The first place we wanted to head yesterday was World of Disney so we could get our long-overdue Disney merch fix. But we weren’t the only ones! The line to get into World of Disney yesterday was absolutely CRAZY — they even used a virtual queue! But today, it seems like crowds are a little more manageable today.
When we arrived at World of Disney this morning, we were somewhat shocked to see that there was no line at all to get into the store. Multi-hour wait, who? Virtual queue, who? We don’t know them.
World of Disney Today
Yup, those crowds are GONE. Much like the first few days of the Disney Springs reopening, we saw the complex go from packed to pretty empty. We were able to walk right up to and into World of Disney, even as Cast Members continue to monitor capacity.
World of Disney Today
We guess that first-day hype died down pretty quickly! So, if you were thinking of taking a trip to World of Disney, but weren’t jazzed about a multi-hour wait; that no longer seems to be the case (today at least!!).
From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney merchandise, Disney News, Disney Springs, Featured, Walt Disney World, crowds, disney springs, disney springs reopening, World of Disney, World of Disney Reopening
When Disney officials announced that Disney Springs would re-open in phases, I wasn’t sure how long and spread out each phase would be. Now, we have entered the second phase in which some Disney owned and operated locations have reopened – the biggest of which is the massive World of Disney store. This new phase brings a surge of Disney energy back into Disney Springs. A member of our field research team ventured there to scope out what was open and what it is like to visit Disney Springs during this next reopening phase.
Disney Springs Food Trucks Are Gone
Virtual Queue for World of Disney and Marketplace Co-op
Most likely this will not be the case long term, but at the moment guests wanting to enter World of Disney or Marketplace Co-op need to enter a “Virtual Queue.” What that means is that you check in with a Cast Member at the entrance to the store, providing your phone number, and they will text you when it is your turn to enter the store. This is similar to the system that is used for waiting for a table at many full-service restaurants at Walt Disney World. The challenge is that the communication about this from Disney to its guests has not been that great. This resulted in lots of folks crowding around the entrance, unaware of what to do. Our field team counted 359 people in line for the virtual queue, as in to get their name into the system, at World of Disney around 10:45 a.m. on reopening day. I am hopeful that this is purely because of reopening day hype.
World of Disney ExitWorld of Disney Purchases
Other Disney Owned Locations Remain Closed at Disney Springs
Many of the smaller venues that are owned and operated by Disney have not yet reopened. Places like Candy Cauldron and Disney Style at West Side remain closed. We can theorize multiple reasons for this including staffing, the size of the venue, and overall demand each particular retail location not warranting the cost it would take to have it open at the moment. Reopening stores in phases does allow Disney and their hardworking Cast Members to get used to the new procedures before expanding the locations. To our field research team’s deep dismay Amorette’s Patisserie and The Ganachery also remain closed.
Candy Cauldron Remains ClosedThe Ganachery Disney Springs Remains ClosedAmorette’s Disney Springs Remains Closed
Exit Only Doors at Many Locations
To help with social distancing and crowd flow, many location have designated entrance doors and exit only doors. It is interesting to see the signs in place. One has to imagine that this may get difficult to manage if Disney Springs becomes busier over the summer once the theme parks reopen.
Additional Changes at Disney Springs
Required face coverings and temperature scans do remain in place, and will for quite some time. Additional changes to Disney Springs include the elimination of paper guide maps. The brochure stands were removed from the entrances to Disney Springs. The LEGO Store is another location that reopened this week, but the interactive play area remains closed – no surprise there. The Disney Food Trucks were removed from the West Side – goodbye cookie dough food truck, we barely knew thee.
LEGO Store Play Area Closed Disney SpringsDisney Springs Maps and Guides Removed
With all this reduction in offerings at Disney Springs there was one surprising addition: Stormtroopers. These Stormtroopers stood on a balcony in the Town Center, above Ever After Jewelry, with First Order banners draped beneath them. Their addition surprised me immensely. Turns out they are their to provide an entertaining way to get social distancing messaging across. Perhaps they are also a test for how to incorporate this type of entertainment and messaging into the theme parks when they reopen.
Ever After Jewelry Disney Springs Remains Closed – And the First Order has moved in
Our field research team, having visited Disney Springs a few times now, recommends bringing multiple face coverings or masks if you plan to be at Disney Springs long, to help with the heat, rain, and humidity. We also encourage you to be prepared for adjustments in procedures at the situation progresses. We will keep you posted with updates to our TouringPlans blog and social media channels.
Goofy’s Candy Company Disney Springs ClosedDisney Springs Sprinkles Cupcakes ClosedDaily Poutine Disney Springs Is Now Open
As mentioned, it seems Disney could have done a better job communicating the virtual queue process for its big merchandise stores. Other than that, things seem to be going fairly smoothly at Disney Springs, all things considered. Will you visit Disney Springs anytime soon? Let us know in the comments.
Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s the Characters in Flight hot air balloon! The Disney Springs hot air balloon has officially reopened for guests.
Aerophile’s Characters in Flight is a landmark attraction located at the west side of Disney Springs. The tethered hot air balloon flight takes guests up to 400 ft in the air. Depending upon the weather, you can see up to 10 miles away with the stunning views provided by the flight above Disney Springs.
It’s an 8-minute long ride aboard a tethered hot air balloon. The ride is quite fun for guests looking to try a unique experience at Walt Disney World Resort. We enjoy the waterfront views and ambiance of the attraction. It’s an easy journey into the sky for guests of all ages to enjoy. The attraction is weather dependent, so it won’t operate if there’s strings winds and excessive rain storms.
Tickets can be purchased at the attraction location on a first-come, first-served basis. Pricing:
$20 for adults (ages 10 and older)
$15 for children (ages 3 to 9)
If you rode the Characters in Flight hot air balloon in the past, then tell us your thoughts of the experience in the comments section!
From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Disney Springs, Walt Disney World, Aerophile, Characters in Flight, hot air balloon ride, Hot Air Balloon
The World of Disney celebrated its grand reopening at Disney Springs this week. We visited Disney Springs to capture the experience and tour the store.
The World of Disney (WOD) is implementing social distancing and other revised rules to comply with the CDC guidelines. The store is currently accepting only a limited capacity of guests, so plan on allowing more time when visiting Disney Springs to accommodate your wait in line. The wait time on the first day back exceeded three hours at one point!
We went in person to survey the WOD store and see what new merchandise is currently available. You can watch the video of our shopping experience here.
Guests will find glass barriers at cash registers and space markers on the floor to promote social distancing among customers. Even though it’s a new sight to see, it does show Disney is diligent about advocating health and safety.
We enjoyed seeing the new summer merchandise at World of Disney today. Walking through the store brought a smile to the face of visitors since it felt good to see Disney Springs slowly returning to normal activity.
Let us know your comments if you plan on visiting World of Disney this weekend!
From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Parks & Resorts, Disney Springs, Walt Disney World, Disney Springs reopens, Disney Store, wod, World of Disney
Earlier today, Disney World paused hotel reservations and ticket purchases. Guests may have also realized that they were unable to make advance dining reservations on the Disney World website or My Disney Experience app later in the day. Disney World has now added a message to the site confirming that dining and other experience reservations are unavailable at this time.
While the travel information page of the website indicates that “reservations will resume at a later date,” there is currently no timeframe available for when guests will once again be able to make reservations.
Disney World made its reopening proposal today, so we will continue to keep an eye on any changes in the availability of dining reservations to keep you informed.
From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Buffet, Character Dining, disney parks, Featured, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, advance dining reservation, advance dining reservations, dining, Disney, disney dining, disney reservations, disney restaurant, disney springs, disney springs dining, disney springs reopening, disney springs restaurant, Disney World, Disney World reopening, disney world resort, Disney World Website, My Disney Experience, reopening, table service dining, walt disney world resort
