Category: Other

We recently reported that Disney World was restricting the use of neck gaiters at the parks. Disney has now updated its policy regarding face coverings.

Face masks are still required for all Guests (ages 2 and up) and Cast Members. You will need to bring your own face coverings and wear them at all times, except when dining or swimming.

All face masks (whether disposable or reusable) must:

• Be made with at least two layers of breathable material
• Fully cover the nose and mouth and secure under the chin
• Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• Be secured with ties or ear loops and allow the Guest to remain hands-free

The new addition to this policy states:

At this time, based on guidance from health authorities, neck gaiters and open-chin triangle bandanas are not acceptable face coverings.

Gaiters and bandanas will not be allowed to be worn as face masks at Disney World.

You can see this and Disney’s other reopening guidelines on the “Know Before You Go” page of Disney World’s website.

The post Disney World Updates Policy on Face Coverings appeared first on Chip and Co..

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: News, Other Disney Stuff, Parks & Resorts, Walt Disney World, bandanas, Disney face covering policy, Disney World, face coverings, Face Masks, neck gaiters

Those who wish to find a character meal experience at Disney World now have a new option to check out. The Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort’s popular Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy & Pals is back! The special character dining experience is open for guests and taking reservations again.

Source and Photo credit: Four Seasons

The post New location to have a Disney Character Meal at Walt Disney World appeared first on Chip and Co..

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: News, Parks & Resorts, Resorts, Character Dining, Disney Character, Disney Character Dining, Four Seasons, goofy

It’s only been a few weeks since Disney announced how the Splash Mountain attraction will receive a new theme dedicated to Princess & The Frog. We know the attraction will be eventually closing for its redesign, but no official closing date has been given yet. However, Disney fans did discover one new development. The recognizable medley music of Splash Mountain is no longer available on Spotify.

We searched on Spotify to confirm. The Splash Mountain ride medley has been removed from the Walt Disney World Official Album. Seeing the removal of the attraction’s music has some speculating if Disney will completely abandon all future usage of the familiar tunes. Until then, we can still find the Splash Mountain ride medley music on platforms such as YouTube.

With the removal of the ride’s medley music, and Splash Mountain’s merchandise being pulled from shopDisney, it looks as if we’re witnessing small steps being taken towards the gradual end of the Song of the South attraction. In the meantime, Disney theme park guests can still enjoy the ride at Magic Kingdom and Disneyland.

Lastly, we look forward to seeing the new Princess and the Frog attraction once the attraction has been redesigned. We loved the soundtrack of that movie!

Source: Spotify

The post Splash Mountain Music removed from Spotify appeared first on Chip and Co..

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Attractions, News, Parks & Resorts, Walt Disney World, Disney Music, Disneyland, Frontierland, Magic Kingdom, Splash Mountain, Spotify

Now that we’ve had the opportunity to step foot inside Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom before both parks officially reopen on July 11th, we’ve been processing everything sight, sound, and smell we’ve just experienced for the first time in many months!

And now that we’ve had some time to let everything sink in, we’re here to tell you about the top three things that really shocked us!

There’s IS Such a Thing as Being Too Early

While many of us are used to arriving at the Disney World theme parks WELL before they officially open so we can park and get to the gates in time for rope drop, we might’ve jumped the gun a bit yesterday!

We were following our pre-closure routine of hopping in our cars and driving to theme parks early thinking we’d be allowed in. But when we arrived at Magic Kingdom around 7:45AM yesterday (the park had a 9AM open), there was a big ol’ traffic jam at the park. It seems we weren’t the only ones who had the same bright idea of gettin’ an early jump on the day!

Many people ended up waiting on the sides of the road or in the McDonald’s parking lot (if heading to Animal Kingdom) because Disney wasn’t even allowing guests to sit and wait in the parking lot. Disney is really trying to avoid crowding, so you may not get into the parking lot of in front of the entrances as early as you’re used to.

We’ll check back in and let you know what transportation is like at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s official reopening tomorrow, but for now, even though it goes against almost everything you know about Disney World (and is probably deeply embedded in the fiber of your being), you might want to plan on arriving much closer to the park’s opening time.

We were allowed into the parking lots at Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom both about half an hour before park opening. With the theme parks operating at a significantly reduced capacity, you don’t need to hold onto your “beat the rush” mentality for the time being — there’s not going to be as much of a rush to beat! Instead, you might get stuck like we did IN the morning rush, but if you wait just a little bit, you’ll have a much easier time arriving at the parks. From what we’ve experienced so far, once you’re inside, you should still have plenty of time to enjoy everything with significantly shorter wait times in most cases!

Check out all the different types of transportation we used to get around yesterday at Disney World!

Splash Mountain Mania

While we never waited more than a few minutes to ride anything this week at Magic Kingdom or Disney’s Animal Kingdom, including some big-name stuff such as Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, and Flight of Passage, the same can’t be said for Splash Mountain — or rather, it’s gift shop.

The demand to go inside the Splash Mountain store yesterday was so high that the virtual queue was activated and it was over a 24o minute wait when we checked! So, if you’re looking to snag some Splash merchandise, you may want to make it one of your first stops.

Ever since Disney announced its plans to retheme Splash Mountain with a new storyline and characters from The Princess and The Frog, people are adamant about enjoying this original version of the attraction one last time. Don’t worry — Disney hasn’t announced when Splash Mountain will be closing for refurbishment, but a lot of guests aren’t taking any chances!

We’re actually really curious to see if the Splash Mountain store’s virtual queue will surpass Rise of the Resistance’s wait time when Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopens next week! Initially, Disney had announced a virtual queue for the Rise of the Resistance would not be returning. However, it appears they’ve changed their mind, and they will, in fact, be reinstating a modified virtual queue for Rise of the Resistance after all.

Click here to see more of the crazy wait to get into the Splash Mountain Gift Shop!

Paint-By-Number Castle

One of the biggest changes we’re still wrapping our brains has nothing to do with enhanced safety measures like physical distancing or wearing a face mask all day. For us, having Cinderella Castle look so different is going to take some getting used to. While it’s still totally recognizable, and regal, and STUNNING — it’s pretty jarring when you first experience it in person! And depending on the time of day it is, the light strikes it differently and it can appear very, VERY pink!

We’ll see over time how we feel about the change, but as polarizing as Cinderella Castle’s new look might be, we were pretty thrilled to witness this little part of its history yesterday. Disney’s scenic painters were working on the castle as we walked by and we noticed some huge hand-painted numbers were written on each of the bricks!

Normally, Disney would never let such a behind-the-scenes moment like this slide, but since they’ve promised to keep the castle uncovered during its refurbishment and they appeared to be working frantically to finish the castle (maybe even in time for this weekend?), they showed us a peek of their process!

Now we know how THEY KNOW what shade of gray paint to use for each brick. Cinderella Castle was literally a giant paint-by-number painting yesterday!

Check out more photos of the giant “Paint-By-Number Castle” here!

We’ll be attending the grand reopening of Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kindom tomorrow so we’ll let you know whether the paint-by-numbers have been covered up — or not! Until then, check out some of the new Character Cavalcades and entertainment offerings we’ve already experienced at Disney World here!

On a quest to quench your thirst? Find out where to find water in a newly-reopened Disney World here!

Did you attend either of the Annual Passholder previews this week at Disney World? Tell us what surprised you the most in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Disney News, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, annual passholder preview, arriving, Disney World, limited capacity, paint by number castle, Parking, reopening, shocked, splash mountain, strange, surprising, traffic jam, unsusual, virtual queues, Wait Times

This year has definitely had its share of unprecedented situations — and the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is also getting a bit of a shake-up!

When Epcot reopens to guests on July 15th, the park will also kick off the annual Food & Wine Festival. It will run from July through the fall, making it the longest Food & Wine to date! The festival will also include some elements from the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, which began just a few days prior to the park closure.

There will only be 24 booths at the festival this year, but don’t worry, there will still be new eats (and drinks) to try! Let’s take a look at all of the NEW menu items coming to the Food & Wine Festival this year!

Africa

The Africa booth is returning to this year’s festival, featuring the brand-new Spicy Kenyan Vegan Corn and White Beans with Pigeon Peas, Quinoa & Ancient Grains Medley and Kachumbari Slaw!

Another exciting feature of this menu item in addition to its “newness” — it’s plant-based!

Click here to see the full menu for the Africa booth!

Appleseed Orchard

Looking for a new alcoholic beverage to try? If so, Appleseed Orchard is a great booth to swing by!

New additions to the menu this year include:

• Heavy Seas Brewery TropiCannon Citrus IPA
• Parish Brewing Co. Ghost in the Machine Double IPA
• 3 Daughters Raspberry Lemonade Dry Hard Cider
• Short’s Brewing Company Starcut Ciders Mosa Hard Cider
• Ciderboys Banana Bliss Hard Cider, Stevens Point

Now that’s a lot of new boozy options!

Click here to see the full menu for Appleseed Orchard!

Canada

You’ll also find some a new adult beverage at the Canada booth — the Collective Arts Brewing Blackberry Fruit Beer!

Sounds like a fruity, refreshing choice to keep us powering through the festival!

Click here to see the full menu for the Canada booth!

Mac and Cheese, Hosted by Boursin Cheese

We’ve reached an exciting point in our list — that’s right, Mac and Cheese, Hosted by Boursin Cheese is a NEW BOOTH at this year’s festival! So, what menu items can you indulge in at this new addition? The food offerings include:

• Gourmet Macaroni and Cheese with Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese topped with Herbed Panko
• Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese with Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese Sauce topped with Carrots, Celery, and Blue Cheese Crumbles
• Lobster Macaroni and Cheese with Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese Sauce and Lobster Cream topped with Herbed Panko
• Macaroni and Cheese with House-made Italian Sausage and Peppers (Plant-based)

And while a few of the beverages on the menu have appeared at other booths before, the Stiegl Brewery Radler Zitrone is also a festival newcomer!

Wanna know more about the Mac and Cheese booth? We’ll add pictures of all the menu items HERE after the festival kicks off!

Desserts and Champagne

This booth took a hiatus, but Desserts and Champagne is back in action at the festival this year!

And, as the name suggests, there are several new sweet treats guests can enjoy! New menu additions include:

• Liquid Nitro Chocolate Cake Pops
• Liquid Nitro Chocolate Cake Pops with Crumbled Twix Chocolate Bars
• Liquid Nitro Chocolate Cake Pops with Crushed M&M’s Candies

We’re definitely excited about these flavors!

Click here to see the full menu from the Dessert and Champagne booth! 

Earth Eats

The Earth Eats booth is serving up a few new options as well! Here, you’ll find a new plant-based menu item, The Impossible Burger Slider with Wasabi Cream and spicy Asian Slaw on a Sesame Seed Bun!

And there’s a new beverage on the menu too! The Playalinda Brewing Company Violet Lemonade Ale will make its debut at this year’s festival.

Click here to see the full menu for the Earth Eats booth!

France

We’ve found lots of our festival favorites at the France booth in past years. So, we’re excited to try the new dessert — Tarte Tropezienne, Coulis Framboise: Brioche Cake filled with Light Pastry Cream and Raspberry Coulis!

And there’s a new beverage here as well — VeRy Raspberry: Rosé Wine with Natural Raspberry Flavor!

Click here to see the full menu from the France booth!

Germany

You won’t find any new food items at the Germany booth this year, but there is a new drink — the M.I.A. Brewing Hugo!

Of course, beer is a staple of the Germany booth, so we’re excited to see a new option on the menu!

Click here to see the full menu from the Germany booth!

Islands of the Caribbean

You’ll find a new dessert at the Islands of the Caribbean booth this year!

The new sweet treat is Flancocho: Passion Fruit Cake with Coconut Flan!

Click here to see the full menu from the Islands of the Caribbean booth!

Italy

The Italy booth is serving up new sweet AND savory menu options!

The additions to this booth include:

• Margherita: Rustic Italian Flatbread with Tomato Sauce and Mozzarella Cheese
• La Classica: Cheese Tortellini with Ricotta, Provolone, Fontina, Parmesan, Vodka Sauce, and Crispy Bacon
• Traditional Sicilian Cannoli: Crisp Pastry filled with Sweet Ricotta, Chocolate, and Candied Orange

Sounds like a nice three-course meal to us!

Click here to see the full menu from the Italy booth!

Japan

Guests will also find several new eats at the Japan booth!

The additions to the booth include:

• Tempura Donburi: Two pieces of Tempura Shrimp and Kakiage (Vegetable Tempura) with Tentsuyu Dipping Sauce served over Sushi Rice
• Chirashi Sushi Flowerpot: Fresh-cut Salmon, Salmon Roe, and Spinach served over Sushi Rice with Furikake and topped with Poke Sauce

Plus, you’ll find a few drinks from the Flower & Garden Festival — both the Strawberry Nigori Sake and Furano Martini are on the menu!

Click here for the full menu from the Japan booth!

Mexico

The Mexico booth is comin’ in hot with a bunch of new menu items!

Here are the new eats you can try at the festival this year:

• Ribeye Taco: Ribeye Steak with Ranchera Salsa in a Corn Tortilla topped with Onions, Chives, and a Lime Wedge
• Pork Tostada: Fried Corn Tortilla topped with Chipotle Black Beans, Roasted Pork, Fresh Salsa Verde, Onions, and Cilantro

And the rest of the new additions are beverages (which sound delightful!):

• Mexican Craft Beer: Tulum Artisanal Lager crafted with Citrus notes and made with Mexican Caribbean Seawater
• Passion Rose Sangria: Red Wine, Rum, Rose Petal Liqueur, Passion Fruit Purée, and Lime
• Clásica Margarita: Tequila, Chile Poblano Liqueur, Lime Juice, and Agave Nectar with a Salt Rim
• Mango Smoky Margarita: Mango Purée, Mezcal, Applejack, Lime Juice, and Agave Nectar with a Tajín Chile-Lime Rim

This booth tends to be a fan-favorite, so we can’t wait to taste all of the new options!

Click here to see the full menu from the Mexico booth!

Refreshment Port

Guests will also find a new boozy beverage at Refreshment Port!

New to the festival this year is the Zing Zang Seasonal Bloody Mary featuring Absolut Vodka!

Click here to see the full menu from Refreshment Port!

Refreshment Outpost

Not to be confused with Refreshment Port, Refreshment Outpost is located across the World Showcase Lagoon, between the China and Germany Pavilions!

And this location is serving up several new beverages this year:

• Outpost Lemonade: Frozen Minute Maid Lemonade and Absolut Vodka
• Mango Starr: Mango Puree and Starr African Rum

A frozen, fruity drink sounds like a great choice on a hot day in Epcot!

Click here to see the full menu from the Refreshment Outpost booth!

Shimmering Sips Mimosa Bar

Surprisingly, the new addition at Shimmering Sips Mimosa Bar is not a drink!

New this year, we have the Banana Bread with Mixed Berry Compote — another plant-based option!

Click here to see the full menu from Shimmering Sips Mimosa Bar!

Funnel Cake Stand

And rounding out our list, the Funnel Cake Stand is offering a new savory menu item!

This year, guests can order the Street Corn Funnel Cake topped with Roasted Corn, Cotija Cheese, Cilantro and Cumin Crema dusted with Paprika!

Click here to see the full menu from the Funnel Cake Stand!

So there you have it, the new food and drink items that will be served at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival this year! Of course, we’ll be there to taste EVERYTHING and report back, so be sure to keep an eye on Disney Food Blog for all of the festival info you need to know!

Check out more information about the 2020 Epcot Food & Wine Festival!

Which of these new menu items are you the most excited to try? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, disney parks, Epcot, Featured, Food and Wine Festival, Snacks, Walt Disney World, 2020 epcot food and wine, 2020 epcot food and wine festival, 2020 Epcot Food and Wine Festival booths, 2020 epcot food and wine festival menus, Africa Booth, Appleseed Orchard, Canada Booth, desserts and champagne booth, Earth Eats, France Booth, Funnel Cake Stand, Germany booth, Islands of the Caribbean Booth, Italy Booth, Japan Booth, mac and cheese hosted by boursin, mexico booth, new menu item, new menu items, Refreshment Outpost, refreshment port, Shimmering Sips Mimosa Bar