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NEWS: One Character Dining Experience IS Returning To Disney World!

When Disney World reopens, there’s one restaurant that will give guests their character fix!

Walt Disney World

Select Disney World Resort hotels will begin reopening on June 22nd. Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom will be the first parks to welcome back guests on July 11th, followed by Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th. As things initially reopen, there will be a number of changes implemented for the safety of guests and Cast Members.

And one of those health and safety precautions is the temporary suspension of all Character Dining experiences. 

Meet and Greet at Cinderella’s Royal Table

But, there is one exception — according to the Disney World website, Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera will offer a modified Character Dining experience.

Topolino’s Terrace

This rooftop restaurant is located in Disney’s Riviera Resort, and before the closure, a character meal was offered during breakfast.

Topolino’s Terrace Breakfast a la Art Characters

Disney hasn’t yet released specific details on what the modified Character Dining experience will entail, but at least there will be one restaurant where guests can get their character fix!

Click here to read more about how Disney World dining will be changing this summer

Have you dined at Topolino’s Terrace? Share your experience with us in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Character Dining, disney resorts, Featured, Riviera Resort, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, disney modifications, disney world dining, Disney World reopening, Disney world reopening plan, health and safety, modified experiences, modified guest experiences, topolino’s, Topolino’s Terrace, topolino’s terrace flavors of the riviera

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BREAKING NEWS: How Disney World Dining is CHANGING This Summer

Disney World has released more information about what to expect when the parks reopen!

Be Our Guest Restaurant

Select Disney Resort hotels will begin to reopen starting June 22nd, and Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom will welcome back guests on July 11th, with Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios following on July 11th. In order to ensure the safety of guests, a number of new health measures will be implemented upon reopening, including some NEW info about dining.

Disney has stated that during the reopening period, many dining experiences will be unavailable or altered in order to promote cleanliness and physical distancing. Thanks to our friend @ScottGustin on Twitter, we now know some of the changes we can expect.

Guest Requirements for Dining

Disney World table-service restaurants will require guests to comply with the following measures:

Face Coverings

In order to dine in Disney World face coverings are required for all guests age two and up. They must be worn in all public areas, including as guests are entering and exiting the restaurant, but masks may be removed while dining.

Resort Hotel Dining Reservations

Guests who wish to dine at a table-service restaurant in a Disney Resort hotel must have a confirmed dining reservation if they are not staying overnight. Guests will not be permitted to enter a Disney hotel without either a confirmed hotel reservation or a confirmed dining reservation.

©Disney

In-Park Dining Reservations

At this time dining reservations are not available for in-park restaurants, but reservations will return at a later date. When in-park dining does become available, guests will need valid park admission, a reservation for park entry, and a dining reservation to dine at an in-park, table-service restaurant.

©Disney

New Health Measures

New health and hygiene measures that will be implemented include enhanced cleaning, reduced contact menus, and temporary removal of self-serve items.

©Disney

Enhanced Technology

Disney will also utilize technology to allow guests to minimize their contact with others. In addition to Mobile Order, select restaurants will also offer digital menus, and guests are encouraged to use cashless payment methods.

©Disney

Additional Dining Experience Changes

Disney has also noted that guests may experience a number of additional changes. Menu items may vary and guests are encouraged to check online menus upon reopening.

Character dining will not be offered when Disney World initially reopens, with one exception — Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera at Disney’s Riviera Resort will offer a modified Character dining experience.

Topolino’s Terrace

Dinner shows will also not be offered upon the initial reopening.

Hoop-Dee-Doo Pioneer Hall Players

Dining locations will be limited in capacity and some will remain temporarily closed. Also, private dining and in-room delivery will not be available initially.

©Disney

Modifications, Cancellations, and Refunds

Given the unprecedented circumstances, Disney has modified some of its policies. All pre-paid dining and experience reservations impacted by the closure will be automatically refunded. Also, guests with reservations at locations impacted by the closure will not be charged a cancellation or no-show fees. As was previously announced, all Disney Dining Plans have been canceled and are temporarily unavailable.

©Disney

As the reopening of Disney World continues to approach, we’re keeping an eye out for additional updates and announcements!

Click here to learn about updated transportation policies that will be in place when Disney World Reopens

Will you be visiting Disney World when it reopens? Let us know in the comments!

Related posts:

  1. NEWS: One Character Dining Experience IS Returning To Disney World!
  2. 21 Myths About Walt Disney World Food DEBUNKED
  3. Is the 2019 Disney World Free Dining Offer a Good Deal?

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Buffet, Character Dining, Counter-Service, Disney News, disney parks, disney resorts, Featured, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, advance dining reservations, dining reservation, disney modifications, disney world dining, Disney World Reopen, Disney World reopening, health and safety, modified experiences, modified guest experiences, Topolino’s Terrace

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Traveling to Disney World in 2020? Here’s How Your Experience Will Be Different!

We’re taking a DEEP collective breath and getting ready to plunge into Disney World once some of the theme parks begin to reopen on July 11th.

Magic Kingdom

And if you’re still planning on making a trip to Disney World this summer, you may be wondering what changes you can expect.

While some of the ways Disney World has adapted to these times will be more obvious than others, here are the five most important differences you should know before you go.

Disney World Will Have a Limited Capacity

As you’ve possibly heard by now, Disney World will only be allowing a certain number of guests to visit each day. They hope to achieve this by implementing a new reservation system. To put the new system in place, they had to temporarily suspend all ticket sales and aren’t accepting any new reservations at this time.

Disney Springs

Disney also canceled all previously booked FastPasses, dining reservations, and Disney Dining Plans. The planning functions for each of these offerings have also been frozen until Disney World works out the exact number of guests they’ll be accepting each day. (Note that you CAN now make dining reservations in Disney Springs through the Disney World app.) Once the new reservation system is up and running, guests with valid park admission and a hotel reservation will be given priority access to book theme park reservations.

While all of this seems like a lot to take in, Disney CEO Bob Chapek has stated one of the changes will be significantly fewer people inside the parks, meaning possibly much shorter wait times for popular rides.

Click HERE to check out our answers to these most important questions our readers are asking us about Disney World.

Face Coverings Will Be Mandatory

As we’ve already seen implemented at Disney Springs since its May 20th phased reopening, guests over the age of two will be required to wear face masks at all times when visiting the theme parks. Disney World is working on a plan to offer guests “relaxation zones” where they can temporarily remove their masks for a spell.

Disney Ambassadors

Disney World’s Cast Members are also required to wear face coverings at all times and a new health and safety group has been formed to help navigate guests through all of the guidelines while ensuring everyone is following the rules. They’re called Social Distancing Squads and you can learn more about them here!

What happens if I refuse to wear a face mask at Disney World? Find out here!

Temperature Screenings Are Also Required for Entry

While you’re probably used to walking through a security checkpoint and having your bag screened, you must have your temperature taken using an infrared touchless thermometer before you’ll be allowed inside the parks.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

We’ve also seen this implemented at Universal Orlando as well as when entering Disney Springs. AdventHealth employees are conducting the screenings at Disney World and you must have a temperature of 100.4 degrees or lower to enter. If your temperature comes in too high, you’ll be given the opportunity to sit in a cool-down tent for a bit, then recheck your temperature. If your temperature still comes in too high, you AND your party will be asked to leave.

Click here to read everything you need to know about temperature checks at Disney World!

Eating Will Be Uniquely Different

When Disney announced they were canceling all pre-existing dining reservations, they also stated they would be shifting from a 180-day booking window to a 60-day booking window going forward to allow guests to make their plans closer to their visits.

50’s Prime Time Cafe at Hollywood Studios

But it’s not just how you’ll make dining reservations that will be different — the whole process of sitting down to enjoy a meal at Disney World has drastically changed. Hostess booths have plexiglass shields while many restaurants are offering contactless check-in, menus, and payment options.

Mickey Pretzel

Tables are spaced apart or labeled “not for use” while condiments and silverware aren’t being left on the tables anymore at most restaurants. All servers are wearing masks (and usually gloves) while only guests who are seated at a table are able to remove their masks. You can also lower your mask if you’re walking around Disney Springs with a snack or beverage.

See PHOTOS of what it’s like to eat in a reopened Disney World restaurant right now!

Shopping Poses a Few New Challenges

We’ve been checking out some of the retail locations at Disney Springs that have begun to reopen. While many shops have made modifications to their check-out counters such as laying down social distancing markers, installing plexiglass barriers, promoting self-bagging, and providing hand sanitizer for guests, some of the rules tend to vary from store to store.

Disney Springs

Some businesses have fitting rooms available to guests, but we’ve found many do not. Some stores are only allowing a handful of customers inside at one time with guests queued up outside waiting for their turn to enter.

We’ve seen some shops are still allowing guests to test their products (such as Basin), but others like Sephora aren’t. It can be a little tricky to interpret the new set of rules each store has implemented so if you’re unclear about anything, just as ask a cast member in the store!

See what it’s like to shop in reopened Disney Springs here!

Now that we’ve discussed five of the biggest changes you’ll see at Disney World, here are five MORE things you’ll need to wrap your head around!

Guest Experiences May Be Modified

Disney World has made this very clear that not all experiences will be offered upon reopening — they’ve posted this information on their website everywhere you turn. Now we finally know what a few of those “modifications” will be. Character dining is temporarily on hold, and Disney World’s water parks aren’t expected to reopen, (at least, not right away).

Mickey Mouse

In addition fireworks, parades, and character meet and greets being postponed, and Disney World is also revising their park hours. Extra Magic Hours have been halted and some Disney World transportation services (such as the monorail and ferryboats) may be reduced.

See what else you WON’T SEE when Disney World reopen here!

Disney World is Making Changes to Its Annual Passholder Policies

Even bigger changes are being announced for Disney World’s Annual Passholders. There are so many, in fact, that they’ve launched a new webpage to address AP-specific concerns.

Walt Disney World Annual Passholder

While APs will have a special preview of the theme parks as well as early access to make theme park reservations before the general public does, Annual Passholders will only be allowed to hold a certain number of reserved days at one time. More updates regarding Disney World APs are forthcoming.

Read more about the latest Disney World Annual Passholder policy changes here!

How Will You Travel to AND Around Disney World

As we mentioned earlier, Disney World has already announced some of its transportation services will be limited, but that only covers internal transportation. How will you be planning on getting TO Disney World?

Disney’s Magical Express Sign

For many travelers who have never considered an alternative to flying, it might make more sense (both financially as well as practically-speaking) to drive instead of fly. Read more about this Disney World shake-up here.

Click HERE for the five things you need to know if you’re planning to go to Disney World when the parks reopen!

Where Will You Stay at Disney World

Planning your trip is even trickier right now since Disney World hotels aren’t currently accepting new reservations and we only know of the Disney Vacation Club resorts that will be reopening June 22nd (Note that Disney Vacation Club members CAN still book new resort reservations at this time). The other Disney World hotels don’t have a confirmed reopening date yet.

DIsney’s BoardWalk Inn

Disney World originally announced the theme park resort hotels would also be reopening July 11th, but later retracted the statement. What we do know is guests with a current hotel reservation and valid park admission will be given first crack at making reservations once the new system is released.

See which Disney World hotels will be reopening June 22nd here!

What Time of Year Should You Visit

With so much uncertainty still looming, you might be wondering if it’s even worth it to go to Disney World this year.

Magic Kingdom Sign

It’s a difficult question but you have some alternative options if your previous spring or summer trips were canceled. Booking a trip to Disney World in September has its benefits while November is also a season you should consider.

Magic Kingdom

Click here to learn more about the times of year you can consider visiting Disney World

It’s practically certain that Disney World will be QUITE different when it reopens. But if you’ve done the work of preparing for the unique challenges you’ll be experiencing and have taken every necessary health and safety precaution into consideration, we know Disney World is still committed to providing their guests with a magical experience regardless of the changes they’ve made and will be making in the future!

Are you planning on going to Disney World when the parks reopen? Let us know in the comments below.

Related posts:

  1. News: New Dining Discounts for Disney World Annual Passholders for 45th Anniversary Year
  2. 21 Myths About Walt Disney World Food DEBUNKED
  3. 25 Can’t-Miss Experiences to Celebrate the Holidays at Walt Disney World This Year!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Character Dining, Counter-Service, Disney Springs, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, annual passholder policy changes, different, Dining Reservations, disney dining plan, Disney World, Disney World Resort hotels, disney world resort will be different, driving to disney world, dvc hotels, eating, fastpasses, limited capacity, limited transportation, modified guest experiences, new reservation system, no character meet and greets, no fireworks, no parades, reopening, shopping

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NEWS: Character Dining to be Temporarily Canceled in Disney World

Disney World has been rolling out new information about their parks’ reopening — set to begin on July 11th.

Cinderella Castle

In preparation for the reopening, Disney has canceled all existing dining reservations and dining plans until a new reservation system is unveiled. But Disney just offered clarity on one specific dining experience we have been wondering about: character dining.

Disney has been reaching out to guests who had booked Disney World dining plans to notify them that character dining will NOT be available when Disney World reopens.

Snow White

Thanks to our reader, @ashleyrakow , we have access to one of these emails. The message states, “As a result of physical distancing, capacity in restaurants and availability of dining experiences is very limited and certain experiences such as Character dining cannot be provided.”

©Disney via @askleyrakow

We understand that this statement is very limited and does not provide you with a lot of information. What we do know is that at this time Disney has suspended new dining reservations but they have not shared which specific dining locations will reopen when the parks reopen. There is potential that character dining locations could open, just without characters for the time being (again though, Disney has not released specifics). When Disney does give us more information on dining reservations and open restaurants, we will make sure to update you with the latest information.

When it comes to characters, Disney has shared that meet and greets will be temporarily unavailable but that characters will still be available in some capacity.

As things continue to change, we will continue to provide you will the lastest news. We are here to help you during this strange time, so if you have any questions at all, please let us know!! ?

You can learn more about Disney canceling dining reservations here!

Did you receive a notification that character dining will not be available? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, Character Dining, Character Meal, Disney, Disney character dining, disney dining, disney dining plan, disney dining reservation, Disney World, disney world character dining

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Disney World Confirms That Dining Reservations are Currently Unavailable

There has been a TON of news coming out of Disney World today!

Be Our Guest Restaurant

After a lengthy closure beginning back on March 16th, Disney World announced that they hope to reopen Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom on July 11th, followed by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th. Whenever the parks are cleared to reopen, guests can expect to experience several changes including new health and safety guidelines, required reservations for park entrance, and contactless menus in restaurants.

Earlier today, Disney World paused hotel reservations and ticket purchases. Guests may have also realized that they were unable to make advance dining reservations on the Disney World website or My Disney Experience app later in the day. Disney World has now added a message to the site confirming that dining and other experience reservations are unavailable at this time.

©Disney

While the travel information page of the website indicates that “reservations will resume at a later date,” there is currently no timeframe available for when guests will once again be able to make reservations.

©Disney

Disney World made its reopening proposal today, so we will continue to keep an eye on any changes in the availability of dining reservations to keep you informed.

Click here to read more about the Disney World reopening proposal!

Which Disney World park are you most excited to return to? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Buffet, Character Dining, disney parks, Featured, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, advance dining reservation, advance dining reservations, dining, Disney, disney dining, disney reservations, disney restaurant, disney springs, disney springs dining, disney springs reopening, disney springs restaurant, Disney World, Disney World reopening, disney world resort, Disney World Website, My Disney Experience, reopening, table service dining, walt disney world resort