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If one of your favorite things to do at the Disney parks is pin trading, we’ve got some exciting news for you! Cast Member Pin Trading Board at Disney World shopDisney will be releasing limited edition pins that previously could only be found at the parks. These will be available starting April 9th at 7 AM Pacific! We think it’s pretty cool of Disney to help us “keep gettin’ our trade on” even though the parks are closed. Although the new Disney parks pins won’t be dropping until tomorrow, there are a bunch to peruse right now like this 2020 Cinderella Castle Pin with Mickey and Minnie for $12.99! ©Disney Click here to buy the Cinderella Castle Mickey and Minnie Pin! Or how about a brisk jog around the block with a Slinky Dog Dash Pin for $12.99! That will liven up your usual morning or afternoon stroll! ©Disney Purchase the Slinky Dog Dash Pin here! But we love this Mickey and Minnie Pin Set for $15.99 the MOST! These two lovebirds are probably really enjoying being coupled up together — as are we with our sweeties! ©Disney Click here to buy the Minnie and Mickey Pins! Even better, shopDisney has a sale going on right now — but it ends tonight! If you see something you want, make sure you snag it! The more you buy, the more you save! ©Disney We’re sure glad Disney keeps finding ways to help us stay sane! We’ve been exploring all the entertainment and activities on the new #DisneyMagicMoments website and now that there’s a sale going on, we’ll have to pick up some of the new Disney merch items we spotted last week including a brand new summertime time collection and neon-themed line! Are you excited about shopDisney releasing new limited edition pins online? Let us know if you’ll be collecting some in the comments below! Related posts: Play Disney Parks App Now Offering NEW Achievements and Pins! NEWS: Designer Hipster Mickey Ears Arrive In Disney Parks! Check This Out! Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction Collection Will Include Special Items For Pin Collectors! View the full article

Hey! We’re back with another DFB Video. Today we’re talking about what HAS to happen for Disney World to reopen. Flag Raising Ceremony There’s a whole lot of uncertainty in the world right now, and that extends to the Disney parks. With the parks being closed “until further notice,” we know a lot of you are rescheduling your trips or have a trip further out this year and you’re not sure whether or not you’ll be able to go. Therefore, we’re gonna break down the possibilities today. Check out all this and more in our latest DFB Video!  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: When you’re planning to go to Disney World. Related posts: DFB Video: The BEST Disney World Budget Breakfasts DFB Video: 9 Things You’re NOT Doing Right at Disney World DFB Video: 7 Disney World Restaurants We Never Talk About…And Why! View the full article

If you’re making plans to visit Disney World once the parks reopen there are some great discounts and deals available for travel dates throughout the summer! It’s time to plan your next Disney World vacation! Whether you’re looking to reschedule a canceled vacation or book a new trip, our friends at Small World Vacations have compiled the most current Walt Disney World discounts for DFB readers. Keep Reading for all the Deals The agents at Small World Vacations know how to save money on your Disney Vacation! When you book your vacation with Small World Vacations, their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings. They also compare discounts and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation. Current Walt Disney World Deals and Discounts Free Dining for Guests Impacted by Closures This offer includes accommodations at a select Walt Disney Resort World hotel, park admission and a FREE Disney Dining Plan. This offer is valid only for guests who previously booked a vacation package or room reservation to stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel for travel dates March 16 to May 31, 2020, and their vacation was impacted by the park closures. Offer not valid for reservations that were cancelled before March 1, 2020. The offer is good for most dates from June 1 through September 30, 2020 and must be booked by May 31, 2020. Click HERE for Details on the Free Dining Offer for Guests Impacted by Closures Sun and Fun Room Offer — EXTENDED! With this deal you can save 10% to 25% off rooms at select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels. The Sun and Fun Room Offer is valid on most nights from April 1 through August 31 2020, and must be booked by August 31, 2020! Cinderella Castle Click HERE for Details on the Sun and Fun Room Offer! Florida Resident Sun and Fun Room Offer Florida residents can save 10% to 30% off rooms at select Disney World Resort Hotels on most nights from April 1 through July 9, 2020. Rooms must be booked by July 9, 2020. Proof of Florida residency is required at check-in. Click Here for Details on the Florida Resident Offer! Annual Passholder Deal Annual Passholders can save up to 35% off rooms at select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels for travel dates between April 1 and July 9, 2020. This deal must be booked by July 9, 2020. Click Here for Details on the Annual Passholder Offer! 2020 Military Offer Members of the U.S. Military can save on room reservations for travel on most nights through December 18, 2020. Travel must be booked by December 18, 2020, and a valid military ID is required at check-in. Click Here for Details on the Military Offer! Contact Small World Vacations for a no-obligation quote before these offers expire. Epcot A note from Small World Vacations: The Small World Vacations team hopes that everyone is safe and healthy during this unique time. We are working tirelessly day and night on behalf of our guests. The extent to which our agents are going out of their way to support their fellow agents and care for their guests demonstrates their true character and values. They are a beacon of calm and sanity in a sea of uncertainty. If you booked your vacation with Small World Vacations, please contact your agent for assistance and the latest news. Small World Vacations’ emergency phone line and email for current guests with an existing reservations is 201-497-5529 and the email is guestrelations@smallworldvacations.com Please rest assured that the agents at Small World Vacations are doing their very best to help their guests during the current situation. It really is a small world after all and together, we will get through this. Small World Vacations is happy to help with your Walt Disney World Vacation. Learn below what they can do for you! Maximize the Dining Plan! If you book a 2020 Walt Disney World Vacation Package with table service dining, you will receive one FREE digital e-Book, the Disney Food Blog Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World valued at $19.95. This guide helps you to get the most out of your Disney Dining Experience! Small World Vacations is proud to be the preferred travel agency of the Disney Food Blog. Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. (Why should you use a travel agent when you go to Disney? See what we think here! Or click here for a no obligation price quote today! And tell them DFB Sent You! Small World Vacations agents have been to Walt Disney World over 2,500 times! We know what you need to know before you go. We’re Diamond Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planners (that’s the highest level, ranked by Disney!) who have been there, done that and are going back. Learn how we can help you and what our guests are saying about us: “I am a very hands-on type of person and I’ve always planned our vacations. I decided this time to give Small World Vacations a try. Best thing I could have done. My agent was able to handle the booking part, which is the tedious part of the planning. Then she was able to get me free dining for my trip, which saved me a ton of money. She answered all my questions very promptly as well.” If you are ready to begin planning your 2020 Walt Disney World vacation, simply fill out Small World Vacations’ no obligation quote form! Small World Vacations is happy to share over 22 years of Disney expertise and firsthand experience with My Disney Experience, discounts, dining reservations, and FastPass+ so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy some Disney Magic! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you — they’ve literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They’re DFB’s recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you Related posts: ALL of the Walt Disney World Hotel Deals and Discounts Available NOW! Here’s What Happens in Disney World…After Dark! We’re Unpacking the Latest Disney NEWS BOMB! View the full article

If you’ve ever visited Disney World with your family in tow, whether you know it by now or not, you possess within you a unique skill set. Balloons on Main Street Let’s face it, as much fun as it can be to go to Disney World, it’s also A LOT to handle. You’re on your feet all day in the unforgiving Florida climate with hungry kiddos and heavy crowds. If you’re like us, you’ve probably developed some coping skills that you could really use to win this war right about now! But really, we’ve been thinking A LOT about this lately. In some bizarre turn of events, a typical day for us now isn’t that far off from what an average day at Disney World FEELS like. There are moments of sheer panic, moments of bliss, moments of wanting to pull your hair out, and moments of happy tears that are impossible to hold back. Mickey Mouse All the tools, techniques, (and even a few tricks) you’ve picked up from managing your Disney vacation stress levels while trying to cohabitate with your kids in the confinements of a modest 2-queen bed Disney World guest room are already there within you — now’s the time to call upon THEM! Getting Up Early We get it — rope dropping your kitchen and living room isn’t as exciting as rope dropping Magic Kingdom, but getting up early to start another exhausting day is the new name of the GAME! And just like it is when we’re at Disney World, our kids’ boundless pre-dawn energy and endless enthusiasm for the day ahead isn’t quite equally matched by our own, but that’s why coffee was invented. Hollywood Studios Before Park Opening You won’t be snagging a boarding pass to Rise of the Resistance at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios, but at least you don’t have to change out of your pajamas right away! Getting Ready Only you know for sure if your family is still observing the standards of proper everyday hygiene and attire (don’t worry — this is a judgment-free zone!). You’ll want to skip ahead if such rules no longer apply to you and your clan! But since many of us are now trying to get ready at the exact same time as everyone under our roof, it’s just like being in a standard Disney Resort guest room with only ONE bathroom! Disney’s Contemporary Resort That’s why we’re observing a strict 10-minute in-and-out rule! That’s all the time each person in our family has to shower, no exceptions! Plus we’re brushing up on our hair braiding skills which cuts down on the “getting ready” time even more! And of course, showers are still optional on most weekends (as they always were and forever shall BE!). Feeding the Troops If you haven’t set up your kitchen like a Disney World Resort food court or quick service grab ‘n go location, DO IT. DO IT NOW. Otherwise, a Henry Ford assembly line much like Disney’s kitchen brigade system is the next best thing. Breakfast Skillet For breakfast, have one person handle the eggs, put a man on the toast, get someone else to set the table, and assign whoever else is standing around a task! No one gets benched at mealtime! It’s all hands on deck! Lesson Planning If you’ve already mastered the art of scheduling FastPasses with the right combination of advance dining reservations thrown in, you were born for balancing homeschooling with work life. Trust us — multi-tasking and allocating time has now officially become a major part of your genetic makeup. Next time you feel overwhelmed, try tapping into the Disney itinerary lobe of your brain for guidance. Tree of Life Garden And as for the actual lessons you’ll be teaching your kiddos, take some inspiration from the stuff you’ve already learned at Disney World! You can reference The Hall of Presidents to teach American History or Animal Kingdom’s “it’s tough to be a bug” to learn about Natural Science! You may not even realize how much knowledge you’ve picked up from Disney parks because of how much FUN you were having! Family Togetherness Much like Disney World, the confinements of your current situation will test your patience. You may feel like you’re being pushed to the brink of your sanity — but you GOT THIS! Take a deep breath and instead of telling yourself you’re trapped like a desperate animal in a cage that’s being rattled every five seconds, send yourself this message of hope: you’re spending more time than you ever thought would be possible with those you love. Cinderella Castle So often, a vacation is the only time we have to spend with our families without responsibilities and distractions from the outside world intruding on us. See this experience as more of an opportunity to enjoy quality time by keeping all things in perspective. Exercise Remember how you walk AT LEAST five miles every day you’re at Disney World — and that’s on a relaxing day?!?! Make sure you’re giving yourself and your fellow inmates some time out in the yard. Throw a frisbee around like you would on the sandy beaches at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort. Or go for a family bike ride MINUS the surrey bike you’d normally rent at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn! Go for a walk outside where it isn’t crowded. You can’t stay cooped up all day or you’ll go crazy. Exercising helps relieve stress and you’ll probably even sleep a little better — once your muscles are no longer sore that is. Disney’s BoardWalk Inn This probably goes without saying, but since you’re exercising, you’ll have a built-in excuse to consume EVEN more calories like you would on a normal day at Disney World! We’re always up for matching our daily caloric intake at Disney World, which usually consists of carbs, cheese, carbs, and MORE CARBS! Bribery If Disney World has taught us anything, it’s that when all else fails, there’s always bribery. One of the sharpest tools we have as adults have is currency, and we’re not talking about cash money, honey. Sometimes we ALL need a little extra motivation to push us along. Red Mickey Balloon Popcorn Bucket Recognize what you need right now to get through this and give it to yourself. What would normally take the shape of a Mickey Pretzel or Dole Whip could just be a nice bubble bath or a handful of chocolate chips for finally organizing your sock drawer. Hey, whatever gets you through the day. Mickey Mouse Club Ear Bowl Bribery works great on kids too. It can be a healthy snack, a favorite toy, or extra screen time for completing their lessons. While we don’t think it’s a good idea to ALWAYS bribe someone, be it ourselves or our children, sometimes we all just need a little extra something to do what we need to do. A Moment of Reflection At nighttime, once you’ve finally arrived back home at your “Disney World Resort” a.k.a. master bedroom and sprawled out on the bed after another most-exhausting day of your life EVER, think about the things you and your family did that day. Cinderella Castle Even if you’re not into keeping a journal, maybe jot down a few notes either on paper or on your phone. That way, someday, when this is all over, you can remember how bittersweet this bunker life is and how every day wasn’t really that different from some of your most memorable moments at Disney World. What are some of the superhuman powers you’ve acquired at Disney World that you find yourself drawing up now? Share them with us in the comments below! Related posts: Six ❤️GOOD❤️ Things That Might Come Out of This Disney World Closure Updated! Will Disney World Really Re-open April 1st? BREAKING NEWS! Disney World Has Just Extended Its Closure And Noted More Details View the full article

Saddle up, parents, teachers, and science lovers – starting this week, National Geographic has an all new digital hub, NatGeo@Home, tailor-made for young explorers! Chock full of resources for those looking for a window into the world through entertaining, science-forward content, this free virtual base camp is a true boredom buster. The new hub comes stocked with lessons for educators, hands-on activities, games, quizzes, videos, tips for parents and access to National Geographic Society’s Learn at Home portal – a curated collection of K-12 content made to spark the spirit of exploration. The resources on the site are organized by grade and come equipped with skill-building lessons on social studies, geography, science and more. Through the Explorer Classroom available on the hub, kids can meet face-to-face with Nat Geo Explorers through live talks, as film makers, scientists and others, share their experiences from around the world. Upcoming Explorer Classrooms include a live chat with a conservationist working to protect the adorable but endangered cotton-top tamarin monkey and a conversation with the head of Nat Geo’s Shark Tales team. NatGeo@Home is also a part of #DisneyMagicMoments, a one-stop shop for some of the best free Disney content for kids, families, and fans. The platform includes offerings from National Geographic, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Disney Parks and beyond. But that’s not all! Nat Geo Kids Books is also offering lively learning activities with a new series of downloadable worksheets filled with experiments, and fill-in-the-blank activities. You’ll also find content from popular book series, including the fact-filled Weird But True book, and Zeus the Mighty, a middle-grade series where Greek mythology meets cute talking animals. Browse the site for more great reads and books. View the full article

It seems like with each passing day our hearts are longing to reach out to some of our favorite Disney attractions that we miss the most! How we yearn to FEEL the sweet CARESS of the Peoplemover’s blue vinyl upholstery against our skin AGAIN! Walt Disney World And somehow the fine line that usually divides our more logical thinking and what we would normally recognize as an irrational use of our time and energy right now has become BLURRED! In fact, our minds have become so muddled with passionate feelings to see how our favorite attractions are holding up throughout all of this that we’ve started to believe maybe, just MAYBE, the rides are MISSING US, TOO?!? If you’ve ever had some inclination that your favorite Disney World ride had feelings of its own or could become self-aware after the parks had closed for the day (nope? Just us? OK, then.), join us as we dive down into the strange but satisfying metaphysical vortex of what some of the Disney World rides are contemplating now that the people have temporarily left the parks. Magic Kingdom Excerpt from PeopleMover’s Diary “Man, 2020 is turning out to be the worst year of mah LIFE! I should’ve known when my belt started to smoke and the fire department showed up on January 2nd that I needed to SLOW MY ROLL. I’m just so passionate about MOVING PEOPLE!! I can’t help myself! Then I had to close AGAIN right before the parks did. Seriously, I’m a dumpster FIRE!” PeopleMover “I gotta take this time to get myself back together! I can’t be everybody’s EVERYTHING if I’m nobody’s nothing! When the parks reopen, Buzz Lightyear and Astro Orbiter better watch their backs. You’re gonna see a whole new, fully-rested PeopleMover when I get my life back on track instead of this Hot Mess Express. MARK MY WORDS!” Entry from Space Mountain’s Mémoires “Things have been pretty dark around here since the guests left. I mean, LITERALLY! Nobody’s turning on any of the ding dong LIGHTS. They say in space no one can hear you scream — and that’s a GOOD thing. With the place recently vacated I’ve been working on my whistle tones so I can reach Mariah Carey’s highest registers. 2021 American Idol auditions, HERE I COME!” Space Mountain “They’ll all say they knew me WHEN…” Haunted Mansion’s Most-Recent Eulogy “I can’t believe how many episodes of Love is Blind and The Bachelor Constance Hatchaway is watching right now. It seems like she might be getting ready to tie the knot AGAIN! I just hope she doesn’t ask me to be in her bridal party again. Meanwhile, if I have to tell these grim grinning ghosts one more time to STOP coming out to socialize, I’m going to LOSE IT! Even though they’re keeping their distance from each other, their dance parties, duels, and operatic singing are doing my head in — at least they would be if I had one!” Haunted Mansion “And can the hitchhiking ghosts give it a rest already since the Doom Buggies aren’t going anywhere at the moment?? They’re just mulling about with their thumbs in the air when they could be helping out around the place more! C’mon you guys! Can you pitch in a little with brushing off some of these cobwebs? They’re really starting to build up!” Hollywood Studios Transmission From Rise of the Resistance in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge “Wow. It turns out this whole Light Side v. Dark Side thing was just one BIG misunderstanding. We’re all SO super chill here now! You would NOT believe it! DJ R3X has sauntered over from Oga’s Cantina and is helping to keep the peace by laying down some funky droid tracks that totally SLAP! Meanwhile, Rey has been Skypeing with some of the Stormtroopers’ kiddos back home and is teaching them how to make sushi using only THEIR MINDS. Yup, they think she’s the coolest!” Rise of the Resistance “General Hux is holding a new self-help book club. This week the group is reading Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus. It’s a little touchy-feely, but that’s kind of the mood we’re all going for now that we’re finally vibing. Chewbacca has tapped into his more domesticated side and keeps whipping up batches of Chewie Chews! Good thing they’re healthy, otherwise our thighs would be wider than the Millennium Falcon by now!” Diary Entry from Slinky Dog Dash “It’s another beautiful day here in Andy’s backyard! Jessie and Rex keep talking about this Carole Baskin lady while Wheezy’s been in the studio recording his new album non-stop. He played his title track for us today called, “I’m Not Your Little Squeaker Toy Anymore,” and man, I gotta say — that was some heady stuff.” Wheezy at Slinky Dog Dash “The Green Army Men are going through a lot of TP right now (as are the rest of the toys in Toy Story Land). I sure hope they restock our supplies soon otherwise I might need Sheriff Woody to commandeer some from Tower of Terror! We hear those guys really loaded up at Costco before things got dicey. Maybe they’ll trade us some for our 3-D glasses?!” Animal Kingdom Flight Log From Flight of Passage “How’s the Valley of Mo’ara, you ask? Oh, honey, I’m looking just as jaw-dropping GORGEOUS as ever! Thanks for asking, soldier! When the parks reopen, how about you come up and see me sometime? Don’t have a way to drop in? I got banshees for that!” Flight of Passage Entrance “AND, you’ll be happy to know you curious little creature, you, that desperado Dr. Stevens has been surfing Match.com in hopes of meeting a lady scientist who he can really hit it off with. Not very lucky in love, that Dr. Stevens. If only he could project himself with an air of confidence such as my fabulous self. If you’re into long walks on the beach and are a bit desperately lonely, too, why don’t you slide into his DMs? He’s ‘kewldoctor17,’ just don’t tell him I sent you!” Daily Report From Expedition Everest “Disco Yeti has always known how to cut a rug with his Saturday Night Fever dance moves, but now the abominable snowman has been bitten by the baking bug! We don’t know where he’s getting all this flour from, but every time we turn around he’s slicing into another fresh loaf of artisan bread!” Expedition Everest “He thinks he’s going to audition for The Great British Baking Show next year — and while we definitely think he’s got what it takes to impress Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, he’s going to leave some big shoes to fill over here. Does he have a cousin we could call to sub in? Bigfoot? Chewbacca? ANYONE?!” Epcot Letter From Frozen Ever After “Anna and Elsa are making so many microwave mug cakes in Arendelle right now, it’s INSANE! Meanwhile, Kristoff has gone full-blown Bryan Adams on us and is writing even more power ballads for his next big release.” Frozen Ever After “Marshmallow has been putting some of the Snowgies in the windows for anyone who happens by, and Sven is working on a paint-by-numbers with the deepest level of intensity we’ve ever seen. Oh, and Olaf has been completely naked THIS WHOLE TIME. He’s not even wearing his carrot, buttons, or twigs anymore. RUDE.” Dreamcast From Journey into Imagination “Dr. Nigel Channing here from the Imagination Institute! I know since Figment’s school got canceled I’m responsible for teaching him now, but the purple rascal just won’t sit still! I never realized how helpful the guests were in distracting Figment for a little bit of time. Just long enough for me to catch my bearings.” Journey into Imagination Valentine’s Sign “I might need to enlist the aid of a friend. I’m not sure where the Dreamfinder has been since his last appearance on Maury Povich. Honestly, I could use one of those Avocado Margaritas I always hear everyone talking about right now…!” …oooooorr something like that! Well, it’s official — we’ve completely LOST OUR MINDS. But that’s alright — we know we’re in good company. We’re all lucid dreaming a little these days, so why not go with it and see what you think some of your favorite Disney animatronics are up to! What ride’s journal would you like to read? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: NEW Insta-Worthy Nighttime Magic Shots Are Coming to Disney World Soon! When Disney World Reopens THESE Are at the Top of Our Must-Do List DFB Video: Latest Disney Parks News — CEO Shakeup, HUGE Refurb News, and MORE! View the full article

We sure are missing Disney World right about now, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t still keep an eye on some of the upcoming projects that we’re excited about! Epcot Despite the current closures of the Disney parks and the temporary halt on construction, Walt Disney Imagineering and other Resort development teams are still hard at work crafting the future of the parks. That means that we can still spot some construction permits every once in a while for projects that are starting soon. While the parks do what they can in the interest of health, some agencies (like Imagineering!) are still hard at work filing permits with the government for upcoming projects. Trust us, you’re gonna want to see these! Spoiler: We found a few for the Guardians of the Galaxy coaster! Walt Disney World Let’s check ’em out! Epcot Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind We won’t keep you waiting too long to talk about the MOST exciting permits we found! That’s right, we found some work being done over at the former Universe of Energy in Epcot — that’s the site for the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind! We spotted THREE permits for this attraction that point to us being a few steps closer to riding this reverse-launch, 360-degree marvel. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Concept Art ©Disney The first permit is so that teams can “fabricate and install set pieces.” This kind of permit is filed alongside creative design firms and usually point to some sort of theme installation within the ride structure. We can only imagine what super cool set elements they’re getting ready to load in. Alien planets? Spacecraft? Starlord and ROCKET RACOON?! Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind The next permit we spotted was with a design firm for the installation of “graphics, entrance, and set structures.” That sure sounds like more theming to us! This permit especially makes us wonder if we’ll be able to see some new design aspects to the exterior of the pavilion when they’re able to get construction going again. We can’t wait! Guardians of the Galaxy Ride Vehicles ©Disney And finally, Imagineering filed a permit alongside a pro sound and video firm to install some “lighting controls.” We would love to see some of the designs that Disney has for the lighting inside this attraction, but we’ll have to wait for when we get to ride it in 2021. Want to see everything we know about the Guardians of the Galaxy coaster? Click here! Disney World Resorts Reflections — A Disney Lakeside Lodge And though that’s the only work that we spotted for any in-park attractions, it seems that we’re looking ahead to some projects around the Walt Disney World Resorts. Most notably, we spotted a whopping SIX permits for the site of the upcoming Reflections — A Disney Lakeside Lodge. Oh yeah, they’re getting started on some work for this reimagined classic country lodge! Reflections — A Disney Lakeside Lodge A few of these permits were for logistical projects in the resort. For instance, we were able to dig up permits for the Security Kiosk at the site, a Transportation Dock (this points to Reflections likely having access to Disney Water Transportation), and a Bus Stop and Covered Walkway. Reflections Then two of the permits seem to be pointing at outdoor amenities for guests. It seems construction is set to begin on the Pool Restroom Building and seven Outdoor Structures. Hmm, we wonder what those structures could be! Maybe they’ll be some sort of cabanas or play areas for kiddos! But the BEST permit out of the bunch is for a Table Service Restaurant. Call us crazy but that sounds a lot like they’re about to start constructing the Princess and the Frog-inspired restaurant that’s set to open with the resort. Um…PLEASE!!! We’re aching for new details about this dining spot so you can bet that this news has us pretty jazzed (get it??). Princess and the Frog Restaurant ©Disney Click here to learn more about the Princess and the Frog restaurant coming to Reflections! Grand Floridian Walkway and Potential Bridge to Magic Kingdom Before the park closures we noticed some construction going on over at Grand Floridian Resort. It looks like they’re working on a pathway and bridge over to Magic Kingdom. OOOOoooh! We spotted two permits for general construction on this structure so it seems that work will continue to advance once the halt is lifted. Construction Update For a glimpse at how construction was progressing on the bridge before the closures, click here! Contemporary Walkway And our last permit from the round-up is a small one, but we’re still excited to see the results. Remember the Contemporary Resort to Magic Kingdom Walkway? Well, it looks like there’s going to be some added signage soon! Of course, it’d be pretty hard to get lost on this one-way path, but some new signs will certainly make it look even more polished and new! Contemporary Walkway Click here to see the Contemporary Walkway! So there you have it! Some big work is coming soon to Disney World, despite the closures. We’re pretty excited to see the result of some of this construction (hello new COASTER!), so we’ll be keeping an eye out for any more updates. Until next time! Check out Our Last Permit Round-Up to See What ELSE Is About To Start Happening in Disney World! Which of these Disney projects are you most excited to see completed? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: Here’s Your ULTIMATE Guide to All the 2019 Gingerbread Displays Coming to Disney World Did You Know About These Upcoming SECRET Disney World Projects? Easter Eggs and Eats around Disney World! View the full article

With the Disney Parks being closed “until further notice,” things are pretty up in the air about when Cast Members may return to their jobs. Magic Kingdom We recently saw that Disney plans to furlough non-essential salaried and hourly non-union employees beginning April 19th, but this statement did not include plans for union workers. Disney has now started coming to agreements with unions regarding what will happen to workers’ jobs during the closures. According to the Orlando Sentinel, Disney and the American Federations of Musicians Local 389 have made an agreement about their unionized workers and the furlough. Walt Disney World During this time, members will continue to receive “health insurance benefits coverage, educational support, and additional employee assistance programs for hourly entertainment musician Cast Members during a temporary furlough effective April 19.” Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland We will keep you updated as Disney comes to agreements with the other unions, so stay tuned! In the meantime, you can check out everything you need to know about the park closures here! Are you a Cast Member affected by the closures, or do you know somebody who is? Let us know your experiences in the comments below! Related posts: DFB Video: 5 Disney Changes That Turned Out Way Better Than Expected STOP THE PRESSES! You Can Get Disney Parks’ Mickey Ice Cream Sandwiches at Your GROCERY STORE?! Worried About Losing Your Disney Vacation Club Points Due to the Closures? We Have All the Details You Need to Know! View the full article

To celebrate World Health Day, we’ve seen Disney Parks around the world showing their gratitude to medical professionals committed to serving their communities in the midst of the latest events. ©Disney From flower art to flip-flop “thank yous,” Disney properties are sending love to all those serving on the front lines — but they didn’t stop there! Disney just released a new video showcasing how Walt Disney World Cast Members are saying THANK YOU to their medical heroes! We don’t want to spoil it, but let’s just say it’s an emotional 25 seconds. You can check out the video below!  We join these Cast Members in saying thank you to all of you out there selflessly serving others each day. Whether you’re on the front lines or keeping others safe by staying at home — thank you for doing your part! Check out how Disney properties around the world thanked their medical staff here! Who would you like to thank? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Disney World Splitsville Cast Member Special Offers New Costumes Revealed for Coronado Springs Cast Members! We Tried a NEW Feature On The Disney World Website! Here’s What We Found Out View the full article

Walt Disney World Cast Members Thank Healthcare Heroes View the full article

Go forth and have yourself a Disney movie night, mighty warriors! ©Disney Although we’re all having to stay at home right now, Disney+ is REALLY giving us the content that we need. And, you can create your own home theater to have a screening of Onward this week (with the snacks and drinks included, obviously!). Thanks to Lauren Kitt, we were able to see how she made some magic for her family with her own Onward movie night! Umm, how CUTE is this you guys… er, we mean valiant?! Onward Movie Night! You can make sure that you’re going to the right screening (we heard they’re showing Frozen 2 in Theater 2 upstairs)… Onward Movie Sign …before having our tickets checked for the movie! Onward Tickets Oh, and on the way to your seats, you can pop by the concession stand to grab some goodies and merchandise inspired by the film. The best part is that it’s free of charge as a gift from the Lightfoot family! Concession Stand Although we totally wish we were riding along in Guinevere, you can sit down and cozy up with a blanket to watch Onward with all your family members! We must dub thee a movie attendee (so that means no talking during the film)! Home Movie Theater Lauren shared that she was able to get everything she needed from Target Drive-Up, so you can pop over to your local store to get your quest supplies too! What Disney movie nights are you going to create in your own home theater? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: NEWS! New Film Release Dates Announced For Mulan, Jungle Cruise, Black Widow, and More! 10 Things That Might Start to Make Up for Your Canceled Disney Vacation! This Is Absolutely the Most EPIC Piece of Star Wars Merchandise You Could Ever Buy View the full article

Disney has recently started to share rare behind-the-scenes glimpses with fans through a new video series featuring virtual tours of Walt Disney Imagineering! ©Disney Part 1 of the series (you can catch that here!) gave us a brief introduction into Disney Imagineering and delivered us right into the place “where creative imagination and technical know-how combine to make dreams come true!” And now, Part 2 of the Journey Into Imagineering series brings us into the Sculpture Studio! Jonathan Friday is your host for this installment featuring a tour of the Blaine Gibson Sculpture Studio (named in honor of the Disney Legend who once supervised the sculpture department). Take a peek at this video which shares the initial sculpt of the beloved Walt and Mickey Partners statue and MUCH more! We hope you enjoyed this latest Journey Into Imagineering as much as we did! And be sure to check out more virtual Disney fun — and MAGIC — here! Do you enjoy seeing behind-the-scenes at Imagineering? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: First Look! Tiffins Restaurant and Nomad Lounge at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Disney Parks Around the World Say Thanks to Healthcare Workers AFTER Fireworks Party Coming to Magic Kingdom! View the full article

We’ve been staying current with this situation for many months now and not just with how it pertains to Disney World and Disneyland but the rest of the Disney theme parks across the world as well. Fantasmic! at Tokyo DisneySea ©Disney Since it’s hard enough keeping up with the news that’s happening and changing every day here in the U.S., we wanted to give you a status update on Tokyo Disneyland Resort. As you’ll recall, Tokyo Disneyland was the third overseas theme park to close. Disney announced the park would be shutting down from February 27th through March 15th. However, just like Disney World and Disneyland, it amended its temporary closure on March 11th and most recently on March 27th when they also announced they’d be closing all Tokyo Disney Hotels as well. ONE DAY AT DISNEY – KAE NAMIKI, STAGE MANAGER, TOKYO DISNEYSEA. (Disney/Natsumi Nukariya) And today, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has just declared a state of emergency. Japan has been at war with the infection since before it became more widely spread here in the States. According to Fox News, the number of cases in Japan has recently surged, doubling to over 1,200 cases in just the last five days. DisneySea Pixar Playtime Pals Along with the state of emergency declaration, Japan’s government has issued a month-long stay at home order which will impact all six of the country’s prefectures including Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture where Tokyo Disneyland is located. Just like what many of us are experiencing right now in America, schools and all non-essential businesses will temporarily close in an attempt to flatten the curve and keep the strain off of their hospitals. Attraction Concept Art for Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast ©Disney Until now, Japan had been mitigating the spread by focusing on clusters of cases and concentrating its efforts on tracing the paths the infection has taken. Now that the country’s hospital beds are nearing capacity, Abe’s next call to action is for residents of Japan to self-isolate and reduce their contact with others. Tokyo Disneyland Concept Art ©Disney The Tokyo Disney Resort website currently states that the “reopening of the parks is planned for April 20 or beyond,” and that a new announcement will be sent out regarding the reopening. Due to the government’s recent decision ordering people to stay at home, we’ll likely see Tokyo Disneyland postpone its reopening again for sometime after the May 6th expiration date. We’ll continue to monitor this situation as it unfolds at the Tokyo Disneyland Resort as well as the rest of the Disney parks including any official statements made by Disney and re-opening timeframes. Related posts: NEWS! Tokyo Disneyland Set to Close Saturday Until Further Notice NEWS! Tokyo Disneyland Has Extended Its Closure Date It’s Costing Disney HOW MUCH To Close The Theme Parks?! View the full article

Several of our favorite Disney talents have been sharing incredible music, stories, artistic tutorials, and more via live streams over the past few weeks, delivering Disney magic right into our homes. Here at the DFB, some of our favorite live streams include those which have been presented by Disney mixologists and chefs for some at-home culinary fun. And one that we are especially excited to include in the mix is… Chef Art Smith at Homecomin’ … the weekly virtual cooking class by Chef Art Smith who, of course, heads up Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ in Disney Springs! Tomorrow (Wednesday, April 8th) at 4:00 PM EST, you’ll want to check out @thechefartsmith on Instagram Live for some “Healthy Comfort Cooking!” @thechefartsmith on Instagram And you definitely don’t want to miss tomorrow’s class, as the Chef has shared that he’ll be letting us in on how to make his “favorite ice or hot tea with fruit” AND his famous HUMMINGBIRD CAKE!! Chef Art Smith’s Hummingbird Cake Set your alarm for a reminder because this week’s Healthy Comfort Cooking with Chef Art Smith & Friends begins at 4:00 PM EST tomorrow, and you’ll definitely want to log on to Instagram to catch the class! And don’t forget to check out MORE at-home FUN with Disney friends right here! Will you be tuning in for Healthy Comfort Cooking? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: Review: Rise and Shine Southern Brunch at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ at Disney Springs News! Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Adds EXTENDED Brunch Hours! Sake & Shine 2.0 with Chefs Morimoto and Smith in Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs — Tickets Available! View the full article

The next stop on our virtual tour of Walt Disney Imagineering is the Sculpture Studio. This hidden gem within our headquarters is one of the locations that epitomizes the heritage of Walt Disney Imagineering. Disney Legend Blaine Gibson once supervised the sculpture department, and his sculpts were used to create various figures and bronzes in Disney Parks. Today, the Sculpture Studio continues to house Blaine’s masterpieces, as well as Imagineering’s recent sculptures. Jonathan Friday will show you in this video! View the full article

Like so many of us, Chewbacca is using his spare time to get creative in the kitchen! Chewie Chews And while he’s no Martha Stewart, he IS all about living that HEALTHY lifestyle! That’s why he’s recently been inspired to devise the perfect treat to satisfy your sweet tooth as well as your appetite for all things STAR WARS! Pew! Pew! Chewbacca doesn’t feel comfortable using the oven by himself (especially with all that fur to burn…) and neither should YOU! If you’re a small child, THAT IS! Make sure you ask an adult for help with making Chewie Chews! First, you’ll want to gather up these ingredients: ©Disney Recipe for Chewie Chews Once you’ve surrounded yourself with the ingredients and suggested toppings like a swarm of TIE fighters, it’s time to get down to business! ©Disney Recipe for Chewie Chews Now that your banana and oat mixture is flatter than Tatooine’s arid landscape, here’s how best to proceed: ©Disney Recipe for Chewie Chews Piece of cake, right? Now it’s time to decorate your snack so you can laugh it up with the delightful co-pilot himself, Chewbacca! ©Disney Recipe for Chewie Chews And for the finishing touches… ©Disney Recipe for Chewie Chews Once you’re done, the final product should look something like Chewbacca! If not, eat ’em and start again. No one needs to be any the wiser! If the directions threw you for a loop, you can watch this video of how to make Chewie Chews from scratch below! You can also learn how to make Blue Mik here!  We’ll let you know if Chewie comes up with anything else, but for now, enjoy living your best and HEALTHY Star Wars life with your new edible (and equally incredible!) snacky sidekick, Chewie Chews! Are you excited to make Chewie Chews at home? Let us know if you’ll be whipping up a batch in the comments below! Related posts: Review! Cue the Star Wars Theme ‘Cause We Know How to Order the Secret Menu Chewbacca Frappuccino! Come to the Dark Side With the NEW Raspberry Synth Kyber Cupcake at Sprinkles! Disney News This Week: ALL the News and Updates from the Most Magical Places on Earth! View the full article

Well, even if it might not feel like it, spring is in full swing! With Easter Sunday this weekend, we’ve been looking for ways to celebrate. Where better to turn than one of our FAVE cupcake spots — Sprinkles Cupcakes! ©Sprinkles We’ve certainly been missing out on our Disney Springs and Downtown Disney Sprinkles locations, there are still Sprinkles stores open for business around the country. If you’re one of the lucky ones who have a local Sprinkles store, it’s time for you to get a taste of the new PEEPS CUPCAKE! Yeah, you heard us. This personal cake has got some serious Easter flair in the form of a tiny colorful sugar bird to top it off. This strawberry cupcake is topped with strawberry frosting, a toasted coconut nest, and a cute Peep! ©Sprinkles These cuties are only available through April 12th, so hurry up and place an order! Bonus! You can even get them as part of the Seasonal Box DEAL, so what are you waiting for??? Want to see more tasty Sprinkles cupcakes for Easter? Click here! What’s your favorite Sprinkles Cupcake flavor? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Welcome 2019 With a Limited Edition Sprinkles Cupcake NEWS! TWO Favorite Sprinkles Cupcakes Flavors Return For A Limited Time! Don’t Miss Out! Sprinkles’ Red Velvet Bread Pudding is Leaving Disney Springs Soon — We’ll Tell You When! View the full article

You know how you get that feeling of butterflies when you see something you just absolutely LOVE? ©Love Your Melon That’s the reaction we had to the new Love Your Melon Spring Collection which will be coming out later THIS WEEK! The new Disney X Love Your Melon line is dropping on their website on Thursday, April 9th at 10 AM central time and features stylish knitted caps for adults, kids, and babies! ©Love Your Melon Knitted caps in the springtime? Don’t worry — these new beanies are their lightweight ones which are half the weight of their classic versions! For adults, you can choose between either the Double Pom Beanie for $65 or Cuffed Beanie for $40 in Black Mickey Mouse with Gold Foil or Blush Pink Minnie Mouse with Rose Gold Foil! ©Love Your Melon There’s also kid-size versions of the Black Mickey Mouse with Gold Foil and Blush Pink Minnie Mouse with Rose Gold Foil Double Pom Beanies for $65! Check out the Black and Light Pink Washed Demin Caps adults can also choose from for $40 each! ©Love Your Melon And is there anything cuter than a baby in a knitted cap? We happen to think not! Especially when they’re as adorable as these beanies! The Double Pom Beanies for Babies will cost $45 while the Standard Baby Beanies are $35. ©Love Your Melon What better way to rock your new beanie than with a matching pullover! Check out these amazing Black Mickey Mouse and Dusty Rose Minnie Mouse Hoodies for $95 a pop! We think a beanie and a hoodie just kinda seem to go together for that ultimate comfy fashion statement! ©Love Your Melon So start making a list of the stuff you want to grab when the new Disney and Love Your Melon collab launches! We have a feeling these hats will be flying fast! Plus, half of the proceeds of what you buy will go towards the fight to end cancer which we LOVE! Be sure to check out their Baby Yoda and The Mandalorian-inspired collection of headwear here! Are you excited about Love Your Melon’s new spring release? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Christmas Time is HERE! The shopDisney Holiday Shop Is Now OPEN! The NEW Mickey Mouse Disney x Columbia Collection Will Be the Death of My Paycheck! Grab All Your Favorite Disney Merchandise with This Offer on shopDisney! View the full article

As Disney Parks around the world remain closed, we can’t help but wonder how things will be different when this is over. ©Disney We’ve already speculated about what could be done to increase safety within the parks once they open. But now, it looks like Disney’s former CEO, Bob Iger, is confirming that one major safety check is being considered by Disney for the parks. In an interview with Barron’s, Bob Iger spoke out about the future of the Disney Parks. Speaking to the public’s likely long-lasting health concerns, he confirmed Disney is considering what we’ve already speculated: Disney Parks may implement mandatory temperature checks to enter the parks. Bob Iger presenting a model of Shanghai Disneyland He referred to the health protocols that have been used in China, stating “You can’t get on a bus or a subway or a train or enter a high-rise building there—and I’m sure this will be the case when their schools reopen—without having your temperature taken.” Comparing this step to the changes we saw globally following 9/11, he commented, “Just as the case after 9/11 where people ultimately lived with the notion that in order for them to enter a building…you have to show a picture ID or get your picture taken and be screened.” Hollywood Studios Bag Check Iger agreed that taking this step could slow things down in the parks, but that it would be in response to guest demand. “…Let’s prepare for a world where our customers demand that we scrutinize everybody. Even if it creates a little bit of hardship, like it takes a little bit longer for people to get in.” Shanghai Disneyland When we asked our readers at what point they would feel safe going to the Disney Parks when they reopen, we got varied answers, with some guests clearly concerned about loved ones with compromised immune systems. Iger implied that his belief is the public will demand screenings and health checks to enter heavily populated areas, including the Disney Parks. Just as a guest with a weapon found in their bag wouldn’t be allowed to bring it into a Disney Park out of concern for guest safety, guests with a detectable illness would possibly be restricted from entering. His remarks are in line with what we’ve speculated thus far. We know the reopened parks could see major changes. We’ll keep you posted on any confirmed updates as they come. Would you welcome temperature screenings at the parks? Let us know in the comments. Related posts: 7 Impossible Decisions Disney Has To Make Right Now It’s Costing Disney HOW MUCH To Close The Theme Parks?! Here’s How Much it Would Cost For You To Go to EVERY Disney Theme Park in the World! View the full article

Despite the parks being closed, there are a ton of NEW and exciting things in the works as well as very recent additions to the parks that we can’t wait to check out! Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure ©Disney From new rides and attractions to the latest and greatest in Disney World dining, there will be plenty to see and do when we get to return to the parks. Here are 13 new things that we can’t wait to do when Disney World reopens. 1. Check Out the New Additions to the France Pavilion The France Pavilion in Epcot is going to look VERY different this summer! That’s because two highly anticipated additions are currently slated to open this summer. These additions include Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and La Crêperie de Paris! Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Ride Vehicle While we could see some delays as a result of the temporary closures, we’re hoping to see these open as close to “on time” as possible! Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is an innovative dark ride that should be fun for the whole family! A very similar version of this trackless ride that allows guests to shrink down to the size of a rat already exists at Disneyland Paris. While we don’t have an opening date just yet, we do know that the attraction is set to open this summer. Disney even installed new signage that reflected this opening season before the closure. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure We also hopped on the Skyliner to take a look at the construction progress and it was really coming along! Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Construction We can’t wait to go on a rat-sized adventure this summer! Everything you need to know about Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure! La Crêperie de Paris Opening alongside Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure this summer is La Crêperie de Paris. This table and quick-service style restaurant will feature a menu from celebrity chef Jérôme Bocuse. While Disney hasn’t yet shared the Le Crêperie de Paris menu, they have stated the restaurant will draw its inspiration from the Brittany region of France! They’ve also shared that the location will serve savory crêpes called “galettes” and sweet crêpes among its offerings! Creperie Concept Art ©Disney We are SO eager to see what all this new spot has to offer and we can’t wait to check it out! Wondering why we’re so excited about this new dining location? Get all the details here! 2. Attend a Performance of Drawn to Life The newest show from the imaginative minds of Cirque du Soleil will soon appear in Disney Springs! Drawn to Life combines the spectacle of Cirque du Soleil with the magic of Disney animation to bring an entirely new and original story to life. ©Drawn to Life Drawn to Life was originally scheduled to begin previews on March 20th with an official opening on April 17th. With the temporary closures at Disney World, performances had to be suspended. Before the closure, we were lucky enough to see a preview of the show, and we really enjoyed it. Now, we can’t wait to see the full show. Drawn to Life Performers At this time we don’t know of an updated opening and performance schedule, but we hope it debuts as soon as possible once the parks are open again! Drawn to Life Stage And, as always, we will keep you up-to-date with all the deets so you can grab your tix to see this brand new show! Get a first look at Drawn to Life here! 3. Take in the Sights and Sounds of Harmonious The newest nighttime spectacular to hit Disney World will be Harmonious at Epcot. As of the parks’ closures in March, Epcot Forever (the temporary fill-in until Harmonius kicks off) was performing nightly around World Showcase Lagoon. Harmonious will take its place as the new resident fireworks show, replacing IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, which played its final performance in the fall of 2019. ©Disney We had heard of a spring 2020 opening for Harmonious, and as of this writing, we don’t have an official opening date. According to Disney, the new show will be “the largest nighttime spectacular ever created for a Disney Park” And it will include massive floating set pieces, dancing fountains, fireworks, lasers. Therefore, we’re SUPER excited to check this out when Harmonious is able to open! Click here to learn more about Harmonious! 4. Dine at TWO New Locations in Disney Springs! Disney Springs has not one but TWO new spots in the works to grab something tasty while you shop. Beatrix We have had our sights set on the opening of Beatrix, a new dining location at Disney Springs, for a long while now! The opening timeline may have changed due to these closures, but we’ve been following the construction for some time. ©Disney What we know about Beatrix is that it will be a “neighborhood restaurant, coffeehouse, and grab-and-go market featuring healthy food options including vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan along with fresh-squeezed juice cocktails.” It will take over the previous location of Bongos, which closed last summer. Beatrix Construction We’ll be ready to check it out as soon as we can! Click here to see the latest construction updates on Beatrix! Ample Hills We’re also anxiously awaiting the opening of Ample Hills! This ice cream chain is one of our favorite sweet spots at the BoardWalk Inn, so we’re thrilled to see a second location coming to Disney World. Unfortunately, after the closures began in Disney World Ample Hills (who also have locations outside of Disney) filed for Chaper 11 Bankruptcy. Ample Hills Creamery Ice Cream Taco But don’t fret just yet. Chapter 11 is very different from Chapter 7, which means that when this is all over, they can work with debtors to decide the best course of action for the company. We’re hopeful that the Disney Springs location will be completed and continue to remain open alongside the BoardWalk location at Disney World. We’ll keep you posted if anything changes! Click here to learn more about Ample Hills filing for Bankruptcy 5. Take Another Trip on Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway We only had about ten short days to enjoy Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway before the parks closed. This new dark ride is the newest resident of the replica Grauman’s Chinese Theatre that used to be the home of The Great Movie Ride, which closed in the summer of 2017. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway This is a great ride for guests of all ages and is the first major attraction to star Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse! We were planning on riding this ride throughout the spring, so we have to make up for some lost time as soon as we can! Check out our first reactions to riding Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway 6. Get a Boarding Group for Rise of the Resistance We never thought we would say this, but we can’t WAIT to get to Hollywood Studios at rope drop again to grab a Boarding Group for Rise of the Resistance. This massive, one-of-a-kind attractions opened in Hollywood Studios in December of 2019 and the excitement hasn’t died down since! Rise of the Resistance We can likely assume that the masses will flock back to Rise of the Resistance, so don’t expect those Boarding Groups and Virtual Queues to go away anytime soon! But hey, if logging onto My Disney Experience at 7:00 AM sharp to grab a Boarding Group is a sign that we’ve returned to business as usual, then count us in! Click here to see our first thoughts riding Rise of the Resistance! 7. Get Lunch at Regal Eagle Smokehouse One of our first food stops when the parks reopen will for SURE be Regal Eagle Smokehouse at Epcot. This counter-service restaurant in The American Adventure opened in January of 2020, bringing barbecue in Epcot to a whole new level. Regal Eagle Smokehouse We can’t wait to get back and munch on some yummy brisket and wash it down with a refreshing beverage! Berry Sparkler at Regal Eagle Situated right in the middle of World Showcase, it provides a great spot to kick back and relax in the middle of your journey ‘around the world.’ Read our full review of Regal Eagle Smokehouse here! 8. Enjoy Breakfast at Topolino’s Terrace One of our favorite new restaurants in Disney World is Topolino’s Terrace at the new Riviera Resort! With sweeping views of the resort and excellent food, we’re looking forward to grabbing a reservation as soon as possible! Quiche Gruyere at Topolino’s Terrace Not to mention this is a GREAT character meet and greet opportunity! Topolino’s breakfast is a character dining experience with Mickey and the gang in new, ADORABLE outfits. Topolino’s Terrace Breakfast a la Art Characters This meal runs only one credit on the Disney Dining Plan, compared to the 2-credit signature dinner. It’s a great nice sit-down breakfast (no running to a buffet!) where you’ll meet some great characters to boot! Check out our review of Topolino Terrace’s character breakfast here! 9. Spend a Night (or several nights) at Disney’s Riviera Resort! Speaking of Riviera Resort, the newest Disney World Resort hotel will certainly be calling our names when its doors open once again! Disney’s Riviera Resort Disney’s Riviera Resort is situated along the Skyliner route, providing easy access to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and more! We love the dining locations, the attention to detail around the resort, the amenities, and room options. Riviera Resort Pool If you want to feel like you’re in the Mediterranean while in the middle of Florida, this is a great resort to “escape it all.” Go on a virtual photo tour of Disney’s Riviera Resort with us here! 10. Take a Ride on the Disney Skyliner The Skyliner first took flight in September of 2019 as a new way of getting around the Disney World Resort! The gondola transportation system brings guests to and from various parks and resorts, including Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach, POP Century, and Art of Animation. Disney Skyliner Not to mention you get some spectacular views of Disney World! Whether you’re using the Skyliner to get to a dining reservation, from park to park, or you just want to check out Disney World from an entirely new point of view, the Skyliner is your one-way ticket there! Oh, and did we mention we have a Skyliner Pub Crawl? Disney’s Skyliner We’ve been pleasantly surprised by this new form of transportation. We can’t wait to get back in line and guess which color gondola we’ll get a ride in! Take a ride on the Disney Skyliner with us here! There are SO many things coming to Disney World that we really can’t wait to see or do! While we sadly don’t know when the parks will be able to open again, thinking of the future and all the things we will get to do keeps us going! What’s the first thing YOU are going to do at Disney World when the parks reopen? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Should You Even Go to Disney World with All This Construction? Your Questions Answered. The Upcoming Disney World Restaurants You NEED to Know About! The Most IMPORTANT Disney News You MISSED This Week! View the full article

Today is World Health Day, which means it’s time to show some appreciation to the doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who are working on the front lines during the global health situation. ©Disney Disney parks and properties around the world are showing gratitude for health workers through a variety of heartfelt messages. Read on to find out how each park is celebrating the service of healthcare teams! We’re starting off in Disney World where Cinderella Castle took on a blue hue (the color of World Health Day!). Two Security Cast Members took to the Central Plaza to hold up signs that say “Thank you.” ©Disney In Disneyland, Cast Members laid out a beautiful message in flowers at Storytellers Statue… ©Disney …and just across the way, Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure became the location for the same message. ©Disney We love the “Thanks” from Disneyland Paris with a flowerbed of blue and white flowers grown in the shape of “Merci.” ©Disney Shanghai Disney Resort showed their thanks on a BIG scale. Enchanted Storybook Castle was lit up in blue and covered in messages of gratitude in different languages. How cool! ©Disney Tokyo Disney shared a sweet slideshow of pictures from Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea with an enthusiastic message at the end. ©Disney Beyond the parks, other Disney properties got in on the spirit as well. On Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay, a message was laid in FLIP FLOPS and surrounded by our fave Disney faces. ©Disney Aulani, Disney’s Hawaiian resort, shared this beautiful message of “Mahalo.” That’s “Thanks” in Hawaiian. ©Disney The Times Square Disney store spoke for Disney stores everywhere with a BIG blue billboard to share their sentiments. ©Disney And even Walt Disney Imagineering shared this photo of two Imagineering name tags to say “Thank you!” ©Disney Our hearts were filled with so much love after see how Disney is showing its appreciation for healthcare workers around the world. And, from all of us here at DFB, a big resounding THANK YOU to the healthcare teams out there! Happy World Health Day! Want to see how YOU can help healthcare professionals? Click here! How do YOU show thanks to healthcare workers? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: It’s Costing Disney HOW MUCH To Close The Theme Parks?! Here’s How Much it Would Cost For You To Go to EVERY Disney Theme Park in the World! 7 Impossible Decisions Disney Has To Make Right Now View the full article

Despite the fact that Disney World is still closed until further notice, they’re still makin’ changes to the menus on their website! Brown Derby Lounge Somewhere out there, work is continuing with Disney World’s food and beverage team! Let’s check out some of the biggest changes coming our way…as soon as we can get back into those restaurants. Price Hikes at Ale & Compass Lounge One of the most striking changes we noticed was at Ale & Compass Lounge. Not to be confused with Ale & Compass Restaurant, this lounge is a nice, quiet escape off to the side of the Yacht Club Resort lobby. This week, prices on the vast majority of alcoholic drinks saw an increase at Ale & Compass Lounge. This includes wine, beer, and cocktails. You can expect glasses of wine to be approximately $2.00 more next time you visit, and if you are looking to share a bottle of wine with your date, it could now cost an additional $4-6 per bottle. Beers ranged from no change in price to an increase of a dollar. Many non-alcoholic mixed drinks went up 50 cents, while a number of cocktails increased by $2-2.50! Check out our review of Ale and Compass Lounge here! Menu Changes at Brown Derby Lounge Another great lounge at Disney World saw some menu changes this week. The Brown Derby Lounge is a sweet alternative if you can’t get a table at the iconic Hollywood Brown Derby in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as it serves up similar menu items, including the fan-favorite Cobb Salad. 2019 Brown Derby Lounge Menu We noticed some pretty big menu changes, especially in their beverage offerings. For you margarita fans, you may be disappointed to hear that we could no longer find ANY of the margaritas on the menu! Brown Derby Lounge Menu as of April 2020 © Disney Not only that, but there was only ONE martini that we could find — the Grapefruit Cake Martini. Does this mean no more margarita flights or martini flights at Brown Derby Lounge? We sure hope not! Those flights are classic DFB faves! Grapefruit Cake Martini We also noticed several price increases to several of the beverages at Brown Derby Lounge. Most of these price increases were limited to approximately $1.00-$2.00 more per beverage. See why we adore the drink flights at Brown Derby Lounge here! Menu and Price Changes at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar If you find yourself at Disney Springs on your next Disney World vacation, you might enjoy a trip to Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar. Inspired by the Indiana Jones franchise, this is a unique spot filled with fun Easter Eggs and fun drinks, too. Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Prices here saw some increases as well as a surprising decrease! Some of these changes were minor, like the Safari Sangria, which saw a small increase of $0.25, now costing $12.00. You can save a few bucks if you’re a fan of the Hail Marty, which is Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey bottled in Bond and comes served with an Ice Sphere. This drink previously cost $23.00, but has since dropped by $4.00 to now cost $19.00! But one of our FAVORITE mixed drinks is no longer showing up on the menu! The Cool-Headed Monkey (Come on Temple of Doom fans, where you at?!) has disappeared! This rum punch was served in a fun monkey head souvenir glass. We sure hope this one hasn’t vanished for good! Check out our review of Jock Lindsey’s HERE! Barq’s Root Beer Removed From Some Menus Fans of Barq’s Root Beer, you might want to sit down for this next one if you aren’t already. We noticed it was missing from a few locations, including Mama Melrose, Trattoria al Forno, and Grand Floridian Cafe. Rootin’ Tootin’ Barq’s Root Beer Float at Golden Horseshoe Hopefully we don’t see this drink disappear completely and that it’s only being removed from a select few locations! Minute Maid Lite Replaced With Minute Maid Zero Sugar We are also seeing that most restaurants have switched up their lemonade option. Fountain Drink Dispenser Disney World restaurants previously served Minute Maid Light Lemonade and, according to current menus, are now serving Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade. Minute Maid Light Lemonade switches to Minute Maid Zero Sugar According to the Minute Maid website, “Minute Maid Light is now Minute Maid Zero Sugar.” So this is pretty much a global change. Minute Maid Lemonade Change per Minute Maid’s website What’s the diff? Minute Maid Lite did have some calories and sugar, while Zero Sugar is calorie-free and uses solely artificial sweeteners. Tusker House Sees Drink Menu Changes Tusker House is a character buffet in Animal Kingdom. This is a great choice if you’re looking for an easier-to-get character dining reservation with some pretty good, unique food! Mickey and the gang all wear super cute safari outfits too, so it’s a great opportunity to see the characters in a unique setting. Mickey Mouse We spotted some big changes to their drink menu. There were a few prominent drinks MISSING, like the African Margarita and Lost on Safari! Old Tusker House Cocktail Menu Instead, we found a new selection of alcoholic drinks, including an African Bloody Mary, African Mimosa, Cold Brew XO, and Ngumu Jungle Juice (which you can also find outside at the Dawa Bar). Tusker House Menu as of April 2020 © Disney It seems like there’s a lot of activity happening these days with Disney World menus! But it’s important to remember: menus change all the time in Disney World, so don’t let this stress you out too much. While price hikes rarely reverse, it’s very possible that things that have been removed from menus will continue to come and go — especially if Disney is trying to work out supply issues when they get closer to reopening. As always, we know you’re planning your trips for when the parks reopen, and we’re keeping you updated as we see movement. But everything is subject to change! What do you think of these menu changes? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: DFB Tips: How To Plan Your Girls’ Weekend in Disney World! The 31 Things To Eat In Disney World If You’re Obsessed With CHEESE!! Disney World Mac and Cheese Gallery View the full article

Today marks World Health Day – a day traditionally honored by celebrating nurses, doctors and healthcare teams who work tirelessly to keep us all healthy. This year, these professionals are the front line of defense in a global pandemic, providing much needed care to communities around the world. We are uniting across the globe with a message of thanks and appreciation to celebrate the brave healthcare providers who are helping so many. The celebration kicked off at Shanghai Disney Resort, where the Enchanted Storybook Castle lit up with the words “thank you” in numerous languages for medical professionals all over the world. On behalf of the cast members at Hong Kong Disneyland, Disney Ambassador Melody shared a special symbol of appreciation. For a moment of inspiration, Tokyo Disney Resort shared wonderful images from both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, with a heartfelt thanks to healthcare workers. At Disneyland Paris, a floral arrangement of “Merci” was displayed in front of the castle. Cinderella Castle shined blue, as a beacon of hope and gratitude. Magic Kingdom cast members created their own moment of thanks on Main Street U.S.A. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Dr. Mark Penning – Vice President of Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment team – shared a special “thank you” from his entire team of animal caregivers, scientists and environmental specialists. At Disneyland Resort, Custodial cast members expressed their heartfelt gratitude at the “Storytellers” statue and at Paradise Gardens Park in Disney California Adventure. Shining brightly on behalf of all of the Disney Stores around the world, a heartfelt message of thanks lit up the billboards above the Disney Store in Times Square in New York City. At Castaway Cay, there was a special island appreciation shared from Disney Cruise Line, spelling the words “thank you” using flip flops. As an expression of gratitude, our ohana at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa shared a heartfelt “mahalo” message. Over at Walt Disney Imagineering, a fitting “thank you” was shared for medical professionals all over the world. We’re reminded of a quote: “Every step we take, brings a new hope, a new day…” It’s from the Happily Ever After fireworks show at Walt Disney World Resort, and we hope it serves as an inspiration to you, as does for us, during this uncertain time. Join the conversation with #ThanksHealthHeroes on social media, and stay tuned for more#DisneyMagicMoments in the days and weeks to come. View the full article

With the recent closures of the Disney parks, there have been several measures taken by the Walt Disney Company to maintain economic viability. One of those measures has been a major salary reduction for Disney executives. Bob Chapek This announcement came just last week, but it seems that all has not gone smoothly with the pay cuts. It seems the terms of the amended company contracts failed to provide an end date to the salary reductions, among other things, prompting executives to push back against the cuts. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Disney executives and senior leadership are in disagreement over some aspects of the salary reduction measures. Execs Push Back on “Temporary” Salary Cuts The main factor causing an issue is that the amended contracts use the word “temporary” when referencing the salary reduction, but provide no concrete end date. On top of that, the executives were given only two days to read over and sign the contracts. According to Hollywood Reporter, “Sources say the amended contracts ‘are pretty much voluntary.’ However, the expectation is for executives to sign. If an exec doesn’t sign, he or she is taking a risk with regard to future career mobility within the studio and the prospect of potential bonuses.” Bob Chapek at the Rise of the Resistance’s Dedication Ceremony Some affected executives (those at vice president, senior vice president, and executive vice president levels had voluntary salary cuts) are upset that the decision to cut their salaries was made “unilaterally” and represents a decrease of 20-30%. In general, Disney VPs earn between $150,000 and $200,000 while an executive VP can have a salary of around $700,000. Epcot How Do the 20th Century Fox Execs Fit Into All of This? Another notable aspect of the discord comes right on the heels of the one year anniversary of the Disney/Fox merger. According to Deadline, when Disney acquired Fox, they inherited a large number of executives with loftier titles, compared to relatively conservative Disney. For instance, to Disney’s one CEO at the time (Iger), Fox had seven. These execs were fit into the mix at Disney, often retaining their higher titles while doing the same level of job as a lower-titled counterpart on the Disney side. ©Disney Fox execs came in with overall lower base salaries than their Disney counterparts as well. This means in light of the cutbacks, Fox execs could be faced with higher pay cuts due to title, with less comparable base pay than the original Disney execs. But What About the Bobs? While these executives aren’t the only ones taking a pay cut, they may feel the pinch more than their superiors. CEO Bob Chapek will be taking a 50% reduction to his base salary and Chairman Bob Iger is completely forgoing on his salary. Still, there are those arguing that the cuts are unfair, pointing out that a cut to Iger and Chapek’s BASE salaries isn’t as significant a hit to their overall total income. Bob Iger presenting a model of Shanghai Disneyland Both senior leaders will make several millions of dollars in additional bonus compensation that may be untouched by the pay cuts. Last year alone, Bob Iger made a reported $44.7 million total, with only 3 million coming from his base salary. And Bob Chapek may be on track to earn $7 million or more in bonus payments that are separate from his base salary. Where Do They Go From Here? With experts believing that it could take at least 18 months for the impact to lessen on companies like Disney, the concern from executives can be boiled down to the fact that they don’t want to take pay cuts that last well over a year. Still, Disney’s Business Affairs Department seems unwilling to budge and it appears the decision will go on as planned. Click here to learn more about the pay cuts that Disney execs are facing! What do you think about the executive salary reductions at Disney? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: Updated! Will Disney World and Disneyland Announce A Closure Extension Soon? 7 Impossible Decisions Disney Has To Make Right Now 10 Important Pieces of Disney News You Missed While You Were Binge-Watching Tiger King View the full article

Shades of Green has shared their Official Policy regarding Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets that cannot be used due to the current situation. There is also Universal and SeaWorld info at the end… Shades of Green has not yet posted this information on their website, but it cam to me via an email from their […] The post Shades of Green’s Official 2020 Disney Armed Forces Salute Ticket Policy for Cancelled Trips appeared first on Military Disney Tips Blog. View the full article