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Ask people what they like to eat at a “fancy” dinner out, and two proteins often come to mind – steak and lobster. It’s no surprise then that the fine dining restaurants at Disney World serve plenty of both. Lobster at Cape May Cafe Recently, though, we’ve noticed a trend – lobster dishes are quietly being removed from Disney menus (five dishes have disappeared in the past four months), and a booth that offered lobster dishes at the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival in previous years does not appear to be returning in 2022. When we reached out to Disney for comment, the official response was that Disney menus change all the time. And that’s certainly true – so true that here at DFB we take a comprehensive look each week at menu changes. Lobster Nachos at Lamplight Lounge in Disney California Adventure But the lobster market is currently experiencing turbulence on two fronts – pricing spikes due to unprecedented demand, and questions about whether New England lobster can still be sustainably sourced – both of which could influence the availability of lobster on Disney menus going forward. Menu Changes The most recent change to a menu that included removing a lobster dish was a change to the Prix Fixe menu at California Grill in the Contemporary Resort. That menu used to feature a Lobster and Parsnip Bisque selection that was removed from the menu in June. Lobster and Parsnip Bisque At Coral Reef in EPCOT and at STK Orlando in Disney Springs, Lobster Bisque was taken off the menu in May. In April, the Superstar Catering Food Truck in Disney Springs stopped serving Lobster Mac and Cheese. Galactic Lobster Globe And in March, easily the most aesthetic dish on the menu at Space 220 in EPCOT – the Galactic Lobster Globe – was removed from the new restaurant’s menu. Lobster Landing at the 2021 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Lobster Landing was a new booth introduced for the 2021 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival that served New England Lobster Tail, Lobster Chowder, and a Baked Lobster Dip with Old Bay Chips. Baked Lobster Dip at Lobster Landing Disney has announced more than 30 food booths for the 2022 Food and Wine Fest, and Lobster Landing is not on the list. It’s not uncommon for booths to switch out year over year — sometimes items just don’t sell — but this particular omission is interesting to note. Click here for everything returning to the 2022 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival Price Spikes As COVID vaccinations became widely available and COVID rates dropped in 2021, demand for lobster soared to unprecedented levels, according to Marianne LaCroix, executive director of the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative. Lobster Mac & Cheese at Nomad Lounge “People were out of quarantine and looking to celebrate, and we’ve never seen demand so high,” LaCroix said. Lobster prices increased by as much as 60 percent at the Maine lobster docks in 2021, CBS News reported. ©Red’s Eats Red’s Eats, a popular seafood shack in Wiscasset, Maine, was selling lobster rolls in June 2021 for as much as $34 each, an increase of more than $10 over 2019 pricing, according to The New York Times. Lobster Roll at Columbia Harbour House While Maine fisheries trap lobster year-round, high season is July through November, when lobsters make their way closer to shore for the breeding and shedding seasons. Maine fisheries typically catch about 20 million lobster per month at the height of the season in August vs. about 1 million lobster per month in the winter, LaCroix said. Lobster and Corn Chowder at Ale & Compass Restaurant Prices continued to stay high during the winter months, because of demand around Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day, and are only beginning to come back down as the busy season cranks up in 2022. The wholesale price of a live hard-shell lobster fell to $9.35 per pound on May 1 from $12.35 per pound on April 1, according to market analysis firm Urner Barry, which described the drop as lobster pricing going “back to normal.” Disney’s menus are certainly not immune to the whims of the supply chain. In addition to the lobster dish menu removals, we have seen the removal of peanut butter sauce from the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor menu after a nationwide recall caused shortages, and the removal of the Monte Cristo sandwich from the menu at the Plaza Restaurant because of a turkey shortage. Monte Cristo! Click here for our ranking of every single EPCOT restaurant Lobster Sustainability in Question But perhaps the biggest threat to Disney’s lobster supply chain is a draft assessment by sustainable seafood research organization Seafood Watch that would change its recommendation on lobster fished in the Gulf of Maine from its current “Recommended” to “Avoid.” Seafood Watch says that while North American Lobster is not being overfished – typically a reason seafood may not be labeled sustainable – the equipment used in lobster fishing threatens the already endangered North American Right Whale. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association says entanglement in fishing gear and vessel strikes are the leading cause of injury for the right whale, and there are fewer than 360 of the species left on Earth. ©NOAA Fisheries A final ruling on the assessment is expected this month, but may be delayed because Seafood Watch extended the public comment period by 30 days earlier this spring. If Maine Lobster fisheries get an “Avoid” rating from Seafood Watch, the companies the organization partners with – including Disney, Whole Foods, and Red Lobster — would have to look elsewhere for their lobster or reduce their commitments to sourcing sustainable seafood. Kevin Connor, communications director for Seafood Watch, noted when DFB reached out for an interview that the organization cannot comment on the draft assessment at this time. ©NOAA Fisheries | Where North American right whales live So where else might the lobster we expect on Disney World menus come from? Seafood Watch says 65% of U.S. lobster imports come from Canada – and Canadian lobster fisheries are under the same microscope as U.S. lobster fisheries with Seafood Watch right now. So, sustainable lobster could be in very short supply, very quickly. LaCroix, of the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative, said that the Maine Lobster Fishery also maintains sustainability certification from the Marine Stewardship Council, which she describes as an in-depth review that is peer-reviewed. She said that lobster fishermen have been working with NOAA for more than 20 years to make their methods and gear safer for the right whale. “Maine fishermen are really proud of their efforts in sustainability. It’s discouraging for them when their efforts aren’t recognized,” LaCroix said. ©NOAA Fisheries | How right whales become entangled in fishing equipment However, Seafood Watch cites a 2021 NOAA report that found that injuries to right whales continue to exceed the levels necessary for the population to recover. Lobster Poutine at the 2021 EPCOT Festival of the Arts Will lobster disappear from restaurant menus at Disney World and elsewhere if Seafood Watch moves forward with its draft assessment? If Disney chooses to maintain its current sustainability procedures – which have been in place for many years – it’s likely that we’ll see more lobster come off menus, as sustainable lobster becomes extremely difficult to source. Lobster Tail with Meyer Lemon Emulsion and Grilled Lemon at the 2020 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival We’ve seen Disney remove many menu items when they experience a price spike or a kink in the supply chain, so the prospect of this happening with lobster is easy to imagine. Lobster lovers! Get your seafood fix now. Are you planning a trip to Disney World soon? Brush up on your Disney tech by reading our step-by-step guide to using Disney Genie+. And check out our video below for the top Disney World restaurants of 2022! Ready to Plan for Your 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Trip? Pre-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! Pre-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 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Special Events 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Low-Cost Seminars and Demonstrations 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 What’s your favorite lobster dish at Disney World? Tell us in the comments! The post Lobster Is Disappearing From Disney World Menus. Here's Why. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Break out those spell books friends — the time to make some magic has nearly arrived! ©Disney Disney previously announced that the cult-classic film, Hocus Pocus, would be getting a sequel on Disney+. We’ve since been able to get a first look at the film and learn just when it’ll debut on Disney+, but today we’ve got a HUGE update! Disney has just released the trailer for Hocus Pocus 2! Check it out below! Someone get the Sanderson Sisters over to a stage! We can’t wait to see exactly how the story will play out in this sequel, what antics the Sanderson Sisters will get up to, and just what magical spells will be cast. ©Disney The movie will hit Disney+ later this year — on September 30th — just in time for Halloween season! But there’s no need to wait until September 30th to get in the Halloween spirit! If you’re ready for pumpkins and candy, click here to see 10 Disney Halloween items you can get from Amazon and Target right now. Or click here to see a full list of prices and dates for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (which will be returning to Magic Kingdom this year!). GOURDeous! We’ll be keeping an eye out for more Disney news, especially as it relates to the upcoming Halloween season, so be sure to check back with us for all of the latest updates! Click here to learn more about the Disney+ subscription service! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you excited for this new movie? Tell us in the comments! The post VIDEO: Watch the New Trailer for Disney's Hocus Pocus 2! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s almost time for the NEXT food event at Disney World — EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival! 2021 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival The Food and Wine Festival begins on July 14th this year and runs allllll the way until November 19th, so you have plenty of time to visit the park and try out some delicious eats. Coming back to the festival this year is the Eat to the Beat Concert Series, as well as Remy’s scavenger hunt and Emile’s Cheese Crawl! But, what we’re REALLY excited about is the FOOD, and we now have all of the FULL MENUS that will be at the festival booths! Disney just released all of the full menus for the food booths coming this year’s Food and Wine Festival, and there are some new eats as well as some returning favorites, so let’s dive in! Click here to see the FULL MENUS for the 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival NEW Booths and Menu Items In terms of new booths, this year the new addition is a booth called The Fry Basket. This spot will feature the following new items for everyone to check out! Adobo Yuca Fries with garlic-cilantro aïoli (New) (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly) (Plant-based) Fry Flight (New) Sea Salt and Malt Vinegar Fries (Plant-based) Barbecued Bacon Fries with smoked aïoli Sweet Potato Casserole Fries with candied pecans, toasted marshmallow cream, and caramel whisky Salty Dog Cocktail: Boyd & Blair Vodka with grapefruit juice, ginger, simple syrup, and lime with a salted rim (New) ©Disney In terms of new items at returning booths, there are quite a few things to check out! For example, at Shimmering Sips this year you’ll find a new Guava Mousse on a sugar cookie with coconut-lime whipped cream. YUM! ©Disney At the Hawai’i booth you’ll find a new SPAM Musubi Nigiri with sushi rice, teriyaki-glazed SPAM, spicy mayonnaise, eel sauce, and nori. ©Disney Over at Coastal Eats you’ll find a new Oysters Rockefeller option. ©Disney And that’s just the start of it! There are also some new food items at the Italy booth… ©Disney …a new Mini Pina Colada Funnel Cake (with piña colada ice cream, whipped cream, toasted coconut, and maraschino cherry drizzled with coconut-rum sauce) coming to the Funnel Cake spot… ©Disney …and SO. MUCH. MORE. Click here to see the FULL MENUS for the 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Returning Festival Favorites Some of our favorite are back at the festival this year, like the Schinkennudeln from the Germany booth, which is Pasta Gratin with Ham, Onions, and Cheese… Schinkennudeln — say that 3 times fast! …the Warm Chocolate Pudding Cake with Irish Cream Liqueur Custard from Ireland… YUM …and the Smoked Corned Beef at Flavors from Fire, which has Smoked Corned Beef with Crispy Potatoes, Cheese Curds, Pickled Onions, and Beer-Cheese Fondue. Those pickled onions are *chef’s kiss* If you’re looking for a specific dish from previous festivals, make sure to check out the full menus right here to see what’s returning! Click here to see our Best of the Fest from the 2021 Food and Wine Festival Remember that like last year, some of the booths will have delayed openings, so not all of the foods will be available right when the festival begins. And, stay tuned to DFB because we’ll be bringing you FULL reviews from all of these food booths once the festival begins! Click here to see the FULL MENUS for the 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Want more Food and Wine Festival tips? Click here to see 7 simple truths you need to know about the Festival, and click here to see the cheapest days to attend the Festival this year! You’ll also want to make sure to check out our DFB Guide to the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival before you go to the festival! Our 200+ page guide is packed full of all the details, tips, and recommendations you need for a successful festival visit — plus SO. MUCH. MORE! From snack and drink crawls, to all kinds of insider tips, there’s something in our guide for everyone. Grab your copy of the DFB Guide to the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival for 20% off TODAY with code CHEFS Ready to Plan for Your 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Trip? Pre-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! Pre-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 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Special Events 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Low-Cost Seminars and Demonstrations 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! Will you be visiting the Food and Wine festival at EPCOT this year? Tell us in the comments! The post NEWS: Menus Announced for the 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

UPDATE: After just a few minutes on the site, Annual Passes have been removed once again. The short-lived situation was likely a glitch of sorts. Therefore, all passes except for the Pixie Pass remain unavailable at this time. We will continue to monitor the situation and will let you know if they resume sales again. This is NOT a drill! Very sparkly! The situation with Disney World’s Annual Passholder Program has changed in a number of ways over the past few months. Back in September of 2021, 4 new passes were introduced — the Incredi-Pass, Sorcerer Pass, Pirate Pass, and Pixie Dust Pass. As of November of 2021, however, sales for the Pirate, Sorcerer, and Incredi-Pass were PAUSED, leaving those who wanted to buy a new Annual Pass with nowhere to turn. But now, things are CHANGING! Disney World’s Annual Pass sales have now resumed for two pass types! If you’ve been waiting for these sales to resume so you can pick up an Annual Pass of your own, now is your chance! Note that the Pixie Pass has been available and continues to be available for purchase for Florida residents. Annual Passholder Entrance Here’s a quick overview of the pass types. Incredi-Pass: $1,299 plus tax for a new pass; no blockout dates; can hold up to 5 required Disney Park Pass reservations at a time Sorcerer Pass: $899 plus tax for a new pass; limited blockout dates; can hold up to 5 required Disney Park Pass reservations at a time; only available for Florida Residents or Disney Vacation Club Members Pirate Pass: $699 plus tax for a new pass; blockout dates during peak times and holidays; can hold up to 4 required Disney Park Pass reservations at a time; only available for Florida Residents Pixie Dust Pass: $399 plus tax for a new pass; most blockout dates of all the passes (peak times, holidays, and weekends); can hold up to 3 required Disney Park Pass reservations at a time; only available to Florida Residents Annual Pass Thanks to our reader Joe (@schreiberjoe on Instagram), we noticed that two Annual Passes are once again available for purchase! The Disney Sorcerer Pass is available for Florida residents and Disney Vacation Club Members for $899… ©Disney …and the Pirate Pass is available for Florida Residents only for $699. These passes are available to be paid in full or via monthly payments after a $205 down payment. You must be logged in with your Florida resident account (or Disney Vacation Club account) to see these passes available, so if you’re not in either of those categories you might not see these passes for sale. ©Disney The only pass available to non-Florida Residents, the Incredi-Pass, is still unavailable at this time. We’ll be watching closely for it to resume sales! ©Disney You can purchase your pass through the Disney World website, the My Disney Experience app, in person at theme park ticket windows or the Disney Ticket Center in Disney Springs, or by calling 407-W-DISNEY (407-934-7639). Click here to learn all about Annual Passes! UPDATE: Within a few minutes of being available for sale, both the Sorcerer Pass and the Pirate Pass became unavailable again. ©Disney We’ve seen Annual Pass sales paused in the past so this isn’t a huge surprise, and we’re wondering whether Disney may be working on the page to add more sales in the future. We’ll keep an eye out for more updates and let you know what we find. Click here to see 7 discounts Annual Passholders forget about in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 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 buying an Annual Pass for Disney World? Tell us in the comments. The post Annual Pass Glitch This Morning on Disney World Website first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The favorite time of year for foodies and wine enthusiasts alike is almost here – the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE! Starting July 14 and running through Nov. 19, this iconic festival serves up flavors from across six continents and unlocks unlimited fun through your tastebuds. View the full article

Plans have been in the works since 2018 for a high-speed train that would run from the Orlando Airport to Disney World, but it appears that those plans are not going to come to fruition. ©Brightline After long debates about the route the train would take, it was decided in May that the Brightline would share tracks that currently house the SunRail Commuter system, and take it from the airport, to the Orange County Convention Center, and then down International Drive before going to Disney World, where a station was expected to be built near — but not on — Disney World property. That is a vastly different route than the original one — which bypassed the tourist corridor and took a more direct route (near State Road 417) to Disney World. Potential Routes ©Brightline | Obtained via the Orlando Sentinel A Disney spokesperson told the Orlando Sentinel that the Walt Disney Company is no longer involved in the project. “As many people who are involved in this project are aware, the new route configuration does not support a Disney Springs station and as a result, we don’t anticipate being part of this project,” said Disney spokesperson Avery Maehrer. Brightline Trains Guests who travel to Disney World regularly by plane had been energized by the plan, especially after Disney ended its free Magical Express airport transfer service. We’ll miss you, Magical Express By all accounts, Disney had been heavily involved in the initial planning for the train route, but the change to the route in early May takes it past the site of a new Universal theme park currently under construction — Epic Universe — as well as by other hotels and tourist attractions on International Drive. ©Universal | Epic Universe Concept Art The new route was supported by local officials, as well as Universal Orlando, which offered land and a reported $125 million from Universal and other partners. Universal and other International Drive partners have also guaranteed $13 million annually in ticket sales from this station, and they have committed to giving $2 million annually for maintenance of the station. The station would be built on land owned by Universal along Destination Parkway. ©Brightline Brightline is currently completing the tracks between its South Florida service area and Orlando, and that service is expected to begin in 2023, with work on the route through Orlando starting after that. Would You Take a Train to Disney World?©Brightline In the meantime, if you need help deciding on how to get from the airport to Disney World, check out this summer sale on a shuttle bus that can take you to your hotel! 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. Were you planning to make use of the Brightline train? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney BACKS OUT of Deal For a Train Between Orlando Airport and Disney Springs first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney recently announced the return of Star Wars Launch Bay character meet-and-greets in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and now we have a BIG update! Star Wars Launch Bay Beginning on July 17th, guests will once again be able to visit with Darth Vader, BB-8, and Chewbacca! Considering that it’s summer and the Star Wars Launch Bay has air conditioning, we anticipate some looooong lines for the return of these popular characters. But what if you had the option to skip the line?? Many character meet-and-greets have returned to Disney World, with some available through Genie+. If you purchase Genie+ for $15 per person per day, you can book the Lightning Lane for qualifying characters and bypass the standby lines. This can save you quite a bit of time in your day! Lightning Lane sign at Princess Fairytale Hall Today we took a look at the qualifying Disney World Genie+ attractions and we noticed a change for Hollywood Studios. See it? ©Disney Yes! Beginning on July 17th, Darth Vader and Chewbacca will be available via Genie+ Lightning Lane. We don’t see BB-8 included here, but it’s possible that the orange droid’s name was just not specified yet. We’ll keep our eyes on Disney’s website for any updates! ©Disney If you’re visiting Hollywood Studios before August 7th, you can also take advantage of the temporary inclusion of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway on Genie+! This ride was originally only available via Individual Lightning Lane, which was an additional cost outside of Genie+. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Hollywood Studios To purchase and use Genie+, you can buy it on each day of your visit, and you can start booking Lightning Lanes beginning at 7AM. You can book one Lightning Lane at a time, but if you start early and prioritize certain attractions first, you can make the most out of Genie+. Disney Genie Mark your calendar for July 17th and get ready to hug a Wookiee once again! Keep reading DFB for more Disney character news! ALL the character meet-and-greets available in Disney World! All About Disney Genie, Genie+, and Individual Attraction Selection READ THIS Before Using the New Genie Planning Tool in Disney World Check Out the FULL List of Rides Included With Genie+ in Disney World See What Rides You Can Pay EXTRA for in Disney World & How Much They May Cost Learn What Rides Are Included With Genie+ in Disneyland (Plus the Ones You’ll Pay EXTRA to Ride) You CAN’T Re-Ride Disney World Attractions With Genie+ You CAN’T Cancel Pay-Per-Ride Selections in Disney World Get the Answers to All of Your Burning Questions About Disney Genie See Why You May Want to Stay in a Disney World Hotel When it Comes to Disney’s Pay-Per-Ride System Here’s What Annual Passholders and Magic Key Holders Need to Know About Genie+ See 5 Ways Genie+ Might Surprise You Learn Some Disney Genie HACKS Get a Step-by-Step Guide to Using Disney Genie+ See Genie+ Tips for the Most Crowded Days in Disney World and Disneyland Still Confused About Disney Genie? Check Out These DFB Videos Learn About How Disney Genie Can Be Your Personal Assistant in Disney World Click HERE to See More About Disney Genie Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Are you excited about these returning character meet-and-greets? Tell us in the comments! The post Genie+ CHANGES Coming Soon to Disney’s Hollywood Studios first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ve been seeing some tasty plant-based options pop up around Disney World lately. Disney Springs Vegetarians (and those who just enjoy good plant-based food) have tons of delicious plant-based items to dig into, like Galactic Vegetable Wraps, Teriyaki Tofu Bowls, Mediterranean Vegetable Sandwiches, and more. And we have to admit….we’ve been pleasantly surprised by how much we’ve enjoyed these options (except for the Plant-Based Bratwurst at Friar’s Nook, that is). So today, we’re trying another Plant-Based Sausage in Disney Springs to see how it compares! We headed over to B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. at Disney Springs today to try out their Plant-Based Bratwurst Sausage! It comes with Sauerkraut and German Mustard on a Pretzel Roll served with a side of chips. We grabbed one for $11.79 and gave it a taste. The New Plant-Based Sausage on the Menu You guys — skip the Plant-Based Bratwurst at Friar’s Nook. You deserve to have this instead. The Pretzel Roll was delicious and much better than the classic hot dog bun. We loved the combination of flavors! The Plant-Based Bratwurst Sausage The tangy Mustard paired well with the Sauerkraut, as well as the Plant-Based Sausage. To be honest, the sausage may be the exact same as what they have at Friar’s Nook, but this item was much better due to the other ingredients used. The only point we’ll give to the Bratwurst at Friar’s Nook is the tots that come on the side. Lays chips don’t really compare…but we didn’t order this meal for the chips. Yum! In general, this is a good, hearty snack that we think everyone can enjoy! And it’s great to have another plant-based option available in Disney World. So, if this sounds good to you, grab it during your next trip to Disney Springs. And for more new additions to Disney Springs, check out what’s new in Disney Springs this week. Or, check out what’s really worth you’re time in Disney Springs. Disney Springs And, as always, stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news! The Definitive List of the BEST Desserts in Disney Springs! 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 Disney World’s plant-based items? If so, which one is your favorite? The post REVIEW: Disney Springs Beat Out Magic Kingdom for the Plant-Based Crown first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

SeaWorld Orlando says Howl-O-Scream again will include Captain's Revenge haunted house for Halloween 2022. View the full article

In Central Florida lies a special team of cast members who spend more one-on-one time with guests than any other role. You may have interacted with these cast members through the phone, virtual chat or maybe even email. Over the years, this team has had a few different names, from Disney Reservation Center to Walt […]View the full article

There’s nothing quite like being a Walt Disney World Resort cast member during the 50th Anniversary celebration. Between special previews of new attractions, service celebration events, yoga in front of Cinderella Castle and more, there are so many one-of-a-kind Disney Cast Life moments we get to experience together from sun-up to sun-down — and now, […]View the full article

You know what’s better than a donut? A NEW donut to try! We love a new donut! In Disney Springs, Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew is known for their delicious and unique donuts AND their cold brew, as well as their breakfast sandwiches (like the Grilled Cheeeeeese, and yes, it’s really spelled like that). They just announced the upcoming arrival of not one but TWO new donuts coming soon, so let’s get into it! Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew just announced that two NEW Everglazed donuts will be added to their everyday menu as of this Friday, July 1st! And wow — these new flavors are REALLY interesting. Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew The Black Raspberry Beret is a black raspberry iced and glazed donut topped with black raspberry jam, goat cheese buttercream frosting, fresh berries, mint, and Frosted Flakes. This one has potential! ©Everglazed And the other donut is called Thailicious, and it’s a black sesame iced glazed donut topped with pineapple, spicy chili-lime-garlic peanut butter topping, sweet chili sauce, micro cilantro, and sesame seeds. Hmmmm. We’re not totally sure about all these flavors on a donut, but we are curious! ©Everglazed Everglazed donuts typically cost around $5.75 each and you can begin buying your donuts at 9AM daily in Disney Springs. Of course, not every Everglazed donut has been a winner, so we have no idea how these donuts could turn out! Keep reading DFB for more Disney food news! If you like Gideon’s Bakehouse, you might also like Everglazed Donuts in Disney Springs! 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 new donut would you rather try? Tell us in the comments! The post We’re Not 100% Sold on the NEW Donut Coming to Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Let’s head over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom to see what’s new! The Tree of Life We’re always looking for the latest around Animal Kingdom — new food, construction updates, merchandise arrivals, etc. And this week, we noticed some new merchandise that celebrates Pandora — The World of Avatar and the Main Street Electrical Parade (perhaps a bit random in Animal Kingdom, but we love to see some Main Street Electrical Parade representation). So, without further delay, let’s dive into what’s new at Animal Kingdom! Animal Kingdom Merchandise Updates Discovery Trading Co. While we didn’t see any new merchandise arrive in this location, we did notice that they changed the store’s layout! Disney moved their nuiMO wall to the other side of the store. nuiMO Wall So, next time you visit Discovery Trading Co., be sure to visit the other side of the store to grab a nuiMO! Island Mercantile We saw some new Main Street Electrical Parade merchandise at Island Mercantile! Let’s start with the Main Street Electrical Parade Kids’ Shirt for $24.99. It features the parade’s logo on the drum float, which is joined by some of the other parade icons. The design also makes the floats look like they’re twinkling (like they do in the parade)! The shirt has “1972-2022” on it, to commemorate the parade’s 50th anniversary! (Note that this shirt says “Disneyland” specifically for the parade.) Main Street Electrical Parade Shirt Fans of the parade can also grab the Main Street Electrical Parade Kids’ Zip-up Jacket for $34.99. It features Mickey Mouse, as he appears in the parade, as well as various floats! Again, the parade floats on this jacket have the same “twinkling light” effect! Main Street Electrical Parade Zip-Up We also saw some other additions at this location, like the Kids’ Bambi Dress for $36.99! The rust-colored dress is decorated with flowers and Bambi (of course). Bambi Dress You can also head over here to grab the Baby Mickey Onesie and Pants Set for $36.99. The onesie has Mickey posing in various ways, with “Golly!” written all over! It comes with a pair of blue pants too. Baby Mickey Set And that’s everything we found at Island Mercantile! Windtraders Over at Windtraders (the gift shop located by the exit of Avatar: Flight of Passage in Pandora), we saw some new Pandora items, like the Pandora Passholder Shirt for $36.99! The black and gray tie-dye shirt has an Avatar-inspired Passholder logo on the front… Front of the Shirt …with various colorful icons from Pandora on the back! And, as the item’s name suggests, this is an Annual Passholder-exclusive shirt. Back of the Shirt But you don’t have to be an Annual Passholder to grab the rest of the Pandora items, including the Pandora Loungefly backpack for $85. The backpack celebrates Pandora — The World of Avatar with a bright, colorful design! Pandora Loungefly There’s also the purple Pandora Hoodie for $64.99, which says “Experience Pandora” and showcases its landmarks. Pandora Hoodie There’s also the blue Kids’ Pandora Tank Top that features a banshee! You can grab this one for $24.99. Kids Tank Top We also saw the dark gray Experience Pandora Shirt for $36.99. In honor of the “bioluminescence” you can see around Pandora, this tee glows in the dark. Experience Pandora Shirt They also had a purple Banshee Shirt for $36.99. The shirt features the floating mountains, with a banshee flying underneath! Banshee Shirt And the last item was the purple Pandora Shirt! This one also costs $36.99, and it glows in the dark too. Pandora Shirt And that wraps up all of the updates we have for Animal Kingdom! For the newest updates from Disney Springs, check out our post here! Or, check out this post to see what’s new over at Disneyland Resort! We’ll continue to bring you the latest updates from the parks, so stay tuned to DFB. The Big Thing You Forgot to Do Before Your Disney World Trip 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 Disney World park has the best merchandise? Let us know in the comments! The post What's New in Animal Kingdom: 50th Anniversary Merchandise...But NOT for Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Gatorland adds Capybara Encounter, a guided introduction to two giant rodents living at the Orlando attraction. View the full article

When people think of dining in Disney World, they likely think of restaurants in the Disney World parks like Skipper Canteen in Magic Kingdom or the Connections Eatery in EPCOT, but the hotels have a lot of dining options, too. Swan Reserve One of the newest hotels to join the ranks is the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve. It is located in the same area as the Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and when it opened, it brought with it some new dining options, including Amare, the signature restaurant of the hotel. Today, we’re giving it a try! Atmosphere Amare is a Mediterranean restaurant located in the Swan Reserve. It is a casual, upscale restaurant that is inspired by the “tastes and cultures of the Mediterranean region.” Amare The dining area is very light and airy, featuring a lot of wood accents and cooler, more blue tones. There are also lots of plants throughout the restaurant, contributing to that airy, fresh feel. Amare Unlike many restaurants, the kitchen is not closed off here, so depending on where you’re seated, you may be able to see into the kitchen during your meal. Open kitchen! The table setting also leans heavily into the blues with blue plates and a blue holder for the candle in the center of the table. Amare is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and we chose to head there for dinner. Keep in mind that reservations are recommended for guests wanting to have dinner at Amare. Table setting From where we were sitting during our dinner, we had a view of the Swan hotel out the window. The view from our table We thought the atmosphere was very fitting for the restaurant and really made the whole thing seem bright and fresh. Eats Since the restaurant is Mediterranean, the menu features options that are also light and fresh (just like the decor). The menu also includes quite an extensive wine list (like several pages extensive) along with some specialty cocktails and a beer list. Quite an extensive wine list! We were started off with some bread. We got four pieces of bread along with hummus, olive oil, and an olive spread. The bread was very good with a very crunchy outside and a soft inside (just the way you want it to be!). Bread course The dips for the bread were presented as a ring of hummus that kind of made a bowl for the olive oil. The olive spread sat on top of the olive oil to make a really unique presentation. What we loved about the hummus and olive oil for the bread was that you could tell that the ingredients were very high quality. Hummus, olive oil, and olive spread We really loved the olive spread (we literally ate it with a spoon, don’t judge us), but if you’re not a fan of olives, it’s easy enough to eat around the spread to just get the hummus and olive oil. For drinks, we tried the Viola which is Ford’s Gin, Creme de Violet, and Cucumber-Lime Basil Elixir topped with fresh cucumber and Thai basil. Viola drink We liked this drink a lot. We thought it was light and refreshing and very good for summer. It’s a bit on the tart side, but is still very fruity. Most of all though, we just thought this drink was pretty; it even has edible gold on top! This cocktail was $17. Edible gold on top! We also tried the Grand Tour of the Mediterranean wine flight which consists of four wines. This is Amare’s signature wine flight with a wine from Italy, one from Spain, one from France, and one from Greece. Grand tour of the Mediterranean wine flight Our favorite wine in the flight was the one from Spain. This wine was recommended by our server and it was definitely worth it. It’s Marqués de Cáceres and it’s a dry wine with hints of apples and white flowers and is bubbly, too! Our favorite was the wine from Spain Our least favorite wine was the one from France, but we think that was because it didn’t pair well with one of our appetizers (which we’ll get to in a minute), which isn’t the fault of the wine. We were also very surprised by how much we liked the Rose from Italy which was very light and delicious. We were surprised by how much we liked the Rose Alright, on to appetizers. For appetizers, we got three of the seven available. We got the Chargrilled Pepper Crostino, the Polpetti, and the Charred Octopus. First up is the Chargrilled Pepper Crostino, available for $14, this appetizer is a Chargrilled Pepper Crostino topped with marinated and grilled Bell Peppers, Parsley, and grated Manchego Cheese. Chargrilled Pepper Crostini We really enjoyed this appetizer. We thought it would be a good choice if you’re wanting to order an appetizer that won’t be too filling, because it is on the lighter side. However, because it is bread-based, some may not like it because we were served a bread basket, as well. Next up we have the Polpetti, which is Tomato braised Lamb and Beef Meatballs with crispy Potatoes, Saffron Aioli, and a roasted Pine Nut Crumble, available for $16. Polpetti First up, our reporter admits that they are not the biggest fan of lamb, so they were a little put off by this appetizer at first, but ended up overall enjoying it. It does taste a lot like lamb though, so we would recommend skipping this appetizer if that’s not something you would like. Polpetti It comes with three meatballs and the meatballs themselves were very well blended, and everything came together to make a very rich flavor and we thought it tasted very Mediterranean with the lamb and pine nut crumble. While it was good, it wasn’t our favorite appetizer, that award went to none other than the Charred Octopus. Charred octopus The Charred Octopus was recommended to us by the chef and it was absolutely delicious! For $18, you get Charred Octopus served on a Fennel Puree and topped with Pickled Onion, Crispy Potato shards and a Pistachio Gremolata. Charred octopus What made this octopus so great was the texture. If you’ve eaten octopus before, you know that it sometimes has a very chewy texture to it. This octopus was barely chewy at all, and according to our server, that’s because it’s seared before it’s charred! Not only was the texture amazing, but it went really well with everything else in the dish like pistachio gremolata and the fennel puree. Detail on the charred octopus Octopus is kind of an acquired taste though, so we would only recommend the octopus if you know you like it, otherwise it might be a miss for you. And now it’s time to get into the entrees! First up, we tried the Amare Salad which is Shredded Iceberg and Romaine Lettuces, fresh Dill, Scallion, Marinated Feta Cheese, Red Onion, Kalamata Olives, Cucumber, marinated Artichoke Hearts, Red Wine and Marjoram Dressing. It is $14, but for a surcharge, you can add either grilled chicken or grilled mahi mahi. Amare salad This salad was good, and we appreciated the fact that it was shredded, because that meant we were able to get all of the flavors into one bite easily. It also had a bit of a bitter aftertaste, likely due to the dressing, but it was still very good. Overall though, we probably wouldn’t recommend the salad because there are so many other unique things on the menu to try, and this was easily the least exciting thing we had, not because it was bad, but just because other items had more going on. Next up, we have the Romesco Chicken which is Fennel Marinated Roasted Chicken Breast, Paprikash Style Braised Thigh, House Made Pappardelle Pasta, Organic Vegetables, Cauliflower Puree, Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Romesco Sauce. It is $27. Romesco chicken We went into this entree assuming that it would be the basic, safe choice (because it’s chicken, right?), but we could not have been more wrong! The chicken was so nice and juice and when they say walnut sauce, they really mean walnut sauce. You could definitely taste the nuttiness in the sauce, which might be off-putting to some because of the unique flavor, but we really enjoyed it. Walnut sauce Another great thing about this entree is that you get two different types of chicken. You get the roast chicken breast sitting on top of some sauce, and the chicken thigh sitting on top of the pasta. Chicken thigh on top of pasta The pasta is amazing as well! The chef told us that all of the pasta is made in-house, and it definitely pays off, because we really enjoyed the pasta in this meal. When it comes to this entree, we would probably skip it if you’re a picky eater because some of the flavor combinations are pretty unique and uncommon, especially when looking at traditional American food. Speaking of pasta, the next entree we tried was the Tonnarelli Alle Vongole which is House-made Tonnarelli pasta with steamed Baby Clams, roasted Tomato sauce, Calabrian Chile and Guanciale. It is $28. Tonnarelli Alle Vongole This was our favorite entree we had all evening. We really, really liked it, but seeing as clams are a big part of the item, we would not recommend it unless you like seafood. The clams were cooked well and didn’t have any of the weird graininess that clams can sometimes get. The clams didn’t have any graininess! We would describe the sauce as “beautiful.” And we’re not kidding. The clams paired well with the sauce, and we were happy to see that you didn’t only get the clams in the shells, there were already de-shelled clams in the sauce, to add to the overall clamminess. The sauce was beautiful This meal was also surprisingly slightly on the spicy side. It’s not overly spicy, but definitely has a little bit of a kick, so be aware of that before you order. The pasta does have a bit of a kick! Amare also has a selection of flatbreads on the menu, so we tried one! We had the La Vegetale flatbread which is Roasted Grape Black Pepper Pecorino Cheese, Aged Balsamic and Baby Arugula. La Vegetale flatbread This flatbread was good and we enjoyed it. We almost thought it was too sweet, probably because of the balsamic, but overall it was very good and LOADED with arugula. It was loaded with arugula And finally, we come to the dessert. For dessert, we had the Greek Yogurt Cheesecake. Greek Yogurt Cheesecake For $14, it is greek yogurt cheesecake with white chocolate mosaic-looking tiles and blueberries, and we were very surprised by the portion size! We were expecting something smaller, but what we got was actually very large. The white chocolate even matches the decor of the restaurant. The white chocolate fits the decor of the restaurant! It was very light (that seems to be the theme of the evening, doesn’t it?) and overall just delicious. The crust is a super thin graham cracker-type crust that complements the rest of the dessert very well. Our #1 favorite part of this meal and we would highly recommend it. Nosh or Not Book a table at Amare if… You’re a fan of Mediterranean food and extensive wine lists. You’re looking for a relatively budget-friendly table-service or signature dining meal on Disney World property. Your group is comprised of adventurous eaters who are willing to try new things. Skip Amare if… You’re not a fan of Mediterranean food or you’re not interesting in being exposed to unique flavor combinations. You’re looking for a restaurant that will make you feel at Disney. This restaurant, while on Disney property, feels more like venturing outside of the so-called “Disney bubble” than a Disney restaurant. Overall We really liked Amare, but we’re not sure if everyone will. This restaurant probably isn’t for everybody, because some of the food items are more on the unique side and may not be the most approachable. If you have picky eaters in your party, this restaurant may not satisfy the whole group, so definitely take that into consideration before making a reservation. Amare at the Swan Reserve Amare also serves breakfast and lunch with more options like a burger, and various sandwiches, so if you want to try Amare but are worried you might not find something to eat on the dinner menu, consider giving it a go at lunchtime! If you’re looking for a Disney World hotel restaurant that is more approachable for the whole group, we recommend trying a place like Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club or, one of our personal favorites, ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Make sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney food news and information! Click here for the 10 Disney World restaurants every first-timer should have on their list! 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 eaten at Amare? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! The post REVIEW: Head to Amare at the Swan Reserve Hotel in Disney World With Us! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Playing golf at Disney is about to get even more fun! As part of our long-running collaboration with Arnold Palmer Golf Management, we are currently redesigning part of the Magnolia course. There will be four holes – No. 14, No. 15, No. 16 and No. 17 – that will be reimagined with innovative layouts and landscaping.View the full article

With the 4th of July just around the corner, officials are expecting this weekend to bring travel to near pre-pandemic levels. 4th of July Crowds at Animal Kingdom in 2021 Many airlines are being forced to reduce, delay, or cancel flights as they face a shortage of workers, and with gas prices continuing to fluctuate, travel is still uncertain despite the high numbers of Americans expected to travel this weekend. With the holiday weekend just days away, airlines are already canceling flights en masse, which does not bode well for travelers taking to the sky soon. Over 1,000 flights were canceled in the United States this weekend, according to Click Orlando. Saturday saw the cancelation of 634 flights, with over 730 flights canceled on Sunday. Over 1,000 flights were canceled this weekend. Delta Airlines was the hardest hit due to weather and unexpected employee absences, the airline said. Orlando International Airport (MCO) is gearing up for a busy weekend, with the recent addition of another airline, Breeze Airways. 1.7 million travelers are expected to arrive at and depart from MCO this holiday weekend, which is only 34,000 passengers short of the 2019 numbers, say airport officials. Orlando International Airport If you’re traveling this weekend, experts say to arrive at the airport at least two hours before your flight and check on your flight’s status with the airline before you leave your house. Experts are expecting the busiest day for fliers will be June 2nd, but if you’re driving, expect the most delays on June 30th and July 1st. If you’re driving, expect delays on June 30th and July 1st. Here are a few posts that might help as you get ready to head out on your vacation: What To Do If Your Flight to Disney World Is Canceled How to Get to Disney World from the Orlando Airport It Just Got Cheaper to Get to Your Disney World Hotel If you’re heading to Disney World this 4th of July weekend, Magic Kingdom is already sold out of park passes for the holiday, with the expectation that the other three parks will be exceedingly busy as well. Both Magic Kingdom and EPCOT will have special 4th of July fireworks shows, and there will be lots of limited-time Independence Day-themed snacks and treats! Patriotic Pluto Photo Op on Independence Day in 2021 Plus, what would a holiday be without a special pair of Minnie ears for the occasion? We’ll be keeping you up to date with more travel and 4th of July news, so make sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest! The BIG reasons you’re not traveling this summer — click here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 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 are your 4th of July plans? Let us know in the comments! The post Over 1,000 Flights Were CANCELED Last Weekend 😳 Here’s What That Means for Upcoming Travel first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Look Inside The Lagoon of Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage | Disneyland ParkView the full article

Magical moments happen all the time at Walt Disney World Resort for our guests thanks to the talented cast members who bring joy and happiness to all they do. As a cast member, I’ve experienced too many magical moments to count both at work and as a guest. But, my family’s recent visit to the Harmony […]View the full article

Have you visited Disney World recently? Disney Springs! Things are heating up — and we don’t just mean the temperature! There’s always something new to see or do around the parks and beyond, like the latest attraction or exclusive snack. We visited one of our favorite spots to dine and shop recently to see if anything exciting was going on — so let’s check out what’s new in Disney Springs! Disney Springs Food Updates Disney is celebrating being halfway to the holidays with limited-time treats and eats! We tried the White Chocolate Gingerbread Latte from Joffrey’s for $7.49. White Chocolate Gingerbread Latte We had high hopes for this drink, but was pretty average and it didn’t immediately transport us to a the Main Street, U.S.A. Christmas tree, so… Click Here to Read Our FULL Review Disney Springs Merchandise Updates The Mickey Mouse: The Main Attraction collections have been flying off the shelves, but we recently spotted the “it’s a small world” collection at World of Disney! We found the Mickey Ears for $34.99… “it’s a small world” Mickey ears …and the matching Mickey Mouse Plush, also $34.99! “it’s a small world” plush We can’t wait for the rest of these collections to debut. Click Here to See the Full Collection! Disney Springs General Updates There’s an Art Walk taking place in Disney Springs! Beautiful! Featuring several different murals and pieces of art from various artists… Disney Springs Art Walk …there are so many beautiful works of art to look at! Artwork by Chad Mize Head on over to Disney Springs to check out even more works on the Art Walk — and don’t forget to stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news and more. Click Here to See MORE Photos of the Disney Springs Art Walk Want to learn more about what’s going on in Disney World? Check out what’s new in the Disney World hotels. Speaking of hotels, have you seen the NEW villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort? You can see our full tour here. If you’re heading to Disney World soon, keep in mind that park pass reservations are required for guests in addition to valid theme park admission — we’ve even got tips on the BEST days for you to book here! 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. When was the last time you visited Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments! The post What’s New in Disney Springs: A Drink That Seems VERY Confused 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 Main Street Electrical Parade has returned to Disneyland, and it’s been lighting up the night ever since! Main Street Electrical Parade While those of us in Disney World can’t partake in the electric festivities, we can still grab some parade-inspired merchandise online! And, speaking of, check out the Main Street Electrical Parade Collection items that just dropped online! Thanks to shopDisney, everyone can snag some items to celebrate the Main Street Electrical Parade! We’ve seen these items before at Disneyland Resort, and they’re now online! You can grab items like the Main Street Electrical Parade Spirit Jersey! It has the parade’s name in “twinkling lights” on the back, and features parade floats and icons like Elliot the Dragon! Take a look! You can grab the spirit jersey right now for $74.99. Get the Main Street Electrical Parade Spirit Jersey Here! There’s also the Main Street Electrical Parade Dress for $128! It’s a black dress, which features colorful parade-themed designs. Main Street Electrical Parade Dress The dress also has a pink sash with “Main Street Electrical Parade” written on it! Get the Main Street Electrical Parade Dress Here! This Main Street Electrical Parade Short Sleeve Shirt is a woven button-up short with a variety of colored buttons and an allover Main Street Electrical Parade print! ©Disney It comes in sizes S to 4XL, and you can get it for $59.99. Get the Main Street Electrical Parade Short Sleeve Shirt here! There’s also a Main Street Electrical Parade Tank Top available now! This tank top comes in sizes XS to 3X, and it features a tie-up front with a ribbed scoop neck and sleeve cuffs. ©Disney The artwork extends diagonally across the tank top and you can get it for $29.99! Click here to order the Main Street Electrical Parade Tank Top! There are a few other souvenirs available too! The Main Street Electrical Parade Pin is limited release with vintage Mickey Mouse art on a red glitter background. ©Disney Get it for $17.99! Order the Main Street Electrical Parade Pin here! Speaking of pins, there’s also a Main Street Electrical Parade Folding Pin! This pin is limited release with a folding hinged pin design along with three vignettes with images from the Main Street Electrical Parade. ©Disney You can see Captain Hook’s Pirate Ship, Alice on a mushroom with the Cheshire Cat grin, and Mickey with Casey Jr. Get this pin for $29.99! Order the Main Street Electrical Parade Folding Pin here! And Pete’s Dragon wasn’t left out! This Elliott Plush measures 14 inches, and if you can’t remember he plays quite the starring role in the Main Street Electrical Parade. ©Disney Elliott has embroidered features, plush sculpting, and a furry top tuft and tail. His wings are padded and iridescent, and he also has felt scales and claws! Order him for $29.99. Get the Elliott Plush Dragon here! You can also light up your house with the Main Street Electrical Parade Light-up Wall Decor! This decoration has an on/off switch and 12 light globes along with backlit holes. It has teeth on the back for easy hanging! ©Disney Decorate your walls for $49.99! Click here to order the Main Street Electrical Parade Light-up Wall Decor! And of course, finish out your Main Street Electrical Parade collection with the Minnie Ears! These ears feature screen art including Mickey, Elliott, Casey Jr., and the Main Street Electrical Parade 50th anniversary logo. Check out these ears! Best of all — they glow in the dark! Get them for $39.99. Order the Main Street Electrical Parade Minnie Ears here! Those are only some of the Main Street Electrical Parade items you can grab online, so head over to shopDisney to check out the rest! And, while you’re there, check out the new Dooney & Bourke collection! Or, grab a new pair of Minnie Ears! Can you EVER have enough? And, as always, stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news! ALL of the Disney World 50th Anniversary Merchandise You Can Get Online Right NOW! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! 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 item is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney’s ✨ Main Street Electrical Parade Collection ✨ Just Arrived ONLINE first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World has been getting ready to debut a NEW way to use MagicBands — MagicBand+! This new system introduces effects that weren’t possible with the previous generation of MagicBands, like allowing guests to interact with the 50th Anniversary statues around the parks and turning Galaxy’s Edge into an interactive bounty hunting game. Although a few MagicBand+ bands were accidentally released early, Disney still hasn’t announced when the system will officially roll out in the parks. Regular MagicBands Even though there’s a new generation of MagicBands on the way, we’re still finding plenty of the OG bands throughout the parks! Remember that you can continue to use the old MagicBands (or your phone) as your park ticket and hotel room key, even when MagicBand+ arrives. So let’s head into the parks to check out a NEW band that we spotted today! We visited The Darkroom gift shop in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which is where we found this new Fourth of July Mickey Mouse MagicBand! The new band arrived just in time for the holiday. 4th of July MagicBand The middle part is a red Mickey head with stars all around it, and there are red and white stripes on the band that are covered in Mickey Mouse! You can get it for $34.99, but you might want to hurry — since it’s a holiday-themed band, it might not be around for very long. Cute! There are plenty of other new MagicBands around Disney World, like some Lightyear-themed ones, 50th Anniversary ones, and even Annual Passholder bands. Figment MagicBands And if you’ll be in Disney World for the Fourth of July, don’t forget the special offerings coming to the parks for the holiday! There will be limited-time fireworks shows in both Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, and you’ll be able to find a LOT of special treats to celebrate. Fourth of July photo op in 2021 Keep following DFB for more of the latest updates from Disney World! Learn all about MagicBand+ here. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 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 visiting Disney World for the Fourth of July this year? Let us know in the comments. The post HURRY! Disney's NEW MagicBand May Not Be Around for Long first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disneyland Resort reopened in April 2021 after closing in March 2020, but many rides and attractions are in a state of transformation right now. Disneyland! Mickey’s Toon Town has been closed for a big reimagining and Tarzan’s Treehouse is closed and getting re-themed, and one ride has remained closed even after Disneyland reopened. But that’s changing soon — and here’s what we know! Disney announced today that Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage will reopen in Disneyland Park on July 25th! The ride has been closed for refurbishment since Disneyland reopened in 2021 and it was originally scheduled to reopen in winter 2021, but that reopening date was extended until now. According to Disney, the ride will reopen “bigger, brighter, and better than ever!” We can’t wait to check it out! Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage In case you didn’t know, this isn’t the first time the ride will be getting a reopening date! The original version of the Submarine Voyage opened on July 14th, 1959, and it was themed after the USS Nautilus, the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine. The original ride closed in 1998 after 39 years, and it eventually reopened with a new Finding Nemo theme. Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage has been closed for a while! This immersive ride takes guests underwater in an undersea expedition, and you might catch a glimpse of some of your favorite Finding Nemo characters! We’ll have to wait and see what Disney may have changed during the lengthy refurbishment. Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage Mark your calendar for July 25th to be among the first to ride this reopened attraction, and keep reading DFB for more Disneyland refurbishment and closure news! Check out all the current closures and construction at Disneyland Resort! Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! Check Out Important Details about the 2022 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Learn About Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland See the Latest Updates About Disneyland’s Face Mask Policy Check Out What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Check Out Our Disneyland Restaurants Guide Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure See More About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Learn About the Disneyland Mobile App Get All the Details About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program What’s Going to Be Different About Your Next Disneyland Trip? Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Are you excited about the reopening of Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage? Tell us in the comments! The post Reopening DATE Announced for Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage in Disneyland 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. Are you collecting the Disney Designer Collection dolls? Jasmine and Pocahontas Designer Dolls These special edition dolls are gorgeous reworked ideas of Disney princesses and heroines in entirely new fashionable outfits. So far we’ve seen dolls for Snow White, Merida, Tiana, and more! Well, now the latest doll has arrived online and she’s bringing the sass! Meet the Disney Designer Collection Megara Doll. She’s got the ‘tude and a lovely dress to go with it. But she won’t say she’s in love, NO NO! ©shopDisney Donning her classic purple-themed look, her dress features elements reminiscent of the Ancient Greeks. ©shopDisney And can we talk about that sassy eyebrow? It’s like you can feel she’s about to roll her eyes at Hercules. The doll comes in a decorative box and includes a certificate of authenticity as well! ©shopDisney If you want to get your hands on this doll, though, it’s not going to be cheap — it will set you back $129.99. But if you’re a Megara fan, this unique souvenir could be a must-buy. Click Here To Buy The Megara Doll Looking to get your hands on even more fun merchandise? Be sure to check out ALL the Disney World 50th anniversary merchandise you can buy online — we keep the list updated daily, and even check to see when sold out items are restocked. We also keep an eye on Disney deals on Amazon, you can check some of those out here and here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 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 getting this doll? Let us know in the comments! The post Would YOU Pay Over 0 😮 for the Newest Disney Collectible? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Ever wonder what it would be like to step into the lagoon of Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage? While this beloved family-friendly attraction has been closed for some much-deserved TLC, we got a behind-the-scenes look at what the teams across Walt Disney Imagineering, Disneyland Resort and Pixar Animation Studios have been up to. View the full article