Category: Other

We’ve been exploring Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom this week during Cast Member and Annual Passholder previews before the theme parks reopen to the general public on July 11th, so that you’ll know what to expect for your first time back!

So far, we’ve talked about rider switch, refillable popcorn buckets, and a bunch of other important stuff you’ll want to know before you go! And while you probably know by now face masks must be worn at all times while visiting Disney World, you might be wondering if you have to wear them on water rides.

When Universal Studios opened last month, we were instructed we could remove our masks once we were seated on Jurassic Park River Adventure (one of the theme park’s water rides) — if we wanted to.

However, this has NOT been our experience at Disney World. So far, we’ve been on Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom (multiple times) and Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and we’ve worn our face masks each and every time.

Cast Members did not tell us we could remove our face masks on EITHER ride, so we kept them on the entire time. And yes, we did get a little wet on Splash Mountain and Kali River Rapids, though most of the water features have been turned off or turned down.

Luckily, our masks dried off quickly in the Florida sun, but if you think having a soggy face mask might be uncomfortable for you, make sure you bring a dry mask as a back-up. In fact, with all the sweating we’re doing right now, changing into a fresh mask mid-day isn’t such a bad idea!

For now, it’s pretty safe to assume unless you’re given explicit verbal permission by a Cast Member that you can remove your face covering on a ride, you must keep it on. 

If you haven’t been following along with our live coverage from Animal Kingdom today or our first day back at Magic Kingdom since mid-March, make sure you click here! And for some helpful advice about wearing a face mask at Disney World all day, make sure you read these tips and tricks we’ve picked up along the way.

Did Disney just create a new way to make new water rides? Click here to find out!

Which water ride is your favorite at Disney World? Let us know in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Disney News, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, cannot take masks off, Disney World, disney’s animal kingdom, face coverings, face masks, kali river rapids, must be worn, no exceptions, reopening, required, splash mountain, water rides, wet

Walt Disney World is reopening this week and we’ve been scoping out all the new health and safety procedures during a few park previews.

Disney has increased sanitation frequency to all high-touch areas like handrails and attraction vehicles. These changes beg the question: “Are topping bars still available for guests?” We stopped by Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe and Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe in Magic Kingdom to find out!

First, we popped into Cosmic Ray’s to try out the updated Mobile Ordering process. We ordered outside the building then headed to the designated pick-up station once our food was prepared.

We found that packaged condiments like ketchup and mayo were out and guests could grab them at their free will.

The topping bar that is usually loaded up with cheeseburger goodies like lettuce, tomato, pickles, and other condiments — was closed. You can still customize your order with anything you want through Mobile Order though!

Then, today we headed to Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe to load up on their famous nachos. The ordering process was similar to Cosmic Ray’s. There was even a sign outside that allowed us to scan a QR code and order online.

The nacho topping bar usually has a ton of taco toppings like salsa, guac, sour cream, and veggies. The topping bar here was also closed.

Again, guests have the option to add extras to your meal through the app! Our tomatoes came out a little wonky for some nachos, but our guess is that Disney is still working out all the kinks.

We’ve now learned that topping bars at two of Magic Kingdom’s restaurants are unavailable to guests. We will keep our eyes peeled for more updates about buffets and topping bars as we seek them out. Be sure to follow along with us and we’ll continue to keep you informed.

Want to see the other changes guests are experiencing at Disney World? Check the new way to experience characters in the parks!

Are you heading to Disney World soon? Let us know where you’ll be eating first!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Disney News, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, Cosmic Ray’s, disney dining, Disney World, Disney World Re-Open, Mobile Order, Pecos Bill, quick service, topping bar

A lot has changed in Disney World this year — even pin trading!

Pin trading is a pastime that many consider a staple of Disney fandom. Disney pins have been around for a while, but in 2000 pin trading started up officially in the Disney parks! To celebrate the 20th anniversary of pin trading, there was supposed to be a trading event this August 22nd and 23rd. Now, due to the global health crisis, the 2020 Pin Trading Event will be held online!

In line with guidance from government and health officials, Disney World has opted to conduct the 2020 Pin Trading Event as a virtual online event at a to-be-announced date and time. Guests will get the chance to discover and purchase the special collection of pins created for the event AND connect with other pin traders.

Keep in mind that these plans could still change going forward. Keep an eye on DFB for all the latest updates about this online event and how YOU can participate!

Curious what pin trading looks like in a reopened Disney World? Click here! 

Will you be attending the online pin trading event? Tell us in the comments! 

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney merchandise, Disney News, disney parks, Featured, Walt Disney World, 2020 Pin Trading event, Collectible Pins, pin traders, pin trading, Pin Trading event

Cinderella Castle was still receiving her royal beauty treatment today at Magic Kingdom’s Annual Passholder preview.

But while there was no mistaking the construction crews were working hard to get her fully transformed from afar, we noticed something subtle was happening as soon as we got a little CLOSER!

Cinderella Castle has gone from a steely gray castle with light blue spires to a bright pink castle with vibrant cobalt blue peaks! Meanwhile, all of her architectural elements have been recently blinged out in gold paint! Disney’s really accentuated all of her best features and she looks about a million bucks, we gotta say!

But check out the way the Disney painters were working today — if you look close enough, you can actually make out hand-painted NUMBERS on each of the bricks! This sight reminded us of those paint-by-number sets we used to paint as kids!

Each number corresponds to a different shade of gray paint! That’s how Disney’s artists know which shade of gray to use for which brick! We always wondered how they achieved such a realistic look to the castle — and now we know!

We just had to share this little moment in time with you since we’re not expecting these numbers will be around for very long before they get painted over! That way, next time you get to see Magic Kingdom’s icon, you’ll have this wonderful memory of when Cinderella Castle was one BIG paint-by-number painting!

Is rider switch still available at Disney World? Click here to find out!

Do you think Cinderella Castle will be finished by this weekend? Tell us your predictions in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, Cinderella Castle, color, construction, crews, Disney World, finishing, gray, paint by number, painting, refurbishment, reopening, royal makeover, touch ups

Disneyland Resort’s Downtown Disney has reopened new health and safety measures in place. In this post we’ll take a look at these new procedures and go over what guests can expect during their visit.

These signs can be seen as you aproch the entrance from either Harbor boulevard or the screening area near Disneyland Hotel. All guests must go through a temperature screening. It’s a simple process which includes you standing there and a Disney cast member scanning your forehead with an infrared thermometer. It only takes a couple of seconds and then you are cleared to go in.

The temperature screen tent us located in the area that is usually used for bus transport to and from the Toy Story parking lot.
The social distancing markers can be seen at the entrance in to Downtown Disney and at the queues for many shops and restaurants.

Signs with information about the safety measures in place at Downtown Disney.

Many hand washing and hand sanitation stations have been set up throughout Downtown Disney and the esplanade.

Taking a look at the Disney California Adventure entrance you can see barriers set up between the turnstiles and where the cast members would be located.

The same setup can be seen over at the Disneyland entrance as well.

All stores in Downtown Disney are limiting the amount of people they let in. Most of them have queues set up, but World of Disney and The Disney Dress Shop use a virtual queue system to gain entry. You provide a Disney cast member your phone number and then you’ll get a text when it’s your turn to enter.

Once inside you’ll see signs and cast members enforcing social distancing rules.

Inside World of Disney.

Disney face masks are available for purchase, 4 for $20.00.

Disneyland 65th birthday merchandise available at World of Disney.

As you can see, there’s a lot of new items for Disneyland’s anniversary.

One last look at World of Disney before we head out.

Some restaurants remain closed, but others, such as Naples and Uva Bar remain open with only limited outdoor seating.

Here’s the locations that are currently open:

Both Starbucks locations
Asian Street Eats by
Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes
California Churro
Curl Surf
Disney Home
Disney’s Pin Traders
Earl of Sandwich
Jamba
Kayla’s Cakes
Marceline’s Confectionery
Naples
Pandora Jewelry
Rinse Bath & Body Co.
Salt & Straw
Sephora
Sugarboo & Co.
Sunglass Icon
The Disney Dress Shop
The LEGO Store
Uva Bar & Cafe
Wetzel’s Pretzels
WonderGround
World of Disney

The following locations remain closed at this time:

Tortilla Jo’s
Ballast Point Brewing Co.
Catal Restaurant
La Brea Bakery Cafe
Napolini Pizzeria
Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen
Splitsville Luxury Lanes
Sprinkles

Downtown Disney is open 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily. Both Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, and the three Disneyland Resort hotels remain closed.  Parking for Downtown Disney is only available in the Simba parking lot on the corner of Katella and Disneyland Drive.

The post Pictures: Downtown Disney Reopens With New Safety Measures appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Disneyland (CA)