It’s that time of the week again where we check in on all the construction going on around Walt Disney World!

This week, we saw progress on popular attractions like Jungle Cruise and TRON: LightCycle Run, plus more work was done on other projects around the parks. So, let’s take a look!

Magic Kingdom

Jungle Cruise

It seems like almost every day we’re finding something new on Jungle Cruise in Magic Kingdom! The ride is undergoing a huge refurbishment that is set to wrap up by the end of the summer, and it sure is moving steadily along!

This week we noticed that a sunken boat has been added to the hippo scene on the ride, explaining how that poor group of new characters may have gotten stuck up on that pole escaping a rhino a few scenes later.

And, though Trader Sam may not be back on the river just yet, his “Gift Shop” is coming along! Instead of trading heads, he’s taken on ownership of the Lost & Found, but the only thing is…he charges ya if you want your items back.

Here’s what it will look like when completed!

We also saw some more changes to the canoe scene after the new Boats & Baits snack shack was added last week. Now the canoes are missing the Mickey, Donald, and goofy masks.

For reference, here’s what they used to look like… .

We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more updates to the ride, stay tuned!

TRON: Lightcycle Run

Over in Tomorrowland, we noticed a pretty big update over at TRON: Lightcycle Run — the gateway inside the building is now open! As a reminder, here’s what the construction looked like the last time we checked in…

…and here’s what that hole into the building now looks like! The roller coaster will travel both indoors and outdoors when complete, so it is exciting to see work underway to connect the two tracks.

Disney still has not shared an official opening date for the attraction, so it could be a little while before we’ve got another roller coaster to check out in Magic Kingdom.

Peter Pan’s Flight

There are also quite a few smaller projects going on around Magic Kingdom that we checked in on this week including the removal of scrim around Peter Pan’s Flight in Fantasyland.

We had noticed that some of it had started to come down early in the week and by Friday it had all been completely removed.

Cinderella Castle

Over near Cinderella Castle, we noticed that new trees had been plated near the pathway between New Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.

The castle has gotten some major updating for the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebrations that will kick off later this year, so now even the area around it is getting a bit of a glow-up.

Monster’s, Inc. Laugh Floor

And, there’s more work underway in Tomorrowland, as the main entrance area by Monster’s, Inc. Laugh Floor gets repaved.

Yes, even the floors in Disney World need some TLC every once in a while!

EPCOT

Creations Shop

EPCOT has felt like a construction site for quite some time now, meaning there’s always something to check out! This week we spotted a lot of work being done on the new Creations Shop, which will replace Mouse Gear as EPCOT’s main merchandise shop. We could see some larger construction equipment behind the walls…

…and even spotted some construction crews up on the roof.

The shop is set to open this summer in EPCOT’s World Celebration area, which is one of the new reimagined “lands” that is coming with the overall EPCOT Transformation.

Harmonious

And, though Harmonious (EPCOT’s new nighttime show) will not be opening on July 1st with the return of fireworks in EPCOT and Magic Kingdom, Disney is still making progress on the show’s pieces. During our visit, we could see people on the center Harmonious barge in World Showcase Lagoon seemingly doing some LED light testing.

As they were testing we noticed some of the lights turning on around the large ring and arms and then changing colors!

Morocco Pavilion

More work is also continuing in the Morocco Pavilion in EPCOT.

Recently, we’ve seen some of the shops getting a fresh coat of paint and you can still find some bushes blocking off areas of the pavilion.

Disney Resorts

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Over at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, we’ve been seeing some BIG progress on the Moana-inspired transformation! Last week we saw furniture going into the rooms, and this week we saw that the new entrance roof had actually been added to the main building!

Previously, the structure had been receiving some finishing touches on the ground, but now it is in place making the entrance look a lot more like the concept art!

And, back around the main building, we spotted more work being done in the area where a large tree had been removed. This little construction area has become larger and larger, so you never know which path you’re going to need to take to get to the pool (and enjoy your Dole Whip) at the hotel right now.

Well, that was one busy week of construction and it looks like we’re approaching the end for quite a few different projects in Disney World! Of course, we’ll continue to keep an eye out for updates and official opening dates so stay tuned to DFB for the latest!

Click HERE to Check Out 4 Upcoming Disney World Restaurants You Probably Forgot About

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When is your next trip to Disney World? Let us know in the comments!

The post PHOTOS! See the Progress on 9 Construction Projects in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog.

Things have slowly been returning to “normal” around Disney World.

Recently, Disney World has made updates to the face mask policy, social distancing requirements, and even announced the upcoming return of fireworks. We’ve also started to see some of the previously paused attraction pre-shows return. And today, we spotted one of our absolute FAVORITES back in action!

The Haunted Mansion does an incredible job of setting guests up for the ride before they ever step foot inside their “doombuggy.” From the creepy exterior to the detailed queue, we pick up on the spooky vibes before we even enter the building!

But we have to admit, we’ve been seriously missing the iconic stretching room pre-show, which has been paused since the parks reopened…until now! We went to ride the Haunted Mansion today and were gathered into the stretching room. There, everyone was told to stand in the center.

Is this haunted room actually stretching? IT IS!!! For the first time since pre-closure, the stretching room is doing its thing again.

Of course, there’s always my way (insert evil laughter here).

So one of the best pre-shows in Disney World has returned and we’ll admit that we shed a little tear getting to see it again.

The Stretching Room is BACK in the Haunted Mansion! pic.twitter.com/nEdVBuyXEg

— AJ Wolfe (@DisneyFoodBlog) June 19, 2021

We’ll be on the lookout for more pre-shows to return around Disney World, so stay tuned for all of the latest updates!

Think You’re a Haunted Mansion Expert? Read This.

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What’s your favorite pre-show in Disney World? Let us know in the comments!

The post PHOTOS & VIDEO: One of Our FAVORITE Disney World Pre-Shows is Finally BACK! first appeared on the disney food blog.

As the global pandemic continues in Japan, health and safety measures are in place to help control the spread of COVID-19.

Coinciding with the extension of these regulations, Tokyo Disney Resort has announced an extension of its own health and safety measures. 

Following the curfew regulations implemented by the Japanese government, Tokyo Disney reduced its hours in January, then extended the shorter hours through March and beyond. Now, Tokyo Disney Resort will continue to operate with limited hours from 10AM to 7PM until July 11th. Tokyo Disney posted an update on their website.

Also, similar to restrictions on alcohol throughout the country, Tokyo Disney Resort will continue to not sell alcoholic beverages on property. Just like the curfew rules, this alcohol ban will last until July 11th.

All of these rules and regulations are subject to change at any moment and could be extended again. We’ll keep an eye out for the latest news at Disney parks around the world! Stay tuned for more!

Click here to read about Tokyo Disney’s Latest Port

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Have you been to Tokyo Disney Resort? Let us know in the comments.

The post Tokyo Disney Resort Extends Alcohol Suspension and Limited Park Hours first appeared on the disney food blog.

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We’re counting down to the start of the 2021 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival!

And we’ve been bringing ya PLENTY of tips on budgeting, planning your trip, avoiding common mistakes, and more. But if you’re gearing up for your festival day, you may be wondering what essentials you need in your park bag. And luckily, we’ve got the answers!

Now, you’ll always want to bring some things in your bag, whether that’s sunscreen, hand sanitizer, or a portable charger. But there are some things specific to festival days — and we’re digging into those below.

1. Food Tray

If you’ve been reading our festival tips and tricks, chances are you’ve heard us talk about trays. If you’re ordering multiple foods or drinks from a booth, how ELSE are you supposed to carry it all to your table?!

Now, Disney tends to sell an official festival tray, but you can find MUCH cheaper ones online that work just as well.

Click Here to Buy a Food Tray!

Or, you can make your own DFB tray!

Check Out How to Make Your Own Food Tray!

2. Refillable Water Bottle

We’ve told you ALL about how you can get free water at Disney World instead of spending money buying it bottled. But a refillable water bottle is especially important for the Food and Wine Festival, because it’s surprisingly easy to get dehydrated when you’re chowing down and sippin’ on booze all day.

The festival booths themselves will not give you free water cups, but you can grab ’em at several other locations around the park.

Click Here to Buy a Refillable Water Bottle!

Keep your bottle filled at all times — it’ll keep you refreshed and at the top of your festival game!

Here’s Where to Find Free Water in Disney World!

3. Takeout Containers

If you’re planning on eating a LOT at the festival, chances are you’ll end up with some leftovers! This is especially true if your strategy is to try tons of eats at many booths, instead of just eating when you’re hungry.

Our solution? We like to keep takeout containers in our backpack! When we get home, we throw ’em all in our fridge and have festival eats for daysss.

Click Here to Buy Some Takeout Containers!

They make great snacks or small meals, which gives you more bang for your buck.

You Can Also Whip Up Some Food and Wine Festival Recipes! Here’s How.

4. Reusable Silverware

Again, if you’re sampling a lot of festival booths, it can become wasteful to get a new pack of plastic silverware each time you stop to eat. Instead, we recommend bringing your own reusable silverware!

We love the Disney brand, but you can find a cheaper alternative online.

Click Here to Buy Disney’s Reusable Silverware!

Reusable straws are especially helpful, because not all booths have ’em. Plus, you probably know the struggle of walking and sipping without one!

Check Out Our Review of Disney’s Reusable Silverware!

5. Wet Wipes

This one’s quick ‘n’ easy. If you’re eating all day, you may get sticky hands.

Pack some wet wipes for a quick scrub, and then you’re good to go!

Click Here to Buy Some Wet Wipes!

Not to mention, the festival tables are not cleaned after each use, so this is a great way to keep things nice and clean.

Check Out More Basic Park Bag Must-Haves!

6. Comfortable Walking Shoes

Yup, this one’s a must for just about any Disney park day. But it’s SO important for festivals because trust us, friends, you’re gonna do a lot of walking.

You’ll want to bring shoes that are well-worn and that you know are comfortable. Now’s not the time to break in a brand-new pair of sneakers!

Click Here to Buy Disney x Native Shoes! (Just make sure to break ’em in.).

And of course, it never hurts to bring Bandaids to patch up a blister if you get one halfway through the day. Trust us — we know from experience that it’s no fun limping around the festival when you’re in pain.

We Reviewed Disney x Native Shoes for Park Days!

7. Gift Cards

This is one of our favorite DFB festival tricks, because it serves 2 purposes. First of all, by purchasing festival gift cards, you’re giving yourself a set budget to stick to. That money is set aside for festival eats or gear, and you can’t exceed it. It’s a great way to stay on budget when you lose track of how many drinks or snacks you’ve had throughout the day!

But here’s the fun stuff: if you buy Disney gift cards using your Target RedCard or a similar promotion, you can get 5% off ’em. That’s like a 5% discount on your entire festival experience! And those savings can really add up.

Check Out More Food and Wine Festival Budgeting Tips!

8. DFB Festival Guide

Most importantly, you’ll want to come to the festival prepared and with a plan of attack. And what better way to get ALL the insider info than with our DFB Guide to the 2021 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival?! It’s 250+ pages of tips, reviews of EVERY single food item, a map of all the Festival booths, and more. You’ll even find food crawls catered to special tastes!

This guide is currently available for pre-order, and you can save 20% off the cover price by using the code CHEFS at checkout.

Dig through this guide before your visit, and bring it with ya on your festival day. You’ll be a pro!

Click Here to Pre-Order the DFB Guide to the 2021 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival!

Phew! If you bring these 8 things, friends, you’re well on your way to a successful day at the Food and Wine Festival. We’ll be sure to bring you more updates and tips as the festival gets closer, so say tuned to DFB!

Check Out These MYTHS About the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival!

Are you visiting the Food and Wine Festival this year? Let us know in the comments!

The post The Ultimate Packing List for EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival first appeared on the disney food blog.

A strong storm system is dumping rain on the recently reopened Disneyland Paris. The heavy rains caused flooding in areas of the resort. The storm brought thunder and lightning to Disneyland Paris. The weather closed nearly every attraction ahead of tonight’s 8pm close. In addition to attraction closures, the storm caused paths to flood. The heavy runoff caused this path near the Adventureland entrance to flood. Sand washed from the hills. Once the flooding recedes, sand will need to be […]

The post PHOTOS, VIDEO: Heavy Rains Bring Flooding to Disneyland Paris, Closing Most Attractions and Dumping Sand In Paths appeared first on WDW News Today.

The global health crisis was particularly hard on the travel industry.

And although domestic air travel is picking back up again, many international destinations — particularly those that normally have flights to Orlando — are still not allowing flights into and out of their countries.

However, the future of international travel to and from Orlando is beginning to look bright again, at least according to Vicki Jaramillo, the director of marketing and air service at Orlando International Airport. According to the Orlando Business Journal, almost 275,000 international passengers have come through the airport as of April 2021 (down over 80% for the same month last year).

Non-stop international flights are currently available from Orlando to Colombia, Germany, Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Panama, Dominican Republic, Iceland, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Canada, with others set to start within the next year, subject to government approval.

For airlines that have not yet returned to flying into and out of Orlando, Jaramillo said, “We are reaching out to British Airway, Virgin, and more to give them a dashboard of what’s going on in Central Florida.” 

There are also ongoing discussions between the U.S. and the U.K. to resume travel between the two countries soon. Aer Lingus recently announced it would start offering direct flights from Manchester to Orlando (as well as other U.S. cities) as of July 29th. Similar conversations are in the works between the U.S. and other countries, too, including Canada, Mexico, and the European Union.

However, Jaramillo said that getting Orlando International Airport back to where it was pre-pandemic would involve a great deal of work. “You can’t just turn on the switch,” she said. “You have to have time to train, sell and promote.”

As always, we’re keeping an eye on the state of travel to and from Orlando, so stay tuned for more news and updates. And if you’re an international Disney World fan, be sure to keep an eye out for that info!

Here’s What to Expect if You’re Traveling to Disney World Through Orlando Airport This Summer

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When do you think international travel might pick up at Orlando Airport? Let us know in the comments!

The post Here’s What The Future of International Travel Looks Like For the Orlando Airport first appeared on the disney food blog.

If you’re planning a Disney World vacation (especially if it’s your first time), you may have a lot of questions!

There’s a bunch of basic information that needs to be covered before you can move on to the nitty-gritty stuff, and today we’re discussing those questions. Buckle up, we’ve got a lot to cover!

What Does Disney World Include?

Disney World is a MASSIVE place. It’s comprised of 4 theme parks, more than 25 resort hotels, a shopping and dining complex (Disney Springs), golf courses, mini-golf, the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, 2 water parks, and so much more!

This place is seriously huge and it would take you weeks, if not months, to do EVERYTHING. The property itself is actually the same size as San Francisco!

Click Here for the Ultimate Guide to Planning a WDW Trip!

What Are the Four Parks

Magic Kingdom

• The original Disney World park, very similar to Disneyland Park in California. Opened in 1971. 
• Contains 6 themed lands: Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. 
• Home to Cinderella Castle and many of the iconic “Disney” things like Space Mountain, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Pirates of the Caribbean, etc.

EPCOT

• The second WDW park opened in 1982.
• Comprised of two parts: Future World and World Showcase. 
• Future World is currently under construction and being transformed into a much more modern and beautified area. It’s currently home to Spaceship Earth (the giant golf ball), Soarin’, Journey Into Imagination with Figment, Test Track, and more. 
• World Showcase is home to 11 different pavilions-themed after various countries around the world. 
• This park hosts four different food-based festivals throughout the year: Food & Wine, Flower & Garden, Festival of the Holidays, and Festival of the Arts.

Hollywood Studios

• Used to be MGM Studios and opened in 1989. 
• Was previously themed to be a “how the movies are made” park, complete with a studio. But now also takes guests into the movies. 
• Home to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Toy Story Land, a replica of the Chinese Theatre, Tower of Terror, and more. 
• NOT home to Wizarding World of Harry Potter — that’s at Universal Orlando, a different resort entirely from Disney World.

Animal Kingdom

• The most recent WDW park and opened in 1998. 
• Home to Pandora — World of Avatar, Expedition Everest, the Tree of Life, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and more. 
• Many REAL animals live here that you can see.

Each of these parks has its own unique personality and theme, and there are plenty of things to check out no matter which you choose to visit!

Do I Have to Stay in a Disney World Hotel?

No, you do not have to stay in a Disney hotel to have the full Disney World experience. However, if you choose to stay in a Disney World Resort, there are more than 25 options to choose from. They’re not all over-the-top Disney-themed with princesses on the walls and characters everywhere (but you can find that if you want it) and they come at three different price points: value, moderate, and deluxe. 

You can also stay in hotels not owned by Disney that are on Disney World property. There are some in the Disney Springs area, in addition to options like the Four Seasons and the Swan and Dolphin Resorts. These hotels get many of the same perks as Disney-owned resorts, and you can sometimes score special deals and lower prices for them specifically!

Click Here for the Best Disney Resorts in 2021!

How Do I Get to the Parks?

If you’re not staying onsite, then you’ll likely need to drive yourself or pay for an Uber/Lyft. Some offsite hotels offer shuttles, but you’ll need to double-check when you arrive. 

If you’re staying onsite, you can take free transportation from your resort. Some of these options include Disney Skyliner, buses, boats, or monorail. Make sure to ask your resort if you’d like to know which options are available.

When Are the Parks Open?

If you check on the Disney World website, you’ll find the park hours listed for each day. They change from day to day. You may arrive at the parks before they open, and we generally recommend trying to arrive 45-60 minutes early. This gives time to go through security and get inside. Sometimes you’ll even be able to get on the rides early!

You may also stay after the parks close in some cases. Sometimes dinner will wrap up after the park closes. Also, many merchandise shops stay open for a bit after park closure. Park hours vary depending on the park and the day of the week. You can check the Disney site for hours! 

What is My Disney Experience?

My Disney Experience (also known as MDE or MDX) is the Disney World app. We HIGHLY recommend getting this app before you travel! With this app, you’ll create a Disney account (same as your Disney World website account) and you’ll be able to view all of your plans, like your tickets, dining reservations, FastPasses (once they return), and resort stay.

In the app, you’ll also be able to Mobile Order food, check wait times, and search for important information that you may need throughout the day. Try to familiarize yourself with the app’s features before your trip.

Click Here for Some MDE Tips!

What Are MagicBands and Do I Need Them?

MagicBands are wristbands that guests may purchase to link to their My Disney Experience account. Once linked to your account, they store your tickets. You can tap your MagicBand to enter the parks, open your hotel room, get your PhotoPass pictures, and pay for purchases (if you’re staying in a Disney resort).

MagicBands are not necessary for your trip, as many of the same features can be accessed with the Key to the World park ticket card. Disney has also introduced a lot of these features in their new MagicMobile service, allowing guests to access park tickets on their smartphones.

Where Are the Characters?

The short answer: they’re all over the place! Right now, you’ll be able to spot many of your favorite characters from a distance in the parks, popping up at random times. Look out in places like the EPCOT Entrance, the Main Street train station, and on various stages in Galaxy’s Edge.

You’ll also spot several Disney friends traveling through the parks on cavalcades, promenades, motorcades, and flotillas. These run randomly throughout the day and function like “mini parades.” And if you want to guarantee that you’ll see your favorite characters, you can book a character meal at select Disney restaurants.

How Do I Skip the Line for Rides?

Typically, Disney has a free system called FastPass+ that allows guests to reserve times to visit various attractions in advance. This system has been suspended since the parks reopened, and there’s currently nothing in its place.

We recommend arriving early at the parks (45-60 minutes before they open) and heading for the most popular rides first. Do some research ahead of time to find what these rides are and which ones you want to ride most. You may also find shorter wait times at the end of the night.

Here’s How to Tackle Rides Without FastPass+!

How is the Food?

We’ve got good news — most Disney World food is MUCH better than you’d expect! Not everything in the parks is hot dogs, burgers, and chicken nuggets. You can find incredibly fancy cuisine, meals from cultures around the world, and comfort food all over the place.

And Disney snacks are one of the things that guests love the most! We’ve got tons of recommendations, so make sure to get the DFB guide to get the best food advice. It has plenty of information on what to eat in the parks, and we even have special guidebooks for the EPCOT festivals.

We hope that the answers to these questions can help you plan your Disney World vacation. And if you need more advice and tips, make sure to keep tuning in to DFB!

Click Here for the Ultimate Guide to Planning Your First Trip!

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What big questions do you have about Disney World? Leave them in the comments!

The post Disney World Basics: Answering the Questions You Were Afraid to Ask first appeared on the disney food blog.