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“I’M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!” If that famous phrase applies to YOU, then you definitely want to be up to speed on all the latest tips and tricks to make sure your vacation is the best it can be. Welcome to Disney World! You may already be familiar with the tried-and-true tips, or even with some of the more recent major additions to a Disney Parks vacation, like the necessary booking of Park Pass reservations and the Disney Genie service (though if you’re in need of a starting point, we have one for you here). We’ll chat about those today, but we’re going to take a bit of a deeper dive with our list of the Best Tips for Anyone Going to Disney World! Make Those Park Pass Reservations… IF Required! Like it or loathe it, the Disney Park Pass Reservations system (an online tool that allows guests to make the required reservations to visit the four Walt Disney World theme parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios) is here to stay until AT LEAST mid-January 2024. (That’s as far out as you can currently make reservations.) Disney’s Animal Kingdom So making those Park Passes as EARLY AS POSSIBLE is both a Top Tip and a MUST-DO, and you can begin to make those reservations as soon as you have purchased valid park admission. Now, I said that those Park Passes are required… and that is true. BUT there are certain instances where you don’t need to make an individual Park Pass, and being familiar with those will save you some time and frustration. These include — but aren’t limited to — the second park to which you might be Park Hopping and if you’ve purchased a 1-day, 1-park ticket for a specific park. Don’t worry — we give you the full rundown on all of the exceptions HERE. Click HERE to learn the times when you DON’T need to make a Park Pass reservation! Know When NOT to Purchase Disney Genie+ Disney Genie+ is an add-on service that allows guests to bypass Standby lines for several included park attractions and enter the Lightning Lane instead. (Click this link to learn all the ins-and-outs, including which attractions are included in each park with the purchase of Disney Genie+.) While this optional service can certainly be a timesaver, it’s also an additional purchase that may not be worth the dough in select instances. Lightning Lane at EPCOT’s Frozen Ever After For instance, we’ve found the most value in using Genie+ in Magic Kingdom. But in Animal Kingdom and EPCOT? Not so much. We’ve been using Disney Genie+ a LOT since Day One of its release, and have complied a list of instances where you may not need a Genie’s help as much as you think… Is Genie+ NECESSARY Now in Disney World? We Spill the Tea. Make Sure You Use the EXTRAS on Disney Genie+ Let’s say it makes sense for you on a given day to purchase Disney Genie+. Then don’t miss out on the EXTRAS! Starting March 20th, 2023, guests who purchase Disney Genie+ will also get FREE digital PhotoPass downloads for attraction photos taken on the day of their purchase! Haunted Mansion On-ride Photo ©Disney You can also access some seriously fun Augmented Reality photo lenses located within My Disney Experience. (And I can speak from experience that these were a blast to use with my nephew during a recent visit.) Disney parks-themed audio experiences are also available for guests to use, which share fun facts about the attractions and other areas surrounding you in the parks. Check out EVERYTHING included with Disney Genie+ HERE Modify Your Disney Genie + Selection Did you know that you can now MODIFY your Disney Genie+ ride selection? The reason why this is a bigger deal than it seems is because being able to modify your reservations comes in handy when you’re relying on the 120-minute rule. Lightning Lane at Kali River Rapids You see, the 120 minute rule allows you to make another Lightning Lane reservation, even if you haven’t been able to use your previous one yet. You just have to wait for that 2 hour cool-down period before you can select another ride. Previously, you could only cancel then rebook a Lightning Lane reservation to make a change… and the app would totally reset your 120 minute countdown. But now, you can change up your Lightning Lane without your 120 minute countdown starting over. Whew! Disney World Has CHANGED Genie+ — And We Love It We know… it’s a lot. That’s why we explain this and MORE in this video:  Know the BEST Time to Visit EPCOT Festivals You know that we LOVE EPCOT’s four seasonal Festivals around here (the Festival of the Arts, the Flower and Garden Festival, the Food and Wine Festival, and Festival of the Holidays)… especially because of ALL the extra FOOD! Princess Tiana Topiary at the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival But if you’re looking for the least-crowded time to attend one, consider visiting AFTER the Festival has kicked off, as opposed to the very busy Opening Day and following weekend, when the crowds are at their highest. Likewise, Festivals can increase in crowds towards their end date, too, with everyone trying to get those last Best of the Fest bites and sips in! Line for the BRUNCHCOT Outdoor Kitchen on the Opening Day of the Flower & Garden Festival You’ll likely find that a mid-season Festival visit (even better if it’s on a weekday) tends to be a more relaxing experience overall. Take a look at the crowds on the Opening Day of the 2023 Flower & Garden Festival Know and Use Walk-Up Waitlists EARLY at Participating Table Service Restaurants Aaaah, Walk-Up Waitlist… this seriously handy feature is available through the My Disney Experience app and allows guests to view and snag reservations at Table Service restaurants that have available seating for walk-up guests! (In fact, the Tip Board in the free Disney Genie service can show you all of the restaurants that currently have availability!) Check Walk-Up Waitlist Availability within Disney Genie BUT here’s where our tip comes in…. We know that the phrase “walk-up” implies “RIGHT NOW.” But it’s quite possible that a restaurant may not have that walk-up availability for a few hours out (if at all). So if you haven’t lined up an Advance Dining Reservation, but suddenly relaxing at a nice sit-down meal seems like a good idea during a busy park day, we recommend checking out Walk-up Waitlist availability EARLY in the day to aim for the most convenient time possible. Learn how to use the Walk-up Waitlist feature HERE! And here’s another great way to snag a table… ANOTHER Way to Get Into the BEST Disney World Restaurants Have you heard all the rave reviews for spots like Morimoto Asia, Jaleo, or Wine Bar George? Would you love to visit Raglan Road, but just can’t land an Advance Dining Reservation? Raglan Road What if I were to tell you there’s another way? You see, several popular restaurants in Disney Springs are also open for booking on OpenTable.com! And you might come upon available seating even at a restaurant that appears fully booked via My Disney Experience. It certainly never hurts to check! Click HERE to check out ALL the dining options in Disney Springs! Find Out Ride Wait Times in ADVANCE You may already know that you can find Wait Times for park attractions posted at the entrance to the ride itself OR on the My Disney Experience app. But did you know that you can also use the app to see Forecasted Wait Times??? It’s true! How long would you wait for Space Mountain? You can use the Ride and Attractions Tip Board within My Disney Experience. Or if you search a specific ride and click to learn more about it, you can access the Forecasted Wait Times and see the times a line typically dips a bit throughout the day. ©Disney Now, just like a weather forecast, these are not guaranteed Wait Times. But they are decent estimates based on frequent traffic patterns within the park, and are well worth checking out. Keep Calm and Carry On… When a Ride Goes Down OH, NO! You’ve been absolutely itching to ride Tower of Terror in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, only to see THIS on My Disney Experience… The dreaded “Temporarily Closed” message! Screenshot from My Disney Experience app Our lil’ tip here is to not worry tooooo terribly much about it. You see, “temporarily” means exactly that — the closure is temporary, and may very well not last all day. Certain rides shut down whenever there is lightning in the area, for example. Once the storm passes, then your personal storm of not being able to ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train passes, as well. Just check the app or stop by the ride from time to time to check the status, and find other rides to enjoy in the meantime. Trust us — there are plenty! Click here for a A Complete List of the Attractions that Close When There’s Bad Weather in Disney World Know How to Find the Nearest Bathrooms We’ve already chatted about a few ways the My Disney Experience app can be a great tool for things you’re probably already thinking about when it comes to Disney World… like RIDES and FOOD! But this handy free app can help you with those things you may not be thinking of in advance. My Disney Experience app screenshot In fact, you may not be thinking of them until YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO while in the parks. What I’m saying is… you can use a filter in the My Disney Experience app to find the closest restroom! In-Park Features on My Disney Experience — including PhotoPass Oh, and also find Character Greeting locations, PhotoPass locations, and much more. Learn about ALL of the features on My Disney Experience HERE! Download a DIFFERENT Free App Okay, you get the point… the My Disney Experience app offers several helpful tools. But how about a FREE Disney app that will simply enhance the FUN? Play Disney Parks app logo The Play Disney Parks App offers games and trivia to amuse your family while waiting in line. AND it even gives you MORE to do in the parks with interactive experiences such as using the app as your own Datapad in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Translate Tool in action in Disneyland Have a MagicBand+? You can use it to become a Bounty Hunter in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge when paired with the Play Disney Parks app. AND you can play DuckTales World Showcase Adventure (“WOO-HOO!”) in EPCOT! You can check out this new game here. Relax Knowing You Already Have the BEST Seat for a Show Oh, I LOVE Fantasmic! And I’m SO excited for the upcoming return of the Happily Ever After Fireworks in Magic Kingdom. I can’t wait to see my favorite act at the Eat to the Beat Concert Series during the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival. (That would be Boyz II Men.) The thing is… Crowds waiting to watch ‘Happily Ever After’ … I’m hardly the only one! If you would like to take the stress out of finding a seat or great area to view a popular show at the SAME TIME AS EVERYONE ELSE, then you might find terrific value in booking a Dining Package or Dessert Party for a specific show, which pairs a dining opportunity with the best viewing areas in one fell swoop that’s bookable in advance! Happily Ever After Dessert Party Options include — but aren’t limited to — Fantasmic! Dining Packages in Hollywood Studios, the Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Parties in Magic Kingdom, and the Concert Series (or Candlelight Processional for the holiday season) that take place during EPCOT’s Festivals. You can find the full list of Dining Packages here, and the full list of Dessert Parties HERE! Whew! That’s one less thing you have to think about. Opt for the SECOND Showing of Fantasmic! It was — and still is! — a big, BIG deal when the nighttime spectacular Fantasmic returned to Disney’s Hollywood Studios last November, after having been suspended since the parks reopened from their temporary closure in 2020. This beloved production includes fireworks, water effects, lasers, and projections presented with classic Disney songs… and more Disney characters than you can shake a pair of Minnie Ears at! Fantasmic! Fantasmic is often performed only once per night. However, during Disney World’s busier seasons, TWO showings are often offered. And we’ve found that it’s WAY easier to get a seat (and is generally less crowded overall) during the second, later showtime. If it works well with your group to catch the second show, it comes highly recommended! Click HERE for a complete list of showtimes for Fantasmic! Get FuelRods For Less So, now you already know about several ways to use TWO Disney apps while in Disney World. That use of your phone doesn’t even count taking your vacation pictures, texting far away family members if you need to, or whatever other hundred million things you use your phone for. FuelRods can be found all around the parks! All that to say, your phone’s battery can get drained pretty quickly in the World. Disney World has portable FuelRod charger dispensers located around the Resort. You can purchase a FuelRod right there for $30, then switch it out as needed for a freshly charged one for free at any of the FuelRod stations. And this is great! But do you know what’s better? Getting one for less! You can purchase a FuelRod kit on Amazon for $23 prior to your trip, OR get TWO FuelRods for $35 and toss ’em in your suitcase before you leave home. Done and done! Find The BEST Spot To View the Happily Ever After Fireworks Did I mention how pumped I am that Happily Ever After is coming back to Magic Kingdom SOON (April 3rd, to be exact)?? Well, if you’re as excited as we are to see it, we want to help you find the BEST spot to watch it. Happily Ever After in Magic Kingdom Let’s say you choose to pass on the Fireworks Dessert Party Option we mentioned earlier. There are still plenty of great spots from which to watch the show — but you’ll have a bit of a different experience depending on which you choose. AND you’re going to have to wait for it. (Cue Hamilton soundtrack!) Want to be right in the heart of things? You and your group can chill right in front of the Castle for 60-90 minutes prior to showtime. (Be ready to make some CLOSE neighbors here.) This will give you the best view of the projections directly on the Castle. Happily Ever After at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom But, believe it or not, it won’t give you the best view of the actual fireworks. Those can be had a bit back from the Castle near the Partners Statue. (Say “Hi!” to Walt and Mickey for us!) Partners Statue But did you know that the Main Street, U.S.A. projections, which made their debut with Disney Enchantment, will also be part of Happily Ever After when it returns? That’s right! Disney Enchantment So, you can stake out a spot “right in the middle of Main Street, U.S.A.” about 45 minutes prior to showtime (or even less time, if you want to be farther back, closer to the Train station — just bear in mind that this provides the furthest view of the on-Castle projections). See a Random Box on the Pavement? Do THIS… If you just so happen to see one of these on the ground in a park… Disney Cast Members by a Clap Box … STEP INSIDE IT! It’s a Cast Member “Clap Box,” and you’ll enjoy your own personal round of applause! It really is the little things… Do NOT Dine Here (If You Have Anxiety) Obviously we love the food at Disney World restaurants. (Of course!) But another thing that makes dining in Disney World so special is the immersive atmosphere of the restaurants themselves. The thing is, some spots are higher-energy (also known as “louder”) than others. If you or one of your loved ones struggles with anxiety or perhaps has a sensory issue, it can be difficult to know where to dine. Chef Mickey’s is always hoppin’! We have a few tools that we hope will help. If you click here, you’ll find restaurants you may want to avoid if you are concerned that an atmosphere may cause some anxiety. And you can click here to see how we categorize Character Meals by typical noise level. We also have a page where you can locate all of our posts about where you can escape in each park to take a bit of the edge off. These are the Best Places to Escape in Disney World When Your Anxiety is Through the Roof Research Value for Your Money at Various Disney Restaurants Are you excited for the Disney Dining Plan to return? We are, too. But in the meantime, as the Dining Plan still — at press time — remains suspended, all guests must pay out of pocket for meals. And we all want the most value for our money, right? Steakhouse 71 Stack Burger We have LOTS of suggestions for spots that serve great food while giving you the MOST out of your overall experience. Now, we’ll quickly drop a few here: Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Steakhouse 71 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Beaches and Cream at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and EPCOT’s Garden Grill for a TOP NOTCH Character Meal. But there’s plenty more idea where that came from, and you can find them all here! These are the BEST Value Restaurants at Disney World for 2023 Oh, and guess what? We have a list for Counter Service locations, too! Test a TRON Coaster Seat BEFORE You Ride TRON Lightcyle / Run opens on April 4th in Magic Kingdom! We’ve actually had a chance to ride it already, and we share everything you need to know here. Get ready to enter the Grid! Something good to know in advance is that you’ll be riding a Lightcycle in this attraction, which means that your will be leaning forward, as you might on a bike, and there are also leg and back restraints. The unique position might cause some guests concern. So Disney offers a tester seat outside of the attraction so you can gauge your comfort level. TRON Lightcycle Run Test Seats If you decide it’s not a great fit, you can then request the adaptive seating option by speaking to a Cast Member so you can still ride and, ultimately… ENTER THE GRID! While we’re on that topic… Request A Specific Ride Seat Not all seats are created equal when it comes to some Disney World rides. For instance, riding in the very back seat of Big Thunder Mountain gives you THE Wildest Ride of all on The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness! Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Did you know you can ask a Cast Member to put you in a certain seat? Now, a word or two: sometimes, accommodations may not be able to be made. And, if they can be made, this strategy will likely add to your wait time. But you may likely find that worthwhile to experience what might be a familiar attraction in a new way! Click here for our Guide to the Best and Worst Ride Seats in Magic Kingdom Take One Simple Step to Make Getting a Virtual Queue Boarding Pass Easier Currently, there is one attraction that REQUIRES that guests secure a Boarding Pass via a Virtual Queue to ride: it’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT. And when TRON Lightcycle / Run opens on April 4th, it will also utilize a Virtual Queue through the My Disney Experience app. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind I kid you not — Virtual Queues for new and in-demand attractions can fill up in seconds. SECONDS! So, first things first: get to know the process in advance by visiting our Virtual Queue page. And now, here’s the tip: to make things go more quickly when the Virtual Queue opens, you can confirm your party up to an hour in advance before you try to score a space in a Boarding Group via the My Disney Experience app. Virtual Queues typically open twice per day: at 7AM and then again at 1PM. So, to prepare for the 7AM opening, beginning at 6AM, you can tap into the Virtual Queue and set your party so that you have fewer steps when Boarding Groups become available. On the app, under “Join Virtual Queue,” you’ll find a button that says “Confirm Your Party.” (Our screenshot below shows the button from when Remy’s Raratouille Adventure previously used a Virtual Queue.) Confirm Your Party ©Disney Once you hit that button, the app will find the people who are linked to your account. You’ll select each person that you want to add to your group, and choose, again, to “Confirm Party.” And that’s one less step you’ll have to take to save those crucial seconds when the Virtual Queue opens! Virtual Queues: How To Get a Boarding Group for Disney’s Most Popular Rides Get in on an EXCLUSIVE Virtual Queue Opportunity Currently, the Virtual Queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind offers a THIRD opportunity at 6PM for guests who are eligible to attend Extended Evening Hours on select dates when offered in EPCOT. (You can find out more about who qualifies for this perk here.) Extended Evening Hours at EPCOT Though it has not yet been confirmed if TRON Lightcycle/Run will also be available via a Virtual Queue during Extended Evening Hours at Magic Kingdom, we believe it is likely. So, if you want to know the full scoop on how to score this unique benefit, you can learn all about Extended Evening Hours (AND Early Theme Park Entry, which ALL Disney World hotels guests can enjoy) HERE. Learn all about EXTRA THEME PARK HOURS for Disney World Hotel guests HERE! Know How to Use “Hey, Disney!” AND How NOT To A new complimentary perk is currently in the process of rolling out to guests at the Disney World hotels. “Hey, Disney!” offers “custom voice assistance” to guests. The service, which works with Alexa on Amazon Echo devices, can assist guests with things like room amenities, guest services, planning, and weather info… AND it will bring along LOTS of extra Disney MAGIC to make all of these things a lot more FUN! Hey, Disney! Want to dive right into using “Hey, Disney!” when it becomes available in hotels rooms throughout the Resort? The top of the device will have a button that looks like this: ⊘ and upon arrival it should be red (the device is muted). Simply press the button to unmute it and use the smart speaker. To start using the “Hey, Disney!” device, guests may touch the interactive screen (tap “Hey Disney, start the magic!”), or say one of the wake words: “Hey Disney” or “Alexa.” Start and Volume Control Buttons But let’s say you don’t want to use “Hey, Disney!” Maybe you have privacy concerns, or maybe you just don’t want to add another screen to your vacation. No worries — just don’t press that red button at all. Disney shares the following on the Walt Disney World website: “You’ll know the device is listening to your request when the blue bar lights up. You can always turn the microphone off by pushing the button on the top of the device, which will turn on a red ring to indicate it’s muted.” Disney also states that, if your prefer, you can keep the device muted throughout your stay. “Hey, Disney!” is currently being tested at select rooms in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. We recently stayed in one of those rooms and got to use the device, and you can check it out here! See “Hey Disney!” in ACTION at Disney World HERE! Don’t Forget a Hoodie or Sweater YES, Orlando gets HOT, HOT, HOT… AND humid ;-D! But don’t be caught by surprise that it also gets COLD. Now, will you experience a chill in August? No, probably not… at least not outdoors. See? Princess Aurora knows how to bundle up! But I tend to call the sometimes extreme air-conditioning used in these parts “Florida Winter,” and I carry at least a lightweight hoodie in my park bag no matter the time of year. If you get caught in one of those late-afternoon rain showers and go into a shop or an indoor show after getting really wet, the air conditioning may feel great for a brief moment… until it doesn’t. Bring a Hoodie! So, just toss a cardigan-style sweater or hoodie into your suitcase no matter the season. We really don’t think you’ll regret it. Enjoy To-Go Dining from a Table Service Restaurant Craving Sanaa’s fantastic Bread Service, but don’t necessarily want to dine in Sanaa on a particular day? That’s where Mobile Order Table Service To-Go comes in! Mobile Order Table Service To Go is a dining feature on the My Disney Experience app. Bread Service To-Go from Sanaa! Participating restaurants in Disney World Resort hotels present food for pickup, which guests can then carry to another area of the Resort to eat… So perhaps a little Sanaa Bread Service picnic is in order, yes? See all of the restaurants that offer Table Service To-Go AND how to use it here! Skip the Merchandise Lines Picture it: You’re in EPCOT’s Creations Shop. Your arms are full with your new souvenir Spirit Jersey, Loungefly bag, and Minnie Mouse Ears. And the checkout lines are… LOOOONG. Allow me to introduce you to Mobile Merchandise Checkout, which you can use to pay for all of your merchandise via the My Disney Experience App. Mobile Checkout at Magic Kingdom’s Emporium Simply scroll down to the merchandise mobile checkout function, choose the shop you’re currently in, and scan the barcodes of the items you want to add to your cart. Then, when you’re ready, you can pay for it all right there in the middle of the store — with no waiting in line necessary! Be sure to link your card info to your My Disney Experience App ahead of time, AND don’t forget to show a cast member at the front of the shop your digital receipt before you leave the store. Easy-peasy! Click HERE for a step-by-step guide to Mobile Checkout! Happy Hour, Anyone? YES, you CAN enjoy Happy Hour in Disney World! You may be surprised to find out how many restaurants in Disney Springs offer some great Happy Hour deals during the week. Spots like Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, House of Blues, Jaleo (it’s known as Sangria Hour there!), Terralina Craft Italian, Paradiso 37, Frontera Cocina, and MORE are known to host Happy Hour. CHEERS! Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Check the Disney Springs website to find out the Happy Hours offerings during your trip! You may also see pop-up signs in Disney Springs while you’re out and about, notifying you of some of these fun deals. Speaking of Disney Springs… Give Yourself ENOUGH TIME To Get To Disney Springs Do you plan on bringing your car or a rental to drive yourself around Disney World? Well, if you plan on going to Disney Springs for an evening or on a weekend, be sure to allow PLENTY of time to get there and to find a place to park. Parking Garage direction signs Seriously, we can’t stress this enough. Between traffic in the immediate area from guests and locals alike and navigating some pretty huge parking garages, it doesn’t hurt to factor in an extra hour JUST for travel to Disney Springs. Even if you do end up with extra time on your hands before, say, your evening dining reservation, you can enjoy some window shopping while you wait and relax knowing that you don’t have to rush. Avoid Stroller Stress It’s pretty easy to find a designated spot to park your stroller so your whole family can enjoy riding “it’s a small world” — or whatever ride you choose — together. Wanna know what’s not as easy? Finding your stroller AFTER the ride! Stroller Parking in EPCOT Not only do lots of strollers look alike, but occasionally, Cast Members may need to move strollers to a nearby location in order to accommodate operational needs in the park. Our advice? DECORATE your stroller with an easy-to-identify object. It doesn’t need to be fancy — a brightly colored cloth tied on the handle can do the trick, or some bit of shiny flair or a sign. Just something you can be on the lookout for that will catch your eye during the occasional stroller search. Need an ECV? Please Read This… Perhaps a member of your group has mobility issues, and you plan to rent a wheelchair or electric conveyance vehicle (or ECV). Then you should be aware that we have seen ECVs selling out more recently in the parks (most frequently at Magic Kingdom). Be Prepared for This So we recommend arriving to your chosen park as EARLY AS POSSIBLE to minimize the risk of not getting an ECV. If you are a Disney Resort hotel guest with the benefit of Early Theme Park Entry, take full advantage of that extra 30 minutes, since it can make all the difference. ECVs in the rental area at EPCOT Know that, if the ECVs are sold out, you can be placed on a Wait List. But, as with the Waitlist feature for dining we chatted about earlier, those wait times can vary widely. And if you can’t go without an ECV, you may find some peace of mind by renting from an outside company (many of which can deliver an ECV to your Resort). Your Guide to Wheelchair and ECV Accessible Rides in Disney World Keep Your Eyes Peeled for RARE Disney Characters Is there anything better than meeting and hugging your favorite Disney pal in person? NO. THERE IS NOT. So we’ve provided this list of where you can find all of the Character Meet-and-Greet locations in Disney World, and you can also find them on — you guessed it! — the My Disney Experience app. It’s Max! But guess what? Sometimes, the Character Spots on those lists don’t actually account for all of the Characters that may make appearances in the parks. You may just so happen upon some RARELY SEEN Disney friends! Frozone at Hollywood Studios For instance, we recently saw Max Goof in his Powerline costume at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Grand Avenue near the entrance to Galaxy’s Edge. The Incredibles crew has been seen at several areas around the perimeter of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. You may be surprised with a greeting in EPCOT’s World Showplace between the United Kingdom and Canada pavilions or just to the left side when facing The American Adventure. Hey there, Daisy! Now, there are no guarantees… but you never know! We can say, though, that the areas mentioned above are where we’ve had the most luck being surprised by special Character Greetings! Get in on the SECRETS… Secret MENU ITEMS! Wanna be a little extra on your vacation? Why not ask a Cast Member at the restaurants or lounges you visit if there are any dishes or drinks available that aren’t listed on the menu… otherwise known as a Secret Menu item! The Shadow at Belle Vue Lounge We have a whole list of secret items we’ve learned about over the years (that we’re clearly not very good at keeping. ). My personal favorite is The Shadow at Belle Vue Lounge, but the whole thing with Secret Menu items is that they’re… well, SECRET! So you may make a whole new discovery all your own! (And if you do, would you be an awful secret keeper — just in this instance — and share it with us, please?) Get in on the SECRETS here! Reserve Your Place in the Security Line at Orlando International Airport We know… no one likes to think about their Disney World vacation ending. But we do have a great-to-know tip that at least makes the process easier. Last year, the Orlando International Airport (MCO) introduced MCO Reserve, a reservation system that allows you to check in and go through security at your selected time. MCO Reserve includes a faster, exclusive line so that you won’t be spending hours in airport security. Orlando International Airport crowds You can make your MCO Reserve security reservations between 6:30AM and 8:30PM. Just make sure to select your reservation slot at least 72 hours before your flight! You can learn exactly how to do it here. Know How to Get ALL The Best Dining Tips We are in the parks literally EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. And that, of course, includes grabbing a meal or a snack (or three). The knowledge gained from years of dining (30+!) in Disney World and working on this website have gone into our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, and we’ve got LOTS more to share! Our guidebooks have all our best tips! The 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is PACKED with tips and planning tools! We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs! The 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 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. Find the Tips That YOU Need While we have covered the tips that we hope will help all Disney World guests, perhaps you’re looking for something a little more specific to your group. Are you traveling with a toddler? Are you hoping to dine well while sticking to a budget? Is it your first trip to Disney World and you’re not sure where to start? Does someone in your group have special dietary needs? We’ve put together a page with posts gathered by various topics including those and others, and you can visit it by clicking here. We hope it helps! And we hope that this video — with even MORE tips than those you’ll find above — helps, too!  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 The post The 35 Best Tips for Anyone Going to Disney World in 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney is constantly developing new technology to use in the theme parks. It’s HULK! Sometimes it’s things like My Disney Experience and Disney Genie+ that you can access on your phone, but other times it’s impressive new ride systems or animatronics that look so realistic it’s hard to believe they’re fake (we’re looking at you — Na’vi River Journey Shaman of Song!). But even with all the interesting things we’ve seen so far, Disney isn’t stopping yet! Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro spoke recently at the SXSW Conference in Austin, TX. During the presentation, D’Amaro took the time to showcase some of Disney’s coolest new tech. One of the most interesting things that was shared during the presentation was some “brand-new robotic technology” that looks an awful lot like Judy Hopps from Zootopia. This tiny robot can climb out of a box, fall down, get back up, and move around on roller skates. Check out the video! We actually saw a patent for this robot technology filed a few years back, so it’s exciting to see it in person for the first time. We’ll be on the lookout for any new technology updates from Disney, so stay tuned to DFB. We’ll keep you in the loop on all the big projects coming up soon! Click Here to Check Out Some Other Tech Disney is Working On! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think of the Judy Hopps robot? Tell us in the comments! The post Disney Just Debuted BRAND NEW Robot Technology! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

When we think of classic Disney rides, we’re sure to think of “it’s a small world,” Pirates of the Caribbean, and Jungle Cruise. Disney’s Matterhorn But if you’re thinking in terms of Disneyland, you’ll also consider the Matterhorn Bobsleds, which opened there in 1959. That ride is so classic that it even has its own cookie! Well, if you’re visiting Disneyland soon, you’ll need to know that the Matterhorn Bobsleds will soon closed for refurbishment. According to the Disneyland website, the Matterhorn Bobsleds will be closing on April 17th for a refurbishment. So if you had plans to ride this attraction, you’ll need to do so before then! ©Disney Did you know that the origins of the Matterhorn come from a pile of dirt left behind by the excavation of Sleepy Beauty Castle’s moat when Disneyland was being built? Imagineers decided to turn that pile of dirt into a mountain based on the Swiss Alps, and the Matterhorn Bobsleds was born. To date, Disneyland is the ONLY Disney park that has a Matterhorn Bobsleds ride, so you have to go to California to try it out. Matterhorn Bobxleds Another little bit of Matterhorn trivia: the Abominable Snowman in the ride is named Harold, and wasn’t added to the Matterhorn Bobsleds until 1978. Also, there is a basketball court at the top of the ride. You know, in case Cast Members need to shoot some hoops to let off some steam. “The Basketball Court” in the Matterhorn, The Imagineering Story ©Disney Disney has not yet released an official reopening date for the Matterhorn Bobsleds, but we’ll keep an eye out and let you know when the ride will be available again. So be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more! Have you checked out the latest Disney-themed t-shirts in our store? Click here – you’ll want to pick some up before your next Disney trip! The One Thing That Might Be Different When Splash Mountain Closes in Disneyland 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 on the Matterhorn Bobsleds? Let us know in the comments! The post A Classic Disney Ride Will CLOSE Soon for Refurbishment first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Here at DFB, we are always looking for new styles of ice cream to try around the Disney parks. Swirls on the Water Salt & Straw in Disney Springs has fun new flavors every month (we’re looking at you, Lucky Charms ice cream!), Swirls on the Water in Disney Springs recently released a Shamrock Cone, and Vivoli il Gelato currently has a pistachio gelato-filled DONUT on the menu. But sometimes we get ice cream news so bizarre, we have to share it — even when it’s not at a Disney park. Buckle up, folks, because an ice cream flavor is coming to a store near you, and it tastes like SALAD DRESSING. That’s right, Hidden Valley and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream shared on Instagram that they are releasing Ranch Ice Cream in honor of National Ranch Day (apparently that’s also a thing… ). Starting on March 20th, 2023, Walmart will be releasing this flavor and an entire collection from Van Leeuwen Ice Cream in stores around the county. (And in case you heard of the infamous Mac and Cheese ice cream, that came from this same company.) The brand will be sharing the other flavors on its Instagram soon, so if this has caught your attention, stay tuned for the full lineup! If you’re a serious Ranch dressing devotee, you might want to try out this new flavor. And be sure to let us know how it tastes, because we’re not sure if we’ll be brave enough to try it! ©Walmart We’ll continue keeping an eye out for all kinds of snack news, so stay tuned to DFB for more. Click here to see all the St. Patrick’s Day snacks you can find around Disney! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think? Will you be trying this bold flavor when it comes out later this month? Let us know in the comments! The post Walmart Will Release RANCH-Flavored …*checks notes* ICE CREAM? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Universal Studios Hollywood’s Super Nintendo World officially opened Feb. 17. The land, featuring characters from the Japanese video game company’s Mario franchise, is the only land that Universal Orlando has confirmed is coming to Epic Universe. View the full article

One of our favorite times of the year is finally here! Spring at Disneyland! It’s officially spring at Disneyland, which means one of our favorite treats EVER is now available at Candy Palace. We’ll give you some hints… ready? Okay, it’s super sweet and chocolatey, handmade, and the PERFECT Easter basket filler. Have you guessed it yet? It’s the Handmade Chocolate Fudge Easter Egg! Every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday until Easter, you can get your fix of fudge-y goodness at Candy Palace, where the eggs are sold for $12.99 each. Easter Eggs We still don’t have word about what flavor options will be available this year, but y’all already know our opinion on these Easter Egg flavors from last year… Nothing will EVER compete with the Peanut Butter Fudge! Peanut Butter Fudge Easter Egg One of the best parts of these eggs is the SIZE of them! While they’re definitely big enough to share (especially because they’re so rich), we recommend saving it all for yourself. You’ve gotta keep your energy high for your next Disneyland ride, right?! Hopefully, your sugar crash won’t hit you until you arrive at Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln. These are pretty massive! They also come with adorable garnishes, like flowers and adorable baby chicks made out of (you guessed it) more sugar! The boxes are usually pretty cute as well, and in the past have featured bunnies, colorful eggs, and more. Oh, and we forgot to mention another awesome detail: You actually can watch the Cast Members MAKE the eggs at Candy Palace! Nothing will work up your appetite like watching this process. Candy Palace Cast Member making the eggs! Can a Fairy Godmother deliver us a Chocolate Fudge Easter Egg to our desk now, please? Peanut Butter Fudge Easter Egg Make sure to follow along for Disney news, reviews, and updates. TONS of new snacks and goodies are popping up in the parks, and we’re sharing everything we find with YOU! If you’re looking for more yummy things to try at Disneyland this spring, click the link below. Click here for some springtime eats at Disneyland. Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! See Our DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Learn About Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland Check Out What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Get All the Info About Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Should You Go to Disneyland in 2022? Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Have you tried one of these eggs? Let us know your favorite flavor in the comments! The post Disney’s FAMOUS Chocolate Easter Eggs Are Back! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’re headed to Disney World, it’s always a good idea to be prepared for the unexpected. Magic Kingdom Rides are periodically shut down for technical difficulties and refurbishment closures are common occurrences all around the parks. In Magic Kingdom, there are multiple things to look out for at the moment — from the construction of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to the new coaster opening next month, TRON Lightcycle / Run. Even the walking paths from the Transportation and Ticket Center are under construction. But there’s one unexpected problem that you could run into that is harder to avoid — and it might cause a delay in your Disney plans! We were headed to Magic Kingdom today when we noticed that the Express Monorail was only running in one direction — from the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) to Magic Kingdom. We talked to a Cast Member who said that it should be back up and running from Magic Kingdom to the TTC later today, but in the meantime, guests will have to take the Resort Monorail or the bus. Express Monorail station at Magic Kingdom This isn’t the first time we have seen this happen, however, and it seems it might be a somewhat regular occurrence. The Cast Member we spoke to said it’s normally closed in the mornings and reopens around 12-12:30PM. Express Monorail station While it is unclear whether this is an everyday occurrence, Cast Members weren’t aware of any technical difficulties with the Monorail, so it might just have to do with demand. The Express Monorail station at the TTC is frequently very busy in the mornings, as it was for us this morning, so this might be a measure to manage the crowds. With the Monorail only taking guests one direction (from the TTC to Magic Kingdom), it can move a bit quicker to get everyone to Magic Kingdom in the morning. Crowds at TTC Whatever the reason, if you are headed to Magic Kingdom and are going to need to leave the park in the morning, it’s a good idea to account for this setback. While you’ll still be able to get around on the Resort Monorail, this option makes stops, so it will take a little longer. We’ll keep our eyes peeled for any updates, so stay tuned to DFB for more info! Click here to learn about everything that will be CLOSED in Disney World 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. Have you ever run into this at Magic Kingdom before? Let us know in the comments! The post BEWARE of this Magic Kingdom DELAY first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Every year Disney offers a whole host of races for runners looking to participate in some extra-magical events. runDisney Finish Line Through runDisney, already this year challengers were able to participate in two races so far: The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend in January and the Princess Half Marathon in February. Now, we have more information about another 2023 runDisney event! Let’s go runners! Disney just announced the themes for the 2023 Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, and it’s all about good food and good company. ©Disney Banquet Bash is the running event held during the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. There are a total of four “courses” inspired by “favorite moments found around the table” with Disney characters. The four events are a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and 19.3-mile Two Course Challenge. The 5K (3.1-mile) course is themed after Disney’s Alice in Wonderland. It’s where you can celebrate a very merry un-birthday with Alice and friends on November 3rd. ©Disney The 10K (6.2-mile) course is themed after Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Here you will adventure with Lumiere, Cogsworth, and the other castle friends on November 4th. ©Disney The 13.1-mile Half Marathon is themed after Disney’s Encanto. You’ll join Mirabel and the family Madrigal to push past the “surface pressure” on November 5th. @Disney And then there’s the 19.3-mile Two Course Challenge! Here you and your imagination will be running with the loveable Figment in both the Half Marathon and the Wine & Dine 10K. Challengers will need to complete both courses on November 4th and 5th. @Disney You can also join the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon virtually! ©Disney With the events coming up soon, here’s the registration info: Club runDisney Gold & Platinum Member registration beings on March 14, 2023, at 10AM ET General registration begins on March 21, 2023, at 10AM ET Virtual registration begins on March 24, 2023, at 10AM ET Stay on the lookout for more information about upcoming runDisney events! Click Here To Learn More About runDisney events! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you planning on running a Disney race? Let us know in the comments. The post THEMES ANNOUNCED for the 2023 Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World has gone through a LOT of changes – so the insider tips are changing too! How can you guarantee the best seats on rides? Where are you gonna meet ULTRA-RARE characters? And what underground website will get you reservations at our favorite restaurants WITHOUT going through the Disney website? We’ve got the answers for these HOT tips today, plus many MANY more, here on DFB Guide. Check out our video below: 50 Tricks For Your Best Disney World Trip Ever 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! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What’s your favorite Disney World tip? Let us know in the comments below. The post DFB Video: 50 Tricks for Your Best Disney World Trip Ever first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Today’s snacking quest takes us to Tomorrowland in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! Tomorowland! Magic Kingdom is home to several fan-favorite Disney snacks, including the DOLE Whip and and Cheeseburger Spring Rolls. When we found out that today’s snack would be returning to Tomorrowland, we seriously got excited. Why? Because it’s been a LONG time since we’ve seen this type of snack from this restaurant. Like, almost 10 years. That’s right, gourmet hot dogs are BACK at Tomorrowland’s quick service restaurant, The Lunching Pad. We’ve seen gourmet hot dogs at this spot before, but it’s been a LONG time. Back in 2014, we had the BLT Hot Dog, the Coney Island Dog, and the Philly Cheese Steak Dog. But since then, there’s mostly just been soft pretzels, a plain hot dog, and sometimes special things like a pulled pork sandwich or 50th anniversary chicken tenders. Tomorrowland We hopped over to Magic Kingdom and tried these as soon as we could. There are THREE new hotdogs, each for $12.29: the Queso Fundido Hotdog, the Bahn Mi Hotdog, and the Cuban Hotdog. And before you ask, yes. We did try all three, and we enjoyed every minute. The Lunching Pad The first one we tried was the Bahn Mi Hotdog, which is an all-beef hot dog served with pickled vegetables, cilantro, and sriracha mayonnaise. Plus, it comes with chips! Our first thought when we got our hands on this item was the SIZE of it. You could truly make a meal of one of these bad boys. Bahn Mi Hotdog The combination of toppings worked really well to give this one a good, unique flavor! The vegetables and sriracha mayonnaise work together to give the hotdog a spicy kick, while the carrots and cilantro added a nice crunch without distracting from the flavor. The only downside is that it doesn’t include a lot of sriracha mayonnaise, and we were hoping for more. This one also gets very soggy and we recommend eating it with a fork. If you love Tex-Mex flavors, you should try the Queso Fundido Hot Dog! Or, if you love Pecos Bill and are looking for something similar but new, this could be a great option. Queso Fundido Hot Dog If you’re looking for more Disney eats, you are in the right place, friend! We post every day about fun new snacks, restaurant reviews, and even general Disney news. Follow along so that you’re always in the loop, and never hungry at Disney World. Click the link below for more snacks we’ve found at Disney recently! Click here for fresh springtime eats at Disney! 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 try these hotdogs? Let us know in the comments! The post This Gourmet Snack Is FINALLY BACK in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The annual Mighty St. Patrick's Day Festival is returning to Raglan Road at Disney Springs, March 16-19! Get ready for live entertainment, favorite Irish eats, mighty brews and a whole lot of fun.View the full article

Disney’s 100-year anniversary celebration has officially kicked off! Fab Five celebrates 100 Years of Walt Disney Company! As the celebrations begin, Disney shared a very special tribute to the mouse that started it all. And if you consider yourself a huge Disney NERD (it’s us, we’re Disney nerds) then you’ll want to see it. Mickey Mouse was first introduced in 1928, and since then, the character has gone through a lot of stylistic changes. Animator Michael Woodside brought viewers along with him as he drew Mickey through the years. He begins by drawing Mickey with his signature “big eyes and big smile” that he had when he debuted in the 20s. The design, Woodside says, is very simple yet still conveys Mickey as the lovable character he is. The main cheese! Woodside then moves to draw Mickey when his design gained a little more life, stating that the Steamboat Willie film catapulted Mickey into fame and altered his design a little. Steamboat Willie Mickey’s eyes became what animators call “pie wedge” eyes, and Mickey gained a rounder nose and stylized ears. This phase of Mickey lasted roughly 20 years until Fantasia came out. Steamboat Willie Photo Op for Magic Key holders! ©Disney The final design that Woodside creates is the Mickey we know today, thanks to the redesign Mickey went through for Fantasia. Mickey gained “full eyes” and his nose became more round and oblong. Sorcerer Mickey, we can’t wait to see you again! Our pal Mickey has seen a lot of changes throughout the years and the tribute that was paid to him was very fun and informative. Keep following DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news! For more Disney100 news, click here Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Did you enjoy this tribute to Mickey? Let us know in the comments! The post Consider Yourself a Huge Disney Nerd? Then You'll Want To See This! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Do you want to go to an event where you’ll be surrounded by other Disney fans and get to be the first to learn about new Disney movies, upcoming projects, announcements, and more? ©D23 Then you’ll want to be at Destination D23, which is an event held by the official Disney Fan Club, D23. This year’s event takes place on September 8th through the 10th at Disney’s Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World! Now, we know when tickets go on sale. Are you ready to mark those calendars? Okay, here you go: tickets for Destination D23 will go on sale on March 14th, 2023, at 10AM PT/1PM ET on the D23 Website. This year’s event is going to be HUGE because it’s going to be all about celebrating the Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary. Josh D’Amaro with a lightsaber at Destination D23 in 2021 Guests at the event will get a chance to celebrate all things Disney with behind-the-scenes stories, special guests, and performances. They’ll even get a “sneak peek at the company’s boundless future,” get access to exclusive shopping and merchandise, plus lots of surprises! Entertainment at Destination D23 in 2021 Ticket prices are $329 per ticket for general admission and $549 per ticket for Preferred Admission. Both tickets have a $7 processing fee. Preferred tickets are limited and come on a first-come-first-serve basis. These tickets include a dedicated queue for a reserved seating area in the front of the ballroom for panels. Destination D23 2021 D23 Members with tickets will also get guaranteed seats at all Destination D23 panels and presentations on Saturday and Sunday, as well as member-exclusive pop-up shops and marketplaces, a special exhibit from the Walt Disney Archives, and commemorative gifts. Exhibit at 2021 Destination D23 So be sure not to miss out on getting those tickets — they’re sure to go fast, especially with this year celebrating a HUGE Disney anniversary. We’ll let you know when we learn more about this year’s event, too, so stay tuned to DFB for more. Here’s a Look at Destination D23 in 2021! 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 attending Destination D23 this year? Let us know in the comments what you’re looking forward to the most! The post Why March 14th Is a VERY Important Day for Disney Fans first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Even if you can’t make it to this year’s EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival, you can still get in on festival fun from home! EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival First, you can make some of our favorite festival foods AT HOME. Or you can virtually visit the first day of the festival with us. You can also get EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival merchandise online, and a new collection is now available! This new collection features Disney’s first princess, Snow White. That means those gorgeous EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Snow White ears are NOW on shopDisney! These ears feature Snow White on one side with the festival logo on the other. Instead of a bow, they have an assortment of flowers and greenery. Snow White Ears These beautiful ears even have flowers embroidered on the back. All the flowers! You can get these online now for $34.99. Buy the ears here! If you plan on spending some time in the garden, you might need the Snow White Garden Apron. It features Snow White at the top, surrounded by flowers with the festival logo on the bottom. Snow White Apron Grab it now for $34.99. Get the apron on shopDisney by clicking here. This Snow White Figural Planter is perfect for your favorite plant (and it’s almost spring, so we bet you’ve got some things growing or getting ready to grow, right?). Snow White is sitting at the edge of her wishing well. So sweet Get the planter for $34.99. Buy the planter online by clicking here. Okay, where are our Dooney & Bourke fans at? Because there’s also an EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Dooney & Bourke Snow White Collection, including this Tote. Snow White, surrounded by flowers, graces both sides of this bag. Snow White Dooney & Bourke Tote The tote is $298. Get the tote here! You can also grab a Snow White Dooney & Bourke Satchel with a pretty pattern that’s all flowers and Snow White. This pattern is just so very SPRING. Snow White Dooney & Bourke Satchel Get the satchel for $298. Buy the satchel here. Finally, you can also now get the Snow White Dooney & Bourke Crossbody Bag, which has the same pattern on it as the satchel. You’ll notice the inside has lots of zippered pockets and storage space. Snow White Dooney & Bourke Crossbody The crossbody bag is $228. Get the crossbody bag here. So if you’re a Snow White fan or just want some pretty merchandise that reminds you of spring (and for many of us, we’re still waiting for spring…brr!), head on over to shopDisney and grab this EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival now! We’ll also let you know when other collections arrive online, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more! While you’re in the shopping mood…have you checked our DFB exclusive graphic tees and merch? We’ve even got EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival tees! New Flower and Garden 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! Get a Look At ALL the 2023 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Merchandise! 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 attending the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival this year? Let us know in the comments! The post MORE EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Merchandise Is Now Online! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney’s theme parks have become too expensive and crowded, CEO Bob Iger says, and he wants to fix that. View the full article

If you’re relatively new to planning a Disney World trip or you just haven’t been in a while, you might be seriously confused about park hopping because it’s changed so much. Park hopping has changed…a LOT After Disney World reopened, we didn’t even HAVE park hopping, and when it did come back, it was modified. On top of that, we also now have park pass reservations, as well as Disney Genie and Genie+ to deal with, and combined with all that, the ins and outs of park hopping may leave us all scratching our heads. But have no fear — we’re going to do our best to answer ALL your park hopping questions! What is park hopping? Park hopping is basically just that — it means you hop from one Disney World theme park to another one. So let’s say you’re at Magic Kingdom and you want to visit Hollywood Studios on the same day. Park hopping allows you to do that. Hollywood Studios entrance However, park hopping isn’t quite as simple as that in Disney World these days. Get More details on park hopping at Disney World Is park hopping free? Park hopping is NOT free. You will first need a valid ticket or an Annual Pass. Then you’ll need to add the park hopping option to your ticket or have the park hopping option on your Annual Pass — this costs an additional fee over the ticket or pass. Monorail at EPCOT If you have a ticket and choose the park hopping option, the cost will depend on the date of your visit. A park hopping ticket will cost more on busier days in Disney World and less on slower days. Park Hopper tickets start at $184 for a 1-day ticket for adults, but that price can be more depending on the date. Learn more about Disney World tickets and prices Do you need a park pass reservation to park hop? You will need a park pass reservation for the FIRST park you plan on visiting the day you intend to park hop. However, you do NOT need a park pass reservation for the park you plan on park hopping to. Spaceship Earth For example, let’s say you plan on visiting Magic Kingdom first on a specific day and then park hop to EPCOT later. You’ll only need to have a park pass reservation for Magic Kingdom. Everything you need to know about park pass reservations Do you need to visit your first park that you have a reservation for? You WILL need to visit the first park you have a park pass reservation for. You must be scanned into that park before you can take advantage of park hopping (provided your ticket allows it). Tree of Life in Disney’s Animal Kingdom For example, let’s say you have a park pass reservation for Animal Kingdom and want to park hop to Magic Kingdom. You will need to scan into Animal Kingdom first before you can go to Magic Kingdom. 23 Tips That Make Your Disney World Trip Easier When can you park hop? Before Disney World’s closure and reopening, you could park hop at any time. However, that has changed. You now can only park hop AFTER 2PM. EPCOT Entrance So you’ll have to wait until well after lunchtime if you’re planning on visiting another park. However, this rule is different for Annual Passholders. The Five Biggest Changes To Disney World Park Passes in 2023 What are the rules for park hopping for Annual Passholders? As of April 18th, 2023, the rules for Annual Passholders will be different from guests with theme park tickets. Annual Passholders will NOT need to make a park pass reservation on that date and later if entering a park after 2 PM. They can then also park hop without needing a park pass reservation for the first park visited. Annual Passholder Card However, Annual Passholders will still need to make park pass reservations on Saturdays and Sundays for Magic Kingdom. Here’s more about the changes made to park pass reservations for Annual Passholders Can I park hop to whatever park I want? The answer is “it depends.” That’s because you can only hop to a park that hasn’t yet reached capacity. If a park is at its full capacity, you cannot park hop there. Crowded Magic Kingdom entrance The good news is that there’s a way to check if a park is at full capacity BEFORE you make the trip to it. Guests can call (407) 560-5000 to learn about capacity limitations and find out which parks are currently allowing park hopping. Here’s more on capacity limitations at the parks How often can you park hop on any given day? The answer is as much as you want! You can visit ALL FOUR PARKS in one day if you really want to (but do you? That’s… a lot!). Of course, that depends on if the parks are at full capacity or not, so you’ll need to keep that in mind. Want to visit all four park icons in one day? You can! You won’t have much time in the parks if you do decide to visit all four at once, since you’ll spend a lot of that time traveling to and from each park. Learn more about hopping to multiple parks in Disney World How does Genie+ work with park hopping? So if you have Genie+, how does that work with park hopping? First, you’ll need to know that you cannot book a Lightning Lane for your second park until the return time for that attraction reaches 2PM or later. Slinky Dog Dash Let’s say you’ve got a park hopper ticket and you’ve purchased Genie+. You spend the first part of your day in EPCOT and want to hop to Hollywood Studios at 2PM to book a Lightning Lane for Slinky Dog Dash. You CAN book that Lightning Lane while you’re still in EPCOT, but you’ll have to wait until Lightning Lane times prior to 2PM have all been booked. Here’s your ultimate guide to Genie+ What are my transportation options between parks? The good news is that Disney World has a variety of transportation options to travel between parks if you plan on park hopping. First, you can take a Disney bus to and from each park for parks that don’t have alternate transportation (or when the Monorail or other transportation options are closed). If you’re hopping to Animal Kingdom, this will be your only option for park hopping from another park. Disney Bus Stop at Animal Kingdom If you’re at Magic Kingdom or EPCOT, you can also hop to either of those parks by taking the Monorail. This includes a transfer at the Ticket & Transportation Center. However, you can also get off at the Ticket & Transportation Center and take the ferry to Magic Kingdom for a more scenic ride. Monorail line at the Transportation and Ticket Center If you’re traveling between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, you can take the Skyliner — you will need to transfer at the station at Disney’s Caribbean Resort, but it’s a quick transfer! Skyliner Station at Hollywood Studios Note that the Skyliner station at EPCOT is NOT at the front of the park (like the Monorail station). Instead, the EPCOT Skyliner station is at International Gateway (the entrance closest to World Showcase). Everything you need to know about Disney World transportation We hope that this clears up any confusion you might have about park hopping, and we’ll continue to offer our best tips and tricks AND explainers to make your next Disney World trip as stress-free as possible. We’ve got a great resource for you when you plan your NEXT Disney World trip – our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining. We wrote our ebook after decades of visiting Disney World, so that we could help you have a stress-free vacation! Click here and use code WDW2023 to get 25% off! Here’s The One Thing That Could BLINDSIDE You 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. Do you ever park hop in Disney World? Share your best park hopping tips in the comments! The post Disney Fans Are Super Confused About Park Hopping -- Let’s Straighten It Out first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney Eats Munch Madness starts March 13, 2023! Vote daily and help decide which Disney Parks snack will be declared the ultimate Disney Eat of 2023.View the full article

When Disney brought Bob Iger back as CEO last November, he brought with him a sense of hope that many had been missing. Iger’s predecessor (and successor) Bob Chapek was seen by some as the CEO who raised prices (not unique to Chapek, for the record), got rid of free FastPasses, and took the Magical Express away from us. Magic Kingdom So when the much-loved Iger returned, fans were ready for changes — and changes we got. But, even Iger can’t stop a looming potential recession from happening and recently said that Disney is not recession-proof — meaning anything from your Friday night Disney+ movie lineup to your next trip to the parks could be different. Bob Iger recently participated in a Q&A session at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media, and Telecom Conference. During his interview, Iger was asked about various topics he has to deal with as CEO, like guest satisfaction, park pass reservations, and even a foray into sports betting. ©Reuters | Disney CEO Bob Iger Iger was asked about dynamic pricing, which Disney has implemented on a variety of aspects of the park experience — from Genie+ surge pricing to park-specific pricing and more. More specifically, a question was posed about whether or not dynamic pricing could help Disney navigate a recession. Cinderella Castle Based on Disney’s most recent earnings report, revenue for Parks & Experiences is up by 21% — in Q1 2023, that meant a whopping $8.7 billion for the company. Disney cited that the income growth is due to “higher volumes and increased guest spending, partially offset by cost inflation, higher operations support costs, and increased costs for new guest offerings.” The report also cited that Genie+ and Lightning Lane contributed to the increase in guest spending. Lightning Lane at Kali River Rapids It’s also quite possible that Disney parks are propping up other areas of the business that aren’t doing so hot. During the same earnings call, we learned that Disney+ had lost a significant amount of subscribers and was operating at a loss of $1.05 billion. Both Iger and CFO Christine McCarthy have reiterated that Disney+ was not expected to be profitable until 2024, and they stand by that goal. ©Disney In response to the question posed at the Morgan Stanley Conference, Iger replied, “We’re not recession-proof.” He said that experiencing Disney parks is not something that families give up right away — that it’s something families “aspire” to do. According to Iger, Disney has to make the experience and guest satisfaction “good enough” that they want to return, even in the face of a potential economic downturn. He continued by saying that there’s nothing from a “dynamics perspective” that would suggest cost inflation would have any real significant impact on the company. ©Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images But for now, Disney’s streaming service is hemorrhaging money and Iger has already spoken up about plans to rectify that. Improving streaming at Disney is Iger’s number one priority, specifically when it comes to Disney+, but also with Hulu and ESPN+ too. The new organizational structure Iger implemented aims to help with that, by relinking the creative process with the financial results. Disney will be focusing on its core brands and franchises (Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel) which have delivered higher returns in the past. This new content curation already sounds like Disney is trying to save money with content production and could continue — or even be more aggressively pursued — in the face of a recession. ©Marvel When it comes to the parks, though, just because Iger isn’t worried about a recession certainly doesn’t mean it won’t have an impact on Disney guests. The cost of goods and services has been rising thanks to higher-than-average inflation rates, and that might mean people will be quick to seriously think hard about whether or not a trip to Disney World still fits into the budget. And although we can’t (and don’t!) know for sure, a recession could impact Disney parks in more ways than you might think. EPCOT If Disney is looking for ways to save money when it comes to park expenses, that could translate to price increases from the beginning to the end of your trip. Tickets, hotels, and food costs might rise, along with extras that might not immediately come to mind like Genie+ and PhotoPass. Disney’s Contemporary Resort Not only that but with Iger’s announcement that Disney is reducing its workforce by 7,000 jobs before being in a recession, we could see potential layoffs continue. Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products chairman Josh D’Amaro said the 7,000 jobs did not include those in “hourly frontline roles in operations” meaning park employees, but if the economy tanks — all bets could be off. While this is pure speculation, a reduction in the workforce could lead to unavailability in the parks and resorts. Animal Kingdom If Disney doesn’t have enough staff to operate certain restaurants or shops, they could close early or fail to open up altogether — something we became quite familiar with during the COVID-19 pandemic. We could also see a food or merchandise shortage based on availability or supply chain issues, along with tours, extras, and special experiences scrapped. Pineapple Dole Whip Plus, remember all those changes we briefly mentioned? Those could be some of the first to go. Iger recently got rid of overnight parking fees at Disney World Resort hotels, and introduced free PhotoPass downloads with the purchase of Genie+, along with adding more lower-price ticket days in Disneyland. If Disney is “hurting” for money, perks like this could go away altogether. Bob Iger ©Bloomberg Of course, according to Iger, there’s no reason to believe that Disney will be significantly impacted by any sort of recession — but unless he can predict the future, we’ll just have to wait and see. For now, it seems like it’s full steam ahead with projects and expansions around the Disney parks, and we’ll be there for it all. For the lastest Disney news on streaming, theme parks, and beyond, be sure to stay tuned to DFB. Every Major Change Since Bob Iger Returned as 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. Would a recession impact your Disney plans? Let us know in the comments. The post Bob Iger Says Disney Is NOT Recession-Proof. So What Could Change? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’re a regular reader of our site, you’re likely familiar with the Walt Disney Company CEO drama that went down in the fall of 2022. Bob Iger ©New York Post Back in November, Bob Chapek was ousted as the head of the company and replaced by his predecessor, Bob Iger. Since then, we’ve seen many changes — in personnel, operations, and in business strategies for the company. Bob Iger has a lot of forward-thinking ideas for Disney, and in a recent interview, he mentioned some big plans for Disneyland Resort. During the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media, and Telecom Conference, Disney CEO Bob Iger was interviewed and asked multiple questions about his ideas for the future of the company. But perhaps some of the most interesting things he said were the comments made when the discussion turned to the theme parks. ©Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images After talking about managing capacity in the parks and the bounceback from the pandemic, Iger said, “We actually have more opportunity in California than people are aware.” He continued, saying that building out new capacity or new attractions “gives us the ability to, one, service more people” and that “we can also mine our IP more effectively.” Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland He went on to say that “those are really important because those franchises that we do well with — in film and in television — are truly leverageable at the parks level as we learned with the Star Wars investments that we made, the Avatar investment that we made in Florida, and the Toy Story investment that we made.” Toy Story Land So what does this mean? Well, a little while ago Iger announced that Disney has plans to bring Avatar to Disneyland Resort after the success of the land at Animal Kingdom and the box office success of Avatar: The Way of Water. Adding major franchises is one strategy that Disney can use effectively to draw more guests into the parks. Pandora By adding more lands and more physical space in the theme parks, it naturally increases the capacity. This way, Disney can fit more visitors into the parks without the risk of making them “too crowded.” It’s a plan that Iger has mentioned multiple times recently — a focus on balancing profitability with a good guest experience. Disney California Adventure What else could happen with Disneyland Resort in the future? Well, you may recall that a WHILE back, Disney announced a big proposal for the resort called “Disneyland Forward.” This expansion of Disneyland and California Adventure would fill in unused space between the parks, the hotels, and Downtown Disney. There’s not much room to grow outside the property since the resort is surrounded by the city of Anaheim. Concept Art ©Disney We haven’t heard any updates about this initiative in a very long time, as it seems to still be in the early stages of getting government approval. But if it goes through, it would give Disney the space to add new lands to the parks, more attractions, and more capacity for guests. It could bring some VERY big changes. ©Disney So will getting Disneyland Forward approved be a focus of Bob Iger’s in the next year and a half? We’ll have to see. Avengers Campus has proved to be a success for the resort, so it’s likely the company would like to replicate that kind of hype with new IPs in the parks. Avengers Campus We’ll be on the lookout for any more announcements and official updates about changes coming to Disneyland Resort, so stay tuned to DFB! Click Here to Learn More About Disneyland Forward! Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! See Our DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Learn About Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland Check Out What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Get All the Info About Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Should You Go to Disneyland in 2022? Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe What would you like to see included in a Disneyland Resort expansion? Tell us in the comments! The post CEO Bob Iger Says Disney Has “More Opportunity in California” first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We talk a LOT about food here at DFB. We are Disney Food Blog after all! Cinderella Castle in Tokyo Disneyland Whether you’re at Disney World or Disneyland, we love being able to bring you reviews of all the restaurants at your disposal. But sometimes, we get the opportunity to check out Disney restaurants from the international parks, so come with us to the Duffy and Friends buffet at Tokyo DisneySea! Atmosphere You’ll find the Duffy and Friends buffet inside the Oceano Restaurant inside the Hotel Miracosta. And, the coolest part about the Hotel Miracosta is that it’s located inside Tokyo DisneySea! That’s right, this hotel is actually inside this Disney park. ©Disney | Tokyo DisneySea Oceano is a Mediterranean-themed restaurant inside Hotel Miracosta, and it features gorgeous under-the-sea accents, like these sculptures that remind us of seaweed. ©Heather Sievers|DisneyFoodBlog There are “bubbles” on the walls as well… ©Heather Sievers|DisneyFoodBlog …and even more seaweed and kelp-like artwork located throughout the dining rooms. ©Heather Sievers|DisneyFoodBlog Here’s a look at another seating area, with blue accents that continue the underwater ocean vibe. ©Heather Sievers|DisneyFoodBlog We’re here for the food though, right?! Let’s see what’s on the menu! Menu You’ll find Oceano along Mediterranean Harbor in Tokyo DisneySea, and Mediterranean cuisine is featured on the menu, either as a buffet or as a full-course meal. Guests can dine on delightful dishes in a unique setting themed to the sea. And, it’s also where you’ll find the Duffy and Friends buffet! This special meal is part of the Duffy & Friends Circle of Friendship celebration happening at Tokyo Disney Resort this spring. The Duffy & Friends menu is available at Oceano through April 9, 2023. ©Heather Sievers|DisneyFoodBlog We decided to check out this festive buffet thanks to our friend Heather Sievers (@diningindisneyland), so let’s dig in! Eats We stopped by for lunch, and that meant we got to check out the buffet! There were plenty of different options to choose from, most of which featured Mediterranean flavors. ©Heather Sievers|DisneyFoodBlog You’ll find small plates featuring avocado dip and chips, some seafood… ©Heather Sievers|DisneyFoodBlog …along with various soups — we tried the onion soup and will share more thoughts on that later! ©Heather Sievers|DisneyFoodBlog There was Carbonara Pasta… ©Heather Sievers|DisneyFoodBlog …and plenty of desserts! Here’s Duffy’s friend CookieAnn… ©Heather Sievers|DisneyFoodBlog …StellaLou… ©Heather Sievers|DisneyFoodBlog …’Olu Mel… ©Heather Sievers|DisneyFoodBlog …and LinaBell! ©Heather Sievers|DisneyFoodBlog We tried a little bit of everything, and we really enjoyed it all! Sometimes at Disney restaurants, we’ll find a standout dish here and there, but we rarely like everything we tried — especially at a buffet! The highlights for us were the onion soup, which had a great onion flavor and the broth was extremely rich; the carbonara pasta was creamy, salty, and wasn’t a true carbonara but still hit the spot; the Lina Bell grapefruit jelly dessert was so interesting and refreshing! ©Heather Sievers|DisneyFoodBlog And, if you time your meal right here, you can head out on the balcony for a show on the water during your meal! Overall This is a great buffet option if you’re visiting Tokyo DisneySea and are looking for something just a bit different! The Mediterranean cuisine is a step up from your typical theme park food, and we can’t get over the fact that this hotel is actually in the theme park! How cool is that?! We enjoyed everything we tried here and would go back again! ©Heather Sievers|DisneyFoodBlog We’re always on the hunt for the best Disney restaurants no matter where they might be — and, we’ve got a great resource for you when you plan your NEXT Disney World trip – our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining. We wrote our ebook after decades of visiting Disney World, so that we could help you have a stress-free vacation! Click here and use code WDW2023 to get 25% off! Stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news and more! Come With Us to Eat at Tomorrowland Terrace at Tokyo Disneyland Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide Check Out the 19 Best Restaurants in Disney World in 2022 Our Top 50 All-Time Best Disney Dining Tips These Are the BEST Meals in Disney World for Under $15 Ranking Every Single Magic Kingdom Restaurant Ranking Every Single EPCOT Restaurant Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney Springs Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney World Hotels – Cheap Eats Edition Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Have you been to Tokyo DisneySea? Tell us in the comments. The post REVIEW: This NEW Disney Buffet Is All About Duffy and Friends! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

As spring break season approaches, there are many options for Central Florida excursions. Here are ideas for outside adventures and local attractions to explore. View the full article

Nearly 250 fourth-graders from elementary schools in Orange County spent the day at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Wednesday, thanks to a couple of Florida groups that look to stoke up interest in space. View the full article

April 4th is a very important day for Disney World fans! TRON Lightcycle / Run On this day, TRON Lightcycle / Run will officially open in Magic Kingdom. The long-anticipated ride will not have a traditional standby queue when it opens. Instead, you’ll need to use the virtual queue or purchase an Individual Lightning Lane in order to ride. We recently got more details about how the virtual queue for TRON will work, and now we have another update that you’ll need to know about! When TRON Lightcycle / Run opens in Magic Kingdom with a virtual queue, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will NOT switch to a standby line. The coaster in EPCOT will continue to operate with a virtual queue as well, like it has been doing since that ride opened back in May 2022. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Scott Gustin reported this update on Twitter. He stated that you could potentially get a spot in the virtual queues for BOTH rides if you start in one park and get in the virtual queue for that ride and then park hop after 2PM and find that there is still availability in the virtual queue for the other ride. For example, you could start your day at Magic Kingdom and get in the virtual queue for TRON and then hop to EPCOT at 2PM and try to get in the virtual queue for Cosmic Rewind. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT Note that the second virtual queue opens at 1PM, so it’s a bit of a risk counting on the fact that there will still be spots open in that queue a full hour later. You must be inside the park to get in the 1PM virtual queue. You do NOT have to be inside the park to get in the 7AM virtual queue, but you must have a Park Pass Reservation for the appropriate park (Magic Kingdom for TRON and EPCOT for Cosmic Rewind). If you’re going to try to get both in one day, we’d recommend starting with TRON at 7AM because the queue newer ride will likely fill up faster than it will for Cosmic Rewind. TRON Lightcycle Run Some people might have expected Cosmic Rewind to switch to a standby line because Disney World doesn’t usually have two rides operating with virtual queues at once, but it looks like that will not be the case. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind In the past, we’ve seen major attractions open with a virtual queue and then switch to a standby line later on. For Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in EPCOT, the virtual queue only lasted a few months (from its opening in October 2021 until January 10th, 2022). For Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, however, a virtual queue was in place for nearly two YEARS. Rise of the Resistance It appears that Disney measures crowds and guest demand to judge whether a ride should use a virtual queue, so when demand starts to even out for Cosmic Rewind, we may see that virtual queue go away. Cosmic Rewind We’ll continue to watch for more updates from Disney, so stay tuned for all the latest news! Click here to learn more about the virtual queue process for TRON Lightcycle / Run. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you going to try to ride TRON Lightcycle / Run when it opens in Disney World? Let us know in the comments. The post Major UPDATE Announced for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are a LOT of new restaurants opening soon in Disney World, and we can’t wait to try them all! Roundup Rodeo BBQ and Summer House on the Lake are a couple of examples, but our sweet tooth is craving The Cake Bake Shop. The Boardwalk The bakery’s third location is coming to Disney’s Boardwalk later this year. We already have an idea of what the menu and pricing will be like based on its other locations, and we’ve even interviewed the owner and founder, Gwendolyn Rogers. We just got a sneak peek of what some of the decorations could be when this new location opens! Something that sets The Cake Bake Shop apart from other bakeries is the elaborate seasonal decorations that are put up to celebrate different seasons and holidays. Recently, the shop posted about a new, elaborate spring display that has come to both Indiana shops, which is called ‘So This Is Love.’ You might recognize that as the love song from Disney’s Cinderella — even though the Disney location isn’t open yet, they’re already starting with the Disney theming! We think we can expect to see these gorgeous displays coming to Disney World when the location opens in 2023. How breathtaking is this?! But the fancy decorations aren’t the only announcement. If you’re going to visit one of the two existing Cake Bake Shop locations, check out seasonal menu items like Lemon Blueberry Cake and Coconut Passionfruit Cake. We don’t know about you, but our tummy is rumbling. Cake Bake Shop in Indianapolis We had an exclusive interview with The Cake Bake Shop’s founder and owner, Gwendolyn Rogers, last year we were able to learn more about The Cake Bake Shop and what the Disney World location could look like. We asked her about the seasonal menu and decorations when we spoke. DFB: You mentioned that the menu changes seasonally, and we also saw that a big part of the existing locations is elaborate seasonal decorations. Is the plan for those decorations to come to Disney World as well? Gwendolyn Rogers: I hope so! I hope they let me do as many Christmas trees as I like to do. On the outside of my Carmel shop, I have 14 Christmas trees, and they all twinkle and have beautiful ornaments on them. Inside, I always have a huge, 15-foot Christmas tree, which is just stunning to look at. I’m hoping that I’ll get to re-create what I do here. And I think that’s what makes this place so magical — it kind of brings you back in time in a way. There’s no other place you can go outside of Disney World that makes you feel so much like a kid. Our shops bring back those old memories of storefront windows and what it was like to be in a place before technology — before cell phones were there. You actually spend time with your family and friends and enjoy a meal at the family table. What Cake Bake does is it brings a little bit of that back. It’s beautiful to watch. How stunning! We also asked about the specifics of the Disney World location and what we could expect. DFB: We’d love to ask about some of the specifics that we’ll see at this new location. Will there be a private event space at The Cake Bake Shop in Disney World? GR: I will have two private rooms. The way I’m designing it, you can take sections of the restaurant and close them off individually. So really, I’ll have six different areas where people can have a private event or a party, and I can close off that space to make it more intimate. Or, if I don’t have any parties, I can open it up and it’ll all look like one big, open place. The way I design spaces, I love to have different lighting in each area. I love light fixtures — those are my gig. I’m not a big fan of can lighting, so I never use can lighting anywhere, in any room. It changes the room. To have a light shining right on my head makes me uncomfortable, so I’d rather have warm, soft lighting with chandeliers and sconces. That’s how I design my restaurants. I also change the ceiling heights in every room. So in Carmel, there are beautiful beams across the main dining room with beautiful crystal chandeliers. Then the private rooms have lower ceilings that make the space more intimate. And in those spaces people can have a private bridal shower, a private wine dinner, a private champagne dinner. I’m going to have a champagne bar in the back of the Disney location, which will be different from the regular bar. The new restaurant will look just like the Carmel location in Indiana, just better! Concept art for The Cake Bake Shop Construction is still happening at the Boardwalk now, and we make sure to look for updates every time we’re there! It’s coming along! — February 2023 We are so excited to see what this new location brings, and we will be ready for when those dining reservations open. We will keep you updated on all things Cake Bake Shop. Be sure you are following DFB for all Disney dining news. Click Here to Read Our Full Interview with Gwendolyn Rogers 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! Are you excited for the Boardwalk location to open? Let us know in the comments. The post Why We CAN’T WAIT To Visit The Cake Bake Shop in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article