Tag: animal kingdom

Did You Know About These 9 Disney Cast Member Traditions?!

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date May 26, 2020

Today, we’re taking you on a very special behind-the-scenes journey!

Cinderella Castle at Night

We’re going to find out what life at Disney World is like from a non-guest’s perspective. That’s right — we’re diving into the deep secret lives of Disney’s Cast Members!

Ever wonder why Disney refers to its employees as “Cast Members” and not associates or workers? It’s because Walt Disney believed his theme parks were a stage and the Cast Members are its performers!

It’s Mickey!

And just like some large theater companies, Disney Cast Members aren’t without their fair share of myths, superstitions, and urban legends! Let’s explore a few of these kooky Cast Member customs we’ve found out about over the years!

Good Morning, George

Pirates of the Caribbean wasn’t one of Disney World’s original attractions — it opened two years later in 1973. As the tale goes, a welder named George died under mysterious circumstances while working on the ride as it was being built. Ever since that day, Cast Members have to greet George to keep him from messing with the attraction!

Pirates of the Caribbean during Disney Villains After Hours

This might seem like a really strange story, but believe it or not, Cast Members swear it keeps the ride running smoothly! George also likes to be told good night otherwise things can get a little wonky!

Learn 14 strange facts about Disney World’s opening day attractions here!

Hail, Caesar!

Disney really likes to hide little Easter eggs in its rides and Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is an especially target-rich environment!

Tower of Terror

Let’s take a look at a couple of the interesting traditions over in the Hollywood Tower Hotel.

The Devil’s in the Details!

You’ll notice the elevator inspection certificate is actually dated the night of the “incident” and the state I.D. number is 10.2.59 — the day the first episode of the Twilight Zone aired on TV!

Elevator Permit

There’s a ton of props and other visual references to the famous spooky show including the demonic ventriloquist dummy from the episode called, “Caesar and Me”. Look for it next time you’re exiting the elevators!

Caesar the Dummy

Just like our old pal George in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland, Caesar is known to make mischief if the Cast Members aren’t nice to him! That’s why they regularly say hello to him so that the ride doesn’t break down! Many Cast Members take their bad juju feelings one step further, believing the Tower of Terror ride itself is actually haunted, but no proof exists to this day!

Bellhop Letters

You wouldn’t believe how steeped in tradition some Disney World attractions can be! For instance, Tower of Terror holds another sacred Cast Member tradition — bellhop letters!

Terror of Terror Decorations

Look for these mail slots next time your waiting in line! Those folded up pieces of paper at the bellhop’s services desk are actual notes written by former Cast Members. Trainers show the letters to new Cast Members that were left by the original Tower of Terror Cast Members. Then each group of Cast Members that pass through writes a new note to the next group, and so on and so on!

Check out how some Disney fans recently recreated their own Tower of Terror experience at home!

Some Other Places Where Cast Members Have Left Their Mark!

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is another spot where you’ll see Cast Members leaving behind a piece of themselves! Cast Members often sign their names inside the attraction on the walls inside the garages across from the loading queue.

Rock N Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios

We’re told some Cast Members get to write on the dry-erase whiteboard to your left at the beginning of the ride Dinosaur at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, while Cast Members at Disneyland get to sign the walls inside Matterhorn which aren’t visible to guests. In fact, there’s also a basketball hoop for Cast Members to live out their hoop dreams inside the iconic mountain! You can learn more about this tradition on The Imagineering Story.

Memorize these 20 ride hacks before your next trip to Disney World!

Pet Names

As you can probably imagine, Haunted Mansion Cast Members are also quite superstitious and have many unusual customs of their own! Female Cast Members wear a Haunted Mansion maid costume, complete with a headband topped with a bat! But did you know every bat has a name?

Haunted Mansion Cast Member

It’s customary for every Cast Member to name their bat — and some have even created elaborate backstories for their beloved pet bats along with some interesting personalities to boot! Next time you ride Haunted Mansion, make sure you ask a Cast Member about their bat!

Check out some fun Haunted Mansion merch that is being released by Halloween here!

The First Step to Becoming a Disney Cast Member is Taking A Class Called Traditions!

No wonder Cast Members practice so many unique traditions — it’s a part of their job orientation! On each Cast Member’s first day, they’re given a crash course on the history of the Walt Disney Company.

Spaceship Earth

New Cast Members are also given a Mickey Ear Hat as part of the course, thus where the expression “earning my ears” comes from! Once the class is over, new employees receive their trademark oval name tag and even get their photo taken with Mickey Mouse!

Click here to check out the Disney World Cast Members we’re missing the most right now!

Welcoming the New Class

But that’s not all — Disney offers many cultural programs and college internships, many of which last for up to 6 months!

Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom

To get Cast Members familiar with the parks (as well as have to opportunity to make some new friends) each class is welcomed in with an epic Disney World scavenger hunt followed by fireworks and a special surprise party! What a warm welcome! Okay, we think we’re ready to sign up!

Getting Your “D” Pin

You might think earning your ears and getting your oval name tag is as good as it gets, but there’s another important step for Cast Members on the Guest Relations team — getting their gold D pin which is worn on the OTHER side of their vest.

Cast Member Hosts at Storybook Dining

This means you’ve successfully passed your assessment and there’s even a special ceremony to celebrate your achievement!

Tour Guides Have a Rite of Passage, Too!

It gets even better if your a Disney World tour guide Cast Member. You’ve probably seen these guys around before — they’re the extra fancy-looking folks wearing plaid vests (thus earning their nickname: Plaids).

Magic Kingdom Sign

To be a fully graduated “Plaid”, ladies need to earn their riding crop and gents earn their swagger stick.

Cast Members Only Sign

They use these to point out stuff to tour groups, but they won’t get one until AFTER they give their first successful tour!

Learn more about Disney World’s tours and extra experiences here!

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about a few of the more-unusual traditions Cast Members share in Disney World! Next time you’re in Disney World and you meet a friendly Cast Member, be sure to ask them some of THEIR favorite Cast traditions. You might learn something new and surprising!

Do you know of any secret Cast Member traditions at the parks? Tell us which ones you’ve found out about 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, bellhop letters, caesar, cast member, cast member traditions, d pin, demonic dummy, Dinosaur, Disney, Disney World, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, easter eggs, george, george the ghost, haunted, haunted mansion bat names, hidden secrets, magic kingdom tour guide, Matterhorn, oval name tag, pet bats, Pirates of the Caribbean, plaid, riding crop, Rock N Rollercoaster, superstitions, swagger stick, tour guide, tower of terror, traditions, urban legends

Disney Parks Other

Answering The MOST IMPORTANT Questions We’re Getting From Readers About Disney World Right Now.

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date May 26, 2020

A lot is changing in and around Disney World right now as some stores and restaurants have recently reopened in Disney Springs and a plan is in the works for reopening Disney World’s hotels and theme parks.

Disney Springs

That’s why a lot of you have questions about what’s going on and how your future plans at Disney World may be impacted.

We wanted to take some time today to provide you with all the best resources we’ve been compiling over the last several weeks. We’re going to lay everything out on the table and clear up anything and everything we can so that you’ll have all the facts at your disposal.

Here are the answers to the most critical questions we’re receiving from you right now.

What safety measures has Disney implemented so far and are they mandatory?

With the recent reopening of Disney Springs, we now have a better understanding of what Disney World may require its Cast Members and guests to do before entering any of its theme parks (although they haven’t officially announced any new procedures yet for other parts of Disney World other than Disney Springs at this time).

©Disney

What we do know is this: Disney Springs isn’t allowing any exceptions to their new safety measures. That means if you don’t want to go through their health-check, have your temperature taken, and wear a face mask for your entire stay, you won’t be permitted inside Disney Springs at this time.

Click here for everything you need to know about temperature checks in Disney World

Are the temperature screenings accurate?

Professional healthcare workers provided by AdventHealth are conducting the temperature screenings at Disney Springs using touchless thermometers. The easy-to-use handheld devices use infrared light to read the energy your body produces, translating this data into a temperature reading within two-tenths of a degree of accuracy in some cases.

Advent Health Cast Member at Temperature Screening

To be allowed to enter Disney Springs, your temperature needs to be under 100.4 F. If your temperature is 100.4 F or greater, you’re allowed to wait off to the side in a tented “cool-off” area and have your temperature re-taken. If it’s still too high, you and your entire party won’t be allowed inside.

Temperature Screening

When discussing potential health screenings for guests entering Disney World, Disney Company Chairman Bob Iger had previously speculated Disney Parks may implement mandatory temperature checks to enter.

When do I have to wear a face mask at Disney World?

At Disney Springs, guests over the age of three must wear face coverings at all times. The only time you’re permitted to remove them is when you’re seated at a restaurant or consuming a drink or a food item.

Other than those few occasions, your mask must be covering your nose and mouth for the duration of your visit.

The Polite Pig is Selling Face Masks

While Disney Springs is providing an extremely limited number of disposable face masks for guests who accidentally leave their mask at home, they can’t guarantee they’ll have one for you if you don’t bring your own. That means you could be turned away if you forget to have a face mask for each person in your family over the age of three.

Will you be turned away at Disney World? Click here to learn more.

Will Disney World be limiting its capacity?

Yes. It is expected Disney World will reopen with a limited capacity, as it now states on its website. Realistically, it could be some time before the parks operate at their full capacity.

Walt Disney World website screenshot

See how Disney World has limited its capacity in the past here!

Currently, Shanghai Disneyland is limiting capacity to below 30%.

Shanghai Disneyland

Guests must have an advance reservation (either a dated park ticket, or an actual reservation in the case of annual passholders) to enter.

Learn more about the new reservation system Shanghai Disneyland is using here!

Will I be turned away at Disney World if I have a park ticket and a hotel reservation?

While it’s unclear at this time how Disney World will begin to allow guests back in, a few viable options are possible.

It’s Mickey!

Whether it’s similar to Shanghai Disneyland’s reservation system or something closer to the tiered closures Disney World uses during the holiday season when the parks reach their capacity, we hope to be able to provide you with this information soon.

When is Disney World going to reopen?

That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Now that Universal Orlando, Legoland Florida, and other Central Florida attractions have announced their official reopening plans and dates, Disney World is planning to propose theirs soon.

Monorail at Disney World

So far, we’ve seen many of the first signs we mentioned earlier that Disney World might be preparing to reopen. Florida’s local government has now permitted several small and major theme parks to reopen, Disney Cast Members are slowly being called to work, and Disney Springs has started its phased reopening.

Dole Whip

Click here to read what needs to happen before Disney World can reopen!

It’s unclear what Disney World’s official reopening will be like, but based on what we’ve experienced with Disney Springs so far, we expect Disney World to be very different from how we saw it last.

Spaceship Earth

It also seems likely that Disney World in Florida COULD reopen sooner than Disneyland in California based on how their local governments are handling the situation. Nothing has been announced at press time.

Could Disney World open first to Florida-residents only? Here’s what we know.

Is my favorite ride or attraction going to be open?

On Disney World’s website, it states some attractions, experiences, services, and amenities may have limited availability or remain closed. That’s a pretty broad statement and we hope to be able to provide you with more clarity soon.

Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom

What we CAN tell you is that looking at Shanghai’s reopening, most of their rides are open to guests. They’ve also changed their character meet and greets — Only parades, stage shows, fireworks, and some play areas with frequent touchpoints have been closed down.

Check out what modifications Shanghai Disneyland has made to its guest experiences here!

What about coming soon attractions? Are they still going open on time?

It’s hard to say…these new projects did experience delays when construction was halted at Disney World. While some attractions were closer to being done than others, it’s unclear how their timelines have been affected.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure was scheduled to open this summer while Space 220 Restaurant already encountered numerous delays pre-closure of the parks.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

And for Disney World’s 50th-anniversary celebration, big plans were in the works for Magic Kingdom including a revamping of Cinderella Castle as well as the new TRON: Lightcycle Run roller coaster in Tomorrowland.

TRON Coaster Construction

Epcot was also left in a precarious spot when the parks suddenly shut down. Plans to close Spaceship Earth had just been announced while much of Future World is currently in the midst of a massive overhaul as part of the big Epcot Transformation. Work also stopped on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. All of these projects and more could be affected, but so far the extent of possible delays hasn’t been revealed.

What can we expect from Disney World in 2021?

Is it even worth it to go to Disney World this year?

That will depend largely on you and your level of comfort. Even if you’ve planned a trip to Disney World a million times before, planning a trip following the closures is going to be more unique with its own set of challenges and problems to work through.

Cinderella Castle at Night

First of all, it’s not going to be the same Disney World from your memories. It will be, but it won’t be. Choosing when you want to visit next is a very personal decision you’ll ultimately have to make based on your comfort level with this whole situation.

Magic Kingdom Sign

If you’re used to traveling to Disney World to attend certain events, festivals, or popular times of year like Christmastime, keep in mind a number of these special things we expected Disney to have announced by now, but Disney has remained quiet.

You might need extra-assurance from Disney before booking a trip if any of these offerings are super-important to you, otherwise, you might want to save your money for when you know they’ll be offered.

Click here to learn more about if it’s worth it to go to Disney World this year!

When is Disney World going to get back to normal?

There has been a lot of speculation floating around about how long it will take the Disney parks to reach their normal attendance levels. Some estimate it could happen as soon as next year while others think it could take even longer.

Haunted Mansion

While all of these analysts’ predictions are just speculation at this point, Disney will only re-open the park to the capacity recommended by the local government and public health officials.

Magic Kingdom

It’s unknown when mass gatherings will be permitted again, but at that time, with the guidance of local and state government, Disney World will most likely start to look and feel a lot more “normal.”

We asked our readers when they’d feel safe returning to Disney World. Here’s what they said.

Should I go to Disney World this year or wait until next year?

There are definite pros and cons to each, which you need to consider carefully before making your decision. If you return to Disney World this year, you’ll get a memorable experience for sure, but whether that’s the kind of memories you’d like on your trip is up to you.

Liberty Belle Riverboat at Magic Kingdom

Attractions will likely be altered, some experiences will likely be missing, and you’ll likely have to wear a mask. If none of that bothers you enough to consider waiting, go for it! If the idea of just being in Disney World again is enough for you, or you don’t have the flexibility to reschedule the same trip later next year, then visiting this year is certainly looking like an option!

Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

Keep in mind though if you have little ones you want to give a perfect Disney experience, this is a “once in a lifetime” trip for your family, or you’re uncomfortable with the new restrictions, then postposing til next year or beyond is a perfectly viable option as well.

Magic Kingdom

As we mentioned earlier, 2021 is the 50th anniversary of Disney World, so while there will be many new experiences to enjoy if you wait, it’s likely there will be more people too!

Click here to see if you should reschedule your trip for this year or 2021!

We hope we’ve helped you make a little more sense out of these last few weeks and what lies further down the road. Please keep sending us those questions and we’ll keep doing what we do to try and answer them as best we can!

Want to stay in the know about everything happening at Disney World? Sign up for our newsletter here!

Do you have a question about Disney World that we didn’t answer above? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll get back to you!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, construction delays, Disney World, Do I have to have my temperature taken, do I have to wear a face mask?, face masks, frequently asked questions, guardians of the galaxy: cosmic rewind, is it even worth it to go to Disney world this year, limited capacity, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, reservations, safety measures, safety protocols, shanghai disneyland, should I go to disney world this year, should I wait to go to Disney world next year?, Space 220 Restaurant, temperature screenings, Tron lightcycle Run, what’s the deal with face masks, when will disney world be normal again, when will Disney World reopen, will my favorite ride be open?

Tags animal kingdom, construction delays, Disney Springs, Disney World, disney's hollywood studios, Do I have to have my temperature taken, do I have to wear a face mask?, epcot, face masks, Featured, frequently asked questions, guardians of the galaxy: cosmic rewind, is it even worth it to go to Disney world this year, limited capacity, magic kingdom, Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, reservations, safety measures, safety protocols, Shanghai Disneyland, should I go to disney world this year, should I wait to go to Disney world next year?, Space 220 Restaurant, temperature screenings, Tron lightcycle Run, Walt Disney World, what's the deal with face masks, when will disney world be normal again, when will Disney World reopen, will my favorite ride be open?

Disney Food Disney Parks Other

Can You Conquer These 5 Disney World CHALLENGES?

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date May 25, 2020

We all have a little bit of a competitive streak (Disney board games are the bomb.)!

Cinderella Castle and Main Street, U.S.A. in Disney World

That’s why conquering Disney World challenges is so satisfying. These are some of the BIGGEST challenges out there that we dare you to complete during your next Disney vacation!

If you can complete them all, you can officially be deemed a seasoned Disney World pro!

Mickey Bar

Let’s take a look at what you’re in for!

All 4 Parks in One Day

Visiting all four theme parks in a day? Seems like a piece of cake, right?? Well… we’re making this a CHALLENGE for a reason!

Once you go to a park, you have to do four things: ride an attraction, watch a show or film, take a photo with a character, and get something to eat or drink before moving on to the next park.

Does Everyone Want To Ride Splash Mountain??

You could even make it MORE of a challenge by having to use a different form of transportation every time you go to a new park (and you can’t reuse the ones from before)! HINT: Start in Magic Kingdom and take the monorail to Epcot, before moving on from there.

Every “Mountain” in Disney World

Ain’t no mountain high enough, friends! So, that means it’s time to conquer ALL the attractions with mountains in Disney World. This challenge is especially fun since you’ll even get to visit both waterparks for a day of splashing around and soaking in some good ol’ Vitamin D!

While you’re in Magic Kingdom, you’re going to want to hop onto Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Big Thunder Mountain

After you’ve made your way to Expedition Everest in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you’ll want to hop on over to the waterparks.

First on the agenda, you’ll want to take a wicked ride on Mount Gushmore at Blizzard Beach and then visit Mount Mayday at Typhoon Lagoon.

Typhoon Lagoon

Seven mountain rides in one day is daunting but totally doable (if you’re up for the challenge!).

The BIGGEST Snacks on Property

You guys know that some of the portions are HUGE in Disney World (best bang for your buck, though!).
And, while we’re big fans of snack crawls, we think the biggest food challenge is trying to finish all of these MASSIVE sized snacks at the parks and resorts!

Samantha Sterling Punch Bowl

We’re talkin’ about The Edison Punch Bowl, Kitchen Sink at Beaches and Cream, Buttermilk Pancake Tower at STK Orlando, Gibson S’mores Baked Alaska at The Boathouse, and ALL the specialty Dole Whips on property (ok, these aren’t massive sized but there are massive amounts OF them!). Yeah, we’re totally drooling just thinking about them… .

Visit EVERY Country in the World Showcase

The World Showcase in Epcot is one of our FAVORITE places to stroll around when we’re in the parks. Each country has something special to offer, even if it’s just admiring the buildings (that architecture is so detailed!!).

The next time you’re in Epcot, spend some time at each of the 11 World Showcase Pavilions to say you’ve conquered them all.

Mexico Pavilion

But, like all good challenges, there’s a rule! You have to either visit an attraction or show, take a photo with a character, or grab a snack or a drink once you visit a pavilion. You never know — you might find some hidden spot or details along the way (have you been lucky enough to spot the Viking sword in Norway??).

Eating ALL the Mickey Treats

There are SO many different Mickey treats on property (it IS Disney World after all. )! And, if you’re up to one of the ULTIMATE challenges, you can bring your friends and family members along with you to try them. Oh, did we mention there’s 19 of them?! PHEW. Keep in mind Disney is ALWAYS coming up with new Mickey-fied treats, so the list could keep growing!

Mickey Candy Apple

On top of the classics — Mickey Premium Bars, Mickey Candy Apples, Mickey Rice Krispies, and Mickey Waffles — you can also get unique treats like the Mickey House-made Pecan Praline and Mickey Chili Pepper Chocolates.

Pecan Praline

Since there are so many, you could spread the Mickey snacks over the course of your trip (instead of having to get them all at once). Plus, there are enough goodies to go around so you can share them and save some for later.

Think you can tackle any of those challenges? Believe it or not, we’ve done them ALL, so we believe in you! The best part about these challenges is that you can not only challenge yourself, but make a little competition with your friends! Drinks at La Cava del Tequila on whoever loses?? For even MORE ideas, check out our DFB Video on ride challenges below!

And, if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our DFB YouTube Channel!

Have you done any of these Disney World challenges? Let us know in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, disney dining tips, Disney Entertainment, disney parks, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, big thunder mountain railroad, Blizzard Beach, Disney, disney attractions, disney challenges, disney dessert, disney dining, disney food, disney mountains, disney news, disney rides, disney snacks, disney treats, Disney World, disney world challenges, Hollywood Studios, House-made Pecan Praline, Mickey Bars, mickey candy apples, mickey chili pepper chocolate, mickey rice krispies, mickey snacks, Mickey Treats, Mickey waffles, mount gushmore, mount mayday, seven dwarfs, seven dwarfs mine train, space mountain, splash mountain, typhoon lagoon, World Showcase, world showcase pavilions

Tags animal kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Blizzard Beach, disney, disney attractions, disney challenges, disney dessert, disney dining, disney dining tips, Disney Entertainment, Disney Food, disney mountains, Disney News, disney parks, disney rides, disney snacks, disney treats, Disney World, disney world challenges, disney's hollywood studios, epcot, Featured, hollywood studios, House-made Pecan Praline, lists, magic kingdom, Mickey Bars, mickey candy apples, mickey chili pepper chocolate, mickey rice krispies, mickey snacks, Mickey Treats, Mickey Waffles, mount gushmore, mount mayday, seven dwarfs, seven dwarfs mine train, space mountain, splash mountain, typhoon lagoon, Walt Disney World, World Showcase, world showcase pavilions

Disney Food Disney Merch Disney Parks Other

We Asked Our Readers: What Do You Think Will Be the First Thing to Sell Out When the Parks Reopen? Here’s What They Said.

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date May 24, 2020

When the Disney World parks reopen their gates, what do you think will be the first thing to fly off the shelves?

Space Mountain Minnie Ears

The Disney World parks have been closed since March 16th and they’ll remain shuttered “until further notice.” But with Disney Springs partially reopened, Disney World is taking the first step towards resuming operations.

We’ve found ourselves wondering what things Disney fans will rush to snatch up when they return to the parks — and we wanted to know what our readers think! So, we took to Instagram to ask, “What do you think will be the first thing to sell out when the parks reopen?” Let’s take a look at what our readers said!

Disney World Street Signs

Experiences

Let’s start by taking a look at the tickets and events that people think will be the first to sell out!

Park Tickets

Out of all the responses we received, the top answer by far was park admission tickets!

Cinderella Castle

Several of our readers referenced the advance reservations required for the reopening of Shanghai Disneyland and said that if Disney World also limited admission, tickets will be the first thing to go.

Tickets to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Another ticket that many people expect to sell out quickly is admission to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom!

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Some said this would be their ideal way to experience Disney World again after the reopening, and they think others will jump on the tickets quickly!

Merchandise

While some people expected the theme park tickets to be the first thing to go, others think that Disney will have a hard time keeping merchandise in stock! Here are the items our readers believe will disappear from the stores first.

Disney Face Masks

Disney did release a line of character face masks available for purchase online, so we can definitely see them selling these in the parks when they reopen as well!

Plus, since guests at the reopened Shanghai Disneyland and Disney Springs are required to wear face masks, it’s possible they will be required — or at least encouraged — when the parks reopen. If so, we agree that guests will likely want the option to accessorize with a Disney version!

Mickey Ears

Another top response — the iconic Mickey Ears and Minnie Ears!

UK Minnie Ears

Considering how popular these were even before the park closures, we can definitely see guests scooping up a pair as soon as they walk through the gates.

2020 Merchandise

Disney World is known for releasing dated collections for each year. And several of our readers are expecting that the 2020 merchandise will be a hot commodity! With the parks closed for so much of 2020, it’s possible guests will want to commemorate that!

2020 Mickey Ornament

We’ve seen t-shirts, picture frames, mugs, sweatshirts, ornaments, and more all with the 2020 design, so at least guests will have plenty to choose from!

Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction Collection

This year, Disney has released a new set of Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction merchandise each month. The collection is themed after popular Disney attractions and each month a new Minnie Mouse Plush, Minnie Ears, mug, pins, and bag are made available!

These items have sold out super quickly each month (especially the Minnie Ears!), so we think our readers are on to something with this response!

The only question is — will World of Disney stock these cuties this week??

Snacks

While some expect the ticket counters and merchandise locations to be the first to run out of stock, others are headed straight for the SNACKS!

Dole Whip

Of all the food-related responses, Dole Whip was by far the most popular! Which is fitting, since Dole Whip was the champion of our Snack Madness showdown this year!

Dole Whip

Between its status as a Disney icon, and the tart, refreshing flavor, a few readers think that those Dole Whip machines will run dry pretty quickly after the parks reopen!

Mickey Premium Bar

From one quintessential Disney snack to another, a lot of people also expect the Mickey Premium Bar to sell out quickly!

Premium Mickey Ice Cream Bar at Disney World

This snack is so quintessentially Disney that they actually make other food “dressed up” like Mickey Premium Bars. These cold, sweet snacks are sold practically everywhere in the parks, so it shouldn’t be hard to find one once they reopen!

Popcorn

The smell of fresh popcorn reminds us of Main Street, U.S.A.!

Popcorn in Mary Blair Popcorn Box

And even though this one isn’t quite as exclusively associated with Disney World, we do know some serious popcorn (and popcorn bucket) fans, so our readers who guessed this will be the first item to sell out might be on the right track!

We were interested to see the variety of opinions from our readers about what will sell out first when the Disney World parks reopen! And after seeing the great points made about tickets, limited-edition merchandise, and iconic Disney snacks, we could see just about anyone’s guess being correct. Which just goes to show how much awesome insight Disney fans have into the parks!

What do you think will be the first thing to sell out when the Disney World parks reopen? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Cult Favorites, disney merchandise, disney parks, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Snacks, Walt Disney World, 2020 mickey’s not so scary halloween party, april minnie mouse: the main attraction collection, disney masks, Dole Whip, mickey ears, mickey premium bar, popcorn, walt disney world reopening

Tags 2020 mickey's not so scary halloween party, animal kingdom, april minnie mouse: the main attraction collection, Cult Favorites, disney masks, disney merchandise, disney parks, disney's hollywood studios, dole whip, epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, mickey ears, mickey premium bar, popcorn, Snacks, Walt Disney World, walt disney world reopening

Disney Food Disney Parks Other

Review and PHOTOS! Is Yak & Yeti at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Still Worth a Reservation?

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date May 24, 2020

Does Yak and Yeti Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom live up to its reputation as a fan-favorite?

Yak & Yeti Restaurant

Since it first entered the Disney food scene back in 2007, we’ve found Yak and Yeti Restaurant to have consistently good food. Which, as you may know if you’ve been following Disney Food Blog for a while, is a pretty big compliment!

While many of the restaurants in Disney World have a tendency to go through peaks and valleys over time, Yak and Yeti generally seems to stay the course. So, let’s see how our most recent experience at the restaurant played out! Let’s take a look!

Atmosphere

Yak and Yeti Restaurant is located in the Asia area of Disney World’s Animal Kingdom park — you’ll spot it on your way to the Maharajah Jungle Trek. The exterior of the restaurant is an eye-catching introduction. The bright purple building really pops and the arched windows and intricate detailing draw us right in!

Yak and Yeti Restaurant

And, as is expected of so many of the locations in Animal Kingdom, Yak and Yeti has an elaborate backstory! The building is owned by a former merchant named Arjun — and he’s transformed his ornate home into lodging for weary travelers.

Checking in?

This explains the decor, which includes a variety of statues, wall hangings, and furniture.

Yak and Yeti Decor

You’ll find a bar located just to the right of the lobby area. The chairs in here are HEFTY, but they’re also super comfortable. Between the cozy seating and friendly vibe, the bar is a great area to hang out and enjoy a drink or even a meal — the full menu is available here! Just keep in mind that seating is first-come, first-served at the bar.

Bar at Yak & Yeti

In the restaurant area, seating is available on both the first and second floors. The walls are decorated with framed pictures and mirrors, which keep our eyes and imagination dancing.

Downstairs Seating

We love the aesthetic in this restaurant! The elaborate artwork and rich contract of colors make for a warm and comfortable vibe.

Yak and Yeti Second Floor

We definitely suggest taking some extra time to look around and really soak in all of the details here. Apparently Arjun is quite the interior decorator! You should especially pay attention to the light fixtures… .

Now on to the food!

Eats

Yak and Yeti offers up a selection of Asian fusion cuisine. You’ll find some familiar favorites like Wok-Fried Green Beans and Pot Stickers as well as options like Bhaktapur Duck for more adventurous travelers!

We decided to kick things off with one of those tried-and-true items — the Pork Pot Stickers. And they were just as good as we remembered! They have a nice, caramelized outer layer with a warm, flavorful filling, and they’re served with a soy-lime dipping sauce.

Pork Pot Stickers

We can confirm that we’re still on board with this classic appetizer. Here’s a look at that delicious filling in the center!

Pork Pot Stickers

Next up, we had to get those Firecracker Shrimp. Ohhh yeah, this is another DFB favorite (in case you’re having a case of deja vu!), so we had to make sure that it still gets the stamp of approval!

This is a whoooole lot of crispy fried shrimp tossed in a creamy, spicy sauce and served on top of Asian slaw! The verdict? Still a must-eat for us! And honestly, if you’re eating these alone, it’s a full meal. Great portion size!

Firecracker Shrimp

After our small plates, we moved on to the Wonton Soup, made with pork wontons, clear chicken broth, and vegetables. We do love the Fried Wonton dessert, so we figured, hey, let’s try some wontons a little earlier in our meal!

Wonton Soup

If you’re a Wonton Soup fan, this will be fine for you. Very basic, but warm comfort-food nonetheless.

We followed up our soup with the Sweet and Sour Chicken, made with Tempura chicken, ginger, garlic, bell peppers, and pineapple. It was served with the perfect amount of sauce, which really brought out the flavors of the bell peppers and pineapple.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Again, this one is pretty much what you’d expect, but it’s definitely not your standard take-out! If Sweet and Sour Chicken is what you’re craving, this version won’t disappoint.

Switching gears a bit, we also tried the Kobe Beef Burger, which comes topped with your choice of shiitake mushroom and scallion compote or Asian slaw, and served with sesame-soy mayonnaise and crispy fries on the side! We’ve had this one before, and we wanted to check in on it again.

The flavors blend really well together and overall the burger was delicious — BUT in our experience, it isn’t the absolute best burger we’ve had on Disney property, so don’t set your expectations toooo high! The fries, on the other hand, were better than we anticipated! They were super skinny which made them nice and crispy, and they were sprinkled with a delicious seasoning.

Kobe Beef Burger

Overall, this is a good option for the picky eaters in your group, or those who aren’t fans of Asian-inspired cuisine. But if you’re a more adventurous eater, definitely choose from the more interesting dishes on Yak and Yeti’s menu.

We also ordered the Kid’s Cheeseburger, which comes with a choice of two sides and either milk or apple juice. The sides you can choose from are carrot sticks, fresh fruit, Go-Gurt®, white rice, brown rice, applesauce, corn, and steamed veggies. (I love the addition of rice to the list of options for kids here!)

As you can see, we had the iPad going in the back for my 6-year-old, and that’s his hand on the burger to give you an idea of size. It looks huge, and it IS larger than a typical kids’ burger, but it’s not massive by any means.

Kid’s Cheeseburger

And rounding out the meal, we ordered the Korean Beef, which is Wok-fried beef tossed with peppers, onions, pineapple, and Korean BBQ sauce. This was another new-to-us dish, and it’s an excellent option for those just making the crossover from picky to adventurous eater!

The flavors are tame enough and recognizable enough that those who are unfamiliar with Asian cuisine will likely feel at home with this dish.

Korean Beef

We enjoyed soooo many savory options on this trip to Yak and Yeti. And we’re happy to report that our tried-and-true favorites still hold up!

Nosh or Not?

You’ll want to make a reservation at Yak and Yeti if:

You enjoy Asian-fusion cuisine and want to try a Disney version of it.
You’re looking for an escape from the heat and for an affordable and different meal that doesn’t require the same amount of money as Tiffins and Tusker House.

You might want to skip this dining experience if:

You or your party aren’t big fans of Asian cuisine and are looking for more familiar eats.
You aren’t wanting to eat a table service meal in hopes of spending more of your time tackling attractions around the park.

Overall

Yak and Yeti has continued to provide us with consistently great meals. The restaurant feels warm and inviting, and the incredible level of detail shows how much care went into crafting the atmosphere. The menu has some of our go-to favorites and some solid options for more adventurous eaters. So, we’re still sticking by our opinion that this is a great option for a table service meal in Animal Kingdom! Our compliments to Arjun — for a merchant turned inn-keeper, he runs a surprisingly consistent restaurant!

One thing to note before we go — this restaurant is run by the Landry’s company, not Disney. So if you’re a Landry’s loyalty group member, you should be able to use your Landry’s perks (like your $25 birthday gift card) here. Another great loyalty group bonus is priority seating. I’ve personally experienced getting seated very quickly when I didn’t have a Disney advance dining reservation but I did note that I was a Landry’s loyalty member. Normally this wouldn’t shock me, but since it had just started pouring rain outside and the restaurant was overwhelmed with walk-ups trying to get a table, it was unexpected news.

What’s your favorite thing to order at Yak and Yeti? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, disney parks, disney restaurant review, Featured, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, American Kobe Beef, cheeseburger, firecracker shrimp, kid’s cheeseburger, Kobe Beef Burger, korean bbq, korean beef, Pork Pot Stickers, sweet and sour chicken, wonton soup, Yak and Yeti, Yak and Yeti Restaurant, yak and yeti review

Tags American Kobe Beef, animal kingdom, cheeseburger, disney parks, disney restaurant review, Featured, firecracker shrimp, kid's cheeseburger, Kobe Beef Burger, korean bbq, korean beef, Pork Pot Stickers, sweet and sour chicken, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, wonton soup, Yak and Yeti, Yak and Yeti Restaurant, yak and yeti review