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Today is National Super Hero Day! It has been so inspiring to see our communities come together to support one another through these unprecedented times. While many of us are doing our part by staying home, we have all seen and heard of the heroic efforts by those working to keep us safe and healthy. Thank you to all of the essential workers in our communities – our doctors, nurses, hospital staff, first responders, delivery, grocery and culinary workers for all that you’re doing for our communities – you are our Super Heroes! Many nonprofits also are continuing to provide critical support and resources to our communities. Today, we’d like to recognize a few of these organizations that are continuing operations while the need for their services continues to grow. Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida has been hard at work supporting the local community the past several weeks, distributing enough food for 5.5 million meals. To reach as many neighbors throughout Central Florida as possible, they have deployed 50 mobile pantries to high-need areas reaching across six counties. This effort has also helped supplement school distributions with fresh produce, allowing summer programs for kids to start up two months early, which will help fight hunger and feed hope for local children and families. Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, California has been preparing since late February to support increased community needs given the impact on local schools, businesses, college students and seniors in all 34 cities of Orange County. They’ve increased their inventory by over 40% to meet demand, added a weekly food box delivery program servicing over 10,000 seniors and after school meal sites coupled with a drive thru distribution that serves over 4,500 households weekly. Additionally, Second Harvest also continues to service 291 food distribution sites throughout the county. USO Central Florida has been taking care of more than 2,500 National Guard members as they respond and support on the front lines to fight COVID-19. National Guard members have moved into Florida to assist in testing centers and at hospitals. USO volunteers also shared a little bit of Disney magic with the USCG Port Canaveral team by delivering some care packages and treats to military workers and their families. Anaheim Family YMCA started the Grab and Go meal program from the back door of the Y the day California issued its stay at home orders. What started with 50 meals to Anaheim youth and their families has grown to 27,000 meals from 23 distribution locations and with the help of donated buses from the Anaheim Resort Area they’re making deliveries to neighborhoods. The Y is also providing virtual tutoring, a Homework Hotline, and working on their latest edition of their Academic, Enrichment and Community Resource booklet that has been dubbed by one 4th grader as the ‘Boredom Buster’ activity packet! To all our Super Heroes – we thank you! View the full article

Discussions are in full swing regarding the reopening of the economy across the state of Florida in light of both the current global situation and recently announced federal guidelines. These conversations are taking place on both the state and county levels. And today we’ve been following along with the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force, as it is one of the two counties in which Walt Disney World Resort (which remains closed until further notice) resides. Epcot Entrance in Walt Disney World Resort While you can see this afternoon’s meeting of the Full Task Force on Orange TV, we’re sharing some takeaways from the conversation with you here. One thing to note before diving in: it is anticipated that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will speak tomorrow (Wednesday, April 29th), and is expected to present a reopening outline for the state. This outline is being comprised in cooperation with the Re-Open Florida Task Force (of which Walt Disney World President Josh D’Amaro is an Executive Member). Disney Springs during phased Resort closure Members of the Orange County Task Force are greatly interested in what the Governor has to share, as the guidelines they are working on will most certainly be created with consideration to plans for the state. Still, Chuck Whitall — Unicorp National Development president and subcommittee leader for the Task Force — shared that the goal is to have guidelines for reopening businesses specifically in Orange County proposed by Task Force members this Friday or Saturday. This will help businesses know what to aim for with regards to a potential reopening date and what kind of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment such as face masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer) will need to be secured to operate safely in adherence with whatever guidelines are set. Hand Sanitizer Station at Spaceship Earth Disney Senior Vice President of Resort & Transportation operations Thomas Mazloum serves on the Orange County Task Force. He provided clarification that, while a “working draft” of guidelines was presented this morning for reopening procedures for various businesses including theme parks, these are a starting point for the conversation, and “do not constitute” the recommendations for the reopening of Walt Disney World, which have not yet been revealed. Magic Kingdom Park Entrance and Ticket Entry Whitall agreed and reiterated that the working draft should be considered a starting point, stating that the representatives from Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld are “the experts” and should come up with their own strategies for reopening, and present to the Task Force the measures they should take (and when) for their reopenings. He reiterated the same for other unique establishments like Orlando City Soccer and the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Mayor of Orange County Jerry Demings commented that theme parks will likely be able to start reopening with smaller components of their business (small operating units as part of the larger unit) and “ramp up” to where the parks themselves will open. He added that this is something that the parks will have to take into consideration along with guidelines from the CDC and others. D-Luxe Burger in Disney Springs The Mayor also shared that the theme parks “have to date made the right decision at the right time” and have put their guests’ safety at the top of their priorities, and has confidence in their abilities. Mayor Demings later shared that it’s his opinion that significant reopenings may begin to occur perhaps in about a month or a month and a half from now based on his discussions with medical professionals, recognizing that decisions will be made with ongoing data and testing. As conversations move forward and the path to the reopening of Florida develops (including input from the Governor tomorrow), we will continue to keep you posted. In the meantime, you can learn more about the current status and goings-on of Disney Parks and destinations around the globe by visiting any of the links below. Are you following along with the latest conversations surrounding the reopening of Florida? Please let us know with a comment. Related posts: How To Get Your Hands on the Starbucks “You Are Here” Disney Parks Mugs WITHOUT Actually Visiting the Parks! 10 Unique Disney World Breakfast Options You NEED On Your List! The BEST Disney World Restaurants for First-Timers in 2020! View the full article

As the Re-Open Florida Task Force meets to plan how to open up the state’s businesses, flights across the country still remain drastically low. Orlando International Airport The CEO of Southwest Airlines recently commented on just how low travel is in addition to how important he believes Disney might help to restore the nation’s travel patterns. According to USA Today and Southwest CEO Gary Kelly, “The traffic levels are next to zero at this point,” with only 6% of the airlines’ seats booked. Kelly speculates that two of the main factors for travel to return are new airport safety measures and travel attractions reopening. Orange County International Airport He stated, people “need to have something to be able to do when they get there. So Disney World needs to open back up. Restaurants need to open back up.” Orlando International Airport Kelly noted that travel cancellations are “at unprecedented levels,” but the company is committed to altering their procedures to help passengers feel safe again and hopes to see flight numbers slowly increase. These measures could include limiting capacity, disinfecting, and working with the federal government to allow health screenings. Orange County International Airport But, Kelly believes that the increase in demand will not come until larger attractions give passengers a reason to do so. We will keep you updated as we learn more! Check out a summary of the most recent Re-Open Florida Task Force meeting here! What do you think needs to re-open for flights to increase again? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: News! Disney Agrees on Furlough Policy for Union Members DFB Video: Bizarre Disney Honeymoon Stories… and Tips We Learned From Them! DFB Video: Our Top Picks for the Most Outrageously Expensive Disney Experiences! View the full article

We’ve talked a lot about how the theme park industry could see repercussions from the global health crisis, but that certainly isn’t the only sector to be affected. Disney Studio Backlot Tour Of course, we’ve seen a bunch of Disney and 20th Century movies delayed as a result of the current production halts, but what could the lasting effect of the crisis be on Hollywood? Disney is one of the companies at the forefront of conversations among film executives to try to figure out what sort of protocols might have to be put into place. The Hollywood Reporter consolidated the thoughts of many industry executives. All productions will not be the same in the coming months though. Larger scale films will likely see different procedures than a smaller film set would. Still, everyone could see changes to keep people safe, and execs are trying to imagine what those changes will be. Phased Reopening of Production One potential option that the companies are anticipating is the necessity of a phased reopening to productions. FilmLA President Paul Adley mentioned, “What we’re hearing is that when production begins to reopen, it’ll be done in phases, and the first phase most likely will include a numbers restriction and social distancing measures, so that would mean that any film permits will only be issued for very small productions.” ©Lucasfilm Based on this information, the Hollywood Reporter is predicting that larger productions will take a little longer to begin again. Apparently, there is hope in the industry for start dates in the late summer, but fall may be more realistic. The last type of film to return will likely be on-location filming since it’s harder to maintain safety measures without being on a soundstage. Health and Sanitization Protocols on Set Of course, film industry workers are likely going to see a bloom of new health and sanitization procedures on set. As of yet, no official guidelines have been released by any major parties. ©Lucasfilm Executives are anticipating gloves and masks being worn on set (except for on-camera actors) and even measures to keep actors out of close proximity with one another. Neishaw Ali, president and executive producer of SpinVFX, noted, “We’ve done split screens before, but for the next 18 months we need to figure out how to allow actors to get up close and personal.” Instead of having actors physically touching, they may be edited together in post-production. ©Walt Disney Studios On top of that, sanitation will be a priority. Sets will need to be cleaned and disinfected and personal cleanliness will be a priority too. According to Pinewood Studios president Frank Patterson, “I’m usually excited about a great script, but right now I’m finding that I’m excited to be coming up with hand-washing solutions.” Pinewood is already installing hand-washing stations in their facilities. ©Disney Some executives have drawn a similarity to the current situation and 9/11’s resulting overhaul of travel and airport security. According to The Good Doctor producer Shawn Williamson, “There will be similar restrictions and safety measures that come into play because of this pandemic that will impact how we work and travel going forward.” Restrictions of People on Set There also may be fewer people allowed on sets. There could be limitations on visitors and even the number of extras in scenes. Beyond that, there could be changes to the way that crewmembers share tools and the way that catering and craft services will be managed. In fact, some companies have even discussed making deals with the food service company that serves airline meals — individual and pre-packaged. ©Walt Disney Studios Like many other industries, film execs are also considering the idea of testing for the virus. The hope is that everyone coming onto a set could be administered a rapid antigen test if available, if not their temperature may be taken. A surprising solution comes in the form of quarantined film sets where cast and crews would remain on set and in designated hotels until filming is completed. Other Complications The complications stretch even further than that though. Some major actors are concerned about their own health and therefore are hesitant to return to work for a while. CEO of studio operator First City Studio Frank Sicoli noted, “You can’t get the industry back on track if the actors are worried about their safety.” Many may have doubts about being on set or in an airplane to travel to a filming location. ©Disney Beyond that, the demand for soundstages could overwhelm the availability of them in California. Executives are looking for solutions in box stores and warehouses, but the concern about demand is a real one. The reality is that the film industry still has a handful of hurdles to tackle before they can get productions running at their previous capacity. It’s no surprise we’ve seen Disney delay so many films! We’ll be sure to keep an eye on developments in Hollywood. Click here to find out which Disney-owned movies have been delayed. What do you think of some of the ideas for the film industry? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: NEWS! Disney Drops the “Fox” Name with Its Rebranding Of 20th Century Studios! NEWS! New Film Release Dates Announced For Mulan, Jungle Cruise, Black Widow, and More! Watch Your Favorite Disney Movies for Only $5 With This Sale! View the full article

Pinellas County on Tuesday became the latest in Florida to announce beach reopenings after weeks of coronavirus restrictions. View the full article

While Governor Ron DeSantis has been meeting regularly with his committee to reopen parts of Florida and jumpstart the state’s economy, he hasn’t said when they’ll be putting their plans into action. Magic Kingdom But now that Florida’s stay at home order will be expiring April 3oth, many residents are wondering what might happen next. We’ve been bringing you regular updates regarding the task force’s suggested regulations for public safety measures in airports, cruise lines, hotels, restaurants, hair salons, and even some of the state’s theme parks once they reopen (although Disney World wasn’t specifically mentioned). Disney Springs And while no timeframe has been provided by DeSantis who has said he’s more concerned with “getting it right” than setting a date, the Orlando Sentinel has reported the Re-Open Florida Task Force is expected to present a reopening outline on Wednesday. Disney Springs “It’s not going to be something that a switch is going to be flipped,” DeSantis said in regards to his plans to gradually restart Florida’s commerce in stages. “This phase one is a baby step.” DeSantis stated, “I mean, we are deliberately going to be very methodical, slow and data-driven on this because I think that if people want to have confidence that things are going in a good direction, it gives us the ability to do things if we see something somewhere.” Blaze Pizza So far, Florida’s healthcare system hasn’t seemed to be overwhelmed by cases. Its coronavirus-related death toll is approaching 1,200, and one model predicts fatalities will climb to just over 1,900 by summer — assuming social distancing will still be in effect until infected numbers are reduced and the virus is contained. Disney Springs Along with plans for re-opening, Orange County officials are emphasizing the importance of having more testing facilities for Florida residents. So far, Florida has performed more than 368,000 COVID-19 tests. Disney Springs Food Trucks Governor DeSantis says he has ordered the state surgeon general to allow licensed pharmacists to order and administer tests and that he’s also working with two labs who could help ramp up testing to 18,000 tests a day. Read what Governor Ron DeSantis said yesterday about Florida reaching its peak in cases already here! While this likely won’t be the answer to the burning question of, “When will Disney World re-open?” we’ll be watching Governor DeSantis make his announcement tomorrow and we’ll report back with full-coverage! Stay tuned! What do you think Governor DeSantis will announce tomorrow? Let us know below. Related posts: 4 Key Points From Today’s Re-Open Florida Task Force Meeting We’re Doing The Peppermint TWIST Over This New Drink at Disney’s Pop Century Resort! Find Out How Mickey Mouse Will “Show Up” at Your House After Your Disney World Trip HERE! View the full article

We gotta admit, we haven’t been sleeping as much lately because we were worried about so many of our favorite Disney World dining spots facing off against each other! So far, rounds one, two, and three have kept us up nervously gnawing our pillows! Cinderella Castle And last night was an especially rough one, but now that we’ve tallied up the votes for round four, we can finally show you which restaurants will be advancing into the semi-finals of our official DFB Table Service Throw Down! We had reason to be restlessly tossing and turning last night now that the RESULTS ARE IN! Although round four started with eight prizefighters, only four remain in the ring now! DFB Table Service Throw Down Via Napoli emerged as the glorious victor against its recent skirmish with Le Cellier Steakhouse! Mount Etna, Mount Vesuvius, and Stromboli must have been firing on all cylinders to pull out THAT win! In case you didn’t know, those are the names of Via Napoli’s wood-burning ovens which are actually the names of Italy’s three active volcanos! Via Napoli But ‘Ohana will be looking to blow away Via Napoli in the next round with its tropical breeze and swaying palm trees! After defeating Yak & Yeti Restaurant last night, this Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort restaurant is on FIRE! ‘Ohana And we bet the Beast is having a pretty bad day now that Be Our Guest Restaurant was eliminated by Beaches and Cream! Sorry, Beast — but that’s the POWER of ice cream! What can we say? This place really works some wonders! No Way Jose Sundae at Beaches and Cream And Art Smith’s Homecomin’ has succumbed to California Grill! We were a little shocked to see the “shine” finally come off this Disney Spring’s establishment known for serving up a mean glass of southern hospitality — a.k.a. Strawberry Watermelon Lemonade Moonshine! Shine Bar Sign We get the feeling that each of these final four table service restaurants is especially HUNGRY for the big win! Tune in tonight on Instagram to cast your votes as the polls will be opening once again in our live stories! Things could get really dicey for your champion if you’re not there to support them, so make sure you’re there! Which of our final four are you hoping will become our Disney World Table Service Restaurant winner? 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

This weird time is proving to be a great time for DIY projects and home improvements, so why not do both? ©Sara Hisle Take a look at that SUPER COOL Spaceship Earth wall that a major Disney fan, Sara Hisle, painted in her home (ALL BY HERSELF!). Um, sign us up! If you’re looking for something a little more Disney-specific than our parks-inspired paint colors — this Epcot wall might be the project for you! Check out the how-to! To make your very own Epcot wall, you’re going to need some paint. Sara used these greys from Behr.com in Elemental Gray, Dutch White, and Graphic Charcoal plus a plain Black! You can order these guys by the gallon online. This project took about half a gallon of each of the greys and 3/4 of a gallon of black paint. ©Sara Hisle The wall that Sara painted is 7.5 x 10.5 feet for your reference, but the design is easy to expand! To start, paint your chosen wall black. ©Sara Hisle Next, get ready to get taping! You’re going to tape 18-inch horizontal lines using painters tape. Sara used 1/4 inch tape that she found on Amazon! You can grab some similar tape here. ©Sara Hisle Then, you’re going to go back in with the tape at a diagonal. Start from the bottom and put a line across every 18 inches. To get this really accurate, every other line mark 9 inches in to offset and from there you can measure the 18 inches. ©Sara Hisle Then go the other way! Use your tape to connect all the corners! ©Sara Hisle Here’s where it alllll starts to come together. Put a mark 12 inches down from the point of the upside triangles. For the upside-down triangles, put the mark 12 inches up from the point. Then, use tape to connect the corners to your center mark. ©Sara Hisle Then paint the WHOLE wall black again to seal all the tape! Remember to let the paint coats dry between each step. ©Sara Hisle Moving on, grab your white paint and follow the pictured pattern. It doesn’t have to be perfect! You’ll be covering up those edges. ©Sara Hisle Here’s where it gets tricky. Now you’re going to paint in the dark grey triangles. Be careful! Try to stay in the tape lines as best you can. ©Sara Hisle The lighter grey is next. You can use a baby wipe if you make a mistake — that tape is tiny! Look! It’s really starting to come together. ©Sara Hisle Now for the best part. Once all is dry, remove the tape! Do so CAREFULLY! Chances are you’ll have a few touch-ups to do, but hopefully not too many. ©Sara Hisle And there you have it! You have your very own Epcot wall! Thanks again to Sara Hisle for the use of her pictures and the GREAT instructions! We can’t wait to pick a wall and get painting! Looking for more Disney-inspired ways to paint your walls? Click here! How tempted are YOU to paint this Epcot wall in your house? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: Warning: Spaceship Earth Is Closing…And We Finally Have Some Answers To Our Questions! Spotted! Spaceship Earth Dress in Epcot’s Mouse Gear and Disney Springs (PLUS a New “Up!” Dress) EXCLUSIVE NEWS! A New Signature Margarita is Debuting At La Cava del Tequila in Epcot…And WAIT ‘Til You See Who Developed The Recipe! View the full article

As Walt Disney World Resort remains closed until further notice in light of the current global health situation, discussions are already in progress with regards to reopening the economy for the state of Florida. We have been following the discussions of the Re-Open Florida Task Force, which is focusing on businesses all over the state. Florida-themed Orange Bird Mural in Disney Springs Walt Disney World is specifically located in Florida’s Orange and Osceola counties, and this week the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force is sharing their discussions via live streams on Orange TV. Today’s discussion explored the reopening of the county’s businesses, which include, of course, theme parks and restaurants. Unicorp National Development president Chuck Whittall spent a moment sharing a “working draft to build upon” which shared potential guidelines and mandates that may come into play upon the reopening of businesses. Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Theme Parks Regarding theme parks, a recognition was shared that there are size differences in the Orange County theme parks (for instance, locations like Gatorland and Fun Spot are considered “Small Theme Parks” while Walt Disney World and Universal are designated as “Large”). Epcot Entrance in Walt Disney World Proposed guidelines for the large theme parks include tape markings designating guests to stand 6 feet apart in queues, and workers to regularly wipe surfaces “at random.” It is also suggested that vulnerable populations (guests 65 and older, for instance) would remain home in Phases 1 and 2 (as defined under recently presented federal guidelines). Proposed mandates for large parks might require all park employees to wear face masks, and have their temperature taken before each shift (all employees with flu-like symptoms would be advised to stay home). Touchless hand sanitizer is suggested to be available at each ticket entry and turnstile as well as every ride entrance and exit. Hand sanitizer station in Disney World A wipe down of railings and surfaces would take place after each use. And large theme parks, under these potential mandates, would operate at 50% capacity during Phase 1, and 75% during Phase 2. Restaurants Restaurant mandates may include hand sanitizer at every table, and the possibility of disposable menus would be encouraged (though not required). Sanitizer might be at the restaurant entry “in plain sight,” with doors wiped down regularly. The Edison Complex in Disney Springs As with the theme park suggestions, all employees would have temperatures taken before their shift, with staff behind the counter required to wear gloves (except for bartenders, who would sanitize hands between every drink order). Capacity suggestions are similar to theme parks (50% during Phase 1 and 75% during Phase 2), with a suggestion of tables placed 6 feet apart specific to restaurants. We’ll be following further discussions by the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force, so stay tuned. Source: Today’s discussion was shared on the Orange TV YouTube channel and Orange TV on ocfl.net To find out more about how the global situation is currently impacting Disney Parks around the globe, you may visit any of the links below. What do you think of the proposed guidelines for theme parks and restaurants? Please let us know with a comment. Related posts: News! Disney World Purchases MORE Land! Breaking News! Orlando is Going Under Curfew Starting Tonight Governor Speaks Regarding Peak of Health Crisis for Central Florida View the full article

The limitations of travel insurance have been brought into stark relief during the coronavirus pandemic, leaving would-be travelers frustrated over denied claims for hundreds — if not thousands — of dollars. View the full article

Get out your fanciest kicks and meet us over at the home of vanishing libations and standing ovations. That’s right, we’re heading to chill with some of Disney World’s coolest cats at the Magicians’ Lounge, otherwise known as AbracadaBar. AbracadaBar at Disney’s BoardWalk We came back to Disney’s BoardWalk to see the latest tricks the bartenders had up their sleeves — and to perform our own famous illusion: watch their fries DISAPPEAR! So the question is: was it worth it? Atmosphere On our first visit to this super-themed lounge, we learned more about the tale of the BoardWalk illusionists who vanished into thin air and left behind their secret hideout. Pepper’s Ghost As the story goes, they would meet at this bar to “conjure up new cocktails, swap magic tips and tricks, and often stay up all night attempting to ‘out-charm’ each other with their extraordinary illusions.” Even though they disappeared, it’s rumored that they left behind traces of their magic that guests can still experience through cocktails and slights of hand. Inside AbracadaBar The lounge features dark colors, intricate fixtures, and gold accents. The walls are filled with patterned paper, posters, and magicians’ props. If you look closely, you can even spot some magic wands neatly displayed. Oh, and of course a straight jacket. Magician Props Magic Props Speaking of the walls, can you spot the hidden magician [hint: start from the mustache] and his linking rings illusion? Wallpaper detail But you can’t have a hidden magician without a hidden Mickey! Closeup on Hidden Mickey The lounge is situated between Trattoria al Forno and Flying Fish restaurants, and hosts the restrooms for both locations. This magical hideout was always blueprinted to be a lounge, but was instead turned into a candy store, Seashore Sweets, because execs at the time thought that a Boardwalk without a candy store was not authentic. It was more recently renovated to reveal the magician’s hideaway we know of today. Bar Seating The lounge features high and low top tables, with booths lining sections of the walls. Seating Seating Couch The seating area is on the smaller side, so you won’t have as much space to relax like at Nomad Lounge or Crew’s Cup Lounge, but it can be a good spot to grab a quick drink before or after visiting one of the neighboring restaurants. Drinks AbracadaBar has a full list of “curious cocktails,” wine, and beer to get your fix! (This next pic is of one of our favorite cast members, Chelsea! If you see her, be sure to say hello!) Bartender performing the “Flying Coaster” On this visit, we tried The Conjurita again because we remembered how much we enjoyed it last time. Also, do you expect us to see a color-changing drink on the menu and not get it?? The Conjurita is made with El Mayor Tequila, Cointreau, Simple Syrup, and Lime Juice for $15.00. Conjurita *before* The “magic” here comes from butterfly pea flowers. This magic flower produces a bright bluish-purple that, when mixed with acid like lime juice, transforms into a vivid pink! Conjurita *transforming* Conjurita *after* The color change is pretty entertaining, but the wow factor is likely to bring us back more than the taste of the drink. It tastes like many margaritas around property. In our defense, it’s hard to beat our fave color-changing drink, the Transformation Potion, from Storybook Dining at Artist Point. That one delivers on the magic AND taste (and it’s even non-alcoholic!). Bar Snacks You won’t find any full meals here, but they have a small selection of bar snacks to keep you satisfied while you sip on your libations and wait for your table to be seated at one of the nearby table-service restaurants. First we tried the Abra Fries with Parmesan, Truffle Oil, and Meyer Lemon Aïoli for $11.00. These sounded delicious – fries, cheese, super fancy oil, creamy lemon sauce – great combo, right? Truffle Fries Turns out they were…fine. They were good as fries, but when you throw TRUFFLE fries into the mix, we have higher expectations! Also, we still can’t forget how amazing their spiced fries used to be! So these definitely weren’t the best we’ve ever had, but a good option to munch on while you enjoy your drink. Next we tried the closest thing we could get to pizza, which in this case was the Margherita Flatbread. It was made with Crushed Tomatoes, Fresh Mozzarella, and Basil for $19.00. Margherita Flatbread That price seemed a little steep for what we got. It wasn’t bad by any means, but with that price tag, we were hoping to be WOWED. But to us, pizza dough is bread (and bread is almost always good!), so this was acceptable to most of us. If you’re looking for cheesiness, though — this ain’t your pick. Finally, we decided we needed at least one more form of cheese before we called it a night – so we tried the Charcuterie Plate with Assorted Meats and House-pulled Mozzarella for $21.00. The meats were served with olives, pickles, a few pieces of crusty bread, and a dipping sauce. Charcuterie Plate Getting to try house-pulled mozzarella was a fun addition to the plate, but apart from that, we preferred many other charcuterie plates in Disney World — like the stunner over at BaseLine Tap House. Overall AbracadaBar is a creatively themed, beautifully decorated, and overall welcomed addition to the BoardWalk. But is it the lounge you should choose for your one kid-less night in Disney World? Seating is minimal and can get a little tight, so you might not be able to kick back and camp out all night – if that’s what you’re looking for. The cocktails and bartenders are entertaining (though many of the more magic-themed drinks have been removed from the menu), but the lounge hasn’t worked its way to the top of our MUST DO in Walt Disney World list just yet. If you’re going to Trattoria al Forno or Flying Fish and are planning to grab a drink beforehand, AbracadaBar is a decent option. But if you’re looking for a relaxing spot to spend an hour or two with friends, we’d rather head upstairs to Belle Vue Lounge at the Boardwalk Inn. It’s quiet, relaxed, has more ample seating, and is a bit of a hidden gem — nobody really knows it’s there! However, they do not have any food menu whatsoever. Looking for ample food in the Crescent Lake area? Head over to Crew’s Cup Lounge in Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Great food options — nearly a full menu — as well as a full bar. A great choice all around! You can check out a more in-depth tour from our YouTube channel: Check out our review of even MORE AbracadaBar cocktails here! Have you been to AbracadaBar or would you like to go? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Review: Meatball Sub and White Pizza at the BoardWalk Pizza Window in Walt Disney World A REFILLABLE Booze Option and Glowing Glasses Have Landed at Jellyrolls in Disney World!! This Disney World Snack Just Made Our Must-Eat List!! View the full article

It’s life’s little indulgences that are helping us bide our time these days, and if one of your favorite places to dine at Disney World is STK Orlando, we might know of a little something that might interest you! STK Orlando The restaurant chain is now selling its choice and prime cuts of beef online and you can have them shipped directly to you! We often need to lay down after a big steak dinner anyways, so having STK brought right to our door is a winning combo for us! Our suppers are about to get a lot more exciting (and BEEFY) thanks to STK Meat Market! ©STK There are several premium STK meat packages to choose from offering various options such as center-cut filets, prime bone-in strip, angus strip steak, and even ground waygu beef! No matter which meaty assortment you choose, your order will come with a chef-curated instruction card so you’ll know how to best prepare them. Click here to check out all the packages and prices! If you spend up to $200, you’ll also get $25 Dining Dollars to spend on your next in-person visit to STK. If you spend more than $200, you’ll get $50 Dining Dollars towards your next dinner at one of their locations! Check out STK Meat Market today, and if you’re looking for even more ways to treat yourself with a little something special, Joffrey’s is now selling its signature Disney World coffee blends online! Check it out here! Have you ever eaten at STK Orlando before? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: STK Steakhouse has a HUGE Black Friday DEAL! Feel the Love: Valentine’s Offerings at STK Orlando in Disney Springs! Want to Score a FREE Slider in Disney Springs This Labor Day Weekend? Find Out How! View the full article

Disney Cruise Line became the latest to delay its sailings into June because of the coronavirus pandemic. An update to the cruise line’s website said Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, which sail out of Port Canaveral, have canceled cruises that depart through June 18. Disney Magic, which was scheduled to go to Europe for the summer, had all sailings canceled until mid-July while Disney Wonder, which was slated to be in Alaska, won’t sail until Canada opens its ports up after July 1. The next scheduled cruise for Disney Fantasy is now June 20, Disney Dream is now June 21, Disney Wonder is July 6 and Disney Magic is July 13. The line is offering either a full refund or the option to use funds on a future cruise credit for up to 15 months from the original sail date. Disney is the last major cruise line to push its plans to start sailing again in the wake of an updated “no sail order” from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for all cruise ships from U.S. ports. Originally enacted March 14, the update given earlier in April potentially extends the order through July 17.

Remember how we told you that the super adorable ABC Disney Collection had shown up on shopDisney? Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Well, as you may recall from the in-park collections, there were some letters in the new line of alphabet-themed merch that had special designs specifically for Disneyland! And now it looks like a few of THOSE styles have started showing up online as well! The Disney parks on both coasts have many of the same rides and experiences in common, but Disneyland Resort has quite a few special attractions of its own! Check out the “G” Mug for Disneyland for $14.99 — it features Disney California Adventure’s Grizzly Peak! ©shopDisney Click here to buy the “G” Disneyland Mug! And the “K” Disneyland Mug for $14.99 depicts King Arthur Carrousel, a focal point of Disneyland’s Fantasyland! It even has Jingles on it — a horse famously known at Walt’s original theme park for the many golden bells it wears! ©shopDisney Purchase the “K” Disneyland Mug here! If you’re not a coffee or tea drinker, you can opt for the “K” Disneyland Trinket Box for $17.99 instead! The monogram is featured on the lid of the box and there’s even a small design on the inside! ©shopDisney Pick up the “K” Disneyland Trinket Box here! We think Lighting McQueen will be making a shopDisney pitstop to pick up the “L” Disneyland Mug for $14.99, especially since he’s the star! ©shopDisney Snag the “L” Disneyland Mug here! He’ll also be getting the “L” Disneyland Trinket Box for $17.99 delivered to his sweet Radiator Springs abode over in Cars Land! ©shopDisney Grab the “L” Disneyland Trinket Box here! And we’ll be yodeling for joy when this “M” Disneyland Trinket Box for $17.99 arrives at our front door representing Disneyland’s Matterhorn! Yodelayheehoo! ©shopDisney Buy the “M” Disneyland Trinket Box here! Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage has earned a place on the “N” Disneyland Mug for $14.99! ©shopDisney Click here to buy the “N” Disneyland Mug! And it looks like we’re going to have to dive a little deeper into our pockets to shell out a few more clams for the “N” Disneyland Trinket Box for $17.99! We love how it comes with a little Nemo clowning around on the inside! ©shopDisney Pick up the “N” Disneyland Trinket Box here! And last but not least, Yensid from The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is the inspiration behind the “Y” Disneyland Mug for $14.99! It’s perfect for us because drinking coffee in the morning always makes us feel like a powerful sorcerer! ©shopDisney To buy the “Y” Disneyland Mug, click here! Check out the new Disneyland ABC Collection now on shopDisney. And don’t forget to also take a look at the new Disney Park Pals that have been added to shopDisney recently! Which Disneyland ABC design is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Popcorn News! The New Mickey Light-Up Tree Popcorn Bucket Has Arrived at Disneyland Resort! What’s New at the Disneyland Resort — New Cozy Cone, Luxo Ball Spirit Jersey, Tiki Bowls, and MORE! What’s New at the Disneyland Resort: A Tatooine Spirit Jersey, a Sorcerer Mickey Backpack, and a Popular Attraction Reopens View the full article

While Shanghai Disneyland Park has been temporarily shut down since late January, we’re starting to see some sparks of life returning to the far-away park across the sea! On March 9th, Shanghai Disneyland partially reopened to guests and began offering limited shopping, dining, and recreational experiences at Disneytown, Wishing Star Park, and Shanghai Disneyland Hotel. Shanghai Disneyland While the park itself remains closed for the time being, last week Shanghai Disneyland began conducting simulations to try out their new health and safety measures(you can read more about some of the safety measures here). Now it looks like the park is testing out its nighttime fireworks spectacular, Ignite the Dream! Fireworks lit up the night sky over Shanghai Disneyland Tuesday night. Shanghai is several hours ahead of us (and further along in the lengthy, gradual process of reopening businesses) but what a promising sight for the world to see! Shanghai Disneyland Fireworks Testing Fireworks filled the sky above Enchanted Storybook Castle and a few lucky spectators nearby were able to catch a glimpse of the show! We’re hoping this means fireworks shows will start again once Shanghai Disneyland reopens, but Disney hasn’t made an official statement yet! Shanghai Disneyland Fireworks Testing @mollay on Instagram was lucky enough to be standing right outside of Shanghai Disneyland and took a video of the Ignite the Dream trial run! You can view it in her live Instagram stories here! We’ll continue to watch and listen for any news regarding Shanghai Disneyland’s new reopening guidelines and regulations, but so far, it looks like substantial progress is being made! What do you think about Shanghai Disneyland running tests on its fireworks show? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Why Did Disney’s Bob Iger Really Step Down From The CEO Spot? Disney World’s Options For Potential Health Screening in the Parks Photos! Shanghai Disney Resort Testing Simulated Health Measures for a Possible Reopening View the full article

We’re in weird times, and we’ve got two things on the brain. 1. Gotta stay safe and 2. GOTTA GET BACK TO DISNEY. Cinderella Castle So we can’t go back to Disney just yet, but we can incorporate some Disney magic into our new normal! With governments and health officials around the country moving to recommend and even mandating facial coverings in public, we got to thinking: we sure would love to snag some stylish Disney face masks to wear! And we found some super cute ones! Etsy Face Masks First up, we checked out Etsy. After all, small businesses and artists are taking a particularly hard hit from the global health crisis. Etsy is full of amazingly talented artists and some of them are crafting some downright adorable Disney masks. 1. Mouse Snacks Face Mask Obvi, we have to start our list with a Disney Snacks Face Mask. Hey, we’re not called the Disney FOOD Blog for nothing! This little guy has all the classics like Mickey Waffles, churros, Dole Whip, popcorn, Mickey Premium Bars, and more! ©LittleShopOfGeeks on Etsy This mask is sold by LittleShopOfGeeks on Etsy for $20. Click here to learn more about the ICONIC Mickey Waffles! 2. Marvel Face Mask If you’re a serious hero buff, then this mask will have you feeling SUPER. Get it? Snag this cool Marvel Face Mask featuring Starlord, Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Hulk, Gamora, and more. ©BitOfMagicCo on Etsy This mask is sold by BitOfMagicCo on Etsy for $10. 3. Stained Glass Face Mask This one might be our absolute favorite that we found! It’s a beautiful Stained Glass Face Mask that depicts scenes from Beauty and the Beast. ©StrangeGirlThreads on Etsy This mask is sold by StrangeGirlThreads on Etsy for $20. 4. Baby Yoda Snacks Face Mask You might remember a few months ago we reported on some truly adorable Baby Yoda art featuring the little guy with our fave snacks. Well now, he’s in MASK FORM. Be getting the Baby Yoda Snacks Face Mask, we will. ©MainStreetBowCo on Etsy This mask is sold by MainStreetBowCo on Etsy for $8.50. Click here to see the cutest Baby Yoda snack art EVER! Ambrie Face Masks After Etsy, we headed over to a site called Ambrie! This site is selling parks-inspired face masks. The best part? They’re for a good cause! If you buy one of the following Ambrie masks before the end of April, the proceeds will be donated to local healthcare operations and New York’s COVID-19 Response! 5. Monorail Face Mask Check out this modern highway in the sky design. We’d love to rep Orange, Green, Red, and Blue on our own Monorail Face Mask! ©Ambrie You can find this face mask on Ambrie for $18! 6. Purple Wall Face Mask Instagrammers, get pumped! Ambrie has a PURPLE WALL FACE MASK. Yeah, it’s already in our carts. ©Ambrie You can find this mask on Ambrie for $18! 7. Enchanted Rose Face Mask If you’re a Beauty and the Beast fan, or just miss Be Our Guest, you can snag the Enchanted Rose Face Mask! ©Ambrie Grab the Enchanted Rose mask from Ambrie for $18. Click here for everything you need to know about Be Our Guest! 8. Oh Boy Face Mask Does anything make you happier than seeing a big smile from Mickey Mouse? Same! That’s why we love this Oh Boy Face Mask so much. ©Ambrie You can snag this mask from Ambrie for $18. 9. Haunted Face Mask If you love Haunted Mansion — wait, are there people who DON’T love Haunted Mansion? Hmm…not sure. Anyways, you might want to pick up this spooky Haunted Face Mask. ©Ambrie The Haunted face mask is available from Ambrie for $18. 10. Sorcerer Face Mask And there’s a serious classic to finish up our list. Look at this totally cute Fantasia design! We’re loving it. We will take five Sorcerer Face Masks, please. ©Ambrie Pick up the Sorcerer face mask for $18 from Ambrie! Click here to learn about the face-covering mandates near Disney World! Which Disney face mask is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Support Essential Workers and Protect Yourself With These Stylish Face Masks! Naughty Or Nice, The Nightmare Before Christmas Wishables Are CUTE in Disney World and Disneyland! Float Your Boat With the New Sail Away Minnie Collection on Disney Cruise Line! View the full article

As the coronavirus pandemic took a heavy toll on air travel, shares of Southwest Airlines have dropped 46% this year. That is the best stock performance by any U.S. airline. View the full article

JetBlue Airways plans to require all passengers to wear face masks aboard its planes starting May 4 as airlines ramp up efforts to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. View the full article

Inside Walt Disney Imagineering, making Universal coaster, flying with SeaWorld eagle View the full article

Learn to Draw Spider-Man at Home in Honor of National Super Hero Day | #DisneyMagicMoments View the full article

Two more people are suing Disney after they said they were injured on the PeopleMover in 2018. View the full article

It’s true — our brains might not be functioning at max capacity right now with all the stress, the homeschooling, and the NOT-KNOWING while we anxiously wait for the Disney Parks to reopen! Disney World That’s why not ALL our ideas have been…well, GREAT lately! And if you’ve ever wanted to catch a rare glimpse into our team’s creative process before, we’re yanking back the curtain for you today! Welcome to our warehouse of failed pitches…and BROKEN DREAMS! As a team, we often spitball ideas off each other to get our creative juices flowin’! But lately, our riffin’ has been turning out some strange material! These concepts just DIDN’T make the final cut, but we think maybe if your brains have gone a little soft lately, too, you might get a chuckle out of some of these title flops! First up, we’ll never know the ending to this exciting cliffhanger: “You Made Us Miss ROPE DROP!!!!” Will This Marriage Survive? Yikes. Cinderella Castle in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom And it looks like we won’t be teaching any highly advanced cooking lessons with this piece (maybe we should learn to boil water first?): Grab your Candy Thermometers, Marble Slabs, and Bain-Maries! We’re Making These 8 Pros-Only Disney Recipes! Candy Makers in Action While this one seemed a little too anti-Maurice for our liking! Belle’s Dad and Other Disheveled Disney Characters We’re Strongly Identifying With Now That We Desperately Need a Haircut Maurice’s Treats One of our writers seemed to lose track of where they were for a moment with this next one: Is there a FastPass for this Ride? No? It’s my Couch? Sorry. And while this idea would have been a good one to write, we’re still searching for someone who’s actually been to the NBA Experience in Disney Springs (anyone??)! One in a Million — We’re Sitting Down with the Only Person Who’s Ever Been to the NBA Experience in THIS Exclusive Interview! NBA Experience at Disney World This title idea kinda made it sound like we had a drinking problem: 12 Disney Drinks to Make It Feel Like 5 o’Clock When You No Longer Have Any Concept of Time And this one sounded like we’d be asking A LOT from our family pets: 10 Magical Ways To Disney-fy Your Dog Using Nothing But Dental Floss and Uncooked Pasta! DogEatz Treatz We couldn’t commune with Madame Leota to get the 411 on this title: Stories to Tell in the Dark: Could Haunted Mansion Actually Be Haunted? And although our interests were piqued to see this writer’s mailman, we couldn’t get him to pose for a side-by-side comparison. Does My Grocery Delivery Guy Look Like a Young Walt Disney (Or is it Just in My Head)? Cinderella Castle This one sounded a little mean-spirited (though after isolating this long we totally get it): How To Break Up With Your Boyfriend Like A Disney Princess And this idea could’ve come to fruition if we could actually ride some attractions and show you our hairdos before and after. Just kidding! How’s My Hair? These 12 Disney World Rides are Better Than a Trip to the Salon! Big Thunder Mountain This title hit a little too close to home: How to Quickly Lose That “Quarantine 15” Just in Time to Gain It All Back on Your Next Disney World Vacation! And here’s another idea we had for when you’re so worn out at Disney World that you can’t even work your jaw! The 8 Best Snacks to Enjoy at Disney World When You’re Too Tired to Chew! Kakamora Float Maybe we were thinking too much about self-help books we’ve been reading during this crisis: The 7 Habits of Disney World’s Highly Effective Pork Dishes! And also financial advice books: Rich Disney Dad, Poor Disney Dad — How to Curb Your Family’s Vacation Spending! Yep, we were sensing a deeper underlying meaning in some of our word choices: 7 Deep Breathing Exercises to Keep You From Becoming a Complete Lunatic on Your Next Disney World Trip Walt Disney World And having so much free time on our hands to reorganize and reprioritize our lives has made us face some difficult-to-accept realities: How Much Room in Your Closet SHOULD YOU Allocate to your Disney Parkhopping Wardrobe? We’re not accredited in any way to offer this medical advice, but we would in a heartbeat if we were licensed practitioners! DFB Confirms What Doctors Have Long Suspected: Disney World IS the Cure We’re All Looking For! Mickey Balloons And we’d be lying if we didn’t say we were speaking with some experience and authority with this idea for a title, which probably wouldn’t be the best message to send people about our dietary habits: 6 Easy Solutions For When Your Pants No Longer Button at Disney World Ditto this one: How to Navigate the Challenging Impasse of Wanting to Eat More Mickey Pretzels but Being Physically Unable to Eat More Mickey pretzels And even though we’re a little bit desperate right now and looking for an escape, face tattoos probably isn’t the right answer: 12 Incredible Disney Sidekick Tattoos We Want to Get On Our Faces So We’ll Never Be Lonely Again Lefou Stained Glass Window And of course, this ever-popular Disney Character Buffet article: Grab Your Pitchforks and Wheelbarrows! We’re Going to Our 3 Favorite Disney World Buffets! Crystal Palace Buffet And last but not least: Make Mine Extra Dry and Salty! 15 Disney World Snacks That Will Leave You Super THIRSTY! Mickey Pretzel So yeah, no great losses there, but hopefully you had some fun reading titles from our reject pile this week! Here at DFB, we try to be entertaining AND informative — it’s a tricky balance we’re always strivin’ to get just right with you guys! Let us know if you enjoyed us expelling our bad title ideas and who knows? Maybe we’ll share some other ones down the road? Are there any titles you’d actually like to see written from the ones we listed above? Let us know which ones you think would make an entertaining article (if massaged a bit!) in the comments below! Related posts: No More Citrus Swirl in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. See What’s There Instead… Check Out How Disney Fans Brought the Attractions Home With ‘Homemade Disney’! Round One of the DFB Snack Madness Tournament Is COMPLETE! See If Your Favorite Snack Made the Cut! View the full article

Well, it happened. We’ve become one with our couches. We all knew things were headed this way! Hello from Chewbacca! Still, being permanently glued to our cushions means that we DEFINITELY need some new ideas of what to watch on Disney+. Yes, we have already watched ALL NINE Disneyland-inspired watchlists. Lucky for us, Disney+ is coming through with a whole new set of watchlists — this time based on the decades of the past. It’s time for some throwbacks! 1970s We’re starting off in the 1970s — the age of disco, hippies, and the Muppets? You bet! This first playlist will take us through some gems of 1970s film including The Muppet Movie, Pete’s Dragon, and Star Wars: A New Hope. Great Moments in American History Bedknobs and Broomsticks Million Dollar Duck Escape to Witch Mountain Return from Witch Mountain The Strongest Man in the World Pete’s Dragon Star Wars: A New Hope Treasure of Matecumbe Gus The Castaway Cowboy Candleshoe The Muppet Movie Marvel’s Spider-Woman Hacksaw Robin Hood The Biscuit Eater 1980s Our next time-traveling endeavor takes us back to the 1980s. So grab that hair spray and those shoulder pads! What? Don’t you want to look GOOD while you marathon ’80s movies? We’ll be watching faves like Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Tron, and Who Framed Roger Rabbit. ©Disney Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Sultan and the Rockstar Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Star Wars: Return of the Jedi Marvel’s Spider-Man Tron The Journey of Natty Gann Return to Oz Adventures of the Gummi Bears Flight of the Navigator Fuzzbucket Three Men and a Baby Who Framed Roger Rabbit The Little Mermaid Cheetah Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Turner & Hooch 1990s If you’re a ’90s kid, it’s time to get PUMPED. We’re blasting back to the days of grunge and boy bands with Sister Act, Hercules, 10 Things I Hate About You, and MORE! ©Walt Disney Studios Newsies Aladdin Sister Act The Three Musketeers Cool Runnings Boy Meets World The Lion King Blank Check Camp Nowhere Marvel’s Iron Man Gargoyles A Kid in King Arthur’s Court Toy Story Operation Dumbo Drop Kazaam Smart Guy Jungle 2 Jungle Flubber Hercules Star Wars: The Phantom Menace 10 Things I Hate About You 2000s And we’ll finish our tour of recent history in the 2000s. So, apologize to your family in advance and put on some low-rise jeans! This decade brought us iconic flicks like Lilo & Stitch, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Incredibles. Lilo & Stitch VHS Notebook The Color of Friendship Even Stevens The Luck of the Irish The Princess Diaries Kim Possible Ice Age Star Wars: Attack of the Clones Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith Lilo & Stitch That’s So Raven Cheaper by the Dozen Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End The Cheetah Girls Finding Nemo The Incredibles Hannah Montana Sonny with a Chance Up And there you have it! That’s a Disney+ curated time-traveling playlist of the decades. We’ve gotta get watching, but you know where to find us! Hint: It’s our couches. We literally can’t get up. Send Dole Whip. Want more Disney+ watchlists? Click here! What have you been binge-watching? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Disney+ Update: What We Learned at the D23 Expo! ALL the NEW Content Coming to Disney+ Through January 26th! Hey, Western Europe! We’ve Got A Big Disney+ Update For Ya View the full article

A Virtual Tour of Walt Disney Imagineering - Part 5 | #DisneyMagicMoments View the full article

The celebration of National Super Hero Day continues with a creative way to make your day just a little more epic! We’re bringing you an exclusive how-to tutorial on drawing Spider-Man in his all-new WEB suit as seen at Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Shanghai Disney Resort and Disney Cruise Line and designed by Ryan Meinerding, VP, Creative Director/Production Illustrator from Marvel Studios. So, sling your pencil onto some paper, suit up in your Super Hero best and join Brian Crosby, Creative Director, Themed Entertainment from Marvel Entertainment for a step-by-step tutorial on how to draw the web-slinger himself: Check out even more ways you and your family can enjoy Disney magic from the comfort of your own home with #DisneyMagicMoments! View the full article