A Blog About Disney Stuff

We’ve had a LOT of feelings about returning back to Disney World during the first round of reopenings this week.

Although we expected to see distancing measures and new places to spot characters, there were quite a few changes that Disney sprung on guests when they entered the parks. Whether you’re someone who really loves riding attractions or you’re all about the food, Disney World has really shaken things up when it comes to how the parks are working now.

While we may be Disney pros, there were plenty of things that we didn’t expect to see happen when Disney opened again. And, since nobody told us to expect them, we’re sharing some of the biggest changes we didn’t anticipate seeing in Disney World!

You Don’t Have to Get Up at the Crack of Dawn Anymore

It’s almost become a “normal” part of many of our Disney vacations that being “up and at ’em” first thing in the morning is essential to our visits. Most of us would make sure we were well on our way to the parks as the sun was rising (or even before then) to snag those early morning ride times or get a Boarding Group for Rise of the Resistance.

However, Disney as we know it has basically changed completely. You CAN’T get to the parks hours before opening at this time. It’s strange to say that now you don’t have to be up so early. As the parks start to re-open, Disney has made it pretty simple to take advantage of low wait times and (hopefully) grab a Boarding Pass for Rise of the Resistance when guests are visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

What’s the reason behind this? Well, Disney doesn’t actually want there to be excessive crowding in the parks first thing in the morning as a health and safety precaution. Since distancing measures are so important right now, a bunch of guests waiting outside the gates sounds like a big no-no at the moment. However, Disney has started restricting the time anyone even arrives at the parks to reduce crowding.

Although Disney Buses previously started running from the resorts two hours before the parks opened, the hours have been reduced to a start time of only 45 minutes. While we were there this week, a Cast Member even stated that Disney Transportation may not even begin operations until 8:30AM each day (but the 45-minute guideline is a little safer to stick with).

The Walkways from Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and most likely Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort (when completed) won’t be opening until 8:30AM for guests staying at the hotels (which happens to be one of the biggest perks of choosing these resorts).

Currently, the parking entrances only seem to begin opening up about 20 minutes before the parks’ opening. After that, guests still have to get through the long line of cars to park, which has been modified to a car in every other spot. Trams won’t be running during the initial reopening, so everyone will need to walk from their cars to the gates or Ticket and Transportation Center.

Many guests would get up extremely early in order to get a prime Boarding Group spot for Rise of the Resistance (we’ve been in the 5AM crowds. It’s a THING!). However, Hollywood Studios’ most popular attraction will be using a modified system instead of the previous version we’ve seen. While previously, guests needed to be in the park as it opened (and typically showed up hours before) to get a Boarding Pass, now groups aren’t doled out until 10AM, 1PM, and 4PM on the My Disney Experience app. Do keep in mind that Hollywood Studios is set to open at 10AM next week.

In order to allow everyone a chance to get on the ride, you’ll only be able to join Rise of the Resistance’s Virtual Queue ONCE per day. My Disney Experience will keep guests updated with what availability there is for specific windows and allow people to join back-up Boarding Groups. However, a virtual queue slot is not a guarantee — you still may not be able to ride the attraction, even with a Virtual Queue spot.

Overall, it seems like Disney has reduced the amount of time guests have to arrive and congregate at the entrances to maintain distancing guidelines. While a lot of this is due to concerns overcrowding, there are some perks to being able to take advantage of shorter wait times and more time to sleep in.

Here is the biggest piece of Disney planning advice you’re probably not thinking about!

Mobile Order Would See Some Changes

Mobile Order has easily become one of our favorite tools to use during a trip to Disney World. Who wouldn’t want a quicker way to grab a Dole Whip or have lunch before hopping on the Haunted Mansion? Buuut, we were surprised to see that Mobile Order also received a few alterations during the parks’ reopenings!

Mobile Order would usually allow guests the ability to choose their designated time to return back to a quick-service location so they could waltz inside and grab their meals. However, the procedure has changed to promote social distancing.

Disney is really pushing for guests to use Mobile Order to order and pay for their food. While you are still able to order inside, it can sometimes feel like you’re not allowed to or that you’re doing something wrong. But do know that it is still an option, you may just need to explain your reasoning. For example, if you need to see an allergy menu or if you’re paying with cash, you’re welcome to order inside.

Although guests are able to still choose their return time, they will have to select “I’m Here. Prepare My Order” when they arrive. Guests can choose to wait outside or inside behind designated distancing markers before being given a notification that their food is ready along with a designated pick-up location.

Since there are health and safety measures in place at Disney’s restaurants, picking up your own condiments or refilling your own drink may not be an option right now. Some restaurants will have tubs of individually packaged condiments for guests to pick up. Or, you can choose your condiments and sides through Mobile Order instead.

Free water is still just as accessible at Quick-Service locations too, since Cast Members prepare the cups to hand to guests who want a drink.

All you have to do is ask someone working at the restaurant for a cup of water, and they will allow you to enter to get a free water cup!

Here’s a look at the new quick-service dining process in Disney World!

Wait Times Would Be SO LOW

Before the parks reopened, Disney projected that its wait times would be low during the initial reopenings (hence the lack of Virtual Queues at attractions). But, we have to be honest — we did NOT expect them to see as low as they have been!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom operated with lines that were consistently only 5 minutes throughout the day (!!!) with the longest lines ranging from 15 to 20 mins that we happened to see. It’s WILD to think that we could literally walk on Tier One rides like Flight of Passage (that can typically have at least a two-hour wait!) in the parks without planning months in advance how to snag the best FastPasses.

Magic Kingdom also operated with so many low wait times that could range from 5 to 50 minutes, even during the peak times of the day. Both parks would temporarily close their attractions to clean them every 2 hours, according to Cast Members. During those times, the lines were dispersed even more, so you never really had to wait a crazy amount of time to get on an attraction.

The wait times could change when the crowds pick up (if they even pick up at all or if Disney increases capacity). However, it’s shocking that we’ve been able to hop MEGA popular attractions consistently at 5 minute wait times as opposed to possible 2+ hours or more of standing in the Florida heat.

We’re pretty sure we’ve been on Flight of Passage more times in the past few days than we probably have in the last few YEARS combined since Pandora opened!

Here are some of the best and worst things we’ve seen in a re-opened Disney World so far!

Merchandise Is a HUGE Deal Right Now

Since it debuted, Splash Mountain has been a big part of the Disney Parks around the world. And, when Disney World reopened this weekend, Splash Mountain was the MUST-DO attraction of the parks. It had the longest wait time in Magic Kingdom (yes, even over the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train) with times reaching up to 45 or 50 minutes.

Since the ride will be experiencing a redesign from the classic story of Br’er Rabbit to a contemporary The Princess and the Frog bayou ride, people were set on getting Splash Mountain items to take home with them. This is why the line for the GIFT SHOP was the biggest line we’ve seen since the parks reopened (and possibly even before the closure!).

The line during Passholder Preview stretched to a 240-minute wait, while the reopening had a 180-minute wait (and then reached capacity) to get into Splash Mountain’s gift shop. And, if you think about it, the gift shop wasn’t super popular before the announcement that the attraction would see some changes. Now it’s THE place to be in Magic Kingdom!

Disney has also rolled out a “Together Again” collection to welcome guests back into the parks. Since guests were super psyched to be back in the parks, the line of tee shirts was selling out extremely fast (commemorative merchandise is typically a big deal with many guests, but for the historic re-opening, this merch was extra unique).

There wasn’t a high quantity of the shirts stocked in Magic Kingdom, so they were practically gone from the shelves at the end of the day.

We’ve seen a few styles of the shirts restocked today, but we’ll keep checking back in the parks to see if we can be reunited with more of the Together Again collection!

Here are the ways shopping in Disney World has changed!

Temperature Checks Would Actually Be One of the Least Weird Changes

When temperature checks were first announced for Disney World, it seemed like a totally strange concept to fans everywhere. Many people were worried that it would add a bunch of additional time trying to get into the parks and that it could be invasive. In reality, it’s been neither of those things from what we’ve experienced so far.

The procedures are all conducted the same with AdventHealth team members conducting the temperature screenings before guests go through the bag check into the parks.

Since we’ve been back in the parks, the temperature screening portion of the entrance procedures actually goes by quickly as guests are moved along in an orderly fashion. While temperature checks being a part of the new normal may seem a bit weird to think about, they have been surprisingly simple to go through (and we don’t really mind them all that much).

Although there have been plenty of things that have surprised us about the parks reopening (and probably will continue to do so when EPCOT and Hollywood Studios open in just a few short days), it does seem like many guests don’t mind the changes. We’ve noticed that quite a few of the modifications in the park haven’t majorly affected guests’ visits or have even made them a bit easier.

These are the ways Disney World is breaking the theme park reopening mold!

While we continue to explore Disney World during its initial reopening, we’ll keep bringing you all the new and different things we see during our time in the parks. Let us know if you have ANY questions about what it’s like right now in Disney World!

These are our biggest tips for wearing a mask in a theme park right now!

What is one of the strangest things you’ve seen in Disney World so far? Let us know in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Counter-Service, disney dining tips, disney merchandise, Disney News, disney parks, disney resorts, Featured, Snacks, Walt Disney World, Disney, disney crowds, disney dining, Disney merch, Disney merchandise, disney news, disney restaurants, disney transportation, Disney World, Disney World reopening, early morning hours, Mobile Order, Rise of the Resistance, Star Wars Land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, temperature checks, temperature screenings, Wait Times

Welcome back! Walt Disney World is open, and that brings me back to the weather desk to keep an eye on the sky around Central Florida. Do you want a quick recap of what’s been going on while the parks have been closed?

Well, it’s been hot. March was hot. April was hot. In mid-May we had rain almost constantly, and then in June it stopped raining for two weeks and we all melted. There was a record high of 97 degrees at Orlando International Airport! Then the rain came back but it stayed hot. In short… things are pretty normal around here. If you’re visiting the theme parks this summer, be ready for heat, humidity, and strong, sometimes sudden thunderstorms with very heavy rainfall and the potential for extreme situations like flooding, hail, and even brief tornados.

You know, the usual. So what’s coming this week?

This Week’s Weather Factors

Central Florida’s rainy summer days are created by hot, humid air and the collisions of competing sea and lake breezes over the peninsula. Ask most Floridians what a “normal” summer day looks like, and you’ll probably get back “hot until about three o’clock, then a twenty-minute thunderstorm, then even more humid, somehow.”

And in case anyone forgets, it is summer in Florida. pic.twitter.com/aeEynENXS6

— TouringPlans (@TouringPlans) July 7, 2020

If that’s normal, there are degrees on either side which are affected by outside influences. Some larger weather features dial the rain back and the heat up, and some features increase the rainfall and storms… sometimes, by a lot.

This week, we are looking at both. For the first few days of the week, above-average heat is in control while storms will mostly gather to the south and east of Orlando. This is caused by a trough along the eastern seaboard of the U.S., which has dried out the airmass over Central Florida. Once it departs, we’ll have a day of “normal” weather: moisture-laden air, a midday collision of Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico sea breezes, and afternoon thunderstorms which pass through on their way to the coast.

The second half of the week, though, some weak upper-level disturbances will flit across the Florida peninsula, and the Atlantic ridge will begin to move north, changing our wind flow from west to east. As this happens, rain chances will go up… and up… and up!

This Week’s Weather at Walt Disney World

For the remainder of Sunday, expect a heat index close to 104 degrees by mid-afternoon. Storm activity will probably concentrate on areas east of the theme parks, moving over the Atlantic coast by evening. That will leave a hot, sticky night for Orlando, with a low around 76.

On Monday, dry air will still be keeping rain chances down across Central Florida. There’s just a 20% chance we’ll see some early afternoon storms, although there might be some lightning visible to our south. Heat index values will peak around 101, and the muggy overnight low will be 76.

On Tuesday, our flow becomes more normal, although it will still be very hot with that west wind. Expect a high of 93 degrees. Afternoon sea breeze storms should pop up mid-afternoon to early evening, with a 50% chance of storms in the area.

Wednesday, a new stream of moisture arrives from the southeast. This steady flow of tropical air will keep rain chances as high as 70% through the weekend. We can expect some heavy rainfall and long-lasting storms to affect the interior of Central Florida during this period. Wednesday’s high will be around 94 degrees.

Thursday through Sunday, expect daily highs around 90 degrees, lows around 75 degrees, and a high expectation of storms each day from midday through evening. With this tropical air streaming in, prepare for soaking rains and the possibility of some wash-out afternoons. I’ll have forecast updates mid-week from @WeatheratWDW on Twitter.

Tropical Weather Outlook for Central Florida

While the Northeast just shook off Tropical Storm Fay, things have been quiet on the tropical front here in Florida. There are currently no weather systems being watched for tropical development in the Atlantic, Caribbean, or Gulf of Mexico.

That’s not unusual for July. The Atlantic’s busiest storm season typically doesn’t pick up steam until August. That’s when storms off the coast of Africa often gain strength as they cross the ocean, before threatening the Caribbean and eventually the east coast of the USA.

As meteorologists now expect a La Niña pattern to emerge off the Pacific coast of South America, it’s possible the 2020 late summer and fall hurricane season could ramp up to record-season strength. La Niña affects worldwide weather patterns, and weakens winds at high altitudes over the Atlantic, allowing warm pockets of air which can nurture strong storm development. The 2020 hurricane season is just getting started… watch this space!

The post This Week in Walt Disney World Weather — July 12, 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Walt Disney World (FL), Weather, weather

Now that Disney World has reopened, we’ve been combing through the parks to collect all the brand new tips you need to know!

In order to enter the parks, all guests ages two and older are required to wear an appropriate face covering. So, since nearly everyone who enters Disney World will need to wear a face mask, we figured this is a pretty important topic to cover!

And while wearing a face mask in Disney World definitely takes some getting used to, it’s not unbearable — especially if you do it right! So, here are our top tips for wearing a face mask in the parks!

Bring Several Different Types of Masks

We’ve found that it’s important to have extra masks for each day — between the rain, humidity, and sweat, ours always seem to end up wet after a few hours! But we’ve also found that it’s helpful to have several different KINDS of masks — meaning different style, material, and fit!

That way, if one particular type of mask starts to rub in an uncomfortable way, we can swap it out with a completely different mask that fits different. In fact, we’ve even found it helpful to change into a new mask mid-day, regardless of whether our first mask has started to feel worn-in!

Did you know that you can get a Disney Food Blog face mask?? Check them out here!

Mask Thickness and Material Make a Difference for Comfort

We’ve worn a wide variety of masks around Disney World, and we’ve found certain materials are more comfortable for us. But this largely seems to be a matter of personal preference, so we suggest trying out masks made of different materials to see what you find most comfortable!

It’s helpful to test out your masks before your vacation so you can get a feel for how they will wear after spending some significant time in them. Try to go for a walk outside to see how comfortable they are while you’re active!

Here are three things that surprised us at the Disney World Annual Passholder preview!

If You Have Long Hair, Bring Clips to Secure Your Mask on Thrill Rides

This tip won’t work for everyone, but if you do have long hair, this can be super helpful! If you’re worried about losing your mask on one of the high-speed thrill rides, pack hair clips to secure the ear loops of your mask to your hair!

We tested this out on Expedition Everest, and it worked like a charm — even when the coaster zipped backward through the mountain!

Check out our LIVE coverage from the reopening of Animal Kingdom!

Plan a Sit-Down Meal Mid-Day

Guests are required to wear masks in the parks at all times — except when eating or drinking. Guests may remove their masks when seated at a restaurant, as long as they remain at their table.

By planning a sit-down meal mid-day, you can create a built-in break for your family where you can get out of the heat, remove your masks, and relax.

These are the restaurants that are reopening with each of the Disney World parks!

Find Out Where the Relaxation Stations Are Located

So, what happens if you REALLY need a break outside of mealtime? Guests will find “relaxation stations” at each of the parks. These are designated areas where guests can remove their masks while maintaining distance from other parties. These spots can be a HUGE help for giving the kiddos (or you!) a much-needed break!

Find out where the relaxation stations are located in the park you’re visiting so you know where you can go if you need to spend a few minutes without your mask!

Here’s where the “relaxation stations” are located in the reopened Disney World parks!

Take Care of Your Lips!

While wearing a mask in Disney World, we’ve found that our lips tend to get chapped pretty quickly. So, be sure to pack lip balm in your park bag! And if you wear makeup, you’ll also want to bring lipstick and a compact for touch-ups!

So, even if these aren’t items that previously made their way into your park bag, we’d suggest adding them on your next trip!

You won’t believe how low the wait times were on Animal Kingdom’s reopening day!

Make Sure You’re Drinking Plenty of Water

With the heat, humidity, and amount of walking involved in a trip to Disney World, dehydration can sneak up on you fast! And even though guests are allowed to move their masks to take a drink, we’ve found that we’ve been drinking water less frequently while wearing our masks.

We were pretty surprised at how easily we just forgot our normal water breaks with our mask on! So, make sure you’re staying hydrated and drinking enough water in the parks! You might even want to set an alarm on your watch or phone as a reminder to stop and take a sip!

Here’s how you can get water in the reopened Disney World parks!

Be Diligent About Applying Sunscreen to Your Face!

Just like staying hydrated, protecting your skin is always important. Make sure you don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your face just because you’re wearing a mask! We opt for a sunscreen with a high SPF for extra protection!

And reapplying throughout the day is also important — trust us, we’ve ended up with some interesting face mask tan lines!

Most people who are booking their Disney World trips right now don’t know THIS!

So, while wearing a face mask in Disney World is definitely a different experience than we’re used to, we’ve found ways to make it easier for ourselves! We hope these tips are helpful to you on your next trip to the parks!

Here are 10 new Disney World tips we never thought we’d have to share!

Have you been back to Disney World since the reopening? Share your face mask tips 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, 2020 disney world tips, Disney World Reopen, disney world reopened, disney world tip, disney world tips, face coverings, face mask, face mask tan lines, face mask tips, face masks, hydrated, lip balm, relaxation station, relaxation zones, sunscreen

Back in 2018, as part of Disney’s plan to include characters in just about anything, the bird show in the Asia section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom was revised to become UP! A Great Bird Adventure. Although seeing the birds do their antics is always enjoyable, the addition of the characters into the show felt really forced. When Disney announced their list of attractions that would be reopening, UP! was not on the list. Needless to say, guests to Animal Kingdom were a bit surprised to see showtimes posted on opening day.

Short-answer, UP is out — no more Russell and Dug awkwardly standing on stage. The focus of the show, as it should be, is back on the birds.

The new show, Feathered Friends in Flight, feels more fast-paced and still has audience participation, albeit in a COVID-19-responsible way (a foot powered rocket launches an item in the air for a bird to retrieve instead of having a person throwing it by hand into the air, for instance).

Birds bring out the oohs and aahs as they fly around the (socially distance seating) amphitheater, providing a delightful experience for young and old alike.

In short, this is a significant improvement on its previous incarnation, and a welcome sight at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. If you’re looking for a place to take a break during your day, you could do far worse than stopping by this show.

The post UP Is Away–New Bird Show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Walt Disney World (FL), Up! A Great Bird Adventure

The Magic Kingdom reopened to guests this weekend at Walt Disney World. They set-up new safety and health guidelines setup to help guests enjoy their Disney visit. The new physical distancing practices were working well when we were there. Another new feature the Magic Kingdom offers now are relaxation stations for guests. These zones give guests a chance to take a break. We checked out all the new relaxation stations set up for guests at Magic Kingdom. You can see what they look like below.

Tomorrowland Terrace in Tomorrowland

The first relaxation station we visited is located at the end of Main Street while heading towards Tomorrowland.

It’s nice to have seats in a shaded area to escape the sun during hot, summer days.

Golden Oak Outpost in Frontierland

The second location is at the Golden Oak Outpost. It’s found on the walkway between Splash Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Pete’s Silly Sideshow in Storybook Circus

The third and final relaxation station we visited is at Pete’s Silly Sideshow in Storybook Circus. You can find it near the Dumbo attraction in Fantasyland.

Whats great about this location is that it offers a spot to cool off in an air-conditioned room.

Let us know if you visit these locations when you go to Magic Kingdom.

The post What do the Relaxation Stations look like at the Magic Kingdom appeared first on Chip and Co..

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Attractions, Parks & Resorts, Walt Disney World, Adventureland, fantasyland, Magic Kingdom, Relaxation Stations, Tomorrowland