Katman1356...Jason

I will have a longer review on my page most likely but here it is, and the buffet lovers may disagree/hate me for it. 
 
This was the best dinner I have had at Trails End in years. Sure I missed some minor elements (bread pudding) but the ability of the food was superior and it was hot and fresher than the buffet. Having it served vs. buffet was nice as well. Anything we wanted more of they were happy to bring. The andouille, brisket, rotisserie chicken, breads, and salad and really everything was great. 
 
I am not a fluff piece kind of person. I showed up expecting to be really disappointed or even hate it. Nothing could be further from the truth. 
 
if you have any questions on dinner ask away and I will try to answer them. 

I will have a longer review on my page most likely but here it is, and the buffet lovers may disagree/hate me for it. 
 
This was the best dinner I have had at Trails End in years. Sure I missed some minor elements (bread pudding) but the ability of the food was superior and it was hot and fresher than the buffet. Having it served vs. buffet was nice as well. Anything we wanted more of they were happy to bring. The andouille, brisket, rotisserie chicken, breads, and salad and really everything was great. 
 
I am not a fluff piece kind of person. I showed up expecting to be really disappointed or even hate it. Nothing could be further from the truth. 
 
if you have any questions on dinner ask away and I will try to answer them. 

As we continue to take a measured and deliberate approach to reopening our Disney Resort hotels, we are happy to share we will start accepting bookings on July 8, 2021 for: 
Disney’s All-Star Music Resort for arrivals beginning Sept. 16 Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside for arrivals beginning Oct. 14 Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter for arrivals beginning Oct. 28 Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort for arrivals beginning Dec. 9 We are excited to continue welcoming Guests to hotels that have recently opened, like Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, and are busy preparing Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for arrivals to begin on July 19 and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge on Aug. 26. 
With this news, all Walt Disney World Resort hotels will be open by the end of 2021 and we look forward to welcoming more Guests to the magic over the next several months!

Oh and even if you use a travel agent such as myself you still have control, we just do the tedious work of sitting on the phone with Disney for you. Yes any changes or payments have to go through us after we book for you but we work for you. At least I do. I try to respond to all of my clients in as quick of a timeframe as possible. 

Please remember I only share the news I get from Disney. This is all copy and pasted direct from the notification I just received.        Enjoy The Magic of Staying at a Disney Resort Hotel During Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary   We’re just 93 days away from “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” in honor of Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th anniversary, but who’s counting? As we near this special milestone, we are excited to bring you more details on new benefits coming to the Disney Resorts Collection as part of the celebration.   Just in time for the start of this magical celebration, on Oct. 1, we will be rolling out a new early theme park entry benefit for Disney Resort hotel guests and guests of other select hotels, giving them the first chance to enjoy select attractions at EVERY theme park, EVERY day. These guests will also be among the first each day to see the dazzling decorations and EARidescent excitement. Guests will need a valid ticket or pass and a theme park reservation for the same park on the same date for early theme park entry.   In addition, with the kickoff of the 50th anniversary, guests staying at one of our Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Disney Resort hotels will also be able to enjoy extended evening hours on select nights in select theme parks. Extended evening hours will begin in early October with specific dates and parks to be shared at a later time. Please note that guests will need a valid ticket or pass and a theme park reservation for the same park on the same day to experience extended evening hours. Or, guests may visit with a ticket or Annual Pass with the Park Hopper option as long as they entered their first park where they made their reservation earlier in the day. For both of these options, select attractions, merchandise and food and beverage locations will be available. Guests should be sure to also bring their MagicBand, Disney MagicMobile pass or Key to the World card linked to their stay, or another form of Resort ID.   Back at their Disney Resort hotel, Guests will enjoy even more magic! During the celebration, they can be on the lookout for surprise appearances by some favorite Disney pals like Goofy and Pluto, who will be dressed in their EARidescent best and dropping by to visit with guests across Walt Disney World Resort, including at Disney Resort hotels!   These new offerings will join a number of other great services available for Disney Resort hotel guests such as complimentary on-site transportation and the direct-to-room service available in the My Disney Experience app. We also recently revealed reimagined rooms coming to two of our original Disney Resort hotels that opened alongside Magic Kingdom Park in 1971: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Contemporary Resort!   Speaking of Disney Resort hotel stays, we know many of you are also wondering when Disney dining plan packages will return.
While we’re not quite ready to share an update on timing, we are planning to bring this guest-favorite option back at a later date. We will also continue to reopen more Resort offerings, including restaurants like ‘Ohana (with the noodles!).   With so much excitement in the air, we invite Guests to be our guest and stay in the magic during “The World’s Most Magical Celebration!”   *Please note that Disney Resort benefits are subject to change without notice.Enjoy The Magic of Staying at a Disney Resort Hotel During Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary

Please remember I only share the news I get from Disney. This is all copy and pasted direct from the notification I just received.        Enjoy The Magic of Staying at a Disney Resort Hotel During Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary   We’re just 93 days away from “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” in honor of Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th anniversary, but who’s counting? As we near this special milestone, we are excited to bring you more details on new benefits coming to the Disney Resorts Collection as part of the celebration.   Just in time for the start of this magical celebration, on Oct. 1, we will be rolling out a new early theme park entry benefit for Disney Resort hotel guests and guests of other select hotels, giving them the first chance to enjoy select attractions at EVERY theme park, EVERY day. These guests will also be among the first each day to see the dazzling decorations and EARidescent excitement. Guests will need a valid ticket or pass and a theme park reservation for the same park on the same date for early theme park entry.   In addition, with the kickoff of the 50th anniversary, guests staying at one of our Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Disney Resort hotels will also be able to enjoy extended evening hours on select nights in select theme parks. Extended evening hours will begin in early October with specific dates and parks to be shared at a later time. Please note that guests will need a valid ticket or pass and a theme park reservation for the same park on the same day to experience extended evening hours. Or, guests may visit with a ticket or Annual Pass with the Park Hopper option as long as they entered their first park where they made their reservation earlier in the day. For both of these options, select attractions, merchandise and food and beverage locations will be available. Guests should be sure to also bring their MagicBand, Disney MagicMobile pass or Key to the World card linked to their stay, or another form of Resort ID.   Back at their Disney Resort hotel, Guests will enjoy even more magic! During the celebration, they can be on the lookout for surprise appearances by some favorite Disney pals like Goofy and Pluto, who will be dressed in their EARidescent best and dropping by to visit with guests across Walt Disney World Resort, including at Disney Resort hotels!   These new offerings will join a number of other great services available for Disney Resort hotel guests such as complimentary on-site transportation and the direct-to-room service available in the My Disney Experience app. We also recently revealed reimagined rooms coming to two of our original Disney Resort hotels that opened alongside Magic Kingdom Park in 1971: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Contemporary Resort!   Speaking of Disney Resort hotel stays, we know many of you are also wondering when Disney dining plan packages will return.
While we’re not quite ready to share an update on timing, we are planning to bring this guest-favorite option back at a later date. We will also continue to reopen more Resort offerings, including restaurants like ‘Ohana (with the noodles!).   With so much excitement in the air, we invite Guests to be our guest and stay in the magic during “The World’s Most Magical Celebration!”   *Please note that Disney Resort benefits are subject to change without notice.Enjoy The Magic of Staying at a Disney Resort Hotel During Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary

This is not a drill!!! Trails End is reopening! And some other great food options like Caseys and Citricos.   This edition of Foodie News for Walt Disney World Resort covers lots of ground – everything from snacks to signature dining in parks, resorts, and Disney Springs. Check out all the tasty news!   Yee-haw! Trail’s End Restaurant at The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will reopen July 17 with hearty family-style skillets for breakfast and dinner. Guests can mosey on over to Fort Wilderness to start their morning with an oven-fresh pastry basket and berry granola yogurt parfait for the table, followed by a hearty family-style skillet with smoked brisket and eggs, bacon, sausage, and cheesy potato casserole. Of course, no breakfast is complete without Mickey waffles! Adults can sip on Moonshine Morning Cocktails – a Pioneer Mimosa with passion, orange, and guava juices and a Mountain Mary with moonshine.   Dinner at Trail’s End is a rootin’ tootin’ good time that starts with hushpuppies and skillet cornbread with a chopped garden salad for the table. The family-style Smokehouse Skillet comes with pecan-smoked brisket, rotisserie chicken, andouille sausage, fingerlings potatoes, green beans, and buttered corn on the cob. Pork spare ribs, peel n’ eat shrimp, and cornbread-crusted salmon are available as tasty add-ons to the meal.   But Guests should be sure to save room for the Covered Wagon Sundae – a wagon load of ice cream, toppings, brownies, cookies, and chocolate-covered bacon! Adults can even kick back with Moonshine Cocktails.   We’re so excited to announce Guests can now dine “underneath the lovely London sky” in the newly reimagined Cítricos at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, which pays homage to the whimsy and elegance of Mary Poppins Returns. Taking subtle cues from the movie’s animated sequence, the dining room brings Guests into a fanciful garden setting where they can “trip a little light fantastic” as they experience the restaurant surrounded by the glow from decorative lamps and chandeliers. Chef Andres Mendoza crafted a new menu with starters like Sweet Corn Bisque with pickled fennel, popcorn, and fennel oil and a colorful Strawberry Salad with chamomile-infused goat cheese, frisée lettuce, bacon vinaigrette, and spiced sunflower seeds.   Entrées include Butter-poached Florida Cobia with mashed fingerling potatoes, grilled asparagus, and local mushrooms with a grapefruit beurre blanc or a delicious Guava Barbequed Short Ribs with aged cheddar creamy grits, roasted poblano, curtido slaw, and Brussels sprouts.   For a sweet ending to Guests’ meals, Pastry Chef Kristine Farmer created some truly delicious and decadent desserts such as Warm Apple Rose with seasonal apple, marzipan layers, and frozen coconut milk and the Chocolate Torte, a dark chocolate financier, dark cherry compote, and vanilla bean mascarpone cream.   The wine and cocktail program, designed by Sommelier Israel Perez, is exceptional. For those who enjoy an elevated food and wine experience, the new and exclusive Sommelier Room at Cítricos will allow Israel and his team to source boutique wines that pair with special creations from Chef Andres. Cítricos will open on July 15, with bookings available on July 1.   Guests can get ready to hit their craving for hot dogs out of the park! Casey’s Corner on Main Street, U.S.A., will reopen June 30 with their classic all-beef hot dogs. Catch hold of a Chili-Cheese All-Beef Hot Dog or dig into a pile of Corn Dog Nuggets with, of course, cheese sauce. And the plant-based Loaded Slaw Dog (plant-based sausage topped with pickled slaw, barbecue vegan aïoli, and roasted corn relish), is back! The Frozen Mint Julep Lemonade is a refreshing homerun to go along with the hot dog. And don’t forget, mobile order is available at Casey’s Corner.   Guests can also get ready to treat themselves to hand-scooped ice cream at Plaza Ice Cream Parlor hosted by Edys. This oh-so-sweet nostalgic ice cream parlor on Main Street, U.S.A., will open July 7 with favorite flavors on a cone or in a cup – fat-free and no sugar added, as well as plant-based non-dairy options will be available. And more sweet news: Barq’s Root Beer Floats and Coca-Cola Floats are back! Not sure it can get much better than that!   Eight Spoons Café at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is now open and offers their delish Baked Macaroni & Cheese (with or without pulled pork). The exciting news – the Pulled Pork Jelly Donut Sandwich is back! YUM!   Dino Diner will reopen July 4, so Guests can grab a Dino-Rama Chili-Cheese Dog or a Corn Chip Pie. They can even get their churro fix at Dino Diner!   Salt & Straw, the popular scoop shop at Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort, is heading to Disney Springs next year! We will have more details over the next few months, so be sure to check back for the whole “scoop!”   We have a new summer offering the entire family will love starting June 30 – Disney Family Night Dinner. This playful, family-style dining bundle includes a take-out shareable meal, sweet treats, and an original card-type game inspired by some favorite Disney friends for Guests to enjoy.   Disney Family Night Dinner is available from 5-10 p.m. through mobile order and at the two resort locations offering this three-course takeaway meal that serves 3-4.
Centertown Market at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort: Roasted Jamaican-style Chicken Fried Yucca Cilantro Rice Seasonal Vegetables Caribbean Pull-apart Rolls with Onion Jam and Guava Butter Decorate-your-own Mickey and Minnie Cookies   Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa: Garden Salad – Tomato, cucumber, carrots, and a duo of dressings Savory Lasagna – Three cheese lasagna with tomato sauce Two Mickey-shaped Cheese or Pepperoni Pizzas Minnie Cheesecake with strawberry sauce, whipped cream, and fresh berries

Thanks for sharing!

I want my original steak back at Sebastiians. 

I will get to the area July 18th and I have a new lens and microphone for my DSLR to work on recording the shows. Looking forward to it. 

I will get to the area July 18th and I have a new lens and microphone for my DSLR to work on recording the shows. Looking forward to it. 

I will get to the area July 18th and I have a new lens and microphone for my DSLR to work on recording the shows. Looking forward to it. 

What could be more perfect this year than a summertime visit to a Disney theme park? As we continue to see more communities adjust and ease COVID-19 guidelines, there’s a new sense of optimism with many positive signs moving forward. We’re encouraged by it too, seeing more families making travel plans, friends dining out together more often and more Americans returning to work. And at Disney theme parks, we’re gradually bringing back more of our beloved park experiences. A Disney tradition since 1957, fireworks shows are what Walt Disney called the perfect “kiss goodnight” at the close of a magical day, and this summer the skies above Disney theme parks will sparkle with color once more. Beginning in July, just in time for the nation’s Independence Day celebrations, our incredibly popular nighttime fireworks spectaculars are returning to Disney parks!   At Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, July 1 marks the start of nightly fireworks performances at Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT. “Happily Ever After” will transform Cinderella Castle with lights, projections and pyrotechnics, as moments from favorite Disney stories encourage Guests to grab hold of their dreams and make them come true. And as part of the ongoing transformation of EPCOT, “EPCOT Forever” will produce a spectacle of fireworks, music and lighting effects over World Showcase Lagoon, highlighting the themes of innovation, exploration, imagination and celebration at the core of the park’s past, present and future.   As Disneyland Park in California welcomes back all guests, the fun starts July 4 with “Mickey’s Mix Magic” presented nightly throughout the summer. State-of-the-art projections, show lighting and lasers will transform Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle and the façade of “it’s a small world” into a dazzling, family fun dance party that goes sky high with fireworks to celebrate the leader of the club, Mickey Mouse.   If Guests simply can’t wait until their next visit to see some Disney fireworks, they can enjoy a virtual viewing of “Happily Ever After” right now with #DisneyMagicMoments at home. And stay tuned for opportunities to join us for upcoming live streams this summer!

Taken from a News Bulletin sent out to travel agents just a little while ago. 

 
Within our communities, we’re encouraged that COVID-19 guidelines have been adjusted and eased by public health and government officials, paving the path for many businesses and industries to take positive steps forward. 
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.  
Beginning June 15, you will start to notice the following changes:
FACE COVERINGS
Face coverings will be optional for fully vaccinated Guests in most areas. Face coverings will still be required of all Guests on Disney transportation, including Disney buses, monorails and Disney Skyliner. While we will not require proof of vaccination, we expect Guests who are not fully vaccinated to continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations, and upon entering and throughout all attractions and transportation. Guests must observe current policies on face coverings until June 15.
PHYSICAL DISTANCING
We will be relaxing physical distancing guidelines for Guests. This will be visible in places like queues, shops, restaurants, attraction boarding, transportation and our theaters. It’s important to remember that some experiences and entertainment may still be operating with limited capacity or may remain temporarily unavailable. We’re not quite ready to bring back everything yet, but we are optimistic and look forward to the day when Disney pals and princesses are able to hug once again. 
CLEANING
We will continue the high standards for cleanliness and sanitation we’ve always set for ourselves. Cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer stations will still be available.  
We encourage people to get vaccinated.

Taken from a News Bulletin sent out to travel agents just a little while ago. 

 
Within our communities, we’re encouraged that COVID-19 guidelines have been adjusted and eased by public health and government officials, paving the path for many businesses and industries to take positive steps forward. 
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.  
Beginning June 15, you will start to notice the following changes:
FACE COVERINGS
Face coverings will be optional for fully vaccinated Guests in most areas. Face coverings will still be required of all Guests on Disney transportation, including Disney buses, monorails and Disney Skyliner. While we will not require proof of vaccination, we expect Guests who are not fully vaccinated to continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations, and upon entering and throughout all attractions and transportation. Guests must observe current policies on face coverings until June 15.
PHYSICAL DISTANCING
We will be relaxing physical distancing guidelines for Guests. This will be visible in places like queues, shops, restaurants, attraction boarding, transportation and our theaters. It’s important to remember that some experiences and entertainment may still be operating with limited capacity or may remain temporarily unavailable. We’re not quite ready to bring back everything yet, but we are optimistic and look forward to the day when Disney pals and princesses are able to hug once again. 
CLEANING
We will continue the high standards for cleanliness and sanitation we’ve always set for ourselves. Cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer stations will still be available.  
We encourage people to get vaccinated.

FYI. doing some digging while stuck on hold this morning 9 booths it lokos arent opening till October 1. 

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/food-wine-marketplaces/

The EPCOT 2021 Food and Wine Festival has been announced.   Guests Can Treat Themselves to a Flavorful Journey at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Presented by CORKCICLE®, Beginning July 15   This summer, Guests can embark on a tasty tour across six continents at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE® at Walt Disney World Resort. This delicious celebration, which kicks off July 15 and runs through Nov. 20, features a full menu of new flavors and sips along with live entertainment, family activities and more. That’s 129 days of fun for the entire family!   Global Marketplaces will serve up a host of international flavors, including fan-favorite dishes from Hawai’i, Australia, Germany, Canada and Greece, as well as new spicy, savory and sweet plates to please Guests’ palate. We’ll have more details on specific menu items in an upcoming Foodie Guide, but there are new Global Marketplace concepts coming to Morocco, The American Adventure and throughout the park in July, with even more marketplaces opening in the fall.   CORKCICLE is the presenting sponsor for this year’s festival, and Guests can visit Shimmering Sips Global Marketplace and four other locations during the event to discover several sparkling beverage options available for purchase in an exclusive keepsake CORKCICLE premium beverage container.   Guests can also commemorate their visit and bring the culinary magic home with other official event merchandise created just for the festival, including apparel, home décor, trading pins and more.   Popular entertainment is back too, with performances by Voices of Liberty, Mariachi Cobre and Jammin’ Chefs. The festival will also open with America Gardens Bandstand presented by Florida Blue Medicare, a live-music concert series performed Friday through Monday evenings. Local bands from across Central Florida will take to the America Gardens Theatre stage, playing popular songs of yesterday and today.   For families, Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak will send kids of all ages on a savory scavenger hunt around the festival. Another way for families to have fun together is by participating in Emile’s Fromage Montage. Guests will find new ways to experience cheese when they purchase five participating dishes from select Global Marketplaces, including a passionfruit cheesecake with toasted macadamia nuts. Collect five stamps and scurry over to Shimmering Sips for a prize!   The festival is available with valid theme park admission and a park reservation for the same date.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/07/foodie-guide-to-2021-epcot-international-food-wine-festival-presented-by-corkcicle-opening-july-15/?CMP=SOC-DPFY21Q3wo0708210002A&fbclid=IwAR2VMqUSipwth16h0xRr3VOm4d8sSIHpRiIVMTJp5gjmAaSQqvvwqWL3BlY

Masks in out door common areas will now be optional. 
 
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/experience-updates/#drawer-card-faceCoverings

Come on Trails End!!

Since we are Halfway 2 Halloween, we’re spookily excited to announce a new Halloween-themed Disney After Hours event coming this fall to Magic Kingdom Park!
“Disney After Hours BOO BASH” will take place on select nights, Aug. 10-Oct. 31, from 9 p.m. to midnight*. Spooky festivities will include Halloween-themed cavalcades, character sightings throughout the park, special performances by the Cadaver Dans, décor, lighting, music, treat stops with plenty of candy and so much more!
“Disney After Hours BOO BASH” tickets will grant admission to Magic Kingdom Park as early as 7 p.m. without the need for a day park ticket or Disney Park Pass theme park reservation, giving Guests time to enjoy even more of their favorites. 
Guests young, old and immortal can dress in costume for the occasion and get their fill of Halloween candy. As an important reminder, costume masks are not permitted for adults; they can only be worn by children younger than 14. In addition, all Guests are required to wear approved face coverings during the event. Before Guests arrive, check our Know Before You Go page, DisneyTravelTradeInfo.com/WDW  and Costume Guidelines.
In case you aren’t familiar with Disney After Hours, it’s a special event that’s open to a limited number of Guests, after normal park operating hours. The experience offers low wait times at more than 20 attractions from classics like The Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain, to newer favorites like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. It’s a ghostly good time for all!
Tickets will go on sale next month, with an early purchase window available to Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Stay tuned for more details to come. We’ll share additional information about “Disney After Hours BOO BASH” as it becomes available, so keep checking for more tricks and treats.
*Some event nights in August and September will be from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

That is all the details so far. 

FROM News 6:
ORLANDO, Fla. – Disney World will phase at temperature screenings at the theme parks, according to its website.
https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2021/05/05/disney-world-to-phase-out-temperature-screenings-at-theme-parks/
 
 

Just saw that too.  Here's a link
https://www.wftv.com/news/local/orange-county/universal-orlando-eliminate-temperature-checks-reduce-social-distancing-3-feet-beginning-this-week/D5AFGYAZJ5HD3C7NGSE5DWN724/

I was just coming to post that. 

from the Disney Parks Blog...
 
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/05/more-exciting-dining-options-to-return-to-walt-disney-world-resort/?CMP=SOC-DPFY21Q3wo0429210087A&fbclid=IwAR1050ZGZoqeFJxDFBAYzqi2qOoFpZiIRHfXAzdNpoWIdUbPJJovGKg2ql8