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Disney Parks Other

REVIEW! We Ate at the Reopened Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill (AND Their To-Go Counter!) in Disney World

It has been a day. We have been taking you all around Disney Springs on its re-opening day.

Wolfgang Puck

Now we’re heading to Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill to see how they modified their restaurant with new health and safety protocols. Care to join us (virtually) for lunch?

Reservations

Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill re-opened to guests today at noon. We snagged a reservation from OpenTable, but you can also make a reservation on the Wolfgang Puck website. While they were accepting walk-in guests, the wait was between 45 minutes and an hour for parties of two (with an even longer wait for larger groups) without reservations when we arrived at 12:30PM.

Wolfgang Puck

The wait seemed to be partially due to demand, and partially due to the reduced seating, with the table spaced farther apart to allow customers to distance.

Seating

Speaking of seating, the tables were spaced noticeably farther apart than before the closure. For reference, here’s an idea of the seating the last time we visited the restaurant.

Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill interior

In contrast, the tables in the center of the restaurant are now spaced farther apart, and some tables were purposely left empty in order to allow guests to distance.

Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill

Here’s a closer look at one of the empty tables with a sign indicating that it was to remain vacant.

Empty Table at Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill

The seating was noticeably reduced, and we had no trouble maintaining our distance from other guests with the restaurant layout.

Menu

We were given disposable paper menus, and there are a limited number of items available. Despite the reduced selection, there were still several appetizers, salads, pizzas, burgers, entrees, sides, and desserts for guests to choose from.

Wolfgang Puck Menu

Instead of offering both a lunch and dinner menu, there are currently offering one all-day menu. Here’s a look at the drinks that were available on the menu as well.

Wolfgang Puck Menu

Our server informed us that since many of the menu items are similar to their typical dinner offerings, they have started serving more lunch options at the Grab and Go window outside, which has also reopened (more on that later!).

Service

There were a number of health measures followed by all of the restaurant staff, including heightened cleaning, sanitizer available at all bussing stations, the sanitization of pens between uses, handwashing required anytime a team member enters the kitchen, and the use of gloves.

Wolfgang Puck

Our server also informed us that the staff came in on Monday for safety training and arrived early today to rearrange the tables. All of the food runners were wearing gloves, and any servers who deliver food must change gloves and wash their hands before and after dropping off the plates.

Food

Our server said the Bruschetta is the best-selling appetizer on the menu, so we decided to give it a try. And wow, we’re glad we did — it was SO GOOD!

Bruschetta

The bread was perfectly crispy, and the veggies on top were super fresh. It reminded us of a Caprese salad on top of fresh bread, and we would definitely order this delicious appetizer again!

To-Go Options

As mentioned earlier, the to-go window also reopened with grab-and-go options. In addition to lunch and snack items, guests can also order drinks at the to-go window, prepared by a bartender from the restaurant.

Wolfgang Puck

We grabbed the Kakamora’s Dart Cocktail, themed for Moana. It was a blend of Plantation Pineapple Rum, Malibu Coconut Rum, and Lime. We really enjoyed this drink — it was refreshing, and not overly sweet like some tropical cocktails can be.

Kakamora’s Dart Cocktail

We also tried a few desserts! The Salted Caramel Banana Pudding was soooo good! The banana pudding was super creamy with big chunks of banana and vanilla wafers, topped with a scoop of salted caramel gelato. We’ll definitely grab this again the next time we’re in Disney Springs!

Salted Caramel Banana Pudding

And the Reese’s Cookie was also a winner! It might sound a little basic, but this huge, soft peanut butter and chocolate chunk cookie was stuffed with Reese’s Pieces making it the ultimate blend of dessert flavors.

Reese’s Cookie

One thing to note if you’re grabbing something from the to-go window — the seating options are super limited. The seating here was always sparse, and now that the tables are extra spread out and reduced, it can be tough to find a spot!

Wolfgang Puck Seating

But they do have signs indicating the seating is reserved for Wolfgang Puck guests at least! So if you see a table you’d like, ask a host if you can sit there.

Overall Experience

While things were definitely a little different than our last visit, we had a positive experience on our visit today. The food both inside the restaurant and at the to-go window was incredible, the staff was super friendly and helpful, and we had plenty of room to enjoy our eats.

Wolfgang Puck To Go

Just keep in mind that there was a pretty long wait for walk-in guests, so try to grab a reservation if you’re looking to eat inside the restaurant anytime soon! For an even more detailed comparison, you can check out our full review of Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill from before the closures here!

What do you think of Wolfgang Puck’s new dining experience? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, Disney Springs, Featured, Special Stuff, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, advance dining reservation, banana pudding and salted caramel gelato, bruschetta, dining, Disney, disney dining, disney reservations, disney restaurant, disney springs, disney springs dining, disney springs restaurant, Disney World, disney world resort, kakamora’s dart, reeses cookie, table service dining, walt disney world resort, Wolfgang Puck, Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill

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Disney Parks Other

Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC Has Officially Reopened in Disney World! See Their New Health Measures Here.

Disney Springs has officially reopened today.

Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC

A large number of third-party restaurants and retailers have reopened their doors at Disney Springs, and we’re here LIVE to check out all of the new health and safety measures that are in place. One of the locations that has reopened today is Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC.  

Safety Measures

The location is currently open from 10AM – 10PM. In order to promote safety, the bakery is only allowing one group in at a time. Markings are placed on the ground so guests waiting to go inside the bake-shop can distance themselves from other customers.

Erin McKenna’s

Once guests are inside, they are asked to stay behind the red tape. Parties must stand in or near the designated squares on the floor to look at the bakery case, make their payment, and wait for their treats to be given to them!

Erin McKenna’s Tape on the Ground

All of the Cast Members at Erin McKenna’s wore masks and gloves to handle food and beverages.

Cast Member at Erin McKenna’s

Menu

If you’re visiting Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC, you may be happy to know that the bakery is also offering their full menu. While the bakeshop is accepting orders by phone 24 hours in advance (with payment accepted over the phone), walk-ins are also welcome after they wait outside for their turn. The bakery is encouraging cashless payment as much as possible, but still accepting cash at this time.

Erin McKenna’s Menu

Can we have one of each??

Erin McKenna’s Bakery Case

On top of Erin McKenna’s, there are so many other spots open in Disney Springs today that we’re giving you a first look at!

Are you planning to visit Disney Springs soon? Let us know in the comments below. 

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Counter-Service, disney dining tips, Disney News, disney parks, Disney Springs, Featured, Snacks, Walt Disney World, disney dessert, disney dining, disney news, disney snacks, disney springs, disney springs reopening, disney treats, Disney World, Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC

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Disney Parks

The Chicken Guy! Reopening in Disney World Had LONG LINES and New Procedures. Check Out Our Experience Here!

You’ve already joined us for many of our Disney Springs stops today if you’ve been following along with our live coverage, and now it’s time to make another one!

Disney Springs

Let’s head off to Chicken Guy! next to see how it compares to our pre-closure visits.

Line

It looks like a bunch of folks were gearin’ up for some Guy Fieri goodness this morning before the restaurant officially opened.  Chicken Guy! will be open every day from 11:30AM until 9:30PM for the time being.

Chicken Guy!

We got a kick out of the markers indicating where guests could stand out front which had little chicken feet on them. Very clever!

Chicken Guy!

There was also a Chicken Guy! greeter manning the front door. Since Chicken Guy! is rather small, he was only allowing guests in a few at a time.

Greeter

Inside the restaurant, a plexiglass shield has been installed at each cash register and also along the counter where the food is prepared.

Chicken Guy!

The chicken feet markers showing guests where to stand were present on the inside as well.

Ordering

When it was our turn, we walked up to the counter and placed our order.

Cash Register

Chicken Guy! was still accepting all forms of payment while the workers who were taking orders and payment weren’t doing anything else. Their card reader was a swipe-your-own-card type of situation.

Limited Menu

Chicken Guy! had previously announced they are using single-use menus instead of their reusable menus. We also noticed their menu board appeared to show everything as available (many other locations have offered limited menus).

Chicken Guy! Menu

Service

All employees were wearing face coverings (which are required for all guests and cast members in Disney Springs). When it was time to pick up our food, a server called out our name and handed us our food (that way, people didn’t huddle up by the pick-up window.)

Chicken Guy

Another server was stationed at the self-serve beverage station to get your drink for you.

Serving Soft Drinks

Tables and Seating

While it can be hard to find a table inside Chicken Guy! sometimes, it might be even more difficult now that tables are more spaced apart and there appear to be fewer of them.

Chicken Guy!

Chicken Guy! announced they altered their seating arrangement to promote social distancing and are sanitizing tables between each party. It’s too bad their expansion project hasn’t been completed yet since this restaurant could use some extra indoor seating.

Food

Since we’d already stuffed ourselves silly, we didn’t order a meal at Chicken Guy! today. Instead, we opted for this very light and refreshing Triple Double Mint Shake instead! ?

Chicken Guy Triple Double Mint Shake

We’re just kidding around — there’s nothing LIGHT about any of Chicken Guy’s milkshakes! They’re the real DEAL!

Overall Experience

Chicken Guy! was visibly implementing all of the safety measures they’d announced before opening. The biggest takeaways were the full menu and the fact that you won’t be able to use the self-service beverage station for the time being, Before your next visit, you can check out our full review of Chicken Guy! from before the closures here!

Would you visit a fast food location with these protocols in place? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Counter-Service, Disney Springs, Featured, Walt Disney World, Chicken Guy!, dining, Disney, disney dining, disney fast food, disney quick service, disney restaurant, disney springs, disney springs dining, disney springs reopening, disney springs restaurant, Disney World, Disney World reopening, disney world resort, fast food, quick service, reopening, table service dining, walt disney world resort

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Disney Parks Other

Disney World tells CNBC it is not presenting a re-opening proposal to Florida officials tomorrow

disney world reservations

Earlier today we reported that the Orlando Theme Parks would be submitting reopening proposals to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force tomorrow.

Disney has since reached out to CNBC to say they will not be presenting a re-opening proposal to Florida officials tomorrow.

So that leaves the reopening of Walt Disney World up in the air at this time.

However, Universal Orlando still plans on submitting a proposal tomorrow with a reopening date.

Stay tuned to Chip and Co for more details…

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Parks & Resorts, Walt Disney World, Disney Springs, Disney World, Disney World Reopening, Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force

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Disney Parks

This Was The BEST Surprise We Saw ALL DAY at Disney Springs!

Disney World’s theme parks and hotels still aren’t open but we spotted a very special reminder of them today at Disney Springs!

Disney Springs

And while Disney-owned locations at Disney Springs aren’t expected to reopen until May 27th, check out the little bit of Disney magic we saw today!

That’s right — if we can’t have Mickey Mouse himself, at least we can have Mickey Balloons! We saw some Cast Members selling them as we’ve been out and about on the first day of Disney Springs’ phased reopening! And look! They’ve got Frozen Balloons too!

Mickey Balloons at Disney Springs Today

We spotted the pair of Cast Members selling their Mickey-shaped helium wares outside of Uniqlo today — just one of the many retailers that recently reopened today! One Cast Member was accepting payment from guests while the other Cast Member was handling the balloons!

Mickey Balloons

It is important to note that balloons are sold by operating participants. The Mickey Balloons cost $14 each and seeing them made our heart skip a beat. <3 Check out ANOTHER very unique item we saw being sold in Disney Springs today here!

Were to happy to see Mickey Balloons being sold again? Let us know in the comments below.

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney merchandise, disney parks, Disney Springs, Featured, Walt Disney World, cast members, disney springs, Disney World, frozen balloons, mickey balloons, reopening