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Disney4me

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  1. Think you love Disneyland enough to set a world record? It might be harder than you think! Sleeping Beauty Castle One of the things we love about the Disney parks is that there are constantly new things to experience. Between festivals, holidays, new attractions, and more, you could visit again and again and have a totally unique day every time. Trust us, we know from experience! And for one Disneyland fan, their love of the park was strong enough to earn them a world record! As NPR reported, California resident Jeff Reitz currently holds the Guinness World Record for the most consecutive visits to Disneyland Park with 2,995 straight days of visits. That impressive streak breaks down to eight years, three months, and 13 days. Spring in Disneyland According to Reitz, the idea to visit the park every day came to him when visiting Disneyland on New Year’s Day 2012. That day, he and his friends noticed an advertisement for an “extra Disney Day,” an event celebrating the upcoming Leap Day of February 29th. Reitz says he and his friends joked, “How could it be an extra day if you didn’t use the others?” and so they set out to visit the park all 366 days of 2012. Jeff Reitz Holds the Record for Most Consecutive Days in Disneyland ©Jeff Reitz After the group reached their goal of visiting Disneyland every day in 2012, Reitz decided to keep going. He said his visits were a constant source of joy for him, “It was my gym. It was my happy hour. It was entertainment all in one package.” After over eight years of daily visits, his last trip to Disneyland was on March 13th, 2020 — the last day before the park closed due to the pandemic. This ended his streak at a record-breaking 2,995 straight days of visits. Main Street Electrical Parade While Reitz hasn’t been back to Disneyland yet since the park has reopened, he said that he would like to return at some point. In the meantime, he says he has replaced his Disneyland visits with catching up on shows, going to concerts, hiking, and spending time with his girlfriend. Mickey 100th anniversary statue in Disneyland Of course, we’ll continue to head to the parks regularly to report on all of the latest updates and new additions, so stay tuned to DFB to get your daily dose of Disney! runDisney’s Coast to Coast Race Challenge Is Coming BACK! 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’s your personal record for the most consecutive days in a row of visits to a Disney park? Share with us in the comments! The post Are You Up for the ULTIMATE Disneyland Challenge? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article
  2. We’ve got some more exciting Disneyland news for you! Disneyland Railroad This news specifically involves the Disneyland Railroad (which we found an adorable dress inspired by the iconic attraction recently), and the return of one of its iconic original steam engines — E.P. Ripley! E.P. Ripley was named after Edward Payson Ripley, who was one of the original founders of the Atchison and Topeka Railroad (later named the Santa Fe Railroad). ©Disney The steam engine was taken off the tracks around 5 years ago for repairs, and a full restoration began in the summer of 2021. Some of this restoration included replicating “the original boiler, the headlamp and bell to bring the locomotive back to its original splendor.” ©Disney The return of the steam engine is especially meaningful this year, the 100th Anniversary of the Walt Disney Company because there are photos of Walt himself riding on the train pulled by E.P. Ripley back in 1955! ©Disney This steam engine will be back on the tracks giving guests rides starting on March 6th. In other Disneyland news, Toontown is reopening later this month and we’re keeping up with all the latest news, and we’ve just put together an ultimate guide of beignets in Disneyland for your next trip! As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news. Check out our ultimate guide to Disneyland in 2023 right here! Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! See Our DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Learn About Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland Check Out What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Get All the Info About Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Should You Go to Disneyland in 2022? Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Have you ever ridding on the Disneyland Railroad? Tell us in the comments below! The post Why March 6th Is So Important For Disney Fans first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article
  3. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Online shopping should only be two things: helpful and relaxing. Sometimes you’re looking for a specific item you need, and other times you may find yourself just enjoying the virtual window shopping! Cinderella Castle Unfortunately, many customers end up feeling stressed when trying to find what they’re looking for. Many of these sites have such large stocks that it’s overwhelming — even with the help of filters it can be a headache! Amazon is a popular site that suffers from this issue. That’s why we take the time to research and choose the best items to share with our readers! There are so many great items on Amazon, but it can be a drag trying to find the needle in the haystack. Skip the search and instead check out some of our favorites we’ve been loving recently! Confession time: we’re kind of obsessed with these Minnie Mouse Scrunchies! The tiny ears and sparkly bows are just too cute to pass up. Minnie Mouse Scrunchies You can wear these on your next trip to the parks or throw your hair up with one for a little Disney glam while doing your chores. These are usually $23.99, but currently this set is on sale for $14.99! Click here to buy the Minnie Mouse Scrunchies! For something a bit more masculine, Amazon has this Mickey Mouse Dad Hat that features a sneaky Mickey peeking out from the brim! We’ll be bringing this with us to Disney World this summer to protect against the sun. Mickey Mouse Dad Hat The back has an adjustable strap for a comfortable fit, and this hat has a secret: there’s a comic strip printed on the underside of the brim! Snag this cool cap for $19.99! Click here to buy this Mickey Mouse Dad Hat! These days you HAVE to bring a portable charger with you on your Disney vacations. Between Genie+, My Disney Experience, and just taking photos, you’re bound to run through your phone’s battery quickly. INIU Portable Charger We love this INIU Portable Charger not only because it’s reliable (just check out the amazing reviews!) but because the screen shows you exactly how much charge you have left. How handy! Grab this charger for your next trip for $26.99. Click here to buy this INIU Portable Charger! If you can’t decide whether you prefer girly or punk styles, this is the backpack for you! The Loungefly Disney Princess Tattoo Mini Backpack is covered in a tattoo-inspired print of our favorite princesses, both classic and new. Loungefly Disney Princess Tattoo Mini Backpack The cream and pink color scheme is toughened up with the bold flowers on the print. Loungefly bags are great to bring with you to the parks because of their size; they’re small enough to be compact but have enough space to hold all of your necessities. This bag is on sale now for $56.99. Click here to buy the Loungefly Disney Princess Tattoo Mini Backpack! If no one can see your socks, does it matter what they look like? We say yes! There’s something about putting on a pair of fun socks that cheers us up, and these Stitch socks are sure to put a smile on anyone’s face. Stitch No-Show Socks These Stitch No-Show Socks come in a blue and gray color palette. Each pair has a different Stitch to fit your mood. This pack of 5 is on sale now for just $8.79! Click here to buy these Stitch No-Show Socks! Little Golden Books are a classic that can be found in children’s libraries everywhere. Check out this volume that includes Nine Disney Classics! Nine Disney Classics Little Golden Book Purchase this for the tiny Disney fan in your life and enjoy reading these tales before bedtime. Get this book while it’s on sale! It’s currently marked down from $12.99 to $8.49. Click here to buy Nine Disney Classics Little Golden Book! This board game is perfect for parties because it can accommodate up to 20 players! Players ages 8 and up will enjoy Disney Colorbrain, a game where your knowledge of Disney is put to the test. Disney Colorbrain Each game is only 20 minutes long, so you don’t have to make a huge commitment to playing a round or two. Add this to your collection for $12.88! Click here to buy Disney Colorbrain! That’s it for now! Stay tuned to our site for more Amazon deals, and click the banner below for a free trial of Prime! 7 Random “Must-Bring” Items to Add to Your Disney World Park Bag Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What is your favorite board game to play? Add your pick to the comment section below! The post The Amazon Disney Deals That Will Make Your Weekend first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article
  4. Disneyland Resort just kicked off the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival and we were there to check out all the exciting new offerings! Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Passport Of course, that meant tasting a TON of food and drinks, a task we’re always happy to take on! But the menu items aren’t the only goodies the festival has to offer. There’s also some new limited-edition merchandise to celebrate the event, including an adorable pair of Minnie Ears that are made for the Disney foodie in your life! That’s right, feast your eyes on the new Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Minnie Ears! Instead of a bow, these ears are fittingly topped with a little chef’s hat. Festival Minnie Ears! The ears themselves have an all-over food pattern. How many of your favorite foods can you spot?? Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Ears The lime green band has embroidered writing on both sides commemorating the festival. One side says Disney California Adventure… Minnie Ears …and the other says Food & Wine Festival 2023. Minnie Ears You can typically find festival merchandise — including these little beauties — at stores around the park, as well as merchandise kiosks. If these deserve a spot in your collection, you can grab them for $34.99. We’ll continue to keep an eye out for any more updates as the festival continues, so stay tuned to DFB for the latest news! The Ultimate Guide To Disneyland Beignets 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 How many pairs of Minnie Ears do you own? Let us know in the comments! The post How Many of Your Favorite Foods Can You Spot on Disney's New Minnie Ears? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article
  5. Right now, Orange Bird is EVERYWHERE. He’s everywhere! Orange Bird IS, after all, one of the three mascots for the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival, which officially kicked off this week. We’ve already picked up our Orange Bird sipper, we bought a pair of Orange Bird ears, AND we saw him on LOADS of festival merchandise. But now, he’s turned up elsewhere as a returning — yet slightly terrifying — snack. So we’ve actually seen this snack before, but it’s still creeping us out, and we’re surprised it continues to turn up in Disney World. It’s the Orange Bird Cookie. Just…um…look at it! Like Disney seriously just took a Mickey cookie and decorated it to look like Orange Bird. What is up with this cookie? What’s even funnier is that there’s also an Orange Bird Caramel Apple, which does look considerably better than the cookie, but even the apple here is looking at the cookie like “WHAT ARE YOU?” Orange Bird apple does not approve We previously saw both of these snacks in Animal Kingdom, but we spotted them recently in Magic Kingdom. So if you want to grab a cookie that should’ve been released closer to Halloween, be on the lookout for it! In the meantime, have you caught up on all our reviews of the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival? You can see all the food booth menus and find their reviews linked here! WE KNOW – there are SO many great snacks at Disney World! How do you choose (we don’t want to choose but will blow our budget on Day 1 otherwise)? We’ve got you covered! We have reviewed nearly EVERY snack available at Disney World, and we’ve written a series of DFB Guides about them! DFB Guide and Snacks Bundle Check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining + Snacks Bundle for all the details you need to plan your snackin’ and spending. You can even download them to your smartphone – it’ll be like we’re right there with you in the parks! Ready to Plan for Your 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Trip? Pre-Order the DFB Guide to the 2023 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival e-Book today! This 220+ page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. Your purchase includes several bonus items as well -- including a full schedule of events at the Festival and a printable Outdoor Kitchens Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! Pre-Order your 2023 edition today! Don't miss a moment of the fun! Use code SPRING at check-out to get $2 off the cover price! MORE Flower & Garden Festival INFO! See the FULL LIST of Food Booths, Menus, and Photos from the Festival Learn About the Garden Rocks Concert Series and Dining Packages Secret Tips for the Flower & Garden Festival Everything Returning to the Flower & Garden Festival in 2023 2 Things We ALWAYS Bring to the Festival Click HERE for All of the Latest News and Details About the Festival! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Flower & Garden Festival news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post That One Time Orange Bird Terrified Us In Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article
  6. It’s Food & Wine Festival time in Disney California Adventure! WELCOME to the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival! There is so much to eat and drink at this yearly festival, and we couldn’t wait to get started. If you’re a healthy eater, love vegetables, or are just looking to try something new, come with us over to the I Heart Artichokes booth! Menu The I Heart Artichokes booth has two different food options and three drinks to grab. I Heart Artichokes Let’s get to the tasting! Food We grabbed the Artichoke Pizzetta for $7.25, which is Artichoke & Roasted Garlic Cream Cheese with Sun-dried Tomatoes, Pickled Onions, and Lemon Olive Oil-drizzled Micro Greens. Artichoke Pizzetta We loved this dish! The flavors were great and the pizzetta crust was crispy on the outside but soft in the center. The lemon olive oil drizzle was so good, we even broke off extra pieces of the pizzetta to dip in it. Yum! We really enjoyed the garlic cream cheese and sun-dried tomatoes as the “sauce” as well. It wasn’t too garlicky, which we really appreciated. Overall, we recommend this dish for sure! Jammin’ Chefs! We tried a LOT of dishes yesterday, and we narrowed down some of our favorites so you know the best of the best at the festival. As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news and reviews! Get our free DCA Food and Wine printable here! Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! See Our DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Learn About Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland Check Out What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Get All the Info About Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Should You Go to Disneyland in 2022? Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Would you try this dish? Tell us in the comments! The post REVIEW: If You Love Artichokes, Don't Miss This Disney Festival Dish first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article
  7. If you’re looking for fantastic food in Disney World, the best place to go is actually NOT one of the four theme parks. Instead, hop over to Disney Springs! Disney Springs Disney Springs is the HUGE shopping and dining center in Disney World. You don’t need a ticket to get in, and you can find almost 100 retail locations and more than 60 places to eat. Like the parks, things are constantly changing at the Springs, with new snacks and merchandise popping up all the time. Come along with us to check out everything that’s NEW since our last visit! Disney Springs Food Updates Marketplace Snacks We tried the new Tinker Bell Waffle Sundae from Marketplace Snacks, which you can get for $8.99. This treat is made with vanilla soft-serve ice cream, lemon curd, strawberries, kiwi, white chocolate crisp pearls, and strawberry-covered biscuit sticks. Tinker Bell Waffle Sundae We thought this was a super refreshing and tasty treat. The waffle was warm and fresh and combined beautifully with the ice cream. The standout flavor is the lemon curd, which was delicious! We also loved the texture of the pearls. Click here to read our full review of the Tinker Bell Waffle Sundae. Gideon’s Bakehouse We stopped by Gideon’s Bakehouse to check out the new March offerings. The cookie of the month is a Peanut Butter Chocolate Swirl, which is a returning treat that we’ve loved in the past. PB Chocolate Swirl Cookie You can also get the NEW Peanut Butter Chocolate Swirl Cake. This cake is covered in a layer of peanut butter buttercream AND chocolate buttercream. It’ll be available every Wednesday and Saturday at Disney Springs. ©Gideon’s On this trip, we grabbed Pipistrello’s Nitro Cold Brew. The flavor profile is described as a blend of dark chocolate, cinnamon, and nitro cold brew. You can grab one for $6. Pipistrello’s Nitro Cold Brew This cold brew is VERY chocolate-heavy. We only tasted the cinnamon towards the end, and the coffee was much more of an aftertaste. It was almost like drinking a Mexican hot chocolate with ice! Click here to read our full review of Pipistrello’s Nitro Cold Brew. Swirls on the Water Over at Swirls on the Water, you can grab a few different soft serve and DOLE Whip flavors. One limited-time treat is the Shamrock Cone, which is mint and chocolate soft serve swirled together in a black vanilla waffle cone. You can get this treat for $6.49. Shamrock Cone The mint ice cream had a good, sweet minty flavor without tasting like toothpaste. The chocolate ice cream isn’t the best we’ve ever had (it’s not as creamy as we’d like), but the mint flavor is DELICIOUS and makes up for it. The cone complemented the ice cream perfectly — and even tasted a bit like Oreos. Click here to check out our full review of the Shamrock Cone. The Daily Poutine If you’re a fan of poutine, you’ve got to check out all the flavors at The Daily Poutine. For a limited time, you can grab the Irish Pork Bangers Poutine here. This snack is returning from previous years, although it’s a bit more expensive than it was last year — it was $9.99 in 2022, but it’s $10.49 this year. Irish Pork Bangers Poutine This snack is made with Irish Cheddar Cheese, Onion Marmalade, Stout Gravy, and French Fries. We had mixed feelings about it when we tried it last year — check out our full review to learn more. Read our full review of the Irish Pork Bangers Poutine here. Disney Springs Construction Updates Summer House On the Lake Summer House on the Lake is a new restaurant that’s opening in Disney Springs sometime this year. This spot currently has locations in Chicago and North Bethesda, Maryland. Though a menu has not yet been revealed for the new Disney Springs restaurant, pizzas, sandwiches, salads, pasta, wood-grilled dishes, and more are featured at the existing locations. (They also offer a weekend brunch!) Summer House On the Lake Construction We’ve been keeping an eye on the construction site at Disney Springs, which looks like it’s coming along well! Starting to take shape We paid a visit to the Summer House location in Chicago to bring you a PREVIEW/review and to learn what we might expect when the Disney Springs location opens, and you can find it HERE. Click here to learn more about Summer House on the Lake. Sunglass Hut The Sunglass Hut location at Disney Springs is currently under construction, so it’s closed and surrounded by temporary walls. Sunglasses Hut While the remodel takes place, you can head to the nearby pop-up truck to shop for new sunglasses. Here it is! There’s no word yet on how long this project will last, but we’ll continue to watch for more updates. Click here to check out more construction projects in Disney World. Disney Springs Attraction Updates Character meet-and-greets are popular attractions in the Disney World parks, but did you know that you can meet a couple of characters at Disney Springs as well? Over at the M&M’S store, you can meet the iconic Ms. Brown, who is there to celebrate Women’s History Month. You can find her here from 10AM to 6PM every day throughout March. © Disney Springs on Instagram The store is also selling special M&M’s as well as merchandise for Women’s History Month. © Disney Springs on Instagram We’ve seen other M&M’s greeting guests at this store in the past, so be on the lookout for other characters! Click here to see who else we met at the M&M’S store in Disney Springs. If you’re looking for more information about Disney Springs, check out the following posts: A Word of WARNING about Disney Springs How You Should Spend Your Money at Disney Springs The Cheapest Places To Eat in Disney Springs in 2023 9 of the Best Snacks Under $10 in Disney Springs Keep following DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news! We’ve eaten at EVERY Disney Springs restaurant. These are the BEST. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What’s your favorite thing to do in Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments. The post What's New at Disney Springs: A NEW Character Meet-and-Greet first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article
  8. Are you headed to Disney World this month? Sunshine Seasons If you are, you’re in for a LOT of new food. First, there’s the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival, which just kicked off — you’ll find LOADS of new food at the food booths there. But it’s also Women’s History Month, and Disney World is offering some special snacks to celebrate. So we found one of the PRETTIEST of the new snacks and tried it. The snack is the Earl Grey Tea Sponge Cake, and it’s an Earl grey tea sponge cake with lavender yogurt cream on top of a meringue topped with a white chocolate decoration and crispy pearls. Yes, it looks as delicate as it sounds. Isn’t it BEAUTIFUL? It’s SO pretty. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder — or in this case, the eater (that’s us) — so does that beauty extend to how this thing tastes? We will say that the cake has a good Earl grey spiced tea flavor and isn’t very dry. You can also taste the lavender in the cream. The flavors were actually great. Photogenic, isn’t it? BUT we really feel like there should have been some kind of filling between the cake and the cream. Also, that “cream” wasn’t cream at all, but that weird gelatin topping thing that Disney puts on so many of its desserts (you know what we’re talking about, right?). So the texture just feels off. The dessert is also VERY VERY sweet, which we didn’t expect because the description makes it sound so light. That weird gel stuff, though. It IS a unique dessert and if you’re looking for something pretty to post to your Instagram, it photographs very well. We also LOVE that little cameo brooch on top inspired by Marie Curie. You can try it for yourself right now at Sunshine Seasons in EPCOT for $5.99. But you might be better off spending that money on one of our favorites from the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival. You can check out our Best of the Fest here! WE KNOW – there are SO many great snacks at Disney World! How do you choose (we don’t want to choose but will blow our budget on Day 1 otherwise)? We’ve got you covered! We have reviewed nearly EVERY snack available at Disney World, and we’ve written a series of DFB Guides about them! DFB Guide and Snacks Bundle Check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining + Snacks Bundle for all the details you need to plan your snackin’ and spending. You can even download them to your smartphone – it’ll be like we’re right there with you in the parks! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think? Do you think you’d like this snack? Let us know in the comments! The post Could This Be the Prettiest Snack in Disney World? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article
  9. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. You made it through the workweek and now it’s time to unwind! Magic Kingdom Let’s be honest — you need to treat yourself and relax a little. Whether that’s kicking back with your favorite movie on Disney+ or planning your next Disney vacation, you’ve earned it. But if your favorite way to relax is a little retail therapy…we’ve got you covered! We’re sharing the full list of new Disney merchandise that landed online this week. Let’s dive in and see what we’ve got! Disney Bags There were a LOT of new Disney bags that dropped online this week, starting with Disney’s new collaboration with COACH. There are multiple new bags and accessories in this collection! ©Coach If you’re a Dooney & Bourke collector, then you’ll want to check out the new Disney Rabbits Bags, perfect for either spring or the Lunar New Year (it’s the year of the rabbit!). ©Disney We also spotted one of the strangely Loungefly bags we’ve ever seen — this BoxLunch Stitch Loungefly Backpack. Yep, that’s a toilet plunger on his head! ©BoxLunch And finally on the list of new bags, we have the new Spring Vera Bradley Disney Collection. The bags are covered in a floral pattern with hidden characters like Alice, the Cheshire Cat, Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Bambi, Snow White, and more. ©Vera Bradley The collection has everything from a weekender bag to a backpack — there’s a bag for every need! Shop the Vera Bradley Collection Here! Clothes and Accessories Need some new Disney clothes and accessories? We’ve got you covered! Cakeworthy dropped a new Mickey Mouse line this week complete with shirts and an adorable bucket hat. ©Cakeworthy A Disney trip is the perfect excuse to get a new manicure, and now you can do your own Disney-themed nails from home thanks to Ulta! They released new nail art packs featuring some fan-favorite characters. ©Ulta And finally in accessories, we have to mention the new pair of Minnie ears that dropped on shopDisney — this Little Mermaid-themed pair! We’ve already seen these in the parks but now you can buy them ahead of your visit as well. Little Mermaid Ears They’re VERY sparkly and covered in clamshells, pearls, and shiny fabric. These were made for a princess, for sure! Shop the Mermaid Ears Here! Collectibles And last but not least, we need to show you some new collectibles online! This week, Disney released two new Legacy Lightsabers on shopDisney. You can now buy the Luminara Unduli or Plo Koon lightsaber hilts online for $169.99 each. Luminara If you don’t have a chance to visit Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities in Galaxy’s Edge in the coming months, then this is your chance to grab one of these collectibles! Shop the Lightsabers Here! That’s all the new merchandise we spotted online this week! Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on the hottest souvenirs and collectibles that you can buy. While you’re in the shopping mood…have you checked our DFB exclusive graphic tees and merch? It’s super fun stuff to wear to the parks, or to rep your happy place at the grocery store! Click here to visit the DFB Merch Store! Click Here to See Which Minnie Ears You Can Get Online! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Which item are you interested in buying? Tell us in the comments! The post Disney Dropped NEW Loungefly Bags and Lightsabers Online! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article
  10. We may have just kicked off the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival, but there’s another Disney festival just beginning! It’s time to EAT! The Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival celebrates the bounty of California with food, beverages, and special events. This year’s fest runs from March 3rd through April 25th, which means you’ve got over a month to check out the best this festival has to offer. Speaking of which, we’re bringing you our BEST of the 2023 DCA Food & Wine Festival! It wouldn’t be a true Disney festival unless we were there to try allllllll the NEW eats and some returning favorites, too! Since we’ve tried everything, we feel pretty confident about bringing you our BEST of the 2023 Disney California Adventure — so get ready, ’cause it’s time to dig in! New Bests Smoked Honey Habanero Wings at Cluck a Doodle Moo First up, we tried the new Smoked Honey-Habanero Chicken Wings. These chicken wings are tossed in honey-habanero seasoning and are $8.50. Smoked Honey Habanero Wings These wings are DELICIOUS. The dish includes four decently-sized pieces with a sweet and spicy habanero seasoning. They’re cooked to perfection with a crispy outside and a tender and moist inside. We were also able to taste just a hint of lime! See Our FULL Cluck a Doodle Moo Review Here BBQ Beef Brisket Slider at Cluck a Doodle Moo Also at Cluck a Doodle Moo, we had the BBQ Beef Brisket Slider. This slider features Fiscalini Farmstead Smoked Cheddar with dill pickles on salt & pepper on brioche. This slider is $9. BBQ Beef Brisket Slider This is a GREAT sandwich. We got a generous portion of brisket, and we loved the smoked cheddar flavor that accompanied the meat. The pickles on the sandwich gave a nice crunch. The salt and pepper brioche bun was soft and fresh and complimented the brisket perfectly. See Our Cluck a Doodle Moo Review Here Raspberry Limoncello Ade at Garlic Kissed One of the best new drinks we tried this year was the Raspberry Limoncello Ade from Garlic Kissed. Raspberry Limoncello Ade It’s got Limoncello, grapefruit liqueur, house-made mint syrup, raspberry syrup, and lemon juice. If you like tropical drinks, this one is for you! It reminded us of Hawaiian Punch — it was pretty sugary and sweet and not too strong. Check Out Our Full Review of Garlic Kissed Here Returning Bests Carbonara-Garlic Mac & Cheese at Garlic Kissed Also at Garlic Kissed, you’ll find the returning Carbonara Mac and Cheese for $8.50. It was cheesy, crunchy, rich, and had tons of flavor thanks to the garlic and the bacon. Mac & Cheeeeeeese! If you’re a mac and cheese aficionado or just can’t get enough garlic, give this one a try. Check Out Our Full Review of Garlic Kissed Here Blueberry Buttermilk Pie at Berry Patch We also included another returning favorite this time around — the Blueberry-Buttermilk Pie! This treat is $6.50, and it’s our favorite thing from this booth. Blueberry Buttermilk Pie It had a TON of blueberries inside and it was sweet but not overwhelmingly so. The crust on this is yummy as well. You can get alllllll sorts of berry treats at this booth, so make sure you stop by on your visit if you can’t get enough fruity goodness! See Our Berry Patch Review Right Here Glazed BBQ Pork Belly at LA Style We picked up a generous portion of pork belly and it was delicious! You can grab this BBQ pork served with Furikake-Togarashi Mac Salad for $9. Glazed BBQ Pork Belly The meat is sweet and tender and fell apart very easily. It wasn’t too fatty at all, which is great. The mac salad is also amazing, with lots of flavor — but not too mayonnaise-y. Read Our Full LA Style Review Here PHEW — there are some pretty solid eats at the Disney California Food & Wine Festival this year! Luckily, this fest lasts through April 25th, so you’ve got plenty of time to go check it out for yourself. In the meantime, we’ll be bringing you our best tips and everything you need to know — so stay tuned to DFB for more! Check Out EVERYTHING You Need To Know About the DCA Food & Wine Festival 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 been to this festival? Let us know in the comments! The post EVERYTHING You Need To Eat and Drink at the 2023 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article
  11. We go to Disney World every day, so we know when something is a bit…different. EPCOT No two days are alike, and there’s almost always something new to see. On a recent trip to EPCOT, we noticed that something had changed at one of our favorite stores! You’ll find all sorts of Disney goodies inside the Creations Shop at EPCOT, and as of recently, you can also find some familiar faces as part of some updated decor! Creations Shop We stopped by to do a bit of shopping and happened to notice a few new additions, like this new Pixar sign with Luxo Jr.! Luxo Jr We also spotted this Little Chef Remy… Remy! …and a not-so-little Chewbacca! HUGE Make sure you keep an eye out for these recent additions when you’re on your next shopping spree in Disney World! And, if you’re heading to check out the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival, make sure you check out our best of the fest along with a look at everything you just can’t miss. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World news and updates! Check Out All the Menus for This Year’s EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Here Ready to Plan for Your 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Trip? Pre-Order the DFB Guide to the 2023 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival e-Book today! This 220+ page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. Your purchase includes several bonus items as well -- including a full schedule of events at the Festival and a printable Outdoor Kitchens Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! Pre-Order your 2023 edition today! Don't miss a moment of the fun! Use code SPRING at check-out to get $2 off the cover price! MORE Flower & Garden Festival INFO! See the FULL LIST of Food Booths, Menus, and Photos from the Festival Learn About the Garden Rocks Concert Series and Dining Packages Secret Tips for the Flower & Garden Festival Everything Returning to the Flower & Garden Festival in 2023 2 Things We ALWAYS Bring to the Festival Click HERE for All of the Latest News and Details About the Festival! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Flower & Garden Festival news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Have you seen this EPCOT change? Let us know in the comments! The post PHOTOS: Something Has CHANGED at a Popular Store in EPCOT first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article
  12. Spring is in the air, which means many of us are about to be wheels-up, headed toward our magical spring getaway! And traveling alongside us is every. single. person. that we know. Let’s go somewhere fun! Yep, grab your kids, your parents, your grandma, your neighbor, your great-aunt Ruth, and probably a few more people — it’s time for Spring Break! This is a SUPER popular time to travel, so get ready for major CROWDS to come along on your tropical getaway. The Orlando Airport shared a tweet to help spring break flyers get an idea of what the airport will look like throughout this spring break season. They predict that 7.3 million travelers are expected to come through MCO during a 46-day Spring Break travel period. You read that right — 67.3 MILLION. They also shared the top five busiest days to travel: March 11th, March 18th, March 25th, April 1st, and April 8th (all Saturdays, of course). If you’re traveling this spring break, make sure you’re paying attention to crucial details such as popular travel dates, estimated airport traffic numbers, and flight times so that the crowds don’t ruin your trip. Missing a flight because of airport traffic or security lines is no fun, and the Orlando International Airport (MCO) has you covered when it comes to staying prepared. With these high-traffic days will likely come longer security lines, but we have a tip on how to navigate that! The Orlando Airport recently announced that the hours for MCO Reserve would be extended, allowing guests the opportunity to SKIP the security line (as long as they reserve their spot ahead of time — learn how to do that here). MCO Reserve is available from 6:30AM to 8:30PM each day. Orlando International Airport We understand that spring break travel can be stressful, especially with kids. We’re always posting news and updates on how to make that process a little bit easier, complete with packing advice and park necessities! We also know how expensive it can be, so click the link below to find out how you can fly for CHEAP this spring. Oh, and make sure to follow along for more Disney news and updates so that you’re always in the loop. Click here to learn how to book the CHEAPEST flights to 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. Are you going anywhere fun for spring break? Let us know in the comments! The post 7.3 MILLION Reasons To AVOID the Orlando Airport first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article
  13. You probably shouldn’t read this post if you’re hungry… Seriously, by the time you reach the end of this post, your mouth will be watering. You’re gonna power through? OK, if you end up booking a flight to Disneyland, we are NOT to blame! LA Style The 2023 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival has officially begun at Disneyland Resort and there are LOTS of things to do. From now through April 25th, you can devour some tasty eats and drinks, check out unique entertainment, and more. Wondering just what you can eat at the LA Style booth? Well, we’ve checked it out and now we’re sharing our FULL thoughts. Menu Over at LA Style, you’ll find a variety of available items. From pork belly to naan, this booth has you covered with an interesting mix of dishes. LA Style Menu 2023 Now that we’ve taken a look at the menu, let’s dive into the food itself! Eats First up, we grabbed the Glazed BBQ Pork Belly. For $9, you can grab this BBQ pork served alongside Furikake-Togarashi Mac Salad. Glazed BBQ Pork Belly Wow! We got a generous portion of pork belly and it was delicious! The meat is sweet and tender and fell apart very easily. It wasn’t too fatty at all, which is great. The mac salad is also amazing, with lots of flavor — but not too mayonnaise-y. We also got this last year, and loved it then, too. You can also get the Impossible Gyro-Inspired Naan, which is a gyro-inspired flatbread featuring Impossible ground beef with chipotle hummus, tzatziki, and spiced crispy chickpeas. They were out of this one when we visited, but we did try it last year! Gyro-inspired Flatbread featuring Impossible Ground Beef with chipotle hummus, tzatziki and spiced crispy chickpeas The naan flatbread is $8, and we remember the flatbread being delicious, but the chipotle hummus might be a bit much for you if you don’t enjoy spice. Drinks In terms of drinks on this menu, we got the Echo Park Cooler, a non-alcoholic drink featuring Joffrey’s Ceylon and Raspberry Rose Tea, raspberry puree, lychee and rose syrups, lime juice, and a lime wheel garnish. You can grab this drink for $7. Echo Park Cooler If you like drinks inspired by Granny’s floral perfume, this is the drink for you! No, seriously. We did not enjoy this drink, but maybe you will if you enjoy strong floral flavors. Luckily, the other flavors are stronger than the rose, but it’s definitely still there. OVERALL Overall, we definitely recommend this booth to anyone seeking a tasty twist on classic dishes. The pork belly is definitely a favorite for us, and the flatbread could be great if you’re looking for some of that chipotle heat! Even though the drink wasn’t exactly a hit for us, it’s worth a shot if you enjoy teas and floral-inspired beverages. If you try this booth, make sure to leave your own review in the comments below! The full spread! That’s it for this booth, but there’s a LOT more where that came from! Click here to see FULL reviews of EVERY. SINGLE. BOOTH. at the Food & Wine Festival at Disneyland Resort! Trying to plan the PERFECT trip to the Festival? We’ll be keeping you updated on all of the latest. Click our links below for the information you need to know: See our full page on the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival here Check out ALL of the Festival menus here Learn about the Festival seminars And stay tuned for more Disney news! Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! See Our DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Learn About Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland Check Out What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Get All the Info About Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Should You Go to Disneyland in 2022? Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Will you be visiting the Food & Wine Festival? Tell us in the comments! The post These Disney Snacks Are for Adventurous Eaters ONLY first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article
  14. So, you’re planning a trip to Disney World, and you know you want to stay at a deluxe resort, but might want something a little outside a more traditional hotel vibe. But how do you choose between Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge? Well, let’s dive into the deets to see which one is right for you! Choosing between the Contemporary and the Animal Kingdom Lodge, is like choosing a favorite child, a favorite Disney cupcake, or between a Dole Whip or a Mickey Pretzel — there’s enough love to go around! But just like cupcakes and classic Disney snacks (and maybe your kids, too… only you know your family dynamic…), there’s a certain flavor that might just hit the spot for what you’re looking for. Disney’s Contemporary Resort There’s no doubt that Disney vacations are expensive, and no one wants buyer’s remorse when it comes to what can usually be the most EXPENSIVE part of your Disney trip. We’re approaching this chaos-agent of a decision with as much logic as possible, so we’re breaking it down into five categories: Common Ground Theme/Rooms Pools Food Transportation We’re putting each resort through these paces to see where they stand and which one may be speaking to you for your Disney trip. Common Ground Before we start down the rabbit hole into the Wonderland of their differences, let’s review the similarities of these resorts. These resorts are both Disney Deluxe Resorts, so they will be at a similar price point, with similar room sizes, and the same perks. And both offer Disney Vacation Club Villas as additional accommodations. Disney’s Contemporary Resort For the Contemporary, that means that for the cheapest room at the cheapest time to visit, you can expect to pay around $550 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts), and it goes up to $5,594 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts) for the most expensive rooms at the most expensive time to visit. For the Animal Kingdom Lodge, that means that for the cheapest room at the cheapest time to visit, you can expect to pay around $469 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts), and it goes up to $3,792 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts) for the most expensive rooms at the most expensive time to visit. (Based on 2023 rates) Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Wow. In the cheapest room, during the cheapest season, Animal Kingdom Lodge is almost 20% less than the Contemporary. And for those more expensive options, it’s about 70% less than the Contemporary! Let’s dig a little deeper to see what you can get for the money at these resorts! Extra Theme Park Hours Benefits for Disney World Resort Hotel Guests Theme/Rooms These are not your standard hotels. You can stay in the sleek sophistication of the Contemporary, or or head out to Africa at Animal Kingdom Lodge. But whether your stay takes you into the heart of modern midcentury modern or into the panoramic vistas of an African savanna, you’ll find that both of these options provide top-of-the-line Disney amenities. The Contemporary As the name suggests, the Contemporary has a very modern theme. It feels a little less immersive and more upscale and sleek. The lobby recently got an upgrade with colorful artwork and more modern furniture, which sets the tone for the resort. Ok, so maybe it is immersive if you’re looking to be immersed into an art museum. Contemporary Lobby Area All of the rooms have recently been renovated and updated with an Incredibles-inspired theme. Disney’s Contemporary Resort And the Top of the World Lounge in the neighboring Bay Lake Tower, has also recently reopened with a new Villains-themed look and refreshed menu. So even though this beauty is 50 years old, she’s gotten some TLC and looks better than ever! Menu Since the rooms face in on the hotel, it can be a bit noisy because all of the action is in one spot. From the rooms, you can look down and see Chef Mickey’s (which opens pretty early and gets noisy, so it can be hard to sleep in), and the Monorail runs through the resort. Main area of the resort There’s also a massive mural on the wall created by Mary Blair, a famous Disney artist. This is a super fun touch for Disney history fans. Remember that art museum vibe we mentioned earlier… um, yeah. Disney’s Contemporary Resort Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo! And welcome to Animal Kingdom Lodge! This is more than your typical hotel, and honestly, it’s beyond the standard of a typical Disney hotel. This resort offers a few things that none of the resorts do. First, live animals right out your window! Definitely, the only Disney resort where you can wake up and view some giraffes out your window, and drink coffee or snack on some Zebra Domes on your balcony while watching real-live zebras. Disney also brings in Cultural Representatives from countries around Africa to share their countries’ unique stories, culture, art, and history. Off of the lobby, there is an observation room where guests can appreciate artifacts from African exploration or just sit and enjoy the animals on the safari. Animal Kingdom Lodge Lobby And the lobby delivers on that jaw-dropping “oh wow” moment (especially around the holidays). Animal Kingdom Lodge The Animal Kingdom Lodge standard rooms received a little facelift, like the Contemporary and Polynesian rooms have. So, when you stay here, you’ll get to experience a bit more streamlined and updated decor that is both modern and rustic. Animal Kingdom Lodge also has Disney Vacation Club accommodations over at Kidani Village, with villas ranging from basic studio rooms all the way up to multi-room villas overlooking their own animal savanna. Room at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village rooms look out onto the Sunset Savanna, and Jambo House rooms look out onto the Uzima and Arusha Savannas. All the savannas have giraffes and zebras, and a plethora of other beautiful animals. Results When it comes to immersive theming, the Animal Kingdom Lodge wins out. The Contemporary is lovely, the Contemporary is striking, the Contemporary doesn’t really distinguish itself from any other non-Disney resort, like Marriott or Hyatt. And if you enjoy that experience of staying at a Marriot or Hyatt, then you can do so and save yourself quite a bit of dough. Disney had added some Disney flare with the incorporation of The Incredibles in the resort rooms, but we wouldn’t recommend paying those prices just for some nifty Incredible graphics in your room, you better enjoy a lot more of what this unique resort has to offer. So keep reading to see what it has in store! Boma vs. Sanaa vs. Jiko: Comparing Animal Kingdom Lodge Restaurants Pools Pools, splash pads, hot tubs, and lounge chairs, a vacation just doesn’t feel complete without spending some time soaking in some sun by that ol’ cement pond. Which of these resorts is the aquatic champion of water lounging? Only one way to find out… The Contemporary There are two pools at the Contemporary: the aptly named Feature Pool and the quieter Bay Lake Pool. There is a waterslide, lounge chairs, and private cabanas to rent, but otherwise, it’s your standard resort pool. So the creativity for the names pretty much sums up any creativity with the pool area. Contemporary Feature Pool If you’re looking for a spot to cool down, these pools deliver, and there’s a splash area for the smaller kiddos. Contemporary Splash area For those post-swim munchies, the Cove Bar and the Sand Bar will provide you with access to some basic quick service vittles and cocktails to enjoy poolside. Animal Kingdom Lodge AKL (as we like to call it) is not to be outdone in the pool category; it hosts two pools as well: the Samawati Springs Pool and the Uzima Springs Pool. Both pools have the natural feel of swimming in a natural spring. Uzima Springs pool is smashing. This oasis is 11,000 square feet. It includes a large free-form, zero-entry swimming pool (gradual like a beach, you can take one centimeter at a time getting in). Animal Kingdom Lodge Pool Samawati Springs Pool has a 67-foot water slide, a children’s wading pool, and kids’ life jackets in several sizes. There are two private hot tubs, tons of seating in comfy loungers, tables and umbrellas, and unlimited towels. You can build a herd of towel animals if you want. Oh, and of course, the Uzima Springs Pool Bar is for hydration purposes. Samawati Springs Pool at Kidani Village Results Both have two pools, and both have pool bars, a pool slide, lounge chairs, and splash areas. And that’s where the similarities end. Disney’s Contemporary Resort As straightforward as their names imply, the Contemporary’s Feature Pool & Bay Lake Pool are concrete holes filled with water for guests to splash in. They are clean and provide all of the fun a respite you might expect at any hotel or public pool, but there’s not much special about it. And you may ask yourself, who needs a special theme for a pool when you’re visiting Disney World for the theme parks and not the pool? But, if you’re gonna pay that nightly rate, you might want a bit more to your resort leisure experience than rows of lounge chairs staring at a cement waterlogged crevice. Do you want to soak in a zero-entry oasis surrounded by an African savanna? Animal Kingdom Lodge has two beautiful pools that camouflage these concrete watering holes with beautiful landscaping. It boasts those beautiful savanna views and close proximity some unique animal viewing areas, like flamingos. Plus, the Animal Kingdom Lodge pool is just steps away from Zebra Domes! Animal Kingdom Lodge pool There’s no real loser in this category if you’ve found relaxation and joy, but our heart leans towards the Animal Kingdom Lodge! 10 Hidden Secrets About Disney World Pools Food Because we are Disney FOOD Blog, we take food seriously. Very. Seriously. And we love it all. We love the cheap, comfort of plastic cheese, and we love the high-brow sophistication of a wine flight or a multi-course pre-fixe meal. We don’t discriminate; we are a lover of all foods. Since food is SO important, let’s see how these resorts stack up against each other in the restaurant category. Contemporary The Contemporary has ten (10!) dining options, including lounges and pool bars (because those count!)! The Sand Bar is a modern poolside counter located in the Contemporary Resort’s marina and pool area. While the food menu is limited (you can grab a burger or hot dog here, or a snack like an ice cream treat), there is a full bar menu along with classic beachy cocktails like Mai Tais and Banana Cabanas up for grabs. A few stools are available right at the bar, or you can grab a seat at an umbrella-covered outdoor table. The Sand Bar is a great place to let the breeze blow on your face as you watch the watercraft move around Bay Lake or just enjoy your time by the pool. Or if you’re visiting the Bay Lake Pool, then the Cove Bar serves a selection of quick service meals (think wraps and salads), snacks, and cocktails. Sand Bar The Contemporary Resort is one of the few resorts to host their own Joffrey’s Coffee bar. Contemporary Grounds is your go-to location. You’ll find coffee, pastries, and specialty coffee drinks. This spot also offers options for Disney-inspired Latte Art! Those early morning dashes to the parks won’t feel so taxing when you have tasty coffee so conveniently located. Contemporary Grounds seating area Contempo Cafe is the main quick service spot here, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are some lighter options, including salads and grilled chicken, as well as your typical fast food fare like chicken fingers and burgers. This is also home to one of our favorite treats — the Peanut Butter Pie. It’s a must-try if you love peanut butter as much as we do! Peanut Butter Banana Pie If you need something to wash down your meal or seasonal cupcake from the Contempo Cafe, just a few steps away is the Outer Rim lounge. The Outer Rim is a great place to go for a pre-dinner drink or a relaxing evening right in the middle of all the action of the Contemporary Resort’s 4th Floor Grand Canyon Concourse. Indulge in one of the Outer Rim’s draft beers, wines, bourbons, martinis, or specialty cocktails Outer Rim Lounge Still considered part of the Contemporary offerings, The Top of the World Lounge, exclusive to Disney Vacation Club members, is perched on the top floor of the Contemporary Resort’s Bay Lake Tower. Top of the World is open daily from 6PM to midnight, with seating available on a first come, first served basis. Disney Vacation Club Members with access to Membership Extras and who are staying in Disney World Resort hotels can enjoy this exclusive spot, and guests staying on Members’ reservations are also eligible! Grab a drink, an appetizer, and the best view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks here! Beautiful! The Contemporary is home to one of the most iconic character meals on property. Chef Mickey’s is one of the most difficult reservations to get on property, and the reason is that at this all-you-care-to-enjoy restaurant, you can meet every single one of The Fab Five character set: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto Chef Mickey’s Steakhouse 71 is a NEW restaurant at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The “71” is a nod to the opening year of Walt Disney World, and the restaurant itself opened on October 1, 2021, which is the 50th Anniversary of the Resort! Steakhouse 71 offers casual dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (with varying menus for each meal and a steakhouse focus in the evenings) just steps away from the Magic Kingdom. And if you opt for dessert (which is always a good idea), you may want to try the Steakhouse 71 Chocolate Cake, made with “15 layers of whiskey-infused chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, and raspberries – one layer for every floor at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.” The accompanying Steakhouse 71 Lounge also provides a spot to enjoy a few bites and unique cocktails. Steak “Frites” The California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is truly a masterpiece of fine dining, and has been recognized by the Michelin Guide. California Grill is currently presenting a new, special dining experience for a limited time in honor of the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort! The 3-course prix fixe menu was created to “evoke the spirit of 1971″ — the opening year of Walt Disney World (and also the opening year of the Top of the World!). Disney has shared that the meal celebrates the past while offering a nod to the incredible future ahead, featuring dishes such as Braised Short Rib Wontons, Florida Coast Black Grouper, and a 50th Anniversary Celebration Dessert Grand Marnier Soufflé. Dinner With a View This limited-time celebration menu will soon be replaced. Starting on April 1st, 2023, things change…slightly. On that date, California Grill will start to serve a 3-course selection menu that they say will feature “contemporary, market-inspired cuisine.” We’ll be on the lookout for more details about the menu, so stay tuned. With two iconic Disney meal experiences and the rapidly growing popularity of a reasonably priced steakhouse, the Contemporary sure packs a 1-2 punch when it comes to food. Read all about the Contemporary Resort Restaurants here! Animal Kingdom Lodge Animal Kingdom Lodge has nine(ish) dining spots for you to nibble and nosh your way through the wilderness. Maji Pool Bar is located near the Samawati Springs Pool at Kidani Village, and Uzima Springs Pool Bar is over at the Jambo House pool. — and both are a pretty standard pool bars, but with some unique African beers and some tasty nibbles, but nothing truly destination-worthy. Maji Pool Bar The Mara is named after the Masai Mara National Reserve in Africa, this quick service restaurant located in Jambo House is sure to please all appetites with a taste of Africa, as well as American favorites. It is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is located next to the Resort’s Uzima Springs pool area. Guests can dine indoors or take their meals poolside, or to a small area offering shaded tables outside. Unique items, including Bobotie and Breakfast Quinoa are served alongside classic Disney dishes like Mickey Waffles and more for Breakfast. Lunch and Dinner feature the truly tasty African Potjie (a flavorful stew) among the options, which also include counter service favorites like Chicken Nuggets, Burgers, and Flatbreads. The “Grab & Go” market area features snacks, desserts (including the spot’s famous Zebra Domes!), bottled drinks, breakfast pastries, specialty coffees, and fruit. The Mara also offers a selection of African and international wines, beers, cocktails, and even choose-your-own-flavor smoothies. The Mara Victoria Falls and Cape Town Lounge are cozy lounges in Jambo House near Boma and Jiko. Enjoy a glass of South African wine, or indulge in your favorite martini, beer, or mixed drink. It’s a great place to hang while waiting for a table at Boma or Jiko. Or just stop in before you head to (or after you return from) the parks to grab a quick bite from the unique appetizer menu, including crisp breads and African dips, marinated olives, and more. Lounge seating Cape Town Lounge serves appetizers and pairings of African wines along with hand-crafted cocktails, dessert wines, and more. Guests may also order from the full Jiko menu and dine at the bar. Tucked into the Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Kidani Village, Sanaa, which means “Work of Art” in Swahili, is a beautiful restaurant serving a fusion of African and Indian cuisine made with authentic cooking methods like slow-roasting and tandoori oven cooking. While Sanaa is a table service restaurant serving lunch and dinner, the spot offers the Sanaa Kuamsha Breakfast in the mornings — a quick-service experience for which reservations are not required. Sanaa Bread Service The best part: the view from the restaurant is of Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Sunset Savanna — enjoy the ever-changing scenery of some of the most beautiful African plains animals you’ve ever seen. Sanaa P.S. Don’t miss Sanaa’s Indian-style Bread Service, served with NINE different dipping accompaniments! The other Table Service option at the Jambo House is Boma. Boma continually emerges on the “favorite restaurants” lists of many Disney guests! The popular buffet at Boma gives visitors the opportunity to sample flavorful African dishes while also dining on some American favorites during breakfast or dinner. We always give two thumbs up to this restaurant, and we always find something new to try here! Inside Boma And the pièce de résistance: Jiko. Jiko — The Cooking Place is a Signature Dining Experience (which is Disney-speakfor fancy, schmancy), hands-down, one of the most romantic and delicious restaurants on Disney World property. We can highly recommend this one if you enjoy excellent, gourmet food and a lovely and tranquil atmosphere. Oak-grilled Filet at Jiko Sharing tastes of Africa with a special Jiko flourish, this restaurant doesn’t offer a great view or any characters, but it does offer truly beautiful food — and the Animal Kingdom Lodge savanna is right outside… Best Animal Kingdom Lodge Restaurants Results It’s so hard to designate a clear winner for food — because we love it all! When it comes to sheer quantity, the Contemporary definitely starts off strong, by simply just providing more dining options. Top that off with two of the most popular and iconic restaurants, Chef Mickey’s and California Grill, and the Contemporary extends the lead. And Steakhouse 71 has proven itself time and time again with us and has fast become one of our favorites. Steakhouse 71 But Animal Kingdom Lodge has a small but mighty team of contenders. Boma hosts our favorite breakfast buffet. Sanaa has become a cult classic with its epic bread service and just as epic savanna views. And Jiko offers a menu, including that tender filet, that makes our mouths water just thinking about it. Though you won’t find character dining at Animal Kingdom Lodge, what you will find is plenty of natural wildlife. Jiko This match-up may be the most difficult to gauge, since we genuinely love the options at both resort. We may just have to call this one a draw because, truly, no matter which resort you stay at, you’ll have amazing food — and we’d absolutely recommend you make some reservations at the other to experience there as well! New DFB Video: Join Us For the Monorail Crawl! Transportation Do these deluxe resorts offer anything different when it comes to transportation? Let’s see!! The Contemporary The Contemporary is on the Monorail loop. It’s the fourth stop after the Transportation & Ticketing Center (TTC) on the way to the Magic Kingdom. If Magic Kingdom is your destination, guests can also walk a quick 7-10 minute jaunt right up to the front gate. Contemporary Walkway If Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, or Disney Springs is your destination, then you can board one of Disney’s busses to transport you over to these parks. Contemporary Resort’s Bus Stop And if EPCOT is your park of the day, you can take a bus over or take the monorail over to the Transportation and Ticketing Center and transfer to the EPCOT monorail loop. So, there are some options available to get to two Disney parks without having to set foot on a bus. Animal Kingdom Lodge Animal Kingdom Lodge is not on the Monorail loop. Or the Skyliner Route. Or even boat access. If you want to visit any of the Disney Parks (even the nearby Animal Kingdom), the only option for free Disney transportation is a bus. Animal Kingdom Lodge Bus Stop Now, Animal Kingdom Lodge is already the furthest resort from the Disney Parks (except Animal Kingdom), and relying solely on bus transportation makes it feel every inch of that distance. And no one really looks forward to having to wrestle to get their stroller on and off the bus, or standing in those lines at the end of a park day to be packed in like sardines with your fellow Animal Kingdom Lodgers once that bus does arrive. Bus Stop Guests staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge can also use ride share, taxis, and Minnie Vans at an extra cost in case you find yourself in a hurry. Results These Magic Kingdom area resorts are both deluxe and some of the best of what Disney has to offer in terms of luxury and amenities. The Contemporary is the winner of Transportation category. Animal Kingdom Lodge secured the Theme/Room and Pool categories. And interestingly, both resorts are neck-and-neck when it comes to Food. Magic Kingdom Entrance The Contemporary really has the edge when it comes to proximity to the Magic Kingdom (and even EPCOT). But Animal Kingdom Lodge is significantly cheaper and offers so much more in terms of theming with the live animal savanna, artistic displays and Cultural Representatives. So, which one is the clear winner? Why You Should Skip the Monorail on Your Next Magic Kingdom Trip The Winner! So, who is the ultimate winner in the Contemporary vs. Animal Kingdom Lodge battle? We hate to say it, but it depends! The Contemporary is an amazing choice for those who want that close proximity to Magic Kingdom, but that price tag can be daunting when compared to Animal Kingdom Lodge. If you’re looking for that serene escape from the stimulation of Disney parks while staying in the magic and being immersed in the sense of adventure, Animal Kingdom Lodge might be the oasis you seek. Keep following DFB for more articles like this, and sign up for our newsletter below to get them straight into your inbox! Polynesian Village vs. Contemporary Resort Guide for 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. What do you think? Is the Contemporary or Animal Kingdom Lodge better? Let us know in the comments! The post Contemporary vs. Animal Kingdom Lodge Disney World Resort Guide 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article
  15. It’s spring at Disney World, and you know what that means! Happy Spring! NEW springtime treats are popping up in the parks and resorts. Of course, we’ve seen lots of new seasonal eats at EPCOT for the Flower and Garden Festival, but we’ve also seen lots of new snacks pop up in Disney Springs and the resorts as well! We’ve officially gotten confirmation that we can expect some pretty sweet finds at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort VERY soon. Grand Cottage is the Grand Floridian’s springtime pop-up shop that allows guests to buy spring-inspired treats! In the past, we’ve seen chicken cupcakes, chocolate eggs, and confetti cake popcorn here! Grand Cottage in 2022 Disney just announced that Grand Cottage is RETURNING next week! You can grab yourself something sweet starting on March 7th. Curious what new treats lie ahead? Let’s hop to it and find out! Let’s take a sneak peek at some of this year’s featured menu items! First, Disney shared a photo of what looks like the Hot Cross Bun that we tried last year! We remember it tasting like a cinnamon raisin sweet roll. ©Disney Is this the Cream Cheese Carrot Coffee Cake from last year?! We think so! ©Disney Looks like we’ll be able to grab some pastel macarons! Wonder what flavors will be available? ©Disney You can never go wrong with a classic cinnamon roll! ©Disney Disney also shared this photo of all sorts of treats! Do we spy an M&M-filled chocolate bunny?! ©Disney We’re so excited for Grand Cottage to make its 2023 return, and we’ll be sure to post a full list of snacks and reviews when it officially opens for the season. In the meantime, check out some other snacks we’ve found at Disney World recently by clicking the link below! Oh, and make sure to follow along so that you never miss any Disney news, reviews, or updates. Click here for more springtime snacks at Disney World! 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! Will you be stopping at Grand Cottage this year? Let us know in the comments! The post FIRST LOOK at New Treats Coming to Disney World SOON first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article
  16. We’re jumping for joy and clicking our heels because Mickey’s Toontown is coming back to Disneyland! Roger Rabbit’s CarToon Spin This larger-than-life cartoon land has been getting a bit of a facelift and will re-open on March 19th, 2023. Not only have parts of this area been totally reimagined, but guests can also expect new dining options and merchandise too! When this land reopens, you can dine at Cafe Daisy, a new food service location dishing out tasty hot dogs, pizzas, and more. Another spot to grab a quick bite is Good Boy! Grocers, your one-stop-shop for grab-and-go items for the times when you just need a little refuel before hitting your next ride. FULL MENU and PRICES Revealed for Disney’s New Snack Stand, Good Boy! Grocers © Disney Not only can you buy individual snacks, but you can also put together your own Disney-fied picnic! Stop by Good Boy! Grocers to purchase the Perfect Picnic Basket, which lives up to its name. This cartoon-inspired picnic basket has an adorable cartoon glove holding the handles, with a red and white checked napkin peeking out. © Disney With the purchase of the basket, you can pick three snack items to create your own perfect picnic. Options include yogurt smoothies, applesauce, granola bars, gluten-allergy-friendly fig bars, small DASANI waters, Minute Maid Juice Boxes, and more. You can even purchase the Perfect Picnic Blanket for a comfy lounging spot; this red and white checkered blanket features Mickey and Minnie lounging as they watch the clouds go by. You can purchase the entire set (basket, blanket, and snacks) for $36.99, or get just the basket for $25.99. Don’t forget to check out the souvenir sipper too! We can’t wait to visit Toontown when it re-opens, and we may just take them up on their offer and stage our own perfect picnic in Disneyland! For more Disneyland updates, stay tuned to DFB for the latest. FIRST LOOK at New Eats Coming to Disney’s Toontown 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 are you most looking forward to at the new Toontown? Comment your thoughts below! The post Disney Wins. This Is the Cutest Thing We’ve Seen In a Park. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article
  17. Joanna Collins, a software engineer in the Technology and Digital organization at Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, is known for her passion and advocacy for accessibility in Disney’s websites, mobile applications and other digital products. Joanna has worked in the accessibility space for years and is a subject matter expert on accessibility standards and practices. […]View the full article
  18. It isn’t unusual to spot a celebrity in Disney World. Even the rich and famous aren’t immune to the appeal of a magical vacation! M&Ms Store in Disney Springs If you’ve never managed to see one at Disney, you can head to the M&M’s Store in Disney Springs for a real-life encounter! During Women’s History Month, the iconic Ms. Brown is meeting her fans at the massive M&M’s Store. You can find her here from 10AM to 6PM every day throughout March. Ms. Brown is committed to helping women flip the status quo, and you can join her! The store is selling special M&M’s as well as merchandise for Women’s History Month. © Disney Springs on Instagram You can purchase these limited edition items throughout March while supplies last. © Disney Springs on Instagram This store is a popular destination for fans of the classic chocolate candy. Besides these special offerings, they have TONS of different M&M flavors, plushes, souvenirs, as well as t-shirts of the M&M characters so you can represent your favorite. A rainbow of candy! Stop by the M&Ms Store in Disney Springs before March is over to celebrate Women’s History Month and grab a sweet snack! The Definitive List of the BEST Desserts in Disney Springs! 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. Comment below your favorite type of M&M’s! The post Where To Find a NEW Character Meet and Greet in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article
  19. If you have a sweet tooth, you’ve been warned! This post might inspire some serious cravings. Welcome to the 2023 Food and Wine Festival! The 2023 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival has officially begun at Disneyland Resort and there are LOTS of things to do. From now through April 25th, you can devour some tasty eats and drinks, check out unique entertainment, and more. We got a seriously tasty-looking treat from one of the booths and now we’re sharing our FULL thoughts. We headed over to Terran Treats to grab the Like a Lemon-Raspberry Pie Churro! If the name alone doesn’t have your mouth watering, we don’t know what to tell ya. Alright, enough chit-chat. Let’s eat! Menu Sign Our first impression was that this dessert looks seriously delicious. This treat is a raspberry-flavored spiral churro topped with a lemon and marshmallow glaze and pie crust crumbles. You can grab it at Terran Treats for $6.95! Churro Ok, this is a super FUN dessert! It was served warm and had a perfect combination of both sweet and tart flavors. The pie crust topping was buttery and the frosting reminded us of cinnamon roll frosting! You know — the delicious cream cheese frosting that you have to stop yourself from eating out of the cup? We know the description says marshmallow frosting…. but we could have sworn we were eating the beloved frosting from canned cinnamon rolls. So in a way, this is like a pie AND a cinnamon roll AND a churro, all rolled into one tasty treat. If you’re a fan of cream cheese frosting and fruit-flavored desserts, this is the treat for you! We seriously can’t think of any complaints for this one. Terran Treats Treat That’s it for this review, but there’s a LOT more where that came from! Click here to see FULL reviews of EVERY. SINGLE. BOOTH. at the Food & Wine Festival at Disneyland Resort! Trying to plan the PERFECT trip to the Festival? We’ll be keeping you updated on all of the latest. Click our links below for the information you need to know: See our full page on the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival here Check out ALL of the Festival menus here Learn about the Festival seminars And stay tuned for more Disney news! 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! Will you be trying this treat? Let us know in the comments! The post If a Pie and a Churro Had a Baby, It'd Be This Disney Treat first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article
  20. Disney has made some important changes, announcements, and updates this week, and if you missed them, you’ll be VERY confused on your next trip to the parks. Will you be here next week? Between a change at 2 character dining locations and the return of EPCOT’s Flower & Garden Festival (with NEW menu items), there’s a lot to break down to make sure YOU are prepared. So let’s go through all of the most important updates you need to know about. Magic Kingdom Restaurant News First up, we have big news from Magic Kingdom. Cinderella’s Royal Table has CHANGED in 2 key ways. For starters, the princesses are back! For a while, Cinderella has only made limited appearances or there was a limited meet-and-greet with her. Now, you’ll still find a Cinderella meet-and-greet before your meal, but once you hit the dining room you’ll be able to meet some more royal friends like Jasmine, Snow White, and more. It’s Jasmine! With that change has come a big price increase. Breakfast here has increased from $45 per adult to $65 per adult, and lunch/dinner went from $67 per adult to $79 per adult. Changes have hit the kids’ pricing too. Click here for full details. Hi Aurora! Does the return of these characters justify the price increase? That’s something you’ll have to determine for yourself. Our full review of the updated restaurant will be coming soon, but in the meantime, you can click our link below to see some of our thoughts. Do Characters Justify the Price INCREASE at Cinderella’s Royal Table in Disney World? We Found Out A Controversial Dining Change Next up, we’re hopping to Disney’s Contemporary Resort where another iconic restaurant — Chef Mickey’s — has also changed! Character dining has been back here for a while, but as of March 1st, the buffet returned to Chef Mickey’s. Breakfast buffet! That’s right, there are no more family-style meals here. Instead, you’ll find a variety of items on the buffet line. Breakfast includes Mickey waffles, fruits, meat and cheeses, and more. A Classic But, as with Cinderella’s Royal Table, this dining change (albeit controversial for those who don’t love buffets) has come with a price increase. Breakfast used to be $45 per adult but has now increased to $51 per adult. And dinner is more expensive too at $62 per adult (previously $60 per adult). Kids’ pricing has seen some changes here as well. We’ll be sharing a full review of this restaurant soon, so stay tuned for that! Click here to get a first look at the return of the buffet at Chef Mickey’s! The Flower & Garden Festival Is HERE Our next bit of news takes us to EPCOT where the 2023 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival has officially begun! The Festival will run from now through July 5th, so you’ve got plenty of time to enjoy it, but you’ll want to be prepared before you go. Click here to see our FULL coverage from the Festival’s opening day — we’ve got links to everything you need to know here! The Flower & Garden Festival Is HERE! There are NEW topiaries at the Festival this year, including the Encanto one shown above and a Tiana one. Click here to see more photos of the Encanto topiaries, and click here for a FULL list of topiaries and gardens you can check out. Snow White Topiary As you walk into the park, be sure to grab a Flower and Garden Festival Passport. This FREE souvenir will hold your stamps for the Festival Food Challenge (more on that in a second) and has all kinds of useful information that you can access throughout your adventure. Flower & Garden Festival While eating at the food booths is a huge draw, you’ll also want to check out the merchandise! Orange Bird, Snow White, and Figment-themed items are all available now, but be warned — you might be tempted to buy a whole bunch of this stuff! Just a swingin’ If it’s the food and drinks you’re after, there is a LOT to pick from. You can check out all of the Flower & Garden Festival menus (with prices) here. Plus, we’ve got an entire page dedicated to our reviews of EVERY. SINGLE. BOOTH. at the Festival so you can know what’s worth your time and what might be a “skip.” And we’ve also got our picks for the very BEST eats and drinks at the Festival (including some new and returning items, some picks for kiddos, and a great plant-based item!). Full Spread from the France booth 2023 If you want to turn that food into a prize, check out the Garden Graze challenge. If you buy 5 participating items out of the list of designated dishes, you could get a special prize which includes an exclusive DOLE Whip, a unique souvenir cup, and even some seeds to plant at home. Click here to see our thoughts on this challenge and whether it’s worth it! Dessert Prize AND a Wildflower Mix! But there are more prizes to be won in EPCOT! If you’re willing to chase a BEE around the park (don’t worry, it’s a “fake” one and won’t sting), you could win a unique prize thanks to the Spike the Bee scavenger hunt. Click here to learn more about that activity! 2023 Spike’s Pollen Nation Exploration PRIZES! And you can’t forget about the entertainment. While at the Flower & Garden Festival, you can enjoy the Garden Rocks concert series (featuring both local bands and nationally recognized bands, like Smash Mouth and Simple Plan). Garden Rocks Concert Series Plus, you’ll want to stick around until it gets dark so you can check out the Encanto-themed light show on Spaceship Earth. It’s a colorful way to end the night! We’ve got an entire Flower & Garden Festival GUIDE for you to pick up if you really want to make sure you’ve got every single piece of information you need to master the Festival — check it out here! 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival e-Book Plus, you can pick up some unique Flower & Garden Festival shirts (or sweatshirts) to make you stand out in the crowd! New Flower and Garden Merch! Stay tuned for more Festival news (remember one booth will CHANGE its menu multiple times during the Festival so there’s a lot more to cover in the coming weeks)! Master the 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival With Our FREE DFB Printable! Big Water Park News Next, we have some important news for those water park plans you might make this year. At the moment, Blizzard Beach is open while Typhoon Lagoon has been closed for refurbishment. Soon, that will change. On March 19th, Typhoon Lagoon will officially REOPEN! And it’ll feature some unique treats too so you’ll want to come hungry. ©Disney But with Typhoon Lagoon’s reopening will come Blizzard Beach’s closure. Blizzard Beach will CLOSE for refurbishment on March 19th and no reopening date has been set yet. ‘Frozen’ additions to Blizzard Beach! So if you’re looking to cool off at a water park this spring, keep these changes in mind when making your plans! See what After Hours event is returning to a Disney water park soon! BONUS: The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Has Begun As a bonus, we wanted to mention that the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival has officially returned to Disneyland Resort! This will run from March 3rd through April 25th, though the food booths actually opened a little EARLY in the park! Time to EAT! To see the full menus (with prices) for the event, click here! Mac & Cheeeeeeese! And you can click here to grab our FREE DFB printable for ALL of the Food and Wine Festival Booths! We’ll be sharing full reviews of the booths soon, so stay tuned for updates. Of course, other Disney news was also shared this week. You can catch up on those stories by clicking the links below: See What’s CHANGED at a Popular Magic Kingdom Ride This Major Disney Ride Will Be Closing For Refurbishment Soon MORE Changes Are Coming to Disney’s BoardWalk Hotel Soon Your Favorite Snack Might Already Be GONE From Disney World PHOTOS: A Popular Ride Has Reopened EARLY in Disney World! “There’s a New Sheriff in Town” — Florida Governor DeSantis Ends Disney’s Reedy Creek District Kali River Rapids WARNING: This BIG Amazon Change Could Impact Your Disney Trip Move Over Figment, a NEW Popcorn Bucket Has Arrived in Disney World SNEAK PEEK: 32 Limited-Time Eats Are Coming to Disney World! The “Disney World of Gas Stations” Is Coming to Central Florida! Disney’s BRAND NEW Earl of Sandwich Restaurant Is NOT What You’d Expect PHOTOS: The Mandalorian and Grogu Are In Disney World! He Has Arrived! Hold up for a sec! Before you plan your next trip to Disney World, check out our DFB Guide Everything Bundle here. EVERYTHING! You will get ALL of our best-selling eBooks with details on Disney World Dining, EPCOT Festivals, the BEST snacks in each park, and soooooo many tips and tricks we’ve learned over decades of visiting our happy place. Grab the bundle here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What news surprised you the most? Tell us in the comments! The post 4 Important CHANGES Hit Disney World -- Here's Everything You Need to Know first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article
  21. Brooklyn Harrison, 7, and her father Jasen, conquered the Disney Princess 5K after a near-fatal car accident last June.View the full article
  22. DeSantis is willing to fight when “big corporations make the mistake, as Disney did, of using their economic might to advance a political agenda.” View the full article
  23. Get ready to mark down an important Disney+ date! ©Disney Season 3 of The Mandalorian is already out, and we’ve got a full list of what’s coming to Disney+ in March, but now we’ve got some exciting news for those who are fans of a certain Disney celebrity that used to sing to us all about getting the best of both worlds… Her days as Hannah Montana may be long gone but now Miley Cyrus is coming to Disney+ for something NEW — an original special event called “Miley Cyrus ‒ Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions).” Cyrus is actually an executive producer of this special and it’ll showcase NEW songs from her “Endless Summer Vacation” album, including the oh-so-popular “Flowers.” The special will premiere on Friday, March 10th at 1PM EST/10AM PST. ©Disney So what is this exactly? Well, Disney describes it as a “music event.” For the first time ever, Cyrus will perform songs from her “Endless Summer Vacation” album, including “Flowers” and 7 others from that album. She’ll also perform one of her classic hits and there will be a special performance with Rufus Wainwright. ©Miley Cyrus But there will be more than performances! In between performances, there will be exclusive interviews in the house where Cyrus shot the music video for “Flowers.” According to Disney, she’ll provide “insight into her new album and the person she is today.” The idea of the “Backyard Sessions” comes from a Backyard Sessions series Cyrus started back in 2012 for her fans. This serves as a continuation of that! ©Miley Cyrus So if you love Miley Cyrus, love the song “Flowers,” or are just curious to know what the actress behind Hannah Montana has been up to these days, mark your calendars for March 10th! For more Disney+ news, click here to see what new cast member has joined The Santa Clauses series, and check out a trailer for the Peter Pan and Wendy movie coming to Disney+! Click here to watch the Haunted Mansion movie teaser trailer released by Disney! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Will you be watching this special? Tell us in the comments! The post NEW Miley Cyrus Music Special Announced for Disney+ first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article
  24. One of the best parts of a Disney vacation is enjoying all of the food you can’t get back home. Mickey Beignet Whether that’s unique recipes or Mickey-shaped snacks, you may even make a wish list of snacks to have during your trip to ensure you don’t forget anything! Disneyland is the park that started them all, so you probably won’t be surprised to know it’s home to several classic treats. You’ll notice popcorn and churro carts scattered throughout the park, and most guests won’t leave without enjoying a DOLE Whip at least once. Amongst an array of sweet and savory bites is one fan favorite that originated in the park: the Disneyland beignet! So popular they even have their own mug! Beignets are a fried dough snack with a slightly crispy exterior and a pillowy-soft inside. Right after they come out of the fryer each beignet is dusted with a generous amount of powdered sugar. Traditionally they’re made in a rectangular shape, but of course Disney had to put their own spin on it, and thus the Mickey Beignet was born! Mickey Beignet Besides the regular beignet, which has a similar flavor to funnel cake, Disney also releases seasonal flavors. We’ve seen Pumpkin Spice Beignets in the fall as well as more unique takes like the Maple Beignets with Maple-Bacon Dipping Sauce. These can be just as popular as the standard beignets, especially when they are a limited-time offering. Maple Beignets with Maple-Bacon Dipping Sauce You might be thinking “but don’t they have beignets in Disney World? What makes these so special?” While it’s true you can find beignets in places like Scat Cat’s Club Cafe in the Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter, there’s something special about the ones over on the West Coast. Maybe it’s the fact that this is their birthplace, or maybe it’s the beautiful setting of New Orleans Square that makes them extra tasty! New Orleans Square In Disneyland you can currently find beignets at the Royal Street Veranda in New Orleans Square, and over in Downtown Disney at Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio. Right now, the Mint Julep Bar which used to have beignets is closed as the attached French Market Restaurant is being re-themed to Tiana’s Palace. However, once the new restaurant re-opens you’ll be happy to know the Mint Julep Bar will return along with its signature drinks and fresh beignets! Tiana’s Palace concept art ©Disney Craving beignets but can’t make to the parks right now? This recipe shows you how to replicate the Disney snack, right down to the adorable Mickey ears! Mickey Beignets This recipe will create about 10 large beignets or 2 dozen small beignets. Ingredients 1/2 teaspoon dry yeast 1/4 cup warm water (105°) 1/4 cup sugar 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 egg 4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup boiling water Vegetable oil for frying Powdered sugar Steps Sprinkle the yeast into a bowl full of warm water and stir to dissolve. Let stand for 5 minutes In a large bowl, combine sugar, shortening, salt, heavy cream, egg, flour, and bowling water. Add in the yeast mixture to your large bowl. Use an electric mixer with a dough hook attachment to mix the dough on medium speed until combined and smooth. Let the dough rest for 30 minutes. Roll the dough out to quarter-inch thickness. Use a Mickey Mouse-shaped cutter to cut your beignets, or cut into 2.5 to 3-inch squares. Cover the cut dough with a towel and let rise in a warm, draft-free area until it doubles in size. This should be about 1 to 1.5 hours. Heat 3 inches of vegetable oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit in a deep pot over medium-high heat. Fry the beignets until golden brown, turning as they brown on each side. This should take about 2 to 3 minutes each. Remove carefully with tongs and place on a paper towel to drain. Dust the warm beignets with powdered sugar and enjoy! Beignets are just one reason to visit Disneyland. Right now the parks are celebrating the Walt Disney Company’s 100th Anniversary, which means special experiences you won’t see again. You can learn more about the anniversary here, and check out this video before planning your next trip! Click HERE to Read About the Best Disneyland Snacks! 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’s your favorite snack in Disneyland? Comment your pick below! The post The Ultimate Guide To Disneyland Beignets first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article
  25. Walt Disney’s affection for trains is well documented, which is what makes the long-awaited return of the E.P. Ripley — one of the original steam engines on the Disneyland Railroad — a source of celebration for cast and guests alike. The train was named after Edward Payson Ripley, one of the original founders of the […]View the full article
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