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Get those stomachs ready — a whole BUNCH of new food is coming at you soon! Downtown Disney Downtown Disney is undergoing a big transformation at Disneyland Resort. We’ve already seen some spots close, while other spots have reopened in new locations or are getting a facelift. And there’s more fun where that came from — Downtown Disney will be getting 4 NEW restaurants soon. What will they serve? Which do you want to try? Let’s go through ALL the details here. 1 — Porto’s Bakery At the D23 Expo in 2022, Disney announced that Porto’s Bakery & Cafe would be coming in the future to Downtown Disney. Let’s go through some details about this spot. ©Disney What Is Porto’s? Porto’s Bakery is a Southern California favorite. According to the restaurant’s website, it all came about due to Rosa Porto’s love of sharing cakes and pastries with family and friends. Rosa was born in Cuba and grew up surrounded by her mother’s baking and recipes that had been passed down through her family (who was originally from the Galicia region of Spain). Rosa and her husband petitioned to leave Cuba and she found herself out of a job, so she started selling cakes to friends and family. Eventually, Rosa and her family moved to California (with just the clothes on their backs). Rosa continued making baked goods for her friends and family, and later, they opened their first store. The rest, as they say, is history. Porto’s Bakery & Cafe To this day, the Porto family is “committed to using the finest ingredients from all over the world ensuring that quality remains the cornerstone of the Porto tradition.” Rosa passed away in 2019, but her recipes continue to be used along with her motto “quality is the number one ingredient in everything we do.” They’re known for their signature pastries and savory Cuban food. ©Porto’s Porto’s has 6 locations in California, but they also ship select items nationwide so you can try some of their snacks from the comfort of your home before the restaurant even opens a location in Downtown Disney! They got the top spot in “Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the US,” and in 2021 they were voted “Best Bakery in the Southland” according to the Los Angeles Times. What Will It Serve? The menu for Porto’s Bakery in Downtown Disney has NOT yet been revealed. But, we do know what their other locations serve up based on their online menu. Other Porto’s locations generally have 3 different menu “sections” to select from. First, there’s the bakery (with seasonal items, sweets, savory selections, and breads). You’ll find cookies, a cheese roll, Guava and Cheese Strudels (Refugiado), Chicken Empanadas, and much more. ©Porto’s Under the cafe & beverages section, there are savory items, breakfast items, sandwiches and platos, house soups and salads, and drinks. The items here include Papa Rellena (potato balls), croquetas, tamales, a Cuban Sandwich, and much more. ©Porto’s And finally, there’s the cakes section which includes seasonal specialties and signature offerings. Some of the cake flavors include pineapple Cuban cake, chocolate cake, mango mousse cake, and more. ©Porto’s It’s very possible that the Downtown Disney location will have a much more paired-down menu or that it’ll have specialties of its own. Again, the menu for Downtown Disney has NOT yet been shared, but we’re on the lookout for details. Where Will It Be Located? The Porto’s Bakery & Cafe location in Downtown Disney will be located where La Brea Bakery was previously. When Will It Open? The opening date for the Porto’s Downtown Disney location has not been shared yet. But it could be quite some time before it arrives. A temporary, pop-up version of Earl of Sandwich has taken over the La Brea Bakery space which will eventually be home to Porto’s. For now, it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down or closing. So, again, it could take a while before Porto’s occupies this spot. The Downtown Disney website only notes that this (and the other spots mentioned below) will open in the “years ahead.” Earl of Sandwich We will keep an eye out for updates and let you know what we find. For now, remember that you can visit the Porto’s website to order their treats to be sent directly to you, so you can warm them up at home and give them a try! 2 — Din Tai Fung Another restaurant coming to Downtown Disney is Din Tai Fung. This was also announced at the 2022 D23 Expo. This restaurant has a BIG following. Here’s what you should know. What Is Din Tai Fung? Din Tai Fung is an award-winning, family-owned restaurant FAMOUS for its soup dumplings, which are “hand-crafted right on sight.” Din Tau Fung Concept Art ©Disney The restaurant originally opened in Taipei, Taiwan. According to the website, Mr. Bing-Yi Yang immigrated to Taiwan and opened a shop selling cooking oil. He named the shop Din Tai Fung. He and his wife sold dumplings in their shop too, called Xiao Long Bao (steamed pork soup dumplings). These dumplings became so popular that Mr. Yang “phased out his oil business” and Din Tai Fung became a full-blown restaurant. ©Disney The restaurant now has locations in Las Vegas, Costa Mesa, and other places in Southern California, Oregon, and Washington. Plus, it has international locations in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, Europe, and Thailand. Many of the Din Tai Fung restaurants have won awards for outstanding food, and the Hong Kong and London locations have received Michelin Stars. The restaurant has also been named the world’s “second-best chain restaurant” by CNN and one of the world’s top 10 gourmet restaurants by the New York Times. ©Disney But the food comes at a lengthy price — some of Din Tai Fung’s existing locations are famous for operating on a no-reservations policy. And that has meant that lines to get in stretch for HOURS. Some people have reported waiting 1 to 4 HOURS to get a table in some spots. Certain Din Tai Fung locations do accept reservations, and we’re expecting the Disneyland location to do so due to the expected high demand. If reservations are available, you’ll want to be sure to grab those ASAP. What Will It Serve? Thus far, Disney has said that the Chinese restaurant will serve dishes family-style. Disney has also confirmed that they will “offer guests their soup dumplings hand crafted right on site.” The full Downtown Disney restaurant menu has NOT yet been shared but other locations feature a lot to pick from. In the appetizers portion, you’ll find cucumber salad, hot and sour soup, and more. ©Din Tai Fung Then there is the Xia Long Bao section where you’ll find some filled with pork, crab, and chicken. ©Din Tai Fung There are also steamed dumplings and buns filled with chicken, cod, shrimp, and more. ©Din Tai Fung There are also a variety of wantons… ©Din Tai Fung …vegetables (like mustard greens), specialties (like Truffle and Kurobuta Pork Xiao Long Bao), noodles, noodle soups, wok options (like fried rice), and even desserts! ©Din Tai Fung Again, it hasn’t yet been announced what the Downtown Disney version of the restaurant will serve, and it’s possible the menu will look somewhat different here or will be more limited. We will keep an eye out for more updates! Where Will It Be Located? Din Tai Fung will open on the west side of Downtown Disney in what Disney has called “a creative space near our new lawn pavilion.” ©Disney When Will It Open? An opening timeline for this restaurant has not been shared yet. Again, the Downtown Disney website only notes that this (and the other spots mentioned in this post) will open in the “years ahead.” 3 — Paseo Next up, we have two related but still different spots. Disney has announced that 2 NEW Mexican restaurants will arrive in Downtown Disney soon. These will take the place of Catal & Uva Bar (which have already been permanently closed) and will be called Paseo and Centrico. What is Paseo? Both Paseo and Centrico will be Mexican spots created by Chef Carlos Gaytan — the first Michelin Star-awarded chef born in Mexico. He currently owns Chicago’s Tzuco restaurant. The Tzuco website notes that “Gaytán was born in Huitzuco, a small town in Guerrero, Mexico in 1970.” When he was 20 he left for Chicago for a life change, and he started working at a hotel as a dishwasher. Eventually, he worked his way up, worked in restaurants, and then opened Mexique, a French-Mexican restaurant. ©Tzuco From there, he went on to become the first Mexican Chef to receive a Michelin star in 2013 and 2014, and now he seeks to “present the best of Mexico through his own vision, as infused with the French haute cuisine techniques he acquired during his practice.” Paseo will be more of the “restaurant” side of this journey in Downtown Disney (as opposed to the more bar side — which will be Centrico, based on our understanding). Paseo and Centrico are meant to “offer guests a multi-sensory journey to the heart of Chef Gaytan’s homeland.” ©Disney The restaurant will be brought to life by the Patina Restaurant Group (which is involved in MANY restaurants in the Disney parks like Space 220, Morimoto Asia, Enzo’s Hideaway, Tutto Italia, and Via Napoli, to name a few). What Will It Serve? According to the Orange County Register, the restaurant side (which is the transformation of Catal essentially) will be an “upscale, gourmet Mexican restaurant.” “Upscale Mexican cuisine and tequila-based cocktails” appear to be some big things on the menu. ©Tzuco Thus far, the menu for the restaurant has NOT been shared, but the menu at Tzuco could serve as an indication of what to expect. There, you’ll find a Happy Hour with snacks like guacamole, pommes frites, and tostadas along with a margarita, Mexican negroni, and more. In the “Back to My Roots” section Gaytán honors his journey years ago that brought him through various regions in Mexico. It appears this part of the menu changes to highlight different regions. ©Tzuco In the dinner section, you’ll find appetizers (like guacamole, a mushroom cazuela, and ceviche), entrees (like barbacoa lamb, a burger, carne asada, and more), and sides (including corn esquites). ©Tzuco Then there are desserts, dinner cocktails, wines, spirits, and even a brunch menu. The Paseo restaurant website shows Chef with what appears to be a Tlayudas behind him, so it’s possible that’ll be a feature of the menu. The website describes the restaurant as a “new authentic Mexican restaurant.” ©Paseo Restaurant Again, the menu has NOT been revealed for Paseo (or Centrico) in Downtown Disney yet, but we’ll be excited to hear about it when it is released. Where Will Paseo Be Located? As mentioned above, Paseo and Centrico are meant to take the place of Catal and Uva Bar. The Downtown Disney Sprinkles Cupcakes location has closed as part of this transformation. According to the Orange County Register, the Downtown Disney Sprinkles location that is next door to the Catal restaurant and on the courtyard of Uva bar will be used for Paseo and Centrico in the future. Catal construction Our understanding is that Paseo will be the more restaurant side while Centrico will be the bar portion of this. The Orange County Register notes, “Construction work on the nearby Disney Home and Wonderground Gallery recently concluded — extending the upcoming Paseo restaurant space across the second floor above the shops.” So it appears the restaurant side could take up much more room. When Will It Open? Thus far, an opening date has not been announced, but the Paseo website notes that it is coming in 2024. Considering that construction walls are up and Catal, Uva Bar, and Sprinkles Cupcakes have all already closed, it looks like things are coming along. 4 — Centrico Much of what was shared above applies to Centrico, but we’ll highlight a few unique things. What Is Centrico? Centrico again will be the product of Chef Gaytan’s vision of Mexican cuisine. But our understanding is that Centrico will be more of the bar space — essentially taking up the former home of Uva Bar. The Centrico Bar website says it will be an “open-air Mexican bar and restaurant.” ©Disney What Will It Serve? According to The Orange County Register, the bar side (which should be the Centrico portion) will have a “new high-end Mexican-inspired small plate menu and bar transformation that puts an emphasis on tequila-based cocktails.” The photo on the Centrico Bar website shows a pizza in the background, so it’s possible that’ll be featured on the menu. ©Centrico Bar Where Will It Be Located? Centrico should mainly take up the space of Uva Bar and perhaps some of the surrounding areas now freed up by the nearby closures. When Will It Open? No opening date has been confirmed but the Centrico Bar website notes that the restaurant will be coming in 2024. Progress seems to be coming along given the closures and construction walls. Downtown Disney And that’s what we know about these spots so far! You can bet we’ll be on the lookout for more details and will share those with you. Make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter so you get ALL the updates sent directly to YOU. And stay tuned for more. Click here to see our FULL review of the NEW Earl of Sandwich SIT DOWN restaurant in Downtown Disney 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 Which of these restaurants are you most excited to try? Tell us in the comments. The post There Are Four NEW Restaurants Coming to Downtown Disney. Here's What We Know 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. If you need someone to convince you to stop buying Disney merchandise…well, you’re in the wrong place. New 100th decor! We’re constantly checking out the latest Disney merch in the parks during our visits, not to mention scouring shopDisney and Amazon for all the online must-haves. So if you’re trying to quit a Disney shopping habit, we probably won’t be helping with that! But if you’re interested in a BIG sale on some Disney collectibles, we’ve got you covered! Right now, shopDisney is hosting a flash sale on select drinkware, which includes several Starbucks cups and other Disney mugs! You can get this Mickey Mouse Disney100 Starbucks Tumbler With Straw for 40% off the regular price. The shiny design has Mickey on one side and the Starbucks logo on the other. Mickey Mouse Disney100 Starbucks Tumbler with Straw It has a screw-on lid and it’s made for cold beverages only. It’s part of the Disney100 collection to celebrate the company’s 100th Anniversary, so it’s a hot-ticket item right now! Shop the Tumbler Online Here! If you want the park-specific tumblers, those are on sale too! We spotted this EPCOT Porcelain Starbucks Tumbler for 40% off as well. EPCOT Tumbler These cups are created specifically for Disney World and are designed to store hot beverages. The fun Minnie Mouse print showcases different EPCOT icons, and Disney has patterns online for each of the theme parks! Get the Minnie EPCOT Tumbler Here! If you’re already missing Disney World’s 50th Anniversary, then we’ve got great news — there’s still a souvenir you can snag during this sale. The Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Starbucks Tumbler is available on shopDisney. Gold 50th Starbucks Tumbler This was part of the Grand Finale 50th Anniversary collection, and it has the same geometric design and screw-on lid as the others, just in a dark gold color. You’ll want to snag this before it sells out! Shop the 50th Anniversary Tumbler Here! And we have to share something with the west coast peeps too! Remember how we said that Starbucks has these tumbler designs for each of the parks? Well, check out this Disney California Adventure Starbucks Tumbler on sale now. ©Disney This one has Mickey surrounded by icons and snacks from the park. Like the others, it’s also available for 40% off. Get the California Adventure Tumbler Here! If you’re interested in shopping the other Starbucks tumblers and mugs that are on sale, you’ll want to hurry — this flash sale is only available for ONE DAY! We’ll keep you updated with more merchandise sales and all the hot new items that drop online. 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 Find the Perfect Carry-On Backpack for Your Trip! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Which Starbucks mug or tumbler would you buy? Tell us in the comments! The post HURRY! Disney Starbucks Cups Are On Sale for ONE DAY ONLY! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

ANYTHING can happen when you travel, even if you’re traveling to Disney World. Flying? Flight delays and cancellations can happen for a number of reasons, including weather, technical issues, and more. Recently, though, flights were delayed from Orlando for a more unusual reason. According to WESH, flights out of Orlando International Airport were delayed on May 17th due to a bird striking a plane. The FAA reported that this resulted in a runway being temporarily closed, and the incident caused gate holds and taxi delays. Orlando International Airport As a result, flights began to be delayed by about an average of 30 minutes and more. However, the issue has since been resolved and that runway has reopened. At the moment, there are no more delays as a result of the bird strike. However, we will always recommend that if you’re flying into and out of Orlando, always keep an eye on your flight status on your airline’s website or app. Orlando International Airport When traveling, it’s best to plan for these things in advance, so be sure to have plenty of snacks on hand — and things to do — if you end up having to wait an extra amount of time for your flight (you can buy snacks in the airport, but they are generally more expensive there). Most importantly, remember that patience can go a long way in keeping stress levels down during these situations. Orlando International Airport We’ll continue to report on anything important happening at Orlando International Airport, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more! Have you checked out the latest Disney-themed t-shirts in our store? Click here – you’ll want to pick some up before your next Disney trip! Could You Get PAID for Your Canceled Flights? Airline Changes Might Be Coming Soon. 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 a flight delay occur due to a bird strike? Give us all the details in the comments! The post The Unexpected Problem That Could Affect Your Next Flight to Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Let’s be real — there are LOTS of places to stay in Disney World, and the resort itself is EXPENSIVE. Welcome to Walt Disney World! Sometimes it’s fun to dream about where we could stay if we had the $$$ to do so. We asked our readers on Facebook which resort they would choose if they had $10,000 to spend, and here’s what they said! Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge One of the biggest responses was Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge — specifically rooms with a savanna view! Animal Kingdom Lodge This deluxe resort invites you into the “heart of Africa,” and with a savanna view, you can wake up to the view of giraffes, zebras, and other animals grazing the morning away. It’s a beautiful way to wake up and has tons of great amenities and restaurants, but it’ll cost a pretty penny. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Next on the list wasn’t a surprise — it was Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. This is another deluxe resort that is super close to Magic Kingdom. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort This is also Disney World’s flagship resort, and it comes with wonderful dining and a Monorail station that can take you straight to Magic Kingdom, or to the TTC to help you get to EPCOT. You guessed it though — all those perks make this resort quite pricey. Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter While some fans mentioned both Port Orleans resorts, French Quarter ultimately won out. Port Orleans French Quarter This is a moderate resort that is beautifully themed to New Orleans’ historic French Quarter. Another resort with great dining (plus beignets, DUH!) and a beautiful atmosphere that leaves you feeling really immersed. It’s a resort that so many people love, so we’re not surprised it made this list! Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort And the Polynesian made this list too! Not surprising to us — so many Disney guests love the atmosphere that this deluxe resort provides. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort You guessed it too — the dining at this resort is loved by many, and the subtle Disney theming has many Disney fans adding it to the top of their favorite resorts list. The resort is also working on adding a new DVC villa building, which may make this spot even higher in demand. Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Resort The last specific resort on this list is Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, which is a moderate resort stationed right on Disney’s BoardWalk — why have one restaurant nearby when you could have multiple? BoardWalk Inn Lobby This is an elegant resort that puts you minutes away from both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It also has upscale DVC villas that many members love as well. However, just like the others, it costs a good chunk of cash (but what in Disney World doesn’t?). Stay At A Value Resort and Spend The Rest Elsewhere Some of our readers said that they would choose a value resort, like Disney’s All-Star Music Resort or Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and use the rest of their money on experiences like special tours or specialty dining. Pop Century Resort Other readers even said that they would choose to stay at one of these value resorts and use the $10,000 to stay in Disney World for as long as they can! Forget a week-long vacation, these readers want to stay for a MONTH. And honestly…smart thinking, in our eyes. All-Star Music Resort And those are the best resorts to stay at in our readers’ eyes if you had $10,000 to spend! As always, be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news. Check out our ultimate guide to Disney’s most popular resorts here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Which hotel would you spend your $10,000 on? Tell us in the comments! The post Thousands of Disney Fans Voted on the Best Disney World Hotel. This Was Their Answer. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’re looking for new ways to get to the theme parks, then you’ve probably been invested in news about the Brightline train! ©Brightline via The Orlando Sentinel This near-high-speed rail is currently servicing southern Florida, but stations are coming soon in Orlando to make your commute to the city easier. We’ve already gotten a sneak peek inside the station at the Orlando International Airport, and we’ve been following the construction progress…but now you can FINALLY book your tickets! The Brightline website has been updated to now show Orlando as a destination. Tickets between South Florida and Orlando are now on sale for dates from September 1st, 2023 through early 2024. ©Brightline One-way SMART fares start at $79 for adults and $39 for kids. One-way PREMIUM fares start at $149. If you’re booking for a group of at least four people, you can save 25% off of SMART fares. Your trip comes with complimentary onboard wifi and in-ride meal and beverage options. ©Brightline You can book now for September and later, but Brightline has shared that once the grand opening of the Orlando station is announced, they’ll open more availability for the summer dates as well. When tickets first went on sale on the morning of Wednesday, May 17th, we experienced some slow loading on the website, but now it seems that things are back to normal. Due to the high level of interest in this new transportation option, you may have some problems with the website. ©Brightline We’ll keep our eyes peeled for more information on the Brightline train and the grand opening of the Orlando station! Stay tuned to DFB for the latest news and updates on this new transportation option. Click Here to See Inside the Orlando Airport Brightline Station! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Would you take the Brightline train to Orlando? Tell us in the comments! The post ALERT! Tickets NOW ON SALE for the Orlando Airport Train first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

EPCOT has been going through a lot of changes lately. EPCOT There’s a new Moana attraction in the works, a new nighttime show will soon celebrate the Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary, and new meet-and-greets will arrive later this summer. But one change has had guests counting down the days until its completion — the removal of the Harmonious barges. When EPCOT’s Harmonious nighttime show debuted, guests largely agreed that the barges that were installed for the show were unsightly. While the show itself did have its fans, the unfortunate side effect was an obstructed view of the lagoon. So, after the show ended on April 2nd, 2034, many guests were excited for those barges to be removed. And Disney did start removing them quickly — at first. BYE For the past month, Disney has been taking down each segment, one by one. First, we saw a few of the “tacos” removed. We won’t miss you Then, the large ring in the center was removed. But two remaining tacos stayed for a LONG time. Well, now, they are officially gone! That’s right, the most controversial part of EPCOT has finally been removed from our lives and we certainly aren’t sad about it. They’re GONE!!! Now we can see across the World Showcase Lagoon properly once again, and that’s a wonderful sight! Make sure you take it all in on your next trip to EPCOT. Speaking of which, did you hear that a BRAND NEW table service restaurant is opening in EPCOT soon? Read more here! As always, be sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney World news and updates! BIG Changes Are Coming to Disney World This Year — See Them All Here Want MORE Details About EPCOT’s MASSIVE Transformation? EPCOT’s Three New Neighborhoods Have Debuted – Learn More Here See Our Full Review of One of EPCOT’s Newest Restaurants – Connections Eatery Get a Full Tour Inside EPCOT’s New Starbucks Location – Connections Cafe See All the Details You Need to Know About the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Coaster, Now Open in World Discovery NEW Festival Areas, Gardens, a Meet-and-Greet Area, and More Are Coming to EPCOT Go Inside Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure With Us Check Out All of the Tasty Details About La Crêperie de Paris See Our Full Reviews of Space 220, Which Has Officially OPENED in EPCOT Check Out Spaceship Earth’s Permanent New Nighttime Look Learn More About EPCOT’s New Nighttime Spectacular -- Harmonious See Full Details About the New PLAY! Pavilion Coming to EPCOT Learn All About Journey of Water -- Inspired by Moana, Coming to World Nature The Mary Poppins Attraction is on Hold – Learn More Here What’s Been CUT From the EPCOT Transformation? Click HERE for All the News and Details about EPCOT’s Transformation! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest EPCOT transformation news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you excited the barges are gone? Tell us in the comments. The post The One Thing in EPCOT Everyone HATES Is Finally Gone! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

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A huge update we’ve been waiting for has finally come to Disney World! Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway Pavilion is home to a character meal with Disney Princesses. It reopened with dinner a while back, and breakfast has now returned as well! We were there on the first day breakfast returned and shared a first look with you, but now it’s time for our FULL review! Atmosphere Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is a character dining restaurant located in Norway in the World Showcase. Here, you can enjoy a meal and meet some of the Disney Princesses. The space is modeled after a Norwegian castle, and it really does feel like that! You can see medieval stonework on the outside of the restaurant, and that decor carries through to the interior. Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Just like dinner service, breakfast is a Princess Storybook Dining character meal, meaning you can expect to be joined by some of your favorite princesses during your experience! There are large, stone archways and wooden trusses in the ceiling with different sigils hanging from them. Chandeliers hang down from the ceilings and there are lit sconces on the red walls. It’s like you’re inside a castle! There are a few different dining rooms here. But, no matter where you’re seated, chances are you’ll still be able to feel the castle vibes thanks to the stone walls and wooden accents throughout the restaurant. And, since the characters make their way throughout Akershus, you’ll be able to interact with them without having to leave your seat. Plenty of seating Speaking of characters, we were pretty excited to see some of our favorite princesses, so we sat down at our table. It was set with stoneware and weighty flatware — as you would expect at any royal banquet! Our table setting Menu This is a prix fixe menu, and each meal will cost $53 per adult and $34 per child ages 3-9. The price does not include tax or gratuity. Breakfast here is served family-style, rather than as a buffet. Our server told us she would “be our buffet” for the meal. The first course was a platter of pastries, meats, and cheeses. ©Disney There are assorted fountain drinks, fresh Joffrey’s Coffee, and Twinings Hot Tea. Plus, there’s an allergy-friendly menu available — you just need to ask for it! Characters As we mentioned before, this is a character meal featuring some iconic Disney Princesses! There may be some different faces depending on the date of your visit, but you’re guaranteed to see at least a few familiar ladies. We got to interact with Aurora… The blueberries were firm and juicy, while the strawberries were sweet and flavorful. The grapes were alright, and the honeydew had more flavor than we’ve had before — though that could be from being surrounded by other fruit! Fresh fruit Throughout our meal, we sipped on water along with Joffrey’s freshly brewed coffee (which was delicious!). You can also get fountain drinks, juices, and tea as well. Coffee The waffles were definitely a standout for us, and we wouldn’t mind if Disney dropped the recipe for that potato casserole, either! Nosh or Not You should book a breakfast reservation at Akershus if… You’re looking for a sit-down, family-style meal to start your morning in EPCOT. You have a Princess fan in your party and want to get a bunch of character interactions out of the way at one time. You love standard breakfast food like waffles, potatoes, bacon, and sausage but want to have a fancier experience. You should skip breakfast at Akershus if… You’re looking for something a bit different than your typical breakfast fare. You don’t want to devote an hour or more to sitting down during your park day. You don’t really care about Disney Princesses or character meals. You’re looking to stick to a budget. Overall Akershus might be a great option if you’ve been trying to get a reservation at another popular character meal like those at Cinderella’s Royal Table or Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom. We got to interact with each princess at least once, and it’s a great way to knock out a ton of interactions at once. But, the food wasn’t anything that knocked our socks off. It was pretty standard breakfast fare, though we did really love those waffles, we’ve had similar quality meals at quick-service restaurants throughout the parks and hotels. Akershus is still a solid option for character dining at breakfast, lunch, and dinner in EPCOT. Full spread With DOZENS of places to eat at Disney World, we know it can be tough to plan your meals. That’s why we wrote the DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World. We have reviews, pictures, and details about every restaurant all in one digital download – along with ALL of our best tips and strategies from decades of Disney World trips. We’ve got a special discount code for DFB readers, too! Use WDW2023 at checkout for 25% off! Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney World restaurant reviews, news, and more! See Our Latest Review of Dinner at Akershus Here 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! Have you eaten at Akershus? Tell us in the comments. The post REVIEW: Is This Character Breakfast in EPCOT Still Worth the Price? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

What does a Walt Disney World Thrill feel like? On this episode of the planDisney Podcast, the panelists discuss those one-of-a-kind feelings you can only experience on a Disney vacation. Tune in on your favorite podcasting platform!View the full article

If you’ve ever taken a trip to one of the Disney parks, you know how quickly plans can change. No matter how carefully you strategize your day, you never know what could throw a wrench in your plans. From unexpected bad weather to sudden ride closures, we’ve seen it all! Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland Luckily, Disneyland Resort guests will have a little more flexibility thanks to a NEW Park Pass Reservation System change. If you’re planning a trip to Disneyland — listen up! First, let’s get the introductions out of the way. Disney’s Park Pass Reservation System was designed to monitor the crowds in the Disney parks by allowing guests to make a theme park reservation for one park per day in advance. Isn’t this castle STUNNING? Since the system was created back in 2020, guests in Disneyland have had limited options if they want to modify their Park Pass reservations after booking them on My Disney Experience. For example, if you booked a reservation for Disney California Adventure but changed your mind a few weeks later, the only way to switch your reservation was to cancel your existing reservation and re-book a new one. The process wasn’t exactly user-friendly. Avengers Campus During a busy holiday, it was risky to cancel your reservation, as guests were worried they would be stuck without a Park Pass after canceling their original reservation. Good news, Disneyland guests; that’s all about to change! California Adventure in Disneyland Starting NOW, Disneyland Resort guests can modify the park or date associated with their theme park reservations on the Disneyland website WITHOUT having to cancel the reservation first. (Subject to theme park reservation availability and applicable block-out dates) Disneyland has so many charming details! Disney explained that you can make modifications to your theme park reservations up to the day of your reservation before entering the park. Magic Key holders will continue to have a one-day modification window. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Disneyland Speaking of Park Pass Reservations System changes, Disney World guests will soon no longer need to book a reservation at all! Disney shared that Park Pass Reservations will not be required for those who have date-based tickets. This change will take place starting January 9th, 2024. Magic Kingdom We’re hoping that this change will make things a little easier for guests going to Disneyland. In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more! Ranking EVERY Disney Park 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 Disneyland this summer? Let us know in the comments! The post HUGE Park Pass Reservation Update Announced in Disneyland first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’re a Disney+ subscriber, get ready for some CHANGES. ©Disney Disney has announced that a price increase will hit the ad-free Disney+ service later this year. We also got news about how Hulu and Disney+ content will soon be accessible via the same app (for subscribers of both services), and Disney recently revealed when a hit movie would hit Disney+. But now we’ve got even MORE streaming news. During the Disney upfront event held on May 16th, Marvel announced that the first episode of Loki season 2 will premiere on Disney+ on October 6th! ©Marvel Studios Additionally, it was revealed that ALL episodes of the new Marvel show Echo will debut on Disney+ at once on November 29th. ©Marvel Which of these shows are you most excited about? We’ll keep an eye out for more updates about these and other shows/movies coming to Disney+. In the meantime, click here to see the latest updates on Disney+ subscriber numbers, or click here to see what unexpected movie will hit Disney+ in the future. Click here to read about a recent lawsuit involving former CEO Bob Chapek and Disney+ Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you excited about these shows? Tell us in the comments! The post DATE ANNOUNCED: When Season 2 of ‘Loki’ Will Arrive on Disney+ first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Listen, even the Disney experts still learn new things when we venture into the parks. EPCOT From discovering new holy grail snacks that have been there all along to finally witnessing some behind-the-scenes details of the Disney Parks to discovering the methods behind Disney’s madness — it seems like we learn something new every day! Today, we definitely noticed something that we’d never noticed before at Disney World, and it’s in plain sight at EPCOT. When checking out an artist concept of EPCOT, we noticed that the different areas of the park were color-coded. We’ve seen this picture plenty of times before, but today it caught our attention, and we decided to do some sleuthing. ©Disney Sure enough, it turns out that EPCOT does seem to follow this color scheme! Details in World Discovery are red, World Celebration details are blue, World Nature details are green, and World Showcase details are yellow. How cool is that?! Check out the blue trash cans and popcorn stand in World Celebration. Blue! Sure enough, the trash cans in World Nature are green. Green! In World Discovery, there are red trash cans and food stands galore. Red details! In World Showcase, the booths and trash cans are themed to each of the countries rather than the yellow shown on the map — which we love. However, it means that the yellow color code for this section of the park isn’t as prevalent as the code is in other areas. World Showcase Now, just in case you’re ever lost while trekking around the world, you’ll always know which part of EPCOT you’re in just by looking at the trash cans. Who knew? We’ll continue to keep you updated on all the latest Disney news — and yes, our latest Disney discoveries. Follow along for more! Looking for more EPCOT details? Click here for ALL the EPCOT food! Want MORE Details About EPCOT’s MASSIVE Transformation? EPCOT’s Three New Neighborhoods Have Debuted – Learn More Here See Our Full Review of One of EPCOT’s Newest Restaurants – Connections Eatery Get a Full Tour Inside EPCOT’s New Starbucks Location – Connections Cafe See All the Details You Need to Know About the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Coaster, Now Open in World Discovery NEW Festival Areas, Gardens, a Meet-and-Greet Area, and More Are Coming to EPCOT Go Inside Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure With Us Check Out All of the Tasty Details About La Crêperie de Paris See Our Full Reviews of Space 220, Which Has Officially OPENED in EPCOT Check Out Spaceship Earth’s Permanent New Nighttime Look Learn More About EPCOT’s New Nighttime Spectacular -- Harmonious See Full Details About the New PLAY! Pavilion Coming to EPCOT Learn All About Journey of Water -- Inspired by Moana, Coming to World Nature The Mary Poppins Attraction is on Hold – Learn More Here What’s Been CUT From the EPCOT Transformation? Click HERE for All the News and Details about EPCOT’s Transformation! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest EPCOT transformation news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Did you know this about EPCOT? Let us know in the comments! The post I Was Today Years Old When I Realized EPCOT Is Color-Coded 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. Great news, Disney and Pixar fans! ©Pixar There have been a lot of movies that have been announced and ones that are coming out soon. And if you’re looking forward to Pixar’s new film Elemental, there’s another reason to get super excited! Tickets are now available for Disney and Pixar’s Elemental! Click here to buy your tickets for Elemental! Check out the latest trailer below to get the excitement going. Join Ember and Wade, an unlikely duo who discover a shared connection and challenge the notion that “elements do not mix.” As Ember questions her predetermined fate of owning her family’s shop, she finds inspiration in Wade, a free-spirited individual who encourages her to live by her own standards. Together, they embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery, defying societal expectations and embracing the true essence of living authentically. This film is currently set to release on June 16th, so if you’re interested, go to Fandango.com to get your tickets. And be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest news on Disney’s releases! Click here for the latest on Disney+ 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 looking forward to seeing Elemental? Tell us in the comments! The post You Can Buy Tickets NOW for Pixar’s New Movie! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A fan-favorite meet-and-greet has FINALLY returned to Magic Kingdom, so come along with us to check it out! Tomorrowland Lately, guests at Disney World have been very excited about the new meet-and-greet over in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Moana has made her debut in that park, and the line to meet her can be HOURS long. (We recommend rope-dropping that attraction if you’re hoping to meet her without waiting too long.) But now, there’s a different character to get excited about over in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom. The Buzz Lightyear character meet-and-greet has finally returned to Tomorrowland! We’ll keep watching for more updates from Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB. Click here to learn the important RULES of character meet-and-greets 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 Which character is your favorite to meet in Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post A Character Meet-and-Greet Has Finally RETURNED to Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

One of the coolest effects has finally returned to the Festival of Fantasy parade in Magic Kingdom. Disney World’s Festival of Fantasy parade Back in April, the Maleficent dragon caught fire during a showing of Fantasmic! in Disneyland. Following the accident, Disney made the call to temporarily suspend similar fire effects at all Disney parks for a while. Disney’s statement said, “We are temporarily suspending fire effects similar to those used at Disneyland Park’s Fantasmic! at select shows and entertainment experiences globally out of an abundance of caution following the Fantasmic! prop fire at Disneyland Park.” That meant that the Maleficent dragon’s fire-breathing effect at the Magic Kingdom parade in Disneyland was temporarily paused. But now it’s back! We watched the Festival of Fantasy parade today, May 16th, 2023, and noticed that — for the first time in forever (cue Anna’s song from Frozen) — the Maleficent dragon is once again breathing fire. We spoke to a Cast Member who told us that the dragon is only breathing fire in some parts of the park. For part of the parade, the fire effect is still suspended due to the proximity of flammable materials. Maleficent Dragon The Cast Member told us that we should be able to see the effect on Main Street, U.S.A., so try to get a spot along Main Street if you want to see it soon. Breathing fire Although the effect is pretty cool to see, there are lots of fun floats and performers in this parade, so even without the fire it’s definitely a must-see in Magic Kingdom. Ariel in the Festival of Fantasy Parade The fire in Disneyland wasn’t the first time we’ve seen trouble with this effect — Back in 2018, the Maleficent dragon float caught fire in Disney World during the parade. We’ll continue to watch for more updates from Disney, so stay tuned to DFB! Click here to see TONS of photos and videos of the Festival of Fantasy parade. 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 going to Magic Kingdom soon? Let us know in the comments. The post The Maleficent Dragon Fire Effect Is BACK at the Magic Kingdom Parade first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney PhotoPass Service now offers a new artistic watercolor Magic Shot that turns your photo into a painting while stylistically removing other guests from the background.View the full article

Great meals make great memories. We all have a favorite family meal that we fondly remember being served at the family reunion, or for your childhood birthdays, or as a weekly Sunday supper. And many of us have memories of a wonderfully indulgent meal we had on vacation. ©Disney We know you spend your time – and money – planning a Disney World trip, and the dining experiences can be a HUGE factor in your enjoyment, and in your memory making. Today, we want to unveil some Disney World dining misconceptions – and address the people in the comments who keep repeating them. “Food at Disney World is just overpriced theme park fare.” It is absolutely true that you can find mediocre burgers, fries, and pizza at Disney World. But diverse, elevated dining experiences have also been part of the plan at Disney World from the very beginning! When the resort opened on Oct. 1, 1971, it included the Top of the World Restaurant (in the space we now know as California Grill) on the 15th floor of the Contemporary Resort. The space now occupied by California Grill was a restaurant (with entertainment!) known as Top of the World when Walt Disney World opened in 1971. At Top of the World, you could dine on Rose Petal Salad and Roast Duck with Orange Sauce, and see evening entertainment like singer Jack Jones and comedian Phyllis Diller. Across the Seven Seas Lagoon at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, you could enjoy a buffet including glazed pork ribs and coconut sticky rice while sipping tropical drinks and watching the Polynesian Revue dinner show right on the beach. Today, there are more than 200 dining locations at Disney World, including 90 full-service restaurants. You can enjoy an African-inspired buffet at Boma, browse your way through an expansive wine list – more than 250 strong – at California Grill, try multi-course Japanese Omakase tasting menus at Takumi-Tei, and have an intimate, upscale tasting menu at Victoria & Albert’s – Disney World’s “culinary crown jewel.” Victoria & Albert’s has been recognized by the Michelin Guide. Yes, Disney parks are known for Mickey-shaped ice cream bars and caramel corn – but a commitment to quality and creativity runs through Disney World’s entire culinary scene. “Vacations are spontaneous. There’s no need to make reservations.” While we would love a world where we could walk right into any location without a crowd – an empty restaurant is often a sign that you’re not visiting a GREAT one. Disney World restaurants are IN DEMAND, and we don’t want you to miss out by just planning to “wing it.” Reservations for Cinderella’s Royal Table go very quickly! Know that dining reservations open up 60 days in advance – and that the most popular Disney World restaurants will book up on that 60th day out – sometimes within minutes! (Now, if you’ve already missed your window, we encourage you to keep checking, and checking, and checking … cancelations do happen, and last-minute tables DO open up. But the best way to save yourself some stress and guarantee your spot is to plan ahead, and be ready. Our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining exists to help you with this planning. With detailed reviews and photos of EVERY Disney World dining location, our guidebook is designed to help you set priorities, and determine which restaurants are going to meet your family’s needs – and most importantly make the best memories for your crew – in advance, so you can be ready to hop on those reservations. You can find this amazing Chocolate Bar Dessert at Toledo! What if you don’t want to eat a bunch of sit-down meals? (We would urge you to try a couple, but we will also tell you not to plan too many and use up all your park time!) There are still dozens of choices for fast food (“quick service” in Disney-ese), and if you want a simple burger and fries, you’ll find it easily. But what if we told you you could be eating hidden gems like the “Totchos” at Woody’s Lunch Box, the Seasoned Fries at Mr. Kamal’s, or a Breakfast Ronto Wrap from Ronto Roasters, instead? Because you CAN – if you know where to look. Click here to order our Disney World Dining Guide — use code WDW2023 for 25% off! “All Restaurants in Disney World are the Same” This third misconception just couldn’t be farther from the truth. We’ve picked on burgers and fries today, but you’ll even find a HUGE variety in the most standard of foods. I mean, we LOVE a burger! But when you’re at Disney World, why would you get a plain one, when you could have the BBQ Burger at Regal Eagle Smokehouse – topped with pulled pork and onion ring, and served on (gulp!) garlic toast? Or how about the Kobe Beef Burger at Yak & Yeti – served with a shiitake mushroom and scallion compote? I doubt you could find MORE variety in cuisines per square foot anywhere else in the world! Kobe Beef Burger And with ALL that variety, and so many choices, the best way to navigate the dining scene and make informed decisions is by using the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining. Sure, you can do all of the research yourself – I mean, we’ve spent more than 15 years doing it – but that’s why we wrote the book: To share everything we’ve learned, and save you the time and effort. Click here to order our Disney World Dining Guide — use code WDW2023 for 25% off! We want you to have a truly unforgettable trip to Walt Disney World. That’s literally why we do what we do – and incorporating those unique Disney dining experiences is one of the quickest routes to lasting family memories. Disney World is a great place to step out of your comfort zone and explore new culinary adventures, so let us hold your hand and guide you to take that plunge! The 2023 DFB Guide to Dining in Disney World Our guide includes three separate books: Plan 101 – Breaking down all of your planning into 5 easy-to-follow steps so that you don’t miss a thing! Reference Guide – Sharing all of the best-kept secrets to dine like a pro! Printable Resources – Giving you the exact format we use to plan our Disney World trips –with the worksheets you need to make dining reservations, plan your vacation budget, and much more! Cinderella Castle Check out the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining for our detailed insights, tips, and recommendations. We can’t wait to help you get started planning your trip! Click here to order our Disney World Dining Guide — use code WDW2023 for 25% off! Great dining experiences take up a significant part of your Disney World vacation budget, and they are an important part of the memories you’ll take away from your next trip! Don’t let common Disney World dining misconceptions keep you from missing out on an amazing culinary adventure. 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 The post 3 Things Karen in the Comments Get Wrong About Dining at Disney World 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. If you’re a fan of The Little Mermaid and all things glam, you’ll want to keep reading! Hi, Ariel! Ulta Beauty is known to drop some themed makeup in collaboration with Disney from time to time. We’ve seen Disney nail decor, Disney100 nail polishes, and we even saw products inspired by the Disney Parks last year. A new Disney-inspired collection just dropped at Ulta, and we think a few of you Ariel fans might love it. An all-new The Little Mermaid collection just dropped online at Ulta, and it features 16 under-the-sea-inspired items. ©Ulta We picked out a few favorites that we think you guys might love as well. Without further ado, let’s check it out! First up, we have this The Little Mermaid Lip Set. ©Ulta The set includes three lip stains and a clear shimmer lip gloss to add on top for some shine! Grab the The Little Mermaid Lip Set here Similar to the Lip Set is the The Little Mermaid Eye Set! ©Ulta The set is complete with three liquid shimmer eye shadows as well as a sheet of pearl face and nail gems. Grab the The Little Mermaid Eye Set Here If you’re hoping to add some mermaid flair to your entire makeup routine, you can grab the The Little Mermaid Beauty Box. ©Ulta The Beauty Box comes with 12 eye shadows, two blushes, two brow powders, one brow wax, one brow gel, a duel-ended eyeliner, a glitter top coat trio, an eye shadow primer, a cream eye shadow stick, two lip glosses, a lip balm, and a cream highlighter stick — all contained in a seashell-shaped box! Grab the The Little Mermaid Beauty Box Here The The Little Mermaid Eye Shadow Palette includes some fun colors! ©Ulta Included in the palette are both matte and shimmer shades, all inspired by the sea. Grab the The Little Mermaid Eye Shadow Palette Here Last but not least, you can grab the The Little Mermaid Makeup Brush Set. ©Ulta This set includes three different eye brushes, a flat-top foundation brush, and a powder brush. Oh, and these are inspired by none other than Ursula! Grab the The Little Mermaid Makeup Brush Set Here We’ll continue to keep you updated with news of any and all Disney merchandise that comes our way, so make sure to follow along for more! Looking for more The Little Mermaid collectible items? Click here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Will you be purchasing any of these items at Ulta? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney Fans, Head to Ulta Beauty RIGHT NOW first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You’ll want to pay close attention to a small (but mighty) detail at Disney World! TRON Cast Member Disney World Cast Members received a new upgrade to their costumes. Disney frequently updates Cast Member uniforms, like the time they changed the Photopass photographer shirts. This new change is pretty small, so you’ll have to really look hard to find it! Starting on May 16th, 2023, you’ll have a new reason to stop and say “hello” to a Cast Member. Disney World has said goodbye to the old 50th anniversary EAR-idescent Cast Member name tags and has introduced a new design! New look to Cast Member name tags This isn’t the first we’ve heard of them before though! We’ve known they were coming for a while, but now they’re officially in the parks. The new design is inspired by twinkling stars and pixie dust magic. The new design was dreamed up by costume designer Joshua Winchester. You can check out a video of the name tags being created here! When asked about the design Joshua had this to say: “The singular, golden star above Cinderella Castle represents our cast who are the guiding light of the Walt Disney World Resort.” He finished by saying, “The field of stars represents that little sprinkling of pixie dust our cast carry while making magic for our guests.” Hi, Kaylah! We stopped and talked to a few Cast Members on our visit out to the parks today, and they were happy to show them off to us. The new name tags still display the Cast Members’ hometowns below their names, which can be a great conversation starter! see how they shine? We can’t wait to see more of these new name tags in action at the Disney World parks. For the latest in Disney park updates, stay with us at DFB! Learn how to give a Cast Member Compliment in Disney World by clicking here. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of the new Disney World Cast Member name tags? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! The post An Essential Part of Cast Member Costumes Has CHANGED in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Who doesn’t love a fun ranking post? Magic Kingdom And we use highly scientific calculations behind our rankings, like unquestionable measurements of cuteness, magical, quaint, cozy, fun, and thrilling. You know, those irrefutable, concrete assessments, and we’re applying that laser-focused scrutiny to every single Disney Park. In all seriousness, every ranking post is subjective and items that rank high on our list may not be top priority for you. But we’ve peppered in some fun facts and our collective years (dare we say, even DECADES) of Disney Park trips to help bring you this list! But, of course, it wouldn’t be us if we didn’t give you a few provisos, some fine print, or basic parameters. There are twelve Disney parks in the world across six different resorts. Walt Disney World also has two water parks—Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach—but we aren’t counting those in this post. There are four parks that make up Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida (Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studio’s); two parks that make up Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California (Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure); two parks that make up Disneyland Paris (Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios), one park each in Hong Kong and Shanghai in China, and two parks that comprise the Tokyo Disney Resort (Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea). Happily Ever After This post is going to break down some of the attributes that each park has, but it is not an exhaustive analysis of EACH park (because that would be a book!). So, to manage your expectations, we’re highlighting each park (what each does really well, or struggles with) to provide a ranking based on the overall experience you can expect to have at each park. This could change seasonally (as parks tend to have super fun seasonal festivals or celebrations), but to keep it all as even as possible, we’re strictly looking at the park and its components. What did we consider? Attractions/Shows Operations & Guest Service Dining Quality Crowd Level Theme And now, without further ado, we’ll start at the bottom and work our way up! Walt Disney Studios Park (France) Walt Disney Studios Park is the second park at Disneyland Paris. It’s a sort of mash-up of Disney’s Hollywood Studios (in Orland0) and the Disney California Adventure (in Anaheim) of the mid-2000’s – before it’s glow-up. The park has two unique rides, Cars ROAD TRIP, and Crush’s Coaster. Avengers Assemble: Flight Force is technically unique, but it’s also just a re-theme of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. ©Disneyland Paris || Walt Disney Studios Park Walt Disney Studios recently added Avengers Assemble: Flight Force and Spide-Man W.E.B. Adventure, a duplicate of the attraction in California Adventure, which brings the attraction total up to 11 total rides. It’s a fun way to spend half a day. Hong Kong Disneyland (China) Hong Kong Disneyland has a loyal band of followers who adore its charming, intimate atmosphere. It’s as close to a duplicate of the original Disneyland that can be found outside of… well, Disneyland. A few alterations were made for it to fit into the culture and scenery of its Chinese location. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort The most popular or noteworthy attraction in Hong Kong Disneyland is Mystic Manor. Mystic Manor is Hong Kong Disneyland’s take on the Haunted Mansion but has a completely unique backstory. Lord Henry Mystic is an eccentric adventurer (and member of the elite Society of Explorers and Adventurers), and his home host an extensive collection of artifacts and relics from his travels. Mystic Manor in Hong Kong Disneyland It has less than 20 rides, and is on the lower end of the castle park list by ride count. The value of a Disney park isn’t solely based on ride count, but it’s hard to line Hong Kong Disneyland up against the other castle parks without placing it at or near the bottom. Uncover the Mysteries of Hong Kong Disneyland’s Mystic Manor Ride With This Video! Shanghai Disneyland (China) Shanghai Disneyland is ambitious. The park was the origin of TRON Lightcycle Power Run. It is also the home of Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure, and what could be under-the-radar Disney’s best attraction worldwide, Challenge Trails. Unique from other castle parks, which mostly recycle lands and designs, Shanghai dared to be bold and different with a hyper-modernized Tomorrowland and an entirely new land, Treasure Cove. Shanghai Disneyland With around 17 rides, Shanghai sits with Hong Kong Disneyland at the bottom of the ride count for castle parks. This is a bit surprising because of its over-the-top need to be different and gargantuan size. It seemed as if Shanghai Disneyland attempted to be the exact opposite of Hong Kong Disneyland. Ultimately, it scored high for going above and beyond in terms of creativity, but scored averaged for actual execution. We’ve Never Been More Jealous of Shanghai Disneyland Disney California Adventure (California) Disney’s California Adventure has had a bit of an identity crisis since its opening. For over a decade, Disney has been slow-rolling the “new and improved” version of this park. It was met with confusion, low crowds, and lower profits as folks questioned why someone would visit a theme park about the icons of California in California, instead of just visiting California. Disney California Adventure The most recent addition is Avengers Campus, which includes the previously-reimagined Guardians of the Galaxy – MISSION: Breakout and newcomer Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure. Both are fun additions, as is the land itself, which though low on attractions, has some of the highest character population in any Disney park. Dance-off We’ve enjoyed watching California Adventure evolve and carve out its identity, as confusing as it is. And are anxiously anticipating new additions recently announced, like the San Fransokyo area coming soon to the Pacific Wharf area. Disney Confirms Opening Dates for Several MAJOR Projects EPCOT (Florida) Just as California Adventure has been an ongoing project of reinvention, so has EPCOT. The long-term project to revitalize EPCOT has been ongoing for six years but has brought with it some fun new additions like the new dining experience Space 220 and the super popular thrills of Guardians of the Galaxy: Comic Rewind. And more is still to be completed and opened, including Moana’s Journey of Water later in 2023. EPCOT Logo on 40th Anniversary Beacons of Magic World Showcase is still gorgeous and offers some of Disney’s best ambiance and photogenic backgrounds, anywhere. Spaceship Earth remains an awe-inspiring icon and pretty good attraction. Some Future World pavilions remain solid, and almost all of the restaurants here have reopened and even a new addition coming soon, Shiki-Sai, a sushi pub in the Japan Pavilion. Everything We Know About the New Restaurant Coming to EPCOT This Summer Animal Kingdom (Florida) If we were ranking parks solely on theme and immersion, this park would win (or at least tie for first). And like Shanghai, Animal Kingdom breaks the mold in terms of creativity and Imagineering, but excels in these areas; it falls a little short on in terms of substance. But even with its minimal ride options, there is a justification for it within the theming. At Animal Kingdom, it’s not just about thrills and rides. It’s about connecting with nature, appreciating stunning animals and unique creatures, and learning about conservation efforts to support a thriving environment for everyone on the planet. A beautiful story that invites guests to “sip and savor” their experience — not “gulp.” Celebrate Animal Kingdom While the animal exhibits, walk-through attractions, and even entertainment are second to none, Animal Kingdom could use more on the ‘traditional attraction’ end of the spectrum. Expedition Everest was a start, and Pandora furthered this, but that’s still only 3 high-profile rides since the park opened. Animal Kingdom could still use a few family-friendly dark rides. Perhaps the teased Moana and Zootopia additions will be just what Animal Kingdom needs to round out the ride roster. NEWS: DinoLand Could Be Reimagined to Moana or Zootopia-Themed Lands at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Hollywood Studios (Florida) Disney Hollywood Studios has seen a massive glow-up in the last few years. The additions of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and the reimagined Fantasmic really boosted the family-friendly value of this otherwise thrill-seekers park. And we’re hoping Hollywood Studios doesn’t stop there because this park could really use another dark ride or two–or at least reimagined versions of its long-running stage shows that would be more popular with guests. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway But that doesn’t diminish the additions of Toy Story Land, Grand Avenue, and Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, which have really proven to be great options for families and tykes alike. Galaxy’s Edge The most important addition remains Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and its mega E-Ticket Rise of the Resistance, which lives up to every bit of the hype and is tied for the #1 attraction (out of 88!) at Walt Disney World, and batting up next in the attraction line up is Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, another strong addition. How Much Did Disney Spend to Build Rise of the Resistance? Magic Kingdom (Florida) If we can rank Animal Kingdom #1 in terms of theme, then Magic Kingdom comes in #1 in terms of nostalgia. Aside from the opening of New Fantasyland in 2012, Magic Kingdom has rested on her laurels for the better part of a decade. But with the long-awaited opening of TRON / Lightcycle Run in Spring 2023 and the promise of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure coming in 2024, there is still some life and innovation at work in Magic Kingdom. Get ready to enter the Grid! And, of course, there are the tried-and-true classics like Country Bear Jamboree, Hall of Presidents, Carousel of Progress, and the Peoplemover. Magic Kingdom doesn’t top the list, but it’s up there. And with whispers of new lands inspired by Villains, Encanto, and Coco, we’re keeping an eye on this park! BREAKING: NEW Coco, Encanto, and Villains-Themed Areas Teased for Magic Kingdom Disneyland Paris (France) Disneyland Paris is in the throngs of celebrating its 30th Anniversary and is using this milestone to get back on track with major refurbishments to key attractions. That list includes extensive reimaginings of Pirates of the Caribbean and Phantom Manor, France’s take on Haunted Mansion. Disneyland Paris is still a work in progress but looks better than ever. Disneyland Paris The design of Disneyland Paris was inspired by romantic fairy tales and real-life castles of its European setting, and this unique feature makes it one of the top parks in the world. This park wins the beauty category, but is still a step or two behind the other castle parks in terms of attractions. It has arguably the best Disney castle in the world (complete with a dragon in the dungeons!). NEW Avengers Campus and Frozen Area Details Announced for Disneyland Paris Disneyland (California) Disneyland is the original park. The one that started it all, the one that inspires the rest. Disneyland walked, so every other park on this list could soar. Walt Disney walked the streets, gazed through the windows, and saw his vision come to life in this park — so that counts for something! Though Magic Kingdom has a duplicate of practically every attraction and the gift of space, when comparing each park’s attraction side-by-side, the version in Disneyland just has a little something extra, a certain ” je ne sais quoi.” Main Street Electrical Parade Disneyland has adjectives that describe it, like charming, intimate, and cozy, and is filled with the spirit of whimsy and tradition. It is also the home to some unique attractions like Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Alice in Wonderland, Indiana Jones Adventure, and Hyperspace Mountain. We’ve Eaten at Every Restaurant in Disneyland Resort. These Are the Best. Tokyo Disneyland (Japan) When it comes to the attraction lineup, Tokyo Disneyland tops the charts. It offers the iconic options of the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland, and somehow takes them to a new level. In addition to an impressive lineup of classics, Tokyo Disneyland also has multiple headliners of its own in Pooh’s Hunny Hunt, Monsters Inc. Ride and Go Seek, and Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast. Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast But Tokyo Disneyland didn’t make its way to the top of the list just by stacking up the attractions. The snacks, souvenirs, and entertainment here are truly standout. You might be able to justify the price of the plane ticket just by the unique popcorn buckets and snacks, alone! Tokyo Disney Sea (Japan) While many of the international parks are modeled off of one of the American versions, Tokyo Disney Sea is truly a unique offering, unseen anywhere else and worthy of being a destination park and earning this number 1 spot! The closures from 2020 and the slow return has taken a toll on Tokyo Disney Sea, but it still remains the top Disney Park in the world. Tokyo DisneySea’s Tower of Terror It excels on so many levels, great versions of classic attractions, unbelievable quality in all dining options (including quick service), top-notch entertainment, some of the best Cast Members in the industry, and the unique attractions available, like Sinbad’s Storybook Voyage. So, there you have it! All 12 Disney parks RANKED! It’s always fun to analyze what we like about each park, what we’ve enjoyed, and things that we’ve noticed that could use some improvement or provides an opportunity for change. Keep following DFB for more fun posts about Disney Parks and other travel information! Ranking The Best Disney Cruise Ships For 2023 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 What do you think of our ranking? Have you been to ALL of the Disney Parks in the world? Give us YOUR ranking in the comments below! The post Ranking EVERY Disney Park first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article