Tag: Table-Service

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Disney Food Disney Parks Other

REVIEW! We Found BEER CHEESE…at Morimoto Asia in Disney World?!

Disney Springs began its phased reopening on May 20th to welcome guests back to its third-party restaurants and stores.

Morimoto Asia

Since there are plenty of new health and safety procedures in place across Disney Springs, restaurants are limiting capacity and implementing social distancing measures. And, while we gave you ALL the details on dining in Disney Springs, we’re back again for more food! But, this time, we’re heading to Morimoto Asia for some Japanese cuisine.

Check In

When you first arrive at the restaurant, there are is a line for guests with reservations to the left, with distancing stickers on the ground.

Morimoto Asia Line

And, there’s a separate line for drop-in guests to the right of the restaurant.

Morimoto Asia Distancing Signs

Atmosphere

Every time we walk into Morimoto Asia, we can’t get over how BEAUTIFUL the atmosphere is! It feels like you’re walking into a magical fantasy with its string light chandeliers (which fit right into Disney World!).

Morimoto Asia

Although we noticed that the cocktail bar and sushi bar were both closed, you can still order both of them at your table! So, don’t worry — you can get that Sake with your meal!

Morimoto Asia Sign

Annnd, you’re going to want to pull out your phone to check the menu since Morimoto Asia is only using a QR menu for the time being.

Morimoto Sign

If you don’t have a compatible device, notify your servers and they will be able to assist you! But know that Morimoto Asia is operating with a limited menu, so your favorite meal might not be available at this time.

Drinks

As we were deciding what to get, our server told us that two new drinks were debuting at the restaurant!

Forbidden Highball and Sparkling Belvedere

The Sparkling Belvedere is Morimoto’s twist on a Cosmo made with belvedere vodka, yuzu, cranberry, and topped with sparkling rosé for $18. Just like a regular Cosmo, the Sparkling Belvedere was delicious and SUPER refreshing. But, the most unique part of the cocktail was the citrusy yuzu — which added some tartness to the otherwise sweeter flavors!

Sparkling Belvedere

The Forbidden Highball is a simple combination of Toki Japanese whiskey and soda water, but don’t be fooled — it packs a lot of flavor! We were actually surprised that the drink was made with whiskey since it is so light. Our server told us that Morimoto is actually one of the few restaurants in the United States that sells Toki. So, in order to make the Forbidden Highball, Morimoto had to get a special machine called the Toki Highball to mix the drink properly.

Forbidden Highball

You can grab the Forbidden Highball for $16!

Eats

After we ordered, we were given disposable plastic silverware and chopsticks to use. We started our meal off with the Cauliflower and Cheese Spring Rolls for $16, which actually surprised us by how much of a treat they are!

Cauliflower Spring Rolls

While most restaurants with Asian cuisine might leans towards a more traditional Spring Roll, Morimoto’s unique twist was extremely good with plenty of cheese packed into the flaky rolls.

Inside the Cauliflower Spring Rolls

The Cauliflower and Cheese Spring Rolls also came with a side of Buffalo Beer Cheese Sauce, which is SO GOOD. We won’t pass up an opportunity for some extra cheese with a spicy kick! ?

Buffalo Beer Cheese Sauce

After all that cheesy goodness, we decided to try the Buri Bop and Beef Lo Mein for our main courses. And, if you have never had Buri Bop, it’s basically a little show as it’s prepared in front of you for $36 ! Iron Chef Morimoto actually won Japan’s Iron Chef Competition with this recipe, so it’s one of the restaurant’s favorite things to serve up. (We stan an iconic dish!)

Buri Bop Being Made!

The chef started with raw Japanese yellowtail and a raw egg with rice and veggies (including chili curls that look BOMB). It was presented in a 550 degree hot bowl (!!!) and the chef seared the fish on it while he stirred the other ingredients and cooked the egg.

Anybody Else Super Hungry Now??

If the show doesn’t sound interesting enough, the flavors of the dish were AH-MAZING. Even if you aren’t normally a fan of fish this Buri Bop might just change your mind!

Yellowtail Fish

The bowl was packed with flavors of ginger and soy in every bite of the yellowtail and rice. Since the Buri Bop sat in the hot dish, the rice at the bottom got all crispy, which was a great texture contrast to the other soft ingredients.

Buri Bop

And, believe it or not, our meal got even better since the Beef Lo Mein was also incredible! The dish was made with stir-fried noodles, beef tenderloin, napa cabbage, carrots, bean sprout, mushroom, and scallions for $25.

Beef Lo Mein

Although it may seem like a more typical meal to find at a restaurant like this, it was a stand-out against other lo meins that we’ve had! The beef tasted like very good quality and was cooked well. The flavors of the mushrooms and scallions added to the tender beef. Plus, that beef and veggie to noodle ratio was ON POINT, so you get enough of each part when you take each bite!

Beef Lo Mein Noodles

The only thing that could have made our meal better was dessert. BUT, Morimoto Asia isn’t serving dessert right now since the company that makes their ice cream hasn’t opened yet.

Overall

Morimoto Asia is one of those spots in Disney Springs that consistently serves up amazing food, even if you’re just trying the Street Food quick-stop outside!

Morimoto Asia

If you’re looking for a place to have traditional Japanese cuisine or try something new, check out Morimoto Asia the next time you’re in Disney Springs. Plus, that Buri Bop turned our dinner into dinner with a show!

Have you eaten at Morimoto Asia before? Let us know your experience in the comments below!

Related posts:

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  2. PHOTOS and TIPS: Our FULL Experience From Reopening Day at Disney Springs
  3. News! Earl of Sandwich, Chicken Guy!, and Planet Hollywood in Disney Springs Share New Safety Protocols

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney restaurant review, Disney Springs, Featured, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, Disney, disney restaurant, disney springs, disney springs crowd levels, disney springs dining, disney springs re-opening, disney springs reopening, Disney World, health and safety measures, highball, lo mein, Morimoto, Morimoto Asia, reservation, Tori

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Disney Parks Other

The Full GUIDE to Decoding Disney World’s Social Distancing Stickers

Disney Springs has finally re-opened to guests so they can enjoy dining and shopping locations all around the property.

Disney Springs

While we’ve taken you with us LIVE to check out the reopening, given you the deets on new health and safety procedures, and our overall experience, it can be a little bit confusing to navigate Disney Springs right now.

Since stores, restaurants, and the property in general have put up distancing signs and stickers, it’s a lot to take in (especially since it’s so new!). We totally understand that things can be a bit tricky to figure out when every place has their own way of promoting distance! There’s no set method for how signs or stickers should look quite yet, so it’s not as simple as hopping from one restaurant to the next and expecting the same stickers.

Disney Springs

Even though we know it can be a bit overwhelming to see all the new procedures, we’re here to help you navigate Disney Springs like a pro by giving you a guide to the new distancing measures!

Please Stand With Your Party Here

Many locations across Disney Springs have been using stickers on the ground to indicate where guests should and shouldn’t stand while they are waiting to enter an area. We’ve spotted a lot of different restaurants and stores using these pretty standard red and white indicators that ask guests to stand with their party on the stickers.

Pizza Ponte

But, a couple places like The Polite Pig…

Polite Pig

…and Basin have their own special stickers. But the concept is the same.

Basin Reopening

Group your part together, stand on a marker, and wait for the sticker in front of you to clear before you move forward.

Please Stand With Your Party Behind This Line

However, a couple of locations around Disney Springs are using social distancing indicators that ask guests to stand behind the safety line instead of on it! These are typically placed at the start of a line and ask you to stand behind the line before the next register or temperature check station are cleared for you to approach — or to remind you to leave distance between you and the Cast Member assisting you.

Distancing marker

Some of the places we’ve noticed this at include Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill, 4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck, Sunshine Churros, and Häagen Dazs.

Sunshine Churros Marker

Just be sure to keep an eye out for the difference between the “please stand here” and “please stand behind this line” stickers as they look very similar!

Behind the Line? How Far Behind the Line?

Since Disney Springs is making sure to keep guests and Cast Members safe, it’s important to remember to distance yourself 6 feet apart from another person! And when a sticker says “stand behind this line,” guests could use a little direction about how far back they can actually stand while keeping distance from the party behind them. So Disney is also using markers to clarify where NOT to stand while you’re in Disney Springs.

World of Disney

When you first enter Disney Springs, the temperature check areas will have some of these signs to distance the guests waiting from the guests going through the temperature checks at the time. You’ll make your way through the line hopping from one “please stand here” sticker to the next, but right before you have your temperature checked, you’ll leave your “please stand here” sticker and walk forward until you reach a “stay behind this line” marker. You will pass over a “do not stand here” marker on the ground that reminds the guests behind you not to approach the temperature check until yours is complete.

New Protocols to Enter Disney Springs

Don’t be nervous, the “do not stand here” signs aren’t hot lava — you can walk over them. But please be respectful to other guests and make sure you’re not camping out on them or breathing down someone’s neck in line. ?

There are other forms of “do not stand here” stickers like at the Amphicars at The Boathouse. You are free to observe, but make sure your party stays outside of the “do not stand” zone to give other groups enough space.

The Boathouse Amphicar Do Not Stand Markers

Restaurants like Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza have their own methods to show where visitors shouldn’t stand. We’d like to note that, during our visit, we perceived some of the “X” patterns on the ground as social distancing indicators. However, there might need to be some clarification to guests about what the safety protocol means and how to enforce it. We imagine the extra tape on the ground is to encourage guests to leave space between themselves and the sneeze guard for some extra protection.

Blaze Pizza

But in a case like Blaze Pizza, if the stickers don’t give explicit instructions, you may be better off asking a Cast Member for direction or defaulting to a little game of Frogger.

Specialty Directions

Since there is no set standard for how stickers should look, a few spots around Disney Springs have specialty indicators specific to their stores. At Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea, there are coffee beans on the ground for each party to stand on. One party is allowed to stand on each of the 6 bean spots in the coffee shop and must stay there until the bean in front of them has cleared. Note that guests can’t stay inside Joffrey’s to drink their coffee, though!

Joffrey’s Coffee Bean Distancing Markers

Blaze Pizza also used similar stickers, but with little flames to go along with their “Fast Fire’d Pizza!” Guests were asked to do the same as Joffrey’s by standing on a flame until the one in front of them cleared.

Blaze Pizza Line

We also noticed specialty stickers at Chicken Guy!…

Chicken Guy!

…and Earl of Sandwich. So when in doubt, hop on a sticker like these.

Earl of Sandwich

While Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC may not have cute little cookie stickers (suggestion, maybe??), the store is practicing a different form of distancing by only allowing one party into the bakery at a time. Guests are asked to stand behind the red tape and inside the square boxes while they wait for their order.

Erin McKenna’s Tape on the Ground

Physical Distancing Reminders

Since many guests are excited to be back in Disney Springs, it can be easy to forget to distance yourself when you’re walking through an open area. Stores and restaurants throughout the property have reminders on the ground to stay 6 feet apart whether you are waiting in line or not.

Pizza Ponte

Distancing Stickers

Ron Jon Surf Shop

The restrooms across Disney Springs also have signs out front that ask guests to keep the minimum distance between themselves and others.

Restroom Sign

Social Distancing may not be the firs thing on your mind as you’re roaming the open air pathways around Disney Springs. That’s why the dining and shopping district has put some arrows on its bridges to show the flow of traffic. Instead of risking bumping into opposing traffic, each side of the bridge has a marked direction to walk as you’re crossing.

Disney Springs Bridge

In short, treat it like you’re driving (in the U.S., that is), stick to the right side of the road!

Table Distancing

As a part of the social distancing measures in restaurants, seating and capacity have been limited. While the Cast Members have been trained to know where guests can go, there are also reminders on the tables about which spots are currently unavailable — in case you’re at a seat-yourself location (like Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza).

Blaze Pizza

Table Stickers Wolfgang Puck

Note that seating at some to-go dining locations, such as The Basket at Wine Bar George, has been removed and reclaimed for dine-in guests of Wine Bar George restaurant only.

The Boathouse is even using black and white tablecloths to show which tables are open! Guests are seated at the white covered tables, while the black tables are off limits for the time being.

The Boathouse Reopening Interior

In summary, we know you are very capable of following basic directions…but once you actually get to Disney Springs, it can be a new experience and might take some getting used to. Know that everyone around you is also getting used to it at the same time, so it’s okay if you need to ask a Cast Member for extra guidance (there are plenty of them scattered all throughout Disney Springs). Most spots are using some sort of “please stand here” marker, whether it be little feet, dots, or rectangles. But be sure to steer clear of the big “do not stand here” rectangles and give the Cast Members a little extra space once you get to the front of the line. Remember to “be safe” and “be kind,” friends! Also, be sure to let us know if you still have questions about the reopening of Disney Springs or about the new distancing stickers!

Have you been to Disney Springs since its re-opening? Let us know your experience in the comments below!

Related posts:

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  3. Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC Has Officially Reopened in Disney World! See Their New Health Measures Here.

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Counter-Service, disney dining tips, Disney News, disney parks, Disney Springs, Featured, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, 4 rivers cantina barbacoa food trick, Basin, Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza, disney dining, disney news, disney restaurants, disney springs, disney springs reopening, disney stores, Disney World, Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC, Haagen Dazs, joffrey’s coffee, social distancing, social distancing signs, social distancing stickers, Sunshine Churros, temperature checks, The Boathouse, The Polite Pig, Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill

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Disney Business Disney Food Disney Parks Other

NEWS! Reopening Date Announced for Terralina Crafted Italian and Paddlefish in Disney Springs

Disney Springs began a phased reopening on May 20th. A number of third-party stores and restaurants are currently open in Walt Disney World’s shopping and dining district, and select Disney-owned and operated locations will open on May 27th.

Paddlefish

And now, we have reopening information for two more eateries in Disney Springs, as both Paddlefish and Terralina Crafted Italian have announced their shared reopening date.

Paddlefish and Terralina Crafted Italian will welcome back guests starting Friday, May 29th according to their Instagram accounts (which you can follow @terralinacrafteditalian and @paddlefishorl).

Terralina Crafted Italian

Both will begin with operating hours of 12 PM – 8 PM daily, and encourage guests to make reservations on OpenTable.com.

Southern Sangria with a view over the water at Paddlefish

Additionally, the locations have shared new safety measures with the reopening announcements.

Dining Table at Terralina Crafted Italian

Guests will be required to wear a face covering at all times except “when enjoying their meal or sipping on a refreshing cocktail.” Both Paddlefish and Terralina Crafted Italian will also seat guests with regards to physical distancing in compliance with local and state regulations.

And you may click any of the links below to learn more about the current status of Disney Parks and destinations around the world.

Have you dined at Terralina Crafted Italian or Paddlefish in Disney Springs? Please let us know with a comment!

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From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney Springs, Featured, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, disney springs, disney springs reopening, Paddlefish, Terralina Crafted Italian

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Disney Food Disney Parks Other

This Meal at Victoria and Albert’s Restaurant In Disney World Is Getting a HUGE Price Increase!

Victoria and Albert’s Restaurant is one of Disney Word’s most critically-acclaimed restaurants. It offers some of the finest signature dining restaurants you’ll find on the property and it’s where a lot of guests like to spend some BIG BUCKS!

Victoria Room at Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

But while the AAA Five Diamond Award-winning restaurant at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort will already set you back some major moola, it looks the price of the Chef’s Table is about to go up by A LOT!

We can say we’ve enjoyed quite a few gourmet meals at Victoria and Albert’s over the years, all of which cost us a pretty penny, but hey, it was worth it!

Texas Wild Boar with Elote and Salsa Verde at Victoria and Albert’s Restaurant

But as much fun as it is to dine in Victoria and Albert’s luxurious dining room, our favorite seat in the house happens to be in the kitchen!

Victoria and Albert’s Chef’s Table

That’s right — every night one party is seated at the Chef’s Table — located right inside the heart of Victoria and Albert’s bustling kitchen! Not only will you and your guests have a front-row seat of the culinary action happening around you, but you’ll also dine on a special prix fixe meal tailored to your precise food preferences! We hope you saved room for 11 courses of gourmet delights such as caviar, Maine scallops, and Japanese Wagyu beef!

Chef Joe prepares Octopus in the Victoria and Albert’s Kitchen

Like we said, only one party gets to sit at the Chef’s Table per night and you must reserve it in advance. But let’s get to the cost of this delicious experience. The price of admission is currently $25o per guest — which DOESN’T include any beverages. If you want some wine to go with your fancy Chef’s Table meal (which why wouldn’t you?) be ready to shell out an additional $150 per guest, and that’s just the minimum. Wine pairings only go up from there! (We did get some free bubbly, though!)

Complimentary Champagne Toast at Victoria and Albert’s Chef’s Table

You can enjoy the chef’s table with a group of up to eight, so if we did our math right — that’s about a final bill of $3,200 before tax and tip. But get this — on August 30th, 2020, the prix fixe meal at the Chef’s Table will increase to $350 per guest! That means if you dine with 8 people, the same meal is going to cost you another $800! We noticed the increase listed on the restaurant’s website.

© Victoria and Albert’s Website

Not scared away by that hefty price increase? Well, then there are a few more things you should know before you go!

Berkshire “Porchetta”at Victoria & Albert’s

The incredible Chef’s Table experience normally lasts 3 hours, and while the table seats up to eight guests, you can reserve it for as few as two guests! You can make your reservations for the Chef’s Table at Victoria and Albert’s up to 180 days in advance and everyone in your party must be at least ten years old.

Learn from the Chefs at Victoria & Albert’s Chef’s Table

There is also a dress code which means your normal jeans and capris aren’t going to cut it! Make sure you pack the appropriate clothes you’ll need for this once-in-a-lifetime dinner! For guys, this means a sport coat, dress pants, and shoes. Ladies may wear dresses, dressy pants, or a skirt and blouse combo — no tennis shoes!

Skillfully Prepared Sweet Endings at Victoria & Albert’s

The Chef’s Table was already one of the most expensive meals you could find at Disney World, so we’ll be curious to see if guests will think it’s worth the extra $100 upcharge!

Here’s to your champagne dreams and caviar wishes coming true on your next trip to Disney World!

Have you ever eaten at Victoria and Albert’s Chef Table? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!

Related posts:

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From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, Grand Floridian Resort, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, Chef’s Table, Disney World, disney’s grand floridian resort, major price increase, most expensive meal, most expensive restaurant, price increase, special dining experience, Victoria and Albert’s, Victoria and Albert’s Chef’s Table, victoria and alberts restaurant

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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

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