This time, we’re sipping, savoring and strolling around this year’s Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival! Whether it’s enjoying the 20 festival marketplaces or family activities, limited-edition merchandise, entertainment and more, guests vacationing in the park have much to share – and here are some favorites:
To learn more about this year’s Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, check our digital Festival Guidebook now available on the My Disney Experience mobile app.
And be sure to check the Disney Parks Blog in upcoming weeks for more #DisneyCreators virtual pixie dust from park guests and visiting friends as we continue our “Stories from the Parks” series.
From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com Filed Under: Epcot, Special Events, Walt Disney World Resort, Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, WDW
As much as we may want our vacation to be a time to unplug, chances are your cellphone will get a major workout if your holiday travels take you to Walt Disney World. Here are some tips and tricks to get your phone ready for Disney travel. Most of these are applicable at any time, but I’ve also added a few that are particularly important during the time of COVID.
The right weather app can help you avoid those Florida storms.
Check on Your Available Storage
The Disney theme parks are some of the most photographed places in the world. You’ll inevitably end up taking loads of photos and possibly lots of memory-eating video. You don’t want to miss capturing a magical moment because you’ve unexpectedly run out of memory.
Before embarking on your trip, check your available storage. If you’re close to maxing out, now may be the time to invest in some cloud storage, offload unused apps, or otherwise clean house.
Update System Software
When you’re at the theme parks, you’ll inevitably encounter thousands of strangers in the course of a day, and not all of them will be savory sorts. One of the main reasons to update your phone system software is to ensure that you’ve got the most up-to-date security systems in place.
Software updates can also improve the speed of your device or unlock new features that will improve your experience.
You need Lines to help you avoid the lines.
Download Necessary Apps
Make sure you have the apps you need to optimize your park experience. These may include:
My Disney Experience: This is a 100% imperative – the true must-have app for every Disney World visitor. Use this for accessing maps, making plans, buying tickets, checking confirmation numbers, ordering quick service food, and much more. As free MagicBands are phased out, you may want to offload some of the MagicBand tasks, such as opening your hotel room door, to the My Disney Experience app on your phone.
Lines: We’re definitely biased about this one, but we also consider TouringPlans’ own Lines app to be another must-have. Use it to check crowd levels, wait times, and most importantly, to follow our Touring Plans. These step-by-step instructions on how to tour the park in the most efficient manner will likely save you hours of waiting in line.
Weather apps: In addition to the standard daily weather apps, you’ll want to download an app that gives fine detail information. My favorites are Dark Sky and Weather Underground, both of which give up-to-the-minute data on precipitation. Given the capricious nature of Florida thunderstorms, Dark Sky can be an invaluable to tool to help you decide whether to make a run for the next attraction or to wait it out a few minutes longer for the shower to pass.
Home monitoring tools: Do you have a Nest device to control the temperature in your home? Do you have a Ring doorbell that shows you who’s at your house? Do you have a video security system? Make sure you have the apps to access all these tools while you’re away.
Air travel: If you’re flying to your vacation, you’ll want your airline’s dedicated app for ticketing, gate updates, and the like. You may also want to have general air travel apps such as FlightAware or Flight Tracker to check the location of your plane. If you’re a member of any airport lounge services, like Priority Pass, you’ll want the app for that. The MyTSA app can help keep you informed about security clearance times at your airport.
Ground travel: The app for your rental car agency can provide loads of information and faster access to a vehicle. If you’re a AAA member, you’ll want their app to help you remediate any problems you encounter along the way. And make sure you have the latest update to your preferred map app. The apps for various gas station chains can help you find service along your route.
Lodging: If you’re staying at an off-site hotel or AirBnB, you’ll want the apps for those services.
Mail tracking: The apps for the US Postal Service, UPS, FedEx, and other carriers can help you manage deliveries while you’re away. Sign up for informed delivery and you’ll know what correspondence is coming to your home.
Grocery delivery: Sure you’re away, but you may want to arrange for a grocery delivery for the day of your return home.
Health and wellness: You’ll almost certainly be getting your steps in at Disney World, but there may be other forms of self-care you need facilitated by an app. For example, do you have your favorite stress-busting yoga or meditation app installed? Do you have an app that will guide you through a hotel room workout? Consider downloading the CDC TravWell app that gives health information specific to travelers.
Learn to Use Mobile Wallet
In the age of Coronavirus, reducing the number of things you touch is a safety imperative. Most of the payment stations in the Disney World shops are configured to accept mobile payments – pay by hovering your phone over the reader rather than by handing a clerk your card or cash.
Keeping your health information updated is particularly important today.
Update Your Emergency Contact and Other Health Information
When you travel, it’s always important for others to be able to access information related to your health care, should you become incapacitated. Does your phone’s health feature include your current prescriptions? The names and contact numbers of your home physicians? The names and contact numbers of family members authorized to speak on your behalf about medical issues? Information about your medical insurance coverage?
Update Other Phone Contacts
Who else might you need to contact while you’re away? Do you have their phone numbers? Possible points of contact might include: your dog walker, kennel, or other pet care helpers; your child’s school, daycare, or after school activity programs; your travel agent; your lawn care or snow removal service; or the stroller or wheelchair rental company you’re using in Orlando.
Download Entertainment
Make sure your devices are loaded with the entertainment you, and your kids, will need to keep you occupied while traveling. Also consider downloading some games that can be played quickly as you wait in line for attractions.
Bear in mind that park hours are currently limited, so you may have a bit more free time now than during a typical Disney trip. Do you have the perfect ebook for lounging at the pool?
Learn How to Read QR codes
Many restaurants are now foregoing physical menus in favor of online versions that are accessed via a QR code that’s scanned with your phone’s camera. Depending on your phone, QR reading may happen automatically, or you may have to download an app.
Learn How to Track Your Device
What would you do if you lost your phone at Disney World? Set up “Find My Phone” on an Apple device, or the equivalent on an Android, and you’ll be well on your way to recovering your lifeline. In addition to electronic methods, you may want to consider putting your email address on your lock screen or on the exterior of your device. If someone else finds your phone, it will be much easier get it back if they can contact you.
Brush Up on Your Camera Techniques
Now’s a good time to review all the things you can do with your phone’s camera. Do you know how to zoom? How to take action shots? Can you use a timer for selfies? Do you know optimal photo composition techniques?
Are You Ready for International Travel?
If you’re coming to Disney World from a country other than the U.S. (that will be a thing again someday, we promise), make sure your calling plan will work during vacation. Also download your favorite currency converter and favorite language translator, if applicable.
Consider making note of the numbers of relevant embassies or consulates, as well as details about your passport information and instructions on how to obtain medical care while in the U.S.
Clean Your Phone’s Exterior
In the COVID era, you will have a mask on in the parks, but your phone will likely be exposed to possibly germ-ridden air throughout your stay. Some folks will opt keep their phone in a plastic baggie, though that makes photography problematic. In the absence of that, you’ll want to clean your phone thoroughly several times a day, and particularly before you put it to your face to make a call.
A convenient way to do this is with cleaning wipes. Look for “lens cleaning” or “electronics cleaning” wipes that are safe for use with phones. I got a box of 300 on Amazon for about 20 bucks and now always have a few in my pocket. Be sure to clean both the front and back of your device.
Guests can catch a brand new entertainment offering at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and I think it will be music to your ears! Appearing at the Theater of the Stars where Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage is performed, is the Disney Society Orchestra. Performances will include a collection of beloved Disney and Pixar songs.
The shows feature musical highlights from some of your favorite movies with songs being performed from The Little Mermaid, Toy Story, the Muppets and more. Guests can also look forward to special appearances by Belle, Beast, Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, and Chip from the animated version of Beauty and the Beast.
Concerts will take place at 11:15 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:10 p.m., 4:55 p.m., 5:35 p.m. and 6:20 p.m. however, keep in mind that the Disney Society Orchestra will only be around for a limited time.
Ahoy, mateys! I’m Heather, and I’ll be bringing you the up and coming on all things Disney Cruise Line. Welcome back again this week. Let’s see what’s new in the DCL world!
What’s New
Hey there, fellow landlubbers! Another week and we don’t seem to be any closer to reuniting with our sea legs. With all this time on our hands, I’ll bet that you’ve pondered over your share of ideas and opinions on what cruising should look like when it starts back up. Good news – the CDC does indeed want to know what you think! In fact, they’ve compiled a list of 28 questions, and have opened it up to the public to submit their thoughts. Submissions will be accepted until September 21.
If you are feeling the need to treat yourself to a little cruise cheer – the ShopDisney site has some new DCL merch. So seize your wallet and Seas the Day!
Weekly Specials
Most every week of the year, Disney Cruise Line releases special offers for Florida Residents and U.S. Military Personnel. There are also frequently IGT/OGT/VGT rates available for all guests to book. These offers are extremely limited in availability, and all come with certain restrictions, but the prices are amazing! You can book these online, on the phone, or with your travel agent. These are the current offers available this week:
The Disney Cruise Line Update is brought to you by Storybook Destinations. Storybook Destinations specializes in Disney travel, is consistently highly rated by our readers, and is owned by our own blogger extraordinaire, Tammy Whiting. Storybook also offers free subscriptions to TouringPlans to clients with qualified bookings.
It continues to be a thrilling sea turtle nesting season at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, a Disney Vacation Club Resort! We are so fortunate to be working on this beach, which represents one of the most important areas for sea turtle nesting in the country. Disney Conservation Team Wildlife has recorded more than 18,000 sea turtle nests since we began our field conservation program in 2003. This year, all three species are having an excellent nesting season on our nesting beach.
Two of those nests belong to Miss Piggy and Kermit, our superstar turtles who are participating in this year’s Tour de Turtles migration marathon. Named in honor of the release of “Muppets Now” on Disney+, these turtles are celebrating the completion of a successful nesting season and the start of an oceanic journey to their foraging grounds. Disney has collaborated with the Sea Turtle Conservancy, creator of the Tour de Turtles program, to release satellite-tagged turtles together for the last 13 years. While we have had some amazing turtle contenders over the years, we’re looking forward to watching the journeys of Miss Piggy and Kermit.
Miss Piggy, a loggerhead sea turtle sponsored by our friends at Disney Cruise Line, is swimming to raise awareness about harmful plastic debris in our world’s oceans, and to encourage fans to help clean up waterways and reduce plastic waste. The reduction of plastic waste is a cause that’s very important to Disney Cruise Line. In support of The Walt Disney Company’s overall efforts to reduce the amount of single-use plastics in use, Disney Cruise Line has eliminated plastic straws, cutlery, stirrers, shopping bags and condiment packets onboard and on Disney Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in The Bahamas.
Kermit, Disney’s very first green sea turtle in the Tour de Turtles, is sponsored by Disney Conservation and is swimming to raise awareness about artificial light pollution on nesting beaches to improve conditions for mother sea turtles to lay successful nests, and for their hatchlings to find their way to the ocean.
The migration race between Miss Piggy, Kermit, and the 13 other turtle competitors began on August 1 and our swimmers are off to a great start! Of course, the Tour de Turtles isn’t really about winning (although winning sure is fun). By wearing a satellite transmitter on their journey, these turtles are sharing important information that will help us to better protect their habitats, identifying exactly where they spend their time when they are not visiting Florida’s beaches to lay their eggs. They are also raising awareness about the different threats that sea turtles face in the wild, and inspiring sea turtle fans to work together to protect them and their habitats in Florida and beyond.
What can you do to protect sea turtles?
In honor of Miss Piggy, minimize your use of single-use plastic, and dispose properly of all trash. All waterways lead to the ocean, and plastic floating in city canals eventually ends up in the sea.
To help turtles like Kermit, turn off your lights at night. Even if you don’t live near the beach, many other species like birds and bats rely on dark skies to navigate safely.
Support a conservation organization with time or contributions. Thanks to contributions from our guests, Disney has been supporting the Sea Turtle Conservancy for 20 years, helping to ensure the protection of sea turtles from Florida to Costa Rica to Panama.
Learn more about sea turtles by visiting DisneyAnimals.com, checking out @DrMarkAtDisney on Instagram for all things animals, science and environment, and following Disney Conservation on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about the conservation work we do to support healthy oceans around the world.
So, catch a wave, and watch our racers go with the flow in the big ol’ blue! Follow along at TourdeTurtles.org.
From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com Filed Under: Disney Vacation Club, Hotels & Resorts, Conservation, Video
Disney Style Darling (@itsdarlingnikki)
