Author: disneyfoodblog.com

Here’s How Virtual Lines Work at the Reopened Universal Orlando Theme Parks

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date June 3, 2020

We’re LIVE from the Passholder preview at Universal Orlando Resort!

Universal Orlando Resort

We’re taking you with us as we tour all the sights and thrills Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. So far things have looked a little different than we remember — with temperature checks, masks, and other safety protocols in place — but now we’re checking out the RIDES!

We stayed at Universal’s Aventura Hotel last night (which you can read more about here!) and got into the parks bright and early this morning!

Aventura Hotel

And all through the night, we have been super curious to see how Universal Studios would be implementing its new virtual queue system. Let’s go check it out!

Read about the changes Universal Studios has implemented at its resort hotels here!

How Universal Studio’s New Virtual Line Experience Works

Before you head off to the parks, Universal Studios advises guests to download their free app — this is how you’ll reserve your spot in their new “Virtual Line Experience.” The app can be used anywhere inside Universal Studios’ theme parks or CityWalk to reserve your spot in line for any attraction — regardless of which theme park you’re currently standing in!

At this time, not every Universal attraction offers a virtual line. Those that do not have this feature yet still have a standard standby line with distancing markers throughout the queue.

Universal queue

You can only make reservations for the same day as your visit and you can book ride times for up to 10 people in your group (however, we’ve noticed some attractions are only allowing guests to reserve up to 8 spots — we’ll look more into this).

We had two people in our party, and technically since accounts aren’t linked (like they are with My Disney Experience and FastPass+ in Disney World), we were both able to make separate virtual reservations for groups of two. So, it was almost like snagging two virtual line reservations at once.

Flight of the Hippogriff

To Make Your Reservation:

Select “Virtual Line Experience” from the app’s main menu.
Tap on the “Virtual Line Venues” tab to see a list of available attractions.
Select the attraction you want to ride and tap “Virtual Line Pass – Reserve.”
Set how many guests are in your group.
Pick your return time.
Tap “Reserve Virtual Line Pass” to complete your reservation.

Virtual Line

Once you’ve successfully booked your spot in line, you’ll receive a QR code — after that, you’re free to roam the parks until it’s time to head to the attraction!

When we arrived for our reservation, we showed the Univeral employee our phones. They didn’t scan them, but instead checked to make sure it was our time to ride and then let us through! Note: This may vary depending on the day and the attraction.

Virtual Line

After you’ve used your reservation, you can make another one!

Gringotts Bank

Although the app seemed to be having a few issues today, the overall concept seemed to be working! Guests can still experience their favorite attractions and enjoy the parks without having to worry about “bumping” into others while standing in line.

Social distancing markers have also been placed in loading areas so even in places where smaller crowds tend to gather, guests can space themselves out accordingly!

Gringotts Markers

While we don’t know how Disney World will operate its attractions upon reopening quite yet, we know they’ll also be utilizing a new virtual queue system to minimize crowds (which is why they have suspended FastPass+ as this time). Whether it will be similar to Universal Studios Virtual Line system or not, time will tell!

Find out more about the virtual queue system World of Disney in Disney Springs has implemented on busy days here!

Do you have questions about using Universal’s virtual queue? Let us know in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, News, Special Stuff, disney springs, Disney World, reopen, reopening, Universal, Universal Orlando, Universal Orlando Resort, universal reopen, Universal reopening, universal theme park, virtual line, virtual queue

Tags Disney Springs, Disney World, Featured, news, reopen, reopening, Special Stuff, Universal, Universal Orlando, Universal Orlando Resort, universal reopen, Universal Reopening, universal theme park, virtual line, virtual queue

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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Comments on the Reopening of Universal Orlando’s Theme Parks

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date June 3, 2020

Moments ago, Governor Ron DeSantis spoke at Universal Orlando Resort which is currently hosting an Annual Passholder preview ahead of its June 5th reopening to the public.

Universal Orlando Resort

Governor DeSantis announced most of the state of Florida will enter Phase Two of his Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery, but he also shared a few comments on Universal Orlando’s reopening.

While some state officials have been to the Orlando-area theme parks (including Disney World) to conduct inspections prior to approving their reopening proposals, Governor DeSantis said this was the first time he’s stepped foot inside Universal Studios since the temporary closures began.

Universal Studios

Father to a newborn, two-year-old, and three-year-old, Governor DeSantis said his kids “aren’t quite old enough yet” to visit Universal Studios this weekend, but he says Univeral is taking every precaution to ensure its guests can come and enjoy themselves safely.

Gringotts

Governor DeSantis also mentioned he’s been impressed by how companies such as Universal and Dinsey have conducted themselves during these times, exhibiting “forward-thinking” but implementing new health and safety measures so guests could safely return.

Hogsmeade

Finally, the governor concluded with the statement that the CDC assesses open-air venues to be lower risk than being indoors and that there hasn’t been a lot of evidence of widespread outdoor transmission since public beaches, parks, and other public spaces have begun to reopen throughout Florida.

Hogwarts Express

Governor DeSantis also said he hopes to provide more news soon regarding major sporting events resuming their games Florida such as the NBA which will voting on finishing their 2020 season in Disney World tomorrow.

We will continue to provide you up-to-date information on the reopening of Florida’s theme parks, so stay tuned!! And if you have any questions about how Universal is operating today, please let us know.

Follow along with our live coverage of Universal Studios’ reopening today here!

Are you planning on visiting Universal Studios or Disney World this year? Let us know in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, News, comments on reopening, florida governor, health and safety, outdoor venue, phase two, ron desantis, universal studios reopening

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The Walt Disney Company Announces $5 Million Donation to Social Justice Nonprofits

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date June 3, 2020

Today the Walt Disney Company announced that it would be pledging $5 million to nonprofit organizations that support social justice.

Walt Disney Company Logo

Let’s take a closer look at the donations pledged.

According to Bob Chapek, Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, “This $5 million pledge will continue to support the efforts of nonprofit organizations such as the NAACP that have worked tirelessly to ensure equality and justice.”

Bob Chapek

The first wave of donations includes $2 million to the NAACP (The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), an organization that supports “the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.”

In addition to donations, several Disney-owned networks paused their normal programming on Tuesday night, instead airing special programming to encourage a discussion of racism and oppression in America. This included an ABC News primetime special, “America in Pain: What Comes Next?” and two special episodes of black-ish.

Black-ish Cast ©Disney

The company also spoke out against racism in a social media campaign.

©Disney

The donations and special programming are just a part of what Disney calls an “ongoing commitment to support organizations that advance social justice,” which also have included a $2.5 million donation to the United Negro College Fund. You can click here to read Disney’s statement in its entirety.

Click here to read all of the Disney NEWS you need to know this week!

What do you think of this charity move by Disney? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, Featured, News, abc news, black-ish, bob chapek, charity, Disney, Disney charity, donate to charity, George Floyd, give to charity, NAACP, social justice, the walt disney company, United Negro College Fund

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Is My Mask Going to Fly Off?! Here’s What You Need to Know About Wearing Masks on Universal Orlando Rides!!

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date June 3, 2020

Universal Orlando is now OPEN for a special Annual Passholder preview, (and we’re ready to drink all the Butterbeer we can get our hands on)!

Butterbeer

While we’ve been taking you to some of Universal’s newly reopened hotels, as well as showing you how the new virtual lines works, we’ve received a lot of questions from you guys about what it’s like to wear face coverings while riding attractions!

Does wearing a mask detract from the thrill of riding Univeral’s attractions? We’re here to tell you everything you need to know about wearing a mask at the theme parks — including a few tips and tricks we’ve picked up from some of the rides we’ve been on today!

Universal Studios

Universal Orlando announced that it would be taking necessary health and safety precautions for guests to visit the parks. While they will have temperature screenings and physical distancing, the parks will also be requiring masks for both guests and employees.

Health Signage

This means that everyone will need to wear masks at all times, except when they are eating, drinking, swimming, or visiting one of Universal’s new U-Rest Areas. Guests are required to provide their own face masks. We’ve also seen Universal’s shops are selling additional face coverings throughout CityWalk and the theme parks.

Universal

Guests without face coverings will be turned away at the gate. Universal MIGHT be able to provide guests with face masks if they forget to bring one, but since this isn’t a guarantee, we think it’s best NOT to chance it!

Learn more about the first day of CityWalk’s phased reopening here!

How Weird Does It Feel To Wear Face Masks on Rides?

Believe it or not, it didn’t feel that strange to us! Since we’re used to wearing masks when we leave the house now (and seeing others wearing masks in our everyday lives), it feels more surreal to actually be sitting down on our favorite attractions again than it does to be wearing a mask!

Universal Studios

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts along with Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure were still super fun — even while wearing a face-covering! We didn’t think it took anything away from our enjoyment of these experiences!

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

Similarly, we were expecting our mask to blow off on faster roller coasters like The Incredible Hulk Coaster, but to our surprise, the speed of the ride kept our mask in place with no issue!

On a water ride like Jurassic Park River Adventure, after our entire car was seated (with rows left empty between guests), we were permitted to take our masks off.

Jurassic Park River Adventure

We’ll keep updating this post as we ride more attractions so you can see how our masks survived on various rides!

Tips and Tricks

And now for a few quick lessons we’ve learned along the way!

On 3D attractions where you’re given special goggles, we recommend placing them over your mask to prevent them from fogging up.
We’ve been wearing face coverings with elastic ties that wrap around our ears which have stayed in place during the rides we’ve experienced!
Bring a back-up face mask or two for everyone in your family in case your mask gets wet. Even if the forecast doesn’t call for rain, we’ve noticed the misting features on several rides (like the Incredible Hulk Coaster and Escape From Gringotts) are still working.

Queue for Hogwarts Express

We’ll be back soon with more face mask ride reviews for you — so sit tight while we check out some more rides!

See everything happening in Universal Orlando LIVE today with us!

What are your favorite rides in Universal Orlando? Let us know in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, Featured, News, Disney, Disney Entertainment, disney news, disney parks, face masks, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, harry potter and the escape from gringotts, incredible hulk coaster, Islands of Adventure, jurassic park river adventure, universal attractions, universal entertainment, universal news, Universal Orlando, universal orlando reopening, universal parks, universal rides, Universal Studios Florida

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Which Face Masks are the MOST Comfortable to Wear ALL DAY at Disney World…And Which Should You Avoid?

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date June 3, 2020

Searching for the perfect face covering can be a frustrating and overwhelming endeavor. There are SO many styles of masks out there, with all different sorts of materials, straps, and patterns imaginable.

Guests with Face Coverings in Disney Springs

If you’re one of the people that stays from rope drop to close, you’ll be looking at twelve or more hours living with your face mask, so comfort is going to be KEY. And with Disney requiring face coverings for all guests above the age of two, it’s advantageous to ensure you’re happy with your mask choice BEFORE you head out to the parks!

What face-covering material is the most comfortable and/or effective?

The CDC recommends that cloth face masks are the most effective when slowing the spread of illness and keeping others safe. But not all types of cloth are created equal, and some are touted as more comfortable and effective than others.

Cast Member with required face mask

When shopping for face masks, you will want to look for materials that are lightweight and breathable. In terms of effectiveness, the material that seems to work best at keeping air-borne particles at bay is a tightly-woven fabric such as cotton.

The number of layers does not seem to be a factor in effectiveness when you have a mask that is made out of these tighter-woven materials (though many still advocate for 2-layers at least). Face masks made of silk or a silk-cotton combination also seem to be effective.

Look for masks with a soft ear loop material

If you opt for a mask with ear loops, the material of the loops is just as important as the material of the face covering itself!

The traditional elastic material commonly used for ear straps can cause discomfort for some if worn over a prolonged period of time. Those elastic straps can wear on your ears and cause irritation, especially in the heat if you start sweating. We found these masks on Amazon that use softer material for the ear straps!

This pack of three is multi-layered and features a soft ear loop material. They’re $15.99 on Amazon.

Shop for this three-pack of face masks here!

These next masks come with a nose bridge wire, offering a closer fit around your nose so those with glasses do not need to worry about fogging up!

These masks also have two layers of fabric, providing more protection for those around you! You can pick up a set of two for $12.50.

Shop for these two-layered face masks here!

Invest in some ear hooks

If the masks you currently use have those traditional elastics, you can purchase a set of ear hooks that take the pressure off of your ears! There are two types of hooks we looked into. The first hook sits on the back of your head and features several “knobs” that the elastics loop around.

These have decent reviews on Amazon and allow the wearer to adjust to three different sizes! You can shop a pack of ten for $13.99.

Shop for these ear hooks here!

The next set of ear relief is these ear protectors that go around the straps themselves, giving your ears a more “cushioned” fit.

You can get a pack of five on Amazon for $7.99. This is a fairly inexpensive way to make your masks comfier around your ears without having to invest in a new set of masks!

Stock up on a pack of ear protectors here!

Shop for masks with adjustable ties

Regardless of how comfortable the ear loop material is, if it doesn’t fit, it can still cause irritation and provide for a less-than-stellar experience. Many masks come in one standard size, and even some masks with elastic earloops don’t exactly fit a “one-size-fits-all” model.

Vera Bradley Face Mask

If you have a mask that is too small or too large, you may run into some trouble if you cannot adjust the size of your mask! One way to avoid an ear catastrophe altogether is to wear a mask with ties that go around your head. The benefits of masks with ties are that you can adjust the tightness of the ties to your liking, plus it removes all of the discomfort around your ears.

You can pick up this face mask with long ties to fit around your head and neck on Amazon for $12.99.

Shop for this face mask with ties here!

When in doubt, go for a face covering with no straps at all!

If you’ve exhausted all of those traditional face mask options and you can’t seem to solve the ear problem, go with a face buff! Also known as a “neck gaiter,” these are a single piece of cloth that wraps around the lower half of your face and extends down your neck.

Many of these neck gaiters, like this one on Amazon, are moisture-wicking, meaning your face will stay dry all day long. We find kids have a VERY easy time wearing this style of mask if yours are picky like ours!

You can grab this neck gaiter on Amazon for $15.95. Note that these are not made out of cotton and are 80% polyesters and 20% spandex, so these will not be AS effective as a cotton cloth mask. If you find these to be more comfortable, be prepared to wash these more frequently!

Shop for this first neck gaiter here!

Some have raised concerns that the tightness of these may be uncomfortable. We suggest picking one up and testing it out for yourself! These are often used in sporting and other physical activities such as biking, fishing, etc. If tightness is still a concern, we found a neck gaiter with a looser fit.

This neck gaiter is also available on Amazon for $13.99.

Shop for this neck gaiter here!

What types of face coverings should you AVOID?

Per CDC guidelines, at this time surgical masks or N-95 respirators are still encouraged to be avoided for personal use and to leave those types of face coverings in supply for health care professionals. Another type of face masks that have been seen in public are those with “breathing valves.”

While they may seem appealing due to the increased breathability, research indicates that the valves allow air and particles to be exhaled out, and if the wearer is an asymptomatic carrier, pathogens could easily escape through the valves of the mask.

This makes these types of masks less effective at protecting others, which is the primary reason for the face-covering protocols.

Face Masks at American Threads

No matter what mask you choose to wear, experts recommend that you wash your mask after every use. So if you are visiting Disney World for a week this summer, be prepared to hand-wash or machine wash your mask every day, or bring enough masks to last the week!

American Threads Face Masks

When it comes to comfort, you may need to try several masks to see what will work best for you! Regardless of which mask you choose, we suggest you spend a couple of days wearing it for an extended period of time to grow accustomed to prolonged wear before heading to the parks. When it comes to effectiveness, a cloth mask made with tightly-woven cotton is going to be your best bet.

Interested in making your own face mask? Learn how to do so here!

What face masks have you found to be the most comfortable? Share in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, Walt Disney World, cloth face masks, Disney Face Masks, Disney World, face coverings, face masks

Tags cloth face masks, Disney Face Masks, Disney World, face coverings, face masks, Featured, Walt Disney World