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Whether you’re heading to Disney World to ride ALL the attractions or to go on some epic snack crawls, there’s a wide variety of things to do in the parks. Happily Ever After While we love seeing some of our favorite shows and hugging the characters, it’s pretty easy to get stuck in the same Disney routine as EVERY other guest. But, there are actually unique experiences that most visitors don’t see very often! So, the next time you visit Disney World, we recommend going on an adventure to check out these 4 things you’ve never done before in the parks! Disney World Monorail Behind-the-Scenes Tours Ever wanted to know how Disney grows some of their own food in Epcot? Or, have you ever wanted to get up close and personal with some of the animals in Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Well, you may not know that Disney has a series of behind-the-scenes tours that give you an exclusive look at the parks. Yeah, it’s just as cool as it sounds!! Living with the Land Each tour offers a unique experience in one of the Disney Parks (or even ALL of them on some bigger tours) by a VIP tour guide. You can look at the African animals in Disney’s Animal Kingdom on the Wild Africa Trek, explore behind the scenes in the Land Pavilion in Epcot on the Behind the Seeds Tour, get a peek at the underground tunnel systems in Magic Kingdom on the Backstage Magic tour (!!!), or even take an in-depth look at the World Showcase Pavilions during DestiNations Discovered! Elephant on Kilimanjaro Safaris There are SO many tours to pick from that it’s almost too hard to choose (almost). Learn MORE about Disney tours here! Spent Time at the BoardWalk Did you know that although Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is a Disney hotel, it also has an entire BoardWalk area open to the public? The BoardWalk is filled with fun activities, whether you’re looking for a new spot to relax or somewhere to grab a bite to eat. Disney’s BoardWalk The inside of the resort actually holds a lot of history you might not know about as well! If you look up on the fireplace of the BoardWalk Inn, you can spot Lucy the Elephant. Over in Margate City, New Jersey (the coastal town that Disney’s BoardWalk Inn pulls its influence from), Lucy is a building that was built in 1881. It has drawn visitors into the town for years and now this smaller re-creation creates a bit of extra Disney magic at the BoardWalk! Nanny Chairs and Lucy the Elephant Read all about the real Lucy the Elephant here! Even though we know you’re totally getting your steps in traveling the parks (it’s justification for all those snacks ;D), the BoardWalk has surrey bikes that your whole family can rent to travel all the way around the resort area! These can be VERY fun and bring lots of laughter to your family as you work together to bike uphill or cruise around the lake. Surrey Bike While there are plenty of places to dine at the BoardWalk, like the Flying Fish or Trattoria al Forno, you can also snag some of the BEST desserts at the BoardWalk Bakery! We’ve tried anything and everything from the Unicorn Cupcake, Valentine’s Macaron, and their classic Cinnamon Roll. Seasonal Cupcake Plus, BoardWalk Joe’s just across the way features some great cocktails you can sip on as you stroll around the BoardWalk in the Florida sunshine or the twinkling evening lights. BoardWalk Joe’s But, one of our FAVORITE spots in Disney World actually happens to be at the end of the BoardWalk! Jellyrolls is an adult-only dueling piano bar that has tasty drinks and fantastic music. Jellyrolls You’re bound to have a wonderful time as the performers sing hit songs (and take PLENTY of requests) that will have everyone partying along with them! Watch some of the performers from Jellyrolls sing for you LIVE from home! Relaxed at the Enchanted Rose Lounge Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is a GORGEOUS resort that features a live band in the lobby most days, direct access to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot by way of the Monorail system, and the recently opened Enchanted Rose Lounge. This lounge is a true hidden gem in the Grand Floridian! Enchanted Rose Bar Area Like its name suggests, the Enchanted Rose features four uniquely designed rooms that are inspired by Beauty and the Beast (can you spot Cogsworth and Mrs. Potts??). The Library Enchanted Rose opens at 1PM daily and has a more upscale lounge menu than you might find at other Disney bars, with starters served from 5PM to 10PM along with cocktails, martinis, beers, hard ciders, and wine. Enchanted Rose Food Some of the cocktails are inspired by Beauty and the Beast, while others have unique names and flavors! Are you feeling the Envy or Love Cocktail more?? These two drinks are prepared tableside for you! Preparing Both the Love and Envy Cocktails Since the monorail connects directly to the resort, the Enchanted Rose Lounge is a hot spot to visit before or after you spend time in Magic Kingdom. Take a full tour of the Enchanted Rose Lounge with us here! Hopped on ALL the Main Street Transportation Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom is home to trolleys, horse-drawn streetcars, a fire engine, a jitney car, and more. And, guess what?? You can ride them all!! Main Street, U.S.A. Horse-Drawn Trolley The transportation doesn’t just add to the atmosphere (even though we love it) — they’re actually really memorable ways to spend time with your family members or take a break from the hustle and bustle of the park as you go up and down Main Street. Note that you can’t ride some of the transportation during the Main Street Trolley Show at 9:15AM, 10:10AM, and 12PM! But, you can still ride them at other available times on most days in the park! Main Street Trolley Show Note that these vehicles are only out typically in the morning hours, so if you don’t mind Rope Dropping the Magic Kingdom, you’ll be in for a treat when you walk down Main Street! Take a look at 36 things you didn’t know you could do in Disney World! Disney World is just one of those places that keeps creating new magic every time we go! It doesn’t matter if you’re a new friend or an old pal — Disney keeps on surprising all of us with interesting places and special things to do in the parks! What are some of your favorite things to do in Disney World? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Review! The New Mandarin Kiss Drink Packs A Tangy Punch in Disney World! Review! You HAVE To Try This NEW Chocolate Covered Cherry Cupcake in Disney World! What’s New at Disney’s BoardWalk, Yacht, and Beach Club Resorts: Easter Treats, a Lavender Spirit Jersey, and Adorable Minnie Hula Outfits! View the full article

In Central Florida and many parts of the country, cycling and bike shops are experiencing a surge prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Kyle's Bike shop isn't taking repair appointments for weeks, Orange Cycle struggles to keep up with demand and David's World Cycle is busy, too. View the full article

The major cruise lines face a battle to win back trust from passengers and recover from massive revenue shortfalls during the pandemic. But a loyal contingent of South Florida cruisers book trips like clockwork each year. And they're eager to head out to sea. View the full article

Even though it’s still the springtime, we’ve got Halloween on our minds! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party The spookiest holiday of the year starts early in Disney World with the first day of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party set for August 13th. How we love a late-summer Halloween! That early start might mean that there are some changes to the way the party works this year. If new measures are still in place by August, how might Mickey’s Not So Scary be different? Let’s take a look! Adults might get to wear masks — just not the fun ones. If you’ve been to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party before, you know that it’s the only time that adults are allowed to wear costumes in Disney World. One of the rules though? “Masks of any kind may not be worn.” Hmm…something tells us they might amend that rule this year! Now, we’re not saying that you can break out that Frankenstein mask, but it could be recommended (or even mandatory like they are in Disney Springs!) for guests to wear face coverings in the interest of health. After all, August isn’t too far off and according to the phased plans being discussed in Florida and in California, it’s going to take some time for all precautions to be lifted. Health concerns will likely still be a thing! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party = Costumes Galore! Now, that’s not to say that your mask will have to be boring! Maybe spruce it up and get one themed to your costume (if Disney allows it). It could be a fun excuse to upgrade your Halloween look in an unexpected way. To learn more about Florida’s phased reopening, click here! There could be some changes to Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular and other entertainment. As we know, the reopening of Shanghai Disneyland is showing us some changes in the way that entertainment works in the park. As Shanghai becomes the first Disney theme park to reopen, fireworks and parades are not initially returning. If a similar tack is taken in Disney World, what does that mean for Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular and the Boo-to-You Halloween Parade? Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular After all, these events often result in large gatherings of crowds, which may still be advised against come August. If social distancing regulations are still in place, then these shows might be swapped out for some smaller featured entertainment. In Shanghai, the daily parade is being swapped for a periodic character processional, and in lieu of fireworks, the castle comes to life with music and lights in the nighttime. Boo to You If necessary, we could see these changes made at Not So Scary. We could definitely imagine something similar to the Villains After Hours Villains Cursed Caravan! Cursed Caravan If the shows are not canceled, there may be alterations. Choreography in the show may be altered to allow dancers to distance from one another and there may be little to no guest interaction with parade performers. As for how Disney could regulate crowds to encourage distancing, that remains unknown at this time. Click here to learn more about how Shanghai Disneyland is handling gatherings! Character meet and greets might be different or be removed altogether. Speaking of distancing, there may be changes to the way that character meet and greets work to keep guests and Cast Members safe. Shanghai’s reopening already showed us that characters will still be in the park, but at a distance. Could this mean we won’t be able to get our pic with Jack and Sally? Jack & Sally The interesting thing about this change is that meeting rare characters is a BIG draw for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Meeting villains and collecting pics and rare autographs can be quite the experience. If characters are removed or meetings have to happen at a distance, the appeal might be lost on some guests. Seven Dwarfs at MNSSHP Even if these greets do continue as usual, we may see some changes to the way you wait for them. Those waits for the rare characters can be looooong, and that’s a lot of people close together. Perhaps Disney will opt to tape off queue areas to space out guests, like in Shanghai, or possibly even opt to use Virtual Queues for the popular characters! Want to learn more about the use of Virtual Queues going forward? Click here! There could be fewer tickets available. On top of all these measures, the capacity for the entire party may be lowered. Typically, the parks are still pretty crowded on Not So Scary evenings — especially as you get closer to October. It’s possible that Disney will work to increase distancing by limiting the number of tickets sold for this event. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party In this instance, it might be more difficult to get a ticket for your preferred party night. On the bright side, there would be fewer people in the park so you could have a less-crowded experience. Still, if Disney looks to lower capacity they may run into some issues. Tickets have been on sale for some time already. Would they need to revoke tickets from those who have already purchased them? Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party On the other hand, parties already have a lowered capacity from a regular park day so it may be that Not So Scary fits into capacity parameters without changes. Click here to find out how YOU can get Not So Scary tickets! Trick-or-treating might not be quite the same. There have been lots of calls to limit the spread of germs and we might see some efforts made with how trick-or-treating is handled. One big draw of the Halloween parties is the ability to trick-or-treat around the parks, but with queue lines backing up it could be a physical distancing nightmare. Maybe Disney will look to change this process. Trick-or-Treating Might Change in the Magic Kingdom It’s possible Disney could utilize pre-packaged bags of candy that you pick up the entrance instead of the trick-or-treating process. Or there could just be changes to the way that Cast Members handle the candy to limit exposure. It’s possible the lines for trick-or-treating will be distanced like other areas of the park. Nothing has been announced by Disney at this time, but it seems likely some changes could be made to this process. Want to see what trick-or-treating looked like last year? Click here! Whatever happens, brace yourself that things might be different! We can still expect Disney to bring some serious Halloween magic, regardless of the limitations in place. It’s possible the changes will be subtle so the party isn’t overwhelmed by the new precautions. Whatever happens, we’ll keep an eye on the situation and update you as soon as news is released . Hoping to nab some Not So Scary tickets for this year? Click here! Are you planning to head to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party this year? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Ultimate Guide to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in Disney World NEWS! Get a “First Look” at Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular Coming to Magic Kingdom! Is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World Worth The Spend This Year? View the full article

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Earlier today, Universal Orlando Resort presented its reopening plans during a meeting of the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force. Universal Universal Orlando has been closed since mid-March due to the global health situation. However, the resort took its first step towards resuming operations with the phased reopening of CityWalk, which began on May 14th. Earlier today, Universal submitted plans for the parks which included a reopening date of June 5, 2020 for the general public with additional safety measures in place. The first step of approval for Universal’s plan came from the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force. The task force approved the proposal earlier today, and it was then sent to Orange County Mayor Jerry Demmings. Demings has now said that he will sign off on the proposal and submit a recommendation to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in support of Universal’s plan tomorrow morning. Universal Orlando Mayor Demings noted that the main focus upon reopening will be to ensure that theme parks continue to follow the CDC health and safety guidelines. This includes the appropriate screening of guests and employees, proper sanitation, and continued social distancing. CityWalk Universal has proposed a phased reopening beginning with team members on June 1st, potentially followed by Annual Passholders, with an opening for the general public on June 5th. Click here to read more about the reopening procedures proposed by Universal Orlando Have you visited CityWalk since it reopened? Let us know in the comments. Related posts: NEWS! Universal Orlando Resort Presents Plan for Safety Measures Upon Reopening Las Vegas Hotels Are Announcing Health Protocols. Could These Predict Disney World’s Options? News! Florida’s Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force Tourism Group Advocates For Re-Opening Disney World View the full article

Today, Universal Studios Orlando submitted their reopening plan with a proposed June 5th reopening date to the general public. Prior to this, they will have a phased reopening where team members will test out the new procedures on June 1st and 2nd. The park will then open to Annual Passholders on June 3rd and 4th. You can read about their reopening plans here. Cinderella Castle Now, Mayor Jerry Demings has commented on when Disney World plans to submit their plan for reopening to the Orange County Task Force. According to Demings, “Disney has given an indication that next week they will submit their plans.” He also said, “At this time it’s an undefined time or date but we do look forward to seeing that sometime next week.” Tree of Life When Universal presented their plans to the task force, they had to submit a thorough layout of their operation plans along with an expected reopening date. Therefore, we should have much more information on when Disney anticipates that they will be reopening along with a much clearer expectation at what that will look like sometime next week. We will continue to update you on this situation as we know more. Related posts: See the 2019 Exclusive Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Card for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! Pics and Review! The Strawberry Mint Crème is BACK for the Holidays in Hollywood Studios!! Maurice’s Amazing Popcorn Machine in Magic Kingdom Has MOVED! Find Out Where Its Rolled To HERE! View the full article

Here’s the perfect way to say “ears to you” to your 2020 grad! ©Disney Looking for a way to add some Disney magic to your at-home graduation celebration? Well then, you’re in luck! Celebrate your 2020 grad in style with the Disney grad pack! The FREE materials include DIY projects and virtual celebration ideas so you can sprinkle some pixie dust on your grad party! Hosting a video conferencing get-together? You can download an animated background to use on your conferencing platform! ©Disney Click here to access the video file to use as your virtual background! Celebrating at home, or with a drive-by parade? Check out these FREE printable Disney signs you can use to cheer on your grad! ©Disney Click here to download printable Disney signs for the ultimate party decor! And you can even customize your own banner in yellow, grey, black, or red! ©Disney Click here for the instructions to create your own custom banner! Or share your appreciation one-on-one by downloading an ecard! ©Disney Download the ecard in either red or yellow! And, of course, there’s the iconic graduation cap to really top things off! So why not Disney-fy this tradition by creating your own Mickey Mouse ears cap! ©Disney Click here for the instructions to create your own Mickey Ears cap! We tip our caps to all the 2020 graduates out there and we can wait to hear how you added some Disney magic to your celebrations! Click here for 50 ways to create Disney magic WITHOUT visiting the parks! Have you thrown a Disney-themed party? Share your story in the comments! Related posts: 3 Step-By-Step Tutorials on How to Create a Disney-Themed Protective Mask 5 Disney Crafts You Can Do While Drinking Your Quarantine Wine Stash! Got Disney Photos on Your Phone? Here Are 9 Ways to Turn Them Into Art! View the full article

Hey, everybody! Disney Springs is open and you know what that means, right? It’s time for another roundup of What’s New at Disney Springs! We missed this li’l guy so much! Whew! It’s been a LONG TIME since we got to write that! In fact, the last time we were here (before this week, of course) we saw Disney Springs as it was gettin’ ready to undergo its lengthy closure! Click here to reminisce with us! While Disney Springs isn’t in full-swing yet several third-party restaurants and retail locations are now open while more Disney-owned locations are set to reopen May 27th. World of Disney During our visit we revisited some locations and took another stroll around the shopping and dining district! Let’s see what Disney Springs has been up to in its first couple of days back in action! Check out which Disney-operated businesses will be reopening next week here! Disney Springs Construction Update Ample Hills Creamery On our visit yesterday, we spotted a few construction projects in the works. One of these highly anticipated projects is Ample Hills Creamery! Our favorite spot to grab an ice cream taco is adding a second location to Disney World. Ample Hills Construction Along with its location at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, the Disney Springs location was slated to open this past winter. Due to the temporary closures, that was clearly pushed back, but we hope to see progress on this location soon! Read MORE about the NEW Ample Hills location here. Beatrix Another project we’ve been tracking for some time now is Beatrix. This neighborhood market restaurant will feature a menu of fresh, healthy ingredients, in addition to a selection of fresh-squeezed juice cocktails. Sign us up! Beatrix Construction It looks like work on Beatrix is still underway, although we have been following this for quite some time — we were reporting on construction updates all the way back in September of last year! Hopefully with business operations resuming, we’ll hear an update soon on Beatrix! Beatrix Construction Learn MORE about the new Beatrix restaurant here! Homecomin’ Shine Bar & Social We also checked out the work being done at Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming! While the restaurant has yet to reopen, there was plenty of new and exciting things to see! Chef Art Smith! There will soon be a new patio bar in town! Homecomin’ Shine Bar & Social is currently under construction, and it sounds like there’s more moonshine in store for us to try! Chef Art Smith Shine Bar & Social We currently do not have a projected timeline of this project or when we can expect it to open, but we will definitely be keeping a close eye on this one! Read more about Homecomin’ Shine & Social construction here! lululemon And calling all yogis, this next construction update is for you! We learned back in February that lululemon is coming to Disney Springs! lululemon Construction And from the looks of it, we may not have to wait too long to fill our shopping carts with new yoga pants — they’re currently slated to open Summer 2020! lululemon Construction With upcoming runDisney marathon weekends and folks looking to get in their daily steps at Disney World, this could be a very welcomed addition to Disney Springs. See more lululemon progress at Disney Springs here! Disney Springs Food Update Starbucks Today, the West Side Starbucks location is opened. West Side Starbucks Line Currently, only Mobile Order is available via the Starbucks app, but now there are two Disney Springs locations where you can grab your favorite iced latte! Inside West Side Starbucks And of course we had to order an ice-cold drink to cool us down on this hot Florida afternoon! Starbucks Coffee!! Read more about the West Side Starbucks reopening here! But that’s not the only thing Starbucks has been up to since Disney Springs reopened! We got the sweetest welcome back yesterday when we saw they were serving up a special “Welcome Back” drink! Starbucks Menu This special limited-time drink is mango, dragonfruit refresher, coconut milk, strawberries, blackberries, and pineapple ginger syrup topped with golden ginger whipped cream! Welcome Back Drink at Starbucks There’s nothing like a brand-new Starbucks drink to welcome us back to Disney Springs! Learn more about Starbuck’s “Welcome Back” drink at Disney Springs here Earl of Sandwich We also stopped by Earl of Sandwich to grab some food and see what dining there is like! We swung by yesterday to see what new health and safety protocols were in place, but we wanted the FULL experience today, sandwich and all! Earl of Sandwich We spoke with some awesome employees at Earl of Sandwich who told us crowds today were much less intense than yesterday. It seemed like the mad reopening day rush has subsided and they have not seen any huge groups of more than four or five guests at a time. Earl of Sandwich Read our full review of lunch at Earl of Sandwich here! Disney Springs Merchandise Update Time to get our shop on! We gained a lot of insight yesterday on what the new shopping experience in Disney Springs is like. From floor markings to signage just about everywhere you looked, the shops were all implementing new health and safety procedures. Vera Bradley Vera Bradley On the hunt for face masks, we only found one store that is currently selling them! You can find face masks at Vera Bradley on sale for $8.00 per mask. Vera Bradley Face Mask Read more about where you can currently purchase face masks in Disney Springs here. Cards Speaking of things to look forward to, while lovepop is not open yet, we spotted some ADORABLE greeting cards that we can’t wait to scoop up. lovepop! There were a couple of cards we recognized that we’re glad to see are still in stock, like this adorable pop-up Baby Yoda card. Baby Yoda! We also found a SECOND Baby Yoda card, because there’s no such thing as too much Baby Yoda! MORE Baby Yoda at lovepop! For a more ‘traditional’ Star Wars fan, we also spotted this Yoda birthday card! Buy this card, you will. If you’re celebrating a birthday soon in Disney Springs, pick up this pop-up Mickey Mouse cupcake card! lovepop And finally, this classic Mickey Mouse through the years card stole our hearts! lovepop Each location has implemented new health and safety procedures a little differently. We will continue to keep you updated as more stores reopen. Just as a reminder, Disney-owned locations will begin reopening May 27th. Click here to read more about what shopping has been like in Disney Springs here! At this time Walt Disney World theme parks and Resort hotels still remain closed until further notice but now that Disney Springs has started to gradually reopen, we’ll be providing you with lots of coverage! That’s all for this installment of What’s New in Disney Springs — until next time, friends! Stay healthy and stay positive! Have more questions about what reopening day at Disney Springs was like? We got answers for you here! What’s your favorite store or restaurant in Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New at Disneyland Resort: 999 Happy Haunted Pieces of Merch and Some Love for Jack Skellington Himself! What’s New in Magic Kingdom — Santa Donuts, Mischievous Candy, and a Marie MagicBand! What’s New in Hollywood Studios: Onward Mugs; Floral Minnie Ears; and MORE Retro Apparel! 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Universal Orlando executive John Sprouls asked Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings on Thursday for approval to open the company’s theme parks as early as June. View the full article

We’re back at Disney Springs today to eat…again — we ATE at A LOT of restaurants yesterday, which you can see here! Earl of Sandwich We’re here ready to do lunch at Disney World’s Earl of Sandwich today. Let’s go check it out! Earl of Sandwich continues to use disposable paper menus today (as we mentioned yesterday)! Earl of Sandwich Menu Originally, we had plans to order a side of Wings and Wedges which were on the menu, but we were told they didn’t have them in stock. Earl of Sandwich Menu We ended up going with Hawaiian BBQ, Wings, Mac and Cheese, and Pepperoni Pizza Bread instead — with a side of Frose! Like we mentioned yesterday, each register has a newly-installed plexiglass shield. Earl of Sandwich Counter In the dining room there are fewer tables and they have been spaced apart. Most of the tables inside were occupied. Earl of Sandwich There were still places for some guests to sit off to the side. Earl of Sandwich You can read MORE about the new Earl of Sandwich Sandwich health and safety features here. When we placed our order we were given a pager. Pager at Earl of Sandwich We went to get our order from the pick-up window which has also been enclosed with more plexiglass. Everything was wrapped to-go and we carried our lunch outside where the tables have also been moved around to give guests more space to dine. Earl of Sandwich Order Food For $8.99 this Frose was pretty darn tasty. We would definitely order it again on a hot day at Disney Springs! Earl of Sandwich Order Next, we located our plastic cutlery — the handles were unwrapped while the ends were covered in plastic. Earl of Sandwich We dove right into the Mac and Cheese for $5.49, (which we already knew would be freaking awesome, only somehow it seemed tastier than ever before!) as it just our imagination or was there an extra layer of cheese melted on top? Either way, it totally hit the spot. Mac and Cheese Next, we got to work on our Hawaiian BBQ Sandwich which cost us $7.99! Hello, old friend! How we missed your shiny metallic red, blue, and silver foil wrapper! Earl of Sandwich Oh my goodness, you guys. The flavors in this sandwich are such a good mix. Let’s just say Earl of Sandwich knew what they were doing when they created this anything-but-little tropical delight! Hawaiian BBQ Sandwich Even if you’re normally completely against pineapple on anything warm, you might actually want more pineapple on this bad boy! The ham was really tasty while the chicken in the sandwich isn’t very flavorful on its own, but when you bite into all the ingredients at once, it’s a mind-blowing experience. Hawaiian BBQ Sandwich Last up, the Pepperoni Pizza Bread for $6.99. For us, this looked a whole lot better than it ended up being. We think the pizza at Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza or Pizza Ponte are better options if you’re in the mood. The pizza itself was good, but the crust was a little thick for our liking and it had a little too much sauce. We can be a little nit-picky when it comes to our pizza, though, so don’t be afraid to try it out! Pepperoni Pizza Bread Overall Wow! We can’t believe how long it’s been since we enjoyed some Earl of Sandwich! We’re VERY full and energized after such a tasty meal! The food was fresh, filling, and delicious. Dining here is a little different due to all of the changes, but our service and food were great! See what some of our other recent dining experiences have been like at a recently reopened Disney Springs here! Have you ever eaten at Earl of Sandwich before? Let us know what you like to order in the comments below! Related posts: Review: We’re Trying Starbucks’ New “Welcome Back” Drink in Disney World! Loading Up on Chicken Guy! Loaded Fries and Mac ‘N’ Cheese!! What’s New at Disney Springs — The Quake Shake, A Retro Throwback, And The Spookiest Halloween Decorations EVER! View the full article

As part of #DisneyMagicMoments, we’re offering some fun and creative ideas to help you add a dose of Disney pixie dust to any at-home graduation celebration! Our special Disney grad pack includes DIY projects and virtual celebration ideas for everyone at home. Show your graduate just how proud you are with these downloadable surprises: If you’re throwing a virtual celebration in honor of a special graduate, include our themed video chat background for a touch of Disney magic. Our animated background is easy to add to your video event. Simply right-click on the video above and save it to your computer. Then, follow the conferencing platform’s instructions. For graduates celebrating at home with a drive-by car parade of friends and family, display your support with a printable Disney sign of congratulations. You can customize a special graduation banner for a personalized message too. You can customize a special graduation banner for a personalized message too. First, pick which color you’d like. You can choose between yellow, grey, black and red. Then click here to download the instructions! Also, if you’d like to share words of inspiration for a graduate, download one of our congratulations ecards above. And of course, a graduation cap is part of the tradition that can add to the feeling of accomplishment! Download instructions for a do-it-yourself cap that can also be customized for a celebrating Disney fan. Congratulations to the class of 2020! We hope our Disney grad pack adds a touch of Disney magic to your special celebration. Keep checking back for more #DisneyMagicMoments like this on the Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

What’s this!? Celebrating Halloween in May seems to be the new thing the cool kids are up to lately, with “Halfway2Halloween” taking over Disney Parks Blog last week! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party The spooky celebrations continue with Funkoween, Funko’s way of scaring up some frightfully awesome merchandise when the rest of us are preparing our grills for Memorial Day Weekend! Several of these exclusive Pops are available now at Hot Topic, while others will be released at Box Lunch on May 22. Walgreens exclusive Pops are expected to arrive at a later date. © Disney One of the Walgreens exclusives includes this massive 10″ supersized Pop of Jack Skellington, with his trusty ghost dog, Zero! He even glows in the dark (perfect for spooking your friends!). © Disney If you want a more varied set of Pops, Walgreens will also carry several other characters, including Sally, Oogie Boogie, and Zero. Some of these figurines also glow in the dark. © Disney Over at Hot Topic, Jack Skellington fans can order this art series Pop (estimated shipping will take place in August). © Disney Box Lunch will have a glow in the dark Oogie Boogie Pop!, with his set of dice and gambling wheel (looks like whoever is attached to the wheel rolled a bad set of dice). © Disney Another Box Lunch and Hot Topic exclusive is this Oogie Boogie Funko Pop, as well as a cute little Oogie Boogie keychain! Seriously, why does Oogie Boogie look so cute sometimes? © Disney And to round out your Halloween collection, why not throw in some classic Disney Funkos with these adorable Vampire Mickey and Witch Minnie Pops? They’re ready to celebrate the holiday, that’s for sure! Both of these Pops will be available on Amazon at the end of August. © Disney Collect all of these spooky Funko Pops from Disney and The Nightmare Before Christmas in time for Halloween, and you just might be crowned the next Pumpkin King! See how else you can celebrate Halloween in May with Disney here! Do you collect Funko Pops? Will you be shopping for this latest Nightmare Before Christmas series? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: 10 Ways To Online Disney Shop Your Way Through Quarantine! Funko POP! Debuts New Disney Villains Makeup Line! The NEW Frozen 2 Funko Pops Are Melting Our Hearts! View the full article

It’s Memorial Day weekend so we’ll be celebrating the lives of those who have served our country. STK Orlando STK Steakhouse, the Disney Springs location and other locations, have released some meaty Memorial Day specials to grill at home. Whether you’re looking to surprise a veteran in your life or celebrating the start of summer with your family, you’re going to want to take a look at these specials! The Grill at Home STK Connoisseur Package is courtesy of STK Market, a meat market that helps you become a grillmaster at home. There are two options for the Memorial Day packages and both mean that you’ll be chowin’ down on some delicious cuts of meat. ©STK Steakhouse The $149 package will net you a 34 oz Dry-Aged Tomahawk with Asparagus and Mac & Cheese. The $159 package will get you two 6 oz Filets, two 14 oz New York Strips, Asparagus, and Mac & Cheese. For $40 more on either package, they’ll throw in a bottle of select wine! ©STK The special is available Friday, May 22nd through Monday, May 25th for takeout only, while supplies last. You pick up your package at your local STK Steakhouse. And just as a reminder, STK Orlando just opened up in Disney Springs. To order, call (833) 785-3887. Want to see what STK was like when it reopened yesterday? Click here! Will you be snagging the Memorial Day special? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: Memorial Days Deals at STK Orlando in Disney Springs! STK Steakhouse has a HUGE Black Friday DEAL! You Can Get STK’s Signature Steaks Delivered Straight to Your DOOR! View the full article

Why, it seems like only yesterday we stopped by The Polite Pig and tried their new Pork Rinds, all in the name of science, of course! Pork Rinds Oh, wait! That’s because we DID visit The Polite Pig in Disney Springs since it has officially reopened. Feasting on a big pile of fried, crispy Pork Rinds served with pimento cheese sauce was heaven for us, but we were too early to try this new Chef’s Special The Polite Pig has just posted on their Instagram — it’s Shrimp and Grits! Look at all those yummy smoked grilled shrimp covered with a honey peppercorn glaze served over a bed of creamy cheddar grits! Chef’s Special at © The Polite Pig (Photo Taken from Their Instagram) See the complete list of restaurants that are now open in Disney Springs here! We’ll definitely have to make our way over to give them a taste! And guess what we found out yesterday while we were walking around Dinsey Springs — one of our favorite restaurants is getting a brand new outdoor patio bar! Check it out here! Check out what it’s like to eat in a reopened part of Disney World right now here. Have you tried The Polite Pig in Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Apple Cinnamon Wings and Maple Bourbon Eggnog? YES PLEASE! We’re Heading to Disney Springs for These Eats! “Chill” Out This Holiday Season With New Dish in Disney Springs! What’s New at Disney Springs! NEW Menu Items; Missing Menu Items; The CUTEST Valentine’s Day Cards; and FREE Cupcakes! View the full article

Best Pixar Sequel? How can we choose!? © Disney But we definitely do have a soft spot for Monsters University! Can you blame us? College-age Mike and Sulley are so lovable. Well, good news! HARVEYS just released a sneak peek of the all-new Monsters University collection, so it’s time to get scary! The new collection features some ADORABLE Monsters University accessories. The main piece in the collection is a streamlined crossbody that features all of your favorite Monsters U characters like Mike, Sulley, Randall, and more. ©Harveys Plus, the bag comes with a coin purse that has a double-sided design. It’s got the MU Monsters University logo on one side… ©Harveys …and the OK Underdog Fraternity logo on the other! ©Harveys The new collection releases at 7AM PST on May 22nd (that’s tomorrow!) and we can’t wait to get our hands on this new bag. Click here to check out some more Monsters Inc. merch! What do you think of the new collection? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: The New Monsters, Inc. HARVEYS Collection is Here and It’s Frightfully Adorable! AAHH! We Can’t Get Enough of Disney’s New Mike Wazowski Wristlet! We’re Loving These New Disney Parks Alex and Ani Bracelets — Including This Awesome One for Mom! View the full article

The full Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force met today to discuss and review plans submitted by several smaller Orlando attractions, including Gatorland and Fun Spot. It was at this meeting today that we also learned of Universal Orlando’s proposed soft preview reopening of June 1 for team members, with a public reopening on June 5. Universal Orlando Resort But many smaller attractions are looking to open sooner than that, with some attractions hoping to welcome back guests within the coming days. In addition to a proposed reopening date, all of these attractions were required to submit plans of keeping their employees and customers safe, similar to the plan proposed by Universal Orlando. In all, there were 12 smaller attractions with proposed reopening dates, which are noted in parenthesis: Proposed Re-Opening Dates from Smaller Orlando Attractions Any attraction with a proposed reopening date that has already passed, like Nona Adventure Park, would need to re-submit their plans with an adjusted proposed reopening date that is in the future. Once these plans are signed off by Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, they will then be passed on to Governor Ron DeSantis for his approval. DeSantis is already receiving plans at his desk to give the green light for amusement parks to reopen, including Legoland, which has already received local approval to reopen on June 1. Welcome to Orlando! Committee members participated in on-site visits this morning at all of the smaller attractions and have confidence that most can reopen safely and meet their proposed guidelines. At the end of the Task Force Meeting, Demings said that he will likely pass these plans on to DeSantis today, May 21. Read more about Universal Orlando’s proposed opening date here! Do you live in the Orlando area and are planning on visiting any of these smaller attractions in the coming weeks? Let us know in the comments. Related posts: Universal Sends Out Surveys About Potential Re-Opening Scenarios What You Need to Know From Florida’s Latest Orange County Economic Recovery Meeting Marriott CEO Announced That He Will Not Take a Salary For Remainder of the Year View the full article

Universal Orlando Resort has presented a plan for reopening its theme parks with a proposed date to reopen to the public on June 5, 2020. (This would follow a proposed reopening to Universal team members on June 1st and 2nd and “invited guests” such as Annual Passholders on June 3rd and 4th.) Universal Orlando Universal Orlando — along with Walt Disney World Resort and SeaWorld — has been closed since mid-March in light of the global health situation. Along with the proposed opening date, Universal Orlando Resort has also presented safety measures to implement upon reopening, which we will be exploring here. We have already seen new safety measures in action at the reopening of Universal Orlando’s CityWalk on May 14th, which is currently the only area of the Resort open to guests. (Disney Springs began its phased reopening yesterday.) Bubba Gump at CityWalk And Universal shared that they are looking towards a “gradual capacity reopening” with a slow ramp up and a focus on three types of measures: Screening, Sanitation, and Spacing Standards. Guest Services at CityWalk However, the theme parks will also operate under a set of guidelines encompassing the specific offerings within parks like ride and other attractions. The proposed measures would begin even prior to the guest’s arrival. Pre-arrival Communications According to the proposed plan, guests planning to visit Universal Orlando can expect to find pre-arrival communication on the Universal Orlando Resort website and on Universal’s social media accounts. CityWalk Reopening Within these communications, the goal will be to make it very clear to guests what Universal intends to do to keep them safe, and also what expectations Universal has for its guests. Representatives of Universal at the meeting shared that “some things are going to be different,” and that they will ask guests to “cooperate.” Universal And within the Resort, guests will continue to have access to helpful information. One way that will be presented is with “Ambassadors” placed throughout the Resort to help guests with the new procedures and answer questions. “They will be everywhere and very visible.” Screening Screening measures will apply to both Universal team members and guests. Team members will undergo temperature checks each day, as will guests upon arrival — as we’ve experienced already at CityWalk. (There will be additional procedures for team members to employ with guests, and training will begin this weekend.) Temperature Check Guests will also be required to wear face masks. Universal plans to provide a free disposable mask for guests who arrive without one. Sanitation Upon reopening, water and mist will be eliminated from rides. Restroom Signs at Universal Additional measures will include the requirement that team members wash their hands every 30 minutes, noting that Universal will increase amount of breaks for employees to wash hands and remove their masks away from guest areas. Spacing Standards Resort capacity will be “managed” and ramped up slowly. Spacing will start in the parking lots with staggered parking for team members and guests (while valet parking will not be in operation). CityWalk Reopening And capacity measures will continue to be managed throughout venues within the Resort, with plans in place for physical distancing in restaurants, stores, and more. Store signage to promote distancing For instance, attraction lines will utilize virtual queues while single rider lines will be eliminated. Attraction queue entry will have social distancing plans posted at the attraction to explain to guests what the system in place is. Universal CityWalk signage Post-show meet and greets will be eliminated (though performers will stay onstage so guests may take photos of them). Safe distancing will be encouraged for team members outside of work. Mobile food ordering will be utilized in the “back of the house and the front of the house.” There is more information to share, and we will continue to update this post with proposed plans from Universal Orlando Resort! Universal Orlando Resort presented its plans to Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings during today’s meeting of the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force. Mayor Demings has stated it will take 24-48 hours to review the plans before submitting them to Governor DeSantis. This process of local approval is in keeping with instruction from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis that theme parks should work alongside their local governments on their plans for reopening and that local government officials will need to endorse any potential plans prior to submitting them for state approval. So we will be keeping you posted on this developing story! You can read more about the current status of Disney Resorts and parks around the world by following any of the links below. Have you visited Universal while in Orlando? Please let us know with a comment. Related posts: NEWS and PHOTOS: Face Masks and Hand Sanitizer Available for Purchase at Universal Orlando Resort Stores Universal Orlando CityWalk is Reportedly Planning a Partial Reopening SOON Universal Sends Out Surveys About Potential Re-Opening Scenarios View the full article

Disney Springs has officially reopened with third-party restaurants and stores. West Side Starbucks While we took you around Disney Springs with us LIVE to see all the new procedures in action, we are back again today to check out a few more places opening back up! Although the Marketplace Starbucks was open yesterday with a brand new “Welcome Back” drink, the West Side Starbucks was closed during the first day of the Disney Springs’ reopening. However, West Side Starbucks opened today for mobile orders only! West Side Starbucks Line Currently, the dining room is closed to guests, but you can still get your favorite drinks and snacks from Starbucks! All you have to do is open the Starbucks app and place your mobile order at “Disney Springs West Side.” Starbucks Mobile Order When you arrive, you will show the employee at the door your order before and they will then let you inside to pick it up. Inside West Side Starbucks You cannot stand inside the Starbucks to drink your coffee, but you are able to lift your mask to drink your Starbs as you walk around Disney Springs. Starbucks Coffee!! Disney-owned locations are set to open in Disney Springs on May 27th. We will be reporting on all of the new health and safety measures that are implemented, so be sure to follow along with us! Take a look at our full experience at Disney Springs’ re-opening here! . Have you visited Disney Springs again yet? 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! NEWS: Mobile Order Is Getting an AWESOME Change in Disney World (And We Are SO Here for It)! What’s NEW at Disney Springs: The Her Universe Star Wars Collection, NEW Park Life Dooneys, and Rock the Dots Merch! View the full article

It’s a whole new world in Disney Springs now that some of the shops and restaurants have started to reopen! Disney Springs With temperature checks, physical distancing, face masks, and more; we’re getting a LOT of questions about how to navigate the newly reopened Disney Springs. Well, you know us. If you’ve got questions — we’ve got ANSWERS! That’s why we’re taking a look at some of the frequently asked questions that we’re getting from our readers so that you have a FULL understanding of what it’s like to spend a day in Disney Springs! So, without further ado, let’s get to those FAQs! Where can I park? Disney Springs is now operating on a reduced schedule. As of right now, hours of operation are 10AM to 10PM. Yesterday, the Orange parking garage was the first to open around 8:30AM. The Green parking garage was only to be used after the Orange garage filled up. These are the only two areas where guests are currently permitted to park at Disney Springs. Parking Lot There weren’t Cast Members around directing people where to park, but there were some Cast Members on mics welcoming guests back when we arrived and guiding folks to the temperature screening area. Learn more about Disney Springs’ new reduced hours here What time should I arrive? After figuring out which parking garage was open, we arrived shortly after 8:3oAM yesterday. Our wait time getting through the temperature screening was minimal (since very few people were around). The screening process was super fast and efficient (which we’ll touch on more in a sec), while the line to pass through the checkpoint had social distancing markers indicating where guests should stand before they were called forward. Temperature Check Keep in mind we arrived VERY early — before many of the businesses at Disney Springs were open. While some stores and places to grab a coffee such as Starbucks and Joffrey’s opened at 10AM, several shops and restaurants didn’t open until 11AM. Line Outside T-REX If you’re planning on visiting one of Disney Springs’ third-party businesses, check its website for their most current hours (which might not be the same as Disney Springs’ hours). You may not want to wait around as long as we did although we saw many folks waiting in line (while social distancing) for stores and restaurants to reopen. What’s the capacity like and how is Disney Springs’ limiting it? In addition to reducing its hours, Disney Springs is limiting its capacity. Orange Parking Garage Once the designated parking garages (Lime and Orange) are full, guests are not allowed to park and enter Disney Springs. This includes those with dining reservations. Where is Disney Springs conducting its temperature screenings? Checkpoints are located in four areas: inside the Orange and Lime parking garages, along with the Hotel Plaza Boulevard pedestrian bridge, and at the Rideshare drop-off location. What if the parking garages are full and I have a dining reservation? Once Disney Springs’ parking garages are full, that’s it. Even if you have booked a dining reservation, you won’t be allowed in until a space opens in the lot. Wolfgang Puck But luckily if a guest is unable to make their reservation because Disney Springs is closed due to capacity, we DID find out the dining guarantee charge will be waived. Are temperature screenings mandatory? All of Disney Springs’ new safety guidelines and procedures including temperature screenings and wearing face masks at all times are mandatory. If you don’t want to have your temperature taken or wear a face mask, you won’t be allowed to enter. Advent Health Signage All guests and Cast Members, including vendors and construction workers, must follow these new safety measures for the duration of their stay. Click here to familiarize yourself with all of Disney Springs’ new safety measures and procedures! What is the temperature cut-off at Disney Springs? To be allowed inside Disney Springs, your temperature needs to be under 100.4 F. Does Florida’s heat affect temperature readings? Disney knows many guests might have concerns about Florida’s heat impacting temperature screenings. That’s why professional healthcare workers from AdventHealth who are trained in using touchless thermometers are conducting the screenings. Temperature Screening If someone’s temperature is over 100.4 F, they’re taken off to the side and given the chance to “cool down” in a tented area before they are rescreened. If they still have a temperature over 100.4F or higher, they will not be allowed into Disney Springs and their party is not allowed entry either. Click here to learn more about Disney Springs’ temperature screenings — including IF they’re accurate AND the science behind them! Is Disney providing face masks for guests? If you accidentally forget your face mask at home, Disney MIGHT be able to help you out but don’t count on it. They told us they did have an extremely limited supply of face masks, but that guests ARE responsible for having their own face masks. Cast Member with required face mask If you don’t bring your own mask, you might not be allowed inside. Children under the age of three aren’t required to wear a face mask, but everyone else is. See PHOTOS of what Disney Springs’ new shopping experience looks like here! Are there masks available to purchase? As only a few third-party retailers have reopened at Disney Springs, we found only one store that was selling face masks yesterday. Vera Bradley Face Masks Vera Bradley is selling cotton face masks (the elastic kind) which cost $8 each. We’ll keep on eye out for face masks at other Disney Springs stores, especially Disney-owned locations such as World of Disney when those locations start to reopen May 27th. Read more about the face masks being sold at Vera Bradley here! Do I still need to wear a mask outside? Guests and workers must wear face masks at all times, both indoors and outdoors. Wolfgang Puck There are a few exceptions, though. When you’re seated in a restaurant, you can remove your mask because tables have been socially distanced. IF you get up to leave or use the restroom though, you’ll be expected to recover with a mask. Click here to learn what our experience with wearing a face mask in Disney Springs was like! What about walking around with coffee or a snack? So, if face masks are required, how do you walk around sippin’ or snackin’? This question has definitely been on our mind since we found out that grab and go places like Sunshine Churros and Joffrey’s Coffee would be opening. Joffrey’s Reopened After speaking with a couple of Cast Members yesterday, we were told if you’re holding a snack or a drink, you’re permitted to lower your mask to take a bite or a drink, then recover as long as you keep practicing social distancing. If you’re not eating or drinking, Cast Members will advise you to put your mask back on. See PHOTOS of what it’s like to dine in a recently reopened Disney Springs here! Can you pull your mask down for pictures? Based on our understanding of the guidelines issued by Disney Springs, removing your mask for any reason other than eating or drinking isn’t advisable. How is Disney enforcing mandatory masks after guests have entered Disney Springs? Face masks are required for all Cast Members and guests during their entire visit, and because everyone over the age of three is wearing one, it’s pretty noticeable when someone isn’t. Advent Health Cast Member at Temperature Screening Walking around Disney Springs yesterday, we saw several types of Cast Members were monitoring the crowds ensuring guests were being safe. This included the AventHealth care specialists who took our temperatures, as well as Disney security officers, custodial workers, and the team of new health and safety ambassadors we recently learned about called “greeters.” Click here to learn about when you do and do not have to wear a face mask at Disney! What are the accommodations if you have a disability or health condition that prevents you from wearing a mask? Children under the age of three aren’t required to wear one, but everyone else is. When we asked, we were told there are no exceptions to this requirement. Is World of Disney open? Since World of Disney is owned by Disney, it is not open yet. Only third-party shops and restaurants have begun to reopen. For the complete list of retailers that have reopened in Disney Springs, click here. For reopened Disney Springs restaurants, click here. World of Disney is Still Closed World of Disney and other Disney-operated businesses are expected to reopen May 27th while the rest of Disney World’s theme parks and hotels will remain closed until further notice. Can you still handle products/ try on clothes? As we checked out some of the stores yesterday, we noticed many of the newly reopened businesses were still allowing guests to touch their products. A sign at Arribas Bros. asked guests to limit their handling of merchandise and stated more items were available behind the counter. Arribas Bros. Merchandise Sign Basin was allowing guests to test its bath and body products using its in-store sinks while Uniqlo was allowing guests to try on clothing in every-other fitting room, to maintain distance requirements. See more of our shopping experience in Disney Springs here! Are the ferries running? For now, it appears the ferryboats are not operating in Disney Springs. The Boathouse Amphicar Do Not Stand Markers And although The Boathouse had originally announced they would resume giving rides in their vintage Amphicars, we haven’t seen any of them sailing around quite yet either. What surprised us the most about the reopening? Having attended the partial reopening of Universal Studios’ CityWalk last week, we pretty much knew what to expect in terms of going through temperature screenings, having to wear face masks all day, and what a dining experience inside a restaurant would look like. Disney Springs made all of these procedures seem as normal as possible while ensuring guests and Cast Members were acting responsibly. Balloons in Disney Springs Today We were really curious about what the reopening was like from a cast member’s perspective, which you can read more about here. All in all, we were glad to hear so many of them felt comfortable and happy to be back at work! We did hear from a few Cast Members that their biggest question of the day was less about the new procedures and actually why World of Disney was still closed! We will continue updating this post, so if you have any BIG questions we haven’t answered, reach out to us on social or in the comments below! Have any questions we missed? Ask them in the comments! Related posts: PHOTOS: Disney World’s NEW Health Measures — Face Coverings, Distancing Signs, and MORE This Is the ONE Place We Found Masks For Sale in Disney World Today 3 Things We Hope We DON’T See At The Disney Springs Reopening This Week View the full article

Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld have been closed since March due to the current global health situation. Universal The state of Florida is currently in “Full Phase One” of reopening its economy. It’s within this phase that both Universal Orlando’s CityWalk and Disney Springs have started a phased reopening while the theme parks have remained closed until further notice. Today, however, in a meeting of the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force, Universal Orlando Resort has presented a plan for its reopening, including a proposed reopening date. Universal Orlando Resort has proposed a reopening date of June 5th, 2020. They also proposed to reopen to team members June 1 and 2 and to AP’s June 3 and 4. June 5th would be to the rest of the public. Universal Orlando Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings must sign off on Universal’s proposed plans before they will be presented to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Demings has said that he will need 24-48 hours to review the plans before submitting them to DeSantis. Islands of Adventure Main Entrance Walt Disney World and SeaWorld have not yet presented reopening plans to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force. Amanda Dukes, a reporter at WESH TV, NBC Orlando, said that Disney World is “not submitting a plan to the Orange County Economic Recover Taskforce yet and does not have a date to do so.” When they do, they will be required to submit a proposed reopening date within their plans. Walt Disney World We will continue to keep you posted on this story as it develops. For more information about the current status of Disney Resorts and destinations around the world, you can click here or visit any of the links below. Are you following the reopening of the Orlando area theme parks? Please let us know with a comment. Related posts: SeaWorld Orlando Tested Their Mako Coaster With Masked Riders Today! Universal Orlando’s CityWalk Has Just Reopened! See What Our Experience Was Like Here! The CDC Just Released New “Decision Tools” for Businesses and Schools to Reopen View the full article

We have been following the status of the major theme parks in Orlando including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld as they are all currently closed until further notice in light of the current global situation. ©Legoland We are also watching other area attractions to follow their plans for reopening, and today information has been shared for another popular theme park located in Winter Haven, Florida: Legoland. According to wesh.com, Legoland has received permission from the Winter Haven City Commission to reopen on June 1, 2020. However, Legoland still needs permission from the state of Florida to move forward with that date. Legoland General Manager Rex Jackson shared the guidelines the park would operate under with the Winter Haven City Commission. These include operating at a maximum 50% capacity (about 6,000 guests).The park would “highly recommend” the wearing of face masks by guests. Though not required, the park also noted plans to provide face coverings for guests who do not bring one. Additionally, guests with temperatures of 100.4 or higher would not be allowed to enter the park. Florida Palm Trees This process of local approval is in keeping with instruction from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis that theme parks should work alongside their local governments on their plans for reopening and that local government officials will need to endorse any potential plans prior to submitting them for state approval. As a reminder, this is the process that Universal Orlando Resort is expected to begin this afternoon when it makes a presentation to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force. Presentations require a proposed reopening date. The presentation date for Walt Disney World’s reopening plan is not yet known at press time. We’ll be keeping you posted as this story develops, and you can learn more about the status of Disney Resorts and destinations around the world by visiting any of the links below. Source: wesh.com Have you ever visited Legoland Florida? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: News! Florida Aquarium Plans to Re-Open Next Week! How Do Their Re-Opening Policies Compare to Disney World’s? SeaWorld Orlando Tested Their Mako Coaster With Masked Riders Today! IT’S BACK!! This Popular Cupcake Has Returned to Sprinkles! View the full article

Drinking around the World is one of our favorite pastimes, whether the sips are spiked or non-alcoholic! Drinks We’ve tried pretty much ALL of the frozen drinks in the parks. Although we love grabbing new things (and sharing them with you guys ;-D), we’ve found a few frozen sips over the year that have secured a special place in our hearts. And, while you can still mix up some Disney margs at home, we’re taking you with us (virtually) to try our favorite frozen drinks in Disney World! Fiesta Margarita Before the original Mexico margarita stand was closed to make way for Choza de Margarita, the kiosk had the Fiesta Margarita (which was a PARTY IN A GLASS with a combo of the lime, strawberry, and mango margs available there). But, when the new location opened in 2017, they switched up the iconic drink just a little bit. Choza de Margarita The newer version has Classic Lime, Wild Strawberry with a bit of prickly pear puree, and Mango with some passion fruit as the flavors in the frozen drink. Fiesta Margarita And, while we just happened to have the very first Fiesta Marg EVER poured at Choza at its opening, we have to say that it’s just SO good!! There’s a lot of depth and richness to the flavors, which is satisfying AND sweet when you’re walking around the World Showcase. Check out our full review of Choza de Margarita here! Gata-Melon Juice Disney’s Port Orleans Resort may seem like a trek to get to on Disney property, but this drink (and the Mickey Beignets) are WORTH IT. Although there are plenty of sips to try at the Muddy Rivers bar at Port Orleans Riverside and the Mardi Grogs bar at Port Orleans French Quarter, we’re big fans of the Gata-Melon Juice. The drink is mixed up with Midori Melon Liqueur, Pineapple Juice, Monin Banana, and Piña Colada Mix, and it’s just as delicious as it sounds. Muddy Rivers Pool Bar The bright green drink is not only perfect for an Insta photo, but it’s also basically like a trip to the tropics in a cup! Each of the melon, pineapple, and banana flavors stand out in the drink but blend together wonderfully with each sip. All That Jazz with Gata-Melon Juice on Top Plus, if you really like the Gata-Melon Juice, you can try it along with the Front Porch Freeze and Nola Cola in the All That Jazz slush! Read our review of Port Orleans’ sweet sips here! Grand Marnier Orange Slush The France Pavilion in Epcot is home to some of the BEST treats in all of Disney World (major heart eyes for Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie). And, while you might feel like you’ve stepped right into the center of Beauty and the Beast, you can make your way over to the Les Vins des Chefs de France booth across from Les Chefs de France for a very special treat. The Grand Marnier Orange Slush is mixed up with Grand Marnier (of course), Rum, Grey Goose, and Orange Juice. Grand Marnier Orange Slush While this France drink is already super eye-catching served in a plastic martini glass, the flavors are AMAZING. It’s like drinking a grown-up Dreamsicle or a fancy frozen mimosa, but BETTER!! Grand Marnier Orange Slush Although it may taste fantastic, don’t be fooled — this drink is strong, so sip with caution!! Or, go back for another if you really want to. Not in the mood for orange? They have a lemony Grey Goose Citron Slush on the menu too! Take a look at our full review of the Grand Marnier Orange Slush here! Avocado Margarita La Cava del Tequila in the Mexico Pavilion is a BOMB spot in Disney World to get a drink since the menu items are made fresh with 100% agave tequila. And although we’ve had some amazing sips like the Black Magic Margarita, the Avocado Margarita has become a fan-favorite and one of our own top picks! While we were able to take a sip of it as a Food and Wine Festival offering in 2009, it ended up permanently making itself a home on the menu of La Cava del Tequila! Avocado Margarita The Avocado Margarita is made with El Mayor Blanco Tequila, Midori Melon Liquor, Fresh Avocado, Lime Juice, and Agave Nectar Syrup and served frozen with a hibiscus Himalayan salt rim. Although it may seem surprising, the drink is a creamy mix of sweet and tart (and super-refreshing). Honestly, it kind of tastes like bananas??? While you can’t visit the park right now to get one, you can still make the Avocado Margarita at home (thank goodness)! Learn how to mix up your own Avocado Margarita at home! Piña CoLAVA Although the Piña CoLAVA has become a drink that’s very well-known across the property (you can find it in most standard Disney World bar menus!), it still reigns as one of the best sips available in Disney World! Pina CoLAVA and Bahama Mama You can find the drink blended with Bacardi Raspberry Rum, Piña Colada Mix, and Raspberry Purée at places like Petals Pool Bar at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Trout Pass at the Wilderness Lodge Resort, Barefoot Pool Bar at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and MANY more spots all over the Disney World Resorts. Pina CoLAVA The flavors are very sweet, but taste INCREDIBLE with every sip. We love the raspberry twist on a regular piña colada, which makes for a unique Disney drink that you don’t want to miss on your next trip to the parks! Want to see even more Piña Coladas of Disney World? Click here! Spikey Pineapple Spiked Dole Whip?! Count us in!! While Dole Whips may be a classic Disney treat, you can get a little twist on them with the addition of rum in a frozen Spikey Pineapple at Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace and Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Spikey Pineapple It’s perfect for those days you’re relaxing by the pool or exploring the resort! If you prefer to eat your boozy Dole Whip with a spoon, you can find different versions of spiked Dole Whips in a few locations around Disney World. In fact, head to Pineapple Lanai just around the corner from the Tiki Terrace to find a few unique boozy Dole Whip options! Read our full review of the Spikey Pineapple here! Night Blossom After you’ve waited in a 2-hour line for Flight of Passage, sometimes you need a little pick-me-up to keep your day going in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Pongu Pongu — located just outside the exit to the ride — has two versions of the Night Blossom for kiddos and parents alike! Night Blossom at Pongu Pongu The original happens to be one of the BEST non-alcoholic drinks we’ve ever had in Disney World made with limeade, apple, and prickly pear flavors with passion fruit boba balls on top. But, the Pandora-based stop also serves an alcoholic version with Bacardi rum so you can add a little kick to your trip to the Valley of Mo’ara! Check out our full review of the alcoholic version of the Night Blossom here! Provence Frosé When the Riviera Resort opened, we took you all over the hotel to try the eats, treats, and drinks at its counter-service and table-service restaurants. And, although the resort’s pool bar, Bar Riva, has an open-air environment, the quick-stop has some delicious snacks and drinks that are worth grabbing. Provence Frosé One of our favorites happens to be the Provence Frosé made with Provence Rosé Wine and Cîroc Vodka. While the imported wine is very smooth in the drink, the flavors are also light and yummy! So, if you’re looking for a drink to pair with that Baked Brie, check this out the next time you’re at the Riviera Resort! Take a look at our review of Bar Riva’s menu here! Wonderland Slush Although Cheshire Cafe in Magic Kingdom is home to that wonderful Cheshire Cat Tail, did you know that it has a super tasty frozen treat too? The Wonderland Slush is made with Minute Maid Frozen Raspberry Lemonade and Frozen Fanta Grape Soda with a candy-coated straw! Wonderland Slush at the Cheshire Cafe Trust us — if you’re a fan of grape soda, you’ll love this one!! While the flavors are sweet, they aren’t overwhelmingly so (but you still might get a brain freeze sipping on this one!). Read our full review of the Wonderland Slush here! While these have become some of our top picks, we love finding new things in the parks to continue adding to our list!! New drinks are always showing up in the parks, so be sure to check back on DFB for even more frozen reviews! Cheers, friends! Check out these surprising rules about drinking in Disney World that you need to know! What are some of your favorite frozen drinks in Disney World? Let us know in the comments below! 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