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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

Disney is constantly making announcements, and sometimes these updates are quiet…but of course, we find those and share them with you! Loungefly bags in EPCOT It’s not just news either — so many incredible Disney items drop online without any recognition. Luckily, you’ve got us on your side, which is why we’re sharing some of the newest Disney Loungeflys that quietly dropped on Amazon, because one of them just might end up being your new favorite park bag! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. First up, grab the Pinocchio Loungefly Backpack! ©Amazon There’s a reason the traditional Loungefly backpack design is so popular, but we love it when they switch it up! Pinocchio is front and center here with the characters from the movie surrounding him. Yes, even Monstro made it! You still have a main zipper compartment and a front zipper pocket, so there’s plenty of room to store your essentials. This bag has an extra special surprise when you open the flap, too! Get It Here! Disney Princess fans! Check out the Sleeping Beauty Loungefly. ©Disney Aurora is one of the OG Princesses, so we love to see new merchandise featuring her! This one shows Briar Rose, fittingly surrounded by roses, and Prince Phillip. Because of the design, you get a larger front pocket than usual — score! Get It Here! We’re all mad for this Alice in Wonderland Loungefly! ©Amazon Go down the rabbit hole and rock one of the most iconic scenes in Alice in Wonderland with this new backpack! The Cheshire Cat may be bad at directions, but that’s part of the charm with this bag. And guess what? This front pocket is even BIGGER to accommodate the design. Hooray! Get It Here! Grab this adorable Snuggly Duckling Loungefly Bag! ©Amazon You aren’t even ready for this one. There are few restaurants from Disney movies as iconic as The Snuggly Duckling which is why we’re freaking out over this new crossbody bag! This is ideal if you want something smaller to carry around or if you don’t like the feeling of wearing a backpack. Also, while the outside is impressive, just wait until you see the inside print! Get It Here! Finally, check out this stunning Rapunzel Loungefly. ©Amazon We’re finishing off this list with an elegant crowd pleaser. This Loungefly is purple all over and really focuses on the details. Do you see the sun from the movie on the top flap? This is also different than the typical design because of the drawstring and snap closure. We’re sure Rapunzel would love to see you sporting this in the Disney theme parks! Get It Here! Keep following DFB for more Disney merchandise! Don’t miss out on more Disney souvenirs on our Amazon storefront!The post 5 New Loungeflys Were Quietly Released On Amazon first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ve been to Epic Universe a few times now, and we’ve been blown away by the lands. Display case of goodies at K. Rammelle More importantly, though, we’ve been checking out ALL the food. Now, we’ve reviewed restaurants, quick-service counters, bars, and more in all five lands, but we’re heading back to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic to try out MORE sweets. So get ready to indulge your sweet tooth (because you’re going to need these treats), and let’s head over to K. Rammelle! Now we previously visited K. Rammelle to check out the petit cakes (and we were impressed!). So we decided to check out even more treats to see if they stacked up. Let’s start with the Metrofloo Truffle for $3.50. Yep, we’re going to admit that we got this because we were curious what Metrofloo would taste like, but we were so confused by this treat. We thought it might be like key lime or something (with all that green), but BOY, were we wrong. Apparently, Metrofloo just tastes like sugar. Metrofloo Truffle When we say sugar, we mean that the truffle is just sweet with no flavor. It just tastes like…well, corn syrup. The texture inside the truffle is like a curd, but it was sugar-flavored curd with no additional flavor. Where’s the flavor? We also picked up the Sherbet Lemon Caramel for $5.50. Now there are a variety of caramel flavors you could try here, but this was the one that appealed to us most. We weren’t sure what the texture would be like, but it turned out to be like one of those super milky and chewy stick-in-your-teeth caramels. And we mean that in the best way possible. Sherbet Lemon Caramel The tart lemon flavor with the sweet caramel was the PERFECT combo. We also loved the size of it because it’s about the size of six regular caramels you’d get at the store. Also, confession time…we went back and got another one because we liked it that much. We will totally stock up on these to take back to o ur room to finish off later. Chewy caramel Stay tuned to DFB for more. REVIEW: We Tried the VIRAL $19 Pizza in Epic Universe Read more: DFB's complete guide to Universal’s Epic Universe >> Have you been to Epic Universe yet? What’s the best thing you’ve eaten there? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: “I Wanted To Know What Metrofloo Tasted Like.” Our Honest Thoughts About a NEW Epic Universe Treat first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Every week, we report the average Disney World wait times in every park so that you can be prepared for your next trip to Orlando! Magic Kingdom With summer coming sooner than you might realize, knowing what the weekly average wait times are for those popular rides can make or break your upcoming trip. If you’re heading to the parks soon, we’ve got all the info you need to know! This week, wait times went down this week with even Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind dropping by 5 minutes! Take a look at this week’s average wait times for proof! This is everything you need to know about the average wait times in Disney World over the past seven days. Magic Kingdom Wait Times The finale! TRON Lightcycle / Run — 64 minutes Seven Dwarfs Mine Train — 53 minutes Tiana’s Bayou Adventure — 47 minutes Peter Pan’s Flight — 43 minutes Jungle Cruise — 34 minutes Space Mountain — 33 minutes Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh — 32 minutes Haunted Mansion — 29 minutes Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin — 23 minutes Enchanted Tales with Belle — 20 minutes Pirates of the Caribbean — 15 minutes “it’s a small world” “it’s a small world” — 15 minutes Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid — 14 Minutes Barnstormer featuring the Great Goofini — 13 minutes Dumbo the Flying Elephant — 13 minutes Tomorrowland Speedway — 12 minutes Mickey’s PhilharMagic — 12 minutes Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover — 9 minutes Mad Tea Party — 8 minutes Mad Tea Party Magic Carpets of Aladdin — 10 minutes Country Bear Jamboree – – 9 minutes Prince Charming Regal Carrousel –6 minutes Carousel of Progress Liberty Square Riverboat — 6 minutes Carousel of Progress — 5 minutes Enchanted Tiki Room — 4 minutes Tom Sawyer Island — 4 minutes 3 Magic Kingdom Restaurants the Experts Refuse to Book EPCOT Wait Times Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind — 75 minutes Frozen Ever After — 48 minutes Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure — 48 minutes Soarin’ — 28 minutes No more lean! Mission: SPACE — 16 minutes The Seas with Nemo and Friends — 15 minutes Turtle Talk with Crush — 15 minutes Living with the Land — 13 minutes Spaceship Earth — 11 minutes Journey into Imagination — 12 minutes Gran Fiesta Tour — 9 minutes Test Track is closed for refurbishment. Awesome Planet, American Adventure, Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival, Impressions de France, and Reflections of China had no wait times this week. This Is One of the BEST Things To Do in EPCOT, and You Can’t Change My Mind Animal Kingdom Wait Times Pandora Avatar Flight of Passage — 59 minutes Na’vi River Journey — 47 minutes Kilimanjaro Safaris — 33 minutes Expedition Everest Kali River Rapids — 25 minutes Expedition Everest — 26 minutes Dinosaur — 18 minutes The Boneyard had no wait times this week. These Disney Adult Animal Kingdom Hacks Are Getting Out of Control Hollywood Studios Wait Times Slinky Dog Dash in Hollywood Studios Slinky Dog Dash — 59 minutes Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster — 57 minutes Rise of the Resistance — 51 minutes Tower of Terror — 43 minutes Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway — 42 minutes Toy Story Mania Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run — 39 minutes Toy Story Mania — 35 minutes Alien Swirling Saucers — 23 minutes Muppet*Vision 3D — 10 minutes Star Tours — 9 minutes Walt Disney Presents had no wait times this week. So, Are We Just Going to Ignore the Hollywood Studios Ride Elephant in the Room?? Stay tuned to DFB for more updates from Disney World! 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. ‘Menu Sleuths’ Are Taking Over Disney World Restaurants 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 How long would you wait for your favorite ride? Let us know in the comments below! The post We're Shocked By the Disney World Wait Time Drops This Week first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

What can we say about cake? We LOVE cake, and we eat a LOT of it (in every shape and size) any chance we get. K. Rammelle We’ve spent a lot of time eating cupcakes in Disney World (we think we’ve had every cupcake imaginable, at this point), but we also love the petit cakes at Amorette’s Patisserie and the bigger Mickey Celebration Cakes you can order for a special occasion (or just because). We’ve also spent a LOT of time at The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers eating a LOT of cake slices. However, Disney might want to move over because we’ve just found some cake in Universal Orlando’s NEW theme park, Epic Universe, that could be even better — AND it’s only $14. We found these cakes at K. Rammell in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic (say that three times fast…). K. Rammell is a French confectionery shop that has some of the prettiest sweets we’ve ever seen. Here’s a peek at the display case. Ooh la la! Display case of goodies We decided to try the petit cakes here, and as we said, they’re only $14, which makes them considerably less than the petit cakes you can get at Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs, which run around $22. Just take a look at these beautiful creations. Petit Cakes Sure, they look fantastic, but how do they taste? Well, let’s find out. We started with the K. Rammelle Petit Gateau, which is Blackberry and Lavender. This pretty pink concoction reminds us of Dolores Umbridge (but she is not worthy of such a delicacy). First, we love this unique combination of flavors. We will warn you that the lavender is a floral flavor, but we think even if you don’t love floral flavors, this could win you over. The choice of blackberry over other berries was also a nice change of pace. K. Rammelle Petit Gateau The cake itself was wrapped in a very thin fondant, with layers inside. We really liked the combination of custard and jam in those layers, too. The macaron on top is mostly ornamental and tasted like sugar with a hint of berry. It’s not the star of the cake, though — the CAKE itself is. Yummy layers Next up is this pretty Beauxbatons Petit Gateau with blueberry and lemon flavors. First, we love that it looks like the Beauxbatons school uniform, complete with the dainty wizard hat. Okay, you cannot go wrong with blueberry and lemon, so we were psyched to try this one. This was probably our favorite of the three cakes we tried because it has a huge layer of lemon cheesecake, and that just took it to a WHOLE other level. Like the previous cake, you get a nice, moist cake. This one also had some nice vanilla notes that were secondary to the creamy and silky lemon cheesecake. BauxBatons Petit Gateau The tart blueberry accents were enough to accessorize the other flavors but it also added some nice color. This was coated in a glacage (or something like that), though, that was very sticky, so be on the lookout for that. But yeah, this was a solid cake that we’ll order again and again when our sweet tooth strikes. You can’t go wrong with blueberry and lemon Finally, we tried the Ministry of Magic Petit Gateau, which is tiramisu-flavored. This was another nice moist cake with a cream/mascarpone that was beautifully rich and offered a complement to the rest of the cake’s flavor. When we say moist, too, we don’t mean “wet.” No, these cakes just have the right amount of moisture that makes their texture perfect for a cake. Ministry of Magic petit gateau The creaminess of the cake, too, was a good base for the brighter coffee and cake flavors we were getting from this. Another moist delicious cake These cakes were moist and tasty, and at a price point almost half of what you would pay in Disney World for something comparable. Overall, we think we like these better. We also loved the designs — they were pretty without being over the top. Stay tuned to DFB for more reviews. REVIEW: What I Wish I Knew Before Trying 9 Menu Items at This Epic Universe Restaurant Read more: DFB's complete guide to Universal’s Epic Universe >> Will you be visiting Epic Universe this summer? Let us know what you’re wanting to eat there in the comments! The post REVIEW: The Cake EVERYONE Should Try in Epic Universe first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

When it comes to dining at Disney World, you’ve got a TON of options. Want something quick and easy? You’ve got it. Something middle of the road and comforting? Yep, that too. And if you’re looking for something upscale and luxurious, you can find that as well. Welcome to Disney World We recently stopped by The Artist’s Palette at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort to see what was cookin’, and now we’re bringing you our FULL review. Is it worth a stop on your next trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth? Find out here! Atmosphere Artist’s Palette is a counter service at Saratoga Springs Resort that serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Artist’s Palette! This spot serves as a quick service restaurant as well as a convenience store and shopping area for the resort! A look inside! There’s a lot of seating inside and simple art to bring the room to life. It also has tall ceilings, and the sound tends to carry in this spot. The seating! When it comes to ordering, you can mobile order or order at the counters. The counters! But enough about the restaurant — what’s on the menu here?! Menu At this spot, you can find pizzas, sandwiches, salads, paninis, and more! They also have several sweet treats and drinks for anyone looking for them. The menu! If you’re heading to the parks or packing a picnic lunch, you can grab some larger groceries as well. Groceries! And now, onto the main event — the food! Eats First up, we grabbed the Avocado Toast with Chips for $10.99! This is made with avocado, cherry tomatoes, radish, Pickled red onions, arugula, and “aïoli” on toasted sunflower bread, and it’s served with a side of Saratoga Chips. (Just noting, Disney has aïoli in quotations on its website but doesn’t detail why.) The avocado toast! This is served all day long. The bread itself was pretty soggy, so we don’t think we would call it toasted. Luckily, that’s the end of our complaints because the rest of the item was super fresh and reminded us of a garden. A closer look! It has a lot of arugula, and the red onion offers a great bite. Everything pairs well with the avocado, and it’s a great option if you’re looking for some vegetables. We also enjoyed the housemade chips thanks to their crunch and seasonings. The Avocado Toast! Next, we grabbed the Hot Italian Panini for $13.49. This came with a side of tomato soup that we found pretty thin and lumpy (which, hey, some people might enjoy!) The panini! The panini itself was amazing! It had a strong pepperoni and meat flavor, but the sweet and spicy relish balanced it well with a bit of a kick. The cheese was mild and very light on flavor. A closer look! The bread was amazing and crispy, which made the entire thing even better. We would happily get this again! A closer look at the soup. We also wanted to grab a little something sweet, so we started with the Hole in One for $5.99! It’s made with a fudgy brownie filled with caramel sauce and pecans, topped with vanilla cheesecake. The Hole in One! The brownie itself was pretty dry and didn’t offer a ton of flavor. The chocolate isn’t super sweet, and it’s a cakey texture. The caramel and nuts inside offer a nice subtle addition. The inside! The cheesecake was light and fluffy and lightly sweetened. The design was very cute, but that might be the best thing about this one. Finally, we grabbed the Bullseye Cupcake for $6.79. Bullseye Cupcake This one is made with a chocolate cupcake filled with peanut butter mousse and topped with chocolate and peanut butter buttercream with a Bullseye white chocolate coin. The frosting was very light, almost like whipped cream. Inside the cupcake The cupcake was a bit dry, but it did have a nice level of chocolate flavor and that amazing peanut butter filling to help it out. It was rich, creamy, and lightly chilled, which was amazing on a hot day. Nosh or Not This Disney World restaurant is a must-visit if… You’re staying at this resort You need a post-golf lunch Or you love a Toy Story-themed dessert! You should skip this Disney World spot if… You want a fancy meal You’re looking for adventurous flavors Or you would have to go out of your way to get there Overall Overall, this is a pretty solid, especially if you’re staying at this resort! It offers more variety than typical theme park fare, but it won’t give you any life-changing experiences. The full spread! WE KNOW – there are SO many great snacks at Disney World! How do you choose (we don’t want to choose but will blow our budget on Day 1 otherwise)? We’ve got you covered! We have reviewed nearly EVERY snack available at Disney World, and we’ve written a series of DFB Guides about them! Check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining + Snacks Bundle for all the details you need to plan your snackin’ and spending. You can even download them to your smartphone – it’ll be like we’re right there with you in the parks! DFB Guide and Snacks Bundle 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: Let's Get Lunch at Artist's Palette at Disney's Saratoga Springs Hotel first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Okay, it might be May, but we’re already thinking ahead to fall…or more importantly, Halloween season. Mickey in costume at his Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! Disney has already dropped some Halloween news on us, after all, including dates and details about this year’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World. Well, Disney isn’t done celebrating Halloween because the company also just dropped some brand new Halloween souvenirs online at The Disney Store. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Get the Hitchhiking Ghosts Figure ©Disney You know the spiel from Haunted Mansion. Beware of hitchhiking ghosts. This figure brings Ezra, Phineas, and Gus to new life as they try to hitch a ride home with you after your ride on Haunted Mansion. This figure is beautifully hand-painted and is a must for Haunted Mansion fans. View at The Disney Store Buy the Mickey and Minnie “Spine-Tingling Sweethearts Figure ©Disney This Jim Shore figure has Mickey and Minnie dressed in their skeleton Halloween costumes, sitting on top of a light-up jack-o’-lantern. They’ve seen something scary, though, because they’re clinging to each other in fear. Spooky. View at The Disney Store Get the Constance Hatchaway Figure ©Disney This Jim Shore figure of Constance Hatchaway features the Haunted Mansion Bride, as we know and love her, complete with her axe…which is totally just an accessory and wasn’t used to off her many husbands. She’s looking pretty sassy here, too. View at The Disney Store Buy the Snow White Poison Apple Figure ©Disney The Jim Shore Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs “Apple-solutely Poisonous/Wicked” figure reimagines the poison apple from Snow White as it pierces through a book of the Evil Queen’s spells. View at The Disney Store Get the “Beauty and the Stitch” Figure ©Disney Jim Shore imagines Stitch dressed up like Beast in this fun crossover of Lilo & Stitch and Beauty and the Beast. Stitch is even dressed in Beast’s suit holding a rose for Halloween. Great costume, Stitch! View at The Disney Store Get the Winnie the Pooh and Piglet Halloween Figure ©Disney Piglet and Pooh are trying on cute starry witch hats for Halloween in this adorable figure. We think they’ve found their Halloween costumes! View at The Disney Store 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 Dropped 5 NEW Halloween Souvenirs first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A unique and popular Disney snack has made its big return, and we can’t lie, we’re REALLY jealous! Tokyo Disneyland Tokyo Disneyland is special for many different reasons. For starters, a foreign park is breathtaking to visit. The sights, the sounds, everything is so unique when you travel to another Disney Park. The other fun little perk of traveling internationally is trying all the unique FOOD! Speaking of food, a special treat has made its highly anticipated return. The snack came back on May 12th, and we’re hoping it sticks around. If you end up in Tokyo Disney, you’ll find the bread at the Sweetheart Cafe in World Bazaar. The only thing that might be cuter than the bread itself is the packaging. Tokyo is always making their stuff so sweet and adorable — look at Mickey and Minnie tugging on both ends of the bread to make it spell “long.” It feels like sometimes Tokyo Disney is one-upping us on food, and this wouldn’t be the first time! ©Tokyo Disney During our last visit to La Taverne de Gaston in Tokyo Disneyland, they had an entree called the French Toast Sandwich, and it was AMAZING! La Taverne de Gaston The bread was sweet sugared French toast, and the middle was a grilled cheese. We know — interesting combination. However, it was a huge win when it came to mixing the flavors. It’s one of those things you didn’t know you needed til you have one! French Toast Sandwich As jealous as we are, at least there are reasons for us to travel to different Disney Parks — rides, experiences, entertainment, and FOOD (especially the Mickey Long Bread)! For more news and updates on all things Disney, be sure to follow us at the Disney Food Blog! This Disney Ride Will Permanently CLOSE in October to Make Way For Wreck-It Ralph Replacement! 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’s a Disney snack you wish you could try, but it’s in another location? Let us know in the comments! The post Dear Disney World, We Are BEGGING for This Famous Mickey Bread To Come to Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Big things are brewing at Disney’s Hollywood Studios — and they’re happening fast. Disney’s Hollywood Studios In just 10 days, TWO brand-new shows will debut, bringing all-new energy to the park (and we are so ready). The Little Mermaid—A Musical Adventure and Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After are both launching on May 27th, and they’re not just small updates—they’re completely fresh experiences. But with new magic coming in, that also means some farewells are in order, and Muppets Courtyard is officially on the clock. Let’s break down exactly what’s changing and what it means for your next Hollywood Studios day. The Little Mermaid—A Musical Adventure Is the Glow-Up We’ve Been Waiting For If you remember the “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” show that ran in Animation Courtyard for decades, get ready for something totally new. After years of sitting dark post-2020, the theater is finally coming back to life with a full-on reimagining: The Little Mermaid—A Musical Adventure. ©Disney This new version isn’t just a light refresh. It’s a completely updated production with high-tech digital puppets, revamped staging, and a fresh focus on storytelling. Disney even teased it on their @wdwannualpassholders Instagram account with a series of clever reveals using props like a treasure chest, a bottle with a note, and more. Here’s what we know: The show will run continuously from 9:15 AM to 7:15 PM, so you’ve got plenty of chances to catch it. Lightning Lane access will be offered for this one, though Disney hasn’t officially stated if it’ll be part of the new Multi Pass or Single Pass system. Prince Eric is stepping up in this version with a bigger role, and “Kiss the Girl” is getting the spotlight as the show’s biggest musical number. “Under the Sea” used to steal the show, so this is a big creative shift. For the first time ever, Ariel’s sisters will be part of the stage show, and that’s something fans are buzzing about. This wasn’t part of the old production and should bring a splash of fun and flair. Expect those digital puppets we mentioned, new musical numbers, and visuals that promise to raise the bar on what a theme park stage show can be. ©Disney Honestly, this show is sounding like a must-do—and we don’t say that lightly. If you’re heading to Hollywood Studios after May 27th, you’re going to want to carve out time for this one. Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After Is About to Become the Most Dramatic Show in the Park Meanwhile, over on Sunset Boulevard, the villains are finally getting their moment. Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After is taking over the space where Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy used to be — and let’s be real, this already sounds like an upgrade. ©Disney The concept is super fun: Maleficent, Captain Hook, and Cruella De Vil take center stage to argue their case to the audience—literally. Each villain explains why they were misunderstood and mistreated in their stories, and the audience gets to decide who got the worst deal. It’s part courtroom drama, part dark comedy, and fully villainous fun. Here’s the deal: This show runs 15 times a day, starting at 10 AM and wrapping up with a final show at 7 PM. With so many showtimes, you’ll have flexibility, but don’t expect to stroll in last-minute. Villain fans are intense (you know who you are), and this is going to draw a crowd. While Maleficent, Hook, and Cruella are the headliners, Disney has confirmed that other villains will pop up throughout the theater. That’s right, it’s not just a trio act—it’s a full villain celebration. ©Disney So if you’re a villain lover—or just in the mood for something totally different—this one needs to be on your radar. But Not All the News Is Good — Say Goodbye to Muppets Courtyard Yep, it’s true. Hollywood Studios is changing, and while new experiences are coming in, others are stepping aside. Muppet*Vision 3D is officially closing on June 8th, 2025. Muppet*Vision 3D This one stings. Not only was it a longtime favorite for many, but it was also the last project Jim Henson ever worked on. The show blends 3D effects, animatronics, and live elements in a way that still holds up (even if the jokes are a little old-school). Plus, it was a rare chill moment in an otherwise high-energy park. ©The Jim Henson Company Also closing on June 8th is PizzeRizzo, the Muppet-themed quick-service restaurant. The last day of operation will be June 7th. So if you want one more slice or a final laugh with Kermit and friends, the clock is ticking. PizzeRizzo Why the closures? Disney is making room for the brand-new Monsters, Inc. Land that’s coming to this part of the park. We’re excited for what’s ahead, but yeah — it’s hard not to feel a little nostalgic as Muppets Courtyard fades into history. Final Thoughts In just 10 days, Hollywood Studios is going to feel very different. With a shiny new Little Mermaid show, a villain-centered stage production, and the countdown to the end of Muppets Courtyard already underway, May 27th marks a real turning point. So, whether you’re planning your next trip or just love keeping up with the latest park changes, these updates are ones to watch. Keep following DisneyFoodBlog for all of your Disney news. 4 MAJOR CHANGES COMING TO DISNEY WORLD THIS SUMMER 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 Which show are you most excited to watch first? Tell us in the comments! The post In Just 10 Days, Disney's Hollywood Studios CHANGES in 2 Major Ways! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Okay, so Universal Orlando’s new theme park, Epic Universe, has already become pretty popular — even before its official opening date. Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry That’s because so many Universal fans have been taking advantage of the early previews to check everything out before the park’s official opening on May 22nd. We’ve been there a few times ourselves, but on May 17th, we saw something that literally made our jaws drop. Okay, so we KNEW the Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry ride would be popular in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, but today, we saw a posted wait time of FIVE HOURS. That’s right, we visited Epic Universe today and decided to catch a ride on Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. We were lucky — our full wait was only about two and a half hours. However, on the app, the posted wait time at one point was four hours…and then it jumped up to FIVE HOURS. FIVE HOURS, y’all. That’s basically half a park day. ©Universal Here’s what that looked like in the park around 11:30 AM. WHEW. 300 minutes = 5 hours Granted, there was about an hour of downtime when the ride was closed, and that probably didn’t help the wait time much. We also have to point out that Epic Universe is still in its early preview phase, and the ride recently switched from requiring a virtual queue reservation to a standby line. Basically, this is still a rehearsal while Universal figures out the best way to handle this ride’s lines and wait times. Fortunately, once you get inside the main queue area, there’s plenty to see and loads of details to take in. The Office of Professor Delores Umbridge We’ll have to see how Universal decides to handle this ride once Epic Universe officially opens to the public on May 22nd, but we’ll be keeping an eye out for changes during early previews, too, so stay tuned to DFB for more.  Read more: DFB's complete guide to Universal’s Epic Universe >> Would you wait five hours for a popular ride in Epic Universe? Let us know in the comments! The post The NEW ‘Harry Potter’ Ride Has a FIVE HOUR Line in Epic Universe Following Virtual Queue Rule Change first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Great news, friends! If you’ve been searching for some of the most perfect Disney gifts online and you need them ASAP, we’re here to help. Loungefly bags are great park bags! We just found some pretty amazing deals online that you CANNOT miss, and you’ll want to hurry, because they may not be around for too long! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Stay Hydrated This Summer ©Amazon If you or your kiddos need a solid water bottle to use to stay hydrated during the hot summer, the Disney Mickey Mouse Zak Water Bottle is where it’s at. It’s got a super cute design, is double insulated to keep your drink cold all day, and it’s easy to hook onto a backpack! Check it out! A New Shirt for Vacation! ©Amazon Looking for adorable matching shirts that aren’t going to break the bank and that everyone can agree on? Grab the Long Live All The Magic We Made Tshirt! It comes in a few different colors so everyone can choose what they feel fits their style best, and let’s be honest — it’s just too cute to NOT get! Check it out! Keep Your Jewelry Safe ©Amazon If you want to make sure your jewelry stays safe, secure, AND stylish this summer (and for the foreseeable future), don’t miss out on the Disney Princess Beauty and the Beast Jewelry Box! It’s gorgeous and we think it looks fantastic on any Disney fan’s dresser! Check it out! Get Your Beauty Rest! ©Amazon Stay comfy all night long with the Kitsch x Disney Satin Sleep Mask and don’t let the sun wake you until you’re ready! This is also great to use on vacations or in other unfamiliar sleeping settings, like on planes, trains, and automobiles! Check it out! Jazz Up That Outfit! ©Amazon Need a simple way to dress up almost any outfit? The Disney Mickey Mouse Endless Hoop Earrings are calling your name! They’re simple, elegant, and won’t give you too many issues, as they’re not massive hoops. We’re BIG fans! Check it out! Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney merchandise news and beyond! Check out our Amazon Storefront for more of our favorites!The post Great Disney Deals Just Landed on Amazon first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Okay, so who loves Tangled and also loves makeup? Rapunzel Wait…that’s us! In fact, we love Tangled so much that we’re still salty that the only thing the movie got in Magic Kingdom is a fake tower and some bathrooms (okay, they ARE nice bathrooms), as well as a hidden Pascal game. But there is a whole Tangled land at Tokyo DisneySea, so we can’t complain too much. But back to the make-up…okay, so Colourpop often releases some fun collaborations. Well, now there’s a new Colourpop Tangled collection to check out. Yes, it’s the BEST DAY EVER, because Colourpop’s new Tangled collection is now available online. Get the Pascal Hair Brush ©Colourpop Pascal might be Rapunzel’s companion, but he can be yours, too, and even help you keep your hair in order, even if you have hair as long as Raps. This adorable brush is ready to be taken on the go and even comes with a mirror so you can check your locks when you need to. View on Amazon Buy the Chase Your Dreams Lip Gloss Set ©Colourpop If you have a dream (queue song), you can chase that dream with this gorgeous lip gloss set which includes three Tangled colors inspired by Rapunzel, Pascal, and Flynn Rider (aka Eugene). View on Amazon Get the Best Day Ever Eyeshadow Palette ©Colourpop Add some pretty Tangled-inspired colors to your eyes with this eyeshadow palette that features 12 magical shades inspired by characters from Tangled. It’s sure to help you have the best day ever. View on Amazon Want to see the WHOLE collection? You can check it out the FULL Colourpop Tangled collection here. 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 ColourPop's EXCLUSIVE New 'Tangled' Collection Is ONLINE Now! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The rest of 2025 is looking like it will be a busy year at Walt Disney World, with new shows, refurbished ride openings, entertainment, and eateries on the horizon, plus we know exactly when some of the resort’s iconic annual favorites are returning as well! Cinderella Castle Beyond these specific dates, there are also further opening timelines for major projects coming to the resort through the rest of the year! Confirmed Dates: The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure – May 27th ©Disney Hollywood Studios’ new show will update the classic Voyage of the Little Mermaid show, using “lively puppets, props, digital puppetry and jaw-dropping effects” to tell an abridged version of the film’s story, including performances of “Kiss the Girl”, “Daughters of Triton.” “Part of Your World”, “Under the Sea”, and “Poor Unfortunate Souls”. Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After – May 27th ©Disney Opening the same day as The Little Mermaid —A Musical Adventure, Unfairly Ever After is going to be a “spellbinding show with moving music and a most memorable finale—where you help decide who has been treated most unfairly.” GEO-82 – June 4th ©Disney Located at the back of Spaceship Earth, EPCOT’s highly anticipated 21+ lounge is going to be “a sophisticated hideaway nestled within the iconic geodesic sphere” where guests will “experience global flavors blended with culinary artistry in classic cocktails and small plates.” Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party – August 15th Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party The 2025 edition of Disney’s iconic spooky season spectacular will launch on August 15th. This year’s party, featuring new offerings like a meet & greet with Mickey & Minnie as well as Storybook Circus being transformed into a “happy haunt for families with younger children” along with classic elements, is scheduled to run on select nights through October 31st. 2025 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival – August 28th Filet Mignon with mushrooms, Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs mashed potatoes, and Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs butter EPCOT’s longest-running festival, a “culinary adventure across 6 different continents”, will run from August 28th through November 22nd. Confirmed Timelines: Starlight: Dream the Night Away – Summer 2025 ©Disney According to Disney, the Magic Kingdom’s new nighttime parade features “nostalgic Disney storytelling and glowing innovation, continuing the legacy of dazzling nighttime entertainment that holds a special place in the hearts of so many” and feature characters from “classic and new Walt Disney Animation Studios films like Peter Pan, Encanto, Frozen, Moana” and more. Test Track – Late Summer Test Track construction began earlier this year. EPCOT’s Test Track has been down for refurbishment since June of 2024, as Disney Imagineers have been transforming the attraction into essentially a new ride (dubbed Test Track 3.0 by many fans). The new incarnation of the classic E-Ticket, which will allegedly feature nods to World of Motion, is scheduled to open sometime this summer. The Beak and Barrel – Late Summer 2025 ©Disney According to Disney, the new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge at the Magic Kingdom will be themed as a “rambunctious watering hole” offering “a welcoming haven for all pirate-kind, big and small, and everyone in between. Here, bandits and buccaneers-to-be from every corner of the seven seas are welcome to join together and raise a toast to the pirate life!” Bourbon & Steak – Summer 2025 The fry flight! This new eatery, replacing Shula’s Steakhouse at the Walt Disney World Dolphin, is part of the chain owned by celebrity chef Michael Mina. The restaurant describes itself as“a tribute to the classic American steakhouse” with a menu that includes “prime cuts of beef, fresh seafood, and an extensive selection of wines and spirits, including rare and vintage bourbon selections,” made with locally sourced ingredients. Zootopia: Better Zoogether – 2025 ©Disney Zootopia: Better Zoogether, a 4D film where guests will be able to “join Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde and more for a new wild adventure”, is replacing It’s Tough to be a Bug at Animal Kingdom. The new show was initially scheduled to open in “Winter 2025,” but as of May, no opening date has been announced. ©Disney Disney’s 2025 calendar is filling up FAST. Stay tuned to DFB for more on Disney’s calendar for the rest of the year! 3 Things I Wish I Knew Before Leaving a Disney Cruise 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 Which of these 2025 openings are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments below. The post CONFIRMED: 10 Disney World Opening Dates in 2025 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Y’all…there are so many changes happening in Magic Kingdom that’s it’s HARD to keep up, but we’re trying. Tomorrowland For starters, we’re starting to see permits come in for work in the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island locations as Disney prepares to convert that into a Cars expansion in Frontierland (with two NEW rides!). Then, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is getting a MAJOR overhaul and will be closed for the rest of the year. PLUS a NEW Villains land will be going BEHIND Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at some point. That’s not all, though. A classic Tomorrowland attraction, Astro Orbiter, has been getting a bit of a facelift, too. Well, now we’re seeing signs of progress there. Let’s see what’s new! Astro Orbiter has been closed since January 13th for a refurbishment that is set to be over by summer. Astro Orbiter To do that, we noticed that Disney disassembled a large portion of the ride: the planets and ride vehicles were taken from the ride’s main structure, likely to be refurbished in a different location. Per a Cast Member we spoke with, this kind of refurbishment happens to the ride about every ten years. Here’s what Astro Orbiter looked like dismantled. Astro Orbiter disassembled However, on a recent visit to Magic Kingdom, we noticed that the ride was being reassembled. Some of the ride’s details in the center are being added back to the main ride structure. Here’s a view of the ride from the PeopleMover. It’s being put back together! There’s still a bit more to add to the ride, but this is a sign that the refurbishment could be coming to an end sooner rather than later. However, the ride doesn’t look quite as naked. Yay — PROGRESS! Closer look We’ll be keeping an eye on more of the ride’s construction, as well as a reopening date, so stay tuned to DFB for more. 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. JUST ANNOUNCED: Disney Confirmed Two AMAZING Additions Are Coming to EPCOT This Summer!  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 Is Astro Orbiter a must for you when you visit Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney Is FINALLY Fixing a MISSING Piece of Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article