La Creperie de Paris is one of the newest additions to EPCOT’s table service restaurant offerings. Located in the “new” section of EPCOT’s France pavilion, La Creperie de Paris offers guests both a quick service option and a table service option.
La Creperie de Paris (Photo: Brooke Hudson)
Counter Service
Crepes A Emporter by La Creperie de Paris is a quick service window connected to La Creperie de Paris. At this quick service window, you’ll be able to enjoy both savory galettes and sweet crepes, as well as soft serve ice cream and ciders and wines.
The line for the quick service Crepes A Emporter at La Creperie de Paris (Photo: Brooke Hudson)
We observed fairly long lines for this quick service window every time we were in the vicinity. It’s definitely a tasty and popular option, and worth the visit to this “back of France” area. The new Ratatouille attraction is located back in this area of the France pavilion, and that is the main reason most guests flock to this area. (Note: There are also new bathrooms back in this area–I like knowing where all the non-restaurant bathrooms are located!).
There is not much seating anywhere in this area, and crepes are not the easiest thing to eat while standing; however, if you are wanting something a little different to eat or for dessert, the offerings here are quite tasty.
My nephew Vinnie absolutely LOVED the dessert crepes here, and visited this quick service window several times during our October trip.
Quick Service Menu: Crepes A Emporter at La Creperie de Paris
Galettes (Savory Crepes)
Cream of Brie Cheese Galette $9.95
Ratatouille Galette (Tomatoes, Zucchini and Eggplant) $8.95
Overall, we found this quick service location to be good option. Every crepe we tried was tasty, and we thought it was positive that there were a couple vegetarian options here.
Our favorite crepe overall was definitely the Hazelnut & Chocolate Spread Crepe. This crepe was so tasty! It’s very rich, though, so you’ll want to make sure you have some water or an alternative beverage. (If you can get a scoop of vanilla ice cream for your crepe, that helps a LOT with the richness AND adds a lovely cold element on a hot day. We discovered that wonderful combination at the table service restaurant, though.)
Photo: Brooke Hudson
I am not kidding when I tell you there really isn’t anywhere in this area to sit and enjoy your crepe. That is the only real negative I have about this quick service location. Much of the area back here is absorbed by the Ratatouille queue; there are a few planters with ledges where people frequently sit…but it’s not nearly enough room for everyone waiting in line at any given time. There are a few tables on one side, and a few high top tables with no seating where you can at least set your food and drink down, but you can’t sit. There is not a lot of shade in this area, either, so on a hot day, you would probably not want to stand around in the sun to enjoy your crepe and your drink. But if you can stake out a shady spot and some seating, this quick service location is a definite winner for us.
Table Service: La Creperie de Paris
I much prefer eating at table service restaurants at Disney to quick service, I must confess. I like knowing we will be able to sit down, in air conditioning, and be able to get a decent rest while we enjoy our meal. After trying out the quick service window for Crepes A Emporter at La Creperie de Paris during our October family trip, I knew I wanted to check out the table service option for our spring Flower & Garden trip.
La Creperie de Paris (Photo: Brooke Hudson)
I made all our dining reservations at the same time, 60 days out from our trip. Fortunately, I was able to get every reservation I wanted with little difficulty. For the purposes of this review, I have gone online several times to check availability, and while I can rarely find same day reservations, I can usually find something a few days out. Weekdays are easier than weekends, of course, but I suspect with a little planning ahead, you should be able to secure a reservation for La Creperie de Paris.
Decor
This restaurant has a pretty modern feel to it. It’s all beiges and whites, and fairly clean and simple feeling. I think they were going for a French Bistro feel here, and my mom, who has been to several French Bistros in her travels, says this effort is successful. We got a table right in the windows, so that was fun for us. Avid people watchers, we loved the opportunity to people watch both inside and outside the restaurant.
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Bonus: One thing we really liked at La Creperie de Paris was that we got real menus! Disney is still using the online menus at most table service restaurants where you scan a QR code with your phone and look at the menu on your phone. I miss real menus! La Creperie de Paris uses their paper menus as your placemat, and I like it!
Service
Service was very good here. We both felt the absence of the international program for EPCOT though. We’ve always loved that the EPCOT restaurants were primarily staffed with team members from the country the restaurant was themed to. That program was paused when Walt Disney World closed in 2020 due to Covid, and it has restarted only very recently. As a result, there are very few international cast members back in EPCOT at this time. While each of the service team members we met was terrific, I missed being able to talk to and learn from the international cast members in the restaurants.
The service was a bit TOO good, in fact. We felt a little rushed. We hadn’t finished our salads when our savory crepes arrived, and our dessert crepes arrived before we had finished our savory crepes. However, on the positive side, my water glass was pretty constantly refilled — It was a hot day and I was very thirsty.
We were celebrating my mom’s birthday, and our server brought out some VERY tasty french vanilla ice cream for her birthday. Mom suggested we add the ice cream to our hazelnut chocolate dessert crepes and WOW was that amazing! We both decided this was our favorite way to enjoy the hazelnut chocolate crepes by far!
Table Service Menu: La Creperie de Paris
Appetizer or Side Dish
Soupe du Jour (Soup of the Day) $6.75
Salad Maison (Mixed greens, tomatoes, onions, and vinegarette) $6.75
Prix Fixe Menu * (My recommendation for this restaurant)
Choice of Soup of the Day or Salade Maison; choice of one Galette with a glass of Hard Cider, Soda or Juice; Choice of one Dessert Crepe $34.95
Add a Shot to Any Crepe (Grand Marnier, Rhum or Calvados) $7.00
Cidres (French Hard Ciders)
Brut $29.00 (Bottle) $5.95 (Glass)
Demi Sec $29.00 (Bottle) $5.95 (Glass)
Doux $29.00 (Bottle) $5.95 (Glass)
Rose $40.00 (Bottle) $7.50 (Glass)
Vins (French Wines)
Chardonnay $36.95 (Bottle) $7.95 (Glass)
Carbernet Sauvignon $36.95 (Bottle) $7.95 (Glass)
Merlot $36.95 (Bottle) $7.95 (Glass)
Rose de Provence $69.50 (Bottle) $14.95 (Glass)
Divers (Miscellaneous)
Biere Kronenbourg (Beer) $9.50
Champagne Malard $17.55
Mimosa $12.00
French Martini $15.75
Sodas, Jus (Imported Soft Drinks)
Evian $7.50
Perrier $8.50
Jus de Pomme (Apple Juice) $5.00
Limonade (French Sparkling Limonade) $5.75
Orangina (French Orange Soda) $6.25
Hot Beverages
Espresso $4.75
Cappuccino $5.25
The (Tea) $4.50
Cafe (Coffee) $4.25
Our Thoughts
We liked our La Creperie de Paris lunch very much. I highly recommend the Prix Fixe Menu, which includes soup or salad, a savory buckwheat galette, a dessert crepe and a glass of hard cider, soda or juice for $34.95. Both of us felt this was a good value, especially for a Disney table service restaurant. Definitely choose the cider to maximize your investment. Note: There is also kids Prix Fixe Menu for $14.00 that includes a savory galette and a dessert crepe.
At this time, La Creperie de Paris does not accept any discounts. No DVC discount, no passholder discounts, etc. This is pretty common for newer restaurants when they first open. Most likely this table service restaurant will offer discounts at some point in the future, but while it is still new and very popular, discounts are unlikely to materialize.
Overall, we both our enjoyed our meals. The salads were fresh and light, and the perfect size for an appetizer. The weak link for both of us were the savory buckwheat galettes. They were good, don’t get me wrong, but they were not great. We both felt the flavor of the buckwheat crepe itself was a bit boring. Mom and I also each felt our galettes were too dry and needed more sauce.
We enjoyed the environment, it was relaxing and comfortable. The host seated us almost immediately after we checked in, and we had a great seat in the front windows. Each of us enjoyed our hard ciders; mom had the Brut, which is dry and really liked it. I tried the Doux, which was sweeter. I would definitely order this again. The highlight of the meal for both of us was the dessert crepes. We each had the Hazelnut Chocolate Spread dessert crepes, and we’d eaten about a third of our crepes when the server brought my mom’s “birthday” ice cream. We both agreed that while the crepes was VERY good with whipped cream, the ice cream took it to a whole other level. It became OUTSTANDING.
La Creperie de Paris Dessert Crepe (Photo: Linda Harkness)Mom and her dessert crepe with her “Birthday” ice cream!
I would definitely recommend you check out this table service restaurant. Our meal was filling but not too heavy, and we felt recharged and ready to head back out into the 90+ degree heat of the afternoon, very satisfied with our meal.
Have you tried La Creperie de Paris or Crepes A Emporter by La Creperie de Paris for yourself yet? If so, what did you think? Please comment below, I’d love to read your thoughts!
Happy Dreaming!
Brooke
Ready to Plan Your Next Disney Vacation? I’m ready to help! Email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com
Great news, Disney fans! At long last, traditional character greetings are returning to Disney parks in the U.S.. Character greetings are also returning to Disney cruise ships and the Aulani Resort in Hawaii.
Russell has a little crush on Linda! Brooke and Linda with Russell and Dug from UP! Photo: Disney Photo Pass
For many Disney guests, character greetings have long been a highlight of their Disney vacations. Family vacation photo albums are full of pictures of children of all ages getting autographs and hugs from their favorite characters. Since Disney parks opened in the United States post pandemic closure, character greetings have been missing from the Disney vacation experience.
Socially Distanced Characters
To their credit, Disney tried to give guests opportunity to see their favorite characters, and to take photos with the characters in the background. Disney introduced Character cavalcades—mini parades in each park featuring favorite characters on floats, in cars, or on boats. The common denominator for all these character cavalcades was “social distancing”. You could see the characters, you could even take photos of them, or of yourself with the character in the background, but you couldn’t get up close to the characters.
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In addition to the character cavalcades, certain characters would pop up in various areas around the parks. Always in areas that guests couldn’t physically get to, but in locations where they could interact with guests and pose for photos with guests–at a distance.
For example, during our October family vacation, we took pictures of the kids with Buzz Lightyear and some Stormtroopers.
Anna and Elsa also popped up in Norway in Epcot as well, chatting with guests and posing for pictures. Guests were not able to get close enough for autographs, but they at least got to have some sort of “one on one” interactions.
Socially Distanced Elsa Photo: Brooke Hudson
Mary Poppins often appeared in the UK from a distance. You could find Belle in France, and Snow White in Germany.
Linda with a socially distanced Mary Poppins Photo: Brooke Hudson
Character Greetings Returning!
Beginning April 18, traditional character greetings and character meals are returning to Disney parks in the U.S. Character greetings are also returning to Disney cruise ships and to Disney’s Aulani resort in Hawaii.
I expect this will be a gentle rollout–probably a few character greetings will return at first, followed by more over time. I think by mid-Summer, we should be able to count on all the regular character greetings and character meals to be back to their pre-pandemic levels.
Disney released this video in celebration of character greetings returning to Disney parks.
Which Character are You Most Excited to See?
My mom and I are visiting in May for our annual mother/daughter Flower & Garden Festival trip to celebrate Mother’s Day and our May/June birthdays. We will definitely be checking out what character greetings are available by then. I’ll be sure to report back with what (and who!) we find.
One of my favorite character greetings is this moment with Minnie and Mickey Mouse at Animal Kingdom. When I went to hug Mickey, I somehow dislodged his belt, and both characters made a BIG deal out of it. Mom and I laughed so hard we cried! I’m excited the character greetings are returning to Disney parks so that guests have their own special moments like this one.
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Which character do you want to hug first?
Happy Dreaming!
Brooke
Ready to Plan Your Next Disney Vacation? I’m ready to help! Email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com
Great news! Tomorrowland’s upcoming attraction, TRON Lightcycle/Run, has passed another major milestone on it’s way to completion. This week, Disney took delivery of the ride vehicles themselves.
A long awaited Magic Kingdom attraction, TRON Lightcycle/Run has been a work in progress for YEARS at this point. Originally planned to open in time for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration in October 2021, TRON Lightcycle/Run was understandably delayed by the Coronavirus pandemic, the Disney World shutdown, and subsequent cost cutting measures, supply chain issues and staffing challenges.
If you’d like to review our previous stories about TRON, please visit here or here.
The Look
The big question we all have at this point: what will the TRON Lightcycle/Run Cycles look like? Here’s our first look:
TRON Lightcycle/Run Cycles Photo: Disney Parks
As you can see from looking at the photo above, these are not your typical “coaster” ride vehicles. Rather than sitting into a seat in a car or train like vehicle, riders will ride on a futuristic looking motorcycle-like vehicle. The rider will lean forward to grasp handle bar attachments.
Here’s an image from the concept art showing a TRON Lightcycle/Run rider in motion.
Tron Billboard, visible from Storybook Circus
Cycle Testing
Now that the Cycles have arrived, Disney will begin testing the vehicles on the track for the new attraction. Disney Imagineers have described this phase as “push/pull” testing, where sections of the new seven vehicle trains will be moved slowly along the entire track.
Once the team has determined the track is ready, the trains will begin launching at higher speeds–eventually reaching full speed launches as the ride nears completion.
Watching TRON Lightcycle/Run Testing
One of the things I have enjoyed most about this particular project is how much of it has been visible to park guests throughout construction. TRON Lightcycle/Run is located near the back of Tomorrowland, and the project has been clearly visible from the PeopleMover throughout construction. In addition, as the large canopy has been constructed, it’s been visible from almost everywhere in Tomorrowland.
Here are a couple of pictures we took from the PeopleMover during out October visit.
TRON Lightcycle Construction, viewed from People Mover Photo: Brooke HudsonTRON Lightcycle Construction, viewed from People Mover Photo: Brooke Hudson
Now, as vehicle testing begins, observant guests will likely have the opportunity to see vehicles moving at varying speeds along the track that is visible beneath the canopy. I can’t wait to see this attraction in it’s latest phase during our upcoming trip in May!
When Will TRON Lightcycle/Run Open?
Short answer? We don’t know. Disney has been keeping even a HINT of an opening date for this attraction under wraps. I think when they had to postpone and miss the big 50th Anniversary opening, they may have gotten a little gunshy about setting guest expectations for an opening date for this attraction.
I’m sure there is a lot of work still to come. After all, I’ve seen no signs of an gift shop construction for this attraction yet, and we KNOW that Disney attractions MUST end at a gift shop whenever possible!! In all seriousness though, I suspect Disney is trying to open this attraction later this year. Magic Kingdom has needed a new “exciting” attraction for a while now. The “new” has gone from New Fantasyland, and while Seven Dwarfs Mine Train remains one of the most popular attractions in the park, it no longer has that shiny new attraction vibe.
Tron Lightcycle/Run Grid Installed at Magic Kingdom (Photo: Disney Parks and Resorts)
Other signs point to TRON nearing the end of it’s construction cycle (no pun intended) as well. The Walt Disney World Railroad, closed for YEARS now as the track that runs behind Tomorrowland was swallowed up by TRON construction, has begun testing at Magic Kingdom. I’m almost as excited about the return of the Walt Disney World Railroad as I am about the upcoming attraction, TRON Lightcycle/Run.
How are you feeling about TRON’s progress? Are you tired of hearing about it? Ready to ride? Or just ready for a ride around the park on the Railroad?
Happy dreaming!
Brooke
Ready to Plan Your Next Disney Vacation? I’m ready to help! Email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com
Great news today, everyone. runDisney races are back at Walt Disney World. Even more exciting? runDisney in-park races are starting THIS YEAR!
While many runDisney fans have been speculating that an announcement from runDisney would like come soon, most of us assumed that runDisney races would be back NEXT YEAR. Today’s announcement is exciting news for runDisney fans everywhere and indicates a more accelerated return to normalcy for runDisney races at Walt Disney World.
runDisney Races are back in 2021
A big surprise for many runDisney fans, the first race to return to Walt Disney World is the 2021 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend. The Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend is November 4 – 7, 2021.
This year’s theme is Wickedly Delicious, focusing on popular Disney villains. The weekend will feature a 5K, a 10K, and a half marathon. In addition, the weekend will also offer a Disney Two Course Challenge for those participants that want the challenge of completing both the 10K and the half marathon. I’m a big fan of the 10K/Half Marathon challenges, and am very excited to see this challenge as a part of the Wine & Dine weekend.
Photo: runDisney
The weekend will wrap up with a Post Race Party for participants and their families at EPCOT. The party will feature exclusive after hours access to the park and the International Food and Wine Festival.
If you’re interested in planning a trip to Disney for the runDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, I recommend taking action QUICKLY. Email me at brooke@disneycastledreaming.com and I’d be happy to put together a no obligation quote for you.
Disney’s Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
Registration opens for the general public on July 13, 2021 at 10 am EST.
Club runDisney Gold and Platinum registration opens July 6, 2021 at 10 am EST.
While we haven’t received confirmation yet, we expect that DVC members and Annual Passholders will also have access for early registration. We will update with a specific date and time as soon as we have it.
Pricing
5K $95
10K $135
Half Marathon $215
Two Course Challenge $360
Post Race Party $89
*Note: These are early registration prices. Prices will increase by $10 on August 10, 2021.
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
Many runDisney fans had high hopes that in park races would be returning to Walt Disney World for January 2022’s Marathon Weekend. I’m so happy to report that Walt Disney World’s Marathon Weekend has been officially confirmed for January 5 – 9, 2022.
Fans can expect Marathon Weekend to focus on the 50th Anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort. I’m hopeful there will be lots of special entertainment and merchandise celebrating the big 50th!
Marathon Weekend will include a 5K, a 10K, a half marathon, and a full marathon. Also back is the Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge, for those participants that want to do the half marathon AND the full marathon (and MUST be Goofy to do so!). And for the REALLY committed (or maybe they need to be committed? Just kidding!) the Dopey Challenge is back. The Dopey Challenge includes the 5K, the 10K, the half marathon AND the full marathon.
runDisney Goofy Challenge
We are already seeing a TON of reservations for 2022–so many Disney fans have been eagerly awaiting Disney World’s return to normal. With runDisney races back, we expect Marathon Weekend reservations to pour in. If you’d like a no obligation quote for your runDisney Marathon Weekend, please reach out to brooke@disneycastledreaming.com.
Registration
Registration opens for the general public on July 27, 2021 at 10 am EST.
Club runDisney Gold and Platinum registration opens July 20, 2021 at 10 am EST.
While we haven’t received confirmation yet, we expect that DVC members and Annual Passholders will also have access for early registration. We will update with a specific date and time as soon as we have it.
Pricing
5K $95
10K $135
Half Marathon $195
Marathon $195
Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge $390
Dopey Challenge $600
Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2022
It’s no surprise that the race weekend built for Disney princesses from all over the world will return once again to Walt Disney World now that runDisney races are BACK live in the parks. A great entry point for beginner runDisney participants, Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend is scheduled for February 24 – 27, 2021.
New for 2022: the first morning will feature Disney Princess Sunrise Yoga in front of Cinderella Castle, before the theme park opens. How fun does THAT sound?
The theme for the 2022 Princess Half Marathon Weekend will be courage and kindness. Men are welcome to participate, but the Princess Half Marathon Weekend focuses more fully on women, girls and the female experience. The Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend will feature a 5k, a 10k, and a half marathon. The Weekend also features the Disney Fairy Tale Challenge (my favorite!) for those participants that want to do both the 10K and the half marathon.
runDisney Princess Half Marathon Finish Line
It’s a great opportunity for a girls’ weekend, a sisters weekend, a mom/daughter weekend. If you’d like help planning your Disney Half Marathon weekend, please email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com.
Registration
Registration opens for the general public on August 24, 2021 at 10 am EST.
Club runDisney Gold and Platinum registration opens August 17, 2021 at 10 am EST.
While we haven’t received confirmation yet, we expect that DVC members and Annual Passholders will also have access for early registration. We will update with a specific date and time as soon as we have it.
Pricing
Sunrise Yoga $95
5K $95
Enchanted 10K $135
Half Marathon $210
Disney Fairy Tale Challenge $355
Surprise! runDisney has a NEW Race in the Family
All the big runDisney announcements from this morning included a new race in the lineup. runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend is scheduled for March 31 – April 3, 2022. Disney has stated that each race season, the fourth weekend will be the Springtime Surprise Weekend. Each year, the race themes and distances will be different.
So essentially, this weekend is replacing the Star Wars race weekend? Perhaps they are planning to rotate several different themes through this particular race weekend, depending on what film or theme park properties they want to promote in a particular year? I guess we will find out.
They tell us that this weekend will be “as much about the smiles as it is about the miles” and beginner racers and veteran racers alike will be welcome.
We have no other information about this event at this time. Hmmm. Very mysterious. Registration will like open in the fall, but we have no dates, distances, prices or themes yet.
Health and Safety
With runDisney races back in our lives, an obvious first question for many is, “What will the health and safety protocols be?”
The answer to this question is evolving. Disney is saying that they will defer to the information they receive from scientists, vendors and sponsors, and will make decisions in the best interest of their guests, vendors, park guests, and cast members as each race weekend approaches.
It is possible that face coverings MAY be required or that other health and safety protocol measures may be in place at race time.
As more information becomes available for each race weekend, I will share it with you.
Virtual Races are Sticking Around
In the not-so-surprising news category, Disney has announced that Virtual Races are NOT going away. Racers from all over the world will still be able to participate in runDisney races from wherever they are, even if they can’t come to the parks to join in the fun.
The in-person runDisney races generate millions of dollars in revenue for Disney, and they have learned from the Covid runDisney experience that they can make even MORE money by opening the races up to a virtual audience. I fully expect Disney to continue offering the virtual races, and to perhaps even expand their virtual offerings as time goes on. They can operate the virtual races with much less overhead and get a lot of fan participation. Races like these build additional fan loyalty, and of course, can lead to additional in park race participation, which adds to to resort revenues overall, in addition to runDisney dollars.
I think the virtual races are brilliant, and since runDisney is not foolish and they want ALL my money, they will continue for every runDisney in park race for the forseeable future.
If you’d like to learn more about Virtual Races (and why I love them), please read runDisney Virtual Races.
Registration Dates for Virtual Races
Disney’s Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend: July 16, 2021 at 10am EST
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend: July 30, 2021 at 10 am EST
Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend: August 27, 2021 at 10am EST
It’s True. runDisney races are BACK at Walt Disney World.
I’m so excited I can’t hardly stand it. runDisney races are truly exceptional experiences for runners and walkers alike. The race course is filled with themed mile markers, race entertainment, characters and photo opps. Logistically, no one does it better. There are SO MANY portapotties! (Ok, I don’t love the portapotty experience, but when ya gotta go, you are so grateful they are there). I can’t even put into words racing through the theme parks themselves. It’s AMAZING. Fast runners will be in the parks at sunrise (or even before) and that’s a heart stopping, never forget it moment. Slower runners or walkers (like me!) will enter the parks much later and find their paths lined with park goers cheering them on (also a heart stopping never forget it moment.
runDisney WDW Marathon, January 2013 (Photo: MarathonPhoto)
The adrenaline rush that comes from lining up at the starting line with thousands of other races is amazing for any big race…but for a runDisney race, it’s magnified somehow. The energy just crackles through the air. There are fireworks and Mickey Mouse for goodness sakes! And whenever your energy is flagging, there will be something or someone on the course to boost your spirits and get you going again.
runDisney It’s All About the Bling photo: Vicki and David Arndt Photography
How about you? Are you excited that runDisney races are back in the Walt Disney World parks? What race or races are YOU registering for?
I may need to partner with a venture capitalist to support my runDisney addiction. {sigh}.
Hope to see you on the runDisney race course!
Happy Dreaming,
Brooke
Ready to Plan Your Next Disney Vacation? I’m ready to help! Email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com
Earlier this year, Disney released a line of face masks on shopDisney.com. We immediately ordered a bunch in all three sizes that were available at that time. You can find our original review here. A few months later, possibly in response to customer feedback, Disney made revisions to the sizing on their masks and added a fourth size, XL. Of course, we had to check out the new size and see if the sizing revisions resolved the sizing problems we observed in our original review. Here is our Disney Face Masks Review (Updated), to reflect both the new sizing and our actual experiences wearing the masks inside the theme parks.
Note: This post contains some links to shopDisney.com. If you follow any of our links and make a purchase, we earn a small commission on your purchase. This does not affect the price you pay in any way.
Sizing
Originally, Disney offered their masks in three sizes: Small, Medium and Large. Buyers quickly learned that the masks ran SMALL, and in response, Disney resized these original three sizes to be Youth Small, Youth Medium, and Adult Large. They also (thank goodness!) added a fourth size, Adult Extra Large.
Katelyn, age 6. (Photo: Brooke Hudson)
In our original review, we found that the Youth Small is very small–best for toddlers and young children. Our test subjects, ages 6 and 7, found the Youth Medium masks the perfect size for them. Our teens and most of our adult testers found the Adult Large to be too small. We have one petite adult who found the Adult Large fit her perfectly, but she was definitely the exception.
Maria loves her new Disney Princess themed face mask. (Photo: Brooke Hudson)
Fortunately, we have found the new size, Adult Extra Large has solved our problem. This size fit comfortably on all the adults we tried it on. In addition, during our Disney World vacation last month, I had anecdotal conversations with MANY guests wearing Disney masks, and found, almost without exception, that most adults preferred the Adult Extra Large.
Photo: Disney PhotoPass
Disney has released a chart, helpfully showing the measurements for each size. Not as helpful? They refer to Small and Medium, instead of Youth Small and Youth Medium, which could confuse some shoppers.
Comfort
Over the summer months, I tried a LOT of different masks. In working over the last few months, I found I often needed to wear a mask for most, if not all of the day. I tried disposable masks, gaiter-style masks, reusable masks with filters, handmade masks, etc. I tried them all, pretty much. The Disney masks are by far my favorite and not just because they are so cute (which there are, but we will get to the cute in a minute). They are really soft, and comfortable to wear. Disney masks have two layers, and are made of a very soft cotton blend fabric. These masks are not abrasive to the skin, and have stayed soft even after many washings.
Photo: Disney PhotoPass
I hand wash my masks and hang to dry, but you can machine wash and dry if you prefer. The only recommendation from Disney is NOT to use bleach on them. They are lightweight, and dry fairly quickly. On vacation, I washed each day’s mask that night and hung it to dry. It was always dry and ready to go in the morning.
We did surprisingly well with the masks in the Disney heat. For us Mid-westerners, that Florida heat can really be a challenge! The masks were not clingy, and the fabric was surprisingly cool and comfortable.
Effectiveness
There has been some debate on the internet about whether the Disney masks are as effective as they could be against COVID-19. I am not a doctor, but I will say this: ANY face mask is more effective than NO face mask. However, Disney masks are not medical grade, nor do they have a pocket for a filter.
The Disney face masks do meet the published recommended requirements for masks. They are comprised of two layers of breathable fabric. They cover both your nose and your mouth, with the bottom fitting snugly under your chin. The sides lay flat against your face with no gaps, and the ear loops secure the mask to your face comfortably. In addition, if you really wanted to add a filter, I think you could do that pretty easily by cutting an insertion point on the interior layer. You could then insert a filter between the layers, which would make the mask more protective. It would probably also make the mask less comfortable, but that may be a trade off you are comfortable with.
Photo: Disney PhotoPass
The Disney masks clearly meet all of Disney’s requirements for guests visiting the Disney theme parks. We wore ours all week long quite happily as we visited the parks.
I continue to wear one of my Disney masks every time I go out now that we’re home. As I mentioned, these are not just really cute. They are soft and very comfortable.
Cuteness Factor
Let’s face it, it’s pretty difficult to out-cute Disney. The Disney face masks are all pretty cute! You can purchase Disney’s face masks at shopdisney.com in packs of either four or two, depending on the “theme”. The four packs are $19.99, and the two packs are $11.99. For comparison, inside the theme parks, you can purchase ONE mask for $9.99.
Disney seems to be changing designs fairly frequently. There are designs we purchased in the first round that are no longer available. Also, there were some masks we saw for sale individually in the parks that are not currently available online. For example there was a “The Child” themed mask that was VERY popular in the parks that is not (currently) available online. The Haunted Mansion themed masks we got are not currently available online. The moral of the story is that if you see a design you really like, I recommend you buy now because it may not be available next time you shop.
Here are the current available mask designs.
Holiday Themed
The holiday face masks are sold in two packs, and each two pack is $11.99.
Disney Holiday Face Masks? Click the image above to BUY NOW.Disney Holiday Face Masks. Click the picture to SHOP.
Character Themed
There are several face mask packages themed to particular characters. These are all four packs, and sell for $19.99 per pack. Take a look at these options.
Mickey Mouse
Click the picture above to SHOP.
Minnie Mouse
Click the picture above to SHOP!
Donald, Goofy, Pluto and Chip and Dale
Click the picture to SHOP!
Stitch
Click the picture to SHOP!
Movie Franchise Themed
Are you a Star Wars fan? Love Pixar movies? Dying for the next Marvel movie? Enjoying National Geographic documentaries on Disney+? Disney has a face mask package for you! (maybe even two!) Each four mask package sells for $19.99.
Star Wars
Click on the picture to shop now!
Marvel
Click on the picture to shop!Click the picture to shop now!
Pixar
Click the picture to shop!Click the picture to shop!
National Geographic
These are really gorgeous in person!
Click the picture above to shop!
Limited Edition Two Packs
There are a variety of limited edition mask two packs available at shopdisney.com. Each two pack is $11.99.
Nightmare Before Christmas
Click the picture above to shop!
Mulan Live Action
Click the picture above to shop!
Disneyland – Vintage Style
Click the picture above to shop!
Walt Disney World – Vintage Style
Click the picture to shop!
Snacks!
Click the picture to shop!
Ariel and Tiana
Click the picture to shop!
The Bottom Line
Now that Disney has fixed their sizing issues by adding a larger size that fits most adults, we highly recommend the Disney face mask line. They are comfortable to wear when sized correctly. The designs are fun and colorful, and are terrific for Disney fans. If you are planning a Walt Disney World vacation, I highly recommend buying your masks online before you go. It’s more economical to buy from shopDisney.com at $19.99 for a package of four ($4.99 each) or $11.99 for a package of two ($5.99 each) than to pay $9.99 per mask in the parks. Once you get there, you WILL want one (or more), I promise. And you’ll convince yourself $9.99 isn’t that bad. I know I did!
Photo: Disney PhotoPass
Seriously, though. Experts say that our single best defense is to wear a mask, followed by social distancing. If you are going to be out in the world, wearing a mask is highly recommended for both your safety and for the safety of others. If you are going to wear a mask, it might as well be comfortable AND Disney themed, right?
Happy Dreaming!
Brooke
Ready to Plan Your Next Disney Vacation? I’m ready to help! Email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com
P.S. YES, you do have to wear your masks at all times when you visit Disney theme parks. Even when you are taking pictures or riding attractions. Did it detract from our experience? Not at all! And ten years from now, the pictures from THIS vacation will definitely stand out from the others.😉 Have questions? Email me at brooke@disneycastledreaming.com.
If you prefer to read this information, keep reading!
Disney PhotoPass and Disney Memory Maker
One question I get asked a lot from my clients and friends and family is “Should we purchase the Memory Maker?” The short answer? It depends.
Ok, for me, it’s pretty much always YES. BUT, I’m a HUGE photo nerd.
For more NORMAL people, there are several things to consider, and I will get to those in tomorrow’s video. Today we are going to start with the basics: What is Disney PhotoPass and how does it work? In tomorrow’s video (Part 2 in this series), we will focus on the memory maker product, and will answer the question of whether or not to buy.
But first for those of you that DON’T know, let’s start with:
What is Disney PhotoPass?
Disney PhotoPass is a service that Disney added years ago, and I think it’s absolute GENIUS. Basically, they have photographers stationed at numerous locations around each park to take pictures of you and your group.
This completely solves the “Did Mom even GO on that vacation? She’s not in ANY of the pictures” dilemma. For many families, there is always one person that takes all the pictures and they are never in any of the shots. Or, people rotate who takes the pictures, but there are never any pictures of EVERYONE together, because one person always steps out to take the picture. Most people don’t carry around tripods and take the time to set up timed tripod shots on vacation. For some, Selfies have helped to address this problem, but with a Selfie, it’s still really tough to get a group or to include people AND a landmark in the picture.
Photo: Disney PhotoPass
With PhotoPass, Disney has solved that problem. Basically, the PhotoPass photographer will take your group’s picture, usually with a park icon or landmark in the background, and then they will either scan your magic band (the easiest) or give you a PhotoPass card with a 16-digit number on the back. Note: If you are given a Photopass card, immediately take a picture of the back of the card just in case. If you lose the card, but have the number, you can still locate your pictures.
Not All PhotoPass Photos are Created Equal
A couple of caveats: The skill of the various photopass photographers varies. Some are very experienced, fun to work with, and very talented. Others are more point and click—with varying degrees of success. Therefore I always recommend that you get a LOT of photopass photos taken. Take advantage of the opportunities whenever they present themselves. Odds are, if you take a BUNCH of photopass pictures, you end up with at least a few you really like. Here are a couple examples of PhotoPass pictures that didn’t really work out so well.
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In NON COVID times, you could also ask the photographer to take a picture of your group with your phone or camera. This is not an option currently due to Covid related restrictions, but I’m assuming this option will return at some point in the future—but current rules prohibit the photographers from touching your phone or camera.
Disney PhotoPass and Special Moments
If you look on Facebook or the internet, you will see THOUSANDS of PhotoPass pictures that people have posted. There are tons of examples of people using PhotoPass to announce they have a baby on the way, the sex of the baby, that they got engaged or married.
In our case, my husband proposed to me at the Magic Kingdom after the fireworks. Because he’s brilliant, he surprised me with the proposal when we went to take a PhotoPass picture, so we have the moment captured forever.
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Are they great pictures? No, it was very crowded, and I at first thought he fell (he’d done the marathon the day before and was in a lot of pain), and then there was lots of crying and laughing. But I feel so lucky that I have that moment forever captured by that PhotoPass photographer. And the next day, we found another PhotoPass photographer that was SO excited about our engagement, she spent TONS of time with us (there was no line,I promise) and took a gazillion pictures of the ring, and the two of us. It was really fun.
Disney PhotoPass and Group Attractions
There are normally even photopass photographers at big group attractions (Enchanted Tales with Belle, for example). These attractions aren’t operating right now, but once they return, I’m sure the PhotoPass photographer will return with them.
The PhotoPass photographer takes lots of pictures of the group and they will hand out PhotoPass cards at the end; once you enter the number on your computer, you’ll have access to ALL the pictures they took during that particular event. If your kid had a role in the show, you do NOT want to lose that number! So take a picture of the back of the card, just in case!
Disney PhotoPass and Attraction Photos!
Lots of Disney rides take your picture at some point during the ride, some rides even take video! These pictures and videos are now PhotoPass pictures, and can be attached to your Magic Band or PhotoPass card. The RFID technology in your MagicBand communicates with the reader at the attraction and automatically adds the photos or videos to your account.
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Character Dining and PhotoPass?
Character dining can also (sometimes) include PhotoPass. Granted, right now, character dining isn’t happening, but it WILL return eventually, I promise! Some character dining meals offer PhotoPass pictures, but not all of them. Also IF there is a PhotoPass photographer at a character meal, it will usually just be for a picture you take before you enter the restaurant. For example, if you are dining at a Character Meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table, there is usually a Photopass photographer in the lobby with Cinderella waiting to take your picture before you head upstairs for your meal. (Please note that Cinderella’s Royal Table HAS reopened for lunch and dinner, however, Cinderella has NOT yet returned.)
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PhotoPass photographers do not go around with the characters as they visit your table at ANY character meal, so ALWAYS bring your camera to character meals.
Customize your Photos!
After your trip, you will be able to visit the PhotoPass website to view all your pictures. You can add borders and stickers to the photos, and you can make products like Photobooks, calendars and mugs featuring your pictures on the Disney PhotoPass website. One picture can easily turn into 10 or 15 by the time you are done playing with borders, cropping, black and white, etc. Some borders are unique to particular locations, seasons, or events, adding a little extra magic to those photos.
NOTE: Pictures are only available on the PhotoPass site for 30 days (unless you are an Annual Passholder.) Right now, if you are visiting this fall between October 15 and November 30, Disney is extending that 30 days through the end of the year. So you’ll have a little extra time to play with your pictures.
Magic Shots
Lets talk about Magic Shot. Magic Shots are pictures taken by a PhotoPass photographer with a little something extra magical added later. The most common Magic Shots feature TinkerBell standing on the palm of your hand, or a bunch of balloons added to your upstretched arm.
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There are a variety of Magic Shots available at different times. During Star Wars Weekend a few years ago, we got Magic Shots with light sabers added. Recently, they added some pirate themed Magic Shots near the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.
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During the Halloween season, you might find Magic Shots with ghosts near the haunted mansion, or Flaming jack o lanterns throughout the Magic Kingdom. During the Winter holiday season, you may find snow or Wooden Soldiers added to your photos.
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Over at Hollywood Studios, we’ve learned there’s a new special magic shot that includes the child (frequently called baby Yoda, although he isn’t in fact Yoda) from the Mandolorian. Here’s a look at this one from Disney Parks and Resorts.
Disney PhotoPass Magic Shot – The Child, Mandalorian
Special holiday themed magic shots become available November 6.
Disney PhotoPass Photos and the My Disney Experience App
Disney PhotoPass pictures are available in the My Disney Experience app, so you’ll be able to look at them as your trip goes along. Most photos and videos appear in your app within 20 minutes.
Unless you’ve purchased the Memory Maker product, the pictures will have a watermark on them, preventing you from having a sharable, downloadable image without paying for it. If you’ve already purchased Memory Maker, your pictures will appear completely clear and fabulous.
One of the highlights of my last trip was overhearing a young family showing their daughter a picture they had just taken on Main Street. She was AMAZED to see that Tinkerbell had joined them in the picture and she was so dazzled by the magic!
Tips for Getting that “Magic” Shot
Disney changes what Magic Shots are available from time to time, and not all PhotoPass photographers will offer to do them. Your odds are better if there’s no line and if you’re nice and friendly. PhotoPass photographers work very hard, and are on their feet for many hours a day, usually in pretty hot temperatures and sometimes not treated very well by guests. In my experience, if you are nice and there’s not a line, they’re more likely to spend a few extra minutes with you, and that can often result in some Magic Shots. To see what Magic Shots are currently available, visit the albums at the Disney Photo Pass Facebook Page.
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Coming Up in the Next Video (And Post!)
In tomorrow’s video, we’ll talk about Memory Maker, and how you can have PhotoPass without Memory Maker, but you can’t have Memory Maker without PhotoPass.
Thank you for watching, and please tune in Monday for the second video (and blog post) in this series, discussing Disney’s Memory Maker product.
In this week’s Disney Parks News, we have big changes coming for the virtual queue at Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. We also have Disneyland Paris closure news, and Disney’s official statement on the entertainment layoffs we saw last week. For these stories and more, please check out our YouTube video below.
For those of you that prefer reading to watching, the written version is provided below. Last week’s Disney Parks News can be found here.
Disney Parks News
The Holidays have Arrived at Disney World!
Halloween is over and the Holidays have arrived at Walt Disney World! It’s amazing how quickly Disney makes the transition from Fall and Halloween décor to winter holiday décor.
Here is the full statement from Disney:
“Walt Disney World Resort offers a treasure trove of experiences for guests of all ages. We recognize that part of the magic of visiting any Disney park is seeing favorite Disney friends and discovering one-of-a-kind shows and performances. Since reopening, we’ve continued to offer modified character experiences and entertainment throughout our resort, while also taking the appropriate steps for the health and safety of our guests and cast members.
Recently, we’ve had to make some difficult decisions to reduce our workforce as the business impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic have become more long-lasting than anyone could have predicted. As a result, we’ve had to pause many live shows and entertainment experiences at our resort for longer than originally anticipated.
While it’s impossible at this time to fully replace the incredible entertainment that existed throughout our parks before the pandemic, we are offering live entertainment in new ways wherever possible, including character cavalcades in all four parks and pop-up appearances, like discovering Joy from “Inside Out” frolicking on the lawn near the Imagination! pavilion in EPCOT.
Additionally, we’re featuring modified shows such as the popular “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and live musical performances like the Main Street Philharmonic in Magic Kingdom or the Discovery Island Drummers at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This extends to our seasonal offerings, with Halloween underway and the holidays right around the corner. In fact, the fan-favorite Voices of Liberty are set to make their return and join the JAMMitors and Mariachi Cobre at the American Gardens Theatre during the upcoming Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, beginning on Nov. 27.
Determining which shows can return and when is a complex process. As with the rest of our phased reopening, we will also consider the guidance of health officials and government agencies in determining when the time will be right to adjust capacity, and as soon as it is appropriate, we will start to bring additional entertainment back.
Like most of our fans, we know that our beloved entertainment cast are an incredibly special and essential part of the Disney experience. We look forward to the day when we can welcome back more live entertainment to our parks, and we will share more news about these announcements as we’re able to do so.”
Reactions
I find this statement both disappointing and frustrating. Do I understand that Disney feels they cannot allow most shows to resume due to social distancing requirements? Honestly? Yes and no. They have been able to re-introduce the Frozen Sing Along Celebration successfully, and that’s a show. And many of the theatres in the parks are outdoor venues. It seems that some shows could return, with seating clearly marked and restricted to provide proper social distancing.
Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage (Photo: Disney Parks & Resorts)
To me, it seems almost convenient to blame the ongoing (and perhaps escalating) Covid-19 crisis as the reason there is almost no entertainment, rather than the more probably budget cuts. Why are the JAMMitors ok to perform in EPCOT on the Mill Stage in Canada, but not the amazing Taiko Matsuriza drummers in Japan?
Disney has also made a very important, very helpful change to the virtual queue situation. Now, guests who hope to ride Rise of the Resistance can request to enter the virtual queue at 7 am from their hotel room (or breakfast or wherever). The only thing that is required is a park reservation for Hollywood Studios that day (which of course requires a ticket).
Why does this change to the required location to join the virtual queue matter? Here’s why: OPTIONS. For example, let’s say you really want to ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. You have a park reservation for today, and you are planning to visit Hollywood Studios. Let’s say you try, but are unable to join the virtual queue and get a boarding group at 7am. Now, you have some OPTIONS.
You can go back to bed. You don’t need to make sure you are in Hollywood Studios by 10am.
Based on reservation availability, you could decide to save Hollywood Studios for a different day. In that scenario, you would cancel your Hollywood Studios park reservation. Then, you could book a new park reservation at a different park. (Note: I highly recommend you check park reservation availability before you pull this trigger.)
You might decide NOT to visit Hollywood Studios until the afternoon.
Spend the morning playing at the pool
Enjoy a round of golf
Ride the Skyliner for a while
Relax at your resort
Visit Disney Springs
The 2 pm virtual queue does still exist. That virtual queue DOES require guests to be physically inside the park to join the queue.
Star Wars Rise of the Resistance (Photo: Disney Parks)
It is my hope that these changes will loosen up the stranglehold that Rise of the Resistance has been having on visitors for months. With these changes, perhaps more guests will be able to ride. If that happens, theoretically fewer guests will crowd into Hollywood Studios in the hopes of riding that one attraction.
Our Upcoming Disney Vacation
Next week, we will be at Walt Disney World ourselves, and will be able to test out the new system. I will update you on our success (or lack thereof) with Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
Next week’s Disney Parks News Update will be filmed while we are on site at Walt Disney World. As a result, the video may end up a little on the rough side. However, we will do our best to still get the video posted on Wednesday. Thank you in advance for your patience. We are really looking forward to updating you with our in person, on the ground experiences in the parks.
Happy dreaming!
Brooke
Ready to Plan Your Next Disney Vacation? I’m ready to help! Email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com
In this week’s Disney Parks News, we have hundreds more cast members getting news of their layoffs. We have Disney’s first shot in the theme parks vs. the State of California battle. We have holiday festival news for EPCOT, including a new Olaf adventure for guests. For these stories and more, please watch this week’s YouTube video below.
If you missed last week’s Disney Parks News, you can find it here.
For those of you that prefer reading your news to watching a video, please read on.
Disney Parks News
Entertainment Cast Layoffs
Our top Disney Parks News story this week is a sad one. We’ve learned that ALMOST ALL of Disney World “Entertainment” Cast Members around the theme parks have received their notice that they will not be returning to work. These layoffs are part of the 28,000 planned layoffs announced last month.
While most of the shows affected have remained dark since the parks reopened, these layoffs eliminate hopes of any of these shows returning to the parks ANY time in the near future. Our hearts go out to ALL the cast losing their jobs during this time. Many of the cast members have been with Disney for many, many years. This news has been devastating for them.
Festival of the Lion King (Photo: Brooke Hudson)
I find these entertainment layoffs particularly heartbreaking because it is the talented performers in the shows and the street actors that really add so much magic to Walt Disney World.
Citizens of Hollywood Entertaining the Crowd (Photo: Brooke Hudson)
Which Parks and Shows were Affected?
Here’s a quick list all the entertainment that was hit by this round of layoffs (so far):
Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom lost the Citizens of Main Street and the entire cast and crew of Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor.
Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios was the hardest hit, losing the Citizens of Hollywood, the entire cast and crew of Beauty and the Beast–live on stage, the entire cast and crew of Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, the entire cast and crew of the Jedi Training Academy, the Green Army Men, and the entire cast and crew of the Voyage of the Little Mermaid.
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular (Photo: Brooke Hudson)
You guys, this makes me want to cry!
Animal Kingdom
Over at Animal Kingdom, we lose the entire casts and crews of two of the most amazing shows on Disney property: Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo the Musical.
Finding Nemo – The Musical (Photo: Brooke Hudson)
The cast members that drive the Pandora utility suit were also laid off.
EPCOT
EPCOT had already quietly laid off MOST of the World Showcase entertainment in the spring (and this continues to be a troubling decision), however they added some members of Voices of Liberty to the casualty list in this round of layoffs.
Resorts
Finally, the entire cast and crew of the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue over at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground has been laid off. You may also remember from previous news reports that the Grand Floridian Orchestra was also let go a few weeks ago.
Potential Impact of these Layoffs
Again, most of these cast members have been off since the parks closed in April. Nonetheless, I had high hopes that steps were being taken to bring at least some of this entertainment back on line in the coming weeks. These losses are heartbreaking.
Of course, this doesn’t have to mean that these layoffs will be permanent or that these shows will remain dark forever. Nonetheless, it certainly implies that these shows will remain dark for the foreseeable future. And these talented performers are likely to seek work elsewhere. The performers may not even be available when (if???) Disney decides to reintroduce entertainment.
Streetmosphere Actors in Permanent Danger?
I’m most worried about the Streetmosphere actors. The Green Army Men, the Citizens of Main Street and the Citizens of Hollywood. These actors add SO much to the guest experience. Unfortunately, I can envision Disney just never bringing them back at all. This would be a HUGE loss to all of us.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ amazing Streetmosphere players (Citizens of Hollywood) (Photo: Brooke Hudson)
I really get the feeling that the current management structure of the Parks undervalues the Entertainment element of the Disney Parks experience. But really, it is the talent of the entertainers that elevates the Disney Parks above other theme parks.
Citizens of Hollywood in Action (Photo: Brooke Hudson)
The Streetmosphere actors, interacting with guests in character; putting on quick little shows in the street; entertaining guests as they wait in line, or stand in the hot sun? These actors are an INTEGRAL part of the Disney magic.
The wonderful shows that offer guests not just high quality entertainment, but usually magical uplifting messaging as well? Again, part of what makes Disney theme parks stand out.
Finding Nemo – The Musical (Photo: Brooke Hudson)
I understand that with COVID-19 restrictions, the stage shows and Streetmosphere interactions cannot happen right now. But I continue to hope that Disney will work vigorously to return these things to us when things begin to return to normalcy.
My Nephew Vinny and a Green Army Man (Photo: Brooke Hudson)
On our Disney trips, at the end of every day, we talk about the day and document the highlights. I cannot tell you how many times those highlight moments have been because of a Disney Streetmosphere player or scene.
What Message are Fans Sending Disney?
It is the entertainment that makes Disney tickets worth their price. I sincerely hope that Disney doesn’t get the wrong message from guests continuing to visit the parks right now, even though the offerings are a fraction of what they normally are. Fans are eager to return to Disney, yes. It’s been a really tough year for so many of us, and we are anxious to escape our current reality, and a trip to Disney fulfills that for many.
However, while we may be satisfied with Disney offering “partial” value right now, given the circumstances, I have a hard time believing that even Disney’s most die hard fan base (myself included) will continue to accept high ticket prices for a FRACTION of the experience. If entertainment does not return, I’m concerned that many guests will choose to visit their local Six Flags, rather than invest in a trip to Disney. I can’t believe I’m saying that, but what guests are willing to accept in the short term given this unique situation is unlikely to be acceptable for the long term. I’m really curious as to what you all think. Please let me know in the comments below.
Disney vs. California: Shot Fired?
Last week, we talked about California’s release of their guidelines for large theme parks to reopen in their state. We also discussed that these new guidelines will make it virtually impossible for Disneyland and California Adventure to reopen this year. In fact, it is likely to be next SUMMER before the strict guidelines can be met, and Disneyland and California Adventure could reopen.
We said at the time that we didn’t expect Disney to take this situation quietly, and already the first shot is fired!
Elias & Co. on Buena Vista Street in Disney’s California Adventure (Photo: Disney Parks)
Disney has announced that Downtown Disney is expanding in November to include Buena Vista Street. For those of you not aware, Buena Vista Street is INSIDE Disney’s California Adventure theme park.
But…HOW??
Guests that haven’t visited the California theme parks may not understand how this will work. In Florida, Disney has TONS of land, and all the theme parks and Disney Springs are very spread out. In California, the Disneyland/California Adventure/Downtown Disney footprint is MUCH smaller, with everything really close together.
Downtown Disney is basically an area that is on one side of the two theme parks, filled with restaurants and shops, with access to the main pathway that leads to both theme parks. In the middle, there are entrances for each theme park on this path, across from each other, and totally accessible from Downtown Disney. This makes it really easy for guests to pop out of one theme park, have drinks or a meal in Downtown Disney, and then pop back into the OTHER theme park for evening entertainment, for example.
Downtown Disney has been open for a couple of months, enabling guests (primarily local guests) to shop and dine. In Disney’s first effort to combat the stringent guidelines established by the State of California, Disney is opening Buena Vista Street in California Adventure to Downtown Disney, and calling it an “expansion” of Downtown Disney.
Photo: Disney Parks and Resorts
All the shops and restaurants on Buena Vista Street will be open for Downtown Disney guests to visit and enjoy. No theme park ticket will be necessary as the theme park itself is not opening, just the shops and restaurants on Buena Vista Street. I think this is a clever way to get some of the theme park back up and running and some of those cast members back to work without actually opening the theme park.
Buena Vista Street: What is Opening?
The following shops and restaurants are reopening:
Elias and Co.
Julius Katz & Sons
Kingswell Camera Shop
Trolley Treats
Fiddle, Fifer & Practical Café
Carthay Circle Lounge
Smoke Jumpers Grill
Disney has not shared whether they are making any modifications to Buena Vista Street to accommodate its addition to Downtown Disney, or how the areas outside of Buena Vista Street inside California Adventure will be inaccessible by guests, but I’m confident they will get it all worked out by November 1.
I can’t wait to see what Disney does next!
Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
EPCOT and the Holidays (Photo: Disney Parks)
The holiday season returns to EPCOT on November 27 this year with the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays (Presented by AdventHealth). This holiday “Taste of EPCOT” Festival will run through December 30. This festival will include global, seasonal cuisine at the Holiday Kitchens, located throughout World Showcase. In addition, there will be three Holiday Kitchens located inside the World ShowPlace Events Pavililon. Some of the seasonal selections you will find include slow roasted turkey from the American Holiday Table, pork schnitzel at the Bavaria Holiday Kitchen and Beef Bourguignon from the Yukon Holiday Kitchen.
Holiday Entertainment
During this EPCOT holiday festival, guests will also be treated to holiday character cavalcades traveling through World Showcase. Anna and Elsa are touring in the Frozen Holiday Promenade, while Mickey and friends are traveling in Mickey & Friends Holiday World Tour. Santa Claus will also be making his first appearance in an EPCOT character cavalcade this year—he’ll be taking a horse drawn tour around World Showcase, calling out holiday wishes to everyone.
Holiday Music
The holiday season will not be without musical celebrations. The America Gardens Theatre will feature holiday carols sung by the Voices of Liberty. In Mexico, the Mariachi Cobre will bring to life Las Posadas, a celebration of Mexican holiday customs through music and dance. In Canada, the JAMMitors will perform on the Mill Stage. (I don’t think the JAMMitors are Canadian, but I’m happy they will be so easy to find!)
Holiday Cookie Stroll
2020 EPCOT Holiday Cookie Stroll Cookie Jar (Photo: Disney Parks and Resorts)
The Holiday Cookie Stroll returns to EPCOT again this year, with a complimentary cookie as a reward for completing the stroll. The options to Stroll include cookies from five different locations throughout the park. You can also pickup an adorable cookie jar to collect all your cookies, available at the Holiday Markets all throughout World Showcase, while Supplies last.
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition
Frozen Ever After (Photo: Disney Parks)
New this year is Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition”. This fun for the whole family adventure is a festive trek around World Showcase. Guests can purchase the expedition map at Mouse Gear, Disney Traders or World Traveler at International Gateway. Once you have the map, you’ll look for hidden Olafs all throughout the World Showcase Pavilions. After you’ve found them all, you’ll receive a “gift worth melting for” (while supplies last).
Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
Sticking with EPCOT news, EPCOT has certainly learned that FESTIVALS are the key to their success. EPCOT is now home to FOUR festivals, and each one’s “Season” is getting longer every year (it appears). In addition, EPCOT seems to have embraced the power (and perhaps profitability) of food and beverage in these festivals, as they all now seem to include the “Taste of” phrase in the festival name. And these Festival names were already fairly long to begin with. But that’s ok, we love them anyway, right?
Collaborative Paint by Numbers Mural (Photo: Disney Parks & Resorts)
EPCOT’s first festival after the holidays will be the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, beginning January 8, 2021. While I’m partial to the International Flower and Garden Festival, many fans claim the Festival of the Arts to be EPCOTS best Festival of the year. This year the Fesitval will run through February 22. We’ll enjoy:
More than 15 Food “studios” serving “culinary art” around World Showcase.
A ton of diverse work of Disney and other artists on display in marketplaces all around World Showcase Lagoon.
Special Photo locations where guests can “step into the scene”.
A paint by number mural for EVERYONE to participate in that serves as a collaborative art project.
Watch as visiting artists create magic.
Favorite EPCOT musical artists Mariachi Cobre and the JAMMitors.
Artful scavenger hunt to search for FIGMENT around World Showcase.
Festival exclusive merchandise.
Watch talented artists in action! (Photo: Disney Parks & Resorts)
I love that with each Festival, the pop up food stands and stores get different names, themed to the event. For the Holiday Festival, the food stations are “Holiday Kitchens” and for the Arts Festival, they are food “Studios”. So fun!
Walt Disney World Entrances Get a Makeover!
We’ve talked before about Disney’s efforts to “spruce” things up around Walt Disney World in time for their big 50th Anniversary next October. There are lots of construction projects going on, designed to improve the guest experience. Over the spring and summer, Cinderella Castle got a makeover, and the castle is looking really spectacular these days.
Concept Art – Disney Parks
This week, Disney World started work on the entrances that greet guests as they arrive on Disney property. These signs are archways that go over the road, and feature Mickey and Minnie Mouse on either side.
Windshield Photo of Walt Disney World Entrance (Photo: Brooke Hudson)
For most Disney fans, these signs are the true beginning of vacation. I have countless “through the windshield” or “out the window” pictures of these signs. These signs have started to fade over the last few years and look a little worn and tired.
Another BEFORE Picture (Every makeover needs a BEFORE, right?) (Photo: Linda Harkness)
At last, these wonderful signs are getting a makeover. This refresh shouldn’t take long, and guests visiting for the holiday season should see the Walt Disney World entrance signs in all their new glory. I’m hoping at least one will be finished or nearly so when we visit mid-November. If so, we’ll be sure to get pictures for you guys! To hold us all over until then, here’s a look at the concept art Disney released for the new look.
Here’s the AFTER (theoretically, at least!) Concept Art: Disney Parks and Resorts
As someone devoted to Cinderella Castle (some would say unhealthily so…for example, my husband😉) I am disappointed to lose the Castle from the entrance sign. However, I think the new look is really terrific and updated.
That’s it for this week’s Disney Parks News!
What are your thoughts on this week’s stories? Are you excited to see at least one street opening in Disney’s California Adventure theme park? What is YOUR favorite EPCOT Festival? Are you as worried as I am about the entertainment cast member layoffs? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!
Happy dreaming!
Brooke
Ready to Plan Your Next Disney Vacation? I’m ready to help! Email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com
In this week’s Disney Parks News Update, we learn that Disneyland may be forced to stay closed until next summer! We also talk new Disney world discounts for 2021, attraction refurbishments, the value resort that is reopening early next year and much more. Please check out this week’s video below.
If you missed last week’s news, you can get it here.
For those of you that would rather read your news, please continue on.
Disney Parks News Update 10.21.20
Disneyland
This week’s top story is DISNEYLAND. We’ve all been waiting for months to find out when Disneyland in California would be allowed to reopen. Originally, Disney planned to reopen Disneyland and California Adventure in July, right after Walt Disney World reopened. However, those plans were not approved by Orange County or the State of California, and Disney had to push pause. Ever since, it’s been a waiting game for Disney fans, and a frustrating battle for Disney and Disney cast members that want to get back to work!
Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland (Photo: Disney Parks)
Yesterday, the state of California announced (finally) their guidelines for theme park re-openings in their state. The important part for Disney fans? Large theme parks cannot reopen until their home county (Orange County, for Disneyland and California Adventure) are in California’s YELLOW TIER.
Table: covid19.ca.gov
To be in the yellow tier, the county must see less than 1 new Covid-19 case per 100,000 residents, and less than 2% positivity rate for tests. Right now, Orange County is in the red tier, reporting between 4 -7 new cases per day per 100,000 residents and a 5-8% positivity rate.
Orange County as of 10/21/20 (Information: covid19.ca.gov)
There is a long way to go for Orange county to get from the Red Tier to the Yellow Tier. Dr. Clayton Chau, Director of the Orange County Health Care Agency said, “…I think that we can look forward to a yellow tier by next summer, hopefully. Hopefully.”
Disneyland Monorail (Photo: Disney Parks and Resorts)
What does this mean for Disneyland?
Based on current information, state policies, and recent Covid-19 trends in Orange County, CA, it appears that the soonest we can hope to see Disneyland and California Adventure reopen is sometime NEXT SUMMER (2021). This is obviously devastating news for the thousands of people employed by Disney to work in the two theme parks, as well as in the Disney owned hotels in the Disneyland area. However, there are COUNTLESS other business that are completely dependent on the tourist traffic that Disneyland brings to Anaheim. If Disneyland and California Adventure remain closed through next summer (or later), many of those businesses are doomed to fail. This will no doubt have a huge impact on the Anaheim economy, and by extension, on Orange County and Southern California.
Disneyland Hotel (Photo: Disney Parks and Resorts)
Many Southern California officials, including Anaheim mayor Harry Sidhu and Disneyland President Ken Potrock have come out publicly against the new guidelines. I don’t think Disneyland or the other large California theme parks are likely to let these new guidelines go uncontested. I suspect we will be hearing a lot more about this in the coming weeks. For now, unfortunately, it appears impossible for Disneyland to reopen this year.
Walt Disney World
Moving over to Walt Disney World news, let’s talk about attractions.
Tomorrowland Transit Authority
One of my favorite attractions, the PeopleMover (Tomorrowland Transit Authority) over at the Magic Kingdom is definitely NOT going back online this year. The attraction was originally scheduled to be reopening in late October, which then got pushed back to late November. This week, that got pushed back AGAIN to early January. That is as far out as the current refurbishment schedule goes right now, so I suspect this particular attraction will not be open until sometime next spring. BUMMER.
Tomorrowland Transit Authority (Photo: Disney Parks and Resorts)
The PeopleMover is a great attraction for many reasons: it absorbs a TON of people every hour as it is a constantly moving loading and unloading attraction. It’s also a TERRIFIC ride to sit and relax and give tired legs and feet a little break. On hot days, it’s also a great place to get some rest out of the sun and moves fast enough that you have a cooling breeze as you ride. Alas, no people mover for us anytime soon. {Sigh}
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Over at Epcot, we’ve been anxiously awaiting news on an opening date for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, along with the expanded France pavilion in World Showcase. Originally planned to open this Summer, Ratatouille’s opening got pushed back along with everything else when the parks closed this Spring. Disney has been completely MUM on when we can expect this attraction to open.
Ride Vehicle for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (Photo: Disney Parks)
Personally, I suspect Disney will hold off on opening this attraction until sometime next spring, when crowds are more likely to be at normal capacity (we hope) and Disney can get some good publicity (and hopefully guest reservations) in response to opening a new attraction. I’m disappointed, as I’d originally thought they would try to bring the attraction online in time for the holiday crowds, but with the parks still operating at such a big loss, I think it makes sense to hold off until the opening can be celebrated.
Gustaeau’s Sign Installed in France Pavilion (Photo: Disney Parks and Resorts)
You can see progress on the France pavilion expansion from the Skyliner—It’s looking really good. The Gusteau’s sign (from Ratatouille) has been installed. We’ve heard reports that it lights up at night, which is definitely progress. I’ll give you an update on this project with pictures from Epcot when we are there next month.
Tron Lightcycle/Run
It seems that this week’s Disney Parks News Update has more bad news for us. Another “under construction” project we’ve been keeping an eye on is the Tron Lightcycle Coaster in progress at the Magic Kingdom. This GIANT project has already been underway for a couple of years, and was long planned to be ready in time for next year’s big 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World.
Disney Tron Attraction Coming to Magic Kingdom: Artist Rendering
Unfortunately, we are now hearing lots of rumors that construction is going to be suspended on this project later this year, and that it is extremely unlikely that this attraction will be ready in time for October 2021 and the big anniversary.
Tron Lightcycle/Run Grid Installed at Magic Kingdom (Photo: Disney Parks and Resorts)
No official confirmation from Disney; however, if the rumors are true, I have to assume this is financially based decision. I’m not sure it’s a wise decision, as new attractions always bring in big crowds, but I think maybe they were hoping to see Disneyland reopened and increased crowds in Florida before Disney continues investing in this project. Just speculation at this point though. I will keep you posted as I learn more.
Winter/Summerland and Fantasia Mini Golf
In the category of non-theme park attractions, Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf is reopening for a limited time: November 6, 2020 – January 30, 2021. Winter Summerland features 2 18 hole miniature golf courses, each one themed to a season, either Winter or Summer. Adults are $14, Kids are $10.
Winter Summerland is reopening primarily to offset Fantasia Gardens closing for the season (primarily for cleaning and maintenance). Fantasia Gardens closes November 5, 2020 and will reopen January 31, 2021. These fun themed mini golf courses are a popular destination for families to visit on non-theme park days, or even during a break on a theme park day.
Walt Disney World License Plate
Here’s a fun Disney Parks News Update for Florida Residents. For the first time, the Walt Disney World Resort is going to be releasing a license plate in honor of their 50th anniversary. The best part? Proceeds will go to the Make a Wish Foundation of Central and Northern Florida. Disney’s been working with Make a Wish for 40 years now, with more than 140,000 Disney inspired wishes granted since 1980. An average of 8,000 wishes are granted at Disney World every year.
Disney hasn’t shown us the design of the license plate just yet; however interested Florida car owners can purchase a presale voucher now for $25+state admin fees by appointment at local County Tax Collections or license plate facilities (DMVs). Online presale for the plates will be available soon!
Friendship Boats
In the good news category, Disney has been testing the Friendship boats over on Crescent lake. These are the boats that provide Disney resort guests in the boardwalk area with water transportation to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. While the Friendship boats have been operating in the World Showcase Lagoon at Epcot, shuttling guests across the Lagoon, the boats have not been operating in the resort areas. It looks like that is changing very soon. No word yet on the boats that travel from various resorts to Disney Springs—we’re watching for updates on all the water transportation—and will keep you posted! Water transportation is one of my favorite ways to get around Walt Disney World. So relaxing, and terrific scenery. Can’t wait until ALL Disney transportation is back to normal!
Disney Parks Reservation System
Last week, we discussed that Disney vacation packages are now available for booking through the end of 2021 and into January 2022. A couple of additional details related to this news: The Disney Parks Reservation System is available for reservations well into 2022—So this new system, requiring guests to decide which parks they will visit on each day of their Disney vacation is NOT going away. The system does not yet accommodate park hopping; however packages for 2021 do offer park hopping as an option, so we have to assume this functionality is on the way?
Magic Bands: Are They Being Phased Out?
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Also: in 2021, many of the functions currently performed by your magic band (hotel room key, park admission, payment for food and merchandise) will also be able to be performed by your smartphone. As a result, Magic Bands for Disney vacations beginning in January 2021 will no longer be provided to all guests free of charge. Magic Bands will be available for purchase if guests prefer to continue to use their Magic Bands.
I’m not loving this new development. I love the convenience of the magic bands, and we have quite the collection at our house (they make a really nice chain for the Christmas tree!)—and I love choosing new ones for each trip. For our upcoming trip, we upgraded from the “free” solid color magic bands and each picked “special” bands. Aren’t they fun?
Brooke and Frank’s November 2020 Magic Bands (Photo: Brooke Hudson)
The ones we ordered were $10.99 each. There are at least 20 different designs, and they change fairly often. There are also special “limited edition” bands. $10.99 – $24.99 is the current price range for upgraded Magic Bands.
Is Putting EVERYTHING on our Smart Phones the Best Idea?
I don’t really like increasing the dependence and draw on our cell phones. As it is, I already need to carry portable battery packs to charge our phones a couple of times a day when we are in the parks. I’m not super thrilled with needing to use the phones even more. And I’m not convinced that there won’t be glitches that will render guests unable to access their rooms or enter the parks. Makes me nervous. And what about other family members?
Magic Band as Park Ticket (Photo: Disney Parks and Resorts)
A lot of kids don’t have cell phones. Also, I like the Magic Band’s ability to help identify kids if they get lost. I don’t know. Not loving this idea. Anyways, guest that want to continue to use magic bands will be able to purchase them. They just won’t automatically receive the solid color ones for free.
All Star Movies
We have good news this week for those of you that prefer to stay in Disney’s Value Resorts. So far, since Walt Disney World reopened, the only Value Resort that has reopened was Pop Century. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is reopening on November 1, but that’s mostly family suites and more expensive than the regular Value Reorts. Until now, we’d heard nothing about the three All Star resorts. At last, we have confirmation that one of the All Star Resorts, All Star Movies, is reopening on February 9, 2021. This is great news for Spring Breakers. They tend to prefer the cost savings of the All Star Resorts. All Star Movies is now available for booking for dates on or after February 9, 2021.
All Star Movies Value Resort (Photo: Disney Parks and Resorts)
First Discount of 2021
And there’s more good news. Disney has released it’s first discount for 2021. You can save up to 35% on rooms at select Walt Disney World resorts from January 3 – April 17, 2021. Reservation must be booked before March 15, 2021. The amount of the discount is dependent on which resort you book. Rooms allocated for this offer are limited, and length of stay requirements may apply. If you’d like a free no obligation quote, please drop me an email at brooke@disneycastledreaming.com.
That’s it for this week’s news. I hope you found it helpful!
Happy dreaming!
Brooke
Ready to Plan Your Next Disney Vacation? I’m ready to help! Email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com
runDisney recently announced that the Walt Disney World Marathon 2021 races and the Princess Half Marthon 2021 races will be transitioned from regular runDisney events to runDisney virtual races.
In our last runDisney post, we discussed the runDisney experience that runDisney racers experience at regular runDisney events. To check out that post, please click here.
Today, we are going to discuss runDisney virtual races. We’re going to explain what virtual races are, and how to participate if you choose to. We’re going to talk about the pros and the cons of virtual races. We are also going to share the pricing for upcoming runDisney virtual races, and share our past experiences with virtual races.
What is a Virtual Race?
Virtual races have been around a long time in the race community, but runDisney didn’t jump on the virtual race bandwagon until a few years ago (2015).
Basically, a virtual race is a race that you agree to complete on or by a certain date. You don’t run this race at a fixed location with hundreds or thousands of other racers, and you don’t have access to common race logistics, like water tables and porta potties. You can complete the distance in your neighborhood, on your favorite trail, or even at home on your treadmill.
A lot of runners and long distance walkers use virtual races as part of their training for other “in person” races.
Virtual Races as Training Events
For example, when I was training for the half marathon and marathon races, I would often sign up for a virtual half marathon or a virtual 10K during my training. This would help incentivize me to complete some of my longer training runs, and bonus, I would get some BLING for my medal collection. In addition, most virtual runs benefit a charity–at least part of your registration fee goes to support a particular charity.
It’s a heck of a lot easier to talk yourself into that final 14 mile training run (or walk) two weeks before the big race if you’ve got a cool medal coming to you at the end of it!
Seasonally-themed virtual races can be fun challenges too. One virtual race that I do every year is A Christmas Story 10K. There is a actual physical race every year in Cleveland, OH to benefit the A Christmas Story house and museum. The physical race is usually the first Saturday in December each year. This race was one of the first races I found to offer a virtual option. Registration for this year’s virtual race is $55, and includes the official A Christmas Story run shirt, a themed medal, a custom bib.
Advantages of a Virtual Race
The biggest advantage of a virtual race versus a “regular” race is that a virtual race is less intimidating. There is less pressure, and less stress associated with a virtual race. Of course, this can also be a negative: it’s really easy to blow off a virtual race, too.
But a virtual race can be a terrific entry into road racing. It’s a way to challenge yourself to train for a specific distance, and to complete that distance on a specific date and within a specific time. It’s really personally satisfying to set a goal and achieve it, and a virtual race is a terrific way to learn to follow through. Training for and completing a challenging distance is a terrific boost to your self esteem, and road races (virtual and otherwise) have inspired thousands of people to get in shape and start walking or running.
A road race with hundreds or thousands of other competitors is exhiliarting and emotional. It’s kind of hard to explain, but there is something really amazing about training for months for an event, and showing up with your fellow racers. A runDisney event takes that to a whole other level, as we discussed in The runDisney Experience.
The Fear Factor
However, a road race with hundreds or thousands of other races is VERY intimidating. Maneuvering a crowded route with lots of other racers can be challenging and even scary if it’s your first time. A virtual race gives you the chance to get your feet wet, so to speak, and do the race without the crowd and the pressure. You can prove to yourself that you CAN DO IT!
Economics
And of course, virtual races are SIGNIFICANTLY more economical than road races. Especially big races like runDisney events. With a virtual event, the race organizer doesn’t have to coordinate logistics, like volunteers and water stations and first aid. They don’t have to coordinate with the city or town to close roads or have police officers along the route. They don’t have to provide porta-potties and finish line parties. As a result, a virtual race is usually a fraction of the equivalent BIG race. Again, a good way to test yourself, learn that you CAN do it–without the big price tag. (Or travel expenses, if you would be traveling to the event, as with most runDisney events.)
Race Where You Want
Another HUGE benefit of a virtual race? You race where YOU want to race. Want to complete the race in your local forest preserve? Go for it. Want to do the race by circling your home block while pushing your kid in a stroller? Absolutely. Want to complete the race on your treadmill in your basement? You can do it! The beauty of a virtual race is that it is completely flexible. Indoors, outdoors. On the street, on a sidewalk, on a trail. In your living room or on your local track. However YOU want to complete the distance, it’s completely up to you.
Flexibility
Planning to run your race outside, but on the planned day, it’s pouring rain? Two choices: Put on raingear and run it anyway or postpone your race until tomorrow. In a “real” road race, you don’t have choices like that. Again, you have to be careful that you don’t let virtual race flexibility turn into “forgetting” to do the race altogether–but even when your goal is to complete your race on a certain day, you still have some flexibility. In a regular runDisney race, if you have a family emergency and need to cancel your trip, you miss the race, and lose your money. With a virtual race, you move the race to next weekend.
This can also be helpful if you miss a couple of weeks of training due to illness or injury. With a regular runDisney event, you would just have to suck it up and do the best you could–potentially risking getting pulled from the course because you are unable to finish, or are too slow. With a virtual race, you can just move out your planned race date a couple of weeks, and get right back on track with your training. Be careful not to use excuses or lack of effort as a “back door” escape route. BUT, if you are serious about your race, but an illness or injury sets you back? You can recover sensibly, without overtraining and still complete your race.
How to Find Virtual Races
In years past, finding virtual races with medals was fairly easy. With Covid-19, virtual races have become even MORE popular.
I usewebsites like The Virtual Run Challenge to find races when I want to do a virtual race. I also really like Gone for a Run. Big sites like Runner’s World also now include information about virtual races.
Most virtual races are based on the honor system. They are assuming you are a grown up and that you will complete the distance you say you will when you are supposed to. The medals are not withheld until you can “prove” you completed the race. While I have seen a few exceptions to this, most virtual races are handled using the honor system (including runDisney virtual races).
Some virtual races do require you to report your times, and others require you to report your race finish on social media to qualify for your medal.
Some virtual races also give you flexibility on the “when”. For example, I’ve done quite a few “turkey trot” themed virtual races that needed to be completed sometime during the week of Thanksgiving, or even “anytime” during the month of November.
2020 and Virtual Racing
This year, the Covid-19 has decimated the regular racing season. Most races nationwide have been cancelled completely. Some race vendors, however, have decided to offer their events virtually.
Some big races that are offering virtual events this year include:
Boston Marathon
Air Force Half Marathon
Flying Pig Half Marathon
NYC Marathon
San Francisco Marathon and Half Marathon
runDisney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend
Run Rock N Roll
runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
Hot Chocolate Race Series
runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
And there are a lot more big races choosing to go virtual this year. If there’s a race you normally run, or have been interested in running, check out that race’s website–you might find they have a virtual option this year.
We, of course, have no idea if any of these bigger “mainstream” races will continue to offer virtual races in the future. But if you have always wanted to do one of these big races, this might be your year!
runDisney Virtual Races
runDisney’s initial foray into virtual racing began a few summers ago. runDisney decided to offer a virtual race “series” during the summer months. No doubt this was primarily a financially motivated decision, but it also kept runDisney front and center with its’ audience. In addition, I think these races served to attract a new audience to runDisney, with the hope of migrating them to the onsite runDisney experience in the future.
Each summer there were three virtual 5K races offered–one in June, one in July and one in August. You could register for one, two or all three. If you did all three, you were completing that summer’s race challenge, and would get a fourth medal indicating your had finished the challenge.
This summer’s (2020) races included the Mad Tea Party 5K, the Space Mountain 5K, and the Haunted Mansion 5k. Each race was priced at $40, and included a digital race bib, a digital “toolkit”, a digital finisher’s certificate and a finisher’s medal.
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If you wanted to do all three races, you could sign up for the Virtual Challenge for $145. This included digital race bibs for all three races, three finisher’s medals for the three races, plus a fourth “challenge” medal. The challenge racers would also get a downloadable finisher’s certificate and a special Virtual Series keepsake.
I honestly don’t think runDisney ever intended to do anything more with virtual races than these summer “fill-in” virtual races. As with anything else runDisney, the pricing for these summer virtual races was on the high side, compared to other virtual races.
Typical virtual races tend to be priced anywhere from $10 – $30. Large races like Rock N Roll are higher; however, for 5Ks, these runDisney virtual races are a bit overpriced (in my opinion).
(Photo: runDisney)
Covid-19 and runDisney Virtual Races
In a regular runDisney race year, runDisney fans have the opportunity to participate in four race series at Walt Disney World. These race series include:
The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (January)
The Princess Half Marathon Weekend (February)
The Star Wars Rival Run Weekend (April)
Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend (November)
In 2020, the Star Wars Rival Run Weekend was cancelled completely due to the Disney World closures. The Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, scheduled for November 5-8, 2020 was switched to a virtual event several months ago.
In past years, runDisney fans also had four opportunities to race at Disneyland. The Disneyland races were stopped after January 2018 due to construction and logistical issues with the City of Anaheim (home of Disneyland and California Adventure.)
Because Disneyland and California Adventure in California do not have the substantial amount of real estate owned by Disney, the Disneyland race routes included a lot of distance through the city of Anaheim itself. Conversely, in Florida, even the full marathon is routed exclusively on Disney property, and all logistics (volunteers, support, porta-potties, water stations, etc.) are managed completely by Disney.
The Disneyland races have been eliminated “until further notice.” At this time, it appears unlikely that the races in California will return any time soon. Hopefully, I am wrong about that as I really want to complete the runDisney Coast to Coast Challenge. This is completing a runDisney half marathon or marathon on both coasts in the same calendar year.
Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris also hosts a runDisney race weekend most year in the fall. These runDisney weekends include a 5K, 10K, kids races, and a half marathon. The 2020 runDisney Paris weekend was originally scheduled for September 24-25,2020. This race weekend has been postponed until Fall 2021. We don’t have exact dates yet, but runDisney has not transitioned to virtual races for these races in France.
Note: There is a Castle to Chateau Challenge for runDisney racers that complete a US runDisney half marathon or marathon and the Disneyland Paris half marathon in the same calendar year. Maybe a future bucket list item?
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend 2021 Virtual Races
runDisney’s premier event every year is the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. For more than 25 years, the first or second weekend each January has meant the WDW Marathon Weekend for runDisney participants and fans.
The 2021 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend was scheduled for January 7-10, 2021. The original schedule included:
WDW Race Expo Wednesday January 6-10, 2021.
WDW 5k Race Thursday January 7, 2021
WDW 10K Race Friday January 8, 2021
WDW Half Marathon Saturday January 9, 2021
WDW Marathon Sunday January 10, 2021
Walt Disney Marathon Weekend 2021 also included two multi-race challenges.
Goofy Challenge: Complete the WDW Half Marathon on Saturday January 9, 2021 AND the WDW Marathon on Sunday January 10, 2021
Dopey Challenge: This one is a DOOZY. Complete ALL FOUR WDW RACES on consecutive days. The 5k, the 10K, the Half Marathon AND the Marathon–all four races must be finished in order to receive the Dopey Medal.
Disney has converted all the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend 2021 runDisney race events to virtual races. Registration is currently available (as of October 16, 2020) for all WDW Marathon Weekend events and challenges.
Pricing
If you are interested in registering for one (or more!) of the 2021 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend events or challenges, here is how the pricing works.
Walt Disney World 5K
This virtual 5K (3.1 miles) is promoted as a “fun run” for the whole family. If you register for this virtual event, you have two options: Magic and More Magic.
Magic Option: $40 (plus a 6.6% platform service fee)
Commemorative Finisher Medal
Digital Bib and Finisher Certificate
Digital Race Tool Kit featuring printable mile markers
Digital Goodie Bag
Virtual Playlist
More Magic Option: $79 (plus a 6.6% platform service fee)
Commemorative Finisher Medal
Long Sleeve Event Tech Shirt
Digital Bib and Finisher Certificate
Digital Race Tool Kit featuring printable mile markers
As you can see, the only difference between the two options is the shirt. With the Magic Option, you do not receive an event shirt, with More Magic, you do. Disney’s race shirts are decent in my opinion. Generally they are of a nice lightweight tech fabric, and stand up to frequent washing. I think the women’s sizes tend to run a little small.
I am all about the bling, so the medal is the main motivator for me personally, but I find I do wear my race shirts fairly frequently, especially when training. Your mileage may vary on this. I think $30 is a bit high for a race shirt; however, it’s not like Disney t-shirts in the parks are any cheaper. It’s pricey because it’s Disney. If you like the race logo (pictured above), and want an orangey-yellow (probably) long sleeved shirt with that logo on the front, you will want the More Magic Option.
Walt Disney World 10K
This virtual 10K (6.2 miles) is a really good distance for the runDisney beginner. Most of us can do 3 miles fairly easily–its a challenge to build up to 6, but not as intimidating as a half or full marathon. If you register for this virtual event, you have two options: Magic and More Magic.
Magic Option: $49 (plus a 6.6% platform service fee)
Commemorative Finisher Medal
Digital Bib and Finisher Certificate
Digital Race Tool Kit featuring printable mile markers
Digital Goodie Bag
Virtual Playlist
More Magic Option: $99 (plus a 6.6% platform service fee)
Commemorative Finisher Medal
Long Sleeve Event Tech Shirt
Digital Bib and Finisher Certificate
Digital Race Tool Kit featuring printable mile markers
Digital Goodie Bag
Virtual Playlist
runDisney 2021 WDW Marathon Weekend 10K
Again, the only difference between the two options is the shirt. With the Magic Option, you do not receive an event shirt, with More Magic, you do. This shirt will likely be a black shirt with the 2021 10K logo on the front. They could go gray with this one, though.
Walt Disney World Half Marathon
The half marathon is 13.1 miles. This is my personal favorite distance. Long enough to be challenging, and to really necessitate that you train for it, but not so long that the training takes over your life. 😉
If you register for this virtual event, you have two options: Magic and More Magic.
Magic Option: $59 (plus a 6.6% platform service fee)
Commemorative Finisher Medal
Digital Bib and Finisher Certificate
Digital Race Tool Kit featuring printable mile markers
Digital Goodie Bag
Virtual Playlist
More Magic Option: $118 (plus a 6.6% platform service fee)
Commemorative Finisher Medal
Long Sleeve Event Tech Shirt
Digital Bib and Finisher Certificate
Digital Race Tool Kit featuring printable mile markers
Again, the only difference between the two options is the shirt. With the Magic Option, you do not receive an event shirt, with More Magic, you do. This shirt will likely be a blue shirt with the 2021 Half Marathon logo on the front.
Walt Disney World Marathon
The marathon is 26.2 miles. This is a very challenging distance, and will take 5 – 8 hours to complete for most runners or walkers. It requires a LOT of training and commitment. However, it is an achievement that only a very very small population has achieved, and is a major accomplishment for the racer!
If you register for this virtual event, you have two options: Magic and More Magic.
Magic Option: $65 (plus a 6.6% platform service fee)
Commemorative Finisher Medal
Digital Bib and Finisher Certificate
Digital Race Tool Kit featuring printable mile markers
Digital Goodie Bag
Virtual Playlist
More Magic Option: $120 (plus a 6.6% platform service fee)
Commemorative Finisher Medal
Long Sleeve Event Tech Shirt
Digital Bib and Finisher Certificate
Digital Race Tool Kit featuring printable mile markers
Digital Goodie Bag
Virtual Playlist
runDisney WDW Marathon Weekend Marathon
Again, the only difference between the two options is the shirt. With the Magic Option, you do not receive an event shirt, with More Magic, you do. This shirt will likely be a blue shirt with the 2021 Half Marathon logo on the front.
Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge
Show your Goofy side over two days of running (or walking) and 39.3 total miles. Complete both the half marathon and the full marathon on two consecutive days.
If you register for this virtual challenge, you have three options: Magic, More Magic, More Magic Goofy.
Magic Option: $129 (plus a 6.6% platform service fee)
3 Commemorative Finisher Medals
Digital Bib and Finisher Certificates
Digital Race Tool Kit featuring printable mile markers
Digital Goodie Bag
Virtual Playlist
More Magic Option: $179 (plus a 6.6% platform service fee)
3 Commemorative Finisher Medals
Long Sleeve Event Tech Shirt (Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge)
Digital Bib and Finisher Certificates
Digital Race Tool Kit featuring printable mile markers
Digital Goodie Bag
Virtual Playlist
More Magic Option: $275 (plus a 6.6% platform service fee)
3 Commemorative Finisher Medals
3 Long Sleeve Event Tech Shirt (One for each race + the Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge Shirt)
Digital Bib and Finisher Certificates
Digital Race Tool Kit featuring printable mile markers
Digital Goodie Bag
Virtual Playlist
runDisney virtual races Goofy Challenge
It’s important to understand that when you register for the Goofy Challenge, you are registering for TWO races, the half marathon and the full marathon. The challenge includes the registration for both races plus the challenge itself. So you will get all three medals: one for each race you finish, plus the medal for the challenge.
The only difference between the three options are the shirts. With the Magic Option, you do not receive an event shirt, with More Magic, you receive one shirt–the Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge shirt. With the More Magic Goofy option, you will receive all three shirts: the half marathon shirt, the full marathon shirt AND the Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge shirt.
Dopey Challenge
Show your Goofy side over two days of running (or walking) and 39.3 total miles. Complete both the half marathon and the full marathon on two consecutive days.
If you register for this virtual challenge, you have three options: Magic, More Magic, More Magic Dopey.
Magic Option: $225 (plus a 6.6% platform service fee)
5 Commemorative Finisher Medals
Digital Bib and Finisher Certificates
Digital Race Tool Kit featuring printable mile markers
Digital Goodie Bag
Virtual Playlist
More Magic Option: $275 (plus a 6.6% platform service fee)
5 Commemorative Finisher Medals
Long Sleeve Event Tech Shirt (Dopey Challenge)
Digital Bib and Finisher Certificates
Digital Race Tool Kit featuring printable mile markers
Digital Goodie Bag
Virtual Playlist
More Magic Option: $275 (plus a 6.6% platform service fee)
5 Commemorative Finisher Medals
5 Long Sleeve Event Tech Shirt (One for each race + the Dopey Challenge Shirt)
Digital Bib and Finisher Certificates
Digital Race Tool Kit featuring printable mile markers
Digital Goodie Bag
Virtual Playlist
runDisney virtual runs Dopey Challenge
It’s important to understand that when you register for the Goofy Challenge, you are registering for FOUR races: the 5K, the 10K, the half marathon and the full marathon. The challenge includes the registration for all four races plus the challenge itself. So you will get all five medals: one for each race you finish, plus the medal for the challenge.
The only difference between the three options are the shirts. With the Magic Option, you do not receive an event shirt, with More Magic, you receive one shirt–the Dopey Challenge shirt. With the More Magic Dopey option, you will receive all five shirts: the 5K shirt, the 10K shirt, the half marathon shirt, the full marathon shirt AND the Dopey Challenge shirt.
Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2021 Virtual Races
runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend events have introduced thousands of women to the world of competitive racing. runDisney created the original Princess Half Marathon to attract female racers. In fact, men are not allowed in the first two corrals. The Princess Half Marathon Weekend also welcomes men, but it is definitely skewed more toward women. A lot of women have chosen the runDisney Princess Half Marathon as their very first long distance event.
The 2021 Princess Half Marathon Weekend was scheduled for February 18-21, 2021. The original schedule included:
Princess Half Marathon Weekend Expo February 18-21, 2021.
Princess 5k Friday February 19, 2021
Princess Enchanted 10K Saturday February 20, 2021
Princess Half Marathon Sunday February 21, 2021
The Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2021 also included one multi-race challenge.
Fairy Tale Challenge: Complete the Enchanted 10K on Saturday February 20, 2021 AND the Princess Half Marathon on Sunday February 21, 2021
Disney has converted all the Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2021 runDisney race events to virtual races. Registration is currently SOLD OUT (as of October 16, 2020) for all Princess Half Marathon Weekend events and challenges.
Pricing
If you are interested in registering for one (or more!) of the 2021 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend events or challenges, here is how the pricing works.
Princess 5K
This virtual 5K (3.1 miles) is a great race to do as a family. If you register for this virtual event, you have two options: Magic and More Magic.
Magic Option: $40 (plus a 6.6% platform service fee)
Commemorative Finisher Medal
Digital Bib and Finisher Certificate
Digital Race Tool Kit featuring printable mile markers
Digital Goodie Bag
Virtual Playlist
More Magic Option: $75 (plus a 6.6% platform service fee)
Commemorative Finisher Medal
Short Sleeve Event Tech Shirt
Digital Bib and Finisher Certificate
Digital Race Tool Kit featuring printable mile markers
The only difference between the two options is the shirt. With the Magic Option, you do not receive an event shirt, with More Magic, you do. If you like the race logo (pictured above), and want turquoise (probably) short sleeved shirt with that logo on the front, you will want the More Magic Option.
Enchanted 10K
This virtual 10K (6.2 miles) is my recommended distance for the runDisney beginner. Most of us can do 3 miles fairly easily–its a challenge to build up to 6, but not as intimidating as a half or full marathon. If you register for this virtual event, you have two options: Magic and More Magic.
Magic Option: $49 (plus a 6.6% platform service fee)
Commemorative Finisher Medal
Digital Bib and Finisher Certificate
Digital Race Tool Kit featuring printable mile markers
Digital Goodie Bag
Virtual Playlist
More Magic Option: $89 (plus a 6.6% platform service fee)
Commemorative Finisher Medal
Short Sleeve Event Tech Shirt
Digital Bib and Finisher Certificate
Digital Race Tool Kit featuring printable mile markers
Digital Goodie Bag
Virtual Playlist
Again, the only difference between the two options is the shirt. With the Magic Option, you do not receive an event shirt, with More Magic, you do. This shirt will likely be a lavender shirt with the 2021 10K logo on the front.
Princess Half Marathon
The half marathon is 13.1 miles. This is my personal favorite distance. Long enough to be challenging, and to really necessitate that you train for it, but not so long that the training takes over your life. 😉
If you register for this virtual event, you have two options: Magic and More Magic.
Magic Option: $59 (plus a 6.6% platform service fee)
Commemorative Finisher Medal
Digital Bib and Finisher Certificate
Digital Race Tool Kit featuring printable mile markers
Digital Goodie Bag
Virtual Playlist
More Magic Option: $108 (plus a 6.6% platform service fee)
Commemorative Finisher Medal
Short Sleeve Event Tech Shirt
Digital Bib and Finisher Certificate
Digital Race Tool Kit featuring printable mile markers
Digital Goodie Bag
Virtual Playlist
Again, the only difference between the two options is the shirt. With the Magic Option, you do not receive an event shirt, with More Magic, you do. This shirt will likely be a rose colored shirt with the 2021 Half Marathon logo on the front.
Fairy Tale Challenge
Rise to the Royal Challenge with two days of running (or walking) and 19.3 total miles. Complete both the Enchanted 10K and the Princess Half marathon on two consecutive days.
If you register for this virtual challenge, you have three options: Magic, More Magic, More Magic Princess.
Magic Option: $115 (plus a 6.6% platform service fee)
3 Commemorative Finisher Medals
Digital Bib and Finisher Certificates
Digital Race Tool Kit featuring printable mile markers
Digital Goodie Bag
Virtual Playlist
More Magic Option: $154 (plus a 6.6% platform service fee)
3 Commemorative Finisher Medals
Short Sleeve Event Tech Shirt (Fairy Tale Challenge)
Digital Bib and Finisher Certificates
Digital Race Tool Kit featuring printable mile markers
Digital Goodie Bag
Virtual Playlist
More Magic Option: $232 (plus a 6.6% platform service fee)
3 Commemorative Finisher Medals
3 Short Sleeve Event Tech Shirt (One for each race + the Fairy Tale Challenge Shirt)
Digital Bib and Finisher Certificates
Digital Race Tool Kit featuring printable mile markers
Digital Goodie Bag
Virtual Playlist
It’s important to understand that when you register for the Fairy Tale Challenge, you are registering for TWO races, the 10K and the half marathon. The challenge includes the registration for both races plus the challenge itself. So you will get all three medals: one for each race you finish, plus the medal for the challenge.
The only difference between the three options are the shirts. With the Magic Option, you do not receive an event shirt, with More Magic, you receive one shirt–the Fairy Tale Challenge shirt. With the More Magic Princess option, you will receive all three shirts: the 10K shirt, the half marathon shirt, AND the Fairy Tale Challenge shirt.
Join Me for runDisney Virtual Races?
PhotoPass Magic Shot Minnie Mouse with Linda
This year, my mom and I decided we wanted to train and complete a runDisney Virtual Race together. Mom is a pretty regular walker, but she’s never participated in a race event. She also hasn’t ever covered a distance of more than 5 miles. I’m an inconsistent walker lately, but I have completed several half marathons, including the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Half Marathon a couple of times. I’ve also done both a 10K and a Half Marathon on consecutive days and really enjoyed that challenge.
So mom and I are registered for the 2021 Virtual Princess Half Marathon Weekend. We will both be completing the Enchanted 10K “Virtually”.
I’m doing the Fairy Tale Challenge, which means that after Mom and I complete our virtual 10K on Saturday, I will go on to do the Half Marathon on Sunday. I’m pretty excited to get back into the training groove and it will be super fun to do it with my mom. She winters in Arizona, while I will be in Chicago, so we’ll be training together “remotely”. Seems pretty appropriate in these Covid times, doesn’t it. I’m hoping we might be able to do the races physically in the same place (Arizona preferably, haha), but it’s too soon to tell.
We will be keeping you posted with updates on our progress both here, on our YouTube Channel and on Instagram. Please make sure you are following us, so you don’t miss any updates! If you’ve registered for any of the WDW Marathon Weekend or Princess Half Marathon Weekend events and would like to connect with us during training, please reach out to brooke@disneycastledreaming.
Training Plans with Weekly Coaching
If you are thinking about completing one of the runDisney virtual races for next year, I have several “Couch to …” training programs that you might be interested in. My programs are designed to take you from sedentary to completing a full 10K, Half Marathon or Marathon. I firmly believe that if you take it slow and give yourself 3 – 4 days per week, anyone can go the distance!
Photo: MotoPhoto
My training programs include weekly email coaching and encouragement. I can also personalize your program with specific dates and additional text or email accountability and coaching. Available programs include:
Couch to 5K Walking
Couch to 5K Run/Walk
Couch to 10K Walking
Couch to 10K Run/Walk
Couch to Half Marathon Walking
Couch to Half Marathon Run/Walk
Couch to Marathon Walking
Couch to Marathon Run/Walk
I also have training programs for the various runDisney challenges, including the one I’m doing, the 2021 Virtual Fairy Tale Challenge. If you’d like more information on these programs, please contact me at brooke@disneycastledreaming.com.
Happy Dreaming!
Brooke
Ready to Plan Your Next Disney Vacation? I’m ready to help! Email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com
P.S. Did you know that as your Disney travel agent, I can get access to runDisney race registrations as part of a runDisney vacation package as far as 11 months before the race? Contact me at brooke@disneycastledreaming.com to learn more!
