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LEGO Store in Disney Springs Reopens on May 27th

LEGO Store

More good news for Walt Disney World Resort! The LEGO Store at Disney Springs will officially reopen to the public on Wednesday, May 27, 2020.

The LEGO Store is quite popular among both kids and adults. They have fantastic photo opportunities with their impressive LEGO displays, such as their unofficial store mascot, Brickley the Sea Serpent. The other LEGO character displays are quite impressive and worth seeing while visiting Disney Springs. Shoppers can find brick toys of fan-favorite franchises for Star Wars, Marvel Comics, Disney, and other franchises.

The LEGO Store is reopening on Wednesday along with a handful of other Disney Springs stores, such as the World of Disney and Marketplace Co-op. To protect the health and safety of guests, the store will have capacity limits and require social distancing from other shoppers. Due to the current pandemic concerns, we expect to see some other minor changes. It’s unlikely that the play area will be open. Many kids enjoyed playing with the open LEGO bricks and figures, but it’s understandable if this isn’t available upon reopening.

Have you ever stopped for photos at the LEGO Store in Disney Springs? What are your family’s favorite LEGO toys? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Other Disney Stuff, Disney Springs, Parks & Resorts, Disney Springs Reopening, Lego, Lego Store, Walt Disney World Resort

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Disney News Disney Parks

NEWS: Tokyo Disney Resort’s Shopping District to Resume Business June 1st

Just yesterday, it was announced that the Japanese government would be lifting the state of emergency for Tokyo.

Fantasmic! at Tokyo DisneySea ©Disney

In response, it appears that some businesses and destinations are already beginning to reopen. Ikspiari, the shopping and dining district at Tokyo Disney Resort, just announced that it will be reopening on June 1st.

Ikspiari is located near the entrance to Tokyo Disneyland and makes for the Japanese equivalent of Downtown Disney or Disney Springs. The complex has been closed since late February but will be resuming business next Monday, June 1st.

Tokyo Disneyland

According to the Ikspiari reopening statement, measures will be taken to prevent the spread of infection and to promote the safety and security of employees and customers. If the complex reaches capacity, guests may be asked to wait temporarily for admission.

Tokyo Disneyland Concept Art ©Disney

As a reminder, Tokyo Disney Resort — and Ikspiari — are not owned by Disney. These properties are operated completely by Oriental Land Company and they pay a licensing fee to the Disney company. Still, the reopening likely marks a step towards the return of Tokyo Disneyland.

Click here to read about the removal of the state of emergency in Tokyo. 

What do you think of the reopening of Ikspiari? Tell us in the comments! 

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, disney parks, Featured, News, Tokyo Disney Sea, Tokyo Disneyland, Ikspiari, reopening, tokyo disney closure, tokyo disney reopening, tokyo Disney resort, Tokyo DisneySea

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Disney Parks Other

STEAM Tips from Walt Disney Imagineering: Technology, Science and Math

Imagineers use STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) every day to create groundbreaking experiences that are not only appealing, but also properly designed in terms of size, materials and coatings. To round out our series about STEAM tips from Imagineers, several of the technical artists at Imagineering shared their tips as it relates to technology, science and math.

Tip – Take things apart to see how different technologies are incorporated into one system

Tip – Take things apart to see how different technologies are incorporated into one system
Liz Diaz, a senior ride mechanical engineer, said, “Look at all the things around you and learn how they work. Take something apart (with permission if needed!) and see if you can’t put it back together. Attractions are created from many different technologies incorporated into one amazingly complex system. Learning how everything works helps to apply these different technologies in new and exciting ways.”

Tip – Be a great scientist by developing your observation skills

Tip – Be a great scientist by developing your observation skills
Alfredo Ayala, a Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development executive, suggests, “To be a great scientist you need to develop great observation skills. Robot animation requires the ability to merge real world physics with the art of acting, dance and music. Next time you talk with someone, notice their movements, the locations of their eyes and their facial expressions. Observe how they change when you ask them a question. This exercise helps you strengthen your observation skills. We are always exploring how math is present in art and technology.”

Tip – Take a class about logic and truth tables to make sense of complex scenarios

Tip – Take a class about logic and truth tables to make sense of complex scenarios
David Gaetke, a project coordinator, said, “Logic and truth tables are a great way to navigate through a complex scenario with many possible outcomes and multiple decision makers (did someone say ‘group project?’). First, you’ll want to map out the logic path for each scenario. There are some great resources online if you’re not familiar with how to do this. Then, weigh the pros and cons of each outcome. Finally, present your findings to your team and guide them through making a decision. I use this method to see what implications design decisions will have further down the road, or to make a decision between two seemingly similar options.”

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Uncategorized

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Disney Food Disney Parks Other

The 8 BIGGEST Disney World Menu Changes That Happened This Week!

We stopped by Disney Springs to check out the newly reopened locations and, of course, enjoy some eats!

Bruschetta

Disney Springs began a phased reopening on May 20thwith select third-party shops and restaurants welcoming back guests. And the new health and safety measures weren’t the only thing that was different — we also spotted menu updates at several of the Disney Springs restaurants. Here are the biggest menu changes we saw!

The Polite Pig

We swung by The Polite Pig and found a few new menu items waiting for us to enjoy! Pork Rinds are now available, complete with a pimento dipping sauce!

Pork Rinds

But wait, there’s more! They’ve also added a new Chef’s Special — Shrimp and GritsWith smoked grilled shrimp covered in a honey peppercorn glaze and served over a bed of creamy cheddar grits, this was just too good to pass up!

Chef’s Special at The Polite Pig

We also noticed creamed corn and a private barrel bourbon flight which were both new to the menu.

Polite Pig Creamed Corn and More

And just a heads up, we checked with a member of the team and confirmed that the Gideon’s Bakehouse cookies are not available at The Polite Pig right now. But don’t worry, they will be back eventually!

To read more about our meal at The Polite Pig, click here!

Starbucks

And Starbucks welcomed back guests — literally — with the “Welcome Back” drink — a blended mango dragonfruit refresher with coconut milk, strawberries, blueberries, and pineapple ginger syrup topped with golden ginger whipped cream!

Welcome Back Drink at Starbucks

This drink was super refreshing and we loved the combo of fruity flavors! No word on how long it will stick around, but if it’s available on your next visit to Disney Springs, we recommend giving it a try!

Check out our first visit back to Starbucks in Disney Springs!

Frontera Cocina

Frontera Cocina will be offering a modified menu for a limited time, so we stopped by to give a few of the options a taste! We tried the Play With Fire Margarita and the Chipotle Chicken Flautas, which were both fantastic!

Flautas and Margarita

The margarita was made with cucumber, jalapeño, fresh lime juice, agave nectar, a hibiscus salt rim, and your choice of Montelobos mezcal or Tromba Blanco Tequila. It was a great blend of sweet and tart, with just the slightest hint of heat!

Play with Fire Margarita

And the Chipotle Chicken Flautas were filled with a mix of mashed potatoes (!!!) and chicken, which made for a wonderful flavor combo! Frontera Cocina was two-for-two in our book!

To read our full review from Frontera Cocina, click here!

Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill

Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill also sported some menu changes at both their table-service restaurant and to-go counter. The table-service restaurant is temporarily offering an all-day menu, rather than separate lunch and dinner menus.

Wolfgang Puck Modified Menu

Since the items inside skew more towards dinner, they’ve started offering more lunch items at the to-go window. And there are new desserts to-go as well — the Reese’s Cookie, Strawberry Shortcake, and Salted Caramel Banana Pudding all made their debut!

Plus, they’ve also started offering cocktails to-go, which were previously only available inside.

Wolfgang Puck To Go

We tried a few of the new to-go items as well as the tried-and-true favorite appetizer, bruschetta, from the restaurant.

Bruschetta

Spoiler alert, everything we had here was fantastic! But we have to give a special shoutout to the star of the show, the Salted Caramel Gelato topped Banana Pudding.

Check out our full experience at Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill!

Earl of Sandwich

We also stopped by Earl of Sandwich, one of our favorite Disney Springs staples, to try the new-to-us Chocolatti drink. What exactly is a Chocolatti? We’re glad you asked!

It’s blended Ghirardelli chocolate topped with sea salt, whipped cream, and chocolate sprinkles.

Chocolatti

We liked how cool and refreshing this drink was, but it wasn’t quite as chocolatey as we were expecting. But if you’re looking for a more understated chocolate flavor, this might be for you!

Check out our first trip back to the reopened Earl of Sandwich!

Morimoto Asia Street Food

Morimoto Asia Street Food reopened on May 22nd, and we couldn’t wait to stop by and check it out! They’re offering a temporary menu with reduced options, but we still found plenty to satisfy our cravings!

We tried the Spicy Chashu Ramen, which we’ve previously seen offered on the Morimoto Asia table-service menu.

Spicy Chashu Ramen

The ramen was quite spicy and delicious! If you’re heat-adverse, you might want to stick to the Tonkotsu Ramen instead, but we loved the heat! We also noticed that they switched out the pork tenderloin bowl with a beef tenderloin bowl. 

Click here for our full experience at Morimoto Asia Street Food!

Wine Bar George

We also stopped by the delightful Wine Bar George and spotted some new Fries and Frozen drink pairings at their quick service spot, The BasketWe did confirm with a member of the team that these are suggested pairings, but they aren’t being sold as a combo deal at this time.

But see if you can resist these incredible pairings! How about the Queso Fries with the signature Frosé??

Queso Fries

Or maybe the Togarashi Fries with Friezling made with Dole Whip Lime is more your style?

Togarashi Fries

Or maybe you’re interested in the heavenly pairing of California Fries with Frozcato made with Dole Whip Pineapple?

California Fries

Or, last but not least, what do you think of the Buffalo Fries with Freaujolais?

Buffalo Fries with Freaujolais

Each of these baskets comes with a whole POUND of fries, so this is a great snack if you’re starting to feel hangry! Each flavor of fries was a winner in our book. What can we say, Wine Bar George has knocked it out of the park again!

Click here for our review of the loaded fries at The Basket!

Paradiso 37

We also noticed some menu changes at Paradiso 37They’re also offering limited menu options for the time being, as we saw with several Disney Springs restaurants.

Paradiso 37 Outside View

We did spot a few new items on the menu, including Beef Empanadas filled with beef, sour cream, and pineapple chutney and those Mini Ice Cream Cones are back!

Here are 4 awesome Disney Springs dining deals, including Happy Hour specials at Paradiso 37!

We were happy to be back in our element at Disney Springs, and having some new menu items to check out made it even better! We’re continuing to keep an eye on the eats and drinks available in Disney Springs, so stay tuned for more updates!

We were at the reopening of Disney Springs…here’s everything you need to know!

Which Disney Springs restaurant are you the most excited to visit? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Counter-Service, Disney Springs, Featured, Snacks, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, bbq pork bun, Disney Springs Earl of Sandwich, disney springs re-opening, disney springs reopen, disney springs reopening, disney springs restaurant, disney springs restaurants, disney springs starbucks, Earl of Sandwich, Frontera Cocina, Loaded Fries, margarita, Morimoto Asia Street Food, Paradiso 37, pork rinds, Ramen, reeses cookie, salted caramel banana pudding, spicy chashu ramen, Starbucks, strawberry shortcake, The Basket at Wine Bar George, The Polite Pig, Wine Bar George, Wolfgang Puck, Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill

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Disney Parks Other

Answering The MOST IMPORTANT Questions We’re Getting From Readers About Disney World Right Now.

A lot is changing in and around Disney World right now as some stores and restaurants have recently reopened in Disney Springs and a plan is in the works for reopening Disney World’s hotels and theme parks.

Disney Springs

That’s why a lot of you have questions about what’s going on and how your future plans at Disney World may be impacted.

We wanted to take some time today to provide you with all the best resources we’ve been compiling over the last several weeks. We’re going to lay everything out on the table and clear up anything and everything we can so that you’ll have all the facts at your disposal.

Here are the answers to the most critical questions we’re receiving from you right now.

What safety measures has Disney implemented so far and are they mandatory?

With the recent reopening of Disney Springs, we now have a better understanding of what Disney World may require its Cast Members and guests to do before entering any of its theme parks (although they haven’t officially announced any new procedures yet for other parts of Disney World other than Disney Springs at this time).

©Disney

What we do know is this: Disney Springs isn’t allowing any exceptions to their new safety measures. That means if you don’t want to go through their health-check, have your temperature taken, and wear a face mask for your entire stay, you won’t be permitted inside Disney Springs at this time.

Click here for everything you need to know about temperature checks in Disney World

Are the temperature screenings accurate?

Professional healthcare workers provided by AdventHealth are conducting the temperature screenings at Disney Springs using touchless thermometers. The easy-to-use handheld devices use infrared light to read the energy your body produces, translating this data into a temperature reading within two-tenths of a degree of accuracy in some cases.

Advent Health Cast Member at Temperature Screening

To be allowed to enter Disney Springs, your temperature needs to be under 100.4 F. If your temperature is 100.4 F or greater, you’re allowed to wait off to the side in a tented “cool-off” area and have your temperature re-taken. If it’s still too high, you and your entire party won’t be allowed inside.

Temperature Screening

When discussing potential health screenings for guests entering Disney World, Disney Company Chairman Bob Iger had previously speculated Disney Parks may implement mandatory temperature checks to enter.

Read more about the technology behind touchless thermometers here!

When do I have to wear a face mask at Disney World?

At Disney Springs, guests over the age of three must wear face coverings at all times. The only time you’re permitted to remove them is when you’re seated at a restaurant or consuming a drink or a food item.

Other than those few occasions, your mask must be covering your nose and mouth for the duration of your visit.

The Polite Pig is Selling Face Masks

While Disney Springs is providing an extremely limited number of disposable face masks for guests who accidentally leave their mask at home, they can’t guarantee they’ll have one for you if you don’t bring your own. That means you could be turned away if you forget to have a face mask for each person in your family over the age of three.

Will you be turned away at Disney World? Click here to learn more.

Will Disney World be limiting its capacity?

Yes. It is expected Disney World will reopen with a limited capacity, as it now states on its website. Realistically, it could be some time before the parks operate at their full capacity.

Walt Disney World website screenshot

See how Disney World has limited its capacity in the past here!

Currently, Shanghai Disneyland is limiting capacity to below 30%.

Shanghai Disneyland

Guests must have an advance reservation (either a dated park ticket, or an actual reservation in the case of annual passholders) to enter.

Learn more about the new reservation system Shanghai Disneyland is using here!

Will I be turned away at Disney World if I have a park ticket and a hotel reservation?

While it’s unclear at this time how Disney World will begin to allow guests back in, a few viable options are possible.

It’s Mickey!

Whether it’s similar to Shanghai Disneyland’s reservation system or something closer to the tiered closures Disney World uses during the holiday season when the parks reach their capacity, we hope to be able to provide you with this information soon.

When is Disney World going to reopen?

That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Now that Universal Orlando, Legoland Florida, and other Central Florida attractions have announced their official reopening plans and dates, Disney World is planning to propose theirs soon.

Monorail at Disney World

So far, we’ve seen many of the first signs we mentioned earlier that Disney World might be preparing to reopen. Florida’s local government has now permitted several small and major theme parks to reopen, Disney Cast Members are slowly being called to work, and Disney Springs has started its phased reopening.

Dole Whip

Click here to read what needs to happen before Disney World can reopen!

It’s unclear what Disney World’s official reopening will be like, but based on what we’ve experienced with Disney Springs so far, we expect Disney World to be very different from how we saw it last. 

Spaceship Earth

It also seems likely that Disney World in Florida COULD reopen sooner than Disneyland in California based on how their local governments are handling the situation. Nothing has been announced at press time.

Could Disney World open first to Florida-residents only? Here’s what we know.

Is my favorite ride or attraction going to be open?

On Disney World’s website, it states some attractions, experiences, services, and amenities may have limited availability or remain closed. That’s a pretty broad statement and we hope to be able to provide you with more clarity soon.

Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom

What we CAN tell you is that looking at Shanghai’s reopening, most of their rides are open to guests. They’ve also changed their character meet and greets — Only parades, stage shows, fireworks, and some play areas with frequent touchpoints have been closed down.

Check out what modifications Shanghai Disneyland has made to its guest experiences here!

What about coming soon attractions? Are they still going open on time?

It’s hard to say…these new projects did experience delays when construction was halted at Disney World. While some attractions were closer to being done than others, it’s unclear how their timelines have been affected.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure was scheduled to open this summer while Space 220 Restaurant already encountered numerous delays pre-closure of the parks.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

And for Disney World’s 50th-anniversary celebration, big plans were in the works for Magic Kingdom including a revamping of Cinderella Castle as well as the new TRON: Lightcycle Run roller coaster in Tomorrowland.

TRON Coaster Construction

Epcot was also left in a precarious spot when the parks suddenly shut down. Plans to close Spaceship Earth had just been announced while much of Future World is currently in the midst of a massive overhaul as part of the big Epcot Transformation. Work also stopped on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. All of these projects and more could be affected, but so far the extent of possible delays hasn’t been revealed.

What can we expect from Disney World in 2021?

Is it even worth it to go to Disney World this year?

That will depend largely on you and your level of comfort. Even if you’ve planned a trip to Disney World a million times before, planning a trip following the closures is going to be more unique with its own set of challenges and problems to work through.

Cinderella Castle at Night

First of all, it’s not going to be the same Disney World from your memories. It will be, but it won’t be. Choosing when you want to visit next is a very personal decision you’ll ultimately have to make based on your comfort level with this whole situation.

Magic Kingdom Sign

If you’re used to traveling to Disney World to attend certain events, festivals, or popular times of year like Christmastime, keep in mind a number of these special things we expected Disney to have announced by now, but Disney has remained quiet.

You might need extra-assurance from Disney before booking a trip if any of these offerings are super-important to you, otherwise, you might want to save your money for when you know they’ll be offered.

Click here to learn more about if it’s worth it to go to Disney World this year!

When is Disney World going to get back to normal?

There has been a lot of speculation floating around about how long it will take the Disney parks to reach their normal attendance levels. Some estimate it could happen as soon as next year while others think it could take even longer.

Haunted Mansion

While all of these analysts’ predictions are just speculation at this point, Disney will only re-open the park to the capacity recommended by the local government and public health officials.

Magic Kingdom

It’s unknown when mass gatherings will be permitted again, but at that time, with the guidance of local and state government, Disney World will most likely start to look and feel a lot more “normal.”

We asked our readers when they’d feel safe returning to Disney World. Here’s what they said.

Should I go to Disney World this year or wait until next year?

There are definite pros and cons to each, which you need to consider carefully before making your decision. If you return to Disney World this year, you’ll get a memorable experience for sure, but whether that’s the kind of memories you’d like on your trip is up to you.

Liberty Belle Riverboat at Magic Kingdom

Attractions will likely be altered, some experiences will likely be missing, and you’ll likely have to wear a mask. If none of that bothers you enough to consider waiting, go for it! If the idea of just being in Disney World again is enough for you, or you don’t have the flexibility to reschedule the same trip later next year, then visiting this year is certainly looking like an option!

Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

Keep in mind though if you have little ones you want to give a perfect Disney experience, this is a “once in a lifetime” trip for your family, or you’re uncomfortable with the new restrictions, then postposing til next year or beyond is a perfectly viable option as well.

Magic Kingdom

As we mentioned earlier, 2021 is the 50th anniversary of Disney World, so while there will be many new experiences to enjoy if you wait, it’s likely there will be more people too!

Click here to see if you should reschedule your trip for this year or 2021!

We hope we’ve helped you make a little more sense out of these last few weeks and what lies further down the road. Please keep sending us those questions and we’ll keep doing what we do to try and answer them as best we can!

Want to stay in the know about everything happening at Disney World? Sign up for our newsletter here!

Do you have a question about Disney World that we didn’t answer above? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll get back to you!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, construction delays, Disney World, Do I have to have my temperature taken, do I have to wear a face mask?, face masks, frequently asked questions, guardians of the galaxy: cosmic rewind, is it even worth it to go to Disney world this year, limited capacity, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, reservations, safety measures, safety protocols, shanghai disneyland, should I go to disney world this year, should I wait to go to Disney world next year?, Space 220 Restaurant, temperature screenings, Tron lightcycle Run, what’s the deal with face masks, when will disney world be normal again, when will Disney World reopen, will my favorite ride be open?