Disney4me

It’s a holiday weekend in Disney World, and you know what that means. Hollywood Studios It means a three-day vacation for a lot of people, which makes them think, “Hey, let’s go to Disney World.” That means you can expect crowds, getting advance dining reservations could be tricky, and Genie+ will cost a lot more due to surge pricing based on demand. Well, Genie+ DOES cost more today. Over the past few weeks, Genie+ has been around $18 to $20 per person. Well, today, that’s gone up — by quite a bit. Today, Genie+ is $29 per person. Basically, that means Disney is expecting greater demand (due to more people in the parks) for the service. ©Disney This also means you can probably expect long standby lines today if you choose not to purchase Genie+. There are some strategies, though, you can use to shorten your wait times on a busy day. First, manage your expectations. Make a priority list of your must-do rides and focus on those. Dumbo You could also go in with a strategy to only ride those attractions with shorter wait times. You may end up discovering a new favorite ride. Also note that on busy days, the Individual Lightning Lane option for rides like Rise of the Resistance and Flight of Passage sell out early in the day (by the time we wrote this, they were gone). Rise of the Resistance A good time to hit up attractions is during nighttime shows, so skip fireworks and Fantasmic! and hop in those shorter lines. If you time it just right, you could end up on an outdoor ride DURING fireworks, which is fun and gives you a unique perspective during the show. Skip the fireworks and ride instead! Or, of course, you could just go ahead and purchase Genie+ for you and your party and access those Lightning Lanes — ultimately, it’s up to you if it’s worth it. If you need to know more about Genie+, we’ve got a comprehensive guide here. Whew. We know that planning a Disney World trip is A LOT. And this Genie+ thing can be so confusing – which is why we bring you posts like this so often But we’ve also put together a complete guide in ebook format that gives you all of the info you need, all in one place! Use code WDW2023 for 25% off our DFB Guide to Dining at Walt 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 in Disney World this weekend? Will you be purchasing Genie+? Let us know in the comments! The post Genie+ Hits Highest Price in WEEKS at Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Super Nintendo World is officially OPEN and we’re here in the parks to tell you all about it! ©Universal From all the cool merchandise to the new character meet and greets — there is so much to explore. One of the highly anticipated extras in this new park is the Power-Up Band, an interactive, wearable wristband that allows you to participate in challenges, interact with your surroundings, and more. We’re here to tell you ALL about it. Come find out how they work! These Power-Up Bands are available in six different designs based on Nintendo characters — Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, Toad, and Yoshi. While you don’t need to purchase one of these bands to enjoy the park, there are some pretty cool extras you get to experience with one, so let’s take a look at what they can do. Pick Your Team First, you need to decide which band to get! Once you choose between Mario, Luigi, Toad, Yoshi, Princess Peach, and Princess Daisy, you’ll be on that character’s “team” for the day as you compete in challenges. ©Universal We decided to grab a Luigi band! These bands will continue to work every time you visit the park, but if you want to switch teams, you’ll have to buy another band. We got Luigi! Now let’s get to the ride! Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, the park’s signature attraction, has an added bonus for Power-Up Band users — you can tap the steering wheel once you’re seated, and it keeps track of the coins you earn. The steering wheel These scores can then be accessed in the app and compared to friends and family you’re linked to. Key Challenges With your Power-Up Band, you can participate in the Key Challenges around the land: Goomba Crazy Crank, Koopa Troopa POWer Punch, Piranha Plant Nap Mishap, and Thwomp Panel Panic. Goomba Crazy Crank There were long lines for all of these attractions (as to be expected on its opening day), so these were VERY popular! We did notice that you have to tap your band pretty hard for some of the blocks, and it’ll make a different sound than someone who doesn’t have a band tapping it. Pow blocks Complete at least three of these challenges to get access to even more interactive experiences. Bowser Jr. Showdown Once you collect at least three of the four keys, you can unlock the final challenge: Bowser Jr. Showdown. Once you scan in, you can enter Bowser Jr.’s hideout and play an interactive exclusive game. ©Universal In this game, you’ll battle with Bowser Jr. via a big virtual screen. Outside Bowser Jr. Showdown It’s quite the workout, so be ready! Interact With Surroundings While you’re walking around the land, you’ll find interactive opportunities, like blocks you can “punch” to collect digital coins and stamps, which you can access in the app. Be sure to tap those bricks with the question marks! There were so many people it was hard to move around when we visited, so it might take a while to find these blocks, but it may be worth it for you! Where to Buy You can grab your Power-Up Band at select retail stores around Universal Studios Hollywood, including the Character Shop and 1-UP Factory, a new store in Super Nintendo World. 1-Up Factory Universal suggests that you save time by buying and setting up your bands before you enter the land. In order to get it set up, you’ll need to download the Universal Studios Hollywood app and create an account. Once you’ve done that, simply scan the QR code on the back of the Power-Up Band and follow the instructions to begin! The QR code Overall, we thought that the Power-Up Band is totally worth it if you’re looking to experience everything in the land. Without the band, you’re really limited to riding the ride, eating at Toadstool Cafe, and meeting characters. The Power-Up band opens up so many more interactive opportunities, so if you want to experience it all, this is the way to go! PowerUp Bands We’ll continue to bring you all of the Super Nintendo World news from our trip, so stay tuned to DFB for more! Read all about our visit to the land on opening day here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Will you be getting one of these Power-Up Bands on your trip to Super Nintendo World? Let us know in the comments! The post Should You Pay for Super Nintendo World Power-Up Bands? We Found Out! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Going to Disney World is often the magical experience that people dream of… but what happens when it’s not? The most magical! What no one talks about when preparing you for Disney are the huge crowds, sweltering heat and humidity, huge price tags, and so many sights and sounds that it can be overwhelming. If you’ve felt anxious at Disney, you’re not alone. EPCOT Crowds Having an anxiety disorder in a place like Disney World can be very frustrating, but the good news is that anxiety can almost always be managed! Using the tools and methods that you already use in your daily life as well as following some of these tips can help keep your Disney vacation as anxiety-free as possible. These are some of our best tips for dealing with anxiety in Disney World — from other humans who’ve dealt with anxiety in Disney World! Don’t Neglect Your Daily Coping Strategies We get it, going on vacation is a chance to get away from real life and forget your usual responsibilities! However, you shouldn’t neglect the responsibility that is taking care of yourself and your mental health. Take Your Usual Medications At The Normal Time This sounds like a no brainer, but you’d be surprised at how easily medications can be forgotten or prolonged once you’re out of your normal routine. If you normally take your medications at your usual breakfast or bed time, we recommend setting an alarm so you take your medications at the same time as usual while you’re at Disney. Let’s face it, you’ll probably end up taking your meds at rope drop or fireworks! Hub grass isn’t a bad place for a Zoom call! Don’t Skip Your Therapy Appointment Nothing says self care like having Zoom therapy in front of the castle. If your next therapy appointment happens to fall during your Disney trip, see if you can attend online. Talking to a professional (especially if you’re used to doing so on a regular basis) can help the anxious feelings tremendously! Set Boundaries We know how friends and family can be when you’ve been with them for three days straight and everyone is tired. No, your family/friend group isn’t dysfunctional, it’s normal to argue and feel grumpy with one another from time to time. However, it does nothing to help with anxiety. Know when it’s time to set a boundary and step away, whether that means getting a snack alone or heading back to the hotel early. Avoid THESE Disney Restaurants If You Have Anxiety Use These “Escape” Strategies Bring Headphones or Ear Plugs Disney can be super LOUD. From shows, to loud rides, to screaming children, Disney’s got it ALL. Bringing headphones or ear plugs is a great way to eliminate some of this noise so that you can remain as relaxed as possible. Plus, if you pay attention, you’ll notice that so many other Disney guests are doing the same thing! You can grab some cute cases in the parks for your headphones! Sit Down! Simply sitting down and reducing some of that fatigue is a great way to feel less anxious. Go To A Show Shows are great ways to cool off, relax, and step away from the crowds for a bit! Plus, the distraction of the show can help with the anxiety you’re feeling. Many shows at Disney have very short waits, or none at all! Mickey’s PhilharMagic Have Some Food Hunger can lead to extra anxiety, especially if you’ve had extra caffeine. Have some food from a quick service restaurant or grab a snack and a bench and just relax for a bit! Sitting down to refuel should help you feel better as well. One of our favorite snacks… 13 Disney World SECRETS Only the Insiders Know Register For Disability Access Services (DAS) Registering for a DAS pass is a great way to navigate Disney if you have a clinically diagnosed illness or disability. A DAS pass allows you to avoid waiting in crowded spaces, and instead allows you to do other things while you wait by booking an “appointment” to experience an attraction later in the day! It’s kind of like a Lightning Lane, but a free service for those living with disabilities. Guest Relations at Epcot To get a DAS pass, you’ll have to go to Guest Relations at Disney. We know it can be anxiety-inducing to even tell someone you have an anxiety disorder, but rest assured that the Cast Members will be understanding and judgment free. They just want to help make your experience more magical! They’ll need to know the extent of your illness or disability (just so they can best help you), but they won’t ask intrusive questions or ask for a full medical history. Guest Relations at Magic Kingdom Also, don’t feel guilty about needing to register for a DAS. Know that your experiences and emotions are valid! If booking a DAS helps you have the best and most stress-free experience possible, don’t sweat it! The Best Places to Escape in Disney World When Your Anxiety is Through the Roof Get Plenty of Sleep A Disney vacation typically entails early mornings and late nights. Maybe you’re used to running on no sleep while at Disney! Lack of sleep can cause extra anxiety, and it just isn’t worth it! Get some beauty sleep! Sleep In And Skip Rope Drop We know it can be super exciting to wake up extra early and be in the parks before anyone else so that you won’t have to wait in any lines. However, the people who do show up for rope drop are typically very excited, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed when trying to get in line for things before anyone else does. Not to mention, you’ll be so tired for the rest of the day! If you sleep in, you can stay in the parks later at night, and those wait times will be lower near park close. Skip The Caffeine We know a trip to Starbucks or Joffrey’s is enticing, but try not to have more caffeine than you would on a typical day at home! The caffeine can cause jitters similar to that of anxiety and it makes your day a lot less fun. We try to keep it at one a day! DFB Readers Choose! Best Disney Restaurants for Quiet Dining Visit The First Aid Station! There are First Aid stations in every park, and all services are free to you if you’ve purchased a park ticket! We know anxiety can cause headaches, nausea, dehydration, and more, so visiting First Aid can be a great idea. The nurses there can give you electrolytes or pain killers to ease your symptoms. Plus, we know the Nurse Minnie stickers they have there are highly sought after! Hollywood Studios First Aid There ya have it! Those are our best tips for navigating anxiety in Disney World, and we hope they help make your trip more magical. We’re always posting ways to make your Disney days just a little better, so make sure to follow along for more! Click here for stress-free planning tips Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Do you have any other go-to anxiety tips? Share them in the comments! The post Our Top Tips For Dealing With Anxiety in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Last September, a group of guests were enjoying a National Geographic Expedition to the remote Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park. As the group was exiting the motorcoach to begin their trek, a woman approached Expedition Leader Danny Davis concerned that her husband was feeling overheated and ill. Danny recognized the signs of a […]View the full article

Here at DFB, we know you LOVE Disney merchandise. Our readers tell us they’re always looking for fun shirts to wear on their next vacation, Disney-inspired stickers, and more! Are you READY TO RIDE? We’re here today screaming we gotchu! We’ve just launched the all-new DFBstore.com! Now you can shop our ever-expanding line of Disney-inspired merchandise AND our best-selling guidebooks all in one spot! And we’re having a sitewide sale to celebrate! Use code NEWSTORE this weekend for 20% off! And it gets better! Our unique designs now cost LESS and will ship faster than ever before! Here’s a look at some of our best-sellers! Ready to Ride! We designed this shirt specifically for families that LOVE matching on their Disney World park days! Are you ready to ride? This design is available in sizes from adult all the way down to baby onesies. Click here to order your Ready to Ride shirts! Tiana Princess Shirt “Never lose sight of what’s really important.” Need we say more? NEW Tiana shirts! We’re celebrating this princess getting her own ride at Disney World and Disneyland with one of our newest designs! Click here to order this Tiana shirt! Figment Rainbow Shirt One little spark…of inspiration…and you’ve got Figment’s favorite t-shirt! One Little Spark! Rep your favorite purple dragon on your next EPCOT visit! Click here to order this purple dragon graphic tee! DFB Guide ‘Everything’ Bundle If you’re planning a trip to Disney World, let us help! Our best-selling guidebooks are easily downloadable to your phone or tablet, and they contain all the info, tips, and planning advice we’ve gathered over decades of Disney World travel! A deep dive into Disney World restaurants — including all of our recommendations — is inside! In this deeply discounted book bundle, you will receive: The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2023 DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks DFB Guide to EPCOT Snacks DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks The DFB Guide to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays DFB Guide to the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival DFB Guide to the EPCOT Festival of the Arts These books, printable worksheets, and our step-by-step guide to planning your trip will take all the stress out of creating your dream itinerary! Click here to order the DFB Guide “Everything” Bundle! Magical Lands Shirts Every Magical Land in the Magic Kingdom is listed on this fun sweatshirt that is one of our best sellers! Magical Lands Sweatshirt Of course, you can also order it as a short-sleeve T-shirt, too. Click here to order a Magical Lands shirt! Don’t forget to use code NEWSTORE to get 20% off all of our best-selling eBooks and Disney-inspired merch this weekend only! Click to SHOP NOW! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post We Need To Talk About the BEST Disney Merch Online (And On Sale!) first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

That intoxicating bubble of Polynesian culture, the Mai-Kai Restaurant, is closer to reopening after clearing its final permitting hurdles with the city of Oakland Park. View the full article

In the past few years, we’ve seen some HIGHLY anticipated theme park lands open up in the U.S. Universal Studios Hollywood At Disney World alone, we got Pandora — The World of Avatar, Toy Story Land, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Disneyland Resort also got a version of the Star Wars land, along with Avengers Campus. But now we’re heading to a non-Disney theme park to check out another brand-new addition — Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood! It’s officially the opening day of the new land, and we’re here to check out all the exciting offerings. But just how bad are the crowds today? This addition has been pretty highly anticipated, and quite a few fans have shown up to check it out just like us. Ready to go? After entering Universal Studios, we made our way to the entrance of Super Nintendo World! Depending on how busy it is when you visit, you may be faced with a line to get in or needing a virtual reservation — keep that in mind! Time to go inside! Once we were in, we couldn’t believe our eyes — not only because of the immersive theming, but also the amount of PEOPLE that were around! It looks like we weren’t the only ones checking out Super Nintendo World on opening day. Since this land isn’t super large, it’s easy for things to feel a big congested. LOTS of people! Over at Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, the wait was well into the triple digits for most of the day. You can see the queue and ride entrance here! Line for Bowser’s Challenge Just LOOK at all the people down there — it may be because there are large, open areas in this land that it looks like so many people are in one spot, but if you ask us it was just a LOT of people. We had to wait in lines to play most of the games, meet any characters, and of course ride Bowser’s Challenge — but it was worth it! Super busy! So that’s what crowds looked like for the opening day of Super Nintendo World! Stay tuned to DFB for more updates from this new land and all the details you need to know before you visit! Explore Super Nintendo World With Us HERE Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you planning a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood soon? Tell us in the comments! The post PHOTOS: Opening Day Crowds for Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Some important things are changing in and around the Disney parks. Disney World New restaurants are going to open soon, a brand NEW ride will soon be available for the public to enjoy, and much more. If you haven’t been keeping up with the latest Disney news, there’s a lot to catch you up on, so sit back, grab a snack, and let’s begin! TRON Lightcycle / Run Details TRON Lightcycle / Run doesn’t open in Magic Kingdom until April 4th, 2023, but we already got the chance to hop on the ride and we’ve got FULL details for you here! First, you can click here for a FULL Guide to using the TRON Lightcycle / Run lockers. The use of these lockers is required since you won’t be able to bring loose items or backpacks onto the ride vehicle itself (only a phone, wallet, and glasses — or things of that nature — can be placed into the small item holder on the bikes). Lockers at TRON Before you ride TRON, click here to learn about some critical details. We’ve got information about what the seats are like and how you request certain seats. Will you fit on the “standard” TRON Lightcycle / Run vehicles in Disney World? We’ve got a full post on that right here. Test seats We’ve also got a full post with EVERYTHING you need to know about the TRON ride, including some of the story from the films that plays into the ride, how to ride (virtual queue), photo opportunities, and more. Hello there! Want to see a FULL ride through of TRON? If you’re okay with spoilers, then click here and see what it’s like to hop on this ride! One important thing to remember, the ride is VERY short, so don’t let that catch you off guard. Getting digitized While the ride won’t open for a few weeks still, Cast Members have already been able to preview the attraction and more previews are on the way. D23 Gold Members could buy a special ticket for an exclusive TRON preview, but note that those tickets have since sold out. Annual Passholders will soon get the chance to preview the ride as well. Registration opened this past week and quickly sold out. Similarly, Disney Vacation Club members will get a preview of the ride, but their preview dates have sold out already too. TRON Queue If you didn’t get a preview spot, then it’s time to start planning that April trip — just don’t forget to grab a Park Pass for Magic Kingdom ASAP. See our page all about TRON Lightcycle / Run here Roundup Rodeo BBQ UPDATES From ride news we move to food news. Roundup Rodeo BBQ is the new Toy Story-themed table-service family-style restaurant that will be opening on March 23rd, 2023 in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We’ve already seen the FULL menu for the restaurant, but this week we got more news. Dining reservations for Roundup Rodeo BBQ will become available for booking starting February 21st, 2023! So mark those calendars — you’ll want to be ready to tap away quickly if you’re hoping to get a reservation right around when the restaurant opens. A preview of the Roundup Rodeo BBQ menu ©Disney This week, Disney also shared a video that revealed a look INSIDE the restaurant. Things are still a work in progress but we can’t wait to see what it’ll look like once everything is completed. Click here to see more about Roundup Rodeo BBQ Dining Promo Card Next, we dive into more food news. Well, technically it’s news about a special offer that could help you get some great food on your next trip! The Disney Dining Plan is set to come back in the future, but in the meantime, Disney is offering a different dining deal — the Dining Promo Card. The Dining Promo Card is basically a gift card that you can use at select Disney World restaurants. The card is only included with certain hotel reservations. If you book a qualifying Disney hotel reservation, you’ll receive the promo card in your email once you check into your reservation. Pineapple Dole Whip and Vanilla Ice Cream The card’s value depends on your vacation arrival date, how long you’re staying at the hotel, and which hotel you choose. To qualify, you’ll have to book a minimum 4-night stay at a Disney World hotel with at least 4 days of park tickets. You get one gift card per ROOM, not per person. The full spread Disney has generally promoted that the offer is good for up to a $750 Dining Promo Card, BUT a reader tipped us off to the fact that you can actually get MORE money — over $1,000 — on the promo card. So what’s the news here? Well, Disney had already announced that the Dining Promo Card offer would be available for guests who have a qualifying visit between June 25th and September 14th, 2023. But they had NOT said whether there was a specific date by which you needed to book your qualifying trip to get the Dining Promo Card…until now. Full Spread In a message sent to travel agents, Disney noted that the Dining Promo Card offer is only bookable through March 27th, 2023. That’s just over a month away, so you’ll want to get booking FAST. To learn more about the Dining Promo Card and how to best use it, check out our posts below: How Disney’s NEW Dining Promo Card Clues Us in to the Future of the Dining Plan When You Should Say NO to Disney World’s New Dining Package 24 Restaurants To Visit To Make the MOST of Your Disney World Dining Promo Card What Is a Dining Promo Card and How Do You Use It in Disney World? We Have the Answers Is This Disney World’s Answer to the Dining Plan in 2023? Dining Promo Card Details Gideon’s Bakehouse News It’s time for even more food news, this time from the mastermind behind Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs. Though Steve Lewis (the founder of Gideon’s Bakehouse) had previously discussed potential expansion plans before, this week we got another update. In a post shared via Instagram, Gideon’s Bakehouse discussed a bit more about potential other locations. ⁣Gideon’s Bakehouse (with presumably Lewis writing this message directly as he does) shared, “I will not franchise and be yet another cookie place in every other shopping plaza in your town.” Gideon’s Bakehouse But then things got exciting. He shared, “Maybe someday, a third location somewhere interesting, but I’m careful with my baby. Thank you for understanding the vision for this little place.” Ooooo — where could this “somewhere interesting” be?! We’ll have to wait and see! In terms of other Gideon’s updates, we have some BAD NEWS. Many of you may be hoping and wishing that Gideon’s Bakehouse will start shipping their cookies so you can enjoy them from wherever you are. But, via Instagram Lewis shared, “The requests and many wishes for shipping have been growing. I’m super grateful you love what we’re doing and don’t want to miss out, but there are no plans to offer mail-order desserts.” One hefty cookie He continued, ““Gideon’s has always been a local from-scratch bakery aiming to create memories for our community and visiting friends. Our team is comically large to satisfy local demand. Meeting a national demand is logistically impossible. I would have to automate the process to take this step, which removes what makes Gideon’s unique.” So it looks like you’ll have to make a trip out to Orlando to pick up these beauties for now! Click here for our page full of reviews of the treats at Gideon’s Bakehouse! Airport Train Update Finally, in terms of big news, we’ve got an update on the Brightline train that’ll soon connect the Orlando International Airport to various other stations in Florida going all the way down to Miami. The high-speed rail service indicated in a January report that it plans to start service from Orlando to West Palm Beach in the second quarter of 2023. The report also says that the 170-mile expansion is 90% complete. ©Brightline According to Brightline, its 37,350-square-foot station at the Orlando Airport will be complete in March, but the completion of that station is on a separate timeline from the start of passenger service. Once passenger service begins to the airport, it’ll offer a different way to get around the state. But plans are still in development for where the train will go after that. The current plan is called the Sunshine Corridor expansion — it would have the train go through Orlando and make several stops (including one by the Orange County Convention Center and possibly one near Disney World). The train is then set to expand over to Tampa. But there’s still a lot to be determined with those plans, so things could substantially change over the next weeks and months. Click here to see inside the new Brightline train station at the airport! And that’s it for the biggest stories, but of course, we’ve got even more news! Check out the other important stories from this week below: Bob Iger Makes “Stark Reversal in Strategy” at Disney How a Critical Disney War Ended Before It Really Began Disney World’s Reedy Creek Has DIED — Here’s What Happens Next NEWS: Mickey’s Toontown Reopening DELAYED at Disneyland VIDEO: See Melissa McCarthy as the VILLAIN in Disney’s New Live-Action ‘Little Mermaid’ Trailer ©Disney “Disney Abused a Global Pandemic to Take Advantage of Its Own Loyal Customers” — Updates on the Park Pass Lawsuit An All-New Snack Is Coming to McDonald’s! Don’t Miss This Major Festival Update in EPCOT! Cast Member Union Halts Contract Negotiations — “Disney Refused to Add Even One Cent to Its Wage Proposal” Before you plan your next trip to Disney World, check out our DFB Guide Everything Bundle here. DFB Everything Bundle 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. Get 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 from this week surprised you the most? Tell us in the comments. The post Disney Restaurant Updates, Opening Timeline for the Airport Train, and More HUGE News You Missed first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ve slowly but surely seen more experiences return to Disney World following the park closures. Japan Pavilion at EPCOT Character meet and greets have bounded back, and most restaurants have reopened their doors. But, one EPCOT experience recently started welcoming guests once again and we went to check it out for ourselves — come with us! Things may have seemed a bit barren in the Japan Pavilion of the World Showcase in EPCOT over the last few years and for good reason. Akoya Peals has been a long standing popular merchandise experience within the Mitsukoshi store just underneath Teppan Edo and Tokyo Dining. Akoya Pearls Since March 2020, the Akoya Pearl stand has been patiently waiting and eerily quiet compared to its usual daily drumming, clapping, and laughter that surrounds it and now it is finally back. This area was closed and got a bit of a facelift! Guests gathered around the stand to witness the excitement once again of seeing these gorgeous pearls cracked open from their oyster shells. We spoke with the Cast Member working at Akoya Pearls and she confirmed that some of the employees working there just came back to Orlando from their home country. Curious how this experience works? For $18.78 guests are invited to pick an oyster shell of their choice, while the cast member cracks open the shell to reveal the pearl within. Every shell is guaranteed to have at least one pearl (we’ve witnessed some with two.) The cast member will then invite the guest to count to three in Japanese and will open the shell to reveal your pearl. These pearls can vary in shape, color, and size, and we’ve even been told some come in pink and green variations occasionally. Cleaning the pearl After they’ve had time to rinse the pearl they set it into a cup filled with salt to show it to you, measure its size, and then celebrate with a short drumming ceremony. Afterwards, guests can choose different settings to display the pearls. Guests have options to choose from a necklace with varying prices, or get a glass bottle with colored sand for an additional $4.95. Just as a heads up though, if you’re looking to set the pearl in jewelry, this option will not be available until 1PM. Jewelry settings for the pearls We’re so excited to have this experience back in EPCOT for guests of all ages to enjoy! As always, stay tuned with us at DFB for the latest in Disney news. 5 SECRET Tips for EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you missed Akoya Pearls in EPCOT? Leave your thoughts in the comments! The post An EPCOT Attraction Has FINALLY Reopened After Three Years first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

With all the new updates happening in the parks at Disney World, it can be easy to forget all the new things coming to Disney World’s Resort hotels! Polynesian Resort hopping can be such a great way to relax, shop, and try some new foods while at Disney World. This is something we do often and definitely recommend! So, what’s new at Disney World hotels right now? Let’s go find out! Polynesian Construction Updates Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has been under some serious construction for a while now as new Disney Vacation Club villas are built. Last time we were here, we noticed some new equipment as well as some large pools of water from the rain. A little water pooling around Now, we notice that there’s even more equipment and it seems like more ground is being prepared to build yet another villa! Polynesian construction We also saw where a sort of opening had been dug into the sand. We wonder what will go here? In the photo, you can see more of where the ground has been flattened to lay the foundation for more villas! More Construction! More building materials have also been brought in, including these pipes. More materials We can’t wait to watch along as more construction takes place! It’s always amazing to see how quickly things are built at Disney. Magic Kingdom Resort Signage Update Take a look at the new signs we spotted! These all new blue Magic Kingdom resort signs replace the purple and red signs we’re used to. New Signage These signs will take some getting used to, for sure. Which color signs are your favorite? Old signs We’ve got a great resource for you when you plan your NEXT Disney World trip – our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining. We wrote our ebook after decades of visiting Disney World, so that we could help you have a stress-free vacation! Click here and use code WDW2023 to get 25% off! When new things happen at the resort hotels, we make sure to share those updates here so that you guys can stay in the loop. Make sure to follow along so that you never miss a thing! Click here to see what’s new at Hollywood Studios! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Do you resort hop while on your Disney vacation? Let us know in the comments! The post What's New at Disney World Hotels: Polynesian Construction and NEW Signage! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Marvel fans have a whole new reason to assemble back into Avengers Campus soon. Avengers Campus We’ve seen so many incredible characters fly through this spot, and now a new threat is making its way to Disney California Adventure for a limited time. Will you be on the lookout? Disneyland Resort is adding a new limited time meet and greet to its Marvel line up. This announcement comes on the release date of Antman and the Wasp: Quantumania in theaters starting February 17th, 2023. Ant Man at AMC Theater Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania chronicles Marvel super hero duo Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) as they reprise their roles Ant-Man and The Wasp respectively. Together, with Hope’s parents Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), they explore the Quantum Realm, pushing the limits of possibility with new creatures and threats to be discovered at every turn. The latest installment to the AntMan and the Wasp franchise also introduces us to a new character in the celebrated actor Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror. Who will be coming to DCA next? Soon it seems that Kang the Conqueror will slip through time and arrive at meet guests at Avengers Campus! ©Disney Kang’s arrival at Disney California Adventure Park will only be for a short time so guests visiting the park need to keep a watchful eye out for him. He’s known to be very stealthy around his native realm, may actively engage in recruiting, and try his best to gather information on our heroes. As always, for the latest in Disney parks news, follow us here at DFB! A NEW Meet and Greet Is Coming to Disneyland Soon Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! See Our DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Learn About Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland Check Out What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Get All the Info About Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Should You Go to Disneyland in 2022? Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Are you excited to meet Kang the Conqueror? Tell us in the comments! The post ANOTHER New Character Is Coming to One Disney Park Soon! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Dream. Create. Inspire. These three words are at the heart of the Walt Disney Legacy Award, the highest honor given by Disney Parks, Experiences and Products to those who embody the legacy of Walt Disney himself. Earlier this month, 166 cast members, Imagineers, crew members and employees were celebrated at the 2022 West Coast Legacy Award […]View the full article

Disney is back at it again with a merch item we can’t get over! Avengers Campus Marvel’s latest movie, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania was just released in theaters, and there’s a new sipper to celebrate! If you’ve been looking for the ultimate way to show off your Ant-Man and the Wasp fandom, look no further. Marvel’s latest installment of Ant-Man and the Wasp just hit theaters, and before you grab those tickets and head to the silver screen you may want to stop by Disney California Adventure first. You can count on this spot to deliver unique dishes! Pym Test Kitchen at Avengers Campus will soon have the new Ooze Cauldron Sipper from the movie. In a recent Instagram post, Disney Parks teased a promo of the sipper with Kathryn Newton (Cassie Lang from the movie). In the clip, Kathryn references that you “don’t even have to shrink to subatomic levels” to drink out of it. This new sipper looks huge compared to some that we’ve seen in the past. Kathryn also is able to hold on to the sipper by what appears to be a handle towards the top so we’re hopeful this is one that will travel well whether by the handle of the shoulder strap that is apparent from the video too. ©Disney Fair warning, though — this thing will set you back $27.79 and it’ll be filled with Quantum Ooze. Are you heading to the theater this weekend to see Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania? Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney parks news and more! Go To A Disney Red Carpet WITHOUT Leaving Your Couch! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Will you be seeing AntMan and the Wasp Quantumania? Let us know below! The post Disney's New Souvenir Cup Comes With a SHOCKING Price Tag first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The Flower and Garden Festival is an absolute highlight of Spring in Walt Disney World and has been since it began in 1994. The 2023 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival will kick off on March 1st and runs through July 5th. EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival If you’re going to visit during the festival this year, we can help you plan ahead of time so that you don’t miss any of the best activities and food! We’ve been going to EPCOT festivals for DECADES, so we’ve got the inside scoop from dozens of trips. Now, we’re bringing you 5 SECRET tips for the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival. You Can Get a FREE TREAT Just for Eating Snacks One of our absolute favorite things to do at the Flower & Garden Festival is to EAT. There will be more than 15 food booths set up around EPCOT with snacks and treats for guests to enjoy. Those eats do cost extra (they’re not included in your park ticket), but there’s a secret way to get a FREE treat. Flavor Full Kitchen Booth The Garden Graze is a kind of scavenger hunt that we’ve seen in the past and we’re hoping will return in 2023. It’s like the Cookie Stroll at the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays, only for the Flower & Garden Fest it’s a plant-based food stroll. Garden Graze You’ll pick up a free Festival Passport at the front of the park and find the page with the Garden Graze information. There will be a list of items you can purchase at the various food booths around the park, so you’ll head to the appropriate booths and order those items. Make sure to get your Passport stamped for each one you purchase! Get Your Passport Stamped! Once you’ve picked up 5 items (that was the designated number in 2022 — note that it may change for 2023), you can return to the designated prize booth to pick up a free treat! In 2022, it was a DOLE Whip Pineapple and Lime Swirl. Exclusive prize! We can’t wait to see what this year’s Garden Graze has in store for us. Stay tuned for 2023 details on this food crawl. Click here for more information about the Garden Graze in EPCOT. One Ride CHANGES for the Festival We often see ride layovers around Christmas time or during Halloween, but did you know that one attraction gets some sprucing up during the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival? Living with the Land Living With the Land (located in the World Nature section of the park, inside the Land pavilion) might look a little bit different if you ride it this spring. When you hop on this relaxing boat ride, you’ll see a celebration of plants that you can eat with the Edible Flower Garden. Edible Garden inside Living with the Land — Violet Lemonade display The ride, which takes guests through greenhouse displays of food crops, dons some extra vibrant color, thanks to the flowers, during the Festival! And speaking of cool attractions to visit during the festival, don’t forget to check out the gorgeous Disney Character Topiaries all around the park along with the pop-up gardens around World Showcase. Flower and Garden topiaries For 2023, a new Princess Tiana topiary will appear in The American Adventure pavilion, and a NEW “Encanto” topiaries will feature Mirabel, Antonio, Isabela, and Luisa near the park’s main entrance. The Festival is ON! From a Tropical Rainforest Garden in the Mexico pavilion to the English Tea Garden and Shakespeare Garden in the United Kingdom to a Bamboo Garden in China, and MUCH more, you’re only steps away from finding the next spring-inspired scene in the EPCOT World Showcase. Many guests don’t even realize those gardens are there, and you don’t want to walk right past the gorgeous displays. The Festival Passport will let you know where to find them all! Learn more about the Disney character topiaries here. We Have a FULL GUIDE for the Festival With more than 15 food booths, multiple scavenger hung-style activities, tons of gardens and character topiaries, major performances, and more, the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival might seem like an intimidating event to tackle. Luckily, we’ve got a FULL GUIDE to help you plan the best trip possible. Our Full Guide In the DFB Guide to the 2023 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, you’ll find information about the activities, entertainment, eats, and more. You can also check out colorful photos of the food items, character topiaries, and gardens that are located throughout EPCOT during this event. DFB Guide You can pre-order the DFB Guide to the 2023 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival right now, and it’ll be ready in time for your festival trip. Don’t forget that you can also bundle the Flower & Garden Festival Guide with our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2023 to get even MORE resources for your upcoming vacation! Click here to buy the DFB Guide to the 2023 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. You Can Get a Dining Package Without a Reservation The popular Garden Rocks Concert Series performances are free with EPCOT admission and take place at the America Gardens Theater. Internationally known artists will perform Friday through Monday, and local bands will rock the house Tuesday through Thursday. America Gardens Theater during the 2022 Flower and Garden Festival You can find the full list of artists performing at the Flower and Garden Festival here, along with information about Garden Rocks Dining Packages, which pair lunch or dinner at a participating EPCOT restaurant with guaranteed seating for a Garden Rocks performance for that evening! Garden Rocks! Reservations for those Garden Rocks Dining Packages are open now, and you’ll want to grab your reservations ASAP so that they don’t sell out before you’re able to secure your spot. But what if you don’t want to make a reservation or aren’t able to grab one? All hope is not lost! Garden Rocks Dining Package (2022) Regal Eagle Smokehouse at the American Adventure pavilion has same-day-only Garden Rocks Concert Series Dining Packages available. You’ll need to head to Regal Eagle on the day of your visit and check for availability. We’d recommend stopping by fairly early in the day so that the packages don’t fill up before you get there! Disney notes that “packages are subject to availability and may not be available on peak dates.” Get more information about the Garden Rocks Concerts and Dining Packages here. Download Our FREE Printable and Map We already told you about our Guide to the 2023 Flower & Garden Festival, but did you know that we also have a FREE map and printable for the festival? We created the 2022 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Map last year to help you navigate the fest, and we’ll have a new one ready for you in 2023 once Disney releases information about this year’s food booth. Click to enlarge the DFFB 2022 Flower & Garden Festival Map Additionally, we offer a free DFB Printable (check out the 2022 version here) so you can check off all of your MUST-EAT food and drink items at the Festival. DFB Flower and Garden Printable 2022 Once the map and printable are released, you’ll simply click on the images to download and print or save them to your phone. On the pages, we note which items are new to the festival, which drinks are non-alcoholic, and which dishes are gluten/wheat friendly. Be on the lookout for our 2023 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Map and Printable — you don’t want to miss out on these awesome free resources! EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival And now you’re all set to plan the best trip ever to the 2023 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. We’ll continue to bring you great resources to help you out, like reviews of every single food booth and a list of the BEST eats and treats once the festival opens, so stay tuned to DFB for the most comprehensive EPCOT festival coverage. Learn all about the 2023 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival here! Click HERE to See All the Updated Details for EPCOT's International Flower and Garden Festival! Ready to Plan for Your 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Trip? Pre-Order the DFB Guide to the 2023 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival e-Book today! This 220+ page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. Your purchase includes several bonus items as well -- including a full schedule of events at the Festival and a printable Outdoor Kitchens Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! Pre-Order your 2023 edition today! Don't miss a moment of the fun! Use code SPRING at check-out to get $2 off the cover price! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox! Click here to Subscribe Are you visiting the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival this year? Let us know in the comments! The post 5 SECRET Tips for EPCOT's Flower and Garden Festival first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Good journey, friends! Cast members at Walt Disney World welcome guests into our captivating stories each day, and today we’re proud to spotlight a Disney leader who is out of this galaxy. Adarius is a Guest Experience Manager supporting the crew aboard the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, a two-night, immersive experience that takes passengers on […]View the full article

Okay, brace yourselves — because we’re taking a break from Disney World and Disneyland. ©Universal Super Nintendo World has opened at Universal Studios Hollywood, and how could we resist visiting a theme park land that literally came right out of our favorite video games? We also hopped on Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge because who doesn’t want to play Mario Kart IN REAL LIFE? So here’s what we thought of the ride! So here’s the thing — the whole premise of Super Nintendo World is that you’re in a game and you’re playing that game, except in real life. You’ll have multiple opportunities to score points, including on Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. The entrance! There were plenty of other guests getting ready to compete too! Opening day at Super Nintendo World was BUSY. This was our first time riding, so what did we think? What place do you think we got? This augmented reality ride was a blast. You could collect coins and throw shells to sabotage your opponents, just like when playing Mario Kart at home! It reminded us of Midway Mania but taken up a notch because of the augmented reality component. Some iconic character costumes If you’re looking to hop on a REAL version of Mario Kart, be sure to head on over to Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios Hollywood ASAP. We’ll also be covering some other things at Super Nintendo World, so stay tuned to DFB for more. Check Out Everything We Did at Super Mario 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. Will you be making the trip to Super Nintendo World? Let us know in the comments! The post We Rode Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge at Super Nintendo World -- Come Check It Out! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There’s a lot of excitement in Magic Kindom these days, mostly because TRON Lightcycle / Run is set to open soon! Opening soon! And if you were among the (likely) thousands of people who tried to score an Annual Passholder preview for the ride the other day, you know just how highly anticipated this coaster truly is. But even though many guests hoped to get a preview, not everyone was successful…many thanks to some major flaws with the booking system. So what went wrong, and how can you be prepared for next time? Timing of the Drop First of all, there’s the timing of when the preview link was dropped. Annual Passholders were supposed to get an email, but many didn’t get a notification in their inbox until after the link to register had already been spread across the internet. Some fans found the link in the Passholder Buzz section of the My Disney Experience app, but if you didn’t know it was there, you might’ve been late to the game. ©Disney And for those waiting for an email, they were sent in waves. Passholders got the emails at different times, so if yours wasn’t one of the first sent out, you could’ve ended up HOURS behind in the queue. It all seemed very random and a little haphazard. Many were left frustrated by that alone. Essentially, it would benefit you to check multiple places on the day that a preview link is set to be dropped. Who knows where it could end up first?! The Process Next, we have to talk about the process itself. It really wasn’t clear what would happen once you entered the queue. If you opened the link to the reservation page before 9AM ET, you were placed in a waiting room. Then, at 9AM, the waiting room refreshed and everyone was put into the queue. It’s unclear if this was random or in order based on when you opened the link. ©Disney Those who weren’t Passholders were able to enter the queue and could wait in it, but would be kicked out when they tried to log in before making a reservation. The estimated wait times for the queue were also all over the place. One of our team members started at “over an hour” but was then dropped down to 38 minutes in the span of a few seconds. It then jumped back up into the 50s. And many guests waited for hours to snag a preview — some waiting for multiple hours and not getting anything at all. More Waiting One issue that was particularly frustrating is that after you had your queue countdown and finally made it to the login screen, you might be met with MORE loading pages. One of our team members got stuck on a loading page with a photo of Woody multiple times, with 5-10 minute waits each time. ©Disney Since this page doesn’t have an estimated wait time, it’s hard to know if your waiting is productive or if the system is glitching and you need to refresh. And there’s no telling how long the wait will last once you get here. Choosing Your Party But perhaps the biggest struggle we encountered came when choosing our party. Once you’re logged in and you finally make it to the reservation process, you’ll first be required to choose the members of your group. Multiple times we had issues where the person who logged into the account was not shown as the “primary guest” — which may cause issues further down the line when showing up for your reservation. Because of this, we had to refresh the page and hope for the best, getting kicked out back to the screen with Woody again. ©Disney After that was resolved, we still ran into issues with selecting party members. If you have a lot of people on your Family & Friends list, it might not show all the Passholders at once. Many Passholders had to open the My Disney Experience app on their phone, remove guests from their Family & Friends list, and then refresh the page to get the right people to show up. And of course, if you refresh, you’re waiting another 5-10 minutes minimum. General Glitches And on top of the mass confusion and the long waiting, there were plenty of general glitches with the website. Some people were logged out of their accounts and some were kicked out of the process before getting to the confirmation page. To wait so long just to have some technical glitch mess it up was very frustrating for many. ©Disney So what can you do the next time a Passholder preview drops? First of all, make sure you have those email notifications on. And it wouldn’t hurt to check the Passholder Buzz in MDE throughout the day either. When the queue drops, it might be a good idea to join on your phone and your computer just in case. Annual Passholder card If there are multiple people in your party trying to snag a reservation, you’ll have better chances if you all pitch in. Make sure you’ve got good wifi or a strong signal, because you’ll be in it for the long haul. Keep in mind that previews are limited, so you may not get one even if you’re fast. But of course, we wish you the best of luck! Stay tuned to DFB for more tips on how to navigate Disney World and plan for your trip. We’ll keep you updated on the latest! Click Here to See the Most Surprising Thing About TRON Lightcycle / Run! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Did you get a Passholder preview for TRON? Tell us in the comments! The post 5 Huge Problems Exposed by Disney’s 'TRON' Coaster Previews first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Disney merchandise can be hard to resist! So many Disney bags! Recently, we have seen that Target has some Disney 100th Anniversary merchandise and the new Disney ily 4ever dolls, too. Now, Target has something new for your little one (or you — we don’t judge!). The Toddler 11″ Mickey Mouse Backpack is available online at Target. The backpack features Mickey, Donald, and Goofy riding together. ©Target The bag has adjustable straps and is great to grow with kids! ©Target How cute is the Mickey license plate?! ©Target The bag is currently $15 and is available for shipping. However, it does not appear to be in stores yet! This bag could be great for upcoming trips to Disney, daycare, or even summer camp. Click Here to Purchase the Toddler Backpack We’re always on the hunt for more Disney merch for your next trip, so keep following DFB for more Disney shopping news! Check Out More Disney Backpacks 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. What do you keep in your Disney bag? Let us know below! The post Move Over Loungefly, We Just Found a NEW Disney Backpack at Target first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Excitement for Tron LIghtcycle / Run is mounting as Walt Disney World annual passholders began registering to preview the Magic Kingdom ride. And across the park work is happening on the rebranding of Splash Mountain into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. View the full article

March is a BIG month for Disney+ fans! ©Disney There’s a ton of new content coming to the streaming service, including The Mandalorian Season 3, new episodes of Star Wars: The Bad Batch, a new season of Secrets of Sulphur Springs, and more. Check out a full lineup of all the shows and movies coming to Disney+ in March 2023 here! Wednesday, March 1 Eureka! (Season 1, 4 Episodes) Going Fur Gold (Season 1) Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Episode 211: “Metamorphosis”) Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Season 3 Premiere) (Episode: “Chapter 17”) ©Disney Friday, March 3 Dino Death Match The Next Mega Tsunami Wednesday, March 8 Africa’s Deadliest (Seasons 2–5) Chibiverse (Season 1) Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (Season 1, 5 Episodes) MPower (Premiere) (All Episodes Streaming) Spidey and his Amazing Friends (Season 2, 4 Episodes) Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Episode 212: “The Outpost”) Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Episode: “Chapter 18”) Moon Girl ©Disney Friday, March 10 Chang Can Dunk (Premiere) Tuesday, March 14 Disney NHL Big City Greens Classic (Livestream) Wednesday, March 15 Doogie Howser, M.D. (Seasons 1–4) Engineering Connections (Seasons 1–2) Firebuds (Season 1, 4 Episodes) Kiff (Season 1, 6 Episodes) Turning the Tables with Robin Roberts (Season 2 Premiere) (All Episodes Streaming) Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Episode 213: “Pabu”) Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Episode: “Chapter 19”) The Bad Batch posters in Disney World Friday, March 17 Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming, with Dave Letterman (Premiere) Hippo vs. Croc Wednesday, March 22 How to Win at Everything (Season 1) Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes (Season 1, 4 Episodes) Restaurants at the End of the World (Season 1) Superstructures: Engineering Marvels (Season 1) Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Episode 214: “Tipping Point”) Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Episode: “Chapter 20”) ©Disney Friday, March 24 Witness Disaster Saturday, March 25 Saturdays (Season 1, 6 Episodes) Secrets of Sulphur Springs (Season 3) ©Disney Wednesday, March 29 Crimes Against Nature (Season 2) Mickey Mouse Funhouse (Season 2, 4 Episodes) Incredibly Small World (Season 1) Star Wars: The Bad Batch (Episode 215: “The Summit”) (Episode 216: “Plan 99” – Season 2 Finale) Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Episode: “Chapter 21”) ©Disney Friday, March 31 Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. (Season 2 Premiere) (All Episodes Streaming) Prom Pact Worst Weather Ever? This is everything that is coming to Disney+ in March, according to D23. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news! Learn more about Disney+ 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. Which show or movie are you most excited to watch on Disney+ in March? Let us know in the comments. The post FULL LINEUP of Shows and Movies Coming to Disney+ in March 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

So, you’re planning a trip to Disney World, and you’ve narrowed it down between two of the most ICONIC Disney resorts in existence (you lucky, lucky person!). Disney’s Grand Floridian But how do you choose between Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa? Well, let’s dive into the deets to see which one is right for you! Choosing between the Yacht Club and the Grand Floridian, 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 Yacht Club 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. Yacht Club 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. They both have close proximity to the Disney Parks, and even within walking distance! And both offer Disney Vacation Club Villas as additional accommodations. Yacht Club Walkway For the Yacht Club, that means that for the cheapest room at the cheapest time to visit, you can expect to pay around $537 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts), and it goes up to $3,877 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts) for the most expensive rooms at the most expensive time to visit. For the Grand Floridian, that means that for the cheapest room at the cheapest time to visit, you can expect to pay around $780 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts), and it goes up to $5,502 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts) for the most expensive rooms at the most expensive time to visit. Extra Theme Park Hours Benefits for Disney World Resort Hotel Guests Theme/Rooms Just like our ol’ Friend, Chandler Bing, would say, “Could these resorts BE any more different?” Both the Yacht Club and the Grand Flo are Deluxe resorts and offer the poshest of Disney’s accommodations and perks, but that doesn’t mean they look the same! Yacht Club Ahoy maties, straighten that ascot and slip on those boat shoes, you’re about to set sail into the Disney resort themed after the grand and sleek yachting clubs of New England. And no, Disney does not require that you own a yacht to stay here (phew, that’s one expense you won’t have to factor into your Disney trip!). Yacht Club Lobby This resort makes “subtle” look good. It’s sleek, elegant, and streamlined — like, well, a yacht. If you’re visiting Disney World for a business conference, this hotel might just be the right speed for you as it encompasses a rather executive vibe to it. There are some very nice, and perfectly adequate furnishings, but the rooms themselves just don’t scream lavish. ©Disney Our favorite touch in these otherwise “character-less” rooms are the curtains that feature fictional constellations inspired by some of our favorite Disney pals. ©Disney The Yacht Club renovated and updated the rooms in 2017, for the more sophisticated appearance with dark woods, crisp whites and deep navy blues. They definitely don’t have the personality that you can find at the Contemporary and Polynesian. So, if you’re looking for a room with some “character,” the Yacht Club may not be your jam. Why You Should Add Disney’s Yacht Club to Your Resort Hopping List Right NOW Grand Floridian Cross the threshold of Disney World’s flagship resort into the Victorian age of high tea, dressing for dinner, and gloved-hands with pinkies-out. The lobby and restaurants are grandiose and luxurious, almost to the point of making guests reflect on imposter syndrome rather than a welcoming presence. The meticulous grounds and pristine white buildings with their brilliant red-tiled roofs definitely provide that grand allure you’d expect from a flagship resort. The Grand Floridian Lobby And the lobby delivers on that jaw-dropping “oh wow” moment (especially around the holidays), but it seems like Disney blew the budget on the common areas, and then tightened the purse strings on the room sitch. There are some very nice, and perfectly adequate furnishings, but the rooms themselves just don’t scream lavish. Grand Floridian Resort Room The Grand Floridian standard rooms haven’t seen the TLC that the Contemporary and Polynesian rooms have. So, there’s hope out there that the Grand Floridian rooms will be up soon for the next room renovation, but in the meantime, the Grand Floridian rooms don’t quite deliver for the price tag assigned to them. Results This could boil down to your preference. Are you looking for a sophisticated resort that feels like you should be sipping a cognac and lighting up a cigar? Or do you want something a bit more glamorous, luxurious, and Victorian? Both resorts deliver beautifully on their themes, but when it comes down to rooms, but when it comes down to rooms, the Yacht Club has the edge with having the most recently updated rooms with a bit more pizzazz. NEW Minnie Ears Are Themed After a Bougie Disney World Hotel Pools Pools, splash pads, hot tubs, and lounge chairs, vacation just doesn’t feel completed without spending some time by the pool. Which of these resorts is the aquatic champion of water lounging? Only one way to find out… Yacht Club The Yacht Club may be understated when it comes to its lobby and resort rooms, but it is not to be outdone in the pool category. Disney’s Yacht Club shares a pool complex with its neighboring resort, the Beach Club, Stormalong Bay. Stormalong Bay Stormalong Bay is a destination on all its own. This pool complex is almost like its own mini-water park, with sand at the bottom and even a lazy river! So, your kiddos can take advantage of the ‘shipwrecked’ themed water slide, while you leisurely float around the lazy river, so just relax on of the many lounge chairs. Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Beach Club Stormalong Bay is also nestled in close to Beaches and Cream, an iconic ice cream shop, providing over-the-top milkshakes, sundaes, and comfort junk food essentials like burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches. Grand Floridian The Grand Floridian is not to be outdone in the pool category; it hosts two pools as well: the Beach Pool and the Courtyard Pool. And though both pools are pretty, the most memorable experience might be at the Mad Hatter splash pad. Alice’s Splash Zone And because it’s the Grand Floridian and sophisticated luxury is this resorts brand, there are plenty of poolside lounge chairs and cabanas available to rent for the day as you relax by the pool and nosh on some peeled-grapes and sip on some sweet tea, like we’re sure Victorian-age vacationers did back in the day. Relaxation — Grand Flo style! Results There’s no real loser in this category if you’ve found relaxation and joy, but our heart leans towards the Yacht Club, because that pool is just epic! Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Toes in the sand, relaxing down a lazy river with a shipwreck-themed water slide. We’ll take the Yacht Club’s pool oasis just tips the scale over the Grand Floridian’s pool situation. 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 who these resorts stack up against each other in the restaurant category. Yacht Club Hurricane Hanna’s is a pool bar, tucked under the Stormalong Bay waterslide, that provides fixes for your hunger without having to wander too far from the pool. The Yacht Club is home to two lounges, one quick-service market, a table service option, and a Disney Signature dining restaurant. Not to mention its close proximity to Beach Club and all of those dining options. The Market at Ale & Compass An ideal spot to relax with a nightcap while winding down for the evening, or to grab a bite or two from their substantial appetizer menu, head over to Ale & Compass Lounge. The Ale & Compass Lounge is one part of the Ale & Compass dining concept at the Yacht Club, which also includes The Market at Ale & Compass and the Ale & Compass Restaurant. Ale & Compass Lounge Located right next to Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, the Crew’s Cup Lounge is a great place to get a bite and a drink in a relaxing, cozy atmosphere — and it’s a DFB favorite! In addition to specialty cocktails and a full bar, a robust food menu is served during evening hours as well, including a few full meals. During dinner hours at the Yachtsman, you’ll have a direct view through a glass window of steak being butchered for the steakhouse – so cool! Crew’s Cup Lounge Ale & Compass Restaurant is the table service component of the Ale & Market dining concept in Disney’s Yacht Club, which also includes The Market at Ale & Compass along with the refreshed Ale & Compass Lounge. The atmosphere offers a gastropub ambiance while comfort food (New England-inspired) is featured on the menu. A la carte options for breakfast include classic American breakfast fare, with a few twists like the Dark Chocolate Waffle and Salted Caramel-Apple French Toast, and a pastry buffet option may be paired with your choice of entree. Casual lunch options include Fish & Chips, burgers, and more. Dinner offerings feature specialties like the New England Seafood Pot Pie and Pappardelle pasta dishes, among others. Ale and Compass Restaurant The Market at Ale & Compass is a Counter Service location at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Simple convenience is the name of the game, with a focus on grab-and-go items. However, hot sandwiches, specialty desserts — and even a coffee bar — round out the options nicely. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, The Market at Ale & Compass is the quick service component of the Ale & Compass dining concept at the Yacht Club, which also includes the Ale & Compass Restaurant and the Ale & Compass Lounge. The Market at Ale & Compass Yachtsman Steakhouse comes highly recommended by any discerning carnivore. The steaks here are some of the best on property, and the service is often excellent. This craftsman-inspired dining room at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort caters to all tastebuds with a variety of dishes, incredible sides, and amazing, cut-in-house steaks. 8-oz Filet Mignon Is The CHEESIEST Soup in Disney World Hiding at This Forgotten Restaurant? Grand Floridian Beaches Pool Bar and Courtyard Pool Bar provide fixes for your hunger without ever leaving either of the Grand Floridian’s pools. Grand Floridian is home to two Signature dining restaurants, Citricos and Narcoossee’s. Citricos is an upscale restaurant serving American dishes with Mediterranean influences. Reserve the Chef’s Domain for a private table and specially prepared menu. Narcoossee’s, another Signature Dining restaurant, specializes in seafood. This beautiful, Victorian-inspired building sits ashore on the Seven Seas Lagoon, offering dramatic views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks. Citricos dining room Enchanted Rose Bar and Lounge is inspired by the live-action Beauty and the Beast film. Guests can indulge in gourmet bites and crafted cocktails while enjoying any one of the four themed rooms. Enchanted Rose lounge Garden View Tea Room hasn’t yet reopened, but when it does, it offers Afternoon Tea with delicious finger sandwiches, pastries, cheese, and fruit. The beautiful view, elegant atmosphere, and fine china make this an exquisite experience. Gasparilla Island Grill is a counter service restaurant with a standard food court menu, and it is open for guests 24-hours a day. Dine outdoors overlooking the Marina (with a view of Cinderella Castle) when the weather permits. The more casual Table Service options at the Grand Floridian are 1900 Park Fare and Grand Floridian Cafe. 1900 Park Fare, when it reopens, provides popular character dining experiences! At breakfast, guests are entertained by Mary Poppins and friends while the young and young-at-heart feast on Mickey waffles. Dinner is a more stately affair hosted by Cinderella and Prince Charming. Grand Floridian Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in an airy, casual setting. You’ll find American fare being served at your table overlooking the hotel’s elegant courtyard. The Grand Floridian Cafe is so pretty Victoria and Albert’s is a AAA Five Diamond Award winner offering an exclusive dining experience. This Signature Dining restaurant pampers guests with personalized menus, dedicated servers, and long-stemmed roses. The Victoria & Albert’s Dining Room A Chef’s Table is also available to those who’d like to experience the most exclusive dining experience in Disney World. Also, the Queen Victoria Room is available for a bit more privacy. Join Us For a Meal at Disney World’s Most EXTRAVAGANT Restaurant — Victoria & Albert’s Results It’s so hard to designate a clear winner for food — because we love it all! Both resorts offer a fantastic fine-dining experience at either Yachtsman at the Yacht Club or Citricos, Narcoossee’s (when it reopens), or even the poshest of posh at Victoria & Albert’s at the Grand Floridian. And for more casual dining, Ale & Compass at Yacht Club and Grand Floridian Cafe are pretty balanced. French Onion Soup at Yachtsman The Grand Floridian really dances that line nicely with Gasparilla Island Grill and Grand Floridian Cafe, offering some comfort food like fried chicken, burgers, and chicken nuggets, and on the OPPOSITE end of that spectrum, Victoria & Albert’s that provides one of the most unique and sophisticated dining experiences in all of Florida! 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!! Yacht Club The Yacht Club is considered an “EPCOT-area” resort. It sits on Crescent Lake, next to Beach Club Resort, and across the lake from Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. This resort is situated in between TWO Disney parks, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Yep, that’s right, you can walk or enjoy a relaxing boat ride on a Friendship Cruise boat to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Enjoy a Friendship Boat ride! If Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, or Disney Springs is your destination, then you can board one of Disney’s busses to transport you over to these parks. Disney World Bus Transportation And as if walkways, boats, and busses weren’t enough options for you, Yacht Club guests are also within walking distance of the EPCOT Skyliner station. This means you have easy access to the other Skyliner resorts if you want to go exploring other resorts or just have a relaxing cruise through the sky. Walt Disney World Skyliner Grand Floridian The Grand Floridian is also on the Monorail loop. It’s the second stop after the Polynesian on the way to the Magic Kingdom. If Magic Kingdom is your destination, there is also a boat option to sail across Seven Seas Lagoon to the front steps of the Magic Kingdom. You can also get your steps in by strolling the walkway over to Magic Kingdom. Though this resort is closer to the Magic Kingdom than the Polynesian, that walk is still about 15-20 minutes. Grand Floridian and Monorail 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. You can take a boat to the Magic Kingdom from the Grand Floridian. If EPCOT is your park for the day, the easiest option is to board a Disney bus and head over. If you want to take the Monorail, you can but you’d have to walk through the Polynesian resort, over to the Transportation & Ticketing Center to catch that Monorail, resulting in a 15-20 minute walk, and that doesn’t include waiting for the monorail. Or you can hop on the Monorail at the Grand Floridian and ride it past Magic Kingdom, past the Contemporary, and then transfer to the EPCOT Loop Monorail once you get to the Transportation and Ticketing Center, but that does add more time and complication to your already busy morning. Results These deluxe resorts are pretty much a tie when it comes to transportation. They both have pretty quick access to TWO Disney parks, and have the options of busses, boats, and even direct walkways to help you get around. EPCOT The Grand Floridian is right on the Monorail loop, and the Yacht Club gives you access to the Skyliner, so they both have some unique offerings as well. It might just boil down to which parks do you plan to spend more time in, Hollywood Studios or Magic Kingdom? Why You Should Skip the Monorail on Your Next Magic Kingdom Trip The Winner! So, who is the ultimate winner in the Yacht Club vs. Grand Floridian battle? We hate to say it, but it depends! The Grand Floridian may seem like a clear choice because of its theming and popularity with Disney fans. If the Yacht Club seemed like the clear choice to you, it is a great hotel, it has an awesome pool and is just a quick walk from EPCOT’s World Showcase. It’s up to you and your group to decide what makes the most sense for you using all that we talked about above. 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 Yacht Club or Grand Floridian Resort better? Let us know in the comments! The post Grand Floridian vs. Yacht Club Disney World Resort Guide 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

One of our favorite things to do at Disney is attend fun after-hours events! Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party From Disney World’s Halloween and Christmas parties, to Disneyland After Dark, guests are able to experience exclusive themed nights in the parks with less crowds, shorter wait times, special snacks, and even special nighttime spectaculars. Disney just announced that two more Disneyland After Dark themes would be arriving to Disneyland this spring! Guests can now experience Throwback Nite and Star Wars Nite! We’ve seen versions of these themes take place in the past, so we know they’ll be SO much fun. Disneyland After Dark sign Throwback Nite will take place April 18th and 20th, 2023 and will feature throwback music and entertainment from the ’50s and ’60s! No party is complete without a costume, though, so you’ll want to join Mickey and the gang by donning your best retro outfits. ©Disney Star Wars Nite will happen May 2nd, 4th, 8th, and 11th, 2023. On these nights, you can don your best Star Wars costume, watch Star Wars-themed nighttime spectaculars and eat out-of-this-world snacks! ©Disney A limited number of these Disneyland After Dark tickets will go on pre-sale for Magic Key holders beginning February 21st. On February 23rd (no earlier than 9 a.m. PT), tickets will go on sale to the general public and are subject to availability. We’re so excited about the addition of these two new themes! Disneyland After Dark could be the perfect addition to your Disneyland vacation this spring. If you’re planning an upcoming trip to Disneyland, make sure to click the link below to take a look at our FULL GUIDE to all things Disneyland. Click here for our full Disneyland restaurant guide! 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 attended Disneyland After Dark? Let us know in the comments! The post MORE Themes Announced For Disneyland After Dark Events first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s finally time to enter the Mushroom Kingdom at Super Nintendo World! Super Nintendo World We’re at Universal Studios Hollywood on the opening day of this brand-new land taking in all the sights, sounds, and of course — EATS! There is SO much to see and do, and we’re bringing you along with us — so let’s hop in a warp pipe and get started! Super Nintendo World is the newest, highly immersive land at Universal Studios Hollywood, and we’ve been so excited for it to officially open to guests! The land takes guests into the world of Super Mario, where they can battle Team Bowser on the Mario Kart ride, eat at Toadstool Cafe, and grab some fun merchandise. The bands cost $40 each, and there are a variety of options available, including bands themed to Mario, Luigi, Toad, and other Nintendo characters. Power-up Bands These sort of work like Disney’s MagicBands, but the Universal version lets you keep score throughout the land as you take on challenges, collect digital coins, and more. You can buy these at the Character Shop, 1-Up Factory, and various kiosks. Our band You’ll use the bands on Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge to keep track of your score as you ride, collect digital keys by winning Key Challenges, collect coins by punching Blocks, and more. ©Universal You can keep track of everything in the Universal Hollywood app. ©Universal We’ll be exploring the whole land with our new Power-up Band, so stay tuned for more updates. Attractions Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge We’re waiting right now to ride Bowser’s Challenge, so here’s a look at the entrance and queue while we wait! Bowzer’s Challenge The queue took us through lots of different lands, which you may recognize from the game! So cool Some of the areas were dark, with glow-in-the-dark elements, while others were bright and colorful. Different scenes We’ll update this section as we continue through the queue and hop on the ride! Dining Snack Kiosk There’s a drinks, popcorn, and snacks kiosk in this land, which has a few smaller eats that you can grab during your visit. Snack Kiosk There are some snacks, like popcorn, as well as a few flavors of fruity cream soda and some collectible popcorn buckets and sippers. Menu Here are the Cast Members hard at work making the popcorn… Popping popcorn …and here’s a closer look at the Mario Kart and Super Star popcorn buckets. Popcorn buckets Let’s check out the full restaurant next. Toadstool Cafe You’ll find one dining option in Super Nintendo World — Toadstool Cafe. Guests can dine on dishes created by Chef Toad himself while watching the madness going on behind the scenes in the kitchen (by way of virtual screens). ©Universal We’ll be checking out this restaurant soon, so stay tuned for more photos and a full review! We’ll continue to update this post throughout the day as we explore Super Nintendo World, so come back for more photos and information about the land. Stay tuned to DFB for all the latest theme park news! Learn More About the Future of Universal Attractions 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. Are you heading to Super Nintendo World soon? Let us know in the comments! The post LET’S-A-GO! Come With Us To Explore Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Sometimes, the Disney merchandise of your dreams is just that — a dream. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad If you’re a fan of all things Disney tiki, or even Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, you might want to wish for your dreams to come true! We’ve seen quite a few inventive Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar mug designs recently: a whale that very closely mimics Monstro from Pinocchio, and a Haunted Mansion gargoyle that seemed to be everything we’re all scrambling to get our hands on. But, this latest design from Tiki Tony has us screaming (cue loud screaming goat sound!). Trader Sam’s Bar Tiki Tony is known for his tiki mug designs, and we think this one is pretty iconic. In an Instagram post, Tiki Tony shared that the inspiration for his latest design came from a conversation about G.O.A.T. meaning “Greatest of All Time” and the literal animal at the same time. And that’s how the Kao Pow GOAT Tiki Mug was born! Eagle eyed fans of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will appreciate this design as it’s pulled directly from the ride. The unsuspecting goat is definitely a staple to spot while riding the coaster and is pictured chewing on a stick of TNT. Tony also added in the caption that “Kao is goat in Hawaiian, @taboorelics came up with Kao Pow!” Big Thunder Goat Although it’s an incredible design, we don’t expect it to last in stock long! If you’re looking to grab your own Kao POW goat, you can now preorder this fun design through Tikiland Trading for $75! For the latest in Disney news, stay tuned to DFB! Check out the ULTIMATE guide to Disney Mugs! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Would you buy the Big Thunder goat as a tiki mug? Let us know in the comments! The post Is This Disney Tiki Mug the Greatest Of All Time? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney Parks has the top ways for you to celebrate the release of AntMan And The Wasp: Quantumania including new a new character coming to Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure Park!View the full article