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We’ve been taking you around the reopened Disney World Resort Hotels ALL day! From saying “hello” to Mickey for the first time in MONTHS at Topolino’s Terrace to wondering where the heck everyone is, it’s been quite the day so far! Bay Lake Tower We’re finally settling into our accommodations at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and we thought we would take a walk around and see exactly what resort amenities are still available for guests! Laundry facilities are open and available for resort guests at this time! Laundry at Disney’s Contemporary Resort We didn’t notice any major changes to the laundry system. All of the machines appeared to be open and functioning. After chatting with a Cast Member, we were able to confirm that it’s business as usual when it comes to self-serve laundry at the hotels. Laundry at Disney’s Contemporary Resort The laundry room at The Contemporary utilizes new Laundry View technology that lets you view what machines are available and how much time is left in each cycle. Laundry at Disney’s Contemporary Resort If you are looking for some of the comforts of home while you’re vacationing at Disney World, you can know ahead of time that laundry is STILL available for you to use! Check out all the other things we’re up to today at the reopened resort hotels! Do you have an upcoming Disney World resort reservation? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: DFB Video: Disney’s Contemporary Resort Food Tour Is the Contemporary Resort’s New Firework Cupcake a Blast or a Dud? Potential Solutions For Disney World’s New Guest Transportation Problems View the full article

As we previously shared, Downtown Disney District will begin reopening on July 9 in line with the state’s reopening guidelines. We are pleased to welcome back a variety of our shopping and dining experiences during this initial phase, including the flagship World of Disney store. We are following guidelines from health authorities and government agencies, as well as applying learnings from the phased reopening at Disney Springs in Florida to guide our reopening plans. With the health of guests and Disney cast members at the forefront of planning, several operational changes will be implemented based on guidance from health authorities to promote physical distancing and cleanliness throughout the Downtown Disney District. During the initial reopening phase, Downtown Disney District will have capacity measures in place, as well as limitations on parking and operating hours. Guests will be directed to self-park at Simba lot (at Disneyland Drive and Katella Ave). Please follow signs for clearly defined entrances and exits. In addition, Downtown Disney District hours will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., daily. Individual location hours may vary. Additional measures and information will be shared closer to the reopening date. Please check Disneyland.com/DTD for the most current information. Pending state and local government approvals, Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park plan to reopen on July 17. In addition, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel will begin to reopen on July 23. We look forward to welcoming you back next month to the Downtown Disney District! View the full article

While Disney World has shared a ton of information about what to expect with the reopening of hotels, restaurants, and theme parks, we’ve still had some lingering questions. Disney Strollers And with the focus on decreasing contact and increasing sanitation being major components of Disney World’s phased reopening, we were especially curious to find out if and how stroller and scooter rentals would be impacted. Here’s what we found out! After chatting with a Cast Member at our resort today, we learned stroller and ECV rentals will work pretty much the same way as they always have! Stroller Rental In the meantime, you can use any stroller rental service in the area that you like and have them delivered to your hotel. Keep in mind last year, Disney World changed its policy on stroller and scooter rentals. If you choose to rent and have something delivered to your hotel, Disney’s preferred company to use is ScooterBug. They can leave your rental at your resort without you present. All other companies require you to be present at your hotel to accept your rental. We also confirmed that DVC Owner’s Lockers can still be delivered to your resort! You may also bring your strollers from home, but keep in mind there are new policies regarding how big your stroller can be, i.e. — wagons are no longer permissible! Disney World will be offering stroller rentals when the theme parks reopen and when they do, we’ll show you exactly what the process looks like! Check Your Stroller Size Here We’re scoping out all the new policies and changes (as well as what’s stayed the same!) in the Disney Resorts. We’ll continue to provide you with more details about Disney World’s reopening, but for now, check out which modes of transportation are currently available for guests. Click here to learn more about the changes you can expect at Disney World hotels this summer! Are you planning on renting a stroller on your next visit to Disney World? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Eight Lessons We Learned the Hard Way About Taking a BABY to Walt Disney World Why Disney World Could Be Very DIFFERENT When It Reopens What Will Happen if You Refuse To Wear A Mask In Disney World? View the full article

Some Disney World workers are pleading with theme park executives to reconsider plans to reopen in July, following days of record-number cases of COVID-19 infections that pushed the statewide total past 100,000. View the full article

Disney World’s new Disney Park Pass theme park reservation system launched this morning and (perhaps unsurprisingly) the website had some issues keeping up with demand. Eventually, though, the reservation system went live and resort guests rushed to get their reservations for opening day and beyond. Disney’s Hollywood Studios entrance Now, after just a few hours of being available, Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park reservations are GONE for opening day and the two days after. As of now, you won’t be able to make Hollywood Studios reservations on July 15th, 16th, or 17th. Whew! That was fast! Disney Park Pass reservations are subject to availability. Though Disney has not released capacity numbers for the reopened parks — we know that there is a significant limit on attendance. Disney Park Pass Availability Screenshot None of the other theme parks are unavailable for any dates after they reopen as of press time. So, yes, reservations for opening day and a few days past are officially unavailable at Hollywood Studios. There is a function that allows guests to cancel reservations, but as of now, it is unclear how smoothly the system will work in handling cancellations. Could this mean that those canceled reservations could become available to other guests? We’re not sure just yet. Kylo Ren and General Hux Keep an eye on DFB for all of the BIGGEST updates about the new reservation system today. Plus, we’re visiting the reopened Disney World resorts! Follow along for all the latest news. Click here to learn about the launch of the Disney Park Pass reservation system! Did YOU snag an opening day reservation? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: Disney World Park Pass Reservation System FAQ Why Disney World Could Be Very DIFFERENT When It Reopens BREAKING NEWS: Disney World Ticket and Hotel Sales for 2020 Won’t Resume Until “Later This Summer” View the full article

We’re checking out a REOPENED Disney World resort today after already completing our contactless online check-in a few days ago! Bay Lake Tower There are already a bunch of interesting changes we’ve noticed today, but now it’s time to take a look at what’s different about our hotel rooms! Here’s a first look inside one of Disney World’s newly reopened hotel rooms! We were pretty interested to see how Disney has changed our home away from home while we’ve been away. We couldn’t wait to check out our room once Disney texted us it was ready! Plus, we were able to bypass the front desk and use the My Disney Experience’s digital key feature to unlock our door! Screenshot From My Disney Experience App Things looked about the same as we remembered them at first glance. We’ve stayed at Disney’s Contemporary Resort’s Bay Lake Tower quite a few times, so we know their DVC studios like the back of our hands! Bay Lake Tower Room Upon closer inspection, we could tell a few things had definitely been changed! For one, we noticed there was no bed skirt on our bed. Decorative throw pillows have also been removed. Bay Lake Tower Our room also had a new sign regarding the enhanced cleaning of our room. Disney is giving all rooms a “thorough cleaning” before your arrival. Specifically, they mention paying special attention to high-touch areas like TV remotes and door handles. Enhanced Cleaning Sign We noticed our DVD and TV remote were freshly sanitized and wrapped in plastic bags. Remotes Guest rooms’ floors are being steam-cleaned and vacuumed between guests. Furthermore, housekeeping tools are be cleaned between each room’s cleaning. Bay Lake Tower Room Our bathroom was equipped with all the usual supplies including bath towels, facial tissue, mini toiletries, and toilet paper. Bathroom at Bay Lake Tower Since this is a Disney Vacation Club room, housekeeping is now scheduled to come on the fourth and eighth days of our stay. Guests staying in non-DVC rooms will receive a light cleaning service every other day of your stay. Both DVC members and regular resort guests can also choose to decline housekeeping services. Patio Looks the Same Our room also has a small kitchenette that still included its microwave, mini-fridge, and smaller appliances. Kitchenette The in-room coffee maker was still hanging out! Coffee Maker And we still had our coffee-making supplies, disposable cutlery, regular kitchen towel, and can opener. Coffee Supplies and Cutlery Our toaster was also still available… Toaster …and we had the usual supply of disposable cups, bowls, and plates which are individually wrapped. Cups, Plates and Bowls Keep in mind many of these amenities like a toaster, can opener, and more are standard in DVC rooms like this, but you’ll find the standard in-room coffee maker present in non-DVC rooms! The room was also equipped with its extra blanket, pillow, and hangers… Closet …and the ironing board and iron were also still present. Ironing Supplies The in-room safe is also still available for guests to use. Room Safe As you can see, the rooms really haven’t changed all that much from a guests’ perspective even though Disney World has really increased its cleaning procedures at the hotels! We’ll be reporting on all of the changes we see in Disney World today so make sure you follow along with DFB! We’re LIVE from the grand reopening of the Disney World resorts! Click here to follow along! Do you have a Disney World stay coming up? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: BREAKING NEWS: These Disney World Restaurants Will Be OPEN Starting June 22nd! BREAKING NEWS! Here’s the Full List of Confirmed Disney World Hotel Reopening Dates! The 12 Best Meals To Eat in Disney World…Without Leaving Your Hotel!! View the full article

Disneyland Paris now has a reopening date! Disneyland Paris This morning, Disney announced the reopening of the premiere European Disney resort at Disneyland Paris. We’ll be strolling by Sleeping Beauty Castle again on July 15th, but in the meantime, we’re taking a look at some of the health and safety measures we can expect when we head back into Disneyland Paris. Limiting Attendance Similar to the reopenings of the other Disney theme parks in Disneyland, Disney World, Shanghai Disneyland, and Hong Kong Disneyland; Disneyland Paris will set limits on attendance that require advanced ticketing and reservations to follow government guidance on physical distancing. Walt Disney Studios Park Like the Disney Park Pass system that launched for Disney World today, Disneyland Paris will use a theme park reservation system that is set to launch in early July. Unlike Disney World though, not all guests need to have reservations to get into the park. Those with dated tickets or tickets as a part of a package will be given admission. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are on sale now. Physical Distancing Disneyland Paris will also be implementing physical distancing measures within the park. In the Parks Single Rider and FASTPASS will be unavailable as attractions are reconfigured to allow for distancing. Certain experiences such as kids’ playgrounds, traditional character meet and greets, and makeover experiences will be unavailable for a time. While there won’t be close interactions with characters, you will still see many Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel characters in the parks. Disneyland Paris Some shows and events will be unavailable or modified for a time being. Disney Stars on Parade and Disney Illuminations nighttime spectacular are both temporarily unavailable. The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands will reopen this summer with a new seating configuration. In the Hotels and Resorts Guests staying at Disney hotels will receive Extra Magic Time to access the park areas before park hours. There will be a variety of health measures within the Disneyland Paris accommodations as well. Elevators will be used for one family at a time, sneeze guards will be installed, there will be accelerated check-in procedures, and room service will be adapted. Shopping and Dining Restaurants will see reduced seating and improved takeaway offers. Buffets will switch to a family-style serving model. With limited capacities, reservations are highly recommended for all table-service dining. The Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlour Boutiques will be reconfigured to allow for more space for traffic flow. Cast Members will be charged with encouraging physical distancing as well. You may see entry and exit paths used in different shopping and dining locations. Disneyland Paris will also be expanding contactless payments and installing sneeze guards where appropriate. Protective Measures Disneyland Paris is implementing a variety of measures to promote health, safety, and cleanliness. Cast Members and Guests over 11 years old will be required to wear face coverings at all times. Guests may notice increased cleaning measures and the addition of hand-sanitizing stations. Walt’s—an American restaurant greets guests in the middle of Main Street, U.S.A. Finally, Disneyland Paris will be providing enhanced health and safety training for Cast Members. Prior to opening, they will all undergo training to make sure that they are ready to play a role in the new protocols. Gusteau’s Sign Soars Over La Place de Rémy and Bistrot Chez Rémy And there you have it! Disneyland Paris will reopen to the public with ALL these new health measures on July 15th. Keep an eye on DFB for all the latest updates! Click here to learn more about the reopening of Disneyland Paris! Have any questions about the health measures in Disneyland Paris? Ask them in the comments! Related posts: BREAKING NEWS! Disneyland Paris to Reopen on July 15th! Disneyland Paris Will Feature Frozen and Star Wars Celebrations in 2020! It’s Costing Disney HOW MUCH To Close The Theme Parks?! View the full article

Americans have never been more ready to get out of the house and bask in the sun. Warm-weather beach destinations are the most popular vacation searches, but common new changes include parking restrictions to control crowds, limits on leisure activities like sunbathing, and nixing coolers, chairs, umbrellas and other gear. View the full article

We’re checked in to the reopened Disney World resort hotels today to see what we can learn! Grand Floridian Lobby With all of the health and safety protocol changes we’re seeing in the resorts today, we have a few specific questions. For one, can we still get groceries delivered to our Disney World resort hotel? Grocery delivery is an awesome trick to managing your packing and budget needs. We love to have the option when we’re visiting Disney World so we were happy to find out that you CAN still get groceries delivered. Polynesian Resort Lobby The process remains the same. If you order groceries (through Garden Grocer, Instacart, or a variety of other delivery services), you can have them delivered to Bell Services. Packages shipped from home or an online retailer will be accepted by the front desk. They will keep your groceries or packages stored and refrigerated or frozen (if needed) until you can pick them up from the front desk or you can have them delivered to your room for a handling fee of $6. Wanna learn more about sending deliveries to your Disney World resort? Click here! Keep those questions coming! Anything else you NEED to know about the reopened Disney World resorts? Let’s hear em! We’re scoping out ALL the answers to your biggest questions. Check back with us as we continue our coverage of the reopened hotels! Click here to see more of the reopened hotels at Disney World! Are you hoping to get your groceries delivered in Disney World? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: This EASY Disney World Packing Tip Will Save You Both Money AND Suitcase Space! Why Disney World Could Be Very DIFFERENT When It Reopens TripAdvisor Lists Disney World Hotels As Closed Until July 30th; But Bookings Can Be Made From June 1st View the full article

We’re coming at you LIVE from the reopening of the Disney Vacation Club Resort hotels in Disney World! Disney’s Riviera Resort So far we’ve covered dining, shopping, swimming, and MORE at these reopened hotels (we even caught a glimpse of the PINK Cinderella Castle!). As we’ve been reporting around the resorts, there was one common trend that honestly surprised us a bit! Overall, each of the Disney World hotels we’ve been to today have been VERY quiet and empty! It reminded us a lot of the early days of Disney Springs’ phased reopening when we were hard-pressed to find ANY other guests! Topolino’s Terrace Dining Room At both Topolino’s Terrace and Grand Floridian Cafe, it felt like we were the only diners there! Grand Floridian Cafe The main lobby areas, which are usually areas with higher amounts of foot traffic, were eerily quiet! It felt like a ghost town inside the main lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa! Grand Floridian Lobby If we didn’t know any better, we could be fooled into thinking the resorts are still closed! Grand Floridian Lobby The lobby at Disney’s Riviera Resort was also quite empty. Lobby and Check In Shopping was a quiet, lonesome experience for us, too! Stopping by Bayview Gifts this morning was a stark difference from the hustle and bustle we are used to seeing at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Bayview Gifts Then we thought, “It’s a nice day outside! Maybe everyone is at the pool!” We were WRONG! Disney’s Riviera Resort’s Pool The pool area was practically deserted! Riviera Resort Pool The pool bar area at Grand Floridian was just as empty! Grand Floridian As this is the first day the hotels are open, it may take a few days for the crowds to trickle back in and arrive for their resort reservations. And with the theme parks not reopening until July 11 and 15, it’s possible many guests chose to modify their reservations to come later in the season. But there’s no denying that walking around empty Disney World Resort hotels is an ODD feeling, to say the least! Keep up with all of our live coverage from the reopened Disney Vacation Club Resort hotels here! Do you have an upcoming resort reservation BEFORE the theme parks reopen? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Disney’s Making Changes to Its Disney Vacation Club Points! See The Updated Charts HERE! Review! Let’s Do Breakfast AND Lunch at Disney’s Riviera Resort’s Primo Piatto! NEWS! Face Coverings Will Be Required in Public Areas at Disney Vacation Club Hotels View the full article

Now that select Disney World Resort hotels and restaurants have reopened, we’re here to check out the experience and report back! Grand Floridian Cafe We headed to Grand Floridian Cafe to see how the new restaurant procedures are being implemented. Let’s take a look inside! Check-In If you are not staying at the Grand Floridian, you must provide your dining reservation details, including the name on the reservation, to the Cast Member at the entrance to the parking lot. Grand Floridian Lobby Once you arrive at Grand Floridian Cafe, we used the new Mobile Dine Check-In by scanning a QR code in the lobby of the restaurant. You can also check-in using My Disney Experience! Learn more about the new Mobile Dine Check-In here! Seating As we were brought to our table, we noticed that the restaurant was pretty empty! Grand Floridian Cafe Despite seeing a few other parties in the restaurant, this definitely wasn’t your typical brunch shift that we are used to seeing at Grand Floridian Cafe! There didn’t seem to be any fewer tables than usual, but not every table was available for seating. Grand Floridian Cafe We were also given a paper bag to hold our mask while we dined. Do note that this might not be standard for every restaurant because we didn’t receive a mask bag when dining at Topolino’s Terrace at Disney Riviera Resort this morning. Mask bag We immediately noticed Cast Members cleaning and sanitizing various surfaces. Grand Floridian Cafe Cast Member Then it was time to take a look at the menu itself! Menu At Grand Floridian Cafe, a QR code menu was available. QR menu at Grand Floridian Cafe Our server brought us a paper menu and noted that the QR menu seemed to be running a little slow. Paper menu at Grand Floridian Cafe At other locations, we needed to request a paper menu, but since the QR menu was experiencing some lag, we didn’t need to ask for a paper menu. Keep in mind however that this may not always be the case! Paper menu at Grand Floridian Cafe We noticed many menu items that we have enjoyed in the past, like the Floridian Pancakes and the Lobster Thermidor Burger, but today it was all about the QUICHE. Do keep in mind that they are offering a limited menu at this time and that beloved favorites like the Chicken and Waffles are currently unavailable. Food We ordered the Roasted Tomato and Feta Quiche for $15 and it was DIVINE. It comes with spinach, feta, and roasted tomatoes. Quiche The quiche is also served with a little side salad along with a couple slices of watermelon. Quiche And of course, if you’re having brunch, a Bloody Mary is a necessity! Their Chipotle Bloody Mary for $14 is a scrumptious mixture of house-made chipotle-infused Vodka and comes garnished with jumbo shrimp, chorizo, and a lime-salted rim. Bloody Mary Put it all together (including their delicious biscuits with homemade citrus butter!) and you have the makings of a fine brunch. Grand Floridian Cafe The real standout for us today was the quiche! It’s a great serving size if you aren’t looking for something that’s too filling, but super flavorful at the same time! And the biscuits with the homemade citrus butter is always such a great touch to any meal at Grand Floridian Cafe. Payment Grand Floridan Cafe uses the same disposable check holders that we saw this morning at Topolino’s Terrace. Each of these holders are disposed of after use. Disposable check holder Overall, Grand Floridian Cafe is spreading guests out, using QR menus (when it’s working properly), and offering guests face mask bags. Changes may occur over time as everyone, including Cast Members, adjust to these new health and safety measures. Click here to learn more about the changes to Disney World dining experiences you can expect this summer! What do you think about the changes to Grand Floridian Cafe? Share your thoughts in the comments! Related posts: BREAKING NEWS: These Disney World Restaurants Will Be OPEN Starting June 22nd! NEWS: Disney World Theme Park Restaurants Listed On Mobile Dine Check-In Map! Disney World Food Hack: Chicken and Waffles at Grand Floridian Cafe! View the full article

You’ll find Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC in The Landing area of Disney Springs. Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC And you know what you’ll find inside this nook that’s chock-full of vegan, allergy-friendly goodies? You’ll spot some NEW cupcakes in the bakery case, that’s what! Mexican Hot Chocolate and Coconut Caramel are the latest Cupcake additions. Erin McKenna’s Cupcakes And we couldn’t help but notice that the Coconut Caramel comes complete with those same huge coconut shavings that are sprinkled on one of our other favorite treats at Erin McKenna’s… the Samoa Donut! Allergy-friendly Samoa Donut at Erin McKenna’s bakery in Disney Springs Don’t forget! You can also find savory snacks like the new Veggie Bomb here (while additional sweet offerings as of late have included the awesome Cookie Monster Cupcake.) Of course, these cupcakes aren’t the only new things we’ve happened upon recently in Disney Springs… See everything new in Disney Springs by clicking here! So be sure to pop into Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC the next time you’re in Disney Springs — and you can check out the new safety measures in place at the bakery ahead of your visit by clicking here! Today our Walt Disney World adventures bring us outside of Disney Springs, as select Resort hotels are welcoming guests again starting TODAY, ahead of the reopening of the theme parks which will begin on July 11th with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom followed by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th. We hope you’ll stay tuned with us throughout the day as we continue our ongoing coverage of the phased reopening of Walt Disney World here on DFB! Are you a fan of Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: News: Vivoli il Gelato Debuts Tiramisu Gelato for a Limited Time Where to Find Disney Dole Whip Without A Park Ticket! What’s New in Disney Springs! August 10, 2018 View the full article

Select Disney World hotels reopened today and we’re LIVE with all the coverage! Be sure to follow along as we take you around the reopened Disney World Resort hotels! So far, we’ve checked out character dining, got an update on the transportation situation, and we even got a sneak peek at the PINK Cinderella Castle! It’s Mickey! Now, we’re exploring the changes that have been made to the overall shopping experience. We have been reporting daily from Disney Springs so we are pretty used to the shopping experience there. But today we’re seeing how the safety procedures are being implemented at merchandise locations in the hotels. Disney’s Contemporary Resort We stopped by Bayview Gifts at Disney’s Contemporary Resort to see what shopping at a hotel is like nowadays! The entrance had health and safety reminders as well as hand sanitizer. Bayview Gifts at Disney’s Contemporary Resort If the store becomes too crowded, floor markers are present outside the shop for guests to line up. Floor markers outside Bayview Gifts Once inside, we noticed that reusable face masks were available for purchase. Face masks for sale at Bayview Gifts Signage was present throughout the store to encourage guests to limit the number of times they handle a particular item. Signage at Bayview Gifts Markers have been placed on the ground in order to keep guests spaced out near the registers. Bayview Gifts As you approach the registers, you’ll find plexiglass sneeze guards. Plexiglass sneeze guards Disney is accepting all payments, but they’re encouraging guests to use contactless payments. Bayview Gifts Since the hotels so far have been VERY quiet, so there were few people shopping with us today. See where else we found face masks for sale today! Disney’s Riviera Resort We also swung by La Boutique in Disney’s Riviera Resort to see what was happening at Disney’s newest resort hotel! We noticed similar signage at the front entrance to the store, as well as hand sanitizer. La Boutique There is also a sign outside of La Boutique. If there are too many people in the store, a Cast Member will take your number and will text you when it’s your turn to shop. We’ve seen this virtual queue feature used at World of Disney in Disney Springs. There, we noticed reusable masks for sale as well as disposable masks! Disposable Face Masks In addition to the face masks, hand sanitizer was also available for purchase. Hand Sanitizer Forehead thermometers were also spotted as a new item for purchase. Forehead Thermometer Overall, the new signage and physical distancing measurements to the fully stocked masks and hand sanitizer, shopping at Disney World may feel a little different at first. We will be visiting multiple merch shops around Disney property today to see if anything differs, so be sure to check back! Keep up with ALL our coverage from the reopened Disney World Resort hotels here! Do you have an upcoming reservation at a Disney World Resort hotel? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: EVERY Place to Celebrate the New Year and Ring in 2020 in Disney World! The Most IMPORTANT Disney News You MISSED This Week! What’s New at Disney’s Monorail and Wilderness Lodge Resorts: a TON of Swimwear, the Cutest Baby Rattles, and ‘Onward’ Merch! View the full article

Will you be celebrating a special occasion on your next trip to Walt Disney World? Celebration Button A birthday, perhaps, or an engagement? Maybe your trip is in honor of a milestone anniversary… or are you planning your very FIRST TRIP to Walt Disney World? If so, then you may be looking forward to picking up one of the iconic BUTTONS that let everyone know YOU’RE CELEBRATING! Of course, there are a lot of changes taking place around Walt Disney World right now, and we are reporting on them throughout today as select Resort hotels have begun reopening to guests. Health and Safety Signage Numerous health measures — implemented in order to promote the safety of both guests and cast members — seek to minimize physical contact, including means such as contactless menus and options for payment (to name only two) and more. So you may be asking, “Are Celebration Buttons even available right now?” And the answer is… First Visit Celebration Buttons YES! But, we want to let you know… The buttons are available by request only. So, if you hope to have one to proclaim your occasion to the world (or, at least, to Walt Disney World!) you’ll want to stop by the front desk of your Resort hotel to ask! Riviera Resort Lobby and Check In While we hope the case will be the same with a visit to Guest Relations when the parks reopen (which will start on July 11th with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom followed by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th), we can’t say for certain just yet. But we will definitely be keeping you posted, as we will on all aspects of the reopening of Walt Disney World Resort! In the meantime, feel free to catch up on all the latest news about Disney Parks around the globe by visiting any of the links below. Will you be celebrating something at Walt Disney World on your next trip? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: Disney Shares Message For Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Guests About Enhanced Safety and Cleaning Measures For Their Stay DFB Video: 15 Disney World Hotel Hacks! DFB Video: Why People Keep Ending Up in the WRONG Disney World Hotel View the full article

Select Disney World resorts have reopened today! We’ve already used online check-in to bypass the front desk and we’ve also explored the new Mobile Dine Check-In feature using the My Disney Experience app! Hi Mickey From Afar! But now it’s time to go for a quick dip (it IS summer, after all!). That why we’re slathering on our sunblock, slipping on our flip flops, and are heading over to our resort’s pool to check out the scene! So far, we were a little surprised to learn Disney World’s hotels are not conducting on-site temperature screenings at this time, even though Disney has told us temperature checks will be mandatory when entering its theme parks and Disney Springs. Face masks are still required in all common areas at Disney World. Riviera Resort Pool Guests ages two and up must wear face masks at their resorts when they’re not in their guest rooms. However, Disney World does not require guests to wear face masks while dining or swimming. Riviera Resort Pool According to a lifeguard we spoke with, if you’re walking around the pool area they ask you to have your mask on. When you’re laying out in your chair or swimming in the pool you don’t need it on. Disney’s Riviera Resort’s Pool Lounge chairs have been spaced out for social distancing and a sign has been posted asking guests not to move chairs. Riviera Resort’s Pool Swim vests are still being provided for folks needing them… Swim Vests …and we noticed a sign which showed Movie Under The Stars was still being offered on select evenings. Activities The rest of the pool area seemed pretty normal to us. Even the kids’ splash zone’s water sprayers were working. Splash Zone We were told Disney World’s pools’ capacities would be limited, but there were very few guests swimming when stopped by. Other MAJOR changes include pool hour operations. Disney told us feature pools may operate with reduced hours and pools will be operating with limited capacity to enforce social distancing. However, leisure pools will be open 24 hours a day. We recommend confirming your pools’ hours with your resort since they are subject to change. Tables at Riviera Resort’s Pool Click here to learn more about the major changes Disney World hotels are making! Guests at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts will notice Stormalong Bay will not be available during the initial reopening period. Instead, they will be able to use the leisure pool at Beach Club and the Luna Park Pool at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn for the time being. Luna Park Pool at Disney’s Boardwalk And keep in mind, we don’t know when Disney World’s water parks will officially be reopening, but we’ll let you know as soon as we receive confirmation! In general, going for a dip in the pool was not all that different than we were used to before the closures! With the exception of wearing your mask when walking around the pool deck, it felt like just another day at the pool! We’re answering ALL your questions about the newly reopened resorts and their policies so share your questions in the comments and we’ll do our best to get you the answers you need! Check out our full experience dining at Topolino’s Terrace today here! What do you think about Disney World’s new safety regulations for their pools? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Related posts: Here’s The Complete List of Retail Locations That Are Reopening in Disney Springs on May 20th! STK Has Reopened in Disney World…And They’re Doing Things a Little Differently Surprise! Vivoli il Gelato Is Now Open in Disney World! View the full article

We certainly have been curious about how Disney would handle drink refills after reopening! Star Wars Tumblers This probably doesn’t come as a shock to you, but we have our fair share of Disney World Resort Refillable Mugs. The Refillable Mug Program helps to get you free refills for a limited time (sometimes with a specific expiration date, sometimes for the length of your stay). But how do refillable mugs work now that the hotels have reopened with new health and safety features? When Disney Springs reopened, we noticed that guests were no longer permitted to use the fountain drink machines — a Cast Member now fills your cup for you. It turns out, the Disney World hotels are following a similar policy when it comes to refillable mugs! You can snag your mug in a variety of hotel locations and they even show up on Mobile Order at some spots. Refillable Mugs For now, you present your refillable mug to a Cast Member. Once it’s been scanned for validity, the Cast Member will fill a disposable cup for you. Then it’s your choice to drink from the disposable cup or to toss your drink into your reusable mug. Whatever you pick — refills are still free with a valid mug! Drink Station Refillable mugs are still available for purchase at well. We have also checked out refillable popcorn buckets in Disney Springs. You can read more about that process here. Keep an eye on DFB today as we explore more a reopened Disney World — and sip on some soda of course! Click here to follow along LIVE from the reopening of some Disney World resort hotels! Have any questions about Disney’s refillable mug protocols? Ask them in the comments! Related posts: Could We See a Change in Disney World’s Refillable Mug Policy When Resorts Reopen? Disney World Is Asking Guests To Change, Confirm, or Cancel Reservations With Departure Dates On or Before July 11th MagicBand Orders and Customization Are BACK Ahead of Disney World’s Reopening! View the full article

We are live today from Walt Disney World, where select Disney Resort hotels have reopened to guests ahead of the reopening of the theme parks which will start with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11th followed by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th. Disney’s Riviera Resort Our morning started at Disney’s Riviera Resort, including a Character Breakfast with Mickey and a few more of our favorite pals at Topolino’s Terrace and, of course, a stroll around Disney World’s newest Disney Vacation Club Resort. While there, we stopped by the merchandise shop, La Boutique, where you’ll now spot safety signs prior to entering. La Boutique And, speaking of safety measures, we also noticed some additional items available for purchase among the fun souvenir items on the shelves. La Boutique La Boutique First, we noticed disposable face masks for $1.49, available alongside small bottles of hand sanitizer at the same price. Disposable Face Masks Remember, all guests and cast members are required to wear a face covering to enter a Resort at Walt Disney World, but it’s nice to know where you can pick up an extra should the need arise! Disposable Face Masks Hand Sanitizer We also couldn’t help but notice that a couple of the Disney Cloth Face Masks — which, by the way, have been so popular that they have been selling out in Disney Springs — were available as well! Disney Cloth Face Masks Disney Cloth Face Masks Guests can get one for $6.00, or four for $20.00. Disney Cloth Face Masks signage While La Boutique didn’t have the full line of masks up for grabs, it’s still good to know that you might have luck finding some at a Disney Resort hotel gift shop if you are having trouble finding them in stock in Disney Springs. Disney Cloth Face Masks Now, you’ll also find the usual over-the-counter care items that you may be used to seeing in a previous Resort stay. Over-the-counter care Among them, we located a reusable Forehead Thermometer for $2.39. Forehead Thermometer Do note, though, that — while temperature screenings are mandatory to enter Disney Springs, as they will be to enter the parks when they reopen — we were not required to undergo a temperature check when we entered the Resort itself today. (You can read more about that here.) We’ll be sharing a LOT more with you today about our Disney Resort experience, including what it’s like to actually shop in one of the merchandise locations. And, of course, MUCH more! In the meantime, to catch up on all the latest on the phased reopening of Walt Disney World (and other Disney destinations around the world), you can visit the links below. Have you had the chance to stop by Disney’s newest Resort? Please let us know with a comment. Related posts: We Asked Our Readers: What Will It Take For You to Feel Safe Visiting Disney World Again? Here’s What They Said. Here’s What Qualifies — and Doesn’t Qualify — as a Mask in Disney World! Disney Shares Message For Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Guests About Enhanced Safety and Cleaning Measures For Their Stay View the full article

While most character dining is suspended in Disney World, Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Rivera is the one location currently offering a modified character dining experience. Topolino’s Terrace | Photo Courtesy @carlyewisel And, while we know there will be a number of changes to the dining experience, including a limited menu, we stopped by Topolino’s Terrace to see what it’s actually like on reopening day! Mobile Dine Check-In First of all, Topolino’s Terrace uses the new Mobile Dine Check-In feature that allows you to skip the host when you arrive. You’ll be able to access the check-in through your Dining Reservation in “My Plans” in the My Disney Experience app. Mobile Dine Check-In Topolino’s Terrace Once you’re all checked in, you can head to the restaurant! At Topolino’s, they had this sign with a QR code to scan that would take you to the Mobile Dine Check-In as well. Mobile Dine Check-In Feature The new feature texts you when your check-in is confirmed and when your table is ready. Today, it took almost no time since the restaurant was on the slow side. Topolino’s Mobile Dine Check-In Text We were greeted by the smiling faces of Cast Members — or at least half of their smiling faces. As is the standard in all areas around Disney, Cast Members are sporting face masks. Guests are required to wear masks in most areas of the hotel as well. Cast Members at Topolino’s Our seater took us right to our table and was happy to answer any questions we had before our server came over. But before we get into the dining experience, let’s take a look around Topolino’s to see what health measures we can spot. Click here to learn more about the Mobile Dine Check-In feature! Health Measures First of all, Topolino’s hasn’t removed any tables, but many of them are marked as unavailable for physical distancing. Topolino’s Terrace Dining Room Some of the lounge seating is marked this way as well. Distanced Tables When a dining party is finished, the tables are cleared and sprayed with a combo of hydrogen peroxide and water that sits on the table for about 2 minutes. Topolino’s Terrace Servers We noticed some added signage to encourage physical distancing around the restrooms, too. Restroom Signage Other than a few signs, there were no major changes in the restrooms. Restroom Signage Of course, the changes to the space aren’t the only health measures. The Menu The way you get your menu has changed too! You’ll receive a handout with a QR code for your menu. Scan that code and you’ll be directed to an online version of the Topolino’s menu on your mobile device. QR Menu Paper menus are also available by request and disposed of after each use. QR Menu The menu is the same one you’ll spot on the Disney World website so it’s easy to take a look at what you might order in advance. Do keep in mind that Topolino’s is offering a limited menu at this time. Modified Character Experience As we mentioned, Topolino’s Terrace is the only character dining experience in Disney World at this time, but it is modified. There’s some signage posted to note that you will see Disney friends as they parade through but to remain seated as they come by. Topolino’s Terrace Character Notice Sure enough, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy all strolled through the restaurant at some points. Each of them paused so that we could snap a few pics or a selfie if we wanted! It’s Minnie! Mickey was the only one to come semi-close to our table. We still couldn’t hug our favorite mouse, but it was nice to have a laugh with him! Hi Mickey! At this time, characters are not signing autographs. Instead, we got this adorable “Fun on the Riviera” postcard from our Disney pals! Character Postcard All four characters have pre-signed signatures on the back. Character Postcard The modified character experience definitely feels a little different, but it was still pretty fun to get to wave to our Disney friends. Read more about how different character dining is here! The Food We were SUPER pleased to note that the complimentary pastry course was still a thing. Right now, they only have two sauces due to supply chain issues. Topolino’s Terrace Pastries Still, they are SO delicious. Click here to read about why we LOVE these pastries SO much! For our meal, we opted for the Quiche Gruyere with House-made pancetta, roasted potatoes, field greens, and lemon vinaigrette… Quiche …and the Smoked Salmon with an everything bagel, tomato, red onion, cream cheese, and capers. Smoked Salmon Both the quiche and the salmon were savory and a delicious start to our day. The quiche is very filling, but not in an overwhelming type of way! Our server let us know that for now the menu is limited for a few reasons. Supply chain issues have made it difficult to get some necessary ingredients and physical distancing in the kitchen has made it impossible to prep some items. They told us that this limited menu would continue at least through the first phase of reopening. Paying the Check Paying the check was pretty different as well. Instead of the typical check fold, we received this disposable one. Each fold is disposed of after use. If you pay with a card and need to use a pen, the pen is immediately dropped in a sanitizer bucket. Disposable Check Fold There was a handout notice on tipping that is typically posted in the regular check folds. Disposable Check Fold And there you have it! There certainly are some changes at Topolino’s Terrace, but things don’t feel too different. You will be spaced out, you’ll check out the menu in a new way, and you might now be able to hug Mickey, for the time being, but it’s still nice to bite into a muffin while gazing out over the gorgeous Riviera Resort. Cast Members were being very helpful and were super willing to answer all of our questions! Just remember, this is new for everyone. So changes to the process can be expected. Things may look a little different, even from what we experienced today, the next time you dine at Topolino’s Terrace! Stay tuned to DFB today as we explore ALL OVER the reopened Disney World resort hotels! Click here to see what changes guests can expect to their Disney World dining experiences this summer! Have you visited Topolino’s Terrace? How does this compare to your experience? Related posts: NEWS: One Character Dining Experience IS Returning To Disney World! BREAKING NEWS: How Disney World Dining is CHANGING This Summer PHOTOS: Here’s How Character Dining Is DIFFERENT in Disney World View the full article

We’re back at Disney World for the first time since mid-March now that select resorts have reopened today! Castle Construction And while the theme parks aren’t slated to reopening until next month, we’ve had the chance to go exploring and spot a few changes since our last visit to the hotels. That’s where we noticed this BIG change that was pretty hard to miss! As you may recall, Cinderella Castle had just started to receive her royal makeover shortly before the parks closed. We found out the Magic Kingdom icon would be getting a new rosy-pinkish paint job! Here’s how she looked when we saw her last! Cinderella Castle The new paint job was going up quickly, however, it was put on hold along with the rest of Disney World’s construction projects shortly after the closures occurred. But not too long ago, we found out the refurbishment had resumed and today we got to see Cinderella Castle once more with our own EYES! Magic Kingdom We’ve booked a stay at Disney’s Contemporary Resort which overlooks Magic Kingdom. And even though we can’t hop on the monorail and run over to Cinderella Castle right now because A.) the monorail isn’t running yet and B.) the park isn’t scheduled to reopen until July 11th, we’re VERY impressed by what we can SEE from a distance! Cinderella Castle And you guys, it’s PINK. Like really salmony-pink! The blues and very bright and you can even spot a lot of the golden details. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking (like when you wish upon a star!) but it certainly looks like the Cinderella Castle refurbishment could be completed VERY soon! Cinderella Castle We gotta say, the castle looks much more reminiscent of Disneyland’s pink Sleeping Beauty Castle (which also recently underwent a refurbishment). And the pictures hardly do the major change justice y’all. The color is VERY bright and different! We’ll continue to monitor its progress and provide you with more updates soon! Follow along with our live coverage from Disney World’s reopening of some of its select hotels here! What do you think of Cinderella Castle’s new pinkish hue? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: You’ve GOTTA See How Construction Is Progressing on Cinderella Castle in Disney World! Disney CEO Explains Why Disney World Is Opening AFTER Universal Here It Is! Our ULTIMATE GUIDE to EVERY SINGLE Arendelle Aqua Treat in Disney World and Disneyland (plus full reviews!)! View the full article

Now that we’ve used Disney World’s new Mobile Dine Check-In and experienced our first character meal (all while navigating Disney’s new Park Pass Reservation System which launched today) we’ve had a little time to go diggin’ around for more details regarding Disney World’s phased reopening! Character Postcard We’ve just learned that unlike Disney World theme park guests, resorts guests will not be required to undergo mandatory temperature screenings for the time being. And now we have a few more key pieces of information regarding which methods of transportation are currently available Disney World and will be when the theme parks reopen. Skyliner Station Even though we recently saw gondolas re-strung on the lines, Disney’s Skyliner is not currently operational. Unfortunately, there were no attendants at Disney’s Riviera Resort’s Skyliner station today so we couldn’t confirm when service will resume. We asked Cast Members at the front desk and, while they couldn’t confirm it will remain closed, that seemed to be their impression as well. Disney’s Skyliner We have also been informed the monorail at Magic Kingdom with service to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort is not running either. A Cast Member did inform us the monorail will be running when the theme parks reopen but for now, the only way to get from one resort to another is to drive. Disney World Valet services at the resorts are unavailable at this time and keep in mind you must have a dining reservation if you want to visit a Disney World resort other than the hotel you’re staying at. Monorail at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Buses are currently running to and from Disney Springs to each resort that has reopened today, but that’s the only way guests will be getting around using Disney World’s transportation for now! Keep in mind that things are still very much in flux right now and it’s possible that this could change between now and when the theme parks begin to reopen on July 11th. We’ll keep you posted if anything changes! Click here to learn now your stay at a Disney World hotel will be very different this summer! Are you surprised that the monorail and Disney’s Skyliner are still shut down? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Related posts: NEWS: Disney World Cast Members Are Being Called to Return to Theme Park Restaurants, Festivals, and Hotels NEWS: Disney Cast Members Being Recalled To Work At Disney World Hotels and Restaurants NEWS! Disney World Just Changed A LOT Of Menus, and We’ve Got The DETAILS! View the full article

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We are BACK in the Disney World hotels today and things look a little different! Disney’s Riviera Resort Select Disney World restaurants are open today with modifications. Though most character dining is suspended for the time being, there is ONE character meal that is still available at Topolino’s Terrace Character Breakfast à la Art. We’re taking a look at all the ways character dining is DIFFERENT now. Characters only come out for a little while. While we’re used to seeing Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy really work a room and playfully interact with each other, each character now performs a quick individual walkthrough. Minnie paused her march to blow us a quick smooch! It’s Minnie! You’ll get to wave and say hello to your pals and the room still comes alive while they’re out and about! Once each character finishes their promenade, they’ll all come out together for a small celebration. Check out our full review of Topolino’s character breakfast at Disney’s Riviera Resort here! You’ll have to take your pictures from afar. It’s super exciting to get to see Mickey and his crew again, but the characters are meeting from a distance. Only Mickey came up somewhat close to us, although he was still six feet away. It’s Mickey! The rest of the gang paused to allow time for pictures and we were even able to manage a few selfies with our favorite Disney friends in the distance! Donald was especially hamming it up for the camera and even did some flexing of his HUGE muscles! It looks like he’s been using his time off to get super-buff! It’s Donald! Even though the restaurant was pretty quiet today and there weren’t very many guests around, once the characters came out, they brought A LOT of fun and energy with them! Although it looks and feels a little different, we still had a great time seeing our Disney friends today. Characters won’t be signing autographs. Usually, breakfast at Topolino’s Terrace means we’ll get to snag autographs from Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy all in one fell swoop! But in the modified experience, our Disney pals have “signed” a special card for us instead! Character Autograph Card The autographs are pre-printed on the card and it makes for a pretty fascinating keepsake! Character Autograph Card Overall, the character meal sure did feel different than usual. We DO wish we could give Mickey a hug, but honestly, it was nice to just get a sweet wave and quick hello from our friends again! Do keep in mind, that things may change frequently as Disney settles into things. And as seen in other locations like Shanghai, things may slowly start to go back to the way we’re used to experiencing them. Disney World’s new Park Pass Reservation System is now LIVE! Click here to learn all the need-to-know details! What do you think of this new character dining process? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: News: Menu Updates For Disney World’s Topolino’s Terrace Character Dining Ahead of Reopening FULL Review and PHOTOS: Topolino’s Terrace Character Breakfast at Disney’s Riviera Resort — Now With MORE Food! NEWS! Disney World’s Riviera Resort is Hosting a Special New Year’s Day Character Breakfast! View the full article

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