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Okay, so we know it and you know it…but it can be hard to find decent pizza at quick-service locations in Disney World. Italy pavilion Now it DOES happen occasionally, but when we’re given options like Pizzafari in Animal Kingdom and PizzeRizzo in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we know that good pizza is hard to come by when you just don’t want to sit down for a table service meal. However, there IS good quick-service pizza in Disney World, if you happen to be in the right place at the right time. Of course, this pizza can be found at the Italy Pavilion in EPCOT’s World Showcase. Where else would you find good pizza? But the thing is, this pizza isn’t always available. We’re talking about Pizza al Taglio, which is a walk-up window next to Via Napoli (which is a table service restaurant that has AMAZING PIZZA). This spot is only open seasonally. Pizza al Taglio But guess what? IT’S OPEN RIGHT NOW. And word is out because an HOUR before it opened, we saw a line of guests waiting to get their hands on a slice. We’ll wait in line for good pizza Here’s what you need to know about the pizza here: the pizza slices here are Sicilian-style slices, which means they’re square with a thick crust (which is different from the pizza from Via Napoli). But all you really need to know is in this photo here of the Pepperoni Pizza Slice we got. It’s Sicilian-style pizza This slice is not OVERLY cheesy (yes, believe it or not, that can happen) and has LOADS of beautiful pepperoni cups. It’s also light on the sauce. Plus the portion you get is pretty big. This could be split between two people as a snack. Although this isn’t as flavorful as the pizza in Via Napoli (sorry, we have to compare it to our fave), we still think it’s one of the best quick-service pizza slices you can get. A slice here runs $9, which may seem a bit high for a slice of pizza, but, again, it’s a good value if you plan on splitting it with someone. LOOK AT ALL THAT PEPPERONI! So if you’ve got a pizza craving in EPCOT, be sure to run on over to Italy and see if Pizza al Taglio is open. We’ll let you know about any other seasonal spots opening up in Disney World, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more! With DOZENS of places to eat at Disney World, we know it can be tough to plan your meals. That’s why we wrote the DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World. The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2023 We have reviews, pictures and details about every restaurant all in one digital download – along with ALL of our best tips and strategies from decades of Disney World trips. We’ve got a special discount code for DFB readers, too! Use WDW2023 at checkout for 25% off! Here Are the Best Pizza Places 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 had pizza from Pizza al Taglio before? Let us know what you think about it in the comments! The post Count Yourself LUCKY If This Spot Is Open in EPCOT When You Visit first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Walt Disney World has been celebrating its 50th anniversary for a LONG time now. The occasion brought lots of new experiences, snacks, and events to the parks, but it’s all coming to an end SOON. 50th Anniversary Banner in EPCOT The official end of the 18-month-long celebration is March 31st, 2023. We’re already seeing some 50th anniversary snacks disappear from menus around Disney World, and even some of the merchandise is looking a little different. But there’s one very popular 50th addition that will stick around even after March 31st hits, and many Disney fans will be relieved to hear it! At the start of the 50th anniversary celebration, Disney debuted new “Beacons of Magic” shows. These are mini-transformations that happen nightly at each of the 4 parks’ icons! Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, the Tower of Terror, and the Tree of Life all rock shimmery (excuse us, EARidescent) looks. Tower of Terror Our favorite of those looks has to be Spaceship Earth in EPCOT. While all of the icons got colorful projections, Spaceship Earth got an entire makeover with custom lighting features that look like stars glowing all over the attraction. There were lights installed between the reflective panels, which change color and blink during the Beacons of Magic show. Spaceship Earth When this transformation was announced, Disney Imagineer Zach Riddley confirmed that the new look would be permanent, not just for the 50th. We’re so glad that our favorite Beacon of Magic is sticking around! Spaceship Earth Spaceship Earth’s nighttime look has been updated a few times, usually to reflect whichever festival is being held in the park at the time. Most recently, we watched the new Encanto-themed show that arrived for the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival. Spaceship Earth at Night If you consider yourself to be a MEGA fan of this transformation, you should check out the Spaceship Earth figure made by the Arribas Brothers, which was created using over 150,000 crystals and took 681 hours to build. Only 40 of these pieces are being created. This souvenir is for EPCOT fans with cash to burn — just one of the figures costs $99,000 . If you want to see one, head to Kunstarbeit in Kristall in EPCOT’s Germany pavilion. Beacon of Magic Spaceship Earth Crystal Statue Keep following DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news! Click here to see which iconic treats will DISAPPEAR when the 50th anniversary ends. Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Details and Info See Photos & Reviews of All of Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Eats and Treats Check Out All of the 50th Anniversary Merchandise You Can Get Online Get a Look at Some of the 50th Anniversary Merchandise You Can Get in the Parks Click Here to See the 50 Best Ways to Celebrate Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Check Out Our 50 Pieces of Advice for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Click Here to See the Best Ways to Celebrate Disney World’s 50th Anniversary from Home See the New 50th Anniversary Nighttime Looks for All 4 of Disney World’s Park Icons Check Out Our 50th Anniversary Cupcake Crawl Click Here to See Our Rankings of the 50th Anniversary Treats in Magic Kingdom See Our Rankings of the 50th Anniversary Treats in EPCOT Check Out Our Rankings of the 50th Anniversary Treats in Hollywood Studios See Our Rankings of the 50th Anniversary Treats in Animal Kingdom Click HERE for Your Guide to Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe What other 50th anniversary additions are you hoping will stick around? Let us know in the comments. The post The BEST 50th Anniversary Experience Is NOT Going Away in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re drawing closer to the end of the 50th Anniversary of Disney World, and chances are that means things are about to change. Magical! Exclusive snacks have disappeared, certain experiences are ending, and before we know it — we won’t be seeing 50th Anniversary merchandise everywhere we look. And, it looks like those changes have started hitting some iconic Disney World souvenirs already! It’s certainly no secret that Cinderella Castle got quite the makeover for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary, and that meant castle merch got an upgrade, too! The gorgeous 50th Anniversary Cinderella Castle playset premiered back when the celebrations began, and it’s been one of our favorite items to come out of this collection. 50th Castle playset It featured the same 50th emblem that adorned the real castle and was covered in gold, blue, and pink — just like the real thing, too. Apparently, we weren’t the only ones who thought it was iconic, as it quickly sold out online and has stayed that way for a while. As of now, it’s unavailable online and we haven’t seen it in stores recently either. ©Disney But, on a recent trip to Magic Kingdom, we noticed that this playset had changed. It still has the same blue, gold, and pink colors on it, but the rest of the 50th Anniversary elements have been removed. No more 50th elements You won’t find the 50th logo, the ribbons, or any of the other fancy parts that Disney added to the castle for the anniversary, but she is still gorgeous! Could this be a sign that the pink on the castle is here to stay? Disney hasn’t mentioned whether or not the real Cinderella Castle will get any sort of other makeovers once the celebrations end on March 31st, but we’ll be keeping an eye out for any changes! The 50th Anniversary Celebration is winding down For now, you can get the new Cinderella Castle playset at the Emporium in Magic Kingdom for a cool $100. We’re looking out for more changes that are coming along with the end of Disney World’s 50th Anniversary, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest news! ALL of the 50th Anniversary Merchandise You Can Get Online 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 experienced the 50th Anniversary? Let us know in the comments! The post Could THIS Be a Sign That Cinderella Castle Will CHANGE Soon? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

In this episode, Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss the new “Toy Story” barbecue restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Roundup Rodeo BBQ is scheduled to open March 23 and will surround diners in a “Toy Story” setting from floor to ceiling. View the full article

Photos at Walt Disney World can be the perfect souvenir to help you relive your vacation memories! Disney PhotoPass photographers are the BEST! Whether you’re cruising along in the rides, enjoying some quality time at character meet and greets, or even having a private photoshoot with Capture Your Moment, Disney’s Photopass program might be a good way to get the perfect pic. Now there’s a NEW Magic Shot in Magic Kingdom! Disney’s Photopass is now offering a brand new Magic Shot in Magic Kingdom. For those that may not be familiar, Disney’s Photopass photographers are stationed around the Disney World parks and resorts with prime opportunities ready to take your photos. They may be easier to spot due to their recent change in shirt color (hint: look for green!) Photopass If you’ve purchased the Memory Maker package with your vacation, you can download all of your photos for free! Otherwise, you’ll need to pay for each photo download. Whether or not you have Memory Maker, you can watch for Magic Shots around Disney World, where PhotoPass photographers add a little extra “magic” to your picture. For example, you could be floating away with balloons or holding a classic Disney character in your hands. The extra elements are added after the picture is taken, so once the pictures show up in your My Disney Experience app, you’ll get to see the surprise! ©️Disney This latest addition to the Magic Shot collection is bringing the Tiny World Magic Shot to Magic Kingdom! This 360-degree photo puts you right in the middle of the magic on top of the world and right in front of Cinderella Castle. Pretty neat huh? ©Disney We’ve seen a similar Magic Shot at EPCOT in front of Spaceship Earth and at Animal Kingdom in front of the Tree of Life. Tiny World Magic Shot This new TinyWorld Magic Shot is available now daily in Magic Kingdom. While you’re out getting your photo taken for this Magic Shot, make sure to ask your Photopass photographer about other Magic Shots that are available and how they can add a little Disney magic to your next photo! As always, for the latest in Disney park news, stay tuned with us at DFB! How the Happily Ever After Fireworks Show Has CHANGED in Magic Kingdom 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 Which Photopass Magic Shot has been your favorite? Tell us in the comments! The post This Might Be the BEST Photo You Can Get in Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

This Women’s History Month, we would like to shine a spotlight on Susan Finnigan, a Disney cast member who epitomizes the word “service” to both country and community. While Susan now works as a Lead Product Manager for Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, she is also a former Sergeant with the U.S. Marine Corps where […]View the full article

Every year you can head to Disney’s Contemporary Resort to view some magnificent Easter eggs. Disney’s Contemporary Resort Created by a world-class bakery team, these Easter eggs take the concept of your traditional eggs and ramp it up several notches! We stopped by this week to see what designs and characters were featured this year. Each egg is hand-crafted with edible ingredients, including various forms of chocolate. Every single egg could take anywhere from three to four weeks to complete and altogether they weigh a combined total of over 200 pounds — that’s a lot of chocolate! Lots of eggs to see! While these aren’t for snacking on, if you do find yourself craving something sweet you can head over to the Contempo Cafe for some other sugary treats. And as you’re taking in this amazing display keep your eyes peeled for the five-legged goats that have been hidden amongst the eggs! Information We saw an array of designs of all shapes, sizes, and themes. There were Disney-inspired eggs, like this one showing Stitch blasting off in his rocket … Stitch! … as well as more traditional designs like this sweet bunny holding a carrot. We even saw this massive egg paying homage to the upcoming new Magic Kingdom ride, TRON Lightcycle / Run! TRON and a more traditional bunny Another egg represents a pirate’s lost treasure, while the taller one in the back has a miniature version of Merlin’s study from The Sword in The Stone. It’s incredible how much detail they can fit into such small spaces, and all with chocolate! Hi Merlin! 2023 has been a great year for Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. We’ve seen him featured across plenty of Disney100 memorabilia, and now he even has his own Easter egg design! Oswald’s time to shine Over here we spotted some more traditional Easter designs, including more adorable bunnies and an egg that looks almost exactly like it fell out of a robin’s nest. The egg in the back states “Happy Easter from the Contemporary Bakery” and includes the names of all of the hard-working staff members! Sweet Easter designs We just couldn’t believe how many eggs they were able to put together, and you could tell each one had lots of thought behind their designs. There’s no doubt every single egg was made with care! Even more eggs! You can head over to the Contemporary Resort yourself to check out this amazing display, and don’t forget to keep checking in to our site for more upcoming Disney news! Click here to see MORE amazing Easter Eggs in Disney World. Want More Details About Disney World’s Hotels? Ranking of ALL of Disney World’s Hotels 9 Ways Your Disney World Hotel Stay Will Be Different in 2023 Our Picks for the Best Disney World Hotels in 2022 These Are the WORST Disney World Hotels for 2022 13 Critical Things You’re FORGETTING About When Booking a Disney World Hotel You Couldn’t Get the Disney World Hotel Reservation You Wanted – Now What? The 6 Disney World Hotel Problems No One is Talking About See Why You Might BAIL on Your Disney World Hotel A Full List of Changes Announced for Disney World’s Hotels 8 Gadgets You Need for Your Disney World Hotel Room The Surprising Things You Won’t Find in Your Disney World Hotel Room The Secret Way to Stay in Disney World’s Hotels for LESS! What Items from Amazon Can You Have Delivered to Your Resort Hotel? We’ve Got the Details Are Disney World Hotel Perks Worth the Hefty Price Tag? Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney World hotel news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Comment below your favorite design! The post Where To Find Unbelievable Easter Eggs in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The opening on TRON Lightcycle / Run is so soon! TRON Lightcycle / Run by night. On April 4th, the new coaster in Magic Kingdom officially opens, and we are pumped! We’re getting NEW Tron-themed food, tons of fun TRON merchandise, and a new interactive experience. (And possibly even a new character sighting on opening day?). But one of the coolest things we’ll get to experience is the lit canopy that shines in blues and oranges at night, representing Team Blue and Team Orange, while the lightcycles speed by underneath. So does that mean that TRON is a much better experience at night? We’ve been lucky enough to ride a few times so we are bringing you the details. Seeing as the canopy is only lit up at night, you might be thinking that you have to ride it late — but there are actually a few things to keep in mind when trying to figure out when you should ride. Riding TRON at Night First, let’s take a look at some of the reasons you might want to ride at night. The lit-up canopy is so pretty, and getting to ride at night comes with a few benefits. The portion of the ride that goes under the canopy is a thrilling, super-quick experience where you get to see the hexagon lights follow you as you battle Team Orange under a color-changing canopy, and it’s definitely a fun thing to get to see. TRON interior If you time it out right, you might also get to see the fireworks while you ride! There’s a clear view of the castle through the canopy, so while it would be a quick window that you view them — it would be pretty magical! Lastly, the PhotoPass opportunities at night get a little more exciting. The Light Disc that you pose with lights up at night, so it has much more of the TRON vibe that you’ll see throughout the indoor portion of the ride. Light Disc Photopass So getting to ride at night is pretty special, but keep in mind that even if you don’t get the chance, you can still stand under the canopy and get night-time photo ops, even if you’re not riding it then. Riding TRON During the Day Even though we preferred TRON at night over the daytime ride, we have to admit that this coaster is thrilling no matter when you ride it. TRON Lightcycle / Run If you ride during the day, you’ll get a great view of Cinderella Castle and the rest of the park as you race under the canopy! TRON However, we noticed that it took a bit for our eyes to adjust during different parts of the ride when we rode during the day. The ride starts indoors, so you’ll launch out into the sunshine after being inside for a while, which means your eyes have to adjust to the bright atmosphere and then adjust again when the ride goes back inside. Can You Choose Which Time You Ride? So let’s talk about how you actually get to ride TRON. It’s not just as simple as walking up to a standby line. You’ll have 2 options to ride — Virtual Queue and Individual Lightning Lane. TRON Lightcycle / Run queue You will have 2 chances during the day to request to join the Virtual Queue, one at 7AM and one at 1PM. At 7AM, you do not have to be inside Magic Kingdom, but you will have to be there for the 1PM chance. Because you are requesting to join the Virtual Queue, you don’t get to decide when you’ll ride (and sometimes might not even get to at all). While requesting a spot during the 1PM slot is more likely to get you a later time, there’s no guarantee! Not to mention, it would be risky to wait to request one then, since you might miss your chance and then be out of options. TRON Lightcycle / Run However, if you’re staying at a Deluxe Disney Resort, Disney Deluxe Villa, or select other resorts, you’ll have an additional chance to get a spot at 6PM on days when Extended Evening Hours are offered at Magic Kingdom — so this might be something to consider when you are booking your resort! If riding at night is important to you, this might be a solution. TRON Lightcycle / Run TRON also will offer Individual Lightning Lanes that you can purchase through Disney Genie+. While this paid option offers a little more flexibility, as you will select a time slot that works for you, you still can’t guarantee a timeslot that you want. So with both of these ways to get on the ride — there’s not a lot you can do to guarantee a late spot! And if you do, it might conflict with other plans, like seeing the fireworks. Did you hear Happily Ever After is returning? There is possibly one other way to ride TRON at night that hasn’t been confirmed yet. At Disney’s After Hours Events, you get to experience a lot of Disney attractions after the main guests for the day have gone home. There’s still no word if TRON will be operating during these events — but if Disney does announce that it will be, it would be a great way to get to ride at night. After Hours Brochure Riding TRON at night was a really fun experience that we look forward to doing again, but it might not work out on your trip, or be the best thing for your family. Either way, we think you’ll have a good time, regardless of the time of day you ride! We’ll continue to keep you posted on all the latest Disney news, so stay tuned to DFB for more! Click here to see how TRON could RUIN your Disney World Trip Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you had a chance to ride TRON Lightcycle / Run yet? Let us know in the comments below! The post We Rode Disney's TRON Coaster During the Day AND at Night. Find Out Which Is BETTER! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Yesterday was a very busy day for Walt Disney World news, and sometimes it’s hard to keep up with everything they threw out to us. Cinderella Castle If you happened to miss an announcement (or two, or three) don’t worry, we’re here to help recap all the biggest news announcements for you! Magic Kingdom A new princess is coming to Magic Kingdom! If you’ve been anxiously anticipating a meet and greet with Mirabel from Encanto like we have, Disney has finally announced that Mirabel will be taking over Merida’s current meet and greet location in the park’s Fairytale Gardens area. The current meet and greet location will be transformed in Casa Madrigal just in time for Mirabel to show us around her home. We’ve seen Mirabel in the park’s Disney Adventure Friends cavalcade, but never as a meet and greet in Magic Kingdom. Mirabel from ‘Encanto’ If you’re visiting Magic Kingdom later this summer, there’s a good chance you’ll be right on time to see a major change in a theme park attraction. While we’ve been keeping an eye on the construction progress for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the installation of the tiara-topped water tower announced yesterday might be the first big visible change we’ll be able to see in the attraction. Disney teased the addition at D23 but it will really be something to see it take form in person. ©Disney The latest in the line of TRON news is more info about a new experience separate from the ride and rethemed gift shop. In case you missed it, the former merchandise building known as the Tomorrowland Light & Power Co. will be reimagined and reopened as Tomorrowland Launch Depot and will be home to a unique experience. ©Disney The TRON Identity Program will be an opportunity to customize a “program” action figure that will look AND sound like you! It will come complete with a personality chip and will also be pairable to “reprogram” other TRON merchandise such as the interactive Identity Discs and Remote Control Lightcycles. If you’re looking to be one of the first to get in on this new experience they’re going to start on April 4th, and reservations will be open starting March 21st, 2023. The experience and figure will cost $89.99. EPCOT It sounds like we won’t have to wait too much longer for the opening of Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana! Disney just announced that they’re anticipating an opening in Fall 2023. We’ve followed this construction for quite some time and can’t wait to see the completed project. Journey of Water We also have an update on CommuniCore Hall. While the news on this one has been mostly quiet up until now we know that it will be EPCOT’s first building specifically built for festivals. ©Disney This building will take on many hats though as it will house galleries, a demonstration kitchen, a mixology bar, and most excitingly a meet and greet for Mickey AND Minnie featured in their 100th anniversary platinum outfits. ©Disney The meet and greets don’t stop there! A highly anticipated meet and greet with Figment will come to EPCOT starting this summer. We’ll finally be able to see Figment outside of his ride in more than just his popcorn bucket form. Figment Popcorn Bucket EPCOT will also be home to a new fireworks show celebrating the 100th anniversary. While EPCOT Forever will take over for Harmonious for a short time, Disney announced that we could see this new show in late 2023. We learned that this is designed to be “a show that will unite us through commonalities of the heart in a dazzling display of fireworks, lasers, music and light.” ©Disney From what we’ve seen of the concept art, it looks like Disney is looking to keep similar elements of lasers and fireworks from the center of the World Showcase lagoon all set to a moving soundtrack. Animal Kingdom Animal Kingdom will be home to a new princess meet and greet with Moana! Although we don’t know yet whether this will be a meet and greet or a flotilla experience, Moana is officially coming to Animal Kingdom park and will make her first appearance on April 22nd, 2023. If you’re looking to spot her she will be “greeting” us from Discovery Island. ©Disney April 22nd, 2023, will mark Animal Kingdom’s 25th anniversary and Disney is looking to commemorate the occasion with a special merch collection. ©Disney There will also be a lineup of a few exclusive snacks including the cupcake pictured below that features the Tree of Life. ©Disney We’re excited to celebrate this momentous occasion! Disney Springs Corkcicle will finally get its first retail location in Disney World! Later this spring we’ll be able to visit the Corkcicle store in Disney Springs and pick up a whole array of bottles. Annual Passholder EPCOT Flower & Garden Corkcicle Disney Springs will also be the home of a new restaurant, Summer House On The Lake. While this isn’t a new name to us (they have a location inside the Orlando International Airport) it’s certainly going to be more convenient to visit! There are so many ways to experience the feeling of a Disney Thrill across the Walt Disney World Resort. Whether it’s trying a new attraction, meeting a favorite Disney Character face to face, eating a classic Disney snack or ending the night with a nighttime spectacular, there is something to thrill the whole family. At Disney Springs, guests can experience the thrill of Summer House on the Lake, opening in late 2023 featuring California-inspired artisanal pizzas, pastas, fresh salads, sandwiches and more. (DISNEY) We recently got a chance to take a peek at their California-inspired menu offerings including Shaved Brussels Salad, the Wilshire Blvd Cobb Salad, and the Costa Mesa Salad. ©Disney They’ve also got these ginormous Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookies that could rival the neighboring Gideon’s Bakehouse cookies. Did we help throttle down the firehose news just a bit? If so great, and if you can’t seem to get enough, stay tuned to DFB for the latest in Disney park news! Say Goodbye to $20 Right Now: You Can’t Resist This NEW Disney Souvenir 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 news are you most excited about? Tell us below! The post STOP SCROLLING! Disney Dropped Some Huge News and We’ve Got It All Here first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World can be complicated — especially when you’re trying to choose between 25 resort hotels. If you’ve narrowed down your choices to these hotels, how do you make your final selection? Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Well, we’re here to walk you through the differences between Disney’s BoardWalk Villas and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. Whether room size, location, pools, and/or restaurants are most important to you, we share the information that you’ll need to make an informed decision. After all, we want you stay at the hotel that is best for your family! Let’s get started and look at all the details so that you can plan your Disney trip with confidence. 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 Welcome Home to Saratoga Springs Common Ground Before we mention their differences, let’s take a look at what BoardWalk Villas and Saratoga Springs have in common. First, both are Deluxe Villa Resorts offering many of the same perks. These hotels can be booked by Disney Vacation Club members or cash-paying guests. What a view from Saratoga Springs! So, you won’t find oversized Disney character decors that you might find at the more festive Value Resorts. But look for fun entertainment on the boardwalk. We’re ready for some entertainment! Both resorts offer bus transportation to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Bus transportation from Magic Kingdom For BoardWalk Villas, 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. For Saratoga Springs, that means that for the cheapest room at the cheapest time to visit, you can expect to pay around $451 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts), and it goes up to $3,477 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts) for the most expensive rooms at the most expensive time to visit. Extra Theme Park Hours Benefits for Disney World Resort Hotel Guests Theme/Rooms BoardWalk Villas offers studios, as well as 1-3 bedroom villas. Deluxe studios sleep up to five. One-bedroom villas sleep up to four guests, while two-bedroom villas sleep up to 8 and three-bedroom villas sleep up to 12. Saratoga Springs both offer villa-type accommodations with studio, 1-bedroom (sleep up to five), 2-bedroom, or 3-bedroom layouts. Furnishings are generally a little bit more on the higher end. Speaking of spacious accommodations, the 3 Bedroom Grand Villas at various Disney Vacation Club properties can sleep up to 12 people! These rooms typically come with 3 bedrooms, 3 (or more) bathrooms, a (very large) full-sized kitchen, living area, dining area, and a balcony. These rooms are available first for DVC members to book, so they’re pretty difficult to score and pricing is not readily available to the public (unless you call Disney to book for a specific date). Studios have two beds and a kitchenette. The one-to-three-bedroom villas have a full kitchen, as well as washer and dryer. If you’re looking for convenience, these amenities might make your trip a whole lot easier! The Murphy bed at Saratoga Springs Plus, Saratoga Springs is a huge resort and thus, rooms are often available! BoardWalk Villas 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. 4 BIG Changes (Including New Restaurants) Announced for Disney’s BoardWalk Saratoga Springs Here, you’ll escape to a 19th century equestrian resort, although there aren’t any horses! Opened in May 2004, the quaint gardens add to the peaceful atmosphere. The large resort layout consists of a central lobby building with outer buildings housings the actual hotel rooms. Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Studio Studios at this resort are smaller providing a queen bed and pull-down bed. Two bedrooms sleep up to 8 people. Treehouse Villa However, the unique but very remote treehouse villas can accommodate up to nine guests. Results What location and price point do you prefer? If your focus is saving money and spending time at Disney Springs, choose Saratoga Springs. We prefer the charm and appeal of Disney’s BoardWalk Villas where you feel like you’re at a New England seaside escape. NEWS! MAJOR HOTEL CHANGE Announced for Disney World Pools When the weather is HOT or you just need a break from park queues, head to your resort pool! After all, the pools have their own unique features and special theming. Feature pools at Walt Disney World hotels usually have at least one slide and also offer poolside activities. Look at the hotel’s recreation schedule for more information. Some Disney resorts are so spread out that they also offer leisure pools. These swimming spots are family-friendly with at least one whirlpool spa. Leisure pools are quieter than the more crowded and active feature pools. Pool Slide at BoardWalk Note that poolside towels are always complimentary. BoardWalk Villas The BoardWalk Inn has three pool, the main pool called Luna Park, and two “leisure” pools for folks that are looking for more chill than thrill for their watery adventure. The Luna Park pool used to be the home of the nightmare-fuel clown water slide that lit up a 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 Where the trauma-inducing clown was replaced with a fun mural of Mickey, Minnie and gang enjoy a pool adventure with you on this 200-foot long slide. This fun pool is 184,217 gallons and is just step away from the fun of the boardwalk where you can easily grab a quick ice cream or margarita and then jump right back in the pool. Saratoga Springs This resort has two featured pools — High Rock Spring Pool and The Paddock Pool. While High Rock Spring is currently under renovation until late March 2023, the other pools remain open for your enjoyment. Once re-opened, we expect High Rock Spring to continue to offer a fun atmosphere with waterfalls, zero-depth entry, and a 128 ft. slide. You’ll find two whirlpool spas at this location. Got kids? They’ll love the Donald Duck splash area with a fun kiddie-sized slide. Pool at Saratoga Springs The zero-depth entry Paddock Pool showcases a slide that starts at the top of a water tower and provides 146 feet of fun! Kids can splash in the aquatic play area showcasing two small waterslides. Nearby, a horseshoe-shaped whirlpool offers a nice respite. Paddock Pool at Saratoga Springs Leisure pools with whirlpool spas can be found at the Treehouse Villas, Congress Park, and The Grandstand. Results While Saratoga Springs has more pools, we think the feature pool at BoardWalk Villas is more charming. If you are craving a walk down memory lane with childhood snack favorites nearby and festive carnival music, then you’ll likely agree! 10 Hidden Secrets About Disney World Pools Food Park days can be exhausting. Whether you’re taking a whole day to enjoy your resort, or you are relaxing after a shopping excursion at Disney Springs, once you’re at your Disney World hotel, you might not want to get back on a bus or boat for nourishment. So, you’ll want to know about the best options at your Disney World resort! Artist’s Palette at Saratoga Springs Take a look at the menus and decide which resort has the food that best suits your family. BoardWalk Inn The BoardWalk Inn has been updating and renovating many of the common areas like the many dining options on the actual boardwalk, like the rebranding of the BoardWalk Deli (formerly the BoardWalk Bakery), and the soon to open 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, Joffrey’s Coffee, but a rather subdued vibe for joint named after a bright and vivacious carnival attraction. Let’s take a look… Cheers! 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, or even to take a quick snooze in a comfy chair to recharge in late afternoon. 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, an “overstuffed warm pastrami Reuben” or a hand-piped cannoli. In Disney’s words, the menu takes us on “a road trip of classic sweet and savory flavors from New York to the Jersey Shore,” and you can check it out here. 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 those 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 the 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! Disney notes that the new eatery will present a “whimsical atmosphere that complements the magic of the idyllic charm of Disney’s BoardWalk that guests know and love.” And guess what? Guest 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 (which Disney shares is a flavor staple of “coffee shops, family-owned delis, and ice cream parlors along the shores” in keeping with the BoardWalk’s vintage seaside theme). 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 up for grabs. 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 Standalso 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 is currently closed. We will keep you updated when a reopening is announced! 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! The 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, its given name) 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 Fornoon Disney World’s BoardWalk. This eatery serves 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! Saratoga Springs Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is an equestrian-themed resort, with dining options that are simultaneously relaxed and refined. The Turf Club Bar and Grill features steaks and chops — along with pasta dishes — in a lovely atmosphere created with dark woods and forest greens. Pork Chop You can also enjoy spending some time at the Turf Club Lounge. (May I recommend the Mint Julep?) We do want to note that the Turf Club at Saratoga Springs is only open for dinner. Backstretch Pool Bar and On the Rocks Pool Bar serve cold specialty drinks that are perfect for relaxing by the pool on a sunny day. On the Rocks Pool Bar The Artist’s Palette is a Counter Service option serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a spot made to resemble an artist’s studio in New York. The indoor seating is welcome on hot Florida days, chilly mornings and evenings, and during rainstorms! Fresh sandwiches, pizza, salads and more are on offer, and the bakery case always boasts some fantastic and creative cupcakes. Stop by Artist’s Palette for seasonal treats! The Paddock Grill is located by the Paddock Pool, offering substantial eats to enjoy poolside — even for the early risers at breakfast! Click HERE for our Complete Guide to Eating at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort! Results While the variety at Saratoga Springs is rather slim, you’re not far from Disney Springs, which has a ton of restaurants. If your favorite eateries are at Disney Springs, Saratoga Springs may look more appealing to you. BoardWalk Villas has a LOT of dining and a lot of variety. While it lacks an actual food court, there are several table and quick service restaurants, so you probably won’t need more options. BoardWalk Villas wins out for offering more onsite options. Nearby Beach Club and Yacht Club add to your dining choices. And don’t forget that EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are in close proximity as well! BoardWalk games The BoardWalk Inn really embraces the casual vibe of its carnival setting with nostaglic, approachable snack foods like pizza, sandwiches and ice cream to craft beers and fine Italian fare. One thing is for sure, you won’t go hungry at the BoardWalk! Transportation BoardWalk Villas provides bus transportation to Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Saratoga Springs relies on bus transportation to destinations (except Disney Springs and some nearby hotels). BoardWalk Villas 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 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. Saratoga Springs You can walk and boat to Disney Springs, but otherwise, you’re stuck with a moderately lengthy bus ride to get around. And beware of those internal stops again! This is a rather large resort, so it’s easy to get lost when trying to locate the different amenities featured on the property. Take a boat to Saratoga Springs! This hotel is fairly far away from the Disney parks — so getting to-and-from places using Disney’s complimentary transportation can take a big chunk out of your day. Results BoardWalk Villas wins in this category due to its proximity to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. Plus, there is the Skyliner for visiting other resorts! At Saratoga Springs, the Sassagoula Riverboats to Disney Springs are a pleasant mode of transportation, except during inclement weather. 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 Saratoga Springs Resort might be the deluxe villa resort to book! A few more considerations: Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course is located on the sprawling property of Saratoga Springs. Your hotel at Walt Disney World will either be a place just to sleep or a hang-out in between touring the parks. If you’re seeking relaxation and don’t feel the need to rush to the parks, then Saratoga Springs provides an excellent respite from the crowds. Enjoy relaxing at Saratoga Springs! However, if we had to recommend one resort over the other, we’re going to choose BoardWalk Villas. We always enjoy being close to two theme parks and only a walk away from the dining options at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club resort. The EPCOT resort area is truly one of the most convenient locations on Walt Disney World property. Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/customemailexample.jpg Where did you decide to stay? Share with us and your fellow readers! The post Saratoga Springs vs BoardWalk Villas Resort Guide 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Tenaya Stone Spa at Disneyland Resort is introducing fresh new offerings: energizing new yoga classes in unique theme park locations and skin-rejuvenating treatments!View the full article

Disney Speedstorm, a new kart racing video game from Disney Games featuring your favorite Disney characters, will launch April 18th in Early Access for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X and PC. View the full article

New barbecue restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has “Toy Story” setting from floor to ceiling, comfort-food menu. View the full article

We’re once again bringing some Disney magic into the community. Recently, patients and families at two children’s hospitals in Florida received a surprise visit – and a bit of pixie dust – as we delivered two new mobile movie theaters along with Disney-themed Starlight Hospital Wear, toys, books and more.View the full article

California-based Cookie Plug, where treats are brownie-thick and inspired by '90s hip-hop, is expected to open this spring in downtown West Palm Beach. View the full article

Bob Iger returned to The Walt Disney Company with a very important task at hand: find the next CEO. ©Disney | Walt Disney Company Headquarters This time around, we’re hoping it sticks. Iger hand-picked Bob Chapek when he originally retired from the company, and now, speculation has started to swirl around just who might be his next choice. We’ve seen a handful of names pop up as potential contenders, but it looks like one candidate has shared he hopes he’ll get the job. Since Bob Iger came back to Disney, we’ve been wondering who the second-time CEO might choose as his successor. A few names have been thrown into the ring, including Kevin Mayer — former Disney executive and current CEO of Candle Media. Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney Prior to leaving Disney, Mayer served as the head of the Direct-to-Consumer and International Division, overseeing projects like the launch of Disney+ and ESPN+. Mayer departed Disney in 2020 to become the CEO of TikTok, but resigned after 100 days. He’s been named as a potential replacement for Iger (though Disney has not confirmed anything) and it seems like it’s a role he might be interested in. Bryan van der Beek | Bloomberg | Getty Images According to Sports Pro Media, Kevin Mayer has shared that when it comes to returning to Disney, he “will see what happens.” Mayer went on to say that his immediate focus is on his “investments and various advisory roles” including production firm Candle Media (which works closely with Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine company.) “The future’s bright and I’m doing the things I love to do,” continued Mayer, but that still doesn’t mean he’s counting out returning to Disney as CEO. ©The New York Times | Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press After Mayer’s initial departure from Disney, he shared in an interview with CNBC that he was disappointed when he wasn’t named as Iger’s successor the first time around, being passed over for Chapek. When asked if he thought he would be the next CEO, he replied, “I was hoping I would be. I’m not sure hope and expectations are the same. It’s a nice job, CEO of Disney.” Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney For now, though, we’ll have to continue to speculate. Other potential replacements for Iger that have been named so far include Adam Silver, the current commissioner of the NBA; Dana Walden, current co-chair of Disney entertainment; Alan Bergman, the other co-chair of Disney entertainment; Josh D’Amaro, current chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products; Christine McCarthy, current Disney CFO; and Jimmy Pitaro, president of ESPN. Walt Disney Company Headquarters ©LA Times Iger isn’t alone in his search for a replacement. Mark Parker, who will be Disney’s next Chairman of the Walt Disney Company Board of Directors has been tasked with finding CEO Bob Iger’s replacement by way of a Succession Planning Committee. ©Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images We’ll continue to watch for more updates on Iger’s quest to find a successor as Disney’s CEO. Check out these posts for more updates on Iger and Disney: Disney Employees Fight Back Against Iger’s New Rule Bob Iger Makes “Stark Reversal in Strategy” at Disney Why Is Disney CEO Bob Iger Obsessed with Zootopia? Disney CEO Bob Iger Comments on Bob Chapek Selection Keep following DFB for more of the latest Disney news! Bob Iger Comments on His Search for the Next Disney CEO 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. Who do you think should be the next Disney CEO? Let us know in the comments. The post Former TikTok CEO Could REPLACE Bob Iger at Disney first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It seems that Disneyland is a busy place lately! (Well, busier than usual!) Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland With the Disney100 Celebration starting in January, the Food and Wine Festival starting in early March, and new shops opening — there’s been a lot goin’ on! To add to the list, a fan-favorite ride is reopening in Disneyland SOON. Can you guess what it is? Indiana Jones Adventure will reopen in Disneyland on Friday, March 17th after a LONG closure. The attraction closed in November 2022 for routine maintenance and refurbishment but it looks like it will be up and running tomorrow. Disney updated the site’s webpage to say that “Indiana Jones Adventure is closed for refurbishment through March 16, 2023.” Indiana Jones Adventure When we checked Disney Genie, the attraction was still missing from the list on the tip board. Hopefully, it will pop up later today or tomorrow morning. ©Disney Long closures like this are totally normal and not something to fret over. They just allow Disney to keep the rides and attractions in tip-top shape! We’ve seen several long Disney ride closures recently, from Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney World to Disney World’s Skyliner. We post about all the ride refurbishments and closures so that you can be prepared before your next trip. Click here to see everything that will be closed in Disneyland in 2023! Closure Signage If you’re looking for all the latest Disney news (especially when it comes to all the delicious snacks you can try) we are the blog for you! Follow along so that you’re never out of the loop or unprepared for your next Disney trip. Oh, and click the link below if you’re hoping to plan around 2023 Disney World closures. We have a FULL LIST so that you won’t miss a thing. Click here to view a full list of Disney World closures in 2023 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 going on Indiana Jones Adventure? Let us know in the comments! The post REOPENING DATE Announced for a Popular Disney Ride first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s springtime in Disney World, and that means MANY things. Springtime at EPCOT! The Flower and Garden Festival is currently happening in EPCOT, as well as its annual Easter scavenger hunt. Speaking of Easter, we’ve also started to see special treats pop up all over the park to celebrate this month. We headed over to the Contempo Cafe at Disney’s Contemporary Resort to give two of them a try and brought you along with us! First up at this Contemporary Resort quick-service spot was the Peanut Butter Egg for $5.29. These are chocolate-coated peanut butter bites in the shape of an egg. The outside tart crust is flakey, like a pie crust, but you can taste the honey in it. The lemon curd is a tad bit tart but then mellows to a lemon/vanilla pudding mix-like flavor. The strawberry chantilly is faint but tasty and almost tastes more like whipped cream icing. Overall, we enjoyed this one! Spring Bunny Tart Our only complaint was that this was also hard to cut in half, and you’ll definitely want to have some water nearby to wash it down with since it is pretty sweet. If you’re a fan of pies and fruit flavors, give this one a try! Delicious! There are also a few other other springtime treats to try at this spot, so making a stop on the Monorail is certainly worth it in our eyes. Some of these treats are available on Mobile Order, but we noticed that a few were missing the last time we checked. So if you’re trying to use Mobile Order and don’t see the treat you want, be sure to still ask at the counter if it’s available! Many treats available! In other springtime news, check out some of our other treat reviews, and see why you’ll want to head to your local Kohl’s ASAP! As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney reviews and news. Check out the Easter Disney collectibles that only become available once per year! 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! Would you grab either of these treats? Tell us in the comments below! The post Hop On the Monorail To Try LIMITED-TIME Treats in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It seems like EPCOT has a festival for every type of Disney fan. EPCOT There’s the classic EPCOT Food and Wine Festival in the Fall, the International Festival of the Holidays in the winter, the International Festival of the Arts at the beginning of the year, and the current festival — International Flower and Garden Festival. We’ve already talked about how Disney is raising ticket prices in 2023, and have seen things like Genie+ reach record highs — but have rising prices affected the cost of our beloved EPCOT festivals? Let’s take a look at what we know. To get an idea of how prices have changed, we’re taking a look at the cost of park tickets during festival days, festival food, and festival merchandise, and comparing them to years past. Let’s start with ticket prices! Park Ticket Prices The Flower and Garden Festival takes place in the Spring, so we gathered some data from this and last year to compare. Here’s the chart for 1 day, 1 park tickets in April this year. You can see that the cost of tickets ranges from $139 to $154, depending on the day. ©Disney Last year, tickets were a bit cheaper on certain days, ranging from $139 to $147. ©Disney While we already knew that park ticket prices were increasing this year, it is interesting to see how it affects specific days for the festival. In the Fall, we’re also seeing some increasing prices for tickets during Food and Wine Festival. Here’s the chart for 1 day, 1 park tickets in September this year. You can see that the prices are a little cheaper during this month, and range from $109 to $149. ©Disney And here are the prices for the same time last year. ©Disney During this time frame last year, the ticket prices ranged from $109 to $141. While the cheapest tickets remained the same for both months, you can see that certain days increased in price a bit during the festivals. These increasing prices are a part of the rising costs of Disney tickets as a whole, so it’s not specific to EPCOT festivals, but it will have an effect on your trip to the festival so it’s important to keep in mind. Festival Food Prices As the festival food is a main focus for most, if not all, of the EPCOT festivals, it will likely play a significant role in your budgeting for your trip. Let’s take a look at some of the returning items at this year’s Flower and Garden Festival to see how the prices have changed. Baurnmakt, the food booth in the Germany Pavilion, has 4 returning items this year: 2 Potato Pancake offerings, Toasted Pretzel Bread, and the Warm Cheese Strudel. Full Spread at Bauernmarkt Let’s see how they compare. In 2021, these items cost $4.50, $4.75, $5.50, and $4.50, respectively. In 2022, they went up slightly, and cost $4.75, $5.00, $5.75, and $4.75. This year, some of the items went up again and cost $5.00, $5.25, $5.75, and $4.75. As you can see, every year this booth had a few price increases, even if they were small. However, these small prices increased add up when you’re eating and drinking your way around the festival! Some other festival favorites have also increased this year, like the Coconut Tres Leches from La Isla Fresca. Coconut Tres Leches Last year it was $4.25, and this year it increased slightly to $4.50. The Fried Cinnamon Roll Bites also returned, although at a “new” BRUNCHCOT booth. Fried Cinnamon Roll Bites with cream cheese frosting and candied bacon 2022 In 2021 they were $4.25, last year they were $4.50, and this year they increased slightly to $4.75. It’s not all increased, though. At the same booth, the Shrimp and Grits have also returned — but they actually have remained the same for three years!. Shrimp and Grits In 2021, 2022, and 2023, they cost $7.25! Another one of our returning favorites has also stayed the same price for three years: the Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade from Pineapple Promenade. Frozen Violet Lemonade This has been $4.50 for 2021, 2022, and 2023’s Flower and Garden Festival. As can see, there have been some things that increase a bit, but the prices haven’t risen across the board. Also, this isn’t the only festival we have noticed price increases on festival food. While the increases have been slight, keep them in mind when you are budgeting for your trip, regardless of the festival you choose. Merchandise and Activities Merchandise is a super fun and popular part of these festivals — (Figment Popcorn Bucket, anyone?) and there are usually a few items from every festival that people go crazy over! But have the prices increased on these items as well? Let’s take a look at some of the items that we usually see during the Flower and Garden Festival. First, the beloved Orange Bird Spirit Jersey. This year we found one for $79.99. There he is! Thankfully this hasn’t seen a price increase this year, as a similar version was released last year for $79.99 as well. 2022 Spirit Jersey The year before that, however, it was $10 cheaper at $69.99. 2021 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Orange Bird Spirit Jersey This year’s Flower and Garden Festival Tervis costs $29.99… Tervis Tumbler …and a similar one for last year’s festival cost the same! Tervis This year, we got a cute Orange Bird mug for $19.99… Orange Bird mug …and last year a different Orange Bird mug cost $19.99 as well. Orange Bird Mugs Overall, it seems that the pricing for merch has actually stayed pretty consistent! You can take a look at all the 2023 Flower and Garden Festival Merch here. Did you know we’ve released our own exclusive festival shirt? Get ready for Flower and Garden fest with these new shirts! Click here to order a Flower and Garden Festival shirt! You’ll be able to take part in an Easter egg scavenger hunt this year for $9.99. Easter egg hunt! In this activity, you purchase a map and try to find painted Easter eggs all across EPCOT. Once you find them all, you get a prize. We didn’t see a price increase this year! Last year, it was the same price. EPCOT Egg-Stravaganza Map Overall, we are seeing some festival prices increase this year — although not everything has been affected. While tickets and some food items have seen rising prices, if you budget and plan your trip correctly– you might be able to get by this year without too much of a beating on your wallet compared to last year. Keep in mind, however, that this is just a small sample of some of the costs you can expect to see, so depending on your preferences you might have a different experience. If you’re headed to the Flower and Garden Festival this year, don’t forget to check out our video where we try ALL the food at this year’s festival booths. We’ll continue to keep an eye out for all the latest Disney news, so stay tuned to DFB for more! Click here to see all the festival booth menus for this year’s festival Ready to Plan for Your 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Trip? Pre-Order the DFB Guide to the 2023 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival e-Book today! This 220+ page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. Your purchase includes several bonus items as well -- including a full schedule of events at the Festival and a printable Outdoor Kitchens Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! Pre-Order your 2023 edition today! Don't miss a moment of the fun! Use code SPRING at check-out to get $2 off the cover price! MORE Flower & Garden Festival INFO! See the FULL LIST of Food Booths, Menus, and Photos from the Festival Learn About the Garden Rocks Concert Series and Dining Packages Secret Tips for the Flower & Garden Festival Everything Returning to the Flower & Garden Festival in 2023 2 Things We ALWAYS Bring to the Festival Click HERE for All of the Latest News and Details About the Festival! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Flower & Garden Festival news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Which of these costs surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments below! The post Are EPCOT Festivals Getting More EXPENSIVE? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Okay, so who’s collecting those Munchlings plushes? Munchlings! You know the ones we mean? They combine Disney characters with food (seriously, you KNOW we love that idea!). So far, we’ve seen some fun ones, like a Figment Fig Bar, a Winnie the Pooh Honey Cake, a Baymax S’Mores, and more. Now, another popular character has its own Munchling. We previously saw a sneak peek at some of the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival merchandise, which included an Orange Bird Munchling. The festival has been going on since March 1st, but we haven’t seen the Orange Bird Munchling — until just now! SO cute This plush reimagines Orange Bird as a Citrus-infused Cupcake Orange Bird and it comes with an additional Honey Plush. So you actually get TWO plushes for the price of one here! Also, doesn’t that sound delicious? A must for Orange Bird fans With all those Orange Bird fans out there, though, we expect this souvenir to go FAST. Although there were plenty on hand when we initially saw it, we expect a LOT of people will want to get their hands on it. So you probably need to head to EPCOT ASAP. Plenty in stock right now We found the Orange Bird Munchling at Creation Shop in EPCOT for $19.99. Disney is always releasing new Munchlings, too, so we’ll be keeping an eye out for more. They really are a cute souvenir, sort of like Squishmallows, but with Disney characters and food (and, yes, we’re biased towards both). While you’re in EPCOT, be sure to check out the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival, too. There are a TON of great food booths to check out (you can see the full menus here), as well as beautiful topiaries (this year’s NEW Encanto topiary might just be our favorite), a scavenger hunt, and a concert series. EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival 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! New Flower and Garden Merch! Keep following DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news. Check Out the NEW Orange Bird Souvenir at EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival! Ready to Plan for Your 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Trip? Pre-Order the DFB Guide to the 2023 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival e-Book today! This 220+ page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. Your purchase includes several bonus items as well -- including a full schedule of events at the Festival and a printable Outdoor Kitchens Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! Pre-Order your 2023 edition today! Don't miss a moment of the fun! Use code SPRING at check-out to get $2 off the cover price! MORE Flower & Garden Festival INFO! See the FULL LIST of Food Booths, Menus, and Photos from the Festival Learn About the Garden Rocks Concert Series and Dining Packages Secret Tips for the Flower & Garden Festival Everything Returning to the Flower & Garden Festival in 2023 2 Things We ALWAYS Bring to the Festival Click HERE for All of the Latest News and Details About the Festival! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Flower & Garden Festival news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you an Orange Bird fan? Will you be grabbing this plush? Let us know in the comments! The post Say Goodbye to Right Now -- You Can't Resist This NEW Disney Souvenir first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

What’s the best cruise for a first-timer? Which cruise line has the biggest rooms? And are you really making the BEST choice if you go with the Disney Cruise Line instead of a less expensive cruise line? Disney Magic We’ve got ALL these answers for you today — plus many, MANY more — here on DFB Guide! Check out our video below: Disney Cruise Line VS. CHEAPER Cruise Lines 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! Stay tuned for more news! Want More Details About Disney World’s Hotels? Ranking of ALL of Disney World’s Hotels 9 Ways Your Disney World Hotel Stay Will Be Different in 2023 Our Picks for the Best Disney World Hotels in 2022 These Are the WORST Disney World Hotels for 2022 13 Critical Things You’re FORGETTING About When Booking a Disney World Hotel You Couldn’t Get the Disney World Hotel Reservation You Wanted – Now What? The 6 Disney World Hotel Problems No One is Talking About See Why You Might BAIL on Your Disney World Hotel A Full List of Changes Announced for Disney World’s Hotels 8 Gadgets You Need for Your Disney World Hotel Room The Surprising Things You Won’t Find in Your Disney World Hotel Room The Secret Way to Stay in Disney World’s Hotels for LESS! What Items from Amazon Can You Have Delivered to Your Resort Hotel? We’ve Got the Details Are Disney World Hotel Perks Worth the Hefty Price Tag? Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney World hotel news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What cruise line is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below. The post DFB Video: Disney Cruise Line VS. CHEAPER Cruise Lines first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Okay, so it’s no secret that Spring Break means LOADS of crowds in Disney World. Spring Break crowds are here The Spring Break travel period officially started on March 4th. We’ve already seen Genie+ at its highest price for multiple days, plus we’ve seen it sell out completely. Orlando International Airport has also predicted its five busiest travel days during this time, but one of those days has already broken records. On March 11th, Orlando International Airport recorded its BUSIEST DAY EVER with 95,287 people departing the airport. That’s nearly 5,000 MORE people than the previous record-holding day in 2019, before the pandemic. March 12th was the airport’s second busiest day with nearly 93,000 passengers. Orlando International Airport crowds in January According to The Aviation Authority, over 7 million passengers will fly through the airport during the 46 days of the Spring Break travel period. 7 million people!!! So buckle up, Spring Break travelers, things are going to be a little chaotic. Terminal C at MCO So what should you do if you’re traveling during this busy time? First, pack your patience, but also be sure to arrive at the airport as early as you can (the general rule of thumb is at least three hours before your flight). Orlando International Airport You might also want to consider signing up for programs like TSA PreCheck to skip the long security lines. If you’re flying out of Orlando, you can reserve a time to use the airport’s FREE Reservation Lane to go through security to bypass the longest lines. This service is available at both security checkpoints at the airport and you can sign up at reserve.clearme.com. Granted, with things THIS busy, you’ll still need to give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport (and take traffic into account) as well as navigate your way to your gate. So if you do reserve a lane, it’s probably a good idea to give yourself plenty of time between that and your flight. Even if you end up with some spare time, you can take the opportunity to sit somewhere, grab a snack or drink, and de-stress before your flight. We’ll continue to keep an eye on Spring Break travel in Orlando, as well as Disney news, so stay tuned to DFB for more. Here’s The Ultimate Disney World Packing List for 2023 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 over Spring Break? Let us know your best tips and tricks in the comments! The post RECORD-BREAKING CROWDS Hit the Orlando International Airport first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Here at DFB, we love enjoying a Disney meal. Goofy is such a goof! But what makes a Disney meal even better? Our favorite characters, of course! Recently, we got to see the princesses return to Cinderella’s Royal Table and the buffet return to Chef Mickey’s. Now, we’ve got another character meal change to share with you — and we’re headed to Disney’s Hollywood Studios this time. In Hollywood Studios, Hollywood & Vine offers a character lunch and dinner, hosted by the queen herself — Minnie Mouse! But this meal changes throughout the year — you’ll find a beach party scene during Summertime Dine, the characters all dressed up in costumes for the fall’s Halloween Dine, a festive Holiday Dine at the end of the year, and a tribute to the Silver Screen at the beginning of the year. But today, Hollywood & Vine gets all dressed up for Spring during Minnie’s Springtime Dine! Minnie will be flaunting her floral dress… It’s Minnie! …and Mickey, Pluto, and Goofy’s outfits will get a Springtime refresh as well! Goofy at the Springtime Dine At this character meal, you’ll find options such as the Slow-roasted Crispy Pork Belly with Guava glaze, Shrimp and Bacon Mac & Cheese, and Mississippi Mud Pie. Spice-rubbed Pork Loin This character meal currently costs $38 per child and $59 per adult. You’ll be able to catch Minnie’s Springtime Dine through May 24th, 2003, and then it will switch over to Minnie’s Summertime Dine on May 25th. Hey Mickey! If you’re looking for Playhouse Disney Characters, in the morning there is also the Disney Junior Play ‘n Dine Breakfast where you’ll find characters like Fancy Nancy, Vampirina, Doc McStuffins, and Roadster Goofy during this a la cart meal. Breakfast costs $27 per child and $42 per adult. Fancy Nancy We’ll keep you updated on all the latest Disney food news, so stay tuned to DFB for more! Click here to read our FULL review of Hollywood and Vine Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you ever been to Minnie’s Seasonal Dine? Let us know in the comments! The post A Popular Character Meal Has CHANGED in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s springtime, and that means Easter celebrations are arriving in the Disney parks! Disneyland Main Street crowds There are lots of new snacks to try, experiences not to miss out on, and merchandise to grab. Over in Disneyland, your Easter egg hunt can already begin by playing Disneyland’s Eggstravaganza! From now through April 9th, you can buy an Eggstravaganza game board for $9.99 at select merchandise locations. Eggstravaganza Prizes Here’s a list of where you can find the game boards: Downtown Disney District: Acorns Gifts & Goods (located at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa; both Disney California Adventure Park and Downtown Disney District game boards are sold here) The Disney Dress Shop Disney’s Fantasia Shop (located at the Disneyland Hotel; only Downtown Disney District game boards are sold here) Disney’s Pin Traders Mickey in Paradise (located at the Paradise Pier Hotel; both Disney California Adventure Park and Downtown Disney District game boards are sold here) WonderGround Gallery World of Disney Disneyland Park: 20th Century Music Company Adventureland Bazaar Disney Showcase Disneyana Emporium Le Petite Chalet Little Green Men Store Command Pioneer Mercantile Pooh Corner Disney California Adventure Park: Acorns Gifts & Goods (located at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa; both Disney California Adventure Park and Downtown Disney District game boards are sold here) Elias & Co. Gone Hollywood Humphrey’s Service & Supplies Mickey in Paradise (located at the Paradise Pier Hotel; both Disney California Adventure Park and Downtown Disney District game boards are sold here) Ramone’s House of Body Art Rushin’ River Outfitters Seaside Souvenirs Trolley Treats Keep in mind that the game boards differ whether you’re playing in Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, or Downtown Disney. The eggs you’ll need to find are hidden all throughout the park, and once you find them all, you can turn in your game board to claim your prize! Find all the eggs! The prize is one of six collectible eggs, and remember that you can collect it even if you don’t complete the entire egg hunt. Here’s a list of where you can redeem your board to claim your prize: Downtown Disney District: Disney’s Pin Traders World of Disney Disneyland Park: Disney Showcase Disney California Adventure Park: Elias & Co. This is a great activity to bring extra fun to your Disneyland Resort trip during the spring, but supplies are limited, so we suggest grabbing one sooner rather than later. We spotted some eggs in the parks while we were making our rounds. There’s Minnie! Some of the eggs are easier to find than others, which just makes the game more fun in our eyes! Can you find Woody? As always stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disneyland news, and happy hunting! Read all about some recent Disneyland updates here! Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! See Our DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Learn About Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland Check Out What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Get All the Info About Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Should You Go to Disneyland in 2022? Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Are you planning to play Eggstravaganza? Tell us in the comments! The post DON'T MISS This Limited-Time Disney Experience! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Here at Disney Food Blog, we talk about Disney World food a LOT. But we also want to make sure we give the West Coast some love! Disneyland Park Disneyland Resort has dozens of delicious restaurants, plenty of seasonal eats, and some snacks that could throw down against Disney World snacks any day and WIN. So whether you’re a Disneyland newbie or you’re a regular visitor, we’re here to share our thoughts on the dining at Walt’s original resort. And on a recent visit, we stopped by to review Cafe Orleans! Cafe Orleans is located in the New Orleans Square section of Disneyland Park, and it has been a staple of that area of the park since 1966. The charming sidewalk cafe serves up some classic Disneyland eats! Cafe Orleans During your visit, you can check out the character displays from Princess and the Frog or the vintage espresso machine that used to make brews for Walt Disney himself. Plus, you get a great view of the Rivers of America! Cafe Orleans seating area So what’s on the menu? Menu As you might expect, the menu is filled with New Orleans-inspired eats, including some Cajun flavors. For a limited time, you can order the Mardi Gras Cream Puff as part of the Disney100 celebrations. But if you want something that’s more of a staple, try out the seasonal soup or Chicken Gumbo to start your meal. ©Disney For entrees, they’ve got the Red Wine Braised Short Rib or Roasted Chicken. But the real star of the show is the Monte Cristo — they’re famous for the sandwich, and it’s a classic Disneyland treat! There are also a few different plant-based items to choose from — they have an appetizer, entree, and a dessert. ©Disney For dessert, try out the macarons for $16. This is also one of the spots where you can order a Mint Julep to drink. You can even get a souvenir cup! ©Disney They have multiple options for the kiddos as well! For children 9 and under, you can order the Roasted Chicken, Petite Short Rib, Sauteed Shrimp, or Mickey’s Cheesy Macaroni. ©Disney Time to get some eats and dig in! Eats To start, we visited on a particularly chilly day, so we wanted to warm up with some soup! We got the Cup of Seasonal Soup for $8 which was a winter squash soup with pork belly and poblano crème fraiche. Cup of Seasonal Soup This was honestly so creamy and delicious! The pork belly added a wonderful saltiness to the smooth winter squash soup. The cream fraiche was creamy and had a slight kick that complemented the other flavors well. We would order this again! So delicious! We also decided to try the Chicken Gumbo for $8. This was a nice, heavy gumbo! It was super flavorful with lots of chicken. It also has andouille sausage, tasso ham, and rice inside. Chicken Gumbo We added a touch of hot sauce to ours, which warmed us up on a cool day in the parks and really rounded out all the flavors. If you’re a gumbo fan, we recommend trying it. We liked adding a little hot sauce. Of course, we couldn’t make a trip to Cafe Orleans without ordering the Battered and Fried Monte Cristo for $22. It’s made with sliced turkey, ham, and swiss cheese topped with seasonal preserves, all in the middle of a sandwich. You can get Pommes Frites or a salad as your side. Fried and Battered Monte Cristo This is to. die. for. It’s very heavy but so delicious at the same time! The savory and sweet flavors work really well together, and there’s no wonder it’s a crowd favorite.The seasonal preserves really bring it all together, but it might be hard to finish this sandwich on your own. A true icon! The Pommes Frites that we ordered on the side were absolute perfection as well! They were crispy on the outside and soft inside. The remoulade it came with was spicy and addictive. We actually ordered an extra side of remoulade and we were so glad that we did! We got the Pommes Frites on the side. The other thing we tried was the French Onion Farro Risotto for $21. This is on the list of plant-based eats and it’s made with Seven Onion, lemon arugula salad, and smoked tomato crostini. YUM! French Onion Farro Risotto This is a really nice and light alternative to the Monte Cristo, and it would be great to share both entrees between two people. The risotto was cooked so that it was soft but still had a little texture to it, which was perfect to us. It was creamy and the caramelized onions were a driving flavor in the dish. A good dish for plant-based eaters! So what did we think of Cafe Orleans? Overall We thoroughly enjoyed our meal at Cafe Orleans, and we would definitely recommend this spot again! It’s a true Disneyland classic and everything we ate was absolutely delicious, so we’ve essentially got no complaints. On a day with nice weather, it’s kind of relaxing to sit outside and watch the guests walk by around the park. The view from our table! Keep in mind that many of the things on the menu were kind of heavy, so you might not want to choose this restaurant on a day when it’s hot or you’re going to be hustling through the parks. But if you want that Monte Cristo, don’t skip it! Nosh or Not? Enjoy a leisurely meal at Cafe Orleans if… You want to try some traditional Disneyland food! We’ve mentioned it a few times, but that Monte Cristo is hard to beat. And on top of that, you can get a yummy Mint Julep to wash it down. Lots of great options on the menu! You want to do some people-watching. The tables are outdoors in patio-style seating, so you’ll be close to the guests walking through the park. It’s a great place to sit back, relax, and just enjoy the ambiance of New Orleans Square. Pass on Cafe Orleans and move on down the bayou if… You’re in a rush. Our meal was pretty relaxed, so it might not be your vibe if you’re in a hurry to get a bunch of things done during the day. You want some light food. Preparing to do some big thrills or visiting on a hot day? This may not be the menu that you want! Cafe Orleans That was our experience at Cafe Orleans! We hope you enjoyed this review and that it’ll be helpful when planning your upcoming trip. Stay tuned to DFB for more dining advice for the Disney parks! The Best Food at Disneyland for 2023 — Click Here! Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! 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Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Have you ever eaten at Cafe Orleans? Tell us in the comments! The post REVIEW: Cafe Orleans Just PROVED Why It's a Disney Classic first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article