Tag: Featured

Do I Have to Wear a Mask When Taking a Photo in Disney World? Here’s What We Experienced Today.

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date July 7, 2020

Wow. We really spent the day back in Magic Kingdom. It’s crazy to think about!

Magic Kingdom

Of course, there is a LOT that’s different in a reopened Magic Kingdom and we took a good look around today at the Cast Member preview (thanks to an invite from some friends!). Even the way you take your picture with Cinderella Castle has changed! Yep, let’s take a look at everything different about snapping that iconic pic and pics in general!

Keep in mind that this is a Cast Member preview so everything is subject to change. We’ll be reporting in throughout the rest of the week so follow along with DFB for the most up-to-date information.

The Castle looks different.

First of all, you might have heard that the Castle looks preeeetty different. This iconic structure is getting totally glammed-up ahead of Disney World’s 50th Anniversary with new golden hues, royal blues, and a soft pink color!

Cinderella Castle

Keep in mind that the refurbishment on the Castle isn’t quite finished, so there were still cranes up with workers painting today. Depending on how much longer they’re working, this might be a factor when you’re taking your Castle pics.

Cinderella Castle

One thing is for sure — your Cinderella Castle pictures are going to look pretty different than they did before! Hopefully, your outfit doesn’t clash with that pretty pink!

You’ll have to wear your mask.

Beyond that, you might have to wear your mask in pictures. After chatting with a PhotoPass Cast Member, we were informed that face coverings are required at all times in the Disney parks and that includes during your Castle photoshoot for the time being. Now, this may change as the parks reopen to guests but it’s definitely a possibility.

Magic Kingdom Mask

Just in case you do need to keep your mask on for a photo, wear a cute one and practice smiling with your eyes so you’re happy with your pic when you take it. You could even get one with a character’s smile on it or one of our AWESOME DFB face masks to help turn it into a totally Disney-rific accessory.

PhotoPass photographers have new protocols.

Finally, if you enlist a PhotoPass photographer to help you snag the perfect Castle pic, there are going to be some changes to the protocol. For one, photographers will no longer be able to handle your personal device, so if you want them to snap a pic for you you’re going to need to get it THROUGH the PhotoPass service. Or you can always as a friend/member of your group to take one for you.

Main Street

They’ll also keep their distance as much as possible during your interaction. They’ll still use your MagicBand or Card to link photos to your account, but they’ll do it as quickly and as distanced as possible.

So there you have it! Now you can keep these three changes in mind when you’re heading to Magic Kingdom to snap that perfect Cinderella Castle picture. Follow along with DFB for all of the latest reopening updates from IN the parks!

What do you think of Cinderella Castle’s new pink look? Tell us in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, disney parks, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, Cinderella Castle, cinderella castle pictures, cinderella castle refurbishment, disney pictures, face masks, PhotoPass, photopass photographers

Tags Cinderella Castle, cinderella castle pictures, cinderella castle refurbishment, Disney News, disney parks, Disney Pictures, face masks, Featured, magic kingdom, Photopass, photopass photographers, Walt Disney World

Disney Merch Disney Parks

Is Shopping in Disney World Different? Here’s What We Experienced Today!

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date July 7, 2020

We are BACK at Magic Kingdom for the first time in MONTHS! From checking out some of our favorite rides to admiring Cinderella Castle’s new glow-up from close up, it has been A DAY!

Magic Kingdom

And after seeing which shops would be reopening in Magic Kingdom (as well as EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom!) we started prepping our lists of must-buy items!

We popped into a couple Magic Kingdom shops today to scope out the scene and see how our retail-therapy session compared to the ones we’ve previously experienced at Disney Springs as well as the select Disney World resorts that have recently reopened!

Crowds and Waiting to Shop

One of our biggest questions was whether we would have to wait in a virtual queue like we did at World of Disney on its first day back in operation! The process was relatively smooth but still a change from what we’ve been used to in Disney World!

Main Street Confectionery

We were told by Magic Kingdom Cast Members that just like the Disney-owned Disney Springs stores, some theme park gift shops may activate a virtual queue system if a crowd forms. You’ll check in at the front of the store and give your phone number to a Cast Member. Then, when it’s your turn to shop, they’ll contact you to return.

Magic Kingdom

We noticed that none of the stores (at lease when we were there), including the Emporium, had activated their virtual queues today so we were able to walk right into any shop without waiting. At Uptown Jewelers, there’s a separate virtual queue just to view the Pandora jewelry case.

Designated Exit

Most stores now have a designated entrance and exit too to help control the flow of foot traffic.

Shopping

Once we got inside, our shopping experience was pretty similar to what we’ve seen elsewhere in Disney World so far. We saw some familiar signage throughout the store, reminding guests to maintain physical distancing and to handle the products as little as possible.

Signage Inside the Store

Dressing rooms are also unavailable at most locations.

Fitting Rooms Are Closed

There’s still plenty of merchandise on the sales floor, but some of the product displays have been reoriented to allow for easier social distancing.

Sales Floor

Checking Out and Payment

Once we selected our treasures to bring home with us, it was time to hop in line! Physical distancing floor markers are present at the checkouts much like they are at other shopping locations throughout Disney World. New plexiglass barriers have also been installed at the cash registers.

Emporium’s Check-Out

For payment, Disney is encouraging all guests to utilize contactless payments, such as Apple Pay or your MagicBand.

Emporium

And just like that, our first Magic Kingdom shopping excursion is complete! Keep in mind, anything you purchase at ANY Disney World theme park gift shop will not be available for front-of-park package pick-up or hotel delivery for the time being. They CAN, however, still ship your items home for you for an additional shipping fee!

What is your favorite store in Disney World? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, Walt Disney World, closed fitting rooms, contactless payment, Disney World, Disney World reopening, disney world shopping, emporium, merchandise, no front of park delivery, no ship to hotel, shopping, social distancing markers, virtual queue

Tags closed fitting rooms, contactless payment, Disney World, Disney World reopening, disney world shopping, emporium, Featured, merchandise, no front of park delivery, no ship to hotel, Shopping, social distancing markers, virtual queue, Walt Disney World

Disney Parks

Here’s What It’s Like to Ride Flight of Passage at a Reopened Animal Kingdom

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date July 7, 2020

Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom have reopened for a special Cast Member preview today and we’ve been bringing you along with us — all day LONG!

Pandora

We’ve already gotten to ride a newly reopened Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and took our first plunge on Splash Mountain since mid-March! Now we’re hopping over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom where the other Disney World Cast Member preview is currently underway.

Since we couldn’t be in two places today, our friend @allisonxella on Instagram let us know what’s was happening over at Animal Kingdom! First of all, we couldn’t believe our eyes when we saw Avatar Flight of Passage only had a five-minute wait time! Is the My Disney Experience app broken or something? This ride usually has a least a two-hour standby line!

Screenshot From My Disney Experience App

But the reports actually appeared to ring TRUE! Our friend pretty much walked straight through the line in record time! We’ll be curious to see how the wait times hold up for the rest of the week once Annual Passholders and the general public return!

Waiting in Line

At present, every ride at Disney World is only utilizing standby queues during the initial phased reopening. That means there’s currently no FastPass option to ride Flight of Passage “and, uh… fly!” But, with a five-minute wait, who needs a FastPass?!

Social-distancing markers have been placed at roughly 6-foot intervals throughout Flight of Passage’s rather lengthy standby line space. They’re prominently positioned outside along the winding mountain trail…

Social-Distancing Markers

…as well as inside! Guests were being moved quickly through the laboratory area of the queue. Normally we don’t mind spending a little extra time in this room to appreciate all the details and science experiments that are happening, but our friend said the line moved so FAST that the room was all a blur!

Flight of Passage Queue

And just like that, she reached the end of the line! A plexiglass barrier has been installed in this section where the queues break apart and guests are assigned to their boarding groups.

Flight of Passage Queue

We were wondering what would happen next since Flight of Passage has a rather long pre-show experience before your journey officially begins.

Pre-Show

Before you get to “SIVAKO!” (That’s Na’vi for “Rise to the challenge!”), you normally have to pause in a briefing room. That’s where your body is scanned for “Pandoran micro-parasites” and ultimately, you’re paired up with an Avatar!

Pre-Show Skipped

For now, guests will walk straight through this part of the pre-show — but Dr. Jackie Ogden still wants to have a word with you right before you board the ride.

The Ride Experience

Cast Members hand out 3D glasses (like they normally do). Two link chairs are left empty between each party and up to three parties are seated per row.

Flight of Passage Link Chair

Aside from having to wear a face mask the entire time, our friend reported that the rest of Flight of Passage looked and felt just as she remembered it! You know — breathtaking visuals, lots of swooping and diving, all while feeling your banshee panting and flapping its wings! At the end of the ride, 3D glasses get returned in the same bins they normally use for sterilization before being redistributed.

We still can’t quite get over only having to wait FIVE MINUTES to ride one of Disney World’s most popular attractions! It remains to be seen if those wait times increase during Annual Passholder previews and during the official park opening to all guests on July 11th, but we will be there to check it all out firsthand and will most definitely keep you posted!

What’s your favorite attraction in Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Featured, Walt Disney World, Animal Kingdom reopening, Avatar, Avatar Flight of Passage, Disney World reopening, disney’s animal kingdom, flight of passage, Pandora, Pandora — The World of AVATAR

Tags animal kingdom, Animal Kingdom reopening, avatar, Avatar Flight of Passage, Disney World reopening, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Featured, flight of passage, Pandora, Pandora – The World of Avatar, Walt Disney World

Disney Merch Disney Parks

See All of the Splash Mountain Merchandise Available (For Now…) in Magic Kingdom

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date July 7, 2020

We are LIVE in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom today ahead of the park’s upcoming reopening to guests on Saturday, July 11th.

Splash Mountain

We are here thanks to a friend who brought us along for today’s Cast Member preview. So far, we’ve visited Happy Haunts in the Haunted Mansion, seen some old friends, and taken a splash on Splash Mountain. Of course, if you’ve been keeping up with the latest news about Splash Mountain, then you know the attraction will be closing to be reimagined with a full re-themeing inspired by The Princess and the Frog.

So, not only were the lines to ride Splash Mountain longer than those at other attractions we’ve ridden today… the nearby Briar Patch — the ride’s accompanying gift shop — was experiencing some lines all its own as fans were hoping to get some commemorative Splash Mountain merchandise!

Let’s take a look…

Splash Mountain merchandise

A small selection of t-shirts and hoodies can still be found.

Splash Mountain merchandise

And, as of this morning, there was still some plush available…

Splash Plushes

Frames for your PhotoPass picture to remember your BIG SPLASH on Splash are available, too.

Splash Mountain merchandise

You can also find the Splash Mountain Mickey Ear Hat ornament.

Splash Mountain merchandise

The Park Pal that we recently spotted in Disney Springs is here at the Patch, too.

Splash Mountain merchandise

And for all our fellow mug collectors… “Today’s Forecast” features a “High Chance of Showers…”

Splash Mountain merchandise

We can vouch for that!

Splash Mountain

Now, as far as getting the merchandise… guest are directed to line up outside of the store, so you can’t just stop in after riding the attraction. Once inside, you’ll notice things like distancing markers on the ground, and plexiglass installed in front of the registers.

The Briar Patch

A manager informed us that items are going fast (and we noticed in particular that folks were really going for the plush).

The Briar Patch

But there is no limit as to how much guests may purchase… at least not now. We’ll be keeping you posted on all the goings on around Magic Kingdom today and again later this week as Walt Disney World prepares to welcome guests again to the parks this weekend!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney merchandise, disney parks, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, briar patch, splash mountain, Splash Mountain Closure, splash mountain merchandise

Tags briar patch, disney merchandise, disney parks, Featured, magic kingdom, splash mountain, Splash Mountain Closure, splash mountain merchandise, Walt Disney World

Disney News Disney Parks Disney Vacations

Select Disneyland Hotels Are Now Accepting New Reservations Starting August 1st

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date July 7, 2020

Last month, Disney announced its proposal to reopen Downtown Disney on July 9th, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure on July 17th, and select hotels on July 23rd.

Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland

And while Downtown Disney will be moving forward with its plans to welcome back guests starting this Thursday, the other Disneyland Resort reopenings have been delayed.

Since it is unknown when Disney’s Californian Hotel and Disney’s Paradise Pier Resort will reopen, we chatted with a Disneyland Resort Cast Member who confirmed these hotels are no longer accepting new bookings for the month of July. The earliest new reservation you can now make is August 1st. It is also still unknown when the Disneyland Hotel will reopen.

Screenshot From Chat with Disneyland Resort Cast Member

The Cast Member also informed us that the standard reservation cancellation policy has been re-instated.

Screenshot From Chat with Disneyland Resort Cast Member

Previously, the policy stated Disney would waive cancellation fees through July 22nd. Now the policy says they will work with guests that may have been impacted by the closure with no specific date listed. As of today, here’s how Disneyland Resort’s cancellation fee policy now reads on its website.

Screenshot From Disneyland’s Website

The friendly Cast Member also informed us it is still unknown at this time when Disneyland Resort’s theme parks and hotels will reopen. We’ll continue to keep an eye on Disneyland’s homepage for the most up-to-date information regarding Disneyland’s phased reopening and we’ll let you know as soon as Disneyland releases more information soon!

Are you thinking about going to Disneyland this summer? Let us know if you’re hoping the theme parks and resorts will be reopening soon in the comments below.

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney california adventure, Disney News, Disneyland, Disneyland Column, Disneyland Resort, Featured, Grand Californian Resort, Paradise Pier Hotel, august 1st, cancellation policy, Disneyland Hotel, Grand Californian Hotel, hotels, pardise pier resort, reopening, theme parks

Tags august 1st, Cancellation Policy, Disney California Adventure, Disney News, disneyland, Disneyland Column, disneyland hotel, Disneyland Resort, Featured, Grand Californian Hotel, Grand Californian Resort, hotels, Paradise Pier Hotel, pardise pier resort, reopening, theme parks