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Disney World is constantly changing and sometimes it can be hard to keep up! Tropical Americas Construction in Animal Kingdom We’re here to monitor those changes, so you’re not surprised on your next Disney World vacation! Here are seven changes coming to Disney World this July! Changes to the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT fireworks shows There are two nighttime fireworks shows that happen nightly at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. Happily Ever After is the nighttime fireworks show at Magic Kingdom that features lights, lasers, and special effects on Main Street, U.S.A., and the Cinderella Castle, along with some of the most popular Disney songs. EPCOT’s nighttime fireworks show is Luminous: The Symphony of Us, which features fountains and lights along to a selection of Disney songs that remind us that we are more alike than we are different. Happily Ever After For three nights in July, Happily Ever After will not take place. Instead, guests will be able to enjoy Disney’s Celebrate America! — A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky. This nighttime fireworks show will take place on July 3rd, July 4th, and July 5th at 9 PM each night. Similar to Happily Ever After, projections will be cast on Cinderella Castle and the Main Street, U.S.A. buildings. Fourth of July fireworks! Unlike Magic Kingdom, where the consistent fireworks show will not be showing, Luminous will still occur, with the special Fourth of July fireworks show taking place after it concludes. The Heartbeat of Freedom fireworks show will be shown on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th at 9:15 PM nightly. It’s important to note that this show is not a full fireworks show, but rather a 5-minute patriotic finale. You’ll be able to purchase a fireworks dining package or dessert party package for each of these shows. Disney World Has EXTENDED Park Hours For Fourth of July Heartbeat of Freedom ©Jeff Krause Carousel of Progress closes for a lengthy refurbishment I know this might be some of the most devastating news you’ve heard today, but it’s true. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress will be closing on July 6th for a long refurbishment. Because of the technological advances in today’s world, the attraction can be seen as outdated. The new attraction will feature the 1960s, 1980s, the new millennium, and a possible future with an introductory scene featuring Walt Disney himself. The attraction will reopen sometime in 2027. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress If You Hate That Disney World Is CHANGING Carousel of Progress, This Might Make You Feel Better Extended Evening Hours continue If you’re staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort, Disney Deluxe Villa Resort, or another select hotel, you have access to the parks longer than the regular guests! These resorts include: Disney Deluxe Resorts Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Disney’s Beach Club Resort Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Disney’s Contemporary Resort Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts 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 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 Villas & Bungalows Disney’s Riviera Resort Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – A Disney Vacation Club Resort (The extended evening theme park hours benefit applies to Disney Vacation Club Cabins only.) The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Other Select Hotels Walt Disney World Swan Hotel Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel Walt Disney World Swan Reserve Shades of Green® on Walt Disney World Resort Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort The dates for Extended Evening Hours in July include: Magic Kingdom: Wednesday, July 1st, 15th, 22nd, and 29th: 10 PM to 12 AM; Wednesday, July 8th: 11PM to 1PM EPCOT: Monday, July 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th: 9 PM to 11 PM FULL LIST of Disney World Extended Evening Hours Dates and Theme Parks for 2026 EPCOT at night LEVEL99 will be open LEVEL99 opens on June 29th in Disney Springs, replacing what was recently the NBA Experience and DisneyQuest. LEVEL99 is an interactive, social entertainment experience where guests will experience physical and mental challenges. You can find this location on the West Side of Disney Springs, and it’s actually the largest LEVEL99 to date. So, be prepared for crowd levels to be high during the first couple of months of its opening, especially with it opening in peak vacation season. LEVEL99 Tickets Are Available RIGHT NOW For LEVEL99 in Disney Springs! Grand Floridian Cafe closes for refurbishment Starting in mid-July, a beloved brunch spot will be closing for refurbishment until October. Although Disney hasn’t officially announced the closing date, the hours of the Grand Floridian Cafe on the My Disney Experience App show regular hours through Sunday, July 19th, and starting on Monday, July 20th, the hours change. If you were hoping to eat brunch here during your trip, don’t worry, because Disney has also revealed that brunch will move upstairs to Citricos while Grand Floridian Cafe is under refurbishment! Mickey waffle with chicken? Yes, please! REVIEW: Should You Leave Magic Kingdom for Brunch at Grand Floridian Cafe? Currently closed for refurbishment We’ve already named some things that will be closing for refurbishment, but there are some things that have been closed and will continue to be closed throughout July. Located inside Storybook Circus in Fantasyland, Big Top Souvenirs remains closed for its refurbishment. This area closed in January and has plans to open later this year. This spot is where guests could meet Donald Duck, Goofy, Minnie Mouse, and Daisy Duck, and without this space, they do not have official meeting times. However, they sometimes meet near the Storybook Circus sign, but this is not guaranteed. Check the My Disney Experience app for the latest times! Pete’s Silly Sideshow has revealed an opening date of June 27th, however, Big Top Souvenirs is still listed on the refurbishment list. Big Top Souvenirs La Signature in the France Pavilion will be temporarily closed starting on June 29th and is expected to reopen sometime later this year. Here, you’re able to find over 70 different French cosmetics and fragrances from Guerlain. As of right now, there has been no reopening date announced. La Signature The sister bar counter of Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto has been closed since April and does not currently have a reopening date. Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace at the Polynesian Village Resort had originally been scheduled for their refurbishment to go through late June; however, the calendar on the My Disney Experience app shows that it will still be closed through the end of July. So, if you’re looking to grab a drink, you’ll have to join the walk-up list at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. Closed for now A MAJOR Hotel Transportation Perk Is BACK At Disney’s Polynesian Resort! Ongoing construction A lot of exciting things are coming to Disney World in the near future, which means there’s a lot of construction happening around the parks and resorts. Let’s start off with the Piston Peak construction — The Rivers of America in Magic Kingdom closed last July to make room for a themed land inspired by the Pixar film, Cars. This land will include two newly themed attractions, including a rally race-themed attraction and a family-friendly attraction for those smaller racers! There are a lot of walls up, and even food kiosks are being closed (R.I.P. Westward Ho), so keep in mind that you may have to reroute during your trip to Magic Kingdom. Piston Peak Construction Over in Animal Kingdom, Dinoland U.S.A. officially closed in February to make room for the Tropical Americas featuring Encanto and the Indiana Jones films. This land will feature several attractions based on these movies, including a boat ride located in the Casita inspired by Antonio’s special gift. The previous Dinosaur attraction will be rethemed to an Indiana Jones attraction. Animal Kingdom construction Disney World’s NEW Tropical Americas Restaurant Will Be One of Its BIGGEST There’s always something changing at Disney World, but we’re always on the lookout. Be sure to stay tuned to DFB, so you don’t miss any Disney news and updates! Disney Quietly Made a Huge EPCOT Change, and Everything Looks a Little Different Now 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 changes are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments! 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There are few more nightmarish scenarios for a Disney World vacation than getting sick. Magic Kingdom First Aid Center However, if you find yourself in this spot, you have to take care of yourself, even if it means sacrificing some of your vacation time. Trust us, it’s not worth the risk. Pack Smart Before we get into what you should do if you’re feeling sick at Disney World, a quick note about packing for your trip. Stock up on over-the-counter medications, including cold and anti-nausea medications, as well as hydration packets like Liquid IV or Gatorade powders to stay hydrated. That way, if you do start feeling ill, you’ll already have some remedies on hand. ©Amazon In Your Hotel Room If you find yourself not feeling well in the morning, don’t push yourself to leave your hotel room to get to the parks. Understandably, you may want to power through to try and “make the most” of your vacation. However, if your body is telling you a hard “no,” you really need to listen. If you find yourself room-ridden with food poisoning symptoms and need to order some supplies — like more medicine or hydration packs — through a service like Instacart, the front desk will deliver it to your room for you for $6. ©Disney In the Parks If your symptoms don’t strike until you find yourself out for the day, each of Disney World’s four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom), water parks (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach), and Disney Springs are home to First Aid stations. Make your way there ASAP. EPCOT First Aid AdventHealth Options If symptoms persist, seek medical help either in the form of a telehealth service or from a local facility. Since 2021, Disney has partnered with AdventHealth to offer a number of services to Guests, including urgent care, AdventHealth Telehealth, in-room care, prescription delivery, equipment delivery, and more. AdventHealth Guest Health Care Services ©Disney Some of these services include: In-room visits where an AdventHealth provider will arrive at a guest’s hotel room within 2 hours. Medication may be dispensed by the visiting provider or delivered to your room via AdventHealth Pharmacy. In-room appointment costs start at $325, are self-pay at the time of service, and are not eligible for insurance. 24/7 telehealth service via the AdventHealth app, featuring secure AdventHealth Telehealth visits with an AdventHealth provider, diagnosis, and treatment for minor ailments. Prescriptions are sent to a nearby preferred pharmacy or delivered to your Walt Disney World Resort hotel. An AdventHealth emergency room is located at Flamingo Crossings Town Center, which offers “access to expert emergency care with no wait. It is staffed by a comprehensive clinical team, including board-certified emergency physicians and emergency nurses.” AdventHealth ER at Disney World Refunds? According to PlanDisney, “theme park tickets are nonrefundable and nontransferable, but the good news is that they are valid until their stated expiration date! So, if you do happen to get sick, hopefully, you can find another date in the future that will work for you.” In other words, you’re most likely not getting your money back. However, it’s always worth reaching out to Guest Services to see if anything can be done or any accommodations can be made, including possibly rescheduling your trip to a later time and allowing you to reuse your tickets. ©Disney If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being sick on your next Disney World vacation, these are the steps you need to take to take care of yourself first and foremost. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney tips. Like It or Not, an Iconic Attraction Is About To Close for a HUGE Overhaul in Disney World 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 gotten sick on a Disney vacation? Let us know in the comments below. View the full article

We recently covered one of the most terrifying roller coasters yet, the Tormenta Rampaging Run at Six Flags Over Texas near Dallas, Texas. The roller coaster is going to set SIX world records for roller coasters, including a 309-foot maximum elevation and a descent that will send guests 87 mph. When it opens, it’ll be the world’s longest, tallest, and fastest coaster ever! ©Six Flags Over Texas Tormenta Rampaging Run was set to open on Friday, June 26th, to commemorate Six Flags Over Texas’ 65th anniversary, but the opening has been postponed, with no new opening date in sight! “All of us at Six Flags Over Texas are just as excited as you are to experience this record-breaking dive coaster,” The park said in an Instagram post on Monday. “As we continue preparing for its debut, the commissioning and testing process is taking longer than expected. While this means pausing our current opening timeline, it ensures that when Tormenta charges out of the gates, it will be a ride experience worthy of its name — bold, intense, and unforgettable. We’ll share a new opening date as soon as it’s ready to be announced. Thank you for your continued patience – we look forward to riding with you soon!” ©Six Flags Over Texas When Tormenta Rampaging Run opens, it will be the tallest, fastest, longest, and first giga-dive coaster that is over 300 feet tall. The roller coaster is going to set six world records for roller coasters, including a 309-foot maximum elevation and a descent that will send guests 87 mph, making it both the tallest and fastest coaster in the world. The dive coaster will also be the world’s longest coaster at 4,199 feet, the world’s tallest vertical loop at 179 feet, the highest Immelmann inversion that carries passengers upside down and 218 feet above ground, and a 95-degree beyond-vertical drop, plunging riders 285 feet. ©Six Flags Over Texas We’ll be sure to update you on when Tormenta Rampaging Run opens at Six Flags Over Texas. Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more theme park news! Six Flags Announces Record-Breaking Coaster Opening in 2027! 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 Would you ride this record-breaking roller coaster? Comment below! View the full article

BoxLunch just quietly dropped five new Loungefly styles, and if you’re the kind of person who checks the site regularly, you already know how fast these tend to disappear. We love Loungefly! Whether you’re prepping for a park trip, hunting for a gift, or just treating yourself after a long week, this batch covers a surprisingly wide range of fandoms. Here’s a look at what’s new and why each one is worth a second glance. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. This One Was Made for Minnie Fans ©BoxLunch Some bags are cute. Some bags are an event. The Loungefly Disney Minnie Mouse Rhinestone Bow Figural Mini Backpack lands firmly in the second category. It’s embossed with polka dots, features an iridescent applique of Minnie’s face, includes figural ears, and finishes the whole look with a rhinestone bow detail. It’s the kind of piece that photographs well in front of Cinderella Castle and holds up in real life too. Snag yours before it sells out. view ON AMAZON The Underrated Disney Movie That Deserves More Love ©BoxLunch Oliver and Company never gets the credit it deserves, and fans of the film know exactly how rare good merch can be. The Loungefly Disney Oliver & Company Floral Drawstring Mini Backpack finally delivers. It features Dodger and Oliver set among embroidered flowers on the front flap, paw prints embroidered on the body, and a twist lock closure that keeps things secure without the fuss. It’s a thoughtful design that rewards people who actually know the film. view ON AMAZON For the Pixar Fan Who Cries at Balloons ©BoxLunch If you’ve ever teared up during the first ten minutes of Up, this one is going to hit differently. The Loungefly Disney Pixar Up Embroidered Icons Canvas Mini Backpack captures the spirit of the film with Up icons set against a cloudy backdrop and embroidered detailing throughout. The canvas construction gives it a slightly more textured, understated look than the typical Loungefly, which makes it a solid everyday carry for fans who want something that feels a little more grown-up. view ON AMAZON The Gaming Crossover Nobody Saw Coming ©BoxLunch Marvel Rivals has built a surprisingly devoted fanbase fast, and Jeff the Land Shark has somehow become the breakout character nobody predicted. The Loungefly Marvel Rivals Jeff the Land Shark Mini Backpack leans into that energy with a moving Jeff applique on the front, embossed details on the body, and a zipper pull shaped like his name tag. It’s playful, it’s specific, and it’s the kind of thing that signals to other fans that you’re in on it. view ON AMAZON A Bag That Literally Smells Like a Snack ©BoxLunch Disney parks and food go hand in hand, and somehow, Loungefly managed to bottle that feeling. The Loungefly Disney Minnie Mouse Key Lime Pie Lime Scented Mini Backpack is exactly what it sounds like: a lime-scented mini backpack shaped like a pie. It features a die-cut pie-shaped front pocket, embroidered details, lime ears, and a 3D bow. It’s fun, it’s unexpected, and it genuinely smells good. view ON AMAZON Whether you’re adding to your collection or shopping for someone who never turns down a new Loungefly, this BoxLunch drop has something for a lot of different fandoms. 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

Every week, we report the average Disney World wait times in every park so that you can be prepared for your next trip to Orlando! Slinky Dog Dash Disney World wait times have a reputation for being, well, unpredictable. Sure, we can look at past data to get an estimate of the crowd levels in Disney World, but you never know what may happen from year to year. Take a look at this week’s average wait times for proof! This is everything you need to know about the average wait times in Disney World this past week. Slinky Dog Dash toppled the Muppets at Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom Wait Times Seven Dwarfs Mine Train TRON Lightcycle / Run — 60 minutes Seven Dwarfs Mine Train — 45 minutes Peter Pan’s Flight — 38 minutes Jungle Cruise — 33 minutes Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin — 33 minutes Tiana’s Bayou Adventure — 32 minutes Space Mountain — 31 minutes Big Thunder Mountain Railroad — 30 minutes Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh — 27 minutes Haunted Mansion — 22 minutes Pirates of the Caribbean — 16 minutes Enchanted Tales with Belle — 14 minutes Astro Orbiter — 13 minutes Astro Orbiter Tomorrowland Speedway — 13 minutes Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid — 12 minutes Mickey’s PhilharMagic — 11 minutes Dumbo the Flying Elephant — 10 minutes “it’s a small world” — 10 minutes Barnstormer featuring the Great Goofini — 10 minutes Magic Carpets of Aladdin — 9 minutes Country Bear Jamboree — 9 minutes Country Bear Jamboree Enchanted Tiki Room — 9 minutes Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover — 8 minutes Mad Tea Party — 6 minutes Carousel of Progress Prince Charming Regal Carrousel — 6 minutes Carousel of Progress — 5 minutes 3 Magic Kingdom Restaurants the Experts Refuse to Book EPCOT Wait Times Test Track Test Track — 70 minutes Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind — 69 minutes Frozen Ever After — 45 minutes Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure — 44 minutes Soarin’ Across America — 32 minutes Mission: Space Mission: SPACE — 15 minutes Turtle Talk with Crush — 15 minutes Living with the Land — 13 minutes Spaceship Earth — 13 minutes The Seas with Nemo and Friends — 9 minutes Journey into Imagination — 9 minutes Gran Fiesta Tour — 8 minutes Awesome Planet, American Adventure, Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival, Canada Far and Wide, Impressions de France, and Reflections of China had no wait times this week. This Is One of the BEST Things To Do in EPCOT, and You Can’t Change My Mind Animal Kingdom Wait Times Animal Kingdom Avatar Flight of Passage — 49 minutes Na’vi River Journey — 33 minutes Expedition Everest Kilimanjaro Safaris — 23 minutes Expedition Everest — 23 minutes Zootopia: Better Zoogether — 11 minutes These Disney Adult Animal Kingdom Hacks Are Getting Out of Control Hollywood Studios Wait Times Slinky Dog Dash Slinky Dog Dash — 65 minutes Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets — 63 minutes Rise of the Resistance — 47 minutes Toy Story Mania — 37 minutes Tower of Terror — 33 minutes Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway — 35 minutes Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run — 31 minutes This is amazing! Alien Swirling Saucers — 23 minutes Star Tours — 7 minutes Walt Disney Presents had no wait times this week. 5 Magic Kingdom Secrets Disney Doesn’t Want You to Know Stay tuned to DFB for more updates from Disney World! Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts, and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW How long would you wait for your favorite ride? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

Disney dropped a TON of news this week, especially around what we can expect from the holiday season in both Disneyland Resort and Disney World, but we also got some much-needed updates on a few projects happening inside the parks. Minnie Mouse at Pete’s Silly Sideshow We finally know when a long-closed attraction will reopen in Magic Kingdom, an EPCOT store is getting ready to temporarily close, and we’re in our final week before Carousel of Progress closes for its long refurbishment. If you’re heading into the parks soon, a lot is going on that you need to know about ahead of time, so we’re here to catch you up! Beginning June 29th, La Signature will be closed in EPCOT for refurbishment, and don’t forget that Carousel of Progress will close for its refurbishment on July 6th, in less than a week. Plus, this past week, Westward Ho officially closed at Magic Kingdom on June 22nd, so we’re curious to see what may take its place when Piston Peak opens. Westward Ho Let’s take a look at all the current closures taking place in Disney World from June 26th through July 3rd. Magic Kingdom Storybook Circus Pete’s Silly Sideshow temporarily closed starting January 4th, 2026, and reopened early on June 26th! This is the Storybook Circus meet and greet area, where you can meet Donald Duck, Goofy, Daisy Duck, and Minnie Mouse as they join the circus. Pete’s Silly Sideshow Big Top Souvenirs closed on February 20th, and Disney has said it’ll “reopen for guests to enjoy later this year,” but there’s no date in sight. When we stopped by recently, we noticed that the entire top of the store is GONE right now! As of right now, there’s no mention as to when this store will reopen. The tent disappeared! We’re really curious to see how this all turns out, so we’ll keep you updated! Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island An iconic part of the Magic Kingdom is now permanently closed. As of July 7th, 2025, the Rivers of America, including the Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island, are permanently closed to make way for the new Cars area, Piston Peak. There are lots of construction walls up in the area now, and the structures on Tom Sawyer Island have been demolished. Most recently, we saw some updates to the concrete on the land, as well as leveling taking place for the new attractions — how exciting! Piston Peak construction Piston Peak National Park will be replacing this area of the Magic Kingdom. Disney has not yet announced an opening date for the new Cars area, but we do know it will feature two brand-new attractions and be themed to look like a National Park. The No-Brainer Trick Everyone Forgets About in Magic Kingdom Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Parts of) Animation Courtyard Animation Courtyard closed on September 25th, 2025, to make way for Walt Disney Studios. The courtyard area, new Disney Jr. show, and meet and greet station for Sofia the First and SupeKitties officially opened on May 26th, but we’re still waiting for the other sections of the area to open. Star Wars Launch Bay will be turned into The Magic of Disney Animation. This attraction will have you interacting and exploring with this fun take on Disney Animation headquarters, complete with the return of the Sorcerer Mickey hat! The Magic of Disney Animation in Walt Disney Studios This area will also feature a new Drawn to Wonderland indoor play area that we can’t wait to see! Muppets Courtyard Muppet*Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo closed on June 8th, 2025, and Muppets Courtyard has been walled off for construction on the new Monsters, Inc. land. Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano has been closed since May 11th, 2025. Most recently, Disney released new information about Monstropolis, saying that “Monstropolis — the monster city now powered by laughter — is getting ready to give humans a glimpse of what’s been hidden from their world for generations. Which raises an interesting question: if humans were never meant to enter the monster world … why are the doors finally opening to us?” ©Disney We’ll get to explore their world during H.U.M.A.N. Day, or “Humans Understand Monsters Are Nice” Day, with Disney continuing to say, “Human guests will have the chance to explore the city, meet its citizens, taste unique cuisine, and step into the everyday world of monsters in a totally new way. For the first time, two worlds once separated are meeting face to scaly, furry, and fang-filled face – brought together not by screams, but by laughter.” ©Disney It’s also been fully confirmed that Harryhausen’s will be one of the restaurants in the new land, which we’re beyond excited to experience. If you’re missing The Muppets, you can go visit them at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets right now! We Reviewed Our 10 Favorite Snacks in Disney’s Hollywood Studios EPCOT La Poutinerie Refreshment Port, located near the Canada Pavilion in EPCOT’s World Showcase, closed for refurbishment on January 12th. We know that when it reopens, it’ll become La Poutinerie, and Disney recently revealed some of the menu to us, as well as let us know that it’ll officially open on July 1st. ©Disney The spot will be sponsored by Air Canada, and promises to deliver “a Canadian classic with a twist.” We’re stoked! FULL LIST of Everything You Can See and Do at the 2026 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Disney’s Animal Kingdom DinoLand, USA On February 2nd, DinoLand, USA officially closed to make way for the new Tropical Americas land, Pueblo Esperanza. Most recently, thanks to an update by @bioreconstruct on X, we can see that the walls have been cast and placed for the Casita in front of the Encanto dark ride. via @bioreconstruct We can also see lots of work happening at the front of the new Indiana Jones ride! via @bioreconstruct This new land is shaping up nicely! It will have three new rides – a carousel featuring classic Disney animals, an Indiana Jones ride where you’ll explore a Mayan temple, and an Encanto ride that invites you into the Madrigals’ home. We can’t wait to continue to see how it all shapes up. 3 Disney World Lightning Lane Rules You Should Break Disney World Hotels Boat Dock — Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Starting on May 11th, the Boat Dock at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort became unavailable for guests to use due to refurbishment. The dock is closed! Boat transportation was unavailable through June 5th, but has now reopened. Though construction on the dock as a whole will continue through late June. It’s not too bad, but this does mean the only way to get from the hotel to Magic Kingdom is to take the Monorail or walk. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa This hotel has been undergoing refurbishments for quite some time now, but some sections of the hotel — specifically the porte cochere — will continue to undergo refurbishment through at least early 2027. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort We certainly hope it’ll actually reopen on this timeline — we’re a little tired of seeing construction all over this beautiful hotel! Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Currently, work is taking place all over Bay Lake Tower through Late 2027. Additionally, exterior elevator landing repairs will be taking place through late May 2026. Bay Lake Tower While currently no major closures are taking place due to this construction, it’s important to note that you may see or hear construction during your stay. Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort For those looking to dine at this hotel, you need to know that the Turf Club Bar & Grill and Turf Club Lounge will both be under refurbishment from mid-March through mid-September 2026. Turf Club Bar & Grill In early April, the Turf Club Lounge will close for refurbishment and will reopen in early August. In the meantime, the Turf Club Bar & Grill will remain open with a pop-up bar serving a modified Lounge food and beverage menu. Then, from early to mid-August, the Turf Club patio will close for refurbishment, and finally, from mid-August through mid-September, the Turf Club Bar & Grill will be closed for refurbishment, but the Turf Club Lounge will be open. Leisure Pools — Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s Beach Club Resort Disney’s Yacht Club and Disney’s Beach Club Resort are currently undergoing visible exterior maintenance. The maintenance could affect views and may require alternate routes at times. In addition, two of the resort’s leisure pools will close for routine maintenance. Tidal Pool At Disney’s Yacht Club, the Admiral leisure will be closed for maintenance through early May 2026. At Disney’s Beach Club, the Tidal leisure pool will be closed for maintenance through early May 2026. Guests may see or hear construction work, but it will only be done during the daytime hours. Yachtsman Steakhouse — Disney’s Yacht Club Resort On May 11th, Yachtsman Steakhouse officially closed for refurbishment. Yachtsman Steakhouse The restaurant is expected to open sometime in early August, though no official date has been set. Promenade Fine Art Gallery — Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Resort The Promenade Fine Art Gallery closed its Disney’s BoardWalk location on October 20th, 2025. However, the Promenade Fine Art Gallery isn’t closing for good, and it will just be moving to a new location. Promenade Fine Art Gallery Disney just filed permits for the BoardWalk titled “Project Amazon” and “Project Bubbles” earlier this year, and now that we have a bit more information on them, we’re thinking that this currently vacant spot could soon become the home of the new Basin on the BoardWalk store on its way! The shop will be rooted in the resort’s classic boardwalk heritage and will offer a sensory shopping experience that is described as “both timeless and distinctly new.” Jellyrolls — Disney’s BoardWalk Jellyrolls at Disney’s BoardWalk officially closed on April 19th, 2025. This entertainment venue has provided our team with countless memories, and we know many others are also sad to see it close. Jellyrolls had its final farewell performance on April 19th. 2025 and closed its doors forever on Disney’s BoardWalk. It was just recently revealed, though, that a new lounge will be coming to the BoardWalk! ©Disney The new lounge will be called Hurly-Burly and will be a “fun-filled afternoons and glamorous evenings inside a historic seaside theatre with a vibrant BoardWalk story that spans over a century.” Based on the concept art revealed, it’s looking like the former JellyRolls building would be the best fit for this spot, but we’re also waiting to see where the new quick-service restaurant announced for the BoardWalk will be going! Disney World Announces NEW Holiday Hotel Discount We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the latest Disney World news, so stay tuned to DFB! Why Disney Adults Are Suddenly Booking Trips to the UK 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 When is your next Disney World vacation? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

The EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival is right around the corner with so many fun food, drink, entertainment, and merchandise options! French Onion Soup Dumplings at Gyozas of the Galaxy And if you’re going to one of the four EPCOT festivals this year, you’ll need to pack some things that will help you along the way. We found eight items that you need for your next EPCOT festival trip! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Add this waist fan to your cart! Those summer days in Florida can get HOT, and it’s always nice to be prepared with something that will cool you off, including this Rechargeable Waist Fan! This fan simply clips onto a belt loop and pushes air upward, so not only will it keep your whole body cool, but it’ll also keep your energy up! AMKEN Waist Fan This is one of our favorite items to bring with us to the parks, especially on those crowded festival days. There are six speeds, so you can adjust the air to your liking. And the best part? It’ll keep you cool ALL. DAY. LONG! It has a 35-hour battery life, so no need to worry about sweating your day away at the Disney parks! view ON AMAZON This lightweight sling bag is a must! Let’s be real — with so many items to try at the festival, you’ll have your hands full! And the answer to that isn’t a big, bulky bag that’ll weigh you down the whole day. This Sling Bag With Adjustable Straps is perfect to bring with you on your next festival day! Easy to organize! There’s honestly SO much space in this bag, it’s crazy! You’ll be able to fit all of the essentials in this bag: sunscreen, utensils, hand sanitizer, a phone charger, sunglasses, and SO much more. It features two exterior zipper pockets and a front open pocket that’s large enough to fit a water bottle, so instead of worrying about carrying your water bottle, you can worry about carrying those festival foods! view ON AMAZON We can’t go without this water bottle! Speaking of water bottles, you’ll need a good one to bring with you because, say it with me — YOU NEED TO STAY HYDRATED! One of our favorites to bring is the Disney-Inspired Owala Water Bottle. The water bottle is subtle enough that it doesn’t scream “I’M A DISNEY ADULT!” while keeping your drinks ice cold all day! We love Owalas! There are so many different options to choose from including Disney Princesses Ariel, Rapunzel, and Moana, Star Wars characters Darth Vader and the Mandalorian, and Marvel characters Iron Man, Loki, and Captain America (and there’s so many more, but if I were to list them all, we’d be here for a while). This stainless-steel water bottle is made with double-wall insulation to keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours. You also have the option to sip through the straw or tilting back and drinking from the opening. view ON AMAZON And don’t forget about a tray! Yes, we decorated ours and you have the option to decorate yours, too! But what’s most important about this Food Tray is the amount of food it carries! Trust us, we’ve showed up to a food booth, ordered everything on the menu, and had to balance two drinks, three plates, and a handful of napkins until we found a trash can table. Don’t be this person — be prepared! Get a food tray! This food tray comes in so many different colors and is so helpful when trying to juggle everything you bought at the nearest food booth! It also makes the food taste 10x better knowing you weren’t going to drop it. AND it’s under $5 — the deal of a lifetime! view ON AMAZON You’ll need to charge your phone! Dear FuelRods, thank you for being our small yet powerful best friend. This portable phone charger is unlike none other, especially in Disney World. The FuelRod Max10 provides wireless charging — just stick it to the back of your phone and you’re good to go! Not into the Max10? Grab the FuelRod Rod Pack of Two! These kits come with every phone charger attachment, so you’ll be good to charge it no matter the phone type you have! FuelRod MAX10 The best part about having these in Disney World is the exchange stations around the parks and resorts! Did you FuelRod die in the middle of the day? No worries — you can find the nearest exchange station on the My Disney Experience app, and it’ll pop out a fully charged one FOR FREE! Note that these exchange stations are only free in Disney World, so if you found a station at the airport, you’ll more than likely have to pay! But you can also recharge them at home using a USB-C cord! view ON AMAZON Don’t turn into a lobster! Make no mistake, the Florida sun is no joke, even if you think you’re safe on a cloudy day — it’ll sneak up on you! So definitely grab yourself some sunscreen, but not just any kind of sunscreen…grab the Supergoop! (Re)setting Face Powder with SPF 35! Not only does it protect you from the sun, but it also sets your makeup for the day! So yes ladies, you don’t have to worry about your makeup sweating off or looking oily with this magic sunscreen! ©Amazon There are four different color shades to choose from, so it’s perfect for every skin tone and every skin type! After applying your makeup, simply brush the (Re)setting Powder generously over your face to set the look. And be sure to continue to use it throughout the day to reduce shine and strengthen your protection! view ON AMAZON No need to worry about those Disney germs! With so many people going to Disney World every day, there’s bound to be germs everywhere you go and on everything you touch. That’s why it’s important to carry hand sanitizer with you, specifically this Mickey Mouse Touchland Hand Sanitizer and Case! Since it’s a spray sanitizer, it won’t get messy and all over the place when you try to get some out! Touchland and Disney Hand Sanitizer + Mist Case And the best part is the case that comes with it! It’s both stylish and easy to use since it comes with a clip, so you can hook it onto your bag or belt loop. It also will keep your hands moisturized with aloe vera and essential oils, leaving your hands sanitized, hydrated, and delicately scented. We said, “not today, germs!” view ON AMAZON You can’t eat without utensils! Let’s channel our inner Animal Kingdom environmentalists and save nature one step at a time by purchasing this Travel Utensils Set instead of grabbing a new fork every time you get food at a new booth! You can purchase one or multiple depending on your party size, but it’s perfect for those on-the-go festival days! Reusable Travel Utensils Set Each set comes with a spoon, fork, and knife, and it’s all packed together nicely in a carrying case! And they’re dishwasher safe, so when you’re done, there’s no need to worry about having to wash them by hand! view ON AMAZON We’ve got you covered for all of your festival day needs, so be sure to remember all of these items for your next trip! And while you’re at it, check out all of these other amazing items you could use on your next trip HERE! CHECK OUT OUR FULL LIST ON AMAZON And don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article

Here at Disney Food Blog, we’re at Disney almost 24/7 for work. We’re always checking out the newest Disney theme parks and cruises, so we’re Disney World veterans with tried and true park essentials. See how much we can fit in our bag! We compiled our 5 favorite Disney World essentials that will make your trip ten times easier. If you’re heading to the Disney parks or hotels soon, make sure you pick these up! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. This Mini Backpack Organizer Insert will help you stay organized! HOYOFO Mini Backpack Organizer This Mini Backpack Organizer Insert fits perfectly into a Disney Loungefly Mini Backpack, keeping you organized! It has 7 multi-pockets of different sizes that fit portable chargers, water bottles, umbrellas, cosmetics, travel items, wallets, purses, or phones. view ON AMAZON This MagicBand+ Charging Station is a lifesaver for Disney trips! Charging Station for MagicBand+ This MagicBand+ Charging Station charges up to four MagicBands at once. It was so convenient to bring one item to charge multiple MagicBands instead of everyone bringing their own charger. It’s great for families since you can charge MagicBands all in one place, and it only takes up one single outlet! view ON AMAZON This Flat Plug Power Strip is perfect for hotel stays! Flat Plug Power Strip The Flat Plug Power Strip has 3 outlets, 2 USB-A ports, and 2 USB-C ports. It charges up to 7 devices at the same time. It’s perfect for your next vacation – charge your cellphone, laptop, tablet, earphones, or camera all at once! No more fighting over limited hotel outlets again. view ON AMAZON Sleep like a baby with the Dreamegg White Noise Machine! Dreamegg Portable Travel White Noise Machine The Dreamegg White Noise Machine is a portable egg-sized sound machine made for traveling! It has 16 soothing nature sounds, including ocean waves, rain, birds, and fan sounds, along with white noise to mask background noise and help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. You’ll sleep like a baby even in the loudest of hotel rooms! view ON AMAZON Cover up any noise with this Pillow Speaker! Pillow Speaker This Pillow Speaker is a portable Bluetooth speaker that’s designed to fit right under your pillow! It’s so easy to connect to your phone – turn the speaker on, and it quickly pops up for Bluetooth pairing. It was super lightweight and portable to fit into our suitcase. The buttons are super handy to adjust the volume and skip forward or backward. Pillow Speaker This Pillow Speaker can get pretty loud! When it is not under a pillow, you can hear it very well. You can also hear pretty well if it’s near the edge of the pillow. You might want to play with it before getting ready for bed to see what the best volume setting is for you. The quietest setting was audible when holding it close to our face, but not through the pillow. 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

When it comes to dining at Disney World, you’ve got a TON of options. Whether you want sushi, fried chicken, or Mickey Waffles — we review every Disney World restaurant to help you choose! Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya We recently stopped by Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya at EPCOT to see how the latest menu is standing up against our previous reviews, and now we’re bringing you our thoughts. Is it worth a stop on your next trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth? Find out here! Atmosphere Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya is located in EPCOT’s Japan Pavilion, and it offers a fun, shareable dining experience inspired by traditional Japanese izakaya-style meals. Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya The menu is packed with sushi, teppan dishes, and other small plates designed for sharing, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy a meal with family and friends. Sushi fans will find plenty to love, including favorites like the Kobore Sushi, Tokyo Negi Roll, Monster Roll, and the impressive Funamori sushi boat, all served in a lively atmosphere that encourages conversation and leisurely dining. Lots of space You’ll find Shiki-Sai in the Japan Pavilion, tucked away on the second floor above the Mitsukoshi Department Store. The restaurant beautifully celebrates Japan’s changing seasons, with seasonal touches woven throughout the decor. Inside, there’s a mix of booths and tables surrounding an open sushi bar where guests can watch chefs at work. One of the standout features is the collection of virtual windows that change to reflect the current season, creating a beautiful backdrop that makes the space feel even more immersive. The virtual windows are stunning But enough about the restaurant — what’s on the menu here?! Menu Here’s a look at the Nigiri menu. Guests are served two pieces per order. ©Disney The menu here is quite extensive. Here’s a peek at the Sashimi selection, as well as some Sushi Combinations ranging from $25 to $100. ©Disney The Chef Specials menu has several types of sushi and sashimi. The Fune for 4-6 certainly caught our eyes! ©Disney There are some classic dishes here, too, like the Salmon Roll and the Spicy Tuna Roll. The prices on the Roll & Temaki menu range from $7 to $18. ©Disney The Izakaya Classics section of the menu has plenty of options, too. ©Disney There are also rice and noodle options like Udon and Beef Rice. There is also a kids’ menu that includes a Kids Temaki set or a kids’ bento. ©Disney To drink, there are a few non-alcoholic drinks to choose from. ©Disney We can’t forget about dessert! The Yuzu Cheesecake and the Ichigo Parfait are standouts. ©Disney You can grab a special cocktail like the Violet Sake, Tokyo Sunset, and more. ©Disney There is also Sake ranging from $10 to $25. ©Disney The menu includes Japanese Spirits like gin, whiskey, and vodka. ©Disney There are multiple wines you can choose from as well. ©Disney And now, onto the main event — the drinks! Drinks To drink, we picked up the Cocktail Flight for $25. The Cocktail Flight First, we tried the Mt. Fuji cocktail. This is a refreshing sake cocktail with blue curacao and pineapple. This cocktail felt like we were biting into a pineapple! It was very fresh and bright, with a little hint of sourness — just like a pineapple. It was not an alcohol-forward cocktail, meaning that the alcohol was masked by the other flavors. Mt. Fuji Next, we tried the Violet Saki. This cocktail was also hard to taste the alcohol, which we can appreciate. The cocktail was very sweet as well. This is a very popular EPCOT drink, especially if you’re looking to beat the heat. Violet Saki Finally, we tried the Tokyo Sunset. This sunset-colored cocktail with pineapple, coconut rum & orange juice with a splash of grenadine. This one was the standout, with our reporter even writing, “This is one of my favorite drinks I’ve ever had.” They mentioned they would return here again for this drink alone. The grenadine and rum were the strongest flavors, but again, it wasn’t a very strong alcohol flavor. All three of these flight options are going to be good for anyone looking for an alcoholic beverage without the pinch of alcohol flavors. Tokyo Sunset Eats First up, we grabbed the Tokyo Negi Roll for $20. This is made with Green onion Tempura rolled with Tuna Tataki and topped with Jalapeño Aïoli, Shredded Carrot, and Sliced Jalapeño. Tokyo Negi Roll The fish was very fresh and tender, especially for central Florida, since we aren’t right by the ocean! The fish melted in our mouths and was very buttery — which we love in sushi. Presentation is stunning The rice was perfect as well and held the roll together. The sauce had a bit of a spice to it, and the fresh jalapeño had a really nice crunch. The green onion tempura was also a good addition, giving the roll a nice crunch for added texture. Let’s dive in! Next, we grabbed the Takoyaki for $10. Takoyaki are popular Japanese street food balls made from a wheat flour-based batter filled with diced octopus, tempura scraps, and pickled ginger, cooked in a special molded pan. We were very excited to try this. Takoyaki Our reporter had tried Takoyaki after searching all of Orlando for some and was left disappointed each time. This was a really nice surprise! Very crunchy on the outside The outside was really crunchy, and the inside had a really nice salty flavor. The octopus was so tender, and the rest of the batter was very buttery and creamy. We would order this again. If you’re looking for something more adventurous outside of the traditional American palette, this could be a good option to try! The inside had a really nice salty flavor Finally, we tried the Agedashi Tofu for $14. This is deep-fried tofu with shimeji mushrooms in a flavorful broth. The tofu is so smooth and silky, and the broth had soaked all through and made it very flavorful. Agedashi Tofu The mushrooms were also tender and were not chewy or rubbery. They added a nice earthy, umami flavor compared to the savory broth. We really appreciated the flavors of this dish. Agedashi Tofu Nosh or Not This Disney World restaurant is a must-visit if… You LOVE sushi. This one seems pretty self-explanatory, but if you appreciate sushi, this is for you. You’re looking for a unique theme park dining experience. This restaurant has high-quality dishes and a great atmosphere that will have you forgetting you are in a theme park. You want an authentic experience with Japanese culture. From the seasonal themes to the kind staff, you can learn a LOT during your visit. Come here for the food, stay here for the experience — it’s well worth a visit! You should skip this Disney World spot if… You or someone in your group is a picky eater. Look, there’s a lot of raw fish, seafood, and sushi on the menu here. If you have someone who isn’t interested in these flavors and doesn’t want to dive into the traditional Japanese cuisine, you might want to skip this place. You’re looking for somewhere quick. Like many other table service restaurants, it will take time. If you’re trying to pack in a full park day with rides and attractions, this might be a skip. You are looking for something that won’t break your budget. This restaurant is not the cheapest place to eat in EPCOT, and you’ll drop some serious money here depending on what you order. Overall Overall, we had a really wonderful experience at Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya, and it’s a restaurant we’d happily return to again and again. The service was excellent from start to finish — every Cast Member we interacted with was friendly, welcoming, and genuinely made us feel at home. The food was fresh, flavorful, and offered something a little different from what you typically find around Disney World. We especially appreciated how elevated the menu felt, making this meal feel like a special experience rather than just another quick stop during a park day. Sushi being made! One of the biggest highlights is how much Shiki-Sai feels like an escape from the hustle and bustle of EPCOT. Tucked away above the Japan Pavilion, it offers a quieter atmosphere that’s perfect for taking a break from the crowds. The views overlooking the park are fantastic, and even if you aren’t seated near a window, the seasonal digital window displays add a charming touch to the space. This restaurant left such a strong impression on us that we’re already planning our next visit — and that may be the biggest compliment we can give it. Shiki-Sai In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for more restaurant updates from Disney World and beyond. Make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more! Every Disney World Change I’m Not Prepared For in 2026 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 eaten at this Disney World restaurant before? Tell us in the comments! View the full article

Amazon Prime Days are over, and the last few days have been filled with lots of amazing deals. Cinderella Castle But if you missed out, there is no need to worry, we found so many Disney souvenirs and essentials that are still on sale today, that you need to check out. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. If you’re planning a trip to Disney World this summer, check out these essentials! Check out these fun Disney Character Socks Character Socks! These high socks are so much fun. They feature Mickey, Minnie, Mike, and Sulley. If you’re looking for a cute accessory to enhance your Disney outfits on your next vacation, then look no further than these cool socks. VIEW ON AMAZON Next, check out this Silly Symphonies Skeleton Dance Vintage T-Shirt ©Amazon If you love vintage Disney, especially older Disney Cartoons, then this is a fantastic niche t-shirt to grab before your next Disney trip. If you’re looking for some subtle Disney merch, this is a great option. VIEW ON AMAZON Next up is this great Backpack Organizer HOYOFO Mini Backpack Organizer This Backpack organizer is amazing for either your travel bag or in the parks. Here you can keep all your items nice and organized, so you never lose anything. When you’re dealing with a hectic travel or park day, having all your items organized is such a game-changer! VIEW ON AMAZON Next, check out Flat Plug Power Strip Flat Plug Power Strip When you’re traveling with a big group (or if you just have a lot of devices), then this power strip is a fantastic travel essential. The ability to plug in all of your devices in one place really helps keep your hotel room and cords very organized. VIEW ON AMAZON Last up is this Shark Chill Pill Cooling Fan Shark Chill Pill Fan When you visit Disney World in the summer, it will get VERY hot, and one of the best ways to beat the heat is with a cooling fan. And this one has both a fan and a misting feature, plus it can be attached to your clothes, which makes it incredibly easy to bring around the parks with you. Plus, it is still over 10% off right now. VIEW ON AMAZON Will you be grabbing any of these souvenirs and essentials while they are on sale? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned with Disney Food Blog so you never miss anything! View the full article

A new month is right around the corner, and while that means lots of things in the world of Disney, it also means that new titles are coming to Disney+! ©Disney Each month, there are dozens of new titles that drop on the streaming platform for subscribers to enjoy. Whether you prefer feature films, tv shows, documentaries, or anything in between, there’s something for you on Disney+. Here’s what you can look forward to arriving in July! There’s a lot dropping in July, so get ready — you’re about to have a lot to add to your watch list! July 1st Abandoned (Hulu Original) – Premiere – All Episodes Streaming King & Prince: Our Meet-Up in LA (Disney+ Original) – New Episode Magicampers (Season 1) – New Episodes X-Men ’97 (Season 2) (Disney+ Original) – Three-Episode Premiere July 3rd Disney Celebrates America (ABC News Live) – 24-hour programming begins The Simpsons: Simpsley – Disney+ Exclusive Episode July 4th Disney Celebrates America (ABC News Live) – 24-hour programming concludes July 5th Chibiverse (Season 4) – New Episodes Hammerhead Sharks Up Close with Bertie Gregory World’s Biggest Mako Attack of the Samurai Sharks Shark vs. Giant Croc Shark Island Showdown Sharks: Reef Rivals Great White Gauntlet July 6th Doctor on the Edge (Hulu Original) – New Episode July 7th Doctor on the Edge (Hulu Original) – New Episode July 8th Bluey Compilations – Premiere King & Prince: Our Meet-Up in LA (Disney+ Original) – New Episode X-Men ’97 (Season 2) (Disney+ Original) – New Episode ©Marvel July 10th Project Runway (Season 22) – Premiere July 11th Theme Song Takeover (Season 6) – Premiere July 13th Rabbit Hole (Season 1) (Pocketwatch) July 14th Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro – Premiere Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends (Season 5) – New Episodes July 15th King & Prince: Our Meet-Up in LA (Disney+ Original) – New Episode X-Men ’97 (Season 2) (Disney+ Original) – New Episode July 16th The 2026 ESPYS Presented by Capital One July 17th America’s Funniest Home Videos (Seasons 19-21) Descendants: Wicked Wonderland – Premiere Project Runway (Season 22) – New Episode ©Disney July 18th Theme Song Takeover (Season 6) – New Episode July 19th Women’s Sports Sundays – WNBA: Connecticut Sun vs. Phoenix Mercury (ESPN) – 7pm ET July 21st Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro – New Episode July 22nd BeddyByes – New Episodes King & Prince: Our Meet-Up in LA (Disney+ Original) – New Episode X-Men ’97 (Season 2) (Disney+ Original) – New Episode July 23rd Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston – Premiere Banana Ball: Party Animals vs. Clowns (ESPN) – 7pm ET July 24th Project Runway (Season 22) – New Episode Soy Luna: Let’s Roll Again (Disney+ Original) – Premiere – All Episodes Streaming NFL Flag Championships (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ABC, NFL+) – TBD Banana Ball: Bananas vs. Firefighters (ESPN2) – 8pm ET It’s time for Banana Ball! July 25th How Not to Draw: Shorts (Season 5) – New Episode Locker Diaries: Descendants: Shorts – Two-Episode Premiere Theme Song Takeover (Season 6) – New Episode NFL Flag Championships (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ABC, NFL+) – TBD Banana Ball: Bananas vs. Firefighters (ESPN2) – 5pm ET WNBA All-Star Game (ABC) – 8:30pm ET July 26th NFL Flag Championships (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ABC, NFL+) – 10am ET Banana Ball: Bananas vs. Firefighters (ESPN2) – 4pm ET Women’s Sports Sundays – NWSL: Angel City FC vs. Racing Louisville (ESPN, ESPN Deportes) – 9pm ET July 28th Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro – New Episode July 29th The Devil Wears Prada 2 – Disney+ and Hulu Streaming Premiere King & Prince: Our Meet-Up in LA (Disney+ Original) – New Episode X-Men ’97 (Season 2) (Disney+ Original) – New Episode July 30th Disney Jr. Play Break: Shorts (Season 1) – New Episode Lollapalooza Livestream Day 1 July 31st Lollapalooza Livestream Day 2 Project Runway (Season 22) – New Episode Banana Ball: Tailgaters vs. Party Animals (ESPN2) – 9pm ET Streams (offer Premium subscribers carefully curated, continuous programming on Disney+) Pixar – Now Streaming Throwbacks – Now Streaming Disney Princess – Launches July 23rd ©Marvel We’ll continue to keep you updated on all the latest Disney streaming news, so stay tuned to DFB! Disney+ Drops Trailer for New Supernatural Animated Series, ‘The Doomies’ 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 what’s coming this month? Tell us in the comments! View the full article

It’s no secret that Disney World is home to a wide variety of dining options, ranging from quick-service eateries to heavily themed table-service restaurants and beyond. Dry-Aged Duroc Pork Chop However, if you’re planning a visit in 2027, be aware that not every Disney restaurant is created equal next year, and there are some that it may be wise to hold off on until your next trip. Be Our Guest From a thematic standpoint, there’s no denying that Be Our Guest is one of the most impressive spaces in Disney World, meticulously recreating the Beast’s Castle from the iconic film Beauty and the Beast. However, if you’re only going for a meal, the prix-fixe price ($72 per adult, $43 per child) is expensive, and for many leaves a bit to be desired. That’s why so many guests still lament the restaurant’s previous offerings, including the previous lunch and breakfast menus. Be Our Guest REVIEW: Why You Should Skip Disney World’s Be Our Guest Restaurant and Eat HERE Instead ‘Ohana There was a time when the Polynesian Resort’s ‘Ohana was hailed as one of the best dining locations on property. However, our recent visits here have been a whole lot more inconsistent. Sometimes, the food and service are still SPOT ON, just like the good ‘ole days, while other times we’ve found the quality of the items to be lacking, which is really disappointing for a dinner that costs $65 per adult. This inconsistency becomes especially hard to recommend when more reliable options like the Wailulu Bar and Grill or even ‘Ohana’s attached Tambu Lounge are available at the Polynesian. Inside ‘Ohana REVIEW: Why You Should Skip Disney World’s ‘Ohana and Eat HERE Instead Coral Reef The main draw of the Coral Reef at EPCOT has always been — and will always be — the direct views into The Living Seas aquariums. If that’s a draw for you, then go for it. If you’re not a SeaLife fan and are only looking for a meal, there are better options. Coral Reef Restaurant 5 Changes Coming to EPCOT Next Month! Rainforest Cafe Located at the front of Animal Kingdom, this outpost of the once-popular chain restaurant offers the same menu and thematic experiences as its other remaining outposts. So, in other words, a somewhat stuck-in-the-1990s typical theme-restaurant menu. Rainforest Cafe Not to mention the fact that another Rainforest Cafe is still in operation at Disney Springs. Which means, yes, you can get the EXACT same meal, surrounded by pretty much the EXACT same theming, elsewhere on the property. Hence, it’s likely worth skipping at Animal Kingdom for some of the park’s more unique culinary offerings. Rainforest Cafe at Disney Springs 4 Changes Coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Next Month! Catalina Eddie’s Located on Hollywood Studios’ Sunset Boulevard, Catalina Eddie’s offers pizza, pastas, and Italian subs. However, the food is a bit bland, and the outdoor dining setup offers little shade, meaning a daytime meal there ends up being chowing down on mediocre pizza under the blazing sun. Yeah, not ideal. Catalina Eddie’s We Tried EVERY Snack in Hollywood Studios — Here’s What’s Actually Worth It! Garden View Lounge This past March saw the long-awaited reopening of the afternoon tea experience at the Grand Floridian, which had been shuttered for over 6 years. This British afternoon tea experience offers Twinings tea selections paired with small bites, including scones and pastries, all themed to Alice in Wonderland. Overall, we found the experience to be mostly lovely, but a bit lacking for the price. At $79 per adult, it’s essentially paying the same price you’d normally pay for a REALLY nice prix fixe meal for tea and finger foods. Sunflower Seed and Jelly Bun REVIEW: Don’t Go to This Disney World Lounge for the Food…Go for the VIBES! Space 220 Space 220 provides one of the most unique themed dining environments in any Disney theme park. Guests first board a “space elevator” that mimics taking them 220 miles above the Earth to the Centauri Space Station, where they’ll dine. Once seated, the restaurant’s massive panoramic windows (actually screens) provide simulated daytime and nighttime views of the Earth inside the dining area. The restaurant’s menu offers a prix fixe selection — two courses during lunch, three courses for dinner — featuring modern American cuisine. Lunch costs $55 per person, while dinner jumps to $79 a per adult. On top of that, the restaurant is one of the toughest reservations to get at EPCOT. Not a bad view However, there’s a way to enjoy the theming of Space 220 without needing a reservation or spending prix-fixe prices. Space 220 also features a lounge with its own menu of à la carte Flight Bites and cocktails, including our go-to Blue Moon Cauliflower, which is made with Tempura-fried cauliflower, housemade hot sauce, and bleu cheese dust. It has a light, crispy batter on the outside, with saucy cauliflower on the inside, while the buffalo sauce adds a nice kick. Blue Moon Cauliflower The 11 Best Things to Pack For the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, According To Our Rigorous Testing! When you’re putting together your 2027 Disney itinerary, you’ll probably want to skip over these Disney World restaurants this time. Stay tuned to DFB for further Disney dining tips. The Best Disney World Rides for Groups of 3 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 heading to Disney World next year? Let us know in the comments below. View the full article

Universal Kids Resort is Universal’s brand-new theme park in Frisco, just outside of Dallas, Texas. The park features seven lands themed after some iconic Universal movies: Shrek, SpongeBob, Minions, Trolls, and Jurassic World. Poppy-licious Pink But here at Disney Food Blog, there’s one thing we care about more than the rides – the food! It’s literally in our name! We tried almost every bite at Universal Kids Resort, and we noticed that many menu items are taken directly from Universal Orlando in Florida. Here are all four Universal snacks you can find in Texas, too! ​​ Mac & Cheese Cone If you’re craving one of the Mac & Cheese Cones from Isle of Berk in Epic Universe, then you don’t need to go to Florida for it. Universal Kids Resort offers a Mac & Cheese Cone at Bello Bay Bites inside Minions vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club. It’s creamy golden macaroni and cheese inside a garlic-sauce bread cone, topped with an adorable Minion tot! Mac & Cheese Cone The Epic Universe Mac & Cheese cones have stronger flavors, like the Pork, Bacon, and Jam Cone, or the Dragon’s Garden Pyre cone with lemon-herb chicken and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. The one at Universal Kids Resort is a lot like their plain Classic Mac & Cheese Cone, built for milder, kid-friendly palettes. Dragon’s Garden Pyre Shrekzel The Shrekzel is an iconic snack at Universal Orlando. It’s a salted pretzel in the shape of Shrek’s face, and honestly, it gives Mickey pretzels a run for their money. We were so excited to find it in Texas! Shrekzel! You can find the Shrekzel at Swamp Snacks inside Shrek’s Swamp. It’s a freshly baked Shrek pretzel served with Tostitos nacho cheese sauce. The only difference is that the Universal Orlando version is served with a green ogre-colored cheese sauce, but the nacho cheese in this one wasn’t bad! Swamp cheese Troll Cones At BroZone Cones in TrollsFest at Universal Kids, you can get Trolls-inspired soft serve shaped like their twisty hairstyles. You can get it in classic vanilla, chocolate, or swirl, or you can get speciality cones, like a pink lemonade Poppy-Licious Pink and a huckleberry-flavored Brozone Berry! Poppy-licious Pink These are the same exact Trolls cones you can get at Trolls Treats at DreamWorks Land in Universal Orlando! The menu at Universal Kids Resort is identical, minus the Churro Sundae, which is exclusive to Florida. BroZone Cones Strawberry DOLE Whip While DOLE Whip is a Disney staple, it’s also served at Universal parks nationwide. We had to stop by the iconic Goofy Goober’s in SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom to try their Goofy Goober’s sundae! The Triple Gooberberry Sunrise is made with vanilla and chocolate ice cream, strawberry DOLE Whip, chocolate fudge, crushed s’mores cookie crumbles, and strawberry Pop-Tarts pieces, whipped topping, banana, and a cherry on top! Triple Gooberberry Sunrise This is pretty similar to the Strawberry S’mores Sundae at Chill Ice Cream at Islands of Adventure. It’s made with DOLE Whip strawberry sorbet, chocolate fudge, marshmallow fluff, chocolate chips, and graham cracker crumbs. It’s perfect for chocolate strawberry lovers! ©Universal We loved trying all of the food at Universal Kids Resort. Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more theme park food news! There’s a NEW Minions Land, and We Saw It ALL at Universal Kids Resort Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you tried any of these Universal snacks? Comment below! View the full article

Racing into magic with Piper, Mark Rober & Make-A-Wish kids 🏁💙 #DisneyWishes #ThisIsDisneyView the full article

We’re just about a year away from the opening of Disney’s newest hotel, the highly anticipated Lakeshore Lodge! ©Disney In the lead-up to the hotel’s opening in the summer of 2027, Disney has begun releasing details on the sprawling nature-themed resort, including a brand new look at concept art for Lakeshore Lodge’s sprawling pool and water recreation area! Dubbed The Wetlands, the outdoor recreation area will sit just beyond the hotel’s lobby, and immerse guests in an area that’s “surrounded by the beauty of Bay Lake.” ©Disney The Wetlands will feature a mixture of several different kinds of areas designed for guests of all ages. Younger guests will especially enjoy Heron Shores… The Wetlands at Lakeshore Lodge ©Disney …and Otter Springs (can you see the massive otters?), areas loaded with interactive water features that draw inspiration from the classic 1995 animated film Pocahontas, specifically the lyrics “the heron and the otter are my friends” from “Colors of the Wind.” See the otters? ©Disney Meanwhile, the Daydream River offers guests a “leisurely” tour around the Wetlands area and allows them to see the landscape. Note how integrated the river is into the landscape. The Wetlands at Lakeshore Lodge ©Disney Finally, at the center of the Wetlands sits Lakeside Lagoon, a zero‑entry feature pool that will sit as the main hub of the area. Lakeside Lagoon at Lakeshore Lodge ©Disney Notice the water slide? This feels like an especially appropriate element, since the site where Lakeshore Lodge as a whole currently sits was once home to River Country, Disney World’s first water park, which thrilled guests with attractions that looked directly out onto Bay Lake from 1976 until 2001. ©Disney Lakeshore Lodge will also feature another pool area on the opposite side of the resort. Perspective Pond will feature a relaxing leisure pool and whirlpool spa, each of which is “perfectly positioned for views of Magic Kingdom fireworks in the evenings.” We think we found the Perspective Pond in the hotel’s larger concept art. ©Disney Lakeshore Lodge will be “inspired by the majesty of nature and its enduring influence on Disney artists.” The resort will feature 967 rooms, ranging from studios to suites, with many offering views of Bay Lake and the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks. In addition, the property will feature one- and two-bedroom Lake Houses along the waterfront, offering an even “closer connection to nature with ample space to relax and unwind.” via @bioreconstruct on X/Twitter As Disney forges ahead to the Summer 2027 opening of Lakeshore Lodge, the company is releasing more details about the upcoming resort, including its Wetlands pool area! Stay tuned to DFB for more on the resort as it’s released. Three Disney World Hotels Fans Aren’t Booking in 2027 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 planning on paying a visit to Lakeshore Lodge? Let us know in the comments below. View the full article

There’s a new attraction opening in Disney Springs in just a few short days, and it’s the talk of the town! LEVEL99 LEVEL99 opens in Disney Springs on June 29th, but thanks to the company, we got a special early preview of the location. It offers 63 different games, some of them focusing more on mental agility, others on physical capabilities, and some are a combination of both! It’s meant for teens and adults, but families can also enjoy the offerings available, but since this is such a collaborative space, who is this attraction really for? Is it worth the cost for YOU to spend $30-$40 on your next trip? Let’s break it down! Solo Travelers While many people choose to go to Disney World with their families or groups of friends, there are plenty of solo travelers out there. There’s a freedom in being able to plan your trip how you want it without having to touch base with anyone else, but how does that extend to LEVEL99? Crystal Vision Game Well, LEVEL99’s games are meant to be collaborative and are made for 2-6 players, so being a solo traveler will be pretty difficult. Now, if you’re feeling open to making friends and wandering around the games before you find a group to let you join in on different games, then this may be a better fit, but in general, we don’t think solo travelers will have the best time here. While you are able to do the Art Hunt on your own, the Duels absolutely require two people, so those will be out unless you do find a stranger to play against. Groups With Young Kids LEVEL99’s personal description states that it’s intended for teens and adults, but does that mean younger kids can’t enjoy it? In our experience, no, that’s not the case, BUT they likely will experience it very differently. Pirates Brig Some of these games are HARD, even for adults, whether that’s in the way of the mental challenge really making you think, or it’s hard physically on your body. While some of the physical challenges in particular may actually be easier for kids (they don’t have as much mass to maneuver as they climb, duck, jump, etc.), many of the games are built for taller/larger bodies, like those that teens and adults have. So younger kids may find that they’re smaller than what games anticipate, or get frustrated at the puzzles that are more challenging. However, if your kiddos love a challenge and aren’t often prone to frustration, then they may have a great time! For those with REALLY young kids, and by that we mean around 3-6 years old, the Art Hunt may be a good fit, but a lot of the rooms will be too much. Couples If you’re feeling competitive or want to show off your skills on a date night, we think this is actually a great spot to go for couples! Now, that’s taking into account that this type of activity is something you and your partner are into, ie. you’re adventurous, are ready to have some fun, and you’re open to waking up sore in the morning from jumping, climbing, and running around. Island Bash A lot of the games can be played with two people, so there’s a whole world of opportunity there. Even better, if you wanted to make this a double date situation, so you’ve got four people all together, that’s extra great. You can play all together for some games, then split up for others, and all have a great time. The Art Hunt and Duels will also be open to you with that many players, so you’re bound to have a great time (as long as you know what you’re getting into!). Large Groups When it comes to large groups, such as those that you’re looking at having between 7-10 people, or even more, this absolutely can be a great hangout spot, but you’ll need to be willing to split up! Again, the maximum amount of players the games can have is 6 players, so if you’ve got more than that, we’ll recommend splitting up into smaller groups, or being willing to switch up who goes with who in certain rooms. Inside Wild Orchard With that many players, though, it also means there’s no issue if someone doesn’t want to do a certain room. You’ve already got plenty of players, so no one has to feel pressured to do something they don’t want to. Talk about team building, though maybe not in the way you were expecting! The Retro Pinball Game We can’t wait to be back at LEVEL99 soon and explore more of the games and opportunities the space has to offer, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB! Everything You Need to Know About LEVEL99 at Disney Springs in Walt Disney World 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 planning to visit LEVEL99? Tell us in the comments! View the full article

Disney just dropped major holiday announcements — including one update you are definitely not going to love — plus we got an early look inside Level99, the brand‑new interactive experience opening in Disney Springs. And over on the West Coast, an unfortunate incident at Disneyland has everyone talking. All the latest Disney and theme park news is coming up right now on DFB Guide. Check out our video below: Major Holiday Announcements, We Went Inside Level99 & MORE! https://youtu.be/rc0_bS0R04g Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! And stay tuned for more theme park news! 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 video do you want to see from DFB next? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

While June 2026 didn’t see any major Disney World openings like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets like the months before it, the halfway mark of the year still saw some major announcements at the “Most Magical Place on Earth.” Cinderella Castle From new details on a highly anticipated land to new restaurants, shops, festival entertainment lineups, and more, there are a lot of Disney announcements to sift through in June. Monstropolis Details After nearly two years of speculation, Disney recently confirmed several MAJOR rumored details about the upcoming Monsters, Inc. Land – – officially dubbed Monstropolis – – coming to Hollywood Studios. Set in a world following the first film, the land will host a show in the “Glob Theater” and be home to a full-scale recreation of Harryhausen’s restaurant! ©Disney The land’s larger theme will be built around “H.U.M.A.N. Day.” Short for “Humans Understand Monsters Are Nice,” Disney explains that through this event, which is “designed to introduce humans to life inside Monstropolis while helping monsters discover that humans are not so frightening after all”, guests are invited to, “explore the city, meet its citizens, taste unique cuisine, and step into the everyday world of monsters in a totally new way.” We definitely expect to learn more about Monstropolis at D23. And if you look closely at the Monstropolis Horn faux newspaper that Disney released along with the announcement, several things are advertised as being on Page 8, Column 15. D23’s Disney Experiences Showcase is scheduled for August 15th, AKA 8/15. ©Disney HUGE NEWS Revealed for Monstropolis Expansion at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Bus Rules The days of parking at Disney Springs for free and then park hopping to Disney World hotels look to be over. According to Disney World Cast Members, guests will soon have to show a hotel or dining reservation in order to be granted on the buses or boats leaving Disney Springs. Disney has enacted this rule before during busy times of year, but now it is becoming permanent, starting on June 28th. Disney Springs Transportation Rule Disney has not shared the official reason for this rule change, although we can guess that it is because too many non-resort guests were using the buses to get around, and it was making the wait too long for the guests paying to stay at these hotels. 5 Tips For the NEW Disney Springs Bus Rule A Refreshed BoardWalk Over a year after the beloved JellyRolls shut down, we finally got some information on new experiences coming to Disney’s BoardWalk. First up, there’s Hurly-Burly. This spot will “welcome guests for fun-filled afternoons and glamorous evenings inside a historic seaside theatre with a vibrant BoardWalk story that spans over a century.” During the day, the lounge will act as a family-friendly venue with activities and trivia games. At night, it will transition to a 21+ live music venue with coastal-inspired cocktails and light bites. So far, Disney hasn’t confirmed if Hurly-Burly will be coming to the former JellyRolls or one of the other construction sites along the BoardWalk’s boardwalk, but the concept art does seem to hint at the former. ©Disney In addition to the new entertainment space, the BoardWalk will also see the opening of a new Basin location. Dubbed Basin on the BoardWalk, the new location for the longtime Disney partner will offer the expected curated collection of handcrafted products including natural soaps, botanical bath salts, bath bombs, body butters, lip salves, shampoo and conditioner bars. There will also be interactive elements that make the experience more unique, including a custom bath tea blending counter, a make-your-own-soap station, and a soap embossing press for a personalized finishing touch. ©Disney Both Basin on the BoardWalk and Hurly-Burly are scheduled to open later in 2026. This Disney World Hotel Will Look Completely Different By the End of 2026 Food & Wine Guests Are Ready Rock In preparation for the 2026 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival (August 27th to November 21st), Disney released the lineup for this year’s Eat to the Beat Concert Series in June. The Beach Boys 2026’s lineup is as follows: August: 27th: Evolution: Motown 28th – 31st: Hanson September: 1st – 3rd: Evolution: Motown 4th – 5th: The War and Treaty (NEW) 6th – 7th: Yellowcard 8th – 10th: Fly Guys 11th – 12th: Couch (NEW) 13th – 14th: Fitz and the Tantrums (NEW) 15th – 17th: Latin Ambition 18th – 19th: MercyMe 20th – 21st: Grupo Manía (NEW) 22nd – 24th: Metro Latino Band 25th – 27th: Element 28th – 29th: New Found Glory 30th: Smash Mouth October: 1st: Smash Mouth 2nd – 4th: Champagne Orchestra 5th – 6th: Rey Ruiz (NEW) 7th – 8th: Tiffany 9th – 11th: Viva Latina 12th – 13: The Fray 14th – 15th: STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas 16th – 18th: Jaclyn Hayden 19th – 20: Ben Rector 21st – 22nd: Allen Stone (NEW) 23rd – 25th: SoundUp 26th – 27: Lauren Alaina (NEW) 28th – 29th: Bowling For Soup 30th – 31st: Southbound November 1st: Southbound 2nd – 3rd: Boyz II Men 4th – 5th: Big Head Todd and The Monsters (NEW) 6th – 8th: M-80’s 9th – 10th: Grace Potter (NEW) 11th – 12th: The Beach Boys 13th – 16th: The Hooligans Crowds waiting for The Beach Boys in 2025. The 11 Best Things to Pack For the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, According To Our Rigorous Testing The Toys Are Back in Town A series of four Toy Story-themed Photopass experiences have been added to Hollywood Studios this month in celebration of the release of Toy Story 5. ©Disney In Toy Story Land, you can grab a photo with Forky and Karen Beverly, who are celebrating their wedding! This is available with PhotoPass photographers at both entrances to Toy Story Land. You can get your photo displayed on Lilypad, a new character in Toy Story 5, along with Woody, Buzz, and Jessie! This is also available with PhotoPass photographers located in Toy Story Land. You’ll have to check out two spots specifically at Toy Story Land. One is near Rex and Jessie in front of Slinky Dog Dash, and the other is by the entrance to Alien Swirling Saucers. You can take a photo with some new characters in Toy Story 5, including Smarty Pants, Snappy, and Atlas. For this photoshoot, you’ll need to locate the photographer near BaseLine Tap House. Annual Passholders can exclusively grab a photo with Jessie and Bullseye, which is also near BaseLine Tap House. You can use some of the passholder-exclusive props to give the photo your own unique style. Given Toy Story 5’s record-breaking box office haul, we’re confident these PhotoPass experiences will remain pretty popular. People Are Loving Disney’s ‘Toy Story 5’ And These Numbers Are Proof LEVEL99 Opens June 29th! After months of development and construction, the new LEVEL99 location at Disney Springs has an opening date of June 29th and official menus! LEVEL99 LEVEL99 is an interactive adult playground that features real-world, challenge-based (physical and mental), social entertainment. The restaurant’s menu includes handcrafted cocktails, local beers, and bar-style bites, including Detroit-style pizza. And a lot of their syrups are house made! So, if you were thinking you were about to order another basic Disney World Shirley Temple, think again — their grenadine syrup is house made! Detroit Style Pizza LEVEL99 tickets are available now, starting at $29.99 per player for 1.5- to 2.5-hour play intervals. The Disney Springs location will have 63 life-sized mini-games and challenges. There are tons of puzzles, games, and challenges to take on with groups of 2-6 players. FULL MENUS Announced for LEVEL99 at Disney Springs Disney World made some huge announcements in June, and with D23 on the horizon in August, it feels like the start of a major summer at the “Most Magical Place on Earth.” Stay tuned to DFB for more updates. 6 Disney World Refillable Mug Rules You Should Break Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What’s your favorite Disney World announcement from this month? Let us know in the comments below. View the full article

Things are changing all around Disneyland Resort, which we’ve known for a while. Pirates of the Caribbean in Disneyland Avengers Campus is getting an expansion, a new Avatar land is on the way (which will sadly close Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!), and we’ll soon see Autopia get electric vehicles rather than gas. However, Disney just made a massive change to this iconic, beloved attraction that fans are, to put it lightly, NOT happy about. Needless to say, fans are NOT happy about this change, and had no hesitations about sharing their thoughts. Many fans took to the comments on Disney’s Instagram post to express their dismay, like @thankyou6god pointed out the issue this change introduces in the story of the ride, saying, “You’re not supposed to see human pirates until the transition mirrored pirate and the ‘have no fear of evil curses, says ye’. This completely undermines that storytelling.” Other users, like @disneycicerone, also pointed out how this change undermines the work that originally went into the ride, saying, “Walt Disney wanted these pirates to look realistic, and not cartoony. Blaine Gibson spent hours upon hours with his sculptors achieving the right balance between Marc Davis’s humor and real human faces. Knowing that, I am not sure this creative choice is respecting the history and artistry of this attraction.” ©Disney Other Disney fans were happy to share their unhappiness in general, even without ties to what the attraction is originally supposed to look like, which we totally get. User @tannertan36 commented, “So this is genuinely the worst idea you’ve had,” while user @jennyfer212 said, “This looks atrocious. Not every new application of technology is a win.” ©Disney Many Disney fans are also upset at the fact that Disney would even think to add this technology to a ride that’s so beloved and nostalgic for many when, arguably, there was no reason to. User @robertjkral commented, “This takes a GREAT and iconic scene and unfortunately makes it now look fake. The old way, whilst not moving, looks completely, COMPLETELY real. This triggers criticism and disbelief because it looks so fake…it’s a fun idea, but it pulls you right out of the awe of the scene. One of Pirates’ most iconic scenes at that. Yeah, it’s a nope from me.” ©Disney So, what happens now? Well, it remains to be seen. Even though it’s received such heavy criticism, it’s likely we’ll see this change still happen inside the ride. That doesn’t mean future changes can’t be made, but for now, it looks like this is a change we’ll need to get used to. More Recent Disneyland Resort News! “This Is Genuinely the Worst Idea You’ve Had” — Disney Fans Are NOT Happy About the Pirates of the Caribbean CHANGES3 Disneyland Traditions Canceled for 2027JUST ANNOUNCED: Haunted Mansion Holiday and MORE Coming to Disneyland for the HolidaysSomething NEW Is Coming to Downtown Disney!The NEW Disney Hotel Pool Perk You’re Going To Be Obsessed With We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the latest Disneyland Resort news, so stay tuned to DFB! The SECRET Place To Get Our Favorite $15 Disney Souvenir 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 this change? Tell us in the comments! View the full article

Disney World might be the Most Magical Place on Earth, but it’s also known for being one of the cleanest places on Earth. Disney brings out cleaners every night to dust off park icons like Cinderella Castle and Spaceship Earth. Magic Kingdom But the weather this weekend has other plans – Disney World might be COVERED in dust soon! Here’s everything you need to know if you’re headed to the parks this weekend. According to Orlando News 6, Saharan dust is making its annual several-thousand-mile trip across the Atlantic Ocean this week. The bulk of the Gulf of Mexico coastline will be affected by Saharan dust, as well as the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico and central Florida, all the way up to Orlando. ©News 6 The dry, dusty airmass is expected to move into Florida on Saturday and into Sunday. As a result, rain chances will drop, and temperatures will soar. Highs will top in the upper 90s with rain chances dropping to 30%. This Saharan dust storm will bring a milky haze to the sky or dirt residue on outside objects from rain carrying dust particles to the ground. That’s what happened when we went to EPCOT during a Saharan dust storm to find a thick coat of dust on the outside of Spaceship Earth! Spaceship Earth was DUSTY! The dust is usually suspended thousands of feet in the air, which will help enhance the sunrise and sunset on Sunday and Monday. The extra particles in the atmosphere will help to scatter light more, enhancing the beautiful red, orange, and pink colors in the sky. Be sure to get your golden hour pictures in! Cinderella Castle at sunset We’ll be sure to keep you updated on how the Saharan dust storm will affect Disney World. Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more Disney World news! 7 Essentials to Help You Avoid Heat Exhaustion on a Summer Disney World Trip 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 been to Disney World during a Saharan dust storm before? Comment below! View the full article

If you are looking for a list of every Disney World quick-service restaurant that is open for breakfast, you’ve come to the right place! Churro Mickey Waffles! Breakfast is very important, but especially at Disney when you’re up early and ready to start having fun! Whether you’re an early riser or someone just trying to eat as many Mickey waffles as possible, we’ve got you covered. Below is a list of every quick-service breakfast option at each Disney World park, Disney Springs, and the Disney World resorts. Magic Kingdom Cheshire Cafe Located in Fantasyland, this small quick-service restaurant serves the famous Cheshire Cat Tail and coffee. It opens at 9 AM. Our Latest Cheshire Cafe Review White Rabbit Cold Brew The Friar’s Nook Located in Fantasyland, The Friar’s Nook opens at 9 AM and utilizes Mobile Order for breakfast. You can find a Sausage, Egg, and Cheddar Bagel Sandwich here, as well as Caramel Apple Doughnuts. Click Here to Read Our Latest Breakfast Review Here! The Friar’s Nook Gaston’s Tavern Gaston’s Tavern opens at 9 AM and can be found just beyond Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. There are some delicious breakfast options here, including the MASSIVE Cinnamon Roll, Crème Brûlée Croissant, and Ham and Gruyère Sandwich. Read Our Last Review of Gaston’s Tavern Here! Gaston’s Tavern — Warm Cinnamon Roll Golden Oak Outpost Golden Oak Outpost is located in Frontierland, steps away from Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and opens at 9:30 AM. Here you can order the Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit Breakfast Sandwich and Banana-Caramel Beignets. REVIEW: This Quick Magic Kingdom Breakfast Is Simple Yet Satisfying Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit Breakfast Sandwich The Lunching Pad Over in Tomorrowland, The Lunching Pad opens at 9 AM. You can find a Breakfast Bowl and Sticky Bubble Bread at this quick-service location. Review: 2 SECRET Reasons You Need To Get to Magic Kingdom Early Sticky Bubble Bread Main Street Bakery The Main Street Bakery opens at 8:30 AM and is the park’s Starbucks. You’ll find coffee, pastries, and more at this location. Main Street Bakery Sleepy Hollow Sleepy Hollow offers a variety of sweet treats and savory waffles and is located in Liberty Square. We Are Once Again BEGGING You To Get This Snack in Magic Kingdom! Sleepy Hollow Westward Ho Refreshments As you’re touring Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland and find yourself in need of a quick snack, look for the cabin-like kiosk that is Westward Ho Refreshments. We love the Mickey-shaped Bacon-Pecan-Caramel Cinnamon Roll, and you can grab one starting at 9:30 AM. REVIEW: We’ll Say It — We Found a NEW Snack That RIVALS Gaston’s Cinnamon Roll in Magic Kingdom The Mickey Cinnamon Roll from Westward Ho EPCOT Connections Cafe This is the Starbucks located in EPCOT, and they open at 9 AM. Here you can grab your favorite Starbucks drinks, pastries, and more. Connections Cafe Crêpes À Emporter Located in the France pavilion, this quick-service location opens at 9 AM. While you’ll find sweet and savory options — along with a selection of hard ciders — as well! Read Our Latest Review Here for Crepes A Emporter! Le Bete de Crepe or The Beast Crepe Karamell Küche In the Germany Pavilion, you’ll find this delicious bakery opening at 9 AM. Here you’ll find caramel-covered treats, kettle-cooked popcorn, and more. So while this isn’t your typical breakfast spot, they are open early! There’s a Reason We Refuse to Shut Up About This EPCOT World Showcase Snack Karamell-Küche Kringla Baker Og Cafe Sweets smells from Kringla fill the air of the entire Norway pavilion in EPCOT, where guests can stop by starting at 9 AM. Here you can find sweet treats and pastries like the Cinnamon Roll with Orange Cream Cheese Icing, or grab a coffee! REVIEW: Is This $6 EPCOT Find Actually One of the Best Desserts in Disney World? Cinnamon Roll with Orange Cream Cheese Icing Les Halles Boulangerie-Pâtisserie Tucked into the back of EPCOT’s France pavilion is a charming bakery that is packed with truly tasty treats, both sweet and savory. Indulge in decadent pastries and delicious desserts — or order a fresh sandwich made with simple but high-quality ingredients. This spot opens at 8:30 AM! WARNING: Don’t Judge This EPCOT Snack By Its Looks So many options! Sunshine Seasons Sunshine Seasons offers variety, delicious food, and a prime location in EPCOT’s World Nature, starting at 9 AM. You can find a Breakfast Sandwich, Mickey Cinnamon Roll, and more. Disney Brought a Mickey Cinnamon Roll to EPCOT, but Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Get It Our sandwich and grapes Disney’s Hollywood Studios Fairfax Fare Found near the Tower of Terror on Sunset Blvd, Fairfax Fare opens at 9 AM. You’ll find a Waffle Platter that includes Mickey-shaped Waffles served with Syrup, Bacon, and Sausage. REVIEW: The BEST Breakfast at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for Under $10 Mickey Waffle platter Ronto Roasters Over in Galaxy’s Edge, you can find the Ronto Morning Wrap and the Rising Moons Overnight Oats for breakfast. This location opens at 9 AM. REVIEW: Yep. The Best Breakfast in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Is Hiding in the Back of the Park Ronto Morning Wrap Trolley Car Cafe The Trolley Car Cafe is home to Starbucks in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, featuring the same full specialty drink menu of your local Starbucks, as well as pastries and snacks you’re familiar with from your Starbucks back home. It opens at 8:30 AM. REVIEW: There’s a Reason We Keep Coming Back to this Iconic Disney World Snack Trolley Car Cafe Woody’s Lunch Box You can grab a bite at Woody’s Lunch Box in Toy Story Land starting at 9 AM. You’ll find the delicious Breakfast Bowl here that includes a hearty portion of Potato Barrels smothered in Smoked Brisket Country Gravy, Scrambled Eggs, and a sprinkling of Green Onions. REVIEW: The Perfect Breakfast in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Doesn’t Exis… Breakfast Bowl Disney’s Animal Kingdom Creature Comforts This is Animal Kingdom’s Starbucks in the park and is located just left of the Tree of Life. This is where you can grab the same specialty drinks and pastries from your local Starbucks. This location opens at 7:30 AM. MEGA REVIEW: 6 NEW Snacks Just Arrived in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and We Tried Them ALL Creature Comforts Isle of Java Stop by the Isle of Java kiosk on Discovery Island just before entering the old DinoLand USA, which opens at 9 AM. You’ll find pastries here like Tiger Tail Chocolate Twist or Colossal Mickey Cinnamon Roll, and Vietnamese Iced Coffee and Hot Chocolate. REVIEW: There’s a Hidden Breakfast in Disney World, so GET IN, LET’S GO! Tiger Tail Chocolate Twist Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery Just outside the entrance to Kilimanjaro Safaris sits a window service counter that offers up treats and a place to hang your safari hat for a refreshing break. Here you can find the Mickey Cinnamon Roll, Pistachio Honey Croissant, Assorted Muffins, and more starting at 8 AM. Review: It’s Official. This Is My NEW Favorite Breakfast in Disney World. Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery Satuli Canteen Satu’li Canteen serves as the primary dining establishment for Pandora and opens at 8 AM. You’ll find dishes like the Slow-roasted Pork Shoulder Potato Hash, Cinnamon French Toast, and more. REVIEW: Breakfast Has FINALLY Returned to Satu’li Canteen at Disney World! Full breakfast spread at Satu’li Canteen Tamu Tamu As you’re heading toward Kilimanjaro Safaris in Animal Kingdom’s Africa, you might walk right by Tamu Tamu without noticing it. They start serving breakfast at 8 AM, and you’ll find the Mickey Cinnamon Roll, Guava and Cream Cheese Danish, and Honey-Pistachio Croissant. REVIEW: If Pistachios Are Your Jam, Add This Animal Kingdom Treat to Your Must-Try List Tamu Tamu Refreshments Menu Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes Open for breakfast, this counter service component of Yak and Yeti Restaurant, also known as Local Food Cafes, serves hearty portions of pan-Asian specialties. For breakfast, you can grab the Breakfast Bowl and Egg White English Muffin or more. Disney Food Blog Photos and Review: Breakfast at the Yak and Yeti Local Foods Cafe in Animal Kingdom! Breakfast Bowl with Bacon Disney Springs The Basket at Wine Bar George Now this is mostly a brunch spot because it opens at 10:30 AM, but we still wanted to include it. The Basket at Wine Bar George delivers a Counter Service component to the Disney Springs wine bar headed by Master Sommelier George Miliotes. You’ll find items like the Porchetta Sandwich, Crispy Mac & Cheese Bites, and the Cheese & Meat Box. REVIEW: We Are BEGGING Disney To Make This Limited Time Snack Permanent The Blueberry Thyme Tart Earl of Sandwich Over in the Marketplace side of Disney Springs, Earl of Sandwich opens at 9 AM. Breakfast offerings include several cold items and hot breakfast sandwiches. REVIEW: You Know A Disney World Breakfast Is Good When Fans Have Worked So Hard To Keep It A Secret Bacon Breakfast Burrito Everglazed Everglazed opens at 9 AM and serves a variety of delicious donuts and coffee. REVIEW: This VIRAL Dot Cake Trend Has Hit Disney World, and We’re Here for It Order at the counter Starbucks You’ll find two Starbucks locations at Disney Springs that open at 9 AM. You’ll find your classic pastries, coffees, and more here. Starbucks at Disney Springs Disney World Resorts The Artist’s Palette Located at Saratoga Springs, The Artist’s Palette opens at 7 AM and serves you the typical Disney quick service breakfast with Mickey Waffle Platters, assorted pastries, and the Loaded Totcho Bowl. Grab and go options Beach Club Marketplace Located inside Disney’s Beach Club, the Beach Club Marketplace opens at 7 AM. You’ll find those standard Mickey-shaped Waffles and a Breakfast Sandwich. Beach Club Marketplace Boardwalk Deli Over on the Boardwalk, you’ll find the Boardwalk Deli that opens at 7 AM. You can order the Deli-Style Breakfast Bowl, the Everything Bagel Sandwich, and the Smoked Salmon Bagel Sandwich. BoardWalk Deli Cafe Rix Cafe Rix is a great option for grabbing a quick breakfast before you head out to the parks or the pool at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. The restaurant opens at 7 AM and serves assorted pastries, donuts, and more. Breakfast at Cafe Rix Capt. Cook’s Head to Capt. Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort if you are looking for a great counter service meal in a tropical environment. It opens at 7 AM, and for breakfast, Capt. Cook’s serves up a signature dish among its offerings: Tonga Toast! Capt. Cook’s Carousel Coffee Located inside Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, the Carousel Coffee opens at 6:30 AM. This spot is located right off the Resort’s lobby, making it a perfectly convenient spot for your pick-me-up cup! Coffee, tea, and pastries (including options by Joffrey’s Coffee) are on offer. Disney Food Blog REVIEW of the NEWEST Coffee Shop in Disney World Carousel Coffee Centertown Market At Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, the Centertown Market opens at 7 AM. In addition to your typical Disney fare, you’ll find Tropical Pancakes, Ham and Cheese Omelet, and more. Centertown Market Contempo Cafe At Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the Contempo Cafe opens at 7 AM. This restaurant serves a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Multigrain Croissant, Mickey-shaped Waffles, and more. REVIEW: New Breakfast Arrives at Contempo Cafe at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Contempo Cafe Contemporary Grounds Located on the first level of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, this Joffrey’s coffee shop opens at 5:30 AM. Our favorite part of grabbing coffee here is the option to get a Disney character on top of your coffee! Coffee from Contemporary Grounds El Mercado de Coronado At Disney’s Coronado Resort, the El Mercado de Coronado opens at 7 AM. You’ll find Breakfast Tacos, Western Omelets, and more. El Mercado de Coronado! End Zone Food Court Located at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, this food court opens at 6:30 AM. Breakfast features — among other items — a variety of house-made pancakes. End Zone Food Court Everything Pop Food Court Over at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, the food court opens at 7 AM. Traditional plated breakfast dishes are available each morning along with an assortment of pastries. Everything Pop Food Court Gasparilla Island Grill Over at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, the Gasparilla Island Grill opens at 6 AM. In addition to standard Mickey Waffles, you can find a Choose-Your-Own Parfait option and a Croissant Egg Sandwich. Gasparilla Island Grill Good’s Food to GO Good’s Food to Go is located by the Old Key West Resort’s main pool and marina area, and it’s open at 7 AM. If you plan on stopping by for breakfast, you will find warm breakfast sandwiches, fresh fruit, and bakery items. Good’s Food To Go Intermission Food Court Located at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, the food court here opens at 6:30 AM. You’ll find classic Mickey Waffles here, but also an Avocado Breakfast Bowl and a Loaded Totcho Bowl. Intermission Food Court Landscape of Flavors At Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, the Landscape of Flavors is the food court option here, and it opens at 6:30 AM. You can order the Biscuit and Gravy Bounty Platter, the Loaded Totcho Bowl, and more here for breakfast. Chocolate Marshmallow Hazelnut Croissant Le Petit Cafe Inside Disney’s Riviera Resort is Le Petit Café, which is a coffee shop that opens at 6:30 AM. Here you can order coffee and grab-and-go pastries. Le Petit at Disney’s Riviera Resort The Mara Named after the Masai Mara National Reserve in Africa, this quick-service restaurant located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge opens at 7 AM for breakfast. You can grab the Ancient Grain Power Bowl, a Croissant Breakfast Sandwich, and more here. The Mara Primo Piatto At Disney’s Riviera Resort, Primo Piatto is open at 7 AM and serves breakfast sandwiches like Croque Madame, a Breakfast Panini, and Blueberry-Lemon Pancakes. Primo Piatto Riverside Mill Food Court Over at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside, the Riverside Mill Food Court opens at 7 AM. You can find a Ham and Cheese Omelet, Vanilla Pancakes, and more classic breakfast options here. Riverside Mill Food Court Roaring Fork At Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Roaring Fork opens at 7 AM. We love the pastries here, like the Grizzly Bear Claw, and we have to mention the coffees here as they are some of our favorites at Disney World! Loaded Totcho Bowl Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory At Disney’s Port Orleans — French Quarter, this quick-service location opens at 7 AM. You’ll find the typical Disney breakfast options like Mickey Waffles, the Avocado Breakfast Bowl, and more. Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory Spyglass Grill At Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, the Spyglass Grill opens at 7 AM. We are thrilled that you can find the iconic Mickey-shaped Churro Waffles here — which are just as heavenly as they sound! THIS IS NOT A DRILL! Churro Mickey Waffles Are Available WITHOUT a Disney World Park Ticket! Churro Mickey Waffle Trail’s End Restaurant At Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, Trail’s End is now a quick-service location that opens at 7:30 AM. You can have the Eggs Benedict Brisket Hash, Mickey Waffles, and the Chocolate-Hazelnut Bear Claw here! REVIEW: After YEARS Of Begging One Of Our Favorite Snacks Has RETURNED To Disney World Chocolate Hazelnut Bear Claw World Premiere Food Court At Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, this food court opens at 6:30 AM. You can find your usual Disney breakfast items, but also check out the Chocolate-Marshmallow-Hazelnut Croissant and the Banana-Chocolate Chip Bread. World Premiere Food Court Phew — that’s a wrap on EVERY quick service restaurant at Disney World that is open for breakfast! We hope this helps you on your next Disney World vacation. For more Disney tips, news, and dining reviews, follow us at DisneyFoodBlog! The Best Restaurants at Disney World in 2026 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 quick-service restaurant at Disney World is your favorite for breakfast? Tell us in the comments below! View the full article

Universal Kids Resort is a brand-new theme park in Texas with seven lands and over 30 attractions themed after Shrek, SpongeBob, Minions, Trolls, and Jurassic World. Universal Kids Resort Universal Kids Resort is aimed at families with young children, but it looks like fun for both kids and kids-at-heart! After riding almost all of the rides in the park, we struggled with a few. Here are all of the rides that you might struggle to fit on, too! Out of the park’s 36 attractions across Universal Kids Resort, we noticed that only two caused issues for our team, though others have been reported as being snug, as well. Mrs. Puff’s Boating School Mrs. Puff’s Boating School is a ride in SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom where you swerve, spin, and even go backwards on her driving course. While we were in line, they paused the ride and asked a man to switch rows due to uneven weight distribution. If you have an odd-numbered party, you might need to have the two lightest members of the group sitting together to evenly distribute the weight. Mrs. Puff’s Boating School Additionally, the lap bar was automatic, and it went all the way down. Even some of our smaller team members struggled on the ride, since you can’t adjust the lap bar at all. If you struggle with lap bars being too tight, then you probably won’t enjoy Mrs. Puff’s Boating School. Mrs. Puff’s Boating School Plus, the minimum height requirement for Mrs. Puff’s Boating School is 36 inches, but there’s also a maximum height limit of 6 feet 5 inches. If you’re that tall, then you won’t be allowed to ride at all! Pteranodrop Another ride you might struggle with is Pteranodrop in Jurassic World Adventure Camp. This attraction is a soft-drop ride for the whole family that gives you a great view of the land. While we fit on the ride fine, the Universal Kids Resort website states that “Modified seating offers a little extra space and is available at the Pteranodrop attraction in Jurassic World Adventure Camp.” Pteranodrop This is the only ride in the park offering modified seating, so it might be a tight fit for some riders! Bobbing Barrels This ride is a spinning water attraction that lets you blast water alongside Patrick Star and Sandy Cheeks! Bobbing Barrels Think of this ride like the Mad Tea Party at Disney World, except on a smaller scale. Because of this, the ride vehicles are smaller, too. Barnacle Bus Barnacle Bus is marketed as a slower, sightseeing-style tour through Bikini Bottom with familiar characters and locations along the route. Seating is bench-style here, which means it can be a tight fit for multiple adults in one row. Just something to keep in mind if you’re riding with your kiddos! Barnacle Bus We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all things Universal Kids Resort. Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more Universal Kids resort guides! 5 Rules Universal Kids Resort Is Enforcing 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 planning on visiting Universal Kids Resort? Comment below! View the full article

Pete’s Silly Sideshow, the Magic Kingdom meet-and-greet area for Minnie Mouse, Donald and Daisy Duck, and Goofy, has been closed since January 4th. The abrupt closure was due to structural repairs, and 6 months later, Disney finally announced a reopening date of Saturday, June 27th. Pete’s Silly Sideshow But when we were visiting Fantasyland today, we saw that Pete’s Silly Sideshow opened a whole day early! If you’re at Magic Kingdom today, you can meet Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy inside the building again! While Pete’s Silly Sideshow technically opens on the 27th, you can stop by and meet the characters inside for the soft open today. You can meet Minnie in her circus performer outfit… Minnie Mouse at Pete’s Silly Sideshow Daisy will read your fortune as a fortune teller… Daisy! Donald, aka The Astounding Donaldo, is charming as ever as a snake charmer… The Astounding Donaldo at Pete’s Silly Sideshow And Goofy will impress you with his tricks as the Great Goofini! Goofy! Pete’s Silly Sideshow is in the back of the Storybook Circus section of Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom. It’s open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM. The characters meet all day, but you’ll want to check the My Disney Experience app as things are subject to change. Pete’s Silly Sideshow We’re so excited that Pete’s Silly Sideshow is back open. Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more Disney World news! 3 Disney World Lightning Lane Rules You Should Break 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 been to Pete’s Silly Sideshow before? Comment below! View the full article

Amazon Prime Day came and went, but there’s still a little bit of time left to shop! ©Amazon Amazon Prime Day has been filled with amazing deals, and those deals aren’t over just yet. There are only a few hours left to snag some massive deals on some of our favorite travel essentials — HURRY! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. BEST THINGS ON SALE ON AMAZON Get this MagicBand Charging Station Doohoeek Charging Station for MagicBand+ You can’t go to Disney World without your MagicBand, so this Doohoeek MagicBand Charging Station is a must-grab right now! One thing that’s hard to manage in a hotel room with a big party is outlets. Everyone has to charge something — a phone, tablet, watch, or MagicBand. This makes life so much easier by saving extra outlet space for other devices you need to charge. It’s 20% off for a limited time! View on Amazon Check out this Mickey Tote Bag ©Amazon We think this Mickey Mouse Beach Tote Bag is so unique and so right for the summer! The tote bag is perfect for a beach day or a day at the Disney World water parks. It’s waterproof, can hold tons of pool day essentials, and it has a Mickey Mouse face on it. You can get it for 38% off! View on Amazon This 2-Piece Luggage Set is perfect for travel! ©Amazon Finding luggage for a great price is difficult…until Amazon Prime Day hits. If you’ve got a Disney vacation coming up, and you’re still looking for something to hold your Disney shirts, Minnie Ears, and running shoes, you should grab this Samosonite Freeform 2-Piece Luggage Set! The set comes with a carry-on and a large checked bag. It’s currently 33% off! View on Amazon Or, you can grab this Minnie Mouse Raincoat ©Amazon We’re sure you know, but we like to remind everyone of one guarantee when it comes to a Disney World trip in the summer. It’s going to rain…a lot. This Disney Raincoat is perfect for your little ones! It has that adorable Disney style, featuring Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck, and it’ll keep your kiddos dry. These character raincoats just dropped this month, and this one’s Prime Day Deal is for 33% off! View on Amazon Don’t forget about these TSA-Approved scissors ©Amazon You never really realize how many times you’ll need scissors on vacation until you’re there. The first thing that comes to mind is cutting tags off of new toys, clothes, and other pieces of merchandise that you buy at Disney World. These TSA-Approved Scissors are a great grab, and they’re super cheap! View on Amazon There’s also this Sticker Wow Activity Pad ©Amazon Take a look at this Melissa and Doug Sticker Wow! This 24-page activity pad and sticker stamper looks like a fun home/travel activity for the kiddos. It comes with 300 stickers and an arts and crafts Buzz Lightyear stamper. You can get it at an amazing price! View on Amazon And finally, grab this Disney Princess Sweater ©Amazon Sure, it’s summertime, but how could you not grab this Disney Princess Sweater?! This will make a perfect cozy top when you’re relaxing at home in the cool air, and when Disney World cools down later on this year. The sweater is embroidered with some of the most iconic Disney princesses, including Cinderella, Snow White, Tiana, Mulan, and more! Best of all, the sweater is 31% off! View on Amazon Check out the best things that are on sale on Amazon right now, with the button below! BEST THINGS ON SALE 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 Disney Dining Plan isn’t a shortcut to cheaper meals. It won’t automatically lower your food costs or turn every purchase into a great deal. Full spread at Akershus What it does offer is a structured way to prepay for meals, with a fixed number of credits to use throughout your trip. If you use those credits strategically, you can come out ahead on value. If you don’t, it’s easy to spend them on lower-cost meals and miss the point of the plan entirely. For 2026, the standard Disney Dining Plan costs $98.59 per adult and $31.94 per child, per night. That includes: 1 Quick-Service meal, 1 Table-Service meal, 1 snack or nonalcoholic drink, and a refillable resort mug per night. The Quick-Service Dining Plan costs $60.47 per adult and $25.82 per child, per night. That includes: 2 Quick-Service meals, 1 snack or nonalcoholic drink, and a refillable resort mug per night. There is also a Deluxe Dining Plan options that costs $163.01 per adult and $46.85 per child, per night. That includes: 1 Quick-Service meal, 2 Table-Service meals, 1 snack or nonalcoholic drink, and a refillable resort mug per night. So how do you make the Dining Plan actually feel worth it? You use credits where Disney prices are on the scary side. Free dining! For Quick Service, that means ordering a higher-priced entrée and making use of the included beverage, especially if you are eligible and planning to order a specialty or alcoholic drink. For Table Service, that often means buffets, family-style meals, all-you-care-to-enjoy skillets, and restaurants where a pricier entrée, dessert, and beverage can all work together like a tiny edible accounting department. Let’s get into the meals that can make those credits work hard. Don’t Worry. This Free Disney Dining Plan Hack Feels Illegal, but It Isn’t! First, Let’s Do the Math Before we start tossing credits around like confetti at Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire, let’s set the stage. A Quick-Service meal credit generally includes an entrée and a beverage. That beverage can be a nonalcoholic specialty drink or, for guests 21 and older, an eligible alcoholic beverage. Our meal A $15 entrée and a fountain drink? Fine. Pleasant. Harmless. An $18 or $19 entrée with a $15 or $16 cocktail? Now the Dining Plan starts making a bit more sense. For Table Service credits, the best values usually come from meals where pricing is fixed, or where you can order a higher-priced entrée, dessert, and eligible beverage. Buffets and family-style meals are especially useful because you are not trying to squeeze value from one sad little plate of pasta that looked bigger in the menu photo. Biergarten Buffet Also, remember that gratuity is not included in most cases. That part still comes out of your pocket, so make sure to set aside a little extra in your budget for this! Seven Mistakes to Avoid When it Comes to Planning Your Disney Dining Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo Hollywood Studios has plenty of places to spend money quickly. Some of them are thrilling. Some of them involve you paying theme park prices for something that tastes like it gave up in the third act. Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is one of the better Quick-Service plays on the Dining Plan because the entrée prices are already working in your favor. The Shaak Roast, a beef pot roast dish with cavatelli pasta, kale, mushrooms, and herb gravy, is often one of the strongest values here. Other heartier plates, like the ribs and chicken options, also tend to land higher than your average burger-and-fries situation. Full Spread! Then add a specialty drink or an eligible alcoholic beverage, and your Quick-Service credit suddenly earns its keep. This is exactly the kind of place where the Dining Plan makes more sense than it does at a spot where you order a basic sandwich and a soda, then wonder why the math feels like it was written by a confused Jawa. REVIEW: We Gave Docking Bay 7 The Chance It DESERVES! See What Happened. Flame Tree Barbecue Flame Tree Barbecue in Animal Kingdom is a Dining Plan value veteran for a reason. This is where you go when you want a Quick-Service meal that actually behaves like a meal. Not a snack that’s been mislabeled. Not “I’ll eat again in 37 minutes” food. Real food. Flame Tree Barbecue The Ribs, Chicken, and Pulled Pork Sampler is the big move here. It usually costs more than many standard Quick-Service entrées, and it comes with enough protein to make your afternoon safari plans feel slightly more ambitious. Pair that with an eligible alcoholic or specialty beverage, and you can get strong value from one Quick-Service credit. Ribs and Chicken Combo And yes, while you’re in Animal Kingdom, I am legally, emotionally, and spiritually obligated to remind you that the Key Lime Pie Pop exists at Flame Tree Barbecue. It is tart, creamy, chocolate-dipped perfection on a stick, which is really the kind of marvel of snack engineering and flavors. Key Lime Pie Pop That would be a snack credit situation, not your meal credit, but it is still relevant because I will not be silenced about the Key Lime Pop. REVIEW: Only Real Disney Fans Know the Glory of Flame Tree Barbecue (and Why You MUST Try the New Snacks Here!) Regal Eagle Smokehouse Regal Eagle Smokehouse in EPCOT is another Quick-Service location where the Dining Plan can pull its weight. The American Platter is usually one of the better plays because it gives you a hearty barbecue combo instead of making you choose one lonely meat and live with your choices. You can also find solid value in items like the burger, chicken, or other barbecue entrées, depending on what is currently on the menu. Regal Eagle Smokehouse But the real Dining Plan boost comes from the beverage side. EPCOT is not shy about beverage pricing. That is not criticism. That is just the reality of World Showcase. If you pair a higher-priced entrée at Regal Eagle with an eligible beer, cider, cocktail, or specialty drink, your Quick-Service credit can turn into one of the better values of the day. The 1776 Bonus points for being in the same pavilion as Sam Eagle, a Muppet who deserves more representation, more screen time, and frankly, a permanent advisory role in all theme park decision-making. If You Like Polite Pig, You Might Also Like Regal Eagle Smokehouse in Disney World Why Quick Service Gets Sneaky Good We do not need to tour every Quick-Service restaurant in Disney World with a calculator and a protein craving. The basic rule is simple. The best Quick-Service Dining Plan values tend to come from places with combo platters, higher-priced entrées, and specialty beverage options. Regal Eagle Platter You are generally looking for barbecue platters, steak or beef dishes, ribs, seafood, loaded bowls, and specialty drinks. You are generally avoiding the places where your “meal” is a basic hot dog and a fountain soda unless convenience is the whole point. Polite Pig Butcher Board for Two Convenience is allowed, by the way. Sometimes the best meal is the one closest to your melting family. But if we are talking value, combo meals are where the Dining Plan starts humming. Only 5 of Disney World’s Top 20 Restaurants Are in EPCOT…So Where Are the Rest? Character Buffet Dinners Character meals are some of the easiest Table Service credits to justify because usually the pricing is fixed. More often than not, the food is all-you-care-to-enjoy, and the characters come to you while you sit in air-conditioning like a civilized little vacation survivor. Chef Mickey! Some of the strongest character buffet and family-style values include 1900 Park Fare dinner at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Chef Mickey’s dinner at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, The Crystal Palace lunch or dinner in Magic Kingdom, Tusker House lunch or dinner in Animal Kingdom, and Garden Grill lunch or dinner in EPCOT. These meals often land in the $60-plus adult range before you even factor in the included beverage on the Dining Plan. That means one Table Service credit can cover a meal that gets pretty close to the daily value you need from the standard plan. Garden Grill feast They are especially helpful for families who were already planning to book character dining. If you were going to do Chef Mickey’s anyway, the Dining Plan may not be a discount machine, but it can help turn an expensive meal into a prepaid one that feels less like a direct hit to the wallet in the moment. REVIEW: This Disney World Restaurant Is Loud, Chaotic, and Overpriced — But It Could Be Your Favorite Meal ’Ohana Dinner ’Ohana dinner at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is one of the classic all-you-care-to-enjoy Dining Plan value plays. This meal is not subtle. It is noodles, wings, pot stickers, grilled meats, shrimp, vegetables, bread pudding, and the strong possibility that you will leave the restaurant moving at the speed of a sleepy parade float. The ‘Ohana dinner skillet! At $67 per adult, this is one of the best one-credit Table Service values if it is included in your Dining Plan during your travel dates. The important phrase there is “if it is included.” Disney Dining Plan participation can change, and some restaurants have specific rules. Always check the app or Disney’s website before you start building your entire vacation around noodles. ‘Ohana Bread Pudding! This is exactly what the Dining Plan likes: fixed-price, hearty, popular, expensive, and meal-like in the grandest sense of the word. REVIEW: Why You Should Skip Disney World’s Ohana and Eat HERE Instead Boma Boma at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is another excellent buffet option, especially for people who want their Dining Plan value to come with actual flavor. This is not just “here is a tray of beige things, please form a line.” Boma has African-inspired soups, meats, salads, stews, dips, breads, desserts, and enough interesting dishes to make your plate look like it has a passport. Boma Buffet Dinner is typically less expensive than some of the big character buffets, but it is still a strong Table Service credit because it is a buffet with variety, quality, and enough food to make the credit feel well spent. Dinner at Boma It is also a good pick for adults who want a big meal without paying character dining prices. And because it is located at Animal Kingdom Lodge, you get a resort visit that actually feels like part of the experience. This is not just dinner. This is dinner with beautiful architecture, warm lighting, and maybe a giraffe somewhere nearby, lingering near a viewing deck. Boma vs. Sanaa vs. Jiko: Comparing Animal Kingdom Lodge Restaurants The $49 Club There is a very useful Dining Plan tier hiding just below the giant character buffet prices. Let’s call it the $49 Club. Our selections from the Biergarten Buffet (pre-SECONDS This includes restaurants like Cape May Cafe dinner at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Biergarten Restaurant dinner in EPCOT, and Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Hollywood Studios. These meals tend to hover around the $49 adult range, which may not seem like a Dining Plan jackpot at first. But here is why you should consider them. Full spread They are fixed-price or all-you-care-to-enjoy meals, which means you are not gambling your Table Service credit on whether you feel like ordering the expensive entrée that night. You know what the meal costs. You know the food keeps coming. You know your credit is being used on something substantial. Roundup Rodeo BBQ Cape May Cafe can be a good pick for seafood fans. Biergarten is a buffet with entertainment, which gives your credit a little extra oomph. Roundup Rodeo BBQ is family-style and very filling, with a theme that is pure Toy Story chaos in the best way. Dinner and a show! Are these the highest possible values on the Dining Plan? No. Are they reliable, sturdy, “yes, this credit made sense” choices? Absolutely. REVIEW: It’s EPCOT’s Liveliest Restaurant, But Is There Anything Not to Love About Biergarten? Whispering Canyon Cafe Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge deserves a seat at this table, partly because the skillets can be a smart Dining Plan use and partly because Wilderness Lodge is perfect, and I will be taking no further questions at this time. Whispering Canyon Cafe The all-you-care-to-enjoy skillets are the move here. Dinner skillets are typically around $45 per person, and the restaurant has eligible drinks that can improve the value of a Table Service credit. This is a particularly good option for people who want a big, casual meal without committing to a character buffet or a pricier resort dinner. Our whole meal at Whispering Canyon You also get the Wilderness Lodge atmosphere, which is basically a vacation inside your vacation. Dark wood, giant fireplaces, cozy chaos, and the faint possibility that someone at your table will be publicly roasted for asking for ketchup (IYKYK). That is dinner and a show. 6 Tips for Having the BEST STAY EVER at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Steakhouse 71 Steakhouse 71 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is one of the better non-buffet Table Service options to consider. The trick here is ordering strategically. If you use a Table Service credit on a lower-priced entrée, you are not getting the best Dining Plan value. But if you order something like the Filet Mignon, New York Strip, Prime Rib, or another higher-priced entrée, then add dessert and an eligible beverage, the numbers start lining up. The Steak Frites at Steakhouse 71 Steakhouse 71 also has a few things going for it beyond the math. It is close to Magic Kingdom, it is generally less chaotic than some of the character meals nearby, and it is a good option for people who want a real sit-down dinner without turning the evening into a formal dining production. This is a “check the menu before you book” restaurant. If you are the kind of person who would happily order the burger and call it a day, pay out of pocket and save the credit for somewhere stronger. You can WALK to Steakhouse 71 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort from Magic Kingdom! If you are the kind of person who sees steak and thinks, “Finally, the Dining Plan and I understand each other,” this could be a winner. Review: We’re BACK at Steakhouse 71 in Disney World to Try Some Secret Menu Eats! Sanaa Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a little trickier, but it can still be a strong Table Service credit when ordered well. Entrées like the Potjie Inspired, pork tenderloin, steak, and fish options can help you build a decent Dining Plan value, especially when paired with dessert and an eligible beverage. Seating But we need to talk about the bread service. The Indian-style Bread Service at Sanaa is one of the best things you can eat at Disney World. It is also not the entrée. It is not the dessert. It is its own glorious carb committee, and depending on the current Dining Plan rules, you should expect to pay for it separately unless Disney says otherwise. Do not let that ruin the meal. Just plan for it. Indian-style Bread Service Sanaa is best for Dining Plan users who want a flavorful Table Service meal and are not only chasing the highest possible dollar value. It can be a smart credit, but it is also a restaurant where the experience matters. Views of the savanna, warm service, and bread service that could settle international disputes? Worth considering. REVIEW: 5 Things That Are Required Eating at Sanaa in Disney World Ale & Compass Ale & Compass at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is another sleeper pick. This restaurant is not usually the first thing people shout about when discussing Dining Plan value, which is part of why it works. It is calmer than many park restaurants, close to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, and has several entrées that can make a Table Service credit feel reasonable. Ale & Compass Restaurant Sign and Entrance The New York Strip, flat iron steak, seafood pot pie, and other higher-priced dishes are the ones to watch. Add dessert and an eligible beverage, and you can get a respectable return on that credit. This is not a fireworks-level value. It is not ’Ohana noodles descending from the heavens. It is a practical, useful, and often overlooked option for people staying around the Crescent Lake area or hopping between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. The Parker House Rolls with Spreads! Sometimes the best Dining Plan play is not the loudest one. Sometimes it is the restaurant that lets you sit down, eat something solid, and not listen to 700 people simultaneously discover that they are tired. Review! Is Ale and Compass Worth Your Time in Disney World? Via Napoli Via Napoli in EPCOT is a fascinating Dining Plan pick because it can be either smart or deeply controversial, depending on how you order. If you are using a Table Service credit on a higher-priced entrée like steak, fish, or chicken parmesan, there may be value here. Add dessert and an eligible beverage, and the credit can make sense. Via Napoli But pizza is where things get complicated. Via Napoli is beloved for its pizza, and rightly so. The problem is that the best pizza value often comes from sharing larger pies, and shared pizza math does not always line up neatly with Dining Plan credit value. In other words, Via Napoli may be a better out-of-pocket meal if your plan is to split a big pizza with the table. Prosciutto e Melone pizza If everyone is ordering individually and choosing higher-priced items, it can work. If your family is building a beautiful pizza commune in the middle of EPCOT, save the credits and pay normally. Review! Does Via Napoli Still Have The Best Pizza in Disney World? Why Signature Dining Usually Whiffs Now for the sneaky little trapdoor in the Dining Plan conversation. Signature Dining sounds like it should be a great use of credits because the restaurants are expensive. And sometimes, that’s true. A fancy meal paid for ahead of time can be lovely. But most Signature Dining restaurants require 2 Table Service credits. That changes everything. Cinderella White Chocolate Slipper A $95 or $100 meal sounds like a big Dining Plan win until you remember that you just used two credits to get it. Those same two credits could potentially cover two separate meals, like a character buffet and a solid steak dinner, or ’Ohana and another one-credit Table Service meal. California Grill table setting That is where Signature Dining usually loses the math fight. There are exceptions for personal preference. If you want the fancy dinner, book the fancy dinner. But if your goal is pure Dining Plan value, 2-credit meals are usually not the strongest play. They can be wonderful. They can be memorable. They can be delicious. They are just rarely the smartest use of credits. PERFECT PASTA NEWS: California Grill Is Bringing Back One of Our FAVORITE Menu Items! The Smartest Way To Use the Dining Plan The Dining Plan works best when you plan around the meals that already cost a lot. That means higher-priced Quick-Service entrées with specialty or alcoholic beverages. It means character buffets, all-you-care-to-enjoy meals, and family-style dinners. It means Table Service restaurants, where you will actually order the higher-priced entrée, dessert, and eligible beverage. Wagyu Strip Loin It does not mean forcing yourself to eat the most expensive thing on every menu just because a calculator is whispering in your ear. That is how you end up eating steak when you wanted soup. Nobody needs that kind of vacation tension. Stack Burger The best Dining Plan strategy is a mix of value and actual desire. Use your credits where they make sense, pay out of pocket when the meal is cheaper, and never waste a snack credit on something forgettable when there are Key Lime Pops in the world. Review! Is a Burger at Regal Eagle in EPCOT Better When Served On Garlic Toast? (Spoiler: Yes.) Final Forkful The Disney Dining Plan can absolutely make sense for some families, but only if you treat those credits like tiny prepaid park tickets to food. Use Quick-Service credits at places with bigger entrées and better beverage options. Use Table-Service credits at buffets, character meals, family-style restaurants, and spots where the entrée-dessert-drink combo actually adds up. And be careful with Signature Dining. It may feel fancy, but those 2-credit meals can quietly eat your plan value faster than a hungry teenager at a buffet. Liberty Tree Tavern As always, check the current menu, confirm Dining Plan participation before you book, and remember that prices can change faster than someone deciding they suddenly “aren’t that hungry” after you already bought them a full meal. Keep following DFB for more Disney Dining Plan tips, restaurant reviews, menu updates, and extremely strong opinions about snacks that deserve their own commemorative plaque. Why You Definitely Should Buy the Disney Dining Plan in 2026 More Disney Dining Plan Tips & News The Disney World Dining Plan Basically Pays for Itself With These 12 Meals2 Outdated Disney World Dining Tips That Seriously Do Not Work Anymore13 Things I’ll NEVER Do Again in Disney World3 NEW Dining Plan Deals Announced for Disney WorldTHIS is the Dining Plan You Need to Book for Your 2027 Disney World Vacation Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What is your go-to spot when you’re using the Disney Dining Plan? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article