Disney News June 2020
Disney News June 2020 – Daily Updates
June 30, 2020
Tokyo Disney Resort Reopens
Tokyo Disneyland has finally returned to business after 123 days of closure.
Floor markings set up outside the park, as well as the new metal detectors. The now-expected warning signage outside the park.
Solar-Powered McDonald’s Now Open at Disney World.
A special show welcomes guests back to The Kingdom of Magical Dreams, Tokyo Disneyland.
Social distance markers in the queue for Big Thunder Mountain.
Wait times remain low at Tokyo Disneyland.
Only one side of benches being used for social distancing purposes at Tokyo Disneyland
NBA Cost
We’ve all seen prices go up across Walt Disney World over the years. Value Resorts are now $125/night as a standard, with Deluxe Resorts well into the $400 range, and Mickey Premium Bars will soon surpass the $6 price ceiling. But how much does it cost to rent out most of the ESPN Wide World of Sports, plus Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, and the new Gran Destino Tower?
For the NBA’s upcoming resumed season at Disneyworld, it’s $1.5 million dollars a day.
This is something I don’t think everybody understands. The Orlando ‘bubble’ is costing the NBA more than $150 million. More than 1.5 million dollars a day to put on. Not to mention all the lost revenue they have from not being able to sell tickets…
WDW Florida Won Case to Get Property Taxes Lowered
In 2015, Disney went to trial over what was deemed excessively high property assessments for Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort, which ultimately led to a win in 2018. The judge ruled that the resort’s value should be cut in half, to a mere $189 million.
Orange County Property Appraiser Rick Singh tried to appeal, however, the Fifth District Court of Appeal has since determined that the property appraiser’s office inflated the value of the property by over $4 million. The win represents a major legal victory for not just Disney, but the entire lodging industry.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, the court declared the entire method that Singh had used to appraise the Disney property — also known as the “Rushmore” method that is widely used by other property appraisers — is illegal under Florida law.
According to the lawsuit, here are the assessed values for each of the main theme parks at Walt Disney World in 2019:
- Magic Kingdom: $504 million
- EPCOT: $539 million
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: $394 million
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom: $435 million
Disney may be defending its properties even more fervently after the immense impact of the unprecedented COVID-19 theme park closure. (WDWNT.com)
June 29, 2020
Mulan Postponed
AMC Theatres has delayed their reopening from July 15 to July 30. This follows the announcement of big blockbusters being postponed, including Disney’s live-action Mulan, which will now release August 21.
The AMC Dine-in at Disney Springs is still listed as closed with no indication of if it will reopen on July 30 with the rest of the AMC theatres. Meanwhile, Cinemark, including Universal Cinemark, will be reopening nearly a month earlier than AMC on July 3.
Garden Grill Restaurant at EPCOT will be reopening with a “modified” Character Dining
Garden Grill, located in The Land Pavilion at EPCOT, features a rotating dining room with Chip & Dale, as well as Mickey and more roaming about in their best farm apparel.
It’s similar to the experience at the newly-reopened Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort, the characters may be seen marching through the restaurant, stopping briefly at a distance from guests for photos.
WDW Dining Reservations Open Today for WDW Resort Guests
Guests with dining reservations canceled during the COVID closure can make new dining reservations starting on June 30.
It had been previously stated that guests with prior (canceled) reservations would receive priority in re-booking new reservations, and they are among the first to gain access after the initial wave of Disney Resort guests.
No additional details are currently available regarding when the reservations will go live, but based on past experience with making dining reservations as resort guests, your best bet is to call (407) 824-1391 as early as possible at 7:00 AM (ET).
Reservations will also be available online via My Disney Experience.
If you’re a Disney Vacation Club Member with a Resort reservation for arrival through July 10, 2020, call Member Services at (800) 800-9800. (WDWNT.com)
Cirque du Soleil Files for Bankruptcy as Result of COVID-19 Pandemic
After laying off 95% of its employees in mid-March due to the effects of the COVID-19 and the closure of its theaters and shows worldwide, Cirque du Soleil has filed for bankruptcy.
WDW Cruise Line Releases the Recipe for its Chocolate Souffle
The Italian-inspired Palo restaurant aboard each Disney ship offers a dining experience reserved exclusively for adults. Disney has just released the recipe for its popular chocolate soufflé to make at home.
June 28, 2020
Major League Soccer Starts Arriving at WDW
Earlier in the month, it was announced that Major League Soccer teams would be housed at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resort while they played in the MLS is Back Tournament. The tournament is set to take place from July 8th to August 11th and will be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports.
Today, the soccer clubs start arriving at the resort. (WDWNT.com)
NBA Stays at the Grand Floridian
It was officially announced that the NBA would be resuming its 2019-2020 season at Walt Disney World. In the past 2 days, one of the three resorts expected to house NBA players and personnel, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, is already seeing significant changes in order to create the so-called “bubble” for the teams.
Seemingly never-ending lengths of fencing have been added through the property, separating roughly one-third of the resort from the rest.
The fence starts at the beach near the Alice in Wonderland-themed Splash Pad and then extends north along the main building of the resort, which houses restaurants like 1900 Park Fare, Citricos, and Victoria & Albert’s. It’s also home to the well-known Grand Floridian lobby and monorail station. Guests staying here should know in advance the Courtyard Pool is located on the NBA side of the resort.
The barrier continues on past the patio seating for Gasparilla Island Grill and then zigs over to cut off access to the service road loop which is nestled between the convention center and main structure.
Guests attempting to walk from the main lobby to the convention center via the front of the resort will also be abruptly met by a fence. All fences have a blue covering added, presumably to provide a little bit of privacy to the guests on either side.
As mentioned earlier, the fence begins at the beach, and that was meant literally. The fence truly begins at the shore of the Seven Seas Lagoon, completely separating guests on either side. (WDWNT.com)
NBA Releases is Full Schedule
The NBA has released its official Season Restart: Seeding Games Schedule for the resumed 2019-20 season at Walt Disney World. You can view the full schedule grid below:
- There will be a maximum of seven games per day.
- Tip-offs will range from 12:00 PM ET to 9:00 PM ET.
- There are three total courts. Two of them are set up for nationally televised games.
Under the competitive format for the restart, the 22 participating teams will play the 8 teams in each conference to determine the highest current winning percentages.
The restart will begin with each participating team playing 8 “seeding games,” as selected from its remaining regular-season matchups. The complete game and national television schedules for the seeding games will be announced tonight. (WDWNT.com)
Discounted WDW Tickets for 2021 are Available to Florida Residents!
From Disney, the offer states “Enjoy an action-packed visit to Walt Disney World Resort! Florida Residents can save 40% on 4-Day Tickets and 30% on 3-Day Tickets compared to the non-Florida Resident price of a 3-Day or 4-Day Ticket.
Want to visit for a day? One-day, one-park tickets start at $109, depending on the date and the theme park. Florida Residents can save on 1-Day Tickets with Park Hopper Option, which offers 1-Day admission to multiple theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort!”
Park Pass Reservation System now Open for All
The Disney Park Pass reservation system is now LIVE for existing Walt Disney World Resort ticket holders to complete their theme park bookings.
all theme parks (that are open) beginning July 11th are available. To view availability, check out the Disney Park Pass Availability page. You can access the availability calendar by clicking here. Calendars can be filtered by Theme Park Resort Guests, Disney Resort Guests, and Annual Passholders.
To use the Disney Park Pass system, pack your patience, and make sure to use Chrome as your browser to access the following link: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/park-reservations/.
Monorail Social Distancing
Parked inside Disney’s Contemporary Resort, WDWNT.com found this monorail with what looks to be a vinyl partition hanging inside the cabin.
A better shot from the outside of the monorail shows that the cabin is practically split into two.
New Pirates of the Caribean Movie
The Hollywood Reporter has just announced that a new Pirates of the Caribbean film is in the works for Disney, with Christina Hodson (Birds of Prey, Bumblebee, Batgirl) writing and Margot Robbie (Bombshell, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Birds of Prey) as the female lead.
It is believed the plot will involve the recent addition of Redd, the character that replaced the redhead in the auction scene after a “reimagining” in 2018. (WDWNT.com)
Florida Bans Alcohol Consumption in Bars
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation has just announced that all on-premises consumption of alcohol at bars statewide has been suspended, effective immediately, in order to curb the spike in COVID-19 cases across the state.
The newly-reopened Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar in Disney Springs will cease all sale of alcohol by end of June 26.
No additional details on the suspension are available at this time
June 25, 2020
Disneyland Cancels Reopening
Disneyland Resort has announced that it will not be reopening its theme parks on July 17 as planned. The resort was slated to reopen sixty-five years to the date after the historic opening of Disneyland Park, but due to rising COVID-19 cases (and, as you’ll see below, strict government regulations), it has had to postpone the reopening to an undefined date.
Official Statement from Disney:
We previously announced a proposed phased reopening of our theme parks for July 17, pending government approvals. We developed enhanced health and safety protocols for both cast and guests at Shanghai Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort that have been approved, allowing us to reopen in a responsible manner and bring our cast members back to work.
The State of California has now indicated that it will not issue theme park reopening guidelines until sometime after July 4.
Given the time required for us to bring thousands of cast members back to work and restart our business, we have no choice but to delay the reopening of our theme parks and resort hotels until we receive approval from government officials. Once we have a clearer understanding of when guidelines will be released, we expect to be able to communicate a reopening date.
Our Downtown Disney District will reopen on July 9 as previously announced with health and safety protocols in place for our cast members and guests.
We thank our cast and guests for their patience during this unprecedented time while we await approval from government officials. (WDWNT.com)
Mulan May be Postponed
Disney’s live-action remake of Mulan is poised to be the first new major theatrical release of the summer, however insiders at The Wall Street Journal have indicated that Disney is considering postponing the July 24 release date.
Mulan was originally scheduled to be released on March 27th, but was delayed just weeks before its premiere. The new release date is currently scheduled for July 24th, and Disney has merely a month to relaunch the movie’s marketing campaign in hopes to reacquaint audiences with the live-action remake.
As COVID-19 number surge across the nation, especially in Florida and California, two major Disney hubs due to the theme parks, it’s unknown whether movie theaters will be able to move forward with their announced reopenings.
AMC recently announced a phased reopening of its theaters, set to begin on July 15. Disney executives are expected to decide on the future of Mulan “soon”, according to WSJ. (WDWNT.com)
Cuomo sets Quarantine for Travellers from High COVID States
With the rising number of cases in Florida, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has instituted a quarantine for all guests traveling in from states with high rates of confirmed COVID-19 cases.
The travel advisory went into effect last night and will apply to guests traveling in from Florida, among other affected states. Individuals traveling from these states must quarantine for 14 days.
States currently impacted by NY/NJ/Conn quarantine include people from Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Utah and Texas. (WDWNT.com)
June 24, 2020
WDW The Plaza Restaurant
The Plaza has removed All-You-Can-Eat-Milkshakes from its menu!
They also removed from the Lunch and Dinner Menu:
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- All-You-Care-To-Enjoy Milk Shakes
- Lobster Cobb Salad
- Herb-marinated Steak
- Seasonal Specialty Cake
- Baby Carrots
- Lobster-Fried Green Tomatoes
- Butterscotch Bread Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream
- Carrots with Ranch Dressing
- Brisket Macaroni & Cheese
Be Our Guest Changes to Table Service Only
Upon reopening, the restaurant’s popular fast-casual breakfast and lunch service will be discontinued.
This service relied on handheld “enchanted rose” pagers, which may be an issue due to how contact-heavy they are. Additionally, breakfast and lunch offered an open beverage bar with self-serve drinks, utensils, and more.
Moving forward, the restaurant will only offer table service at lunch and dinner, with a pricey prix fixe menu available at both.
The cost of both lunch and dinner will now be $62 for adults (ages 10 and up) and $37 for children (ages 3 to 9). Tax and gratuity are not included. You can view the full menu for lunch and dinner by clicking here. The menu is a pared-down version of the previous prix fixe menu that was available at dinner.
WDW Opens Bookings for 2021
Walt Disney World Resort bookings for 2021 will go on sale today. Packages are expected to go live at 10:00 AM (ET).
For guests who currently have a room-only reservation at a Disney Resort or other select hotel for a stay in 2021, please call the Disney Reservation Center or call your travel professional starting tomorrow, June 24 to upgrade to a vacation package with tickets—and then make your theme park reservations via the Disney Park Pass system.
Existing ticket holders can make reservations starting June 28. Park reservations will be available through September 26, 2021, based on your Resort stay and ticket eligibility or ticket eligibility window.
Later this summer, based on remaining availability, guests looking to buy tickets and/or hotel rooms for the remainder of 2020 will be able to do so. No exact date has been announced. (WDWNT.com)
Annual Passholders Allowed to Book Disney Park Pass on Friday
Disney has confirmed that many park days are sold out but said they will release additional spots for annual pass holders.
It’s day two of the new Disney Park Pass system at WDW — here are the dates/parks completely booked:
July 14 Animal Kingdom
July 15 DHS
July 16 DHS
July 17 DHSAll other dates available as right now.
Scott GustinDisney has confirmed the above days/parks are booked for people with hotel reservations BUT additional spots will be released on Friday when APs are eligible to book.
To check for Disney Park Pass availability, you can take a look at the calendar here. (WDWNT.com)
Disney+ to Launch in 8 More European Countries on September 15
According to Variety‘s Naman Ramachandran, that’s the day the streaming service will launch in Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.
Pricing has also been revealed for the streaming service in these nations to be between $7-$9 per month.
Back in March, the streaming service made its debut in several Western European nations including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, and Switzerland, while France had a delayed launch in April. The first European nation to have Disney+ was the Netherlands, which joined in its global launch on November 12th of last year. (WDWNT.com)
Universal Florida Lays off Staff
JUST IN: Universal Orlando has laid off an undisclosed number of employees. A Universal spokesperson confirmed the layoffs in a statement to Spectrum News:
Just weeks after fully reopening, Universal Orlando Resort has laid off an undisclosed number of employees in their Parks & Resorts department.
The parks remain under limited capacity, and with the exception of Volcano Bay, which has reached capacity regularly over the past few weekends, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure have experienced low crowds as the theme park industry in Central Orlando struggles to recover in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s unknown how many employees were laid off, and Universal is offering affected employees severance packages. In a statement to Spectrum News, a Universal spokesperson stated:
Universal Orlando Resort opted to keep many of its Team Members employed at a 20% pay reduction throughout the closures in lieu of mass furloughs.
In May, it furloughed its part-time Team Members due to the ongoing closures. (WDWNT.com)
June 23, 2020
Disney Park Pass System Opened yesterday
It took hours of waiting to make park reservations for WDW.
Following yesterday’s challenging opening of the Disney Park Pass System at Walt Disney World, the resort has begun contacting guests with reservations with a survey about their experience.
The survey seems to note exactly which days and which parks guests have reservations for. The first question asks guests to confirm whether they booked the reservation themselves or if they were added as part of a group.
DVC can buy add-on points online now
Disney Vacation Club is now letting members add on points via a request form on the Disney Vacation Club member portal. Previously, you had to call your Guide to inquire on specific pricing.
The biggest news, though, is that Disney is now openly advertising the price for these add-on points. Now, as you can see from the screenshots below, each resort’s specific add-on price is listed:
Current pricing for DVC add-on points at specific resorts are as follows:
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort: $165 Per Vacation Point
- Disney’s Vero Beach Resort: $120 Per Vacation Point
- The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort: $255 Per Vacation Point
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort: $165 Per Vacation Point
- Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows Resort: $245 Per Vacation Point
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas: $235 Per Vacation Point
- Disney’s BoardWalk Villas: $200 Per Vacation Point
- Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort: $135 Per Vacation Point
- Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas: $195 Per Vacation Point
WDW Refillable Mugs get a Change
The refill mugs are still available for purchase at $19.99 in most resort quick-service locations. However, to aid in social distancing and enhanced cleanliness, the process of obtaining a refill has changed somewhat.
Guests can have unlimited refills still but must ask a Cast Member stationed at the beverage station as opposed to self-service.
It’s unknown how long this modified refill process will be around for, but as far as we know, it’s a part of the “new normal” at Walt Disney World for the time being. (WDWNT.com)
Topolino’s Terrace at the Riviera Reopens
The Riviera Resort just opened in mid-December, and it was only open for a few months before the unprecedented closures in March… but on June 22, it reopened.
Due to new health and safety measures throughout Walt Disney World in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, character meet and greets have been temporarily suspended. Currently, there’s only one place to dine with characters, and that’s Topolino’s Terrace!
While Topolino’s Terrace has always been fairly spacious, they’ve limited the number of tables and chairs throughout.
Booths that normally sat four or five tables now only sit two, with ample space for social distancing.
As far as food reviews go, WDWNT found all the food to be on par with our earlier, positive reviews from breakfast and brunch. However, at $42 per adult, some of the better, higher-value items, like the famed Wood-fired Butchers Steak, and even the Croissant au Jambon and Spiced Sausage-Hash were missed. (Kids’ entrees are priced at $27.)
At this time, there are still no discounts available for Topolino’s Terrace, so you are looking at an expensive breakfast, especially with the upper-tier selections removed from the menu for the reopening.
Standard coffee, juice, and tea are also still included as part of the breakfast price. (WDWNT.com)
WDW Announces Dates for Other Hotel Reopenings
The following resorts have announced their reopening dates at the Walt Disney World Resort. With many of the other resorts beginning their phased reopening tomorrow, we knew it would only be a matter of time until the rest of the resort reopening would be announced.
July 10th:
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
July 29th:
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
August 12th:
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
August 24th:
Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
September 21st:
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
October 1st:
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
October 14th:
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Currently, no date provided:
Disney’s All-Stars Resorts
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and Riverside
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (non-DVC)
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Tokyo Disney Resort
The 3rd park to reopen, after Shanghai, Hong Kong, the Tokyo Disney Resort has finally announced that they will return to operations on July 1st, 2020!
June 21, 2020
Disney Park Pass System: (Park Reservation System)
Construction Continues on Walkway Bridge From Magic Kingdom to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
The pedestrian bridge that will connect Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa to the Magic Kingdom has also had its construction continue and thanks to @bioreconstruct on Twitter, we can see all of the progress that’s been made.
This wide-angle gives a full view of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and the walkway that will eventually connect the resort to the Magic Kingdom. Over the canal will eventually be a fixed bridge.
There will be two bridges connecting the walkway, a fixed bridge, and one that will swing. WDWNT was lucky enough back in January to catch the movable bridge in the closed position while they worked on it.
Pictured above is a closer look at that swinging bridge, which will allow Guests to cross over the Electrical Water Pageant canal. (WDWNT.com)
WDW Cinderella Castle Repaint almost Complete
The repaint is nearly complete. All of the castle seems to be painted a brighter pink with shiny blue roofs, with matching gold trim, making this castle look perfect for a fairytale.
June 20, 2020
WDW Park Reservation System – Renamed “Disney Park Pass System”
The following is directly from the WDW site:
To manage attendance during this reopening period we are introducing the new Disney Park Pass system. During this time, all guests with a ticket or Annual Pass will be required to make a reservation in advance for each park entry, using this new online tool on DisneyWorld.com.
Here are a few important details to know about this new system:
- You’ll need a My Disney Experience account, as this is where your Walt Disney World Resort plans are stored and managed.
- You’ll also need a valid theme park ticket or Annual Pass that’s linked to your My Disney Experience account.
- If you have a Disney Resort hotel reservation, be sure to link it to your My Disney Experience account beforehand, as well.
Once you’ve logged into your My Disney Experience account and linked your ticket, you’ll have access to a calendar of available reservation dates for each theme park.
If you have a multi-day ticket, you will be required to make a park reservation for each date of your visit.
Families and friends can link their tickets together and look to arrange theme park entries at the same time.
Please note, park reservations are limited in number and subject to availability.
Guests will be able to select one park per day; visiting more than one park per day will be temporarily unavailable (no park hopping).
For Existing Ticket Holders and Annual Passholders: Beginning this week, we will reach out to existing ticket holders and Annual Passholders with more information on when they will be able to check availability to make their park reservations. We will open the Disney Park Pass system to these guests in phases, beginning with those with future Disney Resort and other select hotel stays.
Annual PassHolders can get a one-month extension
To make up for the “reopening period” limitations, Annual Passholders who paid in full can:
Opt to receive one-month extension (added to your pass in October 2020) or cancel and receive a partial refund.
Annual Passholders who paid in full for their tickets will automatically get an extra month added to their pass in October 2020 if they do nothing. Alternatively, they can choose to cancel the remainder of their annual pass for a partial refund.
June 18, 2020
WDW Park Reservation System
No further official updates since it was originally announced by Disney on May 28.
WDW Annual Passholders Extensions
With its theme parks reopening in just under a month, Walt Disney World has begun processing its promised extensions of Annual Passholder expiration dates. New dates can be checked on My Disney Experience app. (WDWNT.com)
You can find full details on extensions and partial refunds below:
If you are an Annual Passholder who has paid in full:
All active Walt Disney World Resort theme park and water park Annual Passes will be extended for the number of days the parks are closed. The new expiration date will be reflected on the Annual Passholder’s account prior to the reopening of the parks.
As an alternative, and in lieu of an extension of their passes, Passholders who have paid in full may choose to receive a partial refund for the park closure period. To request this alternative option, we ask that you contact VIPASSHOLDER Support at (407) 939-7277. We do anticipate heavy call volume and appreciate your patience as we answer all inquiries.
WDW Menu Price Increases
We have less than a month left until Walt Disney World theme parks reopen, but with many resorts reopening next week on June 22, it seems places around the property are making many menu and price changes before welcoming back guests.
Some items have been added, most prices went up, a few went down. (From the count at WDWNT.com, it’s a total of 47 price increases and 8 price decreases total.)
Below, is a partial listing of what items have been changed:
Kona Cafe
Removed from the Lunch & Dinner Menu:
- Roasted Potatoes
- Salmon
- Pasta with Marinara
Tuna Poke: $16.00 (Price increase from $13.00)
The Wave… of American Flavors
Removed from the Breakfast Menu:
- Chicken Sausage
- Silver Dollar Sweet Potato Pancakes
- Wheat Toast
- Egg White Omelet with Spinach and Tomatoes
- Cheese Omelet
Removed from the Lunch & Dinner Menu:
- Quinoa Tabbouleh
- Grilled Cheese
- Yogurt Parfait with Strawberries
- Steamed Broccoli
- Grilled Fish of the Day
- Grilled Steak Kabob
- Sea Scallops
- Joyce Farms Chicken Herb-roasted Chicken Breast
Joffrey’s Coffee Cold Brew: $5.29 (Price Increase from $5.00)
Grand Floridian Cafe
Removed from the Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Menu:
- Sticky Rice
- Buttered Zucchini Noodles
- Cucumbers and Tomatoes
- Turkey Sausage
- Miso-glazed Salmon
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- Worms in Dirt
Lobster ‘Thermidor’ Burger – $22.00 (Price Decrease from $24.00)
Grand Blend Press Pot Coffee: $9.00 (Price Increase from 7.49)
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop
- Nostalgia Coca-Cola Bottle: $3.50 (Price Increase from $2.39)
Trattoria al Forno
Breakfast Menu Changes:
Two Eggs Your Way: $15.00
Open-faced Italian Omelet: $14.00
Poached Eggs: $13.00
Avocado Toast: $12.00
Buttermilk Pancakes: $15.00
Breakfast Potatoes: $5.00 (Price Decrease from $5.50)
Steak & Eggs: $21.00
Fresh Fruit Platter: $15.00
Removed from the Dinner Menu:
- Roasted Mushrooms
- Dessert Pizza with No Sugar Added Ice Cream
- Red Bliss Potatoes
- Macaroni & Cheese
- Pasta with Alfredo
- Grilled Seasonal Fish
- Grilled Steak
Pettini di Mare: $34.00 (Price Decrease from $38.00)
Tiramisu: $10.00 (Price Increase from $8.00)
Affogato al Caffe: $8.00 (Price Increase from $6.00)
Dark Chocolate Semolina Torta: $10.00 (Price Increase from $7.00)
LINK WDWNT for a complete list of menu changes at WDW
June 17, 2020
WDW Park Reservation System
No further official updates since it was originally announced by Disney on May 28.
Disney has yet to release full details on how the Theme Park Reservation system will work, but so far we know:
–Annual Passholders will be limited in how many reservations they can have at a time.
–Reservations can only be made for one theme park at a time, meaning that the popular practice of park-hopping will be temporarily discontinued for the time being.
Given that Disney is currently overhauling its existing system of FastPass+, Dining Plans, and more in order to accommodate this new system, it seems the system will not just be a temporary one instituted due to stringent reopening guidelines, but a long-term infrastructure for the theme parks moving forward. (WDWNT.com)
While nothing official has come from Disney, a tweet from Scott Gustin indicates that multiple travel agencies based in the UK have received communication from Disney that suggest the reservation system will be around for a while:
@ScottGustin
Multiple travel agencies based in the UK have received communication from Disney that suggests Walt Disney World plans to use the park reservation system through 2021. The system, still being developed by Disney, appears to be sticking around for a while.
1:22 PM · Jun 16, 2020TweetDeck
Disneyland Paris
Rumors have been circulating regarding a potential July 15 reopening, and on June 22, it is expected that Natasha Rafalski, President of Disneyland Paris, will announce the official reopening.
Disneyland Paris will reopen at a park capacity limit of 12,000 people in each of their parks, both Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Park.
At Disneyland Paris, the iconic Disneyland Railroad will also be back up and running after a long absence.
One of the resort hotels is expected to reopen around the same time as the theme parks, however, it’s unknown which one it will be.
Extra Magic Time for resort guests and Annual Passholders will resume with the reopening as well. (WDWNT.com)
Expected park hours are 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM for Disneyland Paris and 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM for Walt Disney Studios Park.
At this time, all reservations at Disneyland Paris have been canceled through July 14
WDW New Dining Check-In through “My Disney Experience” app
Ahead of the reopening of select Walt Disney World resorts on June 22, and dining reservations available for booking starting June 18, Disney has announced a new Mobile Dine Check-In feature on My Disney Experience.
This new feature will allow guests to bypass the host stand for check-in, minimizing contact to support social distancing across the resort.
Now you can check-in for dining reservations at select table-service restaurants via the My Disney Experience mobile app!
This convenient feature enables you to maximize your vacation time with family and friends—and minimize your contact with others.
Note: Mobile check-in is only supported by devices running Android or iOS with the latest version of the My Disney Experience app installed and location services enabled.
How It Works
It’s easy to use mobile check-in during your visit. All you need is your phone, the My Disney Experience app and a dining reservation at a participating restaurant!
Here’s how it works:
- When your check-in window arrives, you’ll receive a push notification prompting you to check-in via the app. Or, you can begin the check-in process by scanning a QR code located in the restaurant’s lobby. There’s no need to visit the host stand to check-in.
- From the push notification or QR code, you’ll be able to check-in for your reservation—and confirm your arrival time and party details.
- Once your table is ready, you’ll be notified to proceed to a specified location. (WDWNT.com)
WDW Dining Reservations for Guests thru July 10
Walt Disney World Resort guests will soon be able to make dining reservations for their upcoming stays.
Phone lines will open on June 18 for guests with valid resort reservations from June 22 through July 10, 2020. Only guests with confirmed resort reservations can make dining reservations at this time.
To make your dining reservations, call (407) 824-1391.
If you’re a Disney Vacation Club Member, call Member Services at (800) 800-9800. At this time, online dining reservations via My Disney Experience are not available. (WDWNT.com)
NBA to Stay at WDW Resorts
This is the latest update of just where NBA teams will be staying across Walt Disney World Resort.
According to Shams Charania, NBA teams will reportedly be housed at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, and Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.
The teams will be housed based on their rankings within the league.
–Grand Destino: Bucks, Lakers, Raptors, Clippers, Celtics, Nuggets, Jazz, Heat
–Grand Floridian: Thunder, 76ers, Rockets, Pacers, Mavericks, Nets, Grizzlies, Magic
–Yacht Club: Blazers, Kings, Pelicans, Spurs, Suns, Wizards
Amenities will include:
– Hotel amenities: players-only lounge (NBA 2K, TVs, gaming), pool/trails, barbers, manicurists, pedicurists
– 24-hour VIP concierge
– Daily entertainment: Movie screenings, DJ sets, video games, ping pong, pool, lawn games
– Players can attend other games
June 16, 2020
WDW Park Reservation System
No further updates since it was originally announced by Disney on May 28.
Hong Kong Disneyland Reservation Website Opens
Hong Kong Disneyland has released additional details on its new theme park reservation system, as well as health and safety guidelines that will be followed throughout the park upon its reopening on June 18.
Guests will have to purchase admission tickets in advance and make a theme park reservation that requires a health declaration as well.
During this initial reopening phase, all guests, including park ticket holders, Magic Access members, and complimentary ticket holders, will be required to make a reservation for their visit date with their valid tickets or membership cards through the Hong Kong Disneyland Park Visit Reservation website.
Magic Access members may make a reservation 8 days prior to their visit.
General guests may make a reservation beginning 7 days prior to their visit. Guests with reservations are required to present valid tickets or membership cards for entry.
A reservation is not required for children below three years of age and they can enjoy free park admission as usual.
Magic Access members can reserve one day earlier, beginning on June 15, and reservations for other guests will begin at 12 p.m. Hong Kong time on June 16.
Guests need to make a health declaration as part of their pre-arrival reservation process.
At reopening, the majority of Hong Kong Disneyland’s attractions, shopping, and dining locations will resume operations, with controlled capacity. (WDWNT.com)
WDW Cast Members Recalled to Work
Cast Members stationed at the various Walt Disney World theme parks are finally getting called back in to work ahead of the July 11 and July 15 reopenings.
This includes Cast Members at newly-debuted attractions like Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Batuuians across Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and Cast Members throughout the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
The established dates for these callbacks are June 21 and June 28, which gives just enough time to prepare Cast Members for July 11 reopenings at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, followed by the July 15 reopening for EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, respectively.
Cast Members will be trained on new health and safety guidelines, including maintaining social distancing throughout queues, new loading procedures, and the use of hand sanitizer at all attraction entry and exit points.
Cast Members at the various DVC resorts reopening on June 22 have already received their callbacks, and many have already resumed work, which began on June 14.
Select full-time Cast Members can also request a voluntary temporary transfer to another role to return to work faster.
The Cast Member recall comes as a relief to many workers after the massive, unprecedented furloughs that took place shortly after the closure of Walt Disney World. (WDWNT.com)
Disneyland Star Wars Nite Cancelled
With the cancellation of Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, California, Disneyland has made the decision to postpone Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite.
The after-hours ticketed event was scheduled for August 27, tying in with the Star Wars Celebration held at the Anaheim Convention Center August 27-30.
An update on Disney Parks Blog announced the cancellation, with currently no date posted on when the postponed event would be happening.
While the news is disheartening among so many cancellations this year, there’s hope of these events returning. Star Wars Celebration has already announced that it will return to the Anaheim Convention Center on August 18-21, 2022. (WDWNT.com)
June 15, 2020
WDW Park Reservation System
No further updates since it was originally announced by Disney on May 28.
Hong Kong Disneyland Announces Reopening on June 18
During this initial reopening phase, the park will open with limited attendance. The park will implement social distancing requirements in queues, restaurants, attraction vehicles and at other facilities throughout the park, and will increase the frequency of sanitization and disinfection in high-guest contact areas.
As Hong Kong becomes the second Disney park to reopen, the rest of the Disney Parks family around the world continues to believe in magic and prepare for their own reopening moments. (WDW Park Blog)
Disneyland Resort Proposes Plans to Begin Phased Reopening July 9
Sixty-five years to the date after the historic opening of Disneyland park, Disneyland planning to open its theme park gates once again on July 17, 2020, welcoming guests back to the Disneyland Resort.
Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products today announced proposed plans for a phased reopening of the Disneyland Resort.
Pending state and local government approvals, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel plan to reopen on July 23, and Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park will plan to reopen on July 17.
Downtown Disney District will begin reopening on July 9.
Because theme park capacity will be significantly limited to comply with governmental requirements and promote physical distancing, the Disneyland Resort will manage attendance through a new theme park reservation system that will require all guests, including Annual Passholders, to obtain a reservation for park entry in advance. Theme park reservations will be subject to availability.
More details about this new reservation system will be available soon. (WDW Parks Blog)
WDW Skyliner
Since the closure, Disney Skyliner gondolas have been kept stationed at one of the terminals, but with the reopening of the resorts and theme parks soon upon us, the Skyliner gondolas were sent out on the line today in preparation.
Currently, the only line seen testing is the one linking Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort to EPCOT, with an important stop at Disney’s Riviera Resort, which is one of the Disney Vacation Club properties reopening this month on June 22.
While limited Monorail and Ferryboat transportation has been confirmed along with bus transportation and Disney’s Magical Express airport transfers, no official announcements have been made regarding Disney Skyliner operations.
Disney’s Riviera Resort may be reopening on June 22, but it might not be until EPCOT opens on July 15 that Disney Skyliner transportation resumes for guests. (WDWNT.com)
Beware – Florida Quarantine Extended again
The Florida Department of Health has now extended the mandate stating that guests traveling to Florida from the Tri-State area are required to self-isolate for 14 days.
Previously, the order had been extended through July 7th, but according to officials, no official end date has been established for these restrictions.
The restrictions are extended indefinitely. Quarantine should be in effect from the time of entry into Florida or the duration of the individual’s presence in Florida, whichever is shorter.
All those isolating are responsible for their own costs associated with their quarantine.
MagicBands have returned to My Disney Experience!
Guests with current reservations (remember to confirm or modify by the deadline) can now choose from complimentary or special pre-order premium MagicBands for their upcoming stays.
You can order up to 11 days before your expected arrival date to have your MagicBands shipped to your home, which will expedite Online Check-In and enable you to participate in the Direct-to-Room Service for social distancing.
If you’re an Annual Passholder with a valid MagicBand order, you can also request a MagicBand now.
Keep in mind that new reservations, vacation bookings, plus ticket sales are temporarily suspended. (Disney Vacation Club members can still make new reservations.) Only guests with existing, confirmed reservations will be able to proceed and make MagicBand selections for those upcoming trips.
To access your MagicBand orders, just click under “My MagicBands and Cards” on the My Disney Experience drop-down menu on the Walt Disney World website. (WDWNT.com)
June 12, 2020
WDW Park Reservation System
No further updates since it was originally announced by Disney on May 28.
ESPN to host Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer will resume its 25th season at Walt Disney World Resort, hosting the MLS is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from July 8 to August 11.
The unique tournament will include all 26 MLS clubs competing in a continuous schedule of 54 total matches that will take place nearly every day. The matches will count in the 2020 MLS regular season standings, and the tournament winner will also earn a spot in the 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League.
The event, which will be held without spectators in attendance
For more information about the MLS is Back Tournament, including the detailed competition format and information about the live draw that took place June 11, visit www.mlssoccer.com. (WDW Parks Blog)
WDW Reopening Updates
Walt Disney World recently released a full series of new policies regarding resort housekeeping procedures, transportation, and activities for the upcoming reopening of the resorts, starting with Disney Vacation Club properties and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground on June 22.
With all of these changes, Disney is now asking guests with reservations through July 11 to confirm, modify, or cancel their reservations by June 25.
Guests with reservations in this time period should receive an email from Disney, with an updated “response requested” deadline reflecting the new June 25 deadline.
Keep in mind that you may be moved from a closed to an open resort as needed if you decide to go through with your reservation. No additional fees will be charged for any resort changes, however, you do not have the option of choosing what resort you will be moved to, as Disney will be doing this automatically.
As a reminder, Disney Dining Plans are discontinued at this time. If you originally had a ticket package and travel while the theme parks are still closed, your vacation package price will be reduced. (WDWNT.com)
Sony Announces “Spider-Man: Miles Morales” Coming to Playstation 5 This Year
Sony has just announced that Miles Morales will follow in the footsteps of Peter Parker and be the star of his very own adventure in “Spider-Man: Miles Morales” for the Playstation 5. Check out the video game trailer below!
“Spider-Man: Miles Morales” will be available for purchase during the holiday season of 2020. (WDWNT.com)
Disneyland Paris
With indications of an imminent July reopening for Disneyland Paris, it seems the park is gearing up for the upcoming holiday season, holding Character Auditions for Halloween and Christmas.
The park’s Entertainment Casting department is looking for “enthusiastic and highly energetic people to join our character department for Halloween and Christmas seasons”, with auditions taking place starting on June 27 through July 2 across various cities in France.
No official reopening date has been announced for Disneyland Paris
Tax Credits for Travel in the US?
If you’re yearning to plan a trip this year, but find that finances are tight after the pandemic, the U.S. tourism industry may just come to the rescue.
Industry lobbyists in hotel, theme park and other tourism sectors are lobbying for a plan that would provide travelers with $4,000 in tax breaks for their upcoming vacations.
Raglan Road
Raglan Road Irish Pub has reopened today at Disney Springs! The restaurant has reopened its doors, along with other restaurants that have begun to reopen in phases with new social distancing measures in place.
The outdoor bar has yet to reopen, and there are no social distancing markers in place surrounding it at this time.
Raglan Road’s new limited menu, featuring Chef’s Favorites, has been placed outside on display.
June 10, 2020
WDW Park Reservation System
No further updates since it was originally announced by Disney on May 28.
WDW Reopening Updates
Walt Disney World Resorts are bringing back full-time food service Cast Members who are a part of union Local 737 to work at select locations across property.
These Cast Members will be returning to work as bartenders at lounges and pool bars.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort – Cocktail servers, food handlers, and bartenders
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn – Bartenders at Abracadabar
Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Staff at pool bars and Bay Lake Tower bars
Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar at Disney Springs – Bartenders
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground – Staff for Crockett’s Tavern
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – Cast Members at Enchanted Rose, pool bar and service bars
Magic Kingdom – Food Handlers, various locations.
Disney’s Old Key West Resort – Staff at Gurgling Suitcase
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort – Bartenders for various locations
Disney’s Riviera Resort – Cast Members at Bar Riva
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort – Staff at pool bars
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort – Cast Members at Geyser Point
Spider-Man
The sequel to the hit animated feature, “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse” has officially begun production.
“Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse” was a big hit with both critics and fans alike, and it was only a matter of time before we received news that the sequel to the film was green-lit and ready to go.
The news came from lead animator Nick Kondo of Sony Imageworks, along with a short teaser announcement which revealed a 2022 release date for the film.
SeaWorld Opens with Reservation System
This week, SeaWorld Entertainment is unlocking its turnstiles after nearly three months of collecting rust. The operator of SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa, and three adjacent water parks follows the reopening of Legoland Florida and Universal Orlando last week.
Unlike Legoland and Universal, SeaWorld is requiring guests to make reservations in an effort to control capacity — a move that Disney expects to copy when it opens its Florida parks next month.
SeaWorld Entertainment began accepting online reservations from pass and ticket holders on Monday.
All five attractions will open on Thursday.
It wasn’t exactly a smooth launch to the reservation process for SeaWorld, and the stakes will naturally be much higher when Disney World gives it a shot.
Seaworld Annual pass holders who had tickets that expired during the pandemic-related shutdown — but supposedly extended to account for the missing days — were locked out. Pass holders trying to book some of the complimentary guest tickets that they receive each year were also out of luck with the new platform. Finally, annual pass holders who were temporarily upgraded to a higher tier and not able to square away upcoming visits to the new parks that are now available to them.
There will be a lot of pressure on Disney World’s new system for reserving a day at one of the resort’s four theme parks. There is so much that could go wrong with a new park reservation requirement and that could then throw a wrench into travel plans. (MotleyFool.com)
June 9, 2020
WDW Park Reservation System
No further updates since it was originally announced by Disney on May 28.
Beach Club and The Boardwalk Resort
It was announced that the popular Stormalong Bay, the sand-bottom pool that can be found at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, will be closed when the resort reopens.
To help compensate for this, Disney has announced that Guests staying at Disney’s Beach Club Resort will be allowed to use the Luna Park Pool and leisure pool at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.
This is not the first time that Guests have been allowed to do this, as when Stormalong Bay was under refurbishment recently, Guests were allowed to use the Luna Park Pool then as well.
WDW Reopening Plans
These are events and places that will NOT be open on July 11. (Disney Food Blog.com)
- Ohana will not be open
2. The Beach & Yacht Club Pool, Stormalong Bay, will be closed, often considered to be the best pool in Disney.
3. No Signature Dining or Shows will be operating:
Although many of the Disney Resort restaurants will be greeting guests again during their re-opening, signature dining locations will remain closed for the time being!
This includes California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and 1900 Park Fare, Narcoossee’s, Citricos, and Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa!
There will also be no Polynesian feast at Disney’s Spirit of Aloha, no unlimited buckets of fried chicken at Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue, and no stomping along to Mickey’s Backyard BBQ!
4. Room Service will also unavailable for the time being because the resorts will be using limited operations across the board.
5. No More Package Delivery: If you’re shopping around Disney World, the parks usually give you the option to send purchased items back to your hotel for you to pick up or to the front of the theme park. However, guest package deliveries from stores on the property will not be happening as a safety measure.
6. No Fireworks, parades or Meet-and-greets:
While Disney’s Contemporary Resort has some BOMB views of Magic Kingdom where you are able to watch the fireworks from the comfort of your hotel room, entertainment will be paused for the time being. Disney World will be temporarily suspending its fireworks, parades, and character meet-and-greets in the parks when they re-open.
7. Electrical Water Pageant is also suspended: The Electrical Water Pageant normally makes its way around the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake nightly.
8. You’ll NEED a Reservation to Dine at Table-Service Restaurants: (no walk-ins accepted)
This is a HUGE change for Disney dining that may affect how you plan your vacation to Disney World. Since the parks will be implementing a new reservation system, Advance Dining Reservations and the Disney Dining Plan have been canceled.
If you’re staying at a Disney Resort, you must have a confirmed hotel reservation or dining reservation to even enter the hotel.
And, if you’re wanting to eat at one of the multiple table-service locations in the resorts, only guests who have previous reservations will be allowed to dine at the restaurant.
The parks will be following similar guidelines — guests who want to eat at a table-service restaurant will need to have valid park admission, a reservation for park entry, and a dining reservation.
Disney Springs Curfew Lifted
Today, the Orange County Mayor has lifted the curfew that was put into effect on May 31, allowing Disney Springs at Walt Disney World and CityWalk at Universal Orlando to resume their normal operating hours.
Orange County joined a number of counties across the state (like Miami-Dade County) that had instituted curfews due to the ongoing civil unrest and protests surrounding the murder of George Floyd.
The curfew was put in place with enough time to allow cast and team members, operating participant employees, and guests to return home.
The hours for Disney Springs are now back to being from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
The hours for CityWalk now are from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Quarantine Rules Extended in Florida
While many guests may have been delighted by the initial news that Walt Disney World would be reopening its parks and resorts starting from July 11th, the Florida Department of Health may jeopardize plans for some US travelers.
In a recent update, Governor DeSantis announced that all individuals entering the state of Florida from Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York must quarantine themselves for a period of 14 days.
This order, originally set to end on May 8th, has been extended through July 7th.
Quarantine should be in effect from the time of entry into Florida or the duration of the individual’s presence in Florida, whichever is shorter (potentially rendering any visit of less than two weeks unnecessary).
Roadside checkpoints will continue to screen for potential COVID-19 cases coming from the tri-state area.
Universal Annual Pass now has More Perks
Universal Orlando Annual passholders (UOAP) New Perks:
A dedicated UOAP parking lane
A dedicated Annual Passholder screening queue at the temperature and bag check stations
A dedicated UOAP ticket line
A shop inside Studio Styles only for UOAP where guests can buy all the swag they need to sport their elite pass holder titles, including apparel, lanyards, and more. (WDWNT.com)
Virgin Atlantic Airlines
Virgin Atlantic has announced that flights between the UK and Orlando will be resuming starting on July 20.
Last month, it was announced that Virgin Atlantic had suspended all their operations from London Gatwick, a major hub for Orlando passengers. Caused by the sharp impact of Coronavirus on the travel industry, this also resulted in over 3,000 job losses for the company, throwing the future of transatlantic travel in doubt.
Now, Virgin has announced that their flights will soon be resuming from London Heathrow Airport, and Orlando is one of the first destinations on the list. (WDWNT.com)
June 8, 2020
WDW Park Reservation System
No further updates since announced by Disney on May 28
WDW Reopening Plans
WDWNT.com has stated that when WDW reopens, guests will NOT be allowed to park hop initially. They must make a reservation for one park, and stick with that park.
WDW Restaurants that will open for June 22
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Sanaa
- Kidani Breakfast at Sanaa
- Sanaa Lounge
- Maji Pool Bar
- Mara
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
- Trattoria al Forno
- Pizza Window
- BoardWalk Bakery
- Leaping Horse Libations
- AbracadaBar
- Screen Door General Store
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- The Wave…of American Flavors
- The Wave Lounge
- Contempo Cafe
- Cave Bar
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
- P&J’s Southern Takeout
- Meadow Snack Bar
- Crockett’s Tavern
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Grand Floridian Cafe
- Gasparilla Island Grill
- Enchanted Rose
- Beaches Pool Bar & Grill
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Whispering Canyon Cafe
- Roaring Fork
- Geyser Point Bar & Grill
Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort
- Beaches and Cream Soda Shop
- Beach Club Marketplace
- Martha’s Vineyard
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Olivia’s Cafe
- Good’s Food to go
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Kona Cafe
- Capt. Cook’s
- Pineapple Lanai
- Barefoot Pool Bar
Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera – Modified Character Dining
- Primo Piatto
- Le Petit Cafe
- Bar Riva
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
- The Artist’s Palette
- The Paddock Grill
- On the Rocks Pool Bar
June 7, 2020
Disney World Park Reservation System
Disney will be putting in place a new park reservation system in order to visit a WDW theme park.
To visit a theme park you will need: a valid theme park admission ticket as well as a reservation for the park that day.
Today, Disney released that even if you have a reservation and are staying at an on-site hotel, that does not guarantee theme park admission.
WDW Reopening Changes
Although new reservations for hotels are still not open, Disney just released a lot of new policies regarding transportation, what resort activities will be is once they reopen, and what Walt Disney World will look like after reopening due to being closed because of COVID-19.
With all of these changes, Disney is now asking Guests who have hotel reservations to confirm, modify or cancel their reservations by June 12th, which is less than a week away.
If you find yourself wanting to wait and deciding to cancel, Disney World has decided to waive cancellation and change fees on hotel reservations through “the end of the closures.”
Guests who have reservations should expect to see an email from Walt Disney World Resort that will have a list of the updated policies, as well as where they can review and confirm (or change) their upcoming reservation.
WDW Resorts Updates
Stormalong Bay Pool
Stormalong Bay, one of the most popular pools on the entire property, will not be reopening with the Disney Yacht & Beach Club Resort.
Other feature pools on the property will be operating under reduced hours and capacity to allow for social distancing, and poolside activities may still be available.
As far as other special offerings that won’t be available are:
Fireworks voyages, such as the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage, or other tasting cruises
Fun runs
Wonderland Tea Party
Hula lessons
In-room childcare
Mermaid school and other special classes and programs will be unavailable at the immediate reopening
Electric Water Pageant
Topolino’s Terrace at The Riviera
Character Dining has been discontinued for the reopening of Walt Disney World, but there is one place where you’ll be able to dine with the characters, albeit modified: Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera at Disney’s Riviera Resort.
- Menu items may vary. For specific menu information, check the restaurant’s online menu when the restaurant reopens.
- Character Dining will not be offered during the initial reopening, with the exception of a modified Character Dining experience at Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera.
- Dinner shows will not be offered during the initial reopening.
- Dining locations will be limited in capacity. Some locations will remain temporarily closed.
- Private dining and in-room delivery will not be offered during the initial reopening window.
- Mobile order service will be offered at select quick-service dining locations throughout the Walt Disney World theme parks (when open), Disney Springs, and select Disney Resort hotels.
As seen at Shanghai Disneyland and at Universal Orlando, character meets take place at a distance. The restaurant may ask guests to stay seated as characters travel through the space, stopping occasionally for photos.
For a WDWNT Topolino’s Terrace review, click here.
WDW Transportation Changes
The complimentary resort bus transportation will be available before the theme parks reopen to bring Guests from their hotel to Disney Springs. Once the theme parks reopen, they will resume bringing Guests back to the parks. However, social distancing measures will be in place aboard the vehicle and could lead to longer wait times.
The popular Minnie Van service will be not available once the parks reopen, along with valet service at resorts (except for Guests with disabilities.)
Regular self-parking will be available.
Magical Express
Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel upon the reopening will be happy to hear that they’ll still be able to take the Disney Magical Express Service (and alternatively, the fan-dubbed “Tragical Express” on the way back.)
WDW Resort Housekeeping Changes
Disney has said that they have increased the cleaning in high-traffic areas and are wiping down surfaces that are commonly used.
In your room, you’ll find extra linens, individually wrapped glassware, and double cased pillows.
During your stay, Guests will receive a light cleaning service every other day, which you can opt out of.
For DVC Members, you’ll receive service on the 4th and 8th days of your stay, which you can decline.
Other WDW Resort Services have also changed:
Bell Services will only deliver luggage to rooms (they no longer can escort Guests.)
Club level service and in-room celebrations will be unavailable
No shipping services will be available. You may receive deliveries if you are in the room, only.
Dry cleaning and valet laundry will be unavailable, with self-service laundry still operating.
June 6, 2020
Disney World Reservation System
Although new reservations are not currently being accepted still, existing Disney Resort reservations between June 14-21 are allowed to go in and modify their reservations, or else they will be automatically canceled. Payments are still being accepted at this time for existing reservations made.
Currently, reservations with check-ins starting on June 22 and later into 2021 will still need to wait a bit longer to modify their reservations. If you have a reservation between June 22 and July 4, you can keep your current reservation, but keep in mind that the theme parks are still not open and dining options will be limited across the property. If you need to modify your reservation at a Disney Resort to a Disney Vacation Club Resort, you will have to pay the difference in price between your existing reservation to the new one.
Walt Disney World originally stated that Disney Vacation Club Resorts and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground would reopen on June 22, as part of their phased reopening.
Disney was changed their original statement regarding the reopening, and announced that they would be open by July 11 when the theme parks resume operations. (WDWNT.com)
Man Caught Flying Illegal Drone over Magic Kingdom
According to Fox News‘ Alexandra Deabler, a Florida man was issued a trespass warning by Walt Disney World security after he was caught hovering a drone about 100 feet from the Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle on May 20th.
The 40 year-old man, who was unidentified, was caught by an off-duty Orange County deputy who spotted the drone. Several officers as well as Walt Disney World security located the pilot. According to the incident report, the deputy stated:
I asked him why he was in a parking lot of an apartment complex he did not live in and standing behind trees out of view from Reams Road. He did not have a clear answer to the question.
The man was not arrested but was ordered to delete the footage the drone captured, and was issued a trespass warning. The Magic Kingdom reopens to guests beginning on Saturday, July 11th. (WDWNT.com)
Seaworld
SeaWorld will be rolling out a new advance online reservation system.
SeaWorld has stated, “To help manage capacity to maintain physical distancing within the parks, all parks will require advance online reservations. Guests will be asked to visit the reservation pages of park websites where reservations will be required to guarantee entry given anticipated demand.”
Guests will be able to make reservations starting at 10 AM ET on June 8th on the SeaWorld, Aquatica, and Discovery Cove websites. (AllEars.net)
June 5, 2020
Disney World Reservation System
No updates yet on this new system that allows guests to book a visit to DisneyWorld.
Universal Studios Harry Potter World
Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida reopened yesterday with new social distancing measures in place and WDWNT.com was there to check it out!
Guests can walk around freely in the large open areas of Diagon Alley, taking in all the magical sights.
Team Members are waiting outside of stores to track capacity and to answer guests’ questions.
Social distancing markers are set in place for guests to remain six feet apart while queuing up for gift shops or magical experiences.
There’s a Team Member waiting outside of Ollivander’s Wand Shop to sign up guests for the experience. You give your name, the number of people in your party, and who you want to be the “chosen one” for the wand experience. It’s things like these that make the new social distancing guidelines an unexpected benefit––there’s no crowding around inside the wand shop, and you don’t have to hope to get picked…
Tables are spread out in front of The Hopping Pot, so guests can take a break and enjoy their Butterbeer.
The self-serve candy stations in Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop are closed off.
There’s a queue set up for guests to enter the locker section before riding Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. A Team Member stands ahead to let guests into the area by party.
Parties are kept separated on the Gringott’s ride vehicle to ensure proper social distancing procedures. In fact, it isn’t uncommon for ride vehicles to hold just one set of guests or a pair of single riders at a time, given the new guidelines.
LINK WDWNT.com Original Article
Universal Surveys Guests on Face Masks
While wearing a face mask and following social distancing procedures is now the new normal when going out and about in a world with COVID-19, it’s beginning to impact how guests feel about their experiences at theme parks.
Universal Orlando Resort has sent out an email survey to guests that attended the Annual Passholder preview days on June 3 and 4 to gain insight on how guests felt about the new health and safety procedures and how their experience was with wearing a face mask throughout their time within the parks.
The survey asked guests if they felt safe, felt Universal did a good job with safety precautions, and asked for input on how to improve.
And finally, Universal questioned guests about wearing face masks all day and when guests would remove them, providing a long list of possibilities that guests can select from.
Universal Orlando Resort also released a new video earlier this week welcoming back guests and informing them about the new safety procedures that would be in place when guests return. The guests that attended the Annual Passholder preview days also got a first look at these safety measures in place.
Disney Springs has also been stopping guests on their way out to take a survey via a QR code to gain their opinions on their day following the new measures, and how they would feel regarding these being applied to the Walt Disney theme parks when they reopen, as well as sending out a survey to guest’s email addresses that are attached to their My Disney Experience account.
Hopefully, the results will be released soon. (WDWNT.com)
June 4, 2020
Disney World Reservation System
No updates yet on this new system that allows guests to book a visit to DisneyWorld.
Shanghai Disneyland
As theme parks adjust to operating in a COVID-19 world, the idea of “virtual queues” is often thrown around, and it seems Shanghai Disneyland has introduced a trial of a new virtual queue system at their park. According to Twitter user @gourmetdyy, Guests wishing to ride The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh must now obtain a “Disney Standby Pass” to experience the attraction.
The system went online yesterday.
Here’s how the official Shanghai Disney Resort website describes the new queue system:
A Disney Standby Pass is an online reservation tool launched by Shanghai Disney Resort to help guests better plan their queuing schedule for a more relaxed park experience. For attractions where the Disney Standby Pass is applicable, the corresponding attractions are only open to guests who hold either a Disney Standby Pass or Disney Premier Access for the corresponding time period.
You can pick up a Disney Standby Pass — available on the Shanghai Disney Resort Official App for no extra charge and subject to availability, so you can wait in line for the attraction within your selected time frame.
Disney Standby Passes will be released in the App on an hourly basis, based on that day’s official park operating hours.
Each Disney Standby Pass corresponds to a 60-minute interval for the guest to arrive at the Disney Standby Pass entrance. The quota for each day is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The final release of Disney Standby Passes is approximately two hours before the park’s announced closing time.
Currently, Disney Standby Pass is only available as a trial at The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. But if it’s successful, we may see this spread not only across the rest of Shanghai Disneyland, but the rest of the Disney Parks around the world once they reopen.
The system works similar to MaxPass at Disneyland, or the Digital FastPass service at Tokyo Disney Resort. By scanning the QR code on your park ticket, you can use the official Shanghai Disney Resort app to obtain a Disney Standby Pass. Then return at your designated time and you will be allowed into the queue.
Universal
Universal has set up U-Rest Areas throughout the park for guests to safely remove their masks.
These areas throughout Universal Orlando Resort provide guests with a large area for them to safely remove their masks and practice social distancing.
June 3, 2020
Disney Cruise Line Cancels Cruises on Wonder through September
Disney Cruise Line is reaching out to guests about cruises aboard the Disney Wonder that are now being canceled through September 14, 2020.
The following message has been issued to Disney Cruise Line guests:
As you may be aware, the Canadian government recently extended its decision to not allow cruise ships to dock in any Canadian port until October 31. As a result, Disney Cruise Line is reaching out to clients who were originally scheduled on a sailing of the Disney Wonder that was schedule to depart between Aug. 3 and Sept. 14, 2020, to notify them that these sailings have been cancelled.
NBA
After speculation on where the NBA would resume their season, and where the teams would stay, it seems that Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will be the host resort for the players.
In a tweet from Keith Smith, Disney and the NBA have agreed that Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will likely be the primary host resort for the NBA.
With no current conventions taking place at the resort, the space would best accommodate the players, team members and crew needed to finish out the NBA season. There are also no reservations available through September at the Coronado Springs Resort, further confirming this.
The formal vote to approve the plan for the NBA to resume their season at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is scheduled for this coming Thursday. (WDWNT.com)
Universal Studios Japan
A new aerial photo shows that Universal Studios Japan is getting close to being able to “press start” on Super Nintendo World.
June 2, 2020
Epcot Spaceship Earth
Despite having its status recently updated to “Closed for Refurbishment” on the Walt Disney World website and on My Disney Experience, it seems Spaceship Earth may be open for the reopening of EPCOT on July 15th.
According to the UNITE HERE Local 362 union, which represents attraction workers throughout Walt Disney World, Spaceship Earth’s refurbishment has been pushed back. The information was revealed during a web conference. The attraction is set to reopen with the rest of the park.
As times have changed, the Spaceship Earth attraction at EPCOT has changed with them. Opening in 1982, the ride received massive overhauls in 1986, 1994, and 2007, usually with the departure or addition of a corporate sponsor. (WDWNT.com)
Disney Springs
After waiting for nearly two weeks, the Disney Springs attraction, the Amphicars has restarted.
Not only are they ferrying guests again, but the price for a 20-minute sailing has been reduced to $75.00. (WDWNT.com)
Disneyland, CA
Disneyland Resort has now announced that they will begin accepting reservations for travel dates starting July 15, 2020, and later.
Previously, guests were allowed to book starting July 1 or later. At this time, no reopening date has been announced for Disneyland Resort.
June 1, 2020
DisneyWorld Reopening Plans
Disney is not allowing new reservations at its on-property hotels this summer.
When the company rolls out its system for theme-park visit reservations, existing holders of Disney hotel reservations will get priority, then annual-pass holders.
Essentially, Disney is ensuring that when its parks reopen, they will be filled with people who have a strong commitment to the brand: people who had made reservations months in advance for a vacation to Walt Disney World — and retained that reservation through the coronavirus crisis — or people who hold season passes.
These are the sorts of people who are likely most eager to get back into Disney parks, and most likely to be willing to roll with a significantly changed (and, in some ways, diminished) park experience.
Disney Springs
Starting today and until further notice, Orlando and the rest of Orange County are under an overnight curfew from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am.
In order to comply with that curfew, Disney Springs at Walt Disney World will be closing at 7:00 pm effective today, giving Cast Members and other employees time to return to their homes before the curfew is in effect
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings issued the order this afternoon, with the City of Orlando also enacting similar rules.
All pedestrian and vehicular movement, standing and parking, except for individuals commuting to and from places of employment, the provision of fire, police, emergency and hospital services, medical patients, utility repairs, state and local government employees providing services, and emergency calls by physicians within the above curfew area, are prohibited during curfew hours. Curfew hours during which such movement is prohibited shall be each day from 10:00 P.M. until 5:00 A.M., commencing Sunday, May 31, 2020 until terminated by executive order. (DisneyNews.com)
Universal Citywalk will close at 8:00 pm.
Epcot
With EPCOT at Walt Disney World reopening on Wednesday, July 15, the park has little over a month to staff its numerous pavilions.
The World Showcase in particular may be faced with a number of issues, as the Cultural Representative program (along with Disney Internships) was suspended on April 18. Between that and current global travel restrictions, it may be difficult to staff these international pavilions, and a new union agreement could mean that we’ll be seeing Cast Members taking over the positions of Cultural Representatives temporarily.
Once Cultural Representatives are able to travel from their home countries once again, they will be reinstated throughout EPCOT’s World Showcase. (WDWNT.com)
May 31, 2020
Universal Orlando Resort announced Friday morning that beginning June 2, six of their hotels will reopen.
The hotels reopening on June 2 will be:
- Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando
- Loews Royal Pacific Resort
- Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
- Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
- Universal’s Aventura Hotel
- Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites
Additionally, folks who are staying in these hotels will have the privilege to visit the theme parks on June 3 and 4 which is before they reopen to the public on June 5.
Last week, Universal Orlando Resort announced that their theme parks would be reopening to the public on June 5.
Face Masks are required. (WDWNT.com)
Disneyland Paris
According to communications by a third party food vendor at Disneyland Paris, the Parisian resort is gearing up to reopen on July 11th, 2020, the same day as some of the Walt Disney World theme parks will return to service.
The communications indicate that some cast members will be returning to work on June 3rd, with a larger contingent of staff coming back on June 20th, all in preparation for a July 11th reopening of the Disney theme parks in Europe.
Disneyland Paris has been closed since mid-March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, closing the same weekend as the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World. Disney has yet to make any official statement on the reopening, and the above information should be taken as unofficial until they choose to do so. (WDWNT.com)
DisneyWorld Reopening Plans
Additional logistics details are being sent out to Cast Members ahead of the planned June 22 reopening for DVC resorts and July 11 reopening for select parks and resorts throughout Walt Disney World.
Upon reopening, transportation will be available for resort hotel guests, albeit on a limited basis. Transportation will be available via Monorail and ferry boats. At this time, it is unknown whether transportation options will still include resort buses or the Disney Skyliner. (WDWNT.com)
Disney Springs
Stormtroopers are now on patrol to ensure safety and security in the Disney Springs galaxy. (WDWNT.com)
The first patrol of Stormtroopers have been stationed on a balcony above Kiehl’s, Uno de 50 and Ever After Jewelry Co. in the Town Center side of Disney Springs. Their signature red flags have been hung along the railings to mark their new territory.
May 30, 2020
DisneyWorld Reopening Plans
Character Dining is Temporarily Suspended for the WDW reopening
Disney is now reaching out to guests who had either purchased the Disney Dining Plan or booked a Free Dining offer for their upcoming trip.
Message on WDW site concerning the Dining Plan and Character meals:
As a result of physical distancing, capacity in restaurants and availability of dining experiences is very limited and certain experiences such as Character dining cannot be provided. Because of this, we have also made the difficult decision to cancel and temporarily no longer offer Disney dining plans. We recognize the inconvenience this poses and we’re deeply sorry.
We will be modifying your package to remove the dining plan. The price of the package will be adjusted accordingly and your modified package and price will be provided in a new confirmation. You will receive a refund of the difference in the package price if you have already paid in full or a reduction in amount due if you have not yet made final payment. There’s nothing you need to do at this time. We will be contacting you shortly with more details about the process to secure new reservations, including our new dining and experience reservation window which will accommodate selections up to 60 days prior to arrival to allow for planning closer to your visit.
At this time, while systems update, we are temporarily suspending all modifications. However, you have the option of canceling your entire reservation at any time. We’re putting a great deal of thought into helping you return to the magic and appreciate your patience. For more information, please visit disneyworld.com, call 407-W-DISNEY (934-7639), or contact your travel professional or Member Services.
Disney is also reaching out to guests who had reservations at any WDW restaurants to inform them of their canceled plans, and a new reservation system that will go into effect at some time in the future.
Annual Passholders, DVC members, and Club 33 members
Walt Disney World plans on a phased reopening of its theme parks starting July 11. Annual Passholders, DVC members, and Club 33 members will have special access to reopening previews prior to that date, however, given limited capacity, there may be certain regulations in place.
As you may be aware, Advanced Reservations will be required for theme park access upon the reopenings, and new details released by Disney indicate that limitations will be implemented to mitigate demand.
According to Scott Gustin, Disney has confirmed new information pertaining to Annual Passholders and the process of securing theme park reservations:
All guests with a valid admission ticket or annual pass will be allowed to book park reservations, however the number of total bookings held by Annual Passholders will be limited. That is, if your plan is to just hoard a bunch of reservations, Disney may place a limit on your account. Given those circumstances, it may be difficult to get reservations on certain dates. In addition, certain pass benefits and features may not be available initially.
We understand how much excitement, thought and time goes into planning your Disney visits and realize some new changes may be disappointing. For example, during this unprecedented time, an annual pass will not guarantee park entry and Annual Passholders will be required to make an advance reservation to enter a park.
Please note that:
- During the limited capacity period, it may be difficult for Annual Passholders to get park reservations to visit on certain dates. To help manage capacity, total reservation days held at one time will be limited. More details will be shared in the coming weeks.
- Some pass benefits and features will not be available during periods of limited capacity. Also, park experiences and offerings will be modified and subject to limited availability or even closure.
- Annual passes are subject to blockout dates. Guests should ensure their pass type is valid for park entry prior to making a park reservation.
ESPN’s NBA
After a months-long suspension, it’s expected that the National Basketball Association’s Board of Governors will approve commissioner Adam Silver’s proposal to resume the season in Orlando, likely at Walt Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports complex.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the approval is expected to occur at a vote planned for Thursday.
Earlier this week, Disney CEO Bob Chapek said that the company would be “glad” to host the league at Walt Disney World. The NBA recently confirmed that they were in “exploratory conversations” with Disney, which has reportedly begun reworking hotel spaces to house players for the duration of the resumed season. (WDWNT.com)
May 29, 2020
DisneyWorld Reopening Plans
Walt Disney World Cancelling All Dining Reservations, Experiences, Disney Dining Plans, and FastPass+
From Disney:
When our theme parks reopen, we will manage attendance through a new theme park reservation system on DisneyWorld.com that will require all guests to make a reservation in advance for theme park entry. Over the coming weeks, we will be making some necessary updates to prepare for the launch of this park reservation system. Here’s some important information to help you plan ahead:
- New Ticket Sales and Hotel Reservations: At this time, we are temporarily pausing new ticket sales and Disney Resort hotel reservations so we can focus on guests with existing tickets and reservations. Existing ticket holders and Annual Passholders will be able to make a theme park reservation before new tickets are sold; we will be reaching out to these guests soon to provide additional details. We will resume new sales of tickets and Disney Resort hotel reservations after that period of time. Theme park reservations will be limited due to attendance limitations.
- Dining and Experiences: In order to foster physical distancing during this time, upon reopening, our offerings, restaurants, and other experiences may remain closed. As a result of limited capacity, we have made the difficult decision to cancel all existing dining reservations and experience bookings, including Disney dining plans included in packages, through the end of the year. We will reopen dining and experience bookings with more limited numbers closer to when the parks reopen. We will also shift from a 180-day booking window to a 60-day booking window for dining and experience bookings going forward to allow Guests to make their plans closer to their visits.
- FastPass+ and Extra Magic Hours: As a result of the COVID-19 impact, the FastPass+ service will be suspended for the time being as we plan to use additional queue space to manage capacity at our attractions and maintain physical distancing. We will automatically cancel existing FastPass+ selections and share any future updates on the service at a later date. Also, please note that upon reopening, Extra Magic Hours will be temporarily suspended.
We are reaching out to guests affected by these updates with additional information and details on options, including refunds. We understand how much excitement, thought and time goes into planning a Disney vacation and realize some of these changes may be disappointing. Please know we will be here to help you, as we remain focused on delivering a wonderful experience for everyone who visits.
You can visit a new “Know Before You Go” hub at DisneyWorld.com/Updates, where you can find the latest updates on our operations and offerings, including details on how to modify your plans.
Disney Masks
Disney has made a small, yet significant adjustment to its reopening rules. Previously, it was required that anyone ages 3 and up had to wear face coverings.
Disney has now updated its policy, asking that any Guest ages 2 and up must now wear face coverings.
Disney Springs
The Baby Yoda plush has been only available via pre-order on shopDisney, but can now be found in-store at World of Disney in Disney Springs.
The Child costs $24.99.
Golf Disneyland at Disneyland Paris is Expected to Reopen this Weekend
The courses will open on a reservation-only basis, on Saturday, May 30th. (WDWNT.com)
Face masks will be required of guests within the limited inside spaces around the courses, such as the Club House and shop, but not outside on the green.
May 28, 2020
DisneyWorld Reopening Plans
Walt Disney World plans to begin its phased reopening on the following dates:
Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Saturday, July 11
EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Wednesday, July 15
Walt Disney World has presented its plans for a phased reopening before the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force group, the last major Central Florida theme park to do so after finalized announcements from Universal Orlando and Sea World. (WDWNT.com)
Walt Disney World will reopen much like Shanghai Disneyland, on the basis of a reservation system. Guests will have to secure a reservation in advance via a new system. More details on how to secure a reservation will be released in the near future.
The parks will reopen at limited capacity, with gradual increases as the county progresses through reopening phases.
Social distancing and face masks will be required and enforced throughout the parks
Temperature checks will be required for access to the parks
Hand washing stations, as well as hand sanitizer, will be readily available throughout the parks.
Disney is also developing “relaxation zones” for guests to break off from the main areas and take off masks in designated spots.
Increased mobile food ordering options will be available
Cashless transactions will be encouraged throughout
Character meet & greets and play areas will remain temporarily closed
Parades, fireworks, and other events that create crowds will also be temporarily suspended.
WDW Reservations and Resorts
Disney Parks Blog has announced that sales of new park tickets are being paused for the time being so that the needs of guests with existing reservations and tickets can be addressed. At this time, Disney Vacation Club members can continue making new reservations.
Guests with existing tickets, as well as Annual Passholders, will be allowed to make reservation requests in a phased manner before the sale of new tickets is allowed. Disney will be communicating with pass holders and those with existing tickets in the days ahead. New ticket sales and new resort reservations will be reopened after that time.
DVC resorts will reopen to members and their guests, as well as Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, will start reopening on June 22nd.
Disney’s Vero Beach Resort and Disney’s Hilton Head Resort will also open to members and guests beginning June 15th.
May 27, 2020
WDW Reopening Plans
Officials from Walt Disney World will present plans for reopening Disney’s Central Florida theme parks to Orange County’s economic recovery task force today, May 27 at 10:00 am.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said during a news conference Tuesday that Disney and SeaWorld are slated to make presentations about reopening during the 10 a.m. meeting.
If the task force approves the reopening plan presented by Disney, it will go to the mayor, and once he signs off on the plan he will send an endorsement letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Disney Springs
The Disney Store opens today in Disney Springs. (WDWNT.com)
The Lego Store at Disney Springs is also scheduled to open today.
Disneyland California
It has been announced that California theme parks, including Disneyland Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott’s Berry Farm, and more can reopen under Stage 3 of California’s Reopening Plan.
At this time, Disneyland is only accepting reservations for travel starting in July or later. (WDWNT.com)
May 26, 2020
“The Kingdom Keepers” book series by Ridley Pearson follows Finn, Charlene, Philby, Willa, and Maybeck, as they encounter adventures in the Disney Parks after hours. The books were written in 2005 and had a huge following.
Now Ridley Pearson rewrote the entire series to better reflect the changes in the Disney Parks.
Some updates are Toontown in now New Fantasyland, and the bench with a statue of Goofy on Main Street, U.S.A. is now just a regular bench, as the statue has been removed. Also Finn has a smartphone rather than a digital camera.
Overall the reviewer approves of the changes and recommends the books whether the old or new series.
LINK WDWNT Review of The Kingdom Keepers
WDW Release its Totchos from Woody’s Lunchbox Recipe
I have never tried it but it sounds very good, however, it might be easier to buy it in Disney than to prepare at home.
Totchos from Woody’s Lunch Box at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Serves 6
Chili with Beans
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon coarse salt
- Black pepper, to taste
- Ground cayenne, to taste
Queso Sauce
- 2 cups jar cheese sauce
- 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with chilies
Totchos
- 1 (2 pound) bag frozen potato barrels
- 1 1/2 cups corn chips
- Chili with Beans
- Queso Sauce
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions
For Chili with Beans:
- Brown ground beef in a 5-6 quart Dutch oven over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain off excess grease.
- Add onion and garlic and sauté for 5-7 minutes, until onion is translucent.
- Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, chili powder, and cumin. Simmer for 20 minutes. Add salt.
- Add black pepper and cayenne, as needed.
- Keep warm until ready to serve.
For Queso Sauce:
- Place cheese sauce and diced tomatoes with chilies in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat for 10 minutes, until warm.
- Keep warm until ready to serve.
For Totchos:
- Cook potato barrels according to package instructions.
- Divide potato barrels into 6 bowls. Place 1/4 cup each of corn chips, chili with beans, and queso sauce on top of each bowl of potato barrels.
- Top each bowl with 2 tablespoons shredded cheese, 1 tablespoon sour cream, and 1 teaspoon green onions.
LINK to Disney site for the recipe
May 25, 2020
WDW Parks
This was posted on the Disney site yesterday:
“Upon reopening, theme parks, Disney Resort hotels, restaurants, attractions, experiences and other offerings may be modified and will be limited in capacity and subject to limited availability or closure, based on direction from health experts and government officials to promote physical distancing.
Additionally, attractions, experiences, services and amenities may have limited availability or may remain closed. We will provide more information as it becomes available. We reserve the right to cancel any reservations, admission media or purchases and provide applicable refunds. Please also see our policies regarding cancellations by Guests.
Walt Disney World Resort parks and resort hotels remain closed, and no official reopening date has been identified. (WDWNT)
WDW Forum Post from WDW Pro:
Universal’s June opening date has actually caught Disney off guard, as it is much more aggressive than previously thought. As recently as 2 weeks ago, the plan for Walt Disney World had been to reopen August 31st with the prior three weeks of August used to retrain cast.
Part of the issue for Walt Disney World is that the federal government is currently paying cast members receiving unemployment $600 per each week they are out plus regular unemployment benefits… and Disney simply can’t match those amounts if they bring back cast. The federal government will (presumably) cease those payments after July.
Furthermore, Disney has identified that requiring children to wear masks in summer Florida heat could result in extremely unhealthy situations and PR issues. As an example, let’s say you require a child to wear a mask who also happens to have asthma. The heat being near 100 degrees, the parents allow the child to remove the mask as they’re dehydrated and having breathing issues… other guests see this and likewise want to remove their masks in the sweltering sun. Now you’ve either got to enforce the rule on the asthmatic child suffering in the heat, or you have to allow all the other guests to likewise remove their masks.
To this effect, Disney has considered using old “smoking areas” as areas where you’re allowed to temporarily remove your mask for relief.
There are issues surrounding guests coming from American hot spots (New York, New Jersey, etc). It’s much easier to say “no” to a Florida citizen guest entering Disney Springs on a relatively cool day due to a fever versus saying “no” to an entire family from South Dakota who counter that their child’s temperature is too high only because its 101 degrees at 2 o’clock as they try to come back from their hotel.
Whereas Universal has now had their plan accepted and approved by Governor DeSantis, Disney has yet to submit their plan to the governor. That will likely now have to change as Disney simply won’t allow Universal to corner the theme park market in Orlando for an entire summer.
However, with Universal planning to reopen everything – including even their water park – Disney is really put in a difficult position. Not only are they now pushed to open earlier than expected, but they also are pushed to reopen more than they had originally planned. This has created a scramble from within the company to determine how they could reopen more safely and how they could staff such a measure so early.
So where does that put Disney at this point? Well, the test run at Disney Springs has went okay, but not great.
WDW exec D’Amaro was on the ground at Disney Springs, and he’s well aware that many guests simply ignored the mask mandates once inside Disney Springs. He’s also aware that many used the exceptions for guests eating or drinking to avoid wearing the mask.
It’s hard to blame guests if they find ways to socially distance and take off their mask using a beverage as cover to do so. You can imagine that when sweat is pouring down your body in Fantasyland, you might be inclined to use that large iced latte as a means by which to take off the mask for 5 minutes as it’s now drenched in sweat and gross. If half the park is doing that, you’ve got a problem.
Summary:
- Universal has upended everything Disney was planning for reopening as of now, and will almost certainly reopen significantly before WDW. Disney will now have to race to re-plan.
- Disneyland is still nowhere close to reopening. I would not expect to see it reopen this year. If it does, it would likely be no earlier than November.
- Disney had no plans to reopen Typhoon Lagoon and/or Blizzard Beach this summer. With Universal going the opposite direction, Disney may try to reopen one park.
- At bare minimum, from the time the go-ahead is given, its a 2-week process to get just the Magic Kingdom and MK resorts up and running with limited capacity, operations, and menu items. DeSantis has yet to even approve a plan from Disney.
- Ops has said it’s just not feasible to wipe down every vehicle between use for most attractions. In the alternative, there may be “wipe stations” for guests to grab a wipe prior to entering the vehicle, or there may simply be a sanitation station for guests after exiting the vehicle.
- There’s a weird issue about masks and high-speed attractions that’s being discussed. Apparently a non-disclosed incident occurred in Shanghai in which a guest on a fast attraction had their mask come out of normal position and the guest couldn’t resolve the problem due to ride restraints. Disney is looking at how to avoid such a problem with a child on a ride such as Rock’n Roller Coaster.
- The cost and availability of fireworks have both went in poor directions for Walt Disney World. Even if fireworks can be planned to return in some capacity, it is much more difficult to acquire shells, as well as more costly. Supply chains for fireworks have been greatly disrupted.
May 24, 2020
Disney Springs
Pictures from the first week.
WDW Animal Kingdom
It’s a girl! On Thursday, Disney’s Animal Kingdom announced the birth of its first babirusa piglet.
The piglet was given the name Kirana, which means sunbeam in Indonesian.
May 23, 2020
WDW Possible Reopening Plans
Walt Disney World won’t be submitting its plans until sometime next week, we may have some idea of one of the key operational aspects of its reopening: capacity.
According to Amanda Dukes of WESH 2 News, a Disney executive has informed Governor Ron DeSantis and Vice President Mike Pence that the company is considering reopening the park at 20-30% capacity.
This is not unlike the scenario at Shanghai Disneyland, which reopened at 20% capacity on Monday, May 11, with a reservation system in place.
While Walt Disney World does receive many locals and Florida Residents, it also has a lot of national and international guests flying in. Governor Ron DeSantis’ Re-Open Florida Task Force Executive Committee has considered the notion of a phased reopening that includes only locals and state residents, but there is no confirmation on whether this will actually be the case.
Universal Orlando has stated that it will be reopening on June 5 with limited capacity, but has not given any percentages or numbers.
“Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against The Universe” will be coming to Disney+ this Summer after being announced at the D23 Expo last August.
Phineas and Ferb travel across the galaxy to rescue their sister Candace, who has been abducted by aliens and has found utopia in a far-off planet, free of pesky little brothers.
“Phineas and Ferb” creators Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh are back as executive producers on the movie, while also reprising their roles are Ashley Tisdale as Candace Flynn; Vincent Martella as Phineas Flynn. (WDWNT.com)
“Muppets Now” will be featured on Disney+ starting July 31st.
It is a new, original, and unscripted Muppets series. That is all Disney has said about the new show.
May 22, 2020
WDW Magic Kingdom: Tron Construction may have restarted
Construction at Walt Disney World’s theme parks was placed on an indefinite pause due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
However, with the reopening of Disney Springs this week and Universal Orlando prepared to reopen its theme parks in early June, Walt Disney World’s theme parks may not be far off from reopening to the public.
A source to WDWNT (Walt Disney World News Today) is reporting that construction activity may be resuming at the Magic Kingdom. Reportedly, there have been “multiple trucks hauling in items” near the site of the future TRON attraction with security present, spotted while driving past the Magic Kingdom.
If construction workers are returning to the job, it’s an encouraging sign that more magic may be around the corner!
Disney Springs Face Masks
With Disney Springs reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic, guests ages 3 and older are required to wear a face mask.
A few stores in Disney Springs are selling designer face masks.
American Threads Face Masks: anti-bacterial and UV protection for $15
Vera Bradley Face Masks: Cotton for $8
LAST DAY for the Free eBook of Black Widow: Forever Red by Margaret Stohl
In this young adult novel, #1 New York Times bestselling author Margaret Stohl, uncovers a new side of the Marvel Universe that will thrill loyal fans and newcomers alike, with untold stories of Black Widow for the very first time.
Stohl will take readers through a heart-pounding adventure, featuring Natasha’s past as a young trainee at the Red Room, Moscow’s infamous academy for operatives, and her present where she is forced to confront her ruthless teacher from the academy.
This tale is a thrilling and action-packed story that gives fans a major peek into the life of one of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s most mysterious and iconic spies.
For a limited time, a free eBook (valid only in the U.S.), will be available from May 17 to May 22, via Disney Books HERE. Choose the GOOGLE eBook option. then click BUY NOW. It will list as Free on the next screen.
May 21, 2020
WDW Execs meet with VP Pence
Florida theme park executives revealed hints of their reopening plans Wednesday in a roundtable discussion with Vice President Mike Pence.
Disney is opening its Shanghai park cautiously as it evaluates reopening other parks around the world.
Parks are a crucial revenue driver for Disney. Parks & Experiences accounts for around 30% to 35% of total Disney revenue.
Typical capacity in the Shanghai park is 80,000 visitors a day, but the government has cut that to about 30%, or 24,000 a day, said CEO Bob Chapek.
He told Vice President Mike Pence that the company’s Shanghai park sold out of tickets for the first day of reopening at 20% capacity, saying guests will want to head to the parks, even under restrictions.
ClickOrlando.com gathered information based on the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions’ 2018 annual attendance estimates and applied the 30% rules set in place by other Disney parks.
The graph below illustrates the number of guests allowed on a normal day compared to the number of people allowed in the park if capacity were set at 30%.
| Park | Capacity | Capacity at 30% |
|---|---|---|
| Magic Kingdom | 57,000 people | 17,100 |
| Epcot | 34,093 people | 10,227 |
| Hollywood Studios | 30,843 people | 9,252 |
| Animal Kingdom | 37,671 people | 11,301 |
As you can see, the parks would appear very empty if leaders decided to open with 30% capacity. (ClickOrlando.com)
May 20, 2020
Wonderful World of Disney
ABC has revealed that they are bringing back their “Wonderful World of Disney” programming schedule, and are set to show 4 Disney movies on their network each Wednesday, presented by Disney+.
First up on the schedule will be the 2016 hit animated film “Moana”, set to make its network premiere this Wednesday 20th at 8/7c, alongside a live Twitter conversation with some very special guests.
Composer Lin Manuel Miranda and the voice of Moana herself – Auli’i Cravalho – will be live-tweeting throughout the Eastern-time broadcast of the movie.
The other movies set to be shown are “Big Hero 6”, “Up”, and “Thor: The Dark World”. If you don’t have Disney+, make sure you don’t miss these broadcasts! (WDWNT.com)
Disney Fantasy Cruise Peanut Butter Blondie Bars
The recipe from the Disney Food Blog is a great one to make with the kids. After the brownies cool, bring the family together for a decorating party and get creative with all of your toppings.
Peanut Butter Blondie Bars
Ingredients:
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 4 tsp creamy peanut butter
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1¼ cups flour
- ¼ cup pecans, chopped
- Candy to garnish
Chocolate Ganache:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups dark chocolate chips
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Melt the chocolate, peanut butter, and butter slowly over low heat in a pan, stirring the whole time. Let cool for 2-3 minutes.
3. Whisk the eggs and brown sugar with an electric mixer until thickened.
4. Slowly stir the warm chocolate mixture into the whisked eggs.
5. Fold the sifted flour and pecans into the chocolate mixture. Pour the mixture into an 8×8 or 9×9 baking tray and spread out evenly.
6. Place in the oven to bake at 350 for approximately 45 minutes. (or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out cleanly.) Then cool completely on a baking rack.
7. Once the brownies are cool, cut out with a 2.5-inch cookie cutter – OR – just slice the blondies into squares or rectangles.
8. For the ganache, heat the heavy cream over the stove until just reaching boiling point. Pour the hot cream over the dark chocolate and stir in until the chocolate has melted.
9. Once cool, beat the ganache before piping on top of each brownie. Decorate with your choice of candy.
LINK to WDW Disney Blog Recipe
LINK Recipe for Disney’s Peanut Butter Blondie Bars
May 19, 2020
New Series: Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian
Premiered Monday, May 4, with new episodes available every Friday on Disney+.
The new series offers fans the opportunity to join executive producer Jon Favreau as he goes behind the scenes of the first season of The Mandalorian. Packed with never-before-seen footage, interviews, and more, the 8-episode documentary series will explore unique elements of the first live-action Star Wars television show, from the filmmaking process to the series’ groundbreaking technology.
Disney releases the recipe for the “Grey Stuff”
Simple At-Home Grey Stuff Recipe Inspired by the Ultimate “Grey Stuff” at Disney Parks from Beauty and the Beast
Makes 12
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups cold whole milk
- 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 15 chocolate sandwich cookies
- 1 (8 ounce) container whipped topping, thawed
- 3 tablespoons instant chocolate pudding mix
- 12 scalloped sugar cookies
- Edible sugar pearls
Directions:
- Pour milk into a large mixing bowl. Add instant vanilla pudding mix and whisk for 2 minutes until smooth and slightly thickened. Place in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours, until firm.
- Place chocolate sandwich cookies in the food processor and pulse until puréed.
- Fold puréed cookies into pudding mix. Stir until fully mixed.
- Add whipped topping and instant chocolate pudding. Stir until fully mixed.
- Place in refrigerator and chill for one hour.
- Spoon grey stuff into a piping bag fitted with the desired tip. Pipe grey stuff onto cookies. Top with sugar pearls.
Note: This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version. As a reminder, while preparing this recipe, please supervise children who are helping or nearby.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
A prehensile-tailed porcupine was born at the Conservation Station at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
The porcupette was born to mom, Peri. The porcupette’s name is Shelley.
May 18, 2020
Disney Releases 50’s Prime Time Café’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Milkshake Recipe:
Disney has released an at-home version of 50’s Prime Time Café’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Milkshake.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons jelly (strawberry or grape)
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1/4 cup milk
Directions:
- Add all ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth.
- Add additional peanut butter or jelly to taste.
Cook’s Notes: Two cups sliced strawberries can be substituted for jelly.
WDW July 4th Fireworks: As a precautionary measure, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has announced that the Orlando fireworks will be canceled this year, instead choosing to air a live stream of past firework shows.
WDW 2021 Marathon Sold Out: General registration for the 2021 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, set to take place from January 6th to 10th, 2021, sold out quickly after opening.
Disney Springs Screening Tents:
New screening tents have been put into place at Disney Springs in advance of its phased reopening that begins this Wednesday, May 20th.
One screening tent is located at the base of the pedestrian bridge that leads guests across Buena Vista Drive from the adjacent parking lot and resorts situated along Hotel Plaza Boulevard. The second tent is located further into the Marketplace plaza.
The Marketplace screening checkpoint joins an additional two checkpoints that will be found at the second-floor exits of both the Orange and Lime garages.
The following Disney Springs restaurants will reopen on May 20th:
- 4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa
- Blaze Fast-Fired Pizza
- The BOATHOUSE
- Chicken Guy!
- Earl of Sandwich
- Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC
- Frontera Cocina
- Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream
- Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company
- Planet Hollywood
- The Polite Pig
- STK Orlando
- Sunshine Churros
- Wine Bar George
- Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill
- Yesake
The following Disney Springs restaurants will reopen on May 22nd:
- Morimoto Asia/Morimoto Asia Street Food
- Pizza Ponte
- Vivoli il Gelato
The following Disney Springs restaurants will reopen on May 27th:
- D-Luxe Burger (mobile order only)
May 17, 2020
Disney Springs, Fl:
On Wednesday, May 20, Disney Springs begins its initial reopening that morning with third-party restaurants opening their doors to Disney Springs guests.
- Planet Hollywood – 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Earl of Sandwich – 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Chicken Guy – 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
On May 27, 3 Disney-owned stores and venues will reopen:
World of Disney, D-Luxe Burger (mobile order), and the Marketplace Co-Op.
Known before you go:
- Parking and Entrances: guests will be directed to self-park in the Orange and Lime Garages. All surface lots will be closed. We will also reduce the number of entrances for Disney Springs to four locations: Orange and Lime Garages, along with the Hotel Plaza Boulevard pedestrian bridge and rideshare location.
- Appropriate Face Coverings: All guests 3 years of age and older, along with cast members, will be required to wear an appropriate face covering while visiting Disney Springs (except when sitting at a dining table).
- Temperature Screenings: Once you arrive at Disney Springs, you and your party will be required to undergo temperature screenings. Based on guidance from health authorities, those who measure 100.4 degrees or higher will not be allowed entry, nor will those in their party.
- Physical Distancing and Capacity Measures: To maintain appropriate physical distancing throughout Disney Springs, we will limit the number of guests visiting the property. In addition, ground markings will help promote proper distancing when queuing is necessary.
- Cleanliness: We’ve increased cleaning and disinfection procedures in high-traffic areas such as elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms, and more. We will also have hand-washing stations and hand sanitizer available.
- Cashless Transactions
Disney Plus movies and shows expected release dates
Frozen 2 and Onward recently launched on the platform, and The Rise of Skywalker became available on May 4.
- Artemis Fowl: June 12
- National Treasure: April 30
- John Carter: May 2
- Solo: A Star Wars Story: July 9
- Tarzan: June 23
- Avengers: Infinity War: June 25
- Race to Witch Mountain: July 1
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: July 29
- The Incredibles 2: July 30
- Cinderella: September 1
- Christopher Robin: September 25
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: August 2020
- Beauty and the Beast (2017): October 1
- Maleficent: October 1
- The Mandalorian season 2: October 2020
- Ralph Breaks the Internet: December 11
May 16, 2020
–WDW: Safety precautions are already being added to the resort, said Eric Clinton, president of Unite Here, Local 362, which manages employees for Walt Disney World.
- Disney will give employees 3 washable masks.
- Guests will need to have their temperature checked.
- Plexiglass dividers will be installed at registers.
- Guests will swipe their own payment cards. Employees will no longer handle them.
- Custodians will receive training on how to handle high-touch areas.
- Employees will need to do self-assessments at home before they arrive at the park, too, according to Clinton.
Clinton told The Hollywood Reporter that Shanghai Disneyland will be the model going forward, adding that “what you see there is a lot of what you’ll see here.”
Shanghai Disneyland opened up on Monday, May 11, with a slew of changes, including increased social distancing measures and increased cleaning routines. Guests and cast members are required to wear masks.
“We have a very dedicated team of custodial cleaners throughout the park that are constantly wiping down all the surfaces,” said Andrew Bolstein, SVP of operations for Shanghai Disney Resort, according to CNN.
–Disney World’s ‘Not-So-Spooky Spectacular’ at Walt Disney World Resort from 2019 released virtually (Disney Parks Blog)
May 15
–Disney Springs opens May 20: Walt Disney World officials announced the news May 7, noting that visitors should expect reduced hours, parking, and capacity in order to implement social distancing guidelines meant to stop the spread of COVID-19. (ClickOrlando)
Guests will also notice increased cleaning and sanitation, cast members wearing facial coverings, and limited contact at guest services.
A few of the eateries that plan on serving food on Wednesday:
-
- Planet Hollywood – 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Earl of Sandwich – 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Chicken Guy – 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
A Disney spokeswoman said that as of Friday, a full list of restaurants and shop openings was not available.
–Disney Updates: Hamilton will debut on Disney+ on July 3.
“I Am With You“, a new video that was released with Olaf will premier this week.
Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2 will hit Disney+ this June! Who else is excited?
The much-delayed New Mutants film is slated to be released theatrically, on August 28.
-Universal’s Epic Universe theme park construction won’t resume until the economy bounces back. It would be Universal’s 4th theme park in Orlando and was slated to open in 2023. Currently, Orlando is home to 3 Universal properties, including Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay.
Universal Orlando’s theme parks are currently closed during the pandemic, although some restaurants at CityWalk are scheduled to open May 15 (today!).
–Shanghai Disneyland opened up on Monday, May 11, with a slew of changes, including increased social distancing measures and increased cleaning routines, as I wrote for the Deseret News. Guests and cast members were required to wear masks.
May 14
–DisneyWorld, Florida: DisneyWorld reservations are being accepted for July 6 and later, Disney said in a recently updated statement. However, an official reopen date for hotels and theme parks have not been identified, and could very well take place before or after tentative reservations.
WDW plans include a phased reopening of select retail and dining locations, physical distancing, and capacity measures that are compliant with CDC guidelines, increased cleanliness and sanitizations, screening and prevention support, and cast training, according to a statement by Dr. Pamela Hymel, Disney Parks chief medical officer.
Meanwhile, Orlando’s shopping center Disney Springs is preparing for its phased reopening starting on May 20.
If Disney’s hotels and parks remain closed for guests who have made reservations, they will be able to modify these bookings.
Unexpired multi-day theme park tickets with unused days or date-specific tickets with a valid use period starting on March 12 through the closure will automatically be extended through December 15. Guests who are unable to visit by this date may apply the value of their wholly unused ticket toward the purchase of a future ticket.
It is not clear when Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., will reopen. As of May 8, there is no news on the state of Disneyland Resort reservations. The Disney Cruise Line and Disney’s Hawaiian resort and spa destination, Aulani, are still closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Shanghai Disney Resort and its theme park Shanghai Disneyland reopened this week with mandatory face masks and limited capacity procedures. Social distancing measures have also been put in place.
Similar practices are expected at Walt Disney World Resort whenever it does reopen. (Fox News)
When Walt Disney World does reopen, masks will likely be required by both Cast Members and Guests.
Disney launched a range of masks just over a week ago. Not only can Disney make masks a revenue source, but character design masks also goes some way to making masks far more acceptable for families visiting the parks. (WDWMagic)
May 12
–Shanghai Disneyland: Opened yesterday at 20-30% park capacity, but Disney expects attendance to be boosted by 5,000 guests each week. Masks and social distancing in lines is required.
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