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Disney Springs Is BUSTLING Today, and World of Disney is BACK On A Virtual Queue

Some days are busier than others at the recently reopened Disney Springs, and today Walt Disney World’s shopping district is on the heavier side with crowds!

World of Disney line on June 7

As a part of new health and safety measures, stores are limiting capacity. And on a day like today when Disney Springs is quite busy, that means lines.

When we were strolling around Disney Springs this afternoon, we noticed that World of Disney had implemented its virtual queue!

World of Disney Virtual Queue sign

To help keep the line orderly, there were social distancing markers on the ground, with cast members enforcing the spacing.

The line was lengthy when we first got to it, and World of Disney has been turning the virtual queue on and off all afternoon.

World of Disney queue

Disney Springs certainly is busy today, but with World of Disney selling everything from new character socks to Baby Yoda plushes and more ADORABLE merch, we definitely understand why.

Heading to Disney Springs soon? Here’s EVERYTHING you need to know about the reopened shopping center!

Have you been to Disney Springs since it reopened? Let us know your experience in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney merchandise, Disney News, disney parks, Disney Springs, Featured, Walt Disney World, crowd levels, Disney merch, disney springs, disney springs crowd levels, virtual line, virtual queue, World of Disney, World of Disney virtual line

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Disney Guides Disney Parks Other

Disney World Has a “Season” You Didn’t Know About! Here’s What It Is and How To Plan For It!

While most of us are just regular people who like to enjoy a nice time at Disney World to relax and unwind, there is another group of super-human athletes that come to Disney to COMPETE!

It’s Mickey!

We’re talking about football players and cheer squads (along with their entourages!) which can sometimes flood Disney World Resort with THOUSANDS of peppy peeps!

If you’re not a cheerleader or proud cheer parent, you probably don’t have a clue when these major sporting events are held, or how they could impact your trip to Disney World! That’s why we want to give you a quick rundown on when these cheerleading championships typically take place — and what you can expect if your vacation dates coincide with Disney World’s Football and Cheer Season!

December

Pop Warner Super Bowl and National Cheer and Dance Championships

While several cheer competitions are held from January to May at Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, one of the biggest youth sporting events actually takes place in December.

Pop Warner Merch

Last year, Pop Warner ran from December 7 to December 14 and brought athletes from over 64 national football teams and 400 cheer squads to Orlando to compete. Trust us when we say things can get a little hectic if Pop Warner catches you off guard! Disney even makes a special line of Pop Warner merch for the participants!

Learn more about the impact Pop Warner can have on your vacation plans here!

April – May

Numerous Cheer Championships

The next batch of major cheer tourneys crops up in springtime with the USASF Cheerleading Worlds happening in late April as well as the International Cheerleading Union World Championships (ICU).

Minnie Stops By to Lead a Cheer

The Summit, which is the last All-Star competition of the season, normally takes place in early May along with the D2 Summit typically held right after. All of these championships bring in lots of kids and spectators, so let’s explore how this might affect your vacation as a non-participant!

Check out what else could possibly come to Wide World of Sports this year!

Crowd Levels at the Disney World Theme Parks During Cheer Events

At the Beginning of the Competition

So, there’s good news and bad news. Here’s the good news first: these highly-trained athletes are here mainly for one thing and one thing only — to compete. Everything else (even Mickey Mouse!) is pretty much secondary.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Many cheer coaches won’t even allow their teams to visit the theme parks until AFTER they’re eliminated from the competition, so you might not really experience anything out of the ordinary until the first few days are over.

Check out our tips for avoiding crowds at Disney World here!

Towards the Middle and the End of the Competition

Once teams start dropping out, THEN you’ll start to see kids showing up at the parks. And once these championships are over, many teams make a point of staying an extra day or two to blow off a little of that competitive steam. Cheerleaders tend to travel in packs, so you’ll probably see some large groups of ’em (look for the BIG cheer hairbows!), but all in all, we’ve never found crowds to be THAT bad.

Magic Kingdom Sign

As long as you’ve got your FastPasses booked well in advance, you should be fine with normal to slightly above normal crowd levels (and noise levels) for a few days of your trip.

Check out some of the BIGGEST time-wasters at Disney World (and tips for how to avoid them) here!

Possible Closures

And for the Worlds Competition (the one in April), Disney’s Hollywood Studios typically holds a private after-hours party for cheer squads, meaning regular park guests will get the boot a few hours early. This is usually posted in advance on the displayed park hours, so you can plan around it — but be sure to be looking for it!

All in all, you really shouldn’t feel too much of a crunch at the parks. Now Disney World’s hotels, on the other hand, are a different story altogether.

Disney World Resorts During Cheer Events

Disney World resorts are where things start to get a little more noticeable.

All-Star Sports

Since each cheer squad is comprised of several members who often need to stay at the same hotel so they can practice, you might find yourself in the middle of an impromptu pep rally if you’re not careful!

Disney World’s Value Resorts

Cheerleaders will often stay on property at Disney World with Value Resorts being a popular option. Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, (not surprisingly) Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, and Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort tend to book up with these groups during the competitive season.

This Makes a Great Cheer Practice Spot, so Be Ready!

These groups can be found practicing on the hotel grounds at times, so if you find yourself at one of these hotels, be prepared for a little (okay, a lot) of extra energy and noise at the resort! Also, during those first few days of competition, the practices can be EARLY. So…we guess you won’t be missing Rope Drop after all?

See how some of these resorts celebrate Disney World’s Cheer Season here!

Disney World’s Moderate Resorts

While Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is a moderate resort, it’s conveniently located near ESPN Wide World of Sports and many convention-goers choose it for its extra amenities.

Gran Destino Tower

If you’re staying at any of these resorts we’ve just mentioned, you’re more likely to see groups of pre-teens and teens stunting or training in common areas. They usually aren’t too rowdy, but you could hear cheering or music, which depending on your level of tolerance, might encourage you to stay elsewhere.

Learn more about Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort here!

Disney Springs During Cheer Events

You might find Disney Springs to be a little more bustling during the cheer comps, especially in the evening when the groups are looking to enjoy some retail therapy and do some carbo-loading for the big day ahead. Shops might be a bit busier while restaurants tend to book up more quickly.

Kate Spade X Minnie Mouse Collection

If you’d rather not deal with the extra crowds, do Disney Springs earlier in the day while the kids are still competing.

Click here to check out ALL of the Disney Springs restaurants!

Transportation During Cheer Events

Many of the cheerleaders use Disney World’s ground transportation. This means you might experience some delays on your end due to the increased demand for buses.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

You might also end up on a bus filled with cheerleaders or have to wait for another bus since an entire cheer squad just filled up a bus that’s heading to or from the parks.

Incredibles Bus

Check out these ten simple tips that will make your Disney World vacation WAY easier!

Either way, we think it’s still pretty manageable to go to Disney World during Cheer Season as long as you manage your expectations and know what you’re getting into. We’ve been at Disney World many times during cheer competitions and have worked around the crowds with relative ease.

Magic Kingdom

There might be some craziness, crowds, or extra noisiness at times, but for many of these youngsters, competing in a national championship at Disney World signifies a major athletic achievement in their young lives.

To learn more about some of the transportation options Disney World has to offer, click here!

In the end, we ALL have something we hope to gain from going to Disney World, whether it’s a shiny cheer trophy or just a Mickey Pretzel! Thankfully neither are mutually-exclusive and we can all make some special Disney World memories that will last a lifetime whether we’re in it to win it or just have a relaxing vacation!

Have you ever visited Disney World during Cheer Season? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!

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  3. DFB Video: How to Master the Disney Dining Plan

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: All-Star Resorts, Animal Kingdom, Art of Animation, Coronado Springs Resort, Disney Springs, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Pop Century Resort, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, aoviding crowds, April, buses, championships, cheer season, cheerleaders, cheerleading, competitions, competitive season, crowd levels, d2 summit, december, Disney World, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, International Cheerleading Union World Championships, large gatherings, large groups, major sporting events, May, pop warner, popular resorts with cheerleaders, private parties, resorts, the summit, tournaments, transportation, USASF Cheerleading Worlds

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Disney News Disney Parks

Parades, Fireworks, and Character Meet and Greets Will Be Suspended Upon Disney World’s Reopening

Now that Disney World has announced it plans on reopening Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11th along with Epcot and Hollywood Studios on July 15th, we also know some of the modifications the parks are planning on implementing.

Magic Kingdom Sign

According to Disney’s reopening proposal which took place this morning, Disney World’s theme parks will temporarily suspend its parades, fireworks displays, or character meet-and-greets upon reopening.

Disney World presented the following chart at this morning’s Orange County Economic Task Force meeting where it proposed its gradual reopening plan including tentative reopening dates. Due to social distancing concerns, Disney World has decided to “temporarily suspend its parks, fireworks, and other events that create crowds.”

©Disney

Disney World stated they will also be “temporarily suspending high touch experiences such as meet and greets and playgrounds.” Disney has also shared that “characters will still be in our parks to entertain and delight our guests.”

It’s Mickey!

At this time, we don’t know when Disney World plans on resuming these guest experiences or if substitutions will be made. When Shanghai Disneyland opened earlier this month, parades, fireworks, and other entertainment offerings were suspended initially, but some stage shows have already resumed while new character processionals had been added throughout the day.

See what progress Shanghai Disneyland has made since its reopening here!

Happily Ever After

Disney World’s gradual reopening plan has been approved by the Orange County task force, but must be reviewed and finalized by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ before it’s official. We’ll let you know more details as soon as Disney provides additional information.

Disney World plans on using a new reservation system upon its reopening! Learn more about it here!

Are you surprised Disney World isn’t planning on offering these guest experiences right away? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Disney News, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, cancelled, Character meet and greets, character meetings, crowd levels, crowds, Disney World, distancing practices, firework shows, fireworks, modified guest experiences, no parades, now fireworks, parades, performances, reopening, shows, social distancing, suspended performances, temporary closure

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Disney News Disney Parks Other

Going To Disney World in February? Here’s What You Need To Know!

Here’s the info you need to maximize the magic on your February trip to Disney World!

Valentine’s Day Cupcake

By February, many of us are feeling the winter blues. And a Disney World vacation can be the perfect cure! But before you start planning, you need to BE PREPARED — Scar might be a Disney villain, but that’s a solid piece of advice that we’re going to borrow! Here are all the deets you need to know in order to set yourself up for a fabulous February vacay!

Crowds at Disney World in February

In general, the crowds at Disney World in February tend to range from light to moderate. But there are a few holidays and happenings that can cause attendance to spike!

Typically the parks will be busier during President’s Day weekend since lots of guests take advantage of the long weekend for a quick getaway! And with the Epcot International Festival of the Arts running through most of the month (more on that later!), Epcot tends to be busier on the weekends with locals visiting for the festival.

Sunshine Seasons Cupcake

In addition to these more predictable crowd boosters, some schools around the country have Spring Break or Winter Break during February. Since these dates vary by school and change from year-to-year, unfortunately, they’re more difficult to account for while planning. So just be aware that if you’re planning a trip in February, you could run into some early Spring/Winter Break crowds!

Park Hours at Disney World in February

The parks hours throughout the month of February tend to be pretty steady! Most parks will open at either 8AM or 9AM, and close at either 8PM or 9PM.

Hollywood Studios

Magic Kingdom will usually stay open a little later (usually 10PM), but outside of that, Disney World park hours are pretty consistent in February!

Weather at Disney World in February

The temperatures tend to start warming up a little bit this month compared to January, which has the lowest average temps throughout the year! In February, the average high is 75 degrees and the average low is 54 degrees. So, typically the mornings and evenings are chilly, but the afternoons can warm up a bit!

Disney’s Boardwalk

February is also relatively dry — by Disney World standards! There are an average of 4 rainy days throughout the month, which is less frequent than you could expect during the summer months.

How to Pack for Disney World in February

Okay, we just touched on how the temperature can be chilly in the mornings and evenings, but warm up during the afternoon. So that means you’ll want to pack clothes you can layer for your February trip! We suggest bringing a sweatshirt or jacket, gloves, scarf, and hat so you can wear them out in the morning, and store them in your park bag when it starts to warm up!

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

And don’t forget those closed-toe shoes! Even if you’re usually a sandals in the park kinda person, the frigid temps in the mornings and evenings can be especially hard on the feet. So make sure you come prepared!

Epcot International Festival of the Arts

If you’re traveling to Disney World in February, there’s a good chance your trip will overlap with the Epcot International Festival of the ArtsThe event usually runs through late-February, so if your vacation lands at the end of the month, be sure to check the festival dates and plan your park days accordingly. Trust us, this isn’t an event you want to miss out on if you can help it!

Festival of the Arts Sign

The Festival of the Arts has so much to see and do, including Food Studios, live entertainment, unique merchandise, complimentary seminars, and extra-ticketed workshops!

2020 Pop Eats! Food Studio

We looooove the festival Food Studios because the food is both delicious AND beautiful! Since it is the Festival of the Arts, there’s a huge focus on the presentation of the menu items at each of the booths.

In past years, we’ve seen favorites like the Sushi Donut, Smoked Salmon and Cream Gâteauand Festival of the Arts Mini-Cake!

Sushi Donut

Festival entertainment includes Performing Arts like the  Disney on Broadway Concert Series, live music, living statues, and more! And the Visual Arts are represented as well! Guests can find Artful Photo Opschalk art, and character art throughout the park!

Peter Pan Photo Op

And guests can commemorate their time by picking up some festival merchandise! In addition to classic options like tumblers, clothing, and plushes, you can also purchase work by featured artists located throughout the park!

Festival of the Arts Merchandise

If you want to take your exploration of the arts to another level, check out one of the free seminars or extra-ticketed workshops offered during the event!

Trailblazing Ladies of Disney Animation Complimentary Seminar

Even though it’s the newest addition to the Epcot lineup, the Festival of the Arts is quickly becoming one of our favorite events! It’s definitely worth checking out during your February trip!

Annual Ride Refurbishments

Another thing to consider if you’re planning a February trip — several of the rides and attractions in Disney World will be down for annual refurbishments! This is particularly important if you’re a water ride enthusiast. Both Splash Mountain in Magic Kingdom and Kali River Rapids in Animal Kingdom usually go down for refurbishment in mid-January and remain unavailable until mid to late-March.

Splash Mountain Refurbishment

And you’ll have limited access to the water parks as well! Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach go down for refurbishment in alternating months. So, if you’re traveling in February, only one of them will be open!

Valentine’s Day Treats

If you’re traveling in mid-February, you’ll see a lot of pink, red, and heart-shaped treats! We typically see Valentine’s Day themed snacks available at least a few days before and after the holiday.

Of course, there are plenty of Valentine’s Day Cupcakes available around the parks and resorts! And we’ve spotted some more inventive desserts as well — like the (almost too pretty to eat) Bella Notte Petit Cake at Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs!

Bella Notte Petit Cake

If you’re traveling in February, be sure to keep an eye on menus across Disney World for fun, Valentine’s Day menu options! For instance, in the past, Kona Cafe at Disney World’s Polynesian Village Resort has offered Red Velvet Pancakes with Cream Cheese Topping as a limited-time offering!

Red Velvet Breakfast Special

And there are plenty of places in Disney World to have a date night! Several locations in Disney Springs offer Valentine’s Day specials and menus for a romantic night out on the town! So if you find yourself in Disney World with your Valentine, you can have a Bella Notte, indeed.

If you’re planning a trip to Disney World in February, you have a lot to be excited about! The (usually) manageable crowd levels, super-fun Epcot Festival of the Arts, and delicious Valentine’s Day treats can make Disney World even more awesome! Just be sure to prepare yourself for the ride refurbishments and potentially chilly temps and you’ll be in for a magical vacay!

Are you planning a trip to Disney World in February? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney parks, Disney Springs, Featured, Walt Disney World, 2020 Epcot Festival of the Arts, 2020 Epcot International Festival of the Arts, attraction refurbishments, Blizzard Beach, Blizzard Beach Refurbishment, closed typhoon lagoon, crowd levels, disney valentine’s day treats, disney world crowd levels, Disney World crowds, disney world park hours, disney world planning, disney world planning tips, disney world valentine’s day, Disney World weather, disney’s typhoon lagoon, kali river rapids, ride refurbish, splash mountain, Splash Mountain Closure, valentine’s day menus, valentine’s day menus at disney world, valentine’s day specials, walt disney world planning, weather