Disney Springs

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Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando at Walt Disney World

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As an Official Walt Disney World Hotel, this upscale property features amenities that are on par with Disney World Deluxe Resorts like spacious rooms, convenient transportation, a family-friendly pool and splash pad, scenic views, and a fitness center.

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Walt Disney World Launches Mobile Dine Check-in

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According to the Walt Disney World website, Mobile Dine Check-in will be offered at select restaurants across property. This feature will allow you to bypass the check-in podium by pressing a button on your Android or iPhone.

mobile-dine-check-in_disney-world

When your restaurant check-in time arrives, you’ll receive a notification on your phone. You can also check-in by scanning a QR code at the restaurant with your phone. When your table is ready, you’ll receive instructions as to where to go.

Mobile Dine Check-in will be offered at the following restaurants:

Magic Kingdom

Be Our Guest, Cinderella’s Royal Table, Liberty Tree Tavern, Skipper Canteen

Epcot

Akershush Royal Banquet Hall, Biergarten, Coral Reef, Le Cellier, Rose and Crown,

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Hollywood & Vine, Mama Melrose’s, 50’s Prime Time Cafe, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater

Disney Boardwalk

Flying Fish

Resort Hotels

Boatwrights Dining Hall, Olivia’ Cafe, Sanaa, Boma, Jiko, Toledo, ‘Ohana, Kona Cafe, California Cafe, Chef Mickey’s, Artist Point, Citricos, Grand Floridian Cafe, Narcoosee’s, 1900 Park Fare, Ale & Compass, Cape May, Beaches and Cream, Sabastian’s Bistro.

Wearing a mask at Walt Disney World: What it's like:

Yesterday I had an opportunity to visit Disney Springs. There are strict guidelines in place to help protect the spread of COVID-19 such as 6 ft. distancing, face coverings, and temperature screenings. There are several other precautions in place as well.

As a travel advisor, I have been getting a lot of questions about wearing masks at Disney so I wanted to share with you some of my experiences so far in an FAQ format.

Disney parks face masks are now available on sites like Etsy and TeePublic. Here’s one from the WDWNT shop featuring Spaceship Earth.

Disney parks face masks are now available on sites like Etsy and TeePublic. Here’s one from the WDWNT shop featuring Spaceship Earth.

What’s it like to wear a face mask in Florida? Is it hot?  

Most of us are used to wearing face-coverings by now so it’s not much of a transition. I didn’t notice that it feels hotter or that is made me uncomfortable. Sure, it would be better without the mask, but having mine on didn’t stop me from having fun.

I do recommend cloth or breathable masks over those light blue paper masks. I find those can get itchy if you wear them for a while. Masks are here to stay, so invest a good one that’s sized right. 

ShopDisney has character masks online, available in July. There are few unofficial Disney parks masks on Etsy if you want to show off your Disney spirit. I like these masks from WDWNT.com


What if  I need a break from the mask? 

It’s no problem if you need a breather. Just find a place to sit down that is isolated. The mask police aren’t out to get you. It’s ok take them off at restaurants to eat, so no one is going to be concerned if you just need a breather. Just be smart, safe, and distance yourself during your break.


Is everyone wearing a mask or just some people?

Everyone must wear a mask to be on property at Disney. There are employees who are actively checking. They will politely remind you if you forget to put yours on but it’s not really a suggestion.

Do kids need to wear masks at Walt Disney World? 

Yes, any child over the age of 3 must have a face covering. If you’re concerned about them taking it off or not wanting to wear it, see if you can get them excited about one of the Disney character masks. Allow them to pick one out so they are more committed to wearing it, and offer them a break if they need it.


If you have a question for me that I didn't answer here, feel free to ask! 


Vice President To Discuss Reopening Florida on May 20th

Vice President Mike Pence will visit Orlando, FL on May 20, 2020.

Vice President Mike Pence will visit Orlando, FL on May 20, 2020.

According to ClickOrlando, Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Orlando and meet with Gov. Ron DeSantis to discuss Florida’s phased economic reopening.

Pence will join in a roundtable with hospitality and tourism industry leaders to discuss their plans for reopening. Disney Springs will begin a phased reopening on the same day.

Related:

Disney Springs Phased Reopening, What You Need to Know

List of Restaurants Opening on May 20th at Disney Springs

Current Offers for Walt Disney World Resort

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What You Need to Know About the Phased Reopening of Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort

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Disney Springs Reopening May 20, 2020 | Walt Disney World Resort

Disney Springs Reopening May 20, 2020 | Walt Disney World Resort

On May 22, Morimoto Asia will open to guests (one of my favorite restaurants at Walt Disney World) Reservations can be made at OpenTable, not through Disney at this time.

On May 27, three Disney-owned and -operated stores and venues will reopen:

  • World of Disney

  • D-Luxe Burger (mobile order)

  • Marketplace Co-Op.

    You can visit DisneySprings.com/reopening for the most current information.

 
 

Reservations for many of the third-party restaurants can be made on OpenTable to seating times in May. From June 1st onward, guests can make reservations on at disneyworld.com or through the My Disney Experience mobile app.

Disney Springs will reopen May 20, 2020

Disney Springs will reopen May 20, 2020

Cast Members have gone through extensive new training to adjust to these changing times. Disney will have some Cast Members walking throughout Disney Springs to explain its new procedures and answer any questions guests may have. They will also encourage everyone to follow these measures for the health and safety of everyone.



Darren Wittko

Employee Union: Disney Owned Shops, Restaurants Will Open May 27 at Disney Springs

On May 8th I shared with you that Disney Springs will begin the phased reopening of Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. but only non-Disney owned retailers and restaurants are expected to open their doors at first.

World of Disney Store to open May 27, 2020 at Disney Springs, Walt Disney World

World of Disney Store to open May 27, 2020 at Disney Springs, Walt Disney World

In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Eric Clinton, president of UNITE HERE, Local 362, shared that his members are preparing to return to work on May 27th, when the Disney-owned restaurants and stores will officially reopen.

"Some are anxious to get back because the unemployment system [in Florida] is completely broken," Clinton said. On May 20, only sub-contracted shops will be open in the Disney Springs shopping and dining complex. The next phase will start seven days later when Disney retail shops, such as World of Disney Store, and Disney eateries reopen,” the union president said. For that, an additional 59 custodians will report back to work on May 24. 

Related

How Disney Springs Will Reopen Safely on May 20

Walt Disney World Begins Phased Reopening May 20th with Disney Springs

Darren Wittko

How Disney Springs Will Reopen Safely on May 20

Eric Clinton, president of UNITE HERE, Local 362 on Wednesday told The Hollywood Reporter that park staff have a "mixed bag of emotions" about returning to work: Potential infection is a major concern, but so is not being able to pay rent. 

Phased reopening of Disney Springs on May 20, 2020 with limited non-Disney owned retailers and restaurants.

Phased reopening of Disney Springs on May 20, 2020 with limited non-Disney owned retailers and restaurants.

"Some are anxious to get back because the unemployment system [in Florida] is completely broken," Clinton said. On May 20, only sub-contracted shops will be open in the Disney Springs shopping and dining complex at Walt Disney World. The next phase will start seven days later when Disney retail shops, such as World of Disney Store, and Disney eateries reopen, the union president said. For that, an additional 59 custodians will report back to work on May 24. 

Disney is treating the safety of both guests and employees with the utmost seriousness, explained Clinton, highlighting some of the precautions that will be put in place. All guests and employees will be required to wear masks. Disney will provide employees three washable masks. Guests will have their temperature checked, and plexiglass dividers have been installed at registers. Guests will swipe their own payments cards, as they will no longer be handled by employees. And custodians will be retrained to pay attention to high-touch areas. 

Clinton would not speculate about when the rest of the resort, namely the theme park itself, might reopen, but he did point to the Monday reopening of Shanghai Disneyland Park, noting "what you see there is a lot of what you'll see here." The sprawling China park requires all guests and staff wear masks, has line queues and rides marked for one-meter social distancing and is allowing far fewer guests daily (below 24,000) than the maximum capacity, which is 80,000. 

Related

Employee Union: Disney Owned Shops, Restaurants Will Open May 27 at Disney Springs

Walt Disney World Begins Phased Reopening May 20th with Disney Springs

Darren Wittko

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Walt Disney World Begins Taking Reservations for July 1, 2020

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Reservations for summer travel are already coming in as Walt Disney World began allowing guests and travel advisors to book vacations from July 1st and later on Monday.

As of 7:00 am on Tuesday, June 12, the Walt Disney World website listed that 195 people had booked a room at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort in the last 24 hours. Another 127 guests had booked a room at Disney’s All-Star Movie Resort and 158 guests booked at Disney’s Pop Century Resort.

There are three offers guests can take advantage of in July: Sun & Fun Room Offer, Annual Passholder Offer, and a Florida Resident Offer.

In addition, Disney is allowing those with June reservations to adjust their reservation or make a new one for dates starting on July 1st or later.

Walt Disney World resort is currently closed until further notice because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and no official reopening date has been officially announced. However, Disney Springs will reopen in phases starting May 20th.

According to the Walt Disney World website, “theme parks will be limited in capacity and subject to limited availability or closure, based on direction from health experts and government officials to promote physical distancing.”

To get started on a quote, visit the Online Quote Page. You can also check the Current Offers page.

Walt Disney World Begins Phased Reopening May 20th with Disney Springs

Disney Springs will begin a phased reopening on May 20, 2020. Here's what to know before you go. Other areas of Walt Disney World Resort remain closed, including theme parks and Disney Resort hotels.

Upon reopening, theme parks, Disney Resort hotels, restaurants, attractions, experiences, and other offerings may be modified and will be limited in capacity and subject to limited availability or closure, based on direction from health experts and government officials to promote physical distancing.

Disney Springs will reopen on May 20, 2020 at Walt Disney World Resort

Disney Springs will reopen on May 20, 2020 at Walt Disney World Resort

Disney Springs will begin to reopen in a way that incorporates enhanced safety measures, including increased cleaning procedures, the use of appropriate face coverings by both Cast Members and Guests, limited-contact Guest Services and additional safety training for Cast Members.

Disney stated it will apply learnings and ideas from leaders in the health and travel industries.

During the initial opening phase, Disney Springs will have limitations on capacity, parking and operating hours. Given this unprecedented situation, Disney is asking for everyone’s patience and understanding as they navigate through this process as responsibly as it can.

Additional protocols and procedures may be announced closer to the opening date. As May 20 gets closer, please check DisneySprings.com for the most current information on operating hours, locations and safety procedures.

Related:

How Disney Springs Will Reopen Safely on May 20

Employee Union: Disney Owned Shops, Restaurants Will Open May 27 at Disney Springs

Orange County Florida Task Force to Discuss Reopening Plan Today

According to WFTV9, The Orange County Task Force is meeting twice Tuesday to figure out when it will be safe to reopen as the clock ticks on Florida’s stay-at-home order.

By Thursday, Gov. DeSantis has to decide what businesses will open and what will say has to stay closed.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings outlined three things he’d like to focus on this week: Getting the community ready for businesses to open, getting the county read for public buildings to reopen and more testing.

He is waiting for the governor to decide if the state’s stay at home order will be lifted before he can lift the one of his own.

“That order goes until April 30,” said Demings. “We are waiting direction from the governor whether or not he will extend the order or not (and) hopefully we will get that information in the next day or so and so until that time we are still under that order.”

This could have a profound impact on Disney Springs which is rumored to be the first part of Walt Disney World to reopen.

New Hotel Coming to Disney Springs in 2021

Drury Hotels is developing its largest property to date, the Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista, and will begin to welcome guests by spring 2021. The new hotel will be located in the Disney Springs Resort Area and the entire project will be completed by the end of 2021, with its first set of rooms available by spring 2021.

Drury Plaza Hotel | Walt Disney World Resort

The new property is located just steps away from Disney Springs: a walkable, 120-acre outdoor complex outside of the theme parks featuring an eclectic mix of unique boutiques, one-of-a-kind eateries, and entertainment. The hotel will be able to be booked as part of a Walt Disney World Resort vacation package. Drury also will offer transportation to and from the theme parks, as well as to other surrounding attractions.

Drawn to Life - A New Cirque du Soleil Show at Walt Disney World

Today Disney announced the new Cirque du Soleil show coming to Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort will be called “Drawn to Life.” This show replaces Cirque du Soleil La Nuba which started in way back in December of 1998.

Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life at Walt Disney World Resort

It’s not possible to book tickets for the show through Disney, they can only be purchased directly through the Cirque du Soleil website. Booking tickets in advance is highly recommended.

Ticket prices range from $79 to $179 for adults.

The show will be in soft opening starting on March 20, 2020, and will officially open on April 17, 2020.

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