Tag: face masks

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How To Choose The BEST Masks for Summer in Disney World!

There’s no denying that Disney World is very hot and humid in the summertime. And with the new requirement of face masks for all Guests and Cast Members as a part of the reopening of Disney Springs, as well as masks required when Disney World reopens its theme parks beginning July 11th, it is totally normal to have some questions about how to stay comfortable in a face mask this summer. It’s a new experience for many of us!

Disney Springs Safety Ambassadors © Disney

While we navigate these new realities for the time being, we’re bringing you some tips for finding the most comfortable masks around. We gathered some helpful information to keep in mind when purchasing masks to use this summer!

What Kind of Materials and Masks to Look For

There are a few key factors to look for when shopping for masks. When it comes to meeting Disney’s requirements, the official statement noted “the use of appropriate face coverings by both Cast Members and Guests.” ‘Face coverings’ may sound a little vague but as a rule of thumb, you want to make sure the mask covers both your nose and your mouth.

© Harvey’s

What we’ve found is that breathable fabric is the key! You are going to want to look for 100% cotton when purchasing a standard face mask.

©LittleShopOfGeeks on Etsy

And don’t forget about the material of the strap! The wrong kind of strap in the heat can make it SUPER uncomfortable around your ears, especially if worn for prolonged periods of time. If you’re concerned about this, there are masks that come with straps that go around your head that you can adjust with either elastic or ties.

Making Sure It Fits Properly

A mask that is too tight can make breathing more difficult than it needs to be. You want to make sure it fits snug enough that it won’t fall off, but you don’t want to wear a mask that is too small that it constricts your breathing or too large to not be effective. Keep this in mind for children too — their heads are a bit smaller and they may be more comfortable with a child-sized mask.

Mask Sizing Chart on shopDisney

Test your mask out prior to wearing it on vacation to make sure it’s going to be comfortable to wear all day. We recommend washing them a few times to see if they shrink or warp. The last thing you want to discover is you packed a ton of masks that don’t fit properly anymore due to laundering!

Take Extra Precautions So You’re Comfortable All Day

Before you leave home on vacation, you may want to spend some time getting used to wearing a face mask for prolonged periods of time.

Quick trips to the grocery store won’t compare to spending all day in a theme park, so wear one around the house for a few full days to grow accustomed to all-day wear. Or better yet — wear it outside. Go for a long walk or mow the lawn and see how you feel in the heat with your mask.

Entering Magic Kingdom

When you’re in the parks, take frequent breaks — perhaps more breaks than you’re used to taking. If you’re typically someone who hits the pavement hard rushing around Disney World, consider walking through the parks at a more leisurely pace while managing a mask.

Nomad Lounge in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Speaking of breaks, consider taking longer mid-day breaks and go back to your hotel room where you can completely remove your face mask for a longer stretch of time. Hotel breaks are always a good idea, in general, to keep your energy and spirits up over the course of your vacation, and they can really come in handy this summer!

Masks will not be required while swimming at resort pools, so a mid-day pool break may be a welcome relief.

Beach Club Resort

If you aren’t planning to do laundry during your stay, be sure to use a new mask every day. On top of that, be prepared to change your mask at least once per day while you are in the parks. This is especially true in summer when you’re visiting Disney World — be prepared for RAIN.

Rain, rain, go away!

Once a mask becomes wet it is considered no longer useful, so have extra face masks packed in your park bag if you don’t plan on going back to your hotel.

Find or Make Masks With Summer or Disney Patterns and Prints!

Whether you are making your own masks or looking to buy them, make your masks ready for summer with some fun prints! Maybe have different themed masks to match each of the four theme parks, or maybe match the resort you’re staying at!

©BitOfMagicCo on Etsy

The choices are really endless and your face mask can be another way to rep your favorite Disney character, sports team, band, or perhaps just your favorite color or pattern.

While we are faced with the reality of needing to wear face masks for the time being, we can certainly make the most out of the situation and make sure we are as comfortable (and perhaps a bit stylish) as possible.

Do you currently have plans to visit Disney World this summer? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, Walt Disney World, Disney Face Masks, Disney World, face masks, summer, summer 2020

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6 Things That REALLY Surprised Us About the Reopening of Universal Orlando

We spent yesterday at Universal Orlando attending a special Annual Passholder preview!

Gringotts

And while we had some idea what to expect based on the new health and safety measures we’d already experienced when several CityWalk stores and restaurants began to reopen on May 14th, we knew our first time back to an ACTUAL theme park was probably going to look and feel A LOT more different!

We had prepared ourselves for temperature screenings, social distancing, and wearing a face covering for the duration of our stay, but that doesn’t mean we weren’t thrown a few curveballs along the way! Here are a couple of things that really surprised us the most about our visit to the newly reopened Universal Studios!

Which Attractions Are Harder to Ride with Face Masks

We were totally expecting our face masks to fly off on Universal’s most-thrilling rides such as Hollywood’s Rip Ride Rockit or The Incredible Hulk Coaster (luckily we brought some back-ups, just in case!). But strangely enough, the speed of these attractions actually helps to hold your face mask in place!

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

The rides that proved to be the most challenging for us were ones where you had to wear 3D glasses such as Skull Island: Reign of Kong or Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. Our breath kept fogging up the lenses until we figured out if we wore our glasses over our masks, it helped cut down on the fogginess!

See what our experience was like on several Universal attractions while wearing face mask here!

Mobile Order Was Glitchy

Universal’s Mobile Order was having a rough go of it yesterday! Even though Universal offered Mobile Order at select restaurants before the temporary closures, a bunch of new locations have been added to the app — even the walk-up spots at Diagon Alley!

Mobile Order Pickup Line at The Hopping Pot

But all of these extra locations really added a lot of strain to the already struggling system (we even had some issues with the Virtual Line Experience in the early A.M.). The app was crashing a lot or not work properly throughout the day. This was the first day of Annual Passholder previews though, so hopefully Universal will be able to work out the kinks over the next few days.

Read more about troubleshooting Universal’s mobile order system here!

Characters Were Everywhere

Even though we couldn’t walk up and hug our favorite characters, we were really shocked by how many of them were out!

Dr. Seuss Characters

Several sectioned-off stage areas have been set up throughout the parks where you can watch and wave to your favorite characters! We saw a bunch of Dr. Suess dudes (including the Lorax and the Grinch!) hanging out in Suessland yesterday along with some of The Simpsons, Blues Brothers, Hello Kitty, Beetlejuice, Spiderman, and lots MORE! Many of these characters wore masks, but there were also a few who did not.

While Disney has shared that character meet-and-greets will be suspended, we’re eager to see if they interact like the character at Universal did.

Water Rides and Misting Effects Were Running

While earlier Universal had stated some of their rides that involve water such as Jurassic Park River Adventure might not reopen with the rest of the park, we were surprised to see it running yesterday! Guests are permitted to remove their masks once they board water rides and are they seated in an every-other row!

One note on water rides, do hold onto your mask in your lap because it would be very easy for it to fly away!

Jurassic Park River Adventure

We were also told water effect features on some rides (such as misters) would be deactivated, but on The Incredible Hulk Coaster and Escape From Gringotts, they were STILL working!

Personal Wand Shopper at Ollivanders

Something we were truly amazed to see was how Ollivanders Wand Shop is operating now!

Hogsmeade

To keep the shop from becoming too crowded, each guest is given their own personal attendant! You can’t handle the wands like you could before, but we think the one-on-one service is pretty nifty!

Virtual Lines Aren’t the Same as FastPassses

Since we’re so used to using Disney World’s FastPass+, it took us a little time to figure out Universal’s virtual queue system is a bit different. We traveled with a group of two and since the apps aren’t linked, we were able to make two reservations at one time. There aren’t any tiers so our two reservations could be made for the same ride.

And despite having a guaranteed ride time, there were still about a 20-30 minute wait to ride each attraction (unlike FastPass where you usually just walk-on). With no preshows, for the time being, the wait can feel a little long.

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

But similar to the My Disney Experience app, once you use one of your reservations, you can make another. We also noticed when we refreshed the app, sometimes new Virtual Line Venues appeared like they sometimes do when you refresh the available FastPasses.

Click here to learn of the virtual queue system works at Universal Studios!

We’ll be back at Universal tomorrow reporting all day once the theme parks officially open to the public, so stay tuned! And if you have any questions on the new processes that theme parks are implementing, please let us know!

Did you attend Universal’s Annual Passholder preview? What surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments below!

Related posts:

  1. Here’s A Look at the Safety Measures Being Discussed By Major U.S. Theme Parks Right Now
  2. Universal Studios Has EXTENDED Its Temporary Closure
  3. Universal Orlando’s CityWalk Has Just Reopened! See What Our Experience Was Like Here!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, News, 3d glasses, 3d goggles, 3d rides, characters, face masks, masks, Mobile Order, ollivanders, roller coasters, surprising, Universal Orlando, Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios, virtual lines, virtual queues, wand shop, water rides

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Which Face Masks are the MOST Comfortable to Wear ALL DAY at Disney World…And Which Should You Avoid?

Searching for the perfect face covering can be a frustrating and overwhelming endeavor. There are SO many styles of masks out there, with all different sorts of materials, straps, and patterns imaginable.

Guests with Face Coverings in Disney Springs

If you’re one of the people that stays from rope drop to close, you’ll be looking at twelve or more hours living with your face mask, so comfort is going to be KEY. And with Disney requiring face coverings for all guests above the age of two, it’s advantageous to ensure you’re happy with your mask choice BEFORE you head out to the parks!

What face-covering material is the most comfortable and/or  effective?

The CDC recommends that cloth face masks are the most effective when slowing the spread of illness and keeping others safe. But not all types of cloth are created equal, and some are touted as more comfortable and effective than others.

Cast Member with required face mask

When shopping for face masks, you will want to look for materials that are lightweight and breathable. In terms of effectiveness, the material that seems to work best at keeping air-borne particles at bay is a tightly-woven fabric such as cotton.

The number of layers does not seem to be a factor in effectiveness when you have a mask that is made out of these tighter-woven materials (though many still advocate for 2-layers at least). Face masks made of silk or a silk-cotton combination also seem to be effective.

Look for masks with a soft ear loop material

If you opt for a mask with ear loops, the material of the loops is just as important as the material of the face covering itself!

The traditional elastic material commonly used for ear straps can cause discomfort for some if worn over a prolonged period of time. Those elastic straps can wear on your ears and cause irritation, especially in the heat if you start sweating. We found these masks on Amazon that use softer material for the ear straps!

© Amazon

This pack of three is multi-layered and features a soft ear loop material. They’re $15.99 on Amazon.

Shop for this three-pack of face masks here!

These next masks come with a nose bridge wire, offering a closer fit around your nose so those with glasses do not need to worry about fogging up!

© Amazon

These masks also have two layers of fabric, providing more protection for those around you! You can pick up a set of two for $12.50.

Shop for these two-layered face masks here!

Invest in some ear hooks

If the masks you currently use have those traditional elastics, you can purchase a set of ear hooks that take the pressure off of your ears! There are two types of hooks we looked into. The first hook sits on the back of your head and features several “knobs” that the elastics loop around.

© Amazon

These have decent reviews on Amazon and allow the wearer to adjust to three different sizes! You can shop a pack of ten for $13.99.

Shop for these ear hooks here!

The next set of ear relief is these ear protectors that go around the straps themselves, giving your ears a more “cushioned” fit.

© Amazon

You can get a pack of five on Amazon for $7.99. This is a fairly inexpensive way to make your masks comfier around your ears without having to invest in a new set of masks!

Stock up on a pack of ear protectors here!

Shop for masks with adjustable ties

Regardless of how comfortable the ear loop material is, if it doesn’t fit, it can still cause irritation and provide for a less-than-stellar experience. Many masks come in one standard size, and even some masks with elastic earloops don’t exactly fit a “one-size-fits-all” model.

Vera Bradley Face Mask

If you have a mask that is too small or too large, you may run into some trouble if you cannot adjust the size of your mask! One way to avoid an ear catastrophe altogether is to wear a mask with ties that go around your head. The benefits of masks with ties are that you can adjust the tightness of the ties to your liking, plus it removes all of the discomfort around your ears.

© Amazon

You can pick up this face mask with long ties to fit around your head and neck on Amazon for $12.99.

Shop for this face mask with ties here!

When in doubt, go for a face covering with no straps at all!

If you’ve exhausted all of those traditional face mask options and you can’t seem to solve the ear problem, go with a face buff! Also known as a “neck gaiter,” these are a single piece of cloth that wraps around the lower half of your face and extends down your neck.

Many of these neck gaiters, like this one on Amazon, are moisture-wicking, meaning your face will stay dry all day long. We find kids have a VERY easy time wearing this style of mask if yours are picky like ours!

© Amazon

You can grab this neck gaiter on Amazon for $15.95. Note that these are not made out of cotton and are 80% polyesters and 20% spandex, so these will not be AS effective as a cotton cloth mask. If you find these to be more comfortable, be prepared to wash these more frequently!

Shop for this first neck gaiter here!

Some have raised concerns that the tightness of these may be uncomfortable. We suggest picking one up and testing it out for yourself! These are often used in sporting and other physical activities such as biking, fishing, etc. If tightness is still a concern, we found a neck gaiter with a looser fit.

© Amazon

This neck gaiter is also available on Amazon for $13.99.

Shop for this neck gaiter here!

What types of face coverings should you AVOID?

Per CDC guidelines, at this time surgical masks or N-95 respirators are still encouraged to be avoided for personal use and to leave those types of face coverings in supply for health care professionals. Another type of face masks that have been seen in public are those with “breathing valves.”

© Amazon

While they may seem appealing due to the increased breathability, research indicates that the valves allow air and particles to be exhaled out, and if the wearer is an asymptomatic carrier, pathogens could easily escape through the valves of the mask.

This makes these types of masks less effective at protecting others, which is the primary reason for the face-covering protocols.

Face Masks at American Threads

No matter what mask you choose to wear, experts recommend that you wash your mask after every use. So if you are visiting Disney World for a week this summer, be prepared to hand-wash or machine wash your mask every day, or bring enough masks to last the week!

American Threads Face Masks

When it comes to comfort, you may need to try several masks to see what will work best for you! Regardless of which mask you choose, we suggest you spend a couple of days wearing it for an extended period of time to grow accustomed to prolonged wear before heading to the parks. When it comes to effectiveness, a cloth mask made with tightly-woven cotton is going to be your best bet.

Interested in making your own face mask? Learn how to do so here!

What face masks have you found to be the most comfortable? Share in the comments!

Related posts:

  1. We Asked Our Readers: “Should Disney World Give out Free Masks for Guests?” Here’s What They Said.
  2. 7 Tips For Wearing a Face Covering in Disney World
  3. What Will Happen if You Refuse To Wear A Mask In Disney World?

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, Walt Disney World, cloth face masks, Disney Face Masks, Disney World, face coverings, face masks

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The ULTIMATE GUIDE to the Reopened Disney Springs in Disney World!

On May 20th, Disney Springs began a phased reopening. And we’ve been there every step of the way to see how each business has been adapting to the changes.

Disney Springs

In fact, we’ve been visiting every day so we can report back on all the dining, shopping, and safety info you need.

Since we’ve written A LOT on the subject, we wanted to provide you with the “ultimate guide” to navigating the newly reopened Disney Springs! We have the scoop on all of the health and safety measures taking place as well as where to eat, drink, and shop and how eating, drinking, and shopping will look! Here’s EVERYTHING you need to know!

Entering Disney Springs

In order to help enforce the new health and safety precautions in place, the process for entering Disney Springs is a bit different than we’ve seen in the past.

Temperature Screening

There are differences in parking, where you can enter, and what you need to know and do before you go.

Operating Hours

Disney Springs is officially operating with reduced hours (10AM to 10PM).

Disney Springs

However, those hours are subject to change. To align with Orange County’s temporarily enacted curfew, Disney Springs is operating only until 7PM until further notice.

Parking

Surface parking lots and valet are unavailable. Currently, parking is only available in the Lime and Orange Parking Garages to help reduce capacity, and once these garages are full, guests won’t be able to park there and visit Disney Springs.

Orange Parking Garage

We have seen that the Orange Parking Garage has been opening well before 9AM most days. Of course, this is always subject to change.

Entrances

At this time, there are only five entrances open to Disney Springs, all of which have temperature screening checkpoints.

This Way to Temperature Screening

The entrances are at the Orange and Lime garages, the Marketplace Entrance, the bus loop near Town Center, and the rideshare drop off area.

All your questions about the reopened Disney Springs, ANSWERED!

Health and Safety Initiatives

Guests will notice a number of health and safety precautions throughout Disney Springs, some of which they’ll experience before they even have the chance to enter.

AdventHealth Signage

From what face coverings to wear to what temperature you cannot exceed to what social distancing you’ll see, we’re going to cover all of the protocols Disney has implemented below.

Face Coverings

All guests aged 2 and older are required to wear a proper face covering while visiting Disney Springs — guests without masks will not be admitted.

Advent Health Cast Member at Temperature Screening

These face coverings should cover your nose and mouth, fit snugly, be secured with ties or ear loops, and be made of a breathable material. The face coverings can either be a reusable fabric mask or disposable.

Required Measures Sign

It’s important to keep in mind you must wear your face mask for the entire duration of your visit. The only times you’re allowed to take it off are when you’re seated in a restaurant or walking around with a food or drink in hand, in which case you’re allowed to lower your mask.

Click here to learn when you will and won’t have to wear a mask in Disney World

Temperature Screenings

In addition to mandatory face masks, all guests are required to have their temperature checked before entering Disney Springs. Health care workers from AdventHeath are providing temperature screenings for guests to help ensure accuracy.

Disney Springs

Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees and above will not be allowed to enter.

Temperature Check

If a guest does test with an elevated temperature, they’re allowed to attempt a second screening a few minutes later after waiting in a tented “cool down” area. But if they still test above the maximum temperature, they will be asked to leave along with their entire party.

Rescreening Tent

Though there is a temperature check, there is no bag check to enter Disney Springs.

Click here to learn more about temperature checks in Disney World

Increased Sanitation

Guests will find hand sanitizer stations throughout Disney Springs.

Hand sanitizer station

Portable handwashing stations are also located throughout Disney Springs. They’re highly visible and easy to locate, but if you need to use one and can’t find it on your own, ask a friendly Cast Member, and they’ll be happy to direct you!

Click here to see the handwashing stations in Disney Springs

Social Distancing Squads

Speaking of wonderful Cast Members, we’ve had our first chance encounter with the Social Distancing Squad at Disney Springs!

Cast Member

These Cast Members are on hand to provide guests with additional support while ensuring nobody is breaking any rules.

Click here to learn more about these Cast Members

Social Distancing

In order to reduce contact between guests, there are social distancing markers placed throughout Disney Springs.

World of Disney Social Distancing Stickers

While Disney has its own standard set of social distancing markers, other third-party businesses are using their own signage. For instance, Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company is using coffee bean floor decals to show guests where to stand and keep them at a six-foot distance.

Joffrey’s Coffee Bean Distancing Markers

Click here to learn more about the social distancing markers in Disney Springs

Dining in Disney Springs

While not all dining locations have reopened in Disney Springs, guests will find a wide variety of options to choose from, with new locations continuing to open.

George Miliotes at Wine Bar George’s Reopening

From new utensil dispensers to contactless menus, and mobile order payment updates, we’ve seen a bunch of new procedures at some of our favorite places to dine in Disney World.

Table Service Dining

Since May 20th, we’ve eaten at STK, The Boathouse, Wine Bar George, Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, T-Rex, Frontera Cocina, and more table service spots to see what changes they’ve implemented.

Sever at The Boathouse

Changes at table service locations include, but are not limited to: lower capacity, socially distanced tables, and single-use paper menus. We’ve also noticed some locations providing disposable bags to store our masks, and using contactless payment methods.

digital Checkout at STK

Note that at this time, reservations for Table-Service restaurants can NOT be made through the My Disney Experience app, but certain locations are currently bookable on Open Table or directly through the restaurants.

See what it’s like to dine at several Disney Springs restaurants that have just reopened here!

Quick Service Dining

We’ve also visited Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza, Chicken Guy!, D-Luxe Burger, B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co., Pizza Ponte, Morimoto Asia Street Food, The Polite Pig, Earl of Sandwich, Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC, The Basket, 4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck, and The Daily Poutine. Yep — we’ve been STUFFED lately!

Pork Rinds at The Polite Pig

In addition to single-use menus, quick service spots are also spacing out their tables, putting up plexiglass in front of cash registers, and limiting capacity in addition to other health and safety measures.

Check out our answers to ALL your questions about the reopening of Disney Springs here!

Snacking at Disney Springs

If you’re feeling thirsty or need a small snack, you’re in luck — plenty of outdoor pop-up bar and snack carts are now fully operational!

Disney Springs Pop-Up Bar Cart

Beyond alcoholic beverages, there are carts selling Mickey Pretzels and Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bars! And if you’re jonesing for some Pineapple Dole Whip — the snack you voted as your most-loved Disney food — you can find it in Disney Springs right now too!

Dole Whip in Disney Springs

And for you folks at home with refillable popcorn buckets, you CAN still get ’em refilled at Disney Springs right now! If you forgot yours at home, Disney is selling some basic popcorn buckets so you can fill up on the good stuff!

Click here to see what it’s like snacking around reopened Disney Springs

Shopping in Disney Springs

World of Disney

As of May 27th, World of Disney is open daily from 10AM to close.

World of Disney

While the first day was CRAZY with over a three-hour wait and a new virtual queue system just to step foot in the store, the crowds have mostly calmed down since then.

Ears Section of World of Disney

Another thing we’ve noticed is the store has been opening earlier on certain days than its posted operating hours.

World of Disney

When we spoke with a Cast Member about why the store was already open (well before 10 AM) she told us they are trying to get a better handle on things and are taking it day-by-day. But your mileage may vary, so don’t count on getting in before the designated opening time!

Click here to learn more about the very busy reopening of World of Disney!

Store Capacity

Both Disney-owned stores and third party shops are limiting the number of guests allowed in a store at any given time. Shops such as Sephora, Under Armour, and World of Disney have reached capacity over the recent week, for example.

Virtual Queue

World of Disney has initiated a virtual queue for busy days, while other shops have guests wait outside in lines.

Click here to see our experience when Under Armour when hit capacity

Social Distancing at Stores

In addition to limiting the number of shoppers, plexiglass shields have been installed at most stores’ cash registers, and queues have been outfitted with social distancing markers.

Please Stand Here Markers at Checkout

Although contactless forms of payment are highly encouraged, most businesses are still accepting cash.

Contactless Payment Sign

We’ve seen signage asking guests to limit the handling of products and we’ve also seen that many larger stores have defined entrances and exits.

What About Samples?

Smelling spices at The Spice Tea & Exchange, playing with Legos at the Lego Store, or trying on a little makeup at Sephora is half the fun of shopping! But what about samples and trying out new products right now?

Sephora

Upon entering The Spice & Tea Exchange, we were offered hand sanitizer. However, we were still able to open jars to get a sense of the 140-plus spice blends! The jars and displays were being regularly wiped down by Cast Members.

The Spice & Tea Exchange

As for Sephora, it’s offering freshly sanitized shopping baskets and wiping down counters, but testers are for display only and all Beauty Bar services are temporarily suspended.

Safety Measures at Sephora

We also recently stopped by the newly reopened Lego Store to get ourselves equipped for Legoland Florida’s June 1st reopening.

LEGO Store employee shows a product to guests

In addition to having just one working entrance, the shop’s interactive touch screen computers have been turned off and bins with build-your-own parts were unavailable.

Computers are shut down in the LEGO Store

Store associates were also on hand to give guests products — we were NOT allowed to grab items ourselves — and guests stood to the side of cashiers when purchasing items instead of in front of them.

Click here to see more of our experience at the Lego Store!

Where to Buy Face Masks at Disney Springs

While we haven’t seen any face masks for sale yet at Disney-owned locations, we have spotted some at American Threads, Vera Bradley, and The Polite Pig.

Vera Bradley Face Masks

The stock at stores is always changing, so you never know what you’ll find at Disney Springs!

Read about our shopping experience at Disney Springs here!

Disney Springs Attractions

The new Cirque du Soliel show, Drawn to Life, has been postponed and other Disney Springs attractions such as the NBA Experience and The VOID are closed.

The Void ©Disney

But there is one attraction you can still enjoy at Disney Springs!

Soar in the Sky on the Aerophile

The Aerophile, also known as the hot air balloon at Disney Springs, IS operating right now!

Disney Springs

Aerophile flights are available for $20 per person. The attraction is enforcing social distancing both in the line and in the balloon. Whereas you could wander the balloon before, now you need to stay in a designated spot while in flight.

The queue area for Aerophile

Cast members also told us they are wiping down the carriage area between parties to keep guests as safe as possible.

Click here to learn more about riding the Aerophile in reopened Disney Springs

Atmosphere

Normally, when you walk around Disney Springs, there are bands playing music and street performers entertaining crowds. But right now, those performances are on pause.

Stormtroopers

But not ALL is lost. In fact, we spotted some particularly intimidating guys enforcing social distancing! That’s right…STORMTROOPERS were patrolling above Uno de 50 recently! They’ve since relocated to the balcony above AMC!

Yes, there are STORMTROOPERS in Disney Springs today!

While it’s a far cry from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, we’ll still take it!

Click here to learn more about these unique security guards in Disney Springs!

As you can see, we’ve been pounding the pavement at Disney Springs to bring you all the details you need for your next visit as well as spotting as much new stuff as we can find!

Be sure to plan ahead for the dining and shopping experiences you want to visit, and you’ll set yourself up for a fantastic day at Disney Springs — even if it does look a little different than your last visit.

What Will It Take For You to Feel Safe at Disney World? Here’s What Our Readers Said!

Have you visited Disney Springs since it has reopened? Share your story with us in the comments!

Related posts:

  1. PHOTOS and TIPS: Our FULL Experience From Reopening Day at Disney Springs
  2. PHOTOS: Disney World’s NEW Health Measures — Face Coverings, Distancing Signs, and MORE
  3. Updated! We’re Answering ALL Your Questions About the Reopening of Disney Springs!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Counter-Service, Disney Springs, Featured, Snacks, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, AdventHealth, aerophile, dining in disney springs, Disney Springs Counter Service, Disney Springs entertainment, Disney Springs health measures, Disney Springs Parking, disney springs quick service, disney springs reopen, disney springs reopening, disney springs reopening faq, disney springs restaurants, disney springs shopping, disney springs table service, Disney Springs temperature checks, do I have to wear a face mask?, eating, entertainment, face coverings, face masks, hand sanititzer stations, hand sanitizer, Hand Sanitizer Station, health checkpoints, lego store, lime garage, mandatory face masks, orange garage, Parking, sanitation, shopping, social distancing, stormtroppers, Table Service Restaurants, temperature checks, temperature screenings, wearing face masks, where to buy face masks, World of Disney

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5 Things You Need To Know If You’re Planning to Go To Disney World the Day it Reopens

With the reopening of Shanghai Disneyland and Disney Springs behind us, and Disney World’s proposed July 11th reopening awaiting approval, we’ve got our minds set on reopening day for Disney World.

Walt Disney World

Still, as we’ve seen in Shanghai, things might be pretty different when we get back into the parks. The past few weeks have shed some serious light on what the domestic parks may look like thanks to observations in China, comments from Disney executives, and the proposed reopening plan for Disney World.

If you want to head to Disney World on reopening day, you’ll want to keep these things in mind.

1. Before you go, consider what travel will look like.

First off, be aware that your travel plans might look a little different — particularly if you’re flying. Though some states have suggestions not to travel, you shouldn’t have as much to worry about if you’re driving to Disney World (but always check on the current policies for your home state and for Florida!).

Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante ©Patina Restaurant Group

Flying is a whole different story. There may still be some travel restrictions such as limited flights and lower capacities. Plus, airports could be utilizing new health and safety measures that elongate your time pre or post-flight. Airlines are facing major changes due to the global health crisis, and it is still to be seen what the long-term effects may be.

Orlando International Airport

If you’re planning a trip to Disney for the reopening, make sure you have your travel plans worked out. Be sure to allow some extra time for potential hang-ups, longer queue lines, and other surprises during travel.

See what changes are being made with the TSA here.

2. You might need to make a reservation — even if you have an Annual Pass.

With capacity limitations, you may need to think about the prospect of HOW to get into Disney World. In Shanghai Disneyland, the parks are currently limited to a capacity of less than 30%. If a similar tack is taken in the US parks and demand is high, that may mean that not everyone will make it into the parks.

©ShanghaiDisneylandResort on Instagram

Shanghai is currently using an advance reservation system that allows guests, even those with Annual Passes, to reserve time in the parks for a specific day. On top of that, Shanghai saw pretty quick sales when tickets opened up.

Disney World’s proposed reopening plan included the creation of a new theme park reservation system. Though we have few details at this time, this could be used similarly to Disney Shanghai to help limit capacity. Right now, all we know is that some guests, including Annual Passholders and guests with Disney World hotel reservations, will be offered priority access to the reservations system.

Shanghai Disneyland

Don’t count on being able to walk up to the park entrance to snag your ticket; this trip might require some forethought. Keep an eye on DFB to find out what expectations Disney will have for guests as we learn more.

Click here to read about Disneyland Shanghai’s reservation system.

3. You should go ahead and get used to wearing a mask.

It’s true, it’s going to be an adjustment for all of us, but you should probably get used to wearing a face mask. Face masks are currently required for Cast Members and guests in Disneyland Shanghai, in Disney Springs, and at Universal Studios; and we now know that they will be mandatory in the reopened parks and elsewhere on property, per the Disney World reopening proposal.

Disney Cloth Masks ©Disney

So, get used to wearing a mask before you have to wear it all day in the parks. Just like you practice walking for hours and break in those new shoes — practice wearing your mask and find a few that feel good and are breathable. Make sure that you don’t have any issues with the comfort of the material or the strings on your ears. Plus, Florida is hot and humid, so getting familiar with the sensation of having one cover your face may take some time.

Read our TIPS for wearing a face-covering in Florida HERE! 

©Harvey’s

It’s also important that you consider your kids’ comfort and help them get used to masks so that they are happy following the rules. They may not fully understand why they need to wear a mask, so be sure to fully explain the situation to them. To make them more okay with it, you could even let them pick out their own Disney face mask online!

Looking for some Disney face masks? Click here!

4. Be prepared for it to take a while to get into the parks.

Once you make it to Disney World, it may not be so easy to get from your car or transportation to the park gates. Be prepared for it to take a little while longer to get into your park of choice. The health crisis will mean new entrance protocols like we’ve seen at Disney Springs and proposed in the reopening plan with temperature checks. This could make entry lines long, especially early on as Disney tries to balance the new processes.

Friendship Boats

On top of that, there have been some updates to the Magic Kingdom entrance and the parking lots at the Transportation and Ticket Center that may not be familiar once you visit. You might be in for a long wait for a tram or a longer walk.

See how long it took for us to have our temperature checked in Disney Springs here. 

5. Set your expectations realistically.

Based on the opening in Disney Shanghai, it’s important that we realize we may not be able to do all the things we used to. In Shanghai, shows, characters, and entertainment have all been changed with some offerings canceled altogether. Now, a few weeks later, some experiences are returning, but it did take a little while.

Fireworks will be canceled temporarily in Disney World

Similarly, Disney World has proposed that the parks will forgo experiences such as fireworks, parades, and character meet and greets initially. For many, this could make the parks feel a little bit weird while you’re there.

Mickey Mouse

It’s important that you know that the parks may not feel like the Disney World you’re used to, especially right on opening day. This is probably a good talk to have with little ones as well! And remember, be patient and kind to the Cast Members, even if a cancellation or change disappoints you. This is a whole new world for them too.

Reopening day in Disney is sure to be an interesting and potentially historic occasion. We’ll be keeping you up to date with all the details on a reopening. Who knows! Maybe we’ll see you there when the gates open again.

Click here to learn more about the changes to entertainment in Shanghai!

Are you hoping to be in Disney World the day it reopens? Tell us in the comments!

Related posts:

  1. What Will Happen if You Refuse To Wear A Mask In Disney World?
  2. Will Disney World Reopen to Florida Residents First? Here’s What We Know.
  3. We Asked Our Readers: What Will It Take For You to Feel Safe Visiting Disney World Again? Here’s What They Said.

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney parks, Featured, Walt Disney World, advance reservations, Airline, annual pass, Annual Passholder, disney world closure, Disney World reopening, face coverings, face masks, Florida Residents, Travel Restrictions