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#DisneyMagicMoments: Share Your Disney Memory of a Special Mom in Your Life

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com

Thu, May 7, 2020

#DisneyMagicMoments: Share Your Disney Memory of a Special Mom in Your Life

by , Editorial Content Director, Disney Parks

As Mother’s Day approaches, treasured memories of mom warm the heart like no other time of the year. And earlier today, Walt Disney World Ambassador Marilyn West grabbed our attention with a heartwarming memory of her own from a magical Disney visit with mom years ago!

With the uplifting photos, Marilyn also challenged her friends on Instagram to post a similar Disney memory of a special mom in their life – and we’re loving what’s been shared.

Disney super fan Emily Sims from Magical Kinda Mama accepted the challenge and shared a touching photo of a favorite Disney memory with her children at Disneyland Resort.

Disney memories with mom can span generations like with cast member Lisa Mendillo. Lisa accepted the challenge and posted a heartfelt photo with her mom as well as with her new daughter surrounded by balloons and happiness.

Betsy. S and her mom and grandmother at Epcot.

For Betsy S. of the Disney Parks Moms Panel – her Disney memory with a special mom is with her grandmother during an unforgettable visit to EPCOT at the Walt Disney World Resort.

And this Mother’s Day, other members of our Disney Parks Moms Panel are sharing inspiring memories to mark the occasion.  Along with heartfelt advice about making Disney vacation destinations more magical, Aena D, Tiffanie S, Samantha K, Nancy W, Donyell R and Shantel H are also sharing their fond memories with mom or as mom.

Now, it’s your turn! We’re excited to see more favorite Disney memories of a special mom in your life. Share your photo or video now on Instagram tagging #DisneyMagicMoments and challenge three friends of your own to show their favorite images.

Be sure to check back for updates on this story and more #DisneyMagicMoments.

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Disney News Disney Parks Other

Walt Disney World Resort Donates Fabric to Orlando Ballet to Create Face Coverings for Central Florida Communities

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com

Wed, May 6, 2020

Walt Disney World Resort Donates Fabric to Orlando Ballet to Create Face Coverings for Central Florida Communities

by , Director of External Affairs, Walt Disney World Resort

Walt Disney World Resort Donates Fabric to Orlando Ballet to Create Face Coverings for Central Florida Communities - Photo Collage

As we continue to identify ways to support our community during this unprecedented time, Walt Disney World Resort is joining together with Orlando Ballet to make a difference for the Central Florida community.

With the temporary suspension of the performance season at Orlando Ballet, staff from their wardrobe department have been hard at work using their talents to sew face coverings for the members of our community who need them most. To support this inspiring effort, Walt Disney World Resort donated more than 400 yards of fabric and 2,400 yards of elastic to the organization, which will be converted into an estimated 3,000 of these much-needed non-medical, non-industrial-grade face coverings for local healthcare workers. Check out this video to see how the teams are making a difference together!

“It’s an honor to collaborate with one of Orlando Ballet’s longtime supporters and neighbors — Walt Disney World Resort — on this project,” said Cheryl Collins, interim executive director, Orlando Ballet. “Disney does such inspiring work in our community and we can’t thank them enough for their generosity. Orlando Ballet is extremely proud of our team and volunteers who have come together to create so many face coverings that are vital to people in Central Florida during this time.”

For Costuming Strategy and Initiatives Manager Fredd Gunzel, who has worked at Walt Disney World Resort for more than 20 years and has a background in the arts, this story was particularly meaningful. It was only fitting that he would be the one to make this impactful delivery.

“In costuming, we’re all about taking care of each other,” said Fredd. “So being able to donate this fabric and elastic to Orlando Ballet to create these face coverings for our local community is something we are grateful to be a part of.”

In addition to this contribution, Walt Disney World Resort actively supports Orlando Ballet through dance programming sponsorship, financial and in-kind support.

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Disney News Disney Parks Other

Discover Disney Magic Moments – Now in DisneyNOW!

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com

Wed, May 6, 2020

Discover Disney Magic Moments – Now in DisneyNOW!

by , Content Producer | Media Network Synergy, Programming, & Partnership Marketing

DisneyNOW

We are thrilled to share an even easier way for kids to access some of their favorite Disney Parks content from home. A whole new world of Disney Magic can be virtually experienced now in the DisneyNOW app. Race around with the Parr family on the Incredicoaster at Disney’s California Adventure park, sing a tale as old as time with Beauty and the Beast stage show on Disney Cruise Line or even watch the new “Magic Happens” parade at Disneyland park!*

DisneyNOW is a kids-safe app with the newest episodes and current seasons of your favorite Disney Channel shows, DCOMs and dozens of games. Click here to access the Disney Magic Moments collection in DisneyNOW!

What is your favorite video in the collection? Let us know in the comments below!

*Disney Magic Moments were previously recorded.  Please check DisneyParks.com for current availability of offerings.

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Disney News Disney Parks Disney Recipes Other

#DisneyMagicMoments: Tonga Toast at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort –The Ultimate Mother’s Day Breakfast Treat

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com

Wed, May 6, 2020

#DisneyMagicMoments: Tonga Toast at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort –The Ultimate Mother’s Day Breakfast Treat

by , Food & Beverage Content Relations Manager, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts

Tonga Toast from Kona Café at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

When you read “banana-stuffed sourdough bread, battered, deep-fried, and dusted with cinnamon-sugar” you know what’s coming – Tonga Toast! Currently served at Kona Cafe and Capt. Cook’s, this decadent breakfast classic has been on the menu at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort since 1971.

This blissfully rich breakfast recipe is the perfect Mother’s Day treat and a great way for the family to enjoy a taste of Disney magic.

Tonga Toast from Kona Café at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Tonga Toast from Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Serves 4

Ingredients:

Sugar-Cinnamon

  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Batter

  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 1/3 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Tonga Toast

  • 1 quart canola oil, for frying
  • 1 loaf sourdough bread (uncut, 12 inches long)
  • 2 large bananas, peeled

Directions:

For Sugar-Cinnamon:

Mix sugar and cinnamon in medium bowl (large enough to roll toast) with a fork until thoroughly blended.  Set aside.

For Batter:

Whip eggs in medium bowl (large enough to dip toast) until well beaten. Add milk, cinnamon, and sugar. Mix well and set aside.

For Tonga Toast:

  1. Using caution, preheat oil to 350°F in a large pot or a deep fryer. (If using a large pot, use a candy thermometer to make certain the oil does not get any hotter or it will burn.)
  2. Slice the bread into four three-inch-thick slices.
  3. Cut each banana in half crosswise, then each piece lengthwise.
  4. Place a bread slice flat on the counter and tear out just enough from the middle (do not tear all the way through) to stuff half a banana into; repeat with each bread slice.
  5. Dip stuffed bread into batter, covering both sides, allowing excess batter to drip off bread and place carefully into hot oil.
  6. Cook 4-5 minutes until golden brown. If needed, turn toast over after 2 minutes and cook for another 2 minutes on other side. Remove and drain excess oil.
  7. Roll toast in cinnamon-sugar. Repeat for each piece of toast.

NoteThis recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version. As a reminder, while preparing this recipe, please supervise children who are helping or nearby.

Click here for a print-at-home version of this recipe!

Keep checking back on the Disney Parks Blog for more #DisneyMagicMoments that include delicious Disney recipes. And be sure to share the magic with other Disney fans using the hashtag #DisneyMagicMoments. Happy cooking!

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Disney News Disney Parks Other

A Message about Disney Parks from Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pamela Hymel

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com

Tue, May 5, 2020

A Message about Disney Parks from Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pamela Hymel

by , Disney Parks Chief Medical Officer

A Message about Disney Parks from Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pamela Hymel

Dear Guests,

As you may have heard at Disney’s Q2 FY20 Earnings Results Webcast, our CEO Bob Chapek announced that Shanghai Disney Resort will begin the phased reopening of Shanghai Disneyland on May 11 – an encouraging sign for Disney parks and retail locations all over the world. After so much time at home, I know many of you are eager to enjoy the magic of a Disney parks visit, and we can’t wait to welcome you back.

I’m fortunate to work with Disney’s extraordinarily talented team of health and safety experts who are some of the most experienced in the industry. Together, with our colleagues in operations, and local health and government authorities, we’re evaluating several new and enhanced safety measures to do our part towards helping us stay well while we work, stay, and play at a Disney resort and a Disney store. I’m also working closely with the US Travel Association on a set of guidelines the travel industry may tailor to their individual businesses to help demonstrate that safety of travelers is a top focus.

To that end, I want to share an update with you about our plans and considerations as we prepare for the reopening of our parks, resorts and stores. At Disney, we’re exploring:

  • Phased reopening: We’re looking at all of our locations and how best to begin the reopening process, including a gradual reopening and/or partial reopening of certain locations. For example, the opening of retail and dining locations prior to the opening of our theme parks.
  • Physical distancing and capacity measures: As you can imagine, managing guest density in queues, restaurants, hotels, ride vehicles and other facilities throughout the park and across the resort is a major focus, as we implement physical distancing guidelines based on guidance from health authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and appropriate government agencies. This will likely include implementation of guest capacity measures to comply with state and federal guidelines. We’re also exploring ways to use technology to aid us in these efforts, like with our Play Disney Parks App and through virtual queues at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
  • Cleanliness and sanitization: We’re planning increased cleaning and disinfection, determining where that should take place (for example, in high-traffic areas), and the cleaning products and processes we’ll use.
  • Screening and prevention support: We’ll follow guidance from the government and the medical community regarding enhanced screening procedures and prevention measures, including those related to personal protective equipment (PPE), such as face coverings. Some measures, like adding hand sanitizers and hand washing stations across our resorts, have already been implemented.
  • Cast training: We’re further emphasizing our strong culture of health and safety amongst our cast members, and will continue to provide new training and reinforcement as we get closer to reopening.

These are just a few examples of the many areas we are developing plans for, so please keep an eye on our online channels, where we’ll provide more details as we confirm and begin to implement our plans. Given the constantly changing global health environment, these practices may evolve as we consider the latest guidance, but we will share more information with you as we look towards reopening.

In the meantime, our focus remains on the health and safety of the entire Disney community – including the wellbeing of the Cast Members who are caring for and securing our parks and resorts during the closure. We have already implemented a number of enhanced health and safety measures, such as increasing the frequency of cleaning and disinfection in work areas, adjusting practices to promote physical distancing, and providing Cast with access to necessary PPE, including face coverings. We continue to learn from these experiences and will carry these lessons into reopening and beyond.

Finally, I want to recognize the medical professionals working to bring care and comfort in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. We will continue to do what we can to help support the medical community and our local communities during this time.

We’re looking forward to welcoming all of you back to our Disney parks, resorts and stores. Until we are together once again, we wish you and your families health, hope, and happiness.

Thank you,

signature of Dr. Pamela Hymel