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It’s a BIG day. Do you know why? Joffrey’s in Disney Springs! EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays has begun, it’s Friday (or FriYAY), annnnnnd it’s Black Friday — which means you could save big on some awesome merchandise. But sometimes Black Friday brings special food deals too, and that’s exactly what has happened at a popular Disney coffee spot. TODAY ONLY (November 25th) you can stop by Joffrey’s Coffee in Disney Springs to take advantage of a special Black Friday coffee deal. According to the Disney Springs Twitter, if you visit the Joffrey’s Coffee spot in Disney Springs today you can get a BOGO deal (buy one get one) on the Disney Kona Blend. You can also get 20% OFF beverages (excluding alcoholic ones). Joffreys in Disney Springs These deals won’t last long though. They’re only available until 12PM, while supplies last. And you’ll only get the discount at the Disney Springs location, so keep that in mind. The offer can’t be combined with other discounts, but it could be great to take advantage of if you’ll be in Disney Springs today and plan on doing some shopping. You’ll get a caffeine kick for LESS to help power you through your day! Pumpkin Creme Brulee Coffee 2020 We’re looking for details on ALL of the Black Friday deals today, so be sure to stay tuned for more. To shop the latest Black Friday deals, check out our posts below: EVERY SINGLE Disney Black Friday deal EVERY SINGLE Disney Black Friday TOY deal Get details about the Disney Black Friday sale that won’t last long And stay tuned for more discount info! 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. Are you a fan of Joffrey’s Coffee? Tell us in the comments! The post The Black Friday Coffee Deal You Can’t Miss in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s officially the holiday season! We are making our lists and we know you are, too! And we bet you’re wondering if it’s time to get yourself a little something as well… Get the DFB Guide! We have the perfect idea: our most popular DFB e-book — the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining — deeply discounted for a VERY limited time! Save 50% On Our Best-Selling Guidebooks With Code MICKEY50! For a limited time only, save 50% off of the pre-order of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! Just use promo code MICKEY50 at DFBStore.com for incredible savings on our most popular DFB e-book. (And because, it’s a pre-order you’ll also get the 2022 edition FREE as an instant download!) DFB Guide The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining includes over 700 pages of our best tips, suggestions, reviews, and recommendations — and over 500 color photos! There’s something for everyone! But that’s not all! You can also get this deal on the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Gift Certificate (or any of our other Gift Certificates)! And that means one thing — getting the Disney World travelers on your list what they’ll love the most has never been easier or more convenient. See What Our Readers Have to Say About the DFB Guides Wanna know more before you commit? See what other readers just like you are saying about our collection of DFB Guide Books at the DFB Store Reviews Page! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/DFB-Guide-Testimonial-20.png http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/DFB-Guide-Testimonial-21.png http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DFB-Guide-Testimonial-5.png Read MORE Reader Reviews HERE! Remember, with a 100% money-back guarantee on all of our guides, you have nothing to lose! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif ALL of the DFB Guides and Gift Certificates are on sale today (it’s STILL our biggest sale of the year)! Just use promo code MICKEY50 to get 50% off all guides, bundles, and gift certificates. And then BAM! Your shopping is done! Don’t wait! Get your DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining for 50% off TODAY using code MICKEY50! Our best-selling guidebooks are on sale! As always, we thank you for all of your support of Disney Food Blog! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the entire DFB Team! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you going to Disney World soon? Let us know what you need help with in terms of planning in the comments below! The post Happy Black Friday! Get 50% Off These Best Selling Disney World Guidebooks! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We have new Disney holiday wallpapers to spread some digital cheer! This year, our designers have created a whimsical winter slopes scene with beloved Disney Characters, making it the ideal Disney Christmas wallpaper and perfect for any holiday you’re celebrating in the winter season. Additionally, we’re releasing a new Disney Hanukkah wallpaper, new Disney Holiday GIPHY stickers for Instagram, and showcasing a plethora of the happiest holiday backgrounds.View the full article

Who’s excited about the release of Avatar: The Way of Water later this year? ©Disney We’ve loved keeping up with all the new trailers released and are preparing ourselves to see a movie in 3D for the first time in YEARS. If you’re a Snapchat user, now there’s another way you can show your excitement for the film! Snapchat and Disney have partnered to create a new Snapchat filter for the release of the upcoming film! ©Snapchat The new filter will turn you into a Na’vi from the film! If it isn’t showing up on your app, you can click here to be taken directly to the filter. Pandora World of Avatar decorated for the holidays! Looking for some more new Disney media to hold you over until The Way of Water releases? You can watch Strange World in theaters now. As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney media news! Click here to see all the new Disney media coming to Disney+ this month! 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. Do you use Snapchat? Tell us why or why not below! The post 'Avatar' Fans Can't Miss Out On This New Snapchat Filter! 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. The countdown to Christmas is ON — and if you’ve still got some shopping to check off your list, you’re not alone! Hollywood Studios We’ve been keeping up with all the latest merchandise releases from Disney and more so you know what you can’t live without. But if you’re a last-minute shopper, you might be in luck because a NEW Disney designer collaboration has landed online that we think will be an instant classic. A NEW Disney x COACH collection has landed on shopDisney! There are quite a few different goodies in this series, and it’s all dedicated to Walt Disney World. We love the classic look of these Disney World COACH Ears! ©Disney You can pick these up for a cool $295. Click Here To Shop the Disney COACH Ears Show off you love for Disney World whenever you want with this tote bag! It features the classic logo, has handles, and a shoulder strap. ©Disney Grab the Disney World COACH tote bag for $495. Click Here To Shop the Disney World COACH Tote Bag For a hands-free park day, the Disney World COACH belt bag might be just the thing. ©Disney It features a zippered pocket and clip closure. Get it for $225. Click Here To Shop the Disney World COACH Belt Bag Or, pick up the Disney World COACH swinger bag for $225 as well. ©Disney It’s giving serious early 2000s vibes. Click Here To Shop the Disney World COACH Swinger Bag The perfect backpack doesn’t exi– okay wait, maybe it does. The Disney World COACH backpack features the WDW logo on the front zippered pocket, and plenty of room inside for all the essentials. ©Disney The only thing not perfect about this backpack might be the price — get it for $550. Click Here To Shop the Disney World COACH Backpack There’s also a zippered wallet as part of this collection. ©Disney It can be yours (or someone else’s!) for $250. Click Here To Shop the Disney World COACH Wallet Or, if you prefer smaller wallets, you can pick up the Disney World COACH card case instead! ©Disney It’s the smallest and least expensive item in this collection at $95. Click Here To Shop the Disney World COACH Card Case 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 repping your happy place at the grocery store! Click here to visit the DFB Merch Store! The DFB Ugly Christmas Sweater T-Shirt is perfect for the season! Stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney shopping news and more! ALL of the Holiday Merchandise You Can Find in Disney World Don't Miss Out on Any Disney World Fun This Holiday Season! The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2022 is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World. Order The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2022 now! It includes over 400 pages of must-have information, including: A full What's New!! chapter for the 2022 Holiday Season A full Monthly Schedule of Events for the Holiday Season How to avoid the crowds on Disney World's busiest days (and when Disney World closes their parks due to capacity!) ALL of the events, activities, and holiday additions in Walt Disney World. ALL. OF. THEM. And, of course, we'll tell you where to eat! ;-D Click HERE to order your 2022 Guide now and get 20% off with code PEPPERMINT! As always, our e-Books are 100% guaranteed! If you don't love it, you get your money back! Want Even MORE? The DFB Everything Bundle comes with ALL of our guides, including the Holiday Guide, for one low price! It includes: The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2022 The 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Guide The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Holidays 2022 Pre-Order 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Guide All Three DFB Snack Guides Click HERE to order your DFB Everything Bundle! MORE Disney World Holiday INFO! Check Out Everything Announced for the 2022 Holiday Season in Disney World Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Is Coming BACK in 2022 – Get the Latest Details Get All of the Latest Information About the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays We’ll Take This Little Golden Disney Book in Our Stocking, Santa! Learn Everything You Need to Know About Disney World Holiday Dining and Events See How Much It Costs to Do Disney World at Christmas in 2022 Watch Our Video About What We Wish We’d Known Before Going to Disney World During the Holidays Check Out Our Photos & Reviews of the Holiday Treats in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest holiday news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Will you be shopping the new Disney x COACH collection? Let us know in the comments! The post A NEW Disney x COACH Collection Has Arrived Online first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Are you ready? Because today is a BIG day — it’s the start of the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays! 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays! That means a TON of amazing food booths have opened up to serve some holiday-inspired snacks. The first Candlelight Processional, with a celebrity narrator, is happening. And, festival merchandise has arrived in stores, including this year’s Festival of the Holidays Spirit Jersey! This year’s spirit jersey is a wintry white with a little Olaf on the front. Olaf! The back has Olaf and Sven (who seem to be this year’s festival mascots)… Cuties! …with the words “Holidays are for the sweets!” Um…we couldn’t agree more! It’s giving winter wonderland The front also has some more snowflakes and blue at the bottom! We love the details! We found the festival spirit jersey for $79.99, and it should be available at several locations in EPCOT during the festival. Grab it quickly, though — we bet it’s going to go fast! Need some help navigating the festival? We’ll be covering EVERYTHING, including entertainment, cookie stroll, activities, and more. We’ll also be reviewing ALL the food, so stay tuned for that! 2022 Festival of the Holidays Want to get a guaranteed good seat for the Candlelight Processional? Be sure to check out the Candlelight Processional dining packages that are available — make those reservations ASAP, though. Stay tuned to DFB for more! Read ALL of our EPCOT Festival of the Holidays food booth reviews right here! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney World Fun This Holiday Season! The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2022 is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World. Order The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2022 now! It includes over 400 pages of must-have information, including: A full What's New!! chapter for the 2022 Holiday Season A full Monthly Schedule of Events for the Holiday Season How to avoid the crowds on Disney World's busiest days (and when Disney World closes their parks due to capacity!) ALL of the events, activities, and holiday additions in Walt Disney World. ALL. OF. THEM. And, of course, we'll tell you where to eat! ;-D Click HERE to order your 2022 Guide now and get 20% off with code PEPPERMINT! As always, our e-Books are 100% guaranteed! If you don't love it, you get your money back! Want Even MORE? The DFB Everything Bundle comes with ALL of our guides, including the Holiday Guide, for one low price! It includes: The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2022 The 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Guide The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Holidays 2022 Pre-Order 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Guide All Three DFB Snack Guides Click HERE to order your DFB Everything Bundle! MORE Disney World Holiday INFO! Check Out Everything Announced for the 2022 Holiday Season in Disney World Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Is Coming BACK in 2022 – Get the Latest Details Get All of the Latest Information About the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays We’ll Take This Little Golden Disney Book in Our Stocking, Santa! Learn Everything You Need to Know About Disney World Holiday Dining and Events See How Much It Costs to Do Disney World at Christmas in 2022 Watch Our Video About What We Wish We’d Known Before Going to Disney World During the Holidays Check Out Our Photos & Reviews of the Holiday Treats in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest holiday news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Will you be headed to the festival this year? What kind of merchandise do you plan on buying? Let us know in the comments! The post PHOTOS: The NEW 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Spirit Jersey Is HERE! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays is finally HERE and we’re so ready to check out all of the exciting things happening in the park for the celebrations. 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays! From entertainment like the Candlelight Processional to all of the festive food, there’s a lot to do in EPCOT for the festival. We’re in the park checking everything out, including where to FIND all of the festivities! Luckily, there’s something that can help you out — this year’s festival passport! Let’s check it out. The 2022 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Festival Passport is HERE! This year’s passport This is a small booklet that has a ton of the information that you need to know about the festival. Passport Inside you’ll find the difference sections, like activities that are great for kids of all ages… 2022 passport …merchandise for the festival… Merch! …the entertainment at the festival… Entertainment …including more about the Candlelight Processional… Candlelight Processional info …and ALL of the Holiday Kitchens and their menus. Bavaria, Refreshment Outpost, & Shanghai All of the menus can be found in here, like for Tangierine Cafe and Shi Wasu… Tangierine & Shi Wasu …Las Posadas and Holiday Hearth… Las Posadas & Holiday Hearth …Holiday Sweets & Treats and the new Nochebuena Cocina… Holiday Sweets & Treats & Nochebuena Cocina …and more! Le Marche de Noel & L’Chaim! There is also information in the passport about the Cookie Stroll… 2022 Holiday Cookie Stroll …and where your stamps will go when you get your cookies! Don’t forget to have your Passport STAMPED! And, there’s a super cute image of Chip ‘n’ Dale on the back! The back of the passport! These Festival Passports will be all around EPCOT during the festival, so make sure you pick one up while you’re in the park to help you keep track of everything going on! For more on Festival of the Holidays, check out our FREE DFB printable for all the 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays booths, the FULL MENUS for the 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays, and the CHEAPEST time to go to the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays in 2022. Stay tuned to DFB for more from EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays! Click here to learn more about EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney World Fun This Holiday Season! The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2022 is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World. Order The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2022 now! It includes over 400 pages of must-have information, including: A full What's New!! chapter for the 2022 Holiday Season A full Monthly Schedule of Events for the Holiday Season How to avoid the crowds on Disney World's busiest days (and when Disney World closes their parks due to capacity!) ALL of the events, activities, and holiday additions in Walt Disney World. ALL. OF. THEM. And, of course, we'll tell you where to eat! ;-D Click HERE to order your 2022 Guide now and get 20% off with code PEPPERMINT! As always, our e-Books are 100% guaranteed! If you don't love it, you get your money back! Want Even MORE? The DFB Everything Bundle comes with ALL of our guides, including the Holiday Guide, for one low price! It includes: The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2022 The 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Guide The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Holidays 2022 Pre-Order 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Guide All Three DFB Snack Guides Click HERE to order your DFB Everything Bundle! MORE Disney World Holiday INFO! Check Out Everything Announced for the 2022 Holiday Season in Disney World Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Is Coming BACK in 2022 – Get the Latest Details Get All of the Latest Information About the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays We’ll Take This Little Golden Disney Book in Our Stocking, Santa! Learn Everything You Need to Know About Disney World Holiday Dining and Events See How Much It Costs to Do Disney World at Christmas in 2022 Watch Our Video About What We Wish We’d Known Before Going to Disney World During the Holidays Check Out Our Photos & Reviews of the Holiday Treats in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest holiday news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Will you be visiting Festival of the Holidays this year? Tell us in the comments! The post The 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Passport Is HERE! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex adds projection mapping show called “Starflake’s Holiday Voyage” to Holidays in Space celebration. View the full article

When America entered the second World War, the whole landscape of the Disney Company changed. December 7th, 1941 was the day to live in infamy, the day that Pearl Harbor was attacked. The nation changed overnight, and the Walt Disney Company was no exception. The next day, the U.S. Army required the use of half […] The post Honoring All Disney Veterans and Those Who Served at Home appeared first on Military Disney Tips Blog. View the full article

Happy Thanksgiving! It may feel like winter some places, but it’s still fall! We hope you’ve safely traveled to where you need to be for the holidays and are happily eating a delicious meal with your family and/or friends. If you’ve got some extra time to spare and are looking to make a delicious drink for your loved ones, check out how to make a Star Wars Yoda Punch below! This recipe for Yoda Punch comes from Ashley Eckstein’s (a Star Wars legend) book “Star Wars Everyday,” which she went on tour with a few months back. It can make 2 drinks, so double, triple, or increase its size depending on how many you’re serving. Ingredients 4 tablespoons instant tapioca pearl (black sugar flavor) 2 kiwis, plus 1 more for garnish (optional) 1 cup pineapple juice 1 teaspoon sweetened matcha powder 8 ounces of fizzy water or ginger ale, depending on desired sweetness Instructions 1. Prepare the tapioca pearls according to the package directions and then set them aside. 2. Peel, core, and roughly chop the kiwis. 3. Combine the pineapple juice, kiwi, and matcha powder in a blender, and blend until smooth. 4. To serve: Fill two large glass tumblers with crushed ice. 5. Split the fruit mixture between the glasses, and ladle half the tapioca pearls into each glass. 6. Top with fizzy water or ginger ale. 7. To garnish (optional), quarter the additional kiwi, cutting a small slit in the center or each quarter. Place two quarters on the rim of each glass for ears, and, using a short skewer, secure two pearls for eyes. ©Disney There you have it! An easy way to make a delicious fruity drink for your Thanksgiving circle. Already want to get a head start on some holiday recipes? You can learn how to make Pumpkin Spice Sweet Potato Dole Whip, 10 EPCOT festival recipes that deserve to be on your holiday table, or you can put yourself in charge of desserts and make these sweet Magic Kingdom concoctions. As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney recipes! See all of our Disney recipes here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! 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 Thanksgiving dish? Tell us below! The post RECIPE: A 7-Step Star Wars Yoda Punch! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Walt Disney World is comprised of four theme parks, a shopping and dining district, two water parks, and over 25 Resort hotels…and that’s just scratching the surface! Main Street Train Station Planning for a Disney trip can be overwhelming, even for the most seasoned Disney visitor. There are SO many things to consider and learn. Where do you stay? What’s the dining situation like? What types of tickets are there? Don’t worry, you do NOT have to figure this all out on your own. A decade ago, planning your Disney trip was do-able…and even fun — like the anticipation of seeing all of the presents under the tree before Christmas. But today, things are different. With Park Pass Reservations, Disney’s Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selection in place, dining that needs to be booked 60 days in advance, literally dozens of hotels on property and hundreds off-property, dessert parties, memorable behind-the-scenes tours, activities, and more…it’s just plain overwhelming to try to figure it all out. Disney World is about TWICE the size of Manhattan…and just as packed with options. There Is SO Much to Do in Disney World So, if reading this article is starting to give you anxiety, take a deep breath… let it out… and repeat this mantra, “Fish are friends, not food.” Ok, ok, not the mantra you’re looking for, but Disney vacations are supposed to be magical, right? Not drive you panic-driven madness. Those tear-jerking commercials all involve happy families without a care in the world, not anxiety-riddle adults on the verge of exhaustion, desperately trying to mobile order lunch (yep, that’s a thing…) before their hangry family launches into full meltdown (we’re not speaking from experience at all… ). So, how do you become one of those carefree families in the commercials? Well, that might take a bit of planning… Celebration Buttons If you’ve been to Disney before, you may have a general idea. Maybe a specific idea. Maybe a very specific idea, including a spreadsheet and a three-ring binder detailing every move your family will make once they pass beneath that magical archway. But regardless of where you fall on this planning spectrum, using a Disney-certified travel agent will help ensure not only that you’re checking off all of the right boxes, but that you have all of the right boxes on your checklist, to begin with! Why use a Disney Travel Agent? Here are a few reasons! Disney Certified Travel Agents are FREE You may think it costs more. And that there are hidden fees they don’t tell you about. But as it turns out, Travel Agents don’t cost you a penny. Disney-certified travel agents do not charge clients for their services because they earn commissions from Disney. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa So you pay no extra fees and can spend more time anticipating and enjoying your vacation. It’s a win for the Agents (who genuinely love doing this stuff) and a win for you. Finding the Best Discount Travel Agents, especially those considered “Authorized Disney Vacation Planners,” know what deals are out there ahead of the rest of us. If a new deal comes along after you’ve already made a reservation (e.g. Disney+ Discounts, Annual Passholder Discounts, etc), they can rework your existing reservation to save you some cash. They can also run the numbers to see which deal is going to be the better value. They do the math for you. So, you can put away your high school economics book and spreadsheet for finding the break-even point on discount rate versus park days ratios. And the best part is, they’ve been doing this a REALLY. LONG. TIME. Hollywood Studios So they probably already know what deal is best. Before it’s even announced. And since they usually get a little head’s up from Disney about upcoming discounts, they can work it onto your existing vacation for you, usually before you even know it’s an option! So not only do you not have to worry about doing the math (phew!), you also don’t have to worry about missing out on the discount (since sometimes those bad boys are limited). Planning Tips & Advice Your agent’s got your back. They can advise you on resort choice, vacation package, and tickets that will suit your family’s unique needs. Overall, they make sure everything runs smoothly from start to finish. They’ve been there and done that, and they can tell you the most stress-free way to have your best vacation ever. EPCOT! Now let’s talk reservations and planning for when you’re actually on Disney property! Here’s where a Travel Agent can be a super-valuable asset. Disney travel agents know: The most popular restaurants and when they need to be booked How to get those super-coveted reservations (and might be able to snag them FOR you!) Alternatives to those restaurants if they’re full What rides, attractions, and events will suit your family’s unique needs How to help you plan an extraordinary trip within your budget How to craft a trip where you get to do everything you want to do…and still get enough sleep and real, honest-to-goodness “vacation” time when you’re NOT chasing your brood around the theme parks. An Authorized Disney Vacation Planner can make suggestions for you based on which park you’ll be in for the day, making dining recommendations, and tips for planning your park days to get in all of your must-do attractions. In short, they’ll help you narrow down those 200+ restaurant choices, hundreds of ride choices, activity options, and more, and make sure to help you hand-craft the perfect vacation for YOUR family. (Or you can grab our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, t00.) The ICONIC Mickey Ice Cream Bar! Something you may not know about Disney travel agents is that in order to maintain their Disney-certified status, they have to maintain their Disney training. Disney is constantly changing, growing, adapting, innovating, and improving, so these travel agents know the latest, greatest, best, and newest of everything Disney has to offer. Assistance During Your Vacation You may not know this, but Disney World is in Florida (shocker, right?). And Florida gets hurricanes! In fact, hurricane season lasts from June to November, so chances are, when you’re visiting Disney World, it might be during hurricane season! And inclement weather can impact special Disney events (like after-hours parties), delay flights, and even close down parks, in extreme cases. Rainy Day in MK And your Agent’s support doesn’t stop when you get to your resort. No matter what problems arise during your getaway — if your shuttle is canceled, your room isn’t ready, or you need to find a doctor — your Agent knows who to call to put your vacation back on track. They’re just a phone call or text message away, no matter what goes down! Because as much as we wish it, life doesn’t pause while we’re on vacation! So whether you’re a color-coded spreadsheet-toting Disney veteran or a first-timer at the Disney parks, utilizing the skills and expertise of a Travel Agent may just surprise you. Even locals can implement the skills, discount access, and overall knowledge of a Disney Travel Agent! Choose the Right Travel Agent There are a lot of Disney-certified travel agents out there. If you Google it, you’ll be scrolling for days. As long as they have their certification and are designated as “earmarked” by Disney, you can likely expect good service and solid knowledge. But if you want our recommendation, we always choose Small World Vacations. EPCOT 1. They’ve Proven Themselves: DFB’s AJ Wolfe and Sue Pisaturo, the owner of the agency, have been friends and colleagues for years. Small World Travel is also respected and used by other leaders in the Disney Media and Travel industry by people who KNOW DISNEY and have been in the Disney travel arena for dozens of years. Small World Vacations isn’t just our preferred Disney Travel Agent, they are also preferred by, MouseSavers, and Sehlinger’s “Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World.” (So, you don’t have to just take our word for it…) 2. They Have a Reputation for Excellence: Small World Vacations is one of the biggest Disney-focused agencies in the world, BUT all of their highly-qualified agents work full-time. This is exceptional in the travel planner arena. It means that all day, every day, Small World Vacations agents are planning Disney trips for clients — learning everything they can about how to create magical vacations and getting the depth of experience necessary to make sure your trip is a dream come true. It may sound like a little thing, but it offers huge benefits when it comes to working with an agent. 3. Testimonies from Guests (like you!): Just take a look at some of these real-life testimonies of other Disney guests who’ve used their services. I am writing this email to simply share how grateful my husband and I are for the help and support we got from Riley in planning our trip to Disney World. It was the first time for both of us and we have a 7 & 8 year old daughter – so we didn’t even know where to start. Riley’s responsiveness was outstanding and a little unbelievable at times – and we learned to count on it! She would make herself available for calls and made sure we were aware and on top of all the deadlines for registrations or adding special items on (Genie +, etc.). Honestly – we might not have gone given how much there is to know in planning a trip like this – but she made it simply and clear so that when we got there we had nothing to worry about. She was open about options for cost and locations and we felt like we had all the information needed to make the right decisions. I will continue to recommend Riley and will certainly reach back out should we plan another vacation with Disney! We are so grateful! —Allison I would like to take this time to say, it has been a pleasure to work with Nikki at Small World Vacations. She always goes above and beyond to help. We had to cancel and reschedule a cruise due to Covid and Nikki was stellar. She has earned our Disney business going forward.. — Tracy II’m writing to let you know about the simply exceptional service I’ve received from the marvelous Marion Carlson over the past year. I found her via a Google search and approached her in May of 2021 to help me plan a Christmas trip to WDW to surprise my 7-year-old daughter, Alice. Marion is amazing. She makes me feel like I am her only client, even though I know that couldn’t be further from the truth. She told me that she was thinking about me and Alice over Christmas, and I am certain that she was. Really, Marion basically IS Disney World. She is magic. I know we won’t go to WDW every year forever. And Alice won’t be this perfect WDW age forever. This is a special time in her childhood, and I’ll always be grateful to Marion for her help in giving our girl such a magical present after the terrible pandemic time (virtual school, quarantine, all of it). I am willing to bet I’m not the first of Marion’s clients writing to let you know how outstanding she is, and I’m certain I won’t be the last. — Lora DFB Readers Get Something a Little Extra Special Yep — if you do decide to book with Small World, you just note that you heard about them through Disney Food Blog and you could get a special, unique surprise! Click here for current details! Animal Kingdom Phew. Don’t you feel better now? A Disney vacation can cost A LOT of money, and has A LOT of tricky nuances, but you don’t have to panic. There are pros available to help you every step of the way, and you’ll always have us to send you tips, news, and updates to make sure that your Disney vacation is as magical as possible! It’s time to get started! Simply head over to Small World Vacations and Let the Magic Begin! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/customemailexample.jpg Are you going to Disney World in 2023? Let us know in the comments below! The post The Ultimate Guide To Disney World Travel Agents first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

So, you’re planning a trip to Disney World, and you know you want to stay close to Magic Kingdom, but might want something a little outside a more traditional hotel vibe. Wilderness Lodge But how do you choose between Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge? Well, let’s dive into the deets to see which one is right for you! Choosing between the Polynesian Village and the Wilderness Lodge, 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 the same resort layout with a central lobby building and outer buildings with rooms, and they are both considered Magic Kingdom area resorts, offering transportation to Magic Kingdom and the other resorts. And both offer Disney Vacation Club Villas as additional accommodations. The Beach at the Polynesian For the Polynesian Village Resort, 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. (Based on 2023 rates) For the Wilderness Lodge, that means that for the cheapest room at the cheapest time to visit, you can expect to pay around $453 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts), and it goes up to $1,740 per night (not accounting for any tax or current discounts) for the most expensive rooms at the most expensive time to visit. (Based on 2023 rates) Wilderness Lodge Lobby Wow. In the cheapest room, during the cheapest season, Wilderness Lodge is about 30% less than the Polynesian. And for those more expensive options, it’s about 70% less than the Polynesian! Let’s dig a little deeper to see what you can get for the money at these resorts! Extra Theme Park Hours Benefits for Disney World Resort Hotel Guests Theme/Rooms These are not your standard hotels. You can venture deep into the South Pacific at the Polynesian, or “rough it” in the woods of this Pacific Northwest-styled Wilderness Lodge. But whether your stay takes you to the tropics or to the forest, you’ll find that both of these warm woods and natural light to emphasize the tie to the nature they embrace. 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, 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-like 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 Wilderness Lodge Welcome to the beauty and grandeur of the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Towering redwoods, pristine free-flowing creeks, artifacts, and monuments to American history and its inhabitants. The inspiration for this resort is pulled from various lodges and resorts of the national parks like Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone National Park and Ahwahnee Hotel at Yosemite National Park. Guests feel the full majesty of nature once they enter the grand lobby, soaring ceilings, the massive 82-foot tall Grand Canyon-inspired fireplace, and 55-foot totem poles. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge And the lobby delivers on that jaw-dropping “oh wow” moment (especially around the holidays). Headboards The Wilderness Lodge standard rooms received a little facelift, like the Contemporary and Polynesian rooms have. So, when you stay here, you’ll get to experience a bit more streamlined and updated decor that is both modern and rustic. Wilderness Lodge also has two different Disney Vacation Club accommodations, Boulder Ridge and Copper Creek, which include villas ranging from basic studio rooms all the way up to multi-room cabins overlooking Bay Lake. Bathroom Some of these cabins face the Contemporary Resort and may provide some obstructed views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks. Results This could boil down to your preference. Polynesian seems to embrace all things tropical and “summery,” while Wilderness Lodge is cozier and “wintery.” 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 to snuggle up in some plaid flannel next to a roaring fireplace? Are you looking for an island bungalow or a cabin in the woods? Both resorts deliver beautifully on their themes and have recently refurbished rooms. So this really could be down to what type of vibe you want on your vacation, tropical or woodsy? PHOTOS: The Halls at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Are DECKED Out for Christmas! Pools Pools, splash pads, hot tubs, and lounge chairs, a vacation just doesn’t feel completed 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. Reserved Pool Seating 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! Wilderness Lodge The Wilderness is not to be outdone in the pool category; it hosts two pools as well: the Copper Creek Pool and the Boulder Ridge Pool. Both pools have the natural feel of swimming in a natural spring. Copper Creek is the main pool, complete with a water slide and the Copper Creek splash area. Time to swim! Copper Creek pool overlooks the serene Bay Lake and resort-iconic geyser, Fire Rock Geyser, which spouts off every hour on the hour between 7am and 10pm. But they will turn it off for inclement weather or on particularly windy days. Boulder Ridge pool is a quieter pool closer to the Boulder Ridge section of the resort with rusticly themed cabanas, and close proximity to the Geyser Point Bar & Grill. And don’t sleep on Geyser Point, it’s a destination-worthy eatery with amazing burgers, queso, and unique cocktails, all in a serene atmosphere. Wilderness Lodge Geyser Results Both have two pools, and both have pool bars, lounge chairs, and splash areas. Again, it might boil down to just what your style is. Do you want to soak in a natural spring with lakeside views, a majestic geyser, and surrounded by serene wooded trails? Or something a bit more casual and with that island vibe? These two really make the choice difficult! The Poly has a volcano at the pool; Wilderness Lodge has a geyser. Poly has Dole Whips and Pulled Pork Nachos at close proximity; Wilderness Lodge has one of the best burgers on property and unique cocktails close by. Pool Seating There’s no real loser in this category if you’ve found relaxation and joy! 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 how 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’n Cooks Spread 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. Speciality 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! Wilderness Lodge Wilderness Lodge has five dining spots for you to nibble and nosh your way through the wilderness. Geyser Point Bar & Grill is located near the Copper Creek Springs Pool at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge — is a unique space in that it offers two different kinds of service for guests… all in one cozy and lovely setting. Geyser Point Bar & Grill It blends two different dining styles (a Table Service lounge and a Quick Service walk-up counter) and two different menus. The Featured Cocktail list at the lounge boasts beverages unique to Geyser Point, featuring spirits from Northwest distilleries in keeping with the theme of the Resort. Hearty appetizers can be ordered from the lounge as well, while full entrees are available at the connected Counter Service. Bison Cheeseburger The open-air restaurant offers gorgeous waterfront views and a fireplace for cool evenings. Formerly a signature restaurant, Artist Point’s setting and menu have been entirely transformed with a Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs theme for a different experience. Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White is a Character Meal at Disney World’s beautiful Wilderness Lodge! Guests enjoy a prix-fixe meal and can look forward to Snow White, Dopey, and Grumpy stopping by throughout the dinner. And The Evil Queen is even present for a unique photo opportunity. Snow White Shhh…..don’t tell anyone our secret. Territory Lounge is one of our favorite hidden gems at Disney World! If your idea of a good lounge is one with cozy seating, specialty cocktails (as well as beer and even wine flights), and some of the best lounge eats on Walt Disney World property, then Territory Lounge is your place. Territory Lounge snacks Boasting its own unique menu of lounge noshes, the Disney Food Blog gives it a hearty thumbs-up. You’ll enjoy items like Artisanal Cheese and Charcuterie, Oregon Chardonnay Fondue, and even a Cobbler if you’re in the mood for dessert. The Territory Lounge is a great place to grab a light dinner and drinks with friends in an atmosphere that’s warm and inviting. Hearty comfort food in a warm, rustic setting…. Welcome to Roaring Fork! Roaring Fork offers a variety of hearty entrees and counter service basics (along with grab-and-go options) for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a serene atmosphere, with seating both indoors and out. Bear Mousse Cake Guests will even find specialty coffee drinks available, and fans of Disney cupcakes will often find some really fun and unique options here that change with the seasons. The other Table Service option at the Wilderness Lodge is Whispering Canyon. Whispering Canyon Cafe at the Wilderness Lodge is one of Disney World’s “funnest” restaurants ! With a crew of wayward servers with their minds made up to make you laugh and all-you-can-eat down home grub served skillet-style (guests may also choose from a la carte selections), this restaurant is a great one to book for a casual good time — especially if you’re with a group! Whispering Canyon Cafe Whispering Canyon is renowned for its raucous hijinks like wooden pony races, massive straw drops, and tables overloaded with ketchup bottles. It is one of Disney’s dining options that put the fun front-and-center, and also provides some consistently tasty eats. Review: Why Aren’t ALL Disney World Breakfast Foods Mickey-Shaped? Asking For a Friend. 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 Wilderness Lodge really delivers on some classic comfort food but done really well! You’ll find quality at both locations, and while the Polynesian vibe is island-casual and upbeat, the Wilderness Lodge is definitely more relaxed, serene, and overall chill. New DFB Video: Join Us For the Monorail Crawl! Transportation Do these Magic Kingdom area 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. Wilderness Lodge The Wilderness Lodge is not on the Monorail loop. If Magic Kingdom is your destination, there is boat transportation that sails through Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon to the front steps of the Magic Kingdom. There is also a bus option at peak times or when the weather doesn’t permit boat travel. Boat Dock at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge If EPCOT, 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. Guests staying at the Wilderness Lodge will have to rely primarily on bus transportation for the free option to navigate around Disney property, though ride share, taxis, and Minnie Vans are also available at an extra cost in case you find yourself in a hurry. Results These Magic Kingdom area resorts are pretty much a tie when it comes to theme, pools, and rooms. You can dine with Mickey, Lilo, and Stitch at Ohana, or with Snow White, Grumpy, Dopey, and the Evil Queen at Wilderness Lodge. The Polynesian has the perk of being on the monorail loop and is close to the Transportation & Ticket Center, which gives it closer access to the EPCOT Monorail loop, as well. Magic Kingdom Entrance The Polynesian really has the edge when it comes to dining options and transportation around Disney property. But the Wilderness Lodge is significantly cheaper! So, which one is the clear winner? Why You Should Skip the Monorail on Your Next Magic Kingdom Trip The Winner! So, who is the ultimate winner in the Polynesian vs. Wilderness Lodge 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, but that price tag can be daunting when compared to Wilderness Lodge. If you’re looking for that serene escape from the stimulation of Disney parks while staying in the magic and being immersed in the tranquility of nature, the Wilderness Lodge might be the oasis you seek. 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 Wilderness Lodge better? Let us know in the comments! The post Polynesian Village vs. Wilderness Lodge Resort Guide 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’ll be traveling through Orlando International Airport, there are a LOT of things to keep in mind. Inside Terminal C The new Terminal C is open with a variety of new restaurants, stores, and features. We’ve also shared our top tips for flying through the airport, advice to make your next experience here LESS stressful, and information bout how to get FREE puppy snuggles (when available) while there (it’s a real thing). But what about the FOOD? Where can (and where should) you eat while at the airport? We’ve got a full list here! First, we’ll tackle some top spots to eat, but if you’re looking for a FULL list of everywhere to eat in the airport, you can click here (or scroll below). Top Spots Snacks & Sweets Auntie Anne’s Looking for some deliciously soft pretzels or pretzel nuggets (along with other snacks)? Auntie Anne’s is the place to go. It might not be shaped like a Mickey, but it could be a great way to satisfy that need for a pretzel even after you’ve left (or before you’ve arrived at) the Most Magical Place on Earth. ©Auntie Anne’s Locations: Gates 100-129 Gates 70-99 Terminals A & B – Food Court Terminal C – Palm Court Cinnabon Speaking of sweets, if you REALLY want to pile on the icing, head to Cinnabon and pick up a cinnamon roll (or two, or three, or six — who’s counting?!). ©Cinnabon Location: Terminals A & B – Food Court Bars City Pub City Pub is a sports bar within the airport that is themed to Orlando City SC — the soccer team for the Orlando area. While there, you’ll find game day-inspired cuisine, a full-service restaurant and bar, and large TVs so you can watch your favorite games while waiting for your flight. One of our team members has been here and shared that they had pretty good drinks at this spot. If you’re a sports fan, this might be a great place to sit down and relax for a little bit as you munch on some food and enjoy a game. ©City Pub Location: Terminals A & B – West Hall Meals Looking for more of a traditional meal? There are LOTS of options. Here are some of the top picks. Outback If you’ve ever wanted to pair your airport experience with some steak, then Outback Steakhouse is a place you might want to check out. One of our team members shared that they had a fairly good meal here, but be warned — it is located over near gates 70-99 so if you won’t be by that area at all then it might not be worth the trek. ©Outback Locations: Gates 70-99 There is also an Outback Outpost for Gates 70-99 (Take-Away) FarmAir Restaurant/Bar (and Market/To Go) FarmAir Restaurant/Bar serves up “farm to terminal” cuisine, while FarmAir Market/To Go has grab-and-go items. One of our team members shared that they ate there and enjoyed the experience because of the mix of the restaurant location plus the to-go snacks. They were able to split an appetizer (pizza!) and a drink with their partner, while the little ones enjoyed a few bags of snacks. Sounds like a win, win! ©Farmair Locations: FarmAir Restaurant/Bar — Gates 100-109; Also Gates 120-129 FarmAir Market/To Go — Gates 100-109; Also Gates 120-129 Sunshine Diner (Coming soon) Though it’s still marked as “coming soon” on the Orlando International Airport website, we had to mention Sunshine Diner on this list! This spot will be a Southern-Floridian restaurant & bar brought to you by the one and only Chef Art Smith (who you’ll recognize from Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ in Disney Springs)! ©Chef Art Smith The spot is intended to be unique and part of Chef Art Smith’s “dream to revitalize the American diner.” But this will be a “modern-day diner” that’ll have a “full bar, fresh fruit and key lime pie” among other dishes. ©Chef Art Smith There will be some healthier options and even plant-based dishes too. We’ll keep an eye out for more details about this spot! Location: (Terminal C) Gates 230-239 Click here for more menu details about Sunshine Diner! Wine Bar George Also at Terminal C is Wine Bar George — yes, as in an airport location from the same folks behind the beloved Wine Bar George in Disney Springs! We’ve called Disney Springs’ Wine Bar George the “one Disney World restaurant that’s practically perfect according to just about everyone,” so it’s no wonder why this airport spot makes our top list of restaurants. This spot has 75 wines available by the glass and ounce, as well as small plates, cheese, charcuterie, and entrees! One review of this spot on Tripadvisor notes that the food here was delicious and that the restaurant is “not to be missed.” ©Cask & Larder Location: Terminal C – Palm Court Cask & Larder There are quite a few Cask & Larder spots within the Orlando International Airport, but one is the “main restaurant.” For those who are unfamiliar with them, these spots come from the folks who created The Polite Pig in Disney Springs. The main Cask & Larder restaurant in the airport (Gates 100-129) is described as a “southern comfort eatery and brewhouse.” It comes from James Beard Award-nominated chefs and has some beautiful lighting and finishes. ©Cask & Larder (Obtained from the Cask & Larder Website) More spots from Cask & Larder are coming soon, including a bar in Terminal C and a spot called “Cask & Larder Provisions” with grab-and-go items in Terminal C as well. Given how tasty many of the items from The Polite Pig are, we’d say these are some spots worth checking out! Locations: Cask & Larder — Gates 100-129 Cask & Larder Bar — Gates 100-129 Cask & Larder Market — Gates 100-129 Cask & Larder Bar (Coming Soon) — Terminal C – Palm Court Cask & Larder Provisions (Coming Soon) — Terminal C – Palm Court Fast Food And finally, if all you need is a quick bite, these are some popular choices. Qdoba Qdoba is a Mexican grill that one of our team members really enjoys and finds to be BETTER than Chipotle. Another team member 100% agreed with that assessment. So if you’re a Chipotle fan, it might be time to try something new and see if it can really beat Chipotle flavors! The menu at the airport includes burritos, bowls, quesadillas, and more. ©Qdoba Location: Gates 30-59, Food Court McDonald’s It really needs no explanation, but sometimes you can’t beat a good McDonald’s meal just before a flight. Grab some fries, a soda, and nuggets, and you could very well be one happy traveler. Fries Locations: Terminals A & B – Food Court Gates 100-129 Shake Shack And finally, if you’re in the mood for a burger, fries, and a shake, Shake Shack is calling your name. A burger, some ShackSauce, crinkle-cut fries, and frozen custard — how can your travel day go wrong?! (Don’t answer that ) ©Shake Shack Location: Terminal C – Palm Court That wraps up our list of top picks. Below you’ll find a FULL list of restaurants in the airport. Full List of Restaurants Terminals A & B (Pre-Security) Terminals A & B Food Court Auntie Anne’s Carvel Chil-Fil-A Cinnabon Firehouse Subs McDonald’s Moe’s Southwest Grill Panda Express Sbarro Terminals A & B West Hall Chili’s Too City Pub Macaroni Grill Macaroni Grill To Go Terminals A & B North Walk Dunkin’ Donuts Orlando Airport Terminals A & B East Hall Lobby Bar Hempishere (Temporarily Closed) McCoy’s Bar & Grill Starbucks Evenings Terminal A Level 1 Starbucks Terminal B Level 1 Starbucks Gates 1-29 (Post-Security) Burger King Cold Stone Creamery Famous Famiglia La Madeleine Le Grand Comptoir On the Border Starbucks The Club MCO UrbanCrave Zaza Orlando International Airport Gates 30-59 (Post-Security) Admiral’s Club Camden Food Co Freshens Manchu Wok Nature’s Table Qdoba Ruby Tuesday Ruby Tuesday To Go United Club Wendy’s Zaza Gates 70-99 (Post-Security) Auntie Anne’s Bahama Breeze Carvel Cibo Express Delta Sky Club MCO | MKT Nathan’s Outback Outback Outpost Starbucks Tacos Locos The Club MCO Vino Volo Gates 100-129 (Post-Security) Asian Chao Auntie Anne’s Bananas Cask & Larder Cask & Larder Bar Cask & Larder Market Chipotle FarmAir Market/To Go FarmAir Restaurant/Bar Green Leaf’s Jersey Mike’s Market by Villa McDonald’s Starbucks Villa Italian Kitchen Magic of Disney Store at Orlando Airport Terminal C (Pre-Security) Barnie’s Coffee & Tea (Coming Soon) Eola Market Harvest & Grounds Raw Juice The Scoop Starbucks Terminal C (Post-Security) Auntie Anne’s Cask & Larner Bar (Coming Soon) Cask & Larder Provisions (Coming Soon) Chik-Fil-A (Coming Soon) Cucina & Co Desano Pizzeria Einstein Bros. Bagels Greenbeat Main Streets Market Olde Hearth Bread Co. (Coming Soon) Orange County Brewers Orlando Brewing PGA Tour Grill (Coming Soon) Plaza Premium Lounge Replenish W/Illy Coffe Shake Shack Starbucks Summer House (Coming Soon) Sunshine Diner (Coming Soon) Wine Bar George Juice Spot And that’s a look at the restaurants in the airport. Which are your favorites? Tell us in the comments! If you want to do some planning before your flight (or even on the plane!), check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining. We’ve compiled all of our BEST tips and tricks from years of Disney World travel into one eBook that you can download to your tablet or smartphone and take with you! We’re offering our readers 25% off with code WDW2023. It’s time to pre-order your DFB Guide! And stay tuned for more news. Travel Updates, Tips, and Tricks Complete Guide to Booking the CHEAPEST Flight to Disney World What to Do if Your Flight to Disney World Is Canceled Our Best Tips For Flying Through the Orlando International Airport Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get to Disney World From the Orlando Airport The Ultimate Disney World Packing List for 2022 You’re SLEEPING on These Packing Hacks Air Travel Tips That’ll Change Your Life 8 Catastrophic Travel Mistakes and How to Solve Them The BEST and WORST Airlines in the US, Ranked by Customer Complaints The MOST and LEAST Reliable Airlines in the U.S. This Small Change Will Save You From Lost Luggage The Best Disney Luggage for 2023 21 Things a Former Flight Attendant Needs You To Know 7 Highest-Rated Travel Items on Amazon Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click Here to Subscribe What is your favorite place to eat in the Orlando Airport? Tell us in the comments. The post Where to Eat at the Orlando International Airport first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

One of the BEST Disney World hotels for delicious eats is also one of the most underrated. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge You’ve probably heard of all the awesome dishes at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and the many restaurants at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort are not to be missed. But one of our favorite places to grab a bite is actually Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge! We highly recommend visiting some of the restaurants at this hotel, even if you’re not staying here. We promise — it’s worth the trek. To help you plan your next Disney trip, we’ve got a full list of the BEST places to eat at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Before we get into the best eats, you should know what all the options are. Here’s a full list of the restaurants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge — click on the names to learn more about each spot: Jiko — The Cooking Place Boma — Flavors of Africa The Mara Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar Victoria Falls Lounge Uzima Springs Pool Bar Sanaa Sanaa Lounge Maji Pool Bar Now let’s find out where you should eat! Best Family-Friendly Restaurant: Boma — Flavors of Africa Boma is a fan-favorite buffet located at Jambo House in Animal Kingdom Lodge. Boma is a HUGE fan-favorite! You can visit for breakfast or dinner to find flavorful African dishes along with some classic American favorites. For breakfast, there are options like African pastries, omelets, French toast, carved ham, and bobotie (a kind of quiche). Dinner has offerings like Maelie Pap, curry salmon, fire-grilled meats, and delicious desserts. Sticky Buns for Breakfast Some of our all-time favorite eats here are the Zebra Domes (which you can get as part of the Striped and Spiked Cold Brew cocktail at breakfast or at the dessert buffet for dinner), the Beef Bobotie, and the Roasted Red Pepper Hummus. Zebra Domes Boma has an open kitchen, so you can stop and watch the chefs in action during your meal. The breakfast buffet costs $35 per adult and $21 per child, and dinner is $54 per adult and $32 per child. Advanced reservations are highly recommended. Check out our recent review of Boma here! Best Restaurant for a Fancy Meal: Jiko — The Cooking Place If you’re looking for a celebratory or romantic meal, Jiko is the place to go. This is hands-down one of the most delicious restaurants in all of Disney World. It boasts a tranquil atmosphere paired with excellent, gourmet food. Jiko — The Cooking Place The food is a blend of African, Indian, and Mediterranean cuisine, including steak, chicken, seafood, and plant-based dishes. Jiko is only open for dinner, and some of our favorite dishes here include the Oak-grilled Filet Mignon (served with macaroni and cheese), the Botswanan Seswaa Short Rib, the Seared Scallops with Nhopi and Groundnuts, and the Bobotie Mac & Cheese. JIKO Be sure to check out the twin wood-burning ovens, which are designed to mimic an African sunset. All around the restaurant, you can find more representations of nature. Jiko Reservations are highly recommended, but you might find last-minute availability for Jiko on the Mobile Dine Walk-up Waitlist. Check out our recent review of Jiko — The Cooking Place here! Best Spot for a Quick Bite: The Mara We’re going from one of the fanciest restaurants at this hotel to one of the most casual. The Mara is the place to grab a quick bite, whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It’s named after the Masai Mara National Reserve in Africa. The Mara You can grab eats to go or dine inside. Breakfast has options like Mickey waffles, Bacon and Gruyère Quiche, and Croissant Breakfast Sandwiches. Lunch and dinner offer things like cheeseburgers, a Marrakesh Falafel Platter, a few different kinds of flatbreads, and some cold sandwiches. The Chickpea Salad Sandwich could be a big hit with plant-based eaters. Chickpea Salad Sandwich There’s a limited menu of late-night dining options, which are available until 11PM. Our beloved Zebra Domes are available at all times, which in itself is enough to make us love this place. We often find fun specialty treats on the menu here, too. Zebra Domes from the Mara This is also where you’ll purchase a Refillable Resort Mug (and refill it too) if you choose to buy one at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The Mara accepts Mobile Order, so you can even order ahead and skip the line. Check out our review of a plant-based meal we think EVERYONE can enjoy at The Mara! Best Place to Find Unique Eats: Sanaa Sanaa is tucked away at Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Kidani Village, and the name means “Work of Art” in Swahili. It serves a fusion of African and Indian cuisine. Most of the eats on this menu are more unique than you’ll find elsewhere in Disney World, but there are still a few options to appease picky eaters. Sanaa Sanaa is open for lunch and dinner with reservations required, but it offers the Sanaa Kuamsha Breakfast in the mornings, which is a quick-service experience for which reservations are not required. Have you ever dined at Sanaa? Don’t miss the Indian-style Bread Service, which is a variety of naan bread flavors served with NINE different dipping sauces. Some of our other favorites include the Potjie-inspired (where you build your own dish with a meat or seafood curry, a plant-based option, and Basmati rice), the Samosas, and the Mango Lassi Smoothie. Sanaa Bread Service at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge If you can’t get a reservation for Sanaa, try the Sanaa Lounge, which doesn’t take reservations and is open until 11PM. You can find the bread service and the samosas here as well. Read our recent review of Sanaa here! Whether you want a quick bite, a hearty meal, a romantic dinner, or some unique eats, now you’re all set to plan for your upcoming trip! Don’t forget to get your dining reservations ASAP for the sit-down restaurants — the restaurants at Animal Kingdom Lodge are very popular, and availability will run out quickly. You can start making reservations 60 days before your vacation. The Lobby at Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village Want more advice on where to eat during your next Disney World vacation? Check out these posts: We’ve Eaten at Every Restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. These Are the Best. We’ve Eaten at Every Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. These Are the Best. We’ve Eaten at Every Restaurant at EPCOT. These Are the Best. We’ve Eaten at Every Restaurant at Magic Kingdom. These Are the Best. We’ve Eaten at Every Restaurant at Disney Springs. These Are the Best. The Best Disney World Restaurants for Dinner The Ultimate Guide to the Best Breakfast in Disney World Keep following DFB for more planning tips and restaurant reviews! Click here to see the 17 BEST restaurants in Disney World in 2023. Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide Check Out the 19 Best Restaurants in Disney World in 2022 Our Top 50 All-Time Best Disney Dining Tips These Are the BEST Meals in Disney World for Under $15 Ranking Every Single Magic Kingdom Restaurant Ranking Every Single EPCOT Restaurant Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney Springs Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney World Hotels – Cheap Eats Edition Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What’s your favorite place to eat at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge? Let us know in the comments. The post Best Animal Kingdom Lodge Restaurants first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Okay, everyone — are you READY for the ULTIMATE EPCOT restaurant list? I’m assuming you’ve stood up and are yelling “YES! YES!”(As you should.) Today, we’re looking at ALL the EPCOT restaurants — from WORST to BEST — so you can figure out where *you* want to dine on your next trip to Disney World. EPCOT Are you ready to talk about FOOD?! We’re gonna really break down these EPCOT restaurants and let you know which ones are the best for date nights, best for breakfast, best for a happy hour pick-me-up… things like that. So with that being said — if one of your ABSOLUTE favorite restaurants on the bottom tier of this list, don’t believe for a second that it’s just been tossed aside and left in the dust. There are different preferences for different people. So no matter where these restaurants rank on the list, we’re going to talk about WHO would enjoy them and WHO should probably pick something else. For this list, we’re going to start with the *WORST* restaurants in EPCOT and work our way up to the best of the BEST. Gelateria Toscana Gelateria Toscana hasn’t been a dessert quick service location in the Italy pavilion for a *long* while, but it’s outer theming makes it look like it’s always belonged. Cannoli At Gelateria Toscana, you’re going to be able to pick up gelati, sorbetti, and gelati floats to help you cool down on a hot Orlando day. Some gelato portions – like the Coppa Delizia – are gonna provide you with more bang for your buck than other gelato offerings – like the itty bitty Espresso Affogato that costs a whopping $9.75 for a couple bites full. PROS: Perfect for gelato fans Has a selection of gluten-free and plant-based options CONS: Some portions are too small for the listed price OVERALL: 5/10 The EPCOT Snack That’ll Make EVERYONE Around You Jealous Refreshment Outpost Refreshment Outpost is located in the African outpost section of the World Showcase (between China and Germany). Refreshment Outpost This little stop-over between pavilions offers quick services offer up basic treats, and snacks, with the occasional seasonal offering here and there. You can count on the Outpost to have some standard hot dogs, bottled water, ice cold beverages, frozen slushes, and ice cream floats among the offerings. Additionally, the Outpost often serves specialty items for the park’s seasonal Festivals. PROS: Got yo’ snacks CONS: Snacks are what you’ll find at most of the other kiosks OVERALL: 5/10 Read MORE about Refreshment Outpost here! Sommerfest Brezeln und Bier!! Pretzels and Beer!! Make sure to grab your pretzels and beer here!! If you want to, that is. Not gonna force ya to do anything you don’t wanna do. Sommerfest Sommerfest is a German pavilion counter service that sells…(pause for dramatic effect)…PRETZELS AND BEER. They also sell bratwurst on a fresh-baked roll topped with sauerkraut, if you prefer that instead. If your Mickey pretzel just isn’t doing it for ya, then you’ll be happy to know this place sells JUMBO pretzels that might scratch that itch better. But if you’re wanting to sit down with that pretzel and beer to enjoy it for a spell, you might have to go looking elsewhere for seating. Seating at Sommerfest is very limited. Pretzel from Sommerfest PROS: JUMBO pretzels for all your pretzel needs Best for beer connoisseurs CONS: Not a huge variety (and not great for those looking for a drink OTHER than beer) Very limited seating OVERALL: 5.5/10 REVIEW: The Secret Is OUT on an EPCOT World Showcase Snack Coral Reef Restaurant Oh boy, here we GO. Coral Reef Restaurant is located in the World Nature section of the park, tucked behind The Seas with Nemo and Friends dark ride. Coral Reef Restaurant The theming here is top-notch. Really. Dining here is never boring because you’re constantly surrounded by THOUSANDS of fish – since the restaurant is lined with “massive picture windows looking into the giant, indoor Living Seas aquarium.” And, granted, they’ve got a pretty hearty menu of different seafood appetizers and entrees – including lobster bisque, seared mahi-mahi, and shrimp and grits. But this restaurant is such a hit-and-miss. So much so that it’s been knocked way down on the list for me in terms of quality options. This is sad because that’s a LOT of money you’re paying for a meal that *might* be satisfying. Those aren’t good odds. If you have kiddos that tend to get restless at restaurants and you’re looking for an EPCOT table service location that’ll keep them entertained for a bit, then Coral Reef still might be worth it for you. But if you’re looking for stellar food? Maybe go elsewhere? Shrimp and Grits PROS Immersive atmosphere Good for families with younger kiddos Has the *potential* to serve really awesome seafood (and has in the past) CONS Pricey Inconsistent quality Take a chunk of time out of your day to experience (when you could just go to SeaBase to watch the same fish for no extra cost) OVERALL: 5.5/10 LOOK at the Fish But… Maybe Don’t EAT the Fish at This Disney World Restaurant! Lotus Blossom Cafe Here’s a counter service restaurant with a beautiful name, but some pretty forgettable food. Lotus Blossom Cafe The Lotus Blossom Cafe is located in the China Pavilion and serves your standard Chinese takeout options – like fried rice and sweet and sour chicken. You’re not going to be blown away by anything here – but if you’re looking more for a familiar comfort meal and not necessarily a fine-dining experience, then dig in! Chicken Fried Rice PROS: Good for picky eaters who still want to eat in the World Showcase Affordable and quick CONS: Very basic takeout Chinese (and not exactly “authentic”) OVERALL: 5.5/10 REVIEW: EPCOT’s Lotus Blossom Cafe! Block and Hans Block and Hans is a beer kiosk located in the American Adventure pavilion. Block & Hans Nothing too fancy here – just a standard selection of beers here, as well as Mickey pretzels with my delicious plastic cheese. This kiosk also serves up seasonal brews throughout the year – so if you’re a beer connoisseur, you may want to check and see what’s available during your visit! PROS Guaranteed craft beers Rotating brews PLASTIC CHEESE CONS Not much else going on here; you get what you get. REVIEW: Want a Drink That Screams Fall? The SPIKED Frozen Apple Pie is BACK in Disney World! OVERALL 6/10 Oasis Sweets and Sips – Spice Road Table Juice Bar If you’re walking through the Morocco Pavilion, there’s a good chance you’ve completely looked over the Oasis Sweets and Sips window. And that makes me sad for you because this place is just a gem. Oasis Sweets and Sips Items you’re gonna find here are things like baklava, almond crescent cookies, and unique alcoholic and non-alcoholic mixed drinks. Granted, I’d still probably prefer a cocktail or other alcoholic beverage in France or Mexico pavilion, if given the choice, but if you wanna shake things up a bit on your next trip and try something new, you may wanna give this little slice of Morocco a chance! Baklava PRO: Best for those who are frequent Disney flyers and want to experience something new Affordable snacks CONS: Better mixed drinks at other pavilions Drinks are a bit more costly OVERALL: 6/10 See our review of some Oasis Sweets and Sips eats here! Canada Popcorn Cart This little Canada pavilion cart has truly made a name for itself in the DFB books. All they got is popcorn in Canada! The Canada Popcorn Cart is where you’ll find that oh-so famous maple popcorn we love to rave about. Now, is this popcorn as good as the caramel corn you’re going to find at Karamell Küche in Germany? No. BUT the maple popcorn IS included in your $2.25 popcorn bucket refills! So if you need to break up the salty snacks with something more on the sweet-side, Canada’s here to save the day! PROS $2.25 maple popcorn refills (for refillable popcorn bucket holders) Unique popcorn treat (for those who enjoy kettle corn) CONS Better popcorn at Karamell Kuche (but they set the bar reeeeeally high over there) Not great for those who don’t like sweet added to their usually-salty treat OVERALL: 6/10 Maple Popcorn and Ice Cream? Check Out Our Disney World Snack Hack! Fife and Drum Tavern/ Funnel Cake Stand Let’s group these two American Adventure pavilion quick services together because they’re pretty straightforward. Fife & Drum Tavern Fife and Drum Tavern isn’t here to impress – it’s just here to provide you with turkey legs and popcorn. Simply and effective. Meanwhile, the Funnel Cake stand does what Funnel Cake stands do best – provide you with fried, powdered-sugar goodness. You can pick up a standard funnel cake here, or you can get one with fun toppings – like chocolate sauce, vanilla ice cream, and cookies and cream. They also release limited edition funnel cakes during the different EPCOT festivals! So if you’re looking for a unique treat with familiar vibes that you can split with your group, let’s just say this is the place. The sprinkles are hard PROS Theme park staples are served here Good stop for picky eaters CONS Again, *theme park staples are served here* Not too adventurous Plus, turkey legs. Enough said. Unless you’re a turkey leg fan! OVERALL: 6/10 Would You Pay Almost $10 For A TINY Funnel Cake in EPCOT? Tutto Italia Ristorante Getting a stellar Italian cuisine can be difficult to come by in Disney World – but if you’re gonna do it *right,* then you might as well try something in the Italy Pavilion, right? Tutto Italia Tutto Italia Ristorante is reminiscent of that one episode of Spongebob. They’re all about that fine dining… and breathing. The menu was created by “award-winning chef and California restaurateur Joachim Splichal” – and he definitely jam-packed the restaurant with authentic options here! We’re talking authentic Italian pastas, baked breads, seafood dishes, gelatos and cannolis. But the one thing that *is* disappointing here is the price tag. But Disney date-night settings usually do rack up that hefty bill. Manzo Brasato PROS: Good for a date night setting Authentic Italian offerings Lovely dining room for a classy meal CONS: PRICEY Not great for those looking for something more casual Better pizza options available in the Italy Pavilion (which we’ll talk about soon!) OVERALL: 6.5/10 Of ALL the Restaurants in EPCOT, Should Tutto Italia Be On Your List? We Found Out. Nine Dragons Restaurant Once again, we’re stumbling across a China Pavilion restaurant with a beautiful interior/exterior, beautiful name, lovely service, but hit-or-miss food. Nine Dragons The Nine Dragons table service restaurant that more than likely will serve you *better* food than your “hometown Chinese cuisine.” (Unless you’ve got a five-star Chinese cuisine back home.) But as far as being a bar-setting dining experience in EPCOT, it kinda misses the mark. That being said, if you’re looking for some last-minute dining reservations, Nine Dragons is usually available for you to book – so don’t forget about it! Dining at Nine Dragons PROS: Great for last-minute dining reservations Beautiful setting Best for those looking for *ACTUAL SPICY* foods CONS: Food doesn’t really stand out/isn’t super memorable Not best for plant-based eaters (since many plans are meat-centric) Extremely limited desserts/mixed drinks available OVERALL: 6.5/10 REVIEW: Nine Dragons in Disney World Tangerine Cafe: Flavors of the Medina Here’s an interesting one! Tangerine Cafe: Flavors of the Medina is both open and…not open. 2022 Tangierine Cafe: Flavors of the Medina Technically, this Moroccan quick service location is closed. However, the building continues to be used for different EPCOT festival booths. So… it’s like the whole Schrodinger’s Cat conundrum. The restaurant is both alive and not at the same time. In the past, Tangerine Cafe has served items like Shawarma and Honey Chocolate Baklava. We’ll continue to keep you guys posted in case this restaurant switches back to its traditional menu and operations later on. Pistachio Cake PROS ”Ambient dim lighting toward back of the restaurant” Eclectic selection CONS Not…really…open? (But is? But isn’t?) Can be off-putting for picky eaters OVERALL: 6.5/10 Review! Boozy Coffee and Cake Make A Perfect Afternoon Pairing in EPCOT Choza de Margarita The Mexico Pavilion doesn’t hurt for good margs, that’s for sure! Choza e Margarita Choza de Margarita is an outdoor margarita bar that not only serves up tasty margs – like the strawberry and mango Fiesta Margarita – but also serves up a selection of grab-and-go foods, like tacos and nachos, and non-alcoholic beverages. The margaritas here are really refreshing and fruity! But they’re also EXTREMELY popular – so lines for this location can get long. And the no-mobile order capabilities don’t help that. 40th Fiesta Drink PROS -MARGS (and good ones too!) -The Mexican street food is yummy too! CONS -Not worth the wait if you’re not a margarita fan -No seating – you gotta take your marg and GO! OVERALL: 7/10 Read MORE about Choza de Margarita here! Katsura Grill Who knew that a section of a Disney park could be so peaceful? Katsura Grill You’ll find the quick service location, Katsura Grill, in the Japan pavilion. Though the restaurant isn’t super-duper fancy on the inside, you can choose to also dine in the surrounding garden – which includes a red footbridge, koi ponds, and overhead lanterns. Very zen-like. The options here are very basic – like chicken teriyaki and different sushi combos – but basically doesn’t equal bad! Sometimes simpler options are the way to go! That being said, if you’re looking for more indoor seating options (in case you need to eat something during an afternoon storm) or if you’re wanting something that reminds you less of the mall food court, then you can find other options around the Japan pavilion that’ll do just that. Katsura Grill Food PROS: Best for outdoor dining Quick, easy, and tasty options CONS: Can be too basic for some Not a lot of indoor seating OVERALL: 7/10 REVIEW & PHOTOS: Katsura Grill Is a Hidden Gem Worth Trying In EPCOT La Cantina de San Angel There’s one thing for sure you can say about the Mexico Pavilion – when it comes to food they’ve got you covered. La Cantina de San Angel The quick service location, La Cantina de San Angel, neighbors the table service location, Hacienda de San Angel. La Cantina de San Angel might “borrow” a few menu items from its neighbor for its own little counter location – like the empanadas, churros, and tacos – but that’s not all it borrows. If you grab a table at the edge of this cantina, you’re gonna get a GREAT view of the World Showcase Lagoon. Meaning if you can snag a meal and table here BEFORE the EPCOT Fireworks show, you might be able to experience dinner AND a show on a budget! That being said, these tables get taken QUICKLY by guests with the same idea. So if this is something you wanna try, stake your claim early. Guacamole from the Mexico Pavilion PROS: On-the-go tacos Beautiful lakeside views in the outdoor seating More unique options from standard theme park offerings CONS: Seating gets PACKED around lunch/dinner/fireworks Lines can get hectic during peak season No mobile order is available OVERALL: 7/10 The Best Meals in Disney World For Under $15 La Creperie de Paris Bonjour, new restaurant friend! La Creperie de Paris is a new table service restaurant located in the France Pavilion and serves up a mixture of different galettes and crepes. La Creperie de Paris Now, we’ve gotta say – this restaurant is nice and sleek, but as far as having super-exciting Disney theming going on, it kinda falls flat. However, this table service restaurant still has a lot going for it! The options are tasty, the prices aren’t outrageous, and reservations aren’t hard to snag here. This isn’t necessarily the best food the France pavilion has to offer, but the food is satisfying and definitely gives you a nice selection of different sweet and savory options. PROS: Best for a last-minute table service location Variety of unique galettes and crepes Affordable, and good value for what you get. CONS: Theming is bland Not the best for those who aren’t fans of French fare Also not the best for those who don’t enjoy buckwheat (since that’s what all savory courses are made of) OVERALL: 7/10 REVIEW: La Creperie de Paris in EPCOT Tokyo Dining Calling all sushi and sashimi lovers! This Japan pavilion restaurant is for YOU! Tokyo Dining Tokyo Dining is a table service restaurant located directly above the Mitsukoshi Department Store, which is a TON of fun to explore while you’re waiting for your meal. More often than not, this restaurant will be available for a last-minute reservation. You might even be able to walk up and grab a table on lighter crowd days! It’s just really nice and quaint here. And we’re a sucker for a good bento box! If you get a seat here around the time Harmonious is playing on the World Showcase Lagoon, you just might be able to see the show from your table! Depending on where you’re sitting. Even if you don’t have the greatest view of the show from your table, you’re always welcome to watch them from the outside walkway in front of the restaurant. Our Spread at Tokyo Dining PROS: Reasonably priced sushi and sashimi Easy-to-snag ressies Beautiful interior and lakeside views CONS: Not great for those who aren’t sushi/sashimi fans Not every seat will give you a clear view of Harmonious Dessert is so-so OVERALL: 7/10 REVIEW: Tokyo Dining in EPCOT San Angel Inn Restaurante Here’s a that’s really difficult to pin down. San Angel Inn Restaurante is located inside the Mezo-American pyramid at the Mexico Pavilion. And it’s GORGEOUS. San Angel Inn It’s like 10/10 atmosphere here. Dim mood lighting, beautiful setting, and a great view of the Grand Fiesta Tour boat ride. If you’re the type who actually wants to relax on your vacation, then you could probably chill here all afternoon with no food and be perfectly content. That being said, sometimes the food here hits the bullseye, and sometimes it misses the mark entirely. And, much like Coral Reef, it can be tricky to gamble on such a high-priced meal. But unlike Coral Reef, I have to say this restaurant could still be a bucket list location for ya – even if it’s just a one-and-done experience. 50th Anniversary Dessert PROS: Gorgeous views Items *can* be tasty Quiet/relaxing escape from the park crowds CONS: Food can be disappointing Expensive Takes a chunk of time out of your park day OVERALL: 7/10 11 of the Best Disney World Restaurants for Your Birthday Dinner Space 220 Space 220 may not be number one on the list, but it’s certainly the number one restaurant for guests to get a reservation for at the moment. Space 220 is a signature restaurant that takes you up and away into space (220 miles above EPCOT) and let’s you dine in the Centauri Space Station. Space 220 Guys, this place is undeniably COOL. Seriously. Those giant windows that allow you to look out at Earth and astronauts passing by makes you feel like you really are dining amongst the stars. The menus here include prix-fixe pricing for both lunch and dinner – which can be good if you already planned on eating multiple courses. But if you’re someone who usually only orders a main entree, then Space 220 kinda puts you in a bind and makes you pay for options like appetizers and/or desserts, too, whether you want them or not. You can always make a reservation for the Space 220 Lounge instead to order from a menu that’ll have independent prices, but keep in mind that the menu is gonna be much more limited at the lounge and only feature small “flight bites” (but you WILL have access to all the cocktails and STILL be able to experience the Centauri Space Station setting to its fullest) Some of our favorite items we’ve ordered from here are the carrot cake, filet mignon (though there are WAY BETTER steaks in the park FOR SURE that I’ll discuss later), and the Blue Moon Cauliflower. Roasted Chicken PROS Out-of-this-world views Fun space-themed cocktails Lounge option available for reservations CONS Reservations go QUICK. (MUST make them 60 days before your trip) Prix-Fixe menu pricing forces you to pay for more than you might want Main entrees aren’t as “space-themed”; better quality options can be found elsewhere OVERALL: 7/10 PHOTOS and REVIEW: We Ate EVERYTHING on the Dinner Menu at Space 220 in Disney World! Spice Road Table Spice Road Table in the Morocco pavilion really is an underrated table-service gem. Spice Road Table For one, the Mediterranean dishes and tapas here are wonderful. You’ll receive a unique spread of small bites here, like the hummus with imported olives, mixed grilled skewers, and lamb sliders. Another reason? Two words: Lakeside views. Views vary depending on where you’re seated, so try requesting a table closer to the water when you arrive, just in case a spot is available. And case-and-point number three? You’ve got a LOT of different drink options to choose from here. But if you’re not careful, you’ll run that tab up REAL quick – so keep an eye on what you’re spending! Spice Road Table is also one of two locations that offers Fireworks Dining – so if that’s something you’re interested in, you can make an advance reservation on the Disney World website or My Disney Experience App. Spice Road Table spread PROS: Super adventurous (And tasty) options Gorgeous views Hidden gem for frequent Disney flyers who need to “spice” things up. (Hee hee. “Spice.” Because spice road.) CONS: Not the best for picky eaters Drinks and tapas can add up quickly Not every seat is going to have the best lakeside views OVERALL: 7/10 REVIEW: This EPCOT Restaurant Only Serves SMALL Plates But Left Us With a Hefty Bill Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar Time to escape into the recesses of Italy at the Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar. See Tutto Italia waaay over there? This is a lounge in the Italy Pavilion that serves over 200 bottles of wine and a small selection of charcuterie options to share. Or not – mwahaha. You can get wine by the glass or the bottle here. Either way, this little cellar will be the right fit for you if you’re searching for a cozy getaway in the middle of the World Showcase. However, if you’re not a huge wine drinker? Then there are a dozen-odd other locations you can choose from around the World Showcase that will provide you the same type of “getaway” you’re searching for. Tutto Gusto PROS: Peaceful, quiet, and not so people-y Best for wine aficionados CONS: It’s quiet… *too* quiet. (At least, maybe for YOU if you prefer the hustle and bustle) Good small bites, but not compelling enough to drop in for if you’re not a huge fan of wine. OVERALL: 7/10 REVIEW: Go Inside the Hidden Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar In EPCOT With Us! Biergarten Restaurant Looking for the best restaurant to accommodate a large travel party? Look no further than the German Pavilion! Biergarten Biergarten Restaurant is a German buffet that celebrates Oktoberfest EVERY day of the year! This place has LONG tables, lots of German favorite dishes, like bratwurst, schnitzel, and nudel gratin (fancy lingo for mac n cheese!), and POLKA. LIVE POLKA. NOW it’s a party! Biergarten is great for big families and groups looking for an upbeat atmosphere and all-you-can-eat food. But fair warning — this is a LOT of food. And if you pay the buffet price of $49 per adult and $27 per child, then you’re GONNA want to get your money’s worth! So make sure you’re SUPER hungry when you visit this restaurant. (And that you’ve got your lederhosen at the ready. Just kidding — that’s not actually a requirement. But maybe it *should* be…?) Biergarten PROS: Best for large travel parties, long tables mean you won’t have to split up your party (as much). Fun and upbeat atmosphere with live music All-you-can eat, so wear your stretchy pants. CONS: The food can be too heavy of a meal for a park day, lots of meat and lots of starch are better ingredients for a nap than for being a park-commando. Potential of being seated with other families if you have a smaller party Super-limited vegan options OVERALL: 7.5/10 REVIEW: Disney World’s Lively German Buffet is Back, But is It Better? Teppan Edo Yes, EPCOT even has a restaurant where the food is cooked DIRECTLY at your table! Teppan Edo Teppan Edo, over at the Japan Pavilion, is EPCOT’s hibachi grill. So if you’ve been to a hibachi grill back home, you know what neat-o things to expect here. Family-style seating, personal chefs that’ll put on a show while they prep your food, tasty and fresh options. This is a great option if you’re celebrating a special occasion, but keep in mind you will more than likely be seated with multiple travel parties – unless you have a BIG group. So if you’re not a fan of sitting next to strangers during your meal, consider this your “head’s up.” PROS: A meal and a show! Well-cooked and fresh Should cater to both adventurous and picky eaters alike CONS: Not super different from the hibachi you may have back home Not great for guests who don’t want to sit next to strangers during their meal Takes a chunk out of your park day to experience OVERALL: 7.5/10 Why You Should SKIP the Most Exciting Dining Experience in EPCOT Crepes A Emporter by La Creperie de Paris Listen, if I could pick my neighbors, I’d choose Crepes A Emporter, because who wouldn’t want to live next door to a counter service creperie? Crepe! Crepes A Emporter is one of the newest members of the France pavilion, along with its big sister restaurant, La Creperie de Paris. But this counter service doesn’t just copy the crepes of its table service counterpart. There are a variety of different options for your to choose from here that you can’t get at the sit-down location – like the Cream of Brie Cheese Galette and the Red Berries Crêpe. You can also order a variety of on-the-go hard ciders here – which complement the galettes and crepes nicely! No, you’re not going to get to sit and enjoy your crepe in an air-conditioned restaurant, but this could wind up being the perfect light lunch before (or after) you jump on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Our Crepe from Crepes a Emporter PROS Great for guests who want a speedy savory or dessert crepe Unique dining option Affordable CONS Limited menu (that’s smaller than its table service) Lighter option (which isn’t the best for those who’ve worked up an appetite around the showcase) Not a buckwheat fan. (Since all galettes are made with buckwheat) OVERALL: 7.5/10 REVIEW: Is EPCOT’s La Crêperie de Paris To-Go Better Than the Table Service Option? Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe Now here’s another World Showcase bakery that gets the DFB seal of approval! Kringla Bakeri og Kafe Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe is in the Norway pavilion and features a ton of unique (and extremely popular) pastry selections – like the sugar-coated Troll Horn pastry and the vanilla cream-filled School Bread. You can also pick up a Viking Coffee here. Viking coffees come hot or frozen and are made with Baileys Irish Cream and Kamora Coffee Liqueur. Again, this is more of a place to get your sweet stuff rather than your savory, substantial lunchtime meal – so you’d probably be better off hitting this place up around breakfast time (before or after you jump in line for Frozen Ever After)! We do love that school bread PROS: Unique (and delish!) pastries Also different coffees (alcoholic and non) for you to choose from (that will allow you to skip the Starbucks’ crowds!) Opens when the park does (which isn’t the case for all EPCOT restaurants) CONS: No savory options here Seating can get cramped – especially when it’s stormy OVERALL: 7.5/10 Read our Norwegian Kringla review here! Monsieur Paul Okay, so not sure if you’ve caught on yet, but the France pavilion definitely isn’t hurting for food options. They’ve got you quick service, your snacks, your sweet-treats, your table service, and your signature dining. Entrance The signature restaurant, Monsieur Paul recently reopened and they’ve really upped their hoity-toity game! The prix-fixe menu gives you a nice variety of fine French cuisine, and you can add a wine pairing to your overall experience. Some favorite previous dishes here include items like the Escargot, Roasted Duck, and Lobster Thermidor. Here is where we warn you about the fine print! If you make a reservation here, you’ve GOT to adhere to the dress code – since this is a more upscale dining establishment. Remember how we called it hoity-toity, this is another layer of how it earns that label. There’s also a STEEP cancelation policy of $100 per person. So, when you make reservations here, make sure you plan to go or cancel 72 hours in advance. Yep, you read that right. 72 hours. That’s different than Disney’s traditional dining cancelation policy. Beef Tenderloin PROS: Signature dining for a variety of budgets Quiet, romantic atmosphere Select tables have fireworks viewing CONS: Dress code may not align with what you’re wearing (so you’ve gotta plan ahead) Another restaurant that takes time to experience (And takes you out of the park) Make sure you’ve read the reservation fine-print! OVERALL: 7.5/10 Come With Us To Try One of the FANCIEST Meals in Disney World — Monsieur Paul We’re about halfway through! Hang in there! Get a snack, and let’s finish this dining ranking challenge! Yorkshire County Fish Shop This United Kingdom pavilion quick service literally only serves fish and chips. That’s it. Okay, not literally. It’s also got a few standard drink options too. But as far as main entrees are concerned, fish and chips only. Yorkshire Wanna know why it’s so high up on the list? Because this singular item is reliable. If we’re ever like, “Huh, just can’t decide what to eat today,” then Fish and Chips it is! It’s fairly inexpensive and comes all nice and golden. Plus, we love those thick cut “chips” that come alongside it. Nice and savory. Plus-plus, you can grab a nearby table next to the World Showcase Lagoon and have a lovely view of the water and park while you eat (just beware of nightmare birds that are bold enough to try to swipe some fries from your tray). But it’s safe to say that if you don’t like seafood whatsoever – or you’re looking for more menu variety – then Yorkshire’s not gonna be the best fit for you. However – if you hate decision-making and love fish, then WAH-LAH. You’ve found your match! Fish and Chips PROS: Great fish and chips! Affordable Quick and easy CONS: *Just* fish and chips Not great for those looking for unique items or a variety of options Nearby tables can fill up quickly, meaning you may have to eat on-the-go OVERALL: 7.5/10 REVIEW: Fish and Chips in EPCOT Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Once upon a time, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway pavilion was one of the best spots to meet a lot of Disney princesses at once. And, spoiler alert, it still is! Aurora Akershus serves up a bunch of Norwegian-inspired offerings – like a Ground Beef and Pork Dumplings Kjottkake, koldtbord salads, and rice pudding. Though this restaurant is definitely a lot of fun for kiddos to see characters like Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Snow White, Princess Aurora, Mulan, Cinderella, and Mary Poppins (Mary, you’re a princess in our hearts) – the options during lunch and dinner can sometimes be a little TOO adventurous. So, consider booking a reservation here for breakfast if you’ve got tiny tykes for more mainstream options, when breakfast becomes available. Norwegian Meatballs and Mashed Potatoes PROS LOTS of Disney Princesses to meet here, and it’s cheaper than dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table Adventurous dinner offerings Cool theming! Dining inside a castle is just cool, no matter who you are CONS Currently only available for dinner, so if you’re looking for breakfast or lunch options, this won’t fit that bill. Though between Cinderella’s Royal table and Akershus, Akershus is the less costly of the two; it’s still pretty pricey! The food is decent, but no “wow” factor here OVERALL: 8/10 Come With Us to the ULTIMATE Princess Character Meal in Disney World Chefs de France Can you guess where this restaurant is located? You guessed it — MOROCCO! Just kidding, Chefs de France is a table service located in the *gasp* FRANCE pavilion. Chefs de France This restaurant has a romantic air that we fall in love with every time we visit. It’s like a quick escape from all the theme park hustle and bustle, with a variety of French cuisines for you to choose from – like Plateau de Forages et Charcuteries, French Onion Soup (which Disney does REALLY well at MULTIPLE restaurant locations), and Beef braised Boeuf Bourguignon. This definitely isn’t a “snarf it down and GO” restaurant. You’re expected to relax and take your time here as you enjoy the different European flavors. So if you need to eat in a jiffy, there are a few other options in the France pavilion that you can hit up instead. Appetizers PROS: Classic French options, if you want to pretend like you’re eating in a Parisian cafe, this is your spot. An escape from the theme parks if you’re feeling overwhelmed Great for a romantic dinner CONS: Not great for guests in a hurry Only French cuisine is served here. Not a great variety for pickier eaters Not the best option for families with younger kiddos OVERALL: 8/10 Review! Chefs de France in EPCOT Connections Cafe & Eatery Connections Café and Eatery is a brand new fast-casual Quick Service restaurant (and home to Starbucks coffee) in EPCOT’s World Celebration! The Connections Cafe side serves as the NEW home to Starbucks in the park. Connections Eatery At Connections Eatery (the restaurant side), look for dishes inspired by global flavors, including a selection of sandwiches such as a French Bistro Burger, a Mediterranean Burger, and a Banh Mi Burger. Salads include a Niçoise-style Salad and General Tso Chicken Salad. Craving pizza? You’ll find a Meatball Pizza and even a Curry Spice Pizza, in addition to Pepperoni! Classic Chicken Nuggets and Cheeseburgers are up for grabs on the Kids’ Menu, as well. Ready for dessert? The spot features Liege Waffles as an option, made with brioche yeast dough stuffed with pearl sugar and finished with sweet toppings. Gelato Shakes are also an option for dessert (or a very filling beverage)! Connections Food PROS A wide variety or approachable meals and snacks Good for families with younger kiddos Plenty of indoor seating and some tables even have charging stations! CONS Not super exciting considering World Showcase is just steps away! Seating area can get loud like a school cafeteria. OVERALL: 8/10 The Pizza Has CHANGED at Connections Eatery in EPCOT Kabuki Cafe Now HERE’S a unique and refreshing treat for ya! Kabuki Cafe Kabuki Cafe is a counter service location located in the Japan Pavilion. This is where you’re gonna find your specialty kakigori. And what is kakigori? A shaved ice treat topped with fruit syrup and/or sweet milk. If you’re in the mood for something savory to go along with your shaved ice, Kabuki Cafe also has a small selection of sushi for you to choose from. You can also get frozen beer here? Yeah, I know, a bizarre concept – but the beer itself isn’t actually frozen. “The head on the glass is essentially super aerated and chilled. This protective foam works as a mini-refrigerator, keeping the liquid beer beneath colder for longer.” Pretty neat, huh? This definitely isn’t a place you’ll wanna hit up if you’re starving, but it’s a nice afternoon treat for sure! Kakigori from Kabuki Cafe PROS: -Super unique snacks and drink offerings -Great for those looking for a cool treat on a hot afternoon CONS: -Can be a little *too* adventurous for some -Not a place that’ll fill ya up OVERALL: 8/10 5 Hidden EPCOT Treats You Didn’t Know About Until Now! Joy of Tea In the China Pavilion, there’s an unassuming kiosk –called the Joy of Tea –that’ll hook you up with boba, cocktails, and $5 pork egg rolls. Joy of Tea The Tipsy Ducks in Love specialty cocktail is not only delicious but fun to tell people you’re drinking. (“Whatcha got there?” “Oh *this* little thing? Tipsy Ducks in Love.”) Seriously, can we shake the hand of the creative soul behind that cocktail? Genius. This is a favorite place to hit up for drinks in the China pavilion, so don’t pass it on by! Especially if you’re a fan of fruity milk boba teas and cocktails with wild names! But if you’re looking for a larger array of snacks? Eh, you might be better off grabbing some unique chip flavors in the China Pavilion’s flagship gift shop. The egg rolls aren’t bad, but they’re nothing to write home about. Tipsy Ducks in Love PROS: -Selection of unique drinks (alcoholic and non) -Nice choice for boba fans CONS: -Only one snack to choose from OVERALL: 8/10 Disney World Put “Milk Foam” On a Drink and…We Like It Sunshine Seasons We are big fans of Sunshine Seasons. Does it have the GREATEST food in EPCOT? Far from it. But does it have a LOT to offer in this food-court setting? You betcha. Sunshine Seasons Sunshine Seasons is the best restaurant for travel parties that are trying to cater to a bunch of different preferences. This quick service offers up options for picky eaters, like flatbreads and cheeseburgers, more adventurous eaters, like Jackfruit Gyro and the pulled pork-and-cheddar based Land Crusher sandwich, plant-based eaters, like vegetable korma and, again, the Jackfruit Gyro, and even the dessert-is-so-totally-a-meal eaters, like practically everything in their bakery case. YUM PROS: Best for catering to a variety of tastes/wide variety Affordable options TONS of seating CONS: Not the best for foodies looking for “top-tier” dining Though there are more “adventurous” options, EPCOT still has more unique dining available elsewhere Even standard options (like sandwiches and flatbreads) have better alternatives around World Showcase for you to choose from OVERALL: 8/10 REVIEW: 10/10 Would Recommend this Disney World Plant-Based Item to EVERYONE! Les Vins de Chefs de France If you’re doing the “drinking around the world challenge,” there’s a good chance you’re going to wind up here when you reach the France pavilion. Les Vins de Chefs de France is the kiosk where you’ll find the Grand Marnier Slush and Grey Goose Slush – both of which you can “super size” (which I wouldn’t recommend if you really ARE drinking around the world because, YIKES, that sounds dangerous). Les Vins de France These drinks are sweet, but not overpoweringly so. You’ll probably need a water once you’ve finished one, since the citrus-y flavor can wind up coating your throat. But if you’d rather have something a little more basic, beers and wines are also available for purchase here, too. France Slushes PROS: Grown up slushies for the win! Best cocktails on-the-go CONS: Often a line here No food options available OVERALL: 8/10 Read MORE about the iconic Grand Mariner Slush here! La Cava del Tequila You want happy hour? The Mexico Pavilion HAS happy hour. What better way to start your drinking-around-the-world endeavors than by kicking things off at La Cava del Tequila? La Cava The bar is located inside the Mesoamerican pyramid and serves up a variety of tapas and – of course – tequila-centric drinks. The margaritas are plentiful here. We’ve seen traditional margaritas, limited edition celebrity-inspired ones, and even secret menu margs (like that Abuelita’s Mudslide – AKA: The ice cream margarita). This place can get POPPIN’, y’all. It’s not a big location, so it tends to fill up quickly in the evenings. If you want a unique margarita but you don’t wanna mess with the crowds here, try going earlier in the day rather than later. Malumita margarita PROS: Best selection of alcoholic beverages (over 200 tequilas and margarita varieties!) Drink in the AC (!!) Drinks can be taken to go, as well CONS: Limited seating (can only hold 30 guests at a time) Super busy later in the evening (or on rainy days) Not a lot of food options here OVERALL: 8/10 REVIEW: La Cava del Tequila in EPCOT La Hacienda de San Angel Mexican cuisine. Air conditioning. Lakeside views. Out of the food locations in the Mexico pavilion, La Hacienda de San Angel is a favorite. La Hacienda de San Angel This is another stellar table service location for a romantic evening in EPCOT that serves up dishes like the Empanada de Manzana (yes, we’re starting with dessert first – that’s how good this apple-filled pastry is), the meaty-cheesy Alambre de Res skillet, and the Pollo al Pastor (for all you searching for a hearty chicken entree). Now granted, this restaurant hasn’t ALWAYS been a hit for us 100% of the time. It’s let us down once or twice in the past. But, more often than not, it keeps a solid track record of delicious Mexican eats. And if you’re here while the EPCOT firework show is happening, you have the chance to watch the show while you dine! Just make sure to make reservations ahead of time and ask your server for a window seat. A window seat isn’t guaranteed during your visit, but it never hurts to ask! Chips, Salsa, and Appetizer PROS: Romantic vibes for couples View of World Showcase Lagoon (and potential fireworks view!) Well-made Mexican cuisines CONS: Pricey Not the best option if you’re looking for something out of your comfort zone (you could probably order similar dishes at a nice Mexican restaurant back home) Fireworks seating isn’t guaranteed OVERALL: 8/10 Review: La Hacienda de San Angel in Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion Refreshment Port Refreshment Port is located just outside the Canada Pavilion. Refreshment Port Refreshment Port sometimes gets confused for its less robust Refreshment Outpost cousin, but these are actually really different from on another. Refreshment Port offers standard poutine during the year and some seasonal poutines around EPCOT Festivals, and occasionally other festival treats. PROS: -Got yo’ snacks CONS: -Snacks are what you’ll find at most of the other kiosks OVERALL: 8/10 Takumi-Tei Takumi-Tei, in the Japan Pavilion, is one of the last restaurants to reopen since that 2020 closure. It’s been a hot minute since we’ve eaten here, but it is still worthy of ranking! The water room! Takumi Tei translates to “house of the artisan.” True to its name, the restaurant has five different rooms where you could potentially be seated that represent natural elements – like water, wood, earth, stone, or washi paper. The menu features several different traditional Japanese offerings — like Nikomi Wagyu bone marrow, the Kamo marinated duck, and a variety of different nigiri, sashimi, and maki sushi entrees. But if you’re looking for the ultimate tasting experience here, you can order from the Omakase Tasting Menu and experience a multi-course offering of sushi, wagyu, shizuku cake, and ceremonial matcha green tea. But, friends, we’ve gotta level with you here — this will be the MOST expensive meal you’ll eat at EPCOT. The Omakase Tasting Menu alone is $150 per person while the al-a-carte options still range in steeper prices. And on top of that? The overall experience is SO LONG. Like we’re talking you’re gonna have to dedicate FOUR hours out of your park day just to dine here. So if you want to splurge on a meal (once the restaurant is back up and running) and you feel like food really IS part of the theme park experience for you, then this meal will provide you with dining that’s not only mouth-wateringly good, but dining that tells an intricate story with each course. Takumi-Tei Sushi PROS: Best option for foodies looking for an elegant meal Zen-like atmosphere Unique and delicious courses CONS: EXPENSIVE $$$ Takes a LOT of time out of your park day to experience Not great for kiddos OVERALL: 8/10 FULL REVIEW of the Takumi-Tei Chef’s Table Experience in Disney World! Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria No strange puffy pizzas at this table service restaurant! When you go to Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria at the Italy Pavilion, you’re gonna get a top-notch pizza. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Via Napoli This is the type of pizza where the pepperonis cook into those nice little crispy cups, and the pizza itself is cooked in a massive wood oven. This isn’t just our favorite pizza in EPCOT – it’s our favorite pizza on Disney property. Period. Though there are a wide variety of pizza options here, the selection becomes pretty limited for those who aren’t wanting to have a pizza party in EPCOT – or for those with dairy and/or gluten allergies. Don’t mind us — we just ate a ton of pizza this week! PROS: Best pizza on property Easy to share with the group A mix of casual and upscale vibes CONS: Limited menus for those who don’t like pizza or have certain allergies You pay the big bucks for this quality pizza Appetizers and desserts are nothing to write home about OVERALL: 8.5/10 REVIEW: There’s a Reason Why This Disney World Restaurant Isn’t Easy to Get Into L’Artisan des Glaces Ok, we’re SO EXCITED to talk about this one counter service location! L’Artisan des Glaces L’Artisan des Glaces, located in the France pavilion, is home to our pride and joy – the Croque Glace, which is basically an ice cream sandwich pressed between a brioche bun. Uggggggh – SO GOOD. You’ve got your warm brioche, your cool ice cream, and your all-around perfect sweet treat. Along with the Croque Glace, you can order 16 different ice cream flavors at this little shop. AND you can also order specialty alcoholic floats like an Ice Cream Martini served with Grand Marnier. Croque Glaces in Progress PROS: Fantastic assortment of ice cream and ice cream-inspired treats CONS: You want something savory? Keep moving right along! OVERALL: 9/10 SNACK HACK ALERT: We Seriously Improved this NEW Treat in EPCOT Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie Over in the France Pavilion, you’ll find a cutesy bakery tucked back by the Impressions de France attraction. This bakery is easy to overlook, but if you step inside and take a peek, you’ll find a display case filled with different pastries, desserts, and croissant sandwiches. Les Halles in World Showcase What’s wonderful about Les Halles (besides its variety of delicious European bites) is that a lot of the items on the menu are affordable (in Disney terms). You can snag yourself a whole baguette for under $5 if you’d like — or you can order a creme brulee for $4.95! Even the sandwich prices aren’t terrible, and usually range from $7-$11 each. This is one of the best spots to grab a breakfast pastry on the go — especially if you’re entering the park through the International Gateway (between France and the UK pavilion) instead of up at the front (near Spaceship Earth). Les Halles Just note that some parts of the day, seating here can be extremely limited. And the seating that is offered can be rather cramped. But if you really are ordering something to eat on the go, then the limited seating shouldn’t scare you away. Just don’t forget that Les Halles isn’t exactly going to be the type of quick service that you’ll be able to kick up your feet in and breathe for a sec. PROS: Best breakfast stop Affordable options Delicious and different variety CONS: Seating can get crowded No Mobile Ordering available Lines can get long during lunch/dinner OVERALL: 9/10 21 Reviews From EPCOT’s MOST BELOVED Bakery — Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts and Barbecue For the record, the love for Sam the Eagle transcends barbecue. But the fact that he has established this finger-lickin’ restaurant just endears him to us even more! Regal Eagle Smokehouse Regal Eagle Smokehouse is THE quick-service location for you to hit up if you’re craving some tasty, tasty barbecue. Sam the Eagle must have a way with words (ah, who am we kidding – of COURSE he does), because he was able to convince several different states to pitch in here and provide THE best types of barbecue to fill his menu – such as Kansas City Half-Smoked Chicken, Sliced Texas Beef Brisket Sandwich, and North Carolina Chopped Smoked Pork Butt. And here’s a bonus tip for ya – you can ALSO order a refreshing frozen mint julep here, too! (Who knew bbq and minty-freshness could work together so well?) This barbecue is tender and well-priced for what you’re getting – but you may wanna skip over this if you’ve got, like, a STELLAR barbecue place back home. This is REALLY good barbecue, but if you’re going to be constantly comparing it to other barbecue that you can easily access when you’re not in vacation mode, then maybe skip this one. Otherwise, Sam the Eagle, we’re saluting you for a job well done here. The food is decent, but we’re not sure all southerners would agree that it’s BBQ! PROS: Best barbecue location Affordable and filling Sam the Eagle is runs the show here CONS: May not be the unique cuisine you’re looking for Not good for those looking for “fancy” dining Also not great for vegetarians (though there are veggie-inspired selections here) (Also also, Sam the Eagle did not come to our table to personally welcome us, which hurt our feelings) OVERALL: 9/10 Review! Is a Burger at Regal Eagle in EPCOT Better When Served On Garlic Toast? (Spoiler: Yes.) Rose and Crown Dining Room Rose and Crown, located in the UK Pavilion, is the second dining location with a fireworks dining package in EPCOT. And, if it isn’t obvious by where we’ve placed it in my rankings, it’s our favorite fireworks dining package location of the two. Rose and Crown It’s just so… *cozy.* Like you’re gonna wanna curl up in this dining room like a cat and nap for a few days here. And these feelings are HEIGHTENED after a hearty meal of comfort foods – like the Shepherd’s Pie, Scottish Eggs, and Bangers and Mash. You don’t HAVE to book a reservation for the fireworks package to dine here, obviously. You can book a reservation 60 days in advance for just the regular dining room and still have a great experience here. However, if you DO book the fireworks dining package, you’ll be sat out on the restaurant’s lakefront patio for a crystal-clear view of Harmonious. If you miss your Advance Dining Reservation window for this restaurant, you can always try grabbing a seat at the Rose and Crown Pub – which is first come, first serve. Just note that you’ll have a MUCH more limited food selection here, but you’ll still have the full bar at your disposal. Rose and Crown food PROS: Best Fireworks Dining Package Great balance of both traditional and adventurous options Cozy atmosphere CONS: Not great for those looking for a lighter lunch/dinner option Takes a chunk of time out of your day to dine here If you’re wanting Fish and Chips, they’re CHEAPER at Yorkshire! To get them here, you’ll be dropping $26 as opposed to the basket of them just next door for ~$12 OVERALL: 9/10 Review: We Ate a LOT at Rose and Crown in Disney World. If You Need Us We’ll Be Napping for a Week. Garden Grill Restaurant Looking for the BEST restaurant to take your family to? There’s a reason why Garden Grill is so high up on our list! Farmer Mickey is absolutely precious. Garden Grill is located on the second floor of The Land building in EPCOT’s World Nature area. There are a few key reasons why families are gonna love dining here. One: The restaurant rotates. Yeah, not kidding. While you’re dining, the restaurant will rotate directly over scenes from the Living with the Land boat ride directly below you. Two: The options are pretty straightforward. All tables will be served a family-style Chip ‘n’ Dale Harvest — featuring items like harvest-inspired garden salad, creamy mashed potatoes, bbq roasted chicken, and berry shortcake. Plus several other comfort food sides you can share with the whole group. And three: This is a character dining! So you’ll be able to meet Farmer Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale while chowing down in this rotating restaurant. But here’s my obligatory word of warning — the food here is fresh-tasting and well-cooked, but the offerings aren’t anything super unique. And EPCOT? Well… it’s a park that’s jam-packed with unique cuisines. So if you’d rather experience something more adventurous, then you may wanna jump off this dining carousel and venture someplace else. Harvest Feast at Garden Grill Restaurant PROS Best for families, who are we kidding, everyone will like this spot! The unique atmosphere and fun character interactions. Good selection for picky eaters. CONS Not the best for more adventurous eaters. Takes a chunk of time out of your park day. Not serving breakfast at this time. OVERALL: 9.5/10 Is Garden Grill in EPCOT the Same Without Its Signature Dish? We Found Out. Le Cellier Steakhouse If you’re a long-time follower of this channel, then this placement probably didn’t come as a shock to you. Le Cellier We sing the praises of Le Cellier as often as we can. This signature restaurant has not only the best cuts of steak in the park, but the best cuts of steak on property (in our humble opinion). Every time we visit, the service has been consistently good, and the food has been so delightful that we’ve wanted to reverse time just to experience it all over again. Along with the steak cuts, Le Cellier also has other top-notch options — like their signature poutine, Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup, and Artisan Cheese and Charcuterie Plate. You can even eat the CANDLE on this charcuterie board, which is a bucket list item we didn’t realize we had until we experienced it firsthand. Le Cellier Le Cellier is a solid option for couples looking for a romantic dinner in the park. It’s a quiet, intimate restaurant with dim lighting and cozy cellar vibes. Although there is a kids’ menu featured here, this isn’t necessarily a kid-centric atmosphere. It doesn’t have fun, colorful characters or anything that’s going to REALLY capture their attention. So, although we love this place with all our heart, if you’re traveling with tiny tykes, then taking a chunk of time out of your EPCOT day to eat here might be more draining than relaxing. Le Cellier PROS: Best date night restaurant, in EPCOT. Consistently good service. Top-tier steaks, entrees, and appetizers. CONS: Not the best for families with smaller kiddos. Pricey, be prepared to splurge. Heavy portions, which might not be the best idea if you’re going to walk around in the Orlando heat after. OVERALL: 9.5/10 REVIEW: Is Le Cellier Still An EPCOT Staple? We Found Out! Karamell Küche Three words: Best. Snacks. Ever. Especially if you’re a caramel fan. (Whether you pronounce it CAR-MEL or CAR-A-MEL, it’s delicious!) Karamell-Küche Karamell Küche is located in the German pavilion. If you’ve been to EPCOT before, then you’ll know this location by the smell alone. The sweet scent of house-made caramel wafts through this quick service and entices guests before you even get the chance to walk through the threshold. Some of our favorite snacks here are the caramel corn (duh), the caramel-covered krispie treats, the caramel butter bars…you seeing a trend here. Now, if you’re searching for long-lasting *sustenance*, then you’re at the wrong place. But if you’re looking for caramel-coated snacks that will haunt your dreams for years to come – here it is. You’ve found it. Congratulations. Save a couple of butter bars for us while you’re there, okay? Okay. It’s SO good PROS: Best snack location Fresh, house-made caramel treats Mobile order capabilities CONS: Just desserts here (if that kinda thing is a “con” for you…) Can get busy throughout the day Not great for guests who aren’t big into sweets OVERALL: 10/10 REVIEW: Karamell Kuche in EPCOT Oh my gosh, we DID it. We went through them ALL! Let’s give a round of applause to all our EPCOT restaurant contestants, shall we? They fought, they fed, and they fulfilled – but only one could end up on top. If you don’t wanna have to remember this whole list, click HERE to grab a printable cheatsheet to help you plan your EPCOT dining. Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news. Want MORE Details About EPCOT’s MASSIVE Transformation? EPCOT’s Three New Neighborhoods Have Debuted – Learn More Here See Our Full Review of One of EPCOT’s Newest Restaurants – Connections Eatery Get a Full Tour Inside EPCOT’s New Starbucks Location – Connections Cafe See All the Details You Need to Know About the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Coaster, Now Open in World Discovery NEW Festival Areas, Gardens, a Meet-and-Greet Area, and More Are Coming to EPCOT Go Inside Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure With Us Check Out All of the Tasty Details About La Crêperie de Paris See Our Full Reviews of Space 220, Which Has Officially OPENED in EPCOT Check Out Spaceship Earth’s Permanent New Nighttime Look Learn More About EPCOT’s New Nighttime Spectacular -- Harmonious See Full Details About the New PLAY! Pavilion Coming to EPCOT Learn All About Journey of Water -- Inspired by Moana, Coming to World Nature The Mary Poppins Attraction is on Hold – Learn More Here What’s Been CUT From the EPCOT Transformation? Click HERE for All the News and Details about EPCOT’s Transformation! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest EPCOT transformation news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Do you agree with our ratings? Leave your comments below! The post Every EPCOT Restaurant, Ranked! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s finally time for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! ©Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade While it might not be taking place in Disney World, Disney was super involved this year with several huge floats. From the Star Wars Grogu Float to the returning Disney Cruise Line Float and some iconic Disney on Broadway performances, there were lots of things for Disney fans to watch out for, and we have all of the details! This year, Disney fans had a lot to watch during the 2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Walt Disney Company has had balloons in the parade since the 1930s, and they have had floats since the late 1960s. In addition to floats and balloons, they also have some pretty stellar performances from different Disney on Boardway shows. ©Disney on Broadway This year, the parade featured two returning floats that we have seen in the past! The first was the Star Wars Grogu balloon which gave Baby Yoda some time in the spotlight. This is the second year that Grogu has been part of the parade because the balloon debuted in 2021. The Grogu balloon is 41-feet high, 29-feet long, and 37-feet wide, and last year you could even grab a Funko Pop replica of the balloon. ©CNBC Not only did we see one of our Star Wars favorites, but we also saw a few familiar Disney pals too! ©CBS Another float that made a return appearance was the Magic Meets The Sea float. This float features Captain Minnie and other Disney friends like Goofy, Donald, Disney princesses, and more above the Disney Wish! ©Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade This is the float’s second year in the parade, and it’s modeled after the newest addition to the Disney Cruise Line. Fun fact: this is the first float to ever run in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade where the float itself is longer than the float bed. ©Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Disney’s final appearance in the parade today was the performance by the cast of The Lion King on Broadway. This performance was in celebration of the show’s 25th anniversary. ©Disney on Broadway While the balloons and floats have changed quite a bit since the Mickey Mouse balloon debuted in the 1930s, it was super exciting to see Disney’s involvement this year. Of course, because it’s Disney, this isn’t the only way they’re celebrating the holidays this year. From new merchandise to new foods, Disney has been in the holiday swing for a while. Make sure you keep following DFB for all of the latest Disney holiday news and updates. Check out our ULTIMATE guide to 2022 Disney Black Friday deals. 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. Which float were you most excited to see? Tell us in the comments! The post How Disney Was Part of One of the Most Iconic Thanksgiving Day Activities first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Remember how we warned you about HUGE holiday crowds in Disney World? Magic Kingdom Today is Thanksgiving Day, which means Black Friday deals, specialty snacks, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and (normally) big crowds in the parks. Today, we’re taking you along with us to see what crowds are actually looking like in Walt Disney World. Over the past few days, we have seen a major change in the crowd levels in Disney World as the holidays are approaching. Today, those crowds actually seemed smaller than we’ve been experiencing lately. Thanksgiving Day Crowds There were still quite a few people on Main Street, U.S.A., but not as many as we saw on Monday of this week. Crowds on Main Street Many visitors were watching Disney film performances near Cinderella Castle for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Thanksgiving parade performances Over in Tomorrowland, the crowds thinned out a bit, even though lines were pretty long for some of the popular attractions. Not a lot of people here! Around mid-morning, the wait for Buzz Lightyear: Space Ranger Spin was at 65 minutes, and the wait for Space Mountain was at 60 minutes. Space Mountain line However, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover was only a 20-minute wait, and Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor had a 15-minute wait. Tomorrowland crowds Elsewhere in the park, wait times were pretty average. Splash Mountain had a 50-minute wait, “it’s a small world” was at 40 minutes, and Princess Fairytale Hall was at 30 minutes. “it’s a small world” A few of the most popular rides are definitely busy today! Jungle Cruise (which is “Jingle Cruise” right now) has a 90-minute wait, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train was at 105 minutes when we walked past it. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Although the ride wait times were about average, much of the park felt fairly empty compared to what we’ve seen the last couple of days. We usually see big crowds around the holidays, so it’s possible that some people are taking it easy on Thanksgiving Day and will return to their busy Disney vacations tomorrow. Where’d everyone go? If you’re planning to visit Disney World during the 2022 holiday season, be prepared for crowds. Check out some of these posts to help you make the most of your trip, even with busier parks: What You Should Ride First in Disney World Over 15 Secret Walkways to Beat the Crowds in Disney World How Long is Too Long to Wait for a Ride in Disney World Can’t Get Dining Reservations? These Are the BEST Fast Food Spots in Disney World Don’t forget, DFB will always keep you updated when it comes to Disney holiday and crowds news! Make sure to keep following the blog for every update. Here are our tips on how to avoid Disney holiday crowd burnout! 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. Are you visiting Disney World this holiday season? Tell us in the comments! The post PHOTOS: You Won’t Believe the Thanksgiving Day Crowds 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. It’s the holiday season, so you know what that means…FOOOOOOD! Mickey Gingerbread Cookie Okay, we know the holidays actually means a LOT of different things, but it’s safe to say that food is a very important part of the season. And, there are a lot of fun foods to check out at Disney World! From turkey to gingerbread, there’s a little something for everyone. But, if you can’t make it to Disney World for the holidays, no worries — you can bring the Disney to your home! We’ve gathered some of our favorite Disney cookie recipes for you to make this holiday season, so let’s take a look! Gingerbread Salted Caramel Buttercream Cookie Sandwich This absolutely DELICIOUS treat is from Karamell-Küche in EPCOT’s Germany pavilion, and it’s technically TWO cookies that you get to eat at once, so, you’re welcome. We made these at home and they turned out awesome, so we gotta share the recipe with you! Gingerbread Salted Caramel Buttercream Sandwich Cookie Ingredients Betty Crocker Gingerbread Cake & Cookie Mix Betty Crocker Whipped Butter Cream Frosting Werther’s Original Soft Caramels 3 tbsp of butter 1 & 1/2 tsp milk 1/4 cup water One word: YUM! Directions On the back of the Betty Crocker Gingerbread Cake & Cookie Mix, you’ll find instructions for making gingerbread cookies. Dump the cake mix into a mixing bowl and add your water and butter. The box calls for the butter to be melted, but for a denser dough texture, just use softened butter. Use a mixer to blend the dough together until smooth. Place plastic wrap over the top of the bowl and refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours, or pop it in the freezer for 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 375°. Scoop out a tablespoon of dough and roll it between the palms of your hands to create a small ball. Place your dough balls on a cookie sheet with a decent amount of distance between them so they can spread while they bake Bake for 8-10 minutes (but this can vary depending on your oven) Remove cookie sheet from over and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet before moving them to a cooling rack. After 20 minutes or when cookies are cool to the touch, you can start frosting your cookies with your store bought buttercream OR with homemade buttercream. If you want to make homemade buttercream, combine 4 sticks of unsalted butter and around 8 cups of powdered sugar until a frosting is formed. Match up your cookies in pairs so they are similar in size. Frost the bottom, flat side of one of the cookies with as much frosting as you like (but keep in mind that the more you put, the messier your sandwich will be!). Unwrap about 15 caramels and place them in a microwavable bowl. Add your milk and microwave for 30 seconds. Mix the caramel and milk together until smooth. Use a spoon to drizzle over the frosted half of your cookie sandwiches. Use as much caramel as you desire. Apply then cookie tops and let the sandwiches rest on the cooling rack for 5-10 minutes. Then, dig in! Mickey-Shaped Linzer Cookies You can find Linzer cookies at the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. We’ve seen them in a few different places, and this year, they’ll be at Bavaria Holiday Kitchen in Germany. These are similar to the ones at the festival, but we made ours Mickey-shaped! Linzer Cookies Makes 1 dozen cookies, depending on the cookie cutter used Ingredients 14 tbsp softened unsalted butter 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1 large egg 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp butter extract 1 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup almond flour 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp kosher salt 1 & 1/2 cups raspberry jam Non-melting powdered sugar (also known as donut sugar) 2 cookie cutters (one of which is a smaller shape to cut out those windows in select cookies). Note you can search online for Linzer cookie cutters — like these — and find lots of fun options or use a small bottle cap to cut the centers. If you have a 3D printer and want the same ones we used, the file can be found here. Yum! Directions Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Adjust rack to middle of oven. Cream butter and sugars with paddle attachment in a mixer. If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can use a handheld mixer or do this by hand (it’ll be a workout!). Cream on high until pale and fluffy looking — about 4 minutes. Scrape down bowl and add egg and both extracts. You likely have vanilla extract hiding in your pantry, but butter extract? Maybe not, unless you bake frequently. This is a secret many bakeries use to add an extra layer of buttery flavor to doughs and batters. Most grocery stores sell it in the spice aisle. Mix on high until well incorporated. In a separate bowl, add dry ingredients — all-purpose flour, almond flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Mix with a whisk by hand until well blended. Almond flour is just finely ground almonds. Again, most stores sell this in the baking aisle. If not or if you have someone with a nut allergy, feel free to substitute an equal amount of flour here (it just won’t taste quite the same!). Pour dry ingredients into mixer and mix, on low/medium, until dry ingredients are just incorporated. Form into a disc and wrap in plastic wrap. Place in fridge for 60 mins. While dough chills, pour 1 & 1/2 cups of jam into a heatproof container and microwave for 1-1.5 minutes until jam is bubbly and hot. Pour jam through a strainer into another bowl. Use a spatula to stir and press the jam through the strainer. This will remove the seeds and make your jam slightly thicker once it sets up. (Seeds in jam are rarely fun to chomp into!) When ready to cut cookies, liberally flour your surface and place dough on top. Flour the top of the dough and roll, gently, with a rolling pin until 1/8 inch thick. Used 2 different Mickey-shaped cookie cutters — one that is larger and one that is smaller (to cut out Mickey shapes on select cookies — more on that in a second). Cut your dough and carefully use a spatula to transfer to a parchment paper or silicone mat-lined cookie sheet. This is a finicky dough to transfer and ours stuck a good bit to our work surface. Just take your time and add flour as needed to prevent sticking. For ONLY half of the cookies, use a smaller cookie cutter to cut out a window in the center of the cookie. Do this AFTER cookies are transferred to the cookie sheets to prevent warping the cookies. Chill cut cookies for 30 minutes before baking. This is key to prevent the cookies from over-spreading. You want crisp cutouts, not blobs. Bake cookies in preheated oven until just slightly golden. In our oven the whole cookies took 9 minutes and the cookies missing the centers took 7 minutes. EVERY oven is different keep your eye on the cookies. When you see the edges juuuuust starting to golden, pop em out! Let cookies cool completely before assembling. When ready to assemble, either use a knife to smear jam on the bottom cookies or fill a piping/ziplock bag with the jam. If you use a piping bag, gently squirt jam on the cookie. Avoid getting too close to the edges. Pour a bit of the non-melting powdered sugar into a small mesh strainer. Hold it over the top cookies and gently tap the side of the strainer with your hand. Powdered sugar should gently shower down on the cookies. You do this first so you don’t cover the pretty jam on the completed cookie! Take a top powdered sugar-covered cookie and carefully place it on a jam-covered cookie.Repeat with remaining cookies. Once the cookies are assembled, you can add an extra bit of jam in the center window of each cookie if you want it really jammy. Gingersnap Cookies This recipe comes straight from a Pixar pastry chef and is inspired by Merida and Elinor from Pixar’s Brave. ©Pixar Ingredients 9 oz butter 2 eggs 1 & 1/4 cups brown sugar 1/2 tsp salt 2 tsp powdered ginger 2 & 1/4 cups flour Demerara sugar 2 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp black pepper 1/4 cup molasses 2 tsp grated fresh ginger 2 tsp baking soda 1 & 1/2 tsp ground clove Directions Cream together butter, brown sugar, salt, and spices. Mix in the molasses, then mix in the eggs. In a separate bowl, whisk together baking soda and flour, then add to the dough and mix. Scoop the mixture with a 1 oz ice cream scoop, roll it in demerara sugar, and flatten it slightly. Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes until golden and slightly cracked. Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies Can’t get over to Ghirardelli in Disney Springs? No worries! If you’re looking for a cookie that has a lot of richness, look no further! These Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies use 72% Cacao Chocolate Chips. ©Ghirardelli Makes 36 cookies Ingredients 1 stick of unsalted butter 1/3 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cups dark brown sugar, lightly packed 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 bag (10 ounces) of 72% Cacao Chocolate Chips (divided) Directions Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine flour and baking soda. In a small saucepan, melt the butter on low heat until browned. In a large bowl, add 3/4 cups chocolate chips. Pour the browned butter over the chips and mix until melted. In the large bowl, with the melted butter and chocolate chips, add both the granulated and brown sugar, the vanilla, and the salt. Stir. Add eggs one at a time to the wet mixture. Fold in dry ingredient until just combined, and stir in remaining chips. Drop by rounded tablespoon on to parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are firm but the center is still soft. Cook cookies on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling. Original Carrot Cake Cookies One of our favorite Disney desserts was the original Carrot Cake Cookie from Writer’s Stop in Hollywood Studios. But sadly, that spot is gone and has been replaced by BaseLine Tap House (we love BaseLine — but we miss Writer’s Stop, too!). There are still versions of this at Trolley Car Cafe, but the recipe has changed. However, we have the original recipe so that you can recreate it in your kitchen! Carrot Cake Cookie Sandwiches Ingredients 1 box Carrot Cake mix 3/4 cup of water (per box instructions) 1/3 cup of vegetable oil (per box instructions) 3 large eggs (per box instructions) 8 oz of cream cheese 8 tablespoons of butter 1 cup of confectioners (powdered) sugar 1/2 cup of crushed and drained pineapple 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract Carrot Cake Cookie Sandwich Directions Preheat your oven to 350° F and grease a cookie sheet. Place your eggs, vegetable oil, measured water, and Carrot Cake mix into a large bowl (or follow the instructions on your box if they are different). Blend your cake mix, water, oil, and eggs at a low speed until moistened (about 30 seconds). Then, beat the mixture at medium speed for about 2 minutes. After this, drop off rounded spoonfuls onto your cookie sheets, then place them into the oven for about 10 minutes. Take them out of the oven once they’ve been baked and set them aside to cool. In another large bowl, sift your powdered sugar. Then, place your butter and cream cheese inside the bowl. Drain your crushed pineapple in a sifter the sink before adding it and the vanilla extract to the rest of the ingredients in the bowl. Blend the ingredients together until the frosting is creamy. Place a tablespoon (or more!) of icing on each cookie and sandwich them together. Enjoy! Jack-Jack Num Num Cookies It’s no secret that we loveee some Jack-Jack Num Num Cookies around here! The cookies from the Incredible baby are truly…incredible (we’re corny, we know). The cookies can usually be found at both Disney California Adventure and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. But, if you can’t get there, make them at home! Num Num Cookie Ingredients 1 cup butter (2 sticks) 1 & 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 egg 1/4 cup sugar 1 egg yolk 1 tsp sea salt 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp baking soda 2 & 1/4 cups flour 1 cup chocolate chips Num Num Cookie Directions Brown your butter and let it cool until it begins to solidify. Cream butter, sugars, and salt in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Mix in whole egg, egg yolk, and vanilla. Combine your dry ingredients and mix them with the batter. Add the chocolate chips. Scoop your batter into balls and chill thoroughly, for at least an hour (preferably overnight). Bake at 350° F for 7-10 minutes or until your cookies are a nice golden brown on the edges but still soft in the center. There ya go — the cookies that you’re friends will ask you for the recipes of if you bring them to a holiday party! For more on the holidays in Disney World, check out a NEW light show that will debut in EPCOT tor the Festival of the Holidays, the FULL MENUS for the 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays, and a look at the 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays merchandise. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney food news, reviews, and recipes. Click here to see MORE Disney recipes!! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney World Fun This Holiday Season! The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2022 is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World. Order The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2022 now! It includes over 400 pages of must-have information, including: A full What's New!! chapter for the 2022 Holiday Season A full Monthly Schedule of Events for the Holiday Season How to avoid the crowds on Disney World's busiest days (and when Disney World closes their parks due to capacity!) ALL of the events, activities, and holiday additions in Walt Disney World. ALL. OF. THEM. And, of course, we'll tell you where to eat! ;-D Click HERE to order your 2022 Guide now and get 20% off with code PEPPERMINT! As always, our e-Books are 100% guaranteed! If you don't love it, you get your money back! Want Even MORE? The DFB Everything Bundle comes with ALL of our guides, including the Holiday Guide, for one low price! It includes: The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2022 The 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Guide The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Holidays 2022 Pre-Order 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Guide All Three DFB Snack Guides Click HERE to order your DFB Everything Bundle! MORE Disney World Holiday INFO! Check Out Everything Announced for the 2022 Holiday Season in Disney World Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Is Coming BACK in 2022 – Get the Latest Details Get All of the Latest Information About the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays We’ll Take This Little Golden Disney Book in Our Stocking, Santa! Learn Everything You Need to Know About Disney World Holiday Dining and Events See How Much It Costs to Do Disney World at Christmas in 2022 Watch Our Video About What We Wish We’d Known Before Going to Disney World During the Holidays Check Out Our Photos & Reviews of the Holiday Treats in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest holiday news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Which recipe are you the most excited to try? Tell us in the comments! The post 6 Disney Cookie Recipes to Recreate This Holiday Season first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We just saw a MAJOR clue that could mean the Walt Disney World Railroad will reopen soon! At Fantasyland Station, too! The fan-favorite attraction has been closed for YEARS now, leaving many fans wondering when the train will once again circle Magic Kingdom. We’ve seen a few hints that the train is returning soon, including a video released by Disney showing the train testing in the parks and even the train itself parked at the Main Street station. Now we have an update on the train’s progress! Today we were riding the PeopleMover in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland when we spotted a very exciting sight: the Walt Disney World Railroad train was being tested over by the TRON: Lightcycle Run construction site! It’s the train! TRON: Lightcycle Run is a roller coaster that’s coming to Tomorrowland and is expected to open in the Spring of 2023. Construction on this coaster has interrupted the tracks for the Walt Disney World Railroad, which may have been part of the reason for the Railroad’s continued closure. We previously spotted a tunnel running through the site that we assumed was going to be for the train. TRON construction Today, that was confirmed as we saw the train running through the tunnel and past the coaster! There it goes! Could this mean the train will return soon? Only time may tell, but we’ll be watching for any updates from Disney. It’s possible that more testing is required for the train, so it could still be a bit before it officially reopens. THE TRAIN Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more updates on the latest Disney news. Click here to step aboard a Disney World train for the first time in YEARS. 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. Are you a fan of the Walt Disney World Railroad? Let us know in the comments! The post SPOTTED: The Walt Disney World Train Was Testing Near TRON: Lightcycle Run in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The wrong park tickets and additional fees that feel like a flat-out scam could cost you BIG in Disney World. Entrance to There are things that you COULD pay for in Disney World that’ll make you go, “Now this feels like a giant rip-off.” So let’s avoid those feelings and figure out what extra charges you need to steer clear of during your upcoming Disney World vacation — here on DFB Guide. Check out our video below about the Disney World Rip-Offs We Need To Warn You About. Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney World Fun This Holiday Season! The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2022 is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World. Order The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2022 now! It includes over 400 pages of must-have information, including: A full What's New!! chapter for the 2022 Holiday Season A full Monthly Schedule of Events for the Holiday Season How to avoid the crowds on Disney World's busiest days (and when Disney World closes their parks due to capacity!) ALL of the events, activities, and holiday additions in Walt Disney World. ALL. OF. THEM. And, of course, we'll tell you where to eat! ;-D Click HERE to order your 2022 Guide now and get 20% off with code PEPPERMINT! As always, our e-Books are 100% guaranteed! If you don't love it, you get your money back! Want Even MORE? The DFB Everything Bundle comes with ALL of our guides, including the Holiday Guide, for one low price! It includes: The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2022 The 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Guide The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Holidays 2022 Pre-Order 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Guide All Three DFB Snack Guides Click HERE to order your DFB Everything Bundle! MORE Disney World Holiday INFO! Check Out Everything Announced for the 2022 Holiday Season in Disney World Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Is Coming BACK in 2022 – Get the Latest Details Get All of the Latest Information About the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays We’ll Take This Little Golden Disney Book in Our Stocking, Santa! Learn Everything You Need to Know About Disney World Holiday Dining and Events See How Much It Costs to Do Disney World at Christmas in 2022 Watch Our Video About What We Wish We’d Known Before Going to Disney World During the Holidays Check Out Our Photos & Reviews of the Holiday Treats in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest holiday news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What do you think is a rip-off in Disney World? Let us know in the comments. The post DFB Video: Disney World Rip-Offs We Need To Warn You About first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. It might be Thanksgiving today, but many people are gearing up for Black Friday as well. In fact, many Black Friday deals have already begun, including a BIG sale at Disney’s online store, shopDisney! Merch in Disney World We’ve been watching for the best Disney deals that you can find this year, and we’ve already seen some major savings on Disney products online. Now, shopDisney is hosting a site-wide Black Friday sale, but it won’t last long! Right now, you can save 30% sitewide on shopDisney! Just use the code MAGIC at checkout to apply the discount. That means that HUNDREDS of items are discounted, including apparel, toys, accessories, home decor, kitchen items, and more. The sale only lasts through Friday, November 25th, so you’ll want to be fast in grabbing whatever items you need. This could be the ideal time to knock out some of your Christmas shopping list items. ©Disney You might want to grab a new pair of Minnie ears for your next trip, like these gray and gold holiday ears. ©Disney They’re normally $29.99 online, but with the 30% off discount, they’re just $20.99 right now. Click here to buy the holiday Minnie ears. And speaking of holiday must-haves, the holiday sweater-print Spirit Jersey is also on sale today. “Ugly Sweater” Spirit Jersey The Spirit Jersey is normally $74.99, but with the 30% off discount plus another Black Friday deal that applies to Disney apparel, it’s just $36.75 right now! Click here to buy the holiday Spirit Jersey. Some of Disney’s trendiest toys are on sale right now too — the Disney Munchlings! You can get the Winnie the Pooh Honey Cake Munchling at a discount for Black Friday. Pooh Usually this plush is $34.99, but today and tomorrow it’ll cost $24.49. Click here to buy the Winnie the Pooh Honey Cake Munchling. Haunted Mansion fans might want to check out this mini backpack that’s themed to the Bride. Haunted Mansion backpack The backpack is usually $44.99, but with the 30% off discount, it’s just $30.98! Click here to buy the Haunted Mansion backpack. And if you need a cute Disney sweater for this winter season, check out the Minnie Mouse Striped Cardigan, which has adorable Mickey-shaped buttons. Love these colors The cardigan is usually $59.99, but with the 30% off discount plus another discount that applies to apparel, it’s just $29.39! Click here to buy the Minnie Mouse Striped Cardigan. These aren’t the only items on sale — not by a long shot. Head to shopDisney now to see ALL the deals! Click here to shop the Disney Black Friday sale online! Remember that the deal ends on Friday (that’s tomorrow!) so you’ll want to be quick! And stay tuned to DFB for more update on all the latest Disney news. Check out our ultimate guide to Disney Black Friday deals. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What Disney items are you hoping to buy this Black Friday? Let us know in the comments! The post HURRY! 🚨 Disney's HUGE Online Black Friday Sale Won't Last Long! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You’ve read all the lists, watched all the videos, and know exactly which snacks you’re going to get when you’re in the Disney World parks. Mickey Pretzel! There’s just one problem — Disney World doesn’t end just at the park gates. Some of our absolute favorite foods are hiding, and sometimes in the unlikeliest of places. Say goodbye to Mickey Premium Bars and popcorn because we’re sharing eight amazing Disney snacks you won’t find in the theme parks! Not all Disney snacks are created equally, and not all of them can be found in the parks! The next time you find yourself wandering around the Disney World Resort hotels, give these iconic snacks a try. Noodles from ‘Ohana We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: ‘Ohana noodles are one of our favorite things to eat in all of Disney World. These delicious little ribbons of savory goodness are always on our “best snacks” lists for a reason! They’re salty and sweet, and have a really great soy flavor to them. We love you, ‘Ohana noodles You’ll find them as part of your meal at ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, but pro tip: you can get them at Tambu Lounge as well! That way you don’t have to wait around or worry about having to get a dining reservation at ‘Ohana (which can be tough!). Mickey Beignets from Scat Cat’s Club Cafe We’re headed on down to New Orleans — okay, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort anyway — for this sweet treat. We love stopping by Scat Cat’s Club Cafe and grabbing some Mickey Beignets. You’ll typically find a specialty beignet on the menu, but there’s nothing wrong with the old classic. We can’t resist a Mickey Beignet These babies are warm, fluffy, and have the perfect amount of powdered sugar on them — which is coincidentally also the perfect amount of powdered sugar to get allllllll over your clothes. The Mickey Beignets are worth it, though, you can trust us on this one. Onion Rings from Steakhouse 71 Steakhouse 71 opened up at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in 2021 and has been one of our more recent favorite spots to escape the chaos that can be Magic Kingdom. As you can probably guess, steaks are their specialty, but there’s also a stellar burger on the menu, and a solid French Onion Soup as well. However, the Steakhouse 71 onion rings are the next snack to join this list. Onion Rings They’re coated in Panko breadcrumbs before being fried, so the outer breading is incredibly light and crispy. The onions on the inside are well cooked and not slimy like you sometimes find with onion rings. Oh, and these are truly some steakhouse-sized onion rings. Pulled Pork Nachos from Capt. Cook’s Back over at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Capt. Cook’s is another quick-service spot with some seriously good eats — mainly, the Pulled Pork Nachos. Yes, you read that correctly. These are made with Poly Chips (homemade potato and wonton chips) topped with cheese, spicy mayonnaise, pico de gallo, and pineapple salsa. Pulled Pork Nachos There’s just something about the salty, savory pork combined with the melty cheese and sweetness of the pineapple salsa that makes these chips unlike anything we’ve had in Disney World. These are another great snack worth leaving Magic Kingdom for if you’re looking for a break. Macaroni and Cheese from Gasparilla Island Grill Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is one of the fanciest hotels on property, but there’s still a quick-service spot that serves up some really great food — Gasparilla Island Grill. And, they happen to have some pretty stellar Macaroni and Cheese! House-Made Mac and Cheese This stuff is incredibly creamy and cheesy, and has that rich flavor that makes a mac and cheese so good. Sometimes mac and cheese can be kind of gluey and be pretty bland — but we’ve never found that to be the case here! Zebra Domes from Boma If you’re looking for a dining experience that isn’t like any other you’ll find in Disney World, head over to Animal Kingdom Lodge. Boma is one of our favorite table-service restaurants that serves up delicious African-inspired dishes — and Zebra Domes. Zebra Domes So what exactly is a Zebra Dome? It’s an Amarula Cream Liquor mousse surrounded by a layer of white chocolate, which is drizzled with chocolate and chocolate shavings. And underneath it all is a thin base of cake. If you’re a fan of tiramisu, you’ll love these little bites. No Way Jose Sundae from Beaches & Cream Over at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, you’ll find an adorable soda fountain-style restaurant called Beaches & Cream. And on that menu is the No Way Jose Sundae. This is a peanut butter and hot fudge sundae featuring chocolate and vanilla ice cream, peanut butter and chocolate morsels, whipped cream, and a cherry on top. No Way Jose Sundae If that doesn’t make your mouth water, we don’t know what will. The peanut butter sauce is everything with this sundae — we could drink it by itself. But the combination of all the flavors coming together is what makes this dessert one of the best you’ll find outside the parks. Mardi Gras Fritters from Boatwright’s Dining Hall And finally, we’re heading back to Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — but this time going Riverside — and checking out Boatwright’s Dining Hall. These Mardi Gras Fritters are out of this world — made with Panko-covered, deep-fried pimiento cheese topped with pepper jelly. The combination of the rich pimiento cheese and the sweet and spicy pepper jelly is something you don’t want to miss! Mardi Gras Fritters WE KNOW – there are SO many great snacks at Disney World! How do you choose (we don’t want to choose but will blow our budget on Day 1 otherwise)? We’ve got you covered! We have reviewed nearly EVERY snack available at Disney World, and we’ve written a series of DFB Guides about them! Check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining + Snacks Bundle for all the details you need to plan your snackin’ and spending. You can even download them to your smartphone – it’ll be like we’re right there with you in the parks! Use code WDW2023 to get 25% off! It’s time to pre-order your DFB Guide! Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney snack news and more! Here Are Your Must Get Disney World Snacks for 2022 Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know The ONLY Disney Dining Planning Tool You’ll Need Is Here – Get the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! See Our Complete Disney World Restaurants Guide Check Out the 19 Best Restaurants in Disney World in 2022 Our Top 50 All-Time Best Disney Dining Tips These Are the BEST Meals in Disney World for Under $15 Ranking Every Single Magic Kingdom Restaurant Ranking Every Single EPCOT Restaurant Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney Springs Ranking Every Single Restaurant in Disney World Hotels – Cheap Eats Edition Check Out Dozens of Disney Dining Tips and Tools Learn All About Tipping at Disney Restaurants How to Use Mobile Order in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What’s your favorite Disney World snack? Let us know in the comments! The post 8 Amazing Disney World Snacks You WON’T Find in the Theme Parks first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Genie+ was introduced in Disney World over a year ago, and since then, we’ve learned a LOT about the system that replaced FastPass in the parks. Disney Genie Genie+ is a paid service that allows you to make reservations for the Lightning Lanes of various rides around the parks. The Lightning Lanes work how the FastPass lanes used to, letting you skip the standby line and majorly cutting down on your wait times. When Genie+ was first introduced, it was $15 per day, per person, but Disney recently switched over to surge pricing, which means the price can vary depending on demand. The service reached its HIGHEST price to date a couple of days ago, and the cost remains high for Thanksgiving Day. Genie+ is $29 per person today in Disney World, which is the same price that we’ve seen over the last couple of days for the holiday break. ©Disney The price of the service now fluctuates based on demand, so the more people that are expected to be in the parks, the higher it’s going to be. Since this is the week of Thanksgiving break, it’s easily one of the busiest times of the year in the parks, thus the high price. Expedition Everest Lightning Lane This is probably a pretty good indication of what things might look like around Christmastime in the parks (although Christmas Day could potentially be even more expensive). Using Disney Genie+ So, if you’re going to be in the parks around the holidays and want to use Disney Genie+ to skip some lines, make sure to factor it into your budget, because that price can add up quickly for larger groups. For a family of four, the service used to be $60 per day, but now, with this week’s pricing, it’s $116 per day. Lightning Lane at Seven Dwarfs Mine Train For more on Genie+, check out these posts: WHY Disney Raised Genie+ Prices and How To AVOID Paying More 7 Things We’ve Learned After Using Disney Genie+ for a FULL YEAR New Genie+ CHANGE Could Make It EASIER to Use in Disney World How to AVOID the BIGGEST Genie+ Mistakes in Disney World Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World news and updates. Click here to see EVERYTHING you need to know about Disney Genie+! 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. Would you pay this price for Genie+ in Disney World? Tell us why or why not in the comments. The post Genie+ Cost Stays at Record-high Price in Disney World on Thanksgiving Day first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney CEO Bob Iger reportedly had some major concerns about Bob Chapek when Chapek was the CEO, including the feeling that Chapek was “killing the soul of the company.” ©Disney According to The Wall Street Journal, Iger had a difficult time handing over the reins after he retired from his position as CEO in 2020, and he had a habit of interfering at the company, which Chapek sometimes felt “undermined” his role as a leader. Bob Iger announced in late February 2020 that he was retiring from his position as CEO and would be succeeded by Bob Chapek. Iger would remain at The Walt Disney Company as the executive chairman of the Board. Bob Iger ©New York Post Apparently, the first signs of tension between the 2 men came less than a month later, when they “were at odds over Mr. Chapek’s plan to lay off tens of thousands of workers at Disney’s theme parks as Covid-19 hit,” according to The Wall Street Journal. Chapek confided to some that this made him “feel as though he had been undermined from the start,” and the idea “infuriated” him. ©Disney Iger continued to be involved in the happenings at Disney and frequently commented on Chapek’s decisions both privately and publicly. The WSJ reported that “some associates said Mr. Iger would fixate on the topic [of Bob Chapek] so much that it became uncomfortable.” Joseph Yaffe (who advises on corporate governance) said that some former CEOs are “simply unable to take their hands off the wheel,” which seemed to be the case with Iger. Chapek reportedly complained to his inner circle that Iger “was interfering in day-to-day matters that were supposed to be the CEO’s domain.” ©Reuters Reports say that Iger felt Chapek had “given priority” to Disney’s streaming business “at the expense of other parts of Disney, like cable television and the theme parks.” In fact, Iger was “alarmed by increases in prices at Disney theme parks,” which Chapek felt would “boost revenue and limit overcrowding.” Main Street Iger apparently told more than one person that Chapek was “killing the soul of the company.” Now, some associates have said that Iger told them “he has another priority beyond righting the company’s finances.” He plans “to be more involved in the CEO succession process this time around.” ©Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images Chapek has long been considered the “finance guy,” whereas Iger is thought to be the “content guy.” Chapek’s experience with balancing the numbers and cutting costs was likely what led to Disney’s successful recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he lacked the charisma and finesse to win the positive opinion of many Disney fans, and as Disney continued to lose money on its streaming services, the company turned to Iger in the hope that he could turn things around. To learn more about Bob Iger and his return as Disney’s CEO, check out these posts: Disney Stock Values Jump Following News About Bob Iger’s Return as CEO Bob Iger Is Back at Disney. Here’s What Can Change (and What Won’t) Why Disney Replaced Bob Chapek with Bob Iger Celebrities React to Disney’s Decision to Bring Back Bob Iger Bob Iger Is BACK as Disney’s CEO — What Happens Now? Keep following DFB for more updates on all the latest Disney news! Click here to see 7 BIG challenges Bob Iger will face as Disney’s new CEO. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post CEO Bob Iger Reportedly Believed Chapek Was "Killing the Soul" of The Walt Disney Company first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

What’s the best part about Christmas and the holiday season at Disney World? Christmas Tree at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Arguments can be made for the decorations or the entertainment, or even Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Some others might even say the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. But one really strong contender? The gingerbread displays at Disney World’s Deluxe Resorts! We’ve already seen the gingerbread cottage at the Grand Floridian Resort and the gingerbread castle at the Contemporary Resort, but now it’s time for a truly unique creation at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge — the gingerbread giraffe! The gingerbread giraffe! The “Ginger-affe” was first introduced to the resort last year, in 2021. It’s quite an impressive model! The detail is impeccable. Lots of detail! This year the exhibit continues to grow as the Gingeraffe got a friend — Debra the Zebra. The tiny Zebra foal is also a delicious confection creation. Debra the Zebra! This year’s display is made with honey from approximately 32,256 bees, totaling about 42 pounds of honey. It was created by the incredible pastry team at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Look at those stats! Don’t forget to look for hidden gingerbread Mickey heads throughout the sculptures! We spotted one on the giraffe’s leg. Hidden Mickey If you’re hoping to get a special treat to commemorate this year’s display, head to the resort’s quick service, The Mara. There, you can buy the Gingeraffe Cookie for $6.29. Special treat for the season! It’s a signature gingerbread cookie with milk chocolate buttercream filling. It looks like a little giraffe in front of a Christmas tree — how cute! Gingeraffe Cookie This display will be up throughout the holiday season, so make sure to check it out if you’re visiting the resort in the next few weeks. There are plenty of other gingerbread displays to visit as well — including a pretty spectacular gingerbread carousel at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. If you’re heading to Disney World for the holidays, stay tuned to DFB for the latest updates. We’ve been to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and we’ve got the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays coming up soon. We can’t wait to celebrate! Click Here to Check Out the Grand Floridian Gingerbread Display! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney World Fun This Holiday Season! The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2022 is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World. Order The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2022 now! It includes over 400 pages of must-have information, including: A full What's New!! chapter for the 2022 Holiday Season A full Monthly Schedule of Events for the Holiday Season How to avoid the crowds on Disney World's busiest days (and when Disney World closes their parks due to capacity!) ALL of the events, activities, and holiday additions in Walt Disney World. ALL. OF. THEM. And, of course, we'll tell you where to eat! ;-D Click HERE to order your 2022 Guide now and get 20% off with code PEPPERMINT! As always, our e-Books are 100% guaranteed! If you don't love it, you get your money back! Want Even MORE? The DFB Everything Bundle comes with ALL of our guides, including the Holiday Guide, for one low price! It includes: The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2022 The 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Guide The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Holidays 2022 Pre-Order 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Guide All Three DFB Snack Guides Click HERE to order your DFB Everything Bundle! MORE Disney World Holiday INFO! Check Out Everything Announced for the 2022 Holiday Season in Disney World Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Is Coming BACK in 2022 – Get the Latest Details Get All of the Latest Information About the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays We’ll Take This Little Golden Disney Book in Our Stocking, Santa! Learn Everything You Need to Know About Disney World Holiday Dining and Events See How Much It Costs to Do Disney World at Christmas in 2022 Watch Our Video About What We Wish We’d Known Before Going to Disney World During the Holidays Check Out Our Photos & Reviews of the Holiday Treats in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest holiday news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Which Disney World gingerbread display is your favorite? Tell us in the comments! The post Where to Find a GIANT Gingerbread Giraffe in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article