Tag: disney springs reopening

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Disney Parks

The Rubber Duckie Drink RETURNS! We’re Back at The Boathouse in Disney Springs on Reopening Day

We’ve been making our way around Disney Springs for its re-opening today.

The Boathouse Sign

Disney-owned locations won’t be opening until May 27th, but third-party stores and restaurants opened today with new health and safety guidelines. So we’re heading to the dock for a bite to eat and a view of the lagoon!

The Boathouse and The Boathouse Boatique have officially re-opened as of 11AM this morning. Along with the new health and safety measures being taken by Disney Springs, The Boathouse has previously stated that they will be taking “extra precautions to ensure the safety of our staff and customers.” Here is what we experienced while we were there.

Check In

When we first arrived to check in at The Boathouse there was already a line formed behind the host stand, and parties were spacing themselves apart without any markers on the ground.

The Boathouse Disney Springs line

The restaurant is limiting capacity to 25% in dining rooms. In order to dine there, guests can book their reservations in advance for guaranteed inside seating. Walk-ups will also be accepted for outdoor seating where the patio tables are spaced six feet apart.

Seating

Guests were required to be wearing masks at all times, unless you are seated at your table.

The Boathouse

The interior of The Boathouse looked similar to how we remember it, but they had taken away chairs from certain tables and placed black table cloths over them to denote guests were not to be seated here.

The Boathouse Reopening Interior

The Boathouse Reopening Interior

Dining Room Inside The Boathouse

The Boathouse Reopening Interior

We were seated outside with a great view of the water.

The Boathouse Outdoor Seating

However, the outdoor bar was not in service. You are still able to order drinks to your table, though.

The Boathouse

Menu

The Boathouse was using disposable paper menus, which isn’t much of a change-up for the restaurant. Before the closure, they used paper menus with the specific date printed at the top, but now they just aren’t passing menus to the next guest.

MENU: paper menus (they have always had disposable menus with the date printed, but now they aren’t passing to next guest. So you can keep it as a historical souvenir. -clambake isnt on the menu

Dated Paper Menu at The Boathouse

Dated Paper Menu at The Boathouse

That means you can take home your menu if you would like — our server referred to it as a “historical souvenir.” The menu was still extensive — especially for this being the first day back — but the Clambake was not available during our visit.

Service

Since this was our first time back at The Boathouse, you know we had to get a rubber duckie drink. You may know it by its proper name, the Duck Duck Razz.

Duck Duck Razz

We watched the little duckie bob up and down as our server carefully delivered him to the table. Our server was not wearing gloves, but she was careful to only touch the bottom of the glasses.

Sever at The Boathouse

She mentioned the staff was given training packets a week ago and were brought in yesterday for additional training. She said she has has worked in several restaurants and said this is the cleanest she has ever seen a restaurant — even before the closures.

The food runners wore gloves to deliver our plates and noted they change out their gloves between each table.

Sever at The Boathouse

They also shared that the chefs are on 15 minute timers to remind them to stop, wash their hands and change gloves.

The Boathouse Food Runner

Our server cleared our plates for us once we had finished and she told us that the staff was given the choice to come back to work, so everyone there seemed excited to be back.

Food

Our drinks were served with regular glassware and the silverware was traditional flatware wrapped in a cloth napkin.

The Boathouse Silverware

The Boathouse Silverware

The Boathouse Silverware

We ordered a Jumbo Lump Crab Cake that was served with Coleslaw and Brandied Cocktail Sauce.

The crab cake was delicious. It had more crab than breading, but it still had a great sear on the outside — adding a little extra crunch to every bite. The Brandied Cocktail Sauce made for a tangy, creamy addition as well.

The Boathouse Disney Springs Jumbo Lump Crab Cake and Brandied Cocktail Sauce

The Boathouse Disney Springs Jumbo Lump Crab Cake

And you know we can’t resist some fries OR truffles (Don’t believe us? Find out just how many truffles we can pack into a meal here.), so we ordered Truffle Fries to snack on. Lil Rubber Duckie looked jealous in the background… .

The Boathouse Disney Springs

The Boathouse Truffle Fries

The Boathouse Disney Springs

The fries were another tasty, crispy addition to the Crab Cake. Our plates did not have an extra “handling plate” like we saw at Margaritaville in Universal’s CityWalk, but we appreciated the food runners using gloves and the plates were plenty big to prevent the runners’ hands from coming in contact with the food.

Payment

Once we were finished, our server brought us the check just like The Boathouse normally would pre-closure and we paid with a card. Margaritaville in CityWalk eliminated an extra trip to the server station by allowing guests to add a tip immediately when their checks were delivered. However, The Boathouse took the two trips we are used to seeing at restaurants — one check with your subtotal and another once your card has been processed.

The Boathouse Boatique

After we ate, we visited The Boathouse Boatique to see if they had any nautical masks to add to our stash, but they said they are not selling masks at this time.

Amphicars

The Amphicar Launch is scheduled to open today, but when we stopped by, there were not any guests using them. There were markers on the ground for guests to observe the cars — er, boats — er, amphicars.

The Boathouse Amphicar Do Not Stand Markers

The Boathouse Amphicar Do Not Stand Markers

Overall Experience

After our visit to The Boathouse, we thought that the new health and safety measures were well thought out and executed by the staff. Everyone we interacted with seemed happy to be back and were kind and attentive to guests. Although we felt like the servers were being careful and safe, we noticed The Boathouse’s approach was much less overt as Margaritaville in CityWalk. Margaritaville thoughtfully explained what was going on and how they were handing each item for our safety. The Boathouse was careful with distancing and sanitizing, but it felt like they were looking to maintain a similar guest experience to a pre-closure meal whenever possible.

What restaurant will you be visiting first when you go back to Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments below!

Related posts:

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  3. You’ve NEVER Shopped in Disney World Like This Before

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney dining tips, Disney Springs, Featured, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, advance dining reservation, Amphicars, crab cake, dining, Disney, disney dining, disney news, disney parks, disney reservations, disney restaurant, disney restaurants, disney springs, disney springs dining, disney springs reopening, disney springs restaurant, Disney World, Disney World reopening, disney world resort, reopening, rubber duckie, table service dining, The Boathouse, The Boathouse Boatique, walt disney world resort

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Disney Parks

Reopening Day of Disney Springs From Cast Members’ Perspectives

We’re here live for the official reopening of third party locations at Disney Springs.

Disney Springs

Many health and safety measures have been put into place, most of which are very new for Disney Springs employees and Cast Members. So, we thought we’d chat to a few Springs employees to see how their experiences have been on the first day of reopening.

Dining Cast Members and Employees

Of course, we’re checking in on all the dining locations in Disney Springs and we were curious to hear what the employees had to say about the reopenings.

Frontera Cocina

We grabbed a quick meal at Frontera Cocina today to see how they’re contending with new health protocols. Our server seemed to be in a really good mood. She told us that we should keep our one-use disposable menu as a historical souvenir. Ha! Maybe we will.

Frontera Cocina

Apparently, the staff came back a little bit early for new safety and health training. Even with the added health measures, the staff says they still want time at Frontera Cocina to feel like a fiesta!

The BOATHOUSE

Our experience at The BOATHOUSE brought us some tasty eats and showed us a lot about what the new health measures look like for this waterside restaurant. According to our server, training packets were sent out a week ago to staff and reopeners were brought in yesterday for some training.

Sever at The Boathouse

Our server also spoke pretty highly of the cleanliness at The BOATHOUSE. She said that, though she has worked in several restaurants, this one is the cleanest restaurant that she’s seen — even before the crisis.

Some behind-the-scenes measures at this location include that runners are changing gloves between tables, and cooks and chefs are on a 15-minute timer where they have to stop what they’re doing to wash their hands and change their gloves.

The Boathouse Food Runner

At The BOATHOUSE, staff members were given the option of whether they wanted to come back immediately or not. In the case of our server, she was ready to go and is excited to be back at work.

Wine Bar George

We absolutely love Wine Bar George so we were happy to sit down at this dining location. The staff was delightful, as usual. Our seater let us know that he was having a hard time not pulling our chairs out for us since they aren’t supposed to touch the chairs when guests are there.

Wine Bar George

Master Sommelier George Miliotes was actually in attendance. Yes, he is the “George” in Wine Bar George. George told us that he is very happy to be back, but it feels weird that he can’t smile at guests with his mask on. Don’t worry, he assured us that he WAS smiling when he talked to us.

George Miliotes

Our server let us know that staff was reduced at the start of the closure, so the staff that was kept is made up of some of the strongest employees. The team received lots of training and they feel comfortable and safe.

Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill

Over at Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, the new measures were similar. Our server explained that the team was called in on Monday for safety training and came in earlier today to rearrange tables for distancing.

Wolfgang Puck

Some behind-the-scenes measures here include hand sanitizer at every bussing station, pen sanitizing between use, and mandatory handwashing for all team members when they enter the kitchen.

Guest Relations Cast Members

We also spoke to some Guest Relations Cast Members about how Disney has been handling the reopening. Though the whole Guest Relations team is not called back just yet, a few of them are and they’re doing things a little differently.

Guest Relations Cast Member

Returning Guest Relations Cast had a 3-day training program that included courses on personal protective equipment (PPE), safety precautions, and how to seem friendly when communicating in a mask (AKA, just using your eyes and hands!).

Welcome Center at Disney Springs

As of now, the Welcome Center is open with limited capabilities but guests can not wait inside. Fuel Rods are available but since they are a high-touch item, the kiosk has to be wiped down frequently and after each use.

Merchandise Cast Members and Employees

We talked to some employees in merchandise locations for insight too! Folks at The BOATHOUSE Store told us that they are not selling face masks for now. Apparently, it was considered, but they didn’t want to be stuck with the inventory if masks stop being mandatory.

The Boathouse Amphicar Do Not Stand Markers

Over at Ron Jon Surf Shop, the General Manager was happy to relay some insight into their measures. The management team came in a week prior to opening to clean the store and set up for a return to business. Since then, they are instituting weekly calls with the team, supplying masks for team members that do not have one, and bringing employees in for new training.

Ron Jon Surf Shop

There are some of the insights from the employees and Cast Members who are getting Disney Springs running today.

We will be updating this post throughout the day as we talk to more Cast Members and employees in Disney Springs! Keep checking back for updates. 

What are your thoughts on all of the changes? Let us know in the comments below. 

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From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, Disney Springs, Featured, Walt Disney World, disney cast members, disney springs, disney springs reopening

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Disney Merch Disney Parks

You’ve NEVER Shopped in Disney World Like This Before

Today, we’re LIVE at the reopening of Disney Springs in Disney World.

Disney Springs

We’ve already shown you a look into parking, temperature checks, and we have also reviewed the new “Welcome Back” drink at Starbucks! But now its time for us to hit a few Disney Springs shops!

Disney announced many third party stores along with non-Disney owned restaurants would be permitted to reopen starting today, May 20th. We’re going to be stopping by each location to see how they each approached the new health and safety protocols, but we’ve got A LOT of ground to cover, so we’ll keep updating this post as we visit more stores! 

Disney Springs

And remember — Disney-owned locations (such as World of Disney) will begin reopening May 27th, but for, now, here’s what’s happening at some the Disney Springs retailers!

Anthropologie

We stopped by clothing and home decor retailer Anthropologie to see what modifications they’ve made for their reopening.

Anthropologie

A notice at the front welcomes guests back and includes a few of the safety measures the store is taking to keep guests and staff safe. This includes social distancing, keeping the store extra-clean with increased sanitary practices, and having associates available to address any concerns guests might have.

Anthropologie Sign

The biggest physical difference we spotted at the store is a large plexiglass shield has been installed at the cash registers.

Plexiglass at Anthropologie’s Cash Registers

We also saw a large bottle of hand sanitizer was put out for guests and employees to use.

Anthropologie

Uniqlo

We popped into Uniqlo to see what precautions they’re taking to keep their guests and workers safe. A greeter stationed at the door was also available to help with any online in-store pick-up orders!

Uniqlo

There was also new signage posted throughout the store including this welcome back sign which included some of Uniqlo’s new policies! They’re limiting capacity, practicing social distancing, accepting mobile payment, modifying some of their guest services such as having restrooms and fitting rooms open to guests while also encouraging guests to bag their own items.

Uniqlo Sign

Markers have been guided to add guests throughout the store. They’re more subtle than some of the markers we’ve seen other stores using, but they’re present.

Markers at Uniqlo

Plexiglass barriers have been installed at the cash registers at Uniqlo as well.

Plexiglass Shields at Uniqlo’s Cash Registers

We also saw Uniqlo employees wiping down the card readers at the checkout counter between each guest’s transaction!

Basin

We stopped by Basin bright and early this morning to see what was happening inside this store that sells luxury bath and body products!

Basin

This store sells tons of beautiful soaps, bath bombs, and all sorts of wonderful smelling-stuff! Even though we were wearing our face masks, we could still smell all the wonderful scents in the air! While you CAN still handle the product, Basin requests you keep your “touching of stuff” to a minimum.

Basin Reopening

We also discovered Basin has bundles of travel-sized hand sanitizer for sale — it’s their own Premium brand and includes essential oils to keep your hands from becoming too dry! $20 will buy you a three-pack!

Hand Sanitizer at Basin

You CAN still test the products and wash your hands inside of Basin (do note that there are portable handwashing stations outside)! The samples are applied using disposable wooden sinks, which you can rinse them off using a touchless faucet.

Basin Reopening

Social distancing for customers was also being encouraged while markers showed guests where to stand while waiting to checkout.

Arribas Bros.

Next, we stopped by Arribas Bros. to see what changes they are implementing.

Arribas Bros.

Overall, the store looked pretty normal with loads of sparkly glass sculptures and crystal ornaments everywhere we turned.

Arribas Bros.

We noticed a sign on the counter which provided additional safety information to guests. Cashless payments are not required but they are encouraged at this time.

Arribas Bros.

And Cast Members were on hand to answer any questions! So far, each shop we’ve visited has had a greeter stationed right at its front door!

Arribas Bros.

Signs on the counter also requested guests not to handle merchandise excessively. Additional items weren’t on display but you could request a Cast Member to show them to you.

Arribas Bros.

There were also some signs on the ground indicating where guests should stand while waiting in line to make a purchase.

Arribas Bros.

Ron Jon Surf Shop

At Ron Jon Surf Shop, we were able to have a quick chat with one of the managers. He said the team came in about a week ago to start cleaning the store and set up to welcome back guests. At check out, employees are now wiping down touchscreens in between each guest.

Ron Jon Surf Shop

The team has also been having weekly calls to discuss the new procedures so that everyone would be ready to go once the store reopened. Everyone came in an hour early today to receive additional training while new signage had been put up and requesting guests to stay 6 feet apart while shopping.

Ron Jon Signage

Ron Jon is ONLY accepting cashless payments at this time. 

Ron Jon Surf Shop Not Accepting Cash Payments

Free People

We were too early to get in Free People, but we’ll circle back soon to check it out!

Free People reopening today

We did notice a sign on the door. Here’s what it said.

Sign on Free People’s Door

Free People has stated certain procedures and policies will be modified such as increased cleaning routines, masks required for all employees, reduced hours, social distancing reminders, limiting occupancy, and installing plexiglass guards at the cash registers. We’ll be back to check them out shortly.

Volcom

Again, we were a little too early for Volcom, but we did see an announcement posted on its door.

Volcom

The letter made us very interested to see what safety measures they’ve instituted. We’ll definitely be back after our dining reservations to check out their stuff.

Volcom

We’ve got some meals to run off to, but for now, check out everything you need to know about wearing face masks in Disney Springs!

We will be updating this post with new information, so be sure to check back. And if you have ANY questions about shopping in Disney Springs, please let us know!

Which protocols would help you feel safest as a shopper? Let us know in the comments!

Related posts:

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  3. What’s New at Disney Springs: Construction and Restaurant Updates, New Jewelry and Charms, Fun Star Wars Updates, and MORE!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney merchandise, Disney Springs, Walt Disney World, advance dining reservation, American Threads, antropologie, arribas bros, Basin, chapel hats, columbia sportswear, crystal art, crystal art by arribas bros, Disney, Disney merchandise, disney reservations, disney restaurant, disney shopping, disney springs, disney springs dining, disney springs reopening, disney springs restaurant, Disney World, Disney World reopening, disney world resort, edward beiner eyewear, free people, happy hound, health, lucky Brand, luxury of time by diamonds international, merchandise, Pandora, payment, pele soccer, pop gallery, reopening, ron jon, Ron Jon Surf Shop, sanitation, sanitizer, sanuk, Savannah Bee Company, shopping, sosa family cigars, Sugarboo and Co, ugg, Uniqlo, unode50, Vera Bradley, volcom, walt disney world resort

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Disney Parks Other

Everything You Need to Know About Face Masks in Disney Springs — Including Tips

We’ve been taking you around Disney Springs with us today to show you what the new procedures look like now that some of the stores and restaurants in Walt Disney World’s shopping and dining district have started to reopen.

Disney Springs

While we’ve seen many new safety measures being implemented throughout Disney Springs today, one of the biggest changes has been seeing everyone — from guests to Cast Members — wearing face coverings.

We want to provide you with some additional information regarding face masks in Disney Springs as well as what our first-hand experience wearing them has been like!

When Do You Have To Wear a Face Mask at Disney Springs

Currently, Disney Springs requires all Cast Members and guests to wear face coverings.

Required Measures sign

Children under the age of three aren’t required to wear one, but everyone else is.

Cast Member with required face mask

You will not be permitted to enter Disney Springs without wearing a face mask and you must wear it for the duration of your stay with a few exceptions, which we’ll discuss below.

Advent Health Cast Member at Temperature Screening

It’s important to know that though there were a VERY limited number of disposable masks available at the temperature screening areas, these are given as a last resort, and there are NO guarantees that any will be available.

New Protocols to Enter Disney Springs

We learned that Cast Members have been provided with three washable, reusable masks. And they are also allowed to bring their own, provided they meet established criteria.

Is Disney Selling Face Masks?

We are in the midst of our day at Disney Springs, and — at press time — retail locations are only starting to open. However, at this point, we have not spotted any masks for sale. (We will be checking more locations and notifying you here if this changes throughout the day.)

Free People reopening today

That said, the only locations open during this initial phase are operated by third-party vendors. Select Disney-owned and operated locations will be opening one week from today on May 27th, including the World of Disney store. While we do not know if they will be selling face coverings, we will certainly be checking and reporting upon their reopening.

When Can You Take Your Face Mask Off?

You can take your face mask off when you are seated at a restaurant or when you need to eat or drink.

Starbucks at Disney Springs Today

Now, this is fairly clear-cut when you are at a counter service or table service restaurant where you will occupy a table. But what if you are, say, grabbing a beverage at Starbucks or Joffrey’s and plan to walk around with it?

Starbucks at Disney Springs Today

In speaking with several Cast Members, we were informed that — if you have food or drink in hand — you may keep your mask lowered while you eat or drink.

Some Tips for Wearing Face Masks at Disney Springs

Disney Springs isn’t the only venue where face masks are required. We have had previous experience wearing them upon the reopening of Universal Orlando’s CityWalk, and found that the actual wearing of the mask does take a bit of getting used to.

Guest Relations Cast Member

We recommend maybe taking a few walks outside with a mask prior to visiting. We’ve also found it helpful to have some form of lip balm handy if you find your lips get a bit dry.

Remember, required face coverings are only one of the many new safety measures being implemented at Disney Springs — you can read more about all the measures here. We will continue to keep you posted on our Disney Springs visit today, and hope you stay tuned with us!

Do you have any questions about face masks at Disney Springs that we didn’t answer? Let us know in the comments below!

Related posts:

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From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Counter-Service, disney merchandise, Disney Springs, Featured, Snacks, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, cannot enter disney springs without a face mask, cast members, disney springs, disney springs reopening, face masks, for sale, guests, how do face masks works, must wear mask, phased reopening, safety measures, safety procedures, what’s the deal with face masks, when do you have to wear face masks at disney springs, when don’t you have to wear face masks in disney springs

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Disney Parks

Can I Still Wash My Hands at Basin in Disney Springs?! We Have All the Details Here

If you haven’t heard, we’re at Disney Springs to see what’s changed as it reopens from its multi-month closure.

Basin Reopening

Almost 50 Disney Springs locations, restaurants and shops, opened with the complex today and we’ve been checking in with a bunch of our favorites. We’ve stopped by Frontera Cocina, The Boathouse, and more; but there’s one retail location that we’re particularly interested in stopping by. How exactly does a SOAP STORE focus on cleanliness? That’s right, we’re headed to Basin!

Basin is a store in Disney Springs with a wide variety of bath and body products — namely, some really cool soaps. Prior to the closures, the name of the game here was touching all of the soap and body product samples. Have things changed now that there’s a focus on handwashing and refraining from touching things? Let’s see!

Basin Reopening

We were welcomed in by a masked greeter at the door who is there to control capacity. Like many Disney Springs locations, there are markers on the ground outside for when the store is full and guests need to distance in the queue.

Basin Reopening Employee

The store looks pretty much the same on the inside. Guests are asked to keep handling products to a minimum.

Basin Reopening

Distancing is also encouraged with guests asked to remain six feet away from other parties.

Basin Reopening

Still, you CAN handle the product! You can smell all of the bath bombs, soaps, etc.

Basin Reopening

The handwashing stations in the center of the store were clean and samples are still available. You will throw away the stick used for the product once you’re done with it. These sinks are touchless and napkins are available as well.

Basin Reopening

This station is another way to get in some of that regular handwashing when you’re not near the handwashing stations outside.

Basin Reopening

They did still have baskets out to help you carry your new product too. We couldn’t tell if they are sanitizing the handles between guests.

Basin Reopening

Speaking of sanitizing, Basin actually had a deal on a 3-pack of premium hand sanitizer.

Basin Reopening

You can snag the 3-pack for $20.

Basin Reopening

The check-out queue had some distancing stickers on the ground. As usual, it’s one party per sticker.

Basin Reopening

As you can see, all of the Basin employees had masks on too.

Basin Reopening

So, as you can see, Basin is still allowing guests to interact with the product as they did before the closure in the store and overall the location is still pretty hands-on.

We’re checking in at a LOT more Disney Springs locations today, so keep following along at DFB for all the updates!

What do you think of the changes at Basin? Tell us in the comments!

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  3. NEWS: Anthropologie Will Be Reopening at Disney Springs in Disney World on May 20th

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney merchandise, Disney News, Disney Springs, Featured, Walt Disney World, Basin, basin disney springs, disney springs, Disney Springs health measures, disney springs reopening, health and safety measures