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Had enough of vacationing on planet Earth? Go on an intergalactic trip aboard the Halcyon instead! Atrium Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser (a.k.a. the Star Wars Hotel) is an immersive, all-inclusive 2-night vacation that’ll take you to space (not literally!) and put you at the center of your own Star Wars story. Transportation to and from the hotel is something you’ll want to carefully plan for ahead of your trip, and today we have a bit of an update when it comes to just how some guests can get to the hotel. Previously, a bus stop had been added to Disney Springs for the Star Wars Hotel. You can see it marked below as bus stop number 18. Disney Springs Bus Directory — Galactic Starcruiser marked at Spot 18 On January 27th, 2022, we went back and noticed that the bus stop for the Starcruiser had been removed. No Starcruiser Here But, when the Starcruiser opened, we saw a Disney Springs bus leaving the Galactic Starcruiser hotel area… Bus …and we even saw a Disney Springs bus within the Starcruiser drop-off area. Disney Springs Bus at the Star Wars Hotel Thus, it appears there was at least some bus service between these spots at that time. But now things have CHANGED. Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser According to a Disney bus driver that we recently spoke to, Disney’s bus service between Disney Springs and the Star Wars Hotel was discontinued this past Sunday, April 10th. As we searched through the bus signs in Disney Springs, we also noticed that none of them had a spot for the Star Wars hotel. No Star Wars Hotel Here! So, if you’ve got a Starcruiser trip coming up and were planning to take a bus between Disney Springs and the Star Wars Hotel, be aware that this particular option appears to be unavailable. Just how does one get to the Star Wars Hotel? Well, during our initial trip on the Starcruiser, we spoke to a Cast Member about this. They told us that if you’re transferring from or to a Walt Disney World hotel and the Star Wars Hotel before/after your trip (and you don’t have a car that you used to get there) you should be given a taxi voucher. Otherwise, you can rent a car, drive your car, or use a rideshare service or taxi to get there. Driving to the Star Wars Hotel According to the Cast Member we spoke to, Disney was also sending guests to the airport after the Star Wars Hotel stay with a taxi voucher as well. Be sure to check and see if/how these rules have changed ahead of your stay. Note that there are NO luggage transfers available at this time (to Disney World hotels or otherwise), so you’ll have to carry your luggage with you. During one of our trips on the Star Wars Hotel, we did notice that the taxi pick-up line was quite hectic, so just be sure to give yourself enough time to get through any lines in order to get to your flight or future destination. Galactic Starcruiser Entrance We’ll continue to look for more Star Wars Hotel updates and we’ll let you know what we find. Check back with us for all the latest Disney news! Click here to see our ULTIMATE 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 to visit the Star Wars Hotel soon? Tell us in the comments. The post Bus Service Between Disney Springs and Star Wars Hotel Reportedly DISCONTINUED first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If fancy, new Disney souvenirs get you excited, then…it’s time to get excited! Dumbo Dooneys! Disney often partners with Dooney & Bourke to bring us new collections of purses and bags that feature some of our favorite characters. Lately, we’ve seen new Dooney prints featuring Dumbo, Peter Pan, Orange Bird, and more. We’ve also already seen MULTIPLE bags celebrating Disney World’s 50th Anniversary, like a Cinderella Castle tote and some Mickey and Minnie print ones. Now, we’ve spotted ANOTHER celebratory collection COMING SOON to Disney World! We found this NEW 50th Anniversary Dooney & Bourke bag collection on display at Legends of Hollywood in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. NEW 50th Anniversary Dooneys! The print features a dark blue background with a fun assortment of Walt Disney World landmarks and characters. Alice (in a teacup!), Remy, Woody, Orange Bird, Figment, Simba, Spaceship Earth, the Cinderella Castle, Tinker Bell with the number “50,” and more are all included in the design. So cute! The preview case holds a large bag with medium brown accents and a removable 50th Anniversary tag, as well as a smaller, zippered clutch in the same pattern. The smaller bag up close. There is also a 50th Anniversary charm on display in the case. ANOTHER 50th Anniversary Dooney print! According to signage, this collection is coming VERY soon to the parks — it will be available on April 18th! Coming soon! We’re not sure if any additional items will be available in this collection come April 18th, so be sure to follow DFB for more details and pricing for these cute new bags. Stick with us for all the latest merchandise, parks news, and more. See the Dumbo Dooney & Bourke collection here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think about this new Dooney print? Tell us in the comments! The post PHOTOS: NEW 50th Anniversary Dooney & Bourke Collection Coming to Disney World SOON 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. Does anyone else have a Funko Pop! collection sitting on your desk? You can collect them all! It’s always exciting to add a new Funko Pop! figure to your collection, which is why we’re always looking for a good deal to help you save on these fun collectibles. Recently, we saw that Entertainment Earth has a buy one, get one 50% off sale, and there are a TON of Disney figures available with this sale! Star Wars, Disney, and Marvel, oh my! There are so many options on Entertainment Earth, and the buy one, get one 50% off sale makes them so much easier to add to the online cart. If you’re a huge Mandalorian fan, you might need the Boba Fett Funk Pop! for $11.99, which comes in mint condition. ©Entertainment Earth He’s the perfect addition to any Star Wars collection and comes packaged in a window display box! Get the Boba Fett Funko Pop! here And some pins are part of the sale as well! We found this Guardians of the Galaxy Rocket Racoon Enamel Pop! Pin for $15.99. ©Entertainment Earth You can wear this pin as you launch into space when the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster opens in EPCOT on May 27th, or stand him up in a display! Get the Rocket Racoon pin here Wall-E is looking super cute as a Wall-E Jumbo Funko Pop! figure for $29.99! ©Entertainment Earth He comes in mint condition and is packaged in a window display box! Get the Wall-E Funko Pop! here Disney+ fans will be happy to see that Entertainment Earth also has Hamilton figures! We found this Thomas Jefferson Funko Pop! for $11.99 in mint condition. ©Entertainment Earth This figure also comes in a window display box! Get the Thomas Jefferson Funko Pop! here Those are only a few of the options they have on Entertainment Earth right now. So you can either use the buy one, get one 50% off sale to grab multiple figures from the same movie/franchise, or mix and match to create a more diverse collection! For the latest Disney news, be sure to check back here often. Click here to find out why April is a BIG month for Funko Pop! fans. 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 a Funko Pop! collection? Let us know in the comments! The post HURRY! You Don't Want to Miss This Disney Collectibles Sale! 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 like to think we know a thing or two about shopping for Disney merchandise. Disney shirts at Creations Shop in EPCOT We bring you the latest merch news from the parks, and even keep our eyes peeled for discounts that will save you some money on your haul. So, imagine our excitement when we realized that there is an entire world of Disney items available EXCLUSIVELY on Amazon, featuring some awesome collectibles, toys, and apparel — let’s check it out! We can’t get over how adorable this Mickey Fleece Crewneck Sweatshirt for Adults is! It features our favorite mouse saying one of his classic catchphrases. ©Amazon It’s on sale for $18.95 and looks like it would be super cozy! Click here to shop the Mickey Fleece Crewneck Sweatshirt for Adults For kiddo Disney fans, we also found the Mickey Fleece Hoodie for Kids. ©Amazon Say “Oh boy!” because you’re getting a deal on this sweatshirt — it’s on sale for $18.25. Click here to shop the Mickey Fleece Hoodie for Kids What’s better than one Disney shirt? Two Disney shirts that come together! We spotted the Mickey & Friends and Daisy Shirt Combo for $16.90. ©Amazon There are multiple different designs and styles to choose from, too! Click here to shop the Mickey & Friends and Daisy Shirt Combo If you’re a Funko Pop! collector, you should check out this Disney Treasures from the Vault Multicolor Goofy! ©Amazon The purple figure is covered in blue, green, and orange Goofy hats and is $23.49. Click here to shop the Funko Pop! Multicolor Goofy Figure We spotted a rare Disney character collectible too — the Treasures from the Vault Limited Edition Robin Hood Plush. ©Amazon This collectible comes with a certificate of authenticity and is ready to jump into action at a moment’s notice. It can be yours for $29.99. Click here to shop the Robin Hood Plush The Limited Edition Donald Duck Plush might be one of our favorite things on this list. ©Amazon He’s ready to serenade us with the Three Caballeros! You can get this plush for $29.99. Click here to shop the Donald Duck Plush If one plush isn’t enough, there’s the Disney Year of the Mouse Limited Edition Mickey Mouse Collector Small Plush Set for $125! ©Amazon It comes with 12 different Mickey plushes measuring 8 inches tall, each with a specific design. Click here to shop the Mickey Mouse Small Plush Set Test your puzzle skills with the Ravensburger Minnie & Mickey Puzzle. ©Amazon Each of the 1,000 pieces in this puzzle is unique. Get it for $29.99. Click here to shop the Minnie & Mickey Puzzle Let your little one rock out with the Disney Hooyay Donal Duck Electronic Drum Kit for $33.40. ©Amazon It helps to develop motor skills, and teaches kids about numbers too! Click here to shop the Donald Duck Drum Kit If you’re looking for an adorable way to encourage your kiddo to walk, the Simba Ride On and Walk Toy might be just the thing! ©Amazon It’s meant to be used as a ride-on toy at first, but can be adjusted as your child grows to encourage their next move. You can get it for $38.72 (originally $64.99!). Click here to shop the Simba Ride and Walk Toy There are so many Amazon exclusive Disney items to shop for, but these were some of our favorites! Don’t forget to stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney merchandise and park news. Check Out Disney’s NEWEST Designer Collaboration Here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What’s your favorite Disney souvenir you’ve picked up in the parks? Let us know in the comments! The post 10 Disney Items You Won't Find Anywhere But Amazon first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

‘World of Color’ Returns April 22 | Disney California Adventure ParkView the full article

Want to SKIP the lines for Expedition Everest? Well, you can…but just how you do that is about to change for a limited time. Expedition Everest For several months now, Expedition Everest has been closed for refurbishment. There was a potential for the ride’s refurbishment to last longer than expected, but now it seems like the ride will now be reopening soon! And when it does its Lightning Lane/Genie+ situation will be a little different than it was before. A huge thanks to our reader Joe (@schreiberjoe on Instagram) for alerting us to this! Before we hop into the change, let’s go through a quick Genie+ break-down. First, there’s the standard Genie+ service, which costs $15 per person per day. That lets you select a Lightning Lane return time and essentially skip the standby line for a variety of attractions in Disney World. Guests can make 1 Lightning Lane selection at a time throughout the day. Next, there’s Individual Attraction Selection. Basically, not all rides are included through the standard Genie+ service. Instead, if you want to skip the lines at some super popular rides (like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure) you’ll need to pay SEPARATELY (individually) skip the lines at those rides. Guests can only buy 2 of these per day. Prices vary depending on the day, the park, and the ride. Essentially what you’re doing is paying a certain amount to skip the line once at one individual ride. Disney Genie Prior to its closure for refurbishment, guests could pay to skip the line at Expedition Everest through the Individual Attraction Selection service. That meant that Expedition Everest was NOT available through the standard ($15 per person per day) Genie+ service. Instead, guests had to pay a separate price just to skip the ride once at Expedition Everest. But, when Expedition Everest reopens following its refurbishment, things will be different for a period of time. Expedition Everest entrance Instead of having to pay a separate price to skip the line just at Expedition Everest through Individual Attraction Selection, Expedition Everest will (for a limited time) be included in the standard Genie+ service. That means that if you pay the $15 per person (per day) to use the standard Genie+ service in Disney’s Animal Kingdom starting on April 16th, 2022, you’ll be able to use that standard Genie+ service to make a Lightning Lane selection for Expedition Everest. This change will start on April 16th, 2022, when the ride reopens, and will last through August 7th, 2022. ©Disney This ride joins Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Frozen Ever After, and Space Mountain — all of which are temporarily available through the standard Genie+ service until August 7th, 2022. This is similar to what was done in December of 2021, at which time Expedition Everest was also offered through the standard Genie+ service for a limited time. After August 7th, it is expected that these rides will likely go back to being available through Individual Attraction Selection. We’ll look for any further changes made by Disney. In the meantime, get excited for the return of Expedition Everest and the ability to select a Lightning Lane for that ride through the standard Genie+ service for a limited time. Check back with us for more Disney news! How many rides can you get on per day with Genie+ in Disney World? Click here to see what we’ve found out! All About Disney Genie, Genie+, and Individual Attraction Selection READ THIS Before Using the New Genie Planning Tool in Disney World Check Out the FULL List of Rides Included With Genie+ in Disney World See What Rides You Can Pay EXTRA for in Disney World & How Much They May Cost Learn What Rides Are Included With Genie+ in Disneyland (Plus the Ones You’ll Pay EXTRA to Ride) You CAN’T Re-Ride Disney World Attractions With Genie+ You CAN’T Cancel Pay-Per-Ride Selections in Disney World Get the Answers to All of Your Burning Questions About Disney Genie See Why You May Want to Stay in a Disney World Hotel When it Comes to Disney’s Pay-Per-Ride System Here’s What Annual Passholders and Magic Key Holders Need to Know About Genie+ See 5 Ways Genie+ Might Surprise You Learn Some Disney Genie HACKS Get a Step-by-Step Guide to Using Disney Genie+ See Genie+ Tips for the Most Crowded Days in Disney World and Disneyland Still Confused About Disney Genie? Check Out These DFB Videos Learn About How Disney Genie Can Be Your Personal Assistant in Disney World Click HERE to See More About Disney Genie Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Would you pay for Expedition Everest through the Individual Attraction Selection service or only make a Lightning Lane selection if it’s included in standard Genie+? Tell us in the comments! The post BREAKING: Genie+ CHANGE Announced for Expedition Everest in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Today, I am very excited to unveil a new addition to Avengers Campus in Disneyland Paris, just months after the arrival of the Quinjet, the Avengers’ signature aircraft — the Avengers Deployment Vehicle, also known as the ADV! Stark Industries has always sought to make the impossible possible, and today, CEO Tony Stark took a new leap forward […]View the full article

To ensure we are equipping our readers with all the information they need, we will continue to report on all travel, safety, and COVID-related news that could impact a Disney Parks visit. Star Wars fans have been having a pretty excellent year. Time for the Fun to Start We’ve seen some exciting content come out on Disney+, and of course, we can’t forget about the grand opening of Disney’s long-awaited Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel! But over in California, fans are gearing up for the Star Wars Celebration event set to take place from May 26th to May 29th, 2022 — and we’ve got an important health and safety update about the event. In accordance with current health and safety guidelines and recommendations from the Anaheim Convention Center (where the event will be held), Star Wars Celebration has shared updated information about COVID-19 protocols during the event. ©Disney Previously, proof of vaccination was required for every guest attending the event, but now guests will be able to enter with either proof of vaccination OR a negative COVID-19 test. The Twitter post went on to say that all event attendees will still be required to wear “an approved face covering at all times while attending the show.” The Star Wars Celebration website states that face coverings must “Fit properly and [snugly], fully covering your nose and mouth” and be secure under your chin. If you’re heading to this event, be sure to check the website for the latest health and safety requirements. And, don’t forget to stay tuned to DFB for more Star Wars and Disney news! See a list of celebrities attending the event here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you heading to the Star Wars Celebration event? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Healthy and Safety Guidelines Changed for Star Wars Celebration first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It feels like Expedition Everest has been closed for 84 years in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but in reality it’s been closed for over 3 months. Expedition Everest Expedition Everest closed on January 4th for a lengthy refurbishment, scheduled for reopening sometime in mid-April. We’ve been watching closely for a reopening date but just a few days ago Disney removed that mid-April date from their website and a Cast Member told us it could be closed for another two weeks. Today we have a BIG update! Thanks to reader Joe (@schreiberjoe on Instagram), we learned that Expedition Everest is now scheduled to reopen in Animal Kingdom on April 16th, 2022! You can check out the ride’s availability on Disney World’s website, where it lists the ride as opening for Early Theme Park Entry at 7AM beginning on April 16th. ©Disney If you check the list of Genie+ rides at Animal Kingdom, Disney lists Expedition Everest as part of the Lightning Lanes included with a Genie+ purchase. Previously, Expedition Everest was available for purchase as an Individual Lightning Lane. ©Disney April 16th is only two days away and we’re excited to ride Expedition Everest again! Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news! Read more about Expedition Everest’s 3-month closure 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 excited to ride Expedition Everest again? Tell us in the comments! The post NEWS: Expedition Everest Reopening DATE Announced for Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

World of Color is coming BACK to Disneyland soon! But if you’re hoping to see it, you’ll need to know about some special rules. World of Color at Disney California Adventure We’ve already shared the date on which World of Color will be back (April 22nd!), and some details about dessert parties and dining packages that will be available. But what if you are just planning to walk into Disney California Adventure Park and grab a regular spot for this show? Well, there are some important things you’ll need to know. Disney recently shared that when World of Color returns, they will be utilizing a virtual queue system for the show’s viewing areas. The virtual queue will be available through the Disneyland mobile app, so be sure to download that in advance. World of Color is returning Starting on April 22nd (the show’s return date), distribution times for that virtual queue will start at noon each day. To access the virtual queue, you’ll need to have entered Disney California Adventure Park (with a 1-park ticket or Park Hopper ticket) or Disneyland Park (with a Park Hopper ticket) before noon. If the virtual queue fills up, you can visit the Paradise Bay viewing area 30-45 minutes before the showtime to speak with a Cast Member and see what availability looks like for walk-up viewing options. Paradise Bay during the day If you do get a virtual queue spot, you’ll get a notification through the Disneyland app. That notification will tell you to enter your designated viewing area through one of the 2 marked entrance points — yellow or blue, approximately 45 minutes before the show starts. Disney does specify that joining the virtual queue doesn’t guarantee your ability to see World of Color. Additionally, joining the virtual queue isn’t strictly required, but it is highly recommended. There will be additional viewing areas located around Paradise Bay — but those will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. ©Disney So if you’re hoping to see this show and want to get a spot in the virtual queue (as recommended), be sure to read up on these rules and be prepared ahead of your next trip! We’ll keep an eye out for more updates. Click here to see the FULL LIST of food coming to Disneyland for the return of nighttime spectaculars Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! Check Out Important Details about the 2022 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Learn About Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland See the Latest Updates About Disneyland’s Face Mask Policy Check Out What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Check Out Our Disneyland Restaurants Guide Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure See More About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Learn About the Disneyland Mobile App Get All the Details About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program What’s Going to Be Different About Your Next Disneyland Trip? Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Are you excited for World of Color to come back? Tell us in the comments! The post World of Color Will Use a VIRTUAL QUEUE in Disneyland first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

“World of Color,” the nighttime spectacular that has enchanted millions of guests with its dazzling display of water, fire, fog, lights, music and the magic of Disney storytelling, is returning to the Disneyland Resort April 22, 2022! View the full article

Disney Cruise Line has been seeing a lot of changes lately, from different cruise requirements to relaxed health and safety guidelines. ©Disney Now, requirements have been updated for Disney Cruise passengers visiting Europe, so let’s break them down! If you are on a cruise departing from and arriving to homeports in Europe (including Barcelona, Spain; Civitavecchia, Italy; Dover, England; and Copenhagen, Denmark) you are required to follow certain COVID-19 vaccination and testing protocols. ©Disney For COVID-19 vaccinations, Disney Cruise Line requires all vaccine-eligible guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of sailing (as defined by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization). This is a requirement for ALL guests ages 5 and over. Disney Cruise Line accepts the following vaccine types: ©Disney As for testing, guests who are not able to get a COVID-19 vaccine due to their age must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result (paid for by the Guest) taken between 3 days and 24 hours before their departure date. Guests ages 4 and under have to complete these testing requirements. The test also has to be a COVID-19 nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), a rapid PCR test or a lab-based PCR test. Rapid antigen tests are not accepted. Here are the details on submitting proof of these requirements: ©Disney In some cases, people who have recently recovered from COVID-19 may still test positive for the virus. If guests have tested positive for COVID-19 within 11 to 90 days of their sail date, they may qualify to be considered as “recently recovered.” With appropriate documentation and approval, these guests aren’t required to participate in the COVID-19 testing phases on their trip. To be considered recently recovered you need to provide: ©Disney Otherwise, ALL guests have to take a COVID-19 test at the terminal before boarding (paid for by Disney Cruise Line). If you test positive, you will be able to take a second test to confirm your status. If you are confirmed to be positive for COVID-19, you and those sharing the same room as you and you close contacts will NOT be allowed to board the ship. Disney Cruise Line Room Certain countries in Europe may have separate COVID-19 vaccination, testing, and documentation requirements for entry. ©Disney Disney says guests are responsible for checking and meeting all of the requirements or restrictions that may be in place for travel to any homeport or port of call that is part of their cruise itinerary. If you do not meet the country-specific entry requirements, you may be unable to reach the port to get on your cruise or you might not be allowed to get off the ship at certain ports of call or your final destination. You can find where to visit the websites of each country to learn more about the government entry requirements on the Disney Cruise Line website. Disney Cruise Line It’s also recommended to keep checking these requirements because they could change at any time without notice. It’s important to know all of this information before you book a European Disney Cruise in order to be aware of the requirements. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news and updates. Click here to learn about character meet and greets coming back to 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 planning a Disney Cruise right now? Tell us in the comments! The post What You Need to Know Before Going on a Disney Cruise in Europe first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

What do Disney World, BIG slices of cake, and elaborate decorations have in common? First of all, they’re all things that we love. But they’re also all part of the NEW restaurant opening at Disney’s BoardWalk! Disney’s BoardWalk The Cake Bake Shop is opening its 3rd location in Disney World sometime in 2023, and we can’t wait to head inside to check out all the amazing treats. We’ve already looked into the potential menu and pricing for this restaurant, and we also know that it seems like the perfect location for fancy events like bridal showers. Now, we have MORE information for you about this restaurant and its Disney World location from our exclusive interview with The Cake Bake Shop’s founder and owner, Gwendolyn Rogers! Earlier this year, Disney announced that The Cake Bake Shop will open a restaurant along Disney’s BoardWalk in 2023. From the announcement, we already know that this location will feature both sweet and savory menu items, with a full table-service restaurant along with a bakery where guests can grab slices of cake, cookies, bars, and more. ©The Cake Bake Shop The Cake Bake Shop has 2 other locations, both in Indiana, which are typically booked out 2 to 3 months in advance. Afternoon tea (held every day) is an especially popular event, and it will be coming to the Disney World location as well! ©The Cake Bake Shop We recently had the chance to talk with owner and founder Gwendolyn Rogers about the new location and some of the offerings we can expect to see when it opens in Disney World. Check out our full interview with Gwendolyn Rogers below: DFB: What are some of your favorite foods that are on the menu now or will be on the menu at the Disney World location? GR: Every single cake, to me, is fantastic. We wouldn’t have it on the menu if it wasn’t amazing. And I try to get every flavor. So if you’re not a chocolate lover, I’ve got a Raspberry Champagne, which is a lovely vanilla cake. If you love chocolate, there are a bunch of different chocolate options. I also change them out each season so that they’re always different and always exciting. I have 8 staple cakes on the menu at all times because I tried to take a couple off for a while and it did not go over well. I took the Carrot Cake off the menu for a couple of months and people went crazy! That’s one of the best things about having an item that people love — when you get rid of it, people miss it. And that’s how you know that you’re doing the right thing. Because you get people to love it that much that, when you don’t have it, they think about it. Carrot Cake ©The Cake Bake Shop I’m just excited to share any and all of my recipes that we make here with the Disney guests. From the crab cakes to our club sandwich (which is amazing) — it sounds simple, but everything’s made from scratch. We make our own basil aïoli, and it’s just beautiful. It’s a great sandwich. We do a beautiful roasted salmon with roasted fingerling potatoes, which is nice. So we have a little bit of everything to make everyone happy. All of those savory dishes we also rotate through the seasons. So we’ll have more of a wintery flair to the savory menu as well, as opposed to the current spring menu, which is lighter and fresher. ©The Cake Bake Shop DFB: You mentioned that the menu changes seasonally, and we also saw that a big part of the existing locations is elaborate seasonal decorations. Is the plan for those decorations to come to Disney World as well? GR: I hope so! I hope they let me do as many Christmas trees as I like to do. On the outside of my Carmel shop, I have 14 Christmas trees, and they all twinkle and have beautiful ornaments on them. Inside, I always have a huge, 15-foot Christmas tree, which is just stunning to look at. I’m hoping that I’ll get to re-create what I do here. And I think that’s what makes this place so magical — it kind of brings you back in time in a way. There’s no other place you can go outside of Disney World that makes you feel so much like a kid. Our shops bring back those old memories of storefront windows and what it was like to be in a place before technology — before cell phones were there. You actually spend time with your family and friends and enjoy a meal at the family table. What Cake Bake does is it brings a little bit of that back. It’s beautiful to watch. I was just upstairs, and there was a woman celebrating her birthday, so I made her a beautiful ice cream sundae and gave it to her for her birthday. And just to see her face light up — it was so cute! It’s just beautiful. I know that I totally made her day, and I look forward to doing that in Disney every day with as many people as we can get in. ©The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers DFB: Are you concerned at all about the transition from more local, smaller-scale operations to taking The Cake Bake Shop to a much larger scale restaurant in Disney World? GR: No, not at all! I’m super excited about it, and I can’t wait. I think it’s going to be a fantastic adventure. I really enjoy the challenge of building something that’s bigger, on such a larger scale, to be able to accommodate a thousand times more guests than we do now. To me, there is nothing more exciting than that. I get all giddy about it! I’m looking forward to it. It doesn’t scare me at all. Bring it on! Let’s do it! I think a lot of entrepreneurs and young people who start businesses are fearful, but that was one thing I never let get in my way. I was never afraid. Obviously, there were moments when I was thinking, “Oh my gosh, am I doing the right thing?” But I didn’t let fear take me over. When I was starting out, my joke was that I felt like I was jumping off a diving board into a pool with no water, and I was just hoping it would fill up by the time I got to the bottom. Because it’s scary when you’re independent. And I’m still independent — I don’t have finances or investors; I’m winging it on my own. And there’s something very empowering about that. I don’t ever want to lose that piece. To get to this point of success is inspiring. It inspires me and everyone who works with me, and it’s a great thing to be a part of, especially together with my team. My team is so happy all the time, and it’s great to be around them and see everyone who loves it just as much as I do. ©The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers DFB: We noticed that philosophy of fearlessness when it comes to your story of how The Cake Bake Shop came to be in the first place. Would you say that continues to be your key to success through this next period of transition? GR: Yes, pretty much! I listen to myself. I listen to my instincts and I listen to my gut. I think that’s what has brought me to where I am today. People will give you a lot of advice. Some people give you great advice, and some people give you not-great advice. At the end of the day, you still have to make your own decision, and you have to listen to what you feel is the right thing to do. Throughout this whole journey, I’ve always tried to make the right decision for the best outcome for everyone involved. I come at it from a very happy, warm, loving, giving place. If you always come from that place, things will work out. I’ve always stayed true to my heart. I love people, I love food, and I love bringing people together. To have this opportunity to do that at Walt Disney World Resort is truly a dream come true, and I believe that’s my purpose. That’s why I’m here. All the things that I’ve been through in my life that have brought me to this point — that’s the only thing that makes sense. Carmel location ©The Cake Bake Shop DFB: Being an independent company, is there anything that has surprised or challenged you about working with Disney in this new stage? GR: It’s been an incredible partnership. Every single person that I’ve met at Disney is so kind and so nice and really welcoming to me and my team. I don’t think there’s really been a challenge, but if there’s ever been something that I couldn’t figure out or I didn’t really know how I was going to accomplish it, I would figure it out and just get it done. I’m just figuring it out, and it’s going to turn out great. It makes it even more special that it’s a challenge. Bring me a challenge, and I’ll figure it out. It makes me smarter, and it makes me better. If you don’t have a challenge, then it’s boring. My days are so full, and there’s not a moment that I’m bored or doing the same thing twice. ©The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers DFB: We’d love to ask about some of the specifics that we’ll see at this new location. Will there be a private event space at The Cake Bake Shop in Disney World? GR: I will have 2 private rooms. The way I’m designing it, you can take sections of the restaurant and close them off individually. So really, I’ll have 6 different areas where people can have a private event or a party, and I can close off that space to make it more intimate. Or, if I don’t have any parties, I can open it up and it’ll all look like one big, open place. The way I design spaces, I love to have different lighting in each area. I love light fixtures — those are my gig. I’m not a big fan of can lighting, so I never use can lighting anywhere, in any room. It changes the room. To have a light shining right on my head makes me uncomfortable, so I’d rather have warm, soft lighting with chandeliers and sconces. That’s how I design my restaurants. I also change the ceiling heights in every room. So in Carmel, there are beautiful beams across the main dining room with beautiful crystal chandeliers. Then the private rooms have lower ceilings that make the space more intimate. And in those spaces people can have a private bridal shower, a private wine dinner, a private champagne dinner. I’m going to have a champagne bar in the back of the Disney location, which will be different from the regular bar. The new restaurant will look just like the Carmel location in Indiana, just better! I’m most looking forward to creating spaces for people to bring them together. And I’m also excited about the Afternoon Tea. That’s a very popular event here, and people drive from all over to come to it. They come to The Cake Bake Shop in Carmel from all over the midwest to have Afternoon Tea, and it’s pretty magical. ©The Cake Bake Shop DFB: What is it about the Afternoon Tea specifically that makes it so magical? GR: First, it’s the environment. Right now, I have a romantic rose garden theme in the restaurant, so there’s a huge botanical swan whose wings slowly move and her head slowly moves. And on her, there’s a little pink doll, and there are beautiful garlands hanging from the ceiling with roses everywhere. You feel like you’re in a magical environment, and I think that feeling is a huge part of that. The food we serve in the Afternoon Tea is great. Anything we make for any restaurant is made from scratch, by hand, with the best ingredients that I can find anywhere. That’s another thing that separates us from some other Afternoon Tea services — we’re really good at pastry, there are beautiful little desserts on the trays, and it’s just a beautiful experience. It takes about 2 hours to have an Afternoon Tea. Afternoon Tea at the Carmel location ©The Cake Bake Shop DFB: From what you’ve said and the fact that both of the existing locations are booked months out, it sounds like reservations might be in very high demand at The Cake Bake Shop. Is that what you’re expecting at this new location? GR: If you can plan ahead, that’s the best strategy. Here, in Indiana, we book out 2 to 3 months in advance. I would highly recommend that the second we have an opening date, guests should try to get in and make a reservation. But we always accommodate walk-in guests as well. So I don’t want anyone to feel like they can’t come in if they don’t have a reservation. We — on purpose — set aside room so that everyone is welcome. I always want everyone to come. That’s one of the reasons I built my Carmel shop, because my Broad Ripple shop is built in an old house, and it was so small that people would come and we couldn’t accommodate them. And I hated that! I didn’t want anyone to not come and have a wonderful experience. So I wanted to open Carmel, which is 3 times bigger than my shop in Broad Ripple, and it’s wonderful to be able to have that many people come in every single day. So I’m hoping that’s the same with the Disney shop. Because I want everyone to come in and have a wonderful time. ©Carmel DFB: You mentioned before that the menus change seasonally. What are some of the things that inspire new flavors and treats for your menus? GR: I’m hoping I might come up with 1 or 2 new cakes when I open in Disney. Most of my inspiration comes from the decor that I plan. I try to tie that in with the cakes and flavors. Right now, with a romantic rose garden, I have a lot of cakes with flowers on them. It ties in the whole experience. We have a cake that matches the doll on the botanical swan, and so everything ties in together. All the colors are soft and pastel. The cakes that I come up with duplicate that feeling. ©The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers And then in the winter — when I do the Winter Wonderland — I’ll have beautiful french blue ornaments on one cake. Everything goes together. To be totally honest, I haven’t decided on what the opening decor will be at the Disney World location. This one will be really hard because I want it to be absolutely perfect. I can’t even say what it will be because I don’t know what it will be yet! This one keeps me up at night because I want everyone to walk in and think, “Wow, that place is amazing!” Sometimes I’ll repeat themes, and sometimes I won’t. It depends on what I find. Last summer, I had huge pink and white mushrooms that lined the outside of the shop. Inside, there were overgrown mushroom heads with twinkle lights underneath them, and you could dine underneath the mushroom, so you felt like you were tiny. I loved that — I thought it was really fun. But I didn’t want to bring that back this year, because I didn’t want people to expect that. I found something different, and I love what I have now. So I might do that when the location opens in Disney World, but I haven’t decided yet. ©The Cake Bake Shop DFB: We noticed how frequently you mention your family when you tell the story of The Cake Bake Shop. How has your family inspired your baking, and how have they felt about this transition as well? GR: My family is the whole reason why I’m doing what I’m doing. They’re the ones who said, “Mom, you should open a restaurant.” They said that to me for years. I always thought that I didn’t have time since I’m a mom and I’m taking care of them. That, to me, is the best part of my life — having 3 boys. They’ve been the best inspiration to me because every time I made something new, they’d tell me whether it was good or bad. And they never once did not tell me the truth. So that was a really good thing because it refined the food that I make. And I think it was all for the better. They are very good food critics, and I’m actually very proud of that. If we go to a restaurant, they absolutely all have opinions on what we eat. So that’s been great. And they’re still very involved in The Cake Bake Shop. My 2 younger sons are in college, so they work with me in the summer. And my oldest knows how to make every buttercream, every cake layer, every lemon bar, every savory food. So at least I know he can fend for himself. He’s a very good cook, which is really nice. My husband, of course, loves it. He used to help, but now I just make him food and he’s super happy. ©The Cake Bake Shop DFB: Are you already a Disney fan, and do you have a favorite snack from the parks? GR: I’ve been a Disney fan since before most of you were born. I was lucky enough that my dad took me to Disney World when I was 6, and now it’s been 50 years. I was lucky enough to go the year Walt Disney World opened in Florida. I have been a Disney fan ever since then. It makes me cry when I see Tinker Bell fly over the castle at the start of every Disney movie. I love the Disney parks — I could go to Magic Kingdom every day for the rest of my life. I never want to leave. ©The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers My favorite snack — which actually I’m really sad about — is the giant Mickey rice crispy treat, and they don’t make it anymore! And I’m devastated! That is my absolute favorite thing. Part of my tradition was that it’s the first thing I would get, and as we were walking through the park I’d take a little piece, and take another piece, and by the end of the day, I’d eaten the entire thing. And of course, in between, I’d have the Mickey Ice Cream Bar. I was literally just there last week, and I ate an ice cream bar while I was in line for Haunted Mansion, and it was great. I love Casey’s Corner — I could eat those corn dogs and french fries all day long. I love the Mexico pavilion in EPCOT — they have the best guacamole ever. I love the French restaurant in EPCOT. Not only the sit-down restaurant (I love the French bread they put on the table and the wine) but also the French Patisserie. Every time we go, we get the ham and cheese sandwich on the baguette, and we get it toasted, and we fight over it. Who gets the biggest bite? If someone eats the last bite, one of the boys gets really mad. I could name something that’s my favorite in every section of every park. I’m the biggest Disney fan, and I’m beyond excited to be a part of it. ©The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers Thank you so much to Gwendolyn Rogers for speaking to us and sharing some of the details about the upcoming location at Disney’s BoardWalk! We can’t wait to try out those beautiful cakes (and so much more!) when The Cake Bake Shop opens next year. Keep following DFB for more Disney food updates! Check out the potential MENU and PRICING for The Cake Bake Shop 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. Are you planning to visit The Cake Bake Shop when it opens in Disney World? Let us know in the comments. The post EXCLUSIVE Interview with Gwendolyn Rogers, Owner of The Cake Bake Shop, Opening in Disney World Next Year! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Hoping to get on EPCOT’s brand new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride before everyone else? Well, you might be out of luck. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Earlier today, registration opened for both Annual Passholder and Disney Vacation Club member previews of this new ride. We even shared an important Park Pass update when it comes to Annual Passholders. But now there’s been an important development in the story! If you didn’t snatch a spot early this morning for those Annual Passholder and Disney Vacation Club previews, you’re out of luck. Based on Disney’s websites, previews for DVC Members… ©Disney …and Annual Passholders are totally FULL. ©Disney That’s right folks, in just a little over an hour, both previews have SOLD OUT! Seems a lot of people are excited to check out the new Guardians ride, and we can’t blame them! ©Zach Riddley (@thezachriddley on Instagram) Keep in mind that Disney Cast Members have also been offered a preview of the ride. D23 Gold Members were also able to sign up for a special preview event, but that has since sold out. ©Zach Riddley via Instagram (@thezachriddley) If you weren’t able to get into one of the preview events, don’t worry! Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will be opening to the general public on May 27th. Disney hasn’t yet revealed if the ride will utilize a virtual queue or any other special queue arrangement, so that’s something to keep in mind. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Attraction Vehicle If you are planning to be in EPCOT on the 27th, get those Park Passes ASAP! Park Passes for the 27th are still available for Theme Park Tickets guests… ©Disney …and those staying at select resort hotels, but that could change soon! ©Disney And the 27th is already full for Annual Passholders. ©Disney We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more updates and let you know what we find! Stay tuned for all the latest Disney news. Click here to get a FIRST LOOK at the Cast Member costumes for the Guardians ride! Want MORE Details About EPCOT’s MASSIVE Transformation? EPCOT’s Three New Neighborhoods Have Debuted — Learn More Here Learn About the NEW Restaurant Coming to EPCOT – Connections Cafe and Eatery A Starbucks Will Be Inside EPCOT’s New Restaurant – Get More Details Here Go Inside Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure With Us Check Out All of the Tasty Details About La Crêperie de Paris Learn All About Space 220, Which Has Officially OPENED in EPCOT See Spaceship Earth’s Permanent New Nighttime Look Learn More About EPCOT’s New Nighttime Spectacular -- Harmonious The Mary Poppins Attraction is on Hold – Learn More Here What’s Been CUT From the EPCOT Transformation? Learn More About the New PLAY! Pavilion Coming to EPCOT See All the Details You Need to Know About the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Coaster Coming to World Discovery Learn More About Journey of Water -- Inspired by Moana, Coming to World Nature Click HERE for All the News and Details about EPCOT’s Transformation! Join the DFB Newsletter To get all the latest Epcot transformation news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Were you able to sign up for a preview? Tell us in the comments! The post DVC and Passholder Previews Are SOLD OUT for EPCOT's Guardians of the Galaxy Ride first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you haven’t been to Disney World in a while, you might not know that there’s now a Park Pass reservation system. Want to “dress up” in Disney World? You can’t just buy a ticket and walk into a Disney Park anymore. Disney’s Park Pass System requires guests to schedule which Disney Park they’re visiting each day, and without a reservation, you can’t get into a park (even if you have a ticket). We asked DFB readers how the Park Pass System has affected their Disney planning — and there were a LOT of responses. Find out how the Park Pass system has changed Disney planning here! We reached out to our readers on Facebook (go ahead and give us a follow if you want to share your opinion in the future!) and lots of readers shared how the Disney Park Pass System has changed how they plan a Disney trip. Do these responses resonate with you? Spontaneity and Flexibility Although some of our readers like the Park Pass system, not everyone does, and many people mentioned how it has affected spontaneity and flexibility. As one reader put it, “All the spontaneity is gone. A Disney vacation is like sticking to a work schedule. Much too regulated.” Spaceship Earth A lot of readers mentioned that it’s difficult to change your plans or let your mood help you choose a park that day. “You definitely have to ‘pick your park’ now. I miss being able to just change up a plan to a different park and be done with it.” Because park reservations can “sell out,” you can’t always wait until the day of your visit to schedule a reservation. Tree of Life If you’re more of a go-with-the-flow kind of person, the Park Pass System is not necessarily to your benefit, and you might resent the way it impacts your spontaneous nature. 8 dates in 2022 you need to book Disney World Park Passes for right now. Extended Evening Hours If you’re staying in a deluxe hotel and want to plan your parks based on the Extended Evening Hours schedule, you might not be able to wait until the parks and dates are released. Extended Evening Hours are only available to guests staying in deluxe hotels, and the schedule designates select nights when qualifying guests can stay in certain Disney Parks after park closing. Main Street, U.S.A. One reader said, “I [used] to wait to plan out what park I would be in what day based on [Extra] Magic Hours to maximize my time in the parks. Now you can’t really do that because a park may be reserved before they announce extended hours. So, you just have to go ahead and reserve and hope you are able to change them after the fact.” Spaceship Earth crowds during EPCOT’s Extended Evening Hours Extended Evening Hours replaced Extra Magic Hours, which were previously available to all Disney World hotel guests. You can generally expect to be able to Park Hop for Extended Evening Hours, but there’s no guarantee that a park might hit capacity, and if you wanted to spend the entire day in one park, you might prefer to wait for the schedule to be released. The difference between Extra Magic Hours and Extended Evening Hours. More Planning Stress Another common response was about the added planning stress, as it’s another task you need to check off your list before your visit. Now on top of getting your tickets and transportation, making hotel and dining reservations, and researching Genie+, you must also schedule all your park reservations. It’s a lot of work! Grand Floridian Resort One reader commented, “The entire way the park is operated now [has] changed how I feel about a Disney Vacation. Going on vacation shouldn’t require so much work or screen-time once you’re there.” Magic Kingdom Plus, you may need to coordinate your restaurant reservations with your park passes, which is another planning puzzle piece to solve. As one reader put it, “It was hard enough getting a dining reservation at the park you want, but then to make sure you have that park reserved. [Hollywood Studios] and [Magic Kingdom] were the hardest to reserve when we went this last trip.” What are the EASIEST dates to score a Disney World Park Pass? We did the research. Park Hopping Complications Although Park Hopping is still a thing after 2PM, you must still have a park reservation in order to park hop, and you must also first enter the park you’ve reserved before you can visit another park. That means that even if you get to Disney World after 2PM, you must first visit your reserved park before you can Park Hop to a different Disney Park. That’s a long line for Tower of Terror Many readers mentioned how the structure of the Park Pass System and 2PM Park Hopping impacted their day-to-day plans. One reader commented, “No more last-minute decisions when Park Hopping. Back in the day, we bounced around depending on what we felt like that day. We once walked into [Hollywood Studios] and saw the crowd and turned around immediately and went to a different park.” If you want to leave the park you reserved for another Disney Park, you have to wait until 2PM to do so. The BIG Park Hopping DANGER you need to know about in Disney World. No Last-Minute Changes Not everyone hates the new reservation system though! Some readers noted that it helps aid the planning process and that it helps prevent any last-minute changes. One reader commented, “No more last-minute decisions or changes of plan, and I actually like that. I find Park Hopper to be a waste, personally, so planning where I will be spending my park day helps me decide on things like meals, more easily.” Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway If you’re the type of person who already prefers planning out your Disney World itinerary to every detail, the Park Pass System may not be as inconvenient as it feels to others, and it’s just one other detail to take care of during your planning process. Will Disney World ever get rid of Park Passes? Here’s everything we know! Disney’s Park Pass System has changed how we visit Disney World, and it’s true that your planning process might be a bit more complicated now. But depending on YOUR personal preferences, it can either aid or hinder your experience! Regardless of how you feel, it seems like park reservations are here to stay, so make sure you don’t forget to get yours scheduled! Keep reading DFB for more Disney news and updates! Read our guide about Disney’s Park Pass System here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think of the Park Pass System? Tell us in the comments! The post Guests Comment On If Park Passes Have Made Planning a Disney World Trip HARDER first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Recently, we invited a group of Disney Creators to experience all the fun and relaxation Disney Cruise Line has to offer the entire family during a three-night Disney Dream cruise from Port Canaveral.View the full article

Earth Day is coming up soon, and Disney is ready to celebrate! ©Disney Disney World is gearing up for special celebrations including limited-time activities in Animal Kingdom, special PhotoPass shots, and new merchandise. There is also festive FOOD coming for the holiday, which we’ve already seen some of, but now, Disney has released even more details! There are a TON of treats and drinks coming to Animal Kingdom, which you can check out right here. Disney also announced some fun foods coming to other spots in Disney World, so let’s take a look! Flamingo Cupcake Over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, you can find the NEW Plant (Based) in Boot at The Mara, which is a Chocolate Spice Cake with Coconut Ganache in a Chocolate Boot. How fun does this look?! This treat is plant-based and available starting on April 22nd. ©Disney Then, at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, you can find the NEW Garden Cupcake over at BoardWalk Bakery! This is a Lemon cupcake with a lemon curd filling topped with vanilla buttercream and white chocolate ladybug. Grab it from April 18th through April 22nd. ©Disney Disney World isn’t the only one getting special food for Earth Day — Disneyland also has some new items coming soon! In Disneyland Park, you can find 2 NEW items over at River Belle Terrace from April 21st through April 25th. The first is the Corn on a Cob Succotash, which is “butter”-poached corn, edamame purée, and chili oil. This is a plant-based item! The second item is the NEW Plant-based Chili & Cornbread Skillet, which has chili beans, corn cake, “sour cream,” and green onions and is also plant-based. ©Disney Then, at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, you can find a special Earth Day Hot Dog at GCH Craftsman Grill from now until April 30th. This is the hot dog of the month special featuring plant-based sausage, sauteed spinach, mushrooms, and onions topped with green goddess dressing, edible flowers, and served with fruit. Another great plant-based option! ©Disney Make sure to check out these new items while they’re available at Disney World and Disneyland! And stay tuned to DFB, because we’ll be checking out some of this food and bringing you FULL reviews. Click here to see ALL of the treats coming to Animal Kingdom Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Which food item sounds the most exciting to you? Tell us in the comments! The post We Never Thought We’d Want to Eat a Shoe in Disney World, But Here We Are first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A BIG thing that could seriously impact your Disney World trip thankfully WON’T affect Annual Passholder previews of EPCOT’s brand NEW Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride. We’re getting closer! This morning, registration for Annual Passholder (“AP”) previews of this ride became available. If you’re an AP, you likely tapped away quickly to make sure you grabbed a spot. But what about making a Park Pass reservation for the day of your preview? Well, we’ve got an update on that. As we mentioned above, earlier this morning, Annual Passholders were able to sign up for their special previews of EPCOT’s newest ride — the Guardians of the Galaxy coaster. The previews were available for May 8th through the 10th, May 15th and 16th, and May 18th through the 21st. ©Disney But, Park Passes for ALL of those dates have now filled up for Incredi Pass holders, as well as other passholder types. So what now? ©Disney Well, there’s no need to fret! Disney has confirmed that Annual Passholders do NOT need to make a separate theme park reservation (a.k.a. Park Pass) to enter EPCOT on the day of their preview. But, Passholders will need valid admission to EPCOT for that date, and applicable Passholder block out dates do apply. ©Disney So, for example, Pixie Dust Pass holders are blocked out on the 8th, 15th, and 21st. That would restrict their ability to go to a preview on any of those dates. ©Disney This is similar to the situation that took place with the previews for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, where Passholders were not required to make a Park Pass to enter on the day of their preview. So if you’re an AP and have registered for your preview date, be sure to keep these rules in mind. And remember that the ride will open to all guests on May 27th! We’ll continue to look for more updates and let you know what we find! Click here to learn about the DVC previews for the new Guardians of the Galaxy ride! Want MORE Details About EPCOT’s MASSIVE Transformation? EPCOT’s Three New Neighborhoods Have Debuted — Learn More Here Learn About the NEW Restaurant Coming to EPCOT – Connections Cafe and Eatery A Starbucks Will Be Inside EPCOT’s New Restaurant – Get More Details Here Go Inside Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure With Us Check Out All of the Tasty Details About La Crêperie de Paris Learn All About Space 220, Which Has Officially OPENED in EPCOT See Spaceship Earth’s Permanent New Nighttime Look Learn More About EPCOT’s New Nighttime Spectacular -- Harmonious The Mary Poppins Attraction is on Hold – Learn More Here What’s Been CUT From the EPCOT Transformation? Learn More About the New PLAY! Pavilion Coming to EPCOT See All the Details You Need to Know About the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Coaster Coming to World Discovery Learn More About Journey of Water -- Inspired by Moana, Coming to World Nature Click HERE for All the News and Details about EPCOT’s Transformation! Join the DFB Newsletter To get all the latest Epcot transformation news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Have you registered for an Annual Passholder preview of this new ride? Tell us in the comments! The post UPDATE on Park Pass Requirements for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Previews in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Why are we calling Disney’s shopping district the best Disney “park?” Because we’ve tracked down some of the GREATEST restaurants here – making Disney Springs more than just a *merchandise paradise!* The Cheese Board Along with the best restaurants, though, we’ve ALSO found some dining options at Disney Springs that’ll make spending money on a $70 spirit jersey over at World of Disney sound like a better deal by the second. Check out our video below Ranking EVERY SINGLE Restaurant in Disney World’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! Watch the video and let us know if a Disney Springs restaurant you want to try. The post DFB Video: Ranking EVERY SINGLE Restaurant in Disney World's BEST "Park" first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

To ensure we are equipping our readers with all the information they need, we will continue to report on all travel, safety, and COVID-related news that could impact a Disney Parks visit. Hong Kong Disneyland has gone through multiple closures and reopenings since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. ©Disney || Hong Kong Disneyland Reopening, June 2020 The most recent closure was originally scheduled to begin on January 7th, 2022, and was supposed to last just over one month, but was then extended through April 20th, an additional two months. We expected this to mean the park would reopen again on April 21st, but Disney hadn’t officially made an announcement — until now! After following health and safety guidelines and shutting its doors to guests, Hong Kong Disneyland will open its gates once again on April 21st, 2022. Hong Kong Disneyland This comes after a nearly four-month closure. Guests will still need valid tickets to enter the park, and will also need to make valid park reservations. ©Disney In addition, guests will be required (by local law) to use the LeaveHomeSafe app and fill out the Vaccine Pass requirements before entering the park. You can read more about this on the Hong Kong Disneyland website. ©Disney For the latest Disney park reopening news and more, be sure to stay tuned to DFB! Click Here to Read the Current Disney World Mask Policy Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Have you been to Hong Kong Disneyland? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Hong Kong Disneyland Announces Reopening Date first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Picture it. You’re in the middle of watching Moon Knight on Disney+. It’s a SUPER suspenseful portion. You’re just sure that something is going to pop out of somewhere or some epic battle is going to begin and then, BAM! You’re hit with…an AD. ©Disney Disney previously announced that they will be launching an ad-supported version of Disney+. The streaming service has operated without ads since it debuted in 2019, but by late 2022, we’ll be seeing a change. What could Disney+ look like when the ads begin? Here’s what we know so far and what we expect! To fully analyze this change, we’re going to take a look at some big questions: What might the ad-supported Disney+ cost and look like? Could the ad-supported version get cheaper? And why is Disney making this change NOW? But before we can get into all that, we need to take a look at the current Disney+ service. What Does Disney+ Cost Now? Currently, Disney+ operates with no ads. A subscription costs $7.99 per month, or $79.99 per year. The platform has many options in terms of Disney content, including Pixar films, movies and TV series from the Marvel and Star Wars franchises, National Geographic documentaries, and much more. Who was your favorite character in Hawkeye? In fact, Disney recently announced that Dancing with the Stars will be making the move over to Disney+, which marks the first live series on this platform. ©ABC There’s also an option to bundle Disney+ with Hulu and ESPN+. For the bundle with ad-supported Hulu, this costs $13.99 per month. With Ad-free Hulu, the bundle costs $19.99 per month. And a Nat Geo Premium subscription was recently announced as well. ©Disney Note that these prices are not the same as when Disney+ launched just a few years ago. Originally, Disney+ cost $6.99 per month, and the bundle with Hulu and ESPN+ was $12.99 per month. The services both increased in cost by $1 almost a year and a half after the service’s debut, in March 2021. You can stream ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ exclusively on Disney+! So what could happen when ads are introduced into the new version of Disney+? Click here to see everything coming to Disney+ in April What Could Ad-Supported Disney+ Look Like? When Disney announced the introduction of an ad-supported Disney+, they clarified that there will be both an ad-supported version and an ad-free version. Disney has said that the ad-supported version will be cheaper than the ad-free one, although they didn’t specify by how much or if it’ll be cheaper than the current subscription price. Black Widow billboard In Disney’s press release, Kareem Daniel, Chairman of Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution, simply said, “Expanding access to Disney+ to a broader audience at a lower price point is a win for everyone—consumers, advertisers, and our storytellers.” Does that mean a lower price point than the current $7.99 price? That seems to be the indication. As CNBC puts it “it’s assumed to be cheaper than Disney’s current ad-free offering, which costs $7.99 per month,” but the official pricing structure hasn’t been announced yet. Perhaps that “lower price point” language only suggests that the ad-supported version will be at a lower price point compared to whatever price ad-free Disney+ will be increased to in the future. Or perhaps the ad-supported version will be cheaper than $7.99, but the ad-free version will also get a price bump. It’s not 100% clear. Disney+ Day Cavalcade Still, if you’re willing to sit through the ads, you’ll be able to pay a lower price for Disney+ as compared to the ad-free version. Click here what countries Disney+ will be coming to soon What Do Other Ad-Supported Streaming Services Cost? To analyze what might happen when Disney+ includes an ad-supported version, we took a look at some other streaming services, including others owned by Disney or where Disney has a majority interest. Let’s start with Hulu (which is majority-owned by the Disney Company). On its own, Hulu has both an ad-supported and ad-free version. The ad-supported one costs $6.99 per month ($1 cheaper than the current ad-free Disney+) or $69.99 for the year ($10 cheaper than the current ad-free Disney+). The ad-free Hulu costs $12.99 per month ($5 MORE than Disney+’s current ad-free version). ©Hulu If Disney+ follows a similar structure, the ad-supported version might remain at a similar price to what we know now (or be slightly cheaper to in fact fulfill that promise of it being at a “lower price point”), while the ad-free version could get a price increase. But, Hulu does have an expansive library, with shows that are different in nature and quantity compared to Disney+. Depending on the number of titles available and the “pull” Disney+ feels it has, it might not do quite as big of an increase, at least not yet. Turning Red is on Disney+ too! Other streaming services with options for ads or no ads include Paramount+ and HBO Max. Paramount+ costs $4.99 per month with ads (or $49.99 if you pay for the full year) and $9.99 per month without ads (or $99.99 if you pay for a year in advance). ©Paramount HBO Max is quite a bit more, with the ad-supported version at $9.99 per month ($99.99 for the full year) and the ads-free version at $14.99 per month ($149.99 if you pay for the full year). ©HBO Max So there’s a fairly wide range in prices for streaming services (from $4.99 per month for ad-supported Paramount+ to $14.99 per month for ad-free HBO Max), but all of them have a common factor of about a $5 to $6 difference between the ad-supported and ad-free versions. Could this become the case with Disney+ as well? It’s possible. Price Comparison If ad-free Disney+ were to remain at the same cost it is now — $7.99 per month — and Disney were to simply add an ad-supported version at a lower cost, could we see a $2.99 per month ad-supported version? Probably not. In the realm of possibilities, it is something that could happen. But it seems unlikely. Disney could keep existing Disney+ prices as-is and perhaps make the ad-supported version $2-3 cheaper. Considering that Paramount+ is $4.99, that might be a price point Disney feels comfortable with. Fans would then have to decide if that savings of $2-3 a month is worth the ads. Or, Disney could increase the cost of the existing ad-free version and introduce the ad-free version for a price that is still slightly cheaper than the current $7.99 price. If it feels like it has the pricing power to do so, Disney could make things more similar to Hulu, where the ad-supported version is around $6, and the ad-free version is closer to $12. Or, Disney could do something else entirely or create a price that is somewhere in the middle of all of this. ©Disney Why might Disney+ follow a Hulu-inspired format? Well, a big reason why Disney could follow this pattern, rather than jump to the slightly less expensive prices of Paramount+ (at least with their ad-supported version) or the more expensive prices of HBO Max, is because Disney owns a majority stake in Hulu. They’ve likely seen the ins and outs of what is happening there, and are taking what they’ve learned from that experience to apply it to Disney+. If Disney is sufficiently pleased with this type of pricing arrangement, they might adopt it (in some form) when the ad-supported Disney+ becomes available. Additionally, it’s unlikely that Disney would make an ad-supported version of Disney+ that is priced at just $3 because…well, money! We’ve seen a trend of price increases for both Disney products and streaming services in general. It likely wouldn’t make financial sense for Disney to lose out on that much financial growth by offering a substantially less expensive version of Disney+ and keeping its current Disney+ prices the same, unless it feels like the less expensive version will dramatically increase subscription numbers or that it simply doesn’t have the pricing power to increase costs yet. Loki Billboard Disney+ has not been the only streaming service to raise subscription prices over the past several months/years. Netflix raised their prices in 2022 from $13.99 per month to $15.49 per month for the standard plan. The premium plan went from $17.99 to $19.99 per month, and the basic plan went from $8.99 to $9.99 per month (Forbes). ©Netflix Based on this information and previous trends, we could see a price increase for the ad-free version coupled with the introduction of the cheaper ad-supported version, or we could see an ad-supported version that isn’t too much less in terms of price. But, only time will tell. Click here for our DFB Disney+ movie marathon Why Is Disney Making This Change? So why is Disney making this change? The answer may seem very obvious, but something BIG changed between 2020 and 2022 that likely impacted Disney’s decision. ©Disney According to the LA Times, Disney executives dismissed the idea of an ad-supported version of Disney+ in 2020. In fact, Disney CFO Christine McCarthy said, “We don’t believe that the consumer experience would be a particularly good one if we had advertising on Disney+.” The idea of ads isn’t new at Disney+. In fact, The Hollywood Reporter shares that back in 2017, then-CEO Bob Iger said that Disney was “not planning to sell ads on the Disney service,” but that there could be some “interesting possibilities in terms of sponsorships versus inserted ads.” According to The Hollywood Reporter, a source that was familiar with some of the internal discussion surrounding ads for the launch of Disney+ said that the overall feeling at Disney was that the smaller price tag, coupled with the smaller library (made mostly of feature-length films), made an ad-supported version unnecessary. Christine McCarthy ©The Walt Disney Company Apparently there’s been a pretty major change of heart within The Walt Disney Company because the ad-supported version was introduced less than 2 years later. So what changed? Consumer Activity Has Changed One possible contributing factor is that people may now be streaming less because of changes in the global pandemic situation. There’s more to do now than sit at home and watch TV! Many people have returned to work, and with more restaurants and other locations open for business, there’s simply more options than just watching TV at home. That wasn’t necessarily the case for much of 2020. If Disney is feeling the “pain” from this change, they might be hoping that a cheaper Disney+ alternative will encourage more subscribers to join the service. Revenue Per Subscriber Disney has also previously reported that the number of subscribers had gone up, while monthly revenue per subscriber went down. For example, during the Q4 earnings call for fiscal year 2021, they explained that “the average monthly revenue per paid subscriber for Disney+ decreased from $4.52 to $4.12 due to a higher mix of Disney+ Hotstar subscribers in the current quarter compared to the prior-year quarter.” Disney+ Hotstar (which operates in India and other locations) includes the Disney content in the Hotstar offering, often resulting in lower revenue. ©Disney But, things have been changing. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2022, average monthly revenue per paid subscriber for domestic Disney+ increased due to an “increase in retail pricing and a lower mix of wholesale subscribers.” The average monthly revenue per paid subscriber for Disney+ Hotstar also increased due to “launches in new territories with higher average prices, partially offset by a higher mix of wholesale subscribers.” Disney could be trying to make up the difference now for some of those lower revenue figures. An increase in revenue from advertisers would likely help. Some agree. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Eric John, VP at the IAB Media Center said, “the ad-supported launch is not just about subscribers, it’s also about revenue per subscriber, which is much higher for ad-supported viewers.” Obi-Wan Kenobi Poster ©Disney The Hollywood Reporter reports that Hulu (which includes an ad-supported tier) draws $12.96 in terms of average monthly revenue per user (even though most people subscribe to the ad-supported version), while Disney+ is only made $6.68. Netflix draws in $14.78 despite a lack of ads, but Netflix is also at a much higher price point than Disney+. If Hulu serves as any example, Disney+’s revenue per user could be significantly greater with the ad-version. The Hollywood Reporter says, “It’s safe to say that Disney+ can expect similar performance, especially with Disney unifying the company’s ad sales division, having the same team sell Disney’s linear channels and streaming services, and with automation making it easier for buyers to buy ads across platforms in one click.” ©The Hollywood Reporter A less-expensive version of the Hulu bundle could then launch after the ad-supported Disney+ version arrives, making things even more enticing for some consumers who are looking to save money. Advertisers Want In It seems advertisers are excited at the chance. According to Rita Ferro (President of Advertising for Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution), “Since its launch, advertisers have been clamoring for the opportunity to be part of Disney+.” With popular brands like Star Wars, Marvel, and Pixar on the service, advertisers likely see Disney+ as a promising market for commercials, particularly ones directed at the family audience. So much Disney+ decor! According to The Hollywood Reporter, a source confirmed to them that there has been a lot of interest expressed in reaching Disney+ subscribers, particularly when it comes to popular Marvel and Star Wars series on the streaming service. More Money In addition to the simple goal of making more money, Disney has undoubtedly realized that their streaming service is much less expensive than some of their biggest rivals. Disney+ is ad-free right now and costs $7.99 per month. Other ad-free services cost $15.49 per month (Netflix) or $15 per month (HBO Max), a difference of at least $7. ©William Antonelli/Business Insider So the market seems to indicate that Disney has room for price increases when it comes to ad-free streaming. But, Disney seems to be well aware of its content and appears to be trying to set prices it feels are appropriate. During the 2020 Media, Communications & Entertainment Conference held earlier this year, Christine McCarthy, The Walt Disney Company’s Senior Executive Vice President & CFO, said that the price of Disney+ would likely go up in the future as the volume of content increases on the service. McCarthy explained that “When more content is on the service, we’ll have some pricing power.” ©Disney Disney+ increased prices in early 2021, but has not made any price changes since then. Things on the streaming service, however, HAVE changed. Disney has announced more Disney+ news about upcoming offerings or has released new content like Moon Knight and Cheaper by the Dozen. Perhaps now Disney will feel that it is at a point where it can increase some prices and then introduce a cheaper ad-supported version because it has sufficient content on the service to give it that pricing power. Disney Has “Solved” The “Film Experience Problem” One thing that might have previously held Disney back from incorporating ads in the service is what The Hollywood Reporter calls the “film experience problem.” Basically, this stems from a statement by Disney CFO Christine McCarthy from back in 2020, where she said that Disney+ has a high volume of films on the service and they don’t think the consumer experience would be good with ads. But, Disney might have found a solution to that. The Hollywood Reporter shares that Disney shared some technology during a demo to advertising partners in March that showed the “new movie-specific ad formats it plans to bring to its streaming services.” ©Disney These included a sponsored trivia format ad based on the movie being watched. There was also an ad called “Let’s All Go to the Pantry” which could let individuals order “concessions” from their couch. This could minimize the interruptions of the consumer experience and those “annoying ad breaks” by formatting ads in a different way. ©Disney The number of ads on Disney+ is also something being considered. The Hollywood Reporter shares that data from MediaRadar shows that Hulu has 12 ads per hour for original shows, and 13.8 ads per hour for licensed content on the service. Peacock has 8.7 ads per hour, HBO Max has 9.3 ads per hour, and Paramount+ has 23.8 ads per hour. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney CFO Christine McCarthy has “confirmed” that Disney+ would have a lower ad count. But some warn that the temptation to increase the ads could grow. Subscriber Goals Finally, The Walt Disney Company has declared a lofty subscribers goal for Disney+. In December of 2020, Disney set their goal to have 230 to 260 million subscribers by the end of the fiscal year 2024. They have continued to reach for that goal with a fairly steady increase in subscribers, even exceeding analyst expectations at times. ©Disney || Bob Chapek In April of 2020, Disney+ had 50 million subscribers. By March of 2021, the service surpassed 100 million subscribers. In August of 2021, Disney reported a total of 116 million subscribers, and by October there were 118.1 million subscribers. Most recently (as of January 1st, 2022), Disney reported 129.8 million total subscribers for Disney+. Disney+ Day Decor Although the numbers have continued to increase, the rate of growth has slowed considerably. Between October 2020 and October 2021, we saw a 60% increase. However, from January 2021 to January 2022, there was only a 37% increase. If that rate stays even and doesn’t drop further Disney could still reach their subscriber goal. That could mean 177.8 million subscribers in January 2023 and 243.6 million subscribers in January 2024 (again, this is just assuming a 37% increase each time). New billboards in Animation Courtyard But the rate of growth might not stay even. It has dropped quite a bit over the last few years, and could drop again. So Disney may push for another boost in subscribers with a lower-priced ad-supported system in order to reach their goals. So, is Disney worried about their ability to reach that goal? At least according to Disney it’s not. The Hollywood Reporter shares that Disney CFO Christine McCarthy said, “Is this a Hail Mary? No, it’s not…We certainly welcome it if it drives more consumers, more subscribers, if it improves ARPU, but we are really doing it because of consumer choice.” The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Whatever the reason, it’s clear that Disney has changed their mind about ad-supported steaming, and we’ll be seeing exactly what this will look like for Disney+ before the end of 2022. What do you think? Would an ad-supported Disney+ be something of interest to you? Tell us in the comments! And keep following DFB for more of the latest Disney news! Click here to see how mature Marvel content has brought parental controls to Disney+ 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 watch on Disney+? Let us know in the comments! The post What the Disney+ Ad-Supported Subscription Could Mean For You first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

With Earth Day coming up on April 22, both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort are serving up limited-edition delights inspired by the world around us. As we celebrate our beautiful Earth this month, our chefs and mixologists at Disney Parks have put their creativity to the plate and cup with some truly wild treats. These delicious goodies […]View the full article

The countdown to the opening of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT is here! We’re getting REAL close to opening day. The attraction is set to open to the general public on May 27th, 2022, and recent peeks inside the ride are generating a LOT of excitement. Recently, we told you that select groups, including DVC members, D23 Gold members, Annual Passholders, and Cast Members, would be able to register for an EARLY preview of the new attraction, and the TIME HAS ARRIVED! Registration is NOW open for DVC members to snag a time slot to preview Cosmic Rewind before it officially opens! Eligible DVC members should have received an email regarding the registration details, but you can also find the registration link here. Once you click the link, you will be placed in a virtual queue until it’s your turn to register. ©Disney The queue opened at 9AM, so be sure to hop on as soon as you can and have your Member ID number handy to grab your spot! We expect these slots to be filled VERY quickly. ©Disney With new attractions at Disney getting similar hyped-up launches lately, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is no different. The much-anticipated attraction is slated to be one of the LONGEST fully enclosed roller coasters in the world, and the first Disney coaster to utilize a reverse launch. The innovative ride vehicles will rotate a full 360 degrees as the coaster moves, turning guests to face different scenes in the Guardians of the Galaxy universe (think: Haunted Mansion Doom Buggies, only faster). And the coaster is considered family-friendly, so the kiddos can ride as long as they meet the height requirements! Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Ride Vehicle Stick with DFB as we prepare for the arrival of Cosmic Rewind! We’ll be sure to bring you ALL the details on the newest attraction in EPCOT as soon as we hear them. Click here for EVERYTHING you need to know about Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind 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 planning to make a trip to Disney to check out this ride? Let us know down below! The post BREAKING: Disney Vacation Club Previews Now Open for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Does anyone else ever wish you could skip work, school, or daily chores and go right to your next Disney World vacation? We may not have a magic remote that can fast-forward us to Florida, but we do have some exciting news that might make time FLY by in anticipation! Recently, Disney announced that the long-awaited Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction is officially opening in EPCOT on May 27th, but the ride will see a few select passengers ahead of the big opening day. ©Disney Disney World guests who are part of a few select groups may be able to preview EPCOT’s first rollercoaster early. If you’re a Disney World Annual Passholder, we’ve got a BIG update for you about these exclusive previews! Earlier in April, Disney World president Jeff Vahle announced that Disney Cast Members would soon be able to preview Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT. Now, it’s Annual Passholders’ turn! We can’t wait! Right now, Annual Passholders can book a reservation to preview Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Previews are available on May 8th through the 10th, May 15th and 16th, and May 18th through the 21st. Reservations are subject to availability. According to the Disney World website, Annual Passholders should bring their pass, a photo ID, and a printed copy of the confirmation page showing their reservations to preview the coaster. It’s been a while since we first heard about this new attraction, so if you need a little refresher, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is Disney’s first reverse launch, 360-degree spinning “storycoaster“. The attraction is expected to take guests on an adventure through time and space in a HUGE building (we previewed the building — it is REALLY big). Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Attraction Vehicle Disney hasn’t revealed any information about how the new attraction will work with Disney Genie+, but we’ll be sure to fill you in when Disney makes an announcement! Based on the popularity of EPCOT’s other new attraction, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, we have a feeling this new ride is going to be VERY popular. ©Disney We’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so be sure to stay tuned for all the latest updates! ALERT: There Is Now a ZEBRA DOME DRINK 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. Are you excited to ride EPCOT’s newest attraction? Let us know in the comments! The post BREAKING: Annual Passholder Previews for Guardians of the Galaxy Ride Open NOW first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

New music streams out of Epcot’s American Adventure rotunda. Disney World pianist Carol Stein begins new gig. View the full article