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During the month of February, Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort join together honor and experience Black culture through cuisines, one bite and sip at a time – with many offerings inspired and created by our diverse Disney cast members.View the full article

Details We Dig - Aboard The Disney Wish | Disney Files On DemandView the full article

EPCOT is going through some big changes right now! EPCOT We’ve got new parking lot theming, the upcoming return of EPCOT Forever fireworks, and the highly anticipated NEW attraction — Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana! We have been keeping an eye on the progress of this section of the park and can’t wait for it to open later this year. Well, get excited, guys, because Disney just released a new behind-the-scenes video featuring the queen of the attraction herself — Te Fiti. In this behind-the-scenes look, Walt Disney Imagineering Senior Production Designer Diana Bibee introduces the 16-foot tall icon Te Fiti inside the Moana attraction that took Disney years to get right. Disney hopes that this beautiful statue of Te Fiti, a “guardian of water,” inspires guests to “continue their own personal stewardship towards the conservation of our natural resources.” In the making of this icon, Disney Imagineering collaborated with Walt Disney Animation Studios to get her look just right. Construction everywhere In the video, Bibee shares that Journey of Water, located in World Nature, is going to be a “self-guided exploration trail that focuses on the life cycle of water, from the sky to earth and back again.” We are so excited to see more progress on this attraction! Stay tuned to DFB as we keep you up to date on all of the updates on this EPCOT transformation. Click here to learn more about Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana. Want MORE Details About EPCOT’s MASSIVE Transformation? EPCOT’s Three New Neighborhoods Have Debuted – Learn More Here See Our Full Review of One of EPCOT’s Newest Restaurants – Connections Eatery Get a Full Tour Inside EPCOT’s New Starbucks Location – Connections Cafe See All the Details You Need to Know About the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Coaster, Now Open in World Discovery NEW Festival Areas, Gardens, a Meet-and-Greet Area, and More Are Coming to EPCOT Go Inside Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure With Us Check Out All of the Tasty Details About La Crêperie de Paris See Our Full Reviews of Space 220, Which Has Officially OPENED in EPCOT Check Out Spaceship Earth’s Permanent New Nighttime Look Learn More About EPCOT’s New Nighttime Spectacular -- Harmonious See Full Details About the New PLAY! Pavilion Coming to EPCOT Learn All About Journey of Water -- Inspired by Moana, Coming to World Nature The Mary Poppins Attraction is on Hold – Learn More Here What’s Been CUT From the EPCOT Transformation? Click HERE for All the News and Details about EPCOT’s Transformation! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest EPCOT transformation news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Which update in 2023 are you looking forward to most? Let us know in the comments! The post INSIDE LOOK at the 'Moana' Attraction Coming to EPCOT first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Here at DFB, we love keeping up with the progress of new attractions at Disney World. It’s so exciting to watch the magic slowly come to life! Tron Lightcycle/Run Construction Out of all the new attractions and restaurants coming soon to Disney World, TRON Lightcycle/Run is among the most highly anticipated. After all, it’s a high-speed coaster with unique ride vehicles, cool lighting effects, and a thrilling storyline. Now, there’s an exciting update at this ride’s construction site! It seems like Imagineers are putting the finishing touches on TRON Lightcycle / Run as they prepare for the ride’s opening day of April 4th. Today, we saw that the sign has been installed outside the attraction! The sign is UP! Seeing the sign in front of the ride is getting us even more excited for TRON to open this spring. The sign looks futuristic, with “TRON” in big letters that look like they might light up at night (we’ll have to wait and see what happens once it gets dark!). The ride is sponsored by Enterprise, so that company’s logo is also on the sign. TRON sign is up! If you plan on visiting Disney World in the upcoming months and want to ride TRON, we suggest familiarizing yourself with Disney’s virtual queue system, as it will likely be used in the place of standby lines. Knowing the tips and tricks beforehand will help make sure your trip is a success! Click here to learn all 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. Do you plan on visiting Disney on TRON’s opening day? Let us know! The post HUGE UPDATE at TRON Lightcycle / Run in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are all kinds of dining options at Disney World, from fancy table service restaurants to quick snacks. But there’s one specific experience that you CAN’T have right now! Tea time at the Grand Flo! Afternoon Tea used to be a staple at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, where guests would visit the Garden View Tea Room to indulge in different flavors of tea, savory snacks, and miniature desserts. But the tea room has been closed for a couple of YEARS now, so where can you go for an Afternoon Tea experience in Disney World? Never fear — another spot is opening soon that will host a very similar event. We visited the Garden Tea Room before it closed and tried out the different drinks and snacks there. It was a great experience, and we thought it’d be especially fun for brunch, celebrations, or a kids’ party (if any of your little ones want a fancy princess-type event!). But the tea room closed when the parks shut down due to COVID-19, and it still hasn’t reopened. Garden View Tea Room But don’t panic! There’s a NEW restaurant coming to Disney World, and it’ll have an Afternoon Tea service for all your fancy events needs. The Cake Bake Shop is opening at Disney’s Boardwalk sometime in 2023 (it’ll be located where the ESPN Club used to be). This restaurant will have both a table service restaurant and a counter service bakery. Part of the table service restaurant will be an Afternoon Tea. Cake Bake Shop in Progress In an exclusive interview with The Cake Bake Shop’s founder and owner, Gwendolyn Rogers, we learned that Afternoon Tea is an important part of the Cake Bake Shop restaurant in Carmel, Indiana. She said that one of the most important parts of the experience is the environment: “You feel like you’re in a magical environment, and I think that feeling is a huge part of that.” More views of the seating at the Cake Bake Shop in Indianapolis Of course, the food and drinks matter too! Rogers said, “The food we serve in the Afternoon Tea is great. Anything we make for any restaurant is made from scratch, by hand, with the best ingredients that I can find anywhere. That’s another thing that separates us from some other Afternoon Tea services — we’re really good at pastry, there are beautiful little desserts on the trays, and it’s just a beautiful experience.” Marie Antoinette Macaron at The Cake Bake Shop At the Carmel, Indiana, location, Afternoon Tea is about a 2-hour experience, so we may be able to expect something similar at the Disney World location when it opens sometime this year. Rogers noted that the experience is super popular and warned that you’ll want to get reservations in advance in order to ensure that you can participate when you visit in Disney World. Dining room at the Indiana location The menu for The Cake Bake Shop location at Disney’s Boardwalk hasn’t been released yet, but we can scope out the Afternoon Tea menu at the Carmel, Indiana, location to see what might come to Disney. Bakery display case The Cake Bake Shop’s website states that the restaurant offers a “one-of-a-kind experience” that honors the tradition of Afternoon Tea from 19th century England. There are options for Afternoon Tea with or without champagne, and you can also choose a version of the Tea for kids. The prices at the Indiana location are $80 for Afternoon Tea with Champagne, $65 for Afternoon Tea without Champagne, and $45 for Afternoon Tea for Children. ©The Cake Bake Shop The adult version of Afternoon Tea includes freshly baked scones with clotted cream, butter, and jam as well as finger sandwiches (herbed goat cheese with cucumber, egg salad, and chicken salad) and a variety of “mini decadent desserts.” The tea here is Dammann Frères tea. The kids’ menu includes the scones, finger sandwiches (peanut butter & jelly, ham & brie, and turkey & gruyére cheese), and mini desserts. Kids can choose between tea or hot chocolate. ©The Cake Bake Shop Again, note that these are the menus and prices for the Carmel, Indiana, location, so things may be different at the Disney World location. ©The Cake Bake Shop If you can’t get a reservation for The Cake Bake Shop in Disney World, never fear — this spot will also have a walk-up counter with bakery items, so you can still enjoy the incredible desserts. Cakes at the Cake Bake Shop in Indianapolis Want to leanr more about The Cake Bake Shop? Check out these posts: Why The New Cake Bake Shop Could Be the IT Place to Host Private Events Exclusive Interview with Gwendolyn Rogers, Owner of The Cake Bake Shop MAJOR UPDATE on The Cake Bake Shop, Coming to Disney World We’ll be watching for more news about the opening of The Cake Bake Shop in Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB for all the latest updates! Check out our FULL REVIEW of one of the current Cake Bake Shops in Indianapolis here! Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide Check Out the 19 Best Restaurants in Disney World in 2022 Our Top 50 All-Time Best Disney Dining Tips These Are the BEST Meals in Disney World for Under $15 Ranking Every Single Magic Kingdom Restaurant Ranking Every Single EPCOT Restaurant Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney Springs Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney World Hotels – Cheap Eats Edition Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you planning to visit The Cake Bake Shop when it opens this year in Disney World? Let us know in the comments. The post The Secret Spot To Get Afternoon Tea in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. 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Welcome back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Disney’s Hollywood Studios We recently got this year’s spring and summer seasonal dining dates at Hollywood & Vine, and there’s tons of merchandise we’ve spotted lately too. But a week in Disney World means a LOT can change, so let’s see what’s new in at Hollywood Studios! Hollywood Studios Construction Updates Progress is still coming along very well at Rodeo Roundup BBQ! The tarp has come down in some places, meaning we can see the Toy Story artwork on the side of the building. Rodeo Roundup BBQ The other building under construction in Toy Story Land is also coming along well, even though it still just looks like a giant cement block right now. Doesn’t look very colorful just yet… We’ll be sure to keep an eye on this construction to keep you updated! Hollywood Studios Food Updates We tried a delicious new coffee in Hollywood Studios this week! Seasonal offerings These are Joffrey’s seasonal offerings currently, and we really enjoyed the Strawberry Dipped Mocha we tried. Read our full review of the Strawberry Dipped Mocha here! Hollywood Studios Merchandise Updates And of course, there’s LOTS of new merchandise this week! Celebrity 5&10 We spotted the new Cotton Candy Minnie Ears for $34.99. Cotton Candy Minnie Ears The Platinum Minnie Mouse Plush has also popped up for $29.99. Platinum Minnie Mouse Plush We also found a Genie Lamp Ornament for $24.99… Genie Lamp Ornament …Sword in the Stone Ornament for $24.99… Sword in the Stone Ornament …and a Robin Hood Ornament for $24.99. Robin Hood Ornament You can also grab the Pink Bow Greenery Minnie Wreath for $59.99! Pink Bow Greenery Minnie Wreath A new Mickey & His Pals Mystery Pin Set is also available for $17.99… Mickey & His Pals Mystery Pin Set …or you can grab the Disney Tiny Kingdom Mystery Pin Set for $19.99. Disney Tiny Kingdom Mystery Pin Set Onto the next store! Legends of Hollywood We spotted a Bambi Sweatshirt for $54.99… Bambi Sweatshirt …and a Disney Cartoon Jersey for $64.99. Disney Cartoon Jersey And we’re moving on, because there’s plenty more! Mickeys of Hollywood A new Blue and White Polka Dot Spirit Jersey is available here! Blue and White Polka Dot Spirit Jersey We also found a new Walt Disney World Hat for $24.99. Walt Disney World Hat As well as a Pet Bed Mat for $39.99. Pet Bed Mat Let’s visit Once Upon a Time next. Once Upon A Time We’ve also seen a Princess Dog Pillow for $49.99. Princess Dog Pillow There was a new Youth Little Mermaid Sweatshirt for $39.99… Youth Little Mermaid Sweatshirt …paired with Youth Little Mermaid Sweats for $29.99. Youth Little Mermaid Sweats And you can also grab the Little Mermaid Backpack for $29.99. Little Mermaid Backpack So if you’ve been looking for a whole Little Mermaid outfit for your kiddo, you’re in luck. Rock Around The Shop Here you can grab a Rock ’n’ Rollercoaster Long Sleeved Shirt for $44.99… Rock ’n’ Rollercoaster Long Sleeved Shirt …a Rock ’n’ Rollercoaster Shirt for $24.99… Rock ’n’ Rollercoaster Shirt …and a Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Kid Shirt for $26.99. Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Kid Shirt We also spotted a 2023 Headphone Case here for $19.99. 2023 Headphone Case Don’t worry, there’s more! Beverly Sunset Shop We spotted a Youth Low and Slow Cars Hat for $24.99 here. Youth Low and Slow Cars Hat There’s also a Toy Story Jacket for $69.99. Toy Story Jacket Lastly, we found a new WALL-E Picnic Blanket for $59.99. WALL-E Picnic Blanket We hope you’re still with us, because there’s MORE. Keystone Clothiers Look at this new Star Wars Grogu Mystery Plush for $14.99. Star Wars Grogu Mystery Plush Super cute if you ask us. The Darkroom Here we spotted a Pixar Youth Hat for $24.99. Pixar Youth Hat Think you can handle a few more stops? Sunset Club Couture We spotted an adorable Minnie Mouse Sweater for $79.99. Minnie Mouse Sweater If you’re able to resist this, you have better self-control than we do! Tower Gifts Surprise! We spotted an Anna and Elsa Collector Doll Set for $299.99 here. Anna and Elsa Collector Doll Set In case you’re wondering, yes, we did triple-check that price tag. Resistance Supply We spotted a Resistance Marshal Badge for $19.99… Resistance Marshal Badge …and a Resistance Pin for $9.99. Resistance Pin Just don’t let the Stormtroopers see them in Galaxy’s Edge! Shop Outside Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway So much merch here! We found a Runaway Railway Picnic Blanket for $59.99… Runaway Railway Picnic Blanket …a Runaway Railway Onesie for $24.99… Runaway Railway Onesie …a Runaway Railway Long Sleeved Shirt for $44.99… Runaway Railway Long Sleeved Shirt …and a Runaway Railway Kid Shirt for $26.99. Runaway Railway Kid Shirt And that’s everything new we found in Hollywood Studios this week! As always, be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news. Is a Hollywood Studios after-hours event right for you? See how EMPTY the park is! 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. Does any of this new merchandise catch your eye? Tell us below! The post What's New at Disney's Hollywood Studios: Ride-Themed Souvenirs and Cotton Candy Ears first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney could be headed toward some MAJOR changes in 2023. The Walt Disney World Main Gate Bob Iger is back as CEO, a proxy battle is underway related to seats on Disney’s Board of Directors, and NEW attractions will be opening soon. But, for today we’re focusing on another situation that is plagued with uncertainty and could significantly impact Disney’s way of operating. We’re talking, of course, about the latest on Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID or the “District”). For those unfamiliar with it, the District was created over 50 years ago and essentially functions as its own county government in Florida. The arrangement has allowed the majority landowner in the District — Disney — to have a tremendous amount of control over the land on which it operates in Orlando. ©WFTV 9 But in 2022 Florida legislators passed a bill that was signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis that will dissolve the RCID effective June 1st, 2023. The end date is quickly approaching, so just what’s happening with this situation now? Here’s what you need to know. Reedy Creek Lawsuit We’re still waiting for updates on the lawsuit filed by Central Florida residents against Governor DeSantis related to Reedy Creek (EDUARDO FORONDA ET AL VS RON DESANTIS ET AL, 2022-009114-CA-01, filed in Miami-Dade County, Florida). Reedy Creek Trash Cans The last update on this lawsuit was that an unopposed motion for a change of venue was filed in December 2022. Thus far, the court’s online docket does not reflect that an order on this motion has been entered and the case is still marked as “open.” We’ll be on the lookout for more details. See more details about the lawsuit here Potential Replacement District Many possibilities have been suggested when it comes to what will ultimately happen with the RCID and what could replace it. Initially, some seemed to suggest that the RCID would be recreated in the form of a new district that would essentially allow Disney to have many of the same powers while removing some of the more “extreme” powers from the RCID (like the ability to create a nuclear power plant) to give DeSantis the appearance of a “win.” Some also suggested that Iger’s return and Chapek’s exit could help smooth over the situation. But DeSantis’ office has insisted that they will not be doing any “u-turns” when it comes to the Reedy Creek dissolution. So…what now? Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ©Deadline Well, we got a much clearer image of what DeSantis has in mind thanks to a public notice filing made on the Osceola County website. The filing, which came from Governor DeSantis and his office, notified individuals in the county that they have an intent to “seek legislation before the Florida Legislature…of an act relating to the Reedy Creek Improvement District, Orange and Osceola Counties.” The notice details some of what DeSantis would change. The primary goal is to increase “state oversight, accountability, and transparency of the District.” ©Fox10 News | Florida Governor Ron DeSantis The notice also mentions that the Governor, through this legislation, would seek to: Revise “the selection process, membership qualifications, and compensation for the governing body of the District“ Ensure “debts and bond obligations held by the District remain with the District and are not transferred to other governments by retaining the District’s authority related to indebtedness and taxation” Revise authority when it comes to local permitting and regulation Revise the regulatory framework and structure Review the district’s remaining powers and revise “exceptions to general law and certain special acts” Describe the district boundaries and name Set a date on which these policies will go into effect In other words, there could be some significant changes in store. ©Spectrum News 13 According to the Orlando Business Journal, DeSantis’ Communications Director Taryn Fenske issued a prepared statement that said “The corporate kingdom has come to an end.” The statement continued, “Under the proposed legislation, Disney will no longer control its own government, will live under the same laws as everyone else, will be responsible for their outstanding debts, and will pay their fair share of taxes. Imposing a state-controlled board will also ensure that Orange County cannot use this issue as a pretext to raise taxes on Orange County residents.” The key here seems to be the fact that Disney would no longer control its own government, as it is already responsible for its outstanding debts (so there would be no change there) and they do in fact pay taxes. As WFTV notes, “Disney still pays the same property taxes levied by the government and the school district that every other landowner pays. Orange County, for example, collected $40 million from the House of Mouse in 2021.” Pandora Who will propose this legislation supporting the goals of DeSantis when it comes to Reedy Creek and when exactly when it will be introduced has yet to be shared. Click here to read about the notice Others Have Weighed In So what do others have to say about the dissolution of the RCID? According to the Orlando Business Journal, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has shared that any of the state’s claims about Orange County raising taxes on its residents is false. Demings shared, “We look forward to working with the Reedy Creek Improvement District for many years to come. Any statements made by state officials to suggest that Orange County would use the dissolution of the Reedy Creek Improvement District as a pretext to raise taxes on its residents is reprehensive and baseless.” Aside from clarifying or pushing back on certain issues, some have indicated their support for the Governor’s plan. The Reedy Creek firefighters actually back this plan. In fact, Tim Stromsnes, the communications director of the Reedy Creek Professional Firefighters Local 2217, has said, “Anything has got to be better than what we currently have.” Reedy Creek Fire Department ©Reedy Creek According to the Orlando Business Journal, Florida Representative Carolina Amesty (R-Orlando) also supports DeSantis’ efforts. Amesty shared, “The entire Disney complex has played a critical role in our state’s economic success, but size and success should never be used as an excuse to provide any company with special exemptions from rules and regulations that all other Florida corporations are obligated to follow.” Amesty continued, “I believe that all Florida corporations should be treated equally, and I support Gov. DeSantis’ latest initiative to bring the Reedy Creek special governing district under state jurisdiction.” Reedy Creek Sign in Disney World What will the future hold for the RCID? Much remains to be seen and a few moving pieces could result in some changes. Interestingly, the representative who sponsored the bill to dissolve the RCID — Randy Fine — has announced that he is running for state senate next year. (Orlando Sentinel) Fine, however, was also the one that indicated that the removal of Chapek as CEO made it more likely ‘that something will get sorted out’ over the district. He previously said, “Chapek screwed up, but Bob Iger doesn’t have to own that screw-up.” With Bob Iger back as CEO, we’ll have to see just how things play out and whether he can change Disney’s relationship with DeSantis and Florida politicians. ©Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images The next “regular” session for the Florida legislature starts on March 7th, 2023, but a special session before that could potentially give us some news. We’ll be on the lookout for updates. Click here to see our full post about how important Disney’s relationship is with Ron DeSantis for the future of the parks What Reedy Creek Is Doing to “Prepare” Disney isn’t sitting back as it waits for updates on what may happen with Reedy Creek. Instead, it is taking steps to set plans in place that could promote more growth in the parks. In January 2023, a meeting was held by the two cities that make up the RCID — Lake Buena Vista and Bay Lake, FL. During the meeting, the officials from those cities “approved a resolution to consider changing land-use regulations to accommodate the district’s comprehensive plan,” according to the Wall Street Journal. Disney World The RCID has a comprehensive plan that serves as its 10-year guideline for future developments. It was adopted some time ago. According to the Orlando Business Journal, the 2032 Comprehensive Plan allows for the following maximum allowed uses over the next decade: “One major theme park and two minor theme parks 14,000 guest rooms mixed-use/hotel/resort/commercial entertainment 1,515 hotel/resort guest rooms 150,000 square feet of office space 1 million square feet of retail/restaurant space” By approving certain resolutions to consider changing land-use regulations, the cities are taking another step forward in allowing this future development to potentially take place, should Disney decide to go forward with it at one point. Essentially, while Disney has mostly friendly faces on the boards from which it must seek approval, it seems to be tackling certain issues to set itself up for success later. Better to get approval from those you know are more open to your plans than leave it all up to an uncertain future. Magic Kingdom According to the Orlando Business Journal, one meeting of the RCID served as the “first reading of modifications to the land development regulations made last year.” Eryka Washington Perry, a spokeswoman for Reedy Creek Improvement District, shared, “There were minor administrative amendments made to be in compliance with the 2032 Comprehensive plan.” While there are “no plans under review” to actually make some of the major things discussed in the 2032 Comprehensive Plan (in terms of building a new major theme park, etc.), taking these steps now could place Disney in a more secure position in the future. Disney’s Riviera Resort The Comprehensive Plan notes that there are more than 13,500 acres of undeveloped land within the District, but some of the areas most suitable for development include areas “west of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, between World Drive and Interstate 4 between Osceola Parkway and U.S. Highway 192, east of the Magic Kingdom parking lot, [and] west of Disney’s Hollywood Studios,” among others. Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom There’s a lot up in the air when it comes to the RCID. What a replacement district could or ultimately will look like has yet to be fully determined. But we should get more answers soon as the June 2023 dissolution date approaches. We’ll continue to look for more updates and let you know what we find, so stay tuned for the latest news. Click here to see one celebrity’s comments on Bob Iger’s fight for the “future of Disney” with regard to the proxy battle 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 will happen with the RCID? Tell us in the comments. The post “The Corporate Kingdom Has Come to an End” -- Updates on Disney World’s Reedy Creek District first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Among recent Disney films, there are definitely a few stand-outs. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Avatar: The Way of Water and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever are two films that stole the hearts of audiences last year — and with good reason! It’s no surprise then, that three popular Disney films made it on the list of nominees for the 95th Academy Awards. Variety Magazine posted a complete list of 2023 Oscar nominations, and we’re excited to see all the Disney nominations! Without further ado, here are the categories to which Disney brought some pixie dust. Best Picture Producers James Cameron and Jon Landau were nominated for Best Picture with Avatar: The Way of Water. ©Disney This film is the 3rd one by James Cameron to gross over $2 billion at the box office. Best Supporting Actress Actress Angela Bassett achieved a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in her role as Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. ©Disney Best Cinematography Cinematographer Roger Deakins scored the Best Cinematography nomination for Empire of Light — a romantic drama starring Olivia Colman and Micheal Ward. ©Disney This is such a beautiful film! Best Production Design Dylan Cole, Ben Proctor, and Vanessa Cole snagged a Best Production Design nomination for Avatar: The Way of Water. ©Disney The beautiful sets throughout the movie speak for themselves! Best Visual Effects Geoffrey Baumann, Craig Hammack, R. Christopher White, and Dan Sudick blew it out of the park with visuals in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, scoring a nomination for Best Visual Effects. Once again — who’s surprised? It is such a beautiful film! ©Disney Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon and Daniel Barrett also blew it out of the park — and Avatar: The Way of Water will be competing with Black Panther to win this Oscar! Best Costume Design Can we talk about the costumes in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever for a sec? Everyone looked AMAZING on screen and this was well-rewarded with a nomination for Best Costume Design. ©Disney Kudos to costume designer Ruth Carter! Best Makeup and Hairstyling Similar to the costumes, the makeup in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was incredible. ©Disney Artists Camille Friend and Joel Harlow scored a nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Best Sound Avatar: The Way of Water snagged a nomination for Best Sound. ©Disney Julian Howarth, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Bernstein, Cristopher Boyes, Gary Summers, and Michael Hedges made up the team that created the awesome sound effects and music that accompanied the film. Here’s the complete list of nominations for The Walt Disney Company: The Banshees of Inisherin by Searchlight Pictures: 9 Nominations Best Picture – Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin and Martin McDonagh, Producers Best Director – Martin McDonagh Best Actor – Colin Farrell Best Supporting Actor – Brendan Gleeson Best Supporting Actor – Barry Keoghan Best Supporting Actress – Kerry Condon Best Original Screenplay – Martin McDonagh Best Film Editing – Mikkel E.G. Nielsen Best Music (Original Score) – Carter Burwell Black Panther: Wakanda Forever by Marvel Studios: 5 Nominations Best Supporting Actress – Angela Bassett Best Costume Design – Ruth E. Carter Best Original Song for Lift Me Up – Tems, Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler Best Makeup and Hairstyling – Camille Friend and Joel Harlow Best Visual Effects – Geoffrey Baumann, Craig Hammack, R. Christopher White and Dan Sudick Avatar: The Way of Water by 20th Century Studios: 4 Nominations Best Picture – James Cameron and Jon Landau, Producers Best Sound – Julian Howarth, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Bernstein, Christopher Boyes, Gary Summers and Michael Hedges Best Production Design – Dylan Cole and Ben Procter; Set Decoration: Vanessa Cole Best Visual Effects – Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon and Daniel Barrett Empire of Light by Searchlight Pictures: 1 Nomination Best Cinematography – Roger Deakins Fire of Love by National Geographic Documentary Films: 1 Nomination Best Documentary Feature Film – Sara Dosa, Shane Boris and Ina Fichman Le Pupille by Disney Branded Television: 1 Nomination Best Live Action Short – Alice Rohrwacher and Alfonso Cuarón Turning Red by Pixar Animation Studios: 1 Nomination Best Animated Feature Film – Domee Shi and Lindsey Collins Each of these nominations are so well deserved and we can’t wait to see who wins each category. We know all you Avatar and Black Panther fans are very excited right now! Here at DFB, we keep track of all the best merch so that you can support these films as they compete for these Oscars! Click here to see our favorite Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Merchandise Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! How do you feel about these Oscar nominations? Let us know in the comments! The post FULL LIST of Oscar Nominations for Disney Films in 2023 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. We’ve all seen it, we all love it, and of course — it makes us all cry. Come on, it’s Titanic. Jack totally could’ve fit on the door. Titanic door. Totally big enough for two. 20th Century Fox’s Titanic is a beloved movie for so many of us — and somehow it manages to stay relevant at movie nights years later! It’s still relevant 25 years from its release date, in fact! To celebrate 25 years of Titanic, TONS of new merchandise has arrived online at shopDisney. Your first question might be, Why is Disney releasing Titanic merchandise? And that’s a fair question. Titanic wasn’t originally a Disney movie, but when Disney acquired 20th Century Fox in 2019, it became part of the company’s collection. (That’s also why we’ve recently seen some Anastasia merch online!) And that’s why Disney can now sell merchandise to celebrate this film’s 25th anniversary. To start, there is this gorgeous 25th Anniversary Tea Set that includes a teapot, two tea cups, and two saucers. ©Disney This set is $199.99. Click here to purchase the tea set. Next is the 25th Anniversary Mug and Plate Set. ©Disney This set features navy blue details and is available for $29.99. Click here to purchase the Mug and Plate Set. This one is for our artists! The 25th Anniversary Sketchbook Set is $24.99. ©Disney It comes with eight pencils, a sketchbook, and a beautiful leather case. Click here to purchase the 25th Anniversary Sketchbook Set Next is the 25th Anniversary Grand Staircase Standing Clock. ©Disney This replica of the clock shown in the movie is $215. Click here to purchase the Grand Staircase Standing Clock The 25th Anniversary Tie-Dye T-Shirt is such a unique one! ©Disney The shirt is $44.99 and features blue, purple, and white tie-dye. Click here to purchase the Tie-Dye T-Shirt This next one is for those of you who love jewelry! The 25th Anniversary Heart of the Ocean Necklace is a fun nod to the film. ©Disney This necklace is $150 and looks nearly identical to the one in the movie. Click here to purchase the Heart of the Ocean Necklace Loungefly, anyone? Check out this Titanic 25th Anniversary Loungefly Baseball Cap. ©Disney The cap is available for $29.99 and is a great but casual way to show your love for the movie. Click here to purchase the Baseball Cap Last but not least is the Titanic 25th Anniversary Scarf. ©Disney This beautiful scarf is $49.99 and features blue and gold detailing. It even has the Heart of the Ocean printed on it! Click here to purchase the 25th Anniversary Scarf We’re so excited to celebrate 25 years of such a classic movie (and Leonardo DiCaprio). Here at DFB, we’re always on the lookout for the newest Disney merchandise, so make sure to follow along for more! Looking for new Disney merchandise? Look no further. Click here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Will you be purchasing any of the Titanic merchandise? Let us know! The post If You’re Confused About Disney’s NEW Merchandise, You’re Not Alone 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. Do you ever have those days when window shopping online turns into more than just looking? You can never have too much Disney merch! There’s no crime in treating yourself from time to time! But sometimes what you receive isn’t exactly what you ordered, and now you’re out $20 (or more!). You can still enjoy your online shopping and put your hard-earned money towards something worthwhile! We find the best items on Amazon so you can do a little lunch break shopping knowing you aren’t wasting your money. Here are some of our picks! As we count down the days until the official kick-off to the Walt Disney Company’s 100th birthday, you might be wanting to read up on Disney history. This new book covers the legacy of the company and is the companion piece to the touring exhibition from the Walt Disney Archives. The Story of Disney: 100 Years of Wonder The Story of Disney: 100 Years of Wonder book is filled with facts and lore, and even includes rare Disney concept art and photographs! Pre-order this book for $48, marked down from the original price of $60. Click here to buy The Story of Disney: 100 Years of Wonder! Surprise rain showers are a given when visiting Disney World, but the upcoming spring season is going to be particularly rainy! Make sure you pack a poncho on your next trip to keep yourself dry (and avoid paying super high prices once you arrive in the parks). Mickey Mouse Rain Poncho Instead of wearing a plain one, why not get something more festive, like this Mickey Mouse Rain Poncho? A bright Mickey is front and center, and these ponchos also come with hoods to protect your ‘do. Grab some for your next trip for $16.99 each! They’re currently 15% off. Click here to buy this Mickey Mouse Rain Poncho! If you have a little one with a birthday coming up, surprise them with this LEGO Disney Twirling Rapunzel! This set is great for younger kids who are interested in LEGOs but too young for the more complicated sets and smaller pieces. LEGO Disney Twirling Rapunzel When completed, Rapunzel sits on top of this music box and spins! The 89-piece set also includes a little Pascal figure. This set is available on Amazon for $9.99. Click LEGO Disney Twirling Rapunzel! Can you believe it’s the 85th anniversary of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs? This Disney Doorables Snow White Collection Peek includes 8 figures of the characters from the classic film. Disney Doorables Snow White Collection Peek These figures of Snow and her seven friends are exclusive to this set, so if you are a Doorables collector you need to buy this! This set is almost half-off, bringing the price down from $16.99 to just $9.99! Click here to buy this Disney Doorables Snow White Collection Peek! Many families wear matching t-shirts on their Disney vacations. Go even further and match 24/7 with these Disney Family Matching Pajama Sleep Sets from Amazon Essentials! Amazon Essentials Disney Family Matching Pajama Sleep Sets This two-piece set includes a long-sleeve top and pants with a vintage Mickey Mouse pattern! Each set varies in price from $8.11 to $32.40, depending on style and size. Click here to buy Amazon Essentials Disney Family Matching Pajama Sleep Sets! Don’t miss your suitcase in a sea of black luggage! Adding a bright luggage tag like this American Tourister Minnie Mouse Luggage Tag will give your eye something to search for, making it easy to identify your bag. American Tourister Minnie Mouse Luggage Tag It’s made of a durable rubber and has a space to insert an ID tag with contact information. Purchase this tag for $6.99, and check out some of their other Disney designs! Click here to buy this American Tourister Minnie Mouse Luggage Tag! Tiana’s Cookbook will get your kids excited and eager to help out in the kitchen! This recipe book includes fifty recipes that your family can turn into tasty snacks and meals. Tiana’s Cookbook Inside are photos of each dish, along with illustrations of Tiana and her family and friends. It even includes kitchen basics so kids can start learning important cooking skills! Add this cookbook to your collection for $12.99, marked down from $17.99. Click here to buy Tiana’s Cookbook! If backpacks and crossbody bags leave your back and shoulders sore after a long day in the parks, why not opt for a fanny pack? They still have enough space to hold the necessities without weighing you down, plus they come in cute designs like this Minnie Mouse Fanny Pack. Minnie Mouse Fanny Pack The main pouch is covered in Minnie’s iconic red and white polka dot, with some of the dots made of tiny Mickey icons! A smaller front zippered pocket helps you organize your smaller items, and this bag even comes with ears and a bow. This fanny pack is $15.98. Hurry and get yours soon before they sell out! Click here to buy this Minnie Mouse Fanny Pack! Stay tuned to our site for more Disney deals! Don’t have Prime yet? You can click the banner below to try it out for a month, totally free! Why This Suitcase Costs $1,400 — and Where You Can Get Its Fancy Features for Less 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. If you won a $500 gift card to shop in any Disney World store, which would you pick? Comment your choice below! The post 8 Disney Amazon Finds To Make Your Tuesday Better first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We recently welcomed Te Fiti to the World Nature neighborhood of EPCOT in Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana and we are thrilled to be celebrating this moment! View the full article

Are you headed to Disney World in 2023? Are you spending a lot of time, like we do, thinking about what you want to eat (okay, confession — we OBSESS about it)? Pizza at Via Napoli Perhaps you’ve been reading all our reviews, checking out our best restaurants posts, making lists of some of our favorite foods (corn dog nuggets, cheese soup, and more). But now, we’re going to tell you exactly WHERE you should eat in 2023, so, let’s get to it! So we’ve broken down this list for you by park, and we’re even going to mention a few resort restaurants you might want to go out of your way for. Our team had some trouble making these very serious decisions, though, so we’ll also include some alternative honorable mention restaurants that are great, too! Magic Kingdom Skipper Canteen The one restaurant we ALL agreed on in Magic Kingdom is one we mention A LOT here and for good reason. It’s Skipper Canteen over in Adventureland. One, this restaurant is Jungle Cruise-themed — like does it get even more fun than that? But it’s also got a Jungle Cruise-themed menu that includes some adventurous dishes you won’t find anywhere else in Disney World. Skipper Canteen Some of our favorite eats here include the newish Cheese Bread — Pao de Quejo with Poblano Cream Cheese and Chimichurri Sauce. It’s cheesy bread, so you shouldn’t be surprised we’re recommending it. Like we would ever turn down Cheese Bread We’re also big fans of the Falls Family Falafel, which is made with Chickpeas, Garlic, Onions, Lemon Juice, and Herbs served with House-made Edamame Hummus and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds. It’s not only a great plant-based option, it’s just…well…great! Falls Family Falafel We also love the Perkins Thai Noodles, which are usually served with Tofu, but here’s a secret: you can also order them with chicken or steak for an additional fee. While you’re at it, don’t skip out on some of the fun drinks here — the Adventureland Colada was added for Disney World’s 50th anniversary, and it’s a MUST if it’s still on the menu after the anniversary ends. Read our most recent Skipper Canteen review! Honorable Mentions Okay, so here’s the thing — we didn’t have any other restaurant mentions for Magic Kingdom, but if it’s quick service you’re looking for, we will always tell you to head to Casey’s Corner for Corn Dog Nuggets and Cheese Sauce. Corn Dog Nuggets Trust us — this is QUALITY theme park food. Check out our latest Casey’s Corner review! EPCOT Via Napoli The DFB team loves, loves, LOVES (with capital letters, y’all) Via Napoli in EPCOT. We know you’re probably not thinking about pizza in Disney World (unless you have kiddos, that is). But Via Napoli has some of the BEST pizza in Disney World, and some of the best pizza we’ve ever had. What makes these pizzas so good is that the chefs here use REAL Italian flour and water sourced from Italy. No, really! LOOK at that pizza But it’s not just the pizza that’s good here — the Pollo Parmigiana (chicken parmesan) is EXCELLENT. You get a GINORMOUS breaded chicken breast topped with marinara sauce and it’s all smothered with mozzarella cheese. Every single bite of this option is like HEAVEN. Read our most recent review! Honorable Mentions Okay, so we have to give Space 220 an honorable mention, mostly because it’s not just dining, but a dining experience. We’re not saying this is the BEST food in EPCOT, but you need to experience the Space Elevator and view of the stars at least once. Space 220 elevator We also need to mention Garden Grill, where you can join Disney characters in a rotating restaurant with dishes that are served up so fresh that they’re actually grown nearby (you’ll need to visit Living With The Land to understand how). Likewise, if it’s quick-service you’re after, be sure to check out Sunshine Seasons for delicious fresh food to go. Read a Garden Grill review! Disney’s Hollywood Studios Hollywood Brown Derby Here’s another restaurant we mention a LOT here at DFB because it’s just THAT good. First, the Cobb Salad here is FAMOUS for a reason — this might be the best salad you’ve ever tasted. The salad, which is prepared tableside, is made with Spit-Roasted Turkey, Finely Chopped Greens, Bacon, Egg, Tomatoes, Avocado, Chives, Crumbled Blue Cheese, and Cobb Dressing. Cobb Salad If you’re a charcuterie fan, Hollywood Brown Derby has one of our favorite charcuterie boards in Disney World. Pretty much everything here, though, is SOLID, including the drinks (hello, MARTINI FLIGHT!). The best part? If you can’t get an advance dining reservation easily here, you can just head next door to the Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge for food and drinks. Here’s our most recent Hollywood Brown Derby review Honorable Mentions Hollywood Studios has a few restaurants that are absolutely a MUST if you haven’t done them before, mostly because of the experiences they offer. First, you’ll need to have your aunt, uncle, or cousin yell at you to get your elbows off the table at 50s Prime Time Cafe (all in good fun, we promise!). The food is classic homestyle cooking, with dishes like meatloaf and pot roast. 50’s Prime Time Cafe in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Then, you’ll need to dine in a car and watch sci-fi movie shorts at Sci-Fi Dine-In while drinking shakes and eating burgers and fries. Both of these restaurants will be something the whole family will enjoy. Here’s a Sci-Fi Dine-In review! Animal Kingdom Tusker House Restaurant Almost our entire team agreed that the restaurant you MUST try in Animal Kingdom is Tusker House. First, this is a character dining experience — you can hang out with Donald Duck and friends while enjoying a buffet that offers some pretty unique options but also has food for pickier eaters. He’s #1! There are some AMAZING bread options, including naan that is DELICIOUS dipped in the restaurant’s housemade hummus or mango chutney. You can even get a few curry-based dishes, Za’atar Braised Beef, and Tandoori spice-rubbed rotisserie chicken. But if you eat ANYTHING here, don’t skip out on the Mac and Cheese — it’s SOOOOO GOOD. Here’s our most recent review of Tusker House Resorts Sanaa So when it comes to resorts, EVERYONE has a favorite, but the restaurant mentioned the most is Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. If you’ve been reading us for any amount of time, you’ll know we’ll go here sometimes JUST for the Indian-style bread service that comes with a variety of bread and NINE dipping sauces, but we haven’t met a meal here yet that we didn’t like. Bread Service at Sanaa We also had a few mention by our team members of Boma, the buffet at Animal Kingdom Lodge — honestly, you can’t go wrong with either. Here’s our latest review of Sanaa Honorable Mentions If you make it to Disney World before the 50th anniversary ends in March, be sure to check out Steakhouse 71, which has some anniversary-specific foods, as well as California Grill, which has an ENTIRE prix fixe menu centered around the anniversary. House-made Artisanal-style Duck À L’Orange Pizza You’ll find both restaurants in Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Read a review of California Grill’s 50th anniversary offerings If you DO want to eat at these restaurants, remember that you’ll need to make your advance dining reservations as soon as possible — you can do this on the Disney World website, through the My Disney Experience app, or by calling 407-WDW-DINE (3463). You can make reservations as early as 60 days before the first day of your trip. If you have problems booking the restaurants you want, keep checking — you may find things opening up closer to your trip as other guests change or cancel their dining plans. 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. Get Our Guide! We have reviews, pictures, and details about every restaurant all in one digital download – 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! Here Are The NEW Problems You Will Face in Disney World in 2023 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What’s your MUST-DO restaurants for Disney World this year? Let us know in the comments! The post If You Can Only Go to ONE Disney World Restaurant in 2023, Go HERE first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Isla & Co opened in West Palm Beach in December and brings cuisine inspired by Australian coastal towns, with flavors from the Down Under's mix of cultures such as England, South East Asia and the Mediterranean. View the full article

Pirates Dinner Adventures adds Country Nights Live to dinner show lineup near International Drive. View the full article

FamilyFest Orlando will be held at Dezerland Action Park on International Drive on Saturday 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. Alright Star Wars fans, we’ve got some great news for you! Lightsabers in Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge We recently found out the Star Wars hotel was nominated for some awards (and you can save some MAJOR money if you’re planning to book a stay), and we keep an eye on all the new merchandise we see arrive. If you’ve been looking to expand your lightsaber collection, don’t miss these new ones that just dropped online! The first new lightsaber is the Tyranus Lightsaber Hilt for $159.99. ©Disney This hilt is a replica of Count Dooku’s once he became the notorious Darth Tyranus. The Lightsaber blade is sold separately, and you can choose whatever color crystal you’d like. Grab the Tyranus Lightsaber Hilt here! Or you can grab the Reforged Skywalker Lightsaber Hilt from Rise of Skywalker for $159.99 as well. ©Disney Disney describes this as an “elegant weapon for a more civilized age.” The blade is still sold separately, as is the crystal. Buy the Reforged Skywalker Lightsaber Hilt here! There are plenty of other Lightsaber hilts you can find both online or in Disneyland and Disney World. You can also create your own Lightsaber in the parks if you’re willing to pay the hefty fee. As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney merchandise news and more! Don’t miss these epic new Star Wars Disney mugs while you’re online! Want MORE Details About Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge? Click HERE for All the News About Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge — Including Our REVIEWS! See How to Build Your Own Droid at Droid Depot Dream of Building Your Own Custom Lightsaber? See How to Do It! Learn Everything You Need to Know About Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance! Get Full Details About Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run See More About Oga’s Cantina and Check Out Our Reviews! PHOTO TOUR: Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities Check Out Galaxy’s Edge Tips and SECRETS Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge news right in your inbox! Click Here to Subscribe! How many Lightsabers do you own? Tell us in the comments below! The post TWO New 'Star Wars' Collectibles Are Now Online! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ve got Disneyland news! World of Color We know that lots of exciting new things are coming to the resort for Disney’s 100th Anniversary starting soon, including new nighttime shows. We’ve already got showtimes for the new nighttime spectaculars, but now we have some more information on what we can expect to see! On January 27th, World of Color – ONE will debut in Disney California Adventure as the first spectacular to feature “characters, music, and stories from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, the Avengers, and Star Wars” all in the same show! We are so looking forward to seeing this nighttime spectacular for ourselves and kicking off the 100th Anniversary with so many other new offerings. We’ll be in the parks all day on the 27th bringing you all the news, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB! See the latest 100th Anniversary collection that just dropped! Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! See Our DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Learn About Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland Check Out What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Get All the Info About Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Should You Go to Disneyland in 2022? Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe What are you most excited about for the 100th Anniversary? Tell us in the comments below! The post NEW Details Released for Disney's World of Color -- ONE Show! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s been a wild time in Disney World! Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom Splash Mountain just permanently closed, fireworks shows are returning to Disney World soon, the 100th anniversary is about to begin, and so much more. There’s a lot of excitement going on with these announcements at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, but what’s happening over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Let’s find out! Before we get into the updates, be sure to download our FREE DFB checklist for Animal Kingdom! It will make sure you don’t miss out on anything you want to do at the parks. Animal Kingdom Merchandise Updates Island Mercantile We found some new clothes for kiddos over at Island Mercantile including the Mickey Mouse Youth Rain Jacket for $44.99… Rain Jacket …a Cartoon Pals Sweatshirt for $39.99… Hi Minnie! …Minnie Mouse Sweatpants for $29.99… Minnie Sweatpants …Mickey Tie Dye Sweatpants for $29.99… Mickey Sweatpants …and a Cartoon Pals Tank Top for $29.99. Cartoon Pals Tank Top Talk about a blast from the past! There’s a 25th Anniversary Castle Hoodie available for $69.99. What a throwback! Traveling soon? Grab the Up Travel Kit for $59.99. Travel like Carl and Russell There is also a Mickey and Pals Pin Starter Set for $34.99. This is great if you want to try pin collecting! Pins We also found some items for your pet including the Mickey Pet Treat Toy for $19.99… Pet Toy …a Sulley Pet Spirit Jersey… Sulley …a Lotso Pet Spirit Jersey… Lotso …and a Turning Red Pet Spirit Jersey! Turning Red Pet Shirt These are $44.99 each. Riverside Depot Over at Riverside Depot, we found some more new merchandise! Celebrate the 100th anniversary with a new Keychain for $14.99. Keychain We’ve seen a lot of new year’s merchandise, but now there’s a 2023 Tumbler for $27.99! Tumbler Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is one of the most popular rides in Disney World, and you can represent it on this T-Shirt for $29.99. Wildest shirt in the wilderness! We also noticed that there was new MaDe Kiosk where you can customize souvenirs, however it was not on when we visited. Kiosk That’s all of the updates we have for Disney’s Animal Kingdom! We’ll continue to bring you the latest updates from the Disney parks, so stay tuned for more updates! 5 Places to Escape in Animal Kingdom When Your Anxiety Is Through the Roof 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 is your favorite thing to do at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Let us know in the comments! The post What's New at Disney's Animal Kingdom: This Hoodie Takes Us BACK to 1996! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, we’re finding more and more Disney merchandise that makes us swoon! We love LOVE! We found a few adorable (and affordable) kitchen items that will make this Valentine’s Day extra magical! All of these Mickey and Minnie Valentine’s-themed items were found at Walmart for only $5 each. They’re too cute to not grab! The first thing we found was this adorable “Love Always Wins” kitchen towel that features Minnie and Mickey! How cute! Such a cute way to decorate the kitchen! We also found this mini spatula set. It comes with white, red, and pink spatulas with images of Minnie, Mickey, and lots of hearts! Mix up some love! There was also this adorable oven mitt! This is perfect for baking all your Valentine’s Day treats. Plus, don’t Mickey and Minnie look smitten? How cute is this? These baking dishes might be our favorites out of these cute Valentine’s Day goodies! You can grab either red, pink, or white (or all three). Perfect for whipping up some treats for your Valentine! This Mickey and Minnie cutting board is features Mickey and Minnie. The cutest graphic! Last but not least is this set of cookie stamps! Top your Valentine’s Day cookies with adorable images of our favorite mice. These will make some sweet-looking cookies! And all of these are just $5 each?! We were so excited to find these super cute goodies at Walmart and it made us even more excited for Valentine’s Day! If you’re looking for more ways to celebrate this season of love alongside Mickey, Minnie, and your other Disney favorites — we’ve got you covered. Click here for more Disney-inspired Valentine’s Day goodies! 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 these kitchen items? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney Valentine's Day Items You Can Get at Walmart for ONLY ! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It may be a WHILE before we see the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Disney World (won’t open until late 2024!), but Disney is not wasting any time when it comes to this major transformation. Construction Walls Are UP Splash Mountain’s last day of operation was January 22nd, 2023. The ride is now officially CLOSED as it gets overhauled into a Princess and the Frog-themed ride. And Disney has moved swiftly to remove mentions of the ride in other attractions and change other things in the park. Let’s go through it all here! Map On January 23rd, 2023, immediately following Splash Mountain’s last day, a NEW park map debuted in Magic Kingdom. Stay tuned for more 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 What do you think about the changes happening in Magic Kingdom? Tell us in the comments. The post 4 Ways Magic Kingdom Has Already CHANGED Since Splash Mountain’s Closure first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Here at Disney Food Blog, it should come as no surprise that we’ve tried a LOT of interesting food. We’ve got the spice! Sure, Disney is full of regular theme park food like chicken tenders, corn dog nuggets, and plastic cheese (of course!), but we’ve tried some pretty unique snacks in the parks. Recently we heard about a new spicy food creation and even we were taken by surprise! National Hot Sauce Day was January 22nd, and Mountain Dew decided to really ‘spice’ things up with a new product. Soda-infused hot sauce, anyone? ©Mountain Dew Mountain Dew announced that in celebration of National Hot Sauce Day, a NEW Baja Blast Hot Sauce would be available. Made with flavors used in their best-selling Baja Blast drink, this sweet and spicy sauce has hints of tropical lime…and lots of heat. We’re REALLY curious what this tastes like — does it taste like other hot sauces infused with fruit? Can you tell it’s made with Baja Blast? We’ll have to wait and see! ©MountainDew If you want to win the hot sauce, it will be through a sweepstakes which is open from now until February 8th, 2023! Click here if you want to enter to win. Here at DFB, we love finding all the fun and funky new snacks, so stick around and see if we find one you should try! Click here to see some bizarre snacks we’ve found at Disney! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What would you put Mountain Dew hot sauce on? Let us know! The post Mountain Dew HOT SAUCE Is a Thing Now and We Have Questions first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Who’s ready to celebrate Lunar New Year?! Lunar New Year 2023 If you’re a Disney fan and you want to go BIG, you definitely need to check out the Lunar New Year Celebration at Disney California Adventure. We stopped by on the first day to check out ALL of this year’s food booths, and now we have some THOUGHTS to share about the eats and drinks. Here are our picks for the best things to order at this year’s festival! This year, there are six different food booths to check out at the festival, along with some special food items available for a limited time around the park. But if those menus have you feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry! These are the BEST things we tried…and we think you’ll like them too. New Bests Pork and Shrimp Wontons at Wrapped with Love Wrapped with Love is a NEW booth at the 2023 Lunar New Year Celebration, and it brought a lot of new offerings with it. However, there was one thing that stood out above the rest — the Pork and Shrimp Wontons. They’re served with a black garlic sauce and are available for $8.75. Pork and Shrimp Wontons They were plump, juicy, and the fillings inside were generous. Even if you don’t like seafood, you might still enjoy these, as they didn’t taste “fishy” at all. Read Our Wrapped with Love Review Here! Raspberry Oat Milk Tea at Longevity Noodle Co. This new drink is one of the non-alcoholic beverages you can pick up at the celebration — it’s made with Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co Ceylon Tea, raspberry and demerara syrups, and oat milk and it is garnished with skewered raspberries. Raspberry Oat Milk Tea You’ll find the Raspberry Oat Milk Tea at Longevity Noodle Co. and we thought it was delicious and sweet, but not too over the top. We loved that fresh raspberry garnish! You can get it for $6.50. Check Out Our Longevity Noodle Co. Review Here! Pepperoni Pizza Bao Buns at Prosperity Bao & Buns Okay, it’s time to talk about this year’s HOT COMMODITY. Yep, that’s right, it’s the Pepperoni Pizza Bao Buns at Prosperity Bao & Buns. These things sold out at least twice on the opening day of the celebration, and we see why! Pepperoni Pizza Bao Bun They’re soft, warm, and tasty, and they remind us a lot of Totino’s Pizza Rolls. They get a little soggy if you let them sit, so eat them FAST. But for $9 for two buns that remind us of our childhood…we’re on board! Read Our Review of Prosperity Bao & Buns Here! Gochujang Elote at Red Dragon Spice Traders This year, Red Dragon Spice Traders was a big hit at the Lunar New Year Celebration, as two items from the menu are making our best of the fest list! First up is the Ghochujang Elote, which is brand new and made with steamed corn on the cob rolled in gochujang aїoli and cotija cheese drizzled with spicy gochujang sauce. Gochujang Elote We thought it was a fun twist on elote and not too overly spicy. You can order it for $7.50. Red Spice Fried Chicken Bites at Red Dragon Spice Traders The other winner from Red Dragon Spice Traders was the Red Spice Fried Chicken Bites. These are fried chicken chicharrones in spicy red chile sauce, and they’re priced at $8.75. Red Spice Fried Chicken Bites The chicken definitely had the heat we were hoping for, and it has a delicious spice flavor even outside of the heat level. The portion size was pretty great as well — we definitely recommend these! Click Here to See Our Red Dragon Spice Traders Review! White Chocolate Apple Bread Pudding at Pacific Wharf Cafe Finally, our last best of the fest pick from the new items is one you won’t find at a festival booth! The White Chocolate Apple Bread Pudding can be found at Pacific Wharf Cafe. It’s made with Granny Smith Apples and white chocolate with crème anglaise and whipped topping. Is anyone else’s mouth watering at that description? White Chocolate Apple Bread Pudding It’s $6.49 and we thought it was worth every penny. The Granny Smith Apples on top were the perfect amount of sweet and tart. The bread pudding itself was moist but not too soggy. We didn’t get too much of the white chocolate flavor, but we didn’t find ourselves missing it. Seriously, go get yourself one! Click Here to See Our Full Review! Returning Bests Finally, we have to mention two returning bests from previous years that are back again! You’ll want to check these out in addition to the new items above. Lychee Celebration from Prosperity Bao & Buns This drink made our list last year, but it’s back again at Prosperity Bao & Buns. In 2022, we thought it was absolutely delicious and fruity. It’s made with Gin, prosecco, lychee syrup, yuja-lemongrass purée, and grapefruit juice garnished with an edible purple orchid. Lychee Celebration You can get it for $15 this year — just make sure to stir it so those flavors get all mixed together! Mickey Mouse-Shaped Hot Dog Bun at Bamboo Blessings The last item on our list is a tricky one. The Mickey Mouse-Shaped Hot Dog Bun has been a favorite of ours in the past at the Lunar New Year Celebration, and this year you can find it at Bamboo Blessings for $7.50. Mickey-Mouse shaped Hot Dog Bun It’s a fun, tasty spin on a theme park hot dog, with a bun that’s flaky and light. This year, ours was a bit on the dry side, so it’s not quite as good as we’ve had in the past, but that could easily be remedied with ketchup and mustard. It also might just be a one-time fluke, so still check it out if you’re interested! Read Our Review of Bamboo Blessings Here! That’s everything on our best of the fest list for the Disney California Adventure Lunar New Year Celebration! We’ll make sure to share any more excitement from the parks with you in the coming weeks, so keep following along. And speaking of excitement, we’re ready to kick off the Disney 100th Anniversary celebrations at Disneyland Resort soon. We’ll be sharing all the details with you on the new nighttime shows, the snacks, the merchandise, and more. Stay tuned to DFB! Click Here to See What This Year’s Festival is Like! 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 Which item would you want to try? Tell us in the comments! The post The BEST Things to Eat and Drink at Disney’s Lunar New Year Celebration first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney has a lot of fires to put out. ©Hulu While already facing the impending dissolution of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the Company is also dealing with management changes thanks to the return of Bob Iger as CEO, along with a proxy battle for a seat on the Board of Directors. Amidst ALL of this, Disney must look to the future — well beyond 2023 — to a world where Hulu could become fully owned by Disney, and determine whether an earlier purchase of the Company can be made. But it might not be all that easy. Iger Loves a Good Acquisition It’s undeniable that Bob Iger loves a good acquisition. During his original time as CEO, he oversaw and played a critical role in ensuring the acquisition of Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and 21st Century Fox. In fact, it’s something that Disney itself cites as having created “significant value for Disney shareholders.” ©Disney According to Disney, these acquisitions transformed Disney. And while they were generally tagged as being things that Disney “overpaid” for, Disney argues that narrative has been proven to be “highly inaccurate.” ©Disney We’ve seen the success of Marvel’s many movies and Disney+ shows, Star Wars’ own sequels and Disney+ shows, and Fox’s Avatar. So what could Iger’s next acquisition be? Hulu…maybe. Hulu Might Be Next on Iger’s List Disney already owns 67% of Hulu, and Comcast’s NBCUniversal owns the remaining amount. According to Yahoo, under the deal made back in 2019, Disney got “full operational control” of Hulu. And, as early as January 2024, “Comcast can require Disney to buy NBCUniversal’s interest in Hulu and Disney can require NBCUniversal to sell that interest to Disney for its fair market value at that future time.” So, Disney could require Comcast to sell their interest in 2024, but Disney might want to push that acquisition to take place sooner rather than later! ©Hulu Buying Hulu FAST was certainly on Chapek’s radar when he was CEO, as he once told CNBC that he’d love to own Comcast’s 33% stake in Hulu “tomorrow.” Chapek shared, “I would like nothing more than to come up with that solution for an early agreement.” According to The Hollywood Reporter, Chapek noted why the Hulu acquisition was important, saying, “We’d have to have full ownership of Hulu to integrate it into Disney+.” Chapek went on to note that Disney would “love to get to the endpoint earlier, but that obviously takes some level of propensity for the other party to have reasonable terms for us to get there.” Bob Chapek Chapek isn’t CEO anymore, so what is Iger’s view on all of this? Well, back in 2019 is when Disney made that deal to get full operational control of Hulu. At that point, Iger was still CEO of Disney and he shared that “Hulu represents the best of television, with its incredible array of award-winning original content, rich library of popular series and movies, and live TV offerings.” (Yahoo) He also felt that by integrating Hulu into Disney’s direct-to-consumer business, they could “leverage the full power of The Walt Disney Company’s brands and creative engines to make the service even more compelling and a greater value for consumers.” (Yahoo) ©Reuters | Disney CEO Bob Iger So it seems Iger certainly values Hulu, what it brings to Disney, and what Disney brings to it too. According to one insider cited to by Deadline, the deal, though questionable, is likely: “Iger likes deals, and he loves acquisitions, so it is only a matter of time for the next one, just watch.” Bob Iger ©Bloomberg But it’s not just Disney that’s looking to make a deal (sooner rather than later) to get the rest of Hulu. Some activists are pushing for it too. According to CNBC, “Activist investor Dan Loeb is pushing Disney to accelerate a deal so it can fully integrate Hulu with Disney+, creating a ‘hard bundle’ that seamlessly allows users to view content from both services within one application.” Considering the MASSIVE losses Disney has experienced with its direct-to-consumer business in recent quarters, the push to streamline content spending, and the focus on making streaming more profitable (specifically as it refers to Disney+), Disney may feel the pressure more strongly to follow investor desires to keep them happy while they figure out how to piece everything else together. But Disney may also feel more restricted in shelling out the cash to make a Hulu acquisition happen. So it could go both ways! Disney is losing BILLIONS on Disney+, where’s the money going? But This Acquisition Might Not Be As Easy As Hoped Despite some wanting a Hulu deal to happen ASAP, it might not be possible — or might not be as easy as Disney had hoped it would be. According to CNBC, even Chapek acknowledged (back in September of 2022) that “chances of an early deal are ‘less and less’ as 2024 approaches.” Though Chapek said he wanted to make a deal, “that takes two parties to come up with something that is mutually agreeable.” And it seems the agreeable terms just haven’t been reached. Comcast Struggles For starters, Comcast isn’t making it easy. According to CNBC, the CEO of Comcast, Brian Roberts, has indicated that he too would like to own Hulu, that is if Disney decided to sell it. Roberts shared, “Hulu is a phenomenal business…It has wonderful content and I believe if it was for sale, put up for sale, Comcast would be interested.” ©Hulu And it might not just be Comcast that’s interested. According to Variety, Roberts said that he thinks others could be interested in buying Hulu if it were placed for sale. From Comcast’s perspective, acquiring Hulu could be a great benefit. As Variety points out, it could enable Comcast to combine Hulu with Peacock and give “Comcast a more powerful play in the streaming wars.” Is Disney interested in selling Hulu though? Several signs point to “no.” The Hollywood Reporter shared that Comcast reportedly approached Disney about buying Hulu from them as part of the 2019 Fox deal, but Disney was “not interested.” Hulu ©Hulu What about the 2024 deadline and Comcast selling its interest in Hulu? Well, Roberts said that he’s open to discussing a sale of Comcast’s stake in Hulu before the 2024 date, but put the ball in Disney’s court to get conversations started. But then there’s the issue of price Let’s say Disney and Comcast do sit down for some serious conversations about Disney acquiring Comcast’s stake in Hulu before the 2024 date (or even for the 2024 deadline). How do you put a price on a streaming company and what do you value the shares at? CNBC reports that Comcast CEO Brian Roberts shared that the best way to value Hulu would be to figure out what it would sell for in a theoretical auction. Roberts pointed out that there’s “never been a pure play, fabulous streaming service put on the market. So I don’t know that the public markets are the way to judge the value.” ©Hulu Why? As Variety explains, Disney has already recorded Comcast’s interest in Hulu as being worth $8.6 billion (that was on July 2nd, 2022), implying a total value of $25.8 billion for Hulu. But, as Roberts explained, if Hulu were to be sold in its entirety for an auction-style sale, it could sell for MORE than that. The higher value placed on Hulu, the more Comcast gets for its shares (and the more Disney has to pay for them!). ©Hulu Remember, Disney has already guaranteed a sale price for Comcast’s interest in Hulu that represents a “minimum total equity value of Hulu at that time of $27.5 billion.” (Yahoo) That’s a floor price, but could Hulu actually be worth much more? Roberts seems to think it could, under the right circumstances. But Chapek thought differently. Back in September of 2022 at least, CNBC reported that Chapek said the drop Netflix saw in its public valuation (following the loss of thousands of subscribers) should factor into the eventual sale price for Comcast’s shares in Hulu. That would, presumably, bring the price of the streaming service down. ©Hulu The question also becomes are Roberts’ comments genuine (about buying Hulu and the public auction analysis) or is Roberts, as Variety puts it, “trolling Disney?” Could it all just be a bargaining ploy? Thus far, it’s not clear. But Disney will have to deal with it, one way or another. And there’s the problem of timing Aside from making the deal and settling on a price, there’s the issue of timing. On the one hand, getting the deal done quickly could help Disney move on from the matter and shift its focus to other things. The Hollywood Reporter points out that Disney has been “focused on bringing its balance sheet back to where it was pre-pandemic, which has included buying back stock.” At that time Chapek was CEO and The Hollywood Reporter noted that he may be motivated to get the deal done “sooner, rather than later, to refocus on that.” Plus, the sooner they buy out Hulu entirely, the sooner they could incorporate the service “fully” into their existing streaming services and really sell the whole thing as a package in the way they want to. ©Hulu On the other hand, Chapek is no longer CEO, Iger has returned, Iger is working on some organizational changes, the Company is caught in the middle of a nasty proxy battle with Trian Group over Nelson Peltz’s desire to get a seat on the Board, and the battle regarding the Reedy Creek Improvement District is ongoing. So…maybe buying Comcast’s stake in Hulu falls to the bottom of an already-packed list. But, it could be pushed to the front of the list again if activist investors put it there. For example, Nelson Peltz has said Disney either needs to buy Hulu, which would mean the Company would have a “debt load going forward for several years,” or Disney should just get out of the streaming business. (CNBC) Could Disney try to “appease” Peltz by making a quicker purchase to try and settle some of their disputes? ©Hulu It likely all depends on what the biggest fire is. Would buying Hulu and taking on that large purchase NOW be a better deal than waiting until 2024 to then activate the option Disney has to require NBCUniversal to sell its interest (or have NBCUniversal force Disney to buy its interest)? Would it be best to wait until 2024 to see how the streaming market develops so Disney has a better sense of what the fair market value is in light of their base price? There’s a lot that remains to be seen. But future investor calls, shareholder meetings, and earnings reports could clue us into Disney’s plans. We’ll be eagerly awaiting news on these topics to see what happens. In the meantime, you can click here to see 4 important secrets you didn’t know about the Iger-Chapek conflict, and click here to see why some say Iger’s mistakes would have “killed any other CEO.” Click here for a full timeline for Chapek’s exit, Iger’s return, and Disney’s corporate battles  Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What do you think about Disney acquiring Hulu? Tell us in the comments. The post Bob Iger Loves Acquisitions, but “a Robust Auction” Could Mean Disney Can’t Get Hulu first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You may have met Disney princesses before, but not like this! If you weren’t already planning on heading to this year’s Festival of the Arts this could change your mind. The Festival of the Arts Has BEGUN! The 2023 International Festival of the Arts is being held in EPCOT and the park is filled with art in many forms. Along with the Broadway performances and innovative food booths, you can view a wide variety of visual art at this festival. Almost every aspect of the park is joining in on the festivities and that includes the character meet and greets! We spotted some new artwork on display next to these Disney ladies as they met with guests. Each character has their own piece, each with their own unique art style that suits the character perfectly. Here, you can see Aurora meeting guests. This painting shows her during the final scene where her dress kept changing from pink to blue! Princess Aurora meeting guests Over in the China Pavilion, Mulan is meeting visitors in her best. This portrait of Mulan under the cherry blossom tree is done in a calligraphy paint style, reminiscent of the opening credits of the film. Mulan loves her portrait! Belle was out in her blue dress next to an easel that looks like something her father invented! The piece on display shows her sitting in a chair, nose buried in a book as usual. Belle and the matching sketch Even non-princesses were given some special pieces of art! Alice waved to guests next to this cute sketch of The White Rabbit. He looks like he’s late for a very important date! Do you think they brought that art back from Wonderland? You can see these paintings and plenty more at the Festival of the Arts in EPCOT until February 20th, 2023. For more updates on what’s happening at Disney World, stay tuned to our site! BEST of the FEST! What to Eat and Drink at the 2022 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts! Get the Ultimate GUIDE to the Festival of the Arts! The DFB Guide to the 2023 EPCOT Festival of the Arts is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your Festival trip to EPCOT. Order The DFB Guide to the 2023 EPCOT Festival of the Arts now! It includes over 150 pages of must-have information, including the very best tips to make sure you enjoy every minute of your time at the 2023 Festival! Click HERE to order your 2023 Guide now! As always, our e-Books are 100% guaranteed! If you don't love it, you get your money back! MORE Festival of the Arts INFO! Check Out the Dates Announced for the 2023 Festival of the Arts Learn About the NEW Food Booths See the FULL LIST of Food Booths, Menus, and Photos from the Festival of the Arts Get the Full List of EATS for the Food Challenge at the Festival Here’s Everything That Is CONFIRMED for the 2023 Festival of the Arts Get a Peek at the FIGMENT Merchandise Coming to the Festival Learn More About the Disney on Broadway Concert Series and Dining Packages Click HERE for All of the Latest News and Details About the Festival of the Arts! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Festival of the Arts news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Comment below your favorite character to meet in the parks! The post Meeting Princesses in EPCOT Just Got Even BETTER first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The new terminal at the Orlando International Airport truly is a sight to behold, with its expansiveness and large windows and screens that allow for a sunny welcome to Florida. It is stunning! Terminal C For many, though, Terminal C is daunting, as it is MASSIVE. But there are two new upgrades that could make traveling through Terminal C better! Click Orlando reported that the airport is considering adding a moving walkway to Terminal C as multiple people have complained about the walk to and from the gates. Many people state that it takes 15 minutes or longer to walk to the furthest gate. You can just see how massive it is from the outside! The potential moving walkway is a relief to many, as the near half-mile walk is nerve-racking and frustrating to many travelers. Originally, airport executives planned to install the moving walkways when the terminal was still under construction, however that plan was dismissed to stay on budget. Terminal C If a moving walkway wasn’t enough for the terminal, The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority approved a request for proposals for a new hotel development at Orlando International Airport! According to Orlando Business Journal, a consult will analyze the ability to create a “hotel user adjacent/or within” Terminal C’s complex. This study will “address the current and projected market demand for the number of rooms, type and duration of hotel stays in the study area”. The committee will then discuss the proposals on April 11th, 2023 and make a decision by May 17th, 2023. This would allow travel to be much easier for those who experience a hiccup in their plans. The hotel would be built in the empty field across from the Terminal C parking garage and guests could access it from the air terminal or the new Brightline station. Orlando Airport We’re so glad to see all the updates and great renovations being made at MCO, so your future trips to Orlando may be a bit easier! We’ll continue to keep you updated on the latest airport updates, so stay tuned for more. Terminal C has a Disney Store! Click here for more! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think of all the new changes being made at MCO? Let us know! The post A NEW Hotel Could Be Coming to Orlando International Airport first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article