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SeaWorld CEO Marc Swanson said in a statement that the transitions will help SeaWorld increase revenue, improve its theme parks and better manage operations and costs. View the full article

Today has been a news-filled day for TRON Lightcycle / Run. SO CLOSE! We learned that the ride will be utilizing a Virtual Queue, guests can also purchase individual Lightning Lanes, and the attraction will require riders to lock up loose belongings in lockers. Now, we have ANOTHER update for you! While we were in Magic Kingdom today, we checked out the progress on this ride, and we saw the vehicles being tested with passengers on board! There’s been plenty of track tests with just the cars and even with weighted mannequins on board, but it’s rare to see actual passengers riding. Disney is holding previews for Passholders, Cast Members, and Disney Vacation Club members, but so far Disney has only announced preview dates in February. The passengers we saw were likely part of the ride’s testing group before it officially opens up for other guests. TRON sign is up! Each new update brings us closer to opening day! For more updates on this new attraction, check out these posts: BREAKING: Opening Timeline For TRON Coaster in Disney World! HUGE UPDATE at TRON Lightcycle / Run in Disney World NEWS: TRON Lightcycle / Run Will NOT Have a Standby Line in Disney World PHOTO: Sneak Peek at On-Ride Photo for TRON Lightcycle / Run in Disney World NEWS: Pay-Per-Ride Announced for TRON Lightcycle / Run in Disney World NEWS: Disney Announces LOCKERS Will Be Used at TRON Lightcycle / Run NEWS: The Next TRON Movie Is In the Works at Disney! Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news! Click here to learn all about TRON Lightcycle / Run in Disney World. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Do you think TRON will become the best rollercoaster at Disney World? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comment section below! The post VIDEO: See the Latest TRON Lightcycle / Run Testing in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World employs thousands of Cast Members, and many of those Cast Members are part of labor unions. We love Disney Cast Members! The unions and Disney have been negotiating over wage increases and healthcare for quite some time, with the latest being an offer and statement from Disney regarding a proposed increase. And now, we have an update on how the unions plan to respond. To bring you up to speed: the contracts for thousands of Disney unionized employees expired on October 1st. Since then, they’ve been negotiating with Disney for updates to their contracts including wage increases, health care, and more. Unions have requested Disney increase the minimum wage to $18 per hour, and increase the pay of those who make closer to that by $3 to keep up with inflation. Disney World Cast Members at The Confectionery UNITE HERE Local 737, a union that represents employees that work for Disney World Food & Beverage and Housekeeping, along with other employees in the Orlando area, has shared an update regarding the negotiations on its Twitter page, indicating they plan on rejecting Disney’s contract offer. The post reads, “Thousands of Disney workers are on the verge of rejecting Disney’s wage offer. Workers at Disney have been clear that they need immediate, large raises. All 6 unions representing workers in the Service Trades Council Union (STCU) are recommending that our members vote no on Disney’s contract proposal to keep fighting for the raises workers need.” We love Disney Cast Members! It continues, “Disney is proposing raises of $1 a year for most workers, but $1 is not enough to pay for the cost-of-living crisis that workers are facing in Central Florida. Rent and other expenses have skyrocketed, leaving workers in a state of emergency.” Cast Members doing water art Additionally, UNITE HERE Local 737, shared an infographic showing some of the hardships Cast Members have faced recently due to financial constraints from low wages. The graphic indicates 45% of those surveyed had skipped meals, 40% had physical or mental health problems because of stress about money, and 39% worried about the possibility of becoming unhoused. The unions say increased cost of living and inflation are also factors. You can read the full statement here. via UNITE HERE Local 737 on Twitter The Service Trades Council Union will be holding a press conference at 5PM on January 27th to address Disney’s latest offer and take questions. We’ll be keeping an eye out for more updates on the negotiations, so stay tuned to DFB for the latest. Read More About the Disney World Cast Member Union Negotiations Here Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post NEWS: Unions Urge Cast Members To REJECT Disney's Contract Offer 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. It’s time to celebrate! We have made it to the official Disney100 Celebration kickoff! 100 Years of Wonder — Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland In true celebratory fashion, Disney has given us new park decor, snacks, nighttime shows, and of course — merchandise! ALL-NEW merch was just released online and in the parks, and we think classic Disney fans are going to love it. We found these merchandise items in Disney World at Celebrity 5&10 in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Pin Traders in EPCOT, and we just had to share with you all! The Disney Eras Collection is available both in the parks and online, so no worries if you won’t find yourself at Disney any time soon. You can still celebrate! Just head over to shopDisney and take a look at all the glorious Disney100 merch! We won’t keep you waiting any longer! Without further ado, here are some of our favorite pieces from the Eras collection! Let’s start off with the Disney100 Walt Disney Studios ears! We LOVE these ears! These are $34.99, and each confetti-filled ear features sketches of a production “flywheel” as used in the original Walt Disney Studios. The Walt Disney Studios sign is such a cute detail! Click here to purchase the Disney 100 Walt Disney Studios Ears This one is for those of you who love the canvas tote bag trend! This adorable tote features our favorite mouse. Perfect addition to a tote collection! This retro tote is $39.99 and perfect for a casual park day. Click here to buy the Mickey Mouse Walt Disney Studios Tote This next one is for those of you who love to read or just want to add some magic to your desk or shelves. The Mickey Mouse Boots Bookends are perfect for you! How cute! These bookends are $59.99 and feature bronze Mickey boots on matching marble stands. Click here to buy the Mickey Mouse Boots Bookends These are for those of you who prefer to wear your merch. The Mickey Mouse Shorts are perfectly retro and look SO cozy! These look so comfy Lounge shorts have been a popular basic wardrobe item in the parks lately — and for $36.99, this is a perfect way to participate in the trend. Click here to buy the Mickey Mouse Shorts This is the most adorable collectible that represents such an icon! The Walt Disney Studios Water Tower Lamp is perfect to add to your shelves, desk, or side table. We’re obsessed with this lamp! The lamp is $99.99 and is such a classic addition. Click here to buy the Walt Disney Studios Water Tower Lamp There’s a LOT more Disney100 merchandise in this collection online now — click the link below to shop the entire collection! Shop the entire Disney100 Eras collection here! We’re keeping up with all things Disney100 and are so excited to finally be celebrating this huge mileston. Make sure to follow along for all the details! Click here for our FULL page about the 100th Anniversary! Learn More About Disney 100 Years of Wonder – The 100th Anniversary Celebration! When Disney’s 100 Year Anniversary Celebration Actually Starts Is the 100th Anniversary Coming to Disney World? A NEW 100th Anniversary Disney Credit Card Design Is Coming! PHOTOS: Sparkly NEW 100th Anniversary Minnie Ears Are Now Available in Disney World ALL of the Disney 100th Anniversary Merchandise You Can Get Online Right NOW! Check Out the NEW 100th Anniversary Starbucks Tumbler Inside Look at NEW 100th Anniversary Disneyland Fireworks Show Sleeping Beauty Castle Will Get a NEW Look For Disney’s 100th Anniversary Get ALL of the Latest Updates on the 100th Anniversary Celebration Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click Here to Subscribe What do you think of the new Eras Collection? Let us know in the comments! The post A NEW Merch Collection Is for Classic Disney Fans ONLY (And It's Online, Too!) first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Eating at Disney World can be delicious and…overwhelming! Swan and Dolphin There are table service restaurants, quick service restaurants, lounges, snack kiosks, food trucks, and more within the parks, the resorts, and Disney Springs. Where do you go? What’s worth your cash? Well, we’ve eaten at basically every single Disney World restaurant and have shared tons of reviews with you over the years to make that dining journey easier. But today we’re taking a deep dive into ALL of the restaurants at one popular hotel in particular — Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort! Photo spot at the Swan and Dolphin Within this post, we’ll be sharing a quick overview of each and EVERY restaurant at the Swan & Dolphin resorts, the top eats at each one, and other facts you need to know. For more details on each restaurant, click the links below to be taken to the pages we have created for every single one. That’ll let you see and read all of our reviews for that particular place. Keep in mind that menus can and do often change, so be sure to check and see what’s available during your trip. Alright, with that housekeeping out of the way, let’s begin! Amare Inspired by the “tastes and cultures of the Mediterranean region,” Amare is the signature restaurant of the Swan Reserve. Amare The cuisine at Amare focuses on fresh, premium ingredients, seafood, citrus, olive oils, pasta, and pitas. There is also an extensive Mediterranean-based wine list available, including specialized wine flights. Wine flight at Amare A breakfast buffet and a la carte selections are available for morning guests from 6:30AM – 11AM. Lunch options include salads, flatbreads, and entrees such as grilled line-caught mahi-mahi from 11:30AM – 2:30PM. Dinner selections feature items like “hearth-fired Tiger Prawns and charred octopus, and entrees including sea bass al cartoccio, and handmade manti dumpling filled with bahrat spiced lamb, cauliflower, roasted eggplant, tomato, yogurt sauce.” Evening hours are 5PM – 11PM. Amare at the Swan Reserve Though you won’t be disappointed by anything here, we were particularly impressed by the flatbreads! Amare also has a selection of flatbreads on the menu, we enjoyed the La Vegetale flatbread, which is Roasted Grape Black Pepper Pecorino Cheese, Aged Balsamic, and Baby Arugula. La Vegetale Flatbread This flatbread was good and we enjoyed it. We almost thought it was too sweet, probably because of the balsamic, but overall it was very good and LOADED with arugula. Click here to see our full review of Amare Todd English’s bluezoo Todd English’s signature restaurant at the Dolphin Resort in Disney World, bluezoo, is well-known and highly acclaimed for its seafood and innovative menu items. Todd’s English bluezoo The restaurant has won several awards, including the AAA Four Diamond award. While this isn’t a spot for cheap eats, it’s a good choice for special events or celebrations, especially if they’re for grown-ups. The bar menu here is truly one-of-a-kind and offers a blend of updated twists inspired by familiar classics as well as a selection of contemporary and signature drinks — libations that are the original creation of bluezoo mixologists. Either way, you are in for a treat. Zooberry A fun fact about the way the menu works at bluezoo: the uber-talented Chef Chris Windus always has a special chef preparation on the menu, using the very best seasonal ingredients he can lay his hands on. For part of the year, that means a Chef’s Tasting Menu, a multi-course meal created just for that day. At other times, Chef Windus prepares his Chef’s Creation, a special entree that also uses only the best of what is available. BBQ Swordfish at bluezoo If bluezoo is on your agenda, definitely be on the look out for those special chef menus! Click here for our review of bluezoo Cabana Bar & Beach Club The atmosphere at the Dolphin Hotel’s Cabana Bar and Beach Club will remind guests more of an upscale beachside lounge in South Beach than a resort hotel in Walt Disney World. At night watch the whole bar area transforms into an illuminated night spot featuring frozen & signature drinks just steps away from the Dolphin Lap Pool. You’ll want to start with the Cocktails, which are cleverly named… and generously poured. ©Disney Trust us on this one. Order the Crispy Calamari. It comes on a fabulous bed of Queso Blanco Aioli! And it’s all drizzled with Spicy Lime Buffalo Sauce, because you know we love my Buffalo Sauce! (And yes, we got a little extra on the side because #wealwaysgetmoresauce.) Fried Calamari In addition to plenty of cocktails to enjoy by the pool, a substantial food menu is also available. Click here for our full review of Cabana Bar and Beach Club The Fountain Comfort food is the name of the game at this cozy diner in the Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel! Well-known for their decadent milkshakes and hand-dipped ice cream cones and sundaes (we recommend the apple pie caramel sundae!), you can also get some delicious burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, chili, soup, and more at this fun location. (And if you don’t have time to sit and dine at The Fountain, you can grab an ice cream treat at the to-go counter!) The Fountain From the savory side of the menu, we love the soft pretzel bites on the appetizer menu, which come with — you guessed, cheeeeese sauce! Pretzel Bites Close Up And from the sweet side of the menu, we love that Caramel Apple Pie Sundae with Soft serve Ice Cream over Apple Pie Filling in Caramel Sauce, Whipped Cream and a Cherry on top. A quintessential American dessert! Caramel Apple Sundae This spot is typically open from 12PM to 11PM. See our full page on the Fountain review here Fuel If you need some “fuel” in the Dolphin Hotel of Walt Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin, then look no further than… Fuel! Fuel is a grab-and-go market, but it boasts a bit more than your typical snacks and sandwiches (though you’ll find those, too!). A specialty coffee and espresso bar and a DIY Frozen Yogurt station are among the offerings that elevate Fuel from your typical grab-and-go. This spot definitely comes in handy for those attending conferences and needing to get a quick bite in between sessions. Since it is all prepackaged, there aren’t a lot of standouts, but we did find a pretty epic chocolate cupcake once, so keep an eye on that pastry case for a new hidden gem! Chocolate Valentine’s Day Cupcake This spot is typically open from 6AM to 11PM. Click here for our full page with links to ALL of our reviews of Fuel! Garden Grove Garden Grove at the Swan Resort offers breakfast daily. The setting is inspired by New York City’s Central Park, with a 25-foot oak tree providing a stunning focal point! Garden Grove A la carte offerings for breakfast include Biscuits & Gravy and Avocado Toast, while lunch entrees include sandwiches such as Pastrami on Rye and a Shawarma Kebob along with burgers and salads. Please Note: As of January 2020, character dinners are no longer held at Garden Grove. It currently serves breakfast Thursdays through Mondays from 7:30AM to 11:30AM and is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays Click here for more details about the Garden Grove! Grounds Grounds at the Swan Reserve is the counterpart to Fuel in the Dolphin. If you’re looking for a grab-and-go option at the Swan Reserve, head on over to Grounds. Grounds Grounds serves up a variety of coffees, lattes, teas, juices, and frappés, as well as breakfast and deli sandwiches, pastries, and more. This spot is typically open from 6AM to 8PM. Click here for our FULL PAGE with all of our reviews from Grounds Il Mulino New York Trattoria Il Mulino New York Trattoria — located in Walt Disney World’s Swan Hotel — serves traditional dinners from the Abruzzi region of Italy. Il Mulino A second location for the original Il Mulino New York in Greenwich Village, this restaurant offers rich, authentic flavors amid brick walls, dark wood tones, and rustic lighting. The Il Mulino Lounge features a wine bar and an outdoor terrace where guests can enjoy their beverage of choice. Small batch bourbon, cognacs and brandy, signature cocktails and much more are among the offerings. Highlights from the menu include the Arancini di Carne, these are Italian Rice Balls stuffed with House-made Bolognese over Spicy Marinara Sauce. The meatballs were not fried to be crispy but are cooked well and fork-tender. The real stars are the creamy rice balls with the stellar marinara. The serving is three large rice balls — plenty as a shared appetizer between two or three people! If you’re not a fan of spice, this dish might not be for you, but we found them very tasty! Arancini di Carne Risotto con Funghi, this is Arborio Rice with Wild Mushrooms and Truffle Oil. Every bite is SO rich and creamy and LOADED with delicious mushrooms. Top it off with freshly grated parmesan, which makes the dish even better. We would get this again and again. Risotto con Funghi But if you’re looking for something meatier, the Costolette di Maiale is your dish. This hearty dish is a Pork Chop with Cherry Vinegar Peppers and Mushroom Sauce. The pork is served on the bone and the chef recommends medium for the cooking temperature. It is tender and smothered in a delicious sauce with a fun tanginess from the vinegar and spiciness from the peppers. The vinegar is not overwhelming but you do taste it, so it might not be a favorite for those who don’t like more vinegary flavors. Costolette di Maiale Il Mulino is open for dinner from 5PM to 11PM. See ALL of our reviews of Il Mulino here Java Bar The Dolphin has Fuel, the Reserve has Grounds, and the Swan has Java Bar. So, no matter which of these resorts you’re staying at or visiting, you’re never far from a caffeine fix. Java Bar You’ll find specialty coffees, lattes, and assorted pastries to get your morning started. A selection of sandwiches is also available, with items like croissant sandwiches in the mornings and deli-style eats and salads on offer for the rest of the day. This is where you’ll find the keto-friendly Octane Coffee along with a bunch of other specialty coffee drinks! And keep an eye on that pasty case, as we’ve found some hidden gems here in the past. Chocolate Stone Java Bar is typically open from 6AM to 8PM. See our full page on Java Bar here Kimono’s Sushi Bar Cocktails and Japanese appetizers are the name of the game at Kimonos Sushi Bar (which has been named the best Sushi in Orlando by the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper). This spot offers traditional Japanese sushi and cuisine in a contemporary atmosphere. This restaurant has been named the Best Sushi in Orlando by the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper and offers traditional Japanese cuisine in a contemporary atmosphere. Come for the great fish, but you’ll want to stay for the karaoke in the evenings! Kimonos Kimonos’ menu includes a wide array of sushi, beverages, and Japanese specialties. The sushi is definitely the biggest draw of Kimonos, but they also offer soups, salads, and several other appetizers and small plates. We love the Bagel Roll, which featured salmon, cream cheese, and cucumber. The Dragon Roll is gorgeous, made with tuna and giant crispy shrimp! If you’re a long time fan of sushi or a newbie looking for a great spot to tip your toes into the world of the Japanese specialty, this spot won’t disappoint. Sushi Platter from Kimonos Sample dishes like gyoza, tempura, kobe beef, and duck satay, then stick around for some karaoke and sake in the late evening in the lounge! (Karaoke typically takes place on Wednesday through Sunday starting at 9:30PM.) Kimono’s is typically open for dinner from 5:30PM to 1AM. Click here for our FULL review of our meal at Kimono’s! Phins Phins is the striking bar in the recently renovated lobby of the Walt Disney World Dolphin of the Swan and Dolphin Hotels in the EPCOT Resort area. Phins Enjoy craft beers, wine (including on tap options), specialty cocktails, and globally-inspired appetizers in this stunning space. It’s a fun spot to grab a pre-dinner cocktail, and they serve up some unique options, like the Smoke N’ Roses with Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon, Bliss Maple Syrup, Amarena Cherry Juice and Fresh Lemon. Finished in our Signature Smoke Box. Smoke ‘n Roses This spot is typically open from 3PM to 12AM. See our full page on Phins here Picabu You’ll find Picabu inside the Dolphin at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. In a colorful & spirited atmosphere, make your meal selection from a variety of food stations with delectable options for everyone! Picabu Set up “cafeteria style,” this counter service restaurant features options like made-to-order Omelets for breakfast, and a Taqueria and more for lunch and dinner. Its famous dishes include Carne Asada Tacos and Bowls, Picabu Family Meal (Whole Chicken served with three sides). This spot is typically open from 7AM to 12AM. See our full page on Picabu here Rosa Mexicano Note: This restaurant is scheduled to open in early 2023. Rosa Mexicano will open its first Orlando-area location at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin in early 2023! The new restaurant will offer “an elevated fiesta dining experience” which will include signature menu items and award-winning margaritas. ©Rosa Mexicano The menu at Rosa Mexicano will offer a contemporary interpretation of authentic Mexican cuisine which will include beloved classics and innovative dishes that pay tribute to Mexico’s richly varied culinary regions. Over 100 varieties of tequila and agave-based spirits will be featured. The restaurant’s signature frozen pomegranate margarita (which was named the best in New York City!) will also be available. Chopped Cheese Alambre Taco Rosa Mexicano currently has locations in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Maryland, and there are other locations coming to Connecticut, Virginia, North Carolina, and Las Vegas, Nevada. See our full page on Rosa Mexicano here Shula’s Steak House Shula’s Steakhouse, named after the location’s original owner and American football great, the late Don Shula, has honed its restaurant presentation to be dark, mature, and indulgent. Welcome to Shula’s! The food portions here are extremely generous, and it is my sincere hope that you don’t mind indulging in decadent steaks, side dishes, and desserts if you’re choosing to dine here. It’s a truly magnificent meal, but not for the faint of heart! And with these large portions comes some hefty prices, so prepare your wallet and warn your credit cards, it’ll be tasty, but costly! Dishes to get here? Thick Cut Nueske’s Bacon, this starter dish includes Bacon with a Bourbon-Honey Glaze, Tomato Jam, Cheddar Grits, White Cabbage, and Fennel Slaw. The bacon had an excellent smokey quality to it, and while it it is on the thicker side in terms of the slices of bacon themselves, it is still tender and easy to cut! The grits are creamy and cheesy, and all of the elements paired nicely with the crunch from the fennel slaw. The sweetness from the bourbon-honey glaze combined with all of the other ingredients made for a very interesting bite, but everything works so well together. It was like they were all singing their own little harmonies to one beautifully bacon-filled tune. Thick Cut Nueske’s Bacon And it’s a steak house, so you have to get a steak. All of the cuts at this spot are beautiful, so you really can’t go wrong. If you want a heartier, fattier ribeye, you’ll get a perfect one here. We tend to lean toward the leaner, tender filets. At Shula’s, this is a no-frills-just-good-meat kinda spot, so you won’t find your steak drowning in sauce or spices, just beautiful steaks cooked to perfection and not hiding behind any fluff. 10 oz Filet Shula’s is typically open for dinner from 5PM to 11PM. See our full page on Shula’s Steak House here Splash Pool Bar & Grill Splash Pool Bar and Grill serves a variety of sandwiches and salads, perfect for dining poolside at the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel. Pool and the Swan and Dolphin The substantial food menu features eats like Chicken Wings and a Maine Lobster Club. And specialty cocktails are served by the glass and, in some cases, by the pitcher! Mix and Match Beer Bucket Specials are also available. Splash is open seasonally, typically from 11AM to 8PM. See our full page on Splash Pool Bar & Grill here Stir Stir is a relaxing lounge in the lobby of the Swan Reserve. Like Phins at the Dolphin, this is an airy bar for a quick drink before dinner or maybe right after a full day of conference meetings. Stir But there’s more than just sips in store at Stir. Guest can enjoy “specialty cocktails and light bites including the Chef’s selection of handcrafted salamis of Spain & Italy and a Soppressata, red onion, torn mozzarella, San Marzano flatbread.” Stir is typically open from 3:3oPM to 12AM. See our full page on Stir here Tangerine Poolside sips and bites to eat can be yours at the Swan Reserve’s Tangerine! Tangerine Tangerine serves signature drinks as well as some casual meal options including flatbreads, salads, burgers, and sandwiches. Don’t forget to cool off with the spot’s signature popsicle, which is tangerine-flavored, naturally! Tangerine is open seasonally, usually from 11AM to 8PM. See our full page on Tangerine here And that’s it! There are quite a lot of dining options at the Swan and Dolphin resort with something for everyone — those looking for quick eats, those looking for a comfy lounge, and even those looking for the ULTIMATE in fine dining at Disney. For more details about the Swan and Dolphin resorts, watch our video below! And for details about every SINGLE restaurant in Disney World, the most unique dining experiences, and more, check out our DFB Guide to Disney World Dining! A deep dive into Disney World restaurants — including all of our recommendations — is inside! We’ve compiled all of our BEST tips and tricks from years of Disney World travel into one eBook that you can download to your tablet or smartphone and take with you! We’re offering our readers 25% off with code WDW2023. Click here to take it home! 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! What is your favorite restaurant at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resorts? Tell us in the comments. The post The Complete Guide to Eating at Disney's Swan and Dolphin Resorts first appeared on the disney food blog. 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Okay, so today is a BIG day in Disneyland — a LOT of things are happening! First, today is the start of the resort’s celebration of the Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary. New decorations are up, Sleeping Beauty Castle got a makeover, and new snacks are here! 100th Anniversary Sleeping Beauty Castle But it’s also opening day for a brand new ride — Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. We already showed you a sneak peek, but now we’re going to tell you how much you’ll have to pay to ride it through Genie+. First up, you CAN ride Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway for free, if you manage to get into the virtual queue. Guests can join the virtual queue through the Disneyland app at 7AM and 1PM daily. ©Disney However, you can also purchase the Individual Lightning Lane option through Genie+ for the ride. Today, that cost is $20 per person. Note that this price will likely fluctuate day by day, depending on demand and theme park attendance. ©Disney Note that there is NO standby line available for this ride, as is usually how Disney handles new attractions. For now, the ONLY way to ride Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Disneyland is by purchasing the Individual Lightning Lane option or obtaining a boarding pass for the virtual queue (the virtual queue is free to join!). Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Disneyland We’ll be covering EVERYTHING going on at Disneyland today, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more! Have you checked out the latest Disney-themed t-shirts in our store? Click here – you’ll want to pick some up before your next Disney trip! Mickey-Shaped POPCORN and More Easter Eggs You HAVE To See at Disneyland’s New Ride Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! See Our DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Learn About Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland Check Out What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Get All the Info About Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Should You Go to Disneyland in 2022? Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Will you be checking out Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Disneyland soon? Let us know in the comments! The post PRICE REVEALED: How Much It Costs to SKIP the Line at Disney's Newest Ride first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

At the 2022 D23 Expo, we learned that Disneyland’s Paradise Pier Hotel is being re-themed to be allllll about Pixar! ©Disney Not only that, but Disney shared that the re-themed hotel will be named Pixar Place Hotel, and it will “weave the artistry of Pixar into its comfortable, contemporary setting.” We hadn’t heard many updates from Disney, but we recently stopped by to check it out for ourselves and saw some new changes! Chairman of the Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products division, Josh D’Amaro, announced that Pixar Place Hotel will be a spot where you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a Pixar art gallery. You’ll also find new interpretations of your favorite Pixar pals… ©Disney …and what looks like looks like a very special Finding Nemo-themed splash pad. ©Disney Disney also shared that the team from Great Maple will open a restaurant on the first floor and operate the other food and drink locations at the hotel. Sounds like guests are in for an exciting new hotel experience AND delicious eats. ©Disney We also got to see a glimpse of the new stripes that have been painted on the side of the hotel — looking colorful like a Pixar movie already. We can’t wait to see what sort of characters show up and are featured here. Pixar Place Hotel stripes Regarding guests staying at Paradise Pier as the transformation to the Pixar Pier Hotel takes place, Disney has shared that “while we work our magic, the comfort and enjoyment of our guests is our top priority. Hotel amenities—including the direct entrance for hotel Guests into Disney California Adventure Park—will continue to remain open.” ©Disney In the meantime, check-in at Paradise Pier Hotel has moved to the Pacific Ballroom, with guests being required to enter from the hotel’s rear entrance. Mickey in Paradise merchandise has been related to the Pacific Ballroom. It is open from 7AM to 10PM daily with limited offerings for guests to purchase. Stay tuned to DFB for the latest updates from Disneyland and the Pixar Place Hotel! 4 Phone Numbers You Need To Save BEFORE Your Next Disney Trip Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! See Our DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Learn About Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland Check Out What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Get All the Info About Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Should You Go to Disneyland in 2022? Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Will you be staying at this new hotel? Let us know in the comments! The post See the Latest CHANGES at Disney’s Re-Themed Pixar Hotel! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Wow, what a day for Disney! 100 Years of Wonder — Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland Disney is starting the celebration of their 100th Anniversary today with an exciting ride opening, new experiences, and now it’s time for new nighttime shows! Wondrous Journeys officially debuts TONIGHT, but we got to see a preview of it, and we’re bringing you along with us! Wondrous Journeys, a nighttime show honoring 100 years of Walt Disney Animation Studios, is a celebration with lively music, projections on Sleeping Beauty Castle, and on select nights — fireworks! You’re in luck because we saw it all –including a flying Blue Fairy… This was a special production that showcased the Disney animated films that inspire us, and we were in awe. From our lovable Mickey… The man of the hour! …to heroes like Mulan and Moana, there was some moving storytelling throughout the epic adventure of a show. So magical! And as usual, Disney put on show-stopping fireworks! Look at those fireworks! We really loved the imagination in this nighttime production, and are so excited to see what else this celebration has in store for us this year. Sleeping Beauty Castle And that was the show! We loved being able to see this show live for the first time in person, but there is also a way you can rewatch it from home. As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest 100th Anniversary news. Don’t miss this TINY 100th Anniversary detail in the parks! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think of this new show? Tell us in the comments below! The post VIDEOS: Check Out Disney’s NEW Fireworks Show! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney says Tron Lightcycle / Run ride will use virtual queue, Lightning Lane, double-sided lockers at April 4 opening View the full article

If you’re headed to EPCOT today, you might want to keep an eye out for something new. EPCOT Now, there are already a LOT of changes happening at EPCOT — the park is undergoing a massive transformation and there’s a LOT of construction going on, including work on Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana. But this morning, something ELSE has changed about the park. If you’ve ever driven to EPCOT, you’ll pass under an EPCOT sign before heading to the parking lot or guest drop-off point. This is what the sign used to look like (it also previously had big white sails around the word “Epcot”): EPCOT entrance We recently noticed, though, that “Epcot” had been removed from that signage and it was looking a bit different. The “Welcome” had also changed. It has a new font and is done up in lighter colors with a dark outline (which is much easier to see than the old “welcome” sign). Welcome to EPCOT! Well, now the “EPCOT” part of the sign is back and it, too, has been updated. New sign! The new sign now has the same font and colors as the “Welcome” part of the entrance and other signage in the park. EPCOT We also noticed that the framework above the old sign has been removed. We’re not sure if this entrance look is complete or not, but we’ll keep an eye on it. In the meantime, be sure to check it out when you pass through there! Change is always happening at Disney World, and we’ll keep covering it here on DFB when it happens. Meanwhile, if you ARE visiting EPCOT, be sure to visit our page on the 2023 EPCOT Festival of the Arts — we’ve got reviews of EVERY food booth at the festival. 2023 EPCOT Festival of the Arts When are you headed to Disney World next? Have you checked out our line of fun graphic tees to wear on your trip? We’ve designed some for the whole family – from infants to adults! Click here to check them out! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think of the new EPCOT entrance sign? Let us know in the comments! The post Big CHANGE Revealed at EPCOT first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Are you ready to enter the Grid? We know we are! TRON sign is up! TRON Lightcycle / Run is set to open on April 4th, 2023 and we seriously can’t WAIT! Disney has given us so many new details lately — including shiny new signage that indicates the ride is ALMOST complete! Now, they’re giving us more information about what we expect when we finally get to experience the world of TRON for ourselves. Disney shared this video showing NEW complimentary lockers that would be available for guests to store their belongings before getting on the ride. Guests can unlock their locker with their MagicBand or ticket for easier access. There will be a small compartment on the ride vehicle that can store items like phones, glasses, and wallets, but anything larger than that must be stored in the lockers. ©Disney Disney also shared that there would be NO standby line for this attraction and instead, they will be using their virtual queue system. Individual Lightning Lanes will also be available to guests hoping to enter the Grid. ©Disney We also know that there WILL be a PhotoPass opportunity on this ride that will automatically link to your My Disney Experience app through your MagicBand or smartphone. All these new and exciting details have us even more excited for TRON to open! Here at DFB, we keep a sharp eye out for Disney news and updates, so make sure you follow along for more. While you’re here make sure to check out some more details about TRON: Lightcycle / Run by clicking the link below! Click here for more about TRON: Lightcycle / Run Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! 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 visiting Disney World for the opening of TRON? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Disney Announces LOCKERS Will Be Used at TRON Lightcycle / Run first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Grab your coffee and rocking chair while we take a slow trip back in time with Disney100 The Eras Collection! View the full article

The opening of TRON Lightcycle / Run is fast approaching! The TRON sign is up! We’ve been seeing updates on construction almost daily and we recently even saw the entrance sign installed. Today we got even BIGGER news if you can believe it! We officially saw today on Disney’s website that TRON Lightcycle / Run will be offered as an Individual Lightning Lane selection in addition to a virtual queue. Individual Lightning Lane, or ILL, is a pay-per-ride service for in-demand attractions that allow guest to skip the line on popular attraction for an upcharge. ©Disney As you can see, TRON is set to offer Individual Lightning Lanes and virtual queues starting April 4th, the opening day of the attraction. In the past, we have seen this before with rides like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and on opening day for other popular rides, Individual Lightning Lane passes sold out in minutes. ©Disney If you’ve never used the system before, Disney Genie is a complimentary service (with optional paid add-ons) inside Disney World’s My Disney Experience app that aids guests in planning their trip to the parks efficiently. Individual Lightning Lane Attraction Selections are one of the paid add-ons available, and they allow guests to ride some of the most popular attractions without the wait for a fee. Lightning Lane In order to take advantage of the system, you’ll be able to purchase the ride selection through Disney Genie on the day of your visit to Magic Kingdom. Once in this section of Disney Genie, you will be able to choose a specific window of time to visit the ride. Note that if you’re staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you’ll be able to book your Lightning Lane through the My Disney Experience app starting at 7AM the day of your visit, and all others will be able to book one once the park opens. Lightning Lane Once your time window opens, just head to the ride and scan your ticket, MagicBand, or phone at the Lightning Lane queue entrance! Tap Point for Lightning Lane entrance for Cosmic Rewind We will keep you updated with any news about this coming attraction as it’s released, so stay tuned to DFB! Click here to learn everything you need to know about Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes! 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 getting an ILL for TRON Lightcycle / Run when it opens? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Pay-Per-Ride Announced for TRON Lightcycle / Run in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We have some EXCITING attraction news from Disney World! SO CLOSE! Not only will guests be able to ride TRON Lightcycle / Run after it opens on April 4th, but we also just learned it will be available via virtual queue and Individual Lightning Lane. Plus, we’ve also got new details and a sneak peek of the on-ride photo for TRON Lightcycle / Run, too! Heads up, thrill-seekers! The newest coaster coming to Magic Kingdom is opening on April 4th, and we’ve got details about the on-ride photo. Guests will be able to view and purchase on-ride photos and video from the My Disney Experience app after riding TRON Lightcycle / Run! ©Disney | TRON Lightcycle / Run is opening SOON! And, we’ve got a sneak peek at what the on-ride photo might look like! ©Disney Wondering where all your stuff will go when you’re on this ride? Disney shared that there will be free lockers for riders during their time on the attraction so nothing will go flying out. Disney has also shared that a virtual queue will be used instead of a regular standby line, and you can read more about that here. The full details for the virtual queue haven’t been released yet — but we’ll be updating you as soon as we get them. Vehicle testing Stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news and more! How To Get a Ride on TRON Lightcycle / Run’s Opening Day 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 hitching a ride on TRON’s opening day? Let us know in the comments! The post PHOTO: Sneak Peek at On-Ride Photo for TRON Lightcycle / Run in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The time we have all been waiting for has finally arrived! TRON sign is up! After years — and we mean actual YEARS — of waiting, TRON Lightcycle / Run is finally opening in Disney World! The new coaster will open to guests on April 4th, 2023, and we’ve been keeping up with the latest progress and details. Now, we have more information on the virtual queue TRON Lightcycle / Run! When TRON Lightcycle / Run opens in Disney World, there won’t be a standby line. Much like we’ve seen for other ride openings in recent years, a virtual queue will be used instead! ©Disney | TRON Lightcycle / Run is opening SOON! Full details for how this virtual queue will work and what times throughout the day boarding passes will become available have not yet been announced, but for other virtual queues we’ve seen in Disney World, guests have had two daily opportunities to secure a boarding group — at 7AM and 1PM. TRON construction at night — Early January 2023 We’ve also seen a third virtual queue opportunity for guests with Extended Evening Hours access, but we’ll find out at a later date if TRON Lightcycle / Run will qualify for this exclusive opportunity. Guests will need to download the My Disney Experience app in order to try for a spot in the virtual queue. Not only that, be we also learned that TRON will be available for Individual Lightning Lane purchase through Disney Genie+ — which is a paid way to secure your spot on the ride. SO CLOSE! Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest TRON news and more! We’ll be in the park on the ride’s opening day bringing you everything you need to know. How To Guarantee a Ride on TRON Lightcycle / Run’s Opening Day Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you excited for TRON to open? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: TRON Lightcycle / Run Will NOT Have a Standby Line in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Surprises — they can be full of joy (like a surprise ride reopening) or riddled with stress. While 2023 may hold many wonderful surprises for Disney fans and Disney’s own CEO, it is shaping up to be a year with some NASTY surprises too. ©Reuters | Disney CEO Bob Iger Since assuming the role (again) in November of 2022, Bob Iger has had to come to terms with the fact that Disney simply is not the same way he left it. And thanks to serious battles with Florida politicians and complications with Disney’s Board of Directors, some unpleasant surprises could await him later this year. So today we’re breaking down just 3 of the worst surprises that Iger may have to face within the upcoming months. A Battle for the “Future of Disney” We begin with a scenario that has only recently become a real issue for the Company and one which a reporter said could lead to Iger’s “fight for the future of Disney.” We’re talking about the proxy battle situation that stems from the Trian Group and Nelson Peltz. Basically, Peltz is the CEO and Founding Partner of Trian Partners. Trian is a multi-billion dollar investment firm and they are considered to be an activist investor group. Trian owns about 9.4 million common shares in Disney. That’s valued at around $900 million. ©CNBC Peltz and Trian have criticized the Disney Company for several things, including what they feel are issues with corporate governance (and executive compensation), the direct-to-consumer strategy when it comes to Disney+ and Hulu, and accountability with capital allocation. Peltz has shared that he feels Disney is over-earning at the theme parks to make up for losses in streaming. Peltz has also called on Disney to buy all of Hulu or get out of streaming entirely, and Trian has shared its view that Disney has “over-the-top compensation practices.” ©Trian Partners So what happened? Well, things started small with Peltz reaching out to indicate that he could be helpful if placed on the Board. Along the way, an employee and shareholder of Disney got involved, advocating on Peltz’s behalf. Peltz held several meetings with Disney executives expressing his desire to be on the Board. Things got serious as Peltz reportedly expressed that Trian Group would nominate a separate slate of nominees at the Annual Meeting of shareholders in 2023 unless Disney agreed to give Peltz a seat on the Board. That was later repeated, with Peltz indicating that he would run a proxy contest if not added to the Board. Disney ultimately determined that they would not offer Peltz a seat on the Board since Peltz did not “provide any actionable ideas for Disney other than his Board candidacy.” Plus, Disney felt that he had a lack of “relevant media or technology industry experience.” ©Reuters Peltz has since informed Iger himself that, if not given a seat on the Board, he would mount a proxy fight that would “challenge Mr. Iger’s legacy,” according to Disney’s own reports of the situation. Though Peltz made a presentation to get a seat, he was ultimately denied. That leads us to the present day. Train Group has released a press release about their nominees for the Board and is mounting a proxy battle, attempting to get shareholders to vote in a way that would support their nominees. Meantime, Disney has filed various documents defending Iger and his success with the Company, explaining why (in their opinion) they feel that Peltz is NOT qualified for the Board, and urging shareholders to NOT vote for Peltz/Trian Group’s nominees. ©Disney What will the future hold? How will shareholders vote? Will they side with Trian Group and Nelson Peltz? Or will they vote into office Disney’s own recommended individuals? Much remains to be seen as the battle continues. The vote could result in a wonderful outcome for Disney’s own desires or a nasty surprise for Iger, but it does seem they are at least gearing up for battle by issuing statements against Peltz and his desire to get a spot on the Board. Thus far, the Annual Shareholder meeting date has not been revealed, but it was held on March 9th in 2022, so we expect it could be held during a similar time this year. ©Disney For more about the Nelson Peltz and Trian Group drama, see the posts below: The Big Disney Parks Changes that Activist Investors Are Pushing Who Is Nelson Peltz and Why Do People Care What He Says About Disney? Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Comments on Bob Iger’s “Fight for the Future of Disney” Disney Pushes Back Against Activist Investor and Defends CEO Bob Iger Activist Group Believes Disney Has “Lost Its Way” and Pushes for Board Changes Stay tuned for all of the latest updates. See the Full Timeline for Chapek’s Exit, Iger’s Return, and Disney’s Recent Corporate Battles Pressures to Keep Up With Universal Disney is working on several new theme park projects, but it isn’t the only one. For years Disney has competed in a big way with Universal’s theme parks in Hollywood and Orlando, but 2023 (and other years down the line) could prove to be particularly challenging for Disney in terms of “keeping up” with Universal’s level of development. For starters, a brand new LAND will be opening at Universal Studios Hollywood in just a few days — on February 17th, 2023. The land will feature NEW food (including a new Toad-themed restaurant), a brand NEW ride (where guests will battle on a Mario Kart-themed attraction), interactive bands, meet-and-greets, and plenty of merchandise (of course). ©Universal What does Disney have to compete with this brand NEW land? Well, 2023 will finally see the opening of Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana in EPCOT, but that is a walk-through attraction, not a moving ride. TRON Lightcycle / Run will also finally open in Magic Kingdom after being in the works for YEARS (and severely delayed). 2023 will also bring a few new restaurants to Disney World (including Roundup Rodeo in Disney’s Hollywood Studios) and the opening of the rest of Future World in EPCOT (with Festival spaces and a Walt Disney statue). But are these restaurants, experiences, and attractions, which are spread out throughout the parks and resorts enough to really excite and draw in visitors in the same way as the introduction of an entirely new land? Maybe…or maybe not. Journey of Water Construction Sure, Disney has more projects in the works beyond 2023 — like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (the Splash Mountain re-theme). And it has teased potential new lands for Disney World — like a Zootopia land at Animal Kingdom or villains land in Magic Kingdom. But none of those “teased” projects have been fully confirmed. In the meantime, Universal has already revealed plans for a brand NEW theme park coming to Orlando in 2025 — Epic Universe — which will also feature a Super Nintendo Land and much more. And Universal has revealed its plans for a NEW theme park experience in Texas and a year-round horror experience in Las Vegas. ©Universal | Epic Universe Concept Art Couple that with Universal’s support for an extension of the SunRail commuter train service in Orlando, and you’ve got a lot of matters to deal with. According to FOX 35 News, this extension would ultimately link the Orange County Convention Center, the International Drive tourism district, and the Orlando International Airport to SunRail’s existing line. The Orange County Convention Center station would be near Universal’s new Epic Universe park. And this extension could connect residents and visitors to the Brightline train, which could pass through Orlando by utilizing some of the SunRail’s existing line under the Sunshine Corridor plan. This all comes after it was announced that Disney had backed out of the plans to have a Brightline train station in Disney Springs (as previously announced). Still, plans for a station “near” Disney World, serviced either by SunRail, Brightline, or both, is reportedly still in the works. ©Brightline A new land in Hollywood, an entirely new park in Orlando, a new experience in Las Vegas, and a new experience in Texas. Plus a new Minions-themed attraction in Orlando and other changes. Universal is working on a LOT. Again, that’s not to say Disney isn’t working on a lot of things too. But many appear to be behind-the-scenes or unconfirmed at this time. Yes, we know an updated treehouse experience is coming to Disneyland, the revamped Mickey’s Toontown and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will open in 2023, and a new expansion is coming to Avengers Campus (at some point in the future) which will take it into the multiverse. But will Disney’s projects be able to compete with Universal’s in 2023 and the immediate years that follow? Model of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Is there just a lack of enough confirmed plans to excite fans? Are Disney’s plans simply moving forward too slowly to compete with other parks? Will things like SunRail or Brightline stations or other developments leave Disney in the dust as others push forward? Only time will tell, but some less-than-ideal surprises may be in store for Iger if Disney cannot “keep up,” at least in the eyes of some or many fans. Click here to learn about the BIG changes coming to Disney World in 2023 Reedy Creek Improvement District Drama And finally, we reach one area with a high level of uncertainty at this time — the Reedy Creek Improvement District’s impending dissolution. Here’s the quick 101: following Disney’s stronger statements in opposition to Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act (what critics call the “Don’t Say Gay” act), Florida legislators and the Florida Governor passed/signed a law that will dissolve Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID) in June of 2023 in what many saw as an act of retaliation. ©WFTV 9 The RCID was created over 50 years ago and is a special taxing district. Essentially, the RCID functions as its own county government with a board selected by the landowners — the majority landowner in the RCID is Disney itself. This district system has allowed Disney to have a great amount of control over the land on which it operates in Orlando, allowing it to issue bonds to pay for certain things, control building codes, and approve certain things it likely could not have gotten approved by other counties. The system has also benefitted local counties by alleviating them of the burden of having to shoulder the financial costs of several things for the property on which Disney operates, like emergency services or sewer services. Reedy Creek Trash Cans Some have suggested that the RCID would be recreated and still give Disney most of the powers they were used to having, making only certain changes to give Florida Governor Ron DeSantis the appearance of a “win.” But DeSantis’ office seems to differ, indicating that stronger changes would be made, stripping Disney of more of its powers, potentially changing (in a significant way) how the District (and Disney) has operated (in terms of power over decisions that impact its parks and operations). Some had suggested that Iger’s return would smooth things over with Florida politicians and DeSantis on the matter, but that has yet to fully materialize. While Iger said he was sorry to see Disney “dragged” into these political battles, DeSantis insisted that Disney went willingly and “brought this on themselves.” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ©Deadline What exactly will happen remains to be seen. DeSantis’ office has filed a notice of the legislation they intend to seek on Reedy Creek. This would include features that increase “state oversight, accountability, and transparency of the District” while also “revising the selection process, membership qualifications, and compensation for the governing body of the District.” The legislation also seeks to revise authority when it comes to local permitting and regulation, and more. These could result in some significant changes to Disney’s “normal” way of operating in Florida. And it seems they may be taking steps to prepare for that. Disney World Entrance The next regular session of the Florida legislature will begin on March 7th, though special sessions before that could address this situation. Will Iger be able to strike a deal with politicians to re-establish Disney’s RCID with most of the same powers but still give politicians some of the oversight they want? Only time will tell, but again there could be some good or some terrible surprises in store for Disney. Click here to see the latest on the Reedy Creek situation And that’s our look at just 3 nasty surprises that could await Bob Iger in 2023. What challenges do you think Iger will face? Tell us in the comments. For more analysis related to Iger’s return as CEO and the current status of the Walt Disney Company, see our posts below: How Important Is Disney’s Relationship with Ron DeSantis for the Future of the Parks? New Disney Chairman Will Lead a “Succession Planning Committee” To Find Bob Iger’s Replacement 4 Important Secrets You Didn’t Know About the Iger-Chapek Conflict “Time Is Ticking” on CEO Bob Iger at The Walt Disney Company Every Major Change Since Bob Iger Returned as Disney’s CEO 7 Big Challenges Bob Iger Will Face as Disney’s New CEO Bob Iger Is Back at Disney. Here’s What Can Change (and What Won’t). And stay tuned for more news! Click here to see why Bob Iger’s mistakes would have “killed any other CEO”  Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What other nasty surprises do you think could be in store for Iger in 2023? Tell us in the comments. The post 3 Nasty Surprises Waiting for Disney CEO Bob Iger in 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We are counting down the days to the ultimate race across the Grid when TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise opens at Magic Kingdom Park on April 4. Before you board your very own Lightcycle and enter this race as the newest members of Team Blue, here are the top 4 things to know:View the full article

Chester, longtime resident of Gatorland and former dog terrorizer, dies. He was the attraction's rescue alligator. View the full article

On the "Fun Scale," Type 2 fun is not enjoyable while it's happening but makes for a great story after the fact. View the full article

Clear your Saturday schedules — something NEW is coming to Disney World that you might want to check out! Disney Springs Disney Springs is an already popular spot thanks to its many stores, incredible restaurants, and FREE access (no park ticket or park pass needed, and parking is totally FREE). But it’s about to get even MORE popular. If you’ve got some kiddos, Disney Springs will soon be THE place to be for free kid-friendly entertainment. Disney has announced that a NEW offering called the Disney Springs Kids Club will be available on Saturday mornings starting January 28th. Though it is called a “Kids Club” Disney has shared that it’ll be an entertainment offering for the whole family to enjoy together. ©Disney Basically, on Saturday mornings, there will be “high-energy” performers encouraging families to get up on their feet in Disney Springs. These will be family-friendly performances that will vary each week, and you can expect new entertainment to be added from time to time. Kicking things off will be the Wassalou Drum Circle, an Afropop band that you may have already seen at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The whole family will be able to pick up bongos, maracas, and more as you dance along to the music. ©Wassalou More of a jump rope fan? Check out Flight Crew Jump Rope (when available) where you’ll experience a “high-energy dance party” with “dazzling jump-rope routines and thrilling acrobatics.” The crew will even let you join in on the fun so you can jump along. ©Disney Also included in the Kids Club is DJ Katie “KD Queen.” She’ll host games, singalongs, hula hoop, limbo, and more. So warm up those pipes! Again, the Disney Springs Kids Club will be offered every Saturday morning. You’ll find it at Waterview Park (near Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar) starting at 10:30AM. Showtimes appear to be 10:30AM, 11:15AM, and 12PM. ©Disney Remember that the offerings for each kids club date may vary, so not all of the above entertainment may be necessarily available on any given date, and acts can vary. The Disney Springs calendar only seems to list Wassalou on January 28th, so it’s possible other acts will come on future dates. For more Disney Springs info, check out our video below ranking ALL of the restaurants in this unofficial “park.” And stay tuned for more Disney news! Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation A Month-by-Month Guide to Planning Your Disney World Trip Tips, Hints, Lists, and Videos for Planning the BEST Disney World Trip How Many Days Do You Really Need in Disney World? How to Have the CHEAPEST Trip to Disney World 5 Simple Planning Tips You Need to Know About Before Your Next Disney World Trip The CHEAPEST Days to Visit Disney World in 2023 EVERYTHING You Need to Know Before Booking a 2023 Disney World Trip Learn About the Disney Park Pass System The Ultimate Disney World Packing List Everything You Need to Know About Genie+ Insider SECRETS for Your First Trip to Disney World A Complete Look at the Current Disney Discounts and Deals The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click Here to Subscribe Would you visit this kids club? Tell us in the comments. The post Something NEW Is Coming to Disney Springs first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

When it comes to food, South Florida is a great place to be. So many new places open up every day. Here’s what’s coming soon to a city near you. View the full article

Every year, January 23 marks the global observance day for International Day of Education, and at Disney Institute, we’re thrilled to be celebrating this year’s calendar milestone all week. Our amazing team of content creators, facilitators and engagement managers continuously bring Disney’s special brand of magic to life across the world as we showcase how […]View the full article

By now, you’ve probably heard about the struggles that Southwest Airlines faced back in December 2022. Southwest Airlines Due to a combination of issues with weather, scheduling, and holiday travel, thousands of flights were canceled over a period of multiple days, leaving many customers (and even Southwest employees) upset. We’ve been following the news since then to see how the company is recovering and encouraging customers to come back, and now we’ve got some updates from their recent earnings call! On Thursday, January 26th, Southwest Airlines held its Q4 earnings call, publicly addressing the events from the holiday season. There was quite a bit of information mentioned throughout the call, and we’re ready to break it all down for you. ©Southwest Airlines For starters, they began the meeting by reporting a fourth-quarter net loss of $220 million, or $0.37 loss per diluted share. However, they had record fourth-quarter and full-year operating revenues of $6.2 billion and $23.8 billion, respectively. Bob Jordan, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Due to the operational disruptions in late December, which resulted in more than 16,700 flight cancellations, we incurred a fourth-quarter pre-tax negative impact of approximately $800 million (or approximately $620 million on an after-tax basis), which resulted in a fourth-quarter 2022 net loss.” ©Southwest Airlines Jordan also said “Based on current revenue and cost trends, we currently expect a first-quarter 2023 net loss. However, we are encouraged by current booking trends in March 2023.” That is likely the timeline for when Southwest will begin to get back on track financially. Were you affected by the Southwest cancellations? But financials aside, what is Southwest doing to make sure the events of December 2022 don’t happen again? Executives first started by sharing that “the recent disruptions will likely accelerate some of our plans to update our current processes.” Meaning, changes are imminent within the company. The events in December were caused by a variety of factors, starting with inclement weather. But disaster really struck when Southwest had problems with their crew schedules. Andrew Watterson, Chief Operating Officer, said “It appears that the last domino to fall was when we could no longer use our automation for crew scheduling.” The entire ordeal “uncovered a functional gap in our technology.” Terminal C at MCO However, Southwest is in the process of addressing the issue. They said “we feel very confident in our new aircraft network” and that the software will be updated within the next few weeks. But just to be extra sure that these problems won’t arise again, Southwest Airlines is implementing a 3-part plan. The plan features the following: Immediate mitigation efforts. Department-level actions. A systemic review by a third party. The department-level actions include increasing the number of schedulers on staff to help reschedule pilots and flight attendants when necessary and looking for opportunities to optimize performance on bad weather days. As for the systemic review, it should be completed in the near future, and once those results are in, it will help Southwest decide what other changes need to be made. Orlando International Airport So, even though the average consumer may not notice changes on their next Southwest Airlines flight, it seems these updates will be happening behind the scenes. Executives really doubled down on their apologies for the December incident throughout the call, assuring investors that they were doing everything possible to prevent if from happening again. We’ll continue to watch Southwest and see what comes next, so stay tuned to DFB. Nasty Travel Problems You’re Not Prepared for in 2023 — Click Here! 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 flown Southwest in the past year? Tell us in the comments! The post What Southwest Airlines is Doing to FIX Problems Exposed by Holiday Travel first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Eating at Disney World can be a lot of things — delicious, fun, expensive, and…stressful. With so many restaurants to pick from, where do you even begin?! Disney’s Riviera Resort That’s where we come in! We’ve eaten at HUNDREDS of restaurants throughout Disney World and we’ve shared in-depth reviews of them ALL to help you know what is (and is NOT) worth your cash. So today we’re taking a detailed look at the restaurants within one of Disney’s newer hotels — Disney’s Riviera Resort — so you know exactly where to go and what to get! In this post we’ll be giving you an overview of EVERY SINGLE restaurant at Disney’s Riviera Resort, sharing our picks of the top eats at each one, and detailing other facts you need to know. If you want more details about each restaurant, click the links included in the post below so you can visit the pages we’ve created for each restaurant, which link to ALL of our reviews for each spot. Bar Riva If you’re looking for a casual (yet stylish!) spot to grab a bite at the Riviera, Bar Riva is the place to go. While this is “technically” the resort’s pool bar, it is SO much more. In terms of style and design, you’ll find a bar area along with comfy tables, some with regular seating and others with partial booths. Bar Riva Don’t forget to take a close look at the beautiful artwork here, some of which even feature Disney Cruise Line! Beautiful! The restaurant serves European- and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine that’s a far cry from your classic hot dogs and fries. This is a lounge/quick service spot, so reservations are not required or accepted. Generally, you’ll find it’s open from 11AM to 10PM, but hours can vary. Bar Riva In terms of food, you’ll find Hot and Cold Handhelds (like a Spicy Italian Sandwich and Grilled Chicken Sandwich), Bar Favorites (like Sticky Chicken Wings, Baked Brie, and Salmon with Orzo), Salads (including a Greek Salad and Tuna Niçoise Salad), Kids’ Meals, and even Desserts (like Tiramisu and a Lava Cake). The Monte Cristo used to be a BIG favorite of ours here, but sadly it has left the menu. Riviera Spread! Some of our favorites here include the Grilled Chicken Sandwich (it really blew us away!) and Baked Brie (you gotta love baked cheese!). If you want something creamy and flavorful, consider getting the Burrata Salad. And if you love mushrooms, parmesan, and marinara, dive into the crispy Mushroom Arancini. For dessert, both the Tiramisu and Molten Chocolate Cake are good picks! Bring on the fried food! But you need something to wash it all down, right?! Well, you’ll be glad to know that drinks and cocktails here are made-to-order, and you’ll find a variety of them on the menu. There are non-alcoholic items (like a Hibiscus Coconut Refresher and Mediterranean Mint Lemonade) as well as various alcoholic options like the Il Tramonto, Coco di Paradiso, and Riviera Spiked Iced Tea. You’ll also find some sangria, beer, wine, hand seltzer, and frozen cocktails too (like the Provence Frosé). Hibiscus Coconut Refresher Overall, if you’re looking for a casual, open-air, pool bar with some much more elevated eats and drinks than you’d find elsewhere, stop by Bar Riva. It might just surprise you how tasty pool bar food and drinks can be! Click here for our full page and reviews for Bar Riva Le Petit Café Another spot in the Riviera where you can grab a quick bite is Le Petit Café. This is a cafe within the lobby of the hotel that is styled after French cafes from Paris. It is another quick service/lounge space, so no reservations are needed or accepted. Le Petit Cafe What’s unique about this spot is that it serves coffee and lattes in the mornings but transforms into more of a wine bar with hors d’oeuvres and specialty cocktails in the evening. There is some limited seating within the cafe, but you can opt instead to take your eats to other quiet spots in the hotel if you’d prefer. Hours are typically 7AM to 9PM, but that can vary. Le Petit Cafe While there are various “standard” eats and drinks here, you’ll also want to look for seasonal specialties, themed to the various holidays celebrated in Disney World. Santa’s Hat mousse treat In terms of coffee selections, you can stop here to get a French roast, cappuccino, cafe white mocha, macchiato, and other things. There’s also cold brew, a Café Glacé (with frozen cold brew blended with mocha and milk), and tea too. Again, look for seasonal drinks and specialty coffees. Harvest Cold Brew Various pastries and sweet treats are typically available and on display in the case here, so those with a sweet tooth will be thrilled! Riviera Resort Pastries and Breads Just note that Le Petit Cafe tends to bring out its specialty treats around lunchtime. In the morning, they tend to keep their breakfast pastries in the pastry case. Pastries and Desserts On the menu, you’ll also find a Mediterranean Mint Lemonade (non-alcoholic), as well as beer, hard cider, hard seltzer, specialty cocktails (like an Aperol Spritz or Golden Haze Margarita), and wine for the more afternoon lounge time. Mediterranean Mint Lemonade And in terms of the more lounge-style offerings you’ll find charcuterie, an artisanal cheese plate, and olives. Voyageurs’ Lounge Food and Drinks In the past, some of our favorite treats from here have included the Aurora Fruit Tart, the Pumpkin Glace, and several of the other seasonal specialties. In terms of the more lounge-style eats, the charcuterie has been super flavorful, but mixing it WITH the cheese plate has undoubtedly been the way to go. Aurora Fruit Tart Overall, if you want unique coffee creations, stunning pastries, and some wine bar vibes at night, give Le Petit a try. Click here to see ALL of our reviews of Le Petit Cafe Primo Piatto The final spot for quick eats at Riviera is Primo Piatto. This is a quick-service trattoria that serves Italian-inspired dishes. There’s seating inside the restaurant but you can also get grab-and-go options. Primo Piatto There is an open kitchen here so you can watch the chefs in action! Primo Piatto It is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, usually from 7AM to 11PM. Mobile Order is available here, and you can get your resort refillable mugs and refill them here. Primo Piatto At breakfast time, you’ll find sandwiches (including a Croque Madame), entrees (like Mickey-shaped waffles or a frittata), sides, plant-based options, kids’ meals, baked goods (like muffins and croissants), desserts, snacks, and drinks (many of your standard picks along with Joffrey’s coffee and tea). Baked Goods At lunch and dinner, you’ll find hearth-baked pizzas, hot sandwiches (like burgers and a Croque Monsieur!), a cold sandwich, salads, plant-based options, soup, kids’ items, desserts, and more. Croque Monsieur There are also some late-night dining options here including salads, desserts, and a few other snacks (including a charcuterie plate). Primo Piatto Beverage Station In terms of our favorites or popular picks, at breakfast, the Blueberry-Lemon Pancakes are NO joke (THICK and delicious). Blueberry Pancakes At lunch/dinner, the Margherita Pizza is divine. It really impressed us with its sweet sauce, pillowy yet crunchy dough, and delicious cheese. The Croque Monsieur is also a wonderfully cheesy and delicious choice, and the Tomato Soup is a standout. For a lighter pick, go with the Tuna Niçoise Salad, which wins big points for presentation and flavor. Margherita Pizza Primo Piatto definitely serves more unique dishes than your standard Disney resort quick service, with its Italian-inspired eats. So if you’re looking for a quick meal that is tasty and different from your standard burger and fries, stop here! Click here to see ALL of the details you need to know about Primo Piatto Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera And finally, we get to the last and fanciest restaurant at the Riviera —Topolino’s Terrace. Topolino’s is located on the very top of the Riviera, giving it some spectacular rooftop views. It is a table service restaurant so reservations are accepted (and recommended!). Topolino’s Terrace Topolino’s Terrace is inspired by “cliffside restaurants of the Riviera,” and the cuisine features regional favorites. The name Topolino means Mickey Mouse in Italian, so this elegant dining experience still has a Disney flair! View from Topolino’s Terrace Topolino’s features dramatically different meals at breakfast and dinner. During breakfast, Topolino’s serves a prix fixe character meal. Breakfast is usually available from around 7:30AM to 12:15PM. The meal starts off with a colorful bread basket… Bread …and each individual also gets to choose their own entree. For adults, that includes Quiche Gruyère, French Toast Brûlée, Wood-Fired Butchers Steak, Avocado Toast, Sour Cream Waffles, and more. There are also kids’ menu items like scrambled eggs and Mickey waffle dippers. Plus, the menu includes coffee and breakfast cocktails (with or without alcohol). P.S. You can typically get “Florida Sunshine” a.k.a. POG juice here — just ask to see if it’s available! Steak The character breakfast is unique as it features Mickey, Donald, Minnie, and Daisy in special art-themed costumes. Mickey! The bread offerings and dips are usually quite tasty and a nice way to start off the meal. In terms of entrees, we’ve loved the Wood-fired Butcher’s Steak (very high-quality meat and a good bang for your buck), and Quiche Gruyère. Those who like sweeter breakfasts may really enjoy the Sour Cream Waffles. And those who love fish may want to opt for the Smoked Salmon. The Riviera Bloody Mary is a good pick for those who want a drink to go with their meal, and we’d totally order the Classic Bellini again. Quiche Gruyere At dinnertime, Topolino’s changes over to a sophisticated dinner spot with stunning fireworks views (no characters)! What a View At dinner, you’ll be able to order from a pretty substantial menu that includes antipasto (like burrata, ricotta, and escargot), starters (which include soup, gnocchi, and salad), hand-crafted pasta, entrees (like the pork shank, filet mignon, or sea scallops), enhancements, and desserts. Rigatoni There are also kids’ options and non-alcoholic beverages. For those looking to grab a drink with alcohol, there are a few cocktails to pick from, as well as regional wines, dessert wines, beer, and more. Peche Repose In terms of highlights here, the Gnocchi we’ve had here (which was made with Duck Confit, Pesto Bianco, Garden Kale, and Pine Nuts) was to die for. The Ricotta is another winner, as is the Burrata. Snail lovers can’t miss the Escargot. The Rigatoni is fabulous, and you may want to save room in your stomach at the end of your meal to grab the oh-so-wonderful Cheese Board. Gnocchi For drinks, the Topolino Tramonto is absolutely GORGEOUS, sweet, and had some floral notes. It barely tastes of alcohol, so it can be dangerous. But if you’re really looking for the best of the best (in terms of taste), check out the Modern Fashioned or the French Rose. French Rose is the epitome of fancy, don’t you think? Can’t grab a reservation or just want to check out this spot without the full dinner commitment? There is a small bar with first-come, first-served seating. You can order from the WHOLE menu at the bar, so this could be a good backup plan if you can’t secure a table service reservation. Limited Seating If you want a more unique character meal at breakfast, or some incredibly delicious hand-made pasta and stunning views at night, Topolino’s should be on your list. Learn more about Topolino’s Terrace And that’s our look at the restaurants in the Riviera! With DOZENS of places to eat at Disney World, we know it can be tough to plan your meals. That’s why we wrote the DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World. Check out our DFB Guidebooks to plan your next trip! Our fully updated guide has reviews, pictures, and details about every restaurant – along with ALL of our best tips and strategies from decades of Disney World trips. We’ve got a special discount code for DFB readers, too! Use WDW2023 at checkout for 25% off! 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! What is your favorite thing to eat at Disney’s Riviera Resort? Tell us in the comments. The post The Complete Guide to Eating at Disney's Riviera Resort first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ve all said it to ourselves in the parks: One more pair of ears won’t hurt! EARS FOR DAYS It seems like new ear designs are popping up in the parks and online nearly everyday recently, and they’re all so cute! We found a NEW pair of Minnie Ears at Disney World today — and they’re perfect for Valentine’s Day or spring! We found these adorable pink corduroy Minnie Ears today at the Emporium in Magic Kingdom for $34.99! How cute! These ears feature plush corduroy ears and headband with a really BIG navy bow! These colors make us excited for spring, and the corduroy texture makes them a great accessory as we transition into spring from these cooler months. Give us all the bows! What do you think of these new ears? Are they a must-get for spring? If you love all things Disney, follow along for more merchandise updates! Here at DFB, we keep a close eye out for all the news and updates in the parks! Click here to see more ears you can find in the Disney parks! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Let us know what you think of these ears in the comments! The post 🚨ALERT🚨 Disney's New PINK Corduroy Ears Are PERFECTION first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article