Author: disneyfoodblog.com

Just yesterday, we reported that Advance Dining Reservations are now open for all guests for select Walt Disney World Resort restaurants.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

And today, we have updates on not one, but TWO popular restaurants that have joined the list of spots that are currently accepting reservations at Disney’s Contemporary Resort! But — in case you missed the scoop yesterday —  you’ll want to read closely, because there are some changes in store that you’ll want to know about…

Chef Mickey’s typically features a buffet breakfast, brunch, or dinner as a Character Meal with the Fab Five! However, it is very important to note that it appears that Chef Mickey’s will not offer character dining upon the reopening. And the ONLY meal served will be Breakfast.

Chef Mickey’s

Instead, guests will partake in Chef Mickey’s Family Feast. According to the Walt Disney World website, guests will “Enjoy a lively, all-you-care-to-eat family-style meal in a bright, happy space.”

Walt Disney World website screenshot

Chef Mickey’s is currently accepting Advance Dining Reservations for breakfast only for 60 days out with times available starting July 10th. 

Contemporary’s signature dining restaurant — the very popular California Grill — is also now accepting Advance Dining Reservations for dates starting July 10th!

California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Do note, however, that reservations are only available for dinner at this time. California Grill’s Brunch at the Top — typically offered on Sundays — is listed as “Temporarily Unavailable.”

And that’s the latest news about Disney’s Contemporary Resort! We hope you’re staying tuned with us today as we bring you all the latest about Walt Disney World’s phased reopening, because we’ll continue to keep you posted right here!

Have you ever dined at Disney’s Contemporary Resort? Please let us know with a comment!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Contemporary Resort, disney resorts, Featured, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, advance dining reservations, California Grill, California Grill Brunch at the Top, Character Dining, Chef Mickey’s, Disney’s Contemporary Resort

We all know it. Disney fans go CRAZY for great Disney merchandise.

©Disney

Whenever Disney decides to drop an online release of something limited-edition or high demand, folks FLOCK to make sure they get the goods. For shopDisney, this has caused a bunch of technical issues in the past like wonky virtual queues and more. Now, there’s a way to make sure you don’t have to deal with those issues — with your chance at the shopDisney MerchPass.

Okay, bear with us here because this is a little confusing. When we got on shopDisney to check out what’s new today, we spotted something interesting. As you may know, the Arendelle Castle is next to be released in the limited-edition Disney Castle Collection. Now, that listing comes accompanied with a notice about the new Disney MerchPass.

©Disney

The MerchPass is a drawing that gives you the chance of getting early access to purchase some of the highest demand items on shopDisney. For items equipped with the MerchPass (like the Arendelle collection), you choose your items (one entry per drawing but each item has its own drawing), check your email, and if you’re selected you can complete your purchase!

©Disney

For the first-ever MerchPass for the Arendelle Castle, entries begin on July 13th. Those selected for the merch pass will be notified in their email by 5PM PST on July 16th. Then, there’s a limited window during which those selected can log in to shopDisney and find their selected items in their bag. You can get all the specific details on this new early access pass here.

© Disney

According to Disney, “If your entry is not selected, you will not receive the early access purchase opportunity for the product. These products may be offered for sale at shopDisney and/or in the Disney store at a later date.” To us, this sounds like people looking to purchase the collection that are not chosen for the MerchPass may not be guaranteed that opportunity. We will keep you updating on all the details after we experience this process for the first time.

This certainly seems like an interesting solution to help alleviate the rush to the website when these high demand items go live, but we’re not sure about how well it will work in practice. We’ll have to see it in action! Keep an eye on DFB for all of the latest Disney updates!

Click here to learn more about problems on shopDisney!

What do you think of the new shopDisney MerchPass? Tell us in the comments! 

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney merchandise, Disney News, Featured, News, Arendelle Castle, Disney Castle Collection, limited edition, limited time, MerchPass, shopdisney, Shopdisney merchpass

Walt Disney World Resort will reopen its theme parks to guests starting this weekend, with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11th followed by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th.

Magic Kingdom

Of course, during the initial reopening phase, there will be a number of experiences — from dining to unique tours — that will be unavailable, at least for a time. Included on the list is the Walt Disney World Private VIP Tour; however, we have a booking update for this unique experience!

Private VIP Tours offer guests the opportunity to hop on most of the available park attractions at the front of the line. A personal Guest Services Cast Member will take your group (up to a party of 10) on a customizable trip around the parks, while also giving you plenty of fun facts and insider knowledge!

Sever Dwarfs Mine Train

With a call to the dedicated Private VIP Tour line for the Walt Disney World Reservation Center (407-560-4033), we learned that while indeed the Private VIP Tours will not be available for booking upon the initial reopening of the parks, they are currently taking reservations for dates starting in late August! (It is recommended that you call to find availability for a specific date, as this experience offers very limited capacity.)

Pandora in Animal Kingdom

Booking is available for dates 60-days out; however, you can still get pricing information into future months even if they fall outside the booking window. A very unique feature of this experience is that guests will be able to arrange to visit more than one park! (Remember, park hopping will not be available to ticket holders during the initial reopening of the theme parks.)

Heads up — this one is a splurge: Private VIP Tours are booked at a 7-hour minimum, with prices ranging from $425 to $750 per hour, depending on the date. (Prices do not include the required valid theme park admission.) Interested guests may call 407-560-4033 for available dates and more information.

As always, we will keep you posted on any updates! And to find more information on the reopening of Walt Disney World Resort and Disney destinations around the globe, you can visit any of the links below.

Have you ever taken a unique tour at Disney World? Please let us know with a comment!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, disney parks, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, Disney World Private VIP Tours, Disney World reopening, Hollywood Studios, Private VIP Tours

Now that 2020 tickets and hotel reservations for Disney World are available, we’ve already told you about a major resort hotel offer for Annual Passholders!

Magic Kingdom

But Disney World APs aren’t the only folks landing some sweet deals right now. In fact, if you’re a Florida resident, you can save a lot of money booking a room at Disney World right now, too.

With this exclusive new offer, Florida Residents can enjoy discounted rates on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels for stays most nights July 9th through September 30th, 2020.

Screenshot From Disney World’s Website

Rooms are limited and length of stay requirements may apply. Florida residents will have until September 30th, 2020 to book these rates. Click here to see the list of Disney World resort hotels that will be reopening along with their scheduled reopening dates.

See what our experience was like staying in a newly reopened Disney World resort here!

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Important Details

• Additional per-adult charges may apply if more than 2 adults per room at Disney Value, Moderate and Deluxe Resorts, and Studios at Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts.
• Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion.
• Advance reservations required.
• Offer excludes the following room types: 3-bedroom villas, campsites, The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Cabins at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows.
• Proof of Florida residency required at check-in.
• Valid admission and a park reservation are required to enjoy theme parks and special events and are not included in this offer.

We’ll keep an eye out for more discount news for everybody else, but for now, the general public can still take advantage of the Sun & Fun deal which you can read more about here!

Click here to read our FAQ about staying at the newly reopened Disney World resort hotels!

Are you a Florida resident? Let us know if you’ll be taking advantage of this special offer in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney Discounts, Disney News, Featured, Walt Disney World, 2017 Disney Summer Quick Service Meal Package, cheaper, discount, Disney World, florida resident, guest rooms, reopening, resort hotels, room discount, savings, september 30th, special offer, summer 2020

We’re in Magic Kingdom today for the Annual Passholder preview of the reopening!

Splash Mountain

One of our BIGGEST questions has been how long wait times will be in Magic Kingdom. Well, we’re working on figuring it out; some lines are definitely LONG. You might think the longest line in Magic Kingdom today would be Splash Mountain (after all it IS going to get reimagined). You’re close, but there’s actually a MUCH longer wait for something else.

It’s true, the attraction had a little under an hour wait this morning — but the LARGEST line in Magic Kingdom today was for the SPLASH MOUNTAIN MERCH! Frontierland stores are using a virtual line (much like we saw in Disney Springs when World of Disney opened).

Virtual Queue

You’ll never guess how long the wait was when we got in line — 240 MINUTES! That’s FOUR HOURS. Dang, people really want their Bre’r Bear plush toys!

Splash Plushes

Is this wait time the most surprising thing we’ve seen in Magic Kingdom today? Maybe. Keep in mind guests don’t have to physically stand in line. The virtual line will send them a text when it’s their turn in line. Stay tuned for ALL the updates from the Passholder Preview days in Disney World!

We’re LIVE from the return to Magic Kingdom. Click here to follow along!

Would YOU wait four hours for Splash Mountain merch? Tell us in the comments! 

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney merchandise, Disney News, disney parks, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, splash mountain, splash mountain merchandise, splash mountain refurbishment, virtual queue