Mickey Mouse and his best pals are returning to breakfast at Chef Mickey’s restaurant in Disney’s Contemporary Resort on December 16, bringing some new items to the menu inspired by their favorite dishes. Check out the details and photos as shared below by DisneyParksBlog.
Along with traditional breakfast favorites, you will be able to try the new Mickey’s “Celebration” Pancake, featuring whipped cream, celebration sprinkles, shimmering pixie dust and more.
For something a bit more savory, we’re adding a new “Loaded” Potato-Cheese Casserole topped with smoked bacon crumbles and chives.
Last but not least, Goofy’s Banana Bread French Toast will combine unique flavors of banana bread baked in zesty orange-scented French toast batter, topped with Espresso-mascarpone cream, toasted bananas and chocolate crumbles.
If you can’t decide on which new item to try, you’ll be able to taste all three as part of an all-you-care-to-eat family style feast with other traditional breakfast favorites.
When Mickey and friends return, the experience may look a little different than the last time you visited, but you can still expect to smile, wave and make unforgettable memories with some of your favorite characters as they parade through the restaurant in their chef’s best.
Reservations for Chef Mickey’s character breakfast will open on October 17, based on availability. In addition, Disney Resort hotel guests can make reservations up to 60 days in advance plus the length of their stay (up to 10 days). For more information, please click here.
PhotoPass is a great option for guests visiting the Walt Disney World Resort. It takes away the stress of having to have a camera and your phone battery fully charged just to get pictures. All of your PhotoPass downloads are included with most Annual Passes, although not all Florida Resident passes include them. Annual Pass sales are on hold right now, so if you’d like to have all of your photos you will want to add Memory Maker to your vacation. If you purchase it early you can save! Since the theme parks reopened there have been some changes to the PhotoPass system because of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you haven’t visited Walt Disney World since the reopening back in July here are some updates you’ll need to know about PhotoPass.
Two young guests stop to take a photo at Magic Kingdom Park, July 11, 2020, at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on the first day of the theme park’s phased reopening. (Olga Thompson, photographer)
1. You Can’t Take Off Your Mask for Photos
Since the theme parks reopened all guests who are two years old and older are required to wear face coverings at all times, except while actively eating or drinking while stationary. This includes while taking photos. If you try to take off your mask for a picture a cast member will politely remind you to put it back on. This is truly for the safety of all guests and cast members. If you really need a mask-less photo, visit a Relaxation Station and take the picture there. Just make sure that you still follow the rules if you do that.
2. Cast Members Can’t Hold Phones For You
In the past the PhotoPass photographers would gladly snap a few pictures for you with your phone after taking a few with their cameras. That has changed for the time being. Cast members are not allowed to take a photo with your phone or camera right now. It is truly to help stop the spread of germs and to keep everyone safe. They’re not being rude or only trying to get you to use PhotoPass. It is for everyone’s safety.
3. You Won’t Get Ride Photos if You Take Your Mask Off
Many people love getting their ride photos and doing crazy poses for them. You are required to keep your mask on during all rides, and that includes when the photos are taken. A cast member is reviewing all of the ride photos to make sure that all guests are wearing masks, and if even one person takes off the mask in a photo you will not be sent that photo. Don’t be that person that ruins it for everyone by taking off your mask, the entire party will not get the photo then. If there are strangers in the ride vehicle with you it will cost them their photo as well. Disney is taking this extremely seriously.
4. Delayed Photos
Since someone is reviewing all the photos to make sure face coverings are properly worn, it may take a little bit longer to see your photos in your My Disney Experience App. This is especially true of the ride photos. Be patient, if you and everyone in your party are following the rules you should get them in a day or so. If you don’t get them within a reasonable amount of time, contact Disney. Tell them the date, the approximate time, and where the photo was taken, they will do their best to find them.
5. Short Lines
Since capacity is low right now there are very short lines to get photos. Just look for the Disney PhotoPass photographers, they are ready to take some professional shots for you. Have your MagicBand all ready to go and they will scan you in. If there is something specific that you want, don’t be afraid to ask. The PhotoPass photographers want to make your experience magical for you.
6. No Character Photos
There are no photos with characters right now. You will still see plenty of characters in the Caracter Cavalcades, and you might see other characters from a distance in the theme parks. If you want to try to take a quick picture as the characters pass by, go ahead. You’ll have to do it yourself or ask someone in your party, because there are no PhotoPass photographers near the characters at the moment.
7. More MagicShots
Right now there are extra locations where there are PhotoPass photographers. This includes more MagicShots throughout the theme parks. You may feel a little crazy staring at the ground or pointing at nothing, but just wait until the photo comes through on your My Disney Experience App and you’ll see exactly why you posed the way that you did. Disney will take those photos, add a little pixie dust, and give you some shots that will help you remember your Walt Disney World vacation forever. Make sure that you take advantage of the spots so you can have some photos that have your favorite Disney characters added to your pictures. It’s not quite the same as character photos, but it is still a lot of fun.
Big news for several Disney Cast Members, as the Local 737, the Union of hotel & restaurant workers at Disney, took to Facebook to share the news of raises arriving for Cast Members.
As shared on the Orlando Hotel and Restaurant Workers Movement Facebook page:
“Update for Local 737 Disney Workers! RAISES ARE TODAY: October 4! $16 minimum for Housekeeping. $14 minimum for most Food & Beverage workers. The raises apply to the almost 9,000 Housekeeping and Food & Beverage workers who are back at work. If you are still on furlough, you will get the raise whenever you are called back to work. The raises for Tipped workers are on December 27, but you will get the October 4 raise whenever you take paid time off. We fought hard for these raises back in 2017 and 2018. At a time of economic crisis when many non-union companies are freezing and cutting their workers’ pay, our Union contract protects us! WHAT ABOUT LAYOFFS? All 6 Unions of the Service Trades Council continue to talk with Disney about their announcement. How many full-time and part-time Cast Members will be affected, how long health insurance and recall rights will continue and many other issues crucial to Cast Members are on the table. As soon as more information becomes available, we will notify our members.”
For more details, visit Orlando Hotel and Restaurant Workers Movement Facebook page.
The Pottery Barn shares “The Magic Begins”! The collection is “Inspired by vintage illustrations of Mickey Mouse’s 1928 debut, our nostalgic new collection celebrates the magic of Disney.” While there are several items we simply can’t get enough of, here are a few of our favorites!
The Disney Mickey Mouse 30.5″ Kitchen Cart for $474.05. “If you’re talking about hosting a small party, this kitchen cart is all ears. With two shelves for entertaining essentials, plus wheels for easy transport between rooms, it’s a whimsical way to let the good times roll. Expertly crafted from iron and glass; Finished in powder coated black; Casters lock for stability.”
The Disney Mickey Mouse Organic Cotton Sheet Set for $75 – $141. “With Mickey striking his signature poses, this 100% organic cotton bedding is truly where dreams come true. Woven of 100% organic cotton; Organic cotton is grown without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. 200-thread count; Fitted sheet fits mattresses up to 16″ deep; Machine wash; Set includes flat sheet, fitted sheet and 2 pillowcases (1 with twin set); Extra pillowcases are sold in sets of 2.”
The Disney Mickey Mouse Faux Fur Trimmed Slippers for $39.50. “With Mickey striking his signature poses, these faux fur trimmed slippers instantly turn your home into the coziest place on Earth (especially when paired with the complementary robe).”
The Disney Mickey Mouse Home Cozy Lumbar Pillow for $66. “With block letters and a special appearance by Mickey, this lumbar pillow features our snuggle-worthy sherpa fabric with a cozy linen back.”
The Disney Mickey Mouse Clock for $79. “With Mickey’s hands to help tell the time, this accent clock brings everyone’s favorite pal right to your nightstand, kitchen or desk, and the classic tick-tock sound will be like music to your ears.”
And that’s just the beginning! Check out all of the collection on PotteryBarn.com.
It has been announced that California would be issuing theme park reopening guidelines sometime this week—considering the timeline, that’d probably mean tomorrow. While this comes as a relief for guests and Passholders eagerly awaiting a theme park reopening, it appears the theme parks themselves, like Disneyland, aren’t as eager about the sudden announcement.
Sleeping Beauty Castle – Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland is the centerpiece of Fantasyland, and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. Surrounded by beautiful flowers and whimsical topiary, the Disneyland landmark beckons park visitors to explore the different realms of the place “Where Dreams Come True.” Walt Disney wanted this castle to be a friendly and welcoming presence in his park so it was built on a smaller scale than its European counterparts. (Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort)
According to Brady MacDonald of The Orange County Register, the California Attractions and Parks Association has actually asked state officials to not finalize plans just yet—not before conferring with park operators and modifying certain protocols before officially issuing guidelines.
In a statement to the OC Register, CAPA Executive Director Erin Guerrero said the following:
We ask the governor not to finalize guidance for amusement parks before engaging the industry in a more earnest manner, listening to park operators’ expertise and collaborating with the industry on a plan that will allow for amusement parks to reopen responsibly while still keeping the health and safety of park employees and guests a top priority. While we are aligned on many of the protocols and health and safety requirements, there are many others that need to be modified if they are to lead to a responsible and reasonable amusement park reopening plan.
It seems the parks have been given a chance to overview a draft of the guidelines, and are not happy with what can only be assumed are strict or overly restrictive guidelines, considering the note about a “reasonable” reopening plan. Guidelines will reportedly vary between counties, possibly limiting who can visit the parks in order to discourage long-distance or out-of-state travel.
Theme park reopening plans will be issued by the California Department of Public Health and ultimately incorporated into the Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
No specific date for the release of these guidelines has been issued, but it is likely to take place tomorrow during Governor Newsom’s COVID-19 update. Reopening dates can then be officially announced for local theme parks such as Disneyland Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood. Earlier today, Disneyland Resort began sending cancellation emails for reservations through October 17.
