As I write this next post from my bedroom during the COVID-19 shutdown, I’ve been inspired to write about another way to obtain some Disney magic without leaving your home: Disney’s new streaming service Disney+. Disney+ was originally announced in September 2017 and launched on November 12, 2019. Currently available in the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand, and will launch in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain on March 31, 2020.

Though its library of movies and TV series isn’t as large as that of Netflix or Hulu, Disney+ is the exclusive streaming home of a significant portion of Disney’s massive content archive, and is the only place to see new material like the live-action Star Wars series The Mandalorian, as well as upcoming content from Marvel Studios. It also hosts content from Pixar and National Geographic.

COURTESY OF DISNEY+

One of the most creative and fascinating ways Disney has incentivized viewers to purchase Disney+ is by directly tying in their original shows with their upcoming blockbuster films. On the current plan include seven live-action shows that tie directly into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In Falcon and Winter Soldier, Loki, WandaVision, and Hawkeye, big-screen stars like Elizabeth Olsen and Tom Hiddleston will reprise their MCU roles in shows that will directly affect Marvel’s big-screen adventures, including Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Falcon and Winter Soldier is set to launch in August 2020 and WandaVision will be released in December. The Marvel series start rolling out in fall 2020 and will release through 2022 (at least).

Not only is this great for business in drawing in fans of their series to purchase Disney+, viewers get even more screen time and story with their favorite characters and universes.

Disney+’s launch became one of 2019’s most culturally significant moments. Disney+ was 2019’s most commonly searched term on Google, beating out the iPhone 11 and Game of Thrones. App-tracking company Apptopia reported that by mid-December, Disney+ had already surpassed 22 million downloads.

Here’s the service from a price standpoint:

Disney+ costs $7 per month or $70 per year and comes with a 7-day free trial. However, Disney+ isn’t Disney’s only streaming service. Following its acquisition of 21st Century Fox, Disney also controls Hulu, and it offers a sports-focused service called ESPN+. For $13, you can get a bundle that includes all three services, saving you $5 a month. Programming is ad-free, and can be streamed over iOS devices, androids, gaming platforms, and most smart TV’s.

As of now, Disney+ is a powerhouse among streaming services, and is expected to grow immensely in the coming years. Originals offered currently like The Mandalorian and the 2019 remake of Lady and the Tramp are visually breathtaking, and classic favorites from the Disney Vault fit nicely alongside brand new projects, Having a central location for Disney media for someone like me is incredibly convenient and worth every penny.

As we prepare to take the remainder of the semester from our homes, I highly recommend taking the time to pull up your favorite Disney movie as a child, or have a family sing-along after dinner; times are hard for everyone, but maybe some Disney magic can bring some smiles for you and yours.

Disney. Waterfront at Disney Springs. 2020. “Armed Man Arrested After Attempting to Enter Disney Springs,” by Bailee Abell. Inside the Magic, Elite Cafemedia Lifestyle, insidethemagic.net/2020/01/armed-man-arrested-disney-springs-ba1/.

Disney Springs is arguably the hidden gem of Walt Disney World. This is truly somewhere you could spend an entire day at, shopping and eating your heart out. Throughout the years, Disney Springs has seen a lot of change, (previously 1975’s Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village, 1977’s Walt Disney World Village, 1989’s Disney Village Marketplace and 1997’s Downtown Disney). The focus of the area is to provide guests a beautiful location for gaining the Disney experience without having to pay for admission or for much of the entertainment. Parking is free, and busing is provided from many of the Disney Resorts, but non-Disney guests can visit as well with no hassle.

Disney Springs has over 50 food destinations, from candy shops, to walk-up windows, to full-service restaurants and everything in between. Food trucks, sit-down formal restaurants, quick services, and dinner with a show: there is something for everybody here. Personal favorites include House of Blues (American cuisine with a New Orleans twist), STK Orlando (upscale steakhouse with a modern vibe and DJ), T-REX (dino-themed eatery featuring creative cuisine and fun discovery zones and a Build-a-Dino), and Splitsville (an eat-in bowling alley). The best server I have ever had was at STK, and I have so many happy memories at these restaurants and more in Disney Springs. There are still many places that I hope to visit, so my favorites list might change.

Shopping in Disney Springs. “The ~Hoppin’~ Good Guide to Disney Springs,” by Mommy Frog, 2 Jan. 2020. Undercover Tourist, http://www.undercovertourist.com/blog/disney-springs/.

The other half of the coin is shopping. From stores selling direct Disney merchandise, shoppers will be pleased to find stores from fine jewelers, sportswear (from Under Armour, Pélé Soccer, etc.), and luxury items to please all members of the family.

For the men, Art of Shaving is a really neat shop to find grooming necessities and a personal spa for haircuts, facials, and custom treatments for male beauty. As my dad shopped, my mom and I smelled all of the cologne and aftershave – the shop smells SO GOOD and the men working there were really helpful for my dad. My mom and I however found paradise at Basin, a hub for bath, body, skincare, haircare, and gift items. Similar to LUSH, Basin has hundreds of types of bath bombs, hand and lip scrubs (which are life changing), soap bars (including lots of Disney- exclusive styles), a make-your-own-candle station, bath salts, and anything else you would need to have a perfect spa night. Other standout locations include Disney’s Candy Cauldron, the Savannah Bee Company, Kate Spade, Sephora, and the World of Disney, the largest Disney store on property.

While a day spent at Disney Springs might seem like a “day off” from park excitement, it is certainly not a free day of nothing. I love coming here; there isn’t the stress of rushing to a ride, waiting in 120 minute lines, or worrying about getting to your dinner reservation. All the fun and food is here!

Featured here is the link to the Disney Springs direct website which has the complete list of things to eat, see, do, and purchase. When planning your next trip to Walt Disney World, be sure to check reservations for dining here and set aside some spending funds for treating yourself and your loved ones.