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Disney Springs is set to begin a phased reopening on May 20th and we’ve been keeping track of all the restaurants and stores that will be opening that day! Basin There are several third-party locations opening on May 20th, though Disney-owned stores won’t be opening until the following week. Today, we heard from Basin that their Disney Springs location WILL be opening the same day as the complex! Basin is a fan-favorite store in Disney Springs thanks to its super cute and fun bath and body products. Plus, they’re all-natural! Basin Soap The in-store experience at Basin is typically very hands-on, so we’re interested to see what sort of changes this location will have with the new health measures. After all, Basin is a soap store and there is a significant focus on hand-washing right now. Basin We are updating our list of restaurants and shops that are reopening for May 20th. Keep checking back at DFB for our complete coverage of the reopening of Disney Springs this Wednesday. Click here to see the full list of reopening stores, click here! Will you be headed to Disney Springs when it reopens on Wednesday? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: What’s New in Disney Springs — Halloween Cakes, Construction Updates, and Galaxy’s Edge Merch! NEWS: Anthropologie Will Be Reopening at Disney Springs in Disney World on May 20th Confirmed: Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company Will Be Reopening in Disney Springs on May 20th View the full article

The current global health crisis has lead to a rolling pattern of cancellations across Disney’s vacation offerings. ©Disney Now, we’ve started to see some signs of life from Disney’s travel sector with the reopening of Shanghai Disneyland last week and the upcoming reopening of Disney Springs on May 20th. Still, new cancellations are being announced. We recently reported that Adventures by Disney was cancelling some departures into July, and now those suspensions have been extended further. Until now, Adventures by Disney had canceled all trips through June and many into July. Now, all Adventures by Disney departures have been canceled through July 31st. ©Disney Disney reminds all affected guests that they may either receive a full refund or transfer the cost of their trip to another Adventures by Disney departure in the future. Guests with canceled trips can also go ahead and book 2021 Adventures by Disney trips at the present time. Culinary Port Adventure ©Disney Anyone affected by the new round of July cancellations should receive an email from Disney, so if this is you, be on the lookout for that communication! Click here to read the last round of Adventures by Disney cancellations. Was your vacation affected by these cancellations? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: Adventures by Disney Has Suspended Most Departures Through the End of June Adventures by Disney Has Extended Their 100% Cancellation Credit Offer Through July NEWS! Disney Cruise Line Has Canceled MORE Sailings Into July View the full article

You really can’t go wrong with a classic. And who could be more classic than Minnie Mouse?! Minnie Loungefly Mini We always love checking out the ever-changing array of Loungefly mini backpacks featuring fun designs giving nods to Disney characters, park attractions, and more. And among the huge selection, you’ll often find a colorful tribute to Minnie Mouse… which we think is always a solid choice! The newest options — which are available now on shopDisney.com — include a Minnie Mouse mini backpack that’s simply sparkling with a rainbow of pastel sequins for $90.00. ©shopDisney ©shopDisney The pastel sequined rainbow Minnie Mouse wristlet ($40.00) is shaped like the full size “mini backpack,” but the smaller wristlet design also includes a detachable wrist strap. ©shopDisney ©shopDisney You can find each of the new options on shopDisney.com! And guess what? These aren’t the only fun Loungefly finds today. You can check out a celebratory selection of Fourth of July merchandise — including a red, white and blue Loungefly Minnie backpack and MUCH more — right here! Are you a fan of Loungefly backpacks? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: Check This Out! Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction Collection Will Include Special Items For Pin Collectors! Minnie Mouse Fans NEED to See These New “Positively Minnie” Accessories! Next Stop: WONDERLAND! Disney’s New Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction Series Launches Online THIS WEEKEND! View the full article

As of last week, Disney Cruise Line has suspended cruises through July 27th for the fleet of four ships. These cancellations are made to promote guest and crew safety in light of the current global situation and in response to an extension of the “No Sail Order” issued for cruise ships by the CDC. Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Dream That said, we’re also looking towards the future of the cruising industry, not only surrounding the Disney Cruise Line fleet but also other cruise lines as they consider moving forward. An article by cruisecritic.com sheds some light on a popular aspect of cruising: buffet dining. Guests who have sailed with Disney Cruise Line will be familiar with Cabanas — the restaurant which offers buffet service for breakfast and lunch on all four ships. Cabanas Buffet The Royal Caribbean cruise line also has a buffet restaurant called Windjammer on its ships. And in a recent “Coffee Chat” conference call — according to cruisecritic.com — the status of traditional buffet service upon the return to sailing was discussed by Royal Caribbean executives. Royal Caribbean’s CEO Michael Bayley spoke to changes that might be implemented with regards to safety and hygiene, and is quoted: “I think in the beginning, there will not be a buffet…that’s how I see it. We will utilize the space, we will utilize the Windjammer, but in all probability, it won’t be a classical buffet. It will be something more akin to a restaurant.” Cabanas Buffet Bayley is also quoted as saying: “I think the key focus on dining is making sure that our guests have plenty of choices. That choice has to be put through the lens of distancing, and safety and health.” Additionally, travelpulse.com noted that Royal Caribbean is working with the CDC on enhanced safety measures to protect guests and crew. Earlier this month, Disney CEO Bob Chapek spoke to the status of Disney Cruise Line, commenting that cruises will probably be the last of the company’s travel oriented businesses to come back online. You can read more about that here. Sources: CruiseCritic.com and travelpulse.com We’ll continue to keep you posted on the status of Disney Cruise Line and Disney parks on land around the globe. In the meantime, you can visit any of the links below to learn more. What are your thoughts on possible changes to buffet dining? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: You Have to Try One of Our FAVE Disney Cruise Line Snack Hacks! NEWS! Outbreak Concerns Change Policies for Disney Cruise Line Disney Cruise Line Has Changed Their Payment Policy For Summer 2020 Bookings View the full article

We are spending tons of time at home these days. With the weather improving, why not take the action outside and enjoy the sunshine? What better yard to escape to than Disney’s Technicolor Dream House? ©Better Homes and Gardens Your backyard has some huge potential when it comes to keeping the family busy! Why not spruce it up and give it some Disney magic? We spotted some STUNNING playhouses that have inspired us to dream up our own backyard escape! After all, outdoor playhouses and playsets are one of the things we thought could brighten up your day if your vacation plans have been halted! Remember the playhouse you would spend hours in as a child? Maybe it was at a friend’s house, or maybe it was at the local playground? Or perhaps you had one in your own backyard! These large structures could inspire hours of playtime and imagination. They could be your own fortress, house, or castle! Even as adults, we all dream of having something akin to a “She-Shed” or “Man Cave” to find a place of our own to escape to. Charmed Playhouses (totally not an ad; they’re just kind of awesome and we wanted to show you!) has created some straight-up beautiful pieces of backyard ART that can spark imagination — the kiddos can spend hours creating memories (although if you ask us, we could easily spend hours in these as well!). © Charmed Playhouses @charmedplayhouses From Star Wars to Peter Pan, they have a playhouse for just about any Disney fan! © Charmed Playhouses @charmedplayhouses Climb aboard your very own pirate ship and sail off to Neverland! It even has its own Captain’s Quarters! The detail on these playhouses is remarkable. It even has functioning lanterns! © Charmed Playhouses @charmedplayhouses Or, you can escape to your very own castle! If we had one of these in our backyard, staying at home would be NO problem whatsoever. They have designs inspired by some of our favorites, including Belle (we wonder how many of her books she could fit inside this! It’s massive!)… © Charmed Playhouses @charmedplayhouses …and Rapunzel! We know she was awfully glad to leave her tower, but if we had a playhouse like this one in our backyard, we would definitely be inclined to stay for quite a while. © Charmed Playhouses @charmedplayhouses But one of the playhouses that simply stunned us was one inspired by Cinderella Castle! © Charmed Playhouses @charmedplayhouses The attention to detail is remarkable! Princes and Princesses of ANY age can spend endless hours imagining their own royal quest! © Charmed Playhouses @charmedplayhouses It even lights up! Don’t mind us while we move into this playhouse and never leave… . © Charmed Playhouses @charmedplayhouses If these beautiful pictures have inspired you to seriously upgrade your backyard, you can contact Charmed Playhouses for a custom quote! But tbh charmed playhouses aren’t necessarily in all of our respective tax brackets, so… v We’ve also found some other (much more affordable!) playhouses that you can get a hold of in time for summer! Your young princess can let her imagination run free with her own princess play tent! It retails for $39.99. © Amazon Grab this “pretty in pink” princess tent here! Do you wanna build a snowman? The winter weather may be behind us, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate all things Frozen, as Olaf would say, “in summer!” Have your very own ice palace when you assemble this Arendelle playhouse. This wooden playset is $349.99. © Walmart Shop for this adorable Arendelle playhouse here! And there are more castles where that came from! We found this cute medieval castle playhouse with an awfully familiar color scheme (or is it just us that thinks this looks a little like Cinderella Castle?). This indoor playhouse could probably be brought out onto a patio or deck for $42.99. © Target Grab your very own medieval castle playhouse here! And finally, we have a playhouse for an imagination that’s out of this world! While some kiddos may want a castle of their very own, some would be content with their own spaceship! Take outdoor playtime to infinity and beyond with this Buzz Lightyear tent! You could totally blast off and have your backyard be a distant planet (the outdoors certainly feels a bit different these days). You can get it for $49.95. © Disney Shop for this Buzz Lightyear spaceship play tent here! For those with young kiddos, playtime may have become more of a challenge these days when it comes to thinking of creative ways to keep their minds engaged. We hope that some of these playhouses give you some ideas on how to take playtime to a whole new level! Whether you already have a playhouse in your backyard or you’re simply looking for some outdoor activity inspiration, when it comes to a child’s imagination, the sky is the limit! What is your favorite backyard activity that your family has embraced in these past couple of months? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Our Wish Has Been Granted! “Baby Yoda” Merch is COMING…EVERYWHERE! You Can Score Even MORE ‘Year of the Mouse’ Goodies with the NEW Disney x Aldo Collection! We Found the PERFECT Accessory to Pair with Your International Mermaid Day Outfit! View the full article

There is a lot of food that West Coast Disney fans would LOVE to see come to Disneyland (can the West Coast just borrow Epcot for like, a week please?). Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle But Disney World foodies, be prepared to have some major FOMO when you take a look at some of the incredible food Disneyland has to offer! Both West Coast parks have some pretty spectacular food items that Disney World could only DREAM of serving up. Well…consider this your opportunity to dream away, and maybe one day our dreams will come true! Fried Chicken at Plaza Inn If there’s one quick-service meal that Disneyland has a monopoly over, it’s the Fried Chicken from Plaza Inn. Plaza Inn is a sit-down character buffet breakfast in the morning, but for lunch and dinner it switches over to a counter service location that serves up one of Disneyland’s most beloved entrees. You can smell this dish from a mile away and it has been a long-standing favorite for Disneyland enthusiasts. Just look at it in all its glory: Plaza Inn Chicken: Just Gaze Lovingly for a Moment This iconic dish is a healthy (meaning: LARGE) serving of crispy fried chicken, mashed potatoes, seasoned veggies, and a biscuit. If you haven’t tried Disneyland’s fried chicken yet, MAKE IT A PRIORITY next time you go! You won’t be disappointed. You can grab a plateful of heaven, aka Plaza Inn Fried Chicken, for $18.49. We’ve been raving about the fried chicken for YEARS! Read more about this iconic quick service dish here. Corn Dogs and Cheese Sticks Okay, remember when we said Disneyland has a monopoly on fried chicken? Well it turns out there are some other quick-service meals that the West Coast has MASTERED, and it’s time they share with Disney World! Behold: the hand-dipped corn dog. Hand Dipped Corn Dog in Disneyland Yes, something SO simple can really be life-changing. If you even remotely enjoy a good corn dog, one bite of these will ruin all others for you. The batter is slightly sweet and super crispy on the outside, and warm and moist with a juicy dog on the inside. Plus, it’s MASSIVE. Inside the Corn Dog Now, in Disney World, The Fantasy Faire Food Truck that made an appearance at Disney Springs a few years back served up what they claim to be a Disneyland Hand-Dipped Corn Dog (spoiler alert — they were VERY good, but not the exact same!). Sleepy Hollow in Magic Kingdom also had a pretty close version for a while, but it’s since been replaced by a longer, skinnier dog. Comparison of Both Coast Corn Dogs! This simple dish always steals the show when you visit Disneyland, and West Coast fans will move heaven and Earth to get ahold of one. There are a few places throughout the resort you can pick up one of these beauties: Little Red Wagon (aka “the corn dog cart”, right by Plaza Inn), Stage Door Cafe in Frontierland, and at the Corn Dog Castle in Disney California Adventure! Click here to see more of these amazing corn dogs But Disneyland doesn’t leave vegetarians out of the mix on the dipped goodness. Their incredible Hand-Dipped Cheese Sticks are a thing of beauty as well! Cheese Stick Corn Dog This is basically a big ol’ hunk of cheddar cheese, dipped into the same corn dog batter, and fried up so that the cheese gets all gooey inside! It’s absolute indulgence! Disneyland Cheese stick Now this one you can ONLY find at Corn Dog Castle in Disney California Adventure, so know before you go! Click here to see an awesome hand-dipped cheese stick HACK for you grilled cheese lovers! Funnel Cakes Disneyland is representing pretty strong in the sweets department as well. Between their out-of-this-world churros and, of course, those specialty Mickey beignets at the Mint Julep Bar, it was hard to choose which sweet treat we would want to steal and bring over to Disney World! We decided on one of our faves: the funnel cake. Stage Door Cafe Funnel Cake with Strawberry Topping Disneyland funnel cakes are anything but boring. They’re usually LOADED with toppings! Like the corndog, there are a few places you can grab this delicious dessert: Stage Door Cafe and Hungry Bear Restaurant are our go-to’s. And if we could have it our way, the FIRST funnel cake we would dig into when we get through the gates would have to be the to-die-for Apple Pie Funnel Cake. Apple Pie Funnel Cake The funnel cakes are always HUGE and crisp, but then they’re topped with warm apple pie filling, streusel crumbs, caramel, and whipped cream. This seasonal specialty comes and goes from the Hungry Bear menu and was most recently seen this past Halloween season. Whenever it does pop up we make sure to grab it because we never know when it might vanish again! So hopefully it finds its way to Disney World soon so East Coast Disney fans can get in on this sweet, sweet treasure. Click here to see more of the Apple Pie Funnel Cake in Disneyland Meat and Veggie Skewers at Bengal Barbecue If you’re on the hunt for a smaller-portioned lunch that packs in a ton of flavor, head over to Bengal Barbecue in Adventureland. Right across the way from Indiana Jones Adventure and Jungle Cruise, this is a great pit-stop as you trek across the park. Bengal Barbecue Menu You smell Bengal Barbecue long before you see it. Why? Their menu is loaded with delicious grilled meat skewers! They also occasionally have a seasonal item or two to indulge in. Banyan Beef Hot and Spicy Skewer The meats are wonderful, but the standout menu item for us has got to be their Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus, called the Safari Skewer. Bacon-wrapped Asparagus Safari Skewer Look, we’re the first ones to say that calories don’t count when you’re in a Disney park, but we will gladly eat all of our veggies if they come lightly charred and wrapped in bacon! What better to wash this all down than with Bengal Barbecue’s signature Jungle Julep! This fruity slush combines pineapple, grape, lemon, and orange into one mega fruity and refreshing drink. Plus it’s VERY pretty! Read our review of Bengal Barbecue here! Loaded Baked Potatoes at Troubadour Tavern We’re heading into Fantasyland next for some loaded baked potatoes from Troubadour Tavern! Troubadour Tavern If you’ve frequented Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in the past, you may remember a similar menu item at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments and Liberty Square Market in Liberty Square. Unfortunately, these have disappeared, but they’re still going strong at Disneyland! Loaded Baked Potato from Troubadour Tavern These are massive soft baked potatoes loaded with all the goodies you’d expect — bacon, butter, cheese, chives, and sour cream. BUT you can also get more unique stuffed potatoes like the BBQ Chicken Stuffed Potato! Click here to see our review of the BBQ Chicken Stuffed Baked Potato! All Things LOBSTER at Harbour Galley Wait a minute, are we in Disneyland or New England? Did you know that you can get a Lobster Roll in the Happiest Place on Earth? Harbour Galley is nestled between Critter Country and New Orleans Square, right across from the Haunted Mansion exit. Harbour Galley You can find a variety of East Coast-inspired dishes, like Clam Chowder and even a Shrimp Salad, but today, we’re talking all things lobster. Their menu regularly includes both Lobster Rolls and Lobster Mac and Cheese (YUM), and they’ve even served up specialty lobster dishes like this Lobster Pot Pie Soup! Lobster Pot Pie Soup If you’re a fan of lobster (or really, seafood in general) this out of the way spot is serving up some real gems. Click here to see more of Harbour Galley! Fritters from Royal Street Veranda Travel deeper into New Orleans Square and you’ll happen upon Royal Street Veranda. This is one of the places in Disneyland where you can get a cup of their delicious Gumbo! Royal Street Veranda But what we would REALLY love to see come to Disney World are their fritters! These bite-size marvels are seasonal offerings and typically switch up several times throughout the year. We’ve tried their Bacon, Cheddar, and Green Onion Fritter, their crunchy pimento cheese fritters, and their Blue Lump Crab Fritters, just to name a few! Bacon Cheddar and Green Onion Fritter We’ve seen the full range of fritters, from savory to sweet, including the most recent Berry Cheesecake Fritter! Cheesecake Frosting Dip We’re down with anything they want to fry up in fritter form! Just about every variety we’ve tried has been FANTASTIC. Click here to see our review of the Berry Cheesecake Fritters! Loaded Onion Rings from Hungry Bear Up next is Hungry Bear Restaurant. This dining location used to be considered a ‘dead end’ in the park, but is now connected to one of the entrances to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, so it gets much more foot traffic than it used to! Hungry Bear Restaurant Loaded fries seem to be a dime a dozen these days. But loaded onion rings? Sign us up! Loaded Onion Rings from Hungry Bear These gorgeous rings are fried up fresh then covered in a creamy cheese sauce, bacon, green onions, and a cilantro-lime crema. These need to hop on a flight to Disney World STAT. They’re crunchy, they’re flavorful…they are HEAVENLY. Click here to see more of these epic Loaded Onion Rings! All the goodies (and Loaded Dole Whip) from Tropical Hideaway Our last stop in Disneyland Park is Tropical Hideaway! This counter service location opened up last year just outside the Enchanted Tiki Room. Tropical Hideaway We’ve been obsessed with trying all their new menu items from their lumpia to their yummy baos! Pork Lumpia Tropical Hideaway’s claim to fame, however, is their specialty Dole Whips and LOADED Dole Whips. As in love as we are with the Dole Whip Floats from Magic Kingdom, some of these loaded Dole Whips at Disneyland could give that Kakamora Float a run for its money! Recently we’ve tried the Twisted Ambush Loaded Dole Whip topped with fruit, crystalized hibiscus, and more… Twisted Ambush Loaded Dole Whip …as well as the specialty Indiana Jones Adventure Loaded Dole Whip! Indiana Jones Adventure Specialty Loaded Whip While there’s no shortage of Dole Whip specialties on both coasts, we would love to see Disney World incorporate some of Tropical Hideaway’s unique menu items! Read our full review of Tropical Hideaway here! Cheese Fries and BBQ Crunch Dog at Award Wieners We’re hopping over to Disney California Adventure and straight to Award Wieners! Award Wieners Hot dog lovers will be in heaven when you check out the wide variety of dishes to choose from! Award Wieners Menu Two items, in particular, have stolen our hearts. First up: the Filmstrip Fries with Beer Cheese! Beer Cheese Fries You guys know we are SERIOUS about our cheese here at DFB — so much so that we made our own cheese crawl for Disney World! If this item were to find its way to the East Coast, it would surely join ranks with our other beloved cheese dishes. If JUST cheese won’t do, they often have a limited time flavor of loaded filmstrip fries on the menu as well! The other must-have dish from Award Wieners is that yummy BBQ Crunch Dog. Barbecue Crunch Dog at Award Wieners This tasty dog (cheddar sausage, actually!) is loaded with sweet barbecue sauce, cheese, and fried onion strings on a toasty potato bun. Click here to see more of those glorious Beer Cheese Filmstrip Fries! Bread Bowls at Pacific Wharf Cafe Pacific Wharf Cafe is known as the go-to destination in California Adventure if you want your meal served in a fresh-baked bread bowl. From soups to salads, you can get just about anything in their sourdough bowls, which are made right there (the smell inside is AMAZING, by the way). Pacific Wharf Cafe But what could possibly make freshly baked sourdough bread even BETTER? Mac and cheese, that’s what! Macaroni and Cheese in a Sourdough Bread Bowl! This menu item was an on-again, off-again Secret Menu item at Pacific Wharf Cafe, but as long as the Mac and Cheese is on the kids’ menu, you can have them throw some in a bread bowl for ya. It seems as though it has now made its way as a regular menu item for adults, too! The secret’s out! And when you’re ready for dessert, Pacific Wharf Cafe serves up some seriously incredible bread pudding. They switch up quite frequently, so we’ve had the pleasure of trying MANY Bread Puddings over the years. Let’s take a trip down memory lane looking at some of our favorite bread puddings! There was, of course, the Oreo Cheesecake Bread Pudding… Oreo Cheesecake Bread Pudding …and a seasonal cheesecake bread pudding with cherries… The Cheesecake Bread Pudding at Pacific Wharf Cafe …there was the Apple Fritter Bread Pudding… Apple Fritter Bread Pudding …the Maple Bacon Bread Pudding… Maple-Bacon Bread Pudding …and who could forget the stunner that was the Lemon-Blueberry Bread Pudding… Lemon-Blueberry Bread Pudding at Pacific Wharf …they even had a lovely Rainbow Bread Pudding last year for Gay Days! Rainbow Bread Pudding We think we’ve made our case. These are usually served warm and we’ve enjoyed them ALL! Disney World, get hold of these Bread Puddings ASAP! Click here to see our review of the amazing Lemon-Blueberry Bread Pudding! Bacon Mac n Cheese Cone at Cozy Cone Motel Now we’re heading to Carsland for one of California Adventure’s most iconic counter service meals. Cozy Cone Motel serves up a variety of food items, and, not surprisingly, they’ve committed hard to the cone-shaped theming, even in the food! Cozy Cone Motel Cozy Cone changes up their offerings quite a bit, usually having a seasonal cone on the menu. But of the year-round staples, one of our favorites is the Bacon Mac & Cheese Cone. Bacon Mac & Cheese Cone at Disneyland’s Cozy Cone Motel Anytime you combine bacon with mac & cheese is a good idea, but serving it in a portable, EDIBLE container? Ever BETTER. Disney World has seen a few food-in-cones pop up over the years, and — for those of you die-hard Disney food historians — the bacon mac and cheese cone actually DEBUTED in Disney World way back when; but these fun items usually don’t stick around long on menus on the East coast. So let’s hop on this and make it stick in Disney World! Click here to read more about the Bacon Mac and Cheese Cone in Disneyland! Caramel Corn! Our last food item that we’re including in our list isn’t exactly a counter service meal. Then again, anything can count as your meal in Disneyland. It’s the Happiest Place on Earth, after all, so if you want those beignets to count as your dinner then good on you! Disney California Adventure’s Caramel Corn So we’re keeping it simple, straight, and to the point here: California Adventure serves CARAMEL CORN. While you can get some legit caramel corn at Karamell-Küche in Epcot, THIS is basically DISNEY popcorn…coated in caramel. So if you’re a Disney popcorn devotee, then it’s a must- must- must-try. Next time you’re in California Adventure, head to the popcorn stand near Elias & Co. and Carthay Circle and order up a serving! Well, that’s our food tour of delicious eats we loooove in Disneyland. While Disney World is always on the cutting edge of theme park snacks, there’s still TONS of edible magic happening in Walt’s original park! We’d love to see some of these goodies make a trip to the East Coast to see how they’d fare! Learn how to make one of Disneyland’s most iconic table service dishes at home with two recipes here! What’s your favorite snack from Disneyland? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Holiday Eats at Disneyland Resort Your SWEET Guide to EVERY Valentine’s Day Treat in Disneyland Resort! Disneyland Halloween Eats and Treats! View the full article

Summer is coming, and we can’t wait to have some fun in the sun! Happy 4th of July From Magic Kingdom! It’s hard to pick our favorite part of summer! Is it taking vacations? Eating summery snacks? Or is it, perhaps, celebrating the 4th of July? We’re not sure but that last one sure does seem like a contender. We’ve got summer on our mind today as Disney just released a huge collection of 4th of July merch. Take a look! Apparel It is important to note that many of these options can be purchased in a Disney World or a Disneyland version. First off, let’s take a look at all of the cool apparel options in the collection. Ladies have a bunch of options for some new fashion like this Mickey Mouse “USA” T-shirt for $36.99. ©Disney To buy the Mickey Mouse “USA” T-shirt, click here! For some simple and understated 4th of July fashion, try out this Walt Disney World Americana Fashion Tee for $39.99. ©Disney Want to buy the Walt Disney World Americana Fashion Tee? Click here! AND you can match your new top (whichever one you pick) with these sleek new Mickey Mouse Icon and Star Leggings for $39.99. ©Disney Click here to buy the Mickey Mouse Icon and Star Leggings! Our favorite item for women might be this $49.99 Mickey Mouse Icon Americana Windbreaker Jacket! ©Disney To buy the Mickey Mouse Icon Americana Windbreaker Jacket, click here! There are some unisex options in the collection too! Check out the Walt Disney World Americana Ringer T-shirt for $36.99… ©Disney Want to buy the Walt Disney World Americana Ringer T-shirt? Click here! Or the Mickey Mouse Americana Tank Top for $34.99! ©Disney Click here to buy the Mickey Mouse Americana Tank Top! For those patriotic fellas out there, you can swing for the $59.99 Mickey Mouse Americana Pullover Hoodie! ©Disney To buy the Mickey Mouse Americana Pullover Hoodie, click here! Plus, you can get your little patriot some new threads too! We think the $34.99 Fantasyland Castle Americana Overall Shorts for Girls are TOO CUTE. ©Disney Want to buy the Fantasyland Castle Americana Overall Shorts for Girls? Click here! And there’s this sweet Minnie Mouse America Tank Top for Girls too. Make it yours for $24.99. ©Disney Click here to buy the Minnie Mouse America Tank Top for Girls! Is there anything we love more than the reversible sequin trend? It’s hard to say. Girls can get in on the action for $29.99 with the Minnie Mouse Americana Reversible Sequin T-shirt. ©Disney To buy the Minnie Mouse Americana Reversible Sequin T-shirt, click here! There are even two options for the littlest in the family! Look at this ADORABLE Minnie Mouse Americana Romper for Baby for $29.99… ©Disney Want to buy the Minnie Mouse Americana Romper for Baby? Click here! …and this sweet Mickey Mouse Americana Bodysuit for Baby for $14.99! ©Disney Click here to buy the Mickey Mouse Americana Bodysuit for Baby! Accessories No 4tho f July ensemble is complete without some rockin’ accessories. Take a look at this Mickey Mouse Americana Silk Tie for a classy addition to your outfit. Snag it for $44.99. ©Disney To buy the Mickey Mouse Americana Silk Tie, click here! Whatever your 4th of July plans are, spice up the night with the $15.99 Mickey Mouse Americana Light-up Necklace. ©Disney Want to buy the Mickey Mouse Americana Light-up Necklace? Click here! For a SERIOUS accessory, you can get an ALL-NEW Loungefly for $90 with the Minnie Mouse Sequined Stars and Striped Mini Backpack by Loungefly. ©Disney Click here to buy the Minnie Mouse Sequined Stars and Striped Mini Backpack by Loungefly! Souvenirs Plus, there are some super cute patriotic plush toys you can grab too. Pick up the Mickey Mouse Americana Plush for $22.99… ©Disney To buy the Mickey Mouse Americana Plush, click here! …and/or the classing Minnie Mouse Americana Plush for $22.99! ©Disney Want to buy the Minnie Mouse Americana Plush? Click here! Ornament collectors, rejoice! There’s a fun new Mickey Mouse Americana Figural Ornament for $22.99. ©Disney Click here to buy the Mickey Mouse Americana Figural Ornament! And finally, stay hydrated in the summer heat with the Mickey Mouse Americana Water Bottle for $14.99. ©Disney To buy the Mickey Mouse Americana Water Bottle, click here! Whew! Sorry, to our wallets because it looks like we’re headed on a 4th of July shopping spree! You can find all of this great new patriotic merch on shopDisney! Click here to check out some more sweet Disney merchandise! Will you be snagging any of the 4th of July collection? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: The Cinderella Series in the Disney Castle Collection Makes Its Magical Debut! We’re Dreaming of the Islands with the New Aulani Merchandise from Disney! News! Disney Subscription Boxes Will Be Unavailable Soon! View the full article

Daily Orlando Sentinel Now podcast: I-4 interchange, gyms reopening, AdventHealth test issues, theme park updates, airline confusion, and summer camp changes. View the full article

While Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings doesn’t suspect that Orlando’s major theme parks such as Disney World or Universal Studios will reopen until June at the earliest, theme parks have been working on submitting reopening plans. Disney Springs In today’s meeting of the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force, the plans for three smaller Orlando theme parks were discussed by the Tourism subcommittee. Three presentations by Fun Spot America, Gatorland, and ICON Park were given this morning, reiterating the guidelines that were submitted to Mayor Demings last week, but with new details — both Fun Spot and Gatorland have now requested specific reopening dates. ©Gatorland Fun Spot wants to reopen this Friday, May 22nd while Gatorland wants to open Saturday, May 23rd. (ICON Park has yet to submit a date for approval.) Read more details about these Orlando attractions’ reopening proposals here! These three smaller theme parks along with several other Orlando-based attractions have already submitted a letter to Mayor Demings requesting to reopen in Phase Two. Florida is still only in Phase One of the state’s reopening, with neither the parameters nor a timeline revealed yet for Phase Two. Disney Springs At the meeting, Chuck Whittall with Unicorp National Development requested all of Orlando’s smaller theme parks to submit one standardized list of guidelines for Mayor Demings to review (which we also learned is currently in the works). This would include a proposed 2-Step Approach — with smaller attractions having to follow a main set of safety procedures which can then be tailored to suit the individual needs of each park. The Tourism group hopes to deliver these standardized guidelines to May Demings by this Thursday when the Full Task Force will be meeting again. We’ll continue to follow this developing story. Click here to read the newest info about which safety measures Disney Springs will be implementing during Phase One of its reopening starting on May 20th! Related posts: Updated! These Restaurants Will Be Reopening at Disney Springs in Disney World on May 20th News! Free People Will Be Reopening in Disney Springs on May 20th News! The Combined Camera Center and Pin Traders Spot is Officially OPEN in Epcot! View the full article

Wear a mask at Disney World? Health experts say it's the right thing to do. But it's sparked a fierce debate among theme park fans. View the full article

You have a LOT of options when it comes to choosing your Disney World Resort hotel. All Star Movies Resort We know how daunting the decision of accommodations can be when you’re planning your Disney trip. It’s a SUPER expensive part of your trip, and you want to get it right! So, we’re breaking down a few of the options for you! Trying to decide between a deluxe, moderate, or value resort? Here’s why you should DEFINITELY consider a Disney World value resort. Disney World has more than two dozen resorts, five of which are considered the value resorts (not counting The Campsites at Fort Wilderness). Today, we’re talking about Disney’s All-Star Resorts — Sports, Music, and Movies — Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. They’re called “value” for a reason. First off, they’re called “value” for a reason. If you’re headed to Disney, odds are you’re already dishing out a lot of cash on park tickets and travel. Your Disney World resort hotel can be a great way to cut down on costs. All-Star Sports Most value resorts will have room rates of $100 to $200 per night. On the other hand, moderate resorts see prices of $200 and up, and the deluxe resorts get even MORE (like, a LOT more) expensive. So staying at a value resort can: Save. You. Money. Plain and simple. Click here to learn more ways to save money in Disney World! But there’s more to consider than just the obvious. You might be in your hotel room a lot less than you think you’ll be. It can be tempting to splurge on that gorgeous pricey deluxe hotel room with the nuanced theming and tons of amenities, but the reality is that you might be in your room a whole lot less than you think you’ll be! For many guests, their goal in Disney World isn’t to have luxurious sleep-in sessions or the best room service ever — it’s to GO TO DISNEY WORLD and spend time at the theme parks. If that’s you, then your room becomes a space that’s really only for resting and getting ready to GO GO GO. Pop Century Resort If you think you’ll tend to spend most of the time in the parks when you go, then spending extra money on a hotel may not be a good decision for you! The value resorts will do just fine . Want to know how you can be one of the FIRST in a Disney park in the morning? Click here! You’re getting a lot of the same perks for way less! Plus, while paying less, it’s not like you’re passing up on all the great Disiney hotel perks! Sure, you might not be steps away from a signature restaurant, and getting around on Disney transportation might be a little bit longer of a trip depending on which resort you choose, BUT some of the best Disney hotel perks are still available to you. Art of Animation Skyliner Staying at a value resort will still net you access to Extra Magic Hours (extra hours in the park JUST for resort guests) during your trip, access to Disney transportation (including the SKYLINER at some resorts. More on that soon!), and the ability to book 60 days out on your Fastpass+ reservations window as opposed to the standard 30 days out for non-resort guests. That means you have the exact same access to booking the most popular rides as those folks dropping $500 a night at the deluxe resorts! To learn how to make the MOST out of your Extra Magic Hours, click here! The food courts are pretty awesome. Ok, so there aren’t any crazy table-service restaurants in the value resorts, but the food courts are actually pretty awesome. Disney’s All-Star Sports features End Zone Food Court, Disney’s All-Star Music features Intermission Food Court, Disney’s All-Star Movies has World Premiere Food Court, Disney’s Pop Century features Everything POP Shopping & Dining, and Disney’s Art of Animation has Landscape of Flavors! Sorcerer Mickey Cupcake These locations offer a lot of variety and family-friendly options. They also happen to be the home to some of the best hidden gem snacks in Disney World depending on when you go! We ALWAYS make sure to check out the All-Stars for any new cupcakes (because they have had some COOL ones) and you can even get SELF-SERVE DOLE WHIP in World Premiere Food Court sometimes! Click here to see the latest All-Star cupcake! They’ve got great options for large families or groups. We actually love the value resorts for large families or groups. If you want to opt for a few rooms, these resorts will offer the cheapest options. Plus, several of them offer family suites that are perfect for those bigger groups. Art of Animation has family suites in the Finding Nemo, Cars, and Lion King sections of the resort that include two bathrooms, a common space, and a separate bedroom. Plus, they sleep up to six people! Finding Nemo Suite at Art of Animation All-Star Music has deluxe family suites as well. These rooms are going to be a little bit pricier than a regular value room but they tend to be LEAPS and BOUNDS cheaper than staying in the other suites on property. For more info on where to stay with a large family, click here! They’re a lot of fun! This one might not be something you’d usually think about when you’re deciding on a place to stay, but it can make a big difference. The value resorts in Disney are a LOT of fun, TBH. These resorts have really unique energy because they have a lot more guests. With more kids and families, the resorts really feel alive — even at slower times of the year. Plus, these resorts just tend to be more colorful and fun to look at! Art of Animation Big Blue Pool Plus, some of the best-themed pools are at the value resorts! We LOVE Hippy Dippy Pool at Pop Century Resort and the Finding Nemo themed Big Blue Pool at Art of Animation is probs one of the best pools in all of Disney World! To check out our favorite pools in Disney World, click here! You might have an extra easy way to get around. Remember earlier when we mentioned the Skyliner? This brand new transportation option runs to both Pop Century AND Art of Animation and makes getting to certain parts of Disney World a total cinch. Skyliner Gondolas Are The Latest Form Of Disney Transportation Just hop into a gondola and you’ll be in Hollywood Studios or Epcot within MINUTES. Forget those buses! Plus, they’re a great way to visit the other Skyliner resorts — Disney’s Riviera Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. And if you head to Epcot, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts and Disney’s Boardwalk Inn are just a few steps away from the station! Click here to check out the DFB Official Skyliner Pub Crawl! You can always check out the moderate and deluxe resorts for FREE! Plus, if you feel like you’re missing out on some of the entertainment options or vibes from the moderate and deluxe resorts, you can still pay a visit for free! Take a resort day and hop around to some of the other resorts! You could even make some Advance Dining Reservations at some of the best resort restaurants in Disney World and soak up the deluxe vibes, without paying the steep prices to stay there. Riviera Resort Skyliner Station Some of our favorite resort activities include taking free kitchen tours of the restaurants in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, listening to live music at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and strolling through Disney’s Riviera Resort to see all the wonderful artwork. For tips for YOUR resort day, click here! So, is a value resort right for YOUR family? So ya see? There are a lot of great reasons to spend your Disney trip in a value resort room. To conclude, let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of a value resort! You SHOULD stay in a Disney value resort if… You’re looking to do Disney on a budget without sacrificing perks. You’re traveling with a larger family or group. You’re expecting to be out of the room a lot. You’re a total cupcake fanatic! You SHOULDN’T stay in a Disney value resort if… Table-service or signature dining in your resort hotel is a priority for you. You want to be able to walk to a theme park. You’re scared of heights (and nervous about the Skyliner!). A primary goal of your Disney World trip is luxury and relaxation. Take these factors into consideration and don’t forget to at least think about booking a Disney World value resort! It could be right for you’re family! Are you really choosing the right Disney World resort? Click here to find out! Are you a fan of staying at the value resorts? Why or why not? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: No More Free Parking for Disney World Resort Guests?!? What Are the Best Disney World Hotels for Families of 5 or More? 2018 Disney World Free Dining Offer for Disney Visa Cardholders View the full article

Bok Tower Gardens reopens June 1 with timed-entry tickets View the full article

Disney has been putting us in the holiday spirit a lot lately! First, they shared a “shriek peek” with us of some new Haunted Mansion merch that was on its way to shopDisney as part of Disney’s Halfway 2 Halloween countdown! Fourth of July Cone And just yesterday, we learned about Holiday Magic at the Disney Parks, a new 384-page book which showcases how the Disney parks celebrate the holidays — including our favorite winter celebration, Christmas! But now shopDisney has us marching to the beat of a different drum! That’s right — three new patriotic-themed Dooney & Bourke bags are now online including this adorable Mickey and Minnie Americana Crossbody for $198! ©shopDisney We love how the design incorporates so many Fourth of July elements including fireworks, the American flag, and even SNACKS! Click here to buy the new Mickey and Minnie Americana Crossbody! There’s also this stunning Mickey and Minnie Americana Dooney and Bourke Tote Bag featuring Mickey and Minnie in their red, white, and blue BEST! ©shopDisney Buy the new Mickey and Minnie Americana Dooney and Bourke Tote Bag here! This Mickey and Minnie Americana Dooney and Bourke Mini Backpack for $248 is also fantastic! ©shopDisney We’re seeing some MAJOR fireworks go off with this one! Purchase the new Mickey and Minnie Americana Dooney and Bourke Mini Backpack here! Check out all of the new Mickey and Minnie Americana Dooney and Bourke styles online now, and to see some other new Dooneys that recently debuted, click here! Do you collect Disney Dooney’s? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Foolish Mortals, Check Out the NEW Haunted Mansion Dooney & Bourke Collection in Disney World! A NEW ‘Fantasia’ 80th Anniversary Dooney and Bourke Collection Is Now Available Online! What’s New at Disney Springs! Designer Bags, a Floral Dress, and a BIG Bayou Buffet… View the full article

CityWalk at Universal Orlando began a phased reopening on May 14th, and we were there to report back. There were a number of new health and safety measures implemented including temperature checks, limited hours, and social distancing protocols. Overall, we thought the reopening of CityWalk went pretty smoothly, but there were a few things that we hope NOT to see when Disney Springs begins its own phased reopening on May 20th. Check out our LIVE coverage of the reopening of CityWalk! Let’s check ’em out. Use of Paper Menus Instead Of Digital Menus When dining at Margaritaville, we were given disposable paper menus which our server informed us are thrown away after each use. This adheres to sanitary standards, but if this practice is maintained for long, it’s costing a TON of money and creating significant waste. If we’re gonna go to the effort of implementing a new system, let’s do it in a sustainable, inexpensive, and even more sanitary way by using digital menus that can be scanned with your smartphone. Margaritaville Menu I imagine we’re going to be in this “new normal” for a while, so if restaurant guests get used to digital menus, it can be the wave of the future. PLUS it will be WAY easier for restaurants to change their menus if they run out of a dish, highlighting a new special menu item, or offering a short-term discount (you know, to get rid of the stuff that’s NOT selling). Just changing the code on a website vs. re-printing hundreds of menus week after week? That could save SO MUCH MONEY, which is something restaurants definitely need to be thinking about right now. Wine Bar George at Disney Springs has announced that they will be using digital menus upon reopening. And we recently visited Plancha Restaurant at Four Seasons Orlando, where guests could scan a QR code in order to view the menu. Plancha Digital Menu We’re keeping our fingers crossed that we’ll see more digital menus at Disney Springs restaurants — and everywhere else — instead of disposable ones! Read more about our experience at the recently reopened Plancha Restaurant in Disney World! Limited To-Go Food Options We also noticed there were few to-go food options at CityWalk. We were able to mobile order at Voodoo Doughnut and Red Oven Pizza Bakery, plus Auntie Ann’s Pretzels offered their standard grab-and-go service. But the carry out service at Margaritaville was unavailable — to order any food or drinks, we had to put in our name and wait for a table. Red Oven Pizza Bakery We would have liked to have had more to-go options so we could get a substantial meal to carry out with us instead of having to wait the 2.5 hours to dine-in! Here are the Disney Springs restaurants that have confirmed they are reopening on May 20th! Limited Access to Masks Outside of the Entrance All guests are required to wear masks at CityWalk as part of the additional health and safety measures. And this same requirement will be implemented at Disney Springs. But we did find some confusion about the availability of masks outside of the CityWalk entrance in case a guest forgets theirs. According to the Universal website, masks are available for sale outside of the entrance to CityWalk, but we weren’t able to find any there on our visit. There were plenty stocked at the Universal Studios Store, but since guests wouldn’t be able to get that far without a mask, that wouldn’t help in an emergency. Face coverings We hope that Disney Springs either offers masks for sale outside of the entrance or has a large stock of disposable masks for guests who may have forgotten theirs! Read more about purchasing masks and hand sanitizer here Overall, we were impressed with Universal’s handling of the CityWalk reopening. But, we did notice a few not-so-great processes that we hope Disney doesn’t replicate at Disney Springs! Read about the health and safety procedures being implemented at Disney Springs! What protocol do you want to see when Disney Springs reopens? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Wine Bar George at Disney Springs in Disney World Announces New Safety Procedures as They Start Taking Reopening Reservations NEWS and PHOTOS: Face Masks and Hand Sanitizer Available for Purchase at Universal Orlando Resort Stores We Asked Our Readers: “Should Disney World Give out Free Masks for Guests?” Here’s What They Said. View the full article

Hey! We’re back with another DFB Video, and today we’re talking about 11 weird ways pros spend their time in Disney World. Magic Kingdom People who go to Disney World all the time spend their days in some pretty weird ways, like trekking to hotels they’re not staying at or spending the day looking at their phone. So, we’re sharing the stranger advice from the pros today! Check out all this and more in our latest DFB Video! And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our DFB YouTube Channel! By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode! So check out the video and let us know: The weirdest thing you find yourself doing at Disney World! Related posts: DFB Video: 7 Disney World Restaurants We Never Talk About…And Why! DFB Video: The BEST Disney Cupcakes of 2018! DFB Video: EVERYTHING You Need to Know About Disney World Free Dining 2019 View the full article

Madame Tussauds, Sea Life aquarium reopen on Orlando's International Drive View the full article

Sunrise Timelapse from Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Paris | #DisneyMagicMoments View the full article

Disney World is taking its first step towards resuming operations, with the phased reopening of Disney Springs starting on May 20th. The Disney Springs reopening plan includes several health and safety measures, one of which is required face coverings for both guests and Cast Members. Cinderella Castle And since masks are mandatory, we wanted to know if our readers think Disney should provide them for guests. Based on statements from Disney executive chairman (and former CEO) Bob Iger, it’s been evident for some time that when Disney World reopened, there would be multiple additional health and safety measures implemented. And now that Disney Springs is planning a phased reopening beginning on May 20th, we have a first glimpse into the protocols the shopping and dining area will follow. Disney Springs Safety measures will include increased cleaning procedures, reduced capacity and operating hours, limited-contact guest services, additional safety training for cast members, and required face coverings for both guests and Cast Members. You can see details on Disney Springs’ health protocol here. Disney Springs Since it’s confirmed that guests will be required to wear face masks during the initial stages of reopening, we wanted to get our readers’ thoughts on whether or not Disney should provide them. So, we asked our followers on Instagram, “Do you think Disney World should provide free masks, or should guests be required to bring their own?” And people were quick to chime in! We received 423 responses in the first few minutes and of those, 210 said YES Disney should provide masks, 165 said NO it’s not Disney’s responsibility, and 48 said IN SOME CASES Disney should provide free masks. Here’s a visual breakdown of the results! Pie Chart of Our Readers’ Responses When Asked If They Think Disney Should Provide Free Masks for Guests Let’s take a look at some of the reasons people gave behind their responses! “Yes, Disney World Should Provide Guests with Free Masks!” Coming in as the most popular response, 50% said yes, they do think Disney World should provide free masks for all guests. Several people said that if Disney is making masks an ongoing requirement, they should have them available. “If masks are required then they should have them on hand to provide to guests in need.” Others also pointed out that this would help Disney with enforcing the policy. “Yes! That way they can ensure everyone is being as safe as possible.” ©Harvey’s Many readers also pointed out that Disney could provide plain masks for free, but allow guests the opportunity to upgrade to a design or pattern for an additional fee. “Provide basic ones, then charge more for nicer ones like they do with MagicBands.” Have you seen these Disney character face masks available online?? “No, It’s Not Disney’s Responsibility to Provide Masks” On the other hand, 39% said no, they don’t think Disney is responsible for providing guests with free masks. They said guests should come prepared, and instead of handing out masks for free, Disney could sell them at a reasonable price for those who lost or dropped theirs. “No, but they should make them available for sale outside [the entrance] for a small fee.” Others also pointed out that making masks available for purchase, instead of giving them out for free, would allow Disney to create more fashionable designs that make them more appealing to wear. “They could be the new Minnie Ears. Another way to add a pop of Disney.” World of Disney in Disney Springs Overall, this group felt that the responsibility should lie with the guests. “Nope. If you aren’t responsible enough to bring one, you aren’t taking it seriously enough.” We asked our readers if they’d be okay with temperature checks at Disney World and here’s what they said “Disney Should Provide Free Masks in Some Cases” And some people saw the situation as a little less black-and-white — 11% said Disney should provide free masks in some cases. Many agreed that they do think guests should bring their own face covering, but since things can get hectic on vacation, Disney should have backups available in case a guest’s mask is lost, forgotten, or dropped. “People should be responsible for their own but Disney should have some at the ready to give if needed.” Disney Springs Others pointed out that since guests have been known to disregard the rules or not pay attention to the required changes, Disney should have masks on hand for any guests who missed the memo. “Guests should bring their own. But people don’t listen, so they should have backups just in case.” Here are the cutest Disney face masks we found online! So, it seems our readers are relatively evenly split on this one! Half of the respondents think that Disney should provide free masks for guests, and they pointed out that this also provides Disney with the chance to upsell for different designs. On the other hand, many readers think that guests should take responsibility and come prepared. There were definitely some solid points all around — and keep in mind, you can always buy a Disney face mask now so you’re prepared regardless of the face-covering policy when the time comes for your next Disney World vacation! Click here to see which restaurants in Disney Springs are confirmed to reopen on May 20th! Do you think Disney World should provide free masks, or should guests be required to bring their own? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! Related posts: If Disney World Is VERY Different When It Reopens…Would YOU Go? Here’s What Our Readers Said. Breaking News! Disney World Begins A Phased Reopening on May 20th With Disney Springs NEWS: Required Temperature Checks for Guests and More Health Protocol Confirmed When Disney Springs Reopens May 20 View the full article

There certainly are some interesting situations arising in the travel market as a result of the global health crisis. Magic Kingdom Perhaps the two most notable of these situations are the changes to the way that air travel works and the temporary and permanent closures that are currently affecting the tourism industry. We’re taking a look at how such massive effects could impact YOUR next Disney vacation and giving some tips to help. Let’s dive in. Air Travel Changes With the drop in demand for air travel and the heightened health risks, there have been some serious changes to the ways that you’ll arrive and depart when visiting Florida airports. Orlando Screening According to WMFE Orlando, Governor DeSantis issued an executive order that requires passengers flying into Florida airports from the Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey tri-state area to be screened at the airport and to self-isolate for 14 days. Travelers from New York City face even stricter screening and isolation processes. Star Wars United Airlines Plane In addition to the health screening, travelers through the Orlando airport will also notice some added health measures like plexiglass shields for employees and added signage. Passengers are encouraged to travel with carry-on baggage only, touchpoints have been reduced, and there is a heightened level of sanitation and cleanliness in the terminals. ©Orlando International Airport Greater Orlando Aviation Authority executives have stated that the health checks have gone smoothly so far. After landing, passengers fill out a questionnaire as part of the screening process including information about where they are staying during their visit to Florida in case of a follow-up. The Florida National Guard has been instated to help administer these screenings. ©Orlando International Airport As of now, this only applies to those passengers flying in from the New York Tri-State area (Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York). Those states account for around forty-five direct flights to Florida daily. To learn about the $25 billion airline rescue package and its effect on your trip, click here! TSA Screening Changes On a larger scale, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has formed new protocols in response to the global health crisis. With reduced flight and passenger volumes, the TSA has moved to shut down some security checkpoints. Passengers have also been metered to create a safe physical distance between them. According to the New York Times, there have been some reports of random temperature screenings. Magic of Disney at Orlando International Aiport Unfortunately, there have been some fluctuations in the screening process that have left airports struggling to keep up with “enhanced screenings,” per the New York Times. Some airports even reported wait times as long as 7 hours back in March. Orlando International Airport Now, most airports have had some success adjusting to the screenings, but as higher volumes of passengers return to air travel in the next few weeks and months, those gains and adjustments will need to hold up. It’s possible that the more people going through the process will ramp up wait times again. What This Means for Your Disney Trip So, on YOUR Disney trip, make sure you keep these things in mind! Build extra time into your travel days so that any airport hold-ups don’t have a chance to negatively impact your vacation day. We recommend leaving early on your travel day to help mitigate troubles, and don’t schedule any reservations too close to your arrival time lest something gets in the way of getting there on time! Orange County International Airport The need for some extra time to cushion these efforts is especially true if you’re traveling from the New York Tri-State area. Remember to leave plenty of time for airport hassle between your arrival time and your Magical Express departure time, just in case. Plus, Disney may even implement a separate process for keeping guests safe aboard the Magical Express so we will need to be aware of that possibility going forward. We’ll keep you posted if any news is released pertaining to Magical Express procedures. Disney’s Magical Express Bus The truth is, you’re still at the mercy of flight cancellations or fewer flights going out each day — which is possibly more likely due to the current global climate. Make sure that you’re super aware of any cancellation and change policies. When in doubt, consider using a travel agent! This free service can take care of any issues you may have as soon as you have them! We love working with our friends over at Small World Vacations. Overall, travel to and from Disney World could take you a little (or a lot!) longer than it used to! Is a travel agent right for you? Click here to find out! Temporary and Permanent Closures According to the Orlando Sentinel, “Tourism has come to a screeching halt,” and this has severely impacted many travel-related businesses. Orlando’s Four Seasons Resort leads the state as the hotel with the largest number of furloughs — over 800. The hotel industry in Florida also makes up the largest group of employers with the most lay-offs in the state in general, says South Florida Business Journal. Four Seasons Resort Orlando True, too, resorts and restaurants have been forced to close their doors — some permanently! We’ve already seen massive furloughs in the restaurant sector as well. You might remember when restaurants first started to lay-off their employees for the time being. Note that most of these restaurants and hotels aren’t just firing employees. For many businesses, it is all they can do to stay afloat, and furloughing workers allows those workers to be eligible for unemployment. The Contemporary Lobby Level Orlando is an extremely tourism-focused city. When travel starts to pick up again, it’s very possible that some parts of the area in and around Disney World might not look like they used to. Keep up with individual businesses to know whether or not they will be open during your trip. To read about the furlough of restaurant employees, click here. Disney Springs Businesses Specifically, we’ve seen this trend of closures occur to an unfortunate degree for some Disney Springs businesses. AMC Theaters, for instance, has suffered from the temporary closure and potential distancing measures (such as capacity cuts) that will occur as they reopen. According to the Hollywood Reporter, analysts are saying that AMC may go bankrupt as their credit has plummeted and they have the potential to run out of money by mid-summer. The Rise of Skywalker at AMC Landry’s (the restauranteur business behind Rainforest Cafe, T-Rex Cafe, and Yak & Yeti in Animal Kingdom) has also seen the negative consequences of such a dramatic business disruption. The restaurants have had to suspend employees for the time being. CEO Tilman Fertitta told CNN that his restaurant sales are down $1 million per day due to the crisis. Ample Hills Hard times befell Ample Hills Creamery even before the ramp-up of the health crisis. The same weekend as the Disney parks closures, Ample Hills filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, even as we waited on news of the new location expected to come to Disney Springs. The timing of such financial troubles has likely been a major issue for the company. Currently Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, as well as a few other corporations, are in talks of buying Ample Hills. We’ll be keeping a close eye on Ample Hills to see how the company manages as the world returns to normalcy. Click here to read about the financial situation at Ample Hills. What This Means for Your Disney Trip On one hand, it looks like Florida is headed in the direction of a reopening. Task Forces are working daily to determine the best way to reopen Florida and the state has entered Phase 1 of its reopening. Governor DeSantis has even mentioned that Disney World is “ahead of the curve” on a reopening, and Disney Springs will be beginning a phased reopening on May 20th. Cinderella Castle Still, restaurants, stores, theaters, and live entertainment will each be on their own timeline for when (or if) they are able to reopen. As we mentioned, if you have a Disney trip planned for 2020, you may want to take a look at individual businesses for their opening protocols so that you can set your expectations. Disney Springs during phased Resort closure Even once restaurants reopen, if capacity is limited and more time is needed for stricter sanitation between customers, that could potentially mean fewer available reservations, making it harder to get a spot in your favorite restaurants. We’re eager to get back to Disney World, but it’s important that we’re prepared for the changes that we’ll see in the travel industry and the community around Disney. You can always keep an eye on DFB as we report in with the latest coverage pertaining to the Orlando area. Click here to read more about the plans to reopen Florida. Can you see these factors affecting YOUR Disney trip? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: 12 Important Things You *Need* To Know BEFORE Your Trip to Disney World Celebrate Your DISNEY DAD! Save 30% Off Everything in the DFB Store! 7 Things You’re ⚠️Probably Forgetting⚠️ When You Plan a Disney World Trip View the full article

You know Black Widow as the former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent turned Avenger, but have you ever wondered about her past? Now you can dive deep into the adventures of Natasha Romanoff (a.k.a Black Widow) with a free eBook download from Marvel Press, for a limited time! In this young adult novel, #1 New York Times bestselling author Margaret Stohl, uncovers a new side of the Marvel Universe that will thrill loyal fans and newcomers alike, with untold stories of Black Widow for the very first time. Stohl will take readers through a heart-pounding adventure, featuring Natasha’s past as a young trainee at the Red Room, Moscow’s infamous academy for operatives, and her present where she is forced to confront her ruthless teacher from the academy. This tale is a thrilling and action-packed story that gives fans a major peek into the life of one of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s most mysterious and iconic spies. For a limited time, a free eBook download (valid only in the U.S.), will be available from May 17 to May 22, via Disney Books HERE. For more fun content from some of your favorite authors and books, follow @DisneyBooks on social media! View the full article

There’s nothing quite as magical as a Disney Parks castle! So few guests have the chance to watch the sun rise over the majestic spires of Disneyland Paris’s Sleeping Beauty Castle, but today’s edition of #DisneyMagicMoments brings you just that. And thanks to a little extra pixie dust, you can watch the entire sunrise in 90 seconds flat! From Disneyland Paris to all of our Disney Parks around the world, keep your eyes on the horizon for our next sunrise! And remember, “They say if you dream a thing more than once, it’s sure to come true.” We have so many more #DisneyMagicMoments in store right here on the Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

The Florida Keys, closed to visitors since mid-March, will reopen on June 1, Monroe County officials said. View the full article

We have our DFB Rides and Attractions Throw Down champion! Cinderella Castle After six rounds of hard-fought competition, our readers have named a WINNER in our DFB Rides and Attractions Throw Down! Each Disney World attraction has a special place in our hearts. Which is why we tasked our Instagram followers with making these tough calls! We started with 64 attractions from the Disney World parks. And last night, it came down to the last rides standing — Space Mountain and Flight of Passage! Space Mountain Both had emerged unscathed from some pretty touch competition by that point. Space Mountain had claimed victory against fan-favorites Pirates of the Caribbean and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. And Flight of Passage had toppled heavy-hitters Expedition Everest and Tower of Terror. But in the end, there could only be one winner. And in the final match up, our readers crowned Flight of Passage as the CHAMPION! Flight of Passage Whew, that was a tough call — so shoutout to our Instagram followers for making the difficult decisions for us! The Disney Food Blog Rides and Attractions Throw Down is COMPLETE! And, of course, a big round of applause for Flight of Passage on its well-deserved victory! Or as the Na’vi would say, “Sivako!” Want to decide your own winner? Click here to grab a black and white printer-friendly bracket of our Rides and Attraction Throw Down! Do you agree with our winning attraction? Let us know which attraction you would choose in the comments! Related posts: Round 4 of the Disney Food Blog Rides and Attractions Throw Down is Complete! See Which Attractions are Still Standing! We’ve Reached the End of Round THREE in the Disney World Rides and Attractions Throw Down! Which Attractions Made the Cut? FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND — Which Disney World Ride Will Win The PRIZE?? View the full article

#DisneyMagicMoments: Peanut Butter & Jelly Milk Shake from 50’s Prime Time Café View the full article

Be sure to clean up your dinner plate before you tackle this yummy milk shake from 50’s Prime Time Café at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This recipe is quick and easy and sure to please! We even have a handy dandy video to show you how to make it. Just be sure to mind your manners and behave yourself at the dinner table…and save room for dessert! Peanut Butter & Jelly Milk Shake from 50’s Prime Time Café at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Serves 1 Ingredients: 2 tablespoons peanut butter2 tablespoons jelly (strawberry or grape)2 cups vanilla ice cream1/4 cup milkDirections: Add all ingredients to blender and blend until smooth.Add additional peanut butter or jelly to taste.Cook’s Notes: Two cups sliced strawberries can be substituted for jelly. Note: This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version. As a reminder while preparing this recipe, please supervise children who are helping or nearby. Click here for a print-at-home version of this recipe! From our Disney family to yours, we hope you enjoy this classic recipe from 50’s Prime Time Café. And be sure to share the fun with Disney fans all over the world using the hashtag #DisneyMagicMoments. Keep checking back to the Disney Parks Blog for even more #DisneyMagicMoments and more magical recipes. Happy snacking, Disney fans! View the full article