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Disney Parks Other Star Wars

Stormtroopers invade Disney Springs

Stormtroopers

If you’re going to Disney Springs, then look around for a Star Wars surprise! A pair of First Order Stormtroopers have invaded Disney Springs and can be seen in the upper level near the shopping district side of World of Disney. They’re stationed on the balconies, so look up to see if you can spot them.

Stormtroopers

We first noticed their presence on Wednesday, when the World of Disney store reopened. You can find their patrol stations on balconies with the First Order banners. For fun, wear your Star Wars apparel to Disney Springs and show your allegiance to either the Resistance or First Order. The Stormtroopers might provide amusing commentary depending upon their interaction with each guest. Of course, they could also tell you to “move along” to promote social distancing.

Disney Springs is still going through the first stages of its phased reopening. Several stores and restaurants opened this week, such as the LEGO Store, but more will follow as the phased openings continue for Disney Springs. We expect Raglan Road to open to the public soon, too.

In the meantime, remember to keep an eye out for the First Order Stormtroopers when you do visit Disney Springs!

Photo Credit: Disney

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Star Wars, Disney Springs, Disney Character, Star Wars Stormtroopers, Stormtroopers

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Disney News Disney Parks Other

Disney has just received approval of their Walt Disney World re-opening plans

Walt Disney World re-opening plans

Great news! Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings just confirmed that Disney has just received the approval of their Walt Disney World re-opening plans.

I am pleased to announce that I have received word from Halsey Beshears, Secretary of @FloridaDBPR, that @WaltDisneyWorld Resort and @SeaWorld have received approval of their re-opening plans. #SeaWorld will re-open June 10 and #WaltDisneyWorld Resort will be July 11. pic.twitter.com/vNKgSxZvbC

— Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings (@OCFLMayor) May 29, 2020

Earlier this week Disney World submitted their reopening plans to the Orange Country Economic Recovery Task Force.

This puts Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom to begin a phased reopening to the general public on July 11th, followed by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th.

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Parks & Resorts, Walt Disney World, animal kingdom, Disney World, Disney World Reopening, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, reopening

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Disney News Disney Parks Other

Universal Orlando Resort Announces Reopening of Select Hotels Beginning June 2nd

Universal Orlando Resort Phased Reopening

Beginning June 2, 2020, select Universal Orlando Resort hotels will reopen to guests. The reopening of the hotels will be carefully managed and phased, and includes a wide range of new and enhanced best-practice health, safety and hygiene procedures.

The phased reopening of the hotels will include Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Universal’s Aventura Hotel and Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites.  Guests staying in these hotels will be able to visit the theme parks on June 3 and 4, prior to the public reopening on June 5.

Plans for Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites will be announced at a later time. Guests who have booked reservations at these two hotels through Universal Orlando or Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations will be contacted to modify their reservation if it has been affected.

Universal Orlando’s resort hotels, co-owned and operated by Loews Hotels & Co, have enhanced their standards and protocols throughout their operations. These enhancements currently include:

  • Guests, team members and vendors are required to wear face coverings in public areas
  • Team members and vendors will be required to have temperature checks upon arrival.  Those with temperatures of 100.4 degrees or greater will not be allowed to work.
  • Guests will be asked to self-screen for COVID symptoms and comply with quarantine orders prior to arrival
  • Guest will have temperature checks upon arrival and anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher will require medical clearance in order to enter the hotel
  • Hand sanitizer stations in public areas and elevator landings
  • Enhanced cleaning of guest rooms, meeting rooms and public areas with an EPA-approved cleaner and disinfectant
  • Frequent cleaning of high-touch areas such as telephones, remote controls, door handles, light switches, elevators, and table tops, among others
  • Food & Beverage outlet capacities limited based on latest recommendations and guidelines
  • Social distancing signs and reminders of social distancing requirements in high-traffic areas
  • Several contactless experiences for guests, including hotel texting-services, express checkout and contactless room deliveries

To book a stay at a Universal Orlando hotel, please visit here.

Universal CityWalk is now open with select venues and with new health, safety and hygiene procedures in place. Universal Orlando’s three theme parks – Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal’s Volcano Bay – will reopen to the public beginning June 5.

For information on CDC guidelines, click here. For more information about Universal Orlando’s policies during this time, visit Universal’s website. Due to the evolving nature of this situation, details are subject to change without notice.

All Universal guests are urged to follow CDC guidelines and self-assess for potential symptoms of COVID, including cough, temperature, and difficulty breathing, prior to their arrival.  Guests should also evaluate their own risk before they visit – and it is not recommended that individuals at high-risk with serious underlying medical conditions visit the destination. People who show no symptoms can still spread COVID-19 if they are infected. Any interaction with the general public poses an elevated risk of being exposed to COVID-19 and Universal cannot guarantee guests will not be exposed during their visit.

In addition, guests should be aware of and comply with government guidelines regarding travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines.

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: News, Universal Studios Orlando, Universal, SeaWorld, Legoland and More, Universal Orlando Resort Phased Reopening, Universal Studios, Universal Studios Hotels

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Disney Food Disney News Disney Parks Other

Disney Changes Booking Window for Disney World Dining Reservations

Disney World Dining Reservations

Disney has just changed the booking window for Disney World Dining Reservations on its website from a 180-day booking window to a 60-day booking window.

Disney World Dining Reservations

It reads:

We will also shift from a 180-day booking window to a 60-day booking window for dining and experience bookings going forward to allow Guests to make their plans closer to their visits.

We will reopen dining and experience bookings with more limited numbers closer to when the parks reopen.

We understand how much excitement, thought and time goes into planning a Disney vacation and realize some of these changes may be disappointing. Please know we will be here to help you, as we remain focused on delivering a wonderful experience for everyone who visits.

Please be sure to check back here for the latest information.

Our focus remains on the health and wellbeing of the entire Disney community—including the Cast Members who are caring for and securing our parks and Resorts during the closure. We’re currently evaluating new and enhanced safety measures to help us all stay well.

Last night all existing Dining Reservations were canceled, new reservations have been put on hold while Disney implements their new system.

Stay tuned to Chip and Co for more details…

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Parks & Resorts, Disney Food, Walt Disney World, 180 Days, 60 days, Disney Dining, Disney World, Disney World Dining Reservations

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Disney Movies Disney News Disney+

Sarah Jessica Parker Confirms The Sanderson Sisters Are On Board for ‘Hocus Pocus 2’

Sarah Jessica Parker Confirms The Sanderson Sisters Are On Board for ‘Hocus Pocus 2’. In a recent interview with Radio Andy, Sarah Jessica Parker was asked about the development of Hocus Pocus 2 and she shared that Bette, Kathy, and herself are “very hospitable to the idea.” and that “We’ve agreed publicly to the right people, yes, that would be a very, very fun idea, so we’ll see what the future holds.”

During the 2019 Hulaween gala, Midler spoke with ET on the red carpet about the Hocus Pocus sequel coming to Disney+ and the Disney Legend is more than enthusiastic about the project.

“Oh my goodness me. Oh I hope they get to me before I’m a corpse,” joked Midler, who dressed up as classic movie icon Mae West for this years gala. “We [Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker] wanna fly again. I hope Disney+ is a big success and I hope we get to do it, because [Winifred] is of course one of my favorite characters.”

Kathy Najimy also attended Midler’s 2019 Hulaween gala and had her own ideas for the sequel, even if they were not asked to reprise their roles.

“I heard about it online the same time as [everyone else],” Najimy said. “But here’s the honest answer: Sarah and Bette and I all have a million projects and things that we’re into, so I don’t know if they’re gonna offer us [roles]. I don’t know if the worlds are going to collide so that we could all three do it at the same time,” Kathy continued,  “But I’m happy that it’s happening, because the fans are really rabid and they really want it,” she added with a smile. “[And] if we’re not all available to star in it, I think it would be so great to do a cameo. I think that’d be really fun.”

Photo Credit: Disney

According to Variety, sources say Director Adam Shankman has been tapped to direct the highly anticipated Hocus Pocus sequel set to premiere exclusively on Disney’s new streaming service, Disney+. Shankman is best known for directing Hairspray, Step Up, A Walk to Remember, and is currently in pre-production for the sequel to Enchanted, named Disenchanted.

Never seen Hocus Pocus? Check out this synopsis of the original film, ” The film tells the story of teen siblings Max (Omri Katz) and Dani (Thora Birch) Dennison, who move to Salem, Massachusetts. Along with their new friend, Allison (Vinessa Shaw), the siblings come up on an abandoned old house, and accidentally unleash a coven of evil witches, the Sanderson Sisters (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy), who plan to suck the soul out of Salem’s children. With the help of Thackerey Binx — a man who was once a wizard but is now a magical cat — the kids try to stop the sisters from becoming immortal, so they devise a plan to steal the witches’ book of spells.”

What do you think of a Hocus Pocus sequel on Disney+? Would you be excited if The Sanderson Sisters were back, yet again? How would they return and what sort of mischief would they get in to when returning, possibly, in 2020’s? We would love to hear your thoughts and theories in the comments.

Be sure to check back here at Chip and Company for all things Disney!

Featured Photo Credit: Disney

Source: Radio Andy

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Disney+, Movies, News, Bette Midler, Hocus Pocus, Hocus Pocus 2, Kathy Najimy, Sarah Jessica Parker, The Sanderson Sisters