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In case ya missed it, Universal Studios in Orlando is OFFICIALLY open for Annual Passholders. Universal Orlando Resort Currently, guests traveling to Universal are required to wear face masks throughout the parks and CityWalk. When Disney World reopens July 11th, they will require fact coverings as well. We know that wearing is a bit of an adjustment, but why not add a little Universal flair to your new required accessory? When we stopped by CityWalk a few weeks ago, we shared that Universal was selling masks for $6.00 and hand sanitizer for $3. Face coverings on display when we visited CityWalk Today, as we reported LIVE from the Annual Passholder preview of the reopened parks, we noticed that a few stores had started selling some Universal-specific face mask designs. New Masks at Universal A closer look shows three new styles including a black and white design with the Universal logo, a pretty royal blue mask, and a rainbow ‘Love is Universal’ mask just in time for Pride Month. Wondering about the new virtual lines at Universal? New Universal Masks You can grab 1 mask for $6 or 3 for $15. A portion of the proceeds will be going towards local charitable organizations. Pricing for Face Coverings at Universal Universal is still selling hand sanitizer and had large amounts in stock! These bottles are great for snapping on your belt loop or bag for easy access as you move throughout the park. Check out our experience with Universal CityWalk’s Reopening! Hand Sanitizer at Universal If you wanna buy a bottle, they are available for $3. Hand Sanitizer Pricing Today, Universal also debuted new URest locations throughout the parks. Here, guests are able to remove their masks to take a bit of a break. Check out these new URest locations here! We will be back at Universal Orlando on June 5th, so let us know if you have any questions about the new procedures. Check out our FULL coverage on Universal’s reopening here. Which new design is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: NEWS and PHOTOS: Face Masks and Hand Sanitizer Available for Purchase at Universal Orlando Resort Stores 3 Things We Hope We DON’T See At The Disney Springs Reopening This Week Universal Studios Has EXTENDED Its Temporary Closure View the full article

Ever since Disney Springs reopened on May 20th, more and more restaurants have been opening back up. Planet Hollywood But today, we noticed one previously opened establishment was strangely CLOSED! While strolling around Disney Springs today, we noticed that Planet Hollywood had a sign on its doors reading “Sorry Temporarily Closed.” Planet Hollywood Temporarily Closed When we asked a cast member why Planet Hollywood wasn’t operating, we weren’t offered any specifics. However, we did note that Chicken Guy! next door is OPEN! Chicken Guy! But it seems as though this table service spot may be closed for some time — the website isn’t posting any hours until June 22nd. And even then, it’s only showing that it will be open from 4pm to 6pm on that day! Planet Hollywood previously reopened on May 20th during Disney Springs’ initial reopening phase. B-A-N-A-N-A-S Boozy Milkshake While Planet Hollywood seems to be in a holding pattern for some reason right now, be sure that we will keep you UPDATED on any more information about its operating hours. Read our review of our recent dinner at Planet Hollywood here! Will Planet Hollywood’s temporary closure affect your next trip to Disney Springs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! Related posts: What’s New at Disney Springs: Dogs Wearing Face Masks, Four Pounds of Loaded Fries, and MORE! News! Planet Hollywood Will Be Reopening on May 20th in Disney Springs EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT in Disney Springs For Florida Residents! View the full article

If you’re looking to get your beard trim on while shopping at the recently reopened Disney Springs, boy, have we got good news for you! The Art of Shaving at Disney Springs Today, another retail shop opened back up…The Art of Shaving! And it’s just in time for Father’s Day! Like the Lego Store, Sephora, and other reopened shops, The Art of Shaving looks a LITTLE different. To help enforce social distancing, The Art of Shaving is limiting capacity to just four shoppers at a time. And, like the rest of Disney Springs, a face mask is required for entry. The Art of Shaving Social Distancing policy Guests are also asked not to touch anything on the store shelves. Instead, a consultant will assist you as you shop. The Art of Shaving at Disney Springs In case you forgot, The Art of Shaving is the one place you can get a haircut and shave at Disney Springs! The Barber Spa sign at Art of Shaving However, The Barber Spa is also NOT taking appointments at this time, though we were told that the store was working on getting this service back up and running! (We’re all starting to look a little shaggy, after all… .) Of course, you know we’ll keep you updated on this service! For EVERYTHING you need to know about the reopened Disney Springs, click here! Are you excited that The Art of Shaving has reopened at Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: You Can Get a Shave and a Haircut WHERE in Disney World?! News! Basin is Set to Reopen with Disney Springs on May 20th Reopening Day of Disney Springs From Cast Members’ Perspectives View the full article

Disney Springs reopened a few weeks ago and slowly but surely more locations have started to open their doors. Just today, Once Upon a Toy and Cookes of Dublin opened up again. City Works Now, another location has informed us about their reopening plans. According to a City Works manager, the location plans to reopen on June 10th! City Works That’s right! Just like Raglan Road, City Works will soon be opening the doors and welcoming guests once again. City Works Bar While they haven’t shared specifics, we are interested to see how they plan to implement new health and safety procedures. We will be sure to check them out and report back with all the details on June 10th. So stay tuned!! Keep checking back as we continue to monitor the reopening of shops and restaurants around Disney Springs and be sure to see what the new Disney dining experience feels like! See what’s NEW in Disney Springs here! Are you excited to visit City Works once it reopens? Let us know! Related posts: News! The City Works Sign Has Magically Appeared in Disney Springs! We Officially Have Reopening Date for Cookes of Dublin in Disney World Raglan Road in Disney World Has Officially Announced A Reopening Date View the full article

Welcome, foolish mortals! Haunted Mansion The Haunted Mansion is one of Disney World’s most iconic rides. It was an opening day attraction at Magic Kingdom and guests still eagerly (and nervously!) anticipate their tour of this spooky spectacle nearly 50 years later. But just who are the happy haunts we meet in The Haunted Mansion? Let’s take a look! (But listen up, Mansion diehards — we hear you! This post is JUST the backstory and plot of the Florida version of the Mansion. Each version worldwide has a different backstory and different interpretations of the characters. We’re focusing on Walt Disney World’s Mansion for now, but may take an in-depth look at the others later!) Wait, What is The Haunted Mansion? Here’s a brief introduction for those who haven’t yet visited this eerie estate! The Haunted Mansion takes guests on a tour of the ghostly grounds, and it’s led by your very own Ghost Host. The experience begins before even entering the building, as the queue also nods to some of the mansion’s residents, including the debated owner, Master Gracey (but more on THAT later!). Haunted Mansion Graveyard Once guests enter the ride, a Doom Buggy transports them through the mansion, as they observe the activities of the ghostly residents, including a séance conducted by Madame Leota, a party in the Grand Hall, and a menacing bride in the attic. Now, let’s learn a little more about how these residents came to earn their places in The Haunted Mansion! Check out the 60th-anniversary merchandise for The Haunted Mansion! Master Gracey As mentioned before, Master Gracey is the owner of the mansion. Well…sort of. But not really. In addition to spotting his tombstone in the queue, guests will spot a slowly aging portrait of a man over the fireplace when they first enter the mansion. But is this ACTUALLY Master Gracey? The Aging Portrait ©Disney As it turns out, Disney guests had a hand in creating the “semi-official” canon that Master Gracey owns the mansion and adorns the portrait, but it’s still hotly contended amongst Mansion fans! Master Gracey’s tombstone was one of the original ones installed in the family plot of The Haunted Mansion. This was a tribute to Imagineer Yale Gracey, who had a large role in creating the attraction. Guests and Cast Members were so sure of Master Gracey’s role as the owner of the estate and subject of the aging portrait, that it became adopted as part of the attraction’s backstory, and most notably was a main plot point in the 2003 film adaptation. The Haunted Mansion Queue In reality? No one knows for sure! The portrait was originally referred to as the Aging Man or the Master of the House. His identity wasn’t originally made known when the attraction debuted. Some guests have even interpreted the portrait to be the Ghost Host, but we’ll get to him next! Looking for more spooky fun? Check out our ultimate guide to last year’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! The “Ghost Host” Okay, now it’s time to bust a myth — the omniscient voice which narrates the attraction (our so-called “Ghost Host”) is NOT Master Gracey! Nope, despite the fact that we first hear his voice during the aging portrait scene in the queue, it’s a totally different person…or should we say, spirit…but we do still get a glimpse of him in portrait form on the ride. The Ghost Host’s portrait hangs in the Corridor of Doors. Does he look familiar?? The Ghost Host’s Portrait ©Disney Much of the Ghost Host’s story is shrouded in secrecy. Although we do get a glimpse (albeit a very brief one!) into how he met his end in the stretching room (look up when the lightning flashes!). And his portrait illustrates what might have occurred immediately after this scene for our tour guide. You can “spot” the Ghost Host in one other location on the attraction — the haunted piano your doom buggy crosses in the attraction! Look down and you’ll see the shadow of the Ghost Host playing the piano cast on the floor! Check out our favorite weird secrets about Disney World hotels! Constance Hatchaway Another character guests encounter is the ghostly bride, Constance Hatchaway, but this Black Widow Bride wasn’t a part of the attraction until 2006! We meet Constance in the attic, as we pass by portraits of her and her former husbands, who each met a violent and untimely demise. Constance was in search of wealth, which she obtained by marrying rich men and then murdering them following their wedding day. That’s why each time we see her in the attic following another marriage portrait, she’s wearing an additional strand of pearls around her neck. Spectral Bride in the Haunted Mansion Segment And it looks like Constance never got caught. How do we know? Well, it turns out we’ve seen her depicted before — Constance is one of the people depicted in the stretching room portraits, sitting on top of her most recently deceased husband’s tombstone. Constance’s Portrait in the Stretching Room ©Disney Prior to 2006, you might recall still seeing a bride — a much spookier one — in the attic. Known unofficially as the Beating Heart Bride, the predecessor to Constance was a much more low-tech bride holding a candle, featuring a loud beating heart sound, no discernible face (short of glowing eyes!), and a glowing red heart in her chest. This Bride went through a few iterations in both Disneyland and Disney World before ultimately being replaced in 2006 by now well-known Constance! This version of the bride intentionally was never given an official backstory, so her story could be interpreted as both tragic or malicious depending on the guest! A fun addition with the 2006 graveyard makeover came in the form of Constance’s wedding ring. As you walk the queue (near Master Gracey’s grave by the Captain Culpepper Clyne tomb) look down in the corner. You might spot a wedding ring embedded in the pavement. Look Down and to the Right of This Tomb to Find the Ring This was added as a nod to guests asking if the original Beating Heart Bride’s wedding ring was in the concrete — it was just a ring of metal from a pole in the ground, but the rumor stuck! When the queue was expanded, the Imagineers added a real ring for fans. Check out our photos and review of Constance’s For Better or For Worse Wedding Cake at last year’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! Madame Leota There is at least one more well-known character guests become a little more familiar with on the attraction — the mysterious Madame Leota. We see Leota (well, at least we see her head!) as she’s calling out to the spirits in a séance. And while the ride might leave her story a little vague, we can learn more about her with a trip to the Memento Mori shop. Memento Mori Clues throughout the shop let us in on Leota’s backstory. She was a witch living in Salem, Massachusetts, until the beginning of the Salem Witch Trials when she fled the state. She relocated to a village in the Hudson River Valley, New York, and opened a shop called “Memento Mori Curios and Curiosities.” Madame Leota Tart She met the wealthy Gracey family and grew so close to them that she was buried in the Gracey Family Plot upon her death. Guests can spot her watchful — and sometimes OPEN! — eyes on her tombstone right before they enter the mansion! With Madame Leota-themed merchandise, perfume, and snacks all sold at various times, this is one mansion resident who’s really made a name for herself! The Hitchhiking Ghosts Aren’t these fellas familiar!? If you listen to your Ghost Host near the end of the ride, he may warn you to, “Beware of hitchhiking ghosts!” He means these guys! Hitchhiking Ghost Souvenir Collection from the Haunted Mansion’s 60th Anniversary These guys don’t have much of a backstory that is known! What IS known is their unofficial names: Phineas (the traveler), Ezra (the skeleton), and Gus (the prisoner). (And for you diehard mansion fans out there, the Hatbox Ghost is different from these dudes and is ONLY in Disneyland.) Little Leota “Hurry back. Hurry back. Be sure to bring your…death certificate.” Did you notice as you exit the Mansion, a tiny-sized bride speaking to you? Constance again?! Not so much. Little Leota ©Jeff Krause via Flickr This bride is affectionately referred to as “Little Leota” or the Ghostess (a combination of ghost and hostess!). She was conceived by Imagineer Marc Davis to help you “make final arrangements” to stay in the Mansion at the end of your tour! She earned the name Little Leota not for her relation to Madame Leota, but rather because her face and voice come from Imagineer Leota Toombs, who was the face actress (but not the voice actress) for the Leota in the Séance Room. Be sure to bid her farewell before you re-enter the mortal world! Check out this NEW Haunted Mansion Halloween merch collection! It turns out there’s more to these spooky specters than meets the eye. From malevolent brides, to friendly mediums, to invisible tour guides, it’s been a pleasure getting to know a few of the 999 happy haunts that reside in The Haunted Mansion! Maybe next time we’ll get into New Orleans plantations and a fella by the name of Captain Gore over at the Mansion in Disneyland. And remember, there’s still room for one more — any takers?? Did you know about these Disney restaurants with hidden secrets?? What is your favorite part of The Haunted Mansion? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Review: Menu Updates and More At Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Tree Tavern What’s New in the Magic Kingdom: NEW Snacks, Lots of NEW Merchandise and Construction Updates! ALERT! All Disney World Fans NEED This Phone Case! View the full article

You’ll find the House of Blues Restaurant & Bar in Disney Springs. House of Blues And, as of today at 4 PM, it is reopening to guests on the West Side! If you’re familiar with the House of Blues, you’ll know that several spots make up the location which, along with the restaurant, also include the Front Porch Bar, a merchandise shop, and more. We first noticed that that the merchandise location was open in advance of the restaurant itself. House of Blues merchandise shop Signage is in place to direct guest flow throughout the shop as part of the new safety measures. Foot Traffic signage House of Blues merchandise House of Blues merchandise And guests can also find out additional protocols being put into place before they step inside thanks to even more signage. Safety Sign And speaking of signs… we spotted another outside of the Front Porch Bar at House of Blues informing that live music would be starting today at 4:00 PM! Live Music starts at 4:00 PM Again, 4:00 PM is also the time that the restaurant will be reopening to guests once more. Outdoor Seating They were already preparing for guests with notices on how to access the digital menu placed on the tabletops. Digital Menu instructions Both indoor and outdoor seating will be open (though bar seating will not be available). Guests will be seated at every other table inside. We also want to note that the smaller outdoor eatery at House of Blues — The Smokehouse — isn’t open just yet. The Smokehouse is closed for now But we’ll be keeping ay eye out! In the meantime, here’s a look at the menu for The Smokehouse to whet your appetite for some good ol’ BBQ… The Smokehouse Menu We’ll be checking in with you again here from the House of Blues soon! And while we cover the ongoing reopening of Disney Springs, you can also learn more about the upcoming reopening of the Walt Disney World theme parks (which will start on July 11th for Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom followed by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th) by visiting any of the links below. Do you like to dine at the House of Blues in Disney Springs? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: Disney World Splitsville Cast Member Special Offers REVIEW! We Found BEER CHEESE…at Morimoto Asia in Disney World?! NEWS: Pandora Jewelry, Chapel Hats, Columbia Sportswear and MORE Join List of Disney Springs Shops Reopening on May 20th View the full article

Slowly but surely, more restaurants are reopening at Disney Springs. Disney Springs And today, you can add another quick service restaurant to the list of opened spots: Cookes of Dublin! The Irish restaurant best known for its Famous Fish and Chips and gut-busting Hog in a Box is serving guests once again! Cookes of Dublin Like other restaurants at Disney Springs, Cookes of Dublin has new health and safety measures, including temperature checks for cast members, increased sanitization, single-use items when possible, a one-way queue system, safety markers on the floor for social distancing, safe screens, and more. Cookes of Dublin health and safety measures The bar next door, The Hole in the Wall, has also reopened! However, if you want to dine at Raglan Road, you’ll have to wait — it won’t reopen until June 10th. Hole in the Wall and Cookes of Dublin at Disney Springs So if you just CAN’T wait until Epcot reopens on July 15th to get your fish and chips and pints of beer on, you can indulge now at Disney Springs! For the ULTIMATE guide to the reopened Disney Springs, click here! Is Cookes of Dublin on your must-eat list now that it’s open again at Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Gluten- and Dairy-Free Fish and Chips at Raglan Road and Cookes of Dublin in Disney Springs The 2020 Mighty St. Patrick’s Day Festival Kicks Off at Raglan Road on March 13th! We Officially Have Reopening Date for Cookes of Dublin in Disney World View the full article

If you didn’t know, Disney Springs is back open and ready for business. Cooke’s of Dublin While neighboring Raglan Road Irish Pub opens June 10th, Cooke’s of Dublin reopened TODAY and you can stop by to indulge in these sweet happy hour specials! Cookes of Dublin, an Irish-themed quick service restaurant in Disney Springs, reopened today and is offering some STELLAR happy hour deals. Cookes of Dublin Happy Hour Board in Disney Springs Premium Draught beers & Premium Well liquors at the Hole in the Wall Bar are both $5 during happy hour! The Hole in the Wall Bar Pre-Closure If you’re in the mood for Premium Draught beers or Premium Well liquors, you can stop by Cookes of Dublin Monday-Friday anytime between 12PM-6PM to capitalize on these happy hour prices! Check out some more restaurants in Disney Springs! Will you be stopping by Cookes of Dublin? Let us know! Related posts: SUCCESS!: Vintage Bacon and Cheese Dip Returns to Cookes of Dublin in Disney Springs! Gluten- and Dairy-Free Fish and Chips at Raglan Road and Cookes of Dublin in Disney Springs Cookes of Dublin in Disney Springs Launches Mobile Ordering via Website and App View the full article

Walt Disney World is TRULY a magical place. It almost seems like you can snap your fingers, and a magical moment will occur around you. Cinderella Castle Well, technically there are TONS of magical moments happening all around you constantly, thanks to a lovely little thing known as Guest Services. The team behind those moments are an extensive number of Cast Members across multiple lines of business, ready to assist you. We’re bringing to you THIRTY NINE Things You Didn’t Know Guest Services Could Do In Walt Disney World. No Strings Attached Voucher Let’s start this list off with a big ol’ secret! While this isn’t something you can ask for, deserving guests can be gifted with the No Strings Attached Voucher. No Strings Attached Voucher This is basically the chance for a Cast Member to make something right by providing a voucher for a priority entrance to meet a character, Disney Dining Plan Snack, FastPass, merchandise, and more. These are typically only given out when something goes wrong, and NOT something you can ask for. But you never know if your day might be sprinkled with a little extra pixie dust! Check out four super SECRET things you didn’t know happened in Disney World here! First Aid Mosquito Prevention Did you know that First Aid Mosquito Prevention is available to all guests and can be found in each of the 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, Disney Springs, and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex? Blizzard Beach First Aid Walt Disney World does a pretty great job at keeping bugs at bay in public spaces, BUT they also provide complimentary insect repellent for all guests and Cast Members. Just head to a First Aid location or ask a Guest Service Cast Member for assistance. Notary Public This is quite an interesting one. Guests at Business Centers at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Coronado Spring Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort can utilize their Notary Services for $10.00 per seal. So, if you need that important doc notarized on your vacation, Disney has got your back! Resort Airline Check-In If you are departing from Orlando International Airport with select airlines, you can make travel a breeze by utilizing your Resort’s Airline Check-In Service. Airline Check-In at Coronado Springs With this complimentary service, you can check-in for your flight, print your boarding pass, and even check your bags right at your resort from 5AM til 12PM daily. All guests must be present and you’ll need to check-in at least 3 hours prior to your departure time. Service Your Way Wanna save a few bucks while on vacation? Opt out of daily cleaning services by contacting guest services to participate in the Service Your Way program. Slinky Dog Gift Card When you decline standard daily housekeeping services, which includes making beds, vacuuming, removing trash, and changing linens, you’ll be handsomely rewarded with a Disney Gift Card. You’ll get a $10 credit for each night you stay on property, minus the first night, for a maximum of 14 nights! Note that this is currently available only at Disney’s value and moderate resorts. Check our MORE Disney World vacation hacks that the pros SWEAR by here! Basic Office Services We know it can be hard to fully unplug from the real world while on vacation. If duty calls, Basic Office Services are available in Business Centers located in select Walt Disney World Resorts — Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian, Walt Disney Dolphin Hotel, and Walt Disney Swan Hotel. Get Work Done While Enjoying Disney’s Yacht Club! These services range from the basics, like faxing and scanning, but also include printing of Business Cards and even wide-format poster printing. Get all the details on shipping a package to your resort here!! Car Rentals Walt Disney World Guests can inquire at their resort lobby to be connected to the Car Care Center. The on-property center provides guests with car rentals and even provides door-to-door transportation service from your Resort to the rental facility. Participating rental car companies include Alamo and National. If you’re renting a car, be prepared for some extra hotel parking fees! Lost Child If the unthinkable happens, Guest Services is there for you to help you find your lost child. The team utilizes the Baby Care Center in each park as a safe meeting point for younger kids, and Guest Services for older kids. Find Your Lost Kids at the Baby Care Centers! Children are looked after by trained cast members and kept safe there until the parents are found. Learn about lost and found, Baby Care Centers, and MORE here! Baby Care Centers Located in each theme park, Baby Care Centers are staffed by Cast Members and provide private nursing rooms, a feeding area, kitchen, television, as well as an on-site store that offers baby care essentials. Magic Kingdom Baby Care Center This can be an excellent resource for parents who may have run out of baby supplies or are waiting on lost luggage. Have no fear! Diapers and more can be found here. Plus the staff here we think are some of the best around and always eager to help parents! Note that Baby Care Centers can also be used by parents or caretakers of older children who just need a little bit of a respite from the craziness of the parks. Click here to learn more about visiting Disney World with a baby In-Room Celebrations Disney does an excellent job of shining the light on any of life’s celebrations! Did you know you could have the fixings for practically an entire party delivered directly to your Disney resort room? Mickey and Pals Big Birthday Celebration. With at least a 72-hour notice, you could arrange for a unique celebration right in your hotel room, whether it’s for a birthday, an anniversary, or just because you’re in Disney World! This includes custom cakes (more on cakes in a moment), gift baskets, flowers, and more! Fine Art Photography Through Disney Fine Art Photography, you can set up in-park family portrait sessions. Packages range from Mini Portrait sessions at your resort to in-park with the stunning Cinderella Castle as your backdrop. ©Disney The ultimate package includes exclusive pre-opening access to Magic Kingdom as you pose in front of 5 locations during your 1-hour session. These services are separate from the recently announced Disney’s PhotoPass Capture Your Moment service, which costs $50 and gets you a dedicated PhotoPass photographer in one of the parks for 20 minutes. Click here to learn more about the Capture Your Moment PhotoPass option Lost or Stolen Items If you lose any personal item while visiting virtually anywhere at Walt Disney World — the theme parks, water parks, Disney Springs, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Resorts, as well as transportation — Guest Services will be on hand to help you track down the item. Lost and Found locations are available in each park. Additionally, If you believe something was stolen, like your wallet, they can assist you in filing a police report. Here’s How To Get Out of 6 Sticky Situations While At Walt Disney World! Portable Translators For guests visiting with limited English fluency, Walt Disney World provides portable translators for certain attractions, this includes over 20 popular attractions and shows like DINOSAUR and The Hall of Presidents. Don’t miss a beat on DINOSAUR! Rental is complimentary and available in French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish. The narration, hosted by voice actors, is synchronized to the attraction. Free Buttons! Celebrating anything special while visiting Walt Disney World? You can stop by any Guest Services location for a celebration button! These complimentary buttons are for milestones and special occasions like Birthdays, Anniversaries, 1st visits, Weddings, or any of life’s celebrations! Grab your Celebration Button! What makes these extra special is Cast Members will frequently come up to you and recognize the button you’re wearing and congratulate you! Check out ALL the souvenirs you can get for FREE at Disney World here! Currency Exchange If you are visiting the parks from an international location, Guest Services can exchange your local currency to U.S. currency. The front desk at your resort hotel as well as concierge can assist with currency exchange and cashing traveler’s checks. Gran Destino Tower Front Desk Guest Relations throughout the four theme parks can also assist with currency exchange. Ship Merchandise to Your Disney Hotel Lots of people will wait until the end of the day to buy merchandise so they don’t have to walk around with a large shopping bag all day. But if you’re staying at a Disney World Resort hotel, you can have your merchandise shipped directly to your resort for free! Main Street Emporium display Typically they will require that you are not checking out the following day in order to process the shipment, and your items will show up at your resort’s gift shop the next day. Just ask the Cast Member at the register about shipping to your hotel and they will be able to assist you! Learn more about what your Disney World Resort hotel can do for you! Stroller Rentals A lot of families have young kiddos who need a break from all that walking around the theme parks, but they don’t want to haul their stroller on a plane! Not to worry: Disney has stroller rental services at each park as well as Disney Springs. Disney Strollers You can rent a single stroller for $15 per day, or pre-pay for your entire stay at a rate of $13 per day. You can also rent a double stroller for $31 per day, or for the length of your stay at $27 per day. Don’t forget — once you’ve purchased a stroller for the day, if you decide to park-hop, just bring your receipt to the stroller location at the new park to get one there! Also, strollers will not be allowed out of the park, so even if you’re paying for the length of your stay, you’ll have to get a new stroller at each park you visit each day, and strollers won’t be able to be brought to your resort hotel. Learn more about Disney’s recently updated stroller policy here! Umbrella Rentals There are few things worse than spending a hot afternoon at the water parks and not having any shade to escape to (then getting back to your hotel to see you’re burnt and now look like a lobster!)! Minnie Mouse Beach Umbrella At both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, you can rent umbrellas for the day to lounge under! These are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. This costs about $60 for the day but also comes with two dedicated lounge chairs, two beach chairs, a table, and towels to accommodate four people. Click here to decide which Disney World water park is right for you! Locker Rentals Locker rentals can really come in handy if you have a lot of belongings with you at the parks, like a change of clothes or extra snacks to munch on throughout the day! Lockers are located at the front entrance of each of the parks, including the water parks, and come in various sizes. The Disney theme parks all have rental lockers. Small lockers are $10 per day, Large lockers are $12 per day, and Jumbo lockers, available at Magic Kingdom and Epcot only, are $15 per day. Hang on to your receipt if you plan on park hopping because you only have to pay once per day! Read more useful tips like keeping your rental receipt here! Wheelchair & ECV Rentals Disney also provides wheelchair and ECV (scooter) rentals to those guests who need them. You can rent them by the day or for the length of your stay. Wheelchair rentals are $12 per day, or if you pay for the length of stay, they’ll be at the rate of $10 per day. ECV rentals cost $50 per day. Stroller and Wheelchair Rental Similar to locker and stroller rentals, if you are planning on park hopping during the day, hang onto your receipt so you don’t have to pay twice! Disability Access Service (DAS) Guest Services provides assistance for guests with disabilities who may require additional help in experiencing all that Disney World has to offer. This service is best for guests who are unable to wait in a traditional queue environment. Guests can receive their Disability Access Service notice, or DAS, at each park inside Guest Relations. Guest Relations Once activated, you will obtain attraction return times from each attraction individually. It functions similarly to FastPass in terms of getting individual return times, but with your party’s individual needs in mind. Travel & Transportation Services Disney wants to make sure you have as many different transportation options as possible when you need to get somewhere! Whether you’re heading to a theme park, Disney Springs, your resort hotel, or Orlando International Airport, there are lots of complimentary transportation options at your disposal. Disney’s Magical Express Bus These include Magical Express to the airport, Skyliner, buses, boats, and the Monorail! Minnie Vans are also available, although it does come with a base fee of $15 plus an additional $2.75 per mile. What does your favorite Disney World transportation say about you? Mail Services You can send and receive mail from your Disney World Resort hotel. There are also mailboxes located throughout the theme parks that you can send postcards and letters from! If you need additional postage, several shops throughout the resort sell postage (see the full list here). Mailbox in Hollywood Studios So stock up on those Disney postcards and send them to your friends and family, direct from Disney! Online Check-In It’s easier than ever to get an early head start on your Disney vacation before you even arrive at your hotel! You can opt-in for Online Check-In via My Disney Experience. You will receive a notification before your arrival that your room is ready, and you can skip the front desk experience entirely! Yacht Club Resort Lobby Refurbishment Note that in order to do this, you’ll need to have your Magic Bands ready, or opt to use the Unlock Door feature on your phone! Learn more about Magic Bands here! Business Centers Some resorts offer business centers, which include computers, imaging services, and incoming and outgoing parcel services. The resorts that currently have business centers are Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Hotel & Spa. Travel Insurance Disney does offer their own travel insurance to protect your upcoming trip. This can be applied at any time up until you make your final payment. Please note that this insurance offering is designed for U.S. residents only. Star Wars United Airlines Plane ©United Package Pick-Up Souvenirs from the parks are only one kind of parcel you can claim through Guest Services. Your resort hotel can also receive grocery deliveries from local grocery stores, as well as deliveries from home! For more information on how to send and receive packages to your Disney hotel (including the ever-important “how to address your package” info), click here! Click here to learn more about mailing packages to and from your Disney hotel! Laundry Services Most Disney World Resort hotels have self-serve laundry facilities on property for you to keep your clothes in tip-top shape! Washer and Dryer Disney works with an app called LaundryView that allows you to receive alerts when your laundry is finished, so no need to wait around the laundry room the whole time! Disney World’s hotels also offer dry cleaning services for a fee per item. Read about Disney’s cool laundry technology here! Disney Ticket Centers at Disney Springs Whether you’re looking to purchase park tickets, add a Hopper option, or upgrade your ticket to an Annual Pass (or if you have any questions regarding your park tickets), Disney Springs has a ticket center for you to use! Disney Ticket Center in Disney Springs You can find this spot right at the center of the Town Center portion of Disney Springs. Disney Vacation Club Info Centers Are you curious to learn more about Disney Vacation Club? Disney’s timeshare program has several info centers throughout the property where you can weigh the pros and cons if you are considering signing up. Disney Vacation Club Sales Kiosk The main information center at Disney World is located at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. Click here to learn more about Disney’s newest DVC resort, the Riviera Resort! Order A Cake! Did you know you can have specialty cakes delivered to celebrate your special occasion? This can happen one of a few ways: you can order a cake delivery as a “Magical Happening” to your hotel room through Disney’s Floral and Gifts, or you can order ahead to have cake brought out at your restaurant of choice! The list of participating restaurants can be found here. R2-D2 Cake You can also pre-order a cake from Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs or cupcakes from Sprinkles in Disney Springs! Learn more about Disney World cakes here! Magical Extras Before you depart on your Disney World vacation, you’ll sometimes receive a special package in the mail with some “magical extras.” These are special deals, typically “pre-loaded” onto a card for you to use throughout your trip. Usually these are based on what Disney resort hotel and tickets package you have purchased. Florida Sunset Currently, these deals include a free round of mini golf, a voucher for entree into the ESPN Wide World of Sports, and discounts at several Disney Springs food & retail locations. VIP Tours If you want to take your Disney World experience to the ULTIMATE NEXT LEVEL, consider a VIP Tour! If your budget allows (in many cases, that’ll be one hefty budget!), you can book a Guest Relations Cast Member to be your own personal tour guide for the day. VIP Tour Guides You’ll get priority access to many shows and attractions, premium seating for the fireworks, plus you’ll have a knowledgable guide all along the way. This costs several pretty pennies to book (like $425-$750 per HOUR for a private guide — with a several-hour minimum), but as the name implies, you’ll feel like a true VIP all day long. More affordable tours are available daily. They’ll still set you back a fair chunk of change but are much more doable if a private guide is out of your budget. We love the Ultimate Disney Classics tour for $249 per person (plus lunch!), or the Taste of Magic Kingdom tour for $99 per person. Click here to see our review of the Taste of Magic Kingdom VIP Tour! WiFi Service Although it can be spotty at times, Disney World has resort-wide WiFi service, completely free at no extra cost! When it works the way it’s supposed to, it can help with things like checking wait times in My Disney Experience, booking and modifying FastPass+ reservations, and Mobile Ordering food! There’s Wi-Fi on Some Disney Buses Now! Free wi-fi is available at most locations around Disney World, even some buses now, so be sure to check! Click here to learn more about wi-fi on some Disney World buses! Hotel Check-Out Services If you have a credit card on file at your Disney World Resort hotel room, you can skip the check out process completely! One of the great Guest Services perks at the end of your trip is the convenience of heading straight from your room to the Magical Express, where you will be whisked off to Orlando International Airport. Disney’s Magical Express Bus This is a good perk for those of us who choose to wait until the absolute last minute to pack (we just don’t want to go home!). Will Disney soon have another method of getting to & from Orlando International Airport? Read more here! Car Care Center Lots of folks choose to either drive to Disney World or rent a car when they arrive at Orlando International Airport. If you experience any car troubles while you’re there, Disney has their very own car care center where they can service your car! Cars at Disney World This is the same location we mentioned earlier where you can rent a car! If you do have your car serviced, they also offer complimentary shuttle transportation to and from the Transportation & Ticket Center, so you can enjoy your day at the parks while Disney handles your car! General Park Information and Recommendations And last but not least — Guest Services is comprised of the most knowledgable group of Cast Members you’ll come across. A big part of their job is simply KNOWING all that there is to know about Disney World and how to make sure YOU have the best vacation possible. Guest Relations Cast Member in Disney Springs They can give you all sorts of tips and tricks on how to navigate the parks, what certain attractions are like, and where to stand to watch the fireworks! These Cast Members are IRREPLACEABLE, so ask them all the questions! They probably have all the answers! It’s no wonder that it takes tens of thousands of Cast Members to keep the World going ’round. If you’re needing some magic added to your vacation, never be afraid to just stop by Guest Services and ask! You might be surprised to see just what all they can do for you! Has a Cast Member ever went above and beyond for you? Let us know! Related posts: Like an Icy Blast Elsa Lights Up Cinderella Castle for the Christmas Season in Disney World! Black Friday Shopper Alert! Disney Springs Announces Deals For Biggest Shopping Day of the Year! We Have the PERFECT Disney Gift for the Most Difficult Person on Your Christmas List! View the full article

We just can’t seem to get enough of this wide-eyed, comfy-looking cutie! Baby Yoda Plush And while we’ve seen the Baby Yoda Plush reappear at World of Disney since the mega-sized store opened last week, we just spotted a place in Disney Springs where you can make your own Baby Yoda merch! Twenty Eight & Main is known for having some pretty spiffy men’s apparel for Disney dudes, but it’s also the place we discovered our latest Baby Yoda obsession! Twenty Eight & Main at Marketplace Co-Op This shop located inside Disney Springs Marketplace Co-Op is churning out some super cute Baby Yoda Tote Bags! Baby Yoda Tote Bag For $29.99 you can buy a plain, design-only Baby Yoda Tote Bag or get one personalized with your name! Customize your Baby Yoda Tote Bag however you want it, and they’ll print it right up for you! Customize Your Baby Yoda Tote Bag In addition to Baby Yoda, there were a bunch of other designs you could get printed and personalized on t-shirts only (so far, you can only get the Baby Yoda design printed on a tote bag). We saw Orange Bird, Stitch, and lots of Mickey and Minnie graphics to choose from! Personalized Tote Bag Designs A Cast Member we spoke with said the other designs will be available on tote bags soon, so we’ll keep checking back! Until then, read about what else we’re discovered at Disney Springs (hint: it involves a magical color-changing Starbucks cup and a new specialty drink!). Once Upon a Toy in Disney Springs is now open! Check it out here! Will you be picking up a Baby Yoda Tote Bag? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Stop the Presses! These NEW Baby Yoda MagicBands, Phone Cases, and MORE Are MUST-Gets For Mandalorian Fans! Have You Seen These Hidden Mandalorian Easter Eggs in Disney World Yet? What’s New at Disney Springs: Fantasia Dooney & Bourke Collection, More Baby Yoda, and ALL the Ink & Paint Merchandise! View the full article

What was it like Wednesday at Universal as passholders and hotel guests return? Here's what we saw. View the full article

Colors GALORE! June is Pride Month and yesterday we shared that Disney had rolled out a brand new rainbow collection in Disney Springs and online at shopDisney. Mickey Plush at World of Disney Now, a few of the pieces that were only available online yesterday have made their way to World of Disney in Disney Springs. Last year, we shared that Disney had released a colorful rainbow Mickey Mouse Backpack. But this year, the backpack has returned with an updated design. Previously, the bag did not have the fun park icons in the colorful stripes. Now, there are tons of icons like Mickey Ears, Cinderella Castle, popcorn, and more. Mickey Mouse Canvas Backpack at World of Disney Here’s a look at the back of the bag. We just love these bright colors. And you know we’re suckers for anything that has a Mickey pretzel on it!! Spotted in World of Disney You can find this bag at World of Disney for $55! Click here to get your own super cute rainbow bag! This new bag is super vibrant and big on detail. This is what the old version of this bag looked like before it got a glow up. Older Version of the Rainbow Mickey Backpack Check out MORE of the new rainbow collection, including NEW ears here!! If you’re still thirsty for color like us, check out this super pretty Disney Parks Rainbow Tote Bag we saw in Disney Springs. This design has many of the same icons as the backpack. Disney Parks Rainbow Tote Bag Already thinking about all of the souvenirs that we can fit in this tote! This fun bag is $34.99! Click here to get your own tote ONLINE! The Disney Parks Rainbow Crossbody Bag we spotted is capable of becoming a staple in our wardrobe! The ombre is super chic and fun. Rainbow Crossbody in World of Disney Here’s a closer look at the design! Which icon is your favorite?! I’m totally eyeballing that Mickey apple! Rainbow Crossbody Bag The chromatic crossbody is $34.99! You can click here to purchase this sweet bag!! The fanny pack has made a CRAZY comeback over the years! This Rainbow Belt Bag is a liiiitle less vibrant against a black backdrop but still features a pleasant splash of color. Rainbow Belt Bag You can buy this super cute bag for $24.99! Click here to purchase this awesome belt bag!! In case ya missed it, this month, Disney will be donating $100,000 to GLSEN in honor of Pride Month. These multicolored additions to the Rainbow Disney Collection are crazy adorable and varied. They are currently available at the World of Disney in Disney Springs and online at shopDisney! See what other NEW items have made their way to Disney Springs this week HERE! What do you think of this fun new collection? Chat with us about it in the comments below! Related posts: Spotted: Mickey Bars, Balloons, and Pretzels in Every Color of the RAINBOW on New Rain Jacket in Disney Springs! Peace, Love, and Tie-Dye! You’ve Gotta See These Rainbow Merch Items in Disney World! Ssshhh! This Disney World Holiday Souvenir Has a SECRET! View the full article

Moments ago, Governor Ron DeSantis spoke at Universal Orlando Resort which is currently hosting an Annual Passholder preview ahead of its June 5th reopening to the public. Universal Orlando Resort Governor DeSantis announced most of the state of Florida will enter Phase Two of his Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery, but he also shared a few comments on Universal Orlando’s reopening. While some state officials have been to the Orlando-area theme parks (including Disney World) to conduct inspections prior to approving their reopening proposals, Governor DeSantis said this was the first time he’s stepped foot inside Universal Studios since the temporary closures began. Universal Studios Father to a newborn, two-year-old, and three-year-old, Governor DeSantis said his kids “aren’t quite old enough yet” to visit Universal Studios this weekend, but he says Univeral is taking every precaution to ensure its guests can come and enjoy themselves safely. Gringotts Governor DeSantis also mentioned he’s been impressed by how companies such as Universal and Dinsey have conducted themselves during these times, exhibiting “forward-thinking” but implementing new health and safety measures so guests could safely return. Hogsmeade Finally, the governor concluded with the statement that the CDC assesses open-air venues to be lower risk than being indoors and that there hasn’t been a lot of evidence of widespread outdoor transmission since public beaches, parks, and other public spaces have begun to reopen throughout Florida. Hogwarts Express Governor DeSantis also said he hopes to provide more news soon regarding major sporting events resuming their games Florida such as the NBA which will voting on finishing their 2020 season in Disney World tomorrow. We will continue to provide you up-to-date information on the reopening of Florida’s theme parks, so stay tuned!! And if you have any questions about how Universal is operating today, please let us know. Follow along with our live coverage of Universal Studios’ reopening today here! Are you planning on visiting Universal Studios or Disney World this year? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: More Restaurant Reopening Details Discussed By The Re-Open Florida Task Force Breaking News! Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Plan to Start Reopening Florida The Biggest Takeaways From Today’s Florida Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force Meetings View the full article

Today the Walt Disney Company announced that it would be pledging $5 million to nonprofit organizations that support social justice. Walt Disney Company Logo Let’s take a closer look at the donations pledged. According to Bob Chapek, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, “This $5 million pledge will continue to support the efforts of nonprofit organizations such as the NAACP that have worked tirelessly to ensure equality and justice.” Bob Chapek The first wave of donations includes $2 million to the NAACP (The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), an organization that supports “the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.” In addition to donations, several Disney-owned networks paused their normal programming on Tuesday night, instead airing special programming to encourage a discussion of racism and oppression in America. This included an ABC News primetime special, “America in Pain: What Comes Next?” and two special episodes of black-ish. Black-ish Cast ©Disney The company also spoke out against racism in a social media campaign. ©Disney The donations and special programming are just a part of what Disney calls an “ongoing commitment to support organizations that advance social justice,” which also have included a $2.5 million donation to the United Negro College Fund. You can click here to read Disney’s statement in its entirety. Click here to read all of the Disney NEWS you need to know this week! What do you think of this charity move by Disney? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: News! Walt Disney Company Stock Surges After Disney+ Surpasses 50 Million Subscribers How Disney Has Been Quietly Working to Protect Their Financial Future Remember When Disney Had the WORST Timing Ever? View the full article

Universal Orlando is now OPEN for a special Annual Passholder preview, (and we’re ready to drink all the Butterbeer we can get our hands on)! Butterbeer While we’ve been taking you to some of Universal’s newly reopened hotels, as well as showing you how the new virtual lines works, we’ve received a lot of questions from you guys about what it’s like to wear face coverings while riding attractions! Does wearing a mask detract from the thrill of riding Univeral’s attractions? We’re here to tell you everything you need to know about wearing a mask at the theme parks — including a few tips and tricks we’ve picked up from some of the rides we’ve been on today! Universal Studios Universal Orlando announced that it would be taking necessary health and safety precautions for guests to visit the parks. While they will have temperature screenings and physical distancing, the parks will also be requiring masks for both guests and employees. Health Signage This means that everyone will need to wear masks at all times, except when they are eating, drinking, swimming, or visiting one of Universal’s new U-Rest Areas. Guests are required to provide their own face masks. We’ve also seen Universal’s shops are selling additional face coverings throughout CityWalk and the theme parks. Universal Guests without face coverings will be turned away at the gate. Universal MIGHT be able to provide guests with face masks if they forget to bring one, but since this isn’t a guarantee, we think it’s best NOT to chance it! Learn more about the first day of CityWalk’s phased reopening here! How Weird Does It Feel To Wear Face Masks on Rides? Believe it or not, it didn’t feel that strange to us! Since we’re used to wearing masks when we leave the house now (and seeing others wearing masks in our everyday lives), it feels more surreal to actually be sitting down on our favorite attractions again than it does to be wearing a mask! Universal Studios Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts along with Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure were still super fun — even while wearing a face-covering! We didn’t think it took anything away from our enjoyment of these experiences! Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Similarly, we were expecting our mask to blow off on faster roller coasters like The Incredible Hulk Coaster, but to our surprise, the speed of the ride kept our mask in place with no issue! On a water ride like Jurassic Park River Adventure, after our entire car was seated (with rows left empty between guests), we were permitted to take our masks off. Jurassic Park River Adventure We’ll keep updating this post as we ride more attractions so you can see how our masks survived on various rides! Tips and Tricks And now for a few quick lessons we’ve learned along the way! On 3D attractions where you’re given special goggles, we recommend placing them over your mask to prevent them from fogging up. We’ve been wearing face coverings with elastic ties that wrap around our ears which have stayed in place during the rides we’ve experienced! Bring a back-up face mask or two for everyone in your family in case your mask gets wet. Even if the forecast doesn’t call for rain, we’ve noticed the misting features on several rides (like the Incredible Hulk Coaster and Escape From Gringotts) are still working. Queue for Hogwarts Express We’ll be back soon with more face mask ride reviews for you — so sit tight while we check out some more rides! See everything happening in Universal Orlando LIVE today with us! What are your favorite rides in Universal Orlando? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: NEWS! Universal Orlando Annual Passholders Can Register For a Reopening Preview TODAY We Just Found THE PERFECT FACE MASK FOR YOUR Disney World TRIPS! NEWS! Universal Hollywood’s CityWalk Could Reopen as Soon as Mid-June View the full article

You’ll find Once Upon A Toy in the Disney Springs Marketplace. Once Upon A Toy sign This cheerful stop packed with tons of fun finds for the kids (and all of us kids at heart) is now reopen for guests! Of course, new safety measures are in place in keeping with all the new health protocols now implemented in stores and restaurants throughout Walt Disney World’s shopping and dining district. Once Upon A Toy Similar to the World of Disney, for instance, cast members keep track of the number of guests inside the store as part of limited capacity measures to allow for physical distancing. Once Upon A Toy There is hand sanitizer available at the entrance, and plexiglass has been installed at the registers. Once Upon A Toy Signage in the store provides more reminders to keep at a safe distance. Once Upon A Toy Still, as always, there are plenty of TOYS to check out, along with nods to our very favorite pals from Toy Story. Once Upon A Toy Once Upon A Toy And remember, you can also find a few items that were once unique to Pandora — The World of AVATAR in Animal Kingdom, including Banshees from the Banshee Rookery at Windtraders here! Once Upon A Toy So remember that you can find the Banshees here in advance of the reopening of Animal Kingdom park itself, which will welcome guests again — as will Magic Kingdom — on July 11th. EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will follow on July 15th. And you can read the latest news on the reopening of Walt Disney World by visiting any of the links below. But for now, it’s SO LONG from all your favorite TOYS at Once Upon A Toy! Is Once Upon A Toy a must-stop for you in Disney Springs? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: News! Basin is Set to Reopen with Disney Springs on May 20th This Is the ONE Place We Found Masks For Sale in Disney World Today We’re Spicing Things Up at The Spice & Tea Exchange — Now Reopen in Disney Springs! View the full article

Florida has spent the last month in Phase One of Governor Ron DeSantis’s Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery. Palm Trees And today, Governor Ron DeSantis was present at Universal Orlando Resort which is currently hosting an Annual Passholder preview ahead of its June 5th reopening to the public. It was here that Governor DeSantis made an announcement that most of the state will enter Phase Two this Friday as well. Within Phase Two (which excludes Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties), the Governor stated that the major changes Floridians will notice include the reopening of bars and movie theaters, along with some additional venues. The BOATHOUSE Bar in Disney Springs Bars and pubs will be permitted to operate at 50% capacity inside and at full capacity outdoors for dine-in service. Movie theaters and entertainment venues such as bowling alleys will also be able to open at 50% capacity (and with “appropriate social distancing and sanitation protocols”). Phase Two will also see the opening of what was referred to as “Pari-mutual facilities,” which host things like slots, racing wagers and cardrooms. They will also be expected to observe strict safety guidelines. As a reminder, Walt Disney World will begin reopening to guests on July 11th, first by opening Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11th, followed by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th. You can read more about the upcoming reopening of the Resort by visiting any of the links below. Are you following the reopening of Florida’s economy? Please let us know with a comment. Related posts: News! Florida Theme Parks to Submit a Plan for Reopening Says Governor Florida is Working Out a Plan to Reopen Businesses. And They Want Disney’s Help. 4 Key Points From Today’s Re-Open Florida Task Force Meeting View the full article

It’s no secret that we LOVE our Disney food! Mmmm, be right back, dreaming of a Peanut Butter and Jelly Roll! PB&J Roll Plate Of course, that means we need a super cute (and super reliable) way to transport our favorite treats! We’ve come a LONNNNG way since the day of boring lunch boxes and bland storage containers. This pretty in pink Disney Princess Food Storage Container is evidence of that! Disney Princess Food Storage Container ©Disney We’re loving the decal messages on the front so that we can feel empowered while we chow down! This royal container is available for $16.99! Want to snag this Princess container?! Click here! This icy blue container features one of our favorite duos: Anna and Elsa! The image is stunning! It almost looks like a painting on your lunch box! Elsa and Anna Food Storage Container ©Disney The Elsa and Anna Food Storage Container is available online at shopDisney for $16.99. Click here to own one of your own!! The art style on this Toy Story 4 Food Storage Container is AWESOME! Seriously, this would look great as a poster! The decision to leave out Forky from this portrait of pals is a huge bummer though! After all, it’s a food storage container and where else would you find Forky (besides the trash)?! Toy Story 4 Food Storage Container ©Disney This container is available for $16.99! Go on and treat yo’ self! with the Toy Story 4 container by clicking here! Spider-Man and Venom have one of the most INTENSE relationships! Seeing them both on this container is giving us major superhero theme music vibes. Spider-Man Food Storage Container ©Disney The Spider-Man Food Storage Container is available online at shopDisney for $16.99! Show your superhero pride! Click here to snag your own Spider-Man container! The front of this container is peak ADORABLENESS! Seriously, the baby animals and Minnie are so cute! The cat/unicorn hybrid on the snack pot lid is PRECIOUS. Can you imagine if we had cat unicorns running around?! Minnie Mouse Food Storage Container ©Disney Check out the Minnie Mouse Food Storage Container on shopDisney for $16.99! Check out this super cute Minnie container by clicking here! These food storage containers all feature a nifty spoon and fork tool which is great for anyone who sometimes forgets to pack their utensils (this is a judgment-free zone!). We really love the art style featured on these containers and these are a great way to shake up your lunch box situation! You can find all of these containers online at shopDisney and if they show up in Disney Springs we will let you know! Take a look at some other new shopDisney merchandise HERE! What do you think of these food containers?! Let us know below! Related posts: A Brand-New Disney Castle Collection is Coming to shopDisney SOON! NEWS: The NEW Frozen 2 Dresses Have Landed on shopDisney and They’re BIG TIME on Sale! What Every Disney Fan Is Thinking, But No One Will Say. View the full article

Yer a wizard, Harry! You’ll have to excuse us — we’ve been exploring Universal Studios’ Wizarding World of Harry Potter all morning now that the parks are open for a special Annual Passholder preview! Disney Springs And while we expected to see some magical happens over at Hogsmeade today, it’s what we saw at Dinsey Springs today that has us under its spell! While waiting in line for our Starbs this morning, we noticed this basket of rather unassuming refillable “Confetti Cups” for $4 each! Confetti Cups Now they didn’t look all that impressive at first — but we noticed right away these weren’t your ordinary plastic cups! They had little white flecks all over them! Confetti Cup with Rainbow Straw Plus they came with a gorgeous rainbow straw that was included in the price of the cup! Confetti Cup The barista who rang us up told us Confetti Cups change color when you add a cold drink! Since Starbucks isn’t able to fill up their reusable cups right now (but they will honor the discount if you show them your cup!), we ordered our beverage separately so we could pour it in our new Confetti Cup ourselves! We went with the special Love is Love Drink celebrating Pride Month! It’s brand new today! Love is Love Starbuck’s Love is Love is a violet-flavored drink that includes strawberries and comes topped with strawberry sweet cream foam. After tax, it rang up as $8.10! Love is Love Drink We quickly ran to rinse out or new Confetti Cup and then poured it in! Right before our very eyes, the little white flecks turned green, orange, purple, and BLUE! A gorgeous new drink and a totally poppin’ new cup? Our day just got SO much better! The drink was super delicious and refreshing while this little item has certainly become our new favorite piece of drinkware! Confetti Cup The new Confetti Cups aren’t exclusive to Disney World, so you can look for them at the Starbs near YOU! And if you’re heading to Disney Springs this weekend, Starbucks is still offering its Welcome Back drink which you can check out our review of here! Check out the rainbow of Pride Month merch we’ve spotted at World of Disney and online here! Let us know if you’ll be picking up a Confetti Cup in the comments below! Related posts: Review: We’re Trying Starbucks’ New “Welcome Back” Drink in Disney World! What’s New at Disney Springs — Halloween Shakes, Dooney & Bourke’s Anniversary, And Disney Tees Galore! What’s New at Disney Springs — The Quake Shake, A Retro Throwback, And The Spookiest Halloween Decorations EVER! View the full article

While we’ve been chatting a lot about the possibility of the NBA finishing out its season in Walt Disney World (and you can read the latest on that developing story here), it also looks as though Major League Soccer will be doing so, according to an article by The Washington Post. Jostens Center at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex While the article notes that MLS has not issued an official statement, Major League Soccer and the MLS Players Association have reached an agreement to continue the 2020 season. The article goes on to state that the 26 MLS teams “will arrive in Orlando no earlier than June 24.” Teams will play at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Walt Disney World (though without live viewers). ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Tournament details have not yet been released, but it’s anticipated that the league will make an announcement soon. The Washington Post also shares that players will stay in a “closed environment” at a Disney Resort hotel. To read the story in full, you can visit The Washington Post here. Source: The Washington Post Walt Disney World will begin reopening to guests in mid-July, starting with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11th followed by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th. You can find out more about the upcoming reopening by visiting any of the links below. What do you think of Major League Soccer continuing its season in Walt Disney World? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: Review: Frosé at Muddy Rivers Pool Bar in Disney World’s Port Orleans Resort, Riverside Review: Lunch at Disney World’s Contempo Cafe in Contemporary Resort What’s New At Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort!: Menu Updates, Logo Merchandise, and More!! View the full article

We’re reporting LIVE from the Annual Passholder preview in Universal Studios today to see how a theme park operates with all of the new health and safety features that have been put into place. Universal While we were here, we learned that Universal has debuted URest Areas (similar to the “relaxation zones” Disney World mentioned in their reopening proposal). These areas are where guests can rest while social distancing without masks. Currently, two URest locations can be found in each park. U-Rest Sign In Universal Studios, these stations can be found at Central Park Lagoon and at Fear Factor. In Island of Adventure, URest Areas have been set up at Port of Entry Landing and Voyage of Sinbad. Voyage of Sinbad While the seating inside these venues aren’t equipped with social distancing markers, signs posted around the URest Areas inform guests they are required to perform social distancing when removing their face coverings. U-Rest Sign We’ll continue to provide you with more updates regarding Universal Studios’ new health and safety measures, but for now, check out our stay last night at one of Universal’s newly reopened hotels! To learn how the new virtual queue system works at Universal Studios theme parks, click here! Are you planning a trip to Universal? Let us know in the comments below. Related posts: We’re LIVE at the Reopening of Universal Orlando’s Theme Parks BREAKING NEWS! Universal Orlando to Open New Theme Park: Universal’s Epic Universe Universal Studios to Close Resort Hotels and CityWalk Locations Temporarily View the full article

With sports still on pause, the NBA is looking to Disney World as a potential site for finishing the season. ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Earlier this week, we reported that the NBA is set to vote on resuming their season at Disney World this Thursday, and more details have emerged in the meantime. If this happens, the games would resume at the ESPN Wide World of Sports and players would stay on Disney property, potentially at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Let’s take a look at proposed dates and lodging arrangements for the NBA playoffs! According to ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski, the NBA is currently working on a model for what the end of the season would look like in Disney World — including dates. In talks right now, it is proposed that the resumption of the games in Orlando would begin July 31st and run through as late as October 12th. NBA Experience It is unclear how late summer and early fall in Disney World would be affected by the presence of the playoffs and the players. It’s possible that it would just mean the closure of one hotel and the ESPN sports complex to the public. On the other hand, reporter Scott Gustin shared an ESPN report that suggests players may not be confined to a single resort. The report says, “Playoff teams, in order of seeding 1-16, receive first choice on picking which hotel they will stay at in the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and Disney World Resort. ” NBA Experience Trophy Perhaps Disney and the NBA are considering splitting the teams into different hotels, but it is as of yet unclear. We will have more details about the plan in the next few days and we’ll be sure to share as soon as the NBA and Disney announce the decision! Click here to learn more about the potential use of Coronado Springs for the NBA! What do you think of the new NBA news? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: Could Walt Disney World Provide the Perfect Place for the NBA to Finish Its Season Right Now? NBA Could Resume Practices Soon And Other Important Details Discussed at Today’s Florida Orange County Task Force Meetings Disney World is the Reported Frontrunner to Host the Rest of the NBA Season View the full article

We’re LIVE from the Passholder preview at Universal Orlando Resort! Universal Orlando Resort We’re taking you with us as we tour all the sights and thrills Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. So far things have looked a little different than we remember — with temperature checks, masks, and other safety protocols in place — but now we’re checking out the RIDES! We stayed at Universal’s Aventura Hotel last night (which you can read more about here!) and got into the parks bright and early this morning! Aventura Hotel And all through the night, we have been super curious to see how Universal Studios would be implementing its new virtual queue system. Let’s go check it out! Read about the changes Universal Studios has implemented at its resort hotels here! How Universal Studio’s New Virtual Line Experience Works Before you head off to the parks, Universal Studios advises guests to download their free app — this is how you’ll reserve your spot in their new “Virtual Line Experience.” The app can be used anywhere inside Universal Studios’ theme parks or CityWalk to reserve your spot in line for any attraction — regardless of which theme park you’re currently standing in! At this time, not every Universal attraction offers a virtual line. Those that do not have this feature yet still have a standard standby line with distancing markers throughout the queue. Universal queue You can only make reservations for the same day as your visit and you can book ride times for up to 10 people in your group (however, we’ve noticed some attractions are only allowing guests to reserve up to 8 spots — we’ll look more into this). We had two people in our party, and technically since accounts aren’t linked (like they are with My Disney Experience and FastPass+ in Disney World), we were both able to make separate virtual reservations for groups of two. So, it was almost like snagging two virtual line reservations at once. Flight of the Hippogriff To Make Your Reservation: Select “Virtual Line Experience” from the app’s main menu. Tap on the “Virtual Line Venues” tab to see a list of available attractions. Select the attraction you want to ride and tap “Virtual Line Pass – Reserve.” Set how many guests are in your group. Pick your return time. Tap “Reserve Virtual Line Pass” to complete your reservation. Virtual Line Once you’ve successfully booked your spot in line, you’ll receive a QR code — after that, you’re free to roam the parks until it’s time to head to the attraction! When we arrived for our reservation, we showed the Univeral employee our phones. They didn’t scan them, but instead checked to make sure it was our time to ride and then let us through! Note: This may vary depending on the day and the attraction. Virtual Line After you’ve used your reservation, you can make another one! Gringotts Bank Although the app seemed to be having a few issues today, the overall concept seemed to be working! Guests can still experience their favorite attractions and enjoy the parks without having to worry about “bumping” into others while standing in line. Social distancing markers have also been placed in loading areas so even in places where smaller crowds tend to gather, guests can space themselves out accordingly! Gringotts Markers While we don’t know how Disney World will operate its attractions upon reopening quite yet, we know they’ll also be utilizing a new virtual queue system to minimize crowds (which is why they have suspended FastPass+ as this time). Whether it will be similar to Universal Studios Virtual Line system or not, time will tell! Find out more about the virtual queue system World of Disney in Disney Springs has implemented on busy days here! Do you have questions about using Universal’s virtual queue? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Sneak Peek: Our First Look at a Reopened Theme Park! Step Inside Universal Studios Resort With Us! The CDC Just Released New “Decision Tools” for Businesses and Schools to Reopen SeaWorld Orlando Tested Their Mako Coaster With Masked Riders Today! View the full article

You could say we have a thing for Donuts… especially when they’re Mickey-shaped! Celebration Mickey Donut But now, we can also add MINNIE-shaped donuts to the list thanks to the arrival of the new Minnie Mouse Donut Pool Float that we spotted this morning at the World of Disney in Disney Springs! Minnie Mouse Donut Pool Float Just like the Mickey Celebration Donut that was available for a while in Magic Kingdom (though, alas, only for a limited time), the Minnie Pool Float is formed with one large “donut” to float in and two smaller “donuts” for the ears. Minnie Mouse Donut Pool Float And, of course, since this is in honor of Minnie Mouse, it’s complete with a bow that’s perfect for lounging in the pool in style! Minnie Mouse Donut Pool Float It would go pretty well with the Inflatable Mickey Mouse Pool Float Ears, don’t ya think? The price for the Minnie Mouse Donut Pool Float is $54.99, and it joins other fun finds at the World of Disney this week including the new Disney Rainbow Collection which just made its debut. And that’s not all we spotted today in Disney Springs, so we hope you’ll stay tuned! Would you like to relax in the pool with the Minnie Mouse Donut Pool Float? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: What’s New at Disney Springs: The Lightfloat, More ABC Disney Merch, and the Return of the Avengers! NEW Gorgeous Replica Journals of Classic Disney Fairytale Storybooks Arrive in Disney World! Spotted! New “M” (for MICKEY!!!) Cap at World of Disney in Disney Springs View the full article

Hey, Disney pals! We’re back with another DFB Video, and today chatting about 8 things that were too much for Disney World guests. Does Everyone Want To Ride Splash Mountain?? Disney World is changing all the time. Sometimes, those changes are to bring incredible new rides and restaurants to the parks and sometimes it’s because Disney pushed things just a little too far… . Check out all this and more in our latest DFB Video! And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our DFB YouTube Channel! By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode! So check out the video and let us know: What Disney World changes you didn’t know about! Related posts: DFB Video: The 27 MOST Surprising Things About Disney World’s Epcot! DFB Video: The BEST Breakfasts in Disney World in 2020! DFB Video: BIG Disney World Changes That Will Totally Blindside You! View the full article