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Disney Along with Several Other Major Companies Seek Over $1 Trillion in Relief For Local Aid

Not too long ago, we told you about a Federal Aid plan that included a $25 billion airline rescue package to bail out the hard-hit travel industry due to the country’s recently shut down.

Orlando International Airport

And now Disney along with top industry leaders of several major companies are moving forward with a plan to seek over $1 trillion in government aid.

First reported by CNBC, California Governor Gavin Newsom is asking for more state and local funding along with his task force which includes Disney Executive Chairman(and former Disney CEO) Bob Iger as well as Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos among many others.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge During It’s Dedication Ceremony

The task force sent a letter to Congress last Friday addressed to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. In it, they formally requested an additional $1 trillion in flexible economic relief to be distributed throughout all states.

Closed Lost and Found booth at Disneyland after the parks close due to Coronavirus

The task force says the additional funds could be used for essential resources to trace and prevent the spread of the virus and to assist operations like child services, job training, and small businesses.

Sleeping Beauty Castle

The House of Representatives passed a bill on Friday which included $1 trillion in funding for state and local governments. We’ll continue to follow this developing story and keep you informed of any updates.

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, Featured, News, $1 trillion, bail-out, bob iger, california governor, california task force, Disney, Disney Executive Chairman, gavin newsom, government assistance, walt disney company

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Disney News Disney Parks Other

Going To Disney World in February? Here’s What You Need To Know!

Here’s the info you need to maximize the magic on your February trip to Disney World!

Valentine’s Day Cupcake

By February, many of us are feeling the winter blues. And a Disney World vacation can be the perfect cure! But before you start planning, you need to BE PREPARED — Scar might be a Disney villain, but that’s a solid piece of advice that we’re going to borrow! Here are all the deets you need to know in order to set yourself up for a fabulous February vacay!

Crowds at Disney World in February

In general, the crowds at Disney World in February tend to range from light to moderate. But there are a few holidays and happenings that can cause attendance to spike!

Typically the parks will be busier during President’s Day weekend since lots of guests take advantage of the long weekend for a quick getaway! And with the Epcot International Festival of the Arts running through most of the month (more on that later!), Epcot tends to be busier on the weekends with locals visiting for the festival.

Sunshine Seasons Cupcake

In addition to these more predictable crowd boosters, some schools around the country have Spring Break or Winter Break during February. Since these dates vary by school and change from year-to-year, unfortunately, they’re more difficult to account for while planning. So just be aware that if you’re planning a trip in February, you could run into some early Spring/Winter Break crowds!

Park Hours at Disney World in February

The parks hours throughout the month of February tend to be pretty steady! Most parks will open at either 8AM or 9AM, and close at either 8PM or 9PM.

Hollywood Studios

Magic Kingdom will usually stay open a little later (usually 10PM), but outside of that, Disney World park hours are pretty consistent in February!

Weather at Disney World in February

The temperatures tend to start warming up a little bit this month compared to January, which has the lowest average temps throughout the year! In February, the average high is 75 degrees and the average low is 54 degrees. So, typically the mornings and evenings are chilly, but the afternoons can warm up a bit!

Disney’s Boardwalk

February is also relatively dry — by Disney World standards! There are an average of 4 rainy days throughout the month, which is less frequent than you could expect during the summer months.

How to Pack for Disney World in February

Okay, we just touched on how the temperature can be chilly in the mornings and evenings, but warm up during the afternoon. So that means you’ll want to pack clothes you can layer for your February trip! We suggest bringing a sweatshirt or jacket, gloves, scarf, and hat so you can wear them out in the morning, and store them in your park bag when it starts to warm up!

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

And don’t forget those closed-toe shoes! Even if you’re usually a sandals in the park kinda person, the frigid temps in the mornings and evenings can be especially hard on the feet. So make sure you come prepared!

Epcot International Festival of the Arts

If you’re traveling to Disney World in February, there’s a good chance your trip will overlap with the Epcot International Festival of the ArtsThe event usually runs through late-February, so if your vacation lands at the end of the month, be sure to check the festival dates and plan your park days accordingly. Trust us, this isn’t an event you want to miss out on if you can help it!

Festival of the Arts Sign

The Festival of the Arts has so much to see and do, including Food Studios, live entertainment, unique merchandise, complimentary seminars, and extra-ticketed workshops!

2020 Pop Eats! Food Studio

We looooove the festival Food Studios because the food is both delicious AND beautiful! Since it is the Festival of the Arts, there’s a huge focus on the presentation of the menu items at each of the booths.

In past years, we’ve seen favorites like the Sushi Donut, Smoked Salmon and Cream Gâteauand Festival of the Arts Mini-Cake!

Sushi Donut

Festival entertainment includes Performing Arts like the  Disney on Broadway Concert Series, live music, living statues, and more! And the Visual Arts are represented as well! Guests can find Artful Photo Opschalk art, and character art throughout the park!

Peter Pan Photo Op

And guests can commemorate their time by picking up some festival merchandise! In addition to classic options like tumblers, clothing, and plushes, you can also purchase work by featured artists located throughout the park!

Festival of the Arts Merchandise

If you want to take your exploration of the arts to another level, check out one of the free seminars or extra-ticketed workshops offered during the event!

Trailblazing Ladies of Disney Animation Complimentary Seminar

Even though it’s the newest addition to the Epcot lineup, the Festival of the Arts is quickly becoming one of our favorite events! It’s definitely worth checking out during your February trip!

Annual Ride Refurbishments

Another thing to consider if you’re planning a February trip — several of the rides and attractions in Disney World will be down for annual refurbishments! This is particularly important if you’re a water ride enthusiast. Both Splash Mountain in Magic Kingdom and Kali River Rapids in Animal Kingdom usually go down for refurbishment in mid-January and remain unavailable until mid to late-March.

Splash Mountain Refurbishment

And you’ll have limited access to the water parks as well! Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach go down for refurbishment in alternating months. So, if you’re traveling in February, only one of them will be open!

Valentine’s Day Treats

If you’re traveling in mid-February, you’ll see a lot of pink, red, and heart-shaped treats! We typically see Valentine’s Day themed snacks available at least a few days before and after the holiday.

Of course, there are plenty of Valentine’s Day Cupcakes available around the parks and resorts! And we’ve spotted some more inventive desserts as well — like the (almost too pretty to eat) Bella Notte Petit Cake at Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs!

Bella Notte Petit Cake

If you’re traveling in February, be sure to keep an eye on menus across Disney World for fun, Valentine’s Day menu options! For instance, in the past, Kona Cafe at Disney World’s Polynesian Village Resort has offered Red Velvet Pancakes with Cream Cheese Topping as a limited-time offering!

Red Velvet Breakfast Special

And there are plenty of places in Disney World to have a date night! Several locations in Disney Springs offer Valentine’s Day specials and menus for a romantic night out on the town! So if you find yourself in Disney World with your Valentine, you can have a Bella Notte, indeed.

If you’re planning a trip to Disney World in February, you have a lot to be excited about! The (usually) manageable crowd levels, super-fun Epcot Festival of the Arts, and delicious Valentine’s Day treats can make Disney World even more awesome! Just be sure to prepare yourself for the ride refurbishments and potentially chilly temps and you’ll be in for a magical vacay!

Are you planning a trip to Disney World in February? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney parks, Disney Springs, Featured, Walt Disney World, 2020 Epcot Festival of the Arts, 2020 Epcot International Festival of the Arts, attraction refurbishments, Blizzard Beach, Blizzard Beach Refurbishment, closed typhoon lagoon, crowd levels, disney valentine’s day treats, disney world crowd levels, Disney World crowds, disney world park hours, disney world planning, disney world planning tips, disney world valentine’s day, Disney World weather, disney’s typhoon lagoon, kali river rapids, ride refurbish, splash mountain, Splash Mountain Closure, valentine’s day menus, valentine’s day menus at disney world, valentine’s day specials, walt disney world planning, weather

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Disney News Disney Parks

Full list of Restaurants and Retail Locations opening at Disney Springs

Disney Springs

With Disney Springs reopening tomorrow they have just released a complete list of Restaurants and Retail Locations that will be open.

We are still awaiting word on what time we can expect Disney Springs to reopen tomorrow.

The following locations will open starting on May 20th:

On May 27, three Disney-owned and -operated stores and venues will reopen World of Disney, D-Luxe Burger (mobile order) and the Marketplace Co-Op. You can visit DisneySprings.com/reopening for the most current information on which locations are open.

Also, Disney Springs announced yesterday new Cast Members to promote physical distancing guidelines

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Parks & Resorts, Disney Springs, Walt Disney World, Disney Springs Reopening, Disney World, Restaurants and Retail Locations

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Disney News Disney Parks

Disney Springs: What You Need to Know for Its Partial Reopening

In the first step forward towards the reopening of Walt Disney World, Disney Springs will have a partial reopening on Wednesday, May 20. Here’s what you need to know.

What Will Be Open?

Not all parts of Disney Springs will be open. Only the Lime and Orange parking garages will be open, and they will have limited capacity. In addition, not all stores and restaurants will be open — for instance, World of Disney and the Lego store will not be open, nor will fan favorite restaurant Homecomin’. Here’s a list of what Disney has said will open on the 20th.

What Will Crowds and Weather Be Like?

Expect the first couple hours to be crowded as everyone tries to run in to be “first”, and then things should slow down in the middle of the day. There likely will be a second rush in the early evening, as people show up for the dinner hour. Crowds will likely be lower on Thursday than on Wednesday. Tomorrow’s high is expected to be around 94, with 50% humidity. The full “summer season” hasn’t fully arrived yet, but it will still be warm.

What Is Disney Doing to Ensure Safety?

Disney is focusing on six key changes to ensure the health and wellbeing of guests and cast.

  • Limited parking and reduced entrances
  • Temperature screenings prior to entry
  • Face coverings required for Guests ages 3 and up
  • Physical distancing practices including physically-distanced queues and physical barriers
  • Temporary operation modifications, including reduced hours at select locations and no scheduled entertainment offerings or high-touch interactive areas
  • An increased focus on disinfecting and sanitation, including the addition of hand-washing stations and hand sanitizers in key areas

What Should I Do If I Plan To Go?

These are new times for all of us, and there’s a steep learning curve for policies that have been created within the past few months. Here’s some tips that we suggest:

  • If you are sick, or believe you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please stay home.
  • Bring, and plan to wear, your own mask. Disney has not stated whether masks will be available for purchase or if free, disposable masks will be offered. If you want to go, bring your own mask and plan to wear it for the majority of your visit.
  • Know what it is you want to do, go and do it, and then head out. With some of the “headliner” experiences at Disney Springs not being open, there’s little reason to just “hang out”.
  • Tip generously. It’s been a rough time for service workers in the area. If you are able, please tip generously.
  • Use cashless payments whenever possible. All jokes aside about dirty money, money is pretty filthy. Some vendors may accept alternative funding sources like ApplePay/Google Pay/Samsung Pay, but using a physical credit card is always an option.
  • Wash your hands often, and bring your own personal hand sanitizer and use it often when hand washing isn’t immediately available.
  • If you will have children with you, let them know what to expect. Kids are resilient, but sometimes the unknown can make them nervous. Explain that they will have their temperature checked when they arrive with a little gadget that doesn’t even touch their skin and doesn’t hurt at all. Let them know that they will need to wear a mask during their visit. If you think they won’t be able to feel comfortable with these new rules, it probably would be a good idea to stay home for now.
  • Follow the instructions of cast members. They’re looking out for everyone’s safety. Please listen to them.
  • Pack your patience. These are unique times, and everyone is still learning. Remember to be kind, both to cast members and other guests.

Is Disney Really Serious About Making Everyone Wear a Mask?

If you are ages 3 and up, yes.

But What If I Don’t Want To/Don’t Think I Can/Am Concerned About the Heat?

As someone who is not a fan of wearing masks (even though I accept they are necessary when I do go out), my plan is to stay home. Any of the items that I could shop for in person at Disney Springs, I’m able to purchase online. Many of the dining establishments that I’d eat at during a visit to Disney Springs have comparable alternatives that I can order takeout from in the surrounding area. Because this is not a forever rule, there’s nothing wrong with waiting until another time to visit Disney Springs.

But if you still really, really want to go and are concerned about spending all day wearing a mask in the heat, here’s something to think about.

We surveyed our TouringPlans Twitter followers to see how long they typically spend on a visit to Disney Springs. Here’s the results.

Of those surveyed, the common comment was that at least some of that time was spent dining, and when you are seated to eat, you are not required to wear a mask. Because some of the stores where guests would tend to spend a lot of time will not be open for this initial reopening phase, I’d expect people would be trending towards the lower side of the scale, and so we’d see people spending around 2-3 hours at most at Disney Springs, with an hour or so of that mask-free for dining. During that time, should you feel overheated, there will be stores that you can stop inside to cool off as needed. And as always, common sense says that if you are there and feel unwell, you can certainly return to your vehicle for a few minutes to remove your mask, or possibly try another day.

Would you plan to go to Disney Springs for the first day of its partial reopening? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

The post Disney Springs: What You Need to Know for Its Partial Reopening appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Disney Springs, Shopping, coronavirus

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Disney News Disney Parks

NEWS: Pandora Jewelry, Chapel Hats, Columbia Sportswear and MORE Join List of Disney Springs Shops Reopening on May 20th

Disney Springs will begin a phased reopening tomorrow, May 20th. We have been keeping readers informed of all the restaurants and shops that will reopen in Walt Disney World’s shopping and dining district starting tomorrow.

Disney Springs

As a reminder, Disney-owned and operated locations will begin opening on May 27th, while the initial phase that begins tomorrow will involve third-party vendors. And today we are adding several retail locations to the list of shops that will reopen tomorrow.

The following locations have been added to the list of spots reopening tomorrow on the Disney Springs website.

Town Center

The Disney Springs Town Center is host to a wide array of retail locations.

Disney Springs Town Center

Columbia Sportswear, Edward Beiner Purveyor of Fine Eyewear, Lucky Brand, Luxury of Time by Diamonds International, Pandora Jewelry, Sugarboo & Co., UGG, UNOde50, Volcom, Vera Bradley, and Zara are all among the spots reopening tomorrow in the Town Center of Disney Springs.

The Landing

Chapel Hats, Royally Yours by Arribas Brothers, Sanuk, and Savannah Bee Company will be welcoming guests tomorrow.

The Landing

These locations are all found in The Landing in Disney Springs.

Marketplace

In the Marketplace, the Happy Hound kiosk joins the list of locations reopening on May 20th.

Marketplace Co-op

As a reminder, the Marketplace Co-op (pictured above) will be reopening as part of the Disney-owned locations that will begin reopening on May 27th.

West Side

On the West Side, guests will find Sosa Family Cigars reopen.

Disney Springs West Side

These locations will join other previously announced shops which you can find here.

Disney has also provided information about the measures that will be implemented upon reopening for the safety of all guests and cast members. These protocols include temperature checks, capacity limits, and more, and you can read about those in detail here.

To learn more about the current status of Disney Resorts and parks around the world, you can visit any of the links below.

Are you following the reopening of Disney Springs? Please let us know with a comment.

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney Springs, Featured, Walt Disney World, disney springs, Disney Springs Marketplace, disney springs reopening, Disney Springs Town Center, Disney Springs West Side, may 20th, The Landing