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Since we’re almost halfway to Halloween, here on the Disney PhotoPass team, we thought ok cool, let’s launch a couple of creepy cool things at Walt Disney World Resort. View the full article

Highlights include the Disney Dream’s first call to Europe and a return to Alaska CELEBRATION, Fla. – Disney Cruise Line will offer families a variety of enchanting vacations in summer 2023, including cruises to new and favorite ports of call around the world. From the majestic glaciers of Alaska to the sun-kissed Greek isles, pink sand beaches of Bermuda and picturesque fjords of Norway, these summer destinations will sparkle with adventure and excitement. Plus, for the first time ever, families will have the opportunity to sail around the Mediterranean and British Isles on the Disney Dream during its first season in Europe. “We are thrilled to have five ships at sea in summer 2023 with a wide array of destinations for families to enjoy,” said Sharon Siskie, senior vice president & general manager of Disney Cruise Line. “These Disney Cruise Line sailings will take families on summer adventures in ways that only Disney can do, delighting guests of all ages with dazzling entertainment, world-class dining, unique character encounters, the ease and indulgence of carefree days at sea and the uncompromising guest service that defines a Disney vacation.” Bookings open to the public May 9, 2022. For more details, visit the Summer 2023 itineraries page of disneycruise.com. Disney Dream Marks Inaugural Season in Europe For its first-ever summer season in Europe, the Disney Dream will call on a wide variety of destinations among the most treasured in the world. With sailings anywhere from four to 11 nights, the Disney Dream will sail from Barcelona and Rome to picturesque ports of call throughout the Mediterranean, including a first-ever seven-night sailing to the Greek Isles with stops in the ever-popular ports of Santorini and Mykonos. Late summer/early fall departures of the Disney Dream from Southampton will feature cruises to a wealth of destinations including Spain, France, the British Isles, Norway and Iceland. New ports of call include the postcard-worthy La Rochelle, France and two new ports in Norway – Skjolden, home to a wealth of natural attractions, and Sandnes, a small city just outside the metropolis of Stavanger known for its outdoor activities. Summer 2023 sailings to Alaska aboard Disney Wonder The breathtaking natural beauty of Alaska will combine with the magic of Disney on five-, seven- and nine-night sailings on the Disney Wonder from Vancouver, Canada. Beginning in May, cruisers will be invited to discover exciting ports like Ketchikan and Skagway, with their prehistoric glaciers, gold mining relics and spectacular land- and sea-life. Three Alaskan itineraries call at Icy Strait Point, home to a coastal rainforest, wilderness tours and – for thrill-seekers – ziplining above the treetops. Tropical Escapes to the Bahamas and Caribbean from Florida Sun-splashed tropical isles throughout the Bahamas and Caribbean will await guests on three Disney Cruise Line ships from Florida in summer 2023. For its first full summer of sailing, the Disney Wish will homeport in Port Canaveral near Orlando for a series of three- and four-night Bahamas cruises to Nassau and Disney’s private island oasis, Castaway Cay. The Disney Wish will feature exciting new additions including Disney’s first “Frozen”-themed theatrical dining experience and AquaMouse, a wild water adventure and first-ever Disney attraction at sea. Port Canaveral will also be the departure point for the Disney Fantasy for sailings ranging in length from five to 10 nights. In addition to seven-night cruises to popular ports in the eastern and western Caribbean, guests will also be able to experience a five-night Bahamian sailing with back-to-back calls at Castaway Cay, a 10-night southern Caribbean itinerary to the islands of Aruba and Bonaire and an eight-night cruise featuring two days on the beautiful pink sand beaches of Bermuda. The Disney Magic will make its summer home in Miami for an assortment of exciting destinations. Starting May 27, the Disney Magic will sail four-night Bahamas cruises and five-night western Caribbean voyages, followed by two seven-night sailings in July to the eastern and western Caribbean. Select summer voyages aboard the Disney Magic will include double days – for double the fun – at Castaway Cay. To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact a travel agent. View the full article

Theme Park Rangers Radar scans for ice cream at Disney Springs and makes a stop at Epcot's new Connections, View the full article

Reedy Creek first responders worry about losing benefits when the improvement district is disbanded. View the full article

It has been a BUSY weekend in Magic Kingdom! Cinderella Castle We’ve had new merchandise drops, construction updates, and changes to fan-favorite snack spots — all within the span of just a few days! So if you haven’t been in a little while, we’re sharing the full list of what’s new in Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Magic Kingdom Food Updates Aloha Isle The first big change in Magic Kingdom is that Aloha Isle no longer has Mobile Order. We were able to confirm this change with Disney Cast Members this week as the snack stand was removed from the list of options in the My Disney Experience app. It has gotten a little busier. Currently, all guests will need to wait in line and order their Dole Whips at the counter instead. We’ll keep an eye on Mobile Order and this restaurant, as it’s possible this could change again to bring back Mobile Order in the future. Everything You Can Do On the My Disney Experience App BEFORE Your Trip — Click Here! Magic Kingdom Construction Updates Casey’s Corner In front of Casey’s Corner, there remains a section of the pavement that’s blocked off by construction walls. Disney hasn’t made any official announcements or posted any signs about what’s going on here, but it’s like that it’s regular maintenance since it’s such a small area. Watch out for the wall! It shouldn’t affect your visit to Casey’s Corner or Main Street, U.S.A., but it may make the walking path a bit more narrow and challenging to navigate. Gaston’s Fountain Over at Gaston’s Tavern in Fantasyland, there’s a major landmark out front — a fountain of Gaston himself! A few days ago, we noticed that the fountain was drained. It was completely empty this weekend! Once again, this is likely just general maintenance, but we’ll keep an eye on the fountain in hopes that the water returns soon. Tron Coaster This week, the Tron Coaster canopy seemed to be completed, and we’re excited to see things coming together toward a finished product! This area is still a pretty heavy construction zone, though, so we’re not expecting an opening for a while. Things are coming along nicely. Last we saw, they were still in the process of testing the ride. It will go through several phases of testing before it’s cleared for passengers and then allowed to open. We can’t wait! Click Here to See What Coaster Testing Looks Like! Magic Kingdom Merchandise Updates The Emporium A BUNCH of new merchandise arrived in Magic Kingdom’s biggest shop, The Emporium, this weekend — so you may want to bear with us here! First up, we spotted these new Turning Red noodle bowls that originally landed on shopDisney. You can get the set for $29.99. It’s so adorable! Want a little more Disney in your home decor? This Mickey Mouse Candle Holder is perfect and you can pick one up for $34.99. Do we need an excuse to buy more candles? No, not really…but we’ll take one. And speaking of Disney decor, those who’ve been collecting the blue and white Mickey Mouse line should check out the new potted plant that’s available! (It’s fake, of course.) It comes in a matching planter for $34.99. Plant life for people WITHOUT a green thumb. Got doggos? If so, you can dress them in Disney style as well! We found this new Ohana Means Family Stitch Shirt for Dogs on the racks this weekend, and it’s only $24.99. Dress up that pup! And speaking of Stitch, there’s a new hat inspired by the little blue alien! It would be a great accessory for those hot Disney World summers, and you can get it now for $24.99. It’s tie-dye too! If you thought those Turning Red noodle bowls were adorable…just wait until you see the Mei Red Panda Mug! It’s made to look just like Mei in the movie and it even has a fluffy tail on the back. Totally worth the $19.99 price tag, don’t ya think? We’re definitely in love with this. Disney is constantly releasing new tees in the parks, and a few days ago we spotted this Mickey and Minnie Mouse design with a twisted hem. Stylish and lightweight — perfect for summer. Get one for $36.99. Cuh-yute. We’ve been spotting the Main Street Electrical Parade 50th Anniversary collection all over Disney World and Disneyland Resort the past few days, and now we’ve found another addition — the Main Street Electrical Parade tank for $36.99. Get the shirt, the ears, and the backpack. Need a new Disney bag? This 50th Anniversary tote just arrived and you can pick one up for $39.99. We pretty much always want more bags. Wishables are all the rage in the Disney parks, and we think this newest collection won’t be an exception! The Muppets Wishables are now here, and they’re $14.99 for an individual Kermit plush or for a blind bag with a variety of character possibilities. Get Kermit and his friends. And Bambi fans are going to fall in love with this new Miss Bunny Plush in The Emporium for $29.99. Isn’t she precious? Isn’t she sweet? Continuing on the plush trend, there’s now a Tinker Bell Shoulder Plush in Disney World! You can grab her for $19.99 and then have her sit right on your shoulder thanks to a magnet that goes under your shirt or bag strap. Another new shoulder plush. They just keep coming! And finally, we’ve got a new pair of nuiMOs. Who could it be? Why, it’s Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps from Zootopia! More nuiMOs! You can buy these guys for $21.99 each. Main Street Cinema Main Street Cinema has been home to the popular Vault Collection ever since the start of the 50th Anniversary celebrations. We’ve seen a bunch of new items arrive here in the past few months, and this week we got the addition of the Mickey Balloon Loungefly Backpack. This is a NEED. We love this unique design! You can pick one up now for $75. Frontier Trading Post And finally, Frontier Trading Post is home to some new Main Street Electrical Parade-inspired pins. The folding pin design is $19.99 or you can get Elliot the dragon for $17.99. It unfolds! And if you’re a massive fan, why not grab this “it’s a small world” MASSIVE pin for $59.99?! We know that’s pricey, but this thing is HUGE! That thing is BIG. They’re really going above and beyond with the merchandise for this parade return. Click Here to Check Out the New Main Street Electrical Parade Merch! That’s everything new we noticed in Magic Kingdom in the past few days. Stay tuned to DFB for the latest news and updates straight from Disney World! What’s New in Animal Kingdom? Click Here to Find Out! 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 is your next trip to Magic Kingdom? Tell us in the comments! The post What's New in Magic Kingdom: Mobile Order MISSING From A Restaurant and Tron Construction Progress first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Video of a gathering of protesters chanting “Boycott Disney” outside Disney headquarters on April 6 has now been viewed more than 1.1 million times. Thousands more people are sharing posts on social media calling for a boycott. A letter recently published in the Wall Street Journal was signed by grandparents stating they had canceled a trip to Disney World with their grandson, and they are “ashamed to be stockholders.” ‰©Disney | Walt Disney Corporation Headquarters The latest movement to boycott Disney comes after the corporation issued a statement saying it would seek to have Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act, dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law by its critics, repealed by the Florida Legislature or struck down by the courts. But Disney has drawn arrows on both sides of this fight. Before the statement above and others by CEO Bob Chapek, Chapek was criticized by the bill’s opponents for not speaking out about the issue. Dr. Joel Best, a professor of sociology and criminal justice at the University of Delaware, said criticism of Disney’s stance on this issue is inevitable, given its positive reputation and its place in society. Disneyland “People believe that Disney stands for goodness,” Best said. “So whatever ideology you are, if you think there is something bad out there, and you can associate the Disney name with it, that provides you with an interesting claim – ‘Look at this! Even Disney is doing it!’” This Isn’t Disney’s First ‘Family Values’ Fight Disney has certainly been the subject of calls for boycotts before, including a boycott that was widespread among Christian conservative groups and lasted for 9 years. That boycott was started 26 years ago by the American Family Association. The Tupelo, Miss.-based organization – known for its more recent boycotts of Target for its restroom policies and Kellogg’s for its production of a Pride-themed cereal – said it called the boycott because of the company’s decline in the family values intended by Walt Disney. Magic Kingdom The following year, messengers at the 1997 Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting passed a resolution that urged “every Southern Baptist to take the stewardship of their time, money, and resources so seriously that they refrain from patronizing The Disney Company and any of its related entities.” Luke Holmes, a Southern Baptist pastor and SBC historian, said in an interview with Disney Food Blog that there were many factors that contributed to the call for the boycott. Monorail in EPCOT “More than anything the Southern Baptist Convention desired to express their continued belief in the inerrancy of Scripture as the word of God and to express their support of the values that the Bible expresses,” Holmes said. Among the specific examples cited in a separate SBC resolution a year earlier – the hosting of so-called “Gay Days” in Disney Parks, the offering of health benefits to the same-sex partners of employees, and the publication of a book titled “Growing Up Gay: From Left Out to Coming Out” by Disney-owned Hyperion. The SBC produced a sample letter that members were urged to sign and send to The Walt Disney Company, along with a booklet and video explaining the reasoning behind the boycott and listing Disney and its many subsidiaries. With the SBC’s participation, the boycott picked up steam and was joined by Focus on the Family and other evangelical groups. Disney’s Classic Bambi celebrated at Animal Kingdom While previous AFA boycotts had produced economic impacts – an AFA boycott of 7-Eleven in the 1980s led to 7-Eleven stopping the sale of Playboy and Penthouse magazines in its stores, for example – the association called off its Disney boycott in 2005 without producing a visible impact to the company. The SBC followed suit in ending the boycott at its annual convention that same year. Holmes said that while we often think of the goal of a boycott in economic terms, that 1990s-era boycott was about taking a stand. “The goal of the boycott was not necessarily to force economic impact but to express Southern Baptists’ belief in God’s word and that the SBC is not shifting with the times,” Holmes said. “As the times changed, the SBC was signaling that their beliefs about what is right and true has not changed.” “No one can really speak for the SBC as a whole, but personally I think the boycott did show that the SBC still believed in the Bible and biblical values,” Holmes said. “It did bring awareness to changing practices at Disney and across media and entertainment as a whole also.” Uniquely Positioned for Criticism But the criticism of Disney does not come exclusively from what we commonly think of as the political right. Disney has faced criticism from unions regarding unfair labor practices, complaints from various groups about unfair ethnic stereotypes in its movies and its theme parks, and protests from animal rights groups regarding the treatment of animals at its theme parks. Disney CEO Bob Chapek at Walt Disney World for its 50th anniversary. Disney is uniquely positioned to draw these critiques, Best said. “People only do this with Disney,” he said. “Disney is pure and good, yet is contaminated by whatever is going on.” According to Best, Disney built its glowing reputation for family friendliness starting in the 1950s, during a great baby boom and the widespread adoption of television. Disney transformed itself from a company making animated movies – which took years to produce at great cost – to one making live-action and documentary television shows, toys, books, and a theme park. ©D23 “I grew up in this period, and we were absolutely surrounded by Disney,” Best said. Walt Disney himself came into homes each week, providing families with tours of Disneyland, animated features, and live-action shows. ©D23 “Disney’s brand was clear,” Best said. “You could take your family to a Disney movie or watch a Disney TV show, and they wouldn’t see anything inappropriate.” Best points to Disney+ as a way that Disney has now “solidified its lock on a family-friendly reputation.” Changing Family Values? Dr. Susan MacManus, a Florida-based political analyst and distinguished professor emerita of political science at the University of South Florida, points out economic forces at work in Disney’s position on the new Florida law. Widely known labor market woes – namely a shortage of younger people to fill theme park jobs – are at play, she said. © Disney | Disney has been holding job fairs and advertising its employee perks to attract more workers “They are heavily reliant on attracting young workers, and for young workers the LBGTQ+ issues are more relevant,” MacManus said in an interview with Disney Food Blog. “The generational divide on that issue is deep.” Disney has long portrayed itself as a defender of family values in Florida in an effort to keep gambling away from Walt Disney World. The company spent more than $15 million in 2018 to support a Constitutional amendment that handed control of where new casinos could be located to voters. Hard to resist those Disney balloons! But in its 4th quarter 2021 earnings call, Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Chapek said Disney is “aggressively” pursuing opportunities in the gambling industry, namely sports betting. MacManus said this contradiction between portraying itself as a beacon of family values and then taking a stand on social issues that don’t align with some of the population’s ideals on family values leaves Disney open to questions like those being asked today. “I think that’s what has grabbed some people,” she said. ©Disney Cruise Line | DCL remains the only major cruise line that doesn’t have casinos on any of its ships. The fact that Disney drew sharp criticism from people on both sides of the controversy over the new Florida law just illustrates an evergreen problem for Disney, Best said. “Both sides think they are on the side of goodness. Both of them are p***** off, because Disney is not falling in line with their definition of good.” Renewed Calls for a Disney Boycott California-based Christian worship leader Sean Feucht’s Hold the Line movement is behind a series of protests that have been held outside of the Disneyland entrance. In an April 12 tweet, Feucht said the petition he has launched has been signed by more than 50,000 people. The American Family Association that started the 1990s boycott is once again calling for a Disney boycott, as well, this time of the Pixar movie, “Lightyear,” set to be released on June 17. As for the Southern Baptist Convention, this year’s annual meeting is being held at the Anaheim Convention Center in June. One of the special offers for the messengers attending the convention is a discount on Disneyland tickets, according to The Tennessean. How many SBC messengers visit Disneyland, and how many families cancel Disney trips or movie plans or Disney+ subscriptions remains to be seen. The Liberty Belle Riverboat in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. But, if history is any indication, Disney may just go about its business, boycott or not. “I think that the Disney corporation figured out a long time ago that it’s going to take a certain amount of flack, and you just keep sailing,” Best said. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What do you think about the latest calls for a boycott of Disney? Let us know in the comments. The post Boycotting Disney Isn't New. But Does It Work? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Anyone up for some black pepper ice cream? Or would you prefer an olive oil–flavored scoop? Believe it or not, these flavors are available (and quite popular) at Disney World’s newest ice cream shop. Salt & Straw is OPEN! Salt & Straw just opened its newest location in Disney Springs, and it brought some very unsual flavors with it. Now, we’ve got the EXCLUSIVE inside scoop (pardon the pun) on the new flavors coming to this spot in May! When you head into Salt & Straw in Disney Springs (located on the West Side, near Jaleo and Everglazed Donuts), you’ll find some classic ice cream flavors like Vanilla, Chocolate Gooey Brownie, and Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons. But you’ll ALSO see some more exciting options, including Honey Lavender, Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper, and The Salty Donut Guava + Cheese. Salt & Straw Menu And those are just a few of the options on the year-round menu here. There’s also a seasonal menu, which changes every month. In April, the flavors were inspired by stories that kids made up, with options like The Ice Cream of Moo and The Adventurous Llamanaut. If you want to try those flavors, be sure you visit soon! Because this menu is about to change. Just Some of the Flavors! We’ve got an exclusive look at the NEW flavors coming to Salt & Straw’s limited-edition menu soon! (Note that the seasonal flavors usually change on the first Friday of every month.) The seasonal flavors for May are all about florals, and the menu itself is called “Flower Power.” What Ice Creams Do You Want to Try? Here’s what you can expect to see when the menu updates for May: Jasmine Milk Tea & Chocolate Almond Stracciatella — a “delectably simple” jasmine tea ice cream with chocolate almond stracciatella Pistachio Rose Water with Strawberry Mochi — a nutty pistachio ice cream with homemade strawberry mochi and swirls of rosewater white chocolate Rhubarb Crumbles with Toasted Anise — a vanilla ice cream with ribbons of homemade rhubarb jam, loaded with toasted anise crumble Saffron & Honey with Crystalized Flower Petals — a honey and saffron ice cream with candied cornflower petals Mathilde’s Hibiscus & Coconut Sherbert (v) — a coconut cream–infused sherbert with Hibiscus & Ginger Brew from Mathilde’s Kitchen. Waiting for a scoop! Those sound like the perfect flavors to celebrate the spring season. We can’t wait to give them a try when they arrive next month! Keep following DFB, because we’ll be checking out these new flavors (and all new Disney World treats!) and bringing you a full review. Click here to see our full review of Salt & Straw 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. Which of the new flavors are you most excited to try? Let us know in the comments. The post EXCLUSIVE Look at Salt & Straw’s Upcoming Flavors in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ battle with Disney could involve breaking a promise Florida made to bondholders, leading to lawsuits. View the full article

There’s been a lot of buzz surrounding airlines and flying lately. Frontier is attempting a merger with Spirit Airlines, JetBlue is cutting back on staff, and Orlando International Airport is debuting a brand new terminal in September! ©Orlando International Airport Now, your summer vacation plans may have gotten a tad bit easier with this new announcement from Orlando International Airport. If your summer plans include traveling to Charleston, South Carolina, you’ll now be able to get there from Orlando on not one but two new airlines! On June 23rd, Breeze Airways will begin offering nonstop service from Orlando to Charleston every day! As summer approaches travel picks up, and Orlando Airport has already seen its busiest travel weekend in three years, so it will be useful to have a couple of new airline routes for travelers to take advantage of this summer! Make sure to keep following DFB for all the latest travel news and updates! There’s a NEW Mask Policy at Orlando International Airport Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you heading on vacation this summer? Let us know in the comments! The post TWO New Routes Announced for Orlando International Airport first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Hello again from EPCOT! Connections Eatery There are some seriously exciting updates to share, including the official opening date for Connections Cafe and Eatery — April 27th! After a surprise soft opening, we wondered what other news awaited us in the park. It’s time for another look at what’s new in EPCOT! EPCOT Construction Updates Connections Cafe and Eatery Connections Cafe and Eatery surprised us all by opening up its doors for the first time on April 24th! Connections Eatery food The official opening date is set for tomorrow, April 27th. Click Here to See Our Review of Connections Eatery! Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Attraction previews have begun for select guests who have the chance to ride this new coaster before it opens! We got to see the Wonders of Xandar Pavilion lit up at night behind the construction bushes that replaced the temporary walls! What do you think? Looks like there’s quite a bit of action going on behind the scenes, and we can’t wait until we finally get to ride the attraction, which opens to the public on May 27th. See What the Wonders of Xandar Pavilion Looks Like without Walls Moana: Journey of Water The first rock formations have begun to take shape over at EPCOT’s water-inspired walk-through attraction! Journey of Water construction — Late April 2022 We had previously only seen some structural beams and concrete buildings come to life in this construction zone, so this is an exciting step towards being able to see what the attraction will actually look like! More structures going up! Disney is staying quiet on when exactly we will be able to experience Moana: Journey of Water, so be sure to stay tuned for updates. Take a closer look at the construction on the Journey of Water attraction here! Liquid Layers Water Play Area The water misters and benches have been removed over at the Liquid Layers splash zone area! We’re keeping an eye on this area for updates We’re not sure what Disney has planned for this area, or if it’s just undergoing some maintenance, but we’ll be keeping an eye out. EPCOT Merchandise Updates Creations Shop Show your pride with Disney’s new Pride Tumbler! It’s $24.99 and features bright neon colors on a black background. PRIDE tumbler Still missing Disney World’s 25th Anniversary Birthday Cake Castle? Don’t worry, the Birthday Cake Castle Mug is here to save the day! Get it for $22.99. Remember when? How adorable is this Turning Red Figurine Set? It comes with characters you know and love from the film including Panda Mei, and can be yours for $29.99. We loved this movie! There’s some new 50th Anniversary merch around! We spotted this Grey 50th Anniversary Polo for $69.99. Look stylish while letting people know what you’re really about. Let your love of Disney be known at all times with this swanky shirt. Disney Traders Avengers, assemble! Or at least your kiddo can pretend they’re one of Earth’s mightiest heroes with this Avengers Assemble Youth Tee. Avengers, assemble! Start saving the world for just $19.99. Art of Disney There is some incredible new art at EPCOT’s fine art shop! First up is the Pirate’s Life for Me Print, which is available matted for $39.99, or you can get it framed for $399.99! Yo ho, yo ho! Get ready for the opening of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind with this Awesome Mix Print for $39.99. Awesome Mix print Choose your destiny with this Merida Print! It’s also available for $39.99. We love the colors of this one! There are also two new pins available here, a Merida pin and an Aurora pin as well! New princess pins have arrived Each pin is available for $34.99. Mitsukoshi We spotted some new My Hero Academia dolls for $19.95 each! My Hero Academia dolls Need a gift for a video game loving friend? Check out this Playstation Gift Set for $64.95. What more could anyone want? You can always be sure to find a unique Disney World souvenir in Mitsukoshi. Pin Traders There were two new pins when we strolled through Pin Traders recently — a Gargoyles Pin and a Rescuers Pin! We might be obsessed. You can get the Gargoyles Pin for $9.99 and the Rescuers Pin for $12.99. Gateway Gifts Protect your scalp from the scalding Florida sun with this Minnie Mouse Fedora Hat! New Minnie hat It’s $29.99, and we’ve also spotted it in Creations Shop. The Fjording There’s a new Helly Hansen Bathing Suit in the Norway Pavilion. Perfect for summer swims! Just in time for summer Disney World fun! Get it for $55. World Traveler Flower and Garden lovers, these next items are for you! We’ve previously spotted a Figment version of this, but now there are two more designs — first up is the Orange Bird Planter Mug for $19.99… Orange Bird mug … and the Mickey & Minnie Roses Planter Mug which is also $19.99. Heya, pals! Looking for a new pair of garden clogs? Look no further because you can get a pair of plain White Crocs for $49.99. Just some Crocs being Crocs. Keep your hair pulled back on those hot summer days with this Stitch Scrunchie! Hopefully Stitch will keep your hair from looking chaotic. It’s available for $14.99. Check Out Disney’s Latest Designer Jewelry Collaboration That’s all we have for EPCOT updates right now! Be sure to stay tuned to DFB as we’re always on the look out for everything NEW in the Disney parks! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What are you looking forward to on your next Disney trip? Let us know in the comments! The post What's New in EPCOT: Connections Eatery Soft Opens and Nighttime Lighting at Guardians Coaster first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser (also known as the Star Wars hotel) is Disney World’s newest Star Wars offering, and it feels like there are never enough ways to experience everything it has to offer! We brought you all the deets from the opening of this highly anticipated hotel, and now there’s something new to share. Galactic Starcruiser Entrance There are so many activities to do onboard the Starcruiser, including cultivating your own personal storyline, a seat at the Captain’s Table, and even playing a game of holo-Sabacc, among MANY other unique options. Now the newest offering on the Galactic Starcruiser might let you immerse yourself even further into your space adventure! Face painting, or Image Design, as it’s called on the ship, is now available for guests ages 7 and older on the Galactic Starcruiser! Taking place right in your cabin, the ship’s “Image Designers” can create your amazing new look akin to the style of fan-favorite alien species from Star Wars! Or, you can choose from a selection of designs to find the one that best matches your unique adventure on the Halcyon. ©Disney There are a variety of partial or full face designs available, but keep in mind that guests who will be traveling into the parks to visit Batuu (aka Disney’s Hollywood Studios) will need to select a design marked with the blue “Batuu Approved” badge (as seen in the top left corner in the photo below), as only partial face paint is allowed in the parks. ©Disney Guests who book this experience should arrive at their cabin 15 minutes prior to their appointment time, and the transformation should take approximately 30 minutes. Guests under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian present during the appointment. ©Disney You must book this activity between 60 days and 1 day before your voyage by calling your Galactic Starcruiser Specialist at 407-939-1800. We recommend booking sooner rather than later, as spots are limited! ©Disney Keep in mind that if the activity is canceled 48 hours before the booked time, or if a guest is a no-show, the full amount of the service will still be charged to the guest. We can’t wait to see all the epic designs these Image Designers have up their sleeves. Stay tuned to DFB for all Galactic Starcruiser news! Thinking About A Galactic Starcruiser Vacation? Click Here To Read Everything You Need To Know! 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 Have you stayed at the Star Wars hotel? Tell us in the comments! The post Face Painting Now Available at the Star Wars Hotel in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

In the spirit of Disney Planet Possible, we chatted with Ruthmery Pillco Huarcaya, one of our 15 Disney Conservation Heroes recently recognized by the Disney Conservation Fund, to learn how she got started in conservation and what gives her hope for the future.View the full article

This week is an exciting one in Disney World! The Connections Café and Eatery in EPCOT are both opening on April 27th (that’s tomorrow!) and on Thursday, Disney is celebrating Halfway to Halloween with a ton of fun treats and announcements! Hollywood Studios With all the excitement going on, let’s head over to Hollywood Studios to see what’s new! First, the Beauty and the Beast stage show is no longer having the performers remain socially distanced on stage, and the show has returned to the normal choreography. Beauty and the Beast Stage Show The show returned last August and has been keeping performers socially distanced until now. Hollywood Studios Construction Updates Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster Starring: Aerosmith Yesterday, Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster Starring: Aerosmith broke down, and it has remained closed since then (along with two other Hollywood Studios rides). As of this writing, it still has not reopened, though the others have. It’s closed! We asked a Cast Member if this was at all related to the extended closure this attraction experienced a few months ago, and they confirmed for us that it was. 3 Popular Rides Are Unexpectedly Closed in Hollywood Studios Today Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular The plane stunt at the end of Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular is not currently being performed due to technical difficulties. Indiana Jones show The show has been undergoing the same technical difficulties for multiple days in a row. REVIEW: A Plant-Based Snack in Disney World That Even Meat-Eaters Will Love Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge We are happy to report that the previously missing Dianoga has returned to its water fountain in Galaxy’s Edge. It’s back! Guests will now be able to spot it peering above the water as they walk by. REVIEW: Ronto Wrap From Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Hollywood Studios Merchandise Updates Celebrity 5 & 10 Fans of Zootopia will love this mug we found at Celebrity 5 & 10. ‘Zootopia’ Mug! It’s tie-dye with Yax on one side and the words “Good Vibes Only” on the other side. It is $14.99. Good Vibes Only We also saw this shirt from the Vault Collection that has Mickey Mouse on one sleeve, the Walt Disney World logo on the other, along with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy on the pocket. Vault Collection shirt! It is $36.99. We’ve seen this shirt at Fort Wilderness, as well. Popular Plushes Will Cost You $2 More in Disney World Mickeys of Hollywood At Mickeys of Hollywood, we spotted these brown Pizza Planet shorts. Pizza Planet Shorts They are brown with a pocket near the bottom that has the Pizza Planet logo on it. They are $39.99. ‘Lightyear’ Merch is Now Available at Target! Legends of Hollywood Finally, at Legends of Hollywood, we saw this shirt that says “I’m Not Your Everyday Princess” on the bottom with Princess Tiana’s crown embroidered on it, as well. Not Your Everyday Princess Shirt This shirt is $36.99 and has also been seen in Disneyland. Muppets Wishables Have FINALLY Arrived in Disney World And there you have it! That’s what’s new in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Make sure to keep reading DFB for all the latest news from the Disney parks! 10 Disney World Tips That Really ARE As Good As People Say Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What’s your favorite thing to do in Hollywood Studios? Let us know in the comments! The post What’s New in Hollywood Studios: Technical Issues and Ride Closures Impact the Park first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. We love shopping for new Disney merchandise, but let’s be real — it can get REALLY expensive, and it’s just not possible to buy everything we want. We love a good Disney deal! So what do we do? We look for deals! Amazon is a great place to find a variety of Disney deals that won’t break the bank, and if you’re itching for a shopping spree this might be a perfect time! The Funko Disney It’s a Small World Game is currently on sale for $13.99 from $24.99, and you might not know that this board game is a 2022 Toy of the Year Finalist! ©Amazon This game is actually made with a 3D game board, and it comes with 80 picture cards that you must collect before the moon comes up. This game is made for people ages 4 and up, and reviewers mention that it’s great for young kids and families! Click here to get the Funko Disney It’s a Small World Game! If you’re looking for Disney birthstone earrings, the Minnie Mouse Birthstone Earrings are currently 60% off! You can choose from 15 different crystals for $19.99 per pair, down from $50. ©Amazon These earrings are officially licensed by Disney and they come in a Disney gift box. They have a silver-plated finish and they measure approximately 0.5 inches. Order the Minnie Mouse Birthstone Earrings right here! Save $5 on a Set of 3 Mini Brands for $29.99, down from $35.49. Each capsule comes with 5 different miniature Disney “toys,” with over 70 different toy possibilities! ©Amazon The tiny toys can be extra fun for little ones, plus there’s the surprise of opening each capsule. And what’s better than one Mini Brand? Three! Get the Mini Brands Disney Store Set of 3 here! Hosting a party soon? This Mickey Mouse Cheese Board might be the perfect setting for your next event, and it even comes with cheese tools! Right now, you can get it for $46.56, on sale from $66.95. ©Amazon This cutting board is made with sustainable rubber wood, and each cheese tool is made with stainless steel and hardwood handles. Live your best charcuterie life! Disney Classic Mickey Mouse Cheese Board If you’re in need of some Disney recipe inspo, the Disney Princess Cookbook might be just the ticket. This cookbook comes with 50 recipes inspired by Disney Princesses and organized by mealtimes, and it’s on sale for $9.59 from $17.49. ©Amazon The recipes are beginner-friendly, meaning they’re great for kids learning to cook! Try out Tiana-inspired Bayou Meatloaf or Rapunzel-inspired Frying Pan Eggs and plenty more. Click here to order the Disney Princess Cookbook! And finally, Rapunzel fans should make a note that the LEGO Disney Rapunzel’s Tower is on sale for 20% off for $47.99, down from $59.99. This set comes with Rapunzel’s tower, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider mini-figures, and even a teeny tiny Pascal! ©Amazon This LEGO set is rated for people 6 years and up and reviewers mention that it’s filled with tons of details and is really fun to put together. And why not get it while it’s on sale? Get the LEGO Rapunzel’s Tower Set here! If you’re looking for a good Disney deal, it’s not a bad idea to take advantage of any of these Amazon savings, and keep checking back with DFB while we continue to scour the internet for the best Disney deals! Check out ALL the Disney cookbooks you can get online right now! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you shopping for Amazon deals today? Tell us in the comments! The post 6 Amazon Disney Deals You WON'T Want to Miss This Week! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

MSC Cruises has already cycled through two ships since making its Port Canaveral home port debut this past fall, and now it’s queued up a third. View the full article

One of the most fun and unique things that happens at Disney Parks are the After Hours events! Very Merriest After Hours From holiday events like Disney World’s Boo Bash and Disneyland’s Merriest Nites to special events just for Disney Vacation Club members, they’re a great way to hang out in the parks after closing time and enjoy things you wouldn’t usually get to do! One of these events that’s a big hit is Grad Nite at Disneyland Resort, which is actually returning this year. And now, a NEW kind of Grad Nite after hours event is coming to Disneyland! The First-ever Disneyland After Dark: Grad Nite Reunion is happening soon! The event will debut on select nights in June at Disney California Adventure Park. You can join in a reunion party filled with dancing, fun, and nostalgia from graduation classes of the last SIX decades! ©Disney This is a separately ticketed event that will give you after-hours access to California Adventure after the park closes. You will also be able to experience special offerings not usually available during the day! There will be cafeteria-inspired dishes, special character experiences, entertainment, photo opportunities, and select attractions available. Events like this usually allow you to go on rides with WAY shorter wait times! ©Disney The event will be for 4 hours, with 3 additional hours of pre-party at Disney California Adventure Park, meaning you can get into the park 3 hours before the event begins. You’ll also get a commemorative credential and guide as well as unlimited downloads of Disney PhotoPass digital photos you take during the party. ©Disney Here are some things you can expect during the event: Enjoy sightings of beloved Disney characters throughout the evening with a few favorites proudly wearing their cap and gown March-along pep-rally style with some favorite Disney friends Dance through the decades to hits of today and yesterday Retro photo opportunities Unique, cafeteria-inspired food and beverage offerings Special after-hours access to most of the park’s attractions Party attire encouraged. Don’t forget to show your school spirit! Grad Nite Shirt Disneyland After Dark: Grad Nite Reunion will be offered on June 23rd, 28th, and 30th, 2022. Tickets will go on sale on Disneyland’s website on April 28th, 2022, no earlier than 12PM PT. A limited amount of tickets will be available for each event, so make sure to grab them as SOON as they go on sale! Pixar Pier at Night Stay tuned to DFB for more Disneyland news and updates! Click here to see the exclusive after hours event that recently returned to Disney World! 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 going to this Grad Night Reunion? Tell us in the comments! The post A NEW Grad Nite After Hours Event Will Debut at Disneyland SOON! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Do you love Halloween as much as we do? Every time the spooky season comes around, we love seeing the way the parks are decorated, going to special Disney events, and seeing special characters in the parks. Happy…er…Halfway to Halloween Season! Even though it’s only April, we can’t help but look forward to October — and we’re already thinking about which Disney character we’ll dress up as for Halloween. But tomorrow, April 27th, we can celebrate being Halfway to Halloween with Disney in a very special way! Disney just announced that there will be a special Hocus Pocus Twitter Watch Party in honor of their Halfway to Halloween event! ©Disney The watch party will begin on April 27th at 8PM ET, and Disney encourages you to follow @DisneyParks and to use the hashtag #HocusPocusWatchParty to share your thoughts with fellow fans. According to Disney, a “special guest” will be joining the watch party as well! ©Disney To participate in the watch party, you can stream Hocus Pocus on Disney+ as long as you have a subscription. And if you’re REALLY feeling those Halloween vibes, you can try making spooky goodies like the Witch’s Flight or Winifred’s Pumpkin Broomstick Twists! Witch’s Flight We can’t wait to sit down tomorrow and rewatch this classic Disney film. As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney updates! Get a FIRST look at Hocus Pocus 2 right 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. Who will you be watching Hocus Pocus with? Let us know in the comments! The post Why You've Gotta Watch 'Hocus Pocus' on Disney+ Tomorrow first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s almost summertime, which means warmer weather in Disney World! If you’re looking for a chance to cool off during your upcoming vacation, we might have just the discount for you. Typhoon Lagoon Disney World has a couple of water parks on property, which both feature water rides, pools, themed snacks, and more. Blizzard Beach is currently closed, but Typhoon Lagoon is welcoming guests! And now there’s a special discount that can help you save BIG the next time you visit Typhoon Lagoon. From April 26th through June 30th, 2022, Florida residents can take advantage of a special discount on Typhoon Lagoon tickets. With this discount, residents can buy a 2-day ticket for Typhoon Lagoon for $69 per person (or $63 for kids ages 3 to 9). Usually, this is the cost of a 1-day ticket! ©Disney You don’t have to use the ticket 2 days in a row — it’s good for 2 days whether consecutive or not, as long as the tickets are used by June 30th, 2022. Typhoon Lagoon Entrance Note that there are blockout dates from May 27th through May 30th, 2022. Proof of Florida residency is required to book these tickets. ©Disney Once you get to Typhoon Lagoon, be sure to check out the new snacks there! The Hei Hei Cone is a favorite of ours, mostly because it’s hilarious and cute. The Hei Hei Cone is back! Keep following DFB for more of the latest updates and discounts as you plan for your upcoming vacation. Check out the new snacks (including new DOLE Whips) at Typhoon Lagoon. 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 visited Typhoon Lagoon in Disney World? Let us know in the comments. The post Florida Residents Can Get 2 Water Park Tickets for the Price of 1 at Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s time to relive the “good-ol’ days” and celebrate a party for the decades at the first-ever Disneyland After Dark: Grad Nite Reunion! Debuting on select nights this June at Disney California Adventure park, you can join in a reunion party filled with dancing, fun and plenty of nostalgia from graduation classes of the last six decades.View the full article

If Halloween is your favorite holiday, then you’re in luck because this week Disney is celebrating Halfway to Halloween! On April 28th, we will be exactly halfway to Halloween, so to celebrate, we’re getting some limited time treats, a Hocus Pocus watch party, some at-home activities, and the promise of some exciting new announcements! Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs Even Gideon’s Bakehouse is getting in on the Halfway to Halloween fun with some new items, only available for a few days! Gideon’s Bakehouse is pulling out all the stops for this year’s Halfway to Halloween (they also participated last year), and they recently shared on Instagram what we can expect this week. Beginning on Thursday, April 28th, all four and six cookie boxes (at both Gideon’s locations!) will include one of 16 trading cards. The trading cards are given out completely at random. Also, guests waiting in line at the Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs will be given an exclusive Halfway to Halloween trading card, only available from Thursday to Sunday while supplies last. ©Gideon’s Bakehouse The trading cards will continue even after Halfway to Halloween is over, so you’ll be able to head back to Gideon’s again and again to build your collection, especially if you want to get all of them! Also beginning Thursday, you’ll be able to purchase a Gideon’s binder to store all of your new trading cards. The binder will be available both in-store and online. ©Gideon’s Bakehouse As if that wasn’t enough, there will also be in-store exclusive merchandise during Halfway to Halloween and of course, the limited-time treat offerings! We’ve already shared that there will be three new items at Gideon’s during Halfway to Halloween: Pumpkin Spice Shadow Cakes, Frankenstein Cake Slices, and Valentina Cake (yum!!). We’ll be heading to Gideon’s later this week to try all of the Halfway to Halloween items, so make sure to stay tuned to DFB for our reviews! Click here to see what’s new in Disney Springs! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you excited for Halfway to Halloween? Let us know in the comments! The post Why You'll Want to Buy Hundreds of Gideon's Cookies in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

When Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, one of the things it brought with it was some pretty out of this world (pun intended) food. From the options over at Docking Bay 7 to the blue and green milk, to Oga’s Cantina, there’s a lot of interesting things to try. Ronto Roasters in Galaxy’s Edge One of the food items that immediately outshone the others was the Ronto Wrap at Ronto Roasters. We’ve tried this eat many times before, but we recently headed back over to Ronto Roasters just to see how it was doing and to get you all an updated review! For those that don’t know, the Ronto Wrap is roasted pork, grilled pork sausage, peppercorn sauce, and slaw all wrapped up in pita bread. It is $12.99. Ronto Wrap! This item has a history of being inconsistent when it comes to flavor, and the amount of sauce or slaw you get, so we wanted to try it again to see how it is and if anything has changed. We thought the pork sausage was very good. It was cooked well and very flavorful. The grilled pork on the other hand was kind of dry, and needed some more slaw to be enjoyable. Ronto Wrap Our pita was also really dry, which made it a little more difficult to eat because it started to split down the sides, but luckily, it’s wrapped in paper so you can catch anything that might fall out of the wrap! Our wrap didn’t have a ton of the slaw, so it was kind of on the drier side as a whole (but on the plus side, the pita didn’t get soggy!). All in all, it wasn’t the best Ronto Wrap we’ve had, but it was decent. Ronto Roasters If you’re vegan or vegetarian, or even if meat just isn’t really your thing, you might want to try something different. Luckily, Ronto Roasters has a couple of plant-based options, like the Zuchii Wrap which is a vegetarian version of the Ronto Wrap. It has grilled zucchini, smoky chickpea-onion slaw, creamy garlic-tahini sauce, and fresh cilantro wrapped in pita bread. Zuchii Wrap We definitely think the Ronto Wrap is worth a try if it sounds like something you might be interested in, as the flavor can be really good, especially if you’d like to try something other than the stereotypical burger and fries. Make sure to keep reading DFB to stay up to date on all the Disney food news! Learn how to make Ronto Wraps at HOME here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you a fan of the Ronto Wrap? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: Ronto Wrap From Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Wax figure of Colombian singer Maluma debuts at Madame Tussauds Orlando in May View the full article

There’s a lot of BAD Disney World advice out there, and we try to make sure to point it out to you when we can! EPCOT Some people say you should just go with the flow (yikes), not make any dining reservations (AH!), or even skip the most iconic snacks (omg please no!!!). Don’t worry though, we’re not here to give you bad advice — we’re doing the opposite! Let’s break down some Disney World tips that actually ARE as good as people say they are! Rope Drop If you’re unfamiliar with rope dropping, it’s when you get to the park before it opens, so you can be one of the first people inside! A lot of times, you’ll be allowed to go inside the parks before the actual time it opens up, but you won’t be able to get on any rides or anything. BUT this at least gets you closer to the ride you want to go on so that you have a shorter wait time! Rope drop crowd The main purpose of rope dropping is to ride things that normally have very long wait times later on in the day, like Rise of the Resistance or Flight of Passage. You COULD rope drop less popular rides like Spaceship Earth or Mad Tea Party, but it wouldn’t be the best use of your time if you’re trying to maximize the amount of rides you can go on in one day. And, these days, rope dropping is pretty much your best (and sometimes only) shot at getting on ALL of the major rides in the parks. Rope Drop at Hollywood Studios Rope dropping is especially useful at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, as these parks have more ride and more rides with higher wait times. Even with using Genie+, we would suggest rope dropping at these 2 parks if you want to get on almost all of the rides. Heading into Disney World Sometimes, you can knock out 2-3 popular rides within the first hour of the park opening, especially if you are able to go into the park early using Early Theme Park Entry (which is only available to guests staying at either a Disney hotel or other select hotels). A great way to maximize your time would be to rope drop a popular ride that usually runs out of Genie+ reservations (or doesn’t have them until way later in the day), and use your Genie+ reservations for rides that are available earlier. Click here to see EVERYTHING you need to know about Disney Genie+! Escaping Okay, this sounds dramatic — we don’t mean literally escaping from Disney World, but we’re talking about taking a break to escape the crowds for a little bit! The crowds can be overwhelming in the parks, especially as the day gets busier in the afternoons. Some people just need a breather from being around all of those PEOPLE! Trust us, you might be wanting a break too after you’ve been run into by your 3rd stroller of the day. Aloha, Polynesian Village Resort! So, a great way to do this is to leave the park and head back to either your hotel for a couple of hours or go explore another nearby Disney hotel! At your hotel, you can take a little cat nap, spend some time at the pool, or grab a bite to eat. Disney’s Contemporary Resort But, if your hotel isn’t nearby or you just want something different, make a dining reservation at Disney hotel that’s close where you can relax and get away from the crowds for a while. This will also give you the chance to explore other hotels and try out restaurants you may not have otherwise! Disney’s BoardWalk And the nice thing is that all of the parks have fun hotels nearby! If you’re at Magic Kingdom, you can visit one of the hotels on the Monorail loop or Wilderness Lodge, at EPCOT, head on over to the BoardWalk area, at Hollywood Studios, get on the Skyliner and visit a hotel on the line, and if you’re at Animal Kingdom, pop over to Animal Kingdom Lodge! Click here to see what to do if you can’t get the Disney hotel reservation you wanted Drink Water We’ve said it once, we’ve said it a thousand times, you HAVE to drink water while you’re at Disney World, y’all! You might be thinking “well, duh!” but we want to emphasize that you should most likely drink more water than you think you need. Central Florida is HOT and with all that walking you’ll be doing, you can get dehydrated way quicker than you normally would just hanging out in the air conditioning of your home. Water Bottles Drink water as you’re getting ready in the morning, as you’re walking around, with snacks, with meals, before you go to bed at night, and ESPECIALLY between alcoholic drinks. It can be easy to forget to drink water if you’re drinking around the world, since you’ll most likely have another kind of drink in your hand most of the time, but you gotta keep drinking water too. We promise you will thank us in the morning! Trays of Water at Backlot Express And, if you want to take it a step further, bring some drinks with electrolytes in them on your trip. You can even just keep some Gatorades or some Liquid IV in your hotel room to drink once you’re back in the room for the evening. And remember, you don’t have to pay $3.50 for water all around Disney World, you can bring your own refillable bottles or get those free water cups you can find at almost any quick service spot! Click here to see EVERYWHERE you can get free water in Disney World! Mobile Ordering (Before You’re Hungry) Mobile Ordering can be a saving grace at Disney World quick service spots, but only if you know how to use it right! There are mobile order time windows you select at these restaurants, and sometimes the windows can fill up at popular spots, so it’s important to figure out where you’re going to want food later in the day if you want to eat at one of these places! Mobile Ordering pick-up stations It’s especially important to figure it out before you’re hungry! It is not fun to be with a group of hungry people who can’t pick up their food for another hour because that’s when the next available pickup window is open. Mobile Order sign in EPCOT So, at the beginning of your day (or at least an hour or two before you want to eat) put your order in for the place you want to eat at and select the pickup window that works best for you, that way you can go about your day without worrying about where you’re going to get food! Click here to learn more about Mobile Ordering at Disney World! Give Yourself Extra Time It takes longer than you think it does to get things accomplished in Disney World, especially when it comes to getting from one place to another! Give yourself more time than you think you need to get to dining reservations or to get to the park for rope drop. Also understand that park hopping usually takes longer than you would expect it to. Sometimes you have to wait a longer time for a Monorail or bus to arrive. Disney bus You will be thankful for this extra time you’ve built in! If you end up not needing it, then great — now you have extra time to use however you want to. It’s better to have extra time than to be running out of it! Click here to see the updated mask rules on Disney World transportation Bring Rain Gear It. Will. Rain. Read that again — IT. WILL. RAIN. If you go into your Disney World trip with this mentality than you won’t be caught of guard when you inevitably encounter that afternoon torrential downpour. Of course, there are exceptions, but know that in the warmer months especially, rain is almost a daily occurrence. Be prepared! SO! You should pack ponchos, umbrellas, rain jackets, hats — whatever you need to stay dry while in the parks! A lot of people will run for shelter or even leave the parks during some heavy rain, so this is a great time to stick it out and get on some rides. It’s also way better to bring your own of these items than having to buy the expensive Disney versions of them in the parks. Click here to see a list of attractions that close when it rains in Disney World Change Your Shoes (and DON’T Wear New Ones) Most people will walk WAY more than they’re used to while they’re in Disney World. You might think walking 10,000 steps in your normal daily life is a lot, but then you’ll go to Disney and easily walk 20,000 a day! It’s some serious exercise, which means it can seriously hurt your feet. These shoes were made for walking? One way to help alleviate and prevent some of this foot pain is to switch up your shoes every day in the parks! Don’t wear the same shoes over and over — it will help your feet to have different shoes on. You can even go as far as switching shoes halfway through the day if you’re carrying a big park bag or go back to your hotel. Shoes shoes shoes And, definitely DO NOT wear brand new shoes to the parks! You need to break in shoes beforehand or you’ll end up with some big blisters, and that’s no fun at all. Also, make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes, obviously. Pick comfort over style every. single. time. Click here to see what shoes you should wear in Disney World! Do Your Food Research Oh look, DFB is talking about food again? Shocking. But seriously, familiarizing yourself with the menus around Disney World at least a little bit will be super helpful. You don’t want to wait until you’re hungry to figure out a place where you want to eat! Scrolling through dozens of menus can and should be done beforehand, that way you can make a list of places you know you’ll enjoy. Menus Luckily, we can help in that department! We have a TON of restaurant reviews, recommendations, rankings, and more available on our site, in our guide, and over on YouTube! Click here to get your own DFB Guide Book! Wear (and REAPPLY) Sunscreen Again, you probably think this is common sense but do NOT underestimate that Florida sun, people! It is STRONG — especially if you aren’t used to it. Put on sunscreen in the morning and bring it with you to reapply throughout the day. Put it on your face, scalp (yep, that can most definitely get burned), shoulders, knees, toes — everywhere that is exposed to the sun! Sunscreen is your friend There are great sunscreens that you can even apply over makeup without messing it up, as well as spray on your scalp without your hair getting greasy! And, of course, you can always wear a hat or UV protection clothing to add extra coverage. Just trust us when we say that you do NOT want to be sunburned in Disney World — some of those ride restraints will be very painful for you if you are! Click here to see the things you wouldn’t THINK you need in Disney World — but you DO! Skip the Fireworks for a Ride Okay, before you get upset, this just applies to people who don’t really care about watching the fireworks, or who would much rather prioritize rides. The crowds at EPCOT and Magic Kingdom will gather to watch the show, which means the lines for rides usually get significantly lower! Enchantment This is a great time to hop on over to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or Frozen Ever After! If you time it right, you might even get to watch the fireworks while ON rides like Splash Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain, which is super cool. We’d recommend this as a great option also for people who have already seen the fireworks shows a couple times, or if you’re planning on watching them another night. Harmonious in EPCOT So, those are the tips that really ARE as good as people say they are in Disney World! We’ve tested them out multiple times, so we can safely say that these tips are worth your time. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World news and updates! Click here to see the most important Genie+ tips to know before you go to Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What is your favorite Disney World tip? Tell us in the comments! The post 10 Disney World Tips That Really ARE As Good As People Say first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There is no guarantee that your favorite ride will be open when you visit Disney World. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Rides can shut down unexpectedly for many reasons, like for bad weather, technical difficulties, or even large power outages. And today, there are some very popular rides that are shut down in one Disney World park! THREE popular rides are currently closed in Disney’s Hollywood Studios — Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, and Rise of the Resistance. All 3 rides are down! There was a Cast Member standing out on Sunset Boulevard telling people that both Tower and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster were down due to technical difficulties and they did not have an estimated opening time. The hotel is full! Rise was also listed as being down on My Disney Experience, which isn’t a surprise, as the ride shuts down quite often. Rise is closed With these rides closed, wait times at rides that are open will most likely be higher than usual. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on if and when these rides reopen today! No more backstage passes Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World news and updates. Click here to see what you should do when Rise of the Resistance breaks down 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 your favorite ride in Hollywood Studios? Tell us in the comments! The post 3 Popular Rides Are Unexpectedly CLOSED in Hollywood Studios Today first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Tired of those regular old Mickey pretzels? Need to spice up your Dole Whip? Ready for some ultra exclusive, only-the-pros-know-about, Disney World snacks AND where to find them? We’re back again! Then you’re in the right place. Check out our video below on 16 Things You Can ONLY Get in Animal Kingdom. 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. What’s your favorite thing to get in Animal Kingdom? Let us know in the comments. The post DFB Video: 16 Things You Can ONLY Get in Animal Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article