DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: New Holiday Treats Unveiled, Epcot Holiday Kitchen Menus Released, Big Cruise Line News, New Security at Disney Springs, Portion of California Adventure Opening, Guardians of the Galaxy Ride Sneak-Peek, Disney Recipe & More
Lots of good news this week with the holiday season arriving at Disney World. We have a bunch of new holiday treats unveiled as well as the release of the holiday kitchens coming to EPCOT A big update on cruising and Disney Cruise Line, and a virtual viewing of one of our favorite Disney Cruise Line stage presentations. Out at Disneyland, a small section of Disney’s California Adventure is opening to Downtown Disney guests, and at Disney Springs, expect new security procedures. Don’t miss the sneak-peek at the Guardians of the Galaxy ride vehicles or the recipe for one of our favorite breakfast drinks. All this and more in this week’s news roundup.
1 – 2020 Holiday Season Kicks off at Walt Disney World
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The holiday season at Walt Disney World is now underway. Even with the offerings being different or modified from previous years, there is still so much holiday magic to be enjoyed this holiday season. I’ve already visited Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom to check out the offerings this year. We’ll have those guides up soon! In the meantime, learn what you can expect all around the resort by visiting the link below.
Click here to learn more about the holiday season at Walt Disney World.
2 – Disney Unveils Holiday Treats to Celebrate the Holidays at Walt Disney World
The holiday season at Walt Disney World brings with it some amazing holiday treats. This week Disney gave us a look at some of the treats you can find at the parks! I’ve already had a few treats on this list, and I can’t wait to enjoy more! Check out the link below for details on what’s available and where you can find them.
Click here for a look at the treats available at Walt Disney World during the holiday season.
3 – Disney Releases 2020 Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Menus
While the holiday season at EPCOT doesn’t begin until November 27, Disney has already released the menus to the Holiday Kitchens, and our diets don’t stand a chance. The Disney chefs have really outdone themselves. We can’t wait to visit! Learn more at the link below.
4 – New Security Screening Now at Disney Springs
Guests who visit Walt Disney World are used to going through a security screening to enter the Walt Disney World theme parks. This security process has now extended to Disney Springs. There, the security team uses the same walk-through scanners that are now at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. These scanners allow you to walk through without stopping while carrying your items. You’ll only need to undergo further inspection if the scanner beeps. At Disney Springs, guests will find the checkpoints located right after temperature screening checkpoints at entrances to the area.
5 – A Look at the Ride Vehicles at EPCOT’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
This week on Instagram, Walt Disney Imagineer Zack Riddley shared a sneak peek at the ride vehicles of EPCOT’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Here is the information from Zach’s post:
Here is an exclusive sneak peek of two of our ride engineers as they prep some of EPCOT’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind vehicles at our warehouse in Florida. If you look closely at the colorful paint design on the vehicles (called coaches in roller coaster engineering parlance), each one is unique with different wear patterns and impact marks. Imagineers were inspired by markings that appear on NASA Space Shuttles and other spacecraft upon reentry into Earth’s atmosphere. We can’t wait to share more on this truly out-of-this-world, awesome attraction as we make progress on construction and put these coaches on the track!
6 – Visiting Disney’s Yacht Club Resort – Our Staycation During the Phased Reopening
We recently enjoyed a staycation at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. We had an amazing time, especially enjoying the most popular pool on Walt Disney World property, Stormalong Bay! Learn more about our stay during the phased reopening at the link below.
Click here to learn more about our stay at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort during the phased reopening.
7 – Disney Cruise Line Extends Suspension of All Departures Through End of 2020
Even though the CDC recently let the ban on cruise ships operations expire, cruise lines need time to meet standards set by the CDC to resume cruising with passengers in US waters. Therefore, it’s unsurprising to learn that Disney Cruise Line has extended its supsension of cruises through the end of 2020.
Here are all the details from Disney Cruise Line’s website:
Our team at Disney Cruise Line remains focused on the health and well-being of our Guests and team members. We are carefully reviewing the guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and working together with industry partners on a path to resuming operations.
As we continue to refine our protocols for our eventual return to service, we have decided to cancel all sailings through December 2020. Sailings are cancelled on board the Disney Fantasy through December 26; Disney Wonder and Disney Magic through December 30; and the Disney Dream through December 31.
Guests booked on affected sailings who have paid their reservation in full will be offered the choice of a cruise credit to be used for a future sailing or a full refund. Guests who have not paid their reservations in full will automatically receive a refund of what they have paid so far. Affected Guests and travel agents will receive an email from Disney Cruise Line outlining details and next steps.
Guests who booked their reservation through a travel agent should contact them directly with any questions. Those who booked directly with Disney Cruise Line and have questions after receiving their email should call (866) 325-6685 or (407) 566-7797.
8 – Buena Vista Street Opens November 19, Extending Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort
A few weeks ago, Disney announced that they would be extending the Downtown Disney District by opening Buena Vista Street. We now have an opening date! Disney Cast Member Valarie Lee shares more below:
We’re excited to share that Buena Vista Street opens November 19, extending the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort with more Disney shopping and dining experiences. Discover new and returning favorite menu items plus holiday gifts and apparel, and stay tuned for more holiday happenings!
Here’s a peek at what you can expect beginning November 19:
Carthay Circle Restaurant, known for its upscale cuisine, is introducing Carthay Circle Lounge – Alfresco Dining, a new outdoor dining environment and menu featuring Mediterranean-California light fare, with small plates that can be shared or enjoyed separately at Carthay Circle Lounge. The seasonal menu created by Chefs Andrew Sutton and Alex Flores will feature the Carthay shrimp roll, harissa-roasted lamb, soy-glazed salmon, lemon-crusted fish of the day and an artisan cheese board. Kids will find menu options just for them, including orecchiette pasta with marinara and orange dragon chicken skewers. Relax and step back in time at this throwback venue that boasts distinct attention to detail. Unwind with flavorful, international fare and a glass of wine, craft beers or a cool cocktail, enjoying expanded outdoor seating and amazing views of Buena Vista Street.
On another corner, stop by Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe for a yummy hot chocolate and a cranberry orange scone. Or, place your mobile order for corn dogs or soft drinks at Award Wieners, or for Smokejumpers Grill, serving bacon cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, onion rings, waffle fries, kids’ meals, and vanilla and chocolate shakes.
Along Buena Vista Street, Disney magic brings a nostalgic throwback to the 1920s and ’30s. The boulevard depicts a typical Los Angeles neighborhood where a young Walt Disney lived and worked after arriving in Southern California in 1923. This idyllic setting captures the quaint “mom-and-pop” shops of the time and a big-city department store including Elias & Co., Julius Katz & Sons, Kingswell Camera Shop and Trolley Treats, where you can find unique Disney apparel and gifts.
Beginning November 19, there will be a $10 fee per car for parking at the Downtown Disney District in the Simba Lot. The number of guests visiting the Downtown Disney District and its locations, including the shopping and dining experiences along Buena Vista Street, will be limited to promote physical distancing. We may at times use the mobile wait list system when Buena Vista Street and/or its queue are at capacity, similar to the process at some retail locations in the Downtown Disney District. Disney California Adventure Park is currently closed.
If you haven’t visited the Downtown Disney District lately, be sure to visit Disneyland.com/DTD to learn important information about updated experiences and other details including our health and safety measures such as the requirement for all guests, ages 2 and older, to wear a face covering.
We look forward to welcoming you back to Buena Vista Street at the Downtown Disney District!
9 – Virtual Viewing of Disney Cruise Line’s “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular”
We really miss cruising and Disney Cruise Line, especially enjoying the fantastic Broadway-style entertainment on the ship. Thankfully, Disney Cruise Line has shared a virtual view of one of their shows. Disney Cast Member Carly Scott shares more.
Get ready for another fun family night hosted by Disney Cruise Line! This time we’re bringing the world of Arendelle into your homes with a virtual watch party of our Broadway-style stage production, “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular.”
You’re invited to grab a front-row seat (on your couch!) as we raise the curtain for another virtual presentation of Disney Cruise Line’s Broadway-style entertainment. Now showing, “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular!” This previously recorded video from our Walt Disney Theatre features the original cast from the show’s opening.
Before you start the show, whip up everyone’s favorite theater snack: popcorn! Put a Frozen spin on it with this tasty recipe for Frozen Popcorn Snowballs from Disney Family, fun for both adults and kids to make together. And you don’t have to worry about these snowballs melting!
After the show, put on your own “Frozen” performance with these printable shadow puppet characters from Disney Family. The templates feature favorite characters like Anna, Elsa, Olaf and Sven so your little ones can use their imagination to tell their own story about adventures in Arendelle.
10 – Disney Shares Famous POG Breakfast Juice Recipe
The famous POG juice that can be found at Walt Disney World is something we always look forward to! Now we can enjoy it at home! Disney Cast Member Karen McClintock shares the recipe below:
With the recent reopening of Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, it is the perfect time to share the recipe for our popular POG Breakfast Juice from both Walt Disney World Resort and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa. This recipe is a quick and easy mix and a great morning pick-me-up. It’s bursting with tropical flavors and will make you feel like you’re relaxing on the sandy beaches of Hawai’i. Add in a paper umbrella and an orange slice garnish for the ultimate tropical experience! Aloha!
POG Breakfast Juice from Walt Disney World Resort and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
Makes 12 cups
Ingredients:
- 4 cups passion fruit juice
- 4 cups orange juice
- 4 cups guava juice
Directions:
Mix all ingredients together in a 1-gallon pitcher. Serve over ice in tall glasses.
Note: Always use caution when handling sharp objects and hot contents. Please supervise children who are helping or nearby. This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version.
Click here for a print-at-home version of this recipe!
11 – Adventures by Disney Departures Suspended Through January 31, 2021
The health and safety of our Guests and Team Members remains a top priority for our team at Adventures by Disney as we continue to refine our protocols for our eventual return to service.
As we work towards resuming operations, Adventures by Disney has made the decision to suspend all departures through Sunday, January 31, 2021. Adventures by Disney will contact all impacted Guests or their Travel Agents with updated information and options.
For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.