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Resort Restaurant Carryout Is a Delight!

With reduced seating, local regulations, and general discomfort about dining indoors, many restaurants around the country have embraced takeout as a way to increase sales and give customers more options.

In a recent blog post, a reader question asked if doing a “to go” order was an option at WDW theme park restaurants. When we asked at various restaurants at Magic Kingdom, we were told that wasn’t an option, and that mobile order from a quick-service location was the way to get food to go. Because theme parks have such large numbers of people at any given time, it makes sense that there isn’t a carryout option from in-park restaurants, but what about resorts, which tend to have fewer people for mealtimes?

Ordering carryout from Disney resort restaurants has been hit or miss in the past. For instance, you could go to the bar next to Sanaa and order food to go if they weren’t too busy. Now it appears that Sanaa has created a dedicated takeout register outside of the restaurant.

Resort Restaurant Carryout Is a Delight!

Of course this means bread service to go has become part of our new reality!

Resort Restaurant Carryout Is a Delight!

We’ve heard other restaurants at Disney resort hotels are offering this service, and that you can place an order on site or call ahead. (If you’re placing an order on site, you’ll receive a text message letting you know when your order is ready, if you do not feel comfortable waiting inside a building.)

Is this Disney’s best-kept secret? What Disney resort hotel restaurants would you want to do carryout from? Let us know in the comments.

The post Resort Restaurant Carryout Is a Delight! appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Dining, dining, Sanaa

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Disney Parks Other

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Inspires ‘The One and Only Ivan’ Filmmakers

Gorillas have always held a special place in my heart, so I’ve been deeply touched by the award-winning book “The One and Only Ivan,” which tells the true story of Ivan, a 400-pound silverback gorilla who was raised by humans for the first 27 years of his life in a communal habitat in a suburban shopping mall. While there were several other animals there, such as Stella the elephant and Bob the dog, there were no other gorillas. Ivan did not know what it was like to be a part of a gorilla family until he moved to Zoo Atlanta, a fellow Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited institution that oversaw giving him the best possible care. 

 “The One and Only Ivan” has been adapted for the screen and will premiere August 21,  streaming exclusively on Disney+

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Inspires ‘The One and Only Ivan’ Filmmakers
Studying animals, like Zawadi, at Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail allowed filmmakers to observe gorillas’ behaviors, study physical characteristics and the lush environment.

You may see some familiar sights from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park in the film, as the park served as an inspiration to the filmmakers. Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, with its lush greenery, was used as a model for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Filmmakers also spent time studying the behaviors of our western lowland gorilla troops, learning about their family dynamics and observing how they forage for food, play with one another, and sleep. We are very fortunate to have an exceptionally dedicated team of animal care experts who invest a lot of time in building trust with these gorillas, and all the 5,000+ animals in our care, which allows us to work closely with them.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Inspires ‘The One and Only Ivan’ Filmmakers
By observing troop dynamics of the western lowland gorillas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, like Kashata and her infant, Grace, filmmakers were able to weave in elements of reality into the film.

In fact, our work with gorillas goes far beyond caring for the troops at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, through the Disney Conservation Fund, we support the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center (GRACE), the world’s only sanctuary for orphaned Grauer’s gorillas, a critically endangered species. GRACE provides the sort of storybook ending that Ivan dreams about in the movie. Rescued gorillas join an adoptive gorilla family and get to live together in spacious natural forest enclosures.  Our animal care team members provide resources and share their expertise with staff at GRACE, which has been imperative in saving the lives of gorillas and helping ensure they thrive.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Inspires ‘The One and Only Ivan’ Filmmakers
The Disney Conservation Fund has enabled these rescued Grauer’s gorillas to live as a family in their natural home in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

I’m very proud of the work our teams have done to support “The One and Only Ivan” and their dedication to ensuring gorillas are well cared for each and every day. I encourage you to watch this heartwarming story on Disney+, and be sure to check out our free downloadable activity packet with all you need to know about the care and conservation of these wonderful animals.  And for everyday animal adventures, follow @drmarkatdisney on Instagram or @DisneyASE on Facebook.

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, WDW

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In Case You Missed It: News and Rumors – Week of August 21, 2020

It’s been one crazy week. I feel like the month of August is sweeping by in a blur!

This week, learn what new movie is coming to Disney+, take a peek at construction at Disneyland, and more.

In Case You Missed It – Disney and Universal Orlando News and Rumors

Josh D’Amaro is great at sharing unique views of things in the Disney parks and this week is no exception. Here’s a look at Disney’s Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure.

Becoming, a new Disney+ original docuseries gives the spotlight to athletes and celebrities like Adam Devine, Anthony Davis, Ashley Tisdale, Caleb McLaughlin, Candace Parker, and Julianne Hough. It sounds like an interesting premise. The show centers around a visit to the celebrity’s hometown, touring important locations central to their upbringing. Will you be watching?

Today is the debut of  The One and Only Ivan on Disney+. The film, is an adaptation of the award-winning book about one very special gorilla. Take a look at the trailer here.

The Owl House on the Disney Channel will feature the first bisexual lead character for the network.

Gotta give them props….while many of us are sad that Halloween Horror Nights isn’t happening, Universal Orlando Resort is trying to still make pumpkins into rotting pumpkins. In Case You Missed It: News and Rumors – Week of August 21, 2020 ?  Here are some great ways to still get that HHN feel, even without the event this year.

In Case We Missed It

What did we miss? Attach your ideas to any item from Disney’s Twice Upon a Year Sale and send it to blog@touringplans.com with the words “In Case You Missed It” in the subject line.

The post In Case You Missed It: News and Rumors – Week of August 21, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: In Case You Missed It

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NEW Must-Have Merchandise for Disney Villains Fans and Must-Do Attractions Too

By now we’ve all seen Halloween merchandise start to creep into stores and online. But, Disney Villain merchandise is ghoulishly great any time of year. Disney has released some new Villains merchandise at Walt Disney World and online. So let’s celebrate being bad with a look at some of the new merchandise and a selection of some of the best Walt Disney World attractions for fans of Villains.

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom we spotted three new pieces of Disney Villain merchandise.

  • Disney Villains Clue Game – $44.99
  • Disney Villains Button-Up Shirt – $59.99
  • Disney Villains Socks Set – $34.99* (The price was not available from our field team – this is an estimate based on other sock sets we’ve seen at Disney.)
NEW Must-Have Merchandise for Disney Villains Fans and Must-Do Attractions Too
Disney Villains Clue Game
NEW Must-Have Merchandise for Disney Villains Fans and Must-Do Attractions Too
Disney Villains Clue Game
NEW Must-Have Merchandise for Disney Villains Fans and Must-Do Attractions Too
Disney Villains Clue Game – Back
NEW Must-Have Merchandise for Disney Villains Fans and Must-Do Attractions Too
Disney Villains Button-Up Shirt
NEW Must-Have Merchandise for Disney Villains Fans and Must-Do Attractions Too
Disney Villains Button-Up Shirt – Back
NEW Must-Have Merchandise for Disney Villains Fans and Must-Do Attractions Too
Disney Villains Socks Set
NEW Must-Have Merchandise for Disney Villains Fans and Must-Do Attractions Too
Disney Villain Socks Set – Back

On shopDisney online I found some new Disney Villain merchandise, ranging from apparel to figurines.

NEW Must-Have Merchandise for Disney Villains Fans and Must-Do Attractions Too
Maleficent and Goons Figure at shopDisney
NEW Must-Have Merchandise for Disney Villains Fans and Must-Do Attractions Too
Maleficent Mug with Lid at shopDisney
NEW Must-Have Merchandise for Disney Villains Fans and Must-Do Attractions Too
Poor Unfortunate Souls Figure at shopDisney
NEW Must-Have Merchandise for Disney Villains Fans and Must-Do Attractions Too
Ariel and Ursula Singing Ornament at shopDisney
NEW Must-Have Merchandise for Disney Villains Fans and Must-Do Attractions Too
Evil Queen Athletic Shirt at shopDisney
NEW Must-Have Merchandise for Disney Villains Fans and Must-Do Attractions Too
Maleficent Athletic Shirt at shopDisney

Best Walt Disney World Attractions for Disney Villains Fans

  • Peter Pan’s Flight at Magic Kingdom, because Captain Hook
  • Ariel’s Undersea Adventure at Magic Kingdom, Ursula looks amazing
  • Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom, Emperor Zurg is such a dimwitted villain
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom, The Evil Queen is the original Disney Villain
  • Festival of the Lion King at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a unique tribute to Scar with the “Be Prepared” performance
  • Star Tours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Darth Vader may not be a Disney villain but he certainly is the greatest dark lord of them all

What’s your favorite new Disney Villain merchandise? What Walt Disney World attractions would you add to our list?

The post NEW Must-Have Merchandise for Disney Villains Fans and Must-Do Attractions Too appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Halloween, Merchandise, disney board game, disney socks, disney villains

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Disney Parks Other

Take a Special Look at Cinderella Castle’s New Royal Colors at Magic Kingdom Park

I have spent more time photographing Cinderella Castle than any other single structure at Walt Disney World Resort, so I was very excited to capture the castle with its new royal color scheme. This time, I wanted to see how the new colors would transform some of my favorite vantage points that I know so well here at The Most Magical Place on Earth.

Take a Special Look at Cinderella Castle’s New Royal Colors at Magic Kingdom Park Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park

Having spent several mornings now at Magic Kingdom Park photographing this new look for the iconic castle, I’ve come to know it quite well. I love how the new colors pop, how certain details – perhaps unnoticed before – stand out with the gold overlay, and how the castle “glows” now when hit by sunlight.

Take a Special Look at Cinderella Castle’s New Royal Colors at Magic Kingdom Park Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park

There was one angle, though, that I could only capture during this special time. While the work was being done on the castle, the water in its moat had to be drained. Taking advantage of this rare occurrence, I arrived early one morning and was able to walk down into the moat and photograph the castle from a rarely seen angle. From this perspective, Cinderella Castle takes on a whole new level of grandeur.

Take a Special Look at Cinderella Castle’s New Royal Colors at Magic Kingdom Park

It was icing on the cake for me to photograph Cinderella in front of her namesake, just as the sun was coming up. She brought the castle’s new look to life in a way only a princess can.

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, MK, WDW