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Walt Disney World has transformed into a spooktacular fall season, with Halloween spirit materializing around every corner.   Each year,  guests walk around the resort and marvel at the overnight transformations, taking pictures along the way. While it may appear as though a little hocus pocus happened, the seasonal makeover is actually the result of careful planning, choreography, and coordination among several cast members and teams.  Disney’s Holiday Services is one of those driving forces behind much of the magic, working 365 days a year to make these transformations appear seamless. To say these cast members love the holidays is an understatement. Their workspace is neatly packed with everything from the tiniest gemstone accent ornament to large pumpkins and glowing Christmas trees.   Their passion, creativity, and energy are what makes these holiday decorations come to life.  “Our team is amazing,” explained Jorge, a 10-year decorator at Disney’s Holiday Services. “We have great leadership and communicate well, which helps us stay organized and efficient. In the end, we achieve a great result.” Over the past several weeks, Jorge and nearly 80 other cast members worked through the night installing autumn décor, ensuring everything was ready for guests by sunrise. The Storytelling Magic Behind Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Décor While Jorge has contributed to a number of unique projects, including a former Haunted Mansion holiday display and new décor inside Magic Kingdom’s Club 33, one of his most recognizable creations today is the giant Halloween sign guests walk beneath when entering Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar at Disney Springs. This is the second year for the festive Halloween overlay, which has proven especially popular with guests.  “When we decided to create each Halloween letter, we wanted each one to have its own unique personality, almost as if it were wearing its own Halloween costume. We approached each letter as a character with its own story to tell. Another source of inspiration was Jock Lindsey himself. He was an adventurer,” Jorge explained. Working in partnership with Walt Disney Imagineering, the storytelling comes to life through the many hidden details woven throughout the display. Among Jorge’s favorite touches are two tiny ghosts tucked into the design. You can also spot a spiderweb, adventurous roadside arrows in the letter “N,” and a witch wearing a hat adorned with the letter “U,” a nod to the word “unique.” Even the sign itself plays into the narrative, designed to look like a banner being pulled by a small airplane, a fitting tribute to the aviation theme of Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar.  “I’m the type of person who likes to focus on every detail because I truly believe that details create discovery, and discovery creates memories,” he said.  The seasonal décor is just one part of the Halloween experience at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar. This year, the Indiana Jones-inspired venue is reinventing itself once again with all-new food and beverage options for guests to enjoy including the Candelabra Eggs, Dark Forest Dip, and Bone Kebabs. While Jock Lindsay’s Hanger Bar decor has become a popular seasonal photo spot, it represents just one piece of a much larger effort taking place across Disney World.  Creating Seasonal Magic Across Walt Disney World For cast members like Jorge, the holiday decor work extends far beyond Disney Springs. Just one week prior, the teams were adding fall touches to Magic Kingdom ahead of the debut of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.  Main Street U.S.A. is now packed with décor including those iconic Mickey Mouse pumpkin wreaths, decorative autumn buntings, dozens of pumpkins on rooftops, and festive accents around the park.  Many of the decorations are designed to be both durable and lightweight, making them easier to install quickly and safely.  New additions this year include expanded Dumbo and Timothy Mouse pumpkin wreath displays in Storybook Circus. Even as the Halloween season begins to creep in, Disney’s Holiday Services team is already looking ahead to the next seasonal transformation. Behind the scenes, cast members are preparing wreaths, garland, and towering Christmas trees that will soon adorn parks, resorts, and Disney Springs.  It’s all part of the team’s year-round effort to ensure each holiday season arrives seamlessly for guests.  “Working at Disney has given me the opportunity to be myself and share my creativity in a way that impacts so many people. One of my favorite things is seeing guests take photos and create memories around something our team helped bring to life,” said Jorge. “Knowing that our décor becomes part of someone’s visit is really special, and it’s something that makes me proud every day.”  For Jorge and his fellow decorators, seeing guests create lasting memories is the greatest reward. Their creativity, craftsmanship, and attention to detail help transform Walt Disney World throughout the year, creating the magical seasonal experiences guests know and love.  Walt Disney World Resort Discover What’s New This Fall at Disney Springs Walt Disney World Resort Jock Lindsey’s Halloween-themed Hangar Bar Returns with New Menu Items Walt Disney World Resort Disney Eats: Foodie Guide to Halloween at Disney Springs 2026 The post How Cast Members Create Halloween Magic at Walt Disney World  appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

The Diamond Horseshoe at Magic Kingdom has undergone a major change this year by transitioning from a table-service restaurant to theater show Jessie’s Roundup for Cool KIDS’ SUMMER. The Diamond Horseshoe But believe it or not, The Diamond Horseshoe is changing AGAIN. Disney announced that the Diamond Horseshoe will become a cowboy-themed lounge for a limited time this fall! The Diamond Horseshoe used to be one of our favorite Magic Kingdom restaurants. It serves the same food as neighboring Liberty Tree Tavern, so if you couldn’t snag a reservation there, it was a great alternative! But The Diamond Horseshoe closed in May to make way for the theater show Jessie’s Roundup. The Diamond Horseshoe After Jessie’s Roundup ends with Cool Kids Summer’s on September 8th, the Diamond Horseshoe will transform! This new spot is described as “the perfect place to relax your weary legs and enjoy the atmosphere with some provisions and libations while you sit a spell.” The Diamond Horseshoe The Diamond Horseshoe will still accept reservations and welcome walk-ins after this change. Disney hasn’t yet announced a specific opening date or closing timeline. So far, Disney has called this a “pop-up experience” and has said it will be a “limited-time offering.” There’s no official word on just how long this version will stick around, but we’ll be watching for updates. Diamond Horseshoe Once it reopens, the Diamond Horseshoe will get a brand-new menu with cowboy-themed snacks and drinks! This Savory Charcuterie Board is a meat lover’s dream. It’s topped with cured beef, ‘fancy bacon’, smoked pork, green chile cheese, smoked cheddar, and pickles. ©Disney To wash it down, cowboys of all ages can grab this non-alcoholic Enchanting Ember Lemonade made with Minute Maid Premium Lemonade, strawberry, and hot honey, garnished with a chili-lime rim. ©Disney And for the grown-up partners, this Cactus Rose Margarita is made with LALO Blanco Tequila, prickly pear, lime, and agave. It isn’t just tasty to sip and savor, but it’s worth snapping a pic or two – just look at that gorgeous pink color! ©Disney We’ll be sure to keep you updated with more information on The Diamond Horseshoe revamp. Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more Disney World news! GOOD NEWS! This Magic Kingdom Snack Spot Is Reopening With a New Menu 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 of The Diamond Horseshoe changing? Comment below with your thoughts! View the full article

Do you subscribe to Disney+? Not only does a subscription get you pretty much ALL of Disney’s library of movies and TV shows, but you also get perks for being a subscriber. Of course, though, it’s always about the content, and well, if you have a Disney+ subscription in September…you’re going to have a lot to watch. ©Disney For example, The Mandalorian and Grogu movie is arriving in September on the streaming service, as well as the livestream of the iHeartRadio Music Festival. So let’s see everything that’s coming to Disney+ in September. Tuesday, September 1st Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective Podcast – Season 2 Episode Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro (Season 1) – Finale Episode Ariel – The Little Mermaid (Season 2) – New Episodes The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny Podcast – Season 2 Episode Wednesday, September 2nd The Domonique Foxworth Show Podcast – Season 2 Episode Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu – Premiere Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu Official Podcast – Two-Episode Premiere at 9 P.M. ET LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian – Premiere The One Shot (Season 1) (Hulu Original) – Finale Episodes ©Disney Thursday, September 3rd Homicide Squad New Orleans (Season 3) The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny Podcast – Season 2 Episode Paranormal State (Seasons 1 and 2) Project Runway (Season 22) – New Episode at 10 P.M. PT Friday, September 4th Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective Podcast – Season 2 Episode The Domonique Foxworth Show Podcast – Season 2 Episode Flex X Cop (Season 2) – New Episode Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) ©Marvel Saturday, September 5th Flex X Cop (Season 2) – New Episode Locker Diaries: Camp Rock: Shorts – Premiere Monday, September 7th The Domonique Foxworth Show Podcast – Season 2 Episode Dragon Striker: Gorotama Stars (Season 1) – New Episodes Tuesday, September 8th Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective Podcast – Season 2 Episode Wednesday, September 9th The Domonique Foxworth Show Podcast – Season 2 Episode Made in Korea (Season 2) (Hulu Original) – New Episodes Pokémon: Indigo League (Season 1) – New Episodes ©Hulu Thursday, September 10th Crime in Progress (Season 1) Dancing with the Stars Official Podcast – Premiere The Mina Kimes Show Featuring Lenny Podcast – Season 2 Episode MonsterQuest (Seasons 3 and 4) Project Runway (Season 22) – Finale Episode at 10 P.M. PT Friday, September 11th Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective Podcast – Season 2 Episode The Domonique Foxworth Show Podcast – Season 2 Episode Flex X Cop (Season 2) – New Episode 9/11 Tribute in Light: Live from Lower Manhattan – ABC News Live Special at 8 P.M. ET Saturday, September 12th Flex X Cop (Season 2) – New Episode ©Hulu Sunday, September 13th Kraven the Hunter Monday, September 14th The Domonique Foxworth Show Podcast – Season 2 Episode Dragon Striker: Gorotama Stars (Season 1) – New Episodes Tuesday, September 15th Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective Podcast – Season 2 Episode Dancing with the Stars (Season 35) (ABC) – Night One – Streaming Live at 8 P.M. ET The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny Podcast – Season 2 Episode Dancing With The Stars Wednesday, September 16th City of Blood (Hulu Original) – Premiere – All Episodes Streaming Dancing with the Stars (Season 35) (ABC) – Night Two – Streaming Live at 8 P.M. ET The Domonique Foxworth Show Podcast – Season 2 Episode Made in Korea (Season 2) (Hulu Original) – New Episodes Minimum Security (Hulu Original) – Premiere – All Episodes Streaming PLAVE Asia Tour [DASH: Quantum Leap] Unexpected Loves (Hulu Original) – Premiere – All Episodes Streaming Thursday, September 17th Booked: First Day In (Season 4) Dancing with the Stars Official Podcast – New Episode The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny Podcast – Season 2 Episode Friday, September 18th Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective Podcast – Season 2 Episode The Domonique Foxworth Show Podcast – Season 2 Episode Flex X Cop (Season 2) – New Episode iHeartRadio Music Festival Livestream Day 1 Magicampers: Shorts (Season 2) – Premiere – All Episodes Streaming ©iHeart Radio Saturday, September 19th Flex X Cop (Season 2) – Finale Episode iHeartRadio Music Festival Livestream Day 2 KeSPA Hanwha Life Invitational Livestream Day 1 Sunday, September 20th KeSPA Hanwha Life Invitational Livestream Day 2 Monday, September 21st CoComelon: The Melon Patch (Season 1) – Episodes 1-10 The Domonique Foxworth Show Podcast – Season 2 Episode Dragon Striker: Gorotama Stars (Season 1) – New Episodes ©Disney Tuesday, September 22nd Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective Podcast – Season 2 Episode Dancing with the Stars (Season 35) (ABC) – Streaming Live at 8 P.M. ET The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny Podcast – Season 2 Episode Wednesday, September 23rd The Domonique Foxworth Show Podcast – Season 2 Episode Made in Korea (Season 2) (Hulu Original) – Finale Episodes Thursday, September 24th Dancing with the Stars Official Podcast – New Episode The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny Podcast – Season 2 Episode Paranormal State (Seasons 4 and 6) Pawn Stars (Season 24) ©Disney Friday, September 25th Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective Podcast – Season 2 Episode The Domonique Foxworth Show Podcast – Season 2 Episode Marvel’s Spidey and the Avengers: Halloween Team-Up! – Special Episode Saturday, September 26th Chilean Mine Rescue: Race Against Time – Premiere – All Episodes Streaming Sunday, September 27th The Simpsons (Season 37) ©20th Century Studios Monday, September 28th The Domonique Foxworth Show Podcast – Season 2 Episode Tuesday, September 29th Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective Podcast – Season 2 Episode Dancing with the Stars (Season 35) (ABC) – Streaming Live at 8 P.M. ET The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny Podcast – Season 2 Episode Project Runway All-Stars (Seasons 1-3) SuperKitties: Howl-O-Ween Charm (Season 3) – Special Episode Wednesday, September 30th The Domonique Foxworth Show Podcast – Season 2 Episode We’ll keep an eye out for more Disney+ news, so stay tuned to DFB for more. The Newest ‘Star Wars’ Movie Will Be On Our Screens NEXT Year 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 about September’s Disney+ programming? Sound off in the comments! View the full article

Both Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Oogie Boogie Bash have kicked off at Disney, so it’s officially spooky season! And what’s a better way to celebrate than some new Disney merch? ©Disney Disney and Starbucks just collabed for this new Frightfully Fringe collection, featuring classic Mickey and ghostly shadows in a spooky cup. If you need to treat yourself this spooky season, this is the collection for you! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. This Mickey Mouse Translucent Starbucks Tumbler is SPOOKY! ©Disney This Mickey Mouse Translucent Starbucks Tumbler features a classic Mickey Mouse exploring The Haunted House, where he discovers the shadow of a ghostly Grim Reaper figure! Inspired by the 1929 Disney short The Haunted House, it’s the perfect accessory for your vintage-inspired Halloween. You’ll find screenprinted Mickey Mouse and Grim Reaper shadow graphics and an embossed Starbucks Siren logo on the side to finish the ghostly look. ©Disney Inside this double-walled acrylic tumbler by Starbucks, you’ll find enough space for 24 fluid ounces of water, coffee, or another drink of choice. The translucent smoke-tinted mug comes with a twist-tight sipper lid and removable straw to scare thirst away wherever you go! view ON AMAZON We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article

September is one of our favorite months to talk about at Disney World, because it’s packed with fun things happening all over. Halloween has arrived! Halloween decor is up, pumpkin-spiced treats start showing up on menus, and the crowds can start to thin. It’s also a month packed with perks, discounts, and after-hours access that can make a huge difference in how much you ride, how much you spend, and how much fun you have. We’ve rounded up 9 confirmed perks available in Disney World this September — here’s everything you need to know. 1. Early Theme Park Entry Every guest staying at a Disney World resort hotel gets access to Early Theme Park Entry, which lets you walk into any of the four theme parks a full 30 minutes before the official 9 AM opening. This applies every single day of your stay — including your check-in and check-out days — so there’s no need to worry about “wasting” a day of the perk. Those 30 minutes are prime time to knock out a headliner attraction or two before day guests are even let through the gates, so if there’s a ride you’re dying to experience with a shorter wait, this is your window. Early entry sign! 2. Extended Evening Hours If you’re staying at a Disney Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort, you’ll have access to Extended Evening Hours — two extra hours in a park after it closes to the general public. Here’s September’s full schedule: Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 9/2, 6 PM – 8 PM EPCOT: 9/7, 9/14, 9/21, 9/23, 9/28, 9/30, 9 PM – 11 PM Magic Kingdom: 9/9, 10 PM – 12 AM Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9/16, 9 PM – 11 PM This is one of the most valuable resort perks out there, since the crowds during these extra hours are made up almost entirely of fellow Deluxe resort guests — meaning shorter lines on some of the most popular rides in each park. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets 3. After Hours Events If Extended Evening Hours aren’t in the cards for your resort tier, an After Hours Event is another great way to experience popular attractions with dramatically lower wait times. These are separately ticketed events that run for two hours after regular park closing, and the cost of admission includes select snacks and drinks throughout the night. Here’s where you’ll find After Hours Events in September: Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 9/2, 9/12 EPCOT: 9/16, 9/24 4. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party September means Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party season is officially underway at Magic Kingdom! This separately ticketed evening event brings trick-or-treating, a signature parade, fireworks, and character meet-and-greets you won’t find any other time of year. Here are the September party dates: September 1, 4, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27 and 29 Boo-To-You 5. Room Discount Disney’s latest room offer allows guests to save up to 30% on select Disney Resort hotels for stays of 5 or more consecutive nights, and up to 25% off for shorter stays of 1 to 4 consecutive nights. This discount is available for most nights now through October 4, 2026, so it lines up nicely with a September trip. Let’s go to Pop Century! 6. Annual Passholder Room Discount Annual Passholders have their own dedicated room discount running now through October 3, 2026. If you’re a Passholder planning a September getaway, be sure to check current rates against this offer before you book. Annual Passholder 7. Florida Resident Deal Florida Residents can save up to 35% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels this summer with a stay of 4 nights or more. This deal is valid for travel now through October 3, 2026, making it one of the deepest discounts on this list for eligible guests. Royal Guest Room at Port Orleans Resort – Riverside 8. Military Discount Members of the US military can save up to 30% on rooms for most nights now through December 18, 2026. Just keep in mind that bookings must be made by December 18, 2026, so there’s plenty of runway if you’re weighing a September trip against later dates. Bay Lake Tower 9. Cool Kids’ Summer You’ve got just over a week left to catch Cool Kids’ Summer before it wraps for the year on September 8th! This family-focused celebration has brought new character experiences, refreshed entertainment, and savings across Walt Disney World all summer long. If you can swing a trip before it ends, you’ll still be able to catch highlights like character appearances at Animal Kingdom’s Conservation Station, themed entertainment at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, and free admission to a Disney water park on your check-in day for Disney Resort hotel guests. Cool Kids’ Summer September is shaping up to be a fantastic month to visit Disney World. Just remember that eligibility and availability can shift, so double-check current terms before you book. Keep following us at DisneyFoodBlog for the latest news, discounts, and — of course — all the snacks worth trying on your next trip! Every SOLD OUT Date For Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 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 perks would you love to take advantage of? Tell us in the comments below! View the full article

Disney has always been on the cutting edge when it comes to ride technology. In fact, some of its most recent rides, like Rise of the Resistance and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind have been big hits with fans for the use of technology, as well as given awards by the theme park industry. ©Disney However, we’re always curious as to what kind of technology Disney plans on using next in the parks. That’s where looking at patents comes in…when Disney files a new patent, there’s a likelihood that the idea in the patent is something Disney is considering for a ride or experience. Well, Disney just filed a NEW patent that is all about projecting images…and it’s giving us Villains Land vibes. Disney just filed a patent for some new technology that could project moving images onto things like smoke, fog, clouds, and even fireworks residue. So the idea is that the tech would track the background’s shape and density in real time and then make the projections work on it to fit as it moves. So think something like the World of Color projections on water…but instead on smoke (or something like that). World of Color So when you look at examples on the patent, one thing you’ll notice is that one example actually shows a sketch that looks like Chernabog. The example shows an image of Chernabog projected onto smoke or fog. That could mean Disney is planning to use this for one of its rides in Villains Land (we’re thinking the Magic Mirror ride). ©U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Of course, this could also work for some nighttime shows, as well, like Fantasmic! In fact, another diagram in the patent shows an example of the technology projecting onto fireworks residue and smoke. ©U.S. Patent and Trademark Office The patent talks about how images are usually projected onto static surfaces, but describes this new technology that will “project images on other surfaces where the size, shape, density and reflectivity ofthe surface may be changing dynamically, so as to provide a more immersive or tailored experience to guests or onlookers.” ©U.S. Patent and Trademark Office We’ll be curious as to how Disney uses this kind of technology in the future. In the meantime, stay tuned to DFB for more. NEW Disney Patent Reveals Encanto Ride Clue…and It Could Change EVERYTHING 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 about this patent? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

For many guests, a kitchen or kitchenette in their Disney World hotel room is a major want, and there are more than a few hotels on property where they’re available! Kitchenette However, for every pro to having one, there’s a con that may lead some guests to rethink their stance. Before we delve into the pros and cons, here’s a quick rundown of the Disney hotels that offer kitchens or kitchenettes in some of their rooms: Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Disney’s All-Star Music Resort Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village Disney’s Beach Club Villas Disney’s BoardWalk Villas Disney’s Old Key West Resort Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows Disney’s Riviera Resort Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa 2-Bedroom Villa Living Room and Kitchen at the Riviera Pros One of the first major pros of a room with a kitchen or kitchenette is that you can prepare your own meals based on your diet or dietary restrictions and bring them to the parks with you. For starters, there’s no fear of accidental cross-contamination of allergens at the park. Beyond that, if it’s more of a dietary preference, you can always have a backup meal on hand just in case you don’t want to splurge too much on park food. Kitchenette at the Polynesian If you’re planning on waking up early to head to your Disney World park of choice for Early Entry — a perk included in your Disney World hotel stay — you can prepare breakfast while getting ready or even prep it the night before. That way, you can get out of your room quicker and not “waste time” stopping at the hotel food court for breakfast before hopping on a bus, Monorail, boat, or Skyliner gondola. Kitchenette at Art of Animation On the flip side, if you’re planning on taking advantage of Extended Evening Hours — a perk available to guests at nearly all of the hotels home to rooms with kitchens and kitchenettes (sorry, All-Star Movies and Art of Animation guests) — you’ll always have a kitchen available to whip up a late-night snack when you get back to your hotel. This comes in handy considering that there are only three hotels on Disney World property (Grand Floridian, Swan & Dolphin) that offer room service, and other hotel eateries will be long closed when you arrive back at your hotel. Extended Evening Hours at EPCOT Cons Of course, there are cons to these types of rooms for certain guests, beginning with the fact that you’ll need to stock up your kitchen/kitchenette with your own groceries. While this isn’t the worst thing in the world, if you have leftover or unused food at the end of your trip, you’ll need to either make room in your luggage to bring it home or simply lose the money. Family Suite Kitchenette at Art of Animation You’ll also need to keep the kitchen clean. While this may not seem like the biggest deal, some people may not want to keep a kitchen clean and tidy while they’re on vacation from keeping their home kitchen clean and tidy. Kitchenette at Copper Creek Villas Speaking of being on vacation, part of the appeal for many is escaping from “real” life, including indulging in theme park foods and treats that they don’t usually enjoy during their “real” lives. Those kinds of guests may not want to eat the types of meals they’d normally prepare at home. Who’s ready for a sweet treat? While having a kitchen in your Disney World hotel room may seem like a no-brainer, in actuality, it may not be for everyone! Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney vacation takes! 3 Disney World Hotels in Desperate Need of New Life Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you stayed in a Disney hotel with a kitchen or kitchenette before? Would you do so again? Let us know in the comments below. View the full article

The fun of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event isn’t quite over just yet! D23 Disney+ Pavilion Disney+ subscribers have a new perk where they can enter a D23 sweepstakes and win a ton of exclusive merchandise. You’re seriously going to want to check this out, but don’t take too long because the sweepstakes is only here for a limited time! There have been a ton of Disney+ perks dropping all summer, and now Disney+ Perks Summer Fridays is coming together with D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. The D23 expo weekend came and went before we even knew it. If you’re not done with D23 just yet, Disney+ subscribers can “bring home the magic of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event” with this brand-new Swag Sweepstakes! D23! The sweepstakes will have a total of 10 winners, and the prize pack includes the following: Disney+ Perks Mixer Swag Bag Animayhem Button Set Disney+ Hulu Throwbacks Mystery Pins ESPN Super Bowl Pin Disneyland Records Hat Disneyland Records Mickey Pin Buena Vista Records Mickey Pin Loungefly Blind Box T-Shirt (Large) $200 Disney Gift Card Autographed copy of Floating Mountains by Joe Rohde + Print Walt Disney Imagineering Sorcerer Mickey Small Face Tote ©Disney There is no purchase necessary; you just need to be an active Disney+ subscriber. You can enter once DAILY until the sweepstakes ends on August 28th, 2026, at 8:59 AM PT. It’s only open to residents of the 50 U.S. states who are 18 and older. D23 There are more perks for Disney+ subscribers to take advantage of, so make sure you check them all out on the Disney+ perks website. For example, you can also win a private screening of Avengers: Doomsday in RealD 3D for you and up to 49 friends. You can enter that one until September 25th. ©Disney Remember, you only have one week to take advantage of the swag bundle. Make sure to follow Disney Food Blog so that you don’t miss out on any more Disney news and updates! Get a PRIVATE Screening of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ With This NEW Disney+ Perk 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 Are you going to sign up for the sweepstakes? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Gloria Gaynor "I Will Survive" (Disco Yeti) Live Performance | Disney Experiences Showcase #D23View the full article

We have to admit it…there are some really great restaurants in Downtown Disney, and a lot of them are still pretty new. We’ve found some of our favorite new places to eat with all the updates the shopping and dining district has made…and even MORE restaurants are still on the way. Gordon Ramsay at the Carnaby Now, we were most excited about Gordon Ramsay at the Carnaby, which recently opened in Downtown Disney. Well, now there’s a NEW reason to get excited about this restaurant: it’s now serving lunch seven days a week! That’s right, you can now have lunch at Downtown Disney’s newest restaurant from 11 A.M. to 3 P.M. AND here’s the most exciting part: the lunch menu features some brand NEW menu items. YES! The two new dishes are: The Idiot Sandwich (yes, Ramsay fans will immediately recognize the reference) — thrice-fried chicken breast, G.F.C. sauce and dill pickle on a brioche bun, served with choice of fries or salad ©Gordon Ramsay at the Carnaby The Prawn Cocktail Roll — layers of poached prawns with Marie Rose sauce, avocado purée, American caviar and malt vinegar crisps ©Gordon Ramsay at the Carnaby Of course, you’ll also still be able to get many of the restaurant’s signature dishes, including Beef Wellington, Fish & Chips with fries, Cottage Pie, Bangers & Mash, The Carnaby Wagyu Burger, and Sticky Toffee Pudding. Yes, in case you didn’t notice, the restaurant has a very British theme and is inspired by London’s Carnaby Street during the 1960s. Beef Wellington “There is something particularly exciting about bringing The Carnaby’s music, color, and unmistakable sense of fun into the middle of the day,” said Robert Earl, Founder of Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby. “Lunch gives guests another way to make The Carnaby part of their Downtown Disney District experience, with new dishes that add a distinct daytime expression to the menu.” Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby We’ll keep an eye out for more Disney restaurant news, so stay tuned to DFB for more. What Eating at 24 Disney Restaurants Taught Us Last Month 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 about this news? Share your thoughts in the comments! View the full article

It’s hard to believe that summer is starting to wind down, and, technically, it’s fall in Disney World, at least if you’re walking through Magic Kingdom, because all the fall and Halloween decor is on full display. It doesn’t quite FEEL like fall, but September will be here before you know it, and that’s pretty much the end of summer on the calendar, right? Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom Well, if you’ll be visiting Disney World in September, some pretty big changes are coming to the resort and parks. So let’s take a look at these changes. Feeling stressed out when planning your Disney World vacation? You don’t have to do it alone! Let our friends at Small World Vacations help you. They’re experts in EVERYTHING Disney and can help you get the Disney vacation you want, even if you’re on a budget. Best of all? Their services are 100% free! Cool KIDS SUMMER Ends Cool KIDS SUMMER will end on September 8th, 2026, which means a lot of the perks and special Cool KIDS SUMMER offerings at the hotels and parks will be ending then, too. That means no more Jesse’s Roundup in Magic Kingdom, special character appearances at hotels, and GoofyCore at EPCOT. GoofyCore in EPCOT However, we do have some good news. Although Bluey’s Wild World in Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a Cool KIDS SUMMER offering, Disney recently shared that it will continue! Coral Reef Restaurant Closing Coral Reef Restaurant in EPCOT is closing on September 8th. We’re not sure what kind of work will be happening there, and Disney has said the restaurant will reopen later in 2026, but has not yet set a confirmed reopening date. Coral Reef Restaurant Coral Reef is a table service restaurant in EPCOT’s The Seas Pavilion, and let’s just say…well, it’s not always our favorite. We’ll be curious as to what kind of update the restaurant is getting. Typhoon Lagoon Closing During the summer, Disney World visitors had the opportunity to visit both of Disney World’s water parks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. However, Typhoon Lagoon will be closing on September 8th, meaning if you want to visit a water park, it will have to be Blizzard Beach. Typhoon Lagoon Blizzard Beach will remain open, although it may close again in early 2027 (at which time Typhoon Lagoon will reopen). The Magic of Disney Animation Opens There’s a new attraction to look forward to in Disney’s Hollywood Studios: The Magic of Disney Animation will finally open on September 14th in the new The Walt Disney Studios area of the park. The Magic of Disney Animation The new area will actually include four attractions, including Off The Page, a new character meet-and-greet spot. Olaf Draws will be offering animation drawing lessons for everyone’s favorite snowman. The area will also feature the Drawn To Wonderland playground based on concept art by Mary Blair for Alice in Wonderland. You’ll also be able to watch the Emmy Award-winning short film that started it all, Once Upon A Studio, inside the Once Upon a Studio Theater. Cheers to Cheese Exhibit If you love cheese, be sure to drop by the special Cheers to Cheese exhibit in CommuniCore Hall during the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival. The exhibit opens on September 18th and runs through November 8th. ©Disney Meanwhile, you’ll be able to indulge in some cheese dishes at The Wedge Hosted by Dairy Does More Menu, which will be running with the exhibit. Other EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Booths Like The Wedge food booth, some other EPCOT Food & Wine Festival booths won’t open until September, although the festival starts in late August. This includes another booth inside CommuniCore Hall, Festival Favorites, which will open on September 9th. ©Disney You’ll want to keep an eye out for these food booths that are opening a little later than the rest of the festival. ©Disney We’ll be keeping an eye out for more changes in Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB for more. 8 Disney World Rides and Hotels With Closures in September DON'T DO IT ALONE! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you GET MORE INFO Will you be visiting Disney World in September? Share with us in the comments! View the full article

It’s no secret that we love the Cake Bake Shop at Disney World. The restaurant and bakery serve high-quality meals and treats on the gorgeous BoardWalk of Crescent Lake! Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bar One of our favorite treats from Cake Bake is a fall-exclusive treat, and it was just announced that the Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bar is BACK! The Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bar is back just for the fall season at both the Cake Bake Shop Restaurant and the Cake Bake Shop Bakery at the BoardWalk Inn. It’s made with a snickerdoodle cookie crust topped with cream cheese filling, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, and crumbled snickerdoodle cookie dough. It used to be $13.99, but it’s now only $12! Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bar The base is nice and cookie-like, then you have the creamy, thick cheesecake filling with a strong cream cheese flavor, and a cinnamon-streusel topping that adds sweet cinnamon. The flavors all work together really well, and the dessert isn’t too overwhelmingly sweet. YUM We do think this is better when it is freshly chilled, which is how it comes straight out of the bakery case, than it is after it sits a little bit, especially if you’re outside in the sun when it warms up. Things tend to get a little mushy if you let it sit. Overall, it’s really delicious, and we would recommend it as a snack based on flavor alone. It’s large enough to share with others, but it’s so good that we won’t judge if you keep it all to yourself! Lots of cheesecake! We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all of the new and returning snacks at Disney World. Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more Disney restaurant news! We’ve Had EVERY Cake at Disney World’s Cake Bake Shop, and We’re Ranking Them From Must-Get to Not Worth It Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you ever tried the Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bar before? If so, comment below with your thoughts! View the full article

Here at Disney Food Blog, we love heading to the Disney Parks for fall vibes and decor. We’re the kind of Disney adults who start planning our Oogie Boogie Bash and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party outfits before tickets even go on sale! ©ALDI So on days when we can’t be in the parks, we love finding Disney Halloween decor to make our home ten times more not-so-scary. Which is why we let out the biggest gasp when we found out that ALDI has a full Disney Halloween collection for one week only! RUN to ALDI for these adorable spooky Disney finds, available exclusively from Wednesday, August 26th to Tuesday, September 1st. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. If you need more Halloween decor, you can grab these adorable Halloween Pillows, featuring Ghost Mickey, Pumpkin Mickey, Pumpkin Minnie, Pumpkin Winnie the Pooh, and Mickey and Minnie in Halloween costumes! ©ALDI You can also grab this adorable Winnie the Pooh Halloween pillow featuring Pooh, Tigger, and Jack-‘o’-lanterns! ©ALDI For other spooky home decor, you can grab these Halloween rugs featuring Mickey and Minnie, Mickey-shaped spiderwebs, and Jack Skellington! ©ALDI If you’re headed to the Disney Parks for Halloween soon, these Character Water Bottles will come in handy! These Halloween versions feature Mickey, Minnie, Bluey, and Stitch in their Halloween costumes! ©ALDI And these Halloween Minnie Ears will make the perfect accessory. Grab a pair with Mickey pumpkins, bat wings, or glow-in-the-dark drips. If ears aren’t your thing, you can also grab Bluey Hair Clips of the gang in their Halloween costumes! ©ALDI If you have a little one excited for Halloween, grab these Toddler Halloween Pajamas featuring Mickey or Stitch! ©ALDI You can also get the matching Toddler Halloween Slippers! ©ALDI And to play with, you can grab these Disney Halloween Plushies featuring Halloween Mickey, Halloween Minnie, Mummy Stitch, and Pumpkin Winnie the Pooh! ©ALDI Don’t live near an ALDI? We’ve got your back AND Prime Free Shipping. Shop all 140 of our Favorite Disney Halloween finds on Amazon! view ON AMAZON We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article

We’re getting excited for the 2026 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, and we know you guys are too! EPCOT’s International Food and Wine Festival Passport 2025 This year marks the 30th anniversary of the festival, and there are going to be over 100 new food items and 30 food booths to enjoy. On top of that, you’ll have exclusive merchandise and entertainment to check out during your visit. But one thing that you might want to add to your to-do list is the NEW food crawl! In honor of the 30th anniversary of the festival, Disney has revealed that there will be 30 different items that have returned or been reimagined from previous years. They’re designated in Disney’s foodie guide with a special anniversary icon, and we could definitely see this list becoming the must-try food crawl for this year. Let’s see what’s on the list: Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese on a Baguette with Jambon and Apple-Mustard Relish at The Alps (Emile’s Fromage Montage Offering) (30th Anniversary Legacy Item) — $6.79 Roasted Lamb Chop* with Mint Pesto and Crushed Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips at Australia (30th Anniversary Legacy Item), $8.79 Belgian Waffle with cookie butter and whipped cream topped with speculoos cookie pieces at Belgium (30th anniversary legacy item) (New) – $5.49 Pão de Queijo at Brazil— Brazilian Cheese Bread (Emile’s Fromage Montage Offering) (30th Anniversary Legacy Item), $5.19 Pickle Milk Shake at Brew-Wing Lab (non-alcoholic) (30th Anniversary Legacy Item), $6.49 Pickle Milk Shake Cheddar and Bacon Soup at Canada served with a Pretzel Roll (30th Anniversary Legacy Item), $6.29 Filet Mignon with Mushrooms and Mashed Potatoes at Canada (30th Anniversary Legacy Item), $10.49 Dumplings Trio at China— Assortment of Pan-fried Chicken, Pork, and Vegetable Dumplings with House-made Sweet-and-Spicy Sauce (30th Anniversary Legacy Item) -$7.35 Potato Pierogi with Kielbasa, Caramelized Onions, and Sour Cream at Festival Favorites (30th Anniversary Legacy item) -$5.99 Bo Ssam Pork Belly Lettuce Wraps with Bo Ssam Pork Belly, Kimchi Slaw, and Spicy Aïoli at Festival Favorites (30th Anniversary Legacy Item) – $6.19 ©Disney Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse Trifle featuring PHILADELPHIA® Cream Cheese with Citrus Sauce and Spice Cake topped with Cranberry Streusel at Festival Favorites (Emile’s Fromage Montage Offering) (30th Anniversary Legacy Item) – $5.29 Rodizio-style Grilled Beef Skewer with marble potatoes, charred shallots, roasted baby peppers, and chimichurri at Flavors From Fire (30th anniversary legacy item) – $6.99 Trio d’Escargots, Garniture a l’ail et au Persil at France: Trio of escargot bites in croissant dough served with a garlic-parsley dip (30th anniversary legacy item) – $9.25 Schinkennudeln at Germany: Pasta gratin with ham, onions, and cheese (Emile’s Fromage Montage) (30th anniversary legacy item) – $5.29 Apple Strudel with vanilla sauce at Germany– $4.99 Chicken Souvlaki Gyro at Greece – with Shaved Lettuce, Tomato-Cucumber Relish, and Tzatziki on Warm Pita (30th Anniversary Legacy Item) – $6.99 ©Disney Slow-roasted Pork Slider with sweet-and-sour chutney featuring DOLE Pineapple and spicy mayonnaise at Hawai’i (30th anniversary legacy item) – $5.99 Gulf Coast-style Seafood Roll with Warm-Water Lobster, Rock Shrimp, Lobster Bisque, and Sherry-Crème Fraîche on a Toasted Brioche Bun at Hops & Barley (A 30th Anniversary Legacy Item), $8.99 Potato and Pea Samosas with plant-based coriander-lime cream at India (Plant-based)(30th anniversary legacy item)– $5.49 Chicken Tikka Masala with fennel-spiced yogurt and naan bread at India (30th anniversary legacy item) – $6.49 Pollo al Marsala at Italy: Roasted Chicken Drumstick, Creamy Potato Gnocchi, Mushrooms, and Marsala Sauce (30th Anniversary Legacy Item) – $9.00 Potato and Pea Samosas Spicy Temaki Hand Roll at Japan: Temaki Hand Roll with Spicy Tuna, Cucumber, Rice Cracker, and Spicy Mayonnaise Sauce (30th Anniversary Legacy Item) – $9.00 Taco de Camaron at Mexico: Flour Tortilla with Crispy Tempura Shrimp, Shredded Cabbage, and Chipotle Aïoli (30th Anniversary Legacy Item) – $8.50 Freshly Baked Carrot Cake with walnuts and cream cheese icing at Milled and Mulled (30th anniversary legacy item) – $4.99 Sweet Potato Mealie Pap at Refreshment Outpost: with a Stew of Beans, Peppers, Carrots, and Tomatoes (plant-based) (30th Anniversary Legacy Item) – $5.79 Paella Caldoso at Spain: Chicken, Chorizo, Gigante Beans, Romano Beans, and Saffron Rice (30th Anniversary Legacy Item) – $7.99 Paella with Rice, Chorizo, and Shrimp from 2022 Frozen Szarlotka at Swirled Showcase: Apple Pie Filling and Apple-Cinnamon Cider topped with Streusel (non-alcoholic) (30th Anniversary Legacy Item) – $6.79 (N/A) Liquid Nitrogen Almond Truffle Mousse at Swirled Showcase: with Whiskey-Caramel Sauce (30th Anniversary Legacy Item) – $5.49 Ras el Hanout Cauliflower Bowl at Tangierine Cafe: Flavors of the Medina: with Chickpea Salad, Golden Raisin Relish, and Parsley served with Pita (plant-based) (30th Anniversary Legacy Item) (New) – $6.49 Crab and Corn Macaroni and Cheese at The Wedge: with Smoked Cheddar Sauce, Bacon, Crab Seasoning, Roasted Corn, Herbed Panko, and Jalapeños (Emile’s Fromage Montage Offering) (30th Anniversary Legacy Item) – $7.19 ©Disney We’ll be on the lookout for all of these items in the park when the festival kicks off. Stay tuned to DFB for our reviews! See the Full Menus for the Festival Here! IT'S WINE & DINE TIME! Food & Wine Festival can be a bummer. You stand in line waiting for what looks like the perfect treat, and it's a bust. But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE EPCOT Food & Wine Festival experience. If you're planning a day or a week at the festival, we've got every performance, activity, and tasty nosh detailed out so you can make the most of your time and money. Listen, it's a tough job eating and documenting the nearly 200 bites and sips, but we do it all for YOU! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Learn More About the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival! Food and Wine Festival 101 Eat to the Beat Concert Updates EPCOT Food and Wine Festival - Fans Facebook Page Wine and Dine Half Marathon Details Get More Updates, Tips, and Tricks to Help You Conquer the Food & Wine Festival Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you going to the Food & Wine Festival this year? Tell us in the comments! View the full article

If you’ve been following social media recently, you may be familiar with the Trader Joe’s tote bags that have been VERY popular online (and yes, people have been standing in long lines to get them). ©BoxLunch However, what if we said you could get similar bags…but with a Disney theme? Well, you might think this Disney tote bag collection is soon to be the next viral sensation because they look a LOT like the Trader Joe’s bags but with a fun Disney twist. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Get the Princesses Mini Canvas Tote ©BoxLunch So think Trader Joe’s tote bag, but with princesses, and you’ll get this light blue tote that includes embroidered patches inspired by the Princesses, like Mulan’s comb, Jasmine’s genie lamp, and Belle’s rose. You also get three bonus patches that you can put on the bag yourself, including Rapunzel’s skillet, Snow White’s apple, and Cinderella’s glass slipper. GET AT BOXLUNCH Buy the Kingdom Hearts Tote ©BoxLunch Okay, Kingdom Hearts fans, you can even get this soon-to-be popular tote with a design you’re going to love, with embroidered patches of Sora with the Keyblade and the Kingdom Hearts logo. This one also comes with three extra embroidered patches. GET AT BOXLUNCH Get the Lightning McQueen Tote ©BoxLunch Ka-Chow! If you love Lightning McQueen, this tote also comes in a Lightning McQueen-themed design with embroidered patches with the iconic 95, the Rust-Eze logo, Lightning McQueen, and Mater, plus you get three more patches to customize the bag with. GET AT BOXLUNCH Buy the Mickey Halloween Tote ©BoxLunch Nothing says Halloween like Mickey Pumpkins, and you’ll find them on this bag, along with some spiders and bats. However, the back of the bag features other character pumpkins. So spooky…but also charming! GET AT BOXLUNCH Get the Loungefly 101 Dalmatians Tote ©BoxLunch Okay, we love this 101 Dalmatians tote that features all the folks in the movie walking their dogs in the city. And, of course, their dogs look just like them! GET AT BOXLUNCH 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! View the full article

Loungefly bags are all the rage on a Disney vacation, but they can be PRICEY! SO many designs If you’re looking to build up your collection, you’re not alone. But you don’t have to break the bank to do it! Right now, there are some seriously awesome Disney Loungefly deals, and we’re rounding them up for you. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. See ALL the Loungeflys on Sale! Before we dive into the list, click the link below to view our Amazon storefront, where we collect all the Disney-themed Loungefly bags that are on sale. There are SO many options! view ON AMAZON This Minnie bag is 45% off! ©Amazon Starting out our list of top picks is this Minnie Mouse Tie-Dye Crossbody Bag! It’s a fun design with a figural shape of Minnie’s head and an adjustable strap. It unzips in the back to open a storage compartment with a slip pocket inside. It may not be the most functional of all the bags, but it’s SO cute and very unique! view ON AMAZON We love the mini Bambi bag, too! ©Amazon If you’re on the hunt for something small and compact, snag the Bambi Micro Convertible Bag. This one is tinier than other Loungefly bags, but it still has a decent amount of storage with multiple pockets. You can use the adjustable strap to convert this between a backpack and a purse, so there’s a lot of flexibility. Plus, it’s 51% off right now — that’s the lowest price in a year! view ON AMAZON Or, you can grab this fun Zootopia bag! ©Amazon Another great option on sale is the Zootopia 2 Cell Phone Crossbody Bag. It’s designed for you to pack light, with a pocket big enough to hold your phone, one pocket that’s about the right size for cards and cash, and then a coin purse on the strap. This is an easy accessory to grab if your outfit doesn’t have pockets and you want to carry a few small items. Right now, you can snag it for 37% off. view ON AMAZON Don’t forget about the Star Wars bag on sale! ©Amazon Last in the highlights is the Star Wars BB-8 Crossbody. This cute lil guy is fully modeled after the droid from the sequel films, and it unzips in the back to store your belongings inside. He would be perfect to go with a Star Wars Disneybound or cosplay look! Right now he’s 43% off. view ON AMAZON Don’t forget to check out the full list of Loungefly bags on sale on our Amazon storefront. Click the link below! view ON AMAZON We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article

Here at Disney Food Blog, we’re always on the hunt for the newest Disney Loungefly bags. Not only are they super cute and themed after your favorite Disney characters, but they’re also lightweight and a great size to carry around all day as your go-to Disney park bag! Rapunzel Loungefly just released a brand-new Disney Princess collection, including super-popular princesses like Ariel, Rapunzel, Elsa, Anna, and Cinderella. You’re sure to find your new favorite bag in this massive collection! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Every day will go swimmingly with this Flounder Loungefly Crossbody Bag! ©DisneyStore This Flounder Loungefly Crossbody Bag is designed to look just like Ariel’s sidekick Flounder in purse form! You’ll find embroidered facial detailing, padded nose and cheeks, and 3D holographic fins to bring the iconic fish to life. view ON Disney Store Life is the bubbles with this Ariel Loungefly Crossbody Bag! ©DisneyStore This Ariel Loungefly Crossbody Bag features a padded iridescent shell-flap front with quilted detailing. You’ll find Flounder and Sebastian embroidered on the front along with seahorses, plants, and seashells. Plus, there’s a pearlescent bead handle and a detachable shoulder strap to help you carry around your thingamabobs! view ON Disney Store Gleam and glow with this Rapunzel Loungefly Crossbody Bag! ©Disney This Rapunzel Loungefly Crossbody Bag features an allover quilted design embossed with Pascal’s head and the Corona Sun symbol. The front flap features a pink satin bow, white scalloped trim, and colorful embroidery of white flowers, pink leaves, golden lanterns, and green Pascal. view ON Disney Store Still haven’t found your new favorite Disney Loungefly bag? Shop all 115 bags on sale right now! Full Collection on Amazon We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article

Amazon is one of our favorite places to find some of the BEST deals, especially when it comes to Disney! ©Disney The seasons are changing, and Disney World is officially decked out in its fall decor, which means your house should be, too! We found some great things on Amazon for the fall, and we think Disney Adults will be running to add them to their carts! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Start the season off right with this Halloween T-shirt! ©Amazon The Mickey’s Halloween Trick-or-Treat Candy Co. Shirt is available in nearly 30 different colors, youth and adult sizes, and several different fits! It’s a perfect shirt if you’re looking to be comfortable at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or just to wear at the parks during the season! This shirt is also machine washable. view ON AMAZON This Mini Mix-It plush gets the vibe ©Amazon Mini Mix-Its have become increasingly popular among Disney fans. You can mix and match your favorite characters to different headwear and more! This Halloween Pooh Bear Mini Mix-It features the Hundred Acre Wood favorite with a jack-o’-lantern on his head! It’s the perfect accessory to add to your outfit this Halloween season! view ON AMAZON Get spooky with this Disney Halloween puzzle ©Amazon The Halloween fun doesn’t have to stop at outfits, accessories, and decor. This Halloween 1,000-piece Thomas Kinkade Disney Puzzle will get you into the spirit and keep you occupied! This puzzle features some of your favorite characters, including Mickey and Minnie dressed in their Halloween costumes, Donald Duck and Pluto carved into jack-o’-lanterns, Donald’s nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie, and Mickey’s nephews, Morty and Ferdie Fieldmouse. view ON AMAZON Sometimes simple t-shirts are the way to go ©Amazon The Women’s Halloween Disney Ghost and Pumpkin Shirt is simple yet stylish. This shirt comes in 10 different colors and five different sizes, and features a Mickey ghost holding two jack-o’-lanterns, one with a Minnie witch hat and the other with a Mickey top hat. view ON AMAZON Bedtime deserves some fun, too ©Amazon Who said bedtime has to be boring? This Hundred Acre Wood Halloween Women’s Pajama Set lets you get into the spooky spirit while still being comfy! The top and bottoms match, featuring Winnie the Pooh in a lion costume, Piglet in a witch costume, Tigger in a jack-o’-lantern costume, and Eeyore in a vampire costume. view ON AMAZON Say Boo to You! with this ghost Loungefly ©Amazon Of course, we had to include a Loungefly bag on this list! The Mickey and Minnie Ghost Loungefly Crossbody Bag features one side of the bag as Mickey Mouse and the other side as Minnie Mouse, both as ghosts! The faux leather is glow-in-the-dark, and the bag also features a 3-D Minnie Mouse bow. view ON AMAZON We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article

The EPCOT Food and Wine Festival will be here before you know it, and we’re pretty excited. OF COURSE, we’re excited because this year’s festival is bringing almost 100 new food items to EPCOT, and we are ready to try them all! We love festivals, but finding a table at one? Good luck! BUT…we still have a big beef with EPCOT festivals, and we bet you’ve probably had this problem, too: there are never enough places to eat. That means you pretty much just end up using the top of a trash can as a table, and yes, we’ve all done it. Well, EPCOT just made a huge change that could mean the end of trashcan dining forever. We were making our way at EPCOT today, and we noticed something new across from the Odyssey building. Fence tables have been placed around fencing so you finally have a tabletop that’s NOT a trash can to eat your festival food off of. GAME CHANGER. So it seems that Disney has been paying attention to at least one of our woes. Fence tables! These tables are also big enough for several people to put their food on, so you can keep your party together. They’re pretty big Of course, Disney had to make it clear that these are TABLES, and not chairs, and each table has a sign on it that you can’t sit on it. We previously saw fence tables in Disney California Adventure, so we’re happy they’ve made their way to the East Coast. Don’t try to sit on them This is great news, because EPCOT has been busy changing out its trash cans. We noticed the solar trash cans start to pop up back in June, but now we’re seeing more of those trash cans throughout the park. These trash cans presented a problem, though, because they have curved tops, which means you can’t easily place a drink, plate, or tray on them. New trash cans Of course, we might argue we’d also like to see more additional seating WITH these tables, but we’ll take what we can get. In the meantime, we’ll keep you updated on all things Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB for more. 6 Booths With Delayed Openings At The EPCOT Food & Wine Festival IT'S WINE & DINE TIME! Food & Wine Festival can be a bummer. You stand in line waiting for what looks like the perfect treat, and it's a bust. But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE EPCOT Food & Wine Festival experience. If you're planning a day or a week at the festival, we've got every performance, activity, and tasty nosh detailed out so you can make the most of your time and money. Listen, it's a tough job eating and documenting the nearly 200 bites and sips, but we do it all for YOU! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Learn More About the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival! Food and Wine Festival 101 Eat to the Beat Concert Updates EPCOT Food and Wine Festival - Fans Facebook Page Wine and Dine Half Marathon Details Get More Updates, Tips, and Tricks to Help You Conquer the Food & Wine Festival Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What do you think of these fence tables? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is almost back, and we’re already dreaming of invisible empanadas — we’ll explain. It’s a pretty decent sized empanada The festival comes with the thing we all secretly love most: an excuse to wander the World Showcase, eat our way around the globe, and all in the name of cultural exploration. Between the food booths, the Eat to the Beat concerts, and enough specialty cocktails to make the walk from Mexico to Canada feel like a marathon, the Festival gives us endless reasons to linger. But this year, there’s a new reason to stop dead in your tracks in the Mexico Pavilion. Let’s talk about the empanada. The giant empanada. The one currently living rent-free in my brain and, apparently, also towering menacingly over guests in the Mexico Pavilion during Food & Wine. Except here’s the twist: it’s not actually there. Not in the “we ran out of empanadas” sense, but in the “this is entirely digital sorcery” sense. This is a Magic Shot, and it is exactly as delightfully unhinged as it sounds. If you’ve never experienced a Magic Shot before, here’s the rundown: Disney PhotoPass Photographers stationed around the parks have access to special digital effects that get layered into your photo after it’s taken. So while you’re standing in the Mexico Pavilion striking your best “I cannot believe what I am seeing” pose, you’re actually reacting to absolutely nothing. There is no empanada. There is only you, a photographer with a secret, and a super silly photo. ©Disney It’s a golden, flaky, larger-than-life empanada, stamped with the Food & Wine Festival logo. Your job is simply to react like it’s the greatest thing you’ve ever seen, and the PhotoPass photographer does the rest, working their editing magic to make an empty patch of pavement into a scene straight out of a food-themed monster movie. ©Disney More Magical (and Slightly Ridiculous) Photo Ops The empanada isn’t traveling alone this Festival season — it’s part of a whole lineup of Magic Shots scattered across EPCOT, each one waiting for a PhotoPass photographer to sprinkle on the digital pixie dust. Here’s where to find them: PhotoPass Photographers throughout World Showcase — NEW Waiter Mickey Magic Shot PhotoPass Photographers in World Celebration and at the Main Entrance — Balloons Magic Shot PhotoPass Photographers on the path from Spaceship Earth to CommuniCore Hall — Elemental PhotoPass Photographers in the Mexico Pavilion — Giant Empanada PhotoPass Photographers in the Italy Pavilion — Leaning Tower of Cheeza, inspired by A Goofy Movie PhotoPass Photographers throughout World Celebration — Swedish Chef ©Disney So yes, I am absolutely going to wait in line to have my picture taken next to an empanada that does not exist, and I regret nothing. Food & Wine Festival Magic Shots are proof that Disney can turn even the silliest idea into a genuinely fun souvenir of your day in EPCOT. Keep an eye out for these PhotoPass photographers as you make your way around World Showcase, and don’t be shy about asking what magic they’ve got up their sleeve. Keep it locked on DisneyFoodBlog for all the latest booth reviews, menu breakdowns, and Festival news as it happens! 7 Dates to AVOID the 2026 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival 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 Magic Shot is your favorite? Tell us in the comments below! View the full article

Disney made some pretty major anouncements during D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. However, there was one that was TRULY shocking! ©Disney During the Imagineering Showcase, Disney announced that they would be fixing the long-broken yeti animatronic on Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom. This poor thing has been broken for literal years, and now it’s getting some love. But fans had some rather mixed reactions to the news. Folks Who Were Excited A large portion of people were actually quite hyped about this news! On our announcement post on Instagram, we had comments like, “Excited is an understatement. I truly never thought I’d live to see the day,” and “I can’t believe it, my jaw dropped. I always thought it was too expensive and not worth it to do.” ©Disney We got dozens of comments with various versions of “Yay!,” “Woohoo!,” and jaw-drop emojis. One fan said, “The Yeti has been building anticipation for nearly 20 years. Talk about a comeback.” This is a project that fans have requested for so long, and for many people, it’s a dream come true! Expedition Everest ride vehicle Of course, no fan is more excited about this update than Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro’s own mother! During a panel at D23, we learned from Josh himself that fixing the yeti has been a request his mother repeatedly made of him since he first started to climb the ladder in the Disney Parks. Now that he’s CEO, he knew he had to make it happen…all for mom! Folks Who Were Not-So-Excited However, even though many people were excited, quite a few were also cynical about the project. We got many, MANY comments that said something similar to “I’ll believe it when I see it.” In their defense, there have been a few times at D23 when projects that were announced never came to fruition (though those were mainly related to the pandemic or they fell into “Blue Sky” territory). Expedition Everest Others were disappointed that the news qualified as an announcement for D23, saying, “Yay for the bare minimum,” and “I’m not sure how them fixing something broken for almost 20 years is exciting. They should have already done this.” YIKES. Folks Who Had…Some Questions Then, there were some people who didn’t necessarily fall into the ‘happy’ or ‘cynical’ camps, but instead, focused on the logistics of fixing the yeti. One commenter said, “From what I’ve heard, won’t they need to literally remove the top of the mountain to get to make a proper repair/renovation? Hopefully they work it so they can actually get to the animatronic easily to make future repairs.” Lightning Lane at Expedition Everest Another person shared, “I hope they wait until Indiana Jones +- Encanto are open though. Not sure AK can take another closed ride at the moment.” They make a good point! There are only a few attractions available in that park right now, so it would be wise to wait and schedule another closure for after Tropical Americas opens. Expedition Everest queue Finally, there were several comments on posts (ours and Disney’s) wondering how the yeti is going to get fixed. For years, Disney fans have been told that this was a near-impossible feat that was simply to expensive and time-consuming to complete. So did they figure out a new solution to the problem? We’ll have to wait and see! Expedition Everest We’ll keep you updated with any more yeti-related news, so stay tuned to DFB by subscribing to our newsletter. Disney Just Made 12 Major Announcements 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 do you feel about Disney World fixing the yeti? Tell us in the comments! View the full article

Universal Orlando is one of the most popular theme parks in the country, and for good reason. It has some of the biggest franchises, like Harry Potter, Shrek, Minions, and Monsters. Combine those franchises with character interactions, rides, entertainment, and experiences, and you’ve got yourself quite a popular spot. Universal Orlando Because of their popularity, this means it can also get pretty busy. BUT there are several weeks in 2027 where Universal Orlando will be EMPTY. These are the 10 weeks you should consider booking your trip to Universal Orlando. January 9th – 15th The early months of the year are a great time to visit the Orlando theme parks, specifically January 9th through 15th. The holiday celebration at Universal Orlando ends on January 3rd, so those crowds will officially be gone. It also won’t be too hot during this time since it’s in the dead of winter. Look how empty! Something NEW Is Coming to Epic Universe for the Holidays January 23rd – February 12th These three weeks in January and February will be pretty slow since school will have been back for a couple of weeks now. These are also the weeks leading up to February school vacations, which are common in the northern states. Valentine’s Day also falls on a Sunday this year, so leaving before that weekend would be beneficial. Isle of Berk in Epic Universe Universal Just Opened Their NEW Coaster, And People Have THOUGHTS! April 4th – April 10th Jumping ahead to April, the first week will be the best time to visit. This week follows Easter weekend, so those crowds will be gone while April school vacation will begin the following week. It’s the perfect downtime between the two busier times of April. Islands of Adventure Demolition of This Universal Orlando Land Is Moving Along FAST May 2nd – May 8th The first week in May is the LAST before the summer crowds start to hit the Orlando theme parks. While schools up north don’t typically get out until mid- to end-June, schools in Florida tend to get out in mid-May, so the first week of May is your safest bet to visit before those summer crowds hit! Dark Universe in Epic Universe CONFIRMED: A Popular Epic Universe Ride Is Closing… Again! August 22nd – 28th The last week of August is when the summer crowds start to die down since kids are either back in school or getting ready to go back. That is until the weekend, which typically hosts the first Halloween Horror Nights events of the season! So, if you want fewer crowds and want to experience a dose of Halloween, this may be the week for you! Halloween Horror Nights DFB Video: 50 TIPS for Halloween Horror Nights September 12th – 25th September tends to be one of the slowest times of the year when it comes to visiting theme parks since summer has officially ended and everyone is back to work and school. If you can take time off work, these two weeks in September are great times to go! Not only will you experience fewer crowds, but you’ll also be able to indulge in Halloween offerings since spooky season will have officially arrived. The Bride of Frankenstein and Frankenstein’s Monster Could Universal’s New Patent Reveal Upcoming CHANGES for Epic Universe? November 1st – 7th Finally, you can experience an empty park in the first week of November. The final night of Halloween Horror Nights tends to be either October 31st or November 1st, so the Halloween crowds will be dying down, and the holidays don’t start up until mid-November. Universal Orlando If you’re planning on booking a trip to Universal Orlando in 2027, make sure to take these weeks into consideration because these will be when the parks are the emptiest! Follow us at the Disney Food Blog for more theme park tips and tricks. Calling All Universal Orlando Passholders! 7 New Perks Are Dropping This August 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 Are you going to Universal Orlando in 2027? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

Disney+ has just released a new documentary, and it takes you behind the scenes of some of Disney’s big theme park updates over the years. ©Disney Worldbuilders is all about “the minds behind the magic” — the people who created the movies and content that eventually turned into theme park lands and rides around the world. In the documentary, Leslie Iwerks sits down with names like James Cameron, Jon Favreau, Kevin Feige, Jennifer Lee, and more. But perhaps one of the most interesting bits for theme park fans looking toward the future is the interview with Bob Iger. Former Disney CEO Bob Iger is featured heavily toward the end of the documentary talking about one of the next big projects — Disneyland Abu Dhabi. “We like being in this region. About one-third of the world’s population, actually, can get here in about four hours,” he says as he looks out over the Abu Dhabi landscape. ©Miral “We view this as an oasis of the world. Not just a crossroads, but an oasis. We love what Abu Dhabi stands for, its potential and its dreams, its design ethic. It is a place that is only pointing to the future in so many different ways with great enthusiasm and tremendous optimism,” says Iger. via @robertiger on Instagram Disney’s decision to place a theme park in the U.A.E. has been met with some controversy. On Disney’s original Instagram announcement, fans in the comment section made their disappointment known, with notes about how unsafe the location is for many Disney fans. Several were admonishing Disney for seemingly forgoing its commitment to inclusion for all. ©Disney A large part of the controversy surrounding Disney’s choice of location is due to laws that the U.A.E. has in place regarding both LGBT relationships and rights for women. In the past, other major theme parks have failed in Abu Dhabi, and fans have been concerned on that note as well. ©Disney Disney hasn’t yet revealed much about Disneyland Abu Dhabi. No timeline has been announced, and the IPs included in the project are still under wraps. We expect to receive more information in the coming years. See Everything We Know About Disneyland Abu Dhabi Here 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 View the full article

When you’re visiting Magic Kingdom, there’s just so much to see and do. Now, of course, you’ll want to ride ALL the rides, especially all those classic rides. But you’ll also want to make time for the entertainment, including the Festival of Fantasy parade and Disney Starlight. Happily Ever After But one of the most ICONIC shows you can see in Magic Kingdom happens just before the park closes. We’re talking about the nightly Happily Ever After fireworks show, which will make you laugh, cry, and feel nothing but joy (EVERY time, y’all). Well, if you’re visiting Disney World soon, we’ve got a big fireworks update to share with you. Currently, the Happily Ever After fireworks can be seen on nights when there isn’t a Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at 10 P.M. However, with fall coming up quickly, that will change soon. The time will change to 9:30 P.M. on August 31st, but as of October 5th, Happily Ever After will happen at 9 P.M., an hour earlier. This change is usual this time of year as the days get shorter and the nights get longer. But it means you’ll get to see the fireworks an hour earlier! Happily Ever After Happily Ever After is probably one of the most popular fireworks shows in Disney World that isn’t JUST a fireworks show. It also incorporates music, projections on Cinderella Castle, and projections on Main Street, U.S.A. Many Magic Kingdom visitors will choose their fireworks viewing spots early and camp out until they start. Happily Ever After in Magic Kingdom However, you can always get a great view of the fireworks by booking a Happily Ever After dessert party, which gets you a buffet of desserts and snacks plus drinks as well as a guaranteed view of the fireworks from Plaza Garden or Tomorrowland Terrace. Chocolate Dipped Strawberries from Happily Ever After Dessert Party We’ll be keeping an eye out for more big changes in Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB for more. Disney Just Revealed the Best New Spot to Watch Magic Kingdom Fireworks 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 watching Happily Ever After a must for you on Disney trips? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Disney World has a funny way of hiding little surprises in plain sight, but as a former Cast Member, I’m not going to gatekeep them from you! Disney World After years spent behind the scenes (and even more years visiting as a regular guest), I’ve picked up on a handful of things that most visitors simply never notice. From a sneaky new mobile ordering restriction to a ride queue absolutely PACKED with Muppet history to the sneakiest spots for free fireworks viewing, here are seven things flying completely under the radar right now. 1. Free Hygiene Items Are Becoming the Norm For years, the period product situation across Disney World’s parks and hotels has been pretty inconsistent. A handful of free products could be found in select hotel bathrooms and at First Aid locations, but for the most part, Disney relied on paid dispensers in the majority of park restrooms. That’s starting to change. Free hygiene products have recently begun popping up around EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and beyond, thanks to a woman-owned company called Aunt Flow, which works with businesses and schools to offer free, high-quality pads and tampons in bathrooms — operating on the belief that if toilet paper is free in public restrooms, period products should be too. For now, you’ll still need to pay for period products inside Magic Kingdom, though First Aid will provide them for free if you ask. It’s likely just a matter of time before Aunt Flow’s products make their way into that park as well. Aunt Flow products 2. How Long It ACTUALLY Takes to Reach Magic Kingdom If you’re getting to Magic Kingdom by any method other than free Disney transportation — driving yourself, a rideshare, or a Good Neighbor Hotel shuttle — you won’t be dropped off at the front gates. Instead, you’ll land at the Transportation and Ticket Center, and from there you’ll still need to catch either the ferry boat or the monorail to actually reach the park. Curious just how much time that adds, one of our team members ran her own little experiment. She parked at the TTC around 9:30 PM on a rainy night, well ahead of the 10 PM fireworks and with the park not closing until 11 PM. Crowds were about as light as they get — no line for the parking tram, the monorail, or the tapstiles at the Magic Kingdom entrance. And yet, the entire TTC-to-Magic-Kingdom process still took a full 30 minutes. Ferry Boat The takeaway: TTC crowds get significantly heavier at the start of the day and again right after fireworks end. If you’re working around dining reservations, trying to catch rope drop, or aiming to arrive before Early Theme Park Entry begins, budget in an extra hour just for that TTC-to-Magic-Kingdom transfer. Monorail line 3. The Times That Polynesian Village Will Turn You Away Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is normally one of the best-kept secrets for catching Magic Kingdom fireworks without a park ticket — its beachside spot is usually wide open to anyone strolling over. That changes, however, whenever the Happily Ever After fireworks get swapped out for an exclusive show, like on Fourth of July or New Year’s Eve. During those nights, Polynesian Village tightens up considerably, limiting beachside access to guests with hotel reservations or Polynesian dining reservations only. Security is posted right at the walkway connecting the Transportation and Ticket Center to the resort, checking reservations before anyone’s allowed through. If you’re hoping to watch a specialty fireworks show from the Polynesian beach, make sure you’ve got a qualifying hotel or dining reservation locked in first. Beautiful views from the beach 4. Another Low-Key Place to Watch Happily Ever After Watching Happily Ever After from behind Cinderella Castle has become one of my favorite ways to catch the show — it’s a whole lot less crowded than Main Street USA, and even though you miss the castle projections, the fireworks themselves come through just as impressively. My usual spot is directly behind the castle near Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, though more people have started catching on, and it can get surprisingly busy there on some nights. Happily Ever After On a recent visit, though, I stumbled onto another great option. After a nighttime lap on the PeopleMover, I stepped off the Tomorrowland sky tram just as the fireworks were kicking off — and realized Tomorrowland’s Power Palms (the chrome palm trees right outside Space Mountain) offer a genuinely great view with even fewer crowds. And if you can time it right, staying on the PeopleMover or hopping onto Astro Orbiter during the show gives you a totally unique, ride-based perspective on the fireworks. Happily Ever After 5. So Many Muppety Easter Eggs I didn’t realize just how much I’d been missing Kermit and the gang inside Hollywood Studios until Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets finally reopened at the end of May. And while I expected to enjoy getting back on the ride itself, what really caught me off guard was how much I loved the queue — it’s absolutely loaded with Muppet Easter eggs that are easy to miss if you’re not looking closely. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets A few of my personal favorites: Tucked into the pre-show recording studio booth and near the ride’s loading area, you’ll spot discarded PizzeRizzo boxes — a quiet tribute to the “Rat Pizza” quick service that used to occupy the space before Monstropolis construction pushed the Muppets out of their old courtyard. In the alley leading to the boarding platform, there’s a small Mona Lisa painting paying homage to the much larger version that used to hang outside Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano. The old “key under the floor mat” gag from the original MuppetVision 3D queue makes a comeback near Gonzo’s Stunt School Door — except this time, instead of door keys, you’ll find keyboard keys peeking out from underneath. It would take forever to catalog every single reference hiding in this queue, but even just slowing down long enough to spot these few makes the wait feel like its own attraction. 26 Hidden Details On the NEW Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets at Hollywood Studios PizzeRizzo will always remain in my heart 6. My New Favorite Time to Ride Living with the Land If you’re looking for a genuinely peaceful, nervous-system-resetting moment somewhere in Disney World, let me point you toward riding Living with the Land in EPCOT during a rainstorm. Once your boat drifts into the greenhouse section, the sound of rain pattering against the glass mixes with the low rumble of thunder outside, the calm narration, the lush plant life, and the gentle floating motion of the ride — and the whole thing becomes almost meditative. It’s the kind of ride experience that might just have you fighting off a quick cat nap. Living with the Land These are the kinds of details that make Disney World feel endlessly full of surprises — even for people who visit constantly. Keep checking back with Disney Food Blog for more insider tips, park updates, and the latest news to help you get the most out of every trip. What I Refuse to Eat in Disney World As a Former Cast Member Who Has Seen Too Much 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 View the full article