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It’s true: Disney is for the hungry! It’s also for those with very adventurous palettes, as Disney is always introducing new snacks and desserts that are out of the ordinary, to say the least. Disney often combines multiple treats into single heavenly desserts, or they come up with new twists that somehow make classic desserts even better! Disney Springs That’s the case with this tasty dessert. It’s a seasonal treat that can be found at Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew in Disney Springs — and it has us coming back year after year. We know you’re thinking: What is it?! Just tell us already! Everglazed’s Mint Chocolate Chip Donut is inspired by the fan-favorite Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies… milk chocolate perfection with just the perfect amount of mint flavor. We’ve gone back for this donut three years in a row now, and it just keeps getting better. It’s THAT good! This looks DELICIOUS. This is a classic donut with chocolate icing, chocolate chips, a mint drizzle, and topped off with a Thin Mint cookie. One of our favorites This donut has the perfect amount of chocolate and mint — with neither flavor being too overpowering. This treat is mint chocolate perfection! Yum! If you want to try this treat out for yourself, head over to Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew in Disney Springs. You won’t be disappointed, especially if your favorite Girl Scout cookie is a Thin Mint. If you’re looking for more treats to try during your next Disney trip, you’re in the right place. We post all the time about our favorite Disney treats, so follow along for more snack news, reviews, and updates! Looking for more snacks to try? Look no further! We’ve got ya covered. Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide Check Out the 19 Best Restaurants in Disney World in 2022 Our Top 50 All-Time Best Disney Dining Tips These Are the BEST Meals in Disney World for Under $15 Ranking Every Single Magic Kingdom Restaurant Ranking Every Single EPCOT Restaurant Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney Springs Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney World Hotels – Cheap Eats Edition Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Have you had this donut? What did you think? Let us know in the comments! The post You Had Us at THIN MINT DONUTS in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Got a second? Okay, good — we’ve got a LOT of Disney updates to tell you about! Magic Kingdom Critical information has been shared about the TRON Lightcycle / Run ride coming to Magic Kingdom, a Disney World hotel restaurant is going to be CLOSING and totally CHANGING soon, and we’ve got other food news and updates related to the Disney Company as a whole. So what are you waiting for?! Let’s dive into this week’s BIGGEST Disney news! Critical TRON Information First, we’ve got to go over some important TRON news. TRON Lightcycle / Run will be opening in Magic Kingdom on April 4th (and will host Cast Member, Disney Vacation Club, and Annual Passholder previews before then). Recently, we got some information you NEED to know about this ride. First, once TRON Lightcycle / Run officially opens, it will NOT feature a “regular” standby line. Instead, a virtual queue will be used. So you’ll have to try and sign up for the virtual queue if you’re hoping to get on this ride (without paying extra). Distribution times for the virtual queue have not yet been shared. ©Disney Want to skip the virtual queue process entirely and get yourself a more guaranteed chance to ride TRON? Then you may want to buy an Individual Lightning Lane (pay-per-ride) for this ride. That’s right, TRON will NOT be on the standard Genie+ service. Instead, like some of Disney World’s other super popular rides, you’ll have to pay individually to skip the virtual queue at this ride. The starting cost for this has not been revealed but remember Individual Lightning Lane costs can vary by date, park, and ride. TRON Construction Other big TRON news was also shared this week. Namely, there will be an on-ride photo and video, but you’ll want to follow some specific steps to ensure the photo links to your My Disney Experience account or MagicBand. Click here for all of the steps. ©Disney Also, in a “first” for Disney World rides, the use of lockers will be required at TRON. Loose items and larger items will need to be stored in the FREE lockers within the queue. The only items that’ll be able to come with you on the ride vehicle itself will be small things like a wallet, phone, or glasses, which you’ll need to safely store away in the small (keyword: SMALL) on-ride storage compartment. What about the seating on this ride? While most seats are those bicycle-style options, it’s important to note that there is some adaptive seating. Those adaptive seats are more of your “regular” roller coaster-style seats. These could be useful for guests who do not comfortably fit on the bicycle-style seats or who have a disability that otherwise would prevent them from sitting on those unique seats. Empty adaptive seating Recently, the coaster as a whole also reached a major milestone as its outdoor canopy (called the Upload Conduit) was officially powered on in its entirety. When vehicles pass by, the lights on the Upload Conduit dance across the canopy and will leave flowing hexagons. ©Disney And finally, we wanted to remind you of one crucial TRON detail — there IS a height requirement for this ride and it’s quite high. TRON has a minimum height requirement of 48″ (122cm). That’s much higher than many of Disney World’s other rides. In fact, the only other ride with a height requirement that high is Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. TRON / Lightcycle Run sign So be sure to measure little ones before making your trip! Click here to see the latest ride testing at TRON! CLOSURE and CHANGES Announced for a Disney World Restaurant Next, we turn our attention to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground where some BIG news has been shared. According to Scott Gustin via Twitter, Trail’s End Restaurant will be CLOSING for refurbishment in the spring. It will then reopen later in the year as a “marketplace concept with expanded quick service options.” The key change here is that the table service option at Trail’s End will NOT return when the restaurant reopens. Instead, it’ll be focused on quick service meals. Trail’s End Restaurant Not much else has been shared about this refurbishment yet, but we are on the lookout for more details. If you are a fan of Trail’s End’s table service option (particularly its current family-style skillets), be sure to visit SOON. See more about Trail’s End here Food News! Get ready — we have a LOT more food news for you! February has begun which means we’ve got quite a bit to celebrate. The main celebrations going on right now are Valentine’s Day and Black History Month (through the Celebrate Soulfully campaign), and plenty of treats have arrived for both! In terms of Celebrate Soulfully snacks, we’ve tried a cake that very well may be one of the BEST cakes in all of Disney World… Delicious!! …a CHEESY new lunch that is wonderfully greasy but in the best way possible… Mac and Cheese? Yes, please! …some of the BEST southern food in Disney World (but it’s hiding in a place you might not think to look!)… Southern deliciousness …snacks that bring on the SWEET HEAT (YUM!) and don’t require a Park Pass… Chicken on the Egg …a Tiana Praline Cupcake… So pretty! …a Sweet Potato Lunch Box Tart(!!)… Sweet Potato Lunch Box Tart …and even Banana Pudding Cheesecake. Banana pudding cheesecake There’s a LOT to try during this celebration, so be sure to check it all out! Click here to get a full list of the Celebrate Soulfully treats in Disney World But you can’t forget about Valentine’s Day too! Over at Gideon’s Bakehouse, you can celebrate the SPICY side of love with some cookies, cakes, and even a drink that might really bring some heat into your life. We LOVE this cookie There’s also a Valentine’s Day-inspired DOLE Whip Treat in Disney World, but it does have a pretty substantial flaw when it comes to the sprinkles and the way they’re stuck on the cone. See our full review here. So Fun! Other Valentine’s Day snacks are also starting to arrive, including GIANT heart-shaped donuts, so grab them while you can! Click here for the FULL LIST of Valentine’s Day snacks coming to the Disney parks Flower and Garden Festival NEWS! Next, we’ve got news for all those who love EPCOT’s International Flower and Garden Festival. The Festival will run from March 1st through July 5th this year, and we already shared some important details about it, but now we’ve got even MORE. The FULL LINEUP has been announced for the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Garden Rocks Concert Series! Performers this year include Daughtry, Smash Mouth, STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas, Casting Crowns, Plain White T’s, Simple Plan, and MUCH more. See the full list here! America Gardens Theater during the 2022 Flower and Garden Festival Want to guarantee a good spot at the concert of your choice? Consider looking into a Garden Rocks Dining Package. These will be returning for the Festival this year and will be available at a variety of spots including Biergarten, Coral Reef Restaurant, Le Cellier, Rose & Crown Dining Room, and Regal Eagle Smokehouse. Garden Rocks Concert in 2022 These generally come with an appetizer, entree, and dessert (or one full buffet or family-style meal) as well as a non-alcoholic beverage (though that can vary depending on the restaurant). Click here for the dining package details and pricing Reedy Creek District News And finally, we’ve got some updates on the future of Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District (“RCID”) — that is the district that functions essentially as its own county government in Orlando and has given Disney a large amount of control over the land on which it operates. First, a spokesperson for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has indicated that DeSantis expects a special session will take place next week that will address Reedy Creek and other matters. So we could get some BIG news about the future of this situation very soon. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ©Deadline DeSantis also spoke more about the situation, saying “We’re not going to have a corporation controlling its own government.” DeSantis indicated that a bill regarding Reedy Creek is in the works and that the control of the area would be “reverted to the state.” He said he’d rather have local governments handle it, but he doesn’t feel they’re prepared for it, so “the state is going to have a board to run it.” He also said that the state would ensure “there are no special legal privileges and that they’re abiding by the same laws. That will be in the bill. And then making sure they’re paying their fair share of taxes and paying the debt.” Reedy Creek Again, it sounds like big updates about Reedy Creek could be coming soon, so stay tuned for updates. Click here to see more about DeSantis’ statements on the matter Those are the biggest stories from this week, but we’ve got more to share! To see other updates from Disney, click the links below: Construction at a Disney World Hotel Might Affect Your Next Vacation ALERT! The Skyliner Has REOPENED in Disney World VIDEO: See “Hey Disney!” Alexa Devices in ACTION at Disney World Happily Ever After and EPCOT Forever Fireworks Showtimes Revealed for Disney World Amazon Alexa is part of these devices Check Out McDonald’s’ NEW Disney Happy Meal Toys! Ulta Beauty Has a NEW Disney Character Line! A Fan-Favorite Eatery is BACK at Downtown Disney! UPDATE on the Battle for Disney’s Executive Board Your Next Trip Through Orlando Airport Security Could Be LESS Stressful And that’s it for this week’s news! But wait…hold up for a sec! Before you plan your next trip to Disney World, check out our DFB Guide Everything Bundle here. DFB Everything Bundle You will get ALL of our best-selling eBooks with details on Disney World Dining, EPCOT Festivals, the BEST snacks in each park, and soooooo many tips and tricks we’ve learned over decades of visiting our happy place. Get the bundle here!  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 What news from this week surprised you the most? Tell us in the comments. The post Important TRON Lightcycle / Run Updates, A Restaurant CLOSURE, and More Huge Disney News first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

With lively, rich and colorful dishes full of flavors, the Vibrante & Vívido: Encanto Cocina Food Studio is the place to experience different cuisines inspired by South America and the Disney animated film “Encanto.”View the full article

Disneyland Resort is at the heart of the Disney100 celebration across The Walt Disney Company … and cast members are the heart of the Disneyland Resort! Before they debuted to guests, thousands of cast members, donning festive violet and platinum attire, enjoyed a special Disney Cast Life preview of the two new nighttime spectaculars that […]View the full article

The drama surrounding Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID) and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis might come to a head soon. Reedy Creek Earlier this week, a spokesperson for Gov. DeSantis indicated that he is expecting the Florida legislature will hold a special session next week regarding the “proposed state takeover” of the RCID. Now, we have the confirmed date for this special session. The Orlando Sentinel reported that “the Florida Legislature will convene a special session Monday to consider a state takeover of Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District.” Come Monday, February 6th, we could see some major updates to the plans for Reedy Creek. ©Spectrum News 13 DeSantis hasn’t yet filed a bill with proposed plans for RCID, but he has stated recently that a bill that will give the state of Florida control over the RCID is in the works. At a news conference in Tallahassee DeSantis said, “We’re not going to have a corporation controlling its own government…That’s going to be reverted to the state. I’d rather it be the local [governments], but I don’t think that they’re prepared for it. So the state is going to have a board to run it.” The reorganization of RCID is going to be filed as a local bill in the Florida House of Representatives and “presented in Senate committees by Sen. Travis Hutson, R-Palm Coast.” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ©Deadline This legislation could tackle various changes to the District, including the following: removing and revising powers of the District increasing state oversight, accountability, and transparency of the District revising the selection process, membership qualifications, and compensation for the governing body of the District ensuring debts and bond obligations held by the District remain with the District and are not transferred to other governments by retaining the District’s authority related to indebtedness and taxation revising the District’s authority over local permitting and regulation revising the District’s regulatory framework and structure A few legislators have spoken up about what the bill might look like. The Sentinel reported that “State Rep. Anna Eskamani said she suspects Disney struck a deal that will put the state in charge of Reedy Creek but will leave intact the corporate tax loopholes and other benefits the corporation receives under Florida law. That will allow Disney to resume its political giving before the regular legislative session starts next month, she said.” Eskamani says that DeSantis would appoint people to “ensure Disney behaves,” which would essentially be like “putting chaperones” over the company. Gov. DeSantis’ communications director previously said, “The corporate kingdom has come to an end…Under the proposed legislation, Disney will no longer control its own government, will live under the same laws as everyone else, will be responsible for their outstanding debts, and will pay their fair share of taxes. Imposing a state-controlled board will also ensure that Orange County cannot use this issue as a pretext to raise taxes on Orange County residents.” ©Fox10 News | Florida Governor Ron DeSantis The biggest change we could see is that Disney may not control its own government in the future. Experts have speculated that the RCID might remain essentially as they are now, with minimal changes that would affect Disney’s current power, but the bill that DeSantis has proposed would mean a much more drastic change. Reedy Creek Trash Cans We’ll continue to watch for more updates, so stay tuned to DFB for all the latest news. There might be a LOOPHOLE for Disney to resolve Reedy Creek problems — Click Here. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What do you think will happen with Disney’s Reedy Creek district? Let us know in the comments. The post Date CONFIRMED for Special Session To Decide the Future of Disney's Reedy Creek District 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. When it comes to Loungefly bags, we’ve seen a lot of interesting designs. Loungefly bags These fan-favorite bags, wallets, and backpacks come in all sorts of shapes, designs, and theming, and it seems that we’re always finding new surprises when we check online for more. We found some recently that might be the most interesting designs we’ve seen in a while! For this one, we’re taking it back to the days spent in the McDonald’s PlayPlace. The Loungefly Mcdonald’s Happy Meal Figural Mini Backpack is very different… but also super cool. We never thought we’d want a purse shaped like a Happy Meal, but like we said, Loungefly is always bringing us surprises. ©HotTopic The Happy Meal backpack can be purchased from HotTopic for $80. Click here to buy the Happy Meal Loungefly bag. The leather bag itself is shaped like a McDonald’s Happy Meal but features theming and designs that represent the nostalgic structure of the McDonald’s restaurant from our childhood! Also featured on the bag are Ronald McDonald, the Hamburglar, and the McNugget Buddies. Look at those McNugget Buddies! ©HotTopic The next bag is dedicated to Ronald McDonald himself! This is the Ronald Cosplay Mini Backpack. ©HotTopic The leather bag features the red, yellow, and white elements of Ronald McDonald’s costume along with gold hardware. This bag is also $80 from HotTopic. Click here to buy the Ronald Cosplay backpack. The next one is for those of you who visit McDonald’s for the fries! This crossbody is shaped like a carton of McDonald’s fries. ©HotTopic This leather crossbody bag features silver hardware and can be purchased from HotTopic for $60. Click here to purchase the French Fry crossbody bag. We find these bags to be super unique — it’s the first ones of their kind that we’ve seen! What do you think? Will you be purchasing these bags? We’re writing about new Loungeflys and other Disney-related merchandise all the time, so make sure to follow along for more news, reviews, and updates. Click here to check out more 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. Will you be purchasing any of these Loungefly bags? Let us know in the comments! The post You Can Buy NEW McDonald’s Loungefly Bags Online NOW first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There’s been ANOTHER update on the airport train set to come to Orlando! ©Brightline For months we’ve been watching for updates on the Brightline train set to connect South Florida to Orlando and beyond. It went from a confirmed station in Disney Springs to the end of that plan and only the possibility of a station “near” Disney. The train’s path has gradually evolved and we’ve gotten a peek at some of the things complicating its future. But now we have more news. According to the Orlando Sentinel, Central Florida just got a critical extension of time related to the Brightline train. It all has to do with grant applications that can help fund the project. The Federal Railroad Administration (“FRA”) opened up a window for groups to apply for grant requests. That window began in December and was only going to last through March 7th. But the FRA has published a notice to push that deadline back to April 21st. ©Brightline Previously, John Tyler, “the state transportation department’s secretary for Central Florida,” shared that the March 7th deadline would be difficult to meet. This extension gives the Florida Department of Transportation more time to coordinate everything needed to seek a grant that’ll help fund the Brightline train’s path through Orlando. Why is the money so important? Well, it would be used to “help with engineering and design work for shared tracks from the airport to the theme park district, and then for Brightline tracks to Tampa.” This is just the preliminary step though. A request for more funds to help with construction costs would be made later. ©Brightline U.S. Rep. Darren Soto shared, “We welcome the news of the grant application deadline extension by the Federal Railroad Administration and hope it serves as a catalyst for a positive conclusion to negotiations between FDOT and Brightline.” The current plan for the Brightline train’s path through Orlando is called the “Sunshine Corridor.” It would have the train go from the Orlando airport through part of the tourism area (with a stop at the Orange County Convention Center and a path along I-Drive), and eventually on to Tampa. ©Orlando Business Journal Key to this plan is that Brightline would share some of the path with the existing SunRail train line in Orlando and expand the SunRail path. A station “near” Disney has been discussed, but details have not been shared. ©Brightline via The Orlando Sentinel But much of the Sunshine Corridor plan is still up in the air. The Sentinel points out that local governments have made “few commitments other than to study the Sunshine Corridor.” With various “cooks in the kitchen,” private and public entities involved, and concerns around funding, the plan remains flexible. In the meantime, Brightline has pushed forward on connecting its South Florida stations to Orlando. The Orlando Airport station is set to open in 2023. Stay tuned for more updates. Click here to see a VIDEO of the Brightline Orlando Airport station 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. Would you be willing to take the Brightline train around Orlando? Tell us in the comments. The post One Change Could Significantly Impact the Brightline Train in Orlando first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The Florida Legislature will convene a special session Monday to consider a state takeover of Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District. View the full article

Do you follow the monthly flavors released by Salt & Straw in Disney World and Disneyland? Salt & Straw in Disney World Well, we DO because we love all the unique flavors released each month. We’ve recently tried some delicious non-dairy flavors, ice cream covered in…perfume, and even ice cream with bugs in it! Well, this month’s selection of flavors sounds ESPECIALLY enticing because it’s all about CHOCOLATE! Salt & Straw has announced its February series of flavors called The Chocolatier Series. These ice creams are made with special chocolate created by Salt & Straw’s favorite chocolatiers. OH, YEAH! There are SIX new chocolatey flavors to try including Fran’s Almond Gold Bar, which is made with Fran’s Chocolates Almond Gold Bars cut into bite-sized pieces and mixed with salted vanilla ice cream with ribbons of hand-burned caramel and dark chocolate stracciatella drizzled in. ©Salt & Straw There’s also Cloudforest Chocolate Ishpingo & Mango, made with lemon verbena sherbert spiced with ispingo (a warm cinnamon-like spice), swirled with dark chocolate ice cream, created in a collaboration with Cloudforest, and a ripple of mango curd. ©Salt & Straw The Dandelion Cocoa Nibs & Frangipane is made with Dandelion’s dark cocoa nibs that have been roasted and candied. The flavor also includes a frangipane swirl with bits of crushed almonds. ©Salt & Straw Coffee AND chocolate lovers will want to try the Compartés Coffee & Love Nuts, made with a caramel-y medium roast coffee from Columbia, blended with Salt & Straw’s cream, and studded with Compartés Love Nuts (pecans caramelized in Tahitian vanilla, sprinkled with sea salt, and coated in 14 layers of chocolate). Oh, my! ©Salt & Straw The final flavor is Exquisito Guanabana Stracciatella, made with Guanabana (or soursop) fruit with guanabana sherbet, with Exquisito floral dark chocolate stracciatella. ©Salt & Straw These flavors will be available all month long at the Salt & Straw locations in both Disney World and Disneyland, so if any of these sound good to you, head on over to Disney Springs or Downtown Disney RIGHT NOW! Waiting for a scoop! 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! Banana. Pudding. Cheesecake in Disney World. Need We Say 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. How do these flavors sound to you? Would you try? Let us know in the comments! The post Why You Should Plan a Disney Springs Visit ASAP first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District (“RCID”) is just a few months away from being officially dissolved and some BIG changes could be on the way. ©WFTV 9 The RCID, which essentially functions as its own county government, has given Disney a lot of control over the land on which it operates in Orlando. But, following Disney’s statements against the Florida Parental Rights in Education bill, the Florida legislature passed a law that will dissolve the RCID in June of 2023. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has insisted that a state-controlled board will take over and Disney will NOT be allowed to control its own government, but not all of Disney’s self-governance might end in Florida. According to the Orlando Sentinel, Chad Emerson the writer behind “Project Future: The Inside Story Behind the Creation of Disney World” has indicated that Disney could retain some of its self-governing powers through the 2 cities it controls — Lake Buena Vista and Bay Lake. Reedy Creek Trash Cans According to Emerson, the cities actually delegated government powers to the RCID. But they could “conceivably” take them back, should Disney want them to do so. Emerson shared, “If the state appoints the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the cities could elect to disengage from the district…They knew what they were doing in 1968, and they definitely had contingencies.” Magic Kingdom The Sentinel points out that Florida politicians seem to have generally ignored these two cities, but “Disney firmly controls them as company towns.” Combined, the cities have a population of about 53. The residents are typically workers or retirees (and their families) from Disney or Reedy Creek. The residents of these towns elect a “city council and mayor, all of whom are friendly to Disney.” The Sentinel also points out that, importantly, “[m]ost of the developed land in Reedy Creek is within the borders of Lake Buena Vista and Bay Lake.” So perhaps this is the “loophole” (of sorts) that could help Disney retain some sense of self-governance, though it would NOT be the same as under the current RCID arrangement. Pandora What will happen with the RCID remains to be seen. Christopher Goodman, a professor of public administration at Northern Illinois University, shared with the Sentinel that legislators do have the ability to alter the governance structure of the RCID and there are some districts that operate with board members who are appointed. It certainly seems that a state-appointed board is what DeSantis is seeking for this area based on his recent statements. The Sentinel points out that if the state leaves the RCID essentially intact but replaces the district’s governing board, that could avoid potential issues with the RCID’s outstanding debt, which is estimated to be around $1 billion. A DeSantis spokesperson has indicated that the governor expects a special session next week will address the RCID. But, as of Friday, February 3rd, no bill on the matter had been filed. Magic Kingdom Sam Gennawey, author of “Walt and the Promise of Progress City,” has indicated that Disney could work within the limits of having the state in charge of the RCID. But, he warns, “You would just see a little less innovation. You’d see a little slower growth. You’d see them sitting on a lot of assets they already have and not being in a rush. Only because of Universal would they feel like they have to spend any money.” Expedition Everest We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more updates about the RCID. For more posts covering this topic, see our links below: See Governor DeSantis’ comments on the future of Disney’s Reedy Creek District Why June 1st Could Determine Disney World’s Future “The Corporate Kingdom Has Come to an End” — Updates on Disney World’s Reedy Creek District Click here to get an update on the Reedy Creek District drama from the District leaders Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What do you think will happen with the Reedy Creek District? Tell us in the comments. The post The LOOPHOLE Disney Could Use to Resolve Reedy Creek District Problems first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Picture it: The perfect moment — your ENGAGEMENT! — in the perfect place: Walt Disney World! It’s that once-in-a lifetime moment that begins your story with your significant other that ends with your “Happily Ever After.” “Will You Marry Me? The thing is, Disney World is filled with magical moments, memorable places, and magnificent experiences. So how on earth do you narrow down THE time, THE place, and THE moment for everything to be absolutely perfect? I mean… no pressure, right? But also… no worries! Why? Because we’re here to provide you with the ULTIMATE guide to PROPOSING at Disney World! Engagement and Proposal Packages at Disney World Let’s say you’re dreaming of a grand gesture, but don’t even know how to start when it comes to planning and logistics in a setting as big as Disney World. I’m POPPING THE QUESTION at DISNEY WORLD! NOW WHAT?! Did you know that you can receive a little help from Disney World? There is a resource waiting for you with Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons. You can peruse the website and even request more information. Cinderella’s Glass Slipper You may also call (321) 939-4610 and select option #4. However, at this time this audio prompt recommends visiting the website for those specifically planning a proposal, because the focus — as you may guess by the name of the site — is indeed on weddings and honeymoons over engagements. That said, another result of the call for proposal information is a recommendation for exploring what Disney calls “Enchanting Extras.” “Enchanting Extras” include Tours at Disney’s Animal Kingdom These are add-on experiences such as tours, specialty dining, and other experiences beyond what you may already be familiar with from the parks and Resorts. And guess what? We’ve got all of those listed right here on the DFB, too. Click HERE to see ALL of the EXTRA EXPERIENCES you can enjoy in Disney World! But, hey, since the ultimate goal of a proposal includes a wedding and possibly a honeymoon, the Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons site is a great spot to gather some information and — perhaps more importantly — inspiration! Floral and Celebration Packages Want to spread a little extra pixie dust over the occasion? Disney Floral & Gifts offers gift baskets and floral arrangements that can be delivered straight to your Disney World hotel, including a package called “A Disney Engagement.” ©Disney The package features — get this! –– a crystal glass slipper (by Arribas Brothers) and a white Mickey crystal pillow on which you can present an engagement ring (alas, not included )! A bottle of bubbly, glasses for toasting, chocolates from The Ganachery, and rose petals to scatter are also included. Cinderella’s Glass Slipper (previous Contemporary Resort Display) Note that the Disney Floral and Gifts website shares that “We will happily send your gift to any open Walt Disney World Resort, as well as open good neighbor resorts and hotels located on Walt Disney World Resort property.” The delivery itself arrives at your Resort’s front desk, and the team then notifies the guest. Tips for Proposing at Disney World THE RING You likely have a certain sparkler in mind already, if you plan to propose with an engagement ring. But if you really want to go ALL IN ON DISNEY with this thing, you might want to check out the selections from Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings. The selection of wedding and engagement rings present subtle Disney touches. For example, the Mickey Mouse Fairy Tale Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring pictured below features a few hidden Mickeys! ©Disney Yes, these rings are totally a thing, and it’s even a kick just to browse and daydream on shopDisney a bit even if you don’t purchase. Check out the Disney-inspired sparklers HERE! Find a Cast Member You may need a little help along the way, and Disney Cast Members just so happen to be in the business of making magic! Disney World Cast Members We’ll chat more about getting pictures of your proposal in a bit, but for now, we’ll leave it at this: you may want to give a small whisper to a nearby PhotoPass photographer that you have a VERY special moment you’d love their help in capturing. Pluto and a PhotoPass Photographer Oh, and that ring we mentioned above… Are you concerned it might set off the security scanners? (I often bring my glasses in the park, and believe it or not, those teeny-tiny hinges on my glasses case have set those things off.) Security Screening at Hollywood Studios Consider giving a heads up to one of the security guards, who may be able to assist in keeping the cat IN the literal bag. The folks at Plan Disney have some advice for this, too: “My first piece of advice would be to offer to take ALL of your bags and backpacks through the security line, allowing your significant other to enter the no-bag line. If you do this every day of your trip, you’ll set this expectation up in advance so she won’t suspect a thing.” Are you dining at a special restaurant? “Table for two, please!” Topolino’s Terrace in Disney’s Riviera Resort Perhaps you can let your server or the hostess know. We can’t guarantee there will be any extra pixie dust sprinkled for the occasion, but if you’re worried about someone stopping by the table right when you’re getting ready to pop the question, they will know to be on the lookout and not pay a table visit during the crucial moment. And if a Cast Member does play a part in making your proposal memorable, you can let Disney know by leaving a Cast Member Compliment! Click HERE to learn how to leave a Cast Member Compliment! “I’m Celebrating” Buttons Share your good news with the World (Disney World, that is)! Don’t forget to stop by Guest Relations or your Resort hotel’s front desk to request a FREE Celebration Button! There are a few designs, and “Happily Ever After” will likely be the theme you receive after yelling “WE’RE ENGAGED!!!” to a Cast Member (kindly, of course ). Let’s Celebrate! Tip: Rather than collect these buttons together after the proposal, you may want to plan a little Guests Relations visit on the DL beforehand so you can have the buttons at the ready to wear immediately after your engagement. Get ready to hear “Congratulations!” and well wishes not only from Cast Members, but from fellow guests as well! And did you know that you can even get your Celebration Button PERSONALIZED? You can get a celebration button for any occasion, really! For just $3.00, you can stop by Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Magic Kingdom and spruce up your buttons a bit for an extra special souvenir! Learn how to zhuzh up your Celebration Button HERE! Commemorate with a Souvenir While we’re on the topic of special souvenirs, you may want to pick up something to remember this very special Disney World visit. We found this adorable “Will You Marry Me?” Castle Engagement Ring ornament in EPCOT’s Creations Shop recently. For the perfect proposal! Or you can start preparing for THE BIG DAY while you’re at it, by picking up some Bride and Groom Mickey and Minnie Ear Hats! Bride and Groom Mickey Ears Hats Perhaps a special frame for your favorite engagement photo from the trip will do nicely. Mickey Castle Swirls Frame Whatever you choose, it’s sure to make you smile in the future! Options for Proposal Pictures This is certainly a moment you’ll want to capture. Lucky you! You’ve got a whole team of Disney PhotoPass photographers ready to help commemorate your engagement. Disney PhotoPass photographers are the BEST! Now, it’s up to you — you can ask a PhotoPass Photographer’s assistance in capturing THE MOMENT with a little whisper and wink. (Of course, if you plan to get down on one knee, that’s a pretty big tip off to the photographer, too. ). But if you prefer to share the proposal moment in a quiet moment by yourselves (or as quiet as you can find in Disney World), that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy taking special shots after the proposal to remember the day of your engagement! So the “when” is your call. Here are some tips on the “how” and where:” PhotoPass Locations There are OODLES of locations where PhotoPass Photographers are stationed around the parks (and even the Resort hotels, in some cases). These include locations that have likely already come to mind, like at the park’s icons such as EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth and the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom. Spaceship Earth But you may be surprised at all of the options, and you can find them easily by navigating to PhotoPass locations on the My Disney Experience app. My Disney Experience Drop Down Menu — Simply find PhotoPass But how about looking through that list and doing a little outside-the-box thinking? Wouldn’t it be fun to have an engagement photo taken with the ULTIMATE couple: Mickey & Minnie?! Mickey and Minnie You’ll find them together at Adventurers Outpost in Animal Kingdom. And there are even MORE options… Capture Your Moment Did you know that you can have your own private photo session in Disney World? You may want to arrange a special Capture Your Moment session where you can have a photoshoot with a personal and dedicated PhotoPass photographer! Capture Your Moment Each session lasts up to 20 minutes for $99 (and you can book back-to-back sessions for an additional $99 per session). Capture Your Moment is available in all four parks, including five EPCOT World Showcase pavilions. You can find all of the information and options here. ©Disney Please be aware that your prints and digital downloads are not included with the price of your Capture Your Moment session and must be purchased separately. However, prints and downloads are no additional cost if you’ve paid for Memory Maker (or have a qualifying Annual Passholder entitlement). Ditto goes for regular PhotoPass images captures around the parks. Again, you could even pop the question during the session, if you’d like. ©Disney But remember that the time is limited to 20 minutes, and this might be a better option for an engagement photo session as opposed to the proposal moment if time constraints are a concern for you. (Plus, your significant other won’t wonder why if you ask them to dress up a little bit if the session itself is an additional surprise.) Learn more about PhotoPass, Capture Your Moment, AND Memory Maker HERE! Favorite Places to Propose at Disney World In Front of Cinderella’s Castle on Main Street, U.S.A. When you imagine “Happily Ever After,” what image pops to mind? For many people, it’s THIS ONE: Cinderella Castle in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Cinderella Castle at the end of Main Street, U.S.A. is ultimately the symbol of Cinderella’s own fairy tale ending, in addition to being the single most iconic landmark in all of Walt Disney World. She lost her shoe, but look at her now! And the nice thing is that the time and logistics are up to you! Perhaps you’d like an early morning moment so you can enjoy the first full day of your engagement. The sun rising in Magic Kingdom Or maybe you’d like to start YOUR happily ever after immediately before or after watching the “Happily Ever After” fireworks — which, BTW, are returning to Magic Kingdom on April 3, 2023! Happily Ever After in Magic Kingdom Until then, you can enjoy Disney Enchantment to cap off your day. Just bear in mind that this is the most people-y time on the already people-y Main Street, U.S.A., so if crowds aren’t part of your dream scenario, this may not be your ideal time or location. Take a tour of Main Street, U.S.A. HERE. The Wishing Well So, let’s say you love the idea of incorporating Cinderella’s ultimate fairy tale ending, but aren’t so much into the crowds that gather on Main Street. You might want to consider seizing your moment at Cinderella’s Wishing Well. Cinderella’s Wishing Well in Magic Kingdom SOMETHING TO KNOW, though: The Wishing Well has, as of late, become a fairly popular photo spot. (In fact, a PhotoPass photographer is often stationed here, which can, for your purposes, be a great thing!) It’s never crowded in the way Main Street is, but it’s just good to know that there may be a bit of a line. Less well known, but also lovely, is the Cinderella Fountain located behind the Castle on the same side as Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Fantasyland. Cinderella’s Fountain This gem is often overlooked (as is the hidden crown behind Cinderella’s head). Cinderella’s Fountain No matter which you choose, don’t forget to being a coin or two to make a wish before or after the proposal! Not only is it a lovely thing to make a wish for your bright and happy future, but the proceeds from all of the coins tossed into the well are collected and donated to children’s charities in Orlando. Pull a coin or two from your Adventure Fund! Just a nice way to share the love, isn’t it? Find out more about WHERE ALL THE COINS GO when you make a wish in Disney World! The Beach at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort During Fireworks Do you REALLY enjoy the idea of your proposal being accompanied by a world class fireworks production, but hesitate over finding room to kneel on Main Street, U.S.A.? Why not enjoy the fireworks from the beach at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort before or after popping the question? The Beach at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (the side closer to Grand Floridian) Other locations where the music from the show is piped in WITH a Castle view include the outdoor overlook from the fourth floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort and the Marina area in front of Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. Castle view from Gasparilla We also imagine (though are not yet certain) that they may well pipe in the music at Narcoossee’s when this Grand Floridian restaurant reopens after its current refurbishment. They even pipe in the music at the Polynesian’s ‘Ohana! In both instances, obviously, you will want to time your Advance Dining Reservation to coincide with the fireworks. ‘Ohana Windows offer Castle Views! You can also enjoy fireworks with the music — though WITHOUT a Castle view — at the beach Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, and along Bay Lake at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (though the best viewing spot here is steps away from Geyser Point Bar & Grill, and while we LOVE the place, it doesn’t necessarily have the same romance factor, unless you’re in love with the Cheesy Barbecue Brisket, in which case… join the club). The Beach at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground Oh, it might be good to know the fireworks showtime for this plan, huh ? Be sure to visit My Disney Experience to see fireworks showtimes (and we’d recommend checking again a week or two in advance, as showtimes are subject to change). Click HERE to see the BEST restaurants with views of FIREWORKS! Fireworks Cruise Ok, one more fireworks idea for you… How about a SPLURGE to go along with that show? Did you know that you can enjoy your own private Fireworks Cruise to go along with Disney Enchantment (through April 2nd) or Happily Ever After (starting April 3rd)? Yep! The same is true for EPCOT’S Harmonious! Harmonious in EPCOT (Just be aware that Harmonious ends its run on April 2nd. EPCOT Forever will return as the interim show starting April 3rd while the park prepares to welcome a new production later this year as part of Walt Disney World’s 100th Anniversary Celebration.) Fireworks Cruises for either park start at $399.00. Though you may desire this to be a cruise just for two, it’s good to know that each 25-foot pontoon can comfortably accommodate up to 10 guests. Pontoons at the Grand Floridian Marina The cruise also includes a Captain and assorted snacks and beverages. P.S. This is one of those “Enchanting Extras” that we chatted about above! Find out more about Fireworks Cruises here Tree of Life Okay, we’ve chatted plenty about Magic Kingdom and the Castle. But there are, of course, other gorgeous and memorable icons in Disney World. The Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Perhaps there’s no better place for you to start your life together than the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! SO Much More to Explore Featuring over 300 intricate animal sculptures, it’s a location that is as visually stunning as it is inspiring and memorable. But even that’s not all… Learn 6 Mind-Blowing Things About the Tree of Life! Speaking of icons… Millennium Falcon in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge “I Love you.” “I Know.” “I Love You” Princess Leia Shirt If THAT is your shared way of expressing your feelings to one another, then your site just might be in front of the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge No further explanation needed. (And if it is, no worries — just suffice it to say this isn’t your ideal location, and not to worry, because we’ve got MORE great locations!) Visit a galaxy far, far away by clicking HERE… Eiffel Tower in EPCOT’S France Pavilion Aaah, Paris… the City of Love! If you’re dreaming of a Parisian proposal, but find yourself in EPCOT’s World Showcase instead , you can have BOTH at the France pavilion! Eiffel Tower as seen approaching EPCOT’s France Pavilion With the Eiffel Tower in view, you can propose, perhaps, near the lovely fountains which sparkle day and night. The Fountains in France (And, yes, there is often a PhotoPass Photographer stationed here, too!) Take a tour of EVERYTHING to do in EPCOT here! By — or IN! — a Carriage! Okay, so maybe you don’t personally own a 1929 Carriage Cadillac, but Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort surely does! Grand Floridian Entrance Just before entering the Grand Floridian, on the left you’ll spy a white Carriage car, perfect for stunning photos! (Plus, if you’re arriving to stay at the Grand Floridian, you can pop the question early so your partner doesn’t ask “Why are you so nervous?” the whole trip. ) Of course, you never know… you may spy another kind of Carriage entirely when you’re at the Grand! Carriage outside Grand Floridian Cinderella’s famous Carriage (or shall I say Pumpkin-turned-Coach) can be rented for weddings at Disney’s Grand Floridian (and on special occasions such as Valentine’s Day and New Year’s, you may even find Cinderella’s Carriage at Magic Kingdom as a photo op!). Cinderella’s Carriage in Magic Kingdom But we’re jumping ahead of ourselves… let’s just get through the proposal here. Carriage Rides at Port Orleans Resort How about proposing from INSIDE a Carriage with a Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside or at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground? After all, a coach was a HUGE part of Cinderella’s story… Mosaic in Cinderella Castle Walkway Why not yours, too? Explore Cinderella’s Story — and these stunning mosaics — HERE! During a Special Meal “If music be the food of love, play on…” The Bard considered music to be the food of love. But here at the DFB we consider FOOD to be… umm… Perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime meal at Victoria & Albert’s will do nicely … the food of love. (Hey, we can’t all be Shakespeare. Moving on… ) You had to know this was coming — of COURSE we’re going to suggest a special meal in a special restaurant as a GREAT place to propose! Your mind may spring to fine dining locations such as the stunning Victoria & Albert’s (which happens to be even more stunning after its recent renovation). Queen Victoria’s Room at Victoria & Albert’s Or perhaps you’d enjoy asking someone to share your castle inside THE Castle… Cinderella’s Royal Table, in case you’re not aware, is located inside Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom. Special location for a special meal? DONE! BONUS: This location will return to its traditional Character Dining experience starting February 28th, 2023! Why not have a bevy of Princesses around to wish you well as you start your journey? Sleeping Beauty at Cinderella’s Royal Table Yep, I said Character Meal. They aren’t just for kids, you know. And while they may not scream “ROMANCE,” they are positively packed with fun and spirit and — most importantly — Disney pals, which may be just your vibe! It’s Mickey at Topolino’s Terrace! Click HERE to see ALL of the Disney World Character Meals! Frankly, I’d say “SURE!” to a proposal from anyone who bought me a pizza at Via Napoli. Pizza at Via Napoli is totally Proposal-Worthy But that’s just me. What I’m saying is, there’s a lot of room for improvisation here, folks! So, pick your favorite spot from among the list, and enjoy the meal of a lifetime! Find ALL of the Disney World restaurants HERE! YOUR Special Place It is fun to daydream about the big splurge or the perfect photo, isn’t it? But maybe there’s that place that’s special to just the two of you. Remember, the gesture doesn’t have to be over-the-top. You’re in a great place already (Disney World!), and the rest is gravy. The Happiest Couple Do you have a special ride that’s sentimental to you as a couple? Does your spouse-to-be share your same sense of humor and you can totally picture yourself proposing in the Haunted Mansion’s Attic with the Bride saying “I Do” in the background? (It’s not for everyone, but might just be for you!) Here comes the bride… Did you know he or she was THE ONE when you first found out about your shared love for Disney World or maybe a specific film, character, or Resort? “Your Happy Place, you say? Funny… Mine, too.” You can simply build on the idea from there. The proposal of a lifetime at Walt Disney World Resort — you’ve got the tips and ideas… now all you need is an enthusiastic “YES!” Coffee printing at Joffrey’s P.S. Our readers shared some of their own Disney DREAM proposals with us on our Instagram — check it out here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! 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 Dream of a Disney Proposal? Please let us know in the comments! The post The Ultimate Guide To Proposing At Disney World for 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice tackle Tron Lightcycle details, a Gatorland goodbye and the power outage at ICON Park in this episode of Theme Park Rangers podcast. View the full article

5 Ways to Celebrate Disney's Epic 100th Anniversary I Disneyland ResortView the full article

Want to get a FREE flight? It’s a pretty exciting possibility, right? What are your favorite travel tips? We’ve seen airlines offer free flights (with some conditions) in the past, but what if that free flight could take you near an international Disney park? One offer could do just that! According to a press release from the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Hong Kong is “ready to welcome visitors from all around the world once again,” and they’re celebrating in a BIG way. They’ve launched a campaign called “Hello Hong Kong” and a big part of it involves giving away 500,000(!!!) FREE air tickets! Hong Kong Disneyland ©Disney To entice people from around the world to visit Hong Kong, 500,000 FREE tickets will be given away by the Airport Authority Hong Kong. They won’t all be released at once though. Instead, they’ll be given to different markets in phases. According to CNBC, the release of the tickets will start with Southeast Asian markets, then it will move to mainland China and North Asia. Last on the list are other parts of the world. Look at that view! The tickets will be given away through 3 Hong Kong-based carriers — Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong Express, and Hong Kong Airlines. The tickets become available starting in March. In terms of how to get the free tickets, it will depend on “local market regulations and customs,” according to Fred Lam, CEO of Hong Kong’s airport authority. They could get tickets through “large-scale lucky draws, giving it out through a first-come-first serve basis, offering buy-on-get-one free tickets, or through game participations.” Airplane And there’s MORE. At least 1 MILLION Hong Kong Goodies consumption vouchers will be given out. These will have a value of over HK$100 each and will cover a “complimentary welcome drink at participating bars, restaurants, and hotels, or a cash voucher to be redeemed in the transportation, culinary and retail sectors, and attractions.” Just keep in mind that there are some restrictions in traveling to Hong Kong: All international travelers are required to test negative for COVID-19 in a pre-departure test Mask-wearing is mandatory in Hong Kong on public transport, and in indoor and outdoor public places ©Hong Kong Disneyland Could a FREE flight to Hong Kong be in your future? It’s possible! And that could possibly push you to finally book that Hong Kong Disneyland trip of your dreams! We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more updates. Click here to see how airline rules could be CHANGING in the U.S. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Have you ever been to Hong Kong Disneyland? Tell us in the comments. The post You Could Win a FREE Flight to an International Disney Park first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Grim grinning ghosts are coming out to socialize in "The Haunted Mansion: Storm & Shade" by Claudia Gray. Check out the just-revealed cover and preorder the book now! View the full article

DeSantis wants the state to control Reedy Creek, upending a deal that helped Disney make Florida the world’s No. 1 theme park destination. View the full article

So many things are changing at the Disney parks that it can be difficult to keep them all straight! Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland PhotoPass changes will soon be made for those who buy Genie+ in Disney World, Splash Mountain has CLOSED in Disney World to make way for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (and it will eventually close in Disneyland too), and other changes have been announced for the West Coast. With all of this news, you may have missed or forgotten about two critical adjustments coming to Disneyland soon. First, this is your official reminder that Park Hopping is changing in Disneyland on February 4th, 2023! Right now, guests with a valid Park Hopper ticket (or Magic Key pass) can hop to the second park of their choice starting at 1PM. But starting February 4th, 2023, Park Hopping will begin earlier — starting at 11AM! Avengers Campus Here’s a quick rundown of Park Hopping at Disneyland Resort in general: You still need a park reservation for the first park you want to visit So you will make a park reservation for the first park you plan to visit on your selected date THEN you can cross between the parks starting at 1PM (currently) / 11AM starting February 4th A park reservation is NOT required for your second park at this time Hopping is subject to the second park’s capacity and availability Under the current rules, Disney notes that after 1PM, if you haven’t entered any park, you can enter EITHER park (“despite what you designated for your first park on your park reservation.”) We expect this rule will remain in place but the time would be shifted up to 11AM. Be sure to check what rules are in place during your visit! Pixar Pier Disney’s Park Hopper website also advises guests to check the Disneyland app or Park Hours Calendar for the most up-to-date Park Hopper hours because those can “change depending on the day and park.” In the calendar below, you can see the change from the 1PM Park Hopper Availability time to 11AM on February 4th. So get ready to HOP earlier than you could before, giving you the chance to spend more time in the second park of your choice. ©Disney BUT this isn’t the only change coming to Disneyland on February 4th. Starting February 4th, Disneyland guests will also be able to access select FREE PhotoPass downloads included with the cost of their Disneyland ticket! The photos available will specifically be downloads of your digital attraction photos. That’ll be available throughout the Disney100 celebration. Let’s roll! We’ll keep an eye out for more news about changes coming to Disneyland, so stay tuned. For your COMPLETE guide to Disneyland for 2023, check out our video below!  Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! See Our DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Learn About Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland Check Out What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Get All the Info About Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Should You Go to Disneyland in 2022? Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe What do you think about these changes? Tell us in the comments. The post REMINDER: A New Disney Parks Perk and Big Park Hopping Change Start TOMORROW first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are lots of hotels at Disney World, but did you know that Disney owns other hotels outside of the theme park area? Disney’s Vero Beach Resort ©Disney Down in Vero Beach, Florida, (about 2 hours southeast of Disney World), there’s Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. It’s a great place to visit if you’re looking for a vacation that’s a little more relaxed than the theme parks but still has a touch of Disney magic. If you’re planning to stay at this resort soon, you need to know about an upcoming pool closure! Disney announced that the Vero Beach Feature Pool and Pirate’s Plunch Pool Slide will be CLOSED for refurbishment early next year, from January 8th, 2024, through late March 2024. Lots of splashing to be had here! While these areas are being refurbished, the Tiger Lily Wet Play Area, Port Holes Miniature Golf course, and whirlpool spa will also be closed. Disney’s Vero Beach Resort sign Disney warns that guests might see and hear construction work during the day, typically from 9AM to 6PM, and they may need to follow temporary signs to go around the site while work is being done. Resort Lobby If you’re visiting Vero Beach Resort soon, be sure to plan around that closure. And stay tuned to DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news. Click here to learn more about Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. Travel Updates, Tips, and Tricks Complete Guide to Booking the CHEAPEST Flight to Disney World What to Do if Your Flight to Disney World Is Canceled Our Best Tips For Flying Through the Orlando International Airport Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get to Disney World From the Orlando Airport The Ultimate Disney World Packing List for 2022 You’re SLEEPING on These Packing Hacks Air Travel Tips That’ll Change Your Life 8 Catastrophic Travel Mistakes and How to Solve Them The BEST and WORST Airlines in the US, Ranked by Customer Complaints The MOST and LEAST Reliable Airlines in the U.S. This Small Change Will Save You From Lost Luggage The Best Disney Luggage for 2023 21 Things a Former Flight Attendant Needs You To Know 7 Highest-Rated Travel Items on Amazon Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click Here to Subscribe Have you been to Disney’s Vero Beach Resort? Let us know in the comments! The post Pool CLOSURE Announced for Disney's Vero Beach Resort first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Things could be changing at the Walt Disney Company, but the Company’s Board of Directors isn’t just sitting back and letting it happen without at least issuing a response. ©The Walt Disney Company For a while, we’ve been covering the situation with activist investor Nelson Peltz and Trian Parters/Group. Basically, Peltz has been attempting (for some time) to get a seat on Disney’s Board of Directors. He’s had meetings with both Bob Chapek and Bob Iger, but ultimately Disney has pushed back and refused to offer him a seat, arguing that he is not qualified. Peltz and Trian Partners have since decided to mount a battle for a seat on the Board of Directors, and now Disney has responded in a big way. On February 2nd, 2023, Trian Partners made a number of SEC filings regarding their planned battle for a seat on the Board of Directors at Disney. In their documents, which are part of a campaign they’ve called “Restore the Magic at The Walt Disney Company,” they urge shareholders to vote “for” Nelson Peltz and “withhold” on Michael B. G. Froman. This is critical to their effort to get Nelson Peltz a seat on the Board. ©Restore the Magic | Trian Partners Through various filings, they’ve shown shareholders how they want them to vote… ©Restore the Magic | Trian Partners …showcasing both the Trian Partners’ blue card and Disney’s white card, which shareholders can use to place their votes. ©Restore the Magic | Trian Partners Trian Partners insists that the Board of Directors has caused a “destruction of value” by “failing to instill a culture of accountability,” “failing to properly plan for leadership succession,” “failing to align incentives with shareholders,” and “failing to heed constructive shareholder input.” They argue that Peltz will fix that by tying executive compensation to the “achievement of ambitious performance targets,” creating a plan that’ll turn Disney’s streaming business into the leader of the industry, working to restore the dividend, and making an effort to develop internal talent. Though they say the changes will be “difficult,” they insist that these changes are “necessary.” ©Restore the Magic | Trian Partners But Disney has some thoughts of its own. After Trian’s filings, Disney’s Board of Directors issued a notice on their website and sent a letter to shareholders on the matter. In their notice, the Board shared that they are “focused on delivering long-term sustainable value” and that they do NOT endorse Nelson Peltz (or his son, who is running as an alternate). In fact, the Board took it so far as to say that the “election of either Mr. Peltz or his son would threaten the strategic management of Disney during a period of important change in the media landscape.” ©Reuters They then addressed how Trian is seeking to replace Michael Froman with Peltz. They refer to Froman as a “highly valued member of the Board with deep background in global trade and international business, who the Board believes is far better qualified than either Mr. Peltz or his son to help drive value for shareholders.” They insist that “neither Mr. Peltz nor his son offer skills or experience additive to the Disney Board that replace the decades-long experience of Mr. Froman.” They go on to discuss Froman’s experience (as U.S. Trade Representative, Assistant to the President of the United States, and Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Policy) and how it helps Disney “assess the risks and opportunities in an increasingly complex global marketplace.” ©Disney (Obtained Via USA Today) The Board’s notice on the Company website also included a copy of the letter mailed to shareholders. In that letter, they ask shareholders NOT to return any blue proxy cards from Trian but instead to wait for Disney’s materials and cast a vote “on an informed basis.” In the letter, they also highlight changes the Board has made recently to get the “right combination of experience, skills and perspective,” like the addition of Carolyn Everson on the board and the decision to name Mark Parker as the upcoming Chairman of the Board. Photo from Chief Executive They then point out once again that the Board doesn’t support Peltz and thinks his election would “would threaten [their] efforts to manage Disney for all shareholders.” They point out that Peltz has “demonstrated that he does not understand Disney’s businesses and he lacks the perspective and experience to contribute to the objective of delivering shareholder value in a rapidly shifting media ecosystem.” They also point out that Peltz started his meetings with Disney to get a seat on the board BEFORE he was a shareholder. They then share that they are “skeptical of his motives and believe he would be disruptive at a crucial period for Disney.” Walt Disney Company Headquarters ©LA Times In the letter, they highlight how 10 out of the 11 Board members are independent, and how several of them have experience with Fortune 500 companies. They then “strongly” urged shareholders to discard materials sent by Trian Partners and wait to vote until they’ve received Disney’s materials. So, Disney’s Board of Directors isn’t sitting by as Peltz makes his bid for the Board. Instead, it seems they’re actively pushing back to urge shareholders to make an “informed vote.” Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, CA How this will ultimately pan out remains to be seen. A shareholder meeting date for 2023 should soon be revealed. We’ll keep an eye out for more details and let you know. To get more details on who Nelson Peltz is and why people care, click here. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Do you think Nelson Peltz will ultimately get a seat on the Board? Tell us in the comments. The post Disney Fears One Change Could Be “DISRUPTIVE” at a Crucial Time 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. LEGO couldn’t be left out of the Disney 100th anniversary celebrations, so they’ve decided to join in on the fun! We found just the Disney 100th Celebration merchandise that really knows how to stand out. Lego Store The latest LEGO set to drop features some of the most iconic animation characters in Walt Disney Animation, and you won’t believe which characters made the set! We’ve seen a few LEGO Disney sets drop recently featuring Disney parks rides and attractions, Star Wars characters and ships, and even Mickey Mouse himself but this latest set is one that is the perfect size to build for yourself or gift to someone else. Welcome to Disney Springs LEGO teamed up with BrickHeadz to come up with the ultimate Disney 100th Celebration set. Here’s the line up of characters included in the set: Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was chosen for being Walt Disney’s first character drawing. Mickey Mouse we knew would make the cut but is featured as his Steamboat Willie self since it was Walt Disney’s first animated cartoon. Of course we would need a princess, so Snow White was chosen since she was the main character in Walt Disney’s first animated feature film. Tinker Bell was added to the set because she was the first Disneyland mascot, showcasing just how important these Disney characters have been to Disney animation. ©LEGO If you’re looking to purchase the Disney 100th Celebration set, it’s currently priced at $39.99 and available online — Click here! It’s showcased as a 510-piece set, and the recommended builder age is 10 and up. ©LEGO A quick peek at the official LEGO website notes this set number 40622 and purchases directly through LEGO may earn eligible VIP points! Click here to buy Disney’s NEW 100th anniversary LEGO set. Stay tuned with DFB for the latest news in Disney’s 100th Celebration! Everything YOU need to know about Disney’s 100th Celebration! 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 characters would you have included in this set? Leave your thoughts for us in the comments! The post Disney's 100th Anniversary LEGO Set Is Online Now! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s the dream of many Disney World fans to stay in the parks after they close and enjoy the rides, entertainment, and ambiance without the huge crowds. Guess what? That dream can actually come true! Magic Kingdom at night If you’re willing to pay some extra cash, there are several different options you can check out that let you stay late into the night in Disney World! Some of those events include special holiday parties, After Hours events, and Extended Evening Hours. In this post, we’re going to compare After Hours events and Extended Evening Hours to see which of these add-ons is right for your next Disney trip! At both Disney’s After Hours events and Extended Evening Hours, you can stay late at select parks, and you’ll get to experience things that daytime guests typically don’t see. But even though they have some things in common, there are key differences between the two offerings that we’re going to break down! Dates Let’s start with the “when” of these two events. For After Hours events, you’ll typically find them taking place at the beginning of the year. In 2023, Disney After Hours events are scheduled from January through April, but before the pandemic, we did see some After Hours offerings at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park during the summer. Tomorrowland After Hours Crowds (or lack thereof) On top of that, After Hours typically only happens once or twice a week, so you may have to modify your park schedule during your visit if you want to attend. Click here to see ALL the dates for the 2023 After Hours events. The Magic Kingdom After Hours events are typically held on select Mondays and Thursdays, whereas the Hollywood Studios After Hours events are mostly on Wednesdays. They don’t take place every week, though, so make sure you check the schedule before making your plans! So quiet Extended Evening Hours happen throughout the year, and there are usually one or two nights per week when they’re happening. Most of the Magic Kingdom events are on Wednesdays, and most of the EPCOT events are Mondays. Like the After Hours events, the schedule is variable and will change week-to-week, so make sure you check out those dates and times before you plan your vacation. Who Qualifies Anyone can purchase a ticket to attend After Hours events in Disney World. As long as the event isn’t sold out, you’re free to buy a ticket and attend the event! After Hours Check-In However, you must be a guest at a Disney-owned Deluxe hotel in order to take advantage of Extended Evening Hours. Disney’s Grand Floridian If you’re staying at any of the following hotels, you qualify for this perk: Disney’s Contemporary Resort Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Copper Creek Villas & Cabins Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Disney’s Beach Club Resort Disney’s Beach Club Villas Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Disney’s BoardWalk Villas Disney’s Old Key West Resort Disney’s Riviera Resort Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Walt Disney World Swan Reserve Locations One big difference between the two events is the locations where they’re held. For After Hours events, we’ve seen them take place in Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Typhoon Lagoon, and even Animal Kingdom (pre-COVID). Since the pandemic, they’ve only returned to Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. Crowds during Magic Kingdom After Hours Most of the Extended Evening Hours events, by contrast, happen at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. We’ve only seen a couple of times when Hollywood Studios was thrown into the mix, and there have never been Extended Hours available at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Times If you’re heading to an After Hours event, the name gives away the timeframe. These hard-ticketed offerings don’t start until AFTER the park is closed for the evening. At Magic Kingdom, they’re running from 10PM to 1AM currently, and in Hollywood Studios, they take place from 9:30PM-12:30AM. That’s 3 hours of late-night park time. On top of that, you can enter the park early with your After Hours ticket at 7PM, giving you some extra time while the daytime crowds peter out. So ultimately, you get just a little bit more time at Magic Kingdom than you do at Hollywood Studios. Hollywood Studios With Extended Evening Hours, you get a little less extra time. The Magic Kingdom hours generally run from 10PM to midnight, and the event in EPCOT is usually 9PM to 11PM. EPCOT at night That means you’ll only get 2 hours of extra time with Extended Hours, whereas the After Hours events give you 3 hours of park time after the parks close. Park Pass Requirements If you purchase a ticket to an After Hours event, you do NOT need to buy a park ticket or make a Park Pass Reservation. Your ticket is your admission, so there’s no need to buy a daytime ticket unless you wanted to enter the park before 7PM. After Hours Event To attend Extended Evening Hours, guests will need a valid park ticket or annual pass AND a Park Pass Reservation for the park that is offering Extended Evening Hours that day (or a ticket or Annual Pass with the Park Hopper option, provided the park with the Park Pass reservation was already entered earlier that day). EPCOT entrance Guests will also need a Resort ID (such as a MagicBand or Key to the World card) to enter. Crowds Now, let’s get into the nitty gritty of things! One reason people really enjoy the After Hours events is that they offer the chance to see Disney World with incredibly low crowds. Tickets are extremely limited, so you’ll find short wait times for the rides and large, empty spaces. This is the perfect time to get that castle pic! Magic Kingdom at night We saw a similar picture at Extended Evening Hours. Once the daytime crowds left the park, wait times were very low and the park felt virtually empty in some parts! Extended Evening Hours Crowds In terms of crowd levels, these 2 events are very similar. Attractions and Entertainment What special things do these events have to offer? Well, at the After Hours events, you won’t find many special or unique things to do outside of the regular rides and character meet and greets. In fact, some of the attractions are limited during that time. We did see special performances of Wonderful World of Animation and Disney Movie Magic at Hollywood Studios during After Hours, but those were the only entertainment offerings. Rock ‘n Roller Coaster The low ride wait times were the real highlight of the event. Getting on Rise of the Resistance in 20 minutes? Yes, please! Rise of the Resistance At Hollywood Studios, the following rides stay open during the After Hours event: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Slinky Dog Dash Alien Swirling Saucers Toy Story Mania! Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Tower of Terror Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Hollywood Studios during After Hours At Magic Kingdom, the following rides stay open during the After Hours event: Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Haunted Mansion “it’s a small world” Jungle Cruise Peter Pan’s Flight Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Space Mountain The Magic Carpets of Aladdin Pirates of the Caribbean Swiss Family Treehouse Enchanted Tiki Room Country Bear Jamboree The Barnstormer Dumbo The Flying Elephant Mad Tea Party The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh Mickey’s Philharmagic Prince Charming’s Regal Carrousel Under The Sea — Journey of The Little Mermaid Astro Orbiter Tomorrowland Speedway PeopleMover Meet Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theater Meet Disney Princesses at Princess Fairytale Hall Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin During Extended Evening Hours, many rides and attractions remain open as well. There aren’t usually extra entertainment offerings, though, which is similar to the After Hours events. At EPCOT, the following rides stay open during Extended Evening Hours: Beauty and The Beast Sing-Along Frozen Ever After Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind — PLEASE NOTE: Guests going to Extended Evening Hours can request to join the virtual queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at 6PM. Find COMPLETE DETAILS here. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros Mission: SPACE Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Soarin’ Around the World Spaceship Earth Test Track The Seas with Nemo & Friends Spaceship Earth crowds during EPCOT’s extended evening park hours At Magic Kingdom, the following rides stay open during Extended Evening Hours: “it’s a small world” Astro Orbiter Big Thunder Mountain Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Dumbo the Flying Elephant Haunted Mansion Mad Tea Party Mickey’s PhilharMagic Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor Peter Pan’s Flight Pirates of the Caribbean Prince Charming Regal Carrousel Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Space Mountain Swiss Family Treehouse The Barnstormer The Magic Carpets of Aladdin The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Tomorrowland Speedway Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress Carrousel On the rare occasions when Extended Evening Hours are offered at Hollywood Studios, the following rides are open: Alien Swirling Saucers Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith Slinky Dog Dash Star Tours – The Adventures Continue Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Toy Story Mania! The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Tower of Terror Note that during both the After Hours events and Extended Evening Hours, most restaurants are CLOSED in the parks. A couple of restaurants will usually stay open for both events, and you can pick up free snacks at snack stands during the After Hours events, but don’t plan on too much dining availability during these times. Included in Admission Are there any “freebies” you can get at these events? We’re glad you asked! At the After Hours events, select snacks are included in your ticket price. If you visit popcorn stands around the park, you can get unlimited popcorn, ice cream novelties, and bottled drinks. Nothing like a good ‘ol Mickey Premium Bar! There aren’t any freebies at the Extended Evening Hours events — these just offer straightforward time in the parks and low ride wait times. Price Finally, we’ve got to talk about price! For After Hours events in 2023, prices ranged from $129 to $159, depending on the night. Tickets were a little more expensive at Magic Kingdom than they were for Hollywood Studios. Keep in mind that this gets you 5.5-6 hours of park time if you enter at 7PM. After Hours Info Extended Evening Hours are FREE…as long as you’re staying at one of Disney’s Deluxe hotels. Those Deluxe hotels usually cost $500+ per night (and some reach into the thousands per night during busy times!), so they definitely aren’t cheap. Disney’s Riviera Resort However, if you’re planning to stay at one of these hotels anyway, or if you’re a DVC member at one of those hotels, you can take advantage of the free perk and extra park time. Which Is Better? So which of these events is better? If you’re already planning to stay at a Deluxe hotel, you can take advantage of Extended Evening Hours for FREE and you probably won’t need to buy a ticket for the After Hours events. But if you wanted to save some money, it’s likely going to be cheaper to stay at a Value or Moderate hotel (or even off Disney World property) and buy a ticket for an After Hours event. After Hours Brochure The pricing may depend on your group, however. After Hours events cost $129-$159 per person, so if you can get a good deal on a Deluxe hotel room (which is one cost for the whole room rather than a per-person cost), you might actually save some cash by going with Extended Evening Hours. Check the rates for Deluxe hotels during your trip to see which is cheaper! Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resorts Other than the price, the events themselves are very similar. Most of the same rides are open at each event, neither has super special entertainment offerings, and both get you on lots of rides with low wait times. However, you get more time in the parks with After Hours events, and those also have the bonus of free snacks and treats throughout the evening. Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich Hold up for a sec! Before you plan your next trip to Disney World, check out our DFB Guide Everything Bundle here. You will get ALL of our best-selling eBooks with details on Disney World Dining, EPCOT Festivals, the BEST snacks in each park, and soooooo many tips and tricks we’ve learned over decades of visiting our happy place. Our guidebooks have all our best tips! Keep following DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news! THIS is Why Magic Kingdom After Hours is Worth the Money — Click Here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! 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. Have you ever been to these events in Disney World? Tell us in the comments! The post Comparing After Hours Events and Extended Evening Hours in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

February means LOTS of new food and drinks in Disney World. La Cava del Tequila Entrance Not only does the resort introduce new foods and treats for Black History Month, but we also see a LOT of snacks and drinks dedicated to Valentine’s Day! That means lots of pink food and heart-shaped sweets. Now, though, a popular Disney World cocktail is getting in on the romantic vibes. Last year, a new margarita arrived at La Cava del Tequila in the Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT. The margarita was created by celebrity Lily Aldrige and is called The Lily. Although it was meant to be a limited-time drink, La Cava brought it back and kept it on the menu! Lily Aldridge with her Lily Margarita The margarita is made with Casa Dragones blanco tequila, cranberry-lime juice, housemade rose petal & shimmering violet essence, with a rose-hibiscus salt rim. But now, it’s getting a Valentine’s Day upgrade for the month of February. The Lily “Love Edition” will be served with a heart lollipop and “floral aroma.” ©La Cava del Tequila So if you’re looking for a romantic drink this month, stop at La Cava del Tequila to try out the “Love Edition” of The Lily. We’ll let you know about any other Valentine’s Day drinks and treats we find along the way, so stay tuned to DFB for more! Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookies We’re all about Disney FOOD here at DFB. We even wrote the book on it! Check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining in an ebook format you can easily download to your tablet or smartphone. Use code WDW2023 to save 25% on the cover price! 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. Will you be at Disney World for Valentine’s Day or during the month of February? Let us know what you’re looking forward to eating and drinking in the comments! The post A Popular Disney World Drink Is CHANGING first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Okay, who’s ready to enter The Grid with Magic Kingdom’s new ride? TRON Lightcycle / Run will take Disney World guests on a thrilling lightcycle ride through a “dark computerized world.” TRON canopy lights ©Disney TRON’s big opening is coming up soon on April 4th, and we’re starting to see a LOT of updates on the site, like the sign in front of the ride. We’ve also seen some ride vehicle testing. Well, now, we just saw ANOTHER update — we now know what Cast Members on the ride will be wearing! So we were in Magic Kingdom and saw some TRON Cast Members walking around in their brand-new outfits. The outfits are inspired by the outfits worn by Lightcycle racers in the TRON movies. Looking sharp! One Cast Member was even kind enough to pose for us, showing off the black, white, and blue uniforms. Snazzy! TRON CM Outfit The back even has the details from the TRON movie outfit. Also, we LOVE the vibes this Cast Member is giving us. WERK. Back We’ve recently learned more about the ride requiring a virtual queue (although the Individual Lightning Lane option will also be available), how guests will need to store their belongings in lockers, and how some seats on the ride are adaptive for guests unable to use the standard ride vehicles. Empty adaptive seating Of course, before that, there will be previews for select Disney World guests, but you can bet we’ll be there on opening day covering EVERYTHING about the new ride. Keep following DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news! Don’t Forget This CRUCIAL Detail About the TRON Coaster 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 there on TRON / Lightcycle Run’s opening day? Let us know in the comments! The post This TRON Lightcycle / Run Cast Member Showing Off His Costume Is VIBES first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Love is in the air, and it smells a lot like new Disney snacks! All-Star Movies With Valentine’s Day now less than two weeks away, sugary sweet Valentine’s desserts are popping up all over the parks. We’ve tried lots of unique and intricate Valentine’s Day foods at Disney World, but today we’re taking it back to the basics! At the World Premiere Food Court in Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, you can grab the Be My Valentine Sweet Treat Bag, which consists of several sugar cookies topped with house-made vanilla icing and marshmallows. Doesn’t that sound good? You can never go wrong with sugar cookies! Hi, Stitch! Right away, we noticed how adorable these cookies are! They’re very pleasing to the eye and are easy to eat while walking around (perhaps with a date). The colorful frosting looks tasty as well. Now, time for the taste test. Lots to choose from… These cookies are simple but delicious. The cookies have the classic shortbread taste that we all know and love, and the icing adds great vanilla flavor. The marshmallows are very soft and have the faintest taste of raspberry. These are DELICIOUS You would love these cookies if you have a sweet tooth! If you aren’t the biggest fan of richer, sweeter desserts, maybe skip this one. If you want to try these cookies out for yourself, you can grab them from A World Premier Food Court for $6.99. Here at DFB, food is our thing, so make sure to follow along for more food-related news, reviews, and updates! Check out more new treats coming to Disney World 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 these cookies? Let us know in the comments! The post Come With Us To Try a New Treat in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney is no stranger to lawsuits, and it has been caught in the middle of quite a few lately. ©Disney | Walt Disney Company Headquarters Disney was sued by an investor to obtain documents related to the Company’s handling of the situation with Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill. Plus a Park Pass lawsuit has been filed by Annual Passholders against Disney, Disney was sued over the Genie+ system, and a million-dollar lawsuit was filed against Disney by Magic Key holders too. Now it seems Disney is involved in another lawsuit — this time related to streaming. According to Reuters, some consumer antitrust cases have been filed against Disney. These focus on Disney’s ownership of ESPN, which is part of the base package for a YouTube TV subscription. (The cases are Biddle v. The Walt Disney Co, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California; and Fendelander v. The Walt Disney Co, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.) The Plaintiffs have alleged that Disney’s ownership of ESPN has given the Company the power to “set a price floor” when it comes to TV streaming. Specifically, they allege that they’re paying MORE for their subscriptions than they otherwise would have to if ESPN wasn’t part of the base package. ©YouTube The plaintiffs’ lawyers have said that about 5 MILLION YouTube TV subscribers are paying these “anticompetitive inflated” fees. And they indicated that “many consumers would prefer a base package that does not include ESPN and costs meaningfully less.” YouTube TV currently costs $64.99. This isn’t the first time Disney has clashed with YouTube TV. Back in 2021, they had a debate over the agreement to carry ESPN. According to Reuters, “YouTube said then it would provide a subscription without ESPN and other Disney-owned channels for $15 less than what it was charging.” ©YouTube The “purported” class action lawsuits were filed in California back in December by 9 plaintiffs. But Disney claims that the plaintiffs “misconstrue basic antitrust and economic concepts.” Disney’s attorneys have argued that the plaintiffs have failed to display “a relevant antitrust market in which competition was harmed.” They’ve also argued that “the antitrust laws exist to protect competition, not individuals.” ©ESPN Disney’s attorneys have pointed to a previous ruling in a court that said that buying products you don’t want “is not itself an injury to competition” even if it results in “reducing consumers’ choices or increasing prices to consumers.” Again, as we mentioned above, the cases themselves are not new (they were filed in 2022), so what’s the latest update? Disney’s lawyers have asked a U.S. judge to dismiss the pair of consumer antitrust cases. Reuters shares, “U.S. District Judge Edward Davila in July will consider Disney’s bid to end the cases.” ESPN Wide World of Sports We’ll continue to keep an eye out for updates and let you know what we find. Click here to see 4 times Disney lost MILLION-DOLLAR lawsuits Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What do you think about this lawsuit? Tell us in the comments. The post Disney Caught in the Middle of Another Lawsuit first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article