food IS a theme park
In mid-June Disney World announced that Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party would be canceled this year.
Gingerbread Cookie at Epcot’s 2019 Festival of the Holidays
But, uncertainty still remained over Christmastime offerings like Magic Kingdom’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays, and Candlelight Processional.
(Please note: This post was updated on May 27, 2021.)
The Disney World theme parks have been open for almost 11 months now.
Magic Kingdom
We’ve certainly been busy keeping up with all of the health and safety updates and getting you the best advice for navigating Disney World in the age of the global health crisis. We know a lot of you are wondering if Disney World is safe right now, and that’s a complicated question. To help answer it, we’re taking a look at a question many of you have asked us — if any COVID-19 cases have been traced back to Disney World.
It’s a strange new world we’re living in, and the Florida theme parks are ready to reflect and look forward.
Disney World
Today, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis held a roundtable with representatives from several major central Florida theme parks to talk about their reopenings and the coming months. In attendance were representatives from Universal, Toothsome, Sea World, and Disney — and the discussion gave us an inside look at how the reopening is playing out in the Disney parks.
Traveling to Disney World is VERY different now — and we want you to be prepared.
Magic Kingdom
We’re constantly on the lookout for new tips to bring you, especially when it comes to contending with all the changes in a reopened Disney World. It really is a whole new world in and around the parks, so we’re bringing you EVERYTHING you need to know to be an expert on your trip. Here are 5 brand-NEW tips for traveling to Disney World in the age of this “new normal!”
Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant in Disney Springs is well-known for great food and raucous celebrations.
The Great Irish Hooley
Raglan Road has been open since early June with lots of new health and safety measures. Next up on the schedule for this fun pub was the Labor Day weekend music festival — the Great Irish Hooley. Unfortunately, though, the 2020 Great Irish Hooley has officially been canceled.
A LOT is different in Disney World and it can be hard to keep track of all of the changes.
Monorail
Now, MOST of the changes make sense. We totally get the mask mandate, temperature checks, and social distancing. But we’ll be honest, there are some things (or lack thereof) that are just downright confusing for us! Let’s take a look at some of the bigger head-scratchers we’ve experienced in a reopened Disney World!
As Disney World continues to reopen its dining locations around the parks, we’ve seen a few changes in different restaurants.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
While the parks will be reducing their hours even further (though a few dining locations will remain open after the daily closures!), the actual experiences IN restaurants are somewhat different with the latest health and safety regulations. Although there are limited menus, distanced seating, and other updated measures in restaurants, there have also been modifications to bars around Disney World. And now, another Disney Worl bar has reopened.
This week marks the first month since Disney World reopened after its longest closure in history. Disneyland Resort’s theme parks and hotels, however, have yet to reopen.
Disneyland’s Gate – Still closed.
After announcing a prospective grand reopening date, Disneyland Resort’s reopening was delayed except for Downtown Disney which officially welcomed back guests on July 15th.
It’s a whole new world of cleanliness and sanitation in Disney World and we’re still getting used to it!
Cast Members Cleaning
There are all sorts of new protocols for Cast Members and guests and we’ve been observing the way that these protocols work in the parks. We have to say, some things have definitely surprised us about the way that cleaning is handled for rides and attractions. Here’s what we WEREN’T expecting!
Another merchandise location has reopened in Animal Kingdom!
Island Mercantile
Even though all four of the Disney World parks have been open for a few weeks now, there are still several shopping and dining locations within the parks that remain closed. Recently, Island Mercantile reopened in Animal Kingdom. Let’s step inside this reopened Animal Kingdom merchandise spot!
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