Disney4me

Carousels, cars that can swim, and movie theaters — Disney Springs is much more than a place to go shopping! Some Disney fans may still refer to this place as Downtown Disney, though Disney Springs has changed a LOT since the days of Downtown Disney. Between all the new restaurants, snack spots, and shops, Disney Springs is constantly changing. There’s even a movie theater here! Recently, we saw one store close its doors while another spot celebrated its grand opening. There’s a lot to keep up with, and now another store has permanently closed in Disney Springs. We’ve seen quite a few stores shut down in Disney Springs in 2023. First, there was the Sosa Family Cigars shop over by Salt & Straw; then, more recently, the UGG store closed its doors as well. The Ugg shop is permanently closed. As of this May, another Disney Springs location has closed. Near the center of Disney Springs, the Melissa shoe store has officially closed. This shop sold jelly shoes and other accessories made from recyclable materials. Goodbye, Melissa! When we got a little closer, we noticed a sign that said, “Something new is coming soon.” At this time, Disney has not shared what will be replacing the Melissa store. For now, we’ll have to wait and see! Disney has not shared its plans for what’s to come. Luckily, for all our jelly shoe fans out there, you can still shop for shoes on the Melissa website. In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more! We’ve Eaten at Every Disney Springs Restaurant. These Are the Best. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What shop would you like to see come to Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments! The post A Disney Springs Store Has Permanently CLOSED first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Enchanted Tales with Belle is a delightful attraction located in Fantasyland at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. This interactive experience allows guests to step into the magical world of Beauty and the Beast and become a part of the story. What is Enchanted Tales With Belle? The adventure begins when guests enter Maurice’s cottage, Belle’s […] The post Enchanted Tales With Belle appeared first on Military Disney Tips Blog. View the full article

Disney recently held its first quarter 2023 earnings call, which means we’ve had a LOT of news to report. ©Disney We learned about the current number of Disney+ subscribers and how the parks are doing financially. We even learned more about the company’s future plans for Disney+ (including a price increase). However, Disney CEO Bob Iger also commented on Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is a pretty hot-button topic right now in entertainment. There’s been a lot of talk about AI in the creative industry, with many concerns coming from creators. Part of the conflict for the Writers Guild of America and one of the reasons the union is on strike had to do with the future of AI in the movie and television writing workplace. Now, Iger has commented on how Disney might use AI in the future. ©Disney When asked about the future use of AI, Iger initially joked that he was “looking forward to a time where maybe AI does earnings calls for me.” However, he became serious and talked about how AI might present opportunities to make some processes more efficient, but that it also comes with some huge challenges, especially when it comes to protecting intellectual property. Cinderella Castle There are already several programs available to have AI make its own works of “art,” and according to Reuters, programs like ChatGPT for AI-written books on Amazon. Hollywood screenwriters are concerned about how studios might use AI in the future, and part of the reason for the current WGA strike is that writers want limits on how AI is used in the industry. Could more AI and automation be on the way at Disney? It’s a conversation that we’ll continue to see moving forward, and now we have an idea of how Disney sees the potential uses and challenges of AI technology. Stay tuned to DFB for more news! Major Disney News Just Dropped – We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think about Iger’s comments about AI? Let us know in the comments! The post Bob Iger Comments on How Disney Could Use Artificial Intelligence first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disneyland Resort has a long-standing history of volunteering in the Anaheim community through its Community Workforce Development Initiative. Disney VoluntEARS from the Disneyland Resort recently conducted mock interviews in partnership with My Day Counts, a nonprofit dedicated to training people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. My Day Counts strives to provide a sense of community […]View the full article

If you’re in the loop with Disney news, then you know that there’s a LOT going on right now. Cinderella Castle Between changes coming to the theme parks, new movies getting released in theaters, and The Walt Disney Company’s legal battle with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, there’s plenty to try and keep up with. We’ve been following everything that’s happening, ready to hear more from Disney executives. And that’s exactly what happened today. During Disney’s Q2 earnings call for fiscal year 2023, CEO Bob Iger shared details on the financial reports for the Company, announced some changes with Hulu content, revealed a Disney+ price increase, and more. But his comments on one topic, in particular, will likely stand out to many. ©Disney During the call, Iger made some comments about the situation in Florida with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Reedy Creek Improvement District (now Central Florida Tourism Oversight District) in response to a question. Iger started by saying that the federal lawsuit filed against DeSantis and the new Board of Supervisors for the District last month made Disney’s position clear, and that is 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.” (This is in reference to Disney’s response against the Parental Rights in Education Bill, what critics called “Don’t Say Gay”). Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ©Deadline According to Iger, Disney has just been exercising its right to free speech. Iger insisted that this is “not about special privileges or a level playing field.” He went on to detail how there are around 2,000 special districts in Florida, most of which have been established to foster development in certain areas. Iger noted that Reedy Creek was one of these special districts created to foster development. He shared that Disney has built a massive business in the state that employs over 75,000 individuals and attracts tens of millions to Florida. So he pointed out that while it’s “easy” to say that Reedy Creek has benefitted Disney, “it’s misleading to not also consider how much Disney benefitted the state of Florida.” Reedy Creek Improvement District Iger pointed out that Disney is not the only company in Florida operating under a special district, and mentioned that the Daytona Speedway and The Villages (a retirement community) operate under special districts too. He argued that if the point of DeSantis’/the state’s actions is to level the playing field “in the uniform application of the law or government oversight of special districts,” then any changes need to be applied to ALL special districts (not just Disney). Iger also said that there is a “false narrative” that Disney has been trying to protect its tax breaks as part of this battle. But, he pointed out, Disney is the largest taxpayer in Central Florida and paid over $1.1 BILLION in taxes (to the state and locally) last year. He also said that Disney pays MORE real estate taxes because of the special district situation. Reedy Creek Building According to Iger, there was no effort to impact Reedy Creek until Disney spoke out against the Don’t Say Gay bill. So, to him, this is “plainly a matter of retaliation, while the rest of the Florida special districts continue operating basically as they were.” Iger said that Disney is proud of the tourism industry it created in Florida and they want to keep providing a great experience for guests. He explained that Disney never wanted and never expected to have to defend its business in federal court, especially after the good relationship it had with Florida for many years. Monorail So what happens now? Well, Iger pointed out that Disney has plans to invest $17 billion in Disney World over the next 10 years “which is what the state should want us to do.” He insisted, “We operate responsibly. We pay our fair share of taxes. We employ thousands of people.” Iger 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?” Cinderella Castle While picking up and moving Disney World OUT of Florida isn’t really a feasible idea, it does seem that Iger may be indicating that a souring relationship with Florida could potentially encourage Disney to invest in its parks and resorts elsewhere, rather than pouring all of that money into Florida. This is something that some analysts have warned as a potential. Could continuing fights mean that Disney decides to build that new ride in Disneyland instead of Disney World? Or focuses on a new hotel in another resort instead of Orlando? It’s possible. Only time will tell. To learn more about the Reedy Creek situation, Disney’s federal lawsuit against DeSantis, the District Board’s lawsuit against Disney, and more see our posts below: DeSantis’ Reedy Creek Board Takes Further Action To CHANGE Disney District Gov. DeSantis Signs Bill to VOID Disney’s Reedy Creek Agreements Clearing Up the CONFUSION Over the New Reedy Creek Board’s Attack Against Disney Disney Claims DeSantis Is Waging a “Relentless Campaign to Weaponize Government Power” — Here’s a Breakdown of the Drama Obtained via ClickOrlando Livestream We’ll be on the lookout for more news on this subject, and we’ll make sure to share with you as we find out more. Stay tuned to DFB for the latest updates from The Walt Disney Company. CEO Bob Iger Responds to One of Disney’s Biggest Criticisms — 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 The post Disney CEO Bob Iger Fires Back at DeSantis "Retaliation" in Florida Surrounding Reedy Creek first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Sometimes glitches just happen. Cosmic Rewind There are so many amazing rides in Disney World and many of them can have some pretty EPIC wait times, especially if there are any technical difficulties. Over the past few days, we’ve noticed that one ride, in particular, has been experiencing some pain points. The queue pre-show in the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride has been experiencing some technical difficulties over the last few days. Guardians queue As you enter the first part of the queue, the Galaxarium, you learn about the differences and similarities between the galaxies of Earth (Terra) and Xandar and then you move on to the Xandar Gallery to learn even more about Xandar. Xandar Gallery Now, when you get into the Phase Chamber, where you hear from Nova Prime Irani Rael and Nova Prime’s top officer, Centurion Tal Marik, where the tech issues are happening. As you can see, the walls are up during the pre-show, which they normally wouldn’t be. When we spoke with a Cast Member, they said that the queue pre-show has been on and off for the past few days and that there was no timetable or update as to when the issue would be fixed. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind We’ll be keeping an eye on this situation and keep you posted, so stay tuned to DFB! Click here for more on wait times at Disney World! 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 planning on riding the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind soon? Tell us in the comments! The post Something WEIRD Is Happening at This Popular EPCOT Ride first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney recently released its latest earning report for the first quarter of 2023. Cinderella Castle That report showed us a general idea of how the company is doing in terms of general revenue, streaming, and more. We also learned about how Disney Parks were doing financially, and it looks like Disney Parks are — in fact — doing VERY well. Disney Parks, Experiences and Products revenues for the quarter increased 17 percent from $6.6 billion in April 2022 to $7.8 billion in April 2023. The segment operating income (the difference between segment net revenue and the sum of operating expenses and segment revenue) increased 23 percent from $1.7 billion in April 2022 to $2.2 billion in April 2023. ©Disney The parks did have higher operating results for Q1 2023 due to increases at its international and domestic parks and experiences business, partially offset by lower results with Disney’s merchandising licensing business. The growth in operating income with domestic parks and experiences has been attributed to an increase at Disney Cruise Line, partially offset by “the comparison to a real estate gain in the prior-year quarter.” These higher results with Disney Cruise Line were due to an increase in cruise days, including the addition of the newest ship in Disney’s fleet, the Disney Wish. The Wish launched in the fourth quarter of the previous year. Disney Wish at Castaway Cay However, results at domestic parks were “slightly unfavorable” from the previous year. However, interestingly enough, a decrease at Disney World was largely offset by growth at Disneyland. So why were Disney World’s results unfavorable? Well, Disney says it’s because “higher costs reflected cost inflation, increased expenses associated with new guest offerings and higher depreciation.” However, the company says the “increase in volumes was due to attendance growth and higher occupied room nights.” Disney World Over on the West Coast, though, Disneyland reported an increased operating income thanks to a growth in attendance and guest spending, partially offset by higher costs. Guests are spending more due to ticket price increases, as well as average daily hotel room rates. The increase in costs there “was primarily due to higher operations support costs and increased costs associated with new guest offerings.” Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland We’ll be covering even more details about the Disney Q3 earnings report and call, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more! Major Disney News Just Dropped – We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think about the Disney Parks revenue numbers? Let us know in the comments! The post How Disney Tricked You Into Spending Money in 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Get ready to pay MORE for your Disney+ subscription. ©Disney Disney+ has seen a few price increases and changes over the past few years, most recently with the introduction of the ad-supported tier (versus ad-free) and the price increases that came with those changes. And now it seems more price increases are on the way. On May 10th, 2023, Disney held its earnings call (and released its earnings report) for Q1 of Fiscal Year 2023. That earnings call and report gave us some big updates on the number of Disney+ subscribers, Hulu content, and more. During the call, Iger noted that the pricing changes they’ve implemented recently have proven “successful,” so Disney will be raising the price for the ad-free Disney+ tier (specifically) by the end of the year. So, if you’ve got the ad-free Disney+ service, expect to pay MORE for it soon. ©Disney During the latest earnings call, Disney shared that the number of domestic Disney+ subscribers has actually DECREASED (ever so slightly) domestically (in the US and Canada) and at Hotstar. ©Disney But the average monthly revenue per paid subscriber for the quarter actually INCREASED 20% at domestic Disney+, increased in international subscribers (excluding Hotstar), and decreased at Hotstar. ©Disney Overall, Disney shared that the “improvement at Disney+ was due to higher subscription revenue and a decrease in marketing costs.” That higher subscription revenue actually came from “subscriber growth and increases in retail pricing.” In other words — the increase in Disney+ pricing has helped and it looks like Disney will be looking to implement that again. ©Disney In response to a question about Disney+, Iger shared that in his opinion they do have “pricing elasticity for Disney+” and they feel that there’s going to be “substantial growth in digital advertising.” According to Disney, there’s an opportunity for them to really lean into the ad-supported tier. Thus far, Disney hasn’t detailed exactly what the increased price for ad-free Disney+ will be or when it’ll take effect, but we’ll be on the lookout for updates. Stay tuned for more news. Click here for FULL UPDATES from the earnings report and earnings call Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think about this news? Tell us in the comments. The post NEWS: PRICE INCREASE Announced for Disney+ first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Pin trading has become a beloved family tradition at Disney Parks globally, and behind the shiny pin boards, there is a team of talented designers who bring that magic to life. One of those designers is Jes Willis, product design manager for the Disney Pin Trading Center of Excellence. With a passion for storytelling and […]View the full article

Disney has revealed some HUGE updates — but don’t worry about digging around to find them all. We’ve got them right here just for YOU. ©Disney On May 10th, Disney held its earnings call (and shared its earnings report) for the second quarter of fiscal year 2023 (Q2 FY 2023). We had some expectations for what news this day would bring and now we’ve got all the updates. Thanks to this report and call, we’ve got updates on just how much money Disney+ is making at the moment, how its subscriber numbers have changed, how much dough the theme parks are raking in, and more. So let’s go through everything you need to know now. Overall Financial Results In terms of overall financial results, here’s what Disney has reported for Q2 of FY 2023: Revenues for the quarter and six months grew 13% and 10%, respectively Diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations for the quarter increased to $0.69 from $0.26 in the prior-year quarter Excluding certain items, diluted EPS for the quarter decreased to $0.93 from $1.08 in the prior year quarter Iger called Disney’s first quarter of 2023 a “solid” quarter. It marked the start of some significant changes for the company. When it comes to the second quarter, CEO Bob Iger shared, “We’re pleased with our accomplishments this quarter, including the improved financial performance of our streaming business, which reflect the strategic changes we’ve been making throughout the company to realign Disney for sustained growth and success.” ©Disney Below, you can see a chart of some key financial results from the second quarter of fiscal year 2023. Compared to the prior year quarter, revenues are up and income from continuing operations increased this quarter. Additionally, total segment operating income was down in comparison to prior year quarter. ©Disney Let’s take a look at some specifics. Disney+ Subscribers In terms of Disney+ subscribers, during Q1 of FY 2023, Disney+ actually LOST some subscribers. it went from 164.2 million in October of 2022 to 161.8 million in Q1 of FY 2023. So how has Disney+ fared since then? Well, according to the Q2 FY 2023 update, Disney+ saw an overall LOSS in subscribers. ©Disney The total amount of subscribers is now 157.8 million, down from 161.8 million subscribers as of February 2023. Click here to learn more about the Disney+ subscriber losses Disney+ GAINS In terms of Disney+ in general, things have been tricky too. In November 2022, there were some big losses reported in the direct-to-consumer division (nearly $1.5 BILLION). It’s one of the reasons why Chapek was ousted from the CEO position, and Iger has been focused on making streaming his priority at the company. In Q1 of FY 2023, streaming reported a $1.053 billion operating loss. So are things any better now? For Q2 of FY 2023, direct-to-consumer reported an overall increase in revenue. Direct-to-Consumer revenues for the quarter increased 12% to $5.5 billion and operating loss decreased $0.2 billion to $0.7 billion. Disney explained that the decrease in operating loss was due to improved results at Disney+ and ESPN+, partially offset by lower operating income at Hulu. ©Disney In terms of average monthly revenue per paid subscriber, those numbers increased from $5.95 to $7.14 due to an increase in average retail pricing. Disney+ Hotstar average monthly revenue per paid subscriber decreased from $0.74 to $0.59 due to lower per-subscriber advertising revenue. This is where revenue decreased for Disney+. Theme Parks Updates Regarding the Parks, Experiences, and Products division, Disney has been doing much better. In November of 2022, the division had a total revenue of $7.4 billion and in Q1 of FY 2023, it reported $8.7 billion in revenues. Have the parks continued on their strong streak? In Q2 of FY 2023, the Parks, Experiences, and Products division as a whole reported a 17% increase in revenue to $7.8 billion. The Disney Parks, Experiences and Products also shared segment operating income increased 23% to $2.2 billion. ©Disney Disney attributed its domestic operating income growth in part to an increase at Disney Cruise Line’s increase in passenger cruise days, including the addition of the Disney Wish to the fleet. For more Disney news, see our posts below: 10 Controversial Things Bob Iger Has Said About Disney’s Alleged ‘Woke Agenda’ “Ron, You’re Right” — Fired Marvel Exec Says He Sided With DeSantis Over Disney CEO Bob Iger Responds to One of Disney’s Biggest Criticisms Click here to see what CHANGE has hit EPCOT Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What surprised you the most from this news? Tell us in the comments. The post Major Disney News Just Dropped – We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Soon, Disney+ and Hulu subscribers will have one less app to manage. ©Disney Disney has just reported its quarterly earnings, and during a call with investors, CEO Bob Iger announced a change that many streaming viewers have been asking for. Iger said that U.S. subscribers to Disney+ and Hulu will be able to access the content for both streaming services within the Disney+ app. ©Disney Disney has sold the two services in a discounted bundle previously, but this will represent a change to the way you use the services. Iger said the “one-app experience” should be available by the end of 2023. Iger also answered questions during the earnings call about spending on Disney+ content, potential ad revenue, and how price increases for the Disney+ service have affected subscriber numbers. Stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news! Disney Is Losing Billions on Disney+. Where’s the Money Going? Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What do you think about this change? Will it make it easier for you to watch streaming content? Tell us in the comments! The post NEWS: Disney Adding Hulu Content to Disney+ App first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Bob Iger has announced a few priorities on his plate since returning as CEO of the Walt Disney Company. It’s Disney+ Day! One of which is focusing on improving streaming at Disney+, along with Hulu and ESPN+. During the last company earnings call, we learned that the total number of Disney+ subscribers was 161.8 million. And now that Disney+ has officially launched its ad-supported tier, we have an update on just how Disney’s streaming service is doing. On May 10th, 2023, Disney shared its quarterly earnings report for the second quarter of fiscal year 2023. In the report, we learned that the total number of Disney+ subscribers is now 157.8 million. Disney+ EARS In February of this year, Disney shared that they had 161.8 million subscribers for the streaming service, a decline from October 2022 when Disney reported having 164.2 million subscribers in total. This is yet another decrease in Disney+ subscribers from what we’ve recently seen. From what we can see in Disney’s Earnings Statement, the loss in subscribers appears to be from Disney+ Hotstar. In December 2022, Disney reported 57.5 million Hotstar subscribers, and as of April 1st, 2023, they’ve reported 52.9 — a decrease. Domestically, the Disney+ subscriber count went from 46.6 million in December 2022 to 46.3 million in April 2023, a loss of 1 percent. ©Disney Disney also shared that domestic Disney+ average monthly revenue per paid subscriber increased from $5.95 to $7.14 due to an increase in average retail pricing. On the flipside, Disney+ Hotstar average monthly revenue per paid subscriber decreased from $0.74 to $0.59 due to lower per-subscriber advertising revenue. This is where revenue went down for Disney+. According to Disney, this was “due to higher subscription revenue and a decrease in marketing costs, partially offset by higher programming and production costs and, to a lesser extent, increased technology costs. Higher subscription revenue was attributable to subscriber growth and increases in retail pricing, partially offset by an unfavorable foreign exchange impact. The increase in programming and production costs was due to more content provided on the service.” ©Disney Disney CEO Bob Iger also commented on the content available on Disney+. He said, “It’s critical we rationalize the volume of content we’re creating,” something he has spoken about before. In addition, Iger also announced that there are price increases on the way for Disney+. The ad-free tier will see an increase, but no details have been shared yet. Hulu and Disney+ will also be combined into one app by the end of the year — though Hulu will still be available separately as well. Disney+ Day There you have it, the current outlook on Disney+ subscribers and the streaming business. We’ll be looking out for more updates from Disney and the earnings call, so stay tuned to DFB for more! Watch the New Trailer for ‘Ahsoka’ Coming to Disney+ 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 What’s your favorite Disney+ show? Let us know in the comments. The post News On Disney CEO Bob Iger’s “Number One Priority” first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World can be complicated — especially when you’re trying to choose between 25 resort hotels. If you’re trying to decide between these two amazing resorts, just know that your vacation is going to be epic! But how do you make your final selection? Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Choosing between Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and Disney’s Riviera Resort isn’t an easy task. So, let’s do some comparisons to see which one is right for you! Whether room size, location, pools, and/or restaurants are most important to you, we share the information that you’ll need to make an informed decision. After all, we want you to stay at the hotel that is best for your family! Let’s get started and look at all the details so that you can plan your Disney trip with confidence. Riviera Resort There’s no doubt that Disney vacations are expensive, and no one wants buyer’s remorse when it comes to what can usually be the most EXPENSIVE part of your Disney trip. We’re approaching this difficult decision with as much logic as possible, so we’re breaking it down into five categories: Common Ground Theme/Rooms Pools Food Transportation Grand Floridian sparkles during the holidays Let’s get started on your vacation research. Common Ground Before we mention their differences, let’s take a look at what Grand Floridian and Riviera have in common. First, both offer Deluxe Villa accommodations (Grand Floridian also offers Deluxe rooms) with a similar resort layout. The Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Villas can be booked by Disney Vacation Club members or cash-paying guests. You’ll discover luxurious amenities and unique themeing at both hotels. Plus, both boast many of the same perks. Grand Floridian and Riviera offer buses and at least one other type of Walt Disney World transportation. Disney’s Riviera Resort The most expensive rooms at both resorts are large villas. You’ll see that rates are very similar, however note that the least expensive rooms at Riviera are very small. For the Grand Floridian, that means that for the cheapest room at the cheapest time to visit, you can expect to pay around $780 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts), and it goes up to $5,502 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts) for the most expensive rooms at the most expensive time to visit. (Based on 2023 rates) For the Riviera Resort, that means that for the cheapest room at the cheapest time to visit, you can expect to pay around $443 per night for a studio that sleeps 2; $665 for a deluxe studio (not accounting for any tax or current discounts), and it goes up to $5,165 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts) for the most expensive rooms at the most expensive time to visit. (Based on 2023 rates) Grand Floridian Lobby Let’s dig a little deeper to see what you can get for the money at these resorts! Extra Theme Park Hours Benefits for Disney World Resort Hotel Guests Theme/Rooms These are not your standard hotels. At Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, you’ll be transported to a Victorian era. During a stay at Disney’s Riviera Resort, you’ll discover an Italian and French Riviera theme, inspired by Walt Disney’s travels! DVC Corkcicle But whether your stay takes you to the elegant seaside or the posh riviera, you’ll find that both of these options provide delightful Disney amenities. Grand Floridian Cross the threshold of Disney World’s flagship resort into the Victorian age of high tea, dressing for dinner, and gloved-hands with pinkies-out. The lobby and restaurants are grandiose and luxurious, yet families will still feel a welcoming presence. The meticulous grounds and pristine white buildings with their brilliant red-tiled roofs definitely provide that grand allure you’d expect from a deluxe resort. Grand Floridian Resort And the lobby delivers on that jaw-dropping “oh wow” moment (especially around the holidays), but it seems like Disney blew the budget on the common areas, and then tightened the purse strings on the rooms. There are some very nice, and perfectly adequate furnishings, but the rooms themselves just don’t scream lavish. Grand Floridian Resort Room The Grand Floridian standard rooms haven’t seen the TLC that the Contemporary and Polynesian rooms have. But with the ongoing renovations, we hope the updated Grand Floridian rooms will deliver more luxury considering the price tag assigned to them. Riviera Resort Disney’s Riviera Resort, which opened in December 2019, is Walt Disney World’s newest Disney Vacation Club Resort! The European Riviera inspires the architectural design and decorative touches. The theme translates into a refined and elegant space that is simultaneously bright and airy. Of course, Riviera Resort is not without touches of Disney whimsy! The overall effect is stunning while also being relaxing and welcoming. Riviera Resort Tower Studio Pulldown Bed Riviera Resort offers1-, 2- and 3-Bedroom Villas as well as Tower and Deluxe Studios. The least expensive accommodations are Tower Studios (255 sq. ft), which only sleep 2. Deluxe Studios sleep five (423 sq. ft.), however the rates are about $200 more per night. Grand Villa Master Bedroom Inspired by Europe — and, in fact, by Walt Disney and his wife Lillian’s own travels along the French Riviera — deluxe amenities, memorable Resort activities, a wide range of fantastic and flavorful dining (including Character Dining), lovely and relaxing pools, and much more are all part of the Riviera Resort experience. Riviera Resort The overall effect is stunning while also being relaxing and welcoming. Results This could boil down to your preference. Riviera Resort seems to embrace all things European and “summery” while Grand Floridian is Victorian elegance. Both resorts deliver beautifully on their themes. So, this really could be down to what type of vibe you want on your vacation. Note that the ongoing renovations at Grand Floridian could really change things up once completed. In fact, the entire lobby will be refurbished. PHOTOS: The NEW Grand Floridian DVC Rooms Are Now OPEN in Disney World Pools Pools, splash pads, hot tubs, and lounge chairs, a vacation just doesn’t feel complete without spending some time by the pool. Which of these resorts is the aquatic champion of water lounging? Only one way to find out… Grand Floridian The Grand Floridian is not to be outdone in the pool category; it hosts two pools: the Beach Pool and the Courtyard Pool. And though both pools are pretty, the most memorable experience might be at the Mad Hatter splash pad. Alice’s Splash Zone And because it’s the Grand Floridian and sophisticated luxury is this resort’s brand, there are plenty of poolside lounge chairs and cabanas available to rent for the day as you relax by the pool and nosh on some peeled-grapes and sip on some sweet tea, like we’re sure Victorian-age vacationers did back in the day. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Grand Floridian offers a luxurious and relaxing spot to unwind! Riviera Resort Guests can enjoy the zero-entry Riviera Pool (complete with a waterslide) and the quiet, leisure pool — Beau Soleil Pool. Disney’s Riviera Resort Pool Each are accompanied by a whirlpool spa. And S’il Vous Play showcasing Fantasia characters is especially made for the kiddos to make a splash! Beau Soleil Pool Bar Riva is the Resort’s poolside bar. Bar Riva Chef-crafted sandwiches and specialty cocktails are served in a covered, open-air setting. There are lots of drink options and plenty of food options for your day by the pool. Cheers! If you’re staying at the Riviera soon, we recommend trying out this spot, located on the ground floor next to Primo Piatto and the main pool. Results Both have two, relaxing pools, and both have pool bars, lounge chairs, and splash areas. Again, it might boil down to just what your style is. Do you want to soak in a Victorian seaside setting? Or something a bit more modern with European flair? These two really make the choice difficult! Tower Slide at Riviera There’s no real loser in this category if you’ve found relaxation and joy! 10 Hidden Secrets About Disney World Pools Food Because we are Disney FOOD Blog, we take food seriously. Very. Seriously. And we love it all. We love the cheap, comfort of plastic cheese, and we love the high-brow sophistication of a wine flight or a multi-course pre-fixe meal. We don’t discriminate; we are a lover of all foods. Since food is SO important, let’s see how these resorts stack up against each other in the restaurant category. Grand Floridian Beaches Pool Bar and Courtyard Pool Bar provide fixes for your hunger without ever leaving either of the Grand Floridian’s pools. Beaches Pool Bar Enchanted Rose Bar and Lounge is inspired by the live-action Beauty and the Beast film. Guests can indulge in gourmet bites and crafted cocktails while enjoying any one of the four themed rooms. Enchanted Rose lounge Garden View Tea Room hasn’t yet reopened, but when it does, it offers Afternoon Tea with delicious finger sandwiches, pastries, cheese, and fruit. The beautiful view, elegant atmosphere, and fine china make this an exquisite experience. Gasparilla Island Grill is a counter service restaurant with a standard food court menu. While it used to boast being open 24-hours a day, Gasparilla typically closes at midnight now. Dine outdoors overlooking the Marina (with a view of Cinderella Castle) when the weather permits. That creamy Gasparilla mac and cheese The more casual Table Service options at the Grand Floridian are 1900 Park Fare and Grand Floridian Cafe. 1900 Park Fare, when it reopens, provides popular character dining experiences! At breakfast, guests are entertained by Mary Poppins and friends while the young and young-at-heart feast on Mickey waffles. Dinner is a statelier affair hosted by Cinderella and Prince Charming. Grand Floridian Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in an airy, casual setting. You’ll find American fare being served at your table overlooking the hotel’s elegant courtyard. The Grand Floridian Cafe is so pretty Grand Floridian is home to three Signature dining restaurants, Citricos, Victoria & Albert’s, and Narcoossee’s. Citricos is an upscale restaurant serving American dishes with Mediterranean influences. Reserve the Chef’s Domain for a private table and specially prepared menu. Citricos Narcoossee’s, another Signature Dining restaurant, specializes in seafood. This beautiful, Victorian-inspired building sits ashore on the Seven Seas Lagoon, offering dramatic views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks. Bright and airy Victoria and Albert’s is a AAA Five Diamond Award winner offering an exclusive dining experience. This Signature Dining restaurant pampers guests with personalized menus, dedicated servers, and long-stemmed roses. The Victoria & Albert’s Dining Room A Chef’s Table is also available to those who’d like to experience the most exclusive dining experience in Disney World. Also, the Queen Victoria Room is available for a bit more privacy. Join Us For a Meal at Disney World’s Most EXTRAVAGANT Restaurant — Victoria & Albert’s Riviera Resort Riviera Resort boasts rooftop and Character Dining, along with casual counter service and pool bar eats and drinks served in upscale settings. Filet Mignon at Topolino’s Terrace As mentioned above, Bar Riva is the Resort’s poolside bar. Le Petit Cafe is located off the lobby of the resort and serves up specialty coffee and artisan pastries in the morning, transforming into a wine bar in the evening. Le Petit Cafe Primo Piatto serves as Riviera’s Quick Service and grab-and-go location. Croque Monsieur That said, with dishes like Blueberry-Lemon Pancakes and a Croque Madame sandwich for Breakfast, and Hearth-Baked Pizzas and Spicy Italian Sandwiches for Lunch and Dinner, Primo Piatto is Counter Service… elevated! Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera is a rooftop Signature Dining restaurant and lounge. In addition to fine dining, Topolino’s also offers sweeping views of EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, including views of the nighttime fireworks. Mickey In the morning, Topolino’s presents a TERRIFIC Character Breakfast featuring Mickey Mouse and friends: Breakfast à la Art! Voyageurs’ Lounge is also off the lobby, offering a relaxing spot for guests to enjoy items from Le Petit Cafe, play a game, or read a book. Voyageur’s Lounge We love this quiet space! The Complete Guide to Eating at Disney’s Riviera Resort Results It’s so hard to designate a clear winner for food — because both resorts offer a delectable lineup of dining choices. The Riviera and Grand Floridian list some unique menu items and you’ll find quality at both locations. Riviera’s Topolino’s Terrace boasts a signature dinner as well as a fantastic poolside bar. Dry-aged Pork Rib-Eye Chop at Narcoossee’s With Gasparilla Island Grill and Grand Floridian Cafe offering some comfort food like fried chicken, burgers, and that creamy mac and cheese, families will feel right at home. Yet, on the OPPOSITE end of that spectrum, Victoria & Albert’s provides one of the most unique and sophisticated dining experiences in all of Florida! Transportation Do these resorts offer anything different when it comes to transportation? Let’s see!! Grand Floridian The Grand Floridian is aon the Monorail loop. If Magic Kingdom is your destination, there is also a boat option to sail across Seven Seas Lagoon to the front steps of the Magic Kingdom. When not closed for nearby construction, you can also get your steps in by strolling the walkway over to Magic Kingdom. Grand Floridian and Monorail If Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, or Disney Springs is your destination, then you can board one of Disney’s buses to transport you over to these parks. Boat transportation to Magic Kingdom! If EPCOT is your park for the day, the easiest option is to board a Disney bus and head over. If you want to take the Monorail, you can but you’d have to walk through the Polynesian resort, over to the Transportation & Ticketing Center to catch that Monorail, resulting in a 15-20 minute walk, and that doesn’t include waiting for the monorail. Or you can hop on the Monorail at the Grand Floridian and ride it past Magic Kingdom, past the Contemporary, and then transfer to the EPCOT Loop Monorail once you get to the Transportation and Ticketing Center, but that does add more time and complication to your already busy morning. Riviera Resort Disney’s newest form of transportation, the Disney Skyliner, hosts a station at Disney’s Riviera Resort! Skyliner Station From Riviera, the Skyliner goes directly to EPCOT and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. From Caribbean Beach (which serves as the Skyliner Hub) guests can then transfer to Disney’s Hollywood Studios (or to Disney’s Pop Century and Art of Animation Resorts). Disney Skyliner Additionally, guests have complimentary access to Disney Bus Transportation to and from the theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs. Results Riviera Resort has the perk of Disney Skyliner to two theme parks — Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT! But if you are spending more touring days at Magic Kingdom, then Grand Floridian might be better for your family — it really depends on your vacation plans. Note that ride share, taxis, and Minnie Vans are also available at an extra cost in case you find yourself in a hurry. Get the answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the Disney Skyliner here! The Winner! So, who is the ultimate winner — Grand Floridian or Riviera? We hate to say it, but it depends! You’ll need to decide which theme, dining, room types, and transportation best suits your next vacation to Walt Disney World. If you want to stay in the flagship resort near Magic Kingdom, Grand Floridian is a wonderful resort. License plate frame However, you can save a little by staying in a deluxe studio at Riviera Resort. And you might want to consider that Grand Floridian is currently undergoing renovations. Good luck with this tough decision! 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? Is Grand Floridian Resort or Riviera better for your upcoming trip to Walt Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post Grand Floridian vs. Riviera Disney World Resort Guide 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Sometimes, you just crave McDonald’s. You could have ANY meal in the world, but all you really want are some Chicken McNuggets, Fries, or even a McChicken. Let’s go to McDonald’s! Well, if you’re craving that last item, a McChicken, today just may be your lucky day. That’s because you can get a McChicken at McDonald’s today — FOR FREE. Yep, you read that right. TODAY ONLY, you can order a McChicken at Mcdonald’s and not pay a single dime for it. All you have to do is place an order on the McDonald’s Mobile App and go pick up your free sandwich. Note, you can only get the free McChicken by ordering it on the app. ©McDonald’s So go ahead and forget making dinner tonight — tonight’s dinner is on McDonald’s! Plus, you can also check out the new Big Mac dipping sauce. We tried it ourselves, and you can read our controversial take right here. Big Mac Sauce We’re all about Disney FOOD here at DFB. We even wrote the book on it! Check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining in an ebook format you can easily download to your tablet or smartphone. Use code WDW2023 to save 25% on the cover price! We’ll also keep an eye out for more free food offers, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more! We Need This NEW McDonald’s Menu Item to Come Here ASAP — See What It Is 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 having a free McChicken today? Let us know in the comments! The post How To Get FREE McDonald's Today Only! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Disney have been involved in an ongoing battle for quite some time now, and it’s only getting started. Between opposing lawsuits, district board member shakeups, and voided agreements, there’s a lot to keep up with. Cinderella Castle Disney filed a lawsuit against DeSantis and the new board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (previously known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District). Later, in a District board meeting on May 1st, members announced that the board would be suing Disney. Now that the board has held another meeting, we’ve got a better idea of what might be coming next. In case you missed it, Disney filed a lawsuit against DeSantis and the new board, which alleges that Disney’s First Amendment rights were violated, with Disney claiming the Governor has waged a “relentless campaign to weaponize government power against Disney.” In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for DeSantis said that Disney seeks to “undermine the will of the Florida voters.” ©Governor Ron DeSantis Website Then, at a CFTOD board meeting on May 1st, the board announced that they’d be filing their own suit against Disney. The lawsuit says, “In an effort to stymie Florida’s elected representatives, Disney covertly cobbled together a series of eleventh-hour deals with its soon-to-be-replaced puppet government.” This is likely referring to the agreement that the old district board created before the new board took over, including the King Charles clause. Reedy Creek That suit has since been filed, and it looks like the board has more plans. A May 10th meeting was held, and the agenda listed “Ratify actions taken at May 1, 2023 Special Meeting of the Board.” Here’s what we know. Independent Third-Party Rate Consultant Prior to the nullification of a previous agreement between Disney and the old board, the Walt Disney Company had the ability to set its own utility rates. When the new CFTOD board took over, board members agreed to bring in an advisor to assess the situation and examine the utility rates within the District. During the recent board meeting on May 10th, the Board announced plans to further examine utility rates and agreed to hire a consulting firm called Raftelis as their utility rate consultant. The motion to hire the rate consultant was approved unanimously. Magic Kingdom The rate consultant will be tasked with advising the District on power purchase agreements, proposed utility rates, and rate structures. Board members explained that hiring a rate consultant is just one “example” of how the current Board is functioning differently than the old Board, with the new Board acting as an “independent government agency” that “protects all taxpayers within the District.” ©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board District Board Chair Martin Garcia stated that “the mission of this Board is to do more for more people.” Going forward, we will keep our eyes out for information on how this could impact utility rates in the District. New District Administrator Former Reedy Creek District Administrator John H. Classe, Jr. has been replaced by Glenton Gilzean. Gilzean reportedly has ties to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and has been called a “supporter of Gov. DeSantis, who has appointed him to several other positions, including the Florida Commission on Ethics,” per a WESH news report. Gilzean previously acted as a CEO in Central Florida, served as a school board member in Pinellas County, and was described by the Board as a “wise and competent businessman.” ©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board As District Administrator, Gilzean stated, “My job is to make this district and, in turn, this region, a better place.” The Board explained that after looking at other special districts and considering comparable positions, Gilzean will earn a $400,000 annual salary. ©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board The Board also highlighted its plans to bring on an independent urban planner to potentially help the District create more affordable workforce housing. Reedy Creek Improvement District Per Gilzean’s comments, many employees in the District live at or below the poverty line, so the new District Administrator wants to tackle affordable housing under the consideration of a fiscal impact study. As one example, Gilzean stated that the Board could potentially take a different position on prior lawsuits that Disney filed regarding property tax valuations. ©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board In reference to his plans, Gilzean said, “Mr. Walt Disney’s goal was to build a city of tomorrow; the new leadership of this Board is dedicated to doing just that.” Partners Statue in Disney World The Board also agreed to appoint former District Administrator John H. Classe as the special advisor to the board of supervisors after thanking him for his service as District Administrator. Lobbyists Resolution Additionally, the Board discussed resolution No. 641 on lobbyist rules. The resolution was designed to create a uniform process for lobbyists to register and create a policy for monitoring and regulating lobbyist activities within the District. The Board defined a lobbyist as a “person who gets compensated to try and effect an outcome.” It was noted that lobbyists will not include union members, small business owners in the District who want to discuss changes with the Board, and certain others. ©Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board With this change, lobbyists must register with the District, and there will be specific blackout periods for some lobbying activities. That resolution was passed unanimously. Fire Prevention Code and Rule Enforcement Finally, the Board addressed two more issues. First, they discussed the Florida Fire Prevention Code, which will create regulations and policies regarding false alarms and enforcement strategies. It was noted that this proposal will “only enhance the District’s excellent fire safety record” and is another matter of “best policy and practice.” The motion regarding this resolution was passed unanimously. ©WFTV 9 In conjunction with the Fire Prevention resolution, the board recommended appointing a special magistrate position that will handle special cases in the District. The board stated that the “District currently lacks code enforcement procedures and mechanisms” to enforce the rules and regulations of the District. Welcome to Walt Disney World Resolution No. 642 will create an “enforcement citation program,” where those found violating a regulation or resolution of the District would be subject to fines and other potential actions. According to Variety, those that violate District regulations could be fined up to $500 per infraction per day, which is the maximum allowed by Florida state law. Magic Kingdom To explain the potential impacts of this new citation program, Variety referenced quotes by Richard Foglesong, the author of “Married to the Mouse,” a comprehensive history of Disney’s relationship with Florida. Foglesong explained that the new code enforcement system could be “weaponized” and used against Disney on matters unrelated to building and safety codes. Note that the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board has not laid out its enforcement policies or plans yet. Magic Kingdom entrance The battle between Disney and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District is far from over, and we’re keeping an eye out for more updates. Stay tuned to DFB for the latest. Disney Claims DeSantis Is Waging a “Relentless Campaign to Weaponize Government Power” Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post DeSantis' Reedy Creek Board Takes Further Action To CHANGE Disney District first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Have you heard the big Disney World dining news? A NEW restaurant will be coming to EPCOT soon! Japan Pavilion Okay, we’re not going to lie: we are SO excited (okay, so NEW Disney food and restaurants always make us happy). The new restaurant will be called Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya and will be opening this summer in the Japan Pavilion. But this restaurant will be unlike any other restaurant in Disney World! How thrilling! So Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya will be a new table-service restaurant featuring a “festive dining experience in a sharable Izakaya-style.” The menu will feature items like sushi and teppan, as well as an open sushi bar and grill. Sushi lovers will be able to enjoy Kobore Sushi, Tokyo Negi Roll, Funamori, and more in an atmosphere that has a casual pub-style feel with an emphasis on drinks and conversation with friends. ©Disney It already sounds a little different from other restaurants in Disney World, right? But that’s not what really sets it apart. Here’s the thing — the menu at Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya will change…MONTHLY. That’s right, this restaurant will offer new foods EVERY SINGLE MONTH. ©Disney So once the restaurant opens, you’ll be able to enjoy Karaage Chicken, Salmon Misoyaki, Tomato Salad with Avocado, and Okonomiyaki (a savory Japanese pancake). However, the next month, you might be able to order COMPLETELY different menu items. ©Japan Pavilion-Mitsukoshi USA via Instagram Why? Well, the concept of the restaurant is based on Japan’s seasonal festivals. Each month will represent a different Japanese festival. So every month will be a brand new celebration of Japanese food. ©Japan Pavilion-Mitsukoshi USA via Instagram Although many Disney World restaurants do change SOME of their offerings on a seasonal basis, this will be the first Disney World restaurant that will deliberately offer a new menu every month. So if you love Japanese food, you’ll want to book a reservation here as often as you can to try everything. Japan Pavilion So where will you find this new restaurant? It will be located above the Mitsukoshi Department Store on the second floor of the Japan Pavilion. That means it will have amazing views of EPCOT, the World Showcase, and the nighttime fireworks on the World Showcase Lagoon. Mitsukoshi We’ll be keeping an eye out for an official opening date for the restaurant PLUS we’ll let you know when advance dining reservations will become available, so stay tuned to DFB for more! 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. A deep dive into Disney World restaurants — including all of our recommendations — is inside! We’ve got a special discount code for DFB readers, too! Use WDW2023 at checkout for 25% off! Here’s How We’ve Ranked EVERY Restaurant at EPCOT Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you excited about the new EPCOT restaurant? Let us know in the comments! The post How the NEW EPCOT Restaurant Will Be Unlike Any You’ve Seen Before 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. Who doesn’t love Disney merch at a discount? Happy 100th Anniversary! We’ve got you covered when it comes to saving some coin on the vacations and merch that you’re looking for. Right now, there’s a limited-time discount for Disney’s 100th Anniversary online that you have to know about! Over at shopDisney, we found a Disney100 ornament that is over 55% off right now with the purchase of any Disney100 item. We’re talking about the Disney100 Ears Hat Ornament! ©Disney It normally goes for $26.99, but with the purchase of any Disney100 item, it can be yours for only $12. Grab the Disney100 Ears Hat Ornament While you’re there, there’s also a 25% Off Select Disney100 Oswald & Unified Characters Collections sale happening. You can grab items like the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit MagicBand+ – Disney100 at 25% off! ©Disney This MagicBand+ features Disney’s original cartoon star, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Grab the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit MagicBand+ – Disney100 here. Or you might be interested in the Disney100 Unified Characters Backpack. ©Disney This backpack features characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars. Grab the Disney100 Unified Characters Backpack here. For additional savings, there’s a code for free shipping on orders of $75 or more — just type in SHIPMAGIC at checkout in the promos section. ©Disney As always, if you’re interested in any of the items in the sale, we recommend checking it out ASAP and stay tuned for the latest from Disney! Click here for more latest on the Disney100 Collection Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Will you be picking anything up from this sale? Let us know in the comments. The post ACT FAST! This 100th Anniversary Disney Deal Won't Last Long! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Ship discounts, carpet compasses, what you can’t bring onto the ship, and how early you need to make your reservations. There’s so much to the Disney Cruise Line that you might not know about. But we’re here to fill ya in on all things DCL! The Disney Dream Atrium We’ve got the ultimate list of things you’ll need to know before cruising with Disney — including the basics, the insider tips, and the secrets that’ll make ya go, “Huh. Wow — I never THOUGHT about THAT before.” Thinking about cruising with Disney in the near future? Then make sure to download our FREE Disney Cruise Line Packing Checklist — which features an extensive guide to everything you need to have packed and ready to go before you ever step foot on any of the ships. You can print it out to take with you or save it on your phone for quick access. Download The App Much like you need to download the My Disney Experience App for a Disney World vacation, or the Disneyland App for a Disneyland vacation, it’s important to download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App months before the start of the trip. ©Disney Cruise Line Initially, the app will show you a trip countdown, along with your payment summary, online check-in feature, and trip modification options. But once you climb aboard, the Navigator App will be your go-to guide to make sure you’re in the know about what’s happening on the ship at all times. The app will be able to tell you things like: Where character meet and greets are happening When deck parties will kick off And what your itinerary for the day looks like (based around your pre-registered activities too — which we’ll talk more about later on) ©Disney Cruise Line The app also has an onboard chat feature, so you can easily message the other people in your cruising group and keep tabs on where everyone is. Get Your Passport NOW. RIGHT NOW. Have you gotten a passport for your DCL trip yet? If not, stop everything and GO do that ASAP. Will You Be Traveling Soon? According to The Department of State website, there is a high demand for passports right now — making the average processing times currently 10-13 weeks for standard applications and 7-9 weeks for expedited applications. So if you don’t yet have a passport, you’ll need to make sure to plan on getting one months before your cruise. (I’d even go so far as to recommend applying for one half a year out, just to give yourself plenty of processing time.) You can usually apply for a passport at government offices near you — so check on where and when you can apply and get ‘er done! Don’t Get Off The Ship Without THESE Things… Your cruise doesn’t just take place on the ship. You’ll be able to get out at a couple (or a few) ports of call during your trip to do some exploring. But every time you leave the ship, make sure you take your key card and ID with you. You’ll need both of these to get back onto the ship — so don’t leave them behind in the room! Some Information Has Been Blurred Out But You Can See the Basics If you do happen to leave your key card back in the room on accident, you’ll need to go to Guest Relations to have a new key card issued. (You can ask one of the Cast Members at the front of the ship out at port to help you pull this off!) (But this will deactivate your old key card — so don’t worry about taking the first one along with you everywhere when/if you find it again. Its job is done!) Book The Nursery In Advance If you’re looking to book a massage, or enjoy a nice dinner with your partner, or even just lounge by the adults-only pool undisturbed for a bit, you can take your baby (who falls between the ages of 6 months to 3 years) to the “it’s a small world” nursery onboard the ships. Here’s the catch — this nursery does cost extra, and you will need to book it well in advance, once you’re able. (And, yes, the nursery does book up solid — so it’s best to make those ressies just as soon as you get the chance.) It’s a Small World Nursery There is a per-hour charge — with a minimum of 1 hour — and cancellation fees do apply if you cancel your arrangements without at least 4 hours’ notice Parents are required to provide their own diapers, baby wipes, extra clothing/pajamas, pre-made bottles of milk/formula, baby food in jars, sippy cups, and security items such as blankets, pacifiers, and favorite toys. And everything should be labeled with the child’s name — just like any daycare or childcare facility you’d use back home. Nursery on the Disney Wish The nursery counselors use the chat feature in the Navigator app to communicate any needs or situations to the parents — so you don’t have to stress about continuously going back to check in on your baby once you’ve dropped them off. Kids/Tweens/Teens Clubs Are FREE You know what you DON’T have to pay for? Kids/Tweens/Teens clubs! So let’s take a super-quick look at all the kids/teens options available across the ships! Disney’s Oceaneer Club (Ages 3 to 12) starts off as a central hub that splits into different themed rooms with unique theming and activities going on in each. Oceaneer Club Which cruise you’re on will determine what kind of Oceaneer Club rooms kiddos can experience while onboard (but they CAN include areas themed like Andy’s Room, the Star Wars: Command Post, Marvel Superhero Academy, Pixie Hollow, Frozen Adventures, a Walt Disney Imagineering Lab, and several other immersive offerings that’ll make kids go “oooooh… aaaaaahh….”) Fairtytale Hall on the Disney Wish cruise ship Disney’s Oceaneer Lab (Ages 3 to 12) let’s kids explore their more creative sides with craft studios, media rooms, and other various artsy workshops. You’ll need to pre-register your kids (through the Disney Cruise Line website) for access to these sections of the kids clubs before your cruise, so they don’t miss out on all the artsy-fartsy fun! The Disney Wish includes an Imagineering Lab for kids! When you arrive on the ship, your kids will receive Oceaneer Bands — which will grant them access into both the Oceaneer Club AND Lab. Just make sure your kids are registered during the check-in process for your cruise reservation. (Don’t worry, Disney will prompt you when it’s time to get the youngins all signed up). Marvel Superhero Academy on the Disney Wish According to the Disney Cruise Line website, “Check-in is available beginning 30 days prior to your sailing date and can be accessed via the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app or by signing into your account on the Disney Cruise Line website.” Edge (Ages 11-14) provides kids with a chance to hang out with other tweens/teens their age while getting the chance to play games, have dance or karaoke parties, and engage in counselor-led activities. Edge Vibe (Ages 14-17) is a club built with teens in mind, where technology and social media reign supreme. You’ve got giant screens (complete with surround sound) for watching films and concerts, non-alcoholic refreshments, and even a private deck area (if you’re cruising on the Disney Dream or Fantasy, that is). Vibe On the Disney Wish, tweens and teens can also enjoy Hideaway, a unique “third teen/tween space” adjacent to Vibe. It’s a sort of flex space that can be opened to the teen club or closed off for tween-only events. What Is the Best Age for a Disney Cruise? The Kids Clubs Stay Open LATE Once kids get to the Oceaneer Club, they may never wanna leave — which is why it’s nice to know that the typical hours for this exclusive kids club range between 9AM to midnight. According to the Disney website, the Oceaneer Clubs usually never close early — but on some mornings, they could open an hour or two later. Disney Cruise Edge Just keep an eye on your Navigator App, so you’ll know the exact Oceaneer Club times for each day of your cruise. Book Your Cruise As Early As Possible You might think it wouldn’t matter when, exactly, you decide to go ahead and book your cruise — but it does. It really, really does. Generally speaking, the further away from your selected sail date you book your cruise, the better. The open sea! The Disney Cruise Line has tiered pricing, meaning you’ll find lower rates the earlier you book. Not only will you potentially save money by using this method (due to some limited-time savings opportunities that we’ll talk about later on), but booking early also increases the choice of staterooms you’ll have. Luna Cruises tend to fill up closer to the sail date; so if you put off making a reservation, then you might be left with slim pickings (and, potentially, pricier stateroom options) when it comes to your accommodations. The Best Times to Book Your Disney Cruise Know When You Can Start Booking Extra Activities Alright. Let’s go ahead and dive into the BIG stuff — when can you ACTUALLY start booking your port excursions, fancy dining opportunities, kids club activities, and (if you’re lucky) private cabanas? Palo When you get to book these extras, all depends on your Castaway Club Member Status. Now, don’t let this “club member” title throw ya off. You automatically become part of this club once you book your first cruise. For first-time cruisers, you’ll be able to start booking those extra activities 75 days before your trip. However, the more you cruise, the sooner you’ll be able to start making reservations for things. Castaway Cay Silver Castaway Club Members (who have booked 2 to 5 sailings) can book activities 90 days out, gold members (who have booked 6-10 sailings) can book activities 105 days out, and platinum members (who have booked 11-25 sailings) can book activities 120 days out, and Pearl members(who have booked 26+ sailings) can book activities 123 days out (Pearl and Platinum members have the BEST chances of getting those highly-coveted cabanas.) You can also book activities 120 days in advance if you’re staying in a concierge-level stateroom (which will ALSO give you exclusive access to the ship’s private lounge). What Is The Best Way To Book A Disney Cruise? Booking A Cabana Is A STRUGGLE Disney even admits on their website that booking a private family beach cabana on Castaway Cay is quite the feat. These cabanas are super popular with guests, and only have a limited number available at any given time. Beach cabanas can be pricey (ranging around $399- $1300, depending on the style you book), but IF you get a chance to purchase one, you’ll have your own personal space with private beach access, rental items at your disposal, and all-day concierge services. Castaway Cay So how can you increase your chances of getting a cabana rental? First off, you need to know the soonest time you’re allowed to start booking extra activities. As soon as the clock strikes midnight on the day you can start booking your extra activities, they’ll go live for you to start picking and choosing on the site and Navigator App. If you don’t get the cabana ressie you were hoping for (which, not to be a Debbie Downer or anything, but it’s very likely), then you can always go up to guest services on the day you board the ship to ask to be put on a cabana waitlist. This doesn’t guarantee you’ll be able to GET a cabana, but it still may be your best shot at getting one, regardless. Disney Cruise Line And if you’re on a cruise that makes not just one, but TWO stops in Castaway Cay, you’ll have a little bit more of a chance to get a cabana the second time around. (Again — the odds can still be against you, depending on your “cruise status,” but double the Castaway Cay trips means double the opportunity.) What Characters Are On Disney’s Castaway Cay? You Can Book Beverage Tasting Seminars One of the MANY different activities you can book BEFORE your trip is a beverage tasting seminar — which is available on all five ships. Now, the TYPE of tasting seminars do vary from cruise to cruise, but you might be able to take part in a class that specializes in different spirits, such as rum, whiskey, tequila, bourbon, beer, or even a combo chocolate-and-liquor tasting, too. Keg & Compass There are also mixology classes you can take part in where you’ll be able to make your very own cocktail (thanks to the bartender-lead workshops) Not All Excursions Have To Be Disney-Specific Though it might be easiest (and most convenient) to book any of your port excursions directly through Disney, that’s not your only activity-booking option for overseas ports-of-call. Depending on where your port of call is, you can book third-party excursions, if you wish — which could take you around new areas that a Disney-specific excursion might not hit up (including unique places to sightsee, shop, scuba dive, etc. etc.) The Disney Wish Although these third part excursions are often cheaper than what Disney will offer you, there is one MAJOR downside to them. If your third-party excursion happens to run late, your Disney Cruise ship will NOT wait up for you. (Meaning you’ll have to find another way to get back home — and, man, would THAT put a damper on your trip.) However, if your DISNEY excursion runs later than expected? The ship will hang tight until you’re safe and sound back onboard. Get A Fine Dining Reservations At The Last Minute (Possibly) Let’s say you wanna book a nice meal for one night of your cruise — yet all the tables are already booked by the time you go out on the website to make reservations. When you first board, go immediately to this fancy-shmancy restaurant that you were wanting to book, which could be Palo/Palo Steakhouse, or Enchante, or Remy — depending on what cruise ship you’re on. Enchante on the Disney Wish Talk to a host at the front of the restaurant and see if you can put your name on a first come, first served waitlist. That way, if availability DOES come up, you still might be able to get your classy date night after all. Poularde Fermiere at Enchante Note: Just like the cabanas, this isn’t ALWAYS gonna be a guarantee for ya — but, unlike the cabanas, you’ve got way HIGHER chances of getting a last minute table by using this walk-up method. Book A Fancy Brunch You know what books up faster than a fancy dinner? A fancy BRUNCH. Palo is known for its high-end Italian cuisine, but this restaurant also brings its Italian flair to its brunch offerings too. Dining Area While Palo is available to book for any night aboard every Disney Cruise Ship (aside from the Disney Wish — which offers Palo Steakhouse instead), brunch is only offered on limited mornings (and usually only on sea days). Palo Brunch on the Disney Dream To find out when this classy brunch is happening during your next cruise, make sure to — yet again — check your Navigator App for an updated dining schedule. FULL REVIEW of Palo Brunch on Disney Cruise Line No Disney Cruise Ships Are Alike Currently, there are five Disney Cruise Ships that you can sail aboard — the Disney Magic, Wonder, Dream, Fantasy, and Wish. These cruise ships might operate similarly. They may all offer pool deck parties and private kids clubs and all-inclusive dining and musical performances — but that doesn’t mean they’re all the same, by any means. Disney Cruise Line Each cruise has unique offerings; and some of those offerings may end up being the biggest selling points for you and your group. You can learn more about every Disney Cruise available during our Ranking Every DCL video, live on the DFB channel NOW. But, overall, just make sure you study up on all the different offerings across the different ships so that you don’t end up booking the WRONG choice for your family. Kids Clubs Can Be Intimidating As exciting as an exclusive kids club can be for some, others may find the idea of not having their parents close by and surrounded by a bunch of strangers in a place they’re not familiar with to be downright nerve-wracking. Your kids will LOVE this slide down into the Oceaneer Club! Make sure to talk to your kids about how these Oceaneer Clubs operate before you book your cruise — and make sure they’re aware that all grown-ups (aside from the cruise line counselors) are not allowed in these spaces. Even if your kid decides not to take on the Oceaneer Club, there’ll still be plenty of activities for them to do with the whole family — so no need to worry about these kid-exclusive clubs being a make-or-break ordeal. Take Advantage Of Open House Okay, we lied a little. There is one way grown-ups will be able to check out the Oceaneer Club — and that’s through the cruise line’s open houses. Oceaneer Club Open houses allow adults to get a sneak peek at those super-awesome kids-only spaces before all the fun begins. Usually, you’ll find open houses listed on your Navigator App during Embarkation Day (but open houses can also happen at other times during your cruise, too. Just check the app’s updated schedule for a list of times for when you can swing on by!) Get Ready To PARTY! Need help deciding what to wear out at sea? Keep those deck parties at the forefront of your mind while packing! On select days, the Disney Cruises will have themed events with exclusive meet and greets, shows, games, and nighttime extravaganzas (that’ll keep ya from hittin’ the hay early). ©Disney You may be able to experience things like: A Marvel Day At Sea Pixar Day At Sea Silver Anniversary At Sea (for the Disney Cruise Line’s 25 year anniversary celebration, only available in 2023) Pirate Night A Frozen Deck Party Or even seasonal events (if you’re planning a cruise around Halloween, Christmas, or New Years Eve) Marvel Day at Sea At the risk of sounding like a broken record, different cruises will have different themed events — so make sure you know what events will be happening during YOUR trip (and plan to pack accordingly!) Hair Salons Are Not Gender-Specific On the Disney Wish, there are two places where you can get a nice fresh hairdo — one is Hook’s Barbery (that the Disney website states is “fit for a captain”) which offers hot shaves, beard trimmings, and even a hidden whiskey bar (for those 21 and older) In case you need a haircut! The other is the Untangled Salon (inspired by Rapunzel’s luscious locks), which features a full range of salon services as you sit underneath dozens of floating lanterns. Untangled Salon But don’t be fooled by these two distinct salons. If you’re a female and would rather get a mani-pedi at a place with dark leather furniture and whiskey samples, go to Hook’s Barbery. And if you’re a male who’d rather receive a royal treatment in a much brighter atmosphere, go to the Untangled Salon. It’s really no big deal which one you wanna choose — just go with where you’re most comfortable to enjoy that much-needed rest and relaxation. PHOTOS: The Most Relaxing Spots on Disney’s New Cruise Ship– The Wish Shopping While At Port Is Not A Thing Warning — Don’t put off your souvenir shopping until your ship is at port! Treasures Untold Disney Cruise gift shops are only open while out at sea — so if you’re thinking you’re gonna hold off on all your shopping until you’re at a port of call, you might find yourself awfully disappointed. Food Is All-Inclusive. Mostly. The set price you pay for your stateroom also includes food. Tons and TONS of food. The Disney Cruise Line operates on a rotational dining system. That means guests are rotated through different sit-down meals each evening of your cruise. Cabanas on the Disney Magic You also have a chance to eat at breakfast/lunch buffets, grab quick service meals, munch on snack-y items while you’re on-the-go, and even refuel on sodas, water, hot chocolate, coffee, and tea. And, just to reiterate, this is ALL included with that stateroom price. This also includes free ice cream cones. Know about them. Love them. Never take them for granted. However, not all drinks and dining are all-inclusive. Hyperspace Lounge If you decide to get a little bougier, and you wanna book one of those signature restaurants, or sip on an alcoholic beverage at one of the lounges, or get a specialty cappuccino/latte, or grab a sweet treat at one of the candy shops, then, yeah, you’re gonna have to pay extra for those. The Bayou But you don’t HAVE to. You can always stick with what’s included with your stateroom price, and you’ll be good to go. That being said, you should bring some extra cash with you, just in case you wanna grab a cocktail or two later on. An Overview of EVERY Disney Cruise Line Restaurant The All-Inclusive Food Doesn’t Stop At Sea Spending the day at Castaway Cay? Good news! You don’t have to backtrack to the ship around lunch just to find your all-inclusive eats. Barbecue! Castaway Cay has three dining locations: the first two are for the whole family — Cookies BBQ and Cookies Too BBQ — while the third one, Air Bar BBQ, is over at Serenity Bay (AKA: the adults only beach). Anything you pick up food-wise from these three locations is free game, but Air Bar also offers up some specialty adult cocktails, too, that you will have to pay extra for. Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich at Castaway Cay As far as dining around other ports of call — other than Castaway Cay — you will have to pay extra for all your non-Disney meals. So, again, bring extra cash if you plan on getting some grub outside the Disney bubble and at one of the local food stands. Eat How You WANT To Eat Remember that all-inclusive rotational dining I talked about earlier? Each rotational restaurant has a three-course option where you can order an appetizer, entree, and dessert. But that doesn’t mean you’ve gotta stick to those dining parameters for each meal. Animator’s Palate restaurant on the Disney Magic If you wanted four appetizers, no entree, and one dessert — you can do that. Or if you wanted three entrees and no extra apps/sweets, you can do that too. Palo Antipasti Charcuterie The dining world is your OYSTER while you’re out at sea. Just make sure you let your server know what, exactly, your palate’s craving and they’ll make sure it’s good and satisfied. Room Service Is FREE Now this is a big plus in Disney’s favor. Many cruise ships don’t have a free room service option — but Disney does. And they have it 24/7. Now here’s a tidbit of advice for ya — even though you won’t see these on the menu, go ahead and order some Mickey Premium Ice Cream bars up to your room to enjoy out on your verandah (if you’ve got one, of course) Order Mickey Bars through Room Service You can also order Mickey Premium Bars in the dining rooms at any time. Just ask, and you shall receive! How To Find A More Relaxed Breakfast Spot There are two ways to enjoy a good ol’ morning meal on-ship without having to pay extra moolah for a fancy brunch. The first way is through the ship’s casual buffet offering, which will be located over at Cabanas on the Disney Magic, Wonder, Dream, and Fantasy — and Marceline Market on the Disney Wish. These buffets provide you with a lot of food, minus a lot of waiting around but these spaces can get pretty packed out in the morning hours. Cabana’s Buffet The second more peaceful breakfast option is eating in select dining room areas instead, when available. Normally, you’d eat at these dining room locations during one of your rotational dinners, but some of these restaurants open in the morning, too, for a more casual (and relaxed) sit-down meal. Triton’s These dining rooms include: Lumiere’s on the Disney Magic Triton’s on the Disney Wonder Royal Palace on the Disney Dream Royal Court on the Disney Fantasy And Enchanted Garden on the Disney Dream AND Fantasy Go ALL OUT With Specialty Sundaes We raved about the free soft serve earlier, but there’s also something to be said about the premium sundaes you can get during your cruise, too. Sundaes can be ordered at specialty ice cream/candy shops, such as Sweet On You (like you’ll find over at the Disney Fantasy) and Vanellope’s Sweets & Treats (like you’ll find on the Disney Dream). Disney Fantasy These sundaes can get over-the-top especially if you choose to order something like the Vanellope Von Schweetz Race Kart Sundae, which is served in this adorable race kart that looks just like Vanellope’s own set of wheels outta the Wreck-It-Ralph films. But if you wanna, like, brag about how awesome your sundae is, you can actually have it pre-ordered and delivered to you during dinner that night. Sundae from Vanellope’s NOT KIDDING. It makes ya feel real special. And the jealous stares from other tables makes ya feel all high and mighty, too. Elevators Can Be… Confusing. We came across some weird elevator changes when the Disney Wish first set sail last year. So let’s… talk about ‘em. Unlike the other four ships, The Wish doesn’t have a central elevator bank. Which is kinda a bummer, since the central elevators tend to be the least crowded ones on the Disney Dream, Wonder, Fantasy, and Magic. Instead, the Wish only has two elevator banks – forward and aft. Atrium Space Also, keep in mind that only certain Wish elevators will go up to the top floors. For example, if you’re trying to get to floor 13 to go to Palo Steakhouse and are currently on floor 6 in the aft elevator bank, only the farthest toward the wall elevators will take you up to floor 13. The others will stop at 11 and 12. So when an “up” elevator opens, check the buttons inside to see if there is a button for 13. If not, you’ll need to wait for another one. Disney Magic Elevator One last elevator note, the elevator buttons on the Wish are also “touchless,” which means they are activated by someone just being near them. But that means when an elevator is packed – which, if anyone’s cruised on DCL before, you know they always are – then someone will inevitably press up against all of the buttons to let someone by, which means they all light up in Buddy-the-Elf fashion. If you’re able, give that elevator button panel some space so you don’t find yourself stopping on every. single. floor. The Rules For BYOB So, you don’t feel like paying for booze on the big boat, eh? Disney Cruise Line will allow you to bring up to two bottles of wine (OR 2 six packs of beer) per person for those who are 21 years and older, of course. But hard liquor is a hard NO-GO. The wine selection at Enchante on the Disney Wish Now, let’s say you purchase some real-nice tequila or bourbon or something while you’re at a port of call. If that’s the case, these purchases will be checked before you get back on the ship, and stored by Disney for the remainder of your trip. Once you’re back at home port, you can pick up your liquor then (and enjoy it in moderation from the safety of your home, post-vacation)! There Are Corking Fees At Restaurants But what if you wanna take your own bottle of wine to the fancy restaurant you’ve booked a reservation for? What then? Our Selection The good news? Disney’s cool with that. The bad news? They’re still gonna charge you for it. The corking fee at Disney Cruise Line restaurants is $26 per bottle. So you may wanna think twice before bringing that $6 Barefoot wine along with you on your dinner date. Your Rotational Dining Isn’t Set In Stone There are three unique rotational dining experiences that you’ll be able to try on your cruise. And — say it with us— it aaaaaallll depends on which cruise you book. Just to make things easier on ya and the cast members onboard, your rotational dining schedule will be predetermined after you select your preferred dining time slot upon booking. There are two dining time slots you can choose — the first at 5:45PM, the second at 8PM. 1923 restaurant on the Disney Wish You’ll be able to find your dining rotation schedule — as well as dining times — on the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app once you get onboard. Your schedule will also be printed on your room key cards. However, let’s say you’re cruising on the Disney Wish — and you see that your restaurant schedule has placed you dining at 1923 on night one, Worlds of Marvel on night two, and Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Experience — but you were really hoping to start off your trip with the Frozen-themed sing-a-long, and end your trip on a classier note with 1923. Worlds of Marvel — Ant Man If you wanna switch up your rotational dining schedule, make sure to ask about it at guests services just as soon as you get on the ship. For the most part, switching up your meal lineup shouldn’t be too big of a deal. But once that ship takes off? Your schedule is SET. You May Not WANT To Experience Certain Ports Of Call So here’s our big-bad-honest opinion for ya. It’s cool knowing that your cruise ship won’t just stop at one port. Like, if you’re cruising on the Disney Wish — for instance — you’re not just cruising to Castaway Cay. You’ll also get a chance to get off the ship at Nassau in the Bahamas, too! Castaway Cay But here’s the thing — these types of pit stops along the way… probably won’t be your favorite part of the trip. Yes, you can potentially see some cool landmarks — like Fort Charlotte (built in honor of King George III’s wife) and the Queen’s Staircase (leading to Fort Fincastle) — but the shopping streets here are lined with in-your-face sales folk. Though the Disney Cruise Line will give you quite a bit of time to explore this port, and you should at least step out for a little while, just to say that you did, I wouldn’t spend your whole day here. Instead, I might recommend getting out for an hour or two, then hopping back on board to experience way less busy pools and spas, which is ten times more relaxing than being shoulder-to-shoulder with tourists onshore. Disney Wish If you do, however, want to explore a certain port of call for longer, because, hey, this could be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to do so with those overseas locations, make sure to research the area you’ll be stopping at ahead of your trip to learn about what places may be worth checking out while you’re off the boat, instead of wandering aimlessly against the crowds. Find Out When The Rides Are Open The AquaMouse (available on the Disney Wish) and the AquaDuck (available on the Disney Dream and Fantasy), are the star water coaster attractions for their respective ships. AquaMouse And, although you’re not gonna have to wait 2+ hours to ride either one — like you might have to do with Rise of the Resistance in Disney’s Hollywood Studios or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom — the lines aren’t always necessarily the SHORTEST for these coasters, either. ESPECIALLY during the heat of the day. Disney Wish Now, when it comes to my usual theme park advice, we normally recommend hitting up those popular rides at the start of the day — but that’s not ALWAYS gonna be the case for the Disney Cruise Line coasters. When you’re out at sea, these rides could open as early as 9-10AM. However, on Embarkation day and Castaway Cay day, these rides may not open up until 1PM. And yet by 12:30PM on those days, the lines are already gonna start forming. How Long Would You Wait? Per usual, your Navigator App will be able to give ya the specifics for when these rides will open for the day and how long they’ll stay open for. Character Meet And Greet Lines Can Get LONG Just because they’re out at sea doesn’t make them any less popular! Lines for character meet and greets can get lengthy like they do over in the parks — so make sure to prioritize the characters you really wanna meet during your cruise. Character meet and greets will happen several times during your trip, all throughout the day. So at the start of your cruise, sift through your navigator app schedule, filter for the “character” experiences, and “heart” the characters/meeting times you wanna make sure you prioritize. Donald and Goofy You may also be able to “cheat” some of the lines by signing up for a Royal Gathering as one of your pre-registered activities. These types of meet and greet sign ups won’t cost you anything extra, and they’ll give you the chance to meet several princesses in one go without the massive waits. That being said, there are also premium character meet and greet experiences on select cruises that will cost extra — like the Royal Court Royal Tea and Olaf’s Royal Picnic. Again, meet and greets happen several times during the course of your trip, but the only exception is gonna be those specialty “party” days like we talked about earlier. Mickey and Minnie at Pirate Night on the Disney Wish! Party days may be the one and only time you’ll get to meet rare characters like Pirate Daisy or Loki Dale — so don’t miss out! Hit Up The Pools EARLY Things can be pretty overwhelming on Embarkation Day — especially if this is your first-ever cruise. So, if you don’t need to go to guest services for anything… what should you do first? Many guests will make a beeline to the food courts to get a head start on that all-inclusive dining. But if you’re not hungry yet, we’d recommend heading on over to the pools. Adult only pool Unless you decide to hang back during one of the ports of call, embarkation day may wind up being one of the least-busy times to take a dip in the main pools and the adults-only pools, too! The Early Bird Gets A Private Pool Party Did your interest perk up with the “adults only” pool talk? Each Disney Cruise has an adults-only pool area (aka: Quiet Cove) — but the Disney Wish steps it up a notch by offering an adults-only infinity pool area — which can get reaaaaaally popular during the afternoon hours. Adult-only area on the Disney Wonder If you wanna avoid feeling like human soup, try hitting up these adults-only pool areas early in the morning as a way to kickstart your day with some much-needed peace, quiet, and swim time. Ask About The Sommelier Bin This one’s a gamble, but it’s a gamble worth asking about. When you’re at one of the Disney Cruise Line bars, ask about the Sommelier Bin. Some of the Bottles The Sommelier Bin is designated for open bottles of wine. If a guest orders a particular type of wine that hasn’t been opened yet, then the rest of that bottle will need to be used on the same day (to guarantee its freshness). And that means you can sometimes get a really pricey glass of wine for a base price IF you order whatever’s in the Sommelier Bin during the time of your visit. Champagne and a View Your mileage on this may vary — because, sometimes, you’ll just end up with a standard wine you could’ve gotten elsewhere — but still… you get wine either way, and for a potentially cheaper price, too! Again— this isn’t a guarantee, but it doesn’t hurt to check! Different Restaurants, Same Server Rotational Dining might put you in a new restaurant each night, but you’ll have the same server following you between meals. Rapunzel’s Royal Table The reason Disney keeps you with the same server each night — instead of pairing you up with a different person meal after meal — is so that your server can learn about your specific preferences and food accommodations, which they’ll — then — use for all your future dinners aboard the ship! GIANT! Plus… it’s just really nice to get to know your server, too! These cast members are great at what they do, and they do an ah-may-zeeng job at making sure you’re having a good time, while also validating your dining requests. Tipping Works Differently After getting to know your server, you’ll more than likely be thrilled to leave a gratuity for them, since they’re gonna go above and beyond to make sure you’re taken care of aboard ship. To customize that gratuity amount for servers, assistant servers, and stateroom hosts, you’ll need to add prepaid gratuities to your DCL reservation through your Disney account. Awesome Cast Members! Now here’s the catch — if you don’t set a prepaid amount for gratuities before your trip, Disney will automatically charge the suggested gratuity to your onboard account and assume you’re a-okay with that. Which is $14.50 per night per stateroom, and $15.50 per night per concierge stateroom. Outdoor Oasis © Disney The places where gratuity is NOT factored out in advance are for… well… any other additional services like the spas, lounges, and signature restaurants. Then, the amount you tip will be entirely up to YOUR discretion or, in some cases, automatically tacked onto your bill. Follow The Stars Don’t be embarrassed if you get lost trying to find your stateroom. These ships are bigger than you may think! Finding your way around these cruises, in general, can get downright confusing. A Totally Different Carpet! Which way is toward the front of the ship? Which way is toward the back? How do you know where to go when many of the stateroom hallways look exactly same time? Look at the Carpet! If you’re getting overwhelmed trying to find your way back to your room, just look down! The carpets generally feature stars or Mickey Heads, if you’re cruising on the Wish. If the stars/Mickeys are pointing straight (meaning the peak of the star is pointing forward, in the direction you’re walking), then you’re walking forward. If the stars are not pointing straight, then you’re headed aft! Leave Your Power Strips At Home The Disney Cruise Line has quite a list of no-no items that you are NOT allowed to bring aboard the ships. When it comes to electronic devices, you can NOT bring aboard things such as: Electric blankets, electric steamers, extension cords, power strips, surge protectors, heating pads, or celebratory light bulb strings. Leave these power strips at home ©Amazon Now, the power strips can really trip some families up — since having multiple outlets can be handy for charging multiple phones at once. But — in order to prevent any potential electrical fires on board — Disney isn’t gonna budge on this rule. No sir-ee. That being said, you can bring a USB splitter, instead, to still help you charge multiple devices in one go. There are more items on the “No Go” list that’re posted on the DCL website. A Full List of What You CAN’T Bring on a Disney Cruise Pack A Reusable Water Bottle It’s funny how many tips and tricks for the cruise ships overlap with the tips and tricks we give ya for the parks — but the reusable water bottle advice is such a banger that we can’t help but bring it up yet again. Reusable water bottles are great to have on hand to keep you hydrated all day long. Mickey Mouse Water Bottle And — what makes a reusable water bottle even better for the cruises is your ability to refill them with not just water, but those all-inclusive sodas and tea, too! So whenever you see a soda dispenser at one of the quick services or buffets — make sure to fill ‘er up! Are You Ready for the Best Day Ever?? Check Out the New Water Bottles We Found in Disney World! You Can Never Have Too Much Water You’re surrounded by this stuff out at sea, but while you’re busy admiring the water outside your stateroom, you’ll wanna keep it inside your stateroom too. You can bring some cases of bottled water with you on your cruise to help keep you hydrated. Must…find…water! But if you do bring your own cases of water, you’ve gotta make sure they’re “factory sealed” and not being kept inside your checked luggage. You can also order a case of water through the actual cruise line, too. Bottled Water You can purchase bottles of water before your trip through Onboard Gifts which is an extension of the Disney Cruise website that allows you to pre-order celebratory items or necessities you want brought up to your stateroom pre-arrival. Or you can call room services and purchase a case of water via your stateroom phone. Don’t Rely On Your Fridge When you’re looking over the different amenities found in your stateroom before your Disney Cruise, you might notice that one of the listed features is a “refrigerator.” Don’t get too excited about this. These fridges are, essentially, small cool boxes but nothing more than that. Bottled water The Wish’s “fridges” are a bit fancier than what you’ll find on the other four ships. However, none of these refrigerators are gonna do an upstanding job at keeping ice cream treats preserved or leftovers from spoiling. They can, however, keep drinks cool so you don’t have to gulp ‘em down at room temperature. Bring An Expired Card. (Literally Any Old Card) Here’s something that might take ya off guard if you’ve never cruised with Disney before. The Disney Cruise Line prides itself on being eco-friendly — which is why they strive to save power any chance they get. So instead of having regular old light switches in each of the staterooms, you’ll turn on the lights by inserting a card into the light slot that’s next to the door. Disney would like you to use your key card since that forces you to retrieve it and turn off the lights before you leave the room, but — um — not everyone always remembers to do that. Meaning you could very well accidentally lock yourself out of your room. Er… Whoops? Disney Magic Stateroom Fortunately, you don’t actually have to insert your DCL-specific key into the light slot — any ol’ card will do! Got a used up Starbucks gift card? Use that! Or an expired library card? You can use that too! Or maybe even a gym membership card? Hey, gotta use that sucker for something, right? Magic Stateroom It’s still a good idea to retrieve these cards upon leaving your room instead of keeping your lights on the whole time you’re gone, but at least if you forget to retrieve it, you’re not gonna accidentally lock yourself out. Join In On The Fish Extender Fun During your cruise, you may notice these pouches or felt organizers displayed in front of other cruisers’ staterooms. These are called fish extenders. You can make ‘em yourself, or buy ‘em off Etsy or Amazon, but — the important thing to remember is Disney doesn’t have a whole lot to do with this extra cruise feature. A cruise cabin on the Disney Dream Instead, this is a secret Santa-like concept created by DCL fans where you can leave little goodies for other cruisers outside their doors. Most folks find their fish extender friends through DCL forums online. Make sure the forum you’re using to meet these cruise line companions is reliable — and that you’re not giving away any super-personal information through these websites. You do not have to participate in this activity if you don’t want to. But, if you think it’d be kinda fun to drop some cute little stickers and keychains and lanyards as a surprise gift for someone else — and hopefully receive some surprise gifts in return — then, by all means, do your research and find out how you can get involved! However, if you’re not interested in this side activity, but you’re still kinda wanting to spruce up your stateroom door just for funsies or to put an identifying marker outside your room for it to be easier to spot down the hallway, just make sure you use magnets and magnets only, Any decorations that use tape or command strips will be taken down immediately by cast members who spot them in passing, since these kind of adhesives aren’t good for the paint on the doors. Our room! If you have something you want to put on your door and you already know it’s most certainly not magnetic, you can always buy a few cheap sticky back magnets at your local craft store to slap on the backside of your decor. Ta-da! NOW it’s a magnet! Pack A Sweater. (No, Seriously) Do NOT underestimate the power of cruise ship air conditioning. ©Disney Even if you’re cruising in the summer, there are certain indoor sections of the ships where the AC is high and mighty. If you tend to get chilly easily, bring a little hoodie or jacket that you can easily slip on and off. Don’t Forget About The Scavenger Hunts! Sleuthing, capers, and mysteries galore — if you’re looking for a free activity that’ll help you thoroughly explore the ship you’re sailing on, the Midship Detective Agency is on the case! The Disney Dream and Fantasy both host the Midship Detective Agency — an interactive game that takes guests all around the ships to solve, well, a mystery. There are three different mystery options you can choose from, involving Mickey and friends, characters from Disney’s 101 Dalmatians, or the Muppets. (YAY Muppets.) Disney Princess icons The Disney Wish also has its own interactive game called Disney Uncharted Adventure. Disney Uncharted Adventure uses the Play Disney Parks app and AR technology on your mobile device to play games and interact with your favorite Disney characters. But that one’s not as Muppet-y. So the Disney Dream and Fantasy win in that regard. Run, Run, RUN! You may not think going on a jog during your cruise is gonna be an activity you’d be super-stoked for, but the running decks offered on the cruises are actually one of my favorite places to go onboard. First of all, many guests don’t even realize that the walking/jogging track is there, so you’ll often have a lot of space for yourself. Do you work out on vacation? Secondly, the jogging/walking track can sometimes take you past some really unique spots on the ship! For instance, on select Disney Cruise ships, there’s a porthole along the track that actually looks into some of the ship’s kitchens! So these little trails can wind up weaving ya past a few behind-the-scenes areas that you wouldn’t have experienced otherwise. ©Disney However, when it comes to the running deck over on the Disney Wish, things get… kinda weird. Instead of having a continuous track like the other four ships have, the Wish’s track is broken up — so you have to go up various stairs and cross-overs to actually complete a full lap. I dunno — I’m not a fan of the setup there, but you still might wanna at least walk around it, just to check things out. It’s Hard To Do EVERYTHING This is just a general PSA to keep you from underestimating these ships and/or setting yourself up for failure. Disney Cruises might be less intense than the Disney parks, but that doesn’t mean there’s a shortage of things to do. There are so many shows, excursions, dining experiences, spa days, shops, and events that you’re gonna be able to jam-pack your days with. Ground Floor of Luna on the Disney Wish So make sure you study up the different cruise offerings before you head out so you can figure out what you wanna prioritize. But, in the same breath, give yourself a little wiggle room to take things as they come. If you wanna spend more time just relaxing on the Castaway Cay beach, do it. If you wanna go lounge hopping on the last night of your trip, do it. If you wanna get your 736th soft serve cone because it’s already paid for, do it. Grab a cone from Sweet Minnie’s Ice Cream! The Disney ships tend to be a healthy mix of keeping you busy all cruise long while also reminding you not to overextend yourself. You Might Find Ways To Save Money (With A Little Help) It doesn’t happen often but, at limited times throughout the year, the Disney Cruise Line maaaaay just sneakily drop a nice discount for their future cruises. For example, thanks to our friends over at Small World Vacations, we found out early on that guests could save up to 35% off limited summer 2023 cruises for a selection of “restricted rooms.” Small World Vacations Restricted rooms are unsold surplus staterooms in a specific category for very specific cruise dates. The agents at Small World Vacations are extremely good at keeping us in-the-know when it comes to deals like this — so if you wanna be in-the-know too, you might wanna reach out to them for a free quote as you start planning your future Disney vacation. Real Talk: You May Wanna Hold Off On A Cruise Right Now Wait, WHAT? You just gave us FIFTY tips on how to basically SUCCEED at any Disney Cruise, and you’re telling us to… not go on one now?Well… Not necessarily. It really depends on how patient you can be. The Disney Wish There are two new DCL ships that’ll start setting sail over the next couple of years that — who knows? — you may like even better than the ones we’ve been talking about today. The Disney Treasure will enter the DCL fleet in 2024 as the Disney Wish’s sister ship — and will be a ship “inspired by the grandeur and mystery of a gilded palace,” drawing influences from Asia, Africa, and even Aladdin’s Agrabah. Disney Treasure ©Disney And in 2025, the DCL will invite another ship into their family — but we don’t know a whole lotta details surrounding that one just yet. What we do know about it, however, is that it’ll be based in Singapore and feature what Disney describes as “innovative experiences along with the dazzling entertainment, world-class dining, and legendary guest service.” ©Disney Cruise Line We’re on pins and needles, waiting to learn more about both of these new ships, but we promise to keep ya updated just as soon as we learn more info about either one of them ‘em! ©Disney Who’s ready to start sailing?! Don’t forget — before you get to packing for your Disney cruise, make sure to drop us your email for an EXTENSIVE checklist of what you need to have packed in your luggage and ready to go BEFORE you set sail! What You Need to Know About Disney Cruise Line Learn All About Disney Cruise Line and Its Various Ships Follow Along As We Explore Disney’s NEW Mega Cruise Ship – The Wish Learn ALL the Secrets of the Disney Wish We Ate EVERYTHING on Disney's Newest Cruise Ship -- The Disney Wish Learn About Disney Cruise Line’s COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Policies Disney Wish COVID-19 Testing Mishaps to Avoid A Full List of What You CAN’T Bring on a Disney Cruise These Are the BEST Times to Book Your Disney Cruise The Best Ways to SAVE SPACE in Your Tiny Cruise Cabin 10 Things You NEED on Your Next Cruise (That You Won’t Think to Pack!) A Look at the COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Policies For EVERY Major Cruise Line What It’s Like to Live on a Cruise Ship for 6 Months Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Have you been on a Disney Cruise? What are your cruisin’ tips? Drop them in the comments below! The post Ultimate List of Disney Cruise Line Tips and Secrets for 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Embark on thrilling world travels like Indiana Jones with these 7 exciting National Geographic Expeditions itineraries in the destinations visited by everyone’s favorite archaeologist.View the full article

Over the years that we’ve spent in Disney World, we’ve received plenty of surprises! Disney’s Hollywood Studios Some were not-so-great like when our favorite rides closed unexpectedly or when we got rained on or when a parade or performance was canceled for technical issues. But other times, we’ve been the recipients of a little “pixie dust” that made our experience in the parks a bit brighter. And one of those magical moments happened recently in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! If you’re walking around the parks, you’ll often see Cast Members out and about with little free games and activities — typically geared toward children. These little games are typically easy to set up things like hopscotch, hoop tosses, trivia, and the like. They’re often set up as a way to entertain guests on particularly crowded days, or as an alternate offering in front of a ride or attraction when that attraction is closed for technical difficulties. Cast Members with games in Frontierland We’ve played these games ourselves many times in the past, and most of the time, the Cast Member will give you a sticker for playing. But on a recent visit to Hollywood Studios, we were surprised with a special treat! Outside of Alien Swirling Saucers in Toy Story Land, we saw Cast Members hosting a game of “Hangclaw.” It’s like Hangman except it’s themed to the Toy Story films. Of course, we had to play along! We won! After a few wrong letters, we figured out the puzzle — it was “Rex!” And for winning the game, the Cast Members gave us a very unexpected prize…a free Lightning Lane to Alien Swirling Saucers. Check it out in our video below! This was a VERY RARE thing to happen! Back in the days when FastPass was used in the parks and it was free, it was more common to get complimentary FastPasses from time to time, but we’ve hardly ever seen this happen since Genie+ and Lightning Lanes were introduced. So don’t go playing the games expecting to win a Lightning Lane for a nearby ride — we expect this only happened because Alien Swirling Saucers wasn’t too busy that day. It wasn’t busy! This was just another one of those fun “surprise and delight” moments that happen every once in a while in Disney World. We’ve dealt with a lot of unexpected problems during our trips to the parks, but the Cast Members are the ones who make the REAL magic happen! Click Here to See Which Disney Restaurants Have the BEST Cast Members! 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 something like this happen in Disney World? Tell us in the comments! The post The AMAZING Thing We Experienced in Disney's Hollywood Studios first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

When many think of Disney World, they imagine riding all their favorite rides, strolling down Main Street, USA, and eating all the iconic sugary Disney sweets their heart desires. For others though, imagining Disney World is the same as imagining strolling through an endless sauna where the only source of water comes from a teenager in a striped costume holding out their hand to take your $6. Must…find…water! Let’s face it. Staying cool and hydrated at Disney World can be difficult. However, there are a few solutions, and one of our favorite ones makes a great souvenir. That’s right, today we’re talking refillable mugs. You can grab these babies at any of the Disney World resorts OR strangely enough, the water parks. This post will highlight the ins and outs of using the refillable mugs so that you can decide ahead of time whether this Disney purchase is your dehydration and overheating cure-all. So… What IS a refillable mug? Well, other than it being exactly what it sounds like, there are some cool things worth mentioning. First, they’re super cute collectable items. These 16-ounce mugs are insulated and themed seasonally. The current mugs available are themed to the 100th Anniversary Celebration. 100th anniversary refillable mug These mugs are available through the Rapid Fill program at Disney World resorts for $21.99 for the length of your resort stay — up to 14 days. Previously, visitors could purchase their mug for prorated costs based on their length of stay (i.e. $8.99 for 1 Day, $11.99 for 2 Days, $14.99 for 3 Days, $17.99 for Length of Stay up to 14 days), but now it’s just the one flat cost. Refillable mugs So, what’s cool about these? Well, they’re enhanced by an RFID bar code which deactivates the mug once your stay is complete. Throughout your stay, place your cup under the stand below the drink dispenser at Disney World resorts, and some sort of RFID magic will read the bar code inside your mug and then begin filling it. Cool, huh? You can choose from the soft drink, coffee, and tea options. Rapid Fill info Of course, there are several limiting factors to this process. There are a few rules that Disney has set in place so that visitors aren’t going around getting free drinks willy nilly at Disney World. Here are five important things to know before you purchase a Rapid Fill refillable mug. 1. They’re Good For 14 Days and 14 Days Only The barcode inside the mug WILL deactivate after the 14th day of your stay, making it to where the beverage machine simply will not fill your mug. Rapid Fill Refilling Station Further, you can’t reactivate the same mug. You’ll probably have to purchase a new one. We’ve gotten varying answers from cast members about whether you can buy a new RFID chip or the whole mug, so know you might need to get a new one. You Can’t Refill Them In The Parks While you can take these cups to the parks and refill them yourself with water, you can’t refill them in the parks with soft drinks. We recommend filling up right before you head out for the day! Rapid Refill Station However, you CAN refill them at any of the resorts and not just the one at which you’re staying. 3. You Can’t Fill Them With Milk, Juice, or Alcohol We know, we know. A refillable 16-ounce margarita cup would be very nice, but hey — this is Walt Disney’s dream and not ours. Although your choices of beverage are pretty impressive, you can’t fill your mugs with milk, fruit juice, or alcohol. Sorry to all the milk and margarita lovers! While most of the beverage machines include drinks such as Powerade and HiC, which WILL work with your mug, 100% juice like apple juice or orange juice won’t dispense. 4. You Have To Wait Between Each Refill There have been several times that we’ve paused our filling to allow the foam from our soft drinks to settle and not bubble over. Wrong move! Drinks Once you remove your mug, you have to wait two minutes before you can start filling up again. Try to fill it with one “stream” if you can. If your plan is to fill your mug repeatedly and pour into a larger vessel (because you need a VAT of coffee to get going in the morning), that’s going to take a long time and may be altogether impractical. You Can Continue To Use It In The Parks After Your 14-Day Period Is Up We love to take these into the parks as water cups once we can no longer use them at the resorts. The handle makes them super easy to attach to our bags, and they actually do a decent job of keeping our drinks cold. Refillable mugs Just ask the Cast Members for free water cups that you can then pour inside! What do you think? Will you be purchasing a refillable mug on your next trip? Here at DFB, we try to share with you all the best tips to make your Disney World trip easier. Follow along for more, and click the link below to check out more refillable options at Disney World. If an endless supply of popcorn sounds GREAT to you, click here to check out all the details on Disney World’s refillable popcorn buckets! 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 ever purchased and used the refillable mugs? Let us know in the comments! The post Important Rules About Your Refillable Mug in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Three days… That’s ALL the time you’ve got in Disneyland to ride ALL the rides you wanna ride, see all the shows you wanna see, and dine on all the meals you wanna taste. Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland Can you do it? With DFB’s perfect three-day guide, you ABSOLUTELY can! Check out our video below: 3 PERFECT Days in Disneyland Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! And stay tuned for more Disney news! 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 Have you done any of these things? Let us know in the comments below. The post DFB Video: 3 PERFECT Days in Disneyland 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. Who’s ready for the summer?! We’re ready for an afternoon at the pool! Whether you’re planning to take a Disney cruise and soak in the sun, chill by the pool at a Disney World resort, or simply relax at home, there are some essentials you’ll want for the hottest time of the year. And right now, shopDisney is hosting a flash sale on summer necessities! First up is this Ariel Swim Bag for Kids, which is great for carrying all your little one’s belongings to the beach or pool. It’s an iridescent pattern with the mermaid herself on the front. ©Disney It has a main pocket as well as a front zip pocket and handles for easy carrying. Right now it’s on sale for 30% off. Shop the Mermaid Bag Here! And speaking of mermaids, we love this Ariel Deluxe Beach Towel that’s made to look just like a mermaid tail! Its pattern is made to look like scales and there are two little flippers at the bottom. ©Disney The backside of the towel is made of terrycloth to absorb water easily. It’s also available for 30% off the usual price. Click Here to Get the Mermaid Tail Towel! If you’re a Mickey Mouse fan, you’ll probably want to snag this Mickey Mouse and Friends Drawstring Swim Backpack for Kids. It has Mickey on the front and a pattern of Mickey and pals on the backside. ©Disney It comes with a drawstring closure, mesh side pockets, adjustable shoulder straps, and a carrying loop on the top. That mesh can come in handy for sifting out sand and water! Order the Mickey Backpack Online Here! If you’re heading to the beach or pool, you’ve got to protect yourself from the sun! Sunscreen is a must of course, but we also like a fashionable hat, like this Mickey Mouse and Friends Terry Bucket Hat for Adults. ©Disney It has a ribbed brim and it’s made with a soft terry fabric, complete with a pattern of Mickey and his pals. If you like the look, you can also purchase the coordinating ensemble from shopDisney. Get the Bucket Hat Here! And finally, we’ve got this Star Wars Beach Towel, which you can get personalized! It’s covered in iconic characters, including Darth Vader, Boba Fett, C-3PO, R2-D2, and Yoda. ©Disney Like the other towel, it has an absorbent terrycloth backside. You can buy it now for a 30% discount. Shop the Star Wars Towel Here! We’ll keep you updated if shopDisney has more flash sales that we think you need to know about, so stay tuned to DFB! We’ve got the latest updates on Disney merchandise, discounts, and all the tips you need for your upcoming vacations. 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 See Essentials for Your Summer Trip to Disney World! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What are you buying for your Disney trip this summer? Tell us in the comments! The post ALERT! Disney is Having a Flash Sale on Summer Must-Haves! 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. When you’re busy trading pins, posing for photos, and riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the last thing you need is a big, bulky bag getting in your way! Sure, we love to be prepared for whatever the day might have in store for us, but toting a heavy bag through the Magic Kingdom isn’t easy. It’s not easy carrying all your stuff around a theme park! We visit the Disney parks ALL the time, so we know a thing or two about theme park accessories. If you’re in the market for a new park bag, we might have found the one for you! If you’re interested in a convenient (but stylish) park bag, check out the C.C embroidered patch belt bag! With this convenient little hands-free sling bag, you can carry ALL your theme park essentials. Portable charger? Check! Band-aids for your blisters? Check! Travel deodorant? Check! ©Jane For all our Stoney Clover Lane fans, this could be a cheaper alternative to those pricey fanny packs! There are TONS of colors and patterns available ranging from plain black to aqua blue. If you’re tired of having the same bag as everyone else, these belt bags give you plenty of customization options. Oh, and did we mention that they’re waterproof? ©Jane Now, we have to talk about our favorite part — the PATCHES! You can choose between four different Disney-themed embroidered patches to stick right on your bag. ©Jane If you’re looking for a belt bag with a little personality, look no further! These bags are currently on sale for 50% off, plus they come with free shipping. In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more! Click here to buy the Mickey Mouse embroidered belt bag What an Expert Foodie Eats in Disney World When They Can’t Take Another Chicken Nugget Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What’s your go-to theme park bag in Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post Stop Scrolling! This Disney Park Essential Is 50% OFF Online first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You only have time for one meal in Disney World, how are you going to narrow it down? Do you want the MOST Disney experience you can get? ‘Ohana What about something totally unique you’d never find anywhere else? We’ve made the list of the most essential restaurants in Disney World for each type of diner. Maybe you only have a short trip to Disney World or you’re saving your money for souvenirs rather than a bunch of sit-down meals with the whole family. Maybe you just want to eat at the very best restaurant and ONLY the very best restaurants. We asked our team here at DFB to give us their top recommendations for their number one restaurants in all of Disney World. We hate to choose just one, but in case YOU need to, this list will help you make that tough decision. THE Disney Experience — Be Our Guest Starting off our list, our choice for the one restaurant that serves up THE Disney experience is Be Our Guest found in Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland. You cannot beat the atmosphere here — you are literally walking into the Beauty and the Beast film and you will feel like royalty inside the Beast’s castle (and you’ll pay like royalty, too). Rose Gallery seating at Be Our Guest The restaurant is made up of three rooms with stunning decor: The library features a large music box with Belle and the Beast The ballroom features floor to ceiling windows looking out onto the grounds of the Beast’s castle, using animation cells of falling snow from the film itself And the west wing has a spooky dark vibe with lighting, the enchanted rose, and a portrait of the Beast that transforms while you dine It’s the rose! Currently, Be Our Guest is only offering a prix fixe meal for lunch and dinner, though the menu is more upscale than many restaurants in Magic Kingdom — so it’s going to fit the bill if you’re looking for something fancy in the park. You’ll pay $67 per adult and $39 per kid at either meal, and while the French influenced food is good, it’s not quite on a par with other Disney World restaurants that offer a more upscale menu and similar price tag. Dessert Trio What you’re paying for here is the experience, and THAT is what Be Our Guest delivers! It’s one of the most immersive dining experiences in Disney World, and that makes it an extremely popular and sought-after reservation — book early if you want to snag a table! While this isn’t officially a character meal, you will get to see the Beast as he strolls through his castle during your meal. Beast greeting guests Of course, we have to give an honorable mention to Cinderella’s Royal Table — it doesn’t get more Disney than dining inside the castle at the end of Main Street! While Cinderella’s Royal Table does boast some extravagant decor, it’s not quite as impressive as walking into an animated film set. Cinderella’s Royal Table But, this restaurant does offer a full character dining experience with several princesses who come around to greet guests. Aurora at Cinderella’s Royal Table If you pick either Be Our Guest or Cinderella’s Royal Table you’ll be dining in some serious Disney vibes right in the flagship park — you can’t get much more iconic fairy-tale Disney than these! As one of our editors said, “the atmosphere and the overall experience is so very Disney. No matter your age, you will feel like you’re a character in Beauty and the Beast.” Here’s Our Full Review of Cinderella’s Royal Table! Breakfast in the Parks — Crystal Palace This next restaurant — also in Magic Kingdom — comes with a big caveat from our team! We think this is a great pick because, “It’s right in the middle of Magic Kingdom, the food is decent, you get to see the characters, and it just feels like a very ‘Disney’ experience (without being insanely expensive).” Hi there, Pooh! Now, it’s still Disney World and breakfast is gonna set you back $45 per adult and $25 per kid, though that’s for an all you can eat buffet with dishes like puffed french toast and breakfast lasagna (which, by the way, is the most amazing waffle/pancake casserole hybrid). The 17 Best Restaurants in Disney World for 2023. All You Can Eat — Boma Boma is at the top of our list for All You Care to Enjoy meals in Disney World! Offering breakfast and dinner buffets with an array of food from standard American fare to unique and tasty dishes from over 50 different regions of Africa, this restaurant is located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Boma The dinner menu features grilled seafood & roasted meats along with some more exotic flavors; the breakfast buffet features Disney staples like Mickey Waffles, omelettes, along with bobotie — and African egg dish that’s similar to a quiche or frittata. One of our writers thought the question was if you could only eat at one Disney restaurant for FOREVER (like every single meal for the rest of your life), and she still emphatically picked Boma! Another of our writers said, “Boma 10,000,000% — it’s at a hotel so it’s a little bit out of the way [but it’s] amazingly themed and so beautiful to walk around. And the food at Boma is so unique, flavorful, incredible — and the zebra domes!” Zebra Domes Zebra domes are a hotel specialty at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and they are served every night on the buffet at Boma — these little Amarula liqueur truffles have a big fan following! If you want to try them, and you don’t have a reservation at Boma, you’ll find them sold in a four-pack at The Mara (the hotel’s Quick Service restaurant) or in the gift shop at Kidani Village. Here’s Our Review of Boma! The DFB team LOVES to talk about our best culinary experiences at Disney World! We wrote the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining to share all of that insider knowledge with you. We don’t want you to miss a thing! Grab the DFB Guide! Save 25% with Code WDW2023! Character Meal — Garden Grill Crystal Palace may get our pick for best breakfast, but best overall character meal is Garden Grill in EPCOT. We talk about Garden Grill a LOT — it is one of our favorite restaurants in Disney World, and the character experience you’re going to get here is so much better than nearly any other character meal in Disney World. Garden Grill Farmer’s Feast This is a small restaurant, which means Mickey, Pluto, Chip & Dale don’t have an absurd number of tables to visit. So you will see them often and get a lot more one on one time with them The food grown in the greenhouses of Living With the Land are also gonna end up on your plate at Garden Grill! One of our writers picked Garden Grill as her one and only saying it’s, “tasty all you can eat in a classic (even retro) EPCOT location.” Mickey Mouse at Garden Grill Garden Grill has always served food family style, so you’ll get platters to share with the whole table, featuring tasty (and family friendly) dishes like grilled beef, roast chicken, mac and cheese, and mashed potatoes. The meal will run you $55 per adult and $36 per kid — but you get characters and endless mac and cheese. These Are the BEST Restaurants in EPCOT! Unique Character Meal (if You Don’t Mind Traveling) — Storybook Dining If you love character meals but you’ve seen enough of Mickey (if that’s possible), we’d suggest heading over to Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White in Wilderness Lodge for something a little more unique. One of our writers said, “The restaurant decor is magical, I think it’s really beautiful there and it’s a great way to escape Magic Kingdom if you need a dinner break. On top of all that, you get to see the characters, including the OG princess [Snow White] and some rare characters like the Evil Queen and Dopey.” Snow White While the food here doesn’t win any awards in book, it is VERY good for a character meal — that same write gives a special shout out to the gnocchi! Everything is presented beautifully from the tiered tree tower for your appetizers and desserts, to the entree plated and the incredible Huntsman’s Gift, which is presented in a box with dry ice to give it some seriously impressive panache. The Huntsman’s Gift at Artist Point The Best Character Dining Meals at Disney World, Ranked. For a Stunning View (with some Disney History) — California Grill Looking for an elegant, upscale signature dining experience with a gorgeous view? Head over to our pick for the restaurant with the most stunning view — California Grill in Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The restaurant space has been around since Disney World opened — California Grill was originally named Top of the World restaurant for its 15th floor view of Magic Kingdom. Fireworks views on the balcony at California Grill One DFB writer notes, “There’s variety, the food is awesome, the drinks are bomb, the service is SPECTACULAR, and you get a fireworks view (or just a view of Magic Kingdom).” The menu features pizza, sushi, the most amazing goat cheese ravioli you’ve ever had, steak, seafood, and an impressive wine list — there’s something for everyone. Goat Cheese Ravioli Take in views of the Seven Seas Lagoon, Cinderella Castle, and fireworks. Even if you dine earlier in the evening — or snag a no-reservation meal in the restaurant’s lounge — you can come back to watch the fireworks from their viewing platform by showing your receipt. California Grill California Grill is pricey with upscale food, so while kids are more than welcome, this might be more your pick for a nice date night or special occasion meal rather than toting the whole family for dinner after a long day in the parks. Check Out the Best Restaurants for Fireworks Views at Disney World! Classic Disney All You Can Eat — ‘Ohana Boma may have an edge on the all-you-can-eat front with our team for the unique and adventurous menu, but if you want classic Disney with never ending portions we’re sending you to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. ‘Ohana has a huge fan following and for good reason — people dine here trip after trip and keep coming back, so it can be a tough reservation to get. ‘Ohana For a lot of people, this is the perfect meal for arrival day. As one of our editors said, “Looking out the windows, seeing the park and the anticipation that brings is huge.” The Polynesian Village Resort is an original Disney World hotel — it opened with the park, and if you get a window table you can literally see the castle from your seat. You can also see the fireworks from here, which makes it a great choice for dinner! ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort The meals here are served family style, and breakfast features Mickey and Stitch waffles and that famous POG Juice — passion fruit, orange and guava juice — plus you can meet Lilo, Stitch, Pluto, and Mickey. For dinner, you’ll get a Hawaiian-inspired feast with skewered meats, dumplings, teriyaki noodles and the restaurant’s famous bread pudding. ‘Ohana noodles are a favorite! The Polynesian Village Resort is a quick and easy boat or monorail ride from Magic Kingdom, so it’s pretty convenient to get to. Here’s Our Complete Guide to Eating at the Polynesian Village Resort. Unique Experience — Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater For something you can’t likely experience anywhere else, head to Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater in Hollywood Studios. The dining room is built to replicate a drive-in theatre all the way down to the giant black and white movie screen playing clips of old classic films and cartoons during your meal. Your “table” is a retro convertible or a picnic table, and you’re dining under a perpetual nighttime sky (so it’s dark in here — if you have trouble reading menus bring a flashlight). Sci-Fi Dine-In The food here is pretty simple — burgers and fries, salads, and some pasta dishes. It’s nothing stellar, but that food isn’t the main draw. You’re coming here for the theming and the experience. Sci-Fi Dine-In The atmosphere alone makes this restaurant worth it, and the food isn’t too bad, either, plus it comes in at a pretty decent price for Disney standards. If you have a group of foodies that need to be impressed, this isn’t the pick for them. But if you’ve got a pack of kids or a movie buff, Sci-Fi Dine-In will fit the bill. These Are the Best Restaurants in Hollywood Studios! Upscale in the Parks — Le Cellier Steakhouse Our team’s choice for an upscale dining experience inside the parks is Le Cellier Steakhouse in EPCOT’s Canada Pavilion. Le Cellier offers fine dining, but not too fancy that you need to go back to your hotel and change before coming here. Step into the cave at Le Cellier Nosh on some classic Canadian poutine or start your meal off with the now iconic Cheddar Cheese Soup Le Cellier is definitely kid friendly — though if you have very picky eaters check that menu first! The price tag might make you think twice about hauling the whole family here, though. As one of Disney’s Signature (read fine dining) restaurants, and because it’s a steakhouse, expect entrees to reach the $50 range. This soup is EVERYTHING If the Canadian-style steakhouse doesn’t do it for you and you want something a little more unique, you should probably head back to the hotel and change for, say Takumi-Tei, an upscale and elegant Japanese Dining experience in the Japan Pavilion. Sushi at Takumi-Tei At $150-$250 per person, this is definitely a splurge for those fine-dining seeking parkgoers. Here’s Our Review of Takumi-Tei. You Have a LOT of Palates to Please — Yak & Yeti Where do you go when everyone in your party wants something different? Our team’s pick for the restaurant with the widest variety of options for the most palates to please is Yak & Yeti in Animal Kingdom. Yak & Yeti This beautifully themed dining room with a uniquely extravagant Nepalese-style decor features a pan-Asian menu, as well as classic American options for those less adventurous eaters. This menu is huge — with everything from burgers and fries to ribs and more exotic dishes like curries and seared tuna. You will be able to please a lot of different people in the same restaurant! Sweet and spicy! This restaurant is one of the few restaurants in the Disney parks owned and operated not by Disney but by an outside company. Yak & Yeti is owned by Landry’s, which also owns T-Rex and Rainforest Cafe. If you sign up for Landry’s loyalty program you’ll get priority seating and a gift card on your birthday. These Are the Best Restaurants at Animal Kingdom! The EPCOT Experience — Chefs de France EPCOT’s World Showcase is all about transporting you to different countries. While there are lots of dining options in the 11 countries that make up this section of the park, if you REALLY want to feel like you’ve been transported somewhere else, you’ve got to eat at Chefs de France. Chefs de France This classic French Bistro in the France Pavilion of EPCOT’s World Showcase feels like you’re in a bustling restaurant in the center of Paris from the decor, to the staff, to the food itself. Chefs de France provides a romantic and sophisticated atmosphere in a family-friendly environment at a moderate price. Filet de Salmon From Boeuf Bourguignon to Creme Brulee, you can expect classic and expertly executed French cuisine. Chefs de France has been owned and run since it opened in 1982 by Paul and (his son) Jerome Bocuse, both very prominent French chefs. REVIEW: Lunch at Chefs de France! The Best Brunch Ever — Homecomin’ Taking it over to Disney Springs, our pick for the best brunch spot is Homecomin’. This one is probably no surprise to those of you who read DFB regularly. We’re always talking about how amazing Homecomin’ is! Homecomin’ With dishes like Biscuits & Gravy, Fried Chicken & Donuts, and Hush Puppy Benedict, this southern comfort brunch spot in Disney Springs by celebrity chef Art Smith will be sure to leave you nice and full. A former personal chef of Oprah and a Florida local, Art Smith’s menu contains some seriously delicious options from brunch classics, to unique signature dishes, to a full moonshine bar. Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich Be sure to make a reservation, as this weekend brunch spot is a hit and can fill up quickly — brunch is ONLY offered on Saturday and Sunday. Homecomin’ is a great way to start your morning on a non-park day, or even your last day in Orlando for a great meal before you head to your home. These are the Best Breakfasts in Disney World. A Fun Experience — Raglan Road Sticking with some of our favorite spots in Disney Springs, Raglan Road is a restaurant that is often overlooked but offers a killer menu and a seriously good time. One of our editors said, “Raglan doesn’t get a ton of love but the food is stellar and it’s such a fun ‘get pumped you’re on vacation’ vibe to it with the show each day. That’s quickly becoming a must-do for us.” It’s always a party at Raglan Road. Step into an authentic Irish experience with dark wood bar tops and tables, live music, and high energy Irish Step Dancing performances. They have a great brunch on the weekends that honestly rivals Homecomin’, and the lunch and dinner menus have so many good options it can be tough to pick — we’ve really never had a bad meal here. Raglan Road We highly recommend making a reservation here, but they do accept walk-ins if capacity allows. Here’s a Recent Review of Raglan Road! A Meal That Doesn’t Feel Like You’re at Disney — Morimoto Asia Ok, bear with us on this one — I know a lot of you are saying, why am I going to pick the one meal at Disney World that doesn’t make me feel like I’m at Disney World? Well, sometimes we’re traveling with someone that needs a break from all the Disney stuff, or maybe you’re just looking for a very, very good meal and you don’t mind if you can’t hunt for hidden Mickeys while you eat. If you fall into that category, we recommend Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs. Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs This Pan Asian restaurant is owned by Iron Chef Morimoto, and has an upscale vibe and menu. With specialty exhibition kitchens, table side presentations, and private lounges, this dining experience is sure to have you and your family saying, “Wait…are we still in Disney World?” Morimoto Asia One of our editors said, “It’s seriously some of the most flavorful food I’ve had anywhere, let alone at Walt Disney World. If you looked in there and saw the food and decor, you’d have zero clue you were at Disney World if no one told you. If someone is looking to skip the more theme-parky options and just save up for a stellar meal, I’d pick that.” We’ve Eaten at Every Disney Springs Restaurant. These Are the BEST! Dinner & A Show — Hoop Dee Doo Revue And wrapping up our list, what better way to end than with dinner and a show? If you want a full Disney experience head to Hoop Dee Doo Revue in Pioneer Hall at Fort Wilderness. It might be a hike to get there, and the food might not be a fitting follow up to talking about Morimoto Asia, but you WILL have a great time. Hoop-Dee-Doo The Hoop Dee Doo Revue has been around nearly as long as Disney World — it held the title of the longest running stage show before the park closures in 2020. The menu features BBQ classics, like fried chicken, ribs, cornbread, and baked beans, and they come in served cast iron. We love that fried chicken! With a tiered seating design, you can decide how close you want to be to the action, though I recommend you opt for one of the lower seating levels if you want a good view of the show. Transportation to Pioneer Hall can be a little tricky — we recommend a boat ride from Magic Kingdom, or a ride share that can drop you off right at the restaurant. Here’s our latest review of Hoop-Dee-Doo! That’s our list! As you can see, some restaurants in Disney World offer a top notch menu, while others may offer more in terms of atmosphere or entertainment and some just have that all around Disney feeling. Regardless of what you’re looking for, there is sure to be something for everyone. Keep following DFB for the latest Disney Food News! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! Save 25% on the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining with code WDW2023. GET YOUR GUIDE NOW We want to hear what your go-to restaurant in Disney World is! Let us know in the comments where YOU would eat if you could only choose one restaurant in Disney World. The post If You Can Only Eat at ONE Disney World Restaurant, Let It Be THIS One! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article