To make up for the loss of this year’s Halloween Horror Nights event, Universal Orlando Resort has opened up the long-awaited Tribute Store at Universal Studios Florida and stocked it with tons of gory goods to fill the void. Today, we have the addition of three new items, including a magnet, some Fright Nights socks that were missing from the store’s initial grand opening, and a rare set of Limited Edition Mystery Collection pins! Halloween Horror Nights “30 Years 30 […]

The post PHOTOS: New Halloween Horror Nights “30 Years 30 Fears” Magnet, Socks, and Limited Edition Mystery Collection Pin Box Arrive at Universal Studios Florida appeared first on WDW News Today.

Still reeling from Hamilton‘s release on Disney+? Well, buckle up!

We’ve been thinking that Disney+ could use more Broadway musicals — after all, Hamilton was a HUGE hit! We’ve heard a lot of non-musical news for the film’s coming to Disney+, but now, theatre-goers can rejoice! A film adaptation of Once on This Island is in the works for Disney+.

The Broadway hit show has been much-loved by audiences around the country. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the new film will be headed up by Wanuri Kahiu, scripted by playwright Jocelyn Bioh, and produced by Marc Platt.

No word yet on casting for this adaptation or when a release can be expected but we are SO excited that it is in the works! Keep an eye on DFB for all the BIG updates about new Disney+ content. If you need us, we’ll be streaming.

Click here to learn more about what’s coming soon to Disney+!

Are you excited for the upcoming adaptation of Once on This Island? Tell us in the comments! 

MORE resort hotels reopened in Disney World and we went a took a look!

We took a spin around the two most recently reopened hotels in Disney World and (as expected) there were a good number of changes. So here’s everything that NEW at The Swan Hotel and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort in food and construction! Take a look!

Food Updates

First up, let’s talk about the food!

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

A few spots reopened at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. We swung by Centertown Market to check out changes to the Mobile Order process, but pretty much everything was the same! We did note that a Cast Member got our coffee for us at the beverage station but otherwise the only changes were added distancing measures.

The pool bar was open at Banana Cabana. The seating was marked for lounge guests only with tables spaced out.

A few spots are still closed including Sebastian’s Bistro, the Grab n’ Go counter, and the Joffrey’s location at the Skyliner Station.

As a note, there were distancing markers outside of Sebastian’s Bistro for when the location is able to open.

The Swan Hotel

Over at the Swan Hotel, all three of the main restaurants — Garden Grove, Il Mulino, and Kimonos — are open! Guests are able to make reservations through the Swan App which is posted with a QR Code outside the dining locations.

For the counter-service options, the Java Coffee Shop is open but the Chill Frozen Drinks counter was closed when we were there.

We’ll keep an eye out for the reopening of Chill!

Click here to see more of the reopening of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort!

Construction Updates

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

We noticed that the Trinidad area of Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort was closed off, including the pool, the hot tub, and Spyglass Grill.

Many of the recreation options were available including the volleyball courts, hammocks, the lawn chairs, and the Caribbean Cay island. As a note, the Caribbean Cay playground was closed.

Walkways were open so you are able to walk to Disney’s Riviera Resort. 

Of course, health and safety signage is also posted EVERYWHERE around the resort.

The Swan Hotel

The biggest news at The Swan Hotel is that the Friendship Boats were NOT running even though they were supposed to open.

Due to the MLS is Back Tournament, only the Swan side is open as the Dolphin hosts Major League Baseball players. The Dolphin side is completely blocked off with barriers on every side, including half of the pool. The hot tub was also closed but you can still play giant chess and giant Jenga.

Just like at all of the other resort hotels, there were health and safety notices everywhere.

The reopenings at these two resorts definitely seem pretty similar to the other reopenings we’ve seen so far. We’ll check in with more updates soon! See ya then!

Want to see more of the Swan Hotel reopening? Click here!

Have any questions about the opening of The Swan or Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort? Ask them in the comments!

It’s HERE! We are SO excited to share with you the DFB Guide to the 2020 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

This year’s Festival is a “Taste of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival” — and includes some food and merchandise from the 2020 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival — and we’ve go you covered with all the details you need to know! Plus, it’s the 25th anniversary of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival.

With hundreds of pages of new updates and information for 2020, we have everything organized to ensure that you have your absolute best Food and Wine Festival yet!

To celebrate our grand launch, we’re offering 20% off the cover price! Just use discount code CHEFS at the checkout to secure your savings!

This year’s Epcot Food and Wine Festival kicked off July 15th and runs through the fall (an end date has YET to be announced), and the DFB Guide to the 2020 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book features all the info you need to know about this year’s events, from what’s NEW to brand new details for this unique take on the Food and Wine Festival.

What’s in the DFB Guide to the 2020 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book?

• Full Booth Menus with over 100 full color food photos and prices, featuring what menu items you can expect at the World Showcase booths this year.
• A full chapter on what’s NEW at the festival, including a full list of new menu items at the booths!
• Discount details and information
• Fully updated FAQ section
• Unique touring plans specific to this year’s Festival
• Plans and strategies for Kids at the Festival​​​​​​​
• And MORE!

As always, we’ve made this guide instantly downloadable for your convenience, and easily installed on your mobile devices.

The DFB Guide to the 2020 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is a PDF ebook with ​220+ pages of detailed information about the Festival as well as hundreds of photographs and customized bonus items to help you get the best experience possible. ​​​​​​​

This guide is guaranteed to help you better plan your best Food & Wine Festival visit or your money back!

Bonus Items in the DFB Guide to the 2020 Epcot Food and Wine Festival

The DFB Guide to the 2020 Epcot Food & Wine Festival includes customized bonus items that are EXCLUSIVE to the DFB:​​​​​​​

• A printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist that you can use to plan, and easily bring with you to the festival
• Themed World Showcase booth crawls, including “Food and Wine Classics”, the “Fun Eats for the Kids”, and so many more!
• Food and Wine Festival customized Touring Strategies for One Day visits, Budget-Conscious visits, and more — fully updated for 2020’s Festival!
• Full food, wine, beer, winery, and cocktail indexes, including locations of where you can find your favorites
• Epcot Food and Wine Festival recipes
• And more!

Whether this is your first festival or your 25th, you’ll appreciate knowing what you are getting before spending time and vacation dollars. And no matter what you want do — sample wine, explore the world’s beers, taste something you’ve never tried before, or find your next favorite dessert — The DFB Guide to the 2020 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is the perfect resource for navigating the Epcot Food and Wine Festival.

Save 20% off the cover price of the DFB Guide to the 2020 Epcot Food and Wine Festival! Use promo code CHEFS at checkout!

Bundle for MORE Savings

For an even bigger discount, head over to the DFB Store and check out our Food and Wine Bundle!

Our bundles are already super discounted and today you can save even more – just use promo code FWBUNDLE and get an additional $5 off the cover price of our Food and Wine Bundle! You’ll get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2020 PLUS the DFB Guide to the 2020 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

PLEASE NOTE: If you pre-ordered the DFB Guide to the 2020 Epcot Food and Wine Festival and DID NOT receive your guide yet please email us at [email protected].

With a 100% money-back guarantee on all of our guides, you have nothing to lose, ever!

As always, we thank you for your support of Disney Food Blog. We couldn’t do this without you!

We’ve been keeping an eye on news about the storm headed for Florida this weekend.

What was Tropical Storm Isaias has now been strengthened to Hurricane Isaias, with the Eastern coast of Florida remaining in its path. The state is likely to feel the effects of the storm this weekend, potentially even in Disney World.

According to WESH, Hurricane Isaias is currently a Category 1 hurricane. Current models show the storm potentially strengthening to a Category 2 before dropping back as it makes its way up the Eastern coast of the United States.

Though most models currently expect that the center of the storm will stay off the coast, the rain and winds may have an effect on the coast of Florida and more inland, as far as Disney World.

If you’re headed to the parks this weekend, be prepared for potentially inclement weather. We’ll keep you updated with all of the important news about Hurricane Isaias and its effect on Disney World. Stay tuned.

Click here to learn more about 2020’s expected overactive hurricane season.

Headed to the parks this weekend? Tell us in the comments

There may be a great, big, beautiful tomorrow aboard the Carousel of Progress, but today, things aren’t looking too hot for John, Rover, and the rest of the family. The Carousel of Progress attraction failed to open yesterday at the Magic Kingdom during park open, and remains closed still today. The good news is that there seems to be some progress being made on the attraction, as maintenance crews were seen on-site actively trying to make some repairs. The attraction’s […]

The post PHOTOS: Carousel of Progress Closed for Second Day at the Magic Kingdom; Maintenance Team On Site for Repairs appeared first on WDW News Today.

The most wonderful time of the year will be here more quickly than you might think, and we’re starting to wonder about some of the festivities that could take place in Disney World.

The global health crisis has had a significant effect on the way things operate in the Disney parks, and things haven’t stopped adjusting yet. We recently shared that Disney has canceled Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party completely for 2020. Well, Christmastime is not too long after that event, so will Disney World cancel Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party? It’s a question we’re getting a LOT from our readers and followers on social media, so let’s take a look at what we know.

Disney is “closely monitoring” the viability of the 2020 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

With the announcement of the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party cancellation, Disney explained that a decision has not been made about this year’s Christmas Parties.

Of the party and other events, Disney stated, “We are monitoring our new environment closely, and will make a decision on these events as we continue to learn more from government and health officials. As always, our goal is to explore every option and look at ways in which we can still host events and festivals full of Disney magic, while still operating responsibly with the health and safety of our guests and Cast Members in mind.”

From this statement, we can glean that Disney will make the choice that makes guest and Cast Member safety a top priority. Maybe we’ll see a modified party, or maybe we won’t see one at all; it comes down to the health situation and doing what they deem safe for all involved.

Click here to learn more about the cancellation of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party!

An event like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is currently considered high-risk.

As it stands, being in a theme park at all is considered a higher-risk activity. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently considers “medium-sized in-person gatherings that are adapted to allow individuals to remain spaced at least 6 feet apart and with attendees coming from outside the local area” to be high risk. This describes pretty much every day in the Disney parks, including special events like the Halloween and Christmas Parties.

Plus, per the CDC, the higher the level of community transmission in the area of an event, the greater the risk. At the time of writing, Florida’s community transmission rate is 78% of positive and traced cases according to the Florida Health Department.

On the other hand, a night at one of the Christmas Parties, with all health measures considered, wouldn’t be THAT different from a current day in the theme parks. So, it IS possible that the event could move forward with appropriate health measures if things start to improve by the time Disney would need to sell tickets for the event.

Click here for our take on how safe Disney World is — and whether you should go.

The health situation would likely need to improve. Soon.

If Disney makes the decision based on the environment around them, then we know from Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party that things will need to get better soon! Normally Disney would have already been selling tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and the first event would happen in just three short months.

Unfortunately, current projections currently do not show great improvement in the circumstances in the United States or in Florida in the coming months. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation has crisis models that predict deaths continuing to increase in the country and the state through November.

If these projections end up being accurate, we can assume that the risk levels for large events will not change. Again though, the parks ARE open even in the current environment. If a similar level of diligence is put in place for the parties, they could be considered sufficiently safe. But that leads us to the next — possibly bigger — concern.

Click here to learn more about the health measures in the parks currently.

The viability of fireworks, shows, and parades are a big factor.

Disney’s statement about Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party said that one of the big deciding factors was that there was no way to do the staples of the party safely. Disney said, “We determined that many of its hallmarks – stage shows, parades and fireworks – are unable to take place in this new, unprecedented environment. With that in mind, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.”

Now, this is interesting when we consider that the fate of the party might rest on the ability to conduct the party’s hallmark events. Right now, Disney World is not conducting most shows, fireworks, parades, or character meet and greets. The highlights of these special events are exactly the things Disney has put on hold. Many guests attend these parties specifically for the chance to see the special event parades and fireworks, and the chance to meet lots of unique Disney characters. What would a Very Merry Christmas Party be without a hug from Jack Skellington or the Seven Dwarfs and watching Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks?

Still, we have recently seen the return of trial periods for firework shows in Shanghai Disneyland. If Disney World continues to follow a similar timeline to Shanghai Disneyland in response to the virus, we could see fireworks trials in the next few months.

Plus, some of the smaller, low-demand shows have returned in Disney World already but without equity actors and with plenty of social distancing in place. The entertainment at the Christmas Parties is NOT low-demand, so they would have to be managed with limited capacity to be viable. Would guests want to risk spending upwards of $100 for a ticket that doesn’t ensure they’re able to see all of the entertainment? Also, if the shows use equity actors, the current union disagreements would need to be resolved for those performers to return.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is months away from now. So, if Disney can manage to modify and bring back the hallmarks of the event in time, as well as if cases in the country and state start to improve, we may be partying away this winter. But if Disney can’t shoot off holiday fireworks and hold holiday parades, or if numbers continue to rise, we might get the Mickey’s Not So Scary treatment again for Christmas.

Click here to learn more about the trial fireworks in Shanghai Disneyland.

A LOT would need to happen for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party to open with current health and safety expectations.

Let’s say that Disney does decide to move ahead with the parties — a LOT would need to happen to be able to get them functioning in this new environment. For one, modifications would need to be made to the parades, shows, fireworks, and meet and greets to allow for guest social distancing and safety for the Cast Members.

Speaking of social distancing, capacities would need to be lowered for the parties in general. It has not been uncommon to be stuck on a VERY crowded Main Street U.S.A. during Christmas Parties of years past. If typical parties are a lower capacity than allowed in the park during the day, capacities would need to be cut even more to match the already lower capacity we’ve seen in the parks. If you think the parks look empty now, imagine what they COULD be like for the Christmas Parties!

Then we have to consider, would a party even be worth it with the necessary modifications? Tickets to these events are not cheap (typically above $100), so if we consider that shows and entertainment might be modified, menus may be limited, and health and safety measures may need to be a priority, would that ticket price even feel fair? Or would demand be extremely low? 

Click here to learn more about navigating the Disney parks with limited capacity.

So, it’s possible that Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will be a go, but we need to be ready for cancellation.

If Disney considers the parties viable and can work through these issues in time, then there’s a possibility that we’ll be headed to a Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year. But based on their decisions about Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Disney may still opt to cancel.

It’s difficult to say what the holidays at Disney World will look like this year. We may very well see modified holiday offerings much like the Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival that’s currently running. Halloween is sure to be a good indication of what modified festivities could look like, so we’ll be keeping a close eye on the spookier developments ahead (believe it or not, in just two weeks we WOULD have been headed to the first Halloween Party!).

If Disney does decide to cancel Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, we need to remember these decisions are made in the interest of guest safety.

Click here to learn everything you need to know about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!

Are you hoping to head to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year? Tell us in the comments! 

This week Getting to Know Universal visits The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar at Universal CityWalk. Cowfish was founded in Raleigh, NC, when two brothers each had an idea for a restaurant to open: one sushi, the other burgers. To save money (and split a kitchen) they combined their ideas into one restaurant. Cowfish opened at CityWalk in 2014 and resides above Vivo Italian Kitchen and Red Oven Pizza Bakery.

The Experience

Cowfish’s unique fusion of cultures starts with its design and attitude. In the lobby, kids can customize their own fish on large touch screens which then appear in a virtual fish tank inside the restaurant. At the reception desk, a large fishbowl topped with a pair of chopsticks is home to real fish.

The restaurant’s walls are covered in a merge of pop and Japanese Ukiyo-e art inspired by Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, and Sharaku. Art includes a T-Rex and King Kong fighting in downtown Tokyo and a 17th-century Japanese-print-art-inspired portrait of Elvis eating a burger. Natural wood tables, red and white chairs, and multicolored booths are accented by fish scale lighting fixtures and partitions throughout the large dining spaces.

The restaurant’s outdoor patio offers some of the best views at the resort outside of Bar 17 at the Aventura Hotel. Guests overlook the CityWalk marina where they can watch a musical performance  or see the fireworks from one of two nighttime shows at the parks.

Never pretentious or unwelcoming, Cowfish acknowledges its absurd existence and plays with it.

The Food & Drink

The star of Cowfish is the hybrid high-end sushi and burger bar menu. Appetizers range from the American truffle fries and fried pickles to Japanese-inspired edamame and sashimi. Touring Plans is a fan of the Crab Ragoon Dip and I order the Fried Pickles every trip.

For the entrees, half is dedicated to sushi. Classics like the California Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, nigiri, and sashimi are on the menu and are served with ginger and wasabi. Cowfish also created their own speciality rolls such as the Geisha Roll (lobster and shrimp inside, topped with tuna) and the Tropical Storm Roll (Kani, avocado, and cucumber inside, topped with tuna, salmon, yellowtail).

The other half of the entrees feature burger creations like The Cowfish Has Left the Building Burger (a full pound of meat, peanut butter, fried bananas, and bacon), Hoisin Burger (short ribs, bacon, pickled red onions, and English cucumber), and the Black & Brie Burger (brie cheese, blackberries, marinated Asian pear, microgreens).

But what if you want both sushi and a burger? Cowfish has you covered with “Burgushi”, entrees that combine the styles and flavors of each cuisine into one unique dish. The Taste Explosion Roll a beef burger in the shape of sushi (cooked, of course). What’s Shakin Tuna Bacon Sandwich is a spin on the classic BLT by adding tuna, jalapeños, spicy mayo, and spring roll wrapper “buns”. For those who want both sushi and burgers, but separate, pick up a bento box that includes burger sliders, a sushi roll, and choice of sides.

To complement the burgers, Cowfish also features a selection of house-made milkshakes that give Toothsome a run for its money. While this humble author is lactose intolerant, the Rice Crispy milkshake gets rave reviews from friends. For the adult who just bought a family’s worth of Harry Potter merchandise and needs to take their mind off the upcoming credit card bill, Cowfish also offers a solid selection of beer, wine, sake, and cocktails.

The Opinion

With its unique spin on casual dining, Cowfish remains a hit with families and young adults. The menu is surprisingly complex yet also simple and approachable; if you have ever wanted to try sushi (cooked or raw) come to Cowfish. The sushi ranges from subtle and refined to over-the-top American while the burgers are all cooked with never frozen beef and feature unique, fresh toppings. Come to Cowfish if you want a funky and fun lunch or dinner.

Have you eaten at Cowfish? Let us know you thoughts in the comments below.

The post Getting to Know Universal – The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

Welcome to the July edition of Disney Rumor Round Up! You can check out the June 2020 installment here. The Walt Disney World theme parks are officially back open and construction projects are resuming so let’s get right into it! Disclaimer: any rumors mentioned in this article are not confirmed by Disney, and may never happen. 

Disney Parks and Resorts

Since our last update, Hong Kong Disneyland park has closed again due to a flare-up of COVID-19 cases in the area. Resorts have been open in some capacity. Shanghai Disneyland has been progressing in its opening and just recently starting its regular parade and nightly fireworks spectacular. Disneyland, Aulani, and Disney Cruise Line still remain closed and do not have opening dates. 

In addition to all of that, several sources are indicating we will see layoffs across the company, not only within parks and resorts but in other areas too. This news, while not good, isn’t completely unexpected given the current situation we are in.

Overall, Walt Disney World, while open, is not operating to even the capacity they are allowing. Attendance at three of the four parks has been very light and lower than hoped. Hollywood Studios has sort of been closer to that threshold due to the new attractions there. Disney has pushed off opening more hotels at Walt Disney World simply because people are not coming. Travel restrictions are not helping that either. Several rumors point to Disney exploring changing operations in the future such as park hours or even closing some parks on certain days to save on operating costs.

Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom were the first stateside parks to reopen and so far things seem to be going well. Disney officially announced Stitch’s Great Escape will not return. It was never expected too but this is rather new of Disney to confirm such without a replacement ready to announce. 

Splash Mountain reopened with the park but recently closed due to mechanical issues and has been drained for a few days with no current reopening. The Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover hasn’t opened to guests since Magic Kingdom reopened. Rumor is they are waiting on replacement parts for the ride system. Many of these attractions have never experienced a multi-month operational shutdown that wasn’t planned for a refurbishment or repair. And speaking of Splash Mountain, we likely won’t see that officially close for the Princess and the Frog redo for probably a year or longer according to several sources. 

The Grand Floridian walkway to the Magic Kingdom is very close to completion. Due to the NBA using the Grand Floridian, it’s currently unclear when this pathway will open to guests. 

Sources over at WDWMagic indicate we will not see Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year. Disney has already announced the cancelations of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party as well as runDisney’s Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend. These sources did indicate that we should see the castle lights and other décor, though.

EPCOT

Disney has commented on the future of EPCOT since the closure by saying the redo of Future World is being re-evaluated. According to several sources, the festival center pavilion that was to be part of World Celebration is on the back burner and will not happen in the capacity originally intended. So far work has not resumed in any capacity on this portion of EPCOT. 

Disney has removed the Spaceship Earth and Mary Poppins features from the Epcot Experience show. Disney has confirmed these projects are on hold. Other sources indicate Mary Poppins is canceled. That project was in jeopardy prior to the shutdown. The Spaceship Earth refurbishment should still happen in some capacity however likely not as extensive as originally intended. 

Harmonious has resumed construction but will see delays. No word on when that new nighttime spectacular may make its debut. It is difficult to even speculate when we don’t know when Disney will resume any nighttime shows. Ratatouille has also resumed the minimal work it has left. Currently, WDWMagic sources indicate a possible fall opening. 

Just like holidays being limited at Magic Kingdom, it is expected that the Candlelight Processional will also be canceled this year. It is possible we do see some sort of Festival of the Holidays since we do have Food and Wine, however, entertainment is going to be limited.

Hollywood Studios

Rise of the Resistance continues to have its operational issues and Disney is utilizing a virtual queue system slightly different from before. As of now, drop times for queue spots are 10:00AM and 2:00PM. It’s unclear when or if Rise will operate in a better capacity any time soon. It is also hard to gauge capacity with only one party per vehicle during this reopening party. Hollywood Studios remains the busiest of the four parks by selling out its allotment of park reservation slots. 

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway has been running fine however Disney has cut out the preshow due to social distancing issues.

Animal Kingdom

Disney gave us some interesting news about my favorite park this month. Both Primeval Whirl and Rivers of Light are both closed for good. Primeval Whirl was already in seasonal operation and had plenty of its own issues recently. Ride vehicles have since been removed from the attraction. No word on replacement or if the track will be removed anytime soon. Rivers of Light was the more surprising of the two as it’s a nighttime show and Disney built a huge amphitheater to house the show. Sources indicate the venue won’t stay empty forever but don’t expect a quick replacement either due to the current circumstances.