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Disney’s Hollywood Studios will reopen on July 15th. Oga’s Cantina We’re most excited about the return of dining and we’ve got an eye on a few of our favorites. Last week, Disney announced the restaurants that will be reopening with the theme parks on July 11th and 15th. We noticed that most of our favorite Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge dining spots would be opening. Now, though, one has been removed from the list. As of today, Oga’s Cantina is no longer listed as reopening on the Disney World website. Returning Dining The full dining listing is subject to change, as you can see from the disappearance of Oga’s Cantina. Keep an eye on DFB for updates to the reopening list AND for news of when more restaurants will be opening. Stay tuned! Click here to see the full list of opening restaurants! Were you hoping to head to Oga’s when the parks open? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: Disney World’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Map Is Now Available on My Disney Experience! What’s NEW?! Our First Look At Oga’s Cantina in Disney World’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! NEWS! Additional Menu Details Released for Oga’s Cantina in Disney World’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! View the full article

Although the Canadian-based entertainment company Cirque du Soliel has several productions in Las Vegas (and throughout the world), it’s also made quite a name for itself at Disney World. Under Cirque du Soleil’s Big Top in Disney Springs La Nouba was a long-time running show at Disney Springs’ which eventually paved the way for Drawn to Life, a collaborative effort between Walt Disney Animation Studios, Walt Disney Imagineering, and of course, Cirque du Soleil! Drawn to Life was still in its preview stages when the temporary closures occurred. We were fortunate enough to see the production which was scheduled to open to the general public on April 17, 2020. However, on March 17th, Cirque du Soliel announced all performances were being suspended. Drawn to Life Performers Now, the company which is headquartered in Montreal has filed for debt restructuring protection under Canada’s Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act. Since the closures have occurred, we’ve also seen Ample Hills Creamery (a New York-based ice cream chain with a Disney World presence) filed for bankruptcy protection as well. Check out our experience at Cirque du Soliel’s Drawn to Life preview here! Drawn to Life Stage According to an article in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Cirque du Soliel has been running successful shows for over 36 years before the global health crisis took hold. Since March, they’ve had to layoff over 95% of their workforce and have needed to figure out a long-term solution to having their productions put on hold. By filing for the bankruptcy, Cirque du Soliel hopes they will be able to continue their operations until performances can resume with $300 million in investors funds as well as $200 million from its own government agency, Investissement Quebec. Drawn to Life Due to the fluidity of these ever-changing times, Cirque du Soleil and other theater companies don’t really have any idea when their shows will resume. Earlier today, the Broadway League stated musicals and shows might not return until January of 2021 at the earliest. “The robust commitment from the sponsors — which includes additional funds to support our impacted employees, contractors and critical partners, all of whom are important to Cirque’s return — reflects our mutual belief in the power and long-term potential of our brand,” Cirque du Soleil CEO Daniel Lamarre stated. “I look forward to rebuilding our operations and coming together to once again create the magical spectacle that is Cirque du Soleil for our millions of fans worldwide.” For all the latest Disney Springs news, food, and events, click here! Did you have plans to see Drawn to Life? Let us know if you’ll be looking forward to seeing the show when Cirque du Soliel resumes its productions in the comments below. Related posts: Cirque de Soleil Is Temporarily Suspending All ‘Drawn to Life’ Performances Due to COVID-19 We’ve Got a Behind the Scenes Look at the NEW Cirque du Soleil Show Coming to Disney World! Confirmed: Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company Will Be Reopening in Disney Springs on May 20th View the full article

Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are set to open on July 11th, with Epcot and Hollywood Studios following suit on July 15th. Magic Kingdom That’s right, it’s almost time for Disney World to get back into the swing of things. When these parks open, many of our favorite table-service locations will be serving guests again. With the added health measures and limits on capacity, Disney suspended new dining reservations and canceled existing ones. Now, dining reservations are coming BACK to the Disney parks! Guests with valid park admission and Disney Park Pass reservations who had dining reservations canceled during the closure can make dining reservations for select theme park restaurants starting June 30th, for up to 60 days in advance of your arrival. Dining Reservations Announcement This date applies to guests who had their dining reservations on or before September 2nd canceled as of May 28th. Reservations for all guests will reopen at a later date. Online reservations are currently available for Disney Springs restaurants and guests with hotel arrivals prior to July 10th can make select hotel dining reservations by calling the Disney Reservation Center at (407) 824-1391. To make reservations in the theme park, guests must have valid park admission AND a Disney Park Pass reservation for the day of the desired reservation. Hollywood Brown Derby As a reminder, all of the Disney World restaurants will not be open with the park initially. You can check in on our list of announced restaurants for the FULL LIST of those restaurants that WILL be open and available for reservations. Keep an eye on DFB for the latest updates, and get ready to make those reservations! Click here to see the full list of restaurants that are opening with the theme parks! Have questions about making reservations for the reopening days of the parks? Ask them in the comments! Related posts: NEWS: Disney World Cast Members Are Being Called to Return to Theme Park Restaurants, Festivals, and Hotels BREAKING NEWS: These Disney World Restaurants are OPENING July 11th and 15th! Why Disney World Could Be Very DIFFERENT When It Reopens View the full article

On May 6, the animal care team at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge welcomed a new female Hartmann’s mountain zebra foal to the herd. I’m so happy to share with you photos of little Phoenix as she recently made her first appearance on the resort’s Sunset Savanna. The name Phoenix was chosen by our team as a symbol of strength and renewal. Phoenix was born to mom Peebles, and she’s already quite active and enjoying bonding time with her mother. This is the second Hartmann’s foal born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge this year. Phoenix was born as part of the Species Survival Plan program, overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The program ensures responsible breeding and genetic diversity of thousands of animal species. As part of this program, Phoenix is the fourth zebra born at Walt Disney World this year, and 13th overall since we began participating in the breeding program. Please join me in welcoming Phoenix to our Disney family, and follow along on Instagram for more on #DisneyAnimals and our animal care team. We look forward to you seeing her real soon! View the full article

While Disney World is prepping for its July 11th reopening and has just sold-out its Special Annual Passholder Preview Event, it could be a while before we see one of our favorite Disney musicals on Broadway again. ©Disney Instead of resuming productions in September (as they’d originally projected) it seems more likely that Broadway’s stages could remain empty until 2021. According to a recent New York Times article, performances are now unlikely to resume for the remainder of 2020. The famous theatre district comprised of 41 theaters has remained closed since mid-March and now the Broadway League has stated theater owners and producers will refund or exchange tickets previously purchased for shows through January 3rd, 2021. ©Disney “Returning productions are currently projected to resume performances over a series of rolling dates in early 2021,” the League released in a statement. Thus far, the Disney musical Frozen, which had opened in 2018 has already announced it’s played its last show and will not be returning. ©Disney Frozen Will Not Be Returning With the guidance of local health and government officials, Broadway productions are working on reopening procedures that will involve, “screening and testing, cleaning and sanitizing, wayfinding inside theaters, backstage protocols and much more.” Hamilton will be coming to Disney+ on July 3rd! See a sneak peek of its trailer here! “I’m cautiously optimistic, with the latest information that we’re getting from scientists and medical professionals, that we’re getting close to some protocols that would work in New York and on the road,” Charlotte St. Martin, the League’s president, stated in an interview. “As long as they hold up, I do think that after the first of the year, a rolling rollout of shows reopening is possible.” Click here to read about everything that’s reopening at Disney World including rides, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment! Have you ever seen a show on Broadway? Tell us which one in the comments below! Related posts: Find Out How Long Broadway Is Now Expected to Remain Dark And How You Can Help Performers News! The Disney on Broadway Benefit Concert is BACK ON! News: Disney World Is Expected to Call Back Equity Performers Soon View the full article

Just moments ago, registration for Disney World’s Special Annual Passholder Preview Event went LIVE! Main Street, U.S.A. And even though the event has already filled up, we’re back to share all the important details you’ll need to know if you’re going! Previously, Disney World announced July 9th and July 10th as the dates of its Annual Passholder previews at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom giving APs an opportunity to visit the parks BEFORE they reopened to the general public on July 11th and 15th. Passholder Entrance Weekday Select, Theme Park Select, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus, and Premier Passholders were all eligible to register for the AP previews, and we learned a few new SUPER-important details when we snagged out spots today! Magic Kingdom You Needed to Choose… Annual Passholders could only register for ONE day (either July 9th or 10th) and ONE park (either Magic Kingdom or Disney’s Animal Kingdom) meaning you COULDN’T attend both previews. Registration was fairly simple. Guests selected the day and park they would like to attend the preview for, attached guests, and then confirmed. Keep in mind, you couldn’t make modifications after registering. Entrance to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Spots Were Limited Even though reservations to attend the Special Annual Passholder Preview Event are required, spots were limited, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. You needed to have an activated annual pass for AP preview registration and if you wished to bring a guest, they also needed to have an active annual pass. Note: once you added a guest to your reservation, the system would not allow them to register themselves for the Annual Passholder preview. What You’ll Need to Bring If you were able to snag a spot to one of the Annual Passholder preview, do note that each person must bring their Annual Pass and a government-issued photo ID with them. You’ll also need to bring a copy of your confirmation page. Screenshot from Disney World’s Website Passholders should expect to receive additional emails from Disney for their reservation 3 to 5 days prior to the event and if guests are planning on staying at a Disney Resort hotel, regular Disney transportation will not be available. Guests will need to provide their own transportation to and from the theme parks. Disney World’s Bus System Will Not Be Fully Operational During AP Previews Keep in mind, you will need to bring your own face covering which must be worn by everyone (ages 2 and up) at all times, except when dining or swimming. And while Disney World has released some details about which restaurants, shops, and attractions will be open starting July 11th, some experiences may be limited or modified during the Annual Passholder previews. Click here to read our ultimate guide to everything that’s reopening at Disney World! Did you register to attend one of the Special Annual Passholder Preview Events? Let us know which park you’ll be heading to in the comments below! Related posts: NEWS: Registration For Disney World’s Annual Passholder Previews Is NOW LIVE! Could This Annual Passholder GLITCH Keep You From Getting Into Disney World? Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park Pass Reservations Are FULL for July 14th…BUT More Might Be Coming! View the full article

A little over an hour ago, Annual Passholders began receiving emails for the registration of the Disney World reopening Passholder Previews. Annual Passholder Invite Passholders apparently rushed to their accounts to secure their spots for the preview days in Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 9th and 10th. Now, in what feels like no time, BOTH Passholder Preview days are full. If you attempt to register for the Disney World reopening previews now, you will be directed to this screen that notes “Event Is Full.” Event is Full Wow! It seems like the event booked up in almost no time. If you weren’t lucky enough to get a spot at the preview, you’ll have to wait just a few more days to the official reopening so that you can get in. Click here to learn more about the Annual Passholder previews. Did you get a spot in the previews or were you left hanging? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: Why Disney World Could Be Very DIFFERENT When It Reopens Florida Surgeon General Warns That Current Measures Should Continue Until a Vaccine Exists. What Does That Mean for Disney World? NEWS: Disney World Just Released Dates for Annual Passholder Previews View the full article

While Sprinkles had some interesting offerings for dads in celebration of Father’s Day (including Shiner Beer Cupcakes!), it’s almost July! Sprinkles Cupcakes in Disney Springs And a new month means new FLAVORS! Let’s check out which ones have landed on the menu just in time for SUMMER! While most of these cupcakes haven’t hit Sprinkles locations quite yet, Glampers CAN nab a S’more Cupcake starting today through July 12th! This sure beats getting our clothes all smoky around a campfire! ©Sprinkles S’more And from July 2nd to July 5th Sprinkles will be celebrating Independence Day with this Red Velvet Cupcake topped with red, white, and blue sprinkles! ©Sprinkles Red Velvet The Gluten-Free Lemon Blueberry Cupcake will also be in stores from July 2nd to July 5th! ©Sprinkles GF Lemon Blueberry And from July 13th through July 26th, it’s time to get your Caramel Chocolate Chip Cupcake fix! Don’t these little guys look so INCREDIBLE? YUM!!! ©Sprinkles Caramel Chocolate Chip And last but not least, the Cookie Cupcake will be arriving at Sprinkles from July 27th through August 2nd! ©Sprinkles Cookie Cupcake Talk about a totally epic MONTH of awesome Sprinkles cupcake flavors! Can we just speed up time and get to July a little quicker? Sprinkles is now open at Disney World, and to see all the latest Disney Springs news, click here! Check out the Disney park Americana collection we recently spotted at Disney World here! Which July flavor are you the most excited about? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New in Disney Springs! August 10, 2018 We Have the Scoop on Sprinkles’ National Ice Cream Day Deal! What’s New at Disney Springs! NEW Menu Items; Missing Menu Items; The CUTEST Valentine’s Day Cards; and FREE Cupcakes! View the full article

Hey, friends! We’re back with another DFB Video, and today we’re sharing 10 tips for wearing a mask in Disney World. Rainbow Mickey Face Mask If you’re going to Disney World, you’re gonna need to wear a mask; so, you better make sure it’s comfortable and you can wear it all day long. We’ve got the tips coming up! 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! So check out the video and let us know: If you’re planning to visit Disney World this year. Related posts: DFB Video: The BEST Disney World Budget Breakfasts DFB Video: 9 Things You’re NOT Doing Right at Disney World DFB Video: Best of the Fest: Festival of the Arts 2020 View the full article

It’s time to get out your eating pants! Hush Puppy Benedict Disney Springs has been slowly but surely reopening and that means we’ve gotten the chance to return to some of our favorite dining spots. Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ reopened just last week and we were SO excited to check out the take-home moonshine and get an interview with Chef Art. Now, we’ve got even MORE Homecomin’ news — Rise and Shine Brunch is coming BACK! The team at Homecomin’ announced this morning that we can expect to see the return of Homecomin’ brunch THIS WEEKEND. Starting Sunday, July 5th, brunch will be an option again. Keep in mind that for the time-being, brunch will only be available on Sunday. House-made Donuts That means we’ll be able to get our hands on Fried Chicken & Doughnuts or the Hush Puppy Benedict SOON. Homecomin’ brunch seriously has some of our favorite breakfast bites ever. Potato Gratin Mash We definitely recommend reservations, but you can head to brunch between 10AM and 1PM on Sundays going forward. We’ll see you there! Want to see why we LOVE Homecomin’ brunch? Click here! Will you be headed to the return of Rise & Shine Brunch? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: News! Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Adds EXTENDED Brunch Hours! TAKE-HOME MOONSHINE and a Limited Menu to Be Available When Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Reopens in Disney World Review: Rise and Shine Southern Brunch at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ at Disney Springs View the full article

A few days before Disney Park Pass went live, Disney World released the dates of its Annual Passholder previews. Walt Disney World And while we knew Disney World APs would have early access to the parks BEFORE they reopened to the general public on July 11th and 15th, we learned AP previews would only be happening at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom on July 9th and 10th! And guess what, APs? Today’s your lucky DAY! Disney World has just opened registration to attend its Annual Passholder previews! Weekday Select, Theme Park Select, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus, and Premier Passholders are all eligible to register! MMRR Annual Passholder MagicBand You can only register for one day and park so you won’t be able to preview at BOTH Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom. Registration is fairly simple. Select the day and park that you would like to attend the preview for, attach guests, and then confirm. Keep in mind, you CANNOT make modifications after registering. Passholder Previews If eligible Passholders would like to bring a guest, the guest must also have a valid Weekday Select, Theme Park Select, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus, or Premier annual pass. Additionally, your guest must be included on your Family & Friends list (in your Disney account) and have opted to share “All My Plans” with you. If you register a guest on your reservation, they will be unable to make their own reservation. 2020 Annual Passholder Magnet Reservations are required and limited, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. You also must have an activated annual pass for AP preview registration. Disney is currently sending emails out to notify Passholders. So, if you’re hoping for a spot at the Passholder previews, hurry over and register! See our experiences at the newly reopened Disney World hotels here! Will you be attending one of the Annual Passholder previews? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: What’s UP With Disney World Annual Passholder Previews?! Club 33 and Golden Oak Members Can Also Attend Disney World’s Early Previews! News: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park Pass Reservations Are Now FULL For July 13th! View the full article

The reopening isn’t the only big news out of Disney World. As you may have heard, the NBA is playing the rest of their season in Disney World! NBA Experience This is a pretty unique situation! 22 teams are all headed to Disney World for the playoffs and that means a LOT of NBA players, coaches, and crews will be accommodated on Disney property. If you’re headed to Disney World during this time, you might be wondering how all this will affect your trip. We’re looking at the numbers! What dates will the NBA be in Disney? First, let’s take a look at the dates that the NBA will be at Disney. The teams are set to travel to Orlando between July 7th and July 11th in time for three weeks of training before the teams begin to play on July 30th. As the games continue, teams that are eliminated from the playoffs will be able to leave the “bubble,” slowly reducing the number of NBA affiliated folks in Disney World. NBA Mickey Basketballs Each team will play eight games to determine playoff seeding. Once those games are over, the playoffs will begin in their regular format. If there is an NBA Finals Game 7, it will be played on October 13th. So, the total time the NBA will be at Disney World should be right around three months. Click here to learn more about the NBA season. Will the NBA accommodations affect hotel availability? One BIG way this could affect guests is through the number of hotel rooms that will be occupied by the teams and their affiliates. At the start of the arrangement, eight teams will be staying in Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, eight teams at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and six teams at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Gran Destino at Disney’s Coronado Springs Each team is allowed up to a 35-person traveling party and 17 rooms for guests. That’s a lot of hotel rooms. Let’s break down what that means for each of the affected hotels. Gran Destino Tower has 15 floors with approximately 36 rooms each. If each team gets a floor, and one floor is set aside for guests of every two teams, the eight teams will occupy twelve of the fifteen floors of the hotel. Following the same math, the NBA will occupy half of Grand Floridian’s 867 standard rooms and over half of Yacht Club’s 539 standard rooms. And, all of that is not counting press and non-team affiliated officiants. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Coronado Springs Resort will be considered one of the main hub areas for the NBA in Orlando — that’s why all of the higher-seeded teams are placed there. If a team that is staying at one of the other two hotels makes it further into the playoffs, they could be asked to move to Gran Destino so that the other resorts can open to guests on August 24th (for Yacht Club) and September 21st (for Grand Floridian). Keep in mind that the Yacht Club does share some amenities with Disney’s Beach Club Resort. Though all of Beach Club will not reopen until August 24th with Yacht Club, the Villas at Disney’s Beach Club Resort are open now. Still, the areas that connect to Yacht Club are blocked off with signage, and some amenities — like Stormalong Bay pool — won’t be open until the resorts open to guests. Yacht Club Closed The Grand Floridian resort is currently erecting a massive fence to keep players and guests separated (parts of the Grand Floridian resort are open to guests). Players will also have private amenities including players-only lounges in their respective resorts. Grand Floridian Fence All this to say, YES, the NBA will have an effect on hotel availability. Press and officials occupying other spaces will further this effect. So currently, guests who have reservations at the affected hotels may have to call and change their reservation to a different resort hotel during their travel dates. Grand Floridian Lobby Teams will leave Orlando as they are eliminated from the tournament. The finals will have only two teams occupying hotel space, so by the end of the tournament, only Gran Destino Tower will have teams occupying the space. Grand Floridian and Yacht Club will be fully open to the public by that time. Click here to learn more about the NBA’s accommodations! Will players have priority access to experiences? You might be wondering if the NBA will have priority access to experiences like dining and theme park hours. In some cases, yes, and in some, you won’t have to worry. The reason the NBA is in Disney is to create a bubble. Interactions outside of their specific areas and teams will be limited, making it less likely that NBA activities will interrupt your day. Walt Disney World’s Epcot The teams will have planned excursions, separate from any that are available to guests. According to theme park journalist Scott Gustin, these excursions may include the NBA Experience, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, or Wild Africa Trek. But besides those privatized restaurant experiences (FYI — those likely include the signature dining locations that aren’t opening to the public at the resorts), you don’t need to worry about players taking up dining reservations. Disney chefs will be preparing many of the teams’ daily meals and they will have a special room service dining option. So, no, Steph Curry is not going to swipe your Topolino’s Terrace reservation. One thing to note is that players may receive access to the parks, but it would be after guests leave for the day. We’re not sure yet if this will have any effect on park hours, but we’ll be sure to keep an eye on it. Click here to learn more about the amenities NBA players will get. Will I see any NBA players out and about? For basketball fans, being in Disney at the same time can be exciting! Will you be seeing NBA players out and about? Well, most likely no. Again “out and about” isn’t really the point of all this. It’s called a bubble for a reason. Will you maybe see a fancy car or bus drive by with NBA players inside? Possibly, but don’t count on it. Bob Iger and Adam Silver ©Disney You might get a glimpse of players flying into the Orlando International Airport (MCO) if you’re there between July 7th and 11th, but it would be from a distance. According to Sportscasting, NBA teams typically use private jets, even in normal times. To preserve the bubble, these guys likely won’t enter public areas either. You probably won’t see them in restaurants, in the parks, or in the lobby of open hotels, as they’ll be encouraged to stay away from others. For those staying at the Beach Club Villas, you might see them getting in the car at Yacht Club — but don’t expect to be strolling into EPCOT next to Lebron. If you want to see the players in Disney World, you’ll have to tune in to the games on your TV. ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex So, yes, the NBA might have an effect on your Disney vacation — but maybe not a huge one. Keeping these teams away from the public is important to keep them healthy so that they CAN play, which will help to lessen any meddling in your trip plans. Follow along with DFB for all the latest NBA updates! Click here to learn more about the NBA staying in Disney World! Will you be traveling at the same time as the NBA? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: BREAKING NEWS! Here’s the Full List of Confirmed Disney World Hotel Reopening Dates! DFB Video: How to Master the Disney Dining Plan News! 2018 Disney World Free Dining Offer Update! View the full article

Disney World’s phased reopening of its theme parks is just under two weeks away and continues to move forward, but Disneyland has postponed its July 17th grand reopening while it awaits guidelines from state officials. Monorail passing through Disney World’s Epcot And while Disney hasn’t and won’t be generating anywhere close to the pre-closure levels of revenue in the Parks, Experience, and Products sector for a while, CEO Bob Chapek noted that the company would not reopen any park unless it would ultimately generate profit. We’ve already shared with you how many guests Disney will need to stay in the black once the theme parks reopen, otherwise, the company could actually lose even more money by reopening. We also know Disney will capping its attendance for the foreseeable future, requiring guests to obtain both a park ticket and reservation using the new Disney Park Pass system before visiting the parks. Big Thunder Mountain in Disney World But due to the upward trend in cases, there is growing concern that the theme parks might be reopening too soon. In fact, the Wall Street Journal has just reported the findings of a survey that was conducted earlier this month in which 2,000 U.S. consumers were asked if they would visit a Disney park this year. Almost two-thirds said they would only think about going to Disney if a vaccine existed. Beach Club Resort in Disney World There will be a number of new health and safety procedures implemented at the theme parks upon their reopening, including limited capacity, modified attractions and entertainment offerings, required face coverings for guests and Cast Members, mandatory temperature screenings to enter, increased sanitation, social distancing markers, and more. But despite Disney’s best efforts to keep its guests and Cast Members safe, it seems the majority agree that until there’s a vaccine, the parks will not be able to reach a normal pre-closures attendance level making Disney’s road to financial recovery even longer. Would you visit the Disney parks before a vaccine? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Related posts: How Many Guests Do The Disney Parks Need to Turn a Profit? Disney World’s Options For Potential Health Screening in the Parks DFB Video: Latest Disney Parks News — CEO Shakeup, HUGE Refurb News, and MORE! View the full article

Disney is a pretty massive company, and that means they’re constantly making big decisions — especially right now. Magic Kingdom These decisions are ESPECIALLY controversial when it comes to the theme parks. With the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World coming next year and the global health crisis causing unprecedented changes, it can be easy to feel a little (or a LOT) mad at how Disney is handling things. We’re taking a look at some things you SHOULDN’T be mad at Disney for…and some things you maybe SHOULD! Things you SHOULDN’T be mad about… Sometimes, even though an action is inconvenient, Disney has chosen to take them for the greater good. Let’s take a look at some of the recent things that have some Disney fans up in arms and why we shouldn’t be so mad. 1. Temperature Checks Temperature checks are definitely a new thing when it comes to getting into the theme parks, and lots of people have some valid concerns! Is this going to make it take longer to get in? What if it doesn’t catch everyone who’s infected? What if I register a high temperature just because of the Florida heat? Temperature Check Well, don’t worry TOO much. We’ve already had a chance to experience temperature checks with the reopening of Disney Springs and Universal Studios and it’s actually a super quick process. It’s WAY faster than any of the bag checks we’ve done in Disney World. When it’s your turn, it takes seconds for the thermometer to get a reading and, if you’re under 100.4 degrees, you’re on your way in no time. Disney Springs And, yes, temperature checks may not catch asymptomatic carriers, but it will catch those who are showing symptoms, and there isn’t a negative affect on most guests for having to go through the temperatures checks. You don’t need to be too concerned about false positives either. Disney has taken the heat into account and is offering a cool down tent for anyone who registers a little hot. After some cooling off, you test again. Then they KNOW whether it’s a fever or just a warm day. If your temp is too high, you and your party will be denied entry. This process is certainly new for all of us, but it really wasn’t the inconvenience many thought it would be. Click here to learn more about Disney’s temperature checks process! 2. Canceling Dining Reservations and the Disney Dining Plan This one has DEFINITELY gotten people to be grumpier than, well, Grumpy! Disney World recently canceled all upcoming Advance Dining Reservations and Disney Dining Plan packages until further notice. These offerings will come back at some point, but for now, many guests who spent hours planning and booking their dining reservations are out of luck! View from California Grill It’s certainly disappointing to have gotten up early half a year out from your trip to snag the perfect Cinderella’s Royal Table reservation only to have it snatched away. But we’ve gotta keep in mind that the way the parks will work once they reopen is going to change significantly. Cinderella’s Royal Table is a character meal and might not even be open (it isn’t included in the current list of Disney World restaurants that will be reopening with the parks)! It wouldn’t be fair to you to let you keep those plans not knowing if they will even be available to you! Wand and Wishing Star at Cinderella’s Royal Table Plus, with the park capacity limitations and social distancing measures in restaurants, there is likely no way that Disney will be able to accommodate the original number of reservations. Disney doesn’t want to promise guests on the Dining Plan a certain number of table service meals if they can’t reliably guarantee that in return. The only fair thing to do is to clear the system so that everyone is on equal ground with the new processes, whatever they may be. Plus, Disney IS accommodating those with canceled reservations. They may get priority to rebook when reservations open up again and some with canceled Dining Plans are getting a steep 35% discount on their vacation packages as compensation for the inconvenience. To learn more about the dining cancellations, click here! 3. Suspending FastPass+ Similar to the dining cancellations, Disney World has currently suspended the FastPass+ system until further notice. At first glance, this definitely seems like something to be upset about, especially if you’d snagged a coveted Flight of Passage or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train FastPass. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom But, just like with the dining reservations, limited park capacity and social distancing throws a wrench in the plans. Currently, Disney World plans to use the FastPass queue lines as part of their social distancing protocol. Also, with capacity in the parks significantly limited, wait times may be low on their own. Disney CEO Bob Chapek even mentioned how magical the day will be for those in the park. There possibly won’t be a need for FastPass at many attractions. Haunted Mansion With physical distancing being such a priority, Disney seems to be working on the plan to let guests access attractions safely, and using the FastPass queue is part of it. Want to know more about the FastPass+ suspension? Click here! 4. Canceling Reservations a Little Bit at a Time Now that Disney World has announced their reopening dates, it can be easy to feel a little miffed about how Disney canceled reservations a little bit at a time instead of outright. Why would they lead us on thinking our June vacations were a go? Walt Disney World Well, Disney likely didn’t know when they would land on an opening date. Since things were changing (and tbh still ARE changing) day by day, taking things slowly and one week at a time gave Disney the most opportunity to be faithful to guests’ original plans. By canceling reservations week by week instead of canceling months at a time, they gave guests the most possible potential of taking their vacation as desired. Click here to learn more about the incremental cancellations! 5. Constant Construction And finally, we have one that folks ALWAYS tend to be mad at and probably shouldn’t be! It certainly can feel like Disney World is CONSTANTLY under construction — and that’s because it kind of is! This can be frustrating since there are always construction barriers SOMEWHERE, which can feel a little disruptive to the magic. Epcot World Celebration construction BUT, sometimes ya just gotta simmer down. After all, the reason there’s always construction is that there’s always something new coming soon! Disney does a fairly good job at keeping construction non-obstructive too. It’s just a side effect of a classic Walt Disney ideal — “Keep moving forward!” That eyesore or inconvenience now might be your favorite addition ever down the road! To see the MAJOR construction going on in Epcot right now, click here! Things you SHOULD be mad about… On the other hand, there are a few things that you definitely have grounds to be frustrated about. Disney isn’t faultless, and a few of their recent decisions and mistakes have really ground our gears. 1. Not Having a New Reservation System Ready to Go First up, Disney recently announced the reopening plan including a new theme park reservation system that would be required to access the theme parks. Then…nothing. Crickets. After waiting and waiting (not so easy for folks biting their nails to see if they should cancel that flight to Orlando because they have no clue if they can even get IN to the Disney theme parks!), we were told the system was opening up just THREE DAYS before it actually did. Disney’s Hollywood Studios And once it did open? Glitches, website slowness, and frustrated guests were the name of the game! For something as crucial to guests as this reservation system that is needed to enter the parks, many hoped that Disney would have taken the extra time they gave themselves to make sure the website and system were airtight. That just wasn’t what happened initially. Disney Park Pass Error Message Many Guests Saw For HOURS Eventually the system leveled out where guests could access it (instead of sitting in a virtual queue for 5 hours!) but there has still been frustration as to why hotel guests, Annual Passholders, and regular admission ticket holders have such a drastic difference in park access availability. Even a week later, many guests are still scratching their heads wondering why Passholders are “sold out” of certain parks on certain days, but other groups of guests are not. The whole system felt poorly communicated to guests and poorly rolled out. Check out our Park Pass FAQ here! 2. Not Having Available Phone Lines To Accommodate Guests’ Needs When the Park Pass Reservation system went haywire, so did Disney’s phone lines. Because guests couldn’t get issues sorted out online (many of the problems had to do with back-end ticket issues, which had to be managed by Disney’s IT professionals), phone lines were so overwhelmed that guests literally couldn’t even get Disney to pick up the phone. We need a wait time board for these phone calls, please Our team had to redial the Disney phone number for an entire hour before the call was picked up. And then we were placed into hold queues that varied from two to four hours each. Even days after the launch, guests were still in for a multi-hour experience just to get to a Disney telephone representative to change their hotel reservations, manage dining reservations, or help with park pass issues. That’s not OK. Here’s How To Get Through To Disney When the Phone Lines Are Crazy Busy 3. Frequent ShopDisney Debacles This next one shouldn’t come as TOO much of a surprise after the Park Pass mess. We’re talking website troubles on shopDisney this time!! ShopDisney is starting to be NOTORIOUS for having major technical difficulties EVERY TIME they release something high-demand or limited edition. ShopDisney has introduced a new virtual queue system for big releases that pretty much leaves guests feeling stranded and unable to access new limited-time merchandise. ©Disney The most recent problems came with the May release of The Enchanted Tiki Room Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction line and the Star Wars Day sale before that. In some cases, the site glitches while folks have merch in their carts, and in many cases, the items are sold out within minutes before guests can even click “buy.” Disney certainly has work to do on its shopping platform when it comes to limited-edition merch! Click here to see the last ShopDisney disaster! So there are definitely some things that we need to simmer down a bit about, but others for which we think we’re TOTALLY justified in feeling a little (or a LOT of) frustration. That said, here at DFB we’re doing our best to keep you updated on Disney’s latest information, translating it as best we can so that it makes sense and you’re able to apply it to your current vacation plans. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask them. We’re looking at those FAQs, asking Disney for clarification, and working them into posts here on DFB so that we can answer as many questions as possible. As always, keep an eye on DFB for news updates about all of these situations! To learn more about Disney World’s reopening, click here! What do you think we shouldn’t be mad at Disney about? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: Your Questions Answered! Disney Just Canceled Everything! Here’s What’s Going On — And What You Should Do Next. This Week Was CRAZY. We’re Gathering ALL the News and Disney World Cancellations You Missed! News: Disney Dining Plan Credit Tracking Added to My Disney Experience App View the full article

Get a free drink with a purchase at Wine Bar George at Disney Springs. View the full article

Shanghai Disneyland has started to re-open its parks for guests to visit with new health and safety guidelines in place. Dole Whip from Marketplace Snacks in Disney Springs While everyone is enjoying their favorite snacks again, Disney is about to introduce a new line of treats and eats that will make every Dole Whip fan excited! Since International Pineapple Day was on June 27th, Shanghai Disneyland announced that the parks will be teaming up with the Dole company for a multi-year contract. This partnership will make Dole the Official Fruit Sponsor of Shanghai Disney Resort as the company supplies fresh fruit in “creative and innovative ways” for guests to enjoy! ©Dole China Since Disney has already had a partnership with Dole at both Disney World and Disneyland, along with a partnership with the Walt Disney Company through character-themed produce in stores, Shanghai Disneyland is joining its international parks by having Dole as a sponsor as well. There will be more healthy dining options throughout the parks and resorts through Dole’s produce supply. ©Dole China The General Manager of Dole China, Terry Chan, has stated that the company is looking forward to “offering new and exclusive products and experiences for our consumers as well as guests visiting Shanghai Disney Resort.” Dole products will be at places like Chip & Dale’s Treehouse Treats on Mickey Avenue with “unique fruit snacking options, coupled with a magical Disney touch.” Pineapple Dole Whip Since Disney has partnered with Dole, the Disney Inspiration Runs will also have Dole as the Official Fruit Sponsor at these events. Fruit will be offered to runners, and Dole will be available on run routes and run products. ©Dole China We are super excited to see all the ways that Dole will be incorporating fruit into new menu items across the Shanghai Disney Resort! Take a look at the newly re-opened Disney World Resorts here! Have you been to Shanghai Disneyland before? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: DFB Video: 5 Disney Changes That Turned Out Way Better Than Expected DFB Video: Latest Disney Parks News — CEO Shakeup, HUGE Refurb News, and MORE! The 10 Yummiest Disney Recipes To Make At Home This Week! View the full article

For the first time in forever, we’ll be getting TWO Frozen lands in the Disney Parks (our hearts are warmer than one of Olaf’s hugs!). Frozen Ever After While Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland have announced that they will be opening the gates to Arendelle in 2021, construction halted all around the parks during the closures. However, construction has started to pick up in Disney Parks once again. And, we’ve got a sneak peek of Elsa’s icy magic hard at work creating the famous Arendelle palace! Thanks to HKDL of Fantasy, we were able to get a first look at the construction of Arendelle: World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland! Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs can be seen curving around the area just beyond Toy Story Land. We absolutely cannot WAIT to see the beautiful Arendelle area, since the only Frozen section that you can visit in the Disney Parks at the moment is Frozen Ever After in Epcot’s Norway Pavilion when it reopens July 15th! Take a look at what Hong Kong Disneyland looked like on re-opening day! Will you be visiting the new Frozen land when it opens in Hong Kong Disneyland? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: NEWS! Hong Kong Disneyland Has Closed Temporarily NEWS: Disney Explorers Lodge Has Officially Reopened at Hong Kong Disneyland NEWS! Disney English Learning Centers Will Be Closing in China! View the full article

Palo on the Disney Cruise Line has a romantic atmosphere with some amazing food. ©Disney While we’re missing taking a cruise across the big, blue ocean, we’re excited to be able to make THIS treat straight from the cruise ships in the comfort of our homes! If you’re feeling up to baking a fantastic Disney Recipe, you can make one of Palo’s most famous desserts in your kitchen! Get that Disney kitchenware out because it’s time to make a fluffy Chocolate Soufflé to indulge in tonight. Palo Chocolate Soufflé Ingredients 3 tablespoons butter, plus more for greasing the soufflé cups 6 tablespoons sugar, plus more for dusting the soufflé cups 1 cup milk 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 3 tablespoons Dutch-processed cocoa 2 ounces (2/3 cup) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, melted 4 eggs, separated Vanilla Sauce (recipe follows) Recipe Preheat oven to 350°F. Set a full kettle of water on to boil. Butter six 4-ounce soufflé cups and coat with sugar; set aside. Bring the milk to a boil in a small saucepan. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cocoa to the butter and beat with a whisk to a smooth, paste-like consistency. Reduce heat and cook for 1 minute. Slowly add the hot milk, whisking until smooth, then blend in melted chocolate. Let cool for 5 minutes, then stir in egg yolks. Beat egg whites in a separate bowl until frothy. Slowly add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until stiff, glossy peaks form. Stir a heaping spoonful of egg whites into the chocolate, then fold in the remaining whites just until combined. Pour the batter into prepared soufflé cups. Place cups in a large baking dish and add enough boiling water to reach halfway the sides of the soufflé cups. Bake for 20 minutes. Serve immediately, with warm vanilla sauce. ©Disney Vanilla Sauce Ingredients 1 1/4 cups heavy cream 1/4 vanilla bean, split lengthwise 3 tablespoons sugar 2 small egg yolks Directions Bring cream and vanilla bean to a low boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Combine sugar and egg yolks. Add 2 spoonfuls of boiling cream to egg mixture and stir well, then pour back into the remaining cream and continue to cook over low heat, stirring constantly for 3 to 4 minutes. Souffle with Vanilla Gelato and Chocolate and Vanilla Sauces This is one of those desserts that time is of the ESSENCE! Have everything ready and as soon as you pop this out the oven, dig in! Wow, we cannot WAIT for all that chocolatey goodness!! Chocolate Soufflé and Disney+ sounds like a GREAT night in! These are all the Disney Recipes you’re going to want to make ASAP! [cysc id=’DFB_Guide_Newsletter Have you visited Palo on the Disney Cruise Line? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Disney Cruise Line Cast Members Use Their Artistic Talents to Give Back to Hospitals! Decorate Your Home Like a Disney Cruise Stateroom With This FREE Kit! NEWS! Outbreak Concerns Change Policies for Disney Cruise Line View the full article

We’re feeling pretty satisfied knowing that Hamilton will be making its way to Disney+ this week! ©Disney While we think that this might be the perfect way to celebrate the Fourth of July (the show DOES talk about the Revolutionary War, after all), we can’t help but feel impatient waiting to listen to Lin Manuel Miranda rap his way into our hearts. Even if you’re willing to wait for it (but you’re still very excited about being able to watch Hamilton), you can watch the new trailer for the musical coming soon! ©Disney While the Schuyler Sisters stand tall and proud, Burr tells the story of a lifetime, and Hamilton gets ready to rewrite history, you can finally watch the historical figures come to life on your television. In the meantime, the new trailer is definitely a way to get yourself hyped up for Hamilton‘s premiere! Just you wait! Disney+ will be streaming on July 3rd (and the world will never be the same). Take a look at everything coming to Disney+ in July here! Related posts: Here’s EVERYTHING Coming to Disney+ in May! You Can Watch The NEW Simpsons Short FREE on Instagram for 24 Hours! THIS IS NOT A DRILL! Boba Fett Will Join the Cast of The Mandalorian on Disney+! View the full article

We’re about to make your Sunday Fun Day a whole lot better (and boozier)! Frontera Cocina If you’re milking that last bit of the weekend before Monday rolls around, you can celebrate those Disney Park Passes you snagged or your return to the Disney World Resorts in Disney Springs with a brand new drink! Frontera Cocina is debuting a fancy Champagne Margarita (!!!) that you can pair with some Chicken Flautas and all the refried beans your heart desires. Champagne Margarita And, if you just want to stop by for a margarita or two, you can also place an online order to pick up or snag some tacos to-go! Frontera Cocina Sign If you sip on a Champagne Margarita, maybe you can make a toast to all of Frontera Cocina’s great bartenders! Remember, though Florida has banned alcohol at bars, restaurants that derive more than 50% of their gross revenue from food sales are still allowed to serve! So most of your favorite restaurants at Disney Springs are still open and serving. Read our full review of a re-opened Frontera Cocina here! What is your favorite thing to get at Frontera Cocina? 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! Umm, Can We Talk For a Sec About These BIZARRE Snacks From Disney World?! What’s New at Disney Springs: Dogs Wearing Face Masks, Four Pounds of Loaded Fries, and MORE! View the full article

Since the Disney Resorts have re-opened and Disney World will be opening for guests soon, there has been plenty of preparation on Disney’s side. Things are being completely changed to ensure guest and cast member safety, and that includes limited theme park capacity! Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Although Disney has sent out surveys to guests who have recently stayed at the Disney Resorts, many guests and readers have given us their own thoughts on the Disney Park Pass reservation system. And, if you happened to book a visit to the parks when they re-open, Disney is looking for your opinion on how well Disney Park Pass works too! The Disney Park Pass reservation initially went live for resort guests on June 22nd, and it also opened to Annual Passholders and regular ticket holders soon afterwards. While the system has been operating well recently, it debuted with a VERY bumpy start. However, Disney has only recently sent the survey out after many of the issues with the system were seemingly sorted out. Disney Park Pass Survey This particular survey we received begins by asking where guests permanently reside and if they were over 18 years old to confirm that they could take part in the survey. Standard stuff. But Disney also confirmed that we recently booked Disney Park Pass reservations. Interestingly, they were ONLY asking about ONE of our park pass reservations. Disney Park Pass Survey Since there have been some varied guest experiences, Disney went on to ask about the ease of use for the new system. (While we JUST made this park pass in the last two days, it was easy to do since many of the original issues have been ironed out.) Disney Park Pass Survey In light of the varying experiences with the Disney Park Pass system, Disney went into depth with how guests feel about how their experiences at Disney World will be affected. The survey asked for opinions on how tricky the situations will be in the parks, the length of wait times, crowds, and more. THIS is super fascinating that Disney is gauging guest perception based on their own “before you go” marketing and, we assume, opinions gleaned from public discussions on social media. Disney Park Pass Survey Disney’s trying to figure out the mindset of the guests who are coming into the parks, so that they can use appropriate language and marketing around the experience. After all, how guests perceive their vacation could feel can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. (E.g. if the majority of guests say that they believe that wait times will be longer than in the past, then Disney knows it’s their job to focus on getting the word out that they think wait times could, in fact, be shorter. I mean, maybe. I’m clearly not a marketing professional! But that’s one way they could use this information.) Plus, Disney wanted to make sure that guests were thoroughly aware of the health and safety regulations across the parks and resorts. This stems back to checking up on their own goal to get the word out to guests as much as possible. Disney Park Pass Survey Disney went on to ask some more standard questions that we see in most Disney World surveys — checking to see if this was the guest’s first trip to Walt Disney World, and, if not, the dates of the guest’s last trip. And although the survey did ask earlier about our upcoming resort reservation, it confirmed this fact again… Disney Park Pass Survey …before diving into more detailed questions that pertained to guests’ specific situations, like income, ages of those in the household, etc. Disney Park Pass Survey So Disney’s listening y’all. At least they’re trying to find out information about our experiences and about how we THINK our experiences could go down when we’re actually in the parks. Fun insight for sure. You’ll want to avoid making these 5 mistakes reserving your Disney Park Pass system! What have your experiences been with the Disney Park Pass system? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Here’s What You NEED to Know About Making a Disney World Park Pass Reservation for Your Entire Party! Staying at a Good Neighbor Hotel at Walt Disney World? You’ll Want to Keep THIS in Mind! NEWS! You Can Still Use the Disney Park Pass System If You Haven’t Activated Your Annual Pass! View the full article

The Disney World parks have remained closed since initially shutting their gates on March 16th. Magic Kingdom But with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom set to reopen on July 11th, followed by Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th, the longest closure in Disney World history will soon be coming to an end. There will be a number of new health and safety procedures implemented upon reopening, including reduced park capacity with required reservations, limited attractions and entertainment offerings, required face coverings for guests and Cast Members, to name a few. Despite the planned safety measures, there have still been concerns raised that the parks are reopening too soon. These concerns are heightened by the increasing case numbers in Florida, as highlighted by the closure of recently reopened bars. And since Disneyland has delayed its planned park reopening date of July 17th, some have suggested that Disney World should do the same. Tree of Life So, with all of the buzz around the ever-evolving situation, we asked our Instagram followers, “Do you think it’s too soon to reopen the parks?” Of the respondents, 57% said yes, they think it’s too soon to reopen the parks, while the remaining 43% said no, they don’t think it’s too soon. Pie Chart of Our Readers’ Responses When Asked If They Think It’s Too Soon for the Parks to Reopen Let’s take a look at some of the responses we received from our readers! “Yes, It’s Too Soon for the Parks to Reopen.” Many of those who said they do think it’s too soon for the Disney World parks to reopen pointed to the recent increase of case numbers in Florida. “I think when they made the plan it was fine, but now with the rising [number of] cases it’s too soon.” This was a common concern expressed by those who responded. Disney’s Hollywood Studios entrance Others also pointed out that despite the precautions Disney has taken, there is still no guarantee that other guests will follow the rules the parks have put in place. “Yes. Not because I don’t trust Disney, but because I don’t trust people.” Some respondents expressed concern that social distancing and face mask guidelines would not be adhered to. Here are our tips for wearing a face mask in Disney World. “No, I don’t think the parks are reopening too soon.” There were also some common trends among those who don’t think the parks are reopening too soon. Several people pointed out that Disney World waited longer to reopen than many other theme parks. “No. They waited longer to be safe. They will make the parks safe for guests and Cast Members.” Magic Kingdom A number of people also said that they’re impressed by the health and safety precautions Disney has implemented, and due to these measures, they would feel comfortable in the parks. “I honestly feel safer at Disney World than any other place we could possibly visit.” Here are our answers to your frequently asked questions about the reopened Disney World Resort hotels. Currently, Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are scheduled to reopen on July 11th, which would mark the end of a 117-day closure of all Disney World parks. However, despite the new health and safety measures planned for the reopening, some guests still have concerns about the timing of the reopening. Given the unprecedented nature of the situation, details are subject to change, so we’re keeping a close eye on any updates. Guests can’t book Disney World park tickets for 2020 right now — here’s why! Do you think the Disney World parks are reopening too soon? Share your thoughts in the comments. Related posts: Avoid These 5 Mistakes When Making Your Disney World Park Pass Reservations! Why Disney World Could Be Very DIFFERENT When It Reopens NEWS! Revised Park Hours Posted for Disney World’s Planned Reopening! View the full article

Now more than ever, we’re looking for ways to bring the magic of Disney into your home. We recently brought you a virtual viewing of one of our most popular Broadway-style shows, and in today’s installment of #DisneyMagicMoments, we are showcasing one of my personal favorites – Palo! The Italian-inspired  Palo restaurant  aboard each  Disney ship offers a superlative dining experience reserved exclusively for adults. Guests are invited to indulge in a menu of delectable modern Italian cuisine, coupled with a sophisticated atmosphere and superior service. But while Palo may be reserved for adults, here is a way to bring a taste of this experience to the entire family – make your own chocolate soufflé at home! Palo Chocolate Soufflé Serves 6 Ingredients 3 tablespoons butter, plus more for greasing the soufflé cups 6 tablespoons sugar, plus more for dusting the soufflé cups 1 cup milk 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 3 tablespoons Dutch-processed cocoa 2 ounces (2/3 cup) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, melted 4 eggs, separated Vanilla Sauce (recipe follows) Directions Preheat oven to 350°F. Set a full kettle of water on to boil. Butter six 4-ounce soufflé cups and coat with sugar; set aside. Bring the milk to a boil in a small saucepan. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cocoa to the butter and beat with a whisk to a smooth, paste-like consistency. Reduce heat and cook for 1 minute. Slowly add the hot milk, whisking until smooth, then blend in melted chocolate. Let cool for 5 minutes, then stir in egg yolks. Beat egg whites in a separate bowl until frothy. Slowly add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until stiff, glossy peaks form. Stir a heaping spoonful of egg whites into the chocolate, then fold in the remaining whites just until combined. Pour the batter into prepared soufflé cups. Place cups in a large baking dish and add enough boiling water to reach halfway the sides of the soufflé cups. Bake for 20 minutes. Serve immediately, with warm vanilla sauce. Vanilla Sauce Ingredients 1 1/4 cups heavy cream 1/4 vanilla bean, split lengthwise 3 tablespoons sugar 2 small egg yolks Directions Bring cream and vanilla bean to a low boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Combine sugar and egg yolks. Add 2 spoonfuls of boiling cream to egg mixture and stir well, then pour back into the remaining cream and continue to cook over low heat, stirring constantly for 3 to 4 minutes. Of course, the dining experience at Palo doesn’t end with the fine cuisine. Palo is also home to a robust menu of adult beverages, including inventive cocktails and classic reserve wines. The restaurant’s wine list, with 99 percent Italian wines, includes about 90 labels from all regions of Italy, including a sparkling Prosecco, a lush red Barolo made just for Palo, and some of the best Super Tuscans.  One of my favorite beverages at Palo, especially paired with brunch, is the restaurant’s signature Balsamic Grande cocktail. This refreshing drink features vodka, a splash of 5-year-old balsamic vinegar and fresh muddled strawberries. Check out this video to see how you can make it at home. Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes stories, recipes and other #DisneyMagicMoments coming your way from Disney Cruise Line on the Disney Parks Blog! View the full article

As Disney World starts to put its re-opening plans into action, the parks will be making a lot of modifications to fit with the health and safety guidelines they have put in place. Cinderella Castle Since there will be limited capacity in the theme parks when they reopen, guests will need to make reservations through the Disney Park Pass system in order to visit the theme parks. Due to the lower capacity as well as limited options available to guests once the parks reopen, Disney made the decision to pause all park hopping — which means “hopping” between Disney World theme parks in the same day — temporarily. (Note that Disney is selling park hopper add-ons for 2021 tickets at this time, so if your trip is in 2021, you’ll likely be able to park hop. This information is primarily for guests headed to Disney World in 2020.) So what about all those guests who had purchased the Park Hopper add-on with their 2020 tickets?? Can they get refunds for that extra cost? OK let’s break down the options. When Disney World reopens, guests are only allowed to make a park pass reservation for one park per day. While they can leave a park and return back into that same park later that day if capacity allows, guests can no longer spend a morning in Magic Kingdom before hopping over to enjoy an afternoon in Disney’s Hollywood Studios (for example). Disney’s Hollywood Studios entrance Disney has been offering refunds for guests who have been affected by the closures as well as a few options for Annual Passholders whose passes have been impacted. And Disney will also be giving guests options for how to handle Park Hopper and Park Hopper Plus add-ons that had been previously added to their tickets. Tamu Tamu Refreshments at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Option 1: Ticket Use Dates Have Been Extended, So “Wait and See” If Park Hopping is Reinstated Disney has stated that guests with Park Hopper tickets can use their “current date-based ticket by September 26th, 2021, with the existing add-on options, should the options return by that date.” So if Park Hopping is allowed any time in the next year+, you can use your tickets as normal. Based on our reader responses when we asked about park hopping add-on refunds, this is what many guests are choosing to do: wait it out. Currently, there’s no penalty for not changing your tickets. So guests who have vacations booked later in 2020 can simply wait to see if park hopping is reinstated by the time their vacation rolls around. OR they can postpone their vacations into 2021, as many tickets have been extended for use into September 2021. If park hopping is not reinstated by the time your vacation approaches, then it’s time to move on to Option 2… . Flower and Garden Festival Option 2: Modify Your Tickets Resort packages that include tickets are able to be modified by contacting the Disney Reservation Center at (407) 566-4985 or your travel agent directly. “Modifications” is likely where you will be able to switch your tickets to a different type and receive a refund on the park hopper add-on. We’ve had several readers confirm that they were able to modify their tickets with Disney and receive refunds. That said, when I reached out to Disney World directly via website chat, I didn’t get as satisfactory an answer as I was hoping for. Initially, my chat companion, Wendy, told me that ticket cancellation would be as close as I could get to a refund: Then, I started asking about modifying ticket packages directly. Wendy told me that I could keep everything else in my package the same and JUST modify my tickets… . And that sounds to me like I’d be able to change tickets to non-park-hopper tickets and get a refund. But when I got down to brass tacks, Wendy tapped out. So, yes, we have had some readers confirm that they were able to refund their park-hopper add-on by modifying their tickets. But you’ll need to speak with Disney directly to see if that’s an option for you. Moving on to Option 3… . Magic Kingdom Option 3: Cancel Your Tickets However, if you choose NOT to visit Disney World, you can also cancel your ticket or package. The Disney Reservation Center and travel agents will have more details so that you can explore your options. But please be VERY careful with canceling tickets right now. Remember — Disney is NOT selling tickets for 2020 right now, and has not stated when those sales would return. So if you have tickets for 2020 at the moment, those are precious commodities and you might not want to be too hasty with canceling those if you have them. If you cancel, you may not be able to purchase more for this year. Epcot So there we have it — three options for trying to manage your park hopper ticket add-on here in 2020! Remember, if you’re not going for a while, your best bet is probably to sit tight and wait to see if park hopping comes back by the time your trip rolls around. You can always “modify” or cancel your tickets later if needed! Mission Space Other Things To Note About Disney World Park Tickets So while you’re deciding what to do with your tickets, here are two more details that Disney has released that may impact your decision: Ticket Use Dates Have Been Extended For Most Guests and Flexibility Has Been Added First — guests who have just about any kind of multi-day theme park ticket can now use those tickets through September 26, 2021. Second — we have also confirmed with Disney directly that if you have tickets for specific dates and they’ve been extended, those tickets can be broken up and used separately. For example, if you have a 5-day ticket dated November 1-5, 2020, you can use those five days — individually or altogether — anytime between park reopening and September 26, 2021. Speak with a Disney reservations specialist to get more details on how to do this. And note that things are changing very quickly right now, so this could be updated at any time. Via Napoli in Epcot It’s important to note that guests will need a valid park ticket in order to use the Disney Park Pass system to make reservations for the theme parks. If you plan on visiting Disney World any time soon, be sure to talk to Disney or your travel agent to decide which option is the best for your situation! Take a look at the full process of making reservations through the Disney Park Pass system! When will you be returning to Disney World? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Find Out Why Disney World Has Been Giving Away Free Tickets. (We Never Knew This Was A Thing!) Frontera Cocina Launched Online Ordering in Disney Springs for ALL Your Taco To-Go Needs! We Hope Disney Does THIS In Their Restrooms When The Parks Reopen View the full article

Each year 100 high school students from across the country are selected to come to Walt Disney World Resort and participate in Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE. Every student comes with an inspiring story, and throughout the four-day mentoring program they are encouraged to make a difference in the lives of others. So, during these challenging times, it is no surprise, that Disney Dreamers are out doing their part to help. Two of those making a difference include Ashlyn Pinkins of Gretna, Louisiana and Kaylin Garnett of Augusta, Georgia. Here are their inspiring stories. Tracking the Virus Ashlyn attended the 2011 Disney Dreamers Academy with a love for science. Now she has fulfilled one of her dreams and is a public health epidemiologist for her home state of Louisiana. Ashlyn has the critical role of documenting and tracking cases of the virus using information gathered from hospitals and other medical organizations. “It’s just been so informative and inspirational to see how much people push forward and how much work they actually do,” said Ashlyn. “To get a firsthand account of the work people are doing in the background is just amazing.” Ashlyn reflected on her time at Disney Dreamers Academy, saying, the experience showed her that no dream is out of reach as long as you keep working hard. Caring for the Sick 2016 Disney Dreamers Academy alumna Kaylin always had a passion for helping others. She has continued to chase her dreams earning her Bachelor of Science in nursing, while also working as a certified nursing assistant and unit manager at a local nursing home. Kaylin was assigned to care for and manage administrative duties specifically for COVID-19-positive patients. There she saw firsthand the impact healthcare professionals made. “This experience has confirmed that being on the frontlines to help others is what I want to do in life,” Kaylin said. Her efforts over the last few months have helped contain the spread of cases at her facility. Although her work has been as challenging as ever, Kaylin’s desire to help others inspired her to pursue her goal of becoming an emergency medical technician (EMT), having recently passed the exam while still working. Kaylin credits Disney Dreamers Academy for teaching her the value of teamwork and inspiring her to never give up on her dreams. Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE is a four-day, transformational mentoring program for teens that has taken place at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida annually since 2008. Each class of 100 teens is encouraged to “Be100,” to be positive and “all in,” and to pursue their dreams and make a difference in the lives of others. View the full article