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Oops!… I Did It Again. Just when I think I’ve seen enough, Loungefly goes and releases ANOTHER fabulous new collection that has me right back at my computer, ready to place an order. Loungefly bags in EPCOT This time, we’re shopping the brand-new Britney Spears Loungefly Collection. Yep, Loungefly X Britney Spears exists, people, and it’s fantastic. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Get the Britney Spears Outfits Large Card Holder ©Loungefly ALL of our favorite Britney eras are on display on this card holder. The design features appliques of Britney from her “Oops!…I Did It Again,” “…Baby One More Time,” and “I’m a Slave 4 U” music videos (which are ICONIC, by the way). There are four card slots and one zippered compartment for all your everyday essentials. View online This Britney Spears …Baby One More Time Cosplay Mini Backpack is SO good ©Loungefly Sing along — you know the words to Britney’s famous “…Baby One More Time” song. From the famous outfit to the pom-pom zipper charm, this is a NEED! If you turn the bag around, you’ll find “Hit Me, Baby, One More Time” written on the back. View online We love the Britney Spears Butterfly Tote Crossbody Bag with Coin Bag ©Loungefly This bag is SCREAMING early 2000s in the BEST way. Before we talk about the bag itself, we have to point out the sweet added detail — you also get an adjustable crossbody strap with a snakeskin print AND a snake-head coin bag! Plus, the tote bag has such a nostalgic blue butterfly print. We can’t get enough! View online Or, you can grab the Britney Spears Oops!… I Did It Again Crossbody Bag ©Loungefly The silhouette is instantly recognizable — Britney Spears is ROCKING the red in her “Oops!…I Did It Again” era. To match, the bag is bright red patent faux leather. There’s a fun detail on the back, too, but we won’t spoil it for you. Check it out online! View online We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Loungefly souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! Shop for More Disney Essentials on Our Amazon StorefrontThe post Oops!…I Did It Again. I Fell in LOVE With This NEW Britney Spears Loungefly Collection first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Well, it’s certainly been a busy week for Disney World, hasn’t it? Mickey Lemon Cookie We’ve been getting TONS of details about spooky season, most notably about Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, including dates and things you can expect at the parties this year. In fact, for some Disney World visitors, tickets are already on sale! Yep, we’re about halfway to Halloween, so it’s time to start planning for spooky fun. However, we’re going to come back to spring in Disney World to look at restaurant changes that happened this week. Let’s take a look at this week’s menu changes and updates at Disney World restaurants. Resort-Wide Starbucks Seasonal Offerings REMOVED: Lavender Oatmilk Latte, Iced Cherry Chai, Blackberry Sage Lemonade Refresher, and Midnight Drink ADDED: Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino for $6.75 ADDED: Summer-Berry Lemonade Refresher for $7.49 ADDED: Horchata Oatmilk Iced Shaken Espresso for $6.49 Starbucks at Creature Comforts EPCOT Popcorn at Canada Pavilion Snacks Popcorn – Souvenir Bucket changed from $13 to $14.25 Canada Popcorn Cart San Angel Inn Soups and Appetizers Sopa Azteca changed from $12 to $13 REMOVED: Chilaquiles Guacamole changed from $15 to $16 Totopos changed from $9 to $10 ADDED: Costillas de Elote — Corn ribs with queso fresco, chipotle aioli, and chili lime powder for $15 Entrees Pollo a Las Rajas changed from $32 to $33 Tacos changed from $34 to $35 Camarones a la Diabla changed from $32 to $33 Ensalada César changed from $18 to $20 Enchiladas de Pollo changed from $31 to $32 Baja Tacos de Pescado changed from $32 to $33 Pescado A La Veracruzana changed from $38 to $39 Desserts Brownie Sundae changed from $10 to $12 REMOVED: Sweet Corn Ice Cream ADDED: Helado de Palomitas — Sweet corn ice cream with popcorn and chile powder for $10 ADDED: Celebration Cake — Chocolate or Vanilla for $39 Signature Drinks & Margaritas La Cava Avocado description changed from “Tromba blanco tequila, melon liqueur, fresh avocado, lime juice, hibiscus salt rim” to “Flecha Azul blanco tequila, melon orange liqueur, fresh avocado, lime juice, hibiscus salt rim” and price changed from $18.50 to $19 El Diablo changed from $18 to $18.25 The Cucumber changed from $18 to $18.25 The Wild One changed from $18 to $19 Clásica description changed from “Centinela blanco tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, agave and salt rim” to “Contraluz reposado tequila, Alma Finca orange liqueur, lime juice, agave, salt rim” and price changed from $17 to $18 San Angel Inn Disney’s Animal Kingdom Nomad Lounge Specialty Cocktails Boto-Rita description changed from “Zignum Reposado Mezcal, Combier Grapefruit Liqueur, Guava Purée, and Lime Juice garnished with Pink Peppercorns” to “Los Siete Misterios Mezcal, Combier Grapefruit Rose, Guava Purée, and Lime Juice garnished with Pink Peppercorns” Nomad Lounge Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Sanaa Sunrise Spirits REMOVED: Sparkling Lavender Rosé Specialty Cocktails Painted Lemur description changed from “Amarula Fruit Cream Liqueur and Van der Hum Tangerine Liqueur from South Africa combined in a Chocolate-striped glass inspired by the distinctive striped tail of the Madagascar Lemur” to “Amarula Fruit Cream Liqueur and Tippler’s Orange Liqueur combined in a Chocolate-striped Glass inspired by the distinctive striped tail of the Madagascar Lemur African Starr Mojito description changed from “Starr African Rum, Van der Hum Tangerine Liqueur from South Africa, Fresh Lime Juice, and Mint” to “STARR African Rum, Tippler’s Orange Liqueur, Fresh Lime Juice, and Mint” Sanaa Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Backstretch Pool Bar ADDED: Calamansi-Mango Margarita — Teremana Blanco Tequila, Cointreau Liqueur, and flavors of Calamansi (Filipino Lime), Mango, and Orange with a Chili-Lime Rim. Featuring Teremana Small Batch Tequila, an AAPI-founded Business for $17.50 Backstretch Pool Bar Disney’s Old Key West Resort Good’s Food To Go Beverages ADDED: Freshly Brewed Joffrey’s Coffee Decaf for $4.29 Good’s Food to Go at Disney’s Old Key West Resort Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Kona Cafe Entrees REMOVED: Pan-seared Halibut Kona Cafe Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Gasparilla Island Grill Breakfast Plant-Based Plant-based Frittata — Spinach, Tomato, Mushroom, Onion, Pepper, Sriracha, “Mozzarella”, and “Egg” served with Fruit and Guacamole for $11.99 Chef Specialties REMOVED: Chicken Korean BBQ Bowl and Pulled Pork Korean BBQ Bowl ADDED: Barbacoa Bowl — Black Bean and Corn Salad, Lemon Rice, and Cilantro-Lime Sauce for $16.49 ADDED: Chicken Bowl — Black Bean and Corn Salad, Lemon Rice, and Cilantro-Lime Sauce for $14.49 ADDED: Tofu Bowl — Black Bean and Corn Salad, Lemon Rice, and Cilantro-Lime Sauce for $14.49 Sandwiches ADDED: Roast Beef Sandwich — Roast Beef, Horseradish Aïoli, Caramelized Onion Jam, Crispy Onions, Swiss Cheese, and Arugula on House-made Ciabatta for $13.99 Plant-Based REMOVED: Tofu Korean BBQ Bowl Desserts REMOVED: Raspberry Tart and Blueberry Custard Cupcake Gasparilla Island Grill Barefoot Pool Bar Non-Alcoholic Specialties ADDED: Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride — DOLE Pineapple Juice and White Cranberry Juice with a splash of Blue Curaçao Syrup topped with a Flower for $5.49 Barefoot Pool Bar Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Centertown Market Entrees REMOVED: Seasonal Berry Salad Centertown Market Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside Riverside Mill Food Court Salads REMOVED: Seasonal Berry Salad Riverside Mill Food Court Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Garden Grove Breakfast Entrees REMOVED: French Bread French Toast ADDED: Peaches & Cream French Toast — Challah Bread, Whipped Vanilla Bean Mascarpone, Caramelized Peaches, Powdered Sugar, Maple Syrup for $21 Garden Grove Disney’s Pop Century Resort Everything Pop Bakery REMOVED: Glazed Doughnut Holes with Chocolate Sauce Everything POP! Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Landscape of Flavors Entrees ADDED: Butter Chicken with Naan Bread — with Steamed Rice, Green Beans, and Naan Bread for $14.19 ADDED: Fish and Chips — Beer-battered Cod Fillets served with Tartar Sauce and French Fries for $12.99 ADDED: Chicken Adobo Nachos — Corn Tortilla Chips with Grilled Chicken Adobo, Avocado, Roasted Corn Pico, Zesty Cheese Sauce, and Cilantro-Lime Crema for $12.99 ADDED: Ramen Noodle Bowl with Beef — with Fresh Vegetables and Soft-boiled Egg in Miso Broth for $13.49 ADDED: Ramen Noodle Bowl with Chicken — with Fresh Vegetables and Soft-boiled Egg in Miso Broth for $12.49 ADDED: Ramen Noodle Bowl with “Meatballs” — with Fresh Vegetables and Soft-boiled Egg in Miso Broth for $12.99 Burgers and Chicken REMOVED: Land and Sea Burger, Southwest Style Turkey Burger, and Grilled Chicken Sandwich ADDED: Patty Melt — Beef Burger Patty with Swiss Cheese, Caramelized Onions, and Tangy Mustard Sauce on Rye Bread for $13.49 ADDED: Caprese Chicken Sandwich — with Mozzarella, Sun-dried Tomato Aïoli, and Arugula on a Brioche Bun for $13.19 Salads REMOVED: Seasonal Berry Salad Plant-Based REMOVED: Mediterranean Curry-Chickpea Salad Kid’s Meals ADDED: Sesame Chicken — Broccoli, Red Pepper, and Onion with Rice served with choice of two (2) Sides and Small Lowfat Milk or Small DASANI Bottled Water for $8.29 ADDED: Beef and Vegetable Stir-Fry — Served with Steamed Rice and Vegetables, choice of two (2) Sides, and Small Lowfat Milk or Small DASANI Bottled Water for $8.29 Desserts ADDED: Sketchbook Cake — Colorful Vanilla Sponge Cake, Vanilla Buttercream, Chocolate Ganache, and Edible Sketches for $6.79 Bakery REMOVED: Glazed Doughnut Holes with Chocolate Sauce ADDED: Mickey-shaped Lemon Cookie — No Sugar Added Lemon Cookie for $4.59 M&M’S Sugar Cookie changed from $4.29 to $3.99 Landscape of Flavors Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort World Premiere Food Court Entrees ADDED: Mediterranean Meatball Bowl — Harissa-spiced Impossible Meatballs, Couscous Salad, Tzatziki Sauce, Pickled Onions, and Cauliflower Pita Crisps for $12.79 ADDED: Chicken Adobo Nachos — Blue Corn Tortilla Chips with Grilled Chicken Adobo, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, Dried Cranberries, Roasted Corn Pico, and a Zesty Pumpkin-Cheese Sauce finished with a Cilantro-Lime Crema and Yellow Corn Tortilla Strips for $12.49 Burgers and Chicken REMOVED: Grilled Chicken Sandwich ADDED: Caprese Chicken Sandwich — with Mozzarella, Sun-dried Tomato Aïoli, and Arugula on a Brioche Bun for $13.19 Salads REMOVED: Seasonal Berry Salad Plant-Based REMOVED: Mediterranean Curry-Chickpea Salad Kid’s Meals ADDED: Sesame Chicken — Broccoli, Red Pepper, and Onion with Rice served with choice of two (2) Sides and Small Lowfat Milk or Small DASANI Bottled Water for $8.29 ADDED: Beef and Vegetable Stir-Fry — Served with Steamed Rice and Vegetables, choice of two (2) Sides, and Small Lowfat Milk or Small DASANI Bottled Water for $8.29 ADDED: Pasta with Meatball — Served with Marinara Sauce and choice of Small Lowfat Milk or Small DASANI Bottled Water for $7.49 Sides REMOVED: Cuban Fries ADDED: Black Garlic, Truffle, and Parmesan Fries — French Fries topped with Black Garlic-Truffle Aïoli and Parmesan for $6.49 Grab ‘n’ Go ADDED: Asian Noodle Salad — Soba Noodles and Vegetables for $10.49 ADDED: Couscous Salad — Soba Noodles and Vegetables for $7.99 Bakery REMOVED: Glazed Doughnut Holes with Chocolate Sauce World Premiere Food Court Disney’s All-Star Music Resort Intermission Food Court Burgers and Chicken REMOVED: Grilled Chicken Sandwich ADDED: Caprese Chicken Sandwich — with Mozzarella, Sun-dried Tomato Aïoli, and Arugula on a Brioche Bun for4 $13.19 Salads REMOVED: Seasonal Berry Salad Plant-Based REMOVED: Mediterranean Curry-Chickpea Salad Sides REMOVED: Street Corn Fries ADDED: Buffalo Fries — Ranch-seasoned French Fries drizzled with Buffalo-Ranch Sauce and Blue Cheese Dressing for $6.49 Kid’s Meals ADDED: Sesame Chicken — Broccoli, Red Pepper, and Onion with Rice served with choice of two (2) Sides and Small Lowfat Milk or Small DASANI Bottled Water for $8.29 ADDED: Beef and Vegetable Stir-Fry — Served with Steamed Rice and Vegetables, choice of two (2) Sides, and Small Lowfat Milk or Small DASANI Bottled Water for $8.29 ADDED: Pasta with Meatball — Served with Marinara Sauce and choice of Small Lowfat Milk or Small DASANI Bottled Water for $7.49 Grab ‘n’ Go ADDED: Asian Noodle Salad — Soba Noodles and Vegetables for $10.49 ADDED: Couscous Salad — Soba Noodles and Vegetables for $7.99 Bakery REMOVED: Glazed Doughnut Holes with Chocolate Sauce Intermission Food Court Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort End Zone Food Court Burgers and Chicken REMOVED: Grilled Chicken Sandwich ADDED: Caprese Chicken Sandwich — with Mozzarella, Sun-dried Tomato Aïoli, and Arugula on a Brioche Bun for4 $13.19 Salads REMOVED: Seasonal Berry Salad Plant-Based REMOVED: Mediterranean Curry-Chickpea Salad Sides REMOVED: Street Corn Fries ADDED: Black Garlic, Truffle, and Parmesan Fries — French Fries topped with Black Garlic-Truffle Aïoli and Parmesan for $6.49 Kid’s Meals ADDED: Sesame Chicken — Broccoli, Red Pepper, and Onion with Rice served with choice of two (2) Sides and Small Lowfat Milk or Small DASANI Bottled Water for $8.29 ADDED: Beef and Vegetable Stir-Fry — Served with Steamed Rice and Vegetables, choice of two (2) Sides, and Small Lowfat Milk or Small DASANI Bottled Water for $8.29 ADDED: Chicken Quesadilla — Grilled Flour Tortilla, Chicken, and Cheese served with Strawberry-flavored Yogurt Smoothie, Apple Slices, and choice of Small Lowfat Milk or Small DASANI Bottled Water for $7.79 ADDED: Pasta with Meatball — Served with Marinara Sauce and choice of Small Lowfat Milk or Small DASANI Bottled Water for $7.49 Bakery REMOVED: Glazed Doughnut Holes with Chocolate Sauce ADDED: Mickey-shaped Lemon Cookie — No Sugar Added Lemon Cookie for $4.59 Dessert ADDED: S’more Shake — Chocolate Shake with Graham Cracker and Toasted Marshmallow for $7.99 ADDED: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Sundae — Soft-serve, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and Chocolate Sauce for $7.79 ADDED: Minnie Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough — Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough with Ganache, Sprinkles, and Chocolate Décor for $6.79 End Zone Food Court Disney Springs Amorette’s Patisserie Limited Time Offerings REMOVED: Mother’s Day Petit Cake Amorette’s Patisserie The BOATHOUSE Raw Bar Jumbo Lump Crab and Avocado changed from $19.50 to $22 Sea & Shore Shrimp & Andouille Mac & Cheese changed from $26 to $28 Launch Oyster’s Rockefeller changed from $27 to $27.50 REMOVED: Whipped Edamame ADDED: Hummus — Tahini, Chili Oil, Crispy Chickpeas, Warm Pita Bread, Vegetables for $15 Dockside Classics Dockside Shrimp Boil changed from $26 to $27.50 Grilled Mahi Tacos changed from $24 to $26 Jumbo Lump Crab Cake changed from $33 to $34 Gibson’s Heritage Steaks Petite Filet Mignon changed from $51 to $54 New York Strip changed from $63 to $68 T-Bone changed from $67 to $73 Steak Enhancements (Menu Item) The BOATHOUSE Sides to Share Fresh Cut Fries changed from $10 to $11 Truffle Fries changed from $12 to $13.50 Baked Potato changed from $10 to $11 Red Potatoes changed from $10 to $11 Mac’ N Cheese changed from $12 to $13.50 Grilled Asparagus changed from $12 to $13.50 Roasted Jumbo Sweet Potato changed from $10 to $11 Baby Carrots & Broccolini changed from $10 to $11 La Dolce Vita Old Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake changed from $10 to $11 Blackberry Cheesecake changed from $10 to $11 Caramel Apple Bread Pudding $10 to $11 Key Lime Pie changed from $14 to $15 REMOVED: Triple Chocolate Layer Cake ADDED: 21 Layer Chocolate Cake — Dark Chocolate Mascarpone, Chocolate Ganache, Homers Vanilla Ice Cream (serves 2) for $26.50 Brunch Mains Shrimp and Grits changed from $19 to $20.50 Avocado Toast changed from $16 to $18 Steak and Eggs changed from $38.50 to $39.50 Chorizo Breakfast Tacos changed from $17 to $18 Crabcakes Benedict changed from $33.50 to $36 Boat Drinks Pearmosa changed from $9 to $10 REMOVED: Kir Royale and Aperol Spritz Boaters Sunrise changed from $10 to $13 BOATHOUSE Bloody Mary changed from $17 to $18 ADDED: Red or White Sangria for $13 ADDED: Dock of the Bay — Aperol, Empress Gin, Lemon Juice, Bisol Prosecco, Edible Orchid for $18 The BOATHOUSE The Polite Pig ADDED: Korean Style Pork Belly Bulgogi — Marinated in a rich bulgogi-style blend, then slow-smoked and tossed in a mouthwatering soy-ginger BBQ sauce and served with jasmine rice, baby bok choy, sesame seeds, and scallions ADDED: Toasted Coconut Cheesecake: Made with creamy condensed coconut milk, toasted coconut, and roasted macadamia nuts ADDED: HaleKulani — Bourbon, pineapple, orange juice, grenadine, simple syrup, and a dash of Angostura bitters The Polite Pig Disney World restaurant menu changes happen ALL the time. If you want to keep up before a trip, you can check those menus on the Disney World website or My Disney Experience app. We’ll also keep you updated on changes, so stay tuned to DFB for more. Disney dining changes are a lot to keep up with! We’ve done all the research for you in writing our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! We’ve got details on EVERY dining location at Walt Disney World inside our eBook – and it’s easy to download to your tablet or smartphone to take with you on your next trip. 3 Magic Kingdom Restaurants the Experts Refuse to Book Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Did your favorite Disney World restaurant change this week? Let us know what you think about the changes in the comments! The post San Angel Inn, Landscape of Flavors, and 23 More Disney World Restaurants CHANGED This Week first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s hard to believe, but it will soon be summer in Disney World. Halloween in Magic Kingdom In fact, it’s kind of hard to believe that August is really only a few months away. With August comes a LOT of things, including the beginning of Halloween season in Disney World and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. However, this August is going to be even busier than you might have imagined because a LOT is going on that day. So if you’re headed to Disney World on August 29th, here’s your heads up. EPCOT Food & Wine Festival The EPCOT Food and Wine Festival kicks off on Thursday, August 28th, but Friday, August 29th, is the first weekend of the festival, which means EPCOT could be pretty busy that day (and through the weekend). The EPCOT Food & Wine Festival is probably the most popular EPCOT festival, too, and a lot of folks will want to check it out as soon as they can. 2024 Food and Wine Festival So if you’re headed to EPCOT on that date, you might want to keep your patience on-hand and plan ahead for the festival! Everything We Know About the 2025 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival in Disney World Destination D23 Destination D23: A Journey Around the Worlds of Disney kicks off on August 29th and runs through August 31st at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Those attending the event can expect to see some behind-the-scenes stories, special guests, live performances, and more. You also get a sneak peek into the future of Disney, as well as get first access to exclusive shopping opportunities. We also expect this event to include presentations and announcements about the future of Disney movies and parks. ©Disney Disney has promised this year’s even will be “mark the biggest of its kind yet!” so expect things to get exciting starting on August 29th. Learn More About Destination D23 Halloween Horror Nights Over at Universal Orlando, Halloween Horror Nights kicks off starting on August 29th. The event runs through November 2nd. A lot of Disney fans will head on over to Universal to be TERRIFIED (yes, this is NOT Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, this is the SCARY Halloween Party) all in the name of fun. Universal Orlando HHN This is a VERY popular event and tickets go fast, so if you’re interested in attending, especially on that first night, keep an eye out for when tickets go on sale. DATES ANNOUNCED for 2025 Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando So, yep, August 29th is going to be a popular night in Disney World — and Universal Orlando — so make sure you prepare ahead of time. Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation. Stay tuned to DFB for more. 3 NEW Additions Confirmed for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in Disney World DON'T DO IT ALONE! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you GET MORE INFO Will you be in Disney World on August 29th? Let us know in the comments! The post Why August 29th Is a HUGE DEAL for Disney Fans first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There’s something so fun about placing an order for a new park bag before your next Disney vacation. There’s the anticipation you feel as your order is shipped…the excitement of unboxing your new bag, and even the thrill of knowing you’ve got a SWEET trip on the way. Name a better feeling. We’ll wait! Welcome to Disney World! One of the hardest parts about buying a new Disney park bag is deciding what to order! But don’t worry — we’re here to help. Come with us to see the NEW Disney Loungefly bags available online now. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Get the Disney Dogs & Cats Floral Faux Denim Fringe Mini Backpack ©Loungefly Denim is so back! We love the embroidered floral details seen here – the bag has illustrations of your favorite Disney dogs and cats! Plus, there is some fun fringe detail around the front pocket and on the straps. Between the fabric, flowers, and fringe, this bag has a fun boho style! View online This Disney Dogs & Cats Faux Denim Mini Backpack is gonna be popular ©Loungefly Calling all animal lovers — this is the bag for you! The fabric is a faux denim with all the adorable Disney cats and dogs printed around the bag. The design is simple and subtle enough to match any outfit! View online We love the Mickey Mouse All-Over Print Plush Burnout Mini Backpack ©Loungefly Talk about a pop of color! We love this fun red bag, and this cute mini backpack is made of faux leather and terry cloth. You’ll see subtle little Mickey head silhouettes in the material, too, to create a fun Disney-inspired pattern on the bag. If you want to give your theme park outfit a jolt of energy, this is the way to do it! View online Or, you can grab this Stitch Embroidered Woven Drawstring Mini Backpack ©Loungefly We just KNOW that the new Lilo & Stitch movie is gonna be a hit this summer. Want to show off your love of the mischievous little blue alien? Pre-order this new bag! This mini backpack includes a molded metal charm of Stitch with embroidered floral details. View online See the new Monsters, Inc. Exclusive Boo Costume Sequin Mini Backpack ©Loungefly BOO! Now THIS is a fun little bag! Disney is about to get a whole lot COOLER when a new Monsters, INC. land arrives at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and this bag is just what you need to wear when teh land opens. View online We also spotted a Monsters, Inc. Sulley, Mike, & Randall Triple Pocket Mini Backpack ©Loungefly But wait — there’s MORE! All of our favorite characters are featured on this new backpack, complete with fuzzy fabric, silver accents, and plenty of pockets for storage. Get it before it sells out! View online Don’t forget the Ratatouille Remy Grape & Strawberry Scented Mini Backpack ©Loungefly That’s right — it’s SCENTED! Chef Remy would SO approve! Wear this bag to EPCOT or Disneyland Paris and show off your love of FOOD! Remy even spins on a rivet. How fun! View online We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! Shop for More Disney Essentials on Our Amazon StorefrontThe post Disney Just Released a Bunch of NEW Loungefly Bags Online first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

After you’ve been to Disney World a few times, there are a few vacation “rules” you start to follow. Some are practical (rope drop is essential), some are culinary (DOLE Whip is non-negotiable), and some are technological (shoutout to Disney tech like MagicBands for making our lives easier). But what if we told you that some of the most common MagicBand “rules” are actually costing you money and convenience? Magic Kingdom As Disney World’s technology has evolved, so should our approach to wearable devices. Whether you’re planning your first visit or your fifteenth trip, here are three MagicBand rules that savvy Disney experts know to break. Rule #1 to Break: “You Need to Buy a New MagicBand” Perhaps the most unnecessary expense in Disney planning is the belief that you need a fresh MagicBand for each trip. Your old MagicBands still work perfectly fine! The original MagicBand and MagicBand 2 have batteries that typically last a few years (we estimate 2-3 years in our experience), and even after the battery dies, the passive RFID chip still works for basic functions like park entry and Lightning Lane access. That means you can keep scanning into the park with your old MagicBand for a while! The Band Concert Magicband (OLD design) If you’re determined to expand your MagicBand collection, consider these money-saving strategies: If you’re a resort guest, pre-order MagicBands at discounted prices (we’ve seen MagicBands available for as little as $25!) Check Disney Character Warehouse outlet stores near Orlando for discounted MagicBands Rule #2 to Break: “Always Buy the Latest MagicBand+” When Disney released MagicBand+ in 2022, it seemed like the obvious upgrade — more features, more interactivity, more magic! But many of us who eagerly purchased them have found ourselves wondering if the “plus” is worth the additional cost and hassle. Tron Lightcycle / Run MagicBand+ Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: battery life. While traditional MagicBands can last several years without charging, a MagicBand+ needs to be charged pretty often. A full charge can typically last between one and one and a half days, so we recommend charging it each night when you get back to your hotel. That means adding yet another device to your nightly charging routine during vacation. Nothing says “relaxing getaway” like hunting for an available outlet in your hotel room, right? MagicBand+ The price difference is also substantial: MagicBand+: $34.99 for solid colors, $44.99+ for specialty designs Original MagicBand 2: $19.99-$24.99 (though Disney does not sell these anymore on the Disney Store website) So what do you get for that premium? MagicBand+ vibrates and lights up during nighttime spectaculars and offers interactive features like the Batuu Bounty Hunters game in Galaxy’s Edge. But many people feel like these features are pretty subtle and certainly don’t justify the extra cost and charging headaches. You can interact with the statues in the Magic Kingdom Hub Consider sticking with a standard MagicBand if: You dislike having another device to charge on vacation You’re not particularly interested in the Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters game You prefer minimal technology interaction during your vacation You’re traveling with a family (those price differences add up quickly!) Rule #3 to Break: “Everyone Needs a MagicBand” Disney (and the people around you) might make you believe that MagicBands are essential to the Disney World experience. Those colorful wristbands have become almost as iconic as Mickey ears for many visitors. But here’s the insider truth: with recent technological advances, MagicBands are completely optional. MagicBand+ The My Disney Experience app with MagicMobile service now offers nearly identical functionality: Park entry Lightning Lane and virtual queue access PhotoPass service Resort hotel charging MagicBands might not be worth the investment if you’re: Visiting for just 1-2 days Tech-savvy and comfortable using your smartphone Not staying at a Disney resort Trying to stick to a budget (MagicBands start at $35) That said, there are still some functions where physical MagicBands edge out the digital version. MagicBands offer more reliable room key access (the My Disney Experience app’s “Unlock Door” feature works about 75-85% of the time), resort parking gate access, automatic ride photo linking without having Bluetooth enabled, and locker access at TRON Lightcycle / Run. Lockers at TRON: Lightcycle / Run The bottom line? If you’re primarily visiting the parks and not staying on property, you can probably skip the MagicBand altogether and save that money for an extra DOLE Whip or two. By breaking these unwritten “rules” about MagicBands, you can save money while still enjoying all the convenience of a well-planned Disney World vacation. Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation. I Lost My MagicBand Charger, and I was Shocked When Disney World Cast Members Told Me THIS Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Do you have a MagicBand+? Let us know in the comments! The post Three Disney World MagicBand Rules You Should Break first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Summer here and we’re ready to feel the heat on our feet the best way we know how — with Crocs! Eeyore fans will love this! Two new sets of Crocs have hit the shops, and to say we’re obsessed with an understatement. These are for the Wayfinders and Hundred Acre Woods lovers! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Check out these Moana Crocs! ©Amazon These are for the little ones and are covered with Moana details. From Pua and Moana and even her necklace, these Crocs are themed to the max and are in the tans and pinks of the chief herself. ©Amazon The back of the shoes say, “The ocean chose you,” with the movie logo on the back and the patterning of Moana’s skirt along the edges. They’re perfect for summer. SHOP ONLINE How about these Eeyore Crocs? Hey Eeyore! Talk about cute! The whole shoe looks like Eeyore! It has his floppy ears and even his tail on the back that looks like it’s being held by a button (but don’t worry—these won’t fall off!). So many details All the little details on these shoes really bring Eeyore alive. From his nose, eyes, little tuft of hair, and even his name on the back, we’re ready to wear these to The Crystal Palace and meet Eeyore himself. SHOP ONLINE We can’t decide which ones we like better, so we’re going to have to get both and wear them all summer long. Keep following Disney Food Blog for more of our favorite merchandise finds. Like what you’re seeing and looking for more? Check out our Amazon Storefront for more!The post TWO New Pairs of Crocs Just Dropped Online, and ALL Disney Fans Need To See Them first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You’re gonna want to hit the ground running, but trust us — don’t start here. Super Nintendo World Super Nintendo World is one of the hot-ticket lands at Universal’s new Epic Universe park in Orlando, and it’s going to blow your kid’s mind. Between Mario Kart, Power-Up Bands, interactive games, and just the sheer colors of it all, this place is one of the most immersive and exciting areas in the whole park. But if you’re not careful with your timing, you might end up dealing with a full-on meltdown when it’s time to move on — and that’s the major mistake we’re begging you not to make. Going to Super Nintendo World FIRST Thing in the Morning We know. The second those park gates open, your kids (or you — no judgment) will probably be ready to sprint straight to the green warp pipe and jump headfirst into Mario’s world. But let’s hit pause for a second. Portal Entrance to Super Nintendo World Here’s the thing: if you take your kids to Super Nintendo World first thing in the morning, you’ve basically just set your entire day up to be one long negotiation to not leave. This land is designed to suck you in. It’s interactive, it’s loud, it’s game-based, and it’s a kid’s dream come true. Super Nintendo World And once they’re in, they’re not gonna want to go explore the rest of the park. No other land is going to measure up in their eyes. You’re going to be in a position where you’re either spending the entire day here (which may not be the most efficient or strategic park plan) or dragging them out kicking and screaming (which is not a vibe). Super Nintendo World with a glimpse at Toadstool Cafe Instead, consider saving Super Nintendo World for the end of your day. Let the other four portals in Epic Universe have their moment — How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, Celestial Park, Dark Universe, and the Wizarding World are all impressive in their own right and totally worth exploring. Plus, if you hit up those lands earlier in the day while the excitement is fresh, you can save the big reward — Mario, Peach, Yoshi, the whole gang— for later. It gives you something to look forward to, and there’s a good chance crowds may thin out a bit later in the day once the initial rush dies down. A Land That’s Built for Deep Engagement Another reason to hold off on Super Nintendo World until later: this isn’t just a walk-through-it-and-move-on type of place. The entire land is built for interactivity. There are Power-Up Bands that let you collect coins and complete mini-games, hidden secrets all over the place, and layered storytelling that keeps kids (and let’s be real, plenty of adults) completely engrossed. It’s not just one or two rides and out. You’ll be in there a while. Bowser’s Challenge! So if you go first thing, you’re essentially starting your day with the deepest, most time-consuming land in the park. That makes it really hard to stick to any kind of itinerary or see the rest of Epic Universe without feeling rushed or frazzled. Use It as Your Grand Finale Look, we’re not saying don’t go. You should go. It’s going to be an absolute must-do. But treat it like dessert. Let your kids know from the beginning of the day that Super Nintendo World is the last stop — and make it something to work toward. That way, you don’t blow your energy (and their patience) right out of the gate. Super Nintendo World As a bonus, you might actually enjoy it more when you’re not jostling through peak morning crowds, and you’ll be able to take your time without worrying about the rest of your checklist. Mario and Luigi! We’re all about helping you plan a smarter trip, so trust us on this one: don’t start your day in Super Nintendo World. Save it for the end, and thank us later. We’ll be covering even MORE Epic Universe stuff, so stay tuned to DFB for more. Read more: DFB's complete guide to Universal’s Epic Universe >> What are you most excited about in Epic Universe? Let us know in the comments! The post The MAJOR MISTAKE You'll Make in Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are so many hotel choices for your Disney World vacation that it can be hard to choose which one is perfect for your family. Conrad Orlando We just had a special tour of the Conrad Orlando, so we can give you all the details and help you decide if this is the resort for you. The Conrad Orlando is a Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel, which means you get Disney World perks without staying at a Disney resort. There is complimentary transportation to the theme parks, the chance to purchase advanced tickets, and even a grab-and-go breakfast to take with you while you head on your bus to the theme parks. Little Spoon There’s so much to do at the resort, too! With pools, two golf courses, and arrival and departure lounges, you’ll love taking a break from the parks and spending time at the resort. There’s even a STEM-based kids club! They talk about the Everglades, use microscopes, and even have two baby alligators. The pool For the pools, there are poolside cabanas and a splash pad area for everyone to enjoy. We loved seeing the spa and wellness rooms and learning how they use sustainability initiatives and even sell a local skincare line. Cabanas We headed to Apero, the bar on the property, which is debuting five new cocktails. One of those cocktails is a charity drink that changes monthly. They offered a Mental Health Awareness Month drink made with butterfly peas because butterflies symbolize Mental Health Awareness. Stunning drinks! Another drink we tried is the Apero, named after the bar, a take on a Mojito. It was mint forward and reminded us of a Mojito and a margarita merged together. We loved it! There are also alcohol-free options. The menu Sophia’s Trattoria, the restaurant on the property, welcomed us to try two different dishes, including the Arancini and bay scallop crudo. Food options The Conrad Orlando is a Hilton-managed property, so you can book directly through the Hilton website and use and earn points. For Hilton Honors, there’s even a chance to save up to 17% off the Best Available Rate by booking in advance. Are you going to stay at The Conrad during your next visit? Tell us your thoughts in the comments and keep following Disney Food Blog for everything you need to know before your next vacation. WHY PEOPLE AREN’T STAYING AT DISNEY WORLD RESORTS Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Hilton to attend their media preview of The Conrad Orlando. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ The post This Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel Is Taking Luxury to the Next Level first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Something BIG is happening over in Disneyland. Disneyland is celebrating its 70th Anniversary, and the party has already started and will last through summer 2026. We’ve seen a lot of celebrating, too, with the World of Color Happiness show, the return of the Paint The Night parade, new merchandise, ride updates, and so much more. However, more importantly, the celebration is bringing NEW food — and well, you know, that is OUR THING. So let’s check out seven of the new Disneyland 70th Anniversary Celebration snacks. Okay, we’re starting with the CLASSIC Jolly Holiday Bakery, which often makes some of our favorite treats in the park! For the 70th, the Matterhorn Macaroon (which we’re already big fans of) is becoming the Celebration Matterhorn Macaroon, a Coconut Macaroon dipped in White Chocolate and Sprinkles for $8.29. Okay, so you can’t go wrong with this snack — it tastes like a delicious coconut donut. The white chocolate on top adds a nice touch of sweetness. Plus the celebratory sprinkles are fun! Celebration Matterhorn Macaroon We also tried the Strawberry Shortcake Macaron (not to be confused with the macarOON) with Vanilla Bean Buttercream, Strawberry Jam and Fresh Strawberry, with Strawberry Whipped Topping, and Strawberry Crunch for $8.29. First up, this is the most gorgeous treat we’ve seen in a while. LOOK AT IT. The macaron shell on top is perfectly baked, while the buttercream and strawberry filling add a refreshing real strawberry taste to the whole. The cake on bottom is beautifully moist. This is going to be our go-to summer treat. Strawberry Shortcake Macaron Then there’s the Mickey Hat Cookie, which looks JUST like a Mickey hat. This cookie is dipped in Black Chocolate with a Chocolate Decoration and costs $6.79. The cookie is a traditional shortbread sugar cookie — it’s moist and dense without being too hard to bite or break. There’s also a hint of vanilla or almond taste, too. The chocolate is a thin layer, so the cookie can shine with just a hint of additional flavor. Now, there are better treats to get here, but this is still a solid choice if you have a sweet tooth. Mickey Hat Cookie Okay, we’re done at Jolly Holiday, so we’re making our way over to New Orleans Square to Tiana’s Palace. There’s a House-filled Celebration Beignet for $5.99 that’s filled with Raspberry Mousse with a Buttercream Glaze and Edible Candle and Sprinkles. Word of warning — the beignets here tend to disappoint us, especially when you can get a delicious Mickey beignet right next door at Mint Julep Bar. House-Filled Celebration Beignet This beignet is pretty much on par with the previous ones we’ve had here, and that’s not saying much. First, it tastes artificial. Second, it’s not even a traditional beignet (you’re really letting Tiana down here, Disney). The blue frosting turned us into a Smurf, and the strawberry filling tastes fake. There’s also very little filling, and LOOK at the inside of this thing. Where’s the traditional beignet fluffiness? It’s just not there. This is not a real beignet, and you can’t convince us otherwise. This is NOT a proper beignet Okay, we need to get away from here and head to Adventureland to Tropical Hideaway. Here you can get the Pineapple Upside Down Sundae, made with DOLE Whip Pineapple, Caramel Drizzle, and Pineapple Upside-down Cake, topped with a Maraschino Cherry for $8.49. This is basically the sundae version of the DOLE whip float. There are tons of caramelized pineapple chunks and cake pieces, but y’all, it is SOGGY. And that soggy cake mixture just kinda ruins the whole thing for us. The flavors are great, but skip the cake. Pineapple upside down sundae Okay, that’s enough sweets for now because our dentist is about to be very angry with us. So let’s try something savory. Over in Frontierland, The Golden Horseshoe is offering Cowboy Fries for $13.99 made with Fries, Nacho Cheese, Sautéed Ground Beef, Burger Sauce, and Butter Pickles. Basically, this is a deconstructed cheeseburger and fries, and WE ARE HERE FOR IT. It’s a snack, sure, but it also makes for a filling meal. The beef is flavored well, the cheese and burger sauce work so well together, and the butter pickles added a nice touch of sweetness. The shoestring fries were also the perfect choice for this. Cowboy Fries Okay, one more sweet snack, but it’s totally okay because it’s a churro, and you can’t NOT go to Disneyland without having a churro. We grabbed the 70th Celebration Churro, which is available at many of the churro carts. For $7.50, you get a Classic Churro rolled in Ube Sugar and topped with marbled Blue Raspberry Icing Drizzle and Sprinkles. 70th Celebration Churro Y’all…this could be one of our fave specialty churros. The flavors work so well together with the sweet and salty ube and the sweet and tart raspberry icing. Yes, it turned our mouth purple, but that’s a small price to pay for deliciousness. Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation. We’ll be keeping an eye out for more 70th Anniversary Celebration snacks in Disneyland, so stay tuned to DFB for more. FULL LIST: NEW and Returning Disney Parades, Fireworks, and Characters Just Arrived at Disneyland Resort Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Will you be in Disneyland for the 70th Anniversary Celebration? Which of these snacks is on your “must try” list? The post REVIEW: We Just Found Our FAVORITE Disney Churro Plus 6 Exclusive NEW Snacks! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There is no shortage of dining options at Disney World. There are options for just about anyone, but we don’t want you wasting your time and money on bad food. We have eaten everywhere in Disney World, and we aren’t stopping there! We are constantly trying new food and revisiting locations to make sure you have the most up to date information about dining at Disney World. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge We recently stopped by The Mara at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to see whether it is worth a stop. We are bringing you our FULL review, so don’t go anywhere. Is it worth a stop on your next trip to Disney World? Find out here! Atmosphere Today, we are heading over to The Mara located inside of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. This quick service location is named after the Masai Mara National Reserve in Africa. Inside, you will find a taste of Africa, as well as some American favorites. The Mara The Mara is located near Boma and Jiko — The Cooking Place. Just head out the doors between the two restaurants, hang a left, and then your next stop will be The Mara. It is next to the Uzima Springs pool area, so it could be a great option if you are enjoying a day by the pool. One of the really cool parts about The Mara is that you can actually find some of the offerings from Boma on the menu, including Zebra Domes and Butternut Squash Soup. The Mara You can stop by for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and enjoy your food inside or head out to a small area offering tables outside. Of course, you can also take the food to go and head poolside or bring it back to your room! There are a multitude of tables available inside… The Mara seating …as well as a few tables with umbrellas outside. Outside seating When you first walk in, you will be greeted by a tree mural of the acacia tree adorning the entrance, and you will also spot animal murals encompassing the walls behind the seating. Aren’t they fun? Like most quick-service restaurants, you head to the ordering area to grab your food. The Mara is set up like a food court, with a variety of food stations. The Mara There are also coolers with grab-and-go options. Grab and Go Options You will also find a section for grab-and-go snacks, where you can pick up a bottle of wine. You can grab snacks and wine! Plus, there is a bakery section to grab a sweet treat. If you are looking for the famous Zebra Domes, though, you will find them in the refrigerated grab-and-go section. Bakery Section Once you have all your food items, you can head to the check-out counter to pay and then choose your favorite seat. We are stopping by for a late lunch (or early dinner if you prefer), so let’s take a look at what’s on the menu here! Menu Let’s start off with a variety of entrees, including a Harissa-spiced Beef Bowl and a Tamarind Barbecue Pork Sandwich. ©Disney You can also grab a cheese or pepperoni flatbread, or the Fire-roasted Tomato and Herbed Ricotta Flatbread. Additionally, there are options for cold sandwiches, salads, and plant-based options. ©Disney You can also grab French Fries of Butternut Squash Soup as a side. There are also some options for the kiddos, too! ©Disney There are also plenty of desserts to choose from, including The Mara Cupcake and ZEBRA DOMES! ©Disney The Mara also offers some fresh fruit and a variety of snack options. ©Disney Can’t forget about the drinks! You can choose from various beverages like fountain drinks or bottled soda. ©Disney There are also specialty coffees and hot beverages available. ©Disney Or, if you are looking for something with some alcohol, you will find a variety of beer… ©Disney …as well as wine. ©Disney And there are even some cocktails, like a Passion Fruit, Orange, and Guava Frozen Slush with rum or vodka. ©Disney And now, onto the main event — the food! Eats First up, we grabbed the Oak-grilled Chicken Bowl for $13.29. It is marinated chicken thighs, pilau rice, kale slaw, cucumber-tomato salad, and chermoula sour cream. The chicken was juicy and tender. While it didn’t have a lot of flavor to it, the rest of the bowl definitely packed the flavor. Oak-grilled Chicken Bowl The rice was seasoned well and had flavors of cumin and cardamom. The kale slaw had a sweet dressing on it that helped cut the bitterness of the kale. You will also find a tomato and cucumber salad that has a light vinegary taste to it, as well as a chickpea salad with olives. But one of our favorite parts of the bowl was the chermoula sour cream. It was creamy and full of flavor. We tasted cilantro and parsley, and it really helped bring the whole bowl together. Oak-grilled Chicken Bowl Next, we tried the Fire-roasted Tomato and Herbed Ricotta Flatbread for $12.79. It is made with fire-roasted tomatoes, herbed ricotta, tomato sauce, cheese blend, and sun-dried tomato vinaigrette tossed arugula. While the tomato sauce and cheese are about what you would expect on a flatbread, the herbed ricotta and fire-roasted tomatoes take the flatbread to the next level. Fire-roasted Tomato and Herbed Ricotta Flatbread The fire-roasted tomatoes are tender and juicy, with a lovely smoky flavor. The herbed ricotta is wonderfully creamy and herb-flavored. The arugula is dressed in a light dressing that is a bit hard to taste over the rest of the ingredients, but the arugula adds great freshness and peppery flavor to the flatbread. Fire-roasted Tomato and Herbed Ricotta Flatbread We also grabbed the Butternut Squash Soup for $4.79. You can also find this soup over at Boma! This is a very sweet butternut squash soup, but it definitely gives you all the cozy vibes. It is packed with warming spices like cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. Even though it was 85 degrees outside, we still couldn’t help but finish every bit of this soup. Butternut Squash Soup The soup has a great thickness, enough to stay on your spoon easily, but not so much that you feel like you are eating a mousse. The flavors of this soup reminded us of a pumpkin pie filling, but not as thick and not quite as sweet. However, we definitely feel like this soup is on the sweeter side. Butternut Squash Soup Finally, we couldn’t head to Animal Kingdom Lodge without grabbing one of our favorites: Zebra Domes. You will also find these at the buffet at Boma, but if you don’t want to commit to a buffet, you can also grab them at The Mara. It costs $4.59 and they are chocolate mousse baked with Amarula cream liquor-coated white chocolate drizzled with chocolate stripes and chocolate shavings. Zebra Domes These treats are popular, and for good reason! Even though we have had these guys so many times before, we still find ourselves loving them. You get four Zebra Domes in the container, so while there is enough to share, we don’t think you will want to share them. There is a small piece of vanilla cake on the bottom that is topped with a creamy, chocolatey mousse. All of that is covered in a soft white chocolate shell infused with cream liquor. Zebra Domes Then they are drizzled with chocolate and dipped in a few chocolate sprinkles. They are soft and pillowy and have a chocolate and a slight almost coffee flavor to them. However, the coffee flavor you taste is light. You are probably going to want four more of these guys after you finish the first four! Nosh or Not This Disney World restaurant is a must-visit if… You are staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. If you are staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge, we think this will be a must-stop restaurant during your trip. Whether you are looking for a tasty breakfast, a quick lunch, or a lighter dinner, The Mara has some great and delicious options. You are looking for a tasty, quick bite and want to spot some animals. The food here was satisfying, and you could taste the African influence in much of it. But there are also options for pickier eaters. Plus, Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of our favorite places to walk around since you can see animals! Make sure to check out the animals before or after you dine. You want to grab Boma’s Zebra Domes or Butternut Squash Soup without committing to the whole buffet. It’s amazing to be able to get Zebra Domes and Butternut Squash Soup without having to worry about a whole buffet. There are just some days when a Zebra Dome will cure the blues, and The Mara is a perfect stop! You should skip this Disney World spot if… You are looking to see the animals at Animal Kingdom Lodge while you dine. There aren’t any good views from the restaurant itself, although you could take your food to go and walk over to an area where you can see animals. However, if you really want a glimpse at the animals while you are dining, we suggest heading over to Sanaa! You are looking for an elevated dining experience. The Mara is a quick-service location, so you will be getting your own food and waiting for your own table. While you will spot some beautiful murals on the walls, this won’t fit the bill if you are looking for an elevated dining experience. The good news is that Jiko is right around the corner, and it definitely fits the bill! You want a knock-your-socks off dining experience. The food was great, and we enjoyed the atmosphere, but this likely won’t make it in our top 10 places to eat at Disney World. The food has some unique flavors, but it likely won’t be a super memorable dining experience that you remember for years to come. Check out our favorite restaurants in Disney World right here. Overall Overall, we were really impressed with the food here! The Fire-roasted Tomato and Herbed Ricotta Flatbread is definitely something we would go back for, and our mouths are drooling all over again just writing about it. Plus, it is hard to beat being able to grab Zebra Domes without having to commit to the buffet at Boma. The food is tasty, although it isn’t anything crazy special that you should go way out of your way for. But if you happen to be nearby, this could be a great choice! While you can’t see the animals directly from the restaurant, this could be a great option for a quick and tasty bite in between your animal watching. A lovely meal at The Mara In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for more restaurant updates from Disney World and beyond. Make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more! The Best Restaurants in Disney World in 2025 Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide The Best Magic Kingdom Restaurants The Best EPCOT Restaurant Restaurants The Best Hollywood Studios Restaurants The Best Animal Kingdom Restaurants The Best Disney Springs Restaurants Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Have you eaten at this Disney World restaurant before? Tell us in the comments! The post REVIEW: Come For the Zebra Domes, Stay For the Flatbread at This Disney World Hotel Restaurant first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney is busy right now! Mickey is hard at work! From Disney World to Disneyland, the U.S. parks are keeping us busy with news and updates, and we’re doing a roundup of the biggest highlights so you can stay in the know! Let’s dive in and head coast to coast with Mickey. Disney never rests, and neither do we! With so much going on this week, our team has been going coast to coast to cover all of the news, new snacks, major moments, and more, so let’s dive right in, starting over in Disneyland. Disneyland Entrance and Train Station It’s a big year for the original Disney park because it’s 70 years old! The 70th Anniversary celebrations kicked off on May 16th, 2025, with tons of new merchandise, snacks, entertainment, and more. We explored all of the new offers and even got to see Duffy and ShellieMay make their way back to Disneyland after only being rare characters in the U.S. parks. Duffy and ShellieMay are back! Not only that, but Paint the Night also returned to light up the night! This nighttime parade runs twice a night at 8:45 and 10:45 PM. Paint the Night is back! This is just scratching the surface of everything we got to see as the celebrations kicked off. The 70th Anniversary is technically on July 17th, 2025, but the festivities will run until Summer 2026. ALL of Disneyland Resort’s 70th Anniversary Celebration Limited-Time TREATS Next up, we have some big Disney World news! If you’re into the spooky season, this one is for you. We finally know when Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party will return in 2025. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party The party begins on August 15th, 2025, and will run until October 31st, 2025. The special ticketed event takes place at Magic Kingdom at night on select nights of the year. Guests can get into the park starting at 4 PM, and the party itself runs from 7 PM to midnight, depending on the weather. Boo to You Parade The party dates can be seen here! August: 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29 September: 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30 October: 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30, 31 Minnie, Daisy, and Clarabelle at the Sanderson Sisters! The party has tons of specialty snacks, characters, live entertainment, fireworks, and more! More About Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Here Finally, we’re ending on a bit of a bitter sweet note because the first round of Muppet Courtyard closures began this week. In case you’ve missed it, Muppets Courtyard is in the process of permanently closing and it started with Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano! Disney’s Hollywood Studios The Italian table service closed forever on May 10th, 2025, to begin the process of the area becoming Monsters INC. Land! The rest of this area will close on June 8th, 2025, which will include Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo’s. The final day to grab some puffy pizza and head into Muppet Labs will be June 7th, 2025. Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano We are super sad to see this land go, but can’t wait to see what Monster Inc. Land will become! Learn More About Monsters Inc. Land Here! There are some major changes going on within the Disney Company, and we can’t wait to see what changes are coming. Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation. As always, be sure to keep following DFB for more Disney news and updates! The ULTIMATE Guide to Planning A Walt Disney World Vacation Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What news are you most excited about? Tell us in the comments! The post 3 Of the BIGGEST Disney News Drops From This Week first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s looking like this summer is about to be a Stitch takeover. Stitch! Maybe it’s because of the new live-action Lilo & Stitch coming out, but we have been seeing a ton of new Stitch merch. Hey, we aren’t complaining, and neither are Disney fans. We even went out and found five Stitch shirts that we guarantee will be taking over Disney World this summer! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Get this Stitch Aloha Tee ©Amazon We adore this Lilo & Stitch Aloha Hawaii T-Shirt! It looks like the shirt takes inspiration from the scene where Stitch learns to dance. A shirt doesn’t really fit a summer vibe more than this one does! We love the mix of colors used for the print, giving it a gorgeous sunset look. We also love the faded print design. If you aren’t looking for white, there are a few different color options! View on Amazon This Emotions of Stitch Shirt is hilarious ©Amazon We’ve seen these emotion-style shirts done before with characters like Chewbacca or Darth Vader. Well, now it’s Stitch’s turn, with this Emotions Of Stitch Tee! The more you look at it, the more personalities you’ll find. It’s quite a funny shirt, and sure to be a popular grab by fans of the alien 626. We personally love the “bye” square! View on Amazon We love the “Not Today” Stitch Tee ©Amazon We’re betting that you have seen this one before, because we have seen the “Not Today” Stitch Shirt at the park too many times to count! This is a popular grab, and we can see fine. It’s simple, expressive, and relatable, and it features Stitch! It’s time for you to hop on the bandwagon; we know you can’t resist grabbing this one. View on Amazon Or, you can grab this Stitch Tee ©Amazon This Floral Stitch Coconut Portrait T-Shirt is proving to us that Stitch is just a whole vibe! We love the Hawaiian decorations surrounding Stitch as he slurps on a nice coconut drink. The shirt comes in a few different color options, so you can find which works best for you! View on Amazon Finally, we have this Stitch Hawaiian Shirt ©Amazon It just makes sense to have a Hawaiian shirt that features Stitch! Look at all the little Stitch guys printed all over the shirt — you’ll spot him doing all sorts of funny poses. We really love the pose of him next to the surfboard in particular! View on Amazon We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! Shop for More Disney Essentials on Our Amazon StorefrontThe post These Are the 5 Shirts That Everyone Will Be Wearing to Disney World This Summer first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Hm, that’s weird! EPCOT We keep track of all Lightning Lane Premier Pass prices so we can catch trends, so you can be better prepared for your Disney World vacation. We caught a strange blip, and we’re not sure what’s happening! If you’re planning on purchasing Lightning Lane Premier Pass on June 8th for EPCOT, you might have some issues. Right now, the EPCOT pass isn’t available. Lightning Lane at Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in EPCOT This might be an error on Disney’s side, and when we contacted guest services, the Cast member we spoke to didn’t know why it wasn’t available either. Let’s talk Lightning Lanes We’ll be keeping an eye on it in case it changes, but right now, the other three parks are available at these prices: Magic Kingdom Park — $379 Disney’s Hollywood Studios — $289 Disney’s Animal Kingdom — $129 Lightning Lane Premier Pass works a bit differently than the other skip-the-line services. Guests get a one-time entry to every attraction with a Lightning Lane entry without having to make reservations. You simply show up at the attraction and enter! Lightning Lanes! Over at EPCOT, you can use this pass for the following attractions: Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival Frozen Ever After Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Journey into Imagination with Figment Living with the Land Mission: SPACE Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure The Seas with Nemo & Friends Soarin’ Around the World Spaceship Earth Turtle Talk with Crush Lightning Lane Multi Pass is still available for EPCOT on June 8th, which allows you to prebook your Lightning Lane attractions. You can only book a certain number of attractions at a time, and some attraction reservations might fill up before you get a chance to book them. Frozen Ever After Lightning Lane sign in EPCOT Another option still available on June 8th is the Lightning Lane Single Pass, which allows you to enter the Lightning Lane queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at a specific time. The single pass allows you to ride once and only for this one attraction. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind We’re not sure if this is just a mistake and Lightning Lane Premier Pass will be added later or if it’s really not available on June 8th, but we’ll keep on watching. Make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for everything you need to know before your next Disney World vacation. I’VE TRIED EVERY LIGHTNING LANE HACK IN DISNEY WORLD AND I’M SHARING THE 2 THAT WORK EVERY TIME Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you tried Lightning Lane Premier Pass? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! The post Well, This Is Odd. Lightning Lane Premier Pass Is NOT for Sale on a Random Sunday in EPCOT first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are few souvenirs that truly encapsulate the Disney experience like mouse ears! Perfect sighting! If you want to pick up some brand-new Minnie ears BEFORE your next trip to Disney World, or simply want some ears just for the fun of it, we’ve tracked down some of the BEST available online right now! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Minnie Mouse Kids Headband ©Disney This kid-size band captures the classic Minnie Mouse look, complete with a pink bow and a charm featuring Minnie herself in the center! SHOP HERE Mickey Mouse Groom Ears ©Disney Planning to walk down the aisle soon? Make your “Happily Ever After” just a bit more magical with these groom’s ears, complete with tuxedo decorations. SHOP HERE Stitch Headband! ©Disney Experiment-626 himself is immortalized on this headband. An all-over print on the ears features numerous Stitch faces, all surrounding a central figure of everyone’s favorite alien. SHOP HERE Big Hero 6 Ears ©Disney This headband celebrates the adorable inflatable Baymax on each ear, and Mochi the cat in the center! SHOP HERE If you’re looking to pick up some new ears for a Disney trip, a special occasion, or just for fun, you can find these ears online now! Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney merchandise! Are you looking for more Disney Essentials? Head over to our Amazon Storefront!The post The Cheapest Minnie Ears You Can Get Online Right Now first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

One thing Disney is really good at is making you feel immersed in the environment of every single ride in the parks. Stormtroopers in Rise of the Resistance For example, when you’re inside Pirates of the Caribbean, you FEEL like you’re there with the pirates (especially when you’re smelling that familiar odor of the water). When you’re on Peter Pan’s Flight, it feels like you’re flying over the city of London. When you’re inside the Haunted Mansion, the effects make you believe that this is actually a haunted house. Even when you’re on Rise of the Resistance, it does feel like you’re trying to frantically escape the First Order — however, would you believe that some of the effects on that ride are no different from rides Disney designed way back in the 1960s? WARNING: Spoilers ahead! Okay, so let’s talk about Rise of the Resistance, which you’ll find in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland. The ride opened in 2019 and has some of the most advanced technology and effects of any Disney ride EVER. But we recently uncovered some of this ride’s secrets, and some of the concepts behind the ride’s effects remind us of the kind of effects used in the Haunted Mansion, which opened in 1969 in Disneyland and in 1971 in Disney World. Haunted Mansion in Disneyland Here’s what happened. We were riding Rise of the Resistance when it stopped, and the ride abruptly closed. So we were stuck on the ride for a while, right in front of that awesome Kylo Ren effect that makes it look like he’s coming right at you with his lightsaber. This is seriously one of the coolest effects on the ride. Kylo Ren, Ready to Fight SPOILER ALERT Well, when the lights came on, the secret behind the Kylo effect was revealed. Now, we know that Disney uses projections throughout the ride. But it turns out that here, the projection for Kylo Ren is cast onto a cutout (probably made of plywood or something similar) that acts as a screen, and a mechanized arm holding the lightsaber moves up and down as the cutout moves forward. We caught the effect as the lights came on and the projection was still active. The figure started to retract, but then the projection shut off, and the secret was revealed. Revealing its secrets What’s fascinating is that this is not unlike the kind of effects you might see in the Haunted Mansion, and those effects date back to the 1960s. Of course, projections have improved since then, as well as the automatic tracking of the projection surface and the lighting that makes the lightsaber look so real, but perhaps the technology is based on something way older than you might think. Simple, yet effective So, hey, Kylo, we know your secret now. Honestly, it’s fascinating how creative Disney Imagineers really are, right? Stay tuned to DFB for more. 4 Secrets Imagineers Hid in Disney World Rides Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think? Have you ever seen ride secrets revealed when stuck on a ride? Let us know in the comments! The post Inside Disney’s Rise of the Resistance Attraction: Everything You Don’t See When the Lights Are Out first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Grab your wand, get on your dragon, and say hi to Dracula as you enter the green pipe because Universal Orlando’s newest park, Epic Universe, is opening in less than a week. Epic Universe With the opening being on May 22nd, dates have been selling out left and right for those coveted summer tickets. More tickets have been added for new dates, and we just found another reason for you to go to Epic Universe. May tickets for Epic Universe are still fully sold out. ©Universal June has been updated with new dates, including the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 9th, 13th, 17th, 20th, and 21st. There are also new sold-out dates, including the 8th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 29th, and 30th. ©Universal Almost the entire month of July is available, excluding the 1st and 2nd. Spending the 4th of July in Orlando’s newest theme park sounds like a core memory in the making. ©Universal Right now, to enter Epic Universe, you need to purchase an individual ticket for Epic or add one to a ticket package for other parks. They’re not being added to Annual Passes right now, so if you want to get into Epic early, make sure you get that individual ticket. Celestial Park in Epic Universe There are five new lands, and we’re obsessed with all of them. From the beauty and star-filled land of Celestial Park… Celestial Park … to feeling spooky with the monsters of Dark Universe, Epic Universe has something for everyone. Monsters Unchained How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk is filled with dragons and some of our favorite snacks like the mac and cheese cones. Mac and Cheese Cones! The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic has one of the coolest rides we’ve seen and offers new opportunities to cast spells. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic The fifth land is Super Nintendo World, which has us all yelling, “Here we go!” as we live our childhood dreams of riding on Rainbow Road in Mario Kart. No matter where you start your Epic Universe park day, all of the lands are fully immersive and filled with incredible treats and details. Mario Kart Bowser’s Challenge We’re bringing you everything Epic, from ride details to food reviews and how to make the most of that park ticket. Keep following Disney Food Blog for the best trip yet! Want to go to Epic Universe but have no idea where to start? Check out our friends at Small World Vacations! They’re experts in the industry and know everything you need for your Universal vacation, and can take the stress out of booking. REVIEW: WE TRIED THE NEW PIZZA MOON RESTAURANT AT UNIVERSAL’S EPIC UNIVERSE Read more: DFB's complete guide to Universal’s Epic Universe >> Do you have your Epic Universe tickets yet? Tell us what you’re looking forward to in the comments! The post CONFIRMED: Universal Adds New Tickets To Sold Out Dates for Epic Universe first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Did you know the largest working wardrobe in the world is located right here at Walt Disney World Resort? Just last year, our talented Costuming team at Disney Live Entertainment dreamed up charming new turn-of-the-century fits for cast members of Main Street, U.S.A. that combine timeless storytelling with modern fit, function, and flare. Now, they can’t wait to add even more custom Disney cast member costumes to the approximately 893 existing costume designs and around 140 million individual garments in the Walt Disney World inventory! Let’s go behind-the-seams to find out how they’re giving our custodial cast a magical makeover. From cast feedback sessions to detailed fabric sampling and even wear testing, these new looks were thoughtfully redesigned to make sure they are as functional as they are fashionable. “Cast feedback was so important to us when designing these new operational costumes because our cast are everything. They create Disney magic each day in their interactions with guests and we want to make sure they feel comfortable and confident while making magic,” Nicole, a Costume Designer with Disney Live Entertainment, shared. Knowing every cast member at Disney has a very special role to play, Nicole and the team carefully looked for ways to design and deliver new costumes that elevate every performance. These new designs feature moisture-wicking fabrics that serve as a strong sun protectant with added stretch, additional pockets, vibrant new colors and introduce adjustable pants that can cinch at the ankle. While making exciting new updates to these costumes, the Costuming team was careful to preserve the sweeping Mickey Mouse logo that has become iconic and treasured by our custodial cast. “We want this new costume to be equally iconic and special in its own way, giving nods to the current costume while being something new and exciting that everyone feels confident in,” shared Danielle, the Costume Development Manager for this project. Danielle made sure each decision made during the development of these new costumes placed significant consideration on cast, including introducing interchangeable garments with customizable features. Working closely with the Buying team, she found a new vendor for hats – a women-owned business started by a former optometrist. The hat chosen from this vendor not only boasts key safety features, but its unique shape also fits perfectly for cast who wear glasses, all while being adjustable for different hair styles. “I’m excited about taking these costumes into the future by utilizing updated fabric technology and materials that have a little extra pixie dust built into them,” she said. What’s even more exciting? These are just one of the many new cast costumes debuting soon at Walt Disney World. Danielle shared her passion about reaching even more cast with new designs and features that keep fit, function and comfort top of mind. Stay tuned as we reveal more details and fresh new designs coming soon, one stitch at a time! The post New Custodial Cast Member Costumes Arrive at Disney World appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

Dragons, wizards, classic monsters and videogame legends all live in Epic Universe. Their five themed worlds have a big theme-park element in common: Rides. At Epic, the attractions range from calm kiddie rides to elaborate, technological marvels that transport passengers to disorienting alternate dimensions. Here’s what to know — along with a Fear Factor Guide (1 being mildly scary and 10 being toe-curling terrifying) — before braving the 11 rides of Epic Universe. Yoshi’s Adventure Fear factor: 1 The family-friendly Yoshi’s Adventure ride gives guests a unique vantage point of Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)What: A kiddie ride Where: Upper level of Super Nintendo World. What to expect: It’s the most low-stakes, all-ages ride at Epic. Passengers glide by scenes from Mushroom Kingdom and participate in an egg-based scavenger hunt. See one? Press a button. Visitors stand at the entrance to the Yoshi’s Adventure ride in Super Nintendo World. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)Feels familiar? Maybe like the Cat in the Hat ride at Islands of Adventure but without the verve. Fear factor explained: Virtually none, unless you’re triggered by slow forward motion, mild altitudes or the blazing Florida sun in a couple of stretches. Height requirement: 34 inches (although under 48 inches requires a supervising companion) One ride, three words: Yo, slow go Constellation Carousel Fear factor: 2 Constellation Carousel, which spins under the central dome of Celestial Park, can be seen from the Helios Grand Hotel. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)What: A kiddie ride Where: Celestial Park, under the big dome near the entrance of Epic Universe What to expect: Heavens-inspired merry-go-round featuring starry creatures in lieu of horses. (Teaching moment: Lepus is a hare constellation that’s below Orion and represented by a rabbit on this ride.) The animals are spaced out more than on a typical carousel. Eventually, the ride reverses course and goes backward. The Constellation Carousel is one attraction within Celestial Park, the central hub of Epic Universe. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)Feels familiar? The design of the floor is one big rotating circle with three subset circles that also rotate. It’s a spinning scheme also seen on Wild Tea Party at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, but at a much more leisurely pace than those teacups. Fear factor explained: Another oddity is that the figures rise higher than usual, up about 6 feet. Riders are harnessed so it’s not a biggie except for extreme acrophobiacs. Height requirement: Children under 48 inches must be accompanied by a “supervising companion,” Universal says, and hand-held infants are not permitted. One ride, three words: Circling the skies Fyre Drill Fear factor: 2 Guests take a ride on Fyre Drill within How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk at Epic Universe. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)What: Fyre Drill, a water ride Where: How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk What to expect: Slow-moving ride without splashdowns. Passengers aboard Viking boats shoot water cannons at fire-inspired targets and, on a couple of occasions, other boats. There’s no scoring or champion designation. Fyre Drill is the water ride attraction within How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk at Epic Universe. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)Feels familiar? Like firing from atop Me Ship the Olive onto Bilge-Rat Barges at Islands of Adventure … but on the move. Fear factor explained: None unless you’re so sweet you’ll melt. (Heads up, bystanders.) Height requirement: None, but children under 48 inches must be accompanied by a supervising companion. Hand-held infants are not permitted. One ride, three words: Wet not wild Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge Fear factor: 4 Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is an interactive ride within Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)What: An interactive dark ride Where: Super Nintendo World What to expect: Glide into a way-larger-than-life videogame with Mario and Luigi, throw shells, blast at things and collect digital coins. Compete with three other passengers, each outfitted with special goggles. Guests prepare to take off on Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, a ride with gameplay and augmented-reality glasses. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)Feels familiar? There are moments of Men in Black: Alien Attack attraction from Universal Studios, plus some Toy Story Mania (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) moves. Fear factor explained: The twists and turns are not too severe. The goggles might trigger claustrophobia and/or frustrate non-gamers. Height requirement: 40 inches (but under 48 inches requires a supervising companion) One ride, three words: Big-time game time Dragon Racer’s Rally Fear factor: 6 Dragon Racer’s Rally is a swinging ride within How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk at Epic Universe. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)What: An aerial and acrobatic ride Where: How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk What to expect: The attraction lifts 10 riders on individual dragons, taking them into sweeping, swooping motions. Leaning passengers affect their own wobbles, which, in theory, proves a dragon racer’s worthiness. Dragon Racer’s Rally tests whether riders have what it takes to fly atop a dragon. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)Feels familiar? It’s unique among Central Florida theme parks, but it might strike some as an extremely themed carnival ride. Fear factor explained: Height and openness would be two variables to consider. The dragons will go completely upside-down but it takes quick and focused leaning. It won’t happen by accident, and folks have about five rounds for topsy-turvy attempts. Height requirement: 48 inches One ride, three words: Driving diving dragons Mine-Cart Madness Fear factor: 6 Donkey Kong Country glows golden at dusk within Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)What: An indoor-outdoor roller coaster Where: Donkey Kong Country, a subset of Super Nintendo World What to expect: The family coaster rollicks through a jungle setting four passengers at a time with Golden Temple and Golden Banana theming. Epic Universe visitors ride Mine-Cart Madness at Donkey Kong Country, a subset of Super Nintendo World. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)Feels familiar? The intensity is a bit more than Flight of the Hippogriff coaster at Islands of Adventure, possibly because of the rapid shifts in scenery. Fear factor explained: The videogame-inspired gaps in tracks might look scarier from spots away from the ride, but the attraction is loaded with close calls and jump scares. Height requirement: 40 inches One ride, three words: All monkey business Curse of the Werewolf Fear factor: 7 Guests take a ride on Curse of the Werewolf, a spinning coaster inside of Dark Universe. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)What: An outdoor roller coaster Where: Dark Universe, just past Frankenstein Manor What to expect: The thriller has a non-traditional ride vehicle and track layout. Passengers are in several four-person cars strung together to form a long train, and each car spins around repeatedly while in forward motion. The scenery keeps changing, including those folks once directly ahead are now nowhere to be seen. The journey, set in a dark forest, encounters dead-end hills and then backtracking, all the while spinning. Part of the fun is the continued disorientation. (Another part of the fun: Watching other passengers whirl and trying not to hurl.) Passengers on Curse of the Werewolf, a spinning coaster, ride in four-person cars strung together to form a long train. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)Feels familiar? The flinging sensation is kind of like that surprising security-troll moment in Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts at Universal Studios, plus some feelings found aboard the Ice Breaker roller coaster at SeaWorld Orlando. Fear factor explained: Curse of the Werewolf is neither too high nor too fast, topping out at 37 mph. It’s not the mph, it’s the motion. What appears to be endless spinning can be scary and stomach-turning, but there are giggles heard too. Monsterwise, there are stretches with howling effects as well as brief werewolf sightings. One ride, three words: Epic’s spin master Hiccup’s Wing Gliders Fear factor: 8 Guests shout and raise their hands while riding the Hiccup’s Wing Gliders coaster in the How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk world during a preview day for Epic Universe. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)What: An outdoor roller coaster Where: How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk What to expect: It’s a thrill ride with punch and surprises, particularly in the second half of the journey. Passengers are not on a dragon but rather a mechanical contraption designed by the Hiccup character as a test of bravery or so the story goes. There will be dragons, including a Toothless sighting. Visitors crest a hill amid Viking and dragon carvings while aboard Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, part of the Isle of Berk section of Epic Universe. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)Feels familiar? The romp through parts of Berk might give off vibes a la Magic Kingdom’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad — with a Viking twist. Fear factor explained: It’s another coaster that’s not as tame as it looks from ground level. Its top speed is reportedly 45 mph. Those riders look relaxed and happy though. Height requirement: 40 inches One ride, three words: Swift and airy Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment Fear factor: 9 Frankenstein Manor is illuminated, coming alive at night within Dark Universe at Epic Universe. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)What: A dark ride Where: Dark Universe, inside a goth mansion in the 5th Century town of Darkmoor What to expect: Unchained riders witness Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s attempt to redeem her grandfather’s legacy by exacting revenge on assorted menacing monsters, including Dracula, Wolf Man, the Mummy and the Creature from the Black Lagoon. It gets harrowing quickly and stays that way as the current Dr. Frankenstein’s electricity runs amok in the bowels of the family manor. A new Frankenstein’s monster and Dr. Victoria Frankenstein appear in the pre-show of Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)Feels familiar? The robotic arm system, the on-your-back stretches plus dangling legs, harkens to the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park. Fear factor explained: Classic monsters, sometimes appearing in the form of lunging animatronics, can be startling and closer than expected. Universal has touted this as its “most chilling ride ever.” Passengers do not go completely upside-down, but the motion could be a nausea red flag. Height requirement: 48 inches One ride, three words: Dark and stormy Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry Fear factor: 9 The queue for Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry features Delores Umbridge, whose trial is the focal point of the ride. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)What: A dark ride with omnidirectional movement Where: In the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, there’s a gateway from 1920s Paris to 1990s London What to expect: It’s an amped-up motion simulator that follows Harry and his friends during the trial of Dolores Umbridge. Things go horribly wrong, and there’s an intense, sometimes body-rattling, visually stimulating chase through the British Ministry while folks – passengers and characters – are traveling via magical lifts (Translation for Americans: Magical elevators.) Pre-opening chatter has marveled at the queue, which is rooms and rooms of “Harry Potter” scenes large and small from the Ministry. The reality of this fiction is off the charts. The queue for Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry takes guests inside the Ministry of Magic. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)Feels familiar? The seating is like a posh Tower of Terror (Disney’s Hollywood Studios), the action is presented a la the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man (Islands of Adventure) but more unrelenting, and movements akin to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Hollywood Studios but more unpredictable. Fear factor explained: This attraction is active enough to throw riders around pretty good, with sudden shifts in direction and refocusing required. Motion-sensitive peeps should beware, as well as folks with issues with erumpents (Repeat to yourself, friends: It’s not a real magical horned creature, just a very large animatronic.) Oh, and spoiler alert: Justice is served. Height requirement: 40 inches One ride, three words: Magic plus mayhem Stardust Racers Fear factor: 10 Epic visitors make the rounds on Stardust Racers, a dueling roller coaster in Celestial Park, during a preview day for the theme park. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)What: A dual-launch, dueling coaster Where: Celestial Park, just beyond the portal to How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk What to expect: It starts and ends with side-by-side tracks – officially dubbed Photon and Pulsar – that are similar but not twins. Their interstellar journeys interact multiple times, particularly in the second half of the ride, speeding by (and over and under) each other. Stardust Racers is an intense coaster in the Celestial Park part of Epic. In the foreground of the photo is the hand and wand that are atop the portal for the neighboring Wizarding World of Harry Potter. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)Feels familiar? It compares favorably and fearfully with Jurassic Park VelociCoaster at Islands of Adventure, although its top speed is about 10% slower (70 mph vs 62 mph). Stardust is a sneaky attraction that doesn’t look as intense from the ground as it is in real rail life. Fear factor explained: There is one inversion per rail and two launches. Several tricks and hills are tucked away on the back side of the ride, but you can see them coming while on board. There’s just nothing that can be done about it at that point. Height requirement: 48 inches One ride, three words: Oh. My. Stars. Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. BlueSky: @themeparksdb. Threads account: @dbevil. X account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters. More on Epic Universe An Epic movie guide: What to watch before visiting Universal’s new park Epic Universe: Say hello to new Helios Grand, theme park neighbor Epic Universe survival guide: What to pack for the new park Epic Universe: Exec blends arts, engineering in theme park roles Epic Universe preview: An early walk (and rides) in the park View the full article

One distinguishing look of Epic Universe is its portals, the physical gateways that lead into its themed worlds. They are rounded walk-through chutes topped by spires with symbols corresponding to the upcoming land. At the top of each curve is a bit of prose. The first portal stands at Epic’s entrance and opens up to Celestial Park, the theme park’s introductory land. From there, four more portals connect to Dark Universe, Super Nintendo World, Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk. The ceilings and walls of the tunnels include striking lighting and digital screens with special effects but, with the exception of the Super Nintendo World escalators, there are no moving parts in these symbolic transitions. But they are striking photo opportunities, already an Epic trademark. Universal Orlando’s newest theme park opens May 22. Here’s what you’d see on a clockwise tour of Epic portals. The entrance portal and Chronos welcome guests into Orlando’s newest theme park during a preview day for Epic Universe. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)Entering Celestial Park Up top: The main portal, which Universal has dubbed Chronos, is topped by a spinning armillary, an old-timey astronomical tool. Symbols of the other four lands descend the 78-foot structure – the “Harry Potter” time turner, Mario, a shadowy dragon and a purple sphere for Dark Universe and its classic monsters. It is written: “Beyond this gate find gardens green and epic worlds to fill your dreams.” Around the edges: The circular motif that repeats throughout Epic flanks the tunnel. On the inside: More armillary imagery, which looks similar to the gears of a clock. This is seen in smaller amounts in the other portals. On the other side: Pass through and see Celestial Park, including the Helios Grand Hotel in the distance. The back side of Chronos includes final words for departing visitors: “You wonder which path to chart, the answer lies within your heart.” A portal with Super Mario imagery and other game symbols leads Epic Universe visitors into Super Nintendo World. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)Bounding into Super Nintendo World Up top: Three stars emerge from colorful tubing, alongside a power-up mushroom, a gold coin and a fire flower. Right over the entrance, a round badge flips between an 8-bit Mario character and the more modern animated Mario. It is written: “Here we go!” – one of Mario’s catchphrases in video games. Around the edges: The heads, in golden medallion format, of characters such as Princess Peach, Luigi and Donkey Kong. On the inside: Astronomical symbols, then a blue-green screen, then a green warp pipe wrapping side-by-side upward-bound escalators. On the other side: Visitors arrive inside Princess Peach’s castle and then step out into the multilevel videogame surroundings. Lightning and other effects provide a spooky introduction to Dark Universe at Epic Universe, which debuts May 22. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)Lighting up Dark Universe Up top: An electrical contraption with ties to Frankenstein Manor, bolstered by stone and roots. The power source pulsates through the land. It is written: “It’s alive! It’s alive!” – exclamation by Henry Frankenstein in 1931 movie “Frankenstein.” Around the edges: Curved architectural flourishes (and screaming skulls). On the inside: Astronomical symbols, then purple screen with lightning effects, then wooden rafters. The audio may be cranked up a notch here. On the other side: Village of Darkmoor, starting with an entrance to the catacombs and a graveyard. A portal serves as the entrance to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)Whirling into Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic Up top: Extended arm and wand, pointed skyward, atop a single column. It is written: “For in dreams we enter a world that is entirely our own.” – Dumbledore to Snape regarding a sleeping Harry in “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” Around the edges: An array of eight elder wands. On the inside: Astronomical symbols, blue screen effects, then tile. On the other side: 1920s Paris, including the monumental Phoenix Arch, the far side of which portrays animals from the Potterverse and the “Fantastic Beasts” films. Dragon symbols are incorporated into the design of the portal for How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk at Epic Universe. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)Flying into How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk Up top: A symbol representing Toothless, the alpha dragon, atop a Viking lookout structure. It is written: “We, my friends, have dragons!” – a variation of the last line of 2010’s “How to Train Your Dragon” movie. Around the edges: Various dragon symbols, Viking style. On the inside: Astronomical symbols, blue screen effects, then tile. On the other side: A slab of engraved stone (noting “lots and lots of dragons”), followed a lagoon with giant statues of a dragon and a Viking, symbolically living in harmony. Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. BlueSky: @themeparksdb. Threads account: @dbevil. X account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters. More on Epic Universe An Epic movie guide: What to watch before visiting Universal’s new park Epic Universe: Say hello to new Helios Grand, theme park neighbor Epic Universe survival guide: What to pack for the new park Epic Universe: Exec blends arts, engineering in theme park roles Epic Universe preview: An early walk (and rides) in the park View the full article

Where is Epic Universe located? Universal Orlando’s new theme park is about 2.5 miles southeast of its original parks, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. The property is east of Kirkman Road and north of Universal Boulevard, near Orange County Convention Center. When does the theme park open? After weeks of previews for select groups, Epic officially opens to the public May 22. Where is the park entrance and parking area? To drive to Epic Universe, take Destination Parkway and turn onto Epic Boulevard. After navigating through a traffic circle, a road on the right leads to the parking booths and the lot. There is no garage, but there are valet and premium options. The main parking lot is divided into Viking, Hero, Monster, Gamer and Explorer sections. Visitors walk to the main entrance. No trams run between the parking areas and the park. Universal provides bus transportation from its resort hotels and Universal CityWalk, which is estimated to be a 15-minute drive. Where are the security checkpoints? The procedure is similar to Universal’s original parks. On the approach to Epic’s entrance, all bags (and all contents of visitors’ pockets) go through a metal detector. Then, steps away, is the ticket checkpoint. Epic visitors then pass through the nearby Chronos portal into the theme park proper. Where are Epic tickets sold? When approaching the main gate, veer right for ticket windows. Universal also sells tickets at its hotels and CityWalk. Advance purchases can be made online at universalorlando.com or by calling 407-363-8000. How much are tickets? Admission prices vary with date and by the number of park days. One-day tickets to Epic are between $139 and $199 for the remainder of 2025, according to Universal’s website. The resort also sells multiday, multipark tickets and vacation packages. What are Epic Universe’s lands? The theme park features five themed lands, although Universal refers to them as “worlds.” Visitors will go to Dark Universe, featuring classic monsters; How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk; Super Nintendo World; Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic; and Celestial Park, an introductory area with rides, restaurants and retail, which includes the 500-room Helios Grand Hotel at the edge of Epic. What are the height requirements? Each Epic Universe ride has its own guidelines, but visitors who want to experience every attraction at Epic must be at least 48 inches tall. There are several attractions with lower height requirements. At select rides, sample seats are available in or around the queue area. Aside from individual comfort testing, signs indicate that the attraction “employs safety restraints which may restrict certain guests from riding due to body shape and size.” Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. BlueSky: @themeparksdb. Threads account: @dbevil. X account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters. More on Epic Universe An Epic movie guide: What to watch before visiting Universal’s new park Epic Universe: Say hello to new Helios Grand, theme park neighbor Epic Universe survival guide: What to pack for the new park Epic Universe: Exec blends arts, engineering in theme park roles Epic Universe preview: An early walk (and rides) in the park View the full article

A new-to-Orlando aspect of Epic Universe theme park is the arrival of Power-Up Bands, brightly colored wristbands that boost the interactivity in Super Nintendo World. When users wear them and perform certain tasks in the video game-inspired environment, they earn digital keys and other powers. They’re a bit like the magic wands in Wizarding World of Harry Potter lands mixed with the MagicBands of Walt Disney World. Here are things to know before you go on the grid in Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country. Powering up First, purchase a Power-Up Band at Epic or other Universal Orlando outlets. They’re a little clunky and themed to characters such as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad and others. The price is $42. (There’s a kiosk dedicated to the bands near the entrance to Donkey Kong Country.) The bands are not required to enter Super Nintendo World or to experience its three rides. Some members of your group – very young or noncompetitive types – may not need one at all. The bands are synched up to the Universal Orlando app via a QR code on the back of the band. Time-saving tip: Download that before arrival at Epic Universe. A kiosk in Super Nintendo World is one place at Epic Universe theme park where Power-Up Bands can be purchased. On the right is a wall-mounted ? Block that the bands interact with. (Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel)Game time There are upsized games around Super Nintendo World, and the silicon bands allow participation and record-keeping. They lean into timing skills and hand-eye coordination, more than feats of strength, but they aren’t stagnant events either. In the Koopa Troopa POWer Punch game, players must time movement in order to send a shell up a pipe and score a digital key. In Piranha Plant Nap Mishap there are multiple alarm clocks with which to contend. There are also Goomba Crazy Crank, Bob-omb Kaboom Room and Thwomp Panel Panic games. Players also can save coins to their Power-Up Bands during Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, the augmented-reality ride/game within Super Nintendo World. Hit targets, get coins. Digital stamps can also be achieved on the Mine-Cart Madness coaster and Yoshi’s Adventure, a flat ride. Besting Bowser Unlock enough keys – three is enough, sources say – and you are eligible for the Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown. In this indoor space, there’s another challenge that is all about recovering the stolen Golden Mushroom. Guests join for a meet-and-greet with Mario and Luigi in Super Nintendo World at Universal Epic Universe. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)Block party Throughout Super Nintendo World are the famed yellow music and ? Blocks just waiting to be punched. No need to be overly aggressive. The targets are fairly low to the ground, and players can just hit their fists on the bottom of the block to get a response (and associated points). No need to whack the actual band against the block. Although there are blocks higher on the walls, it’s just decor worth no coins. No need to stand on shoulders or go to other extremes. Allegedly, there are coins to be earned in the ride queues, although like many video games, instructions are not detailed and may require personal exploration. Keep track In the Universal Play section of the app, there’s a scoreboard containing tallies of all players, in your own group and beyond, plus whatever badges have been earned. There are also 8-bit-looking maps showing the locations of blocks and other items. Power-Up Bands don’t have powers in the other worlds of Epic Universe. They’re merely accessories there. Wearers may be asked to remove them before getting on the bumpier rides. Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. BlueSky: @themeparksdb. Threads account: @dbevil. X account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters. More on Epic Universe An Epic movie guide: What to watch before visiting Universal’s new park Epic Universe: Say hello to new Helios Grand, theme park neighbor Epic Universe survival guide: What to pack for the new park Epic Universe: Exec blends arts, engineering in theme park roles Epic Universe preview: An early walk (and rides) in the park View the full article

Universal’s Epic Universe is a theme park years in the making. Its timeline is filled with rumors, roller coasters, dragons, pandemic and a swig of butterbeer. Here’s how it unfolded. • 1998: Universal purchases 2,000 acres of property along Sand Lake Road from Lockheed Martin for possible expansion, but in 2003 it sold the land to an Atlanta developer. After a foreclosure, Comcast, the parent company of Universal, bought the property again in 2015. Universal Studios on Dec. 15, 1998, closed on the purchase of more than 2,000 acres of land in the tourist corridor from Lockheed Martin. (Orlando Sentinel file)• August 2019: Construction begins. • Aug. 1, 2019: Universal Orlando confirms it will build Epic Universe on a site that’s visible from the Orange County Convention Center, where the news is announced. It will lead to 14,000 new employees with starting wages of $15 an hour, the company says. Universal Orlando announced Epic with the help of Tom Williams, then chairman & CEO Universal Parks & Resorts, during a news conference at the Orange County Convention Center, on Aug. 1, 2019. Williams retired in 2022. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)• Oct. 24, 2019: Comcast officials say during a quarterly earnings call that Epic could open as soon as 2023. • January 2020: Comcast executives casually confirm Super Nintendo World as part of Epic Universe. • April 2020: Construction pauses as the COVID-19 pandemic and economic uncertainty ramp up. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings says senior Universal officials told him the project would be delayed for a year. In June, the company has about 2,000 layoffs, and in July it scales back Halloween activities for the year. Universal’s Sapphire Falls and Aventura hotels temporarily close Aug. 21. • March 2021: Super Nintendo World opens at Universal Studios Japan. • March 2021: Epic Universe construction resumes. Construction of Universal’s Epic Universe theme park is under way on Jan. 13, 2022. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)• May 2023: Universal raises starting wages to $15 per hour. • January 2022: NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell says Epic will open “certainly in time for the summer of ‘25.” • January 2022: Visible structures arise from the construction site. • August 2022: A roller coaster track is spotted at construction site. • December 2023: Universal Creative executives, including president Mike Hightower, accept voluntary early retirement packages. Universal Orlando’s Universal Stella Nova Resort, pictured during a preview tour on Jan. 16, features a galaxy-inspired theme, with an exterior adorned with colorful tiles that give a vibrant shine and a cosmic appearance to the resort. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)• December 2023: Names for two Epic-adjacent hotels are announced, Terra Luna and Stella Nova. • February 2023: Super Nintendo World attractions open at Universal Studios Hollywood. Universal Parks & Resorts CEO Mark Woodbury calls the presence of Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe the “worst-kept secret in history.” • March 8, 2023: Universal Parks & Resorts division, based in Orlando, gets a new name, becoming Universal Destinations & Experiences. • March 2023: Park’s name (and logo) tweaked from Universal’s Epic Universe to Universal Epic Universe. Concept art of the Universal Epic Universe front gate in Florida. (Courtesy Universal)• Jan. 30, 2024: Company announces names of Epic’s lands, including Celestial Park, Dark Universe, Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and, to no one’s surprise, Super Nintendo World. The company identifies the 500-room Helios Grand Hotel as having its own entrance into the theme park. • May 2, 2024: Universal confirms that Super Nintendo World will include Mario Kart: Bower’s Challenge, Yoshi’s Adventure and Mine-Cart Madness attractions along with Toadstool Cafe. • May 2024: Universal shifts name of Starfall Racers coaster to Stardust Racers after the name is challenged by Starfall Education Foundation, a website that teaches reading and writing skills to children. Epic Universe Preview Center opens at Universal CityWalk in June 2024. (Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel)• June 2024: Epic Universe Preview Center opens at Universal CityWalk with a large model of park. It’s equipped with augmented-reality effects. Epic-specific merchandise is sold. • June 20, 2024: Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, a major ride within Dark Universe, is touted by the company as “Universal Orlando’s most chilling ride ever.” Curse of the Werewolf roller coaster also is announced. Rendering of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, a land at Epic Universe. The is the exterior for 'Le Cirque Arcanus' show. (Courtesy Universal Orlando)• July 31, 2024: Details about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter are shared, including a 1920s Parisian setting and a 1990s ride called Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. That thrill ride will have omnidirectional lifts for the “most ambitious, groundbreaking ride Universal has ever created,” a Universal news release says. It’s revealed – on the birthday of author J.K. Rowling and brainchild Harry Potter – that butterbeer will be on the Epic menu via Bieraubeurre Cart. • July 31, 2024: Entertainment Weekly reports actor Eddie Redmayne reprises his ‘Fantastical Beasts” role of Newt Scamander in Wizarding World. (Imelda Staunton recorded new scenes as Dolores Umbridge.) • Aug. 22, 2024: Universal says select rooms at Helios Grand Hotel will be themed to “How to Train Your Dragon.” • Oct. 17, 2024: Universal reveals an opening date of May 22, 2025. First tickets are sold, but only as part of a multiday purchase or a hotel package. • March 2025: Team member previews begin. • March 2025: In a Hollywood Reporter story, an executive producer confirms the use of drones as dragons in Isle of Berk. “With the drones, it’s more about if you live in a place with dragons, they just exist, so it’s not a show thing. It’s more of ‘I’m in Berk, so of course a dragon is flying overhead,’” says Katy Pacitti. • April 2025: Annual passholder preview days are held. Helios Grand Hotel overlooks the new theme park and provides a dedicated entrance. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)• April 16, 2025: Helios Grand Hotel opens about a month earlier than had been announced. • May 22, 2025: Grand opening day for Epic Universe. More on Epic Universe An Epic movie guide: What to watch before visiting Universal’s new park Epic Universe: Say hello to new Helios Grand, theme park neighbor Epic Universe survival guide: What to pack for the new park Epic Universe: Exec blends arts, engineering in theme park roles Epic Universe preview: An early walk (and rides) in the park View the full article

Facts and figures from the ground up of Orlando’s newest theme park, Epic Universe. 2 Live stage shows 2.7 The distance, in miles (as the dragon flies), between the iconic lighthouse of Islands of Adventure and the entrance of Epic Universe Guests ride Stardust Racers, a new dueling roller coaster ride in Celestial Park during a preview day for Universal Epic Universe on April 5. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)4 Roller coasters 6 Distance up, in feet, that riders go while upon Constellation Carousel creatures 14 Talking portraits (plus the bust of Ulick Gamp) inside the queue for Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry ride 17 Water fountain shows in Celestial Park 19.99 Price, in dollars, of a bieraubeurre crepe at Cafe L’air de la Sirene restaurant 20 Passengers at any one time on the Dragon Racer’s Rally 26 Gardens in Celestial Park 27 The wingspan, in feet, of Toothless, the trainable dragon in ‘The Untrainable Dragon’ show The How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk world features three rides and a show in addition to immersive scenery at Universal Epic Universe. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)40 Height, in feet, of the two Viking and dragon statues at the entry of Isle of Berk. 42 Price, in dollars, of Pop-Up Bands, the wearable technology that helps visitors interact in Super Nintendo Land 62 Top speed, in miles per hour, for Stardust Racers roller coaster (2 dueling rails, 1 inversion apiece) 75 Size, in acres, of Epic Universe theme park 160 Distance, in feet, from the ground of the theme park up to Bar Helios, the rooftop bar at Helios Grand Hotel 200 Fountain jets in lagoons 2,000 Rooms in the three Epic Universe hotels 2,121 Days between the official announcement and grand opening More on Epic Universe An Epic movie guide: What to watch before visiting Universal’s new park Epic Universe: Say hello to new Helios Grand, theme park neighbor Epic Universe survival guide: What to pack for the new park Epic Universe: Exec blends arts, engineering in theme park roles Epic Universe preview: An early walk (and rides) in the park View the full article

If there’s one thing Disney fans aren’t shy about, it’s sharing how they really feel about the state of the parks —and right now, it’s not all pixie dust and churros. Construction Walls Between construction walls popping up like mushrooms after a Florida rainstorm and fan-favorite attractions going down left and right, things are feeling a little chaotic in Disney World. With all that in mind, we wanted to find out from you what your feelings were about all the major projects and construction walls, and y’all definitely had some thoughts. We reached out to our followers on X to ask: “Disney World has a TON of major projects happening right now—do you mind the construction walls, or are you excited for all the exciting changes coming?” We had quite a few people leave their opinions in the comments! Now, let’s dive into some of your top responses! “Disney is destroying everything that made us love those parks.” First up, we’ve got @RBG_Retro and they did not hold back: “With everything going on at Disney and the opening of Epic Universe, my wife and I are discussing not renewing our Disney APs. Disney is destroying everything that made us love those parks, so why bother going anymore? Super Nintendo, Darkmoor, and Wizarding World are unbeatable.” Super Nintendo World When longtime Annual Passholders are considering jumping ship for Universal, you know the discontent is real. It’s not just about the rides — it’s about how fans feel like the magic is slipping away while competitors are leveling up hard. “For every Cosmic Rewind, there’s 5 Trons.” Next, @Stigg00 summed up the situation with this: “You always have to be excited for new things, BUT…. For every Cosmic Rewind, there’s 5 Trons.” Tron Lightcycle/Run Construction (2023) Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind was a win, but let’s be honest — TRON had a decade of hype and delivered a ride that’s over in the blink of an eye. A lot of you are starting to feel like the ratio of payoff to wait just isn’t working anymore. “No need to get excited for a Villains Land that is at least 5 years away.” Next, @MHacifazli18627 hit the nail on the head: “Kinda. For the ones that are in short term. No need to get excited for a Villains Land that is at least 5 years away.” Villains Land ©Disney It can be hard to stay hyped for a concept art tease when all you’re getting in the short term is more walls, more closures, and more “stay tuned.” Disney, we love a long-term vision — but some of us are just trying to book a trip next spring, and it’s not looking great. “I’m not going back until Cars is done!” Over at @CartersUnlimit, the focus was clear: “I’m not going back until Cars is done !” Cars Area Concept Art ©Disney Fair. We’d love to see Cars in Florida, too — but again, even if something like that is on the table, it’s years out. “Too many walls all at once.” Next up, @MarchinGoofy shared what a lot of you are probably thinking: “Too many walls all at once, but I’ll hold off on heavy park visits until then.” Track work Construction fatigue is real. Whether you’re at Magic Kingdom or EPCOT, it can feel like you’ve been walking through a maze of plywood and scrims. The promise of future fun doesn’t always make up for current-day headaches. “Hate the walls” @SOARIN61 kept it short and sweet: “Hate the walls can’t wait for the construction to be over” Main Street, U.S.A. Train Station The walls aren’t just annoying — they’re a visual reminder that Disney’s in transition. And not everyone’s loving the growing pains. “Don’t mind, can’t wait for some new stuff” Not everyone is down in the dumps, though. @ArentRobert gave us a breath of optimism: “Don’t mind, can’t wait for some new stuff” ©Disney That’s the spirit. New stuff is coming. But the question is: will it be worth the wait? We sure do hope so! Those were just some of your thoughts on all the major projects and construction walls at Disney World, and now we want to hear even more from you! Until then, keep it right here for all the latest Disney news! Also, follow us on X to join in on the next discussion. “You do you, it’s just not for me.” Disney Adults Are Sharing the Popular Trends They Can’t Stand Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Do you mind the construction walls, or are you excited for all the exciting changes coming? Let us know in the comments below! The post “Disney Is Destroying Everything That Made Us Love Those Parks." Fans Have HAD IT With These Disney World Ride Closures first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Summer is right around the corner, which means if you’re heading to Disney World soon, you’ll be in for some fun in the sun. Blizzard Beach Well, summer is a great time to visit Disney World’s water parks, especially now that Disney World hotel guests get FREE water park tickets on their arrival day. Here’s the thing, though: usually only one water park is open at a time, so that’s the one you have to go to. BUT that will all be changing in just a few days when BOTH Disney World water parks will be open at the same time. Right now, Typhoon Lagoon is the only water park open to Disney World visitors. However, this is your reminder that Blizzard Beach will be reopening on May 21st. Both parks will be open at the same time through September 7th. So you’ll have a choice of water parks when you visit just in time for summer. Blizzard Beach So, which park should you choose? Both have some pretty fun water attractions, so it comes down to theming. At Typhoon Lagoon, you’ll get a story about a storm that raged across the sea and washed everything ashore at Typhoon Lagoon. You can even see one of those ships stranded high atop Mount Mayday. Here, you’ll find fun water slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, and more. Typhoon Lagoon Blizzard Beach’s story is that a random snowstorm once hit Florida, prompting the state to build a ski resort. Of course, it’s Florida, so all that snow melted away and left behind a lot of water…which is now Blizzard Beach. You’ll find waterslides, raft rides, a lazy river, a wave pool, and a Frozen-themed kids’ section here. Blizzard Beach So don’t forget…if you’re visiting Disney World between May 21st and September 7th, you have a choice of which water park to go to. Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation. Stay tuned to DFB for more. A Word of Warning for Your Water Park Day in Disney World DON'T DO IT ALONE! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you GET MORE INFO Which water park is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Disney Set To Open BOTH Water Parks SOON Following Huge Summer Announcement first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article