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If you have a sweet tooth, this one was meant for you. What’s better than Ghirardelli Chocolate and the Castle? We all have our favorite Disney treats that can satisfy our sweet tooth. We love chocolate and it’s hard to say no to Disney sweets. Especially if they come from Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop in Disney Springs! Well, Ghirardelli just gave us a gift that keeps giving and we’ve got another Disney recipe for you. Ghirardelli has released their recipe for that ooey, gooey, delicious Hot Fudge Sauce and friends don’t gatekeep, so we’re passing it along to you. So let’s not waste time because we know you’ll want to run to the grocery store after this to grab all the ingredients. Ghirardelli Chocolates Ingredients 1 bar (4 oz) Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Bar 4 tablespoons Butter, cut into chunks 1 1/2 cups Sugar 1/2 cup Water 1/4 cup Light corn syrup 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract Ghirardelli Sundae Alright, now let’s get down to how we make this sauce. Directions In a heavy saucepan, combine the chocolate (broken into 1/4-inch pieces), butter, sugar, water, and light corn syrup. Stir the mixture continuously over medium heat until the chocolate and butter have melted and the sugar has dissolved. When the sauce comes to a boil, lower the heat and continue boiling gently for 10 minutes. Remove the thickened sauce from the heat, and stir in the vanilla extract. Store covered in the refrigerator. To reheat, place in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring after the first 3 minutes. Yum And there you have it — a delicious chocolate sauce in no time. When you make it, you’ll have to tell us how it is. For more Disney recipes, be sure to follow us at Disney Food Blog. Check Out More Sweet Disney Recipes Here Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Will you be making this recipe at home? Let us know in the comments below. The post Make an Iconic Dessert from a Disney Springs Spot at Home first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’re ready to book the ULTIMATE Disney vacation, the time to act is NOW. ©Disney Sure, you could book a Disney Cruise, hop over to Disneyland for all the holiday fun later this year, or even check out some epic hotel rooms at Tokyo Disneyland Resort. But what if you could visit EVERY SINGLE Disney park around the world and MORE all in one trip in less than 30 days? Sounds like the trip of a lifetime, right? Well, now it can be YOURS. This epic (and EXPENSIVE) $100,000 Disney experience sold out FAST last year and now it’s available to book again! What we’re talking about is called Adventures by Disney: Disney Parks Around the World — A Private Jet Adventure. This really is a trip of epic proportions. You’ll take off on a 24-day private jet vacation that includes stops at ALL 12 Disney Parks, the Walt Disney Studios, some iconic spots around the globe, and more. Cinderella Castle Your journey begins in California where you’ll get to visit Los Angeles, Anaheim, and San Francisco. But the adventure also includes stops in Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Agra, Cairo, Paris, and Orlando. Along the trip, you’ll be able to visit the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the Taj Mahal in India, the Lucasfilm Campus, and other spots. Plus, you’ll get the chance to stay at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Fairmont San Francisco, Tokyo Disneyland Hotel, Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, The Oberoi Amarvilas, Marriott Mena House in Cairo, among other spots. ©Adventures by Disney You’ll get 69 meals too — so get ready to eat. But this trip will NOT come cheap. It starts at $114,995!! Trip dates are available from June 16th-July 9th 2024, or July 28th-August 20th, 2024. While select guests were able to book the trip before, June 19th marks the start of booking becoming available for ALL guests. So if this sounds like a trip you simply cannot miss out on — and you’ve got the cash to spend to go on it — get booking NOW. You can book by calling Adventures by Disney at (855) 996-2442 or by contacting your Travel Advisor. Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland Don’t want to plan your next Disney trip alone? You don’t have to! Reach out to our friends over at Small World Vacations. They’ve got years of experience and can help take the stress out of your trip-planning experience. Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/customemailexample.jpg Stay tuned for more Disney news! Click here to learn about why you might want to budget an extra $170 for your trip to Disney’s Hollywood Studios! 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Would you ever book this Disney trip? Do you think it’s worth the cost? Tell us in the comments! The post The 0,000 😳 Disney Experience of a Lifetime Is Now Available to Book first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We normally don’t talk about Bruno, but we’re so excited right now that we have to. Bruno! A little back story: one of our FAVORITE parts about last year’s Oogie Boogie Bash at Disneyland was the opportunity to meet Bruno from Disney’s Encanto. We know that other Disney fans also appreciated this aspect of the event — after all, Bruno has inspired countless T-shirts, merchandise items, and even social media trends since the movie’s release in 2021. Well, if you’re a fan of Bruno, you’re gonna want to make like Dolores and listen up. Disney is currently hosting an open casting call in attempt to find a character performer to portray Bruno at Disney World! This means that a Bruno meet-and-greet could be on its way to Disney World. Auditions are available by appointment only for select times on July 8th, 2023 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Rehearsal Facility. ©Disney Disney is looking for someone between 5’6″ and 5’9″ with an athletic build. Further, they wish for the character performer to have an “expressive, careful, and selfless personality.” ©Disney We’re SO excited about potentially meeting Bruno soon! We don’t know which park he will be in or whether or not the addition will be permanent or just for the holiday parties. While we hope this might be something that’ll stick around in the parks, Bruno could only be visiting for a little while for specially-ticketed events. BRUNO! We’ll be sure to let you know as soon as we have details, though! Make sure to follow along for more so that you never miss a thing. Click here to see details regarding Bruno (and more fun stuff!) at Oogie Boogie Bash! 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Would you go visit Bruno at Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney World Just Dropped a MAJOR Hint About a NEW Character Meet and Greet! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Are you a sushi fan? When planning a trip to Disney World, sushi probably isn’t the first food that comes to mind. However, you’ll find much more than typical theme park food on your next Disney vacation. Sushi You can order sushi at various restaurants including: California Grill, Kona Island Sushi Bar, Katsura Grill, Morimoto Asia, and Kimonos. You may find pre-packaged sushi at Sunshine Seasons and grab-and-go sections in food courts and resort Quick Service locations. During the holiday season and at other EPCOT festivals, look for sushi at the marketplace booths. Sushi Tree So, let’s dig in to your best sushi options at Walt Disney World. California Grill California Grill atop Disney’s Contemporary Resort boasts memorable views and market-inspired menus. California Grill Sushi The current three course menu features several sushi options as appetizers. FULL REVIEW of the NEW Menu at California Grill Restaurant in Disney World Katsura Grill Katsura Grill is a BEAUTIFUL counter-service dining location nestled in the gardens of the Japan Pavilion. Tokyo Sushi Combo The sushi here is prepackaged but it’s still pretty good. Disney Food Blog REVIEW & PHOTOS: Katsura Grill Is a Hidden Gem Worth Trying In EPCOT Kimonos Kimonos at the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel offers traditional Japanese sushi and cuisine in a contemporary atmosphere. The sushi is definitely the biggest draw of Kimonos, but they also offer soups, salads, and several other appetizers and small plates. Sushi Platter from Kimonos If you’re a long time fan of sushi or a newbie looking for a great spot to tip your toes into the world of the Japanese specialty, this spot won’t disappoint. The Complete Guide to Eating at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resorts Kona Cafe Aloha from Kona Café in Disney World’s Polynesian Village Resort! A highlight here for many guests is the Sushi menu. Polly Lolly Roll The Polly Lolly Roll is striking in its presentation and generous in its portion. This stunning dish features fried soft shelled crab, shrimp tempura and crawfish tails plated with grilled asparagus, chives, a spicy mayo, and garnished with more than a sprinkle tobiko (fish eggs). Seriously, it’s HUGE. Even better, it is really good. Review: New Menu Items at Kona Cafe in Disney World’s Polynesian Village Resort Kona Island If you’re short on time, consider stopping at Kona Island during lunch and dinner hours. You’ll find pre-packaged sushi here. Kona Grab ‘n Go Sushi Look for California Rolls, Spicy Tuna Rolls, and more options in the To Go case. Recipe: Learn How to Make Baby Yoda Sushi! Morimoto Asia For an elegant and delicious lunch or dinner featuring great sushi, make a reservation at Morimoto Asia. Spicy Tuna Roll form Morimoto Asia There’s a sushi bar on the second floor — don’t worry, though — specialty rolls and platters are up for ordering even if you’re seated in one of the dining rooms. Iron Chef Morimoto Shares Sushi Roll RECIPE and His BEST Sushi Tips Splitsville Luxury Lanes Splitsville Luxury Lanes at Disney Springs has more than just bowling, they also have a wide assortment of food, like their hand-rolled sushi! Golden Spider Roll In fact, the sushi rolls are a crowd favorite menu option for us and other guests. We suggest the Golden Spider Roll. This roll features tempura-fried soft-shell crab, cucumber, and avocado wrapped in soy paper and sushi rice topped with diced mango, honey wasabi, eel sauce, and micro greens. This dish is not only gorgeous but also fresh and delicious! Read our past reviews of the sushi rolls here! Takumi-Tei Takumi-Tei is a signature restaurant in EPCOT’s Japan pavilion. This place is very pricey but we’ve eaten quite possibly one of the BEST plates of sushi ever here. Sushi The pieces of nigiri here were on another level. For an extra-special splurge, consider the Chef’s Table Experience. REVIEW: Come With Us to EPCOT’s Hidden (and Pricey!) Restaurant Teppan Edo You’ll find Teppan Edo in EPCOT’s Japan Pavilion, on the second floor of the Mitsukoshi Department Store building. Because Teppan Edo is a Teppanyaki restaurant (your food is prepared in front of you), the tables are set up family-style around a large grill. Each table has its own personal chef that will be cooking and entertaining you throughout the meal. Volcano Roll There are a few different menu offerings that don’t require the grill and are prepared in the back of the house, like the appetizers and sushi. We love the Volcano Roll! REVIEW: One Reason You Might SKIP a Near-Perfect EPCOT Restaurant And a NEW restaurant is coming to EPCOT as well. Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya will be opening this summer! Disney has shared some of the menu items, and in addition to a full menu filled with Japanese cuisine like sushi and teppan items, there will be an open sushi bar and grill. ©Disney The restaurant will be on the second floor of the Japan Pavilion, and offer great views of EPCOT’s fireworks. The restaurant will bring the “essence of Japan’s seasonal festivals,” and each month there will be a new celebration. From pre-packaged sushi at Quick Service Restaurants to beautiful sushi presentations at Table Service spots, Walt Disney World will surprise sushi fans with a variety of delectable menu items! 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Where’s your favorite sushi spot in Walt Disney World? Share below!The post The Ultimate Guide To The BEST Sushi in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney just announced lots of details about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in 2023, but should you actually consider SKIPPING Magic Kingdom‘s holiday event of the year?! The Holidays Are COMING! Celebrating the most magical time of the year in The Most Magical Place on Earth seems like an obvious choice, but there’s one REALLY good reason why you might NOT want to be in Magic Kingdom this upcoming holiday season. You may want to ditch Magic Kingdom this holiday season and instead make your way over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios because there’s a brand NEW party coming to that park in 2023. Disney’s Hollywood Studios What is this new party, and is it really worth skipping the classic Magic Kingdom party? Let’s dig into it and find out. The NEW Holiday Party — Jollywood Nights Disney Jollywood Nights is a new, separately ticketed event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that will take place from 8:30PM to 12:30AM on ten select nights from November 11th through December 20th, 2023. Ticket prices will range from $159 to $179 per person, and tickets go on sale beginning July 6th. If you have reservations to stay at a Disney World hotel (or at the Swan and Dolphin hotels or Shades of Green) during one of the party nights, you can start buying tickets EARLY, on June 29th. ©Disney Here are the dates for the party: November: 11th,18th, 20th, 27th, 29th December: 4th, 6th, 16th, 18th, 20th Like other After Hours events, many rides will stay open during the party, including (but not limited to) Slinky Dog Dash, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (which will operate with a virtual queue). These rides will likely have much shorter lines than normal since the party will be a limited-capacity event. Slinky Dog Dash Some of the party-exclusive offerings include a Latin Street Fair on Commissary Lane complete with live music, a live holiday special hosted by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy at Theater of the Stars (where guest stars like Tiana and Belle will also make an appearance), and a Nightmare Before Christmas singalong at Hyperion Theater, hosted by Jack Skellington and Oogie Boogie. Jack and Sally There are a couple of exclusive experiences coming to the party as well (Disney hasn’t announced exactly HOW exclusive these experiences will be, but they confirmed they will both be limited-capacity). The Hollywood Tower Hotel Courtyard will feature an “otherworldly soiree” with a ghostly band. The idea here is that Disney has recreated the Tip Top Club from the Tower of Terror lore. Tower of Terror The Hollywood Brown Derby will be home to a swingin’ good time too, as it’s transformed into a jazz lounge. It will become a singalong piano bar with live music, playing songs from the 20s through the 50s in a speakeasy-inspired party. The Hollywood Brown Derby There will be unique character meet-and-greets throughout the park, including the following: Mickey Mouse — Animation Courtyard Minnie Mouse (and the rest of the iconic gang) — Animation Courtyard Powerline Max — Echo Lake Phineas and Ferb — Echo Lake Edna Mode and one of her super friends — Pixar Place “Moooom! Phineas and Ferb are coming out for Jollywood Nights!” The nighttime show “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” will be returning this year. The show features holiday music, fireworks, special effects, and projections. Tower of Terror Holiday Projections Finally, we can’t forget about the FOOD! Look out for snacks like Spicy Korean Chicken on a Mini Funnel Cake, a Christmas Tree Cookie Stack inspired by the iconic Echo Lake Christmas Tree, and specialty cocktails and holiday beverages. ©Disney With lots of brand-new offerings, we can’t wait to experience Jollywood Nights for the first time this year. But is it really worth skipping Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party? Which Party Is ACTUALLY Better for You? Whether or not you should skip Mickey’s Very Merry to attend Jollywood Nights will depend on your group and your preferences. Although Jollywood Nights looks super fun, we think that younger kids will probably still enjoy the Magic Kingdom party a little bit more. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Mickey’s Very Merry is the more classic Disney holiday party option. You get the iconic holiday decorations on Main Street, and kids will love the colorful holiday projections on Cinderella Castle. Little ones might not be super interested in an “otherworldly soiree” at Tower of Terror (in fact, it’s possible that it’d scare them a little bit), but they’ll love waving to Santa at the Christmas Parade in Magic Kingdom. It doesn’t sound like there will be a parade at all at the Hollywood Studios version. SANTA at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party If you haven’t been to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party before and want that classic holiday experience, then you should probably stick with the Magic Kingdom party. However, if you’ve already attended that party in the past and you want to try something new, then Jollywood Nights sounds like the ideal option! Jollywood Nights Another thing to consider is the rides available during the parties. Both parks will have some big-ticket rides open, and those rides will likely have much shorter wait times than normal (since these events are limited-capacity). If you’re dying to get on Rise of the Resistance and Slinky Dog Dash, then Jollywood Nights is the way to go. However, if you can’t wait to ride TRON Lightcycle / Run and want to tackle Seven Dwarfs Mine Train on the same night, then Mickey’s Very Merry can’t be beat. TRON Lightcycle / Run And remember that there’s a NEW Cinderella Castle show coming to Magic Kingdom this year, with a Frozen theme. This show will be available during the day AND during the after hours party, so even if you opt for Jollywood Nights instead of Very Merry, you can still check it out during the day. ©Disney Overall, we think that Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is best for groups with younger kids and for people who haven’t been to a Disney World holiday party before. Jollywood Nights sounds like a good party for adults and older kids, especially those who want to tackle more intense rides than you’ll find at Magic Kingdom. The Hollywood Studios event is also great for people who have been to Very Merry a few times and want to try something new. But should you just ditch the decision and go to BOTH parties? You could! The parties take place around the same time (November and December), but some of the dates are not the same. For example, you could go to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on November 10th and Jollywood Nights on November 11th. Welcome to the party! | photo from 2022 The problem with that plan is the budget. Jollywood Nights costs between $159 and $179 per person, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ranges from $159 to $199 per adult (and $149 to $189 per child ages 3 to 9). However, those party tickets may not be much more expensive than a general admission park ticket during peak holiday times, so you could consider NOT buying park tickets and ONLY buying holiday party tickets instead. (You do NOT have to have a normal park day ticket in order to buy a holiday party ticket.) Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in 2022! At least for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, an event ticket gets you in the door as early as 4PM, with the party from 7PM to midnight. 4PM to midnight is a pretty good amount of time to get everything done that you want to do in the park! Disney hasn’t confirmed whether attendees for Jollywood Nights will get in early, but that party is from 8:30PM to 12:30AM. Hollywood Studios after-hours Which is really the better option? It’s up to you! We’ll be at the first night of Jollywood Nights to cover all the new offerings, so we’ll know better then whether the new party is really worth the cost. If you want help planning your upcoming holiday vacation, check out our friends over at Small World Vacations. They have years of experience planning Disney World trips, so they can save you time, headaches, and — best of all — money. Their services are completely free! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/customemailexample.jpg Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news! Click here to learn all about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. DON'T MISS A MOMENT OF HOLIDAY MAGIC The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2023 is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World. It includes over 400 pages of must-have information, including: A full What's New!! chapter for the 2023 Holiday Season The COMPLETE schedule of events for the Holiday Season How to avoid the crowds on Disney World's busiest days (and when Disney World closes their parks due to capacity!) ALL of the events, activities, and holiday additions in Walt Disney World. ALL. OF. THEM. And, of course, we'll tell you where to eat! Save 20% on the 2023 DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays with code PEPPERMINT. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW MORE Disney World Holiday INFO! Learn About Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Get the Latest Information About the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays We’ll Take This Little Golden Disney Book in Our Stocking, Santa! Everything You Need to Know About Disney World Holiday Dining and Events What We Wish We’d Known Before Going to Disney World During the Holidays Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest holiday news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Which party sounds more fun to you? Let us know in the comments. The post Why You Should SKIP Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party This Year first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney is NOT slowing down when it comes to construction and you need to be prepared! Tree of Life Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana is making progress in EPCOT, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is slowly coming together in Magic Kingdom, and there is lots of work going on over at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. But recently we spotted ANOTHER construction project that has popped up — this time, over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Before we hop into the update if you’re planning to visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom soon, check out our FREE checklist! It covers the entire park and will help you make the most of your trip while there. Click below to download it. Alright, so just what construction is going on? Well, as we strolled through Animal Kingdom we encountered some unexpected construction walls that had popped up in the Africa section of the park. Construction Walls! Generally, things in the area were still accessible. The walls just made one particular walkway narrower — so be prepared for some congestion here if you hit it during a peak time. Walkway We spoke with a Cast Member who said that they believed the work being done in this area is just a touch-up of some facades — nothing major. Granted, this is just what we were informed by one Cast Member but we’ll keep an eye out for updates. Construction Walls Still, these walls are something you’ll want to be aware of and prepared to encounter on upcoming trips until the construction is all done. More of the Walls And in case you’re wondering, yes, even the construction signs are themed! You can see that it comes from the “ministry of public works” for “Harambe.” Construction Sign Interestingly, this doesn’t seem to be the only work happening in Animal Kingdom. Back in May, we spotted a permit filed for work at an address that seemed to tie to Harambe Market. The work was “general construction” to be done by Carter Electric. That may not be related to these construction walls whatsoever but it is interesting to see what other work is going on in the park. We’ve also spotted permits relating to multiple kiosks within the DinoLand U.S.A. area, and even some for electrical work at the Expedition Everest restrooms. It seems the work at Disney is neverending! Animal Kingdom We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more construction all throughout the parks and let you know what we see. Click here to see why we had to walk through a literal construction zone to pick up our food at one Disney World hotel and check out some mysterious construction walls in Hollywood Studios. 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What upcoming project are you most excited about at Disney? Tell us in the comments. The post Mysterious Construction Walls Appear in Disney’s Animal Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Whether or not you’re visiting Disney World, Orlando International Airport (MCO) is a popular (and very busy) hub for both domestic and international travel. Orlando International Airport MCO is a popular airport location for both layovers and direct flights headed to Disney World. But sometimes, you just can’t find the flight you need. And if you’re looking to tack on a Caribbean vacation to the end of your trip, we’ve got some good news. Folks, it’s time to get excited! MCO announced that starting June 18th, 2023, nonstop flights to Freeport, Bahamas via Bahamasair will RESUME for the summer travel season. Plus, some of these flights are as low as $118 round trip per person, not including tax and extra fees. ©Bahamasair If you’re hoping to head to the Bahamas for your summer vacation this is big news. However, if you want to pair a Bahamas vacation with a Disney World vacation this year, it could be even better news. Disney World You can vacation at Disney World for a few days before flying to the Bahamas where you can round out the rest of your vacation in the tropics in a truly relaxing setting. If you’re hoping to snag some of these plane tickets, just visit the Bahamasair website. Make sure to let us know if you do! Will you combine a magical and tropical vacation? Want help booking your Disney World vacation? Our friends over at Small World Vacations have tons of experience booking magical trips and can help you save time, headaches, and money when you plan! And the best part? Their services are completely FREE. Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/customemailexample.jpg We’ll continue to keep you updated with all things Disney and travel news. Make sure to follow along for more. Looking for more flights to and from Orlando? Click here! Travel Updates, Tips, and Tricks Complete Guide to Booking the CHEAPEST Flight to Disney World What to Do if Your Flight to Disney World Is Canceled Our Best Tips For Flying Through the Orlando International Airport Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get to Disney World From the Orlando Airport You’re SLEEPING on These Packing Hacks Air Travel Tips That’ll Change Your Life 8 Catastrophic Travel Mistakes and How to Solve Them The Airline with the MOST Flight Delays and Cancellations This Small Change Will Save You From Lost Luggage The Best Disney Luggage for 2023 21 Things a Former Flight Attendant Needs You To Know 7 Highest-Rated Travel Items on Amazon Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click Here to Subscribe Will you be taking advantage of the return of these nonstop flights with Bahamasair? Let us know in the comments! The post NEW Nonstop Flights Added for Orlando International Airport! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The Intricate Art of Disney’s Riviera Resort | Disney Files On DemandView the full article

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. A trip to Disney World is fun, magical, full of delicious eats and drinks (at least if you’re anything like us), and more. But, it’s also downright expensive. Slinky Dog Dash In fact, seeing the final price tag on a Disney vacation might make your jaw drop, and we don’t blame you. Between securing your hotel, purchasing park tickets, planning out your meals, and more, the cost of your trip can add up fast. But, that’s why it’s so important to us that we help YOU save as much money as possible with Disney deals and discounts! And we have another little tip that can help you save even more! Disney accepts many forms of payments — cash, credit card, MagicBands, and Disney Gift Cards. And though you might think to use a Disney Gift Card to pay for merchandise at a souvenir shop or for those iconic Mickey Ice Cream Bars at a snack kiosk, did you know you can also use Disney Gift Cards to pay for your entire vacation package? Disney gift cards can be used for practically all things Disney: To pay for Disney vacations, including hotels and tickets. These include visits to: Walt Disney World resort, Disneyland resort, Aulani, Disney Cruise Line, Hilton Head, Island, Vero Beach, and Adventures by Disney For pretty much anything else you purchase from Disney at those locations At Disney Stores nationwide At ShopDisney.com Dollar-for-dollar, Disney gift cards are (like all gift cards) worse than cash since they can only be spent at Disney locations. But if you’re already committed to spending a significant amount of money at a Disney destination, then they’ll be basically as good as cash for you. Disney 100 Gift Card There are even ways to get discount Disney gift cards, and that’s where the real value lies. If you’re taking a Disney vacation anyway and are able to get Disney gift cards at a discount, there are some good opportunities to save. How Much Can You Save? You can reasonably expect to save between 5% and 10% on your trip using discount Disney gift cards. You can also find ways of getting gift cards for less by using credit card points, or cash-back incentives, but we’re not going to dig into the financial pros and cons of credit cards, interest, reward programs, annual fees, and all that goes into a decision to get a credit card. We just wanna address the easiest way to find Disney Gift Cards for less. Who wouldn’t love Mickey saying Happy Birthday? The more straightforward discount is when you purchase a gift card for less than the value of the card. Like getting $50 in Disney gift cards for $45 cash is a purchase of discount Disney gift cards. Where To Buy Disney Gift Cards You can buy Disney gift cards at a discount at many locations both online and in a store, such as: BJ’s Wholesale Sam’s Club Target BJs Disney Gift Card Discount Pros & Cons BJ’s is a wholesale club that offers a variety of discounts on Disney gift cards of different amounts. The discount availability varies, but members can typically get a $500 gift card for $480, or 4% off. There are occasionally additional sales and bonuses available, like around the holiday season when you might get up to 6% off. Aurora Gift Card Let’s look at some quick math. If you want to book a stay at Disney’s Port Orleans-French Quarter for 6 nights from November 5th through November 11th, it’ll run you about $1,983. If you pay for that with 4 Disney Gift Cards purchased with the BJ’s discount, you’ll end up saving yourself $80! That savings can buy you 10 Mickey Pretzels! Pros: can pay with any method Cons: only save 4%, must have a club membership, limited locations BJ’s has a $55 minimum annual membership fee. Occasionally, they may offer a one-day pass or a free trial, so if you happen to stumble across one of these options, then this deal might work out in your favor. Target Disney Gift Card Discount Pros & Cons Target issues “REDCards,” and when you make purchases from Target using your REDCard, you get 5% off. While this discount excludes purchases of Target gift cards, it does NOT exclude purchases of Disney gift cards, which you can purchase at Target. That’s an easy 5% to save if you can’t access the best method. Disney Gift Card Let’s look at that same scenario above. If you want to book a stay at Disney’s Port Orleans-French Quarter for 6 nights from November 5th through November 11th, it’ll run you about $1,983. If you pay for that with 4 Disney Gift Cards purchased with the Target REDCard discount, you’ll end up saving yourself $100! That savings can buy you 6 Turkey Legs! Pros: can get them in-store or online, 5% savings Cons: must pay with a REDcard Sam’s Club Disney Gift Card Discount Pros & Cons Sam’s Club is also a wholesale club that offers a variety of discounts on Disney gift cards of different amounts. The discount availability varies, but members can typically get a $200 gift card for $185, or 7.5% off. There are occasionally additional sales and bonuses available, like around the holiday season. OoooO The Perfect Gift for a Disney Movie Fan Pros: save 7.5%, can pay with any method Cons: must have a $45 membership Let’s take a final look at that same scenario above. If you want to book a stay at Disney’s Port Orleans-French Quarter for 6 nights from November 5th through November 11th, it’ll run you about $1,983. If you pay for that with 10 Disney Gift Cards purchased with the Sam’s Club discount, you’ll end up saving yourself $150! That savings can buy you 21 Pineapple DOLE Whip Floats! Buy one or…21 with your savings! These are our tried-and-true gift card discounts. Around the holidays, you might find additional discount offerings, like when we found some $50 Disney Gift Cards at Best Buy for only $45. We hope this little tip helps you save some money! With all the recent price increases and added expenses in Disney World, every little money-saving tip can help! Be sure to stay tuned as we look for more Disney deals and other news. 51 Free Things to Do in Disney World in 2023 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What is your favorite Disney discount? Let us know in the comments below! The post How To Get Discounted Disney Gift Cards first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The celebration of 100 Years of The Walt Disney Company is in full swing. Disney100 decorations at Magic Kingdom In the parks, you’ll find Disney100 decorations in the stores and at the entrances. You can find special merchandise collections at the parks and online. We’ve even seen some Disney World rides change for the celebration. But if you haven’t been to the parks, Disney is now giving you a way to enjoy the celebration right from your couch. Disney+ will begin debuting a collection of 27 newly restored Walt Disney Animation Studios classic shorts in celebration of the 100th anniversary. You can catch them starting on Friday, July 7th, and each short will feature characters we know and love such as Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Chip n’ Dale, and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Oswald Disney100 Collection at Magic Kingdom Films will include classics as well as lesser-known titles. The collection will include “examples of Disney’s earliest theatrical shorts“. According to the Walt Disney Company, the short films were restored by Walt Disney Studios Restoration and Preservation team which is led by director Kevin Schaeffer. Schaeffer worked closely with creative advisors from Walt Disney Animation Studios. Dorothy McKim, special projects and 2D animation producer, along with color supervision by Mike Giaimo and animator Eric Goldberg are a part of the same team that restored Cinderella and that is currently working on a restoration of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Walt Disney and Mickey Here’s a list of the dates and films titles that will be released on Disney+: Friday, July 7: The Skeleton Dance (1929) Building a Building (1933) Bath Day (1946) Figaro and Frankie (1947) Goofy Gymnastics (1949) Aquamania (1961) Friday, August 11: Barnyard Olympics (1932) Mickey’s Steam Roller (1934) Donald’s Nephews (1938) Goofy and Wilbur (1939) Donald’s Cousin Gus (1939) The Flying Jalopy (1943) September 5–8: Trolley Troubles (1927) All Wet (1927) The Barn Dance (1929) Playful Pluto (1934) Mickey’s Kangaroo (1935) Merbabies (1938) Bone Trouble (1940) Pluto, Junior (1942) Friday, October 6: When the Cat’s Away (1929) Fiddling Around (1930) Camping Out (1934) Wynken, Blynken and Nod (1938) Old Macdonald Duck (1941) Inferior Decorator (1948) Chips Ahoy (1956) Happy 100th Anniversary from Donald Duck! Chips Ahoy, a 1956 CinemaScope short, will conclude the series, leading up to The Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary on Monday, October 16. This short will feature Donald Duck. ©Disney If you are interested in these, be sure to subscribe to Disney+ to have access to these newly restored films. For more Disney news, be sure to follow us at DFB. Check Out The Latest Disney100 Collection Available NOW Learn More About Disney 100 Years of Wonder – The 100th Anniversary Celebration! More Details Revealed About the 100th Anniversary Celebration at Disney World ALL of the Disney 100th Anniversary Merchandise You Can Get Online Right NOW! The New 100th Anniversary Disney Credit Card Design Is HERE 4 Unexpected Announcements for Disney’s 100th Anniversary Refillable Mugs Have CHANGED in Disney World Hotels! Get ALL of the Latest Updates on the 100th Anniversary Celebration Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox -- Click Here to Subscribe Will you be tuning in to watch these short films? Let us know in the comments. The post Disney Just Gave Us 27 Reasons To Sit on Our Couch and Watch TV first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Stitch fans, this one is for you! We found the perfect items to add to your summer souvenir collection. It’s hard not to love him! Experiment 626 has been stealing our hearts since 2002 when he made his debut in Lilo & Stitch. Now, we are anxiously awaiting for the live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch to hit the screens. If you can’t wait for the film, you can find him causing trouble in Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom. But if that’s not enough Stitch for you, we might have found the perfect merchandise collection!. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. This Stitch collection is full of bright colors and fun patterns to get you in a summer state of mind. Let’s take a look at some of the items from the collection together because who doesn’t need more Stitch merchandise, right? Stitch MagicBand+ Stitch MagicBand+ First, This Stitch MagicBand+ is giving us all the summer vibes. The bright blue band features bright neon colors of Hawaiian flowers. The center of the band features the beloved character catching a wave. If you’re headed to the parks soon, this could be a great addition to your trip. MagicBand+ can be linked to your park passes and lightning lanes. It also interacts with things around the park. View on shopDISNEY Stitch Bucket Hat Stitch Bucket Hat at EPCOT Next, this Stitch Bucket Hat is sure to make you stand out. You’ll see that the hat matches the same pattern featured on the MagicBand+ above. Are you noticing a trend here? While this hat takes us back to the 90s with its style and colors, we love it. It would be a great item to pack with you as you walk around the parks this summer. View on shopDISNEY Lilo & Stitch Baublebar Necklace Set Stitch Baublebar Necklace This Lilo & Stitch Necklace Set by BaubleBar is the perfect addition to your summer outfit. It comes with two necklaces that you can pair together or wear separately. The first necklace is shorter in length and spells out “Aloha” in beads. The second, longer necklace features Stitch in sunglasses surrounded by bright and colorful beads. View on shopDISNEY Stitch Earrings by Baublebar Stitch Baublebar Earrings in Magic Kingdom Finally, these Stitch Earrings by Baublebar are just adorable. You can have Stitch hang around with you all day with these — see what we did there? These earrings feature an embellished Stitch hanging from a bright red hibiscus flower. These are a great way to add Stitch to your look. View on shopDISNEY Hi, Stitch! What’s not to love about this collection featuring our favorite troublemaker? For more Disney merch ideas, follow us at DFB. Check Out The Latest Disney100 Collection That Just Dropped 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Which of these Stitch items will you be adding to your must-have list? Let us know in the comments below. The post Disney Just Released New STITCH Merchandise! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re about to head out on an adventure… We love Adventureland We’re going to Adventureland! If you can’t NOT pop into The Enchanted Tiki Room when you visit this iconic land in Disney World or Disneyland, you’ll want to grab your wallet RIGHT NOW because a new Adventureland-inspired collection is now available online. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. This post is dedicated to ENCHANTED TIKI ROOM MERCHANDISE! We know that the feathered friends that inhabit the Tiki Room have a pretty impressive following, so we figured some of you might LOVE these new merchandise items. Let’s check it out! Grab the Enchanted Tiki Room Shorts for Men ©Disney These Tiki Room shorts feature an Adventureland-inspired all-over print, and a small image of José in the bottom left corner of the shorts leg. There’s even a drawstring waist for extra comfort! View on shopDisney Grab the Enchanted Tiki Room Shirt for Men ©Disney You can also grab the matching button-up shirt to match the shorts! On the front, there’s an image of a palm tree, and on the back, you’ll find some of the famous Enchanted Tiki Room birds. View on shopDisney Grab the Enchanted Tiki Room Dress ©Disney Last but not least, you can grab this Enchanted Tiki Room dress! The dress has a tie-front, and at the bottom of the dress, you’ll find some tropical florals as well as the Tiki Room birds. View on shopDisney We’ll keep an eye out for MORE new Disney merchandise, too, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more! While you’re in the shopping mood…have you checked our DFB exclusive graphic tees and merch? It’s super fun stuff to wear to the parks, or to rep your happy place at the grocery store! Click here to visit the DFB Merch Store! Check Out This Amazon Luggage Under $100 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What’s your favorite Adventureland ride? Let us know in the comments! The post We Do NOT Need To Spend 0 on Disney’s New Enchanted Tiki Room Collection, But We Might Do It Anyway first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You know what’s a MASSIVE challenge in Disney World? Main Street Cinema Practicing self-restraint in the many gift shops! Every time we walk in one, we’re tempted left and right with new souvenirs like Loungefly backpacks, new collections, Spirit Jerseys, and more. Recently, we had an especially difficult day…you know why? Because Disney World released not one, but THREE pairs of Minnie ears in the same day! We already told you about the whimsically fantastic Figment Minnie Ears that dropped in EPCOT (and then subsequently sold out in the same day!), but that isn’t the only new accessory you’ll find. Figment Minnie Ears Also at EPCOT, we spotted these new Disney100 Minnie Ears at Creations Shop! They’re covered in artwork with different animated Disney characters and according to the tag, they’re made with ultraviolet paint. New Disney100 ears! You can pick these up for $34.99 and we think the attention to detail is absolutely stunning. The artwork has the effect of looking hand-painted directly onto the ears. Look at that detail! When you put the ears in direct sunlight, the colors change on the bow — the music notes will turn from white to purple! We had a hard time with the effect since it was a cloudy day, but we could see the change outdoors faintly. The bow is finished off with a Mickey Mouse piece! And on the backside of the ars, you’ll notice the Disney100 logo. A great souvenir to remember a special year! The other pair of ears we spotted were over in Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Keystone Clothiers. Say hello to the Spider-Gwen/Ghost-Spider Minnie Ears! These are part of the new Across the Spider-Verse collection. New ears! They’ve got the character’s icon in the middle of the bow, which is made of a pink fabric that reminds us a lot of spiderwebs. This is rare character merch! If you want to pick up a pair of these or shop the rest of the collection, make sure to check out Keystone Clothiers for Marvel and Star Wars merch. The ears are $34.99. We spotted them in Hollywood Studios! We’ll be on the lookout for more must-have souvenirs, so stay tuned to DFB in the coming days and weeks for all the updates from Disney World. If you’re traveling soon, keep following along for the latest news! While you’re in the shopping mood…have you checked our DFB exclusive graphic tees and merch? It’s super fun stuff to wear to the parks, or to rep your happy place at the grocery store! Click here to visit the DFB Merch Store! Click Here to Check Out a NEW Disney100 Collection! 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Which pair of ears would you buy? Tell us in the comments! The post Disney World Now Has COLOR-CHANGING Minnie Ears! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are a few things that could potentially ruin your Disney World vacation: really bad weather, rides breaking down, and meltdowns in the park are just a few. But what about getting KICKED OUT of the parks altogether? That’d certainly put a damper on your plans. Walt Disney World Generally, as long as you’re being a decent, good human (you know — being nice to people, not causing a scene or getting into fights, the usual stuff), you’re very unlikely to get kicked out of the parks. However, there are a couple of more unique rules in Disney World that you may not know about, so we’re here to WARN you before your next vacation! Breaking either of these rules could possibly result in you being kicked out. Dressing Up as a Disney Character as an Adult Sorry, folks. If you try to steal the limelight away from the actual Cinderella in Magic Kingdom by dressing up in her costume, she’s gonna get pretty upset and you could wind up being kicked out of the park. The Rule Disney prohibits guests from “engaging with other Guests or impeding operations while posing as or portraying any character in costume.” If you read more of the fine print, you’ll find that it’s not just the “engaging with other guests” and “impeding operations” that are prohibited — dressing up at all is against the rules. Cinderella Disney’s website states, “Costumes may not be worn in our theme parks, water parks or ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex by Guests ages 14 or older.” (Note that this rule does NOT apply to kids ages 13 and younger — you’ll see plenty of little ones dressed up as characters, and that’s totally OK.) Kids are OK to dress up! So why is it that you’re not allowed to dress up as your favorite character in the parks? The main problem is that other people might think you’re the actual character (the one Disney hired), and since you don’t actually work for Disney, they can’t control how you portray that character and interact with guests. Moana meet-and-greet Cast Members go through a LOT of training before they set foot in the parks, with classes about how to interact with guests, how to handle difficult situations, etc. They know their characters’ stories inside and out, and that’s how they’re able to keep the magic going and interact with little kids in such a way that makes those kids really believe they’re the real characters. Chip and Dale! We’re sure that you have a very convincing Cinderella signature, but unfortunately — since you haven’t been hired by Disney and gone through all that training — Disney has to ask you to refrain from wearing your full costume in the parks. The Exceptions This rule is true ALMOST all of the time. However, there are some exceptions! runDisney Events: Racers are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Disney characters during the run! Just make sure that your costume is comfortable to run in — you don’t want to get a half mile in and regret your choice of outfit. We’re speaking from experience here! You should test out your race outfit at home to make sure you feel good running the full distance of the race in it. There’s nothing worst than realizing you’re stuck with an itchy, heavy, or otherwise uncomfortable outfit with miles and miles to go. Running at Animal Kingdom Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party: It’s a Halloween party, so of course dressing up is part of the fun. There are still a few rules that you’ll need to follow when it comes to costumes, though. For example, you cannot bring in props or accessories that could be mistaken for real weapons, you cannot wear clothing that drags on the ground (since it’s a safety hazard), and you still cannot pose as that character by signing autographs for other guests. Family dressed as characters from Lilo & Stitch at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser: This one is a half-exception. If you’re visiting the Starcruiser before it closes this coming September, you can feel free to “bound” as any of your favorite Star Wars characters. (That includes during the “excursion” to Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios — which is why you might spot a lot of guests in themed outfits in that part of the park on some days.) Note that Disney says you can “bound,” not “dress up.” Here’s what is and what isn’t allowed: ALLOWED: Bounding — piecing together traditional clothing items that when worn together, serve as a recognizable tribute to Star Wars characters; Batuuan attire — wearing outfits inspired by the villagers of Batuu (muted tones, vests, layers, etc.) ©Disney NOT ALLOWED: All robes or military-style attire; Masks, face paint, elaborate headwear, blasters or holsters (lightsabers are allowed) or hard items such as body armor, helmets, or kneepads; Full character suits ©Disney Click here to see 17 costume ideas for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. DisneyBounding DisneyBounding is a common thing in the theme parks, even outside of the Starcruiser. While you cannot wear character costumes, you can wear regular outfits that nod to the characters. @justkrysten For example, if you were “bounding” as Belle, you might wear a yellow sundress (to nod to Belle’s iconic gown) and carry a bright red bag (to nod to the rose in the movie). Bounding as Prince Eric might involve a white shirt, blue pants, a red belt, and a stuffed sheepdog. Snow White Dapper Day Outfit | @marinagracee To know whether your “bounding” is getting too close to an actual costume, a good rule of thumb could be to ask yourself, “Could a child reasonably mistake me for the real character?” If the answer is yes or maybe, you might want to adjust your outfit. Click here to find 7 simple DisneyBound outfits you WON’T regret wearing to the parks. Going Into a “Backstage Area” In case you didn’t know already, Disney World is one big elaborate show. Anywhere where guests are allowed is considered “onstage,” and the areas where only Cast Members should go are considered “backstage.” (That’s why they’re called “Cast Members” — get it?! Ya, you get it.) Main Street Written in the Disney World rulebook is a warning that guests are prohibited from going “backstage.” Specifically, the rule prohibits “unauthorized access or entry into backstage areas or areas designated only for Cast Members.” Backstage area This rule exists for a few reasons. One, it keeps the magic alive. Cast Members, characters, and other Disney employees are all working to keep the “show” going onstage — going backstage can break that illusion. Stark Aeronautics (backstage area in Disneyland) Another important reason for this rule is safety. There could be all kinds of projects going on backstage that could be dangerous for guests without training to stumble upon. So if you see doors or other areas in Disney World that are marked “Cast Members Only” or have some other warning telling guests not to go that way, please respect that. Cast Members Only If a guest breaks either of these rules — or ignores several other warnings on Disney World’s website — Disney notes that they “reserve the right to deny admission, prevent entry or require a person already admitted to leave the Walt Disney World Resort or any part thereof, without refund, liability or compensation.” Curious about other Disney World rules? Note that, per Disney’s website, these items are prohibited anywhere in Disney World: Firearms, ammunition, knives and weapons of any kind. Self-defense or restraining devices (e.g., pepper spray, mace) Objects or toys that appear to be firearms or weapons. Fireworks or other similarly explosive and/or flammable objects, smoke machines or fog machines. Alcoholic beverages, except at the Disney Resort hotels and Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. Wine may be brought in to Disney Springs to be consumed at select table service restaurants only, corkage fees apply. Glass containers (excluding small containers such as baby food jars), except in the Disney Resort hotels and Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. Horns, whistles, large megaphones or artificial noise makers. Recreational devices such as drones, remote-control toys, skateboards, scooters, inline skates or shoes with built-in wheels. Bicycles are permitted only in designated Disney Resort areas. Strollers that are greater than 31″ (79 cm) in width and 52″ (132 cm) in length. Stroller wagons are also prohibited. Wagons are prohibited at any theme park, water park, or Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. Wagons are prohibited at indoor venues at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Any trailer-like object that is pushed, pulled or towed by an Electric Conveyance Vehicle, wheelchair, stroller or person. Suitcases, bags, coolers or backpacks, with or without wheels, larger than 24″ long x 15″ wide x 18″ high (61 cm x 38 cm x 46 cm) are not allowed in any theme park or water park. Loose or dry ice is not permitted in these containers. Re-usable ice packs are recommended. Folding chairs are not allowed in any theme park, water park, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser or Disney Springs. Selfie sticks, hand-held extension poles for cameras or mobile devices, flags and banners are not allowed in any theme park, water park or Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. Tripods or monopod stands that cannot fit inside a standard backpack or that extend over 6’ (182 cm) are not allowed in theme parks, water parks, Disney Springs, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser or ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Balloons are not permitted at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, water parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani Village and Jambo House) Plastic straws are not permitted at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, water parks or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani Village and Jambo House) Non-Coast Guard approved flotation devices or swim noodles at any water park. Magic Kingdom Entrance And if you want to learn about even more Disney rules, check out these posts: The Pool Hopping Rule Everyone Forgets in Disney World Important Rules about Your Refillable Mug in Disney World Breaking Down the Most Confusing Disney Genie+ Rule Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news! The Disney World Hotel Rule You CAN’T Afford to Break Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Did these rules surprise you? Let us know in the comments! The post Breaking These 2 Rules Could Get You KICKED OUT of Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World crowds are getting…complicated. And those issues could seriously mess up your plans unless you know how to conquer the crowds like a true Disney expert. That’s where we come in. Crowds We’re in the Disney World parks every single day checking out the weirdly long lines, looking for tips and tricks that could help you save cash, and scouring for the latest news. So today we’re going to go over some recent Disney World crowd trends and how to make sure you have a fantastic vacation despite some of the unexpected changes. Let’s dive in! Disney World Crowds Are Becoming Unpredictable Back in the olden days, you may have known exactly what to expect when it came to Disney World crowds. You may have come in prepared for long lines and heavy crowds on long/holiday weekends, around Spring Break time, during the summer, on major holidays, on runDisney race weekends, and on select other dates. But lately, things have been…strange. Animal Kingdom Crowds Now, don’t get us wrong. Most of what we said above still holds true. You can generally expect to see larger crowds during those historically busy times. BUT sometimes the crowds can surprise you. Take Memorial Day 2023 for example. On the weekend before Memorial Day (a time when you might have expected the parks to be FULL of people), things weren’t all that bad. Sure, some spots were busier than earlier in the week, but Hollywood Studios did not feel overwhelmingly crowded. And while Tomorrowland felt a little busy in Magic Kingdom, we had seen other days where it was MUCH worse. Hollywood Studios crowds By the time Memorial Day itself (Monday) rolled around, things were fairly similar. There were some crowds at certain times and in some places, but inside Magic Kingdom, we didn’t get the typical holiday weekend packed-like-sardines situation. Some wait times were also pretty low — Big Thunder Mountain Railroad had a 35-minute wait at 12:10PM — not bad! Other parks had relatively low wait times as well. A look down Main Street, U.S.A. But on the Tuesday following Memorial Day, crowds were strangely HUGE, and wait times were intense. Magic Kingdom even sold out of Park Passes for the day for a small period of time. Wait…what?? Disney’s Hollywood Studios Crowds It was AFTER Memorial Day that we also saw some extremely long lines at places like the Transportation and Ticket Center. And despite security lines here getting better over a weekend (when you might expect things to be more packed), they were suddenly long again during the week — though, thankfully, they moved VERY quickly. Talk About a LINE! We’ve seen this happening in the past, where weekends have felt weirdly empty and even holidays like Easter have been emptier than we expected. It just goes to show that Disney World crowds are a little less predictable than they might have been in the past. We could see an emptier summer than you might anticipate and TONS more crowds on days you otherwise expected to be empty. That can really throw off your plans, particularly if you planned your trip for days you expected to be calm, only to find that heavy crowds have suddenly descended upon the Most Magical Place on Earth. So what can you do? Here’s Why That Won’t Matter for YOU Here’s the key takeaway we want you to get from this article — yes, crowds can be annoying to deal with and can complicate your trip. BUT you can still do what you want on a really crowded day in Disney World, you just have to know HOW. Below are some of our top tips for dealing with the Disney World crowds. While you might have normally only thought to work these into your plans on “traditionally” busy days, our recommendation now is to work them into your plans for ALL trips because those crowd levels can catch you off guard. If you go in expecting big crowds and plan for them accordingly, then you won’t be thrown off by them if they do appear. If they don’t materialize, then you’ll still have a great plan with the added benefit of more flexibility to change things around thanks to the lower crowds! In other words, better to plan ahead and be safe than risk it and be sorry. Crowds Let’s go through those tips: 1 — Know WHEN to Ride Those Top Rides Peter Pan’s Flight can often have one of the LONGEST waits in Magic Kingdom (yes, really). A crowded day can make those wait times worse. So what do you do? Do you have to skip Peter Pan or just suck it up and wait in a 90-minute+ line? Not necessarily. Know when to time your visit to this ride (and other popular ones), and you could get on it with a shorter wait! Oftentimes, a good tip is to head to popular rides like Peter Pan’s Flight when the Magic Kingdom fireworks are going off. At that time, many guests in the park will be watching the sky instead of standing in line. That can help you shave off some of the standby wait time. Peter Pan’s Flight We also often see shorter lines at many rides (in general) first thing in the morning (when some folks are busy sleeping in) and as the evening rolls around (a.k.a. just before the park closes for the night, at a time when many families with little kids may have already left to their hotels). If you can hit some park rides during those timeframes you may also experience significantly shorter waits. Staying at a Disney World hotel or another participating location? Don’t forget to take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry — that perk allows all Disney World hotel guests to enter the parks 30 minutes early (any park of your choosing, with a Park Pass). Those at Deluxe Disney World Hotels, Deluxe Villas, and select other hotels can also take advantage of Extended Evening Hours, which gives these guests exclusive access to certain parks on select dates after they’ve closed to the “regular” guests. Both of those perks can help you get on popular rides without as many folks around! Early Theme Park Entry Sign at EPCOT And don’t forget about another wait times tool you can use for FREE. Within the My Disney Experience app, you can look at each ride in the park and see their forecasted wait times for the day. ©Disney That can help you see when the line for that particular attraction may be shorter! 2 — Don’t Forget About Genie+ (But Know How to Use It) This likely comes as no surprise to you, but one big way to beat the crowds and lines in Disney World is to use Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes — Disney’s two paid skip-the-line services. The key here, however, is to know HOW to use these systems properly because they come with their own set of confusing rules. Lightning Lanes We have an entire PAGE full of details, tips, and tricks related to Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes, but here are some top tips: Buy Genie+ sooner rather than later — on very busy days, the service can SELL OUT Budget plenty of cash for it — Genie+ has hit as high as $35 per person and there’s technically no cap on price that Disney has revealed Buy your Individual Lightning Lanes as soon as you can so you can get them before they sell out and select the best return time for you — these become available at 7AM for Disney World hotel guests and park open for all other guests Check out Genie+ HACKS that’ll help you master the system And see our video below on ways to outsmart Genie+! The key here is not just to be familiar with it, but to know how to really master the system ahead of your trip so you’ll be a pro from the second you hit the parks.  3 — Don’t Let Dining Reservations Get You Down Want to eat at a popular Table Service restaurant in the parks but struggle to get a dining reservation? Don’t overstress. There are 3 important things you can do. First, keep checking reservation availability in the My Disney Experience app. People cancel their reservations all the time, so the one you’re looking for could pop up at any time. But, in particular, check diligently around 2 hours before you want to dine. Right now, guests only have to cancel 2 hours before their dining reservations at most locations in Disney World to avoid a cancelation fee, so many folks may be canceling right before that 2 hour mark. That could give you a chance to scoop up a last-minute spot! Breakfast at Akershus Second, use the Mobile Dine Walk-Up Waitlist feature on the Disney World app. Even if a reservation doesn’t show up on Disney’s traditional booking service, you may find that the restaurant has walk-up availability. Simply check the restaurant in the app and see if a Walk-Up Waitlist option pops up! My Disney Experience Screenshot — Walk-up Waitlist Example ©Disney And finally, remember that some popular Table Service restaurants have their own dedicated lounges where reservations are typically not required. Sanaa Lounge Those lounges sometimes serve the same or similar items as the Table Service restaurant, giving you the chance to enjoy the dishes you’ve been eyeing without the need for a reservation! Did you know some Table Service restaurants offer TO GO options? It’s another way to get the food of your dreams without a reservation — click here to learn about it! 4 — Avoid Mobile Order Issues The use of Mobile Order is heavily encouraged in Disney World’s Quick Service restaurants and can help you get your food without having to wait in long ordering lines, but Mobile Order can be full of challenges. The big thing you’ll want to do with Mobile Order is place your orders REALLY early so you can select the best return time that works for you! If you wait too long, you might find that all of the “best” return/pick-up times have already been taken, forcing you to wait potentially for hours before your food will be ready. (Hello HANGRY family.) Mobile Order window You can literally place your dinner order at lunchtime, that’s how early we’re talking here (when possible). So really get in that planning when you can! Also, remember that you might have to wait a bit for your food to be fully ready after hitting the “Prepare my Order” option in the app. So, consider hitting that before you get to the starving level and hang around the restaurant area for your food to be prepared. All the locations Another tip is to take a close look at all the participating Mobile Order spots (which we have listed HERE). There might be locations on there that’ll surprise you. For example, some candy kitchens — like Karamell-Kuche in the Germany pavilion in EPCOT — are now available via Mobile Order. Place that order as you’re walking to the pavilion and you could save yourself some time in line. Mobile Order sign in EPCOT Also, consider eating at off-hours (early or before the “rush”) to avoid some of the crowding around tables in the restaurant that can take place during peak dining hours. 5 — Don’t Forget About Merchandise Mobile Checkout Want to buy Disney souvenirs and skip the long checkout lines? There’s a way to do that — it’s called Merchandise Mobile Checkout. This is only offered at certain spots in the parks, but it can come in handy! Mobile Checkout Here’s a list of the participating locations as of the latest updates to this post: Magic Kingdom Emporium Star Traders Tomorrowland Launch Depot EPCOT Creations Shop Treasures of Xandar Disney’s Hollywood Studios Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities Mickey’s of Hollywood Disney’s Animal Kingdom Discovery Trading Company & Riverside Depot Island Mercantile Disney Springs Super Hero Headquarters World of Disney With this service, you’ll open the My Disney Experience app at those participating locations, select the store you’re shopping at, and then scan the items you want to purchase. Then, you pay and finalize your purchase through the app and visit a designated Mobile Merchandise Checkout check-out station. A Cast Member will scan the QR code the system gives you, check your purchase, and then you can be on your merry way — no need to wait in the long checkout lines! Mobile Checkout Sign Note — we have had an issue with this at Star Traders in Magic Kingdom, where we’ve had to wait in the regular checkout line to have a Cast Member verify our Mobile Merchandise Checkout order, defeating the whole purpose of the system. So your experience from store to store can vary, but generally, this is a time-saving option you’ll want to check out! 6 — Take the SECRET Walkways While the standard paths around Disney World are surely beautiful and intricately themed, to beat the crowds, there are some SECRET walkways you’ll want to check out! One big one is the Boardwalk that circumvents Frontierland along the Rivers of America. You may also want to avoid the main bridge in Tomorrowland and instead cut through Tomorrowland Terrace. Plus, the two cut-throughs between the Frontierland and Liberty Square area and Adventureland can really save you time on busy days to get around! Save time walking here! There are a variety of other secret spots that can help you avoid the larger crowds and get to your desired spots quickly. These are certainly useful on busy days but can be great any day of the year really. Click here to check out over 10 secret walkways in Disney World! 7 — HAVE A PLAN At the end of the day, this tip is really the key — have a plan in place! Unless you’re okay with not getting everything on your list done, don’t plan to just “wing it.” Yes, you want to have flexibility with your plans, that is of critical importance. But if you have certain things you MUST do, be strategic and go in with an idea of when it’ll be best to do each thing rather than just playing it by ear and running the risk that by the time you get to your must-do ride it has a ridiculous wait or all mobile orders are taken up by the time you get hungry. Planning can really help you get the most out of your trip, especially if unexpected crowds hit. Cosmic Rewind Hopefully this post has made you feel more equipped to handle your next trip regardless of what the crowd level may be! If you want to do some planning before your next trip, check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining. Grab the DFB Guide! We’ve compiled all of our BEST tips and tricks from years of Disney World travel into one eBook that you can download to your tablet or smartphone and take with you! We’re offering our readers 25% off with code WDW2023. And stay tuned for more Disney tips.  Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation A Month-by-Month Guide to Planning Your Disney World Trip Tips, Hints, Lists, and Videos for Planning the BEST Disney World Trip Learn About the Disney Park Pass System The Ultimate Disney World Packing List Everything You Need to Know About Genie+ Insider SECRETS for Your First Trip to Disney World A Complete Look at the Current Disney Discounts and Deals The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click Here to Subscribe What Disney World crowd questions do you have? Tell us in the comments! The post Disney World Crowds Have Gotten Unpredictable. Here's How To Make That Not Matter. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

This is not a drill! There’s a NEW Disney Loungefly bag online now! Loungefly Bags Disney is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, which, of course, means lots of new, themed merchandise. For every month of this year, a new collection comes out that is themed to the various decades of Disney’s history. The merch in each collection is themed to movies that were released in that specific decade — for example, the 1950s collection had merch all about Alice in Wonderland and Cinderella. The newest series is celebrating the 1960s, which means nods to movies like The Jungle Book and 101 Dalmatians! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. You can get the new 100th anniversary 1960s decades collection on shopDisney NOW! This collection features a Loungefly bag, a MagicBand+, a plush, and more. We also spotted some of these items at Discovery Trading Company in Animal Kingdom! Here’s a look at all the items! 101 Dalmatians Loungefly Backpack The 101 Dalmatians Loungefly Backpack The newest Disney Loungefly bag features a scene from the finale of 101 Dalmatians. The soot-covered pups are all gathered around Roger and Anita as Roger serenades them on the piano. It even has little doggy details on the side pockets and back! Shop this item on shopDisney Minnie Ears The Jungle Book Ears These felt-covered ears have prints of multiple different characters from The Jungle Book, including Baloo, King Louie, Kaa, and Shere Khan. And it’s all topped off with a little burlap bow! These definitely give us Animal Kingdom vibes as well — maybe a good accessory to wear to that park? Shop this item on shopDisney Winnie the Pooh MagicBand+ ©Disney If you watched Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day, then you’ll love this Heffalumps and Woozles MagicBand+! Beware though — we hear that Heffalumps and Woozles steal hunny. That can’t be good! Shop this item on shopDisney The Sword in the Stone Plushes Sword in the Stone Plushes Like the other decades in this collection, you can grab a set of plushes! This time, they’re inspired by The Sword in the Stone, showing Madam Mim and Merlin in their animal forms from the movie. What a unique souvenir! Shop this item on shopDisney Ludwig von Drake Pin ©Disney And finally, the last item is a Ludwig von Drake pin that’s a nod to an episode of Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color. The pin has little pivoting color triangles that look like spotlights. Shop this item on shopDisneyWhile you’re in the shopping mood…have you checked our DFB exclusive graphic tees and merch? It’s super fun stuff to wear to the parks, or to rep your happy place at the grocery store! Click here to visit the DFB Merch Store! Love this t-shirt! Stay tuned to DFB for more news on all the latest Disney merch. Click here to learn all about Disney’s 100th anniversary! Learn More About Disney 100 Years of Wonder – The 100th Anniversary Celebration! More Details Revealed About the 100th Anniversary Celebration at Disney World ALL of the Disney 100th Anniversary Merchandise You Can Get Online Right NOW! The New 100th Anniversary Disney Credit Card Design Is HERE 4 Unexpected Announcements for Disney’s 100th Anniversary Refillable Mugs Have CHANGED in Disney World Hotels! Get ALL of the Latest Updates on the 100th Anniversary Celebration Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox -- Click Here to Subscribe Which of these items are you adding to your cart? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney’s NEW 100th Anniversary Collection Has a Loungefly Bag, Ears, and MORE! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are some Disney World restaurants that you have to try at least ONCE. Homecomin’ Classic spots like Chef Mickey’s or Casey’s Corner come to mind, and if you want to take it up a notch you could even knock Be Our Guest Restaurant or Cinderella’s Royal Table off the list. But if you’re heading to Disney Springs, there’s a place where you can get some delicious comfort food that we’ve RAVED about in the past. Recently I made a trip back to Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ in Disney Springs. This has been a DFB favorite ever since it opened, but does it still reign supreme in Southern favorites? Let’s see! Atmosphere The restaurant is located in The Landing at Disney Springs, behind Morimoto Asia. If you’re coming specifically to visit this spot, Orange Garage is a great place to park. Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ As you approach the restaurant, there are a number of tables in addition to the host’s stand. There’s also an outdoor Moonshine Bar. The outdoor bar Once you’ve checked in, you can enter the waiting area. There’s a second host stand here, but there are several chairs where you can sit and take in the ambiance while you wait for your table to be called. The waiting area indoors. This is also one of the restaurants in Disney Springs that sells its own merchandise! If you’re dining here, make sure to check out the fun (and often chicken-themed) items in their collection. They have merch! There are three main rooms inside with ample seating and tables of various sizes. Several different dining rooms in here. This could actually be a good restaurant for a larger group because there are multiple big tables spread throughout the dining space. (It’s a personal favorite spot for me to come and visit for birthday dinners!) They have several large tables. There’s also a bar indoors, and here, moonshine is the specialty drink. But more on that with the menu! The indoor bar I got a great spot by the window, and the table was set with silverware and a menu. A table with a view! Now let’s see what we can order! Menu There are quite a few things on the Homecomin’ menu, but one of the iconic options they serve here is Moonshine. Their “Shine on Tap” comes with quite a few options to choose from, and you can also order a number of cocktails with the beverage in it. They also offer a flight with all five Shines on Tap flavors. Moonshine But they’ve also got a wide selection of food to choose from! Starting with the appetizers, you can try the Church Lady Deviled Eggs or the Thigh High Chicken Biscuits. The Spicy Cauliflower Wings and Fried Pickles are newer additions. Closer look at the menu For those who want something lighter, the Salads & Such section has a Fried Chicken Salad, a Chopped BLT Salad, and even Addie Mae’s Chicken & Dumpling Soup. Plus, Brunswick Stew was added earlier this year. ©Disney For sandwiches, you can order a Fried Chicken Sandwich, a Chicken Salad Sandwich, The Art Burger, a Cuban Sandwich, or a Catfish Sandwich. There’s also a Country Club on the menu. ©Disney Now we make it to the Main Plates! Art’s Famous Fried Chicken is an iconic choice, or you could go for the new entree and get the Skillet-Fried Chicken Paillard. Fried Chicken & Doughnuts or the Kitchen Plate are good choices if you want to sample multiple items. ©Disney Homecomin’ is also known for its delicious sides, and there are plenty to choose from. Cheddar Cheese Drop Biscuits, Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Mac and Cheese, Southern Green Beans, and Bradley’s Grits are just a few of the options. ©Disney Finally, we can’t forget about dessert! The Hummingbird Cake is a signature treat, but the Hot Fudge Bourbon Brownie is an intriguing new add. They also offer Carrot Cake, Everglazed Doughnuts, or Chocolate Pecan Pie. Can’t decide? Get the Signature Sampler. The whole menu Now that we’ve covered all that, it’s time to order! Food Before we get into the food, I have to mention my drink! I’m a southern gal, so I, of course, HAD to order sweet tea. But the drinks here come with agave straws! That’s a big bonus for people who hate paper straws, so I just wanted to share. They got them FANCY straws here! Let’s start things off with an appetizer, why don’t we? I ordered the Fried Pickle Spears, which is one of the newer additions to the menu here. These are house-made spears, fried crisp and served alongside a remoulade. Fried Pickle Spears You can get this app for $16, and while that’s a bit pricey for an appetizer, it just might be worth every penny. We got a TON of pickles with our plate, and they were all decently sized. They could be a little hard to bite without the fried bits falling off, but the pickles themselves were tangy and had a delicious, strong vinegar flavor. We got a LOT of pickles. The batter was very crispy and reminded us of their fried chicken batter. The stack of pickles was topped with scallions and paprika, which added some good depth of flavor and when all paired with the remoulade, worked really well together. The remoulade is creamy and herbaceous, but still pretty mild so it goes well with the strong pickles. Honestly, I don’t even eat pickle spears, but this was a STELLAR appetizer in my book. I would get these again, but probably not if I was by myself (the portion was so big that I had to take some home). Inside a pickle Now on to the entrees! I got two of the classics on the Homecomin’ menu to review — the Fried Chicken & Doughnuts for $32 and the Shrimp & Grits for $29. Time for the main course! Let’s start with the Fried Chicken & Doughnuts. This is a Homecomin’ staple because Chef Art Smith is known for his spectacular fried chicken. And with the menu changes earlier this year, this item changed from including house-made doughnuts to now having doughnuts from Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew, which is located in Disney Springs on the West Side. You also get a side of mashed potatoes with your chicken and doughnuts, and obviously, I opted to include the gravy on top. YUM! Fried Chicken & Doughnuts One bite of each of these elements and I knew instantly why this is a signature dish. First of all, those yeast doughnuts were incredibly soft, sweet, and pulled apart perfectly. I think they’re a significant improvement from the ones included before. Look. How. Fluffy. The chicken…just WOW. It’s hard to explain what’s so good about this chicken, but I’ll do my best. It’s boneless and completely gristle-free with a nice crunch in the breading. I could tell that it’s made with high-quality ingredients, and it was well-salted and seasoned. There’s even a little powdered sugar dusted on top. I would eat this again and again! Can I eat this every day? And finally, those mashed potatoes. You can order them with or without the gravy, but they are SO buttery and creamy. The gravy adds a little bit of peppery flavor, but it’s buttery and smooth as well. All in all, very delicious and a side I would definitely recommend. Like comfort in a bowl. Next up in entrees, we’ve got the Shrimp & Grits. Now, I consider myself a bit of a shrimp & grits connoisseur. I’ve ordered them a LOT in Disney World, and I even have a current ranking going of the best and worst ones (but that’s a conversation for another time). Comparatively, these are REALLY good. Shrimp & Grits You can order either cheese or regular grits and I opted for cheese, although I’m not sure whether or not that would be my choice if I ordered again. I LOVE cheese, but there was so much of it that it made it hard to scoop the grits that were on the edge of the bowl. Where the cheese content was a little less, though, I could tell that the grits were buttery, thick, and had a great texture. YUM The sauce on top is a tomato gravy, and it was spiced in a way that reminded me of the ocean. You can also order these with or without the Tasso ham on top, which is shaved/sliced thin and takes on a lot of the flavor of the tomato gravy. The ham was pretty good, but I think this dish would be fine with or without it. There’s a lot of ham on top. My favorite part of the entree was the shrimp! They’re peeled and deveined, which is really important to me when it comes to ordering shrimp & grits — do you know how hard it is to peel your own shrimp when they’re covered in grits and gravy?! They had a good chew and there were plenty of them. A nice, hearty, spoonful. The Shrimp & Grits also comes with a Cheddar Drop Biscuit, which is another popular item at Homecomin’. It was soft and cheesy, but I recommend that you eat it while it’s warm or it gets a little stiff. In fact, this whole entree is a dish that you should eat as soon as possible…delicious, but not exactly the best when it’s cold or easy to eat as leftovers. Inside the biscuit And finally, we come to dessert! Another new-ish item on the menu here is the Signature Sampler for $24. It comes with three iconic Homecomin’ desserts — the Hummingbird Cake, Chocolate Pecan Pie, and Carrot Cake. THREE desserts in one. Y’all I want to scream from happiness. This is a great way to try multiple popular treats all in one, and you get a pretty decent portion of each. First up is the Carrot Cake, which was warm, tasted like it was spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, and was very moist. There’s a nice chewy texture from the shredded carrots that I liked a lot. It’s topped with a cream cheese drizzle and caramel, but I couldn’t taste much of the cream cheese flavor because the icing is VERY sweet. I actually preferred eating the cake on its own without the sugary icing. Carrot Cake Next I tried the Chocolate Pecan Pie, which according to the menu, is a 100-year-old Smith family recipe. It’s SO sweet, you guys. If you’re into sugary and rich desserts, this was made for you. There are candied pecans on the side and it comes with vanilla ice cream that helps cut down on the richness. It was delicious, but it can be a tad overwhelming to the senses and it started to melt because it was served warm. Chocolate Pecan Pie Finally, we’ve got the Hummingbird Cake. It’s served cooler in temperature than the other two and comes topped with a cream cheese frosting. This pineapple-and-banana cake combo was spiced and reminded me a lot of banana bread. It’s very good and I totally see why it’s a signature dessert here. The frosting was also pretty sugary, but I especially enjoyed this dessert because it took me back to hot summer days spent at my grandmother’s house (she made this cake often since it was my grandfather’s favorite). Hummingbird Cake And you know what? That’s just the general feeling I get at Homecomin’ — like everything is familiar and comforting and just the best version of a meal my mom or grandma would make. And that’s a serious compliment! Overall Overall, this was definitely one of the best meals I’ve eaten in Disney World, so I was reminded why it’s one of our favorites. Next time I go back, I would definitely order those Fried Pickles again along with the Fried Chicken & Doughnuts. After that, I don’t know if I would even need to get dessert because the portions here are HUGE. Homecomin’ dining room It’s not necessarily the cheapest table service meal, but I really do think that you get your money’s worth here. I had some excellent service and I went home with a lot of leftovers. And besides these items that I talked about above, I’ve had some other great things that I LOVED on their menu like the Country Fried Steak and the Kitchen Plate. Nosh or Not? Wrap yourself up in Southern comfort food at Homecomin’ if… You’re craving those homemade classics. This is one of the best places to get fried chicken on property, and you can’t go wrong with their delicious sides. Every time I leave here, I feel like I’m eating the best meal my mom ever made. You’re dining in Disney Springs. When it comes to Disney Springs restaurants, this is definitely one of our favorites. It consistently gets good reviews, it has a convenient location, and you can dine here indoors or outdoors with large or small parties. A true crowd-pleaser. You want a meal that’s guaranteed to be good. Obviously, we can’t guarantee that your meal will be perfect, but I’ve never left this restaurant dissatisfied. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve tried on the menu in the past. Pass up on a country meal if… You’re on a tight budget. This isn’t the cheapest table service restaurant in Disney World, and there are plenty of other budget-friendly options in Disney Springs. Especially if you want more than entrees, you’ll be shelling out a few bucks. You want some more adventurous eats. The menu here, while delicious, is pretty standard fare. It’s not really “exotic” or “adventurous” and that’s generally the point. If you want to try something new and different, there are several other options in the area. That’s a wrap on our visit to Homecomin’! Stay tuned to DFB for more food reviews and all the news from around Disney World. We’ll help you prepare for your next trip. With DOZENS of places to eat at Disney World, we know it can be tough to plan your meals. That’s why we wrote the DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World. We have reviews, pictures, and details about every restaurant all in one digital download – along with ALL of our best tips and strategies from decades of Disney World trips. We’ve got a special discount code for DFB readers, too! Use WDW2023 at checkout for 25% off! Click Here to See Which Disney Springs Restaurants Are the Best! 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you ever been to Homecomin’? Tell us in the comments! The post REVIEW: Is Homecomin' Still Worth the Hype in Disney World? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Don’t be quick to believe EVERYTHING you hear about Disney World! Today, we’re debunking the myths, legends, and flat-out lies surrounding the “most magical place on earth.” Check out our video below all about No, They’re NOT Tearing Down Cinderella Castle & Other Ridiculous Disney Rumors Dispelled  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! Stay tuned for more Disney 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What silly Disney World rumor have you heard? Tell us in the comments below. The post DFB Video: No, They’re NOT Tearing Down Cinderella Castle & Other Ridiculous Disney Rumors Dispelled first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Wondering what the recipe is for some of the best Disney movies of all time? In our opinion, it likely needs to have — 1. Great music. 2. Loveable characters. 3. And a sprinkling of drama. Know a movie that’s got all three? We do! It’s The Lion King. Seriously — it’s got family betrayals, “Hakuna Matata,” and one of the best dynamic duos of all time: Timon and Pumbaa! What more could you ask for? This movie has some of the BEST Disney music! If you’re passionate about The Lion King or you’re just looking for a cute new Disney accessory, listen up: a NEW Disney collection has dropped featuring our favorite friends from the beloved Disney movie. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Check out the items that have become available from Disney’s NEW The Lion King Dooney & Bourke bag collection! Note Dooney and Bourke bags are NOT cheap, so if anyone out there wants to send in some messages to convince me that I do NOT need to spend my money on these (despite how ridiculously ADORABLE they are), my bank account and credit cards would probably thank you! It might be difficult though, because these are pretty great. So if you find yourself suddenly adding these to your cart, don’t say we didn’t warn ya! New Dooney & Bourke Crossbody Bag! ©Disney Can we take a moment to soak in all the fun colors, patterns, and designs happening on this bag? From the color palette to the tropical details, this tote bag just screams Lion King! ©Disney The pattern features Simba, Nala, Zazu, Timon, Pumbaa, and more. ©Disney There are stitched leather finishings, pockets to help you store your essentials, and even little metal feet. Get the crossbody bag on shopDisney! New Dooney & Bourke Drawstring Shoulder Bag! ©Disney If you’re planning a trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom or just need a new purse, Dooney & Bourke’s new Drawstring Bag could be the perfect item for anyone who has said “Hakuna Matata” a time or two before. ©Disney It has that same, fun allover print as well as stitched leather finishings, a leather drawstring closure, pockets for your items… ©Disney …and a detachable shoulder strap. Get the drawstring bag on shopDisney New Dooney & Bourke Tote Bag! ©Disney Finally, if you’re looking for a bag that will hold alllll your everyday essentials, look no further than the new Lion King-inspired Dooney & Bourke Tote Bag. It’s got a large front zipper pocket and straps that are the perfect length for slinging around your shoulder for hands-free carrying. Grab the tote bag from shopDisney NOW While you’re in the shopping mood…have you checked our DFB exclusive graphic tees and merch? It’s super fun stuff to wear to the parks, or to rep your happy place at the grocery store! Click here to visit the DFB Merch Store! Disney-inspired tanks! In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more. This Disney World Party Is So Exclusive You Have To Be Dead to Get In (We 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Which Lion King movie is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! The post Please Convince Me I Don’t Need These Designer Disney Bags first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Okay, so we LOVE a good Disney deal! The Disneyland Hotel We know you do, too, which is why we always share those deals, discounts, and savings with you whenever we can. So we just came across a secret deal at Disneyland Resort we had NO IDEA about until recently, so we want to make sure you know about it, too! If you’ve ever stayed at the Disneyland Hotel or just visited, you’ve seen that AWESOME Monorail pool area, but did you know there’s a way to save a little on drinks at the pool? We’re talking about cocktails here, which is pretty much what you want to drink poolside, right? Disneyland Hotel Pool Area So instead of just ordering a single cocktail in a glass, we just found out you can actually order PITCHERS of cocktails to share (or not share — it’s up to you), which could save you a few dollars. So you can enjoy a pitcher full of Pina Colava for $18 or grab sips from a pitcher of Sparkling Mojito for $18 or relax with a pitcher of Tiki Punch for $17. Yum! Cocktail pitchers at Disneyland Hotel pool If you don’t want an alcoholic concoction, though, there are even THREE mocktails you can get in a pitcher for $7 each. Choose from a Pineapple Nojito, a Lava Smoothie, or a Virgin Strawberry Daquiri. Yes, you can order pitchers for the WHOLE family. Pitcher Each pitcher contains about four drinks, so if you do the math, it’s cheaper to buy the cocktails or mocktails in a pitcher than by the glass. So be sure to keep that in mind if you find yourself lounging around the Disneyland Hotel pool anytime soon. Note that there is SOME construction happening around the Disneyland Hotel while a whole new tower of Disney Vacation Club villas is being built. Those new villas are set to open in September 2023. Disneyland Hotel DVC Tower construction If you’re a California resident, you can currently score a HUGE discount on tickets, for as little as $83 per person per day. These tickets are available now, and California residents can redeem their tickets on any three eligible days from June 12th to September 28th, 2023, subject to park pass reservation availability. We’ll keep you updated on ALL Disney goings-on, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more! Need a new graphic tee (uh, when don’t you need a new graphic tee!)? We’re dropping new Disney-themed designs, like our new Ariel-inspired tee! Ariel’s Favorite Things Tee Want to check out ALL our designs? Click here to see ‘em! Here’s The ULTIMATE Guide to Character Dining in Disneyland Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Will you be headed to Disneyland this year? Let us know in the comments! The post The Secret Disney Deal We Just Found Out About (And Now You Get To Know, Too) first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ve met our fair share of characters in Disney World. From random appearances in the parks to surprise visits at the resorts, you never know where you might run into a Disney character! Hey, Moana! During a recent visit to EPCOT, we stumbled upon a BUNCH of friendly Disney characters. The entire interaction was such a blur — and a thrill — that we just had to share it. After all, our experience feels all the more special when we get the chance to show all of YOU what kind of surprise Disney magic you may find on your next visit to the parks. Now, come with us! We saw eight — that’s right, EIGHT — Disney characters in EPCOT. All at the same time! Talk about our lucky day, right? As we were walking through the World Showcase, we noticed a GIANT cluster of characters walking our way. We first spotted Pooh and Tigger waving hello! Hi Pooh and Tigger! We could also see King Louie and Smee off in the distance as well. So many characters Behind them, we were able to stop and say hello to Wendell, who was VERY energetic… Wendell had a lot of energy! …we got to say hello to Pinocchio and Gepetto as well… Pinocchio AND Gepetto …and then we said a quick hi to Gideon, who is also from Pinocchio! Gideon! EPCOT is the most common park we’ve seen this happen in recently, so the next time you’re over near the American Adventure Pavilion, keep an eye out to see if your favorite characters will come to say hello. As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news! Here are ALL the character meet and greets you can find in Disney World right now! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Which of these characters would you be most excited to meet? Tell us in the comments! The post We Spotted EIGHT Rare Characters in Disney World at ONCE! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If we had to guess, we’d say that a LOT of our readers probably subscribe to Disney+ (we mean, we’re all here because we LOVE all things Disney, right?). There’s even a Disney+ Day in Disney World! It’s also an exciting time to be a subscriber: so much NEW stuff is coming soon. We’ve got the premiere of Ahsoka coming up in August, and Marvel’s Secret Invasion will be premiering THIS WEEK! Well, now we’ve got something your kids can get excited about. New episodes of Bluey are headed to Disney+ soon, too! The hit Australian show that U.S. kids ALSO seem to love will be getting NEW episodes in July. That’s right, 10 NEW episodes of season 3 of Bluey are headed to Disney+ on July 12th. So have your kids mark those calendars now! ©Bluey.tv However, adults may want to watch, too, because the new episodes will feature some pretty big cameos! That includes Lin-Manuel Miranda, who will be voicing a talking horse in the episode “Stories,” and Rose Byrne, who is playing Brandy, Chilli’s sister, in “Onesies.” ©Bluey.tv How fun, right? So be sure to catch those new episodes on Disney+. In the meantime, you might also want to check out everything coming to Disney+ THIS month! We’ll keep an eye out for MORE Disney news, so stay tuned to DFB for more! Have you checked out the latest Disney-themed t-shirts in our store? Click here – you’ll want to pick some up before your next Disney trip! WHY Disney+ Is Getting Rid of Over 40 Films and Series 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Do your kids like Bluey? Let us know in the comments! The post NEW Episodes of ‘Bluey’ Are Coming to Disney+ SOON! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Can you smell that? It’s the scent of gumbo and beignets! Mickey 100th anniversary statue in Disneyland Over in Disneyland’s New Orleans Square, a NEW restaurant is taking shape. Tiana’s Palace Restaurant is a new quick-service restaurant coming to Disneyland, and we cannot WAIT to take a peek inside and eat ALL THE FOOD. For now, though, we’re watching construction on the restaurant, and we’re starting to get a good look at what it’s going to look like! Tiana’s Palace will be replacing the former French Market Restaurant. The restaurant will “offer authentic New Orleans flavors inspired by Tiana’s friends and adventures in this quick-service style restaurant.” It will be the newest restaurant on Orleans Street with “peach-colored walls and fancy green wrought-iron balconies.” Here’s the concept art that Disney released for the restaurant: ©Disney Interestingly enough, the exterior of Tiana’s restaurant in The Princess and the Frog movie was inspired by the original French Market Restaurant, so using that building as the base was an easy decision for Imagineers. At Disneyland, here’s what the restaurant looked like the last time we visited: Tiana’s Palace Restaurant construction Here’s what it looks like NOW. The scaffolding has come down, and we can see a lot more of the exterior’s details, including the balconies that Disney mentioned. We’re seeing some details! A closer look at the front shows us something that looks even MORE like the original concept art. This building is coming along! The restaurant is set to open sometime later this year, so we’ll likely see even more progress over the upcoming months. A closer look For further reference, here’s a look at the OLD French Market, courtesy of Davelandweb. Here, you can see that the ironwork has since been repainted, and new lights were strung along the exterior. Courtesy of DavelandWeb We’ll continue to keep an eye on Tiana’s Palace construction and keep you updated. In the meantime, have you checked our DFB exclusive graphic tees and merch? It’s super fun stuff to wear to the parks, or to rep your happy place at the grocery store! We’ve even got Tiana-inspired shirts! NEW Tiana shirts! Click here to visit the DFB Merch Store! Could Tiana’s Palace Restaurant Come 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you excited about a new Tiana-themed restaurant? Let us know in the comments! The post FIRST LOOK at NEW Tiana’s Palace Restaurant Emerges first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Things are changing all over Disney World and MORE updates are on the way. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind We already know that a NEW Figment meet-and-greet is coming to EPCOT this year, plus Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open in late 2024, and new restaurants are on their way too. But now we’ve got clues about some other things that could change soon! We constantly look for permits that signal changes in the parks and hotels and we’ve spotted a few recently that you should know about. Technically what we look at are called Notices of Commencement. These usually indicate that work on projects at these addresses could start soon. Here’s what we’ve seen lately. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind First up, Disney has filed a new permit related to one BIG ride in EPCOT — Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. The permit lists Walt Disney Imagineering as the owner which is interesting as many other permits simply list Walt Disney World as the owner — so this makes the permit a little more unique! Cosmic Rewind queue The work being done here is described as “install door tracks.” It seems like that could be a relatively minor change in terms of the ride as a whole, but it is still interesting and could maybe make things flow smoother or work better in a specific area. ©Disney Another interesting thing with this permit is that the contractor doing the work is InterAmerica Stage. Their website explains that they focus on “specialty rigging & stage machinery.” They’ve also done artifact handling, custom fabrication, historic renovations, and more. Their previous work appears to include music halls and arenas at a variety of colleges and other areas. Again, the work at Cosmic Rewind seems to be more technical in nature, but we’ll keep an eye out for any updates we spot! See our FAQ for Cosmic Rewind! More Ride Updates But wait…there’s MORE! Other permits have been filed recently that relate to Disney World rides and attractions. One permit has been filed for “general construction” at an address tied to the main building (queue area) at The Jungle Cruise in Magic Kingdom. The contractor is Neth & Son, Inc. which appears to be a company focused on commercial and residential roofing. The permit won’t expire until June 8th, 2024, which gives them a LOT of time to do their work. We’ve seen a number of permits filed recently related to The Jungle Cruise, so it seems like Disney is really working on the upkeep here. Jungle Cruise The same contracting company — Neth & Son, Inc. — is also listed for “general construction” on a separate permit with an address tied to Country Bear Jamboree in Magic Kingdom. So some roof updates could be on their way for that classic attraction too! Country Bear Jamboree Another permit has also been filed recently related to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. This is just the latest in several we’ve seen filed related to this attraction in the past few weeks/months. This permit (like the Cosmic Rewind one) lists Imagineering as the owner. The work here is specifically for the “installation of show sets.” Tiana’s Bayou Adventure…and the crane The contractor listed is ThemeWorks, Inc. Based on their website, it looks like they’ve worked on projects for SeaWorld and various other companies. They do everything from planning to design, modelmaking, fabrication, and more. The permit is not set to expire until December 31st, 2024, which seems to line up with the ride’s expected fall 2024 opening. In other words, we might not see the work from this permit pop up in the park any time soon but it seems some work is on the way — whether those show sets will be visible from the outside or strictly inside. They’re really working on this! And finally, we spotted quite a few permits for spots within DinoLand U.S.A. in Disney’s Animal Kingdom! All of the permits are for “general construction” with Carter Electric and will automatically expire in 1 year. Carter Electric specializes in commercial, industrial, underground, and high-voltage electrical construction, so the work here might not lead to any dramatic changes in your park experience, but it is interesting to see just how many areas they’re working on. DinoLand Specifically, we’ve seen permits filed for work at addresses tied to Mammoth Marathon, Fossil Fueler, Crashin’ Comets, and Bronto Score. Comet Crasher That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Disney also appears to be working on electrical matters at a restroom near Expedition Everest, a refresh of the volcano at Rainforest Cafe in Disney Springs, the installation of fiber optic technology at various buildings in Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and more based on the permits filed lately. Even if the changes aren’t ones you spot away, things ARE changing all over the parks and hotels! We’ll continue to keep an eye out for updates on those projects and others throughout Disney World so stay tuned for more news. In the meantime, click here to see how one space within Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has changed! Click here to get a first look at the NEW hallways, carpeting, and decor at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think about these permits? Tell us in the comments. The post New Permits Hint at Updates for Several MAJOR Disney World Rides first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

EPCOT has seen a LOT of change over the past few years as it undergoes a massive transformation. If you’ve visited EPCOT recently, you might have noticed that construction walls seem to be almost everywhere at the front of the park. That’s because there’s still work to be completed. A LOT is happening at EPCOT right now Not only is a new Moana-themed attraction coming to that part of the park, but the World Celebration area is getting a HUGE overhaul with new structures and a statue of Walt Disney. So let’s see how construction is coming along on all that. Let’s take a look at the progress of Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana. This walkthrough attraction will allow Disney World visitors to “play with magical, living water.” More importantly, this attraction will have a LOT of shade, which is something DESPERATELY needed in EPCOT. We are here for all these trees. The latest construction shows what seems to be a kiosk set up for Cast Members. This could potentially be the entrance, too. Entrance We’re also starting to see a few more structures taking shape, as well as an area with a lot of “rocks” that could be a water play area. SO many trees Moving to one of the OTHER projects under construction at EPCOT, Communicore Hall has some pillars up now. This area will be part of a dedicated festival area that will be EPCOT’s new home base for all of EPCOT’s festivals, as well as live events. Pillars going up There’s another building in this area that’s also taking shape. This is all part of the Communicore Plaza area. Communicore Plaza We’ll continue to keep an eye on construction at EPCOT, and keep you updated on things like opening dates and more. So stay tuned to DFB for ALL your Disney news! I’ve Eaten Everything at the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival for 15 Years. Don’t Make My Mistakes. 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! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of the EPCOT transformation? What do you love? What do you hate? Let us know in the comments! The post Major UPDATE on Moana-Themed Attraction in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article