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Disney News Disney Parks Other

News: Reopened Theme Parks Will Look “Drastically Different” According to Florida’s Orange County Mayor

Yesterday, Disney World shared that they plan to reopen Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom July 11th followed by Epcot and Hollywood Studios on July 15th.

Palm Trees

Today, in a press conference, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings provided updates on the reopening of businesses and theme parks.

Mayor Demings began the conference by addressing the fact that hurricane season begins this Monday, June 1st. He acknowledged that this could cause further complexities to other health and reopening initiatives in the future.

Rainy Day in Disney World

See why Hurricane Season could be EXTRA active this year here! 

Demings also noted that both SeaWorld and Disney World submitted reopening proposals yesterday. He has submitted letters of endorsement for both and is awaiting a response from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Walt Disney World

Mayor Demings said that in the last hour, he has heard that 12 smaller theme park reopening plans had been approved, and he suspects Governor DeSantis will get back to him “soon” regarding the larger theme parks.

Cinderella Castle and Main Street USA in Disney World

Mayor Demings also addressed a question about how they will balance safety with the need for business in an economy dependent on tourism. He said that tourist attractions will reopen with reduced capacity and increased sanitation measures, and noted that the theme parks will “look drastically different.”

See what Disney has said about their new reopening procedures here!

He also said that multiple organizations could be involved in maintaining compliance, including the Department of Health, Department of Business Regulations, local law enforcement, and more.

Animal Kingdom Entrance

We’ll continue to keep a close eye out for any updates from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis regarding approval of the reopening proposals put forth by Disney World and SeaWorld. And we will keep sharing news and information regarding new Disney World processes and regulations as they are released.

Click here to learn more about Disney World’s reopening proposal!

 

Which Disney park are you most excited to visit upon reopening? Let us know in the comments!

Related posts:

  1. Why Disney World Could Be Very DIFFERENT When It Reopens
  2. NEWS: Walt Disney World Website States Attractions and More “May Be Modified” And Capacity Limited Upon Reopening
  3. Theme Park “Health Ambassador” and Standardizing Among Ideas Discussed in Florida’s Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force Meeting

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 hurricane season, Disney World reopening, Disney world reopening plan, health and safety measures, mayor buddy dyer, mayor demings, Theme Park Reopening

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Disney Food Disney Parks

5 SUPER Expensive Disney World Snacks That Are Totally Worth the Bread!

Hey, everybody! We’re feeling EXTRA fancy today which can only mean one thing!

It’s Mickey!

It’s time to fork over some money on our top five favorite high-dollar snacks at Disney World! Don’t worry — most of these pricier Disney World treats barely top out at ten bucks, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t still super-indulgent!

Be forewarned — if you’re on a Disney Dining Plan, NONE of these goodies will be an option for you to use your snack credits on (click here to see some that ARE!). Of course, you can still enjoy ALL of these extravagant treats — you’ll just have to pay for them out of pocket instead! Time to get rollin’!

Spring Rolls at the Spring Roll Cart in Adventureland

Our first stop is one of our most beloved places to visit at Magic Kingdom, especially earlier in the day! That’s when Adventureland’s Spring Roll Cart is still well-stocked and usually has the best selection of delicious spring rolls flavors before they begin to sell out!

Spring Roll Cart

Yes, sadly the secret is out about the Spring Roll Cart and once a flavor is gone, it typically isn’t replenished until the next day. But here’s the real kicker — you get two hefty-sized spring rolls for $7.50 — that means each spring rolls is $3.75 a piece!

Spring Roll Cart’s Menu

Oh, but it’s soooo mouth-wateringly worth it! With flavors like Pepperoni Pizza, Philly Cheesesteak, Rueben, Cuban, and Cheeseburger, you can enjoy a new spring roll flavor every time you swing by!

Pepperoni Pizza Spring Roll

If there’s one snack in Magic Kingdom worth shelling out your hard-earned dough for, this might be it! These little rolls of deliciousness have yet to disappoint us!!

Read our review of the Pepperoni Pizza Spring Roll here!

Colossal Pretzel at Pongu Pongu

Most of us have seen the Colossal Cinnamon Roll lurking in the jungle at Disney’s Animal Kingdom before, but did you know they also have a Colossal Pretzel?!? This park is absolutely WILD about its colossal-sized snacks!

Colossal Pretzel

Sadly, the Colossal Pretzel isn’t shaped like Mickey’s head like his brother the Colossal Cinnamon Roll but it IS almost the size of OUR head! Better yet, Pongu Pongu serves the Colossal Pretzel with a generous helping of creamy, rich Beer Cheese Sauce! There isn’t anything in our lives that isn’t enhanced with melty liquid BEER CHEESE!

Colossal Pretzel with Beer Cheese

Note that this guy isn’t available all day — if you swing by first thing in the morning while they’re still serving breakfast they may not be ready yet, so shoot to grab one around lunchtime or later. This thing is massively sharable (but you totes don’t have to!) and seriously one of the best pretzels we’ve ever had at Disney World. You’re looking at a total cost of $10.49 for this Bavarian-style bad boy!

Read more about the Colossal Pretzel at Pandora HERE!

California Cheese and Charcuterie Plate at BaseLine Tap House

We didn’t know what to think when this trendy, quasi-industrial lounge replaced our sweet little Writer’s Stop a few years ago (much to our relief the Carrot Cake Cookie was spared and is now available at Trolley Car Cafe!).

BaseLine Tap House

But in all honesty, BaseLine Tap House has become one of our new favorite hangouts at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! And judging by how there’s rarely a seat available on its huge outdoor patio these days, it appears a lot of folks feel the same way.

BaseLine Tap House

If you love a good cheese board, you’d be hard-pressed to find one better than BaseLine’s! Theirs includes Toma Farmstead Cheese, Point Reyes Original Blue Cheese, Laura Chenel’s Sonoma Goat Cheese, Chorizo and Calabrese Salami, Cornichons, Grapes, and Toasted Baguette, all for $10!

Charcuterie Board

We happen to think it pairs great with a beer flight for $12! You get to sample four Californian craft beers. Might as well as throw in one of their Bavarian Pretzels for $9, too (here we go again with the cheese sauce!?).

Beer Flight and Bavarian Pretzel

You can have yourself a cheese and bread feast at BaseLine — if you’ve got the DOUGH!

Read our full review of Baseline Tap House’s sips and eats HERE!

Empanadas de Barbacoa at Choza de Margarita 

Now we’re heading over to Epcot’s World Showcase to enjoy some of Choza de Margarita’s delicious Empanadas de Barbacoa! These fried doughy delights are filled with shredded Barbacoa Beef and topped with Chipotle Sauce, Crema Mexicana, and Queso Fresco! It even comes with a side of Corn Esquites dusted with some chili-lime salt! YUMMY!

Empanada de Barbacoa

For $10.50, it’s more in the price range of an affordable meal at Disney World, but we don’t mind the upcharge when confronted with this much deliciousness! Just be careful — they go down REALLY fast! Especially if you’re enjoying them with one of Choza de Margarita’s signature cocktails such as the Smoky Pineapple for $15.50 made with Mezcal Ilegal Blanco, Pineapple-Ginger Juice, Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur and a Tajin Chile-Lime Powdered Rim or their super-colorful Fiesta Marg for $12.75!

Fiesta Margarita

Learn more about the Fiesta Marg at Choza de Margarita here!

We’ve been known to get a little carried away and have to cough up another $10.50 for another round of Empanadas because we ate the first batch so quickly! Whoops!

Check out some of the other menu offerings to pair with the Empanadas at Choza de Margarita here!

Beef Brisket Poutine at Refreshment Port

Our last stop brings us to Refreshment Port which is also located in Epcot. Here is where you’ll find the Beef Brisket Poutine for $9.50!

Beef Brisket Poutine

 What’s not to love about crispy golden-brown Fries covered in pulled brisket, smothered in a bath of Beer Cheese Sauce, and topped with Crispy Onions? Of course, if you’re a Poutine Purist, you can get the Traditional Poutine for $7.50 which comes with French Fries, Beef Gravy, and Cheese Curds!

Traditional Poutine

Occasionally, you’ll even find a new Poutine moonlighting at Refreshment Port like this Duck Confit Poutine they rolled out at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival last year. We sure hope it quacks its way back to this year’s fest! 

Duck Confit Poutine

Of course, Disney World is home to several equally-stellar Poutines which you can read more about here! There’s no shortage of french fries covered with goodies in Disney World!

Read about the Duck Confit Poutine Refreshment Port recently had here!

Now that we got you thinking about some epic higher-end snacks, it’s time to start saving up! Lucky for you, most of these treats won’t break the bank TOO badly! ?

Check out 10 insanely expensive things you CAN DO at Disney World here!

Which of these more expensive snacks are you the most excited about? Let us know in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Counter-Service, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Snacks, Walt Disney World, Adventureland Spring Roll Cart, Baseline Tap House, beef brisket poutine, Charcuterie Board, Cheese Board, Cheeseburger Spring Rolls, Choza de Margarita, colossal pretzel, Cuban Spring Roll, Disney World, Duck Confit Poutine, Empanada de Barbacoa, fiesta marg, high dollar, most expensive snacks, not snack credit elligible, pepperoni pizza spring roll, Philly Cheesesteak Spring Rolls, Pongu Pongu, Poutine, refreshment port, traditional poutine

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Disney Parks Other

Going to Disney World in March? Here’s What You Need To Know.

Planning a trip to Disney World in March? We’ve got the details you need to maximize the magic on your vacation!

Walt Disney World’s Epcot

You can make memories on a Disney World vacation that will last a lifetime! But how can you make sure that you’re looking back on happy memories instead of meltdowns? Well, by preparing for your trip! And Disney World planning can vary A LOT depending on what time of year you plan to travel. Here are the deets you need to make your March vacation magical!

Crowds at Disney World in March

The month of March means Spring Break for many schools across the United States. And that also means more crowds! Since Spring Break schedules vary by school and year, the attendance can fluctuate day by day. But in general, you should prepare for moderate to heavy crowds throughout the month.

Main Street, U.S.A

There is somewhat of a silver lining here — since Spring Breaks are spread out, the crowds aren’t usually quite as crazy as the holiday season. But, if you’re used to traveling to Disney World in months like January, February, or September, prepare yourself for busier parks!

Traveling at a super-busy time? Check out our ultimate survival guide for the most crowded days in Disney World!

Park Hours at Disney World in March

We typically see pretty steady park hours throughout the month of March. Most of the parks will open at 8:00 or 9:00AM and close at 8:00 or 9:00PM.

Animal Kingdom Entrance

But, to help absorb the heavier Spring Break crowds, Magic Kingdom usually stays open a little later than the other parks. Magic Kingdom tends to close at 10:00 or 11:00PM in March.

Looking for late-night fun in Disney World? Check out our guide to the Villains After Hours Events in Magic Kingdom!

Weather at Disney World in March

Most people will find the weather pretty pleasant during this time of year! In March, the average high temperature is 79 degrees and the average low temperature is 57 degrees.

Toy Story Land

There are an average of 5 rainy days throughout the month, which means March is usually much drier than the summer months in Disney World! So, if you’re looking for warm temperatures without scorching heat while avoiding the infamous Florida storms, March could be your lucky month!

Planning your Disney World trip? Here are seven things you’re probably forgetting!

How to Pack for Disney World in March

The afternoons in March can get pretty warm, but you still might have some chilly mornings and evenings at the parks! So, make sure you pack layers that you can wear out in the morning and store in your park bag when it starts to heat up. Trust us, having a sweatshirt, hat, (and if you get really chilly) a scarf, and gloves will go a long way!

Belle of The Ball Bronze

On the other hand, since the weather does start to warm up mid-day, don’t forget to pack your swimsuit if you plan to take advantage of your hotel pool!

Are you choosing the right Disney World hotel?? Here are our tips to point you in the right direction!

Annual Ride Refurbishments

This is an important thing to keep an eye out for, especially if you’re a huge fan of water attractions! Both Splash Mountain in Magic Kingdom and Kali River Rapids in Disney’s Animal Kingdom usually go down for annual maintenance in early January. They typically reopen by early or mid-March, but be sure to check the refurbishment schedule on the Disney World park calendar for the exact reopening dates, especially if you’re planning a trip for early in the month!

Splash Mountain refurbishment

And the same thing goes for the Disney World water parks! Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach undergo maintenance each winter, typically during different months, but work is typically finished around mid-March. If your family is big on the water parks, be sure to check on the refurbishment schedule when you first start planning!

What should you do when your Disney trip is a total FAILURE? Here are our tips for turning your vacay around!

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

One of the highlights of springtime in Disney World is the Epcot International Flower and Garden FestivalThis festival typically kicks off in early March and runs through late-May or early-June. And we definitely suggest you check it out if it’s running during your visit!

Epcot Flower and Garden

There’s plenty to see and do at the festival. Of course, as its name suggests, there are plenty of beautiful blooms to take in! There are over twenty topiary displays throughout the park that feature some of our favorite Disney characters!

Topiaries

Plus, there are other gardens and displays throughout the park, including a bamboo garden, butterfly garden, floating gardens, and more!

Butterfly House

And it wouldn’t be an Epcot festival without FOOD! There are Outdoor Kitchens set up around the Promenade and World Showcase that feature delicious food and beverage options. A few of our favorites from previous years include the Violet Lemonade, Local Wildflower Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake, and Salmon Flower Ikura!

Salmon Flower Ikura

Guests who want to dig a little deeper can also check out one of the extra-ticketed special events or tours! We’ve seen a Royal Tea Garden Tour, Gardens of the World Tour, Egg-Stravaganza Scavenger Huntand more!

Egg-stravaganza 2019

Plus, there’s a FREE entertainment option as well! The Garden Rocks Concert Series features three nightly performances that are included in the price of park admission. These events are popular though, so you’ll need to get there early to ensure you get a spot! Or, to secure your seat without the wait, you can opt for the Garden Rocks Dining Packagewhich includes dinner and guaranteed seating at the concert!

Rock out at the Garden Rocks concerts!

The Flower and Garden Festival is an all-around good time, with delicious food, exciting entertainment, and gorgeous topiaries and displays! It’s definitely a must-do for us when visiting Disney World in March!

Wondering what eats to get at Flower and Garden? Check out our Best of the Fest list from the 2020 festival!

March can be a great time to visit Disney World. We love wandering the Flower and Garden Festival and soaking in the warm afternoons by the pool! But, in order to really get the most out of the trip, you have to be prepared! Be aware of those Spring Break crowds and ride refurbishments and plan accordingly. Doing your homework now will help make your Disney World vacation all the more magical!

Want to learn more about the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival? Click here for all the details!

Are you planning a trip to Disney World in March? Let us know 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 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, Blizzard Beach Refurbishment, disney world crowd, disney world crowd levels, Disney World Packing List, disney world park hours, disney world planning, disney world planning tips, Disney World weather, epcot international flower and garden festival, garden rocks concert, Garden Rocks Concert Series, Garden Rocks Dining Packages, kali river rapids, packing, Packing List, ride refurbish, splash mountain refurbishment, temperature, typhoon lagoon, weather

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Disney News Disney Parks

Disney World Theme Park Hours Reduced at Reopening

disney world

Disney announced its reopening plans for Walt Disney World Resort yesterday. The phased reopening is scheduled for July 11 and the Disney World website now shows reduced operating hours for July through October this year.

The website and My Disney Experience App show that Magic Kingdom will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m and Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. starting July 11. EPCOT will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. starting July 15.

Disney’s water parks, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach, will also be reopening in July. Along with reduced hours, the parks will other restrictions and guidelines in place for reopening.

We will continue to update as more information is released!

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: News, Parks & Resorts, Walt Disney World, animal kingdom, Disney World, Disney World Reopening, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, reduced hours, Walt Disney World Resort

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Disney News Disney Parks

NEWS! Revised Park Hours Posted for Disney World’s Planned Reopening!

After a lengthy closure, Disney World has submitted a proposal for reopening the parks!

Magic Kingdom

Disney World has proposed a reopening date of July 11th for Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, followed by a reopening date of July 15th for Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Upon reopening, guests will need to make a reservation in order to visit the parks, and some entertainment such as parades, fireworks, and character meet-and-greets will be temporarily suspended.

Now that the proposed reopening dates have been announced, our team pulled up the My Disney Experience app to check on the park hours. We confirmed that park hours prior to July 11th have been removed.

Tree of Life

And, while the hours are subject to change, on July 11th, the reopening day hours listed for Magic Kingdom are 9 AM to 7 PM, and the hours for Animal Kingdom are 8 AM to 6 PM. 

There is also an Early Morning Magic event at Magic Kingdom still showing on the park schedule from 7:45 AM to 9 AM.

©Disney

On July 15th, the reopening day hours listed for Epcot are 11 AM to 9 PM, and the hours for Hollywood Studios are 10 AM to 8 PM. July 15th also lists Extra Magic Hours from 7PM to 9PM.

©Disney

We’ll keep an eye on the park hours in case there are any changes between now and the opening date!

Click here for all of the details Disney World shared in the park reopening proposal!

Which Disney World park are you the most excited to return to? Let us know 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, animal kingdom hours, Disney, disney park hours, Disney World, disney world hours, disney world park hours, Disney World reopening, disney’s animal kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, epcot hours, Hollywood Studios, Hollywood Studios Hours, magic kingdom hours, walt disney world reopening