Cirque du Soleil’s new “Drawn to Life” show was slated to open at Disney Springs in early 2020, but unfortunately was delayed repeatedly due to the COVID-19 closure. In March, Cirque du Soleil laid off 95% of their employees, and a couple of months later, they filed for bankruptcy. “Drawn to Life” was eventually scheduled for a November opening, but this was canceled with no further updates.
Disney Parks Blog describes “Drawn to Life” as “a collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering.” Given it is listed along with Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, which seems poised to open any day now, hopefully “Drawn to Life” is coming sooner rather than later.
Today marks a major milestone in Walt Disney World’s phased reopening as the return of Park Hopping launches later this afternoon. While Park Hopping has existed for years now, it’s returning in a somewhat modified form to accommodate existing health and safety measures. That being said, there are many questions surrounding the process, like “Can I visit more than two parks a day?” and “How will I know a park has reached capacity?” Given that today is the first day of Park Hopper Hours, there may still be kinks to work out in the system, but here’s what we know so far.
Signs are already out at the entrances to the parks informing guests of some of the procedures.
Transportation for Park Hopping
This particular A-frame seen outside of the Magic Kingdom addressed bus transportation. Park-to-park transportation, previously unavailable at the start of the reopening, resumes today for guests who are park hopping. To board, you must have a valid ticket or pass with Park Hopper benefits—Cast Members will be checking ticket media prior to boarding. As a reminder, you must have a Disney Park Pass reservation for the first theme park you plan to visit and have entered the first theme park prior to visiting another. And while many fans have pined for its return, the EPCOT monorail line is still unavailable to guests.
Park Hopper Hours
Park Hopping doesn’t begin until 2:00 PM, or that day’s stated Park Hopper Hours. Currently, Park Hopper Hours start at 2:00 PM and go through park close, but that could change at any time.
Park Hopping – Capacity and Logistics
You can visit multiple parks after your initial parks, so theoretically you could visit all four parks in one day (like back in the good old days!), so long as the parks you’re trying to visit haven’t reached capacity. How will you know a park’s at capacity? Currently, there is no feature on the app, nor a number to call to check on this. If you’re taking a bus to the next park, the Cast Members at the stop will know which parks, if any, are at capacity. If you’re still in the park and want to check if your next park is at capacity (perhaps if you’re driving over), you can also inquire at Guest Relations.
Once you leave your first park, you may not be guaranteed access back in again if it reaches capacity. However, since your pass is part of the collective capacity established by the Disney Park Pass system, you should be able to get into another park—it just may not always be the one you want.
Rise of the Resistance
Yes, the popular Disney’s Hollywood Studios attraction has its own set of rules for park hoppers. As we’ve previously reported, only guests with Disney Park Passes for Disney’s Hollywood Studios (i.e. their first park of the day) will be able to try for a boarding group at 7:00 AM and the newly modified 1:00 PM release time. Previously, boarding groups were released at 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM, but the latter release was moved back to ensure guests wouldn’t make a mad dash to the park at the start of Park Hopper Hours.
As was announced last year, MagicBands are no longer provided complimentary to Disney Resort hotel guests with arrivals beginning January 1, 2021.
For Disney Resort hotel room entry, Theme Park entry, and charging purchases to the hotel room with a valid credit card, guests may use a Key To The World card (provided at the Front Desk). Or, you can also use a MagicBand from a past visit (view potential limitations) or purchase a MagicBand pre-arrival.
On the “My MagicBands and Cards” section of My Disney Experience, MagicBand pre-arrival purchases are still available under the same former “Build-A-Band Upgrade” platform.
To reflect the changes, you can no longer filter between “Premium” and “Complimentary” bands. You can, however, filter by color or theme. The plain colored MagicBands that were previously complimentary are now available at a “special pre-order price” of $5, with a comparable value of $14.99.
Disney has stated plans to unveil an innovative new offering in 2021 as part of the My Disney Experience app that will bring the features of a MagicBand to smart devices, building on the app’s existing digital key feature.
Free souvenir luggage tags, which usually came in the same box as complimentary MagicBands, will no longer be mailed ahead of a guest’s trip, but are available for pick-up at Disney Resort hotel front desks for now.
Looking for a fun holiday activity for the family? Disney has released a new Kidcot holiday coloring sheet and family-friendly recipe!
From a Disney Cast Member;
With the holidays approaching, I wanted to share some stay-at-home fun activities that will be perfect for any family get-together!
For starters, you may know that at EPCOT, kids are invited to join Mickey and friends on an adventure around World Showcase. Each of the countries has a Kidcot Fun Stop presented by Ziploc Brand, a place where kids can collect a special traveler’s card that features a special fact about that country and a corresponding coloring sheet.
Today, we are bringing one of our favorite Kidcot Fun Stops right into your home!
Did you know that in Germany, if you want to find a bakery, you just have to look for a pretzel hanging above the shop door – the emblem of the bakers guild? From the looks of this coloring activity, it looks like Chip & Dale have found their new favorite treat that is famous in Germany – you guessed it, a pretzel!
Speaking of bakeries, we also have a special treat you can make at home!
From the pastry chefs over at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, this recipe is one of my favorites for two reasons – it’s EASY to make, and it combines two of my favorite things – chocolate and peanut butter!
If you have been following our #DisneyMagicMoments recipes, you know that Ava, a 13-year-old junior chef and daughter of Disney photographer Matt Stroshane, has been making “how-to” videos for some of these recipes in her home kitchen with the help of her personal sous chefs (mom and dad) and official taste tester (her 11-year-old brother, Adam). Check out the recipe and Ava’s video below.
No-Bake Granola Treats from Disney’s Contemporary Resort Bakery Makes 12 (2×2-inch) treats
Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
1 1/2 cups granola
1/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
Directions:
Melt marshmallows and butter in medium saucepan over low heat. Add peanut butter, stirring to combine. Remove from heat. Stir in granola.
Spoon mixture into 8×8-inch baking dish. Lightly press mixture into pan.
Sprinkle top of mixture with chocolate chips, lightly pressing the chocolate chips into mixture.
Set aside at room temperature to cool for 30 minutes. Cut into 12 pieces.
Store treats in an airtight container at room temperature.
Cook’s Note: This recipe can easily be doubled if you like thicker treats!
Note: Always use caution when handling sharp objects and hot contents.Please supervise children who are helping or nearby.This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens.The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version.
Just in time for the new year, the all-new Disney Parks Reigning Cats and Dogs Collection is bringing some paw-some products to Walt Disney World Resort, Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort and online at shopDisney.com! This new collection celebrates everyone’s favorite four-legged friends and is the first-ever collection from Disney Parks for pet owners and pets alike with apparel, accessories and more! Check out the details and images below as shared by DisneyParksBlog.
Designs feature some of everyone’s favorite Disney dogs including Pongo and Perdita from “One Hundred and One Dalmatians,” Dug from “Up,” Max from “The Little Mermaid,” Lady and the Tramp from “Lady and the Tramp” and of course, Pluto! Designs also feature some favorite Disney cats including Thomas O’Malley and Marie from “The Aristocats,” Dinah and Cheshire Cat from “Alice in Wonderland,” Lucifer from “Cinderella,” Mochi from “Big Hero 6,” and even Yzma in cat-form from “The Emperor’s New Groove!”
Hold your ap-paws and without further ado, check out some of the items hitting shelves and shopDisney.com in the new year:
First up, your chic canine companion will rock these fur-bulous looks; from an adorable raincoat and bandanas for days to a dashing dress and paw-sitively perfect sweater, there’s something for every furry friend!
Once you dress up your pup, finish that paw-fect look with a matching collar and leash combo along with the most dog-gone adorable food and water bowl set.
Want to raise the woof and match your fur-iend? You’re in luck! The assortment of apparel from humans includes leggings, dresses and even shirts as well as the latest mini backpack by Loungefly and ador-ear-ble Dalmatian headband. Get ready to un-leash your inner Fido!
Make your home the ulti-mutt dog heaven with homeware including towels, mugs, magnets, notebook and even a spatula and cookie cutter combo featuring Dug from “Up!”
For those of you who are paw-ssionate about your feline friends, you’ll love these purr-fect products for you and your little furball! From another mini backpack by Loungefly featuring your favorite Aristocats to a headband inspired by Marie and everything inbetween, you’ll match your fluffy friend in style!
Your kooky kitty will love these new off-fur-ings featuring a fluffy cast of characters on a new toy, food and water bowl and even a collar with a detachable bell.
Bring some purr-ty felines into your kitty-chen with homeware including towels, mugs, magnets, notebook and a spatula and cookie cutter combo.
As you can tell, we are gearing up for a pretty meow-gical year and I’m paws-itive that you’ll sniff out the best new products for your favorite Fidos and felines as well as yourselves with the fetch, new Disney Parks Reigning Cats and Dogs Collection! Keep an eye out for select products featured above with more coming soon, beginning on Dec. 28 to Walt Disney World Resort, Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort and online at shopDisney.com.
