A Blog About Disney Stuff

Now that Disney World has reopened, we’ve got some brand NEW tips to share!

We’ve visited the parks, hotels, and Disney Springs to get a feel for what it’s like to visit a reopened Disney World. And with all of the changes in Disney, that means we have some NEW tips for your vacation that probably would have sounded a little weird at this time last year!

Bring Plenty of Face Masks!

All Cast Members and guests age two and up must wear a face mask in the parks at all times (except when eating and drinking). And with the summertime Florida weather, you’re likely to encounter thunderstorms, heat, and humidity — and the resulting sweat!

Which means, your mask is likely to get wet throughout the day! Whether you opt for reusable or disposable face masks, pack extra for your trip, and throw several in your park bag for each member of your party before you head out for the day. That way, you’ll be all set if you need a fresh mask!

Did you know you can get a Disney Food Blog Face Mask?? Check them out here!

Set a Reminder to Drink Water

We encourage our readers pretty regularly to make sure they’re staying hydrated as they navigate the parks. But from the time we’ve spent in a reopened Disney World, we’ve found we aren’t drinking water as often as usual.

Guests are allowed to briefly pull down their masks to take a drink or a bite of food, but since it’s less convenient with a mask on, we’ve been guilty of not hydrating as often! If you think there’s a chance you could fall into this habit as well, consider setting a reminder on your watch or phone to stop and take a drink every so often. Trust us, it’s better than getting dehydrated!

If you DO forget and find yourself in a bad way — either through dehydration or heatstroke — swing by the First Aid Center in each park. They’re well equipped to help you if you need it.

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

Pack Your Own Hand Sanitizer

We’ve found the ample hand sanitizer around the parks but, while there are lots throughout the parks, hotels, and Disney Springs, we still recommend packing your own! 

By packing your own hand sanitizer, you won’t have to search for a hand sanitizer station. And you’ll have it available when you really want it — like when your meal arrives at a restaurant or when you’ve just pulled down your lap bar on an attraction!

Here’s what it’s like to eat in a recently reopened restaurant in Disney World.

Speaking of Hand Sanitizer, Consider One that Clips to Your Bag!

Another piece of hand sanitizer advice — we’ve found that having ours clipped to the outside of our park bag is super convenient!

That way, we don’t have to dig around inside our bag (and touch all of our other belongings in the process!) when we need it. Here’s a good multi-pack of sanitizers we like.

Here’s how you can find the nearest hand sanitizer station in Disney World!

And Bring Lotion for Your Hands Also!

One side effect we’ve noticed from all of the handwashing and sanitizing we’ve been doing — our hands get super dry! 

So, while regular moisturizing lotion isn’t typically at the top of our list of park bag necessities, it’s definitely become an MVP for us in recent weeks! If your room provides travel-sized lotion, pop one not your bag. These are a great option as well (and ultra-moisturizing).

Here’s a big piece of NEW Disney World planning advice you’re not thinking about!

Keep a Close Eye on Disney Park Pass Availability

In order to visit the reopened Disney World parks, all guests are required to have a Disney Park Pass reservation. There is a cap on the availability for Disney World Resort guests, regular ticket holders, and Annual Passholders in each park every day so when they’re all gone, they’re gone.

BUT, we’ve noticed that the Disney Park Pass availability can change, and occasionally, parks that were previously listed as full have become available again. So, if you didn’t get your first choice of park when making your initial reservations, check back regularly to see if the availability has changed!

Click here to see our Disney Park Pass tutorial!

Be On the Lookout for Characters in Unexpected Places

During the initial reopening period, guests won’t find traditional character experiences like meet-and-greets, parades, and character dining (with the exception of the modified character dining experiences at Topolino’s Terrace and Garden Grill).

But that doesn’t mean you can’t spot characters on your vacation — there will be new (socially distanced) experiences in each of the parks! We’ve already had the chance to see these in action in Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, and characters will pop up in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT as well!

These character experiences will be unscheduled and will pop up as a surprise, so don’t camp out to try to catch them! But keep a sharp eye out as you’re wandering through the parks and you might spot one of your favorite characters! We were kind of shocked by how MANY characters we’ve seen since we’ve been back. While you can’t get an autograph or a hug, it’s kinda neat to see so many characters in a day!

Click here to learn more about these new character experiences!

Reapply Sunscreen to Your Face Regularly!

It’s important to protect your skin regardless of the circumstances of your vacation, but now this common tip has a new twist! Don’t forget to regularly reapply sunscreen to your face! This can help you avoid both a sunburn and unwanted face mask tan lines.

You also might want to use a high SPF sunscreen on your face, to help cut down on the face mask tan lines! This is a great one made especially for your face!

See which face masks are the MOST comfortable to wear all day in Disney World — and which ones you should avoid!

Bring Lip Balm

We’ve found that wearing a mask around the park all day has caused our lips to get dry super quickly. So, another park bag essential that has found its way towards the top of our list is lip balm!

Here’s a bonus tip — since these are typically pretty small, they can fall to the bottom of your bag easily. So if possible, keep your lip balm in a small, outer pocket of your bag for easy access!

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

Bring a Portable Phone Charger

With the focus on reducing contact, your cell phone (and My Disney Experience app) is more important than ever! You can use your phone to Mobile Order, pull up QR code menus, process contactless payments, and more!

Disney World does offer swappable FuelRod chargers at several locations, but keep in mind that guests who signed up for the program after October 26th, 2019 will now have to pay a $3 swap fee.

So, while there are portable phone charging options available in Disney World, you may want to bring your own from home to avoid swapping fees! This is a reliable charger that can provide you multiple charges in a day!

Click here to learn more about the FuelRod swapping policy change!

We’ve been scoping out all of the ins and outs of navigating a reopened Disney World — and we’ve learned A LOT along the way! We hope these new tips will help you maximize the magic on your next Disney vacation! What else do YOU want to know about reopened Disney World? We’re in the parks every day checking out the changes and here to help you be in the know.

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

Have you been to Disney World since the reopening? Share your new 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, character cavalcade, character cavalcades, Character experiences, dfb face masks, Disney Park Pass, Disney Park Pass Theme Park Reservation System, disney world reopened, disney world tip, disney world tips, face mask, face masks, FuelRod, hand sanitizer, Hand Sanitizer Station, hand sanitizer stations, hydrated, lip balm, pack your park bag, park bag, phone charger, sunscreen

Florida reports single-day record of 15,300 new COVID-19 cases

The State of Florida has just reported a record-breaking spike in new coronavirus cases on Sunday according to WESH.

The Florida Department of Health reported 15,300 new cases, which shatters the record for single-day cases from last month.

Orange County which Disney World resides has reported more than 1,300 new COVID-19 cases.

Florida now has a total of 269,811 cases of COVID-19 and reporting a statewide death toll of 4,346.

Gov. Ron DeSantis provided an update at his press conference from yesterday.

Disney World has in place Health and Safety Procedures which include:

• Appropriate Face Coverings – All guests 2 years of age and older, along with cast members, will be required to wear an appropriate face covering while visiting the theme parks. They must be worn over the nose and mouth at all times, except when eating and drinking while dining.
• Transportation – Capacity and guest density is limited for complimentary Walt Disney World guest transportation, and guests are required to wear appropriate face coverings at all times during their journey. Buses and Monorails will implement a combination of physical distancing and physical barriers to provide separation between guest parties. Party groups will be required to maintain physical distancing while aboard Disney watercraft. Disney Skyliner will load one party per gondola when it returns to operation July 15, 2020. For those arriving in their own vehicles, auto plazas will offer cashless payment; parking lot trams will not be available at this time.
• Temperature Screenings – All guests will be required to undergo temperature screenings prior to entering a theme park. Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anyone displaying a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher will be directed to an additional location for rescreening and assistance. Those who again measure 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher will not be allowed entry, nor will those in their party.
• Physical Distancing and Capacity Measures – To maintain appropriate physical distancing, a limited number of guests will be able to visit each theme park each day; limits will also be in place for indoor locations within the parks, such as retail shops and dining locations. Ground markings will help promote proper physical distancing throughout the parks, including attraction queues. Physical barriers will be in place in select locations where maintaining a proper physical distance from others may be difficult.
• Cleanliness – High-traffic areas will receive increased cleaning. Guests will be encouraged to frequently use hand-washing stations and hand sanitizer available in the theme parks.
• Cashless Transactions – Guests are encouraged to use cashless options whenever possible, including MagicBands, debit cards, credit cards, Disney gift cards and mobile payment methods.

Disney Cast members have gone through extensive new training to prepare for the theme parks’ reopening in this new environment. Cast members in the Incredi-Crew will wear brightly colored, easily identifiable attire and walk through the parks to explain the new procedures and answer any guest questions while encouraging everyone to follow these new health and safety measures.

Click here to see the most recent Health & Safety update from Disney’s Chief Medical Officer.

The post Florida reports single-day record of 15,300 new COVID-19 cases appeared first on Chip and Co..

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: News, COVID-19, COVID-19 Cases, Florida, Florida Department of Health, record-breaking spike

All 22 NBA teams playing the remainder of this year’s basketball season have assembled at Walt Disney World. However, don’t expect to see NBA players at Magic Kingdom anytime soon. The league is preparing to restart their basketball season in a controlled environment. But the NBA has made arrangements with Disney to provide after-hours access to attractions.

The NBA informed teams of “bookable experiences on the NBA campus at Disney” in a memo to basketball players. A list of their options for after-hours access includes access to Expedition Everest, Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster, and Test Track.

“Players will have the first opportunity to select experiences on a first come first serve basis and are recommended to book experiences at least 48 hours in advance,” the memo said. “Open slots for experiences will be released 24 hours prior to the beginning of the event, during which period other members of the team travel party may book available inventory.”

The NBA’s season will resume on July 30, 2020. They’ll play at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Florida. Besides the after-hours Disney attractions, NBA players can utilize other amenities.

Golf and other amenities 

Players and staffers will have access to three golf courses with tee times for foursomes throughout the day, six days a week.

Disney’s Palm Golf Course, Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course and Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course are the three courses to play.

Players can also utilize bowling opportunities at Splitsville in Disney Springs on select nights. Meanwhile, their resort lounges include pool tables, table tennis and video games, swimming pools, tennis courts and bikes.

 

The post NBA players in Disney World to receive special perks appeared first on Chip and Co..

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Attractions, Parks & Resorts, Walt Disney World, Basketball, Disney attractions, Disney rides, Disney World Basketball, nba

The Princess Bride: The Guilder Frontier LEGO Idea

The 1987 classic, ‘The Princess Bride,’ is a beloved tale about a young woman and the love of her life trying to find and save her. One fan, LEGO IDEAS User “FSLeinad,” decided to submit a LEGO set idea complete with 1,000 pieces featuring “the three classic duels and the journey through the fire swamp.”

The project features six characters- Vizzini, Inigo Montoya, Fezzik, The Man in Black, Princess Buttercup, and An R.O.U.S (rodent of unusual size) – brick built.

To be considered by the LEGO Group to produce this idea as a set, The Princess Bride: The Guilder Frontier needs 10,000 supporters. The idea currently has 4,277 supporters! If you would like to see this set come to life, click here to make a LEGO IDEAS account and become a supporter!

Check back here on Chip & Co. for the latest theme park and entertainment news!

Source: LEGO Ideas.

The post The Princess Bride: The Guilder Frontier LEGO Idea appeared first on Chip and Co..

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Consumer Products, Disney & Co, News, disney movies, Lego, LEGO Ideas, LEGO set, The Guilder Frontier, The Princess Bride

We’ve been running around Magic Kingdom checking out everything new the park has to offer since it re-opened!

Earlier, we spotted a ton of new stockings and Christmas merch in Disney Springs. But recently, we stopped into Ye Old Christmas Shoppe to see if they added anything new. On our way in we spotted something spooky. A brand new Haunted Mansion stocking!

Call in the spirits wherever they are at! This stocking features our favorite happy haunt, Madame Leota. (You know, the woman who’s head is inside a crystal ball on The Haunted Mansion?!) The stocking is modeled after her tombstone that you see on the way into Haunted Mansion. Don’t worry, her eyes won’t follow you here!

Confused by how to stuff your ghoulish Christmas stocking? We were too. Turns out, there’s a big pocket in the back! The stocking costs $29.99.

We’ll be hurrying back to grab a stocking of our own. But, consider this chilling challenge — to grab one before they’re out of stock! Will you be buying this stocking? Give us a hint while ringing the bell!

Wanna know what’s like shopping at Disney World now that’s re-opened? Check out our shopping guide here!

Do you love this Haunted Mansion stocking? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney merchandise, Disney News, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, Christmas, christmas stocking, Disney merch, Disney merchandise, Disney World, Haunted Mansion, haunted mansion merchandise, haunted mansion souvenir, Madame Leota, merch, merchandise, Souvenir, stocking, Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe