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No Cruises Allowed to Sail in Canada Through Oct

canada

In a press release Friday, the Canadian government announced that no cruise ships will be allowed to sail in Canada’s waters until October 31, 2020.

Canadian Minister of Transport, Marc Garneau, announced that cruise ships with overnight accommodations allowed to carry more than 100 persons are prohibited from operating in Canadian waters through October.

In March Canada banned all cruise ships that carried more than 500 people from docking at their ports until July 1st. That ban has now been revised and extended.

“Our Government is committed to protecting Canadians, particularly during these challenging times. It is for that reason I am announcing updated measures for cruise ships and other passenger vessels in Canada, which includes prohibiting larger cruise ships from operating in Canadian waters until October 31, 2020,” said Marc Garneau.

He continued, “Our Government continues to work with other levels of government, transportation industry stakeholders, and Indigenous peoples to re-examine measures and to ensure Canada’s transportation system remains safe and secure during this time. We are all in this together.”

Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder commonly sails through Canada on Alaskan, Pacific Coast, and Quebec sailings. This new policy will affect Disney Cruise Line sailings that were previously scheduled to sail through Canadian waters and visit Canadian ports. Disney has not announced any further cancellations but I’m sure that will happen soon.

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From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: News, Disney Cruise Line, Canada, Cruise Ban, Disney Wonder

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#DisneyMagicMoments: Celebrate National Lū‘au month with Aulani Resort

I recently learned that May is national lū‘au month. But at Aulani Resort, we’re always ready for a lū‘au! Aulani’s KA WA‘A Lū‘au is special because it continues Aulani’s celebration of Hawai‘i’s storytelling by sharing, through beautiful music and dance, how Hawai‘i’s ancestors settled on O‘ahu’s ‘Ewa Plains – the very place where Aulani Resort is located.

While you may not be able to travel to Aulani Resort right now, we wouldn’t want you to miss out on celebrating national lū‘au month. That’s why we’ve come up with a few recommendations to help you create your very own KA WA‘A Lū‘au at home.

First, you need to the right outfit. Because, let’s face it, we all need a reason to dress up right now. For women, I suggest an outfit with bright colors that will keep you cool in the early evening sun, and will look great flowing in the island breeze. A beautiful pua or flower in your hair is the perfect accessory. For men, your nicest pair of shorts, a bright aloha shirt, and your favorite sunglasses will keep you looking cool – both literally and figuratively.

Next comes my favorite part – the food! Limu Poke is a Hawai‘i staple and the fresh taste will instantly transport you to Aulani Resort. The KA WA‘A Lū‘au limu poke recipe is easy to recreate at home by following these simple steps.

Now, we’re ready for some activities! KA WA‘A Lū‘au features a range of fun, interactive activities designed to immerse the whole ‘ohana in Hawai‘i’s culture. For your at-home lū‘au, we suggest creating your own paper lei, reminiscent of the fresh flower lei making activity favored among many of our guests.

Before we start the show, we like to engage our guests in a special hula that was created specifically for Aulani – the Aulani Hula! It’s easy to learn, and in this video, Aunty’s Beach House Cast Member Kanoa and his family walk you through the steps.

Now it’s time to sit back and enjoy the entertainment! Disney Imagineer Jeanette Lomboy gave a great description and preview of the wonderful entertainment when we first launched KA WAA Luau in 2016. Take a look!

We can’t wait to see how you will create your own lū’au at home! Keep checking the Disney Parks Blog for more fun and be sure to share the magic with other Disney fans using the hashtag #DisneyMagicMoments.

From our friends at disneyparks.disney.go.com
Filed Under: Aulani, DIY, Video

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Disney News Disney Parks Disney Vacations Other

News: Select Universal Orlando Hotels Will Reopening June 2nd

The Universal Studios universe seems to be exploding with news right now!

Universal Studios

Only moments ago we told you Universal Studios Annual Passholders were officially  invited to attend an early preview before the theme parks open to the general public on June 5th!

And now we finally have confirmation on when several of the Universal Studios Resort hotels are reopening. The following hotels will reopen on June 2nd:

  • Hard Rock Hotel
  • Loews Royal Pacific Resort
  • Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
  • Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
  • Universal’s Aventura Hotel
  • Universal’s Endless Summer Resort — Surfside Inn and Suites.

Plans for Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and Universal’s Endless Summer Resort — Dockside Inn and Suites will be announced at a later time.

And while guests may start arriving at Universal Studios Resort hotels as early as June 2nd, they won’t be allowed access to the theme parks until June 3rd. “Hotel guests must have valid theme park admission in order to access the theme parks on June 3 and 4. Guests can visit the Vacation Planning desk in their hotel to purchase or pick-up tickets,” Universal’s website states.

Hollywood Drive-In Golf

Universal Studios Resort hotels will also be enhancing their health and safety measures as well as increasing sanitation practices. Guests and employees will be required to wear face masks in all public areas at the hotels.

CityWalk Reopening

As with its theme parks, all employees and vendors will be screened daily while Universal is asking guests to self-screen before arriving at their hotel.

According to Universal’s website, “Guests will have temperature checks upon arrival and return unless previously checked at the hotel that day prior to boarding our resort transportation system. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater after three checks, including one with a new thermometer, will be asked to seek medical attention and obtain medical clearance prior to being permitted to enter. We understand some guests may feel they have special conditions, which we will consider upon request.”

Universal Studios

Check out our experience with Universal’s temperature screenings here!

And according to Universal, “If a guest registers a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater upon check-in, they will not be allowed to check-in until they receive medical clearance to do so. The rest of the guest’s party will be allowed to check in. We understand some guests may feel they have special conditions, which we will consider upon request.”

Universal Orlando Resort

Also, if a guest registers a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater anytime following the check-in screening, they will be required to self-quarantine and seek medical attention.

“The hotel will follow medical professional’s recommendations as to whether the guest can safely remain on hotel property. An additional guest room may be provided for other members of their party and they will still be able to move about the resort as they continue to successfully undergo temperature screenings,” Universal states.

Voodoo Doughnut

Universal also stated, “When possible, guest rooms will be left vacant for 24-48 hours upon checkout, before thoroughly cleaning and checking in a new guest.”

Universal Orlando

Hotels will be reopening with several contactless experiences for guests, including hotel texting-services, express checkout, and contactless room deliveries. Express passes and early morning hours will also still be happening. We’ll continue to provide more information as soon as it becomes available!

Please note: Universal Orlando’s theme parks officially reopen to the general public June 5th. Team Member and Annual Passholder previews will take place a few days prior.

Are you planning on booking a room at Universal Studios now that the hotels are reopening? Let us know in the comments below!

Related posts:

  1. Updated! Legoland in Central Florida Announced Reopening Date Before Governor’s Approval
  2. BREAKING NEWS: Universal Orlando Is Officially Opening June 5th
  3. Universal Orlando Is Reopening June 5th and We’ve Got ALL the Details!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, News, hotel reservations, june 2nd, mandatory face masks, safety measures, temperature screenings, Universal, Universal Hotels, universal hotels reopening, Universal reopening

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Disney News Disney Vacations Other

More Disney Vacation Club Details Released — Including ANOTHER Extension of Their Temporary DVC Points Policy!

Now that Disney World’s theme parks have proposed a reopening date of July 11th and July 15th, several Disney World hotels have also confirmed they’ll be reopening starting in June for Disney Vacation Club Members.

Disney Vacation Club Kiosk at Animal Kingdom

The purchasing of park tickets and hotel reservations has been temporarily paused while Disney World prepares its new reservation system, but we did just receive an email from Disney with additional information for DVC guests.

Disney Vacation Club (DVC) properties at Walt Disney World and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will begin to reopen to members and guests on June 22nd. Additionally, DVC properties in Vero Beach, Florida, and Hilton Head, South Carolina will reopen on June 15th.

Spare Tire Covers at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

Disney has shared the following safety measures will be implemented upon guests’ arrival:

  • Enhanced cleaning of all rooms prior to arrival, including additional measures for dishware and appliances for Disney Vacation Club units, along with the standard Disney Vacation Club housekeeping services during your stay
  • Increased cleaning and sanitization in high-traffic areas
  • New hand-sanitizing stations in key areas
  • Physical distancing at restaurants, lobbies, pools, fitness centers and other public areas, including reducing capacity where appropriate

Disney is also strongly encouraging guests to utilize mobile check-in via the My Disney Experience app as well as contactless forms of payment while on property. All Cast Members and guests will also be required to wear face masks in public areas of the hotels for the duration of their stay.

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

Reopening dates for The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa as well as Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas, Ko Olina Hawai’i have not been determined yet, but Disney will be providing updates about those resorts as soon as information becomes available.

Aulani Resort

Finally, for DVC guests concerned about their unused points, Disney is changing and extending their temporary policies regarding expiring points again.

According to Disney, “April, June, and now August, September, and October 2019 Use Year points that are set to expire in 2020 and that were used for reservations during the closure period will be extended for one year from the current expiration date.”

DVC Suitcase

You can review Disney’s former temporary DVC refund policy here!

“Additionally, April, June and now August, September and October 2018 Use Year points that were banked into 2019 Use Years and used for these reservations will now all expire November 30, 2020. This temporary policy only includes expiring points that were used to book a stay arriving between March 12 and the end of the closure period and that involve a reservation cancelled after February 29.”

general exterior

Grand Floridian Resort in Disney World

We’ll provide you with any and all additional details regarding Disney World’s phased reopening plan for its theme parks and hotels as soon as more information becomes available, so stay tuned!

Learn more about Disney World’s proposed reopening plan for July here!

Are you a Disney Vacation Club member? Let us know if any of your vacation plans have been impacted by the parks’ temporary closure in the comments below.

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Disney News, disney parks, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, Fort Wilderness Resort, magic kingdom, News, Disney Vacation Club, Disney Vacation Club members, disney vacation club points extension, Disney World, Disney World reopening, DVC Members, DVC points, dvc points extended, dvc policy, face masks, health and safety measures, points policy extended, reopening, safety measures, temporary closure, temporary policy extended

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NEWS! Face Coverings Will Be Required in Public Areas at Disney Vacation Club Hotels

We learned today that in addition to the Disney World theme parks preparing to open this July, Disney Vacation Club Resorts will be reopening to its Members and guests on June 22In addition, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort and Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort will reopen on June 15.

Saratoga Springs Resort

Ahead of the resorts opening, Disney sent an email to its Vacation Club members outlining several new measurements that will be in place when the properties reopen in just a few weeks.

It was noted that, “all Members and guests will be asked to wear face coverings in public resort areas while not eating or drinking and to respect physical distancing.”

Riviera Resort Pool

While news of these face coverings protocol doesn’t come as a terribly huge surprise, it further adds to the stringent health and safety procedures that Disney will have in place to ensure the safety of their guests and Cast Members.

Required Measures sign

In addition to the required face coverings, other safety protocols will be in place, including increased sanitation efforts in each room prior to the guest’s arrival. Physical distancing will also be implemented across resort properties, in areas like “lobbies, pools, fitness centers, and other public areas.”

Are you a Disney Vacation Club Member? What do you think of these new health and safety guidelines when the resorts reopen? Share your thoughts in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, disney resorts, Featured, Walt Disney World, Disney Vacation Club, Disney Vacation Club members, Disney World reopening, Disney World Resorts, DVC