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A real-life, all-new short one-act musical theater production of “Rogers: The Musical” will burst onto the stage at the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure park for a limited-time engagement beginning June 30, 2023.View the full article

When it comes to vacationing at Disney World, the Orlando International Airport (MCO) can often be a beast in itself if you’re unfamiliar and unprepared. Orlando International Airport Maybe you’re new to the airport entirely, or maybe you just haven’t been in a LONG time. No matter your situation, this post is all about how you can stay prepared by keeping an eye out for some changes that could catch you off guard. When it comes to stress-free vacationing, preparedness is key! Even if there are bumps in the road, knowing they could occur beforehand as well as knowing how to handle them is the key to ensuring that your magical vacation bliss is still intact. So, here are FIVE THINGS that often catch visitors off guard when they arrive at MCO. 1. Magical Express Is Not A Thing Anymore This one shocks many who visited Disney World a lot in the past, but haven’t been in several years. Magical Express was Disney’s ground transportation service that provided free transportation to and from the airport if you were staying at a Disney World hotel. The most appealing part of this was that you could book it directly through Disney, so that when you arrived to the airport, you could hop onto your scheduled Magical Express shuttle stress-free. Mears Connect is one of the airport shuttle services available. Now, there is no Disney-provided transportation service. Instead, you have to research beforehand to decide which transportation company is right for you and your travel party. You then have to book it yourself instead of doing it through Disney. Popular choices are Mears Connect and Sunshine Flyer, and of course, car rental and ride share options like Alamo, Uber, and Lyft. 2. Being In The Right Place Can Be… Tricky Now that you’ve scheduled your transportation to Disney World from the Orlando Airport, the next step is to navigate you and your travel party to the correct spot to be picked up. The thing is, this can be the trickiest part. The signs that show you where to go aren’t the most helpful, and we’ve even seen visitors who are trying to rent cars end up in the Uber pickup line! It can be confusing! You can check out a guide on where to go based on the transportation service you’ve booked by clicking here. Read over this beforehand so that you aren’t unprepared and are already an airport navigation pro before you even arrive. Psssttt…This is a lot of news to take in, right? We’ve got a little fun break for you now – check out all the new, fun Disney-themed graphic tees and more in our merch store by clicking here! New Disney-inspired tanks! 3. Food Options Are Limited… Unless You’re in Terminal C So… the food situation is sort of weird at MCO. If you’re at the airport for a departing flight to head home, there are hardly any food options once you’re past security. If you’ve just arrived to the airport and are looking for a bite before you head to Disney World, there are limited options in the terminals, unless you’re in the new Terminal C! Orlando International Airport Terminal C is home to a wide range of food options. However, Terminal C is also HUGE and can be hard to navigate, so checking it out beforehand can be very helpful. 4. The Parking Situation Isn’t Always Ideal MCO is a BUSY airport. If you’re traveling elsewhere from MCO, this is something you’ll want to keep an eye on. Parking fills up FAST and you could spend an impressive amount of time circling the lots and garages. Oh, and keep in mind that the prices to park are increasing! Parking Garage Signage at MCO One cool thing about MCO is that its social media presence is NOT lacking! They Tweet a lot about the parking situations, which garages are full, and more on their Twitter account. 5. This Isn’t The Only Orlando Airport! This point is mostly important for scheduling transportation BACK to MCO from Disney World. MCO isn’t the only airport in Orlando, and it can sometimes be easy to confuse the two. ©Orlando International Airport Orlando-Sanford International is often a more affordable option to fly in and out of Orlando, though it is further away from Disney World. Regardless, make sure you schedule your transportation to and from the correct airport! We hope that these airport tips can help you be a bit more prepared and stress-free while you travel! Not only do we post a lot about Disney tips, but we also post a ton of general travel tips, no matter where you’re headed! Click the link below to check out some travel tips for 2023, and follow along for more travel news and updates. Traveling soon? Check out our tips here! 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 traveling soon? Let us know in the comments! The post These Orlando Airport CHANGES Could Mess With Your Next Trip first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

South Florida nature lovers offer tips on where to see the most colorful and diverse assortment of birds and other wildlife in Broward and Palm Beach counties. View the full article

Disney adding scenes and characters to Star Tours attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2024. View the full article

If you have ever been anywhere in Walt Disney World then you have surely seen the name Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company, but what’s the deal? Starbucks is the most iconic coffee brand company in the world and every park in Walt Disney World has a Starbucks, Disney Springs actually has 2! It is actually […] The post What’s The Deal With Joffrey’s Coffee and Disney? appeared first on Military Disney Tips Blog. View the full article

If you are looking for the least expensive accommodations at Walt Disney World, Disney World’s Value Resorts will help you stick to your budget. But how do you choose between two popular resorts? Today, we’ll take a look at Disney’s All-Star Movies and Disney’s Pop Century hotels. Pop Century Resort Both resorts offer unique themes 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. We want to help you make the right decision for your family, so you can choose wisely between All-Star Movies and Pop Century! All-Star Movies 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 see how these two resorts match up! Common Ground Both of these hotels fall under the category of Value Resorts at Disney World. That means they will both be at a comparable price point, with similar room sizes and amenities. Disney’s All-Star Movies and Disney’s Pop Century have strong theming found outside, in the rooms, and throughout the gift shop, food court, and lobby. All-Star Movies Resort Each resort is divided into different areas with the names matching their themes. This can help guests navigate when wandering around these often large resorts! Because of their kid-friendly decorations and amenities, you are more likely to see families with children at these resorts, as well as traveling groups from schools. With so many young people around it can get hectic, so don’t be surprised if it’s a little noisier here than at other resorts! Pop Century Resort At All-Star Movies, room rates start at $128 per night excluding tax for their Standard Rooms at the cheapest times of year when the parks are least busy. The most expensive room rates here will run you about $323 per night — that’s for a Preferred Room around Christmas, one of the more popular times of year. Both of these room types can sleep up to 4 adults. Pop Century has slightly higher rates. Standard Rooms start at $174 per night in value season, and a Preferred Room with Pool View will cost about $403 per night during the December holiday season. Extra Theme Park Hours Benefits for Disney World Resort Hotel Guests Theme/Rooms All-Star Movies and Pop Century have completed room refurbishments, and both have standard rooms measuring 260 sq. ft. Pop Century Get ready to roll through the decades and celebrate everything fab, nifty, and altogether GROOVY from the 1950s through the 1990s at Disney’s Pop Century Resort! The Standard Rooms at Pop Century come with either a king bed or a queen bed and a queen-size murphy bed that becomes a table when not in use. We love the Mickey pop art above the bed! It fits in perfectly with the theme of the hotel and is a nice touch from the room’s renovations. Full Room The kitchenette area has quite a few amenities including a mini fridge, coffee maker, cups, and an ice bucket. Click HERE for a Photo Tour of a Pop Century Room From the 1950s through the 1990s, various areas of the Resort represent the different decades. They’re characterized by larger-than-life icons from the time periods! Pop Century Resort It’s well worth exploring the entire Resort to spot them all! All-Star Movies The rooms at All-Star Movies were recently updated. They have a modern design with pops of Disney art — when you pull down this Murphy Bed it reveals a mural of Huey, Dewey, and Louie! Standard Room These rooms, while smaller than those at Moderate or Deluxe Resorts, still have plenty of space for your belongings. They are functional and include large TV’s, multiple storage options, and generously sized showers. Take a Photo Tour to see even MORE details of an All-Star Movies Standard Room here! Outside of your room, you can explore the resort to discover larger-than-life versions of characters from classic Disney films like 101 Dalmations, Toy Story, Fantasia, and many more. The buildings in each area are also decorated to fit the theme of the movie! Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort Results It’s a tie! Now that All-Star Movies has received a room makeover, both resorts offer welcoming and updated accommodations. The PROS And CONS Of Staying At Disney World’s Value Resorts Pools If you thought the giant outdoor were the full extent of these resorts’ strong theming, just wait until you see their pools! Pop Century Spend an afternoon taking a DIP in the main Pop Century pool: the Hippy Dippy Pool! This pool is over 235,000 gallons. Nearby, there is a splash pad for little ones. Hippy Dippy Pool at Pop Century The other pools include the Bowling Pool in the ’50s section and the Computer Pool in the ’90s area. All-Star Movies Fantasia is another classic Disney film that deserves an entire pool themed after it. Sorcerer Mickey and his enchanted brooms have settled at All-Star Movies at the Fantasia Pool! Just as it was in the movie, Mickey’s enchantment also got out of hand at the resort and created a pool for guests to enjoy (but we’re grateful for the oasis!). Fantasia Pool The giant broomsticks carrying buckets of water can be spotted next to the pool which has a massive curtain framing the Sorcerer Mickey fountain. At the Fantasia Pool area you’ll also find a small kiddie pool and play area for the little ones to splash around in. Results This is a tough decision because value resort pool areas do not include slides, etc.! However, adults and kids seem to really love the theme of the Fantasia Pool! 10 Hidden Secrets About Disney World Pools Food Again, both of these resorts have similar dining options! With one food court option and a pool bar each, let’s take a look and see if we can spot any differences between them. Pop Century Connected to the lobby and main check-in area is Everything POP Shopping and Dining. It boasts a full food court open for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. The menu offers classics such as pizza, pasta, burgers, and more. You may even find a late-night snack, like Everything Pop’s signature snack: Tie-Dye Cheesecake! Groovy Guests can also grab a drink outside at Petals Pool Bar located by the Hippy Dippy Pool. Petals Pool Bar It’s FAR OUT! Find our COMPLETE GUIDE TO EATING at Disney’s Pop Century Resort HERE. All-Star Movies All-Star Movies has a food court that’s appropriately named World Premiere! The dining space is decorated with movie posters that are worth a visit themselves. World Premiere Food Court Cuisine here is all-American for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Saunter on over to the Fantasia Pool to find the Silver Screen Spirits pool bar! Silver Screen Spirits at All-Star Movies You can pull up a chair and have a seat at the bar or take your purchases with you back to your lounge chair or table for a more relaxing vibe. Results Both resorts offer a food court and pool bar. You won’t find table-service restaurants at the value resorts. We’re going to give this one to Pop Century due to its proximity to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. Being able to walk to another resort opens up your dining options! Find our COMPLETE GUIDE TO EATING at All-Star Movies Resort HERE Transportation Disney World has several transportation options, but not every type stops at every resort. Of course, both resorts offer Disney’s bus transportation. Bus stop at All-Star Movies Pop Century Disney’s newest form of transportation, the Disney Skyliner, hosts a station located between Pop Century and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. This is a HUGE perk for Pop Century guests that makes getting around Disney World a whole lot easier (and fun!). Skyliner gondola system From Pop Century and Art of Animation, the Skyliner goes directly to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort where guests can then transfer to Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT. Additionally, guests have access to Disney Bus Transportation to and from the theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs. All-Star Movies This value resort offers bus transportation only to all Disney World destinations. Results For Disney transportation, Pop Century comes out on top due to the convenience of the Skyliner! Your Guide to Walt Disney World Resort Transportation The Winner In this comparison, Disney’s Pop Century wins because of the Disney Skyliner and proximity to Art of Animation for additional dining! However, if budget is your highest priority, you’ll save money by staying at Disney’s All-Star Movies. These resorts are very similar — enjoy your stay! Keep following DFB for more articles like this and sign up for our newsletter below to get them straight into your inbox! Travel Updates, Tips, and Tricks Complete Guide to Booking the CHEAPEST Flight to Disney World What to Do if Your Flight to Disney World Is Canceled Our Best Tips For Flying Through the Orlando International Airport Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get to Disney World From the Orlando Airport The Ultimate Disney World Packing List for 2022 You’re SLEEPING on These Packing Hacks Air Travel Tips That’ll Change Your Life 8 Catastrophic Travel Mistakes and How to Solve Them The BEST and WORST Airlines in the US, Ranked by Customer Complaints The MOST and LEAST Reliable Airlines in the U.S. This Small Change Will Save You From Lost Luggage The Best Disney Luggage for 2023 21 Things a Former Flight Attendant Needs You To Know 7 Highest-Rated Travel Items on Amazon Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click Here to Subscribe Do you have a favorite between these two resorts, or is there another one that stands out more? Comment your thoughts below! The post All-Star Movies vs. Pop Century Disney World Resort Guide 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Thrill seekers! Are you ready?! TRON Lightcycle / Run TRON Lightcycle / Run officially opened on April 4th, 2023, after welcoming guests for a short while via previews. Disney fans have waited YEARS (literally) for this ride to open, and there are many questions surrounding the highly-anticipated coaster. One of those is how TRON compares to other Disney World coasters! Disney World is home to several fan-favorite coasters — Expedition Everest, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind — so how does TRON compare to the rest? We have already ridden TRON Lightcycle / Run many times, so here’s what to expect compared to other Disney coasters you may have been on! How Smooth is the Ride? Let’s start by discussing the smoothness of TRON! As is the trend with many newer coasters, TRON Lightcycle / Run is definitely on the smoother end of the spectrum. As far as the feel of the track goes, we would probably compare it to Slinky Dog Dash or Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. TRON Lightcycle / Run Don’t worry — you’re definitely not going to ache like you might after Space Mountain, and it’s not bumpy enough to pass a kidney stone (like some people say about Big Thunder Mountain Railroad!). The cars are practically gliding along the track on TRON and there aren’t any jerky turns or sudden lurches like some other rides have. How Fast is the Ride? Do you have the need…the need for speed? If so, TRON should be on your list! It’s not the fastest ride in Disney World (that title goes to Test Track, which tops out at about 65 MPH), but it’s pretty close. During the initial launch, TRON riders get close to hitting 60 MPH. TRON Lightcycle / Run at night Essentially, it’s about as fast as if you were riding a motorcycle on the highway. But since you’re curving and going up and down some hills, it feels a bit faster than that. The launch definitely makes it more intense! How Intense is the Ride? And speaking of intensity…how intense IS TRON? Well, the launch will remind you of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, which starts out the same way. The main difference between the two is that TRON Lightcycle / Run doesn’t have any inversions. TRON queue We’ve found the ride to be most intense in either the front or back rows, and if (as an adult) you can handle Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, you can probably handle this. We would classify it as less intense than Expedition Everest or the inversions on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, but more intense than the more “family” coasters like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Slinky Dog Dash. How Long is the Ride? In length, we’ll once again compare the ride to Rock ‘n’ Roller at Hollywood Studios. It’s not very long, actually only lasting about a minute from launch to end. But it’s definitely an action-packed minute! It’s not a super long ride! You start inside the ride building and you’re immediately launched out. The final portion of the ride is back indoors and in the dark, speeding through set pieces like you would on Rock ‘n’ Roller or Cosmic Rewind. What Do the Seats Compare To? We get asked a lot of questions about the seats on TRON Lightcycle / Run, and they’ve caused quite a stir for not being entirely size-inclusive. You’re essentially riding a bike when you board this coaster, except you’re leaning forward. It’s most comparable to Flight of Passage at Animal Kingdom, but even still, it’s pretty different. TRON Lightcycle / Run Test Seats With Flight of Passage, the main restraint comes up behind the rider’s back. On TRON, the restraint that is most restricting is behind your calves. If you have larger calves, you may have trouble fitting on the bike. However, there is a test seat at the top of the hill by the ride entrance if you would like to try it out before getting in line. Even if the “bike” ride vehicles don’t work for you, you can still ride TRON. Some of the ride trains have adaptive seats that are more of a traditional bench seat — ask a cast member about the adaptive seating if it will work better for you. Should Your Kids Ride TRON? And finally, let’s talk about the little ones! If your child can handle Slinky Dog Dash, the next step up in coaster intensity would probably be TRON. There are no inversions, but the launch can be a little scary if they haven’t done something like that before, and inside the show building things are pretty dark, so that may be frightening for younger riders. It’s pretty dark inside! If they’ve successfully conquered Cosmic Rewind, TRON might be the next move, but keep in mind that the first hill after the launch is very tall. The height is where Slinky Dog Dash would compare. Ultimately, it’s up to you and what you think your child’s comfort zone is. Don’t push them beyond what they can handle. To ride, your little one will need to be 48 inches tall. TRON signage So there you have it — that’s our full guide to TRON and how it compares to other coasters and rides in Disney World. If you’re visiting soon, make sure to check out our video to see what it’s like! VIDEO: See What It’s Like to Ride TRON Lightcycle / Run 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 is your favorite coaster in Disney World? Tell us in the comments! The post How TRON Compares To Other Disney World Coasters -- What To Know Before You Ride first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

In general, we like to think of Disney World as a pretty safe place! Magic Kingdom From a security standpoint, there are check-ins at the entrances of the parks and cameras everywhere. From a ride safety perspective, the attractions are inspected from time to time and take refurbishments for repairs whenever necessary. But there are some things in Disney World that are just a little bit dangerous — and you might be surprised by the list! We recently reached out to our readers on Facebook to ask “What do you think is the most DANGEROUS thing in Disney World?” And well, we got some answers that are all over the board! Scooters and Strollers Let’s start with the one that was mentioned most often — scooters and/or strollers! There were arguments on both sides for how these wheeled vehicles can be quite dangerous. ECV rental in Disney World Those who didn’t use strollers, wheelchairs, ECVs, or scooters mentioned that they’d had their ankles and shins run into quite a few times during visits to the park. It’s not uncommon to get rammed into by someone who isn’t paying the closest attention to where they’re going, and if it has happened to you before, then you know that it HURTS. Rental signage But on the other hand, things can be pretty dangerous out there for people who operate ECVs or scooters too! The guests on their feet don’t always pay attention to where they’re going either and if you cut off someone in an electric vehicle by walking in front of them, they may not have time to stop before hitting you! Strollers One of our readers who rode a scooter even mentioned that they’ve had drinks spilled on them in the past due to careless guests. Just make sure you’re aware of your surroundings in the park and be courteous of others! The Tracks on Main Street, U.S.A. One thing that multiple readers called “dangerous” were the infamous trolley tracks on Main Street, U.S.A. If you’ve ever walked into Magic Kingdom and immediately rolled your ankle by stepping the wrong way, then you know how annoying those little boogers can be. Don’t fall in the tracks! In fact, they’re such a hazard that Disney even fills in the tracks on part of Main Street before the parade — that way the performers don’t trip. Interesting indeed! Mission: SPACE We don’t need to tell you that Mission: SPACE is dangerous — Disney does it at least 6 times during the pre-show for the ride alone. But seriously, many people mentioned this ride as being “dangerous” simply for the fact that they had a hard time keeping their lunch down afterward. Mission: SPACE There are some pretty extreme G-forces on Mission: SPACE and if you’re not prepared, you may find yourself in need of the provided paper bags (the only Disney World ride that comes with motion sickness bags right there in the seat). This is your word of warning! The Weather You can hear people say over and over that Florida is hot and humid, but you might not fully understand it until you experience it! Make sure to pack that sunscreen, wear comfortable clothes, and drink LOTS of water during your park day. A rainy day in Animal Kingdom On top of that, don’t be afraid to take breaks throughout the day! Your health is much more important than getting in one more ride, and you won’t be able to enjoy the parks if you have a heat stroke. The Prices Finally, we have to mention the prices! Multiple readers said that the gift shops, snack stands, EPCOT festivals, and just general Disney-ness of the parks were very dangerous for their wallets and credit card bills. We totally get it! Mickey Premium Bar It’s definitely a challenge to not go completely haywire and blow your budget on day one in the parks, especially if you’re a die-hard Disney fan. So rest assured, if you find the parks to be naturally dangerous for your bank account, you’re not alone! Disney’s Hollywood Studios There you have it — the top five “dangerous” things in Disney World according to our readers. We’ll make sure to keep you updated with any more Disney news or tips you need to know before your vacation, so stay tuned to DFB! 50 Weird Things You Won’t Regret Doing in Disney World — Click Here! 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 do your think is dangerous in Disney World? Tell us in the comments! The post The Danger of Disney World You Didn't Realize first appeared on the disney food blog. 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Happy Easter to all of you who celebrate! Dapper Dans in Easter outfits We’ve been warning you about the high Disney Genie+ prices to expect this whole week, due to both spring break crowds and the Easter holiday weekend. Now that it’s officially Easter, it’s time to take a look at the crowds around Disney World. We visited Magic Kingdom this morning and were quite surprised after we entered that the crowds just weren’t really that bad. So far, we’d say that, historically, Easter Day might not actually be that busy, but it does feel a little busier this year than it was on Easter last year. Where is everyone? Even when we got to Main Street, U.S.A. heading towards the castle, the crowds still seemed pretty light. Granted, it is a rainy morning, and we expect that a lot of folks are sheltering inside the shops. Rainy day in Magic Kingdom We did notice that once the rain stopped, we saw a lot more people outside on Main Street, U.S.A. Around 12PM — the time for the first parade — the shockingly empty park started to feel quite a bit more full. The rain has stopped for now We took some time to stop and watch the Easter Parade again (you can see more photos of that here). As you can see, a LOT of people joined us in watching it. Parade time After, we headed on over to Tomorrowland, where things were feeling a little cramped. Apparently people were waiting til the afternoon to head out into the park! Tomorrowland It wasn’t TOO bad heading towards The Lunching Pad… Not so bad …but it felt VERY crowded around the PeopleMover. WHOA, we found the people! When we headed into Storybook Circus, we felt like the crowds had picked up a little more. Storybook Circus Park Pass Reservations for Magic Kingdom were completely sold out today, so it makes sense that the crowds would feel pretty dense. We’ll be in the parks all day covering Easter happenings, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news! Here’s where you can find AMAZING Easter eggs 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. Would you visit Disney World on Easter with these crowds? Tell us in the comments! The post PHOTOS: Check Out the Surprising Crowds in Disney World Today! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’re a Disney World fan who visits multiple times a year, it might be time to consider an annual pass! Annual Pass After a long hiatus, Disney World is selling annual passes once again starting April 18th, and if you’re trying to decide if you should get one, we’re here to help you weigh the pros and cons. Yes, they’re definitely expensive…but there’s one Disney World annual pass secret that nobody seems to talk about! If you can’t shell out the big bucks to get annual passes for your entire family, have you ever considered just buying ONE? Nope, we’re not talking about doing solo trips and leaving your family at home (although if that’s your speed, we totally support a solo trip!). There are plenty of benefits you can score in the parks with just one Annual Passholder in your group! Annual Passholder Magnet First of all, it only takes one Passholder to score the discounts if you’re paying all together on one check. For annual pass room discounts that Disney runs from time to time, the Passholder will need to be the lead guest on the reservation, but your whole party can benefit from the savings of the discounted rate. The same goes for the 10% off discount at most table service restaurants in Disney World or the 20% discount on merchandise in gift shops — the Passholder just needs to be the one to foot the bill. Disney’s Beach Club Annual Passholders also typically get discounts on special events and tours, and can purchase multiple tickets at the time of booking. So if you’re a Passholder and book the Keys to the Kingdom tour for a group (even if you’re the only Passholder), you’ll get that 15% off discounted rate. The same goes with tickets to things like After Hours, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party — you can purchase multiple discounted tickets. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party The other thing that you could save big bucks on (or at least moderate bucks!) is parking! If you’re driving to Disney World and staying off-property, then you have to shell out $25 per day to park at the theme parks. But Annual Passholders get complimentary parking with all pass levels. SCORE! Wall-E Parking Lot So there you go — the benefits of getting a singular annual pass may be greater than you think! Keep in mind that if you live outside of Florida, your only annual pass option is the Incredi-Pass. Florida residents and DVC members can purchase the Sorcerer Pass. And only Florida residents can purchase the Pirate Pass or the Pixie Dust Pass. ©Disney We’ll keep you updated with any more annual pass news and any additional tips you need to know ahead of your Disney World vacation. Stay tuned to DFB for the latest updates! Click Here to Learn More About the Sale of Annual Passes! 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. Would you get an annual pass? Tell us in the comments! The post The Disney World Annual Pass Secret That NOBODY Talks About first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you want to have the best Disney World vacation possible, the trick is to be prepared! And that process starts months before your trip. Cinderella Castle You’ll need to think in advance about where you want to stay and book your hotel quickly before the rooms fill up. You’ll want to make your dining reservations as soon as you hit that 60-day mark so you get the best options. But perhaps most importantly of all — you need to make your Disney Park Passes in advance so you can actually get into the theme parks! There’s a lot going on at Disney World in 2023, which means that there will be some days when the parks are VERY crowded. To make sure you can get into the parks on those days, it’s a good idea to make your reservations as far in advance as possible. So today we’re breaking down the dates you need to go ahead and book your Disney Park Passes for now! Major Holidays The first category that you need to book Park Passes in advance for is probably one that you guessed — major holidays! Dates like Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve, and 4th of July often fill up weeks or months in advance, especially for Magic Kingdom. Crowds in Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day 2022 On those holidays, Disney often offers special celebrations in the parks, whether that be fireworks, parades, snacks, or character meets. And there are thousands of people interested in visiting to check them out! So if you’re planning on visiting during one of those holidays, make your Park Passes as soon as you possibly can. Hollywood Studios Christmas tree It’s also a good practice to reserve the days surrounding those holidays in advance. If people are planning on visiting on 4th of July, then it stands to reason that there will be more people than usual in the parks on the 3rd and 5th of July as well! The week between Christmas and New Year is often the busiest week of the year, so you’ll want to treat those days the same as you would the actual holidays. Long Weekends We already discussed the major holidays, but we also have to mention the “smaller” ones! This is the category of holidays that usually end with a long weekend off of work or school for most people. Things like Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus/Indigenous People’s Day, and the like. Basically, if it’s a holiday that they automatically print in calendars or load into your phone, be prepared for crowds in the parks. Presidents Day crowds in Disney World Anytime there’s a 3-day or 4-day weekend available, Disney World will be significantly busier than usual. Earlier in 2023, we hit some record crowds and Genie+ pricing during Presidents Day weekend. And Park Passes were pretty hard to come by from Friday-Monday. EPCOT If you’re not in school and you don’t have a job that halts for government holidays, then you might forget about these key dates. We recommend taking a glance at the calendar when planning your trip to see if any long weekends fall during your vacation. If they do, make sure to get those Park Passes ASAP. Opening Dates In 2023, there are several new additions coming to Disney World, which means that you’ll need to prepare for opening dates! We saw Magic Kingdom fill up FAST for TRON Lightcycle / Run’s opening day, and Hollywood Studios was rather busy on the day that Roundup Rodeo BBQ first opened. Any time a new ride, attraction, or restaurant is introduced to the parks…expect things to be crowded. TRON Lightcycle / Run Later this year, the EPCOT transformation will be completed with the addition of Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana, CommuniCore Hall, CommuniCore Plaza, and the middle of World Celebration. Disney hasn’t announced an opening date for this yet, but EPCOT Park Passes will be in high demand when they do! Disney Holidays Besides the official holidays, there are also Disney holidays that tend to make the parks more crowded. This was definitely the case when Disney World celebrated its 50th Anniversary on October 1st, 2021, and we’re already wondering if things will be the same for the big 100th Anniversary this year. Crowds at Magic Kingdom on the 50th Anniversary On October 16th, 2023, The Walt Disney Company as a whole celebrates its 100th Anniversary. Celebrations began at Disneyland Resort at the beginning of the year, but we know that there will eventually be more offerings on the east coast as well (like a NEW fireworks show at EPCOT). Whenever those celebrations kick off, you’ll want to go ahead and snag a reservation to whichever park you want to visit. Festival Opening Weekends One of our favorite events to check out on opening day is the EPCOT festivals! There are four different ones throughout the year and we’re usually there on day 1 to eat ALL the new food and share the excitement live. But we’re not the only ones — EPCOT is pretty popular when a festival kicks off! EPCOT International Festival of the Arts If you want to visit EPCOT on the opening day or opening weekend of a festival, you might want to reserve your Park Pass well in advance. There’s a chance that the park could fill up with lots of hungry guests! People who live near Disney World especially like to head to EPCOT on the opening weekend of festivals to try all the new food! runDisney Race Weekends Have you ever been to Disney World during a runDisney race weekend? It can be absolute mania! Thousands of people travel from near and far to compete in these races, and they often bring their families with them so that they can visit the parks afterward. Race weekend crowds in 2022 There are multiple runDisney events throughout the year, including the Springtime Surprise in April, the Wine & Dine Half Marathon in November, the Walt Disney World Marathon in January, and the Princess Half Marathon in February. Take a look at the dates for these races when planning your trip and see if they coincide with your travels. Non-Disney Events There are many non-Disney events that can affect your experience in the parks, and those crowds are often the thing that catches visitors most off-guard during their vacation. Cheerleading competitions are a major example of this — usually drawing in teams from all around the country to compete at nearby convention centers. During this time, you’ll see the parks flooded with teens in matching outfits. Animal Kingdom Other great examples are events organized by Disney fans like Dapper Days or Gay Days. These aren’t officially sponsored by Disney, but they have their own websites with schedules for when they’ll be celebrating in the parks. If you’re planning some days that overlap with theirs, then you’ll want to make those Park Passes ahead of time. Disney’s Hollywood Studios When booking your trip, it might be a good idea to do a little Google search and see what events are happening in the Orlando area that weekend, just in case. You may want to avoid the parks on the days that those guests are visiting, or you might just need to do some extra planning. Those are some of the big dates that you need to make Park Passes for ASAP in Disney World! We’ll keep you updated with more details on the busy days in 2023 as we get opening dates for new additions and start dates for big celebrations. Stay tuned to DFB! Click Here to See 4 Big Changes Coming to Disney World This Year! 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 on visiting Disney World during any of these times? The post ALERT: Book Disney World Park Passes NOW For These Dates In 2023! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

So we’ve had a lot of HUGE Star Wars announcements over the past few days. AT-AT at Disney’s Hollywood Studios That’s because Star Wars Celebration Europe is happening this weekend and Disney is releasing trailers and making tons of announcements. We already got our first trailer for the upcoming Ahsoka series and we found out that THREE new Star Wars movies are on the way. Now we’ve got some news about Star Wars in Disney Parks. At last year’s Star Wars Celebration, Disney suggested that they might have been in the process of working on new scenes for Star Tours, a ride that can be found in Disneyland Paris, Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, and Disneyland in Anaheim. Star Tours Well, Disney has officially announced that those new scenes will be added to the ride in 2024. This won’t be the first time new scenes have been added to Star Tours — the ride has been updated several times as new Star Wars movies came out. ©Disney Disney wrote, “We’re looking forward to continuing that tradition next year with all new adventures … but I can’t reveal just where we’re going yet – or those we may meet along the way – because … well … some surprises are best experienced as part of the upcoming Star Wars content also announced this weekend.” Star Tours We’ll definitely be looking out for more news about Star Tours, as well as other Star Wars updates in the parks. We’re already super excited about May being Star Wars Month in Disney World, where we hope to see some new experiences, snacks, and merchandise. We’ll be keeping an eye out for more announcements from Star Wars Celebration, so stay tuned to DFB for more. In the meantime, 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! Don’t Miss Disney’s Month-Long Star Wars Celebration! 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 to see new scenes on Star Tours? What would you like to see? Let us know in the comments! The post MAJOR UPDATE Announced for a Ride in Disney’s Hollywood Studios first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Bright Suns! I’m writing to you from London, where we just wrapped our Walt Disney Imagineering panel at Star Wars Celebration 2023. I was thrilled to join Imagineers Ann Morrow Johnson and Asa Kalama, as well as Matt Martin from Lucasfilm as we talked about how Star Wars comes to life at Disney parks. This […]View the full article

BUCKLE UP, FRIENDS — we’re in for a rough ride. OH BOY We’ve seen our fair share of ups and downs with Genie+ in Disney World, but this week was a doozy. From selling out day after day to reaching an even higher record price, we’re telling you what you need to know about using Genie+ at Disney World. We thought we had seen it all — and then Disney World went and surprised us yet again. We know spring break crowds were intense, but we never expected a week like this. It’s not the first time that Genie+ has sold out, but we did see it happen in record time this week. Not only that, but the service had previously had a high price of $29 — that’s all changed. ©Disney On Monday, April 3rd, everything still seemed pretty on par with what we had seen last week regarding Genie+. It was priced at $29 — the record high at the time. But then, it SOLD OUT! You might be thinking, “That’s nothing new…” but this was the fastest we had ever seen it sell out before. Genie+ was no longer available by 12PM! ©Disney By Tuesday, April 4th, something had changed. Instead of the high price of $29, Genie+ reached another record high at $35 per person, per day! Not only that but all the Individual Lightning Lane rides sold out, and Genie+ itself sold out. ©Disney If you’re seeing a pattern, you’re not wrong. Genie+ has continued to stay at its highest price yet of $35 since it originally reached it — and we’re not sure it’ll change anytime soon. Spring break crowds will likely linger for another couple of weeks or so, and it’s possible that these Genie+ trends will follow. Lightning Lane for Smugglers Run So, what do you need to know about using Genie+ in Disney World? Well, a couple of things stand out given recent events. Not only can the service sell out, but it can sell out faster than we originally thought. If you’re thinking about using it on a busy park day — don’t wait. Buy it as soon as you’re able to, which is midnight on the day of your visit. Disney Genie+ allows you to book the Lightning Lane for rides. Spending time in long standby lines can really eat into your day, so Genie+ might be a good option if you know you’ll be at the parks during a particularly busy time. Just make sure you purchase Genie+ ASAP so you don’t run the risk of having it sell out. Expedition Everest Lightning Lane You also need to know that while $35 is a record-high price, there’s no guarantee that it’s the highest we’ll see for Genie+. Although Disney hasn’t said anything about any potential increases, it’s possible that this isn’t the worst we’ll see with the service. Of course, it’s not guaranteed that you’ll be paying $35 for Genie+ on your trip, as Disney introduced surge pricing late last year. This means that the price for Genie+ changes based on demand or how busy the parks are. The lower the demand, the lower the price. The higher the demand, well, you get the idea. Pirates Lightning Lane Genie+ can be a total game changer and help you save some serious time in the parks, you just need to know how to use it to your advantage! Luckily, we’ve got plenty of guides, tips, and tricks to help you be an expert — check them out below. As always, stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney World news and more! You Need To Be FAST to Get Genie+ in Disney World 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 What’s the most you’ve paid for Genie+ in Disney World? Tell us in the comments. The post What You Need To Know About Using Genie+ at Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Snacking around Disney World is one of our favorite pastimes! And when you’re faced with choosing between SO many treats at Walt Disney World, it’s important to narrow down your options. Especially when it comes to noshing in EPCOT — where the snack choices seem endless. EPCOT Whether you like your snacks salty or sweet or simple or adventurous, we’re sharing the BEST classic (and some new!) snacks at EPCOT. Are you ready to dig into the snacky-stuff? Join us as we munch our way around EPCOT; you’ll need comfy shoes as we traverse the pavilions around World Showcase. P.S. Don’t forget that you can Mobile Order at many locations! Liege Waffle Why not start with dessert?! Let’s stop by Connections Cafe and Eatery located in EPCOT’s World Celebration. There are two options for waffles here that make a great snack or light breakfast. At Connections Cafe, the Liege Waffle is made with a brioche dough with pearl and powdered sugar. The Liege Waffle at Connections Eatery is made with Brioche Dough with Pearl Sugar, Strawberries, Whipped Cream, and Chocolate Sauce. The dough itself almost tastes like the same kind of dough used in a Breakfast Danish! Fourth of July Liege Waffle Watch for seasonal waffles as well! We’ve seen Liege Waffles dressed up for various holidays as well as EPCOT Festivals. How the NEW Waffle in Disney World Is DIFFERENT From the Rest Guacamole Let’s make our way to World Showcase! Choza de Margarita is a margarita and snack stand that you can find on the outside of the Mexico pavilion. The guacamole itself in this dish is the same as the one that is used at La Cava del Tequila. What makes this one unique is that it is topped with Mango Chutney and Pumpkin Seeds. The combination of textures is a real hit here. The guac is fresh tasting and fruity, while the seeds on top add some toothsomeness. Guacamole from Choza de Margarita We like a bit of spice in our dishes, so we love the inclusion of the chile in this guacamole. It isn’t too spicy by any means but has just enough kick to make it interesting. The ULTIMATE Guacamole THROW DOWN at the Mexico Pavilion in Disney World! School Bread Moving on to Norway, our next stop is Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe — this is another World Showcase bakery that gets the DFB seal of approval! While the bakery case is filled with delectable Norwegian treats, we’re big fans of the cream-filled School Bread. This one is for all of you coconut fans out there! School Bread This iconic dessert is a Sweet Roll filled with a thick, creamy vanilla cream and dipped in Coconut. Recipe: School Bread from Norway’s Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe Chips We have had quite a few…interesting chip flavors from the China pavilion in EPCOT! From Salty Egg & Shrimp to Mexican Chicken Tomato Flavor, we’ve taste-tested some really unique chips. Of course, we suggest stopping by the House of Good Fortune gift shop to grab a bag. Honey Butter Chips from the China Pavilion One of our favorites is the Honey Butter option — yes, they’re made with real honey. The sweet from the honey combines really well with the salt of the crunchy chip, but then there’s also a super creamy and rich butter flavor that just ties it all together! If you love sweet and salty, this is the chip for you! Check out some more chip flavors! Pork Egg Rolls Joy of Tea is an unassuming kiosk in the China pavilion, and it’ll hook you up with two nice-sized pork egg rolls. Center of Pork and Vegetable Egg Roll The egg roll wrapper is both tender and crunchy, and the filling is flavorful with seasoned pork and crisp veggies. You’ll find packets of soy sauce (and other condiments) available, which just adds another layer of fabulous flavor! Check out the Tipsy Ducks in Love drink here. Dole Whip/Soft Serve Revisiting a favorite snack is like seeing an old friend after a lengthy separation! It’s time to meet the Dole Whip again at Refreshment Outpost. But this classic snack is served with a new twist here. You can get either Watermelon or Pineapple Dole Whip here or…get this…you can get those two flavors together as a swirl. So, here’s the thing, you might not think these two flavors would work well together, but surprisingly enough, they really do! Pineapple Watermelon Dole Whip Swirl Served in a waffle cone. Watch out for unique flavors that sometimes appear on the menu for a limited time. REVIEW: We Weren’t Sure This NEW Dole Whip Combo in Disney World Would Work…But It Totally Does! Caramel Butter Bar Do you have a hard time leaving Germany’s caramel shop, Karamell-Kuche? Wow — us too! Not only does the place smell heavenly but it also sells a salty/sweet bar that we love! Of course, it’s difficult not to leave without sampling some of the other Werther’s Original Caramel desserts like caramel corn, caramel apples, caramel cupcakes, and more. Today, we’re recommending that you snag a Caramel Butter Bar. It’s been around for a while and previously known as the Caramel Covered Shortbread — also previously known as the Chewy Caramel Bar. Shortbread, rich caramel, and butter? Always say YES to deliciously-fresh ooey-gooey caramel! Caramel Butter Bar This simple sweet treat is known as an AJ favorite! It’s a light snack that will satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth, and if you love caramel, we highly recommend it! And if you like it as much as we do, you can now find it in other bakery cases around Walt Disney World. Disney Recipe: Werther’s Chewy Caramel Shortbread Bars from Epcot’s Karamell-Küche Caramel Popcorn Caramel Popcorn at Karamell-Küche in EPCOT’s Germany pavilion is absolutely irresistible. Seriously, we can’t stop munching. What makes this popcorn so snack-worthy is the combination of sweet, salt, and crunch. Caramel Popcorn Cooked up fresh all day, we would gladly reserve all of our luggage space to take this snack home with us. This is some of the best caramel corn anywhere! Make EPCOT Caramel Corn With This Step-By-Step Recipe (PLUS PHOTOS)! Pretzel Bread Pudding Sometimes it’s difficult justifying spending moolah on a new snack, especially when the flavor combo doesn’t quite sound like your thing. So, we stopped by Sommerfest in Germany to try this one for you. And guess what? AMAZING! This isn’t traditional bread pudding, though. It’s a slightly salty Pretzel Bread Pudding, and it’s made with what we think is leftover pretzels (like traditional bread pudding is made with leftover bread). It’s also topped with Caramel Butterscotch and a White Cream Sauce. The main flavors with this soft Pretzel Bread Pudding are caramel and cinnamon plus a few other baking spices — but the caramel is really the standout flavor here. The white cream sauce tasted kind of like a crème anglaise — it’s very subtle. Pretzel Bread Pudding This is a dense treat that could have benefited from more sauce (is there ever enough sauce?!). Disney RECIPE: How to Make the Iconic EPCOT Pretzel Bread Pudding! Werther’s Original Gingerbread Salted Caramel Cookie Sandwich Once upon a time, the Werther’s Original Gingerbread Salted Caramel Cookie Sandwich was only available during the holiday season. But now we can get this delightful treat year-round at Karamell-Küche in the Germany pavilion at EPCOT’s World Showcase. If you are a fan of gingerbread, this snack is for you! Gingerbread Salted Caramel Buttercream Cookie Sandwich This treat is two soft (light and fluffy) gingerbread cookies held together with thick buttercream icing and Werther’s caramel inside. You’ll find plenty of gingerbread flavor in the caramel cookie sandwich, with two BIG cookies (and lots of icing in between). The icing has the perfect consistency, and the combination of the caramel drizzle and the ooey gooey cookie is to die for! Best of all, this is a large treat and easily shareable! STEP BY STEP PHOTOS: Copycat Gingerbread Cookie Sandwich Recipe From Karamell-Küche in Disney World Chips We love checking out all the fun international snacks at EPCOT’s World Showcase. And there tend to be some really great snacks at the Mitsukoshi Department Store in the Japan Pavilion. Pizza Potato Chips come in a bag that says they feature MELTY CHEESE. Hello? It’s like they know us! Pizza Potato Chips The first flavor you get when you bite into one of these nice and thick chips is the cheese, and then just a little bit of the pepperoni spice flavor comes in right after. But back to the cheese — you can literally SEE the melty cheese on the chips! That’s how cheesy they are! These chips are for those people who love savory snacks, as well as those who want to try something a little different. You can also get Shrimp Chips! Kakigōri Sometimes there’s nothing better than stopping by Kabuki Cafe on a hot day to pick up some Kakigōri, a Japanese-style shaved ice covered in sweet flavored syrup, often served with sweetened condensed milk. Choose from flavors such as Rainbow, Strawberry, Melon, Cherry, Tangerine, or Blue Raspberry. Kakigori Kakigori is so, SO refreshing and will quickly cool you down. The ice is usually hard and crunchy, as it should be, but it does melt rather quickly so you’ll want to eat it FAST! 5 Hidden EPCOT Treats You Didn’t Know About Until Now! Baklava Oasis Sips and Sweets — the juice bar located in the Spice Road Table market of EPCOT’s Morocco pavilion — is more than just a place to get a drink. And they certainly aren’t your normal Disney World treats, so stop by this shop if you’re looking for something a bit different than the traditional cupcake and ice cream. Pistachio Baklava Try a traditional Pistachio Baklava. This has been around the Morocco Pavilion for years. This baklava is buttery and flaky puff pastry filled with honey and nuts (walnuts, cashews, or pistachios). If you’re a nut-lover, you’ll probably like this yummy treat! Disney Food Blog Review: These FIVE Treats Are Different From All the Others You’ll Find in Disney World! Cream of Brie Cheese Galette Crêpes à Emporter, a quick service window, is located in the France pavilion. Inside the Cream of Brie Cheese Galette, you’ll find a creamy and tangy Brie cheese fondue. Melty cheese FTW! You know we love our cheese! Brie Galette! Savory galettes are served on a buckwheat crêpe, hence the darker color. If you’ve never had buckwheat, it’s actually very flavorful. If you’d rather have something sweet, go ahead and get a crêpe. But don’t stop there… there’s much more to sample in France! REVIEW: Is EPCOT’s NEW La Crêperie de Paris To-Go Better Than the Table Service Option? Croque Glace The Croque Glace — a Pressed Brioche Ice Cream Sandwich is made at L’Artisan des Glaces in the France pavilion. Cold ice cream (of your choice!) is pressed right before your eyes into a warm brioche bun. Then top it with raspberry or chocolate sauce! The warm, pressed bread seals in the frozen ice cream for an enjoyable hot/cold snack experience! L’Artisan des Glaces Pressed Brioche Ice Cream Sandwich with Pistachio Ice Cream and Raspberry Sauce It was love at first sight… I mean, taste. Watch for seasonal ice cream flavors! Ice Cream Martini It’s difficult to choose from the long list of frozen drinks in EPCOT! So, venture with us to the France Pavilion where we’ll line up at the popular L’Artisan des Glaces for an Ice Cream Martini! This ice cream shop is a hidden gem. In fact, you’ll need to head to the back and over to the left side of the France pavilion to spot it. You can create the ice cream martini of your dreams! This indulgent treat delivers your choice of two delicious scoops of ice cream or sorbet (from a list of handmade artisan flavors) topped with rum, whipped cream vodka, or Grand Marnier. It’s a delicious frosty treat for grown-ups! Gingerbread Ice Cream Martini Watch for seasonal flavors. Click here to see our review of the Pina Colada Ice Cream Martini! Turtle Brownie We’ve now made our way to Sunshine Seasons in The Land Pavilion. You may have even rushed by this spot on your way to Soarin’! This counter service restaurant is known for offering a variety of savory and sweet items. And did you know that one of our favorite sweets of ALL TIME from Sunshine Seasons is easily the turtle brownie? I kid you not. Turtle Brownie Yep, this dense, chocolatey brownie was definitely sent from the heavens! Just look at that THICK layer of caramel! And it’s topped even further with chocolate frosting an all sorts of crunchy goodies like chocolate chips and pecans. Give it a try — you won’t be disappointed. Read all about the Turtle Brownie that we love and cherish here! Maple Popcorn Home to a DFB Favorite, the Canada Popcorn Cart features Maple Popcorn. If you don’t see it, the smell alone will lead you there: popcorn with unmistakable sweetness. It’s truly an ideal combo. Maple Popcorn While the maple flavoring isn’t super prominent, this popcorn is super yummy and sweet. And the texture is more like kettle corn than your traditional buttery popcorn, so that may be a plus for you, too! Bonus that it’s popped fresh here too! The Ultimate Disney World Popcorn Guide Seasonal Poutine The Refreshment Port is located just outside the Canada pavilion. There’s really one reason to come here: POUTINE. French fries, gravy, and cheese curds — what more can you ask for? Turkey Poutine Specialty poutine is usually featured during the EPCOT festivals. This dish and its variations have put the Refreshment Port “on the map” for many guests, and these days you’ll often encounter a bit of a line for the popular snack. During the holiday season, look for Refreshment Port’s signature Turkey Poutine, which is a plate of French fries with turkey gravy, cranberry relish, and crispy onions! Poutine? Good. EPCOT’s Braised Beef Poutine with Boursin Garlic Cheese? EPIC. Our Ultimate Guide to the Best Snacks at EPCOT, will help you with your budget, time, and stomach space. Yep, we got you! Next time you are on a Disney vacation and your touring plan takes you to EPCOT, choose an old favorite or a new-to-you snack! Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide Check Out the 19 Best Restaurants in Disney World in 2022 Our Top 50 All-Time Best Disney Dining Tips These Are the BEST Meals in Disney World for Under $15 Ranking Every Single Magic Kingdom Restaurant Ranking Every Single EPCOT Restaurant Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney Springs Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney World Hotels – Cheap Eats Edition Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What is your go-to snack in EPCOT? Share in the comments! The post Ultimate Guide To The Best Snacks At EPCOT first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You know it, I know it, EVERYONE knows it — it can get pretty hot sometimes in Disney World. Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe That’s when it’s time to down a nice frozen drink, like a refreshing Star Wars-themed cold brew, a nice Dole Whip Float, or a Frozen Viking Coffee. We just recently headed on over to Magic Kingdom to review a frozen drink, but this one is Monsters, Inc.-themed. The drink is the Sulley Slush, which is supposed to be a Blue Raspberry Slush with purple Whipped Cream. The first time we tried it back in 2022, it wasn’t EXACTLY right — we just ended up getting what looked like a plain blue raspberry slush. There was no purple whipped cream in it. Um… So we tried again, and this time we DID get the purple whipped cream mixed in so that the slush looks like Sulley’s fur. Now, THAT’s what we’re talking about. Sulley Slush Although this drink is cold and refreshing and EXACTLY what you might want on a hot Florida day, it’s still essentially just a fun-looking blue raspberry slush. The purple whipped cream doesn’t really add much flavor. It’s basically there for presentation. It looks like Sulley’s fur With that being said, though, it’s a fun drink to get, especially if you’re a Monsters, Inc. fan. It’s also great for some fun Instagram photos or TikTok videos. Kids will love the look of this drink, too. You can get it now at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe for $5.99. In general, however, we think there are more unique and interesting treats in Magic Kingdom, like the many DOLE Whip varieties at Aloha Isle or the Cheshire Cat Tail in Fantasyland. And if you want a BIG sweet treat, we LOVE the Nutella and Fruit Waffle at Sleepy Hollow. Looking for more treats and snacks in Magic Kingdom? Check out the BEST ones HERE! 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! Grab the DFB Guide! 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! Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news. Click here to see the 15 best snacks for under $10 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. Have you tried the Sulley Slush yet? What did you think about it? Let us know in the comments! The post Why We Recommend SKIPPING this Treat in Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

California Grill has completely changed… AGAIN. But has it changed for the better? California Grill Or was this expensive Disney World meal not worth the price? Find out TODAY, here on DFB Guide. Check out our video below: Should YOU Eat at Disney World’s California Grill? 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! Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation A Month-by-Month Guide to Planning Your Disney World Trip Tips, Hints, Lists, and Videos for Planning the BEST Disney World Trip How Many Days Do You Really Need in Disney World? How to Have the CHEAPEST Trip to Disney World 5 Simple Planning Tips You Need to Know About Before Your Next Disney World Trip The CHEAPEST Days to Visit Disney World in 2023 EVERYTHING You Need to Know Before Booking a 2023 Disney World Trip Learn About the Disney Park Pass System The Ultimate Disney World Packing List Everything You Need to Know About Genie+ Insider SECRETS for Your First Trip to Disney World A Complete Look at the Current Disney Discounts and Deals The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click Here to Subscribe Would you try the new California Grill menu? Let us know in the comments below. The post DFB Video: Should YOU Eat at Disney World's California Grill? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The Bahamas have lined up capacity to take in thousands more cruise passengers in the coming years with the planned development of private destinations for Disney, Carnival and Royal Caribbean as well as a soon-to-open overhaul of the port of Nassau. View the full article

Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island and the surrounding region are nearing the end of their first chapter on the long road to recovery. Here's a firsthand Central Florida Explorer look at the region half a year after Hurricane Ian struck. View the full article

Watch out! A couple of popular rides are going to be closed all week in Disney World! Cinderella Castle Disney will occasionally shut down rides and attractions in order to update and refurbish them, and that’s the case with most of these closures. However, one Magic Kingdom ride is getting a complete makeover. These changes might affect your upcoming trip, so here’s a full list of what’s going to be closed in Disney World next week. Magic Kingdom Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Splash Mountain closed on January 23rd for a long refurbishment. The ride is being re-themed to become Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, with a Princess and the Frog theme. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure The new ride will reopen sometime in late 2024. We’ll be watching for more updates on the reopening timeline. Recently, we noticed that part of the tree at the top of this ride has been removed as Disney continues construction on this major project. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure If you miss Splash Mountain or want to celebrate the new ride, you should check out our DFB t-shirts! We have a Splash Mountain Farwell Tour shirt… DFB Exclusive! …and a Tiana tee as well! Check out our new Tiana-inspired merch! You can shop both tees (and lots of other Disney merch) at our online store. Click here to shop our DFB merchandise store. Disney’s Hollywood Studios Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster The popular Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster ride closed on February 21st for a long refurbishment. Rock ‘n Roller Coaster So far Disney hasn’t announced specifically when it will reopen, but we know it’ll be sometime in the summer of 2023. We’ll be watching for a specific reopening date. Voyage of the Little Mermaid This Little Mermaid-themed stage show has been closed in Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a long time now. Voyage of the Little Mermaid Disney hasn’t announced when or if the Voyage of the Little Mermaid will reopen. There’s a NEW Tower of Terror-themed treat in Hollywood Studios. EPCOT Cool Wash Cool Wash temporarily had a new sign that re-named the spot “Refreshment Station,” but that sign was later removed. However, it looks like the sign is back now! The snack kiosk is still closed and blocked off by several plants. Disney hasn’t announced when Cool Wash (sorry, Refreshment Station) will reopen, but we’ll watch for any changes. Refreshment Station Don’t forget that the Flower & Garden Festival is going on in EPCOT right now as well! Click here to check out our NEW tees that are perfect for a trip to the festival. Get ready for Flower and Garden fest with these new shirts! You can choose from a variety of colors for our Flower & Garden tees. Shop the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival tees here. Disney World Hotels Feature Pool at Disney’s Contemporary Resort The Feature Pool at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is closed for some refurbishments right now. The water play area and Bay Lake Pool are open, so you can head there instead. Contemporary Feature Pool Disney notes on the website that this pool should reopen in early April. A NEW walkway has opened up between 2 Disney World hotels. Disney World Water Parks Blizzard Beach Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park has officially reopened, but now the other water park, Blizzard Beach, has closed for refurbishment. Water Slides at Blizzard Beach Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for updates! The BEST Rides at Blizzard Beach, Ranked Looking for more resources to help you get ready for your upcoming trip? Check out these posts to learn all about Disney World’s rides: 10 Rides to AVOID in Disney World if You Struggle with Motion Sickness What It Takes to CHANGE a Disney World Ride 9 of the SCARIEST Rides in Disney World, According to YOU! A FULL LIST of the Thrill Rides in Disney World! The Ultimate Guide to the BEST and WORST Seats On EVERY Magic Kingdom Ride We’ll keep you updated with all the latest news, so stay tuned to DFB. HURRY! Park Passes Are SELLING OUT for an Important Day in Disney World Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation A Month-by-Month Guide to Planning Your Disney World Trip Tips, Hints, Lists, and Videos for Planning the BEST Disney World Trip How Many Days Do You Really Need in Disney World? How to Have the CHEAPEST Trip to Disney World 5 Simple Planning Tips You Need to Know About Before Your Next Disney World Trip The CHEAPEST Days to Visit Disney World in 2023 EVERYTHING You Need to Know Before Booking a 2023 Disney World Trip Learn About the Disney Park Pass System The Ultimate Disney World Packing List Everything You Need to Know About Genie+ Insider SECRETS for Your First Trip to Disney World A Complete Look at the Current Disney Discounts and Deals The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click Here to Subscribe Are you visiting Disney World this week? Let us know in the comments! The post 6 CLOSURES That Will Affect Your Next Disney World Vacation 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. Loungefly comes up with some really fun and unique bags, and we’re always surprised when new ones release. So many Loungeflys! We fell in love with the latest Disney 100th Anniversary Loungefly, the new Pineapple Swirl Loungefly, and the Mickey “The Band Concert” Loungefly. But now, we have spotted a Loungefly collection on Amazon that has blown our minds. Okay, so here’s the deal. We found Golden Girls Loungefly Backpacks on Amazon — and these backpacks LOOK like all four of the Golden Girls. No, really! It’s a new collection of Golden Girls Cosplay Backpacks, and if you have a favorite character from the show, you’ll want to nab her as a bag. Or just get all four! ©Loungefly via Instagram If you love Rose and all her hilarious stories, you can get a Loungefly Rose Cosplay Backpack. ©Amazon This backpack is red (for Rose, of course) and has an adorable lining with teddy bears. There’s also a zipper pull charm shaped like a rose on the bag’s front pocket. The back says “Back in St. Clare…” Buy the Rose Loungefly If you’re more of a fan of the no-nonsense Dorothy, you can get the Loungefly Dorothy Cosplay Backpack. It looks JUST LIKE her and even has a pattern of an outfit Dorothy would certainly wear. ©Amazon The inside has a cheesecake pattern (because those girls love their cheesecake), while the back says “Sandy Pines.” The zipper pull is a charm of one of Dorothy’s shoes. Get the Dorothy Loungefly Southern Belle Blanche even has her own backpack. The Loungefly Cosplay Blanche Backpack has Blanche wearing her favorite pearl earrings and necklace. ©Amazon The inside has a pattern of lipstick, while the zipper pull is a charm of that lipstick. Buy the Blanche Loungefly Finally, if you LOVE Sophia and her wonderful Italian sarcasm, you can get a Loungefly Cosplay Sophia Backpack. How FUN is this? ©Amazon The pattern inside is of her favorite purse, while the zipper pull charm is also of that purse. The back says “Picture it Sicily…” Get the Sophia Loungefly These are all available right now on Amazon, but we think they might go FAST, so be sure to grab the one (or four) you want before they’re gone! 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! DON’T MISS This Amazon-Exclusive Disney Loungefly Sale 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 Golden Girl is your favorite? Let us know who it is and why in the comments! The post STOP EVERYTHING. We're Obsessed With the Newest Amazon Exclusive Loungeflys 😱 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Happy Easter to all who celebrate! Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny You can meet Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny in Magic Kingdom, check out some of the awesome decorations around the resorts, and even go on an Easter egg hunt! But that’s not all — there’s a special parade you can watch this weekend, and we got a front-row seat. You can only see this parade on Easter weekend every year in Disney World. It’s quite popular, so you’ll want to grab your seats early! Crowds gathered for the parade The pre-parade music is also a lot of fun. This Easter parade happens right before each Festival of Fantasy Parade performance so it’s a 2-in-1 deal! This is the only time of year you’ll get to see them! Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny We also watched some flowers and butterflies dance. Flowers and butterflies The White Rabbit even put in an appearance — this is one important date he WASN’T late for. White Rabbit Dancing chicks? Yep, this parade has got ’em. Dancing chicks Also, we had a LOAD of pastel-colored confetti thrown on us because this IS a party. Confetti After this weekend, you won’t be able to see this parade again until next year! But the Festival of Fantasy Parade happens in Magic Kingdom every day, so if you’re looking for magical Disney parades, you won’t have to go without them on your trip (unless there’s a mechanical issue or bad weather). Festival of Fantasy Parade As always, be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news! Here’s where to find EGG-CELLENT (we had to) Easter eggs in Disney World today! 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 parade in Disney World? Tell us in the comments! The post VIDEOS: The Disney World Parade That Only Happens ONE WEEKEND Each Year! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Genie+ is more expensive than ever. Genie+ on the My Disney Experience app Genie+ is already a controversial feature among Disney fans since FastPass used to be complimentary. It became an even more controversial topic since Disney introduced flexible pricing based on demand in October 2022. Now, Genie+ has been selling out daily and the price has gone up to $35. Why is this? Well, we may have some answers. We’ve seen Genie+ hit its previous peak price at busy times and on holidays like Christmas, New Year’s, and President’s Day weekend. During this spring break season, we’ve seen it fluctuate quite a bit, however this week of spring break (and the week leading up the Easter) the price hit an all-new high of $35. Crowd We’ve been watching the park pass reservations, and although some parks have been sold out, the availability didn’t look anything out of the norm. That being said, it is clear the demand for Genie+ is there — it sold out several days in a row this week DESPITE the price increase. Busy day The wait times are also an indication of how busy the parks are and this week, the wait times have skyrocketed, especially at those super popular attractions. Take a look at the average wait times for every single Disney World ride over the past week and the Genie+ price increase may explain itself. Magic Kingdom Starting in Magic Kingdom, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had the longest average wait time with 94 minutes. Last week the average wait time was 82 minutes, so the time has increased by a bit. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Next, Peter Pan’s Flight averaged 77 minutes, Space Mountain averaged 62 minutes, and Jungle Cruise averaged 61 minutes. After that, average wait times had Haunted Mansion at 45 minutes, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at 45 minutes, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at 40 minutes, Pirates of the Caribbean at 38 minutes, Astro Orbiter at 36 minutes, and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh at 33 minutes. Space Mountain After that, Enchanted Tales with Belle averaged 36 minutes, “it’s a small world” averaged 30 minutes, The Barnstormer featuring the Great Goofini averaged 29 minutes, Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid and Magic Carpets of Aladdin averaged 28 minutes, Dumbo the Flying Elephant averaged 26 minutes, and Tomorrowland Speedway averaged 23 minutes. Journey of the Little Mermaid Next, Mad Tea Party and Prince Charming Regal Carrousel averaged 16 minutes, and Mickey’s PhilharMagic and Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover averaged 14 minutes. The Enchanted Tiki Room, Carousel of Progress, the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, and the Liberty Square Riverboat all averaged 5 minutes. PeopleMover The Hall of Presidents, Country Bear Jamboree, and Tom Sawyer Island averaged no wait. Avoid These MISTAKES in Magic Kingdom Now That the Fireworks Have Changed! EPCOT Heading over to EPCOT, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure took the top spot with the longest average wait time in the park with 99 minutes — this is a pretty big increase compared to last week’s average of 77 minutes. Frozen Ever After’s wait time also increased this week by 16 minutes to 86 minutes this week. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Next up is Test Track at 74 minutes, Soarin’ at 55 minutes, Mission: SPACE at 40 minutes, Spaceship Earth at 28 minutes, and Turtle Talk with Crush at 20 minutes. Soarin Then, there is The Seas with Nemo and Friends at 21 minutes, Journey into Imagination at 15 minutes, Living with the Land at 13 minutes, and Gran Fiesta Tour at 12 minutes. Gran Fiesta Tour Awesome Planet, Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival, Impressions de France, and Reflections of China had no wait times this week. VIDEO: Major UPDATE on the ‘Moana’ Attraction in EPCOT! Hollywood Studios Now it’s time to talk about Hollywood Studios where Rise of the Resistance took the top spot for the highest wait time in the park with 124 minutes. Just last week, the average wait time was 105 minutes, so the wait time has increased a LOT. Slinky Dog Dash is the second-highest average wait time with 111 minutes this week (compared to last week’s 95-minute average). Rise of the Resistance Other wait times in the park include Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at 85 minutes, Toy Story Mania at 66 minutes, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway at 65 minutes, and Tower of Terror at 62 minutes. Millennium Falcon After that, Alien Swirling Saucers averaged 40 minutes, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue averaged 29 minutes, Walt Disney Presents averaged 15 minutes, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy averaged 12 minutes, and Muppet*Vision 3D averaged 10 minutes. A NEW Tower of Terror Treat Is HIDING in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Animal Kingdom And last but not least, let’s talk about Animal Kingdom! Avatar Flight of Passage still had the longest average wait time this park this week with 130 minutes. This means the time also went up a lot from last week’s 88-minute average. Pandora Following that, Na’vi River Journey at 88 minutes, Kilimanjaro Safaris at 71 minutes, Kali River Rapids at 64 minutes, Expedition Everest at 48 minutes, and DINOSAUR at 38 minutes. Expedition Everest It’s Tough to Be a Bug averaged 15 minutes and Triceratop Spin averaged 15 minutes. Both The Boneyard and Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail averaged no wait time. This Is NOT Something We Expected to See in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Spring break is no joke so if you’re visiting Disney World during this season, pack your patience! Genie+ may come in handy, but the price may not be worth it depending on your group’s needs. Use this information to make your choice, but remember — Genie+ may sell out! Crowds Stay tuned to DFB for more updates from Disney World! The 35 Best Tips for Anyone Going to Disney World in 2023 Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation A Month-by-Month Guide to Planning Your Disney World Trip Tips, Hints, Lists, and Videos for Planning the BEST Disney World Trip How Many Days Do You Really Need in Disney World? How to Have the CHEAPEST Trip to Disney World 5 Simple Planning Tips You Need to Know About Before Your Next Disney World Trip The CHEAPEST Days to Visit Disney World in 2023 EVERYTHING You Need to Know Before Booking a 2023 Disney World Trip Learn About the Disney Park Pass System The Ultimate Disney World Packing List Everything You Need to Know About Genie+ Insider SECRETS for Your First Trip to Disney World A Complete Look at the Current Disney Discounts and Deals The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click Here to Subscribe Would you buy Genie+ for $35 at Disney World? Let us know in the comments. The post Genie+ Is More Expensive Than EVER in Disney World -- Here's WHY first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World will always be a work in progress — and that means that there will almost always be some kind of construction going on there. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort EPCOT is still undergoing a HUGE transformation, new restaurants are on the way, new rides are being constructed, and MORE. Over at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, new Disney Vacation Club (DVC) villas are being built and we have a HUGE update about the work we’ve seen over the past month. When we last shared a look at the villas, we were just starting to see a building going up. Well, Disney has continued construction on that building. More of the building A LOT more of that building, in fact, is now up. It seems to be growing sideways. MORE of the building Here’s an even closer look at the building as construction continues on it. Polynesian Villas Construction — April 2023 They’ve also been laying some pipes down on the construction site. More pipes! There is a TON of equipment on site from trucks to cranes to cement pourers. There is still a LOT to be done, but we’re actually starting to see the new villas take shape. It really seems like construction has ramped up this month. So much equipment on site Disney has not yet shared an end date for the construction or when the new DVC villas might be open, but while construction is going on, you’ll need to know a few things. First, Polynesian Village Resort guests will see and hear construction during certain times of the day, but no earlier than 9AM. You’re going to see and hear construction The construction has also changed some of the walkways around the resort. The walkway between the Polynesian and Magic Kingdom is currently closed. Disney will soon close the walkway between the Polynesian and Shades of Green. There’s also a NEW walkway between the Polynesian and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. New walkway If you do have a stay planned at the Polynesian, just keep these things in mind. We’ll also continue to keep you updated on the construction progress of the DVC villas, 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 A FULL REVIEW of Capt. Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort 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 staying at the Polynesian this year? Let us know in the comments! The post HUGE Construction Changes at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort 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? Animal Kingdom Lodge Well, we’re here to walk you through the differences between Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. Whether room size, location, pools, and/or restaurants are most important to you, we share the information that you’ll need to make an informed decision. After all, we want you to stay at the hotel that is best for your family! Let’s get started and look at all the details so that you can plan your Disney trip with confidence. BoardWalk There’s no doubt that Disney vacations are expensive, and no one wants buyer’s remorse when it comes to what can usually be the most EXPENSIVE part of your Disney trip. We’re approaching this chaos-agent of a decision with as much logic as possible, so we’re breaking it down into five categories: Common Ground Theme/Rooms Pools Food Transportation Views from Animal Kingdom Lodge Common Ground Before we mention their differences, let’s take a look at what Animal Kingdom Lodge and BoardWalk Inn have in common. First, both are Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts offering many of the same perks. The Disney Vacation Club Villas can be booked by Disney Vacation Club members or cash-paying guests. You’ll discover luxurious amenities and unique themeing at both hotels. Giraffe at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Both resorts offer bus transportation to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Bus transportation from Magic Kingdom But, what about the prices? Well, this is where you’ll first see a difference. In fact, you’ll save quite a bit by opting for the Animal Kingdom Lodge. For the Animal Kingdom Lodge, that means that for the cheapest room at the cheapest time to visit, you can expect to pay around $469 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts), and it goes up to $3,792 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 BoardWalk Inn, that means that for the cheapest room at the cheapest time to visit, you can expect to pay around $597 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts), and it goes up to $4,455 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts) for the most expensive rooms at the most expensive time to visit. Extra Theme Park Hours Benefits for Disney World Resort Hotel Guests Theme/Rooms These are not your standard hotels. You can head out to Africa at Animal Kingdom Lodge or stay in the seaside setting of the BoardWalk Inn. But whether your stay takes you into the panoramic vistas of an African savanna or into the heart of a whimsical boardwalk atmosphere, you’ll find that both of these options provide top-of-the-line Disney amenities. Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo! And welcome to Animal Kingdom Lodge! This is more than your typical hotel, and honestly, it’s beyond the standard of a typical Disney hotel. Definitely, the only Disney resort where you can wake up and view some giraffes out your window, and drink coffee or snack on some Zebra Domes on your balcony while watching real-live zebras. Time to Grab a Seat at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! Disney also brings in Cultural Representatives from countries around Africa to share their countries’ unique stories, culture, art, and history. Off of the lobby, there is an observation room where guests can appreciate artifacts from African exploration or just sit and enjoy the animals on the savanna. Animal Kingdom Lodge during the holiday season And the lobby delivers on that jaw-dropping “oh wow” moment (especially around the holidays). The Animal Kingdom Lodge standard rooms received a little facelift. So, when you stay here, you’ll get to experience a bit more streamlined and updated decor that is both modern and rustic. Standard rooms at 344 sq. ft. sleep four people. Animal Kingdom Lodge Room Animal Kingdom Lodge is split into two separate buildings that are quite a distance from each other. You’ll find Disney Vacation Club accommodations at Kidani Village, with villas ranging from basic studio rooms all the way up to multi-room villas overlooking Pembe (nyala, impala, waterbuck, spur-winged geese, ground hornbill, red river hogs, ostrich, and okapi) and Sunset (male giraffes, bongos, impalas, Thompsons gazelles, ostriches, ankole cattle, waterbuck, African crown cranes, stork, and blue cranes) Savannas. Jambo House has hotel rooms and villas; these look out onto the Sunset, Uzima (giraffes, impalas, kudus, bongos, blesboks, and Thompsons gazelles), and Arusha (pelicans, geese, giraffe, ankole cattle, zebra, wildebeest, eland, and gemsbok) Savannas. All the savannas have a plethora of beautiful animals. NEWS! MAJOR HOTEL CHANGE Announced for Disney World BoardWalk Inn Welcome to the charming turn-of-the-century Atlantic boardwalk themed resort, aptly named BoardWalk Inn. The BoardWalk brings in vibrant colors reminiscent of a seaside amusement park. In essence, the BoardWalk Inn balances the fun of the theme with the luxury of a deluxe resort. Stroll the boardwalk! The rooms last received a bit of a touch up and spruce back in 2016 and with the ongoing construction and other resort renovations may see some TLC, soon. We hope the room updates and renovations keep with the classic Disney charm we’ve come to love and aren’t watered down to look like other standard hotels. Standard rooms at 434 sq. ft. sleep five people. 4 BIG Changes (Including New Restaurants) Announced for Disney’s BoardWalk Results When it comes to immersive theming, the Animal Kingdom Lodge wins out. If your family would be more comfortable with more space, BoardWalk Inn might score higher! 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. These swimming spots are family-friendly with at least one whirlpool spa. Pool Slide at BoardWalk Note that poolside towels are always complimentary. Animal Kingdom Lodge AKL (as we like to call it) is not to be outdone in the pool category; it hosts two pools: the Samawati Springs Pool and the Uzima Springs Pool. Both pools have the exotic feel of swimming in a natural spring. Uzima Springs pool is amazing. This oasis is 11,000 square feet. It includes a large free-form, zero-entry swimming pool (gradual like a beach, you can wade in slowly). Animal Kingdom Lodge Pool Samawati Springs Pool has a 67-foot water slide and a children’s wading pool. There are two private hot tubs, tons of seating in comfy loungers, and tables and umbrellas. Samawati Springs Pool Oh, and of course, the Pool Bars are nearby for hydration purposes. BoardWalk Inn The BoardWalk Inn has three pools — the main pool called Luna Park and two “leisure” pools for folks that are looking for more chill than thrill for their watery adventure. Luna Park Pool The Luna Park pool used to be the home of the clown water slide that lit up at night and may have caused an entire generation to need therapy. Luckily for you fine folks, you get to enjoy the renovated model of the Keister Coaster pool slide. BoardWalk Inn Pool Mickey, Minnie and Friends enjoy a pool adventure with you on this 200-foot-long slide. This fun pool is 184,217 gallons and is just steps away from the amusements on the boardwalk, where you can easily grab a quick ice cream or margarita and then jump right back in the pool. Results There’s no real loser in this category if you’ve found relaxation and joy, but our heart leans towards the Animal Kingdom Lodge! Animal Kingdom Lodge pool chairs Do you want to soak in a zero-entry oasis surrounded by an African savanna? Animal Kingdom Lodge has two large pools that camouflage these concrete watering holes with beautiful landscaping. It boasts those unique savanna views and close proximity to some fun animal viewing areas (like flamingos). Plus, the Animal Kingdom Lodge pool is just steps away from Zebra Domes! 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 Disney Transportation for nourishment. So, you’ll want to know about the best options at your Disney World resort! Plant Based Rigatoni Bolognese Take a look at the menus and decide which resort has the food that best suits your family. Animal Kingdom Lodge Animal Kingdom Lodge has a variety of dining spots for you to nibble and nosh your way through the wilderness. A Table Service option at the Jambo House is Boma. Boma continually emerges on the “favorite restaurants” lists of many Disney guests! The popular buffet at Boma gives visitors the opportunity to sample flavorful African dishes while also dining on some American favorites during breakfast or dinner. Inside Boma We give two thumbs up to this restaurant, and we always find something new to try here! And the pièce de résistance: Jiko. Jiko — The Cooking Place is a Signature Dining Experience (which is Disney-speak for fancy, schmancy), hands-down, one of the most romantic and delicious restaurants on Disney World property. We can highly recommend this one if you enjoy excellent, gourmet food and a lovely and tranquil atmosphere. Oak-grilled Filet at Jiko Sharing tastes of Africa with a special Jiko flourish, this restaurant doesn’t offer a great view or any characters, but it does offer truly beautiful food — and the Animal Kingdom Lodge savanna is right outside. Maji Pool Bar is located near the Samawati Springs Pool at Kidani Village, and Uzima Springs Pool Bar is over at the Jambo House pool. Both are pretty standard pool bars with some unique African beers and tasty nibbles, but nothing truly destination-worthy. Maji Pool Bar The Mara is named after the Masai Mara National Reserve in Africa. This quick service restaurant located in Jambo House is sure to please all appetites with a taste of Africa, as well as American favorites. It is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is located next to the Resort’s Uzima Springs pool area. Guests can dine indoors or take their meals poolside, or to a small area offering shaded tables outside. Shrimp Bowl from The Mara Unique items, including Bobotie and Breakfast Quinoa are served alongside classic Disney dishes like Mickey Waffles for Breakfast. Lunch and Dinner feature the truly tasty African Potjie (a flavorful stew) among the options, which also include counter service favorites like Chicken Nuggets, Burgers, and Flatbreads. The “Grab & Go” market area features snacks, desserts (including the spot’s famous Zebra Domes!), bottled drinks, breakfast pastries, specialty coffees, and fruit. The Mara also offers a selection of African and international wines, beers, cocktails, and even choose-your-own-flavor smoothies. Zebra Domes from The Mara Tucked into the Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Kidani Village, Sanaa, which means “Work of Art” in Swahili, is a beautiful restaurant serving a fusion of African and Indian cuisine made with authentic cooking methods like slow-roasting and tandoori oven cooking. While Sanaa is a table service restaurant serving lunch and dinner, the spot offers the Sanaa Kuamsha Breakfast in the mornings — a quick-service experience for which reservations are not required. Pork Shank The best part: the view from the restaurant is of Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Sunset Savanna — enjoy the ever-changing scenery of some of the most beautiful African plains animals you’ve ever seen. Sanaa Bread Service P.S. Don’t miss Sanaa’s Indian-style Bread Service, served with NINE different dipping accompaniments! Victoria Falls and Cape Town Lounge are cozy lounges in Jambo House near Boma and Jiko. Enjoy a glass of South African wine, or indulge in your favorite martini, beer, or mixed drink. It’s a great place to hang while waiting for a table at Boma or Jiko. Or just stop in before you head to (or after you return from) the parks to grab a quick bite from the unique appetizer menu, including crisp breads and African dips, marinated olives, and more. Victoria Falls Lounge Cape Town Lounge serves appetizers and pairings of African wines along with hand-crafted cocktails, dessert wines, and more. Guests may also order from the full Jiko menu and dine at the bar. Best Animal Kingdom Lodge Restaurants BoardWalk Inn The BoardWalk Inn has been updating and renovating many of the common areas including some of the dining options on the actual boardwalk. We’ve seen the rebranding of the BoardWalk Deli (formerly the BoardWalk Bakery) and look forward to the new Cake Bake Shop. Inside the BoardWalk lobby, the fan-favorite Belle Vue Lounge reopened with new furnishings, that received some humdrum remarks from loyal guests for losing its charm and looking like it was furnished by Wayfair. And Carousel Coffee recently opened serving up pastries and Joffrey’s Coffee with a rather subdued vibe for a joint named after a bright and vivacious carnival attraction. Let’s take a look… Cheers! At AbracadaBar, according to the story, you can still feel the magic in the air at this former secret haunt of boardwalk magicians and entertainers… a group that mysteriously vanished over 70 years ago. Guests can experience their lingering magic in the sights, sounds, and even tastes (through the signature “Curious Cocktails”) in this enchanted lounge! AbracadaBar Atlantic Dance Hall is another bar on the BoardWalk. Looking for a place to get your groove on? Boogie down to music from the 80s through today at Atlantic Dance Hall! You can request your favorite music videos, and dance along as they play on the large screens above. Shake your groove thang, and get your dance on with a group of friends! Please note that Atlantic Dance Hall is limited to guests 21 and older and typically open Thursday through Sunday nights from 8PM to 1AM. Atlantic Dance Hall The Belle Vue Lounge is what many call a “rare find” at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. Modeled after a 1930s sitting room, it has nice touches like board games and working radios playing shows from eras past. Tucked right off the main lobby, this lounge is a great place to relax and enjoy a drink after a long day at the parks. Guests can also stop here for coffee or pastries in the morning. Belle Vue Lounge Head to a real brewing factory at Big River Grille & Brewing Works! Here you can sample many different kinds of beers, along with great burgers, steaks, nachos, and more. The floor-to-ceiling glass walls in the Big River Grille & Brewing Works restaurant provide a glimpse into the beer-making process. Watch while an on-site brew master crafts the establishment’s beers. Or sit outside and enjoy the BoardWalk atmosphere and water views. Big River Grille & Brewing Works Step back in time to a seaside boardwalk village on Crescent Lake where turn-of-the-century charm meets savory eats and sweet treats at the BoardWalk Deli. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are offered, and guests enjoy items like house-baked bagels or a hand-piped cannoli. BoardWalk Deli has pastries and sandwiches Craving a cool treat while strolling along the Disney World BoardWalk? Then stop by BoardWalk Ice Cream! This ice cream to-go store scoops up simple sundaes and cones made with Edy’s brand ice cream. The treats here are said to be inspired by the beloved Beaches & Cream Soda Shop at the nearby Beach Club Resort. BoardWalk Ice Cream BoardWalk Joe’s is a stand on Disney World’s BoardWalk that is known for ONE thing: “Marvelous Margaritas!” For a relatively small kiosk, there is a surprising variety of flavorful margaritas available — and sometimes you’ll happen upon a seasonal concoction! A selection of snacks such as pretzels and roasted nuts is also available. Non-alcoholic smoothies (including one made with Dole Whip!) are also on offer. Boardwalk Joe’s Stop by the Pizza Window on Disney World’s BoardWalk for a piping hot pizza pie! One of the most relaxing and fun things to do at Disney World is stroll along the Disney BoardWalk, taking in all the sights and smells around Crescent Lake. With 9,000 square feet of entertainment, shops, and restaurants, there are several options for a quick bite to eat. Why not grab some fresh pizza from the BoardWalk Pizza Window? They serve up whole pizza pies and pizza by the slice (and Sangria to go with it, for of-age guests, along with fountain drinks). Grab one of the cafe tables outside or stroll while you eat. BoardWalk PIzza If you happen to be walking down Disney World’s BoardWalk and you’re in the mood for a quick snack, be sure to stop at the BoardWalk To Go kiosk. At this kiosk you’ll find baskets of deep-fried treats including fried mac and cheese bites and corn dogs. You can even grab a meal combo built around a hot dog, cheeseburger, or pulled pork sandwich. Boardwalk To-Go The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers is coming to Disney World’s BoardWalk in 2023! This new Table Service restaurant will serve items for brunch, lunch, and dinner featuring both sweet and savory menus. Afternoon tea service will be offered as well! And guess what? Guests will also be able to pop in for a quick treat by grabbing something to-go from the bakery case! Concept art for The Cake Bake Shop You can find Carousel Coffee at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. This spot is located right off the Resort’s lobby, making it a perfectly convenient spot for your pick-me-up cup! Coffee, tea, and pastries (including options by Joffrey’s Coffee) are on offer. Keep an eye out for seasonal drinks and unique options like a Dark Cherry Mocha Frozen Blended Coffee. As far as the eats, you can grab classic snacks such as the Vintage Mickey & Minnie Sugar Cookie, Banana Bread, Croissants, Muffins, NJ Crumb Cake, Bagels, and a Mickey Brownie. Carousel Coffee Flying Fish is a signature restaurant that serves gourmet seafood to guests on Disney World’s BoardWalk. Many tout both the sea and land dishes here. (The Char-Crusted New York Strip is a favorite among landlubbers.) The location — complete with a lovely glass school of fish “swimming” above the main dining room — has an emphasized focus on seasonal, sustainable fare. Flying Fish You’ll find a truly classic carnival treat on Disney World’s BoardWalk: Funnel Cake! The Funnel Cake Stand also serves the rather unexpected offering of Fried Ice Cream. Enjoy your “Tasty Sensations” (as the sign says) while you stroll or pull up a bench on the BoardWalk while watching the people go by! PLEASE NOTE: The BoardWalk Funnel Cake Stand is currently closed. Funnel Cake Stand is closed Do you love music from the 70′s, 80′s, and 90′s? Do you love dueling piano improv? Then Jellyrolls Dueling Piano Bar is the place for you! This raucous bar on Disney’s BoardWalk brings you non-stop dueling pianos and a drink special each night (the “Jellyroll of the Day”). So be thinking of your favorite Billy Joel, Mariah Carey, or Elton John song to request! There is a cover charge of $18.00 to enter Jellyrolls, which is typically open nightly from 7PM to 1:45AM. Doors open at 7PM, and entertainment starts at 8PM — it helps to be early to grab a seat! Jellyrolls Welcome to Leaping Horse Libations at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn! Out at the Luna Park Pool at this Deluxe Resort, you’ll find a poolside bar with all the basics you need for an afternoon in the sun — cold drinks, snacks, and even a few lunch items to get you through your Florida sun-and-pool afternoon! Look for fun carnival-themed drinks like the Tilt-A-Whirl and The Roller Coaster Meltdown served along with the standard Disney pool bar menu. Leaping Horse Libations You’ll find Trattoria al Forno on Disney World’s BoardWalk. This eatery serves breakfast and dinner daily and is an “original Italian restaurant.” The dinner menu features regional specialties with classic preparations. Many of the ingredients are crafted in-house including hand-crafted mozzarella and handmade cavatelli. Trattoria al Forno also features seasonal risotto and serves only Italian wines. Trattoria al Forno So many amazing places to eat, how can you choose? Or you don’t have to, just systematically eat your way through the BoardWalk! Click HERE to find our COMPLETE GUIDE TO EATING at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn! Results While the variety of dining at BoardWalk Inn is no slouch, it does lack a food court with indoor seating. And the restaurants aren’t quite as iconic as the ones at Animal Kingdom Lodge. However, if your family is looking for more quick bites rather than table service, BoardWalk might be the better choice. Jiko Boma hosts our favorite breakfast buffet. Sanaa has become a cult classic with its epic bread service and just as epic savanna views. And Jiko offers a menu, including that tender filet, that makes our mouths water just thinking about it. Clearly, Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the top dining destinations at Walt Disney World. Jungle Juice at Boma Still, we advise looking at the menus to see which resort has more food that appeals to your traveling party. Transportation BoardWalk Inn provides bus transportation to Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Animal Kingdom relies on bus transportation to all destinations. Animal Kingdom Lodge If you want to visit any of the Disney Parks (even the nearby Animal Kingdom), the only option for free Disney transportation is a bus. Disney Bus Transportation from Magic Kingdom Now, Animal Kingdom Lodge is already the furthest resort from the Disney Parks (except Animal Kingdom), and relying solely on bus transportation makes it feel every inch of that distance. And no one really looks forward to standing in those lines at the end of a park day to be packed in like sardines with your fellow Animal Kingdom Lodgers once that bus does arrive. However, the remote location does add to the resort’s ambiance. Guests staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge can also use ride share, taxis, and Minnie Vans at an extra cost in case you find yourself in a hurry. BoardWalk Inn The BoardWalk Inn is considered an “EPCOT-area” resort. It sits on Crescent Lake, across the lake from Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts. This resort is situated in between TWO Disney parks, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Yep, that’s right, you can walk or enjoy a relaxing boat ride on a Friendship Cruise boat to both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We love walking to EPCOT’s International Gateway. Not having to worry about fighting EPCOT’s post-fireworks crowds? Yes, sign us up, please. Friendship Boat If Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, or Disney Springs is your destination, then you can board one of Disney’s buses to transport you over to these parks. Skyliner And as if walkways, boats, and buses weren’t enough options for you, BoardWalk guests are also within walking distance of the EPCOT Skyliner station. This means you have easy access to the other Skyliner resorts if you want to go exploring other resorts or just have a relaxing cruise through the sky. Results BoardWalk Inn wins in this category due to its proximity to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. Plus, there is the Disney Skyliner for visiting other resorts! 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 stick to a stricter budget, then Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge might be the deluxe resort to book! BoardWalk Inn is the winner of the Transportation category, so if your priority is to keep traveling between parks easier, BoardWalk might be the standout for your family. Animal Kingdom Lodge Your hotel at Walt Disney World will either be a place just to sleep or a hang-out in between touring the parks. If you’re seeking relaxation and don’t feel the need to rush to the parks, then Animal Kingdom Lodge provides an excellent respite from the crowds. Boma vs. Sanaa vs. Jiko: Comparing Animal Kingdom Lodge Restaurants 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 Animal Kingdom Lodge vs. BoardWalk Inn Disney World Resort Guide 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article