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Disney Parks

Here’s How Disney’s PhotoPass Service Will CHANGE When Disney World Reopens

Disney World is moving towards a reopening, and there are going to be a lot of new protocols in place.

Here’s How Disney’s PhotoPass Service Will CHANGE When Disney World Reopens

PhotoPass Photographers in Hollywood Studios

Disney is making a lot of experience updates to the theme parks in the interest of keeping guests and Cast Members healthy and safe. With the new Disney Park Pass theme park reservation system and cancellations abound, it can be hard to keep up. Well, now, Disney has updated the way that the PhotoPass service will function in the reopened parks.

Disney posted a new update to its website that talks about the ways that the PhotoPass Service will change. The goal of the changes is to promote physical distancing, cleanliness, and reduced contact so that PhotoPass interactions are safe and enjoyable for guests and photographers.

Here’s How Disney’s PhotoPass Service Will CHANGE When Disney World Reopens

Photopass Updates Screenshot

For one, PhotoPass photographers will no longer be able to take pictures or handle guests’ personal devices (i.e. cell phones and cameras). So, if you want that picture with Cinderella Castle, you’ll either need to purchase Disney’s PhotoPass picture or have someone from your party take the photo separately.

Here’s How Disney’s PhotoPass Service Will CHANGE When Disney World Reopens

Disney Springs

For PhotoPass photo ops that have props, they will be cleaned thoroughly between guests. For some props, guests will be asked not to touch them. Instead, the PhotoPass photographer will help to snap the perfect picture through the best angles and perspective.

Here’s How Disney’s PhotoPass Service Will CHANGE When Disney World Reopens

PhotoPass outside of Tower of Terror in Hollywood Studios

Finally, the website asks that guests have their MagicBands or cards ready for the photographer to quickly scan and link your photos to your account. The goal is to keep as much distance as possible between Cast Members and guests.

Stay tuned with DFB for all the latest updates on Disney World’s reopening procedures!

What do you think of the new ways that Photopass will be handled? Tell us in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, disney parks, Featured, Walt Disney World, Disney PhotoPass Service, Disney World reopening, health and safety measures, Memory Maker, PhotoPass, Photopass Photographer, Photopass Service

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Disney Parks Other

Introducing the Disney Park Pass System for Reserving Theme Park Visits to Walt Disney World Resort

It’s almost time for magic as we prepare for the reopening of Walt Disney World Resort theme parks, starting July 11 with Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom and followed July 15 by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We’re taking a deliberate approach that includes limits on attendance and controlled guest density to align with guidance from health and government authorities on physical distancing. We’re also using technology to power creative solutions as we develop new ways for guests to visit The Most Magical Place on Earth in this unique environment. 

Introducing the Disney Park Pass System for Reserving Theme Park Visits to Walt Disney World Resort

To manage attendance during this reopening period we are introducing the new Disney Park Pass system. During this time, all guests with a ticket or Annual Pass will be required to make a reservation in advance for each park entry, using this new online tool on DisneyWorld.com

Here are a few important details to know about this new system: 

  • You’ll need a My Disney Experience account, as this is where your Walt Disney World Resort plans are stored and managed.
  • You’ll also need a valid theme park ticket or Annual Pass that’s linked to your My Disney Experience account. 
  • If you have a Disney Resort hotel reservation, be sure to link it to your My Disney Experience account beforehand, as well. 

Once you’ve logged into your My Disney Experience account and linked your ticket, you’ll have access to a calendar of available reservation dates for each theme park. If you have a multi-day ticket, you will be required to make a park reservation for each date of your visit. Families and friends can link their tickets together and look to arrange theme park entries at the same time. 

Please note, park reservations are limited in number and subject to availability. Availability can change until the reservation is finalized. At this time, guests will be able to select one park per day; visiting more than one park per day will be temporarily unavailable upon the reopening of the theme parks due to attendance limitations. Guests with existing tickets that include the Park Hopper Option or Park Hopper Plus Option have options available to them for ticket modifications and cancellations, and can visit DisneyWorld.com/Updates for more information. We hope to bring back the ability to visit more than one park per day soon and will continue to offer these add-ons for 2021 ticket purchases.

Introducing the Disney Park Pass System for Reserving Theme Park Visits to Walt Disney World Resort

For Existing Ticket Holders and Annual Passholders: Beginning this week, we will reach out to existing ticket holders and Annual Passholders with more information on when they will be able to check availability to make their park reservations. We will open the Disney Park Pass system to these guests in phases, beginning with those with future Disney Resort and other select hotel stays. Later this summer, we will resume sales of 2020 tickets and Disney Resort hotel arrivals, based on availability of park reservations, while we continue to provide guests with existing tickets and Annual Passholders the opportunity to make park reservations for 2020 dates.

Introducing the Disney Park Pass System for Reserving Theme Park Visits to Walt Disney World Resort

Planning a New Trip for Next Year: By June 28, all guests will be able to purchase new Disney Resort hotel packages and theme park tickets and make their park reservations for arrivals starting in 2021 as our phased reopening continues. Guests will be able to view park reservation availability on DisneyWorld.com prior to purchasing their tickets. 

As you begin planning your upcoming visits, we’re also exploring engaging ways for guests to use their mobile tech to experience the magic – particularly now as the use of phones and apps continues to evolve. In 2021, we plan to unveil an innovative new offering as part of the My Disney Experience app that will bring features of a MagicBand to your smart devices, building on the app’s existing digital key feature. With this new offering on the horizon, we will be retiring our complimentary MagicBand distribution to Disney Resort hotel guests for new reservations with arrivals beginning Jan. 1, 2021. Disney Resort hotel guests will continue to have the option to purchase new MagicBands at a discount, and we’ll be introducing even more colors and designs featuring favorite Disney characters in the future. Guests who prefer not to purchase a discounted MagicBand will be able to use the My Disney Experience app or a Key to the World card during their visit. We will still offer MagicBands in retail locations and on shopDisney.com, and guests will be able to continue using the wearables throughout Walt Disney World Resort.

We understand these updates may change the way you plan your visits to the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks and Disney Resort hotels for the time being. We are focused on making your Walt Disney World Resort experience magical, convenient and enjoyable. To find out more information, please visit DisneyWorld.com/Updates and continue to check back with us here at the Disney Parks Blog. You can also call the Disney Reservation Center, submit questions to the Disney Parks Moms Panel or speak with your travel provider for more details.

We look forward to welcoming you back to The Most Magical Place on Earth!

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Vacation Planning, Walt Disney World Resort, Video, WDW

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Disney Parks

NEWS: Here’s the Full List of Tours That Will Not Be Available When Walt Disney World Reopens

Walt Disney World Resort will begin reopening to guests at select Resort hotels on June 22nd followed by the theme parks beginning on July 11th.

NEWS: Here’s the Full List of Tours That Will Not Be Available When Walt Disney World Reopens

Cinderella Castle

While we have known for some time that — upon initial reopening — experiences around the Resort will see modifications (and, in some cases, will be unavailable), we are getting a full picture of what that means for specific offerings and special events. For instance, it was just announced that Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has been canceled for this fall. (The Epcot Food and Wine Festival, however, will return SOON!).

Offerings that will also be unavailable upon initial reopening include things like unique dining experiences (which you can see listed here), and enhancements such as backstage tours. At press time, these include — but are not limited to — the Disney Private VIP Tours and nature experiences including the Wild Africa Trek at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

NEWS: Here’s the Full List of Tours That Will Not Be Available When Walt Disney World Reopens

Animal Kingdom Tours sign

We’ll take a look at the lists of unavailable experiences — as found on the Walt Disney World website — for each of these kind of offerings below.

Walt Disney World Tours

The following Walt Disney World Tours will be unavailable upon the initial reopening:

  • Backstage Magic
  • Behind the Seeds
  • Disney Private VIP Tours
  • Disney’s Family Magic Tour
  • Disney’s Keys to the Kingdom Tour
  • Disney’s The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour
  • Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour
  • The UnDISCOVERed Future World
  • Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour
  • Ultimate Disney Classics VIP Tour
  • Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tour
  • Up Close with Rhinos
  • Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour
  • World Showcase: DestiNations Discovered
  • Wild Africa Trek
  • Wild Africa Trek (Morning)

Wild Africa Trek is also mentioned under the next group of impacted offerings, featuring nature experiences.

Walt Disney World Nature Tours

The following Walt Disney World Nature Tours will also be unavailable upon the initial reopening:

  • A Path Less Traveled Tour
  • Behind the Seeds
  • Caring for Giants
  • Dine with an Animal Specialist
  • Epcot Seas Adventures – Aqua Tour
  • Epcot Seas Adventures – DiveQuest
  • Epcot Seas Adventures – Dolphins in Depth
  • Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari Experience
  • Sense of Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Starlight Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Up Close with Rhinos
  • Wanyama Safari
  • Wild Africa Trek
  • Wild Africa Trek (Morning)

As a reminder, Disney has already stated that guests who have previously booked experiences that are impacted will receive refunds.

Also note that Disney states that details may change, so we’ll be keeping you posted as more information is provided! To learn more about what the Walt Disney World Resort experience will look like upon reopening, you can visit the links below.

What are your thoughts of the modified offerings at Walt Disney World upon reopening? 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, Backstage Tours, Disney Tours, disney world tours, Hollywood Studios, VIP Tours, Walt Disney World cancellations, Walt Disney World refunds, walt disney world reopening

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Disney Lists Disney Parks

7 Problems You WON’T Have When Disney World Reopens

Here at DFB, we take pride in our Disney World trouble-shooting capabilities! We love decoding the theme parks and breaking down all of the key pieces of advice we need to equip y’all with so that you can have the best time EVER on your vacations!

7 Problems You WON’T Have When Disney World Reopens

Hollywood Studios

Recently it dawned on us while we’ve been dishing out Disney World advice to our family and friends that some of the theme parks’ biggest challenges might no longer be applicable when the parks reopen!

7 Problems You WON’T Have When Disney World Reopens

We Feel Ya, Mickey Mouse

Yes, we’re bummed that certain guest experiences are being modified or will be temporarily unavailable for a large portion of 2020, but try to look on the bright side — with less stuff happening, we might be in for a MUCH easier time at the parks when Disney World officially reopens July 11th and July 15th!

Here are some major problems you likely WON’T have to solve in Disney World this year!

Finding a Parking Space

How much do you dislike parking at Magic Kingdom? No? Just us?

7 Problems You WON’T Have When Disney World Reopens

Magic Kingdom

Since the parks will be opening with a limited capacity, we’re thinking this could mean waaay fewer cars! Of course, more folks might be driving instead of flying to Disney World this year so we can’t guarantee you won’t still lose your car (as we have on occasion!). But the idea of an easy-breezy time finding our car at the Transportation and Ticket Center sounds like a dream!

Getting a Seat on the Bus

Sometimes finding a spot to sit down on the bus is next to impossible! We can count on one hand how many times we’ve actually been able to sit down and relax on a bus heading home from the parks at the end of the night! Normally we’re elbow to elbow, standing room only, and counting down the seconds ’til we get to our resort!

7 Problems You WON’T Have When Disney World Reopens

Minnie Bus

But thanks to fewer passengers being loaded onto Disney World’s buses when the parks reopen, and required limited capacity and physical distancing, finding a seat might not be such a rare treat! Now that’s a big change our tired feet and aching bodies could really get used to!

A Shared Log

It’s likely that when rides begin operating at Disney World again strangers won’t be seated together on some attractions that place guests in close quarters, like Splash Mountain.

Logs are normally filled to capacity, but we have a feeling Disney World will be taking a lot of extra precautions by spacing out peeps as much as possible! This has some potential to be a one-log-per-family scenario!

7 Problems You WON’T Have When Disney World Reopens

Splash Mountain

And that’s just one example — think about riding Pirates of the Caribbean, it’s a small world, or even Spaceship Earth with smaller groups or JUST your fam (btw, Spaceship Earth WILL be reopening since its reno got postponed!). A lot fewer friends in our ride vehicles sounds downright magical to us — not to sound antisocial or anything!

7 Problems You WON’T Have When Disney World Reopens

Omnimovers in Action on Spaceship Earth

This also means PERFECT on-ride pics of JUST your family! No more wondering why grandma’s face is blocked by some guy in front of her in the pic from Frozen Ever After! Finally, a PhotoPass in-ride family portrait worthy of a frame!

Waiting in Long Standby Lines

And while we’re still awaiting more details about the new virtual queue system Disney World will be implementing, Disney CEO Bob Chapek has already stated rides will have significantly shorter wait times due to the parks operating with a limited number of guests!

7 Problems You WON’T Have When Disney World Reopens

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Fewer people? Less waiting? This is starting to sound like a pretty sweet deal if you ask us!

Not Bringing Enough Hand Sanitizer With You

Didn’t we hear somewhere that all the water rides and pools are having their H20 replaced with Purell?  Boy wouldn’t that be nice, but we kid, WE KID!

7 Problems You WON’T Have When Disney World Reopens

Travel-Size Hand Sanitizer

Ok, hand sanitizer madness hasn’t gotten THAT bad, but here’s the thing — Disney World will provide plenty of free hand sanitizer as well as additional places for guests to wash their hands when the parks reopen. Don’t freak out if you can’t find the stuff at your local grocery stores. Rest assured hand sanitizer will be in high supply!

Having to Stake Out Your Spot for the Parade or Fireworks

Even though we’re sad about Disney World’s parades and fireworks being canceled for now, at least we won’t have to lose an hour (or MORE!) of our time staking out the perfect viewing spot!

(Real talk — we love the fireworks and parades and are quite bummed these will be missing for a while — and we know lots of you are, too — but we’re trying to see the bright side.)

7 Problems You WON’T Have When Disney World Reopens

Heavy Fireworks Crowds

We’re also not going to miss getting caught and almost trampled in the mass exodus of people once the parade and firework crowds let out. That doesn’t mean we won’t be wishing for these special events to return — but if there’s a silver lining to be found, we’ll just enjoy more time on rides than waiting for shows!

Making Awkward Chit-Chat With Disney Face Characters

Since most character experiences (except for Topolino Terrace’s character breakfast) won’t be resuming right away, another thing we’ll be cutting back on is the awkward small talk we sometimes have with face characters. Meeting Mickey and Minnie seems easy-breezy, but coming up with a few topics to discuss with princesses requires a lot of effort!

7 Problems You WON’T Have When Disney World Reopens

Snow White!

Don’t get us wrong — we love a chance to gab with Cinderella or Snow White! But there are only so many ways a grown man or woman can ask about gooseberry pies or talking mice before it starts to get weird!

We’re just trying to stay positive and hopeful about the new routine once Disney World reopens (which is shaping up to be something we NEVER thought we’d ever experience!). But if you only take away one piece of info from this story, remember this — Disney World is so much more than just a sum of its parts. Take some of those parts away, and it will still be Disney World, no matter what! We just have to look on the bright side!

What are some things you’re looking forward to not having to deal with when Disney World reopens? Tell us what they are in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, disney world attractions, fewer cars, fewer people, find a seat on the bus, fireworks, get to sit on the bus, good things, hand sanitizer, less challenges, less crowded, less people, limited capacity, make chit chat, no parade spots, problems you won’t have to deal with, ride more attractions, shorter waits, sit down on bus, standby lines, talk to face characters, won’t have to stake out a spot

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Disney Food Disney News Disney Parks

NEWS: Afternoon Tea, Jiko Wine Tasting, Dessert Parties, and MORE Will Not Be Available When Walt Disney World Reopens

ICYMI, yesterday delivered a LOT of news about special events at Walt Disney World Resort.

NEWS: Afternoon Tea, Jiko Wine Tasting, Dessert Parties, and MORE Will Not Be Available When Walt Disney World Reopens

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

With decisions made to promote safety in light of the current global health situation, it was announced, for instance, that Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has been canceled for the fall. The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, however, will return — and SOON! (You can read all about it here.)

Of course, these are just two examples of Special Events and unique experiences that are typically available to guests, either as seasonal offerings or year-round enhancements.

NEWS: Afternoon Tea, Jiko Wine Tasting, Dessert Parties, and MORE Will Not Be Available When Walt Disney World Reopens

Afternoon Tea at The Grand Floridian

And — even though we have known for some time that experiences will be modified, with many not offered upon the initial reopening of Walt Disney World — a full list of experiences that will NOT be available upon reopening has been added to the Walt Disney World website. Of course, standing reservations have been canceled for experiences, and the ability to book these experiences has been unavailable since. But we thought this specific list would be helpful for those currently in the planning stages.

Walt Disney World Dining Experiences

Offerings that will not be available include select special Dining Events — ranging from Afternoon Tea at The Grand Floridian to Jiko Wine Tasting and more (such as Dining Packages for select shows and spectaculars) — as listed below:

  • Afternoon Tea at the Garden View Tea Room
  • Cake Decorating Experience at Amorette’s Patisserie
  • Circle of Flavors: Harambe at Night
  • Dine with an Animal Specialist
  • Dining with an Imagineer – Cítricos
  • Dining with an Imagineer – The Hollywood Brown Derby
  • Disney Early Morning Magic – Fantasyland
  • Epcot Forever Dining Package
  • Fantasmic! Dining Package
  • Festival of the Lion King Signature Dining Package
  • Highway in the Sky Dine Around
  • Jiko Wine Tasting
  • Rivers of Light Dining Package
  • Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari Experience
  • Sense of Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Signature Celebration at Cinderella’s Royal Table
  • Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour
  • Tiffins Talks
  • Victoria & Albert’s Chef’s Table Dinner
  • Wanyama Safari
  • Wonderland Tea Party at 1900 Park Fare

Walt Disney World Dessert Parties

Of course, we have also known that — upon the initial reopening — nighttime spectaculars and parades (essentially, in-park events which lend themselves to large group gatherings) will not be part of the park experience. This naturally affects the availability of Dessert Parties and Dining Packages, which are add-on offerings that include reserved viewing areas for these popular shows.

The Dessert Parties that will NOT be available upon reopening include:

  • Fantasmic! Dessert & VIP Viewing Experience
  • Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise
  • Fireworks Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace
  • Fireworks Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing
  • Frozen Ever After Dessert Party
  • Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage
  • Rivers of Light Dessert Party
  • Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

As a reminder, Disney has already stated that previously booked experiences that are affected by cancellations will be refunded, and you can read about that here.

We will be taking a look today at additional experiences that will not be available upon the reopening of Walt Disney World, which includes select Tours, Nature Experiences, and more.

In the meantime, to learn more about the upcoming reopening of Walt Disney World Resort — which begins with select Disney Resort hotels on June 22nd, followed by the theme parks starting with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11th and EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th — you can visit any of the links below.

What do you think of these modifications? Please let us know with a comment.

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, disney parks, disney resorts, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, afternoon tea at grand floridian, Amorette’s Cake Decorating Experience, Circle of Flavors, Dine with an Animal Specialist, Dine with an Imagineer, Disney Early Morning Magic, Highway in the Sky Dine Around, jiko wine tasting, Special Dining events, walt disney world reopening, walt disney world resort