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This week, the Disney Parks Moms Panel accepted a photo challenge from Walt Disney World Ambassador Marilyn West and shared many heartwarming Disney memories of a special mom. Now, especially for Mother’s Day, our panelists have a touching message for everyone at home! As we remember and appreciate mom today, here are a few more special Disney memories from members of our Disney Parks Moms Panel. For panelist Kristin C., having fun during a happy bright red photo opportunity with her mom and son is a treasured Disney memory. Kathy K. also cherishes a special moment captured with her mother during a magical visit to EPCOT. And Crystal B. will never forget her mom’s first animal experience tour, Up Close with Rhinos, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The Disney memory of a first Jingle Cruise with mom still brings tears to the eyes of panelist Robyn N. Lauren H. shared a heartfelt moment during a visit to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge on an unforgettable mother-daughter trip. For Julie P., her mom’s first trip to Disney is a most special memory. And Brandy B. and her mom made a few visits to Mickey Mouse in 2015 but one was extra magical! Panelist Thiana S. still remembers her special Disney memory with mom (and brother) years ago at Cinderella Castle. And Bryan M’s shared his magical memory with mom and sister – and Pluto. A special memory for Allyn B. was a Disney visit with her grandmother. And for Jen R., a touching reunion with her mother at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival will always be cherished. Happy Mother’s Day! And as you enjoy the day, don’t forget to share a photo or video of the special mom of your life now on Instagram tagging #DisneyMagicMoments and challenge three friends of your own to show their favorite Disney images. Be sure to check back for more #DisneyMagicMoments. View the full article

Because ranking the lands of Magic Kingdom by its snacks wasn’t torturous enough for us, we’ve decided to do the impossible yet AGAIN! Animal Kingdom That’s right — we’ve decided to delve once more into these strange, uncharted waters of ranking all the Disney snacks we love — for sheer entertainment purposes ONLY! (We not so secretly love most of these snacks, so it’s too hard to choose!!) Normally we try to keep an unbiased opinion about such matters, but there’s nothing we wouldn’t do (or EAT) for you guys! Animal Kingdom Entrance And this time we’re doing things a little differently! Instead of talking about everything you can get, we’re only going to highlight each land’s most iconic snacks! If we don’t mention your favorite snack, it isn’t because it isn’t loved! Don’t ya worry! Fifth Place: Pandora: The World of Avatar Some would argue Pandora: The World of Avatar has the best snacks at Disney’s Animal Kingdom — and they wouldn’t be wrong! Floating Mountains of Mo’ara in Pandora But no matter how fine and mighty Pandora’s snacks may be, there simply aren’t as MANY snacks floating around the mountains of Mo’ara as there are in Animal Kingdom’s other, more plentiful lands! Satu’li Canteen After flying on the back of a banshee, you can refuel at Satu’li Canteen! This fast food spot actually serves up some of the healthiest and heartiest meals in the park with their customizable bowls. But on the snacky side of the spectrum, you’ll find sweet satisfaction with the Chocolate Cake or even the out-of-this-world Blueberry Cream Cheese Mousse! Blueberry Cream Cheese Mousse Satu’li has even been known to serve seasonal variants of this iconic Na’vi treat around the holidays! They’re WAY pretty (in an “out of this world” way) and tasty to boot! Check out our full review of Satu’li Canteen including the Blueberry Cream Cheese Mousse here! And while one of our favorite snacks here is no longer featured on the main menu, it still exists, if you know where to find it! The Steamed Cheeseburger “Pods” Bao Buns can now be found on the kids’ menu. We’ve LOVED these ever since they first were introduced. Soft, pillowy balls of steamed dough stuffed with all the great flavors of a cheeseburger? YES PLEASE! Vegetable Curry Pods Entree and Cheeseburger Pods You can order them as a kids’ meal with housemade chips or PRO TIP: ask for them a la carte! Check out our FULL Satu’li Canteen review here! Pongu Pongu Pandora’s other spot to find a bite is Pongu Pongu. This place is known for pouring up some colorful libations including the Night Blossom and the Mo’ara Margarita! Night Blossom You’ll also find the polarizing Pongu Lumpia here, which you’ll either LOVE or think is just meh. This fried pineapple cream cheese snack is even a touchy subject amongst our team members! Pongu Lumpia The pineapple cream cheese roll has even disappeared from Pongu Pongu to some folks’ dismay THEN suddenly reappeared (also to some folks’ dismay) but we happen to think the Pongu Lumpia is a winner! If it’s not your speed, consider trying their COLOSSAL pretzel served with beer cheese (!!) sauce. Colossal Pretzel with Beer Cheese It doesn’t count as a Disney Dining Plan snack credit, but it’s mega-sharable and WORTH IT! Click here to see why we adore the massive pretzel at Pongu Pongu! Fourth Place: Asia We’re lacing up our hiking boots for the trek over to Animal Kingdom’s Asia for our next visit! Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom You’ll find a lot more snacks in Asia than you will in other areas of the park, and while some of them are truly spectacular, we think some of the other Animal Kingdom lands offer a wider variety of options! Yak and Yeti Local Foods Cafe After a long day of exploring nature trails and meeting up with some of our animal besties, nothing hits the spot like Yak and Yeti Local Foods Cafe. They’ve got lots of savory snacks including Chicken Fried Rice, Pork Egg Rolls, and even French Fries! Fried Rice at Yak and Yeti Local Food Cafes And for dessert, try their Mini Mango Pie or Chocolate Silk Pie…or BOTH! They’re mini ones, after all! Yak and Yeti Local Foods Cafe Desserts In fact, one of our readers loves these mini desserts so much, she even tipped us off that Kroger and Publix grocery stores sell a VERY similar version of the Mini Mango Pie and Chocolate Silk Pie. So similar, in fact, we’re quite convinced they’re one and the same (and we’ve been told by the company that produces them that they are)! Drinkwallah and Chakranadi Wanna snack on some Cinnamon Glazed Nuts like almonds and pecans? Drinkwallah and Chakranadi are just two of several places throughout Disney’s Animal Kingdom where you’ll find this yummy afternoon boost! In fact, we felt a little weird attributing the candied nuts to Asia since you’ll find them in other parts of the park (and in other parks altogether), but we figured Asia could use the help! Cinnamon Glazed Pecans Look for chips, frozen drinks, and pretzels at both of these joints too! Mr. Kamal’s After going through many menu changes throughout the years, Mr. Kamal’s currently serves Seasoned Fries with a selection of yummy dipping sauces! Mr. Kamal’s Seasoned Fries with Dipping Sauces You’ll also find Chicken Dumplings with Ponzu Sauce on the menu. Sadly our beloved Samosas have left the building! But they may be back — Mr. Kamal tends to remove and return things to his menu from time to time. Check out our full review of the Seasoned Fries at Mr. Kamal’s here! Warung Outpost If your favorite snacks are of the alcoholic beverage variety, hit up Warung Outpost for its signature Triple Yeti Blast! Triple Yeti Blast from Upcountry Beverages at Disney’s Animal Kingdom It features layers of frozen flavors of strawberry, lime, and mango all in one delicious treat! Click here for our review of the Triple Yeti Blast! Other Places to Enjoy a Snack in Asia Enjoy a mango and wildberry flavored Yak Attack at Yak & Yeti Quality Beverages, which you can follow up with a Jumbo Turkey Leg! Yak Attack Cool your heels after outrunning the Yeti on Mount Everest with a frozen treat from Anandapur Ice Cream Truck. They serve ice cream floats and soft-serve cones with the occasional specialty cone thrown in the mix like this Forbidden Mountain Cone that appeared for a limited time last year! Forbidden Mountain Cone After floating down the Kali River Rapids or meeting the nearby Yeti at Expedition Everest, quench your thirst at Thirsty River Bar and Trek Snacks with a fruity Khumbu Icefall. This spot also sells hummus with vegetables and pita, Mickey Pretzels, cookies, and chips. Raspberries on the Khumbu Icefall And don’t forget to get re-caffeinated at Royal Anandapur Tea Company, which is really just a fancy name for Joffrey’s! They serve loose-leaf-brewed hot and iced teas as well as chais and specialty coffee drinks! Royal Anandapur Tea Company Caravan Road is only open on heavy crowd days, but when it’s open for business, look for its Ginger Slaw Dog and Char Siu Pork! Third Place: Africa Our next stop on this Animal Kingdom pilgrimage of snacks brings us to Africa! Africa Africa is where you’ll start to see Animal Kingdom’s food get more exciting, and usually there’s a good beat to munch to thanks to African artists who perform throughout the day! Tamu Tamu Refreshments Tamu Tamu Refreshments serves Pineapple Dole Whip! That’s right — this spot has switched to an all dessert offering menu which also features spiked Dole Whip floats and some Lion King-inspired goodies including the Simba Sunset Dole Whip and the Simba Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich! Double Chocolate-Chip Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich You can’t go wrong with any of its Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches though, especially the Double Chocolate Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich. Check out our review of the Simba Ice Cream Sandwich here! There’s also a Warm Brownie Sundae and Malva Cake Sundae served with your choice of either dark rum or coconut rum poured over the top! Malva Cake Sundae Put this one on your list of must-gets next time you’re wandering around in Africa! Harambe Fruit Market Do be fooled by its innocent (and strangely healthy) sounding name. Harambe Fruit Market has plenty of salty and savory options in addition to fresh fruit cups and drinks! This is where you’ll find the Simba Pretzel prowling! Simba Pretzel at Harambe Fruit Market Roasted Corn on the Cob is also specialty snack here — think of it like the vegetarian-equivalent to a Jumbo Turkey Leg! Harambe Market We’ve found the lion’s share of Lion King-themed snacks at Harambe Market recently. Everything from a Simba Cupcake at Isle of Java to the Asante Slush at the Shaved Ice Cart! Asante Slush These treats first appeared last year in celebration of The Lion King‘s 25th anniversary, but so far they’ve managed to stick around! Zuri’s Sweet Shop Zuri’s Sweet Shop is your one-stop sweet shop at Animal Kingdom. This spot serves up many familiar candy kitchen treats but done up with special Animal Kingdom inspiration! Everything including Caramel Apples and Coconut Patties seems to have a safari-themed spin to them! Zuri’s Christmas One of our favorites here is the dark chocolate Mickey with hot chilis! Dark Chocolate Chili Pepper Mickey — Inside And the Sahara Desert cake pop is super yummy! Sahara Dessert Cake Pops You’ll also find candy in bulk, jerky, and prepackaged popcorn in lots of flavors. Some healthier snacks are here too, like almonds, granola, and yogurt-covered pretzels. Seasonal treats appear regularly, so don’t put away those binoculars! Other Places to Enjoy a Snack in Africa Remember those Cinnamon Glazed Nuts we mentioned earlier? You’ll find them at Mahindi along with Popcorn! That’s also where we recently spotted the Simba Popcorn Bucket chillin’! Simba Popcorn Bucket Mahindi also occasionally sells Jungle Juice (sometimes known as POG Juice), which is a cult favorite made from a blend of passion fruit, orange, and guava juices. It’s well-loved and can be found at several locations around Walt Disney World! But here’s a hint — if you can’t find Jungle Juice (or the super rare Jungle Juice Slush) at Mahindi, you can find it at The Mara in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge! Jungle Juice Slushy Dawa Bar serves some of the best cocktails on the property! You can typically pick up a boozy Jungle Juice cocktail here too called Ngumu Jungle Juice. We love stopping by here for a quick cool-off before hopping in line for Kilimanjaro Safari. Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery has everything we need to wake up, from sweet Colossal Mickey Cinnamon Rolls to specialty coffee drinks aplenty! Read more about the Simba Popcorn Bucket here! Second Place: DinoLand, U.S.A. We’re already to our runner up for the best snack land in Animal Kingdom! DinoLand USA And whether you realized it yet or not, DinoLand, U.S.A. is packing some serious snack heat! Restaurantosaurus Restaurantosaurus always seems to be celebrating SOMETHING. Specialty cupcakes appear here often, like this one we spotted for Valentine’s Day! Valentine’s Day Cupcake They also serve Chocolate and Vanilla Milkshakes, a Warm Caramel Chocolate Brownie, and MEAN Chili Cheese Fries! Click here to see our review of Restaurantosaurus! Dino-Bite Snacks Not too far away, you’ll find Dino Bite Snacks. If you ever wanted to know what it was like to swim through a sea of gold coins like Scrooge McDuck (we can’t really help you with that) they serve up the Scrooge McDuck’s Billionaire Bacon Caramel Sundae. Scrooge McDuck’s Billionaire Bacon Caramel Sundae At least it comes with a chocolate gold coin! You’ll also find hot fudge sundaes and ice cream sandwiches (which change often) like the incredible Peppermint Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich we were obsessed with last holiday season! Peppermint Ice Cream Sandwich Seriously, we think we’ve LOVED every iteration of the ice cream sammies here, so be sure to see what flavor is on the menu when you visit! Click here to read our review of the Peppermint Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich! Dino Diner Dino Diner is where our two snack passions often collide! Not only do they sell cotton candy, but also Corn Chip Pie! Corn Chip Pie You can also find chips and queso, churros, frozen slushies, and roasted nuts here! This place seems to truly have it all! Trilo-Bites If digging up dino bones has you turning into a fossil, fill your body up with this plate of awesomeness — Buffalo Chicken Chips! Trilo-Bites really outdid themselves with this snack, which is more the size of a meal! Trilo-Bites Buffalo Chicken Other less savory but equally delicious offerings include the Bugs ‘n Grubs Waffle Cone (which, in our experience, kids go CRAZY for!) and the Oreo Milkshake, which really isn’t much of a replacement for our old favorite Smokey Bones Milkshake. That one had BOURBON and BACON in it! Sadly, like the dinosaurs before it, that has disappeared from the menu and been replaced by the Oreo! (Well, the dinosaurs weren’t replaced by Oreos…the milkshake was…you get it.) Read our review of the Buffalo Chicken Chips at Trilo-Bites here! First Place: Discovery Island We’ve made it! We’re finally to our BIG WINNER for land with the best snacks at Animal Kingdom! Kevin at Animal Kingdom And can you believe it?! Our journey around the world (and parts unknown like that Pandora place! ) has brought us right back to the place where we began — Discovery Island! Even though Discovery Island is smack dab in the middle of Animal Kingdom’s action, it has some of the best eats at the parks — and you don’t even have to walk very far from the entrance to get your hands on them! Flame Tree Barbecue Okay, we admit it…Discovery Island pretty much took the prize because of these French Fries with Pulled Pork and Cheese at Flame Tree Barbecue. We’re not sayin’ the fix was in, but seriously, how could we resist THIS MUCH gorgeous cheese sauce??? Pulled Pork Fries with Cheese at Flame Tree Barbecue Flame Tree also knows its way around some Mac and Cheese PLUS Onion Rings and if you’re looking for something a little more basic, you can go with their regular french fries or cornbread! Or…ya know…barbecue. Flame Tree’s Pulled Pork Fries with Cheese is one of the best uses for your Disney Dining Plan snack credits in 2020! See what some of our picks are here! Creature Comforts Creature Comforts is the cleverly disguised Starbucks at Animal Kingdom! Get your frappes and favorite Starbs specialty drinks along with a Colossal Mickey Cinnamon Roll! Yep, they have this one in Africa at the Kusafiri Bakery as well (that’s where it ORIGINATED!), but you can get it at Starbs, too. Colossal Mickey Cinnamon Roll Somehow, there’s still a little room left over for other pastries and sweets in the bakery cases, but nothing beats that giant cinnamon roll the size of your face! Pizzafari Pizzafari might be a place you associate more with a sit-down meal, but next time hunger strikes, reach for their delicious pesto-brushed Garlic Knots for a great snack on the go! Pizzafari isn’t our favorite restaurant…anywhere…but these are a hidden gem. Garlic Knots and Marinara Sauce They also have a yummy Cannoli Cake and last time we were there, the Lion King Cupcake was still pouncing around! Eight Spoon Cafe Another heavy-hitter of Discovery Island is Eight Spoon Cafe. This spot is often only open seasonally, but if it IS, you’ll find CHEESY NIRVANA! Allow us to introduce you to Eight Spoon’s Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Pulled Pork! Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese No, that isn’t some delicious-looking mirage — that’s a real snack! You can also order their Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Shrimp and Sweet Chili Sauce, but clearly, we’re a little more partial to pork! Other Places to Enjoy a Snack in Discovery Island While The Feeding Ground is open year-round and serves popcorn as well as frozen lemonade and a variety of more adult offerings, the rest of Discovery Island’s snack spots are operated more seasonally. On heavy crowd days, you can catch The Smiling Crocodile — which last time we saw it open was serving a Pulled Pork Jelly Donut Sandwich! Pulled Pork Jelly Doughnut Yes it was as awesome as it sounds! Check out our review of the Pulled Pork Jelly Doughnut HERE! Terra Treats, which is also only open at peak times of the year, had a Spaghetti and Meatball Cupcake just in time for the Animal Kingdom Sampler last Christmas season. Spaghetti and Meatballs Cupcake So it never hurts to swing by these seasonal spots and see what happens to be open on your visit! Well, friends, we DID IT! We finally ranked the lands! We hope you enjoyed this educational (and very hunger-inducing!) trip around Animal Kingdom with us today! Wondering which park we’ll rank next? You’ll just have to wait and see! Which land at Animal Kingdom has your favorite snacks? Tell us in the comments below! Related posts: ALL Our Reviews from the 2019 Animal Kingdom Tasting Sampler! Animal Kingdom’s Tasting Sampler Is Coming Back This Winter with New and Returning Eats! What’s New in Animal Kingdom — Price Hikes, Plant-Based Tacos, and No More Smokey Bones! View the full article

One thing we’re sure about in the midst of this situation is that we WILL return Disney World! Eventually. Magic Kingdom Disney World has been closed since March 16th, and the park gates will remain shuttered “until further notice.” But just in the last few days we’ve seen a LOT of updates and confirmation about what Disney World will be like when it reopens. Disney Springs will begin Disney World’s phased reopening on May 20th, and Disney World has confirmed that guests will be required to where face coverings. Disney World has also confirmed that rides, attractions, and other experiences may be modified or closed in order to protect guests and cast members during the theme parks’ reopening phases. And the Walt Disney Company has also stated that they are currently considering using more virtual queues and implementing more modifications like capacity limits in the parks when they reopen. So with all of these changes, we asked our readers if we should even go to Disney World when things are so topsy-turvy. Here’s what they said. Disney World Will be Different When it Reopens We’re definitely missing our Disney World fix right now (and we’re betting a lot of you feel the same!). But as much as we want to get back to the parks, we’re also coming to terms with the fact that things will likely be different when Disney does reopen. In fact, Disney’s Chairman Bob Iger said, “I don’t think we’re ever going to see a return to business as usual.” Bob Iger presenting a model of Shanghai Disneyland Iger also discussed potential safety measures including temperature checks and social distancing in the parks. And now, the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force has shared proposed guidelines for theme parks that include requiring 6 feet of distancing between guests, masks and temperature checks for employees, reduced park capacity, and increased sanitization of surfaces within the parks. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Given the suggested distancing of six feet between guests, this has called into question whether entertainment that draws a large crowd, like parades and fireworks, will still be possible. Disney has also spoken out that they’re considering heavier implementation of their Virtual Queue system once the parks do reopen to help maintain distance between guests as well as reduced capacities overall in the parks. Click here to learn more about the proposed guidelines for reopening theme parks We Asked Our Readers to Weigh In With all of the changes being suggested, we wanted to know how our readers feel about experiencing Disney in this new normal. So, we asked our Instagram followers, if Disney World is super weird when it reopens, would you still go? (Yes, in this case, “super weird” is a technical term! ) And based on the responses, people seem to be split on this decision — of the first 445 people to chime in, 195 said NO, they wouldn’t go if there are excessive changes, 143 said YES, they’re still down for a trip, and 107 said MAYBE, depending on what specific changes are implemented. Here’s a visual breakdown of the results! Pie Chart of Our Readers’ Responses When Asked Whether They Will Still Go to Disney World if There are a Bunch of Changes Let’s take a closer look at some reader responses to see the reasoning they gave behind their answers! “Yes, We Would Definitely Still Go!” Of the readers who responded, 32% said they would still go to Disney World even if it does look super different than what they’re used to. Many of these people mentioned that they are really missing the magic, and they’ll take whatever they can get. “Yes because Disney is Disney and I know I will love it no matter what.” Rivers of Light Amphitheater Others also mentioned that they think that many of the changes will end up becoming long-term, so they don’t see a reason to hold out with the hope that the guidelines will be dropped. “Yes, we have to get used to this…world — we are not going back to normal after this.” We asked our readers when they will feel safe going back to Disney World, and here’s what they said “No Way, We’re Not Dealing With That!” On the other hand, 43% of people said they don’t plan on returning to Disney World with these restrictions in place. This was the most popular response and many within this group said that given the costs associated with a Disney trip, they can’t justify going while things aren’t operating at full steam. “It’s too expensive to not have the experience you want to have.” Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Others also mentioned that as much as they love Disney, a vacation with a bunch of limitations just wouldn’t feel the same. As one person put it, “I want the full magic of Disney, so I’m willing to wait a little longer.” Here are five quotes that show the current state of The Walt Disney Company “Maybe, But it Depends on the Circumstances!” The remaining 24% said it might be worth it, but it depends on the specifics. There were two main reasons given for this response. Some people mentioned that while they think seasoned Disney World vacationers could still get some enjoyment out of a visit, it isn’t the best time for someone to take their first trip. “For some like me (AP/DVC [an Annual Passholder and Disney Vacation Club Member]) yes. If it were my once in every 5-10 years [trip] or a once in a lifetime trip, nope!” Walt Disney World’s Epcot Another point several people made was that it all comes down to what changes are actually implemented. While many said they wouldn’t mind extra health and safety measures, losing rides, attractions, and fireworks would be a dealbreaker. “Depends on what rides and attractions are open/closed, and what dining options [are available.]” We asked our readers how they would feel about temperature checks at Disney World and this is what they said So, as much as we miss Disney World, it seems like people have very split opinions on whether or not they would visit “at any cost.” Overall, many of the respondents agreed that the price they would pay for a limited experience is concerning, and that Annual Passholders will probably be the most willing to visit amid strict health and safety measures. Our readers made some excellent points, which gave us more to ponder while we await our return to the parks! Here’s how the current closure could change Disney World forever Would you still visit Disney World if it looks super weird when it reopens? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: We Asked Our Readers When They Think Disney World Will Reopen: Here’s What They Said. We Asked Our Readers If They Are Still Planning A 2020 Disney World Vacation: Here’s What They Said. We Asked Our Readers If They’d Be OK With Temperature Checks To Enter Disney World. Here’s What They Said. View the full article

Earlier this week, we reported that Shanghai Disneyland is prepping to open March 11th. The resort has already implemented new health screening protocols for guests as they slowly re-opened limited shopping, dining, and recreational experiences. Shanghai Disneyland Disney’s CEO Bob Chapek announced additional precautions the parks would take during the re-opening and now we can see for ourselves exactly what these precautions will look like from the guests’ perspective. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Shanghai Disneyland’s senior vice president of operations, Andrew Bolstein, walked reporters through exactly what the park will look like with new procedures in place for Monday’s re-opening. Alice in Wonderland Maze at Shanghai Disneyland Guest will first have their temperatures taken, then proceed to a socially-distanced security screening. Government mandates restrict the park from operating above 30% its normal capacity (about 24,00 visitors a day). But Chapek stated the park plans to start at a much lower capacity and work towards the 30% mark. TRON: Lightcycle Power Run in Shanghai Disneyland Cast Members will be stationed throughout the park to promote social distancing. Although full parades, fireworks, and meet-and-greets are not scheduled to resume immediately, Bolstein noted “a small procession of a couple of floats will come out throughout the day and surprise our guests, hopefully.” Guests will be permitted to watch shows with their group in designated boxes marked on the ground — one meter from the next group. Shanghai Disneyland Queues will be marked with lines on the ground and reminders to socially distance. And ride vehicles will even have markers to indicate where to sit. For example, Pirates of the Caribbean will leave empty rows of seats between guests. Pirates of the Caribbean at Shanghai Disneyland You can find out more details and see the new procedures for yourself in the video below! Tickets for Shanghai Disneyland’s opening day went on sale last Thursday and sold out almost immediately. We will keep you updated with any additional information regarding Shanghai’s re-opening! Check out all of our coverage of Shanghai Disneyland’s re-opening here! Related posts: 10 Ways The Current Crisis is Particularly BAD for The Walt Disney Company Check Out How Disney Fans Brought the Attractions Home With ‘Homemade Disney’! These 11 Disney Movie Quotes Are Honestly Our Truths Right Now View the full article

Our #DisneyMagicMoments series of “living photos” continues this weekend with a relaxing virtual trip to Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa to add a dose of tranquility to your day. Whether it’s watching soothing clouds drift above the mountainous landscape of Aulani or enjoying the sight of a sunny day at the beach, these magically peaceful moments-in-time can help you find your Zen! Keep checking our Disney Magic Moments page right here on the Blog for more of these types of stories as well as family-fun activities, online resources and more — LEARN & CREATE, FUN & PLAY and CARE & COMMUNITY. RELATED STORIES: Find Your Zen at Walt Disney World Resort Find Your Zen at Disneyland Resort View the full article

In case you haven’t heard, we put together a Disney World Rides and Attractions Throw Down of epic proportions. Rise of the Resistance You can join in the fun by grabbing a bracket, predicting your winners, and voting for your favorite on Instagram! But the first half of Round One just ended and things are really heating up! We were already scandalized that Mickey’s PhilHarmagic was beating out the Enchanted Tiki Room, but the results got even more exciting from there! In a downright railroad battle, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was victorious over the Walt Disney World Railroad! Well it is the wildest [and now more popular] ride in the wilderness. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom The Barnstormer managed to sail higher than the AstroOrbiter, but it will face off against Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in the next round! Barnstormer In a ride vs. show throw down, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin won over the Country Bear Jamboree. So long old friends! Do you think they are still singing even while the parks are closed? They have to keep busy somehow! Country Bear Jamboree In a throw BACK showdown, Dumbo the Flying Elephant won out over The Hall of Presidents. We still love you, Abe! Dumbo the Flying Elephant Classic attractions went head to head as The Haunted Mansion took on “it’s a small world!” We can’t choose! So we’re glad you are the ones making the call! But the grim grinning ghosts won out as the The Haunted Mansion took the lead. Haunted Mansion The Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor triumphed over the Liberty Square Riverboat and PhillharMagic snatched the next round from the Enchanted Tiki Room! Philharmagic Aquatic attractions Jungle Cruise and Splash Mountain battled it out, but not even the backside of water could save the Jungle Cruise from bitter defeat. And since Splash Mountain is up against PhillharMagic in the next round, we are truly STUMPED about what you will choose. It’s anyone’s game! Splash Mountain In two face-offs of sky versus land — the land triumphed BOTH times with Winnie the Pooh beating out the Magic Carpets of Aladdin and Pirates of the Caribbean winning against Peter Pan’s Flight. (Uhhh so why is the wait for Peter Pan consistently long then…things aren’t adding up.) Peter Pan’s Flight In a not so shocking turn of events, the Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train wiped out the Regal Carousel. Turns out we have some thrill seekers in the audience! Magic Kingdom We had to turn away for the next one because we didn’t want to say goodbye to Mad Tea Party OR Space Mountain. But it was Space Mountain’s day as it snatched the win. Space Mountain The PeopleMover and Tomorrowland Speedway are known as the “dueling loops of doom” among the Tomorrowland in-crowd. Okay, maybe that’s not true, but we decided to have them face off for glory in the attraction throw down! Ya’ll like your air conditioning and smooth rides because the PeopleMover won handsomely. Closed PeopleMover The Journey of the Little Mermaid snagged the lead from the Carousel of Progress and Frozen Ever After was deemed the superior boat ride over The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros! Frozen Ever After Finally, Epcot’s Living with the Land took the win over Journey into Imagination with Figment! We bet lil Figment still has a big grin on his face though! Journey into Imagination Valentine’s Sign So, did your favorite make the cut?? There’s still time to grab a bracket and VOTE for your favorite attractions! The second half of round one kicks off tonight on Instagram (@DisneyFoodBlog)! Find out what some of your favorite attractions may be thinking on their lonesome while the parks are closed here! Which attraction face off surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: 25 Can’t-Miss Experiences to Celebrate the Holidays at Walt Disney World This Year! NEW Insta-Worthy Nighttime Magic Shots Are Coming to Disney World Soon! The BIGGEST Time Wasters in Disney World — And How To Avoid Them! View the full article

Although the Disney World theme parks have not yet have a set timeline for reopening, Disney Springs will start to open its third-party stores and restaurants on May 20th. Disney Springs Along with STK Orlando and Wine Bar George, there’s another eatery opening up to guests the first day Disney Springs re-opens. According to a store associate, Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream will begin a phased re-opening in Disney Springs on May 20th! Häagen Dazs Ice Cream Häagen-Dazs has not released the details of their re-opening precautions, but the representative stated the shop will be following strict health and safety guidelines during this time. We’ll keep you updated with additional details! Take a look at the full list of restaurants reopening in Disney Springs here! Which restaurants would you like to see reopen in Disney Springs soon? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: DFB Video: Our 13 Favorite Ways Celebrate Christmas in Disney World! The Nutty Italian Sundae in Disney Springs Looks SO Good We Could Eat Two! What’s NEW at Disney Springs: The Her Universe Star Wars Collection, NEW Park Life Dooneys, and Rock the Dots Merch! View the full article

We’ve been baking up a storm recently with all those amazing Disney recipes (we’ve had Mickey Waffles like three times this week already). Be Our Guest Sign And, while you’re singing and dancing around your kitchen as you cook, you’re going to want to pull out your best silverware and plates for this next delicious treat! We’re inviting you to be our guest and make the famous Grey Stuff from Red Rose Taverne in Disneyland and Be Our Guest Restaurant in Disney World! Although we might not have enchanted kitchenware like in Beauty and the Beast, this dessert is still just as fun to make at home. We already shared a similar recipe when we were pairing some delicious Disney treats with Disney films, but there’s no need to start and stop a video with these step-by-step instructions below! Grey Stuff Gateau Ingredients 1 1/2 cups cold whole milk 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix 15 chocolate sandwich cookies 1 (8 ounce) container whipped topping, thawed 3 tablespoons instant chocolate pudding mix 12 scalloped sugar cookies Edible sugar pearls Grey Stuff Gateau Recipe Pour milk into large mixing bowl. Add instant vanilla pudding mix and whisk for 2 minutes until smooth and slightly thickened. Place in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours, until firm. Place chocolate sandwich cookies in food processor and pulse until puréed. Fold puréed cookies into pudding mix. Stir until fully mixed. Add whipped topping and instant chocolate pudding. Stir until fully mixed. Place in refrigerator and chill for one hour. Spoon grey stuff into piping bag fitted with desired tip. Pipe grey stuff onto cookies. Top with sugar pearls. You can watch the full baking tutorial on how to make the Grey Stuff here! Bon appétit! Who else here is grabbing ingredients from the cabinets as we speak?? Learn how to create more iconic treats from Disney films here! Have you ever tried the Grey Stuff in the Disney Parks? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Disney Recipe: Make Disney’s Churros at Home with THIS Recipe! Become a Disney Chef With These Iconic Breakfasts You Can Make at Home! Disney Recipe: Add a Little Sugar and Spice to Your Morning with Disneyland’s Pumpkin Muffins! View the full article

Try this New Easy At-Home Grey Stuff Recipe, It’s Delicious | #DisneyMagicMoments View the full article

Tens of thousands of crew members have been trapped for weeks aboard dozens of cruise ships around the world — long after governments and cruise lines negotiated their passengers' disembarkation. Some have gotten ill and died; others have survived but are no longer getting paid. View the full article

With warmer weather just around the corner (and for many of us, it’s already here!), that means it’s backyard barbecue season (YUSSSS!). We’re also looking for more ways to bring Disney magic into our everyday lives, especially right now. So what better way to do so in the summer months than with a Disney barbecue! Get ready to cook up some hot dogs, like the ones served at Casey’s Corner! Is this your first time throwing a Disney backyard barbecue? You may need some special supplies in order to conquer your grill! If you want to give your barbecues a Disney twist this season, we found utensils, dinnerware, and even some fun activities for the ultimate backyard outdoor extravaganza! First, you have to dress for the occasion! What’s a barbecue without an awesome apron to let everyone know who the chef is! Also, with Father’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking of some fun gift ideas for dad! We spotted this super cute Darth Vader apron for adults that says “Father of the Year”. © Disney We’re a little perplexed that Darth Vader even made the shortlist for this recognition (didn’t he BLOW UP his daughter’s planet and CHOP OFF his son’s hand? Not cool, man!). So this is likely a touch of sarcasm. The apron retails for $22.95. Award your “Father of the Year” with this Darth Vader apron! But don’t be fooled into thinking dads are the only ones capable of grilling a delicious meal! ANYONE can become a barbecue master. In fact, aprons are not even a requirement to get the job done — although they may help avoid any unnecessary messes. We found another fun apron that you can pick up, but this time, ANYONE in the family can wear it with pride! That’s because this apron is customizable, so slap your name on it and claim your title as grill king or queen! © Disney These personalized aprons are currently ON SALE for $17.99! Grab this super cute, customizable apron for adults here! Next, ‘assemble’ your best Marvel grilling equipment Grilling can be intimidating if you’ve never done it before! It’s not your typical stovetop, that’s for sure! If you’re feeling a bit nervous stepping up to the grill for the first time, let Captain America help! © Target Because what can be more appropriate for the summer holidays than Captain America and a backyard barbecue? It just sounds like summer to us! So suit up with this 3-piece Marvel utensil set for $24.99 to channel your inner superhero! Grab this 3-piece Captain America barbecue utensil set here! While everyone waits for the food to cook, we found some toys & games for them to play! The best part about a barbecue is spending time outdoors! That’s right, it’s not always about the food — it’s also about spending quality time with your family and friends (ok, maybe the food is a really big, yummy part but…you know…it takes time to cook stuff!). With the weather improving, it’s time to stock up on some new games and toys you can bring out to your backyard. Plus, filling your afternoon with games is a great way to pass time as the food is being prepared! For starters, this Spider-Man Toss & Catch Ball set is a great way to get some energy out, no matter how old you are! © Disney Didn’t EVERY kid seem to have a set of velcro catch like this?! It’s priced at $19.95. Grab hold of the Spider-Man Toss and Catch Ball Set here! And for the youngest aspiring grill masters in the family, what better way to take part in the family activities than to have a barbecue set of their very own? We found this adorable barbecue grill playset for the little ones to enjoy! ©shopDisney This playset has everything they’ll need to learn the ropes when it comes to grilling, from ingredients like steak and peppers to utensils like tongs and a skewer! It even lights up and makes sizzling grilling noises — TOO CUTE. It retails for $49.95. Get the kiddos their very own barbecue grill play set here! Dinner’s ready! Stock up on Disney outdoor dining supplies! The food is cooked, everyone is hungry and ready to eat…don’t sit down at your dining room table! Keep the party going outdoors with some Disney summer picnic dinnerware. If you don’t have a picnic table or somewhere to sit, a picnic blanket will do the trick! This Mickey Mouse picnic blanket measures 70″ x 80″ when fully unfolded, and it even folds and rolls up into its own ‘carrying case’! © Disney The blanket is a super cute pattern with all of our favorite frozen Disney treats, including Dole Whip (which, by the way, would make the PERFECT dessert option for your barbecue!). The picnic blanket is priced at $19.99! Grab your very own Mickey Mouse picnic blanket here! Once your food is cooked and ready to eat, you’ll want to assemble all your side dishes and beverages! Keep those items cool with this fun Mickey Mouse collapsable cooler tote. © Box Lunch This insulated container is great for keeping things cool all day, while also being a great way to carry all your essentials back inside at the end of the evening. It retails for $54.90. Keep your drinks nice and chilly with this Mickey collapsable cooler tote! And finally, of course you’ll need utensils to eat your food with! You COULD go with your standard flatware…or you can get an entirely new set with a Disney twist! The Ink & Paint collection is a beautiful collection of dinnerware, apparel, accessories, and more! The 20-piece flatware set has a cute wood finish to the handles to give each fork, spoon, and knife a paint brush appearance. © Disney We’ve gotta admit we were swooning over these since we first saw them. They might be too cute to JUST use for a barbecue, don’t ya think?! Get the Ink and Paint flatware set here! The best part about barbecues is that it can make a big occasion out of preparing food for your family…WITH your family! With fun outdoor activities and themed dinnerware, you can make an entire afternoon or evening out of it and keep the party going. These days, we’re looking for new and unique ways to create memories with our families, and while we can’t go out as often as we used to, our homes can become the new destination! In search of some Disney recipes for your barbecue? Check out our full list! What is your favorite backyard barbecue activity? Is it cooking the food? Eating outside with your family? Playing some games before or after you eat? Share with us in the comments! Related posts: Find Out How to Celebrate The Premiere of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker at Your Local Disney Store! Baby Yoda Plush IS HERE! ACT FAST! The Cinderella Series in the Disney Castle Collection Makes Its Magical Debut! View the full article

It’s time to tie your napkin ‘round your neck while we provide a new easy at-home recipe inspired by the ultimate “Grey Stuff” found at Disney Parks around the world. Being one of our most sought-after recipes, our chefs got together to create this simple version the entire family will enjoy making and eating! Why not make it a “Beauty and the Beast”-themed evening and serve while watching the animated classic or live-action version (or both!) on Disney+? And now we invite you to relax, pull up a chair as we proudly present –the Grey Stuff! Simple At-Home Grey Stuff Recipe Inspired by the Ultimate “Grey Stuff” at Disney Parks Makes 12 Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups cold whole milk 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix 15 chocolate sandwich cookies 1 (8 ounce) container whipped topping, thawed 3 tablespoons instant chocolate pudding mix 12 scalloped sugar cookies Edible sugar pearls Directions: Pour milk into large mixing bowl. Add instant vanilla pudding mix and whisk for 2 minutes until smooth and slightly thickened. Place in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours, until firm. Place chocolate sandwich cookies in food processor and pulse until puréed. Fold puréed cookies into pudding mix. Stir until fully mixed. Add whipped topping and instant chocolate pudding. Stir until fully mixed. Place in refrigerator and chill for one hour. Spoon grey stuff into piping bag fitted with desired tip. Pipe grey stuff onto cookies. Top with sugar pearls. 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! Ava, a 13-year-old budding chef and Disney fan, made this recipe in her home kitchen – with the help of her personal sous chefs (mom and dad). Adam, Ava’s brother, was the official taste tester and agrees, “It’s delicious!” Check out her video. From our Disney family to yours, we hope you enjoy this yummy recipe! 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

Disney World’s top dining spots have been vying for your foodie affections in our official DFB Table Service Restaurant Throw Down which kicked off recently! Epcot And while we’ve told you how rounds one, two, three, and four have gone down so far — we didn’t tell you how CLOSE some of these big brawls were! Now maybe some of you haven’t been playing along with us in our DFB Table Service Restaurant Throw Down or haven’t been voting live on our Instagram stories (that’s okay, we forgive you!!). But we also know some of you who ARE following along might be curious to see how narrow some of these margins were! (Some were pretty surprising!) DFB Table Service Throw Down Which Would You Pick If You Could Only Choose One Disney World Restaurant Between These Two Options: Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Tusker House VS. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Boma? Way back in round one, we thought Tusker House had met its match when it faced off against its Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge nemesis, Boma! Just kidding — these two buddies went to safari school together! Tusker House Buffet Area But Tusker House beat out Boma by just 2,028 votes! That might not sound that narrow to you, but there are a LOT of people voting in this thing — 29,024 in fact! Boma had only 13,274 votes while Tukser House took home the win with 15,750! Maybe the appeal of meeting Safari Mickey was just a liiiiittle more appealing than those Zebra Domes?? Click here to see our latest review of Tusker House! Epcot’s Le Cellier Steakhouse VS. Via Napoli? We already know which one our readers chose in this epic clash of Epcot’s World Showcase iconic dining establishments (and we’ll share it with you in a sec!), but do you know which country’s flag you’re standing under — Le Cellier Steakhouse’s Canadian maple leaf or Via Napoli’s green, white, and red banner? Arancini at Via Napoli In fact, out of 29,194 votes, Via Napoli received 15,190 votes and took down Le Cellier Steakhouse (which got 14,004 votes) by only 900! We get it, it’s an age-old debate — poutine or pizza. In this case, pizza won! Speaking of pizza, check out the tasty pies being cooked up at Via Napoli here! Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Sanaa VS. Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Tree Tavern? You’d be hard-pressed to find a more-unlikely match-up than Sanaa vs. Liberty Tree Tavern in our tournament, but believe it or not, these very different styles of cuisine went head-to-head in round two! Turkey with Gravy and Green Beans And out of 29,831 votes, Sanaa received 14,527 votes, and fell to Liberty Tree Tavern which got 15,304 votes by a margin of just 777 votes! We were pretty shocked by these results considering you can watch Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge’s wildlife, like zebras and giraffes, while you dine at Sanaa, not to mention they have an incredible Indian-Style Bread Service and African curries to choose from! But we guess Liberty Tree Tavern’s classic turkey, gravy, and fixins were all it took to seal the deal (Oh yeah, and OF COURSE the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake!). Click here to see our recent review of Liberty Tree Tavern! Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club’s Beaches and Cream VS. Magic Kingdom’s Be Our Guest Restaurant (Dinner Service) We can attest to being huge supporters of Beaches and Cream (having lovingly painted several oil paintings of the No Way Jose Sundae that are now hanging throughout our homes. It’s so good, you guys.). But seeing it go up against a savage beast like Be Our Guest Restaurant, we weren’t sure what the outcome would be! No Way Jose at Beaches and Cream But out of 30,828 votes, by the skin of its teeth, Beaches and Cream pulled out a “W” for all whipped cream kind with 15,708 votes, beating out Be Our Guests’s 15,120 votes by just 588 votes — our closest match YET! We know, ice cream sundaes as big (or bigger!) than your head vs a prix fixe 3-course meal. Not a fair fight. Click here to see why we adore Beaches and Cream (and apparently you do too!) These were some narrow escapes from certain death and we hope you’ve seen how history almost went the other way for some of these most-beloved restaurants! In the end, one restaurant emerged victorious above ALL OTHERS. Which was it? Gotta click here to see! Be sure and check out who our readers crowned the winners of our Disney World Snack Madness Tournament here as well as our Official DFB Counter Service Restaurant Throwdown here! And head over to follow us on Instagram to take part in our CURRENT BRACKET — RIDES!!! Are you surprised by the results of some of these close match-ups? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: We’re Down to the Final 8 In Our Disney World Table Service Restaurant Throw Down! Round One of Our Table-Service Throw Down Is Over! See Which Disney World Restaurants Have Made the Cut! The Battle is OVER! See Which Popular Disney World Restaurants Have Pulled Through Round 2! 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! Alice in Wonderland Maze at Shanghai Disneyland Things have been SUPER busy in the Disney Parks, even with all the recent closures! As the parks slowly start to reopen, we’re here to keep you up-to-date on all the new procedures, changes coming to Disney, and everything else you need to know! We’re talking about Shanghai Disneyland and Disney Springs reopening, the current financial situation of the Walt Disney Company, safety measures that may be coming soon, 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 trips to Disney Parks planned for this year? 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

Disney World has started to re-open in phases, beginning with third-party restaurants and stores in Disney Springs! Garden Grill Restaurant Although some of these spots are opening back up, Disney World has also recently confirmed that they will no longer be taking any reservations earlier than July 1st. And, before today, if your vacation was affected by the park closures, you could take advantage of a private offer including a free dining package. The original offer allowed eligible guests with trips during the closures to re-book with a free dining package for most arrival dates from June 1st through September 30th if booked by May 31st, 2020. Be Our Guest Sign However, the private offer is no longer listed on the Disney World website. We also confirmed with a Cast Member that this offer is discontinued for the time being. ©Disney via website There is a possibility that Disney World could roll out another Free Dining offer later this year since they did it twice in 2019, but there is currently no precedent for how Disney World will handle special offers during an extended closure like this. We’ll continue to keep you updated with more information! Check out the dining locations that are CONFIRMED to re-open on May 20th in Disney Springs here! Do you have plans to travel to Disney World later this year? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Celebrate Easter AND Mother’s Day With This Brunch in Disney World! NEWS: Mobile Order Is Getting an AWESOME Change in Disney World (And We Are SO Here for It)! DFB Video: 5 Things You Need to Know About Disney’s Riviera Resort View the full article

On Mother’s Day, Disney Dreamers Academy Alumni Give Thanks to Their Moms - Casey Carter View the full article

On Mother’s Day, Disney Dreamers Academy Alumni Give Thanks to Their Moms - Anthony Juba-Richardson View the full article

We’re inching slowly closer to a possible reopening of the Disney World theme parks, so we’re starting to think about what that might look like. Main Street, U.S.A. And we’re not the only ones! Florida put together the Re-Open Florida Task Force, with representation by Disney World president Josh D’Amaro, to visualize the sort of health and safety measures that will be necessary to reopen the state. Many of the already-discussed measures apply to Disney World and we’re looking at what these might mean for YOUR next Disney trip! Keep in mind, most of these measures have simply been proposed, not mandated. So we’ll keep you posted as news develops from state government. 1. We Will See a Gradual/Phased Reopening We now know that Disney World will be reopening in phases, with select restaurants and stores in Disney Springs as the first phase. But the Task Force has also discussed opening Disney World and other Orlando theme parks gradually, with Florida residents allowed in initially, then domestic guests, and finally a full reopen to international guests. We’ve already seen a similar process used in China with the phased reopening of Shanghai Disney Resort. Florida tourism officials have even discussed a marketing plan to encourage this process. Epcot’s Main Gate To date, Disney World has not specified that guests would have to be from a certain locale in order to patronize their parks, and this is not the case at press time with the Disney Springs reopening. But if a process like this moves forward, this could have different implications for your Disney trip depending on what kind of guest you are. If you’re a Florida resident, you may see extremely low-crowds at the first phase of theme parks reopening. Similarly, around 20% of Disney World guests are international visitors at any given time, so until international guests are welcomed there could be fewer people in the parks. To learn more about the Task Force’s suggestion of a gradual reopening, click here! 2. Sick Guests May Not Be Allowed in the Parks Another potential change that has been discussed by the group is the possibility of sick guests not being allowed in the park. This was initially suggested by Universal Orlando but could ring true for Disney World depending on state regulations and executive decisions. MagicBand Scanner ©Disney The committees are not yet sure how this would work, but it echos Bob Iger’s mention of possible temperature checks at the park gates. This change could mean that if you’re sick during your trip to Disney World, you may be turned away at the gates to protect other guests and Cast Members. Click here to read more of Universal Orlando’s suggestions. 3. In-Park Protocols Could be Extremely Different In-park protocols could also see some serious changes to increase health and safety within the parks. Universal also made suggestions on this subject, including reducing unnecessary surface contact points, sanitizing rides and necessary surfaces during the day, using more technology (such as Mobile Order or Mobile Pay), increasing the use of virtual queues, using primarily outdoor queues, and staggering seating on rides and in shows. Cast Members Cleaning in Galaxy’s Edge Disney has since announced that Virtual Queues will likely be further implemented in their parks as well once reopened to maintain safety. This could have interesting ripple effects on the way our park-days look. Not only could these measures be apparent in the parks, but sanitation procedures and capacity regulations could even have an effect on wait times. Want to learn more about Disney’s proposed safety measures once reopened? Click here. 4. Restaurants Could Have Lower Capacities, Shortages, and New Protocols New procedures could extend to Disney dining as well. The Task Force has made suggestions of lowering restaurant capacity through updated floor plans, having servers wear masks and gloves, and distributing disposable menus instead of reusable ones. They also recommended dining locations have stricter protocols to clean and disinfect everything between customers. Be Our Guest The committees have also discussed the potential for group suppliers to have some issues meeting demands when restaurants begin to reopen and place full orders simultaneously. Magic Kingdom Crowds on Final Night If some of these issues and protocols are the reality in Disney World, you may see notable changes on your trip. With Disney Springs’ reopening, we know that the shopping and dining district will be operating with limitations on capacity, parking, and operating hours, and that guests and cast members will be required to wear face coverings. That, coupled with potential supply chain issues, means that it may be more difficult to get a reservation at many restaurants. Plus, locations may run out of specific menu items if there are shortages, resulting in possible substitutions. To learn more about restaurant procedures during Disney World’s phased reopening, click here. 5. Guests and Cast Members Will Be Required To Wear Masks Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has also been discussed at these meetings. One scenario has Florida residents being asked to continue wearing masks in public areas. In this instance, you may see Cast Members provided with and wearing masks and gloves in the park. ©Harvey’s Universal has stated that they are considering for their employees to all wear masks once their parks open, and Disney will require both guests and cast members to wear face coverings when Disney Springs reopens. If guests are asked or choose to wear masks in the parks, interestingly, this could mean that Disney would have to adjust a rule in its dress code for the parks. Masks that cover the face have previously been disallowed in the theme parks, but in the interest of health, guests may be allowed (or even encouraged or required!) to wear a filtered mask for their safety and the safety of others. For more Task Force key points, click here! 6. Spa and Salon Experiences, Like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Might See New Safety Measures One of the most popular experiences for children in Disney World is the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where kids can get a hair and makeup makeover. But with salons and spas closed in most states due to health concerns, what will safety regulations look like in the salons and spas of Disney World when a reopening happens? The Task Force has floated some ideas for personal grooming locations such as a one-in, one-out policy to control capacity, contactless payment, and salon employees and customers encouraged to wear masks. Disney Springs Location That could make your little princess’ magical makeover a little more problematic if they’re required to wear a mask the whole time. And locations like this are typically packed with eager parents snapping pictures — will it ruin the appeal if mom and dad have to possibly wait outside? Grand Floridian Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique These regulations could affect other spa and salon locations like those found in some of the resorts as well as Harmony Barber Shop in Magic Kingdom. Our little ones got their first haircuts at Harmony Barber Shop and we have wonderful pictures to remember it by. We imagine the experience would have been VERY different if our squirmy toddlers had to wear a mask the whole time. Click here to read more about salon regulations! 7. You Might Make Fewer Trips to the Front Desk at Your Resort Hotel On the subject of Florida hotels, such as the Disney World resort hotels, the Re-Open Florida Task Force discussed the options of encouraging and expanding online check-in options and providing wipes and hand-sanitizer for guests and employees. Art of Animation Lobby With these measures in place, it could be a good idea to get used to how Disney’s online check-in works in My Disney Experience! Disney has had this option in place for a few years where guests can set up a credit card tied to their room and check-in before arriving so that once they get to the resort, a room number is assigned to them and they skip the front desk entirely. For more info on ideas for hotels in Florida, click here! 8. There Could Be Added Guidelines for Big Events Finally, we may see guidelines for big events at Disney World like runDisney events, sports events, and even holiday parties in the parks. During a Task Force meeting, Len Brown from the PGA Tour spoke about wanting consistency across several industries that hold large gatherings including sporting events, theme parks, and convention centers. Larger events may still occur, but with some changes to capacity and health measures. ©Disney It’s unclear at this time what specific measures could be implemented in Disney World in this regard. But with events like runDisney races packing in thousands of people in close quarters, it is certainly a viable concern. Click here to hear more info on gatherings in a reopened Florida. So, that’s what we’re looking at according to the Re-Open Florida Task Force. Again, very little has been officially announced form the Florida or California governments pertaining to the theme parks. At this point, most of what we’re dealing with are proposed ideas, so there’s a possibility for change. We’re keeping a pulse on all of the Task Force meetings on both coasts and will be here to share updates as soon as they drop. What do you think of some of these potential Disney World changes? Share your thoughts in the comments! Related posts: NEWS! Initial Plan to Reopen Theme Parks Like Disney World Proposed By the Orange County Economic Task Force Why Disney World Could Be Very DIFFERENT When It Reopens Here’s the Proposed 3-Phase Plan to Reopen Florida (Including Theme Parks!) View the full article

Mother’s Day is always a special occasion for Disney Dreamers Academy alumni Casey Carter of Columbia, South Carolina, and Anthony Juba-Richardson of Montverde, Florida. Their close bonds with their mothers has been instrumental in their success stories. No Challenge Too Big As soon as Casey, a 2018 Disney Dreamer Academy participant, was born she faced big obstacles. Three months premature, she immediately dealt with serious medical issues. As she achieved positive milestones during her infancy, Tara knew Casey was born with a fighting spirit. Tara fostered that spirt, ensuring Casey never felt she had any limitations on what she could achieve. So, years later, it was no surprise to Tara when Casey presented her with an ambitious high school science fair project idea. Casey wanted to tackle one of sport’s most prevailing health issues – concussions in football players. Tara committed to provide Casey whatever she needed to make the project a success. With Tara’s support, Casey’s project won numerous national awards. She is now filing patents for the device she developed with the hopes of helping football players across the country. “We are a mother and a daughter, but she’s also my best friend,” said Tara. “Casey is one of the most honest, compassionate, creative and intelligent people. You couldn’t ask for a better human being.” Teaming Up to Help Others Anthony was voted Disney Dreamer of the Year at the 2019 Disney Dreamers Academy, thanks to his big personality and kind heart. The moment caught him by surprise, but not his mother, Donar Juba-Johnson. Since he was a child, Donar nurtured Anthony’s giving spirit and witnessed the impact it had on others. As a teen, Anthony was inspired to help the elderly and went to Donar with an idea. Together they made and donated blankets to nursing homes, and when Anthony realized he could use his musical talents to help dementia patients, they incorporated this unique aspect into their mission. Ultimately, they co-founded the non-profit organization, One Beat Away, where they do everything as a team. After Disney Dreamers Academy, they were inspired to dream even bigger, and formalized their charity and ramped up fundraising. “I wanted my children to grow up in a world knowing that it’s not just about them,” said Donar. “The work they do matters. Even if one life is changed, that’s all that really matters.” Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE is a four-day, transformational mentoring program for 100 teens that takes place annually at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Teens are encouraged to “Be100”, to be positive and “all in,” and to pursue their dreams and make a difference in the lives of others. View the full article

On May 20th, third-party stores and restaurants will begin to open up in Disney Springs. Disney Springs While we’ve already told you about Anthropologie and STK Orlando‘s plans to reopen, we’ll have to wait a little while longer for a few different places around Disney Springs! Along with Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Florida Kitchen, Splitsville Luxury Lanes will NOT be opening on May 20th. Splitsville A spokesperson stated that they are “excited about the recent announcement from the Walt Disney Company” and that they “will not re-open on May 20 but look forward to welcoming guests to both locations soon.” You can continue to keep up with our updated list of locations opening on May 20th here! Read all about the phased reopening at Disney Springs here! Which stores and restaurants are you hoping will reopen soon in Disney World? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Breaking News! Disney World Begins A Phased Reopening on May 20th With Disney Springs Support Your Fave Teams at All-Star Weekend at the NBA Experience in Disney World! You Can Build Your Own MAGIC WAND in Disney World (and We’re Basically Obsessed)! View the full article

Earlier this week, we reported that Disney Springs will kick off Walt Disney World’s phased re-opening on May 20th. Even though Disney Springs plans to open to the public, the choice to open each store or restaurant is up to the discretion of the owners. ©Disney So far we’ve confirmed that Raglan Road Irish Pub is planning to not open its doors on May 20th, and we just learned of another restaurant that will remain closed May 20th! Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Florida Kitchen does not plan to re-open along with the rest of Disney Springs. Chef Art Smith An official spokesperson stated “We are excited about the recent announcement from the Walt Disney Company. Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Florida Kitchen and Splitsville Luxury Lanes will not re-open on May 20 but look forward to welcoming guests to both locations soon.” Strawberry Watermelon Lemonade We will keep you updated as more restaurants decide when they will re-open! You can stay up to date with all the Disney Springs restaurants confirmed to open May 20th here! When are you planning your next visit to Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Review: NEW Menu Items at Disney Springs’ Homecomin’!! Sake & Shine 2.0 with Chefs Morimoto and Smith in Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs — Tickets Available! News! Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Adds EXTENDED Brunch Hours! View the full article

If you’ve been following the Disney news recently, you may know that Disney stock prices have been on a bit of a rollercoaster ride. Walt Disney World In the past few weeks, Disney stock prices have been surpassed by Netflix only to quickly bounce back with the announcement of Disney+’s success. Now, they’re falling once again as Disney contends with the potentially lengthy projected closure of its theme parks. So is Disney defunct? Hardly. You probably don’t need to worry about those prices, and we’ll tell ya why. Read on! Disney is Making Major Moves to Protect Their Financial Assets First off, Disney isn’t helpless when it comes to their financial situation. They’ve seen the warning signs and are feeling the impact of the loss in revenue from the theme park closures and film release delays. As a result, the company is making some major moves to protect its financial assets. Cinderella Castle Disney has ceased most non-essential construction in the theme parks, even though some projects could have continued with increased health measures. This is a money-saver at a time when the company revenue has been drastically reduced. On top of that, the furloughs of Cast Members and executive pay cuts have further decreased their costs. Executive Chairman Bob Iger has even referred to these labor cuts as a financial measure, saying they were for the company’s long-term preservation. Essentially, Iger recognizes that these decisions were difficult and will leave lasting impacts on their employees, but that they’re intended to protect the future of the company. Bob Iger ©Disney And these labor suspensions aren’t the only things Disney has done in an attempt to protect their financial health. Already, the company has taken out more than $11 billion in loans to help hold them over until the company is once again fully lucrative. They released Disney+ in Europe earlier than planned, potentially to give their stocks a much-needed push (it seems to have worked!), and they’ve even purchased new land near Disney World! ©Disney It might seem like a surprising spend, but land represents a tangible asset as opposed to the vulnerable intangible capital that Disney is attempting to protect. So, it’s safer from economic ups and downs! Disney has done what they can to rearrange and limit their line items so that their financial future is secure. Click here to learn more about how Disney is protecting their assets! Disney Has Enough Capital to Face the Financial Downturn On top of all of those measures, Disney has enough capital to cushion the financial downturn. In Iger’s own words they “have access to capital that will keep [them] more than solvent through a prolonged period.” As Disney stocks fall, they’ve got the finances to catch them for a while. Walt Disney World’s Epcot And Disney execs aren’t the only ones who expect that the company has the ability to manage any financial shortcomings. J.P. Morgan analyst Alexia Quadrani said of Disney, “I have a huge degree of confidence in their ability to endure this crisis. This is a top-notch management team…I’m very convinced this is an outperformer in the long term. They have the best content. They have a fantastic flywheel in terms of assets.” Disneyland Hotel Such a disruptive time for Disney’s business model does inevitably affect stock prices, however, as the world returns to normalcy — Disney should be able to bounce back. Executives and analysts agree that there is little to no danger of Disney being unable to recover. To read more of Iger’s comments on the Disney Company’s current situation, click here. Disney Offers Value to Consumers That Will Continue When Normalcy Returns Finally, Disney offers perceived value to consumers and even though some of that value is on pause for now, it will return as the world recovers from the global health crisis. Analysts have noted that a comeback for Disney isn’t really a question, as soon as health concerns allow for one. Mickey Meet and Greet Quadrani noted that there is tremendous pent-up demand for the theme-parks and Credit Suisse analyst Douglas Mitchelson explained that his team on Wall Street expects “a full rebound in theme park and Hollywood operations over time.” All Disney has to do is weather this temporary downturn. Happily Ever After Iger notes that the Disney team is made of optimists and realists. They are holding on to the hope and expectation that when this situation ends, Disney will still have something for people to enjoy and appreciate, maybe “more than they ever have.” Want to know more of what the analysts are saying? Click here. So yes, a downturn in Disney’s stock prices might be alarming for the time being, but it seems there’s little cause for worry about the company’s value in the long run. Between Disney’s preventative measures, established capital, and value prospects for the future — the company is well-equipped to handle the challenges and fully recover in time. We just may see more rollercoaster stock changes from Disney until this all levels out. Click here to see five recent quotes that reveal the current state of The Walt Disney Company What are your expectations for the future value of Disney stock prices? Share your thoughts in the comments! Related posts: Here’s All the Disney News You Missed While You Were Watching Jack Black on TikTok! It Could Take Two Years for Disney Parks to Return to Normalcy Predicts Wall Street Analyst ALL the Disney NEWS and REVIEWS This Week: Everything You NEED To Know! View the full article

Osceola County is the vacation house rental king. Industry advocates are fearful of the economic impact if the houses can't open back up for business soon. View the full article

If you’re a Disney vet or if you’ve been keeping up with DFB for a while, you probably feel like you have a good grasp on all of the big Disney tips. Magic Kingdom And it’s true! We love keeping our readers up to date on all the best hacks and info so that you can make the most out of your Disney vacation. But still, there are some lesser-known tips that you may not have heard — and they could be a BIG help on your trip! 1. Pack Motion Sickness Medication! This tip sure has been a life-saver for us! For Disney-goers prone to motion sickness, make sure you come to the parks prepared with some motion sickness medication. Mission: SPACE We feel like the older we get, the more likely we are to feel a little wonky after some of our favorite rides. Grab some Bonine or Dramamine in advance of your trip in case you feel the need to take one before you ride anything that can get crazy (looking at you, Mission: SPACE and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster!). Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster And motion sickness meds aren’t the only ones we recommend bringing to the parks! If you know you’re prone to feeling a little sick after eating differently or dealing with the heat, prep for it. Don’t get caught with headaches or indigestion in the middle of your park day! Remember though, if you forget any of these items, head to the First Aid Center in any of the parks. They can often help with basic over the counter meds like Tylenol. Click here to read about what to do when your family gets sick in the parks! 2. Protect Yourself Against Chafing! Speaking of comfort during your park day, we need to get real for a second: you might not be thinking about the dangers of chafing. Trust us on this one, you’ll want to be prepared for this when your legs, arms, or any other body parts are in close proximity, walking miles and miles, in the FLORIDA HEAT! World Showcase Lagoon Luckily, there are steps you can take to save your poor skin! Toss a travel-sized anti-chafing stick (<– this one is our favorite; we’ve been using it for years) into your park bag so you can reapply when you need and stay comfy all day long. This little-known tip can be a MASSIVE help in the parks — it sure has been for us! Want to know some other things you shouldn’t forget when headed to Disney this summer? Click here! 3. Get Your Prescriptions Delivered DIRECTLY to the Park! You might already know that you can get your prescriptions delivered to your resort hotel by services like Turner Drugs. But did you know they’ll also deliver prescriptions directly to the parks?? Seriously! This is SO helpful in a pinch! If you find yourself out of refills on a necessary prescription, or you end up with an unexpected trip to urgent care that leaves JUST enough time to make it to your Magic Kingdom dinner reservation, this option might be for you. Epcot First Aid Sign It’s a little pricey — the last time we used the service, it cost us $9 for delivery — but if you’re traveling without a car it still might be cheaper than taking a rideshare to CVS . Medicines can be delivered right to the First Aid Centers within the parks — just make sure you have a copy of the prescription (and possibly identification to be on the safe side!) to show to the Cast Members when you’re picking it up! Click here to watch our video on what to do when things go wrong in Disney World! 4. You Don’t Have to Repay for Rentals When You Park Hop! Here’s a BIG one if you’re traveling with kiddos or guests with limited mobility. You do NOT need to pay for your stroller or scooter rentals twice when you spend the day in two (or more!) parks. Say you’re spending your morning in Magic Kingdom and then hopping over to Animal Kingdom — save the receipt when you pay for your rental in the morning at Magic Kingdom! Disney Strollers Then, when you hop over to Animal Kingdom, show your receipt to the Cast Member at the Stroller and Scooter Rental, and you won’t have to pay for another rental for your time there! This is a huge way that some guests lose out on money just because they don’t know about it. Note: This only applies to same-day park hops — so when you head back to the parks the next day, you WILL have to pay for a new rental! Click here to learn about current Disney stroller rules! 5. Some Guests are Eligible for Free Valet Services at the Resorts! This tip is helpful for guests in specific situations so we want to make sure you’re aware in case they apply to you! There are two ways that guests can receive free valet services at the resort hotels. The first applies to guests who have a handicap tag on their car. Let the valets know that you have a handicap tag, and you can get free valet parking at the resort where you’re staying or dining. Animal Kingdom Lodge You can also get free valet if you’re a Tables in Wonderland member dining at a resort restaurant! Just make sure to save your dining receipt after your meal so you can provide proof of eligibility to the valet! To learn more about Tables in Wonderland, click here! 6. Use the My Disney Experience App to Find the Closest Bathroom! Here’s a simple tip that can be a HUGE help! If you ever find yourself (or your fam) in urgent need of a restroom, pull up your My Disney Experience app. The map tab of the app doesn’t JUST show you the attraction wait times — it can also help you find the closest bathroom so you’re not frantically wandering around in search of one! Flight of Passage Restroom But wait, there’s more! You can also take a peek at the map filters to find other nearby guest services like ATMs, Baby Care Centers, Designated Smoking Areas, Disability Access Services, Disney Vacation Club Information Centers, FastPass+ Kiosks, First Aid, Guest Experience Teams, Guest Relations, Locker Rentals, Lost and Found, and more! Click here to see some of our favorite Disney World bathrooms (yes, we have a list!) 7. My Disney Experience Can Help You Find Merch Across the Whole Resort! Ever see a piece of merch and tell yourself that you’ll come back for it later only to TOTALLY forget where you saw it? Yeah, it happens to us all the time! Luckily it’s super easy to track it down! First, pull up that handy-dandy My Disney Experience app and head to the Shop Merchandise section. Here, you can search for the item you saw, and the app will show you every store on property that sells the item AND whether or not it’s in stock! ©Disney If you’re at the tail end of your trip and don’t have time to pop into a store on property, you can also see if it’s available to ship home. If what you’re looking for isn’t available, check shopDisney; they carry a lot of the same merch as the in-park stores, so you might be able to buy it there instead! Click here to see the adorable new Baby Yoda merch available on shopDisney! 8. If FastPasses Are Gone, Head to a FastPass Kiosk! Here’s a lesser-known FastPass+ tip that you may not have heard of yet! If the My Disney Experience app shows that all FastPasses are gone for the day for a ride you’re interested in, head to a FastFass+ kiosk in the parks. Hint! You can find these on the map section of My Disney Experience — man, that app does a lot of heavy lifting! FastPass Kiosk in Epcot’s Future World Sometimes these kiosks have a few FastPasses that WON’T show up on the app. They also tend to have the most up-to-date options, accounting for cancellations from other guests. It’s an especially great idea to stop by the kiosks within an hour of park close. You might find some surprising late-night FastPasses! For more FastPass+ tips, click here! 9. Watch Parades From Their Starting Point If you’re planning on catching a parade, check out the route and find out where it starts — for example, Festival of Fantasy in Magic Kingdom begins in Frontierland. This is one of the best places to grab your spot to watch! Festival of Fantasy Parade So, why is the parade starting point one of the best places to watch? Well for one, you could end up with a better view since people tend to gather more heavily during the middle and end of the parade route. Plus, it can help you make the most out of your day! You’ll see the whole parade before the guests with spots later in the route, so you can head out and jump in the shorter lines while others are still watching! Click here to check out the Festival of Fantasy Dining Package! 10. Go Left! This is kind of a weird tip, but we promise it works! When you enter Magic Kingdom, go LEFT! If you’re getting to the park close to opening, you’ll usually find shorter lines if you head this direction. Crowds naturally veer to the right in Magic Kingdom, so by heading towards Adventureland you can often find some shorter waits. The same is true when you get to bag check! Head alllll the way to the left to find shorter lines. Adventureland Just remember that this tip probably won’t help as much in Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios due to the locations of Pandora and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! People will rush there regardless of the location! Check out more tips for outsmarting the crowds in Disney World! 11. If There Are Two Show Times, Go to the Later One! Last but certainly not least, if there are two shows of something, go to the SECOND one. During busier seasons, there are often multiple showings of nighttime spectaculars like Fantasmic!; and After Hours events and holiday parties, like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, often run parades and stage shows several times throughout the night. Steamboat Willie in Fantasmic! By skipping the first one, you can often enjoy shorter lines for attractions while the larger crowds head to see the first show. PLUS, you’ll probably be able to get a better spot at the less-crowded second show! To learn more about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, click here! There you have it! Whether you’re a first time Disney World vacationer or a die-hard Disney fan, we hope you learned something new to help you get the most out of your next trip! We’ll see you in the parks — you can find us at the start of the parade route. Do YOU have any lesser-known tips to pass on? Share your know-how in the comments! Related posts: DFB Video: Things Most People Don’t Know About Walt Disney World DFB Video: The Disney Restrooms You Can’t Miss! Whew!! Here’s How To Get Out Of 6 Sticky Situations in Disney World! View the full article

It’s been a busy week with Disney Parks closure updates! Shanghai Disneyland will begin its phased reopening on May 11, 2020 with limited entertainment and safety precautions. Walt Disney World also announced that Disney Springs will begin reopening limited third party locations on May 20, 2020. ©Disney However, we also reported earlier that Walt Disney World is no longer accepting resort hotel reservations before July 1, 2020. And now, more Disney events and dining are suddenly unavailable for booking through June. On Disney’s website, Magic Kingdom’s Villains After Hours now shows that all dates in June are “No Longer Available.” Screenshot of Disneyworld.com Villains After Hours is a special-ticketed event that takes places on certain nights, and allows a limited number of guests to enjoy villain-themed entertainment and treats, in addition to shorter lines at the most popular attractions in the Magic Kingdom. Villains After Hours But that’s not the only event that seems to have been cancelled next month. Upon investigation, we were no longer able to book Disney World dessert parties, Droid Depot and Savi’s in Galaxy’s Edge, and more special events until July 1st. Savi’s Workshop We also aren’t currently able to book ANY dining reservations (except for Disney Springs restaurants) in Disney World through June. Ribeye Steak from California Grill Disney still lists their theme parks and resorts as closed “until further notice,” and has started cancelling reservations through the end of May. We’ll be keeping you updated on the latest developments in the Disney theme park closures as they become available. Do you have a reservation at Disney World for the month of June? Let us know in the comments below. Related posts: Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe Undergoing Partial Refurbishment in Magic Kingdom Spotted!! Casey Jr. Popcorn Bucket and Dumbo Sipper Soaring Through Magic Kingdom BREAKING NEWS: One of Magic Kingdom’s Character Cones has Flown the Coop! View the full article