Another update from Walt Disney World today shows temperature screenings have been expanded to restaurants. Now, if you are dining at a Disney Resort table-service restaurant, you can plan for a temperature screening prior to entering the restaurant.
“Temperature Screenings: Guests dining in table-service restaurants at Disney Resort hotels will undergo a temperature screening prior to entering the location. As with other locations at Walt Disney World Resort that require temperature screenings before entry, anyone displaying a temperature of 100.4 F or above will be directed to an additional rescreening. Those with temperatures 100.4 F or above will not be allowed entry; those in their party will not be allowed entry either.”
“You will be required to undergo a temperature screening with no-touch thermometers before entry to some locations at Walt Disney World Resort, including the Walt Disney World theme parks, the Disney Springs area and table-service restaurants at Disney Resort hotels.”
“Based on guidance from health authorities, anyone displaying a temperature of 100.4 F or above will be directed to an additional location for rescreening and assistance. Those with temperatures 100.4 F or above will not be allowed entry; those in their party will not be allowed entry either. Before you leave home, be sure to check the temperatures of everyone in your party—including yourself—as an extra layer of precaution.”
If you were eagerly awaiting the return of Ample Hills Creamery at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort, plus the debut of the upcoming new Disney Springs location, I’m afraid we have some sad news for you. An Ample Hills spokesperson has stated that the ice cream shop will not be operating any Walt Disney World locations in the near future.
The Boardwalk location has been fairly popular since it opened in 2016, and with the announcement of a second location on the West Side of Disney Springs, with construction already underway, this news is definitely disheartening for fans.
Ample Hills Creamery filed for bankruptcy on March 16, right before the Boardwalk location closed on March 20 due to the COVID-19 shutdown. Disney’s agreement with Ample Hills ended back in January, according to a company spokesperson.
Palmas Restaurant Group has announced that it has laid off an undisclosed number of employees from the Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT’s World Showcase.
This decision impacts both hourly and salary employees at San Angel Inn Restaurant, La Cava del Tequila, La Cantina and La Hacienda Restaurant, all of which reside within the Mexico Pavilion.
Palmas Restaurant Group attributes the layoffs to the significant loss of revenue as a direct result of COVID-19 closures. The company has pledged to extend company-sponsored healthcare plans for these employees through July 31, and will give priority to union cast members when hiring resumes. The following statement was issued by Palmas Restaurant Group regarding the layoffs:
Due to extended closures and loss of business resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, Palmas Restaurant Group found it necessary to layoff some of its hourly and managerial cast members. Those who participate in the company-sponsored group health plan will continue to have coverage through July 31. Union cast members will be prioritized in the event of a re-hire and will retain seniority for a period of one year.
This decision was not taken lightly. The company did everything in its power to avoid a layoff scenario, including extending paid furloughs and medical coverage for as long as was economically feasible despite the mandatory closure of restaurant operations. We are confident that business levels will one day return to pre-pandemic levels, although the timeline remains uncertain.
Great news, Food & Wine fans! We’ve got the menus for this year’s modified Taste of Epcot International Food & Wine Festival! There are twenty global marketplaces and while the menus have been pared down a bit, plenty of our favorites returning this year.
Africa
Delve into a delectable menu inspired by countries abundant with history, mystery and cultural diversity.
Food:
Spicy Kenyan Vegan Corn and White Beans with Pigeon Peas, Quinoa & Ancient Grains Medley and Kachumbari Slaw (Plant-based)
Piri Piri Skewered Shrimp with Citrus-scented Couscous
Beverages:
Tusker Lager
Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz, Western Cape
Appleseed Orchard
Celebrate autumn with sweet and savory apple dishes paired with ciders, beers and wines.
Food:
Charcuterie and Cheese Plate featuring Burton’s Maplewood Farm Applejack Brandy Barrel Aged Maple Syrup
Caramel-Apple Popcorn
Beverages:
Frozen Apple Pie (non-alcoholic)
Short’s Brewing Co. Mule Beer, Elk Rapids, MI
Heavy Seas Brewery TropiCannon Citrus IPA, Halethorpe, MI
Parish Brewing Co. Ghost in the Machine Double IPA, Broussard, LA
3 Daughters Raspberry Lemonade Dry Hard Cider, St. Petersburg, FL
Short’s Brewing Company Starcut Ciders Mosa Hard Cider, Bellaire, MI
Ciderboys Banana Bliss Hard Cider, Stevens Point, WI
Apple Blossom Sky: Fanta® Apple, Ginger Beer, Floodwall Apple Brandy, Burton’s Maplewood Farm Applejack Brandy Barrel Aged Syrup and Mini Marshmallows
Brazil
Dig into South American cuisine and culture with the Land of the Palms’ finest fare.
Food:
Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, Tomato and Onions (GF)
Pão de Queijo: Brazilian Cheese Bread (GF)
Beverages:
M.I.A. Beer Company Barbossa Black Beer, Doral, FL
Frozen Caipirinha featuring LeBlon Cachaça
Canada
Take your taste buds to the Yukon, with delightful dishes, lagers and wines from the Great White North.
Food:
Canadian Cheddar Cheese and Bacon Soup served with a Pretzel Roll
Le Cellier Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle-Butter Sauce (GF)
Beverages:
Collective Arts Brewing Blackberry Fruit Beer, Hamilton, Ontario
Inniskillin Icewine
Château des Charmes Merlot
China
Introduce your palate to a diverse variety of popular plates and potables from one of the world’s greatest cuisines!
Food:
Chicken Dumplings with Chinese Slaw
Mongolian Beef Bao Bun
Beverages:
Jasmine Draft Beer
Happy Peach: Peach Liqueur and Dark Rum
Byejoe Punch: Chinese Bai Jiu Spirit, Lychee, Coconut and Pineapple Juice
Citrus Blossom
Treat your taste buds to the subtleties of lemon, orange and lime—turning delicious dishes even more delish!
Food:
Lobster Tail with Meyer Lemon Emulsion and Grilled Lemon (GF)
Crispy Citrus Chicken with Orange Aïoli and Baby Greens (GF)
Beverages:
Orange Cream Shake in a Souvenir Orange Bird Sipper Cup (Non-alcoholic)
Islamorada Beer Company Coconut Key Lime Ale, Fort Pierce, FL
Orange Sunshine Wine Slushy
Desserts & Champagne
What could be better than something sweet, followed by something bubbly?
Food:
Liquid Nitro Chocolate Cake Pops
Liquid Nitro Chocolate Cake Pops with Crumbled Twix® Chocolate Bars
Liquid Nitro Chocolate Cake Pops with Crushed M&M’s® Candies
Beverages:
Frozen S’mores (non-alcoholic)
Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut, Champagne
Dom Pérignon Brut, Champagne
Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé, Champagne
Frozen S’mores with Whipped Cream Vodka
Earth Eats Hosted by Impossible
Turn your taste buds upside down with a medley of flavors that add a delish twist to healthy, hearty fare!
Food:
Impossible™ Farmhouse Meatball with Lentil Bread, Spinach, Marinated Vegetables, and Creamy Herb Dressing (Plant-based)
The Impossible™ Burger Slider with Wasabi Cream and spicy Asian Slaw on a Sesame Seed Bun (Plant-based)
Chocolate Pudding Terrarium with Avocado Cream, Matcha Crumble, and Baby Herbs (Plant-based) (GF)
Beverages:
Bloomin’ Blueberry Lemon and Ginger Tea featuring Twinings of London® (non-alcoholic)
Playalinda Brewing Company Violet Lemonade Ale, Titusville, FL
Bloomin’ Blueberry Lemon and Ginger Tea featuring Twinings of London® with Tito’s Handmade Vodka served in a Mason Jar
France
Fall in ooo-la-la-love with the classic cuisine and finest wines of France—bon appétit!
Food:
Tarte aux Oignons Caramelises et Chévre: Goat Cheese Tart with Caramelized Onions on a Flaky Pastry Crust
Canard Confit à l’Orange: Braised Duck Confit à l’Orange with Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Tarte Tropezienne, Coulis Framboise: Brioche Cake filled with Light Pastry Cream and Raspberry Coulis
Beverages:
Kronenbourg 1664 Pale Lager Draft
VeRy Raspberry: Rosé Wine with Natural Raspberry Flavor
Bordeaux, Merlot and Cabernet Blend, Château Tarin
La Vie en Rose Frozen Slushy: Vodka, Grey Goose L’Orange, St. Germain Liqueur, White and Red Cranberry Juice
Germany
Embark on an epicurean adventure to Deutschland, home of the heartiest food, drinks and appetites in the world!
Food:
Schinkennudeln: Pasta Gratin with Ham, Onions and Cheese
Roast Bratwurst in a Prop and Peller® Pretzel Roll
Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce
Beverages:
Weihenstephaner Festbier Lager, Freising
M.I.A. Brewing Hugo, Doral, FL
Hacker-Pschorr Hefe Weisse Naturtüb
Riesling
Hawai’i
Traverse the Pacific for tropical flavors and island faves—sweet or savory, these mouthwatering morsels scream aloha!
Food:
Kalua Pork Slider with Sweet-and-Sour DOLE®Pineapple Chutney and spicy Mayonnaise
Teriyaki-glazed SPAM® Hash with Potatoes, Peppers, Onions and spicy Mayonnaise
Beverages:
Maui Brewing Company Pineapple Mana Wheat, Kihei, HI
Florida Orange Groves Sparkling Pineapple Wine, St. Petersburg, FL
AULANI Sunrise:
Hops & Barley
Stay stateside for all-American craft beer, wines and the hottest tastes from coast-to-coast!
Food:
New England Lobster Roll: Warm Lobster with Fresh Herb Mayonnaise and Griddled Roll
Alright Disney fans! Walt Disney World has updated their website to state that all guests can now make dining reservations up to 60 days in advance. Time to start booking your favorite restaurant!
A few important things to note as shared on the Disney website:
In-Park Dining: With the opening of Magic Kingdom park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park on July 11, followed by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15, Guests will need valid park admission and a reservation for park entry through the new Disney Park Pass system—as well as a dining reservation—to dine at in-park, table-service restaurants. Dining reservations do not guarantee admission to the park.
Disney Resort Hotel Dining: Planning to dine at a table-service restaurant in a Disney Resort hotel? A confirmed dining reservation is required for day Guests (those not staying overnight) and is highly recommended for Guests staying overnight at a Disney Resort hotel.
Disney Springs Dining: Select dining locations at Disney Springs are currently accepting reservations. Check availability and make reservations online now.
Before you dine at Walt Disney World Resort, please be aware that you’ll need Face coverings for each Guest age 2 and up, which must be worn in all public areas—including while entering and exiting dining locations—and can be removed while eating or drinking.