Categories
Disney Business Disney News Disney Parks Other

News! Legoland Is The First California Theme Park to Propose a Reopening Date

Now that California Governor Gavin Newsom says theme parks may reopen in Phase Three, Legoland has just proposed its reopening date.

Legoland

The theme park located in Carlsbad, California is hoping to reopen on July 1st.

Legoland Florida is set to reopen on June 1st, along with several other Orlando-based theme parks, have announced June reopenings including Universal Studios and potentially SeaWorld. But in California, theme parks aren’t allowed to reopen until at least Stage Three, a phase the state’s health officials are anticipating will happen until June at the earliest.

©SeaWorld

As reported by The Orange County Register, California’s Legoland and SeaWorld were scheduled to meet yesterday, May 27th with San Diego County health officials to discuss what health and safety measures they would be implementing upon reopening (social distancing for guests and staff, increased sanitization, contactless payments, limited capacity, and employee training, etc.), but so far only Legoland has submitted a reopening date.

To see how other theme parks across the world are handling their phased reopening, click here!

©Legoland

Now that Disney World in Florida has submitted its reopening plan and tentative dates, and Legoland in California has proposed a tentative reopening date, we interested to see when Disneyland will make their proposal. As always, we’ll keep you updated as soon as we find out anything!

Read more about the California Governor’s four-phase plan here!

What do you think of Legoland being the first California theme park to propose a reopening date? Let us know in the comments below.

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, News, california governor, california theme parks, carlsbad, Disneyland, first theme park to reopen, Governor Gavin Newsom, health and safety measures, july 1st, legoland, phase three, proposed reopening, reopening date, seaworld, theme parks

Categories
Disney Parks Other

PHOTOS: What to Expect at Disney Springs Now That More Stores Are Open

When Disney officials announced that Disney Springs would re-open in phases, I wasn’t sure how long and spread out each phase would be. Now, we have entered the second phase in which some Disney owned and operated locations have reopened – the biggest of which is the massive World of Disney store. This new phase brings a surge of Disney energy back into Disney Springs. A member of our field research team ventured there to scope out what was open and what it is like to visit Disney Springs during this next reopening phase.

Disney Springs Food Trucks Are Gone

Virtual Queue for World of Disney and Marketplace Co-op

Most likely this will not be the case long term, but at the moment guests wanting to enter World of Disney or Marketplace Co-op need to enter a “Virtual Queue.” What that means is that you check in with a Cast Member at the entrance to the store, providing your phone number, and they will text you when it is your turn to enter the store. This is similar to the system that is used for waiting for a table at many full-service restaurants at Walt Disney World. The challenge is that the communication about this from Disney to its guests has not been that great. This resulted in lots of folks crowding around the entrance, unaware of what to do. Our field team counted 359 people in line for the virtual queue, as in to get their name into the system, at World of Disney around 10:45 a.m. on reopening day. I am hopeful that this is purely because of reopening day hype.

World of Disney Exit
World of Disney Purchases

Other Disney Owned Locations Remain Closed at Disney Springs

Many of the smaller venues that are owned and operated by Disney have not yet reopened. Places like Candy Cauldron and Disney Style at West Side remain closed. We can theorize multiple reasons for this including staffing, the size of the venue, and overall demand each particular retail location not warranting the cost it would take to have it open at the moment. Reopening stores in phases does allow Disney and their hardworking Cast Members to get used to the new procedures before expanding the locations. To our field research team’s deep dismay Amorette’s Patisserie and The Ganachery also remain closed.

Candy Cauldron Remains Closed
The Ganachery Disney Springs Remains Closed
Amorette’s Disney Springs Remains Closed

Exit Only Doors at Many Locations

To help with social distancing and crowd flow, many location have designated entrance doors and exit only doors. It is interesting to see the signs in place. One has to imagine that this may get difficult to manage if Disney Springs becomes busier over the summer once the theme parks reopen.

Additional Changes at Disney Springs

Required face coverings and temperature scans do remain in place, and will for quite some time. Additional changes to Disney Springs include the elimination of paper guide maps. The brochure stands were removed from the entrances to Disney Springs. The LEGO Store is another location that reopened this week, but the interactive play area remains closed – no surprise there. The Disney Food Trucks were removed from the West Side – goodbye cookie dough food truck, we barely knew thee.

LEGO Store Play Area Closed Disney Springs
Disney Springs Maps and Guides Removed

With all this reduction in offerings at Disney Springs there was one surprising addition: Stormtroopers. These Stormtroopers stood on a balcony in the Town Center, above Ever After Jewelry, with First Order banners draped beneath them. Their addition surprised me immensely. Turns out they are their to provide an entertaining way to get social distancing messaging across. Perhaps they are also a test for how to incorporate this type of entertainment and messaging into the theme parks when they reopen.

Ever After Jewelry Disney Springs Remains Closed – And the First Order has moved in

Our field research team, having visited Disney Springs a few times now, recommends bringing multiple face coverings or masks if you plan to be at Disney Springs long, to help with the heat, rain, and humidity. We also encourage you to be prepared for adjustments in procedures at the situation progresses. We will keep you posted with updates to our TouringPlans blog and social media channels.

Goofy’s Candy Company Disney Springs Closed
Disney Springs Sprinkles Cupcakes Closed
Daily Poutine Disney Springs Is Now Open

As mentioned, it seems Disney could have done a better job communicating the virtual queue process for its big merchandise stores. Other than that, things seem to be going fairly smoothly at Disney Springs, all things considered. Will you visit Disney Springs anytime soon? Let us know in the comments.

The post PHOTOS: What to Expect at Disney Springs Now That More Stores Are Open appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Disney Springs, Dos and Don’ts, coronavirus, disney reopening, disney springs reopening

Categories
Disney Parks

Aerophile Characters in Flight reopens in Disney Springs

Characters in Flight

Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s the Characters in Flight hot air balloon! The Disney Springs hot air balloon has officially reopened for guests.

Aerophile’s Characters in Flight is a landmark attraction located at the west side of Disney Springs. The tethered hot air balloon flight takes guests up to 400 ft in the air. Depending upon the weather, you can see up to 10 miles away with the stunning views provided by the flight above Disney Springs.

It’s an 8-minute long ride aboard a tethered hot air balloon. The ride is quite fun for guests looking to try a unique experience at Walt Disney World Resort. We enjoy the waterfront views and ambiance of the attraction. It’s an easy journey into the sky for guests of all ages to enjoy. The attraction is weather dependent, so it won’t operate if there’s strings winds and excessive rain storms.

Tickets can be purchased at the attraction location on a first-come, first-served basis. Pricing:

  • $20 for adults (ages 10 and older)
  • $15 for children (ages 3 to 9)

If you rode the Characters in Flight hot air balloon in the past, then tell us your thoughts of the experience in the comments section!

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Disney Springs, Walt Disney World, Aerophile, Characters in Flight, hot air balloon ride, Hot Air Balloon

Categories
Disney Food Disney Parks

5 SUPER Expensive Disney World Snacks That Are Totally Worth the Bread!

Hey, everybody! We’re feeling EXTRA fancy today which can only mean one thing!

It’s Mickey!

It’s time to fork over some money on our top five favorite high-dollar snacks at Disney World! Don’t worry — most of these pricier Disney World treats barely top out at ten bucks, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t still super-indulgent!

Be forewarned — if you’re on a Disney Dining Plan, NONE of these goodies will be an option for you to use your snack credits on (click here to see some that ARE!). Of course, you can still enjoy ALL of these extravagant treats — you’ll just have to pay for them out of pocket instead! Time to get rollin’!

Spring Rolls at the Spring Roll Cart in Adventureland

Our first stop is one of our most beloved places to visit at Magic Kingdom, especially earlier in the day! That’s when Adventureland’s Spring Roll Cart is still well-stocked and usually has the best selection of delicious spring rolls flavors before they begin to sell out!

Spring Roll Cart

Yes, sadly the secret is out about the Spring Roll Cart and once a flavor is gone, it typically isn’t replenished until the next day. But here’s the real kicker — you get two hefty-sized spring rolls for $7.50 — that means each spring rolls is $3.75 a piece!

Spring Roll Cart’s Menu

Oh, but it’s soooo mouth-wateringly worth it! With flavors like Pepperoni Pizza, Philly Cheesesteak, Rueben, Cuban, and Cheeseburger, you can enjoy a new spring roll flavor every time you swing by!

Pepperoni Pizza Spring Roll

If there’s one snack in Magic Kingdom worth shelling out your hard-earned dough for, this might be it! These little rolls of deliciousness have yet to disappoint us!!

Read our review of the Pepperoni Pizza Spring Roll here!

Colossal Pretzel at Pongu Pongu

Most of us have seen the Colossal Cinnamon Roll lurking in the jungle at Disney’s Animal Kingdom before, but did you know they also have a Colossal Pretzel?!? This park is absolutely WILD about its colossal-sized snacks!

Colossal Pretzel

Sadly, the Colossal Pretzel isn’t shaped like Mickey’s head like his brother the Colossal Cinnamon Roll but it IS almost the size of OUR head! Better yet, Pongu Pongu serves the Colossal Pretzel with a generous helping of creamy, rich Beer Cheese Sauce! There isn’t anything in our lives that isn’t enhanced with melty liquid BEER CHEESE!

Colossal Pretzel with Beer Cheese

Note that this guy isn’t available all day — if you swing by first thing in the morning while they’re still serving breakfast they may not be ready yet, so shoot to grab one around lunchtime or later. This thing is massively sharable (but you totes don’t have to!) and seriously one of the best pretzels we’ve ever had at Disney World. You’re looking at a total cost of $10.49 for this Bavarian-style bad boy!

Read more about the Colossal Pretzel at Pandora HERE!

California Cheese and Charcuterie Plate at BaseLine Tap House

We didn’t know what to think when this trendy, quasi-industrial lounge replaced our sweet little Writer’s Stop a few years ago (much to our relief the Carrot Cake Cookie was spared and is now available at Trolley Car Cafe!).

BaseLine Tap House

But in all honesty, BaseLine Tap House has become one of our new favorite hangouts at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! And judging by how there’s rarely a seat available on its huge outdoor patio these days, it appears a lot of folks feel the same way.

BaseLine Tap House

If you love a good cheese board, you’d be hard-pressed to find one better than BaseLine’s! Theirs includes Toma Farmstead Cheese, Point Reyes Original Blue Cheese, Laura Chenel’s Sonoma Goat Cheese, Chorizo and Calabrese Salami, Cornichons, Grapes, and Toasted Baguette, all for $10!

Charcuterie Board

We happen to think it pairs great with a beer flight for $12! You get to sample four Californian craft beers. Might as well as throw in one of their Bavarian Pretzels for $9, too (here we go again with the cheese sauce!?).

Beer Flight and Bavarian Pretzel

You can have yourself a cheese and bread feast at BaseLine — if you’ve got the DOUGH!

Read our full review of Baseline Tap House’s sips and eats HERE!

Empanadas de Barbacoa at Choza de Margarita 

Now we’re heading over to Epcot’s World Showcase to enjoy some of Choza de Margarita’s delicious Empanadas de Barbacoa! These fried doughy delights are filled with shredded Barbacoa Beef and topped with Chipotle Sauce, Crema Mexicana, and Queso Fresco! It even comes with a side of Corn Esquites dusted with some chili-lime salt! YUMMY!

Empanada de Barbacoa

For $10.50, it’s more in the price range of an affordable meal at Disney World, but we don’t mind the upcharge when confronted with this much deliciousness! Just be careful — they go down REALLY fast! Especially if you’re enjoying them with one of Choza de Margarita’s signature cocktails such as the Smoky Pineapple for $15.50 made with Mezcal Ilegal Blanco, Pineapple-Ginger Juice, Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur and a Tajin Chile-Lime Powdered Rim or their super-colorful Fiesta Marg for $12.75!

Fiesta Margarita

Learn more about the Fiesta Marg at Choza de Margarita here!

We’ve been known to get a little carried away and have to cough up another $10.50 for another round of Empanadas because we ate the first batch so quickly! Whoops!

Check out some of the other menu offerings to pair with the Empanadas at Choza de Margarita here!

Beef Brisket Poutine at Refreshment Port

Our last stop brings us to Refreshment Port which is also located in Epcot. Here is where you’ll find the Beef Brisket Poutine for $9.50!

Beef Brisket Poutine

 What’s not to love about crispy golden-brown Fries covered in pulled brisket, smothered in a bath of Beer Cheese Sauce, and topped with Crispy Onions? Of course, if you’re a Poutine Purist, you can get the Traditional Poutine for $7.50 which comes with French Fries, Beef Gravy, and Cheese Curds!

Traditional Poutine

Occasionally, you’ll even find a new Poutine moonlighting at Refreshment Port like this Duck Confit Poutine they rolled out at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival last year. We sure hope it quacks its way back to this year’s fest! 

Duck Confit Poutine

Of course, Disney World is home to several equally-stellar Poutines which you can read more about here! There’s no shortage of french fries covered with goodies in Disney World!

Read about the Duck Confit Poutine Refreshment Port recently had here!

Now that we got you thinking about some epic higher-end snacks, it’s time to start saving up! Lucky for you, most of these treats won’t break the bank TOO badly! ?

Check out 10 insanely expensive things you CAN DO at Disney World here!

Which of these more expensive snacks are you the most excited about? Let us know in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Counter-Service, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Snacks, Walt Disney World, Adventureland Spring Roll Cart, Baseline Tap House, beef brisket poutine, Charcuterie Board, Cheese Board, Cheeseburger Spring Rolls, Choza de Margarita, colossal pretzel, Cuban Spring Roll, Disney World, Duck Confit Poutine, Empanada de Barbacoa, fiesta marg, high dollar, most expensive snacks, not snack credit elligible, pepperoni pizza spring roll, Philly Cheesesteak Spring Rolls, Pongu Pongu, Poutine, refreshment port, traditional poutine

Categories
Disney News Disney Parks

New Staggered Opening and Closing Times for Park Hours at WDW

With the announcement of the reopening plans for Walt Disney World yesterday, a variety of changes were mentioned that were expected: masks, hand washing stations, and so on. Even the predicted reservation system and reduced crowd levels were mentioned. What wasn’t mentioned, but was updated on Disney’s park hours web site last night, were the changes in park hours.

Here’s the updated schedule currently on the Walt Disney World web site:

Magic Kingdom

  • Magic Kingdom will be open, starting July 11, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Morning Extra Magic Hours are listed on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and Evening Extra Magic hours are listed on Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Select dates also have the hard ticket Early Morning Magic in Fantasyland event from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m., although this may change.
  • There will be no parades or fireworks.

Epcot

  • Epcot will be open, starting July 15, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (This will be a fixed time for all of Epcot instead of staggered opening hours for Future World and World Showcase.)
  • Morning Extra Magic Hours are listed on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Evening Extra Magic hours are listed on Tuesdays from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
  • There will be no nighttime fireworks show.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open, starting July 15, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Morning Extra Magic Hours are not listed for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Evening Extra Magic Hours are listed on Sundays from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
  • There are no parades or “fireworks and nighttime spectacular” (including Fantasmic!)  shows listed.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open, starting July 11, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Morning Extra Magic Hours are listed on Mondays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Evening Extra Magic Hours are not listed for Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
  • There are no nighttime showings of Rivers of Light listed.

Disney Springs

Disney Springs will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. In all likelihood, by the time the theme parks reopen, we would expect all businesses at Disney Springs to have reopened.

Disney’s Water Parks

As of today, hours are listed for Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach starting on June 11. Both parks are listed as open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and there are still mentions of H2O Glow Nights for Typhoon Lagoon on select nights. Disney had not made any sort of announcement about the reopening of the water parks, and this was not included in their presentation to the Orange County board yesterday. It is possible Disney will make another request for reopening shortly, or it could be that those hours will disappear off of the web site in the future. We’ll have to wait and see.

Why the Change?

Although Disney has not given insight into their reasons for the changes in hours, it is likely for logistical reasons regarding bus transportation at the resorts.

  • To allow for less crowded buses, you’ll need to run more buses for a park’s opening and closing time peaks. Staggering opening hours means that you can have the same number of buses show up at a resort to pick people up, but they will be able to go to the same location instead of servicing all four theme parks for the same morning opening time.
  • Staggering opening and closing times may also permit buses to be taken out of rotation for additional cleaning and sanitizing.
  • For park openings, you will need additional room for people to line up, with appropriate distancing, in queues to get on the buses. Having the surge of people come at staggered times will allow for increased room to spread out the lines for the buses.
  • For park closings, staggering the times means you can send additional buses to a theme park to try and clear the rush faster to try and avoid quite as many people standing in lengthy queues.

Are These Shorter Hours 100% Certain?

It’s Disney–nothing is 100% certain. It is possible that, as procedures play out with the reopening of the parks, hours could be adjusted. Should hours change, we will keep you updated. In the meantime, more than ever, if you plan a vacation to Walt Disney World this summer, remember to pack your patience.

What do you think of these reduced hours? Would they make you less likely to vacation to Walt Disney World this summer, or are you excited to have “sleep in” days automatically built into your schedule? Let us know in the comments.

The post New Staggered Opening and Closing Times for Park Hours at WDW appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

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