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Disney’s Park Pass system went live this morning for Annual Passholders (who didn’t have a resort stay) to make their Disney World theme park reservations. All guests are now required to have both a park ticket and reservation to visit during Disney World’s phased reopening. Disney Park Pass Screenshot The system came up early, and although it was sailing along a lot smoother than its initial launch, things were still very messy. There are more conflicting reports than ever before now that Annual Passholders without a hotel reservation have been able to access the system. That’s why we want to share with you what some of our readers saying and what our own personal experience has been with using Disney Park Pass today. The Annual Passholder “Either-Or” Issue Disney announced Annual Passholders (without resort reservations) are allowed to make THREE days of Disney Park Pass reservations at one time, OR if they have a Disney World resort stay booked, they can reserve park passes for the length of their vacation. We were told you CAN’T have both by multiple Disney PR reps and Disney cast members. Disney Park Pass Screenshot Click here to learn how to deal with the most common glitches in the Disney Park Pass’! But some Annual Passholders reported this morning that they WERE able to make reservations apart from their resort stays so it appears there are some discrepancies occurring in certain cases. At this time, some guests are being told that the “bonus days” were glitches that Disney’s IT team has now fixed. More Than Three Days In addition to booking separate days on top of their resort stay, APs were also stating they were able to book more than three days without a hotel reservation if they weren’t holding on to a park pass for a later date. Park Pass calendar screen shot Check out our Disney Park Pass FAQ here! But others who contacted us could not book separate days on top of their resort stay. One of our AP readers tried booking three days in February 2021, but he had already booked park passes for a seven-day resort stay in October, so he wasn’t allowed. One of our team members here at DFB, who had previously booked hotel reservation-connected park passes was able to book 5 floating AP park passes, while the other member of her traveling party who wasn’t on the hotel reservation could only book three days. We heard some Annual Passholders say they could book up to a total of 16 park passes if they had hotel reservations and more than three reservations if they picked earlier dates. Rapidly Changing Availability for Annual Passholders One of the things we noticed right away this morning was how quickly dates were filling up. Right around 7 AM EST was when most Annual Passholders seemed to hop onto the system (if they could even log on — several could not), we saw dates changing from green to yellow quickly! While it does appear Disney added more spots for previously filled-up dates at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, either they didn’t add additional passes for July 11th and 12th at Magic Kingdom or Disney’s Animal Kingdom OR any additional capacity added blew out the door almost instantly. Disney Park Pass Reservation Even though Annual Passholder park passes were being snatched up left and right, Resort Guest availability was staying pretty much the same. Magic Kingdom booked up for APs from July 11th through the 14th and then the 18th as well, but was still showing availability for hotel guests. Certain Dates Were Unavailable for Annual Passholders, But Open For Resort Guests This shows us that it seems the limited capacity isn’t in just one bucket. There seem to be separate availability caps for APs and hotel guests. Resort Guest Calendar This means if you’re a resort guest, you get to draw from the pool of resort guest Park Passes, and if you’re an Annual Passholder, you’ll take from the pile of reservations set aside specifically for APs. There doesn’t appear to be any overlap. We’ll see what happens on Sunday when all ticket-holders can book park passes! Disney Park Pass Reservation These theme park reservations are available through September 26, 2021, for both resort guests and Annual Passholders but park passes are subject to availability. Can’t Book Park Passes After Your Annual Pass’ Expiration Date Since Disney hasn’t extended many Annual Passes in their system yet, we were unable to reserve park passes after our annual pass expiration date. This might be a problem some of our readers have been encountering without realizing it. Walt Disney World Annual Passholder For instance, one of our readers was unable to make park reservations for days that should have been available. When she tried to book a reservation for July 21st (a date that shows all parks available), she got an error message saying she had already reached her limit. This might have been the reason for the glitch, but the system is still having a lot of variances. We’re still working through all the comments from our readers and compiling our Disney’s Park Pass FAQ with all the latest knowledge we’ve been able to piece together, so stay tuned for more important updates regarding Annual Passholder park passes! Were you able to make your park passes this morning? Tell us what your experience was like in the comments below! Related posts: Will Disney World Add More Park Pass Availability For Passholders and Ticket Holders This Week? NEWS! Some Disney World Annual Passes Now Display Extended Expiration Dates Confirmed: Disney World Will Offer Annual Passholder Previews View the full article

In celebration of the new series, Into the Unknown: Making of Frozen 2, (which is now streaming on Disney+!) shopDisney is having a super mysterious SALE! ©Disney But instead of knowing how much money you’ll save, you have to venture “into the unknown…” with your online shopping cart! The Frozen Mystery Savings Event is today and TODAY only! And how it works is probably a little bit different than you’re used to! By adding a Frozen-themed item to your “bag”, you’ll reveal the DEAL! ©shopDisney You won’t know what the discount will be until you add your item, so for example, we chose this (gorgeous) Queen Anna Deluxe Costume which normally costs $79.99. ©shopDisney Once we added it to our bag, we saw they’d taken $16 off the price — not a bad savings considering how expensive these costumes usually run! ©shopDisney The offer only seems to apply to Frozen-themed products, so any non-Frozen-related merch you add to your basket (like the Pirates of the Caribbean Backpack or new Rainbow Mickey Alex and Ani Bracelet) won’t be discounted. We hope you enjoy stocking up on this big summer blowout! Hey, neon lovers! This new Disney parks neon collection is totally for you! Did you take advantage of the Frozen Mystery Savings Event? Tell us how much money you saved in the comments below! Related posts: The NEW Frozen 2 Funko Pops Are Melting Our Hearts! NEW Frozen 2 Alex and Ani Bracelets Arrive in Disney World! Frozen 2 Kipling Collection Makes Epic Debut in Disney Springs View the full article

We’re just a few short weeks away from Disney World’s grand re-opening to guests! Grand Floridian Resort The Disney Park Pass Reservation System has gone live, and the Disney Resorts have started to open across the Disney property. We have lists of attractions that will be reopening as well as restaurants ready to welcome everyone back to the parks, there’s still a lot to consider about how your Disney World vacation is going to change. In response to some of these changes, the TUI travel agency, which is Europe’s most prominent travel and tourism company, will be canceling all U.K. vacations to Florida until December, according to Yahoo! Finance. TUI has made this decision after reviewing Disney World’s new health and safety protocols, like the use of face coverings, temperature screenings, and limited capacity. UK Pavilion The company has stated that these health and safety guidelines would “significantly impact the holiday experience” for guests traveling from the UK. TUI is allowing its customers to delay their Florida vacations until next year, change their destinations entirely, or get a full refund. United Kingdom Pavilion TUI has stated that it “commits to only operating holidays where it’s able to guarantee an enjoyable, relaxing and safe holiday without significant changes at their destination.” However, the company will still be hosting vacation packages to eight destination from Spain to Greece starting July 11th, if travel restrictions allow them to do so. Rose and Crown in the UK Pavilion At this time, the government has encouraged travelers to only take essential trips. However, there may be changes coming soon to the travel industry as regulations are changes as early as next week in the U.K. As Disney World pushes forward with its July 11th and July 15th re-opening dates, we’ll keep you updated on everything new happening in the parks! Here are all the stores, attractions, and entertainment that will be re-opening in Disney World soon! Are you a U.K. resident who had upcoming plans to come to Disney World? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: BREAKING NEWS: Disney World Transportation UPDATES That Are Coming SOON. We’ve Gotten a LITTLE Hint About the NBA’s Housing at Disney World! 5 Disney World CHANGES That Aren’t Nearly as Bad As We’d Imagined View the full article

Good news! The wicked Maleficent dress we found on shopDisney finally showed up at The Disney Dress Shop in Disney Springs! This dress would be a perfect addition to other dark side Disney dresses like the Hocus Pocus or Darth Vader dress. Marketplace Co-op The dress shop is located inside the Marketplace Co-Op where you can find a bunch of fun little stores like D-Tech for your phone case and MagicBand needs, and Wonderland Gallery where you can take home some Disney art. Coincidentally, Marketplace Co-Op is also where you can also pick up the super popular Disney masks. But we’re here for this villainous outfit! The dress is inspired by Maleficent, the villain from Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. This dastardly dress costs $128. Maleficent Dress from The Disney Dress Shop The detailing on the skirt features the Queen of Darkness herself. She’s framed by billowing green flames and brambles. Detailing on the Maleficent Dress The BEST detail of all is the raven that’s embroidered on the back shoulder. A nod to Maleficent’s best henchman who discovered Princess Aurora hidden in the woods. Raven Stitched on the Back of the Maleficent Dress Who says villains can’t have style? The dress features a sweetheart neckline and a full skirt to make you feel powerful and glamourous. Maleficent Dress Neckline Stop by the Marketplace Co-Op to check out the Maleficent dress and all the other cute outfits they’ve got in stock! Can’t make it to Disney Springs to pick it up? No worries! You can still get it online at shopDisney.com Ready for a Disney Springs shopping spree? Check out what’s new at World of Disney! Will you be adding the Maleficent dress to your collection? Let us know if this dress is the right fit for you! Related posts: Hold the Phone!! We Are Loving The New Additions to the ABCDisney Collection! What’s New at Disney Springs! NEW Menu Items; Missing Menu Items; The CUTEST Valentine’s Day Cards; and FREE Cupcakes! Spotted: The Alice in Wonderland Dress Makes its Disney Springs Debut! View the full article

We’ve been busy gettin’ our grub on since Disney Springs re-opened! So far, we’ve re-visited old favorites like Homecomin’, Planet Hollywood, and Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar. Now, we’re BACK exploring one of Disney Springs’ newest restaurants, City Works Eatery & Pour House. City Works Eatery & Pour House The sports bar is located right next to The NBA Experience on the Westside of Disney Springs. While the NBA Experience hasn’t re-opened quite yet, the dinner we had at City Works was nearly a SLAM DUNK. City Works is known for the 3 B’s: beer, ball games, and big-screen televisions. When we talk about gourmet food, it’s not the first Disney restaurant that comes to mind. (Although, the Peanut Butter Snickers Pie is pretty dang good.) We’ve enjoyed the food we’ve had at City Works in the past, but it always had more of a mass-chain style flavor and presentation to the grub here. City Works Beer Menu Venturing back, we were pleasantly surprised to find a meal that went beyond our expectations and even made us break a sweat (but more on that later!). Atmosphere Inside, there’s a HUGE bar, big-screen TVs lining the walls, and plenty of plushy booths. It’s loud. It’s fun. It’s got a lot of beer. Due to the social distancing guidelines, some bar stools have been removed or separated to keep space between parties. Inside City Works — Bar Stools are Separated to Practice Social Distancing Some tables are unavailable to allow for space between guests as well. City Works Social Distancing Table Sign Outside, there’s plenty of seating and a new outdoor bar for to-go drinks. They are currently building an awning that will help shield outdoor tables from the sun and rain. City Works Outdoor Bar for Drinks On-the-Go We’ll be checking out an outdoor brunch under their awning as soon as we can! Click here to learn more about the To-Go window at City Works! Eats Like most Disney Springs restaurants, City Works is providing limited menus while they ramp up again. Some restaurants are allowing you to scan a QR code that pulls up the menu online while others are sticking with disposable paper menus. City Works Limited Menu Unfortunately, City Works’ popular Happy Hour hasn’t returned yet. But at least the Rock N’ Roll Brunch is back! They are hoping Happy Hour comes back real soon too! Rock N Roll Brunch Menu They still have ALL their beers on tap and some cocktails. We went ahead and tried the Beermosa. Beermosa – A cocktail made with Bottlenectar beer, orange juice, and Tanqueray This summery mixed drink costs $13 and is made with Bottlenectar beer, Tanqueray, and orange juice. The Bottlenectar beer is brewed just for City Works! This drink was really refreshing! It was almost like a boozier version of a shandy. We could sip this on the outdoor patio on a hot day for sure! City Works is known for turning up the heat in some of their popular dishes like the Kung Pao Cauliflower or layin’ it on thick with the Bacon Cheeseburger made with house-smoked candied thick-cut bacon. We’re big fans of spicy, so we went with the flamin’ hot Scorpion Burger. Scorpion Burger The burger costs $18 and comes topped with habanero pepper jack, jalapeños, five pepper jam, arugula, vine-ripened tomato, scorpion pepper aioli. Oh, and a side of crispy seasoned fries. Glorious Scorpion Burger and Some Fries to Wash it Down We asked for the burger medium-rare and were pleasantly surprised when the burger actually came out medium-rare. (We stan a made-to-order burger.) The sweetness from five pepper jam balanced nicely with the jalapenos and peppers. The patty was good quality and it was served on a buttery brioche bun. A Disney burger that’s actually medium-rare?! Blessed be! So, was this burger actually hot?? Another pleasant surprise — this dish had a good kick to it! This is a REALLY rare occurrence when it comes to Disney food. For those of you who like a dose of spice, this is a good choice. We wouldn’t recommend it to those of you who are heat averse. We definitely found ourselves going back to that Beermosa to cool down a few times with this one! Another glamour shot of the spicy hot Scorpion Burger Next up, we went with the hearty Tex Mex Mac N’ Cheese. The dish costs $16 and combines spicy chorizo with roasted jalapeno, pepper jack cheese sauce, crispy tortilla strips, cilantro, and cavatappi pasta. Texas Mac N’ Cheese The sauce was nice and creamy and the spiral noodles were a great choice for this dish — they caught all that yummy CHEESE! We liked the crunch from the tortilla strips and the portion is HUGE. We found this mac was a bit too salty for our taste. We decided that the chorizo meat was the culprit the more we ate. It’s possible we just got some extra salty meat in our batch, so you may have better luck! City Works Texas Mac N’ Cheese Again, the heat was definitely present in this dish. There’s a good spice comin’ from the roasted jalapenos, but it’s definitely not as aggressive as the burger. If you would prefer VERY little heat maybe go for the Smoked Cheddar Mac N’ Cheese instead. City Works Spread Two spicy entrees that we’re ACTUALLY pretty spicy! Color us shocked, and pleasantly surprised! Nosh or Not Who should visit City Works? Sports Fans — We found the food to be FAR better quality than the other sports bar on Disney property, ESPN Club. Beer Drinkers — the drink menu boasts a whopping 70+ beers! You’re bound to find something you like here. Happy Hour Fanatics — We know, we know. We’re rubbin’ it in your face since this isn’t happening (yet!). But stay tuned! We will definitely let you know when City Works’ Happy Hour comes back! Locals, in particular, will enjoy this spot due to the lower-than-normal prices for a Disney Springs restaurant. City Works Pre-Closure Who shouldn’t visit City Works? Fancy Eaters — If you’re looking for a nice dinner, this isn’t your place. Try The Boathouse for an excellent meal and a romantic night out. Adventurous Eaters — Barring the spice factor, City Works is known for cheeseburgers and cheese curds (and lots of other bar food!). Try Morimoto Asia for something a little more unique! Overall While it’s not our first choice when eating at Disney Springs, it’s certainly high up on the list for good beer and a solid Happy Hour. City Works is a great place to meet up with friends for $2 wells and good brews. Plants Blocking Off the Construction Where the Awning Will Go Yo, City Works! Let us know when the patio is open and Happy Hour is in full swing. ‘Cuz you know we’ll be the first in line for those $7 cheese curds! Wanna know what we think is the BEST time to visit City Works? Check out the details about the Rock ‘n’ Roll Brunch! Are you brave enough to try the Scorpion Burger? Let us know in the comments if it’s thumbs up or thumbs down for spice! Related posts: Disney World’s NEWEST Restaurant Has TWO Happy Hours? We’ve Got the Deets! There’s a Jon Bun Jovi Cinnamon Roll Coming To Disney World and WE HAVE TO EXPLAIN. Review! We’re Dining at T-Rex in Disney World, But Will Our Meal Be Dino-MITE?? View the full article

Based on the beloved book by Eoin Colfer, Disney’s “Artemis Fowl” is now streaming on Disney+ and I’m calling on all you Disney fashionistas for a spellbinding adventure of our own. In celebration of the release and the search for that perfect, comfy-meets-fashion Disney look while you’re at home, I’ve partnered up with Leslie Kay, author of the new book, “DisneyBound: Dress Disney and Make It Fashion” to take your loungewear look to the next level using items you already have in your closets. In the film, 12-year-old genius Artemis Fowl sets out to save his father and save the world, and in doing so uncovers an ancient, underground civilization—the amazingly advanced world of fairies. Prepare to face your destiny and unlock some powerful secrets with some inspiration on how to bound as your favorite characters from the film: Channel your inner genius with a black and white ensemble. Virtually any combination of black and white would work here so, go ahead and get creative! Complete the Artemis Fowl-inspired look with a pair of black shades to show you’re ready to take on anything that comes your way! Embrace your fairy green best as Holly Short with a lime green jumpsuit, slick shades, fantastical earrings and a forest green belt with matching heeled boots to let everyone know you mean business! Some of our friends on Instagram joined in on the fun already, check out their marvelous looks and share yours with us by using #DisneyMagicMoments: Looking for even more Disney-inspired looks to rock while streaming your favorite movies, shows and shorts? You’re in luck! Check out our other at home guides to Disney bounding as Ian & Barley from “Onward” and Anna, Elsa & Kristoff from “Frozen 2” or check out Leslie’s new book, “DisneyBound: Dress Disney and Make It Fashion.” View the full article

Earlier this week, we reported the National Basketball Players Association and NBA had finalized their plans to finish their 2019-2020 season at Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. NBA Experience Dedication Ceremony at Disney World But despite having all of their terms agreed to by Disney as well as the NBA executives and athletes, worry seems to be looming over the resumptive games. 22 NBA teams will compete and stay at Disney World which resides mostly in Florida’s Orange County and partially in Osceola County. The rising number of cases in these counties has many NBA players and executives concerned. Even though the professional athletes will have limited access while at Disney World (they’ve been told they won’t be allowed to dine-out at restaurants or visit the theme parks while they compete), it seems more enhanced health and safety regulations might be required. Players NBA Experience See how the NBA plans on keeping its player safe here! Association Executive Director Michele Roberts told ESPN on Saturday they are “obviously clearly monitoring the situation,” and may seek to add “further restrictions” for Disney World Cast Members who will be working at the hotels where teams will be staying. We’ll continue to follow this story and provide any further developments. Find out which amenities the NBA players will have during their Walt Disney World stay here! Do you think the NBA will be adding more restrictions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Related posts: Here’s the FULL List of NBA Teams That Are Expected to Finish Their 2020 Season in Disney World The NBA Has Finalized Their Plans to Finish Out the Season in Disney World Confirmed: Major League Soccer Players Will Be Staying at Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin Resort! View the full article

Falcon’s Creative Group helps Jane Goodall exhibit tell her story View the full article

A few days ago, Disneyland started recalling its Cast Members. In the days since then, the reopening of Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, and the Disneyland hotels have been postponed. Sleeping Beauty Castle But many workers who have been furloughed since mid-April are concerned about returning to parks while cases in California are on the rise. According to The Orange County Register, Disneyland and one of its largest unions have reached an agreement today regarding enhanced health and safety protocols that will be implemented upon the reopening of the resort. Mary Poppins and Bert Celebrate! Comprised of over 11,000 Cast Members, the union is now prepared to return to Disneyland after Disney agreed to several demands they presented. According to the new agreement they’ve just signed, employees will be eligible to receive two weeks of paid sick leave if they contract the virus. All employees will also have to perform a mandatory at-home health check before heading to work and will be provided a thermometer by Disney, under the agreement. Cast Members who must work within six feet of guests will also be issued a plastic face shield. Cinderella At this time, Cast Members who are still concerned about their safety can decline the first recall notice and continue to remain on furlough and receive benefits, according to the union agreement. After that, Disneyland Cast Members who decline a second call to return to work must go on an approved leave of absence or be subject to termination. Jessie’s Critter Carousel As with Disney World’s reopening, a new Guest Experience Team will be on hand to help explain and enforce the new safety guidelines. “The safety and wellbeing of our cast members and guests are at the forefront of our planning, and we look forward to continued dialogue with our unions on the extensive health and safety protocols, following guidance from public health experts, which we plan to implement as we move toward our proposed, phased reopening,” a Disneyland stated. For now, Disneyland is moving forward with the reopening of its shopping and entertainment district, Downtown Disney, on July 9th and you can read more about the health and safety precautions that will be in place here! Click here for all the latest Disneyland news including updates to its change or cancellation policies! Are you planning on going to Downtown Disney when it opens? Let us know if you’ll be there in the comments below. Related posts: News! Disneyland Could Potentially Reopen in Less Than a Month, Say California Officials A BIG Update Points to a Potential Mid-July Reopening for Disneyland We’re Reviewing EVERY Holiday Treat At Disneyland Resort! See Them ALL Here! View the full article

Walt Disney World Resort is about to become the center of the pro basketball world this summer. We are excited to share that the National Basketball Association officially announced today it will finish its 2019-20 season at Walt Disney World Resort. The season, which was interrupted by the pandemic, will resume in July with team practices and games played at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in the Arena, HP Field House and Visa Athletic Center. Game play will resume on July 30 with 22 teams (the eight teams in each conference with the highest current winning percentages and the six teams currently within six games of the eighth seed in either conference) competing to determine seeding for the NBA Playoffs. The playoffs will feature 16 teams and the NBA Finals will end no later than October 13 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Based on current league guidelines which were developed in consultation with public health experts and government officials, all games will be held without spectators. Walt Disney World Resort and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex are thrilled to continue the long-standing relationship with the NBA, which includes the first-of-its-kind entertainment venue, NBA Experience, at Disney Springs. For more information about the resumption of the 2019-20 NBA season, including details on the competition format, visit www.NBA.com. View the full article

Daily Orlando Sentinel Now podcast: Florida coronavirus record with 9,000 new cases, evictions coming soon, Disney’s redo of Splash Mountain, ‘Black Lives Matter’ mural in Orlando. View the full article

The global health crisis continues to require significant regulation around the United States. Palm Trees With cases on the rise in Florida, we recently saw a new travel advisory put in place for entering and leaving the state. Now, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation has announced a statewide ban of on-premises alcohol consumption at bars. In a tweet this morning, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation announced the new ban. At the time of writing, no additional details have been shared. This is a developing situation and we will continue to update this story as we learn more. Stay tuned. Click here to learn more about Florida’s reopening. Related posts: NEWS: Florida Governor Announces Most of State Will Move Into Phase Two of Reopening This Friday Starting Tomorrow The Entire State of Florida Will Be Under Stay at Home Orders News! Governor of Florida Announces Schools Will Be Closed Through the End of The Semester View the full article

Orlando's Leu Gardens is bringing back its Fairy Doors exhibit for a third year, helping summertime visitors use their imagination and creativity. View the full article

Disney Plus review: ‘Lady and the Tramp’ full of canine capers and some cattiness View the full article

Since Disney Springs began its phased reopening back in May, we’ve been eating our way around the newly reopened restaurants. And Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar has now joined the list of locations that have welcomed back guests! Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar We’ve already had the chance to check out fan-favorite spots like Morimoto Asia, The Polite Pig, The Boathouse, and more. And with awesome theming, fun specialty drinks, and inventive appetizers, we were eager to see how Jock Lindsey’s stacks up! Atmosphere Guests will find Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar in The Landing area of Disney Springs. Fans of the Indiana Jones franchise will have all kinds of fun Easter eggs to search for! Jock Lindsey is Indy’s pilot (you can spot him at the beginning of Raiders of the Lost Ark!), and he came across this waterfront spot while searching for the Fountain of Youth with Indiana himself! So, you can expect tons of nods to their travels in the decor. Inside Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar We noticed a number of changes inside the restaurant to help promote social distancing. The tables in the indoor seating area were pushed closer together so one party could fit in a space that used to accommodate multiple parties. Tables Inside Jock Lindsey’s There was an ample amount of space to maintain distance from other groups while walking through the restaurant. Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar There was bar seating available, but the bar stools were grouped together and spaced apart from others to allow separate parties to maintain distance. There were also signs reminding guests about the social distancing guidelines. Jock Lindsey’s Bar Seating We also noticed arrows on the ground to show guests the correct flow of one-way traffic. Directional Arrows There was outdoor seating available, and the tables were spaced apart from each other. Jock Lindsey’s Outdoor Seating We opted for the outdoor seating for our visit! Eats As with a number of other restaurants around Disney Springs, Jock Lindsey’s is offering a digital menu. They didn’t have any disposable paper menus available, so Cast Members provided guests with a QR code to scan which pulls the menu up on a smartphone. Digital Menu QR Code They aren’t currently offering any new menu items, but they are offering Happy Hour specials on Monday-Friday from noon-3PM which includes appetizer, beer, wine, and cocktail specials! Since we stopped by during Happy Hour, we chose menu items that were included in the specials! We started off with the Happy Hour Specialty Cocktail of the week — Reggie’s Revenge! This concoction is made with Florida Cane ‘Orlando Orange’ Vodka, Midori Melon Liqueur, white cranberry juice, and lime juice, and was priced at $12 for Happy Hour (outside of Happy Hour, it will run you $14)! Reggie’s Revenge The drink was pretty sweet, but we enjoyed it — we especially loved the orange flavor! Here’s a look at the backside of the themed glass it was served in! Reggie’s Revenge We also tried a few appetizers, starting with Doctor Astorga’s Queso Dip — a skillet of melted soft cheeses topped with pico de gallo, green peppers, and cilantro and served with corn tortilla chips! Doctor Astorga’s Queso Dip This was some seriously GOOD queso! It was a great size for sharing and the green peppers on top were absolutely delicious! Plus, the queso had a nice soft and creamy consistency that it kept even after sitting for a while. And at $8 during Happy Hour (or $12.50 outside of Happy Hour), this is definitely an appetizer we’d order again! Here’s a closer look at that cheesy goodness! Queso Close-Up! We also gave Satipo’s Empanadas a try! The app came with two crispy-fried empanadas stuffed with beef, onions, peppers, potatoes, olives, cheese, herbs, and spices and served with a side of chimichurri aïoli! The Happy Hour price for these was $7.50, but you can grab them outside of Happy Hour for $10.50. Satipo’s Empanadas We’d say this appetizer is a winner as well! The empanadas had a lot of flavor — they weren’t spicy, but the peppers really kicked up the taste. And the crust was perfectly crispy! Here’s a Look at the Empanada Filling! So, we were three for three as far as menu item successes! Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar So, is Jock Lindsey’s the right spot for you to hit in Disney Springs? Nosh or Not Consider dining at Jock Lindsey’s if: You’re a huge Indiana Jones (or Star Wars!) fan and want to soak in all of the awesome details in the decor! You’re more interested in appetizers and small plates rather than a large selection of entrée options. You’re looking for a solid drink selection that you can enjoy either outside by the water or inside amongst all of the impressive theming details! You may want to skip Jock Lindsey’s if: You’re looking for a wide variety of choices on the food menu to satisfy picky eaters or cater to a variety of tastes. You’re super hungry and are in search of a substantial entrée to fill you up. Overall Despite the temporary closure, our love for Jock Lindsey’s stays strong! The level of detail in the theming creates such a unique atmosphere that’s almost worth a visit in itself! While our drink was on the sweet side, it was still enjoyable. And both of our two appetizers were home runs that we can’t wait to order again! So, while they might not have the largest selection of food options, if you’re looking for a small bite, delicious drinks, and a unique atmosphere, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar will probably hit the spot for you too! Check out the hidden details and intricate theming at these Disney World restaurants! Have you been to Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar? Share your experience in the comments! Related posts: NEWS: Something Jolly is Coming to Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar in Disney World! Review: You Won’t Believe Where You Can Get MINI Ice Cream Cones in Disney World! Cocktails and Cheesesteak: Happy Hour and Late Night Menus in Disney Springs View the full article

We’ve been spending the last few days exploring the select Disney World resorts that have just reopened on June 22nd so we can answer ALL of your questions about what’s changed since your last stay! Disney’s Wilderness Lodge And while we’ve had our fair share of surprises, now we’re going to spill the beans on a few things we found to be super weird and INTERESTING! We didn’t do full articles about these, but we still think they’re important for you to hear if you’re headed to the Disney resorts sometime soon. Calling Your Front Desk Might Be Much Faster Than Virtual Chat Initially, we couldn’t wait to try the new Virtual Chat feature Disney told us they would be launching on the My Disney Experience app. Instead of going to the front desk, you can use the app to connect with a Resort Cast Member…in theory. Virtual Chat New Message Well, first, we were looking for the virtual chat feature in the “my resort” section of the My Disney Experience app. It wasn’t there. So we asked cast members. They didn’t know anything about it. Finally, we asked a Concierge Manager who told us that the “new” virtual chat feature was the same “chat with us” feature that was already on the My Disney Experience app and the Disney World website. Except once you actually get through to a Cast Member, they make you fill out a guest information form before you connect to someone from your actual resort hotel. Unfortunately, the system seems to be running VERY SLOW and every time we tried to access Virtual Chat on our phones, we got a “hang on we’re experiencing high chat volume so it may be a moment” warning — like you would from the “Chat with Us” feature on Disney’s World’s website. Virtual Chat Click here to read what’s up with Disney World’s new Virtual Chat! The average wait time for the Virtual Chat was 1.5 to 2 hours each time we tried it, so if you need a quicker response (or need to request extra towels, Housekeeping, etc.), you’re probably better off just phoning the front desk for now! Your Mileage May Vary On Resort Entrance On our way to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge for a dining reservation, we had a little hiccup! Disney’s Wilderness Lodge The Security Cast Member who checked our information at the entrance originally said we were too early for our dining reservation. He also didn’t seem too happy the rest of our group wasn’t riding with us. While he did permit us to enter and park, he told us we had to wait in our car until the rest of our party arrived. When our buddy we were meeting for dinner drove in a little while later, she didn’t encounter any issues. Through this experience, we learned even if you have a dining reservation and are technically allowed to enter a Disney World resort OTHER than the resort you’re staying at, you might still have to undergo a little extra scrutiny. Disney’s Old Key West Resort But here’s a little note — we are now hearing that guests are allowed to resort hop without a dining reservation if they have an official Disney World Resort hotel reservation. While Disney hasn’t published that information, several cast members did tell us that the policy changed yesterday. So that’s something to test out! Security and Sandwich Boards Are Keeping Guests At Bay Another unusual encounter we had happened over near Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort. Since Disney’s Yacht Club Resort hasn’t reopened yet, we saw signs blocking the walkway to the resort as we walked around Crescent Lake. Yacht Club There were also Security Cast Members near the entrance to Epcot’s International Gateway making sure no one wandered too close since the theme park won’t be reopening until July 15th. We were allowed to get close enough to hear the World Showcase music, though! Epcot’s International Gateway And we even saw one of Epcot’s Flower and Garden banners was STILL up! Even though the festival was cut short this year, we’re looking forward to enjoying the new Flower and Garden/Food and Wine mash-up festival that will be debuting on the first day of Epcot’s grand reopening! Flower and Garden Banner Click here to learn more details about the new Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival that’s coming soon! Resorts May Have Different Policies In addition to keeping our distance, we found out some places were being super strict about who they were allowing into certain locations! Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort wouldn’t even allow guests inside unless they were purchasing something — no window-shoppers allowed. Gasparilla Island Grill And when we said we’d like to purchase a cupcake, a cast member put all available cupcake types onto a tray and brought it outside to us to see before we were allowed in to purchase. This was definitely not something we experienced anywhere else. Butterfly Cupcake Unlike Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort didn’t have a Welcome Back Cupcake for its guests, but they DID have this gorgeous creature! Some Spots Will Be SILENT One of the most surreal things we experienced happened on our first night at the resorts. Naturally, we HAD to stop by Beaches and Cream at Disney’s Beach Club Resort to see how our favorite soda shop was doing! Beaches and Cream Read more about our first meal back at the newly reopened Beaches and Cream here! Other than the rearranged seating, disposable paper menus, and squeeze bottle condiments no longer being left out on the table, we spotted another HUGE difference — the jukebox wasn’t working! Let’s Listen to Some Oldies! In fact, one of the Cast Members told us the records had been removed during the temporary closure, so instead of listening to some golden oldies on the ol’ Wurlitzer, someone was crankin’ out tunes on their phone — until they finished their shift and took their music with them. Beaches and Cream Seating We gotta say, sitting in a mostly-silent Beaches and Cream dining room feels pretty strange, so we hope the 45s make their way back to the jukebox soon rather than later! Empty Resorts And since we’re on the subject of the surreal, probably the weirdest part of our whole experience being back at the Disney World resorts is how EMPTY they look and FEEL! Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Click here to see how empty the Disney World resorts were on their grand reopening days here! It’s a very Omega man-y, last-person-on-Earth sort of feeling at times when you’re literally the only person standing in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort’s lobby! Usually, this great room is packed with guests! Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort We’ll be interested to see how the crowds pick up once the theme parks begin their phased reopening on July 11th! Until then, we’ll keep exploring the Disney World resorts and reporting back our findings (especially the weird ones) to you guys! And if you’re planning on being at Disney World for the grand reopening click here to read our Ultimate GUIDE! Have you made your theme park reservations yet? Learn more about Disney World’s Park Pass reservation system here! Have you visited any of the Disney World resorts that have reopened? Tell us about any weird encounters you had in the comments below! Related posts: NEWS! Disney World Just Changed A LOT Of Menus, and We’ve Got The DETAILS! The BEST 32 Disney World Snacks You’ll ONLY Find at the HOTELS! BREAKING NEWS: These Disney World Restaurants Will Be OPEN Starting June 22nd! View the full article

Disney fans grab passes for theme parks' reopening Walt Disney World’s annual passholders moved in swiftly Friday morning to pick up the coveted passes that will grant them access to the theme parks when they start reopening next month. By 6:30 a.m., the online system indicated there were no further reservations for passholders on July 11, the opening day for Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The reservation process is new wrinkle in the Disney World experience. For now, all visitors, including annual passholders, must have a “park pass” reservation for a specific day along with admission ticket or valid annual pass. Friday was the first day that passholders could secure the reservations, accomplished through disneyworld.com, although folks staying at Disney’s resort hotels had access beginning Monday. By 8 a.m. Friday, there were no further reservations for the first four days of the reopening or for the following weekend, July 18 and 19. Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios begin their reopening phases July 15. By 8:20 a.m, slots for July 15 were all taken. Potential visitors were allowed to snag up to three days’ worth of reservations, one theme park per day. (Park hopping will not be allowed, at least temporarily, upon Disney World’s reopening.) Park passes were available online through Sept. 26, 2021. SeaWorld Orlando also is requiring advance reservations for its attractions, but Universal Orlando is allowing walk-ups. All Orlando theme parks are operating with limited capacities after months of being shutdown for the coronavirus pandemic.

Disney World’s phased reopening plan is centered around managing attendance levels with a new reservation system called Disney Park Pass. All guests are now required to have both a park ticket and reservation to visit. Magic Kingdom Disney World’s Park Pass reservation system originally went live on June 22nd, but only guests with valid theme park admission AND a hotel booking were allowed to access it — until now. The booking window for Annual Passholders (who didn’t previously have a hotel reservation) is now open and Passholders are allowed to reserve their theme park passes. Just like the general public, Disney World’s APs must make a reservation for EACH day of entry and may only visit one theme park per day (no park hopping). Chef Remy Magnet The system opened up pretty early this morning. We were able to make new reservations for Annual Passholders before 7AM ET! Click here to see how many days Annual Passholders can reserve at one time! While some days had originally “booked up” at certain parks, Disney added more park passes to the formerly “sold-out” dates so that Annual Passholders would have the opportunity to snag them. On the other hand, the first two days of reopening — July 11th and 12th — were already showing as unavailable by the time we accessed the site. Disney Park Pass Reservation Theme park reservations are currently available through September 26, 2021. Read our Disney World Park Pass System FAQ here! Despite the fact that several days in the first week of reopening are unavailable for resort guests for Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, we were able to make new park passes this morning for Hollywood Studios on July 15th through 17th — days that are full for resort guests. This means that Disney DID add more available park passes for the new wave of bookings. Hollywood Studios Confirmation As a reminder, Annual Passholders (without resort reservations) are allowed to make THREE days of Disney Park Pass reservations at one time. We double-checked and we WERE cut off at three days. And even though the system has been a bit glitchy since its launch, Disney Park Pass reservations are subject to availability, so you don’t want to delay if you have any specific dates in mind. Though Disney has not released capacity numbers for the reopened parks — we know that there is a significant limit on attendance. Animal Kingdom Note: Once the clock struck 7AM EST (when everyone kind of assumed the system would roll over) we ALREADY started noticing dates “selling out” so act FAST, APs! Availability ALREADY filling up! If you have any questions about using the new Disney Park Pass System, don’t hesitate to drop us a line! And for you folks who aren’t Annual Passholders or DIDN’T have park tickets AND hotel reservations, your day will soon be here! On June 28th the booking window for existing ticket holders will open, so you only have to sit tight a little while longer! Click here for answers to five of the BIGGEST questions Annual Passholders have about the new Disney Park Pass System! Are you a Disney World Annual Passholder? Let us know if you were able to reserve your Disney Park Passes in the comments below! Related posts: Disney CEO Explains Why Disney World Is Opening AFTER Universal NEWS! Some Disney World Annual Passes Now Display Extended Expiration Dates NEWS! Here’s the FULL LIST of Rides and Attractions That Will Be Reopening at Magic Kingdom in Disney World! View the full article

Select Walt Disney World resort hotels are open now, and the theme parks are officially reopening on July 11th and July 15th. Walt Disney World Resort entrance But even though the resort is coming back to life, not EVERY experience is open or will be open this summer, including some of our favorite hangout spots, like Jellyrolls. But, after shutting its doors, this spot along Disney’s Boardwalk has FINALLY announced a reopening date! That’s right…we’re talking about Jellyrolls! According to a post on Jellyrolls’ official Facebook page, the adults-only lounge with dueling pianos will reopen on October 1st! ©Jellyrolls Fans of Walt Disney World will know this date is significant — the Walt Disney World resort officially opened on October 1st, 1971! ©Disney Cinderella Castle on Opening Day Jellyrolls hasn’t elaborated much on their reopening plans, but if it’s anything else like a reopened Walt Disney World, you’re likely to see social distancing measures, limited capacity, and maybe even a limited menu. Jellyrolls Spending time at Disney’s Boardwalk (especially Jellyrolls!) is one of the things you’ve never tried at Walt Disney World but NEED to. And while we don’t know a TON about Jellyrolls’ reopening plans, the moment we do, you know we’ll fill you in on EVERYTHING you need to know about this fan-favorite spot! For more about what Disney dining will look like upon reopening, click here. Are you excited to visit Jellyrolls when it reopens? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Updated! Here Is EVERY Detail Disney World Shared About Their Reopening Procedures Joy to the World! This Ice Cream Taco in Disney World Got a Holiday Makeover! REVIEW! These Holiday Drinks Will Make You Want to Go to This Little-Known Lounge in Disney World! View the full article

Welcome back, DFB friends! We’re here with another What’s New at Disney Springs! Disney Springs And, we’ve got plenty of merchandise, food, and entertainment updates to share with you, so let’s dive right on in! Disney Springs Merchandise Update World of Disney It’s almost June 26th, so that means it’s time to celebrate Experiment 626! The new Stitch Phone Case shows the adorable alien with a huge grin and a leather strap to hook to it. Stitch Phone Case Plus, if you’re looking for more blue to add to your phone case collection, you can pick up the Luxo Ball Phone Case that features the Toy Story wallpaper and a 3D Luxo ball! Pixar Phone Case Take a look at all the details on the Stitch and Luxo Ball Phone Cases here! Father’s Day may have passed, but you can give your dad a little post-Father’s Day gift with the I Am Your Father Hat! The felt hat has Darth Vader etched on the front… I Am Your Father Hat …but the back is mesh so it doesn’t get too hot wearing the Dark Side accessory in the Florida heat! I Am Your Father Hat In other merch news, We’ve been missing the Jungle Cruise SO much since the parks have closed. If you’re like us, you’ll find joy in this boat toy, which features a very happy Skipper telling the guests about the back side of water! Jungle Cruise Toy You can check out all the water splashing up around the Jungle Cruise Skipper Toy for $9.99. Jungle Cruise Toy Buy it, and you can narrate your very own Jungle Cruise ride from home! Pandora Adventure is out there when Disney World theme parks officially reopen on July 11th and July 15th! We can’t wait to explore everything new in the parks, and we definitely want to bring our trusty Up Charm from Pandora along with us! Up Pandora Charm The charm practically looks like it’s flying away with multicolored balloons and Carl’s house! Up Pandora Charm We think that this bracelet would look perfect with a Grape Soda Pin, don’t you?? Go on an adventure with us to check out the Up Charm here! Ring Carvers As all the kiosks and shops around Disney Springs slowly start to open back up, Ring Carvers has joined the lineup of places visitors can pick up a new accessory or two! Ring Carvers You can always get something simple… Ring Carvers …Or you can spice things up if you want with different names, words, designs, and more on the rings! Marketplace Co-Op The Disney Character Face Masks is Disney Springs have been selling out left and right since they arrived at the Marketplace Co-Op. Face Masks And, when we passed by today, we spotted that the store was out of the Marie Mask and the Mickey Pattern Mask in large. However, plenty of other styles were available! These are the most comfortable masks in Disney World! Rustic Cuff When one door closes, another one opens, folks! Former Rustic Cuff Although we are sad to see Rustic Cuff close its doors in Disney Springs, we can’t help but wonder if the new Gideon’s Bakehouse location will be taking its place soon! Find out more details on what could be replacing Rustic Cuff here! Disney Springs Food Update Wine Bar George If you’re looking to add a little pep to your step, Hooten Young American Whiskey is a darn tootin’ good drink over at Wine Bar George in Disney Springs! Hooten Whiskey Cocktail The libation comes in two versions, with either the Hooten Young American Whiskey straight up or neat… Hooten Whiskey Cocktail …Or as a part of the Hoot Cocktail. This drink features Ginger Beer, Creme De Cassis, and the famous whiskey for a refreshing sip while you’re strolling through the shopping and dining district! Read our full review of the Hooten Whiskey Cocktail here! Starbucks Before we head out on our Disney Springs walks, we need to get caffeinated! Cold Brew Drinks And, we couldn’t be happier to see that Starbucks was offering new cold brew drinks with almondmilk, cinnamon spice, and cocoa (!!!). Dark Cocoa Almondmilk Cold Brew Since we were totally craving some chocolate, we went with the Dark Cocoa Almondmilk Cold Brew, and BOY was it good!! Splitsville Splitsville has its bar area roped off to guests, but we also spotted a wall near the bowling alley and restaurant that blocked guests from going to the Pop Gallery right around the corner. Splitsville Although we aren’t fully sure why it’s there at the moment, you know we’ll keep you updated! Goofy’s Candy Co. We can’t help but want to eat three cupcakes in a row now that we can get the famous Disney treats again from Goofy’s Candy Co. Just look at how AMAZING they all are!! Goofy’s Candy Co And, just in time for your party at home, you can pick up the Fourth of July Cupcakes with red, white, and blue frosting and chocolate Mickey ear discs. Fourth of July Cupcakes Could these BE any more festive for the holiday?! Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC Although we’ve been craving some of those Coconut Caramel and Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcakes too, Erin McKenna’s was closed today for AC repairs in the store. Sign posted at Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC There’s no indication on how long the repairs will take, but we’ll fill you in when this sweet spot reopens again! Take a look at more detail on Erin McKenna’s temporary closure! Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar FINALLY!! We are thrilled to be back at one of our favorite Indiana Jones-inspired spots in Disney World. Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar is BACK OPEN with snake drinks and hidden details around the restaurant! Jock Lindsey’s You can enjoy a cocktail from the indoor bar… Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar …or you can chill on the outdoor patio and admire that view of Disney Springs! Patio Bar Plus, you can go find hidden nooks and crannies around Jock’s… Jock Lindsey’s …and maybe even discover some of Indiana’s secrets from his adventures along the way! Check out the details on Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar’s reopening here! Disney Springs Entertainment Update Since the Amphicars reopened in Disney Springs, we just felt like we needed to treat ourselves to a ride around the lake today! Amphicar We couldn’t help but admire the view of all the restaurants and stores around the area. Look, ma! We can see our Home(comin’) from here! Amphicar Well, that’s all for this What’s New at Disney Springs! We’ll catch you next time for more merchandise, food, and entertainment updates! What are you looking forward to seeing the most in Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New in Disney Springs: a NEW Caramel Sundae, Neon Merch Galore, and Refillable Popcorn Buckets! What’s New at Disney Springs! NEW Menu Items; Missing Menu Items; The CUTEST Valentine’s Day Cards; and FREE Cupcakes! What’s New at Disney Springs: Dogs Wearing Face Masks, Four Pounds of Loaded Fries, and MORE! View the full article

Now that Disney World restaurants have started to reopen, a number of changes have been made to dining experiences. Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge Sanaa, located in Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Kidani Village is among the Disney World restaurants that’s officially reopened. With gorgeous views of Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Sunset Savannah, and a menu featuring a fusion of African and Indian cuisine, how will the dining changes impact this hidden gem? Let’s take a look! Check-In First off, let’s take a look at how the check-in area looked! Mobile Dine Check-In is an option at Sanaa — we used the Mobile Dine Check-In feature, so we didn’t have to head up to the check-in counter. Still, we wanted to take a look at the various health measures we spotted here. Check-In You can see that there are physical distancing stickers on the ground to keep guests distanced while waiting to check-in with Cast Members. You can also see one of those oh-so-familiar hand-sanitizer stations. Click here to learn more about the Mobile Dine Check-In! Seating Before heading to our table, we took a peek in Sanaa Lounge to see what sort of health measures they had going on. We noticed traffic flow stickers on the ground, and tables and bar stools marked as unavailable for physical distancing. Sanaa Lounge Inside the actual dining room, Sanaa has tables spaced out and marked as well, and no two groups of guests were seated close to one another. Dining Room As always, many of Sanaa’s tables look out onto the Savannah where you can try to spot the African wildlife while you dine. Animal View This is definitely one of the aspects that makes this restaurant a real hidden gem! There’s nothing like waving at a group of zebras while you sip and snack! Click here to check out another recent review of this spot! Menu As we’ve seen a bunch around the reopened Disney World restaurants, Sanaa has leaflets on the table for access to a QR code menu. This code will take you right to the online listing for the menu on the Disney website. QR Code Menu If you like, you can ask for a physical menu here, and they’ll get you a disposable one. Physical Menu The Sanaa menu has a wide variety of African dishes with Indian flavors mixed in. There are options for adventurous eaters and picky eaters alike. Food and Drinks We started off with some drinks since Sanaa has some really fabulous international wines and interesting cocktails. We snagged the South African Wine Flight for $15 to savor the flavors before we dig into some delicious food. South African Wine Flight We also tried one of the cocktails on the menu that we’ve never had before. The African Starr Mojito is a combo of Starr African Rum, Van der Hum Tangerine Liqueur from South Africa, Fresh Lime Juice, and Mint for $14. Um… yum! This was a really awesome twist on a classic mojito — not too sweet and the fresh mint was delicious. African Star Mojito You didn’t think we were going to go to Sanaa without grabbing that DELICIOUS Sanaa Indian-style Bread Service, did you? This appetizer is super customizable with a choice of five breads between Traditional Naan, Garlic-Ginger Naan, Spiced Naan, Onion Kulcha, or Paneer Paratha. Our favorite was the Garlic-Ginger Naan! Bread Service Then you get ALL NINE of the accompaniments! There’s Cucumber Raita, Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, Mango Chutney, Tomato-Date Jam, Tamarind Chutney, Coriander Chutney, Garlic Pickle, Red Chile Sambal, and Spicy Jalapeño-Lime Pickle. Whew, that’s quite the app for $18! We seriously love the bread service and can’t recommend it enough. Careful, though, that Jalapeno-Lime Pickle has a kick (in a good way)! Bread Service For one of our entrees, we got the African-inspired Biryani with Chicken. This was SOOOO good. It has great flavor and you can forgo on the meat for a plant-based option. The herbs were super fresh and we were obsessed with the sauce. With Chicken or Shrimp, the Biryani is $26; with no meat, it’s $19! Biryani with Chicken Our server told us that the most popular meal at Sanaa is the Potjie Inspired because of how customizable it is (hmm, we’re sensing a theme). We opted to snag the Braised Beef Potjie with a side of Cilantro-Coconut Vegetables. And all that comes with some scented Basmati Rice! The meat was so tender we could cut it with a spoon and everything was way flavorful too. Sides This meal will run you $28 and it’s a pretty sizable portion! Don’t worry, if the African and Indian options on the menu are a little out of your comfort zone, you can always opt for something familiar like the Grilled New York Strip for $34. Payment To pay, we were brought one of those new disposable check folds we’ve been seeing around. Check Fold So, yes! Sanaa is incorporating a lot of the new health measures that we’re starting to get used to while still serving the same great food. If you happen to be looking for a surprisingly delicious meal in a reopened Disney World, Sanaa is a great bet. Click here to read about the changes coming to Disney World dining this summer! Have you eaten at Sanaa? How to these changes compare to your experience? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Valentine’s Day Desserts Coming To Sanaa in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge! Does Disney World’s Sanaa Restaurant Still Got IT? The Ten BEST Places to Eat at Walt Disney World WITHOUT a Park Ticket! View the full article

When Disney World began to reopen Disney Springs, and with the subsequent announcements of reopening the theme parks and resorts, it was abundantly clear that the typical Walt Disney World experience was going to change. Caribbean Beach Pin Trading Board Before the Closures With the emphasis on increasing contactless experiences throughout the resort area, we wondered how pin trading would be affected! With many of the Disney Vacation Club Resort hotels reopening this week, we hoped to get an even better idea of what would be in store for pin fanatics. We went into this experience knowing that pin trading could, at the moment, be completely unavailable. When we visited Pin Traders in Disney Springs, trading was unavailable altogether and Disney had previously announced that limited-edition releases would NOT drop at Disney World. Disney’s Statement on Limited-Release Merchandise We also knew that in some way, pin trading would eventually become available in a modified form. However, we didn’t know if this activity was going to be immediately available or rolled out over time. For the first few days since some of the resorts have reopened, we haven’t seen any pin boards ANYWHERE. We were starting to lose hope until we walked into Artist’s Palette at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort. Artist’s Palette That’s where we spotted it! A REAL! LIVE! PIN BOARD! Rather fittingly, the pins seemed to be doing a little social distancing of their own. Since there’s a plexiglass barrier installed at Artist’s Palette’s cash registers now, we pointed to the pin we wanted. The Cast Member wiped it off for us and slid it through the slot in the window. We Have a Post-Closures Pin Board Here, People! We laid the pin we were swapping on the counter and the Cast Member picked it up, wiped it off, and stuck it on the pin board! And just like that, our first pin trade transaction in a reopened Disney World was complete! We’ll let you know if we spot more pin boards, but for now, we can say pin trading seems to have officially returned! Follow along with our adventures around the reopened Disney World Resort hotels here! Do you trade pins at Disney World? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: What’s New at Coronado Springs, Old Key West, and Saratoga Springs Resorts: Spicy Firecracker Shrimp and ADORABLE Disney Parks Watches! These Face Coverings from Sephora in Disney Springs Are SO Cute! (And Give Back to Charity!) NEWS! Disney World Just Changed A LOT Of Menus, and We’ve Got The DETAILS! View the full article

Disneyland Resort closed in March due to the global health crisis and was set to reopen mid-July. The closure has now been extended until further notice with no new reopening date in place. This setback caused Disney to make a few important adjustments to Disneyland’s Travel Information page. Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Aside from the expected updated language reflecting the delayed opening, Disney has updated some booking information regarding cancellation policies and reservation changes. Missing Section Regarding Rebooking Modifications and New Reservations Previously, this page detailed the procedure for guests who wish to modify their existing travel dates and make reservations for future vacations. The section stated that guests could make and change reservations for vacations starting on and after July 23rd. This statement has now been completely removed. The page doesn’t currently state a new date when guests can rebook their vacations. Pixar Pier Room Only Reservations Disney has also removed the date in which guests can cancel or change their reservations without being charged a fee. Where they once stated “we are waiving Disney-imposed change and cancellation fees up to the date of check-in for reservations with arrivals through July 22, 2020,” now they will waive fees through “the closure period.” This is expected given that Disney has not announced a new reopening date. Disneyland Hotel Room Vacation Packages Similarly to Room Only Reservations, Disney has also stated that they are waiving Disney-imposed change and cancellation fees with arrivals through the closure period. As opposed to the previously stated, “July 22nd, 2020.” While Disneyland has delayed its reopening date, Disney will be making future updates as events unfold. To keep informed, continue to check back with us and we’ll be here to keep you informed. Hoping to make your way to Disneyland once it re-opens? Make sure to check on our Disneyland Closure pages to keep updated on the current situation Planning a visit to Disneyland? What do you think of Disney pushing back the reopening date? Related posts: Photos: See What Crowds Are Like at Disneyland the Day Before Park Closure Due to Coronavirus Concerns Review! We’re Hula Dancing to Disneyland Resort For the New SECRET MENU Liquid Luau Cocktail! Disneyland’s MaxPass Has Just Gone Up in Price! See How Much HERE! View the full article

Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn used to be home to one of Disney World’s most unique character breakfasts! Disney’s BoardWalk Inn It was called the Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast and it offered guests a chance to meet a few rare Disney characters while enjoying a special menu of Ariel and Rapunzel-themed eats! For now, Topolino Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort is offering the only character breakfast in town (with a few modifications, of course!) but what happens to a character meal when it no longer has any characters? We went to Trattoria al Forno for breakfast to find out! Trattoria al Forno First up, we noticed all the Disney merch is gone. There used to be all sorts of toys and costumes available for purchase upon entering the restaurant, but it has all been temporarily put away. Click here to learn how to use Disney World’s new Mobile Dine Check-In so you can bypass the host stand! Waiting Area for Trattoria al Forno We got a big welcome from the chefs upon entering the restaurant! Even though the Disney princesses won’t be coming around to our tables for a while, we can still enjoy watching the “hustle and bustle” of Trattoria al Forno’s open kitchen! Open Kitchen None of the seating has been removed from the dining room… Dining Room …but some of the tables and booths are now unavailable. Pretty much every other table and booth had one of these “closed” signs. Closed Table Additionally, the room that used to be reserved for à la carte dining is now open to all guests for additional seating. Extra Dining Room Before the closures, guests could choose to sit in either this room or on Trattoria al Forno’s outdoor patio and order off an à la carte menu. Characters only visited guests in the main dining room who ordered off a prix fixe menu. Extra Dining Room Trattoria al Forno currently offers an à la carte breakfast menu which is available digitally via QR code. When we pulled it up on our phones, we noticed the names of the menu items have changed. They’re no longer character-themed and they’re all individually priced — no prix fixe rate. Menu at Trattoria al Forno The King Triton Calzone isn’t currently available and the basket of Punzie pastries isn’t being offered at this time. Trattoria al Forno Menu Our server told us some of the extra character flourishes (like the powdered sugar sun design that came on top of the Tower of Pancakes) won’t be there anymore, but the pancakes still come with a dusting of powdered sugar. We ordered the Open-Faced Italian Omelet which used to be called the Tangled Eggs. Open-Faced Omelet For $14, the Open-Faced Omelet is the exact same entrée you would have enjoyed at the Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast. The food here is truly fresh and delicious, and we thought it was a pretty good deal for the quality. Our server asked us if we wanted any hot sauce or condiments which they’ll bring to you in a ramekin now that they’re no longer leaving hot sauce or ketchup out on the tables. Side of Hot Sauce The restaurant is still playing the Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast’s exciting soundtrack, so you’ll get to hear your favorite scores from movies like Tangled, Toy Story, The Rescuers, and more. Restrooms are still being shared with AbracadaBar next door. Restrooms We were able to use our Tables in Wonderland discount, so our breakfast ended up being relatively cheap! Before, the character breakfast used to cost upwards of $30 per adult. Granted, there are now Punzie pastries or Rapunzel herself, but it was still a warm and inviting environment and we really had a good time! Overall We’ll definitely be looking forward to Trattoria al Forno’s Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast returning someday, but for now, we don’t mind settling into the restaurant’s cozy booths and enjoying some really great food. Now that Be Our Guest Restaurant will no longer be serving breakfast (they’ll most likely be switching to a prix fixe lunch and dinner menu), you might want to give Trattoria al Forno’s breakfast a shot — if you’re feeling adventurous! Which character meal at Disney World will you be missing the most? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: DFB Review: Do We Still Love Breakfast With Ariel and Rapunzel at Trattoria al Forno on Disney World’s BoardWalk?! News: Trattoria al Forno Bon Voyage Character Breakfast Starting April 2nd Review: New Rapunzel Bon Voyage Character Breakfast in Disney World View the full article

Ever since Disney’s Park Pass reservation system went live on Monday, we’ve been watching reservations for Disney World’s theme parks fly out the door! Animal Kingdom And now we’ve just seen ANOTHER date fill up for Disney’s Animal Kingdom! When news broke that Disney would NOT be using virtual queues upon reopening (including for rides like Rise of the Resistance) Disney’s Hollywood Studios dates went FAST. All of the Hollywood Studios Disney Park Passes were distributed for July 15th, 16th, and 17th on the first day of the new reservation system. Rise of the Resistance will NOT be using a virtual queue when Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopens on July 15th! Learn more details here! Lieutenant Beck on Rise of the Resistance And now Disney’s Animal Kingdom is also filling up! Previously, we reported reservations for Disney World’s wildest theme park had already been distributed for July 14th, but now it looks like we’ll be adding July 13th to the list of full dates, too! Screenshot from Disney World’s Website Don’t worry if you haven’t had access to the new reservation system yet — Disney has shared that they “will make more space available for Annual Passholders and the public later this week.” Disney will be adding more dates to its park reservation system soon! Click here to learn more! Disney’s Animal Kingdom That way, on June 26th, when Annual Passholders WITHOUT a resort stay can make reservations, there should be some spots available. And don’t forget — existing ticket holders can make reservations starting on June 28th. Of course, we’ll let you know if anything changes, but for now, check out our tutorial on how to use Disney’s Park Pass reservation system! And click here to read our Disney Park Pass system FAQ! Have you been able to make any theme park reservations yet? Let us know when your next Disney World trip is in the comments below! Related posts: Disney CEO Explains Why Disney World Is Opening AFTER Universal Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park Pass Reservations Are FULL for July 14th…BUT More Might Be Coming! Will Disney World Add More Park Pass Availability For Passholders and Ticket Holders This Week? View the full article