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It’s been a WEEK in theme park news, you guys! Walt Disney World While we took you with us to check out everything at the re-opening of Universal Orlando’s CityWalk, we also gave you all the details on the confirmed restaurants and stores that will be opening back up in Disney Springs. According to Click Orlando News, Orange County Florida Mayor, Jerry Demings, doesn’t expect major theme parks to re-open until June or afterwards. Magic Kingdom Governor Ron DeSantis plans to move into a “full phase one” this coming Monday, May 18th, where theme parks can submit re-opening plans for consideration. These plans must include opening dates, health and safety guidelines, and an endorsement from Demings. However, Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld hadn’t submitted any plans as of Friday. Universal Orlando Demings believes that large theme parks are “looking at later dates to reopen…and a measured reopening. They will likely start with smaller business units, maybe hotels and resort-type areas before the major, massive theme parks themselves will reopen but in any case I suspect that that is going to be, clearly, some time in June or thereafter before that occurs.” Walt Disney World’s Epcot While theme parks are allowed to open during Phase Two of Florida’s re-opening plan, there is no certain timeline when this phase will begin. However, Gatorland Orlando and Fun Spot America are expected to re-open within the next few weeks. Demings said that representatives from both of the smaller theme parks will present their plans on keeping guests safe to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force. If needed, they will discuss Gatorland and Fun Spot America’s re-opening with state officials as they are trying to “get as many business units reopened as [they] can but safely so.” Universal Although they may not have opening dates for their parks, Universal CityWalk re-opened on Thursday, while Disney Springs is slated to re-open on May 20th. The restaurant and shopping areas in both locations will follow strict health and safety procedures and operate with limited capacity and hours. At this time, Disney World isn’t accepted reservations until July 1st. Universal CityWalk Reopening While theme parks haven’t released any information on when they expect to re-open, Disney World announced they are planning to follow strict health and safety protocols during their phased re-opening in Disney Springs. We will continue to keep you updated with more information! You can find a full list of Disney Springs restaurants opening May 20th here! Will you be visiting Florida theme parks when they re-open? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: DFB Video: Latest Disney News — Disney World Starts to Open in FOUR Days with New Safety Protocols Announced! NEWS: Mobile Order Is Getting an AWESOME Change in Disney World (And We Are SO Here for It)! DFB Video: Our 13 Favorite Ways Celebrate Christmas in Disney World! View the full article

A group of Texas theme parks are requesting to reopen to guests as soon as possible. ©SBG San Antonio The Texas Travel Alliance, led by SeaWorld, Fiesta Texas, and the San Antonio Zoo, released a proposal requesting to reopen as early as this weekend. As reported by News 4 San Antonio, The Texas Travel Alliance, which includes popular destinations such as SeaWorld, Fiesta Texas, and the San Antonio Zoo, has called on the governor to allow for the reopening of their businesses. According to Texas Travel Alliance President & CEO Dan Decker, over 1.2 million Texans work in the travel and tourism industry. San Antonio Zoo ©SBG San Antonio The group put forth a plan which requested reopening as soon as May 16th at 25% capacity. The plan also includes a progressive increase of capacity up to 50% by May 22nd. The proposal requests that individuals without symptoms be allowed to visit and work at parks with required face coverings and physical distancing. Fiesta Texas ©SBG San Antonio The group argued that tourist destinations like theme parks and zoos are different than public mass gatherings because capacity can be reduced, guests rarely sit or stand in a single location for extended amounts of time, and many who attend are members of the same household. They also said they would implement extra sanitation procedures and employee training. Currently, the proposal has not yet been approved by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Here are the theme park reopening guidelines suggested by the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force Have you visited any Texas theme parks? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: NEWS! SeaWorld Parks Announce Temporary CLOSURE Here’s A Look at the Safety Measures Being Discussed By Major U.S. Theme Parks Right Now NEWS: Six Flags Theme Parks to Implement Date and Time Reservation System When Parks Reopen View the full article

Disney Springs is set to have a phased re-opening of its third-party stores and restaurants on May 20th with Disney-owned locations following on May 27th. Disney Springs Although we’ve been keeping you up-to-date on all the restaurants and stores that will be re-opening in Disney Springs, here are all the health and safety protocols you need to know. In a statement released from Disney, Cast and Crew Members will be following guidelines set by the CDC and other health authorities during Disney Springs re-opening. The restaurant and retail locations will be following “new health and safety measures and operational changes” to comply with these precautions. ©Disney Like we’ve seen in Shanghai Disneyland recently, guests ages three years and older and employees will be required to wear masks. The statement states that visitors will need to wear masks that cover their mouths and noses at all times, except when they are seated at a dining table. Note: Disney asks that guests bring enough masks for guests in your party that are three and older. ©Disney Disney says that disposable masks “may be available” for guests who have forgotten their own, but you should 100% plan on bringing your mask…or else you won’t be getting into Disney Springs. Period. When guests arrive at Disney Springs, they will undergo a temperature check at one of the four entrances. These will include the second-floor exits of the Orange and Lime parking garages, Marketplace entrance, the rideshare drop-off lot, and the Disney Resort bus loop near Town Center. These temperature checks will be required for anyone going to Disney Springs, including guests, Cast Members, vendors, and other employees. ©Disney While we were at Universal CityWalk, we experienced the touchless thermometer screening that Disney plans to use. If a guest has a temperature of 100.4 degrees or more, that person will be moved to another location for re-screening to double check the accuracy. Disney encourages everyone to check their temperature before leaving their homes. Temp Check In order to abide by CDC regulations for physical distancing, Disney Springs will be limiting the number of people visiting the property, stores, and restaurants during its phased re-opening. Since there are capacity restrictions, guests will not be allowed to park and enter Disney Springs once the parking garages are full. Important note: this includes anyone with a dining reservation. ©Disney There will be ground markings to maintain distance in queues as well as physical barriers in other places as needed. One-way and other directional signage will be placed around Disney Springs to help the flow of traffic on-property. Ground Markings Disney is recommending the use of cashless payments like debit cards, credit card, Disney gift cards. Contactless payment or cash can be used to purchase gift cards at the Welcome Center and other select retail places throughout Disney Springs. It does sound like Disney Springs is going completely cashless, but they are encouraging cashless payments as much as possible. ©Disney The Cast and Crew Members have been undergoing new health and safety training before the re-opening. Some of these include the increased sanitization efforts on property. There will be enhanced “cleaning and disinfection procedures in high-traffic areas such as elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms and more.” Hand-washing and hand sanitizer stations will also be available throughout Disney Springs. Purell Dispenser Cast Members will be located throughout Disney Springs to answer any questions or explain new protocols when you’re visiting. In the meantime, you can learn more about the health and safety protocols in this video. We will continue to keep you updated with more news and information about the re-opening procedures at Disney Springs! Take a look at the Disney-owned locations that will be re-opening in Disney Springs here! Will you be going to Disney Springs when it re-opens? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Peace, Love, and Tie-Dye! You’ve Gotta See These Rainbow Merch Items in Disney World! NEW Gorgeous Coach Designer Ears Have Arrived in Disney World and Boy, are They PRICEY! Yo-Ho, It’s a Pirate’s Life for Us with MORE Redd Merchandise in Disney World! View the full article

Disney has a proud legacy of support for our military and those who have raised their hand to serve. On this Armed Services Day, we take a look back at some of the highlights of Walt Disney World Resort saluting our active-duty and reserve service members, as well as, our brave veterans. We’ve been honored to showcase the courage, professionalism and fortitude of all of our branches of service during numerous events we’ve hosted over the years. Of course, moments that burn brightly in the memories of our cast members and guests in recent years have been the goose-bump inducing flyovers of the military’s premier flight demonstration teams over Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT. Moments such as these are a great source of pride in today’s military. Enjoy this look back at some highlights of flyovers over Walt Disney World by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Our esteem for the Armed Forces is also on display daily as part of our flag retreat ceremonies held in Magic Kingdom Park and Disneyland park. This long-standing tradition holds special meaning for our Cast, as well as, the service members and veterans who participate. As we recognize National Military Appreciation Month, here’s a look back at one particular special moment where we had the opportunity to honor a Vietnam Veteran during his Walt Disney World vacation in 2017. Even though our parks are temporarily closed, we continue to honor our traditions by raising and lowering the flag daily as a symbol of hope and to continue our Salute to all those who serve. View the full article

Disney Springs reopening rules: Face masks required when shutdown ends May 20 View the full article

Disney Springs in Walt Disney World will begin a phased reopening on May 20th. While the initial reopening phase will involve restaurants and shops operated by third-party vendors, Disney has confirmed that select Disney-owned and operated locations will be reopening on Wednesday, May 27th. World of Disney in Disney Springs As a reminder, the Walt Disney World theme parks and Resort hotels remain closed until further notice. However, Disney has confirmed that the Disney-owned shops and restaurants reopening on May 27th will include the following three locations: In the Marketplace, World of Disney and the Marketplace Co-Op — two retail locations — will reopen. Marketplace Co-Op D-Luxe Burger — a fast-casual Counter Service restaurant — will reopen offering Mobile Order. D-Luxe Burger Disney has also provided measures that will be implemented upon reopening for the safety of all guests, and we will be exploring those in detail in additional posts today. We ask that you stay tuned, and to learn more about the status of Disney Resorts and parks around the globe, please visit any of the links below. Are you following the reopening of Disney Springs? Please let us know with a comment. Related posts: What’s New at Disney Springs! NEW Menu Items; Missing Menu Items; The CUTEST Valentine’s Day Cards; and FREE Cupcakes! What’s New at Disney Springs — A BRAND NEW Store, Potato Chips IN A Cake, and MORE Mermaid Merch… What’s New in Disney Springs — Snowmen Mugs, Turkey Poutine, And Fa La La La LOTS Of Holiday Goodies! View the full article

While we’ve been stuck at home, we’re looking for as many games as possible to entertain us (if you’re bored, you can always paint some Star Wars rocks, you know ;D). ©Ravensburger ©Disney We’ve shown you Disney puzzles, board games, how to build your own DIY board games, and even toilet paper Minnie Ears. We’ve played DFB Snack Madness, a Counter-Service Throw Down, and the Table-Service Throw Down with you in our instagram stories (did your favorite snacks and restaurants win??)! But, now you can play another series of games with these Disney Instagram filters! And, in case you’ve never used an Instagram filter, we’re gonna give you a quick tutorial before we dive into some of our favorite Disney Instagram filter games!! When you open your Instagram app, swipe to your right so you see the camera screen. How to Get to Filters Keep it on the “Normal” section and swipe through some of the filters until you get to this search glass! Click this button to be transported to the Instagram filter search page. How to Get to Filters While you’re there, you can type in any keyword you want like “Disney” or “Marvel…” Filter Homepage …to search through all the filters that different social media users have created. Filter Search Page Then you can pick a Disney filter to use to film yourself and to play the different games! Filter Search Page After you’ve taken a video or a picture of yourself, you can save it to your camera roll, send it to your friends, or share it in your Instagram story! Now that we’ve covered the social media basics, let’s take a look at some of our FAVE filter games brought to you by our DFB team members!! Magic Kingdom Ever wondered what Disney character you resemble the most? One of Instagram’s most popular Disney filters made by @arnopartissimo shows you who your Disney twin happens to be! While our DFB team member played, she got the BIG BADDIE Hades (which obviously confused her just a l’il bit since she’s a sweetheart ;D). Which Disney Character Are You? Speaking of Disney characters, some of our favorite heroes and villains come from Pixar movies. Our writer Quincy and her boyfriend played @janmahavan‘s game to find out which Pixar character they were…and their reactions were pretty priceless. Sorry, Ken — looks like SOME people might think you’re not as fabulous as you believe, buddy!! Which Pixar Character Are You? Want a little more Pixar magic in your life? Make your own DIY Adventure book from Up! While you’re on your grand and glorious quest through the land of Instagram, you can reminisce about a time where magic existed! As you’re watching Onward on Disney+, you can discover which mythical creature you are from the film straight from @Pixar‘s game! Our fair maiden happened to uncover the secret that she is the MIGHTY Manticore (who is a very strong and independent woman). Wow, we can’t wait to hear all about her adventures through the “World of Yesterday, Tomorrow, and Fantasy!” Which Pixar Onward Character Are You? Missing the movie theater?? Build a DIY home theater to watch Onward tonight! While “eternally craving Disney snacks” is always our mood, this filter from @at.augmented shows you what characters you are when you’re happy, angry, and sleepy. We aren’t surprised that our reporter happened to be the “fairest of them all,” just like Snow White (outfit on fleek, girl)! The best part about “Which Disney Mood Are You?” is that there are SO MANY different character options, though, so you can play it as many times as you want to get a new set of moods! Which Disney Mood Are You? All the way from @thegracemattei, you can discover if you can sing like Ariel or paint like Rapunzel! The “What Disney Princess Are You?” filter comes with pre-set mascara and freckles to give you a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique worthy makeover. While she was playing, our team member Jordan was so excited to get Belle that she spontaneously burst into song! We wonder if maybe her kitchenware is suddenly enchanted too… . Which Disney Princess Are You? Our DFB team member’s husband just happened to hear that we were putting together this post for you guys, and he wanted IN. And, of course, we couldn’t deny someone wearing an ORANGE BIRD shirt!! Since he loves Disney food as much as we do, he hopped into @drdannyphantom‘s “What Disney Snack Am I?” to discover that he is a classic Mickey Bar. We challenge you to play this must-have DFB Instagram filter game to see what classic snack you are! “What Disney Snack Am I?” “Luke… I am your father.” No, really — our writer might actually be a Skywalker IRL since she got Darth Vader during “Which Star Wars Character Are You?” from @at.augmented. The game scrolls through heroes and villains from the original trilogy, sequels, expanded universe, and MORE to discover whether you’re a part of the Light Side or the Dark Side. According to Janelle, she’s “Dark Side 4 Lyfeee,” and we REALLY hope that means she’s besties with our homeboy Kylo Ren. Which Star Wars Character Are You? Celebrate May the 4th with this filter game AND the premiere of The Rise of Skywalker on Disney+! With the growing list of Marvel movies coming out soon, it’s pretty important to know “Which Marvel Character Are You?” And, our writer looks as AWESOME as War Machine with all those floating (gray?) Infinity Stones and the Avengers theme playing in the background!! While you’re anxiously waiting for Spider-Man 3 and Black Widow, you can play @harvmanbagus‘s heroic game on Instagram while you watch ALL the movies on Disney+! “Which Marvel Character Are You?” Anybody else have a REALLY hard time picking what resort to stay at when they visit the Disney Parks?? Well, maybe this “What Disney Resort Are You?” game from @sblairsy can help you choose!! Our DFB team member happened to get Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (which means LOTS of ‘Ohana Bread Pudding when she visits). Which Disney Resort Are You? One of the most impossible choices is picking what FastPass options you’re going to have for the day. Do you want to get the pilot spot on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, or do you want to ride Slinky Dog Dash another time?? Although the choice might seem pretty daunting, you can figure out what Disney attraction you are in the meantime! Although @danielroaart‘s game features iconic options like Spaceship Earth and Dumbo, our girl Jessica got the Parking Tram much to her very clear dismay (Seriously — does that count as a RIDE?!). What Disney Attraction Are You? Find out what your favorite mode Disney transportation says about you! We don’t know about you, but we’re SUPER psyched to see what our family and friends get too! And, if you’d like to see some DFB Instagram filters, be sure to tell us what themes you want to see in the comments! These are the shows you should watch on Disney+ if you miss being in the parks! What DFB Instagram filters would YOU like to see from us? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Star Wars Hotel Construction Update: See What Disney World’s Galactic Starcruiser Looks Like Now! When Disney World Reopens THESE Are at the Top of Our Must-Do List Check Out How Disney Fans Brought the Attractions Home With ‘Homemade Disney’! View the full article

Oooh, ya’ll, we’re in for a real TREAT!! Universal Orlando Resort We took you with us LIVE to the re-opening of Universal Orlando’s CityWalk on Thursday to see the new health and safety protocols, retail offerings, Hollywood Drive In Golf, and dining locations that are currently greeting guests. Although we told you about Jimmy Buffett’s loooong wait, line procedures at VooDoo Doughnut, and our dining experiences throughout CityWalk, there’s a new spot joining the list! Universal CityWalk Reopening The official Universal Orlando announcement was recently updated to reflect that Toothsome Chocolate Emporium’s Dessert Foundry and Candy Smith areas are open. These areas are accessible through the retail shop, so you are able to pick up chocolates and desserts even while the restaurant remains closed. Toothsome Chocolate Emporium Shake A Universal Orlando Employee stated that the Foundry section will only be serving milkshakes until the restaurant fully re-opens to guests and our readers confirmed that they were able to grab a milkshake to-go. Merchandise Area Currently, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium’s limited hours are listed as 4 PM until 10 PM, which is the same as CityWalk’s other open locations. Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen We’ll continue to keep you updated with more news and new locations opening in CityWalk! Take a look at our FULL experience at Universal CityWalk here! . Have you gone to Universal CityWalk since it started its phased re-opening? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: NEWS: Universal Orlando’s CityWalk Will Open for Limited Operations on May 14th We’re LIVE from the Reopening of Universal Orlando’s CityWalk Margaritaville at CityWalk in Universal Orlando Just Reopened — and it Already Has a 2.5 Hour Wait! View the full article

Wednesday, May 20, will be a great first step in the phased reopening of Walt Disney World Resort, as Disney Springs begins its initial reopening that morning. With the safety and well-being of our guests, cast members and third-party operating participants at the forefront of our planning, we are eager to begin welcoming you back to this part of Walt Disney World. While our theme parks and resort hotels remain temporarily closed, the phased reopening of Disney Springs is a welcome milestone as we navigate through this unprecedented time together as responsibly as we can. Next week, many of our third-party operating participants will open their doors to Disney Springs guests. On May 27, three Disney-owned and -operated stores and venues will reopen: World of Disney, D-Luxe Burger (mobile order) and the Marketplace Co-Op. You can visit DisneySprings.com/reopening for the most current information on which locations are open. Based on applicable government requirements, as well as guidance from health authorities such as the CDC and appropriate government agencies, we are implementing a number of new health and safety measures and operational changes. Rest assured, there is plenty of magic awaiting you at Disney Springs – it just may feel a bit different than before. Here is what you need to know prior to your arrival: Parking and Entrances: During this initial phase, guests will be directed to self-park in the Orange and Lime Garages. All surface lots will be closed. We will also reduce the number of entrances for Disney Springs to four locations: Orange and Lime Garages, along with the Hotel Plaza Boulevard pedestrian bridge and ride share location.Appropriate Face Coverings: All guests 3 years of age and older, along with cast members and third-party operating-participant employees, will be required to wear an appropriate face covering while visiting Disney Springs. This is an important part of protecting both our guests and our cast. Please be sure you have an ample amount of face coverings for yourself and your party before you arrive, as you’ll need to wear them over your nose and mouth at all times (except when sitting at a dining table).Temperature Screenings: Once you arrive at Disney Springs, you and your party will be required to undergo temperature screenings. Based on guidance from health authorities, anyone displaying a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher will be directed to an additional location for rescreening and assistance; those who again measure 100.4 degrees or higher will not be allowed entry, nor will those in their party. I encourage you to check temperatures of yourself and your party prior to leaving home, as an extra layer of precaution. Physical Distancing and Capacity Measures: To maintain appropriate physical distancing throughout Disney Springs during this initial phase, we will limit the number of guests visiting the property, as well as within each location. In addition, ground markings will help promote proper distancing when queuing is necessary. We will also add physical barriers in select places where it’s difficult to maintain physical distancing. Cleanliness: We’ve increased cleaning and disinfection procedures in high-traffic areas such as elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms and more. We will also have hand-washing stations and hand sanitizer available, and encourage you to use these frequently.Cashless Transactions: We’re recommending you use cashless payment options whenever possible during your visit to Disney Springs, including debit cards, credit cards, Disney gift cards, etc. You can also opt for contactless payment options or use cash to purchase a Disney gift card at the Welcome Center and select merchandise locations. Our cast members are going through extensive new training as we all learn to adjust to these changing times together. To that end, we will have some cast members walking throughout Disney Springs to explain our new procedures and answer any questions you may have. They will also encourage everyone to follow these measures for the health and safety of us all. Everything we’re doing during this unprecedented time is in service of our guests, our cast members and our third-party operating participants, who will also be following these new guidelines in their locations. We are constantly monitoring conditions and best practices, and we continue to learn every day from health and government authorities. As a result, our operational changes and safety measures may change from time to time as circumstances evolve. We want to deliver all the Disney magic you know and love with safety, as always, our top priority. I understand this is a great deal of change to absorb, and I speak for all of us at Walt Disney World in thanking you for your cooperation and patience during this initial phase. Today’s world is different, and it’s going to require a shared responsibility, with everyone doing their part. As a reminder, please visit DisneySprings.com/reopening for the most up-to-date information on available shopping and dining locations, operating hours, new safety procedures and more. We’re looking forward to seeing you real soon! View the full article

This morning, the Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction May Tiki Room collection released on shopDisney. ©Disney And fans must have FLOCKED to the site, because shopDisney announced they were experiencing technical difficulties. ShopDisney began instituting a virtual waiting room for the Star Wars merchandise release on May the fourth. ©Disney They have used this program to try and control site traffic during popular releases. However, launch day didn’t go so smoothly for the Star Wars merch, because the site was having trouble shortly after the release. ©shopDisney ShopDisney had a few weeks to iron the kinks out and geared up for another collection launch this morning using the virtual queue. The virtual queue was already being used 30 minutes prior to the release. The announcement stated we would have 10 minutes to browse and fill our carts. ©Disney We were able to view the items minutes after they released. Sure, we had to refresh individual pages a few times, but compared to our previous experiences with the Main Attraction releases — this time around wasn’t too bad. However, another one of our team members joined the virtual queue at 10AM and still wasn’t given access an hour later. ©Disney ShopDisney acknowledged the struggle via Twitter stating, “Due to overwhelming interest in today’s release, we’re currently experiencing technical difficulties. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience as we work with our partners to quickly rectify the situation.” ©Disney So, the virtual queue system seems to be pretty hit or miss. You could be part of the lot who gets in just fine, or you could end up on a virtual queue list with no concept of where you are in line. We’d love to hear your experience with shopDisney’s new virtual queue and the new collection releases. Did you have trouble? Get in just fine? Let us know in the comments! Check out a sneak peek of next month’s Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction Collection here! What has your shopDisney experience been like? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: News! Disney Merch Released for Star Wars Day Will Use a Virtual Queue! May Disney’s NEW Star Wars May the 4th Merchandise Be With You! Find It Online SOON! NEWS: The NEW Frozen 2 Dresses Have Landed on shopDisney and They’re BIG TIME on Sale! View the full article

We’ve got a very important matter to discuss with you today! Cinderella Castle and Main Street USA in Disney World We know we’re always talking about our favorite foods at the Disney theme parks, BUT did you know many of our favorite snacks don’t even require a park ticket?! That’s because many of our must-have snacks are actually found at the Disney World RESORT HOTELS! Let’s examine a few of our top picks! Disney’s Riviera Resort Baked Brie at Bar Riva Ever since Disney’s Riviera Resort opened its doors last December, we’ve been chowing down on the delicious Baked Brie served at Bar Riva — the resort’s pool bar! Baked Brie in Puff Pastry This ooey-gooey cheesy delight is wrapped in a flaky puff pastry crust and served warm with fruit preserves and slices of sourdough bread! The cheese is warm and creamy and easily sharable (but you SO don’t have to!). Scoop this one up for $10.99! Read our review of some of Bar Riva’s eats including the Baked Brie here! Disney’s Pop Century Resort Tie-Dye Cheesecake and Oatmeal Cookie Sandwich at Everything POP Shopping & Dining You got to hand it to Disney’s Pop Century Resort — it sure doesn’t skimp on unique dessert offerings, like its signature Tie-Dye Cheesecake! The totally far-out treat features a psychedelic multi-colored cheesecake layered on top of red velvet cake and costs $5.49. Tie-Dye Cheesecake We gotta admit, this snack LOOKS a lot groovier than it tastes since it’s just a regular ol’ cheesecake (it still tastes good though!), but we look forward to grabbing one every time we swing by! (Raise your hand if you remember back when this was served like a regular cheesecake wedge??!!) Click here to learn more about Pop Century’s Tie-Dye Cheesecake! You can also find a massive Oatmeal Cookie Sandwich like the one you might have gotten in your lunchbox as a kid, but BETTER! Oatmeal Cookie Sandwich This fabulous snack features two soft oatmeal cookies smushed together with a marshmallow buttercream filling, drizzled with dark chocolate and cinnamon fondant icing and topped with chocolate crispies! Try saying that five times fast! Pick up this snack for $5.29! Read our review of the Oatmeal Cookie Sandwich here! Disney’s Contemporary Resort Peanut Butter Pie at Contempo Cafe Where should you go if a serious peanut butter craving strikes? Contempo Cafe makes a mean Peanut Butter Pie! This snack is seriously legit and hands-down, one of our favorite treats at Disney World! Snag it for $4.79! Peanut Butter Pie at the Contemporary Resort The treat is about as close to peanut butter perfection as we can get: a massive scoop of peanut butter-flavored cream cheese sits atop vanilla custard in a soft cookie tart shell, finished with a chocolate drizzle and chocolate sprinkle bits. SO GOOD! Back in February, we enjoyed a special Scar-version of the Peanut Butter Pie for Villaintine’s Day — a once a year special event! This version featured a white chocolate garnish, but was slashed with cocoa powder claw marks from Simba’s evil uncle from The Lion King! Click here to read our review of the Peanut Butter Pie at The Contempo Cafe here! Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter Mickey Beignets, Beignet Sundae, Specialty Beignets, and Boozy Beignets at Scat Cat’s Club Cafe (basically — ALL THE BEIGNETS!) Our next stop brings us to the Big Easy for a taste of something we can’t live without — Mickey Beignets! But you won’t find these fluffy little pillows of fried dough at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory anymore — they have a NEW home over at the newly remodeled Scat Cat’s Club Cafe! Mickey-Shaped Beignet And now there are more ways than EVER before to enjoy your Mickey Beignets! New seasonal flavor Mickey Beignets come and go often while Specialty Beignets, Boozy Beignets, and the Mickey Beignet Sundae are always on the menu (and on our minds!). You can also always order “plain” powdered sugar beignets and get special dipping sauces like salted caramel, strawberry, or chicory chocolate ganache to go with them! Mickey-shaped Beignet Sundae You can really do some damage to your waistline at Scat Cat’s Club Cafe these days, but at least your wallet won’t take a beating! A set of three Mickey Beignets only costs $4.99 while a six-pack costs $8.49. Specialty and Boozy Beignets cost around $2.99 per beignet while the Mickey Beignet Sundae served with your choice of ice cream, sauce, and whipped cream will run you about $6.99. Read about the crazy FIREBALL-filled beignets we found recently at Disney World! Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside Magic Cookie Bar and Fried Green Tomatoes at Riverside Mill Food Court! Have you ever heard of a Magic Cookie Bar? This mythical creature made with chocolate and butterscotch chips, condensed milk, coconuts, and nuts is available over at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge’s Roaring Fork, but it’s also up for grabs at Riverside Mill Food Court at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside. These have SO much going on in the flavor department — a little salty, a little sweet — they’re surprisingly addictive! Magic Cookie Bar (By the way, if you’ve ever made Seven Layer Bars, that’s what these are!) Click here to learn how to make the Magic Cookie Bar at home! Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Campfire Cupcake at Roaring Fork and Campfire Brownie at Geyser Point Remember Disney’s Wilderness Lodge we mentioned a moment ago? That’s where you can stoke the flames on Roaring Fork’s Campfire Cupcake! It’s a super-rich chocolate cupcake topped with marshmallow icing and “dirt” (cookie crumbles), with a little frosting campfire, candy rocks, and the TINIEST TOASTED MARSHMALLOW ON A STICK WE’VE EVER SEEN! Campfire Cupcake Read more about the Campfire Cupcake at Roaring Fork here! And at nearby Geyser Point Bar & Grill, you can pick up the Campfire Brownie! It’s not quite as cute as its cupcake-counterpart, but it’s just as fudgy, filled with gooey marshmallow, and only costs $5.49! Campfire Brownie at Geyser Point Trust us when we say “roughing it” never tasted so good! Click here to read our full review of Geyser Point’s Campfire Brownie! Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Zebra Domes, Nyala Brownie, and Jungle Juice Slushy at The Mara If you’re looking for a truly wild time in Disney World, stop by The Mara! It’s a quick-service spot at Jambo House in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and they’ve got one of the best secrets of Disney World snackage hiding in their to-go case: Zebra Domes! This now cult-level snack is the SAME fancy dessert you’ll find at the resort’s table service restaurant, Boma. That’s right — you won’t need to make a reservation to dine on this sweet delicacy! Zebra Domes For only $4.29, you can pick up four of these black & white bad boys — plus they’ll have a nice chill them having just come out of the refrigerator! Zebra Domes consist of Amarula cream liquor mousse over a thin layer of sponge cake, enrobed in panna cotta-esque white chocolate, topped with a drizzle of chocolate and chocolate shavings. Click here to learn more about Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Zebra Domes! Of course, if you want something more substantial, you can’t go wrong with the Nyala Brownie for $4.79 — it’s almost equal parts peanut butter frosting and cakey chocolate brownie (not that there’s ANYTHING wrong with that!). Nyala Brownie Read more about the Nyala Brownie here! And to wash it all down, look for the Jungle Juice Slushy for $4.99! Frozen Jungle Juice You’ll sometimes find this specialty frozen drink at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as well! It features a blend of passion, orange, and guava juices which some of you might recognize as the key ingredients used in making POG Juice — because it IS! Yup, the Jungle Juice Slushy is really just a POG Juice Slushy and now you know! You’re welcome! (Keep your eyes peeled for this sneaky drink — it pops up ALL around Disney World in various forms!) Click here to find out where else you can look for Jungle Juice at Disney World! Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Resort Sally Sells Sea Shells and Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Ice Cream at Ample Hills Creamery We couldn’t talk about all of our favorite treats at Disney World without taking a trek to one of our favorite resorts! And Ample Hills Creamery at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn has an exclusive ice cream flavor you won’t find anywhere else! It’s called Sally Sells Seashells and it features orange marshmallow ice cream with housemade salty chocolate seashells! Sally Sells Seashells in an M&M Cone Of course, we have a hard time deciding between Sally Sells Seashells and Ample Hills Creamery’s Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Ice Cream — another one of our favorites! While a small cup of ice cream costs $6.99, we prefer to size up to the large for an extra buck! Don’t forget, you can get any of their ice creams as sundaes or floats, and for the truly indecisive, you can get an Ice Cream Flight for $9.99 which includes SIX different flavors! Ice Cream Flight at Ample Hills We’re keeping a close eye on Ample Hills Creamery now that they’ve filed for bankruptcy, but we’re hoping they’ll resume scooping up their delicious ice cream treats once Disney World reopens! There are even talks that Ben and Jerry’s could buy the brand! Click here to read more about the delicious flavors at Ample Hills! Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts No Way Jose Sundae at Beaches and Cream Just across the lake, you’ll find another favorite spot of ours — Beaches and Cream at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort! This place is hallowed ground for us because it’s where the No Way Jose Sundae heralds from! No Way Jose Sundae For $11, you will be literally (not literally) plunged into a vat of peanut butter, hot fudge, 3 scoops of ice cream, and whipped cream. Beaches and Cream just reopened not too long ago after a lengthy refurb and there is finally more seating, but we still highly recommend snagging an advance dining reservation before you go! And don’t be afraid to pair their sweet snacks with more savory menu items like their awesome Chili and Cheese Tots for $9! See what the new Beaches and Cream looks like here! Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort ‘Ohana Bread Pudding and Secret Menu Items at Tambu Lounge Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is a veritable treasure trove of tasty snacks! We couldn’t possibly name them all, but we definitely want to highlight a few! If you’ve ever dined at ‘Ohana before, you might remember their incredible Bread Pudding served with vanilla ice cream and a rich bananas fosters caramel sauce! Well fam, you can order the ‘Ohana Bread Pudding at neighboring Tambu Lounge after 4PM daily without going through the whole sitdown meal situation (or paying the hefty price tag!). Pouring The Caramel and Bananas Learn more about ‘Ohana’s Signature Bread Pudding here! Now you won’t find the ‘Ohana Bread Pudding printed on Tambu Lounge’s menu since it’s a secret, but it’s there along with some other ‘Ohana-exclusive eats including Pineapple-Coconut Bread, Chicken Wings, Teriyaki Noodles, and Potstickers! They’re the exact same ones they’ll serve you in the restaurant and all you have to do is ask your Tambu Lounge bartender if you can order them! Ohana Feast Sadly, we heard the secret ‘Ohana menu items at Tambu Lounge had recently received a major price hike! But we still think $12 is a fair price to pay for ‘Ohana’s Bread Pudding — especially because it means we won’t have to cough up the funds for a full meal at ‘Ohana which can easily run over $55 per adult! Remember, though, these items are available AFTER 4PM ONLY. Read more about Tambu Lounge’s secret menu here! Te Fiti Cone at Pineapple Lanai and Spikey Pineapple at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto Did you know you can get Dole Whip at the Polynesian? Like…a LOT of Dole Whip. We ain’t complainin’! One of our favorites? The Te Fiti Cone for $5.29 at Pineapple Lanai! Te Fiti Cone This spot changes up their Dole Whip offerings frequently, but we’re big fans of this Moana-inspired Lime soft-serve cone! It’s similar to the Peter Pan Float at Storybook Treats in Magic Kingdom, but comes garnished with a beautiful edible orchid instead! Read our review of Pineapple Lanai’s Te Fiti Cone here! And before we leave this tropical paradise, we gotta tell you about Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and Tiki Terrace’s Spikey Pineapple! If we’re picturing the PERFECT Disney World adult drink, this would definitely be at the top of the list! Spikey Pineapple at Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace This drink is deceptively simple — it’s just Barbancourt Pango Rhum blended with Pineapple Dole Whip for $14! Be careful though — these go down SHOCKINGLY easily! Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Watchos at Rix Sports Bar and Warm Manchego and Oaxaca Cheese Dip at Three Bridges You might not know the snack 411 about what’s going down at Rix Sports Bar, but if you find yourself over in Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort looking for a quick bite, get thyself some Watchos! Watchos at Rix These are crispy golden-fried waffle fries loaded with house-blend queso blanco, bacon, and scallions! We’re starting to wish we had a big plate right now just writing about them! Pick some up for $13.50! Read our recent review of Rix Sports Bar here! And don’t forget — with the recent opening of Gran Destino Tower, several new foodie venues have debuted at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, like Three Bridges Bar & Grill! This relatively new restaurant is located entirely over water just outside the recent addition. Its signature appetizer is Warm Manchego and Oaxaca Cheese Dip served with house-made blue and white tortilla chips. It’s a big hot bowl of toasty, cheesy goodness. Warm Manchego and Oaxaca Cheese Dip Thankfully, you won’t need a boat to paddle over to this much deliciousness! You can just walk right over one of the three bridges which connect the restaurant to the mainland — hence the name! Grab this one for $14! Read our Three Bridges Bar & Grill review here! Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Gingerbread Snack Shop (Seasonal) If you’re fortunate enough to be traveling to Disney World during the holiday season, make sure you stop by Disney’s Grand Floridan Resort and Spa! Not only do they build an almost life-sized replica of a Victorian-style house out of real gingerbread every year, but they also stuff it full of some of the most incredible snacks! Grand Floridian Gingerbread House. Resist the Urge to Eat It! Last year they sold Giant Cake Pops that were almost the size of a softball! Plus you can buy plenty of gingerbread goodies to take back home to your friends and family for the holidays — or just eat them yourself! We’ve been known to plow through quite a few Gingerbread Roof Shingles when left to our own devices! Giant Cake Pop at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort’s Gingerbread Snack Shop More and more resorts have started putting up gingerbread displays including Disney’s Wilderness Lodge for the first time in 2019 (it was a gingerbread CABIN!). But Disney’s Grand Floridian gingerbread is a true Christmas icon! Look for it in the main lobby — you can’t miss it! Check out some of last year’s Gingerbread Snack Shop goodies here! Disney’s All-Stars Resorts Cookie Dough and Mickey Waffle Sundae at Intermission Food Court and End Zone Food Court All that Grand Floridian gingerbread has us really hankering for some cookies! But you know what’s even better than a freshly-baked batch of cookies? A cup of the uncooked stuff! If you’re like us and prefer your cookies unbaked (on occasion) check out the Edible Cookie Dough you can get at Disney’s All-Star Music’s End Zone Food Court for $3.99! Cookie Dough at All Stars Don’t worry — it’s a completely safe version without any raw eggs! It is, however, totally yummy! And did you know the Intermission Food Court at Disney’s All-Stars Music Resort is one of the few spots where you can get a Mickey Waffle Sundae? Mickey Gelato Sundae Mickey Waffles: they’re not just for breakfast anymore! Sometimes you’ll find these rare types of sundaes at the parks, but they have a tendency to come and go. Sleepy Hollow at Magic Kingdom even offered one last year for Mickey and Minnie’s 90th Surprise Celebration which had even-harder-to-find MINNIE Waffles! At least the Mickey Waffle Sundae is a permanent fixture on All-Stars’ menu — they’ve been around this joint for years! Disney’s Art of Animation Resort S’mores Cookie at Landscape of Flavors And now for the sweet finale! It’s time to get on over to Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation resort for one thing and one thing ONLY: the S’mores Cookie! S’mores Gourmet Cookie In fact, we couldn’t think of a more suitable ending to this delicious endeavor! Although it’s referred to as a cookie, this treat is more like a CAKE filled with gooey marshmallow fluff and crumbled cinnamon graham crackers! The drizzle of dark chocolate on top ain’t bad either. This one costs $5.95! Read our FULL REVIEW of the gooey S’mores Cookie here! So next time a snack attack hits and you think you have to head for the parks, see if one of these delicious options is nearby instead! Who knows — you might be surprised to discover you’ve found your new favorite food item at Disney World! Tah-tah for now! What is YOUR favorite Disney World resort snack? Let us know in the comments!! Related posts: Tips from the DFB Guide: Must-Eat Snacks at Disney World Resort Hotels 13 Surprising Things You Didn’t Know Your Disney World Hotel Can Do For You DFB Video: How to Master the Disney Dining Plan View the full article

Whether you’ve had to cancel or change your Disney World vacation plans this year or not, you might be wondering how your next trip to Florida will be different. Magic Kingdom One of the things we’re thinking about doing differently is driving to Disney World instead of flying. Here’s why: Gas Prices Are Projected to Remain Low Through The Summer According to USA Today, fuel is selling for less than $1 a gallon in over a dozen states right now and it might even continue dropping. Analysts say crude prices hit a low not seen since 2002 because consumers are driving less often. These Guys Have the Right Idea Combine your savings at the pump with any fuel rewards offered by many grocery store chains, and you might be able to fill your tank for less thanks to all that food and TP you’ve been buying in bulk lately. But Aren’t Flights Going Cheaper, Too? It’s true — you CAN find some really affordable flights right now. We’re talking round trips to Disney World for less than $100! While you might be tempted to scoop up some of these really good rates, there ARE a few other factors to consider before you do. Airlines Are Expected to Offer Fewer Flights Initially As parts of the country are slowly beginning to reopen, until there are more passengers, it’s possible many airlines will be choosing to fly fewer planes. Orlando International Airport Southwest’s CEO has specifically mentioned that the number of flights going to Florida will depend largely on Disney World reopening as well as restaurants and other businesses starting back up. People need something to go TO, and several of these industries are interconnected to one another. More Control Over Your Environment Than Flying Airports that have remained open during this time have already implemented several new safety and sanitation guidelines while the Re-Open Florida Task Force has also proposed several new protocols. Orange County International Airport The new procedures being discussed include reducing the number of touchpoints while encouraging more use of mobile boarding passes, and encouraging travelers to bring carry-on luggage only to reduce contact at the ticket counter and baggage claim areas. More frequent cleaning is occurring while most airports are now using hospital-grade cleaner and restrooms are being pressure-washed every night. Employees are now required to wear masks, and masks are available for purchase. Orange County International Airport Plexiglass has been installed in customs areas and security checkpoints, and social distancing guidelines are being adhered to with 6-feet of distance between guests waiting in security lines at all times. Lanes have also been widened while seating areas at the gates have been spaced out accordingly. That said, if you wish to keep a greater distance from other travelers (and for your own peace of mind), you might find it more comfortable to drive your own car instead of flying on a commercial plane. Just keep in mind that depending on the distance you need to travel, you might have to make frequent stops or spend the night at a hotel which could still be considered a risk. Read more about these airport protocols here! Less Worry About Your Odometer Never thought about driving to Disney World before because you didn’t want to rack up the miles on your car? Well guess what — if you’ve been working from home like many of us have for the last several weeks, you probably haven’t been using your car as much! Magic Kingdom Entrance And since you haven’t been doing that daily commute packing on the miles, why not take a family road trip to Disney World? What About Parking? If you’ve only ever flown to WDW before, you’re probably not super-familiar with how bringing a car into the Disney World mix works. Wilderness Lodge Parking Lot But that’s okay! It’s super-easy, and doesn’t really have to change anything about the way you normally do Disney! Overnight Self-Parking Okay, first the bad news — since March of 2018, Disney World now charges a fee for overnight parking. Standard overnight self-parking is available to registered guests and it’s applied to your hotel bill upon check-out. All parking fees include applicable tax. Here’s the breakdown for standard parking at the Disney World Resorts: Disney Value Resorts: $15 per night Disney Moderate Resorts: $20 per night Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts: $25 per night Animal Kingdom Lodge Note — complimentary standard parking is available to guests staying at the Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Each campsite provides parking space for one (1) motorized vehicle. Valet Parking Valet Parking is a little different. It’s only available at select Disney Deluxe Resorts and Disney Deluxe Villas and costs $33 per night (sales tax included). Parking at the Disney World Theme Parks If you are a guest staying at a Disney World-owned property, you will get complimentary standard parking at all of the Disney theme parks for the length of your resort stay. Newly Repaved Parking Area at Hollywood Studios If you’re staying somewhere off-site, each theme park will charge you a parking rate ($22 for standard parking) if you drive and park your car in one of the lots. Keep in mind, if you pay for parking at one theme park, you won’t have to pay for parking at any additional theme parks you might visit on that same day (just save your receipt). Epcot Pathways from Parking Lots But trust us when we say — just because you drove to Florida, it doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of Disney World’s free transportation services. Besides, you could probably use a little break from your car after all that driving you just did! Leave the car at your resort and hop on a bus, ferryboat, monorail, or Disney Skyliner instead! Walt Disney World What do you think? Are you considering driving to Disney World this year instead of flying? We’d really like to know your thoughts on the matter, so sound off below! Which do you think makes the most sense right now: flying or driving to Disney World? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: NEWS: Who Ya Gonna Call? Maybe NOT the Disney World Dining Reservation Center! What Does the Disney World Closure Mean for Crowd Levels in 2020…And When Should YOU Go? When Disney World Reopens THESE Are at the Top of Our Must-Do List View the full article

Welcome back, DFB friends! We’re here with another DFB Video, and today we’re talking about ALL the Disney Parks news you need to know! Chicken Guy! Disney World starts to open in FOUR DAYS with the phased re-opening of Disney Springs. Although third-party locations will be greeting guests first, Disney-owned restaurants and stores will be following soon after. Universal Orlando’s CityWalk also opened, and we took you with us to look at ALL the new health and safety precautions (including temperature checks!). We’re talking about the Plancha Restaurant at the Four Seasons (and what it might mean for the rest of Disney dining), our full experience at Universal CityWalk, Shanghai Disneyland’s official re-opening, and MORE! So, what are you waiting for?? Check out the all the Disney Parks news 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 then let us know: Do you have plans to visit Disney Springs or Universal CityWalk any time soon? Related posts: DFB Video: Latest Disney Parks News — CEO Shakeup, HUGE Refurb News, and MORE! DFB Video: Latest Disney News — Parks Extend Closure, Discounts on Future Stays and Ways to Stay Busy at Home! DFB Video: Latest Disney News — Big Land Purchases, Annual Pass Holder Updates & Tips to Rebook Your Trip! View the full article

UPDATE: At 10:30 AM ET, shopDisney announced “Due to overwhelming interest in today’s release, we’re currently experiencing technical difficulties. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience as we work with our partners to quickly rectify the situation.” It’s a new month and we’re loading our shopDisney cart up with the latest Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction Collection! ©shopDisney Although we’ve already got the March “Mad Tea Party” and the April “it’s a small world” lined up on our shelves, we’re going to the “Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room” with the arrival of May’s collection! The Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction “Enchanted Tiki Room” Collection is bright, floral, and SO much fun! And now, you can add all the items from May’s line to your oasis back home! But make sure you jump in in the virtual queue, as these items are known to sell out quickly! ©Disney As you’re sipping on your morning coffee to listen to the birds sing, you can add a little bit of Disney magic to your day with the Enchanted Tiki Room Mug for $19.99! ©Disney Call us sentimental, but there’s just something special about collecting Disney plushes over the years. That’s why the Enchanted Tiki Room Minnie Mouse Plush is a great addition to your family with her fabulous green dress and feathered bow for $29.99! ©Disney Oooh, girl, WERK! Look at you go, Minnie!! ©Disney Oh, and the best part is that you can MATCH with your new Minnie Plush wearing the Enchanted Tiki Room Minnie Ears for $34.99! We’ve already got our Enchanted Tiki Room Dress out to pair with it. ©Disney As you’re walking through Adventureland on the search for your next flavor of Dole Whip, you can tote around all your new merchandise in the Enchanted Tiki Room Backpack for $75. ©Disney Plus, we’re just kind of OBSESSED with this pattern!! Look at all the little floral and bird details (heart eyes). ©Disney And you can decorate your backpack with some ADORABLE Enchanted Tiki Room Pins for $19.99 per set! Maybe you can show all the Tiki Room birds your accessories to see if it make them chirp with joy! ©Disney If you loved the Enchanted Tiki Room collection of the Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction series, you can check back with us next month in June when Peter Pan’s Flight arrives too! Make your own DIY Enchanted Tiki Room Tropical Hideaway at home! Which Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction series have you loved the most so far? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Disney News This Week: ALL the News and Updates from the Most Magical Places on Earth! Look as Classic as Mickey and Minnie with these NEW Loungefly Backpacks! The Cinderella Series in the Disney Castle Collection Makes Its Magical Debut! View the full article

Planning a Disney vacation can be a daunting task. There’s so much to think about! Epcot Monorail Well, do not fear! We at DFB are here to help YOU plan the best trip you can possibly plan. We don’t want you to forget ANYTHING and trust us, it can be easy to miss some things when you’re in the midst of Disney scheduling! There is one piece of planning that we definitely want you to remember though, because it can help you not forget anything else: considering a travel agent! Why You SHOULD Be Thinking About Using a Travel Agent For some Disney travelers, using a travel agent doesn’t even cross their minds. That’s perfectly understandable but you should AT LEAST be looking into using one! Why? In short, Disney World is complicated. Even the experts (like us!) can mess up when planning since there are just so many options! Mickey Bar A travel agent can be a serious life-saver when it comes to planning your trip. We’re talking general planning, reservations, discounts, and even damage control! The DFB Team LOVES to turn to our friends at Small World Vacations whenever we’re getting ready for a big trip to see the Mouse! Click here to make sure you’re not making these Disney MISTAKES! They’re Free! So let’s talk about why you should be using (or at least thinking about using!) a travel agent for YOUR trip! First of all, using a travel agent is completely FREE. That’s right, you heard us. The amount you’ll pay for expert advice is zip, nada, and also zilch . Scrooge McDuck You might be wondering, “But DFB, how can such a COMPREHENSIVE and PERSONAL service cost me absolutely nothing???” We’ll tell you! Travel agents work on commissions from suppliers (read: Disney), so they get paid when they get YOU booked, without a cent extra out of your pocket. Pretty sweet, huh? Looking for ways to save money in Disney World? Click here to check out our DFB Guide video! They’ll Catch ALL Those Little Discounts Not only are travel agents free, but they’ll also work to save you money on your trip! Your expert agent wants you to have the best time possible and they want you to be able to do Disney at a price that works for you! That means they’ll help you make decisions about when to go, travel options, resort hotel choices, and park-tickets! MagicBand Scanner ©Disney Your travel agent will give you PERSONALIZED advice on the best way to Disney it up on your budget and then they’ll see if they can save you even MORE money! Travel agents are always in-the-know about ALL of the Disney discounts and deals! Hollywood Studios If a deal or discount applies to your trip, you can bet your travel agent will know about it! Plus, say there are a few discounts that you can opt into, but you’re not sure which one is the best deal. Forget handling all that math on your own — your travel agent will run the numbers on what the best deal is for YOUR trip so that you don’t have to do it yourself! Animal Kingdom Lodge A good, reliable agent will catch ANY discount that applies, even if it comes out after you book. If a new discount comes out that could apply to your vacation, they’ll do the heavy-lifting to rework your reservations so you save as much money (and time!) as possible. To check out ALL the Disney World discounts and deals, click here! They’ll Handle It If ANYTHING Goes Wrong! Even if you can plan the perfect trip, that doesn’t mean that things can’t go wrong prior to your arrival and during your vacation! The good news is that a travel agent can handle anything that goes awry. If any troubles arise, just give your agent a call and they’ll put everything back on track as best they can! Check in at Trattoria al Forno Whatever you need, an experienced and knowledgable travel agent should be able to either handle it themselves or give you advice on how to handle it. Seriously, travel agents can even be there to handle the craziest and most unexpected circumstances! First Aid Take the shocking closure of Disney parks in response to the global health crisis for instance! Small World Vacations agents have been spending HOURS daily on the phone with Disney to reschedule and iron out their clients’ vacations so that the clients are free to do what’s important in their lives at this time — whether that’s work, homeschool, or start to plan that rescheduled Disney trip. International Gateway Guest Relations Agents are working HARD in the wake of the closures. They’re communicating with clients and Disney, absorbing all those long hold times with the Disney phone lines. You can bet that guests with travel agents are having all of their updates, reschedules, and cancellations handled for them without having to lift a finger. Ever been worried about getting a refund if something goes wrong? A travel agent can handle that for you. Disney World during closures ©WESH 2 Plus, agents have access to information and scheduling options that regular folks don’t. With all the craziness right now, Small World Vacations agents are working to rebook guests for 2021 vacation packages; we can’t even book those online yet! Click here to learn why NOW is a great time to be planning that Disney trip! They’re the NUMBER ONE Tip for Making Planning and Your Trip Stress-Free! All in all, travel agents have all the bases covered so that you can focus on the FUN part of the planning and going on a vacation. Your agent will help you make choices that are best for YOUR fam. Happily Ever After See? You don’t want to forget about this amazing (and don’t forget free!) service. Agents, like the ones at Small World Vacations, make all decisions simple as can be so that you can actually enjoy every moment of your Disney trip. Click here to learn more about why YOU should consider a travel agent! Thinking about using a travel agent? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: Disney Cruise Line Bookings for Summer 2020 Sailings OPEN SOON! 7 Things You’re ⚠️Probably Forgetting⚠️ When You Plan a Disney World Trip Here’s Where To Find A Double Stuffed Oreo Cupcake in Disney Parks… View the full article

There seems to be a common thread in the reopening of entertainment venues across the world — mandatory face masks. ©ShanghaiDisneylandResort on Instagram We’ve already seen mandatory face masks for employees AND guests become the norm for Shanghai Disneyland, Universal Orlando CityWalk, and Disney Springs. Especially for Americans, wearing face masks is a pretty new concept. And our readers are asking plenty of questions about what this will be like. So we’re taking a look at when you WILL need to wear a mask at Disney, and when you won’t. Shanghai Disneyland’s Policy Let’s start by taking a look at Disneyland Shanghai’s policy since it is the closest measure we have for what to anticipate in Disney World and Disneyland. According to the health protocols and safety measures for the park, masks are to be worn during guests’ entire visit to the resort except when dining. Shanghai Disneyland We’ve seen this practice go into effect in the opening days of the park. So far, it appears that masks are mandatory in photos as well, so we’ll be saying “Cheese!” from behind that protective filter. ©ShanghaiDisneylandResort on Instagram The park has even instituted bins to dispose of old masks safely. This mandatory policy is in place for the safety of guests and those around them as the CDC and other health organizations recommend masks as a precaution against the spread of illness. Click here to see what the opening day looked like in Shanghai Disneyland! Masks in the Domestic Disney Parks Still, things are pretty different in Shanghai than they are here. Asian cultures are often a lot more comfortable wearing masks and many even did so prior to the world health crisis. So, is the expectation the same for Americans? The answer, it seems, is yes. Walt Disney World As we mentioned, Disney Springs is already requiring masks for Cast Members and guests. As the first officially reopened portion of Disney World, this could be an indication that masks will be expected in the parks. Osceola county, one of the counties that Disney World resides in, has even required mandatory masks in public for its citizens. Beyond that, Florida, in general, has the recommendation of face masks for all residents in public spaces! The most telling factor indicating that the domestic parks will require guests to wear masks comes from the CEO of the Walt Disney Company. Bob Chapek recently mentioned that it is likely that masks will be required for all guests and Cast Members in the parks. He acknowledged how this will be a cultural challenge, but that it will be important for the safety and health of everyone. ©CNBC Some Disney fans are unhappy with this prospect, especially considering the heat in Florida. Still, it seems like a likelihood as Disney deems masks an important piece of opening the parks responsibly. Click here to read more of Bob Chapek’s comments on face masks and more! You’ll probably only take those masks off when you’re eating or leaving. So, yes, we can presume you probably will have to wear a mask in the domestic Disney parks. If they follow a similar model to Shanghai, it’ll only be okay to take them off when dining. Grand Floridian Cafe Dining Room There’s a good reason for you to be able to take your mask off for your meal! According to NPR, it is more dangerous to take your mask on and off between bites than it is to not wear it. All that touching your face is a no-go! Crystal Palace It can be kind of weird to imagine everyone wearing a mask in Disney parks, but Disney has prepared for this. Check out these cute branded face masks you can snag on shopDisney! Just remember, masks are for your safety and for the safety of others, including Cast Members. Disney takes this responsibility very seriously, so if masks will keep their people safe, then masks will be a part of the plan. Need to stock up on face masks for your fam? Click here! How do you feel about wearing masks in the Disney parks? Share your thoughts in the comments! Related posts: Here’s A Look at the Safety Measures Being Discussed By Major U.S. Theme Parks Right Now 10 Ways The Current Crisis is Particularly BAD for The Walt Disney Company It’s Costing Disney HOW MUCH To Close The Theme Parks?! View the full article

Let’s take a trip back in time with this post. Once upon a time, Walt Disney World operated a Welcome Center in Ocala, Florida. Sadly it is now just a memory for those who used to enjoy stopping there. The Welcome Center was a gift shop and information center staffed by Disney Cast Members and […] The post Walt Disney World’s Welcome Center Located in Ocala Florida appeared first on Military Disney Tips Blog. View the full article

Let’s take a trip back in time with this post. Once upon a time, Walt Disney World operated a Welcome Center in Ocala, Florida. Sadly it is now just a memory for those who used to enjoy stopping there. The Welcome Center was a gift shop and information center staffed by Disney Cast Members and […] The post Walt Disney World’s Welcome Center Located in Ocala Florida appeared first on Military Disney Tips Blog. View the full article

The competition is really heating up now! Space Mountain at Night We’ve just wrapped up another round of the Disney Food Blog Rides and Attractions Throw Down, and now we’re down to the FINAL FOUR! Let’s see which attractions are still left to duke it out! We’re getting down to the wire of the DFB Rides and Attractions Throw Down — let’s take a look at how the fourth round played out! The first matchup of round four pitted two Magic Kingdom favorites against each other. But in the end, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad claimed victory over The Haunted Mansion! Big Thunder Mountain in Disney World But Big Thunder isn’t the only “mountain” that made it’s way to the final four. Space Mountain managed to zoom past Frozen Ever After! Space Mountain And in a SHOCKING upset, Soarin’ toppled Disney World’s newest must-do attraction, Rise of the Resistance! Soarin’ Around the World at Epcot And finally, in a battle of Animal Kingdom greats, Flight of Passage pulled out a win against Kilimanjaro Safaris! Flight of Passage Here’s a look at how the competition has played out so far! Round 4 Is Complete! So, which of these attractions should make it to the championship round? Head over to our Instagram stories to vote for your round five selections TONIGHT! Click here to grab a black and white printer-friendly bracket of our Rides and Attraction Throw Down! Which attraction do you think will walk away with the crown? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: We’ve Reached the End of Round THREE in the Disney World Rides and Attractions Throw Down! Which Attractions Made the Cut? Three Tips You NEED to Master Disney World’s FastPass+ Tiers in 2020 Do You Think The PeopleMover Misses Us, Too? We’re Peeking Inside Disney World’s Closure Diary! View the full article

In need of a Cinderella Castle pic fix?! Cinderella Castle in Walt Disney World Well, while President of Disney World Josh D’Amaro sent a very special message to the Class of 2020 yesterday, recently he posted some amazing images of Cinderella Castle on his Insta! Here’s a picture of what Cinderella Castle looked like many months before Magic Kingdom’s opening day in 1971! The old-time photograph was given to him by Disney World’s first Ambassador, Debby Dane Brown. You can see her in the lower right corner waiving next to Mickey Mouse! ©@joshdamaro’s Instagram And check out this neat little optical illusion Josh pulled off in this next pic! He’s held up the sepia-tone photograph against the modern-day Cinderella Castle, transposing the old with the new! We plan to try this little trick with some of our old family photos when the parks reopen. We got some big plans for our 80s pictures of Spaceship Earth! ©@joshdamaro’s Instagram Josh wishes us all well and says he will hold down the castle for us until it’s safe to return! Thanks for sharing this cool technique and we look forward to seeing what other cool stuff you’ll be posting for #ThrowbackThursday, Josh! Check out our latest progress update on Cinderella Castle’s royal makeover here! What do you miss the most at Disney World? Sound off in the comments below! Related posts: Disney World Has STOPPED Construction During Its Closure. Could This Cause Delays on Upcoming Attractions? Six ❤️GOOD❤️ Things That Might Come Out of This Disney World Closure Check Out the Special Ceremony Disney World Is Still Doing Each Day View the full article

Jack Skellington reigns at Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular! View the full article

Gather ‘round as we wrap our daylong #Halfway2Halloween takeover with a special #DisneyMagicMoments viewing of “Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular” at Walt Disney World Resort. For tonight’s pre-recorded viewing of “Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular,” you’ve got the best seat in the house to experience the show’s state-of-the-art projections and dazzling fireworks. Watch as host Jack Skellington delights with a not so scary-tale that proves anything can happen at Halloween! We hope you enjoyed this special pre-recorded viewing of “Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular” fireworks show. Keep checking back for more virtual pixie dust coming to the Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

In literary news, we thought the pinnacle of our week came when author Rick Riordan announced Percy Jackson & The Olympians was going to be made into a new Disney+ live-action series! © Mo Willems But that was before we found out about children’s book author and illustrator Mo Willems’ Thank-O-Rama! In fact, this crazy-talented guy has been helping us learn to draw with doodling lessons each weekday on Youtube (which you can find out more about here). And now Mo would like OUR help thanking some very important people with his Thank You Thursdays! © Mo Willems You can join Mo Willems live in his studio each Thursday this month at 1PM Eastern to watch him dish out some very special kudos, or watch previous Thank-O-Ramas HERE! We love a good pat on the back ALMOST as much as a good yarn, so if you’re looking for more Disney children’s storybook fun, check out Julie Andrew’s new podcast called Julie’s Library where she reads her favorite stories to kids here! Who knows — maybe she’ll pick a book by Mo someday! Have you been tuning in to live streams during this strange time? Let us know in the comments below. Related posts: It’s Cheesecake Time Because Disney Just Released a NEW Must-Have Book! Go On a New Adventure With This FREE ‘Onward’ eBook! Be the Coolest Kid on the Block With These Rad Items From Disney View the full article

We’ve got some serious love for the early Disney/Pixar movies. Toy Story Land But we especially love one of the best of the bunch — the OG Toy Story! Well, this year marks 25 years since we first saw those lovable toys in Andy’s room. Today, is ALSO National Pizza Party Day. Coincidence? We think not. To celebrate check out these cool pizza recipes from Disney! Kids will go wild for this first recipe! We’re talking about Rocket. Ship. Pizza. Why is it called that, you ask? Maybe because it’s shaped LIKE A ROCKET SHIP! How cool! Plus, the rocket ship fins are topped with yummy sun-dried tomato to give it a red color and the engine flame is made with sweet peppers. Here are the ingredients! ©Disney Both of these recipes are inspired by the iconic Pizza Planet restaurant from the movie and they both get the Disney Check which means they’re pretty darn healthy! After you’ve gathered the goods, follow this easy 7-step process to complete the recipe. ©Disney So, yeah, that Rocket Ship ‘za is pretty cool, but we’re loving the second choice even more! Look at the CUTE Alien Veggie “Meatball” Pizza! Have you ever seen the little green guys look so cute? We love how cute this eat is and it could be a healthier option that your kids will (hopefully!!) love! ©Disney We know those alien faces look intimidating, but the recipe is pretty simple! Check it out. ©Disney So there you have it — the perfect way to celebrate Woody and Buzz’s birthday! If you need us, we’ll be chefin’ it up in the kitchen because we’ve got to try these. Click here for more GREAT Disney recipes! Will you be whipping up these pizzas? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: Celebrate Easter at Home with These DIY Disney Activities! Recipe: Make a Disney Park Drink at Home with This Recipe for Joffrey’s Chai Tea Latte! Learn How to Make a Cocktail Inspired By the Man Who Gave Us Some of the Most Iconic Disneyland Rides HERE! View the full article

Attention all ghouls! We have officially reached the halfway mark to Halloween! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party To celebrate, Disney is throwing a virtual #Halfway2Halloween bash, filled with performances, recipes, and DIY crafts! We’ve been sharing some bits and pieces of the celebrations throughout the day today. Here’s a roundup of how you can get in the spooky spirit! Dapper Dans Sing “Grim Grinning Ghosts” It’s a musical dream come true! The Dapper Dans share their voices from home with this fun version of Grim Grinning Ghosts! The perfect song to get us into the “Halfway 2 Halloween” spooky spirit! Check out more Disney performances from home here! Cook Up Frightfully Delicious Recipes! Disney Parks Blog shared a ton of Halloween inspired recipes to enjoy at home this weekend! From Pumpkin Twists and Pumpkin Pancakes to a Vegan-friendly Pumpkin Soup, it’ll suddenly feel (and smell!) like fall in your household when you serve up these autumnal treats. Jack Skellington Cookies ©Disney And for dessert, you can serve up a batch of Jack Skellington Sugar Cookies, with a side of Pumpkin Bars and Pumpkin Crème Brûlée! Read more about these Halloween-inspired dishes here! Take Part in These Fun Halloween Activities! Disney Parks Blog has a list full of fun activities to get in the Halloween spirit! From DIY Crafts to some fun facts about The Haunted Mansion, you just might be ready to go trick-or-treating by the end of the day! ©Disney The Disneyland Ambassadors also challenged us to participate in a costume challenge! Skeleton Goofy! And there are a bunch of new wallpapers for your computer and mobile device! ©Disney Read more about the Halfway 2 Halloween costume challenge here! Get Ready to Score Some Seriously Spooky Swag! It wouldn’t be a Disney celebration if it didn’t come with some new merchandise for us to obsess over, right? New Haunted Mansion Funko POP! We wish we could get in line NOW to shop for this Haunted Mansion-inspired spirit jersey! New spirit jerseys! Check out ALL the new Halloween-inspired merch coming soon here! Cap Off Your Halfway 2 Halloween Celebration With Some Fireworks! Over the past couple of months, Disney has shared ways of enjoying some of their parades and nighttime spectaculars from home, including Happily Ever After from Magic Kingdom and Magic Happens from Disneyland! ©Disney Tonight, get ready to be dazzled with 2019’s Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular at 7:00PM EST. Head over to Disney World’s Instagram to watch! Not So Spooky Spectacular Read all about Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular Here! We can’t wait for spooky season, you guys! All of this has us excited for Pumpkin Spice Lattes, fall weather, and a cozy sweater (it’s basic, we know)!! Are you celebrating #Halfway2Halloween this weekend? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: FULL REVIEW and PHOTOS Of ALL The 2019 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party FOOD! Disney World Refillable Resort Mugs to Receive a Halloween Makeover for 2018 Your Ultimate Spooky Guide To ALL The Halloween Popcorn Buckets in Disneyland AND Disney World! View the full article