The CDC is expected to recommend everyone to wear face masks once again indoors regardless of their vaccination status as COVID-19 cases are on the rise once again due to the new Delta variant spreading throughout the country according to CNN.
Just yesterday Orange County Leaders urged people to once again mask up indoors due to the spike in cases in Florida. Health experts fear that we will see a surge in the highly contagious delta variant this fall.
So far Disney World & Disneyland has not made any changes to the face mask policies but they have updated their safety protocols on their websites.
As we have done since reopening, we’ve been very intentional and gradual in our approach to our COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Based on recent trends and guidance, Walt Disney World Resort will be making more adjustments to these measures, including physical distancing and face coverings. These measures may change at any time without notice.
As always, our procedures may change as we continue to update our health and safety processes based on guidance from the state of California and local health officials.
Both Disney World and Disneyland do not require guests to wear Face Masks indoors or outdoors. Orange County Florida and Orange County California are some of the hardest-hit counties in the US for COVID-19 cases.
Disney always sides on the side of caution so I believe we might see Face Masks return to the Disney Theme Parks very soon. As far as Disney Cruise Line goes with these numbers trending upwards it makes me wonder if the cruise industry will resume in the coming months.
The CDC will be holding a briefing at 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday to discuss this matter further.
As always stay tuned to Chip and Company for more details.
Director Peyton Reed Shares Filming Has Begun for ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’. Marvel Studios has nearly 20 projects in the works, and after the season 1 finale of Loki Marvel fans are eager to see what happens in Phase 4 of the MCU. One of the most anticipated movies is the Ant-Man and the Wasp sequel due to the tie-in to the Loki series through a shared antagonist, Kang the Conqueror. It’s unknown if Kang (or a variant of Kang) will be featured in other movie titles before Quantumania, but we do know that Jonathan Majors’ Kang will be the primary villain for the upcoming film Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
Ant-Man Franchise Director Peyton Reed confirmed that principle photography had commenced for the upcoming film by sharing a teaser photo to Twitter of the rabbit Scott Lang gifted his daughter Cassie in the first Ant-Man movie near what appears to be a COVID testing site for the film set.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania has begun production at Pinewood Studios in London, England, and will premiere in theaters on February 17, 2023. Be sure to check back here at Chip and Co. for updates and all things Marvel!
Kristen Bell Cast as Marge Simpson for Season 33 Musical Episode for ‘The Simpsons‘. During the 2021 Comic-Con@Home panel for The Simpsons it was announced that Kristen Bell has been cast as the singing voice for Marge Simpson in the upcoming musical episode: The Star of the Backstage. Executive Producer Matt Selman shared the news of Bell’s casting and that the episode is “like a Broadway musical of an episode with all original songs.” Many fans were a bit confused by the news, given the fact that we have heard Marge Simpson sing previously with her normal voice (provided by Voice Actress Julie Kavner), and Selman hinted that the episode is “different, let’s say.”
“Marge has amazing memories of being the stage manager of her high school musical, Y2K: The Millennium Bug, and decides to restage it with everyone 20 years later for one last show, but when her old high school nemesis comes to town, she realizes that her high school memories aren’t what she thought they were.”
He added, “The only place Marge sang beautifully was in her head, so she has a magical inside singing voice that only we can hear. When she sings, it comes out beautiful, like Kristen Bell.”
Number #95 is on the back which is the day Casey’s Corner opened in the Magic Kingdom.
We especially love the blue pin striping and raised Casey’s Corner lettering. This Casey’s Corner Baseball Jersey will run you $59.99 plus tax and was found at the Dress Shop in Disney Springs.
Disney’s ‘The Owl House’ Features First Non-Binary Animated Character. In the latest episode of The Owl House, Disney Channel featured their first non-binary character named Raine Whispers (pronouns: they/them). Raine was played by Voice Actor Avi Roque who identifies as Trans, Non-Binary and Queer according to their Twitter bio.
Avi shared their excitement for the new character and getting to be a voice of representation in the LGBTQIA+ community. Avi shared a photo of Raine Whispers in the series along with the caption: “I guest star as Raine Whispers (pronouns: they/them), the sharp and hardworking Head Witch of the Bard Coven, in the new episode of #TheOwlHouse premiering July 24 at 10:00am ET/PT on #DisneyChannel and DisneyNOW. Make sure to check it out!!“
I guest star as Raine Whispers (pronouns: they/them), the sharp and hardworking Head Witch of the Bard Coven, in the new episode of #TheOwlHouse premiering July 24 at 10:00am ET/PT on #DisneyChannel and DisneyNOW. Make sure to check it out!! pic.twitter.com/zRkaGIDAgd
“The Owl Housefollows Luz Noceda, a teenage human girl from Connecticut who accidentally stumbles upon a portal to another world instead of going to a juvenile detention summer camp. She arrives on an archipelago known as the Boiling Isles, formed from the remains of a dead Titan, and befriends the rebellious witch Eda Clawthorne (alias “The Owl Lady”) and her adorable demon roommate King. Despite not having magical abilities, Luz pursues her dream of becoming a witch by serving as Eda’s apprentice at the Owl House and ultimately finds a new family in an unlikely setting.
The second season, directly following the events of the first season finale, will follow the main protagonists working together to return Luz to the Human Realm, help Eda confront her inner demons, and search for the truth about King’s past while contending with the further plot of Emperor Belos.“
Be sure to check back here at Chip and Co. for updates and all things Disney Channel!
Winnie the Pooh and Piglet are joining the celebration for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary!
They will be joined by 50 characters as part of the “Disney Fab 50,” a new collection of golden sculptures debuting Oct. 1, 2021, across all four Walt Disney World theme parks as part of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” honoring the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort.
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto and Chip ‘n’ Dale will be part of a new collection of special golden character sculptures debuting Oct. 1st across the four Walt Disney World theme parks.
There will be 50 characters featured overall, and guests will be able to interact with the “Disney Fab 50” in surprising ways as part of the 50th-anniversary celebration.
During the magical celebration, which begins on Oct. 1st, you’ll be able to find these golden character sculptures throughout all four of the Resort’s parks. And leading up to their appearances, friends from around the Disney company will be announcing which characters you can expect to see.
You can also virtually “collect” each golden Disney character sculpture on Instagram. To add a sculpture to Instagram Collections, just tap and hold the bookmark icon. Then, on the “Save to” screen, tap the collection where you want to save the image or create a new collection. Happy hunting!
Be sure to look for Pooh and Piglet later this year!
Disneyland Paris is moving forward with their paid Fast Pass service called Disney Premier Access. The new paid service is expected to launch this summer, we are hearing that it will start at the beginning of August.
Here are more details on the Disney Premier Access and other Digital enhancements coming to Disneyland Paris.
Digital Services for an Elevated Guest Experience
Disneyland Paris is always looking at opportunities to leverage technology for an enhanced guest experience in an increasingly interconnected world. To that end, the Resort has taken advantage of its temporary closure to further develop digital features for an even more compelling, tailor-made and premium guest experience.
Starting with Resort Hotels, a new Online Check-in feature will allow guests to start registration from their phones and get a text message when their room is ready, a great way to reduce waiting time and enjoy all that the Resort has to offer. More tech features are available at Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel, such as Super Hero Station Mobile Booking which is available exclusively for guests staying at this hotel to reserve an epic moment with Spider-Man!
On the Disneyland Paris App, guests can soon test new features for an enhanced dining experience, such as a “Food Hub” which allows anyone to conveniently search and book Disney-operated restaurants based on useful criteria such as type of cuisine or meal plans accepted. With the app, guests can book and plan their culinary experience months in advance.
Looking ahead, the online registration system put in place last year is now here to stay. This system allows for better planning the level of service to help deliver the signature guest experience that Disneyland Paris is known for across every aspect of a guest’s visit, from attractions to dining to entertainment and more. To ensure admission, Guests must continue to register through the system and obtain a reservation for park entry along with their park ticket, prior to their arrival. Guests who already have a dated ticket or who bought a package that includes parks tickets and hotel stay will not need to use the registration system.
The complimentary Standby Pass which debuted on the Disneyland Paris App last October has also returned. Standby Pass allows guests to spend part of their wait time for select attractions outside of the physical queue line, although it does not provide immediate access to an attraction. This service can be activated during certain periods of the day, subject to availability and dependent on day-to-day needs in the parks. When activated, guests can use the Disneyland Paris App to book a time slot to enter the physical queue line of an attraction and return to stand in the queue at that time.
Additionally, as part of our ongoing commitment to provide guests with a range of options to optimize trip planning, guests can choose to purchase Disney Premier Access on the Disneyland Paris App when it launches this Summer. This optional digital service allows guests to enjoy the ability to skip the regular queue line for some of our most beloved attractions, including a mix of thrill rides, Disney classics, and experiences for the whole family. From anywhere inside the parks, guests can use the App to book an assigned time slot for select attractions, with prices at launch starting at 8€ per person per ride depending on the attraction and day of use. Guests without a smartphone can also purchase Disney Premier Access at select locations in the parks. By choosing Disney Premier Access, guests have the option for more flexibility in planning their day and will be able to spend even more time enjoying attractions, shows and so much more.
As we continue to assess many aspects of our business and make changes where they are needed for both the current environment and the future of our resort, the addition of Standby Pass and Disney Premier Access will provide alternative services for our guests and the previous FASTPASS service at Disneyland Paris will not be returning. We are always working to enhance our offerings and the way that our guests experience them based on valuable feedback for ongoing improvements across the resort.
On the latest additions to the Disneyland Paris App, Juliette Bron, Vice President Digital & Data says:
“We are always looking for ways to improve the guest experience. The return of Standby Pass, the introduction of Disney Premier Access and each new digital enhancement across our parks and hotels is part of our commitment to provide innovative products and services that take into consideration ongoing feedback and not only meet but exceed the expectations of our guests.
Guests expect seamless experiences more and more, and with technology’s evolution, we have an opportunity – and a responsibility – to match their expectations.”
These new services are just one part of a more dynamic, seamless guest experience designed to accommodate guests’ changing preferences and advancements in technology.
Enhanced Storytelling Through Digital Innovation
At Disneyland Paris, technology is ever-present in our most beloved attractions thanks to our Imagineers – a term coined by Walt Disney himself – who embody the innovation of Disney Parks, mastering emerging technologies to deliver immersive storytelling time and time again. Imagineers create the attractions of tomorrow using the latest in virtual reality and 4D design.
It’s no surprise that our latest attractions uphold this legacy.In Cars ROAD TRIP, guests are invited on an adventure into the world of Pixar’s Cars films along the idyllic Route 66, integrating GPS-triggered audio and visuals for seamless storytelling. This immersive approach follows in the footsteps of other tech-savvy rides, such as Ratatouille – The Adventure with its wireless autonomous vehicles, moving-eye point technology, and customized projections, or Star Tours: The Adventures Continue with its built-in jukebox functionality for a ride experience that is unique to each guest.
Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel is a great example of how new technologies can help Imagineers create the experiences of tomorrow. Long before construction began, several spaces were virtually remodeled at scale, allowing the creative teams to see and test what guests would experience in order to fine-tune every detail. This was the case for Skyline Bar, which offers a breathtaking view from a New York City skyscraper for a surreal look at the city that never sleeps, without the dizzying effects! Imagineers collaborated with Marvel partners to deliver more than 1.2 million frames of 4K resolution imagery on the nine, 86-inch monitors that create a seamless day-to-night view.
David Wilson, Vice President, Walt Disney Imagineering says:
“We are moving forward with a number of groundbreaking projects that will push the boundaries of innovation and storytelling even further. As we continue efforts to reinvent the overall guest experience, we are developing increasingly interconnected experiences for our guests which bring together the digital and physical worlds in a seamless way, creating new opportunities for immersive storytelling.”
Seamless Digital Experience for Cast Members
The resort continues to enhance the Cast Member experience from the very start with immersive training that brings together hands-on learning with engaging new digital tools. For example, Cast Members working at Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel learned all about the Marvel Universe and how it fits into this exciting new hotel experience by interacting with a virtual guide that responds to verbal and visual cues to guide them through a fun series of challenges. By working together, Cast learns everything there is to know about this one-of-a-kind hotel and how best to accompany guests throughout their entire stay for an unforgettable visit.
New structural work is being done on Tron Lightcycle Run in the Magic Kingdom. Excitement is building as Tron Lightcycle Run construction is entering a new phase. Blue netting is almost complete on the dome structure. This blue netting is a temporary cover while the main dome is being installed.
Now the show building itself has been reopened. It had been shut off from the outside during the pandemic and when work slowed down. Now with it being reopened, you can see where the track reenters the building through an archway at the top. The show building itself has been upgraded with work on the entranceway for guests, also what looks like an emergency exit on the backside. Check out the newest Tweet from @bioreconstruct.
Many travel restrictions have been put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. From not being able to travel to certain countries to having to be tested before returning to the US, there have been several changes to the way we travel. Now, according to Reuters, the US will not be lifting any travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 Delta variant.
The White House has confirmed that as of right now, all current travel restrictions will remain in place.
“Given where we are today … with the Delta variant, we will maintain existing travel restrictions at this point,” White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said yesterday. “Driven by the Delta variant, cases are rising here at home, particularly among those who are unvaccinated and appear likely continue to increase in the weeks ahead.”
Travelers hoping to visit the United States from other countries will have to wait a bit longer. Travel to the US is currently banned for most non-U.S. citizens who within the last 14 days have been in the United Kingdom, the 26 Schengen nations in Europe without internal border controls, or in Ireland, China, India, South Africa, Iran and Brazil.
Canada has said it will open its borders to fully vaccinated American tourists starting August 9, however, the U.S. Homeland Security Department has said the US land borders with Canada and Mexico will remain closed until at least August 21.
There’s no saying when these restrictions might be lifted. Stay tuned for more information and updates!
Disneyland suspended its Annual Passholder program earlier this year. Guests who had a current annual pass as of March of 2020 were able to keep some of their passholder perks, like discounts. Those passholders are now called Legacy Passholders. Originally the discounts were set to expire on July 30, 2021, but they can now be used through August 15, 2021.
The discounts were originally supposed to be offered until a new program was released. Disneyland will be replacing the Annual Passholder Program with some kind of membership program but no specific information has been announced. Maybe this new program will be launched in mid-August?
Are you a Legacy Passholder? What do you think about a new membership program coming to the Disneyland Resort?
For help with planning your next Disney vacation, contact me today! I am a travel agent specializing in Disney destinations and can help you plan a magical vacation at no extra cost to you!
New Jungle Cruise Photo Op is now available in Disney Springs. The Jungle Cruise movie, starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt will be released Friday, July 30th, 2021 on Disney + and at Theaters across the country. AMC Movies at Disney Springs 24 has tickets for presale as we write this.
As you enter Disney Springs in the Orange Garage side and head towards the AMC 24 on the left side is a new The Jungle Cruise Photo op. Featuring the Logo of the movie along with Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson posing on the famous Jungle Cruise boat. To take a great photo, there is a gap between the front logo with a giant jungle cat on the bow of the boat and the backdrop where the stars are posing.
On August 7 and August 14 Epcot will be opening an hour earlier. The park will be open from 10 am to 10 pm rather than the 11 am to 10 pm operating hours we’ve been seeing recently.
With the 10 am opening, rope drop will likely take place at 9:30 am. We’re hoping this is a sign of more early park hours for Epcot in the near future!
For help with planning your next Disney vacation, contact me today! I am a travel agent specializing in Disney destinations and can help you plan a magical vacation at no extra cost to you!
