Disney4me

There are a lot of perks that come with being a Disney World Annual Passholder, from discounts on dining and merchandise to exclusive souvenirs and more. Now, one of those discounts is about to get even BETTER. Annual Passholder sign Disney will sometimes change the discounts available to Annual Passholders, with limited-time deals or exclusive offers. If you have an Annual Pass, find out how you can save BIG this fall during your next vacation! Disney sent a message to Annual Passholders recently, announcing that one discount is about to get better. From September 14th through October 14th, the Annual Passholder merchandise discount is going to increase from 20% to 30%! At Disney World’s owned and operated locations within the Resort, passholders can save an extra 10% for a limited time. Disney World Annual Passholder entrance sign Remember that you must show your Annual Passholder ID (this can be through the My Disney Experience app) and a valid government-issued ID at the time of purchase in order to qualify for the discounts. You can apply the discount to purchases made through Mobile Checkout on the My Disney Experience app as well. Mobile Checkout This isn’t the only exclusive fall discount for Annual Passholders, though. They can also save up to 25% on some Disney World hotel rooms for stays most nights from October 23rd, 2022, through December 25th, 2022. Click here to learn more about the Annual Passholder hotel discount. If you’re looking for some passholder-exclusive merchandise, you can find the 50th Anniversary Annual Passholder Magnet at the Creations Shop in EPCOT from August 25th through September 21st, 2022. This magnet was previously distributed to passholders, but if you missed your chance to get it before, you’ve now got a second opportunity to snag one. Remember to show your Annual Passholder ID and government-issued ID to pick up the magnet. 50th Anniversary Annual Passholder Magnet And a NEW magnet is coming out as well! An Annual Passholder magnet will be delivered to homes later on this fall, but Disney hasn’t yet revealed what the new magnet will look like. Make sure your contact information and address are up to date in the My Disney Experience app so that your magnet will arrive at your home without any delays. Magnet Distribution sign Here’s how to update your contact information on the My Disney Experience app: (1) tap the 3 horizontal lines at the bottom right-hand corner of the home screen on the app, (2) scroll to the bottom and click “My Profile,” (3) tap “Account Settings,” (4) check the information there and update any incorrect information. Annual Passholder-exclusive merchandise Remember that, if you don’t already have an Annual Pass, most options for passes are currently unavailable. Disney hasn’t announced yet when they’ll be back for sale, but we’re watching closely for any updates. We’ll continue to watch for more updates on the latest Disney news, so stay tuned to DFB! Find out what the Annual Pass did to Disney World. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 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 Disney World Annual Passholder? Let us know in the comments! The post Annual Passholder Merchandise DISCOUNT INCREASED in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

To continue our celebration of #WorldPrincessWeek, take a look as we reveal more design details on Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, an all-new experience coming soon to the World Nature neighborhood at EPCOT.View the full article

There are a LOT of different places that you can stay when you’re at Disney World. Grand Floridian Hotel & Spa There’s standard hotel rooms, treehouses, villas, suites, campsites, and more. Each resort is unique in its own way, with different theming and amenities, so it’s hard to decide which one to choose sometimes! Luckily, we have a ton of resources to help you out. But today, we want to talk to you about the future — here’s how your Disney World hotel stay will be different in 2023. Hey, Disney Disney is supposed to be putting new devices in all of its hotel rooms sometime this year that will essentially work like an Amazon Alexa, except instead of saying “Alexa” you’ll talk to the device by saying “Hey, Disney!” These are launching as a complimentary feature and will be your digital voice assistant during your hotel stay. Hey, Disney! Hey, Disney! will be able to do a lot of different things like assisting you with stuff you might need during your hotel stay. For example, you could say “Hey, Disney! We need 2 more towels” and the service should get that request fulfilled by the hotel. Hey, Disney! Hey, Disney! will also let you interact with different Disney characters in all new ways! There will be a bunch of characters available through the device like some favorites from Pixar, Star Wars, The Muppets, and Marvel. One thing that could happen is you asking what the weather is like and getting some comments from Olaf about how much he loves warm weather! It can even tell jokes! Other things that Hey, Disney! will be able to do is tell you jokes, give you Disney Trivia, create soundscapes, and tell you stories. There will also be a new character introduced — the Disney Magical Companion. This will be your guide to all things Disney and will help answer your questions, set alarms, and more. And, the new MagicBand+ will also connect with Hey, Disney! Click here to see what Hey, Disney! can do! Housekeeping Housekeeping services were dialed way back when Disney World first reopened after the 2020 shutdown. In many cases, housekeeping went from happening almost every day to only happening between stays. We’ve seen a lot of housekeeping ramp back up again, but not all of it is back to normal. Old Key West Resort So, if you’ve been to Disney World in the past 2 years and haven’t had housekeeping, that might be completely different if you visit in 2023! Now, during your stay, Disney’s website says that guest rooms will get a “light” cleaning service every other day. This service includes things like “Removal of trash and used towels, replenishment of towels and amenities throughout the room and bathroom, wiping and cleaning of the vanity and counter surfaces, and vacuuming if needed.” Large sink It’s the standard for every other day service to be happening right now, but some resorts even have housekeeping every single day, like at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. This could be a sign that every day housekeeping will be returning in the future, so that’s a possibility for 2023 as well. Grand Floridian Resort DVC Studio Do note that the housekeeping frequency is different for Disney Vacation Club Members though — service will only come on the 4th and 8th day of your stay. Click here to see everything we know about housekeeping at Disney World right now Prices Disney World is no stranger to price increases, and we’ve seen a bunch over the course of 2022. Food, merchandise, and tickets have all seen price increases, so it’s no surprise that hotel rooms have as well. With the current economic situation, and depending on demand, we could see inflation start affecting hotel room prices, causing them to go up. Disney’s Grand Floridian lobby Luckily, there are still ways to get discounts and deals. And, prices will usually be lower during less busy times of the year compared to the times in high demand, like the holiday season. But, if you’re starting to budget for a trip in 2023, you might need to be prepared to shell out a bit more than you’re used to. Click here to check out all of the current Disney hotel deals and discounts Availability Speaking of demand, you should probably expect the demand to be high for Disney World in 2023. A LOT more people are traveling now than they were in the past couple of years due to the global pandemic. And, a lot of international as well as domestic travel restrictions have been lifted, which also allows for easier travel. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Many people could have put off their Disney World vacations until 2023 due to the pandemic. Also, the beginning of 2023 will still have 50th anniversary celebrations happening, there are new things at the parks to enjoy, and we could even possibly see TRON open next year, all driving up demand. This could make snagging a hotel room and Park Pass Reservations a bit more difficult, so we’d definitely suggest planning things as far in advance as you can! These Will Be the Hardest Disney World Dining Reservations to Get in 2023 Construction There’s a lot of construction that will be taking place at the Disney World hotels in 2023. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is getting a whole new Disney Vacation Club building of villas next to the current resort, so expect work to continue throughout 2023, because these aren’t supposed to open until late 2024. They’re said to be “inspired by the early concepts for Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort,” according to Disney. ©Disney | Polynesian Village Resort concept art Another resort undergoing a lot of construction is Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. The actual BoardWalk just got a new deli that replaced the bakery, and there is also a new restaurant — the Cake Bake Shop — coming to the space. It’s set to open in 2023. New deli In addition to the changes being made to the actual BoardWalk, the hotel will see new things as well. The lobby, lounge, and guest rooms will be “reinvigorated” with “light and airy touches.” And, a new coffee bar will arrive just off of the hotel’s lobby! Lobby Another thing to be aware of is the Skyliner construction happening at the very beginning of 2023. Disney’s Skyliner will be closed for refurbishment from January 22nd to 29th, 2023. So, if you’re planning a trip during this time, you might want to reconsider booking one of the resorts on the Skyliner, since you won’t be able to use it. BIG Changes Are Coming to Disney’s BoardWalk: See the Latest Construction Updates! Pool Closures There are several pool closures at Disney World hotels that you need to be aware of in 2023! Starting in January and going all the way until late March, the High Rock Spring Pool will be closed for refurbishment at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. This means the On The Rocks Pool Bar will also be closed during that time. Saratoga Springs Pool From January 9th through April 2023, the feature pool and whirlpool spa will be closed at Disney’s Contemporary Resort… Contemporary Feature Pool …and the Meadow Swimmin’ Pool and whirlpool spa will be closed at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds. Do note that these pools are the pools with the slides at these hotels, so that feature will not be available at these hotels if you’re staying at them during those months. Click here to keep up with all of the refurbishments at Disney World! Merchandise Delivery Merchandise Pickup and Delivery is still not available at Disney World as of this writing. So, that means Resort Hotel Delivery is also not available. If you don’t know, this is when you could buy souvenirs in the theme parks and then have them delivered to your hotel instead of carrying them around with you all day. So many ears! Disney hasn’t given any update on whether this could be returning in 2023, but they DID bring it back at Disneyland Resort, so we’re holding out hope that Disney World is next! This would be awesome for your Disney trip — think of all the things you could buy that you wouldn’t have to carry around with you! Click here to learn about getting FOOD delivered to your Disney World hotel Disney Dining Plan Oh look, we’re talking about the Disney Dining Plan again! Yep, sadly the Dining Plan has yet to return to Disney World. It was put on pause when the parks shut down in 2020, and while Disney HAS said that it will be returning, they’ve given no indication as to when that could be. But, we do regularly see DDP logos on menus around the parks. So much FOOD If the Dining Plan were to come back by 2023, it could definitely change your resort stay! With having all of your food pre-paid, maybe you would check out some restaurants you normally wouldn’t visit, like ‘Ohana or Boma. This would also change how you snack when you’re out at the pool or hanging out at the resort, since you wouldn’t need to carry money anywhere — you’d just use a snack credit! When the Disney Dining Plan Comes Back, Will It Be A Better Deal Than Before? Theming Some of the theming either has already changed or will be changing at some Disney World hotels soon! Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort will no longer have the Pirate Rooms available in 2023. We don’t have word on what will be done to the rooms, but we do know that they’ll be unavailable. Pirates Beds And, if you haven’t stayed at some of the Magic Kingdom resorts lately, a lot of the rooms have been given makeovers! Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort got Moana–inspired rooms… Moana rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Resort …there are Incredibles-inspired rooms at the Contemporary… Contemporary Guest Room …and the rooms at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa are getting a whole new Mary Poppins look! So, be prepared for some new theming in your guest rooms during your stay. Grand Floridian Resort DVC Studio And H2O+ just announced that they will be retiring their business at the end of 2022. As of writing, there is no word on how this will impact the products used in Disney World hotels rooms and cruise ships. We will keep you posted! Toiletries That’s everything that will be different at your Disney World hotel in 2023! We hope this helps you with your planning, but if you need more info, check out The BIG Problem With Disney World’s Moderate Resorts, What to Do If You Can’t Get the Disney World Hotel Reservation You Wanted, and A Definitive Ranking of EVERY Disney World Hotel! Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World news, info, and updates! The 8 Most RIDICULOUSLY Awesome Disney World Hotel Rooms! Want More Details About Disney World’s Hotels? Ranking of ALL of Disney World’s Hotels Our Picks for the Best Disney World Hotels in 2022 These Are the WORST Disney World Hotels for 2022 13 Critical Things You’re FORGETTING About When Booking a Disney World Hotel You Couldn’t Get the Disney World Hotel Reservation You Wanted – Now What? The 6 Disney World Hotel Problems No One is Talking About See Why You Might BAIL on Your Disney World Hotel A Full List of Changes Announced for Disney World’s Hotels 8 Gadgets You Need for Your Disney World Hotel Room The Surprising Things You Won’t Find in Your Disney World Hotel Room The Secret Way to Stay in Disney World’s Hotels for LESS! What Items from Amazon Can You Have Delivered to Your Resort Hotel? We’ve Got the Details Are Disney World Hotel Perks Worth the Hefty Price Tag? Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney World hotel news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Which Disney World hotel is your favorite to stay at? Tell us in the comments! The post 9 Ways Your Disney World Hotel Stay Will Be Different in 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

One of the most important decisions you make when planning your Disney World vacation is just where you’re going to rest your head after a looooooong park day. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge But, not all Disney World Resort Hotels are created equally — there are Value, Moderate, and Deluxe options all throughout the property. If you’re a Disney World Annual Passholder trying to decide where to stay on your next visit or have been looking for the perfect excuse to plan a trip, we’ve got news that might make your choice a little bit easier — Annual Passholders can save at Disney World Resort hotels this holiday season! Get ready to start packing, because Disney World Annual Passholders can save up to 25% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels for stays most nights from October 23rd, 2022 through December 25th, 2022. Shoutout to our friends at Small World Vacations for letting us know about this deal! Art of Animation Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels get to enjoy exclusive perks like Early Theme Park Entry, early access to Individual Lightning Lane selection, and Deluxe resort guests can take advantage of Extended Evening Hours on select nights. Lightning Lane If you’ve been looking for the perfect excuse to book that Disney World trip — this might be it! Annual Passholders can save 25% on stays most Sunday to Thursday nights October 23rd through November 17th and stays most nights November 20th through December 25th at: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Disney’s Old Key West Resort Disney’s Riviera Resort Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Riviera Resort Save 20% on stays most Sunday to Thursday nights October 23rd through November 17th and stays most nights November 20th through December 25th at: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Family Suites Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter You can also get 15% off for stays most Sunday to Thursday nights October 23rd through November 17th and stays most nights November 20th through December 25th at: Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort Disney’s All-Star Music Resort Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village Disney’s Beach Club Resort Disney’s BoardWalk Villas Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Disney’s Contemporary Resort Disney’s Wilderness Lodge The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort And finally, Annual Passholders can save 10% for stays most Sunday to Thursday nights October 23rd through November 17th and stays most nights November 20th through December 25th at Disney’s Pop Century Resort. Keep in mind that the Annual Passholder must be present at check-in and show their Annual Pass. There’s also a minimum 1-night stay and the maximum stay is 14 nights. Space is limited, so if this sounds like a deal you don’t want to miss — be sure to book soon! Pop Century Resort If you want to take advantage of these savings but are feeling overwhelmed by the planning process, we recommend checking out a Disney Travel Agent like our friends at Small World Vacations! They can help you plan your Disney vacation from start to finish and make sure you’re getting the BEST possible deal. Magic Kingdom It’s an exciting time to visit Disney World! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is in full swing, the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival is still going strong, and after that, we’ve got the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays to look forward to! Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news and more. Disney World Hotels You NEED to Check Out in 2022 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 Where will you be staying on your next Disney World trip? Let us know in the comments! The post New Hotel DISCOUNTS Announced for Disney World Annual Passholders first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Menus sprinkled across Universal Studios give preview of food set for Halloween Horror Nights View the full article

In 1992 Disney executives began planning a theme park that would celebrate America’s history and diversity. The project, named Disney’s America, would have included a section about the Civil War, a part about spirit guides, and a tribute to Walt Disney himself. Find out how Disney’s America came about and why it was never built. […] The post Inside Disney’s America: The Most Controversial Never Built Theme Park appeared first on Military Disney Tips Blog. View the full article

Need input on Visit Orlando's Magical Dining? Consider these Orlando Sentinel-vetted venues. View the full article

Hope you have a sweet tooth — you’ll need it! Aurora Fruit Tart For World Princess Week, Disney has been celebrating with royal merchandise, giveaways, and treats. And, since we’re Disney FOOD Blog, we’ve been digging into all of the Princess-inspired treats the resorts have to offer! And one of the special treats we just tried was perfectly sweet in ALMOST every way. Over at Gasparilla Island Grill in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, we grabbed the Perfectly Princess Cupcake! This treat is a Vanilla Sponge Cupcake with pink Buttercream Ruffles, white Nonpareil Sprinkles, and a Princess White Chocolate Coin. And you guys…this treat lived up to its name! It doesn’t get more classic than a Vanilla Cupcake with Buttercream. So naturally, it’s perfect for kids and adults. It’s hard to dislike a classic, ya know? (Unless you’re not a fan of Vanilla or Cupcakes, that is.) Perfectly Princess Cupcake The White Chocolate Coin quickly began melting in that brutal Florida sun — but we don’t really blame Disney for this one. We’re melting in the heat too. So saaaaad. If you LOOOOVE frosting (like seriously LOVE frosting), we will note that there was definitely a higher cake-to-frosting ratio on this one. So that could be a bad thing for you. That’s the only thing that might make people not fall for this classic treat. Like…It’s A HUNK Of Cake! This was a really great treat, and a safe bet for anyone with a pickier palate. If you want to grab this treat, you can get it through August 27th for $5.99. For more Princess treats, check out some other Princess Cupcakes — including the Ariel Cupcake or Cinderella Cupcake! And, as always, stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news! Check Out The Full List Of Princess Treats Around Disney World And Disneyland Resort Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you tried any of the World Princess Week treats? Let us know in the comments! The post The Cupcake That’ll Satisfy Almost Everyone in Disney World (Keyword: ALMOST) 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. In case you missed the announcement, it’s officially World Princess Week, which means we’re celebrating Disney princesses! Princess Fairytale Hall We’ve already started eating some brand new princess snacks in both Disneyland and Disney World, and new merchandise has also started to arrive online and in the parks. Now, Igloo Coolers is getting in on the celebration! You can now get Princess Coolers!!! So if you have a favorite princess, you can get her on a cooler. There’s a Princess Ariel Little Playmate Cooler that wants to be “Part of Your World!” It’s so PINK. ©Igloo It also has Ariel’s friends on it, Sebastian and Flounder! That side of the cooler says “Under The Sea.” ©Igloo This cooler is currently available for $49.99. Click Here To Buy The Ariel Cooler If your favorite princess is the bookworm Belle, she has a cooler, too! The Belle Little Playmate Cooler is yellow and features Belle on it with “Happily Ever After.” There’s Mrs. Potts and Chip on the side! ©Igloo The other side says “Be Our Guest” and has Lumiere and Cogsworth. ©Igloo This cooler is also $49.99. Click Here To Buy The Belle Cooler Finally, you can get a Jasmine Little Playmate Cooler. It’s green and says “A Whole New World” with Jasmine on it. You’ll also see Rajah on it! ©Igloo The other side says “Friend Like Me” with Genie. Abu is also on it! ©Igloo This cooler is $49.99. Click Here To Buy The Jasmine Cooler How fun, right? Looking for even MORE Princess merchandise? You can find it here! Also, be sure to keep following us as we try all the princess snacks in Disney World and Disneyland (and yes, we’ll be eating EVERYTHING). If you’re heading to Disney World, be sure to tell the princesses you meet there happy World Princess Week. Here’s where you can find them! Come With Us to Meet a MYSTERY Disney Princess! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. How are you celebrating World Princess Week? Let us know in the comments! The post Igloo Just Gave Their Coolers a Disney Princess Makeover first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Gov. Ron DeSantis and others are asking a court to dismiss a lawsuit over the dissolution of Disney’s Reedy Creek. View the full article

Some say a roller coaster is all about speed. Others say it’s all about the twists and turns that make your head spin. But on Space Mountain, the thrill ultimately comes from the pitch-black intergalactic ambiance. “I love the ride because it really does feel like you’re immersed into space and it really does feel […]View the full article

We’ve been sharing all the news we hear about the D23 Expo as it gets closer! ©D23 We’ve seen some D23 Expo attire and exclusive D23 merchandise sneak peeks already — and we’ve seen how you can take part in special giveaways. Disney has just announced four new merchandise collections coming to the Expo all designed by powerful Disney women, and we’re sharing a first look! These four upcoming Disney collaborations will debut at the 2022 D23 Expo, all featuring traditional princesses and heroines. But don’t worry — they’ll be available on shopDisney too. Not only that, but these collections have been designed by four powerhouse women in Disney fashion! ©Disney The first is the Aristocats Artist Series Collection by Ann Shen! It’s inspired by Ann’s childhood trips to Disneyland, and showcases her love for home decor. Find it at the D23 Expo, and then on shopDisney later in September. ©Disney The next collection is the Star Wars Guided by the Light Collection by Ashley Eckstein, who originated the role and voice of Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and is also the founder and owner of the brand Her Universe. This collection, inspired by the scene at the end of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, will debut on September 9th at the D23 Expo and on shopDisney.com. ©Disney The Frozen Artist Series Collection by Brittney Lee, a Visual Development Artist at Walt Disney Animation Studios, has designed a stunning doll collection. The Anna and Elsa dolls will debut at the D23 Expo and be released on shopDisney later this year. ©Disney Lastly, the Princess Tiana Collection by Color Me Courtney has designed a colorful and fun collection themed to Disney Animation’s The Princess and the Frog! On September 9th, her collection will debut at the D23 Expo and online at shopDisney.com. ©Disney Be sure to use the D23 Expo app to create your schedule and not miss out on any of your favorite panels and events. Familiarize yourself with virtual queues and mobile checkouts as well, as that’ll be the fastest way to get in and out of those merchandise lines. Stay tuned to DFB for all the latest D23 Expo news! Click here to see who will be named Disney legends at this year’s D23 Expo! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 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 collection are you most excited for? Let us know below! The post First Look at 4 NEW Disney Merchandise Collaborations first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

How do you get to Disney World? If you drive, things are getting easier for you as average gas prices continue to drop across the United States, but if you fly, things are still complicated. Southwest Flight Flights are still being canceled at high rates, and airlines are mishandling and losing more luggage than just a year ago. With everything seemingly so complicated right now, travelers are wanting to simplify their travel days in as many ways as possible, and now, Southwest Airlines is introducing a new way to make your travel go just a little bit smoother. If you’ve ever flown on a Southwest flight, then you might recall that it is one of the few airlines without assigned seating. When you book a flight with Southwest, you do not choose a seat before boarding, and instead find an available seat on the plane once you’re on board, and you may find yourself all the way at the back of the plane or in another unfavorable location. Instead of choosing a seat ahead of time, you find one once you board. Now, Southwest is offering a new program that will allow you to choose your seat prior to boarding — well, kinda. It’s called Upgraded Boarding and it’s $30 per person per segment (so if you have a layover somewhere, you would have to pay for Upgraded Boarding twice). Upgraded Boarding will give you access to the A1-A15 boarding position, so you’ll be one of the first people on the plane. That means that you’ll have first access to seat selection and overhead bin space. Southwest Airlines You can purchase Upgraded Boarding as early as 24 hours before your flight online or in the Southwest Airlines app. The purchasing window will remain open until 30 minutes before your flight departs. Any traveler who has purchased a Southwest plane ticket in the Anytime, Wanna Get Away, or Wanna Get Away Plus category is eligible to purchase Upgraded Boarding, but they should be aware that availability will vary from flight to flight. This is something that Southwest has offered in the past when available at the gate at the airport, but now it’s available for purchase online ahead of time. Looking for more ways to make your air travel easier? JetBlue just announced tons of new fall discounts with one-way flights as low as $49. We’ve also rounded up some of the most reliable and least reliable airlines in the country to help make your decision on which one to choose a little bit simpler. Orlando International Airport For anyone trying to budget out their flights, we’ve also calculated the average cost to fly to Disney World in September to give you an idea of how much your trip might be. We’re always on the lookout for more news that could impact your travels, so make sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest! Click here for air travel tips that will change your life! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you ever flown on Southwest? Let us know in the comments! The post Southwest Airlines Now Offers Upgraded Boarding Online first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

New food is constantly arriving in Disney World, and that’s something to get excited about! Gasparilla Island Grill This week we’ve been enjoying a TON of new Princess-themed snacks in honor of World Princess Week. However, while we were hunting down all those Princess snacks, we found a new SANDWICH to try! It’s a Chicken and Brie Sandwich, and well, just the mention of Brie (aka CHEESE) made us want to try this new snack out. It’s made with Grilled Chicken, Ham, Spinach, Raspberry Mustard, and Mayonnaise on a Brioche Bun served with French Fries or House Made Chips. We went for the chips as a side. With chips! What we really liked about this sandwich is that it felt hearty, but not super overfilling like a burger might. We even got some Thanksgiving vibes from it thanks to the combo of raspberry mustard with Brie cheese. All the flavors blended well together. Giving off Thanksgiving vibes Yes, there is a LOT going on with this sandwich, and in this case, it works! We also loved the chips — they had a great potato flavor with a good crunch. We will say this and it’s only because this is US talking — we wanted even more cheese. We’d order again! Overall, it’s a good sandwich, although it does give off those fall vibes. It’s also a healthier option if you’re looking for a sandwich alternative to a burger. Grab it now at Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa for $11.99. Looking for even more snacks? As you may know, Halloween treats have arrived, and we’ve been reviewing ALL of them. We’ve also got reviews up for all the food at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! Speaking of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, we were there on the first night and checked out all the entertainment and characters you can see during the party — so be sure to check that out, too! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you ever stayed at the Grand Floridian? Let us know in the comments! The post An Amazing New Lunch Is Just a Monorail Ride Away from Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

One of the most difficult decisions you’ll make in Disney World is where to eat in EPCOT. There are SO many great places to try, and not enough time to try them all! To help you pick the best restaurant possible, we’ve got reviews of ALL of them with information about the prices, food, and quality of each. Today, we’re visiting Tutto Italia Ristorante — should this spot make your must-try list? You’re about to find out. Italy pavilion Tutto Italia is located in the Italy pavilion of EPCOT’s World Showcase. The restaurant has a rich history and is known for serving hearty Italian food in an upscale atmosphere. The vibes here really can be immaculate, but we need to decide whether the food is worth the price and stomach space. Let’s go in! Tutto Italia is one of the more expensive restaurants in EPCOT. It’s a sit-down restaurant, and you will need reservations to eat here. It’s pricey, but we’ve had some really great Italian food here — some of the best in Disney World, in our humble opinion. Whether that’s worth the cost could be up to you! Tutto Italia Remember that rich history we mentioned? This restaurant’s backstory is fascinating. It opened with EPCOT in 1982, and at the time it was called L’ Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante (affectionately nicknamed “Alfredo’s”). Yes, it was named after Fettucine Alfredo, and that’s because this restaurant was owned and operated by the creator of that famous pasta dish! Tutto Italia Sign If you were looking for authentic Italian food in Disney World, it didn’t get any more authentic than that. In 2007, however, the restaurant closed and then later reopened as Tutto Italia. The ownership changed to the Patina group, and the famous Fettucine recipe was gone. However, it still serves authentic Italian food — just not the original recipe of that particular dish. Welcome to Tutto Italia Ristorante! For those who want some similar eats without a reservation or who want just a quick snack rather than a full meal, Tutto Gusto is located right next door. This lounge has some of the same menu items as Tutto Italia along with a full wine bar. Atmosphere As we mentioned previously, Tutto Italia is a fairly upscale place. There’s a full dining room that tends to be pretty dark, but that low lighting makes it a great option for an intimate meal on date night. Main Dining Room Inside, there are options for tables and chairs or booths. Seating If you want a more casual vibe, ask to be seated outside on the patio. This patio is covered, but it has a lot more light than the dining room. Now, THAT’S atmosphere! Sitting here really feels like you’re at an outdoor café in Italy. You can hear the music from the pavilion, watch people walking by with gelato, and look at the Italy-inspired architecture all around. Outdoor seating Now that we’ve got the lay of the land, let’s take a look at what’s available here. Menu You’ll find authentic Italian dishes on the menu here, including selections for Antipasti, Pasta, Secondi course, and Dolci (desserts). The menu is the same for lunch and dinner. Antipasti, or appetizer, options include Tagliere, Calamari, salad, and other shareable starters. ©Disney For the Secondi course, there are dishes like Salmon, Parmesan Chicken, Steak, and Beef Short Rib. ©Disney The pasta dishes are a bit less expensive than most of the Secondi meals. You can find classics like Ravioli, Spaghetti, Gnocci, Fettuccine, and Lasagna here. ©Disney A few kids’ meals provide more familiar choices for the little ones, like Mozzarella Sticks, Pizza, Chicken Tenders, and Spaghetti. ©Disney For desserts, you can choose a classic Italian treat like Tiramisù, Cannoli, or Gelato. ©Disney The menu is rounded out with a few different options for wine flights. ©Disney We got a little something of everything — let’s dig in! Eats We’ll start with a couple of drinks and then get to all the tasty food. Drinks To drink, we got the Frizzante cocktail. It’s not listed on the normal menu, but you can ask your server for a cocktails/drinks menu when you arrive. The Frizzante is made with Campari, Blood Orange Purée, and Prosecco. This drink is NOT for people who like sweet or fruity cocktails! It was very bitter because of that Campari, although a hint of sweetness could be detected from the orange. Frizzante The main taste was definitely that bitterness, so this drink wasn’t our favorite. However, if you like bitter flavors in your drinks, we think you’ll enjoy this one. A closer look Next, we tried the Italicus Spritz. This one is made with Italicus Rosolio Befgamotto, Prosecco, and a Cerignola Olive. Italicus Spritz This drink was much more our style. It was very light and well-balanced, and we could taste notes of citrus. It almost reminded us of Sprite, but with more of a kick of course. Overall it was tasty but probably won’t be our first choice when we come back. Yum! At the event we attended, they brought in dessert from the nearby Gelateria Toscana. Gelateria Toscana First, we had the Coppa Amarena for $11.75, which is made with Vanilla Gelato, Amarena Cherry, Amaretto Cookies, Whipped Cream, and Shaved Chocolate. Coppa Amarena This dessert was fantastic! We’ve had it recently and really enjoyed it, and it was still very tasty. There’s a strong cherry flavor throughout, so if you like cherries then you’ve got to try this. The vanilla balances that flavor well, and we think it’s refreshing, flavorful, and definitely very sweet. So tasty Next was the “Affogato” Al Cioccolat for $11.75. This is Homemade Hot Chocolate over Vanilla Gelato, Whipped Cream, and a Pizzelle Cookie. Affogato Al Cioccolat This was basically like frozen hot chocolate! The gelato is made in-house at Gelateria Toscana, and you can tell it’s authentic. If you’re craving a taste of the holidays when it’s still 80+ degrees outside, we think this is the perfect option. Frozen hot chocolate And finally, we rounded out the meal with some Zeppole, which are Ricotta Cheese Fritters for $9. They were topped with a Chocolate Sauce and some Whipped Cream. Ricotta Cheese Fritters These were great! They weren’t super sweet so that chocolate sauce was absolutely a good addition. Inside the fritter The texture of these balls is more like cake, so don’t expect a beignet-type texture (although they certainly look like little beignets from the outside). Nosh or Not Spend a luxurious evening at Tutto Italia if: You are looking for high-quality, authentic Italian food. This spot has some great options, and everything we tried tasted fresh and well-balanced. You need a good date night spot. As we mentioned before, the low lighting and fancy atmosphere make this ideal for a date. You have lots of time in EPCOT and want a break inside and away from the heat. You can spend a pretty long time here, as it’s a sit-down meal with options for several courses. Choose a different place to grab a bite if: You’re trying to keep the budget down. Although the food here is great, it’s also pretty expensive. You can find cheaper options at the quick service (fast food) restaurants around EPCOT. Some of our favorites are the Yorkshire County Fish Shop, Regal Eagle Smokehouse, and La Cantina de San Angel. You don’t have a lot of time in EPOCT. Again, you’d probably want to opt for a fast food meal so that you don’t spend too much time at the table when you might rather be getting to the rides and shows around the park. Italian food is not your favorite. If you’re not a big fan of Italian food, the options here won’t justify the prices. There’s SO MUCH good food in EPCOT, that you can definitely find something that’s more appealing to you. Craving Chinese? Head to Nine Dragons! Looking for some hearty German eats? Biergarten is for you. Want French food so good that Remy himself might have cooked it? We recommend Chefs de France. Just know that there are plenty of options for whatever kind of food you like. Overall We had a great time at Tutto Italia in EPCOT. Everything tasted good, and there were a few stand-out dishes that we’ll for sure be back for. We loved the Manzo Brasato and Calamari Fritti, but although we really enjoyed the Tagliere charcuterie board, we think you can get a better deal elsewhere. Tutto Italia Ristorante If you’re looking for a date night spot in Disney World, this could be just the right choice. However, remember that there are lots of good Italian restaurants around — within walking distance to this spot, in fact. We love Via Napoli for some tasty pizza, and Trattoria al Forno is not a bad option either. Make sure you check out those spots before making your final decision. Keep following DFB for more food reviews from Disney World! Find out which table service restaurants in EPCOT are the BEST here. Need Disney Restaurant Advice? We’ve Got EVERYTHING You Need to Know 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 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest Disney food news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Have you eaten at Tutto Italia Ristorante? What did you think? Tell us in the comments! Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disney World to attend their media event at Tutto Italia Ristorante. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ The post Of ALL the Restaurants in EPCOT, Should Tutto Italia Be On Your List? We Found Out. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Did you know that Disney+ Day is coming on September 8th? ©Disney That day is sure to bring a ton of BIG Disney+ announcements, along with the Disney+ debut of Thor: Love and Thunder and ANOTHER MOVIE, the live-action Pinocchio. Now, we’ve got our first real look at Pinocchio with a brand new trailer! Pinocchio has a star-studded cast, too — Tom Hanks stars as Gepetto, with Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jiminy Cricket, Lorraine Bracco as Sofia the Seagull, Luke Evans as the Coachman, Keegan-Michael Key as Honest John, and more. Watch the new trailer below!  Pinocchio is directed by Robert Zemeckis, who you might remember as the director for Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Also, note that this version of the movie is not to be confused with another Pinocchio movie releasing soon, a stop-motion animated film directed by Guillermo del Toro. Both movies are inspired by the original 1883 children’s book The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi. ©Disney Don’t forget to mark that calendar! Pinocchio releases on September 8th! If you’re looking for even more stuff to watch in September on Disney+, here’s everything coming to the streamer during that month! Looking for even more things to watch? Here are the most obscure things you can watch on Disney+. Check Out What Classic Monster Is Getting A Disney+ Series! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think of the Pinocchio trailer? Let us know in the comments! The post VIDEO: Watch the Live-Action 'Pinocchio' Disney+ Trailer HERE! 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 best way to cool off when you’re spending long days in the parks has to be a cooling towel. Disney is beautiful but it can be hot! You don’t want to be uncomfortable on your vacation, plus heat stroke is no joke! We swear by these towels and always keep at least one in our bag any time we are heading into the parks. These towels are made of a breathable microfiber fabric that, when wet, provides a cooling relief. It works just like our body does — we sweat to cool ourselves down, so this towel is just amplifying that! It also absorbs sweat from the skin and provides SPF 50 protection for the areas covered (talk about multitasking!). Wewdigi Cooling Towels 4 Pack If you’ve never used one before, don’t worry, it’s super easy! These towels are water activated so once they’re wet you’ll start to feel the cooling sensation. All you have to do is saturate the towel with water, wring it out, and you’re good to go! We like to hang ours around our neck because it cools us down quickly. (This is because the area of your brain that controls temperature is located right at the base of your skull!) You can also tie it around your head like a bandana, lay it across your face, or just apply anywhere you are feeling too warm. They’re so easy to use! The set comes with carrying bags, so when you’re done using a towel you can put it in the bag and close it up! You can throw the carrying bag into your park bag without worrying about the water ruining any of your belongings. These clear bags also come with a carabiner that clips through a loop. If you need easy access to your towel you can simply clip it to a place you can reach, like your belt loop, a bag strap, or to a stroller. How convenient! Different ways to use them! The towels are machine washable and can be used over and over again. This listing is a four pack, perfect for sharing with your trip mates! Each set comes with four different colors making it easy to keep track of which towel belongs to who. These towels are normally $39.99, but for today only they’re discounted all the way down to $19.98! Whether you’re headed to Disney soon or like to spend time outdoors when the temperatures are high, we highly recommend snagging these before the deal is over. Click here to buy the Wewdigi Cooling Towels 4 Pack! Along with your cooling towels, there are plenty of other ways to beat the heat at Disney World! Check out the helpful tips in these articles: Florida Is Experiencing DANGEROUS Heat; Here’s How to Stay Cool in Disney World Everywhere You Can Find FREE Water in Disney World The Sweat-Proof Makeup We Wear to Disney Stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news, every day! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 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 Disney treat to keep you cool on those hot days? Let us know in the comments! The post Our Favorite Cooling Towels For Disney World Are Half Off Today on Amazon! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We dream of a day where we can eat Disney snacks 24/7. But alas, that’s not possible (at least not yet). Mickey Pretzel! In a perfect world, we would spend every single day munching on Mickey Pretzels between meals, digging into Walt’s Chili for dinner, and satisfying our sweet tooth with a Dole Whip for dessert. And although that’s not possible, there are still some ways to bring the Disney snacks home, courtesy of Disney recipes. And lucky for us, Disney just dropped a new recipe…and it’ll bring a taste of the 2022 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival home! Disney just released the recipe for the Rocky Road Chocolate Cake you can grab at Flavors From Fire at the 2022 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival! Over at the festival, this item costs $4.25 and is a Rocky Road Chocolate Cake with marshmallows, spiced almonds, and chocolate ganache. Rocky Road Chocolate Cake We thought it was delicious and very heavy on the chocolate — which isn’t a complaint. The nuts added a nice crunchy texture, but the flavors of the nuts and marshmallows really got lost in the sea of chocolate. Again…that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Check Out Our Review of The Cake Here And if you want to try the treat for yourself, here’s how you can make it at home: Ingredients Spicy Sugared Almonds 1/3 cup plus 1 teaspoon of sugar — divided 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon of ground cayenne 3 tablespoons of water 3/4 cup of unsalted almonds Chocolate Ganache 6 ounces of chopped dark chocolate 2/3 cup of heavy cream Chocolate-Buttermilk Cake 1 cup of all-purpose flour 1 cup of granulated sugar 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder 1 teaspoon of baking soda 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder 1/4 teaspoon of salt 1 egg 1/2 cup of vegetable oil 1/2 cup of buttermilk 1/2 cup of hot water Topping 1 cup of mini marshmallows Sea salt Reserved chocolate ganache Directions To Make Spicy Sugared Almonds Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then set aside. Combine 1 teaspoon of sugar with the cinnamon and cayenne in a small bowl, then set aside. Stir the remaining 1/3 cup of sugar and water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until it boils. Then, carefully add almonds and stir frequently for 8-10 minutes, until water evaporates. Continue stirring for 2-3 minutes, until the sugar begins to caramelize. Finish the step by sprinkling cinnamon reserved mixture over almonds and stir to mix. Carefully pour the almonds onto a prepared baking sheet and separate with a spatula. Cool completely, then coarsely chop. Then store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For Chocolate Ganache Spray eight 6-ounce ramekins with non-stick cooking spray, then set aside. Place chopped chocolate in a medium glass bowl. Bring heavy cream to simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat. Then pour over chocolate. Let the chocolate sit for 5 minutes, then stir until smooth. Place 1 1/2 tablespoons of ganache in each ramekin and then refrigerate for 20 minutes. Keep ganache at room temperature until ready to serve. For Chocolate-Buttermilk Cake Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add egg, oil, and buttermilk. Whisk to combine. Then, carefully add boiling water and whisk until the batter is smooth. Remove ramekins filled with ganache from the refrigerator and fill each with 1/3 cup cake batter. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 5-10 minutes. Serve Remove the cakes from the ramekins and top each one with 2 tablespoons of mini marshmallows and 1 tablespoon of the spicy-sweet almonds. Then, warm the chocolate ganache in the microwave for 30 seconds on 50% power. Finish by drizzling the ganache over each cake and sprinkling with sea salt. Enjoy! Rocky Road Chocolate Cake And there ya have it — the recipe for the Rocky Road Cake at Flavors From Fire! For more Disney recipes, check out how to make a smoothie inspired by Aladdin. Or check out how to make the PB&J Mac ‘n’ Cheese from Disney California Adventure’s 2022 Food & Wine Festival. And, as always, stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news! Ready to Plan for Your 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Trip? Order the DFB Guide to the 2022 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival e-Book today! This 250+-page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. Your purchase includes several bonus items as well — including what’s new this year, touring plan ideas, and a printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! Order your 2022 edition today! Don't miss a moment of the fun! Use code Chefs at check-out for 20% off the cover price! Learn More About the 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival! See Our Page Full of Updates About the 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Booths, Menus, and Food Photos Full Reviews of ALL of the 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Food Booths Insider Tips for the 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival What to Pack in Your Park Bag for the 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Shop the 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Merchandise Collection Online A Realistic Budget for the 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival 2022 Eat to the Beat Concert Updates EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Fans Facebook Page 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Wine and Dine Half Marathon Food and Wine Festival 101 Get More Updates, Tips, and Tricks to Help You Conquer the Food & Wine Festival Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Try the recipe out and let us know how it goes in the comments! The post RECIPE: You Can Make a 2022 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Dessert at HOME! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

From MagicBand+ to the My Disney Experience app, our Disney technologists always strive to create tools guests can use to plan their day at Disney, and further immerse themselves in our parks and experiences. But did you know – the Technology and Digital team also powers the magic for our cast members? Cast needed an […]View the full article

Queens Anna and Elsa are hands down the most powerful royal duo in Arendelle. With Anna’s warm and adventurous nature and Elsa’s poised demeanor and unique abilities, this team can accomplish almost any challenge at hand. They selflessly have protected their kingdom of Arendelle twice now and don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. […]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. Halloween has arrived at Disney World — how are you celebrating? Hey, Mickey! Maybe you’re grabbing a ticket to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (which you’ll want to do ASAP, as they’re selling out), digging into frightening treats, or gearing up with spooky costumes. And us? We’re snagging all kinds of Halloween merchandise — and we’d be foolish mortals to believe we could resist Disney’s new Haunted Mansion plushes. Over on shopDisney, you can find toooons of Halloween merchandise — including the Haunted Mansion Mickey and Minnie Plushes! Mickey’s hosting a party at the Haunted Mansion, and he and Minnie have dressed up for the occasion. Their plushes showcase their ghoulish costumes and they both have “Disney 2022” on their foot to honor the event! ©Disney The Mickey Mouse Plush is frighteningly-cute and shows him in a suit covered in cobwebs. ©Disney And those dark circles around his eyes? Spooky! You can grab him for $24.99 to bring a touch of ghoulish fun to your home. Click Here To Buy The Mickey Mouse Plush And the Minnie Mouse Plush shows Minnie in a bat costume — and of course, it’s still stylish. ©Disney She comes with a cape, purple dress, green necklace, boots with black bows, and a bat headband. You can also grab her for $24.99. Click Here To Buy The Minnie Mouse Plush So if you’re looking to add some adorable spooks to your Halloween décor, grab one (or both) of these plushes! And for more Halloween merch, check out all of the Halloween merchandise you can grab online right now. Or check out the special Halloween Minnie Ears you can only get at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party…if you’re lucky! And, as always, stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news! Halloween at Walt Disney World Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Is Coming BACK in 2022! See the Full List of PRICES and DATES for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Check Out Everything CONFIRMED to Return to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Full List of Dates That Have SOLD OUT for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Get All of the Latest Updates on Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Start Your Halloween Shopping NOW With New Disney Items Online Check Out the NEW Disney Halloween Ears That Dropped Online Get a First Look at the Halloween Merchandise Coming to Disney World A Halloween Candy Shortage Means You’ll Need Trick-or-Treating Alternatives and We Can Help See How Much It Costs to Do Disney World at Halloween in 2022 Learn About the Halloween Scavenger Hunt Coming to Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click Here to Subscribe Have you bought any Disney Halloween merch yet? Let us know in the comments! The post We're Foolish Mortals to Believe We Could Resist These Haunted Mansion Items first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Disney World is can be expensive! Cinderella Castle That’s why we’re always on the lookout for ways you can save on your vacation, whether that be with your tickets, hotel rooms, merchandise, or even on how you get to Orlando! As the busy summer travel season starts to die down, many airlines are rolling out fall sales, and now another airline has just released some new discounts — but you only have a limited time to take advantage of them. Right now, over on the JetBlue website, you can take advantage of The Big Fall Sale. ©JetBlue During this sale, you can get one-way flights as low as $49, so if you’ve been looking for a way to save on your next flight to Disney World, now’s your chance. There are one-way flights to Orlando International Airport for as low as $59, but not all airports and flights are available as part of this sale, so be sure to double check that your preferred airport is a part of the discount before you book. ©Getty Images And of course, this sale does come with some fine print. If you want to get this deal on your next flight, you must have booked your flight through the JetBlue website before 11:59PM EST on August 30th. This deal is only valid on travel between September 6th and November 16th and will not apply to flights on Fridays or Sundays. JetBlue is one of the multiple airlines that will be servicing Orlando International Airport’s new Terminal C when it opens next month. Terminal C will begin its two-week phased opening on September 19th. When it opens, it will have tons of new restaurants, advanced technology at TSA like facial recognition, and a luggage identification system, and more. New Terminal C Airport Concept Art ©Orlando International Airport As we get closer, we’re getting more information about the new terminal, like what rental car options will be available, as well as new concept art for the restaurants, and even a map of the terminal. We’ll be bringing you all the latest updates about the opening, as well as any other travel-related news, so make sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest. Click here for our best tips for flying through Orlando International Airport! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Will you be taking advantage of this JetBlue sale? Let us know in the comments! The post Flying to Disney World Just Got CHEAPER With This Sale! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s a great time to be a Star Wars fan. We’ve got Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the Galactic Starcruiser, and the Hyperspace Lounge on Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Wish! ©Disney We’ve got more seasons of existing Star Wars series to look forward to, as well as NEW shows coming to Disney+! Plus we’ve got Speaking of new shows, we’ve got some behind-the-scenes details to share with you about the upcoming Rogue One prequel series, Andor! We were invited to attend a virtual press conference for the Andor series on Disney+ and got a chance to learn more about the show, including new details about how Andor will appeal to a broad variety of Star Wars fans, both new and old! ©Disney If you’re an existing Star Wars fan, you might wonder why Disney chose to make a Rogue One prequel series, given how that film turns out (spoiler: the planet goes boom and both Jyn Erso and Cassian Andor die). We already know what happens, so how does the Andor series bring something new to the table? According to Andor executive producer, writer, and showrunner Tony Gilroy, a prequel series was a no-brainer. He spoke about how the story takes place during a revolution when a lot of big things happen in Star Wars history. “The fact that we could follow somebody as an example of a revolution all the way through to the end,” he said, ‘That was the buy-in, the opportunity to do that.” ©Disney For Andor star Diego Luna, the character of Cassian Andor haunted him after he originally played him in Rogue One. Luna mentioned lines from Rogue One about Cassian’s history that he, the actor, still had questions about. “I think that story matters,” he said. That story is interesting. And there is a lot of material there for us to play. So I was really excited to be able to go into that journey and give those answers.” ©Disney Genevieve O’Reilly returns as Senator Mon Mothma, the role she played in Rogue One, although the character appeared in the original trilogy, as well as in several Star Wars animated series. O’ Reilly spoke about how Andor offers a new perspective on the well-known character. “She is still that very dignified senator,” O’Reilly said, “But for the first time we get to see the woman behind the role. We get to see the private face of Mon Mothma. We get to flesh out not just the senator, not just the would-be leader of the Rebel Alliance, but also the woman.” ©Disney We also learned a little more about some of the new Star Wars characters being introduced to the series. For example, Bix, portrayed by Adria Arjona, who described the character as “fearless and bold,” but also mentioned it’s like a facade Bix puts on. Then there’s Imperial Security Bureau (ISB) officer Dedra Meero, as portrayed by Denise Gough, who is working her way up the Empire ladder. There’s also Syril Karn, as played by Kyle Soller, who “could go either way” and has a lot of “gray areas” as to which side he could end up working for. ©Disney Finally, there was some discussion about who Andor might appeal to — would people who aren’t really into Star Wars appreciate this series? The answer is a resounding, “Yes!” Gilroy said, “This can be your entry point to Star Wars. You could watch our 24 episodes – that could be your way in. We’re doing a show that does not require any prior knowledge whatsoever to get involved.” However, that’s not to say that Andor won’t satisfy existing fans either. The hope is to bring everyone in for a show that offers a peek into the smallest details, like what’s going on with the characters and their relationships, combined with “epic tectonic revolutionary historical moments, where people have to make huge decisions.”  Mark your calendars! Andor premieres on Disney+ on September 21st! If you’re looking for more big Star Wars news, be sure to read about all the things that were announced that you might have missed from this year’s Star Wars Celebration. Here’s EVERYTHING We Tried At Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge on Disney’s New Cruise Ship– The Wish! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Will you be watching Andor when it premieres on Disney+? Let us know in the comments! Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Recently, we were invited by Disney+ to attend a virtual press conference for Andor. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ The post How 'Andor' On Disney+ Will Appeal to Old AND New 'Star Wars' Fans Alike first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

When it comes to shopping for Disney merchandise, there are plenty of places to grab a Mickey shirt or maybe even the latest pair of ears. Who doesn’t love some Disney merch?! But — not all merchandise is created equally. What if we told you there was a place to get exclusive and ultra unique Disney-inspired designs that will have all your friends talking?! The DFB Store is home to plenty of items inspired by your favorite snacks, attractions, and other park references — and we just so happen to have a design that we think is perfect for your next trip to the parks! Celebrate ALL the Magic Kingdom lands you know and love with this DFB-exclusive Magical Lands Sweatshirt! This comfy crewneck would be perfect for a winter trip to Disney World or even for lounging around the house and pretending you’re in Disney World. We can’t be the only ones that do that, right? Right?! Magical Lands Sweatshirt The sweatshirt comes in multiple different colors and is available in sizes S-2XL. It’s made from a cotton-polyester blend for ultimate comfort. The only problem with this design is that you might start a battle between your family and friends about which land is best! Magical Lands Sweatshirt You can get the Magic Lands Sweatshirt for $38.99. Click here to get the DFB Magical Lands Sweatshirt! If sweatshirts aren’t your thing, we’ve got you covered there, too. You can also grab the Magical Lands T-Shirt. Get it as a t-shirt. It comes in nine different colors and is available in sizes S-3XL! Get it for $26.99. Click here to shop the DFB Magical Lands Shirt. But, wait — there’s more! Your whole family can be Ready to Ride with this Disney transportation-inspired shirt! It features the Skyliner, monorail, parking lot trams, and more. The whole family can be ready to ride! You can pick this one up for $26.99 — it comes in sizes XS-3XL. Click here to shop the Ready to Ride DFB Shirt! And finally, we’ve got the ONLY fall vibes shirt you need this season — the DFB Pumpkin Vibes Shirt! We love a good pumpkin vibe. This shirt features a familiar geodesic design that might just remind you of Spaceship Earth. You can grab this one in sizes XS-3XL for $26.99. Click here to shop the DFB Pumpkin Vibes Shirt. Head on over to the DFB Store to get your hands on the latest exclusive designs — and be sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news and more! Get all kinds of park-inspired designs! Can’t get enough Disney shopping news? This versatile item might just become your next park essential — check it out here. If you’re in the market for some Disney Halloween merchandise, see the latest BaubleBar collaboration here. We’ve also rounded up every single piece of Disney Halloween merch you can get online — check it out! CLICK HERE TO SHOP THE DFB STORE!!!! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 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 land at Disney? Let us know in the comments! The post Your Next Magic Kingdom Trip Called, It Wants You to Buy These Items first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s been two years since Disney World reopened, but there are still several things that haven’t returned to the park. Magic Kingdom However, we’re seeing many of those things finally returning just over the last few months, from the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue to Victoria & Albert’s Restaurant to Minnie Vans. Today, ANOTHER popular thing has officially reopened in Disney World: the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique! The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a special salon for kids (ages 3 to 12) where they can go and get princess — and prince — makeovers. The Fairy Godmother’s Apprentices (Cast Members) will pamper kids with a variety of beauty services, including hair, make-up, costumes, and more. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique This spot wasn’t supposed to open until tomorrow (August 25th), but today in Magic Kingdom we saw that its doors are now open! It’s been holding Cast Member previews for a while, but now visitors are welcome to head inside for makeovers. It’s open! Generally, Disney recommends making a reservation at this spot, since availability can fill up quickly. However, today the Boutique was accepting walk-up appointments today, with a sign outside to let people know. If you want to visit in the future, head to Disney World’s website to make reservations. Walk-ups were accepted today You’ll need to plan at least 30 minutes to an hour for the visit. Note that you must have a valid Disney World ticket and park pass reservation for Magic Kingdom. The only Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique location to reopen today was the one in Magic Kingdom. The other locations — in Disney Springs and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort — aren’t open yet, and Disney hasn’t said yet when they will reopen. Disney Springs Location Looking for more fun and unique activities for your kids in Disney World? There are SO many things you can do, and we’ve listed a lot of great options here. From riding a car on water to getting a haircut to horseback riding, there’s a little something for everyone at the resort. Main Street U.S.A. Also, be sure to check with your Disney World hotel — each hotel has daily activities that guests can participate in, including arts and crafts, watching movies under the stars, and even s’mores. Keep following DFB, and we’ll let you know about all the latest updates from Disney World. Click here to learn about another Magic Kingdom spot that reopened recently. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 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. Has your child been to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique before? What was the experience like? Let us know in the comments! The post Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Reopened EARLY in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article