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Welcome back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Hollywood Studios We spotted new 100th Anniversary ears in the park recently, and we got to see how empty the park gets during after-hours events t00. However, there is a lot more that’s happened in the park in between all that news, so let’s see everything you may have missed at Hollywood Studios. Hollywood Studios Construction Updates Roundup Rodeo BBQ We spotted new flags on the construction of Rodeo Roundup BBQ! Cute little touches! Those little checkered toothpick flags might be a small detail — but it’s a step in the right direction! Click Here to Read More About Roundup Rodeo BBQ Hollywood Studios Merchandise Updates Celebrity 5 & 10 First, we spotted a Disney World Metal Camp Mug for $19.99! Disney World Metal Camp Mug You can also grab a Tinker Bell Pin for $11.99… Tinker Bell Pin …or a Skyliner Pin for $14.99! Skyliner Pin A Marvel Watch Cover is also available for $19.99. Marvel Watch Cover Or you can grab the 100th Anniversary Mickey Toy for $12.99. 100th Anniversary Mickey Toy There’s also a 25th Anniversary Vault Collection Mickey Shirt for $64.99… 25th Anniversary Vault Collection Mickey Shirt Or the 25th Anniversary Vault Collection Mickey Hat for $29.99. 25th Anniversary Vault Collection Mickey Hat A Mickey Funko POP Haunted Mansion Buggy can also be yours! Mickey POP Haunted Mansion Buggy We also spotted a Muppet Mug for $24.99… Muppet Mug …a Crush and Squirt Nemo Mug for $19.99… Crush and Squirt Nemo Mug …and a Pooh Bear Good Morning Mug for $19.99! Pooh Bear Good Morning Mug Lastly, we spotted a 100th Anniversary Ear Hat for $29.99… 100th Anniversary Ear Hat …and a 100th Anniversary Youth Sweatshirt for $44.99. 100th Anniversary Youth Sweatshirt Enough for the whole family! Keystone Clothiers We spotted a Doctor Strange Cloak for $99.99… Doctor Strange Cloak …and a Purple Star Wars Hat for $29.99! Purple Star Wars Hat Subtle and classy. Legends of Hollywood In Legends of Hollywood, we found a new Mickey Hat Pandora Charm! Mickey Hat Pandora Charm We also saw a Bambi Throw for $74.99! Bambi Throw Perfect for your next Disney movie marathon! Once Upon A Time We found a Princess Zip-Up Jacket for $69.99… Princess Zip-Up Jacket … and a Princess Sweatshirt for $39.99! Princess Sweatshirt We also found a Minnie Shirt for $39.99. Minnie Shirt Or you can grab the Youth Ariel Shirt for $29.99. Youth Ariel Shirt You can also grab a Baymax Dog Shirt for $24.99! Baymax Dog Shirt We also found a pair of Princess Collection Sweatpants for $49.99. Princess Collection Sweatpants More Disney-themed sweatpants, please. Tower Gifts We spotted a Merida Designer Doll in Tower Gifts, one of the most unexpected places! Merida Designer Doll She comes with her very own display case. Pin Station on Sunset Boulevard Over at the pin station, we spotted a Loki Pin for $17.99… Loki Pin …and a Vision Pin for $11.99. Vision Pin We don’t see much Vision merch, so this is pretty cool! Beverly Sunset Boutique We found some Inside Out Mini Jaw Breakers for $9.99! Inside Out Mini Jaw Breakers You can also grab a Jessie Marionette for $49.99… Jessie Marionette … a Woody Marionette for $49.99… Woody Marionette …and a Bullseye Marionette also for $49.99! Bullseye Marionette We also spotted a Woody and Bo Peep Loungefly for $75. Woody and Bo Peep Loungefly Those lovebirds. Mickey’s of Hollywood We found a Star Wars Spirit Jersey for $79.99! Star Wars Spirit Jersey We know. Rock ‘N’ Around the Shop You can grab a Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster Loungefly for $85! Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster Loungefly Grab it before the ride closes for refurb! Darkroom Finally, we spotted a Pooh MagicBand+ for $44.99! Pooh MagicBand+ And that’s everything new we spotted at Hollywood Studios! This is a lot of news to take in, right? We’ve got a little fun break for you now – check out all the new, fun Disney-themed graphic tees and more in our merch store by clicking here! Ready to Ride Sweatshirt Stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news! Here’s EVERYTHING that’s available during the Hollywood Studios after-hours events! 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’s your favorite thing to do in Hollywood Studios? Tell us in the comments! The post What's New at Disney's Hollywood Studios: Mugs, Mugs, and MORE Mugs first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Noma has repeatedly topped lists of the world’s best restaurants, and its creator, René Redzepi, has been hailed as his era’s most brilliant and influential chef. Nevertheless, the restaurant will close for regular service at the end of 2024. View the full article

Orlando Science Center is curating a new collection of animals for its 'Life' exhibit set to open in late 2023. View the full article

Jimmy Landis teaches the ways of the auctioneer and what it takes to sell classic cars at Mecum Kissimmee's 2023 auction. View the full article

Directions to walk between Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), with Pictures! The Polynesian Village Resort is located within easy walking distance of the Magic Kingdom’s Transportation and Ticket Center. This walk is convenient for guests staying at the resort to access the Monorail Station and its EPCOT Line without riding all […] The post Walk Between Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and the Transportation and Ticket Center appeared first on Military Disney Tips Blog. View the full article

Things are getting exciting in Disneyland! Snow-topped Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland We’re gearing up for the big 100th Anniversary Celebration, including the Sleeping Beauty Castle Makeover. We just recently got some new details on the new World Of Color — One show in Disney California Adventure and we now know when the Adventureland Treehouse will reopen! So what else is going on? Let’s find out! Disneyland Merchandise Updates Emporium At Emporium, we found a ton of new merchandise, including a Bo Peep and Woody Loungefly Mini Backpack for $75… TOO cute …a Fuzzy Spirit Jersey Bucket Hat for $44.99… So fuzzy ….and a Pixar Fuzzy Spirit Jersey for $99.99. Here’s the front… LOVE this …and here’s the back! SO Fun We also found a Characters White Long Sleeve Shirt for $49.99… Our fave characters! ….an “it’s a small world” Boat Pin… it’s a small world after all …a Stitch Space Mountain Pin… Stitch and Space Mountain …a Simba Floating Down Main Street Pin for $19.99… It’s Simba …a Lady and the Tramp Mug for $19.99… So sweet …a Yellow Embroidered Disneyland Mickey Hoodie for $64.99… It’s bright! …a Black Embroidered Disneyland Mickey Hoodie for $64.99… Simple black ….Green Mickey Sweatpants for $49.99… Sweatpant season is on …Purple Sweatpants for $49.99… Purple …and a Stitch Valentine’s Day Plush. Valentine’s Day is soon! The plush is $34.99. Find Out Which Downtown Disney Restaurant Is CLOSING for Refurbishment Next Week Pioneer Mercantile The Minnie Mexico Tank Top is here. Mexico Minnie It’s available for $36.99. Here’s Why You Should Avoid Disneyland on January 27th California Adventure Merchandise Updates Elias & Co. Some new Kid’s Sweatshirts have arrived for $34.99 each. There’s a blue one… In blue …and a gray one! In gray We also found this adorable Winnie the Pooh Loungefly Mini Backpack for $75… It must be a blustery day …and Matching Wallet for $50. We love this colletion You can get a Black Disneyland Sweatshirt for $59.99… Hoodie …with Matching Sweats for $49.99. Matching sweats Finally, check out this Matterhorn Dress! We can’t even! This is SO CUTE It’s available for $148. Check Out The 100th Anniversary Popcorn Bucket Releasing Soon For Disney Magic Key Holders Gone Hollywood A White Mickey Kids Sweatshirt is here. Mickey sweatshirt The sweatshirt is $34.99. 2 New Reasons Why You’ll Want To Be in Disneyland on January 9th Super Store There are some fun NEW headphones cases available, including a Cosmic Mix Airpods Case for $19.99… It looks like a mix tape! …a Guardians of the Galaxy Airpods Pro Case for $19.99… Airpods Pro case …and a Guardians of the Galaxy Airpods Case for $19.99. Airpods case We also found a Spider-Man Polo Shirt for $49.99… Spidey shirt …and a Spider-Man “Born Amazing” Onesie! Born amazing The onesie is $19.99. Why January 9th Is Such a Big Deal at the Disney Parks This Year If you’re headed to Disneyland this year, you’ll get to see a lot of the 100th anniversary celebration! Note that it could mean that Disneyland is even more crowded than usual, but with a little planning (and we’ll help with as many tips and tricks as we can), we’re sure you can handle it like a pro! Need a new graphic tee (uh, when don’t you need a new graphic tee!)? We’re dropping new Disney-themed designs! Click here to see ‘em. Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! See Our DFB Disneyland Restaurants Guide Learn About Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland Check Out What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Get All the Info About Closures and Construction at Disneyland Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Learn About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Get All the Details About the Disneyland Mobile App Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program Full Details About the Holiday Season in Disneyland Full Details About Halloween Time at Disneyland Get Some STRANGE Tips for Disneyland Should You Go to Disneyland in 2022? Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Will you be headed to Disneyland this year? Let us know in the comments! The post What's New at Disneyland Resort: You'll Say 'Oh, Bother' to This Loungefly Collection first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

So, you’re planning a trip to Disney World, and you’ve narrowed it down between two of the most ICONIC Disney resorts in existence (you lucky, lucky person!). Disney’s Yacht Club But how do you choose between Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Yacht Club Resorts? Well, let’s dive into the deets to see which one is right for you! Choosing between the Polynesian Village and the Yacht Club, is like choosing a favorite child, a favorite Disney cupcake, or between a Dole Whip or a Mickey Pretzel — there’s enough love to go around! But just like cupcakes and classic Disney snacks (and maybe your kids, too… only you know your family dynamic…), there’s a certain flavor that might just hit the spot for what you’re looking for. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort There’s no doubt that Disney vacations are expensive, and no one wants buyer’s remorse when it comes to what can usually be the most EXPENSIVE part of your Disney trip. We’re approaching this chaos-agent of a decision with as much logic as possible, so we’re breaking it down into five categories: Common Ground Theme/Rooms Pools Food Transportation We’re putting each resort through these paces to see where they stand and which one may be speaking to you for your Disney trip. Aloha! Common Ground Before we start down the rabbit hole into the Wonderland of their differences, let’s review the similarities of these resorts. These resorts are both Disney Deluxe Resorts, so they will be at a similar price point, with similar room sizes, and the same perks. They both have close proximity to the Disney Parks, and even within walking distance! And both offer Disney Vacation Club Villas as additional accommodations. The Beach at the Polynesian For the Polynesian Village, that means that for the cheapest room at the cheapest time to visit, you can expect to pay around $662 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts), and it goes up to $5,492 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts) for the most expensive rooms at the most expensive time to visit. For the Yacht Club, that means that for the cheapest room at the cheapest time to visit, you can expect to pay around $537 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts), and it goes up to $3,877 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts) for the most expensive rooms at the most expensive time to visit. Extra Theme Park Hours Benefits for Disney World Resort Hotel Guests Theme/Rooms Just like our ol’ Friend, Chandler Bing, would say, “Could these resorts BE any more different?” Both the Poly and the Yacht Club are Deluxe resorts and offer the poshest of Disney’s accommodations and perks, but that doesn’t mean they look the same! The Polynesian The Polynesian celebrates tiki culture, and offers a nostalgic image of Pacific island vacations, but isn’t necessarily a literal representation of those environments. It’s filled with dark woods, tribal symbols, and tropical flowers. The Polynesian is one of Walt Disney World’s opening day hotels, it has a rich history, and a large following among Disney fans. It really does embrace its name of “village” as its layout is comprised of 11 longhouses plus the over-the-water Bora Bora Bungalows, which branch out from the Great Ceremonial House. Polynesian Village Resort All of the rooms have recently been renovated and updated with a Moana-inspired theme, and Kona Cafe, a table service restaurant in the Great Ceremonial House, has also recently reopened with a new look and refreshed menu. So even though this beauty is 50 years old, she’s gotten some TLC and looks better than ever! Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort But with renovations and updates comes construction, like over at the old Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show location, which is currently an active construction zone as it will be the site for a new DVC tower. Though it shares the same white sand beaches as the Grand Floridian, the island vibe here just makes them pop. Sunsets on the Poly beach are just superior to the other Disney World “beaches”. Beach Yacht Club Ahoy maties, straighten that ascot and slip on those boat shoes, you’re about to set sail into the Disney resort themed after the grand and sleek yachting clubs of New England. And no, Disney does not require that you own a yacht to stay here (phew, that’s one expense you won’t have to factor into your Disney trip!). Disney’s Yacht Club This resort makes “subtle” look good. It’s sleek, elegant, and streamlined — like, well, a yacht. If you’re visiting Disney World for a business conference, this hotel might just be the right speed for you as it encompasses a rather executive vibe to it. There are some very nice, and perfectly adequate furnishings, but the rooms themselves just don’t scream lavish. ©Disney Our favorite touch in these otherwise “character-less” rooms are the curtains that feature fictional constellations inspired by some of our favorite Disney pals. ©Disney The Yacht Club renovated and updated the rooms in 2017, for the more sophisticated appearance with dark woods, crisp whites and deep navy blues. They definitely don’t have the personality that you can find at the Contemporary and Polynesian. So, if you’re looking for a room with some “character,” the Yacht Club may not be your jam. Results This could boil down to your preference. Are you looking for a casual, island theme and feeling welcome to wander through the lobby in bathing suits and flip-flops? Or do you want a sophisticated resort that feels like you should be sipping a cognac and lighting up a cigar? Both resorts deliver beautifully on their themes, but when it comes down to rooms, the Polynesian has the edge with having the most recently updated rooms with a bit more pizzazz. Why You Should Add Disney’s Yacht Club to Your Resort Hopping List Right NOW Pools Pools, splash pads, hot tubs, and lounge chairs, vacation just doesn’t feel complete without spending some time by the pool. Which of these resorts is the aquatic champion of water lounging? Only one way to find out… The Polynesian The Polynesian’s whole vibe is stepping into a tropical oasis, so the pool game is strong with this one! There are two pools at the Polynesian: the Lava Pool and the Oasis Pool. However, the Lava Pool is the showstopper here — because it’s a volcano! Ok, not a for-real volcano, obvi, but it has a waterslide from the top of the volcano’s peak, which is pretty epic. Lava Pool! Even if you’re not looking to swoosh down a volcano waterslide, the lounge area at these pools and the pool bars (which definitely enhance the atmosphere), the Barefoot Pool Bar, and the Oasis Bar & Grill. And Capt. Cook’s and Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace are also so close they could be considered pool area enhancements, too. Poolside at the Polynesian There are lots of drink options and plenty of food options for your day by the pool. You can even try a DFB Dole Whip drink hack that became a permanent menu item on the Barefoot Pool Bar menu! And now we’re officially on island time! Yacht Club The Yacht Club may be understated when it comes to its lobby and resort rooms, but it is not to be outdone in the pool category. Disney’s Yacht Club shares a pool complex with its neighboring resort, the Beach Club, Stormalong Bay. Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Stormalong Bay is a destination on all its own. This pool complex is almost like its own mini-water park, with sand at the bottom and even a lazy river! So, your kiddos can take advantage of the ‘shipwrecked’ themed water slide, while you leisurely float around the lazy river, so just relax on of the many lounge chairs. Stormalong Bay Shipwreck Stormalong Bay is also nestled in close to Beaches and Cream, an iconic ice cream shop, providing over-the-top milkshakes, sundaes, and comfort junk food essentials like burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches. Results Both have two pools, and both have pool bars, lounge chairs, and splash areas. Are you looking for adventure on a shipwrecked water slide or a cruise down a lazy river? Or something a bit more casual and with that island vibe? Seeking the pure wow factor with the Volcano and the proximity to Dole Whips? Or are you craving getting your toes in the sand and a deluxe ice cream sundae? There’s no real loser in this category if you’ve found relaxation and joy, but our heart leans towards the Yacht Club, because that pool is just epic! 10 Hidden Secrets About Disney World Pools Food Because we are Disney FOOD Blog, we take food seriously. Very. Seriously. And we love it all. We love the cheap, comfort of plastic cheese, and we love the high-brow sophistication of a wine flight or a multi-course pre-fixe meal. We don’t discriminate; we are a lover of all foods. Since food is SO important, let’s see who these resorts stack up against each other in the restaurant category. Polynesian Village Polynesian Village has ten (10!) dining options, including lounges and pool bars (because those count!)! Barefoot Pool Bar is the perfect place to grab a specialty cocktail to enjoy while lounging by the Lava Pool. Oasis Pool Bar & Grill serves up Polynesian-themed food and specialty cocktails to guests enjoying the Oasis Pool. Captain Cook’s is a quick-service location, popular for being the place you can grab Tonga Toast for breakfast in the morning, and Island-inspired dishes like the Pulled Pork Nachos and Thai Coconut Meatballs for lunch and dinner. Capt. Cook’s The recently renovated and reopened Kona Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual setting. The sweet Tonga Toast makes breakfast at Kona is a guest favorite. Kona Island conveniently sits right off the second-floor monorail entrance. In the morning, this location serves Kona coffee and pastries, while at night, it becomes a sushi bar with cocktails. Kona Cafe is right next to Kona Island ‘Ohana has an oak wood fire pit that flavors the grilled meats served at an all-you-care-to-enjoy meal each evening. In the morning, Lilo and Stitch entertain guests during an Island-style character breakfast. Hawaiian side dishes complement each meal. Tambu Lounge is a relaxing bar where you can enjoy a drink prior to your dinner at ‘Ohana or Kona Cafe. The Lapu Lapu (a rum concoction served in a pineapple) is its claim to fame. Our favorite noodles Pineapple Lanai is where you can find the famous Dole Whip! This is a Polynesian Village Resort claim to fame, as it was the first Disney World Resort where Dole Whip was served outside of the parks. The Polynesian remains the only Resort with its own spot dedicated to the treat. Pineapple Lanai is the best spot for Dole Whip! Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is a unique tiki bar located in the Great Ceremonial House, complete with an interactive room (elements react based on the ordering of certain drinks) and wacky hijinks from your servers, the Skippers! Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace is the more relaxed (but still entertaining) outdoor counterpart to Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. Learn more about the Polynesian Village Resorts Restaurants here! Yacht Club Hurricane Hanna’s is a pool bar, tucked under the Stormalong Bay waterslide that provides fixes for your hunger without having to wander too far from the pool. The Yacht Club is home to two lounges, one quick-service market, a table service option, and a Disney Signature dining restaurant. Not to mention its close proximity to Beach Club and all of those dining options. The Market at Ale & Compass An ideal spot to relax with a nightcap while winding down for the evening, or to grab a bite or two from their substantial appetizer menu, head over to Ale & Compass Lounge. The Ale & Compass Lounge is one part of the Ale & Compass dining concept at the Yacht Club, which also includes The Market at Ale & Compass and the Ale & Compass Restaurant. Ale & Compass Lounge Located right next to Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, the Crew’s Cup Lounge is a great place to get a bite and a drink in a relaxing, cozy atmosphere — and it’s a DFB favorite! In addition to specialty cocktails and a full bar, a robust food menu is served during evening hours as well, including a few full meals. During dinner hours at the Yachtsman, you’ll have a direct view through a glass window of steak being butchered for the steakhouse – so cool! Crew’s Cup Lounge Ale & Compass Restaurant is the table service component of the Ale & Market dining concept in Disney’s Yacht Club, which also includes The Market at Ale & Compass along with the refreshed Ale & Compass Lounge. The atmosphere offers a gastropub ambiance while comfort food (New England-inspired) is featured on the menu. A la carte options for breakfast include classic American breakfast fare, with a few twists like the Dark Chocolate Waffle and Salted Caramel-Apple French Toast, and a pastry buffet option may be paired with your choice of entree. Casual lunch options include Fish & Chips, burgers, and more. Dinner offerings feature specialties like the New England Seafood Pot Pie and Pappardelle pasta dishes, among others. Ale and Compass Restaurant The Market at Ale & Compass is a Counter Service location at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Simple convenience is the name of the game, with a focus on grab-and-go items. However, hot sandwiches, specialty desserts — and even a coffee bar — round out the options nicely. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, The Market at Ale & Compass is the quick service component of the Ale & Compass dining concept at the Yacht Club, which also includes the Ale & Compass Restaurant and the Ale & Compass Lounge. Visit the Marketplace Yachtsman Steakhouse comes highly recommended by any discerning carnivore. The steaks here are some of the best on property, and the service is often excellent. This craftsman-inspired dining room at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort caters to all tastebuds with a variety of dishes, incredible sides, and amazing, cut-in-house steaks. 8-oz Filet Mignon Is The CHEESIEST Soup in Disney World Hiding at This Forgotten Restaurant? Results It’s so hard to designate a clear winner for food — because we love it all! If you and your family love some more “unique” food, and options that vary away from the traditional comfort food of fried chicken, steak, seafood, burgers, and chicken nuggets, then the Polynesian might be your jam! All of its menus are influenced by island flavors, and though not bizarre or untraditional, you’ll definitely find some creative takes on your familiar favorites. Kids’ Sushi The Yacht Club really dances that line nicely with the Ale & Compass offerings, the cozy lounge at Crew’s Cup, and those amazing steaks at Yachtsman EVERYTHING to Eat at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Transportation Do these resorts offer anything different when it comes to transportation? Let’s see!! Polynesian Village Polynesian Village is on the Monorail loop. It’s the first stop after the Transportation & Ticketing Center (TTC) on the way to the Magic Kingdom. If Magic Kingdom is your destination, there is also a boat option to sail across Seven Seas Lagoon to the front steps of the Magic Kingdom. You can also get your steps in by strolling the walkway over to Magic Kingdom, but it’s not for the faint of heart as it is about a 20-25 minute walk. Boat launch from Polynesian Village Resort to Magic Kingdom If Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, or Disney Springs is your destination, then you can board one of Disney’s busses to transport you over to these parks. Polynesian Bus Service But if EPCOT is your park for the day, here is where the difference sets in. Because the Poly is so close to the Transportation & Ticketing Center, if you don’t mind a brief 5-10 minute walk, you can waltz over to the TTC and board a Monorail to whiz you off to EPCOT. This may give the Poly the edge over the Grand Floridian as it does provide relatively easy access to that EPCOT Monorail loop. Yacht Club The Yacht Club is considered an “EPCOT-area” resort. It sits on Crescent Lake, next to Beach Club Resort, and across the lake from Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. This resort is situated in between TWO Disney parks, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Yep, that’s right, you can walk or enjoy a relaxing boat ride on a Friendship Cruise boat to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. EPCOT Boat If Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, or Disney Springs is your destination, then you can board one of Disney’s busses to transport you over to these parks. Disney buses can get you just about anywhere! And as if walkways, boats, and busses weren’t enough options for you, Yacht Club guests are also within walking distance of the EPCOT Skyliner station. This means you have easy access to the other Skyliner resorts if you want to go exploring other resorts or just have a relaxing cruise through the sky. Walt Disney World Skyliner Results These neighboring resorts are pretty much a tie when it comes to transportation. They both have pretty quick access to TWO Disney parks, and have the options of busses, boats, and even direct walkways to help you get around. EPCOT The Polynesian is right on the Monorail loop, and the Yacht Club gives you access to the Skyliner, so they both have some unique offerings as well. It might just boil down to which parks do you plan to spend more time in, Hollywood Studios or Magic Kingdom? Why You Should Skip the Monorail on Your Next Magic Kingdom Trip The Winner! So, who is the ultimate winner in the Polynesian vs. Yacht Club battle? We hate to say it, but it depends! The Polynesian may seem like a clear choice because of its theming and popularity with Disney fans. If the Yacht Club seemed like the clear choice to you, it is a great hotel, it has an awesome pool and is just a quick walk from EPCOT’s World Showcase. It’s up to you and your group to decide what makes the most sense for you using all that we talked about above. Keep following DFB for more articles like this, and sign up for our newsletter below to get them straight into your inbox! Polynesian Village vs. Contemporary Resort Guide for Disney World in 2023 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Pre-Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 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 pre-order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think? Is Polynesian Village or Yacht Club Resort better? Let us know in the comments! The post Polynesian Village vs. Yacht Club Disney World Resort Guide 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Something super exciting happened in EPCOT today! EPCOT We’re not talking about the menu changes we just saw or the changes that happened in the parks this past week. With EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts right around the corner, we spotted what our reporter called a “chef parade” happening in EPCOT today! While we were walking around EPCOT today, we spotted chefs touring the World Showcase for the upcoming festival! When we asked what was going on, we were told that the chefs are getting ready for EPCOT’s Festival for the Arts, which starts later this week. The chefs walking around World Showcase! The EPCOT Festival of the Arts officially kicks off on January 13th, and we’ll be at the first day of the festival showing you full food booth reviews, the Figment scavenger hunt, the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine, exclusive entertainment, and so much more. Mark your calendars for the 13th so you can follow along with all the fun! It’s not every day you see this many chefs out and about! We’ve got a list of all the new items coming to the festival this year for you, as well as the full menus! As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news! Check out what majorly popular popcorn bucket is returning for this year’s festival! Want to Learn MORE About the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts? Check Out the Dates Announced for the 2023 Festival of the Arts Learn About the NEW Food Booths Coming in 2023 See the FULL LIST of Food Booths Coming to the Festival of the Arts Check Out the 49 Menu Items CONFIRMED for 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! Have you ever seen this happen before in Disney? Tell us in the comments! The post We Saw a Unique Parade in EPCOT Today! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney just announced a new promotional offer that could save guests money on food in Disney World — and who doesn’t love to save money in Disney World? Let’s talk about the Dining Promo Package! This promotion allows guests to book a vacation package where they’ll receive a free gift card that can only exclusively be used in Disney World restaurants. It’s not exactly the return of the Disney Dining Plan, but it’s about the closest thing we’ve seen since the dining plan was put on hold in 2020. But is it something you should consider for your Disney World trip? Well, the answer is “it depends.” How much you get on your Dining Promo Card depends on WHERE you’re staying and WHEN you’re staying. Here are the values of the card based on hotels and travel dates: Value resort stays will get $35 per night (note that this amount is for the WHOLE group and not per person) if arrival date is between June 25th and June 30th or July 11th and the 31st, and $50 per night if your arrival date is between July 1st and the 10th or August 1st and September 14th. Moderate resort stays will get $75 per night if arrival date falls between June 25th and June 30th or July 11th and the 31st, and $100 per night if your arrival date falls between July 1st and the 10th or August 1st and September 14th Deluxe resort stays will get $125 per night arrival date falls between June 25th and June 30th or July 11th and the 31st, and $150 per night if your arrival date falls between July 1st and the 10th or August 1st and September 14th Mickey at Chef Mickey’s You do have to book for at least four nights, meaning that gift cards start at $140 for value resort stays, $300 for moderate resort stays, and $500 for deluxe resort stays. As we mentioned, you only get one gift card per room, NOT per person. Yes, you should get the dining card package Let’s look at the reasons why you SHOULD book your trip around the dining card package. If you’re staying at a deluxe resort, you’re going to get $125 PER NIGHT, which would go a long way to feed your group, especially if it’s small. You’ll get MORE to spend on food by staying at a deluxe resort than anywhere else. Polynesian Village Resort Speaking of which, if you have a small group, you’ll each get more money from the card for food, making it a good value. So if your party is just two people and you’re staying at a deluxe resort, you each get $87.50 per night. Be Our Guest Restaurant Likewise, you only qualify for this deal if you’re staying in Disney World for at least 4 nights — if you’re planning a shorter stay, this promo is not for you. Perhaps the biggest reason why the Dining Card Promo package could be right for you, though, is if you miss the convenience of the Disney Dining Plan. This is NOT the same thing, but it may be Disney’s answer for the Dining Plan in 2023 — you basically are getting food that’s already been paid for in advance up to a certain amount. Takumi Tei spread Finally, the Dining Card Promo could be a great deal for you if you plan on dining at quick-service restaurants, at least for some of your meals. As these meals are less expensive than at table-service restaurants, your dining card’s value will go a little further. Here Are The BEST Value Restaurants for the Disney World Dining Promo Card Why you should NOT get the Dining Card Package Okay, now let’s get to why you should NOT plan your 2023 trip around the package. If your plans involve staying in a hotel not owned by Disney, it’s not for you. That includes staying at Disney Springs hotels and the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. However, if you get a better room rate at those hotels than a Disney World hotel, you might just be getting the better deal. Swan & Dolphin Hotel If you’re staying at a value resort with multiple people, let’s face it — $35 per night is probably not going to go very far — honestly, it might not go that far even if you’re traveling solo or with just a few people. Likewise, if you have a large group, you’re not going to get as much value out of the dining card. It may make more sense to travel during a cheaper time of year with a large group instead of planning your trip around the Dining Card deal. You may end up spending more money by trying to go during the busy summertime instead of the off season. Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort The dining card also won’t go very far if you plan on dining at a lot of expensive table service restaurants or want to book several character dining experiences. This is especially true for those staying in value or moderate resorts. However, if you were going to eat at these restaurants anyway, it could save you a little bit of cash you were already planning to spend. Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside restaurants Remember that the offer is only valid if you stay in a Disney World hotel for certain dates: between June 25th and September 14th, 2023. If those dates aren’t good for your trip, the dining card promo won’t work for you. Steak at Skipper Canteen Current reservations that fit the dates can be modified with the new offer, but keep in mind that some hotel prices recently increased, so the modification may cost you more than it cost when you originally booked. You may also want to take advantage of a different hotel deal — explore all of those here. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort There’s another thing to consider: if you book the Dining Promo Package, you’re also purchasing your Disney World tickets WITH the package. So if you prefer purchasing your Disney World tickets separately (perhaps even at a discount), this promo might not be a great deal for you. Tickets come with the promo package Finally, if you’re an Annual Passholder, this deal might not be great for you because Annual Passholders generally get good room offers, which will end up saving more money on a Disney World vacation than the Dining Card Package. What Is a Dining Promo Card and How Do You Use It in Disney World? We Have the Answers Ultimately, it’s up to you to do the math in deciding if this promotion is worth it for you and your party. There are many factors to consider, but we hope we’ve laid everything out so you can make the best decision for your next vacation. Another GREAT way to save money on your Disney World trip is by planning your food budget and sticking to it! Our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining comes with downloadable worksheets to help you do just that – along with our comprehensive look at restaurants, snack stands, and, well, everything you can eat at Disney World! Click here and use code WDW2023 to save 25% off your purchase. Here Are 3 Secret Tips To MAXIMIZE Disney World’s New Dining Deal! 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! Pre-Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 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 pre-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 you be booking a trip with this promotional package? Let us know in the comments! The post Should YOU Get Disney World's New Dining Card Package? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ve got big Avatar news! ©Disney We’ve already got inside details about the NEXT Avatar film, we’ve seen changes happen at Satu’li Canteen in Animal Kingdom, and more could be on the way for Pandora. A HUGE announcement has just come out about the recent film — it’s just beat another top-grossing film of all time! According to Variety, Avatar: The Way of Water has grossed $1.708 billion globally, meaning it has now overtaken Jurassic World, which originally held the title of “seventh-highest grossing movie in box office history.” Tree of Life “Avatar: The Way of Water” Awakening show At the international box office, it’s now the 5th highest-grossing film of all time, behind Avatar, Avengers: Endgame, Titanic, and Avengers: Infinity War. ©Disney It’s very possible this film could become one of the few that has crossed the milestone of making $2 billion, and we’ll be sure to keep an eye on reports to let you know if that happens. As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news! Click here to get an update on another live-action Disney sequel! 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! Pre-Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 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 pre-order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you seen this film yet? Tell us your thoughts on it below! The post 'Avatar: The Way of Water' Just Dethroned 'Jurassic World' at the Box Office first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The one thing that is inevitable at Disney World is change, but we’ve seen a LOT of change over the past few years. Genie stress us all out, right? From the massive EPCOT transformation to the park pass reservation system to Genie+, we’re sure that these changes have left many of you reeling. So we asked our readers which changes at Disney World gave you the most anxiety. Here’s what you told us! The Loss of Magical Express Back in the BEFORE days, we used to have FREE bus transportation to and from the Orlando International Airport to Disney World. This transportation even once offered free luggage delivery service to our resorts so we didn’t even have to get our bags at the airport! However, Magical Express went away forever in 2021, and many of you mentioned that the lack of it has you stressed out. Remember Magical Express? DFB Reader Jay said, “Ending Magical Express” when we asked the question about anxiety-inducing changes at Disney World and then added: “It was one of the most “magical” benefits from Disney – turning in your luggage at your home airport then have it simply “appear” in your resort room – ! Other things were nice, but ME felt like Disney.” Carrie agreed: “Absolutely! The thought of having to wait for my bags at luggage claim when we arrive and then check them back in at the airport on departure day sends me over the edge.” Magical Express sure did simplify things However, there are two paid shuttle bus transportation options to choose from now at Orlando International Airport: Mears Connect and The Sunshine Flyer. The latter has even commented that it could potentially have a luggage delivery service available to guests at some point, so hopefully, that will make things more convenient for everyone traveling to Disney World through the airport. Genie+ Many of you feel like Genie+ has complicated things so much in Disney World that it causes undue stress. Erica answered, “Genie+ lightning lane selections. I so miss the days of the FastPass and how easy it was to book them!” Kim added, “I hate being on my phone constantly instead of having fun.” ©Disney Francesca agreed, “Genie plus…nothing says vacation like getting up at 6.30am so you can get on an app that constantly crashes! miss planning it all in advance” Heather explained why it feels so inconvenient: “I can handle paying for some type fast pass but I hate waiting until the day of to try to get it. I feel like we are not efficient and keep backtracking around each park all day. So frustrating.” The Park Pass Reservation System Disney World’s park pass reservation system requires guests to reserve their space in a park BEFORE a trip, which many guests don’t like. Our reader Juliann said, “park passes are a pain in the behind. Plus I can’t change park locations if the weather changes. I love to do zoos when it rains and is overcast and in the past I would switch there on a overcast day but now I can’t.” LeeAnn commented, “Park reservation system. I used to be able to get off work on a Friday evening and drive over to Epcot, which is only an hour away from me. Then we would eat dinner and watch the fireworks. It was a nice way to start the weekend.” Park pass reservations go quickly during the holidays Sara agreed, “Reservation for a certain park on a certain day gives me anxiety. Too much pressure not going to Disney for awhile, which makes me sad I love Disney. We went to universal studios the week of Christmas I like going when I want and what park I want.” Natalie said, “Park passes. I dont want to buy my tickets until closer to our trip date, but if the parks fill up then I cant even go.” Lack of Spontaneity Many of our readers feel that all these changes have also caused a situation where they can no longer be spontaneous during Disney World trips. Loretta said, “No longer being able to be spontaneous. We used to love deciding at the last minute which park we’d visit on a particular day. Sadly, now we’re tied into going to the park for which we have a reservation, as well as not being able to park hop throughout the day.” Some people don’t want to be stuck in Animal Kingdom in the rain Wendy agreed, but refuses to let it ruin her day, “Complicated planning & no more spontaneity.. we’re just going to wing it and definitely not set alarm for booking ROR or any other ride … rebels yes .. on holiday yes who cares we’re in Disney World … “ Maria said, “The fact that you have to plan every single second of your trip beforehand. It takes the spontaneity and to be honest, a lot of the fun out of it!” Other Although these were the majority of the answers we got, some of you mentioned other change that stress you out in Disney World. Pamela misses the lack of social distancing: “the lack of social distancing. I actually liked the spacing so people aren’t breathing down my neck all the time. People get way too close for comfort.” Megan mentioned the change in advance dining reservations: “Dining Reservations being 60 days instead of 180 days and saving money for meals instead of the dining plan convenience and savings for our family.” Be Our Guest Alexandra mentioned the parking situation: “Price increases and paying for parking at resorts when their transportation at some resorts is subpar.” Several of you mentioned the Virtual Queue system that is currently used at Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Missy said, “Virtual Que..it’s a complicated and stressful process “ So how can you make your Disney World trip a little less stressful? Well, we do our best to explain how everything works like the park pass reservation system, advance dining reservations, and even Genie+! So keep reading DFB for helpful tips, tricks, and guides to help you navigate Disney World like a pro! We’ll try to help you with our best Disney World tips and tricks! Whew. We know that planning a Disney World trip is A LOT. And this Genie+ thing can be so confusing – which is why we bring you posts like this so often. But we’ve also put together a complete guide in e-book format that gives you all of the Disney World dining info you need, all in one place! Use code WDW2023 for 25% off our DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World.  Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Pre-Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 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 pre-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 the Disney World change that has stressed you out the most? Let us know in the comments! The post The Disney World Changes That Cause Fans the Most Anxiety first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It might seem like there is ALWAYS something under construction in Disney World, and that’s often the case! Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort EPCOT is still undergoing its massive transformation (with a new attraction on the way), a new roller coaster will be opening soon in Magic Kingdom, and Disney World hotels are getting loads of updates. Speaking of which, we’re going to go check up on construction at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, so let’s see what’s going on there, shall we? As you may know, new Disney Vacation Club villas are going up at the resort. During our last update, we noticed that there were a lot of mounds of dirt forming around the site. Well, this time around, we’ve noticed new equipment at the site, including a new crane. Progress! Much of the area has now been cleared, but when we visited, there was some standing water pooling in various areas (probably from all the rain). A little water pooling around However, more equipment has been moved in and it looks like construction has started on what could be the foundation of the new building! Progress is being made! Meanwhile, over at the Lava Pool, the slide is currently closed for refurbishment. Note that the pool itself remains open, so if you’re staying at the resort, you will still be able to swim there. The slide is set to reopen in early February. Lava Pool So that’s the latest update on what’s going on with the construction at the Polynesian — we’ll continue to keep an eye on progress and let you know what we see, so stay tuned to DFB for more! Hold up for a sec! Before you plan your next trip to Disney World, check out our DFB Guide Everything Bundle here. You will get ALL of our best-selling eBooks with details on Disney World Dining, EPCOT Festivals, the BEST snacks in each park, and soooooo many tips and tricks we’ve learned over decades of visiting our happy place. Take A Tour of the ‘Moana Rooms’ at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort 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! Pre-Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 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 pre-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 staying at the Polynesian soon? Let us know in the comments! The post Latest Update on Construction at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort 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. Alright, if you’re not in the market for an adorable new Disney bag, you may be too tempted by this post. Hollywood Studios After Hours We recently just saw a huge Fantasia collection released by Neff, tons of Amazon Disney deals, as well as a new Princess collection online, but we just spotted a new Disney bag on SALE that you can’t miss! Right now on Jane.com, you can grab the Mouse Crossbody Purse on sale for $22.96! It is small and compact, making it a great bag to carry around with you all day in the parks. ©Jane.com The bag comes in 4 colors (the 5th is sold out), and you’ve only got 17 days to grab this deal! The beige, blue, red, and tan colors are available now. ©Jane.com The bags all are made of faux leather and have a removable shoulder strap. Grab one of the Mouse Crossbody Purses here! Don’t forget to check out the latest Disney World 50th Anniversary and Disney’s 100th Anniversary merchandise online, too! As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney merchandise news! Check out the new 100th Anniversary Disney Funko POPs that are online now! 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! Pre-Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 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 pre-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 go-to bag for Disney? Tell us in the comments below! The post We Found the Perfect Park Bag for Your Next Disney Trip 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. So you’re planning a trip to Disney World. That probably means you’re gathering “insider tips” from friends and family, and — we hope — from us! Let’s go to Disney World! While we love finding “secret” tips and tricks that can make your vacation go more smoothly, sometimes simple is best. So we asked you — our expert DFB readers — about the EASIEST tip you swear by in Disney World. Let’s take a look at this “back to basics” advice! 1. Set Your Alarms! That’s right … though many of us think of a vacation as a time when you don’t want to set an alarm, DFB readers said over and over again that getting up early is crucial to a successful day at Disney World. “Get to the parks EARLY,” said Instagram user @nestinginthesushine. Want to see the Magic Kingdom relatively empty? Get there EARLY! Reader @gryffindor4ble suggest making the earliest breakfast reservation possible (you can often get in for breakfast before the park opens for the day) to have photo ops when no one else is around, and then race to that first ride of the day with little or no wait. Without breakfast reservations, you probably still want to get to the parks before they open to “rope drop.” Beyond getting to the parks early, you will want to wake up early to buy Disney Genie+ if you have decided to, and to book Individual Lightning Lanes for the pay-per-ride attractions. (If we sound like we’re speaking a foreign language to you, check out our complete guide to using Disney Genie+!) What Exactly is Rope Drop in Disney World, and How Can You Do It Like a Pro? 2. Drink Water Yep, we’re really going back to basics here. But it is SO EASY to be so focused on getting from attraction to attraction and making the most of your day that you forget to stay hydrated. We’re in the parks every day, and we see lots and lots of meltdowns by both children and adults. We’ve become convinced that many Disney Parks meltdowns could be prevented if people weren’t dehydrated! Grab a water every chance you get! You can get free ice water at many locations around Disney Parks, and there are also water fountains and water bottle refill stations. @ashleealberts says she brings her own water bottle everywhere, and @h.annajane says to take advantage of those free water cups! Everywhere You Can Find Free Water in Disney World 3. Take a Break Yes, our experts are telling you to get up early, but they’re also telling you to be sure you’re resting! While getting up early is important to reduce your wait times for popular attractions, Disney World can be exhausting, and you need to rest and recharge! Maybe take a midday break at your resort pool, like @therealsteens do. Cozy Cone Pool at Art of Animation Resort And @sofia_with_a_f says a nap in the middle of the day is a good thing! We can’t disagree! Many people plan a rest day in between park days, as @ger_mendoza suggests, so take that in account when you’re deciding how many days worth of park tickets to buy. Here Are Some Ideas for Taking a Day Off During Your Disney World Vacation 4. Go LEFT We promise we’re not talking politics here! It seems that people have a natural tendency to turn toward the right, so the theory is that if you go left, you’ll encounter less crowds — or so says @dharp0103. So, head to the attractions on the left when you enter a park. In EPCOT’s World Showcase, “Go Left” could mean starting in Mexico rather than Canada. @dawnvanasperen takes it a step further: “Go left. It really works. Use far left turnstiles, lanes, lines, etc.” Check Out These 8 Unwritten Disney World Rules 5. Wear Comfortable Shoes We are not exaggerating when we say you will walk many miles on a Disney World vacation. You’ll need to be sure your wearing the right shoes. Our experts suggest not bringing NEW shoes, either. “Break in your shoes before you get there,” says @karrebear417. And @brocknoodles says “Don’t buy new shoes right before you go. Wear old, comfy, worn-in shoes.” The shoes for Minnie fans! There’s no one-size-fits-all perfect shoe for the parks. Some people swear by Crocs, some people wear hiking sandals, and others like their tried-and-true comfiest sneakers. The most important thing is to wear shoes you know you can do lots of walking in — and sometimes it’s best to alternate the shoes you wear each day, or even change shoes during that midday break you’re gonna take. And we always suggest bringing some moleskine padding that you can stick anywhere you’re feeling like you might get a blister. What Shoes Should You Wear in Disney World? 6. Have a Plan, But Relax Several DFB readers also suggested that planning is important, but it shouldn’t be a source of anxiety. There IS a lot of planning that needs to go into a Disney World vacation these days, but there’s also pretty much a guarantee that not everything will go according to plan — both in Disney World and in life, right? As @michjen3 says, “Plan and then relax. Go in with the awareness that you will not do everything!” Inclement weather, ride closures, and more can affect your Disney World day. Keep in mind that it could rain, your favorite ride could be shut down, someone in your party could be feeling under the weather, and there are a myriad of other things that might change your plans! It’s best to set your expectations for your vacation knowing that things will change, but there is fun to be had literally everywhere at Disney World — so just pivot and go with it! Pack These Items in Case of Rain at Disney World! That’s a look at the best “Back to Basics” tips for our panel of Disney World experts — DFB Readers! We’ve got more great Disney World planning advice for you here: 23 Disney World Restaurants to Try in 2023 50 Free Things to do in Disney World in 2023 DFB Video: 15 Mistakes to Avoid in Disney World in 2023 23 Tips That Make Your Disney World Trip Easier DFB Video: The 32 BEST Disney World Snacks for 2023 Whew! We know that planning a Disney World trip is A LOT. And this Genie+ thing can be so confusing – which is why we bring you posts like this so often. But we’ve also put together a complete guide in ebook format that gives you all of the info you need, all in one place! Use code WDW2023 for 25% off our DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World. 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 When is your next trip to Disney World? Tell us in the comments! The post The Easiest Disney World Tips the Experts Swear By first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Happy runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon weekend! It’s a runDisney weekend The rain this weekend hasn’t stopped the runners from coming out in droves! If you’re running in the event, don’t forget to grab your discount at The Polite Pig and grab your snack packs. However, if you’re in the parks and NOT competing in the race, there’s something you’ve gotta look out for. If you’re walking around and wondering why foot traffic is so backed up, this could likely be the reason. A Crosswalk for the race One of the perks of running in a runDisney race is that you get to go through the theme parks! Even though the races start early in the morning, longer races like the marathon can impact the parks. For example, in EPCOT today, there are walkways that have been closed off so the runners can use them as their paths. A loooooong line of guests built up while the walkways were blocked off resulted in a big crowd of people. This means that it may take longer to get where you’re going, and… Look at that crowd! …you may see crowds like this! This is why runDisney weekends are not always the best times to visit. If you have the ability to choose a different weekend, we recommend it. Unless, of course, you are participating or cheering on a friend! Cast Members making sure the path stays clear If you’re thinking of participating in a race this year or in 2024, registration dates have been announced! Be sure to register sooner rather than later though, because these races do sell out! As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news. See the 5 major changes coming to Disney World in January! Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation A Month-by-Month Guide to Planning Your Disney World Trip Tips, Hints, Lists, and Videos for Planning the BEST Disney World Trip How Many Days Do You Really Need in Disney World? How to Have the CHEAPEST Trip to Disney World 5 Simple Planning Tips You Need to Know About Before Your Next Disney World Trip The CHEAPEST Days to Visit Disney World in 2023 EVERYTHING You Need to Know Before Booking a 2023 Disney World Trip Learn About the Disney Park Pass System The Ultimate Disney World Packing List Everything You Need to Know About Genie+ Insider SECRETS for Your First Trip to Disney World A Complete Look at the Current Disney Discounts and Deals The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click Here to Subscribe Have you ever run into these runDisney crowds on a park day? Tell us in the comments! The post The Unexpected Problem You May Face on runDisney Weekends in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s only the beginning of January, but things have been busy at Disney World restaurants this week! So VERY Minnie! We tried a new Minnie Mouse-themed cake, a new Haunted Mansion-inspired dessert, and some new fried dough treats. We also got the FULL menus for the upcoming EPCOT Festival of the Arts. Meanwhile, we’ve kept an eye out for updates on Disney World restaurant menus, and here’s what’s changed! Magic Kingdom The Plaza Restaurant The Marceline Mudslide has been removed from the menu at The Plaza. The Plaza Restaurant That’s the only change here, though. Here’s our most recent review of the Plaza Restaurant EPCOT Sommerfest Over at Sommerfest, the Souvenir Stein has been taken off the menu. Sommerfest and Biergarten So if you were looking on picking up that souvenir filled with a German beer, that’s no longer available. Read a Sommerfest review Le Cellier The Slow-roasted Beef Prime Rib has been removed from the menu at Le Cellier. Le Cellier Steakhouse That’s the only change here, though. Here’s our most recent review of Le Cellier Disney’s Hollywood Studios Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano The Mama’s Cookies To Go has been removed from the Desserts part of the menu. Mama’s Cookies To Go That’s the only change here, though. Read a review of Mama Melrose’s! Dockside Diner There’s a new sweet treat to try at Dockside Diner: Banana Split Parfait — Chocolate Mousse, Banana Mousse, and Fresh Strawberries topped with Whipped Cream and Spiced Pineapple for $7.49. Dockside Diner So if you have a craving for banana split flavors, head on over to Dockside Diner! Here’s a recent review of Dockside Diner PizzeRizzo The Pizza Cookie has been added to the menu at PizzeRizzo. This is similar to the Halloween Pizza Cookie we had last year — this version is a Sugar Cookie ‘Pizza’ topped with Strawberry Jam, White Chocolate, and Sprinkles for $4.29. PizzeRizzo So be sure to check that out! Read a recent review of PizzeRizzo Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Maji Pool Bar You can now get a Mixed Fruit Cup (plant-based) at Maji Pool Bar for $3.99. Here are the changes we saw under beverages: REMOVED: Budweiser ADDED: Bug Light Lager REMOVED Heineken REMOVED: Modelo Especial REMOVED: Concrete Beach Havana Lager Maji Pool Bar REMOVED: Blue Point Imperial Sunshine Blonde Ale REMOVED: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale REMOVED: Sierra Nevada Tropical Torpedo IPA REMOVED: Samuel Adams Seasonal Here’s a recent review of the Maji Pool Bar Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin The Fountain Here are the changes on the menu under Salads at The Fountain: Chicken Caesar Salad increased from $19 to $20 Spicy Buffalo Chicken Salad increased from $19.50 to $21 Asian Salmon Salad increased from $20 to $22 Here’s what’s changed under Starters: Soft Pretzel Bites increased from $7.50 to $8 Chili Cheese Fries increased from $9 to $9.50 The Fountain at The Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Festival Under “Burgers and Sandwiches,” we saw the following changes: The Original Burger increased from $18 to $19 Fountain Signature Burger increased from $19 to $20 Turkey Burger increased from $18.50 to $19 Veggie Patty Melt increased from $16 to $17 Grilled Chicken BLT increased from $15.50 to $16 Low-n-Slow Brisket Sandwich increased from $17 to $18 Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese increased from $16.50 to $17 All Kid’s Meals increased from $11.5o to $12.50. Beef Sliders at the 2022 Food & Wine Classic from The Fountain A new section called “Sweet Selections” was added to the menu and includes: Vanilla Cupcake and Chocolate Cupcake for $6 Brownie, Rice Krispies Treat, Chocolate Chip Cookie, and Peanut Butter Cookie for $4 Chef’s Specialty Cake Slice for $9 The following changes happened under desserts, too: Create-Your-Own Sundae increased from $10 to $11 Blastin’ Brownie Sundae increased from $11 to $12 Banana Split increased from $12 to $13 Caramel Apple Pie Sundae increased from $10 to $13 Shakes and Malts increased from $9 to $10 Fountain Floats and Sodas increased from $7 to $8 Fountain Frappuccino increased from $9.50 to $10.50 New Year’s Resolution Milkshake Peppermint Shake increased from $9.50 to $10.50 Sunshine Smoothie increased from $9.50 to $10.50 Raspberry Lemonade increased from $9.50 to $10.50 Coco Loco Shake increased from $9.50 to $10.50 PB&J Shake increased from $9.50 to $10.50 Strawberry Kookies decreased from $13 to $10.50 Grasshopper increased from $13 to $14 ADDED: Loaded Strawberry Kookies — House Vodka, Strawberry Patch, and Cookies and Cream Ice Creams, Whipped Cream, and Oreo Crumbles for $14 Here’s our latest review of The Fountain Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Citricos You can now get the following at Citricos: Siberian Sturgeon Caviar (1-oz) — Egg Yolk Spread, Crème Fraîche, Caper Berries, Toasted Brioche for $116.00 Royal Osetra Caviar (1-oz) — Egg Yolk Spread, Crème Fraîche, Caper Berries, Toasted Brioche for $145.00 Citricos So if you’re craving caviar, now you know where you can get it! Here’s a review of Citricos If you’re visiting Disney World soon, be sure to check the restaurant menus on the Disney World website or My Disney Experience app, especially if you plan on trying certain items — these menus change A LOT. We’ll also keep you updated on menu changes, so stay tuned to DFB for more. Disney dining changes are a lot to keep up with! We’ve done all the research for you in writing our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! DFB Guide to Disney World Dining 2023 We’ve got details on EVERY dining location at Walt Disney World inside our eBook – and it’s easy to download to your tablet or smartphone to take with you on your next trip. Use our discount code for DFB readers – WDW2023 – for 25% off! 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! Pre-Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 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 pre-order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Did your favorite Disney World restaurant have any menu changes recently? Let us know in the comments! The post EVERY Disney World Restaurant Menu Change From This Week first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Okay, we get it — going to Disney World can get expensive. There are all kinds of costs to consider: transportation, accommodations, food, etc. Disney World can be expensive But you also have to consider the cost of tickets, and with surge pricing being a thing now, that can get even MORE expensive. However, if you’re a Florida resident, there’s a NEW way to save on Disney World tickets right now! Okay, so we’ve already told you about how Florida residents can score huge savings on hotels in Disney World in early 2023, as well as how to save on 3-day and 4-day tickets. But Disney World just released a NEW deal that will score you savings on tickets for weekdays! Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Florida residents will soon be able to take advantage of a deal to purchase a 2-Day Weekday Theme Park ticket for $175 (plus tax). Want a ticket for 3 or 4 days? That will be available at a discount, too, as long as it’s for a weekday. ©Disney Tickets will be good for travel from January 10th through April 27th. However, note that the following dates are blockout days when the tickets can’t be used: March 13th-17th, April 3rd-April 7th, and April 10th-14th. ©Disney You’ll be able to grab this special ticket deal on January 10th. Also, note that these tickets aren’t just for consecutive days, but also non-consecutive days, based on park pass availability — and yes, you’ll still need to make park pass reservations when visiting the parks. You will also be able to add the following to your ticket (for an additional fee): Park Hopper Option, Water Parks and Sports Option, or Park Hopper Plus Option. Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom So be sure to grab that deal if you’ve been wanting to visit Disney World. We’ll keep an eye out for other deals, but in the meantime, we keep an updated list of EVERY discount we find right here. Hold up for a sec! Before you plan your next trip to Disney World, check out our DFB Guide Everything Bundle here. You will get ALL of our best-selling eBooks with details on Disney World Dining, EPCOT Festivals, the BEST snacks in each park, and soooooo many tips and tricks we’ve learned over decades of visiting our happy place. 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! Pre-Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 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 pre-order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Will you be taking advantage of this deal? Let us know in the comments! The post Florida Residents! You Can Save BIG on Disney World Tickets first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Ahh the Disney Park Pass reservation system…many fans love to hate it! Disney’s Hollywood Studios The system was first introduced to help manage attendance in 2020 when Disney World reopened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, guests are required to “reserve” the park that they want to visit in advance, and if that park is already filled up for the day? Well, you might be out of luck. But is there a chance that Disney World could nix the controversial system in 2023? We’re looking at the evidence. Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek spoke out in defense of the system and praised its benefits multiple times during his time leading the company, but now that we’ve got Bob Iger back in office, could things change? ©Reuters Well, Bob Iger has been vocal with fans about his desire to exceed their expectations for the parks. In his holiday message to Disney World Annual Passholders, Iger even explicitly stated as such. This seems to be in contrast to Chapek’s focus on non-local families and non-Passholders. But with the control that the Park Pass system gives Disney, it’s unlikely that they would give it up. It allows them to predict and control the number of guests in the park each day and monitor vacation trends more closely. Cinderella Castle So if they don’t get RID of the system, could there be Passholder-friendly modifications? Right now the Park Pass calendar and availability is split up into three categories — ticket holders, resort guests, and Annual Passholders. If they threw all the availability together and everyone made reservations from the same “pot,” would it benefit Passholders? Annual Passholder card In that case, it might open up more availability for Passholders, but then the problem that we would encounter is that there’s a Park Pass limit for each of the Annual Passes. Depending on your tier of pass, you can only make 3, 4, or 5 reservations at a time, so dates further in advance might fill up before Passholders even get a chance to reserve them. The alternate option is to get rid of the Park Pass limit for Annual Passholders, but then those with passes could simply hoard all the reservations. Animal Kingdom Basically, each solution to the Park Pass system “problem” presents its own set of issues. Even though it might be inconvenient to reserve your visit in advance, changing the system might cause chaos. If Disney wants to update it at all in 2023, they’ll really have to think through all the consequences. All in all, it’s possible that 2023 could hold some changes for the Park Pass system, but they might not be the changes that people are asking for. As with any change Disney makes, Park Pass updates would probably be controversial to at least one group of people. Either way, we’ll keep you updated and let you know all the details to plan a successful trip! Click Here to See the 2023 Disney Park Passes You Need to Book Now! 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! Pre-Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 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 pre-order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think of the Park Pass reservation system? Tell us in the comments! The post Will Disney World Get Rid of Park Passes in 2023? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s ramping up to be an exciting year around Disney World! Tree of Life Certain resorts are being renovated and refreshed, new restaurants are on the way, and we should finally be able to ride some NEW attractions, too. If you’re heading to the parks soon, you might want to keep up with some of the construction changes, but we’re here to help! Let’s check out the biggest construction updates from this week in Disney World. Magic Kingdom TRON: Lightcycle Run The TRON construction area is starting to look pretty polished up! The concrete work on the ground has been completed, and the landscaping that has moved in looks like it’s been there for years — at least from this point of view. More lighting has been installed as well, which can only mean we’re getting closer to the opening date! TRON construction We’ve also been seeing more and more vehicle testing with weighted dummies! Vehicle testing TRON Lightcycle Run is opening in Magic Kingdom in spring 2023 — stay tuned for an official opening date announcement. Learn More About TRON: Lightcycle Run Here EPCOT Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana In case you missed it, there’s a HUGE construction zone in the middle of EPCOT right now, but that just means NEW experiences are on the way! The new Moana attraction will be opening in late 2023, and we recently saw Disney install the large Te Fiti sculpture at the attraction. Moana and CommuniCore Hall You can also see some of the progress on CommuniCore Hall and Plaza in the background here, showing you just how much construction work is going on behind that wall! Everything We Know About the New ‘Moana’ Attraction Coming to EPCOT Animal Kingdom Oasis Exhibits Animal Kingdom’s Oasis Exhibits have been walled off by a green construction wall for a while now, as crews work on repairing the fence and other areas of the exhibit. Oasis Exhibit construction It shouldn’t impact your visit too much, but depending on when you’re in the park things might have changed a bit! Hollywood Studios Roundup Rodeo BBQ Roundup Rodeo BBQ is opening sometime in 2023, and while we wait for an official opening date we’ve been keeping up with the progress in front of the new table service restaurant. Roundup Rodeo construction This closer view shows some details like hanging lanterns, checkered toothpick flags, and even some people working on the “cardboard” facade of the building’s entrance. Cute little touches! We’ll be keeping an eye out for an official opening date, so stay tuned to DFB for more! What We Know About Roundup Rodeo BBQ Disney Resort Hotels Polynesian Resort Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is getting a HUGE upgrade — a new DVC villa tower! It will be home to guest rooms, dining options, merchandise locations, and more. We’ve been seeing some slow (to our eyes) progress on the ground as crews have been clearing the area. Progress! But now, it looks like some larger cranes and equipment have been moved into the construction zone, which hopefully means we’ll start to see some movement soon! See the Latest Changes at the Polynesian We love bringing you updates from Disney World, but we’re all about Disney FOOD here at DFB. We even wrote the book on it! Check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining in an ebook format you can easily download to your tablet or smartphone. Use code WDW2023 to save 25% on the cover price! Get the DFB Guide! Stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news and more! 3 Terrifyingly Easy Ways to Ruin Your Disney World Vacation 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! Pre-Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 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 pre-order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What’s your favorite part of a Disney World vacation? Let us know in the comments! The post 5 CHANGES You Missed This Week in Disney World 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. Okay, who’s ready for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever on Disney+? Wakanda Forever in Disney California Adventure Now that we know the movie arrives on the streamer on February 1st, we’re ready to get excited all over again about it. We’ve seen TONS of merchandise in Disney World to celebrate, but now, we FINALLY spotted a pair of ears we’ve been waiting for FOREVER! The Namor Ear Headband is officially available in Disney World! This headband is themed to Namor with padded ears and a fun beaded design on each ear. Look at that pretty beading! You’ll also find three sails behind each ear. The back The headband is padded and has “Wakanda Forever” imprinted on the side. Wakanda Forever We found these ears in Emporium in Magic Kingdom for $44.99, but if you can’t make it to Disney World to grab them, don’t fret! They’re also still available online for the same price! Get the Namor Ear Headband online now! We’ll keep an eye out for more Black Panther merchandise in Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB for more! While you’re in the shopping mood…have you checked our DFB exclusive graphic tees and merch? It’s super fun stuff to wear to the parks, or to rep your happy place at the grocery store! Click here to visit the DFB Merch Store! DFB Sweatshirt We’ll be releasing new merch soon, so stay tuned! Treat Yourself To These Disney Deals On Amazon 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! Pre-Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 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 pre-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 ears? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney World FINALLY Gets Ears for One of Marvel's Newest Characters first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Sure, we love visiting Disney World and Disneyland, but sometimes you gotta’ spring for something just a little more…tropical. ©Disney And we’re not talking tropical like The Enchanted Tiki Room, we’re talking tropical like Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii. We had a chance to visit this beautiful resort recently, and even got to dine with Mickey and friends during a character breakfast at Makahiki — The Bounty of the Islands. Here’s what that was like! We’ve had dinner here before, but as you may know, a character breakfast is its own thing. Why? Because it gives you a great chance to meet the characters and spend quality time with them. Sure, you can meet characters all over the resort, but you tend to get a little more time with each character when you dine with them. Makahiki You’ll find Makahiki on the first floor of the main building of the resort, right next to the ‘Ōlelo Room. You can choose to sit outside at a table overlooking the koi pond or inside. Inside, you’ll find some gorgeous murals that celebrate local art and culture. Beautiful! Mickey will greet you as soon as you check in, meaning you’ll get this character experience started with the Big Cheese himself. We love his Hawaiian-inspired duds! There he is! Before you are seated, you’ll get some quality time with Minnie, too! We LOVE her outfit! As always, so fashionable While you eat, other characters roam around, like Chip… Chip …and Dale! Dale The meal itself is prix fixe. ©Disney It includes a Basket of Mini Pastries, including a coconut danish, guava danish, blueberry muffin, and butter croissant. You’ll also get Sliced Season Fruits and Berries, including pineapple, cantaloupe, papaya, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries. Pastries and fruit You choose your own entree, and we went for the Eggs Your Way, which includes two cage-free eggs and a choice of bacon, pork link sausage, Portuguese sausage, chicken apple sausage or ham, and herb-roasted potatoes. Eggs We also got the Belgian Style Waffle, which came with fresh berries, country cream, and warm Vermont maple syrup. Waffles A variety of beverages are also available, including POG Juice (gotta’ have that POG juice for a Disney breakfast, right?). ALWAYS a breakfast must Overall, this is a great way to meet characters in a more casual setting — it’s also a great way to end your vacation if you’re flying out that day. You get a big meal plus some final fun memories with characters to take home with you. Looking for more Aulani dining information? We’ve got details about dining at Ulu Cafe, Off the Hook, and ‘AMA AMA. So be sure to check that out! Check Out Our Dinner Review of Makahiki 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! Pre-Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 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 pre-order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you ever been to Disney’s Aulani Resort? Let us know what your favorite restaurant is in the comments! The post What It's Like To Dine at Disney Aulani's Makahiki Restaurant first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

In a compact 1913 depot in Winter Garden, the Central Florida Railroad Museum invites visitors to venture into the rich story of the nation’s railroads in Florida and beyond. View the full article

Welcome back to Disney World’s resorts! Disney’s BoardWalk Inn We’ve put together loads of guides for staying at Disney World’s resorts in 2023, as well as guides for eating at each resort. We also make visits to the resorts every week, so we can tell you what’s going on. And right now? There’s LOTS of construction! Polynesian Village Resort Merchandise Updates Boutiki At Boutiki, we spotted a new Winnie The Pooh Sweatshirt for $49.99! Winnie The Pooh Sweatshirt We think it’s absolutely adorable with the whole Hundred Acre Gang gathered around the tree house. Polynesian Village Resort Construction Update Meanwhile, construction is still going strong on the new DVC villas! Progress is being made! We’re excited to see this project develop more as the year goes on! Contemporary Resort Merchandise Updates Bayview Gifts We spotted a new Contemporary Mug for $19.99! Contemporary Mug It features Mickey and Minnie in front of the resort in their swimming attire on one side, with the resort and its name on the other. BoardWalk Inn Food Updates Carousel Coffee We also got a new coffee shop at the BoardWalk Inn — Carousel Coffee! Carousel Coffee entrance We went and tried it ourselves to give you a full review of what the new spot is like! There are specialty Joffrey’s coffee drinks here with some fun pastries — read our review to see if you should give it a try! See our review of Carousel Coffee here! And those are all the updates we have for Disney World resorts! Don’t miss other resort news, like the changes announced for Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and which Disney resort is best for toddlers. As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news! See the new summer discounts that have been announced for Disney World resorts! Want More Details About Disney World’s Hotels? Ranking of ALL of Disney World’s Hotels 9 Ways Your Disney World Hotel Stay Will Be Different in 2023 Our Picks for the Best Disney World Hotels in 2022 These Are the WORST Disney World Hotels for 2022 13 Critical Things You’re FORGETTING About When Booking a Disney World Hotel You Couldn’t Get the Disney World Hotel Reservation You Wanted – Now What? The 6 Disney World Hotel Problems No One is Talking About See Why You Might BAIL on Your Disney World Hotel A Full List of Changes Announced for Disney World’s Hotels 8 Gadgets You Need for Your Disney World Hotel Room The Surprising Things You Won’t Find in Your Disney World Hotel Room The Secret Way to Stay in Disney World’s Hotels for LESS! What Items from Amazon Can You Have Delivered to Your Resort Hotel? We’ve Got the Details Are Disney World Hotel Perks Worth the Hefty Price Tag? Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney World hotel news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What’s your favorite Disney hotel to stay at? Tell us in the comments below! The post What's New at Disney World Hotels: A Coffee Shop Has Its Grand Opening first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’re headed to Disney World soon, don’t say we didn’t warn you. Crowds The crowds have been wild this holiday season in Disney World and we’ve seen some pretty long wait times. On top of that the wait times will soon be affected by several upcoming ride closures and refurbishments. But what can you expect from the wait times in Disney World right now? That’s what we’re here to investigate! There are a few things you can do to skip the long lines in Disney World. One of those is rope dropping or staying until park close. Rope dropping is when you arrive at the park before opening time so you are one of the first people in the parks for the day — this is when you can get on a ride or two without much of a wait! We’ve also noticed the wait Magic Kingdom entrance crowds Your other option is to purchase Genie+, also known as Disney’s skip-the-line system. The price of Genie+ depends on the day since Disney introduced flexible pricing earlier this year but we’ve seen the price vary between $15 and $29. Buying Genie+ will allow you to expedite your wait for many Disney World attractions. Lightning Lane So without further ado, let’s take a look at the average wait times during this very busy time of year in Disney World! Magic Kingdom We’re starting at Magic Kingdom, where Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had the longest average wait time at 110 minutes this week! Last week the average wait time was 89 minutes so this is a pretty significant increase. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Next, Peter Pan’s Flight averaged 78 minutes, Space Mountain averaged 74 minutes, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad averaged 61 minutes. After that, the ride averages put Splash Mountain at 60 minutes, Jungle/Jingle Cruise at 59 minutes, Haunted Mansion at 51 minutes, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at 45 minutes,Astro Orbiter at 39 minutes, Pirates of the Caribbean at 37 minutes, and Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh at 36 minutes. Pirates of the Caribbean After that, “it’s a small world” averaged 31 minutes, Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid averaged 27 minutes, The Barnstormer featuring the Great Goofini averaged 26 minutes, and Magic Carpets of Aladdin and Tomorrowland Speedway averaged 24 minutes. Dumbo the Flying Elephant averaged 23 minutes while Mickey’s PhilharMagic averaged 17 minutes. Barnstormer Next, Mad Tea Party averaged 16 minutes and the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel averaged 15 minutes. The Enchanted Tiki Room, the Carousel of Progress, the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, and the Liberty Square Riverboat all averaged 5 minutes. Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse The Hall of Presidents, Country Bear Jamboree, and Tom Sawyer Island averaged no wait. Sneak Peek Inside the TRON Ride in Magic Kingdom EPCOT Over in EPCOT, the ride with the longest average wait time was Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, with an average wait time of 125 minutes, compared to last week’s average of 98 minutes. Frozen Ever After had an average wait time of 95 minutes, which was an increase from last week’s average of 84 minutes. Frozen Ever After Next, we have Test Track at 92 minutes, Soarin’ at 71 minutes, Mission: SPACE at 51 minutes, and Spaceship Earth at 2231minutes. Gran Fiesta Tour and The Seas with Nemo and Friends averaged 22 minutes. Mission: SPACE Then, there was Journey into Imagination at 19 minutes, and Turtle Talk with Crush and Living with the Land at 17 minutes. Figment Awesome Planet, Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival, Impressions de France, and Reflections of China had no wait times this week. We Met a RARE Disney Prince in EPCOT Hollywood Studios In Hollywood Studios, Rise of the Resistance broke Tower of Terror’s streak as the highest wait time in the park with an average of 139 minutes. Tower of Terror still had a long average wait time of 134 minutes, while Slinky Dog Dash took third place with an average of 118 minutes. Rise of the Resistance Next, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster featuring Aerosmith averaged 91 minutes, Toy Story Mania and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway averaged 79 minutes, and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run averaged 76 minutes. Toy Story Mania After that, Alien Swirling Saucers averaged 45 minutes, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue averaged 31 minutes, Walt Disney Presents averaged 14 minutes, and Muppet*Vision 3D averaged 11 minutes. Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy was closed all week. Complete List of What’s Available During After Hours Events at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Animal Kingdom And last but not least, let’s visit Animal Kingdom, where Avatar Flight of Passage had the longest average wait time of 173 minutes. Last week, the average was 169 minutes. Pandora Crowds Next up was Na’vi River Journey at 91 minutes, Kilimanjaro Safaris at 75 minutes, Expedition Everest at 49 minutes, DINOSAUR at 42 minutes, and Kali River Rapids at 33 minutes. Dinosaur Triceratop Spin averaged 16 minutes and It’s Tough to Be a Bug averaged 15 minutes. Both The Boneyard and Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail averaged no wait time. VIDEO: New Nighttime Show Added to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Overall, wait times have increased a LOT since the holiday season ended. This could be because kids are still out of school in many places and the runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend takes place until January 8th. If you’re visiting Disney World soon, use this as preparation to deal with crowds! We’ve got guides on how to escape the crowds in Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT. EPCOT Stay tuned to DFB for more updates at Disney World! The Cheapest Days to Visit Disney World in 2023 Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation A Month-by-Month Guide to Planning Your Disney World Trip Tips, Hints, Lists, and Videos for Planning the BEST Disney World Trip How Many Days Do You Really Need in Disney World? How to Have the CHEAPEST Trip to Disney World 5 Simple Planning Tips You Need to Know About Before Your Next Disney World Trip The CHEAPEST Days to Visit Disney World in 2023 EVERYTHING You Need to Know Before Booking a 2023 Disney World Trip Learn About the Disney Park Pass System The Ultimate Disney World Packing List Everything You Need to Know About Genie+ Insider SECRETS for Your First Trip to Disney World A Complete Look at the Current Disney Discounts and Deals The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click Here to Subscribe Have you ever visited Disney World during the holiday season? What was your experience like? Tell us in the comments! The post Disney World Wait Times SKYROCKET After the Holidays first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Next week is a BIG week in Disney World. The Festival of the Arts starts on January 13th, which will bring food booths, Broadway-style performances, and a Figment-themed scavenger hunt to EPCOT. But there are also a few closures happening at the theme parks that you need to be aware of before you visit. Kali River Rapids Some long-term closures will continue next week, but 2 popular rides will also shut down, starting on January 9th. Check out everything that’s going to be closed in Disney World here! Before we get to the closures…do you already have your bags packed for your trip? If you’re going to visit Disney World soon, you’ll need the perfect outfit to wear into the parks! We’ve got a lot of great tees and sweatshirts at our online DFB store — Click here to check out our whole merch line. Ready to go! Now that you’re ready with the perfect Disney ‘fits, check out our full list of what’s going to be CLOSED in Disney World next week. Magic Kingdom Big Thunder Mountain Railroad One of the most popular coasters in Magic Kingdom is going to be closed for most of next week. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will be unavailable from January 9th through the 13th. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Disney’s website shows that the coaster should reopen on the 14th, so if you’re visiting on Saturday or later, you should be able to hop on the wildest ride in the wilderness! Tomorrowland Light & Power Co. The Tomorrowland Light & Power gift shop is still closed for refurbishments, and Disney hasn’t announced when it’ll reopen. For now, it’s scheduled to be closed for all of next week. Tomorrowland Light & Power Co. In the meantime, guests who visit Space Mountain are being directed to exit the ride a different way. Enchanted Tales with Belle Enchanted Tales with Belle is where guests could previously help Belle tell the story of Beauty and the Beast. Enchanted Tales with Belle This attraction is currently closed, and Disney hasn’t announced a reopening date. Meet Ariel at Her Grotto Like Belle’s attraction, Ariel’s meet-and-greet is also closed in Fantasyland. Ariel’s Grotto Disney hasn’t announced a reopening date for Ariel’s Grotto, either. Pete’s Silly Sideshow Over in Storybook Circus, Pete’s Silly Sideshow is closed. This character meet-and-greet spot usually has Minnie, Daisy, Goofy, and Donald, dressed in circus performer outfits. Pete’s Silly Sideshow Disney has announced that it’ll reopen sometime “in the coming months.” We’ll be watching for more updates! See a full list of showtimes for parades, fireworks, and castle shows in Magic Kingdom. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kali River Rapids The weather is supposed to be pretty warm in Orlando next week, but you won’t be able to cool off on Kali River Rapids in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Kali River Rapids This water ride is going to close on January 9th, and Disney hasn’t announced a reopening date yet. For now, it’s scheduled to be closed through early March at least. Check out 5 places to escape in Animal Kingdom when you anxiety is through the roof. Disney’s Hollywood Studios Voyage of the Little Mermaid This Little Mermaid-themed stage show has been closed in Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a long time now. Voyage of the Little Mermaid Disney hasn’t announced when or if the Voyage of the Little Mermaid will reopen. Learn about the Hollywood Studios After Hours event in Disney World. EPCOT Cool Wash Cool Wash temporarily had a new sign that re-named the spot “Refreshment Kiosk,” but that sign has been removed. The snack kiosk is still closed and blocked off by several plants. Cool Wash Disney hasn’t announced when Cool Wash will reopen, but we’ll watch for any changes. Check out the first 2023 Festival of the Arts booths in EPCOT! Disney World Hotels Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Narcoossee’s is an upscale seafood restaurant at the Grand Floridian, and it’s been closed for several months now. Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort This restaurant will reopen sometime in 2023 with an “enhanced dining experience.” We’ll be watching for Disney to announce a more specific reopening date. Find out why you may not be able to park at Disney World hotels. Disney World Water Parks Typhoon Lagoon Typhoon Lagoon is closed in Disney World, and Disney hasn’t announced when it’ll reopen. Typhoon Lagoon Water Park Disney World’s other water park, Blizzard Beach, is open! Check out our full guide to Typhoon Lagoon here. Looking for more resources to help you get ready for your upcoming trip? Check out these posts to learn all about Disney World’s rides: 10 Rides to AVOID in Disney World if You Struggle with Motion Sickness What It Takes to CHANGE a Disney World Ride 9 of the SCARIEST Rides in Disney World, According to YOU! A FULL LIST of the Thrill Rides in Disney World! The Ultimate Guide to the BEST and WORST Seats On EVERY Magic Kingdom Ride We’ll keep you updated with all the latest news, so stay tuned to DFB. Learn about the Disney transportation MISTAKE you’ll make in January. Planning a Trip to Disney World? We’ve Got Everything You Need to Know The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation A Month-by-Month Guide to Planning Your Disney World Trip Tips, Hints, Lists, and Videos for Planning the BEST Disney World Trip How Many Days Do You Really Need in Disney World? How to Have the CHEAPEST Trip to Disney World 5 Simple Planning Tips You Need to Know About Before Your Next Disney World Trip The CHEAPEST Days to Visit Disney World in 2023 EVERYTHING You Need to Know Before Booking a 2023 Disney World Trip Learn About the Disney Park Pass System The Ultimate Disney World Packing List Everything You Need to Know About Genie+ Insider SECRETS for Your First Trip to Disney World A Complete Look at the Current Disney Discounts and Deals The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click Here to Subscribe Are you visiting Disney World this week? Let us know in the comments! The post 2 Popular Rides Are CLOSING Temporarily in Disney World Next Week first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article