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Don’t go to Disney World until you’ve seen what’s going to be CLOSED at the theme parks and hotels. Kali River Rapids Rides, attractions, restaurants, and other things have to close occasionally as Disney updates and refurbishes them. So that you’re prepared before your upcoming trip, check out everything that’s going to be closed in Disney World next week here! Before we get to the closures…do you already have your bags packed for your trip? If you’re going to visit Disney World soon, you’ll need the perfect outfit to wear into the parks! We’ve got a lot of great tees and sweatshirts at our online DFB store — Click here to check out our whole merch line. Check out our new Tiana-inspired merch! Now that you’re ready with the perfect Disney ‘fits, check out our full list of what’s going to be CLOSED in Disney World next week. Magic Kingdom Splash Mountain Splash Mountain closed on January 23rd for a long refurbishment. The ride is being re-themed to become Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, with a Princess and the Frog theme! New signs The new ride will reopen sometime in late 2024. Click here to learn all about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Tomorrowland Light & Power Co. The Tomorrowland Light & Power gift shop is still closed for refurbishments, and Disney hasn’t announced when it’ll reopen. For now, it’s scheduled to be closed for all of next week. Light & Power Co. In the meantime, guests who visit Space Mountain are being directed to exit the ride a different way. Enchanted Tales with Belle Enchanted Tales with Belle is where guests could previously help Belle tell the story of Beauty and the Beast. Enchanted Tales with Belle Disney announced recently that this attraction will reopen on February 19th, 2023! Check out a cheesy new lunch that’s close to Magic Kingdom. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kali River Rapids Kali River Rapids is still closed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Kali River Rapids This water ride closed on January 9th. It’s currently showing operating times on Disney’s website starting on March 17th, so the attraction may reopen on that day — we’ll continue to watch for more updates. See 5 places to escape in Disney’s Animal Kingdom when your anxiety is through the roof. Disney’s Hollywood Studios Voyage of the Little Mermaid This Little Mermaid-themed stage show has been closed in Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a long time now. Voyage of the Little Mermaid Disney hasn’t announced when or if the Voyage of the Little Mermaid will reopen. Find out when Rock ‘n Roller Coaster will CLOSE in Disney World. EPCOT Cool Wash Cool Wash temporarily had a new sign that re-named the spot “Refreshment Kiosk,” but that sign has been removed. The snack kiosk is still closed and blocked off by several plants. Cool Wash Disney hasn’t announced when Cool Wash will reopen, but we’ll watch for any changes. Something went MISSING in EPCOT. Disney World Hotels Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Narcoossee’s is an upscale seafood restaurant at the Grand Floridian, and it’s been closed for several months now. Narcoossee’s This restaurant will reopen sometime in 2023 with an “enhanced dining experience.” We’ll be watching for Disney to announce a more specific reopening date. Learn how to disable “Hey, Disney” devices in your Disney hotel room. Disney World Water Parks Typhoon Lagoon Typhoon Lagoon is closed in Disney World, and Disney hasn’t announced when it’ll reopen. Typhoon Lagoon Entrance Disney World’s other water park, Blizzard Beach, is open most days, although it closes sometimes if the weather is cool. Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for updates! Check out our full guide to Typhoon Lagoon here. Looking for more resources to help you get ready for your upcoming trip? Check out these posts to learn all about Disney World’s rides: 10 Rides to AVOID in Disney World if You Struggle with Motion Sickness What It Takes to CHANGE a Disney World Ride 9 of the SCARIEST Rides in Disney World, According to YOU! A FULL LIST of the Thrill Rides in Disney World! The Ultimate Guide to the BEST and WORST Seats On EVERY Magic Kingdom Ride We’ll keep you updated with all the latest news, so stay tuned to DFB. See 5 totally unforgivable Disney World changes. Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation A Month-by-Month Guide to Planning Your Disney World Trip Tips, Hints, Lists, and Videos for Planning the BEST Disney World Trip How Many Days Do You Really Need in Disney World? How to Have the CHEAPEST Trip to Disney World 5 Simple Planning Tips You Need to Know About Before Your Next Disney World Trip The CHEAPEST Days to Visit Disney World in 2023 EVERYTHING You Need to Know Before Booking a 2023 Disney World Trip Learn About the Disney Park Pass System The Ultimate Disney World Packing List Everything You Need to Know About Genie+ Insider SECRETS for Your First Trip to Disney World A Complete Look at the Current Disney Discounts and Deals The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click Here to Subscribe Are you visiting Disney World this week? Let us know in the comments! The post 8 Things You CAN'T Do in Disney World Next Week first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s February, and you know what that means… . Good’s Food To Go It means it’s time to eat ALL the Valentine’s Day snacks in Disney World! So far we’ve tried an Almond Cheesecake Heart, Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookies, a Valentine’s Day Donut, and more! Now we’re trying what might be the PRETTIEST Valentine’s Day treat so far, a Love Letter Cupcake. Here’s the description for the cupcake: it’s supposed to be a chocolate cupcake with strawberry pastry cream, chocolate mousse, and buttercream. Okay, well, the first thing we noticed is how photogenic it is. Look at those pretty buttercream roses and that cute letter on top. Love Letter Cupcake One thing you might notice is that there is a LOT of buttercream on there, so if that’s not your thing, keep that in mind. This is not the first time we’ve seen the Love Letter Cupcake — there was a version of it at Port Orleans French Quarter Resort back in 2020 without the roses. A new version of the cupcake popped up at the Polynesian in 2022 and although it looks similar to this year’s version, it had a chocolate cupcake with chocolate hazelnut mousse. YUM. Love the little heart detail on the envelope! However, if you want to try this year’s cupcake for yourself, it’s available for a limited time for $6.49. Find it at Good’s Food To Go at Disney’s Old Key West Resort or at The Artist’s Palette at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort. Meanwhile, we’ll keep trying ALL the Valentine’s Day treats in Disney World, so stay tuned for more reviews! WE KNOW – there are SO many great snacks at Disney World! How do you choose (we don’t want to choose but will blow our budget on Day 1 otherwise)? We’ve got you covered! We have reviewed nearly EVERY snack available at Disney World, and we’ve written a series of DFB Guides about them! DFB Guide and Snacks Bundle Check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining + Snacks Bundle for all the details you need to plan your snackin’ and spending. You can even download them to your smartphone – it’ll be like we’re right there with you in the parks! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! 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 how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think of this cupcake? Would you try it? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: Don't Let This Disney World Cupcake Deceive You first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Valentine’s Day treats are starting to pop up around Disney World! Grand Floridian You can grab lots of different treats all over the park, including the resorts. We headed over to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort to try a new almond cheesecake treat! Over at Gasparilla Island Grill, you can grab the Almond Cheesecake Heart for $6.49. This is a heart-shaped almond cheesecake with chocolate sponge cake enrobed in dark chocolate. We really enjoyed this treat! The textures were great — the chocolate shell had a great crunch and had sprinkles that worked really well with the creamy cheesecake and soft chocolate crumb cake. Yum! The cheesecake was a tad tangy in the best way and was super smooth and creamy. The chocolate shell added a nice touch of sweetness as well. It was a rich, slightly bitter dark chocolate that paired well with the sweet cheesecake & crumb cake so that it wasn’t TOO sweet. Cut open While we really enjoyed this treat, it definitely isn’t for everyone. The almond extract flavoring is really strong in the cheesecake, and if you’re not a fan of dark chocolate, this may not be for you either. A closer look But if you’re a fan of almonds and dark chocolate, be sure to pick up this treat before it’s gone after Valentine’s Day! We’re also trying all the Celebrate Soulfully treats in the parks as well, so stay tuned to DFB for all our latest snack reviews. Check out the newest SPICY treats at Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs! Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide Check Out the 19 Best Restaurants in Disney World in 2022 Our Top 50 All-Time Best Disney Dining Tips These Are the BEST Meals in Disney World for Under $15 Ranking Every Single Magic Kingdom Restaurant Ranking Every Single EPCOT Restaurant Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney Springs Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney World Hotels – Cheap Eats Edition Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Would you grab this treat? Tell us below! The post REVIEW: Disney World's NEW Treat Is for a Specific Group of People first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Bob Iger returned as Disney’s CEO last November, and he’s made some major changes in the short time that he’s been back. But could a proxy battle with an investor group mean even MORE changes on the horizon? Bob Iger ©New York Post Nelson Peltz is an activist investor who has taken a keen interest in The Walt Disney Company. Peltz has some strong opinions about the direction of the company, and he is demanding a seat on the company’s board so that he can get to work making those changes. But how likely is Peltz to succeed, and what could change if he does? We’re diving into all the details here. Before we get to all the details, here’s a quick look at what’s happening with Nelson Peltz, the Trian Group, and The Walt Disney Company’s Board of Directors. What’s Going On? Disney is currently engaged in a proxy battle against Nelson Peltz and the Trian Partners. If that statement means nothing to you, don’t worry — we can break down exactly what it means. ©New York Times Nelson Peltz of Trian Partners Nelson Peltz is the CEO of the Trian Partners, which is an activist investor group. That means that the Train Partners invest heavily in certain companies and then become actively engaged with how those companies are functioning and growing. Currently, Trian Partners own about 9.4 million shares of Disney, which is valued at about $900 million (CNBC). The Trian Partners want their CEO, Nelson Peltz, to have a seat on Disney’s Board of Directors so that Peltz can have a vote when it comes to major decisions for the company. Peltz and the Trian Partners have some strong opinions on certain changes that Disney should make, and having a seat on the Board would make it more likely that those changes will happen. ©Trian Partners The problem is that Disney has not offered Peltz a seat on the Board. Now, Peltz is petitioning Disney’s shareholders to vote him onto the Board. Peltz has released a presentation detailing why he should be voted onto the Board, and Disney has responded by saying that shareholders should NOT vote for Peltz but should instead support the candidates that the current Board has suggested. The decision will be made at Disney’s next shareholder meeting, which usually takes place in March (although an exact date has not yet been announced). If the shareholders vote Peltz in, he’ll be given a seat on the Board. If they don’t, Peltz will not be allowed to sit on the Board. It’s all up to the shareholders, so that’s who Peltz and Disney are both trying to win over right now. Get more details about the proxy battle here. Who Is Nelson Peltz? So who exactly IS Nelson Peltz? We touched on this briefly when we said that he is the CEO of Trian Partners, but you need to know a bit more about the man behind this proxy battle. ©Reuters Peltz doesn’t work for Disney (that’s what he’s working toward now). He has actually held quite a few positions in the past, many of which were on boards at various companies. Peltz is currently a director of Unilever PLC and Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. He’s served as a director of Janus Henderson Group plc; Invesco Ltd.; The Procter & Gamble Company; Sysco Corporation; Legg Mason, Inc.; Mondelēz International, Inc.; MSG Networks Inc.; Ingersoll-Rand plc; and H. J. Heinz Company. So Peltz has been on a LOT of Boards of Directors in the past. He’s also been the CEO of Triarc Companies, which owned Arby’s and Snapple at the time. Peltz says he has extensive business and investor experience, particularly when it comes to consumer products. ©CNBC Whether or not that particular expertise is right for Disney is currently up for debate. In an interview with Peltz, CNBC challenged him and asked what Peltz really brings to the Board if he doesn’t have any media experience. Peltz responded by saying, “Have they shown that they have a lot of media experience? Look at the numbers!” He also pointed out that Disney is “a lot more than a media company” and has a large investment in consumer products as well as media entertainment. Learn more about Nelson Peltz and the Trian Group here. Peltz’s Goals for Disney As an activist investor group, Trian’s goal is to convince companies to adopt changes that will increase the value of that company’s shares. (As the group owns 9.4 million shares of Disney, they could profit a lot if those shares increase in value.) The group invests in public companies and then advocates for changes. Nelson Peltz is now focusing on Disney and the changes that he believes will make Disney shares more valuable. Peltz wants a seat on Disney’s Board of Directors so that he can be more involved in the decisions made at the company. Here’s a quick breakdown of what Peltz wants to fix at Disney: ©Trian Partners Peltz says the main problems that Disney is facing right now are CEO succession, poor financial strategy (especially when it comes to streaming), and not enough accountability with capital allocation. Peltz emphasized in a presentation that he feels Disney is over-earning at the theme parks in order to make up for losses in streaming, and he feels this is an irresponsible strategy. There’s a chart listing more of Peltz’s objectives on the company’s site about Disney: ©Trian Partners Note that Peltz does NOT want to oust Bob Iger as Disney’s CEO. Although he was apparently against Iger’s return, he has recently stated multiple times that it is not his goal to get Iger out. Peltz takes particular issue with the company’s acquisition of Fox back in 2019. He claims that Disney “materially overpaid” for the Fox assets, which upset the company’s balance books. Many of the current Board members were on the Board when Disney bought Fox, which likely contributes to Peltz’s belief that change is required at the company. ©21st Century Fox Peltz’s presentation states that “there are still several current directors and members of management who oversaw and approved some of Disney’s worst corporate governance and strategic failures, including overpaying for the Fox acquisition, the expanding streaming losses, and ‘over-the-top’ compensation packages granted to Bob Iger.” In short, Peltz sees problems with how Disney is being run, and he believes those issues are affecting the company’s value. He wants to be on the Board in order to correct the problems, particularly those related to CEO succession and streaming. Nelson Peltz’s History with Corporate Takeovers So how likely is it that Peltz will win this proxy battle? If you look at his history with these situations, the odds are almost 50-50. In 2006 he challenged the board at The H. J. Heinz Company and won two seats, according to CNN. He served on that board for about seven years, from 2006 until 2013. ©Kraft Heinz In 2015, Peltz challenged the board at DuPont, this time battling for four board seats. Peltz lost the proxy battle and was not appointed to the board (Reuters). However, Peltz continued to work with DuPont after the loss. According to Trian’s website, “Nelson and Trian worked successfully with DuPont’s CEO Ed Breen who was appointed as CEO following the proxy contest with Trian.” Most recently, Peltz and the Trian Partners went up against Procter & Gamble, and although the messy proxy battle yielded mixed results (with both sides claiming victory at different points), Peltz was ultimately granted a seat on the board. The Wall Street Journal reported that this was the “biggest and most expensive proxy battle ever fought” and that it “essentially finished with a tie.” ©P&G The final results showed that Peltz actually lost the vote (by almost 500,000 of the nearly 2 billion votes cast), but because a significant portion of shareholders supported Peltz getting a seat on the board, P&G decided to appoint him one anyway. He served on that board from March 2018 to October 2021. In total, Peltz has served on 11 boards, most of which he did not have to fight to claim a seat. Trian’s website states the following about these contests: “In all three proxy contests, we heard similar rhetoric to that which Disney and its advisors are using today to oppose Nelson’s election to the Disney Board. However, each company’s board and management changed their assessments of Trian and Nelson after the proxy contests, when we began to work with them to enhance shareholder value.” Disney’s Current Board of Directors We know that Peltz and the Trian Partners have some experience when it comes to proxy contests, which puts them at a bit of an advantage compared to Disney. The New York Times states that “Disney has not faced a sustained shareholder battle since 2004, when Roy E. Disney, a nephew of Walt Disney, led a successful drive to oust Michael D. Eisner as Disney’s chief executive.” It’s possible that Disney’s proxy armor is a little rusty. Michael Eisner (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Nickelodeon) Currently, there are 12 people on Disney’s Board of Directors. Susan E. Arnold — the Chairman of the Board — will be leaving soon due to a 15-year limit for board membership. Mark G. Parker (current CEO of Nike) will take her place as Chairman when she leaves. ©Disney Parker has stated that his top priority is the issue of succession for Disney’s CEO. He said, “It is the top priority of mine and the Board’s to identify and prepare a successful CEO successor, and that process has already begun.” Parker will chair “a newly created Succession Planning Committee of the Board, which will advise the Board on CEO succession planning, including review of internal and external candidates.” Photo from Chief Executive The Disney Board has its own priorities right now, and they are not supportive of Peltz joining the Board. They have urged shareholders to vote for the Board’s current nominees instead. Disney has also defended its recent financial decisions, stating that the company “has had a long-term track record of financial and creative success” and has “built on the ability to leverage its rich intellectual property and unparalleled storytelling across its many businesses, from theatrical, streaming, and linear broadcast to parks and resorts.” ©Disney In a recent SEC filing, Disney made the following statements: “The current Disney Board is the right Board for shareholders.” “Nelson Peltz does not understand Disney’s businesses and lacks the skills and experience to assist the Board in delivering shareholder value in a rapidly shifting media ecosystem.” “Peltz has no track record in large cap media or tech, no solutions to offer for the evolving media landscape and if MSG Sports is his training ground, it has not been a good one.” Note that Disney has worked with Peltz before, but not in an official capacity. Peltz met with Bob Chapek when Chapek was still Disney’s CEO, and he met with Bob Iger once Iger returned to the position. He was on several calls with the CEOs and other executives at Disney, petitioning for a seat on the board and offering advice about what was happening at the company. A timeline released by Disney also shows he has spoken with the former chair of the Disney Board — Susan Arnold — recently. ©Disney In January 2023, Disney informed Peltz of their decision not to place him on the Board, and they expressed their desire to “find a path for constructive engagement that would avert a proxy contest.” They also offered Peltz the ability to get some non-public information about Disney and meet with “management and the Board quarterly to discuss strategy and other issues so that they could establish some mutual understanding about the Company’s business and strategy.” Learn more about Mark Parker here. What a Victory for Peltz Would Mean So what would really happen at Disney if Peltz were to win this proxy battle? Peltz has identified several changes that he would like to see, and some of those could affect the parks. Peltz noted in his presentation that “nickel and diming” guests at the Disney theme parks is ultimately bad for Disney, as it could “put the brand value” at risk. He is likely referring to recent price increases, such as the introduction of Genie+, ticket price increases, and increased use of surge pricing. Magic Kingdom entrance Peltz also states in his presentation that employees are “a crucial component” of positive guest experiences at Disney Parks. He addressed Cast Member wages, which is a hot topic at Disney right now. Unions are pushing for Disney to raise minimum wage to $18 per hour, and Disney has stated that it presented a “meaningful offer” that provided a path to $20 per hour wages for many full-time Cast Members. However, unions argued that their members need the pay raises sooner than Disney is currently proposing. Disney Cast Members Other changes that Peltz would like to make include those listed above in the section about Peltz’s goals for Disney. In Peltz’s presentation, he emphasizes the importance of finding a good successor for Bob Iger, who is only on a 2-year contract wit Disney right now. Iger has previously struggled with finding a replacement for CEO, so this issue would be one of the main priorities that Peltz is concerned about. The Trian group has stated that “Executive Compensation Must be Aligned with Performance,” indicating that they would adjust executive employees’ salaries to be more contingent on their performance at the company. ©Disney Another complaint Peltz has leveled against Disney is the company’s streaming strategy, although there aren’t many solutions proposed in his presentation. Want to learn more about Nelson Peltz and his proxy battle with Disney? Check out these posts: Activist Group Believes Disney Has “Lost Its Way” and Pushes for Board Changes Who Is Nelson Peltz and Why Do People Care What He Says About Disney? The Big Disney Parks Changes that Activist Investors Are Pushing Disney Pushes Back Against Activist Investor and Defends CEO Bob Iger We’ll continue to follow this story, so stay tuned to DFB for more updates! Click here to learn about 3 nasty surprises waiting for Disney CEO Bob Iger in 2023. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What do you think of Peltz’s proxy battle against Disney? Let us know in the comments. The post Can Activist Investors Derail Bob Iger’s Board at Disney? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

What happens when two things that seemingly don’t go together are combined into one? BB Wolf’s Sausage Co. Disney’s newest snack, apparently! We’re on the hunt for NEW Disney World eats all the time here at DFB, and just when we thought we’d seen it all, Disney comes up with something that we just HAVE to try. So, come with us to try the latest take on a hot dog we spotted in Disney Springs! A NEW hot dog has landed at B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. in Disney Springs as part of the Celebrate Soulfully event! This event takes place throughout February to honor and celebrate Black History Month. And in typical Disney fashion, we’re mostly celebrating with FOOD! B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. We tried the NEW Chicken Jambalaya Hot Dog for $11.99. This is a chicken jambalaya dog with smoked sausage, roasted corn, lemon caper aïoli, and served on a Tuscan roll. Chicken Jambalaya Hot Dog We were actually surprised how well the roll held everything together, because this thing is HUGE. You will need some napkins, though, AND A FORK, because it’s hard to hold while you’re eating it. This could even be shareable, and at $11.99, that makes it a great value. We also loved how the lemon caper aioli really went with all those flavors. Jambalaya on a hot dog! Make your way over to Disney Springs if you want to get your hands on this new hot dog while you can! It will be available throughout the month of February. Be sure to stay tuned to DFB as we bring you more reviews of Celebrate Soulfully treats! See ALL the New Treats Coming to Disney Parks Here Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide Check Out the 19 Best Restaurants in Disney World in 2022 Our Top 50 All-Time Best Disney Dining Tips These Are the BEST Meals in Disney World for Under $15 Ranking Every Single Magic Kingdom Restaurant Ranking Every Single EPCOT Restaurant Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney Springs Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney World Hotels – Cheap Eats Edition Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Will you be trying this new hot dog? Let us know in the comments! The post A Jambalaya Hot Dog? Okay, Disney World, You've Got Our Attention... first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We are only a couple months away from the opening of Disney World’s NEW ride, TRON Lightcycle / Run. ©Disney We already know SO much about this ride, like how it guests will need to ride it via virtual queue or through the Individual Lightning Lane option. We know that it has adaptive seating for guests who can’t comfortably ride on the lightcycles. Guests will also be required to use lockers to store their belongings. A new video, though, has shown us some NEW details. Disney released a new video of a ridethrough (albeit a shortened one) of TRON Lightcycle / Run. Here are some details we noticed about the ride. It gets DARK So while watching the video, the FIRST thing we noticed was that parts of the ride are DARK. Not like Space Mountain dark, but almost complete darkness. This might be something to note if that bothers you (or you have kids that might be affected by it). ©Disney It’s so dark that in the ridethrough video, there are times where ALL you can see are the lights on the wheels of the lightcycles. The darkness is occasionally pierced by some of the graphics above the ride, though. But the screenshot above shows just how dark it gets. Here’s The HIDDEN Place to See a TRON Vehicle Up-Close in Disney World A better look at the lighting on the canopy We previously saw how the lighting on the canopy works, but seeing it from a rider point of view makes it all that much cooler. Watch how glowing hexagons form on the Upload Conduit (the canopy) when the lightcycles drive by. ©Disney We’ve seen it from a perspective further away, but it’s much more immersive seeing it from the riding point of view. This TRON Lightcycle / Run Cast Member Showing Off His Costume Is VIBES The soundtrack Okay, so maybe the biggest reveal of the video is that we’re FINALLY getting to hear some of the ride’s onboard soundtrack, and it’s INTENSE, definitely the kind of music you’ll want to hear while you’re racing in the grid. It sounds like it’s using the same soundtrack as the version of the ride in Shanghai, which is from the TRON: Legacy soundtrack composed by Daft Punk. We’ve previously heard some music coming from that area of Tomorrowland, but this is the first time we’ve heard the ride’s actual music. Don’t Forget This CRUCIAL Detail About the TRON Coaster in Disney World We’ll have to say that just seeing this bit of video has made us even more excited to ride TRON Lightcycle / Run when it opens on April 4th. We’ll be covering ALL THINGS about this ride, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more! Why You Should AVOID Disney World In April 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! 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 how to get FREE dining); 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? Does this make you even more excited to ride TRON Lightcycle / Run in Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post 3 Surprising Things We Noticed on the TRON Coaster in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Okay, who’s ready to ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure? Tiana’s Foods Well, we know we’ll all have to wait until 2024 while the Splash Mountain ride gets re-themed to the NEW ride based on The Princess and The Frog. We’ve already seen the first signs of construction, and although Disney has revealed part of the new ride’s storyline, we just recently got a few NEW details. There are a few things we already knew about the storyline, including that several of the original voice actors from The Princess and The Frog will be reprising their roles for the ride, including Jenifer Lewis as Mama Odie, Bruno Campos as Naveen, Michael-Leon Woodley as Louis, and Anika Noni Rose as Tiana. ©Disney We’ve also seen that the ride will have some new musical critters and they’re a BAND. You’ll see these animals when you first drop into the bayou and “encounter some friends both new and familiar.” We also learned that fireflies will light up the scenes “and invite you deeper into the bayou…almost like they’re waving you forward.” (Insert some tears here, while we think of Ray… .) Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Concept Art ©Disney Of course, there’s also the story leading up to the ride through the bayou. It picks up after the events of The Princess and the Frog with Tiana continuing to grow her business, Tiana’s Foods. As a result, she’s bought and transformed an old salt mine with the help of her mother, Naveen, Louis, and fellow owners of the cooperative. The land around the salt mine has also been renewed and now grows veggies, herbs, and spices for her famous recipes. ©Disney But that’s not all because Disney just revealed that Tiana’s Foods is also releasing a new line of original hot sauces. (Okay, Disney, we want to be able to buy these hot sauces FOR REAL!) ©Disney As Disney previously announced, Tiana is throwing a HUGE Mardi Gras party as a thank you to everyone who helped her along the way, but — as things often go — something goes wrong. Something is missing. So Tiana invites guests over to Tiana’s Foods to help. But you’ll be going into the bayou to help Tiana out, and that’s where the adventure REALLY begins. THE BIG DROP — Attraction Model Disney writes: “Picking up where that story left off, Tiana continues bringing people together with Tiana’s Foods, another treasured meeting place to spend time together and celebrate a diverse community. Tiana is also working with cooperative members to teach gardening and cooking to children of all ages, and inspiring other women to run successful businesses as the brand grows nationwide.” So that’s the backstory that leads to the ride that will be Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. We’ll keep an eye out for more on the new ride, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more! 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! 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 how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think of the story of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure so far? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney Unveils MORE Story Details About Tiana's Bayou Adventure first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

April will not be your average month for Walt Disney World. April is a busy month for Disney World! The parks are scheduled to see several premieres, including a new attraction and the return of a popular nighttime spectacular. These changes, plus other factors, mean April is sure to be a busy month! If you can’t handle tons of crowds, you may want to stay away. Whenever there’s a big change in the parks we often see massive crowds, like the day before Splash Mountain closed, when tons of guests flooded Magic Kingdom to take their last plunge on the ride. Splash Mountain’s last day brought many to Magic Kingdom Magic Kingdom will most likely see an influx of visitors when its newest attraction opens! On April 4th the highly anticipated TRON Lightcycle / Run will open. Even with Disney’s special previews for Cast Members, DVC Members, and Passholders, we’ve already seen some park passes sell out for the opening day. Expect Magic Kingdom to be packed around this time! TRON sign is up! April will also bring changes to the evening shows we will see in the parks. With the 50th Anniversary wrapping up on March 31st, EPCOT’s Harmonious will close on April 2nd, 2023 and will be replaced with EPCOT Forever, which will have a limited run starting April 3rd, 2023. In addition, in Magic Kingdom Disney Enchantment will close on April 2nd, 2023 and popular show Happily Ever After will return on April 3rd with brand-new projections! Guests are sure to head to the parks to catch these displays. Happily Ever After Speaking of the 50th Anniversary celebrations, their finale might actually bring MORE guests to Disney World. The 50th celebrations began in the parks way back in October of 2021, and now that they will be finally ending in March, this means more changes that guests could be eager to check out. Another March event that could impact April crowds is the debut of Roundup Rodeo BBQ. This new restaurant in Hollywood Studios is opening March 23rd, and with its delayed premiere there will probably be a fair amount of diners heading to the eatery. Disney also stated that reservations would be available, so they are already anticipating larger crowds. A preview of the Roundup Rodeo BBQ menu ©Disney And that isn’t all! Other changes to the parks that might entice more guests to take a trip to Disney World this spring include new Genie+ perks, the return of more character experiences like Ariel’s Grotto and Enchanted Tales With Belle, and even the potential for unique 100th Anniversary celebrations. If you prefer your trips to be during the off-season when the parks are less congested, you may want to skip the month of April. However, if you do find yourself taking a trip to Disney World during that time, just make sure you’re prepared! Our site has tons of tips and tricks to help you navigate the parks even when they’re at their busiest. Click here for more tips and information about visiting Disney World in April! Be sure to stay tuned for the latest updates on Disney World! The 5 Most Important Genie+ Tips to Know Before You Go to Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! 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 how to get FREE dining); 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 2023 debut in Disney World are you most excited for? Comment below! The post Why You Should AVOID Disney World In April first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Who doesn’t love saving money on Disney merchandise? Disney x Vans We’re no strangers to Disney sales that appear and disappear just as quickly, and we also know there’s SO much merchandise to check out at any given time. We do our best to keep up with all the new merchandise, but also keep an eye out for sales so you can save some cash. If you’re in Magic Kingdom soon, don’t forget to check out this sale that’s hidden away! For a limited time, you can get 40% off the Disney Vans merchandise in the park! Limited Time Sale! This collection celebrates Disney World’s 50th Anniversary, and since the celebration is ending in March, the items have been put on sale. Does this mean we’ll see other 50th Anniversary merchandise go on sale soon, too? We’ll have to wait and see. 50th Anniversary Banner Looking for more 50th Anniversary merch before it’s all gone? Be sure to check out the collections online before they sell out and don’t miss the finale collection in the parks. As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest news! Check out all the most recent 50th Anniversary merchandise that landed online! Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Details and Info See Photos & Reviews of All of Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Eats and Treats Check Out All of the 50th Anniversary Merchandise You Can Get Online Get a Look at Some of the 50th Anniversary Merchandise You Can Get in the Parks Click Here to See the 50 Best Ways to Celebrate Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Check Out Our 50 Pieces of Advice for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Click Here to See the Best Ways to Celebrate Disney World’s 50th Anniversary from Home See the New 50th Anniversary Nighttime Looks for All 4 of Disney World’s Park Icons Check Out Our 50th Anniversary Cupcake Crawl Click Here to See Our Rankings of the 50th Anniversary Treats in Magic Kingdom See Our Rankings of the 50th Anniversary Treats in EPCOT Check Out Our Rankings of the 50th Anniversary Treats in Hollywood Studios See Our Rankings of the 50th Anniversary Treats in Animal Kingdom Click HERE for Your Guide to Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Will you be grabbing any items from this collection? Tell us in the comments! The post HURRY! There's a HUGE Sale on the 50th Anniversary Vans Collection in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

When is the BEST time to go to Disney World?! Magic Kingdom Well, the answer all depends on YOU. Do you want to avoid crowds at all costs? Don’t visit during spring break. Do you want to be a part of the action when a brand new ride like TRON Lightcycle / Run opens? Prepare to visit when the parks are busy. If you are someone who is seeking lower wait times on a Disney World trip, right now might be the best time to visit Disney World! We’ve officially entered Disney World’s slow season following the wild holiday season, and the wait times are proof! The wait times have significantly dropped in the past few weeks and many rides have hit manageable average wait times. That being said, there are still the few popular rides that you may want to buy Individual Lightning Lanes for. Crowds in February Genie+ is Disney’s paid skip-the-line system that allows you to book a time to use the Lightning Lane for a faster wait time. At one popular attraction in each park, you can purchase an Individual Lightning Lane to bypass the line at that specific ride. The price varies depending on the day, but these are the rides where this option is available: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT Rise of the Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Flight of Passage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom You need the My Disney Experience app to use Genie+ Take a look at what the wait times were like in Disney World this week! Magic Kingdom Starting at Magic Kingdom, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had the longest average wait time with 73 minutes. Last week the average wait time was also 73 minutes, so not much has changed! Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Next, Peter Pan’s Flight averaged 64 minutes, Jungle Cruise averaged 47 minutes, and Space Mountain averaged 42 minutes. After that, average wait times had Haunted Mansion at 38 minutes, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at 34 minutes, Astro Orbiter at 30 minutes, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and Pirates of the Caribbean at 29 minutes, and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at 28 minutes. Haunted Mansion After that, “it’s a small world” averaged 21 minutes, Magic Carpets of Aladdin averaged 20 minutes, Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid and The Barnstormer featuring the Great Goofini averaged 18 minutes, Dumbo the Flying Elephant averaged 17 minutes, Tomorrowland Speedway averaged 15 minutes, and Mickey’s PhilharMagic averaged 14 minutes. Magic Carpets of Aladdin Next, Prince Charming Regal Carrousel averaged 11 minutes and Mad Tea Party averaged 10 minutes. The Enchanted Tiki Room, the Carousel of Progress, the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, and the Liberty Square Riverboat all averaged 5 minutes. Mad Tea Party The Hall of Presidents, Country Bear Jamboree, and Tom Sawyer Island averaged no wait. We Bet You Didn’t Know This Magic Kingdom HACK EPCOT Over in EPCOT, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure still has the longest average wait time with 69 minutes, which is a decrease compared to last week’s average of 71 minutes. Frozen Ever After had an average wait time of 65 minutes, which means the average wait time went down 1 minute on average since last week. Frozen Ever After Next up is Test Track at 51 minutes, Soarin’ at 32 minutes, Mission: SPACE and Turtle Talk with Crush at 15 minutes, and Spaceship Earth at 12 minutes. EPCOT Then, there was Journey into Imagination and Living with the Land at 11 minutes, and The Seas with Nemo and Friends and Gran Fiesta Tour at 9 minutes. Gran Fiesta Tour Awesome Planet, Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival, Impressions de France, and Reflections of China had no wait times this week. Get Ready To DROOL Over EPCOT’s New Loaded Fries Hollywood Studios Over in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Tower of Terror continues to win the title of highest average wait time with 93 minutes. Rise of the Resistance was the next highest with a 85 minute average wait time, followed by Slinky Dog Dash with an average wait time of 76 minutes. Slinky Dog Dash Next, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway averaged 57 minutes, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster featuring Aerosmith averaged 54 minutes, Toy Story Mania averaged 52 minutes, and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run averaged 45 minutes. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster After that, Alien Swirling Saucers averaged 31 minutes, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue averaged 20 minutes, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy and Walt Disney Presents averaged 12 minutes, and Muppet*Vision 3D averaged 10 minutes. What’s New at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: A PINK Ride-Themed Dress Animal Kingdom And last but not least, let’s visit Animal Kingdom, where Avatar Flight of Passage had the longest average wait time of 96 minutes. This means the time actually went up from the 90 minute average last week. Pandora After that, the wait times calm down a bit with Na’vi River Journey at 63 minutes, Kilimanjaro Safaris at 41 minutes, Expedition Everest at 24 minutes, and DINOSAUR at 18 minutes. Kilimanjaro Safaris It’s Tough to Be a Bug averaged 10 minutes and Triceratop Spin averaged 9 minutes. Both The Boneyard and Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail averaged no wait time. Kali River Rapids closed for refurbishment on January 9th. The Complete Guide to Eating at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Besides the most popular rides in each park, the wait times are relatively low. This means it’s a good time of year to visit Disney World if you want to avoid major crowds around times like spring break and summer. Genie+ might still be a must if you want to maximize your time in the parks, but it all depends on your priorities for the trip. Cinderella Castle Stay tuned to DFB for more updates at Disney World! ALL the On-Ride Photos You Can Get for FREE with Genie+ in Disney World Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation A Month-by-Month Guide to Planning Your Disney World Trip Tips, Hints, Lists, and Videos for Planning the BEST Disney World Trip How Many Days Do You Really Need in Disney World? How to Have the CHEAPEST Trip to Disney World 5 Simple Planning Tips You Need to Know About Before Your Next Disney World Trip The CHEAPEST Days to Visit Disney World in 2023 EVERYTHING You Need to Know Before Booking a 2023 Disney World Trip Learn About the Disney Park Pass System The Ultimate Disney World Packing List Everything You Need to Know About Genie+ Insider SECRETS for Your First Trip to Disney World A Complete Look at the Current Disney Discounts and Deals The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click Here to Subscribe Have you visited Disney World during the slow season? Let us know in the comments! The post Why NOW Is the Best Time to Go to Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Things are constantly changing in Disneyland — it’s all part of Walt Disney’s original dream for the parks. Hulk in Avengers Campus New rides open, new lands arrive, and park policies change. When Disneyland re-introduced park hopping after its extended closure, guests could not park hop until after 1PM. Well, we’ve got some big news — you can now park hop EARLIER in Disneyland. Disneyland now allows guests to park hop between Disneyland and California Adventure at 11AM. However, note that guests must have either a Magic Key Pass or Park Hopper ticket to cross between the two parks. Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland Part of the appeal of park hopping in Disneyland is just how easy it is — the two parks are right across from each other! That certainly makes it easier than park hopping in Disney World, where you need to hop onto some form of transportation to park hop because the parks are so far apart. You will also need a park pass reservation for the first park you visit that day. Cars Land So if you’re heading to Disneyland, be sure to remember that you DON’T have to wait as long to park hop! We’ll also keep you updated about any other changes that happen in Disneyland AND Disney World, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more. How to Win a FREE Trip to Disneyland! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! 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 how to get FREE dining); 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 park hop in Disneyland? Let us know in the comments! The post Major CHANGE Will Make Your Disneyland Trip Easier first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Did you know you can get a FREE thing in Disneyland as of today? Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT! This is something you’ll want to know about if you plan on riding attractions with a ride photo, like Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout, Incredicoaster, Splash Mountain, and more! You can now download that ride photo FOR FREE. That’s right. All Disneyland guests with a valid park ticket will be able to download ALL their PhotoPass ride photos FOR FREE. So if you plan on riding those attractions, be sure to download those ride photos for free mementos of your time at the parks! Splash Mountain at Disneyland This update is a special “thanks” from Disney, who wanted to enhance guests’ visits in the parks throughout the Disney100 Celebration, which is now officially underway. Note that you will get unlimited downloads of ALL your Disneyland PhotoPass photos if you purchase Genie+. Castle Decor You’re going to love our graphic tees for your next Disney World trip! Click here to see the whole collection! Stay tuned to DFB for more! Why You May Want to Avoid Disneyland on March 8th 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! 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 how to get FREE dining); 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 taking advantage of your ride photo downloads in Disneyland? Let us know in the comments! The post The FREE Thing You Can Get in Disneyland EVERY DAY first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney Genie+ is a divisive issue with Disney World travelers! Can you afford to pay an extra fee to skip the lines for attractions in the parks? Can you afford NOT to? Disney Genie+ allows you to book the Lightning Lane for rides. We are in the parks every day using Genie+, learning all the tips and tricks to make your next Disney World trip easier. Today, we’re sharing some NEW tips for using Genie+ in 2023. First of all, if Disney Genie, Genie+, Lightning Lanes, and Individual Attraction Selections sound like a foreign language to you, you’re not alone. This stuff IS Confusing! We’ve got a primer for you — Disney Genie 101, if you will, right here Disney Genie, Genie Plus, and Lightning Lanes: Here’s EVERYTHING You Need to Know! 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. Check out our DFB Guidebooks to plan your next trip! Disney Genie + can be mighty useful — especially when it comes to its extensive list of Lightning Lane options (which will help you bypass the main queues for over 40 different rides and attractions in each of the four parks). HOWEVER, sometimes paying for this premium planning tool can be less helpful and more of an unnecessary extra cost. THESE are the times when you’re gonna want to SKIP that Genie+ purchase: On a non-busy park day We can already hear y’all now: “But Disney World is ALWAYS busy!” It definitely FEELS that way lately, but we did experience some slower days in Disney World last year! When school was back in session (toward the end of August and throughout September), lines for rides were WAY more manageable — and having Genie+ wasn’t as worth the price per person, per day. Spaceship Earth You can get an idea of when Disney will be expecting lower crowd levels just by looking at their day-based ticket prices on the Disney World website. If you’re seeing ticket prices toward the lower end of the spectrum, you’re probably NOT going to need Genie+ as much as you would when ticket prices are hitting their peak. Magic Kingdom HOWEVER — those lower crowd seasons will also mean that Genie + prices will more than likely be lower, too. Back in October, Genie+ DID switch to a surge price system — meaning prices fluctuate daily (between $15-$22 per person) depending on demand. So, it’s a Catch 22. The less you pay for Genie+, the less likely you’ll probably need it — but the MORE you pay, the more likely you’ll probably need it for certain parks. (Ain’t that just the way.) If You Can Only Go to ONE Disney World Restaurant in 2023, Go HERE When you’re visiting EPCOT/ Disney’s Animal Kingdom There are TWO parks you really don’t HAVE to worry about getting Genie+ for, regardless of the season — and that’s EPCOT and Animal Kingdom. Expedition Everest EPCOT does have some rides that build pretty hefty lines (like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Frozen Ever After, for instance), but if you make the most out of your Early Theme Park Entry and evening hours (and even use those single rider lines for Soarin’ and Test Track, if need be), then — hypothetically speaking — you should still be able to manage all the rides you wanna ride. Club Cool Just don’t forget to snag a Boarding Group for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at either 7AM or 1PM on your My Disney Experience App! Currently, that’s the only way you’ll be able to experience this ride. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Even IF ride lines are looking a little hectic while you’re at EPCOT, there’s so much to do here BESIDES riding things. You can bide your time exploring the World Showcase, trying different festival foods, watching outdoor performances, wandering through side exhibits, and checking out the SeaBase aquariums. (And THAT means you can still have a fun-filled afternoon here without waiting in ride lines for hours on end.) France Pavilion in EPCOT As far as Animal Kingdom is concerned, there’s really not enough rides listed ON the Lightning Lane options for Genie+ to be worth your time and money. And that’s because… there aren’t a LOT of rides in the park in the first place. Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom Once again — you can fill your day with OTHER Animal Kingdom activities by wandering down the animal-lined walking trails, watching the shows, trying the different cultural snacks, or just taking in the sights for a bit. Gorilla Falls Exploration Trails But, with or without Genie+, you should still be able to experience all the rides you want within the day. 3 Nasty Surprises Waiting for Disney CEO Bob Iger in 2023 If you wanna prioritize the a la cartes Not EVERY ride in the parks is gonna be featured in the standard Genie+ lineup of Lightning Lane offerings. Those “E-Ticket attractions” (AKA: the most POPULAR rides in each park) will have a la carte Lightning Lane prices (meaning you’ll have to pay a surge price per person, per ride). Rise of the Resistance These a la carte Lightning Lanes include: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in Magic Kingdom Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT Rise of the Resistance in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Flight of Passage in Animal Kingdom Now, you don’t HAVE to pick and choose here. You can totally get Genie+ AND purchase up to two a la carte Lightning Lanes per day, too. HOWEVER, if you’d rather ditch the Genie+ price altogether and focus solely on buying an a la carte Lightning Lane (just to make sure you can skip over the MASSIVE lines for the HOTTEST rides), you’re more than welcome to do that too! BEST Value Restaurants at Disney World for 2023 When you arrive at the park too late Lightning Lanes DO book up — especially during a busy park day. So if you plan on arriving at the parks later — or you’re already AT the parks and you’re thinking about purchasing Genie+ when it’s already getting into the afternoon — you’re gonna start off at a disadvantage. There’s a good chance that many of the rides you’re wanting a Lightning Lane for might’ve already been taken (or, if they’re not, they’ll have a next available return time WAY later on in the evening). Those Tower of Terror Lightning Lanes can fill up early! Buying Genie+ later ALSO means you’re not gonna be able to use that 120-minute rule to your advantage. Normally, you’re only able to book your NEXT Lightning Lane after you used the LAST one. But you can ALSO book your next Lightning Lane AFTER a 2-hour cool down period. So if you book a Lightning Lane for, say, Slinky Dog Dash in Hollywood Studios and the return time isn’t for another 3-4 hours, you’ll STILL be able to stack up on Lightning Lane reservations and make a SECOND selection after 120 minutes have passed. Toy Story Land And THAT’S why it’s better to purchase and start using your Genie+ as EARLY as you can the day of your visit — to get the MOST bang for your buck! You can start making reservations as early as 7AM, though the 120 minute rule won’t kick in until after the parks officially open for the day. 2 Big Ways The Disney World Park Pass System Could Change in 2023 And that’s our look at the times you should STOP paying for Disney Genie+ in Walt Disney World! Keep following DFB for the latest Disney World news! Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation A Month-by-Month Guide to Planning Your Disney World Trip Tips, Hints, Lists, and Videos for Planning the BEST Disney World Trip How Many Days Do You Really Need in Disney World? How to Have the CHEAPEST Trip to Disney World 5 Simple Planning Tips You Need to Know About Before Your Next Disney World Trip The CHEAPEST Days to Visit Disney World in 2023 EVERYTHING You Need to Know Before Booking a 2023 Disney World Trip Learn About the Disney Park Pass System The Ultimate Disney World Packing List Everything You Need to Know About Genie+ Insider SECRETS for Your First Trip to Disney World A Complete Look at the Current Disney Discounts and Deals The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click Here to Subscribe Have you used Disney Genie+? Share your tips in the comments! The post STOP Buying Disney Genie+ -- Here's When You DON'T Need It 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. Congratulations! You made it to the weekend after another week of working hard. You deserve to TREAT yourself. Time to do some online shopping! What better way to show a little self-love than an online shopping spree? We rounded up some of the BEST Disney deals on Amazon so that you can get yourself a gift without breaking the bank. To start off the list, we found these scrunchies that have Minnie ears and a sparkly bow attached! They’re designed to look like some classic Disney characters, like Daisy Duck and Snow White. ©Amazon You can get a set of 6 scrunchies for $16.80 now (down from their normal price of $23.99) Click here to buy the Minnie Mouse scrunchies. Disney LEGOs have been super popular recently, and you can get this kids’ Rapunzel set for just $9.99 right now. ©Amazon The set has a buildable stand with decorative details and a key along with a Rapunzel minifigure that’s wearing a “diamond” dress. It has 89 pieces, so it’s great for younger kids who aren’t quite ready for those huge LEGO sets. Click here to buy the twirling Rapunzel LEGO set. If you’re craving a DOLE Whip or a Mickey pretzel but don’t have a Disney trip planned for a while, we have the perfect solution. Amazon has the Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook, which is full of 100 Disney-inspired recipes. ©Amazon You can get the cookbook for $11.99 now (down from $21.99). Click here to buy the Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook. You can start every morning with a little Disney magic with the Mickey and Pluto Glass Coffee Cups. This set includes 2 double-wall, insulated cups with line art drawings of the Main Mouse and his canine pal. ©Amazon Get the set from Amazon for $27.95. Click here to buy the Micky and Pluto coffee glasses. But wait just a minute — you still need something to put inside those coffee cups! Amazon has a special Joffrey’s coffee blend just for the upcoming romantic season. It’s the Disney Mickey & Minnie Be Mine Brew, which is a medium roast made with Arabica beans and chocolate & coconut cream flavors. ©Amazon You can get an 11-oz. bag for $17.95. Click here to buy the Joffrey’s Mickey & Minnie Be Mine Brew. Disney Loungefly bags and wallets are super popular accessories (seriously, just look around the next time you’re in the parks — they’re everywhere). You can get a Loungefly wallet that looks like a stack of Disney princess books on Amazon now! ©Amazon The 4″ x 5″ wallet features stories like Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, and more. You can get it now for $26, which is 35% off its normal price of $40. Click here to buy the Disney Princess Loungefly wallet. Need a new tee for your next Disney parks trip? Amazon has these stylish Magic Castle Shirts that will surely do the trick. ©Amazon The tees come in a variety of colors and are available in sizes Small to XX-Large. You can get one for $21.99 now. Click here to buy the Cinderella Castle t-shirt. Hopefully your Amazon cart is nice and full of Disney goodies to bring some extra magic to your weekend. And if you want to save a bit on all those items, you can click the link below to sign up for a FREE trial of Amazon Prime! Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news, including the newest merchandise. Click here to check out new McDonald’s-themed Loungefly bags! 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! 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 how to get FREE dining); 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 of these items are you adding to your cart? Let us know in the comments. The post You EARNED a Weekend Shopping Spree -- Here Are the BEST Disney Deals on Amazon first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

SOON, we’ll all be entering the Grid. ©Disney That’s right, TRON Lightcycle / Run at Disney World opens on April 4th, but we’ve seen it testing recently AND Cast Members are already previewing the ride. We even got a look at what Cast Members working the ride will be wearing. Now, though, we’ve got a VIDEO of the ride experience! Disney posted a point-of-view video giving you the opportunity to virtually ride the TRON ride in Magic Kingdom! The video was taken at night, which seems to be when you’ll get the best ride experience. One thing we noticed — the video is…well…short. However, Disney commented “404 error code – footage in question must be seen in person.” so it doesn’t seem like this is the full ride. It does look FAST with a super cool launch that should please thrill seekers. We also know the ride has adaptive seating for those who can’t comfortably sit on the lightcycle vehicles. Empty adaptive seating Note that there will be no standby line for the TRON ride when it opens. Instead, you’ll have to grab a boarding pass for the virtual queue, similar to how previous new rides have been introduced. However, if you DON’T grab a boarding pass, or just don’t want to stress out over it, you will be able to buy the Individual Lightning Lane option to ride. TRON Lightcycle / Run sign Guests will also have to store their larger belongings in lockers, although there is a small enclosed case on the vehicles to store smaller items (like phones). This will be the first time that Disney World has required guests to use lockers for a ride. We’ll continue to keep you updated on TRON Lightcycle / Run leading up to its grand opening, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more! When are you headed to Disney World next? Have you checked out our line of fun graphic tees to wear on your trip? We’ve designed some for the whole family – from infants to adults! Click here to check them out! Here’s A Sneak Peek at On-Ride Photo for TRON Lightcycle / Run in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! 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 how to get FREE dining); 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 riding TRON Lightcycle / Run on opening day? Let us know in the comments! The post VIDEO: See What It's Like to Ride TRON Lightcycle / Run in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re back with another DFB Video covering all the latest Disney news! Incredibles We spotted some rare characters (we’re looking at you, Powerline Max), new meet and greets, and Cast Member costumes got a big makeover. See all that and more in our latest video! Check out all the big Disney news of the week in our latest DFB Guide Video!  By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/subscribe.png So check out the video and then let us know: Which Disney news are you the most excited about? The post DFB Video: Latest Disney News: A RARE Character, NEW Cast Member Costumes & a NEW meet-and-greet? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’re on a budget in Disney World, you’re going to want to know where you can eat that WON’T break the bank. Nomad Lounge in Animal Kingdom However, you’ll probably also want to still get that great Disney food experience and not eat quick service ALL the time (granted, the quick service is good, too). So how can you get some great drinks and foods for less? Well, we’re about to tell you a secret — go to a Disney World lounge! We’ve put together a list of our favorite Disney World lounges where you can get good value for your food AND drinks. So grab a pen and start making notes! Space 220 Lounge Space 220, in EPCOT, is almost an attraction in and of itself. Before you enter the restaurant, you take a space elevator to Centauri Space Station, which comes with a stunning view of space. However, eating at Space 220 is not cheap — the restaurant offers a prix fixe menu for lunch that costs $55 per person and dinner that costs a whopping $79. That price does not include alcoholic drinks. Space 220 However, you can get a similar experience for less by booking an advance dining reservation for the lounge, where you won’t be forced to eat from a prix fixe menu. Instead, you can order from a separate menu (which does feature some of Space 220’s standout appetizers, like the Starry Calamari), and order a drink and it will only cost around $30-$40. Flight Bites and Drinks from Space 220 Lounge The only difference besides not having to order the prix fixe menu is that you’ll be a little further away from the windows with the views of space. However, you’re encouraged to get up and look around if you want a better view. The windows are so large, though, that you can easily see everything from the lounge area. Check out our review of the cheaper way to eat in space Nomad Lounge Sure, you could spend some BIG BUCKS to eat at Animal Kingdom’s signature restaurant Tiffins. Or you could go next door to Nomad Lounge for great drinks and smaller bites. Although the Tiffins Bread Service costs the same here as it does in Tiffins, many other items are also a good value (although we’ll always recommend that bread service). Tiffin’s Bread Service at Nomad Lounge Small bites here run from $9 to $19, so it’s much cheaper than paying $32 and up for an entree at Tiffins. You’ll also find many of the same specialty cocktails available at Tiffins here (although they will be the same price). Check out our latest Nomad Lounge review Territory Lounge You’ll find Territory Lounge over at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Shareable bites here run from $12 to $25, meaning if you split them with someone, it’s even cheaper! But this isn’t standard bar food. There’s a GREAT Artisanal Cheese and Charcuterie Board and a Loaded Potato Flatbread that is one of our favorite flatbreads in Disney World! Loaded Baked Potato Flatbread For more adventurous eaters, you can even get the Bone and Brie, which is Roasted Bone Marrow served with Honey-baked Brie and Marion Berry-Onion Jam. Order a drink and you’re paying less for a similar meal in a table-service restaurant. Read a full review of Territory Lounge Steakhouse 71 Lounge Steakhouse 71 Lounge is the less expensive bar option next to Steakhouse 71 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. So if you don’t feel like paying Steakhouse 71 prices, you can get some similar bites in the lounge! We might even prefer the lounge, thanks to the Loaded Macaroni & Cheese you can get here. BRB, shoveling cheese into our mouths The Stack Burger is also one of our favorite burgers in Disney World. Regardless, everything here is $21 and less, so eat up! Don’t forget to order some delicious drinks while you’re at it, though! Don’t miss our review of Steakhouse 71 Lounge BaseLine Tap House Looking for some good lounge eats in Disney’s Hollywood Studios that won’t ruin your budget? Head on over to BaseLine Tap House, where nothing from the food menu costs over $13. Grab a gigantic Bavarian Pretzel with Beer Cheese Sauce (OH, YEAH) or treat yourself to the California Cheese and Charcuterie Plate. BaseLine Charcuterie Board You’ll also find some great Craft Beer on Tap — and nothing costs over $11. So have a beer, enjoy some eats, and think about the money you’re saving. Check out this FIERY drink we had here! Geyser Point Lounge So Geyser Point at Wilderness Lodge offers both a restaurant and a lounge, but it’s the lounge that will offer you a better value for your dollars. Grab some small bites, like Handcrafted Cheese and Charcuterie that serves two, for $18 and under, or indulge in an entree, like the Geyser Point Bison Cheeseburger, which is $21 (and that’s the most expensive food on this menu). Bison Cheeseburger You’ll also find signature cocktails here that are unique to Geyser Point, so eat and drink up! Read a review! So the next time you’re in Disney World and want table service food, but WITHOUT the table service price (and without the struggle to get reservations), don’t skip out on these Disney World lounges! Our BEST tip for sticking with your budget at Disney World will forever be to plan ahead – especially for dining! When you buy our DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World, you’ll get immediate access to our downloadable worksheets for planning your trip, as well as sample one-day dining itineraries! And as a DFB reader, you’re entitled to a discount! Use code WDW2023 for 25% off your purchase. Here Are The Disney World Bars You Have to Rope Drop To Get a Seat 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! 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 how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What’s your favorite Disney World lounge? Let us know in the comments! The post Best Value Disney World Lounges for 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

FIRST LOOK POV: TRON Lightcycle / Run at Magic Kingdom Park | Walt Disney WorldView the full article

Members of the six unions representing Disney World employees have voted no on a contract that Disney had positioned as its best offer. Magic Kingdom According to Unite Here Local 362, union members rejected the offer by a 96% margin. Disney World’s current contract with its unionized Cast Members expired October 1st, 2022. The Cast Members are working under a contract extension that will continue even after this week’s “no” vote. The main point of contention in the contract negotiations has been wages. Disney says its offer would have provided 30,000 Cast Members with a pay increase that amounted to “a nearly 10% average” and would have been retroactive back to Oct. 1st. “We are disappointed that those increases are now delayed,” said Andrea Finger, a Disney spokesperson. Disney unions represent 45,000 employees — the remaining 15,000 are part-time, and their contract is negotiated seperately. Labor union leaders had asked full-time Cast Members to reject the offer, which would have gradually increased starting wages at Walt Disney World to $20 per hour over the next five years. The unions say their members need bigger raises sooner because of cost-of-living increases in Central Florida. ““Rent and other expenses have skyrocketed, leaving workers in a state of emergency,” the unions said in a prepared statement before the vote. Researchers from Florida Atlantic University said in December that the average rent in the Orlando area had increased by 8.14% in one year, to an average of $1,995.62. Rent typically increases 3% to 5% per year. The unions demanded an immediate minimum wage of $18 per hour for all Cast Members they represent. Disney states that 25% of non-tipped Cast Member roles would reach $20 an hour wages within the first year of the contract, and that 46% of those Cast Members would receive more than $1 an hour in the first year. The Disney proposal would have paid those 30,000 full-time, non-tipped employees at least $5 more than the Florida minimum wage, currently set at $11 per hour. Housekeepers, bus drivers, and culinary cast members would have been paid at least $20 per hour immediate, Finger said. Disney World Cast Members at The Confectionery Service Trades Council Union President Matt Hollis told the Orlando Sentinel that the unions would be asking Disney to resume negotiations. “Disney workers are united in our belief that Disney can do better,” he said. Stay tuned to DFB for updates on these negotiations. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post BREAKING: Cast Members Reject New Disney World Contract first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Unionized Disney World employees overwhelmingly vetoed the company’s most recent offer in ongoing contract negotiations Friday, signaling the groups will return to the bargaining table as the unions continue their push for better wages. View the full article

Walt Disney Imagineering shares next chapter in Tiana's story, as part of Tiana's Bayou Adventure attraction experience coming to Disneyland Park and the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.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. We are constantly on the lookout for new Disney merchandise! All the merch! Disney merch is very high on our list of favorite things — both because it makes our days at home just a little more magical and because it fuels our shopping addiction. If you’re looking for more Disney collectibles, you’re in the right place! These are all our favorite pieces of merchandise for the week, and the best part is they can all be purchased online! Without further ado, let’s get to shopping! Ears The first two items are for our Pixar lovers! Cute! The Ducky and Bunny ears are available online for $34.99! If you’re a fan of Monsters, Inc. (who isn’t?), you might love these Sulley ears! SULLEY! The Sulley ears are also $34.99 online! These look so soft. Click here for more about these Pixar ears Bags You can’t go wrong with Disney tote bags! Perfect for a casual day at the parks, these totes we found on Jane will hold all your things during a day at Disney. ©Jane.com Each of these totes are made out of heavy-duty canvas with 22″ handles, so they’re sure to be sturdy enough for all your belongings. Each of these are only $15.99 with FREE U.S. shipping! Click here to view the Jane tote bags Backpacks Marvel fans, we’re talking to you! Check out this Loki backpack from BoxLunch. Loki Sylvie Loungefly Backpack Typically, this bag is $80 at BoxLunch, but you can currently get it on sale for $63.92! Click here to view the Loki backpack Luggage These three luggage items could be perfect for those of you with upcoming Disney trips! First, we have this blue Mickey Mouse suitcase! ©Disney This suitcase would be great as a carry-on bag or child’s suitcase. You can grab this one online for $159. Next, we have a Mickey Mouse wagon that for hauling groceries or your kiddos! ©Disney This wagon is available online for $274.99 and has a Mickey Mouse print! This next luggage item also makes a great carry-on bag, or could make a great bag for the parks if you have lots of things to carry. ©Disney This Mickey Mouse Travel Backpack is available online for $59.99! Click here to view the luggage items Books These Encanto Little Golden Books could be the next new addition to your family bookshelf! ©Amazon The first one is the classic Encanto story for $5.39. The next one is Encanto: Mystery in the Rain Forest, which tells an entertaining story while also informing your kiddos about life in cultures that surround the world’s rainforests. ©Amazon This one is $5.99! You can grab both of these from Amazon. Click here to view the Encanto books That’s it for this week’s Disney merchandise roundup! We hope you love all of these merchandise items as much as we do! Keep following DFB for more Disney reviews, news, and updates so you never miss out on any of the magic! Need a new graphic tee (uh, when don’t you need a new graphic tee!)? We’re dropping new Disney-themed designs! Click here to see ‘em! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Which of these items is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! The post Loungefly On Sale and More NEW Disney Merch We Spotted Online first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are SO many treats joining the Disney parks family right now. Animal Kingdom February is Black History Month, and Disney is celebrating with TONS of new snacks in all their parks! We’ve already started trying lots of them and have found some truly delicious ones, but our job isn’t even CLOSE to being over. We headed over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom to try another cupcake that’s only around for this month! We tried this cupcake last year, but it was so good it had us coming back for a second year. At Flame Tree Barbeque, you can grab the Soul Cupcake for $5.99. Flame Tree BBQ This is a vanilla cake with bananas foster filling, vanilla marshmallow buttercream, a Joe Gardner (from Pixar’s Soul) white chocolate medallion, and edible paper music notes with multi-color crispy pearls. There it is! The cupcake itself was perfectly baked and very moist. The banana flavor seeped into the cupcake, creating an amazing combination of vanilla and bananas. Soul Cupcake The vanilla marshmallow icing is different from the typical buttercream on most Disney cupcakes, but was delicious! If you love marshmallows or just super sugary treats, you’ll love this icing. It’s very light and fluffy, and the crispy pearls added a nice crunchy texture. Decoration on top We definitely recommend this cupcake to anyone that loves bananas and marshmallows, but if you aren’t the biggest fan of either of those, you might wanna skip it. This one actually wasn’t as messy as the one we tried last year, so it’s much easier to eat. However, the reason it wasn’t as messy is that the one from last year had a LOT more filling than the new version (and we really enjoy that filling), so it’s a give-and-take situation. Inside the cupcake You’ve only got until February 28th to grab this treat, so be sure to act fast. If this cupcake isn’t for you, not to worry, there are TONS of other snacks to try around the parks that are both sweet and savory. Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all our reviews on the Celebrate Soulfully treats and other Disney news. See ALL the Celebrate Soulfully snacks you can grab this month! Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide Check Out the 19 Best Restaurants in Disney World in 2022 Our Top 50 All-Time Best Disney Dining Tips These Are the BEST Meals in Disney World for Under $15 Ranking Every Single Magic Kingdom Restaurant Ranking Every Single EPCOT Restaurant Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney Springs Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney World Hotels – Cheap Eats Edition Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Would you grab this cupcake? Tell us in the comments! The post Did This Treat Get BETTER or WORSE in Disney World? It’s Complicated. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There’s a new snack in EPCOT that combines 3 of our favorite things, and you HAVE to see it. EPCOT EPCOT’s World Showcase pavilions are home to a lot of incredible eats and treats, like funnel cakes, caramel desserts, pastries, chips with queso, and so much more. Today, we were eating at a certain popular Smokehouse when we came across an entirely NEW snack! Regal Eagle Smokehouse in the American Adventure pavilion has a variety of barbecue dishes, like Kansas City Smoked Half Chicken, Memphis Dry-rub Pork Ribs, and Sliced Texas Beef Brisket Sandwiches. But we’ve seen all that before Regal Eagle Smokehouse Today’s about the NEW offering at this spot. Check out the new Loaded Burnt Ends Fries, which are Seasoned French Fries with Burnt Ends, Macaroni & Cheese, and Beer-battered Onion Rings…are you drooling yet? New Loaded Fries As you can see, this “snack” is really more of a full meal. There’s a LOT of mac ‘n cheese and brisket piled on top of the fries, so this could easily be lunch for one or a hearty snack to share. Plenty to share! We thought the fries were super tasty, although they were pretty salty (they had a dry rub on them). That mac ‘n cheese helped to balance out the saltiness a bit, so make sure you eat those parts together. Yum Although you could attempt to eat these with your hands, you’re probably better off tackling them with a fork (and lots of napkins). You can get this snack at Regal Eagle Smokehouse right now for $12.99. Don’t forget that you can use Mobile Order at this counter-service restaurant, so you can order your fries with your phone and then pick them up without waiting in line! Very patriotic in here! Keep following DFB for more reviews of all the newest eats at Disney World! Click here to learn more about Regal Eagle Smokehouse in EPCOT. Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide Check Out the 19 Best Restaurants in Disney World in 2022 Our Top 50 All-Time Best Disney Dining Tips These Are the BEST Meals in Disney World for Under $15 Ranking Every Single Magic Kingdom Restaurant Ranking Every Single EPCOT Restaurant Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney Springs Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney World Hotels – Cheap Eats Edition Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Would you try these new fries in Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post Get Ready To DROOL 🤤 Over EPCOT's New Loaded Fries first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

February is Black History month, and Disney World is going big for its Celebrate Soulfully event. Celebrate Soulfully in Disney Springs That means we’re getting all kinds of DELICIOUS new foods to try throughout the resort. So far, we’ve had a Tiana-themed milkshake, a Creole Smoked Sausage Sandwich, a Banana Pudding Cheesecake, and more! There’s even more great food to be found, though, and we’re going to tell you about a new item available at Disney Springs! The Polite Pig has introduced a NEW chef’s special just for Celebrate Soulfully. It’s the Polite Pork, Pikliz, and Empanadas. It’s made with deep-fried pork belly, house-made beef empanadas, and fresh pikliz. The dish comes courtesy of the restaurant’s very own Chef Sylio. ©The Polite Pig You’ll be able to grab this during the month of February, so be sure to make Disney Springs a PRIORITY when you’re in Disney World next! In the meantime, we’re trying out a BUNCH of the Celebrate Soulfully foods and drinks in Disney World, and there are tons of Valentine’s Day treats coming soon, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for our reviews! Disney Springs WE KNOW – there are SO many great snacks at Disney World! How do you choose (we don’t want to choose but will blow our budget on Day 1 otherwise)? We’ve got you covered! We have reviewed nearly EVERY snack available at Disney World, and we’ve written a series of DFB Guides about them! DFB Guide and Snacks Bundle Check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining + Snacks Bundle for all the details you need to plan your snackin’ and spending. You can even download them to your smartphone – it’ll be like we’re right there with you in the parks! A Little Sweet, a Little Spicy, This New Snack Has It ALL in Disney World — Read Our Review 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! 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 how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you excited to try this snack in Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post Run, Don't Walk, to Disney Springs for a New Snack! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article