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NEWS: Tokyo Disney Resort’s Shopping District to Resume Business June 1st

Just yesterday, it was announced that the Japanese government would be lifting the state of emergency for Tokyo.

Fantasmic! at Tokyo DisneySea ©Disney

In response, it appears that some businesses and destinations are already beginning to reopen. Ikspiari, the shopping and dining district at Tokyo Disney Resort, just announced that it will be reopening on June 1st.

Ikspiari is located near the entrance to Tokyo Disneyland and makes for the Japanese equivalent of Downtown Disney or Disney Springs. The complex has been closed since late February but will be resuming business next Monday, June 1st.

Tokyo Disneyland

According to the Ikspiari reopening statement, measures will be taken to prevent the spread of infection and to promote the safety and security of employees and customers. If the complex reaches capacity, guests may be asked to wait temporarily for admission.

Tokyo Disneyland Concept Art ©Disney

As a reminder, Tokyo Disney Resort — and Ikspiari — are not owned by Disney. These properties are operated completely by Oriental Land Company and they pay a licensing fee to the Disney company. Still, the reopening likely marks a step towards the return of Tokyo Disneyland.

Click here to read about the removal of the state of emergency in Tokyo. 

What do you think of the reopening of Ikspiari? Tell us in the comments! 

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, disney parks, Featured, News, Tokyo Disney Sea, Tokyo Disneyland, Ikspiari, reopening, tokyo disney closure, tokyo disney reopening, tokyo Disney resort, Tokyo DisneySea

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Disney News Disney Parks Other

News: Gatorland is Now Reopen!

Another Orlando attraction reopened today!

©Gatorland

Yesterday, we shared the news that Fun Spot’s Orlando location had reopened. And today, another attraction has joined them in reopening.

Gatorland reopened to guests on the morning of Saturday, May 23rd after receiving approval from the Governor and Orange County Mayor. The park’s president and CEO, Mark McHugh said the park submitted a 32-page policy manual outlining safety procedures for guests and employees.

©Gatorland

Changes to the park include social distancing in queues, reduced park capacity, increased sanitation measures, and required face masks and temperature checks for employees. Guests are encouraged to wear face masks and follow all social distancing guidelines.

Have you visited Gatorland? Tell us in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, News, Gatorland, Orlando attractions, orlando theme park, reopening

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Disney News Disney Parks Other

Shanghai Disneyland Is Already Making Progress Less Than Two Weeks After Reopening!

Shanghai Disneyland has been re-opened for almost two weeks (can you believe it??).

©Disney

While the hotels and parks have been welcoming guests again, Shanghai Disneyland has implemented multiple health and safety protocols to keep guests and Cast Members safe — including Health QR Codes, physical distancing, mask requirements, and more.

However, when the parks re-opened, there were a limited amount of attractions available to guests.

Shanghai Disneyland

Parades and fireworks have been halted for the time being, along with play areas and theater shows. However, Shanghai Disneyland has still brought magic to the guests with the Mickey and Friends Express character processional several times during the day. They have also managed to promote social distancing while hosting the Evening Magical Moments — which lights up the Enchanted Storybook Castle and plays music at dusk daily.

©Disney

But, since the parks have been open for a few weeks now, Shanghai Disneyland has started to slowly reopen other guest experiences. Although the park announced that they would be doing distanced character shows and entertainment, @gourmetdyy has been giving us a look at things available in Shanghai Disneyland currently!

Alice in Wonderland Maze at Shanghai Disneyland

Custodians at Shanghai Disneyland are bringing joy to guests through their water art, incredibly detailed paintings, and much more!

Since Shanghai Disneyland originally opened with limited attractions and restaurants, there are signs that Disney is progressing with reopening by bringing back select shows and dining locations. Some of the places you can visit now include Eye of the Storm: Captain Jack’s Stunt Spectacular, Frozen: A Sing-Along Celebration, and Tribal Table restaurant.

While Disney World and Disneyland may not be open open yet, Shanghai Disneyland’s health and safety protocols have allowed them to already progress their reopening in under two weeks. At this time, the only Disney attraction open in the U.S. is Disney Springs, but Disney World is set to propose a reopening date by next week. We will continue to keep you updated on Disney Parks news here!

What are you looking forward to doing the most when the Disney Parks re-open? Let us know in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney Entertainment, Disney News, disney parks, disney resorts, Featured, News, Disney, disney news, Disney reopening, Disneyland, evening magical moments, Mickey and Friends Express, reopening, shanghai, shanghai disneyland, shanghai disneyland reopening

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Disney News Disney Parks

NEWS! Orange County Has Started To Transition Into Stage Two of California’s Reopening Plan

Although Disney World began a phased reopening with Disney Springs, Disneyland still hasn’t released a statement about when it plans to start reopening the Downtown Disney or the parks.

An empty Downtown Disney

While there are currently no reservations available at Disneyland Resort until July 1st, Disneyland may be one small step closer to its own phased reopening plans with California’s recent announcement.

Since Orange County has met the required criteria, the surrounding area has been approved to transition into Stage 2 of California’s reopening plan, according to the Orange County Register.

Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle

This will allow for “in-person dining reservations, retail shopping with social distancing and curbside pickup, manufacturing, offices when telework isn’t possible, outdoor museums, and other limited services.”

Marcelines Confectionery

Orange County Vice President, Andrew Do, stated that they will “ensure that [reopening is] done in a safe manner” with “proper guidance, documentation, and safety precautions” to make sure that everyone is kept safe.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland

The Health Care Agency has also set up guidelines for businesses to reopen, detailing that locations should:

  1. Perform a detailed risk assessment and implement a site-specific protection plan.
  2. Train employees on how to limit the spread of COVID-19, including how to screen themselves for symptoms and stay home if they have them.
  3. Implement individual control measures and screenings.
  4. Implement disinfecting protocols.
  5. Implement physical distancing guidelines.

You can take a look at Orange County’s full announcement here.

Frontierland

Although there is no news on Downtown Disney’s reopening currently, we will continue to keep you updated! Until then, you can check out what a partially reopened Disney World looks like here!

What will you be doing first when Downtown Disney reopens? Let us know in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disneyland, Disneyland Column, Disneyland Resort, Featured, california news, Disney, Disney California Adventure, disney news, disney parks, Downtown Disney, orange county, phase two reopening, reopening

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Disney Food Disney Parks Other

PHOTOS and Review: We Tried Disney World’s New Frozen WINE & Loaded FRIES Pairing

Earlier today, we shared some very important news from The Basket at Wine Bar George (in addition to these adorable tumblers).

Corticle Tumbers

In case you missed it, they are now pairing their loaded french fries with frozen beverages! So we headed to the recently reopened Disney Springs to see if  THIS could be our go-to snack for the summer!

The Basket’s “Frozen & Fries” are Wine Bar George’s suggestions to make a delicious combo of french fries and frozen drinks to go. Since they are suggestions, they are not being sold as a combo deal at this time. But to refresh your memory, you can choose from the following Frozen & Fries:

They paired Queso Fries with their signature Frosé.

Queso Fries with Frosé © Wine Bar George

Or you can grab the Togarashi Fries with Friezling made with Dole Whip Lime.

Togarashi Fries with Friezling made with Dole Whip Lime © Wine Bar George

And the list continues with California Fries with Frozcato made with Dole Whip Pineapple (because we think there is no such thing as too much Dole Whip).

California Fries with Frozcato made with Dole Whip Pineapple © Wine Bar George

It was a tough choice, but we opted to try the Buffalo Fries with Freaujolais on our maiden Frozen & Fries voyage.

Instagram…

Buffalo Fries with Freaujolais © Wine Bar George

…versus reality! Well done, Wine Bar George. We had to take these to-go because the tables that are normally outside The Basket are currently for the Wine Bar George Restaurant only. But, don’t underestimate our ability to use a trash can (or in this case, a wine barrel) as a make-shift table.

Buffalo Fries with Freaujolais

In a word: YES. These seasoned fries were topped with buffalo sauce, buffalo salt, blue cheese, and chives — and they were delicious. They were served with generous chunks of blue cheese (fortunately we were digging it, but if you aren’t a blue cheese fan, you might not be into it). The fries were well seasoned with the buffalo salt, so you can taste extra buffalo flavor in addition to the sauce.

As far as buffalo sauce goes, we’d probably rate this medium because there was a kick, but our mouths weren’t totally on fire afterwards. But if you’re sensitive to heat, you may want to try a different basket. We thought there was a pretty generous portion of fries and the basket was $8.

Buffalo Fries

It might not be summer yet, but we be sweatin’ in the Florida heat. Or was it the buffalo sauce…hard to say. Either way, the Freaujolais was a delightful way to cool off. It’s made with Beaujolais, Vodka, and Raspberry for $13. We found it to be much more refreshing and not quite as sweet as the Dole Whip drinks (thank you, red wine).

Freaujolais

Overall we thought these Frozen & Fries were a sweet, spicy, tangy flavor combo that we can get behind! If you loved the Buffalo Chicken Loaded Tots from Magic Kingdom, this is a great snack to tide you over while the parks are closed!

Which Frozen & Fries combo would you want to try? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney restaurant review, Disney Springs, Featured, Snacks, Walt Disney World, buffalo, buffalo fries, Disney, disney dining, disney springs, disney springs re-opening, Disney World, freajolais, french fries, Fries, frozen drink, Loaded Fries, reopened disney springs, reopening, The Basket, The Basket at Wine Bar George, Wine Bar George