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WonderWorks Orlando, an International Drive attraciton, to reopen May 29 View the full article

Right at the end of 2019, it was announced that an all-new M&M’s store would be coming to Disney Springs! ©Disney Artist’s Concept of New M&M Store A peek at the concept for the new retail location only got us more excited. That is until construction was put on halt due to the global health crisis. We were interested in the state of our newest chocolatey access point. Today, though, a few of our questions have been answered! We found out that the Disney Springs M&M’s store is still on schedule for a 2020 opening! According to the Orlando Sentinel, head of global retail at Mars Retail Group Patrick McIntyre stated that despite the global health crisis, the new store remains on schedule for an opening sometime this year. M&M’s Store Construction The new store is set to replace the current M&M’s store in the Florida Mall. The current store reopened from its closure on May 15th with new health measures such as signage to promote physical distancing, hand sanitizing stations, and reduced guest capacity restriction. M&M Store The Disney Springs locations have plans for a fun retail environment with more than 100 tubes of M&M’s, personalized candy, and appearances from M&M’s characters. We’ll be keeping an eye on developments at this project and will be sure to report in when we have an opening date! Click here to learn more about the upcoming M&M’s store! Are you excited about the M&M’s store? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: What’s New at Disney Springs: Dogs Wearing Face Masks, Four Pounds of Loaded Fries, and MORE! Apple Cinnamon Wings and Maple Bourbon Eggnog? YES PLEASE! We’re Heading to Disney Springs for These Eats! Marg Our Words! You’re Going to Want to Check Out This Drink Deal in Disney Springs! View the full article

As you may know, World of Disney is reopening in Disney Springs this morning along with the first few Disney-owned properties that have been closed since mid-March. World of Disney And while we await Disney World’s reopening proposal which is also scheduled to take place this morning, Disney Store locations have just posted several guidelines of the new health and safety precautions they will be implementing upon their reopening. Although Disney hasn’t announced when Disney Stores across the country will reopen, they have posted these new safety measures on shopDisney this morning along with the following statement: ©Disney According to the website, face masks will be mandatory to enter a Disney Store while guests will be encouraged to socially distance themselves while shopping and waiting to check-out. Markers will be placed throughout the store similar to the ones we’ve seen utilized throughout Disney Springs now that several locations have reopened. Plexiglass shields have also been installed at all the cash registers. ©Disney Click here to see our complete guide to social distancing markers at Disney World! Disney Stores will be cleaning the store and its fixtures more frequently as well as limiting each store’s capacity when necessary. ©Disney Store hours may be modified while all in-store events have been postponed. To find out if a Disney Store near you has reopened, you can use shopDisney’s store locator page here. Disney Store is also strongly encouraging guests to use contactless forms of payment. ©Disney Once Disney Stores reopen, some limited-edition releases or other products might not be available. Disney Store has also listed a Closure FAQ on its website which states its stores will be: Implementing a phased reopening approach to determine when it is appropriate to reopen each Disney store location Reducing store hours and Disney store capacities to help facilitate physical distancing Relocating fixtures, furniture and products to make navigating the store easier Implementing a requirement that face coverings be worn by Guests ages 2 and up and Cast Members while in the Disney store Ensuring easy access to hand sanitizers for Guests and Cast Members Temporarily pausing Opening Ceremony and in-store events Enhancing our cleaning procedures throughout the day Deploying new training and health screening protocols for Cast Members Cast Members will be required to undergo a health screening checklist and take their temperature at home each day before reporting to work. World of Disney Stickers Due to the disruption, Disney Stores have extended their return policy for purchases made in-store on or after February 15, 2020. They will now be allowing returns to be made 30 days after the stores reopen. Additionally, any unused coupons that expired while the stores were closed will be honored until December 31st, 2020. Follow along with our live coverage of World of Disney’s reopening here! Do you have a Disney Store near you? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Abracadabra! The Disney Wisdom Collection Is NEW and Blue in Disney Stores! Breaking NEWS! Shanghai Disneyland to Reopen May 11th Here’s The Complete List of Retail Locations That Are Reopening in Disney Springs on May 20th! View the full article

We took you with us last week to the re-opening of third-party stores and restaurants in Disney Springs. And now, select Disney-owned stores and restaurants are beginning to open back up again today. World of Disney Although we’ve already discussed the new health and safety measures in place throughout Walt Disney World’s shopping and dining district, we’re starting this visit with a look at the amount of guests ready to return to the World of Disney. Before diving in, the World of Disney is scheduled to open at 10 AM this morning. And the next few pictures of the lines to enter the store below were taken BEFORE 9 AM. Front of World of Disney Line The picture above is simply the front of the line. Note that the line (still before 9 AM) wound around past Dockside Margaritas, if you’re familiar with the set up of the Disney Springs Marketplace. If you’re not familiar, these pictures below should give you some idea! Lines around World of Disney Lines to enter World of Disney Lines to enter World of Disney There are certainly lots of social distancing signs and markers around Disney Springs to keep guests and Cast Members safe. The World of Disney already had a long line of stickers on the ground last week, indicating that maybe the store would be busy when it re-opened. Markers outside of World of Disney store in Disney Springs A line queue had also been added for today. Markers on the ground and line holder outside World of Disney And, as far as anticipating those crowds… boy, were they right! Lines this morning When we arrived before the store even opened, there was already a crowd of people waiting outside to visit the biggest Disney store in Walt Disney World. Since there weren’t quite enough markings on the ground for all the people there, additional tape was placed on the ground to denote physical distancing markers. Additional Tape on the ground Once the tape ran out… Duct Tape Markers … Cast Members began to advise guests to stay 6 feet apart from the group in front of them until more tape arrived. To make sure that guests can maintain a safe distance while shopping, only a certain amount of people will be let into the World of Disney at a time. To help implement this, guests are asked to put their names in for a Virtual Queue to receive text updates 15 minutes prior to when they are able to visit. A Cast Member is located at the front of the store to enter guests into the virtual queue. World of Disney At press time this morning, we are learning of possible wait times of up to three hours to enter the World of Disney. We will continue to update this post throughout the morning as we enter the World of Disney, and we ask that you stay tuned! Take a look at all the stores open in Disney Springs and our experience shopping here! What is your favorite store to visit in Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Go on a Grand Circle Tour of Tomorrowland With the NEW PeopleMover Hat in Disney World! What’s NEW at Disney Springs: The Her Universe Star Wars Collection, NEW Park Life Dooneys, and Rock the Dots Merch! BEST DAY EVER! There’s a NEW Pascal Shoulder Plush in Disney World! View the full article

While select third-party restaurants and shops at Disney Springs reopened on May 20th, today marks the day that Disney-owned locations are reopening their doors. Disney Springs We’re here LIVE today to check out the new health and safety measures that Disney is implementing, so follow along with us! We will be updating this post throughout the day, so don’t forget to check back for updates! WOW! While many Cast Members shared that they expected crowds to increase when Disney-owned locations, we didn’t know that the lines would be like this! Lines around World of Disney Currently, the line or World of Disney stretches past Dockside Margaritas. World of Disney Line Cast Members are using duct tape to create make-shift social distancing markers. Duct Tape Markers Guests can put their name on a list at World of Disney and Marketplace Co-Op and will receive a text when it is their turn to enter a store. They take your number and will call you 15 minutes prior. World of Disney is officially set to open at 10AM. We’re interested to see what the store will look like inside when it opens. As of right now, World of Disney has a three-hour wait and Marketplace Co-Op has a 90-minute wait. Marketplace Co-Op Remember, we will continue to update this post throughout the day, so check back!! Are you planning to visit Disney Springs anytime soon? Let us know in the comments below. Related posts: What’s New at Disney Springs! NEW Menu Items; Missing Menu Items; The CUTEST Valentine’s Day Cards; and FREE Cupcakes! What’s New at Disney Springs: Fantasia Dooney & Bourke Collection, More Baby Yoda, and ALL the Ink & Paint Merchandise! NEWS: Anthropologie Will Be Reopening at Disney Springs in Disney World on May 20th View the full article

With the reopening of Shanghai Disneyland and Disney Springs, we have face masks on the mind. Balloons in Disney Springs So far, all of the reopened Disney properties have the requirement of face masks for Cast Members, employees, AND guests. This has raised concern for some on the subjects of comfort and logistics for their time in Disney. We’ve taken a look at everything you need to know about wearing your mask in Disney World, but what if you refuse to wear one? Here’s what might happen. Will we be wearing masks in all of Disney World? Disney Springs is the only piece of Disney World that is currently open and YES, face coverings ARE required to visit. The only time that a guest can remove their face mask is when they are seated at a dining table or actively eating or drinking while they walk around. The question is, will the rest of Disney World follow the mandatory face-covering model? Advent Health Cast Member at Temperature Screening It’s likely. After all, Shanghai Disney Resort remains the only fully open Disney resort in the world, and masks are required everywhere on resort property, except when dining. Similarly, Universal Orlando Resort is set to open on June 5th, and masks will be required almost everywhere there as well — even on attractions. Beyond that, Disney executives have made multiple references to masks being used in the reopened theme parks. Over a month ago, Executive Chairman Bob Iger explained that many changes are possible for when Disney parks reopen. More recently, CEO Bob Chapek specifically mentioned masks as a likely requirement for Cast Members and guests in the parks. The Polite Pig Mask Combine the statements from Disney leadership with the requirements already in place for other Disney and entertainment properties, and we get a pretty clear picture. When the Disney Resorts reopen, masks will likely be mandatory almost everywhere you go. Click here to read Bob Chapek’s comments on masks and more. What if you refuse to wear one? The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends and considers masks safe for anyone above the age of 2 and without underlying health conditions. This means that for most Disney guests and Cast Members, the mask recommendation applies. So, what if you refuse to wear a mask? Mickey Balloons at Disney Springs Beyond the recommendation, Disney has made a priority of keeping guests and Cast Members safe and making them feel safe. They consider masks a big piece of this puzzle and therefore may not allow those without face coverings to enter or remain in their parks and properties. For Disney World specifically, Florida law maintains that Disney has the right to deny you service for any reason, including forgoing your mask. Enforcing such a condition may be difficult, but here is how Disney might handle those who refuse to wear a face covering. Disney Springs Sign If you don’t have a mask at the entry point or refuse to wear one, you won’t be allowed in. We’ve seen limited numbers of disposable masks available to guests who don’t have one at the entrances to Disney Springs, but this shouldn’t be relied on by guests. Plan to bring your own mask for the duration of your visit. Temperature Check Of course, entrances are a lot easier to monitor than entire properties. According to the Orlando Sentinel, the real difficulty will come when monitoring and dealing with guests who remove their masks once they are in the parks or properties. Currently, the only folks who don’t have to wear a mask in Disney Springs are children under 3 years old or guests who are actively dining. The new Greeter team and Guest Relations Cast are on the lookout for guests who have removed their masks while they are not dining. We’ve noticed Cast Members are quick to approach guests with their masks off and ask them to re-cover, but most guests seem willing to comply with the new rules. Guest Relations Cast Member This system might continue when the parks open with Cast Members on the lookout for guests who have removed their masks. If you refuse to wear one or are noticed multiple times without a mask, there may be further consequences. It’s possible that not wearing a mask could be treated like any other offense or broken rule on Disney property (think smoking, soliciting, or entering backstage areas). If you adamantly refuse to wear a mask, you may be met by Disney security so they can handle the situation appropriately. Contemporary Monorail Security Area Overall, if any guest defies the mask rule, they will likely have to deal with some consequences, and could ultimately be asked to leave if they refuse. Nervous about wearing a mask? Click here to check out all of our tips! Have any tips for wearing a face mask? Share them in the comments! Related posts: PHOTOS: Disney World’s NEW Health Measures — Face Coverings, Distancing Signs, and MORE NEWS! Initial Plan to Reopen Theme Parks Like Disney World Proposed By the Orange County Economic Task Force What Does the Disney World Closure Mean for Crowd Levels in 2020…And When Should YOU Go? View the full article

A few weeks back, members of our Disney Parks Security teams “took over” our Twitter accounts and shared an inside peek at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland park while we’re temporarily closed. Yesterday, cast members once again took the reins of our Twitter accounts, however this time, offered a glimpse inside Disney California Adventure park, Magic Kingdom Park and Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii. In case you missed it, check out their tweets and photos below! Disney California Adventure Park (@Disneyland) View the full article

Inside Orlando's Anger Management Rage Room, visitors pay to smash bottles, printers, TVs and more to blow off some steam. View the full article

Yes you read that right, “Dates!” Walt Disney World just briefed the Orange County Taskforce on their Re-Opening Plan. (UPDATED – 5/29) – Dining, FastPass, Extra Magic Hours Info HOT NEWS – Disney Has Extended the Expiration Dates for the 2020 Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets. (Updated 28 May 2020) Theme Parks Walt Disney World will be […] The post Walt Disney World Re-Opening Dates Announced appeared first on Military Disney Tips Blog. View the full article

Yes you read that right, “Dates!” Walt Disney World just briefed the Orange County Taskforce on their Re-Opening Plan. Walt Disney World will be Re-Opening the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on 11 July 2020. This will be followed by Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios on 15 July 2020. Disney will be instituting an Advance […] The post Walt Disney World Re-Opening Dates Announced appeared first on Military Disney Tips Blog. View the full article

The new store remains on schedule. View the full article

Orlando theme parks on hold: What's next with Disney, Universal, SeaWorld? View the full article

Even the fanciest of cheese boards could use a sophisticated touch. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Sure, you could add extra fruits, spreads, and honey. OR, you could toss all of those aside and just marvel at the cheese board itself — especially if it’s Disney themed! So buckle up, because we’re going to a galaxy far far away! We present to you the [not so fast] hunk of junk coming straight to your kitchen. The Millennium Falcon Cutting Board. ©Promi Design ©Disney You can put it into hyperdrive and use it to dice up ingredients for your favorite dinner or stack it high with snacks and cheeses galore. But we can’t get over the DETAIL. Someone must have waited a long time in line for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run to map out all of those curves and panels. Millennium Falcon It even comes with a natural leather handle so you can hang it up for storage orrrr as the perfect compliment to your kitchen decor. We spotted it for $49.99 plus shipping. You can pick up your own cutting board here! ©Promi Design ©Disney We know Father’s Day is coming up, but we might just have to grab one for ourselves! Check out these Star Wars gifts just in time for Father’s Day! Which Star Wars movie is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: This Is Absolutely the Most EPIC Piece of Star Wars Merchandise You Could Ever Buy Disney News This Week: ALL the News and Updates from the Most Magical Places on Earth! What Every Disney Fan Is Thinking, But No One Will Say. View the full article

Do you ever have a nagging feeling that you’re forgetting something IMPORTANT like — oh say — a DATE? Walt Disney World With the big news that Disney World will be proposing its reopening plan tomorrow, we almost didn’t realize what TODAY IS! Remember waaaay back before the Disney parks closed when Disney announced Spaceship Earth would be closing down to undergo a rather-lengthy refurb? Well, guess what, friends? That day is TODAY, May 26th! Epcot’s Spaceship Earth Learn more about Disney’s BIG CHANGES for Spaceship Earth here! And rather sadly, when we checked Disney World’s website today, we couldn’t believe our EYES! After lots of rubbing, and maybe a few stray tears (it’s just our allergies acting up, we swear…) Disney has officially updated Spaceship Earth’s status as under refurbishment — SAY IT AIN’T SO! Disney World’s Website Read more about the Epcot Transformation here! UGHHHH! We were soooo crossing our fingers hoping that Spaceship Earth might be SPARED! Or at least the refurb would be temporarily delayed so we’d have the chance to say goodbye to the version of Spaceship Earth we know and LOVE! Disney World’s Website Will we get the chance to say goodbye to Spaceship Earth? As of right now, it isn’t looking good! Shout-out to our buddy @jim.disney on Instagram for pointing out this rather sobering bit of Disney news. We haven’t heard any official word from Disney regarding Spaceship Earth since the temporary closure, so maybe it’s just a computer thing?! We can still dream, right?!?! Going Up! We’ll let you know if we hear ANY more news the second we find out, but for now it seems like once Epcot reopens, Spaceship Earth might NOT! Read about MORE construction projects at Disney World that could be affected by the temporary closure here! Are you surprised to see Spaceship Earth’s refurb could be happening as planned? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Related posts: Will We Have The Chance to Say Goodbye to Spaceship Earth in Disney World? NEWS! More of Epcot’s Space-Themed Restaurant Has Been Revealed! NEWS! Epcot’s Entrance Is Lookin’ A WHOLE Lot Better in Disney World View the full article

Now that Univeral Orlando has successfully had its plan approved to reopen its theme parks to the public on June 5th, Disney World is about to undergo the same process. Cinderella Castle Disney World will be presenting its plan to Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings at 10AM Eastern tomorrow morning. If accepted by the Mayor and his committee, it will be passed to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for final approval along with a possible reopening date for Disney World’s theme parks. Mayor Demings said the highly-anticipated presentation will be happening tomorrow morning and that he’s already previewed Disney World’s plan this morning. “We’re looking forward to sharing good news about their plans,” Demings stated. Disney World Monorail Florida’s Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force will vote first on the plan before submitting it to the Governor’s office. SeaWorld is also expected to present its reopening plan tomorrow as well. Magic Kingdom In preparation for tomorrow’s big meeting, an Orange County Inspection team visited Disney World and SeaWorld today to determine if they were in compliance with recommended guidelines. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops. See what our experience at Disney Springs has been like since some of the shops and restaurants have recently started to reopen here! When do you think Disney World will announce its reopening? Let us know what you think in the comments below. Related posts: News! Disney Has Joined Florida’s Re-Opening Task Force 4 Key Points From Today’s Re-Open Florida Task Force Meeting Breaking News! Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Plan to Start Reopening Florida View the full article

While several Florida-based theme parks including Universal Orlando have or will be resuming their operations soon, state officials have just announced if the situation remains stable, California’s theme parks will be permitted to reopen in Phase Three which could be starting as early as June. Disneyland Resort This includes major attractions such as Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood along with Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, SeaWorld San Diego, Legoland California, and other theme parks. Just a day ago, California’s Orange County met the required criteria and was cleared to transition into a “full stage two” of California’s reopening plan. Disneyland Resort Previously, some counties had been allowed to resume “limited services” at some retail locations, allowing curbside pickup and outdoor museums to operate. Since yesterday, counties are now able to make their own decisions regarding reopening in-store retail as long as certain safety measures and precautions are being taken into consideration. Disneyland Resort As reported by the Orange County Register, California is now starting to shape Phase Three of its gradually unfolding plan, including when we might expect it to happen. “Phase 3 is not a year away. It’s not six months away. It’s not even three months away. It may not even be more than a month away,” California Governor Gavin Newsom said. “We just want to make sure we have a protocol in place to secure customer safety, employee safety, and allow the businesses to thrive in a way that is sustainable.” Disneyland Main Entrance According to California Health and Human Services Agency spokesperson Kate Folmar, “The California Department of Public Health will issue detailed guidance with suggested modifications for how to minimize the risk of COVID-19 spread when theme parks reopen.” Disneyland Main Entrance – Closed In addition to California’s theme parks reopening as early as next month, other “higher risk” businesses including salons, gyms, movie theaters, sporting events, and religious ceremonies are also being discussed with limited capacity and several modifications. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops. What do you think about the possibility of theme parks reopening in California’s Phase Three? Let us know in the comments below. Related posts: Check Out the Holiday Treat That’s Driving Disneyland Crazy RIGHT NOW! The BRAND NEW Santa Hamm Apple is the Cutest Apple We’ve Seen in Disneyland! NEWS! Downtown Disney Is About “LET IT GLOW” with a NEW Holiday Light Experience! View the full article

As some third-party restaurants and shops in Disney Springs have begun to reopen and a few Disney-owned locations are preparing to open later this week, cancelations have continued for Disney Cruise Line’s Adventures by Disney. ©Disney A little over a week ago, we told you all previously booked sailings had been canceled through July, but now that has changed once again. According to Adventures by Disney’s website, they’ve just extended their cancelation policy guaranteeing guests who have been impacted by the closure 100% credit to be used towards a future booking. Adventures By Disney’s Website Previously, guests who were scheduled on an adventure through July 31st were able to get a 100% credit in the instance of a changed reservation. If this extension applies to you, you can call (855) 223-0025 or (407) 566-8345 to select a new travel date or alternate adventure. Quito, Ecuador © Disney We will keep an eye on more cancelations and announcements made by Adventures by Disney in the next coming weeks. Click here to see which Adventures by Disney departures are currently suspended. Did you have Adventure by Disney plans that were affected? Let us know in the comments below. Related posts: News! Adventures by Disney Cruise Departures Canceled Through Late July NEWS! Disney Cruise Line Has Canceled MORE Sailings Into July NEWS! Outbreak Concerns Change Policies for Disney Cruise Line View the full article

When it comes to expressing our love of Disney, it’s the accessories that really add that extra magical touch, whether it’s to our outfits, our park essentials, or our home! Minnie Mouse at Hollywood Studios You can show off your Disney pride anywhere you go — even on a budget! Whether you’re in the parks or in your living room, we have 20 Disney-themed accessories that you can get today for UNDER $20! Park Accessories These accessories will surely elevate your park game and take it to the next level! Looking for stylish Minnie Ears? We got you covered. Want to rep your Disney pride and stay hydrated at the same time on those hot Florida days? WE GOT YOU! Character Ribbon Hair Clips Start off with the CUTEST hair accessories that will make your park look POP. These adorable character ribbons hair clips can be yours for just $9.99! © Golden Dot Lane They come in fun styles like Minnie Mouse or Star Wars characters! Shop for these adorable character ribbon hair clips here! Mickey Mouse Water Bottle Next, for those super hot Florida afternoons, you’ll want a stylish reusable water bottle to fill up (this can save you tons of money as opposed to purchasing plastic water bottles individually!). © Amazon This Mickey Mouse water bottle by Zak Designs is yours for $9.95! Snag this super cool Mickey water bottle here! Clip-On Ears And we ALL know about those Minnie Ears you can collect in the parks! There seems to be a pair of Minnie Ears for just about every kind of look these days. © Amazon We spotted these clip-on ears that you can get a set of 4 for a fraction of the price of a single pair of ears you’ll find in the parks! This set of 4 sequin ears costs $13.99. Get a set of these sequin clip-on ears here! Bags & Fashion Accessories Whether you’re heading to the theme parks or the grocery store, you can ALWAYS be stylish on a budget while showing the world just how much ya love Disney! From bags to jewelry to cosmetics, we’ve found just about everything that will complete your #OOTD. Mickey Stud Earrings To start, we found these super adorable stud earrings! © Laura Michelle They come in just about every color of the rainbow and they’re way affordable too — $8.99! Stock up on these stud earrings here! Mickey Backpack Sunwel Fashion has the cutest backpack to store all of your everyday essentials! They come in two different sizes, and BOTH are under $20. © Amazon So next time you’re out on the town, you can sport this super cute new bag wherever your adventures take you! It can also function as a crossbody bag for even more versatility. Shop for your new everyday backpack here! Mickey Card Holder If you’re more of a lanyard type of person, we found another super cute and super affordable accessory. When you whip out your credit card, do it in full Disney style with this card holder! © Amazon It comes in different color options to coordinate with all of your outfits, AND it retails for $7.99! Pick up a new cute cardholder here! Villain Scarf Stop the presses for this next item, because we think we found OUR new go-to accessory for the summer! Channel your inner villain with this fun scarf by Bioworld! © Amazon The pattern features the Evil Queen, Maleficent, Cruella de Vil, and Ursula! © Amazon It retails for $18.66. Shop for this villain pattern scarf here! Sequin Slap Bracelets Remember those slap bracelets we would all wear when we were younger? They’re STILL around these days and we found some with Disney pizazz! © Laura Michelle These sequin slap bracelets would make the perfect gift for a young princess, or for yourself (we know WE’RE ordering one in every color). They retail for $9.99. Sport these cute sequin slap bands when you shop for them here! Disney Socks Don’t forget to show your feet some love! When you’re curled up on the couch for a Disney movie marathon, you’ll obviously want the comfiest yet most stylish accessories you can find. © Amazon Luckily, you can rep your favorite Disney character with these fun socks by EVEI! Each pack contains a pair of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy socks! A pack of 5 retails for $13.85. Stock up on some Disney socks here! Avengers Makeup Brush Set Get ready for some MARVELous makeup looks with this 5 piece Avengers makeup brush set! © Amazon We’re just about ready to throw all our old makeup brushes in the trash and replace them with these beauties. This 5 piece set retails for $12.99. Makeup & Marvel lovers, assemble! Grab this 5 piece makeup brush set here! Disney Compact Mirror If you take those makeup brushes on the go, you’ll need a chic Disney-inspired compact mirror to go alongside you to make sure your look is ALWAYS on point. © Amazon We found this adorable double-sided compact mirror for $13.99! Snatch this double-sided compact mirror here! Travel Accessories Suit up for your next vacation! Whether you’re traveling to Disney World or you’re taking a road trip to visit your grandparents, you should ALWAYS travel in full-on Disney mode. Travel by car or plane, it doesn’t matter, we found the Disney accessory for you! Mickey Mouse Luggage Tags First, American Tourister has a fantastic line of Disney-inspired luggage and travel accessories. © Amazon We found a cute Mickey Mouse luggage tag that you can attach to your bag for just $7.99. Shop for this American Tourister luggage tag here! Hand-Held Fan Get ready for traveling in those summer months with a personal hand-held fan! This is a travel MUST-HAVE if you’re heading somewhere warm — it’ll come through in a pinch if you’re in the blazing hot sun and there’s no wind. © Amazon This cute Mickey fan retails for $13.36. Keep cool while you travel this summer with this personal handheld fan! Mickey Bum Bags Heading to the pool or the beach? Whether you have a pool in your backyard or you have a local spot to swim, it’ll help to have somewhere to put your wet bathing suit after you change back into your regular clothes! These bum bags are SUPER versatile and can actually serve a ton of purposes. Sure, you can put a swimsuit in here, but you can also throw in gym clothes, baby clothes, toiletries, electronics — the options are endless! © Amazon This one comes in a Mickey Mouse print and retails for $10.06. Stock up on your new favorite travel accessory here! Mickey Mouse License Plate Frame Are you someone who prefers to travel by car? Whether you’re heading on a road trip or you’re just running errands around town, we think your car deserves some Disney magic! © Amazon This Mickey license plate frame by CHROMA retails for only $6.64. Shop for this fun Mickey Mouse license plate frame here! Minnie Mouse Cosmetic Bag No matter where you’re heading off to, you have to keep all your cosmetics safe! Did you stock up on those Marvel makeup brushes? OBVIOUSLY you want to keep those safe from harm! © Amazon Luckily we found the cutest Minnie Mouse-inspired makeup bag for your traveling needs — it retails for $12.83. Shop for this adorable cosmetics bag here! Home Accessories Finally, there are the all-important accessories for your home! We’re all spending more time at home these days, so give it the Disney glow up it deserves! From the moment you wake up in the morning to the moment you go to sleep at night, surround yourself with all things Disney. Villain Schedule Pad Starting with your home office, stay up to date on all your tasks with this Disney villain’s notepad! © Amazon Keep your weekly schedule organized in true villainous fashion. It’s priced at $14.25. Accessorize your home office with this Disney villain’s note pad! Ursula Mug And when you sit down at your home office to begin your workday, sip on something sweet in your Ursula ceramic mug! Some people may be a little ‘evil’ before they’ve had their morning coffee, but with this mug you can stay as maniacal as you want all morning long! © Amazon Between this mug and the note pad, you’ll be a true QUEEN in your home! This beauty retails for $14.99. Grab this Ursula ceramic mug here! Mickey AirPod Case Do you rock out to music using AirPods? If so, you’ll want to keep those little beauties safe! Decorate your AirPods when you’re at home or on-the-go with this fun Mickey Mouse Air Pod case! © Amazon It comes in different color options, and you can even choose Minnie or Stitch designs! It retails for $6.99. Shop for this cute Mickey Mouse Air Pod case here! Minnie Apple Watch Cover And finally, for you Apple Watch lovers out there, we found the perfect tech accessory for you! Show off your Disney love no matter where you are with this protective Minnie case! © Amazon This also comes in different color options to coordinate with just about any color watch! This case retails for $7.95. Protect your Apple Watch in serious Minnie Mouse style here! We think that no matter where you go, you deserve to show off your love of Disney! There are SO many accessories out there to choose from, and there are a lot that come at a low cost! We know that sometimes Disney merch can cost a pretty penny, so we’re STOKED to be sharing all of these fun, low-cost accessories with you today! What is your favorite Disney accessory that you currently own? 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! Did You Know You Can Buy This ONLINE? Mix Up Your Favorite Drinks In This FUN Disney Drinkware! View the full article

Looking for the PERFECT gift to give dad this Father’s Day (which seems to be approaching at lightspeed!!)? ©shopDisney Good news! You don’t need to search the entire galaxy for a gift if the cool guy in your life is down with Baby Yoda and other Star Wars stuff! There’s only one place you need to go, and you can go there right now in your pajamas WITHOUT leaving your couch! That’s right, shopDisney has just added a bunch of Star Wars-themed men’s accessories to its website like this Mandalorian Tie Bar for $40.99! ©shopDisney Mandalorian Tie Bar Click here to buy the Mandalorian Tie Bar! Of if your dad’s more of a droid boy, check out this sweet D-O Tie Bar for $40.99! ©shopDisney D-O Tie Bar Purchase the D-O Tie Bar here! Dads far and wide are going to have a blast rockin’ these new Baby Yoda Cufflinks for $70.99! Just wait until the other fellas see these cuties! Just like sweet Baby Yodes, they’ll be green with envy! ©shopDisney The Child Cufflinks Click here to buy the Baby Yoda Cufflinks! How debonair is this Mando Pocket Square for $28.99? We think it really pulls the whole Star Wars look together! ©shopDisney Mando Pocket Square Click here to buy the Mando Pocket Square! There’s also this groovy Stormtrooper Pocket Square for $28.99! We think this one looks like it means business! ©shopDisney Stormtrooper Pocket Square Buy the Stormtrooper Pocket Square here! And we think this Darth Vader Pocket Square for $28.99 really sends a strong message — don’t cross the BOSS! ©shopDisney Darth Vader Pocket Square To buy the Darth Vader Pocket Square, click here! We love how it’ll look next to this Darth Vader Paisley Tie for $58.99! Funny — until now we never thought of Darth Vader as a paisley man, but the pattern really seems to suit him! ©shopDisney Darth Vader Paisley Tie Click here to buy the Darth Vader Paisley Tie! There’s also this handsome Darth Vader Silk Lightsaber Tie for $58.99. This design really screams, “Luke, I am your Father!” to us. Hopefully your relationship with your dad isn’t quite so complicated! ©shopDisney Darth Vader Silk Lightsaber Tie Purchase the Darth Vader Silk Lightsaber Tie here! Last but not least, check out this Millennium Falcon Tie for $58.99. We think it would make the perfect gift for the co-pilot in your life! ©shopDisney Millennium Falcon Tie Click here to buy the Millennium Falcon Tie! Looking for even more ways to celebrate dad this Father’s Day? Why not check out some of the tasty Father’s Day offerings some of the Disney Springs’ restaurants will be preparing — see some of their special menu items here! Do you have any special plans for Father’s Day this year? Let us know what they are in the comments below! Related posts: NEW Mandalorian Sweatshirt Jets into Disney Springs! NEW Baby Yoda Tumblers Have Landed Online (And They’re As Adorable As You’d Expect!) Buy This NEW Baby Yoda Spirit Jersey at Disneyland, YOU WILL! View the full article

We’ve been munching our way around Disney Springs lately as many third-party stores and restaurants have recently reopened! Pizza Ponte Menu And while last week we dug into some Pepperoni Pizza Bread at Earl of Sandwich, today we’re seeking out a different masterpiece of bread, cheese, and sauce! That’s right, we’re swinging back around to Pizza Ponte, one of our favorite by-the-slice Disney Springs pizza joints! Pizza Ponte Although Pizza Ponte wasn’t part of the first batch of restaurants to reopen in Disney Springs last Wednesday, it did reopen last Friday along with a few other Patina Group locations. Check out the safety measures Pizza Ponte has implemented since they’ve reopened here! Pizza Ponte Bakery Case You can work up quite an appetite doing recon at Disney Springs these days, so we stopped by Pizza Ponte to grab a quick lunch bite! Their menu is pretty straight-forward and simple to read through at-a-glance if you’re in a hurry like us! In addition to pizza, you’ll find a few Sandwiches, Salads, and dessert offerings including Tiramisu, Cheesecake, and Cannolis! Pizza Ponte Dessert Menu We went straight for a giant slice of their Pepperoni Pizza for $7.25 along with one of their irresistible-looking Cannolis for $8! There were two varieties of Cannolis available in the bakery case today, but only one of them had extra chocolate chips which sealed the deal on this one for us! Pizza Ponte Lunch Now the pizza slices here at Pizza Ponte are New York-style, meaning they’re two paper-platers and sometimes require strategic folding to get them into your mouth — not that we mind the extra effort in the slightest! Pepperoni Pizza And if you consider yourself to be pepperoni aficionados like us, you’ll be happy to know Pizza Ponte uses the GOOD kind of peps on their pizza. These are the ones that curl up into little cups of deliciousness when they’re baked in the oven — we’re talking pure out-of-body pepperoni BLISS! The pep cups are crunchy and yummy while the sauce is tangy and sweet. Plus the cheese is salty and all ooey-gooey — the folks at Pizza Ponte will even throw your slice back into the oven when you order it to make sure it’s nice and toasty right before you chow down! Pepperoni Pizza For us, we definitely prefer this type of pizza over Disney World’s standard quick-service pizza which is thicker and doughier. The cheese-to-bread-to sauce ratio is much better, plus Pizza Ponte’s slice packs a ton of flavor. The oils from the pepperoni really send this one over the top for us. Glancing at our watches, we just realized it must be Cannoli o’clock because it’s time for dessert! Cannoli Both types of Cannolis at Pizza Ponte had today were stuffed with the same sweet orange chocolate chip filling but the one we picked up had extra chocolate chips on the outside! Just like our pizza slice, Pizza Ponte has some pretty hefty-sized Cannolis too! Cannoli We loved the crunchy shell which wasn’t super sweet and balanced out the rich, creamy filling nicely! If you’re a fan of Vivoli il Gelato’s Cannolis (including their more-unique seasonal flavors!), we think you’ll also really enjoy Pizza Ponte’s since they’re owned by the same restaurant group! Nosh or Not? Check out Pizza Ponte if: If you didn’t snag a dining reservation to one of Disney Springs’ table service restaurants Need to grab a quick meal on the cheap Enjoy tasty NY style pizza made from quality ingredients Don’t go to Pizza Ponte if: Have time to enjoy a sit-down meal at one of Disney Springs’ other restaurants Pizza is just pizza to you — you don’t really notice a difference between one slice and another Haven’t tried more unique Disney Springs fast-food spots like Chicken Guy! yet Overall Pizza Ponte ticks all the boxes if you’re looking for a quick ‘n easy meal option for adults and kids alike! After all, who can resist gigantic floppy slices of delicious cheesy pizza with high-quality toppings? We know we CAN’T! While it’s not the BEST place to grab a slice of pizza in all of Disney World, for the price, it’s hard to find a tastier or more convenient pizza option at Disney Springs! And don’t forget — there are many other places to grab a bite at Disney Springs. For another equally fast and tasty option, check out the lunch we just enjoyed at Morimoto Asia Street Food here! Have you ever had a slice at Pizza Ponte in Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Loading Up on Chicken Guy! Loaded Fries and Mac ‘N’ Cheese!! Review and Food Photos: Brand New Menu at B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Company in Disney Springs! Don’t Miss Out! Sprinkles’ Red Velvet Bread Pudding is Leaving Disney Springs Soon — We’ll Tell You When! View the full article

The reopening of Disney Springs has meant for a lot of changes to the guest experience. New Protocols to Enter Disney Springs With health measures such as temperature checks, social distancing, and mandatory face coverings; Disney is prioritizing guest and Cast Member safety. Of course, this is still an unprecedented situation, so it looks like Disney is measuring how well these measures are being received. Let’s take a look at the Disney Springs survey! While we were on our way out of the complex the other day, we ran into a Disney World Research Cast Member who asked us to scan a QR code to complete a survey on our phones about our Disney Springs experience. Disney Research Cast Member If you’re asked to complete a survey, you’ll scan the QR code with your smartphone and it will take you straight to the Disney Springs survey. The survey itself is fairly brief and is meant to help Disney to “continue improving our services and standards.” Disney Springs Survey The first questions are based on demographics and the situation to find out where you’re from, whether you’re of legal age to have your results used, how many people you visited Disney Springs with, your purpose for visiting Disney Springs, and what time you arrived and left the complex. Disney Springs Survey Then it’s on to questions about your overall experience and, more specifically, health measures you encountered. The survey asked about our experience with the screening process and our likelihood to return to Disney Springs in the next three months. Disney Springs Survey Beyond that though, guests are being surveyed on how the health measures made them feel with queries like “Requiring face coverings to be worn by Guests reassured me” or “Limiting the number of people at Disney Springs and in both the retail and restaurant locations reassured me.” Disney Springs Survey Some of the final questions check in on how easy it was to follow health measures. Guests have the opportunity to mark how they felt about signs and markers for physical distancing and the ease of maintaining a safe distance in more crowded areas. Disney Springs Survey After the health measures portion of the survey, you return to more logistical questions about what purchases you made in Disney Springs including how much you spent on those purchases. A few more demographic questions wrap the survey like parking location, special Disney groups, demographics, and willingness to participate in further surveys. Disney Springs Survey This survey shows that Disney is interested in monitoring the experience of guests especially in relation to the new health measures. We will continue to keep you posted on the new Disney World policies and be sure to let us know if you have any questions. Click here to learn EVERYTHING you need to know about the reopening of Disney Springs. What do you think of the Disney Springs survey? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: Can I Still Wash My Hands at Basin in Disney Springs?! We Have All the Details Here NEWS: Anthropologie Will Be Reopening at Disney Springs in Disney World on May 20th We Asked Our Readers: “Should Disney World Give out Free Masks for Guests?” Here’s What They Said. View the full article

Today, we’re taking you on a very special behind-the-scenes journey! Cinderella Castle at Night We’re going to find out what life at Disney World is like from a non-guest’s perspective. That’s right — we’re diving into the deep secret lives of Disney’s Cast Members! Ever wonder why Disney refers to its employees as “Cast Members” and not associates or workers? It’s because Walt Disney believed his theme parks were a stage and the Cast Members are its performers! It’s Mickey! And just like some large theater companies, Disney Cast Members aren’t without their fair share of myths, superstitions, and urban legends! Let’s explore a few of these kooky Cast Member customs we’ve found out about over the years! Good Morning, George Pirates of the Caribbean wasn’t one of Disney World’s original attractions — it opened two years later in 1973. As the tale goes, a welder named George died under mysterious circumstances while working on the ride as it was being built. Ever since that day, Cast Members have to greet George to keep him from messing with the attraction! Pirates of the Caribbean during Disney Villains After Hours This might seem like a really strange story, but believe it or not, Cast Members swear it keeps the ride running smoothly! George also likes to be told good night otherwise things can get a little wonky! Learn 14 strange facts about Disney World’s opening day attractions here! Hail, Caesar! Disney really likes to hide little Easter eggs in its rides and Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is an especially target-rich environment! Tower of Terror Let’s take a look at a couple of the interesting traditions over in the Hollywood Tower Hotel. The Devil’s in the Details! You’ll notice the elevator inspection certificate is actually dated the night of the “incident” and the state I.D. number is 10.2.59 — the day the first episode of the Twilight Zone aired on TV! Elevator Permit There’s a ton of props and other visual references to the famous spooky show including the demonic ventriloquist dummy from the episode called, “Caesar and Me”. Look for it next time you’re exiting the elevators! Caesar the Dummy Just like our old pal George in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland, Caesar is known to make mischief if the Cast Members aren’t nice to him! That’s why they regularly say hello to him so that the ride doesn’t break down! Many Cast Members take their bad juju feelings one step further, believing the Tower of Terror ride itself is actually haunted, but no proof exists to this day! Bellhop Letters You wouldn’t believe how steeped in tradition some Disney World attractions can be! For instance, Tower of Terror holds another sacred Cast Member tradition — bellhop letters! Terror of Terror Decorations Look for these mail slots next time your waiting in line! Those folded up pieces of paper at the bellhop’s services desk are actual notes written by former Cast Members. Trainers show the letters to new Cast Members that were left by the original Tower of Terror Cast Members. Then each group of Cast Members that pass through writes a new note to the next group, and so on and so on! Check out how some Disney fans recently recreated their own Tower of Terror experience at home! Some Other Places Where Cast Members Have Left Their Mark! Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is another spot where you’ll see Cast Members leaving behind a piece of themselves! Cast Members often sign their names inside the attraction on the walls inside the garages across from the loading queue. Rock N Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios We’re told some Cast Members get to write on the dry-erase whiteboard to your left at the beginning of the ride Dinosaur at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, while Cast Members at Disneyland get to sign the walls inside Matterhorn which aren’t visible to guests. In fact, there’s also a basketball hoop for Cast Members to live out their hoop dreams inside the iconic mountain! You can learn more about this tradition on The Imagineering Story. Memorize these 20 ride hacks before your next trip to Disney World! Pet Names As you can probably imagine, Haunted Mansion Cast Members are also quite superstitious and have many unusual customs of their own! Female Cast Members wear a Haunted Mansion maid costume, complete with a headband topped with a bat! But did you know every bat has a name? Haunted Mansion Cast Member It’s customary for every Cast Member to name their bat — and some have even created elaborate backstories for their beloved pet bats along with some interesting personalities to boot! Next time you ride Haunted Mansion, make sure you ask a Cast Member about their bat! Check out some fun Haunted Mansion merch that is being released by Halloween here! The First Step to Becoming a Disney Cast Member is Taking A Class Called Traditions! No wonder Cast Members practice so many unique traditions — it’s a part of their job orientation! On each Cast Member’s first day, they’re given a crash course on the history of the Walt Disney Company. Spaceship Earth New Cast Members are also given a Mickey Ear Hat as part of the course, thus where the expression “earning my ears” comes from! Once the class is over, new employees receive their trademark oval name tag and even get their photo taken with Mickey Mouse! Click here to check out the Disney World Cast Members we’re missing the most right now! Welcoming the New Class But that’s not all — Disney offers many cultural programs and college internships, many of which last for up to 6 months! Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom To get Cast Members familiar with the parks (as well as have to opportunity to make some new friends) each class is welcomed in with an epic Disney World scavenger hunt followed by fireworks and a special surprise party! What a warm welcome! Okay, we think we’re ready to sign up! Getting Your “D” Pin You might think earning your ears and getting your oval name tag is as good as it gets, but there’s another important step for Cast Members on the Guest Relations team — getting their gold D pin which is worn on the OTHER side of their vest. Cast Member Hosts at Storybook Dining This means you’ve successfully passed your assessment and there’s even a special ceremony to celebrate your achievement! Tour Guides Have a Rite of Passage, Too! It gets even better if your a Disney World tour guide Cast Member. You’ve probably seen these guys around before — they’re the extra fancy-looking folks wearing plaid vests (thus earning their nickname: Plaids). Magic Kingdom Sign To be a fully graduated “Plaid”, ladies need to earn their riding crop and gents earn their swagger stick. Cast Members Only Sign They use these to point out stuff to tour groups, but they won’t get one until AFTER they give their first successful tour! Learn more about Disney World’s tours and extra experiences here! We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about a few of the more-unusual traditions Cast Members share in Disney World! Next time you’re in Disney World and you meet a friendly Cast Member, be sure to ask them some of THEIR favorite Cast traditions. You might learn something new and surprising! Do you know of any secret Cast Member traditions at the parks? Tell us which ones you’ve found out about in the comments below! Related posts: NEW Insta-Worthy Nighttime Magic Shots Are Coming to Disney World Soon! When Does Disney World Start Putting Up Its Christmas Decorations? FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND — Which Disney World Ride Will Win The PRIZE?? View the full article

We wanted to know what safety measures our readers want to see Disney World implement when the parks reopen! Animal Kingdom Entrance While all of the Disney World parks remain closed until further notice, the resort has taken its first step towards reopening with Disney Springs starting a phased reopening on May 20th. This comes on the heels of the reopening of Shanghai Disneyland on May 11th, which made it the first Disney park to resume operations worldwide. Both of these reopenings have included safety measures such as required face coverings for guests and Cast Members, social distancing protocols, and increased sanitization. So, now that things are beginning to reopen, we wanted to check in with our readers to see what health and safety measures they would like to see implemented in the parks at Disney World. Here are the results! Now that we’ve seen the new health and safety protocols in action in Shanghai Disneyland and at Disney Springs, we have a better idea of what we might be able to expect in the domestic parks. So, since Disney has started to reopen its properties, we wanted to check in with our readers to get their thoughts. We reached out to our followers on Instagram to ask whether they think certain steps should be taken when Disney World reopens — let’s take a look at the responses! Required Temperature Checks for Guests To kick things off, we asked our followers whether or not they think temperature checks should be required for guests when the parks reopen. The overall response for temperature checks was positive — 77% said yes, and 23% said no. Hollywood Studios Temperature checks have been a common measure among other reopenings — they’re required at Shanghai Disneyland, Disney Springs, and Universal Orlando CityWalk. Overall, our readers said they would like to see this continue when the Disney World parks reopen as well. Click here to learn more about the health and safety protocols implemented for the reopening of Disney Springs Required Face Coverings for Guests Next, we asked our followers whether they’re in favor of required face coverings for guests. This also received a favorable response — 68% said yes, and 32% said no. Disney-themed Cloth Face Masks ©Disney So, even though this measure received a slightly less positive response than temperature screenings, it was still favored overall, with two-thirds of the respondents in for the use of masks. Learn more about our experience wearing a mask in Disney Springs here. Limited Capacity in the Parks In order to promote social distancing, many businesses that have reopened are limiting their capacity. In fact, the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force suggested that theme parks operate at no more than 50% capacity during Phase 1 in their reopening guidelines. And it seems that our readers are very much in favor of Disney limiting capacity in the theme parks — 91% said yes, and 9% said no. Main Street, U.S.A Of the ten questions we asked, this one received the most positive response. Click here to learn more about the theme park reopening guidelines provided by the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force Required Reservations to Get Into the Parks In order to get ahead of potential bottlenecks and crowds, Shanghai Disneyland required that all tickets be purchased in advance for specific entry dates. Guests had to sign up for the specific date they planned to attend, as no walk-up tickets are available. Overall, our readers are in favor of reservations being required to get into the parks — 78% said yes, and 22% said no. Walt Disney World If Disney World requires guests to pre-register for entry into the park, that would reduce the chance of guests being turned away at the gate if capacity is reached. Universal, which is opening June 5th will not implement a reservation system. Here’s what Disney CEO Bob Chapek said about the reopening of Shanghai Disneyland Social Distancing of Six Feet Required in Queues This is another measure we’ve seen implemented in Shanghai Disneyland. They’ve placed markers in queues to indicate the proper separation between parties. Our readers are also largely in favor of six feet of distancing being required in queues — 81% said yes, and 19% said no. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom While this would largely require guests to self-regulate, we received a pretty resounding “yes” from our readers on the social distancing measure! Check out photos from the reopening day of Shanghai Disneyland! Staggered and Distanced Seating on Attractions Another policy being which is being implemented by theme parks like Universal is staggering seating on attractions. Essentially, with this procedure, alternating rows or seats are left empty in order to allow space between guests. And it looks like people were in the same boat here as with distanced queues — 81% said yes and 19% said no. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway Ride Vehicle As with other social distancing procedures we polled our readers on, this potential policy received an overall positive response! We drove around an empty Disney World. Here’s what it looked like! Distanced Seating and Reduced Capacity in Restaurants Many restaurants reopening across the country have required reduced capacity and social distancing. In fact, this is another element that was addressed by the Orange County Economic Task Force who suggested that restaurants reopen with 50% capacity during Phase 1. Reduced restaurant capacity and distanced seating is yet another precaution our readers would like extended to the parks — 89% said yes, and 11% said no. Be Our Guest Restaurant As a whole, the potential safety measures related to social distancing and reduced capacity were the most popular among our readers. Click here to see which restaurants in Disney Springs were reopened in the first phase on May 20th Ride Vehicles Disinfected After Every Guest Another hot topic of discussion has been increased sanitization procedures. We asked our readers if they think that Cast Members should disinfect ride vehicles after every guest — 80% said yes, and 20% said no. Rise of the Resistance Ride Vehicle While Disney said that the reopening of Disney Springs includes “increased cleaning procedures,” there’s no official word yet on how this will translate to the Disney theme parks. We asked our readers if they’re still planning a trip to Disney World in 2020. Here’s what they said. Hotel Rooms Left Empty for 24 Hours Between Guests We also wanted to see what our readers thought about hotel rooms being left empty for 24 hours between guests. And almost three-fourths were on board with this idea — 72% said no, and 28% said yes. Animal Kingdom Lodge Room So, while this wasn’t quite as overwhelming of a “yes” as the social distancing measures, overall people seem to be in favor. Have you seen the recently renovated rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge? Character Meet and Greets Halted This was an opinion on which our readers were much more divided. When asked if they think character meet and greets should be suspended — 52% said yes, and 48% said no. Snow White So this one was almost an even split! Since this was the first measure we asked which would involve something being completely removed instead of just changed, we weren’t too surprised to see this receive a less favorable response. Check out our rankings of all the Mickey Mouse character meals! Large Gathering Shows Like Fireworks and Parades Halted Entertainment that draws a large crowd, like fireworks and parades, has caused particular concern given the difficulty of maintaining social distance with so many people. Shanghai Disneyland has put a stop to parades and fireworks for the time being, so it’s possible Disney World could do the same. We wanted to round out our list by asking our readers if they think large gathering shows like fireworks and parades should be halted. And while it was close to an even split, this is the only question that received an overall negative response — 48% said yes, and 52% said no. Happily Ever After Fireworks So again, even though the responses were almost half and half, this was the least popular potential safety measure among our readers! So, while there were a few potential health protocols that our readers weren’t as jazzed about, overall, people were on board with most of the procedures we mentioned. And social distancing in queues, restaurants, and attractions was an overwhelmingly popular concept! We’ll have to see when Disney announces their own reopening plan what measures are announced with it! Disney surveyed guests about upcoming visits. Here’s what they asked! Which of these potential health and safety measures are you in favor of? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: PHOTOS: Disney World’s NEW Health Measures — Face Coverings, Distancing Signs, and MORE If Disney World Is VERY Different When It Reopens…Would YOU Go? Here’s What Our Readers Said. 3 Things We Hope We DON’T See At The Disney Springs Reopening This Week View the full article

Who’s ready to play another exciting DFB tournament? We know WE ARE! This time we’re pulling out all the stops and taking our competition to the silver screen! World Premiere Food Court Marquee That’s right — while we’ve already witnessed some epic battles ensue in our Snack Madness tournament along with our Rides and Attractions smackdown, we’re getting all glitzed and glammed up to play another game! Pop some popcorn and let the Disney movies PLAY! Now that we’ve learned what your favorite quick service and table service restaurants are at Disney World, we wanna know which Disney movies you guys love the MOST! Snack Character Pens We’ve been having a lot of fun re-watching lots of Disney films in our pajamas lately, and we bet our Pineapple Dole Whips you guys have been doing the same! Let’s find out which Disney movies everyone’s loving the MOST right now, shall we? All Star Movies Resort We can’t wait to see which iconic Disney movies make it through round one (which kicks off TONIGHT!). Will you guys pick classic movies like Dumbo, The Jungle Book, and Cinderella over newer flicks such as Moana, Zootopia, and Cars? What are your feelings about Disney’s live-action movies? Do they trump Disney’s animated movies? All will be revealed SOON! Click Here to Print Your DFB Movies Throw Down Bracket! You guys know the drill! Click on the official DFB Disney Movies Throw Down bracket above to get your printables! Then get ready to vote in our Instagram live stories tonight when the polls open! We can’t wait to watch what happens! Now where did we leave those Junior Mints? See you there! Are you excited for another DFB tournament? Let us know which movie you’re hoping wins in the comments below! Related posts: Round One of Our Table-Service Throw Down Is Over! See Which Disney World Restaurants Have Made the Cut! NEWS! New Film Release Dates Announced For Mulan, Jungle Cruise, Black Widow, and More! Create Your Own Home Movie Theater With This Disney DIY Onward Screening! View the full article

Now that Cinderella Castle in Disney World is receiving its “royal makeover” to get it ready for Disney World’s big 50th anniversary next year, we thought it would be fun to look back on all the different overlays each castle has received throughout the years! Cinderella Castle You wouldn’t believe how much (or how little!) they’ve changed over time! Let’s take a peek at some castle designs from years gone by! Disney World’s Cinderella Castle Cinderella Castle has been standing tall at Magic Kingdom since its opening day on October 1st, 1971. Standing 189 feet high, the iconic structure was fashioned to resemble a French palace with a muted gray and blue color scheme highlighted by gold accents. Much of the inspiration for the castle was taken from real French palaces and, most notably, Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria. ©Disney Cinderella Castle on Opening Day The base of the castle took its inspiration from medieval architecture, while the turrets and graceful spires on the upper level represented a more Gothic influence. Cinderella Castle remained remarkably unchanged for a long period of time before 1995 when the spires were painted a deeper shade of blue! Old-Timey 90’s Cinderella Castle Pic! But in 1996, a BIG change happened! Cinderella Castle was magically transformed into an enormous pink birthday cake for Disney World’s 25th Anniversary and the “Time to Remember the Magic” celebration! © Disney It took over 100,000 tablespoons (400+ gallons) of three different shades of pink paint, 50 gumballs, 30 lollipops, 4 stacks of Life Savers, 16 gummy bears, 12 gumdrops, 16 red candy hearts, 16 green candy stars, and 26 birthday candles, and over 1,000 feet of inflatable “icing” (plus sugar, spice, and everything nice!) to bake up this mega-sized dessert. In fact, so much work went into this overlay that it remained in place until 1998! Who remembers the Castle Cake from Disney World’s 25th Anniversary!? Then in 2004 when Stitch’s Great Escape debuted, the castle got one of its more…unique makeovers! That little rascal Stitch TP-ed the castle! He even graffitied it with “Stitch is King!” Wanted posters were even displayed in the windows of the shops on Main Street, U.S.A. trying to help capture “Experiment 626.” This definitely made for some memorable photos for the ONE DAY it was up! Stitch Resting After Vandalizing Cinderella Castle Cinderella Castle was done up once again in 2005 as part of a worldwide celebration when Disneyland turned 50! Every Disney theme park across the world took part in the festivities. As you can see in the photo below, Cinderella Castle was outfitted with a mega-sized magic mirror that displayed pictures of other castles! The spires were decorated with gold spirals and figurines of Disney characters. Cinderella Castle, Circa 2005 2007 was the first year Disney World began decorating the castle with icicle-inspired Christmas lights! Known as the Castle Dream Lights, these were originally lit up each evening during the holiday season with the help of Fairy Godmother, but in 2014 it got a Frozen update! It has since become a holiday tradition for Elsa to“freeze” the castle every night with A Frozen Holiday Wish! Cinderella Castle “Frozen” Over by Elsa In 2011, Cinderella Castle celebrated 40 Years of Walt Disney World Magic by unleashing some new cutting edge technology! © Disney 40th Anniversary 2011 is the first year Disney World began projecting images onto the castle with the help of 3D scanning and projection mapping! The Magic, The Memories, and You! was a nighttime spectacular which ran from 2011 to 2012 and displayed guests’ photos on the castle over the course of the show. Just over a week later on January 27th, 2011, Disneyland received its own version of the show, projecting it on it’s a small world instead of Sleeping Beauty Castle (due to the significantly smaller size of Disneyland’s castle!). ©Disney A few variations of this castle projection show have been incorporated since then, including Celebrate the Magic, which ran from 2012-2016, and Once Upon a Time in late 2016. In 2017, the Happily Ever After fireworks show incorporated the same projection technology on the castle throughout the show and remains the current nighttime spectacular at Magic Kingdom. It replaced longtime fan-favorite, Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams. ©Disney Happily Ever After That brings us up to our present-day Cinderella Castle! In preparations for Disney World’s 50th anniversary, Cinderella Castle is transforming yet again! This time, she’s receiving a rosy pinkish hue with a sparkly gold overlay and more vibrant blue turrets! We can’t wait to see it once it’s finished! Cinderella Castle Construction Cinderella Castle Pink Paint Refurb In fact, work started on Cinderella Castle prior to the parks closing and although work on the project had stopped, the paint job was going up very quickly and without covering up the gorgeous castle — much to our (and many readers!) RELIEF! Click here to see what Cinderella Castle will look like after its transformation! Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle And now it’s time to step even further back in time and see how Sleeping Beauty Castle has changed over the years! The original Disneyland landmark was designed in part by Disney Legend and Imagineering Artist Herb Ryman as well as art director Roland Hill! © Disney Construction of Sleeping Beauty Castle Sleeping Beauty Castle has been at Disneyland since the park first opened in 1955. Inspired by Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria as well as some French palaces (just like Cinderella Castle!), guests could not actually walk through the castle’s interior until 1957. © Disney Sleeping Beauty Castle Interestingly enough, Sleeping Beauty Castle’s working drawbridge has only been lowered twice—once at the opening of the park in 1955 and again in 1983 at the rededication of Fantasyland! The original color scheme for Sleeping Beauty Castle was pale muted grays and blues with only a few traces of pink! © The Atlantic Sleeping Beauty Castle on Opening Day And it wasn’t until the classic Disney film Sleeping Beauty celebrated its 40th anniversary in 1995 when the castle started to look more pinkish! This paint job resulted in a softer, more fairytale-like appearance for the beloved castle! Pre-2000s Sleeping Beauty Castle The Disneyland 50th anniversary celebration, known as the “Happiest Homecoming on Earth” at Disneyland, was the first time the castle was ever decorated. Sleeping Beauty Castle was decked out with “precious gemstones,” and trimmed with gold! Five of the castle’s turrets were decorated with crowns each representing a specific decade of Disneyland’s history. © Disney Disneyland’s 50th Celebration Sleeping Beauty Castle also undergoes an annual Christmas transformation in the wintertime with twinkling lights and piles of billowy snow along its rooftops! Disneyland More recently, special Christmas effects include sparkly strobe lights intertwined within holiday garlands and glowing “icicles.” These lights create a dazzling impact! Disney says it takes their team of over two dozen cast members six weeks to transform Sleeping Beauty Castle into a sweet holiday abode. In fact, over 126,000 twinkling LED lights make up the truly magical display. Sleeping Beauty Castle at Christmas For Disneyland’s 60th anniversary in 2015, Sleeping Beauty Castle was once again bejeweled, but this time, it was adorned with diamonds, royal blue banners, and bunting for its big Diamond celebration! Sleeping Beauty Castle during the 60th Anniversary Celebration The castle was studded with glistening crystal accents along its roof tiles all the way to the turrets. Decorations from Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary In 2019, Sleeping Beauty Castle once again received a new paint job as part of Project Stardust — a Disneyland restoration and beautification effort. But unlike Cinderella, the castle was covered while the work was being done! Sleeping Beauty Castle Construction It was all worth it though when the newly redone Sleeping Beauty Castle made its big reveal when the castle finally emerged from behind the construction walls! Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle All of our patience was rewarded with a much more vibrant pinkish hued castle with bright blue turrets. Golden accents and “pixie dust” enhanced the entrance while colorful banners, pennants, and improved landscaping features were added. Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Kim Irvine, an Art Director at Walt Disney Imagineering, stated an ages-old painting technique called “atmospheric perspective” was deployed to visually add height to the castle. This same technique is being utilized on the newer paint job for Cinderella Castle! Sleeping Beauty Castle Don’t worry — Sleeping Beauty Castle still only stands 77 feet tall, but the rooftops of the lower towers are a darker blue which gradually lightens towards the top making the castle appear taller than it actually is! Sleeping Beauty Castle Other additions have been added over the years such as squirrel drain spouts which are not only stylish but also help channel rainwater away from the building — now that’s form AND function! Who knows what the next 50 years hold in store for Cinderella Castle and Sleeping Beauty Castle, but you better believe us when we say we’ll be at Disney World and Disneyland to FIND OUT! Which Castle transformation is your favorite? Let us know in the comments. Related posts: Here It Is! Our ULTIMATE GUIDE to EVERY SINGLE Arendelle Aqua Treat in Disney World and Disneyland (plus full reviews!)! Meet the Creators Behind Disney’s Haunted Mansion with This Live Stream Event! What Every Disney Fan Is Thinking, But No One Will Say. View the full article