Author: disneyfoodblog.com

We’ve been hanging out in the reopened Disney World resorts this week and there are a lot of updates!

One of the updates we’ve been really interested in learning more about is the new Virtual Chat feature for resort guests. This new option gives resort guests a whole new way to access Cast Members at the front desk while they’re staying at a Disney World resort. It’s SUPPOSED to be super quick and easy — but that’s not quite how things turned out.

What is the Virtual Chat feature?

You might recognize the Virtual Chat feature from the Disney World website. Typically, it can be used as an alternative to calling guest services when you need a quick answer. However, sometimes high-demand can hinder the system and make it so that wait times are super long to reach anyone via the chat.

The new Virtual Chat for resort guests actually uses the same “Chat with Us” feature that’s offered on the Disney site. This means that the system is already established but it ALSO means that resort guests are currently thrown into the same overwhelmed chat as everyone else during busy times.

The feature was supposed to launch with the reopening of the hotels on Monday, June 22nd. It seems, though, that it got off to a clunky start. We were unable to access Virtual Chat until June 24th! When we finally did try out the new service, things still didn’t run perfectly.

How does it work?

Here’s how our first-time use of the system worked! We tried to ask for some extra towels in our room today and ran into some long wait times. As a resort guest, you should see a new option pop up on the menu screen of your My Disney Experience app. Just click on the button that says “Chat with Us.”

From there, it will take you to a messaging window. This is where you can type your question or request. Right now, though, we were met with a few paragraphs about the overwhelming demand on the servers. That’s right — it turns out the chat actually redirects you to the same chat server that’s on the Disney website.

Of course, the Disney website chat is experiencing SUPER high volumes right now with all of the big questions people have. Unfortunately, this translates to a potentially lengthy wait in your resort chat — even just for towels.

When you do get a response, you’ll see a little red dot pup up on the “Chat with Us” button to tell you you have a new message.

When volumes aren’t overwhelming, the chat Cast Member will connect you to a Cast Member at your resort who can assist you. The system definitely still has its issues though.

Since the Virtual Chat function does not have a special channel for resort guests to directly contact THEIR front desk, it can take a looooong time to get your chat request resolved. For instance, it took us over 2 HOURS to see that little red dot appear the first time we reached out and almost 2 hours the second time we tried as well. You honestly might be better off just giving the front desk a call. 

We can see the chat being SUPER useful when lines aren’t clogged, but anytime the chat gets busy, those wait times make it feel less like a perk and more like a bust. Still, if you can’t call down to the front desk for whatever reason, it’s nice to have this option.

We’ll be trying Virtual Chat for resort guests again when the chat lines die down a little bit. For all the latest updates on changes in a reopened Disney World, keep an eye on DFB!

Click here to learn more about the Virtual Chat!

Have you tried the new Virtual Chat feature? Tell us in the comments! 

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, disney resorts, Featured, Walt Disney World, Disney World reopening, Disney World Resort hotels, disney world resort reopenings, guest services, Resort Guests, resort hotel reopenings, virtual chat, virtual chat feature

We know you guys have been experiencing a crazy time the last few days trying to figure out how the new Disney Park Pass reservation system works!

We’ve been trying to answer all your questions about Disney Park Pass since before it went live and we’ve even shared a step-by-step tutorial of how to use it, none of us were prepared for how glitchy it would be!

While it took A LOT of patience and sheer determination, we know many of you were eventually able to get those reservations. If you still haven’t been successful, click here to read some solutions to the most-common Disney Park Pass problems we’ve encountered!

And while certain days at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom have already filled up, Disney has shared that they “will make more space available for Annual Passholders and the public later this week.” So we should expect to see more spots open up in the coming days.

Keep in mind Disney Park Pass reservations are subject to availability and will help the theme parks manage their attendance levels better during their phased reopening. Only guests who’ve had both theme park tickets AND a hotel booking have been able to make Disney Park Pass reservations as of June 22nd. On June 26th, Annual Passholders WITHOUT a resort stay can make reservations. Then on June 28, existing ticket holders can make reservations.

As with everything, things are ALWAYS changing right now, so if Disney provides any updates about its new Disney Parks Pass system, we’ll be sure to pass them along to you!

This great tip could be the trick to getting your Disney Park Pass reservations EARLY!

Will you be making your theme park reservations on Friday? Let us know what time you’ll be getting up in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Disney News, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, added, adding more reservations, adding more spots, annual passholders, Disney Park Pass System, Disney World, friday, glitches, june 26th, park pass, reservations, spots add

Disneyland previously shared their plans to reopen Disneyland and Disney California Adventure on July 17th and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel were set to open July 23rd. 

Now, Disney has officially announced that Disneyland Resort WILL not be opening on these dates. 

In fact, Disneyland is holding off on reopening altogether for the time being and will announce a reopening date at a later time.

According to Disney, “The State of California has 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…”

Downtown Disney will reopen on July 9th as planned. You can read more about the reopening Downtown Disney here. 

At this time, Disney World is still set to begin the phased reopening of its theme parks beginning July 11th and July 15th. We will share more details on the reopening of Disneyland Resort as information is announced. Stay tuned!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, Disneyland Resort, Featured, Disneyland, Disneyland reopening

We love checking out all of the awesome Disney-inspired designs from Loungefly!

So what new Loungefly designs are coming just around the riverbend? Fans of Pocahontas, you’re in for a treat!

June 23rd marked the 25th-anniversary of the release of Pocahontas. And, in honor of the anniversary, Loungefly shared a sneak peek of the upcoming collection inspired by the film! We’re already daydreaming about snagging this gorgeous crossbody bag!

And the wallet is also beautifully detailed! We love the nod to the “spinning arrow” from Pocahontas’ dream!

Here’s a look at the inside of the wallet, complete with a design of Meeko and Flit!

A release date for the new collection hasn’t been announced yet, but we’ll keep an eye out for more info!

Check out this adorable Loungefly backpack featuring Wall-E and Eve!

Do you plan on snagging a piece from the Loungefly Pocahontas collection? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney merchandise, Featured, News, Loungefly, new loungefly, pocahontas, pocahontas loungefly

We’re still obsessing over the Disney x Love Your Melon Spring Collection!

And it’s time to clear out some space in our closet because the Disney x Love Your Melon Summer Release is dropping TOMORROW!

The collection includes several caps and headbands to help keep you cool in style!

So, let’s take a look at all the new headwear we can rock this summer! The Black Denim Washed Cap is available in either a Mickey Mouse Outline or Minnie Mouse Outline design for $40!

And the Black Scrunch Headband also comes in your choice of either Mickey Outline or Minnie Outline design for $25!

Looking for a pop of color? The Mickey Mouse Outline Navy Denim Cap and Minnie Mouse Outline Crimson Denim Cap both caught our eye! You can snag one of these for $40.

There are colorful headband options too! The Mickey Mouse Outline Navy Headband and Minnie Mouse Outline Red Headband both make for a fun fashion statement. You can grab one for $25!

And if you’re looking for a more animated version of the classic characters, check out the Mickey Mouse Black Denim Cap and Minnie Mouse Black Denim Cap, available for $40!

More of a headband fan? The Mickey Mouse Black Scrunch Headband and Minnie Mouse Black Scrunch Headband might be your style, for $25!

We love the way these Mickey and Minnie designs pop on the White Denim Cap! You can add one of these to your collection for $40!

And rounding out the summer release, we have the Mickey Mouse Gray Scrunch Headband and Minnie Mouse Gray Scrunch Headband! These cuties are available for $25!

If you want to get first dibs on the Disney x Love Your Melon Summer Release, mark your calendar for tomorrow morning — the collection drops on Thursday, June 25th at 10AM CT! Happy shopping!

Check out this adorable “Up” Pandora charm we spotted in Disney World!

Which of these new Disney x Love Your Melon designs is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney merchandise, Featured, News, Disney merch, disney x love your melon, love your melon, mickey hat, mickey headband, minnie hat, minnie headband