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Disney Parks Other

7 Tips For Wearing a Face Covering in Disney World

We’ve got the tips you need to make wearing a face mask in Disney World more comfortable!

Magic Kingdom

With the reopening of locations like Shanghai Disneyland, Disney Springs, and Universal Orlando CityWalk, it’s become a common practice to require guests to wear masks. And since this is new for many Disney guests (including us!) the new accessory might take some getting used to. Here are the top tips our team has picked up from exploring the newly reopened locations in our masks!

Bring Lip Balm!

One unexpected consequence of wearing a mask — our lips got super chapped! We found that having lip balm on hand was a real lifesaver for us. Be sure to throw this in your park bag even if it’s not normally on your list!

Face Mask

If you happen to forget lip balm on your trip, you can check for it in the hotel gift shop — or place an order to be delivered to your hotel!

Click here to learn more about getting packages delivered to your Disney World Hotel!

Protect Your Ears!

In our experience, we’ve found it’s way more comfortable to secure our mask around our head instead of behind our ears. But since most masks are designed with ear loops to keep them in place, we’ve had to get creative! Try investing in an ear saver that will allow you to hook the mask behind your head and take the pressure off of those poor ears!

Vera Bradley Face Masks

Using one of these handy tools allowed us to safely modify our standard masks to make them more comfortable!

If You Have Long Hair, Wear It Up!

This tip has helped us on a few levels. First, with the straps and ear savers on our masks, wearing our hair up reduced the amount of tangling. And, since the mask has made the shopping experience a bit hotter, having our hair off of our neck has helped us stay cool!

Cast Member with required face mask

Whether you prefer a soft hair tieor a sturdy coil design, as long as you have something to keep your hair out of the way of your mask (and the back of your neck!) you should be set.

Don’t Forget to Wear Sunscreen!

Just because your mask will cover part of your face doesn’t mean you can skip the sunscreen! Be sure to apply sunscreen to your face, shoulders, arms, legs — any exposed skin! Wearing sunscreen will also help reduce the potential “face mask tan” you could end up with if you have extended exposure to the sun (this one is “sweat proof”).

Don’t forget your sunscreen!

We’ve seen sunscreen for sale in the parks before, but we recommend bringing your own to make sure you’re prepared and have your preferred brand (this one comes in a non greasy stick so you can apply easily).

Bring a Personal Fan!

It’s no secret that Disney World can get pretty hot, and wearing a mask can make you feel a little bit warmer. So, it’s more helpful than ever to carry a personal fan with you in the park! Having some extra airflow from a handheld fan can make a huge difference. And while there are some battery powered versions, we’ve also found rechargeable fans which means more space in our suitcase!

Cooling Fans

This is another product you might be able to find around Disney Springs if you’re in a pinch. But bringing your own will probably be cheaper — and that way you won’t have to sweat it out until you can find one!

Buy Your Child a Mask That Fits Well!

While children under the age of three are exempt from wearing masks in Disney Springs and CityWalk, everyone aged three and older is required to wear a face covering. And it can definitely be difficult to encourage the kiddos to keep the masks on! But one thing that does help is to make sure you buy a mask designed for children — that way the fit is designed for them and it will be both more comfortable and more effective.

Disney-themed Cloth Face Masks ©Disney

Plus, if your child has a face mask with a cool design that they enjoy, it can become more of a fun experience and encourage them to stick with it!

Avoid Wearing Glasses if Possible!

Wearing a face covering can cause glasses to fog up pretty quickly. So, if you need corrective lenses and you also have contacts available, we suggest opting for the contacts so you don’t have to deal with the fogging effect with your glasses!

Heart-Shaped Sunglasses

Of course, sometimes glasses are unavoidable. Whether they’re corrective lenses or sunglasses! If you do need to wear glasses on your visit, be prepared for the fogging and be sure to pack a microfiber cloth to wipe down your lenses regularly.

It’s definitely been an adjustment for us to get used to wearing a mask around Disney property. But we’ve these tips to make the experience much more comfortable! Be sure to keep these things in mind when wearing a face covering around Disney World to make things easier for yourself and the rest of your family!

Do you have any tips for wearing a mask in Disney World? Share your suggestions in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney parks, Disney Springs, Featured, Walt Disney World, chapstick, cloth face masks, cooling fans, DFB Tips, disney disney springs, disney face mask, Disney Face Masks, Disney Spring face masks, disney springs reopen, disney springs reopening, face covering, face mask, face mask tan lines, face masks, fan, hair tie, health and safety measures, lip balm, sunscreen

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Disney News Disney Parks Other

NEWS: Legoland in Central Florida Is Officially Reopening June 1st

While yesterday we informed you Legoland Florida had received initial approval to reopen June 1st, Governor Ron DeSantis has now given the Winter Haven City-based theme park the green light.

©Legoland

Legoland has officially announced it will be reopening its Central Florida location in just over a week.

Once its plan was approved by the Florida Governor, Legoland immediately sent out announcements. We received an email moments ago confirming June 1st if Legoland’s official reopening date.

©Legoland

Legoland’s reopening plan included modifications such as operating at a maximum 50% capacity (about 6,000 guests). The park will be “highly recommending” the use of face masks by guests, but is not requiring them at this time. For the water park, masks are only recommended for use when visitors are dry.

Face Masks Are Strongly-Encouraged, But Not Mandatory at Legoland

Face coverings do not need to be worn in Legoland by:

  • Children under 2 years of age
  • People who have trouble breathing
  • Anyone who is unable to remove the face covering without assistance

Additionally, Legoland says they will be providing guests with face coverings if they did not bring one. 

©Legoland

Legoland’s New Health Screening Process

Guests with temperatures of 100.4 or higher will not be allowed to enter the park. According to Legoland’s website they also say you will not be admitted if you have:

  • Coughing, fever (over 100.4 º F), or difficulty breathing
  • Traveled internationally in the last 14 days
  • Been on a cruise ship in the last 14 days
  • Been in a location with widespread COVID-19 transmission in the last 14 days
  • Been in close contact with a person known or suspected of having COVID-19 in the last 14 days
  • Tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 14 days

©Legoland

Legoland says their touchless temperature screenings will be required for all guests, including children, and employees before entering the park. Any families or groups that have a member with a fever (of 100.4º F or above) will not be allowed in.

Disinfecting Touchpoints and Commonly Used Surfaces More Frequently

Legoland says they will be cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces more regularly especially “tables and chairs, service counters, LEGO® Bricks, ride restraints, door handles, and more.” They will also be adding more hand sanitizer dispensers and hygiene stations throughout the park. Similar to Disney World’s My Disney Experience app, guests can use Legoland’s official mobile app (which is also free) to locate these additional locations.

©Legoland

Social Distancing Markers and Additional Safety Measures

Markers have been installed throughout the resort reminding guests to stay six feet apart while employees will monitor the queues to ensure social distancing is being maintained. Ride vehicles will be loaded leaving empty seats between guests. Dining areas are also being reconfigured to ensure a safe distance separates each parties’ table.

Indoor shops and restaurants will have a limited capacity while the self-service buffets will also be reconfigured to reduce the number of touchpoints including cutlery and condiments being left out on the table. These items will now be provided to guests upon request. Some guest experiences, entertainment offerings, retail locations, restaurants, and other park features such as water fountains may be temporarily suspended.

©Legoland

New Safety Measures at Legoland’s Hotel and Other Recreational Areas

Inside the hotels, Legoland is asking only one party per elevator and to take the stairs where possible to help maintain social distancing regulations. For their mini-golf course, they are asking groups to maintain a one-hole distance at all times.

Now that Governor Ron DeSantis has twelve other reopening proposals of Central Florida attractions to consider, we could know more details about other theme parks that are planning to reopen soon. So far, Disney World is expected to submit its proposal next week while Universal Studios has requested a reopening date to receive guests starting June 5th (which is still pending final approval).

What do you think of Legoland’s reopening plan? Let us know in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, News, approved, face masks, face masks not required, hotels, june 1st, legoland, new procedures, phased reopening, reopening, restaurants, safety measures, social distancing, temperature screenings

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Disney Parks

How Could Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Be Different This Year in Disney World??

Even though it’s still the springtime, we’ve got Halloween on our minds!

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

The spookiest holiday of the year starts early in Disney World with the first day of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party set for August 13th. How we love a late-summer Halloween! That early start might mean that there are some changes to the way the party works this year. If new measures are still in place by August, how might Mickey’s Not So Scary be different? Let’s take a look!

Adults might get to wear masks — just not the fun ones.

If you’ve been to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party before, you know that it’s the only time that adults are allowed to wear costumes in Disney World. One of the rules though? “Masks of any kind may not be worn.” Hmm…something tells us they might amend that rule this year!

Now, we’re not saying that you can break out that Frankenstein mask, but it could be recommended (or even mandatory like they are in Disney Springs!) for guests to wear face coverings in the interest of health. After all, August isn’t too far off and according to the phased plans being discussed in Florida and in California, it’s going to take some time for all precautions to be lifted. Health concerns will likely still be a thing!

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party = Costumes Galore!

Now, that’s not to say that your mask will have to be boring! Maybe spruce it up and get one themed to your costume (if Disney allows it). It could be a fun excuse to upgrade your Halloween look in an unexpected way.

There could be some changes to Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular and other entertainment.

As we know, the reopening of Shanghai Disneyland is showing us some changes in the way that entertainment works in the park. As Shanghai becomes the first Disney theme park to reopen, fireworks and parades are not initially returning.

If a similar tack is taken in Disney World, what does that mean for Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular and the Boo-to-You Halloween Parade?

Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular

After all, these events often result in large gatherings of crowds, which may still be advised against come August. If social distancing regulations are still in place, then these shows might be swapped out for some smaller featured entertainment.

In Shanghai, the daily parade is being swapped for a periodic character processional, and in lieu of fireworks, the castle comes to life with music and lights in the nighttime.

Boo to You

If necessary, we could see these changes made at Not So Scary. We could definitely imagine something similar to the Villains After Hours Villains Cursed Caravan!

Cursed Caravan

If the shows are not canceled, there may be alterations. Choreography in the show may be altered to allow dancers to distance from one another and there may be little to no guest interaction with parade performers. As for how Disney could regulate crowds to encourage distancing, that remains unknown at this time.

Character meet and greets might be different or be removed altogether.

Speaking of distancing, there may be changes to the way that character meet and greets work to keep guests and Cast Members safe. Shanghai’s reopening already showed us that characters will still be in the park, but at a distance. Could this mean we won’t be able to get our pic with Jack and Sally?

Jack & Sally

The interesting thing about this change is that meeting rare characters is a BIG draw for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Meeting villains and collecting pics and rare autographs can be quite the experience. If characters are removed or meetings have to happen at a distance, the appeal might be lost on some guests.

Seven Dwarfs at MNSSHP

Even if these greets do continue as usual, we may see some changes to the way you wait for them. Those waits for the rare characters can be looooong, and that’s a lot of people close together. Perhaps Disney will opt to tape off queue areas to space out guests, like in Shanghai, or possibly even opt to use Virtual Queues for the popular characters!

There could be fewer tickets available.

On top of all these measures, the capacity for the entire party may be lowered. Typically, the parks are still pretty crowded on Not So Scary evenings — especially as you get closer to October. It’s possible that Disney will work to increase distancing by limiting the number of tickets sold for this event.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

In this instance, it might be more difficult to get a ticket for your preferred party night. On the bright side, there would be fewer people in the park so you could have a less-crowded experience.

Still, if Disney looks to lower capacity they may run into some issues. Tickets have been on sale for some time already. Would they need to revoke tickets from those who have already purchased them?

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

On the other hand, parties already have a lowered capacity from a regular park day so it may be that Not So Scary fits into capacity parameters without changes.

Trick-or-treating might not be quite the same.

There have been lots of calls to limit the spread of germs and we might see some efforts made with how trick-or-treating is handled. One big draw of the Halloween parties is the ability to trick-or-treat around the parks, but with queue lines backing up it could be a physical distancing nightmare. Maybe Disney will look to change this process.

Trick-or-Treating Might Change in the Magic Kingdom

It’s possible Disney could utilize pre-packaged bags of candy that you pick up the entrance instead of the trick-or-treating process. Or there could just be changes to the way that Cast Members handle the candy to limit exposure.

It’s possible the lines for trick-or-treating will be distanced like other areas of the park. Nothing has been announced by Disney at this time, but it seems likely some changes could be made to this process.

Whatever happens, brace yourself that things might be different! We can still expect Disney to bring some serious Halloween magic, regardless of the limitations in place. It’s possible the changes will be subtle so the party isn’t overwhelmed by the new precautions. Whatever happens, we’ll keep an eye on the situation and update you as soon as news is released ?.

Are you planning to head to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party this year? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney parks, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, Character meet and greets, Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular, face coverings, face masks, Global health crisis, health and safety measures, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, trick or treat

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Disney Parks

We’re Answering ALL Your Questions About the Reopening of Disney Springs!

It’s a whole new world in Disney Springs now that some of the shops and restaurants have started to reopen!

Disney Springs

With temperature checks, physical distancing, face masks, and more; we’re getting a LOT of questions about how to navigate the newly reopened Disney Springs. Well, you know us. If you’ve got questions — we’ve got ANSWERS! That’s why we’re taking a look at some of the frequently asked questions that we’re getting from our readers so that you have a FULL understanding of what it’s like to spend a day in Disney Springs!

So, without further ado, let’s get to those FAQs!

Where can I park?

Disney Springs is now operating on a reduced schedule. As of right now, hours of operation are 10AM to 10PM. Yesterday, the Orange parking garage was the first to open around 8:30AM. The Green parking garage was only to be used after the Orange garage filled up. These are the only two areas where guests are currently permitted to park at Disney Springs.

Parking Lot

There weren’t Cast Members around directing people where to park, but there were some Cast Members on mics welcoming guests back when we arrived and guiding folks to the temperature screening area.

What time should I arrive?

After figuring out which parking garage was open, we arrived shortly after 8:3oAM yesterday. Our wait time getting through the temperature screening was minimal (since very few people were around). The screening process was super fast and efficient (which we’ll touch on more in a sec), while the line to pass through the checkpoint had social distancing markers indicating where guests should stand before they were called forward.

Temperature Check

Keep in mind we arrived VERY early — before many of the businesses at Disney Springs were open. While some stores and places to grab a coffee such as Starbucks and Joffrey’s opened at 10AM, several shops and restaurants didn’t open until 11AM.

Line Outside T-REX

If you’re planning on visiting one of Disney Springs’ third-party businesses, check its website for their most current hours (which might not be the same as Disney Springs’ hours). You may not want to wait around as long as we did although we saw many folks waiting in line (while social distancing) for stores and restaurants to reopen.

What’s the capacity like and how is Disney Springs’ limiting it?

In addition to reducing its hours, Disney Springs is limiting its capacity.

Orange Parking Garage

Once the designated parking garages (Lime and Orange) are full, guests are not allowed to park and enter Disney Springs. This includes those with dining reservations.

Where is Disney Springs conducting its temperature screenings?

Checkpoints are located in four areas: inside the Orange and Lime parking garages, along with the Hotel Plaza Boulevard pedestrian bridge, and at the Rideshare drop-off location. 

What if the parking garages are full and I have a dining reservation?

Once Disney Springs’ parking garages are full, that’s it. Even if you have booked a dining reservation, you won’t be allowed in until a space opens in the lot.

Wolfgang Puck

But luckily if a guest is unable to make their reservation because Disney Springs is closed due to capacity, we DID find out the dining guarantee charge will be waived.

Are temperature screenings mandatory?

All of Disney Springs’ new safety guidelines and procedures including temperature screenings and wearing face masks at all times are mandatory. If you don’t want to have your temperature taken or wear a face mask, you won’t be allowed to enter.

Advent Health Signage

All guests and Cast Members, including vendors and construction workers, must follow these new safety measures for the duration of their stay.

What is the temperature cut-off at Disney Springs?

To be allowed inside Disney Springs, your temperature needs to be under 100.4 F.

Does Florida’s heat affect temperature readings?

Disney knows many guests might have concerns about Florida’s heat impacting temperature screenings. That’s why professional healthcare workers from AdventHealth who are trained in using touchless thermometers are conducting the screenings.

Temperature Screening

If someone’s temperature is over 100.4 F, they’re taken off to the side and given the chance to “cool down” in a tented area before they are rescreened. If they still have a temperature over 100.4F or higher, they will not be allowed into Disney Springs and their party is not allowed entry either.

Is Disney providing face masks for guests?

If you accidentally forget your face mask at home, Disney MIGHT be able to help you out but don’t count on it. They told us they did have an extremely limited supply of face masks, but that guests ARE responsible for having their own face masks.

Cast Member with required face mask

If you don’t bring your own mask, you might not be allowed inside. Children under the age of three aren’t required to wear a face mask, but everyone else is.

Are there masks available to purchase?

As only a few third-party retailers have reopened at Disney Springs, we found only one store that was selling face masks yesterday.

Vera Bradley Face Masks

Vera Bradley is selling cotton face masks (the elastic kind) which cost $8 each. We’ll keep on eye out for face masks at other Disney Springs stores, especially Disney-owned locations such as World of Disney when those locations start to reopen May 27th.

Do I still need to wear a mask outside?

Guests and workers must wear face masks at all times, both indoors and outdoors. 

Wolfgang Puck

There are a few exceptions, though. When you’re seated in a restaurant, you can remove your mask because tables have been socially distanced. IF you get up to leave or use the restroom though, you’ll be expected to recover with a mask.

What about walking around with coffee or a snack?

So, if face masks are required, how do you walk around sippin’ or snackin’? This question has definitely been on our mind since we found out that grab and go places like Sunshine Churros and Joffrey’s Coffee would be opening.

Joffrey’s Reopened

After speaking with a couple of Cast Members yesterday, we were told if you’re holding a snack or a drink, you’re permitted to lower your mask to take a bite or a drink, then recover as long as you keep practicing social distancing. If you’re not eating or drinking, Cast Members will advise you to put your mask back on.

Can you pull your mask down for pictures?

Based on our understanding of the guidelines issued by Disney Springs, removing your mask for any reason other than eating or drinking isn’t advisable.

How is Disney enforcing mandatory masks after guests have entered Disney Springs?

Face masks are required for all Cast Members and guests during their entire visit, and because everyone over the age of three is wearing one, it’s pretty noticeable when someone isn’t.

Advent Health Cast Member at Temperature Screening

Walking around Disney Springs yesterday, we saw several types of Cast Members were monitoring the crowds ensuring guests were being safe. This included the AventHealth care specialists who took our temperatures, as well as Disney security officers, custodial workers, and the team of new health and safety ambassadors we recently learned about called “greeters.”

What are the accommodations if you have a disability or health condition that prevents you from wearing a mask?

Children under the age of three aren’t required to wear one, but everyone else is. When we asked, we were told there are no exceptions to this requirement.

Is World of Disney open?

Since World of Disney is owned by Disney, it is not open yet. Only third-party shops and restaurants have begun to reopen. For the complete list of retailers that have reopened in Disney Springs, click here. For reopened Disney Springs restaurants, click here.

World of Disney is Still Closed

World of Disney and other Disney-operated businesses are expected to reopen May 27th while the rest of Disney World’s theme parks and hotels will remain closed until further notice.

Can you still handle products/ try on clothes?

As we checked out some of the stores yesterday, we noticed many of the newly reopened businesses were still allowing guests to touch their products. A sign at Arribas Bros. asked guests to limit their handling of merchandise and stated more items were available behind the counter.

Arribas Bros. Merchandise Sign

Basin was allowing guests to test its bath and body products using its in-store sinks while Uniqlo was allowing guests to try on clothing in every-other fitting room, to maintain distance requirements.

Are the ferries running?

For now, it appears the ferryboats are not operating in Disney Springs.

The Boathouse Amphicar Do Not Stand Markers

And although The Boathouse had originally announced they would resume giving rides in their vintage Amphicars, we haven’t seen any of them sailing around quite yet either.

What surprised us the most about the reopening?

Having attended the partial reopening of Universal Studios’ CityWalk last week, we pretty much knew what to expect in terms of going through temperature screenings, having to wear face masks all day, and what a dining experience inside a restaurant would look like. Disney Springs made all of these procedures seem as normal as possible while ensuring guests and Cast Members were acting responsibly.

Balloons in Disney Springs Today

We were really curious about what the reopening was like from a cast member’s perspective, which you can read more about here. All in all, we were glad to hear so many of them felt comfortable and happy to be back at work! We did hear from a few Cast Members that their biggest question of the day was less about the new procedures and actually why World of Disney was still closed!

We will continue updating this post, so if you have any BIG questions we haven’t answered, reach out to us on social or in the comments below! 

Have any questions we missed? Ask them in the comments! 

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, Disney Springs, Featured, Walt Disney World, 100.4, cool down tent, disney springs, Disney springs faq, Disney Springs health measures, disney springs reopening, disney springs reopening faq, do i have to wear a mask at disney springs, does disney provide masks, face coverings, face masks, faq, FAQs, ferryboats, giving out masks, health conditions, how can i get inside, how do i eat with a face mask, mandatory, quick service, restaurants, selling mask, suprised us about the reopening, temperature checks, temperature screenings, The Boathouse, Vera Bradley, what are the hours, what if the garages are full, what time should i arrive, when do i have to wear a mask at disney springs, where are the temperature screenings, where can i park, where do i park, who’s taking my temperature, World of Disney

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This Is the ONE Place We Found Masks For Sale in Disney World Today

We’re at Disney Springs today as it reopens for the first time since it closed alongside the Disney parks back in March. Oh, look! Mickey balloons!

Mickey Balloons at Disney Springs Today

Though the Disney World parks remain closed, we’re getting to experience a taste of all of the new procedures in Disney Springs today. By now, you’ve probably realized a big piece of what that looks like is everybody is now wearing face masks! 

That’s because to be allowed inside Disney Springs right now ALL Guests and Cast Members at Disney Springs are required to wear masks for the entirety of their stay.

Disney Springs

Though Disney Springs’ guidelines explicitly stated guests ages three and up must bring their own face coverings to pass through the health screening, what happens if your elastic breaks or your face mask gets wet and you don’t have a back-up? Surely Disney Springs would have face masks for sale at several retail stores like we saw at Univeral Studios’ CityWalk, right?

Disney Springs

Actually, we looked around and couldn’t find face masks being sold anywhere — at least, initially. It’s possible Disney-owned stores will sell them, but Disney-operated businesses haven’t reopened yet since they’re waiting until May 27th.

So your only option is third-party retailers which have reopened. (Do note that Disney does have a select number of disposable masks if needed.) That’s how we came up with the idea to duck into Vera Bradley! We had actually walked by the store earlier in the day before it opened at 11AM and noticed there was already a line out front. Were these folks hoping to find some Vera Bradley Face Masks inside?

Vera Bradley

Once inside, we asked an employee if Vera Bradley was selling face masks. Sure enough — THEY ARE!

Vera Bradley Face Masks

The associate (who was wearing a vibrant Vera Bradley Face Mask herself) held up a few options. They’re made of cotton fabric and are the kind that wrap around your ears with elastic bands.

Vera Bradley Face Mask

Vera Bradley Face Masks are individually-packaged and sell for $8 each! Plus they come in an array of beautiful colors and patterns. So far this is the ONLY spot we’ve found face masks for sale at Disney Springs, but we’ll let you know if we find anywhere else that’s selling them. And if you spotted them elsewhere, please let us know!

Are you surprised that Vera Bradley is the only store selling face masks? Share your thoughts in the comments.

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney merchandise, Disney News, Disney Springs, Featured, Walt Disney World, $8, Disney Spring face masks, disney springs, Disney Springs health measures, disney springs reopening, face coverings, face masks, health measures, only place to buy face masks at disney springs, Vera Bradley, where can I buy a face mask at Disney springs, where can I buy a face mask at disney world, where to buy face masks