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The Park Pass theme park reservation system has been in place in Disney World and Disneyland since the parks reopened following the COVID-19 closures. Easter Crowds The system helps Disney control capacity in the parks and know how many guests will be there each day. We’ve seen Disney executives comment on the park pass system in the past, how it’s being used, and how it could be here to stay, but today we got even more updates on the system and how long it could be sticking around. On May 11th, 2022, Disney shared its quarterly earnings report for the second quarter of fiscal year 2022. In that report and during the earnings call on the same topic, Disney shared updates on their fiscal standing, Disney+ subscribers, and more. During the call, Disney executives were also asked a number of questions, including some that prompted responses related to Park Passes. ©Disney | Walt Disney Company Headquarters Disney CEO Bob Chapek commented on the Park Pass system by noting that the Company is still encouraged by the way that attendance is trending in relation to the reservation system. According to Disney CEO Bob Chapek, Disney continues “to see really strong demand” and they’re “encouraged by the trends” that they’re seeing, particularly as they expect improvements to international visitation. Chapek said, “We’re controlling our attendance…using our reservation system to optimize the guest experience. But that domestic yield strategy…is really exceeding our expectations.” Chapek shared that they’re encouraged by the continuation of the trends they’re seeing when it comes to things like the number of people signing up for Genie+, plus the willingness to come to the parks with the reservation system, which helps them manage their price per day. Bob Chapek According to Chapek, “That domestic yield strategy has really structurally allowed [Disney] to increase that per capita spending meaningfully without having to rely solely on raising ticket prices.” And, he added, “we don’t see any end in sight for that.” ©Disney Christine McCarthy, the Chief Financial Officer of the Walt Disney Company also discussed Park Passes. According to McCarthy, Disney is “choosing to limit attendance using [the] reservation system.” McCarthy said that this goes back to Disney trying to “balance demand and attendance throughout the year, not have days when consumers in the parks aren’t enjoying the experience.” McCarthy said attendance is something they’re controlling but they’re doing it to “have a better consumer experience.” Christine McCarthy ©The Walt Disney Company According to McCarthy, they will continue to increase attendance in the parks with capacity as things change. She noted how things have changed recently, like the return of “normal” character meet-and-greets and the return of nighttime spectaculars at Disneyland. McCarthy also said that things like the opening of the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction in Disney World can potentially change capacity. McCarthy said that this is “all new capacity” and they’re looking forward to having guests experience that. Even Journey Into Imagination has had a long line recently! Neither Chapek nor McCarthy gave any indication of an end to Disney’s Park Pass system. And in fact, as we noted above, the Disneyland Resort President previously shared his thoughts on why Park Passes could be here to stay. McCarthy had also previously noted how they are managing the parks differently now when it comes to attendance levels and talked about how they know how many people are going to the parks on a given day, which allows them to better balance load throughout the year, week, and month. Crowds So it seems Park Pass reservations could be sticking around for quite some time. Right now the Park Pass availability calendar shows available dates through January of 2024. We’ll be sure to share any further updates with you. Click here to see more about Disney’s earnings report 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 fan of the Park Pass system? Tell us in the comments. The post NEWS: Disney CEO Bob Chapek Comments on the Park Pass Reservation System first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

SET YOUR ALARMS! A popular Disney item is about to hit shopDisney, and it’s sure to go fast! ©Disney With faith, trust, and a little chaos magic, a popular Scarlet Witch item is about to make its way through the multiverse, and appear on shopDisney! The timing couldn’t be any better, as the recent release of Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and the appearance of Scarlet Witch in Avengers Campus has created a void in us that only a certain pair of ears could fill. Spoiler alert…the item we’re talking about is the Scarlet Witch Ear Headband, and we have all the information you need to know about this release! In a new tweet, shopDisney released the big news that Scarlet Witch fans (particularly us) have been waiting for: the Scarlet Witch Ear Headband will be available on shopDisney! The side of the headband says, “I have everything under control,” and the red and black ears feature the iconic Scarlet Witch pointed headpiece. These ears were $29.99 when they were briefly available in Disneyland (we weren’t kidding when we said they’ll go fast), so we assume they’ll be around the same price! Wandavision ©Marvel Studios This item will drop on shopDisney this Friday, May 13th (Friday the 13th — spooky) at 7AM PST, so set an alarm to grab your own pair! We’ll continue updating you on new releases, so stay tuned to DFB! See Who Else Has Joined Scarlet Witch in Avengers Campus! 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 grabbing this pair of ears? Let us know in the comments! The post Friday the 13th Has Us Setting Our Alarms for a BIG Disney Drop! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The Galactic Starcruiser, AKA the Star Wars Hotel, opened up officially back in March of this year, and we got to check it ALL out! Atrium of the ship We trained with lightsabers, ate ALL of the food (literally all of it), and saw some fun entertainment on board like fireworks. Trips on the ship have been pretty booked up since it opened, and Disney says they don’t expect that to change any time soon. The Galactic Starcruiser is expected to be at 100% capacity through the end of September 2022, according to Disney. They shared this prediction during their Q2 earnings call today. Star Wars Hotel Atrium Right now, there isn’t much availability left on the Starcruiser in May, June, and July… ©Disney …but there is still a TON of availability left for August and September! So, Disney must be banking on more people booking trips in those two months in the future. ©Disney This availability changes quite often, so it’s good to check it regularly if you’re thinking about planning a trip. Note that you can also book stays through December of this year. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World news and updates! Click here to see our FULL GUIDE to the Star Wars Hotel! Star Wars Hotel -- Galactic Starcruiser News and Information Check Out Our COMPLETE GUIDE to the Star Wars Hotel We’re Breaking the MYTHS from Inside the Star Wars Hotel Rooms What to Get (or AVOID) at Breakfast on the Star Wars Hotel We Ate EVERYTHING for Lunch at the Star Wars Hotel See Our FULL Review of the Entire Dinner on Night 1 of the Star Wars Hotel Yes, Dinner on Night 2 at the Star Wars Hotel is Different. See Our Full Review Is the Captain’s Table Worth the Extra Cost? See How the Fireworks at the Star Wars Hotel Will (and Won’t) Surprise You Get Our Full Thoughts on the BLUE SHRIMP See What Snacks Look Like in Space Some of the Best Food in the Star Wars Hotel is Hiding! Get a Look at the Exclusive Star Wars Hotel Merchandise Learn About What’s Included When You Leave the Star Wars Hotel for Hollywood Studios Take a Look at the Pricing for the Star Wars Hotel Watch Our DFB Video About Our Experience at the Star Wars Hotel Click HERE to See More About Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Are you planning a trip on the Galactic Starcruiser in the future? Tell us in the comments! The post Disney Shares Update on Star Wars Hotel Availability Predictions first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

May is Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AANHPI), and we have already tried so many AANHPI-inspired treats in Disney World in celebration, and now we’re just a little bit obsessed with ube. Don’t mind us, we’re just eating all the ube in Disney World. Disneyland Resort is getting in on the AANHPI Heritage Month fun too, and today, Disney announced more details about what’s coming to both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure! Many Asian American Heritage Month offerings are coming to the Disneyland hotels, both parks, and Downtown Disney. For example, over at the Disneyland hotels, guests will have the opportunity to participate in complimentary hula lessons on the weekends at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at Disneyland Hotel. ©️Disney There will also be nightly ukulele music at the hotels! If you are staying at one of the Disney hotels, you can learn to play the ukulele, make a ribbon lei, or practice tai chi, the ancient Chinese martial art. Over at Disney California Adventure, there is a special Turning Red photo op. This photo op is located near Pixar Pier and is only available for a limited time. Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure At Disneyland, you can spot a Children’s Day window display outside of the Emporium. Children’s Day is celebrated by many countries, but this window pays homage to the Japanese Children’s Day (which is May 5th annually). In Japan, families display koinobori or “carp streamers” as a symbol of strength and vitality. This window display also includes traditional games from other Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander cultures, including games from the Philippines, China, Korea, and the Hawaiian Islands. ©️Disney At the WonderGround Gallery in Downtown Disney, artists Jerrod Maruyama, Joey Chou, Ann Shen and June Kim will be signing their artwork from 3PM-5PM on May 21st and 22nd. Throughout the month there will be performances at the Downtown Disney Live! stage. ©️Disney Performers include Faiva, a Polynesian band, The Filharmonic, a Filipino a capella singing group, Tupua, a Polynesian group that puts on a show of dance and drums, and Chinese Cultural Splendor which performs Chinese dance, martial arts, and lion dance. You can also stop by Kayla’s Cake, which is a bakery cart founded by sisters Kayla Lee and Eunjoo Kang. ©️Disney Make sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the AANHPI news and updates from both Disney World and Disneyland Resort! Disney Fans Share Which Characters Inspire Them the Most and Why — Click Here! 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 Will you be heading to Disneyland this month? Let us know in the comments! The post You Can Learn to Hula and Play the Ukulele at Disneyland Resort This Month! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney has some awesome ride-themed merchandise, like the Mickey Mouse: The Main Attraction collections, Minnie ears, and even clothing. Check THESE out! They also make really fun ornaments! We’ve see ornaments themed to rides like Tower of Terror, Space Mountain, and Haunted Mansion. And now, there’s ANOTHER ride ornament you can add to your collection! Check out this NEW Pirates of the Caribbean ornament! The front looks just like the ride over in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland… So fun! …and the back features some of our favorite pirates! Who do we have here? We can see the iconic skeleton at the helm, as well as the guy that dangles his foot over the bridge. What do you think? We found this ornament in Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Magic Kingdom for $29.99. Go grab it! Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney merchandise news and updates! Click here to check out the NEW Space Mountain ornament! 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. Do you collect Disney ornaments? Tell us in the comments! The post ANOTHER Ride Ornament Has Been Released in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The man who helped lead UCF to its undefeated football season in 2017 and inspired NFL fans with his success story playing pro football despite an amputated hand is taking on a new role as godfather of the rebranded Margaritaville at Sea cruise ship. View the full article

The big crowds we’ve been seeing in Disney World recently might indicate that The Walt Disney Company has been doing “okay” financially from a parks perspective, but dropping stock numbers could show a different picture. Now we’ve got a much better idea of where things stand as Disney has released their quarterly earnings report for the second quarter of fiscal year 2022. Disney World The Earnings Report for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022 covers some early months in 2022, ending on April 2nd, 2022. These early months had some pretty major events for Disney. We saw restaurants reopen in the parks, the release of a popular Marvel show on Disney+, a couple of big announcements about ongoing projects, and more. So how are the parks, Disney+, and other aspects of the company REALLY doing? Let’s see the numbers. Overall Financial Results Overall, Disney has shared that revenues for this past quarter (Q2 of FY 2022) and six months grew 23% and 29% respectively, despite a reduction of $1.0 billion for certain amounts due to the end of certain license agreements and other matters. Certain diluted earnings per share numbers DECREASED while others increased. Specifically, “Diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations for the quarter decreased to $0.26 from $0.50 in the prior-year quarter.” But, excluding certain items, the “diluted EPS for the quarter increased to $1.08 from $0.79 in the prior-year quarter.” When you look at the EPS from continuing operations for the 6 month period that ended on April 2nd, 2022, that EPS actually increased to $0.89 compared to $0.52 in the prior-year’s period. ©Disney Disney CEO Bob Chapek expressed a sense of optimism moving forward. In the earnings report, Chapek shared, “Our strong results in the second quarter, including fantastic performance at our domestic parks and continued growth of our streaming services—with 7.9 million Disney+ subscribers added in the quarter and total subscriptions across all our DTC offerings exceeding 205 million—once again proved that we are in a league of our own.” Chapek continued by saying, “As we look ahead to Disney’s second century, I am confident we will continue to transform entertainment by combining extraordinary storytelling with innovative technology to create an even larger, more connected, and magical Disney universe for families and fans around the world.” Disney CEO Bob Chapek in Disney World on its 50th Anniversary Let’s look a little further into some of the specific numbers. Impact of COVID-19 In many ways, Disney is returning to a state of “normal” in the theme parks and with theatrical releases. Recently, face mask mandates were dropped in all areas in Disney World and Disneyland except at certain portions of First Aid stations. And a few of the latest movies have had very successful opening weekends at the box office in theaters. But is COVID-19 still affecting Disney’s earnings? Disney does continue to be impacted by COVID-19 in some ways. In the earnings report, Disney notes, “COVID-19 and measures to prevent its spread have impacted our segments in a number of way.” Face mask When it comes to the parks and resorts, Disney shared that they are “generally operating without significant COVID-19-related capacity restrictions, such as those that were in place in the prior year.” But, some of their “international parks and resorts and cruise ship operations continue to be impacted by COVID-19-related closures and capacity and travel restrictions.” We certainly saw that with things like the closure of Shanghai Disneyland (which still does not have a reopening date). COVID-19 Health and Safety Sign In terms of media, Disney shares that their film and TV products are generally back, but they have “seen disruptions of production activities depending on local circumstances.” Most Disney films have been able to be released in theaters during fiscal 2022, but some markets are still imposing restrictions when it comes to openings and capacity. Disney shares, “We have incurred, and will continue to incur, costs to address government regulations and the safety of our employees, guests and talent, of which certain costs are capitalized and will be amortized over future periods.” Click here to see 18 rules to follow now that normal character meet-and-greets are back in Disney World Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products When it comes to Parks, Experiences, and Products, revenues for this past quarter (Q2 of FY 2022) are more than DOUBLE what they were during the prior-year quarter. Specifically, Disney shared that “revenues for the quarter increased to $6.7 billion compared to $3.2 billion in the prior-year quarter.” The segment operating results also increased to an “income of $1.8 billion compared to a loss of $0.4 billion in the prior-year quarter.” According to Disney, this operating income growth at the domestic parks was due to higher volumes and INCREASED guest spending. What brought about higher volumes? Disney notes that the higher volumes were due to “increases in attendance, occupied room nights and cruise ship sailings.” Crowds in Magic Kingdom Guest spending has also grown in the parks. According to Disney, the growth in guest spending was due to “an increase in average per capita ticket revenue, higher average daily hotel room rates and an increase in food, beverage and merchandise spending.” The increase in that per capita ticket revenue is due to a number of factors including the introduction of Genie+ and Lightning Lanes. Splash Mountain Lightning Lane Things in this quarter are also dramatically different than they were a year ago. During Q2 of fiscal year 2022, the domestic parks were open for the whole time, while Disneyland was actually closed during the prior-year quarter and Disney World was operating at a reduced capacity during the prior-year quarter. There were some more complex situations when it comes to the international parks as some, like Hong Kong Disneyland, were actually open for less days in the current quarter compared to the prior-year quarter, but there was some improved results at certain international parks. When it comes to merchandise, Disney shared that the growth in licensing was “driven by higher sales of merchandise based on Mickey and Minnie, Spider-Man, Star Wars Classic and Disney Princesses.” Spider-Man Hat Here’s a look at some of the parks numbers. ©Disney You can see where Parks & Experiences reached a total of $4,898,000,000 in this quarter, compared to just $1,735,000,000 in the same quarter in 2021. Disney+ Subscriber Numbers Disney has been ambitious with their goals for Disney+ subscriber numbers. We’ve seen the number of subscribers rising over the past few quarters, and this time is no different. Overall, the total number of Disney+ subscribers during Q2 of 2022 is 137.7 million. ©Disney That’s a substantial jump from the previous subscriber numbers we had seen back in February — at which point Disney+ had a total of 129.8 million subscribers. Click here to see our post on the updated numbers! In terms of other media updates, Disney shared that ESPN viewership is up with ratings up double digits. ©Disney You can also see that Hulu subscriptions are also up compared to the prior-year quarter. Media In terms of media generally, linear networks saw an increase in revenue compared to the prior-year quarter, though operating income decreased. Direct-to-consumer revenue also increased compared to the prior year quarter, and operating losses increased. ©Disney According to Disney, “The increase in operating loss was due to higher losses at Disney+ and ESPN+ and lower operating income at Hulu.” For Disney+ those lower results were a reflection of “higher programming and production, marketing and technology costs, partially offset by an increase in subscription revenue.” There was, however, “Higher subscription revenue” that was “due to subscriber growth and increases in retail pricing.” You can see in the chart below how Disney+ average monthly revenue per paid subscriber increased compared to the prior-year quarter. ©Disney For the full quarterly earnings report, click here. We’ll keep updating this post as we learn more from today’s Second-Quarter Earnings report and Call. Keep following DFB for more of the latest news from Disney! How Disney World Has Totally CHANGED Over the Past 5 Years Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! 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 statistics from Disney’s Second-Quarter Earnings Call are surprising to you? Let us know in the comments. The post NEWS: Disney Reports BIG Park Revenues Despite Recent Drops in Stock Value first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney+, Disney’s streaming service, is home to a lot of exclusive content, including Marvel shows like Moon Knight, Loki, and WandaVision. It has also expanded the Star Wars universe with shows like The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. ©Disney A few months ago, Disney announced plans to expand the service even further with the option to subscribe to a Disney+ plan with advertisements at a lower cost, which would (theoretically) allow more individuals to subscribe to the service. The service has continued to grow since its release in 2019, with estimates claiming that by the year 2026, Disney+ will have more subscribers than Netflix. Today, Disney met for the Fiscal Year 2022 Quarter 2 Earnings call, which provided some insight into how Disney+ is doing. Disney reported that 7.9 million subscribers have been added to Disney+ this quarter. This brings the total number of subscribers to 137.7 million. This is a 33% increase since April of 2021. Disney+ Sand Sculpture The total number of subscriptions across all of Disney’s direct to consumer offerings is over 205 million, this includes things like Hulu and ESPN+. ©Hulu Hulu reported a 10% increase in subscribers, and ESPN+ increased its subscriber numbers by 62%. ©Disney “As we look ahead to Disney’s second century, I am confident we will continue to transform entertainment by combining extraordinary storytelling with innovative technology to create an even larger, more connected, and magical Disney universe for families and fans around the world,” said Disney CEO Bob Chapek. ©Disney | Marvel Studios We’ll be bringing you more news and updates from this earnings call, so make sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest updates! Click Here to See Our Investigation of Whether the Addition of Ads to Disney+ Will Make the Prices Increase 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 subscribed to Disney+? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Updated Disney+ Subscriber Numbers Released first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Planning on flying Southwest Airlines to Disney World or anywhere else? Well your next flight might be a little different and more…high tech! Southwest Airlines Southwest has already announced some changes coming to the airline in the future, like the introduction of a new fare type. But recently it announced a whole bunch of other changes (including more USB ports!) that flyers might really be able to take advantage of and enjoy during upcoming flights. Recently, Southwest posted a photo on Twitter of their seats with an illuminated USB port. The comment on the post said “something’s coming…” In conjunction with the Twitter post, Southwest posted a press release on their website about some of the technological advancements coming to their airplanes. According to the press release, Southwest was recently awarded the J.D. Power Award for Highest Customer Satisfaction among economy carriers in North America. Now, Southwest is doing even more for its customers through $2 billion worth of investments. Some of Southwest’s commitments include the following: “Bring enhanced WiFi connectivity onboard aircraft; Install latest-technology onboard power ports to charge personal devices at every seat; Offer larger overhead bins with more space and easier access to carryon items; Launch a new fare category with added flexibility and value, Wanna Get Away PlusTM; Introduce more entertainment options and a wider selection of refreshments in the cabin; and, Enable new self-service capabilities to bring elevated ease in doing business with Southwest, benefiting Employees and Customers.” Will You Fly With Southwest? According to Southwest, in terms of connectivity and WiFi, they’ve got a few things in mind. First, they’ll be upgrading the WiFi equipment on their existing fleet of airplanes. That’ll lead to significant improvements when it comes to speed and bandwidth. They’ve got plans for the latest generation hardware to get on 50 in-service planes by the end of May, and are projecting to get it on 350 aircrafts by the end of October. Southwest is also testing the upgraded WiFi on some routes “over the western mainland U.S.” If you happen to be on one of those flights, you might just be able to get FREE WiFi. In addition, “Southwest recently entered into an agreement with…satellite connectivity provider Viasat to provide high quality internet and live television programming onboard newly delivered aircraft beginning in the fall of this year.” Southwest 50th Anniversary Plane When it comes to your seat, Southwest is also planning to install “latest-generation onboard USB A and USB C power ports on every seat in the aircraft.” That’ll help you keep your devices charged throughout your flight! Plus, they are planning to use a system that won’t compromise legroom. This new feature is set to be added to 737 MAX aircraft starting in early 2023. ©Southwest Airlines Southwest will also be doing more things to improve the customer experience. When it comes to bags, Southwest will be working on larger overhead bins that’ll give guests “easier access to store and retrieve luggage onboard.” These larger bins are expected to be on aircraft deliveries starting early next year. There will also be greater ability for Southwest customers to do things digitally when it comes to their flight. For example, Southwest has said that by late summer of 2022, customers will be able to “purchase Upgraded Boarding A1-A15 positions (when available) on their mobile devices without standing in line at the airport.” In the future, they will also be looking into doing things like letting guests add lap child travelers when booking online. Mickey and Minnie Showing Off the Plane Southwest is also introducing a new fare type called Wanna Get Away Plus, about which we previously shared some details. This fare type is expected to become available later this month (May). It brings together a “new ability to transfer travel funds and to confirm a same-day change to an available seat on a different flight between the same origin and destination, without a change in base fare.” And when it comes to beverage selections, Southwest is going to be adding some new options. This summer Southwest passengers can expect to see a Bloody Mary Mix. There will then be a ready-to-drink cocktail available in September, new options of Hard Seltzer, and more. Plus, Southwest is planning to enhance its in-flight entertainment to “more than double the number of free movies currently available by end of year” and they’ll also be updating their flight tracker. Southwest Plane While it won’t all be available right away or all at once, it sounds like those flying Southwest will have a number of things to look forward to in the coming months! We’ll keep an eye out for more updates and let you know what we find. Click here to get a full look at the Disney World Southwest 50th Anniversary plane! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you a fan of Southwest Airlines? Tell us in the comments! The post Why Your Next Southwest Flight Could Be DIFFERENT first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Seeing a Disney character in Disney World is a BELOVED pastime, right up there with eating Mickey Pretzels and riding the PeopleMover! Mickey! Make no mistake, there are LOTS of classic characters we NEVER get tired of spotting (and HUGGING!) in Disney World, but we also get excited about spotting a RARE character! From Mickey and Minnie to Pluto, Belle, and Snow White, there are soooo many iconic Disney characters who make regular appearances in the parks! And we’re basically their groupies, so we love to see ‘em! Snow White Beyond these familiar faces, though, there are soooo many characters that are much more rare! Whether they only make periodic appearances in certain areas or pop up at exclusive after-hours events, it’s always exciting to spot one of these special characters! Max Goof Goofy is one of the most prolific characters in Disney World, making appearances in resorts, restaurants, parades, and special parties! He’s QUITE the showman! Goofin’ around His son, however, is a different story. We have occasionally seen him make the rounds in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, though! There’s Max! It’s not quite Lake Destiny, but Max has gone fishin’ with his dad at Echo Lake, and they’ve both been known to make surprising appearances towards the end of the queue at Tower of Terror! And sometimes Max will make surprise appearances towards the back of EPCOT! Every Disney World 50th Celebration Tip You Need for 2022 Jafar Disney villains are always fun to see in Disney World! That’s why Disney’s special villain-themed events are always a hoot! Jafar! Jafar certainly ranks up there as one of our fav baddies. While Aladdin and Jasmine are fixtures, the evil sorcerer is typically confined to the Halloween season, when he’s been known to partake in parades and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. How Could Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party be Different This Year? Genie For as beloved and iconic as he is, you’d think Genie would be a little more recurring in Disney World! But alas, he’s another rare character you don’t see too often! Genie! However, he’ll sometimes show up in a parade or two, and at certain after-hours holiday parties, but we’ve also seen him by The Magic Carpets of Aladdin in Magic Kingdom (no surprise there). 10 Disney World Tips That Really ARE As Good As People Say Jack and Sally Another Halloween-season fav is the dynamic duo from The Nightmare Before Christmas! Jack Skellington & Sally Not only can you eat Jack Skellington-themed treats and load up on merch, but both Jack and Sally are staples at the special after-hours Halloween parties and parades! Whatever You Do, DON’T Listen to These Disney World Tips! Rabbit The social butterflies of the Hundred Acre Wood, Winnie the Pooh and Tigger are frequently making the rounds in Disney World! But then there are the shyer characters who you don’t see too often… Tigger! …among the rarest from the Winnie the Pooh-verse is Rabbit, who occasionally pops up around Easter in the holiday parade, or along Main Street, U.S.A.. Rabbit in Magic Kingdom In RARE instances (when character dining is available), he might even show up at The Crystal Palace, presumably to get some salad. Ranking ALL of the Character Dining Locations in Disney World Remy Now that Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure has been open for several months, maybe we’ll see more appearances at some point in the future, but as it stands right now, Remy is still a rare sight in the parks! Hi Remy and Emile! Remy and his adorably hapless brother Emile, DO show up in Disney World, but currently only for special (and hard-to-predict) events, so keep your eyes peeled for some of the cutest rodents in town! PHOTOS & VIDEOS: Go INSIDE Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure With Us Mushu Here’s the bad news: Mulan’s hilarious dragon sidekick, Mushu, shows up VERY infrequently in Disney World. Mulan The good news, though? When he DOES, you can pretty much bet EXACTLY where he’ll be: the China Pavilion in EPCOT. Mushu in Disneyland So the next time you’re on the lookout for Mulan in EPCOT, you may luck out and spot Mushu while you’re at it! 5 NEW Things Are Coming to EPCOT Soon & We’ve Got ALL the Details Brother Bear Of all the unique Disney characters we’ve seen on Animal Kingdom’s flotillas, the stars of Brother Bear REALLY take the cake! Brother Bear flotilla This underrated Disney movie doesn’t get a lot of attention in the parks, which is why we were SHOCKED (in a great way!) to see Koda and Kenai float by! Kenai and Koda Even more recently, we spotted the duo in the Tree of Life Garden in Animal Kingdom! Granted, it doesn’t happen often at all, which is what makes rare sightings like this such a delight! DFB Video: 16 Things You Can ONLY Get in Animal Kingdom Gypsy Perhaps the rarest (and honestly, most random) character sighting in recent memory ALSO took place at the Tree of Life Garden! It’s Gypsy! Imagine our surprise when we spotted Gypsy, the fabulous moth from A Bug’s Life, modeling her stylin’ wings. We got to see Gypsy on Earth Day, which is also the anniversary of the opening of Animal Kingdom. Those “special days” are also great for spotting rare Disney characters! Gypsy Whether floating along the river, popping up on restaurant balconies, or in random line queues, there’s no shortage of rare Disney character sightings in Disney World! So keep your eyes peeled at ALL times, because it’s ALWAYS exciting to see an un-familiar face! ALL the Meet and Greets That Have Returned to Normal 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. What is the rarest character you’ve ever seen in Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post How Many of These RARE Disney Characters Have You Met? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Known for being wildly talented, the Walt Disney World culinary teams are always looking for ways to infuse creativity in the kitchen. In honor of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration, culinary cast members have created some wonderfully whimsical food and beverage items that are toad-ally inspiring! Over at Friar’s Nook at Magic Kingdom […]View the full article

Welcome back, DFB friends! We’re here with another What’s New at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Toy Story Land Is it just us or is this park just seriously underrated? Where else can you get that fabulous Carrot Cake Cookie, or get shrunk down to the size of a toy, enjoy a terrifying elevator ride (or rather, fall), and visit a galaxy far, far away? Well, we’ve been hanging around Hollywood Studios collecting all the latest updates — so join us to see what’s been going on there recently! Disney’s Hollywood Studios Merchandise Updates Celebrity 5 & 10 At this point, Disney has released HUNDREDS (maybe even THOUSANDS) of items for the 50th-anniversary celebrations, but they’re not done yet! This week, we spotted a new 50th Anniversary Lionel Train Car available in Celebrity 5 & 10. A new car for your train! It costs a pretty penny though at $149.99. Here’s The 50th Anniversary Disney Merchandise You HAVEN’T Seen Yet Mickey’s of Hollywood Over at Mickey’s of Hollywood, kids can now have fun pretending to be Peter Pan with the Peter Pan Role Play Set for $39.99. Kids can BE Peter Pan There’s also a fun Peter Pan Pirate Ship Playset! A Pirate Ship! The pirate ship playset is $79.99 and is HUGE, so you might want to factor in the cost of shipping it home rather than trying to take it with you through the park. Here Are The Disney World Rides You Should Visit FIRST Keystone Clothiers May the 4th may be over, but a lot of the merchandise is still available, like this May the 4th Baseball Cap. May the 4th Hat The cap is $27.99. Here Are PRO Tips For Disney World Buffets According to the DFB Team Rock Around The Shop And, the MADE machine at Rock Around the Shop has some new princess options for phone cases. There’s a Moana Phone Case… How far would YOU go for this phone case? …Rapunzel and Mulan Phone Cases… Rapunzel and Mulan …and Tiana and Merida Phone Cases. Tiana and Merida There are also some new Princess Apple Watch Bands to choose from including designs with Cinderella, Rapunzel, Merida… Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Merida …Moana… Moana …Mulan, Ariel, and Belle! Mulan, Ariel, and Belle We also found a very sassy Marie Patch! SO sassy The patch is $9.99. Here’s Everything You’re Doing Wrong at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Legends of Hollywood There’s also some new Watercolor Cinderella Castle Shorts at Legends of Hollywood! Pretty colors You can get the shorts for $36.99. Here’s Everything You NEED to Know About VIP Tours in Disney World Dark Room Ready to stock up on some new Star Wars pins? We found three new Droid Builder Pins for $9.99 each. Which kind of builder are you? And, we also found new Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader Toy Pins that feature some movable parts. Obi-Wan and Darth Vader These pins are $17.99 each. Don’t Make These 5 Rookie Mistakes When Traveling In Disney World! Adrian & Edith’s Head To Toe Usually, we can rely on EPCOT to have an overflow of Orange Bird merchandise, but now you can find some more in Disney’s Hollywood Studios too! The Orange Bird Coin Bank has arrived, and isn’t it so sweet? He’s so cute The coin bank is $19.99. Here Are The 8 Best Disney World Restaurants For Lunch Tattooine Traders If you love Star Wars action figures, you’ll want this Vintage Star Wars Figures Shirt for $36.99. Wear your favorite action figures! And, there’s a new Kid’s Shirt with R2-D2 and C-3PO for $19.99. It’s C-3PO and R2-D2! Plus, there’s also a Princess Leia Shirt in the same style. OUR Princess The shirt is $29.99. Read THIS If You’re Deciding Where to Stay in Disney World Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities If you’ve been trying to get your hands on the Sith Goblet that has been sold out for some time in Disney World, it’s available again! The Dark Side has a goblet There’s also a new “I Am One With The Force” Statue available for $19.99. New statue Calling all Jedi! You can get a Jedi Moisture Wick Shirt for those warm summer days in the parks! The Jedi Way The shirt is $39.99. Calling All ‘Encanto’ Fans — Here’s How Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Nighttime Show Has CHANGED! Black Spire Outfitters The R2-D2 Mug is back in stock too at Black Spire Outfitters! Hello, R2-D2! We also found A TON of Black Spire Day merchandise. There’s a Mug for $19.99… Celebrate Black Spire Day …an Olive Shirt for $36.99… It’s all about Black Spire Day …a Gray Shirt for $36.99… Scoop neck shirt …and a Kid’s Shirt. For Kids! The Kid’s shirt is $24.99. Here’s Why Going to Disney World With Your Family Might Be a Terrible Idea Droid Depot Speaking of Star Wars, there’s a new Droid Builders shirt available for $39.99. Droid Builders The back has the Droid Depot logo on it. Back And, in case you missed it, Droid Depot is experiencing some supply problems. A Cast Member shares with us that the shop is running low on parts so about half of their inventory is currently out of stock. So, if you’re planning on building a custom droid here anytime soon, you’ll want to keep in mind that some of the parts may not be available. Learn More About This Supply Issue! Resistance Supply Back to things you CAN find in Disney World — like this Millennium Falcon Shirt at Resistance Supply! The Falcon! This shirt is $39.99. Are Disney World Hotel Perks Worth the Hefty Price Tag? Here’s What We Think Disney’s Hollywood Studios Other Updates In the parking lot, you can now spot a new billboard in the parking lot for the upcoming Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers movie. We can’t wait for the new movie! And, as you make your way through the park in the summer months, you’ll want to note that the Misting Water Bottle Fans are currently SOLD OUT throughout Disney’s Hollywood Studios (and other parks). A Cast Member we spoke with wasn’t sure when they might return, but we’ll be keeping an eye out for updates. For now, you might want to plan on bringing your own fans or cooling items for your day. See What Other Options You Have To Cool Off HERE! Well, those are all the updates we have for now, but stay tuned because we’ll be back with more real soon to stay tuned to DFB! 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 were at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Let us know in the comments! The post What's New in Disney's Hollywood Studios: Supply Shortages, a GIANT Peter Pan Playset, and MORE! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Theodore “Teddo” Corbin’s lifelong passion for photography has served him well as a Disney PhotoPass photographer ever since he was hired at the Disneyland Resort 10 years ago. However, the bachelor’s degree he earned last year in digital photography through the Disney Aspire program recently propelled him into the role he’d been dreaming of: photographer […]View the full article

There are thousands of Disney characters that have been created throughout the years. Yep, THOUSANDS. ©Disney || Just a small sampling Some characters we love, some characters we hate, and some just give us a great laugh! But, what about the characters that inspire people? Well, we asked our readers which Disney character is the most inspirational to them, so let’s check out what they said! Princesses Let’s start with the iconic Disney Princesses! There were a ton of great answers about princesses, so we picked some of the ones that stood out to us the most. First up, one reader said the character that most inspires her is Rapunzel, saying that “despite her horrible upbringing she was always bettering herself and believed something wonderful is out there just for her.” So true! Say hi to Eugene for us! Many people said Tiana was the character that inspires them the most. A reader said Tiana shows that “when you work hard, you can get to your dreams.” What’s cookin? Mulan was a popular character as well. “The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all,” said one reader. Great words to live by, if you’re asking us! Another reader said Mulan because, “she was so courageous and did what needed to be done despite all the tremendous challenges she faced for doing so, not the least of which being having to go (at) it alone and forsake culture and tradition to do what she ultimately believed to be right.” Mulan in EPCOT Merida got some love, too, with one reader saying the inspiration they get from her is, “don’t let societal norms dictate how you live your life” and another saying, “Merida, because nobody else should choose what’s right for you.” Right on! Merida and Angus! One reader went for multiple princesses, saying “Moana, Merida, Mulan, Tiana, Pocahontas, basically all of the Disney characters can teach us lessons of courage, honor, hard work, and love.” You got that right! Hi Moana! Our readers are inspired by Anna and Elsa as well. One reader said they’re specifically inspired by “Anna & Elsa’s relationship…as someone whose sister is their best friend, there is nothing more inspiring than seeing what they do for each other.” Another reader singled out Elsa, saying “She learned not to let fear overtake her. Plus the whole castle scene makes me want to go back to architecture school or computer animation.” Talk about some serious inspiration! Anna and Elsa Cinderella was mentioned, too, with one reader writing that she inspires them to “hold on to your wishes and dreams, that’s all we can do in life.” Princess Aurora was an inspiration to one reader for a bit of a different reason. They said Aurora because “I have a masters in sleeping.” Cindy! A few readers chose Belle, with one saying she inspires them to “be yourself even when others think you are odd.” Another said they’re inspired by Belle because “beauty comes from within, dare to be different (or what others may call “odd”) and her desire to learn, seek knowledge by reading books.” Belle in The France Pavilion Finally, one reader said she’s most inspired by Princess Leia because “She’s so strong and caring. She’s a true leader. But she’s also very feminine. She balances the traits very well. I feel she is a Disney princess that never gets attention like she deserves.” ©Disney/Lucasfilm We totally agree — Princess Leia paved the way for a lot of other female characters, too! You’ve Never Seen a Disney Princess Like THIS Before — Click Here! Wise Characters You know, these are the characters that give you advice and guidance! One reader said Fairy Godmother because she’s “a symbol that things can always get better.” There she is! Another reader picked Jiminy Cricket because of his advice to “always let your (conscience) be your guide.” Jiminy Cricket And, one of the most iconic characters mentioned multiple times was Mary Poppins. Mary! A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down! Click Here to See the Latest Mary Poppins and Avengers Projects Status Update from Disney Winnie the Pooh Winnie the Pooh gets his own section because so many people are inspired by him and his friends! A lot of people said they’re inspired by Winnie the Pooh himself, with one reader saying “His dedication to food is the best” and another adding “and he never wears pants.” Vibes, honestly. We get it! We LOVE that silly old bear! Another person said Winnie the Pooh characters because “no matter how down a friend is, and even if they don’t see the bright side, they always include Eeyore because he is their friend.” Besties Speaking of Eeyore, one reader said they take inspiration from the donkey because “he sits in the rain, not because he is depressed, but because he knows you have to sit through the rain to see the rainbow.” We’re tearing up a little bit over here, not gonna lie. We love him so, so, so much And, there was love for Tigger, too! Tigger! A reader said the tiger inspires them to “live life to the fullest and care about others.” Why 2022 Is an IMPORTANT Year for Winnie-the-Pooh and Bambi — Click Here to Find Out! Pixar Pals It’s no surprise that many people are inspired by Pixar characters — those movies are almost guaranteed to make you cry. First up is Buzz Lightyear! One reader said Buzz inspires them to “always hold on to your dreams!!! Be ambitious!!” Buzz Lightyear! Next, is a long response that is definitely worth reading! “Ok mine has a tiny twist to it. Lightning McQueen from, specifically, Cars 3. I really related to him in that movie cause it’s about getting older and how you need to adjust to being older. And just because you are aging does not mean you’re out for the count. I found that very inspirational as I approach my 51st birthday. Still very active and racing around but I have a few more aches and pains that I never used to have. So love the cars universe KACHOW!!!!!” Wow, we are living for this mindset! It’s Lightning McQueen! Another great character that inspires one of our readers is Dory from Finding Nemo with the message “Just keep at it. Don’t give up!” Just keep swimming…just keep swimming…just keep swimming, swimming, swimming! Dory and friends Some people are inspired by characters from Up, too. One reader said Carl inspires them because he shows that “you are never too old to chase your dreams.” And, another reader said they’re inspired by Ellie because “I’m living her story and working on my next adventures.” BRB, we need to grab a tissue! Carl And finally, one person simply said Bing Bong from Inside Out. We don’t even know if we can talk about this one without crying — his sacrifice was so inspirational. Bing Bong “Take her to the moon for me, okay?” Disney Released a NEW Trailer for ‘Lightyear’ and We Have Goosebumps – Click Here to Watch! Underdogs Now, this category is either for characters that are underdogs in their own story or for unexpected characters! First up is Hercules (honey, you mean HUNKules). One reader said they’re inspired by Hercules because “He was a small guy who put in the work and changed his life!” ©Disney Another reader is inspired by a newer character — Luisa from Encanto! They said they’re inspired by her because she shows that “it’s okay if you’re struggling sometimes, and it is acceptable to ask for help.” So important and such a great message! ©Disney Okay, here’s one of our favorite responses. A couple readers said they’re inspired by Chicha from The Emperor’s New Groove, with one reader saying “She kicks serious butt, all while pregnant.” If that’s not inspirational, we don’t know what is! ©Disney Another reader said they’re inspired by Lewis from Meet the Robinsons because “He made the toughest choice, he could have changed his past, tried make childhood easier, but he was mature enough to know that his past made him who he was to become in the future.” We love when people pick characters we wouldn’t have even thought of! ©Disney One reader said, “Without any exaggeration, Baloo from TailSpin and Launchpad McQuack made me want to be a pilot. So I became a pilot.” Um, WHAT?! That is SO cool — talk about feeling inspired! Launchpad McQuack Dopey was also given some love. A reader wrote “Dopey. Nobody expecting much from me and always happy!” He sure is a jolly guy! Dopey Finally, we have Flynn Rider who inspired our reader with one of his most important accomplishments. This reader said Flynn “achieved cosmetological excellence through the execution of a perfect bob with a sword in Tangled.” YES! The skill it took for him to give Rapunzel such a perfect haircut is unmatched! ©Disney Flynn should take up cutting hair in his free time, honestly. Hugs Are Back at Chef Mickey’s Character Dining in Disney World — Click Here! The Classics Now, we have our classic Disney characters! A lot of people are inspired by Goofy. One reader said “he just takes everything in stride. Never has a bad day.” His positive attitude is for sure something we can look up to! The Goof! Other readers said Donald Duck, with one writing “He gets stuck with all the bad luck…yet, he keeps on quackin’.” The little duck does persevere through some tough spots! Donald Duck Another reader said they’re inspired by Donald’s Uncle, Scrooge McDuck, saying he makes them want to “get that gold and hold it baby.” Hey, we would swim in a bathtub of money, too, if we could! Scrooge McDuck Peter Pan was a response from a few readers as well, with one person saying “think of the happiest things, like having wings…your dreams come true.” You can only fly if you think happy thoughts! Peter Pan A tale of friendship inspired one reader, who said “Copper and Todd from The Fox and Hound. They found a way to get along despite their differences.” They are a great example of best friends! Best Buds! And finally, we have Stitch! We don’t care what anyone says, Stitch is a classic Disney character in our eyes. He had his own ride and gets a ton of his own merch, so we’re placing him in this category! One reader said they’re most inspired by Stitch because “I just love him. I’m too goody goody….he is not.” Stitch is definitely a little troublemaker! But, we love him anyway. STITCH! Those are the characters that are the most inspirational to our readers! Was yours on the list? The good thing is that Disney has SO many great characters, there’s really no shortage of inspiration. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news and updates! Click Here to See What Controversial Thing at Disney World Over 4,000 People Actually Say They Like! 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 character inspires you the most? Tell us down in the comments! The post Disney Fans Share Which Characters Inspire Them the Most and Why first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney’s Aulani Resort has shared a ton of news recently! ©Disney Parks Blog From the removal of masks for fully vaccinated guests to huge deals on booking rooms, a lot is going on at Disney’s Aulani Resort! And, the announcements don’t stop there, if you’re planning on heading to Disney’s tropical resort anytime soon, Disney just shared more reopening news! Since the resort reopened back in 2020, there’s been a lot for guests to do and experience to keep them busy, but there are STILL some things that haven’t returned yet. But, not for much longer! If you’ll be traveling with kiddos, we’ve got great news — Aunty’s Beach House is set to reopen on May 25th, 2022! ©Disney This kids club for those ages 5 to 12 is designed to feel like a house where they might visit their “aunty,” and has 6 colorful rooms dedicated to movies, computers, arts and crafts, games, and more! Parents can reserve playtime at this club between the hours of 8AM and 2PM. They’re able to select 1.5 hours of playtime for complimentary-themed activities on “Uncle’s Side” of the house, or 2 hours on “Aunty’s Side” for premium activities. ©Disney Parks Blog Free activities include arts and crafts and games based on the theme of the day, and premium activities include things like Surf’s Up (a dance party with Disney characters) and educational activities to learn about the ocean. Keep in mind that reservations are required to participate in both of these though. The rest of the family can also join in on the fun with the “after hours” activities from 4PM-9PM. During this time, Aunty’s Beach House turns into an entertainment venue where families can choose from a variety of different free and paid-for activities, like playing the ukulele, partaking in animation lessons, and more! ©Disney Certain health and safety protocols will be in place when Aunty’s Beach House reopens — like face-coverings and physical distancing — so be sure to check what the current health measures are before your reservation! Reservations open on May 11th at 7AM Hawaii Standard Time and can then be made 2 weeks in advance. And, we’ll continue to keep you updated on all of Disney’s reopening news, so stay tuned to DFB! See How You Can Save BIG On a Trip to Disney’s Aulani Resort 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. Have you ever been to Disney’s Aulani Resort? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Opening DATE Announced For Aunty's Beach House at Disney's Aulani Resort first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and we are celebrating these vibrant and diverse cultures in an even bigger way this month through music, art and a variety of enchanting experiences for you to enjoy at the Disneyland Resort!View the full article

After a long time with strict travel restrictions, many people are ready to get out and vacation again this summer. And it turns out that a lot of those people are looking at cruises for their summer trip! If you’ve got a Disney cruise planned for sometime this year, we’ve got some news that could affect your vacation plans. Ready to Get Cruising? The Disney Cruise Line has made many alterations over the last couple of years as health and safety policies changed. Payment policies, cancelation rules, face mask mandates, and more have all been updated several times. Now, we’ve got a new update that will apply to all Disney Cruises for 2022. The Disney Cruise Line has updated their flexibility, cancelation, and payment policies. Now, for all cruises sailing on or before September 30th, 2022, guests can change their sail date for their Disney cruise up to 15 days prior to the ship’s departure. Guests can change their cruise to any date before September 30th, 2023. ©Disney Cruise Line Disney Cruise Line also made some adjustments to their Extended Final Payment option. Now, for all sailings through December 31st, 2022, guests can make their final payments up to 60 days prior to sailing. This applies to all guests booked in unrestricted stateroom categories. Disney Magic And for guests who are sailing from a non-US port on the Disney Wonder from April 21st through May 30th, 2022, and aboard the Disney Magic from May 8th through June 27th, 2022, the final payment deadline has been extended to 30 days prior to sailing. ©Disney Cruise Line Remember that the cancelation fee schedule was previously relaxed, so for all sailings through December 31st, 2022, the cancelation fees will only apply if you cancel within 59 days of departure. ©Disney Cruise Line If you’d rather not have to deal with all the schedule changes and dates to remember, you should check out our friends over at Small World Vacations. They’ve got a lot of experience in helping guests plan Disney Cruises, and their services are FREE! 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 We’ll keep watching for more updates from the Disney Cruise Line, so keep following DFB for all the latest news. Click here to learn all about setting sail with the Disney Cruise Line. What You Need to Know About Disney Cruise Line Learn All About Disney Cruise Line and Its Various Ships Check Out Lots of Details About Disney Cruise Line’s Newest Ship -- the Disney Wish (Including More About the Star Wars Bar and First Attraction at Sea Coming to the Wish) See the Latest on Disney Cruise Line’s Mask Policy Learn About Disney Cruise Line’s COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Policies Check Out 10 Things That’ll Be Different About Your Next Disney Cruise See More About the Virtual Queues and Other Changes Made on Disney Cruises Check Out How Much It’ll Cost to Sail on Disney’s Newest Cruise Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Are you sailing on a Disney cruise this year? Let us know in the comments. The post Disney Cruise Line Extends Final Payment and Flexibility Deadlines first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Did you know that Christmas merchandise is available in the Disney World parks pretty much all year round? Or sometimes, Disney even surprises us with holiday merchandise and treats when we don’t expect it like they did for Disney’s recent Halfway to Halloween event! Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Disney World Even now in May, you can visit the Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Magic Kingdom to get your Christmas fix, explore the winter wonderland that is Disney’s Days of Christmas in Disney Springs, or find select ornaments in various Disney shops around the parks. Because, it’s never too early to find the perfect ornament for your Christmas tree, right? Well, today we spotted another new ornament in Disney World featuring one of the most popular rides in Magic Kingdom! We’ve seen ornaments themed after restaurants, characters, and rides before, but the newest addition to your Disney Christmas celebrations? Space Mountain! That’s right, you can now hang the roller coaster on your tree! Front of the Space Mountain Ornament The ornament features the iconic building that you’ll recognize from Magic Kingdom on one side (even down to the planters in front of the sign!) and a space scene with an astronaut and ride vehicles on the other! Look at this beautiful design! And, you’ll need a strong tree branch to hang this beauty on because it’s pretty large! Side of the Space Mountain Ornament We spotted it in the Space Mountain Gift Shop but it’s also available in several other stores around the Disney Parks for $29.99 — just keep an eye out when you’re shopping! And, as always, stay tuned to DFB for more of the latest Disney news and updates! Check out the 50th Anniversary merchandise that you probably haven’t seen yet 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. Do you have any Disney ornaments or decorations you put up every year? Let us know below! The post PHOTOS: Disney World Has a New SPACE MOUNTAIN Ornament 🚀 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Magic Kingdom is getting a new coaster! TRON construction TRON Lightcycle Run is in the works at Magic Kingdom. Based on the Shanghai Disneyland attraction, TRON will take guests an a high-speed race on an incredible new ride in Tomorrowland! The ride is currently in the testing process, and we saw it hit another huge milestone today! TRON Lightcycle Run is testing with full ride vehicles! Our friends over at AllEars.net spotted these test runs in Tomorrowland today, and we’re so excited to see Magic Kingdom’s upcoming ride on the move. This is a part of Disney’s current phase of testing, where they first started out with only parts of the ride vehicle train moving along the track and are working their way up to full launches with test dummies. Closer look at construction We still don’t have an opening date for this ride, but we’ll bring you all of the latest TRON updates as soon as we can! Stay tuned to DFB for more. Click here to learn about Disney World’s new coaster that’s about to officially open in EPCOT! 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 excited for TRON Lightcycle Run? Let us know in the comments! The post VIDEO: Next Phase of TRON Coaster Ride Vehicle Testing Spotted in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

When it comes to planning a Disney World trip, one of the biggest decisions you have to make is where to stay. Riviera Resort Every Disney World Resort has something unique to offer, including a variety of perks specific to the type of hotel you are starting at. But, are those perks worth emptying out your wallet? We’re talking about all the benefits of staying at a Disney World hotel, and helping you determine if they’re worth the high price tag! The resorts on property at Disney World are separated into three different tiers — deluxe, moderate, and value. While each type of resort comes with its own unique benefits, there are overall perks that come along with staying at any Disney World Resort. Let’s talk about what you can expect to experience during your stay! Travel Perks Deliveries Grocery delivery is a solid trick for saving money AND space in your suitcase. You can order groceries or other supplies through platforms like Instacart, Garden Grocer, etc., and have them delivered to Bell Services at your resort! Grand Floridian Front Desk Your delivery will be accepted by the front desk and kept refrigerated or frozen if necessary. Whenever you’re ready for ’em, you can pick them up for in the lobby for no fee, or have them brought to your room by Bell Services for a $6 fee. For more info about grocery delivery, click here! Mobile Check-In Rather than having to wait in a long front desk line to check into your resort upon arrival, the entire process can be done online or through the My Disney Experience app. This is a time-saving perk that allows guests to skip the line and go straight to their resort room when it’s ready. MagicBand Reader at Gran Destino Tower Room in Coronado Springs Resort After checking in, you simply receive a notification when your room is ready. Then, you can enter using a MagicBand or the digital key in the My Disney Experience App. Keep Bags With Bell Services If you have to check out of your resort but still want to spend some extra time in the parks or by the pool, your bags can be left with bell services! That way, you won’t have to worry about what you’ll do with your luggage before starting your journey home. Mickey Luggage Collection Now, this isn’t a perk that you’ll find just at Disney Resorts, but it’s still a perk nonetheless. They’ll Move Your Luggage for You If you just can’t choose one single resort to stay at during your trip and end up splitting your stay between two different resorts, Disney’s there to help you out. And, you don’t have to be responsible for moving your bags to your second stay! Caribbean Beach Resort Lobby Cast Members will be able to move your luggage from Hotel A to Hotel B, so you won’t have to lift a finger. Concierge Is a Major Resource If you need help making dining reservations, buying tickets, or arranging childcare services during your trip, your resort’s concierge can help you with that and so much more. For any questions you have, you won’t have to rely on just yourself to figure out the answers. Gran Destino Tower Front Desk They’re knowledgeable about park hours, transportation schedules and routes, and other basics that you need to know during your stay. Which Disney Resort Will You NEVER Stay in Again? Here’s What Our Readers Said Entertainment Perks Resort Activities A great thing to take advantage of if you’re staying at a Disney Resort is the FREE activities that they offer! Throughout the day, they’ll have different fun things to do like scavenger hunts, crafts, pool parties, trivia challenges, and more. Activities Board Throughout the day, they’ll have different fun things to do like scavenger hunts, crafts, pool parties, trivia challenges, and more. In-Room Information and Entertainment Your guest room TV has lots of information that’ll help you plan your park day! You’ll find park hours along with special channels that will show you around each park. Resort TV Loop There are also some in-room perks that are definitely a reminder that you’re in Disney World. You can start AND end your day with Mickey Mouse. On the TVs, there’s a channel that specifically shows bedtime stories in the evenings on channel 22 from 7PM to 10PM. Then, when it’s time to get up in the morning, you can get a wake-up call from Mickey Mouse himself! Complimentary Buttons A free perk (and souvenir) are the special celebratory buttons that you can request from Cast Members! There are buttons that celebrate birthdays, first visits, happily ever afters, and more! Celebration Buttons These can be fun to get when you first arrive in Disney World, then you have the rest of your trip to flaunt them! You’ll Feel Like You’re at Disney World Staying at a Disney Resort adds a little extra magic in comparison to staying at accommodations off-property. Every Disney Resort has immersive details and themes that make it very clear that you’re at Disney World — some more than others. Value resorts like All-Star Movies and Art of Animation feature larger-than-life decor of Disney icons that make it absolutely undeniable that you’re in the Most Magical Place on Earth. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Although the Disney theming at the deluxe resorts isn’t quite as “in your face” as the value resorts, there are still special touches. For example, last year Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort underwent refurbishments to add elements inspired by Moana throughout the hotel! ©Disney And over at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, you’ll find rooms themed to the Pixar film The Incredibles. Incredibles Room at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Beyond that, every resort will have bountiful hidden Mickeys to find and other additions that just make it feel like Disney. Click Here to See Our Ultimate Disney World Packing List! Park Perks Extra Time in the Parks All Disney Resort guests get Early Theme Park Entry — the option to go to any park (provided you have a Park Pass Reservation) 30 minutes before it opens, every day of your trip. That extra half-hour before crowds start building in the park can be invaluable as far as getting in much shorter standby lines for some 0f the most popular rides in the parks. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Early Theme Park Entry is one of two “extra time in the parks” benefits that replaced the old Extra Magic Hours system. The second — Extended Evening Hours — is available to guests of Deluxe resorts. More on that in a sec! Early Access to Genie+ Individual Lightning Lane Selections Lightning Lanes are Disney’s new replacement for the FastPass+ system. You can pay $15 per day for Genie+, which allows you to make ride reservations for about 50 attractions across Disney World. For the most popular rides in each park, you have the option of purchasing an “Individual Lightning Lane Selection” — basically a ride reservation. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure While all Disney guests can reserve an Individual Lightning Lane time when the park opens, if you are staying at a Disney Resort, you can access this system beginning at 7AM. This perk will give you a lot more control over your day, since time slots do sell out quickly. Earlier Access to Advance Dining Reservations When it comes to making dining reservations in advance, Disney Resort guests can make their bookings 60 days in advance, plus the length of their stay (no longer than 10 days). Reservations at Cinderella’s Royal Table can be hard to get! Other guests can only make reservations 60 days in advance. It may seem like a small advantage, but it could be the edge you need to snag a hard-to-get reservation! Complimentary Transportation Every Disney World Resort offers at least one form of transportation to get you to the parks and Disney Springs. Bus transportation is the most common, but some resorts also have access to boats, the Skyliner, and the monorail. Monorail This way, you don’t really have to worry about how to get around from park to park. Disney takes care of all of that for you! Merchandise Delivery Have you ever seen a souvenir that you really want to buy, but you didn’t want to carry it around the park with you all day? Well, luckily Disney has a solution for that. When purchasing your souvenirs, you can let a Cast Member know that you’d like to have your purchase shipped to your resort and they can do that! Disney World Pastel Collection This service is free and typically within 48 hours, your items will be available to grab from your resort’s gift shop. Nothing perishable (like food items) can be shipped, and you can’t be departing from your resort within the next two days to ensure enough time for your purchase to get there. Disney Springs It’s important to note that this service has been suspended since the parks re-opened. We hope it returns soon! 13 Things You Didn’t Know Your Disney Resort Can Do For You Deluxe Resort Perks Alright, so now that we’ve discussed all the perks you can get from staying at any Disney World Resort, we can talk about some of the exclusive perks that come along with only staying at a certain type of resort. These exclusive perks will definitely come with a much bigger price tag. Grand Floridian Lobby Disney’s Deluxe Resorts are of the highest quality and include access to some top-notch amenities. But, they’re definitely pricey. Stays can range between $500 and $700+ per night. So, if you’re shelling out that serious dough, those perks had better be worth it. Multiple Dining Options Disney’s Value Resorts only have a quick-service dining option that’s set up pretty similarly to a food court. In comparison, Deluxe Resorts have both quick-service and table-service options, and there are typically a handful of restaurants available. Kona Cafe This will give your family more options for where to eat nearby, adding an extra layer of convenience. Convenient Access to Upscale Dining and Entertainment Not only do Deluxe Resort guests have access to multiple types of dining, but you can also expect some of those restaurants to be pretty impressive. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa boasts Victoria & Albert’s, an extremely elegant restaurant that has received dozens of accolades, including AAA’s Five Diamond Award. (Note: Victoria & Albert’s remains closed at the time of publication, but will be opening some time in 2022.) Main Dining Room at Victoria & Albert’s Extra Time in the Parks, Part 2 As we noted above, all Disney World Resort guests get Early Theme Park Entry. But guests of Disney World Deluxe Resorts also get Extended Evening Hours. Enjoy EPCOT at night! This extra couple of hours in a park after close is typically offered a couple of nights a week. Most Extended Evening Hours are offered at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, but we have seen them offered occasionally at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as well. Having this extra park access is a big plus because it might mean scoring a ride on your favorite attractions after the lines have died down! Plus, what’s better than some extra time for gazing at nighttime views of Cinderella Castle or Spaceship Earth? Fitness Centers and Spas Many Deluxe Resorts have full-service fitness facilities available to guests (in case the tens of thousands of steps you’re taking in the parks each day just isn’t enough). Fitness Center And, if you need some well-deserved rest and relaxation after spending all day Park-Hopping, spas and health clubs can be found at a couple of the Deluxe Resorts. The Grand Floridian and Saratoga Springs Resorts both have full spas, and other resorts like Disney’s Yacht Club Resort have facilities that offer services like massages and facials. Impressive Swimming Pools Spending some time poolside can often be a very necessary part of a Disney World vacation. Although every resort has a pool, some are just a little bit more impressive than others. The Deluxe Resorts offer expansive swimming pools (and sometimes more than one) with waterslides! Pool Area at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort One of the most noteworthy pools is Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. Guests have access to three acres of poolside fun. The pool itself has a sand bottom, which adds to the feeling that you’re at an actual beach. There’s also a 230-foot waterslide, a lazy river, and 3 whirlpools!! Stormalong Bay If you have kiddos that love to swim, some of these added pool perks can be good to keep in mind! Club Level The option to stay on the “Club Level” is offered at many Deluxe Resorts, along with Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, which is considerate in the “moderate” category. The biggest reason to book a Club Level room is the access you’ll receive to the club lounges. There, you’ll find complimentary coffee, breakfast, evening snacks, drinks, and desserts. Chronos Club at Gran Destino Tower It’s a quick and easy way to grab a small bite to eat in the morning and throughout the day. Proximity to Parks and Transportation Options Deluxe Resorts will also bring you MUCH closer to the action. In comparison to Value Resorts, these are in much closer proximity to at least one park. And beyond that, you’ll also have multiple options for getting from point A to point B. Besides bus transportation, resorts like the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Contemporary also have access to the monorail and walking paths to Magic Kingdom. Polynesian Boat Disney’s Riviera Resort has access to the Skyliner, and the Yacht and Beach Club and BoardWalk Inn have boat transportation to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This can be beneficial if you’re traveling with little kids and you want to have as little travel time as possible. Everything You Need to Know About Transportation While Park Hopping So, do all of these amenities justify potentially shelling out $700 each night? If you’re the type that likes to spend a lot of time at the resort, rather than in the parks, then maybe! Time is money in Disney World, and being closer to the parks, along with having various ways to get there can definitely add up! Moderate Resorts Moderate Resorts are the second tier, and while they won’t offer all the perks that you’ll find at the Deluxe Resorts, they’re still great options for your stay. You’ll still have access to multiple dining options and sometimes various transportation choices. Port Orleans Riverside When staying at a Moderate Resort, you can expect to pay anywhere between $250-$400+ per night. So naturally, as the amount you pay decreases, so does what you get for your money. Here’s What to Do if You Can’t Get the Disney World Hotel Reservation You Want Value Resorts The most prominent perk of Disney’s Value Resorts is the over-the-top Disney theming (and only some may consider it a perk ). Some people find the larger-than-life decor to be cheesy, but there’s no questioning whether or not you’re in Disney World when you exit your hotel room to a GIANT statue of Mickey Mouse. There’s nothing subtle about it, so if that’s what you’re after, it’s a definite bonus. Mickey Phone! Prices at Value Resorts can span between just $175-$300 per night. If your family doesn’t require all the lavish amenities that come with the Deluxe Resorts, then a Value Resort might be perfect for your budget. 5 Ways to Save $1,000 on Your Disney Trip If you know that you spend very little time at the resort and prefer to spend most of your time in the parks, then there probably isn’t a need to splurge at the Deluxe Resorts. A Value Resort will provide everything you need for a comfortable stay, and you won’t be spending any unnecessary money. How Staying in One of Disney World’s Priciest Hotels Could Actually Save You Money So, Overall, Are They Worth It? Ultimately, deciding whether staying at a Disney Resort is worth your money or not comes down to your family’s needs. You know your needs better than anyone else, so if you feel like you do require all the perks that come along with staying at Disney World to have a successful trip, then that price tag is definitely worth it for you. Disney’s Contemporary Resort They might also be worth the price tag if you want to have the full Disney “experience.” This might be something you want if it’s your family’s first visit to Disney World and you want to experience everything it has to offer. Chef Mickey’s Or, even if it’s your hundredth visit to Disney World, you might still want to be right in the center of the magic! Staying at a Disney Resort can definitely add to the overall feeling of being there! Polynesian Lobby Another significant perk of staying on-property is the ability to get to the parks quickly with the option of using various types of transportation. If you’re traveling with young kids, this is especially noteworthy. This makes it easy to get back and forth if there’s an unanticipated need for naptime or you need to quickly grab something essential that you left in the hotel room. You won’t have that wiggle room if you’re staying off-property. Disney Skyliner! And, it’s the same deal for having multiple dining options. On the other hand, there are many accommodation options off-property that are more spacious and may even come with a kitchen for a lower price than what you’d be paying for a standard room on Disney property. So, there’s a bit of a trade-off there. ©Best Western If you’re open to staying at a resort that isn’t owned by Disney, the Good Neighbor Hotels offer many of the same perks but for a much lower price. Some of these can be found in the Disney Springs Resort Area, so you’re still in close proximity to the parks, but you’re not staying at an actual Disney Resort. You’ll still have access to complimentary transportation to the parks and other benefits like Early Theme Park Entry. Are You Still Wasting Your Money in Disney World? Overall, where you decide to stay during your Disney World vacation is dependent on you and your family’s needs! Every resort has something different to offer, so it’s important to plan in advance and take everything into consideration before making that decision. It’s also beneficial to take advantage of the special offers that Disney World has. There’s almost always some sort of promotion on resort rooms or packages — keep checking our Disney Discounts and Deals page for the latest! Click Here to See the Best Disney Discounts and Deals! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! 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. So, what do YOU think? Is a Disney resort stay worth the price tag? Tell us in the comments! The post Are Disney World Hotel Perks Worth the Hefty Price Tag? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ve seen some pretty fun collaborations between Disney and designer brands! ©Stoney Clover Dooney & Bourke, Coach, Lilly Pulitzer, and even Stella McCartney have created Disney collections that are absolutely fabulous. Another brand who has done some awesome Disney collections is Stoney Clover Lane. There has been collections themed to the Disney Princesses, Mickey and Friends, and Star Wars! And now, the brand just dropped MORE Disney items for you to grab! Check out the new FROZEN patches from Stoney Clover Lane! This collection was just released, and features 10 different patches themed to Disney’s Frozen. You have characters like Olaf, Anna, and Elsa… ©Stoney Clover Lane …as well as Sven, and designs like snowflakes and Elsa’s Ice Palace. ©Stoney Clover Lane Don’t worry, Kristoff is there too! ©Stoney Clover Lane And, there is an individual Elsa patch as well. ©Stoney Clover Lane Stoney Clover Lane is known for their customizable bags and accessories. So, you can put patches on things like fanny packs or tote bags to make them your own! This collection in particular matches their “The Pastels” bag colors, but you can put them on any items you want (as long as they fit!). @StoneyClover via Instagram Each patch is $24, and you can grab them over on Stoney Clover’s website or in one of their stores! Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney merchandise news and updates. Click here to check out Stoney Clover’s Star Wars collection! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What do you think of these new Frozen patches? Tell us in the comments! The post Stoney Clover Lane Just Released a ‘FROZEN’ Collection! ❄️ first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The latest sweet thing that people are lining up for at Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs is ice cream at Salt & Straw. Here to give us the scoop are the cofounders — and cousins — Kim Malek and Tyler Malek. View the full article

The Disney pros know you can get Dole Whip and Mickey pretzels without heading into the parks. Dole Whip Flight But do you know about these 15 other EXCLUSIVE snacks you’ll only find in ONE place in Disney World? Check out our video below on 15 Things You Can ONLY Get in Disney’s Best “Park” Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! 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 these snacks? Let us know in the comments below! The post DFB Video: 15 Things You Can ONLY Get in Disney's Best "Park" first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Have you ever looked down at the coins scattered in the water on “it’s a small world” or Pirates of the Caribbean, or maybe even at Cinderella’s Wishing Well, and thought about how there’s likely a small fortune living just outside of reach in the parks? Well, what you may not know is that they don’t go to waste! Cinderella’s Wishing Well in Magic Kingdom Periodically, Disney collects the coins out of the many places guests toss them and totals it all up to then make a donation to a charity! In the past, Disney has given to charities like Give Kids The World Village, which is a non-profit resort that works with The Make-A-Wish Foundation to provide cost-free Disney World vacations for children battling critical illnesses, along with their families. In November of 2020, Disney was able to donate $20,000 (!!) in coins from its wishing wells and fountains and in 2022 that number is even BIGGER! After collecting coins from Cinderella’s Wishing Well and other waterways around Disney World recently, Disney donated $30,000 to the Give Kids The World Village! YES, $30,000 — that’s a lot of coins! Ali, one of Disney World’s Ambassadors shared the news on Instagram. Recently, Disney also awarded a $500,000 grant to the charity, so with the two donations combined, the charity says this will help them to “continue making dreams come true for our very special wish families who visit the Village.” Give Kids The World Village Enchanted Carousel This is one of the many ways Disney World is giving back to the community during their 18-month 50th Anniversary Celebration. Disney cast members also continue to serve Wish kids and their families at the Village through their participation in the 50 for 50 Disney VoluntEARS Challenge which involves Cast Members volunteering 50 hours and attending 50 VoluntEARS events throughout the celebration. ©Disney So, go ahead — toss those coins into the fountain! You’ll be helping Disney continue to grow their contributions to Give Kids The World Village and The Make A Wish Foundation. And, as always, stay tuned to DFB for more of the latest Disney news and updates! Have you seen this sneak peek of the new Guardians of the Galaxy ride? Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! How many coins do YOU think are thrown into Disney World’s waterways every day? Let us know your guess in the comments! The post Ever Wonder How Much Money Is In Disney World's Water Fountains? Here's Your Answer! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s time to check out some NEW Disney merchandise, y’all! Treasures of Xandar We go to the Disney World parks almost every single day, so we love finding new merchandise as soon as it hits the shelves. From Minnie Ears to popcorn buckets to realllllly expensive stuff, we’re here to keep you updated on it all. So, let’s take a look at a new item we just found over in Magic Kingdom! The NEW Main Street Electrical Parade Spirit Jersey is now available in Disney World! Yep, Disney World, not Disneyland (you know, where the parade actually takes place). The back is celebrating the parade’s 50th anniversary and also features Elliot the Dragon! Take a look! It’s been a common thing with this parade’s merchandise to show up in Disney World before Disneyland — we’ve also seen the Minnie Ears and the Loungefly backpack. But, we were able to see all of these items previously at a media event in Disneyland for the parade’s return. Ears and backpack! The Spirit Jersey matches the ears and the backpack, and it also matches them in another way… The front is pretty simple …they all GLOW in the DARK! Whoa! There is also a little Mickey on the front with some colorful music notes. Hi, Mickey! We found this one over in The Emporium in Magic Kingdom, but they’re sure to pop up around Disney World soon. You can grab it for $74.99. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney merchandise news and updates! Click here to see the Main Street Electrical Parade EARS! 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 this Spirit Jersey design? Tell us in the comments! The post PHOTOS & VIDEO: NEW Main Street Electrical Parade Spirit Jersey Arrives in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article