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Shanghai Disneyland reopened on May 11th. And within the first few weeks of reopening, a few changes have already taken place for guests visiting the park. Shanghai Disneyland For starters, though the park reopened with a limited amount of attractions for guests, several additional experiences are now in operation. And as of this week, guests who had previously purchased General Admission tickets are now able to make a required reservation to visit. And now, there is another change to report with the debut of the Disney Standby Pass in the park. The Shanghai Disney Resort website has added information regarding the new Disney Standby Pass, which is currently in a “Trial Operation Period.” Queue in Shanghai Disneyland Guests are invited to get a Disney Standby Pass for a participating attraction via an online reservation through the Shanghai Disney Resort Official App, selecting a specific time frame to visit a ride. The service is free, and the Shanghai Disneyland site notes that “the corresponding attractions are only open to guests who hold either a Disney Standby Pass or Disney Premier Access for the corresponding time period.” Roaring Rapids sign Note that the Standby Pass is a new option in addition to Disney Premier Access (which is available for purchase) and Disney Fastpass, and the site notes that: “Guests may purchase Disney Premier Access for any attraction while also holding a Disney Standby Pass or Disney Fastpass.” At press time, there is only one attraction listed for Disney Standby Pass during the Trial Operation Period: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in Fantasyland. Shanghai Disneyland The website shares that Standby Passes will be released through the app on a hourly basis, with each pass corresponding to a 60-minute interval when the guest may arrive at the Disney Standby Pass entrance. Shanghai Disneyland shares a “How It Works” section so guests can learn the step-by-step instructions ahead of their visit. Standby Pass “How It Works” screenshot Disney Standby Pass Rules are available for viewing as well. Standby Pass Rules A note introducing the Standby Pass at the top of the page shares that this option was designed to “help guests better plan their queuing schedule for a more relaxed park experience.” As we follow the developments in Shanghai Disneyland, we are also following the news about the upcoming reopening of Walt Disney World Resort, which will begin on July 11th with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom followed by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th. You can learn more by visiting any of the links below. Are you following the developments in Shanghai Disneyland? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: Theater Shows? Play Areas? What WON’T Reopen Initially In Shanghai Disneyland Here Are Some of the Health and Safety Measures We Can Expect When Shanghai Disneyland Reopens NEWS: Guests With General Admission Tickets for Shanghai Disneyland May Now Make Advanced Reservations to Visit the Park View the full article

How many times have you run into an unexpected problem at Disney World? Walt Disney World We know we can’t be alone in this! No matter how much planning you do, sometimes life’s little dilemmas have a way of showing up — even on your vacay! But instead of getting completely derailed by some commonly occurring disasters, here are some tips for keeping your Disney World trip on track! Chipped a Nail VACATION NAILS are a real thing! But what happens if once you arrive, you accidentally chip or break a nail?!? Breaking a Nail at Disney World Doesn’t Have to Be as Scary as Riding Animal Kingdom’ Expedition Everest! First of all — try not to panic! All you need to do is go to one of the on-property salons. You’ll find many deluxe Disney World resorts have them. Call ahead to make an appointment, though, because they can get booked up! When it’s time to head over, hire a Minnie Van or Rideshare to get there or hop a bus from one of the theme parks. Too Bad You Can’t Drive the Rock N Roller Coaster Limo at Hollywood Studios to Your Nail Appointment! Did you know many of the Disney World spas even offer Disney-inspired nail services? Minnie Mouse at Hollywood Studios Having a hard time getting your nail tech back home to do some Minnie Mouse-inspired nail art for you? Just get your manicure done once you arrive at Disney World instead! Learn how to plan a magical girls’ weekend in Disney World here! Senses – A Disney Spa at both Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort as well as Salon by the Springs at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, La Vida Health Club at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and Ship Shape Salon Massage and Fitness at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort will all paint your nails however you’d like them done! You can choose from over 100 character designs and 132 different colors including Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel-themed manicures! Keep Your Claws Lookin’ FIERCE at Disney World! You can further customize your mani-pedi experience with signature aroma blends named after iconic Disney songs! Full nail appointments generally last about an hour and you can book them by calling 407-939-7727 or 407-WDW-SPAS. Got a Blister We’ve all been cursed with this annoying issue at some point in our lives, right? If you catch the problem early on, you should still be able to have a good time. Blisters are normally caused by friction due to excessive walking (which you’ll be doing a lot of at the parks). If you aren’t wearing shoes that have already been broken in, they might rub against your feet resulting in a blister. We Bet Olaf Never Has THIS Problem! As soon as you start to feel a “hot spot” on your toes, heels, or pads of your feet (where blisters commonly occur) stop in a gift shop and buy moleskin. If they have any first aid ointment, grab some of that too. In a pinch, you can swing by a First Aid Center in one of the theme parks for a bandaid to help as well. Click here to learn what rope dropping is and how you can do it like a Disney World pro! Place the moleskin over the area of your foot that is getting tender. Try not to walk too much on it for the rest of the day (if you can). At night, remove the moleskin, wash and dry your feet thoroughly, and then slather on the first aid ointment. If you caught the problem quickly enough, you’d be amazed by how much better your feet will feel in the morning. Before you head off to the parks again, consider wearing a different pair of shoes than the ones that caused you blisters or apply more moleskin and bring the rest of the package with you so you can reapply the moleskin as you go. Disney’s BoardWalk Inn We also always advise packing more than one pair of broken-in shoes for this reason! Wearing socks with shoes and bringing a backup pair of socks in case the set you’re wearing gets soaked on a ride or in the rain will help, too. Wet socks and lots of walking are a classic recipe for disaster at Disney World! Click here to see how to solve other tricky problems in Disney World! Need a Cake For a Last-Minute Celebration This next problem isn’t one we encounter very often on our vacations, but it can be a complete headache to solve if it ever happens to you. Maybe you just want to make someone’s birthday a little more special at Disney World or you want to celebrate an anniversary, (or maybe even a proposal! She said YES!). No matter what the occasion may be, sometimes you unexpectedly need a cake — so what should you do? Mickey’s Ready to Celebrate With You! You actually have a few solid options! Most cake requests require one week of notice to make (as well as other gifts such as flowers, or other in-room celebrations). Order by calling the Disney World cake hotline at 407-827-CAKE or (407-827-2253) or visiting Disney’s Floral and Gifts Guest Service’s website. Wanna see some bizarre Disney World wedding stories? Check out our post and video here! But what if you don’t have a week to wait for your cake? Many Disney Table Service restaurants are able to provide a same-day chocolate or vanilla Mickey Ear Celebration Cake that serves 4-6 people. This cake costs $35 and includes the option to add “Happy Birthday” or “Congratulations” to the chocolate Mickey Ears on the cake. You can request a cake at a restaurant you have an Advance Dining Reservation at by calling (407) 827-2253 or ask about it at the check-in podium of your restaurant. White Chocolate Celebration Cake If you want a bit more variety, you can usually order a cake from Sprinkles or Amorette’s Patisserie. You can pick up your order at either of these Disney Springs locations but both bakeries will also deliver your cake to any Disney World resort or any Disney Springs restaurant IF you have a dining reservation (they also recommend notifying your restaurant in advance). Mickey Cake at Amorette’s Patisserie Sprinkles also offers a few additional features such as curbside pickup and your choice of using either their white glove courier service (which can take up to 4 hours and costs extra) or a third-party food delivery service as DoorDash or Postmates (which will most likely be faster and maybe even a little cheaper!). Place your order for Sprinkles’ layer cakes as well as cookies, brownies, and cupcakes online or by calling (888) 220-2210. After 2 hours, your order should be ready to go! Sprinkles Cupcake You can order custom cakes and creations from Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs by calling 407-934-3500. Most orders for specific cakes will require 72 business hours (weekdays) of advance notice. Click here to read our Disney World cake FAQ! You Missed a Dining Reservation Due to An Unforeseeable Event Now that we’ve gone over chipped nails and covered last-minute cakes, what other common catastrophes could befall you? Well, if you’re anything like us, you might…on RARE occasion…run into a dramatic situation that couldn’t be avoided, (i.e. your kids having a category four meltdown or your Monorail broke down!). AND guess what? You’ve just officially missed your advance dining reservation! Via Napoli in Epcot While having to change your meal plans might not seem like that big of a deal, Disney World charges a fee every time you don’t show up for your dining reservation or if you cancel within 24 hours. The policy is meant to discourage folks from booking reservations all willy-nilly that they ever don’t intend on using, but sometimes this surprise charge can really take a chunk out of your vacation budget. It’s a $1o fee applied to EACH PERSON in your party! Cinderella Castle and Main Street USA in Disney World We’ve found that Cast Members can be pretty forgiving people given these more “unusual” circumstances. If your kid is completely losing it and you aren’t going to be able to make it to the restaurant on time, try calling the restaurant and tell them about the situation you’re having. Not all the time, but sometimes, they’ll be able to refund you the cancellation fee! At least, we’ve found it doesn’t hurt to ask! Learn about even more secret Disney World fees and expenses here! Your Baggage Got Misplaced If you’ve used Disney’s Magical Express before, then you’re familiar with how the system normally works — you’re free to go have some fun as soon as you arrive at Disney World and your luggage usually shows up at your room while you’re out enjoying yourself. At least, that’s the way it’s supposed to go, but sometimes it doesn’t happen that way! Walt Disney World One time, we got back from the parks on the first day of our trip only to realize our stuff wasn’t there! We immediately got on the horn with Guest Services and luckily they were able to track down our bags within the hour (somehow they had ended up at the wrong resort and were sitting in Bell Services!). Disney’s Magical Express Bus It only took another hour or so for our bags to be sent to our rooms and the Cast Members we soooo apologetic about the mix-up. They even gave us three FastPasses we could use at any time on our trip for the trouble! Click here to see even more Disney disasters we’ve survived! So there you have five prime examples of what to do if disaster strikes your Disney World vacation — all of which vary in degree of seriousness, but you get the idea. Big problems or small, Disney and its Cast Members will help you get what you need or help you figure out a solution — just reach out and touch someone (you know…metaphorically) and they’ll be happy to help ya out! 4 Important Tips You Haven’t Heard…But Need To Know…For Your Next Disney Vacation! Have you ever had a disaster happen to you on your trip to Disney World? Tell us about it in the comments below! Related posts: The 31 Things To Eat In Disney World If You’re Obsessed With CHEESE!! Disney News This Week: ALL the News and Updates from the Most Magical Places on Earth! 12 Disney World Food Upgrades That Are Totally Worth the Cost! View the full article

Searching for the perfect face covering can be a frustrating and overwhelming endeavor. There are SO many styles of masks out there, with all different sorts of materials, straps, and patterns imaginable. Guests with Face Coverings in Disney Springs If you’re one of the people that stays from rope drop to close, you’ll be looking at twelve or more hours living with your face mask, so comfort is going to be KEY. And with Disney requiring face coverings for all guests above the age of two, it’s advantageous to ensure you’re happy with your mask choice BEFORE you head out to the parks! What face-covering material is the most comfortable and/or effective? The CDC recommends that cloth face masks are the most effective when slowing the spread of illness and keeping others safe. But not all types of cloth are created equal, and some are touted as more comfortable and effective than others. Cast Member with required face mask When shopping for face masks, you will want to look for materials that are lightweight and breathable. In terms of effectiveness, the material that seems to work best at keeping air-borne particles at bay is a tightly-woven fabric such as cotton. The number of layers does not seem to be a factor in effectiveness when you have a mask that is made out of these tighter-woven materials (though many still advocate for 2-layers at least). Face masks made of silk or a silk-cotton combination also seem to be effective. Look for masks with a soft ear loop material If you opt for a mask with ear loops, the material of the loops is just as important as the material of the face covering itself! The traditional elastic material commonly used for ear straps can cause discomfort for some if worn over a prolonged period of time. Those elastic straps can wear on your ears and cause irritation, especially in the heat if you start sweating. We found these masks on Amazon that use softer material for the ear straps! © Amazon This pack of three is multi-layered and features a soft ear loop material. They’re $15.99 on Amazon. Shop for this three-pack of face masks here! These next masks come with a nose bridge wire, offering a closer fit around your nose so those with glasses do not need to worry about fogging up! © Amazon These masks also have two layers of fabric, providing more protection for those around you! You can pick up a set of two for $12.50. Shop for these two-layered face masks here! Invest in some ear hooks If the masks you currently use have those traditional elastics, you can purchase a set of ear hooks that take the pressure off of your ears! There are two types of hooks we looked into. The first hook sits on the back of your head and features several “knobs” that the elastics loop around. © Amazon These have decent reviews on Amazon and allow the wearer to adjust to three different sizes! You can shop a pack of ten for $13.99. Shop for these ear hooks here! The next set of ear relief is these ear protectors that go around the straps themselves, giving your ears a more “cushioned” fit. © Amazon You can get a pack of five on Amazon for $7.99. This is a fairly inexpensive way to make your masks comfier around your ears without having to invest in a new set of masks! Stock up on a pack of ear protectors here! Shop for masks with adjustable ties Regardless of how comfortable the ear loop material is, if it doesn’t fit, it can still cause irritation and provide for a less-than-stellar experience. Many masks come in one standard size, and even some masks with elastic earloops don’t exactly fit a “one-size-fits-all” model. Vera Bradley Face Mask If you have a mask that is too small or too large, you may run into some trouble if you cannot adjust the size of your mask! One way to avoid an ear catastrophe altogether is to wear a mask with ties that go around your head. The benefits of masks with ties are that you can adjust the tightness of the ties to your liking, plus it removes all of the discomfort around your ears. © Amazon You can pick up this face mask with long ties to fit around your head and neck on Amazon for $12.99. Shop for this face mask with ties here! When in doubt, go for a face covering with no straps at all! If you’ve exhausted all of those traditional face mask options and you can’t seem to solve the ear problem, go with a face buff! Also known as a “neck gaiter,” these are a single piece of cloth that wraps around the lower half of your face and extends down your neck. Many of these neck gaiters, like this one on Amazon, are moisture-wicking, meaning your face will stay dry all day long. We find kids have a VERY easy time wearing this style of mask if yours are picky like ours! © Amazon You can grab this neck gaiter on Amazon for $15.95. Note that these are not made out of cotton and are 80% polyesters and 20% spandex, so these will not be AS effective as a cotton cloth mask. If you find these to be more comfortable, be prepared to wash these more frequently! Shop for this first neck gaiter here! Some have raised concerns that the tightness of these may be uncomfortable. We suggest picking one up and testing it out for yourself! These are often used in sporting and other physical activities such as biking, fishing, etc. If tightness is still a concern, we found a neck gaiter with a looser fit. © Amazon This neck gaiter is also available on Amazon for $13.99. Shop for this neck gaiter here! What types of face coverings should you AVOID? Per CDC guidelines, at this time surgical masks or N-95 respirators are still encouraged to be avoided for personal use and to leave those types of face coverings in supply for health care professionals. Another type of face masks that have been seen in public are those with “breathing valves.” © Amazon While they may seem appealing due to the increased breathability, research indicates that the valves allow air and particles to be exhaled out, and if the wearer is an asymptomatic carrier, pathogens could easily escape through the valves of the mask. This makes these types of masks less effective at protecting others, which is the primary reason for the face-covering protocols. Face Masks at American Threads No matter what mask you choose to wear, experts recommend that you wash your mask after every use. So if you are visiting Disney World for a week this summer, be prepared to hand-wash or machine wash your mask every day, or bring enough masks to last the week! American Threads Face Masks When it comes to comfort, you may need to try several masks to see what will work best for you! Regardless of which mask you choose, we suggest you spend a couple of days wearing it for an extended period of time to grow accustomed to prolonged wear before heading to the parks. When it comes to effectiveness, a cloth mask made with tightly-woven cotton is going to be your best bet. Interested in making your own face mask? Learn how to do so here! What face masks have you found to be the most comfortable? Share in the comments! Related posts: We Asked Our Readers: “Should Disney World Give out Free Masks for Guests?” Here’s What They Said. 7 Tips For Wearing a Face Covering in Disney World What Will Happen if You Refuse To Wear A Mask In Disney World? View the full article

Yesterday, we showed you a sneak peek at a semi-reopened Universal Studios. Universal Studios Resort Well, today Universal has officially reopened to Annual Passholders and we’re reporting LIVE to see how some of the new health and safety regulations will work in a theme park! Be sure to keep checking back as we will be updating this post throughout the day! We previously shared our experience when it comes to parking at temperature checks when we visited CityWalk a few weeks ago. If you have more questions about parking or temperature checks at Universal — click here!! Temperature Check Since we were hotel guests, our temperatures were checked at the hotel and we were given a wristband. Temp check wristband Once you have this wristband, you don’t have to get checked again throughout the day (at hotels, CityWalk, and parks). The color of the wristband changes daily. Read more about our reopened Universal hotel experience here! Entering the Park Today is an Annual Passholder preview but those Annual Passholders who chose to stay at a Universal hotel were allowed into the park an hour before everyone else (8AM). Universal Since hotel guests were allowed early access, prior to entering the park, team members were checking to make sure you were a hotel guest. From there you would go through normal park entry Wristband Check They did not scan our finger when entering the park. We simply scanned our tickets and went inside! Entering Universal Remember to keep following along as we report LIVE from Universal today! Are you planning to visit Universal soon? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: WE’RE LIVE at the 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival! 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

Ready to live outside a little? Head out and grab some dessert nachos for a socially distanced Disney day. Not so sure? Bring the elements together for an at-home version you can eat in your jammies. View the full article

The continued uncertainty of cruise safety amid coronavirus fears pushed Canada to keep its ports closed to cruise ships through October, which has forced cruise lines, already uncertain about when they would return to sailing, to take Alaska off the menu. View the full article

We’ve been actively following the developments with Disney World’s Reopening, which begins July 11th. Disney Springs One major issue that guests ran into early on was the inability to book new Advance Dining Reservations through Disney. It seems that might have changed! We noticed tonight in the My Disney Experience app that you can now book reservations at select restaurants in Disney Springs. Disney Springs Restaurants Available For Booking The app and website seem glitchy. We found certain open restaurants, like Wine Bar George, having no times available. Others, like Planet Hollywood, Frontera Cocina, Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, and more were bookable through the My Disney Experience website. Homecomin’ Bookable on My Disney Experience Disney’s language on their website seems to have possibly changed to reflect this. It now reads that, “select dining locations in Disney Springs are currently accepting reservations.” Disney’s Updated Language Pertaining to Dining Reservations It’s possible the system is beginning to prepare for the new reservation system that’s being implemented as well as the new 60-day booking window for dining reservations. We’ll keep you posted as this develops. Click here to see everything Disney announced about their reopening procedures Are you going to book a dining reservation in newly reopened Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: The BIGGEST Time Wasters in Disney World — And How To Avoid Them! News! Most Disney Springs Restaurants Are No Longer Available for June 1st Reservations Through My Disney Experience REVIEW! We Ate at the Reopened Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill (AND Their To-Go Counter!) in Disney World View the full article

Universal Orlando will be re-opening to the public on June 5th. But, the resorts and hotels are opening back up to guests today, June 2nd! Universal Orlando Resort We’re taking you with us to have a full experience at the resorts to see their new health and safety protocols, check-in process, and more! At this time, the following Universal Orlando resorts are open to guests: Hard Rock Hotel Loews Royal Pacific Resort Loews Sapphire Falls Resort Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort Universal’s Aventura Hotel Universal’s Endless Summer Resort — Surfside Inn and Suites Aventura Hotel We headed over to Universal’s Aventura Hotel to see what it’s like after reopening! Check-In Process Right after you step inside the hotel, you must stop at the temperature check station. Aventura Hotel Sign According to Universal’s website, “If a guest registers a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater upon check-in, they will not be allowed to check-in until they receive medical clearance to do so. The rest of the guest’s party will be allowed to check in. We understand some guests may feel they have special conditions, which we will consider upon request.” Aventura Hotel Temperature Check This temperature check was similar to the ones we had at Universal’s CityWalk — quick, easy, and painless. After we registered temperatures under 100.4, they gave us green wrist bands to signify that we passed the temperature check. Wristband After Temperature Check The staff told us that once you have your temperature checked and approved for the day, your wristband will signify that you don’t have to check in again at CityWalk, the parks, etc. The wristband colors are scheduled to change each day, but it sounds like once you’ve been cleared for the day you’re cleared to skip additional temperature check lines for the rest of the day! After the temperature check station, we checked in at the hotel how we normally would, but made sure to follow the physical distancing stickers on the floor. Aventura Hotel Check In The Aventura Hotel is also offering a touchless checkout where you can simply text the number listed and be on your way! Health and Sanitization Efforts Face masks are currently required in all public areas of the resort and there are signs pointing you to the nearest hand washing station. Aventura Hotel Handwashing Station Sign There are also several hand-sanitizing stations placed around the resort from the parking garage, to the dining areas, and even out by the pool. Aventura Hotel Sanitizing Station Speaking of the pool — it’s open! There weren’t any guests out lounging when we visited, but the chairs have been spaced to allow for physical distancing and lifeguards are stationed on duty. Aventura Hotel Pool We clarified with Guest Services that guests are still required to wear face coverings while they are walking around the pool deck, but they may remove them to swim or if they are seated at their lounge chairs. The Room The rooms appear to be pretty standard hotel rooms and we were a little surprised to see “high-touch” items like the personal coffee maker still offered. Aventura Hotel Room Coffee Station Universal stated, “When possible, guest rooms will be left vacant for 24-48 hours upon checkout, before thoroughly cleaning and checking in a new guest.” The room was fitted with a telephone and tablet, which both appeared shiny and free of fingerprints. Aventura Hotel Room Phone and Tablet The TV was already playing the safety video we shared with you earlier today — reminding guests to follow the signage, wear a mask, and keep a safe distance from parties around them. Food and Drinks Aventura’s cafe, Urban Pantry, and Starbucks are both open and offering salads, sandwiches, snacks, and coffee. Aventura Hotel Starbucks However, as an added safety measure at Urban Pantry, guests will need to pick up a new cup each time they would like a refill on their drink. Aventura Hotel Cafe Refill Station As an added bonus, when we were checking out, the cashier told us they were giving away free desserts to annual passholders today. And you know we can’t resist cheese…or cake! So make sure to ask if they have any special offers if you are visiting. Aventura Hotel Cheesecake The lobby bar and rooftop bar are both open and serving up drinks, but not food. Aventura Hotel Indoor Bar Aventura Hotel Rooftop Bar The rooftop bar is using a QR menu printed plenty big for your phone to read it. Aventura Hotel Rooftop Bar Menu There is no seating at the bars and some of the rooftop bar’s additional seating is more limited than usual, but there are still plenty of spots to grab a seat and relax awhile. Overall Although this was our first time getting our temperatures taken at a hotel, the overall process felt pretty similar to our hotel experiences before the closures. If you haven’t been out and about already, seeing everyone in masks and all of the extra stickers on the ground can take some getting used to. The hotel wasn’t very busy, which probably helped things run more smoothly. We were surprised to still see a coffee maker and tablet in each room (that’s a LOT of nooks and crannies to clean), but so far, we’ve watched the Aventura be diligent about cleaning surfaces between guests, promote distance whenever possible, and take extra steps to protect their guests during this reopening. Here’s everything you need to know about Universal Orlando’s reopening! Do you have any questions about what it’s like to stay in a reopened hotel? Let us know in the comments and we’ll do our best to get the answer back to you! Related posts: NEWS! Universal Orlando Annual Passholders Can Register For a Reopening Preview TODAY NEWS! Florida Sports Venues Are a Go As Florida Moves Into the ‘Full Phase One’ of Reopening News! Tennessee Theme Parks Are Cleared to Re-Open This Week View the full article

The Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission is holding the 2020 Lionfish Challenge over the next few months. View the full article

With theme parks beginning to reopen in Florida, California doesn’t seem to be in the same boat just yet. Universal Studios Hollywood Universal Orlando is opening later this week but the same cannot be said for Universal Studios Hollywood. The west coast theme park has yet to receive government approval of reopening, but executives are hoping that it can be sooner rather than later. According to Variety, Universal Studios president and chief operating officer Karen Irwin spoke with the L.A. County Board of Supervisors in the hopes that they will allow theme park workers to return to work in order to prepare for reopening between mid-June and July 1st. Universal Studios Hollywood Irwin explained that theme parks offer a controlled environment. Not only does much of the experience take place outside but employees can regulate the flow of guests and health measures in a way that can’t be done in parks, beaches, and gardens. Also, Irwin pointed out that reopening the county theme parks would be of benefit to the citizens. With international travel potentially taking more than a year to ramp up, county residents could use the theme parks as a local option. Universal Studios A reopening date has not been confirmed for Universal Studios Hollywood or for Disneyland Resort. We’ll be sure to keep you updated as things change. Click here to learn more about the reopening of Universal Orlando. When do you think Universal Studios Hollywood will reopen? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: Universal Will Furlough Part-Time Hourly Employees Beginning in May BREAKING NEWS: Universal Orlando Is Officially Opening June 5th Universal Studios Hollywood Might Be Looking To Reopen in July View the full article

Enough with the cute kitchen stuff already! We’re running out of space in our kitchens! Ever since World of Disney reopened in Disney Springs last week, they’ve been coming at us hard with some hard-to-resist cooking gear! Mad Tea Party Mixing Bowls We’ve seen Mickey and Minnie aprons, Mad Tea Party-themed mixing bowls, and even an adorable Kitchen Magnet Set for yo’ fridge! And now we’re throwing in the towel (quite literally!) and giving in to temptation after seeing this new collection of Disney Hand Towels! Disney Hand Towels Alright, Disney — just take all our money! We can’t resist these new Disney Hand Towels for $24.99! Goofy and Donald are teamed up in one set while the other pair is Mickey and Minnie-themed! Here’s the Donald towel, complete with his signature red bow tie! Donald Towel And we love the sophisticated look of the Goofy towel! The color blocking of his orange shirt, black vest, and blue pants make this towel look more like a piece of modern art than something to dry your dishes with! Goofy Towel Of course, the Minnie towel is just as adorable as the Polka Dot Queen herself! It features a similar bow design as the Donald towel! Minnie Towel And it’s matched up with the handsome Mickey towel! There’s no mistaking those red pants and white buttons! These two make quite the pair! Mickey Towel You just never know what you’ll find at World of Disney in Disney Springs! In fact, we’ve also recently spotted this new line of Rainbow Disney Loungeflys as well as this amazing Rainbow Rain Jacket! We’ll keep you posted on what else we find! Click here to see the rest of Pride Month’s Rainbow collection now available at World of Disney and online! Are you looking forward to jazzing up your kitchen with some new Disney accessories? Let us know which new items you’ll be picking up in the comments below! Related posts: We’ve Found the PERFECT Way to Fill Those Holiday Stockings in Disney World! What’s New at Disney Springs — Baby Yoda Socks, the World of Pixar, and MORE Park Life Merchandise! What’s New at Disney Springs: Fantasia Dooney & Bourke Collection, More Baby Yoda, and ALL the Ink & Paint Merchandise! View the full article

The NBA has been in talks with Disney since April when the idea to finish their 2020 season at Walt Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex was initially proposed. ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex And now Keith Smith (a former Walt Disney Company employee and current writer for Yahoo Sports) has just posted on Twitter that Disney and the NBA have potentially agreed on a place for the players to stay! Although this information hasn’t been officially announced by Disney or the NBA yet, Keith Smith has stated Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will likely provide players with accommodations once professional basketball resumes! Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is located near Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Although technically a moderate resort, the hotel also features a convention center and boasts several business-level amenities. Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs Gran Destino Tower opened last year, providing the property with an additional 545 new guest rooms (including many suites), as well as several new restaurants, and lounges. Take a photo tour of Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort here! The NBA is set to vote on resuming its 2020 season at Disney World this Thursday, so we hope to provide you with more details then. Learn MORE about the NBA potentially coming to Disney World here! Do you think the NBA will be finishing its season at Disney World? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Related posts: EVERY Place to Celebrate the New Year and Ring in 2020 in Disney World! What’s New at Coronado Springs, Old Key West, and Saratoga Springs Resorts: Spicy Firecracker Shrimp and ADORABLE Disney Parks Watches! NEW Secret Menu Items We’re LOVING in Disney World! View the full article

ICYMI, Disney just debuted a new Rainbow Collection featuring Rainbow Mickey and Minnie Plush, apparel, brand new Rainbow EARS, and more! Mickey Plush at World of Disney And while much of the collection is available on shopDisney, select items are also available at the recently reopened World of Disney in Disney Springs. And, as of our visit today, that includes the adorable Rainbow Rain Jacket! The clear hooded jacket features an allover pattern of Castles, Minnie bows, Mickey shorts, Mickey balloons, and — of course — Mickey Ears in every color of the rainbow! Rainbow Rain Jacket Oh, and did you also spy all the SNACKS?!? Rainbow Rain Jacket Favorite Disney foods throughout the design include Mickey Ice Cream Bars, Pretzels, Caramel Apples, Dole Whip, and drinks. Rainbow Rain Jacket The jacket is $54.99, and if you can’t stop by World of Disney to pick one up, it’s also available on shopDisney. Check out the rest of the NEW Disney Rainbow Collection here! Additional fun finds today at World of Disney include a new Rainbow Loungefly backpack and “M” (For MICKEY!) cap. Thanks for joining us again in Disney Springs today, and stay tuned for more from Walt Disney World’s shopping and dining district! Will you be picking up anything from the Rainbow Collection? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: New Rainbow Disney Collection Arrives in Disney World and Disneyland for Pride Month Do You Love Marie or Pluto? Then You’re Gonna Love These NEW Disney Pets Loungefly Backpacks! What’s New at Disney Springs: The Lightfloat, More ABC Disney Merch, and the Return of the Avengers! View the full article

As of early March, Canadian officials banned ships carrying more than 500 people from docking at Canadian ports until July. Disney Cruise Line Now, Canada has announced all cruise ships carrying more than 100 passengers are prohibited from operating in Canadian waters until October 31, 2020. In light of this decision, Disney Cruise Line as cancelled the following departures from Vancouver which were to take place aboard the Disney Wonder: August 3rd – 7-Night Alaska Cruise August 10th – 7-Night Alaska Cruise August 17th – 7-Night Alaska Cruise August 24th – 7-Night Alaska Cruise (DVC Member Cruise) August 31st – 7-Night Alaska Cruise September 7th – 7-Night Alaska Cruise September 14th – 4-Night Pacific Coast Cruise ©Disney Cruise Line Sailing to Alaska If you have an upcoming Canadian itinerary scheduled between now and October 31st, 2020, you should contact the Disney Cruise Line to modify your reservation. Disney Cruise Line has modified its payment schedule for summer 2020 bookings. Learn more details here. Did you have an Alaskan cruise booked this summer? Let us know if your Disney Cruise Line vacation was impacted in the comments below! Related posts: Sail Away with These Disney Cruise Line Cyber Week DISCOUNTS! News! Disney Cruise Line’s 2021 Summer Itineraries Are Now Open to Platinum Members! Here’s a Roundup of Every Cancellation and Postponement Officially Announced By Disney! View the full article

It’s all blue skies at Disney Springs, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some rainbows to be found! Sprinkles Cupcake And while last week we made a transaction at the Sprinkles Cupcake ATM (and got this delicious Sprinkles Cupcake covered in rainbow nonpareils!), today we spotted THESE technicolor beauties! Just in — we discovered these stunning new Rainbow Loungeflys (which we previously spotted on shopDisney) at World of Disney this morning! Both styles feature a Minnie-shaped silhouette accented with pastel rainbow-colored sequins and, of course — a BOW! Rainbow Loungeflys The Mini Rainbow Loungefly Backpack for $40 has an adorable sequinned bow that matches the zip pocket it has on its front! This one looks perfect for some fun in the SUN! Mini Rainbow Loungefly Backpack But the Rainbow Loungefly Backpack for $90 is equally-amazing! We love how the sequins are featured throughout the entire body of the bag, and this one comes topped with a black bow that looks super-chic! Rainbow Loungefly Backpack We spotted both of these rainbow-tiful new Loungeflys at Disney Springs today where we’re also started to see some of the new Rainbow Dinsey parks merch celebrating Pride Month — check it out here! You gotta see the new Popcorn Phone Case we found at World of Disney yesterday! Check it out here! Do you enjoy collecting Loungeflys? Tell us if you’ll be picking these ones up in the comments below! Related posts: We’ve Found the PERFECT Way to Fill Those Holiday Stockings in Disney World! What’s New at Disney Springs — Baby Yoda Socks, the World of Pixar, and MORE Park Life Merchandise! Sneak Peek! A New Space Mountain MagicBand is Launching Soon at Disney World! View the full article

You KNOW we’ve been eating our way around Disney Springs since it reopened on May 20th. Paddlefish Exterior So far, we’ve eaten at Terralina Crafted Italian, D-Luxe Burger, T-Rex, Pizza Ponte, and many, many more table service and quick service restaurants. And, it’s another day, so it’s time for another Disney Springs meal! This time, we checked out the recently reopened Paddlefish to see how this seafood and steak spot is handling health and safety measures, and of course, to see how good the food is! So, what is Paddlefish like during this initial phase of Disney Springs’ reopening? Let’s find out… Atmosphere Before entering Paddlefish, we noticed social distancing markers on the ground for guests to wait behind. Social distance markers outside Paddlefish And when we got to the host stand, we were greeted by a masked employee, bottle of hand sanitizer, and a sign saying that Paddlefish was offering contactless menus via a QR code. Paddlefish Host Stand There were also markers on the floor letting people know where to wait for their tables. If you don’t want to get food in the restaurant, Paddlefish is offering to-go drinks at the bar, but note that you cannot sit at the bar. The bar at Paddlefish Additionally, the restaurant is practicing social distancing by limiting capacity and marking some tables as closed for seating. Table closed sign at Paddlefish We were led to our table by the hostess, and when seated we were offered a paper bag to store face masks. Eats In addition to the QR code menu, Paddlefish is also offering paper menus. Paddlefish paper menu Paddlefish is currently offering a limited menu. Items like the items such as the Lobster Bisque Soup, the Maine Lobster Roll, Table-side Lobster Guacamole, the Chilled Trio, and Seafood Boil with 1¼ Pound Maine Lobster are missing from the menu. Lobster Roll We opted to start with the New England Clam Chowder, which comes packed with bacon, potatoes, and of course CLAMS! Paddlefish clam chowder The cream-based soup was strong on the bacon and potato. While it was a tad salty for our taste, it’s still a great option for a hearty soup for a decent price. A cup of New England clam chowder is $6.00, and a bowl of clam chowder is $9.00. Paddlefish clam chowder For our second appetizer, we got the Beef Skewers, which were $13.00. It came with a hazelnut romesco and pickled onions. Paddlefish beef skewers If you love a good char-grilled flavor, these skewers are for you! While the meat itself was a little bit on the tough side, that grilled flavor really came through. Paddlefish beef skewers The hazelnut romesco was nice and tangy, but the pickled onions were a refreshing final touch on the whole dish. While this wasn’t our favorite thing, the beef skewers could be a great choice for all the land lovers who are not as comfortable with seafood, or those on a low-carb diet dining at Paddlefish! Paddlefish Beef skewers pickled onions garnish After our two appetizers (we came hungry!), our entree came out. We opted for the Crab Cake “BLT.” In addition to a crab cake, this $20.00 sandwich came served with bacon, avocado, cheddar cheese, lettuce, beefsteak tomato, and a rémoulade sauce, all of which was piled onto Ciabatta bread. It was served with house-made chips. Paddlefish Crab Cake “BLT” The crab cake was definitely the most prominent thing in the sandwich, and it was a really good crab cake. There was a healthy amount of shellfish in the blend, and it had a satisfying smooth texture. Paddlefish Crab Cake “BLT” However, we found the crab cake itself was overpowered by the bacon, avocado, rémoulade, and other ingredients. The delicate crab is the star of the plate, but honestly, it was lost in all the loaded BLT toppings. Just the bun and remoulade would have been plenty to let the crab cake shine. Paddlefish Crab Cake “BLT” We were unable to finish all of our food and asked for a doggy bag. The restaurant handed us containers and we packed our food to-go ourselves, as opposed to our server boxing it up for us in the back. Nosh or Not Row on over to Paddlefish if: You LOVE seafood and are looking to get your crab on while at Disney Springs. You’re trying to have a nice meal out with waterside views. Swim elsewhere if: You’re not a seafood person. You want big portions for your buck. You want to a quick meal on the go at a quick-service spot. Overall Paddlefish is taking the new safety procedures in place very seriously, which the service was still EXCELLENT! If you’re looking for seafood while shopping, this is a great bet as soups and sandwiches are LOADED with shellfish. DO note that they’re operating with a limited menu and many of their seafood hits aren’t being served at the moment. However, the meal can be a bit expensive, so if you’re on a budget, you’d be better off going to one of Disney Springs many quick-service locations. Paddlefish is great for date night, especially if you’re looking for some great views and atmosphere! Have you eaten at Paddlefish before? What did you think? Related posts: Review: The Dining Room at Paddlefish in Disney Springs Learn How to Make the Perfect Cocktail This Weekend in Disney Springs! Paddlefish in Disney Springs Has Officially Reopened! View the full article

As the famous saying goes, “time flies” — kinda like the Aerophile hot air balloon in Disney Springs! Aerophile is flying high in the sky! And while these last couple of months have really flown by (even if some days dragged on!), now that Disney World is slowly starting to reopen again, we might actually need to know what time it is again! Luckily, we spotted a TON of new Disney watches online today like this Vintage Style Mickey Watch for Men! Vintage Style Mickey Watch ©Disney Of course, ladies who like a larger dial can rock this iconic style as well! Pick this one up for $49.99! Click here to buy the Vintage Style Mickey Watch! And how adorable is this Silver Mickey and Minnie Watch for Women for $69.99? Silver Mickey and Minnie Watch for Women ©Disney It would make the perfect anniversary gift — and who doesn’t love a little extra bling BLING! Click here to buy the Silver Mickey and Minnie Watch! We also spotted this Mickey Mouse Watch for Women for $39.99 with a smaller gold-tone bezel! Mickey Mouse Watch for Women ©Disney We love the bright classic colors on this one. Click here to purchase this Mickey Mouse Watch! And for those who like the mixed-metal look, check out this Two-Tone Mickey Mouse Watch for Men. Two-Tone Mickey Mouse Watch for Men ©Disney You can get this one online at shopDisney for $64.99! Click here to buy the Men’s Two-Tone Mickey Mouse Watch! But wait — check out this Two-Tone Mickey Mouse Watch for Women for $64.99! Two-Tone Mickey Mouse Watch for Women ©Disney That way, you and your sweetheart can have matching Mickey Mouse watches! Click here to buy the Women’s Two-Tone Mickey Mouse Watch! Even a sea witch couldn’t resist the Women’s Ariel Watch for $69.99! Ariel Watch for Women ©Disney Just look at all those sparkly rhinestone accents! Purchase the Ariel Watch for Women here! Time after time, we’ll keep admiring this Frozen Watch for Women for $49.99. Anna Frozen Watch for Women ©Disney We love the ethereal design of Anna on the dial! And the white strap reminds us of freshly fallen snow! Click here to buy the Frozen Watch for Women! Check out this really sweet Frozen Watch for Kids! Elsa Frozen Watch for Kids ©Disney It costs $46.99 and features Elsa along with an easy-to-read dial and glittery silver strap! Click here to buy the Frozen Watch for Kids! In fact, there were so many new watches for kids, we only picked out a few to show you! Forky Watch for Kids ©Disney Another one of our favorites was this Kids’ Forky Watch for $24.99! Click here to buy the Forky Watch for Kids! Be sure to check out these styles now on shopDisney, and while you’re looking around, take a look at the new Pride Month collection that arrived in Disney Springs yesterday! It’s a beautiful rainbow of colorful merchandise that makes us smile just looking at it! Check out the new Disney kitchen accessory we spotted in Disney Springs here! Do you own any new or old Mickey Mouse watches? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: NEWS: The NEW Frozen 2 Dresses Have Landed on shopDisney and They’re BIG TIME on Sale! Look as Marvelous as Mickey in the NEW Disney X Kith Collection Coming Soon! Learn How You Can Help Communities in Need By Eating Sprinkles Cupcakes! View the full article

“Who’s the Leader of the Club that’s made for you and me?” I’ll give you a (not-so-subtle) hint… Who’s the Leader of the Club? His name starts with an “M…” and that’s for none other than MICKEY MOUSE! Mickey’s initial and super cute mug are featured on a new letterman-style cap we spotted today on our trip to the recently reopened World of Disney in Disney Springs. Let’s take a look at the varsity-inspired design. Mickey Mouse Cap Mickey’s birth year of 1928 is commemorated on the back of the cap. Remember when we celebrated Mickey’s 90th Birthday not quite two years ago now? Mickey Mouse Cap Mickey sure ages well… don’t you agree ? Mickey Mouse Cap This new hat is $27.99, and joins a LOT of other fun finds we’ve spotted at World of Disney so far this week including the NEW Disney Rainbow Collection, Inside-Out Romper, and more! For now, as our pal Mickey would say, we’ll “See Ya Real Soon!” Will you be sporting a Mickey cap anytime soon? 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! SPOTTED! These Retro Denim Hats in Disney World are Giving Us SERIOUS ’90s Vibes What’s New at Disney Springs — Baby Yoda Socks, the World of Pixar, and MORE Park Life Merchandise! View the full article

It’s been a hot second since we stepped foot inside a theme park! Universal Studios Resort Disney World closed back in March and is slated to open next month. But today, we were granted a super sneak-peek into Universal Orlando’s theme parks (which don’t officially open to the public until June 5th)! Wands [and masks] at the ready? Let’s take a look! We got to attend a special preview of Universal Studios Resort today before the theme parks officially reopen to Annual Passholders starting tomorrow! Universal Studios And since this park isn’t officially open yet, we’re going to hold off on giving you all the details about the new health and safety precautions Universal Studios will be implementing. We only want to provide you with the most accurate information, so sit tight and we’ll get you everything you need to know about going to Universal’s theme parks tomorrow (we’ll be here all day reporting!). Health and Safety Sign at Universal But since we’re here a day early, we wanted to show you a few sights your heart has been pining to see! Even though we normally focus all our efforts on Disney stuff, we understand The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has A LOT of crossover appeal! Here’s a glimpse of how Hogsmeade looked as of this A.M. — looks like The Muggles are BACK! Hogsmeade We almost cried when we saw the Hogwarts Express steam engine this morning along with a friendly train conductor! Hogwart’s Express The Frog Choir was even out serenading us with its sweet chorus of croaks! Man, how we missed these guys! Frog Choir It felt amazing to be wandering the cobblestone streets of Hogsmeade again, which was virtually empty! Hogsmeade So empty, it was only a five-minute wait to ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. We’ll be curious to see that the wait time will be tomorrow. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Speaking of Hogwarts’ keeper of keys and ground, here’s the lovable Rubeus Hagrid himself! He looks like he’s happy to see folks out and about again! It’s Hagrid! At least he had all of his creatures to keep him company! And as of the morning, classes have resumed at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy. Hogwarts We can’t wait to share a Butterbeer and a box of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans with you tomorrow, but for now, we’re going to keep Slytherin’ around to explore more of the almost-reopened Universal Studios Resort! Hogwarts Find out how you can order a Butterbeer at Starbucks here! We’ll be back tomorrow reporting LIVE from the Universal Orlando’s Annual Passholder reopening, so stay tuned! Until then, you can check out all of the latest info about Universal’s reopening here! Were you happy to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal again? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: The CDC Just Released New “Decision Tools” for Businesses and Schools to Reopen SeaWorld Orlando Tested Their Mako Coaster With Masked Riders Today! Updated! Here Is EVERY Detail Disney World Shared About Their Reopening Procedures View the full article

This past week has been FULL of crazy and hard-to-understand announcements from Disney, as well as other major Orlando theme parks! It seems like every day, another MAJOR headline drops! Walt Disney World Let’s recap ALL of the news you may have missed this week as the summer season kicks off! Disney World Submits Plans to Reopen July 11 & 15 On May 27, Disney World presented reopening plans to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force. In this presentation, Disney proposed reopening dates of July 11 for Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, and July 15 for Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Mickey Mouse Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings approved of the plans and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have approved this proposal, meaning the parks can OFFICIALLY reopen on these dates. Click here to learn more about Disney World’s approved plan to reopen! Information On Disney World’s Reopening Procedures During Disney’s initial reopening phase, guests will be required to obtain an advance reservation to access the parks. As Disney rolls out this new system, new hotel reservations are unavailable at this time. Guests are also unable to purchase tickets right now. ©Disney Disney also shared information on required face coverings for Cast Members and guests, temperature screenings upon arrival, increased sanitization processes, and the temporary suspension of high-contact interactions, like fireworks, parades, character meet & greets and photographer experiences. Learn about ALL of the details that came out of Disney World’s presentation here. Disney Cancels All Upcoming Dining Reservations and Disney Dining Plans When the theme parks reopen, there will be limited capacity available within the parks, including their restaurants. Due to this limited capacity, all current Disney dining reservations have been canceled. In addition, Disney Dining Plans have also been canceled. Entrance into Beast’s Castle Guests will be able to rebook at a later date, with priority given to those who had canceled dining reservations and canceled Dining Plans. For the time being, all new dining reservations will be made within a 60-day window, as opposed to the customary 180-day window. ©Disney Currently, Disney is cancelling all Disney Dining Plan reservations through September 26th, 2021, due to current international bookings being made out that far in advance. As far as we are aware, Disney is working to clear out their current system to make way for a potential new system that can better accommodate the temporary limited capacity in their parks, resorts, and restaurants. Read more about the cancellation of dining reservations and Disney Dining Plans here! Disney Cancels FastPass+ Reservations and Temporarily Suspends FastPass+ In addition to the dining cancellations, Disney has also made the decision to temporarily suspend FastPass+ out of a need for additional queue space to accommodate the new social distancing protocol that will be present when the parks reopen. Haunted Mansion As a result of these decisions, Disney has also canceled all upcoming FastPass+ reservations. The function to make FastPass+ selections on My Disney Experience has also been temporarily removed from the app. Disney is also temporarily suspending Extra Magic Hours at this time. Learn more about the temporary suspension of FastPass+ and the cancellation of FastPass+ cancellations here. Disney Vacation Club Resorts to Reopen on June 22 Ahead of Disney World reopening their theme parks, we learned this week that Disney Vacation Club Resorts will reopen for their Members and Guests on June 22. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds will also reopen June 22. Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa has a particularly long internal bus loop! In addition to Vacation Club Resorts in Disney World, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort and Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort will reopen on June 15. Currently, the DVC Resorts are the only ones slated to reopen at this time. No additional information is available about other Disney World Resort hotels reopening. Read more about DVC Resorts reopening here! Disney World Makes Updates to Face Mask Policies Amongst all of these news updates, Disney has also been updating protocol for their face coverings policy. Previously guests above the age of 3 were required to wear a face-covering while on property. Now, all guests above the age of 2 will be required to wear a face covering. Guests with Face Coverings in Disney Springs In response to the Disney Vacation Club Resorts reopening on June 22, Disney announced that face coverings must be worn while in public resort areas, like lobbies, gyms, and pools. Note that masks are NOT required while guests are swimming. Read more about Disney’s updated face mask age policy here. World of Disney Reopens at Disney Springs On May 27, some Disney owned and operated locations in Disney Springs reopened, including World of Disney! With wait times topping at SIX HOURS, there were plenty of shoppers anxious to check out all the latest Disney merchandise! World of Disney On its reopening day, a virtual queue was implemented to handle the large crowds looking to shop. Since then, we have not seen reports of the virtual queue being needed. Check out our first day back at World of Disney here! Tokyo’s Downtown Disney District (Ikspiari) to Reopen June 1 We’ve also heard some international Disney Parks news this week! After Japan lifted their National State of Emergency, it was announced that Ikspiari, the Downtown Disney District at the Tokyo Disney Resort, will reopen on June 1. Tokyo Disneyland At this time, there are no announcements for the theme parks at Tokyo Disney Resort to reopen. Read more about Tokyo Disney Resort’s reopening of Ikspiari here! Universal Orlando Resort to Reopen June 5 Back in Orlando, other major theme parks are preparing to reopen. Universal Orlando will reopen to the public on June 5. This is following the reopening of their shopping and dining district, CityWalk, which reopened on May 14. Universal Orlando Resort Prior to June 5, there will be soft previews for their Team Members, as well as Annual Passholders. Also ahead of the parks reopening, select Universal hotels will reopen beginning on June 2. Check out Universal Orlando’s reopening plans here! SeaWorld Orlando Submits Plans to Reopen to the Public June 11 Along with Disney World, SeaWorld Orlando submitted their reopening proposals to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force on May 27. In their presentation, SeaWorld announced that they intend to reopen to the public on June 11. ©SeaWorld On June 10, the evening prior to reopening, SeaWorld will host an employee appreciation night. Read all about SeaWorld’s reopening plans here! Smaller Orlando Attractions & Theme Parks Reopen Amongst the larger Orlando theme parks preparing to reopen, several smaller Orlando attractions and theme parks have already opened their gates to guests in the past week or so. ©Gatorland Smaller attractions including Gatorland and Fun Spot Orlando have reopened to the public after receiving permission by Governor Ron DeSantis. LOTS of things are changing when it comes to planning a Disney World vacation and things will likely keep changing. We know this is crazy, stressful, and pretty frustrating. But we are here to help you and will do our very best to break down the information so you can understand how it will impact your plans. And if you ever have any questions, please feel free to ask us! We will do our very BEST to get you all the info you need. Sending you a virtual hug during this weird time, friends. Do you have plans to visit Disney World once the parks reopen? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Your Questions Answered! Disney Just Canceled Everything! Here’s What’s Going On — And What You Should Do Next. DFB Video: Latest Disney News — Disney World Starts to Open in FOUR Days with New Safety Protocols Announced! What’s New at Disney Springs — Baby Yoda Socks, the World of Pixar, and MORE Park Life Merchandise! View the full article

Over the weekend, Chairman Bob Iger addressed Disney’s firm stance against racial disparity which you can read in its entirety here. Disney also posted the following statement on all of its social media platforms. Screenshot of Disney’s Instagram Account Now, the production company Bad Robot led by Star Wars director J.J. Abrams has pledged to donate $10 million dollars to equal rights causes. The announcement was posted on Bad Robot’s Instagram yesterday. Between Bad Robot and The Katie McGrath and J.J. Abrams Family Foundation, $10 million dollars in aid will be provided over the next five years to anti-racist organizations including Black Future Labs, Black Lives Matter, Community Coalition, Equal Justice Initiative, and Know Your Rights Camp. J.J. Abrams ©Getty Images “We at Bad Robot are grateful to the many scholars, activists, organizers, and leaders fighting on the frontlines of change in our systemically unjust country,” the post read. “Enough is enough. Enough police brutality. Enough outsized privilege. Enough polite conversation,” the statement went on. “In this fragile time, words matter, listening is critical and investment is required.” Related posts: Here’s EVERYTHING Coming To Disney+ This March! Spotted! This Hallmark Baby Yoda Ornament Is The Keepsake You’ve Been Looking For! This NEW Classic Star Wars shopDisney Merchandise Is Out of This World! View the full article

As some Central Florida farmers markets remained closed, which ones are reopened and which ones have modifications due to COVID-19? View the full article

Are you ready to come back to Disney parks in style? With Disney World reopening on July 11th, it may be time to refresh your old luggage. And Disney has just released a few new designs online. Magic Kingdom Disney’s newest luggage is a nod to Princesses and Mouse lovers alike! These bags might come in all different sizes but they all share one common theme: ADORABLE. Currently available online at shopDisney, these pieces definitely make a statement! This beautifully blue Cinderella Rolling Luggage is sprinkled with images from the classic film. The great thing about this bag is the hard plastic shell! These are a great option since the hard outer shell helps to keep your belongings (and those breakable Disney souvenirs) safe! Cinderella Rolling Luggage ©Disney You can get this gorgeous rolling bag online for $149.99! Click here to grab the Cinderella Rolling Luggage! Maybe you’re not quite jiving with such a big suitcase and you’re looking for something smaller. This 18″ bag is great to have for little ones or for packing extra souvenirs! Disney Princess Rolling Luggage ©Disney This lovely bag is available online for $49.99! Get your very own Disney Princess Rolling Luggage right here! You can’t go wrong with classic Mickey Mouse. It’s almost impossible to think about Disney without thinking of this trademark mouse! If you really want to cement your love for Mickey Mouse, take a peek at the Large Mickey Mouse Rolling Luggage (28″). Mickey Mouse Classic Rolling Luggage ©Disney This luggage is available on shopDisney for $199.99. Click here to snag to Mickey Mouse suitcase!! If a large bag is too tempting (more space to be filled with plush and Mickey Ears) you might be looking for something a bit smaller! You still get the same super cute bag but scaled down a bit (now 20″)! Mickey Mouse Classic Rolling Luggage-Small ©Disney The Small Mickey Mouse Classic Rolling Luggage is available for $149.99. Buy the smaller version on the Mickey Mouse bag here! This bag is designed to fit under your airline seat! Which means goodbye baggage check lines! Mickey Mouse Underseater Luggage ©Disney You can get this bag for $84.99. Get your own Mickey Mouse suitcase here! This bag has an ADORABLE Mickey Mouse graphic to keep the kiddos company while you’re waiting in all of those long airport lines. Smaller Mickey Mouse Rolling Luggage ©Disney This rolling luggage is available for $49.99! Wanna take a closer look at this Mickey Mouse suitcase? Click here! Just when you thought there’d be more Mickey Mouse we brought you…Minnie Mouse! Go ahead and rock that girl pride and don’t forget your signature pink bow! Minnie Mouse Rolling Luggage ©Disney This small Minnie Mouse luggage is available for $49.99. Treat yo self by getting your own Minnie Mouse suitcase here! These luggage bags are crazy adorable! If you’d like to get your own set of wheels (suitcase wheels, that is), you can roll on over to shopDisney to get some of your own. Click here to check out some of the Rose Gold luggage we spotted at Disney Springs! What do you think about these new bags? Will you be purchasing any? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: You Can Score Even MORE ‘Year of the Mouse’ Goodies with the NEW Disney x Aldo Collection! Build a Disney Easter Basket for Under $30! 6 Disney Puzzles To Help You Feel Like You Accomplished Something Today View the full article

Universal Orlando Resort will reopen to the public this Friday, June 5th. Universal Orlando When the Resort presented its proposed plans for reopening to Florida’s Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force, one of the measures they mentioned was pre-arrival communications for guests coming to Universal Orlando so they could be well-prepared for what to expect (and protocols they would be asked to follow) during their visit. To that end, Universal Resort Orlando has shared the following video on their website and YouTube channel. Protocols shared in the video include temperature screening, the required wearing of face coverings, signage that guests can expect to see, the use of virtual lines to experience select attractions, and more. As mentioned, Universal Orlando Resort will begin its reopening to the general public this Friday. Walt Disney World Resort will begin its phased opening on July 11th when Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom reopen to guests, followed by EPCOT and Hollywood Studios on July 15th. To learn more about Walt Disney World’s phased reopening, you can visit any of the links below. What do you think of the pre-arrival communications for theme parks? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: Universal Orlando Is Reopening June 5th and We’ve Got ALL the Details! NEWS and PHOTOS: Face Masks and Hand Sanitizer Available for Purchase at Universal Orlando Resort Stores BREAKING NEWS! Universal Orlando Resort Proposes Reopening Date View the full article

We’ve seen Disney Cruise Line go through several rounds of sailing cancellations, the most recent extending cancellations well into July. The Disney Wonder With Disney Cruises perhaps being the last Disney experience to reopen, Disney has opted to extend the expiration date of the future cruise credits given to those affected by the cancellations. Let’s take a look at that new date! Disney has reached out to guests and travel agents to announce that the future cruise credits for affected guests (previously offered at a value of 25%, 125%, or 150% of the original voyage fare) can now be used on any sailings that depart by March 31st, 2022. Disney Cruise Line This extends the validity period for these credits significantly further than the original 15-month window. These credits are automatically added to affected guests’ accounts and they can be used to place a reservation on hold starting June 3rd by applying the credit as a payment option. Disney Wonder Remember, if your modified reservation is paid in full and you have a leftover value from the credit, it will be applied to your account as an onboard credit for use on your trip. We will continue to keep you posted on the status of the Disney Cruise Line industry and Adventures by Disney! And if you have any questions about a Disney Cruise Line vacay, please let us know! Click here to learn about the latest round of cancellations for Disney Cruise Line. Did you receive a future cruise credit? When will you sail again? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: NEWS! Passport Now Required for This Popular Disney Cruise Line Destination! NEW Nautical Disney Wishables are Embarking on Disney Cruise Line! Disney Cruise Line Has Just Announced Ports of Call in Greece, Sweden, and Norway For Summer of 2021! View the full article