Breaking News! Starting today, May 15th, 2021 there will be new face masks rules in Walt Disney World! Following more information from the CDC this week regarding vaccinated people not needing to wear masks, Disney has started to make adjustments to their safety procedures and this is the newest one that has surprised us all.
Disney’s website has posted this new chart that outlines the updated requirements when it comes to masks throughout the Walt Disney World Property. The biggest change is that masks are no longer required in outdoor common areas or pool decks.
Guests will still be required to wear a mask in areas such as transportation, attractions, and indoor locations per CDC suggestions and guidelines.
For full details on the requirements and expectations from Disney, visit their Know Before You Go for complete details and explainations.
What better way to celebrate Halfway to Halloween with a “shriek peek” at upcoming Disney merchandise. Get a spooky first look at some spine-tingling new products including Cruella-themed outfits for your Disney nuiMOs plush, streetwear, and more below!
Halloween is one of our favorite holidays here at Disney, and I’m already getting so excited to celebrate because we are now #HalfwaytoHalloween! It’s the perfect time for a “shriek peek” at some exciting new products that are coming soon, and some that you can even snag right now!
You’ve already been taking your Disney nuiMOs plush characters on adventures with you everywhere, right? Well, it’s time to step up their style with some trendy new outfits themed to the upcoming new live-action film from Walt Disney Studios, “Cruella.” Get inspired by one of the most notoriously fashionable villains, and give your nuiMOs some edge by outfitting them in her punk rock style. Coming in early June to shopDisney.com and select Disney stores and Disney Parks around the world!
There’s no Halloween without a Villain, and the new Disney Villains Streetwear collection is a perfect celebration of all things evil. People won’t know whether to love or fear your style when you’re sporting a bucket hat and jogger pants featuring such notorious villains as Hades, Ursula, Maleficent, and more. Coming in late July!
You may have 999 Haunted Mansion-themed items, but there’s always room for one more! Check out some swag from an all-new Haunted Mansion collection coming to shopDisney.com, Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort in early July. Featuring apparel and new accessories including a Minnie Mouse ear headband by Her Universe and bag by Loungefly, you’d be a foolish mortal to miss out on this one!
Those looking for more of an edgy take on Mickey Mouse, check out this bone-chilling Mickey Mouse Halloween Streetwear Collection! From a spooky neon green long-sleeved shirt to an eerie—err, “ear”-ie— Mickey Mouse print hoodie and skeletal jumpsuit, Mickey Mouse has never looked so tastefully terrifying! Coming in early August to Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.
Want to get your spooky side on NOW? Fret not! Check out some freaky products already available on shopDisney.com and at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort:
For even more ghoulish fun, read on to check out our array of products from retailers worldwide!
Complete your villainous venture with some terrifyingly tantalizing books! Let your favorite Disney Villains guide you through your cooking adventures with Disney Villains: Devilishly Delicious Cookbook, available for pre-order now. Or, if you’re looking to get engrossed in a series, check out the fairy tale-inspired crime series City of Villains, or the dark and edgy Disney Chills chapter book series, both available now. You might want to keep the lights on for those!
Join me in this grim grinning celebration of #HalfwaytoHalloween, and be sure to stay glued all day for even more Spooktacular content coming your way. The countdown to Halloween is officially on!
Planning your visit to Walt Disney World? You’ll want to keep an eye on your My Disney Experience App for the latest update in park hours. The Walt Disney World website now shows parks hours have been released through July 17! As you plan your vacation to the most magic place on earth, here are the current posted park hours for May 6 – July 17, 2021.
Magic Kingdom:
May 1 – 31: 8:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
June 1 – 26: 8:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
June 27 – 30: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
July 1 – 17: 9:00am to 9:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 9pm)
EPCOT:
May 6 – 31: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm)
June 1 – 30: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm)
July 1 – 17: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 10pm)
Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
May 6 – 31: 9:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
June 1 – 18: 9:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
June 19: 9:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
June 20 – 26: 9:00am to 8:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 8pm)
June 27 – 30: 9:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
July 1 – 17: 9:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom:
May 6 – 31: 8:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
June 1 – 20: 8:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
June 21: 8:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)
June 22: 8:00am to 5:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 5pm)
June 23 – 26: 8:00am to 7:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 7pm)
June 27: 8:00am to 5:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 5pm)
June 28 – 30: 8:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)
July 1 – 17: 8:00am to 6:00pm (Park Hop: 2pm to 6pm)
Dining at Walt Disney World has been a challenge since many table and quick-service restaurants remain closed around property during the phased reopening. Thankfully, Disney has announced new table service options that are returning to Walt Disney World.
Starting May 16, Chef Mickey’s will offer an all-you-care-to-enjoy family-style dinner that will include “no touch” appearances like snapping a selfie or waving hello as Mickey Mouse and some of his favorite pals make surprising appearances in each of the dining rooms. Similar to other character dining locations, Guests will take home a souvenir with character signatures and colorful artwork.
Seeing your favorite characters isn’t all you can look forward to at Chef Mickey’s! The dinner menu will include items for the whole family, like starters of “Chef Mickey’s Caesar,” citrus-poached shrimp salad, and assorted breads; main courses of gnocchi, roasted garlic potato Gratin, plant-based faro wheat fried rice, prime rib, roasted turkey, and salmon; and an assortment of sweets to top off the meal. Little ones in your family can enjoy mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, turkey corn dog nuggets, and more!
Cape May Café
If you ever dream of escaping to the beach and enjoying all the delicious food of an oceanside town, you’ll be happy that Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club Resort reopens on May 18! The New England-style restaurant is a perfect location to refuel before and after a day of adventure at Walt Disney World.
Guests returning to Cape May Café will find old favorites and new changes, along with its signature service and quality. The restaurant will serve breakfast and dinner, but Minnie’s Beach Bash Character Breakfast and the Seafood-and-More Dinner Buffet will not return at reopening.
That’s not to say there aren’t plenty of treats in store! The all-you-care-to enjoy family-style breakfast menu will feature popular staples like pastries (including the layered crispy, cream-filled “Lobster Tail”), omelets, and Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse waffles. Highlights from dinner will include house-made Parker House rolls and corn bread, a seafood boil with a variety of fresh seafood, The Turf Platter with steak and chicken, and – my personal favorite – lobster mac and cheese.
Bookings for Cape May Café and dinnertime at Chef Mickey’s open on May 7.
Tusker House Restaurant
The guest-favorite character dining location at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Tusker House Restaurant, will reopen this summer! During the modified character experience, guests will enjoy delicious family-style entrees inspired by the flavors of Africa and can snap photos of Donald Duck and friends, dressed in their safari best as they promenade through the restaurant. We will share more about the menu and reservation information soon.
Big news today out of Walt Disney World as they have announced the removal of temperature screenings which have been in place since the phased reopening of the parks in summer 2020. Following CDC guidelines and local health officials, Disney will be phasing out temperature screenings for guests beginning May 16.
As updated on the Walt Disney World website: “Temperature Screenings: Since reopening, we have considered guidance from public health authorities, government agencies, and our own team of health and safety experts as we assess and update health and safety measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. As this guidance continues to evolve, and with the support of local health and government officials, we are making some additional adjustments. Following the advice of the CDC and our local health officials, we will phase out onsite temperature screenings at Walt Disney World Resort for Cast Members beginning May 8 and Guests on May 16. We will continue to follow the guidance of health and safety leaders going forward and most importantly encourage people to get vaccinated.”
