Category: News

  • Disney World Now Only Accepting Reservations Beginning in July

    Disney World Now Only Accepting Reservations Beginning in July

    Disney World is now only accepting reservations beginning in July 2020.

    Reservations are currently available for travel dates on July 1 and later, according to Disney’s website.

    Previously, Disney World had stopped accepting reservations before June 1 during the coronavirus closure of the Central Florida theme park.

    Disney has been closed since mid-March and has not announced any plans for reopening theme parks in Central Florida.

    Shanghai Disneyland reopened on Monday. Disney is limiting visitor numbers, requiring masks and checking temperatures at the gate.

    Disney said last week that it will begin a phased reopening of Disney Springs May 20 with enhanced safety measures to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

    Disney’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pamela Hymel gave an update on what people can expect once its other parks, resorts and stores reopen.

    The company is looking into phased reopening at all locations, whether it be a gradual reopening or partial for certain areas.

    Hymel said Disney is working to manage guest density and social distancing with not just restaurants and hotels, but queues and ride vehicles. The measure will likely include guest capacity that matches state and federal guidelines to keep visitors and employees safe.

    Disney is also looking into virtual queues for Disney World and Disneyland with the help of their app.

  • Shanghai Disneyland Reopens with Anti-Virus Controls

    Shanghai Disneyland Reopens with Anti-Virus Controls

    Shanghai Disneyland reopened to the public today, becoming the first Disney theme park to do so amid the coronavirus pandemic.

    During the initial reopening phase, visitors are required to wear face masks and undergo temperature checks upon arrival.

    China, where the pandemic began in December, was the first country to reopen factories and other businesses after declaring the disease under control in March even as infections rise and controls are tightened in some other countries.

    “For Shanghai Disney Resort, while this is a key step in our phased reopening, there are many more milestones to come for us and our sister parks around the world.,” the president of Shanghai Disney Resort, Joe Schott said.

    Tourism has been hit especially hard by controls imposed worldwide that shut down airline and cruise ship travel, theme parks and cinemas. Disney blamed a 91% plunge in its latest quarter profit on $1.4 billion in virus-related costs.

    Shanghai Disneyland and Disney’s park in Hong Kong closed on Jan. 25 as China isolated cities with 60 million people to try to contain the outbreak. Tokyo Disneyland closed the following month and parks in the United States and Europe in March.

  • Disney Releases At-Home ‘Grey Stuff’ Recipe and It’s Delicious

    Disney Releases At-Home ‘Grey Stuff’ Recipe and It’s Delicious

    Disney has released another park recipe you can make at home! It’s time to tie your napkin ‘round your neck while we provide a new easy at-home recipe inspired by the ultimate “Grey Stuff” found at Disney Parks around the world.

    Being one of our most sought-after recipes, our chefs got together to create this simple version the entire family will enjoy making and eating! Why not make it a “Beauty and the Beast”-themed evening and serve while watching the animated classic or live-action version (or both!) on Disney+?

    And now we invite you to relax, pull up a chair as we proudly present –the Grey Stuff! Take a look at the ingredients and instructions below:

    Simple At-Home Grey Stuff Recipe Inspired by the  Ultimate “Grey Stuff” at Disney Parks 
    Makes 12

    Ingredients: 

    • 1 1/2 cups cold whole milk 
    • 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix 
    • 15 chocolate sandwich cookies 
    • 1 (8 ounce) container whipped topping, thawed 
    • 3 tablespoons instant chocolate pudding mix  
    • 12 scalloped sugar cookies 
    • Edible sugar pearls  

    Directions: 

    1. Pour milk into large mixing bowl. Add instant vanilla pudding mix and whisk for 2 minutes until smooth and slightly thickened. Place in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours, until firm. 
    2. Place chocolate sandwich cookies in food processor and pulse until puréed.  
    3. Fold puréed cookies into pudding mix. Stir until fully mixed. 
    4. Add whipped topping and instant chocolate pudding.  Stir until fully mixed. 
    5. Place in refrigerator and chill for one hour. 
    6. Spoon grey stuff into piping bag fitted with desired tip. Pipe grey stuff onto cookies. Top with sugar pearls. 
  • BREAKING: Boba Fett to Appear in ‘The Mandalorian’ Season 2, Played by Star Wars Vet

    BREAKING: Boba Fett to Appear in ‘The Mandalorian’ Season 2, Played by Star Wars Vet

    The second season of the Disney+ Star Wars show The Mandalorian will reportedly feature the return of Boba Fett.

    Temuera Morrison, who played Jango Fett in 2002’s Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, will play the iconic roll, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

    Boba Fett’s first appeared on the big screen 1980’s Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and who seemingly died in 1983’s Return of the Jedi as he fell into a sarlacc pit. Actor Jeremy Bulloch portrayed the character in the original trilogy.

    Rumors had been swirling that Boba would make an appearance in the Disney Plus series, after a mysterious off-screen character made similar noises to the bleeps from the character’s suit at the very end of the fifth episode of season 1. All viewers could see was the character’s shadow, as he loomed over the dead body of bounty hunter Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen).

    As The Mandalorian takes place after the events in the original trilogy, The Mandalorian will presumably have to explain how he’s still alive. Previously, The Mandalorian director Dave Filoni similarly resurrected Darth Maul, who was seemingly killed in The Phantom Menace, for his animated series The Clone Wars.

  • ‘The Wonderful World of Disney’ Returns to ABC With Broadcast Debut of ‘Moana’

    ‘The Wonderful World of Disney’ Returns to ABC With Broadcast Debut of ‘Moana’

    ABC has announced, “The Wonderful World of Disney” is returning to ABC to bring some of that iconic Disney magic back to your movie nights.

    Across four consecutive Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. ET, you and your loved ones can cuddle up on the couch to watch four beloved family films from the Disney library — all of which are currently available on Disney+. The fun begins May 20 when “Moana” hits the small screen.

    The following Wednesday nights will feature Marvel Studios’ “Thor: The Dark World” (airing May 27), Disney and Pixar’s “Up” (airing June 3) and Disney’s “Big Hero 6” (airing June 10).

    With the networks’ original series’ production halted and people looking for comfort-food entertainment while sheltering at home amid the coronavirus pandemic, blockbuster theatrical movies are becoming a viable programming option.

    While The Wonderful World of Disney originally aired on Sundays, its new installment is slated for Wednesdays so it does not clash with CBS’ theatrical movie showcase. Once a weekly staple, over the past decade or so The Wonderful World of Disney has become a brand occasionally used by ABC for special programming, most recently The Little Mermaid Live! and The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration.

    Fans can also find more entertainment from Disney brands — including “Star Wars” and “National Geographic” in addition to those mentioned above — at DisneyMagicMoments.com.

  • Disneyland Now Accepting New Reservations Starting July 1 Amid Coronavirus Closure

    Disneyland Now Accepting New Reservations Starting July 1 Amid Coronavirus Closure

    Disneyland Resort has begun accepting new reservations for dates starting July 1, after closing indefinitely amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

    Disneyland in Anaheim has pushed back the date it will begin accepting reservations for the Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand California Hotel and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. The park said it now will accept reservations on July 1 or later. The previous date was June 1.

    According to the Disneyland website, dining reservations and bookable merchandise experiences at the Disneyland resort are also unavailable until the Anaheim parks set a reopening date.

    Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the theme park has been closed since March 14th. A notice on the Disneyland website disclosed that “a reopening date has not been identified.”

    This also comes after the Disney Parks Chief Medical Officer announced Health Considerations to reopen Disney World & Disneyland.

  • Chief Medical Officer Announces Considerations to Reopen Disney World & Disneyland

    Chief Medical Officer Announces Considerations to Reopen Disney World & Disneyland

    Disney Parks Chief Medical Officer Pam Hymel has released plans and considerations for reopening resorts, retail, restaurants, and theme parks at Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

    “Together, with our colleagues in operations, and local health and government authorities, we’re evaluating several new and enhanced safety measures to do our part towards helping us stay well while we work, stay, and play at a Disney resort and a Disney store,” Hymel said.

    Take a look below at some of the ideas Disney is exploring:

    • Phased reopening: We’re looking at all of our locations and how best to begin the reopening process, including a gradual reopening and/or partial reopening of certain locations. For example, the opening of retail and dining locations prior to the opening of our theme parks.
    • Physical distancing and capacity measures: As you can imagine, managing guest density in queues, restaurants, hotels, ride vehicles and other facilities throughout the park and across the resort is a major focus, as we implement physical distancing guidelines based on guidance from health authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and appropriate government agencies. This will likely include implementation of guest capacity measures to comply with state and federal guidelines. We’re also exploring ways to use technology to aid us in these efforts, like with our Play Disney Parks App and through virtual queues at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
    • Cleanliness and sanitization: We’re planning increased cleaning and disinfection, determining where that should take place (for example, in high-traffic areas), and the cleaning products and processes we’ll use.  
    • Screening and prevention support: We’ll follow guidance from the government and the medical community regarding enhanced screening procedures and prevention measures, including those related to personal protective equipment (PPE), such as face coverings. Some measures, like adding hand sanitizers and hand washing stations across our resorts, have already been implemented.
    • Cast training: We’re further emphasizing our strong culture of health and safety amongst our cast members, and will continue to provide new training and reinforcement as we get closer to reopening.

    These are just a few examples of the many areas Disney is developing plans for and given the constantly changing global health environment, these practices may evolve as they consider the latest guidance.

    In the meantime, Disney’s focus remains on the health and safety of the entire Disney community – including the wellbeing of the Cast Members who are caring for and securing Disney Parks and resorts during the closure. They have already implemented a number of enhanced health and safety measures, such as increasing the frequency of cleaning and disinfection in work areas, adjusting practices to promote physical distancing, and providing Cast with access to necessary PPE, including face coverings.

  • Construction Resumes on Two Major Disneyland Resort Projects During Park Closure

    Construction Resumes on Two Major Disneyland Resort Projects During Park Closure

    As some parts of the country slowly start returning to business, Disney is resuming construction on two major Disneyland Resort projects during the parks closure.

    “Disney construction crews have returned to resume limited “essential work” on Avengers Campus and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway while the Anaheim theme parks remain closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to the OC Register.

    Following the coronavirus closures of the Anaheim theme parks in mid-March, construction has been halted at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

    In line with direction from government and health officials, essential work will be performed periodically by limited crews to protect Avengers Campus, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway and other projects at the Disneyland resort, according to Disney officials.

    The skeleton crews will be weather protecting the Avengers Campus project at Disney California Adventure and receiving steel deliveries for the Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway dark ride at Disneyland. The work crews at the Anaheim parks will include some Disneyland employees, Walt Disney Imagineering staffers and third-party contractors.

    The limited construction marks the first signs of progress at the Disneyland resort as Disney prepares for the eventual reopening of its Anaheim theme parks.

    Disney’s two Anaheim theme parks, three hotels and outdoor shopping mall remain closed until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • BREAKING: Disney Springs to Begin Phased Reopening May 20 After Coronavirus Closure

    BREAKING: Disney Springs to Begin Phased Reopening May 20 After Coronavirus Closure

    A phased reopening of Disney Springs will begin on May 20 after the shopping destination closed has been closed for more than a month due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    Following the guidance of government and health officials, a limited number of shopping and dining experiences that are owned by third-party operating participants will begin to open during this initial phase. The rest of Walt Disney World Resort will remain closed, including theme parks and resort hotels.

    As we continue to monitor conditions, and with the health of guests and Disney cast members at the forefront of our planning, we are making several operational changes. Disney Springs will begin to reopen in a way that incorporates enhanced safety measures, including increased cleaning procedures, the use of appropriate face coverings by both cast members and guests, limited-contact guest services and additional safety training for cast members. 

    We will apply learnings and ideas from leaders in the health and travel industries, and we’re also talking to our unions as we prepare for some cast members to return to work.   

    During the initial opening phase, Disney Springs will have limitations on capacity, parking and operating hours. Given this unprecedented situation, we appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we navigate through this process as responsibly as we can. Additional protocols and procedures may be announced closer to the opening date. Please check DisneySprings.com as we get closer to May 20 for the most current information on operating hours, locations and safety procedures.

  • DisneyNOW app Brings Virtual Disney Parks Content to Your Fingertips

    DisneyNOW app Brings Virtual Disney Parks Content to Your Fingertips

    A whole new world of Disney Magic can be virtually experienced now in the DisneyNOW app creating an even easier way for kids to access some of their favorite Disney Parks content from home

    You can race around with the Parr family on the Incredicoaster at Disney’s California Adventure park, sing a tale as old as time with Beauty and the Beast stage show on Disney Cruise Line or even watch the new “Magic Happens” parade at Disneyland park!

    DisneyNOW is a kids-safe app with the newest episodes and current seasons of your favorite Disney Channel shows, DCOMs and dozens of games.

    Click here to access the Disney Magic Moments collection in DisneyNOW!