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Step Inside Once Upon A Toy — Now Reopen in Disney Springs!

You’ll find Once Upon A Toy in the Disney Springs Marketplace.

Once Upon A Toy sign

This cheerful stop packed with tons of fun finds for the kids (and all of us kids at heart) is now reopen for guests!

Of course, new safety measures are in place in keeping with all the new health protocols now implemented in stores and restaurants throughout Walt Disney World’s shopping and dining district.

Once Upon A Toy

Similar to the World of Disney, for instance, cast members keep track of the number of guests inside the store as part of limited capacity measures to allow for physical distancing.

Once Upon A Toy

There is hand sanitizer available at the entrance, and plexiglass has been installed at the registers.

Once Upon A Toy

Signage in the store provides more reminders to keep at a safe distance.

Once Upon A Toy

Still, as always, there are plenty of TOYS to check out, along with nods to our very favorite pals from Toy Story.

Once Upon A Toy

Once Upon A Toy

And remember, you can also find a few items that were once unique to Pandora — The World of AVATAR in Animal Kingdom, including Banshees from the Banshee Rookery at Windtraders here!

Once Upon A Toy

So remember that you can find the Banshees here in advance of the reopening of Animal Kingdom park itself, which will welcome guests again — as will Magic Kingdom — on July 11th. EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will follow on July 15th. And you can read the latest news on the reopening of Walt Disney World by visiting any of the links below.

But for now, it’s SO LONG from all your favorite TOYS at Once Upon A Toy!

Is Once Upon A Toy a must-stop for you in Disney Springs? Please let us know with a comment!

Related posts:

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  3. We’re Spicing Things Up at The Spice & Tea Exchange — Now Reopen in Disney Springs!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney merchandise, Disney Springs, Featured, Walt Disney World, banshees, disney springs, Disney Springs Marketplace, disney springs reopening, Once Upon A Toy, Pandora — The World of AVATAR, The Rookery, Wind Traders

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Disney News Other

Disney Pledges $5 Million To Support Nonprofit Organizations That Advance Social Justice

Disney Pledges $5 Million

The Walt Disney Company has pledged $5 million to support nonprofit organizations that advance social justice, beginning with a $2 million donation to the NAACP to further their longstanding work promoting social justice by eliminating disparities and racial discrimination through their advocacy and education programs.

“The killing of George Floyd has forced our nation to once again confront the long history of injustice that black people in America have suffered, and it is critical that we stand together, speak out and do everything in our power to ensure that acts of racism and violence are never tolerated,” said Bob Chapek, Chief Executive Officer, 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.”

Today’s pledge is part of Disney’s ongoing commitment to support organizations that advance social justice. For many years, Disney has worked closely with groups that advocate for and empower communities of color, including the NAACP, whose mission is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race.  The Company has also previously provided millions of dollars in grants to help students from underrepresented groups make the dream of higher education a reality, including $2.5 million to the United Negro College Fund.

In addition, through the Disney Employee Matching Gifts program, employees are able to increase their impact in their communities by donating to eligible organizations, with the Company matching those gifts.

Disney has used its creative resources and platforms to address issues of race and inequality. On Tuesday night, the Company aired a slate of special programming on a number of its TV networks to encourage a discussion of racism and oppression in America. The programming included an ABC News primetime special, “America in Pain: What Comes Next?,” that examined the protests and outrage across the country in response to the killing of Mr. Floyd. The special was preceded by the re-airing of two monumental and timely episodes of black-ish: “Hope,” which explores the issue of police brutality and flaws in the judicial system, and “Juneteenth,” which examines the lack of accurate representation of African Americans in our nation’s history.

For more information about the important work of the NAACP, click here.

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Disney & Co, News, Black Lives Matter, Disney Donates, NAACP, support nonprofit organizations, Walt Disney Company

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Governor Ron DeSantis announces Florida will move to Phase 2 in its reopening process

Florida Phase 2 Reopening

In a Press Conference, today at Universal Studios Orlando Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida will move to Phase 2 in its reopening process effective Friday, June 5th, 2020!

WATCH LIVE: Press conference in Orlando

Posted by Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Phase 2 means that bars, movie theaters, and concert venues can now operate at 50% occupancy, retail stores, restaurants, and gyms can now operate at full capacity, and gatherings of up to 50 people are permitted.

Schools and organized youth activities can now reopen as well.

Phase 2 reopening

The state of Florida was required to have two weeks of a sustained drop in COVID-19 cases before moving to Phase 2 reopenings.

In case you missed it Disney Annual Passholder Preview has been announced for Walt Disney World Theme Parks Reopening starting on July 11th!

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: News, Parks & Resorts, Walt Disney World, COVID-19, Disney World, Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis, Phase 2

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Disney News Disney Parks Other

NEWS: Florida Governor Announces Most of State Will Move Into Phase Two of Reopening This Friday

Florida has spent the last month in Phase One of Governor Ron DeSantis’s Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery.

Palm Trees

And today, Governor Ron DeSantis was present at Universal Orlando Resort which is currently hosting an Annual Passholder preview ahead of its June 5th reopening to the public. It was here that Governor DeSantis made an announcement that most of the state will enter Phase Two this Friday as well.

Within Phase Two (which excludes Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties), the Governor stated that the major changes Floridians will notice include the reopening of bars and movie theaters, along with some additional venues.

The BOATHOUSE Bar in Disney Springs

Bars and pubs will be permitted to operate at 50% capacity inside and at full capacity outdoors for dine-in service. Movie theaters and entertainment venues such as bowling alleys will also be able to open at 50% capacity (and with “appropriate social distancing and sanitation protocols”).

Phase Two will also see the opening of what was referred to as “Pari-mutual facilities,” which host things like slots, racing wagers and cardrooms. They will also be expected to observe strict safety guidelines.

As a reminder, Walt Disney World will begin reopening to guests on July 11th, first by opening Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11th, followed by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th. You can read more about the upcoming reopening of the Resort by visiting any of the links below.

Are you following the reopening of Florida’s economy? Please let us know with a comment.

Related posts:

  1. News! Florida Theme Parks to Submit a Plan for Reopening Says Governor
  2. Florida is Working Out a Plan to Reopen Businesses. And They Want Disney’s Help.
  3. 4 Key Points From Today’s Re-Open Florida Task Force Meeting

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, Featured, Walt Disney World, Florida Government, florida governor, florida reopening, Florida Reopening Plan, Florida State, governor desantis, phase two, phase two reopening, Reopening Plan

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Disney News Disney Parks Other

NEWS: Major League Soccer Is Set to Play Out 2020 Season at Walt Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports

While we’ve been chatting a lot about the possibility of the NBA finishing out its season in Walt Disney World (and you can read the latest on that developing story here), it also looks as though Major League Soccer will be doing so, according to an article by The Washington Post.

Jostens Center at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

While the article notes that MLS has not issued an official statement, Major League Soccer  and the MLS Players Association have reached an agreement to continue the 2020 season.

The article goes on to state that the 26 MLS teams “will arrive in Orlando no earlier than June 24.” Teams will play at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Walt Disney World (though without live viewers).

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

Tournament details have not yet been released, but it’s anticipated that the league will make an announcement soon. The Washington Post also shares that players will stay in a “closed environment” at a Disney Resort hotel.

To read the story in full, you can visit The Washington Post here.

Source: The Washington Post

Walt Disney World will begin reopening to guests in mid-July, starting with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11th followed by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th. You can find out more about the upcoming reopening by visiting any of the links below.

What do you think of Major League Soccer continuing its season in Walt Disney World? Please let us know with a comment!

Related posts:

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  3. What’s New At Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort!: Menu Updates, Logo Merchandise, and More!!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney resorts, Featured, Walt Disney World, ESPN Wide World of Sports, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, major league soccer, Major League Soccer 2020 Season, Mjor League Soccer in Walt Disney World, MLS