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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!

On Friday, the Cruise Lines International Association announced they would voluntarily suspend sailings of member cruise lines through September 15. It was only a matter of hours before Disney made it official. Since the Magic and the Wonder sailings had previously been suspended through this time, only the Dream and Fantasy were affected. Here are the dates of the latest cancelled cruises:

Disney Dream

• July 31, 3-night Bahamian
• August 3, 4-night Bahamian
• August 7, 3-night Bahamian
• August 10, 4-night Bahamian
• August 14, 3-night Bahamian
• August 17, 4-night Bahamian
• August 21, 3-night Bahamian
• August 24, 3-night Bahamian
• August 27, 3-night Bahamian
• August 30, 4-night Bahamian
• September 3, 3-night Bahamian
• September 6, 4-night Bahamian
• September 10, 4-night Bahamian
• September 14, 4-night Bahamian

Disney Fantasy

• August 1, 7-night Western Caribbean
• August 8, 7-night Eastern Caribbean
• August 15, 7-night Western Caribbean
• August 22, 3-night Bahamian
• August 25, 3-night Bahamian
• August 28, 3-night Bahamian
• August 31, 4-night Bahamian
• September 4, 3-night Bahamian
• September 7, 5-night Western Caribbean
• September 12, 7-night Eastern Caribbean

Guests who were paid in full were offered a full refund, or a 125% future cruise credit to use through March 31, 2022. Those not paid in full were issued a refund. Six months without a Disney ship sailing with guests. Who would have thunk?

Here’s something happy!! It may not show too much, but Scott Sanders from the Disney Cruise Line Blog shared a video from Meyer Werft of what is believed to be the build of the engine room of the Disney Wish! I was super super ready for the Wish before, but I feel like this is exactly the light at the end of the 2020 tunnel I’m waiting for!

Thanks for joining me again this week. “Sea” you next time!

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.

 

 

The post Disney Cruise Line News — Week of June 23, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Disney Cruise Line, coronavirus, disney cruise line

As of today, select Disney World Resort hotels have now reopened!

And prior to the reopening, Disney released lots of details regarding changes guests could expect to see — including the suspension of some resort activities, enhanced cleaning protocol, and the requirement that all guests have a hotel (or both hotel and dining) reservations to enter.

But even though we were well-prepared, having combed over the must-read Health Acknowledgement Disney sent us last night and read through all the information that was provided to us while we used Disney World’s online check-in for our resort stay, there were still a few things that snuck up on us!

Only Buses Are Running Until Parks Open

Disney has shared with us some information regarding which methods of transportation we’ll be able to use during the initial phase of Disney World’s reopening.

However, we found out today the only Disney transportation method of getting around right now is Disney World’s bus system. Buses are currently running to and from Disney Springs from each resort that has reopened today.

If you want to get from one resort to another, your only free options are to do a bus switch at Disney Springs, or drive yourself. (Guests can also use a taxi or a ride share service, but that would incur an extra cost.)

Valet parking is not currently available at the resorts and keep in mind you must have a hotel reservation (and dining reservation if you’re headed to a hotel you’re not staying in) booked to be allowed at a Disney World resort at this time, according to Disney.

It appears, for now at least, Disney World’s monorail service, ferryboats, and Disney’s Skyliner aren’t likely to resume until the theme parks reopen, but we’ll keep you posted with any and all updates!

No Temperature Screenings to Enter the Resorts

Another thing we were surprised by this morning is how we walked right into our hotel! There are new health and safety signs throughout the grounds stating face coverings must be worn at all times while in common areas, but on-site temperature screenings aren’t currently being performed at any of the Disney World resorts.

By now, we’re very used to having our temperatures taken since health screenings are required to enter Disney Springs and will be required to enter Disney World’s theme parks when they reopen next month.

Click here to learn everything you need to know about temperature checks in Disney World!

But this time, Disney World’s resorts are not requiring their guests to undergo mandatory temperature checks. They ask that you take your temperature at home before you arrive and stay home if you have any symptoms of illness.

This Place Is EMPTY

The Disney World hotels we’ve been exploring today have been very calm and quiet. Without the monorail whizzing by us at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and folk disembarking from Disney’s Skyliner at Disney’s Riviera Resort, there’s barely anyone here.

Topolino’s Terrace was very empty today when we stopped by for their character breakfast.

Click here to see how character dining is now different in Disney World!

Grand Floridian Resort was a ghost town!

Beach Club, Boardwalk…everywhere we went there was nobody!

Keep in mind Disney World is also limiting who they’re allowing to visit their resorts at this time. You must have a hotel reservation (and a dining reservation as well if you’re not staying at that particular hotel) to be allowed in.

Security Cast Members asked us our name at the gate of one of the hotels we weren’t staying at but had made a lunchtime reservation to dine at. Only after checking their list to ensure we had a dining reservation there were we granted access.

You Can Still Use Your Refillable Mugs!

The Refillable Mug Program at Disney World has become an institution, allowing guests to receive free refills for a limited time. We were curious to see if refillable mugs would still be available — OR NOT!

And it turns out, refillable mugs are still very much alive and well at Disney World! There have been a few modifications made to the process, but other than that, you’ll have the same fun gettin’ as much soda, coffee, and ice tea as you could ever want!

Now, guests will bring their mug to a Cast Member who will fill a paper cup with the guests’ preferred beverage. The guest will then be given the paper cup to empty into their own refillable mug.

Click here for more details about using refillable mugs at a newly reopened Disney World resort!

Masks and Temperature Patches Are for Sale

We noticed some new products have shown up on the shelves at Disney World’s gift shops. At Disney’s Contemporary Resort’s Bayview Gifts, hand sanitizer and Disney-themed cloth face masks are now being sold. They’re the same ones we’ve seen for sale at Disney Springs recently as well as online.

La Boutique at Disney’s Riveria Resort also had Disney-themed cloth face masks for sale as well as disposable face masks.

Click here to see what it’s like to shop at a few of the newly reopened Disney World resorts!

We also spotted Forehead thermometers that work like stickers and are reusable in case you don’t want to bring your own thermometer from home.

Cinderella Castle Is Looking really, REALLY Pink!

But perhaps the most shocking change of them all has been how far Cinderella Castle’s transformation has come along since our last visit to Magic Kingdom! We could see it from Disney’s Contemporary Resort today and it’s gone from gray to a rosy-pinkish hue!

To us, the castle seems to be nearing its completion! Could it be ready in time for Magic Kingdom’s grand reopening on July 11th?

It’s truly a mix of emotions being back at Disney World today and we can’t wait to share more of our experience with you! Make sure you’re following along with our live coverage here so that you don’t miss a thing!

Click here to learn more about the changes you can expect at Disney World Resort hotels this summer!

Do you have an upcoming Disney World Resort hotel reservation? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney resorts, Featured, Walt Disney World, Disney World Changes, disney world hotel, disney world hotel changes, Disney World hotel experience, disney world hotel reopening, disney world hotels, Disney World Reopen, Disney World reopening, disney’s skyliner, empty, forehead thermometers, masks and patches for sale, no health screenings, no monorail, no transportation, nobody here

Hong Kong Disneyland reopened June 18, 2020, after being closed since January! With the re-opening came not only happy smiles of return but some fun new Disney Popcorn Buckets! These new buckets include a revamp of the popular Cinderella’s Carriage, and an Onward inspired one!

Disney Popcorn Buckets from Hong Kong Disneyland

The Cinderella Carriage design has gotten a redesign! It has the same whimsical style as the original, but this one features her in her wedding gown! The colors are also the same as the wedding coach Cinderella and Prince Charming ride in but still has the pumpkin carriage design. The carrying strap is also pink, with swirls of “pixie dust”.

Guinevere has also shown up to the popcorn party! Guinevere is the epic pegasus van from the incredible fantasy film Onward. This is a replica of the van, complete with Ian and Barley riding into adventure! The roof of the van lifts up for a cozy place to store plenty of delicious popcorn.

If you need something to wash all that tasty popcorn down with, there are also new round tumblers! These fun tumblers are always a hit at the Disney Parks in Asia. This time around we can find Mickey, Minnie, and Donald!

What do you think of these fun new Disney Popcorn Buckets and tumblers heading to Hong Kong Disneyland?

Special thanks to TDR Explorer for posting about these great new finds!

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Shop, Souvenirs & Collectibles, Cinderella Popcorn Bucket, Disney Popcorn Buckets, hong kong disneyland, Onward Popcorn Bucket

In order to help manage attendance, Disney World is implementing a theme park reservation system upon reopening — which means that there’s a BRAND NEW element that guests will need to plan for their vacation!

These theme park reservations will be available through September 26, 2021, and all guests will need a reservation in order to enter. As with all new processes, there is likely to be a bit of a learning curve — and since we know how important Disney World vacation planning is, we’re here to help! Here are five mistakes you’ll want to avoid while making your theme park reservations!

1. Not Making a Reservation for Each Day of a Multi-Day Ticket

Okay, let’s start out with a biggie — you’ll need a separate reservation for each day in a theme park! So, if you have a multi-day ticket, don’t snag your reservation for Magic Kingdom on the first day and assume that you’re good to visit the park for the length of your trip!

Yes, you can visit the Magic Kingdom on multiple days if you’d like — but you’ll need to secure a reservation for each day of your ticket. And keep in mind that the reservations are subject to availability! Which brings us to our next point…

Click here to learn about how character experiences will work in the reopened Disney World parks!

2. Waiting to Make Your Theme Park Reservations

Prior to the theme park closure, many guests enjoyed having some spontaneity in their Disney World vacation — maybe you’re used to deciding which park to visit based on how you feel when you wake up in the morning. If that sounds like you, you might want to switch up your planning style and make your theme park reservation as early as possible.

The reservations are subject to availability, so if you wait until the last minute, you might end up missing out. Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ first few days sold out quickly on the program’s first day!

So, when can you make your reservations? Disney Resort and other select hotel Guests with valid theme park admission could make reservations beginning June 22nd. Annual Passholders without an already-booked Resort Hotel stay can make reservations beginning June 26th. And existing ticket holders can make reservations beginning June 28th.

On June 28th, all guests will be able to purchase new Disney Resort hotel packages and theme park tickets and make theme park reservations for arrivals in 2021. Theme park availability WILL be visible before you buy! So, if you’re planning on heading to Disney World in the next year or so, be sure to snag your theme park reservations ASAP. (Note that Disney has paused hotel reservations and ticket purchases for 2020 at this time. Stay tuned for information about when they reopen those bookings and purchases later this summer.)

Here are all of the rides and attractions that will be available at Magic Kingdom when the park reopens!

3. Not Linking Your Hotel and Park Tickets to My Disney Experience Ahead of Time

Guests will need to use their My Disney Experience account to make theme park reservations. So, if you don’t have an MDE account, start by making one at DisneyWorld.com!

Your tickets (and eligible hotel stays) must be linked to your account so that the Park Pass system recognizes your ticket eligibility, so you’ll need to be sure to link your park admission ticket numbers (usually listed on the back of the ticket) and Disney Resort hotel reservation BEFORE you try to book park passes.

Each person in your travel party (e.g. the people you want to visit the parks with) must have their valid admission linked. And this can be a surprisingly time-consuming process, especially if you run into any confusion — so we suggest taking care of this as far ahead of time as possible to minimize any delays in your theme park reservation selections!

Here are the changes guests can expect to the Disney World Resort hotel experience this summer!

4. Not Linking Your Friends and Family Ahead of Time

Within My Disney Experience, guests will find their Family & Friends list. Prior to the closure, this allowed guests to specify members of their party for Fastpass+ or Advance Dining Reservations.

And with the theme park reservation system, guests will also need to have all of the members of their party added to their Family & Friends list in order to add them to the park reservation. Again, don’t underestimate the time it can take to get your party connected — your friends will need to confirm that they approve of linking their MDE account to your list!

So, make sure that all of the members of your travel party are added to your Family & Friends list ASAP to prevent delays in snagging those park reservations!

These are the changes coming to Disney World dining this summer!

5. Not Deciding on a Plan With Your Family Ahead of Time

There are a few additional factors to consider with the theme park reservation system. First, guests can only choose one park per day, so park hopping will not be an option (at least, for the foreseeable future). Also, everyone in your selected travel party will need to go to the same park that you snagged a reservation for, so again, there is less opportunity for spontaneity than in the past.

With those things in mind, it’s important to talk to your family as early as possible to formulate a plan. Which park(s) are your absolute must-dos? Have more than 4 days? Which parks do you want to repeat?

Keep in mind that a few rides and attractions will be unavailable (we have full lists for Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios!) so double-check which rides are running.

Be sure to decide as a family where your priorities lie and make your reservations accordingly!

Click Here For The ULTIMATE GUIDE To EVERYTHING Reopening in Disney World

As with any new process, there is definitely a learning curve with the theme park reservation system. But, by avoiding these mistakes, you can simplify the process and set yourself up for a successful visit to the newly reopened Disney World!

Click here to check out our tutorial for the Disney World theme park reservation system!

What do you think about the new theme park reservation system? Share your thoughts in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, disney parks, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, Disney theme park reservations, Disney World Changes, Disney World Reopen, Disney World reopening, Disney World Theme Park Reservation, My Disney Experience, new theme park reservation system, theme park reservation system, Theme Park Reservations