Sometimes it is great to see things from your childhood come back. Other times it’s a reminder how long ago your childhood actual was. At Disney Springs our team spotted new Koosh Ball key chains featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Stitch, and the beloved Orange Bird. Each one features the full body of the character as a rubber figure at the top of the key chain, and a rubbery, springy Koosh ball at the bottom. The 90s vibes are so strong. Each one is $14.99.
Disney Koosh Ball Key Chains at Disney SpringsMickey Mouse Koosh Ball Key ChainMinnie Mouse Koosh Ball Key ChainOrange Bird Koosh Ball Key ChainStitch Koosh Ball Key Chain
For those that need some big sparkle in their life there’s reversible sequin key chains at Disney Springs. Each one is a Mickey Mouse head icon, or a Minnie Mouse icon with sequins that are one color on one side and another color on the other side. Reversible sequins have been very trendy on apparel and housewares for about a year or so. These key chains are also $14.99.
Mickey and Minnie Reversible Sequins Key Chains at Disney SpringsMickey and Minnie Reversible Sequins Key Chains at Disney SpringsMickey and Minnie Reversible Sequins Key Chains at Disney Springs
Which do you like better, the Koosh Ball or the reversible sequins keychains?
For a limited time beginning August 21, guests visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios will get an early glimpse of scenes from Disney’s epic new adventure, “Mulan,” when a sneak peek of the film opens as part of the Walt Disney Presents attraction. As part of this experience, you’ll also be able to see a display featuring an original witch costume used in the production of the film, along with an authentic replica of a warrior costume and sword.
Acclaimed filmmaker Niki Caro brings the epic tale of China’s legendary warrior to life in Disney’s “Mulan,” in which a fearless young woman risks everything out of love for her family and her country to become one of the greatest warriors China has ever known. When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father. Masquerading as a man, Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her inner strength and embrace her true potential. It is an epic journey that will transform her into an honored warrior and earn her the respect of a grateful nation… and a proud father.
Here’s a look at the latest trailer for “Mulan.”
A beautiful Activity Packet, inspired by the film and created in partnership with Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment team, is also available. Download and print your copy now to enhance your experience with “Mulan.”
You can start streaming “Mulan” September 4, exclusively on Disney+ with Premier Access.
Additional Fee Required.
From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com Filed Under: Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort, DHS, Video, WDW
Frequent Walt Disney World visitors usually have the dining system down. They know how to make reservations, when to make reservations, where to eat, what to eat, and what the the procedures are when they arrive at the restaurant. Enter Coronavirus and all that hard-won learning is no longer applicable.
Here are the new things you need to know regarding dining at Disney World.
Many WDW places to dine and drink, such as Singing Spirits, are now closed.
1. No Dining Plan
While the Disney Dining Plan was not right for everyone, a significant number of Disney World guests are devotees, swearing that it helps them plan, budget, and save money on vacation dining.
During the pandemic, Disney has discontinued the Dining Plan. There is no word on when, or if, it will return. Nor do we know if there will be changes to the plan if it returns.
2. Restaurant Hours Have Changed
Many Walt Disney World restaurant hours have been altered during the pandemic. Before getting your heart set on having a particular meal at a particular location, be sure to check the DisneyWorld.com website for current hours.
You can grab a snack, but you have to stay in one place to eat it.
3. Mobile Order May Be Required
Several years ago, Disney began rolling out a mobile order option at some, but not all, quick-service restaurants on property. Mobile order is now all but required at all quick-service locations. Access this via the MyDisneyExperience app on your mobile device.
4. No Character Meals
Well, that’s not entirely true. There is a bit of kinda, sorta character dining at some of the restaurants. For example, at Topolino’s at the new Riviera Resort, there is a “socially distant character breakfast.” Costumed “fur” characters stroll through the dining room, wave, and dance, but they will not stop at individual tables to sign autographs or pose for photos.
5. No Dinner Shows
Aerosol-spewing song and dance do not mix well with dining. The Spirit of Aloha and my family’s must-do The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue are currently shuttered.
6. No Buffets
A few of Disney World’s many typically buffet-style restaurants are open, but their menus have changed. For example, Chef Mickey’s in the Contemporary Resort has stopped serving its giant buffet and now offers platters of food brought to individual tables, to be served family style. You can get more of any item, but you have to ask for it.
Other buffet restaurants, such as the Magic Kingdom’s Crystal Palace, are currently closed.
Self-service food stations may be temporarily discontinued.
7. Your Favorite Restaurant May Not Be Open
As I just mentioned, many of Disney dining’s stalwart institutions such as Crystal Palace are temporarily non-operational. Others on the wounded list include Casey’s Corner, Cinderella’s Royal Table, Columbia Harbour House, the Friar’s Nook, and similarly lengthy lists in the other theme parks; all the dessert parties; and of course all the restaurants located in the hotels that are currently closed.
8. Your Favorite Item May Not Be On the Menu
Most Disney restaurants have streamlined their menus, serving a smaller selection of items. For example, I dined at Tiffins for lunch in November 2019. At that time, the menu listed 10 appetizer choices and 9 entree choices. The menu has now been whittled down to 6 appetizers and 6 entrees.
Expect similar parings across the board.
9. You Can’t Walk and Snack
This is a big one — the days of munching on popcorn as you stroll from ride to ride are now paused. Disney has mandated that all food must be consumed while you are in a stationary position, not while you are walking or otherwise moving about. You can still get your Mickey bar or Dole Whip, but you have to stay in one place while you consume it.
Heavy leather menus have been discontinued, as have many menu items.
10. You May Need a Health Check to Dine
All guests are subject to a temperature check when entering the theme parks, a de facto pre-dining health check. Additionally, there are now temperature screenings before you can dine at many of the restaurants in the Disney resort hotels.
11. Condiment Stations are Different
A key draw of some Disney World quick service restaurants, such as Cosmic Ray’s or Pecos Bill’s, was their bountiful “topping bars” where you could serve yourself a variety of sides and condiments to personalized and embellish your burger or nachos. The serve-yourself aspect of these places is now diminished, with things like the endless ketchup pump replaced by single serve packets.
Additionally, other self-serve food items, such as soda dispensers, may be full-service only.
12. The Reservation Process is Different
In pre-COVID days, guests could make dining reservations up 180 days in advance. The current time frame is up to 60 days in advance.
13. You Need a Park Reservation AND a Restaurant Reservation for Many In-Park Dining Experiences
All visitors currently need a reservation to enter the theme parks. You likely also need a reservation if you want to dine at a popular in-park restaurant such as, say, Be Our Guest. Neither reservation alone will get you in the restaurant.
14. You Can’t Park Hop to Dine
Park Hopping, the practice of visiting two theme parks in one day, is currently discontinued. For years, my family’s preferred touring style was to visit Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, or Animal Kingdom in the morning and then hop to Epcot in the evening, specifically to take advantage of the bounty of restaurants there. This may be the time to branch out and revisit some of the forgotten gems in the other parks.
15. Reservations May Be Required to Dine at a Hotel Other than Your Own
Pre-pandemic, you could pop into any Disney resort hotel, walk up to the restaurant podium and, pending availability, be seated to dine. Currently reservations are required to dine at hotels other than your own.
16. Your Menu May Look Different
With the aim of reducing the number of high-touch surfaces you encounter, Disney has put away the multi-page, leather-bound menus previously offered at many locations, in favor of QR code electronic menus or disposable paper menus. If you’re not familiar with QR readers, now may be the time to learn.
17. You Must Have a Mask on Hand
While guest are obviously not required to wear a mask when physically eating (ewwww), you will need to wear a mask when you enter and exit Disney dining venues. If you’re at a full-service restaurant, it’s also polite to wear it when you’re placing your order or otherwise interacting with your server when you’re not actively eating.
18. Cashless Payment is Preferred
Disney is encouraging guests, whenever possible, to refrain from using cash as a payment method in the restaurants, or anywhere else at Walt Disney World. Bring a credit card, debit card, Disney gift card, MagicBand linked to a Disney hotel account, or a form of electronic payment such as Apple Pay.
How do you feel about these temporary changes? Do they impact your decision to visit Disney World right now?
The Walt Disney World Resort has a brand new way for Guests to be able to dine! Since the return of Guests to the parks back in July, Guests who are looking to dine only had two options – Mobile Ordering or making a reservation ahead of time. Since Disney is heavily promoting minimizing contact with Cast Members, the ability to check for walk-up availability in person has definitely been a sticking point.
Now, Disney is introducing the brand new Mobile Dine Walk-Up Waitlist. This new capability can be found in the My Disney Experience app and it allows Guests the opportunity to quickly view current wait times, as well as any potential dining availability at participating Disney-owned, table service restaurants. By using the app, Guests are able to add themselves to the waitlist with ease without needing to interact with a Cast Member.
How does it work? When Guests click to search for dining reservations on the app, you’ll now see the “Now” option when searching by time for same day availability.
As of right now, the Mobile Dine Walk-Up Waitlist is only available at a few select restaurants, including Topolino’s Terrace, Kona, Sanaa, and Whispering Canyon Cafe, but it is expected to be rolled out to more restaurants in the near future. In addition, this option is only available for parties of seven or less. Parties of eight or more will still need to check at the restaurant podium to see about availability.
Keep in mind that it does seem that the Mobile Dine Walk-Up Waitlist is still in a testing phase.
Tasked with creating a new signature image of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I wanted a shot that conveyed a feeling of foreboding, just like the iconic attraction itself. I already had a spooky nighttime shot I liked, but needed a daytime shot, as well (always good to have options, you know).
It’s hard to make something look creepy on a sunny day, so the natural inclination is to wait for a cloudy afternoon, right? The trouble is, normally on a cloudy day the dark hue of the tower wouldn’t contrast enough against the sky. I basically needed the impossible: a bright, sunlit tower and a dark, creepy sky.
Anybody who’s experienced summer in Central Florida knows the area can be prone to near-daily “sea breeze” thunderstorms that pop up in the afternoons, as winds from both coasts meet in the middle of the state. It means you can be in the middle of a thunderstorm half a mile from someone else who is enjoying a sunny afternoon, and vice versa.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror catches nice sunlight in the afternoons based on its perfect positioning at the end of Sunset Boulevard, and I found the angle I wanted by standing on a nearby rooftop. The secret to getting my impossible shot was watching the radar every afternoon and waiting until one of these cells passed just to the north of the park with dramatic clouds.
Catching that exact scenario was easier said than done. More than half a dozen times over three weeks I drove to Disney’s Hollywood Studios when conditions looked promising, only to have the clouds shade the tower, break up and disappear, or pour buckets of water on my head, instead. Finally, the heavens took pity on me and all my necessary conditions lined up, with dramatic clouds behind a beautiful sunlit tower. The resulting image you see here perfectly captures the dimension of sight I was going for.
Ready to take your picture-taking skills to the next level? Head over to the Disney Youth Programs Kahoot! page to learn photography concepts used by Disney photographers!
From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com Filed Under: Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort, DHS, Photography, WDW
