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Believe it or not, October is almost here! Fall — with all its pumpkin spice and spooky season and spooky goodness — has officially arrived, with the holiday season and the end of the year on the horizon, but that doesn’t mean the perks stop there! Magic Kingdom at night during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Those visiting Disney World during October can find several perks tied to the season, a few of which are disappearing before the calendar flips to November! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is one of Disney World’s most popular seasonal events, as the spooky spectacular’s offerings of candy, treats, and Halloween-themed characters, entertainment, and theming have all become fall traditions for many. The ticketed event even allows guests over 13 to wear a costume (as long as they follow the rules) inside the Magic Kingdom, a treat that’s usually reserved for guests 13 and under during Disney’s normal operating rules. Boo-To-You Parade October 2026 will see the event presented on the following days: October 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 13th, 15th, 16th, 18th, 22nd, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th, and of course Halloween itself, the 31st. As always, Halloween itself marks not just the end of the party, but the end of the season at Disney World, as the transition to Christmas decorations begins just the next day. Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular A final quick note on the party: The Magic Kingdom closes to non-party guests at 6 PM, though they’ll still be able to enjoy the many Halloween decorations that will be up in the park during the month. Halloween decorations The Food & Wine Festival Of course, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party isn’t the only annual event that happens during this time of year. The month also plays host to a large chunk of EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival, which runs from August 27th to November 21st this year. As always, the event — which is included in EPCOT admission — is loaded with foods from all around the world spread across the park. October is even seeing the opening of the final four booths at this year’s festival — India, The Alps, Earth Eats, and Coastal Eats — on October 2nd. The EPCOT Food and Wine Festival In addition to the food, the festival is well known for the included Eat to the Beat concert series. Scheduled acts for October include: 1st: Smash Mouth 2nd – 4th: Champagne Orchestra 5th – 6th: Rey Ruiz (NEW) 7th – 8th: Tiffany 9th – 11th: Viva Latina 12th – 13th: The Fray 14th – 15th: STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas 16th – 18th: Jaclyn Hayden 19th – 20th: Ben Rector 21st – 22nd: Allen Stone (NEW) 23rd – 25th: SoundUp 26th – 27: Lauren Alaina (NEW) 28th – 29th: Bowling For Soup 30th – 31st: Southbound Eat to the Beat 2026 Extended Evening Hours Extended Evening Hours offer two extra hours to guests staying at Disney Deluxe Tier or Deluxe Villa resorts at select theme parks on select evenings after the park closes to the general public. Animal Kingdom During Extended Evening Hours October’s Extended Evening Hours offerings include: EPCOT: October 5th, 12th, and 19th from 9 PM to 11 PM Hollywood Studios: October 7th, 14th, and 28th from 9 PM to 11 PM Animal Kingdom: October 20th and 26th from 6 PM to 8 PM Spaceship Earth crowds during EPCOT’s Extended Evening park hours The Extended Evening Hours perk is available to guests at the following hotels: 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 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 Walt Disney World Swan Hotel Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel Walt Disney World Swan Reserve Shades of Green on Walt Disney World Resort The Monorail INSIDE Contemporary Resort Swan & Dolphin Perks Speaking of hotels, the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Hotels — uniquely located on Disney property but not owned by Disney — are offering several seasonal perks. ©Swan and Dolphin At 5 PM each Saturday in October (October 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st), guests can show off their coolest looks and compete for awesome prizes in a Costume Contest! Plus, anyone in a Halloween costume will receive a special treat from our chef at any of our sit-down restaurants! The Swan & Dolphin is also offering several events across Halloween weekend, from October 30th – November 1st: A Scavenger Hunt Adventure where guests will “embark on a fun quest to find hidden treasures and delightful prizes.” An Inflatable Maze with “playful surprises and friendly spooks.” Spooky arts and crafts activities. Fun and spooky hair braiding styles. A poolside DJ spinning a “sinister selection of monstrous mashups.” There’s even MORE exclusive fun on Halloween night itself, October 31st: Trick-or-Treating ©Swan and Dolphin If you’re heading to Disney World this October, be sure to take advantage of all the available perks as the 2026 spooky season builds to Halloween! Stay tuned to DFB for more on Disney World’s ongoing perks! 4 Disney World Rides Will Be Closed for Refurbishment in October 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 Heading to Disney World this October? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

Disney Princess fans, we found the Loungefly bag that might be your new favorite. We’ve seen a lot (like, a lot, a lot) of Disney Loungefly over the years, but this one features multiple princesses in a truly unique style. ©BoxLunch BoxLunch has been pulling some heavy hitters when it comes to exclusive Loungeflys, and this one definitely tops the castle. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Meet the Disney Princess Window Silhouettes Mini Backpack! ©BoxLunch Isn’t it just stunning? It’s exclusive to BoxLunch, so you won’t find it in the parks. We love the shimmering silver-chrome design and the six different princesses on the front. The windows give us a peek into the princesses’ world, from Ariel under the sea to Cinderella’s glimmering castle. ©BoxLunch The side pockets show even MORE princesses like Moana and Mulan. They really tried to include as many princesses as they could, which is good because we can never pick a favorite. The front zipper pouch is big enough to keep your essentials close, and the larger main pouch can hold other items you need throughout the day. ©BoxLunch The inside fabric is such a fun addition, too. It includes symbolism from different princesses, and it doesn’t take away from the front design with all of the bold colors. GRAB IT HERE In the meantime, keep following Disney Food Blog to stay up to date on new releases and merch finds you don’t want to miss. View the full article

This week at Disney World was NOT for the faint of heart. Sure, there are lots of changes going on, like construction of Villains Land, Piston Peak, Monsters Inc. Land, and more, but that’s not the only update happening around the theme parks. Lilypad! Each week, it feels like Disney is constantly dropping new information, details, and more, but it can be a lot to keep up with if it isn’t your full-time job. Luckily for us, it IS our full-time job, so we can save you the trouble of hunting it all down. Here are the 4 biggest news drops from Disney World this week. Disney World, can you go at least ONE week without a big closure or change? Just for us? We are loving everything coming to the parks and hotels, but we don’t know that we can take another closure, even if it’s just a little one. Where are we going to dance now? That’s what this week has left us asking… A Popular Single Rider Line Is GONE In what we deem the biggest news of the week, Disney confirmed that the Expedition Everest Single Rider Line has ended. One of the most popular single rider lines in Disney World has officially disappeared, and we couldn’t be more upset. While we’re sad to see it go, we aren’t shocked. Expedition Everest Single Rider Entrance In May 2026, Disney changed the loading system for Expedition Everest. This made the lines move more quickly and removed the necessity for a single rider line. At the time, Disney didn’t close the single rider line, so we still maintained some hope it wouldn’t go away. Expedition Everest The attraction officially retired its single rider line on September 21st, 2026. We’re eager to see if this will be an issue once Disney finally fixes the Yeti on the attraction, inevitably making it more popular. Disney World To End Expedition Everest Single Rider Line NEW Menu Revealed For Turf Club Bar And Grill We are literally the Disney FOOD Blog, so any new menu gets us pretty excited. Ahead of The Turf Club Bar and Grill’s reopening on September 30th, Disney revealed what guests can dine on after the refurbishment. The Turf Club Bar & Grill! The menu includes new items like… Crispy Chicken Wings served with choice of buffalo or garlic-Parmesan sauce, blue cheese, and celery Sweet-and-Spicy Brussels Sprouts with a piquant agave glaze and crispy Vidalia onions (Plant-based) French Onion Soup: Savory sherry beef broth, melted fontina, and Gruyère Wedge Salad with bacon, buttermilk-chive ranch dressing, pickled red onions, tomatoes, and marigold garnish from The Land Pavilion at EPCOT Golden-fried Calamari with Shishito Peppers with toasted sesame aïoli and sweet chili-lime sauce Lemon Butter Shrimp with sun-dried tomatoes, feta, capers, and toasted bread ©Disney Slow-roasted Prime Rib with a baked potato with butter, sour cream, chives, seasonal vegetables, au jus, and horseradish sauce Smoked Salmon-wrapped Halibut with seasonal risotto, citrus beurre blanc, and nasturtium garnish from The Land Pavilion at EPCOT Braised Pork Shank with New York cheddar grits and bacon-bourbon glaze Spinach and Mushroom Linguini: Mushroom “cream” sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, and basil-tofu “ricotta” (Plant-based) Char-grilled Butcher’s Steak with roasted garlic mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and house-made steak sauce Turf Club Burger with applewood-smoked bacon, New York white cheddar, house-made pickles, onion straws, lettuce, and tomato served with seasoned waffle fries Corn Flake-breaded Fried Chicken and Waffle with roasted jalapeño maple syrup and candied bacon butter Pappardelle Shrimp Pasta: Shrimp, asparagus, and truffle sauce ©Disney Chocolate-Hazelnut Cake: Hazelnut mousse and berry sauce Vanilla Bean Cheesecake: Strawberry sauce, and graham crumb Salted Caramel Pot de Crème: Vanilla bean panna cotta, pecan crunch, and citrus shortbread Apple Tart: Caramel sauce, streusel, and “gelato” (Plant-based) and MORE! ©Disney We can’t wait to put the new items to the test once the restaurant reopens on September 30th. FULL MENU REVEALED for Newly Refurbished Disney World Hotel Restaurant Atlantic Dance Hall Is Closing Permanently Some sad news comes from Disney’s Boardwalk Resort because Atlantic Dance Hall is closing permanently to everyday guests. This bar and dance hall has been a staple at the Boardwalk hotel for YEARS. It was also one of the only late night venues in Disney World. Atlantic Dance Hall The spot has shortened its hours over the years, moving to a weekend-only schedule, but that will end starting on October 1st. This spot will remain available for private events through Disney Meetings & Events and Disney Fairy Tale Weddings but will no longer be available to the public. Inside Atlantic Dance Hall While we are pretty bummed about this, we aren’t truly surprised. This spot has been more overlooked in recent years, but we will never forget dancing and drinking in this venue! Luckily, the Boardwalk’s newest lounge and venue, Hurly Burly, opens on October 1st, so the fun doesn’t have to end. More MAJOR Changes Hit Disney’s BoardWalk Resort BIG Changes Hit A Popular Hollywood Studios Ride Finally, big changes have arrived at Alien Swirling Saucers in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This popular children’s attraction now features Lilypad, from Toy Story 5! Lilypad has added some new narration, new signage, and new songs to the attraction. Say hi, Lilypad! You can now hear songs like; Both a country and flamenco version of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” A duet version of “We Belong Together” A big band/swing version of “I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away” A late 90s pop-punk song called “Pizza Planet Promo” A pop-style country song called “Spin It Back, Lilypad” A country/EDM version of “Woody’s Roundup” Taylor Swift’s song called “I Knew It, I Knew You” And more! Time to ride with a new soundtrack! This ride is beloved by families, and we think these new additions will make it even more popular! If you’re listening for the Taylor Swift song specifically, Cast Members did share with us that it plays at random, so there’s no set list. This Hollywood Studios Ride Just Got A BIG Upgrade! From new menus to closures, it was just like any other week in Disney World thanks to some seriously exciting updates. As always, be sure to keep following DisneyFoodBlog for more Disney news, updates, details, and more. The Disney World Mistake You’ll Make in October 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 news are you the most excited about? Tell us in the comments! View the full article

Okay, we know that Disney World is busy, but the crowds we’ve been seeing at EPCOT are next level! If you’ve been at EPCOT this week, then you already know that for some reason, it has been busy, busy. EPCOT Crowds So let’s dive into the crowds we’ve been seeing this week and, most importantly, our favorite tips and tricks for having the perfect EPCOT day, even when it is crowded. When we were in EPCOT yesterday, we were shocked by the crowds. World Showcase was absolutely slammed, and the wait times were LONG. But the weird thing is there is no reason for EPCOT to be this busy. Typically, this is the time of year we notice fewer crowds before the Holiday season approaches. SO busy! EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival is well underway, but that alone shouldn’t cause these intense crowds, so we think it was just a very busy day at EPCOT. Or this year’s big crowds have arrived earlier than expected. Either way, we could not believe our eyes while we were walking around World Showcase; just look at the crowds outside of the American Adventure Pavilion. Crowds While the crowds were really high all around World Showcase as guests were in line for the Food & Wine Festival booths, the wait times for the rides were also extremely long. Such a long line! The lines were incredibly long all day, but we noticed they got especially intense in the evening; these were the wait times at 7 PM yesterday. Frozen Ever After: 60 minutes Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure: 65 minutes Test Track: 90 minutes Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind: 160 minutes EPCOT Crowds Yes, 160 minutes for Cosmic Rewind, which is SO long even for this popular attraction. And the lowest we saw the attraction all day was 85 minutes. So there is no denying that EPCOT was packed yesterday. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Now, if you are visiting EPCOT soon, there is no need to panic. A busy day in the park does not mean it will be a bad one. There is plenty you can do to plan for your EPCOT day that will help you have fun and complete your must-do list even with the crowds. Our first suggestion is buying either the Lightning Lane Multi Pass, which lets you skip the line on all participating attractions, or the Lightning Lane Single Pass, which you can purchase to skip the line at Cosmic Rewind. Cosmic Rewind Lightning Lane Both of these options are a great way to save time in line if you are willing to pay the upcharge, although in this park most of the other rides do drop into a reasonable wait throughout the day, so if you only want to purchase one of these options, skipping the line at just Cosmic Rewind might be a great choice. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Rope Dropping is also a great way to start your day and save time. This is when you get to the park before it opens so you can be some of the first people inside and ride a few rides before the park fills up with guests. Not only should you Rope Drop the park, but you should also consider Rope Dropping the Food & Wine Booths. Food & Wine Crowds The booths open at 11 AM, and if you have a few Festival must-tries, then we suggest getting to the booths as soon as they open, because World Showcase will only get busier and busier throughout the afternoon and into the evening. EPCOT crowds in Germany Overall, EPCOT is an incredible park with so many options for how to spend your day, so even if it is busy and the lines are long, if you have a plan, your must-do list ready, and are flexible with your day, you will still be able to have a fantastic time even if the park is crowded. People EVERYWHERE in EPCOT We will continue to bring you all of the Disney World news, tips, tricks, and more! So stay tuned to Disney Food Blog so you never miss anything. This Halloween Scavenger Hunt is BACK at EPCOT! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of these EPCOT crowds? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Monstropolis is opening next year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and we have high expectations. ©Disney After a few years of concept art, permit filings, and construction updates, Monstropolis is taking over the old Muppets Courtyard and Grand Avenue. The land will feature a suspended-door coaster, the Glob Theater, and two new restaurants. It’s set to open in phases starting in 2027. But before we get to the genuinely exciting stuff, we need to talk about pizza. The Pizza Has to Be Mike Wazowski Right now, the old PizzeRizzo entrance sits buried under scaffolding as Monstropolis construction creeps closer, and it will be replaced by a new quick-service spot called Archie’s Scare Pig Pizza. Except for one thing we are begging Imagineering to consider. For years, Disney fans have had a nickname for PizzeRizzo’s personal pies, and it isn’t flattering. One longtime reviewer described the pizza as having a thick, doughy crust-to-topping ratio that earns it the nickname “pizza pillow” rather than a proper New York slice, and even reviewers who don’t mind the pizza still call it “pillowy” — perfectly fine, but nothing you’d travel for. PizzeRizzo Pizza Here’s the thing: we don’t actually think the pillowy crust is a dealbreaker. Kids love it. It gets the job done. But if Monstropolis is inheriting that same soft, round, personal-pan shape anyway (new toppings or not), there is exactly one correct move here, and it costs Imagineering nothing but a little imagination: Make it look like Mike Wazowski. We’re talking a pesto topping, a pepperoni with cheese on top, and a slice of green bell pepper? I’m no artist, but can someone submit our concept art to Disney ASAP? Mike Pizza! Genuinely — who doesn’t want a Mike pizza? Tokyo Disneyland has been proving the concept works for years with its Mike Wazowski Melon Pan, a sweet melon bread shaped like the character’s face, sold at the Refreshment Corner in World Bazaar with a matching souvenir pouch. It’s become one of the most iconic, must-photograph snacks in the entire resort. If a piece of bread can carry that much hype, a giant cheesy eyeball pizza practically sells itself. Mike Wazowski Melon Pan We’ve also seen the Mike Wazowski Cake at Magic Kingdom! It’s an orange blossom-mango mousse cake with a candy eye. This is the kind of creativity we’re looking for at Monstropolis. Mike Wazowski Cake Harryhausen’s Could Be the Best New Restaurant at Disney World Pizza jokes aside, the real headline of Monstropolis is Harryhausen’s, and it might genuinely be the most interesting restaurant concept Disney has announced in years. In the movie, Harryhausen’s is the upscale Japanese restaurant where Mike takes Celia for her birthday dinner, run by an octopus-like sushi chef, before the date gets interrupted when Boo is discovered and the whole place gets sealed under a containment dome. Disney is bringing it to life at the old Mama Melrose’s location, and the sushi chef is becoming a new Audio-Animatronics figure guests will actually see in action. ©Disney On the menu side, Imagineer Michael Hundgen has described sushi rolls and tempura satays inspired by the monster world, all carrying names pulled straight from the film. Disney itself has only teased that it’ll be a menu unlike anything else offered at Disney World. Our hope: they lean all the way into the puns. Give us a roll named after Roz. Give us a “Schmoopsie-poo Special.” This is a restaurant with a built-in bit — don’t play it safe. ©Disney What About Ice Cream? Early concept art showed guests carrying around Monster-themed ice cream cones, and this is one we hope makes it past the drawing board. We think this would be a hit and easy to make monster sundaes and more into an Instagrammable snack! ©Disney Monstropolis is shaping up to have a genuinely great, ambitious restaurant in Harryhausen’s. It would be a shame if the land’s most photographed snack ended up being an unthemed pillow of dough. Come on, Disney. You’ve got one job here. For the latest news out of Disney World, be sure to follow us at DFB! You Won’t BELIEVE the Details of Disney World’s New Animatronic Coming to Monstropolis 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 are you hoping to see at Monstropolis? Tell us your ideas in the comments below! View the full article

Miraculously, we’re not coming here to report to you that there are dozens of new closures in Disney World! We know, we know, it’s hard to believe, but it’s true. EPCOT In fact, we’ve even got some exciting updates from the parks about openings coming soon! Yep, instead of closures, we’ve got new openings, as well as some incredible updates on some of the construction updates happening around the parks. If you’re visiting this week, we’ve got you covered with all the updates you need to know. This past week, we saw the addition of Lilypad in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as well as the single rider line disappearing from Expedition Everest, which was a bit of a bummer. We also got the news that the Atlantic Dance Hall will be closing on October 1st, the same day that Hurly-Burly opens later this week. September 25th through October 2nd. Magic Kingdom Carousel of Progress Carousel of Progress closed on July 6th to undergo a major refurbishment. The work will include completely revamping the scenes in the attraction to make them more modern and represent more recent parts of history, as well as adding a new Walt Disney animatronic at the opening. ©Disney Currently, the attraction is set to reopen in 2027, though no official date has been set yet. 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 pretty great updates to the progress on the site! via @bioreconstruct on X/Twitter 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. A NEW 55th Anniversary Collection Just Arrived at Disney World Disney’s Hollywood Studios Vacation Fun Disney announced that Vacation Fun will be closing for the second time this year on Sunday, August 9th. Recently, hours for this spot began showing up again, beginning on September 27th! Vacation Fun The first time this attraction closed this year was on April 29th for a special May 4th Star Wars merchandise event. 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?” ©bioreconstruct 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, in addition to Archie’s Square Pig Pizza. Most recently, we got another look at the land, and WOW does it seem to be coming along pretty quick! Monstropolis If you’re missing The Muppets, you can go visit them at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets right now! Is a NEW Shortcut Coming to Hollywood Studios? We Hope So, But It’s Complicated. EPCOT Coral Reef Restaurant Coral Reef, one of the most controversial restaurants in all of Disney World, closed for refurbishment on September 8th. Coral Reef Restaurant The Disney World website recently adjusted to allow guests to begin booking reservations again on November 4th and beyond, which we’re now considering the reopening date, unless Disney tells us differently. La Signature La Signature, one of the stores located in the France Pavilion, closed for refurbishment on June 30th. La Signature closed The store specializes in French cosmetics and fragrances from Guerlain. During the closure, if you’re looking to buy Guerlain products, they’ll be temporarily available at the nearby Plume Et Palette. Sections of Germany Pavilion On July 13th, both the guest bathrooms in the Germany Pavilion and the majority of the Volkskunst store in EPCOT’s Germany Pavilion closed for refurbishment. The roof of Das Kaufhaus is also under refurbishment. Totally closed While a Cast Member did tell us the store closure was to fix the Cast Member bathrooms out of sight, Disney has not revealed a reopening date for the store or the public bathrooms. Other parts of the pavilion are also seeing construction and refurbishment, but are not causing additional closures. This Halloween Scavenger Hunt Is BACK at EPCOT 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, we noticed that large cranes are in the area to adjust the roofs of existing buildings, likely to keep them in theme. Tropical Americas construction We can also see lots of work happening at the front of the new Indiana Jones ride, Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent! Recently, we got an updated look at the new Indiana Jones ride, which looks like it’s coming along well! Via @bioreconstruct on Twitter/X This new land will have three new rides: El Carrusel de los Animalitos featuring classic Disney animals, Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent where you’ll explore a Mayan temple, and Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto that invites you into the Madrigals’ home. We can’t wait to continue to see how it all shapes up. Could Disney’s Animal Kingdom Be Getting a MASSIVE Upgrade? Disney World Hotels All-Star Sports Resort Disney quietly announced that Grandstand Spirits Pool Bar is closing for a refurbishment. It closed on September 18th and is expected to last through mid-December 2026. Grandstand Spirits During the closure, we recommend you swing by End Zone Food Court, just a short walk away from the pool, to snag your eats and drinks. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge There are numerous closures taking place around Animal Kingdom Lodge over the next few months that may affect your vacation. The Savanna at Animal Kingdom Lodge August 17th through October 9th: The main lobby and primary entrance will be closed. Check-in will move to the Palace Library during this time. September 28th through October 9th: The north side lobby corridor will be closed. During this time, the north side lobby elevators on the second floor and the outdoor terrace observation deck will be unavailable. October 26th through November 6th: The south side lobby corridor will be closed. During this time, Community Hall, Safari So Good Arcade, the laundry room, the Palace Library, lobby restrooms, and the outdoor terrace observation deck will be unavailable. Convention Center and El Centro Corridor — Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Beginning on August 10th, the Convention Center at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort began a planned refurbishment that is expected to last through September 2027. Coronado Springs Additionally, the hotel’s El Centro Corridor and surrounding areas will also undergo refurbishment tied to the convention center refurbishment. While there’s no end date for this construction project, we do know that work will be completed in phases, with certain spaces being temporarily inaccessible at times. Boat Dock — Disney’s Old Key West Resort Starting on July 20th, Disney closed the boat transportation at Old Key West Resort, called the Sassagoula River Cruise. These boats usually go to Disney Springs, so now you’ll need to take a bus instead. Old Key West Dock The closure was expected to last through early August, but we still haven’t heard any updates. 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. 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 Currently, The Turf Club Bar & Grill is under refurbishment until mid-September, according to the original timeline Disney spoke about. The restaurant closed on August 31st, a day after the Turf Club Lounge reopened after being closed since April. The Turf Club Bar & Grill! Additionally, the tennis courts at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort are currently closed for refurbishment. While Disney hasn’t shared an exact reopening date, the current timeline is that they’ll be closed from late August through November 2026. Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Resort It was recently announced that the Village Green area of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn will be closed from August 10th through September 4th. This is an outdoor space where you can usually watch Movie Under The Stars, do yoga, attend arts and crafts classes, and more. Disney’s Boardwalk Inn 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 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.” 4 Changes Coming to Disney World Hotels Next Month We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the latest Disney World news, so stay tuned to DFB! A Massive Transformation Is About To Hit 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 When is your next Disney World vacation? Let us know in the comments! 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! Get on this ride! Disney World wait times have a reputation for being, well, unpredictable, and that’s especially true during the summer season. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind continued dominating Disney World wait times this week, with an average wait OVER 80 minutes!! Magic Kingdom Seven Dwarfs Mine Train TRON Lightcycle / Run — 54 minutes Seven Dwarfs Mine Train — 39 minutes Peter Pan’s Flight — 34 minutes Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin — 29 minutes Tiana’s Bayou Adventure — 29 minutes Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh — 27 minutes Jungle Cruise — 25 minutes Space Mountain — 25 minutes Big Thunder Mountain Railroad — 24 minutes Haunted Mansion — 21 minutes Enchanted Tales with Belle — 16 minutes Pirates of the Caribbean — 16 minutes Pirates of the Caribbean The Hall of Presidents — 13 minutes Mickey’s PhilharMagic — 13 minutes Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid — 12 minutes Astro Orbiter — 11 minutes “it’s a small world” — 11 minutes Dumbo the Flying Elephant — 11 minutes Barnstormer featuring the Great Goofini — 10 minutes Enchanted Tiki Room — 9 minutes Tomorrowland Speedway — 9 minutes Mad Tea Party — 9 minutes Country Bear Jamboree — 8 minutes Mad Tea Party Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover — 8 minutes Magic Carpets of Aladdin — 8 minutes Prince Charming Regal Carrousel Prince Charming Regal Carrousel — 7 minutes Swiss Family Treehouse — 4 minutes EPCOT Changes, Coaster Delays, and Food & Wine Festival News: Every Major Disney Announcement You Missed EPCOT Wait Times Test Track Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind — 84 minutes Test Track — 67 minutes Frozen Ever After — 56 minutes Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure — 50 minutes Soarin’ Across America — 35 minutes Soarin’ Across America Impressions de France — 19 minutes Mission: SPACE — 17 minutes Living with the Land — 16 minutes Spaceship Earth — 16 minutes Turtle Talk with Crush — 15 minutes Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along — 14 minutes The Seas with Nemo and Friends — 14 minutes Canada Far and Wide — 14 minutes Reflections of China — 11 minutes Journey into Imagination — 10 minutes Gran Fiesta Tour — 7 minutes The Misadventures of Tiny Train Town in EPCOT Animal Kingdom Wait Times Animal Kingdom at night Avatar Flight of Passage — 48 minutes Na’vi River Journey — 37 minutes Kali River Rapids Kilimanjaro Safaris — 29 minutes Kali River Rapids — 26 minutes Expedition Everest — 19 minutes Zootopia: Better Zoogether — 11 minutes YIKES. This Animal Kingdom Expansion News Is Going To Upset Some Folks Hollywood Studios Wait Times Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets Slinky Dog Dash — 58 minutes Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets — 50 minutes Rise of the Resistance — 47 minutes Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway — 42 minutes Toy Story Mania — 39 minutes Tower of Terror — 33 minutes Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run — 25 minutes Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway Alien Swirling Saucers — 26 minutes Star Tours — 6 minutes Walt Disney Presents had no wait times this week. The One Thing EPCOT Does WAY Better Than Hollywood Studios 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

Let’s be real — a Disney World vacation is unlike any other vacation. There’s more go, go, go than relaxing, and your body will ache after every 12+ hour day. Cinderella Castle That’s why you need a GOOD pair of shoes, maybe even two! We’re always on Amazon looking for the latest deals on Disney souvenirs and essentials, and we came across a pair of shoes that everyone will be taking on their next Disney World vacation, so you should too! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. One of the BEST Shoes You Can Bring To Disney is HOKAs We’ve tested out ALL different kinds of shoes to find out which is best to bring on your Disney World vacation. While each of them had their pros and cons, the one that reigned supreme in all of the categories was HOKAs! ©Amazon Now, we tested out the HOKA Clifton 10s, and those were definitely our favorite, but since then, the Clifton line expanded to the 11s! These shoes are MADE for walking — they’re comfortable, supportive, and durable! They’re the same as the Clifton 10s, but the Clifton 11s are lighter and have a softer upper. Because of the thick heel, there is a TON of support. It may look bulky, but don’t let that steer you away — the comfort is worth the bulky look. ©Amazon HOKAs are also built for long-term wear, and I know that from personal experience. When I was a Cast Member, HOKAs were my go-to shoe. I worked outdoors for 40 hours a week and wore the same pair of shoes for over six months! They weren’t showing any signs of breaking; the laces were still intact, and they were still comfortable even after all of that time! ©Amazon Be sure to grab them before your next vacation… Your feet will thank you later! view ON AMAZON We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article

We’re really living in a time where fast food chains are dropping albums, and you know what, we’re here for it! ©Wendy’s Have you ever gone to get a Frosty and a JBC at Wendy’s, sat in your car in the parking lot, but just couldn’t find the right vibes to throw on? What if we told you there’s an album on Spotify called “Songs to Listen to in a Wendy’s Parking Lot,” and Wendy’s dropped it themselves? Yeah, we know that sounds wild, but stay with us. We know it sounds crazy, but it’s true. Wendy’s dropped an emo album on Spotify, and it’s all we can listen to now. Before we even started listening to the album, we knew we were in for a treat from Wendy’s profile picture. It’s the Wendy’s logo, but it looks like she’s entered a new phase in her life (it’s NOT a phase, mom!). ©Spotify The first song on the album is called “She Said She Didn’t Want Fries (feat. Matty Mullins)”, and it instantly gave us early 2000s vibes. Think Fall Out Boy! The second song is called “Salt in the Wond (feat. Chloe Kinnon)”. As huge advocates for the french fries at Wendy’s, we love these song titles. ©Spotify Track three is called “I Miss the Sunroom (feat. Shane Told)”, and this one HIT. Imagine if blink-182 made a song about the beloved sunroom from Wendy’s back in the day — that’s the vibe of this song. Honestly, yeah, we do miss the iconic sunroom that was in Wendy’s restaurants! Track four is called “The Best Combo Meal on the Worst Night of my Life (feat. Beau Bokan)”, and man, is this one an absolute banger. ©Spotify Unfortunately, the album is only six tracks, so we’re coming close to the end. Track five is called “It’s Not a Phase, It’s a 10pc (feat. Derek DiScanio)”, and if that doesn’t speak to the soul, what even does?! This song has such a catchy chorus and rhythm to it. It’s definitely built for the purpose of the album. Lastly, “My Frosty’s Funeral (feat. Kat Leon)” is the perfect closer. It’s like “Bring Me to Life” by Evanescence but for a delicious Frosty. ©Spotify This album is an absolute banger, and one we will be using for those late-night stops at Wendy’s. You can listen to it here. The question we’re asking now is which fast food chain is going to respond with an album of their own? Make sure to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog, because we’re going to find out! Everything We Know About BOTH Planned Dracula Theme Parks 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 song is your favorite on the album? Go listen to it and let us know in the comments! View the full article

New Disney Princess American Girl dolls recently dropped on Amazon and are already at risk of selling out! ©Amazon That’s right, both Anna and Elsa are officially part of the American Girl Dolls family, but they may not be available for too long. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Bring home a new Elsa doll! — HIGH Sell Out Risk ©Amazon This new American Girl Doll Frozen: Elsa is 18 inches and features some really intricate details! It comes with blue eyes that open and close, pink lips, and long platinum-blonde hair that’s styled to look like her signature braid from the films! The head is movable, and the blue gown sports a satin bodice with iridescent sequins, a mesh neckline, mesh pointed-hem sleeves with an iridescent glitter print, a satin iridescent-print skirt, and an attached organza cape with a glittery snowflake print. ©Amazon The doll also comes with a pair of transparent blue kitten-heel shoes with glittery edges, as well as a set of three clear blue snowflake-shaped hair clips with glitter. In short: It doesn’t get more detailed than this. If you’re looking for an elite Elsa doll, look no further! BUY ON AMAZON Pair Elsa with this Anna doll! ©Amazon American Girl wasn’t going to give us an Elsa doll without an Anna one to go with it! The American Girl Doll Frozen: Anna is also 18 inches and comes with a movable head and blue eyes that open and close. However, this doll also sports freckles, long auburn hair styled in two braids with side-swept bangs, and a dress featuring a black velvet embroidered bodice, blue raschel-knit sleeves, golden sparkle trim along the waist, and a royal-blue satin skirt with printed floral and scallop details along the hem. On the magenta satin cape, you’ll be able to spot embroidered accents as well as a silvery heart-shaped clasp. ©Amazon This Anna doll wears a pair of black vinyl boots with a golden filigree design and magenta kitten-heel soles. American Girl takes their doll-making seriously, and you can definitely see the care that went into designing both of these dolls! BUY ON AMAZON Which doll do you plan on grabbing? Will you get both? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and continue to follow us here at DFB for more updates on Disney souvenir finds! View the full article

Disney just dropped two new MagicBand+ designs featuring fan-favorite characters! The Mandalorian and Grogu If you’re on the hunt for a new MagicBand+ for your next trip, you’re in luck — Disney just dropped two new designs online starring some super popular characters! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Guests can opt for a MagicBand+ as an easy way to scan into the Disney World parks and Lightning Lane entrances. Plus, they also have interactive technology that unlocks extra surprises, from color-changing lights that sync with nighttime spectaculars to in-park games. We love getting to choose a design that reps our favorite Disney character, and two new ones just dropped that we’re sure will be super popular! Celebrate Halloween AND Christmas with Jack & Sally Okay, it’s time for the age-old question — is The Nightmare Before Christmas a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie? Either way, this new Jack & Sally MagicBand+ is here just in time for both upcoming holidays! The strap has Jack Skellington art on one side with Sally on the other. ©Disney Store Jack is also featured on the tappable center icon, surrounded by the text “Jack Skellington the Pumpkin King.” Yup, we’d definitely rock this to both Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party AND Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! Shop on Disney Store Just When We Thought Grogu Couldn’t Get Any Cuter… In celebration of the movie release earlier this year, the new The Mandalorian and Grogu MagicBand+ somehow manages to make Grogu even MORE adorable in cartoon form! ©Disney Store The tappable center icon stars Grogu, framed with the words “Where I go, he goes.” This is the perfect MagicBand to rock when you visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! Shop on Disney Store Between the upcoming holidays and the adorable Grogu art, we’re sure both of these new MagicBands will get you TONS of compliments in the parks. We’ll keep an eye out for the latest Disney souvenir drops, so stay tuned to DFB for more updates! View the full article

50% off seems unheard of, right?! Wrong! We have found 5 different Disney souvenirs that are 50% off or more on Amazon now! ©Disney Now, here’s the catch. This massive sale might not last too long. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Get this Disney Villains Cookbook — Less Than $10 ©Amazon Grab this Disney Villains Cookbook! This thing is filled with recipes of all sorts of shapes, sizes, and tastes — 50 recipes to be exact. They’re all themed to some of your favorite Disney villains. Try Kronk’s Spinach Puffs, Gaston’s Chicken Drumsticks, Cruella Cookies, and many more. The cookbook is currently 51% off! view ON AMAZON These Little People Princess Figures are so cute! — 50% off ©Amazon How adorable are these Fisher-Price Little People Princess Duos Figures! The set comes with Moana and Pua, Belle and Miss Potts, Tiana and Naveen, as well as Snow White and Dopey. This would make for a great gift for kiddos. You get a lot of figures in this set at an unbelievable price, as the set is 50% off! view ON AMAZON Grab this 5-Minute Disney Junior Stories Book — Only $6! ©Amazon Amazon has this book filled with 5-Minute Disney Junior Stories! From supervillains to ponies to the Land of Fairytales, there is so much for your little ones to explore in this brand new collection. Each story is designed to be read aloud in five minutes, so you can squeeze in a quick storytime before bed. The book is 58% off! view ON AMAZON Or, you can grab this Disney Holiday Cookbook — 51% Off ©Amazon We were thrilled to see this Unofficial Disney Parks Holiday Cookbook is on sale! From Christmas to Thanksgiving to Halloween, there are so many great things to try. You’ll be able to bring the magic of Disney’s holiday celebrations straight to your own kitchen. This book features 100 recipes for the best food items Disney’s annual celebrations have to offer. It’s currently 51% off! view ON AMAZON And finally, there’s this Disney Coloring Book — Only $6 ©Amazon Lastly, there’s this Disney Dreams Collection Coloring Book! There are 63 illustrations paired with a full-color reference image so you can faithfully recreate the original or bring your own vision to life. This would make for a great activity book during your trip to Disney World or to wind down in your Disney World Resort hotel. It’s super cheap at 58% off! view ON AMAZON We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article

We’re working 9 to 5! So we can grab as many items as possible from the Kendra Scott x Dolly Parton Jewelry Collection. ©Kendra Scott We have been looking for the perfect way to highlight our love of Dolly and bring a piece of her magic and light with us everywhere we go. And if you’ve been looking for the same, this collection is one you need to see. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Kendra Scott is an extremely popular jewelry brand that often does collaborations with Disney; they even have a store in Disney Springs. But in memory of Dolly, they are currently donating 20% of all sales from the Dolly Parton 9 to 5 Collection to Dolly’s Imagination Library. So, if you’ve been waiting to purchase anything from this collection, now is the perfect time. Let’s dive into a few of our favorite pieces, or you can shop the entire collection right here. Check Out The Entire Kendra Scott x Dolly Parton Collection First is the Dolly Parton x Kendra Scott Gold Charm Bracelet ©Kendra Scott This beautiful gold bracelet features a collection of retro office-inspired charms that are meant to bring a little Dolly sparkle into your everyday life. There is a typewriter, a clock, a phone, a mug, and a Dolly Vinyl, all meant to invoke the imagery of one of her most popular songs of all time, “9 to 5,” which we love! View on Kendra Scott Next is the Dolly Parton x Kendra Scott Elisa Vintage Gold Necklace ©Kendra Scott This necklace is so gorgeous and features Dolly’s iconic signature against a sparkly turquoise background. But if blue isn’t your vibe, there is no need to worry because you can grab it in pink as well! Let your Dolly style fly with this incredible necklace. View on Kendra Scott Then you need to see these Dolly Parton x Kendra Scott Elle Butterfly Vintage Gold Earrings ©Kendra Scott Nothing says Dolly Parton quite like Butterflies. They are one of her many iconic images, and these earrings put them on full display. You can grab these beautiful earrings in ivory, blue, or light pink, and they each have lovely gold accents that really bring this whole design together and make these earrings feel so whimsical. View on Kendra Scott Lastly is the Dolly Parton x Kendra Scott Vintage Gold Statement Chain Bracelet ©Kendra Scott This gorgeous gold bracelet that features a butterfly, a heart, and a guitar pick. These are three key symbols of Dolly that represent her music, fashion, and creativity. If you are looking for a piece of jewelry that embodies Dolly’s passion and spirit, this is a fantastic choice. View on Kendra Scott If you haven’t found anything yet that you love, but still want your perfect piece of Dolly jewelry, then you can view the entire collection right here. Check Out The Entire Kendra Scott x Dolly Parton Collection Will you be grabbing anything from this collection? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to Disney Food Blog so you never miss anything! View the full article

We’re getting a behind-the-scenes look at some major changes happening in Animal Kingdom, Disney is serving up a fresh new menu at Turf Club Bar & Grill, the brand-new Disney x Elf on the Shelf collection is officially here, and a fan-favorite Magic Kingdom souvenir just got even better. Latest News All the latest Disney and theme park news starts right now on DFB Guide. Check out our new video: Latest Disney News: INSIDE Disney’s Newest Lounge, Ride Upgrade & MORE! 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

A full meal for $6.99, but you don’t know what you’re getting?! Are you in? Everything that came in my box! We bet you’re asking, “Where?! How?! In Disney World?” Don’t worry — we have all the answers! Four words: Too Good To Go. If you don’t know what that is, let me tell you! Too Good To Go is a mobile app that “connects people with unsold food from local restaurants, bakeries, cafes, and grocery stores at roughly a third of the original price.” Basically, if the store has leftovers from that day, they’ll sell it at a fraction of the price instead of just throwing it away! ©Too Good To Go There are SO many places to discover on this app, and eet by Maneet Chauhan is one of them! You can pay $6.99 for a mystery bag of food with a value of at least $21! Now, these do sell out pretty fast, so we recommend saving the location as one of your favorites and turning on notifications to be notified when the restaurant restocks these bags, but I was able to snag one, and I’m SO glad I did! eet by Maneet Chauhaun Kitchen When you get there, simply let the Cast Member know you’re there to pick up a Too Good To Go order and they’ll bring it right out to you. And there’s no waiting because it’s already prepared! It came already packaged in a container and in a bag, so I didn’t have to worry about bringing my own bag to carry it in. It’s important to note that these orders do come refrigerated, and they cannot warm it up for you, so if you were hoping to go there and eat it, you’ll have to bring it home to warm it up first. Everything that came in my box! This box came LOADED with food. I received three samosas, SEVEN basil-cilantro shrimp, fried rice, and a hefty portion of their pulled pork. And let me say it again — this was only $6.99! It was such a large portion that this ended up being TWO meals for me — where else can you find two meals for $7 on Disney World property?! If you order from here on the Too Good To Go app, expect something similar — the Cast Member mentioned that not all orders are the same, but are similar (i.e., more samosas and no shrimp, other variants of items, etc.) Look at ALL of this food! I found this to be a GREAT deal for food, and I think more Disney restaurants should hop on this trend because I’d ABSOLUTELY buy it! Stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more theme park news, updates, tips, and tricks! REVIEW: We Ordered ONE Slice of Cake at Disney Springs and Got a Small Building Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you ever tried the Too Good To Go app? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

We know you’ve heard it before: Disney World is currently undergoing a TON of construction. There are tons of big projects you’re probably already familiar with, like Piston Peak or Monstropolis, but you can’t forget about the smaller projects and refurbishment plans that can affect your Disney World trip a lot sooner than you think. Disney World Construction We’re always looking for major Disney announcements, but sometimes you have to look a little closer than the formal releases. Permits are a great way to see what Disney is working on behind the scenes, and they published almost twenty new construction permits recently. Ready to see what changes could be coming to Disney World soon? Shockingly, most of these permits have nothing to do with the four main theme parks. Most are happening in Disney Springs, the shopping district where we get our fair share of snacks, meals, Mickey ears, and anything else you could want from your vacation. Disney Springs Currently, Disney has filed permits for “General Construction” at the following locations in Disney Springs: Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar Crystal Art Marketplace Snacks Rainforest Cafe Art of Disney Wonderful World of Memories Spice and Tea Exchange Earl of Sandwich Disney’s Day of Christmas Pin Traders Once Upon a Toy Basin Once Upon A Toy Unfortunately, Disney has not yet released any additional information beyond that all of these locations will be undergoing general construction in the future. However, many of these spots are in the Marketplace section of Disney Springs, so this area may be getting a general refurbishment in the future. We’ll be keeping an eye out to see if any closures or changes are announced soon. Earl of Sandwich But Disney Springs is not the only Disney World spot with some permits on the horizon. There are also two new permits over in Magic Kingdom, specifically at Pirates of the Caribbean. Pirates of the Caribbean Disney just released two permits for “labor, material, and/or electrical for construction,” which means we can most likely expect some construction or refurbishment happening at this attraction in the future. The first of the permits was for the queue and facade of the attraction, but the second was for the actual building. Disney has not yet announced any closures for Pirates of the Caribbean, but it’s possible these permits are a hint that we can expect a closure at some point in the future. Pirates of the Caribbean There were also a few new permits for some locations across the other parks. Starting with Hollywood Studios, a permit has been filed for Electrical Work at Theater of the Stars. This is the theater that is the home of Beauty and the Beast – Live On Stage. Beauty and the Beast at Theater of the Stars Lastly, two new permits have been filed for Animal Kingdom. First, for Electrical Work over at the Gorilla Building. Then, of course, we couldn’t escape a permit update, with at least one permit for one of the big projects. There was a permit filed for General Construction at the former Restaurantosaurus in the new Tropical Americas area. It is possible that this construction will include taking this building down or beginning the process of transforming it for the new land. Tropical Americas Construction We will continue to bring you all of the construction and permit updates across Disney World, so stay tuned to Disney Food Blog so you never miss anything! 6 New Construction Permits Just Hit 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 What do you think of these new permits? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Our time-saving airport hack almost backfired on us in a major way! Security checkpoint at MCO From navigating security to dealing with unexpected delays and cancellations, we know all too well that flying can be a stressful experience. That’s why we’re always looking for ways to make it easier to navigate. But when we recently used one of our favorite TSA PreCheck hacks, we learned firsthand that it can actually have an unexpected downside if you’re not careful! We recently signed up for TSA PreCheck Touchless ID, which uses facial comparison technology for faster identity verification, letting passengers get through security without taking out their ID. TSA PreCheck Touchless Identity Solution at LaGuardia TSA PreCheck travelers with a valid passport can opt into the program with a participating airline, including American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, ​Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, ​Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. Once TSA confirms the passenger’s enrollment, a TSA PreCheck Touchless ID indicator will appear on the boarding pass, meaning they’re cleared to use the dedicated Touchless ID lanes at the airport.​ American Airlines Plane Of course, even those who are cleared to use the program are instructed to still bring their physical REAL-ID-compliant form of identification along with them, in case it needs to be verified by a TSA officer. Now, let’s get back to our story of how this helpful hack almost came back to bite us… PreCheck signage We used the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID line for a recent flight to see whether it holds up as a time-saving tip. The line did move super fast for us, and we didn’t run into any issues, so we were able to get through security without ever having to pull out our ID — yay! MCO Airport Security We were riding high on successfully taking advantage of the Touchless ID perk… until we got to our gate and realized we forgot our purse at home! That’s right, our bag got left behind in the travel day chaos, and since we didn’t have to pull out our ID at security, we bypassed the typical “built-in purse check” and didn’t realize it was missing until we were literally staring at our plane! Southwest Airlines at MCO Luckily, we did have someone at home who was able to drive our purse to the airport for us. But that meant we had to leave the gate to return allllll the way back to the airport drop-off area to meet them, then go back through security and SPRINT to make our flight. And yes, we thankfully did still make it back in time, but with basically NO time to spare! Southwest Airlines Lesson learned — TSA PreCheck Touchless ID is a great way to save time and navigate security more easily. BUT if you use it when you travel, be sure to double and triple-check that you have your purse/bag/wallet with you, otherwise, you might not realize it’s missing until it’s too late! We’ll keep sharing our favorite travel tips with you — including what to do and, maybe even more importantly, what NOT to do — so stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more updates! 3 New Rules to Know When Flying Economy to 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 used Touchless ID before? Share your experience in the comments! View the full article

Disney World comes out with new snacks each and every week. If that sounds like an exaggeration, we get it, but really, it’s not! Hit or Miss? It’s part of our job to keep up with those new snacks all around the resort. We keep a close eye on menus to see what’s new each and every day, and then make a plan to send our reporters out there to see if the snacks are worth your time and money or not. This past week, we had SIX new snacks all around the resort, but we’ll be the first to tell you that not everything should make it on your list. Toasted Coconut Flan — HIT We snagged the new Toasted Coconut Flan at Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs for $9, and this was a big hit for us. This is Coconut Flan and Coconut Pound Cake, topped with a piece of chocolate and caramelized Pineapple. Toasted Coconut Flan The most prominent flavor here was definitely coconut; it even overpowered the pound cake. This is amazing if you are a coconut fan, but if you’re not a fan of the flavor, we suggest skipping this since it is so strong. The textures of the cake and flan worked very well together, and we think this treat is a real winner for those who enjoy these flavors. REVIEW: This $3 Must-Have Disney World Treat Won’t Be Around for Long Chocolate Caramel Cold Brew Float — HIT Over at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies in Magic Kingdom, you can grab the Chocolate Caramel Cold Brew Float for $7.19. This is Joffrey’s cold brew coffee with chocolate soft-serve and caramel sauce, and this treat got a MAJOR upgrade from what we’ve seen in the past! Chocolate-Caramel Cold Brew Float The chocolate soft serve is the same you’d find across Disney World, with a rich and creamy texture and an ultra-sweet chocolate taste. This is also a great portion size, about as much as a standard ice cream cone, and we really love the way the flavors combine — even those who dislike coffee will enjoy it since it gets quite sweet when mixed all together. It was super refreshing on a hot Magic Kingdom day, and since you’re getting both a coffee and an ice cream, it’s definitely worth it. REVIEW: Did Disney World Soft Serve Get an Upgrade? Apple Crumble Pie — HIT The Apple Crumble Pie at The Cake Bake Shop on Disney’s BoardWalk is $15 (yes, for one slice). This is made with Granny Smith apples, cinnamon, orange zest, all-butter pie crust, and cinnamon butter crumble. This apple pie features twelve Granny Smith apples and was voted Best Apple Pie by RTV6. Apple Crumble Pie This pie is packed with crunchy, sweet apples coated in cinnamon sugar, and has plenty of apple flavor in every bite. The crust is buttery soft, and the oat crumble adds crunch. We couldn’t taste any orange zest, so if that made you worried, you don’t have to stress too much. The slice is six inches tall, so it’s a great portion size and easily shareable. Apple Pie Marie Antoinette — HIT Also available at The Cake Bake Shop is the Apple Pie Marie Antoinette for $15. This is two macaron shells filled with cinnamon caramel buttercream, vanilla pastry cream, apple pie filling, and salted caramel, and wow, was this fun! Apple Pie Marie Antoinette The most prominent flavor is vanilla from the vanilla pastry cream and macaron shells. There’s quite a bit of cinnamon in the cinnamon caramel buttercream, and the salted caramel adds a dark, rich sweetness in every bite. The apple pie filling was sweet with a strong apple flavor, but because it’s only in the middle, you’re not getting apple flavor in every bite like we were expecting, so keep that in mind! REVIEW: We KNOW Apple Desserts at Disney World, but These Are Making Us Question Everything Pistachio Raspberry Cake — MISS The Pistachio Raspberry Cake is available at Les Halles in EPCOT for $5.79. We had really high hopes for this snack, but it ended up being a no for us. This is a Raspberry Cheesecake with White Chocolate Ganache, Pistachio Whipped Cream, Raspberry Jam, and Pistachios, and while we loved how photogenic this is and how creamy the cheesecake was, that’s about where our positives ended. Pistachio Raspberry Cake The pistachio flavor did NOT do it for us because it had an artificial flavor that we just couldn’t get past. We ended up scraping it off the cheesecake to enjoy the cheesecake on its own (and it was better without the pistachio whipped cream). The crust adds more texture than flavor, so we think this would have worked if it had just been the raspberry cheesecake without the pistachio. REVIEW: Our Hopes Were DASHED BY This New Disney World Snack Supernova Sip — Right in The Middle Finally, we grabbed the Supernova Sip from Connections Cafe in EPCOT for $6.49 on September 21st. It was a one-day snack available just for the special Cosmic Rewind celebration where “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire played all day on the ride. This was an…interesting snack that certainly wasn’t going to be for everyone, but we did find ourselves enjoying it after we got used to it. Supernova Sip This is a lemonade with spicy hot honey syrup, edible glitter, topped with cotton candy. This drink was very interesting and was an odd combination of both spicy and refreshing. The spice mostly hit our throats rather than our lips and totally had us gulping water. It definitely wasn’t for anyone who didn’t like spice; that’s for sure! EPCOT Is CROWDED Today and That Can Only Mean ONE Thing… We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the latest Disney dining reviews and all other news, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB! 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 snacks do you want to try? Tell us in the comments! View the full article

Obviously, we are massive theme park fans, but we’re known for ditching the parks for a few weeks, packing a million swimsuits, and hopping on a cruise. And while we normally talk about Disney Cruise Line, this time, we’re involving Royal Caribbean. ©Royal Caribbean Royal Caribbean has just revealed that it bought a stake in the popular Sandals Resorts. According to CNBC, Royal Caribbean has officially agreed to take a 50% equity stake in Sandals, resulting in a three-billion-dollar deal. Sandals Resorts are a collection of all-inclusive hotels across the Caribbean known for their incredible adult-only vacation experiences. ©Royal Caribbean This deal is “expected to boost growth for both companies,” and the transaction is expected to close in early 2027. This partnership also comes after Royal Caribbean’s stock was down 25% last year, and as they complete efforts to start “diversifying beyond cruises and becoming a leader in vacations overall. Royal Caribbean already operates several private destinations for its cruise passengers, but it has been working to build out its land offerings.” Sandals has over a dozen locations across the Caribbean, providing Royal Caribbean with many all-inclusive options. ©Royal Caribbean This is not the only change on the horizon for Royal Caribbean. They also have a brand-new ship, the Legend of the Seas, which debuted several months ago, and the Hero of the Seas is set to start sailing in the summer of 2027. This new ship is set to be the fourth Icon Class Ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet. ©Royal Caribbean Icon Class is the largest cruise ship class in the entire world, holding around 7,600 guests. We are thrilled this new ship is entering the fleet and providing guests with even more world-class amenities, food, and experiences! ©Royal Caribbean We will continue to keep you posted on all of the Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, and other cruise news. So stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog so you never miss anything! Royal Caribbean Announces Their Biggest Ship Ever! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of this Royal Caribbean news? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Is Disney preparing for even more layoffs? If you have been following Disney news recently, you know that layoffs and AI (artificial intelligence) have been two very important topics of conversation. Magic Kingdom Well, Disney’s Chief Legal Officer, Horacio Gutierrez, has warned that more layoffs may be coming in the future in his department. Here is everything we know. According to Deadline, an end-of-week memo from Horacio Gutierrez strongly suggested that there will be both an increase in the use of AI and layoffs throughout the company. ©Walt Disney Company The memo explains, “Obviously, this will require hard choices about where and how we deploy our resources and investments, including our staffing investments, and how we work will look different in the months and years ahead. LGA will be a much smaller organization than it is today, and some of you will personally be affected by decisions we make in this process. As a result, we’ll have to consider a whole range of new models for different workloads, including automating certain workflows by leveraging the latest technologies, moving to self-service models where appropriate, engaging alternative legal providers and others, and new expanded share services, even outsourcing.” Sunset Blvd While never specifically mentioning anything about layoffs or the use of AI, the tone of the memo has left many people worried about the future jobs that will be removed from the company. This message strongly suggests a reduction in employees over the next several years. This memo also came out on the same day Disney revealed that Karandeep Anand would be starting as the company’s first Chief Technology Officer. A decision many people felt was due to the increased use of AI we would be able to see from the company moving forward. Back in August, Disney also started a voluntary early retirement program that allowed certain executives an opportunity to retire early in a cost-cutting effort. EPCOT At this time, while it is clear that Disney is attempting to save money and resources, they have not yet shared any specific plans that include increased layoffs, although it does appear that it will be something that might occur moving forward. We will continue to keep you informed of any and all Disney news, and share with you if Disney announces any layoffs. So stay tuned to Disney Food Blog so you never miss anything. Disney CEO Lays Out Future For Disney+… And It’s NOT What You’d Think! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of this news? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Extended evening hours and a change to a popular ride’s hours are just a couple of the things changing in Animal Kingdom next month. Animal Kingdom We want to make sure you have a smooth and worry-free vacation without any surprises, so here are FOUR changes coming to Animal Kingdom next month! Extended Evening Hours This is a treat for Deluxe Resort guests since Animal Kingdom isn’t (usually) a part of the Extended Evening Hours crew! On Tuesday, October 20th, and Monday, October 26th, Animal Kingdom will be open for Deluxe Resort guests from 6 PM and 8 PM! This is especially great if you’ve ever wanted to see Pandora at night, since it’ll be dark enough to see the bioluminescent lights! We will say, Animal Kingdom is rarely ever open this late, so this really is a big deal! Pandora at night The attractions available at Animal Kingdom during Extended Evening Hours are: Avatar Flight of Passage Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain Na’vi River Journey Zootopia: Better Zoogether! Expedition Everest Guests from the following hotels are eligible for Extended Evening Hours: 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 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 (Please be aware that the extended evening hours benefit applies to Disney Vacation Club Cabins only.) The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa 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 Construction Progress One section of the park is fully closed for the preparation of Pueblo Esperanza, a land inspired by the Tropical Americas set to open in 2027. Since Disney is quickly preparing for its opening, there will be work during the daytime, which means guests may hear (and definitely see) construction. Pueblo Esperanza construction The new land will pull inspiration from the Tropical Americas and include three new attractions! The first is an Encanto attraction — Antonio’s Fiesta de Encanto! The ride will take place INSIDE the Madrigal Casita and follow Antonio’s new gift of communicating with animals! There will be over 50 animals featured, and the attraction will have NO height requirement, so the whole family can enjoy! ©Disney The second attraction will be in the former DINOSAUR ride building and will be called Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent. The ride will feature an Animatronic inspired by the actor of Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford! The attraction will follow Indiana Jones as he explores a Mayan Temple, but of course, there’s trouble along the way. He’ll face all kinds of dangers, including bats, scorpions, flames, and the (very) large serpent! Guests will follow him through an all-out race to escape! Temple model The final attraction is El Carrusel de los Animalitos, which translates to “The Little Animals Carousel.” The classic carousel ride will feature 22 uniquely carved characters that will act as the seats guests will ride on! Some of the featured characters include Pua from Moana, Kevin from Up, Heimlich from A Bug’s Life, and Timon from The Lion King! We recognize these friends! ©Disney Specialty Hot Chocolates As we turn toward the cooler months of the year, some of the dining locations introduce new items! While Disney hasn’t announced when (or if) it’s coming back, Isle of Java has served specialty hot chocolates in the past when the temperatures start to cool down. We’ll be sure to keep an eye out for the menu change and keep you updated with any announcements, but it’s possible that it could happen in October! Isle of Java Hot Cocoa Double Check Safari Hours Because the animals need their rest as much as we do, Kilimanjaro Safaris often closes before the park fully does. The operating hours can be found on both the Disney World website and posted outside of the attraction. Starting October 4th, the attraction will close at 4:45 PM each day as opposed to 6 PM when the park officially closes. Kilimanjaro Safaris If you’re headed to Animal Kingdom this October, remember this list so you can be prepared for your upcoming vacation! Stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more Disney news, updates, tips, and tricks! Could Changes Be Coming to the Festival of the Lion King in Disney’s Animal Kingdom? 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 headed to Animal Kingdom in October? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

In a MAJOR development for Florida’s transportation infrastructure, including the Central Florida area, the passenger rail operator Brightline is set to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Brightline train Brightline confirmed the news in an email, writing, “Brightline has built something truly remarkable — a world-class passenger experience with growing ridership and a service our guests love. That said, we need to right-size our balance sheet to strengthen the business for the long term. So today, entities associated with Brightline utilized Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code to restructure the company’s debt.” In the same email, Brightline stressed that their train schedule and service would not be affected. They specified that: Trains are running on time and on their normal schedules. Your tickets and reservations are unchanged – We’ll see you onboard! Our stations are full of energy, and our team is here to serve you. Brightline Train Station According to Orlando’s News 6, the filing comes after a period of “substantial doubt about Brightline’s ability to continue running because the company did not have the liquid funds to service its debt while meeting upcoming obligations.” According to the outlet, an audit showed Brightline lost $127 million in 2025 and has a total debt listed at $2.26 billion, and the Chapter 11 filing is part of an effort to restructure more than $1 billion in corporate debt. Brightline Orlando Station Interestingly, this financial uncertainty comes at a time of revenue and passenger growth for Brightline thanks to a combination of factors, including climbing gas prices and the addition of more trains and lower fares to attract more short-distance passengers. Between January and May of 2026, Brightline carried 1.5 million riders, a growth of 16% year over year. That comes a year after a record 3.1 million passengers used the service, bringing in $214 million in revenue in the same year. Brightline Trains! The news comes after reports suggest the company might file back in May 2026. Stay tuned to DFB for further updates and travel news. We Used to Joke Orlando Airport Was the Start of Your Disney World Vacation and Now It’s Serious 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 a regular Brightline traveler? Let us know in the comments below. View the full article

Night owls get ready to party the night away in Disney World because late-night entertainment is FINALLY returning to Disney’s BoardWalk. Hurly-Burly The all-new Hurly-Burly lounge officially opens on October 1st, but we got the chance to attend an early preview, so of course, we are bringing you along for the ride as we dive into everything this new space has to offer! Hurly-Burly is an all-new lounge that lets you step back in time to the “golden era of seaside leisure, offering family entertainment by day and splashy live music by night.” When you approach the building, you’ll notice the walk-up window that serves select cocktails. There are even chairs outside where you can sit to enjoy the drinks you’ve just ordered. Walk-up window seating This new experience sits in the home of the former Jellyrolls Dueling Piano Bar that closed permanently back in 2025. Before its closure, Jellyrolls made the BoardWalk one of the only places in Disney World to experience some late-night fun, which is why we are thrilled to have Hurly-Burly opening up. Jellyrolls This lounge will offer family entertainment every day until 9 PM. But then after 9 PM, it turns into an adults-only 21+ experience full of live music and specialty drinks. Let’s get into everything you can expect from a night at Hurly-Burly. Atmosphere When you step inside, you’re welcomed to the Hurly-Burly Theatre. Welcome to the Hurly-Burly Theatre Seating inside really does look like a turn-of-the-century lounge, complete with booths with velvet backs. This is a WHOLE vibe, and we’re feeling it. This is the vibe There are also cushy chairs and tables you can sit at. Plenty of seating We took a little time to look around and just enjoy the atmosphere. You’ll see posters that seem to have come right out of that era. Take time to look around You’ll even see letters of congratulations on the wall. Letters of congratulations This display is giving us The Life of a Showgirl vibes. Wonder who those belonged to? As always, Disney Imagineers didn’t skimp on the details. It’s all in the details Here’s a first look at the menu. Disney already told us all about the food and drinks coming to Hurly-Burly, but seeing the actual paper menu is nice! The menu Okay, now let’s talk about the REALLY important stuff: the food and drinks! Entertainment In terms of Entertainment, you can expect live bands on the stage. We were treated to several different acts, including some singers that did a jazzy version of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition.” One of the live acts The entertainment here is top-notch, as we expected. Drinks We had an opportunity to try the Overture in Orange, one of the non-alcoholic specialties you can order. It’s a nostalgic frozen treat made with Minute Maid Orange Juice topped with sweet cream. It’s almost like an orange slushy with cold foam on top. We were hoping that it was more of a creamsicle flavor, but it needed more of the orange. But it’s still a very light, refreshing drink that’s not overtly sweet. Overture in Orange The Caramel Corn Old Fashioned is made with Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon, caramel corn, and The Bitter Truth Decanter Bitters. This was a good STRONG old fashioned, but we really didn’t get much of the caramel corn flavor. Caramel Corn Old Fashioned Okay, on to the food! Food We also got to try some of the food that will be available, and it all has a nostalgic theme. The Antipasto includes Sliced meats, Burrata, Pecorino Romano, and marinated vegetables. We thought it was like a deconstructed version of an Italian sub sandwich, which is SO appropriate for this space. Antipasto The Roast Beef Sliders are made with shaved roast beef and horseradish-mustard sour cream on slider rolls. On the top is everything seasoning, plus there’s a sweet caramelized onion jam on the beef that just pops with favor. The roast beef itself is tender and savory. Roast Beef Sliders The Meatballs in Tomato Gravy is made up of veal, pork, and beef meatballs with tomato gravy, stracciatella cheese, Pecorino Romano, and toasted focaccia. The meatballs are SO tender with a salty flavor, but you also get a nice acidic tomato-ness from the sauce. The bread is also perfect for mopping up the tomato gravy. Meatballs in tomato gravy The Oven-roasted Shrimp has garlic, herbs, and a sweet pepper-onion relish. The shrimp is salty and garlicky, and that pepper-onion relish just adds a bit of a nice kick. Oven-roasted shrimp The Mini Apple Cider Doughnuts are served with a miso-caramel sauce, and the sauce really adds to the overall apple flavor, so the overall taste is sweet AND savory. Mini Apple Cider Doughnuts We really enjoyed attending this preview of Hurly-Burly, and we cannot wait for everyone to experience this new space when it officially opens on October 1st. We will continue to bring you all of the Disney World news, so stay tuned to Disney Food Blog so you never miss anything! More MAJOR Changes Hit Disney’s BoardWalk 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 Will you be visiting this new lounge when it opens? Let us know in the comments! Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disney World to attend their media preview of Hurly-Burly. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. 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Horror and theme/amusement parks have long been intertwined. From early dark rides through spooky caverns all the way through today’s mega-lands like Dark Universe and seasonal events like Halloween Horror Nights, Knott’s Scary Farm, and (on a lighter level) Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Now, several upcoming European theme park attractions are planned around the most iconic horror character of all: Dracula! ©Dracula Land That’s right, there are currently not one, but TWO theme parks in the planning stages for Romania based around Bram Stoker’s iconic vampire character. If it comes to fruition, Dracula Park Transylvania — shockingly planned to be located in Transylvania– will “combine elements of Central and Eastern European folklore, historical traditions, and contemporary entertainment”, and will aim to “create a complex tourist attraction offering year-round experiences for families, young people, and international visitors alike. The park’s concept is built on storytelling, atmosphere, and experience-based entertainment, while placing strong emphasis on the region’s cultural values.” ©Dracula Park Transylvania According to the design team, if built, the park won’t be an amusement park in the traditional sense. Rather, it’s planned to be a unified historical world with buildings, spaces, and attractions all inspired by medieval Transylvania, where “architecture, visual design, and visitor experience reinforce one another. Every detail is created based on a carefully designed concept, allowing visitors to truly feel as if they have stepped into another era.” In addition to Dracula Park, there is also a Dracula Land planned for Romania, specifically just outside Bucharest. The center of the planned development is the theme park, which will feature Dracula’s castle as the centerpiece, include six themed lands, and include more than 40 attractions focused on both Dracula and other “demons and ghouls present in folklore around the world.” ©Dracula Land Planned lands include: Moonlit District: “A vibrant main street, adorned with ornate, colorful buildings inspired by Bucharest’s architecture. This lively area features attractions, music, and vibrant decorations, offering year-round operation. By closing off the far end, the street remains open into the evening, along with the retail, dining, and entertainment zone outside the park.” Family Kingdom: “This immersive zone offers a unique opportunity to explore legendary figures, from Transylvanian vampires to Middle Eastern ghouls, each rooted in rich folklore. Designed to provide an engaging experience for visitors of all ages, this attraction seamlessly blends cultural mythology with thrilling entertainment, positioning itself as a key feature of the park’s diverse offerings.” ©Dracula Land Transylvania: “An immersive experience that brings the legendary land of Dracula to life. Featuring the breathtaking Carpathian Mountains, a traditional village, and a mysterious forest, this attraction blends rich cultural heritage with thrilling entertainment. Guests will encounter exciting rollercoasters, interactive experiences, and themed dining options, all set within a vibrant atmosphere.” Dracula’s Castle: “The iconic Dracula Castle serves as the park’s centerpiece, captivating guests with its architecture and imposing presence. Guests can explore the castle’s vast grounds, featuring a maze, ancient ruins, and stunning views, or venture inside for an exhilarating experience. Inside, visitors can enjoy thrilling rides like the bat coaster, race through the catacombs to escape Dracula, and discover various themed rooms. Dining is offered in the Great Hall, where guests can savor a meal under Dracula’s watchful gaze.” Port of New Orleans: “The vibrant streets of New Orleans blend French-inspired architecture with the lively energy of Mardi Gras. Guests can explore festive attractions, dine on a riverboat, and venture into the enchanting bayou. With thrilling rides, unique shops, and dining options among moss-covered trees, this immersive experience promises an unforgettable adventure, highlighted by a coaster race with howling werewolves.” London Town: “Guests can dive into immersive experiences, from training as a vampire hunter to shopping in uniquely themed stores filled with exclusive Dracula Land merchandise. Thrilling attractions bring the dark allure of Victorian London to life, while diverse dining options cater to all tastes. This captivating area offers a perfect blend of adventure, mystery, history, and entertainment, ensuring an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.” In addition to the park, the Dracula Land complex is planned to include multiple hotels — including the Dracula Grand Hotel, where “every detail pays homage to the legendary Dracula story,” and the 200-room Dracula Family Hotel, which promises “spacious, themed rooms designed for comfort and fun” and will have several room configurations to accommodate families of all sizes — a racetrack, an arena, a fashion district, and a water park. ©Dracula Land Currently, there are not one but two Dracula-themed parks planned for Romania! Stay tuned to DFB for more on if and when these horror-themed lands come to fruition! We Tried The Deathly Afraid Lanyard At Universal Halloween Horror Nights, And We Have THOUGHTS 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 interested in visiting a Dracula-themed park? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

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