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Disney Lists Disney Parks

7 Problems You WON’T Have When Disney World Reopens

Here at DFB, we take pride in our Disney World trouble-shooting capabilities! We love decoding the theme parks and breaking down all of the key pieces of advice we need to equip y’all with so that you can have the best time EVER on your vacations!

7 Problems You WON’T Have When Disney World Reopens

Hollywood Studios

Recently it dawned on us while we’ve been dishing out Disney World advice to our family and friends that some of the theme parks’ biggest challenges might no longer be applicable when the parks reopen!

7 Problems You WON’T Have When Disney World Reopens

We Feel Ya, Mickey Mouse

Yes, we’re bummed that certain guest experiences are being modified or will be temporarily unavailable for a large portion of 2020, but try to look on the bright side — with less stuff happening, we might be in for a MUCH easier time at the parks when Disney World officially reopens July 11th and July 15th!

Here are some major problems you likely WON’T have to solve in Disney World this year!

Finding a Parking Space

How much do you dislike parking at Magic Kingdom? No? Just us?

7 Problems You WON’T Have When Disney World Reopens

Magic Kingdom

Since the parks will be opening with a limited capacity, we’re thinking this could mean waaay fewer cars! Of course, more folks might be driving instead of flying to Disney World this year so we can’t guarantee you won’t still lose your car (as we have on occasion!). But the idea of an easy-breezy time finding our car at the Transportation and Ticket Center sounds like a dream!

Getting a Seat on the Bus

Sometimes finding a spot to sit down on the bus is next to impossible! We can count on one hand how many times we’ve actually been able to sit down and relax on a bus heading home from the parks at the end of the night! Normally we’re elbow to elbow, standing room only, and counting down the seconds ’til we get to our resort!

7 Problems You WON’T Have When Disney World Reopens

Minnie Bus

But thanks to fewer passengers being loaded onto Disney World’s buses when the parks reopen, and required limited capacity and physical distancing, finding a seat might not be such a rare treat! Now that’s a big change our tired feet and aching bodies could really get used to!

A Shared Log

It’s likely that when rides begin operating at Disney World again strangers won’t be seated together on some attractions that place guests in close quarters, like Splash Mountain.

Logs are normally filled to capacity, but we have a feeling Disney World will be taking a lot of extra precautions by spacing out peeps as much as possible! This has some potential to be a one-log-per-family scenario!

7 Problems You WON’T Have When Disney World Reopens

Splash Mountain

And that’s just one example — think about riding Pirates of the Caribbean, it’s a small world, or even Spaceship Earth with smaller groups or JUST your fam (btw, Spaceship Earth WILL be reopening since its reno got postponed!). A lot fewer friends in our ride vehicles sounds downright magical to us — not to sound antisocial or anything!

7 Problems You WON’T Have When Disney World Reopens

Omnimovers in Action on Spaceship Earth

This also means PERFECT on-ride pics of JUST your family! No more wondering why grandma’s face is blocked by some guy in front of her in the pic from Frozen Ever After! Finally, a PhotoPass in-ride family portrait worthy of a frame!

Waiting in Long Standby Lines

And while we’re still awaiting more details about the new virtual queue system Disney World will be implementing, Disney CEO Bob Chapek has already stated rides will have significantly shorter wait times due to the parks operating with a limited number of guests!

7 Problems You WON’T Have When Disney World Reopens

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Fewer people? Less waiting? This is starting to sound like a pretty sweet deal if you ask us!

Not Bringing Enough Hand Sanitizer With You

Didn’t we hear somewhere that all the water rides and pools are having their H20 replaced with Purell?  Boy wouldn’t that be nice, but we kid, WE KID!

7 Problems You WON’T Have When Disney World Reopens

Travel-Size Hand Sanitizer

Ok, hand sanitizer madness hasn’t gotten THAT bad, but here’s the thing — Disney World will provide plenty of free hand sanitizer as well as additional places for guests to wash their hands when the parks reopen. Don’t freak out if you can’t find the stuff at your local grocery stores. Rest assured hand sanitizer will be in high supply!

Having to Stake Out Your Spot for the Parade or Fireworks

Even though we’re sad about Disney World’s parades and fireworks being canceled for now, at least we won’t have to lose an hour (or MORE!) of our time staking out the perfect viewing spot!

(Real talk — we love the fireworks and parades and are quite bummed these will be missing for a while — and we know lots of you are, too — but we’re trying to see the bright side.)

7 Problems You WON’T Have When Disney World Reopens

Heavy Fireworks Crowds

We’re also not going to miss getting caught and almost trampled in the mass exodus of people once the parade and firework crowds let out. That doesn’t mean we won’t be wishing for these special events to return — but if there’s a silver lining to be found, we’ll just enjoy more time on rides than waiting for shows!

Making Awkward Chit-Chat With Disney Face Characters

Since most character experiences (except for Topolino Terrace’s character breakfast) won’t be resuming right away, another thing we’ll be cutting back on is the awkward small talk we sometimes have with face characters. Meeting Mickey and Minnie seems easy-breezy, but coming up with a few topics to discuss with princesses requires a lot of effort!

7 Problems You WON’T Have When Disney World Reopens

Snow White!

Don’t get us wrong — we love a chance to gab with Cinderella or Snow White! But there are only so many ways a grown man or woman can ask about gooseberry pies or talking mice before it starts to get weird!

We’re just trying to stay positive and hopeful about the new routine once Disney World reopens (which is shaping up to be something we NEVER thought we’d ever experience!). But if you only take away one piece of info from this story, remember this — Disney World is so much more than just a sum of its parts. Take some of those parts away, and it will still be Disney World, no matter what! We just have to look on the bright side!

What are some things you’re looking forward to not having to deal with when Disney World reopens? Tell us what they are in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, disney world attractions, fewer cars, fewer people, find a seat on the bus, fireworks, get to sit on the bus, good things, hand sanitizer, less challenges, less crowded, less people, limited capacity, make chit chat, no parade spots, problems you won’t have to deal with, ride more attractions, shorter waits, sit down on bus, standby lines, talk to face characters, won’t have to stake out a spot

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Disney Food Disney News Disney Parks

NEWS: Afternoon Tea, Jiko Wine Tasting, Dessert Parties, and MORE Will Not Be Available When Walt Disney World Reopens

ICYMI, yesterday delivered a LOT of news about special events at Walt Disney World Resort.

NEWS: Afternoon Tea, Jiko Wine Tasting, Dessert Parties, and MORE Will Not Be Available When Walt Disney World Reopens

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

With decisions made to promote safety in light of the current global health situation, it was announced, for instance, that Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has been canceled for the fall. The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, however, will return — and SOON! (You can read all about it here.)

Of course, these are just two examples of Special Events and unique experiences that are typically available to guests, either as seasonal offerings or year-round enhancements.

NEWS: Afternoon Tea, Jiko Wine Tasting, Dessert Parties, and MORE Will Not Be Available When Walt Disney World Reopens

Afternoon Tea at The Grand Floridian

And — even though we have known for some time that experiences will be modified, with many not offered upon the initial reopening of Walt Disney World — a full list of experiences that will NOT be available upon reopening has been added to the Walt Disney World website. Of course, standing reservations have been canceled for experiences, and the ability to book these experiences has been unavailable since. But we thought this specific list would be helpful for those currently in the planning stages.

Walt Disney World Dining Experiences

Offerings that will not be available include select special Dining Events — ranging from Afternoon Tea at The Grand Floridian to Jiko Wine Tasting and more (such as Dining Packages for select shows and spectaculars) — as listed below:

  • Afternoon Tea at the Garden View Tea Room
  • Cake Decorating Experience at Amorette’s Patisserie
  • Circle of Flavors: Harambe at Night
  • Dine with an Animal Specialist
  • Dining with an Imagineer – Cítricos
  • Dining with an Imagineer – The Hollywood Brown Derby
  • Disney Early Morning Magic – Fantasyland
  • Epcot Forever Dining Package
  • Fantasmic! Dining Package
  • Festival of the Lion King Signature Dining Package
  • Highway in the Sky Dine Around
  • Jiko Wine Tasting
  • Rivers of Light Dining Package
  • Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari Experience
  • Sense of Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Signature Celebration at Cinderella’s Royal Table
  • Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour
  • Tiffins Talks
  • Victoria & Albert’s Chef’s Table Dinner
  • Wanyama Safari
  • Wonderland Tea Party at 1900 Park Fare

Walt Disney World Dessert Parties

Of course, we have also known that — upon the initial reopening — nighttime spectaculars and parades (essentially, in-park events which lend themselves to large group gatherings) will not be part of the park experience. This naturally affects the availability of Dessert Parties and Dining Packages, which are add-on offerings that include reserved viewing areas for these popular shows.

The Dessert Parties that will NOT be available upon reopening include:

  • Fantasmic! Dessert & VIP Viewing Experience
  • Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise
  • Fireworks Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace
  • Fireworks Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing
  • Frozen Ever After Dessert Party
  • Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage
  • Rivers of Light Dessert Party
  • Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

As a reminder, Disney has already stated that previously booked experiences that are affected by cancellations will be refunded, and you can read about that here.

We will be taking a look today at additional experiences that will not be available upon the reopening of Walt Disney World, which includes select Tours, Nature Experiences, and more.

In the meantime, to learn more about the upcoming reopening of Walt Disney World Resort — which begins with select Disney Resort hotels on June 22nd, followed by the theme parks starting with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11th and EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th — you can visit any of the links below.

What do you think of these modifications? Please let us know with a comment.

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, disney parks, disney resorts, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, afternoon tea at grand floridian, Amorette’s Cake Decorating Experience, Circle of Flavors, Dine with an Animal Specialist, Dine with an Imagineer, Disney Early Morning Magic, Highway in the Sky Dine Around, jiko wine tasting, Special Dining events, walt disney world reopening, walt disney world resort

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Disney News Disney Parks

NEWS! Even MORE Disney World Cast Members Were Called Back Today!

Today, we learned that Cast Members at numerous dining locations, resorts, and festivals across Walt Disney World have been called back to work.

NEWS! Even MORE Disney World Cast Members Were Called Back Today!

Magic Kingdom

As select Walt Disney World hotels gear up to reopen on June 22nd and the theme parks in mid-July, we learned that even MORE Disney World Cast Members will be going back to work soon.

According to a Facebook post from Local 362, the union of attractions, custodial, and vacation planning Cast Members at Disney World, full-time attractions Cast Members will be recalled on June 28th.

NEWS! Even MORE Disney World Cast Members Were Called Back Today!

Haunted Mansion Cast Members

This recall of full-time Cast Members includes those who work at the ESPN Wide World of Sports, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Cirque du Soleil, auto plaza, and Disney World’s mini-golf courses.

NEWS! Even MORE Disney World Cast Members Were Called Back Today!

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

While Cast Members for Cirque du Soleil, the water parks, and more are being called back to work, keep in mind we still have no OFFICIAL word from Walt Disney World about when these experiences will reopen.

NEWS! Even MORE Disney World Cast Members Were Called Back Today!

Part-time attractions cast members at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom will also be recalled for a June 28th start date, roughly two weeks before the theme parks begin to reopen.

NEWS! Even MORE Disney World Cast Members Were Called Back Today!

Spaceship Earth

With Cast Members coming back to work, it’s really starting to feel like Walt Disney World is reopening soon! And when we know more about Cast Members going back to work and what, exactly, Disney World will look like upon reopening, you know we’ll fill you in!

Are you excited for Disney World to reopen? Let us know 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, auto plaza, Blizzard Beach, cast members, cirque du soleil, Disney World, Disney World reopening, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, ESPN Wide World of Sports, Local 362, mini golf, typhoon lagoon, Unite Here Local 737 union

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Disney News Disney Parks

Disney World’s Annual Passholder Calendar Has Been Updated to Reflect Required Reservation Information

As Disney World prepares for Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom’s reopening on July 11th followed by Epcot and Hollywood Studios on July 15th, we’re anxiously awaiting further details on the new reservation system which is being implemented to help limit each theme parks’ capacity!

Disney World’s Annual Passholder Calendar Has Been Updated to Reflect Required Reservation Information

Walt Disney World Annual Passholder

And while Disney has reached out to APs with a word of thanks recently, launched a new AP webpage, and has confirmed the parks will reopen for a special Annual Passholder preview before opening to the general public, we also know APs will be required to have a reservation if they wish to visit.

We noticed Disney World has updated its Annual Passholder admission calendar today to reflect this recent change. The website also suggests APs check back to see if your desired date and park are available.

Disney World’s Annual Passholder Calendar Has Been Updated to Reflect Required Reservation Information

Screenshot From Disney World’s Website

Days that are now shown in green now mean Disney World Annual Passholders will need to obtain a reservation before entering the theme parks. For Platinum Plus and Platinum APs, all dates from today through June 2021 are now showing green. Of course, these dates are subject to change once Disney World begins operating at its normal capacity again.

Disney World’s Annual Passholder Calendar Has Been Updated to Reflect Required Reservation Information

Screenshot From Disney World’s Website

Any applicable blocked out dates are also still in effect based on the Disney World Annual Pass you have. As you can see, Silver members are still blocked from using their annual passes until August 7th.

Disney World’s Annual Passholder Calendar Has Been Updated to Reflect Required Reservation Information

Screenshot From Disney World’s Website

We’ll continue to closely monitor this situation and hopefully provide you with more updates soon regarding Disney World’s new reservation system, so sit tight!

Are you an Annual Passholder? Let us know if you’re hoping to attend Disney World’s early preview for APs 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, admission calendar, annual passes, Annual Passholder, annual passholders, ap member, blocked out dates, Disney World, disney world ap, disney world aps, june 2021, new reservation system, platinum ap, reservation required, silver ap

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Disney Lists Disney Parks

7 Disney World Rides That NEED A Virtual Queue This Summer!

At this time, Disney World hasn’t revealed what their virtual queue system will look like when the theme parks reopen in July. But it seems like it is all but certain Disney will implement SOME sort of virtual queue experience, but it’s scope and intricacies are unknown at this time!

7 Disney World Rides That NEED A Virtual Queue This Summer!

World of Disney Virtual Queue sign

We’ve seen Virtual Queues already in place at some experiences like World of Disney for when crowds get large. At Universal Orlando, not every attraction had virtual queues, so we may not see EVERY ride and attraction at Disney World add one. That said, we have a few ideas for which rides we think TOTALLY need a Virtual Queue in Disney World.

One of the pros of Virtual Queues is that much of your “waiting” in line happens before you even step into the physical queue space! Much like FastPass+, you wait for your designated return time, and then you enter the attraction with an expedited wait time from there. That means that you would walk through the queue area at a much quicker pace!

7 Disney World Rides That NEED A Virtual Queue This Summer!

Universal queue

We’ve already seen Disney implement Virtual Queues with Rise of the Resistance, to mixed reviews. But most would say that the in-queue experience tends to be smoother and faster (well…most of the time)!

7 Disney World Rides That NEED A Virtual Queue This Summer!

Rise of the Resistance

There are SEVERAL rides at Disney World with less-than-stellar queue areas. They are either entirely outdoors (making for a super hot, super NOT fun experience), or they are just plain boring and long with nothing to do or look at! These are our first prime candidates!

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

The queue for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is entirely open-air, with relatively no air conditioning to relieve you from the Florida heat.

7 Disney World Rides That NEED A Virtual Queue This Summer!

Big Thunder Mountain in Disney World

While there are a couple of fun, interactive elements throughout the queue, like “blowing up” dynamite out on the mountain or checking out all the odd cages full of canaries, it’s not nearly as interactive as the queues for Peter Pan’s Flight or even Haunted Mansion. The “wildest ride in the wilderness” would definitely benefit from a Virtual Queue where we don’t have to stand in that line for an hour!

Space Mountain

While we appreciate great air conditioning as much as the next person, we’re including Space Mountain on this list because it is an incredibly LONG queue.

7 Disney World Rides That NEED A Virtual Queue This Summer!

Space Mountain

Space Mountain sometimes offers interactive games along the standby queue that give kids and adults something stimulating to do while standing in line. If this isn’t available, there are space-themed games you can play in the Play Disney Parks app. 

7 Disney World Rides That NEED A Virtual Queue This Summer!

Space Mountain

While interactive games on the Play Disney Parks app is a decent alternative to just standing in line, we would much prefer a Virtual Queue where we can just walk right on to the ride, more or less, when our return time comes up. And while the Star Tunnel’s music is among our favorites, it already takes several minutes just to walk through the entire hallway. That’s plenty of time for us!

Flight of Passage

Some folks love certain aspects of the standby queue for Flight of Passage. Much of the queue is indoors, and there are some pretty interesting things to look at! But to get there, you still have to stand in a long, and we mean LONG, outdoor queue.

7 Disney World Rides That NEED A Virtual Queue This Summer!

Flight of Passage

Years after the attraction has opened, Flight of Passage still frequently has a wait time of two or more hours, so a virtual queue could be a very welcome change for this ride!

Slinky Dog Dash

Slinky Dog Dash is another attraction in high demand, meaning that it is HARD to snag a FastPass for the attraction. And if you can’t snag a reservation, you have to resort to standing in the standby queue, and let’s just say…it’s miserable!

7 Disney World Rides That NEED A Virtual Queue This Summer!

Slinky Dog Dash Wait Time

You would think that with all the innovations and improvements made to the rides and attractions over the years, the queue experience would grow and evolve with them! But Slinky Dog Dash is your typical 100% open-air, outdoor switch-back queue. And with wait times regularly well above one hour, that’s a LOT of time to stand around in the Florida heat!

Soarin’

Soarin’ also offers interactive games that are projected on the walls of the queue area from time to time through the Play Disney Parks app.

7 Disney World Rides That NEED A Virtual Queue This Summer!

The queue area for Soarin’

But if you don’t have the Play Disney Parks app, Soarin’ can be one pretty uneventful queue experience. While the app is a good boredom-buster while you’re waiting in line, like Space Mountain, we would rather walk onto the ride when it’s time to hop in line!

Kilimanjaro Safaris

If you’re looking for a quintessential Animal Kingdom experience, there’s nothing better than Kilimanjaro Safaris. This is a truly one-of-a-kind attraction, not just at Disney World, but around the world!

7 Disney World Rides That NEED A Virtual Queue This Summer!

Kilimanjaro Safaris Wait Time

The ride has seen some updates throughout the years. Its original version dealt with the dangers of poaching, and during the middle of your tour of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, you would find yourself in the crosshairs of poachers! The ride has since been updated to just be a tour of the Reserve.

7 Disney World Rides That NEED A Virtual Queue This Summer!

Kilimanjaro Safaris Lions

The queue area for Kilimanjaro Safaris is long and entirely outdoors. The pre-show video is a fun preview of the animals that you’ll see on safari, but we would much rather skip to the good part: the live animals themselves!

Rock N Roller Coaster

Our final attraction that we would love to see get a Virtual Queue is Rock N Roller Coaster! Until you reach the pre-show room where you have your encounter with Aerosmith, there is quite literally nothing to do in the queue.

7 Disney World Rides That NEED A Virtual Queue This Summer!

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Entrance

Most of it is outdoors in a traditional switch-back configuration. And while much of it is shaded, the extended queue can easily stretch around the front of the building, creating a very unpleasant, sunny experience.

7 Disney World Rides That NEED A Virtual Queue This Summer!

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster line

Virtual queues for Rock N Roller Coaster could also make for an easier way of planning your trip to the far end of Hollywood Studios, where many guests will often try to get back-to-back FastPasses for Rock N Roller Coaster and its neighboring attraction, Tower of Terror.

7 Disney World Rides That NEED A Virtual Queue This Summer!

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

With FastPass+ temporarily suspended, guests will need to come up with another way of easily experiencing these two rides, and Virtual Queues may be just the solution!

There’s no question that the queueing experience at Disney World is already going to change drastically with the temporary suspension of FastPass+. And with a more-than-likely Virtual Queue system on its way, everything we know about planning your day around what rides you want to experience could look TOTALLY different! These changes are necessary as part of the new health and safety protocols, but we think some of these attractions will really benefit from having a new way of “waiting” in line!

[cysc id=’Disney_Parks_Reopen’]

What queue at Disney World do YOU think needs an upgrade, or could really benefit from having a Virtual Queue? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, disney parks, disney’s hollywood studios, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, big thunder mountain railroad, Disney World, disney world virtual queues, flight of passage, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Slinky Dog Dash, soarin’, space mountain, splash mountain, virtual queue, virtual queue system