Author: disneyfoodblog.com

It might be the peak of July, but we’re SUPER ready to welcome that crisp Fall air and sweater season back again!

Although we might not be able to have all the Pumpkin Spice treats of our dreams, there’s still a way to add a bit of Autumn to your hot summer day in Disney World!

While we’ve been happy to sip on the many cocktails around the parks (and grab some morning Starbucks from the Main Street Bakery), we found a special surprise during our visit to Joffrey’s Revive in Tomorrowland! It may not be Fall, but Joffrey’s already has the Pumpkin Crème Brûlée Cold Brew.

The cold brew is flavored with pumpkin pie and vanilla custard for $4.09 (and it feels like the perfect treat for the Florida heat right now)!

If you’re back in Magic Kingdom after the park’s grand reopening, we definitely think you should stop by Joffrey’s for one of the ONLY places to get Pumpkin Spice this July in the parks! Anybody else as ready for Halloween as we are??

Find out all the details on Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party’s cancellation here!

What is your favorite Pumpkin Spice treat to get in Disney World? Let us know in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Counter-Service, Disney News, disney parks, Featured, magic kingdom, Snacks, Walt Disney World, Disney, disney news, Disney World, disney world reopning, Joffrey’s Revive, Pumpkin Spice, pumpkin spice creme brulee cold brew

As Disney World has started its initial reopening this week, we are back in the parks to say hello to our favorite characters and eat all the snacks our stretchy pants can handle!

And, along the way, we’ve encountered plenty of surprises since Disney World looks completely different than we’ve known it to be before.

Although we had expectations about how the parks would be operating when we returned, we were shocked to see that these things weren’t featured during Disney World’s initial reopening!

Virtual Queues

When Disney Springs first opened, we saw Virtual Queues put in place to stagger guests visiting stores to distance them from one another. Then, Universal Orlando started using Virtual Queues at its attractions as an effective way to help guests get the most out of their experiences in the parks.

In the past, Disney World has used their own form of Virtual Queues with the Boarding Passes on Rise of the Resistance and, to some extent, with the creation of the FastPass system. Many Disney go-ers (including ourselves) thought that Virtual Queues would be the next normal part of going to theme parks once they reopened. Since there has been a need for distancing efforts, Virtual Queues have been helpful for reducing crowds at even the most popular attractions.

Then Disney announced that the parks wouldn’t be utilizing FastPasses, Single Rider lines, or Virtual Queues before the parks reopened initially. Instead, guests are only able to use Stand-By queues, which was a completely unexpected choice for Disney to make, in our opinion.

But, what shocked us even more than that was the announcement that Rise of the Resistance would be suspending Boarding Groups in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (which COMPLETELY changed the game for visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios).

Eventually, Disney backtracked to state that Boarding Passes would actually be available with a new modified system, including dispersed releases of passes throughout the day, a limit of only one Boarding Group per person, and more.

How do you ride Rise of the Resistance now? We’ve got all the details here!

Even though there haven’t been Virtual Queues put in place for other attractions, Disney has still made sure to maintain distancing though markers, partitions, barriers, spaced seating, and more throughout the attraction and ride queues.

We were surprised by how quickly lines are moving and how low wait times are. While the wait times have been consistently low during the first week of reopening, we aren’t sure when (or even if) crowds will pick up in the parks. This may really depend on if Disney increases park capacity. 

However, if they do, there might be some changes as time goes on to accommodate guests and abide by distancing measures. So, Virtual Queues could pop up for attractions later on (since Disney has been surprising us left and right recently).

These are the Disney World tips we never thought we’d have to share!

More Brand New Merchandise in Stores

Many of our favorite merchandise locations have reopened to guests. Although we’ve spotted loads of merch we had seen prior to the closures, as well as a few newer items dropped online during the closure, we were pretty taken aback to see the LACK of brand new items.

However, that didn’t stop fans from flocking to store to pick up souvenirs to take home. The need for Disney merchandise was VERY real, especially over at the Splash Mountain gift shop.

While there weren’t any new things for sale, plushes, tees, and more were selling out ridiculously fast since Disney announced that the ride would be redesigned to a The Princess and the Frog theme. The line ranged from a 180-minute wait to a 240-minute wait before the Virtual Queue line for the store eventually reached capacity at one point.

But, there was one new line of merchandise that DID sell out in the parks initially. Disney rolled out a “Together Again” collection to welcome everyone back into Disney World. Since people were obviously excited about the prospect of the latest merchandise to hit the shelves, the collection began to sell out fast as well (since it didn’t seem like the parks stocked a lot of the tees anyways). We’ve seen a few of the shirts appear today in the parks, but the demand on reopening day was certainly high.

Although there wasn’t a lot of new merchandise, the biggest change that we saw in the retail world of Disney was that there was a new way to shop. The stores operated with designated entrances and exits, distancing measures, glass partitions, the capability to turn on a Virtual Queue, and more.

Here’s a full look at how shopping works in Disney World now!

Fan-Favorite Menu Items

Oh, how we’ve missed snacking our way through the parks with all the amazing eats and treats Disney World has to offer! We’ve been grabbing Mickey Bars and Dole Whips galore, but a few of our favorite snacks are missing from the parks (say it ain’t so!).

While we were at Aloha Isle, we spotted that the classic Pineapple Upside Down Cake and Kakamora Float were both missing. In case you never got to try the Moana-themed float, the coconut flavored Kakamora had become one of our FAVORITE versions of a Dole Whip float since it debuted at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (and then secured a spot as a full-time featured item in Magic Kingdom).

If that doesn’t make your Dole Whip loving heart sad enough, the Peter Pan Float also disappeared from Storybook Treats. BUT, the good news is that you can still get a Lime Dole Whip over at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort!

While we were exploring Animal Kingdom, we found that the Simba Pretzel had gone missing (we can’t believe it either)…

…on top of Flame Tree Barbecue‘s Pulled Pork Fries! Although a basket of fries may not seems like a big deal, the Pulled Pork Fries were a GREAT snack option (that could practically serve as a meal) with so much pulled pork and plastic cheese piled on crisp fries. We’re getting a little emotional just thinking about them being missing now… .

Since the Disney Resorts have also opened along with the parks, disappearing menu items were bound to make their way over to the hotels too. While we recently dined at the newly reopened California Grill in Disney’s Contemporary Resort, we spotted that the cheesy and delicious Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli was missing from the menu.

Although there are SO many other items vanishing from Disney World right now, we will be keeping a close eye on these treats to see if they come back as the parks move past their initial reopenings. Cast Members have informed us that kitchens have limited access to certain ingredients and menu items in order to maintain distancing in kitchens (and since third-party manufacturers may not have all the items available). Fingers crossed that we’ll see you again, Kakamora!!

Keep up with all the menu changes happening in Disney World here!

No More Pin Trading

Pin Trading is a serious business for many guests who spend time collecting and exchanging their pins to make the ultimate collection. However, Disney originally stated that Pin Trading wouldn’t be happening in the parks during the initial reopenings as a health and safety measure. When Disney Springs opened, spots like Pin Traders had the experience suspended, so we weren’t really expected to be able to trade in the parks, at least not initially.

Buuut, then Disney changed their tune by saying that Pin Trading would be available in a modified fashion. We weren’t really sure what to expect with the new form of trading since so much of the experience was based around people physically being able to swap out pins for others.

However, we’ve now seen Pin Trading return on boards around the parks and resorts for guests. The experience has changed so there is less contact happening during Pin Trading. Now, a guest will be able to choose up to two pins to trade, which will be given to them by a Cast Member who handles the board.

Cast Member lanyards, pouches, books, and other means of Pin Trading have been suspended at this time to encourage distancing and prevent unnecessary contact.

We’ve seen Pin Trading so far in places like the Artist’s Palette at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, near DinoLand U.S.A. in Animal Kingdom, stationed at Fantasy Faire in Magic Kingdom, and multiple other locations that are available in Disney World currently. You may not find the pin boards EVERYWHERE you used to see them before the closure for now, but if you’re looking to trade, you can scratch your pin trading itch!

Here are all the ways Disney is handling Pin Trading in the parks!

Very Few Characters Out and About in the Parks and Resorts

When Disney announced that fireworks, parades, and character meet-and-greets would be suspended, we thought that there would be way fewer opportunities to see characters. Although Character Cavalcades were announced as the next form of modified Disney entertainment, we didn’t expect there to be as many characters out as we ended up seeing!

On top of the floats going by with Mickey and his friends, the Disney Princesses (and a special appearance from Angus), boat-rides with Chip and Dale, and more, the character experiences didn’t stop there in the parks!

Characters were stationed around the parks to wave to guests passing by from distanced stations or even on the balcony of Cinderella Castle (what’s up, Anastasia and Drizella??).

We were excited to see pals like Buzz and Stitch in Tomorrowland…

…the Country Bears at the Country Bear Jamboree…

…Jack Sparrow near the Pirates of the Caribbean…

…and so many more (our hearts were full of joy seeing them again)!

Here are all the places you can spot your favorite Disney characters in the parks!

Although there aren’t many Character Dining experiences returning back to Disney World at this time, we visited Topolino’s Terrace to see all our friends out and about in the restaurant. While you might not be able to take pictures with them (you can take distanced selfies or pictures of the characters instead), you actually have the potential to see the characters a few more times since they don’t have to stop by every table!

At Topolino’s Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy paraded around the restaurant so guests could interact with them at a distance. Plus, there was even a giant dance party where all four characters came out to give a performance!

Another unexpected character surprise appearance came over at Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom. The restaurant typically only serves a table-service meal in the evenings but since reopening, lunch is served as a prix-fixe sit-down meal and with it, a special guest is present! You can wave hello to the Beast!

While the parks start to open again, more Character Dining meals may be instated with similar experiences for guests. We already know that Garden Grill Restaurant in EPCOT will be open with a character experience again!

Take a look at a modified Character Dining experience in Disney World here!

Water Fountains Would Be Shut Off

Since Disney is following strict health and safety measures, we expected to see the water fountains around the parks shut off when Disney World reopened. However, we were shocked to see that many water fountains were on, while some refillable water bottle stations were turned off (which seems a little strange to us).

Although we’ve seen water fountains on in Disney Springs, we weren’t entirely sure if water fountains and refillable water bottle stations would be turned on in the parks upon reopening. Water fountains in particular seem to not meet with distancing guidelines put forth (you know, since they require guests to put their mouths so close to them!). Bottle fillers seem a bit more sanitary, so we were surprised to see them on some places like the Flight of Passage queue…

…and marked off as closed for safety reasons at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe in Magic Kingdom. It doesn’t seem like there are set regulations surrounding where and whether the fountains will be turned on or closed.

However, the water fountains and refillable water bottle stations aren’t the only ways to get water in Disney World!

The quick-service restaurants are still providing free water cups for guests who ask for them so you can cool off while you beat the heat in the air-conditioning. Even though Cast Members are limiting guests from entering Quick Service locations without a Mobile Order or the intention of ordering, if you mention you want water you’ll be allowed in.

This was our full experience dining at a quick-service location in a newly re-opened Magic Kingdom!

Longer Wait Times and No Pre-Shows

While Disney stated that the wait times would be low when the parks initially reopened, we honestly expected them to be a LOT longer than they were. Five minute wait times for Flight of Passage ALL DAY LONG?? UNHEARD OF.

Both Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom had some of the lowest wait times we’ve ever seen in the parks. While Animal Kingdom had lines that ranged from five to 20 minutes for Tier One attractions (we’re still shook), Magic Kingdom’s longest wait time of the day was for Splash Mountain.

The attractions also went through routine cleaning every two hours, so the lines were dispersed consistently throughout the parks. Although we thought that the distancing and use of new health and safety regulations would make the lines longer, we were surprised to find that wasn’t the case during the initial reopenings.

We also thought that pre-shows for attractions would be halted, but we happened to find many of them in action (in a modified way). Instead of hosting two pre-shows, Flight of Passage spread guests out over the two rooms and only showed the first pre-show without the “connection” sequence to the Avatars.

However, Dinosaur’s pre-show was completely normal, except for the limited room capacity and distancing measures put in place.

While Hollywood Studios and EPCOT haven’t opened yet, we will have to keep you updated on how the other parks’ wait times and pre-show situations look when the parks welcome guests again on July 15th.

Although Disney just keeps surprising us over and over again, we are looking forward to seeing all the ways that the parks have changed. And, while we’re back in a newly reopened Disney World, we’ll be taking you with us to check out all the things that are different in the parks!

Why didn’t anybody tell us these 5 things before we went back to Disney World?

What things surprised you about Disney World’s reopening? Let us know in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney dining tips, disney merchandise, Disney News, disney parks, Featured, Snacks, Walt Disney World, Disney, disney dining, disney food, Disney merch, Disney merchandise, disney news, disney snacks, disney treats, Disney World, Disney World reopening, virtual queues

We’ve had a LOT of feelings about returning back to Disney World during the first round of reopenings this week.

Although we expected to see distancing measures and new places to spot characters, there were quite a few changes that Disney sprung on guests when they entered the parks. Whether you’re someone who really loves riding attractions or you’re all about the food, Disney World has really shaken things up when it comes to how the parks are working now.

While we may be Disney pros, there were plenty of things that we didn’t expect to see happen when Disney opened again. And, since nobody told us to expect them, we’re sharing some of the biggest changes we didn’t anticipate seeing in Disney World!

You Don’t Have to Get Up at the Crack of Dawn Anymore

It’s almost become a “normal” part of many of our Disney vacations that being “up and at ’em” first thing in the morning is essential to our visits. Most of us would make sure we were well on our way to the parks as the sun was rising (or even before then) to snag those early morning ride times or get a Boarding Group for Rise of the Resistance.

However, Disney as we know it has basically changed completely. You CAN’T get to the parks hours before opening at this time. It’s strange to say that now you don’t have to be up so early. As the parks start to re-open, Disney has made it pretty simple to take advantage of low wait times and (hopefully) grab a Boarding Pass for Rise of the Resistance when guests are visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

What’s the reason behind this? Well, Disney doesn’t actually want there to be excessive crowding in the parks first thing in the morning as a health and safety precaution. Since distancing measures are so important right now, a bunch of guests waiting outside the gates sounds like a big no-no at the moment. However, Disney has started restricting the time anyone even arrives at the parks to reduce crowding.

Although Disney Buses previously started running from the resorts two hours before the parks opened, the hours have been reduced to a start time of only 45 minutes. While we were there this week, a Cast Member even stated that Disney Transportation may not even begin operations until 8:30AM each day (but the 45-minute guideline is a little safer to stick with).

The Walkways from Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and most likely Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort (when completed) won’t be opening until 8:30AM for guests staying at the hotels (which happens to be one of the biggest perks of choosing these resorts).

Currently, the parking entrances only seem to begin opening up about 20 minutes before the parks’ opening. After that, guests still have to get through the long line of cars to park, which has been modified to a car in every other spot. Trams won’t be running during the initial reopening, so everyone will need to walk from their cars to the gates or Ticket and Transportation Center.

Many guests would get up extremely early in order to get a prime Boarding Group spot for Rise of the Resistance (we’ve been in the 5AM crowds. It’s a THING!). However, Hollywood Studios’ most popular attraction will be using a modified system instead of the previous version we’ve seen. While previously, guests needed to be in the park as it opened (and typically showed up hours before) to get a Boarding Pass, now groups aren’t doled out until 10AM, 1PM, and 4PM on the My Disney Experience app. Do keep in mind that Hollywood Studios is set to open at 10AM next week.

In order to allow everyone a chance to get on the ride, you’ll only be able to join Rise of the Resistance’s Virtual Queue ONCE per day. My Disney Experience will keep guests updated with what availability there is for specific windows and allow people to join back-up Boarding Groups. However, a virtual queue slot is not a guarantee — you still may not be able to ride the attraction, even with a Virtual Queue spot.

Overall, it seems like Disney has reduced the amount of time guests have to arrive and congregate at the entrances to maintain distancing guidelines. While a lot of this is due to concerns overcrowding, there are some perks to being able to take advantage of shorter wait times and more time to sleep in.

Here is the biggest piece of Disney planning advice you’re probably not thinking about!

Mobile Order Would See Some Changes

Mobile Order has easily become one of our favorite tools to use during a trip to Disney World. Who wouldn’t want a quicker way to grab a Dole Whip or have lunch before hopping on the Haunted Mansion? Buuut, we were surprised to see that Mobile Order also received a few alterations during the parks’ reopenings!

Mobile Order would usually allow guests the ability to choose their designated time to return back to a quick-service location so they could waltz inside and grab their meals. However, the procedure has changed to promote social distancing.

Disney is really pushing for guests to use Mobile Order to order and pay for their food. While you are still able to order inside, it can sometimes feel like you’re not allowed to or that you’re doing something wrong. But do know that it is still an option, you may just need to explain your reasoning. For example, if you need to see an allergy menu or if you’re paying with cash, you’re welcome to order inside.

Although guests are able to still choose their return time, they will have to select “I’m Here. Prepare My Order” when they arrive. Guests can choose to wait outside or inside behind designated distancing markers before being given a notification that their food is ready along with a designated pick-up location.

Since there are health and safety measures in place at Disney’s restaurants, picking up your own condiments or refilling your own drink may not be an option right now. Some restaurants will have tubs of individually packaged condiments for guests to pick up. Or, you can choose your condiments and sides through Mobile Order instead.

Free water is still just as accessible at Quick-Service locations too, since Cast Members prepare the cups to hand to guests who want a drink.

All you have to do is ask someone working at the restaurant for a cup of water, and they will allow you to enter to get a free water cup!

Here’s a look at the new quick-service dining process in Disney World!

Wait Times Would Be SO LOW

Before the parks reopened, Disney projected that its wait times would be low during the initial reopenings (hence the lack of Virtual Queues at attractions). But, we have to be honest — we did NOT expect them to see as low as they have been!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom operated with lines that were consistently only 5 minutes throughout the day (!!!) with the longest lines ranging from 15 to 20 mins that we happened to see. It’s WILD to think that we could literally walk on Tier One rides like Flight of Passage (that can typically have at least a two-hour wait!) in the parks without planning months in advance how to snag the best FastPasses.

Magic Kingdom also operated with so many low wait times that could range from 5 to 50 minutes, even during the peak times of the day. Both parks would temporarily close their attractions to clean them every 2 hours, according to Cast Members. During those times, the lines were dispersed even more, so you never really had to wait a crazy amount of time to get on an attraction.

The wait times could change when the crowds pick up (if they even pick up at all or if Disney increases capacity). However, it’s shocking that we’ve been able to hop MEGA popular attractions consistently at 5 minute wait times as opposed to possible 2+ hours or more of standing in the Florida heat.

We’re pretty sure we’ve been on Flight of Passage more times in the past few days than we probably have in the last few YEARS combined since Pandora opened!

Here are some of the best and worst things we’ve seen in a re-opened Disney World so far!

Merchandise Is a HUGE Deal Right Now

Since it debuted, Splash Mountain has been a big part of the Disney Parks around the world. And, when Disney World reopened this weekend, Splash Mountain was the MUST-DO attraction of the parks. It had the longest wait time in Magic Kingdom (yes, even over the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train) with times reaching up to 45 or 50 minutes.

Since the ride will be experiencing a redesign from the classic story of Br’er Rabbit to a contemporary The Princess and the Frog bayou ride, people were set on getting Splash Mountain items to take home with them. This is why the line for the GIFT SHOP was the biggest line we’ve seen since the parks reopened (and possibly even before the closure!).

The line during Passholder Preview stretched to a 240-minute wait, while the reopening had a 180-minute wait (and then reached capacity) to get into Splash Mountain’s gift shop. And, if you think about it, the gift shop wasn’t super popular before the announcement that the attraction would see some changes. Now it’s THE place to be in Magic Kingdom!

Disney has also rolled out a “Together Again” collection to welcome guests back into the parks. Since guests were super psyched to be back in the parks, the line of tee shirts was selling out extremely fast (commemorative merchandise is typically a big deal with many guests, but for the historic re-opening, this merch was extra unique).

There wasn’t a high quantity of the shirts stocked in Magic Kingdom, so they were practically gone from the shelves at the end of the day.

We’ve seen a few styles of the shirts restocked today, but we’ll keep checking back in the parks to see if we can be reunited with more of the Together Again collection!

Here are the ways shopping in Disney World has changed!

Temperature Checks Would Actually Be One of the Least Weird Changes

When temperature checks were first announced for Disney World, it seemed like a totally strange concept to fans everywhere. Many people were worried that it would add a bunch of additional time trying to get into the parks and that it could be invasive. In reality, it’s been neither of those things from what we’ve experienced so far.

The procedures are all conducted the same with AdventHealth team members conducting the temperature screenings before guests go through the bag check into the parks.

Since we’ve been back in the parks, the temperature screening portion of the entrance procedures actually goes by quickly as guests are moved along in an orderly fashion. While temperature checks being a part of the new normal may seem a bit weird to think about, they have been surprisingly simple to go through (and we don’t really mind them all that much).

Although there have been plenty of things that have surprised us about the parks reopening (and probably will continue to do so when EPCOT and Hollywood Studios open in just a few short days), it does seem like many guests don’t mind the changes. We’ve noticed that quite a few of the modifications in the park haven’t majorly affected guests’ visits or have even made them a bit easier.

These are the ways Disney World is breaking the theme park reopening mold!

While we continue to explore Disney World during its initial reopening, we’ll keep bringing you all the new and different things we see during our time in the parks. Let us know if you have ANY questions about what it’s like right now in Disney World!

These are our biggest tips for wearing a mask in a theme park right now!

What is one of the strangest things you’ve seen in Disney World so far? Let us know in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Counter-Service, disney dining tips, disney merchandise, Disney News, disney parks, disney resorts, Featured, Snacks, Walt Disney World, Disney, disney crowds, disney dining, Disney merch, Disney merchandise, disney news, disney restaurants, disney transportation, Disney World, Disney World reopening, early morning hours, Mobile Order, Rise of the Resistance, Star Wars Land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, temperature checks, temperature screenings, Wait Times

Now that Disney World has reopened, we’ve been combing through the parks to collect all the brand new tips you need to know!

In order to enter the parks, all guests ages two and older are required to wear an appropriate face covering. So, since nearly everyone who enters Disney World will need to wear a face mask, we figured this is a pretty important topic to cover!

And while wearing a face mask in Disney World definitely takes some getting used to, it’s not unbearable — especially if you do it right! So, here are our top tips for wearing a face mask in the parks!

Bring Several Different Types of Masks

We’ve found that it’s important to have extra masks for each day — between the rain, humidity, and sweat, ours always seem to end up wet after a few hours! But we’ve also found that it’s helpful to have several different KINDS of masks — meaning different style, material, and fit!

That way, if one particular type of mask starts to rub in an uncomfortable way, we can swap it out with a completely different mask that fits different. In fact, we’ve even found it helpful to change into a new mask mid-day, regardless of whether our first mask has started to feel worn-in!

Did you know that you can get a Disney Food Blog face mask?? Check them out here!

Mask Thickness and Material Make a Difference for Comfort

We’ve worn a wide variety of masks around Disney World, and we’ve found certain materials are more comfortable for us. But this largely seems to be a matter of personal preference, so we suggest trying out masks made of different materials to see what you find most comfortable!

It’s helpful to test out your masks before your vacation so you can get a feel for how they will wear after spending some significant time in them. Try to go for a walk outside to see how comfortable they are while you’re active!

Here are three things that surprised us at the Disney World Annual Passholder preview!

If You Have Long Hair, Bring Clips to Secure Your Mask on Thrill Rides

This tip won’t work for everyone, but if you do have long hair, this can be super helpful! If you’re worried about losing your mask on one of the high-speed thrill rides, pack hair clips to secure the ear loops of your mask to your hair!

We tested this out on Expedition Everest, and it worked like a charm — even when the coaster zipped backward through the mountain!

Check out our LIVE coverage from the reopening of Animal Kingdom!

Plan a Sit-Down Meal Mid-Day

Guests are required to wear masks in the parks at all times — except when eating or drinking. Guests may remove their masks when seated at a restaurant, as long as they remain at their table.

By planning a sit-down meal mid-day, you can create a built-in break for your family where you can get out of the heat, remove your masks, and relax.

These are the restaurants that are reopening with each of the Disney World parks!

Find Out Where the Relaxation Stations Are Located

So, what happens if you REALLY need a break outside of mealtime? Guests will find “relaxation stations” at each of the parks. These are designated areas where guests can remove their masks while maintaining distance from other parties. These spots can be a HUGE help for giving the kiddos (or you!) a much-needed break!

Find out where the relaxation stations are located in the park you’re visiting so you know where you can go if you need to spend a few minutes without your mask!

Here’s where the “relaxation stations” are located in the reopened Disney World parks!

Take Care of Your Lips!

While wearing a mask in Disney World, we’ve found that our lips tend to get chapped pretty quickly. So, be sure to pack lip balm in your park bag! And if you wear makeup, you’ll also want to bring lipstick and a compact for touch-ups!

So, even if these aren’t items that previously made their way into your park bag, we’d suggest adding them on your next trip!

You won’t believe how low the wait times were on Animal Kingdom’s reopening day!

Make Sure You’re Drinking Plenty of Water

With the heat, humidity, and amount of walking involved in a trip to Disney World, dehydration can sneak up on you fast! And even though guests are allowed to move their masks to take a drink, we’ve found that we’ve been drinking water less frequently while wearing our masks.

We were pretty surprised at how easily we just forgot our normal water breaks with our mask on! So, make sure you’re staying hydrated and drinking enough water in the parks! You might even want to set an alarm on your watch or phone as a reminder to stop and take a sip!

Here’s how you can get water in the reopened Disney World parks!

Be Diligent About Applying Sunscreen to Your Face!

Just like staying hydrated, protecting your skin is always important. Make sure you don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your face just because you’re wearing a mask! We opt for a sunscreen with a high SPF for extra protection!

And reapplying throughout the day is also important — trust us, we’ve ended up with some interesting face mask tan lines!

Most people who are booking their Disney World trips right now don’t know THIS!

So, while wearing a face mask in Disney World is definitely a different experience than we’re used to, we’ve found ways to make it easier for ourselves! We hope these tips are helpful to you on your next trip to the parks!

Here are 10 new Disney World tips we never thought we’d have to share!

Have you been back to Disney World since the reopening? Share your face mask tips in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, disney parks, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, 2020 disney world tips, Disney World Reopen, disney world reopened, disney world tip, disney world tips, face coverings, face mask, face mask tan lines, face mask tips, face masks, hydrated, lip balm, relaxation station, relaxation zones, sunscreen

Now that Disney World has reopened, we’ve got some brand NEW tips to share!

We’ve visited the parks, hotels, and Disney Springs to get a feel for what it’s like to visit a reopened Disney World. And with all of the changes in Disney, that means we have some NEW tips for your vacation that probably would have sounded a little weird at this time last year!

Bring Plenty of Face Masks!

All Cast Members and guests age two and up must wear a face mask in the parks at all times (except when eating and drinking). And with the summertime Florida weather, you’re likely to encounter thunderstorms, heat, and humidity — and the resulting sweat!

Which means, your mask is likely to get wet throughout the day! Whether you opt for reusable or disposable face masks, pack extra for your trip, and throw several in your park bag for each member of your party before you head out for the day. That way, you’ll be all set if you need a fresh mask!

Did you know you can get a Disney Food Blog Face Mask?? Check them out here!

Set a Reminder to Drink Water

We encourage our readers pretty regularly to make sure they’re staying hydrated as they navigate the parks. But from the time we’ve spent in a reopened Disney World, we’ve found we aren’t drinking water as often as usual.

Guests are allowed to briefly pull down their masks to take a drink or a bite of food, but since it’s less convenient with a mask on, we’ve been guilty of not hydrating as often! If you think there’s a chance you could fall into this habit as well, consider setting a reminder on your watch or phone to stop and take a drink every so often. Trust us, it’s better than getting dehydrated!

If you DO forget and find yourself in a bad way — either through dehydration or heatstroke — swing by the First Aid Center in each park. They’re well equipped to help you if you need it.

Here’s how you can get water in the reopened Disney World theme parks!

Pack Your Own Hand Sanitizer

We’ve found the ample hand sanitizer around the parks but, while there are lots throughout the parks, hotels, and Disney Springs, we still recommend packing your own! 

By packing your own hand sanitizer, you won’t have to search for a hand sanitizer station. And you’ll have it available when you really want it — like when your meal arrives at a restaurant or when you’ve just pulled down your lap bar on an attraction!

Here’s what it’s like to eat in a recently reopened restaurant in Disney World.

Speaking of Hand Sanitizer, Consider One that Clips to Your Bag!

Another piece of hand sanitizer advice — we’ve found that having ours clipped to the outside of our park bag is super convenient!

That way, we don’t have to dig around inside our bag (and touch all of our other belongings in the process!) when we need it. Here’s a good multi-pack of sanitizers we like.

Here’s how you can find the nearest hand sanitizer station in Disney World!

And Bring Lotion for Your Hands Also!

One side effect we’ve noticed from all of the handwashing and sanitizing we’ve been doing — our hands get super dry! 

So, while regular moisturizing lotion isn’t typically at the top of our list of park bag necessities, it’s definitely become an MVP for us in recent weeks! If your room provides travel-sized lotion, pop one not your bag. These are a great option as well (and ultra-moisturizing).

Here’s a big piece of NEW Disney World planning advice you’re not thinking about!

Keep a Close Eye on Disney Park Pass Availability

In order to visit the reopened Disney World parks, all guests are required to have a Disney Park Pass reservation. There is a cap on the availability for Disney World Resort guests, regular ticket holders, and Annual Passholders in each park every day so when they’re all gone, they’re gone.

BUT, we’ve noticed that the Disney Park Pass availability can change, and occasionally, parks that were previously listed as full have become available again. So, if you didn’t get your first choice of park when making your initial reservations, check back regularly to see if the availability has changed!

Click here to see our Disney Park Pass tutorial!

Be On the Lookout for Characters in Unexpected Places

During the initial reopening period, guests won’t find traditional character experiences like meet-and-greets, parades, and character dining (with the exception of the modified character dining experiences at Topolino’s Terrace and Garden Grill).

But that doesn’t mean you can’t spot characters on your vacation — there will be new (socially distanced) experiences in each of the parks! We’ve already had the chance to see these in action in Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, and characters will pop up in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT as well!

These character experiences will be unscheduled and will pop up as a surprise, so don’t camp out to try to catch them! But keep a sharp eye out as you’re wandering through the parks and you might spot one of your favorite characters! We were kind of shocked by how MANY characters we’ve seen since we’ve been back. While you can’t get an autograph or a hug, it’s kinda neat to see so many characters in a day!

Click here to learn more about these new character experiences!

Reapply Sunscreen to Your Face Regularly!

It’s important to protect your skin regardless of the circumstances of your vacation, but now this common tip has a new twist! Don’t forget to regularly reapply sunscreen to your face! This can help you avoid both a sunburn and unwanted face mask tan lines.

You also might want to use a high SPF sunscreen on your face, to help cut down on the face mask tan lines! This is a great one made especially for your face!

See which face masks are the MOST comfortable to wear all day in Disney World — and which ones you should avoid!

Bring Lip Balm

We’ve found that wearing a mask around the park all day has caused our lips to get dry super quickly. So, another park bag essential that has found its way towards the top of our list is lip balm!

Here’s a bonus tip — since these are typically pretty small, they can fall to the bottom of your bag easily. So if possible, keep your lip balm in a small, outer pocket of your bag for easy access!

Here are three things that surprised us at the Disney World Annual Passholder preview!

Bring a Portable Phone Charger

With the focus on reducing contact, your cell phone (and My Disney Experience app) is more important than ever! You can use your phone to Mobile Order, pull up QR code menus, process contactless payments, and more!

Disney World does offer swappable FuelRod chargers at several locations, but keep in mind that guests who signed up for the program after October 26th, 2019 will now have to pay a $3 swap fee.

So, while there are portable phone charging options available in Disney World, you may want to bring your own from home to avoid swapping fees! This is a reliable charger that can provide you multiple charges in a day!

Click here to learn more about the FuelRod swapping policy change!

We’ve been scoping out all of the ins and outs of navigating a reopened Disney World — and we’ve learned A LOT along the way! We hope these new tips will help you maximize the magic on your next Disney vacation! What else do YOU want to know about reopened Disney World? We’re in the parks every day checking out the changes and here to help you be in the know.

Most people who are booking their Disney World trips right now don’t know THIS!

Have you been to Disney World since the reopening? Share your new tips in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, disney parks, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, 2020 disney world tips, character cavalcade, character cavalcades, Character experiences, dfb face masks, Disney Park Pass, Disney Park Pass Theme Park Reservation System, disney world reopened, disney world tip, disney world tips, face mask, face masks, FuelRod, hand sanitizer, Hand Sanitizer Station, hand sanitizer stations, hydrated, lip balm, pack your park bag, park bag, phone charger, sunscreen