and other programs in Disney World and Disneyland. Stay tuned to DFB for all of the latest news. Click here to read about the initial suspension of the college program. Were you impacted by these cancelations? Tell us in the comments. Related posts: News! The Disney College Program and MORE Have Been Unexpectedly Suspended Breaking News! Disney’s Future College and Cultural Programs Suspended Through Early June! Find Out Which Disney Attractions Are Closed For Refurbishment This Week! View the full article