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This summer, Disney California Adventure park proudly celebrates the debut of DisneyŸ-Pixar’s original film, “Inside Out,” with special, pre-parade appearances by the movie’s characters, the five Emotions: Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness. Arriving just ahead of daily performances of Pixar Play Parade, the “Inside Out” pre-parade brings these five new characters and their colorful, curious world right through the heart of Disney California Adventure park, allowing them to experience for the first time all the sights, sounds, smells and excitement of a day in a Disney park. Bringing an innovative storytelling approach to audiences, the film “Inside Out” ventures inside the mind of Riley and introduces us to the Emotions that guide her. Based in Headquarters, the five Emotions are hard at work, led by lighthearted optimist Joy, whose mission is to make sure Riley stays happy. “Inside Out” is directed by Academy Award winner Pete Docter (“Monsters, Inc.”, “Up”) and produced by Jonas Rivera (“Up”) with an original score by Michael Giacchino (“The Incredibles,” “Ratatouille,” “Up”). The “Inside Out” pre-parade begins June 19 and continues daily throughout the summer. You can also catch DisneyŸ-Pixar’s “Inside Out” in theaters everywhere on June 19, 2015. The Emotions of DisneyŸ-Pixar’s ‘Inside Out’ Come to Disney California Adventure Park June 19 by Shawn Slater: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

A union representing Walt Disney World performers is challenging a policy forbidding them from revealing online or in print media what characters they portray. View the full article

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will run for president in 2016, according to several senior aides, who confirmed Thursday that the Republican would formally announce his widely expected decision in Miami later this month. View the full article

Zandra Hatcher couldn't watch as her teenage daughters testified in court on Thursday that she was a standout mom. View the full article

Transportation networking company Uber threw a party in downtown Orlando Thursday to mark over one million trips and one year of operation in the tourism capital of the U.S. View the full article

Michael Hawrylak said he did everything he could to help Osceola High football player Dominic Lee and four Gateway High graduates after Tuesday's deadly crash. View the full article

Attention sports fans! More and more news continues to roll in regarding the future of Disney Springs, and today we’re adding one more item to the list: The NBA Experience at Walt Disney World Resort will be one of the additions to the area. ©NBA So what exactly does this have to do with the Disney FOOD Blog? Well, The NBA Experience will include a basketball-themed restaurant, so that’s always big news to us! But that’s not all. Interactive experiences will allow guests — adults and kids alike — to feel like they’re “right in the middle of NBA game action,” according to Disney. No timeline or exact location to share at this point, other than that initial development has already begun on the project. But we’ll look forward — as always — to more news on this and all the other establishments (STK, Morimoto Asia, and The Edison, to name just a few!) coming to Disney Springs. What do you think of this latest Disney Springs announcement? Please let us know with a comment! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com!Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook Fan Related posts: News: Patina Group Restaurant Opening in Disney World’s Downtown Disney Springs News! STK Comes to Disney Springs and Animal Kingdom Starbucks Locale Suspected News! Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Opening in Disney Springs this Fall View the full article

Transportation networking company Uber threw a party in downtown Orlando Thursday to mark over one million trips and one year of operation in the tourism capital of the U.S. View the full article

MELBOURNE — The body of a central Florida soldier who died in Afghanistan has been returned home for burial. View the full article

TALLAHASSEE – For two hours, House members asked questions of Rep. Mia Jones, D-Jacksonville, about a Senate bill offering health coverage to 800,000 Floridians who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. View the full article

A surging economy and a boom in construction are expected to raise taxable property values across Central Florida for the third straight year, according to preliminary figures released by Orange, Seminole, Lake and Osceola counties. View the full article

Despite the urgings of his counterpart in Orange County, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer isn't ready yet to get on board with a plan that would send money no longer needed for a soccer stadium to the performing arts center instead. View the full article

It’s not just our ships that are a playground for adults. Our private island offers plenty of ways for adults to enjoy themselves, with or without the kids. For those of you looking to do just that, check out this adult’s guide to Castaway Cay. An Adult’s Guide to Castaway Cay with Disney Cruise Line by Jonathan Frontado: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

Bengal Barbecue has been serving hungry adventurers in Disneyland park for 25 years. Fuel the next leg of your Disneyland expedition with a hot and spicy Banyan Beef Skewer, the Outback Vegetable Skewer or the popular Safari Skewer featuring bacon-wrapped asparagus. For those looking for extra provisions, Bengal Barbecue also offers Mickey-shaped pretzels, Tiger Tails (breadsticks), fruit cups and more. Quench your thirst for adventure with the Pomegranate Piranha Lemonade, offered as part of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration. This refreshing drink features all-natural Odwalla lemonade with flavors of mango and pineapple, pomegranate pearls and topped with passion fruit-mango fruit foam. Which Bengal Barbecue snack satisfies your “roaring” hunger? Bengal Barbecue Celebrates 25 Years at Disneyland Park by Rachel Brent: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

The Florida Supreme Court today agreed that Seminole County Judge Debra Krause should be suspended for 30 days without pay for using her Facebook page to criticize the Lake Mary lawyer running against her husband for circuit judge. View the full article

Paint it Black. Maybe add some UCF gold, too. View the full article

A Florida man danced like no one was watching on top of a deputy's marked patrol car, not knowing that a security camera was recording the whole thing, according to WPTV. View the full article

We got a sneak peek of Raglan Road’s 10th birthday celebration, thanks to a clever contest that the Downtown Disney restaurant sponsored asking amateur cooks to come up with their perfect three-course Irish meal, via a two-minute video, to celebrate 10 years. Chef Kevin Dundon (of American Public Television’s “Kevin Dundon’s Back to Basics” series) selected the top five and invited them to travel, all expenses paid, to his own Dunbrody Country House Hotel and Cookery School in beautiful Wexford County, Ireland. (We got to join the winners for this spectacular trip of a lifetime.) From a pint of Guinness in Dublin to gorgeous Dunbrody House on Ireland’s dramatic Hook Peninsula, the winners got an inside look at Raglan Road’s roots, from the farms where Dundon sources his food for his restaurant at Dunbrody House (and perhaps Downtown Disney in the near future) to the rollicking deck of a fishing boat on the Atlantic Ocean. Everyone got a chance to improve culinary skills under Dundon’s oft-humorous tutelage in the estate’s Cookery School. All five winners – Janice Epaillard of Mount Dora, Fla.; Aaron Van Swearingen of Winter Park, Fla.; Colleen Kerney of Orlando; Heather McBroom Walker of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Linda Rohr of Darien, Conn. – will be back in the kitchen at Raglan Road in October to work with the culinary team to create a dish for a special 10th birthday dinner. Seeing the real deal on the Emerald Isle makes Raglan Road all the more special, with its dining rooms of aged walnut and mahogany wood furnishings from old Irish bars and churches that were shipped to Orlando to build the restaurant almost a decade ago. And Dundon’s Irish cuisine translates beautifully in his Walt Disney World Resort restaurant, where he spends several weeks each year working with the chefs to perfect classic dishes such as Irish Mist-glazed loin of bacon, fish and chips, Guinness and bangers and Granny Dundon’s Famous Steamed Orange Pudding. After the whirlwind visit, we appreciate even more the live Irish bands and The Raglan Road Dancers every night of the week (and during weekend brunch) that bring the spirit of the Emerald Isle across the ocean. Stay tuned for more details for the 10th birthday celebration! Luck O’ Irish for These Five Cooks, With a Little Help From Raglan Road Chef Kevin Dundon by Pam Brandon: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

date for when he'll finally say the widely expected words that he's running for president. View the full article

LAND O’ LAKES — A science teacher at Fivay High School was suspended five days without pay after he admitted to bringing a cell phone “jammer” to school in an attempt to keep students focused on school work. View the full article

Are you a cat owner? Did you hug your cat today? If not, there’s still time as it’s National Hug Your Cat Day. (I can’t make this stuff up.) There are quite a few Disney cats you could hug, but today we’ll celebrate Oliver from Walt Disney Pictures’ “Oliver & Company.” Here is Oliver with Jenny, Dodger, Tito and Georgette at Magic Kingdom Park in 1988. Who’s your favorite Disney cat? Let us know in the comments section below. Disney Days Of Past: Remember ‘Oliver & Company’? by Nate Rasmussen: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog View the full article

After years of grumbling about the massive sorcerer's hat blocking the exterior view of the Great Movie Ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios, the structure was removed early this year. View the full article

Donut.....Doughnut. No matter how you spell it, today is National Doughnut Day and there are free doughnuts to be had. View the full article

"Celebrity Wife Swap" gave viewers a good look at the Siegels' current mansion, the lavish Seagull Island in Windermere, and a glimpse of Versailles, the 90,000-square-foot home that the Siegels are building on Lake Butler in Orange County. View the full article

We are back with some great advice some of the best experts around when it comes to planning your Disney Dining — DFB Readers! Seriously, you guys are the best, and I’m always excited to learn new things from your experiences! So when it came time recently to update our Top Tips for Disney Dining, we turned to you for input and advice. And you responded with tons of great suggestions. Check out just a few of them below, as we offer you even more Top Disney Dining Tips from the Experts! Have a Plan…and Don’t Blow Those Snack Credits on Things You Can Get at Home!It was important enough for several different DFB readers to mention — and expound on! Do not waste those precious Disney Dining Plan snack credits on something as ho hum and common as a piece of fruit or a bottle of water. And…I have to agree here. You can get a banana and a Dasani in your supermarket at home. But when was the last time you waltzed into Kroger and picked up a Carrot Cake Cookie or Schoolbread? Yep, they can sometimes pile up on you toward the end of the trip. So spend a little time planning beforehand so you don’t waste a single one. Here’s a TIP: DFB Snack Guides can come in handy for this endeavor; we have one for every park at Walt Disney World with our recommendations for the best snacks! Make Those Snack Credits Count with a Carrot Cake Cookie Get the Dining Plan…And Don’t.One of the most interesting suggestions for stretching your Disney Food Budget came from @Greg_Crowder: he suggested that you go halfsies on the Disney Dining Plan. He writes: “2 of us had the free plan a couple of years ago and 2 didn’t. The snacks and counter [service] meals were plenty for all 4 people.” Butterfinger Cupcake at Starring Rolls Cafe in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Are Totally Shareable! It’s true that Disney portions can be pretty big, and eating lots of large meals and rich snacks and then walking 100 miles a day may be a tall order. So if you’re willing to share, this can be an excellent way to keep costs down. It also means that you pre-pay, so your spending money goes a little further. Just note that if you’re all staying in the same room, you all need to be on the same plan; so this tip only works if your compadres are in a different room. Don’t Forget About Resort Restaurants.Many readers chimed in that visitors should never forget to check out resort dining options, saying that you should definitely venture out of the Park for incredible food. Resort restaurants offer some of the most amazing dining on property. Slow-cooked in Gravy, Simple and Well-seasoned Butter Chicken and Chicken Vindaloo at Sanaa — Be Sure to Schedule a Meal Here Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge was mentioned lots of times. For instance, reader David Mendoza says: “Whether you are staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge or not, make the trip to the Sanaa restaurant. Wonderful food and such a picturesque setting, watching the beautiful animals as you dine on some of the most awesome food in Disney World! A real must see! And when you are done you can take a stroll and get even closer to the animals. Truly a wondrous place.” I couldn’t agree more! (Read my latest Sanaa review here.) Allergies and Food Sensitivities? No problem.We’ve written about it lots of times — Disney is tops when it comes to serving guests with allergies, food sensitivities, and special diets. And our readers are eager to agree that Disney routinely goes above and beyond to ensure their guests have the best experience possible, regardless of their dietary limitations. Example of Jiko’s Allergy-Friendly Appetizer Menu Ann Hooghuis Dealy weighs in by saying, “If you have food allergies or sensitivities TELL THEM. They don’t advertise that they have a separate menu for this. I’m gluten, soy, dairy, tree nut, and I was able to eat in every park with very little problem. They have people assigned to come out and speak with you and go over the menu to help you choose the right food and adjust what they have to to make the meal work for you. Its a shame they don’t advertise this because I have heard from too many people that they didn’t know about this. [DFB Editor’s Note: Disney recently began rolling out special allergy friendly menus at counter service and table service restaurants in both Disney World and Disneyland.] The Gardens Kiosk Is a Great Resource for Guests Seeking Allergy Information in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Selena Kurtz agrees: “If you have food allergies, do your research ahead of time but know that Disney can accommodate!” Don’t Overbook in the Name of Savings.Whether you’re dining with the Disney Dining Plan or paying for meals out of pocket, many readers caution not to overbook or get more than you’ll realistically eat, just because it seems like a good deal. A good rule of thumb is to make your plans based upon a normal day in the life at home. Lighthouse Sandwich at Columbia Harbour House — simple, but filling Reader Jenny Flohre offers this suggestion: “Don’t overbook meals! If you don’t normally eat 3 huge meals at home, the deluxe dining plan may not be for you even if it’s a great value. You will spend the majority of your vacation running from restaurant to restaurant and not enjoying attractions…or scenery…or much of anything.” While it may be tempting to grab for the gusto, balance is key. So plan accordingly. Get What YOU Want!When it comes to using the Disney Dining Plan, sometimes you feel like you must get the most expensive thing on the menu to make it “count” the most. But some of our readers said that their best tip was to abandon that way of thinking — and just enjoy yourself! “Ignore “best bang for buck” and go with what sounds most appealing,” says @EddieMcGarrigle on Twitter. Get what you want and forget about being a slave to prices! @JPetticrew seconds that emotion! “Ignore the prices on the menu and get whatever sounds the best!” Go ahead and indulge! I love this. Because at the end of the day, sure, it’s nice to save money. But really, a Disney trip should also be about checking all of that bookkeeping at the door! So if the chicken sounds better than the steak, then get it! Or vice versa! If You Have a Toddler, Buffets Are Your New Best Friend.While buffets can be a bit of a trick to manage if you have toddlers, there’s no denying that they can offer terrific value. Because for the under 3 crowd — they’re free! Reader Doug Williams Jr. has found this to be a good fit for his crew. “Buffets are your best friend with kids under 3. No worrying about what they may eat, and free.” Buffets Like Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom Won’t Charge for Your Under 3-Year Old So be sure to fuel up at least once at a buffet meal. Make it a character dining experience at a spot like Chef Mickey’s or Crystal Palace, and you’ll kill two birds with one stone. Toddlers will eat for free and get to meet some of their favorite characters. You’ll save money and won’t have to wait in horrible lines in the Orlando heat…WITH YOUR TODDLER! Use the My Disney Experience App to Your Advantage.While new technology like MyMagic+ has certainly come with a learning curve, a lot of you are enjoying unexpected upsides to tools like the My Disney Experience App. Disney World Dining Quick Search on the My Disney Experience App Reader Denise Stockwell thinks it’s a great perk for scoring a last minute Advance Dining Reservation: “My Disney experience app is great for checking for last minute reservations. We were at Disney for a dance competition, so our schedule was tricky to schedule around. Even around the 4th of July with huge crowds I was able to book Tusker House and Crystal Palace three hours ahead of time. Use the My Disney Experience App to Score Last-Minute Reservations at Hard to Book Spots, Like Tusker House “Keep checking if there is a place you’d really like to go! We also were able to book some last minute fast passes to coordinate our plans. We had two great evenings that were spontaneous!” And Speaking of Last Minute ADRs……Don’t rule out scoring a table at the last minute, even at the hottest spots. Take the advice of reader Dana Laz Birch: “Looking for a last minute ressie? Many people dump their hard to get ADRs before the 24-hour mark. Check less than 24hrs before and you’d be surprised what you can get!” Nevah, Nevah, Nevah Give Up… On Be Our Guest! Clare Clouts agrees! “Don’t give up if ADRs are not available at the 180-day mark. We recently got despondent because there was nothing at Magic Kingdom on my daughter’s birthday. 2 weeks later and voila heaps of ADRs have opened up — including Cinderella’s Royal Table! I think people or travel agents must book them all up then later cancel once plans have been firmed up.” Bottom line? Don’t give up! FYI — This goes for Anna and Elsa Fastpasses, too. Don’t Forget About Disneyland!But our readers were also quick to remind us that there are plenty of awesome dining options at Disneyland too! And so they offered some advice for dining there. Tami ‘Beech’ Bastiaans Mine offers this word of wisdom: “Don’t settle for the obvious. There are so many hidden gems at the Disneyland Resort! I’m afraid to tell them because I don’t want them over-run, but try Alfresco Lounge and White Water Snacks to name a couple. And you can get great light meals in the lounges!” The Fun Wheel at Disney California Adventure’s Cove Bar Catherine Knight and Carmen Bradley Theel don’t want you to miss Blue Bayou Restaurant in Disneyland Park. “But don’t just walk up to the Blue Bayou, make a reservation!”, Knight cautions. Combine Planning and Flexibility FTW.With the advent of MyMagic+, I gotta admit it: the days of flying through Disney by the seat of my pants are pretty much over. But still, it is possible to combine a certain amount of planning ahead with staying flexible. In fact, many of you recommend that approach to keep it light and fun. Territory Lounge is a great last-minute decision! Sharon Gilroy-Dreher suggests that you stick to only making one ADR each day. “You will need the break to recharge, either at lunch or dinner. Having that pre-booked meal will relieve some stress each day.” Joanna Caves agrees. “By doing only one sit-down meal per day, you save more time for spontaneous fun.” And there you have it — some invaluable tips for planning your next Disney trip with less hassle, less stress, and more fun! Want More Expert Disney Dining Tips?We’ve got TONS of Disney World Dining Tips in our big, bold, 490-page DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 — and the guide is your ticket to planning your best Disney trip yet! The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs! With sample dining itineraries, plus our “Disney Dining at a Glance” section, featuring “Where Can I Find?” options, you’ll have everything you need to plan the best vacation ever. Click here to get your copy of The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 E-book — and use code 2015 for an extra $4 discount for a limited time! While we love all of these amazing ideas, we just know you have even more to share. So now, let’s hear from you — What’s Your Best Disney Dining Tip? Leave a comment and join the conversation below! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com!Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook Fan Related posts: More Great Disney Dining Tips from the Experts! Tips from the DFB Guide: Dining Solo in Disney World Tips from the DFB Guide: How MyMagic+ is Impacting Disney World Dining View the full article