The new normal isn’t what it used to be for folks purchasing year-round access to Central Florida theme parks. As encouraging — or crazy — as it may seem to see the state’s iconic gated attractions opening back up over the past two months, a lot of Disney (NYSE:DIS), Comcast‘s (NASDAQ:CMCS.A)Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld Entertainment(NYSE:SEAS) passholders aren’t happy to be paying full price for diluted experiences.
Full Story
Archive for Scott
Why Are Disney World, SeaWorld, and Universal Passholders Not Happy?
Disney World projects that will still get completed — and those that may be canceled
Before 2020 got weird, to say the very least, Disney World was on track for some pretty aggressive additions and expansions. The iconic theme park’s 50th anniversary is next year in 2021.
Update to Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Openings
A Message from Disney:
As we continue our phased approach to reopening at Walt Disney World® Resort, we are welcoming Guests back to Disney Resort hotels, theme parks and Disney Springs.
We are committed to reopening Disney Resort hotels, though at this time we have decided to adjust the reopening dates for Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort due to the current environment. With this in mind, the planned reopening dates for additional Disney Resort hotels will be as follows.
- July 29:Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- 24:Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- 21:Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- 4:Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- 14:Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- 1:Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
While we had previously shared reopening dates for Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, these Disney Resort hotels will remain closed until further notice while we continue to reevaluate their reopening timeline.
Due to the fluidity of the current environment, we will continue to evaluate adjustments to Disney Resort hotel opening dates as needed and when the timing is right to do so. These dates are still subject to change, and reservations for stays at Disney Resort hotels not yet open could still be impacted. For your convenience, when making new reservations on the Disney Travel Agents website, you may see notifications indicating that due to the current environment, Disney Resort Hotel reopening dates remain subject to change.
We understand the amount of planning that goes into a Disney vacation. To help, our team will be reaching out to you about your clients who have upcoming reservations that are impacted by changes to the planned reopening dates. Our Cast Members will be able to assist you with modifying your clients’ reservations to other Disney Resort hotels. If you have clients who have already been impacted by a previous Disney Resort Hotel move during our phased reopening, we will contact you this week to discuss their booking. For your other clients impacted by changes to the planned reopening dates, we will reach out to you prior to their arrival. In the meantime, you and your clients can learn more about changes to our resort experience via your Walt Disney World Resort “Know Before You Go” microsite, which will be updated with the latest information.
While these plans may evolve, we will be monitoring the constantly changing health environment and its impact on the state of Florida as we find the right time to welcome back even more of our Guests and Cast Members.
UPDATE: Virtual Queue Update for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
UPDATE: Disney adjusted the virtual queue for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Beginning Friday, July 24, opportunities to join the queue will be available at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Since Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopened, they’ve received questions about why the virtual queue fills so quickly each day.
As you’ve also heard, new health-and-safety measures include limiting theme park attendance and implementing new measures to promote physical distancing. This includes requiring extra space between groups in queues and on attraction vehicles. With all of this in mind, we are not able to accommodate as many people on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance as we could before we implemented physical distancing.
For guests with a Disney Park Pass reservation to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the attraction will continue to have limited availability accessible through the My Disney Experience app virtual queue. Starting Friday, July 24, guests will have an opportunity at either 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. to join the virtual queue. These two opportunities are intended to give guests more flexibility in their planning, and are also a way to further support physical distancing.
Here are more details to be aware of before you arrive:
- First, make sure to download the My Disney Experience app. Once you enter the park, log in to your account at one of the distribution times (10 a.m. or 2 p.m.).
- Once you have logged in, select “Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Virtual Queue” on the home screen. You will be able to view the current status and next steps for joining the virtual queue.
- The app will indicate when there is no availability for a specific distribution time. Some guests may join backup groups.
- As long as your My Disney Experience account is linked to park tickets for you and the others in your group, you can enroll everyone in the virtual queue at the same time. In order to give as many guests as possible the opportunity to join the Resistance, each guest can enter the virtual queue no more than once per day.
- Make sure push notifications are turned on for My Disney Experience so you will be alerted if your group is called to return. You’ll have up to an hour from the time of the alert to go to the entrance of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
- Guests who are enrolled in the virtual queue will be able to see an estimated return time indicating when they may be called back to experience the attraction. This time may change throughout the day, so continue to check the app for updates. Also, the tip boards around the park will display the boarding groups that have been called back.
- Please note that joining the virtual queue does not guarantee the ability to experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
If you have any questions or need assistance with joining the virtual queue, cast members at Guest Experience Team locations throughout the park are available to assist. While you wait for your virtual queue group to be called, you can enjoy other experiences at Disney’s Hollywood Studios including our newest addition, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
Disney World tightens mask requirement a week after reopening
In spite of Florida’s coronavirus cases skyrocketing in recent weeks, the Walt Disney World Resort’s phased reopening went on as planned with enhanced health and safety measures in place. (California’s Disneyland decided to delay reopening.)
Foodie Guide to the 2020 Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival – Opening Today
Get ready to sip, savor, and stroll across six continents at the Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival! YES, it’s time, once again, to celebrate the best in global food and drink at our longest festival ever starting July 15!
This year’s festival will be understandably different from what it was in the past. What has not changed is our chefs’ focus on authenticity through ingredients, cooking techniques, and presentation to honor the diverse global cuisines. And our beverage team has, once again, thoughtfully paired wine and beer with selections at each marketplace for the perfect sip.
New this year, a digital Festival Guidebook available on the My Disney Experience mobile app! Check out the listing of the more than 20 festival-exclusive marketplaces and discover all the family fun activities like the return of Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak scavenger hunt; entertainment including the merry Mariachi Cobre and the rhythmic JAMMitors crew; plus, a peek at the limited-edition 25th anniversary merchandise for purchase. Download the app today to learn more.
Here is the first peek at all the delicious offerings in this official Disney Parks Blog Foodie Guide to the Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. Enjoy!
Mac & Cheese Hosted By Boursin® Cheese (World Showplace)
Food
- Gourmet Macaroni and Cheese with Boursin® Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese topped with Herbed Panko
- Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese with Boursin® Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese Sauce topped with Carrots, Celery, and Blue Cheese Crumbles
- Lobster Macaroni and Cheese with Boursin® Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese Sauce and Lobster Cream topped with Herbed Panko
- Macaroni & Cheese with House-made Italian Sausage and Peppers (Plant-Based)
Beverage
- Stiegl Brewery Radler Zitrone, Salzburg, Austria
- L’ecole No. 41 Chenin Blanc Old Vines, Columbia Valley, WA
- Evolution by Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR
Appleseed Orchard (World Showplace)
Food
- Charcuterie and Cheese Plate featuring Burton’s Maplewood Farm Applejack Brandy Barrel Aged Maple Syrup
- Caramel-Apple Popcorn
Beverage
- Frozen Apple Pie (Non-Alcoholic)
- Short’s Brewing Co. Mule Beer, Elk Rapids, MI
- Heavy Seas Brewery Tropicannon Citrus IPA, Halethorpe, MI
- Parish Brewing Co. Ghost in the Machine Double IPA, Broussard, LA
- 3 Daughters Raspberry Lemonade Dry Hard Cider, St. Petersburg, FL
- Short’s Brewing Company Starcut Ciders Mosa Hard Cider, Bellaire, MI
- Ciderboys Banana Bliss Hard Cider, Stevens Point, WI
- Apple Blossom Sky: Fanta® Apple, Ginger Beer, Floodwall Apple Brandy, Burton’s Maplewood Farm Applejack Brandy Barrel Aged Syrup and Mini Marshmallows
Desserts & Champagne (World Showplace)
Food
- Liquid Nitro Chocolate Cake Pops
- Liquid Nitro Chocolate Cake Pops with Crumbled Twix® Original
- Liquid Nitro Chocolate Cake Pops with Crushed M&M’S® Milk Chocolate
Beverage
- Frozen S’mores (Non-Alcoholic)
- Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut, Champagne
- Dom Pérignon Brut, Champagne
- Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé, Champagne
- Frozen S’mores with Whipped Cream Vodka
Wine & Dine Featuring Festival Favorites (World Showplace)
Food
- Kielbasa and Potato Pierogi with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream, Poland
- Seafood Fisherman’s Pie, Ireland
- Spanakopita, Greece
Beverage
- Forge Cellars Dry Riesling Classique, Seneca Lake
- Conundrum Red Blend, California
- tenshən Rhône Style White Blend, Central Coast
- Lang & Reed Wine Company Cabernet Franc, North Coast
- Frog’s Leap Zinfandel, Napa Valley
- Kurt Russell’s Gogi Wines Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills
- Bleu Spectrum: Blanc de Bleu Cuvée Mousseux with Boba Pearls
- Guinness Baileys Milkshake
Canada
Food
- Canadian Cheddar and Bacon Soup served with a Prop & Peller® Pretzel Roll
- “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle-Butter Sauce (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
Beverage
- Collective Arts Brewing Blackberry Fruit Beer, Hamilton, Ontario
- Inniskillin Icewine
- Château des Charmes Merlot
Refreshment Port
Food
- DOLE Whip® Pineapple (Plant-Based)
Beverage
- DOLE Whip® Pineapple with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum
- Bud Light Seltzer
Hawai’i (Showcase Plaza)
Food
- Kālua Pork Slider with Sweet-and-Sour DOLE® Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise
- Teriyaki-glazed Spam® Hash with Potatoes, Peppers, Onions, and Spicy Mayonnaise
Beverage
- Maui Brewing Company Pineapple Mana Wheat, Kihei, HI
- Florida Orange Groves Sparkling Pineapple Wine, St. Petersburg, FL
- AULANI Sunrise: Vodka, DOLE® Pineapple Juice, and Grenadine
The Citrus Blossom (Showcase Plaza)
Food
- Lobster Tail with Meyer Lemon Emulsion and Grilled Lemon (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
- Crispy Citrus Chicken with Orange Aïoli and Baby Greens (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
Beverage
- Orange Cream Shake in a Souvenir Orange Bird Sipper Cup (Non-Alcoholic)
- Islamorada Beer Company Coconut Key Lime Ale, Fort Pierce, FL
- Orange Sunshine Wine Slushy
Shimmering Sips (Showcase Plaza)
Food
- Shimmering Strawberry Soft-Serve in a Waffle Cone
- Banana Bread with Mixed Berry Compote (Plant-Based)
Beverage
- Tropical Mimosa with Sparkling Wine and Passion Fruit, Orange, and Guava Juices
- Key Lime Mimosa with Key Lime Sparkling Wine and Cranberry Juice
- Blood Orange Mimosa with Sparkling Wine and Blood Orange Juice
- Banfi Rosa Regale Sparkling Red, Piedmont
Islands of the Caribbean (Showcase Plaza)
Food
- Ropa Vieja Empanada with Tomato Aïoli
- Jerk-spiced Chicken with Roasted Sweet Plantain Salad and Mango Chutney Yogurt (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
- Flancocho:Passion Fruit Cake with Coconut Flan
Beverage
- Red Stripe Lager
- Opici Family White Sangria
- Frozen Mojito
Earth Eats Hosted By Impossible™ (Near Mexico)
Food
- Impossible™ Farmhouse Meatball with Lentil Bread, Spinach, Marinated Vegetables, and Creamy Herb Dressing (Plant-Based)
- The Impossible™ Burger Slider with Wasabi Cream and Spicy Asian Slaw on a Sesame Seed Bun (Plant-Based)
- Chocolate Pudding Terrarium with Avocado Cream, Matcha Crumble, and Baby Herbs (Plant-Based and Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
Beverage
- Bloomin’ Blueberry Lemon and Ginger Tea Featuring Twinings of London® (Non-Alcoholic)
- Playalinda Brewing Company Violet Lemonade Ale, Titusville, FL
- Bloomin’ Blueberry Lemon and Ginger Tea Featuring Twinings of London® with Tito’s Handmade Vodka served in a Mason Jar
Mexico
Food
- Ribeye Taco: Ribeye Steak with Ranchera Salsa in a Corn Tortilla topped with Onions, Chives, and a Lime Wedge
- Pork Tostada: Fried Corn Tortilla topped with Chipotle Black Beans, Roasted Pork, Fresh Salsa Verde, Onions, and Cilantro
Beverage
- Mexican Craft Beer: Tulum Artisanal Lager Crafted with Citrus Notes and made with Mexican Caribbean Seawater
- Passion Rose Sangria: Red Wine, Rum, Rose Petal Liqueur, Passion Fruit Purée, and Lime
- Clásica Margarita: Tequila, Chile Poblano Liqueur, Lime Juice, and Agave Nectar with a Salt Rim
- Mango Smoky Margarita: Mango Purée, Mezcal, Applejack, Lime Juice, and Agave Nectar with a Tajín Chile-Lime Rim
China
Food
- Chicken Dumplings with Chinese Slaw
- Mongolian Beef Bao Bun
Beverage
- Jasmine Draft Beer
- Happy Peach: Peach Liqueur and Dark Rum
- Byejoe Punch: Chinese Bai Jiu Spirit, Lychee, Coconut and Pineapple Juice
Africa
Food
- Spicy Kenyan Vegan Corn and White Beans with Pigeon Peas, Quinoa & Ancient Grains Medley, and Kachumbari Slaw (Plant-Based)
- Piri Piri Skewered Shrimp with Citrus-Scented Couscous
Beverage
- Tusker Lager
- Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz, Western Cape
Refreshment Outpost (Located in the African Outpost)
Food
- Frozen Slushy Coca-Cola® or Minute Maid® Lemonadein a Souvenir Spike the Bee Sipper Cup (Non-Alcoholic)
Beverage
- Bud Light Seltzer
Germany
Food
- Schinkennudeln: Pasta Gratin with Ham, Onions, and Cheese
- Roast Bratwurst in a Prop & Peller® Pretzel Roll
- Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce
Beverage
- Weihenstephaner Festbier Lager
- M.I.A. Brewing Company Hugo, Doral, FL
- Hacker-Pschorr Hefe Weisse Naturtrüb
- Riesling
Italy
Food
- Margherita: Rustic Italian Flatbread with Tomato Sauce and Mozzarella Cheese
- La Classica: Cheese Tortellini with Ricotta, Provolone, Fontina, Parmesan, Vodka Sauce, and Crispy Bacon
- Cannoli Siciliani:Crisp Pastry Filled with Sweet Ricotta, Chocolate, and Candied Orange
Beverage
- Peroni Nastro Azzurro Pilsner
- Pinot Grigio, Terre Di Bacco
- Chianti, Gabbiano
- Prosecco, Terre Di Bacco
- Moscato, Batasiolo
- Rosa Regale, Banfi
- Italian White Sangria with Prosecco
- Italian Red Sangria with Cabernet Sauvignon
Hops & Barley
Food
- New England Lobster Roll: Warm Lobster with Fresh Herb Mayonnaise and Griddled Roll
- Southern Seafood Boil: Shrimp, Mussels, Crawfish, Potatoes, Corn, and Andouille Sausage
- Freshly Baked Carrot Cake and Cream Cheese Icing
Beverage
- North Coast Brewing Co. Blue Star Wheat, Fort Bragg, CA
- 3 Daughters Brewing A Wake Coffee Blonde Ale, St. Petersburg, FL
- Heavy Seas Americannon APA, Baltimore, MD
- Angry Orchard Rosé Hard Cider, Walden, NY
- Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands
- Broadside Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles
Funnel Cakes (Located in the American Adventure)
Food
- Street Corn Funnel Cake topped with Roasted Corn, Cotija Cheese, Cilantro and Cumin Crema dusted with Paprika
Japan
Food
- Tempura Donburi: Two Pieces of Tempura Shrimp and Kakiage Vegetable Tempura with Tentsuyu Dipping Sauce served over Sushi Rice
- Frothy Ramen: Chilled Noodles in a Dashi Broth topped with Egg White Froth
- Chirashi Sushi Flowerpot: Fresh-cut Salmon, Salmon Roe, and Spinach served over Sushi Rice with Furikake and topped with Poke Sauce
Beverage
- Kirin Draft Beer
- Strawberry Nigori Sake
- Furano Martini: Vodka, Lavender Syrup, and Yuzu Juice
Morocco
Food
- Beef Kefta Pocket with Caramelized Onions, Garlic, and Spicy Tomato Concassée
- Spicy Hummus Fries with Cucumber, Tomatoes, Onions, Tzatziki, and Chipotle Sauce
- Chocolate Baklava: Rolled Phyllo Dough with Toasted Almonds and Dark Chocolate Sauce
Beverage
- Mediterranean Beer
- Kasbah Prestige Red
- Red Organic Sangria
- Mimosa Royale: Sparkling Wine and Orange Juice topped with Orange Liqueur
Brazil (Between Morocco and France)
Food
- Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, Tomato, and Onions (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
- Pão De Queijo: Brazilian Cheese Bread (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
Beverage
- M.I.A. Beer Company Barbossa Black Beer, Doral, FL
- Frozen Caipirinha featuring Leblon Cachaça
France
Food
- Tarte aux Oignons Caramelises Et Chévre: Goat Cheese Tart with Caramelized Onions on a Flaky Pastry Crust
- Canard Confit À L’orange: Braised Duck Confit À L’orange with Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Tarte Tropezienne, Coulis Framboise: Brioche Cake Filled with Light Pastry Cream and Raspberry Coulis
Beverage
- Kronenbourg Blanc 1664 Draft Beer
- VeRy Raspberry: Rosé Wine with Natural Raspberry Flavor
- Bordeaux, Merlot and Cabernet Blend, Château Tarin
- La Vie en Rose Frozen Slushy: Vodka, Grey Goose L’orange, St. Germain Liqueur, White and Red Cranberry Juice
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
- Future World East – Spring Berry Bliss: Frozen Strawberry and Coconut Syrup topped with Raspberry Vodka
- Canada – Orange Splash: Frozen Lemon mixed with Orange Vodka
- American Adventure – Tropical Breeze: Frozen Lemon, Coconut Syrup, and Pineapple Rum
- Showcase Plaza – Passion Flower: Frozen Passion Fruit and Tea infused with Lemon Vodka
Disney’s Hollywood Studios End of Re-Opening Day Summary
Well here’s today’s summary of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. There were moments at the start when guests entered that you could question whether people were 6 feet apart or not but the entire way in the rest of the day the cast members and guests did a nice job of following all rules and procedures. It was a “real feel” of 106 degrees and direct sunlight all day. Not gonna lie…we were hot. But again everyone kept their masks on even through the heat. Even kids so it can be done. Now if you ask how my mask smells…TOTAL different story lol. Anyway here’s some photos of the day. Enjoy
Photos – Crowds & Safety/Queue Lines at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Take a look at Photos of the Crowds & Safety/Queue Lines at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for park re-opening.
