Tag: animal kingdom

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

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date May 27, 2020

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.”

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

Disney Parks

FIRST LOOK: The NEW Disney World Signage You’ll See When The Parks Reopen

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date May 27, 2020

Earlier today, Disney World presented its reopening plan to Florida’s Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force.

Magic Kingdom

The proposed plan has been initially approved by Mayor Jerry Demings and has been sent to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. If given the go-ahead, select Disney World theme parks will begin to reopen to the public starting on July 11th, with the remaining parks set to open on July 13th.

During Disney World’s proposal, we saw a sneak peek of some of the new health and safety signage guests will see once the parks begin to reopen. Disney officials have stated education, communication, and engagement with its guests will be paramount in keeping everyone safe.

Many of these new signs will be located at entry points as well as throughout the theme parks themselves, especially where crowds tend to gather. Most of the new signs offer friendly reminders, instructing guests to always wear their face mask and allow for six feet of space between themselves and other parties.

So far, these new signs look very similar to the ones we’ve already seen around Disney Springs and more recently at World of Disney today. Their colors are mostly muted beige, red, and dark green.

Protect the Magic Signs at World of Disney

In addition to emphasizing the mandatory use of face masks and best social distancing practices, other important health and safety procedures will be addressed such as temperature screenings. All Cast Members and guests will be required to have their temperature taken before entry, similar to what we’ve experienced at Disney Springs.

©Disney

Learn more about Disney Springs’ temperature checks here!

New signage installed near restrooms and hand sanitization stations will remind guests to wash their hands frequently as well as use touchless features such as Mobile Order when paying for food.

At restaurants, new signs will direct guests to which tables they’re allowed to sit at as well as if they’re permitted to move chairs around. In stores, limited handling of product signs will also be installed.

©Disney

These are just some of the new health and safety signs that are headed our way when the parks reopen. We’re sure there will be lots more to come, but for now, you can start familiarizing yourself with Disney World’s new health and safety procedures based on all the new signs we’ve seen so far!

What do you think of Disney World’s new signage? Let us know in the comments below.

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Counter-Service, Disney News, Disney Springs, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, disney springs, Disney World, face masks, first look, hand washing, health and safety signage, july 11th, Mobile Order, new signage, reopening, restaurants, safety measures, sneak peek, social distancing, stores, temperature screening, temporary closure, World of Disney

Disney News Disney Parks Other

NEWS: ‘Relaxation Zones’ May Offer Guests a Chance to Briefly Remove Face Masks When Visiting Walt Disney World

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date May 27, 2020

Walt Disney World Resort has proposed a plan to reopen starting in mid-July with Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom on July 11th, followed by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th.

Walt Disney World’s Epcot

Among the many safety measures that will be implemented when the parks reopen will be the required wearing of face coverings by all guests and cast members (which we’ve already experienced in the recently reopened Disney Springs).

The wearing of face masks may be new to many.

Starbucks at Disney Springs Upon Reopening

And of course, anyone who has spent any amount of time in Central Florida — especially in the summer months — is familiar with the hot and humid weather. Perhaps keeping those factors in mind, Disney mentioned the possibility of “Relaxation Zones” during the Question and Answer phase of the meeting.

Guests with Face Coverings in Disney Springs

Though Disney noted that the wearing of masks has not presented an issue so far in Disney Springs, these potential Zones (located “in and around and off the property”) may allow guests the chance to remove their face coverings for a moment to take a bit of a breather and… well, relax! We imagine there will be more to share about the Relaxation Zones (including potential safety measures within the Zones) as the reopening of the Resort draws near.

Cast Member with required face mask

The Relaxation Zones are just one of many new items that were discussed today during the proposal of the plans for the reopening of Walt Disney World. To find out more about the details revealed in today’s proposal (which — at press time, has been approved by Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings in advance of being submitted to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for his approval) you can click here. And you may find even more information by visiting any of the links below.

What do you think of the possibility of Relaxation Zones? 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, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, face coverings, face masks, health and safety measures, walt disney world reopening

Tags animal kingdom, disney parks, disney's hollywood studios, epcot, face coverings, face masks, Featured, health and safety measures, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, walt disney world reopening

Disney News Disney Parks Other

Disney CEO Explains Why Disney World Is Opening AFTER Universal

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date May 27, 2020

Earlier, we shared that Chapek had spoken out about why the parks would be opening in July.

Bob Chapek

Now, Chapek has expanded on his initial statements going into a bit more detail as to why the park is choosing to open over a month after other theme parks like Universal Studios, which is reopening June 5th.

With major Florida-base theme parks such as Universal Studios and SeaWorld set to reopen in early June, Disney World has decided not to reopen its parks until July. Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom will be the first to reopen on July 11th while Epcot and Hollywood Studios will follow on July 15th.

Mickey Pretzel!

But when asked why Disney is planning on reopening its parks much later when compared to other Orlando-area attractions, Chapek stated the following:

Chapek told Bloomberg in an interview, “We feel this is the right time for us, in July. We’ve got a different situation, frankly, than Universal does because we’re much bigger. We have a much more complex business. We’ve got a different labor situation, and at the same time, we’re also going to be implementing a reservation system for our guests. And it’s gonna take some time to take the millions of reservations that we’ve already got on our books and then switch that over to a new reservations system, so we think July is the right time for us.”

Monorail at Disney World

Disney has released few details about their new reservation system yet, but shared that we should know more soon. In the meantime, Disney World’s new ticket sales and hotel reservations have been put on pause.

Universal, on the other hand, will be implementing capacity restrictions without the use of a reservation system. You can read their full reopening plan here.

Click here to learn more about Disney World’s new reservation system!

Are you excited to know more details about Disney World’s new reservation system? Let us know in the comments below.

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Disney News, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, bob chapek, disney ceo, Disney World, Disney World reopening, july 11th, july 13th, new reservation system, phased reopening, reopening, theme parks

Tags animal kingdom, bob chapek, disney ceo, Disney News, Disney World, Disney World reopening, disney's hollywood studios, epcot, Featured, july 11th, july 13th, magic kingdom, new reservation system, phased reopening, reopening, theme parks, Walt Disney World

Disney News Disney Parks

NEWS: ‘Social Distancing Squads’ Will Make Theme Park Debut When Walt Disney World Parks Reopen

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date May 27, 2020

Today we are covering Walt Disney World’s plans for reopening as presented today to Florida’s Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force. The phased reopening is proposed to start with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11th followed by Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT on July 15th.

Magic Kingdom Entrance

Proposed safety measures for the opening include limiting guest capacity in the theme parks with a new guest theme park reservation system among other protocols. The limited capacity in the park will help to accomplish physical distancing between guests, and Walt Disney World will also rely on its cast members to help implement these new measures.

Jim MacPhee, Senior Vice President of Operations for Walt Disney World, presented the plans to the Task Force, sharing the following: “Cast Members will be trained to positively encourage guests to practice the correct behaviors and demonstrate them themselves.”

Guest Relations Cast Member in Disney Springs

And one of the ways that will be accomplished is through something called Social Distancing Squads — a dedicated team of “highly energetic cast members” (also referred to as Safety Ambassadors) who will be present in every park.

The theme parks will not actually deliver the debut of the Social Distancing Squads to Walt Disney World. A Squad has been present in Disney Springs since its reopening, and Jim MacPhee shared that the team has been “a huge hit” with guests.

Disney Ambassadors in Disney Springs

Additionally, he stated: “As always, our exceptional cast members will engage with our guests to make the experience as real and as magical as possible.”

We will continue to keep you posted on these and other safety measures proposed for the reopening of Walt Disney World as this story continues to develop. To learn more about the current status of Disney parks and destinations around the globe, you can visit any of the links below.

What do you think about the Social Distancing Squad in the parks? 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, disney springs, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Physical Distancing, Social Distance Squad, social distancing, walt disney world reopening

Tags animal kingdom, disney parks, Disney Springs, disney's hollywood studios, epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Physical Distancing, Social Distance Squad, social distancing, Walt Disney World, walt disney world reopening