Disney Springs may be open again, but sometimes it’s just nice to chill out at home on the weekend after a busy week!

But, if you’re still wanting to pick up some new Disney merchandise, you can still do some online shopping with this awesome shopDisney sale!

If you have kiddos at home, they’re going to want to play with their new toy figurines or remote-controlled cars for hours on end. After all, now you can get 25% off toys, plushes, and costumes with the Summer Sale happening on shopDisney!

Once you pick what outfits and dolls you’d like (anybody else wish they made those Frozen 2 dresses in adult sizes??), you can use the promo code “SUMMER25” at check-out to take advantage of the deal. And, you don’t even have to leave your couch!

The Summer Sale ends TONIGHT, May 31st, so you may want to hurry to pick up your favorite toys, costumes, and plushes online!

Take a look at ALL the cool new things you can get at the World of Disney here!

What surprise would you like to get your kids from shopDisney? Let us know in the comments below!

Welcome back, friends! We’re back in Disney Springs to see what’s new!

And, we’ve got plenty of food, merchandise, construction, and entertainment updates to share with you, so let’s get to it!

Disney Springs Merchandise Update

World of Disney

We’re back at the World of Disney, buuut there wasn’t too much of a wait (WIN for us!!).

Although we’ve already seen the Pineapple Loungefly Backpack on shopDisney, it washed up on shore at World of Disney!

While they sold out earlier this week, they are back in stock for $75 (so you can take a bit of the tropics home with you!).

Click here to pick up the Mickey Mouse Pineapple Mini Backpack by Loungefly!

We’re totally in to retro merchandise and combining things from the past with our new looks today! And, we are LOVING the new line of Disney Retro Hats!

While you can spot different logos from throughout the years (we still have shirts with this character logo!!)…

…you can also get a denim hat with the mouse who started it all! Oh, Disney — how we love you.

Travel back to the 90’s and look at the Disney Retro Hats here!

Let’s paint it red, folks!! We spotted the Red Minnie Mouse Loungefly Backpack (and it’s going to make all of our park outfits mega cute).

While the backpack may not be new in general, it is new to the store for $80!

Take a look at the sequined Red Minnie Loungefly Backpack here!

We’re wishing for this book we love!! The Snow White Journal is back in stock in the World of Disney and we couldn’t be happier to live out our Disney Princess dreams!

While there are SO many gorgeous details around the outside, we are also very curious to see what happily ever after you write for yourself on the inside.

Dream big, friends!

Check out all the stunning details on the Snow White Journal here!

Marketplace Co-Op

Disney Springs has been using virtual queues to control traffic in stores and promote distancing. On our recent visit, we were put in a virtual queue at the Marketplace Co-Op.

But, we were called within only a few minutes!

Learn more about the virtual queues in Disney Springs here!

Stance

Stance has reopened in Disney Springs with a new limited capacity of only 15 people.

While they haven’t received anything new yet, you can still pick up some classics in the store, like the Star Wars Stance Socks!!

AND they were running a 20% off sale on their box sets!

Take a look inside Stance’s re-opening here!

Under Armour

Under Armour also reopened in Disney Springs so guests can grab some comfy leggings to wear when Disney World opens back up!

The store actually hit capacity at one point — possibly because it was giving away $10 coupons for guests to use while they were visiting!

What would you like to buy??

Read more about Under Armour’s re-opening in Disney Springs here!

Disney Springs Food Update

Popcorn Cart

While we told you that you can still get your popcorn buckets refilled in Disney Springs…

…now popcorn carts are selling the Mickey Birthday Refillable Popcorn Buckets for guests!

Oh, BOY!! We’re just so happy to be able to get Disney popcorn again.

Check out all the details on refillable popcorn buckets in Disney Springs here!

The Basket at Wine Bar George

We had to say goodbye to the newest Corkcicle at Wine Bar George’s The Basket (so long, friend), but you can still get the Corkcicle deal!

However, the $10 refill now comes in a plastic cup instead of in your reused Corkcicle.

Learn more about the change in the Corkcicle refills here!

Planet Hollywood

We’re taking a trip to the movies at Planet Hollywood! Although the location reopened on May 20th, we decided to go inside to check out the new health and safety procedures and order some eats.

While we were there, our server was wearing a mask and told us that there was a reduced menu so food was coming out of the kitchen a lot quicker.

We ordered a chicken sandwich and a boozy milkshake surprise that we will give you a full review of soon!

Learn more about Planet Hollywood’s health and safety procedures here!

Disney Springs Construction Update

Beatrix

Although there aren’t too many updates to share, construction is still happening at Beatrix.

We’re loving that color, though!

Check out all the details on Beatrix coming soon here!

Ample Hills Creamery

Ample Hills Creamery in Disney Springs also appears under construction, too!

We will keep you updated if we see more progress on the new dining spots soon!

Read all about Ample Hills Creamery (and its ice cream) here!

Disney Springs Entertainment Update

Stormtroopers

The Stormtroopers have still been in a galaxy far, far away from their home and patrolling at Disney Springs.

While we’ve spotted them in different places throughout the shopping and dining district, on our most recent visit, they talked about how their “face coverings” looked pretty great! (We agree, Stormtroopers.)

Take a look at the Stormtroopers in action here!

So if you’re headed to Disney Springs, don’t forget your popcorn bucket, Corkcicle, and mask! We will be back in Disney Springs soon to bring you even MORE food, merch, construction, and entertainment updates.

Take a look at all the details you need to know about Disney World’s re-opening here!

What are you looking forward to seeing the most in Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments below!

Welcome to the latest edition of The Magic, The Memories, and Merch!, the longest running monthly look at the still closed Disney Outlet Stores in Orlando.

Here’s the current look at the Disney Character Warehouse located off Vineland Ave.  The outlets that the store is a part of has re-opened, but Disney is one of the few stores that has remained closed.

A peek inside the window shows discounted items waiting for customers, not unlike the Islands of Misfit Toys waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve.

This look through the window shows us the cash registers at the front of the store. For those who have been to both the Disney Outlet Stores on Vineland and International Drive, it also shows how much bigger the Vineland location is overall.

 

While Disney recently re-opened The World of Disney at Disney Springs, they have yet to make any announcement on what the future of the Disney Outlet Stores will be. I  have a good feeling though, because we are already seeing reports of some next level bonkers items being sold in Disney Springs, and that junk has to go somewhere once it sits on the shelves for too long. The World of Disney (and the Disney theme parks) are the supply chain for the Disney Outlets, so knock on wood we’ll get some news soon. I personally would have thought the Disney Outlet Stores would already be open by now, but at this point I would guess the chances of a June opening are at best 50/50, and if I had to put money down I would say re-opening comes shortly after the theme parks open in July.

THAT SAID, some stuff still happened this month in a new phrase I will dub OUTLET ADJACENT. Longtime readers of this fine blog series have seen me write about the infamous gas station that is located on Vineland Ave, near to the Outlets. For years this gas station was selling gas at $5.99 a gallon, several dollars higher than anyone else in Florida. Keep in mind that $5.99 was for the cheap stuff, premium gas was priced even higher. In a shocking move earlier this year, the price actually WENT UP to $6.99 a gallon. There has a been a lot of “rumor and innuendo” over why the gas station does this. Some speculate that it is just to take advantage of tourists not paying attention ,or for business men and women using a corporate card where they can just write off the expense. Others say that the owners of the gas station were more interested in the convenience store that is attached it, and only begrudging sold the gas because they were contractually obligated to. Who knows if we’ll ever get the real story.

However, earlier in May we got an even bigger surprise.

THE GAS DROPPED DOWN TO $1.89!!

Keep in mind, this new price was even lower than the $2.00 per gallon I was paying for at my local gas station. Just a jaw-dropping development. We haven’t seen a price drop this fast and this shockingly since the Beanie Bears Futures market in the late 1990s.

Even more interesting is that the premium gas option was just 10 cents more than the regular unleaded gas (normally it was a dollar more per gallon.)

 

 

By the end of the month, the price ticked up 10 cents a gallon, but still more than reasonable. There were also several posts on social media of people seeing “sign holders” at nearby intersections holding up advertisements for the Mexas Tacos restaurant which is part of this gas station plaza (and presumably owned by the same people). If I were a betting man, I would say the price of gas dropped so much because the amount of foot traffic in the convenience store and restaurant became almost non-existent.

 

So, the Disney Outlet Stores are closed. What’s Disney doing with all their junk? Turns out, at ShopDisney.com (which had a REALLY BAD month public relations wise as the website was shut down multiple times by eBay pirates scooping up limited edition items). On one of my last days at EPCOT in March, I saw this INSANE Spring Break shirt at the make-shift MouseGear store. I knew right then I would absolutely have to pick the shirt up when it went to the Outlets. This looks like some “3 for $10” shirt you’d see for sale on the Jersey shore.  However, the shirt went on clearance over at Disney’s own website (although the discount was pretty much eliminated once you factor in shipping). My hope is that when the Disney Outlet Stores re-open, some manager has a box of these shirts still sitting in the back of their car so I can get my hands on one at the price they should be price at ($2.99).

Speaking of ShopDisney, who saw THIS coming?!

 

Here’s a glamour shot of the castle sculpture in its normal home in Disney Springs. Keep in mind that while no discounts apply, if you use your Disney Chase Visa credit card, you will earn $375 in Disney Rewards. This won’t even come close to paying for the tax on the Dumbest Thing You Ever Bought, but at least you’ll have a good story at parties.

 

People exploring the ShopDisney site ran across some of the same type of bonkers items that Outlet Report readers are used to seeing.

 

 

 

I wanted to close this month with looking at some items that I’ve bought at the Disney Outlets along with purchases made by fellow TouringPlans author Julia Mascardo. When it comes to the phrase “bring balance to the Force,” Julia and I personify it. She prides herself on being a minimalist, constantly looking for ways to de-clutter her home. I have multiple Tsum Tsum adventure calendar boxes…from the same year.

One thing I have to buy are items which are so CRAZY that I am drawn to them in a way like Harry Potter was drawn to Voldermort’s horcruxes. Case in point, this Animal Kingdom 20th anniversary baseball cap that originally cost $75. The hat itself came in it’s own box.

 

The inside of the box was lined with a print.

I love when stuff like this comes with a “certificate” which means about as much in the Real World as McLovin’s fake ID. How great is “Edition Size: Limited Release.” WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?! Limited to what? 20? 75? 100? 1000? A million?

The front bill of the hat was legitimately made out of wood. It’s crazy. I love it.

I like that the tag inside isn’t something generic.

But at this price it better not be. I can’t imagine how many they actually sold of these at Full Retail. P.T. Barnum’s phrase of “there’s a sucker born every minute” doesn’t even account for this. I bought this for $19.99 at the Outlets, which is still about $10 too much, but I had to have it.

My next favorite hat purchase was this NBA Experience one. This hat was originally sold for $50, which is just plain bonkers. $50 for a baseball cap from a place No One Went To. This is like if Quibi tried to sell $50 hats today. The hat was reduced to $15.99 at the Outlets.

Here’s the side profile of the hat. You would think they would have made the hat so that the grey are starts at the end of the bill, for a more cleaner look. You would be wrong.

I like that the graphic on the side has a pair of “Mickey hands” holding a basketball.

What’s super cool about the hat is that the air holes at the top are in the shape of a Mickey head. That’s awesome.

Turning the hat upside down, the inside has a list of the things you can do at NBA Experience.

It’s hard to get across how RIDICULOUS the size of this tag on the right is. By far and away the biggest tag I have seen stitched into any hat that I’ve seen in my life, and I’m sure that I’ve seen and wore thousands of baseball caps.

This is what happens every time I wear it. The tag sticks out the side and I look like an idiot.

Bacini – the official dog of DisTwitter – is also not a fan.

Now let’s check out some of Julia Mascardo’s Disney Outlet Store purchases from over the years. First up is one of my all-time favorite items. The Devil/Angel Donald Duck Tagalongs. I also bought these when they were at the Outlets. The Disney Tagalongs was a series that was only made for a brief amount of time. In theory, they allowed guests to have a character walk around with them while in the parks. The line of Tagalongs had characters including Jiminy Cricket, Tinker Bell, and Stitch. The Donald Duck set was a two pack, and – in my mind – brilliant.

Years later, I still don’t understand how these Tagalongs work, even after doing a scientific experiment.

While I love ridiculous Disney hats, Julia is more drawn to artwork that she can display on her walls, such as this wonderful EPCOT Food & Wine print.

Hard to deny the beauty of this artwork based on the carousel.

This Stand-By Entrance timer magnet was part of a kitchen accessories line. I also bought one at the Outlets. Like Julia, I never actually used it for its intended purposes, but I still think it was a great product concept.

There are a lot of people in the Disney community who collect “plates.” I remember growing up seeing advertisements for things where you would get a different Disney-themed plate sent every month. Your parents’ version of LootCrate basically. You don’t see collectible plates around as much lately (or at least I don’t). This particular plate below has a wonderful Old Timey Florida feel to it.

This couch pillow looks like it came from someplace like the Grand Floridian. I’ve picked several pillows like this over years at the Outlets, including one based on the Enchanted Tiki Room, one for the Little Orange Bird, and several Christmas themed designs.

Look at this, my arch-nemesis Metal Earth. There are some items which show up at the Disney Outlet Stores that make no sense, including Metal Earth kits based on NASA ships, but the one below has some actual ties to Disney. Apparently Walt Disney himself was inspired by the Newschwanstein Castle in Germany.

Speaking of Disney, you can also see Neuschwanstein Castle in the current Soarin’ Around the World attraction in EPCOT.

Like many, Julia is a big fan of Emperor’s New Groove, so she’s one of the five people who bought one of the PatcheD sets.

There has been some GREAT Disney themed luggage tags available at the Outlets over the years, including these two below.

While StellaLou and Shellie May have never been available at the Disney Outlets in Orlando (several versions of Duffy have been there  though), all the outfits below were bought there.

I want to thank Julia for sending me pictures of what she’s bought at the Outlets over the years, and would love to hear what y’all have got yourselves. The Good, the Bad, and – most importantly – THE UGLY! Feel free to post in the comments below, or send me a picture (Derek @ TouringPlans.com)

SEE YOU NEXT MONTH! (hopefully AT the Outlets…)

NOT THAT IT MATTERS, BUT…There are actually two Disney outlet stores in Orlando. Both are in Orlando Premium Outlet shopping complexes, and they are called Disney’s Character Warehouse, presumably because The Land Of Misfit Toys was already trademarked. There is one Character Warehouse located on International Drive close to Universal Studios (4951 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819), and the other is on Vineland Avenue, right across I-4 near the exits to Disney World (8200 Vineland Ave, Orlando, FL 32821). They do not ship. There are items at the Outlets that you can buy both in Disney stores along with the Shop Disney Parks app, but you will be paying full retail for the items. For our CALIFORNIA OUTLET trips, @ChristelaMcC goes to the Las Americas outlet in San Diego. It is located right off the last U.S. exit.

I often get asked “which store is better?” That depends. Vineland is close to Walt Disney World, while the I-Drive location is a hop, skip, and jump away from the Universal Orlando Resort. The Vineland Disney Outlet Store is much, MUCH bigger than the I-Drive location. However, the Vineland outlets in general are much, MUCH busier than I-Drive. Each have their pros and cons, and ultimately they carry much of the same items. For a Disney Outlet Store FAQ, check out this SATURDAY SIX Presents: Everything You Wanted To Know About The Disney Outlet Stores (But Were Afraid To Ask)

2013: July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec
2014: Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec
2015: Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec
2016: Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec
2017: Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec
2018: Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec
2019: Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec
2020: Jan| Feb | March | April

Very Special Editions & Milestones: Tribute to O.O.G.; Four Year Anniversary Special; First Pandora Items; Five Year Anniversary Special & Outlet Hall of Fame; Major Changes Come to the Outlets; Camera Hat

We also did an edition of Magic, Memories, and Junk for a non-Disney owned Outlet Store, and for you merch addicts like myself, you may also enjoy a look at the official Disney merchandise available on the Disney Cruise Line, Castaway Cay, and at the Orlando International Airport. Want to see our favorite WDW resort-specific merchandise? Well, CLICK HERE!

If you liked what you read here, you may enjoy THE SATURDAY SIX articles every week on the TouringPlans.com blog and you can follow your humble author on Twitter (@derekbugan).

The post The Magic, The Memories, and Merch! – Disney Outlet Store Update for May 2019 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

We’ve been hard at work scoping out all the latest news for you this week. Today we have all the details on what’s happening that affects the Disney Parks.

Due to the current global situation, Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris theme parks will be closed until further notice. Shanghai Disneyland reopened in mid-May and Disney World is REOPENING on July 11th! See all of our coverage HERE. And Disney Springs has REOPENED! Now — we still have a LOT to share with you this week, so let’s jump right in… .

All the News From the Disney Parks

• Disney World has an OFFICIAL reopening date! <— HUGE DISNEY WORLD NEWS!
• EVERY detail Disney World has shared about its reopening! <—EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW!
• Character dining has been temporarily canceled at Disney World upon reopening.
• Disney World cancels ALL Dining Plans and current dining reservations. <— DISNEY DINING NEWS!
• Disney World cancels all FastPasses and suspends FastPass+.
• Guests with rescheduled trips to get 35% discount off rooms instead of free dining plan.
• THIS is everything Disney World is refunding right now.
• ALL your questions answered about everything Disney World is canceling.
• 5 things you need to know if you’re planning to go to Disney World the day it reopens.
• Disney World hotel reopening dates and details announced.
• Disney World to use a new reservation system when the theme parks reopen.
• Fireworks, parades, and character meet and greets suspended when Disney World reopens. <—BIG NEWS!
  
• FastPass+ has been removed from My Disney Experience.
• Disney World is suspending extra magic hours at reopening.
• Disney World shares details about the new reservation system. <— BIG NEWS!
  
• Three Disney World changes that went under the radar this week.
• Disney World is offering an Annual Passholder reopening preview.
• We shared what’s new right now in Disney Springs. See more of what’s new here.
  
• Disney Springs was using a virtual queue this weekend!
• We shared some new details about the Star Wars Hotel.
• World of Disney reopened at Disney Springs with a crazy wait time.
• The NBA is voting this week about resuming the season at Disney World.
• Check out the new website for Annual Passholders with info on the reservation system.
• Who counts as a “Disney World Resort Guest” for the reopening?
• We shared an update on Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party for this fall.
• Disney cast members made thank you cards for frontline workers.
• Select Universal Orlando hotels are reopening June 2nd.
• Universal Orlando passholders can register for a preview.
• Golf Disneyland is reopening at Disneyland Paris.
• Will Disney World arcades be affected by the new policies?
• Disney World Annual Passholders are receiving emails about the latest updates.
• We took a look at potential solutions for new transportation problems at Disney World.
• Disney World has updated its policy for guests wearing face masks.
• Reopened theme parks will look “drastically different” says Orange County mayor.
• Disney World has retracted the July 11th hotel reopening statement.
• Guests will not be required to wear face masks while swimming at Disney World.
• Disney’s CEO discussed the reopening of the theme parks.
• Legoland California is the first theme park in that state to propose a reopening date.
• What you need to know if you’re headed to Disney World in March.
• The Walt Disney Company names a new treasurer.
• Revised park hours announced for Walt Disney World reopening.
• Dining reservations are currently unavailable at Disney World.
• Disney Vacation Club announces more updates and extensions.
• Check out the release date for ‘Society of Second-Born Royals’ on Disney+.
• Face coverings will be required at Disney Vacation Club resorts.
• This was a virtual queue you probably weren’t expecting at Disney Springs.
• Big changes are announced for transportation and water parks when Disney World reopens.
• Check out the new Disney World signage you’ll see when the parks reopen.
• Relaxation zones might be a reality when the Disney World parks reopen.
• Disney’s CEO explains why Disney World is opening after Universal. See more comments from Bob Chapek here.
• Find out who was patrolling Disney Springs this week.
• Disney World’s proposed reopening plan is approved by the Orange County mayor. Read more about the proposal here.
• Tokyo Disneyland might have some strange safety protocols when it reopens.
• Social Distancing Squads will be at the Disney World theme parks when they reopen.
• Ticket sales and hotel reservations on pause for initial reopening of Disney World.
• SeaWorld announced a proposed reopening date of June 11th.
• We asked our readers what it would take for them to feel safe visiting Disney World again.
• We were live at the reopening of World of Disney in Disney Springs.
• What happens if you refuse to wear a mask in Disney World?
• Check out what Epcot update just hit the Disney World website.
• California officials say Disneyland could reopen in less than a month.
• Adventures By Disney extends 100% cancellation policy through August.
• Disney is polling guests about the new health and safety measures.
• Check out these fun Disney cast members traditions.
• Our Disney movies throw down bracket is ON!
• Take a look at every Disney castle transformation in history.
• We’re answering the most important questions we’re getting about Disney World.
• These Disney rides were game changers for theme parks around the world.

DFB Reviews and Food News

• Sprinkles in Disney Springs is giving away free gift cards!
• We reviewed Terralina Crafted Italian in Disney Springs. Read more about its reopening here.
• Check out this drink discount in Disney Springs.
• Refillable popcorn buckets are BACK in Disney Springs.
• You can make ‘Up’-inspired S’mores at home!
• We shared a new review of Sprinkles cupcakes!
• There’s a NEW Gold Rush Sundae at Ghirardelli! <— NEW SUNDAE ALERT!
  
• Check out our tip for making dining reservations at select Disney Springs restaurants.
• Find out how you can win some really cool Haunted Mansion cookies for a good cause!
• Disney World has added more payment options for Mobile Order.
• Raglan Road has announced a reopening date.
• We shared a new review of T-Rex in Disney Springs.
• Cookes of Dublin has announced a reopening date.
• The Disney Springs bar carts have reopened.
• See where you’ll find an all-day $5 happy hour in Disney Springs.
• House of Blues is reopening soon with new safety protocols.
• B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. has reopened in Disney Springs.
• 5 super expensive Disney snacks that are totally worth it.
• Paradiso 37 has new operating hours.
• We shared our latest review of D-Luxe Burger in Disney Springs.
• This Disney Springs restaurant has a discount for cast members.
• Mobile Order has changed at Disney World counter service restaurants.
• The Daily Poutine has reopened with new safety protocols.
• Inspectors deem Disney World ready to reopen in mid-July.
• We might have an answer to one of our Epcot Food and Wine Festival questions.
• Disney World will offer guests contactless menus when it reopens.
• Iconic Disney World snacks are back at Disney Springs. <— SNACK NEWS!
  
• Find out where you can get a Dole Whip in Disney World right now.
• We shared a review of Pizza Ponte and a slice of pizza as big as your head.
• These are the 8 biggest Disney World menu changes that happened this week.
• You can now make the Kitchen Sink Sundae at home!
• We shared a review of some quick bites from Morimoto Street Food in Disney Springs.

Must-Have Merchandise

• We spotted the sequin Minnie Mouse Loungefly in Disney Springs.
• Check out the super-limited pins coming from Loungefly. 
  
• The Under Armour store in Disney Springs was at capacity this weekend.
• Stance has reopened in Disney Springs.
• We spotted some fun Disney Princess journals. And check out these storybook journals.
• Check out the retro hats we found in Disney Springs.
• The NEW Corkcicles are sold out at Wine Bar George.
• The Baby Yoda plush is back in Disney Springs! <— HE’S BACK!
• Disney Springs is offering an exclusive discount for Florida residents.
• Check out this brand new Maleficent dress available online.
• Take a peek at the new Pleasure Island hat we spotted.
• Sephora has reopened in Disney Springs and has a discount for frontline workers.
• Check out this new Minnie Mouse collection we spotted in Disney Springs.
• We found some cute Disney lunch containers.
• The Spice & Tea Exchange has reopened in Disney Springs.
• Find out what’s different at the LEGO Store in Disney Springs.
• See what the World of Disney looked like this week.
• Check out the cute new Pandora charms we found.
• Disney Stores will be reopening soon with new safety protocols.
• This limited edition collection sold out FAST in Disney Springs.
• The M&M’s Store is still opening this year in Disney Springs.
• Check out this fun Star Wars kitchen gadget!
• You need these 20 Disney accessories for under $20.
• Check out these fun Star Wars gifts for dad.
• Love Your Melon releases new Baby Yoda items.
• A new Disney Dooney & Bourke collection is coming soon!

NEW DFB YouTube Videos

• 8 Bizarre Questions You’ll Ask in Disney World
  
• 9 Tips the Experts Use Every Day in Disney World
  
• Why Did Disney World Do THIS?!
  
• The Latest Disney Parks News
  

The Disney Park Closures — Everything You Need to Know

• Here’s what we know about the closures and and travel to Disney World and Disneyland. <—IMPORTANT READ!
  
• Disney World and Disneyland closure questions answered. <–ALL FAQs ANSWERED
  
• A step-by-step guide to canceling, refunding, or rescheduling your Disney vacation.
• What is open and what is closed at Disney World.
• Should you cancel your Disney World vacation? <—IMPORTANT READ!
• 5 critical points in the new Federal guidelines that could affect Disney World and Disneyland.

New DFB Video — Why Did Disney World Do THIS?!

Have you subscribed to the DFB YouTube Channel? We’ve got FOUR brand new videos EVERY WEEK showcasing our adventures in Disney World and Disneyland! This week, we’re sharing our latest video: Why Did Disney World Do THIS?! — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Deal of the Week: Order the 2020 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining for 25% off

It’s time to order the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2020 e-book!

With over 700 pages of full-color photos, tips on the best restaurants, an ENTIRE chapter on snacks — including the best snack credit values throughout the parks and resorts — and a full break-down of whether the Disney Dining Plan is worth it for your family, now’s the time to get started!

What’s in the DFB Guide?

The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full to overflowing with tools and features to make your trip go smoothly, including:

• A 5-Step Strategy for Disney Dining Planning, covering everything you need to know from budgeting and booking to kids’ meals, dining discounts, and fireworks.
• A comprehensive and in-depth look at EVERY Disney World restaurant, kiosk, bar, and lounge, including our personal tips to ensure a positive and stress-free dining experience.
• Four free, downloadable worksheets for planning your trip. These worksheets are designed to help you execute all the steps of planning the perfect Disney dining experience. And they’re reusable for all of your future trips!
• Seven sample one-day dining itineraries for a head-start on planning.
• A comprehensive index of bars and lounges WITH reviews. An often under-appreciated option for both dining and entertainment, the e-Book devotes a whole index to the topic.
• The ability to be read on your mobile device or computer! It’s fully portable right in your pocket!

You can order your copy today for 25% off the cover price! Just use code WDW2020!

On to the Round-Up!

Mickey Fix shared this super cute Mickey Mouse Popcorn Popper.

WDW for Grownups shared a review of the beignets at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort.

Disney Parks Blog shared a recipe for Island Style Grilled Cheese.

Disney Family shared a recipe for S’mores Cupcakes.

Don’t Miss ANY Disney Food News! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

With EPCOT at Walt Disney World reopening on Wednesday, July 15, the park has little over a month to staff its numerous pavilions. The World Showcase in particular may be faced with a number of issues, as the Cultural Representative program (along with Disney Internships) was suspended on April 18. Between that and current global travel restrictions, it may be difficult to staff these international pavilions, and a new union agreement could mean that we’ll be seeing “normal” cast members […]

The post EPCOT’s World Showcase to be Staffed with Regular Cast Members Upon Reopening appeared first on WDW News Today.

When Disney World initially closed back in March, Disney announced that monthly payments for Annual Passholders on the payment plan would continue.

Disney later overturned this decision and announced that monthly payments would be paused until the parks reopen. However, fees from March had already been charged by the time Disney changed their decision and Passholders on the payment plan have been patiently waiting for their refunds ever since.

We took a peek into our bank accounts this weekend and saw that one month of Passholder payments had been refunded. We took this to mean that our March payment has been refunded to our accounts.

Our bank statements showed “WDW AP Monthly Pa 5/28 Refund” from “Walt Disney World.” Although the date stated was May 28th, our refund was declared “processed” today, May 31st.

Disney has not commented on their timeline for refunds from the closures, but we will continue to keep you updated as we hear more and as we keep an eye on our accounts! Are you an Annual Passholder waiting on a refund? We would love to hear your experience in the comments!

You can read more about everything Disney World is refunding right now HERE!

Are you waiting on a refund from Disney World? Please share your experience in the comments below!

Earlier in the year, we found out that a spin-off prequel series to the 2017, live-action “Beauty and the Beast” movie is in the works. The series, which is set to be released on Disney+, will star Luke Evans and Josh Gad reprising their roles as Gaston and Le Fou, hopefully exploring the origins of the iconic duo. Now, a recent tweet shared by Gad has teased further production developments into the series, as if we weren’t excited enough already. […]

The post Alan Menken Now Collaborating on Songs for Upcoming Live-Action “Beauty and the Beast” Prequel Series appeared first on WDW News Today.

Traveling with your children can be one of the most awe-inspiring experiences you will have. As a child who often traveled — and now as a parent who travels with their children — I hope each of you can revel in the opportunity to expose your own family to new cultures, unique microcosms of natural beauty and the magnificent diversity that makes this world such a charming and diabolical place. Not only can traveling together create lifelong bonds of friendship and mutual respect with your children, but it can also expose them to some of the best lessons in life. And let me tell you, they aren’t found in any classroom.

Many people are quick to overlook the value of the less-convoluted adventures. Your vacation doesn’t need to be aesthetically complex to be worthy of having lasting positive effects on your children’s thinking. The opportunity to inspire and take advantage of developmentally provocative experiences can be unearthed in the simplest moments of your travels. All it requires is the presence of mind for both child and parent.

I know it can be hard. We spend our lives more concerned than ever about the welfare of our families, our taxes, and mortgages. The truth is, our children spend a lot of their time attempting to cope and contend with our world, it is about time we start spending more of our time in theirs.

Despite what some more judgmental peers may have you believe, planning your Disney vacation provides no fewer life lessons than any other trip. In fact, I would challenge that notion even further to say it might even offer more teaching moments. The ability to learn from our activities lies in the amount of effort we are willing to invest in them. That presence of mind mentioned above means a conscious decision to be accessible for your child in each moment of your travels, rather than ticking the boxes and later saying, “We’ve been there.”

The value of any shared experience will depend significantly on the interactive component of your social dynamic. The more you invest, the more you, and your children, will gain.

Disney vacations are fantastic opportunities for children to learn. While they may not expose them to a significant culture shock, there is an abundance of questions to be asked at every turn. With every query comes the opportunity for a mind-expanding conversation that will stay with you both for life.

Disney isn’t just about princesses and churros — it’s about taking time away from your everyday routine and spending it with people you love. It’s about taking relationships and turning them into bonds. It’s about the moments that can be found in between the reasons why you thought you wanted to go in the first place.

Disney allows families to teach their children some of the most basic and essential lessons in life: tolerance, acceptance, appreciation, and patience. These are things we strive to instill in our children at home, but how often are we able to give them real-world opportunities to transform these lessons into actions?

We hope to help our children develop patience, that all good things are worth waiting for. So when the payoff is as exciting as their favorite ride at Disney, the value of this sentiment becomes a reality. Most children will rise to the occasion and learn to wait. While waiting, we are taking in many different calculations. We adjust our voices to appropriate levels and practice being quiet in waiting rooms where videos may be playing. We subconsciously learn about spatial awareness around our bodies while being in close proximity to others in a moving line. Even if these things require prompting from the parent, the idea is still in practice for the child. In fact, this brings me to my next point.

The line is a time of isolation where your party becomes a captive audience for each other. Now let’s turn that captive audience into a captivated one with a little bit of enthusiasm and a commitment to listen. Our children all have their moments of being incredibly annoying. Anyone who says otherwise is either lying or doesn’t have children. But sometimes, if you make a conscious effort to put down your electronic devices, clear your mind and pay attention to them rather than feel disrupted by them, that is when the magic happens.

You may have a child-like my son who has a mind for engineering, thriving in an environment where he can observe moving structures and analyze how and why they work from different angles. He may ask questions about physics and mechanics that give you an insight into who this little person in front of you may grow up to be. He might even teach you a thing or two, leaving him with a sense of satisfaction and confidence.

Or, you might have a child like my daughter who picks up on everything, including the smallest details, committing each one to memory to draw back on later at home. This child may be the one that you spend the next ten years reminiscing with as she remembers such vivid impressions of every part of your trip. These memories might inspire her to become an architect or interior designer who has a natural ability to connect with her surroundings and find the beauty in them.

The possibilities are endless. Let your children bring you into their world. If the conversations aren’t flowing naturally, initiate them. Ask the thought-provoking questions that may have them wondering, “Actually, how does that work?” Ask them their opinion about something, anything, and then take the time to listen to the answers.

Disney is also a great place to vacation with a cross-section of tourists from all over the world. You may come across people with a different lifestyle than you are familiar with at home, different cultures, races, languages. Now is a great time to show your children acceptance and encourage them to ask you questions. Quietly and appropriately, of course. You may not agree with the methods or madness of everyone around you; however, there is a lesson in that for your family as well. Learning to accept that there is no one right way to be. After all, it is easy to be accepting of everyone around you when you are surrounded by a like-minded, similarly cultured community at home.

Sometimes communicating with people from other places can be hard, but a smile is universal. If there is a language barrier, be patient and encourage the foreign party to take their time. You never know what relationships you may form with strangers along the way. It is not uncommon for families to make overseas connections in Disney parks; parents become friends and children become pen-pals. You never know where life can take you if you are open to it.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

The demonstrations of social tolerance and acceptance are not limited to positive examples. There is nothing quite like attempting to find a diplomatic approach to a stressful situation where other people are behaving in a less-than-ideal manner. These are the times when your children are watching you more closely than ever. These moments are when examples are made that can shape how your child reacts to their own moments of frustration for years to come. How is this different from being at home? Because your child is super engaged with their surroundings. This is not another day at the supermarket when someone races in front of you at the counter but your child has already emotionally checked out, dreaming of going home to play Minecraft. On vacation, the Disney experience has your kids in tune with all the stimulation around them and hypersensitive to each action and reaction you may contribute to it. They are watching and learning.

I mentioned earlier that you wouldn’t find these lessons in the classroom at school, but that doesn’t mean you can’t bring some of those classroom teachings into the parks with you. When learning can be teamed up with a subject matter that has your child’s interest, things start to sink in. As you reach the 10-minute line to purchase that toy your child wants, use the time to have your them work out how much money they owe. How much change will there be? If you have an older child, what will the tax on this purchase work out to be?

When the temptation of a physically larger purchase arises it is not just a question of “can I afford this?” but also “how can I get this home?” Make them responsible for their possessions and encourage thinking of available space and planning ahead, not just how much money they have. Before you know it, you are watching your kids practice skills in math, economics, budgeting, spatial planning and thought-out decision making.

When returning from our travels, the most significant developmental advancement that I attribute to Disney Parks is my children’s increased ability to cope — cope with people, school, noises, frustration, routine and more. I also notice an increase in their creativity as they draw inspiration from the things they have seen and done. Before long, my son is recreating ride structures and pulley systems out of Lego and my daughter is applying her mind for creating and planning towards future small business ventures.

When on vacation, be emotionally available to your children, and you will spend less time being frustrated by them and more time being in awe of how their little minds absorb information and expand while you are in the parks. The real magic of Disney isn’t visible in any ride photo or parade. It lies in those moments in between. The special ones that you can only recognize if you are present in the moment. The best part is, once you find them, they are yours to keep and from there, a whole new world lies ahead.

Photo by Jenn Evelyn-Ann on Unsplash

 

Can you believe it’s already been a FULL year since Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened in Disneyland? The ambitious new land, which takes guests to the Black Spire Outpost on the planet of Batuu, first opened to guests on May 31, 2019.

Let’s take a look back on all the developments, speculations, excitement, and anticipation leading up to the official opening day of Galaxy’s Edge AND what has happened in its first year!

When Galaxy’s Edge was First Announced

It was WAY back in 2015 when we first heard that a “Star Wars Land” was coming to both Disney World and Disneyland! This twin land expansion was announced at the D23 Expo.

Looking back, we were REALLY excited about the Cantina coming to the parks! Like, really REALLY excited. After all, we’d been saying for years PRIOR that Disney really needed its own Star Wars cantina.

Read our FIRST REACTION to the new “Star Wars Land” announcement back in 2015 here!

Following Construction and Developments

Between D23 and opening day, we eagerly followed all of the exciting developments! We discussed the big news when we learned that alcohol would be served at Oga’s Cantina — a first at Disneyland with the exception of Club 33!

We also lost our MINDS when we saw the Millennium Falcon appear during the construction phase!

As we moved closer and closer to the opening date in 2019, more details emerged on just how Disney was planning on bringing the Star Wars universe to life! We got a first glimpse of those ‘thermal detonator’ Coca Cola bottles, and all of a sudden, soda bottles became THE most exciting news of the day.

We also got a glimpse at the “datapads” via the Play Parks App! We were stoked to see how much interactive technology was being brought to Galaxy’s Edge!

Look back at more of the exciting developments we were following ahead of Galaxy’s Edge here!

That darn reservation system!

One of the most puzzling but groundbreaking aspects of Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland was the use of their unique reservation system. Although the land had its grand opening on May 31, 2019, for the first few weeks guests could ONLY access the land through having a hotel reservation (these automatically gave you a 4-hour stint in Galaxy’s Edge) or booking an advance reservation.

Those reservations launched on May 2, 2019 and were gone within hours. Guests who did not acquire a reservation could still access the land if they had a booked stay at one of the three Disneyland Resort hotels (oh yeah…which also sold out for the night before the land opened!).

The reservations gave the guests a total of four hours in the land.

We shared discussions on how that 4-hour window would be enforced! Remember when we thought we were gonna be escorted out by Stormtroopers!?

Turns out these guys didn’t end up roughing up guests to get out after their allotted time, but it sounded cool when it was first proposed!

Read our first thoughts about the unique reservation system here!

First Steps into Galaxy’s Edge and A Moving Dedication Ceremony

The day finally arrived for us to take our first steps into Galaxy’s Edge!

We took flight on Millennium Falcon Smugger’s Run for the first time! Initially, the land’s flagship ride, Rise of the Resistance, wouldn’t be opening in either coast’s lands. This ride opened in January 2020 for Disneyland and December 2019 for Disney World!

And after YEARS of wishing and waiting, we finally got to visit an authentic Star Wars cantina inside a Disney Park! Dreams DO come true!

We got to try all of the delicious drinks…!

These pre-mixed drinks are all really fun, and some even have some…surprising elements to them!

Click here to see our full review of Oga’s Cantina!

And of course, we braved the Milk Stand for the very first time to try the infamous Blue Milk and Green Milk!

And who can forget when (of course!) we found a way to hack our milk super quickly!

If you want to try this hack too, order both flavors of milk and ask for an extra cup!

Click here to see what we thought of blue and green milk!

We ate just about EVERYTHING in Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, the land’s new quick-service restaurant.

The spot has something for just about everyone, even if the names of foods do seem a bit strange (more on that in a bit!).

Click here for our first full look at Docking Bay 7!

This spot was also home of the original SPORKS! If you don’t recall, this location originally intended to use metal sporks as reusable cutlery for guests, but due to the COOL look of the sporks, guests quickly began pocketing these as DIY souvenirs.

This led Disney to pull the sporks and offer standard (read: BORING!) utensils. Womp womp. (SPOILER ALERT — when Galaxy’s Edge opened in Disney World, they tried again with the sporks and the SAME THING happened!) FYI — now you can BUY your sporks in Disneyland ;-D.

Click here to read more about Spork-gate in Galaxy’s Edge!

And how could we forget our first sweet, sweet taste of a Ronto Wrap from Ronto Roasters (can you believe it’s only been a year that we’ve had these in our lives?!).

This wrap filled with pork sausage, roasted pork, slaw, and a creamy peppercorn sauce was one of the shining stars of Galaxy’s Edge! Oh yeah — they have a killer breakfast wrap TOO!

Click here to read more about our love, the Ronto Wrap!

Rounding out the food offering in Galaxy’s Edge, we have to mention Kat Saka’s Kettle. This little spot serves up the love-it-or-leave-it Outpost Mix. We’ll always remember our first taste of this treat.

This popcorn is a mix of spicy (the red pieces) and kind of fruity-sweet (the purple pieces). Who would have thought one of the most divisive things in Galaxy’s Edge would be simple popcorn!?

Click here to learn more about Outpost Mix!

Oh, and we can’t forget about the unique merchandise we got to check out for the first time! We built a droid at Droid Depot AND a lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop.

Both experiences were really fun and unique, especially Savi’s. We loved getting to pick out our own Kyber Crystal and build our VERY OWN saber we could tote around all day!

Click here for our experience building a lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop!

One of the most memorable events surrounding the opening of Galaxy’s Edge was the dedication ceremony that took place on May 30. Star Wars icons George Lucas, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Billy Dee Williams joined former CEO Bob Iger for the ceremony.

It was a star-studded kickoff for the land — even Chewbacca showed up in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon!!

Read more about our first day inside Galaxy’s Edge here!

Opening Day: May 31!

At last, we have reached the official opening day of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge! There was so much to take in and, surprisingly, a lot to LEARN (why are all these people saying “Bright suns” to me?!).

One of the biggest stories that day was actually about what was happening OUTSIDE the land. Collectors everywhere were relieved to hear that Galaxy’s Edge opening day merchandise would be sold throughout the park, no land reservation required!

We had originally heard Galaxy’s Edge related merch would ONLY be sold “on planet,” meaning inside the land, so this was welcome news for many who couldn’t get in opening day!

For those with reservations on opening day, everyone was learning just how fast four hours can fly by, and folks tried to strategize how to best use their time.

As for us? Yeah, we were mostly in the Cantina. Sorry, not sorry.

Click here to learn more about the overall experience in Galaxy’s Edge!

Beyond Opening Day…what has happened since?!

A lot can happen in one year, and that has certainly been the case with Galaxy’s Edge! Once the reservation window passed, Disneyland had a virtual standby queue ready to go in case crowds were out of control. (Ah, back in the day when this was all we knew of virtual queues…that’s CHANGED since then, as you’ll see below!)

Read more about the first day of regular admission to Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland here!

As Disneyland became well acquainted with its new land, attention shifted to Florida, as the opening of Disney World’s version of Galaxy’s Edge was set for August 29, 2019.

Florida had a much quieter opening than California. The pomp and circumstance seen at Disneyland’s opening and dedication was noticeably absent from the Florida version. A couple fireworks, a quick word from Bob Chapek, and the land was open for business!

Crowds were consistent for most of its first few months of operations, but definitely not the overwhelming sea of guests many had anticipated.

It initially seemed like the land wasn’t the smash-hit Disney had intended it to be with a BIG notable exception — we were still waiting for Rise of the Resistance. Would that one ride be enough to tie the whole experience together and make it a hit??

Over the past several months, we’ve seen a ton of exciting new FOOD options come to Galaxy’s Edge! Our beloved Ronto Wrap over at Ronto Roasters saw a couple of sister wraps appear on the menu, including a Chicken Ronto Wrap in Florida and a Ronto-less Wrap in California!

We saw some new popcorn flavors emerge over at Kat Saka’s Kettle. Some were an instant hit, like the chocolate and red salt popcorn in Disneyland, while other flavors like the Galaxy Green popcorn in Disney World were…interesting, but boring…and didn’t make a splash.

We’ve also enjoyed following the saga at Oga’s Cantina as they attempt to come up with a palatable charcuterie board. Once a secret menu item, it’s now available on their regular menu and has always been a puzzling assortment of goodies (umm, PRE-PULLED string cheese, pork rinds, and SPAM, anyone?!).

Over at Docking Bay 7, the menu items seemed to go through a bit of an identity crisis for a while! It seemed some guests couldn’t wrap their heads around some of the heavily-themed food names that they were pushing when the land first opened. A lot of the Star Wars-themed names were dropped in favor of more conventional, recognizable names.

But realizing they might have oversteered, Disney reverted back — partially — to the old style names. For instance, instead of “Fried Endorian Tip Yip,” this item was initially changed to just “Fried Chicken,” then landed at “Fried Endorian Chicken Tip Yip.”

We also saw some really unique breakfast foods pop up at the Milk Stand in Disney World recently. Now guests can pick up a tomatoey Saka Farm Egg Bite, Wamba Yogurt Cup (made with green milk!), and the otherworldly-colored Green Milk Bread Pudding!

We weren’t the biggest fans of the flavor of green milk to begin with, so we were on the fence with these breakfast options. The Egg Bite was delicious though!

Click here to see our review of these new breakfast options in Galaxy’s Edge!

And lest we forget, the SPORKS CAME BACK! Well, sort of. The sporks we saw come and go from Docking Bay 7 came back as a souvenir available for purchase, but only in Disneyland!

Guests can pick one up when they order at Docking Bay 7. It even comes with a cute carrying case that says “spork” in Aurebesh (the Star Wars language you’ll find all over Galaxy’s Edge and the films!)

Click here to learn more about the return of the SPORKS to Galaxy’s Edge!

Perhaps the BIGGEST event in the past year was the opening of Rise of the Resistance on both coasts! We were promised something BIG, and Disney did not disappoint! The ride is one of the most technologically advanced, breathtaking rides we’ve EVER seen. Does it live up to the hype? Yeah. Big time.

Seriously, if there’s one part of Galaxy’s Edge worth your time, it’s this ride.

Want to see our in-depth review of the ride? Click here!

The flip side to the awesomeness of Rise of the Resistance? EVERYONE AND THEIR UNCLE WANTS TO RIDE IT! Thus began the infamous virtual queue system, which, like the version we saw when Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge opened, meant guests had to be IN the park to be able to secure a spot in line with a boarding group.

Since a limited number of boarding group spots were available each day, this meant guests were lining up to get in the parks HOURS before their scheduled opening time. We got REALLY good at waking up at 3AM to get one of these elusive boarding groups!! Crazy? Yes. Worth it? Still yes.

Galaxy’s Edge was popular, but NOTHING like once Rise finally opened, completing the lands on both coasts. Disney made a BIG promise when they announced Galaxy’s Edge and, for the most part, we think they delivered. The land is immersive and totally unique from anything we’ve seen before at both Disney World and Disneyland.

And now, we can only speculate what is to come to Galaxy’s Edge in both Disneyland and Disney World. Will we see a third attraction? Perhaps a table service restaurant? Will we see new shows or character interactions? And the question on everyone’s mind…will those boarding groups EVER go away? While we may not have the answers yet, we do know that if the first year of Galaxy’s Edge is any indication, ANYTHING is possible! Happy birthday, Galaxy’s Edge!

Catch up on ALL things Galaxy’s Edge here!

What do YOU want to see come to Galaxy’s Edge next? Let us know in the comments!

Touring Plans are step-by-step customizable guides for touring each of the parks at Walt Disney World, saving guests up to four hours in line. We even have Ultimate Touring Plans designed to help guests see every attraction, show, parade, and live performance in a Disney theme park in a single day.

Today, I’m introducing a Touring Plan that’s not focused on a single park, but rather a single individual: an Imagineer! Since I’ve already shared the Joe Rohde Imagineer Touring Plan, and the Tony Baxter Imagineer Touring Plan, today I’m introducing the Kevin Rafferty Imagineer Touring Plan focusing on attractions and locations that best represent Kevin Rafferty’s contributions to the parks.

Who is Kevin Rafferty?

Kevin Rafferty is a Creative Director and Show Writer at Walt Disney Imagineering responsible for a number of popular Disney attractions, such as the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Toy Story Midway Mania, and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

Rafferty started his career with Disney as a dishwasher at the Plaza Inn and worked his way up to Club 33. He landed his first job at Imagineering during a recruitment period for EPCOT where he eventually became a writer.

The Kevin Rafferty Touring Plan Challenge

While I usually use a preexisting Touring Plan as a base model for the Imagineer Touring Plans, this didn’t quite work for Rafferty’s slate of attractions. However, the order of attractions seen in this plan are still based on strategy to save you time in line. Also, participants will need a Park Hopper Ticket in order to fully experience this Touring Plan.

Note: While this plan can’t include every project Kevin Rafferty has worked on, the attractions and activities I’ve included hopefully best reflect his work and overall impact on Walt Disney World.

Suggested FastPass+ Reservations and Start Times: 

• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
  • Arrive to ride or book a FastPass+ reservation for park opening
• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror:
  • Arrive to ride or book a FastPass+ for 9:45 a.m. or 10:00 a.m.
• Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway:
  • Arrive to ride or book a FastPass+ for 11:00 a.m.
• Toy Story Mania:
  • Book a FastPass+ if/when possible

1) Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

This attraction is a high-speed roller coaster in the dark where guests ride in a limo-esque ride vehicle decked out with an insane audio system playing one of Aerosmith’s songs such as “Sweet Emotion,” “Walk This Way,” “Dude (Looks Like a Lady),” and more! The coaster begins by launching guests from 0 to 57 mph in less than 3 seconds and boasts 2 loops and a corkscrew.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster’s grand opening was held on  July 29, 1999 and attended by Aerosmith. You can still see a framed photo of the event on display at the exit of the attraction. Rafferty worked with Aerosmith and was present when pre-show was recorded. In his book, Magic Journey: My Fantastical Walt Disney Imagineering Career, he said,

2) Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is a thrilling drop tower attraction based on The Twilight Zone television series hosted by Rod Serling. Guests enter an eerily abandoned hotel where they board an elevator that transports them to the Twilight Zone!

When the Tower of Terror debuted in 1994, it was an instant hit and is still one of the best themed thrill rides at Walt Disney World.

“The first major ride-through attraction story and name I ever ‘planted,’ pitched, and sold, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, was born out of a request by our management to add some thrill to the park.”

3) Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Guests enter a Mickey Mouse cartoon and board a train bound for a picnic with Mickey and Minnie. When things go wrong, guests are whisked through a variety of vivid cartoon scenes where literally anything can happen!

“We’ve taken our whole grab bag of theatrical tricks and blended them together so seamlessly you won’t be able to tell what’s what… There is more happening in each and every scene than you could possibly have time to see in just one experience.”

4) Muppet*Vision 3D

Muppet*Vision 3D is a 3-D show with additional live in-theater effects starring the Muppets as they offer a demonstration of their lab and new movie-making invention. The show opened May 16, 1991, and is housed in a replica of the Muppet Theater from The Muppet Show series. It stands as the final released film directed by Jim Henson and the last to feature his voice as Kermit the Frog.

“Although I added some bits that made it into the show, including Miss Piggy as the Statue of Liberty, I received more from those story sessions with the good Henson folks than I contributed because I spent most of the time closely observing them, their creative development process, and especially Jim Henson himself.”

5) Toy Story Mania!

Toy Story Mania can best be described as a virtual dark ride through an interactive midway-style shooting gallery. The premise for this attraction is Andy has a new midway carnival game that Woody, Buzz, and the gang are having some fun with. Guests, who have been shrunk down to the size of a toy, are going to test their skills at the individual games and compete for the highest score.

“Usually 3-D is chosen because it’s the best way to deliver gratuitous in-your-face gags. But more important to us than 3-D gags, was making the booths and the games inside them believable. They had to look as if they had real depth and dimension.”

6) EAT LUNCH

While Kevin Rafferty worked on the names of eateries at Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, he hasn’t worked on many in-park restaurants. To keep with the spirit of the touring plan, I’m going to recommend lunch at Woody’s Lunchbox since it keeps with the Toy Story theme.

Woody’s Lunchbox is a quick-service walk-up window in, of course, a lunchbox! This location offers a grilled three-cheese sandwich, a BBQ brisket melt, tomato-basil soup, and lunch box tarts.

PARK HOP TO EPCOT

7) Test Track

Feel the need for speed? Test Track allows guests to design their own car and put it through a series of tests. The finale is a high-speed drive around the pavilion topping at 65 mph! While originally scheduled to open in 1997, Test Track didn’t make its official debut until March 17, 1999. This original version of Test Track had guests enter a repair center of test facility and involved guests being put through the same tests as the crash dummies!

In 2012, the original Test Track closed and then reopened later in the year with futuristic new sets and the ability for guests to design a car and test it while they ride.

“…we designed a new ride vehicle that not only looked and behaved like a real car but could zip along a high-speed track that extended for quite a distance outside the pavilion. It would also be capable of hitting any speed in between the range being set and could travel over any road surface with real tires like an actual car.”

PARK HOP TO ANIMAL KINGDOM

8) It’s Tough to Be a Bug

It’s Tough to Be a Bug is a 3-D/multi-sensory show starring Flik from Disney Pixar’s film A Bug’s Life. Through the use of a 3-D screen, audio-animatronics, and effects, Flik and other bugs attempt to demonstrate the importance of bugs, but also that it’s really tough to be one! It’s Tough to Be a Bug and Disney’s Animal Kingdom park both opened April 22, 1998, even though A Bug’s Life wasn’t released in theaters until November 25, 1998!

“Several entomologists came to Imagineering with live creepy crawlies. These were not my favorite research days!”

PARK HOP TO THE MAGIC KINGDOM

9) Mickey’s PhilharMagic

Mickey’s PhilharMagic is a family-friendly 3-D show where guests follow Donald Duck through musical numbers from classic animated Disney films!

“I became obsessed with my self-imposed challenge of creating a ‘classic’ sound for Mickey’s PhilharMagic by building Donald’s entire vocal track out of existing record sessions of Ducky Nash through the decades… There are only three spoken lines by Donald in Mickey’s PhilharMagic that are not performed by Ducky Nash, plus a musical bit where Donald hums along to ‘Be Our Guest’.”

10) 1994 Carousel of Progress

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is a four-act audio-animatronic show illustrating how electricity and technology improved the lives of an American family during the 20th century. The show is presented in a theater that revolves around the stage and features one of the best and most iconic Disney theme park songs, “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow,” written by the Sherman Brothers.

Kevin Rafferty was assigned to update the show back in the ’90s where he changed the song from “The Best Time of Your Life” back to “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow.” He also worked on updating the final scene, coordinated  the show’s voice talent, and encouraged adding Walt Disney’s name to the show’s title.

“I also thought, in the spirit of change, it would be fun to celebrate a special time of the year for each scene, such as Halloween and the Fourth of July. I asked my musical partner, George Wilkins, to jump in to bring the Shermans’ original theme song back and to arrange it, with his own special twist, in the time periods and seasons depicted.”

11) EAT DINNER

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe 

Check out this Magic Kingdom quick service restaurant in Tomorrowland to visit Sonny Eclipse. Yes, Kevin Rafferty worked on this obscure audio-animatronic alien singer and organist and penned his tunes such as “Yew Nork, Yew Nork” and “Gravity Blues”.

“I thought it would be fun for Sonny to sing different types of music, from ballads to rock to blues to “Bossa Super Nova,” so we wrote in all those styles. I penned the lyrics and jokes to reflect Sonny’s outer space perspective.”

12) The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

This family-friendly dark ride whisks guests through the Hundred Acre Wood aboard a hunny pot! During your ride, you will experience a blustery day, bounce with Tigger, encounter Heffalumps and Woozles in a dream, and then float through a flood. Of course, in true Pooh fashion, your adventure will end with a smackrel of honey. This attraction opened in Fantasyland June 5, 1999, and replaced Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.

“I was the last person ever to direct Paul Winchell performing the voice of this most beloved character. After he covered all of the material, Paul asked if he could perform one more line for the road… Paul winked at me, took a deep breath, and said, ‘TTFE. Ta-ta for ever.”

BONUS: Typhoon Lagoon & Blizzard Beach

Typhoon Lagoon was one of Rafferty’s first projects for Imagineering. His witty writing skills were employed in creating those amusing names and titles all throughout the park. He also worked on Blizzard Beach and the adjoining Winter Summerland Miniature Golf. Adding a visit to both water parks in addition to this lengthy touring plan is a tad ambitious; although, if you can pull it off, you gotta let me know! But anyway, that’s why I’m making a visit to the water parks a bonus activity on the Kevin Rafferty Imagineer Touring Plan Challenge!

Will you give the Kevin Rafferty Imagineer Touring Plan Challenge a try when the parks reopen? Let us know!

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