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Island H2O Live, the Margaritaville Orlando water park, reopening Saturday View the full article

With the global health crisis changing the way that people think about public safety, a lot of industries are changing the way they do things. Orlando International Airport One of the affected industries has been air travel. Now, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is reworking how it screens passengers. According to Click Orlando, the TSA has implemented several changes to their security screening process to reduce any chance of contamination at the security checkpoints. Their goal is to have the new process rolled out in airports nationwide by mid-June. Airline Check-In The new procedures include the following: Travelers will keep possession of their boarding passes. TSA agents will no longer handle boarding passes. Instead, travelers will place passes on the readers themselves and hold passes for agents to inspect. Food will be separated for X-ray screening. Food often triggers an alarm during screening. By separating it, there is less of a chance that TSA agents will need to open a carry-on bag to inspect its contents. Travelers are encouraged to pack smart. If passengers take care to remove liquids, gels, or aerosols in quantities greater than 3.4 oz, there is less of a chance that TSA agents will need to open their carry on bag. If a prohibited item is detected, passengers will be pulled aside to remove and discard the item themselves. Agents will be wearing face coverings and travelers are encouraged to as well. Note that travelers may need to adjust their masks during the screening. Star Wars United Airlines Plane ©United These new changes are not the only ones that have been instituted in airports thus far. Prior instituted health measures include: Reduced security lane usage. Masks and gloves for TSA agents. Frequent glove changes for TSA agents. Plastic shielding installed at various locations. Distancing measures. Routine cleaning and disinfecting. ©Orlando International Airport Of the changes, TSA Administrator David Pekoske said, “In the interest of TSA frontline workers and traveler health, TSA is committed to making prudent changes to our screening processes to limit physical contact and increase physical distance as much as possible. We continue to evaluate our security measures with an eye towards making smart, timely decisions benefiting health and safety, as well as the traveler experience.” We’ll be following along with more changes from the TSA so that we can keep you updated. Click here to read more about the way that the crisis is affecting airlines. What do you think of the new TSA health measures? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: How a $25 Billion Airline Rescue Package Could Affect Your Disney Vacation Complete the Star Wars Plane Trilogy with the Latest Aircraft from United Airlines! How Reopening Theme Parks Could Mean LESS Profit For Disney View the full article

We often find ourselves watching Hulu thanks to the selection of shows and movies, but we do think the platform could be easier to navigate. ©Hulu Hulu’s navigation interface is on the challenging side. Unlike most other streaming services, it makes you scroll vertically through every category instead of horizontally. Well, good news! It looks like Hulu is getting an update — and it’s going to look a lot like Disney+. According to Variety, Hulu is launching a new interface due to the fact that customers have had issues with the old one. ©Hulu In the new interface, users can navigate through categories vertically and content horizontally instead of vice versa. That sounds familiar because that’s how pretty much every other major streaming service does things — including Disney+. We should also see a change in the way Hulu recommends content. Major categories like Movies, TV Shows, and Sports will be moving to the main page for easier navigation, too. The update is meant to improve the Hulu experience and provide a more unified look for Disney’s streaming services (Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+). © Disney The new interface began rolling out to some Roku and Apple TV devices on May 20th and will continue to arrive on devices for the next two months on all platforms. We’re eager to see the new look! Click here to see what analysts are saying about Disney streaming! Are you excited about the new Hulu interface? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: Disney CEO Says Theater Closures Could Affect Disney’s Approach To Movies Just Announced: Disney+ is Coming to D23 Expo 2019! ALL the NEW Content Coming to Disney+ Through January 26th! View the full article

Disney World is currently accepting new bookings starting July 1st, but a reservation does not mean that your vacation is secured. Spaceship Earth Many guests have booked reservations for June, only to have them subject to cancelation. Just last week we reported that Disney World had begun canceling reservations in early June. Now, Disney is reaching out to notify guests that their later June reservations will be canceled as well. Disney is currently sending out notification to guests with vacation days up to June 13th with information to modify or cancel their hotel reservations or travel packages. Now, one of our readers shared that their June 8th-13th vacation was canceled. Monorail at Disney World As a reminder, Disney is waiving any change or cancellation fees for guests affected by the closure. If you are affected by the new round of cancellations and do not take any action, Disney will automatically cancel and refund your hotel reservation. Magic Kingdom If you have any questions about the new round of cancelations or your booking, you can call (407) 934-7639 for Disney Customer Support. To cancel or change your reservation, you can do so online using My Disney Experience. Click here to learn more about changing or canceling your Disney trip! Are your Disney plans impacted by the cancelations? Share your story in the comments! Related posts: What Does the Disney World Closure Mean for Crowd Levels in 2020…And When Should YOU Go? Why Disney World Could Be Very DIFFERENT When It Reopens Review! We’re Hooked on the NEW Firecracker Shrimp and Blackened Grouper Sandwich in Disney World!! View the full article

How do those super-successful people DO IT?! Bob Iger presenting a model of Shanghai Disneyland You’ve heard of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, but today we’re looking at the 7 habits of highly successful DISNEY people, and why you should consider adding them to your routine. Check it out! 1. Bob Iger wakes up at 4:15 AM and doesn’t look at his phone until after his morning workout. Bob Iger is the current executive chairman of the Walt Disney company, but prior to that, he was the CEO for 15 years. Needless to say, Bob Iger is a pretty successful guy and he still remains one of the most recognizable faces of corporate Disney. So what’s one habit that this big-wig sticks to on a daily basis? Bob Iger ©Disney Bob Iger shared in his Master Class that he wakes up at 4:15 AM every morning and does NOT look at his phone until after his morning workout. There are a few layers to this habit. It shows us that Bob is (1) an early riser, (2) physically active, and (3) imposing limits on his screen time. Here’s why those choices could be good for YOU! According to Business Insider, waking up early could give you a better night’s sleep and could help to stave off depression. Plus, it’s been linked with a more productive day! After all, Iger isn’t the only mega-successful business person who employs an early morning routine. Morning at Magic Kingdom Exercise is also extremely beneficial! Not only does the practice have benefits for keeping you physically healthy, but it can improve your mood and your mental health, per MedlinePlus. Iger is investing in himself. As for limiting screen time, the Mayo Clinic says that limiting screentime can improve physical health, mood, and relationships as well. Click here to learn about Bob Iger stepping down as CEO! 2. Justin Timberlake eats a protein-heavy breakfast…twice every morning! You might know Justin Timberlake for many reasons — his time in N*SYNC, his 10 Grammy awards, or perhaps his iconic all-jean outfit with then-girlfriend Britney Spears (yeah, you know what we’re talking about). We, however, know and love JT for his ties to Disney. Timberlake was a Cast Member in The All-New Mickey Mouse Club as a child. That’s right, he’s a Mousketeer!!! Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears ©Disney JT has to keep up his health as a bigtime performer and he has a pretty interesting habit to help him keep up with his workout routine. According to Bon Appetit, this guy eats breakfast TWICE every morning. Pre-workout he chows down on waffles with flax seed and almond butter and one scrambled egg. Post-workout he fuels up AGAIN with another egg or a protein shake. Breakfast Skillet Timberlake says he does this because eating protein before and a half-hour after a workout can help with losing weight or gaining muscle. According to Science & The Public, eating breakfast (but…twice?) might also help to keep you from overeating throughout the rest of the day. Good lookin’ out, JT! 3. Steve Martin practices (and performs!) the banjo. Steve Martin is a renowned actor, one of the funniest stand-up comedians of all time, and a banjo player (we’ll get to that). Plus, Martin’s got some pretty close ties to Disney. Not only is Steve an official Disney Legend, but he actually started his career working in Disneyland from ages 10-18. He even cites the park as the birthplace of many of his most iconic jokes! ©D23 Perhaps the least-known part of Martin’s career is that he’s an accomplished bluegrass player! He’s even won a Grammy for Best Bluegrass album! So, needless to say, Steve does an awful lot of banjo practicin’ and playin’. It takes one look at his fancy fingerwork to see what we mean! Now how can this change your life? There are a LOT of physical and mental benefits of playing an instrument. According to Musicnotes, practicing music (like the banjo!) can improve mental performance, coordination, time management, reading skills, listening skills, concentration, mathematics ability, and more! 4. Christina Aguilera “just wears sweatpants.” Another MAJOR name on this list is Christina Aguilera. You can hear her belt out “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” on the first Disney Family Singalong! Christina is another Disney legend who got her start on Mickey Mouse Club. She even went on to perform the pop version of Mulan‘s theme song, “Reflection.” Christina Aguilera in Disney Channel’s Mickey Mouse Club Christina’s habit? When she’s home, she pretty much “just wears sweatpants,” she told Time. Well, Christina, sounds like we are one and the same! What this means is that this mega-star knows how to relax and give herself the time she needs to keep up with her rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle. The crazy thing is that this can actually be good for you! “Laziness” — or taking time to rest and relax — might actually make people more productive, according to Time. It gives you a chance to rest your brain. Plus, studies have found that when the brain is “unfocused” it is actually when we are at our most creative. Sweet. 5. Beyonce balances work with breaks and family time. If you haven’t been living under a rock for the last 20 years, you’ve probably heard of Beyonce. ‘Yonce is one of the world’s best selling musical artists with over 100 million records sold worldwide. Bey has officially been a part of the Disney fam since she starred as Nala in 2019’s The Lion King and she recently cropped up for a surprise performance of “When You Wish Upon A Star” on The Disney Family Singalong. So, how does one of the most accomplished performers in recent times manage her days? Beyonce makes a priority of balancing work with breaks and family time, according to Owaves. She mentioned, “My daughter has been my balance,” after the birth of Blue-Ivy. The Lion King Premiere There’s a lot to be learned from this habit! Fostering communications with your kids and family members can improve their success and yours, according to CNBC. Learning to communicate and spending time with littles can help them do better in school and help you avoid burnout from work. You got it, Bey! 6. Josh Gad draws inspiration from the great artistic works of history. Alright, so this next one is most definitely a big Disney name. Josh Gad is the actor behind some of our favorite Disney characters including LeFou in 2017’s Beauty and the Beast and the best snowman in the whole world, Olaf in Frozen. ©Disney Josh Gad recently wrote an article for Vanity Fair on the “new normal” with a focus on fear, family, and art. In it, he talked about how he’s made a habit of looking to great works of art of the past for inspiration — especially during hard times. Mostly, he talks about looking to great works of film to see what they can teach him. ©Josh Gad This is a great habit especially because the art of the past helps to contribute to who we are as people, according to the Met Museum! Plus, viewing these great works could help you to feel motivated to create — and improve your mood. 7. Walt Disney ate a light lunch, memorized his employees’ names, and carried snacks in his pockets. You didn’t think we were going to make a list of successful Disney people and NOT include Walt Disney, did you? Perhaps the most successful Disney person of all time is Walt, himself. He’s the man, the myth, the legend behind the roots of everything that Disney is today. So, what kind of habits did Walt maintain? ©Disney According to Business Insider, Walt had work-heavy days. Still, in those days he made sure to take time to memorize his employees’ names. He also wasn’t too big a fan of big lunches (he thought too much food slowed down the brain) but he DID carry snacks in his pockets. (A man after our own hearts!) Walt and Lillian Disney According to the Business Marketing Engine, getting to know your employees (names and beyond) can be the key to becoming a successful leader. Creating those relationships can really keep people engaged in your company! We, for the record, would be honored if Walt Disney had learned our names! Walt Disney and His Family at the Rose Parade ©Disney As for those Disney pocket snacks? That could be a good habit for you to adopt as well. Per Discover Good Nutrition, if you snack smart, it can actually be good for you. Snacking can help to give you a steady flow of energy and keep you from over-eating at your main meals. Maybe Disney was on to something! Click here to see some super relevant Walt Disney quotes! So there ya have it! These are just a few of the things that famous Disney peeps implement in their lives to help them be successful. Pick out some habits and see if they work for you! Do you have any of these habits? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: NEW! “I Am Walt Disney” Children’s Book Releasing Tomorrow! Here’s EVERYTHING You Missed at the Disney Parks This Week! Spoiler Alert: It’s A Lot! Why Did Disney’s Bob Iger Really Step Down From The CEO Spot? View the full article

Much of Disney’s parks and resorts remain closed worldwide, but there are some places that are open to guests right now! Alice in Wonderland Maze at Shanghai Disneyland Around the globe, we are beginning to see Disney make gradual steps towards reopening some of their parks and resorts. Let’s take a look at each of the resorts and see exactly what is open and available for guests. Shanghai Disneyland The Shanghai Disney Resort closed its gates on January 25, the first of the Disney resorts to do so amidst the global health crisis. Since then, they have made the most progress amongst all of the Disney resorts when it comes to reopening. Shanghai Disneyland On Monday, May 11, Shanghai Disneyland park REOPENED! Signs pointed to an impending reopening soon after reports emerged of their fireworks show being tested as well as quiet testing of new safety protocols. While the park has opened its gates for the first time in over 100 days, several entertainment offerings will not be available initially for guests. Shanghai Disneyland Fireworks Testing Their shopping and dining district, Disneytown, Wishing Star Park, as well as the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, have been open since March 9. Shanghai Disneyland The hotel’s character dining location, Lumiere’s Kitchen, resumed business operations, initially open for brunch and dinner on weekends. Read more about the new health measures at Shanghai Disneyland here! Walt Disney World There are a number of services currently available in Disney World, despite the parks being closed since March 16. On May 20, Disney Springs began a phased reopening. During this initial phase of reopening, only a limited amount of third party retailers and restaurants were open, with limited capacity and hours. Disney Springs We have full coverage of opening day, including restaurant reviews and shopping updates. On May 27, some Disney owned and operated retail locations, including World of Disney, will reopen. World of Disney in Disney Springs There are various health and safety protocols put in place during Disney Spring’s initial reopening phase. These include required face masks for both Guests and Cast Members, temperature screenings upon entering, increased sanitization, and physical distancing efforts. Disney Springs Read more about the health & safety measures implemented at Disney Springs here! Several locations in Disney World have remained open throughout the duration of the park and resort closures. The golf courses have remained open (including FootGolf!). This does not include both of Disney World’s mini-golf courses. Footgolf Course The other following services at the resort are also open: The Speedway gas station near Magic Kingdom is open from 5AM til 11PM daily. The Best Friends Pet Care Center is open daily from 9AM til 5PM Monday-Saturday. Note that there are no overnight services at this time. Hong Kong Disneyland The Hong Kong Disney Resort closed shortly after Shanghai on January 26. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Since then, character dining has resumed at Enchanted Rose Garden in the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel with limited character appearances. Currently, all three Hong Kong Disney Resort hotels are accepting future bookings. The Inspiration Lake Recreation Centre is also currently open. Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland As of this writing, all of Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Tokyo Disney Resort, and Disneyland Paris remain closed at this time. When the Tokyo Disney Resort first closed, it was announced that their hotels would remain open, but they have since closed. Currently, there is no timeline for any anticipated announcements regarding an opening for any of these three resorts. Read more about the current status of all of Disney’s parks worldwide here! We’ll keep you posted as news is released. And don’t forget to follow the Disney Food Blog newsletter for immediate news and updates! How soon will you want to visit your favorite Disney resort as things begin to reopen? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Disney’s Closure Timeline And What It Could Mean for Disney World’s Reopening 7 Impossible Decisions Disney Has To Make Right Now It’s Costing Disney HOW MUCH To Close The Theme Parks?! View the full article

After being shuttered for many months, Florida is well into Phase One of its gradual reopening. Disney Springs Just yesterday, we saw several third-party restaurants and shops resume business at Disney Springs and last week Universal Studios’ CityWalk took its first reopening steps. But while Disney and Universal-owned hotels and theme parks will remain closed until further notice, some vacation rental properties in the area have just been given the green light to start reopening. According to News 6 WKMG, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has approved an outline that was submitted to him last week allowing Osceola County vacation rentals to reopen. Palm Trees “We appreciate the quick review of our plan and the State’s realization that the vacation rental home sector is a massive part of our economy,” Osceola County Chairwoman Viviana Janer said. “We know that this action will have a ripple effect in our community as there are so many small businesses that support the vacation rental market – from housekeepers to lawn and pool maintenance workers, to security staff and caterers, to property managers and companies that handle the numerous details that surround a successful vacation.” Earl of Sandwich Osceola County, a major tourist destination that comprises a portion of Walt Disney World Resort, has over 30,000 licensed vacation home rentals. City Works Osceola Country included some of the key details in the plan they gave to Florida’s Governor which included: Property owners and managers have to adopt guidelines that are in place for businesses They must follow reopen guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting for all lodging Property owners will be asked to provide coronavirus guidance on local restrictions put in place during a guest stay Any guest coming from a highly-infected area must reserve a minimum stay of 14 nights and follow CDC’s self-quarantine guidelines Vacation rentals are not allowed to be used for gatherings that exceed the maximum occupancy So far, Osceola County is the first to have its plan passed by Governor Ron DeSantis. We’ll continue to follow this story as it develops. Are you planning to visit Florida soon? Let us know in the comments below. Related posts: Orange County’s Mayor Is Expected To Announce His Phased Approach To Reopen Orlando Tomorrow Annual Passholders Can Celebrate the Holidays with Exclusive Photo Ops in Disney World! Updated! Will Disney World Really Re-open April 1st? View the full article

Hey! We’re back with another DFB Video, and today we’re talking about the reopened Disney Springs. Mickey Balloons Disney Springs has officially opened to guests again and we’ve got a first-hand look at all of the new safety procedures that are in place. Check out our latest video to see what a reopened Disney World looks like! And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our DFB YouTube Channel! By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode! So check out the video and let us know: If you’re planning to visit Disney Springs soon? Related posts: DFB Video: The Best Things to Eat at Disney World’s Worst Restaurants! DFB Video: 7 Disney World Restaurants We Never Talk About…And Why! DFB Video: 50 Most Iconic Disney World Eats View the full article

Disneyland has been closed for over two months, and there is still uncertainty about when a reopening date may be. Sleeping Beauty Castle Prior to the park closure, people had purchased park tickets that are going unused for the time being. In response, Disney initially extended reservation dates for many tickets. Now, with the closures continuing, it looks like some unused promotional tickets have gotten a significant expiration extension once more. Three promotional tickets saw extensions — Southern California Resident Tickets, Child Tickets, and Canada Resident Tickets or Australia/New Zealand Resident Tickets. Disneyland Website Screenshot Southern California Resident Tickets Previously, Southern California Resident Tickets were being extended day-by-day with the closure. Now, these tickets are extended for non-consecutive use through December 16th, 2021 with blockout days listed November 21st-28th, 2020; December 19th, 2020-January 10th, 2021; March 26th-April 11th; July 4th; and November 20th-27th, 2021. Child Tickets The Child Ticket was previously extended through December 15th, 2020 but has now been extended another full year through December 16th, 2021. This ticket will expire 13-days after first use and the same blockout dates apply. Canada and New Zealand Resident Tickets Finally, the Canada Resident Tickets and Australia/New Zealand Resident Tickets were through May 31st, 2021; and now also expire Dec 16th, 2021. The ticket also expires 13-days after first use. Blockout days are not listed. Disneyland Main Entrance The policies for unused single-day tickets and wholly unused multi-day tickets remain that they are valid for a future visit through the end of their validity period. At this time, the Military Salute Ticket offer is still set to expire on December 18th, 2020. We’ll keep a close eye on the ticket policy for Disneyland and we’ll be sure to update as anything changes! Click here to learn more about factors in Disneyland’s reopening. What are your thoughts on the Disneyland ticket extensions? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: Disneyland Has Reached Furlough Agreements With 10 More Unions NEWS: New Reservations for Disneyland Resort Have Been Pushed Back to July Review! BACON Covered Marvel-Themed Legacy Funnel Cake Fries in Disneyland Resort View the full article

We are squealing with delight! Disney’s Animal Kingdom is celebrating a first for the park: the birth of a babirusa piglet. And, it’s a girl! Our Disney animal care team has chosen to name her Kirana, which translates to “sunbeam” in Indonesian. Babirusas are part of the hog family, native to the swamps and rainforests of the Indonesian Islands. They’re known for their unique snouts and magnificent tusks that can grow up to almost 17 inches! Close relatives of the babirusa also live at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, such as the warthogs on Kilimanjaro Safaris and the KuneKune pigs at Affection Section. This birth is another success story for our dedicated team of Disney animal care experts, as parents Betty and Mentari were chosen to breed through the Species Survival Plan (SSP) overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The SSP assures responsible breeding for endangered species, such as the babirusa pigs and Asha, the Hartmann’s Mountain zebra foal recently born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Over the last 15 years, Disney animal care experts partnered with reproductive biologists and the SSP to “crack the code” on breeding a babirusa pair. The piglet is making an important contribution toward the worldwide conservation and understanding of the species, which will help ensure a future generation for these vulnerable animals. The Disney Conservation Fund has supported projects in Africa for more than 20 years to inspire grassroots conservation and improve livelihoods. These projects can help protect Africa’s amazing wildlife and benefit the hogs – such as babirusas – living in these habitats. The piglet is healthy and bonding with mom inside their den at the park. To learn more about hogs, visit DisneyAnimals.com. View the full article

YAY! You’re planning a Disney World vacation and we couldn’t be more EXCITED for you! ::Happy dance! Happy dance!:: Magic Kingdom Sign We’re betting you’ve already done some extensive research to figure out which Disney World resort hotel is best for you, but we want to share a few common pitfalls that trip up a lot of Disney World guests! Which mistakes should you avoid? Let’s examine five BIG ONES! Booking Your Disney World Resort Without a Discount Trust us, we get it. Before we learned how things work, we overpaid for our Disney World vacations too. That’s why we want you to know there’s almost ALWAYS a discount you can apply to your trip, be it a park ticket offer, free dining offer, or room discount! Free Dining Always check the special offers tab on Disney World’s website before you make your reservation! Cake Pop at Magic Kingdom And if you forget (or already have a reservation when a new promotion or discount is released), you can usually call Disney and rebook your trip with the new discount applied! Minnie Mouse at Hollywood Studios Disney doesn’t normally advertise this service, but they’ll do it for you if the offer is still available for your requested room or package. Some promotions such as Disney World’s free dining offer book up VERY fast, so make sure you are signed up for our newsletter so you’ll be one of the first to know! Click here to learn about Disney World’s current discount on guest rooms at select Disney World resort hotels! Not Requesting a Room Many Disney guests don’t realize what POWER they have! Lobby in Art of Animation They show up at their Disney World resort, end up with a room they don’t like, and figure, “Well, that’s just the way it’s going to be!” This is NOT how it has to be! Request a Room When You Book Your Reservation Select Disney World resorts will allow you to note a room preference when you check-in online! Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter But if the resort you’re staying at doesn’t offer this feature, you can call Disney and a representative will make note of your preference on your reservation. You can request what kind of view you’d like, what building you’d like, what floor, etc (just bear in mind certain rooms will come with an added cost!). Ask To Switch If You Don’t Like Your Room If you realize you don’t like your room once you arrive at Disney World (maybe because it has a funky configuration or is too far from the lobby) check with the front desk. You can sometimes move to a different room IF there’s one available in the same price range. If not, you might be able to upgrade to a better room for an additional cost. Coronado Springs Front Desk It’s not always possible to transfer rooms or have your first preference, but we’ve found out it never hurts to ask! Click here to see more tips only Disney World pros know! Going Straight For a Deluxe Resort Without Considering Other Options Depending on how much time you’re actually planning on spending at your hotel, a Deluxe resort might not be your best option at Disney World. Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Sure, these luxury hotels have A LOT of bells and whistles including nicer rooms, fancier grounds, and loads of other amenities; but depending on how you plan to vacation, you might not get your money’s worth out of the facilities. Whether you’re looking to hit the parks all-day-every-day and won’t be at your resort much OR you’d like a bit more space without shelling out a ton of cash, consider the Value Resorts! Larger Rooms and Access to Disney’s Skyliner First up, let’s look at families that might want a bit more space than standard Disney rooms provide. You don’t HAVE to look to Deluxe accommodations to find more spacious rooms! One of our favorites is the Family Suites at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort! These larger guest rooms cost twice what standard rooms at Art of Animation run BUT they can hold up to six adults and have a separate sitting area, TWO FULL BATHROOMS, and lots of extra space. They even include a separate sleeping area for adults and kids! We think you might be quite drawn in by them! Art of Animation Resort AND Disney’s Art of Animation Resort has a Disney Skyliner station (which it shares with Disney’s Pop Century Resort), meaning you can hop on a gondola and ride over to Hollywood Studios or Epcot SUPER FAST instead of taking a bus! Learn which Disney World resorts we prefer for groups of 5 or more here! Many Guest Rooms Have Been Recently Remodeled You may also want to consider staying at Disney’s Pop Century Resort or one of Disney’s All-Stars Resorts — they have recently renovated many of their guest rooms! All Things Groovy at Pop Century Resort’s Hippy Dippy Pool For instance, all of Disney’s Pop Century Resort rooms have been completely overhauled and now feature new flooring, tiling, fixtures, giant flatscreen TVs, and all-new soft furnishings including linens and drapery! And don’t forget — it’s also a Skyliner resort like Art of Animation!! Check out our Disney Skyliner Gondola System FAQ here! Amenities Amenities at some of the value resorts might not be as high-end as Disney World’s more luxurious resorts, but they can still be pretty amazing! Like we previously mentioned — both Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort share a Disney Skyliner station, making it super convenient to access two of Disney World’s four theme parks. Other than Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, you won’t find a resort that’s comparable in price with access to Disney’s Skyliner — and keep in mind Caribbean Beach’s room rates are higher since this resort is classified as Moderate and NOT a Value! Disney Skyliner Plus, we really dig the more playful-aspect of the Value resorts! Disney is more “present” in these resorts’ guest room decor as well as each Value resorts’ pool and play area. Kiddos (and adults too!) really seem to get a kick out of seeing larger than life representations of their favorite Disney characters, toys, musical instruments, and other crazy things sprinkled throughout the Values’ buildings and courtyards! Plus these resorts are just SO fun and colorful! Disney’s Art of Animation Resort The style of Disney World’s higher-end Moderate and Deluxe resorts skews a bit quieter and subdued. Their guest rooms and courtyards aren’t as flashy while their decor tends to only have a hint of Disney. Who knows — you might prefer being surrounded by the bigger ‘n bolder Disney stuff at one of the Value resorts because it will remind you you’re on a vacation AT Disney World! Read 8 more reasons why you should consider staying at a Disney World value resort instead here! Going Straight For a Value Resort Without Considering Other Options Wait, didn’t we just say the opposite? But it’s true; you have to carefully weigh out ALL of your options and sometimes the best way to do this involves a little reverse engineering! Luna Park Pool at Disney’s Boardwalk That means taking a deep dive into what you’re expecting to get out of your trip to Disney World! This could equal spending a little bit more money on your room if you really want swankier Disney digs! Higher Quality Vacation Experience You know yourself better than we do — maybe a Value resort just doesn’t fit with your vision of what your vacation should be. As fun as Value resorts can be, you might need something less economical to be reminded you’re on a magical Disney vacation! We’re talking maximum relaxation in Disney World’s more opulent settings! Disney’s Polynesian Resort That’s why a Moderate or Deluxe resort might actually be best for you. You’ll find more amenities such as work-out facilities, more diverse and high-end dining options, business centers, and even salons and spas at some Deluxe hotels. Many of Disney World’s Deluxe properties are also closer to the parks, making them ideal if you’re hoping to avoid extended travel-times! Click here to see more things you didn’t know your Disney World hotel could do for you! Better Location Instead of hopping on a bus, you can get right over to Magic Kingdom via the Monorail if you’re staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, or Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort! And from Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, you can take a boat directly to Magic Kingdom! Disney’s Contemporary Resort with Monorail Access to Magic Kingdom and Epcot And don’t forget about the Epcot area resorts which include Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. You’ll be able to walk over to Epcot AND Hollywood Studios from all three of these resorts — or take a ferry boat as well! Cresent Lake Ferry Boat PLUS you’ll even have access to the International Gateway Skyliner station located in Epcot, giving you even MORE options to get to the parks! Want to know our favorite Disney World hotel secrets? Click here! More Restaurants and Variety While the Value resorts have great food courts, Disney World’s Moderate and Deluxe resorts often offer the best range of dining options. Texas Wild Boar with Elote and Salsa Verde at Victoria and Albert’s Restaurant in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Many Moderates and Deluxes have grab-n-go options for convenience while also providing a sit-down dining option, lounges or bars, and more. Some even have their own character meals, signature (meaning FANCY!) dining, and room service! Click here to see some of our favorite meals from the Disney World hotels The Determining Factor Here’s the thing: some people swear by Disney World’s Value resorts while others feel the exact opposite. The choice is ultimately yours to make! Grand Floridian Lobby If you think you’ll have a better trip at a Moderate or a Deluxe resort, don’t let your friends’ advice stop you from booking one of these options. Do what feels right for YOUR family. How to Make It Work With Your Budget If you’d like to stay at a pricier resort but having a hard time justifying cost, consider trimming a few days off of your itinerary to make staying at a Moderate or Deluxe more affordable! Not only will you be saving money on your room by staying fewer nights, but you won’t have to worry about purchasing extra food, park tickets, or additional parking costs if you’re bringing a car! Disney’s Riviera Resort That’s savings that can really add up quickly — which you can THEN apply to a nicer resort! Of course, the trade-off is you’ll have less time to spend at Disney World, but if staying at a pricier resort is a must-do for you it’s an option worth considering! Click here to figuring out if you’re choosing the right Disney World resort! Not Thinking About Transportation and Proximity Going off of what we’ve already mentioned a few times, you might really be surprised by the importance of your resort’s location. It could be the deciding factor for your whole vacation experience! Art of Animation Entrance If you’re planning on spending A LOT of your trip at a certain park, staying at a nearby hotel might be smart for your family. Click here to check out all of the transportation options Disney World has to offer! Stay Closer to Where You Want to Spend the Most Time Earlier we mentioned Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, along with Disney’s Riviera Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, have access to Disney’s Skyliner — and therefore Hollywood Studios and Epcot are just a short ride away. This makes travel to these two parks SUPER convenient, but this also means their buses to Epcot and Hollywood Studios run less frequently. This is something to consider if you have a fear of riding the Skyliner — you might have VERY limited bus access to those two parks! Art of Animation Skyliner If Magic Kingdom is your MUST-DO park and you plan to spend a good chunk of time there, the (pricier) Monorail resorts might be worth it to your family. Plus, these resorts often offer views of the Magic Kingdom and Seven Seas Lagoon, if you want to feel right next to the magic. Magic Kingdom Fireworks From Disney’s Contemporary Resort And like we said before, Epcot’s resorts are awesome because you can literally walk to Epcot or Hollywood Studios from Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. If you’re looking forward to spending a lot of time at one of Epcot’s annual festivals, these resorts have an optimal location so you can pop into Epcot as you please! Check out some Skyliner tips only the Disney World pros know here! We hope we helped you make a little more sense out of the tough decision you’ll be making soon and as always, we’re here to help you every step of the way! Which Disney World resort are you thinking about staying at? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: The BEST 32 Disney World Snacks You’ll ONLY Find at the HOTELS! The BIGGEST Time Wasters in Disney World — And How To Avoid Them! When Does Disney World Start Putting Up Its Christmas Decorations? View the full article

Legoland has received permission from local governments to reopen as soon as June 1, but its plans still must be approved by state regulators, according to a report in The Ledger. View the full article

Have you ever wondered why some people have it waaay better at Disney World? Is it MAGIC? It’s Mickey! No, friends — it’s because some people are privy to a little expert knowledge you might not know about! But that’s why you’ve got pros like us in your corner! You see, we’re all about helping you simplify your Disney World vacation so that you and your family can have the best time EV-AH! Let’s explore a few little changes that could have a big impact on your enjoyment! Don’t Wait Until The Last Minute to Buy Your Souvenirs A lot of folks wait until the last day of their trip to buy keepsakes, but that’s often a bad idea! Many of the Disney parks’ items are exclusive AND super-popular — meaning they have a pesky little way of selling out! Rose Gold Minnie Ears But it’s not just that — not every store carries the same stuff! You might be heading to Disney Springs on your last day and hitting up World of Disney thinking they’ve got it all, but some items are truly unique and only sold inside the parks at certain spots! So if you see it, snag it! (I once passed up a Flower and Garden Dooney and Bourke Bag at Epcot, and it STILL haunts me to THIS day!) 2020 Flower and Garden Festival Don’t want to carry those Starbucks Mugs, Minnie Ears, or apparel that you purchased at the parks around with you all day? Have it sent back to your resort! If you’re staying on-property, any gift shop can send your merchandise directly back to your hotel’s main gift shop. That way you DON’T have to haul it around with you and you can usually pick it up the very next day! If You Don’t Like Your Room You Can Ask to Switch Speaking of hotels, not all guest rooms are created equal. Some might have a different layout than you’re used to if you’ve stayed at that resort before. Or maybe you got saddled with a view of the pool when what you really wanted was a lagoon-view room instead. No matter what the case may be, if your guest room isn’t doing it for you, our advice is to ask for a swap. This is also a great way to get closer to the elevators because in most cases rooms at the END of the hall with a loooong walk are usually an even-trade with ones that are more centrally located. (But, naturally, if you want to upgrade to a better room [say you want a king-size bed instead] you may have to pay the extra cost.) Keep in mind most guests can make a general room request when they do online check-in, so be sure to check. Your hotel might not be able to accommodate a room change if space is limited, but it never hurts to ask! Always Know When Your FastPass Booking Window Opens Many of the most popular rides at Disney World book up FAST! That’s why it’s important to know when your FastPass window opens up. This happens 60 days out from the first day of your arrival if you’re staying at a Disney World or select Good Neighbor hotel OR 30 days out for everyone else. You can begin booking at 7AM EST sharp! Rock N Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios If you’re like us, you might be making your reservations several months in advance, but always set a reminder (or mark it with a BIG red magic marker on your calendar) so that you don’t forget to make those FastPasses on the very first day of your booking window! Click here to see some of our BEST tips for booking FastPasses! Don’t Take a Bus If You’re Running Late to Your Reservation It’s easy to get caught up in your room (or oversleep!) and forget you have a FastPass or dining reservation starting in 30 minutes. You might be tempted to hop on a bus with the hopes you’ll make it there in time, but there are plenty of other options, too! You Probably Want to Avoid Taking a Boat, Too! Remember — buses only run every 10 or 20 minutes or so from the resorts to the parks at the busiest times of day (morning and evenings). Midday you might be waiting even longer! If you just missed the last bus, you could be in for a long wait and miss your reservation. That’s why we recommend calling a Minnie Van or using a Ride Share service (or call a taxi!). Minnie Van You WILL have to pay out of pocket for this option, but you won’t have to worry about waiting for a bus and you’ll probably get to your destination a lot more quickly. And for the chronically-running-late, Disney typically offers a grace period (usually about 15 minutes for FastPasses and dining reservations), but still, we wouldn’t want you to chance it! Click here to learn more about Minnie Vans in Disney World! Ride Seats Matter Did you know your ride experience may vary depending on where you sit? If you’re seeking “maximum thrills,” ask the boarding Cast Member if you can sit in the very last row of coaster-type rides such as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or Slinky Dog Dash. You’ll get whipped around like a ragdoll — which our kids happen to REALLY enjoy! Ourselves? Maybe not quite as much! Big Thunder Mountain Learn how to “hack” 20 of Disney World’s most-popular rides here! Soarin’ can be extra-exhilarating if you ask to be seated in a row at the very tippy-top of the attraction, and don’t forget — Rise of the Resistance and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway offer unique experiences depending on where you’re seated each time! We bet you’re totally going to see some stuff you didn’t catch on your first ride through! Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Check out some of our Disney World ride hack video here to learn more of these juicy little secrets! Did you know there are actually TWO different versions of Rise of the Resistance?! See which one we like better here! Don’t Rule Out Disney World’s Value Resorts Disney’s most inexpensive resorts, known as the Value resorts, don’t get the credit they deserve sometimes! A lot of people dismiss them because they associate “value” with “economy,” but in actuality, there are some pretty great options out there when it comes to Disney World’s value resorts. Art of Animation Ink and Paint Shop Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort are two of our favorites. Pop Century recently remodeled its rooms and both resorts are on Disney’s Skyliner line with access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios! Disney’s Skyliner Disney’s Art of Animation Resort also offers family suites. These rooms have separate sleeping quarters for parents, PLUS two bathrooms to get park-ready in! For all that extra space at the same price as a higher-end moderate resort, it’s definitely worth considering! Cars Building at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Several of the All-Stars Resorts have also recently renovated some of their rooms (which you can ask for when you book!). While value resorts might not be for everyone, they’re awesome for folks who are planning on spending more of their time at the parks anyway. They have great food courts, themed-play areas, and over-the-top pools, too! Click Here For More Reasons Why You Should Consider A Value Resort in Disney World Plan to Visit Around Disney World’s Busier Times but Not DURING Them You’ve probably heard some horror stories about the crowd levels at Disney World (or seen them televised!) around Christmastime, but that shouldn’t scare you away from a winter trip to Disney World! Christmas at Epcot The holiday “transformation” in Disney World typically starts to happen almost immediately after Halloween. Sure, all of the special festivals and events might not be happening quite yet, but you can still see a lot of the Christmas decorations and even enjoy some of the special holiday treats that begin arriving as early as November 2nd! And believe it or not, Halloween season in Disney World normally kicks off as early as mid-August, meaning you can celebrate with Mickey and his friends way before the throngs of people begin to flood in! Click here to see what visiting Disney World in November is like! Always Aim for the Second Parade or Show A lot of people who have spent a long, full day at the parks will try to hit the first evening show or parade so that they can file out immediately afterward, but that doesn’t mean you have to! We prefer to ride attractions (which usually have a shorter wait time) during the first show. Then once the park begins to empty out a little, we walk right up and catch the second show without a lengthy wait. Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Yup! On less crowded days, we’ve often found a good spot just a few minutes before the show started without having to secure it an hour+ in advance. Of course, if you want a really, REALLY good spot because parades are one of the most important parts of your trip, it wouldn’t hurt to stake your claim a little early — just in case! We’re just saying the “you-must-secure-your-fireworks-or-parade-spot-one-hour-in-advance” rule isn’t really ALWAYS a thing! And there you have it! More pearls of wisdom from some classy Disney dames who are always happy to dish out a little expert advice! Which of our tips was the most helpful for you? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: The BIGGEST Time Wasters in Disney World — And How To Avoid Them! Disney World Vacation Hacks the Pros SWEAR By 6 Tips for Planning a Disney World Trip During Hurricane Season View the full article

A Florida beach has once again climbed to the top of the annual Dr. Beach Top 10 beaches in the U.S. list. For 2020, it's Grayton Beach State Park in the panhandle. View the full article

Welcome back to Disney World! Disney Springs began a phased reopening today, May 20th. Disney Springs We have been taking you around Disney Springs to see the new safety procedures and how they affect guests’ shopping and dining experiences. We’re walking you step-by-step through a post-closure Disney Springs and going over exactly how your visit could look much different than your previous trips. Entering Disney Springs To control crowds and provide a more streamlined entry process, Disney Springs is limiting entrances and establishing additional safety procedures for guests. Hours and Limited Capacity Disney Springs is currently open from 10AM to 10PM. Disney Springs However, Disney Springs is limiting the number of people visiting the property, stores, and restaurants. Once the designated parking garages (Lime and Orange) are full, guests are not allowed to park and enter Disney Springs. Orange Garage That means, even guests with dining reservations at a Disney Springs restaurant will not be allowed in. But, cancellation fees for these reservations will be waived for guests unable to enter due to limited capacity. Parking All of the surface-level lots are currently closed so guests may self-park (no valet available at this time!) in the Orange and Lime garages. We were told that the Orange garage would be filled first, and we were able to choose our parking spot since there were no Cast Members directing traffic within the garage. Orange Garage But there were Cast Members inside the garage welcoming back guests! We also spotted distancing markers, warning signs, and hand sanitizer stations throughout the garage. Warning Sign We arrived early (before Disney Springs officially opened at 10 AM), so we didn’t have any issue finding a parking space. Really…NO trouble. Parking Lot Now, let’s take a look at actually entering Disney Springs! Check out more details about the health protocols at Disney Springs here! Entrances Guests are only permitted to enter Disney Springs from the following four locations: Orange garage, Lime garage, the Hotel Plaza Boulevard Pedestrian Bridge, and the rideshare location. Disney Springs Guests aren’t allowed to enter until they’ve completed a temperature screening. Masks Are Required Guests ages three years and older and employees are required to wear masks. These masks must cover your mouth and nose at all times, except when you are seated at a dining table. Required Measures sign Guests are required to bring their own face masks. Let’s say it one more time: no mask = no entry. If you want pack an extra! Better to be prepared than to make it all the way to Disney Springs and realize you can’t go inside because you dropped your mask while getting in your car. Check out everything you need to know about wearing a mask in Disney! Temperature Checks Guests, Cast Members, vendors, and other employees are all required to have their temperatures checked prior to entering Disney Springs. Temperature Screening Temperature check stations are located at the second-floor exits of the Orange and Lime parking garages and the Marketplace Entrance (for guests from the Hotel Plaza Boulevard Pedestrian Bridge and rideshare drop-off). Advent Health Signage The temperature checks were completed with touchless forehead thermometers. Any guests who test 100.4 degrees or higher will be directed to a tent where they were allowed to cool off and rest for a few moments before attempting one more screening. If they test above the maximum accepted temperature again, their entire party will be required to leave. New Protocols to Enter Disney Springs The temperature check process only took a few seconds for us once we made it to the front of the line and the friendly employees completing the screenings made us feel at ease! Check out our full experience with temperature checks here! Open Dining Locations Disney Springs reopened with select third-party dining locations — you can find a full list of available restaurants here! STK Click on each location below to check out our full experience at the reopening! 4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza Chicken Guy! Earl of Sandwich Erin McKenna’s Bakery Frontera Cocina Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company Starbucks Coffee STK Orlando The Boathouse The Polite Pig Wine Bar George Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill You can check out our FULL dining experience — all in one place — here! Reservations Before Disney Springs reopened, we were able to make dining reservations through OpenTable and individual restaurants’ websites. Wolfgang Puck And if you’re planning on eating at a table-service location, we recommend trying for a reservation first — otherwise, you could find yourself with a bit of a wait. When we arrived at Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, there was an hour wait for walk-in guests. Tips For Dining in Reopened Disney Springs In addition to making a reservation, we picked up a few more dining tips as well. Make sure to keep an eye out for social distancing markers at quick-service dining locations, or anywhere else you might run into a queue. Distance Markers at YeSake Certain locations, like Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC, only allow one group inside at a time. So be careful to read signs, ask Cast Members if you have questions, and know that each location is operating a little differently. Also, keep in mind that not all dining locations are reopened yet! We spotted signage for House of Blues and The Smokehouse indicating they’ll be back soon. House of Blues Opening Soon Sign Also, you might want to bring a few items along with you for your dining experience. If you’d like to sanitize your hands immediately before you eat, be sure to bring your own bottle of hand sanitizer. And if you’d prefer to use your own pen to sign receipts, don’t forget to pack one! Eating On The Go With a Mask If you’re a fan of grab-and-go style eating, you’re in luck! We noticed that the to-go dining experiences were pretty similar to what we’re used to in Disney Springs. We saw tables and chairs placed outside dining locations that wouldn’t usually have their own designated seating. We also didn’t notice any areas where seating had been entirely removed. Sunshine Churros On our visit to Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea, we learned that guests are allowed to walk around with their food or drinks in Disney Springs. And while guests are required to wear their masks at all times, they are allowed to lower masks to take a bite or drink — then recover their faces. We put this method to the test with the brand new Welcome Drink from Starbucks! Welcome Back Drink at Starbucks So, whether you’d prefer to snag a table, or take a stroll while you enjoy your snack or beverage, both options are available! Check out a full breakdown of how to eat in Disney Springs when you’re not in a restaurant! Open Retail Locations Disney will start opening some of its Disney-owned locations on May 27th, but the following locations were open on the first day of Disney Springs’ reopening. Anthropologie American Threads Free People UNIQLO Crystal Art by Arribas Bros. Pele Soccer Pop Gallery Ron Jon Surf Shop Basin Chapel Hats Columbia Sportswear Edward Beiner Eyewear Happy Hound Lucky Brand Luxury of Time by Diamonds International Pandora Royally Yours Arribas Bros Sanuk Savannah Bee Company Sosa Family Cigars Sugarboo and Co. UGG UNOde50 Volcom Vera Bradley Zara We took a trip through Disney Springs’ open retail locations — click here to see what it was like! Tips For Shopping in Reopened Disney Springs As with dining locations, retail locations are also operating with reduced capacity. Be sure to keep an eye out for designated entrances and exits, since many locations are keeping them separate. Ugg Store Exit Only On a similar note, keep an eye out for those social distancing markers that show proper spacing! Social Distancing Marker Also, bring a non-cash form of payment, because some stores like Ron Jon Surf Shop are not accepting cash. Ron Jon Surf Shop Not Accepting Cash Payments It can be difficult to retrain ourselves to abide by these new measures, so try to be mindful on your next visit! Changes in Stores In addition to the distancing measures, designated exits and entrances, and some changes in payment methods, we also noticed signs asking guests to limit contact with merchandise. Arribas Bros. Merchandise Sign Plus, we also spotted social distancing markers and signs in front of cash registers like at Ron Jon Surf Shop. Ron Jon Surf Shop Overall, we weren’t too surprised to see the changes at retail locations, since they closely mirrored the reopened shopping at Universal’s CityWalk, but they can take some getting used to if this is your first experience. Read more about where we found masks for sale in Disney Springs! Cashless Payment Disney recommends guests use cashless payments such as debit cards, credit cards, and Disney gift cards whenever possible. Contactless payment or cash can be used to purchase gift cards at the Welcome Center and other select retail places throughout Disney Springs. Welcome Center at Disney Springs While we did find several locations that were accepting cash, some places like Ron Jon Surf Shop were not. So, we’d say plan on coming to Disney Springs with a non-cash method of payment just in case. Or, stop by the Welcome Center to buy a gift card if needed! Check out the best surprise we saw all day at Disney Springs here! Additional Cast Members to Enforce New Procedures Guest Relations Cast Members were stationed throughout Disney Springs to enforce social distancing and answer guests’ questions. Cast Members were each equipped with masks, of course. Guest Relations Cast Member One question we asked a Guest Relations Cast Member was: Are there any masks for sale within Disney Springs? And surprisingly, the only place we know of that’s selling masks (so far, at least) is Vera Bradley. Take a look at reopening from the Cast Member perspective here! Access to Hand Sanitizer We spotted hand sanitizer stations in the parking garage, at entrances to restaurants, and throughout Disney Springs. Hand Sanitizer Locations Plus, we also spotted it for sale at Basin. Basin Reopening We recommend carrying your own personal hand sanitizer so you can clean off whenever you need and don’t have to scramble to try and find a sanitizer station. Read more about our experience at the reopened Basin! Crowds While there was somewhat of a crowd when Disney Springs first reopened at 10 AM, the crowds dispersed throughout the day and were noticeably lower by mid-afternoon. Disney Springs The places where we felt the impact of the crowds the most was at dining locations. We noticed that some table-service locations had a wait for walk-in guests — like we mentioned from Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill. This was likely a combination of demand and reduced seating capacity. Wolfgang Puck And we did notice some long lines at quick-service dining spots too. Check out those people waiting for Chicken Guy! Chicken Guy! But again, outside of waits for dining locations, the crowds didn’t feel too heavy at all, especially as we were strolling around. Click here to learn more about the reopening of Chicken Guy! Overall With Disney Springs being the first U.S. Disney attraction to reopen, Disney was tasked with keeping guests safe while delivering a comfortable, enjoyable environment to dine and shop. Similar to our initial thoughts at the reopening of Universal Orlando’s CityWalk, we were very impressed by Disney’s attention to detail, the friendliness of the staff, and the flow of operations. This new system will take some getting used to for guests and Cast Members alike. However, we are encouraged to see Disney put these new health and safety measures into practice diligently while still maintaining a positive experience for their guests. You can see all of our live coverage of today’s Disney Springs reopening here! What questions do YOU have about Disney Springs’ reopening? Let us know in the comments and we will do our best to get the info to you! Related posts: You’ve NEVER Shopped in Disney World Like This Before News! Earl of Sandwich, Chicken Guy!, and Planet Hollywood in Disney Springs Share New Safety Protocols The Rubber Duckie Drink RETURNS! We’re Back at The Boathouse in Disney Springs on Reopening Day View the full article

If you’ve been following along with us today, you know we’ve been reporting live from reopening day at Disney Springs. Disney Springs We had our temperatures checked, explored the new dining protocols, and figured out how to not sweat our faces off in a mask (well, we might not have that one figured out just yet). But, in this brand new era of shopping, dining, safety protocols, and social distancing, we never thought we would see this. There were cast members stationed all throughout Disney Springs to help guide guests and answer questions. We imagine they were also there to spring into action to enforce social distancing and make sure guests were wearing their masks. But we bet their extra safety training didn’t cover how some guests would respond to the reopening. ©Bradley Kenobi What’s this you ask? Oh, it’s just a family GRILLING on the sidewalk of Disney Springs. ©Bradley Kenobi Bradley Kenobi documented the moment in utter shock stating “That moment when a family decides to start grilling hotdogs on a LIVE FLAME at Disney Springs…” ©Bradley Kenobi The family reportedly had a full case of hot dogs ready to roast up on this open flame. And apparently, you can’t get the full aroma of the barbecue with a mask on — in case you were wondering. Consider us SHOOK. Check out ALL of our coverage from Disney Springs’ reopening day here! What is the craziest thing you have witnessed on Disney property? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: The Rubber Duckie Drink RETURNS! We’re Back at The Boathouse in Disney Springs on Reopening Day News! Earl of Sandwich, Chicken Guy!, and Planet Hollywood in Disney Springs Share New Safety Protocols REVIEW! We Ate at the Reopened Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill (AND Their To-Go Counter!) in Disney World View the full article

Orlando Sentinel theme park reporter Dewayne Bevil talks from Disney Springs about the new rules in play, what is open and how visitors are embracing the new restrictions. View the full article

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We’re live from Disney Springs on its reopening day. 4 Rivers Barbacoa Food Truck We’ve taken you with us through parking, temperature checks, Frontera Cocina, Wine Bar George, The Boathouse, and more — and now we’re taking you with us to 4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck! We found the food truck parked in its normal location outside World of Disney! Line 4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa is a Food Truck, so previously, the only way for you to grab some grub was by waiting in line for your turn at the window. Here’s a look at how the line and ordering processed looked BEFORE the closures. 4R Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck Now, instead of walking up to the window to place an order, guests place their order with an employee located at a table in front of the food truck. They shifted the table/cooler right in front of the window to prevent guests from walking straight up to the kitchen. 4 Rivers Barbacoa Food Truck There were social distancing markers in the line to show guests where to stand while waiting to place their orders. Social Distancing Marker So, other than placing an order in front of the food truck and leaving extra space between parties in line, the overall queuing and ordering processes weren’t super different from before the closures. Menu As usual, the menu was listed on a large board in front of the food truck! 4 Rivers Cantina Menu In addition to the food menu, there were bottled beverages and beef jerky available for purchase. 4 Rivers Cantina The menu at the food truck listed the same options as before the closure, so not to fear — your favorites are still here! Service As with all areas of Disney Springs, face coverings were required for all guests and cast members. The cashier wasn’t wearing gloves, but there was a hand sanitizer station right in front of the ordering station. Hand Sanitizer Station This allowed guests to sanitize before and/or after completing their payment on the pin pad. Tables and Seating There were tables and chairs set up just outside of the food truck which gave guests a place to sit and enjoy their meal. There were also umbrellas over the tables for a nice bit of shade! This was a very nice added bonus. Overall Experience While there were a few differences with the ordering and queuing process, the overall the experience at the 4 Rivers food truck was fairly similar to our previous visits. You can check out our full review of 4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck from before the closures here! Check out all of our Disney Springs re-opening coverage here! How does this experience compare to your visits to food trucks? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: News! Earl of Sandwich, Chicken Guy!, and Planet Hollywood in Disney Springs Share New Safety Protocols Review: One of the BEST Disney World Restaurants to Come Home To ❤️ The Rubber Duckie Drink RETURNS! We’re Back at The Boathouse in Disney Springs on Reopening Day View the full article

It has been a day full of shopping, eating, and keeping our distance at Disney Springs’ grand reopening. Disney Springs We’ve already shared all of the retail locations that reopened in Disney Springs today, along with Disney-owned locations that will reopen next week, but now we know another opening date for a Disney Springs retail location. Today on Instagram, Sephora announced they will be reopening their Disney Springs location on May 29th. ©Sephora via Instagram The store will operate from 10AM to 8PM. Sephora’s Instagram post said “Let’s get back to beauty together!” We will continue to keep you updated as we learn of more retail locations opening in Disney Springs. For now, check out our experience shopping at the newly reopened Disney Springs here! What is your favorite Disney Springs retail location? Let us know in the comments. Related posts: The Rubber Duckie Drink RETURNS! We’re Back at The Boathouse in Disney Springs on Reopening Day Photos: We Tried Out The NEW Addition To The Polite Pig’s Menu in Disney Springs The Chicken Guy! Reopening in Disney World Had LONG LINES and New Procedures. Check Out Our Experience Here! View the full article

Disney Springs is now re-opened — with several stores and restaurants welcoming guests once again. Blaze Pizza We’ve been reporting live all day, but now we’re heading over to Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza to see if they can still crank out that super speedy pizza that we know and love! Line Walking up to Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza today, the building looked about the same as we remembered it! Blaze Pizza There is now a waiting area off to the side where guests can wait safely before entering. Markers on the ground indicate where each group should stand. Outdoor Line Since the restaurant wasn’t too crowded, we were able to walk right in. A greeter was on hand to manage the flow of guests. All employees were wearing masks, gloves, hats, and orange aprons — making them easily recognizable. Blaze Pizza Line We jumped on a little flame and waited our turn. Placing an Order Only a certain number of guests were permitted to approach the counter and build their pizza at a time. This area was designated with bright orange tape on the ground. To us, the “X” pattern on the floor seemed to indicate guests should stand further back from the counter. If so, Blaze might need to clarify this new safety protocol for their guests. Placing an Order at Blaze Pizza The glass sneeze guard that runs the entire length of Blaze Pizza’s counter has always been there, so we didn’t notice many modifications to their line. Blaze Pizza We also noticed Blaze Pizza didn’t make any menu cuts like we saw with some other Disney Springs restaurants. At the time we visited, all of their pizza options were available. They were also still operating their Fast Fire’d Pick-Up Station for mobile orders, but they had moved the station outside! Pick Up Station at Blaze Pizza This is super-handy for folks who want to take their pizza to-go without having to step foot inside! Check out this insanely-fast way to get a Blaze pizza (while using contactless payment!) HERE! Tables and Seating Instead of removing tables, Blaze marked off every other table with a “please choose another table” sign. Blaze Pizza The signs are located on tables both inside and outside of the restaurant. Plus — their message gave us a little chuckle. Blaze Pizza Guests are free to choose their own seats from the tables without warning signs. Overall Experience We were happy to see Blaze Pizza adjusting to their updated operations while making their guests and employees feel safe and comfortable. Guests just might need a little more direction when it comes to the ordering line. Before your next visit, find out how Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza stacks up against its Disney Springs neighbor, Pizza Ponte here! Check out ALL of our Disney Springs reopening coverage here! Would you visit a fast food location with these protocols in place? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Photos: We Tried Out The NEW Addition To The Polite Pig’s Menu in Disney Springs The Chicken Guy! Reopening in Disney World Had LONG LINES and New Procedures. Check Out Our Experience Here! News! Earl of Sandwich, Chicken Guy!, and Planet Hollywood in Disney Springs Share New Safety Protocols View the full article

Disney Springs has started its phased reopening today, with select third-party restaurant and retail locations welcoming back guests. Earl of Sandwich Disney Springs has started to reopen with additional health and safety measures in place. And, while not all locations have resumed operations, Earl of Sandwich has officially reopened. Our team headed out to get a feel for how things are going around Disney Springs — so, let’s take a peek inside Earl of Sandwich! Last week, we learned that Earl of Sandwich would be reopening their doors on May 20th. So, we stopped by to see how things look inside one of our favorite sandwich shops. Much of these protocols were present at other counter service dining locations. Our first encounter with Earl included ground markers outside in case they needed to start an outdoor queue, but we were able to head right inside! Earl of Sandwich Menu Like other Disney Springs dining locations, Earl of Sandwich implemented disposable paper menus. Earl of Sandwich Menu Their menu looked largely the same with many of our favorites available for purchase! Their disposable menus also provided information about what your Disney Dining Plan credits would get you. Earl of Sandwich Menu Service Like other locations today at Disney Springs, floor markers were present to remind guests to stand six feet apart while in line. Earl of Sandwich We saw employees wearing masks as well as gloves. Similar to our experience at Chicken Guy!, guests were not allowed to approach the counter where you would normally grab cup lids, napkins, and utensils. An employee was ready to grab whatever you needed for you! Earl of Sandwich This included filling and refilling whatever fountain drinks you need. Earl of Sandwich There was hand sanitizer ready and available for customers to use. Earl of Sandwich Like other dining locations, indoor, as well as outdoor tables, were spread out to meet physical distancing guidelines. Earl of Sandwich Eats (or rather, drinks!) Obviously, we had to give something a try while we visited Earl! We picked up the new-to-us Chocolatti beverage, which is blended Ghirardelli chocolate topped with sea salt, whipped cream, and chocolate sprinkles. Essentially a chocolate lover’s dream, or so we thought! Chocolatti While we found the drink to be a cool and refreshing sip on a hot Florida afternoon, we wished the chocolate flavor was more pronounced. Especially when you include Ghirardelli as your main ingredient, we want to taste ALL that chocolatey goodness! Chocolatti at Earl of Sandwich Payment The plexiglass screen guards were present at the registers for Earl of Sandwich. Other than that, the payment process was very familiar and not as out of the ordinary to us. At this time, they are still accepting cash as a method of payment. Earl of Sandwich Overall Experience As a long-standing Disney Springs staple, Earl of Sandwich is back and in full swing! We noticed many similar protocols to other counter service dining locations throughout Disney Springs. See what it’s like to eat and drink throughout Disney Springs here! What is your favorite menu item at Earl of Sandwich? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Have A Royal Banquet with the NEW “Earl’s Feast” in Disney Springs! NEWS: Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC to Reopen in Disney Springs on May 20th News! Earl of Sandwich Is Opening With Disney Springs on May 20th! View the full article

Today we have been in Disney Springs exploring not only the restaurants and shops, but also observing the new safety measures put in place as Walt Disney’s World’s shopping and dining district begins its phased reopening today. Balloons in Disney Springs Today New measures include — but are not limited to — required face coverings, physical distancing markers, and temperature checks. Along with the new measures, there are certain establishments and experiences in Disney Springs that are not open to guests at this time. These include Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and cake decorating at Amorette’s Patissiere, and entertainment venues like THE VOID and the NBA Experience. Additionally, standalone bars are not open. The BOATHOUSE Bar You may think that means you can’t get a drink outside of table service restaurants like Wine Bar George or The BOATHOUSE. But we are letting you know about the places that you can get a drink to go at walk-up counters in various locations around Disney Springs. You’re welcome. There are a few table service restaurants that already previously offered walk-up windows where you could purchase alcoholic beverages, and they still do. These include Frontera Cocina, Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, and The Basket at Wine Bar George. Frontera Cocina Drink To Go At Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, they did not previously serve cocktails at the walk-up window — just frozen drinks. But for the time being, a bartender from inside can create cocktails for walk-up guests. Wolfgang Puck To Go The BOATHOUSE does not typically host a walk-up window. However, because they cannot host a bar right now, we found that they will make you a drink to go. The Boathouse Reopening Interior (You just can’t take the glass from the cute DUCK Drink.) Duck Duck Razz at THE BOATHOUSE There are even places you may not typically expect to find alcoholic beverages, but you still can. For instance, did you know Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company serves alcoholic options? Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company They did previously, and continue to now. The YeSake kiosk — which is only walk-up service, as per usual — also serves beverages such as Frozen Beer. Distance Markers at YeSake Other counter service locations that serve alcohol that are currently open include The Polite Pig, and a small selection of beer is served at the 4R Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck, and Chicken Guy! (which also serves wine). The Polite Pig Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza is open as well. Additional table service locations currently open (without walk-up windows, but you can still grab a bite or drink while there) include Planet Hollywood, Paradiso 37, STK Orlando, and T-REX. Line Outside T-REX Remember, you are allowed to sip (and eat!) and stroll around Disney Springs when you can carry away your items, and you can read more about that here. To find out more about the new safety measures in Disney Springs, you can click here. And to read more about the current status of Disney Resorts and parks around the world, you may visit any of the links below. Are you following along with the reopening of Disney Springs? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: What’s NEW At Disney Springs? A WHOLE LOT! Check it out…. NEWS!! All the Treats for WonderFall Flavors at Disney Springs Announced What It’s Like to Eat and Drink in Disney Springs When You’re NOT in a Restaurant View the full article

Disney Springs began a phased reopening on May 20th, and we stopped by to check it out. The Polite Pig Disney Springs began reopening with additional health and safety measures. While not all locations chose to resume operations immediately, The Polite Pig is one of the third-party restaurants that reopened with Disney Springs. So, we stopped by on our visit to Disney Springs to see what it looked like on its first day back in operation. Menu Polite Pig is still using the same overhead digital menu as before in addition to one posted outside. Polite Pig Menu Or you can grab your phone and scan to view the menu from the contactless menu QR code! Polite Pig Menu The restaurant had decals on the floor letting guests know where to stand. Once you wait your turn, you order at the register like normal. Polite Pig The Polite Pig installed plexiglass dividers to protects guests and cast members, but we were able to pay with a card using the pin pad. Polite Pig Ordering The Polite Pig is still offering an extensive menu and even added a new Pork Rinds option. We confirmed with a couple of cast members that Polite Pig is not selling Gideon’s Bakehouse cookies at this time because Gideon’s is still limiting their production. We will for sure keep you posted on this. Seating Polite Pig is still seat yourself, but the seating appeared to be spaced a little further apart than we have seen in the past. There were no signs denoting that any tables were off-limits, so we picked a table and waited for our food. The Polite Pig The Polite Pig Tables remain equipped with paper towel holders and we admit — we used some hand sanitizer before and after out of respect for ourselves and the next guests. Polite Pig Paper Towels on Table Polite Pig gave us a buzzer with a number for our server to find us once the food was ready. Service Face coverings are required for all guests and cast members in Disney Springs and Polite Pig was no exception. Each cast member was wearing a mask and they even had their own branded Polite Pig masks. Cast members at the front were wiping down high-traffic areas like poles and railings after guests passed by. Polite Pig Sauces are still available, but they are no longer help yourself. You’ll need to let your server know what you want and they will grab it for you. Polite Pig Sauce Bar Closed Our server delivered our food with a smile — and gloves! Polite Pig Then, it was time to chow down. Food We tried out the new Pork Rinds — for science! And it’s the Polite Pig, after all, so we tried some crispy pig skins…to be polite! They were served with a pimento dipping sauce. Pork rinds with a sauce was an interesting concept, but hey — we love a good sauce. Polite Pig The rinds themselves weren’t spicy, but the pimento sauce has a kick. Rind and spice lovers, this may be your new jam. Drinks The Polite Pig Bar was closed, but the soft-serve beverage station was still self-serve. There was a small divider between the stations to help limit contact between parties. Polite Pig Sauce Bar Closed Overall Experience Our experience at Polite Pig was very similar to our past visits. Sure, there were extra dividers and we needed our server’s help to grab sauces, but the overall process was familiar. We appreciated the servers using gloves and cast members sanitizing high traffic areas. But we probably could have done without the paper towels on the table and –although they were tasty — the pork rinds didn’t come close to beating out the killer corn! Click here to see even more Disney Springs restaurants on reopening day! Have you eaten at The Polite Pig? Share your experience in the comments! Related posts: The Chicken Guy! Reopening in Disney World Had LONG LINES and New Procedures. Check Out Our Experience Here! News! Earl of Sandwich, Chicken Guy!, and Planet Hollywood in Disney Springs Share New Safety Protocols The Rubber Duckie Drink RETURNS! We’re Back at The Boathouse in Disney Springs on Reopening Day View the full article

It has been a day. We have been taking you all around Disney Springs on its re-opening day. Wolfgang Puck Now we’re heading to Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill to see how they modified their restaurant with new health and safety protocols. Care to join us (virtually) for lunch? Reservations Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill re-opened to guests today at noon. We snagged a reservation from OpenTable, but you can also make a reservation on the Wolfgang Puck website. While they were accepting walk-in guests, the wait was between 45 minutes and an hour for parties of two (with an even longer wait for larger groups) without reservations when we arrived at 12:30PM. Wolfgang Puck The wait seemed to be partially due to demand, and partially due to the reduced seating, with the table spaced farther apart to allow customers to distance. Seating Speaking of seating, the tables were spaced noticeably farther apart than before the closure. For reference, here’s an idea of the seating the last time we visited the restaurant. Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill interior In contrast, the tables in the center of the restaurant are now spaced farther apart, and some tables were purposely left empty in order to allow guests to distance. Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill Here’s a closer look at one of the empty tables with a sign indicating that it was to remain vacant. Empty Table at Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill The seating was noticeably reduced, and we had no trouble maintaining our distance from other guests with the restaurant layout. Menu We were given disposable paper menus, and there are a limited number of items available. Despite the reduced selection, there were still several appetizers, salads, pizzas, burgers, entrees, sides, and desserts for guests to choose from. Wolfgang Puck Menu Instead of offering both a lunch and dinner menu, there are currently offering one all-day menu. Here’s a look at the drinks that were available on the menu as well. Wolfgang Puck Menu Our server informed us that since many of the menu items are similar to their typical dinner offerings, they have started serving more lunch options at the Grab and Go window outside, which has also reopened (more on that later!). Service There were a number of health measures followed by all of the restaurant staff, including heightened cleaning, sanitizer available at all bussing stations, the sanitization of pens between uses, handwashing required anytime a team member enters the kitchen, and the use of gloves. Wolfgang Puck Our server also informed us that the staff came in on Monday for safety training and arrived early today to rearrange the tables. All of the food runners were wearing gloves, and any servers who deliver food must change gloves and wash their hands before and after dropping off the plates. Food Our server said the Bruschetta is the best-selling appetizer on the menu, so we decided to give it a try. And wow, we’re glad we did — it was SO GOOD! Bruschetta The bread was perfectly crispy, and the veggies on top were super fresh. It reminded us of a Caprese salad on top of fresh bread, and we would definitely order this delicious appetizer again! To-Go Options As mentioned earlier, the to-go window also reopened with grab-and-go options. In addition to lunch and snack items, guests can also order drinks at the to-go window, prepared by a bartender from the restaurant. Wolfgang Puck We grabbed the Kakamora’s Dart Cocktail, themed for Moana. It was a blend of Plantation Pineapple Rum, Malibu Coconut Rum, and Lime. We really enjoyed this drink — it was refreshing, and not overly sweet like some tropical cocktails can be. Kakamora’s Dart Cocktail We also tried a few desserts! The Salted Caramel Banana Pudding was soooo good! The banana pudding was super creamy with big chunks of banana and vanilla wafers, topped with a scoop of salted caramel gelato. We’ll definitely grab this again the next time we’re in Disney Springs! Salted Caramel Banana Pudding And the Reese’s Cookie was also a winner! It might sound a little basic, but this huge, soft peanut butter and chocolate chunk cookie was stuffed with Reese’s Pieces making it the ultimate blend of dessert flavors. Reese’s Cookie One thing to note if you’re grabbing something from the to-go window — the seating options are super limited. The seating here was always sparse, and now that the tables are extra spread out and reduced, it can be tough to find a spot! Wolfgang Puck Seating But they do have signs indicating the seating is reserved for Wolfgang Puck guests at least! So if you see a table you’d like, ask a host if you can sit there. Overall Experience While things were definitely a little different than our last visit, we had a positive experience on our visit today. The food both inside the restaurant and at the to-go window was incredible, the staff was super friendly and helpful, and we had plenty of room to enjoy our eats. Wolfgang Puck To Go Just keep in mind that there was a pretty long wait for walk-in guests, so try to grab a reservation if you’re looking to eat inside the restaurant anytime soon! For an even more detailed comparison, you can check out our full review of Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill from before the closures here! Check out our live coverage from Disney Springs here! What do you think of Wolfgang Puck’s new dining experience? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Review: One of the BEST Disney World Restaurants to Come Home To ❤️ The Rubber Duckie Drink RETURNS! We’re Back at The Boathouse in Disney Springs on Reopening Day News! Earl of Sandwich, Chicken Guy!, and Planet Hollywood in Disney Springs Share New Safety Protocols View the full article