Prince Eric’s Village Market has reopened at Magic Kingdom. This small food stand can be found across from Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid in Fantasyland.
In addition to turkey legs, jumbo pretzels, and other treats, this market has the new Mermaid Slushy. The slushy was announced in February 2020 but ultimately did not debut before the parks closed in March. It’s finally arrived, but it looks a little different than the preview.
Mermaid Slushy – $5.99
Frozen blue raspberry and frozen green apple topped with whipped cream and a mermaid tail
It’s the first time in forever that we’ve seen Frozen Fractal Gifts open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This is the second shop to reopen today after closing with the park last spring.
The adjacent For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration reopened in October 2020 without its neighboring gift shop in Echo Lake. Luckily, Frozen merchandise is never hard to find at Walt Disney World.
Physical distancing markers are in place outside the shop for guests waiting in line to make a purchase. A Cast Member was providing some “Merchentainment” with a Little Mermaid bubble wand.
The registers have been outfitted with plexiglass barriers, and both are numbered so guests can be directed to the next available station.
In addition to bubble wand, the shop is home to plush, dolls, apparel, and other Frozen-themed souvenirs.
The Walt Disney World water parks have been closed since March 2020. The time is almost here for Blizzard Beach to reopen on March 7 and we can’t wait! Disney has announced that tickets are now on sale and have given an update on the health and safety protocols that will be in place at the water parks.
From a Disney Cast Member;
The secret is out! If you haven’t heard the latest Disney Water Parks news, I am thrilled to share that cast members are working hard to prepare Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park for its reopening on March 7, 2021. Disney Water Parks fans are roughly one month, one week, one day and 22 hours away from once again leisurely floating along Cross Country Creek, speeding down Summit Plummet and indulging in their favorite meals at the Lottawatta Lodge. I know I’m not the only one counting down the days!
Our One-Day Water Park Ticket (without blockout dates) is now available for $69 + tax (Adult) and $63 + tax (ages 3 – 9). Other ticket options are also available. Tickets can be purchased online at Disneyworld.com and will remain valid through Dec. 31, 2021. If you’re planning a 2021 Disney vacation or a day trip to Disney’s Blizzard Beach, now is the perfect time to get your Disney Water Park tickets.
When Disney’s Blizzard Beach reopens, it will operate in alignment with the health and safety protocols implemented throughout Walt Disney World Resort, including reduced capacity, temperature screenings, physical distancing and face coverings.
Water Park Health and Safety Guidelines
Here are the guidelines as stated from the Walt Disney World website:
Like the other areas of Walt Disney World Resort, we will welcome back Guests and Cast Members to Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park in a responsible way, with a plan focused on health and well-being. When Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park reopens, it will operate in alignment with the health and safety protocols implemented throughout the Walt Disney World Resort, including reduced capacity, temperature screenings, physical distancing markings and face coverings. Face coverings will be required in designated areas for each Guest age 2 and up, including but not limited to the park entrance and exit, retail areas, and food and beverage ordering areas. Face coverings will not be permitted while experiencing water slides or in the water. You may also remove your face covering while actively eating or drinking, but you should be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing.
At this time a park reservation is not required to visit a water park, however, reservation requirements are subject to change. Water parks are subject to rehabilitation, seasonal, weather and capacity closures.
Water Park Ticket Information
Here is the information from the Walt Disney World website:
Water Park Tickets 1-Day Disney Water Park tickets are now available for purchase for arrivals beginning March 7.
We will automatically extend unused, unexpired 1-Day Disney Water Park tickets that were active at the time the water parks were closed through December 31, 2021. Not all unused, unexpired 1-Day Disney Water Park tickets have been extended yet, but such extensions should be completed by March 7, 2021. As an alternative, Guests may instead choose to cancel their ticket. To choose this option, please call the Disney Reservation Center. If you are unable to visit by December 31, 2021, you may apply the value of a wholly unused ticket toward the purchase of a ticket for a future date.
Ticket Add-Ons If you have a ticket that includes the Park Hopper Plus Option or Water Park & Sports Option for dates prior to the opening of Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, we are continuing to offer:
Ticket Usage: You may use your current date-based ticket with the existing add-on options at other experiences available during your visit.
Ticket Modification: Tickets, as well as Disney Resort hotel packages with tickets, may be modified. To discuss your options, please call the Disney Reservation Center, or contact your travel professional.
Ticket Cancellation: If you do not want to use your ticket, you also have the option of cancelling your ticket or package. To discuss your options, please call the Disney Reservation Center, or contact your travel professional.
At this time, Guests can purchase new tickets that include the Park Hopper Plus Option or Water Park & Sports Option for admission March 7, 2021 and later. We will resume sales of Water Parks Annual Passes at a later date.
Water Park Annual Passes Water Parks and Water Parks After 2 Annual Passes active at the time the Water Parks were closed will be automatically extended for the period both Water Parks were closed. Not all Water Park Annual Passes have been extended yet, but such extensions should be completed by March 7, 2021. As an alternative, water park Passholders may instead choose to cancel their pass. To choose this option, please call (407) 939-2732.
With summer quickly upon us, many eager Disneyland Resort guests and Annual Passholders are searching for answers regarding when the parks will reopen, but California Governor Gavin Newsom, in conjunction with California Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sonia Angell, seems set on adhering to strict guidelines and requirements before permitting certain businesses to reopen.
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)
Theme parks like Disneyland are among the final businesses that will be able to reopen, based on the governor’s new four-stage road map. The four-stage plan, announced during a livestream today, establishes phases in which each business sector can reopen, starting with Stage 1, or “where we are now”, moving to Stage 2, which includes Lower-Risk Workplaces, followed by Stage 3, which covers Higher-Risk Workplaces, and finally Stage 4, or the end of the stay-at-home order.
Stage 1 – Safety and Preparedness
Stage 2 – Lower Risk Workplaces
Stage 3 – Higher Risk Workplaces
Stage 4 – End of Stay-At-Home Order
According to the OC Register, theme parks were not explicitly mentioned in the plan outline, but all major theme parks in the state, including Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, and others seem to fall under Stage 4 of the roadmap, if not Stage 3 at the very earliest with significant operational changes, such as the ones outlined earlier this morning by the Orange County Task Force.
In any case, a full Stage 4 reopening will not be possible under this plan without medicines or a vaccine readily available for COVID-19. With Stage 1 considered “where we are now”, Stage 2 is still likely weeks away, Stage 3 is likely months away, and Stage 4 can only be established with treatment.
Disneyland Resort remains closed, along with the rest of the Disney Parks, “until further notice.” In a recent interview with Barron’s, former Disney CEO Bob Iger commented on the possibility of temperature checks for guests, but no confirmation of this being implemented at the other Disney Parks (besides Shanghai Disney Resort) has been issued.
