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Could We See a Change in Disney World’s Refillable Mug Policy When Resorts Reopen?

There are a LOT of changes coming to Disney World as it reopens, and we’re trying to wrap our heads around all of them.

Disney World Refillable Mug

Of course, Disney has talked us through some of the changes that we can expect, but a lot still feels up in the air.

While we’re hearing lots of BIG news, we’re wondering if we’ll see some changes to smaller pieces of our Disney vacation. We’re REALLY wondering about those Refillable Mugs; let’s take a look at what could change!

Disney’s Current Refillable Mug Policy

First, let’s go through a reminder of Disney’s current refillable mug policy. Prior to the closures, guests were able to purchase specific souvenir RFID enabled mugs that would entitle them to unlimited free refills on fountain drinks, coffee, and tea from self-service beverage locations at Disney resorts for the length of their stay.

Grab and Go and Refillable Mugs for Purchase

Guests on the Disney Dining Plan each receive a mug as part of their dining plan. Guests who receive mugs as part of the Dining Plan can have their mugs refilled for the length of stay as well.

Refillable Resort Mugs

These purchase and refill locations are located in food courts, quick service locations, and pool bars at all Disney World resorts. Cast Members at the front desk can always inform you of refill locations around your resort.

Click here to learn more about the refillable mug program! 

What could change?

As you can imagine, these refillable mugs might not be the best thing for limiting touchpoints and keeping the new cleanliness and sanitation standards we’ll see when the parks and resorts reopen. Perhaps, we will see some changes with this policy!

Resort Refillable Mug

For one, self-service might not be a thing anymore. In the already-reopened Disney Springs, employees were usually the ones who filled cups up for customers at locations that previously had self-serve beverages. In this case, there may be no change except that Cast Members will take your refillable mug and fill it for you to reduce contact with the machines.

Another potential solution has already been put to use at Wine Bar George in Disney Springs. The Basket at Wine Bar George typically has a refillable program with Corkcicle cups where you can get discounted refills on their frozen drinks. Now when you order, an employee gets you your refill in a plastic cup that you can then pour into your Corkcicle if you like.

Full Refillable Resort Mug display

If this is the case, we may see the free refills applied with possession of a refillable mug, but not IN your refillable mug. Disney could have Cast Members get your refill in a standard, disposable soda cup.

New Corkcicle Procedure

Another possibility of handling the refillable mug conundrum could be that the system will disappear altogether for a little while. Starbucks typically offers a reuseable mug discount but right now they are NOT serving in those mugs, even though they are still on sale. If Disney follows this model for the resorts, we may see a suspension of the refillable mug program temporarily.

Refillable Mug Station

It certainly will be interesting to see how Disney handles this aspect of reopening. We’ll be sure to keep an eye out for updates on refillable mugs and everything else, so stay tuned in to DFB for the latest news!

Click here to learn about the current Corkcicle process at Wine Bar George!

Do you have a Disney World refillable mug? Share your thoughts and concerns in the comments!

Related posts:

  1. What Will Happen if You Refuse To Wear A Mask In Disney World?
  2. NEWS: Disney World’s NEWEST Resort Refillable MUG Is HERE! (And It’s Giving Us A New Hope!)
  3. Why Disney World Could Be Very DIFFERENT When It Reopens

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney parks, disney resorts, Featured, Walt Disney World, disney refillable mug, Disney Refillable Mug Program, disney refillable mugs, Disney World, Disney World reopening, health and safety measures, refillable mug

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Disney News Disney Parks Disney Vacations Other

NEWS! Disneyland Resort Pushes Back Date For First Available Hotel Reservations to Mid-July

With Disney World’s theme park reopening set for July 11th, we’ve been looking out for some updates on the status of Disneyland Resort.

The Disneyland Hotel

Up until this point, Disneyland Resort has only been taking new reservations for July 1st and later, but today, they have pushed that date back. Now, Disneyland has pushed that date back.

New reservations for Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel are currently only available for dates July 15th and later. The resort has pushed the earliest reservation date back 15 days from the previous July 1st date.

Disneyland Site Screenshot

Disney World was also recently accepting reservations starting July 1st until it was announced that the parks would not be opening until later in the month. Now, reservations and ticket sales are completely on hold so that Disney World can accommodate those who already had reservations.

Disneyland’s Grand Californian

Not much is known about the reopening of Disneyland at this point but we will be sure to keep you updated as news arises.

Click here to learn about the theme park reopening plan for Disney World!

Do you have reservations for early July? Wondering what will happen next? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Related posts:

  1. 6 Questions and ANSWERS About The New Disneyland Annual Pass Fee Waivers and Extensions!
  2. NEWS: Disneyland Extends Offer for Guests Affected By the Closures Through July
  3. 2020 Disneyland Hotel Packages Are NOW Available for Booking!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney california adventure, Disney News, disney parks, disney resorts, Disneyland, Disneyland Hotel, Disneyland Resort, Featured, Grand Californian Resort, Paradise Pier Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, disney’s paradise pier hotel, Disneyland Resort Hotels

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Disney News Disney Parks Disney Vacations Other

Shanghai Disneyland Resort now accepting Advanced Reservations for General Admission

Shanghai Disneyland Resort

Great news! Shanghai Disneyland Resort is now accepting Advanced Reservation for General Admission tickets.

Here is more information on their website:

Please note that at this time Shanghai Disneyland is currently open for visitation on an “Advanced Reservation” only basis, with enhanced health and safety measures and controlled capacity.

Tickets are available via the resort’s official online channels and official travel partners’ channels, with a limited number of tickets available each day. Guests are required to purchase dated admission tickets prior to their arrival, and Annual Pass holders must make a reservation for their visit date and time through the resort’s official online channels before their visit to the park.

Beginning 13:00, June 1, 2020, guests with General Admission tickets will be able to make a reservation to Shanghai Disneyland from June 3 through June 7. For reservations for visits after June 7, please read the “General Admission Ticket Advanced Reservation Procedures and Requirements” for more information by clicking here.

Please read the press release of Shanghai Disneyland’s reopening announcement issued on May 6, 2020 for detailed operation measures and ticketing information by clicking here.

Shanghai Disneyland began Phase Openings on May 11th to guests and has been slowly reopening experiences like stage shows.

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Parks & Resorts, Shanghai, Advanced Reservation, General Admission tickets, Shanghai Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland Resort

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Disney Parks Disney Vacations Other

Your Next Disney World Vacation Might Actually Be a Vacation

We finally have some news about when Walt Disney World will begin their theme park (starting July 11) and resort (starting June 22) reopening. Along with those critical dates, we also have a bit more information on what the initial phases of reopening will look like.

Exploring Fort Wilderness can be a great way to relax.

At least at the beginning, there will fewer activities that draw stagnant crowds. This means no parades or fireworks and limited character greetings. Guest capacity will be reduced (you’ll need a reservation to get into a theme park), meaning fewer lines and shorter wait times. It’s likely that you’ll be able to get through all the available park attractions, even multiple times, in a single day, or even part of a day.

Additionally, park hours are changing. Epcot is starting out opening the entire park at 11:00 a.m., rather than its usual 9:00 a.m. for the Future World attractions. Even with Extra Magic Hours, the Magic Kingdom will be closing at 9:00 p.m. at first, a contrast to the usual post-midnight closings during the summer.

All of this means that there will simply be fewer things to do in the theme parks and less time available to spend there.

It’s a truism that many guests complain about needing a vacation from their Disney World vacation. If you were in pre-COVID kamikaze theme park mode, you may have found yourself up for rope drop in the wee hours of the morning and then running straight through until the Kiss Goodnight. During a long trip to WDW in February 2020, I averaged over nine miles a day of walking, trying to work in all the available activities. With the new hours, required park reservations, and reduced number of attractions, that ride-or-die, I’ll-sleep-when-I’m-dead mode of WDW touring simply won’t be possible for a while.

And maybe, just maybe, that’s a good thing. A formerly hectic Disney World vacation will look a little more like a relaxing Disney Cruise Line vacation, where you have some structured activities, along with lots of time to just chill.

For example, on a Disney Cruise Line sea day, my family will typically go to some of the planned events like onboard classes or entertainment, but we also spend lots of time reading books on our stateroom verandah, playing board games, watching movies, napping, and generally being lazy. While we are more active with touring during shore days, we tend to leave DCL vacations relaxed and refreshed. This is not always the case with our Walt Disney World vacations.

If you are planning a Disney World vacation this summer, you will likely have more down time than previous trips. I encourage you to think of that time as a gift – a way to reset the former frenzied mode of touring. Consider ways to build more relaxation into your vacation: sit by the pool and read a novel, take a leisurely bike ride around Fort Wilderness, play card games with your family, or take a boat ride on Bay Lake.

The slow restart may be just be the vacation your vacation needs.

The post Your Next Disney World Vacation Might Actually Be a Vacation appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Walt Disney World (FL), coronavirus, walt disney world

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Disney Movies Disney Parks Disney Vacations Other Star Wars

Is The Star Wars Hotel Closer to Blasting Off in Disney World? Check Out Some Fun New Details!

Even as the Disney parks remain closed with construction halted, we’re still seeing some building permits from Disney World.

Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser Atmosphere

Sometimes, there’s work that just HAS to get done! Recently we spotted some permits for Epcot’s Play Pavilion and more, but we’ve got even more interesting documents today.

With everything from MAJOR Disney projects, to third-party construction, to some EMERGENCY work; we’re taking a look at the building permits that Disney has had to file over the past few weeks!

Galactic Starcruiser

We’re starting with the permit that made us the MOST excited! Ready your blasters, we’ve got a permit on Galactic Starcruiser! You might remember when we spotted a permit for the guard shack going up at the upcoming Star Wars hotel, but this time the permit is for the hotel itself!

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Concept Art

The new permit, filed May 13th, is for “fabrication and installation of sets” for “Project H.” Now we’re not sure what that H stands for (probably “Halcyon” — the name of the starcruiser) but we DO know that the permit is for the address where the Starcruiser construction is located!

Does this mean it’s starting to look spacey in there??? After all, the hotel is supposed to be themed as if it was a ship flying lightyears away in space.

Galactic Starcruiser Building Permit

We can’t wait to get into Galactic Starcruiser in 2021 — that’s why we’re waiting not-so-patiently for reservations to open this year. After all, with the immersion of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we’re sure that Starcruiser will be a trip to remember. This unique experience will allow the Star Wars story to unfold all around you. How cool is that?

Click here to learn EVERYTHING we know about Galactic Starcruiser!

Starbucks at Disney Springs

Next up, it looks like the Starbucks in Disney Springs might be getting a little bit of a makeover. You might remember that we recently saw a permit for a new Lovepop Store, so things are movin’ and shakin’ in Disney World’s retail and dining complex.

Disney Springs West Side Starbucks

The Starbucks permit, filed May 12th, calls for a “tenant remodel” of the existing Starbucks on the West Side of Disney Springs. Oooooh! We love to stop in at the Starbucks of Disney World to get our caffeine fix, so we’re curious if this means this spot will be getting a new look.

Disney Springs Starbucks Permit

Both Starbucks locations in Disney Springs have reopened (with new a new tasty drink to mark the occasion)! So we’ll be keeping our eyes on the West Side location to see any changes!

Click here to learn more about Starbuck’s reopening drink!

Disney Springs Restaurant Updates

But Starbucks isn’t the ONLY dining location in Disney Springs that’s getting a little bit of an update. Jaleo and City Works Eatery and Pour House are making some updates as well. Since Disney Springs is open, hopefully we’ll get to see these changes pretty soon.

City Works Outdoor Bar in Disney Springs

Both of these new permits were filed on May 14th. Neither of them is for a full remodel, but they do mean that both restaurants are looking for some fun updates.

The Jaleo permit was filed with a design firm to “install new wall-mounted graphics.” Ooh! We can’t wait to see what those look like.

Jaleo Building Permit

Over at City Works Eatery and Pour House, a still very NEW spot in Disney Springs, they’ve filed a permit to install a canopy. Hmm, maybe this spot is looking to expand on outdoor seating in response to the Florida government’s health regulations?

We noticed a to-go drink window under construction on our recent walks around Disney Springs, so it’s possible this canopy could be related to that.

City Works Building Permit

Whatever the case, we’re excited to see the updates to these two spots whenever they get them finished!

Never been to City Works? Click here to learn about the new restaurant!

The Hollywood Brown Derby

WHAT? Construction coming to The Hollywood Brown Derby in Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Not exactly. Remember how we mentioned some emergency construction? Well, it looks like the Derby had a little bit of an incident at some point during the closure.

Hollywood Brown Derby

On April 21st, Disney filed a permit for a “kitchen gas leak repair” at the famous Disney dining spot. Yikes!

Hollywood Brown Derby Building Permit

Luckily, it seems that everything is a-ok as we haven’t heard anything from Disney on it. Maybe it’s a good thing that the restaurant was closed when that happened!

Thinking about a meal at the Brown Derby? Click here for our latest review! 

Flamingo Crossing

Now we’re taking a look at the retail district Flamingo Crossing. This is a developing project coming to the west side of the property. So far, we know we can expect a Walgreens, a Speedway Gas Station, and A TARGET!!

Flamingo Crossing Building Permit

We’ve already seen a pretty clear plan for the area through a different permit, but it appears that construction teams are set to get started on “new shell buildings” for the property. Shell buildings, like the name says, will act as a shell for the different third-party stores in the complex —  yes, like Target. It’s pretty awesome to see some movement on this massive project!

Click here to learn more about Flamingo Crossing

Four Seasons Orlando

Last but certainly not least, we’ve actually spotted THREE permits for the massive renovations going on at Four Seasons Orlando. Though the Disney Springs area hotel is currently closed with the rest of Disney World, we have seen some movement. For instance, they’ve opened their on-site restaurant, Plancha!

Four Seasons Resort Orlando

And apparently, the teams at Four Seasons are also working hard getting permission for all of the work they’re doing on the pool area and beyond. We spotted a permit with the South Florida Water Management District to permit the relocation of some natural resources — we only see these for BIG projects!

Four Seasons Orlando Building Permit

We also saw two more specific permits. One was to remove cabanas and do some paving work on the concrete surfaces at the hotel. The other was filed a few days later to continue work on the concrete slab pathways — most likely around the pool area.

Click here to learn about the reopened restaurant at the Four Seasons!

And there you have it! Things have definitely slowed down in Disney but there’s still some interesting stuff going on! As always, we’ll keep an eye on those Disney permits and report in whenever we find some good ones. Until then!

Click here to check out what ELSE Disney is working on!

Which of these Disney projects are you most interested in? Tell us in the comments!

Related posts:

  1. Epcot Fireworks? Star Wars Hotel? Roundup BBQ? We Found MORE Details On Some Upcoming Disney World Projects!
  2. A New Store Coming To Disney Springs and More Epcot Updates! Check Out These SECRET Disney World Projects!
  3. Ride in Style with These Fun NEW Magnets in Disney Springs!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, disney parks, Disney Springs, Featured, Walt Disney World, Building Permits, Disney Permits, disney springs, disney springs starbucks, disney world construction, flamingo crossing, Four Seasons Orlando, galactic starcruiser, Hollywood Brown Derby, Star Wars hotel