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Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebrations are officially over, and we’re just a little bit nostalgic. 50th Anniversary Banner After all, it was 18 months of special entertainment, EARidescent merchandise, and more blue food coloring in snacks than Disney World had probably ever seen. What a time to be alive! But now that the celebrations are over and Disney has moved on to the 100th Anniversary, one of our readers spotted something interesting. DFB reader Kellie F. sent us a message recently to share something unusual she spotted in her local 7/11 gas station. There were 50th Anniversary Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bars in the freezer! It’s like a blast from the past, you guys. Spotted in a 7/11 gas station! We suppose that Disney had to find something to do with the leftover ice cream bars — currently, the ones available in the parks are packaged in 100th Anniversary wrapping. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Disney World snacks in random places though — back in 2020 someone spotted the Galaxy’s Edge detonator-shaped sodas in a small little store in Alabama. Thermal Detonator Coke We’ll be on the lookout for other nods to the 50th Anniversary, so stay tuned to DFB. We’ll keep you updated on all of the Disney celebrations that you need to know about! Click Here to See What Changed With the End of the 50th Anniversary! 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 like Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bars? Tell us in the comments! The post The Disney World Snack SURPRISE Spotted in a 7/11 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You could outgrow the souvenir toys and the T-shirts, but you’ll never outgrow a photograph of yourself and your loved ones in front of fan-favorite Disney attractions and park icons. Cinderella Castle This makes Disney’s PhotoPass service a fan-favorite route to get tons of souvenirs that last a lifetime: photos! PhotoPass photographers are stationed at TONS of locations throughout the Disney parks, ready to scan your MagicBand or ticket and snap a photo of you and your crew — which will then link to your Disney account. These photos are taken with professional cameras and the PhotoPass Cast Members are trained to pose you and your group so that everyone is in the frame and looking great. Sometimes, you’ll even be able to use special props! Photo packages are available that allow you to purchase single photos, certain photos per day, and even Memory Maker, which allows you to download ALL of the photos that are taken throughout your vacation. As far as photo opportunities go, well… they’re seemingly ENDLESS! There is an impressive array of photos that you can take with characters, special effects and props, and even in front of the park icons. To help you out, we’ve curated this FULL LIST of PhotoPass opportunities throughout the parks. Let’s go! PhotoPass Opportunities With Characters First up, you can take a photo with Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast. ©Disney PhotoPass Magic Shot This one features Mickey with a treat. ©Disney You can’t go wrong with Piggy and the Haunted Mansion. ©Disney This one features Isabella from Encanto and is for EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival. ©Disney It’s impossible not to love Kevin from Up. ©Disney Look! It’s Wall-E and Eve. PhotoPass Magic Shot ©Disney You can also take a photo with Sam Eagle. ©Disney Check out this MagicShot with Hector from Coco! ©Disney Of course, you can’t go wrong with Olaf and Sven. ©Disney Nighttime PhotoPass Opportunities There are a few PhotoPass photos that you can only get at night. Check them out! First up, we have this one featuring Cinderella Castle and her slipper. ©Disney Check out this one with Tinker Bell! ©Disney This PhotoPass opportunity was also available for Disney’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. Look at all that confetti! ©Disney Holiday PhotoPass Opportunities June is quickly approaching, which means it’s almost Pride Month! Check out this Pride shot: ©Disney PhotoPass This Pride MagicShot features some confetti. ©Disney This confetti shot celebrates the 4th of July! ©Disney This bokeh effect features red, white, and blue Mickeys. ©Disney Alright, let’s get spooky! This shot features the Hocus Pocus book: The Manual of Witchcraft and Alchemy. ©Disney This one features a flaming Jack-o-Lantern. Boo Bash PhotoPass Magic Shot ©Disney Let’s take a moment to appreciate the Hitchhiking Ghosts. ©Disney This MagicShot features a pirate ship in a bottle. ©Disney It’s Oogie Boogie! ©Disney It’s the Headless Horseman! ©Disney This MagicShot features a witch’s cauldron. ©Disney To wrap up the holiday MagicShots, check out this one for St. Patrick’s Day. ©Disney Special Feature MagicShots This 360 Shot at Animal Kingdom could be a good way to document your time there. Tiny World Magic Shot This MagicShot displays the Tree of Life and was presented for Earth Week. ©Disney This Tiny World MagicShot is all about Star Wars! ©Disney There’s also this Magic Kingdom Tiny World MagicShot. ©Disney There’s also a Tiny World MagicShot at EPCOT. ©Disney This MagicShot features ribbons of light that resemble candy corn. ©Disney Festivals MagicShot This MagicShot features the Italy Pavilion in EPCOT. Smile Next to the Flowers Who doesn’t love Orange Bird? ©Disney PhotoPass This MagicShot features a Dopey topiary. ©Disney PhotoPass This Flower and Garden Festival MagicShot features butterflies. ©Disney Of course, we can’t forget the Flower and Garden MagicShot with Spike the Bee. ©Disney Check out this MagicShot that was available for the New Year! ©Disney There are plenty of other ways to experience PhotoPass too, like with the augmented reality lenses that allow you to take photos with cool effects right on your phone. To use these, you must have a park reservation and be in the parks, though. Here’s a FULL LIST of all the types and different places that these augmented reality lenses could pop up: Make A Wish Haunted Mansion Encanto Gifts Photos Booth collage EARidescent 50th Constellations Icon Reflections (reflective AG sunglasses) Theme Park Snacks Frozen Powers Inner Villain Lightyear Lady and the Tramp Fireworks Neon Magic Ears & Balloons Pascal Orange Bird I am Groot (baby Groot) Avatar Wall-E & EVE Visitors to Batuu Grogu Hollywood Tower Moana Magic Cosmic Mission Cook with Remy Castle Nostalgia (25th Birthday cake castle) Remember Me (with Hector) Up for Adventure (Wilderness Explorer overlay) Safari with Timon Nemo & Friends Expedition Everest TRON Fairy Friends Muppet Vision Artful Animation Runaway Railway Mickey Mouse Minnie Mouse Well folks, there you have it! Wear a favorite outfit and your best smile into the parks during your next visit, and have fun tackling all the PhotoPass options. We’ll continue to keep you updated with any and all Disney news, so follow along 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 typically visit all the PhotoPass stations? Let us know in the comments! The post A List Of EVERY Disney PhotoPass Lens first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Now seems like the perfect time to treat yourself. We think you need a new pair of Minnie ears. We want a pair, too! You don’t have to look too hard to find some fun and festive ears both in the Disney parks and online. In the past, we’ve found Minnie ears that have a special surprise and others that smell amazing! Now, we’ve spotted a NEW pair that will have you headed off to Neverland! Say hello to the new Tinker Bell Ears! We found these ears exclusively in EPCOT at the Port of Entry shop. They feature some classic Tinker Bell illustrations, a sparkly bow, and flowers! Tinker Bell Ears The center of the bow even has a little daisy! From the floral appliques to the glitter bow, there’s a lot happening with these ears. These ears are very spring-y, don’t you think? Both the left and right ears are different. In true Tinker Bell fashion, one side is a little sassy… Does anyone else make this face when Disney runs out of Mickey pretzels? …and the other side is sweet! Tink should wear polka dots more often! You can find these new ears in EPCOT at the Port of Entry for $34.99. Currently, these are not available on shopDisney — they appear to be a Disney parks exclusive for now! In the meantime, we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for all the latest news, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more. Click here to check out more Minnie 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 Will you be picking up a pair of these Tinker Bell ears? Let us know in the comments! The post Don't Look Now, But Disney's New Minnie Ears Are Judging Us... first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Learn more about the new Adventures by Disney trip to Colombia, the country that inspired the movie "Encanto"!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. The 4th of July is coming up REAL soon! 4th of July in Magic Kingdom | Picture taken in 2022 While we’re waiting to get confirmation on Disney World’s 4th of July fireworks plans and learn about all the 4th of July snacks we’ll get to eat, we’re also looking for other ways to celebrate Independence Day. Even if you can’t get to the parks, though, you can celebrate at home — and we’ve found the PERFECT tees just for the occasion. We found an awesome 4th of July tee collection over at Jane — and even better, these tees are ON SALE. These Disney Americana Tees come in a variety of fun designs and colors, too. You’ll find shirts with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, and more! ©Jane You can also score free shipping with your order, so order as many as you’d like! Get Americana Tees from Jane by clicking here. We also found some fun Disney shirts on Amazon that are PERFECT for the 4th of July, like this Minnie Mouse 4th of July Shirt. ©Amazon You can even get this shirt in multiple colors. Buy the Minnie 4th of July Shirt on Amazon by clicking here. We also love this Minnie Mouse Fireworks Tee. This one comes in black and blue. ©Amazon Disney plus fireworks? It’s one of our favorite things! Get the Minnie Fireworks Tee by clicking here! We even found a great Mickey 4th of July T-Shirt on the Gap Factory website. This one features Mickey in red, white, and blue. ©Gap This one also comes in a variety of colors. It’s also currently on sale! Buy the Mickey 4th of July Shirt here! This bright red Matching Mickey Mouse Tee For Toddlers is PERFECT for the 4th. It’s also part of a matching set so you can get one for the whole family. ©Old Navy You can also take an extra 30% off this shirt at checkout! Get the Matching Mickey Mouse Tee for Toddlers here. There’s also a Matching Mickey Mouse Tee For Kids. ©Old Navy Each of these shirts has the same Mickey design on it. Buy the Matching Mickey Mouse Tee for Kids here. Finally, you can get a Matching Mickey Mouse Tee For Adults. ©Old Navy The WHOLE family can wear the same shirt on the 4th of July. How fun is that? Get the Matching Mickey Mouse Tee for Adults here. So there you have it — your Disney 4th of July wardrobe. While you’re at it, 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! DFB Merch Stay tuned to DFB for more of the latest Disney merch news. Here Are 8 Amazon Travel Finds That Just Make Sense 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 plans for the 4th of July this year? Let us know in the comments! The post 4th of July Disney Tees for Under first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Let’s face it. No day at Disneyland is complete without indulging in some of the delicious food. Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland Disneyland is home to some of our favorite table service and counter service restaurants, where you can find some great Disney treats. Come along as we show you all our favorite places to eat in Disneyland — but here’s a warning that you might get hungry! We’ve already looked at the best of the best in Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. Here, we’re reviewing all our favorite restaurants in all of the Disneyland Resort so that you’ll already know where the best spots are. We’ve ranked a table service restaurant (which are sit-down restaurants) and a counter service restaurant (which are fast food-style restaurants) at Disneyland, Disney’s California Adventure, Downtown Disney, a Disney Resort, and a Wild Card. We’ll be including important details on all of them so that you can know exactly which ones you’ll be adding to your magical day in Disneyland. Ready to dig in? Let’s GO! Quick Service Quick Service (Counter Service) restaurants are going to have a lower price point compared with table service restaurants. Of course, with that can come with lower quality when generally speaking, but we seriously think that these counter service locations serve up some worthy options. You don’t need a reservation for these restaurants, and can either purchase via mobile order in the Disneyland app or by placing an order in person. Another thing to note is that not all of these restaurants have available seating. If your priority is riding ALL. THE. RIDES! in Disney California Adventure or Disneyland, you may find that a quick meal at a Counter Service restaurant will fit your needs! Disneyland – Plaza Inn Lunch and Dinner Our FAVORITE counter service option might seem a bit familiar… it’s the lunch and dinner offerings from Plaza Inn! Plaza Inn Lunch and dinner at Plaza Inn are served cafeteria-style — but don’t let that scare you away. From fried chicken to pot roast, this restaurant has hearty eats that won’t disappoint. Disney’s California Adventure – Pym Test Kitchen Located in Avengers Campus, the Pym Test Kitchen has an Ant-Man and The Wasp theme, with food that “shrinks and grows” to help tell the story. Dine here if you’re a big Marvel fan! There’s no doubt that these eats are highly themed and great for those who know all about the Pym Particles. Wow! All in all, if you’re looking for the full superhero experience at Avengers Campus, then this is a place that you definitely don’t want to miss. The atmosphere screams Marvel, and Disney found a way to put a unique spin on classic dishes that most park-goers will enjoy. PB3 Superb Sandwich We think that the peanut butter sandwich (PB3 Superb Sandwich) is the real standout here, but we aren’t turning our nose up at anything on the menu — it’s all tasty! Downtown Disney – Earl of Sandwich Earl of Sandwich is a quick service dining spot inspired by the 1762 invention of the sandwich by John Montagu, the fourth “Earl of Sandwich.” Earl of Sandwich Earl of Sandwich is well-loved for serving up tasty toasted sandwiches along with pizza bread, salads, mac and cheese, and more… all at reasonable prices. The Earl serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner at this popular spot in Disneyland Resort’s Downtown Disney! Disney Resort – GCH Craftsman Grill In the heart of Disneyland Resort’s Grand Californian Hotel lies this gem of a quick service dining spot. GCH Craftsman Grill offers a relaxing atmosphere and a great variety of quick meals. GCH Craftsman Grill Snacks Seating Area A surprisingly wide variety of options is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast features items like Avocado Toast, Waffles, Quiche, and more, along with a variety of grab-and-go pastries. Lunch and dinner serve up Hand-crafted Sandwiches, Artisanal Pizzas, and Skewers. We loved the meats! A Hot Dog of the Month is one of the highlights on the menu. You never know what you’ll find! Wild Card – Cozy Cone Motel Plan a pit stop at the Cozy Cone Motel in Cars Land! Resembling Sally’s Motel from Cars, this quick-service location fuels fans with a variety of snacks and beverages served from five different Cone-shaped kiosks. Cherry Chocolate Churro We recommend the Chile Cone Queso and Churros (watch for seasonal flavors) with dipping sauce. Table Service There are a few things you should know about table service restaurants before we talk about the restaurants. First, these meals are going to be a bit pricier than counter service meals, due to the portion sizes, quality, service, and atmosphere of the restaurant. These are just a bit fancier — but not so fancy you can’t just walk in after a long day in the parks. Secondly, you’ll need to make a reservation to visit any of these table service restaurants. Reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance of your desired date, so make sure to stay on top of your trip dates and your desired restaurants. Disneyland – Cafe Orleans Alright, this one is our TOP Disneyland restaurant. Cafe Orleans is very similar to Blue Bayou in terms of location and serving Louisiana-style food. Cafe Orleans The atmosphere is very classy, and the Monte Cristo Sandwich and French Onion soup are some of our favorites on the menu. Plus, Walt Disney himself dined here back in the day! We also love that you can sit inside in the dining room, or outside on the covered patio! Cafe Orleans seating area The view, the food, that iconic Disneyland experience. We’re sure it’ll be one of your favorite spots, too! Disney’s California Adventure – Carthay Circle Restaurant Located on Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure, this restaurant is based on the Carthay Circle Theatre, where Disney’s first film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, premiered. The concept of everything inside the restaurant is old Hollywood, and you can see that in the warm golden colors, wood accents, lighting, and decor. Carthay Circle This is a signature dining spot, making it a great location for those special occasions — a birthday, anniversary, graduation, special date, etc. That old Hollywood atmosphere lends itself to that kind of thing and can really make YOU feel like a part of that famous moment in time. Walt and Shirley Temple Pro tip: If you can, walk around and take a moment to admire all the great photographs of Walt! There is a good selection of wine, and we’d expect nothing less from a classy restaurant that showcases the best of Californian cuisine! Vietnamese Twice-cooked Beef Lettuce Wraps We do feel like the cost is worth it for many of the items, but you’ll want to take a close look at the menu options that will be available during your trip to make sure the flavors are ones that fit your palette. As good as some of the food items are, we think the service and atmosphere is what really can make this signature dining experience worth the cash. Downtown Disney – Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Come catch the fever of the festive French Quarter down south in New Orleans… right in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District! If you’re looking for that southern food with a Creole spin, you’ve found the right spot! Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Get your fill of cornbread, po’ boys, and hushpuppies, but they often introduce new items, as well. Their new menu item, the Spicy Honey-Glazed Salmon, definitely sounds like it’ll bring in those famous New Orleans flavors. © Ralph Brennan’s This seafood dish includes a pan-roasted salmon filet and a seasonal succotash of corn, beans, and fresh herbs, all topped with a smooth lemon butter sauce. It really seems like the perfect balance of spicy and sweet with fresh flavors from the vegetables and fish. Disney Resort – Napa Rose A sophisticated and authentic dining experience awaits you at the award-winning Napa Rose restaurant nestled inside Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Napa Rose Indulge in a thoughtfully-composed menu of fresh seasonal flavors with a focus on wine country cuisine by Chef Andrew Sutton. Napa Rose also boasts one of Disneyland’s finest wine collections. Atmosphere abounds inside the dining room, which partially overlooks Disney California Adventure park. Very classy Napa Rose offers fine dining for dinner each evening. And from 8AM – 11AM on Thursdays through Mondays, Napa Rose hosts a character dining experience: Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures. Wild Card – Lamplight Lounge Lamplight Lounge pays tribute not only to the films of Pixar, but also to the artists of Pixar Studio who bring the stories to life. Fans of Pixar will be in their element here! Lamplight Lounge has an outdoor patio upstairs, as well as indoor and outdoor seating downstairs. Lamplight Lounge decor The cuisine at Lamplight Lounge is seriously upscale pub grub. From the first colorful drink to the last tasty bite, this restaurant delivers. If you like seafood, get the Lobster Nachos! Lobster Nachos Also, we recommend the brunch — dishes are flavorful and thoughtful, with playful elements of color and taste that set this restaurant apart. While exploring Disney’s California theme parks, you won’t go hungry! And many of the dining options are exceptionally themed. We think these are some of the best options for your trip to the Disneyland Resort in California. Happy dining! We’ve Eaten at Every Restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. These Are the BEST. 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 are your favorite restaurants in Disney’s Calfornia parks? Did your favorite make our list? Let us know in the comments below! The post We've Eaten at Every Restaurant in Disneyland Resort. These Are the Best. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Colorful charm and whimsical wonder abound in Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland park, alongside many memories for Gina Nassar, whose special opporTOONity there kickstarted a family legacy spanning more than three decades. “Toontown was the start of my Disney career,” said Gina, who was a Walt Disney Travel Company reservations agent when she was approached for […]View the full article

If you’re planning on traveling to Disney World this summer, there are some things you NEED to know. Cinderella Castle Of course, you can expect LOTS of heat so you’ll want to pack for that. You’ll also want to be prepared for how hurricane season might impact your plans. Plus, there are new restaurants and experiences to look for. But before you get to any of that, you have to GET to Disney World and there are some key things about travel in the US in general that could affect your decisions. The following information is thanks to the 2023 Summer Travel Outlook from Hopper. Much of it is about domestic travel in general but some of it is Disney World-specific and it could all impact your plans to visit the Mouse. So let’s dive in to see what YOU should know before you book that summer trip. Domestic Airfare Is a Little Better First, domestic airfare isn’t looking all that bad at the moment. Currently, the domestic airfare cost is averaging around $306 per ticket — that’s 19% lower than last year and an increase of only 6% compared to the summer of 2019. This is thanks to higher capacity on airlines and slightly lower jet fuel prices. ©Hopper So if you’re planning to travel this summer, hopefully, your airfare costs won’t feel quite as bad as they did last year when they hit your bank account. Click here to see some CHEAP nonstop flights to Disney World for this summer AVOID Peak Weekends (If Possible) If you’ll be flying this summer, there are some important days to avoid (when possible). Airfare this summer is expected to be the most expensive for weekend trips around the 4th of July. Memorial Day trips could be quite pricey too and their costs are expected to spike in the next month. Labor Day weekend prices are averaging $283 (domestic) for now and could stay low for a few weeks, but NOW is the time to book those before they go up. ©Hopper Overall, Hopper recommends avoiding those 3 “peak weekends” if you can so you can save on airfare and potentially long lines in the airport. That’s not always feasible given vacation schedules, so if you do have to travel during these times just be prepared to face potential delays (a.k.a. arrive EARLY to the airport for security and download your airline’s app to get notifications on your flight) and expect to pay more for your tickets (so adjust your budgets accordingly). Click here to see what we’re DREADING about Disney World this summer Expect Delays and Cancelations to Continue Last year, summer travel disruptions peaked in late June, at which point an average of 3% of flights were canceled while 23% were delayed on departure. Airlines and airports have increased their staffing and adjusted schedules to potentially make things better, but Hopper warns you should still expect some disruptions along the way. Airplanes For now, the delays are tracking at or below where they were in 2022, and cancelations are below the highs of 2022. BUT summer could change things since it is the busiest season of the year. And this will apparently mark the “first full summer season with airlines operating more capacity than in 2019.” Hopper notes that you should be prepared for summer flights to have around ~2% departing flights canceled and ~20% of departing flights delayed. The highest rates are expected for June and early July. ©Hopper Be sure to look at the terms of your ticket and what rules/policies apply if your airline cancels or delays your flight. You can also visit the Department of Transportation’s Airline Customer Dashboard website. It’ll show you what each airline has promised to provide when a delay or cancelation is under their control. ©Department of Transportation That might include booking you on a new flight at no additional cost, giving you complimentary hotel accommodations, and more. You may also want to see if a travel protection policy is worth it for you and see if you have any credit cards or other memberships that offer free travel protection when used for booking. See how you might get PAID for your canceled flights as airline changes get proposed Your Hotel Could Be MORE Expensive Than You Think When it comes to hotels, the prices for this summer are going UP. Hotels are averaging around $237 per night which is an increase of 11% compared to last year. Orlando is one of the most searched hotel markets and it looks like prices can be around $123 per night there, marking a 4% increase from 2022. ©Hopper Rental homes are also continuing to be a big thing for travelers, with Florida being a particular hot spot. According to Hopper, people going to Orlando are paying an average of “$360 per night to be close to Disney World.” If you’re heading to Disney World this year, be sure to look for any and all deals that could help you SAVE on your hotel stay. Disney has announced several summer discounts for various groups that you’ll want to take advantage of to make sure you’re getting the best deal — see a full list of discounts here. Art of Animation To take some of the deal-searching stress out of your day, reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations. They’re constantly looking for the latest deals so they can make sure you take advantage of the best discounts for your trip and their services are totally FREE. Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/customemailexample.jpg Car Rentals Are Slightly Better in Price If you are trying to rent a car, things are looking better there. Rental prices are averaging $46 per day (a decrease of 17% compared to last year). And Orlando rental car prices have dropped nearly 35% compared to 2022. ©Hopper If you were on the fence about booking a rental car, look into the prices now to see what they’re like and whether they make sense for you. Disney World May Not Be Totally Empty We’ve shared some information lately about why Disney World could be EMPTY this summer, particularly given recent updates. Annual Passes are on sale again and haven’t sold out, Park Pass availability has been VERY good for the upcoming months, Disney has released quite a few summer discounts, and Disney has admitted that in the “back half of this fiscal year,” they expect that there will be an “unfavorable comparison” when compared to last year because the 50th Anniversary is no longer going on. Basically, things may have slowed down a bit now that the 50th is over. Magic Kingdom Crowds in May 2023 But that doesn’t mean that NO ONE will be in the parks this summer. Hopper has warned that Orlando (along with the “adjacent” Disney World) is one of the top most searched destinations for the summer. That could indicate that a lot of folks out there are at least considering visiting the Mouse. ©Hopper So if you do visit during the summer, just be prepared for a mix — potentially some more manageable crowds at times if demand is really going down compared to last year since the 50th Anniversary is over, with larger crowds at other times as people visit Orlando while school is out. Click here to see what big change you’ll want to look for in Magic Kingdom this summer Travel Tips And now it’s time to hit those travel tips. These are some of the top things Hopper advises: Book your trip for the summer ASAP because prices are expected to increase in the coming weeks Booking 3-4 months in advance for domestic trips is usually a “sweet spot” to get a good deal See if you can use tools to freeze a price if you aren’t ready to book right away Fly mid-week (Tuesday or Wednesday) to save around $56 per ticket on domestic flights See if trip protection is right for you To avoid delays and cancelations, consider booking the first flight of the day — flights that leave after 9AM are two times more likely to be delayed than ones that are scheduled between 5 and 8AM Flying away We’ll continue to be on the lookout for more summer tips and tricks. In the meantime, click our links below to see all kinds of helpful travel info! Travel Updates, Tips, and Tricks Complete Guide to Booking the CHEAPEST Flight to Disney World What to Do if Your Flight to Disney World Is Canceled Our Best Tips For Flying Through the Orlando International Airport Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get to Disney World From the Orlando Airport The Ultimate Disney World Packing List for 2022 You’re SLEEPING on These Packing Hacks Air Travel Tips That’ll Change Your Life 8 Catastrophic Travel Mistakes and How to Solve Them The BEST and WORST Airlines in the US, Ranked by Customer Complaints The MOST and LEAST Reliable Airlines in the U.S. This Small Change Will Save You From Lost Luggage The Best Disney Luggage for 2023 21 Things a Former Flight Attendant Needs You To Know 7 Highest-Rated Travel Items on Amazon Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click Here to Subscribe Are you visiting Disney World this summer? Tell us in the comments. The post Price INCREASES and More Summer Travel News You Need to Know first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

This Sunday, the Top 5 contestants on “American Idol” will take on fan-favorite Disney hits, and they traveled to Disneyland Resort earlier this week to prepare.View the full article

Disney has issued an important warning about how the ongoing battles in Florida could really impact the Company. Monorail We’ve got a long post on the history here, but the basic story here is that following Disney’s statement against the Parental Rights in Education Bill (what critics called “Don’t Say Gay”), Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida legislators took steps to dramatically change the Reedy Creek Improvement District Disney had controlled and operated under for 50+ years. Disney has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that this was all a plan of retaliation by the Governor and others, the Governor has signed a law to void some of Disney’s agreements with the prior board, the new board of the District has filed a lawsuit against Disney, and (basically) the battle is still ongoing. But now we’ve got an interesting development to share. On May 10th, Disney released its quarterly earnings report and held its earnings call about its latest fiscal quarter. We got updates on Disney+ subscriptions, how the parks are doing financially, Disney+ plans for the future, and what Disney CEO Bob Iger thinks about the DeSantis situation. But now we’ve got another update. In one part of a quarterly report filed with the SEC (FORM 10-Q), Disney has a section titled “Regulations applicable to our businesses may impair the profitability of our businesses.” It goes through various things that could impact Disney’s business and its ability to be profitable. That includes things like US FCC regulation of TV and radio networks, privacy and data protection laws, environmental protection regulations, restrictions on licensing, and more. Magic Kingdom In a bottom paragraph portion, the company also details other things that could impact their business like issues with international political, trade, and security policy that could impact Disney’s operations outside the US. They specifically cite examples related to sanctions in Russia and more. That language isn’t new and has been there in previous reports (for example, we saw much of that in the report filed for Q1 of fiscal year 2023). But a specific addition appears to have been made to the report for Q1 of fiscal year 2023 related to the DeSantis drama. Disney World’s Festival of Fantasy parade The bottom portion now also says, “In Florida, steps directed at the Company (including the passage of legislation) have been taken and future actions have been threatened, which collectively could negatively impact (and may have already impacted) our ability to execute on our business strategy, our costs and the profitability of our operations in Florida.” Disney VERSUS DeSantis In other words, Disney is warning investors that the things happening in Florida with the actions taken related to Disney and the Reedy Creek District by DeSantis, the legislature, and/or the new Board of Supervisors could negatively impact Disney’s ability to do the things they had planned for Florida or be as profitable as they may have hoped to be in Florida. This comes just as Iger stated during the earnings call that DeSantis’ actions have been a matter of pure retaliation. Iger pointed out how Disney is the largest taxpayer in Central Florida, employs around 75,000 people in the state, and has plans to invest billions more in Disney World over the next several years. Ratatouille He posed the following question seemingly to those in leadership positions within Florida’s political realm — “Does the state want us to invest more, employ more people, and pay taxes, or not?” We will be watching for more updates and will share those with you. For now, you can click here to see what recent polling has to say about Americans’ opinion on the debate. Or you can learn more about the bill DeSantis has signed into law that’ll impact monorail inspections, and another bill being introduced that could affect Disney’s no-fly zones. Stay tuned for more news. See details about the Reedy Creek board’s lawsuit against Disney here Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post Disney Issues Important WARNING About DeSantis Drama first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There is a LOT involved in budgeting for a trip to Disney World. Disney World Entrance Not only do you have to consider the cost of your hotel and park tickets, but you’ll also need to budget for things like souvenirs and food. One thing you’ll also need to think about is how you plan on GETTING to Disney World, and if you’re like most of us, you’ll probably prefer to fly. Well, NOW is the time to book your flight because Spirit Airlines is having a HUGE sale. Right now, Spirit Airlines is offering a deal where you can fly to Orlando for as little as $49 each way. That’s less than $50 to get to Disney World! ©Spirit Airlines Granted, you’ll need to keep in mind that this fare depends on WHEN you fly and what airport you fly out of, but it’s still a good deal if your travel dates are flexible and you can travel between May 20th and June 27th, 2023. ©Spirit You’ll also need to keep in mind that Spirit does charge extra for checked bags and seat selection, so you’ll need to factor those costs into your transportation budget, too. You’ll also need to pay for transportation from Orlando International Airport to Disney World, but there are a few different options available, including Mears Connect and Sunshine Flyer shuttle services. Orlando International Airport If you want to grab this deal, though, you don’t have a lot of time to do it: the sale expires at the end of May 13th, 2023. So if you are looking for a flight to Orlando, you’ll have to decide quickly! Click here to check out the deal and book your flight. These fares are also limited by availability, so you’ll want to book as soon as you can. Sometimes taking a budget airline is worth the savings! ©Spirit Airlines We’ll continue to keep an eye out for other travel deals, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more! In the meantime, do you need some fun tees to wear IN Disney World? 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 Our Best Tips For Flying Through the Orlando International 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 Have you flown on Spirit Airlines before? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments! The post ALERT! You Can Get Flights to Disney World for UNDER for a Limited Time! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you want to get on Magic Kingdom‘s newest ride, TRON Lightcycle/Run, you are going to want to read this. TRON Lightcycle / Run at night TRON Lightcycle/Run opened in April and has been very popular. There are only two ways to ride it — Purchasing an Individual Lightning Lane or Joining the Virtual Queue. If you are planning on joining the virtual queue, you will need to move fast because the groups fill up seconds after it opens at 7AM. If you aren’t lucky enough to grab one then, the queue does reopen at 1PM for anyone currently inside the park, and we have seen this virtual queue window stay open a bit longer. However, if you are park hopping to Magic Kingdom, you wouldn’t be in the park at 1PM to get the virual queue. Or if it’s a busy day and you miss the first two windows, you COULD have one more chance! If you are staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort, you could have Extended Evening Hours at Magic Kingdom. Extended Evening Hours are on select nights where the park stays open later for guests staying at a Deluxe Hotel at Disney World. This perk was recently extended through 2024. Look at that glorious castle! During these select nights, there is a third virtual queue that will open that day at 6PM for Deluxe Resort guests only! This virtual queue will allow guests the chance to ride TRON at night, during the event. TRON Lightcycle / Run If you are not staying at a Deluxe Resort, there is one other way you can join this special virtual queue at 6PM. During After Hours Events at Magic Kingdom, TRON will have a virtual queue to give guests the chance to ride during the event. An After Hours Event is a separately ticketed event where guests can enjoy the parks with low wait times and also enjoy complimentary snacks. After Hours have few crowds Tickets for After Hours typically range from $129 to $159 per person. Disney World Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members are eligible for discounts. While this event has ended for the season, Disney recommends checking back later for details about future events. TRON Lightcycle / Run If you aren’t able to make it to either of these special events, TRON will also operate on a virtual queue during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party this fall. Those tickets are currently on sale. For more Disney parks tips and tricks, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter at DFB. See How TRON Compares to Other Coasters 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 purchasing a ticket for a special event be worth it to ride TRON at night? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. The post Can You Use This Exclusive TRON Virtual Queue? Find Out Here. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Microtia and atresia. If you’re like me, you probably have no idea what those words mean. Neither did Rachel Swears, General Manager of Merchandise at Disney Springs (and pretty awesome mom!), until she spent weeks anxiously researching them, nine years ago. That’s when Rachel’s son Channing was born with a small ear (microtia) and hearing […]View the full article

Do you love Frozen? Are you excited about seeing more Frozen in Disney Parks? Frozen Ever After in Disney World Well, THREE Disney Parks are actually getting new Frozen-themed lands, including Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. That park, though, has almost completed one of the rides in its “World of Frozen” and Imagineers and Cast Members got to be among the first people to check out the ride. World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland will feature a ride called Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs — and it’s a roller coaster! Hong Kong Disneyland guests “will be able to embark on a scenic ride designed and built by Wandering Oaken himself.” The sleighs will be powered by Olaf and Sven as “they’re working together to pull the sleighs to the top of the lift hill.” How fun! Construction on World of Frozen ©Walt Disney Imagineering via Instagram (@waltdisneyimagineering) Recently, Imagineers and Cast Members got to be among the first to ride and test Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs. Disney posted a video of the experience, and it looks like so much fun! Two other Disney Parks are also getting Frozen-themed lands. Frozen Kingdom is being constructed at Tokyo DisneySea at Tokyo Disneyland Resort, while the Kingdom of Arendelle will be coming to Walt Disney Studios at Disneyland Paris Resort. We’ll be keeping an eye out for more Disney Parks news, so stay tuned to DFB for more! Have you checked out the latest Disney-themed t-shirts in our store? Click here – you’ll want to pick some up before your next Disney trip! Tangled, Frozen, and More — See ALL of the Attractions and Lands Coming to Disney’s International 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 What do you think of this new ride so far? Let us know in the comments! The post Cast Members Test Disney's NEW 'Frozen' Ride 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. Looking for some new merch to show off your love for Disney in a different way? Corkcicle Kiosk We know that Disney merch comes in all shapes and sizes. From popcorn buckets to shirts, we’ve seen it all, and we’ve just spotted some more new Disney’s 100th Anniversary items you have to know about! Over at the Corkcicle stand in Disney Springs, we found some brand-new Disney100 drinkware. These items are POPULAR — they keep selling out at this stand. However, now you can buy them online instead! First up, we have the Disney100 Heritage Sketch Tumbler! Disney100 Heritage Sketch Tumbler It features Mickey and Minnie Heritage Sketches against a prismatic backdrop. Grab the Disney100 Heritage Sketch Tumbler Next up, we have the Disney100 Heritage Sketch Stemless! Disney100 Heritage Sketch Stemless This stemless tumbler features Mickey and Minnie Heritage sketches against a prismatic backdrop. Grab the Disney100 Heritage Sketch Stemless And last, but not least, here’s the Disney100 Mickey Mouse Crossbody Water Bottle Sling Bag! Disney100 Mickey Mouse Sling Crossbody Water Bottle Sling Bag This crossbody carry-all features Mickey Mouse ears and comes in two colorways, Black and Prismatic. Grab the Disney100 Mickey Mouse Sling Crossbody Water Bottle Sling Bag If you’re interested in any of these, we HIGHLY recommend checking them out ASAP as the Cast Members let us know that they go quick! And stay tuned to DFB for the latest from Disney. Click here for the latest Disney100 News! Learn More About Disney 100 Years of Wonder – The 100th Anniversary Celebration! When Disney’s 100 Year Anniversary Celebration Actually Starts Is the 100th Anniversary Coming to Disney World? A NEW 100th Anniversary Disney Credit Card Design Is Coming! PHOTOS: Sparkly NEW 100th Anniversary Minnie Ears Are Now Available in Disney World ALL of the Disney 100th Anniversary Merchandise You Can Get Online Right NOW! Check Out the NEW 100th Anniversary Starbucks Tumbler Inside Look at NEW 100th Anniversary Disneyland Fireworks Show Sleeping Beauty Castle Will Get a NEW Look For Disney’s 100th Anniversary Get ALL of the Latest Updates on the 100th Anniversary Celebration Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click Here to Subscribe Will you be picking up any of these Corkcicle items? Let us know in the comments. The post This 100th Anniversary Item Keeps SELLING OUT in Disney World -- Now You Can Buy It ONLINE first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You know that feeling when you’re listening to a song you don’t really love and it feels like it’ll never end? Or when you’re on a road trip, you’re OVER being stuck in the car for hours, and it just feels like you’ll NEVER get to your destination. By now, that’s the feeling some might have when it comes to the battle between Governor Ron DeSantis and Disney. Reedy Creek Improvement District The battle has been dragging on since Disney made its statement against the Parental Rights in Education Bill and eventually escalated to major changes in Disney World’s district. Lately, the updates have included a federal lawsuit filed by Disney, a state court lawsuit filed by the new Board of Supervisors for the District, bills signed into law by DeSantis that impact Disney agreements and the inspection of Disney’s monorail, and more. But are Americans done with the feud? They might be. Recently, Yahoo News/YouGov conducted a poll to see whether or not Americans really care about the battle between DeSantis and Disney about the Reedy Creek Improvement District. It is said to have been a “nationally representative sample” of just over 1,500 U.S. adults interviewed in early May. The results are pretty interesting for those who have been following the drama closely. Obtained via ClickOrlando Livestream It seems that from an overall perspective, Americans seem to care a lot LESS about the “war on woke” in general than DeSantis does. DeSantis has been quoted as saying “We will never surrender to the woke mob” and describing Florida as the place where “woke goes to die.” But, out of those who responded to the survey, only 41% felt that wokeness is a “big problem” in America. Every other issue asked about was seen as more of a problem — that includes inflation, the debt ceiling, border security, book banning, and more. ©Yahoo! YouGov In terms of the Disney versus DeSantis drama specifically, people are pretty divided along partisan lines (as might be expected). The poll discussed how Disney criticized the Florida Parental Rights in Education bill (what critics called “Don’t Say Gay”) and asked whether Disney’s actions were “appropriate or inappropriate.” Overall, 42% of U.S. adults felt Disney’s actions were INappropriate, while 39% felt they were appropriate, and 19% weren’t sure. But when split among party lines, 66% of Democrats felt it was appropriate, while 47% of Independents and 73% of Republicans felt it was inappropriate. ©Yahoo! YouGov The poll also noted how, in response to Disney’s statement, DeSantis has tried to abolish the Reedy Creek District and then took control of the board that oversees the District. The poll asked whether DeSantis’ actions were appropriate or inappropriate. As a whole, 38% felt DeSantis’ actions were appropriate, while 40% felt they were INappropriate, and 22% weren’t sure. But among party lines, 67% of Democrats felt it was inappropriate, while 67% of Republicans felt it was appropriate. Independents appear to be much more divided on this issue with almost an equal amount saying it was appropriate (37%) and inappropriate (38%), and 25% saying they’re unsure. ©Yahoo! YouGov Basically, slightly more US adults (as a whole) think Disney’s actions in speaking out were inappropriate. But slightly more US adults (as a whole) also think DeSantis’ actions in taking over the board of the District were inappropriate. What about Disney’s lawsuit? According to Yahoo, “More think the courts should ultimately rule in favor of Disney (42%) than DeSantis (32%).” Reedy Creek Building While the controversy might be a big one for Disney fans and those in Florida, the rest of the nation might not be as concerned. Only about 34% of Americans from this poll say they’ve heard “a lot” about the DeSantis vs. Disney battle. So it might simply not be as big of a deal for some. Plus, only around 28% of Americans (based on this poll) “take DeSantis’s side on the questions about Disney’s initial criticism and his subsequent response.” More people seem to take different sides on different questions — which could indicate that they’re not particularly motivated by the issue — or are just not sure. As Yahoo puts it, “few Americans are really invested in DeSantis’s crusade here.” ©Governor Ron DeSantis Website Has Disney’s reputation suffered because of the debate? It depends on what you look at. About 64% of voters who identify as Republican or Republican-leaning now see Disney unfavorably (perhaps no surprise), and even MORE (71%) feel that Disney is “too political,” while 77% feel Disney is more “liberal” than conservative. But, overall, Disney still has a “net positive rating” among Americans as a whole (when not separated along party lines) — with 52% having a favorable view and 34% seeing the Company as unfavorable. Disney VERSUS DeSantis How this will work out for Disney, in the long run, remains to be seen. On the latest earnings call, Disney CEO Bob Iger made some strong statements on the matter. He said that all of the changes made to the District are “about one thing and one thing only — and that’s retaliating against us for taking a position against pending legislation.” Iger emphasized how important Disney is to the state, given the amount of taxes it pays, the number of visitors it attracts, and amount of employees it hires. He argued that the restrictions have been narrowly designed to impact Disney, not all special districts. He ended his comments with a very pointed question seemingly aimed at Florida, DeSantis, and other state leaders — “Does the state want us to invest more, employ more people, and pay taxes, or not?” ©Disney But since those statements, DeSantis has signed a bill into law that’ll impact Disney World and subject the monorail to state inspections. The lawsuits in both federal and state court related to Reedy Creek are still pending, and federal legislation has been reintroduced that could impact Disney’s no-fly zones. We’ll keep an eye out for more updates on this situation and let you know what we find. Click here to see the latest updates from the Board of Supervisors of the Disney District and what CHANGES they’re making that could impact Disney Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What do you think about these poll results and the questions asked? Tell us in the comments. The post New Poll Reveals How People REALLY Feel About the Disney-DeSantis Battle first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

As of May 1st 2023 Guests staying at Shades of Green, Disney World’s Military Only Resort, no longer have the ability to take the scenic half-mile walk to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort with its easy monorail and boat access to the Magic Kingdom and wonderful dining and shopping venues. The walkway in question dates back to the […] The post Disney Blocks Popular Monorail Access for Military Families appeared first on Military Disney Tips Blog. View the full article

The Disney Dining Plan is coming back! That’s right. Disney has announced that the dining plan will return on January 9th, 2024 for visitors with stays at Disney World hotels for that date and later. Bookings for the dining plan will start on May 31st, 2024. Mickey Pretzel The dining plan has been absent since 2020, but we finally know when it will return. Disney offered SOME information about the dining plan’s return, but there are still some missing details — let’s go over those. Get all the info on the new dining plans by signing up for our 2024 Dining Plan & daily newsletter! Deluxe Dining Plan When Disney announced the return of the dining plan, it only mentioned two of the plans would return: the Quick Service Plan and the Standard Plan. However, there was no mention of the Deluxe Dining Plan. Until the park closure in 2020, the Deluxe Dining Plan included the following each day: Three table service or quick service meals: table service included appetizer, entrée, and dessert (lunch and dinner), OR full buffet quick service included entrée OR combo meal Guests under 21 years of age could choose one non-alcoholic beverage with their Quick Service and Table Service meal (including specialty beverages — i.e. Artisanal Milk Shakes, Fresh Smoothies, Premium Hot Chocolates, or Soda, Coffee or Tea — where offered). Guests 21 and older can can choose either one non-alcoholic beverage (including specialty beverages where offered) or one single serving mixed cocktail, beer, or wine (where offered) within their meal entitlement. Two snacks from a wide variety of options One resort refillable mug per person (1 per package, not 1 per day) Biergarten buffet restaurant in EPCOT For now at least, Disney World has not revealed when or if this plan will return. Disney Dining Plan Plus Another plan that Disney World has not mentioned bringing back is the Disney Dining Plan Plus. This plan, which was introduced in 2020, granted visitors two meal entitlements per day, rather than the full three. San Angel Inn Restaurant in EPCOT This plan also granted guests two snacks or non-alcoholic drinks and one resort-refillable mug. This allowed for some savings for those who wanted to combine meals (like having brunch instead of breakfas and lunch, or breakfast and an early dinner, while snacking for lunch). Pricing Another thing that Disney has not yet mentioned is what the pricing of the Quick Service and Standard Dining Plans will be. In 2020, the price for a Quick Service plan was $55 per night for ages 10 and up and $26 per night for ages 3 to 9. For the Standard Plan, the price was $78.01 per night for ages 10 and up and $30.51 per night for ages 3 to 9. Be Our Guest Restaurant We’ve seen many price increases in Disney World since 2020, so it’s likely the new pricing will be higher than what the dining plan cost in 2020. If Free Dining Plan Offers Will Become Available In the past, Disney World would often offer a free dining plan promotion with the booking of a Disney World vacation package at full price. Visitors staying at moderate and deluxe hotels typically received the Standard Plan, while value resort visitors received the Quick Service plan (with an option to upgrade). Hollywood Brown Derby However, Disney has not yet released any details on if and when these free dining plan offers might return, if they return at all. What Each Dining Plan Includes Disney did not reveal what each dining plan included when it made its initial announcement about the return of dining plans, but since then, the Dining Plan page on the Disney World website has been updated to include some of that information. The Quick Service dining plan includes the following for everyone in the travel party: 2 Quick-Service meals per night and 1 snack or nonalcoholic drink per night of their package stay, as well as 1 Resort-refillable drink mug. Casey’s Corner The Standard Plan includes the following for everyone in the travel party: 1 Table-Service meal per night, 1 Quick-Service meal per night, and 1 snack or nonalcoholic drink per night of their package stay, as well as 1 Resort-refillable drink mug. Rose& Crown Pub and Dining Hall However, there are no details for either plan on what each quick-service or table-service meal includes: Will it be limited to just one course, or two or more courses? Previously, a quick service meal included an entree and drink, while a table service meal included a drink, entree, and dessert. Will that change? We’ll have to wait and find out. What Restaurants The Dining Plan Will Cover Previously, the Disney Dining Plan covered a WIDE swath of restaurants throughout Disney World. However, we don’t yet have a restaurant list for the return of the dining plan, although we could guess that the list might not change TOO much (save for listing some restaurants that have opened in Disney World since 2020). The BOATHOUSE in Disney Springs We’ll also be curious as to how Disney World will define a snack credit — will that stay the same or somehow change? Will a ginormous cookie from Gideon’s Bakehouse or an over-the-top donut from Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew be a snack credit? So yes, we still have a lot of questions about the return of the dining plan, and over time, we do expect Disney World to release more details so we’ll be able to answer these questions. So please stay tuned to DFB for more! Thousands of Disney Guests Comment On If They Will Buy the Disney Dining Plan When It Returns — Here’s What They Said! 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 the Disney Dining Plan when it returns? Let us know in the comments! The post What Was MISSING From the Disney Dining Plan Announcement first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The Disney Decades collections continue on with Disney100 The Decades 50s! See a preview of the collection celebrating the 1950s launching Monday, May 15.View the full article

We’re convinced that NOTHING has changed more than EPCOT has in the past few years. Monorail Okay, that may be a little dramatic, but hear us out! The park is still covered in construction walls as work is completed on World Celebration and World Nature, but since the EPCOT transformation began, we’ve already seen a new gift shop, multiple new restaurants, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and SO much more. But the construction doesn’t seem to be done yet! For the past several weeks, the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) kiosk in World Discovery (near Club Cool) has been under construction and surrounded by walls. The kiosk just reopened, and it has a completely new look! It’s back open! It’s now much more modern in design and has a red-and-white color scheme that matches the nearby Club Cool. There are benches and there’s a map of the world on the back wall, as well as an informational sign. It’s much more modern now. This is one of the places you’ll want to stop to get information about the DVC program, and these stations are typically manned by Cast Members during the day who can answer your questions. But this kiosk isn’t the first thing in this area to get a makeover! DVC information Several days ago, the World Discovery popcorn cart reopened with a new, more modern, look as well. This refurbishment is just the latest in a series of updates that make the old EPCOT snack stands, kiosks, and displays match up with the new design style for the park. Snack cart back open! We’ll be watching the other stands around World Discovery, World Celebration, and World Nature to see if they get updates as well, so stay tuned. The EPCOT transformation is set to be complete this fall, and we can’t wait to see what it looks like in the end! Click Here to Learn More About the Ongoing Transformation! 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! What do you think of this DVC stand makeover? Tell us in the comments! The post The Disney Vacation Club Stand Is Finally OPEN in EPCOT — and It Has CHANGED first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney is celebrating over 25 years of operations in Tampa, where more than 600 cast members at the Disney Central call center answer calls, chats and emails from thousands of guests planning their Disney vacations.View the full article

So many Disney World snacks, so little time. But you know us — we’re going to make time for anything made with Dole Whip (okay, we make time for pretty much ALL the Disney snacks — but Dole Whip is our JAM). Swirls on the Water So when we noticed a new Dole Whip flight at Swirls on the Water at Disney Springs, we were ALL over that. Let’s just say this — we were not disappointed. So the new Dole Whip flight at Swirls on the Water includes three Dole Whip flavors: Dole Whip mango and habanero soft serve swirl with chili lime seasoning and a lime wedge, Dole Whip watermelon and Dole Whip lime garnished with pink sugar salt, and Dole Whip pineapple and vanilla soft serve with a pineapple wedge. They sound a lot like cocktails in Dole Whip form! Dole Whip flight Okay, let’s start with the Dole Whip mango and habanero soft serve with chili lime seasoning and a lime wedge. The flavor combination was kind of weird, but we liked it. The spiciness made it unique, and the habanero worked well with the refreshing mango. It’s not SUPER spicy, but if you’re sensitive to spicy foods, you still might want to skip it. The chili lime seasoning added a nice bright touch. Note: the sign at Swirls on the Water says it’s habanero soft serve with lime Dole Whip, but it’s supposed to say Mango — we confirmed that with a Cast Member. SPICY Dole Whip Okay, so let’s talk about the Dole Whip watermelon and Dole Whip lime garnished with pink sugar salt because this might have been our favorite of the three. The lime and watermelon combo gave us watermelon margarita vibes, especially with the bold flavor of the salt on top. This isn’t a mix either, but two Dole Whip flavors swirled together — it’s so fruity and refreshing. However, if you don’t like salt on a dessert like that, be warned! It’s like a margarita! Finally, we’ve got the Dole Whip pineapple and vanilla soft serve with a pineapple wedge, which is just that solid pineapple tart and fruity flavor that pairs perfectly with the creamy vanilla soft serve. Think Piña Colada but as ice cream! Classic flavors So the downside of all three of these is that they melt FAST. It gets hot in Florida, and if you can’t eat these quickly, you’ll be drinking them instead (which may not be a terrible thing since the flavors really are reminiscent of cocktails). The flight is $7.49 and it’s a great way to try out three flavors at once. Disney Springs 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! Check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining + Snacks Bundle for all the details you need to plan your snackin’ and spending. The 2023 DFB Guide to Dining in Disney World You can even download them to your smartphone – it’ll be like we’re right there with you in the parks! Keep following DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news. Here’s the FULL LIST of Dole Whips You Can Get 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 are your favorite Dole Whip flavors? Let us know in the comments! The post Clear Your Schedule NOW -- There's a NEW Dole Whip Flight in Disney Springs! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There is no denying that Disney is a household name around the world. Magic Kingdom Over the last 100 years, the Disney Company has built a brand that has had its highs and lows. Disney has created memorable theme parks, produced beloved movies and so much more. So in 2022, how did it compare to other global brands? Interbrand recently released the Best Global Brands of 2022. Disney was ranked number 9 in the world so let’s take a look at who beat them out. Apple Microsoft Amazon Google Samsung Coca-Cola Toyota Mercedes Coca-Cola Some of these brands we have seen the Disney Company work with like Coca-Cola and Amazon. What Affected the Brand in 2022 2022 was a wild ride for the Disney company. Movies Strange World, Amsterdam, and Lightyear all underperformed at the Box Office. A wave of price increases at Disney World on everything from snacks to fountain drinks to hotel rates to tickets led to consumer complains, while parks were flooded with travelers who had put off vacations during the pandemic. As a controversial Florida law wound its way through the state Legislature, Disney initially stayed silent on the issue, angering LGBTQ+ advocates and a substantial amount of its employees. Then Disney reversed course and spoke out against the legislation, angering the law’s proponents — most notably Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The situation has since led to a government takeover of the board that controls Disney’s Special District in Florida, and lawsuits on both sides. In November, Disney CEO Bob Chapek was fired, and his predecessor, Bob Iger, returned. In December, there were more price increases, as Disney moved to surge pricing for its paid skip-the-line service, Genie+, and rolled out a price increase for its streaming service, Disney+. ©Disney The legal and political battle between The Walt Disney Company and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is consuming news cycles in 2023. But, Disney does seem intent on reviving is brand reputation. In January, Disney acknowledged that some price increases were alienating to Disney fans, and rolled back parking fees for Disney World hotel guests, changed park hopping rules at Disneyland, and added photo benefis for those who buy Genie+. We have recently seen more changes Disney says will make things easier for guests — including the removal of park pass requirements for many Disney World visitors in 2024, and changes to Park Pass requirements for Annual Passholders who want to visit the parks after 2PM. Disney’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3 is off to a good start at the box office, and the live-action The Little Mermaid is expected to perform well when it is released on May 26th. ©Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images Whether Disney can improve is brand in 2023 remains to be seen, but we will keep an eye on it and bring you the latest! See What an AI Chatbot Said About The Future of Disney Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you surprised by the brand ranking? Let us know in the comments below. The post Disney Is the 9th Most Popular Brand in the World — So Who BEAT Them? 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. Ever wondered how all those Disney executives got to where they are today? We may not be able to ask Walt Disney himself how he managed to create one of the most popular theme parks in the world, but we CAN hear from one of the people running the company today! Magic Kingdom Thanks to MasterClass, anyone can sign up and learn from real experts in fields ranging from business to fashion design. If you’ve got big dreams (or just want a little advice from a successful businessman), you can sign up for a MasterClass from Disney CEO Bob Iger. The best part is that all MasterClass memberships are on SALE right now! Just in time for Mother’s Day, MasterClass is offering up to 35% off annual memberships. With both the Duo and Family plans, you can share your membership with multiple devices — all for the same price as the Individual plan. Keep in mind that this discount is only available for a limited time only! ©MasterClass So, what exactly can a MasterClass membership offer you? How about a lesson from Bob Iger? The course description reads, “In his first-ever MasterClass, Disney CEO and media visionary Bob Iger teaches his strategies for thriving in an era of disruption: Take bold risks, evolve your brand without losing who you are, and lead with integrity.” ©MasterClass After you’re done learning how to become a media wizard like Iger, there are TONS of other celebrity-led courses available through MasterClass. You can learn about sports and training from athletes like Stephen Curry and Serena Williams, or improve your cooking skills with Wolfgang Puck and Gordan Ramsay! ©MasterClass Now is a great time to sign up for MasterClass! The special Mother’s Day offer ends on May 14th, so take advantage of the sale while it lasts. Click here to check out the MasterClass In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more. NEWS: Gov. DeSantis Signs Bill to Change Disney World Monorail Inspections 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 taken a MasterClass? Let us know in the comments! The post Get 35% Off a MasterClass with Disney CEO Bob Iger Right NOW first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed into law a bill that could change how Disney World’s Monorail is inspected. Monorail The ongoing battle between Disney and the Florida governor has resulted in several lawsuits and many proposed changes to the Disney World parks. The latest development might impact one of the most iconic forms of transportation between Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and some Disney hotels. Earlier this year, Gov. DeSantis held a press conference where he discussed the Monorail in Disney World and specifically how it is not subject to state safety inspections. DeSantis said, “This monorail is exempt. They exempted the Monorail from any safety standards or inspections…so they’re gonna go and make sure that the monorail is subject to oversight just like everything else would be in the state of Florida.” He also mentioned the same issue with Disney World rides. An amendment to a bill was filed a short time later that would change this inspection situation. Now, Gov. DeSantis has signed that bill into law. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ©Deadline Specifically, the law states the following: “The department shall adopt by rule minimum safety standards for governmentally owned fixed-guideway transportation systems, and privately owned or operated fixed-guideway transportation systems operating in this state which are financed wholly or partly by state funds, and any governmentally or privately owned fixed-guideway transportation systems operating in this state which are located within an independent special district created by local act which have boundaries within two contiguous counties. The department shall conduct structural safety inspections in adherence with s. 335.074 for any fixed-guideway transportation systems that are raised or have bridges, as appropriate. Inspectors shall follow departmental safety protocols during safety inspections, including requiring the suspension of system service to ensure the safety and welfare of inspectors and the traveling public during such inspections.” EPCOT Monorail This language clearly points to the Disney World Monorail, as it is a fixed-guideway transportation system located within a special district that covers two contiguous counties. It’s unclear how many other independent special districts in Florida cover two contiguous counties besides the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (which replaced Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District). Reedy Creek Improvement District Many major theme parks in Florida conduct their own inspections of certain things, including rides. According to the Orlando Business Journal, “Current Florida law says ‘permanent facilities that employ at least 1,000 full-time employees and that maintain full-time, in-house safety inspectors‘ were exempt from state inspections.” Disney World is the only major Central Florida theme park located within a special district, so the amendment seems to apply specifically and perhaps exclusively to the Disney theme parks. SeaWorld and Universal Orlando will not be impacted by this change. Main Street. U.S.A in Magic Kingdom Some people have questioned whether this change would also apply to the Disney World Skyliner. Walt Disney World Skyliner Note that this amendment does not seem to address the issue of ride inspections, which DeSantis also mentioned previously — just of inspections for the Monorail and perhaps the Skyliner. Skyliner It’s possible that the safety inspections could disrupt the Monorail’s schedule, which could potentially cause headaches for Disney World guests as they try to make their way between the parks and hotels. We’ll continue to watch for more updates, so stay tuned to DFB for the latest news. Disney CEO Bob Iger Fires Back at DeSantis “Retaliation” Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What do you think of this change? Let us know in the comments. The post NEWS: Gov. DeSantis Signs Bill to Change Disney World Monorail Inspections first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article