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Disney Parks

Here Are the Places Where You Can Buy Booze To-Go in Disney Springs Right Now

Today we have been in Disney Springs exploring not only the restaurants and shops, but also observing the new safety measures put in place as Walt Disney’s World’s shopping and dining district begins its phased reopening today.

Balloons in Disney Springs Today

New measures include — but are not limited to — required face coverings, physical distancing markers, and temperature checks. Along with the new measures, there are certain establishments and experiences in Disney Springs that are not open to guests at this time.

These include Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and cake decorating at Amorette’s Patissiere, and entertainment venues like THE VOID and the NBA Experience. Additionally, standalone bars are not open.

The BOATHOUSE Bar

You may think that means you can’t get a drink outside of table service restaurants like Wine Bar George or The BOATHOUSE. But we are letting you know about the places that you can get a drink to go at walk-up counters in various locations around Disney Springs.

You’re welcome. 

There are a few table service restaurants that already previously offered walk-up windows where you could purchase alcoholic beverages, and they still do. These include Frontera Cocina, Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, and The Basket at Wine Bar George.

Frontera Cocina Drink To Go

At Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, they did not previously serve cocktails at the walk-up window — just frozen drinks. But for the time being, a bartender from inside can create cocktails for walk-up guests.

Wolfgang Puck To Go

The BOATHOUSE does not typically host a walk-up window. However, because they cannot host a bar right now, we found that they will make you a drink to go.

The Boathouse Reopening Interior

(You just can’t take the glass from the cute DUCK Drink.)

Duck Duck Razz at THE BOATHOUSE

There are even places you may not typically expect to find alcoholic beverages, but you still can. For instance, did you know Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company serves alcoholic options?

Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company

They did previously, and continue to now.

The YeSake kiosk — which is only walk-up service, as per usual — also serves beverages such as Frozen Beer.

Distance Markers at YeSake

Other counter service locations that serve alcohol that are currently open include The Polite Pig, and a small selection of beer is served at the 4R Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck, and Chicken Guy! (which also serves wine).

The Polite Pig

Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza is open as well.

Additional table service locations currently open (without walk-up windows, but you can still grab a bite or drink while there) include Planet Hollywood, Paradiso 37, STK Orlando, and T-REX.

Line Outside T-REX

Remember, you are allowed to sip (and eat!) and stroll around Disney Springs when you can carry away your items, and you can read more about that here.

And to read more about the current status of Disney Resorts and parks around the world, you may visit any of the links below.

Are you following along with the reopening of Disney Springs? Please let us know with a comment!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney Springs, Featured, Walt Disney World, disney springs, disney springs reopening, Frontera Cocina, health and safety measures, Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Co., The Basket at Wine Bar George, The Boathouse, walk up window, Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, YeSake

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Disney Parks

What It’s Like to Eat and Drink in Disney Springs When You’re NOT in a Restaurant

We are in Disney Springs today for the reopening of Walt Disney World’s shopping and dining district. We are taking in all the experiences, which now include following new safety measures along with dining and shopping among the currently open restaurants and shops.

Welcome Center at Disney Springs

Along the way, we’re stopping at newly reopen table service restaurants like Wine Bar George, Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, The BOATHOUSE, and more to see the new measures in action when it comes to dining. But Disney Springs is also well-known for all sorts of counter service options including grab-and-go spots. What’s it like to eat and drink around Disney Springs when you’re not doing so at a sit-down restaurant?

We have visited both Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea and Starbucks in the Disney Springs Marketplace, and we stopped by the outside counter at Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, among other locations.

Wolfgang Puck Outdoor Counter

Neither Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea or Starbucks offer indoor or have dedicated outdoor seating, and in all cases you queue up to order your food and drink. So, let’s do exactly that!

Physical Distancing in Queues

We are finding that Counter Service locations have easy-to-spot signage on the ground so you know where to stand to keep to the recommended physical distancing measure of 6 feet from other guests.

Starbucks at Disney Springs Today

At Joffrey’s, guest flow is directed by dedicated entrances and exits. And you may already be familiar with the line flow at Starbucks, which always had directional “ropes” since it’s always a busy spot, but they have been extended to allow for more space between guests.

Placing and Getting Your Order

As a reminder, all cast members — and guests — in Disney Springs are required to wear a face mask. Placing your order itself is otherwise the same, though cashless payment is encouraged.

Starbucks at Disney Springs Today

At Starbucks specifically, a barista presented each person their drink.

Starbucks at Disney Springs Today

This is opposed to having guests gather by the pickup window as was previously done.

Alcohol in Disney Springs

Both Joffrey’s and the Wolfgang Puck outdoor counter served beverages with alcohol before (and without, of course!), and continue to do so. At Wolfgang Puck, the outdoor drinks were all previously frozen beverages. However, a selection of cocktails is also available now.

Outside at Wolfgang Puck

You see, several table service restaurants also typically feature bar-only service. However, bars-only are not operating in this initial reopening phase. As such, Wolfgang Puck is providing a to-go option, with drinks made by a bartender inside. And Frontera Cocina is also serving drinks at their To-Go window.

Frontera Cocina Drink To Go

And, because the bars are not currently open, we found out you are even able to get a drink to go from The BOATHOUSE.  As to where you can imbibe… .

WHERE You Can Eat and Drink

As it turns out, enjoying your grab-and-goes is a lot like it was before. We are still spotting tables and chairs placed outside nearby dining locations that do not have their own designated seating, and have not noticed any areas where they have been entirely removed.

Welcome Back Drink at Starbucks

And you CAN stroll with your goodies as usual. The biggest logistical question here is the wearing of face masks, which again, are required. And we were informed by several cast members that guests who have food and drink in hand may have their face coverings lowered while eating and drinking.

These new measures at grab-and-go dining echo those in place all around Disney Springs, and you can read more about all the new measures in full by clicking here. To learn more about the status of Disney Resorts and parks around the world, you can visit any of the links below.

Where do you like to grab a bite or beverage in Disney Springs? Please let us know with a comment!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Counter-Service, Disney Springs, Featured, Walt Disney World, disney springs, Disney Springs May 20th, disney springs reopen, Frontera Cocina, health and safety measures, Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea, Starbucks, Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill

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Disney Parks

PHOTOS: What It’s Like To Eat in a Reopened Disney World Right Now

We’re reporting to you live from Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort today for this first time since mid-March.

Line Outside T-REX

That’s because while the rest of Disney World’s theme parks and hotels will remain closed until further notice, some third-party restaurants and retailers have started reopening today.

We’ve been busy sharing with you our own guest experiences such as parking at Disney Springs, having our temperatures taken, and seeing what some of the recently reopened retail stores have been like inside. Now want to share with you what it’s like to dine at Disney Springs right now. Do note that each location is doing things a little differently!

As a reminder, masks can be removed when sitting and dining at a table service restaurant in Disney Springs.

Table Service Restaurants in Disney Springs

The Boathouse

At 11AM, The Boathouse reopened today. We made our reservation over the phone and were given the option to dine inside or outside. Tables were noticeably spaced apart in the main dining room.

Dining Room Inside The Boathouse

The restaurant is also taking walk-up reservations for patio seating and their indoor dining room is limited to 25% capacity. We spotted this sign stating face masks must be worn at all times unless seated at a table.

The Boathouse

We sat outdoors where the guest tables had also been spaced apart more than usual. The Boathouse has been using paper menus for some time, but are no longer passing them between guests — our sever even suggested we keep ours as a free souvenir!

Dated Paper Menu at The Boathouse

The servers at The Boathouse were all wearing masks and gloves. Cutlery was rolled in a cloth napkin while drinks were served in normal glassware with paper straws. We ordered the Jumbo Lump Cake with a side of Truffle Fries.

Food Runner at The Boathouse

And the Duck, Duck Razz, of course! Good to note: the bars are not open at The Boathouse yet, but they will make you a drink to go.

Duck Duck Razz

We DO love this martini. Can you blame us? Look at that little guy!

Servers were cleaning their own tables in between guests. We asked our server what her experience has been like. She said the restaurant staff was given the choice if they wanted to come back right away, and she was ready to go and is excited to be back. Training packets were sent out a week ago and yesterday team members were brought in for training.

The Boathouse

Everyone is being asked to change out their gloves in between tables while cooks in the kitchen have a timer that goes off every 15 minutes reminding them to stop, wash hands, and change gloves.

Frontera Cocina

Frontera Cocina also opened at 11AM today while the staff came in earlier this week for safety training. The restaurant is doing food-to-go and currently accepting reservations. We booked our table in advance on OpenTable and once we arrived, we noticed a new hand sanitizing station for guests and employees at the front of the restaurant.

Hand Sanitizing Station at Frontera Cocina

Frontera Cocina is using both disposable paper menus and digital menus. There’s a QR code at each table that you can scan to view the menu on your smartphone or you may view a paper menu instead. Our server told us paper menus are being thrown out after each use.

QR Code for Digital Menu

Beverages were being served in normal glassware with single-use agave straws. Unlike The Boathouse’s servers, the food runners at Frontera Cocina weren’t wearing gloves.

Frontera Cocina

We ordered the Flautas and the Play with Fire Margarita. Our food was delicious as it always is at Frontera Cocina.

Flautas and Margarita

Frontera Cocina is also operating a to-go window where you can pick up eats or sips without the full sit-down experience.

Frontera Cocina Drink To Go

Things were a little different at Frontera Cocina, but the staff was still friendly and the fare was still delicious.

Wine Bar George

Over at Wine Bar George we saw similar distancing efforts such as markings on the ground to guide the queue for entry.

Waiting on Wine Bar George

They also have a To-Go Booth with the full food and beverage menu available for purchase.

To Go at Wine Bar George

The check-in booth at Wine Bar George featured a plexiglass shield for the hosts.

Wine Bar George

As we were seated we noticed some significant health measures. The restaurant is using digital menus that you access via a QR code. You are also delivered a paper bag to hold your mask and two packaged wipes to clean your hands when you sit down. Standard glassware is used.

Wine Bar George QR Code for Digital Menus

George Miliotes was here today! You know him as the “George” part of Wine Bar George. He came and talked to us, telling about how hard it was for him not to be able to smile at customers. Such a nice guy!

George Miliotes

We ordered the Burrata and the Saganaki (read: cheese on fire) and they both delighted. We do love us some Wine Bar George.

Burrata and Saganaki

The servers were wonderful, as always, and took care to follow health measures. We noticed that our server was changing gloves often and he told us that they had undergone a good amount of training.

Saganaki on Fire

We had a nice time at Wine Bar George and they have put some thought into following the new health guidelines.

Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill

Our trip to Wolfgang Puck showed us some changes too. We had a reservation, but there was almost an hour-long wait for walk-in guests. We think this is partly due to demand and partly due to the fact that there are fewer, spaced out tables to allow customers to distance.

Wolfgang Puck

The restaurant has shifted its menu a bit. Instead of changing menus between lunch and dinner, they have one all-day menu that is slightly reduced. Since the menu is more similar to their dinner menu, they have opted to include more lunch options at the Grab and Go Window outside.

Wolfgang Puck

Some more of their health measures include heightened cleaning, sanitizer available at all bus stations, the sanitization of pens between uses, handwashing required anytime a team member enters the kitchen, and the use of gloves.

Wolfgang Puck

We opted to try the Bruschetta this time since our server said it was the most popular appetizer, and it did NOT disappoint. Think Caprese salad piled on fresh bread. Yeah, it’s good.

Bruschetta

At the To-Go Window, we tried the new Reese’s Cookie, the Banana Pudding Gelato, and the Kakamora Cocktail. Honestly, we’re not sure there is a more perfect dessert.

Wolfgang Puck To Go

We’ll be keeping an eye on Wolfgang Puck and the other dining locations to see how health measures develop over the next few days and weeks.

Counter Service Restaurants in Disney Springs

Starbucks

We stopped by Starbucks early this morning and discovered they have a new specialty drink called “Welcome Back!”

Welcome Back

It’s a cold drink made from mango, dragonfruit refresher, coconut milk, strawberries, blackberries, and pineapple ginger syrup topped with golden ginger whipped cream! 

Instead of guests congregating around the order pick-up window, a friendly Starbucks employee retrieves your order and places it on a table for you to grab while you wait at a safe distance.

Starbucks at Disney Springs Today

Guests were also encouraged to socially distance themselves while waiting in line with some floor decals indicating where guests should stand.

Starbucks at Disney Springs Today

And while Starbucks was selling Reusable Cups today, they aren’t permitting guests to use them at this time. As for payment, they’re still accepting all forms, but we recommend downloading the Starbucks app as a touchless payment option!

Joffrey’s Coffee

We also swung by Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company to see how they’re adapting.

Joffrey’s Reopened

There were social distancing markers on the ground to keep guests six feet apart from one another. At Joffrey’s, they fittingly use coffee bean stickers to denote where to stand. There were also designated entrances and exits to keep the flow of traffic moving a certain way.

Joffrey’s Coffee Bean Distancing Markers

We were able to confirm that you can walk around Springs with your coffee, you cannot, however, stay and drink your coffee inside of Joffrey’s. They ask that you remove your mask to take a sip or bite, and replace it between sips or bites.

Joffrey’s Reopened

Joffrey’s is still serving a full menu of coffee and donuts when you need a pick-me-up.

The Polite Pig

You know we love The Polite Pig, so of course, we had to stop by and see how they’re contending with new health measures. Plus, they have a new item on the menu! Like pretty much everywhere, there are stickers on the floor telling guests where to stand.

Polite Pig

We also noticed that they had a heightened cleaning protocol. An employee was out wiping down the divider chains while we were there. The interesting touch here was that employees are wearing branded masks!

Polite Pig

When ordering, you can opt to use a digital menu through a QR code or you can use a paper menu to be disposed of after use.

Polite Pig Menu

A big thing here is that the sauce bar is out of commission. You can still get sauces, but the employees will bring them to you.

Polite Pig Sauce Bar Closed

We ordered the pork rinds (because they’re NEW) and a gloved employee brought them over to us. Pork rinds and sauce? We’re not sure we’ve had that before but we’re not complaining. They were tasty!

Polite Pig

As you can see, all the restaurants we visited have implemented different safety precautions with many following social distancing and sanitation practices. If you have any questions about our dining experiences, please let us know.

What did you think about some of our dining experiences at Disney Springs today? Let us know in the comments below.

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Counter-Service, disney merchandise, Disney News, Disney Springs, Featured, Snacks, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, 4 rivers cantina, Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza, Chicken Guy!, Earl of Sandwich, Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC, Frontera Cocina, gradual reopening, Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream, joffrey’s coffee and tea company, may 20th, phased reopening, Planet Hollywood, quick service restaurants, reopening, STK Orlando, Sunshine Churros, Table Service Restaurants, The Basket, The Boathouse, third party restaurants, Wine Bar George, Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill, YeSake

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Disney Parks Other

First Look at Frontera Cocina’s Modified Menu For Disney Springs’ Reopening!

Disney Springs will begin a phased reopening on May 20th, with select third-party restaurants and retail locations welcoming back guests.

Frontera Cocina

Frontera Cocina will reopen with Disney Springs on May 20th. And, the restaurant has just shared the temporary menu that they will initially offer!

When Disney Springs reopens, there will be several changes in place. In addition to health and safety measures across property, there will be some location-specific differences as well. One such change — some restaurants will temporarily feature different or limited menu items. And Frontera Cocina has just given us a peek at the delicious bites we can enjoy when they reopen!

Queso Fundido

The menu features several starters, salads, tacos, entrees, sides, and desserts for guests to choose from. And we were excited to see some of our favorite eats will be available (hellooooo Queso Fundido)! Here’s a look at the starters, salads, and tacos that will be offered.

©Frontera Cocina

And here are the entrees, sides, and desserts!

©Frontera Cocina

And, of course, there will be drinks as well! Here are the margaritas, tequila, and sangria guests 21 and older can enjoy.

©Frontera Cocina

Plus, cocktails, beer, wine, mezcal, and other beverages will also be available.

©Frontera Cocina

Frontera Cocina will be reopening with this temporary menu on May 20th. Until then, you can check out our review and see the previous menu here!

Have you eaten at Frontera Cocina? Share your experience with us in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney Springs, Featured, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, Disney, disney dining, disney springs, disney springs dining, disney springs re-opening, disney springs reopening, Disney World, Frontera Cocina, temporary menu