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The parks may be closed “until further notice,” but we are already thinking of Disney days ahead. Magic Kingdom Once we step into the A.C. (after closure) era of Disney Parks, we suspect many things will likely be different to accommodate health and safety concerns. We certainly don’t want to miss out on any of our favorite attractions; but we expect some elements of attractions may have to change, possibly including how we queue up for those rides. And we think there’s a pretty solid option out there for how we can ride all our favorite rides AND still keep a healthy, safe distance. We know theme parks, by nature, are packed with crowds, shared surfaces, and therefore: GERMS. So we aren’t expecting a sterile park where everyone is exactly six feet apart at all times once Disney reopens. But, we ARE dreaming big for things (well at least one BIG thing) that Disney could do to help guests keep their distance when possible. Rise of the Resistance Standby Line We’re talking VIRTUAL QUEUES, baby! And before you start having horrific flashbacks to waking up at 4 AM to not even get a boarding group for Rise of the Resistance, that’s not what we are proposing. So take a deep breath as we present our evidence. Exhibit A: Attraction Lines ≠ Safe Distances You heard it here first, folks! JK, we know your minds aren’t blown, but it’s still important! If the CDC is recommending keeping a 6-foot space around individuals now, it sure won’t hurt to consider continuing — at least temporarily — once the situation calms down. Haunted Mansion May have Modifications When Disney World Reopens But we imagine “filling in all the dead space” and “kindly stepping into the dead center of the room” all at once isn’t quite what the CDC has in mind for when things start to get better. And it’s not just open spaces like Haunted Mansion — anyone who has ever waited in a queue at Disney World or Disneyland can tell you there is a LOT of humanity crammed in tight in those lines! While we may see certain parts of attractions modified temporarily (maybe bypassing pre-shows?), Disney can’t quite skip the line altogether. Or can they….? Exhibit B: FastPasses Work…For the Most Part As it works now, FastPass return windows work to space out the timing of guests entering the FastPass queue fairly efficiently throughout the day. The hour-long return window allows guests more flexibility for when they choose to ride, but this can also lead to fluxes of guests filing in right at the beginning or end of windows. Ever walked up to Space Mountain and seen a LONG line out the building and across Tomorrowland and thought it was the regular queue? Nope, we’d bet it was the FastPass line backed up due to a surge in guests. No bueno. Space Mountain line is l-o-n-g. The system is far from perfect, but what it DOES do exceptionally well is regulate guests entering the FastPass line for a ride on a given day. A specific number of FastPasses are given out per ride, per return window. Tomorrowland Speedway Reopening Soon! Could the same process be implemented for both the standby AND FastPass queues of rides? What if you couldn’t walk up and just get in line for a ride, rather, you’d need to have a FastPass to get in the regular line. Since Disney knows an average of how many guests can ride an attraction in a given hour or day, they could regulate the flow of guests to maximize the number of safe riders and minimize the wait time. Fastpass Entrance for Splash Mountain This could be taken a couple steps further by potentially spacing guests out in lines (since there would be more space for fewer people in line), and if rides are chosen to be run at a lower capacity out of health concerns, the number of guests permitted to get a FastPass could account for this. Shorter return windows could possibly make the flow of guests even more efficient. The potential issue here is how would it work? If there were no standby lines, would guests still book their FastPasses like normal, 60 days out for resort guests or 30 days out from their trip for everyone else? Would they still be limited to just 3 initially? FastPasses are tough enough to snag as it works now, so imagine if your ONLY way to get on attractions was dictated by the current system! Click here to learn some of our best FastPass tips But there’s still another option that we think is even more conducive to spacing out guests AND giving everyone a fair shot at getting on their sought-after rides. Exhibit C: Virtual Queues Worked for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Remember when we were prepping for the opening of Galaxy’s Edge and Disney was tasked with having to regulate crazy crowd levels? Enter: the virtual queue system. Boarding Group Screen Shot The boarding group system allowed guests to file into Galaxy’s Edge in the morning, but after a certain capacity was reached, the virtual queue system kicked in. Guests would grab a boarding group and tour the rest of the park until their group was called. This worked very well in the early days of Galaxy’s Edge and accomplished the main goal: crowd control. Boarding Group Status Where things went a little wonky was when Rise of the Resistance opened. The virtual queue system was utilized again to eliminate the incredibly long lines seen in the past when popular rides first opened. But because demand was SO high, guests were getting to the park hours before opening time to try and secure a boarding group as soon as they passed through the turnstiles. Rise of the Resistance Boarding Groups Sign In an effort to delay the massive crowds forming in the morning, Disney switched to a system where the virtual queue opened at the scheduled park opening time (instead of when guests started scanning in), but this ultimately became a lottery for which guests would, of the thousands of guests present, receive the coveted boarding groups. Boarding Groups Now Closed Sign As we’ve seen, boarding groups are not a perfect system either. With a ride this popular, there are far more people looking to ride than can go through the attraction in a day, so the virtual queue does its job at regulating the number of guests allowed into the line at a time. But guests arriving later in the day or unaware of the current system may never get a chance to ride. But the idea of the virtual queue is still solid: rather than wait in a long line, guests can reserve a spot in line and come back later when they can be accommodated. Click here to learn more about the Rise of the Resistance boarding group procedure So if the idea of pre-booking your FastPasses is a functional one, and the ability to reserve a spot in line and maximize the capacity of a ride through virtual queue works well, is there a happy medium? We think so. Exhibit D: A Synergy Between FastPasses and Virtual Queues Pre-snagging your FastPasses is pretty great. The virtual queue’s crowd control is pretty great. But neither is perfect. So could the combination of the two be the answer to our stay-away-from-others-and-don’t-spead-germs woes for when the parks first reopen? You could take the crowd control of a virtual queue and add the functionality of FastPasses! FastPasses Those who remember the old paper Fastpass system (that’s still in place at Disneyland) likely have some OPINIONS. Many seemed to prefer this more open method of snagging Fastpasses. It was same day, first come, first served, but you were limited to just one at a time, or one every 2 hours, whichever came first. Many remember and loved this system, as it seemed to result in many families riding MANY more rides via Fastpass than the current system, and it left the day open and not so pre-planned. This is more the Fastpass system we’re thinking of in this application. Fastpass Distribution Area for Tower of Terror Imagine a Disney World with NO standby lines. You’d never walk up to Big Thunder Mountain and go “Ugh, a 90 minute wait!” and skip it. You also wouldn’t be glued to a computer 60 or 30 days out frantically trying to get FastPasses. What if you did it all through virtual queues but NOT the “cram in the park right at open” system from Rise of the Resistance? My Disney Experience On the day you were visiting a park, you could open My Disney Experience once inside the park and join virtual queues for attractions one at a time, similar to how Disneyland’s MaxPass system now works but with the added functionality of boarding groups. Old Fastpass rules could apply — use the first one, grab another one. Rinse and repeat. When it’s time to get in line, your phone could alert you to make your way to the ride within a return window, just like the current boarding group system. As you wait, you could check what boarding groups are currently loading to gauge how long you have. Yes, this would be a MASSIVE change, but that may be just what we need right now to ease into the parks’ reopening. Exhibit E: There Would Still Be Kinks to Iron Out In a perfect world, a virtual queue would be just like a friend holding your place in line, letting you enjoy the park while you wait, then hopping back in line when it’s your turn to ride. We know, we know — it’s not that simple. With any new major operations overhaul, there would be some challenges for Disney to work through. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Wouldn’t all the virtual queue slots for mega-popular rides like Slinky Dog Dash or Rise of the Resistance get scooped up in an instant? Possibly. But if you’re familiar with the paper/Disneyland Fastpass system, the machines dispense tickets continually until they’re gone for the day. If a return window was all distributed, it would move on to the next chunk of time, then the next, and so on. So if you REALLY wanted to ride that ride, you could…but you might be waiting for a while. Slinky Dog Dash! If you happen to recall Disneyland when Radiator Springs Racers first opened or Disney World when Toy Story Mania debuted in Hollywood Studios, paper Fastpasses for the DAY would be distributed in less than an hour initially. But if you chose to get that sought after Fastpass first thing in the morning and the return time you got wasn’t until 9 PM, you’d have to wait 2 hours until you could grab another Fastpass. Same rules could apply here. Popular rides would likely be gone sooner in the day, but those people who chose to get them would still have to wait 2 hours for their window to try and get in another virtual queue, balancing things out a bit more. If rides run at a lower capacity than prior to the closures, there is a potential for guests to be stuck waiting a fair bit in the parks for their boarding groups, meaning guests may not ride as much as they could before the closures. BUT, if this is a viable alternative to rides either being closed altogether or guests’ health at risk waiting in line, it may be worth it. Haunted Mansion There are still hurdles to overcome, but we think modified virtual queues could be a start! They could accomplish the crowd control that Disney will desperately need in light of the recent events but with the added ease of booking a FastPass. The name of the game is safety and we’re already bracing for how the parks could be much different when they reopen. There is no perfect solution because, as we mentioned in Exhibit A, the parks are not designed to keep people apart. We trust that Disney will do its best to keep their guests and Cast Members safe once the parks reopen and we would welcome virtual queues with open arms, er, phones! Click here for more info on what crowds could be like once the parks reopen! What do YOU think? What changes do you hope to see once the parks reopen? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: What Exactly is Rope Drop in Disney World and How Can YOU Do It Like a PRO? Disney News This Week: ALL the News and Updates from the Most Magical Places on Earth! Three Tips You NEED to Master Disney World’s FastPass+ Tiers in 2020 View the full article

Excuse us while we fill our shopping cart with all the Disney Castle Collection merchandise! © Disney Do you have your eyes on the new Dip Dye Spirit Jersey? Or maybe it’s time to add a new pair of Mickey Ears to your collection! If you’re looking for some new Disney merchandise, or just in the mood for some good, old-fashioned retail therapy, you’re going to want to check out this deal! We LOVE seeing all of the awesome merchandise on shopDisney.com! And it looks like now is the perfect time for us to start grabbing items from our wish list! Starting today, April 6th, shopDisney is offering a Tiered Savings Event! ©Disney Avatar Wishables During the event, you can take advantage of: 15% off orders of $50-$74.99 20% off orders of $75-$99.99 25% off orders of $100 and over Plus, Disney is also offering FREE SHIPPING on orders over $75! ©Disney To cash in on the tiered savings event, be sure to use the code “SAVEMORE” at checkout. The event ends Wednesday, April 8th, so make like Tigger and hop over to shopDisney.com before time runs out! Check out all the summery Disney items we have our eye on here! Which items are you wanting to buy during this sale? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: So Nice They Did it TWICE! The BIG Cyber Monday Sale on shopDisney has Been Extended! BIG Cyber Monday Deals on shopDisney are HERE! Grab Your Detective Cap! There’s a MYSTERY DEAL on shopDisney and It Could be BIG! View the full article

Food pretty much occupies our every waking moment right now, so, you know, not much has changed… But now that our second official DFB tournament has started and round one is finally over, we can’t believe how things WENT DOWN! Kakamora Float at Aloha Isle Typically these March Madness-style dealies have wrapped up by now, but we’ve decided to extend the fun all the way into April — and even longer if we have to! If you haven’t snagged your printable brackets yet, there’s still plenty of time to get in on the foodie fisticuffs. This time around we’re putting a few of our favorite Disney World counter service restaurants against each other to see who comes out on top! Click here to get your PRINT ON! Well, well, well… There are some MAJOR upsets here now that round one has concluded, as we knew there would be with how some of these dining spots were seated! I mean, c’mon, pitting Regal Eagle Smokehouse against Satu’li Canteen?!? What were we thinking?! That’s like choosing a favorite CHILD! DFB Counter Service Throwdown Current Standings Something else became obviously apparent after this initial round ended — y’all ain’t havin’ ANY of what Be Our Guest Restaurant is serving for their quick-service breakfast and lunch! Both Cheshire Cafe and Sleepy Hollow took down the new Fantasyland institution! Well, having known our way around a Cheshire Cat Tail for many a year, we can’t fault you for your logic! Cheshire Cat Tail Here’s another shocker — Casey’s Corner has just taken out Columbia Harbor House! Does that mean that your hearts are filled with as much plastic cheese in a cup as OURS are?? Plastic Cheese at Casey’s Corner!! And while so far we felt like everyone was on the right track, WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED TO LES HALLES, Y’ALL?? Don’t get us wrong, we love ourselves some Mexico pavilion’s La Cantina de San Angel, but never would have imagined Les Halles Boulangerie would topple in the first round! New Macaron Collection We’ll be clutching our Les Halles macarons and waiting to find out what happens next! Time to fill in your next round and cast your votes on Instagram tonight! Stay tuned for more results which we’ll be posting shortly! Which counter service restaurant upset did you find the most disturbing? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Six ❤️GOOD❤️ Things That Might Come Out of This Disney World Closure The 31 Things To Eat In Disney World If You’re Obsessed With CHEESE!! We’re Reviewing EVERY Holiday Treat At Walt Disney World! See Them ALL Here! View the full article

April is Earth Month, a celebration that holds a special place in the hearts of Disney cast members, particularly since Disney’s Animal Kingdom debuted on Earth Day, April 22, 1998. This month, we’ll be sharing great stories from the wildest Walt Disney World Resort theme park … starting today with some of my all-time favorite animal photos. As a Disney photographer for nearly 40 years, I’ve been privileged to take photographs of the wildlife at Disney’s Animal Kingdom since the park’s very beginning. I’m in awe of the magic of nature and my favorite subject is baby animals – there’s nothing quite like watching a zebra foal or a giraffe calf take their first hesitant steps, or seeing a mother gorilla hold her infant in her arms. Case in point … I took these photos last May only a few hours after a mother gorilla, Kashata, gave birth to her baby, Grace. I just love these tender moments as mom and baby bond. In the top image, check out how her little arm cuddles mom and they both have a totally contented, peaceful look on their faces. What speaks to me in the second photo is Kashata’s huge hand carefully embracing Grace. The soft lighting and monochromatic background really help the pair stand out, too. And I think all parents can relate to both the joy and relief of having a newborn snuggle into your chest as you both drift off to sleep. It’s hard to believe it’s almost Grace’s first birthday, and I can’t wait to go back to Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail and see how much she’s grown. This next one is an example of fortune smiling down on me. I was using a 600mm, super-telephoto lens to capture these 4-month-old baby Sumatran tigers, Anala and Jeda, at play back in late 2017. With that long a lens, it’s easy to miss some of the minor details in a scene when you are actually taking the photos. The cubs were about 50 yards away when I snapped this picture of them playing together in the shade next to their mom, Sohni. I knew I had something good, but I didn’t realize just how good until I returned to my office and looked at the images on a big screen. That’s when I saw … one of the cubs had the other’s tail in its mouth! I laughed out loud when I saw this picture up close, and it still brings me joy to this day. I figure we can all use a little joy in our lives right now, so I hope you like these photos as much as I do. And keep checking the Disney Parks Blog during Earth Month as we share more special moments from Disney’s Animal Kingdom! View the full article

If you have — like us — grown a fondness for the allergy-friendly, vegan bakery treats found at Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC in Disney Springs and are an Orlando local, then we have some fun news for you! Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC sign According to their Instagram account (you can give them a follow @erinmckennasbakery), Erin McKenna’s Bakery is now “up and running” on Postmates for the Disney Springs location! Erin McKenna’s Bakery invites folks in the Orlando area to “Get your cupcakes, donuts, bagels, and cookies today!” (And may we suggest the Samoa Donut? Because YUM!! And don’t forget to grab an Iced Lemon Loaf Slice while you’re at it!) Samoa Donut at Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC Visit Erin Mckenna’s Bakery page on Postmates to see eligible bakery items to order for pickup here. And wave a “hello!” from us here at DFB when you grab your yummy treats! Are you a fan of Erin McKenna’s Bakery? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: What’s New in Disney Springs! August 10, 2018 What’s New in Disney Springs? Frosé, Potion Purple, Loaded Mac and Cheese and More: January 16, 2019 What’s New at Disney Springs! NEW Menu Items; Missing Menu Items; The CUTEST Valentine’s Day Cards; and FREE Cupcakes! View the full article

There’s a lot to love about Epcot, and a lot to look forward to with the HUGE Epcot transformation that is currently in progress. The Seas Well, we just spotted a trio of SUPER limited edition posters online that commemorate the water-inspired attractions of Epcot — The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Turtle Talk with Crush, and the upcoming Moana Journey of Water! Check out the Living Water Poster Series! The first poster is this super neat and retro The Seas with Nemo and Friends poster! It also features Squirt, Dory, Marlin, Nemo, and his class! We especially love the silhouette of the seashell ride vehicles, too. Did you know that there are only 100 of each of these posters? That’s right, they’re REALLY limited edition! ©Disney The next poster is the neat Turtle Talk with Crush poster. This one features our fave cruising turtle up in front of guests with his microphone. We think these two posters would look PERFECT next to each other on our walls! ©Disney And, we did say there are three posters but one of them is ALREADY sold out! Unsurprisingly, it’s the gorgeous Moana-inspired Journey of Water poster inspired by the upcoming attraction. It even features Te Fiti in the background. This one is gone, unfortunately, but you can read more about it here. ©Disney You can find the two available posters on shopDisney right now for $90 each! But remember these are SUPER limited edition, so hurry if you want to nab yours! Check out the SURPRISING information we found out from one of these posters! What’s your favorite Epcot attraction? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New in Epcot — Space 220 and Guardians of the Galaxy Construction Progress, Swarovski Jewelry, and MORE! What’s New in Epcot — a Birthday Cake Muffin, 2020 Merch, and a TON of Construction! Say ‘Aloha!’ to the CUTEST New Trader Sam’s Inspired Merchandise Collection in Disney World! View the full article

Here at DFB, we love a classic Disney treat, but we also can’t resist crafting up our own specialties from some of our favorite Disney snacks. Restaurantosaurus Ice Cream Sundae Today we’re rounding up our favorite food hacks to help you make already amazing treats even better!! 1. Mickey Ear Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich Our first hack is a long-standing DFB fave that is our go-to if we need to use up Disney Dining Plan credits — in a delicious way! In our opinion, this hack beats out the Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich you can grab at the Main Street Plaza Ice Cream Parlor in Magic Kingdom! But heads up guys, this one takes some quick timing and preplanning to master! To create the Mickey Ear Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich, you’ll need two Mickey Chocolate Chip Cookies from Main Street Confectionery and two scoops of ice cream from Main Street Plaza Ice Cream Parlor. Mickey Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich with Peanut Butter Sauce is a must-have snack! While you’re getting your ice cream, you may as well pick up a side of warm caramel, peanut butter, or chocolate! But the name of the game is speed… and possibly teamwork! Grab the cookies first, or have a friend pick them up while you get the ice cream. Then prepare for the relay race to get the ice cream to the cookies before it melts (you can do this!). Drizzle with the topping and enjoy! Even if the ice cream melts into the cookie a little, this hack just gets better! For a full primer, check out our DFB Guide video below! Get the full details about The Mickey Ear Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich here 2. Chocolate Dipped Mickey Pretzels So you’ve heard how standard Mickey Pretzels are now often served with a side of cheese, right? Well, what if you could dunk Mickey’s pretzel ear in both savory cheese AND sweet chocolate sauce?! To hack your way to this next treat, you’ll need to buy your Mickey Pretzel from a cart that also sells churros (or make two stops). We always find ourselves at the cart in Frontierland in Magic Kingdom when this craving strikes, and they sell both! Dip it good! See where we’re going? Your pretzel will come with the plastic cheese cup, but you can order a side of chocolate sauce too (or if you’ve got Disney Dining Plan snack credits burning a hole in your pocket, get a churro as well! It comes with the chocolate dip included!) We’re never ones to shy away from multiple dipping options, so this hack is #worthit! Read more about the Chocolate Dipped Mickey Pretzels here! 3. Lemon and Chocolate Swirl Over on the West Coast at Disney California Adventure, Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats are famous for their “yellow snow” because “it’s lemon!” You can order lemon, chocolate, or vanilla soft serve and have it “snow-capped” with white chocolate! But one of our favorite treats in Pixar Pier is a lemon and chocolate swirl! Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats It may sound like a crazy combination, but there is something about the tangy lemon next to the rich chocolate that we can’t get enough of. Be sure to ask when ordering and the Cast Member helping if they can swirl you up a choccy-lemon delight! In the event they can’t have them swirled together, they’ll be happy to serve up lemon and chocolate side by side for you! Check out our review of Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats here! 4. World of Color Goofy’s Glacier This next hack is bi-coastal so get your sweet tooth ready! We love Goofy’s Glaciers in Disneyland from the Candy Palace or in Disney World at BoardWalk Inn’s Screendoor, Goofy’s Candy Company, or throughout the parks. It’s pretty simple to hack the World of Color (a.k.a. Rainbow) Goofy’s Glaciers — just ask for a Glacier with ALL the flavors available (and thank your sweet Cast Member for their patience!). Expect Colorful Slushes! Better snap a pic before the flavors blend too much, but they will still be delicious even after they mix! Read more about the World of Color Goofy’s Glacier here! 5. The Churro Sundae Churros are hard for us to resist, but combine them with ice cream and we are in snack heaven. We’ve been combining these two treats for a while now, but we’ve seen Disney started crafting up their own versions of Churro Sundaes at Taste Track in Disney World and for Halloween in Disneyland. We’ve even seen Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches in Downtown Disney and at Sleepy Hollow in Magic Kingdom (you lived a short life, friend). Vanilla Churro Ice Cream Sandwich. RIP, friend. But, we still love making our own sundae with a warm churro and the ice cream of our choice. This hack is so versatile, so make it your own! All you need is a churro and the ice cream scoop or sundae of your choice! But one important top tip: it’s best to snag the churro first — especially if you’re in the Florida heat! DIY Churro Sundae! You can break the churro up into larger pieces to dunk or smaller pieces to make sure you get a bite with every spoonful of ice cream — whatever your heart desires! You can read more about this Churro Sundae hack here! 6. Tajin® Dole Whip We weren’t surprised to see that you all picked Dole Whip as your FAVORITE Disney snack during DFB Snack Madness — it’s just that good! Whether you get it served as a float, swirled, or on pineapple upside-down cake, Dole Whip is one of our long-standing Disney snack faves. If you’re looking to spice up your classic Dole Whip in Disneyland, look no further than Tajin® Dole Whip! To create this snack hack, stop by Tropical Imports to grab your Tajin® packet for free from the condiments (or they may have some at Tiki Juice Bar!). Order up your Dole Whip, sprinkle the Tajin® on top, and you have yourself a brand new, tangy, spicy-sweet treat! Tajin Dole Whips You may recognize this spicy blend of ground chili peppers, salt, and dehydrated lime juice from drinks like the Maelstrom, Tamarind, and Blood Orange Margaritas at La Cava del Tequila in Disney World. But this seasoning can elevate your Dole Whip — however it’s served! If you don’t want to put in the work but still want your Tajin Dole Whip fix, stop by Tropical Hideaway and pick up a Chile-Mango Whip, which is Pineapple Dole Whip leveled up with chunks of mango, cucumber, and pineapple, a pour of Chamoy and Tajin sprinkled on top! It’s like our OG Tajin hack grew up into a beautiful spicy fruity treat! Check out more on the Tajin Dole Whip Hack here!! 7. Jack-Jack Cookie Num Num Sundae We were hooked on the Jack-Jack Cookie Num Num since the stand opened in Disney California Adventure’s Pixar Pier. This thick, gooey chocolate chip cookie even made its way to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the Incredible Celebration last year! In case you haven’t noticed, we love a good hot and cold dessert mix, so we hacked the Jack-Jack Cookie Num Num Sundae. Jack-Jack Cookie Num Num To create the sundae, just pick up the warm cookie from the Jack-Jack Cookie Num Num stand, and head across the way to pick up soft serve of your choice from Adorable Snowman Frozen Treats. You can go traditional milk and cookies style with vanilla, double up on chocolate, or even try our earlier hack of choco-lemon — the choice is yours! On the East Coast, this takes a bit more work. Grab your cookie at Neighborhood Bakery and hightail it to Gertie the Dinosaur near Echo Lake to grab some vanilla, chocolate, or swirl soft serve! Cookie ice cream bliss! You can even make your own Jack-Jack Cookie Num Nums from home with this recipe! 8. Mickey Ears On Your Ice Cream Our last hack may not change the flavor of the treat so much, but there’s a good chance it will bring a smile to your face! A popular item for kids at Main Street Plaza Ice Cream Parlor in Magic Kingdom is the Mickey Mouse kids cone. This is one scoop of ice cream served with two chocolate discs that resemble Mickey’s ears. So simple, but so precious! Plaza Ice Cream Parlor Peppermint Ice Cream You know we are suckers for anything Mickey shaped, so we asked if adults could share in the magic too! Great news: Mickey ears for all! Adults and kids can ask for their ice creams to be served with chocolate discs, just ask! So, consider our day MADE — it’s the little things, right? If you need more Mickey-shaped food in your life, check out our Mickey Shaped Food Challenge video! We are always looking for new ways to reinvent our favorite Disney snacks and we would love to hear from YOU! Did we miss any of your fave snack hacks? We’ll keep you posted when we dream up any new hacks, so stay tuned! Wish you could bring Disney food home? Check out these recipes so you can cook like a Disney chef! What is your favorite Disney food hack? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: You’ve GOT to See the NEW Tumbler at Disney Starbucks Locations! News: Joffrey’s Disney Coffee to be Sold in Grocery Stores Nationwide! ALL the LIMITED TIME TREATS Coming to Disney World and Disneyland for MICKEY’S 90TH BIRTHDAY Celebration!! View the full article

Though you may be familiar with Disneyland Annual Passports and Walt Disney World Annual Passes (perhaps you are even a holder of one of those passes yourself), you may be less familiar with the Disney Premier Passport. Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle Hailed as the “ultimate parks experience,” this unique Annual Pass grants holders admission to both Walt Disney World AND Disneyland for an entire year with no blackout dates, and also includes access to the Disney World water parks, Disney MaxPass for Disneyland, and more. As we’ve been keeping you posted on the latest information with regards to Annual Passes for Walt Disney World and Disneyland in light of the current temporary closures of both Resorts, it is worth noting that Disney Premier Passport holders also have options when it comes to the status of their Pass at this unique time. Disney World’s Spaceship Earth in Epcot Active Disney Premier Passport holders who have already paid in full will automatically receive an extension to their Passport’s expiration date due to the theme park closures. (The new expiration date will be reflected on the holder’s account before the parks reopen.) However, if a holder does not wish for the extension, they may opt for a partial refund for the closure period. Disney will provide information for how holders may choose this option soon. Passholders may also contact Annual Passholder Member Services at (714) 781-7277, but please be aware that long wait times should be anticipated due to heavy call volume. Disneyland Annual Passholder Magnet Note that, unlike Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort Annual Passes, a monthly payment plan is not an option for the Disney Premier Passport. Readers interested in learning about options for Passholders participating in the Monthly Payment Plan program for Walt Disney World may click here, or click here to learn about the similar program in Disneyland. Related posts: Play Disney Parks App Debuts in Disney World and Disneyland Resort SOON! What Has To Happen Before Disney World Reopens News! REFUNDS And Payment Holds Now Being Offered to Disney World and Disneyland Annual Passholders View the full article

Have you already streamed Onward on Disney+ a few times? We have one question for you: HOW DO YOU HAVE ANY TEARS LEFT TO CRY??? Onward Photo-Op If you have already fallen in love with the Lightfoot brothers, you might be hoping for a new way to follow along with their adventures. Well, look no further! Disney Books just released a new ebook, Onward: The Search for the Phoenix Gem featuring the characters of Onward on a new quest. Oh… and it’s FREE! The story follows aspiring-journalist Sadalia Brushthorn after a CRAZY magical event causes chaos at her school. And whoooo is at the center of that event you ask? Well, you guessed it, it’s our favorite magical pair of brothers, Ian and Barley! ©Disney To find out what happens in this “in-questigation,” you can download the ebook for yourself from Disney Books. Remember, it’s completely free, so what are you WAITING for?? Click here to check out where you can watch Onward RIGHT NOW! What did you think about Disney’s Onward? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: It’s Cheesecake Time Because Disney Just Released a NEW Must-Have Book! 10 Ways The Current Crisis is Particularly BAD for The Walt Disney Company Your ULTIMATE Guide to ALL the Holiday Merch Around the Disney Parks This Year! View the full article

Egad! Why were we not told about this exciting new digital series of Frozen-inspired shorts featuring Olaf himself EARLIER?!?!? ©Disney While we just learned about the new #DisneyMagicMoments website that launched today (and you can read more about here!), we just found out our number one snowman pal would be visiting us in a premiering series called “At Home with Olaf!” We totally thought Disney celeb Josh Gad would be too busy hosting his storytimes on Twitter to lend his vocal talents to another project right now, but Gad is reprising his role as Olaf in this brand new Disney offering making its glorious online debut TODAY! ©Josh Gad The first At Home With Olaf “Fun With Snow” is already up, and we’re told another short is dropping as early as tomorrow! Each video is about a minute long and there will be 20 opportunities to see Olaf do what he does best — be an adorable snowman! With a flurry of heart-warming digital shorts to look forward, we finally have a reason to get out of bed! Just kidding… or are WE?!? Are you excited to stay At Home With Olaf? Let us know if you’ll be tuning in! Related posts: This NEW Disney World Holiday Treat Will Haunt Your Dreams! Check it Out…But Don’t Say We Didn’t Warn You. NEWS! You Will NEVER Believe Who Just Kicked Off the Fireworks in Disneyland! The NEW Frozen 2 Funko Pops Are Melting Our Hearts! View the full article

My, how time flies… Did you know this week is the 25th Anniversary of A Goofy Movie?! And D23.com is throwing a week-long virtual party for the celebration! “A Goofy Movie” ©Disney The main event of the week will take place on Friday, April 10th, where we’re all invited to “TOON” in to a cast reunion at 7:30 EST followed by a virtual global Watch Party of A Goofy Movie (with fellow fans on Disney+) at 7:30 EST! But the “virtual road trip” begins even earlier… tonight (Monday, April 6th), for instance, you can sing and dance to “121” with D23! “A Goofy Movie” Celebration Event Lineup ©Disney Other happenings in this week’s event line up include the opportunity to watch a new 5 Facts Video on April 7th (the film’s official anniversary) and a viewing of a panel discussion from the D23 Expo 2015 on April 8th. And on Thursday, April 9th, you can learn to DRAW MAX with a lesson from a Disney animator! How can YOU join in all the GOOFY fun? Be sure to visit D23.com, and follow @DisneyD23 on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook… and — as D23 reminds — don’t forget to “set your clocks to 1995!” Are you a fan of A Goofy Movie? Please let us know with a comment! Related posts: D23 Members Skate the Night Away to Honor 40 Years of “Mickey Mouse Disco”! EVERYTHING You Need To Know From The Walt Disney Studios Panel at The D23 Expo! Disney+ Is Offering a Special DISCOUNT Before the Service Officially Launches in Europe! View the full article

If you’re looking forward to enjoying some adult beverages on your next Disney World trip, there are some rules you’ll need to follow! Blue Mo’ara Margarita There’s definitely no shortage of delicious drinks at Disney World! Whether you’re planning a whole day at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, or stopping by Disney Springs for a quick cocktail, there are plenty of options! But of course, safety is always a priority for Disney, so there are some rules guests are expected to follow. Here are a few policies that might surprise you! International Travelers Need Two Forms of I.D., Including A Passport, To Purchase Alcohol While the legal drinking age varies internationally, in the United States, you must be 21 years of age or older to buy or consume alcohol. If you’re traveling from outside the United States, are not a US citizen, and plan to drink in Disney World, be sure to come prepared! Drinks at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar According to Disney World policy, Guests visiting from outside of the United States must show both a valid passport AND another form of government-issued photo ID. ©Disney Guests visiting from within the U.S. only need one valid form of I.D., but if you’re traveling internationally, be sure to pack accordingly! (Now, do Disney cast members actually require guests to show both forms of ID in practice? Let us know in the comments what your experience has been!) Check out these 12 things you need to know before your trip to Disney World! Guests are Often Limited to Two Drinks At A Time This rule is fairly common at places like sporting events, concerts, and, of course, theme parks. Cast Members are trained to limit guests to no more than two alcoholic beverages per transaction at quick service locations (this often includes Epcot festival booths). This policy is intended to both deter guests from becoming too intoxicated and limit the ability of guests to buy drinks for other people using their own I.D. Nomad lounge Specialty Cocktails Cast Members are also trained to refuse drinks to guests who already appear intoxicated, regardless of whether they are at a quick service or table service location! So if you’re suspect, don’t be surprised if a Cast Member cuts you off! Check out our top restaurant picks for Disney World first-timers! You Can’t Take Open Containers Out Of A Park Yep, you can purchase and wander with alcohol in Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but you can’t leave the park with it. Finish those margaritas before you leave the park Many guests are intimately familiar with that “chug at the gate” policy. You won’t be allowed through the tapstiles to head back to your hotel, Disney transportation, or the parking lot if you have an open container. Drink up, or throw it away. This seems to happen on the reg at the International Gateway in Epcot, where “drinking around the world” is a popular activity. Click Here For Our Drink Around The World Recommendations (Both Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic!) Guests Can Bring Their Own Alcohol to Resort Hotels Disney security will not allow outside alcoholic beverages into any of the theme parks or water parks. But there are some places on property where guests can provide their own drinks! Outside alcohol is allowed in the Disney Resort hotels as long as it isn’t carried or consumed by anyone under the age of 21, of course. Lapu Lapu at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort While you can drink at most locations around the Resort hotels, there are a few exceptions. Obviously, you can’t drink while operating a vehicle. But you’ll also need to be careful around the pool! There are no glass bottles allowed in the pool area for safety reasons (so many bare feet!). And you can’t bring your drink into the pool while you soak, so prepare to sip on a lounge chair from a safe distance! Here are 6 things you DON’T need to pack for your Disney trip! Guests Can Bring Their Own Wine to Some Disney Restaurants Do you have a special bottle of wine that you’ve been saving for a special occasion? Well, you can enjoy it at select restaurants in Disney World! Some table service restaurants outside the parks (can’t bring alcohol into any theme park, corked or not) allow guests to bring their own bottle of wine, although corkage fees may apply. Chilled wine by the bottle, for sale in the Saratoga Springs gift shop This policy varies by location and is subject to change, so be sure to check with the restaurant before you pack your bottle! Click here to Read 13 Questions and Answers About What You Can and Can’t Bring Into The Disney Parks! Magic Kingdom Is A Dry Park, Except For Table Service Restaurants When Magic Kingdom was first opened in 1971, there was no alcohol sold anywhere within the park. In fact, it remained a dry park for over 40 years. But, when Be Our Guest Restaurant opened in 2012, it became the first Magic Kingdom menu to include alcohol. Chimay Blue at Be Our Guest Restaurant Since then, alcohol has been added to the menu of all table service restaurants in the park. But as of right now, there is still no alcohol sold at any quick service locations in Magic Kingdom,and you cannot take alcohol outside of a table service restaurant (it must be consumed entirely at the table). This makes Magic Kingdom unique since guests can grab a drink at walk-up locations in all three of the other parks. Check out our review of dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant! Melon Margarita at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort There are definitely tons of unique and delicious drinks at Disney World! As much as we enjoy sipping on a cocktail while strolling through the parks, we understand that Disney has to enforce rules to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all guests. Just remember to abide by these policies and drink responsibly, and you’ll be in for a magical vacation! Cheers! Have you heard about this awesome punch bowl drink you can find at Disney Springs?? Do you know of any surprising rules at Disney World? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: 10 Things That Are BANNED From Disney World! We’re Loving The NEW Kate Spade Disney Parks Collection in Disney Springs! Loading Up on Chicken Guy! Loaded Fries and Mac ‘N’ Cheese!! View the full article

Disney Cruise Line has announced that sailings scheduled to embark or debark from the Port of Vancouver, British Columbia have been cancelled though the end of June. Disney Wonder Though the Disney Cruise Line has only announced the suspension of sailings for the fleet as a whole for departures through April 28, 2020, the newly updated information specifically affects May and June departures on the Disney Wonder. May and June sailings on the Disney Wonder kick off the ship’s Alaskan cruise season with departures from Vancouver. And this year, the Wonder was also slated for two Hawaiian cruise sailings, with the first departing from Vancouver and the second returning to Vancouver. Disney Cruise to Alaska However, according to the latest update on the Disney Cruise Line Guest Services advisory page (from which you’ll see a screenshot below), “the Canadian government has announced that it will not allow any ship with more than 500 passengers to dock in any Canadian port until July 1, at the earliest. Given that we have not been able to secure an alternate homeport, it is necessary for us to cancel sailings scheduled to embark and/or debark in Vancouver.” Disney Cruise Line website screenshot Guests will receive emails notifying of further steps to take regarding reschedulings and refunds. Below, our final screenshot lists the previously suspended sailings on the Disney Wonder along with the newly added suspended sailings. Screenshot from Disney Cruise Line website Note that, at this time, Disney Cruise Line has not altered the European itineraries on the Disney Magic, which are scheduled to begin in mid-May. As always, Disney reminds that the “the well-being of our Guests and team members” remains the top priority. Related posts: Review: Skagway Sweets Tour, Disney Cruise Line in Alaska Disney Cruise Line Bookings for Summer 2020 Sailings OPEN SOON! NEWS! Passport Now Required for This Popular Disney Cruise Line Destination! View the full article

You know how we’ve been telling you guys about all the ways you can still enjoy some magical Disney moments now that the parks are closed? Dapper Dans From live streaming Dapper Dan performances to La Cava mixology classes, storytime with celebrities, and how-to-draw Mickey drawing lessons, there has been no shortage of high-quality entertainment to go around. In fact, you can see our complete list of stuff to see and do here! Now, Disney has introduced a new platform to bring even more of these unique experiences together under one roof — including YOURS! That’s right, friends! The new #DisneyMagicMoments website has just launched today! It’s a virtual place where families can connect with their favorite Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel, and National Geographic content — including stories, videos, and activities to stir up some imaginative fun! ©Disney Wanna go for a ride on “it’s a small world” without leaving your couch? Or do ya wanna see Epcot’s famous JAMMitors rock out on their own personal-use trashcans at home? Now YOU CAN! ©Disney You can even virtually watch the new Magic Happens parade! Maybe the new colorful floats and costumes will spark you to create some magical DIY Disney pageantry of your own! Coco Float in Magic Happens And if you do, be sure to use the hashtag #DisneyMagicMoments so that Disney, Good Morning America, and the rest of the world can see what your family is up to! Who knows, you might even see yourself on TV! Cinderella Castle And if you’re looking for even more inspiration to get those creative juices flowing, we’ve been amazed by some of these homemade Disney attraction videos fans have been posting lately. We’re hoping to see LOTS more of these videos thanks to #DisneyMagicMoments! How have you been making magical moments with your family? Let us know what some of your favorite activities are in the comments below! Related posts: Triple Force Friday = New Star Wars Merch, Star Wars STARS, and Star Wars FOOD! Your Disney Trip Was Canceled — Now What? DOs and DON’TS To Cancel, Get Refunds, and Reschedule! So Disney World and Disneyland Are Closed Until Further Notice…Now What? A Step-By-Step Guide To Canceling, Refunding, and Rescheduling Your Disney Vacation View the full article

Since Disney World and Disneyland have postponed their reopening dates indefinitely, we’ve recently seen a lot of changes happening recently which has us thinking Disney officials are anticipating a lengthy closure. Magic Kingdom Entrance Now that the parks will remain closed until further notice and all non-essential Cast Members will be short-term furloughed starting April 19th, Disney has just announced all college internships and cultural programs are being canceled. In a statement released by Disney on Twitter today regarding the current status of all applicable interns and international program candidates who were “due to arrive through early June,” these programs are now suspended. Disney will be refunding all fees as well as amending their eligibility requirements so that those who have been impacted by this recent decision can reapply. ©Disney’s Statement Released via Twitter Since Disney doesn’t know when they’ll be able to safely reopen the parks, canceling these programs now will give interns and cultural representatives time to plan accordingly. Disney had also previously released all of its former college and cultural program participants who were working at the parks before they shut down. We’ll continue to follow this story and update you with any additional information as it becomes available. Are you or do you know someone who’s impacted by this outcome? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Hey Disney, You Might Wanna Cut Annual Passholders a Break With Those Monthly Payments Right About Now! What Has To Happen Before Disney World Reopens News! REFUNDS And Payment Holds Now Being Offered to Disney World and Disneyland Annual Passholders View the full article

When details about a new Moana-inspired walkthrough emerged at D23 last year, we couldn’t wait to find our way over to the Wayfinder’s new exploration trail — Journey of Water! Journey of Water Concept Art ©Disney But in light of recent events, our concerns began to deepen as to when the new walkthrough experience would see the light of day. You see, Disney has already postponed all construction that was underway and there could be potential budget cuts looming over new projects. But today we received some confirmation (in the most unlikely of places!) that Journey of Water might be opening in Epcot in 2021! shopDisney has just added this super limited-edition art print of the new experience to their website! The Journey of Water Poster looks just like the ones we saw at the Epcot Experience which opened last fall and shows guests what the Epcot transformation will look like when it’s all finished! ©Disney Moana Journey of Water Poster Designed by Stacey Aoyama, the posters are limited to an edition of 100 and cost $90 each. We’ve seen similar reto-style posters for sale at Epcot including the coming soon Space 220 Restaurant and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction, also scheduled to open in 2021! But what really intrigued us about this new item was its DESCRIPTION! We’re guessing someone at Disney had to look this puppy over before publishing it on their website, otherwise they probably would have edited out the bit about Journey of Water’s set 2021 opening! ©Disney Description for Moana: Journey of Water So there you have it — possibly the strangest way we could have found out that Disney is planning to open the Moana-themed Journey of Water walkthrough in 2021! At least, that’s what we’re taking it to mean until we hear otherwise. Remember, with Disney’s current situation, this could always change. So we will keep our eys on the situation and let you know if anything changes! Are you excited that Journey of Water still appears to be on track? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Magical Water! The Water Cycle! We’ve Got NEW Info About Journey of Water in Epcot! Here’s the MOST IMPORTANT News Disney Announced This Week! We Now Know WHEN Canada Far and Wide Is Opening in Epcot — And WHO The NEW NARRATORS Are! View the full article

With the Disney Parks closed indefinitely, your trip to the Happiest Place on Earth may have been canceled or rescheduled (we’re just as sad to be away from our favorite place!). World of Disney in Disney Springs Although we aren’t sure when the parks will be reopening, we can still get our shop on in the meantime! And, while it’s a bummer that your vacation plans have been halted, these merchandise items might just make up for the time away from Disney! Oh, and did we mention that the WHOLE family can enjoy them?? (That sounds like a win-win to us!) Disney Parks Merchandise One of our favorite things is grabbing a new pair of Minnie Ears on a visit to the parks! And, even if you have a growing collection (guilty as charged), you can start stocking up early before your next visit! Whether you’re a fan of the classic kind of black and red ears or you’re a trendsetter — with options like the Coral Minnie Ears, you can have an entire array of options to match with your best Disney outfits. Just make sure to send pics of your look to us, ‘kay? Coral Minnie Ears Or, if you REALLY want to treat yo’self, you can purchase a Dooney & Bourke bag (umm, basically a dream accessory). The bags are inspired by different rides, characters, movies, and parks. You guys, there’s even a Disney Dogs Tote Bag, which just seems like an obvious must-have! ©Disney You can find plenty of Dooney and Bourke accessories to love on shopDisney! Outdoor Play Sets Even though we aren’t spinning on the Mad Tea Party or flying over the ocean on Soarin’, adventure’s out there in your very own backyard! You can take some inspiration from our favorite homemade attractions by building your own mini theme park right at home. You can take swing on a play set which you can always decorate with a little Disney flair,… ©Home Depot …leap to infinity and beyond on a trampoline (maybe you can even wear your space helmet like Buzz Lightyear),… ©Giantex …or have your own version of Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty Castle with the Castle Bounce House! ©Happy Hop Spending an afternoon in this would be like a dream come true!! Disney+ If you need a dose of Disney from home, Disney+ is an AH-MAZING option for your binge-watching or family movie nights. There are so many classic shows and movies with the debut of new series that will rock your socks off! ©Disney Each member of your family can make his or her customized profile with their favorite picks from Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and more. Plus, you can keep checking back here at DFB for our latest watchlists so you have something different to watch every time you tune in! Adopt A Pet Mom and Dad, it might be time to adopt that furry friend finally!! While everyone is staying at home, there hasn’t been a better moment than now to bring home a cat, dog, rabbit, or whatever other animal your kiddos have desperately been wanting (if your local shelters are still open, that is). Pluto You can make sure everyone pitches in to take care of your new pal, all while you all band together to name your sweet pet (after a Disney character, obviously). Oliver, Pluto, Marie, Max — you can all cast your vote on which Disney pet to name yours after! Homemade Movie Theater Since movie theaters are closed at the moment, we’ve been missing grabbing some snacks and sodas while we relax to watch a film. But, you can get that home theater experience by buying a projector to hook up for the PERFECT movie night! ©Vankyo You can pop some popcorn, grab some chairs and blankets, and set up your projector outside to screen a few old favorites or a new flick! Whether you watch it on your garage door, the side of your house, or even a sheet strung up in your backyard, it’s a great way to catch up on the Disney movies you’ve missed. Call From Your Favorite Character Although this isn’t currently available, we’d LOVE to see a fundraiser for Cast and Crew Members that are furloughed during the park closures or the health care workers that are the real heroes right now. We think it would be super fun to have a pre-recorded message from different Disney characters that would call your kiddos for only a $5 donation. Mickey and Minnie in Disney World The characters would be able to say how they’re sorry they can’t see your family, that they hope to see them soon, and to keep on believing in faith, trust, and pixie dust! If Disney made this, which character would you like to hear from?? Booking Your Next Disney Trip And, perhaps the best thing of all out of this list, you can start booking your next trip to the parks! Although we have to wait until Disney sets a date for their re-opening, you can plan a family vacation or friends’ trip to Disneyland or Disney World. Magic Kingdom We know not everyone is able to buy up the latest Disney merch with everything that is going on, so we will keep bringing you ideas for how to splurge if you want to along with ways to make the most of what you have at home! Stay safe, friends! Check out these recipes you can make with things you already have at home! Is there anything on this list that your family would LOVE? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: This Is Absolutely the Most EPIC Piece of Star Wars Merchandise You Could Ever Buy DFB Video: Latest Disney Parks News — CEO Shakeup, HUGE Refurb News, and MORE! Disney BOARD Games So You’ll Never Be BORED Again! View the full article

Hey, pals! We’re back with another DFB Video and today we’re talking about the BEST breakfasts in Disney World in 2020. Cinnamon Roll As you’ve probably noticed, we here at DFB like to eat and we’ve had EVERY Disney breakfast item on property. Therefore, we know which spots you should be placing on that must-try Disney breakfast list!! 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: Your fave Disney breakfast spot! 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

Here’s a fun activity to help get your Disneyland fix for the day! Sleeping Beauty Castle We’ve shared ideas for creating Disney magic outside of the parks, including Disney+ movie marathons, DIY projects, and Disney Recipes. And now, we have another FREE activity you can try at home — a Disneyland word search! We would love to be walking down Main Street, U.S.A. in the Happiest Place on Earth right about now! But, since that’s not possible at the moment, we have to get our Disneyland fix however we can. Which brings us to (drumroll, please) this FREE printable Disneyland word search! Our friend, Heather Sievers, was kind enough to put this together so we can all add a little extra Disney magic to our day! Check it out below! Click This Image to Get Your FREE Printable Word Search! We can’t wait to add this to our stay at home itinerary! Happy searching! Here are 50 ways to create Disney magic outside of the parks! Heather Sievers is DisneyFoodBlog’s Dining in Disneyland columnist! Check out more of her adventures at @DininginDisney on Instagram! What Disney activities do you enjoy for getting your fix while the parks are closed? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: NEWS! You Will NEVER Believe Who Just Kicked Off the Fireworks in Disneyland! REVIEW! This Grilled Cheese TOTALLY Stole the Show in Disneyland! A Popular Disneyland Attraction is Fully Back in Action Now! View the full article

Many of us are forming our own opinions right now, especially when it comes to what the “new normal” will look like once this is all over. Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios That’s why we recently reached out to our followers on instagram and asked if they would feel comfortable going to Disney World right away once it reopens. The results were very interesting. Of the 752 responses we received in the first 10 minutes, 495 of you said emphatically, YES!!! In fact, many of you even said you’d be at rope drop the day the parks reopened (don’t worry — we won’t hold you to it)! But 194 readers said NO WAY!!! And 63 people said IT DEPENDS. BEHOLD, our gorgeous pie chart making SKILLZ… Pie Chart of Our Readers’ Responses When Asked If They Would Go to Disney World As Soon As It Reopens And as we’d hoped, many of you gave us reasons for your answers that we feel are important to discuss. “Yes, Because Disney is a Safe Place.” The overwhelming majority of responses we received were positive. Many of you truly feel Disney World will only reopen when it is safe and they’ll be taking proper precautions to protect all guests and Cast Members. Yes. It’s Totally Safe. We’re All In. Several people speculated how “extra clean” the already very well kept parks will be when they reopen. Some noted also that Disney already holds itself to a very high standard. One of our readers summed up their opinion by saying, “They wouldn’t reopen if it was only ‘kinda safe.’ They’ll be 100% ready.” Another reader commented, “We already rescheduled our trip for mid-June.” Main Street, U.S.A. Before the parks closed, Disney World had already implemented many changes, including additional hand wash stations and stricter sanitation practices. Fantasyland hand-washing station Most likely, these improvements will remain in place when the parks reopen — and there will probably be an abundance of new operational enhancements added as well. Read more about the new features that were added to the My Disney Experience app before the parks closed here! Entering Magic Kingdom But while many responders were 100% in, others were…concerned. I’ll Go…But I Won’t Bring Kids Or Anyone Who’s Immunocompromised Some of our readers said yes, they most certainly would be going by themselves, but they wouldn’t feel comfortable bringing their small children or elderly parents quite yet. Others told us while they felt comfortable going to the parks, they would be trying to avoid heavy crowd areas such as popular parade spots and firework viewing areas, assuming those were to resume right away. Festival of Fantasy Parade Many of you who answered yes also seemed to think the parks might not be very crowded, at least initially. It’s kind of ironic because many of our readers who responded “no” seemed to think otherwise! “My Heart Would Say “Go!” But My Head Would Say “No!” Even though over half of the readers would choose to go to Disney World when it reopens, a large portion of you said you’d be too worried to hurry back right away. Crowds are a Concern Many of you felt the parks would be overcrowded when they reopened, flooded with people needing an escape from the reality we’ve all been dealing with. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Some of you also predicted Annual Passholders might be especially anxious to get back in and use their passes that have been burning a hole in their pockets! Click here to see the updated refund and extension options for Disney World Annual Passholders here! We’ll Go Eventually, But We Want To Wait And See We heard from a lot of readers that although they wouldn’t necessarily go “right away,” they would probably feel better about going a week or two after the parks reopened to see how things played out first. Mickey Shorts Theater Travel Concerns and Exposure To Others Are An Issue A large portion of our “no” people even said while they thought the Disney parks themselves would be safe and clean, they were more worried about getting exposed to something on an airplane. One of our readers even said, “I don’t think I’ll be comfortable in crowds ever again.” Another reader wrote, “I don’t think it’ll be normal right away and will feel weird.” Disney’s Animal Kingdom Some of you were concerned about being too close to other people while waiting in lines. Sometimes folks are “herded” or “packed into” confined spaces by Cast Members for rides like the Haunted Mansion or before performances start. We anticipate Disney will have have to change some of the ways they operate for many people to feel truly safe again. Spaceship Earth Disney May Have Phased or Limited Capacity Openings, And Budget Might Be An Issue Other readers speculated the parks might not open fully, at least not right away, and that an expensive trip to Disney World isn’t in the budget — especially without being able to experience everything as it normally is. Cinderella Castle and Main Street USA in Disney World With a recession on the heels of an already difficult economic situation for many, the thought of dropping thousands of dollars on a vacation where you can’t ride certain rides or go to restaurants normally seems ridiculous. This may or may not happen, but it’s definitely something our readers are taking into consideration as they make their decisions about returning to the parks. Click Here To See How Disney World Could Be Very DIFFERENT When It Reopens What Will People Think? A reader even commented that they felt there might be a stigma associated with going to the parks too soon if the general population was still fearful of large public gatherings. I think this is an especially interesting consideration, as we’ve seen how social psychology has played out so far throughout this crisis. “It Depends on the State of the Pandemic.” And while only 8% of you answered maybe, it’s clear to us that many people are assessing this situation day-by-day. Some of you folks at home didn’t feel comfortable saying one way or another, because Disney hasn’t given us a timeframe for when the parks will be reopening. They’re just closed “until further notice” which means until they’re fully comfortable opening the parks. Which could be weeks or possibly several months. Festival of Fantasy Parade What we DO know is they’ve just furloughed all of their non-essential Cast Members, which means they’re anticipating a rather lengthy closure. Also, Disney World Resort hotels aren’t accepting new reservations until after June 1st, which may be an indication of when they anticipate being able to reopen in some capacity. Some of you thought there might even be a vaccine available by the time the parks reopen and if so, that would make you feel very safe. We, along with many of you, assume that Disney will be continuing to follow the recommendations of the CDC as well as the advice of local and federal government officials — opening parks only when it is safe and “legal” for them to do so. But know that YOUR perspective affects Disney’s decisions as well. Crowd mentality is a HUGE component of marketing decisions for all major companies, so how you react will play into the future of the parks in a big way. Mickey Mouse As for us, we’re certainly excited to see Disney World again; but we’re also anxious to see how they’ll be keeping guests (and our staff here at DFB!) safe when they reopen. But we want to know in the comments — what do YOU think? Will you be first in line in at the gates on reopening day? Or will you plan to wait and see for a few days, weeks, or even months, before you return to the Most Magical Place on Earth? Let us know! If your trip was impacted by the closures, click here for more information on rebooking or canceling your visit to Disney World — we have a step-by-step guide for ya! Missed your chance to cast your vote? Tell us if you’d feel comfortable going to Disney World the first day it reopens in the comments below and why! Related posts: Updated! Will Disney World Really Re-open April 1st? Disney World Has STOPPED Construction During Its Closure. Could This Cause Delays on Upcoming Attractions? Why Disney World Could Be Very DIFFERENT When It Reopens View the full article

Set Sail on “it’s a small world” Virtual Boat Ride #DisneyMagicMoments View the full article

#VoicesFromHome: Everything Is an Instrument for the JAMMitors View the full article

Millions of people around the world are at home and looking for ways to spend time together (and apart!) and we have been thrilled to see how fans and families are creating their own “only Disney” moments in their daily lives. We are loving that you’re recreating your favorite attractions, posting photos and family memories, and sharing the fun you’re having. You’ve even inspired us to bring Disney to you in new ways, from livestreamed Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems, to the virtual viewing of the “Magic Happens” parade from the Disneyland Resort, to singing along with the Dapper Dans. There’s even been drawing Olaf with Disney Animation and reading along with Disney talent for storytime! Now we are thrilled to share an even easier way for kids, families and fans to access #DisneyMagicMoments like these, all in the comfort of your own home. Today Disney is launching www.DisneyMagicMoments.com, a website where you will find fun and engaging Disney content, stories and resources — for free! — from Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars, to Walt Disney Animation Studios, National Geographic, Disney Parks and beyond. And we’ve created a curated set of resources to spark imagination and share magic, all available when you visit this special page on the Disney Parks Blog. Here, you’ll find family-fun activities, online resources and more — LEARN & CREATE, FUN & PLAY and CARE & COMMUNITY. Officially kicking off these #DisneyMagicMoments, gather around with your family and watch these two all-new videos. First up, a virtual ride-through of the timeless classic Disney Parks attraction, “it’s a small world,” a beloved favorite at many of our parks around the globe. Then, check out the JAMMitors, everyone’s favorite funky group of janitors-turned-percussionists. Normally this group would be sharing their syncopated sounds at EPCOT using all sorts of different items they find around the park. Today, they are sharing their #VoicesFromHome — using pots and pans, trash cans and even an old tire! Keep an eye out for even more virtual pixie dust and use #DisneyMagicMoments to show us how you’re bringing the Disney magic to life at home! View the full article

A beautiful daybreak can bring happiness to an entire day. And over the years, we’ve captured many joy-invoking sunrises at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park from the morning light framing the magnificent floating mountains of Pandora – The World of Avatar to bright rays awakening the iconic Tree of Life. In a special #DisneyMagicMoments, our friends at Disney’s Animal Kingdom are sharing their favorite sunrise photos from the archives. Take a look at some Monday morning magic: There’s more Monday morning magic today. Walt Disney Imagineering, which helped bring Pandora – The World of Avatar to life with amazing engineering and art design, is sharing a few special park sunrises on their Instagram account @Waltdisneyimagineering. And Dr. Mark Penning, Vice President of Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment, is posting a few of his favorite photos on Instagram @DrMarkAtDisney. We also wanted to share a 2019 sunrise image from the park’s Harambe Market where you’ll find a special saying written on a wall – “It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are from. We are all children of the world.” From our sunrise to yours, good morning and have a magical Monday! Also, during our temporary closure, keep checking the Disney Parks Blog during Earth Month as Disney’s Animal Kingdom continues its ongoing focus on renewable energies, waste reduction, water conservation and inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards. View the full article

“Onward,” the film about the extraordinary quest of two teenage elf brothers was released to Disney+ just yesterday – and if you can’t get enough of the Lightfoot brothers, we have an eBook and crafty activities to keep the fun going! Grab a free copy of Onward: The Search for the Phoenix Gem to learn more about the film’s suburban fantasy world and the brothers’ epic journey. The eBook follows Sadalia, an ordinary teenage elf with big dreams as she investigates the truth about the magic the brothers are seeking. The free download (available only in the US) will be available from April 3 through April 11. For other formats, visit Disney Books. Artists and word game enthusiasts alike can get in on the “Onward” fun by bringing some color to a collection of free coloring pages, and going on a word quest of their own. Activities available for download here. For families looking for more ways to connect with their favorite stories and characters outside of Onward’s New Mushroomtown, the official Disney Princess YouTube page has a whole playlist of read-along stories. Be sure to follow @DisneyBooks on social media for more fun content from your favorite authors and books! View the full article