Author: touringplans.com

This week, we find out what you need to watch this weekend on Disney+, especially for park fans, see what Gerlyn has to say about the unfortunate news for Hong Kong Disneyland, and what thinks of the news about Black Widow being delayed, once again.

In Case You Missed It – Disney and Universal Orlando News and Rumors

For more than 60 years, Disney theme parks have held the Four Keys, but soon they will be adding a Fifth Key. Safety, Courtesy, Show, and Efficiency have been the guiding principles of guest service and now, they will be adding Inclusion as the Fifth Key.

This is a major blow to Hong Kong Disneyland. According to Bloomberg, the resort lost an option to expand its site after local authorities decided not to renew an agreement to develop a neighboring plot of land. While Disney will still be able to invest in the current property, not having that extra land certainly isn’t a great thing.

Gerelyn shared: Hong Kong Disneyland is not going to be able to renew their land rights to expand. This will restrict their growth but they have committed to expand within the existing park by adding one new attraction almost every year through 2023. This should be interesting to see how they invest their current land.

While I’m trying to avoid most spoilers on this attraction, because someday I’d like to get to Tokyo Disneyland, a video of the new Beauty and the Beast attraction got posted to Twitter and the internet rightfully lost their minds. Um….I don’t know about you, but watching Belle and the Beast waltz is pretty darned amazing.

I am gonna be honest. I miss cruising. And maybe we are one step closer to being able to do so as the Cruise Lines International Association has come up with some mandatory core elements of health protocols that must be implemented and followed. If these things were implemented, would you feel comfortable getting on a cruise ship again yet?

We’ve got this weekend’s activity all planned! I don’t know about you, but I plan on having the new Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom fired up, which is an original National Geographic documentary that is narrated by Josh Gad and as Disney claims, you are welcomed to a place where wonder meets the wild.

Also, if you want to watch a combination of really unique Disney theme park content, here are some fantastic TV theme park specials from the past that are all on YouTube. I don’t know about you, but I’m intrigued. Which are you going to watch first?

The reshuffling of Disney films continues, as a number of films, including Black Widow will be pushed back. Now you won’t be able to see Black Widow until May 2021, a year after it was originally supposed to debut. Take a look at the full slate of what’s moved and what’s staying here.

Well, I don’t know about you, but I certainly wish that Genie would grant me one of these shirts! A t-shirt from 1992 that features the Genie sold for a whopping $6000! (Oh by the way, the individual originally bought the shirt for $500….I should really see what I have in my closets.) Take a look to see what the shirt looks like. (And hey! Maybe you have it in your closet and can make a pretty penny off it!)

Debuting this weekend during the Emmy Awards was the first trailer for WandaVision which will be airing on Disney+ later this year. It certainly looks like it will be interesting. The show stars Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany, and it will officially be the first series from Marvel Studios that streams exclusively on Disney+. The series is a blend of classic television and the Marvel Cinematic Universe in which Wanda Maximoff and Vision—two super-powered beings living idealized suburban lives—begin to suspect that everything is not as it seems.

Julia let us know her thoughts about the trailer: I’m probably on the planet farthest removed from superhero movies. I don’t think I’ve seen any in. . . . more than 10 years? But I’m so excited for WandaVision because it doesn’t look like a superhero thing where guys with crazy powers save the world. It looks quirky, and I’m all aboard for that!

The post What We’re Talking About: Hong Kong Disneyland, Black Widow, & More appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: In Case You Missed It, What We’re Talking About

Great news for fans of Aulani! (Of which I count myself!) Guests will once again soon be able to visit Aulani – A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina on the island of O’ahu in Hawaii beginning on November 1! This is due to Hawaii’s recent announcement of a pre-arrival testing program for those traveling from out-of-state.

The reopening will be a phased reopening and Disney will of course be focusing on the health and safety of their Guests, Cast and community. This gradual, phased reopening considers the guidance of local and national government and health authorities, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as the U.S. Travel Association and Disney’s team of health and safety experts.

During the reopening process, Disney will be able to evaluate and adjust along the way, as circumstances and the recommendations of authorities change.

For those looking to travel to this island paradise, you can currently book reservations for 2021. So, get ready to once again say Aloha to this fantastic resort!

The post Get Ready to Say Aloha Once Again to Aulani – A Disney Resort & Spa appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Aulani, News, aulani, COVID-19

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, like almost all the other Disney Vacation Club resorts, is partially open. This results in a few interesting moments, including a limited amount of dining options. Only Kidani Village is open which leaves Sanaa and the Maji Pool Bar as the only dining options at the Lodge.

Sanaa Breakfast

Sanaa is one of the highest-rated restaurants at Walt Disney World; our readers give it a 94% thumbs up rating, and it is ranks at number 7 out of 103 dining options. Besides delicious dinner and lunch, Sanaa is also open for quick service breakfast. The options are not as impressive as their lunch and dinner, but there’s still some decent choices.

While Mobile Ordering is available for Sanaa at lunch or dinner To Go, it is not available for this quick-service breakfast. Each breakfast item has some exotic influence, but is still approachable enough for anyone who prefers more traditional flavors. Breakfast at Sanaa debuted in 2016 and has come and gone as seasonal needs change. The menu has changed since then too.

Beverage stations are set up near the front of the restaurant, and along the Lounge. Grab and go pastries and beverages are available too.

Maji Pool Bar

The other dining option currently open at Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village is Maji Pool Bar. It has a limited casual food menu which is great for poolside dining, but leaves a bit to be desired as the only other dining option at the resort. A particularly disappointing dish is the Berber Black-Eyed Peas Harvest Salad with mixed greens, tomato, cucumber, and red onion. While this chilled salad is refreshing on a hot day, it lacks flavor, severely.

The best food find of our team’s stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge is also the sweetest. Zebra Domes are the signature dessert of this Lodge. The silky desserts are made of Amarula Cream Liquor mousse with a light vanilla outer layer, white chocolate, and dark chocolate stripes. These iconic domes are available at Johari Treasures, the merchandise shop inside the Kidani Village lobby.

Zebra Domes have been available here for quite some time; the big news is our 30% annual passholder discount applied to them!

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What’s your favorite food find at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge?

The post Food Finds at Animal Kingdom Lodge appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Dining, Observations, Resorts, best disney dining, disney dining, disney sanaa, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Zebra Domes

One of the unique features of Walt Disney World is the immersive atmosphere that surrounds Magic Kingdom. Two large lakes, the Seven Seas Lagoon outside the Magic Kingdom and Bay Lake, are the gateway to the Most Magical Place on Earth. Staying at the Magic Kingdom area resorts affords a magical way to arrive or depart the Magic Kingdom. Our team recently embarked on a magical cruise around Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon using boat transportation, and captured some lovely photos.

Are you considering staying at a Magic Kingdom area resort? Use our Room Finder to know which rooms have the views your looking for.

What is your favorite spot on the Seven Seas Lagoon or Bay Lake?

The post PHOTOS: Venture the Magical Waterways Around Magic Kingdom appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Magic Kingdom, Photos and Video, Transportation, Walt Disney World (FL), disney boats, disney lakes, Disney photos, Disney Transportation

During a recent stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge our team was reminded how important a smooth check-out can be. You spend so much time planning your Walt Disney World trip that it can be a big let down if your trip ends on a rough note. Sometimes things can be out of your control, but there are some ways to help ensure you have a smooth check-out from your Disney hotel.

Here are some of our favorite tips, and many of these can be applied to any hotel stay.

• Communicate with the Front Desk any requests for housekeeping needs, including late check-out, upon arrival.
• Reconfirm your housekeeping needs with Housekeeping when you get to your room. Call on your in-room phone.
• Hang the Do Not Disturb tag on your door the night before your departure.
• Pack up what you can the night before so you’re not rushing the morning of your departure.
• If you want a late check-out call the Front Desk to confirm if one is available. Keep in mind this can be an extra charge at some hotels.
• Call the Housekeeping department the morning of your departure to communicate when you will depart.
• If you are departing before check-out time, it is a great idea to let the Front Desk or Housekeeping know so they can get to your room early.
• Walk through your room, open all the drawers, to make sure you did not leave anything behind.
• Don’t forget to grab your phone charger.
• Most hotels email your folio with your final charges on it. Be sure to check this before you depart in case any errors need to be addressed.
• If you have any concerns about your experience try to get in touch with a manager before you depart. This usually makes for a better resolution.

I worked in the hotel industry for quite a while, and one of the common complaints received is a member of Housekeeping knocking on the door early in the morning of departure. Housekeepers have a slam-packed schedule and it is no doubt the toughest job in the building. But with a little extra communication things may should go smoothly.

What tips do you have for a smooth hotel stay?

The post Tips for a Smooth Check-Out From Your Hotel appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Disney Vacation Club, Dos and Don’ts, Resorts, Trip Planning, disney covid, disney hotels, disney on site hotels, disney reopening, disney resort hotels, Disney Tips