Walt Disney World Restaurant REOPENINGS Announced!

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Resorts

Exciting news coming out of Walt Disney World Resort as we are learning several Disney Resort restaurants are FINALLY reopening their doors!

First up, Disney has announced Flying Fish at Disney’s BoardWalk is reopening!

Disney shares, “The chefs from Flying Fish over at Disney’s BoardWalk are ready to welcome you back on Jan. 27 with their signature seafood dishes. Enjoy a taste of luxury with unrivaled flavors, sustainable seafood, and steak offerings. When it comes to entrées, this restaurant does not disappoint. The Seafood Pearl Pasta consists of all your favorites – shrimp, lobster, scallops, clams, and mussels. For another option from the sea, consider the Plancha-seared Scallops accompanied with savory grits, sweet corn, and Peppadew emulsion. How delicious! After indulging in your dinner, there’s no better way to conclude a trip to Flying Fish than with a sweet finish. If you love chocolate, the Cocoa Breach accompanied with delicious vanilla custard is the treat for you.“

Collage of offerings from The Turf Club Bar and Grill

Let’s move on over to Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa where The Turf Club Bar and Grill is reopening soon!

Disney has announced, “Get ready for a night at the races again starting on Feb. 3 with a nice trip out to Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. Here you’ll find The Turf Club Bar and Grill, a special spot with a reputation for delicious American flavors in every dish. Begin your evening on a high note right out of the gate with the New York Cider-braised Mussels appetizer flavored with garlic, chorizo, fennel, Fresno chili, and apple cider topped with a grilled baguette. As you move on to the next course, the Grilled Pork Chop or Braised Lamb Tagliatelle both have a place in the winner’s circle of flavor. And don’t forget to top off your meal with one of the delightful desserts, like the New York Cheesecake. Yum!“

Collage of food offerings from Jiko – The Cooking Place

How about a little goodness over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge? That’s right, Jiko – The Cooking Place is once again opening its doors.

Disney shares, “Beginning on Feb. 17, venture over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to savor the tastes and flavors of African, Indian, and Mediterranean cuisine at Jiko – The Cooking Place. As this spot welcomes you again, try the Seafood Tagine. Filled with prawns, scallops, squid, and Littleneck clams, this dish is a shellfish lover’s dream! For a sweet finish, the returning Kilimanjaro dessert is not just gorgeous, but delicious too. Decadent dark chocolate mousse, pistachio financier, pink peppercorn meringue, cacao nib crunch, and ras el hanout pineapples – what could be better?”

Collage of food offerings from Cape May Café

While previously open, we are excited to hear that Disney is returning some beloved offerings at Cape May Cafe and Ale & Compass Restaurants.

First, Disney has announced “Over at Cape May Café on Feb. 15, embrace the New England vibes as you once again feast upon an all-you-care-to-enjoy, buffet breakfast with tasty items like pull-apart bread with vanilla sauce, beef hash, and an omelet station. And what breakfast is complete without Mickey and Minnie waffles? As the sun goes down, the buffets keep coming with options like cornbread, seasonal harvest salad, seafood boil, and a daily carving station, just to name a few. You can also choose to upgrade your meal with snow crab legs or even a whole lobster, both purchased by the pound. It’s best to bring your appetite for these exciting returns because you’ll want a bite of everything!”

Image of Blueberry Bacon Pancakes and interior of Ale & Compass Restaurant

And right next door at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Ale & Compass Restaurant is bringing back some tasty breakfast offerings!

Disney goes on to say, “Next door at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort starting Jan. 31, the Ale & Compass Restaurant is back with some returning breakfast options and exciting, new lunch offerings. Start off by indulging in one of the delicious à la carte entrées, like Blueberry Bacon Pancakes. And don’t forget to enhance your breakfast with a tasty buffet filled with dazzling additions to your entrée, including pastries, fresh fruit, yogurt parfaits, overnight oats, and house-made cheddar biscuits with country gravy.”

Ready to book a fantastic meal at one of these locations? Booking reservations open starting January 20, 2022.

Disney Releases 2 New Exclusive Magic Bands

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

If there is one thing that has become synonymous with planning your Walt Disney World vacation, it is MagicBands. Not only do MagicBands act as a Guest’s theme park ticket, but they also act as room keys, and for Guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, the MagicBand can be used to charge purchases to their room. MagicBands come in a ton of different styles, so there is truly a design to fit everyone’s style and preferences.

While many MagicBands can be purchased and used by all Guests, there are some MagicBands that are sold exclusively to those who are Annual Passholders, Resort hotel Guests, and even Disney Vacation Club members. Disney has recently revealed 2 new MagicBands that are available for purchase for those staying at a Disney World hotel, as well as Annual Passholders. There are also special “pre-arrival” prices, that give you a discount if you get them before you arrive for your magical vacation.

Here’s what Disney has released!

Happily Ever After

This new MagicBand is perfect for those who are newly engaged or married — or even Guests who just love everything that has to do with Cinderella. This gorgeous white band features the phrase “Happily Ever After” written in gold and also shows Cinderella dancing with her Prince, it even shows some of the popular birds that were there to help Cinderella design her clothes.

What’s also great about this MagicBand is that if you order it before you arrive for your vacation, you can save a ton of money! Instead of paying $34.99 if you purchase in person, you will only pay $20.

UP Travel Buddies

This new MagicBand is an amazing choice for those who can’t get enough of Carl Fredricksen, Russell, Dug, and Kevin! This teal MagicBand feature Carl and Russell and shows a sketch of Kevin. There is also an adorable drawing of Carl’s house floating with all of the balloons with Paradise Falls in the background. The UP Travel Buddies MagicBand is also available for the discounted price of $20 if you order it before your Disney World trip.

Currently, MagicBands are available for pre-order up to 10 days before your vacation. If you do not order before that time, you can always buy your MagicBand at any one of the four Walt Disney World theme parks and add your tickets and information to the Band after you buy it.

The Grand Floridian Spa Opening Jan. 26 at Walt Disney World Resort

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts

Via Disney Destinations

Ready to relax after the holiday season? The Grand Floridian Spa will open its doors this month, inviting Guests to break away from the everyday with treatments that invigorate the mind and body.

The Grand Floridian Spa has been refreshed with the iconic Victorian-style theming of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. Once inside the spa, Guests will be transported to a tranquil Floridian garden where they’ll experience serenity with calming lighting and comforting music.

Guests of The Grand Floridian Spa can choose from an array of treatments and massages. Experience The Grand Massage or Massage for Two, which incorporate botanical lotions and other elements to release tension and fatigue and replenish the mind, body and spirit. Or, destress with Nature’s Renewal Hydrating Treatment, which combines a full body exfoliation with a hydrating botanical massage.

A full range of salon services are also available including haircuts, styling and The Grand Manicure and Pedicure Treatments. The Grand Floridian Spa’s nail treatments provide the ultimate pampering experience with exfoliation, mask, massage and choice of nail lacquer.

Spa Guests are also invited to visit a relaxation lounge before or after their treatments.

As we reopen another area of Walt Disney World Resort, we continue to keep the safety of our Guests and Cast Members top of mind, and Guests’ experiences may be different from their last visit. What hasn’t changed is the incredible service that the Cast Members of The Grand Floridian Spa provide, and they can’t wait to welcome Guests back for a truly “grand” experience.

Disney Firefighters Say Honor Guard is Being Retaliated Against

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

On December 12, a woman had a heart attack at Bay Lake Tower, which is located next to Magic Kingdom Park and a part of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The heart attack was reportedly caused by an anaphylactic reaction she was having. Unfortunately, the only emergency vehicle available on Disney property was out on another call, and epinephrine was not administered until about 20 minutes after the initial emergency call was made. Sadly, the heart attack proved fatal, and the woman passed away.

After that Guest’s death, Reedy Creek firefighters spoke out, saying that their worst fears were coming true — the short-staffing the department has been dealing with for years is now resulting in death. Jon Shirey, President of the Reedy Creek Fire Department, said that people in cardiac arrest have an average of 4-6 minutes before life-saving measures need to be implemented. Shirey said that had the department had the staff that it needed, they would have most likely been able to respond faster, and the epinephrine would have been administered sooner.

After the firefighters made their safety claims, a Disney spokesperson said that the claims were not true and that Disney makes the safety of its Guests a top priority while they are visiting the Disney hotels and theme parks.

Well, now it appears that things have not gotten any better for the brave firefighters who service Walt Disney World Resort — in fact, they may have gotten worse. Reedy Creek Firefighters are now telling the Orlando Sentinel that their Honor Guard members are being retaliated against because they spoke out about the safety issues they were having concerns about.

The president of the Reedy Creek Firefighters Association, which represents Walt Disney World’s first responders, says members of its Honor Guard will have to perform without pay at an international convention in a retaliatory move for union members publicly speaking about their safety and staffing concerns at the Disney resort.

Jon Shirey said department and district officials initially told him the Honor Guard would not be allowed to appear at the upcoming International Association of Fire Fighters’ Affiliate Leadership Training Summit, which will be held at Disney’s Dolphin Resort Jan. 9-12.

After speaking with the Sentinel, Shirey followed up and said that he was told by a union representative that the Honor Guard could show up at the convention if they wanted to, but they would be off-duty and would not be paid. In the past, Honor Guard members would actually be paid overtime for representing the Honor Guard at special events like the Leadership Training Summit.

In response to the firefighters claims that they are being retaliated against, Disney told the following to the Sentinel: 

Spokeswoman Eryka Washington said the Reedy Creek Improvement District “fully supports the appearance” of the Honor Guard at the summit and it is not current district practice “to pay employees for non-district related events.”

“We recognize the importance of what the Honor Guard represents to the community,” she said in a statement. She did not respond to further questions about the allegations.

The Reedy Creek Fire Department is currently negotiating to add more staff to their strained department.

Disney World Is Offering BIG Savings to Guests This Spring!

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Via DisDining.com

Disney World is currently celebrating its momentous 50th Anniversary — with new shows, new merchandise, and a ton of great new food being introduced at the Resort. The 50th Anniversary celebration will run for 18 months, wrapping up in March 2023, which means that there is still a ton of time to make your way down to the Sunshine State to experience the magic! Disney wants everyone to be able to visit for the 50th, so they are offering some massive savings for those visiting in the Spring and Summer.

Guests visiting between March 6 through July 7 can save up to $500 on their 5-night stay — depending on which beautiful hotel they choose. Think of all of the amazing food and merchandise you could get to remember your trip with that kind of savings? Here is more information on the incredible deal via the Walt Disney World website:

Save up to $100 per night on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels for stays most nights March 6, 2022 through July 7, 2022. For example, if you book a 5-night stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge with this offer, you can save $500 on your stay!

There’s so much to celebrate when you stay at a Disney Resort hotel—especially during The World’s Most Magical Celebration! As a Guest of a Disney Resort hotel, you can enjoy early entry to the theme parks 30 minutes before opening to experience select attractions (with valid park admission and a park reservation). Plus, as a Disney Resort hotel Guest, get early access to purchase individual Lightning Lane entry for up to 2 attractions each day.

The following hotels are offering $100 savings per night:

  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
  • Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
  • Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Disney’s Old Key West Resort
  • Disney’s Riviera Resort
  • Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
  • Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Yacht Club Resort

Guests can save $40 per night at the following participating Resorts:

  • The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness
  • Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Family Suites
  • Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
  • Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
  • Disney’s Port Orleans – Riverside
Ursula at Art of Animation Resort

These Resorts are offering Guests a savings of $20 per night:

  • Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
  • Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
  • Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort — reopening March 31, 2022
  • Disney’s Pop Century Resort
All Stars Resort

Regular ticket holders are not the only ones who can get in on the savings action. Annual Passholders also have a lot of discounts coming their way as well. If you are a Walt Disney World Annual Passholder, you can read more about the discounts you are eligible for by clicking here.

There are a couple of important things to remember when deciding to book your magical Disney vacation at one of these great resorts. First, the maximum savings is only valid for “most nights”, according to Disney. This usually means that weekends will be more expensive than weekdays, so the savings may be a little less on those days. It should also be noted that there are only a certain amount of rooms set aside at each resort for the savings, so booking earlier is key if you want to get the savings and hotel you are hoping for.