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As we continue to celebrate Women’s History Month, let’s turn the spotlight on four female cast members from Hong Kong Disneyland who share their stories and thoughts to inspire us all to be our best selves and to create a better tomorrow: Eleanor, Custodial Eleanor’s hard work ethic, optimism and independence shines through both her personal and professional life. She supported her […]View the full article

Theme park memorable moment from Disney, Universal, SeaWorld Orlando attractions View the full article

Been craving a hug from Mickey Mouse? Or maybe a photo of your little one interacting with Minnie Mouse? Well, character meet-and-greets have been different lately, but things might be changing soon! Hey Minnie Mouse! While you might have been used to autographs and hugs from Disney characters prior to the pandemic, the situation with COVID-19 changed the meet-and-greet situation substantially. Previously, characters were only available for guests to say “hello” to from a distance (sometimes a pretty significant difference). Then, some more traditional meet-and-greets returned, still with distancing requirements (a.k.a. no autographs, no hugs, and no up-close contact). But, Disney has just given us a sign that things could be very different soon! Back in early March of 2022, Christine McCarthy, Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of the Walt Disney Company, said that face-to-face meet-and-greets should be returning to the Disney Parks “soon.” We’ve been waiting on an announcement from Disney since that time and…it seems like that time is almost here! Oh My! Today, via the Disney Parks TikTok, Disney shared a video of Mickey Mouse at a meet-and-greet area. In the video, an individual removes the rope from the stanchion that would traditionally block guests from getting close to the characters. Mickey then waves his hand over, as if to say “come on closer!” and even makes a gesture as though he is giving a hug! In the comments section, the Disney Parks account shared that details will be shared tomorrow. Sounds like a very BIG announcement regarding face-to-face character meet-and-greets could be in store. We’ll be sure to share all of the latest details with you as soon as we learn more! How Exciting! Given the recent changes we’ve seen in the parks, in terms of many other things returning to “normal,” parades coming back, and other spots reopening, the news of character meet-and-greets potentially changing is not necessarily surprising, but is surely very exciting for fans who have yearned for “normal” meet-and-greets to return. Again, be sure to check back with us tomorrow for all of the latest updates! Click here to see what COVID-19 change is quietly going back to normal! 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 character would you most like to meet in Disney World? Tell us in the comments! The post VIDEO: Disney Teases BIG Character Meet-and-Greet Announcement! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you think you’ve eaten everything there is to try in Disney World, get ready for a whole bunch of NEW food to munch on! ©Disney Recently, we’ve seen some pretty significant menu changes hit the Hollywood Brown Derby in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Backlot Express in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Space 220 in EPCOT. But soon guests will have a whole NEW restaurant to try — Connections Cafe and Eatery in EPCOT (and Connections Cafe will even have a Starbucks!). Earlier today we shared a first look at some of the items guests will be able to enjoy at Connections Eatery, but now we’ve got the FULL lunch and dinner menu. Let’s check it out! Connections Eatery’s menu starts off with some burgers and chicken options, including a French Bistro Burger, Hand-breaded Chicken Sandwich, and Southwestern Burger. ©Disney The prices range from $11.99 to $12.99. ©Disney Feeling a pizza instead? There’s some of that too including a meatball pizza and pepperoni pizza. ©Disney Prices are between $10.49 and $10.99. ©Disney If you want a salad, there are two options there. There’s also a curry spice pizza on the menu, which is plant-based. There are also a few sides available, including a Mediterranean Side Salad. The salads are $10.29-$11.49, while the plant-based pizza is $10.99, and the sides range from $1.99 to $4.49. ©Disney Kids have the option of a cheeseburger, chicken bao, chicken nuggets, and a pizza. These are priced between $7.49-$7.99. ©Disney And the menu lists the Liege Waffle for dessert ($5.29) along with 2 shakes (both priced at $7.29). ©Disney You can also opt for a number of beverages to go with your meal including the Watermelon-Mint Agua Fresca, hot tea, beer, wine… …or a specialty cocktail. ©Disney The Cucumber and Thai Basil Cooler (a specialty cocktail) is priced at $14. ©Disney If you have an allergy, you can also glance through the allergy-friendly menus for this spot. There are a variety listed online for different allergy types. ©Disney And that’s a look at the lunch/dinner menu for Connections Eatery! Keep in mind that this spot is set to open this spring, though no exact date has been shared yet. ©Disney Want to see more photos of what some of this food will look like? CLICK HERE to see more food photos for Connections Eatery! We’ll be on the lookout for more updates and we’ll let you know what we find. Stay tuned for all the latest Disney news! Click here to see where you can get BREAKFAST at a Flower & Garden Festival booth in EPCOT 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! What do you think about the menu and prices? Tell us in the comments! The post NEWS: FULL MENU with PRICES Released for Connections Eatery in EPCOT first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Every day brings us just a little bit closer to the inaugural voyage of the Disney Wish cruise ship (and we can hardly wait!). We’ve gotten so many details recently about what will be coming to the Wish like what entertainment, food, and merchandise will be available onboard! It’s setting sail soon! Today, the Disney Wish hit another huge milestone on its way to being seaworthy ahead of its inaugural sail on July 14th! The cruise ship was being constructed in Germany at a shipyard called Meyer Werft. On February 11th, Disney Wish finally hit water for the first time, and today, it is on its way to the Netherlands before it heads out into the North Sea for sea trials, according to the Orlando Sentinel. The Disney Wish The Disney Wish is the first of three new ships coming to the Disney Cruise Line fleet over the next few years. The second and third unnamed ships are set to be coming in 2024 and 2025. It joins four other ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet: the Disney Magic, the Disney Wonder, the Disney Dream, and the Disney Fantasy. ©Disney The Disney Wish is notable because it will be the biggest in Disney’s fleet and is the first ship to feature Minnie as captain of the ship rather than Mickey, and her picture can even be found on the front of the ship. ©Disney Disney Wish is also making history as the cruise ship with the Disney’s first ever attraction at sea, the AquaMouse. There’s certainly more news to come as the Disney Wish prepares to set sail out of Cape Canaveral this July, so stay tuned to DFB for all the latest updates! Check out actual photos of the Disney Wish here! 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 Have you ever been on a Disney Cruise? Let us know in the comments! The post We Are One Step Closer to Being Able to Sail On the Disney Wish Cruise Ship! 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. If we know one thing about Disney, it’s that the holiday season can NEVER come too early. Holiday joy! At the Disney parks, holiday decorations pop up right after Halloween ends (sometimes before), and holiday festivals aren’t far behind! We’ve even seen mid-summer holiday merchandise reveals. But are we REALLY ready to get in the holiday spirit right now? If you’re a fan of Little Golden Books, Santa, or Disneyland (or all three!), the answer might be YES! We found an adorable Little Golden Book available for pre-order on Amazon, set to release on September 6, 2022. Hey Santa! The classic, vintage-looking cover features Santa holding his big sack of toys and a candy cane, while a pair of elves lead the way to Sleeping Beauty Castle. Inside, the book will follow Santa as he visits memorable Disneyland locations before hopping in his sleigh to deliver toys around the world. ©Amazon Written and illustrated by Imagineer Ethan Reed, this fun and festive story book is perfect for children ages 2-5, Disneyland fans, and Little Golden Book collectors. You can pre-order your copy for $5.99. Get your holidays started with this Santa Stops at Disneyland Little Golden Book! Whether you’ve already started your list for Santa, or you’re always on the lookout for a festive gift for a Disney-loving kiddo (or kiddo-at-heart), stick with DFB to see all the latest Disney merchandise news. 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 ready to start your holiday shopping yet? Tell us in the comments! The post We'll Take This Little Golden Disney Book in Our Stocking, Santa! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Hundreds of Disney VoluntEARS laced up their bowling shoes this weekend as they participated in the Junior Achievement of Central Florida’s annual Bowl-A-Thon event. More than $100,000 was FUN-raised to help provide students with work-readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy educational opportunities. Take a look at the fun had while making a world difference – one […]View the full article

Is there anything better than a Mickey pretzel? Especially with a side of plastic cheese? This salty snack is hard to beat, which is probably why Disney has been releasing so many new items inspired by this fan-favorite! Mickey Pretzel We’ve seen Mickey pretzel ears, and we’ve seen a Mickey pretzel spirit jersey, and now, we’ve seen a Mickey pretzel Loungefly backpack. We spotted this backpack at the Creations Shop in EPCOT today. These backpacks are a pale yellow with Mickey pretzels covering the bag, with salt flakes sprinkled in between them. Mickey Pretzel Loungefly backpacks! And of course, they have a huge Mickey pretzel pocket front and center. Mickey pretzel-shaped pocket Just like the other items in the collection, this bag is scented to smell like a pretzel! The theming of the bag even extends to the inside as the pattern of the fabric on the inside lining looks like salt sprinkles, complete with Mickey-shaped salt. Even the inside of the bag looks like a pretzel! We spotted these backpacks at the Creations Shop in EPCOT for $85. We’ll be sure to let you know if we see them anywhere else, so stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news! Click here to see the Mickey taco backpack from Loungefly! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think of this new backpack? Let us know in the comments! The post Finally! A Mickey Pretzel That'll Last Forever (And is Zero Calories!) first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Peanut butter and jelly. Macaroni and cheese. Mickey and Minnie. Some things just make sense together. Mickey and Minnie And now we think we may have found another iconic pairing in Disney World — cold brew coffee and ice cream. We were taking a stroll through Disney’s Animal Kingdom when we spotted two NEW coffee drinks at Dino-Bite Snacks, and we just so happen to think that one of them is almost as iconic as milk and cookies — let’s check ’em out! We took a trip back a few thousand years over to Dinoland U.S.A. in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and while we were there we happened to find the Cold Brew Coffee Ice Cream Float from Dino-Bite Snacks for $5.99! Dino-Bite Snacks This treat is made with Joffrey’s Cold Brew Coffee and Haagen Dazs Vanilla Ice Cream — which sounds like the best partnership since Disney and Pixar joined forces if you ask us! You can also choose to substitute regular cold brew for the Shakin’ Jamaican Cold Brew, which has notes of caramel and vanilla flavors. Cold Brew Coffee Ice Cream Float Our ice cream melted pretty quickly, but we really didn’t mind as it mellowed out the coffee flavor and acted as milk in our coffee. We could definitely taste the vanilla from the ice cream and it made for a smooth and not-too-sweet. You can add an additional syrup flavor for $0.50, but our Cast Member recommended going without since the ice cream is sweet enough on its own! Deliciously sweet and smooth! If you love sweet and creamy coffee, you should definitely give this a shot — but if you like your coffee black and not sweet (or just don’t like coffee) this drink probably isn’t for you. We also tried the Shakin’ Jamaican Cold Brew with Caramel Syrup. We added the caramel syrup to our drink for $0.50, and we’re glad we did! This cold brew coffee was super sweet and we didn’t find the need to add any cream or sugar. The caramel flavor was definitely there, but it didn’t overpower the coffee at all and reminded us of the Caramel Crunch from Starbucks! Shakin’ Jamaican Cold Brew with Caramel Syrup We’d recommend stirring the coffee WELL before taking your first sip if you’ve added any flavor syrups, as they tend to sink to the bottom. If you love flavored coffees but not the sweetness, we’d probably skip the syrup and opt for the Shakin’ Jamaican Cold Brew on its own — but for $4.29, we just might have to get this again (and maybe add some ice cream to it, we like to dream big). Something about coffee in Disney World just hits different. For more Disney World food reviews and all things Disney parks news, be sure to stay tuned to Disney Food Blog! 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 coffee drink you’ve had in Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: Cold Brew with ICE CREAM?! Say No More, Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

EPCOT is undergoing some massive changes right now, and a whole bunch of new things are on the way! Connections Cafe A new Moana-themed attraction and the new Guardians of the Galaxy coaster are just some of the many new things that will soon be added to EPCOT. Another new thing fans will soon be able to experience in this park has to do with something so integral to our very being that it’s in our name…FOOD (we are Disney Food Blog after all!). Connections Cafe & Eatery will bring a new Starbucks location and more treats to this iconic park, and though we’ve already gotten a look at the space’s design and more, today we got some HUGE news. Today, Disney shared a FIRST LOOK at some of the new dishes that fans will be able to munch on once the Connections Eatery opens up this spring! ©Disney The restaurant will be quick-service, and will draw inspiration from the many cuisines you can find all around the world. According to Disney, “the purpose of Connections Eatery is to show us how food has the power to bring us together if we open our minds (and our stomachs)!” ©Disney Guests will get to see the chefs in action as they make final touches on some sweet treats or craft the perfect pizza dough. But enough about the space, let’s talk about the FOOD! First up, we’ve got some burgers and sandwiches. The menu will include a French Bistro Burger with Caramelized Onion, Bacon, Brie, Mushrooms and Dijon Mayonnaise… ©Disney …a Southwestern Burger with a roasted chipotle-corn salsa and guacamole spread… ©Disney …a Vietnamese-inspired Banh Mi Burger… ©Disney …and also a Greek-inspired Mediterranean Burger. Sounds like quite the selection for sandwich and burger fans! ©Disney There will also be salads, including a Niçoise-style Salad with potatoes, white and green beans, and olives drizzled with a delicious Dijon vinaigrette… ©Disney …and a General Tso Chicken Salad, which will have a Petite Kale Blend, Broccoli Slaw, Red Bell Pepper, Mandarin Oranges, Edamame, Crispy Wontons, Warm Fried Chicken and General Tso’s Dressing. ©Disney Then, we come to the pizzas! There will be 4 pizzas available, including a Meatball Pizza… ©Disney …Curry Spice Pizza, topped with carrots, potato, peas, and lime “yogurt” (which appears to be plant-based)… ©Disney …and a Pepperoni Pizza with Pepperoni, San Marzano Tomato and Basil Sauce, Mozzarella Blend and a Petite Side Salad. Kiddos will have some specific kid-friendly options here too. The kids menu will include a Grilled Chicken Bao, Chicken Nuggets Basket, and Cheeseburger. ©Disney And (of course) you’ve got to leave room for dessert! The Liege Waffle will be one of Connections Eatery’s dessert options. This is made with brioche yeast dough stuffed with pearl sugar and finished with some fun toppings. ©Disney There will be some unique drinks to pick from too including shakes! Specifically, Disney has shared that there will be a Mango-Coconut Milk Shake, topped off with a pomegranate molasses drizzle… ©Disney …and an Apple Pie Gelato Shake! YUM! ©Disney Other beverages will be available at this spot too, including a Watermelon-Mint Agua Fresca (alcohol-free)… ©Disney …wines and draft beers, and even a Cucumber and Thai Basil Cooler (alcoholic). ©Disney As we mentioned, Connections Cafe will feature a Starbucks inside which will be designed to fit its surroundings. We can’t wait to see what this all looks like and share our FULL thoughts with you. Connections Cafe and Eatery Remember that Connections Cafe & Easter is set to open in the spring of 2022. Stay tuned for more updates! Click here to see what’s new at EPCOT! 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! Which of these items are you most excited to try? Tell us in the comments! The post FIRST LOOK at the FOOD Coming to Connections Eatery in EPCOT first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

At Disney, we are leveraging technology to power our businesses, unlock new areas of storytelling, and create experiences that are unlike anything else in the world. From augmented reality to mobile ordering and reservation systems, technology is transforming the way guests and cast experience our parks. Behind the scenes of these transformative projects, you’ll find […]View the full article

Don’t go on your upcoming Disney World trip without first reading this update! Magic Kingdom Right now, we’re taking a look at all the Disney World rides, hotels, and attractions that are scheduled to be CLOSED in Disney World in April. If you’re planning an April trip to the parks, make sure to take a look so that you’re not caught off guard by these closures! Each of the 4 Disney World parks has at least one closure set for this month. Remember that some unexpected closures can happen as well, such as if there’s bad weather or technical difficulties. You can’t always plan for those ones, but you CAN be prepared for the closures we have listed here. Let’s take a look. Magic Kingdom The Walt Disney World Railroad The Walt Disney World Railroad is still closed in Magic Kingdom, and it has been for quite a long time now! In fact, the ride hasn’t been running since late 2018. And Disney hasn’t announced a reopening date for it yet. Walt Disney World Railroad is closed The Railroad closed for construction on the upcoming TRON Lightcycle Power Run roller coaster, since some of the tracks were interrupted over near Tomorrowland. Currently, a stretch of railroad tracks has been removed, and the train can’t resume its usual loop around Magic Kingdom until those are replaced. WDW Railroad station We have, however, spotted the train testing in some areas of the park recently! When we asked a Cast Member about the testing, they told us that it’s important to run the engine from time to time in order to keep it in good shape. So while we love to see the train passing by, it’s probably not a sign that it’ll reopen soon. Spotted testing! We also saw some progress on the tunnel near TRON Lightcycle Run, which we’re assuming the train will run through when the roller coaster is completed and the Railroad is ready to reopen. This is an exciting step in the right direction! For right now, the Railroad is set to remain closed at least through early June, which is as far as Disney’s refurbishments calendar goes as of writing. We’re expecting this ride to stay closed until construction on the TRON roller coaster is complete, but Disney hasn’t given an opening date for that ride. Click here for a BIG update on the TRON Lightcycle Run construction. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Expedition Everest Expedition Everest, a major roller coaster in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, is currently closed for refurbishments. Expedition Everest Disney announced that the coaster would be closed through mid-April 2022, but right now it’s on the refurbishments schedule until May 1st, 2022. Expedition Everest is closed right now It’s possible that Disney simply hasn’t updated the ride’s reopening date, and Expedition Everest could open sooner than May 1st. We’ll keep you updated if we see any more information about its return! Finding Nemo: The Musical “Finding Nemo: The Musical” is not available at this time. When this show does return, it’ll actually be a NEW show called “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…And Beyond!” Finding Nemo: The Musical The new show features a storyline and characters from Finding Dory, the sequel to Finding Nemo. Disney has said that some of the music from the original musical — including fan-favorite “Go With the Flow” — will be returning in the new version of the musical. Click here to learn more about the new Finding Dory show. Disney’s Hollywood Studios Voyage of the Little Mermaid The Voyage of the Little Mermaid show is currently closed in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Voyage of the Little Mermaid Disney hasn’t announced a reopening date for this show. But fans of The Little Mermaid can still head over to Magic Kingdom to ride Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid in the meantime! Fantasmic! The beloved nighttime show Fantasmic! hasn’t returned to Hollywood Studios yet, but Disney has announced that this show will reopen sometime in 2022. Fantasmic! We don’t have a specific reopening date yet, but we do know that the show will feature some new characters, scenes, and stunts when it returns. Star Wars: Galactic Spectacular And a third show is also unavailable in Hollywood Studios. Star Wars: Galactic Spectacular, a nighttime show on the Chinese Theater, is temporarily unavailable. Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular ©Disney Disney hasn’t announced yet when the show will return to this park. But in the meantime, you can enjoy the other nighttime shows in this area, Wonderful World of Animation and Disney Movie Magic. See a complete list of showtimes in Disney’s Hollywood Studios here. EPCOT Souk-Al-Magreb Gift Shop The only thing scheduled to be closed in EPCOT in April is the Souk-Al-Magreb: Gifts of Morocco gift shop in the Morocco pavilion at World Showcase. Souk-al-Magreb This gift shop could reopen on April 24th, 2022, which is when it disappears from the refurbishments calendar. But Disney hasn’t officially announced the reopening date, and we’ve seen the shop disappear and return to the refurbishments schedule a couple of times in the past. Find out how 5 EPCOT lounges have changed in a BIG way. Disney World Hotels Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Most of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will remain open for guests this April. But this hotel began construction in March on some new DVC Resort Studios, which will replace the guest rooms in the Big Pine Key building of this resort. Grand Floridian Studio Preview As of March 31st, these rooms are available to book for both DVC Members and the general public. The rooms are expected to open sometime in the summer of 2022. The new rooms have a Mary Poppins Returns theme, with pastel colors and a lot of cute, subtle nods to the story. Bathroom vanity area of the new rooms The Grand Floridian is also working to update some existing DVC villas by adding new pull-down beds to the rooms. Click here to take a virtual tour of the new DVC Resort Studios. Disney World Hotel Pools A few Disney World hotel pools are going to be closed for at least part of April. The Samawati Springs Pool at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is currently closed, and it’s expected to remain closed through all of April. It should reopen after this month, though. While this pool is closed, guests can use the Uzima Springs Pool (also located at this hotel) instead. Samawati Springs Pool The Martinique Village Pool at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is also closed, and it’ll be closed through mid-April, 2022. During its closure, several other pools at Caribbean Beach will remain open for guests to use. Martinique Village Pool And finally, the Cozy Cone Pool at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is currently closed. It’s expected to reopen sometime in mid-April as well. Cozy Cone pool is closed right now. Guests can visit the Flippin’ Fins Pool or the Big Blue Pool (both at Art of Animation Resort) during this pool’s closure. Click here to learn about a UNIQUE Disney World hotel that you should STOP ignoring. Disney World Water Parks Blizzard Beach The Blizzard Beach water park is currently closed. Disney hasn’t announced a reopening date for this park yet. Ski Lift at Blizzard Beach But the good news is that Typhoon Lagoon — Disney World’s other water park — is still open for guests! On the weekends, this park is even showing an extra hour of opening time, when it’ll be open until 6PM instead of 5PM. See how Annual Passholders can save big on water park tickets in Disney World. That’s it for our list of everything that will be closed in Disney World in April! Keep following DFB for more tips and updates as you plan your upcoming vacation. Visiting Disney World later this year? See everything that will be closed in Disney World in 2022. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you visiting Disney World this spring? Let us know in the comments. The post All the Disney World Hotels and Rides that Are CLOSED This April first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Connections Café and Eatery will soon open its doors to hungry patrons. But this isn’t your average dining location. It’s a unique experience, embracing the cultures from around the world and bringing them to you in true EPCOT fashion. In case you didn’t know, this new location will officially be opening Spring 2022!View the full article

There are so many fun things to do in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom From seeing exotic animals on a safari vehicle to taking a ride on a Banshee in Pandora to enjoying all the fun details in Dinoland, U.S.A. to viewing a Broadway-quality show based on The Lion King, you’ll never run out of things to do here. We’ve been to Animal Kingdom recently to check out everything NEW that’s happening, so let’s get on with some updates! Animal Kingdom Merchandise Updates Riverside Depot We found two new Characters on Parade Pins — they look like coins on the outside. There’s a Roger Rabbit Pit and a Pinocchio Pin. Characters on Parade Each Pin opens up, though! The Roger Rabbit Pin opens up with a Roger Rabbit “Surprise!” Roger Rabbit! The Pinocchio Pin opens up to reveal a Pinocchio scene! It’s Pinocchio These pins are $19.99 each. Here Are ALL of the Special Celebrations Coming for EARTH DAY at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! Discovery Trading Company We’re still losing our minds over the new 50th anniversary Disney x Coach collection. We found the Mickey Mouse Coach Slides at Discovery Trading Company. Mickey Slides You can grab these slides for $110. Check Out More of the Coach Collection Here! That’s it — those are all the updates! But stay tuned because we’ll be back soon with more! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. When were you last at Animal Kingdom? Let us know in the comments! The post What's New in Disney's Animal Kingdom: Pins and Coach Mickey Slides 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. When it comes time to buy a gift for a friend or family member, it can be hard to know what to get. Would they rather have a new pair of Minnie ears, or a spirit jersey? It can be hard to decide! That’s why you can never go wrong with a gift card. Mickey Gift Card Disney gift cards can be used on Disney merchandise, towards the cost of your ticket, and even to pay for food in the parks! Disney gift cards can be purchased both in the parks and online, and Disney just released a bunch of new designs on shopDisney! Marvel fans will love this new Avengers gift card… ©Disney …this Black Panther gift card… ©Disney …and this Captain Marvel gift card. ©Disney We also spotted this Boba Fett gift card… ©Disney …and this Stitch gift card, too! ©Disney Disney gift cards are available online for $25, $50, $100, $150, $200, and $500. We’ll keep our eyes peeled for more gift card designs, so stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news! Click here for a first look at all of the merchandise coming to the Disney Wish! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Which gift card design is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! The post Marvel Fans Will Want to See These New Disney Gift Card Designs first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Cruise ships still can get COVID-19 on board, but now the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has removed its risk assessment for the beleaguered form of travel. View the full article

Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Bill (what critics have deemed the “Don’t Say Gay” Bill) has been extensively covered by the news over the past several weeks. It’s likely something you’ve heard discussed on your local news station, or seen discussed online and a variety of news sites. Welcome to Disney World Here at DFB we’ve been sharing updates with you regarding this Bill (now law) as it relates to Disney, specifically with respect to Disney’s responses to the Bill, criticisms of Disney’s responses, and what former Disney executives, current Disney employees, and more have had to say on the topic. Most recently, Disney spoke out against the passage of the Bill and Florida’s Governor issued a response. We’ve already seen how Disney’s actions have impacted employees, Governors, and more, but now Disney’s actions and responses in relation to this Bill could have other big consequences. Spencer Roach, a Republican Representative in Florida’s House of Representatives (representing District 79) has posted a Tweet about Disney, the “Don’t Say Gay” Bill, and some actions certain legislators are looking at taking. According to Representative Roach, certain Florida legislators recently had a meeting (the second meeting in a week, actually) to discuss the repeal of the 1967 Reedy Creek Improvement Act, an act that is key to Disney acting essentially as its own government (more on this below). Roach said “If Disney wants to embrace woke ideology, it seems fitting that they should be regulated by Orange County.” Never heard of the Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID)? Well, as we mentioned above, it is critical to how Disney World functions today. We’ve covered it a bit more in depth in a previous article, but we’ll share some key things you need to know right here. For starters, we want to point out that our friends over at AllEars have a fantastic article on this topic written by Disney historian Jim Korkis that we’ve used for reference. In 1967, the then-governor of Florida signed a law that created the RCID. The governor also signed some acts that ultimately formed 2 incorporated cities within the RCID — Bay Lake and Reedy Creek (Reedy Creek was later renamed to the City of Lake Buena Vista). Yes, there are legit cities within Disney World property. Reedy Creek Fire Department ©Reedy Creek RCID is a “multi-purpose district that provides essential public services, regulates building codes, land use and environmental protections, and tries to provide direction for the efficient operation of Walt Disney World property.” Basically, an improvement district (like the RCID) acts as its own political subdivision. It functions through a Board of Directors (composed of property owners) which govern the district. On what topics is the district allowed to make decisions? Well, a lot. The district has wide authority when it comes to governing its designated area. Decision-making power covers everything from imposing taxes and adopting ordinances to contracting for professional services, pest control, and more. Magic Kingdom Entrance The Reedy Creek website notes that the RCID is tasked with overseeing land use, providing essential services, regulating certain building codes, and operating all public roadways. In other words, the RCID basically has jurisdiction over Disney World property, so it essentially functions like its own separate county. EPCOT Why is that so important? Well, having that level of control means that Disney has a lot more freedom and power over making decisions about things within the district. According to historian Jim Korkis, “If it wanted to, the district could build its own airport or nuclear power plant.” That Board of Directors that governs the land? Well the Board of supervisors has to be made of landowners. But Disney owns the land in the district, right? Right. So to get around this issue, Disney sells blocks of undeveloped land to the supervisors. The supervisors then have to sell the land back to Disney when their terms are done. Suitability Ratings Map ©Reedy Creek Improvement District Votes from the landowners are proportional to the land owned. Disney owns the land. The landowners vote the supervisors into power. You catch our drift here? The design essentially lets Disney govern its own property. What would happen if the RCID wasn’t established? Well, Disney would have to go to county government leaders and regulators to get approval on all kinds of different internal projects. That could cause some complications, slow things down, and greatly impact what Disney is able to do. Animal Kingdom Because of the creation of the RCID, many achievements were made that essentially wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. The creation of “EPCOT Building Codes”, the fact that Disney was able to build Cinderella Castle out of fiberglass, and Disney World’s trash system are just some of the things that were made possible because of the RCID. If the 1967 Reedy Creek Improvement Act is repealed, as appears to be the goal of Representative Roach, that could equal dramatic changes when it comes to how Disney operates, the steps it needs to take to get certain things approved, and the actions it is able to take in the future. Disney World’s property is located partially in Orange County, Florida and partially in Osceola County, Florida. This already impacts things like taxes, but it could also mean many more complications should the Reedy Creek Improvement District go away. Walt Disney World Of course, Representative Roach’s Tweet only indicates that meetings have been held with certain representatives on this topic, nothing more. Further formal action would need to be taken to actually repeal the Act that created the RCID, and those actions would take time. Still, the mere threat of this type of action is not necessarily great news for Disney. We’ll continue to keep an eye out for any updates and let you know what we see. To see another discussion on the RCID, check out our video below about why Disney World is basically its own country. And check back for more updates. Click here to learn about 6 times Disney fought the law…and WON Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post Could a Critical Aspect of How Disney World Operates Be in Jeopardy? We Dig In first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World’s 50th Anniversary was a BIG deal — 50 is a pretty big milestone, after all! The big birthday brought lots of special treats, a new attraction, and TONS of new merchandise to the parks. But this isn’t any old anniversary; the 50th Anniversary celebration runs for 18 MONTHS! So far, we’ve continued to see new 50th Anniversary merch and snacks pop up around the parks and resorts even in 2022, and Disney doesn’t show any signs of stopping. The 50th Anniversary brought some BIG changes to Disney World! Disney just shared a preview of MORE new merchandise collections coming to Disney World; you might want to start saving up now! First up, it’s about time Disney created a color story inspired by the Cinderella Castle! The new EARidescent Shimmer Collection, coming soon, features beautiful blue and gold hues reminiscent of the turrets on the Cinderella Castle. Disney teased that the collection will include a new pair of Minnie ears, a Loungefly backpack, and more! Later this spring, that beautiful blue spirit jersey will join the collection, too! ©Disney We’ve already seen hints of the new Disney Vault Balloon Collection in the parks, but it looks like the collection is about to grow WAY bigger! According to Disney, this colorful print is the same Mickey Mouse balloon design that was featured on the shopping bags in Disney World in 1971. Look out for a bucket hat, Spirit Jersey, and Loungefly backpack in merchandise locations throughout the parks and resorts. ©Disney Next up, MORE items are being added to Disney’s Celebration Collection, which debuted back when the 50th Anniversary began. This clothing and accessories collection will add a new dress by Dress Shop, Dooney and Bourke handbags, and youth apparel to the lineup. Not only that, but three new Goofy, Donald, and Daisy plushes will soon feature the characters in their special celebration outfits. ©Disney Later this spring, a charming little Disney Vault Orange Bird Collection will hit the parks! Disney explained that the new merchandise will pay tribute to Orange Bird, with items like a new denim jacket and a flower power dress by Dress Shop! We also heard that a new character crossbody bag will join the collection. Well, we know what we’ll be wearing to the Flower & Garden Festival once this collection drops! ©Disney Which new collection is your favorite? We have a feeling that the new EARidescent Shimmer Collection will be a hot seller! In the meantime, stay tuned for all the latest Disney news and merchandise updates! BREAKING: Reopening Date Announced for Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue in Disney World! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think about these new items? Let us know in the comments! The post FOUR NEW 50th Anniversary Merchandise Collections Are Coming to Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Bill (what critics call the “Don’t Say Gay” Bill) is a topic that has been discussed a great deal over the past several weeks. Spaceship Earth From Disney’s initial statement to CEO Bob Chapek’s comments on the Company’s formal stance on the Bill, and everything in between, we’ve been sharing all kinds of updates on the topic with you. Now, a former Disney Executive has weighed in on why he spoke out about the issue and why (and when) others should comment on major issues. According to Deadline, former Disney CEO, Bob Iger, recently appeared on Chris Wallace’s new CNN+ series. During the interview, Iger discussed why corporate leaders should “wade into major issues, like climate change, immigration and, most recently, Florida’s so-called ‘don’t say gay’ bill.'” Iger shared “A lot of these issues are not necessarily political. It’s about right and wrong.” ©Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images As The Wall Street Journal had previously reported, the “Florida bill prohibits instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity from kindergarten to third grade and in later grades if not ‘age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.'” As The Hill shares, as a result of this (now) Law, “classroom instruction related to sexual orientation or gender identity will be restricted in the state’s primary schools. Educators of all grade levels are prohibited from engaging in instruction on those topics in a manner that is not ‘age appropriate or developmentally appropriate’ for children.” Rainbow Mickey Iger has, in fact, commented on Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Bill. In a Twitter post from February of 2022, Iger shared that the Bill, if passed, would put “vulnerable, young LGBTQ people in jeopardy.” The Bill has since been signed into law. In the interview with Wallace, Iger shared that, in his opinion, it “wasn’t about politics. It is about what is right and what is wrong, and that just seemed wrong. It seemed potentially harmful to kids.” The Florida Governor has since made comments about Disney’s statement and their responses to the Bill. To see more about the law and other updates that had been previously shared about this topic, click the links below: Disney issues statement as Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill is signed into law. Disney issues statement on “Don’t Say Gay” bill (now law) Disney CEO Bob Chapek comments on the Bill (now law) Chapek comments on the Company’s stance on the Bill (now law) and actions moving forward Chapek issues apology following Disney’s response to Bill (now law) Human Rights Campaign rejects Disney’s donation and issues response Disney employees plan walkouts in response to Bill (now law) California governor addresses Disney following responses to the Bill (now law) Same-sex kiss put back into “Lightyear” after criticism of Disney’s response to the Bill (now law) Chapek addresses the Florida Bill (now law) and assures further changes during Company meeting Supportive LGBTQIA+ statements shared by Disney ahead of planned walkouts Learn more about the walkouts See more about Disney’s response to the passage of the bill into Law See the Florida Governor’s comments about Disney’s response This continues to be a developing situation. We’ll look for more updates. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post Former Disney CEO Bob Iger Comments on "Don't Say Gay Bill" and More first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Let’s face it: Disney World rides break down. And really, with ALL the technology involved in Disney attractions, what else could we expect? FN-2187, why aren’t you at your post? Some rides break down more than others (yes, we are ABSOLUTELY looking at you, Rise of the Resistance), and some rides are more…well…ANNOYING to be stuck on than others (AHEM, “it’s a small world”). So we decided to take this question to our readers: Which Disney World ride would you actually ENJOY getting stuck on? Let’s see what more than 750 of you said! We have to say, we were surprised by the diversity of the answers! Dozens of Disney World rides were mentioned. One of the more popular mentions was Haunted Mansion. Readers said they enjoy being stuck there because it gives them time to see all the details on the ride. “I was able to really look around and take everything in,” said one reader. Be sure to bring your death certificate if you’d like to join us… The more competitive among us apparently would also enjoy being stuck on Toy Story Mania IF, as one reader said, “I can keep playing.” Run that score up, BBs! What we ultimately found MORE interesting than which ride you would want to be stuck on were the common reasons people like to be stuck! (We love those silver linings!) Let’s take a look at the top reasons. Click Here to See Some Infamous Disney World Ride Malfunctions A Glimpse Backstage Many of our DFB readers are probably Disney fans because they enjoy the immersive experiences at Disney World, but a fair amount of you also want to see what’s behind the curtain. “I’ve been stuck on the people mover inside of the space mountain for like 10-15 minutes before. It was long enough they had to turn on the lights around us which I’m sure ruined someone’s space mountain experience but I wouldn’t mind getting stuck in there again,” said one reader. Psst … ever been in here when the lights were ON? “A lot of people would be grumpy they’re stuck on a Disney ride,” one of our readers said. “Me it’s an opportunity to enjoy how things work and actually look at the details.” Another reader said she was evacuated through a backstage area in the Magic Kingdom: “Splash broke down once when we were on it and we were evacuated through the backstage area. It was indeed very cool to see a little behind the scenes.” PHOTOS: Click Here to See the New Characters Coming to Disney’s Splash Mountain Retheme Cool Air, and a Chance to Rest We heard from several readers touting the benefits of getting stuck on an INDOOR ride, especially when the Florida heat is in full force! “I swear I get stuck on pirates of the Caribbean every time and the air conditioning is so nice,” said one of our commenters. Another reader said Carousel of Progress is where it’s at: “Carousel and take a long AC nap,” (Um, we may done this when we WEREN’T stuck, just sayin’) It’s cool in there. Grabbing a nap on a malfunctioning ride isn’t just for adults, either. “I got stuck inside on the People Mover with a sweaty, tired, cranky, 3-year old, (while my husband and 6 year old went on Space Mountain.) It was cool and dark. The 3 year old was sleepy & cuddly. A truly favorite memory,” wrote one reader. Click Here for Ways to Beat the Heat at Disney World Better Views of That Disney Magic If you’re lucky, sometimes you will get stuck somewhere on a ride with a perfect view! One reader said her performed ride breakdown location would be, “People mover right after it leaves the Buzz Lightyear building. Great view of the castle hub area.” And another said her “magical” breakdown was on Kilimanjaro Safaris: “Was stuck on Kilimanjaro Safari in a giraffe jam! Stunning photos of them and also the baby elephant playing in the pool. Stationary for ages, it was wonderful!” Hey there! Even if your view isn’t perfect during a ride breakdown, sometimes you will find magic in the camaraderie with other guests who laugh and joke while you’re stuck. You might even find yourself singing, like this reader did: “Got stuck on Carousel of Progress and everyone sang along. It was incredible. We just all started at once. Disney magic!!” PHOTOS: A New Baby Rhino Has Made His Debut on Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney World — Click Here! Making Memories We were kind of surprised at how many of you told us that being on a Disney World ride when it broke down is a precious family memory! “I did get stuck on The Great Movie Ride way back when I was a little kid for about 20 minutes right in front of singing in the rain. I still remember it vividly to this day, about 30 years later. Core memory made,” said one commenter. ©Disney | Gone, but never forgotten And sometimes, that family memory becomes an inside joke. “Got stuck on Nemo for like 20 minutes in front of Mr. Ray singing “science is great there’s so much to know, climb aboard explorers it’s time to gooooooo” with family and we still joke about it like 13 years and many trips later“. Do you have a wishlist of rides you would like to be stuck on at Disney World? Follow Disney Food Blog on Facebook to join in on more fun discussions! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you been STUCK on a Disney World ride? Share your story in the comments! The post Disney World Guests Share Which Rides They Enjoy Getting STUCK On first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Get ready for some NEW MINNIE EARS, people!! Look at all of those ears! That’s right, Disney just can’t slow down when it comes to making new ears — we have seen SO many pairs lately! There have been themed to EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival, Alice in Wonderland, Mickey pretzels, Pixar’s Turning Red, and more. And today, we found ANOTHER pair of brand new ears in Disney World, and they’re honoring a special princess that lives under the sea! Check out these new Little Mermaid ears! New ears alert! We found them today in The Emporium in Magic Kingdom. Go get them before they’re gone! They have pearly white shells as the ears, decorated with more strings of pearls… So unique! …and a layered bow with Princess Ariel’s signature colors (with another pearl on top, of course). Loving this bow These ears are made by BaubleBar, so they cost a little bit more than the usual pairs that just Disney makes. This pair is $49.99. BaubleBar logo on the headband These are actually the THIRD set of ears we’ve seen Disney make themed to The Little Mermaid! We’ve also seen some with purple shells as the ears… Mermaid Ears …and the other had giant sequins on the blue ears with a purple bow! What about the other Disney princesses?! We think these new ears are a great addition for the princess! Fit for a princess! Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney merchandise news and updates. Click here to check out Disney’s new $300 Mickey ears! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Would you spend $50 on these ears? Let us know in the comments! The post PHOTOS: A Popular Disney Princess Just Got ANOTHER Pair of Ears in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney’s Genie+ replaced FastPass+ in Disney World as the system to help guests skip the lines at some attractions, and it’s been a controversial transition. The newer service costs money (compared to the previously free FastPass+), and it can be tricky to use sometimes. Genie+ is how you can skip the lines! We’ve experimented a LOT with the new system since we’re in Disney World every day. We have all kinds of resources to help you make the most of Genie+ if you choose to buy it when you’re in the parks. But Disney’s recent update about Genie+ has us a little confused…. In case you’re not familiar with Genie+, this paid FastPass+ replacement costs $15 per ticket per day. If you buy it, you can reserve Lightning Lane passes at several attractions in the Disney World parks. That means you’ll get to skip the line at those attractions! Tower of Terror Lightning Lane Here’s a quick breakdown of how it works: Beginning at 7AM on the day you bought Genie+, you can make Lightning Lane selections for 1 attraction at a time. You’ll use the Genie+ feature on the My Disney Experience app to make those selections, which include a scheduled return time. Once you’ve scanned into the Lightning Lane (which is what the physical line is called) at the attraction you reserved, you can make a new selection for a different attraction. Lightning Lane entry That’s a pretty broad look at the process. If you want more details about how it works, check out our step-by-step guide here: Click here to see our step-by-step guide to using Genie+. Recently, we noticed that Disney added some new language to the Genie+ website. The added information states that “on average, guests can enter 2 to 3 attractions or experiences per day using the Lightning Lane entrance if the first selection is made early in the day.” ©Disney However, in our experience, that estimate of 2 to 3 attractions in one day is pretty low. When we’ve used Genie+, we can generally get on quite a few more rides than that! Some of the most popular attractions run out of Lightning Lane availability pretty quickly, but you can generally still book a couple of those popular rides if you’re ready to make your first reservation right at 7AM. Jungle Cruise tends to fill up fast with Genie+. In certain parks, like EPCOT, there are fewer rides available with Genie+ than in others, like Magic Kingdom. For example, Magic Kingdom currently has 22 attractions available with Genie+, while EPCOT only has 11. So it’s likely that the EPCOT attractions will fill up faster with Genie+ because there are fewer options for guests to choose from. Spaceship Earth Lightning Lane But even in the parks with fewer attractions (and thus more limited availability), we’ve been able to book several (if not all) of the attractions in one park in a single day by knowing how Genie+ works and being ready to make our selections as soon as we’re able to. Soarin’ Lightning Lane So we think that Disney kept their estimate pretty conservative on the Genie+ website. With the right preparation, you should be able to book more than 2 or 3 attractions per day in every Disney World park. Be sure to check out our guides to using Genie+ so that you’re as prepared as possible before your vacation! Lightning Lane And stay tuned with DFB for all the latest Disney news and updates. Click here to see our FULL guide to using Genie, Genie+, and Pay-Per-Ride in Disney World. All About Disney Genie, Genie+, and Individual Attraction Selection READ THIS Before Using the New Genie Planning Tool in Disney World Check Out the FULL List of Rides Included With Genie+ in Disney World See What Rides You Can Pay EXTRA for in Disney World & How Much They May Cost Learn What Rides Are Included With Genie+ in Disneyland (Plus the Ones You’ll Pay EXTRA to Ride) You CAN’T Re-Ride Disney World Attractions With Genie+ You CAN’T Cancel Pay-Per-Ride Selections in Disney World Get the Answers to All of Your Burning Questions About Disney Genie See Why You May Want to Stay in a Disney World Hotel When it Comes to Disney’s Pay-Per-Ride System Here’s What Annual Passholders and Magic Key Holders Need to Know About Genie+ See 5 Ways Genie+ Might Surprise You Learn Some Disney Genie HACKS Get a Step-by-Step Guide to Using Disney Genie+ See Genie+ Tips for the Most Crowded Days in Disney World and Disneyland Still Confused About Disney Genie? Check Out These DFB Videos Learn About How Disney Genie Can Be Your Personal Assistant in Disney World Click HERE to See More About Disney Genie Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Have you used Genie+ in Disney World? Which parts confused you the most? Let us know in the comments. The post Disney Claims You'll Only Ride 2-3 Rides Per Day With Genie+ first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World has BOMBARDED us with a TON of noteworthy news over these past few months! Cinderella Castle Need to play catch up? Let’s go over ALL those BIG Disney World news drops today on DFB Guide. Check out our video below You Missed This HUGE Disney World News 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 what piece of Disney World news you are the MOST excited about! The post DFB Video: You Missed This HUGE Disney World News first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration continues with new commemorative merchandise launching this spring. Each collection honors the history of Disney’s Florida theme parks through trendy new clothing items, accessories and souvenir pieces. View the full article

It’s the age old question: should we take a vacation to Disney World or Hawaii? Okay, maybe it’s not a super common question, but if you’re planning a vacation, we’re sure you’ve considered whether you should spend your time off relaxing on a beach or frolicking around Disney World! Magic Kingdom looking pretty! Fortunately, there is somewhere you can enjoy the magic of Disney and relax on the beach — Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa! It’s located in O’ahu, Hawaii and is affiliated with Disney Vacation Club. The project was overseen by legendary Imagineer Joe Rohde (who is responsible for a lot of Animal Kingdom) and celebrates the spirit of the island, located right on the water. So, let’s see which option is more expensive — Aulani or Disney World! We’re going to compare the two by creating example trips to both locations. Our trips will both be for a family of 4 from May 15th, 2022 to May 21st, 2022. Let’s get into it! Just a note, that these are the prices as of writing and they can and will vary. Disney World We’ll start in Disney World, where we are going to show examples for 2 different scenarios: A family staying at a Moderate hotel and staying at a Deluxe hotel. Deluxe hotels at Disney World are the most comparable to Aulani in terms of amenities, but you don’t have to stay at a Deluxe hotel on your trip, which is why we’re also showing you a Moderate, too. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort We chose Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside as our Moderate. A standard room here for the dates we’ve chosen in May start at $333.50 per night, before tax. If you multiply that by the 6 nights of the trip, it comes to a grand total of $2,001, before tax, for the hotel. Port Orleans Riverside For our Deluxe, we chose Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. A standard room here for these same dates starts at $762.17 per night, before tax. Multiply that by the 6 nights and you get a total of $4,573.02, before tax — that’s a BIG difference from the Moderate! Disney’s Polynesian Resort Now, we have to get our theme park tickets for the trip. Since we’re at Disney World for 5 full days, we’ll need a 5-Day Park Hopper ticket — because this family wants to park hop! A 5-Day Park Hopper for the dates we have chosen comes out to $622.63 per person, including tax. If you multiply that by the 4 people in the family, it comes to a total of $2,490.52 total, with tax. Park Hopping Information As for transportation, that will vary based on whether you’re driving or flying to Orlando. But, since we have to fly to Hawaii, we’re going to include airfare to Disney World as well! We found these prices through Kayak and we’re choosing Dallas, Texas as our example city. The cheapest roundtrip flight from Dallas to Orlando we found for the dates we chose is $248 per person, before taxes and fees, with American Airlines. So, for our family of 4, this would be a grand total of $992, before taxes and fees. View from the plane Then, once you get to the airport, you have to get to your hotel! Since both Disney World and Aulani have shuttle services, we’re going to use them for our example. The shuttle service from the Orlando Airport to the Disney Hotels will be Mears Connect. This service is $32 per adult roundtrip, and $27 per child (ages 3-9) roundtrip. So, with these prices and our example family having kids between the ages of 3-9, the total for the shuttle service would be $118, before tax. Mears bus So! That brings us to the total for the basics of our trip. If the family of 4 stays at Port Orleans, their total would be $5,601.52. If the family of 4 stays at the Polynesian, their total would be $8,173.54. Aulani Now, let’s take a look at Aulani! This is not an all-inclusive resort like some others you can find in Hawaii. So, a standard room for 4 people for our chosen dates starts at $549 per night, before tax. Multiple that by the 6 nights of the stay and it comes to $3,294. ©Disney Parks Blog Next, let’s take a look at airfare. We are again using Kayak and flying from Dallas, Texas, just to try and keep things as equal as possible. The cheapest roundtrip flight for our dates from Dallas to Hawaii is $649 per person, before taxes and fees, through American Airlines. This would give our family a grand total of $2,596 for their flight, before taxes and fees. We’d hop on a plane for this Dole Whip! ©Disney Parks Blog The shuttle from the Honolulu Airport to Aulani is $24 per adult, which includes children 3 and over, BOTH to and from the airport. So, since the kids in our example family are between the ages of 3 and 9, they qualify as adults. This means the shuttle service to and from the airport would total up to $192, before tax. ©Disney The total for the basics of our Aulani trip comes to $6,082. Aulani © Disney So, it really depends on where you stay at Disney World! If you go with the Disney Moderate hotel, it would be cheaper than this trip to Aulani by $480.48. But, if you stay at a Deluxe Disney hotel, it would actually be more than this trip to Aulani by $2,091.54! That’s definitely large difference that could be a deciding factor in where you’re going on vacation, and where you’re staying. Hawaiian Sunset from Aulani Now, we want to be sure to note here that there are many factors at play that might make your experience different. Keep in mind that while you are paying for Disney World tickets that guarantee you will have plenty of activities to choose from, you are not paying for any activities at Aulani in this calculation. Your stay at Aulani does include many free activities at the resort, but we suspect that if this is your first trip to Hawaii, you will want to book an excursion or two to see some of the more quintessential Hawaii vacation sites — such as Pearl Harbor or the North Shore. That will add to your cost. Mickey Shave Ice at Aulani! In both cases, we have made no calculations for food. While we find the prices on menus at Disney World and Aulani comparable, if you are dining off-property, keep in mind that food on Hawaii could cost more. You CAN have a beach day at the Polynesian if you desire. So, if you stay at a Moderate hotel at Disney World, the basics of your stay will most likely be slightly less expensive than Aulani, but if you stay at a Deluxe hotel, Disney World could cost significantly more! Your experience will of course vary based on when you travel, how far in advance you book and many other factors. But if you’re dreaming of a Hawaii trip, this may show you it is within reach! Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news, updates, and info! Click here to learn about Disney World’s Genie+ program that has replaced FastPass+! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you ever been to Aulani? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments! The post Is a Trip to Disney World MORE Expensive than a Trip to Hawaii? We Break It Down. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article