Virtual “Ride & Learn” With Expedition Everest

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom

One of our very favorite attractions at Walt Disney World is Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This is one of those attractions we could ride again and again! The smooth coaster has a fantastic thrill level which features the Yeti which you’ll find is causing all sorts of trouble to the track in this Forbidden Mountain. DisneyParksBlog is sharing a virtual “ride and learn”. Hold on tight as we ride along and dream of the day we get to be on this one again!

Looming over Disney’s Animal Kingdom stands a massive, snow-capped mountain that beckons adventurers and thrill-seekers brave enough to attempt a journey to the “top of the world.” Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain is an iconic attraction at Walt Disney World Resort, and today we’re inviting you to take a virtual ride on this fantastic and foreboding coaster in our newest “Ride & Learn” video.

ou’ll find Everest in the Asia section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. At the base of the mountain is the office for Himalayan Escapes, the travel company that brings curious tourists to the mountain’s peak aboard a special train. As you make your way toward the train, you see the results of past excursions and begin to understand what awaits you – most notably rumors of a ferocious beast lurking somewhere in the mountain …

It’s at this point we join our virtual ride, where you’ll learn more about Expedition Everest and how it was created. I love that this particular trip takes place at night – my preferred time of day to experience this amazing attraction. So gather your courage, hold on tight and conquer this mountain once and for all.

New “At Home With Olaf”

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

I’m not crying… it’s just allergies! Ok, but seriously, this new video released on DisneyMagicMoments.com under “At Home with Olaf” is giving us the feels. Olaf sings to us a letter he is writing. Classic Disney films flash through the video. Truly a special song and video we all simply need right about now. Check out the video below:

Allergies, right?! We will all be together soon enough Disney fans! Until then, stay safe and healthy.

Disney Springs Dining Reservations Cancelled For June On My Disney Experience

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining

We’ve been tracking all of the third-party Disney Springs restaurant reopenings as they are announced for May 20, and while we were initially excited at the prospect of making reservations for June 1 and later, My Disney Experience has pulled all availability online and on the app, and informed guests with reservations that they have been cancelled.

Currently, restaurant reservations for the May 20 phased reopening are only available on OpenTable. Earlier this week, guests could book dining reservations directly via My Disney Experience for June 1 and later:

Now those same reservations have been pulled from the system:

Yesterday, it was announced that Disney-owned shops and eateries would reopen on May 27, however it seems they may still need to tweak the system to allow for limited capacity reservations. Other third-party restaurants, like Jaleo, have yet to announce a reopening date at all.

Starting July 1, dining reservations are open for nearly all restaurants on property. Walt Disney World Resort is currently only taking bookings for July 1st onward, with June reservations to be potentially cancelled on a week-by-week basis––in fact, the first week of June has already seen a wave of cancellations.

Restaurants reopening at Disney Springs on May 20 include Chicken Guy!, The Polite Pig, Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill,  STK Orlando and Wine Bar George, which recently released a set of health and safety guidelines the restaurant would be adhering to during the phased reopening. This includes the use of digital menus and hand washing/sanitizing stations for employees and guests. You can read all of the guidelines here.

Disney Suspends “Frozen” on Broadway Due To Pandemic

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Broadway aficionados and Frozen fans alike are shocked at the announcement that “Frozen” On Broadway will be permanently ending its run and not returning after the COVID-19 shutdown on Broadway.

According to The New York Times, Disney Theatrical Productions stated that its stage adaptation of “Frozen” will not reopen once the pandemic eases, making it the first musical to get permanently shut down due to the health crisis.

“Frozen” was never the Broadway powerhouse that “The Lion King” and “Aladdin” proved to be, and the theatrical company does not believe the crowds will be back once the lockdown is lifted. The production was mildly received by critics and by February, was only averaging $1 million in weekly sales.

Thomas Schumacher, President of Disney Theatrical Productions issued the following statement in a letter to staff:

“This difficult decision was made for several reasons but primarily because we believe that three Disney productions will be one too many titles to run successfully in Broadway’s new landscape.”

Broadway remains closed after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo banned gatherings of over 500 people on March 12. Disney plans on resuming the theatrical tour of “Frozen” once theaters reopen across North America in hopes that it fares better outside of New York.

Cast Members Promised Paid Time Off and A Change in Attendance Policy For COVID-19 Symptoms

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Cast Members will be returning to work as early as this Friday after months of being on furlough to welcome back the first wave of guests to the property on May 20. While many are eager to return to work, the ever-present fear of infection lingers. Thankfully, workers unions are negotiating certain terms to allow Cast Members some safety and relief––as well as financial security––once they head back onto the property.

As the Orlando Sentinel reports, Cast Members who get sick with COVID-19 will get guaranteed paid time off to quarantine, according to the Service Trades Council Union. Employees who call in sick will not be in violation of the attendance policy if they show coronavirus symptoms.

Just yesterday, it was revealed that Disney would be providing its Cast Members with three washable face masks. They can also request a thermometer.

Throughout the complex, plexiglass dividers have been installed at registers. Guests will swipe their own payments cards, as they will no longer be handled by employees. Custodians will be retrained to focus on cleaning high-traffic, high-touch areas.

Disney has developed new global training guidelines for park employees amid the pandemic. The company will also hold monthly safety meetings, with which the union will be involved.

Disney Springs will begin its phased reopening on May 20, with Disney-owned shops and eateries scheduled to reopen on May 27.