Disney4me

Want to visit EPCOT with shorter lines and smaller crowds? Extended Evening Hours might be a great option for you, but you’ll want to be CAREFUL. EPCOT This special perk lets guests at Disney World Deluxe Hotels and Deluxe Villas (as well as a few other qualifying spots) stay LATE in select parks (usually Magic Kingdom or EPCOT) on certain nights after the regular park guests have left for the day. During those bonus hours, certain rides stay open, giving you the chance to hop on popular attractions like Frozen Ever After or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train with much shorter waits. But there is a big complication you’ll want to be aware of before going to these events. While we were in EPCOT today, we got a push notification from the My Disney Experience app (download that right now if you haven’t already!) about the Extended Evening Hours that will be offered in EPCOT on May 1st (from 9PM to 11PM). Spaceship Earth In that notification, the Vice President of EPCOT shared that the France pavilion, including Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, would be UNAVAILABLE during the night’s Extended Evening Hours offering. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Rodriguez apologized for the inconvenience and advised that guests enjoy the pavilion before it closes at 9PM. Disney Message Typically, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure would be available during Extended Evening Hours, so this could be a big disappointment for those who were hoping to get on the ride during that time. Disney did not provide a reason for this closure, but it is worth noting that their Extended Evening Hours website does warn: “attractions are subject to change and may not always be operational.” Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure So, there are 3 key things we want you to take away from this experience: Download the My Disney Experience app and make sure you’ve enabled push notifications — that can help you get the latest information throughout your trip! Remember that things are ALWAYS subject to change so don’t assume that something will be open for the entire day or throughout all special offerings (technical issues and other things can cause unexpected closures) If something is a must-do for you, do it sooner rather than later — leaving it for later in the day could be risky if a closure like this is announced or the ride otherwise has technical issues and cannot reopen Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure We’ll keep an eye out for more updates and let you know what we find. For more about Extended Evening Hours, click here! Are you a fan of Extended Evening Hours? Tell us in the comments. The post Ride CLOSURE Announced for Extended Evening Hours in EPCOT Tonight first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s time to EXPECT the UNEXPECTED at Disney World. What things are you gonna be able to experience in the parks when you visit them right now, and what things are gonna be suspiciously MISSING during your upcoming trip? Cinderella Castle Find out TODAY, on DFB Guide. Check out our video below: What You SHOULD & SHOULDN’T Expect in Walt Disney World Right Now Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! And stay tuned for more Disney news! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you planning a Disney World trip right now? Let us know in the comments below. The post DFB Video: What You SHOULD and SHOULDN'T Expect in Walt Disney World Right Now first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

This weekend, Disney Parks around the world celebrated the transformative power of a wish on World Wish Day. It was a particularly memorable celebration for us here at Walt Disney World as we teamed up with our friends at Make-A-Wish America to help grant the 150,000th Disney-inspired wish to 16-year-old Mikayla from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.View the full article

Mickey & Co. by Outdoor Voices has arrived at shopDisney and Disney Parks! View the full article

Here at DFB, we help you plan every aspect of your Disney World trip! Disney Springs From helping you find the right hotel for your needs to giving advice on which dining locations to pick for your park days, we’ve got tips on ALL of it. But one of our specialties is recommending Disney snacks! And if you’re heading to Disney Springs soon, there’s one place that’s definitely a can’t-miss. We’ve talked about Gideon’s Bakehouse plenty of times here before, sharing reviews of their half-pound cookies, giant cake slices, and creative coffee drinks. But now, they’ve announced a returning treat for the month of May! Gideon’s Bakehouse Each month brings a different seasonal cookie at Gideon’s Bakehouse, and this month, it’s the White Chocolate Caramel Macadamia Nut. It’s made with their homemade salted caramel baked right in, and they describe the cookie as “sweet, salty, soft, and crunchy.” We actually tried this cookie in 2022 when it was the cookie of the month for June and really loved it! So if you’re heading to Disney Springs this week, there’s a lot to try out! We’ll make sure to keep you updated with any more treats that are announced for the parks and resorts so you know what to eat during your vacation. It can be a tough decision, but that’s why we’re here! Click Here to Learn About MORE Limited-Time Treats in Disney World! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Which of these treats would you want to try? Tell us in the comments! The post One of Our Favorite Gideon’s Bakehouse Cookies Is FINALLY BACK in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Details We Dig at Star View Station | Disney Files On DemandView the full article

As the ongoing battle between Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis continues both in the public eye and behind closed doors, many have speculated on what will happen going forward now that Disney has filed a federal lawsuit against DeSantis and the members of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District’s new Board of Supervisors. Walt Disney World Following the news of the recent lawsuit, the new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board held a meeting on the morning of May 1st, 2023. Let’s talk about what happened. As a quick refresher, Gov. DeSantis installed a new board to take over the Reedy Creek Improvement District following news that Disney issued a statement against Florida’s controversial Parental Rights in Education law. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board (which is the new name for the Reedy Creek Improvement District) has met several times since taking over, sharing plans to make COVID-19 policy changes, change the monorail inspection policy, and more. Reedy Creek Ahead of the meeting, the Orlando Business Journal indicated that the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board planned to meet to discuss Disney’s recently filed lawsuit. In short, the lawsuit 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.” ©Governor Ron DeSantis Website In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for DeSantis said that Disney seeks to “undermine the will of the Florida voters,” according to Variety. Further, spokesperson Taryn Fenske said, “We are unaware of any legal right that a company has to operate its own government or maintain special privileges not held by other businesses in the state.” ©Governor Ron DeSantis Website The May 1st meeting agenda had only one item, and it officially read, “Board discussion and direction to litigation counsel and authorization to defend District officials sued in official capacities.” The meeting itself was fairly short, and there was one main result — the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board has announced its own lawsuit against Disney. Cinderella Castle The head of the board, Martin Garcia, shared a statement on Disney’s lawsuit, saying, “Since Disney sued us — yes, we didn’t sue Disney. Disney sued us. We ha[ve] no choice now but to respond. This is why we called today’s meeting, to authorize legal action in response to Disney’s federal lawsuit. This district will seek justice in state court here in central Florida where both it and Disney reside and do business. Yes, we’ll seek justice in our own backyard.” Reedy Creek Building Garcia continued, “And so with those comments, I’d like to make a motion to authorize a state court lawsuit to be filed by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts USA, Inc. and such other parties as may be needed to uphold and enforce the board’s April 26th, 2023 legislative findings relating to the February 8th, 2023 development agreement and declaration of restrictive covenants, and to have that litigation counsel defend the board of supervisors and the district administrator sued in their official capacities by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts USA, Inc. in federal court on April 26th, 2023.” ©Disney | Walt Disney Company Headquarters This is an entirely new and different lawsuit from what was filed by The Walt Disney Company against DeSantis and the board. While Disney’s lawsuit is in federal court, this one will be filed in state court. This one also comes straight from the board and doesn’t seem to involve DeSantis directly. We’ll be interested to see what the specific language is on the lawsuit once it’s filed so that we can get more details. This is a developing story, so check back with us for the latest news. Click here to learn more about the lawsuit against DeSantis and the District Board Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post NEWS: DeSantis-Appointed District Board Will Sue Disney first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You’re getting ready to start planning your next Disney World vacation and you’ve yet to figure out the first hurdle, where you’re going to stay on vacation! Sometimes the magic of Disney World hotels comes with a hefty price tag but luckily, Disney’s hotel discount could save you quite a bit and put some of your vacation budget back in your pocket. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Disney’s latest deal could save you big –up to 30% off– your next Disney World hotel stay! If this deal is starting to sound good already, talk to our friends over at Small World Vacations for a vacation quote! They can help you plan your trip from start to finish and get you the most up to date deals. And the best part? Their services are completely FREE. Small World Vacations Although this hotel discount isn’t new, it quite a bit of savings. The hotel discount is valid for check in dates between July 11th and September 28th, 2023. The savings will vary depending on which hotel you choose to stay at. It’s also important to note that some hotels qualify for larger discounts than others based on their category and travel dates. Wilderness Lodge At the following Disney World hotels, you can save 25% most nights from July 11th to August 20th, and September 15th to September 28th, 2023; you can save 30% most nights from August 21st to September 14th, 2023: Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Disney’s BoardWalk Villas Disney’s Contemporary Resort Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Disney’s Old Key West Resort Disney’s Riviera Resort Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Art of Animation Resort At the following hotels, you can save 20% most nights from July 11th to August 20th, and September 15th to September 28th, 2023; you can save 25% most nights from August 21st to September 14th, 2023: The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Family Suites Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside POP Century At the following hotels, you can save 15% most nights from July 11th to August 20th, and September 15th to September 28th, 2023; you can save 20% most nights from August 21st to September 14th, 2023: Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort Disney’s All-Star Music Resort Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Standard Rooms Disney’s Beach Club Resort Disney’s Pop Century Resort Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Port Orleans French Quarter Pool At the following hotels, you can save 10% on most nights from July 11th to September 28th, 2023: Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort The offer details mention there are a limited number of rooms allocated for this special offer, so we encourage you to book your trip soon if you plan to take advantage of it. The offer is good for hotel stays that range from a minimum of one night to a maximum of 14 nights. We also want to note that additional per-adult charges may apply if more than two adults are staying per room. Additionally, this offer will exclude the following room types: three-bedroom villas, Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows, and Cabins at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. We’re always searching for the best deals and trips to help you save big on your next Disney World vacation. For the most up to date info as we have it, stay tuned with us at DisneyFoodBlog! Click here to find MORE ways to SAVE on your next Disney World trip! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Which Disney World hotel is your favorite? Tell us which one we need to stay at next in the comments! The post DON’T FORGET About This New Disney World Hotel Discount! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Here are a few ways you can join us in celebrating “A World of Voices” in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month at Walt Disney Resort.View the full article

CELEBRATION, Fla. — Disney Cruise Line offers plenty of fun in the sun on the upper decks on the Disney Fantasy. With districts dedicated to kids, adults and families alike, an array of wet and wonderful surprises help guests cool off as they enjoy soaking up the rays aboard the Disney Fantasy. AquaDuck Disney Cruise Line debuted the first shipboard water coaster, AquaDuck, an exhilarating flume ride featuring twists, turns, drops, acceleration and river rapids. The ups and downs of the 765-foot-long course cover 46 vertical feet, equivalent to 4½ stories. Coaster thrills are supplied by high-powered water jets that send 10,000 gallons of water per minute through the attraction and accelerate guests upward and forward through the ride. A “swing out” loop takes riders 12 feet beyond the side of the ship, with guests surrounded only by a clear acrylic flume that provides a thrilling, unobstructed view of the ocean surface 150 feet below. A stretch of river rapids 335 feet in length provides a stunning panorama of the ocean and the ship’s upper decks before a whooshing splashdown on Deck 12. AquaLab on the Disney Fantasy On the Disney Fantasy, guests can splash and play in the AquaLab, a water play area on Deck 12, near the entrance to the AquaDuck water coaster. Families can frolic among pop jets, geysers and bubblers in this fun and fanciful 1,800-square-foot space. As the story goes, AquaLab was created by Donald Duck’s nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie, and features a variety of water “experiments” designed to drench the whole family. Children entering the AquaLab will see that the nephews are away for the time being, leaving the young cruise guests in charge of the AquaLab. Through hand-painted notes left by the nephews, kids are put in charge of the AquaDuck water coaster. By turning wheels and moving levers at three wacky aqua stations, kids “control” the speed and temperature of AquaDuck. At a leaky wall, the water fun is all hands on deck as kids try to keep the water circulating by covering holes in squirting and spurting pipes with their hands. In another area, kids scramble to stop leaky pipes from filling Uncle Donald’s row boat with water. Water leaks and sprays from the Ducky Dinghy, suspended overhead, and as the boat fills a fish pops his head out of a bucket while everyone gets delightfully drenched. Fun in the Sun for the Whole Family Mickey’s Pool for children continues a Disney Cruise Line favorite feature. An oversized version of Mickey’s hand supports a yellow winding slide that splashes down near the pool. Children discover oceans of fun at Nemo’s Reef, a water-play area featuring colorful, interactive figures that move and spray water, including Nemo, Dory, Marlin and a pint-sized water slide shaped like Mr. Ray. Donald’s Pool is a place where families gather to enjoy all of the activities up on deck. Overlooking Donald’s Pool, the giant Funnel Vision LED screen, more than 30 feet wide and 18 feet high, shows Disney films, television shows and live broadcast events. The Disney Fantasy features another new area for guests of all ages to cool off. On Deck 12 forward, a wading pool with a fountain water feature, ample seating and lounge chairs under canopy offer a respite in the shade. Sun-Drenched Serenity for Adults At Quiet Cove Pool, guests ages 18 and older find a secluded adults-only district on the upper decks dedicated to lounging, sipping and soaking. After a dip, adults can unwind in a whirlpool spa, relax in a chaise lounge and indulge in a cool beverage from Cove Bar – an open-air watering hole offering beer, wine and cocktails. Adjacent to Quiet Cove, Cove Café, a Disney Cruise Line guest favorite, offers gourmet coffees, teas, specialty drinks and treats for adults throughout the day. On deck 13, Satellite Falls, a circular splash pool with benches and a gently falling rain curtain, provides cool comfort. Around this upper deck, adult guests can soak up the sun in loungers or relax in the shade under a canopy while taking in spectactular ocean views. Goofy’s Sports Deck Goofy’s Sports Deck features full-court basketball, table tennis and foosball tables. The fun tees off with Goofy’s Golf, a nine-hole miniature golf course where “lessons” featuring Goofy and his son, Max, lead guests through nine themed holes of wacky fun. Two digital sports simulators offer virtual game experiences where guests participate in high-action sports, such as golf, hockey, soccer, rugby, baseball and football. To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact a travel agent. View the full article

CELEBRATION, Fla. — Disney Cruise Line offers plenty of fun in the sun on the upper decks of the Disney Dream. With districts dedicated to kids, adults and families alike, an array of wet and wonderful surprises help guests cool off as they enjoy soaking up the rays aboard the Disney Dream. AquaDuck Disney Cruise Line debuted the first shipboard water coaster, AquaDuck, an exhilarating flume ride featuring twists, turns, drops, acceleration and river rapids. The ups and downs of the 765-foot-long course cover 46 vertical feet, equivalent to 4½ stories. Coaster thrills are supplied by high-powered water jets that send 10,000 gallons of water per minute through the attraction and accelerate guests upward and forward through the ride. A “swing out” loop takes riders 12 feet beyond the side of the ship, with guests surrounded only by a clear acrylic flume that provides a thrilling, unobstructed view of the ocean surface 150 feet below. A stretch of river rapids 335 feet in length provides a stunning panorama of the ocean and the ship’s upper decks before a whooshing splashdown on Deck 12. Fun in the Sun for the Whole Family Mickey’s Pool for children continues a Disney Cruise Line favorite feature. An oversized version of Mickey’s hand supports a yellow winding slide that splashes down near the pool. Children discover oceans of fun at Nemo’s Reef, a water-play area featuring colorful, interactive figures that move and spray water, including Nemo, Dory, Marlin and a pint-sized water slide shaped like Mr. Ray. Donald’s Pool is a place where families gather to enjoy all of the activities up on deck. Overlooking Donald’s Pool, the giant Funnel Vision LED screen – more than 30 feet wide and 18 feet high – shows Disney films, television shows and live broadcast events. Sun-Drenched Serenity for Adults At Quiet Cove Pool, guests ages 18 and older find a secluded adults-only district on the upper decks dedicated to lounging, sipping and soaking. After a dip, adults can unwind in a whirlpool spa, relax in a chaise lounge and indulge in a cool beverage from Cove Bar – an open-air watering hole offering beer, wine and cocktails. Adjacent to Quiet Cove, Cove Café, a Disney Cruise Line guest favorite, offers gourmet coffees, teas, specialty drinks and treats for adults throughout the day. On deck 13, Satellite Falls, a circular splash pool with benches and a gently falling rain curtain, provides cool comfort. Around this upper deck, adult guests can soak up the sun in loungers or relax in the shade under a canopy while taking in spectactular ocean views. Goofy’s Sports Deck Goofy’s Sports Deck features full-court basketball, table tennis and foosball tables. The fun tees off with Goofy’s Golf, a nine-hole miniature golf course where “lessons” featuring Goofy and his son, Max, lead guests through nine themed holes of wacky fun. Two digital sports simulators offer virtual game experiences where guests participate in high-action sports, such as golf, hockey, soccer, rugby, baseball and football. To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact a travel agent. View the full article

CELEBRATION, Fla. — Disney Cruise Line offers plenty of fun in the sun on the Disney Wonder. With districts dedicated to kids, adults and families alike, an array of wet and wonderful surprises help guests cool off as they enjoy soaking up the rays aboard the Disney Wonder. AquaLab on the Disney Wonder The AquaLab on the Disney Wonder provides water fun for everyone. Guests can soak in the sun and get soaked at this interactive water playground open to kids age 3 and older. In the AquaLab, families can frolic among pop jets, geysers and bubblers in this fun and fanciful 1,800-square-foot space, while the Twist ‘n’ Spout water slides gets them delightfully drenched. Pop jets scattered around the deck spray randomly while “water boilers” provide a cooling splash with spray churning from their extra-leaky rivets. One especially ducky water feature is an onboard homage to the “original angry bird” himself, Donald Duck. The Donald Boiler is a duck-shaped figure whose hotheaded temper triggers periodic bursts of high-pressure mist, accompanied by a temper-tantrum water gusher. Interactive buttons on The Donald Boiler help guests get into the frenetic fun. Another (and more tame) water slide, the Twist ‘n’ Spout, takes riders through a series of spirals and turns, with three large loops turning them in opposite directions. Mickey’s Splash Zone and Dory’s Reef are additional water play areas for kids ages 3 and younger. Fun in the Sun for the Whole Family Goofy’s Pool is a place where families gather to enjoy all of the activities up on deck. Overlooking Donald’s Pool, the giant Funnel Vision LED screen, more than 30 feet wide and 18 feet high, shows Disney films, television shows and live broadcast events. Sun-Drenched Serenity for Adults At Quiet Cove Pool, guests ages 18 and older find a secluded adults-only district dedicated to lounging, sipping and soaking. After a dip, adults can unwind in a whirlpool spa, relax in a chaise lounge and indulge in a cool beverage from Signals Bar – an open-air watering hole offering beer, wine and cocktails. A Disney Cruise Line guest favorite, Cove Cafe is a chic poolside lounge offering gourmet coffees, teas, specialty drinks and treats throughout the day. Wide World of Sports Wide World of Sports features basketball courts, ping-pong tables and holds fitness and recreational sports activities for all age groups on deck 10, forward. To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact a travel agent. View the full article

CELEBRATION, Fla. — Disney Cruise Line offers plenty of fun in the sun on the Disney Magic. With districts dedicated to kids, adults and families alike, an array of wet and wonderful surprises help guests cool off as they enjoy soaking up the rays aboard the Disney Magic. AquaDunk Water thrills (and spills!) are found on the AquaDunk, a 37-foot-tall body slide that begins with a surprise launch. Riders step inside a translucent tube and await the near-vertical launch that takes place when the floor beneath them opens like a trap door. The drop sends guests on an exhilarating, swift and splashy ride, starting high atop the forward funnel on Deck 13 and ending on Deck 10. Another thrilling feature of the slide is the AquaDunk design – the tube extends 20 feet over the side of the ship. Guests who choose to spectate rather than participate will be able to see the free-falling fun from many vantage points on the top decks. Guests taller than 48 inches can enjoy the AquaDunk. AquaLab on the Disney Magic The AquaLab on the Disney Magic provides water fun for everyone. Guests can soak in the sun and get soaked at this interactive water playground open to kids age 3 and older. In the AquaLab, families can frolic among pop jets, geysers and bubblers in this fun and fanciful 1,800-square-foot space, while the Twist ‘n’ Spout water slides gets them delightfully drenched. Pop jets scattered around the deck spray randomly while “water boilers” provide a cooling splash with spray churning from their extra-leaky rivets. Another (and more tame) water slide, the Twist ‘n’ Spout, takes riders through a series of spirals and turns, with three large loops turning them in opposite directions. Tots up to age 3 are invited to play in the new Nephews’ Splash Zone, a splash-a-second space dedicated to interactive fun and starring Donald Duck’s mischievous nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie. The area features all sorts of water play with pop jets, squirting figures of Donald Duck’s nephews and plenty of high seas hijinks they’ve created for “Unca Donald.” Fun in the Sun for the Whole Family Goofy’s Pool is a place where families gather to enjoy all of the activities up on deck. Overlooking Donald’s Pool, the giant Funnel Vision LED screen, more than 30 feet wide and 18 feet high, shows Disney films, television shows and live broadcast events. Sun-Drenched Serenity for Adults At Quiet Cove Pool, guests ages 18 and older find a secluded adults-only district dedicated to lounging, sipping and soaking. After a dip, adults can unwind in a whirlpool spa, relax in a chaise lounge and indulge in a cool beverage from Signals Bar – an open-air watering hole offering beer, wine and cocktails. A Disney Cruise Line guest favorite, Cove Cafe is a chic poolside lounge offering gourmet coffees, teas, specialty drinks and treats throughout the day. Wide World of Sports Wide World of Sports features basketball courts, ping-pong tables and holds fitness and recreational sports actitivites for all age groups on deck 10, forward. To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact a travel agent. View the full article

Having a Dole Whip in Disney World is all part of the Disney experience, right? Pineapple Dole Whip Sure, you can get Dole Whip at Aloha Isle in Magic Kingdom, Pineapple Lanai at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, or Swirls on the Water in Disney Springs. But did you know there’s ANOTHER place to get Dole Whip in Disney World that you may not know about? The good news is this is OUTSIDE the parks. You’ll just need to head to the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. Once there, head to Fuel, and look for this little station that says “Chill Out.” Time to chill out with Dole Whip You’ll see a sign telling you that Froyo is 68 cents per oz. so fill up your cup until your heart’s content. Price of froyo The machines are self-serve, so just choose whatever flavor you want and help yourself! Self-serve machines You’ll find Sweet Coconut and Dole Whip if that’s what you’re craving (and when are you NOT craving Dole Whip?). There it is! Other flavors available include New York Cheesecake and Dulce De Leche… New York Cheesecake and Dulce de Leche …and Strawberry and Mango Sunrise. Strawberry and Mango Sunrise You can also get your choice of toppings. They’re in little cups like this. Toppings! So if you’re craving a Dole Whip (or even some froyo) and find yourself near the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, head on inside and get your chilly sweet treat! We’ll also let you know if we spot Dole Whip anywhere else (like in a grocery store), so stay tuned to DFB for more. WE KNOW – there are SO many great snacks at Disney World! How do you choose (we don’t want to choose but will blow our budget on Day 1 otherwise)? We’ve got you covered! We have reviewed nearly EVERY snack available at Disney World, and we’ve written a series of DFB Guides about them! DFB Guide and Snacks Bundle Check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining + Snacks Bundle for all the details you need to plan your snackin’ and spending. You can even download them to your smartphone – it’ll be like we’re right there with you in the parks! Make Dole Whip at Home! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you ever had Dole Whip from the Swan and Dolphin? Let us know in the comments! The post The Unexpected Place To Get Self-Serve Dole Whip in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’ve been to EPCOT recently, you’ve probably attended one of its many festivals. From early January all the way through late December, you can count on EPCOT to host a food-filled seasonal celebration in the World Showcase! EPCOT Festival of the Arts Right now, the springtime EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival is happening in Disney World, but earlier this year, the EPCOT Festival of the Arts ran from January 13th through February 20th. Usually, seasonal snacks change with each new festival, but this year, a few Festival of the Arts snacks continued to stick around after the event! Currently, it looks like TWO EPCOT Festival of the Arts snacks decided to stay in EPCOT after the festival — they’re available right now! EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival is happening now! First up, the Rainbow Katsu Sando is still around. This is a Pork cutlet sandwich with tangy tonkatsu sauce and cabbage in rainbow sweet bread. We previously found it at the Festival of the Arts Goshiki booth. Rainbow Katsu Sando Right now, you can find the Rainbow Katsu Sando at Katsura Grill in the Japan Pavilion for $14. The Katsura Grill serves this as a full sandwich; we only got a half sandwich during the previous festival. A full sandwich You can also still get the Chorizo and Potato Empanada, which we saw at the Vibrante & Vivado booth at the EPCOT Festival of the Arts. This house-made dish is served with turmeric aïoli and annatto aïoli. Chorizo and Potato Empanada with turmeric aïoli and annatto aïoli Guests can now find this snack at Refreshment Outpost for $6.75. The description now says it’s served with a “spicy aïoli.” Get it at Refreshment Outpost If you happened to love either of those snacks at the old festival, you’ve still got time to enjoy them now! We don’t know how long these snacks will stick around, so be sure to get to EPCOT soon if you want to give them a try. WE KNOW – there are SO many great snacks at Disney World! How do you choose? (We don’t want to choose — but we would probably blow our budget on Day 1 if we didn’t do a little planning) We’ve got you covered! We have reviewed nearly EVERY snack available at Disney World, and we’ve written a series of DFB Guides about them! DFB Guide and Snacks Bundle Check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining + Snacks Bundle for all the details you need to plan your snackin’ and spending. You can even download them to your smartphone – it’ll be like we’re right there with you in the parks! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Did you make it to the Festival of the Arts this year? What was your favorite snack? The post We Didn’t Expect to See THESE Snacks Still For Sale in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Well, it’s certainly been another fun week for Disney World. Paradiso 37 Not only did we get to celebrate Earth Day, but we also got to celebrate Animal Kingdom’s 25th anniversary! We ate a lot of special anniversary and Earth Day snacks and got to meet some super rare characters. While we were doing all that, Disney World restaurants were busy changing up their menus, so we’re going to take a look at all the updates. EPCOT Sunshine Seasons Here’s what’s changed at Sunshine Seasons: REMOVED: Spicy Fish Taco Spicy Fish Tacos ADDED: Birria Tacos — with Beef, Monterey Jack, Onions, Cilantro, and Lime served with Consommé for $9.99 Read a recent review Le Cellier There have been a few changes to the menu at Le Cellier. Here’s what changed under Appetizers: REMOVED: Citrus Seafood Medley ADDED: Green Onion and Garlic Canadian Cove Mussels — Canadian Cove P.E.I. Mussels, Ramp Pistou Cream, Broiled Ciabatta for $21 Le Cellier Steakhouse ADDED: Mushroom Bisque — Morel Mushrooms, Potatoes, Creme Fraiche for $13 Read a Le Cellier review Disney’s Hollywood Studios Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge The Shimmer Over the Moon cocktail is no longer available. Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge The Golden Haze Margarita has also been removed from the menu, but a new cocktail is now available: Derby Margarita— Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado Tequila, Cointreau Liqueur, Lime Juice, and Sweet-and-Sour with a Grand Marnier Liqueur Float for $15.50. Read a review of the Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge Disney’s Animal Kingdom Flame Tree Barbecue Flame Tree Barbecue has added a Ribs, Chicken, and Pulled Pork Sampler, which includes St. Louis Ribs with Marinated Slow-smoked Chicken and Smoked Pulled Pork served with Signature Baked Beans and Coleslaw for $18.99. Flame Tree Barbecue The Alive with Magic Cupcake is also no longer on the menu (this was a special Animal Kingdom 25th Anniversary item). The cupcake was also taken off menus at Pizzafari and Restaurantosaurus. Read a review of Flame Tree Barbecue Nomad Lounge There’s been a change on the wine menu at Nomad Lounge. The following wines are no longer available: Pulenta Estate ‘XIV’ Pinot Gris, Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Chardonnay, and Alto Limay Pinot Noir. Nomad Lounge The Churros description has changed from “Vanilla Crema, Coffee Crème Anglaise” to “Vanilla Crema, Strawberry-Guava Sauce.” Read our Nomad Lounge review Tamu Tamu Refreshments There’s a new snack at Tamu Tamu: Pineapple Crisp Sundae — Pineapple Crisp Cake, Vanilla Ice Cream, Pineapple Caramel, Crispy Streusel Topping for $6.79. Tamu Tamu That’s the only change here, though! Read a recent review Disney’s Old Key West Resort Olivia’s Cafe Desserts on the dinner menu at Olivia’s have changed: REMOVED: Tropical Chocolate Torte ADDED: Chocolate Lava Cake — with Vanilla Ice Cream and Strawberry Accents for $9 ADDED: Coconut Panna Cotta — Mango Compote, Crispy Lime Meringue, and Toasted Coconut for $9 Olivia’s Cafe Those are the only changes here, though. Read a review of Olivia’s Cafe Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside Riverside Mill Food Court Here’s what’s changed under Desserts at Riverside Mill Food Court: REMOVED: Nestlé Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bar REMOVED: Strawberry Fruit Bar Here’s what changed with Snacks: REMOVED: Hard-boiled Eggs REMOVED: Pickle-in-a-Pouch Riverside Mill Food Court Under Entrees, the following has changed: REMOVED: Seared Salmon REMOVED: Gumbo REMOVED: French Dip Read a review Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory Breakfast has changed here: REMOVED: Pancakes with Berry Compote REMOVED: Plant-based Mickey-shaped Waffles Desserts for all meals have changed, too: REMOVED: Nestlé Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bar REMOVED: Black and White Cupcake REMOVED: Strawberry Fruit Bar Sassagoula Float Works and Food Factory The following snacks also had changes: REMOVED: Pineapple Fruit Cup REMOVED: Hard-boiled Eggs REMOVED: Pickle-in-a-Pouch REMOVED: Allergy-Friendly Soft Baked Cookies – Double-Chocolate Chip Here’s how Entrees for lunch and dinner have changed: REMOVED: Seared Salmon REMOVED: Buttermilk Chicken REMOVED: Baton Rouge Burger REMOVED: French Dip REMOVED: Baked Gnocchi Turkey Bolognese REMOVED: Chicken-Parmesan Pasta The Caesar Salad is also no longer available here. Check out a review of Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Whispering Canyon Cafe The 50th anniversary drink, EARidescent Sip-a-bration, is no longer on the menu. Whispering Canyon Cafe That’s the only change here, though. Read a recent review of Whispering Canyon Cafe Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort The Artist’s Palette The lunch and dinner menus at The Artist’s Palette have changed: the Turkey Club Wrap has been removed from the menu. Artist’s Palette at Saratoga Springs On the Kid’s Menu, the Turkey Sandwich has been removed. Here’s a review Disney Springs The Front Porch at House of Blues The Front Porch has some menu changes. Here are the changes under Entrees: Pulled Pork Sandwich increased from $14 to $15 BBQ Brisket Sandwich increased from $15 to $16 Smoked Turkey Leg increased from $12 to $14 Smokehouse Nachos increased from $11 to $13 BBQ Chicken Salad increased from $13 to $14 Jumbo Footlong Hot Dog increased from $10 to $12 Here’s what changed under Beverages: Coca-Cola Fountain Drinks increased from $4 to $5 DASANI Bottled Water increased from $4 to $5 The Front Porch Bar at House of Blues Here’s what changed with Beers: Cigar City Jai Alai, Crooked Can High Stepper, Crooked Can Florida Sunshine, Kona Big Wave increased from $10 to $12 REMOVED: Goose Island 312, D9 Hakuna Matata, Kona Longboard, Guinness, and Hidden Springs Bear Lasers Blue Moon, Corona Extra, Stella Artois, Modelo Especial, Budweiser, Bud Light, Miller Lite, White Claw Hard Seltzer, and Angry Orchard Crisp Apple Hard Cider increased from $7 to $8 Michelob Ultra and Yuengling increased from $6 to $7 ADDED: Prison Palls Hakuna Matata for $12 ADDED: Brew Bus You’re My Boy, Blue for $12 ADDED: Lagunitas for $8 ADDED: Budweiser Zero Non-Alcoholic for $7 ADDED: High Noon Seltzer for $10 Under House Wine, Red Blend, Chardonnay, or Sparkling Rose increased from $14 to $16 Read a Review of House of Blues House of Blues Under Appetizers, the following are different: BBQ Nachos description changed from “house-cut tortilla chips, cheddar cheese, avocado, roasted corn salsa, pickled red onion, tomato, Memphis BBQ sauce, cilantro crema, cotija cheese” to “Four cheese sauce, avocado, roasted corn salsa, pickled red onion, tomato, Memphis BBQ sauce, cilantro crema, cotija cheese” and price increased from $15 to $16 REMOVED: Crispy Wings, Carolina Mess, and Gumbo ADDED: Crispy Fried Tenders — choose a style: Buffalo (house-made slaw, blue cheese dressing) or Charred Lemon & Garlic (crispy onions, ranch dressing) for $16 ADDED: Loaded Fries — Jalapeno-Bacon, pickled red onion, four cheese sauce, cilantro crema, cotija cheese for $16. Add Grilled Chicken or Pulled Pork for $5, add Brisket for $6 Gumbo Here are the changes under Salads: Southern Salad increased from $12 to $13 Chicken Caesar Salad increased from $17 to $18 Steak Salad increased from $20 to $21 Cobb Salad increased from $17 to $18 REMOVED: BBQ Chicken Salad Add Salmon to your Salad increased from $10 to $12 ADDED: Buffalo Chicken Salad — crispy fried tenders, romaine, shredded cabbage, tomato, celery, carrot, blue cheese crumble, ranch dressing for $18 House of Blues Here’s what changed under Mains: REMOVED: Shrimp and Grits Jambalaya increased from $21 to $23 Blackened Salmon description changed from “blackened or simply grilled, andouille reduction, pickled red onion, creamed corn” to “creamed corn, andouille crumble, smoked paprika, scallion (available simply grilled)” REMOVED: New York Strip Baby Back Ribs – Whole Rack description changed from “served with house-made slaw, BBQ baked beans, and jalapeño cornbread” to “house-made slaw, French fries, dill pickle chips, Memphis BBQ sauce” and price increased from $32 to $34 Baby Back Ribs – Half Rack description changed from “served with house-made slaw, BBQ baked beans, and jalapeño cornbread” to “house-made slaw, French fries, dill pickle chips, Memphis BBQ sauce” and price increased from $22 to $24 House of Blues Smoked Brisket description changed from “served with house-made slaw, BBQ baked beans, and jalapeño cornbread” to “house-made slaw, French fries, dill pickle chips, Memphis BBQ sauce” and price increased from $25 to $20 Pulled Pork description changed from “served with house-made slaw, BBQ baked beans, and jalapeño cornbread” to “house-made slaw, French fries, dill pickle chips, Memphis BBQ sauce” REMOVED: Fried Chicken Cajun Chicken Pasta increased from $22 to $23 and option added for Cajun Shrimp for $7 ADDED: Fried Hot Chicken — two crispy-fried chicken breasts, Nashville hot sauce, house-made slaw, French fries, dill pickle chips (available plain) for $22 ADDED: New York Steak & Fries — blues rub, garlic fries, cajun butter, garlic aioli for $36 House of Blues Here’s what changed under Sandwiches and Burgers: Shrimp Po’Boy increased from $18 to $19 REMOVED: Juicy Lucy, Impossible Burger, and BBQ Bacon Burger Smoked Brisket Sandwich increased from $17 to $18 Pulled Pork Sandwich increased from $16 to $17 ADDED: BBQ Bacon Smash Burger — double patty, brioche bun, cheddar cheese, applewood bacon, crispy onions, Memphis BBQ sauce for $18 ADDED: Everything Legendary Burger — plant-based burger patty, American cheese, mixed greens, tomato, avocado salsa, smoked aioli for $17 Shrimp Po Boy Even the Sides have changed: Seasonal Vegetables increased from $5 to $9 REMOVED: Mashed Potatoes and French Fries Mac & Cheese Skillet increased from $8 to $11 ADDED: Gumbo — andouille sausage, chicken, onion, bell pepper, celery, cajun rice for $9 Here’s how Desserts have changed: Key Lime Pie increased from $8 to $10 Bread Pudding increased from $10 to $11 Brownie increased from $10 to $12 Bread pudding We’ve seen the same beverage changes from The Front Porch here, too. In addition, here are more beverage changes: Iced Tea or Lemonade increased from $4 to $5 Coffee increased from $4 to $5 Numi Premium Organic Hot Teas increased from $4 to $5 Here’s how Cocktails have changed: Beast of Bourbon increased from $14 to $15 Crossroads Cadillac Margarita now uses Teremana small batch blanco tequila instead of Milagro silver tequila and price increased from $13 to $15 Strawberry Fields increased from $13 to $15 Havana Twist Mojito now has SelvaRey white rum instead of Havana Club 3-year blanco rum and price increased from $13 to $15 Hound Dog description changed from “Basic vodka, watermelon, lime, Fever Tree ginger beer” to “Drake’s Organic vodka, Owen’s ginger beer & grapefruit, lime” and price increased from $13 to $15 Green Gator increased from $13 to $15 ADDED: Fire Arrow Margarita — Flecha Azul blanco, Bittermens Hellfire, Cointreau, passion fruit, lime, agave for $15 Havana Twist Mojito Here are the Wine changes: REMOVED: Lunetta Prosecco ‘Split’ Veneto,House of Blues Private Label Chardonnay, Coppola ‘Votre Sante’ Pinot Noir, House of Blues Private Label Red Blend ADDED: Line 39 – Chardonnay for $10 per glass and $30 per bottle ADDED: Line 39 – Red Blend for $10 per glass and $30 per bottle Note that these changes are also the same The Smokehouse. Here’s another House of Blues review Paradiso 37 You’ll find some changes with the beers available on tap at Paradiso 37: REMOVED: Coors Light, Heineken, Dos Equis, and Sam Adams ADDED: Bud Light, P37 Lager, Modelo Especial, and Jai Alai IPA Paradiso 37 These are the only changes here, though. If you have your heart set on eating something specific at Disney World, be sure to check those restaurant menus before your trip. You can do that on the Disney World website or the My Disney Experience app. We’ll continue to cover menu changes, too, so stay tuned to DFB for more! Disney dining changes are a lot to keep up with! We’ve done all the research for you in writing our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! We’ve got details on EVERY dining location at Walt Disney World inside our eBook – and it’s easy to download to your tablet or smartphone to take with you on your next trip. Use our discount code for DFB readers – WDW2023 – for 25% off! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Which menu change has surprised you the most in Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post Menu CHANGES Impact Le Cellier, Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge, and More Disney World Restaurants first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

One thing you can never predict in Orlando is the weather. Orlando International Airport We’ve seen it all. From hurricane-force winds to random thunderstorms to flooding. All of these situations could affect everything from your flight to rides in Disney World. Well, today, a weather event is creating problems at Orlando International Airport, so we want to make you aware of it. High winds in the area have resulted in a weather warning for Orlando International Airport. This means that flight and baggage delivery could be affected, meaning flights could see delays and even cancellations. So what’s going on with the weather? There is currently a Wind Advisory from 7AM to 7PM today for all of east Central Florida due to expected winds of 20 to 30 mph, with gusts of up to 40 mph. ©Accuweather If you are flying into or out of Orlando today, be sure to keep an eye on your airline’s website or app. If you are on your way to Disney World and you do have a flight delay or cancellation to Orlando, you might need to know about Disney World’s cancellation policies. Orlando International Airport If you are traveling today, be sure to have a backup plan and stay in contact with your airline, if at all possible. We’ll keep an eye on the situation, too, and keep you updated when we have more information. Stay tuned to DFB for more! The Disney Collaboration That Could CHANGE the Way Weather is Handled in the Parks Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Will you be flying into or out of Orlando today? Let us know if your trip has been impacted in the comments! The post ALERT: Flights at Orlando Airport Could Be Impacted by Weather Today 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’ve narrowed down your choices to these hotels, how do you make your final selection? Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Both resorts offer villa accommodations and while they have many of the same amenities, there are also some differences that you should know about. We want to help stretch your vacation dollars because trips to Disney World can be costly. Not surprisingly, hotel expenses can take up a big portion of your travel budget. How do you make the right decision for your family? We give you all the details, so you can choose wisely between Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and Disney’s Riviera Resort. Disney’s Riviera Resort 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 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. What a view from Saratoga Springs! The best way to tackle such a massive decision like this is with as much logic as possible, so we broke down this comparison into five categories: Common Ground, Theme/Rooms, Pools, Food, and Transportation. Let’s get started on your vacation research. COMMON GROUND Before we mention their differences, let’s take a look at what Saratoga Springs and Riviera have in common. First, both are Deluxe Villa Resorts offering many of the same perks. These hotels can be booked by Disney Vacation Club members or cash-paying guests. Both resorts offer bus transportation as well as one other mode of Disney transport. Disney bus The most expensive rooms at both resorts are large villas. You’ll see that starting rates are very similar, but least expensive accommodations at Riviera Resort only sleep two people. For Saratoga Springs, that means that for the cheapest room at the cheapest time to visit, you can expect to pay around $451 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts), and it goes up to $3,477 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 (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) Beautiful Mosaic at Riviera 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 Saratoga Springs and Riviera both offer villa-type accommodations with studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, or 3-bedroom layouts. Speaking of spacious accommodations, the 3 Bedroom Grand Villas at various Disney Vacation Club properties can sleep up to 12 people! These rooms typically come with 3 bedrooms, 3 (or more) bathrooms, a (very large) full-sized kitchen, living area, dining area, and a balcony. These rooms are available first for DVC members to book, so they’re pretty difficult to score and pricing is not readily available to the public (unless you call Disney to book for a specific date). Grand Villa Kitchen at Riviera Studios have a kitchenette. The one-to-three-bedroom villas have a full kitchen, as well as washer and dryer. The Murphy bed at Saratoga Springs If you’re looking for convenience, these amenities might make your trip a whole lot easier! Saratoga Springs Here, you’ll escape to a 19th century equestrian resort, although there aren’t any horses! Opened in May 2004, the quaint gardens add to the peaceful atmosphere. The large resort layout consists of a central lobby building with outer buildings housings the actual hotel rooms. Saratoga Springs is a huge resort and thus, rooms are often available! Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Studio Studios at this resort provide a queen bed and pull-down bed; these rooms sleep four. Two bedrooms sleep up to 8 people. (Remember that a child under three does not count toward maximum occupancy.) As of 2020/2021, rooms have been renovated. Treehouse Villa However, the unique but very remote treehouse villas can accommodate up to nine guests. 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. Disney’s Riviera Resort The overall effect is stunning while also being relaxing and welcoming. Results What location and price point do you prefer? If your focus is spending time at Disney Springs, Saratoga Springs might be the best pick for you. If you need space AND a cheaper starting rate, Saratoga Springs fits the bill. However, we prefer the charm and appeal of Disney’s Riviera Resort where European elegance is featured in the theme and room decor. NEWS! MAJOR HOTEL CHANGE Announced for Disney World POOLS When the weather is HOT or you just need a break from park queues, head to your resort pool! After all, the pools have their own unique features and special theming. Feature pools at Walt Disney World hotels usually have at least one slide and also offer poolside activities. Look at the hotel’s recreation schedule for more information. Some Disney resorts are so spread out that they also offer leisure pools. These swimming spots are family-friendly with at least one whirlpool spa. Leisure pools are quieter than the more crowded and active feature pools. Pool Area Note that poolside towels are always complimentary. Saratoga Springs This resort has two featured pools — High Rock Spring Pool and The Paddock Pool. High Rock Spring re-opened in late March 2023 after a renovation. This pool continues to offer a fun atmosphere with waterfalls, zero-depth entry, and a 128 ft. slide. You’ll find two whirlpool spas at this location. Got kids? They’ll love the Donald Duck splash area with a fun kiddie-sized slide. Pool at Saratoga Springs The zero-depth entry Paddock Pool showcases a slide that starts at the top of a water tower and provides 146 feet of fun! Kids can splash in the aquatic play area showcasing two small waterslides. Nearby, a horseshoe-shaped whirlpool offers a nice respite. Paddock Pool at Saratoga Springs Leisure pools with whirlpool spas can be found at the Treehouse Villas, Congress Park, and The Grandstand. 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, we recommend trying out this spot, located on the ground floor next to Primo Piatto and the main pool. Results While Saratoga Springs has more pools, we think the feature pool at Riviera Resort is more charming. 10 Hidden Secrets About Disney World Pools FOOD Park days can be exhausting. Whether you’re taking a whole day to enjoy your resort, or you are relaxing after a shopping excursion at Disney Springs, once you’re at your Disney World hotel, you might not want to get back on a bus or boat for nourishment. So, you’ll want to know about the best options at your Disney World resort! Artist’s Palette at Saratoga Springs Take a look at the menus and decide which resort has the food that best suits your family. Saratoga Springs Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is an equestrian-themed resort, with dining options that are simultaneously relaxed and refined. The Turf Club Bar and Grill features steaks and chops — along with pasta dishes — in a lovely atmosphere created with dark woods and forest greens. Pork Chop You can also enjoy spending some time at the Turf Club Lounge. (May I recommend the Mint Julep?) We do want to note that the Turf Club at Saratoga Springs is only open for dinner. Backstretch Pool Bar and On the Rocks Pool Bar serve cold specialty drinks that are perfect for relaxing by the pool on a sunny day. On the Rocks Pool Bar The Artist’s Palette is a Counter Service option serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a spot made to resemble an artist’s studio in New York. The indoor seating is welcome on hot Florida days, chilly mornings and evenings, and during rainstorms! Fresh sandwiches, pizza, salads and more are on offer, and the bakery case always boasts some fantastic and creative cupcakes. Stop by Artist’s Palette for seasonal treats! The Paddock Grill is located by the Paddock Pool, offering substantial eats to enjoy poolside — even for the early risers at breakfast! Click HERE for our Complete Guide to Eating at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort! 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 While the variety at Saratoga Springs is rather slim, you’re not far from Disney Springs, which has a ton of restaurants. If your favorite eateries are at Disney Springs, Saratoga Springs may look more appealing to you. Riviera wins out for offering onsite character dining, plus the restaurants are an easier walk from the rooms. And with access to the Disney Skyliner, you can easily get to nearby food courts. Look at that VIEW! Riviera Resort really embraces European charm! TRANSPORTATION Do these resorts offer anything different when it comes to transportation? Let’s see!! Saratoga Springs You can walk and boat to Disney Springs, but otherwise, you’re stuck with a moderately lengthy bus ride to get around. And beware of those internal stops again! This is a rather large resort, so it’s easy to get lost when trying to locate the different amenities featured on the property. Take a boat to Saratoga Springs! This hotel is fairly far away from the Disney parks — so getting to-and-from places using Disney’s complimentary transportation can take a big chunk out of your day. 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 At Saratoga Springs, the Sassagoula Riverboats to Disney Springs are a pleasant mode of transportation, except during inclement weather. Riviera Resort has the perk of Disney Skyliner to two theme parks — Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT! We’ll give this one to Riviera because the ability to take the Skyliner to two theme parks as well as to other resorts is a huge convenience! Note that ride share, taxis, and Minnie Vans are also available at an extra cost in case you find yourself in a hurry. Learn all about WDW Transportation THE WINNER! So, where do we think you should stay? Sorry, that decision has to be up to you. It depends on the people in your traveling party and what your plans are during your stay at Walt Disney World. If you’re wanting to spend a lot of time at Disney Springs, then Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort might be the deluxe villa resort to book! Or perhaps, you’ll be playing golf — Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course is located on the sprawling property of Saratoga Springs. Enjoy relaxing at Saratoga Springs! Your hotel at Walt Disney World will either be a place just to sleep or a hang-out in between touring the parks and other Disney World diversions. If you’re seeking relaxation and don’t feel the need to rush to the parks, then Saratoga Springs provides an excellent respite from the crowds. Also, you’ll get a larger studio room for a cheaper rate by staying at this resort. However, if we had to recommend one resort over the other, we’re going to choose Riviera Resort. Riding the Skyliner with the Riviera in view It’s a lovely, newer resort with a luxurious atmosphere, nice dining choices, and a compact layout. Plus, the Disney Skyliner is a huge bonus! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/customemailexample.jpg Where did you decide to stay? Share with us and your fellow readers! The post Saratoga Springs vs. Riviera Disney World Resort Guide 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

In case you missed it, a HUGE Marvel movie is releasing soon. Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout in Avengers Campus That’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3, which will be the last movie in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. However, we’ll get to continue to enjoy that team of space misfits during some Disney rides, including Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT and Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout in Disney California Adventure. But the Disneyland ride recently had a NEW level of realism added. Some unsuspecting riders of Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout recently got to interact with a brand new AI version of Chris Pratt, aka the Guardian’s Star-Lord, while exiting the ride. ©Jimmy Kimmel Live! However, what those riders did NOT know is that they were being set up by Jimmy Kimmel Live! with the REAL Chris Pratt, using some cool hologram technology that placed him in the ride’s exit. ©Jimmy Kimmel Live! Watch the hilarious results below. This reminds us of the time Johnny Depp popped into the Pirates of the Caribbean ride IN COSTUME as Jack Sparrow.  We’re most impressed by Pratt’s talent in portraying an AI-driven character, making it seem pretty realistic and keeping guests from suspecting what was REALLY going on — he NEVER broke character. We’re only disappointed this won’t be a permanent addition to the ride. But we can still catch Pratt in Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3 lands in theaters on May 5th! Have you checked out the latest Disney-themed t-shirts in our store? Click here – you’ll want to pick some up before your next Disney trip! Check Out The ELUSIVE Disneyland Souvenir You CAN’T Find Anywhere Else Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What would you do if a Disney celebrity pranked you in the parks? Let us know in the comments! The post Watch Disneyland Guests Get PRANKED By Chris Pratt first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

With summer approaching, things are about to get HOT in many states. If you dread the thought of getting inside your toasty car on a hot day or have purposely visited an indoor location for its air conditioning, you know what it’s like to endure a hot summer. A sunny day in Hollywood Studios! If you’re heading to Disney World soon, you’ll want to stock up on summer attire and prepare yourself for the heat that’s on its way. One of our tried-and-true methods to cool off is sipping an icy beverage! Whether you’re visiting the McDonald’s on Disney World property or hitting up your local spot, we recommend ordering a nice cold drink this summer! Speaking of McDonald’s, let’s run through some of our recommendations. Sure, Starbucks is known for its icy caffeinated drinks, but McDonald’s has an Iced Latte that gives you that sweet boost of energy for a lower price than some of its competitors. ©McDonald’s If coffee isn’t your thing, try a McFlurry instead! Nothing says “beat the heat” like ICE CREAM! From the new (limited time only) Strawberry Shortcake McFlurry. to the classic Oreo flavor, McFlurries are the perfect summer snack. ©McDonald’s While the U.S. has some DELICIOUS icy drinks, there’s a NEW Strawberries & Cream Iced Frappé over in the U.K. that has us pretty jealous right about now. It’s a strawberry and vanilla-flavored drink blended with ice and topped with whip cream and pink sugar. Is anyone else considering a trip to the U.K. right about now? It sounds delicious! ©McDonald’s Note that between the U.S. and the U.K., both new strawberry treats are available for a limited time only, so if this post has you craving a fruity treat, you should grab one ASAP! McDonald’s! In other fast food news, you can get FREE food at Wendy’s right now, and we found a saucy McDonald’s secret recently, too. As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news! This is the BEST fast food in Disney World! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What’s your favorite thing to get at McDonald’s? Tell us in the comments! The post We Need This NEW McDonald's Menu Item to Come to the U.S. ASAP first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Now that the 50th Anniversary is over, we’ve been making our way around Disney World looking for NEW snacks. Karamel Kuche Fortunately, Disney World has NOT disappointed in that department. A TON of Star Wars treats are coming to the parks soon. We’re gearing up for the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival in a few months. We figured out a new food hack by combining two treats. Now, we’ve got a NEW snack to tell you about, but it comes with a warning. Over in EPCOT is one of our FAVORITE spots to get a snack, Karamell-Küche. We’re suckers for the Caramel Popcorn, the Gingerbread Salted Caramel Buttercream Cookie Sandwich, and the Caramel Butter Bar there. Well, a NEW treat is now available, the Werthers Original Caramel Cookie Butter Caramel Square (yes, caramel is in the official name twice!) for $4.49. First up, we have to point out that Mobile Orders have changed a little here. You now get your snacks in a sealed bag with napkins and plastic ware. You get your snack in a bag now. Now on to the treat: it’s a Caramel Cookie Butter flavored Square with Cookie Butter filling and Cookie Pieces. So, really, what’s not to love? When you bite into it, the cookie butter flavor comes through, followed by the delicious Werthers caramel that just melts in your mouth. Doesn’t that look yummy? The crumbles are also nice and we like how the cookie butter almost gives it a spiced Graham cracker-like flavor. Overall, the cookie butter and caramel flavors work SO well together. Okay, so here’s our warning: this little treat is VERY sticky and you will end up finding it all over your hands after you eat it. Just make sure to have some wet wipes handy! Of course, some of the best treats ARE messy, so that just comes with the territory. We’ve had other caramels here before (and if you’ve ever eaten one, you know they are sugary and sticky), but this one seemed particularly messy compared to the others. It’s sticky So be sure to check it out if you’re in EPCOT soon. You’ll find Karamell-Küche in the Germany Pavilion in EPCOT’s World Showcase. Just follow your nose — you can smell that wonderful caramel as soon as you get close! WE KNOW – there are SO many great snacks at Disney World! How do you choose (we don’t want to choose but will blow our budget on Day 1 otherwise)? We’ve got you covered! We have reviewed nearly EVERY snack available at Disney World, and we’ve written a series of DFB Guides about them! DFB Guide and Snacks Bundle Check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining + Snacks Bundle for all the details you need to plan your snackin’ and spending. You can even download them to your smartphone – it’ll be like we’re right there with you in the parks! Here’s How One Disney World Hotel Stepped UP its Dessert Game with a NEW Cake Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What’s your favorite snack from Karamell-Küche? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: Disney World's New Snack Should Come With a WARNING first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’ve felt like this first few months of the year has been a whirlwind for Disney World, you’d be correct! Magic Kingdom Between the park pass reservations being relaxed, the return of characters for meals at the parks, and annual passes recently available for purchase again, we’ve seen lots of changes around the Disney World parks and resorts, and some have really been exceptional. We’re focusing on the top three great changes that Disney World has made so far this year. When we first sat down to talk about this one we really started spitting off some great changes and a few of those rang louder than the rest. Here’s what we narrowed down as our top three. #3: Roundup Rodeo BBQ FINALLY Opened! This. Was. BIG! Round Up Rodeo BBQ We’ve been talking about Roundup Rodeo BBQ opening at Hollywood Studios for what seems like ages, and the first few days it was 0pened seemed surreal. So now that we’ve had a chance to actually try it out for its full experience, we definitely consider it one of the best things that happened at Disney World this year. That is a LOT of meat Everything from the atmosphere, to the themed menu, to even the all-you-care-to-enjoy dining option really fits in well with the aesthetic of Toy Story Land, and gave us a great new indoor dining experience that really calls to individuals and families alike. Everyone trying out Roundup Rodeo BBQ This space has really embodied the vision that was originally presented to us and has been met with praise from almost every review we’ve encountered. The only lingering criticism we hear most about dining here is how folks really would like for characters to be part of the meal, and we think there may be room for that to come. However, judging the current offerings and price tag to dine here alone has made it an exceptional addition. Here’s our review of Roundup Rodeo BBQ! #2: Fireworks Changes The end of Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration ushered in a whole new set of shake-ups in entertainment. Many guests were happy to see the return of the Happily Ever After fireworks show With the announcement of Disney Enchantment ending, it didn’t take too long for Disney to announce that the beloved Happily Ever After fireworks would resume in its place. This nightly fireworks show was the current performer before Enchantment took over for the 18-month-long celebration and was met with criticism by fans that felt very strongly that Happily Ever After should return. Happily Ever After Well, it seemed like Disney put their ear to the ground for this one and gave the people what they wanted — but brought it back with a few enhancements! Happily Ever After is now a new, improved version of itself complete with projections down Main Street USA and high-powered lasers from the castle itself, just like we saw in Enchantment. So far, fans have been loving having Happily Ever After back and we are certainly glad to see its epic return. But Magic Kingdom wasn’t the only park to see the return of its former fireworks. EPCOT has also seen the return of EPCOT Forever nightly fireworks. EPCOT Forever While the news of EPCOT Forever wasn’t met with as much excitement as Happily Ever After’s return was, fans certainly reveled in the fact that the barges in EPCOT’s World Showcase would finally be dismantled. EPCOT had been running Harmonious for the past 18 months for the 50th celebration as well and was met with fierce criticisms of their installation way back in preparation for the nighttime show’s debut. New EPCOT show ©Disney If you’re not totally keen on keeping EPCOT Forever as the nightly fireworks display, don’t worry too long. EPCOT is set to debut a brand new fireworks show this Fall, and we’re eagerly awaiting it. Here are 3 tricks to getting the best Magic Kingdom fireworks view! #1: Hotel Parking is FREE Again We all agreed this was THE BIG ONE! All-Star Movies Parking When Disney World hotel overnight parking fees were first added years ago, that decision was met with a resounding roar. Disney fans were beyond happy when it was announced in January that the fees were going away immediately. ©Disney Hotel parking fees had gone up to $25 per night, adding hundreds of dollars to many families’ trips. This coupled with what they already had to account for in costs per person and per day for Genie+ left people feeling like the company no longer valued them as consumers. This change helps many Disney travelers feel like they haven’t been priced out of their favorite resorts. It’s been quite the eventful year already at Disney World! For the most up-to-date Disney information, keep following DFB! Bizarre Things That Make People MAD in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Did your top three make the list? What else would you have ranked here? Tell us below! The post Three REALLY GOOD CHANGES in Disney World This Year first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Change is inevitable in Disney World. Disney’s Hollywood Studios And there is a LOT of change going on right now. One ride has permanently closed to be reimagined as a new ride, another NEW ride has opened, new restaurants are on the way, and more. As of today, we noticed ANOTHER change happening: a certain character meet and greet has closed. We went to check out the Monsters, Inc. meet and greet area at Walt Disney Presents in Disney’s Hollywood Studios where visitors can normally meet Sulley, and the location was closed. A Cast Member confirmed it was now closed to make way for a new character. This experience is closed It was also confirmed that the area was being transformed to become a meeting spot for the live-action version of Ariel! That new meet and greet will open sometime this summer. ©Disney However, don’t worry. Sulley isn’t gone forever. He’ll be relocated over to a reimagined Pixar Place, which will be reopening soon. You’ll also be able to meet other characters in that area, including Edna Mode, Mr. and Mrs. Incredible, Frozone, and more. Where’s my super suit? So Sulley is only gone for a little while until Pixar Place reopens. We’re keeping an eye out for that reopening, too, so we’ll keep you updated! In the meantime, we’re looking to meet the live-action Ariel when she takes over Sulley’s old space (and we’ll let you know when she’s available for meet and greets, too). So stay tuned to DFB for more! When are you headed to Disney World next? Have you checked out our line of fun graphic tees to wear on your trip? We’ve designed some for the whole family – from infants to adults! Click here to check them out! Here’s Where To Find ALL The Disney World Character Meet and Greets Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you excited about the reopening of Pixar Place? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney World Closes Popular Meet and Greet first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Genie+ has been around for a while now in Disney World, and that means we’ve gotten to know its ins and outs pretty well. Genie+ But, not everyone is at Disney World every day like we are, so chances are not everyone knows it like we do! There are plenty of Genie+ rules you need to know, but we’re letting you in on a little secret and telling you about the Genie+ hacks you’re skipping in Disney World. To get all our BEST Genie+ tips sent straight to your inbox, click below! Use the 120-Minute Rule to Your Advantage According to the Disney World website, you can book your next Lightning Lane when one of three things happens: You have used the first one you booked; Your first return time window has ended (if you miss it); or 120 minutes have passed since you booked your last one* (or 120 minutes after park opening, depending on the situation). Lightning Lane Essentially, you can book another Lightning Lane 2 hours (120 minutes) after reserving a previous one if the return time for the first Lightning Lane is more than 2 hours away. OH BOY Let’s say that at 9AM you booked a Haunted Mansion Lightning Lane with a return time of 2PM. You don’t have to wait until 2PM to make another Lightning Lane reservation. Instead, 2 hours after you made that reservation, you can make another one. So at 11AM, you can choose another attraction AND you’ll still have the 2PM Haunted Mansion reservation. Modify Your Selections When you want to keep the Lightning Lane train rolling, sometimes you have to make a selection that isn’t really your first choice. The good news is that the available selections change all day long. We often see extra ride times pop up throughout the day — which is why it’s so important to keep checking the My Disney Experience app, refreshing the page, and crossing your fingers. Kali River Rapids LIghtning Lane Not only that, but you can modify your Lightning Lane reservations WITHOUT having to cancel them completely! So, even if you modify your Lightning Lane for a different return time or a different ride entirely, you still won’t lose your 120-minute countdown! Modifications are super easy to make. Just tap on your current Lightning Lane selection to pull up a box of options. You’ll find one of the listed options to be “Modify Plans.” (See? Told ya it was easy.) You Can Skip Lines at MORE Than Just Rides Sure, you can skip the standby lines at most major rides in the parks, but did you know you can use Genie+ at shows and character meet and greets too?! Here’s a list of ALL the different non-ride attractions that offer Lightning Lanes. The Lightning Lane comes in handy on a busy day! Magic Kingdom Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor Mickey’s PhilharMagic *See Mickey and Minnie at Town Square Theater *See Princess Tiana and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall *See Cinderella and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall *Meet The Little Mermaid at Ariel’s Grotto *Reserved Viewing for Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade Tower of Terror Lightning Lane sign Disney’s Hollywood Studios Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular MuppetVision 3D Frozen Sing-Along Celebration Beauty and the Beast — Live on Stage Disney Junior — Live on Stage *See Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight EPCOT Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival Turtle Talk with Crush Lightning Lane sign at Ariel’s Grotto Disney’s Animal Kingdom Festival of the Lion King Feathered Friends in Flight! Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! It’s Tough to Be a Bug *Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventurers Outpost The Animation Experience Character meet and greet This can be a great use of your time if you’re looking for something more chill to do during your park day. Pay LESS for Lightning Lanes Disney Genie + STARTS at $15 per person, per day, but depending on the circumstances, that price could surge WAY higher. We’ve seen prices reach $35 per person, per day. The same goes for Individual Lightning Lanes. Prices per person might be as low as $7-$10 per ride, but they could also peak around the $22-$25 price range too for popular attractions. Spaceship Earth Lightning Lane Since you’re dealing with surge pricing for Lightning Lanes, you won’t know the price you’ll be paying for Genie + or ILLs until the day of your visit. We’ve been tracking the price changes, and you can always try your best to plan your trip during non-peak times. Lightning Lane sign reinstalled Ultimately, there is a learning curve when it comes to using Genie+, and you might not be used to it the first time around. Hopefully, these tips and tricks help you the next time you’re at Disney World. For the latest news and planning tips, stay tuned to DFB. The BEST and WORST Facts About Disney Genie+ All About Disney Genie, Genie+, and Individual Attraction Selection READ THIS Before Using the New Genie Planning Tool in Disney World Check Out the FULL List of Rides Included With Genie+ in Disney World See What Rides You Can Pay EXTRA for in Disney World & How Much They May Cost Learn What Rides Are Included With Genie+ in Disneyland (Plus the Ones You’ll Pay EXTRA to Ride) You CAN’T Re-Ride Disney World Attractions With Genie+ You CAN’T Cancel Pay-Per-Ride Selections in Disney World Get the Answers to All of Your Burning Questions About Disney Genie See Why You May Want to Stay in a Disney World Hotel When it Comes to Disney’s Pay-Per-Ride System Here’s What Annual Passholders and Magic Key Holders Need to Know About Genie+ See 5 Ways Genie+ Might Surprise You Learn Some Disney Genie HACKS Get a Step-by-Step Guide to Using Disney Genie+ See Genie+ Tips for the Most Crowded Days in Disney World and Disneyland Still Confused About Disney Genie? Check Out These DFB Videos Learn About How Disney Genie Can Be Your Personal Assistant in Disney World Click HERE to See More About Disney Genie Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe The post Please Stop Skipping These Genie+ Hacks in Disney World (They Really Work!) 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. Okay, who wants to know about a BIG sale on Disney stuff? Disney 100 display Because we love telling you about all the discounts, deals, and sales we find, both in the parks and online. So we’ve got another one to remind you about, but you’ll have to shop FAST because this one ends SOON. This sale is on shopDisney (our favorite place to shop online because DISNEY STUFF): you can save an extra 25% off select discounted merchandise, including the Disney World 50th Anniversary Grand Finale Crocs. 50th Anniversary Classic Clogs Crocs These Crocs are already on sale, but you can save an ADDITIONAL 25% off! Say what? Grab the 50th Anniversary Crocs You can also save money on the Star Wars Women of the Galaxy Minnie Ears. These ears are studded with Princess Leia beads, pearls, and crystals. These ears have little Princess Leias all over them! These BaubleBar ears also have quilted velvet 3D ears and a white velvet bow. Get the Star Wars Women of the Galaxy Ears For you Loungefly fans, you can also get the Mickey Mouse Allover Classic Standing Loungefly Mini Backpack on sale. It’s covered in little Mickeys! ©Disney This backpack also has a front zippered pocket, which is handy for things like your keys and phone. Buy the Mickey Mouse Loungefly You can even save on the Mickey Mouse Hand Soap Dispenser, which lets you squeeze soap into your hands shaped like Mickey. Mickey Soap! The soap in the dispenser is citrus scented. Buy the Mickey Soap Dispenser These and a TON of other items are eligible for the extra 25% off. All you have to do is use code EXTRA25 when you checkout. But you’ll need to do it fast — this sale ends TONIGHT. Also, don’t forget that you can get free shipping on all orders of $75 or more by using code SHIPMAGIC (you can use both codes, by the way). 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! Here Are 7 Disney Amazon Finds To Make Your Weekend Better Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Did you grab anything from this sale? Let us know in the comments! The post HURRY! Use This Secret Code to Save BIG on Disney Merchandise first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article