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Ahoy, mateys! I’m Heather, and I’ll be bringing you the up and coming on all things Disney Cruise Line. Welcome back again this week. Let’s see what’s new in the DCL world!

On Friday, the Cruise Lines International Association announced they would voluntarily suspend sailings of member cruise lines through September 15. It was only a matter of hours before Disney made it official. Since the Magic and the Wonder sailings had previously been suspended through this time, only the Dream and Fantasy were affected. Here are the dates of the latest cancelled cruises:

Disney Dream

• July 31, 3-night Bahamian
• August 3, 4-night Bahamian
• August 7, 3-night Bahamian
• August 10, 4-night Bahamian
• August 14, 3-night Bahamian
• August 17, 4-night Bahamian
• August 21, 3-night Bahamian
• August 24, 3-night Bahamian
• August 27, 3-night Bahamian
• August 30, 4-night Bahamian
• September 3, 3-night Bahamian
• September 6, 4-night Bahamian
• September 10, 4-night Bahamian
• September 14, 4-night Bahamian

Disney Fantasy

• August 1, 7-night Western Caribbean
• August 8, 7-night Eastern Caribbean
• August 15, 7-night Western Caribbean
• August 22, 3-night Bahamian
• August 25, 3-night Bahamian
• August 28, 3-night Bahamian
• August 31, 4-night Bahamian
• September 4, 3-night Bahamian
• September 7, 5-night Western Caribbean
• September 12, 7-night Eastern Caribbean

Guests who were paid in full were offered a full refund, or a 125% future cruise credit to use through March 31, 2022. Those not paid in full were issued a refund. Six months without a Disney ship sailing with guests. Who would have thunk?

Here’s something happy!! It may not show too much, but Scott Sanders from the Disney Cruise Line Blog shared a video from Meyer Werft of what is believed to be the build of the engine room of the Disney Wish! I was super super ready for the Wish before, but I feel like this is exactly the light at the end of the 2020 tunnel I’m waiting for!

Thanks for joining me again this week. “Sea” you next time!

The Disney Cruise Line Update is brought to you by Storybook Destinations. Storybook Destinations specializes in Disney travel, is consistently highly rated by our readers, and is owned by our own blogger extraordinaire, Tammy Whiting. Storybook also offers free subscriptions to TouringPlans to clients with qualified bookings.

 

 

The post Disney Cruise Line News — Week of June 23, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Disney Cruise Line, coronavirus, disney cruise line

Yesterday, Walt Disney World released a list of what restaurants will be open–and although there’s a huge list of dining places that will be open when the parks resume operation, there are also quite a few locations that won’t be open. Here’s a list that, as of the morning of June 23, shows what Disney is not planning to reopen when the parks open next month.

Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom takes some pretty noticeable hits on its closed list.

• Aunt Polly’s on Tom Sawyer Island (this location is often only open seasonally)
• Casey’s Corner
• Cheshire Cafe
• Cinderella’s Royal Table
• Columbia Harbour House
• Cool Ship (in Tomorrowland)
• The Crystal Palace
• The Diamond Horseshoe
• The Friar’s Nook
• Gaston’s Tavern
• Golden Oak Outpost
• The Lunching Pad
• Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
• Prince Eric’s Village Market
• Tomorrowland Terrace (another one that usually only operates seasonally)
• Tortuga Tavern (one more seasonal location)
• Westward Ho

EPCOT

Naturally, all of the closures are in World Showcase, with some locations possibly closed due to the lack of international staff at this time.

• Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (Norway)
• Block and Hans (America)
• Chefs de France (France)
• Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe (Norway)
• Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie (France)
• Les Vins des Chefs de France (France)
• Lotus Blossom Cafe (China)
• Monsieur Paul (France)
• Nine Dragons Restaurant (China)
• Restaurant Marrakesh (Morocco)
• Sommerfest (Germany)
• Takumi-Tei (Japan)
• Tappan Edo (Japan)
• Tokyo Dining (Japan)
• Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar (Italy)
• Tuutto Itallia Ristorante (Italy)
• Yorkshire County Fish Shop (UK)

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

There are some items on this list that aren’t surprising–but a few that we’re still trying to figure out why they won’t be opening. Here’s the list of what will be closed.

• ABC Commissary
• Catalina Eddie’s
• Dockside Diner
• Epic Eats (Near Indiana Jones)
• Fairfax Fare
• Hollywood and Vine
• Hollywood Scoops Ice Cream
• Kat Saka’s Kettle
• KRNR The Rock Station Food Truck
• Market and Neighborhood Bakery (Pixar Place)
• Tune-In Lounge
• Woody’s Lunch Box

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Many of the restaurants closed are smaller kiosks, but there are a couple notable closures. Here’s the list of what will be closed.

• Caravan Road
• Dino Diner
• Drinkwallah
• Eight Spoon Cafe
• Harambe Market
• Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery
• Mahindi
• Pizzafari
• Terra Treats
• The Smiling Crocodile
• Tusker House
• Warung Outpost

As always, operational updates by Disney are subject to change, but this is what we’ve got at this point.

Which restaurants are you most disappointed about not reopening at this time? Are there any that you’re glad to see closed? Let us know in the comments. 

The post Here’s What Restaurants Will Be Closed at Walt Disney World Theme Parks appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Dining, Walt Disney World (FL), coronavirus

We just keep getting little nuggets of news coming out and today, we now have an idea of which Walt Disney World restaurants will be open when the theme parks officially reopen! Not only will table service locations be reopening in the park, but a number of quick service locations, as well as snack options will also be available to Guests.

As a reminder, the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be reopening on July 11 and Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT will reopen on July 15.

Here is a list of what Walt Disney World restaurants will be available when each park reopens:

Magic Kingdom

• Aloha Isle
• Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies
• Be Our Guest Restaurant
• Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
• Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
• Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
• Liberty Square Market
• Liberty Tree Tavern
• Main Street Bakery
• Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
• Pinocchio Village Haus
• The Plaza Restaurant
• Sleepy Hollow
• Storybook Treats
• Sunshine Tree Terrace
• Tony’s Town Square Restaurant

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• Anandapur Ice Cream Truck
• Creature Comforts
• Dawa Bar
• Dino-Bite Snacks
• Flame Tree Barbecue
• Harambe Fruit Market
• Isle of Java
• Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
• Mr. Kamal’s
• Nomad Lounge
• Pongu Pongu
• Rainforest Cafe
• Restaurantosaurus
• Satu’li Canteen
• Tamu Tamu Refreshments
• Thirsty River Bar & Trek Snacks
• Tiffins Restaurant
• Trilo-Bites
• Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes
• Yak & Yeti Restaurant

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• 50’s Prime Time Café
• Anaheim Produce
• Backlot Express
• BaseLine Tap House
• Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo
• The Hollywood Brown Derby
• The Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge
• Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
• Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
• Milk Stand
• Oga’s Cantina at the Walt Disney World Resort
• Peevy’s Polar Pipeline
• PizzeRizzo
• Ronto Roasters
• Rosie’s All-American Café
• Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant
• Sunshine Day Bar
• The Trolley Car Café

EPCOT

• Biergarten Restaurant
• Choza de Margarita
• Coral Reef Restaurant
• Crepes des Chefs de France
• Fife & Drum Tavern
• Funnel Cake
• Garden Grill Restaurant
• Gelati
• Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
• Joy of Tea
• Kabuki Café
• Katsura Grill
• L’Artisan des Glaces
• La Cantina de San Angel
• La Cava de Tequila
• La Hacienda de San Angel
• The Land Cart
• Le Cellier Steakhouse
• Popcorn in Canada
• Refreshment Outpost
• Refreshment Port
• Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue
• Rose & Crown Dining Room
• Rose & Crown Pub
• San Angel Inn Restaurante
• Spice Road Table
• Sunshine Seasons
• Tangierine Café
• Traveler’s Café
• UK Beer Cart
• Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria

 

For those that are looking to dine at at Walt Disney World table service locations, Advance Dining Reservations will be required. As a reminder, the window for booking these reservations has changed and Guests will only be able to make reservations 60 days in advance, as opposed to the previous 180 days. As of right now, Advance Dining Reservations are not available to be made for in park restaurants. We’ll make sure to share that news with you when reservations officially reopen.

The post Restaurants Reopening in the Walt Disney World Theme Parks appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: News, Walt Disney World (FL), restaurants, walt disney world

The Downtown Disney District will officially reopen at the Disneyland Resort beginning on July 9 and of course, there will be some new guidelines that will be enacted to make sure that the resort is following stipulations from health authorities and government agencies to promote physical distancing and cleanliness.

Downtown Disney will have capacity measures in place, as well as limitations on parking and operating hours. When Guests arrive, they will be directed to self-park at Simba lot (at Disneyland Drive and Katella Ave). They will then need to follow signs for clearly marked entrances and exits. Rideshare drop-offs will occur on Harbor Boulevard Guest drop-off and pick-up location, or at the Downtown Disney District Guest drop-off and pick-up location on Downtown Drive.

Prior to entering, Guests will have their temperatures taken and anyone who registers a temperature of 100.4 degrees will not be allowed entry. Of course, face coverings will need to be worn by Guests, as well as Cast Members when visiting the Downtown Disney District. In addition, to keep Guests properly distanced, there will be markings on the ground keeping Guests 6 feet apart, as well as physical barriers in place when distancing is not easily achieved.

As far as additional measures and information, that will be shared closer to the reopening date.

Restaurants will begin to reopen at the Downtown Disney District in a way that incorporates enhanced health and safety measures, including physical distancing, the use of appropriate face coverings, increased cleaning procedures and limited-contact Guest services. To accomplish this, a number of changes are being made to dining locations, including:

• Increased outdoor patio-style seating available at select locations
• Parties seated at tables 6 feet apart
• Digital or single-use menus available at many locations

Guests will be still have the able to make Advance Dining Reservations by booking online or on the official Disneyland app, however, some dining locations may use their own reservation system or virtual waitlist. Guests will need to check with each individual location to confirm how their reservation process will work. In addition, all members of your party must be present before seating, and hosts will be required to bring your entire party to the table at one time.

The Downtown Disney District hours will be 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., daily, however, individual location hours may vary.

The post What to Know About the Downtown Disney District’s Reopening appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Disneyland (CA), Downtown Disney, News, Disneyland Resort, Downtown Disney District

Today, we got to test out the new procedures for mobile ordering at resorts. Specifically, we ordered food at Contempo Cafe at Disney’s Contemporary Resort for lunch to see how the new procedures would work. The answer is surprisingly well for light crowds, however we do have some concerns about how well this will scale for larger crowds.

If you’ve used mobile ordering in the My Disney Experience app, the process will be familiar with minor modifications. For mobile ordering through the app at the resort, you select a time you want to pick up your food.

Then select your items, customize as needed, and pay for the food in the app.

Arrive at your selected time and wait for the app to notify you that your order is ready. At that point, proceed to the entrance point. There will be a marker on the ground to indicate where you should start lining up until there’s room to proceed to pick up your food.

You will be directed to proceed to one of two stations where you will pick up your food. When we were there, crowds were so light that this doesn’t cause any problems, however it may become a bottleneck if those are the only two stations when crowds are heavy.

You receive your order in a bag, packaged to go, with everything inside sealed.

Follow the arrows to the one and only exit.

 

You can take your order back to your hotel room, or find a table nearby. For social distancing purposes, some tables have signs requesting you not to sit at those locations.

One item that we noted is that plastic lids were back on some drinks, but straws are still the paper variety. Otherwise, it is exactly what you’d expect from a to-go order from Contempo Cafe. For drink refills, a cast member will take your old cup and give you a refill with a new cup–cups are not reused, and drinks are not self-service.

Overall, the process is quick and easy, but it remains to be seen how well this will scale up for larger crowds.

The post Resort Mobile Ordering in the Social Distancing World appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Dining, Walt Disney World (FL), Contempo Cafe, coronavirus