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Disney Food Other

Celebrate Memorial Day With Takeout Specials From STK Steakhouse in Disney Springs!

It’s Memorial Day weekend so we’ll be celebrating the lives of those who have served our country.

STK Orlando

STK Steakhouse, the Disney Springs location and other locations, have released some meaty Memorial Day specials to grill at home. Whether you’re looking to surprise a veteran in your life or celebrating the start of summer with your family, you’re going to want to take a look at these specials!

The Grill at Home STK Connoisseur Package is courtesy of STK Market, a meat market that helps you become a grillmaster at home. There are two options for the Memorial Day packages and both mean that you’ll be chowin’ down on some delicious cuts of meat.

©STK Steakhouse

The $149 package will net you a 34 oz Dry-Aged Tomahawk with Asparagus and Mac & Cheese. The $159 package will get you two 6 oz Filets, two 14 oz New York Strips, Asparagus, and Mac & Cheese. For $40 more on either package, they’ll throw in a bottle of select wine!

©STK

The special is available Friday, May 22nd through Monday, May 25th for takeout only, while supplies last. You pick up your package at your local STK Steakhouse. And just as a reminder, STK Orlando just opened up in Disney Springs. To order, call (833) 785-3887.

Will you be snagging the Memorial Day special? Tell us in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, News, memorial day, Memorial Day Special, STK, STK Market, STK Orlando, STK Steakhouse

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Disney Parks Other

PHOTOS and TIPS: Our FULL Experience From Disney Springs’ Reopening Day

Welcome back to Disney World! Disney Springs began a phased reopening today, May 20th.

Disney Springs

We have been taking you around Disney Springs to see the new safety procedures and how they affect guests’ shopping and dining experiences. We’re walking you step-by-step through a post-closure Disney Springs and going over exactly how your visit could look much different than your previous trips.

Entering Disney Springs

To control crowds and provide a more streamlined entry process, Disney Springs is limiting entrances and establishing additional safety procedures for guests.

Hours and Limited Capacity

Disney Springs is currently open from 10AM to 10PM.

Disney Springs

However, Disney Springs is limiting the number of people visiting the property, stores, and restaurants. Once the designated parking garages (Lime and Orange) are full, guests are not allowed to park and enter Disney Springs.

Orange Garage

That means, even guests with dining reservations at a Disney Springs restaurant will not be allowed in. But, cancellation fees for these reservations will be waived for guests unable to enter due to limited capacity.

Parking

All of the surface-level lots are currently closed so guests may self-park (no valet available at this time!) in the Orange and Lime garages. We were told that the Orange garage would be filled first, and we were able to choose our parking spot since there were no Cast Members directing traffic within the garage.

Orange Garage

But there were Cast Members inside the garage welcoming back guests! We also spotted distancing markers, warning signs, and hand sanitizer stations throughout the garage.

Warning Sign

We arrived early (before Disney Springs officially opened at 10 AM), so we didn’t have any issue finding a parking space. Really…NO trouble.

Parking Lot

Now, let’s take a look at actually entering Disney Springs!

Entrances

Guests are only permitted to enter Disney Springs from the following four locations: Orange garage, Lime garage, the Hotel Plaza Boulevard Pedestrian Bridge, and the rideshare location.

Disney Springs

Guests aren’t allowed to enter until they’ve completed a temperature screening.

Masks Are Required

Guests ages three years and older and employees are required to wear masks. These masks must cover your mouth and nose at all times, except when you are seated at a dining table.

Required Measures sign

Guests are required to bring their own face masks. Let’s say it one more time: no mask = no entry. If you want pack an extra! Better to be prepared than to make it all the way to Disney Springs and realize you can’t go inside because you dropped your mask while getting in your car.

Temperature Checks

Guests, Cast Members, vendors, and other employees are all required to have their temperatures checked prior to entering Disney Springs.

Temperature Screening

Temperature check stations are located at the second-floor exits of the Orange and Lime parking garages and the Marketplace Entrance (for guests from the Hotel Plaza Boulevard Pedestrian Bridge and rideshare drop-off).

Advent Health Signage

The temperature checks were completed with touchless forehead thermometers. Any guests who test 100.4 degrees or higher will be directed to a tent where they were allowed to cool off and rest for a few moments before attempting one more screening. If they test above the maximum accepted temperature again, their entire party will be required to leave.

New Protocols to Enter Disney Springs

The temperature check process only took a few seconds for us once we made it to the front of the line and the friendly employees completing the screenings made us feel at ease!

Open Dining Locations

Disney Springs reopened with select third-party dining locations — you can find a full list of available restaurants here!

STK

Click on each location below to check out our full experience at the reopening!

Reservations

Before Disney Springs reopened, we were able to make dining reservations through OpenTable and individual restaurants’ websites.

Wolfgang Puck

And if you’re planning on eating at a table-service location, we recommend trying for a reservation first — otherwise, you could find yourself with a bit of a wait. When we arrived at Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, there was an hour wait for walk-in guests.

Tips For Dining in Reopened Disney Springs

In addition to making a reservation, we picked up a few more dining tips as well. Make sure to keep an eye out for social distancing markers at quick-service dining locations, or anywhere else you might run into a queue.

Distance Markers at YeSake

Certain locations, like Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC, only allow one group inside at a time. So be careful to read signs, ask Cast Members if you have questions, and know that each location is operating a little differently.

Also, keep in mind that not all dining locations are reopened yet! We spotted signage for House of Blues and The Smokehouse indicating they’ll be back soon.

House of Blues Opening Soon Sign

Also, you might want to bring a few items along with you for your dining experience. If you’d like to sanitize your hands immediately before you eat, be sure to bring your own bottle of hand sanitizer. And if you’d prefer to use your own pen to sign receipts, don’t forget to pack one!

Eating On The Go With a Mask

If you’re a fan of grab-and-go style eating, you’re in luck! We noticed that the to-go dining experiences were pretty similar to what we’re used to in Disney Springs. We saw tables and chairs placed outside dining locations that wouldn’t usually have their own designated seating. We also didn’t notice any areas where seating had been entirely removed.

Sunshine Churros

On our visit to Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea, we learned that guests are allowed to walk around with their food or drinks in Disney Springs. And while guests are required to wear their masks at all times, they are allowed to lower masks to take a bite or drink — then recover their faces. We put this method to the test with the brand new Welcome Drink from Starbucks!

Welcome Back Drink at Starbucks

So, whether you’d prefer to snag a table, or take a stroll while you enjoy your snack or beverage, both options are available!

Open Retail Locations

Disney will start opening some of its Disney-owned locations on May 27th, but the following locations were open on the first day of Disney Springs’ reopening.

  • Anthropologie
  • American Threads
  • Free People
  • UNIQLO
  • Crystal Art by Arribas Bros.
  • Pele Soccer
  • Pop Gallery
  • Ron Jon Surf Shop
  • Basin
  • Chapel Hats
  • Columbia Sportswear
  • Edward Beiner Eyewear
  • Happy Hound
  • Lucky Brand
  • Luxury of Time by Diamonds International
  • Pandora
  • Royally Yours Arribas Bros
  • Sanuk
  • Savannah Bee Company
  • Sosa Family Cigars
  • Sugarboo and Co.
  • UGG
  • UNOde50
  • Volcom
  • Vera Bradley
  • Zara

Tips For Shopping in Reopened Disney Springs

As with dining locations, retail locations are also operating with reduced capacity. Be sure to keep an eye out for designated entrances and exits, since many locations are keeping them separate.

Ugg Store Exit Only

On a similar note, keep an eye out for those social distancing markers that show proper spacing!

Social Distancing Marker

Also, bring a non-cash form of payment, because some stores like Ron Jon Surf Shop are not accepting cash.

Ron Jon Surf Shop Not Accepting Cash Payments

It can be difficult to retrain ourselves to abide by these new measures, so try to be mindful on your next visit!

Changes in Stores

In addition to the distancing measures, designated exits and entrances, and some changes in payment methods, we also noticed signs asking guests to limit contact with merchandise.

Arribas Bros. Merchandise Sign

Plus, we also spotted social distancing markers and signs in front of cash registers like at Ron Jon Surf Shop.

Ron Jon Surf Shop

Overall, we weren’t too surprised to see the changes at retail locations, since they closely mirrored the reopened shopping at Universal’s CityWalk, but they can take some getting used to if this is your first experience.

Cashless Payment

Disney recommends guests use cashless payments such as debit cards, credit cards, and Disney gift cards whenever possible. Contactless payment or cash can be used to purchase gift cards at the Welcome Center and other select retail places throughout Disney Springs.

Welcome Center at Disney Springs

While we did find several locations that were accepting cash, some places like Ron Jon Surf Shop were not. So, we’d say plan on coming to Disney Springs with a non-cash method of payment just in case. Or, stop by the Welcome Center to buy a gift card if needed!

Additional Cast Members to Enforce New Procedures

Guest Relations Cast Members were stationed throughout Disney Springs to enforce social distancing and answer guests’ questions. Cast Members were each equipped with masks, of course.

Guest Relations Cast Member

One question we asked a Guest Relations Cast Member was: Are there any masks for sale within Disney Springs? And surprisingly, the only place we know of that’s selling masks (so far, at least) is Vera Bradley.

Access to Hand Sanitizer

We spotted hand sanitizer stations in the parking garage, at entrances to restaurants, and throughout Disney Springs.

Hand Sanitizer Locations

Plus, we also spotted it for sale at Basin.

Basin Reopening

We recommend carrying your own personal hand sanitizer so you can clean off whenever you need and don’t have to scramble to try and find a sanitizer station.

Crowds

While there was somewhat of a crowd when Disney Springs first reopened at 10 AM, the crowds dispersed throughout the day and were noticeably lower by mid-afternoon.

Disney Springs

The places where we felt the impact of the crowds the most was at dining locations. We noticed that some table-service locations had a wait for walk-in guests — like we mentioned from Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill. This was likely a combination of demand and reduced seating capacity.

Wolfgang Puck

And we did notice some long lines at quick-service dining spots too. Check out those people waiting for Chicken Guy!

Chicken Guy!

But again, outside of waits for dining locations, the crowds didn’t feel too heavy at all, especially as we were strolling around.

Overall

With Disney Springs being the first U.S. Disney attraction to reopen, Disney was tasked with keeping guests safe while delivering a comfortable, enjoyable environment to dine and shop. Similar to our initial thoughts at the reopening of Universal Orlando’s CityWalk, we were very impressed by Disney’s attention to detail, the friendliness of the staff, and the flow of operations. This new system will take some getting used to for guests and Cast Members alike. However, we are encouraged to see Disney put these new health and safety measures into practice diligently while still maintaining a positive experience for their guests.

What questions do YOU have about Disney Springs’ reopening? Let us know in the comments and we will do our best to get the info to you!

Related posts:

  1. You’ve NEVER Shopped in Disney World Like This Before
  2. News! Earl of Sandwich, Chicken Guy!, and Planet Hollywood in Disney Springs Share New Safety Protocols
  3. The Rubber Duckie Drink RETURNS! We’re Back at The Boathouse in Disney Springs on Reopening Day

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
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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