Disney is finding ways to keep our lives magical during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the parks are closed, Disney has been presenting us with little surprises on social media since social distancing measures were introduced around the globe. We've had virtual parade viewings, as well as recipes for some of our favorite theme park snacks.
Earlier this week, we were blessed with the churro bites recipe, and now we have everyone's favorite: the Pineapple Dole Whip.
This Canadian kid's response to Disneyland closing is absolutely iconic - watch it below:
The frozen pineapple dessert was first introduced at Aloha Isle in the Adventureland section of the Magic Kingdom, and has since branched out into multiple areas at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. And luckily, the recipe is super simple! There are only three ingredients, and you probably already have them in your pantry at home.
Per PEOPLE, for one serving, blend together 1 scoop of ice cream, 4 oz. pineapple juice, and 2 cups frozen pineapple chunks in a blender until smooth, then recreate the iconic swirl. Enjoy!
Both Disneyland and Walt Disney World are closed indefinitely due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The company shared the announcement in a statement on their official Twitter, stating, "While there is still much uncertainty with respect to the impacts of COVID-19, the safety and well-being of our guests and employees remains The Walt Disney Company’s top priority."
And if a Pineapple Dole Whip doesn't happen to be your thing, why not rustle up some delicious churro bites? Get the recipe here, and make quarantine just that bit more delicious!
We are urging all of our readers to adhere to the advice from their respective governments and medical bodies, and practice social distancing and self-isolation where required. Together, we will beat this.
As restaurants have been forced to shut up shop, customers everywhere are having to come to terms with a world without their favorite treats. But, despite the gloomy situation, self-isolation doesn’t necessarily mean going without a tasty snack or two.
In response to the coronavirus crisis, many of the biggest names in the food industry are releasing their closest guarded secrets, advising their fans on how to recreate classic dishes in the comfort of their own home. Already, McDonald’s and Burger King have benefitted from disclosure. Now, Disney has decided to do the same, with one of their signature snack recipes.
In a post on the official Disney Parks Blog, company Food and Beverage Communications Coordinator Alex Dunlap revealed the hidden secrets of the organization’s famous Churro Bites. As he explained in the post:
“These past few weeks, we’ve seen many of you sharing Disney recipes and creating your very own magical moments right at home. Being a BIG fan of Disney Parks snacks myself, this has inspired us to share one of my favorite recipes so you can continue creating #DisneyMagicMoments.”
“While our parks are temporarily closed, you can still enjoy a delicious Disney churro – because you can make them yourself at home! This recipe is inspired by the delicious snack that can be found at all of our parks across the globe.”
The recipe itself is a deceptively simple way to achieve something delicious. As per the post, the only ingredients needed are water, butter, salt, cinnamon, flour, eggs, vegetable oil and sugar.
To bring it all together, simply bring water, butter, salt, and cinnamon to a rolling boil, before adding the flour - stirring vigorously until it forms a boil. After resting for five minutes, stir in your eggs before spooning the dough into a piping bag. Squirt small strips of the mixture into hot oil before frying, and once cooked, simply add a dusting of cinnamon and more sugar. It couldn’t be easier.
Obviously, much of the magic of a Disney churro comes from the surroundings. Nonetheless, as the recipe itself advises, creating magical moments at home is perhaps even more important, given everything that’s going on.
As a result of the global pandemic, businesses around the world were forced to close their doors as we all remained safely at home.
Now, along with people cutting their own hair and being forced to communicate with friends and family over Zoom, the lockdowns have also resulted in the world becoming a lot less magical.
Back in March, Disney was forced to close the gates of all of their theme parks in Florida, California, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Paris. As a result, thousands of families around the globe had their dreams of a Disney vacation dashed.
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There would be no Space Mountain, no character meets, and perhaps worst of all, no Disney treats shaped like Mickey Mouse's head.
Recognizing that fanatics would be missing their favorite park treats, Disney has since released recipes for a number of their signature snacks - including their famous churros, delicious dole whip, and delectable cookie fries.
Now, the Disney Parks Blog has released yet another official recipe in order to curb our Disney cravings. This time it is their iconic Mickey beignets!
As you can see, these are very popular among Disneyland fans.
The full directions for these warm and doughy treats can be found HERE.
The blog also wants users to keep in mind that the recipe "has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version."
Yesterday, Disney announced that all of its theme parks around the world will be closing their gates as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As well as keeping their theme parks in their Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Tokyo resorts shut, Disney announced that all theme parks in Paris, Orlando, and California would be closing temporarily.
Yesterday, a spokesperson for Disney announced in a statement:
"While there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 at Disneyland Resort, after carefully reviewing the guidelines of the Governor of California's executive order and in the best interest of our guests and employees, we are proceeding with the closure of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure."
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The shopping and dining district Downtown Disney will remain open.
Officials also said the California resort hotels will remain open until March 16 to allow guests to make travel arrangements.
But with the Disney parks currently mitigating a host of unforeseen issues, the Disneyland Resort in California has revealed that they will be donating all excess food to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.
Writing on the official Disney Parks blog, a statement from External Communications Manager Kyleigh Johnson read:
"The Disneyland Resort has an ongoing commitment to reducing food waste, and during the temporary closure of Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park will be donating excess food inventory to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.
"While closely following food safety guidelines, excess inventory of dairy, fruit, vegetables, packaged goods and banquet meals is being donated to Second Harvest Food Bank, whose mission is to end hunger in Orange County."
Johnson went on to reveal more about Disneyland's food donation program, as well as revealing how the park donated more than 20,00 meals to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County last year:
"Since 2014, the Disneyland Resort has operated a food donation program through which prepared, unserved food from select locations is regularly donated to support those in need within the local community. This program is in addition to the food scraps diversion program, which also supports our environmental efforts in reducing food waste.
"Last year, the Disneyland Resort donated over 20,000 meals to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County through the food donation program, and Disney VoluntEARS regularly volunteer there, supporting the mission of ending hunger."
One greatful comment on the post read: "A sincere thank you to the Disney Company for this action. A wise, and compassionate way to help less fortunate neighbors".
The closure of Disneyland in California means this is the fourth time that the iconic park has shut down since its opening on July 17, 1955.
The others were after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, after the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, and after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. The park remained open after Walt Disney's death.
Last week, the Walt Disney Company announced that it would be closing all of its theme parks around the world as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. From California to Florida, Hong Kong to Paris, thousands of vacationers have lost their magic.
But despite the thousands of lost smiles around the world, one eight-year-old Canadian boy has provided the world with an instantly iconic response when asked about the park closures.
While being interviewed by KTTV reporter Rick Lozano outside of the California park on March 13, Elias Sharf spoke candidly but reservedly about how he felt about his vacation being ruined by the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
Check out Elias' incredible response in the video below:
"It’s closing for the whole month and we come from Canada. Took a long trip to get here," a very calm Elias said, before taking a sip of his Starbucks drink.
Honestly, every time I see that child take a sip of his Starbucks, I see the face of my disappointed father whenever my brother and I would ruin a family trip.
After being shared on Twitter by LA Times sports columnist Arash Markazi on March 14, the youngster's restrained response has since been viewed more than 5 million times on the social media platform.
And the results to Elias' interview are just as hilarious:
In a statement last week, Disney announced that they would be closing the Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure at their California resort starting on March 14.
"While there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 at Disneyland Resort, after carefully reviewing the guidelines of the Governor of California's executive order and in the best interest of our guests and employees, we are proceeding with the closure of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure."
Officials also said the California resort hotels will remain open until March 16 to allow guests to make travel arrangements.
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This is the fourth time that Disneyland has shut down since its opening on July 17, 1955. The others were after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, after the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, and after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
In a second announcement just hours later, Disney officials revealed that the theme parks at its Florida Walt Disney World Resort will also be closing "until the end of the month".
In Paris, both the Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park will close, but like the other two locations, the shopping and dining district Disney Village will remain open, as will the resort hotels.
Per CNN, a Disney spokesperson said in a statement:
"In an abundance of caution and in the best interest of our guests and employees, we are proceeding with the closure of our theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Paris Resort, beginning at the close of business on Sunday, March 15, through the end of the month.
"Disney Cruise Line will suspend all new departures beginning Saturday, March 14, through the end of the month.
"The Walt Disney Company will pay its cast members during that closure period.
"The hotels at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris will remain open until further notice. The retail and dining complexes, Disney Springs at Walt Disney World and Disney Village at Disneyland Paris, will remain open.
"Domestic Walt Disney Company employees who are able to work from home are being asked to do so, including those at The Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Television, ESPN, Direct-to-Consumer, and Parks, Experiences and Products.
"We will continue to stay in close contact with appropriate officials and health experts."
Disney's parks in Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Shanghai have also extended their closures.
However, there is at least some good news to come out of all this.
With the Disney parks currently mitigating a host of unforeseen issues, the Disneyland Resort in California has revealed that they will be donating all excess food to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.
Writing on the official Disney Parks blog, a statement from External Communications Manager Kyleigh Johnson read:
"The Disneyland Resort has an ongoing commitment to reducing food waste, and during the temporary closure of Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park will be donating excess food inventory to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.
"While closely following food safety guidelines, excess inventory of dairy, fruit, vegetables, packaged goods and banquet meals is being donated to Second Harvest Food Bank, whose mission is to end hunger in Orange County."
Around the world, people are self-isolating in a bit to stop the spread of the coronavirus which was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation last week. It is a difficult time, especially for those with children, who are even more prone to boredom behind closed doors.
Now, in a bid to break that boredom, you can let your kids explore 360° POV rides of Disney attractions while the parks are closed.
Arnold Schwarzenegger feeds ponies while urging fans to stop going outside amid coronavirus:
Sure, it's not quite the real thing, but it's certainly a novel way of passing the time, and if your kids are on the younger side, they won't have to worry about height restrictions.
It's perfect if you're in the very unfortunate position of having booked a trip to a Dinsey park but been forced to cancel because of COVD-19.
These quarantined neighbors started an impromptu band in Spain:
So, how do you get riding? Well, it's all thanks to YouTube where previous visitors have uploaded POV videos of many rides including Space Mountain and It's A Small World.
There are literally hundreds of videos to choose from, so there's guaranteed to be at least a dozen your kids will enjoy, and many of them are 360° POV, giving them the chance to explore everything that the ride has to offer.
Check out this 360° POV of the Alice in Wonderland ride at Disneyland California:
So, while self-isolation is undoubtedly a difficult time, thanks to technology, we can keep our kids entertained. You can even make a day of it, and if possible, tell your kids they're going to Disney for the day and give them candyfloss and popcorn (if you're able to!).
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