We’re here with a series of quick posts, “Disney in a Minute,” bite-sized nuggets of information that can better help you understand a Disney term or planning topic. Enjoy!
What is Family-Style Service?
Family-style breakfast at Garden Grill
Among the many words that Walt Disney World uses to describe its food offerings is “family style.” Family-style service is when a waiter brings a platter, skillet, or large bowl of food to your table and everyone in your party serves themselves from the communal dish. A family-style platter will typically be filled with a variety of items. For example, a family-style breakfast platter might include scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, potatoes, and Mickey waffles. You can use a serving utensil to take as much or as little of each item as you like.
Family-style meals typically have a per-person fixed price and the platter will be filled with something approximating slightly larger than normal portions for the number of people in your party who will be partaking of the meal.
Family style dinner at Garden Grill
At most Walt Disney World restaurants, family-style service is an “all you care to eat” proposition. If, for example, you’re having family-style breakfast and your kiddos have sucked down all the waffles leaving none for you, just ask your server and they’ll keep brining more, at no additional charge.
Some of the restaurants on property that specialize in family-style service are Epcot’s Garden Grill and Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Tree Tavern. Some restaurants have a family style option, as well as regular menu items. One example of this is Whispering Canyon Cafe at the Wilderness Lodge. They offer standard fare, as well as family style, multi-person options. There may also be variations on family offerings such as a children’s menu or an allergy-friendly version.
During the pandemic, restaurants such as Chef Mickey’s, which previously operated as a buffet, have switched to family style service, making it a more common occurrence at in Disney dining.
For help finding reservations for family style dining, or any other type of dining, at Walt Disney World, subscribe to TouringPlans and use our reservation finder tool.
Let us know what Disney topics you think need just a bit more explanation.
In the last few days, there have been a lot of guidelines released for resuming cruises! For those of us who are waiting not so patiently to get back on a cruise, it’s super exciting to see progress being made. For those of us who are not comfortable cruising yet, that’s okay! You need to wait until you are ready. I personally passed ready a while ago, but that’s just me–I’m ready to safely sail again. I never dreamed cruises would stop for this long. If I had known my cruise in February was going to be my last cruise for several months, I would have cruised so much harder. No sleep!
Right now, the CDC has a No Sail order in effect for cruise ships in U.S. waters, which runs through September 30, 2020. In addition, CLIA, the Cruise Lines International Association, which Disney Cruise Line is a member of, has agreed to voluntarily suspend cruises through October 31, 2020. Either of those could be extended at any point, but I’m cautiously optimistic that we are getting close to sailing, and we won’t see many more extensions, if any!
Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines collaborated on a Healthy Sail Panel, and they released their recommendations on Monday, September 21t. They’ve made 74 recommendations for every cruise operator to address to reduce the risk of infection and the spread of COVID-19 on cruise ships. CLIA also released a strong set of health protocols which cruise lines must agree to in writing before sailing.
Here are 10 things these new procedures could mean for Disney!
1. Testing and Temperature Checks – Testing is going to become the new norm. The new protocols all include 100% testing for both crew members and guests before embarkation. If anyone in a party tests positive, everyone in their party will likely be denied boarding. It’s possible that additional testing will be required during the cruise, and they also recommend daily temperature checks. According to CLIA research, over 85% of cruisers support testing before embarkation, as well as temperature checks.
2. Masks – Masks will also probably be around for a while. That is not to say guests will be expected to wear a mask their entire time onboard! Masks certainly won’t be required in staterooms, and when guests are eating and drinking. The guidelines also indicate that guests won’t have to wear them when they are outside and socially distanced. They may, however, be required on excursions when social distancing can’t be maintained. CLIA’s research also indicates masks aren’t a dealbreaker for most people, and 93% of cruisers are willing to wear masks if that’s what it takes to get back to cruising.
3. Physical Distancing – Physical distancing is going to be important. The protocols require that ship occupancy is limited so that physical distancing can be maintained. They also want ships to modify onboard facilities, terminals, and cruise-owned islands to promote physical distancing. The protocols want lots of new signage which should help. Restaurants will be modified to spread people out as well. Some activities like sail-away parties, indoor dance parties, and even muster drills will need to be cancelled, or “significantly altered”. In the case of the muster drill, they are recommending innovative solutions to alter the flow of guests. They also want cruise lines to implement touchless boarding and debarkation procedures, as well as schedule arrivals by appointments at the port. I suspect Disney will be both spreading out and enforcing those port arrival times from now on!
4. Ventilation and Sanitation – I’ve always been impressed by the amount of cleaning that happens on cruise ships, and indeed, the CDC had strict guidelines that the cruise lines were already following. Well, we are about to see that taken to an even higher level! Cruise lines are now being asked to reevaluate their cleaning procedures and concentrate on high-touch areas. They want to encourage single-use items like disposable menus instead of reusing the same ones. They also recommend the cruise lines communicate to guests what they can expect in terms of cleaning. The protocols aim to reduce transmission via air management and ventilation strategies as well. They want, where feasible, to use “enhanced filters and other technologies to mitigate risk”. That means upgrading HVAC systems and filters and things like that. I suspect many cruise lines are working on that now, while no guests are onboard.
5. Medical Response Plans – If a guest or crew member should become infected with COVID-19, the new protocols want to make sure that there is a detailed response plan. These would include onboard treatment, isolation, and evacuation. The cruise lines would need to leave some staterooms open for isolation rooms, as well as make “advance arrangements with private providers for shoreside quarantine, medical facilities, and transportation.”
6. Modified Shore Excursions – Cruise Lines will only permit shore excursions that follow the prescribed protocols. Indoor excursions are discouraged unless physical distancing and masks are possible. The rules on excursions will be strict! Any passengers that break the rules can be denied re-boarding. This is a big deal, and a big change! Here’s the exact wording:
“Prior to COVID-19, cruise operators allowed for both fully curated excursions and self-guided excursions and independent exploration at destinations of interest. However, the risk of exposure for the people in communities that are visited, and for cruise ship guests and crew, increase as more mixing between these groups occurs. Therefore, the Panel recommends that cruise operators initially prohibit self-guided tours and independent exploration and only allow certain curated indoor activities until further notice.”
7. Modified Itineraries – While we have suspected for a while that itineraries would be modified, the protocols confirm it. It says: “Cruise operators should initially return to service with shorter length trips.” It also says that, to begin with, itineraries should be as simple as possible, visiting private islands or ports where the cruise line can have more control of the onshore experience. They also released some guidelines to determine if a port should be considered as a possible stop. These guidelines include the local testing capacity and response, as well as the port agreeing to safe passage home for infected individuals and their travel party. This means that when Disney does start sailing, they’ll have to modify some things, and work with passengers already booked who aren’t satisfied with a modified itinerary.
8. Enhanced Protection for Crew Members – I was especially happy to see the safety of crew members addressed! While the safety procedures for guests will help crew members as well, the crew members are in a more unique situation than guests. The guidelines recommend single-occupancy rooms when possible. Downtime, and time ashore is important for crew members who are working long days and nights. They recommend, “providing transportation for crew to certain destinations (e.g., a private beach or designated shopping area with appropriate controls in place) so that crew can take part in activities they enjoy during shore leave time, while limiting riskier exposures.” They also recommend the cruise lines analyze why the crew is going ashore, and if the reason is something the ship can help with onboard (e.g. better internet, phone calls, buying toiletries, etc.), the cruise line should help.
9. Things Can Change – Most of these changes aren’t permanent. CLIA has said the protocols “will be continuously evaluated and adjusted against the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic.” As conditions improve, more normalcy will return!
10. Each Cruise Line Could Do More – CLIA also made a critical point of saying that these are the minimum requirements to sail again. And every cruise line can decide they need to take bigger steps to ensure safe cruising whenever they so choose.
I think the most important thing to note here, is how much work has gone into planning a safe return to cruising. After months of studies led by medical, health, and science experts, the return will be a highly controlled resumption (hopefully) of normal operations in the near future. A limited amount of cruising has begun already in Europe, to great success. The cruise lines believe they can duplicate that success here in the States, and they believe it’s almost time. Some cruise lines have stated cruises could resume in 30 days. 30 days! How exciting would that be?
How do you feel about these new guidelines? Are you ready to cruise again?
Tammy Whiting is the owner of Storybook Destinations. Did you know Storybook Destinations offers a complimentary subscription to TouringPlans with qualified Disney and Universal bookings? Click here for a no-obligation quote on your next vacation.
It’s almost October which means…it’s time to start thinking about your Halloween costume. If you have trouble deciding what to be, look no further for costume inspiration and decoration ideas for the whole family – including the dog!
Whether it’s decorating your home, playing a frightfully fun game of Disney Charades, or dressing up as your favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel or Star Wars character– we want to make sure you have a scary good time this Halloween!
ShopDisney.com has some amazing adult costumes! Save the day as Super power couple Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl with this costume collection for him and her:
Dress up your babies in the cutest Disney-inspired costumes ever! Your littlest ones can be a ‘The Leader of the Pack’, the Belle of the Ball or even go to ‘Infinity and Beyond’ with the costumes below:
Of course, it wouldn’t be a howl-oween without dressing up your favorite fur-babies. Transform them into a loveable snowman, fly with them to Neverland or protect them from local Bounty Hunters:
Last week, we announced that the latest expansion to Tokyo Disneyland Park — featuring New Fantasyland, Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast, The Happy Ride with Baymax and Minnie’s Style Studio — is set to open to guests on Monday, September 28!
Ahead of the opening, I’m excited to share three new
behind-the-scenes videos featuring Disney Imagineers showcasing the exciting new
things to explore in the Park’s largest expansion ever. Across Fantasyland,
Tomorrowland and Toontown, these new attractions, restaurants and shops have
transformed the park into a magical new experience that we can’t wait to share.
The newest area of Fantasyland will immerse guests in the
world of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Beauty and the Beast.” Belle’s village
will make guests feel like they’ve dropped into the beginning of the classic
film and are getting ready to follow Belle on her adventure. The centerpiece of
the area, Beauty and the Beast Castle, will hover above the land and house the
new attraction, Enchanted Tale of Beauty
and the Beast.
Over in Tomorrowland, The Happy Ride with Baymax, inspired by Disney Animation’s Oscar-winning film, “Big Hero 6,” will celebrate the fan-favorite character Baymax as guests join their very own personal healthcare companion for an exciting musical whip ride set to swing them round and round.
Then last, but certainly not least, over in Toontown, international fashion designer Minnie Mouse will welcome guests into Minnie’s Style Studio, where guests can meet the mouse herself and take photos with her modeling her own fashionable creations.
Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea are owned and operated by Oriental Land Co, Ltd.
This week’s SATURDAY SIXtakes a look at the NBA Bubble at WDW! When future generations look back at 2020 there will be a lot of things that will make them shake their head in disbelief. With most movie theaters shut down for the majority of the year, Sonic the Hedgehog will end up being the third highest grossing film in America, a fact which would definitely earn a “whaaaaaaaaat?!” from resident movie critic Aunt Linda. Anyone reading this knows that all of our favorite theme parks shut down, with some yet to re-open (we’re looking in your direction Disneyland…) and sports fans saw the NBA, MLB, and NHL suspend their seasons in March.
During the summer, something truly remarkable happened. The NBA announced they would resume their season inside a “bubble” at Walt Disney World. Twenty-two NBA teams came to Florida. The teams would be placed in various Disney resorts across WDW and kept completely isolated from the outside world. Many doubted this ambitious plan could work, with expectations that the season would once again have to be scrapped shortly after it began.
NAY NAY.
To date not a single player inside the NBA Bubble has tested positive for the coronavirus, a remarkable feat considering the logistics of everything involved. With the NBA Finals about to begin this week – and thus, the end of this incredible experiment – we thought it was time to spend a little time looking at the Bubble and some of its unique offerings, starting with…
# 6 – The Grand Floridian Barbershop
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort was host to the hometown Orlando Magic, as well as the Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Grand Flo was the only resort players stayed at which would also be used by DVC members and, eventually, regular WDW guests. Because of this, large walls were constructed at the Grand Flo separating the NBA area from the rest of the resort.
This aerial photo of the Grand Flo has arrows pointing to the barriers installed for the NBA Bubble. (photo by @bioreconstruct)
Just as theme park fans love to see things rising above construction walls as our favorite attractions are built, NBA Bubble fans got to see an on-site barbershop be built at the Grand Flo.
Professional grooming can be considered an essential business when it comes to the NBA, and there have been several barbershops opened up within the bubble for players to use. At its peak, the bubble employed 7 full-time barbers, 3 hair braiders, and 3 manicurists on-site.
Grand Flo’s pop up Barbershop. (photo by @NBABubbleLife)Inside the pop-up NBA barbershop. (photo by @NBABubbleLife)The Barbershop even looks great at night. (photo by SI.com)
# 5 – Yacht Club’s Basketball Globe
Disney’s Yacht Club was host to the New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, and Washington Wizards. One of my personal favorite images of the entire Bubble season was seeing the iconic globe from the Yacht Club’s Lobby transformed into a giant basketball.
Blazers at Yacht Club convert iconic globe to a basketball. (photo by @TheSteinLine Marc Stein)Yacht Club Lobby Globe
After the season is over, some NBA players may make a side hustle out of WDW dining reviews. One of the true “best kept secrets” at Disney World is the breakfast offering at Yacht Club’s Ale & Compass. The pancake stack is ::chef’s kiss::
Breakfast at Ale & Compass. (photo by Nassir Little)
# 4 – Coronado Springs
Coronado Springs hosted the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, and the Utah Jazz. The players stayed at Gran Destino Tower. Every teams’ practice courts were located inside Coronado’s convention center.
Enes Kanter and Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics have fun in front of the Lost City of Cibola pool.
The top floor of Gran Destino Tower was converted over to a giant lounge for NBA Players.
Enes Kanter plays a game of pool with a million dollar view outside of Gran Destino.
TouringPlans’ own basketball guru Brian McNichols had a hard time wrapping his head around seeing all the teams practicing at Coronado.
While the players were at Gran Destino Tower, other areas of Coronado Springs were used for other purposes, including a classroom for visiting children.
Before the bubble, a question was posed: when players’ kids start visiting, what about school? Thus, the NBPA’s “Bubble School,” which opened Monday, was born. One NBPA official calls it “probably the safest classroom in the country right now.”
National Basketball Players Association Bubble School. (photo by Baxter Holmes)Coronado Springs guest room converted to a children’s school room. Note the Three Cabelleros in the back wall. (photo by Baxter Holmes)Three Bridges Bar. (photo by @NBABubbleLife)
While every team practiced at Coronado Springs, all the actual games were held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex at WDW.
ESPN Wide World of Sports. At the bottom right of this photo you can see the NBA’s buses. (photo by @bioreconstruct)
# 3 – So much room for activities!
NBA players had a lot of time on their hands over the summer as they quarantined inside the Bubble. However that allowed them to enjoy all the WDW amenities we all enjoy on vacation! Players enjoyed access to a 24-hour concierge, movie screenings, golf courses, video game arcades, fishing excursions, bowling, and more.
Darius Bazley and Chris Paul playing a game of cornhole at Disney’s Grand Floridian.Cornhole champs.
Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingas of the Dallas Mavericks in portable tubs outside the Grand Flo.Boban Marjanovic and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks playing ping pong inside the Grand Flo.The Houston Rockets transformed guest bedrooms at the Grand Flo into their own Planet Fitness.Paul George bass fishes across from The Contemporary.Alex Caruso of the Los Angeles Lakers shows his bass caught at Coronado Beach.
Half of the NBA seemed to be playing golf every day at Disney. Check out the Twitter feed of @NBABubbleLife to see a lot of video of players enjoying the links.
# 2 – MagicBands and Mascots
“It’s made of plastic, or maybe rubber, and is embossed with the silhouette of Mickey Mouse’s face like everything else around here. It’s a wristband because it looks like one. Or a handcuff because you figuratively cannot take it off. Let’s call it a wristcuff.” – Shaun Powell, NBA.com
Before the season started, we knew that players would be required to wear a Disney MagicBand to enter hotel rooms, at security checkpoints, and to check in to coronavirus testing and medical screenings. What we didn’t know is that Disney would have specific MagicBands not just for each individual team, but also a general NBA MagicBand for media and other support personnel.
Note the “Crown a Champion” MagicBand with Cinderella Castle on it.
While the NBA playoffs have been extraordinary so far with some fantastic games, my absolute favorite thing to come out of the entire Bubble experience are these awesome NBA/Dinsey mash-up mascots drawn by artist Ava Buric.
Bullseye the horse as the Dallas Maverick’s mascot is so great. (art by @AvaDrawsThings)I can’t even pick a favorite out of this group. Sam Eagle and the 76ers? Anger and the Miami Heat? Bambi and the Milwaukee Bucks? Each one is straight up E-Ticket. (art by @AvaDrawsThings)
Be sure to check Ava’s work on on Instagram @MascotDrawings to see some more incredible work featuring mascots from a wide variety of sports; including the Phillie Phanatic, the UCF Knight, and…Guy Fieri?
# 1 – NBA Player Robin Lopez is one of us!
2020 marks the second year in a row that NBA player Robin Lopez has prominently appeared the Universe of Disney fandom. You may remember last year when Lopez unwittingly purchased items from Patrick Spikes that were stolen from Walt Disney World. A longtime Disney fan, Lopez has also been seen at events such as Disneyland’s 65th anniversary and the last day of operation for Ellen’s Energy Adventure at EPCOT. Lopez was at these events not as a VIP with a plaid tour guide taking him around the park, but as a regular fan like you and me. Lopez “gets it,” and if there were any doubt, just check out his Twitter feed since entering the NBA Bubble at WDW…
Lopez watches Stacey J on the Must Do Disney channel, just like us.“It’s a hard knock life… for us.”
How many of us have said the same thing when boarding Disney transportation?
Anyone who has used 20 snack credits on Goofy’s Candy Co. treats on the last day of their WDW vacation knows exactly what Lopez is talking about.
C’mon Robin, we all know Via Napoli is the best. GET YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME!!
LOUDER FOR THOSE IN THE BACK!!With tweets like this, Robin would fit right in with us weirdoes perfectly sane people on DisTwitter.
Honorable Mention – Just How Serious is Disney and the NBA with “the Bubble”?
NBA Players were tested regularly for the coronavirus and needed to adhere to physical distancing and mask-wearing policies at WDW. While the NBA had zero positive cases of coronavirus, their testing and contact tracing was no joke. Before players came down, they were informed that anyone who was within six feet of a positive-test person for at least 15 minutes will also be immediately tested.
NBA Player Kelly Oubre Jr.’s twitter account.
So there you have it: The SATURDAY SIX Looks at the NBA Bubble at WDW!See you next weekend for the latest installment of the SATURDAY SIX, where we’ll look at something fun from the world of Disney and Universal. If you enjoyed yourself, be sure to check out The Magic, The Memories, and Merch! articles covering the latest from the Disney Outlet Stores. You can also follow Your Humble Author on Twitter (@derekburgan).
If you enjoyed this article, you will surely like the following:
Right now, the 
2. Masks – Masks will also probably be around for a while. That is not to say guests will be expected to wear a mask their entire time onboard! Masks certainly won’t be required in staterooms, and when guests are eating and drinking. The guidelines also indicate that guests won’t have to wear them when they are outside and socially distanced. They may, however, be required on excursions when social distancing can’t be maintained. CLIA’s research also indicates masks aren’t a dealbreaker for most people, and 93% of cruisers are willing to wear masks if that’s what it takes to get back to cruising.
4. Ventilation and Sanitation – I’ve always been impressed by the amount of cleaning that happens on cruise ships, and indeed, the CDC had strict guidelines that the cruise lines were already following. Well, we are about to see that taken to an even higher level! Cruise lines are now being asked to reevaluate their cleaning procedures and concentrate on high-touch areas. They want to encourage single-use items like disposable menus instead of reusing the same ones. They also recommend the cruise lines communicate to guests what they can expect in terms of cleaning. The protocols aim to reduce transmission via air management and ventilation strategies as well. They want, where feasible, to use “enhanced filters and other technologies to mitigate risk”. That means upgrading HVAC systems and filters and things like that. I suspect many cruise lines are working on that now, while no guests are onboard.
6. Modified Shore Excursions – Cruise Lines will only permit shore excursions that follow the prescribed protocols. Indoor excursions are discouraged unless physical distancing and masks are possible. The rules on excursions will be strict! Any passengers that break the rules can be denied re-boarding. This is a big deal, and a big change! Here’s the exact wording:
8. Enhanced Protection for Crew Members – I was especially happy to see the safety of crew members addressed! While the safety procedures for guests will help crew members as well, the crew members are in a more unique situation than guests. The guidelines recommend single-occupancy rooms when possible. Downtime, and time ashore is important for crew members who are working long days and nights. They recommend, “providing transportation for crew to certain destinations (e.g., a private beach or designated shopping area with appropriate controls in place) so that crew can take part in activities they enjoy during shore leave time, while limiting riskier exposures.” They also recommend the cruise lines analyze why the crew is going ashore, and if the reason is something the ship can help with onboard (e.g. better internet, phone calls, buying toiletries, etc.), the cruise line should help.
