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Legendary Mariachi Cobre performers from the Mexico pavilion at EPCOT have come together virtually once again to share a rousing at-home performance of the hit song “The World Es Mi Familia” from Disney and Pixar’s film “Coco.” This is the latest installment of our popular #VoicesFromHome musical series, which brings a little Disney magic and music into your home. Be sure to keep checking the Disney Parks Blog for more #DisneyMagicMoments stories like this, as Disney cast members continue to share Disney magic with all of you. View the full article

Oh, Disney World restaurants — how we miss you! Garden Grill Restaurant While you know our affinity for spots like Wine Bar George (thank goodness the flaming cheese is back) and Garden Grill, there are a few restaurants around the parks we are missing more than we thought we would! And, even though some of these restaurants may not be the MOST popular, they are still JUST as awesome to visit! Jiko Jiko might be a little bit of a trek to get to since it’s at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, but it is WORTH IT. Before you even enter the restaurant, take a moment to look around the lobby! Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge has one of the largest collections of African art that you can find outside of Africa! The pieces are inspired by the different cultures of the region and curated to showcase the variety of styles of art across Africa. Animal Kingdom Lodge Plus, right outside the windows, you can spot animals like giraffes and zebras freely roaming about (which is one of the most AWESOME experiences in Disney World). And, if you’re willing to spend a little extra cash to make a whole event out of dining at Jiko, you can go on the Wanyama Safari at the resort! The 90-minute tour costs $209 per person and takes 12 guests over 46 acres to see the animals up close and personal. You’ll end your trek across the savanna with a multi-course meal at Jiko too! Savanna If you’ve never been to Jiko, the restaurant uses two wood-burning ovens to cook up many guests’ meals. Although you can choose from some tasty entrees like the Botswana-Style Beef Short Rib or Oak-Grilled Filet Mignon, if you ask us, the Mac and Cheese alone at Jiko makes it one of the best spots in Disney World. Mac and Cheese While we might be big fans of the Mac and Cheese at Eight Spoons Cafe in Animal Kingdom, Jiko’s version has a special place in our hearts! It’s easily some of the BEST mac and cheese we’ve ever had! Plus the romantic atmosphere here is the perfect spot for a date night with its sunset wall (can YOU feel the love tonight?? ). Wide Shot of Jiko’s Dining Room Jiko also has a massive African wine selection to chose from, including the option for wine tastings in their connected wine tasting room. Read our FULL review of Jiko at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge here! Satu’li Canteen Anybody else MAJORLY missing those Cheeseburger Pods? While Satu’li Canteen is a quick fix if hunger strikes while waiting in line for Flight of Passage (Mobile Order is a friend, you guys), it’s a place you don’t want to sleep on! Vegetable Curry Pods Entree and Cheeseburger Pods There are plenty of savory eats to snack on at the restaurant, plus an entire list of drinks (like the bright green Hawkes Grog Ale). Satu’li is also the home to gorgeous desserts like the Blueberry Cream Cheese Mousse that looks very at home on Pandora! Blueberry Cream Cheese Mousse The star of the restaurant is their build-your-own style bowls with protein options like grilled sliced beef, wood-fired chicken, chili-garlic shrimp, or crispy tofu. You pick a base like rice and beans or salad, a protein, and a sauce to go on top. This is a healthy, freshly prepared, and filling option we still love! Combination Bowl at Satu’li Canteen! However, you might not know the origin of Satu’li Canteen in the Valley of Mo’ara! The restaurant used to be an abandoned Resources Development Administration (or RDA) building that was turned into a dining location by ACE: Alpha Centauri Expeditions (the folks who “made” Pandora into what it is today!). Satu’li Canteen Although a bunch of different visitors come to Satu’li, it’s also a favorite spot of the Na’vi! You can find Na’vi art, artifacts, and lighting fixtures placed all around the restaurant as a nod to the inhabitants of Pandora. When in Avatar land, eat like one of the Na’vi, we always say! Satu’li Canteen Satu’li gets major points for originality as well as great quality food. If you’re looking for something different from typical fast food Disney pizza or chicken nuggs, swing by after your flight on a Banshee! Take a look at the 12 fun things you didn’t know about Animal Kingdom here! BaseLine Tap House After an early morning trying to hop on Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash, AND Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, you might need a break! And BaseLine Tap House is one of the best spots in Hollywood Studios to kick back and relax. BaseLine Tap House The restaurant is a nod to the Figueroa Printing Company, which was an independent Los Angeles print house that partnered with Disney Studios. The atmosphere takes some of that relaxing, modern vibe from a downtown LA bar or coffee shop. Although it would be a great spot to write a novel or doodle a masterpiece while you put your earphones in, we are HUGE fans of the eats and drinks you can get at BaseLine. Beer Flight and Bavarian Pretzel While we love their holiday treats (like the Gingerbread Cookies) and special desserts for events, we are VERY partial to BaseLine’s charcuterie board! All of that cheese and meat paired with one of the California-brewed beers or cider on tap might be the only way you’ll ever want to spend your afternoon in the park again. Charcuterie Board The beer flights, charcuterie, and massive pretzels here make for a great afternoon break. It’s located JUST outside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, so it makes a perfect pit stop after your trip to Batuu for a refuel! How well do YOU know Hollywood Studios? Put your knowledge to the test! Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Did you know that there’s an entire bar in Disney World based on the Indiana Jones films? Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar not only has great food, but it has fantastic theming too! Jock Lindsey is a pilot hired by Indiana Jones to help him explore the world (“Jock! Start the engine!”). But this time the spotlight is on the adventures that Jock has had himself! Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar You can catch pieces of planes, books, artifacts, and more around the restaurant (there’s even a giant diving bell you can sit in!). There’s also a missing pet snake named Reggie (hint: you can spy his cage…and he’s the namesake of the boat out back). Just don’t let Indy find him before you do! Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Outdoor Seating Jock Lindsey’s also has more than a few nods to the films around the bar, like the fertility idol from Raiders of the Lost Ark and a world map with all the places that Indiana Jones has visited. On one part of the map, you’ll notice that the paper has purposely been creased to block out the eye of Mara from the Indiana Jones Adventure — Temple of the Forbidden Eye in Disneyland! Jock Lindsey’s Map Perhaps the most unique detail about Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar is the story behind the actor who originated the role. Fred Sorenson was a pilot hired to fly the crew to the sets and locations of Raiders of the Lost Ark. However, Steven Spielberg liked him so much that he cast him as Jock! Although he only ever appears in Raiders of the Lost Ark, that wasn’t the end of his relationship with Steven Spielberg. Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Decor When Spielberg was filming Jurassic Park in Hawaii, a massive hurricane hit Kauai, which prevented flights from leaving the island. The crew was stranded there, so Spielberg called Sorenson, who flew out to rescue everyone à la Indiana Jones-style! As a memento of the occasion, Spielberg sent a dinosaur tooth to Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar so it could be hung on the wall behind the outside bar with the note “Jock, thanks for getting us off the island. -SS.” Now the real-life actor saving the crew part is true, but we’ve met Cast Members here who are positive the tooth is REALLY from Spielberg and others swear it’s not! You’ll have to decide for yourself! The Tooth Is Hidden in the Case at the Far Left Corner! While you’re admiring all the awesome details at Jock Lindsey’s, you can also try the Air Pirate’s Cargo Pretzel, which is a giant pretzel that comes with spicy German mustard, charcuterie, and BEER CHEESE (this is basically our Kryptonite). Plus, Jock’s even has some fun limited-time themed treats like the Temple of Bacon (which was just as awesome as it sounds) and Aladdin’s Flying Carpet Flatbreads every so often! Air Pirate’s Cargo Loaded Pretzel The drink menu is loaded with fun nods to the Indy films as well, like the Anything Goes (the song Willie sings in Temple of Doom) or The Scottish Professor (in Last Crusade, Indy’s dad, Professor Henry Jones Sr. was portrayed by Scotland’s own Sean Connery). Fans of the films or who just want a fun bar to explore and enjoy will love the Hangar Bar! Shhh! You’ll want to know these Disney World restaurant SECRETS! Ronto Roasters Let’s get RACING back over to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to visit Ronto Roasters! You might notice that there’s a podracing engine that’s been converted into a barbecue pit hanging from the ceiling. Star Wars fans will know that this is a nod to the podracing that happened throughout the prequels, starting with The Phantom Menace. Ronto Roasters The atmosphere in Ronto Roasters is pretty awesome since you can even see the “ronto meat” being hung up to prepare. Note that it’s surprisingly LOUD in this open-air restaurant (that podracing engine is WORKING hard, y’all!). Ronto Roasters is actually run by podracing fan, Bakkar, who has recruited former smelter droid 8D-JB to cook the ronto meat all. day. long. He Just Keeps Cooking That Meat! While there are plenty of unique eats in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (umm, Blue and Green Milk, everyone), Ronto Roasters boasts perhaps one of the most iconic snacks in the park! The Ronto Wrap has become a fan favorite with its “ronto meat” (AKA two kinds of pork), slaw, pita, and delicious peppercorn sauce. Ronto Wrap There’s also a Morning Ronto Wrap if you happen to be walking by after an EARLY morning trying to get on Rise of the Resistance (you can order the regular Ronto Wrap at breakfast as well!). The Endorian Chicken Wrap is also available if you’re not in the mood for that Ronto meat. Find out how you can make an EXTREMELY authentic Ronto Wrap at home! Hollywood Brown Derby Celebrities — they’re just like us. Right?? Well, now YOU can be just like a celebrity dining at the Hollywood Brown Derby! The restaurant is based on the iconic namesake in Hollywood where so many REAL Hollywood stars wined and dined throughout the years. Hollywood Brown Derby The restaurant pays homage to the restaurant’s second, and arguably more popular, location at 1628 North Vine Street spot with its incredibly faithful recreation of the interior. While you can find Hollywood Brown Derby’s famous caricatures on the walls (the gold-framed photos are actually ORIGINALS), there are photos of the actual location and memorabilia from throughout the Golden Age of Hollywood throughout the restaurant. Swanky Round Booths Although the restaurant has some great eats on its own, Hollywood Brown Derby also originated the iconic Cobb Salad, (supposedly) the Shirley Temple, and Grapefruit Cake. So, it’s practically a Hollywood Studios rite of passage to have all three of them! Cobb Salad, Shirley Temple, Grapefruit Cake Can’t score a reservation at the pricey location (it’s a Signature restaurant meaning it’s slightly more expensive out of pocket or two-dining credits on the Disney Dining Plan!)? The restaurant has an adjacent walk-up lounge that serves up fantastic drinks and many of the same food items inside the restaurant for less money! We’re big fans of the smaller-sized Cobb Salad here and a cocktail like the Grapefruit Cake Martini! These are 7 outdating things in Disney World we LOVE! Oga’s Cantina Yes, we know we already have one Star Wars spot on this list, but we HAD to include another! Oga’s Cantina is practically every Star Wars fan’s dream as you get to step into one of the most hopping bars in the galaxy. Oga’s Cantina in Disney World The bar is owned by Oga Garra who is a big, baddie “mob boss” in Black Spire Outpost. She’s tough and lets her employees do her bidding (she’s got better things to worry about!). So, while you may not see her in the cantina, her voice can be heard indoors and outdoors throughout the day. Oga’s Cantina Drinks on Tap in Disney World Although it’s swanky, the cantina is slightly run-down. It’s powered by a Hyperdrive that overloads pretty often. When this happens, the lights will flicker, DJ R-3X will power down, and Cast Members will have to slam a few hammers to “fix” things. You might even be recruited to help them out! Oga’s Cantina Hyperdrive While you’re there, you can try an array of drinks, but the Fuzzy Tauntaun is a must-try whenever you decide to visit (it makes your mouth numb!!). Fuzzy Tauntaun Plus, the detail in Oga’s is out of this world! Seriously, spend time checking out the crazy details in this bar including the Worrt that puffs out some eggs to be put in your drinks (he’s the little sluggy fella in the fish tank behind the bar!). The entertainment from the resident robot DJ is pretty awesome too, if we say so ourselves (we really just want a DJ R-3X and Sonny Eclipse headline tour ASAP). DJ R-3X This spot is mostly standing tables only, with very few tables lining the walls that you can actually sit. You also may be asked to share a table with other guests if your party is on the smaller side. Make some new friends and enjoy a few of the otherworldly drinks here! We REALLY need to talk about these bizarre snacks in Disney World! Crystal Palace We love character dining with an opportunity to see all our favorite friends in one place! Crystal Palace is just as sweet as honey as you can hug your pals from the Hundred Acre Woods AND snack on everything at the buffet. Crystal Palace Although there is a little bit of something for everybody at the buffet, the chefs aren’t opposed to making a little bit of extra magic. During my own experience there, a vegan party member has had special meals made for her on multiple occasions. Crystal Palace Buffet Our server would notify the chefs, who would come out to personally talk to us. Our party member was asked what she could eat and what she liked so the chef could make her a dish exclusive to her! If someone in your group has an allergy or dining restriction, make sure to mention this because there might be a little sumthin’ special that Crystal Palace can do for you! Crystal Palace In our experience, a late lunch at the Crystal Palace might be the way to go when you’re looking to get out of the peak heat and beat the crowds for a while. Plus, we just cannot get over how cuddly Pooh, Tigger, and the rest of the gang are!! Tigger Crystal Palace is a great pick for an early morning breakfast as well. You can get those rare crowdless pics in front of Cinderella Castle and enjoy some breakfast exclusives like Pooh’s Breakfast Lasagna or Puffed French Toast! Let’s play EAT THIS, NOT THAT in Magic Kingdom! San Angel Inn Although San Angel Inn in Epcot is a cool spot to chill out and eat some Mexican cuisine, this restaurant is ALL about the atmosphere. While you’re dining in the Mexico pavilion (like, literally IN the big pyramid), you can have a more intimate time with your family, friends, or significant other since it almost appears like you are outside under the moonlight! San Angel Restaurant Entrance You can also spot the boat rides from the Gran Fiesta Tour passing by as you eat and witness the beauty of the Mayan pyramid and volcano erupting in the distance. But, our FAVORITE part is the smell at San Angel Inn! Since the Gran Fiesta Tour is a water ride, it has the same Pirates of the Caribbean water scent! Gran Fiesta Tour So, if you’ve got any BIG Pirates of the Caribbean fans with you, San Angel Inn is a must-see spot! Plus, if you love margaritas, you just can’t go wrong here — the drinks are many of the same margs you’ll find at next-door La Cava el Tequila! Seating Area and Restaurant Scenery The food here is good, but not our favorite in all of Disney World. While you can find enchiladas and the like, it skews more towards authentic Mexican fare than Tex-Mex. But that killer view and theming (and yes, the water smell!) win us over every time. Will Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival be different this year? Here’s what we think! Although we especially miss these restaurants right now, we just can’t wait to sit down at a table-service spot or order a Dole Whip to go again inside the parks. There’s just something special about sitting down with your loved ones for a meal in the Most Magical Place on Earth! These are the Disney World restaurants you HAVE to see in 2020! What are some of your favorite restaurants in Disney World? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Disney News This Week: ALL the News and Updates from the Most Magical Places on Earth! Umm, Can We Talk For a Sec About These BIZARRE Snacks From Disney World?! DFB Video: 14 Must-Do Disney World Restaurants for 2020! View the full article

It’s no secret that Disney loves mountain-themed attractions. Disney has mountain-themed rides around the globe — four of which are in Disney World. These include Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain (which will be getting a BRAND NEW overlay soon!), and Expedition Everest. Expedition Everest How much do YOU know about the mountain ranges of Disney World? We have ten questions to test your knowledge! Approximately how many gallons of water does Splash Mountain hold? A) 480,000 gallons B) 965,000 gallons C) 720,000 gallons D) 690,000 gallons Splash Mountain CORRECT ANSWER: B) 965,000 gallons Splash Mountain holds quite a substantial amount of water to keep you cool on those hot Florida days! If you want to get the most out of those 965,000 gallons, sit in the front of the log. If you want to stay a little dryer, sit towards the back. Splash Mountain actually needed to delay their opening day because executives who tested the ride were getting way more SOAKED than Disney had anticipated, so certain parts of the ride needed to be redesigned. Although on Florida’s hottest days, we wouldn’t mind a complete drenching! See how else you can stay cool in Disney World by packing these essentials! Which of the four mountains in Disney World was among the first attractions to use computer-aided design, also known as CAD? A) Space Mountain B) Big Thunder Mountain Railroad C) Splash Mountain D) Expedition Everest Frontierland CORRECT ANSWER: B) Big Thunder Mountain Railroad The concept for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was originally thought up in the early 1970’s, but was shelved due to budget constraints. This delay turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as computer-aided design was in its earliest years when Big Thunder was finally approved to begin construction in 1977. Big Thunder Mountain The benefits of CAD included producing a much ‘smoother’ ride for passengers since a complete 3D model could be viewed in 360 degrees on a computer. If Big Thunder was built before CAD was implemented into theme park ride design, it would probably be an even bumpier and WILDER ride than it already is! Check out our Frontierland food tour! Which of the four mountains in Disney World got its name in the hopes that it could promote an upcoming film? A) Space Mountain B) Big Thunder Mountain Railroad C) Splash Mountain D) Expedition Everest Splash Mountain CORRECT ANSWER: C) Splash Mountain When the log flume ride was originally conceived and developed, its working name was Zip-A-Dee River Run. Splash Mountain Entrance The name was ultimately changed to Splash Mountain because then CEO Michael Eisner was hopeful that it would help promote the film Splash. Obviously, the Splash tie-in fell through and we have the mountain we know today! Want to learn more fun facts? Check out our article about some of Disney World’s opening day attractions! Which of the four mountains in Disney World offers a Single Rider Line? A) Space Mountain only B) Space Mountain and Expedition Everest C) Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain D) Expedition Everest only Single Rider Shirt CORRECT ANSWER: D) Expedition Everest only Currently, Expedition Everest is the only Disney World mountain that offers a Single Rider line, which allows guests to split up and ride separately in order to shorten their wait time. Expedition Everest Wait Time Single Rider is a great way to expedite your time in line, as long as everyone in your party is old enough to ride solo and you don’t mind splitting up! It may be an odd experience to some, but if you’re looking to maximize your time in the parks, we recommend you give it a try! The yeti in Expedition Everest stands at 25 feet tall! How many buttons are used to fasten his fur? A) 250 buttons B) 500 buttons C) 750 buttons D) 1,000 buttons Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom CORRECT ANSWER: D) 1,000 buttons With 1,000 square feet of fur to hold together, you need quite a lot of buttons! The yeti is also held together with 250 zippers. He is certainly an impressive audio-animatronic, but unfortunately, he was met with an early demise shortly after Expedition Everest’s opening. ©D23 Expedition Everest is actually three separate structures: the roller coaster, the mountain, and the yeti, which was constructed into the actual structural framework. Due to a miscalculation during construction, his swinging arm motion was causing structural damage to the attraction, and his movement needed to be turned off to prevent further damage. In order to provide some semblance of “motion,” Imagineers put a strobe light on the Yeti. What resulted is what fans lovingly refer to as “disco yeti,” due to the strobe effect that is present to simulate motion. If this were to be repaired, it would involve essentially dismantling large portions of the mountain and track to correct, which is likely why it hasn’t been done yet. Here are 12 fun facts about Animal Kingdom! Which of the four mountains in Disney World was based on an existing film? A) Splash Mountain B) Expedition Everest C) Space Mountain D) Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Splash Mountain CORRECT ANSWER: A) Splash Mountain Splash Mountain is loosely based off of the film Song of the South. The ride originally opened in Disneyland out of a desire to increase foot traffic to Critter Country, which occupied an empty corner of the park. Splash Mountain Imagineer Tony Baxter came up with the idea after considering repurposing the animatronics from the America Sings attraction, which was due to close at the time. He used all the animatronics (you’ll see most of them in the finale scene). Note that Splash Mountain will be re-themed in the near future to a Princess and the Frog attraction! Animatronics and ride technology have come a long way since Splash Mountain. Learn more here! Which of the four mountains in Disney World was originally developed as part of a larger land expansion? A) Space Mountain B) Big Thunder Mountain Railroad C) Expedition Everest D) Splash Mountain Chip ‘n’ Dale in Frontierland CORRECT ANSWER: B) Big Thunder Mountain Railroad The original concept for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was part of a larger land expansion at Magic Kingdom…sort of. Imagineers proposed a Thunder Mesa themed land, which would include a runaway mine train attraction and an ambitious, animatronic-heavy boat ride similar to Pirates of the Caribbean. When Magic Kingdom debuted in 1971, Cast Members were flooded with complaints from guests that Pirates had not been built in Florida’s Magic Kingdom after being so popular in Disneyland. Disney World almost immediately began construction on a cheaper, smaller version for Florida. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Eventually, Big Thunder was brought back to the table as the only surviving portion of the Thunder Mesa concept. Imagineer Tony Baxter reimagined the idea and it opened in Magic Kingdom in 1980. Read about more times Disney’s plans were scrapped here! Which of the four mountains in Disney World is technically located OUTSIDE of the park? A) Space Mountain B) Big Thunder Mountain Railroad C) Splash Mountain D) Expedition Everest TRON Rising Behind Space Mountain CORRECT ANSWER: A) Space Mountain If you look closely at a map of Magic Kingdom, you’ll notice that Space Mountain is on the other side of the Walt Disney World Railroad’s tracks. Those tracks are along the park’s “berm,” or perimeter. When Space Mountain was being designed, it was clear that it would be too large to fit inside Magic Kingdom’s perimeter. So they literally had to think “outside” the box! Magic Kingdom Park Map Ever notice how Space Mountain has a seemingly never-ending queue both on AND off the ride? When you are traveling down that “star corridor” to reach the main loading room of Space Mountain, you are actually walking underneath the railroad tracks! The upcoming TRON Lightcycle Run will also be located beyond the original perimeter of the park, and even necessitated new railroad tracks be laid! Learn more about the upcoming TRON attraction here! Which of the Disney World mountains can you actually pass through via a different attraction? A) Space Mountain only B) Splash Mountain only C) Space Mountain and Splash Mountain D) Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland CORRECT ANSWER: C) Space Mountain and Splash Mountain If you want a unique perspective on two of Magic Kingdom’s most popular attractions, you can do so by boarding a completely different ride! The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover passes through Space Mountain, and the Walt Disney World Railroad passes through the finale scene of Splash Mountain (note that as of this writing, the Walt Disney World Railroad is currently unavailable due to construction of TRON Lightcycle Run). Walt Disney Railroad Steam Train “In Residence” at Main Street, U.S.A. Station Those “lucky” enough to be riding the PeopleMover during one of Space Mountain’s downtimes may get an EXTRA special view of the attraction with the lights turned on! There’s really no way to plan this; it’s all a matter of timing! Check out some of these other totally unique Disney World experiences! Are you a Disney World mountain range pro? Did you SCALE this quiz to new heights? Disney World’s attractions are all full of rich history and tons of fun facts, so we hope you learned something new by taking this quiz! How many questions did you get right? Share your results in the comments! Related posts: Eight Lessons We Learned the Hard Way About Taking a BABY to Walt Disney World 6 Tips for Planning a Disney World Trip During Hurricane Season Can You Conquer These 5 Disney World CHALLENGES? View the full article

Hawaiian Rumble Adventure Golf offers a couple of BOGO deals. View the full article

We’ve been keeping an eye on the MagicBand options available to Disney World Resort hotel guests. MagicBand Options ©Disney And today we spotted some awesome new designs, including one that features one of our favorite discontinued Disney snacks — the Hei Hei Cone! The MagicBand options for Disney World Resort guests can change based on availability. So, when @schreiberjoe reached out on Instagram to give us a heads up about some new designs, we couldn’t wait to check them out! There were a few designs that have been added since we last checked our options — like this gorgeous Mickey Silver & Gold Rings MagicBand! Mickey Silver & Gold Rings MagicBand The 2020 Family Vacation MagicBand makes a great memento of your trip! 2020 Family Vacation MagicBand Or, you can celebrate someone’s very first time at Disney World with the Mickey First Visit MagicBand! Mickey First Visit MagicBand You can make an exciting statement with the I’m Going to Disney World MagicBand! I’m Going to Disney World MagicBand Or, rep your love of Disney races with the runDisney Mickey MagicBand! runDisney Mickey MagicBand But of all the new designs we spotted, there was one that had an extra-special place in our heart — the Disney Parks Food MagicBand! It features some iconic snacks like the Dole Whip and Mickey Waffle. But what’s this?? Our beloved Hei Hei Cone?? Yup, we need this MagicBand! Disney Parks Food MagicBand These MagicBands are now available to choose for Disney World Resort guests with upcoming vacations. But remember, designs are subject to availability, so if you see one you like, be sure to snag it fast! Check out this super summery MagicBand we spotted in Disney Springs! Which of these MagicBands do you like the best? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: FIRST LOOK At the 2019 International Festival of the Holidays Merch Coming to Epcot! This New Vintage Styled MagicBand Might be One of Our FAVORITES! HURRY! My Disney Experience Has Just Added Special Grand Flo and Riviera MagicBands! View the full article

Basketball fans, LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE! NBA Experience We learned earlier today that the official season schedule of the NBA at Disney World would be revealed today. The NBA has since released that official season calendar and game matchups that will take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney World! Those following the 2019-2020 NBA season will want to take note of the key dates and matchups that will take place once the season officially restarts on July 30! These games will each take place at one of the three indoor arenas at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Check out your favorite team’s schedule below! © NBA The season will commence with several rounds of seeding games to determine who is eligible to move on to the playoffs. © NBA Should the NBA Finals require seven games, they will continue to take up residency at Disney World until October 13 at the latest. © NBA As for the key dates, the following schedules was also released today on ESPN’s website: June 23: Transaction window opened for all 30 teams Two-way contracts can be converted Free agents can be signed Roster players can be waived June 23-30: Coronavirus testing begins June 27: Substitute two-way players can be signed (by teams playing in Orlando) June 28: Last day to waive a player (5:00 p.m. ET) June 30: Transaction window closes (11:59 p.m. ET) Last date to sign a contract 2019-20 team payroll is frozen Last date to convert a two-way contract July 1: Rosters set for Orlando July 1: Teams can sign a substitute player (for one who elects not to play in Orlando) Players who are replaced are not eligible for the remainder of the season July 1-9: Required individual workouts July 7-9: Participating teams travel to Orlando July 9-29: Team training camp and scrimmages July 30: Seeding games begin Aug. 15-16: Possible Eastern/Western conference play-in games Aug. 17: First round of the playoffs begins Aug. 31: Conference semifinals target date Sept. 15-28: Conference finals target date Sept. 30: NBA Finals target date Oct. 6: Last day to withdraw from the draft (international players) Oct. 13: Last day of the NBA Finals ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex We look forward to continuing covering this unprecedented NBA season that’s taking place at none other than Walt Disney World! Who would have thought we would be sharing BASKETBALL news with you all? Whether you have a favorite team or you are simply looking forward to seeing live sports on television again, the next few months will certainly be unlike anything we’ve seen before! Learn more about all the details from the NBA coming to Disney World here! Will you be watching the NBA season restart? Which team are you rooting for!? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: The NBA Discusses Latest Possible Play Off Dates and Hotel Arrangements in Disney World The Schedule for the NBA Games in Disney World Will Be Released Tonight! Disney World is Poppin’ With Pop Warner Merch! View the full article

The live-action remake of Mulan was originally scheduled to premiere on March 27th. ©Disney But, when movie theaters began closing both across the country and worldwide, Disney pushed the Mulan release date to July 24th, 2020. And now, the premiere has been delayed again. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney has now pushed the Mulan release date back to August 21st, 2020. Prior to the most recent delay, Mulan was positioned to be the first major film release once theaters reopened. The Official Mulan Poster ©Walt Disney Studios A number of other movie studios also announced delayed releases for upcoming films this week, including Warner Bros., which pushed the premiere of Tenet from July 31st to August 12th, and Paramount, which pushed the premiere of Without Remorse from October 2nd to February 26th, 2021. Here are all of the Disney live-action films being made now! Do you plan on seeing Mulan when it’s released in theaters? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Wanna Catch a Sneak Peek of Disney’s Live Action ‘Mulan’ in the Disney Parks? Here’s HOW Ya Can! Remember When Disney Had the WORST Timing Ever? News! Marvel Changes Release Dates for Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, and Thor Films! View the full article

Take a Ride Through the Making of Cars Land! | #DisneyMagicMoments View the full article

In June 2012, the reimagining of Disney California Adventure park culminated with the opening of Cars Land, an extraordinary and one-of-a-kind experience that transports guests to Radiator Springs and the world of Disney and Pixar’s “Cars.” Bringing this well-loved story from the screen to reality took the hearts, minds and talents of an incredible team. In this Behind the Magic video, Kathy Mangum, executive producer of Cars Land, and Roger Gould, Pixar’s creative director for theme parks, pull over to discuss Cars Land’s unique evolution, rich, vibrant story and what it was like to help dream up this special land. Cars Land continues to touch the hearts of so many, and combine creativity, innovation and technology, as only Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar can do. We can’t wait for guests to follow Route 66 into Radiator Springs, once again. In the meantime, celebrate the road ahead with this special look at Cars Land. Ka-chow! View the full article

Today is June 26th, and that means it’s time to celebrate the adorable troublemaker, Experiment 626 — Stitch! Stitch at Typhoon Lagoon Since “626 Day” is an unofficial holiday among Disney fans, we’ve seen specialty treats like the Experiment 626 Cone and the 626 Specialty Cake pop up in Disney World to mark the occasion in previous years. And this year, Captain Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort came through with a Stitch snack to celebrate the holiday! We snagged this adorable Stitch Cupcake that features our favorite blue alien! Stitch Cupcake This sweet treat is a vanilla cupcake topped with buttercream and toasted coconut! Hi Stitch! We love the way the blue buttercream icing makes it look like Stitch is catching a wave on a “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride!” Stitch Cupcake And it wasn’t just cute — we enjoyed the flavor too! The vanilla cake was good, although nothing new, and we liked the addition of the toasted coconut! Here’s a Look at the Cross-Section of the Cupcake! The 626 Day treats tend to be limited-time only releases, so this little cutie might not stick around after today. But if you’re staying at Polynesian Villiage Resort and have the chance to swing by Captain Cook’s, you can snag a Stitch Cupcake while supplies last! Check out this fun Stitch phone case we spotted in Disney World! Have you tried any of the 626 Day treats in Disney World? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Review: The Surfing Stitch Cupcake Has Landed in Disney World! #OnTheList: ‘Ohana Character Breakfast at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort We Found the Most Adorable Stitch Cake You’ll Ever See at Disney World’s Polynesian Village Resort View the full article

We’re LOVING all the rainbow merchandise we’re finding in Disney World to celebrate 2020 Pride Month. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Seriously, we’re apologizing to our wallets as we stock up on everything from Rainbow Mickeys to Rainbow Pins. Now we’ve spotted a SUPER CUTE new piece of rainbow merch — and it might be our favorite so far. Check out the Rainbow Mug we spotted in Disney Springs! This super fun cup has the awesome rainbow Disney graphic on the side and it is SO cute. Look at the rainbow handle!!! Rainbow Disney Mug Even better, the other side of the mug says “My Happy Place.” Well, no shocker here, but Disney IS our happy place. So, yes, this mug totally gets us. Rainbow Disney Mug You can get this mug for $14.99 RIGHT NOW at World of Disney in Disney Springs. You’ll have to race us there! Want to see more rainbow merch? Click here! Are you in LOVE with this rainbow mug? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: Peace, Love, and Tie-Dye! You’ve Gotta See These Rainbow Merch Items in Disney World! Disney’s Latest Merch Trend Continues With This NEW Retro Sweatshirt Collection 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

It’s been a confounding day for Disney fans, to say the least! Adventureland at Magic Kingdom While many Annual Passholders have been trying to learn the ins-and-outs of Disney’s Park Pass system so they can book their theme park reservations, Disney’s just dropped a huge bombshell on Pirates of the Caribbean fans! According to The Hollywood Reporter, a female-fronted Pirates of the Caribbean movie is in the works! Disney’s enlisted Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey‘s lead Margot Robbie to star in the project and she’ll be working with her writer (also from Birds of Prey), Christina Hodson. Margot Robbie and Christina Hodson | Craig Gibson The project only appears to be in its early stages, but producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who has been involved with the popular Pirates of the Caribbean franchise since its beginning, will also be involved. ©Disney There’s also a new Pirates of the Caribbean film currently in the works by writer Ted Elliott and creator of the series Chernobyl, Craig Mazin. That means TWO unique Pirates of the Caribbean projects are happening at ONE TIME! Will Redd make an appearance? What about Cap’t Jack?? What’s GOIN TO HAPPEN?! It’s still too soon to tell, but we’ll be following this female-lead project VERY closely! Until more details sail on by, check out which Disney movie franchise has just resumed filming its sequels here! Click here to read everything you need to know about the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland and Disney World! What do you think of a female-led Pirates film? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Check Out How Disney Fans Brought the Attractions Home With ‘Homemade Disney’! These 11 Disney Movie Quotes Are Honestly Our Truths Right Now Video Walks Us Through Shanghai Disneyland’s Re-Opening Plan! View the full article

The National Basketball Players Association and NBA have finalized their plans to finish the 2019-2020 season at Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex 22 NBA teams will return to complete their season in Disney World. And soon, we’ll know exactly when we can catch the games! The NBA is preparing to release the schedule for the 88 “seeding games” — which consists of eight games for each of the 22 teams that will be playing the remainder of the season. These games are set to begin on July 30th. NBA Experience And the schedule for the seeding games will be released TONIGHT! ESPN will air the NBA Countdown: NBA Schedule Release on Friday, June 26th, at 7 PM ET! The one-hour show will reveal the game matchups as well as the national television schedule for the games. NBA Experience at Disney World In addition to the schedule, the show will also cover a number of other topics, including a discussion about what life will be like for NBA players on and off the court at the Walt Disney World Resort. So, if you want to be the first to know what matchups to expect, be sure to tune in tonight! Click here to see how the NBA plans on keeping the players safe! Which NBA team will you be cheering for? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: NBA Confirms That Disney World is Being Considered as the Location to Finish the Season NEWS! The NBA Is One Step Closer to Finishing Their Season at Disney World! Could Walt Disney World Provide the Perfect Place for the NBA to Finish Its Season Right Now? View the full article

Something sweet is coming to Walt Disney World! Gideon’s Bakehouse is set to open in Disney Springs later this year and they just dropped the most delicious news! Gideon’s Cookies — Chocolate Chip The bakeshop is known for oversized cookies, specialty coffee, and uniquely tasty cakes. Gideon’s announced that they will be serving up LOT of their popular Cake Slices at the new Disney Springs location! While we wait for opening day, here’s a small taste of what’s we could see at Disney Springs in the future. Disney Springs’ relationship with Gideon’s started at The Polite Pig where they sold the infamous half-pound cookies. Now, Gideon’s is getting their very OWN shop in the Springs with more cookies and cakes than we can handle (well, almost!). Gideon’s shared that we can all expect to have to make the impossible decision between cookies and cake slices when they open in Disney Springs! Bourbon Chocolate Chip Cookie Gideon’s currently serves up a few varieties of giant Cake Slices. The daily choices are True Red Velvet and a Daily Chocolate Cake Slice option at their current location. They also offer up Chocolate Dipped Cookie Cake Slices, which feature thick slabs of their cookies with a generous coating of buttercream all dunked in chocolate. For $7 each, these hefty slices are practically MADE for sharing! ©Gideon’s Bakehouse Peanut Butter Buttercream Cake What we’re REALLY excited to check out are the Secret Cake Slices. These aren’t advertised and are ULTRA limited-time. Customers can get these if they spot it on their Instagram or Facebook, make a note of the secret password needed to secure a slice, AND get down to Gideon’s in time to get a piece! © Gideon’s Bakehouse — Key Lime Pie Cake We’re pumped to hear we can get all of these massive slices of cake at the new Gideon’s once it opens in Disney Springs! It’s going to be TOUGH to choose between those giant, incredible cookies and these slices of joy. We’ll stay strong for you guys and just try em all once they open. Learn More about Gideon’s Bakehouse and Their Exclusive Daily-Timed Cookie Drops! Does a slice of Key Lime Pie Cake sound good to you? Let us know what you might be looking forward to when Gideon’s arrives! Related posts: This New Disney World Cookie Already Has Undergone a HUGE Change! REVIEW: Head to the Tropics with Disney World’s NEW Piña Colada Crème Brûlée! Review and Pics: We’re OBSESSED with This NEW Holiday Burger in Disney Springs! View the full article

Like the rest of the Walt Disney World hotels, Shades of Green, a Disney World resort for military members and their families, temporarily closed in March. ©Shades of Green Resort But now that Disney World theme parks are set to begin a phased reopening starting on July 11th, several Disney World resorts have also released their resumptive dates. However, Shades of Green Resort has just extended its temporary closure again. The resort has now delayed its reopening from July 1st to July 15th. That means Shades of Green Resort will not reopen in time for Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s grand reopenings on July 11th, but is currently rescheduled to reopen on the same day as Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th. Shades of Green’s Website Although it’s technically owned by the United States Department of Defense, Disney’s confirmed Shades of Green resort guests count as Disney World resort guests (along with guests staying at other Good Neighbor hotels) when utilizing the Park Pass Reservation System. That means if you’ve booked a stay at Shades of Green Resort and have park tickets, you are currently eligible to make your Disney Park Pass reservations at this time. We’ll continue to update you in case anything changes, but for now, you’ll want to reach out to Shades of Green to modify your reservation if you had a resort stay planned for the first two weeks of July. Click here to see how the new Disney Park Pass system works! Are you planning on visiting Disney World this summer? Let us know when you’ll be going in the comments below. Related posts: News! Disney World’s Shades of Green Resort Set to Remain Closed Until Mid-May News! Vivoli il Gelato Will NOT Be Reopening Today in Disney Springs Who Counts as a “Disney World Resort Guest” For the Reopening? We’ve Done Some Digging! View the full article

Christmas comes year-round at the Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe. This cheery little shop has finally re-opened along with the rest of Disney Springs AND they got some new decorations to add to your collection! Jungle Cruise Christmas is six months away, but we think this a great time to stock up on holiday cheer! On our latest visit, we spotted some NEW and quirky ornaments based on Walt Disney World’s Jungle Cruise. These cuties would make Dr. Albert Falls proud. This awesome ornament set has an almost Dr. Seuss-like style to the figures. Not something you often see when it comes to classic Disney ornaments! We’re picturing a whole tree made of jungle elements based on these cuties. Throw on some rope, a few shrunken heads, and maybe a few wooden oars (if your tree is big enough). Jungle Cruise Ornament Set The whole set costs $39.99. Here’s a close-up of a very cheeky elephant. (Thank goodness he’s still got his trunks on!) See what we mean by Dr. Seuss?? I’m getting a Horton Hears a Who vibe. If looks could kill. This tiger is on the PROWL, perched on top of a very familiar pile of rocks. We wouldn’t take this scary guy for granite! Jungle Cruise Tiger Ornament Just look at those chubby little Rhino legs. This may be the only time we weren’t completely terrified when faced with a rhinoceros. Jungle Cruise Rhino Ornament Which brings us to our absolute FAVORITE scene in all of Jungle Cruise. The part where that same rhino is accosting a couple of adventurers up a pole. These guys are sure to get the point…in the end! Jungle Cruise Ornament It wouldn’t be a Jungle Cruise set without the classic Jungle Cruise sign. We think this one would look the best right in the middle of the tree! This ornament set will give us our Jungle Cruise fix until the real Jungle Cruise re-opens at Disney World. And if you don’t want to spend your cash on these ornaments, I hear Trader Sam has a pretty good deal on shrunken heads. Two of his heads for just one of yours. Either way you slice it, you’ll always come out ahead! Want more Disney merch? Check out what’s new at World of Disney since the grand re-opening! Will these Jungle Cruise ornaments grace your tree this year? Have any other Disney Christmas tree ideas? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Black Friday Shopper Alert! Disney Springs Announces Deals For Biggest Shopping Day of the Year! Go on a Grand Circle Tour of Tomorrowland With the NEW PeopleMover Hat in Disney World! You’ve NEVER Shopped in Disney World Like This Before View the full article

Due to the global health crisis, a face mask is becoming an essential piece of clothing right up there with a Disney spirit jersey and a cute Loungefly backpack, especially when at Walt Disney World. Rainbow Mickey Face Mask If you’re like us, you were SUPER excited when Disney released their character face masks a few months ago. After all, if you have to wear a face mask, it might as well have Baby Yoda on it. Well, it definitely took a little while for the shopDisney masks to ship, and when they did — some folks were a little disappointed. So what’s the problem? Well…lots of guests who received their masks started to notice they run VERY small. A medium mask, which for most mask types would comfortably fit most adults, was almost painfully tight around one of our team member’s ears! And the small masks we received were WAY too small even for our six-year old mask tester (they’re basically infant masks). Most of the masks listed on the shopDisney site have a rating between one and three stars out of five. Yikes. Complaints range with most of them focusing on sizing and comfort issues. So, if your shopDisney masks have arrived and are leaving you a little disappointed — here’s what you can do! Ask shopDisney for a Refund First off, you can ask shopDisney for a refund. Now, keep in mind that returns processing is delayed with the current events, so this may take a while. Still, if you are REALLY unhappy with your masks, you can send them back. Face Mask Sizing Guide According to the shopDisney return policy, they will gladly exchange, refund, or credit the purchase directly from shopDisney if returned within 30 days of the shipping date. Keep in mind though, returned items have to be NEW in the original, unopened packaging with tags and tickets attached. The policy states, “no returns or exchanges will be accepted if the merchandise has been used or worn.” So, if you tried your mask on and decided it wasn’t for you, you might have some problems returning it. Still, if you think that your masks will be accepted (maybe you ordered multiple packages and just tried on one), you can return them using the pre-addressed label attached to the packing slip in your shipment. Disney-themed Cloth Face Masks ©Disney For any questions or concerns about returning your masks, you can reach out to shopDisney directly at (800) 328-0368 or via an email form. We’re REALLY hoping we can return these and get a larger size! See If You Can Alter It If refunds don’t work for you, see if you can make some alterations so that it hits the mark a little better. If the body of the mask is too small, sew (or ask a friend who can sew) to add on some extra coverage. Then you get to keep the fun design while still getting the fit you’re looking for! Face Mask If the elastics are the problem, there are a few solutions you can try. For one, you can try to extend the loops by attaching cloth or elastic to the existing loops to give them more size, or create a behind-the-head tie mask. There are also some products that can help with comfort issues! Face masks for sale at Bayview Gifts You can pick up some ear hooks to help take the pressure off of your ears so that the weight of the mask sits against the back of your head or some ear protectors to give the mask a more cushioned feel. Click here to buy some ear hooks for yourself! Gift the Mask to Someone Else So, if you can’t refund them, and no matter the alterations (maybe you are totally NOT a professional seamstress and don’t even want to bother!) that Baby Yoda mask is just NOT sitting comfortably on your face, think about gifting it to someone else! We all need masks right now, and everyone has their preferences. Maybe a too small mask is just right for one of your kids or a friend. Cast Members Wash your mask and ask around! You might make someone’s day and get the masks off your hands! Do Some Research and Get a Better Mask So, what to do when the shopDisney masks are out of your hands? It’s time to get a better mask! Figure out what kind of mask will suit YOU best. For instance, if ear pain is an issue, opt for a mask with elastic that goes around the head instead, or swing for a gaiter style mask if you don’t like the straps at all! American Threads Face Masks at Disney Springs We’ve taken a SERIOUS look into what the best type of mask is to wear in a theme park all day. If you wanted these masks for your return to Disney, then you’ll want to take a look at how to find the best and most comfortable mask to wear ALL DAY! Even if your foray into shopDisney masks was a bust, you can still find a mask that’s cute AND comfortable if you look around! Click here for ALL of our tips on which masks are the most comfortable in Disney World! Did YOU get a Disney mask from shopDisney? What did you think? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: The 16 Cutest Disney Face Masks We’ve Seen So Far! Disney Character-Themed Cloth Face Masks Now Available for Pre-Order Online NEWS: Disney World Is Now Selling Character Face Masks View the full article

Annual Passholders WITHOUT resort stays now have access to Disney’s Park Pass system in addition to guests who had valid admission and hotel reservations. So far, many APs have successfully booked their theme park dates. Magic Kingdom But with all of that hoopla out of the way (and yes, it’s been a bit of a fiasco!), you might be wondering WHEN Disney World plans on opening up registration for the Annual Passholder previews at the theme parks. They’re currently scheduled to take place on July 9th and 10th — which seems to be approaching FAST! Yup — we’re kinda running out of time here! But so far, Disney has only shared with us a few details regarding the AP previews. Magic Kingdom We received an email moments ago that stated, “As a reminder, Weekday Select, Theme Park Select, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus and Premier Passholders will have the opportunity to register for a special preview at Magic Kingdom Park or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park on July 9th or 10th.” Temple Shrine “Email invitations with additional preview registration details will be sent out soon.” Annnnd that’s pretty much it! But we also know reservations will be required and limited, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. In order to register, you must have an eligible activated annual pass and 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. Animal Kingdom So basically, while Disney keeps sharing that registration is coming “soon,” that’s the last we’ve all heard on the matter. We’re keeping our ears to the ground for anything concerning the Passholder Previews and will let you know as soon as we learn anything. Disney World’s phased reopening of the theme parks is set to begin on July 11th, so for now, whether you’re an Annual Passholder or a part ticket holder, we’re all waiting for more info to plan our next trip to the parks. For now, you can familiarize yourself with EVERYTHING that will be reopening at Disney World starting July 11th by clicking here, and we hope to provide more details regarding the AP previews soon! Click here to see what our readers have been experiencing with Disney’s Annual Pass park booking launch! Will you be jockeying for a spot at Disney World’s Annual Passholder previews? Let us know if you’re hoping to go to Magic Kingdom or Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the comments below! Related posts: Confirmed: Disney World Will Offer Annual Passholder Previews Club 33 and Golden Oak Members Can Also Attend Disney World’s Early Previews! Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park Pass Reservations Are FULL for July 14th…BUT More Might Be Coming! View the full article

For the last few months, we’ve seen many large public gatherings canceled. Disney World’s 2020 Star Wars Rival Run Weekend was canceled in March. Walt Disney World Resort entrance And earlier this month, 2020’s Star Wars Celebration was canceled while Disneyland After Dark Star Wars Nite was also delayed. Now another fan event has been rescheduled for 2021. D23 announced earlier today via Twitter the Destination D “Fantastic Worlds” event, which was slated for November of 2020 is being pushed back to an undisclosed date in 2021. Screenshot From D23’s Twitter Traditionally, the event takes place in Walt Disney World, and alternates years with D23’s largest event, the D23 Expo. With the Expo still on the books to take place at Disneyland in 2021, it looks like many Disney fans might be visiting BOTH coasts next year to experience these events. Destination D At this time, D23 hasn’t announced a new date for the event, but we’ll let you know as soon as they do so that you’ll be able to start making your plans accordingly! Were you planning on going to the Destination D event in November? Let us know if your trip was impacted in the comments below. Related posts: NEWS! The 2020 Lineup of D23 Events Has Been Announced! Remember When Disney Had the WORST Timing Ever? Here’s a Roundup of Every Cancellation and Postponement Officially Announced By Disney! View the full article

While we have been on the ground over the past several weeks covering the ongoing phased reopening of eateries and shops in Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs, we have some very recent closures to report as well. Dockside Margaritas earlier today Earlier today, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation announced that on-premise consumption at bars or businesses that “derive more than 50 percent of gross revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages” is now banned in Florida, effective immediately. In light of the new order, one popular spot to grab a cold cocktail — Dockside Margaritas in the Marketplace — closed down this afternoon until further notice. Dockside Margaritas joins Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar — which had just reopened yesterday — in closing. In fact, we happened to be strolling by as the service windows were being shuttered. Dockside Margaritas this afternoon We’ll be keeping you posted on further developments in both Disney Springs and the rest of Walt Disney World as the Resort has also reopened select hotels to guests as of this past Monday, June 22nd. To find out the latest information on Disney Parks and destinations around the world, you can visit any of the links below. Related posts: The Year in Review: Top Disney Food News Stories of 2015! What’s NEW At Disney Springs? A WHOLE LOT! Check it out…. Review! The Watermelon Margarita Has Some Serious Competition in Disney World… View the full article

The Walt Disney Company has been a proud supporter of FIRST, the world’s leading youth-serving nonprofit advancing STEM education, for over 25 years. Disney has a long history of innovating with technology to bring beloved characters and stories to life in more imaginative and immersive ways and we are committed to leveraging our expertise to provide inspiration and opportunity to the next generation of innovators. This week, FIRST’s annual Global Innovation Award will feature 20 semi-finalist teams (out of 40,000 possible teams representing 100 countries), who have worked together all year during the FIRST RISE, powered by Star Wars: Force for Change season in hands-on, team-based robotics challenges, embodying the spirit of Disney innovation and developing the skills they need to create the futures they imagine. Students will explore what it means to be an innovator, and find solutions for today’s societal problems to impact the world for generations to come. FIRST LEGO League Challenge (students ages 9-16) teams have been tasked with developing an Innovation Project — identifying unique solutions in their community and reimagining how to make their city or town a better place for everyone. Drawing inspiration from the community of Black Spire Outpost found at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Walt Disney Imagineering will be presenting unique educational opportunities during the event featuring behind the scenes looks at the development of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance given by Walt Disney Imagineers. Disney’s work with FIRST is rooted in one simple commonality: a shared mission to inspire big dreams. FIRST is at the forefront of inspiring kids to dream big and reach their potential through science and technology. See where these students’ paths to change the future begin during the Global Innovation Award broadcast on Saturday, June 27 at 11:00 a.m. ET / 8:00 a.m. PT on FIRSTtv. To learn more about how Disney is supporting the next generation of innovators and storytellers click HERE! To learn more about FIRST and how to get involved, click HERE! View the full article

Indy fans were lined up yesterday with their bullwhips and fedoras in hand to enjoy a Reggie’s Revenge at their favorite Disney Springs bar yesterday. Reggie’s Revenge That’s because Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar had officially reopened after being shuttered for many months. But it didn’t last for long… . As you’re probably now aware (especially if you reside in the state of Florida) The Department of Business and Professional Regulation has just heavily cracked down on alcohol sales state-wide. On-premise consumption at bars or businesses that “derive more than 50 percent of gross revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages” is now banned in Florida and the emergency order went into effect immediately. Inside Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar While Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar DOES offer food, the majority of its sales come from its drinks. Therefore, the Indiana Jones-themed watering hole has had to shut down once more — just a little over 24-hours since it had first reopened. Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Guests who were inside when the Executive Order came through were allowed to finish their drinks and after that, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar was locked up. Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Closed We’re currently checking on other bars and other locations that serve both food and drinks — we’ll report back with our findings soon. Learn more about these new changes by clicking here. We stopped by Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar while it was open yesterday! See what it was (very briefly!) like here! Are you surprised that Jock Lindsey’s has closed? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Related posts: Confirmed: Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company Will Be Reopening in Disney Springs on May 20th Review: We’re Trying Starbucks’ New “Welcome Back” Drink in Disney World! Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill Has Reopened (Once Again) in Disney Springs! View the full article

World of Disney in Disney Springs has been THE SPOT to find cute kitchen gear lately! That’s where we spotted these Fab Four Towel Sets a while back, as well as a bunch of character-themed pot holders and aprons last week! Fab Four Towels And now, it looks like we just found another piece of the collection that’s going to help us incorporate even more Disney magic into the most-used room of our house! You can stir, whip, and mix up some fun with these new Disney Character Spatulas we spotted at Disney Springs today! Disney Character Spatulas You get two silicone spatulas with plastic handles for $19.99. This set resembles Donald and Goofy — and it an exact match to the kitchen towels we discovered earlier! Disney Character Spatulas Goofy and Donald were the only guys hangin’ around, but we’ll keep you posted on whether or not a Mickey and Minnie Spatula Set arrives — fingers crossed! Disney Character Spatulas In the meantime, these will be perfect to use with non-stick pots and pans since silicone won’t scratch their protective coatings. And just like all our beloved Disney coffee mugs, plates, and bowls — these guys are hand-wash only. Disney Character Spatulas We’ve been spending a LOT more time in our kitchen at home, so all these new Disney character-themed kitchen accessories are a hit with us! We’ll keep you posted if we find any more cuties hanging around World of Disney. Until then, we’ll be drying some dishes with our character towels! Check out 6 super-weird things that happened to us at the newly reopened Disney World resorts this week here! Do you have any Disney accessories in your kitchen? Tell us what your favorite ones are in the comments below! Related posts: Grab Your Wallets — ULTRA NEW Frozen 2 Costumes Have Arrived in Disney World! What Time Is It? It’s Always “Snack Time” With This New Watch in Disney World! Do You Love Marie or Pluto? Then You’re Gonna Love These NEW Disney Pets Loungefly Backpacks! View the full article

In light of recent events, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation has announced a statewide ban of on-premises alcohol consumption at bars, effective immediately. Disney Springs Since we’re currently at Disney Springs, we’ve been able to speak with a few Cast Members to see what implications this order has on Disney World. According to the Cast Members we spoke to, Orange County officials have said Disney Springs restaurants are still OK to serve alcohol — the only locations that are no longer being permitted to serve alcohol are locations that make less than 50% of their income from food sales. This is the result of an emergency order that was just signed into effect by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation under the instruction of the Governor. This means VERY quickly, we spotted a number of locations begin to close their doors in Disney Springs. Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, which just reopened yesterday AND has a food menu has just closed down today (after we had just enjoyed a lovely cocktail there mere hours before!). Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Guests were being allowed to finish their drinks when the order came in, but afterward, the restaurant closed down. The ruling states any business must close that will “derive more than 50 percent of gross revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages.” Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Hole in the Wall was still serving today since they’re connected to Raglan Road and Cookes of Dublin. Hole in the Wall But other places like Dockside Margaritas, which doesn’t serve food or connect to a restaurant, have had to close. Dockside Margaritas Disney Springs’ pop-up bars have also shut down. Closed Pop-up Bars In response to an increase of coronavirus cases across the state, Florida Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings announced last week that face masks are now mandatory in public spaces. Through contact tracing, health officials have linked several cases to bars and nightclubs in Central Florida, which has led to this recent decision. We’ll continue to provide you with more updates as additional information becomes available! Have you been to Disney Springs since several restaurants have reopened? Let us know if you’ve visited in the comments below. Related posts: What’s New at Disney Springs — Cauldron Bath Bombs, Duck Tales Merch, And WonderFall Treats Galore! Here’s a Look at What the Crowds Were Like at Disney Springs Today FIRST LOOK: The NEW Disney World Signage You’ll See When The Parks Reopen View the full article

Last weekend marked International Yoga Day! To celebrate, we hosted hundreds of cast members for a cast-exclusive yoga event at Shanghai Disney Resort and provided thousands more all over the world with digital event offerings. Today you’re invited to join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the #DisneyMagicMoment that took place! At Disney we’re focused on providing our cast members with resources and offerings to promote self-care and wellness all year long. These International Yoga Day offerings are just one of the many ways that we support our cast in their wellness journeys. Now, let’s take a trip to Shanghai Disney Resort to see an incredible look into of how our cast celebrated International Yoga Day! More than 200 cast members joined Mickey Mouse and the Shanghai Disney Resort Ambassadors, Eleven and Fiona, in rolling out their yoga mats in front of the Enchanted Storybook Castle. While following local health and safety measures in Shanghai, cast enjoyed the relaxing yoga session paired with a tranquil view of the sun rising over the castle. “It’s a day to slow down, take a deep breath and focus your mind,” said Cici Li, Vice President of Human Resources at Shanghai Disney Resort. “I’m so happy to be able to celebrate International Yoga Day here in front of the Enchanted Storybook Castle. I hope that today’s cast can learn a couple of poses that they can practice at home to stay fit and healthy.” The rest of our parks around the world celebrated digitally – from a virtual yoga instruction led by prominent instructor Tara Stiles for Disneyland Paris to weeklong digital yoga classes available for Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort to a virtual yoga class led by cast member Mandy at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, our cast members united for wellness celebrations across the globe. Especially during these times, we’re proud to host experiences like these for our cast members. Stay tuned for more stories from Disney Parks and until then – Namaste and be well! View the full article