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Dressed from wing to toe as Tinker Bell, six-year-old Ashley radiated with excitement when visiting Magic Kingdom Park. Her newfound pixie dust did not just come from being at the Most Magical Place on Earth – it also came from fulfilling a dream following a special interaction with a Jungle Cruise Skipper named Heather. Ashley’s […]View the full article

We all love Disney souvenirs, right? But what about our wallets?! Main Street USA in Magic Kingdom When you’re strolling through the parks, you can find all kinds of merch to bring home. You’re sure to come across loads of Minnie Ears, popcorn buckets, and some more creative ones like Magic Shots! But, sometimes we come across ones that are just out-of-this-world expensive like the $79,000 Spaceship Earth we saw in EPCOT. We just found one in Magic Kingdom that’s a whole lot more reasonably priced, but still begs the question if it’s a good buy or a terrible financial decision. When you’re walking down Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom, right before you get to the Main Street Bakery for your Starbucks fix, you’ll find Crystal Arts, home of some beautiful pieces of crystal artwork. We spotted this Disney100 trinket box, and guys… we were struggling! Seriously, come on Disney. Do you have to tempt us all the time with something so pretty and sparkly? Oh yeah, and it’s part of the limited-time 100th anniversary! It’s probably a mistake not to buy it, right?! 100th Anniversary Trinket Box It is priced at $125 though, so let’s give it some time before we make a decision on buying it or not. And while we’re thinking about it, there are always more items in Crystal Arts that we’ve spotted previously like this crystal Cast Member Nametag for $85 or… Crystal Cast Member Nametag …$149 for this cup and saucer for your next afternoon tea party. Cup and saucer There are so many more finds at Crystal Arts, so next time you’re in Magic Kingdom, you might want to stop by. In the meantime, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news and more! Click here for the latest Disney100 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 Will you be picking this up on your next visit to the Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments below! The post Disclaimer: We Are NOT Responsible for You Spending 5 on This Disney 100 Souvenir first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’ve been around for a while, you know how much we love Wine Bar George in Disney Springs. Wine Bar George And if you’re new here, guess what? We LOVE Wine Bar George in Disney Springs! We love the food, we love the wine selection, we love the cocktails, and we LOVE the Corkcicles! Over the years, Wine Bar George has released classic and seasonal Corkcicles. And this collaboration of restaurant sommelier brilliance with a unique merchandise item is pretty much perfect! In case you didn’t know — Corkcicles aren’t just a thermos or fancy-shaped Yeti cup. Corkcicle tumblers use a first-of-its-kind, proprietary layer of insulation. In between the two walls of vacuum sealed 18/8 food-grade stainless steel, there’s a third layer that keeps drinks cold for up to 20 percent longer than other insulated bottles and cups. Look for It Here! In terms of wine, Corkcicles keep your white wines chilled and bring your room-temperature reds down to a more suitable “cellar” temperature, without the need for an ice bucket. Now can you see why Corkcicle and WBG are a match made in heaven? Having your wine in a Corkcicle means each sip is experienced at the exact temperature it should for optimum flavor development – a sommelier’s dream come true! @winebargeorge on Instagram Now that we have a better understanding of WHY George Miliotes, Master Sommelier, would want to collaborate with Corkcicle (and why we all might want a collection of them!), let’s take a look at ALL of those beautiful Wine Bar George Corkcicles we’ve seen! 2022 Classic White came out during the Flavors of Florida celebration. Frozen Old Fashioned Wood Grain Corkcicle is a classic. Even though you can put a DOLE Whip Froscato in yours, we can also imagine it’d be delightful to sip a classic Old Fashioned from! Mother’s Day Flowers no need to get Mom a bouquet that will wilt, when these flowers are timeless. 2021 Holiday Sweater is a cup we would be happy to sip our Egg Nog out of. ©Wine Bar George, Disney 2021 Spiderman release was worthy of the friendly neighborhood hero and a great way to support your favorite Avenger. Spider-Man Corkcicle! 2021 Hooten Young joined in on the collab, lending its logo to the mix for those Whiskey fans. WBG Hooten Young 2020 Rosé cup made a splash, and we can’t deny feeling sophisticated sipping a rosé in a rosé cup. Rosé Corkcicle @WineBarGeorge 2020 Pink was just perfectly pink. Shortcake Color Block Corkcicle 2020 Green/Yellow was the second color block released in 2020, and we can’t help but think of Kermit and Miss Piggy when we see the two color block cups together. Corkcicle! 2019 Champagne , if we can sip rosé from a rosé cup, why not sip champagne from a champagne flute? Champagne Corkcicle Flute 2019 Glampagne was also available in a stemless tumbler form. ©Wine Bar George 2019 Neon Pink if you still have this in your cabinet, it might be the perfect cuppie to use while you watch the new Barbie movie, or binge all of the Legally Blonde films. Elle Woods would approve. Photo Courtesy of IG @prettylittlemonograms 2019 Gun Metal for that distinctly non-pink vibe. Gun Metal Corkcicle 2019 Blue was a great patriotic color to ring in the 4th of July back in 2019. Blue Corckcicle 2019 Yellow which might be the perfect cup to drink a DOLE Whip mimosa out of! Yellow Corksicle Keep an eye on DFB as we bring you the latest WBG seasonal Corkcicle. And the next time you’re in Disney Springs, check the Basket next to Wine Bar George for the current Corkcicle available. Remember, when you buy a Corkcicle here, you get your choice of frozen cocktail in the cup complimentary! DETAILS ANNOUNCED About the NEW Wine Bar George Location in the Orlando Airport 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 you have any of these Wine Bar George Corkcicles? Which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below! The post A List of EVERY Corkcicle at Wine Bar George first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Does anyone else have a running mental list of everything you WISH Disney Imagineers would create? Come on, Disney! All we want is a new nighttime parade in the Magic Kingdom. (Plus a few other dream projects we’ve been cooking up in our minds…) While we may not have a say in Disney’s future plans, we can get the Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Josh D’Amaro’s take on the subject. What’s your go-to ride in the Magic Kingdom? Josh D’Amaro attended the JP Morgan Global Technology, Media & Communications Conference to participate in a question-and-answer session. We learned a LOT about the future of The Walt Disney Company, so let’s talk about it! Just recently, a few Disney executives spoke at the SVB MoffettNathanson Technology, Media & Telecom Conference. Disney CFO Christine McCarthy discussed the idea of using Disney+ subscriber data to inform creative decisions in the Disney parks, and Disney President of ad sales Rita Ferro commented on Disney’s positive outlook in the marketing sector. ©Disney Additionally, Disneyland President Ken Potrock spoke at an OC Forum event and shared an update on the company’s plans for a new Avatar experience. Potrock didn’t share many details, but in reference to the project, he said, “We’re thinking bold.” Pandora in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Between the most recent earnings call and the flurry of technology and media conferences we’ve been covering, Disney has been sharing a LOT of information about the company’s upcoming plans. So, what did we learn from D’Amaro? What We Learned Throughout the conference, D’Amaro commented on various topics, including Disney+, Disney parks, and more. The conversation started with a turn toward the business success of the parks currently. D’Amaro pointed out that recovery from the pandemic has been great recently in both the domestic and international parks, but that the company is expecting a slight drop in business at Walt Disney World now that the 50th Anniversary celebrations are over. Cinderella Castle But with a possible recession approaching, how will Disney manage its theme park business effectively in the U.S. going forward? To answer that question, the subject of discussion turned to yield management strategies, including the park reservation systems currently in place in the domestic parks. D’Amaro said, “I don’t think anybody is completely immune to a recession” but mentioned that the tools the company has in place will help them to navigate those challenges. Animal Kingdom entrance The park reservation system helps Disney to plan labor for its parks and to develop better consumer targeting. Because of this system, D’Amaro shared that “we are a lot more sophisticated now than we were pre-pandemic.” The company is in a better position to manage economic volatility since they have control over park capacity. EPCOT However, Disney has also received complaints about things like the reservation system making a visit to the parks more “complicated” — a complaint that D’Amaro addressed as well. The chairman shared that he visits the parks often and listens to thoughts from guests. He said,“I still think we have more to do” when it comes to making the systems in place more user-friendly, but that they’re trying to be accommodating in other ways. Entering the park “What we’re trying to do is make sure that we have variable and flexible pricing wherever we can,” said D’Amaro. This way, they’ll be able to invite as many guests as possible to visit. He mentioned that peak days would have more aggressive pricing, but that the company is trying to make sure there are plenty of in-park options for guests. While adding those offerings and options for guests often means that things become more complex, D’Amaro said, “We’ll continue to invest in technology to simplify the experience.” To hammer on that point, he mentioned the Disney Park Pass changes coming in 2024 as an example. Tower of Terror But besides technology, what’s coming next for the Disney parks? When asked about optimizing the footprint in the U.S. parks, D’Amaro shared that “we have plenty of opportunity within these existing footprints to optimize” and that there is more room for expansion at both Disney World and Disneyland Resort than people realize. Toy Story Land crowds He mentioned the proposed DisneylandForward project, which would make use of some extra space around the resort. The project is currently in the planning and approval stages, but we’ve heard Disney mention it a few times recently. Its projects like these and expansions like new rides and new lands that allow Disney to increase capacity in the parks without making them feel too cramped. ©Disney So what could come next with these projects? D’Amaro was asked which IPs he’s interested in bringing to the parks, and he specifically called out Marvel Studios and Star Wars by name, mentioning that there are so many stories available that are being released through those brands currently. But on top of that, he said “You can go all the way back to Mickey Mouse” and use the Disney classics. Referencing Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway specifically, he noted that “this is IP that is still incredibly relevant today and our guests rate it highly.” So more Disney classics in the future? We’ll be on the lookout! Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios And speaking of updates that could come to the parks, D’Amaro was asked about the $17 billion that Disney is planning to invest in Florida. D’Amaro shared that the number (announced by CEO Bob Iger) did not include the now-canceled Lake Nona project, but is more indicative of how the company wants to continue to build Walt Disney World in the coming years. D’Amaro mentioned his appearance at the D23 Expo in the fall of 2022, saying, “I talked about some pretty ambitious plans that we have to continue to grow these theme parks” and noting that he’s excited about what’s in store for Florida. A Lot More Could Be Coming to the Parks In general, Josh D’Amaro shared that there’s a lot coming in the future, and that we can expect some ambitious additions and changes in the coming years for the theme parks and the company as a whole. 100 years in, Disney isn’t stopping anytime soon! In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more! Changes Coming to Disney World Based on Disney+ Views, Says Disney Exec 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 planning a trip to Disney World this year? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney Executive Shares “We Have Plenty of Opportunity” to Expand the Domestic Parks first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

With Disney’s new "The Little Mermaid" film splashing into theaters on May 26, fans can enjoy an assortment of whoozits and whatsits designed with representation in mind.View the full article

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Does anyone else feel very passionate about drinkware? When it comes to water bottles, some people have entire collections of tumblers and insulated bottles! If you know anything about water bottles, you probably have a favorite brand. So, are you team Hydro Flask? Team Yeti? Do you own a Stanley Cup (no, not the trophy)? What about a Corkcicle? Did you know that there’s a Corkcicle stand in Disney Springs? In Disney World, Corkcicle is pretty popular! The brand specializes in insulated bottles that come in all different shapes and sizes; some even have Disney character designs. If you’re looking for a new water bottle or insulated cup, now is the PERFECT time to shop Corkcicle — they’re on SALE! Corkcicle is offering some BIG discounts as part of its Memorial Day Sale! You can get 20% OFF SITEWIDE using the code “MDAY20.” Look at all those options! Want to be hands-free when you’re using your new Corkcicle gear? No problem! Pick up one of these Corkcicle Sling Bags for 20% off as part of the Memorial Day Sale! The Disney100 Mickey Sling! We’ve spotted some Mickey-themed ones that sell out pretty quickly, but you can still carry your Disney-themed bottle in style! Click Here To Shop a Corkcicle Sling for Your Water Bottle M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E! Celebrate the mouse who started it all with this Mickey Mouse Club Canteen. ©Corkcicle It holds 16oz of water (or whatever you choose!) so you can stay hydrated all day long. We’re obsessed with the retro sketches on this one — you can also get it in white. Click Here To Shop the Mickey Mouse Club Canteen For the princess fan in your life, grab this Cinderella Tumbler for 20% off as well! ©Corkcicle It holds 16oz of hot or cold liquid, and keeps hot drinks hot for three hours. It’ll keep your drink cold for 9+ hours! There are also designs inspired by Belle, Ariel, Jasmine, and Snow White, too! Click Here To Shop the Disney Princess Tumbler This Memorial Day sale won’t last long, so be sure to stock up NOW! Click Here To Shop the Corkcicle Memorial Day Sale In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more. 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 you own any Corkcicle products? Let us know in the comments! The post You Can Score 20% OFF Disney Corkcicles -- But You'll Want To Hurry! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are only certain things in Disney that are free. And getting an entirely FREE Disney vacation is something you may think is totally impossible. But it isn’t…if you’re lucky. Runaway Railway We’ve seen Disney offer a number of sweepstakes over the years with everything from free Star Wars prizes to free vacations to Disney World and beyond. And now another prize (worth over $4,000!!) could be ALL YOURS. Here’s how. GoNoodle has announced a special sweepstakes that’ll send you to the Happiest Place on Earth (Disneyland) for the vacation of your dreams. All of this is being done in celebration of the opening of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Disneyland. The winner will get a grand prize worth around $4,895 that includes a 3-day/2-night vacation to Disneyland for them and 3 guests. Inside the Queue! Included in the grand prize is: A 2-night stay at a Disneyland Resort hotel Up to 4 round-trip coach airfares for the winner and 3 guests Up to 4 round-trip ground transfers between the airport and a Disneyland Resort hotel Up to four 3-day, 1-park per-day Disneyland tickets (park reservations will be required for each day of the visit) Disneyland Hotel To enter the sweepstakes, head to the GoNoodle website, enter your information, and submit your entry! No purchase is necessary, and the sweepstakes is open to those in the 50 U.S. states and D.C. who are 18 and over. But act fast — it ends on June 19th, 2023 at 11:59PM so you’ll want to get your entry in NOW. There is a limit of 1 entry per person per day. Click here to enter the sweepstakes! Imagine all the fun you could have in Disneyland if you do win the grand prize! You could make your way over to the newly opened Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway ride to see all the incredible details. Plus, you could check out the renovated Mickey’s Toontown area, which even has NEW snacks to try. Cafe Daisy EATS! You may even be able to time your visit to check out some new eateries in Downtown Disney or experience some of the 100th Anniversary celebrations. Whatever you choose to do, we have a feeling it’ll be even more magical knowing you got those tickets and a hotel stay for FREE. So enter to win that contest today, and stay tuned for more sweepstakes news! Click here to learn about some of the EPIC hidden secrets in the Runaway Railway ride!  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 Disneyland before? Tell us in the comments! The post It Takes 10 Seconds to Enter to WIN a ,895 Disney Vacation! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

PSSST… You know how we love sharing secrets with our readers here at DFB? Sleeping Beauty Castle I mean, don’t tell anybody or anything , but we’ve got Secret Menu items that you have to be in-the-know to order. We’ve shared 52 SECRET things to do in Disney World. We’ve even let you in on 15 secret ways to navigate around the crowds in Disney World… because we’re friends, right? Well, today we’ve got 50 (!!!) of Disneyland’s BEST Hidden Secrets so you can impress your friends and family on your next visit. Because I’m about to let you in on another secret about these secrets… They’re made for sharing. So let’s DIVE IN! Disneyland Park 1 – 3: Sleeping Beauty Castle Secrets Aaah, there’s nothing like the view of Sleeping Beauty Castle at the end of Main Street, U.S.A… but there’s more than just a pretty view here. The castle drawbridge, for instance, isn’t just for looks – it’s fully functional! Sleeping Beauty Castle That said, the bridge has only been “publicly lowered” for guests “twice.” The first time was for was Disneyland’s official opening in 1955, and the second was for Fantasyland’s rededication in 1983. But it doesn’t stop there… you can stroll inside! In the walls of Sleeping Beauty Castle lies a walk-through attraction that retells the story of Sleeping Beauty. Inside Sleeping Beauty Castle The walkways through the castle are dimly lit to show off the intricacies of the scenes and interactive features. There’s still something hidden much deeper at the Castle. In 1995, a time capsule was buried at Sleeping Beauty Castle. Inside Sleeping Beauty Castle If you want to find out what’s inside, you’ll have to wait awhile. A placard reads “A time capsule, containing Disneyland memories, messages and milestones, lies beneath this spot. The Disneyland Time Capsule is dedicated to the children of the 21st century, who may unlock its contents on the 80th Anniversary of Disneyland: July 17th, 2035.” 4: The Mickey That Greets You at the Disneyland Train Station It’s a beautiful thing, isn’t it? I’m talking about Mickey Mouse made of flowers! He’s smiling at you from just inside the gates of Disneyland Park on the grass leading up to the train station. “To all who come to this happy place… WELCOME.” This whimsical floral design is replanted SIX times a year, in order to spruce up the area and even dress it all up for the Holiday Season and Halloween Time! 5: Walt’s Apartment and Tribute Walt Disney made himself at home in Disneyland in an apartment above the Disneyland Fire Department. When the park was being built, he didn’t want to miss a minute of his dream coming to fruition. Always a Light On for Walt Disney Walt would always turn a light on in front of his window so that workers would know when he was in the park. And that’s why you’ll see a light in the window that always stays lit in his memory (except when his family members are in the park, as a sign of respect). 6: Strange Lightbulb Now here’s a great example of Walt Disney’s famous attention to detail… One of the lightbulbs at the Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner at the top of Main Street is painted half white and half red. As the story goes… Refreshment Corner Walt Disney was walking through Disneyland one day and noticed two white bulbs right next to each other. He called a painter over and had him paint half of the second white bulb red to correct the pattern! 7: Walt’s Favorite Meal Walt Disney was a man of simple tastes when it came to food. One of his favorite dishes was chili, and Carnation Cafe on Main Street, U.S.A. serves up his favorite recipe to this day (by the name of Walt’s Chili, of course)! Walt’s Chili at Carnation Cafe Obtained from Walt’s oldest daughter, Diane, and The Walt Disney Family Museum, the simple and savory recipe comes from the Disney family cook who was able to perfectly balance the mix of meat and beans for Walt. 8 – 11: King Arthur Carrousel Horses There is more than meets the eye — literally — when it comes to the horses of the King Arthur Carrousel. There are 85 gorgeous horses featured on this classic attraction, BUT… King Arthur Carrousel … only 72 horses are on the carrousel at any given time. Disney has shared that the horses use this little vacation time as an opportunity to be repaired, sanded, refinished, and repainted. And every single one of those 85 horses is individually named! King Arthur Carrousel Previously, guests could pick up the full list of their names from City Hall on Main Street, U.S.A., but that might not be the case for your next visit. But let’s say you do find that complete list of names. We want to bring one in particular to your attention: JINGLES! She is the lead horse and can be identified by all those shiny golden bells. ©Disney Jingles was Walt Disney’s very own favorite horse on the Carrousel. In 2008, Jingles received a makeover to celebrate Julie Andrews – the “Practically Perfect” Mary Poppins herself – and her 44 years of service to the Disney company. (Imagineers thought that dedicating the lead carrousel horse to the actress would be a fitting tribute since Mary Poppins had ridden a similar carousel horse in the film). That’s how Jingles got her current blue, pink, and gold color scheme, along with Julie Andrews’ initials and more Mary Poppins-themed features. 12 & 13: A Ride Inside a Ride Did you know that a large portion of the Alice in Wonderland attraction (which opened in 1958) actually takes place on the second floor of ANOTHER classic Disneyland dark ride: Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride! According to the D23 website, “Alice in Wonderland was Disneyland’s first two-level ride-through attraction.” But, due to “spatial constraints,” Alice had to be built on TOP of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. Alice in Wonderland But wait, there’s more! When you board Alice in Wonderland, the temperatures seem normal at first… until you enter the room of the Card Soldiers. The you may notice quite the temperature change… Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride When your ride vehicle enters the playing card room of the Alice in Wonderland ride, you’re actually feeling the heat from the hell scene in Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride beneath you! Heat rises… it’s science, folks. 14: The Story Behind a Less-Than-Perfect Detail Grabbing some Grey Stuff at Red Rose Taverne? After you polish off this famously “delicious!” dish and are getting ready to leave, look up at the glowing EXIT sign and you may notice things are a little off… off-center, that is. You see, when the restaurant was initially built (as the Pinocchio-themed Village Haus Restaurant, at the time), there was a design flaw that left the EXIT sign just a little too far to the right, and therefore uneven with the archway exits. Red Rose Taverne What’s an Imagineer to do? Well, Figaro (the cat from Pinocchio) was originally painted to lasso the sign, making it look like he was trying to pull it in the right direction. Then, when the Beauty and the Beast theming transformed this counter service restaurant in 2017, Sultan the Foot Stool replaced Figaro to take on the attempted shifting of the sign! 15: “We’re All Mad Here…” If you stare into the mirror (the one up high with the caterpillar as a frame) in Fantasyland’s Mad Hatter shop long enough, you may notice something STARING BACK AT YOU: the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland! Mad Hatter in Disneyland He’ll slowly disappear every once in a while but don’t you worry… he’ll be back. 16: I Spy the Evil Queen The Cheshire Cat isn’t the only one making appearances in Fantasyland… Snow White’s Enchanted Wish If you watch the window above Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, you may just see the Evil Queen looking out every so often as she pulls aside the curtain (about every 20 seconds or so). 17: A Hidden… Basketball Court?! Taking on the Matterhorn? Well, here’s a fun fact: tucked inside the Matterhorn Bobsleds, there is actually a quarter of a basketball court! The Matterhorn Walt Disney did not like to let any space go to waste, so he asked the Matterhorn climbers what they would like inside. When the vote was tallied, a basketball court was the end result! Cast Members can take breaks and have a little fun shooting hoops there. 18: Hidden Country Bears The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh opened in June of 1999 in Critter Country. The ride displaced the Country Bear Jamboree, but all was not lost… The Many Adventure of Winnie the Pooh Actual audio-animatronics for Max, Buff, and Melvin are inside the attraction and are visible if you look behind you to the right as you enter the “honey” room during the ride! Additional tributes to the Country Bears throughout Critter Country (formerly known as Bear Country) can be found at Hungry Bear Restaurant and above the land’s shops. 19 & 20: Haunting History When paying a visit to the 999 Happy Haunts in the Haunted Mansion, you will see a gigantic spider web in the Grand Ballroom. If you look closely, you can see a HUGE bullet hole in the glass paneling. (It comes up fast, so keep your eyes peeled!) Haunted Mansion in Disneyland It’s said that either a child with a BB gun or slingshot made the hole (or that a man with a shotgun created it when he thought he saw something strange…). In any case, the hole could not be repaired, and the glass was too expensive to replace. And so, spider web cover to the rescue, it was! And since there’s always room for one more when it comes to secrets, here’s another! Haunted Mansion The organ inside the Haunted Mansion is the very same one that’s seen inside the submarine Nautilus in the movie 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. 21 & 22: Let’s Seek Some Pirate’s Treasure, Matey… “But you have heard of me…” Aaah, yes! We’re talking here about Captain Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean films AND the dark ride that inspired them. Pirates of the Caribbean After you ride Pirates of the Caribbean in Disneyland, be sure to swing by the Pieces of Eight storefront window. Among the pirate-y treasure here, we want to bring your attention to the voodoo doll lying on a barrel with a striking resemblance to our rum-loving Captain… but it’s not just ANY version of Captain Jack. According to the D23 website, THIS seems to be the Captain Jack from Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest – since the face paint on the doll is similar to the “face paint he wore when escaping the natives.” While you’re at Pieces of Eight, keep your eyes peeled, too, for a white monkey dangling from the chandeliers above the registers. Pieces of Eight Do you notice a resemblance to Jack the Monkey from the films? YES! You’ve spied him! 23 & 24: When You Wish Upon a SHOOTING Star… and More Pirates of the Caribbean Secrets Quick, look! Did you see it?? The Bayou Your eyes do not deceive you in the twilight bayou scene in Pirates of the Caribbean. There is indeed a shooting star… look above the trees and toward the ceiling for a chance of spotting it. Now here’s something a little less whimsical: while on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride you’ll notice several skeleton props. What you may not know is that some of the original skeletons were REAL (and one still is). Pirates of the Caribbean Toothpick Holder When the ride first opened in 1967, skeletons from the UCLA Medical School were used, as opposed to props, since they looked more realistic (what with the fact that THEY WERE). These days, just one real skeleton remains (look for the skull on the headboard of the bed). 25: Keep an EAR Out Staying in New Orleans Square, the land’s train station has something you need to keep an EAR out for, instead of an eye this time. New Orleans Square in Disneyland The clicking sound you hear is that of a telegraph typing out a message in Morse Code. The message? It translates to a portion of Walt Disney’s speech on the opening day of Disneyland: July 17, 1955! 26 – 33: Adding to Your Indiana Jones Adventure We’re heading to another adventure now… Indiana Jones Adventure! This ride takes you on a winding, bumpy journey to escape the wrath of the temple god, Mara. An unstable bridge, a chamber of mummies, a GIANT BOULDER HURTLING YOUR WAY… all in a day for Indy, right? But there’s something a little less adventurous to note… Indiana Jones Adventure sign Your vehicle also drives over an old parking lot (though you’d never realize it if you didn’t already know. And now you do)! The area where The Indiana Jones Adventure now resides used to be part of the cast member parking lot, and not actually part of the park itself. Did you know that the Temple of the Forbidden Eye contains over 2,000 replicated human skulls AND 2,129 sculpted, carved, painted or living representations of snakes, according to our friends over at AllEars.net? Indiana Jones Adventure Okay, c’mon… Say it with me, you know you want to… “Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?” Sure, you may already be well aware that your ride on Indiana Jones Adventure is different each time (and that it’s based on which of the three doors — Youth, Riches, or Knowledge — that your jeep drives you through at the beginning of your adventure). Indiana Jones Adventure ride vehicles BUT! It’s much more than 3 simple options. The jeeps are preloaded with a “variety of movements” that have the potential of creating almost 160,000 different moving combinations! Now, let’s discuss that queue. If it seems like walking through the queue for Indiana Jones takes as long as walking through the entire park… well, it’s because it is almost like that. Indiana Jones Queue In fact, once you’re in the Spike Room, you’re actually walking underneath the Disneyland Railroad Tracks. To keep that long line more interesting, there are several secrets to look out for! For instance, once you are inside the Temple and have made it through the cave (good job!), look out for the part of the line that resembles a bridge. Indiana Jones Adventure Queue Then, look to your left for a unique-looking bamboo post. If you pull on it, the ceiling will drop just a bit! As the line continues, you’ll come to an open room featuring a large obelisk in the middle. As you walk around it, you will notice a sign that says “Do not pull rope.” Do you know that just so happens to be Disney Code for PULL ON IT?! PSSST… This is Disney’s way of telling you to Pull a Rope! You may hear someone inside speaking to you… (In fact, there is a similar gag near Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Adventure in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as you can see in the photo above.) The Indiana Jones Adventure queue is SO LONG (“HOW? LONG? IS IT?”), that there is even a “secret” restroom along the way for any necessary moments. What secrets will you unlock in the line for Indiana Jones Adventure? Ok, Indy has one more for ya.. Behind the projector in the Indiana Jones Adventure queue is a sign featuring a picture of… Eeyore! The best way to see it is to go to the end of the projection room for the pre-show, then turn around to look for it. Still can’t see it? Ask a Cast Member. They often carry flashlights and can likely point it out. 34: The Story of the Banyan Tree While you’re enjoying your Jungle Cruise, look for the large Banyan tree (it stands amidst the angry hippos). This tree was purchased from a home in Beverly Hills in early 1955. As the story goes, Harper Goff (Jungle Cruise designer), and Bill Evans (Disneyland’s chief landscaper), were looking for a tree to fill the background specifically in the hippo scene. Jungle Cruise Goff and Evans would cruise (pardon the pun!) the streets of Beverly Hills on the lookout for trees for the park. One day, they discovered the perfect tree in the front yard of a house in Beverly Hills. Upon inquiry, they learned that the homeowner couldn’t stand that tree, saying they could have it if they removed the Banyan tree and planted something new. And that’s how the Banyan tree still has its Jungle Cruise home today. 35: Authentic Mining Equipment Most of the mining equipment throughout the queue and attraction of Big Thunder Mountain is the REAL DEAL. Big Thunder Mountain Imagineers searched swap meets, abandoned mines, and ghosts towns throughout Wyoming, Nevada, Colorado, and Minnesota to find enough authentic equipment to fill the line and the ride! 36: Hidden Target on Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters Wanna know the secret to scoring MEGA POINTS on Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters? It lies in the second room of the ride. At the space where Zurg stands and turns (revealing and concealing targets with his cape), there is a small “Z” on his chest that does not look like the other targets…. But it TOTALLY IS A TARGET. Astro Blasters And it’s worth 50,000 points!!! Fair warning: this target can be very difficult to hit (even if it looks like you squarely got it), and it only registers about half the time. But when the stars all align, the point payoff is GREAT. 37: The Disneyland Cats It’s true: over 200 feral cats live in Disneyland park. Disneyland Cat (Rest in Peace, Nutmeg.) The felines are there to keep rodents away (though consider yourself lucky to encounter one of the cats as the majority are said to be nocturnal creatures). 38: The Little Man of Disneyland The Little Man of Disneyland is named Patrick Begorra and he made his first appearance in one of the Disney Little Golden Books (which, according to Disney, was published in 1955 — the same year Disneyland opened). Who is Patrick? Why, he’s a leprechaun who, these days, spends his hours in a teeny tiny house at the base of a tree in Disneyland’s Adventureland. Ready for an ADVENTURE? You can even see it for yourself! Patrick’s home is near the entrance of Indiana Jones Adventure at the base of a tree trunk – it’s tangled within the roots. You’ll see an itty bitty door, a itty bitty window, an itty bitty smoke stack, and and itty bitty porch light. Home Sweet Home! 39: The Smellitizers! Do you have a sudden craving for cookies the minute you set foot on Main Street, U.S.A? That probably has something to do with the Smellitizers. You see, different areas of the park smell like different things thanks to perfumes being sprayed out from Ye Olde Smellitizer (I added the Ye Olde , don’t mind me), with each area having its own unique scents to play on our senses. Main Street, U.S.A. Riding Pirates of the Caribbean? You might unknowingly get a whiff of sea salt in the air. Closer to The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh? You guessed it — you may pick up on a honeyed aroma! Oh, and those cookies you crave walking down Main Street? Well, you’re going to smell freshly baked cookies… whether there are actual cookies in a nearby oven or not. During the holidays, you might smell peppermint candies being made, or pumpkin spices and candy corn near Halloween. Disney California Adventure 40 – 43: WEB Slingers Our first secret stop in Disney California Adventure is Avengers Campus where we’re checking out a tree. Well, THREE trees, actually. And while that may not sound like major secret material, allow me to explain… Just outside of the WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure ride building are three trees. But you’ll notice that the middle tree TOWERS over the other two. On either side of it, you’ll see a pipe leaking a mysterious green goo. WEB Slingers But that mystery is solved by a warning label DIRECTLY above the pipe that reads: CAUTION: GAMMA RADIATION. And it’s this sign that provides the clue for the gargantuan size of that tree. You see, Gamma radiation is what transformed Dr. Bruce Banner into the HULK. So I guess what we’re saying is… don’t make the tree angry. You won’t like it when it’s angry. Once you enter the queue for WEB SLINGERS, you may find it hard to take in all the details. But we’d like to point a specific one out right here: it’s in the pre-room show. Here in the lab, Peter Parker is preparing for the big Open House to show off the latest WEB Slinger vehicles… but that’s not the only thing being worked on in this room. Check out the whiteboards to find science equations for how webs could be built and fully functional. WEB Slingers These equations are actual formulas! The math truly checks out! It’s not just for show, my friends… and you can trust me on that. (Okay, that’s SO not true — you can’t trust me on anything math-related. But you CAN trust those Disney Imagineers!) Next, you’re gonna want to look for a lamp. I know… a LAMP? “You’re asking me to take the time to check out a LAMP in the WEB SLINGERS queue?” You bet I am… because the lamp on Peter Parker’s desk is (if I may steal a quote from Aladdin) “NO ORDINARY LAMP!!!” WEB SLINGERS It’s the iconic Pixar Luxo Lamp! Do you see it right next to Peter? We’re still in the WEB SLINGERS queue for this last one… Keep your eyes peeled for Lucky Dog’s Pizza boxes. This is an in-universe a nod to Lucky the Dog, the pup Kate Bishop rescued in Hawkeye. HINT: Look under the Pixar Luxo Lamp P.S. There’s also a Lucky Dog’s Pizza phone number displayed in the queue. If you dial it, it will indeed go through (though the automated voice message will tell you the line has been disconnected). 44: Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT! Did you know that Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: Breakout! offers six different storyline experiences? Once you’re on the ride vehicle, you’ll be dropped into one of six different scenarios featuring Star-Lord, Groot, Gamora, Rocket, and Drax. Each of the scenarios features a different song from the ’70s or ’80s as you speed to the top of the tower and drop to the bottom. Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission BREAKOUT! Before all of that happens, though, as you enter the Collector’s Fortress, keep your eyes out for a nod to Cosmo the Spacedog as first seen in the Collector’s Fortress in the Guardians of the Galaxy! (Bad dog or good dog? ) 45: An Exclusive Lounge The Magic Key Terrace is located on a terrace above Wine Country Trattoria, and this relaxing little getaway is for Magic Key holders ONLY. Magic Key Terrace But guess what? If a Magic Key Holder is visiting with a non-passholder pal, they’re allowed to bring up to six guests along to chill for a bit, drink some wine or share an appetizer, and enjoy the awesome view of Cars Land. Speaking of Cars Land… 46 & 47: Cars Land Easter Eggs Many of the ride vehicles in Cars Land have special license plates featuring the initials of Imagineers who helped this ride come to life. Cars Land According to an interview from Forbes.com, “The baby tractors [over at Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree]… also have letters that represent initials and birthdays of key contributors to the Cars Land project from Walt Disney Imagineering and Pixar Animation Studios.” In 2015, Luigi’s Flying Tires closed up shop and was replaced with Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters just a year later. Now, with more recent additions like Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, we’re all more familiar with trackless rides these days. Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters But back in 2015, Luigi’s Rollicking Roadsters “dancing cars ride” came the FIRST-EVER “trackless vehicle tech to open at a Disney park in the US!” BOTH Parks 48: Roastie Toasties! What, you may ask, is a Roastie Toastie? Popcorn carts in the park have different characters attached to their popcorn turner. In Disneyland, these include everything from a yeti (near the Matterhorn Bobsleds) to the Rocketeer (in Tomorrowland) and even seasonal turners like Oogie Boogie (near Haunted Mansion Holiday) and Santa Claus (on Main Street). This tradition continues at Tokyo Disneyland, where my all-time favorite Roastie Toastie resides in Frontierland: Big Al! “YES!” Duke Kaboom Roastie Toastie In Disney California Adventure, we’ve spied Duke Caboom working his magic on Pixar Pier! Seriously, don’t miss your chance to seek out all of these truly charming details when you’re in Disneyland. Just Outside the Parks 49 & 50: Sneaky Park Entrances Sure, you can enter Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure from the iconic entrance gates, but there are other ways to get in (oh, umm… you still have to purchase a ticket and everything, but stay with me)… Disney California Adventure If you catch a ride on the Disneyland Monorail, for instance, you’ll arrive right into the heart of Disneyland’s Tomorrowland! Disneyland Monorail But we’ve got TWO MORE secret entrances on top of that! Staying at the Grand Californian Hotel? Well, guess what…. then you’re actually staying IN Disney California Adventure. The resort exits out into Grizzly Peak: home of Soarin’ and Grizzly’s River Run to start your day with a flight or a SOAK! Soarin’n in Grizzly Peak And the newest Disney California Adventure entrance is part of Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel (soon to be Pixar Place Hotel!). This entrance leads guests into the park between Seaside Souvenirs and Corn Dog Castle in the Paradise Gardens area. WHEW!! Ready for EVEN MORE Disneyland magic? Then check out our ULTIMATE Guide to Disneyland for 2023 in our DFBGuide YouTube Video right here…  Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! See Our DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Learn About Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland Check Out What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Get All the Info About 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 Should You Go to Disneyland in 2022? 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 The post Disneyland's 50 Best Hidden Secrets first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney fans received some pretty startling news recently about the CLOSURE of the Star Wars hotel in Disney World. The immersive hotel experience opened just a little over a year ago, in March 2022, so the news that it was closing so soon came as a surprise to many. Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser However, there were certainly warning signs about the Galactic Starcruiser‘s profitability. After a few sold-out months around the time of the hotel’s opening, we started to see voyages sell out less and less often, and Disney even reduced the number of voyages offered each week in response to the decrease in demand. The Starcruiser’s last voyage will be from September 28th through the 30th (this final trip is now sold out). Disney executive Josh D’Amaro just shared more details about WHY the Starcruiser failed and how this will affect The Walt Disney Company. On Monday, May 22nd, Josh D’Amaro participated in a Q&A session as part of the JP Morgan Global Technology, Media, and Communications Conference. D’Amaro is the Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products at The Walt Disney Company. He was interviewed by Phil Cusick. Josh D’Amaro, Head of Disney Parks and Resorts During the interview, Cusick asked D’Amaro about Disney’s future plans for the parks. D’Amaro said, “We’ve invested aggressively in these parks,” mentioning the upcoming Frozen lands at a few international Disney parks as well as the new Avengers Campus at Disneyland Paris. Cusick then asked D’Amaro, “You’re closing Starcruiser — What drove that and how should we think about the impact?” Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser D’Amaro responded by stating that the Galactic Starcruise hotel is “a pretty stunning asset.” He said, “It’s essentially a spaceship that guests board, themed out to feel exactly like Star Wars. Our Imagineers did an incredible job pulling this asset together, and our guests gave it very high ratings.” Despite those high ratings, however, D’Amaro said, “It didn’t perform exactly like we wanted it to perform, so we decided that we’re going to sunset this in September.” Starcruiser cabin Although the hotel apparently didn’t fulfill Disney’s expectations, D’Amaro emphasized that the Cast Members who ran the hotel did everything they could have done: “Our Cast Members […] did just an exceptional job.” Starcruiser Cast Members D’Amaro went on to say, “We did decide that, despite the fact that this was a never-before-seen type of experience, and I think it’s raised the bar from a creativity perspective on where we can go next, we thought it was time to sunset this beginning in September.” Disney has adopted this optimistic perspective on the Star Wars hotel’s closure, repeatedly emphasizing that they will take the lessons they’ve learned from the experience and apply those to future experiences. Breakfast on the Starcruiser In Disney’s initial statement about the hotel’s closure, they said, “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is one of our most creative projects ever and has been praised by our guests and recognized for setting a new bar for innovation and immersive entertainment. This premium, boutique experience gave us the opportunity to try new things on a smaller scale of 100 rooms, and as we prepare for its final voyage, we will take what we’ve learned to create future experiences that can reach more of our guests and fans.” Details on what will happen to the building and location have not yet been shared. Thus far, there are no current plans to announce. Starcruiser entrance The “smaller scale” mentioned in that statement may have been one of the problems with this hotel. With just 100 rooms, the hotel just can’t accommodate huge numbers of guests. In the JP Morgan interview, D’Amaro noted that the size of the hotel means that its closure won’t have much of an impact in terms of Disney World’s capacity: “The Galactic Starcruiser got a fair amount of attention. It’s a boutique hotel — it’s 100 rooms — and if you think about Walt Disney World, it’s actually 30,000 rooms. So this is this very very small in the context of what we deliver at Walt Disney World.” Hallway to Passenger Cabins In terms of the financial impact of the hotel’s closure on Disney, D’Amaro said, “I will note […] in both Q3 and Q4, as we accelerate depreciation on that Starcruiser, we should expect about $100 to $150 million acceleration in depreciation.” Cusick clarified that D’Amaro meant $100 to $150 million in each of the quarters (not total), to which D’Amaro said, “Correct.” In other words, Disney expects to lose about $100 to $150 million in value in both Q3 and Q4 with the Star Wars hotel’s closure. Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser opened last year for two-night voyages aboard the starship Halcyon that allowed visitors to live out their ULTIMATE Star Wars dreams by becoming part of the onboard Star Wars story. Not only that, but they also got to have unique dining experiences, get lightsaber training, help fly the ship from the bridge, and more. If you’re wanting to book a voyage on the Halcyon before it closes, keep in mind that a trip on the Starcruiser is not cheap. Voyages start at around $1200 per guest per night for two guests in a cabin. We have previously seen discounts for Annual Passholders and Disney Visa Cardmembers. Dining on the Galactic Starcruiser The Galactic Starcruiser’s final voyage on September 28th to the 30th has officially sold out. Bookings for other dates are currently paused for most guests and will reopen on May 26th. Anyone who had a trip booked for after September 2023 is able to reschedule right now. Sublight Lounge Note that Disney did offer guests with voyages booked for AFTER September 2023 an opportunity to rebook at half off, so some of those reservations for the final voyage could be coming from them. Other dates are still available but you shouldn’t expect Disney to release any other discounts to the public. The experience is unlike anything else in Disney World, but it won’t be around for long so you’ll want to book your trip as soon as you can if you’re hoping to experience it before it’s gone. A cabin on the Starcruiser! Once reservations become available again, you can reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations to help you with all your booking needs, so you don’t have to worry about it all on your own. 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 You can also click here for our FULL PAGE on the Star Wars Hotel with links to ALL of our food reviews, hotel room tours, and MUCH more. We have a LOT to share when it comes to dining at the Star Wars Hotel, so we’re gathering more links below so you can learn everything about it: See our full review of EVERYTHING on the Dinner Menu for Night ONE aboard the Halcyon! And find our full review of EVERYTHING on the Dinner Menu for Night TWO aboard the Halcyon! What to eat (and what to AVOID) for BREAKFAST aboard the Halcyon! We ate EVERYTHING for LUNCH on the Galactic Starcruiser! One of our FAVORITE Disney World snacks showed up on the Kids’ Menu on the Starcruiser! Are you traveling to space with a picky or less adventurous eater? See the options HERE. Is the exclusive Captain’s Table experience worth the extra money? We talk about that here. We’ll be watching for more updates, so stay tuned to DFB for all the latest news. Star Wars Hotel -- Galactic Starcruiser News and Information Check Out Our COMPLETE GUIDE to the Star Wars Hotel We’re Breaking the MYTHS from Inside the Star Wars Hotel Rooms What to Get (or AVOID) for Breakfast at the Star Wars Hotel We Ate EVERYTHING for Lunch at the Star Wars Hotel See Our FULL Review of the Entire Dinner on Night 1 of the Star Wars Hotel Yes, Dinner on Night 2 at the Star Wars Hotel is Different. See Our Full Review Is the Captain’s Table Worth the Extra Cost? See How the Fireworks at the Star Wars Hotel Will (and Won’t) Surprise You Get Our Full Thoughts on the BLUE SHRIMP See What Snacks Look Like in Space Some of the Best Food in the Star Wars Hotel is Hiding! Get a Look at the Exclusive Star Wars Hotel Merchandise Learn About What’s Included When You Leave the Star Wars Hotel for Hollywood Studios Take a Look at the Pricing for the Star Wars Hotel Watch Our DFB Video About Our Experience at the Star Wars Hotel Click HERE to See More About Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Did you stay at the Star Wars hotel? Tell us what you thought about it in the comments! The post “It Didn’t Perform” — Disney Exec. Announces How the Star Wars Hotel Went WRONG first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’ve been to Gideon’s Bakehouse, you know that the shop is no stranger to all things dark and spooky. Gideon’s Bakehouse In case you’re unfamiliar, Gideon’s Bakehouse has locations both in Disney Springs and in Orlando’s East End Market. At the shop, you’ll find perfectly oversized cookies, cakes by the slice, frosting by the cup, coffee, and more — all nestled in a quaint shop with dark-academia vibes. Occasionally, the owner will whip out special recipes in honor of certain holidays, and today is no different. Let’s see what Gideon’s is up to today. Today, May 22nd, is National Goth Day, which is right up this bakery’s alley. In honor of this holiday, Gideon’s is serving up Black Velvet Cake today only while supplies last. Let’s check it out! This Black Velvet Cake is covered in black cream cheese frosting and layered with dark raspberry filling. It’s only available by the slice, and each customer is allowed two slices while supplies are available. Can we take a moment to just admire this cake? ©Gideon’s What do you think? Will you be headed to Gideon’s to pick up a slice (or two) of this Goth cake? Gideon’s seems to roll out new and delicious-sounding desserts all the time, so we’ll continue to keep you updated when more offerings come our way. Oh, and click the link below to check out more yummy things we’ve seen at Gideon’s lately! Click here to check out more Gideon’s treats! Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide Check Out the 19 Best Restaurants in Disney World in 2022 Our Top 50 All-Time Best Disney Dining Tips These Are the BEST Meals in Disney World for Under $15 Ranking Every Single Magic Kingdom Restaurant Ranking Every Single EPCOT Restaurant Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney Springs Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney World Hotels – Cheap Eats Edition Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Will you be heading to Gideon’s for a slice of this cake? Let us know in the comments! The post RUN to Gideon's Bakehouse To Get This Limited-Time (And HARDCORE) Treat first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. What’s better than scoring some new Disney collectibles or souvenirs? Why, scoring them on SALE of course! 100th merchandise display We’re regularly on the lookout for sales on Disney merch in the parks and online, and shopDisney has been running discounts and deals pretty frequently in recent weeks. But now, it’s time for a BIG online savings event — the Twice Upon a Year Sale! Several items are available much cheaper than usual right now, and discounts are available for up to 40% off select merchandise. For example, you can snag this Disney100 Mickey Mouse and Friends Dooney & Bourke Tote bag for 25% off. Disney100 Dooney & Bourke Tote The bag has a zip-top closure and multiple pockets for storing your belongings. It even comes with a cell phone pocket and an interior key hook. Plus, the pattern is made especially for Disney’s 100th Anniversary! Shop the Dooney & Bourke Tote Here! Already missing Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebrations? Don’t worry, you can still snag some souvenirs from the celebration online. This Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Geometric Starbucks Tumbler is on sale. They are SO shiny! They’ve got the Starbucks logo on one side and the 50th Anniversary logo on the other. They come with screw-top lids and are perfect for storing cold beverages. Hurry and grab one before they’re all gone! Shop the Starbucks Tumblers Online Here! We talk about Loungefly backpacks a LOT here, because we know how much you guys love them. Right now, snag this Disney Critters Loungefly Mini Backpack for 35% off online. Critters Loungefly It’s covered in a fun pattern of different Disney animals and sidekicks. The multiple zip pockets and adjustable straps make it perfect for storing all your necessities on a visit to the parks! Shop the Disney Critters Loungefly Here! Of course, we have to drop a pair of ears in here too! This Minnie Mouse Disney100 Ear Headband is the perfect accessory for celebrating The Walt Disney Company’s 100th Anniversary…on the east coast OR the west coast. Disney 100th Anniversary Platinum Ears They’re decked out in the platinum and purple color scheme of the anniversary, and they’ve even got the logo right in the middle of the bow. If you shop for them now online, they’re $10 cheaper than usual. Get the Minnie Ears Online Here! That’s a glimpse at some of the items on sale, but make sure to check out shopDisney to see what else is available during this savings event. We’ll keep you updated with more merchandise that you can check out, so stay tuned to DFB! 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 Disney’s Latest Pair of Must-Have Ears! 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 item are you buying on sale today? Tell us in the comments! The post 🚨700 (!!!) Disney Souvenirs on SALE NOW Online!🚨 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Ready to take your Disney World knowledge to the NEXT LEVEL with NEW tips and secrets? We’ve definitely been to the parks more than a few times. Use today’s video to improve your trip, learn about NEW hidden gems, and basically become a Magic Kingdom master. Check out our video: 50 Secrets and Tips For Magic Kingdom Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! And stay tuned for more 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 are YOUR Magic Kingdom secrets? Let us know in the comments below. The post DFB Video: 50 Secrets and Tips For Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ve learned a LOT about Genie+ since it first launched at Disney World in 2021. Genie+ We’ve used it countless times and learned the ins and outs, the little secrets, and all the tips that you need to know in order to get your money’s worth out of the system. (Because if we’re going to pay for it, we certainly want to get the value!) So today, we’re sharing our recommendations for the FIRST Genie+ Lightning Lanes that you should book during a visit to EPCOT. EPCOT is a bit of a unique situation since the park doesn’t have very many rides. And of the rides that the park DOES have, there are usually three or four that get longer waits, while others tend to keep shorter wait times. So once you knock those big rides out of the way, it should be much easier to secure Lightning Lanes for the other attractions (if you even need them at all). So when 7AM rolls around and all guests get the chance to book Genie+ selections for the day, here’s what we recommend! Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Let’s start out with one of the park’s newer rides, which opened up on Disney World’s 50th Anniversary. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is newer than Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, but since Guardians has an Individual Lightning Lane, Remy’s has been the hot commodity on Genie+. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure This ride regularly gets wait times of 1.5-2 hours, and the queue isn’t exactly exciting, so we recommend getting a Lightning Lane if you want to ride. It’s also a very popular option for rope drop at the park, so trying that strategy may not be the most effective vs. using Genie+. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Also, this ride tends to break down pretty frequently, so if you have a Lightning Lane and it breaks down, you’ll be given a multi-experience pass that you can use to come back later. That doesn’t often happen if you’re waiting in the standby queue! Frozen Ever After Our second recommendation would be Frozen Ever After. This is a popular choice for families with Frozen-loving kiddos, so it can get a long line as well…though not usually as long as Remy’s has. It also tends to keep a pretty steady popularity throughout the day since it’s located in the World Showcase and guests flock there for lunch and dinner. Frozen Ever After It doesn’t close down as often as some other rides in the park and the queue is actually pretty cute, but it would probably still be a good idea to snag a Lightning Lane if you don’t want to wait an hour or more. Or, more accurately, if your little ones don’t want to wait an hour or more to see their favorite characters! Test Track Our third choice is Test Track, located over in World Discovery. This ride is very popular as its one of the only thrill rides in EPCOT, and it can get wait times of over an hour regularly. But it’s also one of the rides that close frequently — for both technical issues and for weather (it shuts down for lightning in the area). Test Track The main reason that Test Track isn’t higher up this list is that it also has a Single Rider line, which can be a very helpful tool for those who don’t want to wait too long. You’ll get separated from your party, but the Test Track Single Rider queue typically moves pretty quickly. Stations Where Guests Design Their Cars The one downside to using the Singler Rider entrance is that you don’t get the full process of designing your car for the ride. There are kiosks in the Single Rider queue for design purposes, but the customization options are much more limited than those for the standby and Lightning Lane guests. So if you want the full car design experience and want to ride with your friends, Lightning Lane is the way to go! Lightning Lane Entrance So those are our tips for EPCOT when you’re making Genie+ selections. Our next recommendation after these three would probably be Soarin’ or Mission: SPACE, but after that, it’s a pretty fair game as the remaining attractions will likely have short waits. Stay tuned to DFB for all the Genie+ tips and news! Click Here to See a Step-By-Step Guide to Using Genie+! All About Disney Genie, Genie+, and Individual Attraction Selection READ THIS Before Using the New Genie Planning Tool in Disney World Check Out the FULL List of Rides Included With Genie+ in Disney World See What Rides You Can Pay EXTRA for in Disney World & How Much They May Cost Learn What Rides Are Included With Genie+ in Disneyland (Plus the Ones You’ll Pay EXTRA to Ride) You CAN’T Re-Ride Disney World Attractions With Genie+ You CAN’T Cancel Pay-Per-Ride Selections in Disney World Get the Answers to All of Your Burning Questions About Disney Genie See Why You May Want to Stay in a Disney World Hotel When it Comes to Disney’s Pay-Per-Ride System Here’s What Annual Passholders and Magic Key Holders Need to Know About Genie+ See 5 Ways Genie+ Might Surprise You Learn Some Disney Genie HACKS Get a Step-by-Step Guide to Using Disney Genie+ See Genie+ Tips for the Most Crowded Days in Disney World and Disneyland Still Confused About Disney Genie? Check Out These DFB Videos Learn About How Disney Genie Can Be Your Personal Assistant in Disney World Click HERE to See More About Disney Genie Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Which ride do you book first at EPCOT? Tell us in the comments! The post The FIRST Genie+ Lightning Lane You Should Grab in EPCOT first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney Cruise Line is committed to creating lasting, positive impact in The Bahamas. Check out how Disney Cruise Line crew members are teaming up with community organizations to empower and inspire young Bahamians through farming.View the full article

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Do you love Disney food AND ears? Disney snack merchandise Well, if you do, we’ve already seen some fun ears released over the past few years celebrating everything from Mickey bars to Mickey Pretzels to Mickey Beignets! HOWEVER, one of the most CLASSIC Disney snacks is the churro, and we’ll admit we got excited when we saw the Churro Ears at Disney World. Well, if you can’t get to Disney World to grab these new ears, we’ve got good news — these ears are NOW available on shopDisney. The Churro Ears have churros shaped like Mickey ears on top of them (dipped in chocolate, no less!). The details are done so well, we can see the cinnamon sugar sparkling on them. They look good enough to EAT! In the center is a pretty sparkly bow. Ta-da! You can grab these drool-worthy ears RIGHT now on shopDisney. We have a feeling these might sell out quickly, so you should probably get them as soon as you can! Buy the Churro Ears! We’ll continue to keep our eyes peeled for more new ears in Disney World, Disneyland, and online, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more! We need more Disney snacks ears — maybe we’ll get a pair of Plastic Cheese ears someday (hey, Disney, are you paying attention?). 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! 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 Disney snack would you like to see on a pair of ears next? Let us know in the comments! The post HURRY! Disney's New Churro Ears Are Now ONLINE! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

When it comes to theme parks, food can be just as important as the rides and attractions. And for seafood lovers, there’s nothing quite like a good old-fashioned fish fry. Two of the biggest theme parks in the world, Disney World and Universal Studios, both offer their own takes on this classic dish. At Disney […] The post Disney World versus Universal Orlando Fish Fry Throw Down appeared first on Military Disney Tips Blog. View the full article

We’ve had a LOT of Disney food news to take in this week. Jaleo From the closing of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser to the big employee move to Florida being canceled, Disney has experienced a busy week. But we’re still also visiting the parks every day and keeping an eye out for new food, as well as seeing if any restaurant menus have changed. So let’s get to those menu updates, shall we? Magic Kingdom Lunching Pad The Breakfast Bowl at Lunching Pad has increased from $10.49 to $10.79. The Breakfast Bowl That’s the only change here. 2 SECRET Reasons You Need To Get to Magic Kingdom Early EPCOT Tutto Italia A cocktail has been added to the Distinctly Italian menu: Cynar & Soda with a slice of orange for $14. Tutto Italia That’s the only update we have here. Of ALL the Restaurants in EPCOT, Should Tutto Italia Be On Your List? We Found Out. Le Cellier We’ve got even MORE menu changes at Le Cellier. Here’s what changed under Appetizers: Fried Cauliflower decreased from $18 to $16 REMOVED: Slow-roasted Pork Belly ADDED: Prime Beef Tartare — Kibbeh Nayeh, Mint, Garlic Aioli, Toasted Focaccia Bread for $19 Le Cellier Steakhouse Here’s what changed with Entrees: REMOVED: Sustainable Fish ADDED: Grilled U-10 Wild Caught Scallops — Paddlefish Caviar, Zucchini Fritter, Sweety Drop Pepper, Patty Pan Squash, Creamy Piquillo Sauce for $51 Is Le Cellier Still An EPCOT Staple? We Found Out! Disney’s Hollywood Studios PizzeRizzo The Frozen Apple Cider featuring Crown Royal Apple is no longer available at PizzeRizzo. Frozen Apple Cider We didn’t find any other changes here, though. Have You Noticed THIS Hidden PizzeRizzo Secret? Mama Melrose’s There’s also a beverage change at Mama Melrose’s: the Double Espresso Martini has been removed from the menu. Mama Melrose’s No other changes were spotted here. Does Mama Melrose’s Deliver on Flavor or Fall Flat in Disney World? We’ve Got the Answer Disney’s Animal Kingdom Pizzafari Here’s how Pizzafari’s non-alcoholic drinks menu has changed: REMOVED: Viva Gaia Tonic (with Glow Cube) — Minute Maid® Zero Sugar Lemonade, Sprite®, flavors of Cotton Candy, and Mint Leaves with a Glow Cube for $7.49 ADDED: Frozen Mango Slushy with Glow Cube for $8.49 ADDED: Frozen Raspberry Slush with Glow Cube for $8.49 ADDED: Tropical Breeze with Glow Cube for $8.49 Be Warned. This NEW Snack Could Leave You DISAPPOINTED in Disney World Tiffins Tiffins has changed up its appetizers a little bit. Here’s what changed: REMOVED: Seasonal Soup ADDED: Roasted Calabaza Squash Soup — Ginger-Pear Chutney, Pickled Jalapeno, Chai-spiced Pistachios for $14 Mushroom Soup at Tiffins So there’s a new soup to try at Tiffins! Tiffins in Disney’s Animal Kingdom — Way Too Pricey or Worth Every Penny? Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Centertown Market Some things have changed at Centertown Market: REMOVED: Black and White Cupcake REMOVED: Almond Milk Centertown Market REMOVED: Goose Island IPA – Chicago, IL Treat Mom to Flowers AND Sweets With This Disney World Cupcake! Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground P & J’s Southern Takeout You can now get Gold Peak Sweat Tea and Gold Peak Unsweetened Tea at P & J’s Southern Takeout. P & J’s Southern Takeout There are no other changes here, though! The Million Dollar Question: Should a Disney World Brownie Be Cakey or Fudgy Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Courtyard Pool Bar There are a few changes over at Courtyard Pool Bar: Gourmet All-Beef Hot Dog now has “Served with House-made Chips” added to its description Caprese Sandwich with Chips is now served on a House-made Sub Roll instead of on Roasted Tomato Focaccia Bread Courtyard Pool Bar PB&J Uncrustable increased from $6.49 to $6.79 The Complete Guide to Eating at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Grand Floridian Cafe There have been some changes to drinks at the Grand Floridian Cafe: Grand Mimosa description changed from “Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco, Orange Juice, and a Splash of Grand Marnier Liqueur” to “Domaine Ste. Michelle Sparkling Wine, Orange Juice, and a Splash of Grand Marnier Liqueur” Pomegranate Paradiso description changed from “WÓDKA Vodka, Pomegranate, Lemon and Pineapple Juices” to “Figenza Fig Vodka, Pomegranate, Lemon, and Pineapple Juices” Grand Floridian Cafe There are no other changes here, though. Did We Find the Most Underrated Restaurant in Disney World? Disney’s Pop Century Resort Everything POP We’ve got some changes on the breakfast menu here: Waffle Bounty Platter increased from $12.49 to $12.79 Mickey-shaped Waffles increased from $10.49 to $10.79 REMOVED: Pancakes with Berry Compote Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Bagel Sandwich is now served with Potato Barrels and price increased from $6.99 to $8.99 Egg and Cheese Bagel Sandwich is now served with Potato Barrels and price increased from $5.99 to $7.99 Everything POP ADDED: Pancake Bounty Platter — Vanilla Pancake, Scrambled Eggs, Potato Barrels, Bacon, and Sausage for $12.49 ADDED: Loaded Totcho Bowl — Potato Barrels topped with Scrambled Eggs, Cheddar, Sausage Gravy, and Bacon for $10.99 ADDED: Western Omelet — Ham, Bell Peppers, Onions, and Cheddar served with Potato Barrels for $10.99 ADDED: Vanilla Pancakes — Served with Bacon and Sausage for $9.99 REMOVED: Plant-based Character Waffles Here’s what changed on the Kids’ menu: REMOVED: Pancakes with Berry Compote ADDED: Kids’ Vanilla Pancakes — Served with choice of two sides and choice of Small Lowfat Milk or Dasani Bottled Water for $7.29 Everything POP Breakfast, lunch, and dinner had these changes: ADDED: Chocolate Croissant — Drizzled with Dark Chocolate and dusted with Powdered Sugar for $4.29 ADDED: S’more Cookie — Chocolate Chip Cookie loaded with Toasted Marshmallow Creme topped with a Crunchy Cinnamon Graham Streusel drizzled with Dark and White Chocolate ADDED: Mickey-shaped Brownie — House-made Brownie topped with Ganache, Walnuts, Marshmallows, Chocolate Chips, and M&M’s chocolate candies for $4.99 ADDED: Seasonal Sugar Cookie with Sprinkles for $3.49 Here’s what’s changed under Beverages: ADDED: Classic Cold Brew Coffee for $4.79 ADDED: BODYARMOR Sports Drink – Orange Mango for $4.69 ADDED: BODYARMOR Sports Drink – Strawberry Banana for $4.69 ADDED: AHA Sparkling Water – Lime & Watermelon for $3.49 Everything Pop Specialty cocktails also had some updates: REMOVED: Canella Peach Bellini and Smirnoff Ice ADDED: LiveWire Crystal Shiso Mojito for $12 ADDED: Siponey Royale Whiskey Spritz for $12 ADDED: Social Hour Cocktails Whiskey Mule for $12 ADDED: Cutwater Spicy Bloody Mary for $11 ADDED: High Noon Sun Sips Vodka & Soda Pineapple for $11 ADDED: RAMONA Blood Orange Wine Spritz for $11 Why You Should SKIP This Disney World Hotel Restaurant for Meals…But Not for Snacks Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Todd English’s bluezoo There are some changes at bluezoo. Under fAppetizers, here’s what’s different: Teppan Seared Sea Scallops increased from $23 to $24 REMOVED: Peking Duck Birria Tacos ADDED: Crab Causa — Tarragon crab salad, crispy potato croquette, avocado puree, sweet drop peppers for $23 Here’s what changed under Flatbreads: REMOVED: Mighty Meat ADDED: Clam Casino — Baby clams, arugula, fresh buffalo mozzarella, dijon cream, crispy potato shards for $19 Crab Corn Chowder for $22 was also added to the Soup/Salad part of the menu. It’s made with Breaded blue crab cake, creamy broth, and sweet corn succotash. Todd English’s bluezoo There were also some changes to the Kids’ Menu. Under appetizers, the Chilled Jumbo Shrimp increased from $8 to $13. Under Kids’ Entrees, the Fish & Chips description changed from “Hand-battered corvina, french fries and green beans” to “Hand-battered fish of the day, french fries and green beans.” Disney Food Blog Review: Todd English’s bluezoo Disney Springs Jaleo Jaleo is updating its menu for the summer: ADDED: Cono de Atún “Gilda” — Cone of Tuna Tartare, Modern Olive, Cantabrian Anchovy and Piparra Pepper for $8 ADDED: Gazpacho Estilo Algeciras — Classic chilled Spanish soup made with Tomato, Cucumbers, and Green Bell Peppers for $10 ADDED: Ensalada de Aguacate y Mojo Verde “Spanish Diner” — Avocado, Mojo Verde and Goat Cheese Salad for $13 ADDED: Piquillos Rellenos con Brandada de Bacalao — Stuffed Piquillos of Bacalao and Potato served with Manchego cheese and a Bechamel Sauce for $16 ADDED: Mejilones a la Brasa con Mojo Verde — Mussels cooked in Josper served with Mojo Verde for $16 Selection of Five Quesos ADDED: Lubina a la Pobre — Whole roasted Branzino served with Potatoes, Olive Oil, and Fresh Herbs for $56 ADDED: Ensalada de Tomate con Ventresca — Heirloom Tomato Salad served with Red Onions, Piparra Peppers, and 4 oz. of conserved Tuna Belly from Asturias for $34 ADDED: Secreto Iberico de Bellota — Secreto Iberico cooked on the basque grill and served with Pan con Tomate for $105 ADDED: Pintxos Morunos de Cordero — Basque Grilled Lamb Skewer with Andalusian Spices for $18 ADDED: Berenjenas con Miel — Fried eggplant with honey and lemon zest for $12 ADDED: Atún Crudo con Aguacate — Thinly sliced tuna served with avocado and a citrus dressing for $18 If You Like Wine Bar George, You Might Also Like Jaleo in Disney World D-Luxe Burger The Dublin Burger has been removed from the menu here. Dublin Burger That’s the only update from D-Luxe Burger, though. We’re Warning You — Disney World’s New Burger Comes With Some Consequences Vivoli il Gelato Okay, we’ve got a TON of changes to report over at Vivoli il Gelato. First, how about what’s happening with gelato flavors: REMOVED: Brownie Batter, Salted Caramel ADDED: Banana, Dulce De Leche, and Rum Raisin Sorbetto flavors have changed, too: REMOVED: POG – Passionfruit Orange Guava ADDED: Pineapple and Blueberry Vivoli POG Sorbet House Specials have also changed: REMOVED: Gelato Waffle ADDED: Blueberry Pie Sundae — Blueberry Sorbetto, vanilla, and cake batter gelato with caramel sauce, whipped cream, and graham cracker crumbs for $15.25 ADDED: Brown Cow — Vanilla gelato, coke, chocolate sauce, whipped cream for $12.50 There are even changes under the Alcoholic Gelato 21+ Milk Shakes and Floats: ADDED: Pride Sangria — Strawberry, Pineapple, Mango, Blueberry, Prosecco for $18 ADDED: Chamoyada — Mango, Chamoy, Tajin, Beer for $18 Pride Sangria in 2022 Here’s what changed with Cannolis: REMOVED: 3 Musketeers Cannoli ADDED: Blueberry Cannoli — Sweet ricotta cream and blueberries for $7.50 Also, the Bombolini choices have changed from Plain, Raspberry Sprinkles, or Lucky Charms to Plain, Raspberry, Nutella, or Froot Loops. Looks like Lucky Charms is no longer available. However, you can get FROOT LOOPS Milk to drink for $6. Finally, you can get a Split Milkshake (with two different flavors) for an additional $2. You Won’t BELIEVE What Disney World Just Did to POG Juice Disney dining changes are a lot to keep up with! We’ve done all the research for you in writing our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! We’ve got details on EVERY dining location at Walt Disney World inside our eBook – and it’s easy to download to your tablet or smartphone to take with you on your next trip. Use our discount code for DFB readers – WDW2023 – for 25% off! 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 Disney World restaurant menu changes surprised you the most this week? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney's Pop Century Resort Food Court Had BIG Menu Changes This Week! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Okay, it’s no secret, but we LOVE a good deal, especially when it comes to Disney. Want to save money to go here? That’s why we always want to share the best deals we find with you — whether it’s for Disney merchandise, discounts on flights to Disney World, deals to save money on Disney World hotels, and more. Now, we’ve got a GREAT deal that could save you BIG bucks on your next Disney trip. Okay, so this one is for you Sam’s Club members (and we bet there are a lot of you out there). Sam’s Club has a promotion that could save you up to 60% OFF on your next Disney trip! That’s A GREAT deal, right? ©Sam’s Club Good news! This offer is actually good for Disneyland AND Disney World. You can save up to $35 off gate prices in Disneyland AND you can save up to $100 off Disney World tickets. ©Sam’s Club Oh, and as an added bonus, we thought we should mention that Disney H2O Glow After Hours tickets are 20% off on the Sam’s Club website! There are TONS of savings available right now. ©Sam’s Club So if you’re a Sam’s Club member, be sure to check out the Travel and Entertainment section to see this new offer. It’s almost too good to resist, right? Like even if you weren’t planning a Disney trip, this could be a sign that you should start planning one NOW. We’ll also keep an eye out for more deals, so stay tuned to DFB for more! When are you headed to Disney next? Have you checked out our line of fun graphic tees to wear on your trip? We’ve designed some for the whole family – from infants to adults! Click here to check them out! Here are ALL The Current Disney Discounts and Deals 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 a Sam’s Club member? Have you used a Disney discount through your membership before? Let us know how it worked out for you in the comments! The post Tired of Disney Price Increases? This Loophole Could Save Sam's Club Members TONS on Park Tickets. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Okay, we know, we know, calories don’t count at Disney World. We’ve ALL said it. Vivoli il Gelato First, there’s a LOT of walking, so whatever you DO eat, you burn it off. Plus, if you’re one of the runners that participate in the runDisney events at Disney World, you can RUN all those calories off in no time. However, you may still have a good reason for wanting lighter snack options in Disney World, and we can respect that. If you do, there’s a new gelato we have to tell you about. Vivoli il Gelato in Disney Springs just revealed its new Gelato Lite, a light gelato with all the flavor of regular gelato but with less fat and sugar. The first Gelato Lite flavor available is Passion Fruit, which sounds pretty refreshing and delicious! You can grab it right now in Disney Springs. ©Vivoli il Gelato via Instagram Of course, you can also find Sorbet at Vivoli il Gelato, but if it’s gelato you’re craving, you now have a lighter option. We’ll be sure to keep an eye out for more Gelato Lite flavors and give you a heads-up about them when we’ve got more details! So stay tuned to DFB for more! WE KNOW – there are SO many great snacks at Disney World! How do you choose (we don’t want to choose but will blow our budget on Day 1 otherwise)? We’ve got you covered! We have reviewed nearly EVERY snack available at Disney World, and we’ve written a series of DFB Guides about them! DFB Guide and Snacks Bundle Check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining + Snacks Bundle for all the details you need to plan your snackin’ and spending. You can even download them to your smartphone – it’ll be like we’re right there with you in the parks! Here’s the BEST Ice Cream in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What’s your favorite Vivoli il gelato flavor? Let us know in the comments! The post New Menu CHANGE Hits Disney Springs Treat Spot first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Changes are hitting Disney World left and right, and now we’ve got some clues about upcoming ones! Cinderella Castle We’re constantly on the hunt for Disney World permits that might signal what changes are coming next to the theme parks, water parks, hotels, and more. In recent weeks/months, we’ve seen permits that hint at changes for pools and restrooms, rides and hotels, and a new restaurant. Now we’ve spotted more updates that you should know about! What we look at are technically called Notices of Commencement. These typically indicate that work on the designated projects could start soon. Let’s see what we found. Ride Change First up, over at Magic Kingdom we saw a permit filed for a MASSIVE ride transformation taking place — the change from Splash Mountain to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. We actually saw a permit filed for the Splash Mountain area back in April, but this is a new one. This new permit is for “scenic prop install and theme paint touch up” for an address that matches Splash Mountain’s address in Magic Kingdom. So in the coming months, we could see a NEW prop and some paint added to the attraction area. Splash Mountain Construction Moving Along The “owner” for this permit is listed as Walt Disney Imagineering, and the contractor is Solomon Group Production LLC. There is no expiration date specified, so it’ll automatically expire 1 year from the date it was recorded — it was recorded on May 17th, 2023. Disney had already announced that later this summer a tiara-topped water tower would be arriving at the ride. So it’s possible this permit could relate to the addition of that prop, or it could be for something else entirely. ©Disney We’ll be sure to look for updates! Click here to learn EVERYTHING you need to know about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Hotel Change In terms of hotel changes, there have been a decent number of permits filed lately relating to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The resort is undergoing quite a bit of refurbishment already with construction ongoing on some of its buildings. And Disney had previously announced that the lobby would be undergoing a refurbishment. Back in April, we saw some permits filed for the hotel and now there are more. Construction is moving along Here’s a look at some of the recent permits we’ve found related to the Grand Floridian: One permit for “general construction” for an address tied to Senses Spa. The contractor is Balfour Beatty Construction LLC, which we’ve seen listed on other permits for the Grand Floridian before, as well as permits for Splash Mountain, the PLAY! Pavilion, and Reflections — A Lakeside Lodge. The expiration date is 12/30/23. A permit for “general construction” tied to the Beach Pool Bar. Balfour Beatty is the contractor, and the expiration date is 12/30/23. A permit for “general construction” at the Grand Floridian Trolley House. Balfour Beatty is the contractor, and the expiration date is 12/30/23. A permit for “general construction” at the Beach Pool restroom building. Balfour Beatty is the contractor, and the expiration date is 12/30/23. A permit for “general construction” at a different pool building. Balfour Beatty is the contractor, and the expiration date is 12/30/23. A permit to “provide labor, material and/or electrical for construction” to the main lobby building at the Grand Floridian. The contractor is Buena Vista Construction Company (Disney’s internal contractor), and no expiration date is specified so it’ll automatically expire 1 year after May 15th, 2023. A permit for improvement of the “general conditions” of the Grand Floridian DVC Building (rooms 1101-1622). The contractor is CEC General Contractors Inc. and the expiration date is 5/10/24. Construction From Early May In other words, there are quite a few updates that seem to be planned for the Grand Floridian in the coming months. So if you’re planning to stay here, just be aware that you could see some work being done here and there. Click here for the Grand Floridian vs. BoardWalk Inn Resort Guide But Wait…There’s More And finally, we wanted to mention one other permit we spotted that seems to be impacting part of EPCOT. The permit lists the owner as Walt Disney Imagineering and the work is described as “install signs.” It appears to be tied to part of the buildings behind Spaceship Earth. ©RCID Area Building Address The contractor listed is Design Communications LTD. There is no expiration date on this one specified, so it’ll automatically expire 1 year from May 12th, 2023 (the date it was recorded). There’s a LOT of construction going on in EPCOT these days so we’ll be interested to see just what signs get installed as part of this specific work. EPCOT Construction We’ll continue to watch for more unique permits filed in Disney World and construction work happening all around the parks. Stay tuned for more Disney news. Click here to see the changes one permit hinted at for a Hollywood Studios attraction  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 changes would you like to see made in Disney World? Tell us in the comments. The post NEW Permit Signals Changes for This Magic Kingdom Ride first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Planning your day in Disney World pretty much requires you to be tied to your phone these days. Your phone does a LOT during your Disney World vacation! You’ll need the My Disney Experience app to do a LOT, like checking in for dining reservations, ordering food, using Genie+, and more. You also need it for booking virtual queues for rides, as well as Individual Lightning Lane selections — or do you? Well, we found a way to do BOTH of those things without using your phone! Yes, it IS possible to book virtual queues and Individual Lightning Lane selections without your phone. First, let’s talk about virtual queues. So here’s the thing: when new rides open in Disney World, they usually will NOT have a standby line and will instead use a virtual queue. You usually have two chances to grab a virtual queue reservation from your phone (it’s typically 7AM and 1PM) to get assigned a boarding group so you can ride that attraction. Getting a virtual queue spot for TRON Lightcycle / Run ©Disney Now let’s say you don’t have access to your phone for some reason or another (you left it in your hotel room, the battery is low, it overheats, etc.), but you still want to book a virtual queue for a ride. You can speak to Cast Members at Guest Relations or at a Guest Experience station and a Cast Member will book it for you (if available). EPCOT Guest Relations You can ONLY do this at 1PM, though (since the other virtual queue drop time happens before the parks open). The Cast Member will give you your boarding group number (be sure to write it down so you don’t forget it). You will need to keep an eye on the physical tip boards at the park or check at the ride itself to see what boarding groups are currently being called. TRON Virtual Queue board The same is true for Individual Lightning Lane attractions, except you have to pay EXTRA for those rides, which means you’ll need to hand over your credit card to the Cast Member booking it for you. Note that they can ONLY accept credit cards as a form of payment. No cash! (According to a Cast Member, the MagicBand scanner can be finicky with payments, so it is recommended you pay with a card) You will be given a time to ride, so be sure to write that down, too, so you don’t forget. Cosmic Rewind Virtual Queue in EPCOT In case you’re wondering, the virtual queue and Individual Lightning Lanes will be tied to your MagicBand or ticket card. We asked about this at several different parks and the process is a LITTLE different in each one. At EPCOT, Cast Members at the Guest Experience tent have iPads that allow them to book reservations for you. You’ll have to go inside Guest Relations, though, at Hollywood Studios, because the Guest Experience Cast Members don’t have iPads. So be sure to double-check with a Cast Member, depending on what park you’re in. Guest Experience Tent Finally, you CAN book an Individual Lightning Lane for a different park than where you are at the time of booking. For example, let’s say you’re in Hollywood Studios but want to park hop to Magic Kingdom to ride TRON Lightcycle / Run later via virtual queue. You will be able to still book that paid Individual Lightning Lane in Hollywood Studios. However, you can NOT do this with the free virtual queues — you will have to be in the same park as the ride. We’ll be sure to let you know about any other tips and tricks you might need for your next trip to Disney World, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more! A Complete Guide to Using the TRON Lightcycle / Run Virtual Queue in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you ever had to navigate Disney World without your phone recently? What did you do? Let us know in the comments! The post How To Book Virtual Queues and Individual Lightning Lanes in Disney World WITHOUT Your Phone first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Okay, we’ve seen our share of strange treats in Disney World. Trolley Car Cafe And no, we’re not talking about that bizarre gummy worm mac and cheese. We’re not talking about that strange-looking Orange Bird cookie, that ugly pretzel we still can’t stop thinking about, or that drink with A REAL OCTOPUS TENTACLE IN IT. Nope, we’re talking about a Starbucks treat that’s already made its rounds on the internet and is making people scratch their heads. We were just making our way through Disney’s Hollywood Studios when we stopped by Trolley Car Cafe for a refreshing Starbucks beverage (this is the Starbucks location in the park). Then, we were baffled by the strangest-looking Cake Pop we’ve ever seen. No, really, you HAVE to see it to believe it. One of these things is NOT like the others What is it? Is it a cat? Is it a bird? Is it some kind of weird creature we have not yet ever seen? What’s going on here? And what is UP with those eyes? Is this thing suffering from a severe existential crisis? Bet you’ll never guess what it’s SUPPOSED to be. Internal screaming Here’s the thing — this cake pop is available at Starbucks locations across the country. And it is NOT a cat or a bird or some weird hybrid creature dreamed up by Disney Imagineers. Nope, it is a…bumblebee. Yes, it looks NOTHING like a bumblebee, but that’s what Starbucks is calling it. That’s what it’s SUPPOSED to look like. ©Starbucks So if you happen to see this fellow for yourself, now you know it’s supposed to be a Bumblebee — a Bumblebee that, apparently, has cat ears and a serious case of side-eye. We’ll keep checking out any and ALL new snacks at Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB for more! WE KNOW – there are SO many great snacks at Disney World! How do you choose (we don’t want to choose but will blow our budget on Day 1 otherwise)? We’ve got you covered! We have reviewed nearly EVERY snack available at Disney World, and we’ve written a series of DFB Guides about them! DFB Guide and Snacks Bundle Check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining + Snacks Bundle for all the details you need to plan your snackin’ and spending. You can even download them to your smartphone – it’ll be like we’re right there with you in the parks! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW We NEED your thoughts on this hilarious cake pop. Tell us in the comments! The post We Thought of 17 Questions for This Starbucks Treat in Disney World. We Have Zero Answers. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney recently made a HUGE announcement about a $1 billion project it had planned for the Lake Nona area of Orlando. Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom In 2021, Disney purchased around 60 acres of land in Lake Nona, calling it a “regional campus” for thousands of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products team members (some would even relocate from California to Florida). The timeline for the project was extended, but then Disney announced it would not move forward with that project. So what’s going to happen to all that land the company purchased? Well, we have SOME idea. Disney bought the land from Tavistock Development Co. LLC. According to The Orlando Business Journal, there’s a chance that Tavistock may have some control over the land again now that Disney has backed out of building its employee campus there. Lake Nona Town Center ©Lake Nona A deed posted to Orange County public records for the sale of the property to Disney in 2021 contains clauses about “rights of first offer and first refusal for the seller; the existence of a memorandum of repurchase option between Tavistock and Disney; a development agreement between the two entities; and detailed use restrictions about what Disney as the buyer could build there.” So what does that mean? It means that Tavistock may have the option to buy the land back from Disney now that Disney has canceled the project for it. Map of the Potential Community in Lake Nona ©Orlando Business Journal According to a land expert, Trevor Hall, executive vice president of Colliers, real estate deal clauses like this could allow a seller to buy back property if the buyer doesn’t do what was intended with it. He said, “If they were a typical developer strapped for cash, it would be one thing — they’re not. They’re among the strongest developers in the world, so they have an interest in the ability to control the future of that property.” Obtained via the Orlando Business Journal However, a Disney spokesperson could not confirm whether such an agreement existed between Disney and Tavistock and said that Disney was “considering next steps for the property,” per The Orlando Business Journal. A Tavistock spokesperson declined to comment. Some folks in the Central Florida business community believe Disney could eventually change its mind about ending the project, depending on the outcome of the company’s ongoing situation with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. In that case, some believe Disney could hold onto the property until that issue is resolved and then reconsider the employee campus at a later date. ©Disney | Walt Disney Company Headquarters Whatever the case, the cancellation of the project also halted the more than 2,000 jobs that would have come to the area, as well as the 1,000 employees who would have moved to Florida from Southern California. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news. A Complete Timeline of the Battle Between Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post Disney Canceled a Billion Project in Orlando. So What Happens To All That Land? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Are you pregnant and planning to visit Walt Disney World or Disneyland? First, we want to say congratulations! Next, we know planning for a Disney World vacation can raise a LOT of questions! And as an expectant mother you probably have a ton of concerns! You might be wondering if it’s even worth going. Baby Care Center and First Aid signage Planning for a baby is such an exciting time but can be stressful if you’re also organizing a trip to Disney World or Disneyland. Going to Disney while pregnant is no small feat, so we’re here to help! Mother’s Day! Sure, there are some rides that you’ll have to skip but if you love the stores, shows, theming, food, mocktails, and characters, then you should have a good time! Walt Disney World and Disneyland for Expectant Moms If possible, plan your trip for a less crowded time of year. Avoid major holidays, holiday long weekends, spring break, summer, or basically any time most people would have off for vacation. The least crowded times are typically early and late January, early to mid-February, September after Labor Day, and early November! And if you can plan accordingly, skip the summer heat! Pace Yourself Plus, being pregnant kind-of forces you to slow down a bit (if you’re a “do it all” type person typically on Disney trips!) and enjoy parts of the park you might otherwise speed by. Enjoy a snack or two you’ve never had and check out some shows. (And maybe plan fun things to do when you come back with a baby in tow!) Avoid swollen feet and lightheadedness by pacing yourself appropriately. We highly recommend taking a rest back at your resort during the hottest part of the day. This is a great chance to take a nap, rest your feet in your air-conditioned room, or cool off at the pool. BoardWalk pool Break up your day by watching shows or enjoying a table service meal. Frozen Sing-Along Visit the Baby Care Center (there’s one in each park!) for a quiet respite. Baby Care Center You might even get the chance to talk to new moms! Just make sure you have a plan and take time to rest throughout the day. Click here to see our video about the best places to relax and recharge in Disney World! Stay Hydrated Staying hydrated in Disney World is CRITICAL. As you stroll through Disney World, you’ll likely notice water fountains in many spots, and while those can be useful to fill up your water bottles, proper water bottle refill stations (sometimes called hydration stations) can be even BETTER. For an extra flavor boost, infuse your bottle with fresh fruit! Water Bottle Refill Station For peace of mind, know that if you are feeling unwell, there are First Aid Centers in every park. Here’s What You Need To Know About Disney World’s Refillable Water Bottle Stations! Restrooms Knowing where the nearest restrooms are will alleviate some stress! Before arriving, download the Disney World or Disneyland mobile app, so that you can quickly find the bathroom locations. Inside the restroom It might also help to grab a park map to locate the closest restrooms. When You Gotta Go, You Gotta Go! Check Out The BEST Disney World Bathrooms! What to Pack You’ll want to bring comfy shoes and maternity clothes as well as a hat to keep the sun off your face. Your park bag should be lightweight and stocked with healthy snacks. Don’t forget crackers and ginger chews to soothe an upset stomach. Pack a reusable water bottle and visit any quick service restaurant or refill station for free water. Onesie Leave room for souvenirs, especially baby clothes! The Ultimate Disney World Packing List for 2023 Walt Disney World A Walt Disney World trip requires pre-planning, and you’ll want to do some extra research if visiting while pregnant. Accommodations You’ll want to stay at a resort that is close to the parks so that you can return for a mid-day break. This is especially important during the summer months when the heat and humidity really sizzle every afternoon. We suggest any of the Magic Kingdom monorail hotels — Polynesian Village, Grand Floridian, or Contemporary. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort For a value resort, try Art of Animation or Pop Century since you’ll be able to use the Disney Skyliner to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The BEST Hotels Near Magic Kingdom in Disney World Disney World Rides That Are Not Pregnancy Safe There’s still a lot to do if you’re pregnant! You just can’t ride some of the rides. Keep in mind, Disney World does cater to families — that means a lot of SMALL children. So, more rides than you think are 100% preggers safe! You just might be holding off on whipping around on a roller coaster ’til those 9 months are up! Expedition Everest Here are the rides Disney says guests cannot ride while pregnant: Magic Kingdom Big Thunder Mountain Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Space Mountain Splash Mountain The Barnstormer Tomorrowland Speedway Hollywood Studios Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Rise of the Resistance Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Slinky Dog Dash Star Tours Tower of Terror Animal Kingdom Avatar Flight of Passage DINOSAUR Expedition Everest Kali River Rapids Kilimanjaro Safaris EPCOT Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Mission: SPACE Test Track HUGE List of Disney Inspired Baby Names Pregnancy Safe Rides That’s right, there are attractions in Disney World that you can still ride while pregnant. Obviously, rides like Tower of Terror and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind aren’t included on that list. However, some of the attractions Disney says you can ride while pregnant may surprise you. Remember, we are not doctors and if you have questions or are worried, you may want to speak with your doctor before riding anything at Disney World. These are just the attractions that Disney says are ok and are not ok to enjoy while pregnant. Frozen Ever After You can still ride things like “it’s a small world,” Spaceship Earth, or Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Take a look at the attractions Disney says you can still enjoy while pregnant: Magic Kingdom Astro Orbiter Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Carousel of Progress Dumbo the Flying Elephant Haunted Mansion “it’s a small world” Jungle Cruise Mad Tea Party The Magic Carpets of Aladdin The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh PeopleMover Peter Pan’s Flight Pirates of the Caribbean Prince Charming Regal Carrousel Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid Walt Disney World Railroad Hollywood Studios Alien Swirling Saucers Toy Story Mania Animal Kingdom Na’vi River Journey TriceraTop Spin Wildlife Express Train EPCOT Frozen Ever After Gran Fiesta Tour Journey Into Imagination With Figment Living with the Land Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure The Seas with Nemo & Friends Soarin’ Around the World Spaceship Earth And remember, just because Disney says the ride is okay, doesn’t mean that it’s best for your personal situation. Maybe you hate spinning or going around in circles — if so, skip those attractions. Perhaps you would have a difficult time getting in and out of a ride vehicle (Astro Orbiter, I’m looking at you!). 13 Ways to Pamper Disney-Lovin’ Moms for Mother’s Day Disneyland With only two parks, a Disneyland vacation is a bit easier to plan. Still, you’ll want to know what to anticipate, especially when visiting during a pregnancy. Accommodations Stay as close to the parks as possible so that mid-day breaks are feasible. We recommend Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa as it has an entrance directly into Disney California Adventure! Grand Californian Lobby Plus, the dining and shopping options at Downtown Disney are right outside the hotel! The Best Breakfast at Disneyland Disneyland Rides That Are Not Pregnancy Safe Disneyland has also assembled an Expectant Mothers Advisory list. Space Mountain in Disneyland These rides should be avoided: Disneyland Autopia Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster Hyperspace Mountain Indiana Jones Adventure Matterhorn Bobsleds Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Space Mountain Splash Mountain Star Tours – The Adventures Continue Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Disney California Adventure Park Goofy’s Sky School Grizzly River Run Guardians of the Galaxy Incredicoaster Radiator Springs Racer 25 Disney Quotes for Baby’s Nursery, Or Life Pregnancy Safe Rides That’s right, there are attractions in Disneyland and Disney California Adventure that you can still ride while pregnant. Alice in Wonderland The following rides are approved: Alice in Wonderland Astro Orbitor Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters Casey Jr. Circus Train Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes Disneyland Monorail Disneyland Railroad Dumbo the Flying Elephant Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage (although it may be difficult to get in/out) Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition Golden Zephyr Haunted Mansion Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind “it’s a small world” Jessie’s Critter Carousel Jumpin’ Jellyfish Jungle Cruise King Arthur Carrousel The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters Mad Tea Party The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Mark Twain Riverboat Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree Mickey’s PhilharMagic Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Monster’s Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride Peter Pan’s Flight Pinocchio’s Daring Adventure Pirates of the Caribbean Pixar Pal-A-Round Redwood Creek Challenge Trail Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin Sailing Ship Columbia Silly Symphony Swings Snow White’s Enchanted Wish Soarin’ Around the World Storybook Land Canal Boats Toy Story Midway Mania Turtle Talk with Crush Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room WEB-SLINGER: A Spider-Man Adventure EVERY Baby Disney Character Ranked from Best To Still Cute And remember, just because Disney says the ride is okay, doesn’t mean that it’s best for you. Maybe you hate boats or are just feeling queasy at the thought of them — if so, skip those attractions. As you await the arrival of your baby, a Disney vacation can be a wonderful time to unwind as long as you go prepared and pace yourself. 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 How Many Days Do You Really Need in Disney World? How to Have the CHEAPEST Trip to Disney World 5 Simple Planning Tips You Need to Know About Before Your Next Disney World Trip The CHEAPEST Days to Visit Disney World in 2023 EVERYTHING You Need to Know Before Booking a 2023 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 tips do you have to share with expectant moms?The post Visiting Disney World and Disneyland Pregnant - Ultimate Guide first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival kicked off back on March 1st, but the EPCOT Farmers Feast booth has been keeping things fresh all festival long! Farmers Feast One of our favorite things about EPCOT festivals is exploring ALL of the limited-time food and drink options available at the food booths around the park. And while most of the food booths stick with the same menu for the duration of the festival, EPCOT Farmers Market has been switching things up with not one, not two, but THREE separate menus! Today, EPCOT Farmers Market debuted its third and final menu of this year’s festival. So, of course, we had to stop by and try out all of the latest offerings! Menu From May 21st through July 5th, Farmers Feast will be serving up the Summer Solstice Menu, with different options than the booth’s previous Early Bloom Menu and Springtime Menu. First up for food, have the returning Tomato and Red Onion Panzanella with avocado, burrata cheese, and fresh basil. We can’t fault the presentation — it’s beautiful. You can even watch them make it in front of you if you want. The croutons aren’t especially crunchy but are more like a soft bread that crumbles in your mouth. Tomato and Red Oniion Panzanella The herbs on the salad offer up some salty flavor, but at times, it was almost TOO salty. We did a lot of mixing up the food a bit to cut down on all that saltiness. A little salty Next, there’s another dish that we’ve enjoyed at the festival in previous years, the Barbecued Seared Pork Tenderloin with summer succotash, herb butter, and grapefruit vinaigrette. The pork tenderloin is perfectly cooked and packed full of flavor. The grapefruit vinaigrette really helped bring those flavors to life, too. Barbecued Seared Pork Tenderloin The summer succotash, though, tasted like a cold salad — we found it a little weird when combined with the hot tenderloin. The pork is cooked perfectly. And finally, we tried the brand new addition to the Summer Solstice Menu, the Sweet Corn Crème Brûlée with corn biscotti! Yep, it’s a REAL crème brûlée with the taste of cream corn. The problem, though, is that the corn and sugar are so busy battling it out for flavor that by the time we ate more, all we could taste was corn. If you love corn, that might not be a problem, though. Sweet Corn Creme Brulee The biscotti, though, was delicious and wasn’t too hard or crunchy to bite into. It’s CORN-y You’ll probably have to love both corn AND crème brûlée to appreciate this treat. Drinks There aren’t any new beverages on the Summer Solstice Menu, but throughout the whole festival, the Farmers Feast booth has offered a few unique drinks, like the Collective Arts Brewing Blueberry & Elderberry Sparkling Hard Tea priced at $5.50 for 6 oz. and $9.50 for 12 oz. Flower & Garden Festival Plus, there’s the Ghost Mary, a Translucent Bloody Mary with Boyd & Blair Cucumber Vodka, tomato water, horseradish, celery salt, and a hint of pepper, priced at $11.50. Ghost Mary You can check out our full review of the Ghost Mary here! Overall Overall, we tried some salty, savory dishes that we would consider ordering again. Admittedly, nothing blew our socks OFF, but we also didn’t spit out any food in total disgust. The Summer Solstice Menu will be available at Farmers Feast from now through the final day of the Flower & Garden Festival on July 5th. Are you gearing up for a trip to the 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival? If so, we’ve got you covered! Click our links below for the information you need to know: Learn about the Garden Rocks Concert Series and Dining Packages Check out ALL of the 2023 Flower and Garden Booth Menus See what eats you’ll need to try to get a PRIZE at the Festival! And don’t forget to snag our 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival e-book as your one-stop guide to help you get the most out of your festival experience! Master the 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival With Our FREE DFB Printable! Ready to Plan for Your 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Trip? Pre-Order the DFB Guide to the 2023 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival e-Book today! This 220+ page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. Your purchase includes several bonus items as well -- including a full schedule of events at the Festival and a printable Outdoor Kitchens Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! Pre-Order your 2023 edition today! Don't miss a moment of the fun! Use code SPRING at check-out to get $2 off the cover price! MORE Flower & Garden Festival INFO! See the FULL LIST of Food Booths, Menus, and Photos from the Festival Learn About the Garden Rocks Concert Series and Dining Packages Secret Tips for the Flower & Garden Festival Everything Returning to the Flower & Garden Festival in 2023 2 Things We ALWAYS Bring to the Festival Click HERE for All of the Latest News and Details About the Festival! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Flower & Garden Festival news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What’s your favorite thing to experience at the Flower & Garden Festival? Share with us in the comments! The post THREE BIG Menu Changes Debuted at EPCOT Food Booth in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article