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What’s better than ending a day at the Magic Kingdom or EPCOT with a viewing of each park’s respective fireworks show? How about watching them from a private boat while floating on the lagoon with snacks in hand and zero crowds? Happily Ever After Yes, it’s a real thing, and yes, it’s a splurge. But if you’re looking for something special (REALLY special), this $499 experience might be one of Disney World’s best-kept secrets. So, What Is a Fireworks Cruise at Disney World? It’s exactly what it sounds like. You board a private pontoon boat with your group — up to 10 guests — for a jaw-dropping view of the fireworks. The viewing of the Magic Kingdom’s Happily Ever After fireworks allows guests to sail the waters of the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake near Magic Kingdom park—with synchronized audio on board to immerse them in the magic fully. These cruises generally depart from the Boat Nook Marina at Disney’s Contemporary Resort to view Happily Ever After. However, additional pickup locations may be available within the Magic Kingdom area by visiting your Resort concierge or calling (407) WDW-PLAY or (407) 939-7529 after booking your cruise. The Contemporary from the cruise. The cruise to view EPCOT’s Luminous The Symphony of Us parks guests at the International Gateway near World Showcase Lagoon to watch the skies light up. These cruises depart from the Bayside Marina at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts. ©Disney A captain accompanies each cruise and includes assorted snacks and soft drinks. You can book this through the My Disney Experience app or by calling (407) 939-7529. You’ll want to plan ahead: Bookings open 60 days out and tend to fill up fast, especially around holidays or peak vacation weeks. Oh, and if you’re celebrating something — a birthday, anniversary, whatever — let them know! Your boat can be decked out for the occasion. Pontoon Boat for Fireworks Cruise What You’re Paying For Yes, it’s $499 (plus tax), but let’s break that down. The boat fits 10 people, so if you’re going with friends or family and splitting the cost, it comes out to about $50 per person. For a private boat, snacks, drinks, and an uninterrupted view of Disney fireworks — honestly, that’s not bad. Fireworks Cruise Snacks The Experience You can bring drinks (just no glass), and the cruise includes water, sodas, and pre-packaged snacks — plus a cooler to keep everything chilled. Drinks Each boat ride before the fireworks is a whole vibe. You cruise around Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon, passing by old-school Disney landmarks like the abandoned Discovery Island. Views of Magic Kingdom from the water If you want, you can even connect your phone and play music via Bluetooth during the ride. When it’s showtime, your captain anchors in a perfect viewing spot where you can see the castle and the fireworks. They even pipe in the show’s soundtrack so you get the full experience. And yes — Tinker Bell’s flight is totally visible from the water. It’s magic, plain and simple. It is a great view! Depending on timing, you might also catch the Electrical Water Pageant float by during the Magic Kingdom-area tour, which is a treat for fans of Disney nostalgia. Let your captain know you’d love to see it, and they’ll do their best to make it happen. Electrical Water Pageant If you’re considering one of the fireworks cruise experiences, Disney does have a series of rules for both the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT cruises, including: Full payment is due at the time of booking. In rare instances, fireworks shows may be rescheduled or cancelled. Please refer to the entertainment schedule or the My Disney Experience app to reconfirm the fireworks showtimes 2 weeks before your reservation and again on the day of your reservation. Fireworks are subject to change and not guaranteed. Guests ages 17 and younger must be accompanied by a paying adult. Experiences may be cancelled due to inclement weather, but will still occur in rain and cold. Umbrellas, ponchos, and sunscreen are not provided. Guests ages 12 and younger are required to wear a Disney-provided life vest, and Guests older than 12 years of age are required to have a Disney-issued life vest on board. Reservations are nontransferable and may not be sold or bartered. Allow up to 1 hour and 30 minutes to travel to your destination when traveling within Walt Disney World Resort. You should arrive 1 hour and 15 minutes before the fireworks start time. Guests in wheelchairs/ECVs must walk aboard unassisted. There is a 24-hour cancellation policy. Full price will be charged/forfeited if the Guest cancels within 24 hours or fails to show up for the reservation. Magic Kingdom Fireworks Cruise View While $499 is quite the splurge, it’s undeniable that these fireworks experiences are certainly something unique. No crowds, no stress, no camping out for a fireworks spot. Just a quiet boat, a drink in hand, and a sky full of magic. Whether you’re celebrating something big or just want to end your trip on a high note, this is one Disney extra you’ll want to keep coming back to. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World Experiences. 16 Disney World Secrets Even Locals Don’t Know Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you ever done a fireworks cruise at Disney World? Let us know in the comments below. View the full article

Well, it’s officially happening. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith has officially closed in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and is getting completely reimagined as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets. ©Disney Well, with this actually still BEING Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, the ride still needs some sweet tunes, and well, it’s not like the Muppets don’t have a pretty SWEET band called Electric Mayhem, right? Well, we just attended an event where we got to hear one of Electric Mayhem’s songs that was created JUST for the ride…yep, we got to hear one of the ride’s new songs FIRST. The FIRST song for the new Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets retheme has been revealed to be… “Song 2” by Blur! Honestly, this song makes perfect sense for a roller coaster with its distorted guitar and a whole lot of “Woo-Hoo” going on. We hope that Animal will be doing the Woo-Hoos, personally. Of course, it won’t be the official Blur track being played on the ride, though. Instead, the Electric Mayhem will be treating us to their version of the song! We got the chance to listen to it as part of the Electric Mayhem Listening Experience, and we think you’re going to LOVE it! This is a brand-new recording of the song, so everything you hear — the vocals, guitar, bass, and drums — is all new. Animal’s drums! The ride is getting a brand new Muppets story. Here’s what’s going on: G-Force Records is officially under new management — Scooter’s uncle, real estate tycoon and owner of the Muppet Theatre, J.P. Grosse, is now officially in charge. And YOU, well, you’ve been invited to take a VIP tour of the brand new G-Force Records. G-Force Records is getting a makeover So you step into the recording studio, and Electric Mayhem is super busy just rocking it out. There’s just one big problem: they have a big concert to get to, but they just can’t stop jamming, and the penguin audio engineers are recording it all! Scooter is doing his best to convince them they need to hit the road, and that’s where you come in: you need to get Electric Mayhem to their concert in time. ©Disney That’s where the ride on the stretch limo begins…and the music starts. Well, we just attended the Electric Mayhem: The First Listening Experience, where we got to hear one of the NEW songs the Electric Mayhem will be performing for the new ride. We were even treated to fun Electric Mayhem-inspired backdrops to celebrate the ride’s music. Sgt. Floyd Pepper reporting for duty Each of the banners we got to see will be posters in the queue of the new attraction, too! We can’t wait!! There will be multiple tracks for this ride overall — just like the original version. The full tracklist is being revealed on April 16th, and you can be sure that we’ll be sharing that news as soon as it’s announced! What other songs do you think will be part of this newly reimagined ride? Let us know in the comments what you’d want to hear!! Animal in Manhattan! We can’t wait for everyone to hear the new music for the ride, and of course, we can’t wait for the ride to open to the public this summer, so we can experience the ride in its entirety. We’ll keep sharing more details about the new ride and its reopening with you, so stay tuned to DFB for more. 6 Songs We’re BEGGING To Hear on Disney World’s NEW Muppets Roller Coaster Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Will you be checking out Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets this year? Let us know what you hope to see and hear in the new ride in the comments! Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disney to attend the Electric Mayhem Listening Experience. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ View the full article

It’s time to celebrate one of our favorite water bottles of all time, and we are being incredibly serious about this! ©Owala The Owala water bottle is turning 6 years old, and the company feels like it’s time for a vacation. That’s why they’re dropping a new collection that’s beach and sunshine ready! If you’re like us and love to add to your own collection, you need to see these new designs! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Summer time is almost here, and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate! We can already feel the sunshine on our face, our feet in the sand, and the cool water we’re sipping on straight from our Owala. Coastal Bohemian ©Owala This is the first of the collection’s more “quiet” options! This design features interlocking features like palm trees, suns, sea shells, oysters, and more. It’s a soft pink color and features the famous FreeSip spout that lets you sip or swig. The lid is leak-proof and comes with a carrying handle, making it easier to take on the go. It has triple insulation, so your drinks will be cold for hours! Shop on Owala Coral Cabana ©Owala Next up, we have the 40-ounce Coral Cabana design! This design is about feeling quieter and more relaxed. The overall pattern is soft stripes with bits of coral and starfish scattered across it. This cup is also stainless steel and triple insulated. It has the classic Leakproof Lid and sip or swig qualities. It’s also BPA, lead, and phthalate-free! Shop on Owala Go Halvsies ©Owala The team described this water bottle as the collection’s wild card! This cup stands out amongst the collection due to its dark colors and big pattern design. This unexpected bottle features a King Crab, “Flying Fish,” and more unique characters. This bottle was designed for both kids and adults to love. It’s a 32-ounce free sip bottle with the features we love. Plus, it has a dishwasher-safe lid and a hand-washable cup! Shop on Owala Just Ripe ©Owala If you’re looking for something playful and punchy, you should check out the new Just Ripe design! This soft yellow color has tons of fruits peppered across the cup, including bananas, papayas, dragon fruit, and more. This is a 24-ounce Free Sip bottle with the classic triple insulation, leak-proof lid, and Free Sip Spout. We think this can be a great way to get your water and fruits in this summer! Shop on Owala Rolling In ©Owala This is the most beachy of the entire collection! This cup is inspired by the rolling waves of the calming ocean. The colors go from the deeper blue waters to the sand beaches! This FreeSip bottle is 24 ounces and comes with all of the things we love about the cups. Not only is it super functional, but it’s also a good reminder to take a deep breath and relax your shoulders. Shop on Owala Vacation Mode ©Owala Is there anything better than a vacation? We honestly think no. This bottle design was inspired by being outdoors! From the pickleball court to golfing with friends, this design is perfect to match your bright outfit! We honestly think that we own a two-piece set that looks just like this green, pink, and white design. It’s a 40-ounce FreeSip that will make people notice you throughout your travels. Shop on Owala Vintage Surf ©Owala This last design is focused on keeping it classic! This vintage-inspired design features waves, palm trees, surfboards, and more. This 30-ounce Free Sip Sway bottle was designed with guys in mind, so the design is a bit more muted and casual. You’ve still got that triple insulation, FreeSip lid, leak-proof design, carrying handle, and more. Shop on Owala We are seriously in love with this collection, and we can’t wait to celebrate the popular brand’s birthday! Don’t forget to keep following DFB for more new collections and finds online! View the full article

These Disney World tips, tricks, and secrets might be under-the-radar, but they will still make a BIG impact on your upcoming vacation. Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle Let’s get into it! Check out our video below: 15 Small Secrets That Will Completely Change Your Disney World Trip 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! And stay tuned for more theme park news! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of this video? Tell us in the comments. View the full article

It has been a whirlwind few months for Disneyland Paris with the official opening of the NEW Disney Adventure World. This newly renamed park (formerly known as Walt Disney Studios Park) recently underwent a massive expansion and retheming to include lands like the new World of Frozen and Adventure Way. ©Disney We were lucky enough to visit Disney Adventure World and had a great time exploring all the new rides, restaurants, shops, and more, but there are still some parts of this expansion that have not opened yet, including a new Up-themed ride. Disney has just announced the name and opening timeline for this ride — get ready for Wilderness Explorers Sky Swings coming in 2027! Disneyland Paris has just announced that the new Up-themed ride, Wilderness Explorers Sky Swings, will officially open at Disney Adventure World in 2027! This family-friendly ride will be an all-new swinging attraction, and it will be the first ride themed after Up in any Disney park! ©Disney From the concept art, it looks like riders will be flying through the sky like Carl and Russell. Imagine the view of the park you’ll be able to get from the heights of this ride! Wilderness Explorers Sky Swings will have us truly feeling like “adventure is out there,” and we can’t wait to experience it. Disney shared some new images of Imagineers working on the ride as well, which you can see below. We think this one will be a hit! ©Disney When it opens, the ride will be located across from the new Tangled ride, Raiponce Tangled Spin. Both rides can be found in the Adventure Way section of this new park expansion, which will also be near a Lion King-themed ride in a NEW Lion King-themed land! We’ve been geeking OUT over the new Lion King ride coming to Adventure World’s new Lion King-themed land. The log flume ride will tell Simba’s story in a new way and will feature some of the most iconic songs from the animated film The Lion King. This will also be the very first Lion King land and ride in any Disney theme park, which is SO exciting. Concept art of the Lion King ride coming to Disneyland Paris. The new Lion King Land will have you exploring the Pride Lands with new areas of dining, shopping, and attractions. There will be characters, and the land will be set at Pride Rock. Of course, the ride will feature some of the most iconic songs from the animated film. The ride will also feature some of our favorite characters like Simba, Timon, Pumbaa, and more! Timon, Pumba, and Simba at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort We’ll be on the lookout for additional updates about Wilderness Explorers Sky Swings and more from Disney Adventure World. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more! Check out more Disney Adventure World news at the links below! Opening Timeline and Name Revealed for Disney’s FIRST-EVER ‘Up’ RideDFB Guide: The ULTIMATE Guide to Disneyland Paris — Plus BRAND NEW World of FrozenIf I Had a Nickel for Every Viral Disney Animatronic Problem This Week…I’d Have Two NickelsREVIEW: Is This New Disney Restaurant Overhyped? We Found Out.REVIEW: Disney’s New ‘Frozen’ Themed Restaurant Just Threw Us for a Massive Loop DON'T DO IT ALONE! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you GET MORE INFO Will you be heading to Disneyland Paris to check out the new Up ride when it opens? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

Universal just gave theme park fans a lot to look forward to. ©Universal The company has officially confirmed a staggering 31 attractions, rides, shows, meet-and-greets, and interactive experiences across the seven themed lands of Universal Kids Resort, the brand-new family-focused theme park set to open in Frisco, Texas, in 2026. That number alone signals how seriously Universal is treating this project, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most packed opening-day lineups we’ve seen from any theme park in recent memory. Here’s a full breakdown of what’s coming. A Park Built for Younger Guests (But Not Only Them) Universal Kids Resort is smaller in scale than Universal’s flagship parks, and that’s entirely intentional. The entire experience is designed with young children in mind, with lower height requirements, gentler ride profiles, and immersive environments that feel approachable rather than overwhelming. ©Universal That said, the sheer density of what’s been confirmed suggests there’s plenty here for parents and older siblings to enjoy alongside the little ones. With seven uniquely themed lands, the park covers a remarkable range of beloved IPs from DreamWorks properties like Shrek, Trolls, and Puss in Boots to Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants and Netflix’s Gabby’s Dollhouse. Shrek’s Swamp Has a Ride and a Water Play Area DreamWorks’ Shrek’s Swamp is one of the most well-rounded lands confirmed so far. The anchor attraction is Shrek and Fiona’s Happily Ogre After, a family ride that takes guests through the love story of an ogre and a princess. ©Universal The second offering, Shrek’s Swamp Splash and Smash, is a water play area built for Shrek’s triplets, featuring two separate play zones designed for younger kids. ©Universal It’s a solid mix of ride-based and non-ride fun, which is smart design for a park targeting this age group. SpongeBob’s Bikini Bottom Is the Most Attraction-Dense Land in the Park Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom is packing in six confirmed attractions, making it the single most packed land in the park. Jellyfish Fields Jamboree is a floating ride that has guests catching jellyfish above the coral alongside SpongeBob himself. ©Universal Barnacle Bus offers a slower, sightseeing-style tour through Bikini Bottom with familiar characters and locales along the route. ©Universal Bobbing Barrels is a spinning water ride where guests blast water alongside Patrick Star or Sandy Cheeks. Mrs. Puff’s Boating School puts riders behind the wheel of an undersea vehicle, with spins, swerves, and reverse maneuvers built into the course. ©Universal Rounding out the land is a SpongeBob character meet-and-greet featuring SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, and Sandy, plus interactive splash zones for kids. Minions Brings the Water-Soaked Chaos You’d Expect Illumination’s Minions vs. Minions: Bello Bay Club is leaning fully into the water battle premise. ©Universal The Yellow and Purple Minions face off across two confirmed experiences: Bello Bay Cruise, a rapids ride that drops guests into the middle of the chaos, and Bello Bay Golf Cart Derby, a spinning vehicle ride built around a runaway golf game. ©Universal Guests should plan for the splash factor here, as Universal has been upfront that this area is water-soaked by design. Character meet-and-greets with the Minions and interactive play zones round out the land. Jurassic World’s Land Includes a Baby Raptor Meet-and-Greet Jurassic World Adventure Camp is home to three rides, a sensory garden, play areas, lookout towers, and a meet-and-greet with a baby raptor. Universal hasn’t done anything quite like that at its other parks, and it’s a smart addition that gives this land a clear differentiator. ©Universal The rides include Jurassic World: Cretaceous Coaster, a family coaster themed around tracking down a missing ankylosaurus named Baby Bumpy. Pteranodrop takes guests skyward for gentle drops and dips meant to mimic pteranodon flight. ©Universal Mr. DNA’s Double Helix Spin is a classic spinning pod ride that rounds out the trio. The land also features paddock play areas and a sensory garden, which is a pretty thoughtful inclusion for guests with sensory sensitivities. TrollsFest Has Rides, a Dance Party, and More DreamWorks’ TrollsFest is billed as a round-the-clock glitter party, and the confirmed lineup backs that up. ©Universal Rhonda’s TrollsFest Express is a coaster-style ride aboard an Armadillo Bus that weaves through the land with Branch and Poppy. Hair in the Clouds is a balloon ride that lifts guests above TrollsFest for a colorful aerial view. ©Universal The King Trollex Techno Dance Party is a live musical celebration with a disco ball and high-energy music hosted by the party-loving King Trollex himself. Two interactive play areas, Poppy’s Playland and Trolls Critter Crawl, give younger guests even more to do. ©Universal Character photo ops with Poppy and her crew are also confirmed. Puss in Boots and Gabby’s Dollhouse Round Out the Lineup DreamWorks’ Puss in Boots Del Mar features a swing ride called Swings Over Del Mar, which carries guests high above a festive kitty adoption day celebration alongside Puss in Boots, Perrito, and Mama Luna. ©Universal The land also includes Mama Luna’s Adopt a Kitty Day!, a live show with puppet performances and some Spanish-language moments worked into the fun. ©Universal An interactive games area and a Puss in Boots character meet-and-greet complete the experience. Finally, Isle of Curiosity, located near the park’s entrance, serves as the home base for Gabby’s Dollhouse content, with a character meet-and-greet featuring Gabby and friends and an epic dance party to welcome guests into the park. ©Universal One More Thing Worth Noting What’s impressive about this confirmed lineup isn’t just the volume of experiences; it’s how intentionally Universal has structured each land. Nearly every area includes a mix of rides, character interactions, play spaces, and entertainment. That kind of layering means families won’t be standing in line for one big ride and then running out of things to do. Height requirements and additional ride details are already available on Universal’s official website, so you can start planning ahead right now. ©Universal We’ll be keeping a close eye on everything Universal Kids Resort-related as the 2026 opening approaches, so stay tuned to DFB for all the latest updates as they come in. Forget Halloween Horror Nights. Universal Horror Unleashed Is the Scariest New Attraction in America Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Which of these experiences are you most excited to check out when Universal Kids Resort opens? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

In case you missed it, a beloved ride is finally reopening in Magic Kingdom! Big Thunder Mountain Railroad In less than a month, you’ll be able to hop back onto the wildest ride in the wilderness, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad! The famous coaster has been closed for over a year, and this reopening marks a few changes for the ride. If you’re curious about skipping that inevitably long line, Disney has confirmed where the ride will fall on the Lightning Lane tier list! Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is reopening on May 3rd, 2026, and we couldn’t be more excited! The attraction, which has been closed since January 2025, will be sure to cause some fun chaos in Frontierland and long lines. To skip those long lines, you’ll need to look into Disney’s Lightning Lane Multi Pass service. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad construction This is Disney’s paid skip-the-line service, and it can be a big time saver when you’re in the parks. Previously, Big Thunder Mountain was in the Tier 1 category before its closure. When it reopens, Disney has confirmed Big Thunder Mountain will remain in Tier 1. Big Thunder Mountain before it closed There are two tiers when it comes to using Multi Pass. Ahead of your park visit, you can select 3 Lightning Lanes — one in Tier 1 and two in Tier 2. If you’re staying at a Disney hotel, you can select them 7 days before your visit. If you’re staying off property, you can select them 3 days before. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad It’s not a huge surprise that this very popular attraction will remain in Tier 1, and we expect it will be a tough one to grab in the first few weeks of opening. Lightning Lanes are definitely not a necessity on your trips, but they can be a great way to maximize your park day. When it comes to Big Thunder Mountain, there are a lot of changes ahead for the coaster. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad The ride will be lowering its height requirement to 38 inches instead of 40, which means even more guests will be able to enjoy the ride! During its closure, Disney hinted at a touch of new magic in 2026! We also know that refurbishment was to “keep the attraction in tip-top shape, ready to delight guests who want to ride the rails for years to come.” Along with general refurbishments, Disney is also adding the Rainbow Caverns, and “shimmering and illuminating iridescent” will help bring the mountain to life. ©Disney The rest of Frontierland is also undergoing a transformation, including Piston Peak, the Cars-themed land! Disney has confirmed this new land will feature 2 new attractions, but they haven’t given an opening timeline just yet. Disney is also busy working away at Villains land in Magic Kingdom! This new land will be behind Big Thunder Mountain, and it will be separate from Frontierland. Disney hasn’t confirmed too much about this land, so we are still patiently waiting. ©Disney We are seriously excited to see this coaster reopening so we can hoot and hollar to our hearts’ content. As always, be sure to keep following DFB for more Disney news, updates, and more. The 5 New Procedures You Have To Follow At Disney’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Tell us what you think of the changes in the comments! View the full article

Some BIG Disney entertainment and sports news could be coming soon, and it’s all happening next month. Walt Disney Studios An important annual milestone is coming up for The Walt Disney Company: the Disney Upfront. This event is where the House of Mouse showcases the full lineup of entertainment — everything from content and franchises to data and technology. Mark your calendar for the Disney Upfront on May 12th! On May 12th at 4 PM ET, Disney executives and employees will gather at the North Javits Center in New York City for the annual Disney Upfront. At this event, we’ll learn more about how Disney entertainment is doing, including potential announcements for future movies and shows from Disney, Hulu, and ESPN. Upfronts are annual spring negotiations where advertisers commit money to future ad inventory for the upcoming television season. ©Disney Disney has made ambitious strides over the past few years to continue adding value to its streaming service. With Disney making good on their promises to crack down on password sharing and adding options for bundles with other popular brands like Hulu and ESPN, we’re learning quickly that Disney+ and its success appear to be a huge focus for the company. ©Disney Past Disney Upfront events were filled with celebrities and announcements, hyping up the next slate of content coming to Disney+ and beyond. At the 2025 showcase, we learned about new seasons for shows like The Bear, along with announcements about new series, including ESPN’s Vibe Check, FX’s The Beauty, and Chad Powers starring Glen Powell. ©Hulu We’re eager to see what we might learn from Disney’s pitch to potential ad buyers for its streaming platform and to see just how it plans to outshine competing companies. We’ll be tuning into the Disney Upfront and will no doubt let you know of any exciting news! ©Disney We’ll be on the lookout for more updates you need to know about ahead of the Disney Upfront. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more! Disney Pushes Back Release Dates For New Movies Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What are you looking forward to from Disney Upfront this year? Let us know in the comments below. View the full article

A Disney World vacation can already feel expensive, but now, with rising costs all around, guests can expect to pay more before even arriving at Disney. Getting to Disney World can be expensive! If you’re planning a trip to Disney World in 2026, you’ve probably already budgeted for higher ticket prices, hotel stays, and maybe even Lightning Lanes. But there’s one rising cost that might catch you off guard, and it has nothing to do with Disney itself. Rental cars. Why Rental Cars Are Suddenly More Expensive A recent survey from Hertz reveals a growing trend: more Americans are choosing to road trip instead of flying in 2026. Ongoing airline delays, cancellations, and general travel frustrations have pushed families to look for more reliable options, and rental cars are becoming the go-to choice. “Car rentals are seen as the reliable option for family trips,” the report notes. That shift is creating a classic supply-and-demand problem. With more travelers opting to drive, rental car availability is tightening, and prices are rising. According to NerdWallet’s Travel Price Index, overall U.S. travel costs are already 3% higher than this time last year, and rental cars specifically are up 2.7% compared to 2025. While that increase may seem small at first glance, it adds up quickly for Disney World visitors who may need a vehicle for several days, especially when combined with other rising travel expenses. Rental Cars at Orlando International Airport Gas Prices Are Adding Up Too Even after you secure a rental car, your costs don’t stop there. Gas prices are also elevated right now, which means you’ll be paying more to fill up your tank during your trip. Between airport pickups, driving to your resort, park hopping, and possibly exploring off-property dining, fuel costs can quietly become a significant part of your Disney budget. Gas prices are up Prices Are Lower Than Peak Pandemic… But Still High There is a bit of context worth noting: rental car prices have come down from their peak during the pandemic, when inventory shortages caused rates to skyrocket. However, according to NerdWallet, prices still remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, meaning this isn’t just a temporary spike, but part of a longer-term shift in travel costs. Driving to Disney World is getting more expensive What This Means for Your Disney World Budget For many Disney World visitors, especially families, rental cars are a key part of the trip. Whether you’re staying off-property, planning grocery runs, or just want flexibility beyond Disney transportation, skipping a car isn’t always realistic. That makes this price increase an “unexpected” expense that can push your total trip cost higher than anticipated. The good news? There are still ways to keep costs down if you plan ahead. You can book early. Rental car prices tend to increase as inventory shrinks. Locking in your reservation early can help you secure a lower rate. If possible, stay flexible with your dates. If your travel schedule allows, adjusting your pickup and drop-off dates, even slightly, can sometimes lead to noticeable savings. Picking up your rental car during the week (instead of weekends) is often cheaper, since demand is typically lower. Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle If you are renting a car for your Disney vacation, we hope this information helps you plan and budget for the trip. For more travel and Disney news, be sure to follow DFB! Decoding the NEW Disney CEO’s Comments on Park Ticket Prices Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Do rising travel prices affect your Disney World trip? Tell us in the comments below! View the full article

Do 100% disabled veterans qualify for Disney military discounts? Yes—but the details matter more than most people realize. This is one of the most common—and most misunderstood—questions I see. It also tends to spark strong opinions. Some people say yes, of course, they should. Others assume the answer is no unless someone is active duty […] The post Do 100% Disabled Veterans Qualify for Disney Military Discounts? (What Actually Matters) appeared first on Military Disney Tips. View the full article

Wow, wow, wow! It’s been a BUSY week for Disney World! Big Thunder Mountain Railroad There are new lands on the horizon, and we’ve been experiencing a string of closures that (honestly) made us shed some tears. This week, we’ve luckily had some BIG changes that we have been waiting on for what feels like forever. If you follow Disney news like we do, you know it’s been a busy time in the company. That’s why we’re in the parks almost every single day hunting down changes, updates, and more. This week, the changes were big ones! Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Reopening Date The biggest news of the week goes to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad! The Magic Kingdom attraction originally closed in January 2025, and we finally know that it’s going to reopen on May 3rd, 2026. Not only did they confirm the ride was reopening, but Disney also shared that the ride will also be lowering its height requirement to 38 inches instead of 40. That means more kiddos will be able to ride! Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Magic Kingdom This refurbishment was to “keep the attraction in tip-top shape, ready to delight guests who want to ride the rails for years to come.” Along with those general renovations, Disney previously confirmed that Rainbow Caverns will be added, and “shimmering and illuminating iridescent.” This update is a nod to the original Big Thunder Mountain concept art, and it will help tie it into Piston Peak. ©Disney We have been patiently awaiting this news, and now we have less than a month of waiting left! Read More About The Big Thunder Mountain Changes Here Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Reopened Magic Kingdom had a big week because Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin officially reopened on April 8th, 2026! The attraction first closed in August 2025, so this closure wasn’t quite as long. Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin The attraction added a new scene along with a new character named Buddy! Buddy shows you the ropes of the game and starts the attraction off. The updates also included new ride vehicles, blasters, targets, and more. The ride also had soft opened ahead of the official opening date, so we even got to check it out early! It’s Buddy! We were so happy to have this classic attraction back open after months of waiting! The ULTIMATE GUIDE To Getting Galactic Hero Status on the NEW Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin New Snack Stand Coming To EPCOT If you’re an EPCOT poutine fan, you might already know that the Refreshment Port near the Canada Pavilion has been closed for refurbishment for a while now. Disney didn’t reveal why or give us any details…until now! This week, Disney confirmed that La Poutinerie is replacing Refreshment Port! La Poutinerie Concept Art ©Disney The new spot will be sponsored by Air Canada (yes, the airline), and they’ve shared that it will bring “a Canadian classic with a twist.” They kept the information brief and didn’t reveal an official opening date or new menu. We’re really hoping this doesn’t mean that our previous poutine will be gone forever! Refreshment Port poutine This spot also tends to have EPCOT Festival-specific menu items, so we’re really hoping for the best. Learn More About The EPCOT Restaurant Replacement Here This week was a fun one in Disney World! We can’t wait to see how these ride changes and the new restaurant will impact the parks. As always, be sure to keep following DFB for more Disney news, updates, and more. Disney Announces Rule Change for Popular Magic Kingdom Ride Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Tell us your favorite bit of news in the comments! View the full article

Earlier this year, we said goodbye to the last of DinoLand U.S.A., as Disney closed the rest of that land to make way for a new Tropical Americas-themed land called Pueblo Esperanza. Pueblo Esperanza Carousel Concept Art ©Disney Since then, we’ve seen a LOT of construction happening behind the scenes, as several attractions begin to take shape within the new area. We’ve recently been seeing progress on the new Encanto ride, but now, thanks to some new aerial photos, we’re seeing progress on the land’s new carousel and Indiana Jones ride, too! We’ve got some brand new photos from @bioreconstruct that show some good overhead shots of progress being made in Pueblo Esperanza. In this first photo, we can see some of the steel frame for the new carousel. The idea is that the carousel will be “sculpted by a local woodcarver” and will feature some familiar animal shapes, including Kevin from Up. ©bioreconstruct There’s also a photo that shows how Disney is using trees to hide some of the construction work. You can see one of the Animal Kingdom walkways here, but there are trees between the walkway and the carousel construction. Nothing to see here! ©bioreconstruct We can also see some work happening over at what used to be the Dinosaur ride. This will be converted into a brand new Indiana Jones ride with a brand new story (so it won’t be exactly like the ride in Disneyland). In this ride, you’ll be following Indy after he’s discovered a perfectly preserved Maya temple. Of course, Indy’s heard rumors about a mythical creature that lives inside, and he’s bringing us along for the adventure. This overview photo of the entire land includes the Indiana Jones ride work at the top left. ©bioreconstruct This photo shows construction staging at what will be the center of Pueblo Esperanza. To the right is the construction for the Encanto ride. ©bioreconstruct Speaking of the Encanto ride, this photo shows the steel frame for the ride’s pre-show and queue. The lighter steel frame on the right could be for the ride’s exit. ©bioreconstruct There’s also a good photo of the full Encanto show building. This thing is HUGE. ©bioreconstruct Finally, here’s a view of the entire area. As you can see, there’s a lot going on. ©bioreconstruct We’re getting really excited seeing all the progress being made on the new land. Disney expects to have the land open sometime in 2027, and we can’t wait! We’ll keep an eye out for more construction updates in Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB for more. FULL LOOK: Disney’s Monsters, INC. Coaster, New ‘Encanto’ Ride, Up Close Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of the construction progress for Pueblo Esperanza so far? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

If you’re on the hunt for a refreshing, tropical treat in Magic Kingdom, there’s one spot you’ll want to make a beeline for: Aloha Isle. Tropical Serenade If you are a fan of the iconic DOLE Whip, then this snack stand is familiar to you. While we LOVE the classic DOLE Whip, when we first heard that a new treat was being added to this menu, which included a cake pop and POG Juice, we knew that our hearts were about to be stolen. That’s why we still can’t stop talking about the Tropical Serenade. First, a little Disney history: the name “Tropical Serenade” is a throwback to the original version of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, which actually opened under that name on day one of Walt Disney World. So right away, this snack earns some nostalgic Disney points. It’s also worth noting that this snack originally debuted during the 50th Anniversary celebration, and it became so popular that it has stayed around. Aloha Isle can get crowded! WE KNOW – there are SO many great snacks at Disney World! How do you choose (we don’t want to choose, but will blow our budget on Day 1 otherwise)? We’ve got you covered! We have reviewed nearly EVERY snack available at Disney World, and we’ve written a series of DFB Guides about them! You can grab our Magic Kingdom Snacks Guide below. Magic Kingdom Snacks Now for what you’re actually getting for $8.29: a float made with creamy Coconut Soft-serve, Passion fruit, Orange, Guava (POG) juice, and topped with an Upside-down Pineapple Cake Pop. And honestly? The base of this float is fantastic. That coconut soft-serve is rich and smooth (we already know and love it), and when it mixes with the bright, fruity POG juice, it creates the ultimate tropical combo. It’s refreshing, sweet without being overwhelming, and perfect for a hot Florida day. Tropical Serenade While it sounds good in theory, dipped in candy coating and rolled in sweetened flaked coconut, the reality just doesn’t deliver. Inside, it’s a dense, mushy texture that lacks any real flavor. Although we can see kids loving it because — hey, it’s a cake pop! The Tropical Serenade is a MUST! If you are using the Disney Dining Plan, we do have some sad news. This does not qualify as a snack credit, and it is actually one of the only things on the Aloha Isle menu that is not a snack credit. However, we still think this treat is worth the money as it is easily shareable, if you are willing to give up some of this deliciousness. Head over to Aloha Isle to pick one up before heading on Pirates of the Caribbean or Jungle Cruise! Aloha Isle Our DFB team reviews almost every snack at Disney World, so you can know what’s worth your time and money on your vacation! For more dining reviews and Disney news, be sure to follow us at DFB! The Best Snacks at Disney World in 2026 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW View the full article

When you visit Disney World, you sort of HAVE to bring back souvenirs of your trip, right? Who doesn’t want a little memento of all the good times you had in the parks? Storybook candies Now, we know some people have specific souvenirs that they buy in the parks, like pins for pin collectors. Some of us also collect Disney mugs (and yes, we have a LOT). Others collect ears. But our favorite souvenirs usually include food of some kind, and we just found a NEW souvenir that is both a memento AND food. So it’s…well…perfect! Now these little souvenirs have been around for a little while. We’ve seen them in Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. Well, we got a closer look at them when we visited the Once Upon A Time store in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and we are IN LOVE. So these little souvenirs are little princess storybooks. But what makes these storybooks special is that inside are chocolate candies! YUM! We spotted storybooks for The Princess and the Frog… The Princess and the Frog …with Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels. Milk kChocoate Sea Salt Caramels Then there was a Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs storybook… Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs …with Milk Chocolate Black Cherry Truffles. Milk Chocolate Black Cherry Truffles Inside the Cinderella story book… Cinderella …is Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels. Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels The Sleeping Beauty storybook… Sleeping Beauty …holds Milk Chocolate Coffee Truffles. Milk Chocolate Coffee Truffles All we can say is YUM. We love a souvenir that is also a memento and a treat! These little storybooks run $12.99, so they’re not all that expensive either. They would even make great gifts to bring to folks back home (maybe whoever takes care of your pets while you’re away, other family members, or friends!). We’ll keep an eye out for even more fun souvenirs in Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB for more. 9 Disney Souvenirs From BoxLunch With Such Great Reviews, You’ll Instantly Add Them to Your Cart  Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of these souvenirs? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

BoxLunch consistently delivers great Disney souvenirs! BoxLunch Whether you’re shopping in-store or online, BoxLunch has TONS of fantastic Disney souvenirs that are hard to resist. Our wallets aren’t too thrilled with us, but we’ve been browsing BoxLunch’s website and have come across several BoxLunch-exclusive souvenirs with 5-star reviews that we just had to share with ya! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Grab this discounted Loungefly bag ©BoxLunch This Loungefly Coco Mini Backpack is currently on sale for 30% off! This bag features a floral print with a removable Dante charm. view ONLINE Add some Pixar charm to your plants with this collectible ©BoxLunch The Up Adventure Book Figural Planter is an adorable way to add some decoration to your plants! This ceramic planter is designed to look just like the book from the beloved Pixar film! view ONLINE The jean shorts are all the rage ©BoxLunch The Mickey Mouse Jean Shorts from BoxLunch feature an all-over print of Mickey in a classic style. These women’s shorts are available in several different sizes, but act fast — some sizes have already sold out! view ONLINE This next shirt is Minnie-approved! ©BoxLunch Check out this Minnie Mouse Floral Lace Shirt! This women’s t-shirt is available in several sizes and features Minnie Mouse’s silhouette among flowers, as well as lace and ribbon details on the sleeves. view ONLINE Decorate your home with this next discounted souvenir ©BoxLunch Save 50% right now on the Mickey Mouse Fried Egg Let’s Eat Wall Sign! This sign features a molded design of a fried egg with a Mickey Mouse yolk, and reads “Let’s Eat” — making it a perfect addition to your kitchen or dining room! view ONLINE This next souvenir is especially designed for Princess fans ©BoxLunch The Disney Princess Floral Quilted Blanket is a quality addition that provides warmth, comfort, and nostalgia. Best of all, it’s adorned with beloved Disney Princesses! view ONLINE This next Loungefly bag is themed after a beloved Disney Princess ©BoxLunch The Loungefly Beauty and the Beast Stained Glass Portrait Mini Backpack features Belle on the front, along with tons of applique stained glass details! view ONLINE This mug is a must-have for diehard Disney fans ©BoxLunch We can’t get over how cute this Pocahontas Meeko Critter Mug is! The body of the mug displays a really cool Pocahontas design, while the inside sports a ceramic Meeko peeking over the edge. view ONLINE Take home this Disney souvenir and save 40% ©BoxLunch Finally, the Aladdin Magic Carpet Stained Glass Wall Art is currently 40% off! This wall art features a stained art design of Aladdin, Princess Jasmine, and the Magic Carpet soaring over Agrabah. view ONLINE Let us know which BoxLunch souvenir is your favorite, and continue to follow us here at DFB for more great Disney souvenir finds! View the full article

Okay, let’s face it…We do things in Disney World that we would NEVER do in our regular daily lives back home. Line for Jungle Cruise For example, we’ll get up EXTRA early just to make it to rope drop in the parks. We’ll also throw a pair of mouse ears on our heads and walk around like that all day. We’ll even cheer, cry, and squeal when we see our favorite characters in the parks. But another thing we’ll do…and I’m calling GUILTY here…is that we’ll wait in lines for our favorite rides and characters FOR HOURS without a problem. Think about it. Right now, one of the biggest travel complaints is that people are waiting in line for HOURS just to go through TSA security at airports. And if we can avoid waiting in line, we’ll do all it takes not to wait (me? I have TSA PreCheck because I’m so impatient). But the minute I get to Disney World, all bets are off. We’ll get in line for Rise of the Resistance and stay there for three hours…and you know what? It’s FINE. We’re totally fine with it. We’ll wait for hours to see these stormtroopers Oh, it’s just a 2-hour wait for Mickey Mouse? Sure? We’ll just stand here and make the most of it. But two hours at the DMV? Oh no! That’s OUTRAGEOUS, and it makes our blood boil. Granted, the end result is a lot different for those two things. One is fun…and the other…well, isn’t. We’ll wait hours for Mickey We’ll even do this for entertainment. We’ll stake out our spots for Happily Ever After AT least an hour before the performance, but we wouldn’t do the same for some of the things we have to deal with back home. That’s just how it is. Happily Ever After Our mindsets completely change in Disney World, but a lot of it has to do with the fact that lines are — shall we say? — kinda’ fun when you’re in the parks? There are all these wonderful details in the queues. There are Cast Members doing their best to make sure you’re having a good time. There’s so much going on that the wait seems short. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind queue So maybe the TSA and DMV need to rethink their queues…that’s all I’m saying. But it’s still interesting what we’re willing to do in Disney World, especially when it comes to comparing it to the same things we’re willing to do back home. But then again, even long lines are magical in Disney World. And for those who hate the long lines, there’s always Lightning Lane Multi Pass. We’ll continue to cover Disney news, so stay tuned to DFB for more. No Lie. You Need to Skip These 5 Disney World Rides in 2026. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think? Are you willing to wait in lines more in Disney World than at home? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Picking the perfect park bag for Disney World isn’t exactly simple, but finding one on sale makes it easier. Loungefly SALE! You don’t want something oversized and heavy, but going too small means you might not have room for all your essentials. That’s where Loungefly backpacks come in; they’re small and easy to carry, yet surprisingly roomy. Plus, they’re super cute! Whether you’re shopping for yourself or looking for the perfect gift, these Disney Loungefly deals are definitely worth checking out while they are 50% off. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Before we show you which Disney Loungeflys you can grab right now for 50% off on Amazon, there are a LOT more options on sale right now on Amazon. We’ve created a page that we keep updated with every Disney Loungefly that is on sale on Amazon to help you save money and shop more easily! view ALL Loungeflys ON Sale Get 50% off this Minnie Floral and Lace Loungefly! ©Amazon OK, we’re starting strong with this Minnie Mouse Floral and Lace Mini Backpack. Look at the lace detail! The bouquet of flowers Minnie is holding is paired with the embroidered roses around it! We LOVE the Minnie appliqué, too, which shows Minnie all dressed up for spring. You can grab it right now for 50% off. view ON AMAZON This Minnie Mouse Pumpkin Loungefly is 50% off! ©Amazon This Minnie Mouse Pumpkin Mini Loungefly Backpack is way too adorable! The backpack features the beloved Minnie Mouse peeking out from behind a bowl of candy shaped like a jack-o’-lantern. It features an adorable pumpkin-and-candy-corn pattern. The same pattern appears over the side pockets, back of the bag, and Minnie’s eye-catching bow. Oh, by the way, the bag glows in the dark and is candy corn scented. Why not grab this seasonal bag now while it’s 50% off! view ON AMAZON Or, you can see the full list of Loungeflys on sale here! ©Amazon If these three Loungefly items aren’t for you or if you are looking to see what other Disney Loungeflys are on sale right now on Amazon, you can view our DFB Loungefly page. We update this daily with the latest Loungeflys that are on sale. view ALL Loungeflys ON Sale We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article

No Magic Kingdom day is complete without a magical viewing of the iconic fireworks show, Happily Ever After! Magic Kingdom However, you need to pay attention because the start time is changing again! Last month, on March 8th, the start time shifted from 9 PM to 9:30 PM. And as we approach the summer months, it looks like the time is going to be changing again! You don’t want to miss the nighttime fireworks! Starting on April 19th, Magic Kingdom’s fireworks show, Happily Ever After, will start at 10 PM! It’s also important to note that Magic Kingdom closes early, at 5:30pm, on May 13th, so there won’t be any fireworks that night. However, since the parks are also set to close at 10pm, it’s important to have your firework strategy ready to go! Fireworks If it’s super important for you to see the projections on the castle and be in the middle of everything, then you might want to camp out for a great spot in front of the castle. Happily Ever After Projections Or if you want to see the fireworks but avoid the crazy exit crowd, then a spot at the back of Main Street might be the best place for you. Happily Ever After from Main Street However, if you want to try to avoid the crowds altogether, and you’re okay missing out on the projections, watching the fireworks from Storybook Circus is a hidden gem! It’s quiet, tucked away from the crowds, and you might even be able to see the fireworks from Dumbo or Goofy’s Barnstormer. Happily Ever After! And if fireworks aren’t really your thing, take advantage of those short wait times and hop in line for a popular ride like Tron right before 10 PM. That way you can experience a great ride with a shorter line, and by the time you’re done, hopefully some of those crazy exiting crowds will have quieted down! Tron at Night! There are so many ways to view this incredible fireworks show, and you can choose what’s best for your family, even if that doesn’t mean being in the center of Main Street! However you choose to view the fireworks, it’s important to know when they start so you can plan your day. From now through April 18th, they will begin at 9:30 PM, and then on April 19th the officially move over to the 10pm start time! so pretty! Make sure to follow Disney Food Blog so you never miss any Disney updates or changes! We want to make sure you’re fully informed so you can have the best possible time at Disney! Could there be a hotel inside Magic Kingdom?? Click here to learn more! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What’s your favorite way to view Happily Ever After? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Is Disney’s most recently opened international resort about to expand with a second theme park? Shanghai Disneyland Since before the Shanghai Disney Resort even opened back in 2016, Disney aficionados have speculated on whether a second theme park was coming to the first resort complex to bear the company’s name in mainland China (The Walt Disney Company actually ONLY owns 43 percent of the resort. The majority 57 percent is held by Shanghai Shendi Group, a joint venture of three companies owned by the Shanghai government). Now, a possible leak MAY give a clue as to Shanghai’s second gate. Currently, the Shanghai Disney Resort is made up of the Shanghai Disneyland theme park (home of the original version of TRON Lightcycle Power Run as well as a revolutionary take on Pirates of the Caribbean, among other unique attractions), a pair of operating hotels (the 420-room Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, and the 80-room Toy Story Hotel) as well as two more currently under construction, and the Disneytown shopping and entertainment district (think Downtown Disney or Disney Springs). Future expansion plans for the resort have long called for two more theme parks to be constructed on undeveloped land on the site. Toy Story Hotel ©Shanghai Disney Resort Recently, a pair of new images, allegedly leaked concept art for a second park at the Shanghai Resort, have begun floating around the internet. The first shows a blurry image of a park that looks remarkably similar to EPCOT… @zoybeg X Account … while the second shows how that park could fit next to the Shanghai Disneyland park. @zoybeg X Account While nothing has been confirmed as of press time, if the concept art is legitimate, there is historical precedent for Disney to design a potential second gate based on EPCOT. After all, years before California Adventure, Disney planned to open the EPCOT-inspired WestCot as the Disneyland Resort’s second gate. Westcot Concept Art ©Disney Furthermore, given the immense transformation of the original EPCOT in the last decade, including the introduction of several popular Disney intellectual properties like Frozen, Ratatouille, Moana, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Guardians of the Galaxy, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Disney could bring a new, built from the ground up park in Shanghai. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind It remains to be seen whether this concept art — and rumors of a Spring 2026 announcement of a second gate coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the resort’s opening — are legitimate. However, that timing would be in line with Disney’s MO. Maybe there’s more solid news to come at the D23 Event in August this year!! Stay tuned to DFB for further coverage of Disney’s potential international expansion. Should I Use a Travel Agent for My Disney Trip or Disney Cruise in 2026? Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you hope is included at the Shanghai Disney Resort’s second gate? Let us know in the comments below. View the full article

The former Muppets Courtyard at Hollywood Studios is being turned into Monstropolis from Monsters, Inc., and it looks totally different now! Muppet*Vision 3D For reference, this is what the Muppets Courtyard looked like before it closed last June. Now, a warning for Muppets fans, brace yourselves. We’re totally not crying from behind our screen right now! Thanks to bioreconstruct on X, we can get aerial drone footage over the construction sites at Disney World. So when we checked their updates today, we saw that Muppets Courtyard looks completely different! Remember the colorful store attached to Muppet*Vision 3D? Well, it’s sterile millennial gray now! ©Bioreconstruct When we zoom in on the former Muppet*Vision 3D entrance, there’s a lot of earthmoving equipment, construction materials, and scaffolding around the building. They’re getting the ground ready for new pavement in addition to the exterior work on the theater. ©Bioreconstruct Based on Disney’s concept art, the building will likely stay a theater. It will have a similar layout, but get a facelift to become monster-ified, so we’re hoping it’ll get a new brick layer soon. Having to look at all of the gray on our next visit to Hollywood Studios will bring up all the feels! ©Disney When we look at the land’s entrance, there are lots of earthmoving equipment and trucks across the walkway. We can see some scaffolding and beams on the ground by the former Gonzo’s Royal Flush bathrooms, so they could be adding structural enhancements to the restaurant and bathrooms while they’re not in use. ©bioreconstruct Over by PizzaRizzo, the building’s signage has been removed, but ultimately looks the same. The tables and furnishings have also been removed, with boxes of what’s presumably more construction materials on the patio. ©bioreconstruct In the back of the Monstropolis land, Disney is building its first-ever suspended roller coaster. And now, it has a building (Well, kind of). They’ve set the building’s foundation with the gray and dark brown ground layer, and they’ve added some steel beams and a massive crane to the site. ©bioreconstruct When we zoom in on the future ride building, there’s a gray patch of concrete that’s a new foundation, and we have steel beams coming up that will likely become a wall or structural support. But when you look closely at the picture, do you see those little bright yellow dots? Yeah, those are the construction workers. This ride building is so massive that they look like ants! ©bioreconstruct We’re so excited to see what Monstropolis looks like once it’s done, but in the meantime, we’ll be crying over Muppet*Vision 3D. Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more Disney World news! The Ultimate Guide to Disney’s Hollywood Studios Restaurants Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of the changes coming to Hollywood Studios? Comment below! View the full article

If you’re planning a trip to Disney World in June, you’ll want to hear about this change. Sunset Blvd This could impact your trip to Hollywood Studios. Here’s everything you need to know. Hollywood Studios will be closing early on June 18th. Instead of the typical 9 PM closing time, the park gates will shut at 6 PM. Hollywood Studios Entrance I’m sure your first thought was what special event is happening in the park to make it close so early? Is it an After Hours Event or some other special Disney event happening in the park? And the answer is no! Studios at Night! Hollywood Studios is actually closing down for a private event! The Society of Human Resource Management is holding its annual conference at the park and renting it out from 8 to 11 PM. Hollywood Studios While it’s not extremely common, companies and groups can rent out an entire Disney park for a few hours! This early closure will only happen on June 18th. It will not affect the park’s opening hours, which will remain at 9am. This change will also not have any effect on the other Disney Parks. Galaxy’s Edge at Night So, if you’re planning a trip to Disney World this June, we suggest heading to Hollywood Studios any day other than the 18th. You will miss out on three hours of your park day. And since the park will close while it is still light out, they most likely will not run Fantasmic, which is a Studios-must! Plus, you’ll miss out on the beautiful nighttime atmosphere of this park! Fantasmic! If you’re planning a Disney trip this summer, one of the most important things to consider is where you’re going to eat. Specifically, if you’re gonna purchase the Disney Dining Plan. It can feel stressful and overwhelming trying to figure out if it’s the right choice for your family or if it will actually save you money. Which is why we created the Disney Dining Plan Guide! It goes over everything from how it works, which restaurants have the best value, and how to best use your snack credits! If you’re thinking about the Disney Dining Plan, check out our guide to make the whole process simple! We will let you know if any other early closures hit the parks in the future. Make sure to follow Disney Food Blog so you never miss any important Disney updates! Click here for a Hollywood Studios Update! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW If you could rent out a Disney Park for the evening, which park would you choose? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

There are a few things at Disney World that feel eternal. Cinderella Castle. Mickey waffles. That one family argument happening in the middle of the walkway for absolutely no reason. And, of course, Spaceship Earth. Spaceship Earth That giant silver sphere is still one of the most gorgeous icons in all of Walt Disney World, and it is still the gentle EPCOT classic that takes you from the Stone Age to the computer age. But in 2026, it’s also giving off a little “vintage beauty who maybe needs a spa day, a nap, and a very patient maintenance team” energy. It’s still iconic, but it’s also feeling a little…dated Part of Spaceship Earth’s charm is that it feels like old EPCOT in ride form. It’s thoughtful, weirdly soothing, and full of that big optimistic “humans invented communication and that’s neat!” spirit. But some of what once felt futuristic now lands a little more “retro classroom filmstrip with excellent lighting.” Inside Spaceship Earth And Disney’s own Project Tomorrow page does not exactly help the case for modernity here. The official description still highlights that you can view the video you made on the ride and email it to family and friends from a kiosk. Which is charming, sure. It is also the kind of sentence that makes you instinctively check whether your Motorola Razr is clipped to your belt. The 2025 refurb didn’t really solve the big question Yes, Spaceship Earth did get a refurbishment last fall. But if you were hoping that meant a big, juicy glow-up, the reality was much more modest. When the ride reopened in October 2025, there were no new scenes, no narration change, and no major story overhaul. Reports from the reopening noted that the attraction was largely the same ride, with maintenance work, some smoother Audio-Animatronic motion, and general tune-ups rather than a dramatic reimagining. In other words, Disney gave the icon a polish, not a reinvention. Spaceship Earth is temporarily closed for refurbishment That matters because a routine refurb is great for keeping the lights on, literally and figuratively, but it doesn’t answer the bigger question hanging over this attraction: is Disney actually planning to give Spaceship Earth the deeper TLC it has seemed to need for years? That long-promised D23 vision is still floating in limbo And this is where things get especially side-eye-worthy. Back at D23 in 2019, Disney said Spaceship Earth would remain a voyage through time, but the journey would transform with new scenes, a new guide, and all-new narration focused on storytelling and the shared human experience. That sounded like a meaningful next chapter for one of EPCOT’s most beloved attractions. ©Disney Fast-forward to now, and that bigger vision still hasn’t actually shown up…or been mentioned. The 2025 refurbishment did not deliver that overhaul, and post-refurb coverage made it clear the previously announced “Story Light” style update was not part of the project. So yes, it’s fair to wonder whether Spaceship Earth has been stuck in a strange holding pattern: too beloved to ignore, too old to leave untouched forever, and still waiting on the more ambitious refresh Disney once teased from a convention stage. The recent downtime isn’t exactly comforting If Spaceship Earth were just old-school, that would be one thing. Old-school is fine. Old-school can be chic. Old-school can be beloved. Old-school plus operational hiccups? That’s when the forehead furrow begins. In February, Spaceship Earth still had not opened more than seven hours after EPCOT opened, after several other lengthy delays earlier in the year. The ride saw five hours of downtime in three out of five days in late January. Spaceship Earth is closed tonight. Then, in March, the ride went through a multi-day unplanned closure before reopening on March 23. The exterior lighting on the sphere was also dark during part of that closure, which is not exactly the kind of visual you want from the literal symbol of EPCOT. Disney did not publicly announce a cause, and rumors about interior damage or water issues remained unconfirmed, but the headline takeaway was still the same: Spaceship Earth had another rough patch, and people noticed. Why this matters more than it would for another ride This isn’t some tucked-away attraction that only die-hard fans are seeking out between snack booths. This is Spaceship Earth. It’s the park icon. It’s an any-height attraction in the very front of EPCOT. It’s one of the most recognizable visuals in all of Walt Disney World. Spaceship Earth Line So when this ride feels a little creaky, or a little stalled-out creatively, or a little too prone to downtime for comfort, it hits differently. Guests are not just noticing a ride issue. They’re noticing it on the giant silver centerpiece of the entire park. That’s a much bigger vibe problem. The End… Or Just the Beginning To be clear, Spaceship Earth is still lovely. It’s still nostalgic. It’s still one of those rides that makes EPCOT feel like EPCOT. But that’s also exactly why we’re worried about it. IYKYK Right now, Spaceship Earth feels like an attraction Disney knows people love enough to keep forgiving. The problem is that nostalgia can only carry so much weight before guests start asking for something sturdier than affection and good memories. Between the light maintenance, the recent downtime, and that long-ago D23 vision that still hasn’t materialized, it’s hard not to look at this beautiful icon and think: honey, you deserve better than a patch job. Spaceship Earth at Night Does this nostalgic beauty need a little TLC? At this point, yes. Probably more than a little. And if Disney wants to keep Spaceship Earth from turning into the prettiest question mark in World Celebration, it may be time for a real plan instead of another quiet tune-up. Stay tuned to DFB for more. “If They Don’t Have Rome Burning I Will Cry.” Disney Fans Have 6 Demands for EPCOT’s New Spaceship Earth Lounge Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think? Does Disney need to refurb the Spaceship Earth lighting? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

“We are below the water line. The water is one deck higher. You’re walking underneath.” This man, smiling mischievously at our wide-eyed reactions, is Johan Blokstra, Chief Engineer of the Disney Destiny. He knows everything there is to know about the dense, intricate network of pipes, wires, and machinery here in the bottom of the ship. Johan recently invited Disney Parks Blog on our first-ever tour of the inner workings of a Disney Cruise Line ship. And here, below deck one, we’ll see how the entire Disney Cruise Line Wish class of ships work, and, well, how they work again to conserve every resource possible. Johan moves fast, so we’d better get going. Backstage on a Disney Ship Just minutes ago, our small group passed through an unassuming door on Deck 1. Like the famous-yet-mysterious utilidors in Magic Kingdom, this hidden thoroughfare branches off into specialized operational rooms and allows crew members to quickly get to guest areas of the ship. It was just before dinner and there went a crew member headed up to Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King (I could tell by the costume). Right behind her, a group passed by in their Worlds of Marvel vests and pointed, in kind, toward my bright yellow safety vest. For a moment, I felt like one of the crew. The author pleads with our dear readers to accept her lack of Engine Control Room photos. Picture This: The Engine Control Room A place Johan calls “The heart of the ship,” the Engine Control Room is where every system on the Disney Destiny is monitored, optimized, and managed. Media could not take photos during this part of the tour but just look up there at my face after seeing the Engine Control Room; it was so cool. So, I’ll paint a picture for you with words. In ride pre-show terms, which is how we measure all spaces here at Disney Parks Blog, the Engine Control Room was larger than the chess room on the Millennium Falcon, but smaller than the Xandarian teleport room where the Cosmic Generator goes missing. I told you this had to be vague. And like a cross between the Falcon’s cockpit controls and something straight outta Xandar, this room had analog buttons and switches alongside touchscreen displays and four big monitors lining the walls. The deep hum and steady whooshes of machinery and ducting blanketed the room in white noise, occasionally cut with shrill beeps and bloops. A main console stretched across the middle of the room where crew members sat in chairs, able to roll within reach of phones, screens, and keyboards. It was, in short, what you might picture an Engine Control Room to look like. Was that helpful? Optimizing How the Destiny Runs, Every Second As our small group feasted our eyes, Johan pointed at a softly shifting web-like graph, “This is how we control our power plant, how we control our LNG [liquefied natural gas] plant … air conditioning, everything that’s going on in the ship is being controlled from here.” Disney Cruise Line is focused on working to reduce emissions on the entire fleet of ships. And what Johan was showing us here was the ABB Ability OCTOPUS system, a high-tech energy efficiency coach for the ship. The system cuts down on fuel usage and emissions by giving the crew instant, easy-to-understand guidance on the most efficient way to run every part of the ship, from LED lighting to fan and pump speeds. Fuel Efficiency and Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions By continually striving to run in the most efficient way, Wish Class ships emit 20 percent less greenhouse gases than a similar-sized vessel without these innovations. Even the shape of the ship helps save fuel. The hydrodynamic hull and an optimized propulsion system save nearly 1,800 tons of fuel per ship annually. On this warm day docked at Disney Castaway Cay, it was easy, even for me, to decipher a bit of the web. Johan explained the display, “Currently, one of the engines is running which is being converted into electricity. Propulsion is off right now … the chillers are going for the air conditioning, and we’ve got a lot of ventilation going on upstairs.” The energy-efficient HVAC systems aboard save nearly 700 tons of fuel per ship each year. Johan told us that the system constantly monitors the vessel’s condition to ensure maximum reliability and efficiency. “There’s a lot of heat. The engines generate a lot of heat, so we also have [heat] losses. We use those losses as much as we can to recover that heat in our power generation.” All the operational data is securely shared with specialists ashore, who use it to analyze and improve the performance of every ship in the fleet. With these systems, Disney Cruise Line can make smarter decisions on energy efficiency. And with that, Johan was ready to take us down below Deck 1 to see the engines themselves. A Place Where Every Bit of Trash is Sorted But first, a quick stop at the Recycling Room, a place that can be found on each Disney Cruise Line ship. Everything that you throw away on a Disney ship ends up in a room like this. Here, teams sort waste to process recyclable materials like glass, paper, cardboard, metal, and plastic. Big can crushers and cardboard balers prepare materials for recycling instead of ending up in a landfill. On each ship across the Disney fleet, up to 400 tons of materials are recycled annually. Disney Cruise Line has eliminated nearly all single-use plastics from its ships and island destinations in The Bahamas, with the goal of sending zero waste to landfills. That’s right, from bow to stern, teams on land and at sea across Disney Cruise Line have found ways to replace items once made from single-use plastics with more sustainable options. From reusable cutlery and cereal dispensers to all paper cups and lids for your morning to-go coffee, these simple swaps to everyday items can make a big difference. So, the next time you grab a snack, use a shampoo dispenser, or even buy a souvenir on a Disney Cruise Line ship, you might notice something is missing. And it’s a whole lot of single-use plastic. Know that each time you reach for these familiar onboard items, you’re partnering with Disney Cruise Line to reuse, recycle, and re-think our impact. Our group soon went down a series of tight, winding stairways. Many required a backward descent (ladder-style). This tempted the Multiverse to open up, and I eventually ended up on Deck 31(c). I don’t get it, either, but I’m here to see the engines, so let’s move on. We emerged into a forest of pipes and beams stretched between ducted ceilings and metal floors. Gauges and lightning bolt stickers hailed something important to the trained eye. Bundles of multicolored wire ran like arteries and nerves all over the walls and ceilings toward glorious purpose. We all popped in earplugs to control the din of innumerable machines, and I found myself continually refocusing my eyes to pick out proper hallways from mere gaps between Very Important Things. We pressed on to view the engines. One of the five room-sized engines that power the Disney Destiny. The Engines and Recovering All That Energy Lift the proverbial hood on the Disney Destiny and you’ll find five huge engines. Our group took a catwalk above Engine 1 for a better look. Johan told us that the engines don’t run all the time; they are carefully managed to meet the needs of the ship. While each engine boasts a large amount of (sea?) horsepower, their use is constantly optimized in the Engine Control Room to run as efficiently as possible. Johan gestured and I realized the other behemoths were in view, lining yet another hall of wires and beams. He said, “Here are 3, 4, and 5. Number 1 is running by itself, and when we leave [Disney Castaway Cay] tonight, we’re going to start two more.” Our tour accessed service areas to get up close and personal with Engine 1. Disney Cruise Line has invested in using new fuels across the fleet, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) onboard the Disney Destiny. Johan explained that the LNG fuel is stored in a few huge tanks (each three decks tall) at a cryogenic temperature of 250 degrees Fahrenheit below zero. The fuel expands over 600 times as it warms into a gas, so it is stored at this cold temperature to be able to store the fuel in a smaller space (like, inside a ship). This machine helps turn hot water from the engine into cool water for air conditioning all over the ship. Turning Engine Heat into Air Conditioning Our group turned a corner, and Johan directed us toward a new chiller, “This takes all the hot water from the engine that we use for cooling. Part of it goes through this machine and there is a chemical reaction happening inside.” Johan explained that it turns the hot water into cold water, which goes back into the air conditioning system for the ship. “This is a new technology, and we’re really happy we have this machine onboard.” And while the Cold Recovery Unit was out of sight, tucked amid twisting tubes, Johan explained that it uses gas from the engines to help chill the water. “That again helps us with the generation of the air conditioning upstairs. We use the energy to help us keep the ship cold as well,” Johan clearly loves this science, adding, “Pretty neat!” And again, the air conditioning reuses water. The naturally occurring condensation produced by the air conditioning system is turned into fresh water for onboard laundry facilities, which saves each ship approximately 10 million gallons of water annually. Something to think about when you’re watching your clothes swirl around at Fairytale Fresh on Deck 8. Conserving Water and Protecting Oceans Up to 99% of the freshwater onboard a Wish class ship is produced onboard using energy-efficient reverse osmosis systems. To translate; the ship turns seawater into freshwater. Disney Cruise Line is committed to tracking every drop of water to maximize use and avoid having water delivered to the ship from ports of call. This 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea lookin’ guy is part of the wastewater recovery system. How Advanced Treatment Protects Marine Life So, there’s another type of water use you might be wondering about — everything that goes down the drain from showers, galleys, and yes, even toilets. When you flush, it’s all processed via the Advanced Wastewater Treatment system to be safe for marine life and can be released off the ship. Johan had a purified water sample to display, “This is what we discharge overboard. It is clean.” Johan explained that the process is similar to a household septic tank, where oxygen and bacteria go to work to help clear the water to levels far exceeding international standards. Looking Ahead to Conserving Our Oceans Soon it was time to climb back up each narrow stairway and emerge on Deck 1, where we thanked Johan for this exclusive look at the inner workings of a Wish class ship, and watched him disappear through that unassuming door to get the Disney Destiny ready to depart from Disney Castaway Cay. Johan and the author, who has been upcycled. Amid giant engines and remarkable technology, the most memorable part of our tour was Johan’s enthusiasm for the investment Disney has made to sustainability. He was excited to educate us about every remarkable system that reuses, recycles, and repurposes resources on the Disney Destiny. He upcycled us into engineering superfans. And Johan was always looking ahead to the future of sustainability. As Johan said during our tour, surrounded by humming machines, fully comfortable with this dense, futuristic world far below the waterline, “Things are moving. Things are evolving. At the moment, this is the best way forward, but in a couple years’ time you’ll see changes.” Learn more about Learn more about Disney Cruise Line’s commitment to conserving our oceans via Disney Planet Possible, and The Walt Disney Company’s environmental goals at impact.disney.com. Disney Destiny Planning Tips for the Perfect Sailing READ MORE Staterooms and Suites Aboard the Disney Destiny READ MORE Disney Destiny Updates: Latest News from the Ship READ MORE The post We’re Going Below Deck on the Disney Destiny appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

If you’re planning a trip to Disney World in 2026 and staying at a Disney World hotel, you’ll be able to grab some pretty SWEET perks. For example, if you’re staying at a Disney World hotel from May 26th through September 8th, you’ll get free tickets for you and your group to one of Disney’s water parks on your arrival date. Animal Kingdom During Extended Evening Hours All Disney World hotel guests get access to Early Theme Park Entry, but only those staying at a deluxe Disney World hotel get access to Extended Evening Hours. Now, extended evening hours only happen on select dates in select parks, so we’re going to give you a full rundown of all the extended evening hours dates and parks for 2026. Extended Evening hours are available on select dates and at select parks for guests staying at the following Disney World hotels: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Disney’s Beach Club Resort Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Disney’s Contemporary Resort Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village Disney’s Beach Club Villas Disney’s BoardWalk Villas Disney’s Old Key West Resort Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows Disney’s Riviera Resort Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – A Disney Vacation Club Resort (Please be aware that the extended evening hours benefit applies to Disney Vacation Club Cabins only.) The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Walt Disney World Swan Hotel Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel Walt Disney World Swan Reserve Shades of Green® on Walt Disney World Resort Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Those guests will get a few extra hours every evening in specific theme parks after the parks have officially closed to the public. This is a great chance to ride attractions with shorter wait times, and most attractions in each park will be available. Disney’s Contemporary Resort Here are the dates and parks with Extended Evening Hours in 2026: April Wednesday, April 1st — Magic Kingdom, 11PM – 1AM Monday, April 6th — EPCOT, 9PM – 11PM Wednesday, April 8th — Magic Kingdom, 11PM – 1AM Monday, April 13th — EPCOT, 9PM – 11PM Wednesday, April 15th — Magic Kingdom, 10PM – 12AM Monday, April 20th — EPCOT, 9PM – 11PM Wednesday, April 22nd — Magic Kingdom, 10PM – 12AM Monday, April 27th — EPCOT, 9PM – 11PM Wednesday, April 29th — Magic Kingdom, 10PM – 12AM TRON Lightcycle / Run at night May Monday, May 4th — Animal Kingdom, 6PM – 8PM Wednesday, May 6th — Magic Kingdom, 10PM – 12AM Monday, May 11th — Hollywood Studios, 9PM – 11PM Wednesday, May 13th — Animal Kingdom, 6PM – 8PM Monday, May 18th — EPCOT, 9PM – 11PM Wednesday, May 20th — Magic Kingdom, 10PM – 12AM Monday, May 25th — EPCOT, 9PM – 11PM Wednesday, May 27th — Magic Kingdom, 10PM – 12AM Pandora at night June Monday, June 1st — EPCOT, 9PM – 11PM Wednesday, June 3rd — Magic Kingdom, 10PM – 12AM Monday, June 8th — EPCOT, 9PM – 11PM Wednesday, June 10th — Magic Kingdom, 10PM – 12AM Monday, June 15th — EPCOT, 9PM – 11PM Wednesday, June 17th — Magic Kingdom, 10PM – 12AM Note that this is as far out as the Disney World calendar goes so far, but more dates and parks will be released soon. We’ll keep you updated as more are added, so stay tuned to DFB for more. Will I Be Able To Use Lightning Lane Multi Pass at Extended Evening Hours in Disney World? Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Will you be using Extended Evening Hours during your next Disney World trip? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

We’ve had an interesting week in Disney World, although granted, EVERY week is pretty interesting when you spend it at Disney World. Sweet Potato Ice Cream Sandwich First, we tried a sweet potato ice cream sandwich, then we watched lines get longer and longer for a NEW viral snack in Disney’s Animal Kingdom (and we get it, because that snack is AMAZING), and we found out that Refreshment Port in EPCOT is being reimagined into La Poutinerie and will now be hosted by Air Canada. A LOT going on. Well, we also saw some changes happening on Disney World restaurant menus, so we’re going to break those down for you now. Magic Kingdom Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe Entrées ADDED: Truffle-French Onion Burger — Angus Beef Patty with Braised Beef-Caramelized Onion Confit, Swiss Cheese, Parmsean, Crispy Onions, and Black Garlic-Truffle Aioli served with French Fries for $14.99 Cosmic Ray’s Main Street Bakery Seasonal Offerings ADDED: Dragon Drink Energy Refresher – Grande for $6.65 ADDED: Mango Strawberry Lemonade Energy Refresher – Grande for $6.65 Main Street Bakery Be Our Guest Signature Non-Alcoholic Drinks ADDED: Royal Berry Spritzer — Blackberry, Pomegranate, and Lime blended with Top Chico Blueberry Hibiscus Sparkling Water served in an Enchanted Light-up Souvenir Cup for $20.59 Be Our Guest EPCOT Joy of Tea Tea and Bottled Drinks Peach Bubble Milk Tea changed from $7.75 to $7.95 Honey Hibiscus Iced Tea changed from $7.75 to $7.95 Lychee Bubble Tea changed from $7.75 to $7.95 DASANI Bottled Water changed from $4 to $4.25 Specialty Cocktails Tipsy Ducks in Love changed from $14.50 to $14.75 Kung Fu Punch changed from $13.95 to $14.25 Lychee Cha Cha changed from $12.95 to $13.50 Honey Hibiscus Hard Iced Tea changed from $13.95 to $14.25 Tipsy Ducks in Love Teppan Edo Entrées NY Cut Steak changed from $44 to $45 REMOVED: Julienne Steak Teppan Edo Spice Road Table Mediterranean Small Plates Spiced Lamb Kefta description changed from “Harissa Yogurt, Mint Chutney, Toasted Pistachios, Preserved Lemon” to “Whipped Feta Cheese, Roasted Garlic Oil, Spiced Tomato Sauce” REMOVED: Calamari, Spice Road Table Sampler Spice Road Table San Angel Inn Entrées REMOVED: Arrachera Wagyu San Angel Inn Chefs de France Appetizers Rillettes au deux Saumon, Brioche, sauce à l’aneth changed from $18.95 to $20.95 Entrées Fruits de la Mer, tarte aux èpinard, sauce au homard changed from $38.95 to $39.95 Filet de saumon, riz pilaf, sauce beurre blanc changed from $37.95 to $38.95 Ratatouille Provençale changed from $27.95 to $28.95 Steak Frites, entrecote grillé, pommes frites, sauce bérnaise changed from $54.95 to $55.95 Chefs de France Disney’s Hollywood Studios Trolley Car Cafe Seasonal Offerings ADDED: Dragon Drink Energy Refresher – Grande for $6.65 ADDED: Mango Strawberry Lemonade Energy Refresher – Grande for $6.65 Trolley Car Cafe Disney’s Animal Kingdom Satu’li Canteen Gluten/Wheat Allergy-Friendly ADDED: Mangkwan Mousse – Gluten/Wheat Allergy-Friendly — Flourless Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Mousse, Raspberry Gelée, Mango Coulis, Boba Pearls, and a Milk and White Chocolate Garnish for $6.29 Satu’li Canteen Creature Comforts Seasonal Offerings ADDED: Dragon Drink Energy Refresher – Grande for $6.65 ADDED: Mango Strawberry Lemonade Energy Refresher – Grande for $6.65 Creature Comforts Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Cafe Rix Beverages REMOVED: Cold Brew Cafe Rix Siestas Cantina Frozen Besito Daiquiri changed from $15.50 to $16 REMOVED: Abuelita’s Freeze ADDED: Abuelita’s Mudslide — A frozen twist on Mexican hot chocolate, blending vodka, Kahlua, and RumChata with rich mocha, vanilla, and cinnamon for $17 Siestas Cantina Disney’s Contemporary Resort Contempo Cafe Egg Allergy-Friendly ADDED: Signature Rice Bowl with Chicken – Egg Allergy-Friendly — Cilantro-Lime Rice, Black Beans, Grilled Peppers, Onions, and Queso Fresco topped with Shrimp for $14.99 Contempo Cafe Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Gasparilla Island Grill Desserts REMOVED: Pistachio-Berry Mousse Gasparilla Island Grill Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Roaring Fork Snacks ADDED: Frozen Lemonade Cup for $6.29 ADDED: Frozen Strawberry Lemonade Cup for $6.29 Roaring Fork Disney’s Beach Club Resort Cape May Cafe Non-Alcoholic Specialty Offerings REMOVED: Pomegranate Lemonade, Watermelon Lemonade Cape May Cafe Disney’s Old Key West Resort Olivia’s Cafe Entrées West Indian Tofu and Coconut Curry description changed from “Mango-Coconut Curry, Crisp Vegetables, Jasmine Rice, and Cilantro” to “Coconut Curry, Crisp Vegetables, Rice, and Cilantro” Olivia’s Cafe Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Turf Club Bar and Grill Non-Alcoholic Specialty Offerings REMOVED: Pomegranate Lemonade, Watermelon Lemonade Turf Club Bar & Grill Disney Springs Amorette’s Patisserie Limited Time Offerings REMOVED: Mini Easter Croquembouche Signature Pastries REMOVED: Chocolate Chip Cookie – 2 Count Amorette’s Patisserie Starbucks at Marketplace Seasonal Offerings ADDED: Dragon Drink Energy Refresher – Grande for $6.65 ADDED: Mango Strawberry Lemonade Energy Refresher – Grande for $6.65 Starbucks at Marketplace Starbucks at West Side Seasonal Offerings ADDED: Dragon Drink Energy Refresher – Grande for $6.65 ADDED: Mango Strawberry Lemonade Energy Refresher – Grande for $6.65 West Side Starbucks at Disney Springs The Basket at Wine Bar George Sweets REMOVED: Espresso Pistachio Cannolo ADDED: Chocolate Almond Tart — chocolate ganache / green chartreuse for $9 The Basket at Wine Bar George Wine Bar George Wine Country Brunch Small Plates REMOVED: Spanakopita Salad ADDED: Yogurt Parfait — Greek yogurt / fresh fruit / granola for $10 ADDED: Seasonal Salad — vegetables / croutons / shallot vinaigrette for $14 ADDED: Seasonal Puff Tart — available in limited quantities for $10 Dippy Egg description changed from “sweet potato / tomatillo salsa / coddled egg / sourdough spears” to “spinach whipped potatoes / bacon / coddled egg / ciabatta” Wine Country Brunch Main Plates Wine Country Omelet description “changed from “spinach / mushroom / bacon / Havarti / crispy shallots” to “cotija / avocado / corn / tomatillo crema” REMOVED: Tiramisu French Toast, Seared Porchetta Sandwich ADDED: French Toast — Diplomat cream / fresh fruit / maple syrup for $19 Wine Country Brunch Sweets REMOVED: Espresso Pistachio Cannolo ADDED: Chocolate Almond Tart — chocolate ganache / green chartreuse for $9 Bites & Boards Seasonal Salad description changed from “arcadian greens / spinach / kale / seasonal fruit / basil vinaigrette / brioche croutons “to “vegetables / croutons / shallot vinaigrette” Small Plates REMOVED: Butternut Squash Risotto, Miso Roasted Onion, Stuffed Phyllo Shell, Spanakopita Salad Pork Belly description changed from “roasted beets / apple cranberry gel / chicharrones” to “shoyu glaze / charred cabbage / grapefruit” ADDED: Tomato Goat Cheese Risotto — oyster mushrooms / cippolini onions for $16 ADDED: Seasonal Salad — vegetables / croutons/ shallot vinaigrette for $14 ADDED: Bouillabaisse — grouper / clam / mussels / roasted vegetables for $24 Main Plates REMOVED: Brie & Turkey Sandwich, Bratwurst, Whole Greek Sea Bass Double Bone Pork Chop description changed from “collard greens / sweet potato / apple bourbon glaze” to “roasted Brussels sprouts / rice grits / sorghum glaze” ADDED: Braised Pork Sandwich — roasted tomatoes / brioche / house-made chips for $19 ADDED: Chicken Quinoa Salad — almonds / spinach / tomato / citrus vinaigrette for $18 ADDED: Skirt Steak (serves two) — asparagus / mashed potatoes / chimichurri for $83 Grilled Ribeye description changed from “potato onion gratin / roasted onion / black garlic butter” to “potato stuffed potato / peas / black garlic butter” ADDED: Branzino — whole bean ragout / spinach / tomatoes for $45 Sweets REMOVED: Espresso Pistachio Cannolo ADDED: Chocolate Almond Tart — chocolate ganache / green chartreuse for $9 Wine Bar George Disney World menus change all the time, and it can be a lot to keep up with, although you can check menus on the Disney World website or My Disney Experience app. We’ll also keep an eye out for changes, so stay tuned to DFB for more. Disney dining changes are a lot to keep up with! We’ve done all the research for you in writing our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! We’ve got details on EVERY dining location at Walt Disney World inside our eBook – and it’s easy to download to your tablet or smartphone to take with you on your next trip. Five Popular Disney World Restaurants Fans Aren’t Booking in 2026 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Did Disney World change the menu at your favorite restaurant this week? Share your thoughts in the comments! View the full article