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We’ve had our fair share of burgers in Disney World and…well…they aren’t always the FIRST thing that we reach for when it comes to having a good meal in the parks. The Smokehouse BBQ Burger from Regal Eagle at EPCOT But, there are some gems like our beloved Cheeseburger Pods from Satu’li Canteen, the BBQ Burger from Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Crafts, Drafts, and Barbecue, and, of course, the Cheeseburger Spring Rolls from the Spring Roll Cart in Magic Kingdom. But, if we want a REAL good burger we head over to the west coast to Black Tap Craft Burgers and Shakes in Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort. And, that’s just what we did today! So, what are we chowing down on today? Fried pickles, burgers, and milkshakes, of course! We meet again, Black Tap! Like any good meal, we started off with Fried Pickles ($9), which are served with House Buttermilk-Dill. We’ll just tell you now — this is one of our favorite things to order here. Although they’re fried, they’re not super greasy. The batter to pickle ratio is also great and the first time we dipped a fried pickle into that buttermilk dill sauce is something we’ll never forget. There are right up there with the Fried Pickles that we LOVE from Carnation Cafe. Excuse us while we shove these into our mouth. Then it was time to dive into some burgers. We started with a preview of the Reuben Burger, which you won’t find on the Anaheim menu just yet. It’s basically a burger turned into a Reuben sandwich, and is made with prime beef, swiss cheese, grilled corned beef, sauerkraut, sliced pickles, and special sauce. It’s served with fries. You’re going to have to love Sauerkraut and Reuben flavors to appreciate this burger. We sure do, so we thought this was VERY tasty. But y’all, it’s A LOT of meat. Reuben Burger Also, we have to mention the cheese because…well…you know us — it was nice and melty, just the way cheese should be. The produce was also super fresh and the flavors melded well together. BUT this baby is messy, so if you’re going to eat it, have lots of napkins ready! LOADED burger Then it was time to try The Wagyu Steakhouse Burger ($23), which is made with Wagyu Beef, Pepper Jack Cheese, Bacon, crispy Onions, A1 Sauce, and Roasted Garlic Mayo. This one is also served with fries. Wagyu Burger Of the two burgers, this one was our favorite because it just had all the right things. It was perfectly cooked, although it was a bit heavy on the A1 Sauce (and you could probably ask for less if you’re not a fan), and the onion straws were a nice crunchy touch. Plus, the bacon was good, and, once again, the pepper jack cheese was melty with just the right amount of kick. We couldn’t taste much of the garlic mayo (the A1 overpowers it) but overall, this was a great burger! Cooked perfectly To top our meal off, we ended with something little something sweet (we’re at the infamous Black Tap after all!) — the Lucky Charms Shake! Now, if you don’t know, Black Tap is home to what’s called CRAZY Shakes which are shakes, but on a WHOLE DIFFERENT level! The Lucky Charms Shake isn’t one of those (which really just means that it’s not topped with a cupcake or cake slice), but the classic vanilla shake topped with Lucky Charms cereal is still HUGE! There’s cereal on our shake and we’re here for it. And with no dessert on top of your dessert to eat, this shake is actually easy to drink and not super messy. What we really liked is that the vanilla base of it also has chunks of Lucky Charms in it so you’ll get some happy little surprises as you sip! Our only complaint is that the paper straw fell apart pretty easily after a few sips, so here’s a pro tip — bring a reusable straw with you instead! Lucky Charms! Well, that’s one hefty meal for us at Black Tap, but we certainly didn’t walk away unsatisfied! If you’re in Downtown Disney and find yourself craving a classic meal that is simple and always good, head on over and give Black Tap a try! And, be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more of the latest food reviews and updates! We Found Chocolate Peanut Butter HEAVEN In Disneyland! Check It Out Here! Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! Check Out Important Details about the 2022 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Learn About Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland See the Latest Updates About Disneyland’s Face Mask Policy Check Out What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Check Out Our Disneyland Restaurants Guide Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure See More About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Learn About the Disneyland Mobile App Get All the Details About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program What’s Going to Be Different About Your Next Disneyland Trip? Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe 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 Black Tap Anaheim to attend a media preview. 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 What’s your favorite burger in Disneyland? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: Disneyland is Taking Milk And Cereal To The NEXT. LEVEL. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Hey, you! Yeah, you! We’re stopping by a SECRET bar in Disney World for lunch, and you’re gonna want to join us. Cabana Bar and Beach Club Spread Okay, okay, maybe it’s not so secret — but it’s certainly not mainstream! We’re swinging over to the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel to pay a visit to Cabana Bar and Beach Club, a surprisingly swanky and relaxing spot. Yep, we’re bringing you a REVIEW of what you can snag at this sophisticated lounge. You’ll find Cabana Bar and Beach Club located right next to the Dolphin lap pool and Grotto Pool, accessible from both the Swan and the Dolphin. ©Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel So, what makes this spot stand out? Atmosphere First, let’s talk about the atmosphere. As mentioned, this spot has a GREAT poolside location with covered tables, cabanas, and comfy couches with ottomans. Plus, you can Mobile Order from your pool chair! Mobile Order at Cabana Bar and Beach Club Did we mention it also features a FULL bar with some great music? The location is beautiful with views of the pool, the beach, and the Swan and Dolphin. There’s a good amount of shade from the sun but the spot is entirely outdoors — so it might not be the best spot if it’s breezy or rainy. Pool at Swan and Dolphin You can choose from standard tables and chairs, comfier lounge seating, bar seating, and shared tables. Our table was set with a cloth napkin and set of utensils and we had access to QR code and paper menus. So, let’s eat! Eats This spot has that full bar but it also features a surprisingly extensive menu of lounge eats and specialty drinks. For the eats, you can select from Shareables, From the Garden, Bowls… ©Disney …Handhelds, Plates, and Pizza! Whew! That’s a LOT of eats for a pool bar menu! ©Disney And it doesn’t end there either, you can also snag some Sides and little ones have plenty of Kids’ Meals to choose from. Then, you can snag your choice of Non-Alcoholic Beverages. ©Disney But this is a BAR, so you know they have some alcoholic sips as well. And buckle up, because there are a LOT of Specialty Cocktails. ©Disney If you’re looking to cool off you can also snag a Frozen Libation or swing for a whole Beachside Bucket! ©Disney Looking for something a little simpler? You’ve also got your choice of Craft or Draft Beer… ©Disney …and red and white Wines! ©Disney We opted to start our meal with one of those Specialty Cocktails, the Strawberry Basil Lemonade Jar for $16. Strawberry Basil Lemonade Jar This sip is made with Strawberry and Basil infused Absolut Vodka, Hand-squeezed Lemonade, and Rock Candy Syrup. Strawberry Basil Lemonade Jar Our first impression of this sip was that it had a strong vodka flavor to it but then it eased off with a sweeter aftertaste. As you can see, it also comes in a cute plastic jar with a lid and had lots of fruit floating in it. Strawberry Basil Lemonade Jar This was a stronger drink so those who tend to like more vodka-forward beverages would be fans of this one. Surprisingly, it wasn’t overly sweet, so if you DO tend to go for sweeter drinks you might want to opt for something different. Strawberry Basil Lemonade Jar We snagged one item From the Garden, the Grilled Watermelon & Spiced Ricotta for $13. Grilled Watermelon & Spiced Ricotta This summery dish is Grilled Watermelon, Spiced Ricotta Cheese, Early Girl Tomatoes, and Frisée. Grilled Watermelon & Spiced Ricotta The spiced ricotta was creamy and had a mild taste to it and it paired VERY well with the cool and refreshing watermelon. If you get a bite of everything with the arugula and tomatoes, it comes off as a very tasty and light dish. The strongest taste was the ricotta so balancing each bite is a key way to make sure the mild creaminess doesn’t take over the more delicate flavors on the plate. Grilled Watermelon & Spiced Ricotta If you love more light and fresh apps, the Grilled Watermelon & Spiced Ricotta. But be warned! If you’re not a ricotta fan we recommend skipping this one — it’s expensive if you only want a watermelon salad with no ricotta. Grilled Watermelon & Spiced Ricotta Our other appetizer was the Chicken Wings from the Shareables section for $14. These come with your choice of sauce: Buffalo or Korean Glaze and with Cilantro Dipping Sauce, Celery, and Carrot Sticks. We got a mix of the Buffalo and Korean! Chicken Wings These were cooked VERY well. The wings were crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. The buffalo sauce was tangy and fairly typical but the Korean glaze was more surprising. It was like a sweet BBG glaze with a nice tang to it. Chicken Wings Interestingly, our wings didn’t come with the cilantro dipping sauce — just basic ranch — but that was fine by us. We think that anyone who likes chicken wings would be happy with this portion. Chicken Wings Now, onto our entrees! We picked up the Dynamite Shrimp Bowl for $21. Dynamite Shrimp Bowl This dish is Tempura Rock Shrimp, Dynamite Sauce, Seasoned Sushi Rice, Smoked Eel Sauce, Scallion, Crispy Wonton, and Lotus Chip. Oooh! Dynamite Shrimp Bowl The rice base was cooked perfectly and we loved, loved, loved the dynamite sauce. It also had a bit of a surprising kick to it; it was certainly spicier than typical Disney eats! Dynamite Shrimp Bowl Our complaint with this dish was the tempura batter on the shrimp was a bit soggy and the main flavor that came through was the sauce — not so much any shrimp flavor (And on top of that it’s a pretty small portion for $21!). Still, it was a pretty tasty dish. Dynamite Shrimp Bowl We also chose the Grilled Chicken BLT for $16. Grilled Chicken BLT This sandwich is Grilled Chicken Breast, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Tomato Jam, and Arugula on Toasted Sourdough Bread. Grilled Chicken BLT The bacon was SUPER thick cut which was awesome and all of the flavors came together to make for a classic BLT profile. Still, there were no condiments on the sandwich and the chicken was on the dry side. Though the sandwich was a little too dry for our liking, we did love the fries which were super crispy and well-seasoned! Grilled Chicken BLT Okay, we have certainly filled up! So, should you snag a bite at this pool bar? Nosh or Not You SHOULD swim over to Cabana Bar and Beach Club if… You’re having a pool day at Swan and Dolphin! The eats and drinks are tasty and you can order right to your pool chair! You’re looking to stay and relax for a while. The seating was comfortable and we noticed a lot of the guests were socializing with one another. Add some music and great drinks and we could see a solid afternoon here. You’ve got kiddos with you! This spot has pleasing items for little ones AND parents and being so close to the pool means you can have a sip or bite while your kids play. You should swim PAST Cabana Bar and Beach Club if… It’s out of the way for you. We had a nice meal at Cabana Bar but we wouldn’t say it’s worth a trip to Swan and Dolphin Hotel if you weren’t already in the area. You want a quiet meal. This spot has loud music, people chatting, and folks hanging in the pool nearby. It’s not the quietest! You want more typical offerings. Though this spot does have a burger and flatbread, it’s got a lot more unique options too. Head to The Fountain in the Dolphin if you’re looking for more picky-eater-friendly bites. Overall Overall, we had a nice meal at this spot — but nothing great! We had fabulous service and we loved the atmosphere, but most of the food was just fine. We didn’t love the prices either, $21 for a slightly soggy shrimp bowl felt like a bit too much. Still, we would return to this spot for the appetizers we had and the fun and relaxing atmosphere. Plus, if you’re having a pool day at Swan and Dolphin, the options are a great amenity. Click here to learn more about mobile order at this spot! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Would you visit Cabana Bar and Beach Club? Tell us in the comments! The post REVIEW: We're Eating at a SURPRISINGLY Swanky Pool Bar in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney has been pulling out all of the stops for International Women’s History Month this year! Celebrate HER Story in Disney Springs! From Encanto desserts to Princess coffee, we’ve had some great treats this month with some serious girl power. And, we’ve got Women’s History Month to thank for bringing one of our FAVORITE margaritas back to EPCOT! You may remember the seriously delicious margarita called The Lily that debuted at the El Artista Hambriento booth in the Mexico Pavilion during the 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Arts — isn’t she GORGEOUS. The Lily Model Lily Aldridge had collaborated with La Cava del Tequila to create the drink exclusively for the festival. It had Blanco Tequila, Violet Essence Infusion, Rose Petal Liqueur, Cranberry, and Lime Juice. But, like all good things, this too came to an end…until NOW! The Lily is now officially on the menu at La Cava del Tequila in the Mexico Pavilion! Today is the FIRST day that you can stop by and order up the new and improved version of the drink and Lily Aldridge stopped by to celebrate the occasion! The margarita may no longer be served in a souvenir cup with “xo Lily” signed on the bottom, but it’s still JUST as pretty! The Lily Margarita The other big difference is that it’s actually made with a different kind of tequila! This version features Casa Dragones blanco tequila, cranberry-lime juice, housemade rose petal & shimmering violet essence, with a rose-hibiscus salt rim. The Lily Margarita! And, the cool thing about the tequila upgrade? Casa Dragones Tequila was founded by a woman and for every Lily Margarita sold through April, Casa Dragones will be donating to Women for Women, a non-profit organization that supports women who are survivors of war. Did someone say tequila? We loved The Lily Margarita before for its tart taste and subtle hints of rose and now it’s only better! You can give it a try at La Cava del Tequila for $33 now. Click here to read our FULL REVIEW of the Lily Margarita! And, we’re always staying up to date on all the latest in all things Disney, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more! Click here to read a review of the HAT we ate in Disney World! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you tried the Lily Margarita? Let us know in the comments! The post This EPCOT Margarita Was SO GOOD Disney Brought it BACK! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. It has been a BUSY couple of weeks for Disney! EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival With new resorts opening and festivals starting at the theme parks, plus new movies releasing on Disney+, there’s a lot happening these days. But don’t worry, Disney’s certainly not slacking on the merchandise game during this hectic time! This week, we got several new items on shopDisney, and we’re here to share the full list with you. Accessories We’re kicking off this week’s Disney merch online with a roundup of the newest accessories. First on the list are the Valentine’s Day Minnie ears — they arrived online just a liiiittle bit late! You can grab a pair for $29.99. Valentine’s Day Minnie Ears What about an accessory that you’ll wear every day? If you’re in search of the perfect silicone wedding bands, look no further! Enso Rings released a new line of Disney Princess designs this week, and we’re going to need all three, please and thank you. You can grab the Pocahontas, Rapunzel, and Tiana rings for $44.99 each. ©Enso Rings And last on our list of accessories for the week is ANOTHER pair of Minnie ears. This new pair looks like they came straight out of someone’s garden, all decked out in faux foliage and florals. New Floral Minnie Ears This fun headband would be perfect to wear for a visit to the 2022 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, and you can grab it online now for $29.99. Click Here to Shop the Headband Online! Toys & Collectibles Listen, we’re firm believers that you can never have too many Disney collectibles, and this week, we got some more items to add to your collections! First of all, another Disney Designer Collection princess doll has arrived, and this time it’s Aurora from Sleeping Beauty. Like her pricey friends, she’s $129.99, so you may want to keep this one in the box. ©Disney And all you nuiMO collectors out there will want to tune in, because this week we got Zootopia plushes online! The Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps figures are $21.99 each and you can dress them up just like all the other little Disney pals. ©Disney And if you think that teeny tiny things are very precious and you must collect them ALL, then we have just the toys for you — the Disney 5 Surprise Mini Brands! Mystery Capsules. ©Disney Inside each capsule, you’ll find 5 replicas of popular Disney Store toys, and your purchase comes with a 3-pack of the spheres — that’s 15 little toys that you can unwrap for $29.99 total. How fun! Learn More About the Mini Capsules Here! Collections And finally, two new collections were released online this week. First of all, we got some merchandise items from the 2022 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival on shopDisney, including the bright new Orange Bird Spirit Jersey. Orange Bird Spirit Jersey And all the Winnie the Pooh fans out there are going to need to hide their wallets, because the new kitchen collection online is simply irresistible! You can order everything from a honey pot to little kitchen utensils. ©Disney With dainty florals, honeycomb patterns, and characters printed on the jars, these are the perfect new aesthetic for one of the most-used rooms in your home! Make sure to check out the full collection online. Click Here to See the Full Collection Online! That’s everything new online this week! Stay tuned to DFB for the latest news and updates, as well as all the hot new merchandise! Click Here to See All the Minnie Ears You Can Buy Online! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What’s your favorite new item? Tell us in the comments! The post Take a Look at the NEW Disney Items That Arrived Online This Week first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are a lot of delicious treats in Disney World, but the ones that are secret or hard to get? Well, there’s just something that tastes better about them. Gideon’s Bakehouse We’ve had our fair share of secret menu drinks across the Disney Parks over the years. And, we’re pretty bad a keeping secrets so we share them ALL with you. But, it’s not just about knowing where to find these hidden eats, sometimes it’s also about WHEN you need to visit. Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs has been notorious for cooking up some hard-to-get sweets and now there’s another one that you can ONLY find on certain days! Since opening, Gideon’s Bakehouse has served up a SUPER popular (and tasty) Coffee Cake Cookie — but, to get it, you need to visit in the morning. Well, they’ve taken it to the next level and now have a Coffee Toffee Vanilla Bean CAKE! The catch? It’s ONLY available on the weekends this month. Coffee IN the cake. This masterpiece is a vanilla cake flavored with coffee grounds and a toffee buttercream with toffee pieces. Yes, coffee grounds IN A CAKE. And, we’ve got to say — it’s GOOD! Often, Gideon’s cakes tend to be VERY sweet because of the huge blocks of frosting they stuff inside, but we thought that this one has a good balance of sweetness between the vanilla cake and the toffee buttercream. And, that coffee flavor sure does come through with each bite. Toffee Coffee Cake The buttercream also has a hint of that coffee taste, which keeps the sweetness of the frosting balanced. We also liked the crunchy Toffee Pieces on the top. Kids might not like this one as much because of the complex mix of flavors, but most adults who like toffee and vanilla flavors will likely enjoy it as much as we did (so feel free to keep it all to yourself!). Let’s dig in! This whopping slice of cake costs $9, but, remember — you have to visit on a weekend in March to pick this up! And, we’ll keep trying ALL the new food at Disney World, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more reviews! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What’s your favorite Gideon’s cake or cookie flavor? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: You Have a VERY Limited Window To Get Disney World’s New Treat! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Listen, even we get lost in Disney World sometimes. New park map! Maybe it’s been a long day, or we’re tired, or it’s hot out, but sometimes we’ll think we’re walking to the bathroom and somehow end up in line for a Mickey pretzel. It happens to the best of us, and that’s most certainly the case for this pair of Crocs. The 2022 Flower and Garden Festival recently started in EPCOT over in Disney World, but this piece of merchandise ended up on the other side of the country! We spotted these EPCOT Flower and Garden Crocs over in Elysian Arcade in Disney California Adventure yesterday. What makes it really weird is that we haven’t even seen them in EPCOT yet! Um… hi? These crocs have a vegetable garden print all over them, notes on “how to garden” inside, and they even have a Spaceship Earth charm! We’re just as confused as you are. What are you guys doing here? We’ve seen the crocs listed in the merchandise portion of the festival passport at EPCOT, but so far they are nowhere to be found. So, if you’re a real die-hard Flower & Garden Festival fan (or a crocs fan for that matter), you might have to book a flight to California to get your hands on them. A Peek at the Merchandise This is far from the first time we’ve seen Disney merchandise get lost before, though. We once drank coffee out of Disneyland cups while in Disney World, but these crocs appearing in California Adventure before EPCOT is definitely strange. Um…are you lost little coffee cup? We’ll keep updating you on this croc situation, and they should (hopefully) arrive in EPCOT soon! But, in the meantime, stay tuned to DFB for all the updates on all things Disney! Click here to see all of the Entertainment for the 2022 Flower and Garden Festival! Click HERE to See All the Updated Details for EPCOT's 2022 International Flower and Garden Festival! Ready to Plan for Your 2022 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Trip? Order the DFB Guide to the 2022 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival e-Book today! This 200+ page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. Your purchase includes several bonus items as well -- including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable Outdoor Kitchens Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! Order your 2022 edition today! Don't miss a moment of the fun! Use code SPRING at check-out to get $2 off the cover price! Join the DFB Newsletter to Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Are you hoping these lost crocs make their way to Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post EPCOT's Flower & Garden Festival Crocs Are Seriously Lost first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

One of the fun things about eating and drinking around Disneyland every day is you never know exactly what you’re going to find! Schmoozies This time of year, we get excited about all the St. Patrick’s Day treats, the Easter snacks, and the springtime foods that always make their way to the parks. But, now we’ve got even MORE to get excited about because FOUR new drinks have arrived in Disney California Adventure and two of them combine our favorite flavor combo — chocolate and peanut butter! We can always count on Schmoozies to have refreshing drinks and over-the-top, spectacular shakes so we stopped in to see what they are serving up nowadays. Imagine our surprise when we found FOUR new drinks including a Watermelon Lemonade, Berry-Vanilla Shake, Chocolate-Peanut Butter Affogato, AND Chocolate-Peanut Butter Shake! So, if there’s no way you’re going to fit all of that into your stomach, how do you decide what to get? Well, here’s what we thought! First up is the Seasonal Lemonade for $5.49, which is now Watermelon Lemonade. Now, this is a SUPER refreshing drink and it actually has a really great balance of both flavors from the watermelon and lemonade. Watermelon Lemonade The Berry-Vanilla Shake is available for $8.99 and is a Berry Rainbow Sherbet Shake with Whipped Topping, Fruity Cereal, and Vanilla Crème Sandwich Cookies. Now, this really just tasted like a strawberry shake to us but it’s a VERY VERY SWEET strawberry shake. We actually thought it was way too sweet for us, but if you have a serious sweet tooth, you might like it. VERY sweet What we were really excited about, though, were the Chocolate Peanut Butter drinks! First up is the Chocolate-Peanut Butter Affogato for $6.49. It’s a Chocolate-Peanut Butter Ice Cream with a shot of Espresso. OH, YEAH. And let’s just say, if you love Reese’s, the ice cream in this tastes JUST like that. And, once the ice cream melted a little bit into that espresso…BAM, you’ve got yourself a Reese’s coffee drink — what’s not to love about that? Um…YES!!! But, if you’d rather not have a shot of coffee with your Reese’s-flavored drink, you can also get a Chocolate-Peanut Butter Shake for $8.49. It’s that same delicious ice cream served with a Peanut Butter and Chocolate Sprinkle Rim with Whipped Topping and Peanut Butter Drizzle. We preferred this shake over the berry one and thought that the chocolate to peanut butter flavor ratio was PERFECT. Chocolate peanut butter HEAVEN So if you’re a chocolate peanut butter fan like we are, head on over to Schmoozies and give ’em a try! And, be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more of the latest Disney food reviews and updates! Disneyland is Fixing a BIG Problem Before Fantasmic! Returns — Find Out What It Is Here! Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! Check Out Important Details about the 2022 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Learn About Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland See the Latest Updates About Disneyland’s Face Mask Policy Check Out What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Check Out Our Disneyland Restaurants Guide Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure See More About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Learn About the Disneyland Mobile App Get All the Details About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program What’s Going to Be Different About Your Next Disneyland Trip? Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe What’s your favorite Disneyland seasonal snack or drink? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: We Found Chocolate Peanut Butter HEAVEN In Disneyland! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A big part of Disneyland Park is getting a makeover, and the work has begun! Toontown At the end of 2021, we learned that Mickey’s Toontown would be getting a complete reimagining, which requires the area to be completely shut down. The area officially closed on March 9th, 2022, and isn’t expected to open again until early 2023. So, we recently went by to check out the area — let’s see what it looks like right now! When we walked over to Toontown, we were greeted with these colorful new construction walls blocking off the entrance to the area! The walls featured Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto, Chip, and Dale. See ya soon, Toontown! This section of the wall has Minnie and Daisy on it… Toontown Walls ..and another part of the wall has some of the concept art for what Toontown will look like once the renovation is over! For example, this is what the Disneyland version of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is going to look like… NEW Toontown Concept Art! …and here’s what is planned for the rest of the land! Coming Toon! We’ll miss ya, Toontown, but we’re super excited to see everything new that’s coming to this classic area! See ya soon! If you’re not familiar, Disney said they’re working to create new, interactive experiences in Toontown so that “families and young children can have more opportunities to play together inside Disneyland park.” Once completed, Toontown will become a “vibrant symphony of sights, sounds, and sensations” with new play experiences, along with open, grassy areas that guests can enjoy. ©Disney These new play experiences will also vary between areas to active play, tactile play, and more — giving kids the chance to “play, slide, spin, splash, touch and listen.” And, coming to the reimagined land is Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway like the one over in Hollywood Studios! This ride has been under construction for a while and shout fit right in with the land. “Coming TOON!” Construction in Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland Disney is also transforming part of Toontown into “CenTOONial Park.” This will be the first space you see when you enter the space and it will have 2 interactive play experiences. In the middle of this new Toontown will be a fountain designed for play that will become an icon for the land. At night, Disney says the “fountain will be brought to life in a unique spectacle.” ©Disney Also, a part of the reimagined land is a new “dreaming tree“ inspired by the tree Walt Disney would daydream under when he was younger in Marceline, Missouri. The tree will have sculpted roots that will give kids the chance to play, crawl, and explore. Are you getting the overall major theme here? It’s play. This whole land will be focused on areas for people to come and play! But, don’t worry about the characters that you know and love! Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and more will still be in the new Toontown. And, Disney also confirmed that the iconic Toontown hills will return! Toontown Hills Stay tuned to DFB for more Disneyland news and updates! Click here to learn more about the Toontown Transformation at Disneyland! Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! Check Out Important Details about the 2022 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Learn About Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland See the Latest Updates About Disneyland’s Face Mask Policy Check Out What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Check Out Our Disneyland Restaurants Guide Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure See More About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Learn About the Disneyland Mobile App Get All the Details About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program What’s Going to Be Different About Your Next Disneyland Trip? Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Are you excited for this transformation or do you wish Toontown was staying the same? Let us know in the comments! The post Mickey's Toontown is Now CLOSED in Disneyland for Reimagining! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Y’all, it’s been a WEIRD week in Disney World. Floods, unusual closures, a ridiculously LONG line…a lot has happened. What’s new in Disney World? Unexpected surprises can happen all the time in Disney World, but sometimes we have to wonder how ALL of these things happen in one single week?! We’re here with the 7 BIGGEST surprises of the week! Genie+ Additions Genie+ is getting TWO additions in Disney World soon! These new experiences include the Red Carpet Dreams modified character meet-and-greet in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the Festival of Fantasy Parade in Magic Kingdom! They officially became available through Genie+ on March 11th, 2022. Hey Mickey! The Festival of Fantasy Parade just returned to Magic Kingdom, and a Genie+ Lightning Lane will give you access to an exclusive viewing area, while a Lightning Lane for Red Carpet Dreams will let you see glamourous Minnie and Sorcerer Mickey much faster. Read more about the 2 experiences being added to Genie+! Is AristoCrêpes Closed? AristoCrêpes is (was?) a Disney Springs snack stand where you could get crêpes without having to go all the way to EPCOT! So what’s going on? We noticed this week that while AristoCrêpes usually opens at 4PM on weekdays, it hasn’t opened for a few days in a row. Also, the menus have disappeared from the stand. We’re not sure what’s going on with this spot. Sounds a bit ominous, right? To go even further, when we tried to visit the AristoCrêpes webpage, we received an error message. Disney has not yet made an announcement about what’s going on with this crêpes stand, but we’ll be watching this situation closely for more updates. Learn more about AristoCrêpes being weird here. Connections Cafe Timeline Sound the alarms — we have an update about EPCOT construction! The new quick service restaurant Connections Cafe and Eatery is part of EPCOT’s big transformation, and Disney announced this week when we’ll be able to grab a bite there. This restaurant will have an adjoining cafe, and it’s all about connection and community. Connections Cafe Connections Cafe will open in spring 2022 in EPCOT’s World Celebration neighborhood, and one of five marquees has already been added to the building! We’ll be watching closely for an official opening date. Read more about the opening timeline for Connections Cafe here! Hollywood Studios Map Changes Disney’s Hollywood Studios park maps got a bit of a makeover this week! In the Echo Lake section, you’ll now find Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and Celebrity Spotlight, and Mickey and Minnie at Red Carpet Dreams have been added to the Commissary Lane section. New park map! There’s more too! The Toy Story Mania store is no longer listed under Shopping, nor is the Beverly Sunset Boutique, which has been reportedly closed due to inventory issues. The Toy Story Mania store closure is likely due to the new store coming soon! Click here for more photos of the Hollywood Studios Map Changes! Rise of the Resistance Wait Time You’ll never guess how long guests had to wait for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in Hollywood Studios this week, even in spite of its usual high wait times. Folks, it was three and a half hours! Imagine all the things you could accomplish in Disney World in 3.5 hours. SO MANY THINGS. Rise of the Resistance It’s not out of the ordinary for Rise of the Resistance to have one of the longest wait times in Disney World, but over three hours is a lot. Make sure your phone is fully charged, you’ve got your favorite Disney World snacks, and a game for play while you wait! Would you wait this long for Rise of the Resistane? MAJOR Flooding Although it’s not yet hurricane season in Florida, this week was RAINY in Disney World, and there were major flooding issues at Hollywood Studios. In fact, Hollywood Boulevard was covered in several inches of water, with the water above guests’ ankles in some areas. Disney World sees its share of rain Some areas of EPCOT were also flooded, though not to the same extent as Hollywood Studios. Still, this is a good reminder to bring extra shoes and socks when you visit Disney World! Check out photos and videos of the severe flooding here! Gingerbread Cookies ALL Year! And in some final happy news, according to a Cast Member we spoke to this week, the popular Gingerbread Salted Caramel Buttercream Cookie Sandwich from Karamell-Küche is here to STAY! In the past, this treat was only available during the holidays, but it’s now available all year. Gingerbread Salted Caramel Buttercream Cookie Sandwich The Gingerbread Cookie Sandwich is made of buttercream frosting and salted caramel drizzle sandwiched between two huge gingerbread cookies, and now you can find it for $5.99 all year! Read more about Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies now available all year! That was some news this week! Keep following DFB for more Disney World updates, tips, and more. How to kick your Disney World snacks up a notch! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. The post Flooding, Genie+ Updates, and More Unexpected Things That Happened in Disney World This Week first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s time to take a look at what’s happening at Disney World next week! EPCOT! There is so much Disney news to keep track of, like the first look we just got at the NEW Moana ride coming to EPCOT, a new food truck in Disney Springs, and a popular nighttime tour returning. And, amidst all of that, we’re still seeing some changes to the operating hours of the parks, so if you’re going to Disney World next week, read this to see all of the updates hours and reservations! Disney World Park Hours the Week of March 13th Magic Kingdom Park Hours This week, Magic Kingdom will be open from 9AM-11PM every day except for Sunday, March 13th, when it will only stay open until 10PM. There will be Extended Evening Hours until 1AM on March 16th. ©Disney Let’s check out EPCOT! EPCOT Park Hours EPCOT will be open from 8:30AM until 9PM every day this week with Extended Evening Hours on March 14th! ©Disney That’s all for EPCOT! Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park Hours Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open from 7:30AM until 8:30PM every day this week! ©Disney Now, let’s check out Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park Hours Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open from 8:30AM until 9PM every day this week! ©Disney And, that’s all for park hours, let’s take a look at reservation availability! Current Disney Park Pass Reservation Availability the Week of March 13th Annual Passholders There are 4 different annual passes, each with different reservation availabilities, so let’s take a look! Incredi Pass Holders can make a reservation at any of the four parks every day this week… ©Disney …and the same goes for Sorcerer Pass Holders. ©Disney Pirate Pass Holders on the other hand are blocked out from making reservations this week. ©Disney …along with those who have the Pixie Dust Pass. ©Disney Now let’s take a look at the availability for other ticket holders! Theme Park Ticket Holder Reservation Availability Theme Park Ticket holders can only make reservations for the 16th through 19th next week and the 13th through 15th are completely booked at all four theme parks. On March 16th, 17th, and 18th, the only park available for reservations is EPCOT, and on the 19th, all of the parks are available except for Magic Kingdom. ©Disney Let’s look at Select Resort Hotel Guests! Select Resort Hotel Guests Reservation Availability Select Resort Hotel Guests have similar availability and can only make reservations for the 16th through 19th next week and the 13th through 15th are also completely booked. Additionally, on March 16th, 17th, and 18th, the only park available for reservations is EPCOT, and on the 19th, all of the parks are available except for Magic Kingdom. ©Disney Those are all of the park pass and hour updates for this week! Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more of the latest updates! Click here to read about the Popular Show that Closed due to Technical Difficulties in Disney World today! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you going to Disney World next week? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney World Could Be VERY Busy Next Week! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Do you have a favorite Disney World hotel? The pool at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort We spend a lot of time at Disney World hotels, checking in shops, restaurants, bakeries, and more to see what’s new. So, if you’re keeping up with all those updates, too — we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything new we’ve found at Disney World hotels this week! Art of Animation Merchandise Updates Ink & Paint Shop First up we’re stopping by Ink & Paint Shop at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort where there’s a new Art of Animation Rashguard for $49.99 Rashguard We also found a Kids Little Mermaid Swimsuit with Rashguard for $49.99. Ariel! If you’ve got a kid that loves frilly ruffles, they will love this Minnie Mouse Dress for $44.99. So frilly There’s also a Baby Minnie Mouse Dress with a Matching Headband for $34.99. Isn’t this precious? Check out this Toy Story Sensory Friendly Sweatshirt for Kids for $29.99. Sensory friendly shirt! We found a couple of cool new Art of Animation items, including a Tie Dye T-Shirt for $25… Tie Dye is SO in. …a blue Dip Dye T-Shirt for $25 Fun Art of Animation shirt …and a Mug. Who doesn’t need more mugs? The mug is $14. Check Out The Art of Animation Minnie Ears Art of Animation Food Updates The Drop Off Pool Bar We got to sip on a St. Patrick’s Day-themed drink called the Good Luck Charm. It’s made with Svedka Vodka and Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur, blended with vanilla ice cream, and topped with fresh whipped cream and cookie ears for $14. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Let’s just say that this drink made us forget that the Shamrock Shake ever existed. We are in LOVE. Read Our Full Review Here! Art of Animation Construction Updates If you’re hoping to spend some time at the pool when you’re staying at Disney’s Art of Animation, you’re in luck! The Schoolyard Splashground has reopened after being closed for refurbishment. It’s open! However, over in the Cars-themed section of the hotel, the Cozy Cone Pool has closed for refurbishment. This pool is set to be closed through mid-April 2022. It’s NOT open Squirt’s Righteous Reef is also closed right now, so you’ll want to keep that in mind if you’re staying here anytime soon! Everything You Want To Know About Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Pop Century Resort Merchandise Updates Everything POP Over at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, we stopped into Everything POP to do some shopping and found a new colorful To The Max Pop Century Resort Tee! COLORFUL This t-shirt is $25. 18 AWESOME Movies and Shows You Had No Idea Were On Disney+ Caribbean Beach Merchandise Updates Calypso Trading Post At Calypso Trading Post in Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, we found a new Caribbean Beach Resort Mug. Island vibes This mug is $14. Learn More About Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort! Caribbean Beach Construction Updates Construction is impacting the pool over at this hotel too! Right now, the Martinique Pool is closed for refurbishment. It is also expected to reopen in mid-April 2022. Another closed pool It’s also important to note that the Fuentes del Morro Play Area is closed at this time and is set to reopen at the end of this month. All the Disney World Hotels and Rides That Will Be Closed This March Riviera Merchandise Updates La Boutique Time to head over to Disney’s Riviera Resort! Need a suitcase? We found this large Riviera Suitcase! Rep the Riviera while you travel. The other side has a huge Riviera logo on it. ICONIC logo The suitcase is $200. Learn More About Disney’s Riviera Resort All-Star Movies Food Updates World Premiere Food Court Who’s up for some Encanto-inspired treats? We ARE! There’s a Mirabel Cupcake, which is a Cinnamon cupcake stuffed with custard and topped with coconut buttercream and toasted coconut, and Mirabel-inspired fondant garnishes for $5.79. It’s super delicious and kinda’ reminded us of coffee cake! Mirabel Cupcake There’s also a Luisa Push-Up Cake Pop made with layers of vanilla cake and tres leches pastry cream, all topped with a donut “boulder.” This treat, which costs, $5.29, was delicious, but it’s kinda weird in push-up cake form. Kids will love it, though! Luisa Push-Up Cake Pop Finally, we tried the Encanto Cholado for $6.99. This treat is made with Crushed ice topped with sliced fresh fruit, sweetened condensed milk, and shredded coconut. It’s VERY refreshing AND it looks really cool. See? Encanto Cholado All of these treats are available for a limited time RIGHT NOW, so be sure to check them out! Read Our Full Review of These Snacks Here! Contemporary Resort Merchandise Updates Bayview Gifts In Bayview Gifts at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, we found this cool new Joy Mug that we previously only saw at Disneyland here! It’s $19.99 How about a cup of Joy? And, if you love Chef Mickey’s, you’ll want to get this Chef Mickey’s Hat ASAP. Just look at it with its Mickey ears! Chef Mickey Hat Grab this awesome hat for $19.99. Click Here To See More Photos of This Hat Polynesian Merchandise Updates Moana Mercantile There is a TON of new Aulani merchandise available at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, including a Sunset Wonders Mug… Hawaii vibes …and a Colorful Friendship Mug. The mugs are $18 each. Colorful Friendship We also found an Aulani Phone Case for $30… Cutest phone case ever? …an Aulani Phone Dock for $30… Fun phone dock! …an Aulani Pen Set for $20… Pens! …an Aulani Notebook for $20… Sunny Days are what it’s all about …and an Aulani Luggage Tag for $10. Luggage tag We also saw these items at the BouTiki store! Here’s What To Eat at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Beach Club Merchandise Update Beach Club Marketplace At Disney’s Beach Club, there’s a new Believe In Magic Sweatshirt. We DO Believe in Magic The sweatshirt is $30. Learn More About Disney’s Beach Club Resort Thimbles & Threads And, in another store at the resort, you can find the Alex and Ani Cinderella Castle Earrings. It’s the castle! The earrings are $30. Check Out Our Review Of A Cupcake We Had at Beach Club Coronado Springs Merchandise Update Panchito’s Gifts and Sundries We found some new souvenirs in Panchito’s, including a Coronado Springs Magnet for $9.99… New Magnet! …a Villa Del Lago T-Shirt for $24.99… Villa Del Lago Tee .. and a Villa Del Lago Wine Glass. Wine glass The wine glass is $14.99. Here Are Five Hidden Tips You Should Know About Disney World’s Gran Destino Tower Grand Floridian Food Updates Gasparilla Island Grill With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, we’re trying out all the green treats at Disney World, including one shaped like a Hat from Gasparilla Island Grill! The St. Patty’s Day Hat is made with a shortbread cookie topped with a hat made from Caramel-Irish Cream mousse and chocolate cake, covered in milk chocolate with a white chocolate ribbon and shamrock! So Fun! Not only is it adorable, but it’s also quite delicious — try it for yourself for $7.99. Read Our Full Review Here Those are all the updates we have for now, but we’ll be back soon with more, so stay tuned to DFB!  Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Which Disney World Hotel is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! The post What's New at Disney World Hotels: Pool Closures, 'Encanto' Snacks, and Aulani Merchandise! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

One of the things we can’t ever predict about Disney World is the weather. Rainy Day Cavalcade Florida is notorious for the kind of weather that makes folks say, “If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute.” And, while the storms may usually pass quickly, that doesn’t mean that your day in the parks won’t be impacted. We’ve seen days where thunderstorms cause ride closures and even recently saw Disney’s Hollywood Studios flood. And, as we move into the Spring season in Central Florida, we’re bringing you along with us on a REALLY rainy day in Disney World! To start our day off in Disney World today, we woke up to a Tornado Watch in Orlando (which runs through 1PM EST currently) along with some SEVERE thunderstorms. So, what does that mean for the parks? Well, with lightning in the area, many outdoor rides across Disney World were CLOSED for most of the morning. ©Disney And, the skies were OMINOUS — even if you didn’t have access to a weather app, you knew something was brewing. Spooky skies! And, when the rain finally hit, guests flocked to cover! We found a spot near Sir Mickey’s in Magic Kingdom to wait out the storm with LOTS of other guests. Trying to stay dry But that didn’t stop a few brave souls from throwing on their rain gear and taking advantage of the open walkways. In Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we still spotted many people still exploring the park… All poncho’d up …and at EPCOT, people were still riding the indoor attractions that remained open. Frozen Ever After Line The amount of rain sure did do a doozy on the parks, though — over in Tomorrowland, we spotted a bit of flooding. Clogged drain But, at least we got to see the Rainy Day Cavalcade! This cavalcade only comes out when the weather is bad, so it’s kind of a little treat for withstanding all the rain and soaking wet socks. Rainy Day Cavalcade So what should you do during severe weather at Disney World? First, be sure to have a weather app handy on your phone so you know what kind of weather to expect. Second, understand that outdoor ride closures happen due to lightning — and even if you don’t SEE lightning, if there’s a storm near the Disney World area, rides will still close. And, know that stores and other indoor locations will be crowded. Crowded store Also, for those flying into Disney World, there could always be delays and cancellations (like we saw this morning at Orlando International Airport). So, be sure to check your flight status when you know that there could be impacts from the weather. Of course, we’ll keep you updated on ALL the Disney World news, so stay tuned to DFB for more! Here’s A Complete List of the Attractions that Close When There’s Bad Weather in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you ever been caught in bad weather at Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post PHOTOS: Disney World Is Having Some BAD Weather Today first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Ignorance might sometimes be bliss, but not when it comes to a Disney World vacation. Magic Kingdom No, when you’re planning a trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth, it’s better to know as much as you can about the parks, restaurants, hotels, and attractions. That way you’ll be able to plan the BEST trip possible for you and your group. To help you out, we put together a list of everything that’s going to be CLOSED in Disney World next week so that you’re equipped with all the latest information that could affect your trip. Magic Kingdom The Walt Disney World Railroad is the only ride that’s scheduled to be closed in Magic Kingdom. Unfortunately, we don’t have a reopening date for this attraction right now. It’s on Disney’s refurbishments calendar through mid-May, which is as far as the calendar goes right now. Walt Disney World Railroad is closed Construction on the upcoming TRON: Lightcycle Run roller coaster in Tomorrowland has interrupted the train tracks, which is part of the reason for the Railroad’s closure. TRON Construction We don’t know exactly when TRON might open in Disney World, but we’ll keep an eye out for specific dates for both of these attractions! The Festival of Fantasy Parade returned to Magic Kingdom! Disney’s Animal Kingdom In Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the roller coaster Expedition Everest is closed for refurbishments. It’s expected to re-open in mid-April 2022, although Disney hasn’t given a specific return date. Expedition Everest is closed right now. Finding Nemo: The Musical is closed as well. When this show returns, it’ll actually be called Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond! Finding Nemo: The Musical The new show features characters from Finding Dory and will have some of the same songs as the original musical. Check out a must-have summer snack in Animal Kingdom. EPCOT The gift shop Souk-Al-Magreb is closed in the Morocco pavilion at EPCOT’s World Showcase. Souk-al-Magreb This spot has been closed for a while now, and Disney hasn’t announced a reopening date. However, the gift shop disappears from the refurbishment calendar on April 24th, 2022. So it’s possible that the store will reopen on that day! But keep in mind that this shop has disappeared and then returned to the calendar before, so we don’t know for sure. Morocco Pavilion In addition, the EPCOT Experience is going to close permanently this week on March 14th. This attraction was an exhibit that showcased the upcoming additions to EPCOT as part of the park’s massive transformation. The EPCOT Experience Imagineer Zach Riddley announced that the exhibit will be closed to make way for new experiences in the Odyssey Pavilion. Check out a construction update on EPCOT’s upcoming roller coaster. Disney’s Hollywood Studios Disney’s Hollywood Studios has a couple of continuing closures as well. The Voyage of the Little Mermaid show is closed right now, and it doesn’t have a reopening date yet. Voyage of the Little Mermaid And the nighttime show Fantasmic! is also closed. This show will return sometime in 2022, but Disney hasn’t given a more specific timeline yet. Fantasmic! When it does return, there will be some updates such as new characters and stunts! Click here to learn more about the changes coming to Fantasmic! Disney World Water Parks Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park is currently closed. We don’t have a reopening date for this park, but Typhoon Lagoon (Disney’s other water park) is currently open! Blizzard Beach So you can still head in to enjoy water rides, pools, and more. Check out one of our favorite snacks at Typhoon Lagoon. Disney World Hotels Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is still open to guests, but Disney recently began refurbishment on 200 new DVC Resort Studios, which will be located in the Big Pine Key building. New Resort Studios The DVC pre-sale for these rooms opened on March 3rd, 2022, and DVC members can book their stay at the rooms beginning March 14th. Non-DVC members can book their stay at the new rooms beginning March 31st. The new rooms are expected to open in the summer of 2022. Bathroom vanity area We recently got to tour a model for what the new rooms will look like! Check out a tour of the new rooms here! Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort has not reopened yet, but reservations are available now if you want to stay there once it reopens on March 31st, 2022. All-Star Sports This hotel is the last one to reopen, so after March 31st, all of Disney World’s hotels will have returned! Which Disney World value resort is the best? 13,000 readers ranked them all! Hotel Pool Refurbishments Several Disney World hotel pools are currently closed, so be sure to see if any of these refurbishments are affecting your upcoming trip. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, the Samawati Springs Pool (at Kidani Village) is closed. It will remain closed through April 2022. Guests at this hotel can head to the Uzima Springs Pool (at Jambo House) instead. Samawati Springs Pool The Cozy Cone Pool at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (in the Cars section of the hotel) is currently closed. This closure is expected to last through mid-April, 2022. Cozy Cone Pool is Closed While the Cozy Cone Pool is closed, the Flippin’ Fins Pool and Big Blue Pool are open for guests at this hotel. And the Schoolyard Splashground has also reopened and is available to guests now! The Schoolyard Sprayground is open! The Righteous Reef playground area in the Finding Nemo section of the hotel is currently closed for some refurbishments. The Righteous Reef Playground is closed. At Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, the Martinique Village pool and Fuentes del Morro Water Play Area are both closed for refurbishment. Martinique Village Pool The pool is expected to reopen in mid-April 2022, and the water play area is expected to reopen in late March 2022. Other pools at this hotel are still available for guests, such as the Fuentes del Morro Pool. Fuentes del Morro Water Play Area And finally, the Grandstand Leisure Pool at Disney’s Saratoga Springs is closed right now, and it’s expected to remain closed through mid-March 2022. Saratoga Springs pool That’s it for our report on all the closures in Disney World next week! Keep following DFB for more updates as you plan your upcoming vacation. See all the hotels and rides that will be closed in March. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Will these closures affect your Disney World trip? Let us know in the comments. The post Do These Disney World CLOSURES Affect Your Vacation Plans?! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are so many things to do at night in Disney World! Disney Enchantment Fireworks There are tons of nighttime shows at Disney World like Harmonious in EPCOT and Disney Enchantment at Magic Kingdom, but did you know that there’s a nighttime Disney World show that you don’t have to be in the parks to see? And no, we’re not talking about watching the fireworks from your hotel window! Disney World’s Electrical Water Pageant takes place on the Seven Seas Lagoon in Disney World every night and you can watch it from several locations, including the Magic Kingdom! The show is only 15 minutes long when it passes, and because it moves through so many places, you want to make sure you time it just right! And, now we’ve got an UPDATE on the showtimes for the pageant! ©Disney Beginning Sunday, March 13th, the Electrical Water Pageant will be starting at 8:15PM instead of 8:25PM! New 50th Anniversary scene added to the Electrical Water Pageant The parade lasts until 10:30PM and you can watch it from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Fort Wilderness. Electrical Water Pageant is Back! Keep in mind that the Electrical Water Pageant is constantly moving so the show will have a staggered start at each location. Be sure to ask a Cast Member at the spot you’ll be watching what time it will pass just to be sure you don’t miss it! You can also check the My Disney Experience app for the showtime at each resort. And, stay tuned to DFB for more of the latest Disney news and updates! See the new 50th-anniversary scene added to the Electrical Water Pageant HERE! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you watched the Electrical Water Pageant? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney World's Electrical Water Pageant Showtime is CHANGING first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are a lot of changes in the works at Disneyland right now! Sleeping Beauty Castle For example, TONS of nighttime entertainment is coming back in the next month, THREE fan-favorite rides are closing for refurbishment, and Mickey’s Toontown is undergoing a full transformation. And, on top of it all, Disney has shared that they will be taking some time to fix a pinch point in Disneyland Park to help with crowding moving forward. As we previously reported, Pirates of the Caribbean will close for its seasonal refurbishment on March 14th. And, according to the Orange County Register, Disney will be using that time to improve the traffic flow in New Orleans Square where the attraction is located. New Orleans Square Crowds While the attraction itself will get some TLC, Disney Imagineers will also take the opportunity to “partially modify” the extended queue which has led to overcrowding in the area in the past. The Pirates of the Caribbean queue is changing! Disney officials shared that they plan to have the work complete before May 28th when Fantasmic! returns. Disneyland does not have a dedicated seating area for Fantasmic! like Disney World, so New Orleans Square becomes even more crowded as guests stake out spots around Rivers of America before and during the show. New Orleans Square Crowds Disney also confirmed that this update will not impact the Fantasmic! viewing areas or platforms (though, some will be lowered) along the Rivers of America, as all of the trees and green space will return once the work is complete. Of course, we’ll keep you updated on ALL Disney news, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more! Only True Experts Will Recognize ALL of the Easter Eggs in Disneyland’s Newest Shop! Check It Out Here! Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! Check Out Important Details about the 2022 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Learn About Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland See the Latest Updates About Disneyland’s Face Mask Policy Check Out What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Check Out Our Disneyland Restaurants Guide Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure See More About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Learn About the Disneyland Mobile App Get All the Details About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program What’s Going to Be Different About Your Next Disneyland Trip? Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Have you been to Disneyland recently? Let us know what you think about traffic flow problems in the park in the comments! The post Disneyland is Fixing a BIG Problem Before Fantasmic! Returns first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

While you can often find us chowing down on Mickey Pretzels and Dole Whip in the parks, some of our favorite Disney World dining locations are actually found outside of the parks! Coronado Springs Resort The Disney World Resort hotels are home to some iconic restaurants. Of course, there are the quintessential spots like ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. But, there’s one Disney World hotel that we bet you don’t typically think of when it comes to dining…but you totally should! That’s right, we’ll say it — Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort has surprisingly good food! Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort The hotel recently received a MAJOR refresh with the opening of the new Gran Destino Tower. And, along with 545 brand new rooms, the Tower also added several new dining options to the resort! Resort lobby Coronado Springs’ Gran Destino Tower Between the long-standing restaurants and recent additions, Coronado Springs now features a solid variety of dining options from casual Quick Service to up-scale Table Service experiences. So, let’s take a closer look at this hidden gem and share a few of our favorite spots to snag food in Coronado Springs! Three Bridges Bar and Grill When we’re talkin’ about Three Bridges Bar and Grill, we have to start by giving a shout-out to the AWESOME location. It’s located out on the water of Lago Dorado, so your meal will come with a nice side of gorgeous lakeside views of the resort. And, you won’t have to get all dressed up to visit — Three Bridges is more of a casual restaurant with a laid-back vibe. Three Bridges Bar & Grill But the views aren’t the only reason to visit, they also serve up some REALLY tasty food, specializing in upscale Spanish-inspired bar food and cocktails. La Fresa Limonada This is a great place to head for a late-night bite or cocktail. But, it does tend to get crowded during mealtimes, so keep that in mind if Three Bridges is on your Disney bucket list! Appetizers from Three Bridges We’ve had a few stand-out items from Three Bridges that we would DEFINITELY order again, like the guacamole, steak frites, and coconut chicken curry, to name a few. Entrees from Three Bridges This spot is also the home of Sangria University! So if you’re looking for a unique, adult-centric (but still kid-friendly) experience to learn the background of this iconic drink and take a stab at making your own personalized creation, you’ll want to check it out! Make your very own sangria! So, if you’re looking for unique cocktails and tapas in a gorgeous setting, we’d definitely say Three Bridges is worth a try — especially for a late-night bite or nightcap! Check Out Our Full Review of Three Bridges Bar & Grill HERE! Rix Sports Bar & Grill As the name suggests, Rix Sports Bar & Grill is your go-to place for pub-style food. It also features over 30 (!!) TVs, so it’s a great place to head if there’s a game you gotta catch while you’re on vacation! Entrance Now, full disclosure — this isn’t exactly one of our favorite restaurants, and it’s probably not a destination-worthy spot for most guests. But, there is ONE menu item that gives this place a well-earned shout-out on our list…Watchos! A mashup of “waffle fries” and “nachos,” this appetizer is made with crispy waffle fries topped with queso blanco, bacon, and scallions. Sure, it might not be the most innovative menu item we’ve ever tried, but it is just as delicious and that’s what really counts! Watchos at Rix So, kick back, relax, and enjoy all the Watchos you can. We won’t judge you for skipping the Disney Parks and enjoying some grub while you watch Sunday football! We Found an Awesome Dessert at Rix Sports Bar & Grill…On the Kids Menu! Learn All About It HERE! Toledo — Tapas, Steak & Seafood If you’re looking for an upscale, impress-your-significant-other meal, Toledo — Tapas, Steak & Seafood is a great option! Toledo This restaurant is located on the rooftop of Gran Destino Tower, which means that it offers some GORGEOUS views across Disney World property including the nighttime fireworks shows at both Magic Kingdom and EPCOT! Gorgeous atmosphere When it comes to the food, Toledo specializes in Spanish-inspired cuisine and offers a large selection of Spanish wines for those that are interested in pairing. Golden Tilefish This spot is still a relatively hidden gem, so you might find it easier to snag a reservation here than another fancy spot like California Grill. And, between the excellent views, delicious food, and upscale atmosphere, you’ll be getting a very similar experience! Check Out Our Full Review of Toledo — Tapas, Steak & Seafood HERE! Dahlia Lounge The next spot is located right next door to Toledo…welcome to Dahlia Lounge! Welcome to Dahlia Lounge Just like Toledo, Dahlia Lounge is also located atop Gran Destino Tower. And yes, you’ll still get plenty of great views (including fireworks) here as well! What makes this spot different (and potentially even preferable) is that there’s even some outdoor seating available for those looking to really take in the bird’s eye view. Outdoor seating with a VIEW Now, this is a lounge, so the menu isn’t too expansive — but, you can still find some tapas (which are identical to the Pintxos options available at Toledo) and there are plenty of craft cocktails and Spanish wines to choose from here as well. Tequila Daisy So, if you’re looking for some small bites or a fancy way to cap your day in Disney World, Dahlia Lounge is the perfect place to visit! It may be a bit out of the way for those who aren’t staying at the hotel, but if you have a reservation at Coronado Springs, then this spot just might be a great addition to your day! Here’s Our Full Review and Photo Tour of Dahlia Lounge! Additional Dining Options Didn’t see something up your alley on our list of highlights? Don’t worry, Coronado Springs has even MORE to offer! In the Dig Site pool area, Siestas Cantina serves up drinks and a fairly robust food menu for a pool bar… Siestas …or, if you prefer to sip your cocktail lakeside, Laguna Bar is located right by Lago Dorado. They’ve got a few small bites and signature drinks on the menu for you to explore! Laguna Bar For grab-and-go food options, check out El Mercado de Coronado. This food court offers a wide variety of choices, which makes this a solid option if your family can’t agree on what sounds good! El Mercado de Coronado And, both Barcelona Lounge and Cafe Rix offer snack items like pastries and coffee for a quick pick-me-up! Plus, the stained glass background is inspired by Antoni Gaudi’s La Sagrada Família Basilica making it a nice spot to bask in the culture and elegance while you nosh on your snacks! Barcelona Lounge Eats and Drinks And finally, Maya Grill is another Table Service dining option that celebrates “Nuevo Latino” cuisine. Maya Grill Well, we’d say that’s a pretty impressive spread of dining locations for one hotel! But, why are there SO MANY dining locations in this seemingly random hotel? Well, Coronado Springs is one of Disney’s convention hotels! This can bring quite a few larger groups to the resort from time to time and explains why there is such a wide range of plentiful dining options. And, while the resort may be set up with the business-type in mind, this can actually be a great place to book your hotel stay if you have picky eaters or plan to spend a lot of time at the resort instead of hitting up the parks. Here’s Our Full Review of Maya Grill! All in all, whether you’re looking for a quick snack poolside or a swanky rooftop dinner, Coronado Springs Resort has you covered! And, the fact that several of these spots are still fairly under-the-radar is an added bonus. Of course, we’ll continue to bring you our full reviews of all the dining spots you can find in Disney World (even the ones you may have never heard of!), so be sure to stay tuned to DFB to help you plan your next trip!  Why Is It Called That? The Stories Behind Disney’s Best Restaurant Names! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What’s your favorite restaurant at Coronado Springs Resort? Let us know in the comments! The post This Disney World Hotel Has Shockingly Good Food first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Last year, Disneyland teased the return of one nighttime parade that has withstood the test of time. And, as of next month, it is officially coming BACK — along with ANOTHER fan-favorite show! Main Street Electrical Parade ©Disney That’s right — we’re talking about the Main Street Electrical Parade and Disneyland Forever fireworks! We already knew that both of these shows would be returning to Disneyland on April 22nd, but now we know exactly WHEN you’ll need to be stationed on Main Street, U.S.A to enjoy them! According to Disneyland’s website, the Main Street Electrical Parade will travel the parade route beginning at 8:45PM and 10:30PM every night! Keep in mind that the parade travels from “it’s a small world” all the way through Fantasyland and down Main Street, U.S.A., so, depending on where you’re watching from, the timing may vary for when the parade arrives. ©Disney It will last for 20 minutes and end with a brand new finale that will celebrate the theme of togetherness inspired by both the original design of classic Main Street Electrical Parade floats and Disney Legend Mary Blair’s iconic art style on “it’s a small world.” ©Disney And, between the parade, we now know that the Disneyland Forever fireworks show will take place at 9:30PM! This show lasts 14 minutes and keep in mind that it will only be running on weekends only (Friday through Sunday) when it first comes back on April 22nd. ©Disney World of Color will also be coming back to Disney California Adventure on April 22nd, however, the showtimes have not been released yet. Of course, these times are subject to change, so be sure to check your My Disney Experience app on the day that you’re visiting so that you don’t miss anything. And, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest updates! Click here to see which Disneyland restaurant is closing for refurbishment! Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! Check Out Important Details about the 2022 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Learn About Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland See the Latest Updates About Disneyland’s Face Mask Policy Check Out What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Check Out Our Disneyland Restaurants Guide Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure See More About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Learn About the Disneyland Mobile App Get All the Details About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program What’s Going to Be Different About Your Next Disneyland Trip? Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Are you excited for the Main Street Electrical Parade and Disneyland Forever to come back? Let us know in the comments! The post Showtimes Announced For The Return of TWO Disneyland Nighttime Shows first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Hey, friends! We’re back with another DFB Video covering all the latest Disney news! The Festival of Fantasy Parade is BACK! Parades are BACK, normal meet-and-greets returning SOON, our favorite seasonal snack is now available year-round and MORE! All the latest Disney news is coming up right now on DFB Guide — check it out! By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/subscribe.png So check out the video and then let us know: Which Disney updates are you the most excited about? The post DFB Video: Latest Disney News: Parades Return, Major Hotel Renovations, Hug Your Favorite Character Soon & MORE first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Have you ever spent hundreds of hours planning your Disney World trip only to get there and realize that you made more mistakes in the planning process than you can count on two hands? Disney Springs We get it, it’s easy! You can end up hating the Disney hotel that you booked (and paid thousands of dollars to stay at), having to console your kiddos after taking them on a ride that you thought was well-suited for children, or end up walking around the parks with a hangry family after you come to find that the next mobile order window isn’t for another three hours. But, all these mistakes are avoidable and we’re going to let you in on all our little tips and secrets that will ensure you enjoy your visit to Disney Springs! So, here’s everything you might be doing wrong at Disney Springs. Not Trying Out The Seasonal Offerings at the Restaurants Whether it’s a new Disney movie, a full-on holiday season, or a month celebrating different cultures, you can almost guarantee that several Disney Springs spots are cooking something special up! And, while a cookie from Gideon’s Bakehouse is certainly a must-try when you’re visiting, we recommend getting that cookie to go and saving room to try some of the seasonal offerings while you’re there. 50th Anniversary Celebration Petit Cake from Amorette’s Patisserie For example, we’ve seen Tender Fried Gator Bites at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, a Coca-Cola Orange Cream Float at the Coca-Cola Rooftop Beverage Bar, Florida Shrimp Tacos with Watermelon Salsa at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar for the annual Flavors of Florida event in the summer. And, in September you can usually find some Hispanic and Latinx dishes on the menus for Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month. Fried Gator Bites The Disney Springs restaurants are constantly changing up their menus depending on the season, so you might get a completely different meal at a restaurant in the spring than you would in the fall! But, if you’re only reaching for the long-time favorites, you’ll miss out on some seriously good food. Have You Been to Any of These Underrated Disney World Restaurants? Thinking It’s Only Table Service Restaurants It’s true that Disney Springs has some of the best table service restaurants (more on that later), but it’s not just sit-down spots boiling over with delicious food — there are also some GREAT Counter Service restaurants! Lots of options at Chicken Guy! Looking for an epic chicken sandwich (and TONS of sauce)? Head over to Chicken Guy! How about some barbecue and delicious drinks? The Polite Pig has it! Craving something sweet? Get over to Gideon’s Bakehouse! Feeling a flare for the international? Grab some Candian-inspired options at Daily Poutine or a batch of UK-authentic fish and chips from Cookes of Dublin! And this is just the tip of the iceberg! Cheeseburger poutine from Daily Poutine So, while there’s no doubt that the Table Service restaurants in Disney Springs are worth visiting, there are also several other spots that offer up a quick — and delicious — meal! 15,000 Fans Rank Every Quick Service Restaurant in Magic Kingdom Skipping the Non-Disney Shops So many people go to Disney Springs and only visit the Disney-themed shops like World of Disney and Tren-D. And, while we’re all for checking out the latest Minnie Ears and Baby Yoda merch, you’re missing out on all the other unique shops that are just a short walk away! In fact, Disney Springs is home to a lot of stores that you won’t be able to find at your local mall like the M&M’s Store (which is one of only 7 stores in the WORLD!), a LEGO Store, and a Coca-Cola store (with a rooftop bar and all the coke flavors you can try in EPCOT). M&M’s Store And, even if the store is one that you can find at home, the shops in Disney Springs often times have some exclusive Disney-themed items. For example, at Basin you can find Disney-themed bath and body products, LovePop has greeting cards featuring tons of different Disney characters, and you can even find your favorite Disney snacks on socks at the Just Fun Socks Kiosk. Mickey Valentine’s Day Soaps at Basin So, you’ll want to be sure that you’re leaving enough time to explore all the different stores when you’re visiting Disney Springs — you never know what you’ll find! See the 5 Things We HAD to Buy at Disney World’s New M&M’s Store HERE! Eating at Franchise Restaurants Sure, you can eat at House of Blues or Rainforest Cafe if you want (and we won’t judge you for that), but if you’re looking for quality food, there are SO many other choices at Disney Springs that you won’t find anywhere else. And, just like you want to shop at the stores you can’t find at home, it’s better to EAT at the restaurants you can’t visit on an average Thursday in your hometown. Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Make a reservation for brunch at Homecomin’, visit the Indiana Jones-themed Hangar Bar, or dine on some of the BEST food in Disney World (in our humble opinion) at Wine Bar George. Even if you have picky eaters in your party, you’re sure to find something for everyone that isn’t from a chain restaurant — we promise! Click HERE for our ULTIMATE guide to Disney Springs Restaurants! Not Using Your Discounts Who doesn’t like to save money, right? If you’re a Disney World Annual Passholder or Disney Vacation Club member, you can use your discounts at many shops and restaurants at Disney Springs. PLUS, if you’re a D23 member, you even qualify for extra discounts at shops like Alex and Ani and Basin, along with restaurants like Paddlefish and Terralina Crafted Italian. You can save money here! You can also sign up for the Landry’s Select Club to save at Rainforest Cafe AND T-Rex. You can also sign up for the Levy Preferred Frequent Dining Program, which saves you money at Paddlefish and Terralina Crafted Italian. T-Rex Restaurant So, no matter where you might be getting the discount from, don’t forget to use them! Click HERE to Learn How to Get the MOST Discounts During Your Disney World Trip! Thinking Wine Bar George is Just For Wine Connoisseurs Many Disney Springs guests see the words “Wine Bar” in front of “George” at Wine Bar George and think that this might be an establishment that’s just for wine connoisseurs — after all, the place is owned and run by a Master Sommelier (and yes, that IS a very big deal). BUT…if you’ve found yourself thinking this, you’d be WRONG! Wine Bar George isn’t a hoity-toity place for wine snobs — it’s a great place to learn about the kinds of wine you might like and discover your favorites! Villa Antinori Chianti The servers here are all excellent at helping guests select wine, even for guests that don’t know much about it. And we can’t forget to mention that the food here is also EXCELLENT. The bottom line is, you don’t have to like wine to LOVE Wine Bar George! Click Here for our FULL review of Wine Bar George! Skipping Disney Springs Entirely So many guests think that Disney Springs isn’t worth visiting when they could be in the parks, so they just skip it entirely. And, if you’ve ever found yourself thinking this, you’d be WRONG. If you haven’t picked up on it already, Disney Springs is home to delicious restaurants, awesome shops where you can find unique Disney items, GIANT cookies, over-the-top donuts, entertainment, and so much more. Visiting Disney Springs is like going to a theme park With so much to explore, Disney Springs is almost like a theme park in itself. And, the best part? You don’t have to purchase a park ticket to visit — it’s FREE (to look around at least ). Torched Bacon and Aerial Performers? Check Out This Masquerade Ball in Disney Springs! Not Stopping By During The Holidays The Disney World Parks aren’t the only place you can see breathtaking decorations around the holidays — Disney Springs also gets festive for the season! And, with no need to buy yourself a park ticket, you can enjoy those decorations anytime you want through November and December. Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail 2019 Some of the highlights include visiting Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar (which turns into a HOLIDAY BAR every year) and completing the Christmas Tree Trail where you go on a hunt for all the Disney-themed Christmas trees. Only Super Fans Know About These 6 Bizarre Disney Holidays — Do You? Going to Disney Springs on the Last Day of Your Trip There’s certainly nothing wrong with scheduling your visit to Disney Springs at the end of your vacation, but there is one BIG mistake that you don’t wait to make. You’ll need to be sure that you’ve allotted enough time to enjoy Disney Springs and then get back to your hotel, collect your stuff, and get to the airport (unless you’re driving, then you’re on your own time). Disney Springs It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re shopping around and while we love that Disney transportation is free, it’s not always the most timely. So, if you DO plan to go to Disney Springs on the day you fly out of Orlando, be sure to give yourself plenty of wiggle room to get your luggage and get to the airport so you don’t miss your flight. Click HERE to Learn About The BIGGEST Time Wasters in Disney World — And How To Avoid Them! Thinking There Are Buses That Go To/From the Parks Another way to build Disney Springs into your vacation is to split it with a park day. But, BEWARE — there are NO buses that go directly between Disney Springs and the parks as of this writing. You can’t take a Disney bus directly from the parks to Disney Springs Instead, you’ll need to grab a bus from a Disney World Resort hotel or you can use a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft if you don’t want to spend hours finagling the bus system. Not Stopping to Listen to Live Music One thing that makes Disney Springs more than just an outdoor mall is all the live entertainment! No matter what time it is, you can usually find something going on at the Adventhealth Waterside Stage or near Riverboat Square. You’ll be able to find everything from high school choirs to local musicians who come out to entertain guests between all the shopping and dining. Waterside Stage While it’s easy to walk right by these things, we suggest stopping just like you would if you saw a parade coming down Main Street, U.S.A. Not only will you face way fewer crowds, but you’ll also be enjoying the Disney Springs ambiance, which is half of the excitement! Planning to Go on Weekend Evenings So, you know how we said that Disney Springs is free to visit? Well, that tends to draw out the CROWDS on the weekends, particularly on weekend nights. Many locals and other vacationers tend to opt to visit on the weekend, so you might find that parking is harder, making a reservation is harder, and, well, your overall experience is just less enjoyable. It can get pretty packed here! Now, there’s no doubt that the weekends can still be a fun time to visit, especially if you’re looking for some Disney nightlife. But, if you can avoid it, we’d suggest planning your Disney Springs visit for a weekday. And, if you really don’t want to be around hundreds of other people, go early in the morning! Not only will you feel like you own the place, but that’s also a great time to secure those super popular Gideon’s Bakehouse cookies without much of a wait! Here’s Our Step-By-Step Guide To Getting The One Treat That Can Have a 7 Hour Line in Disney World! Waiting Later to Get In Line at Gideon’s Bakehouse Speaking of Gideon’s Bakehouse cookies, we’ve seen some pretty long wait times (like 7 HOURS!) since it opened at the beginning of 2021. If you ask us — yes, the wait is worth it, but there’s a way to get your hands on the GIANT cake slices, dream-worthy cookies, and coffee WAY faster — be there when Disney Springs opens and head there first! Hot Cookie Hour! We use this tactic all. the. time. because it works. All of the cookies and cakes come packaged and in a to-go bag so if you don’t want to get a sugar rush at 10AM, you can easily take these along with you for later. Gideon’s Just Added a SECOND Hot Cookie Hour at Disney Springs! Find Out When It Is Here! Not Knowing When Stores Close Just because Disney’s website says that Disney Springs is open until 11PM doesn’t mean that the stores are actually open that long. So, if there’s somewhere that you really want to shop, be sure that you check the hours either on the Disney World website or on the My Disney Experience app so you don’t end up disappointed. Disney Springs Likewise, it could come in handy knowing when stores open, as not all open when Disney Springs opens in the morning. And, this is also true for restaurants. Here Is EVERY Late-Night Dining Option in Disney World Right Now Not Realizing That There Are Celebrity Chefs In Charge of Restaurants We’ve talked a little bit about all the tasty Quick Service and Table Service restaurants in Disney Springs already and there’s a reason that they are SO good — many of them are either owned or run by celebrity chefs! And, we’re talking about some of the best of the best! Morimoto Asia For example, Guy Fieri owns Chicken Guy!, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto owns Morimoto Asia, The Polite Pig is owned by James Beard Award Nominees James and Julie Petrakis, Jaleo is owned by award-winning chef and philanthropist José Andrés, and Wine Bar George is owned and run by Master Sommelier George Miliotes. Guy Fieri ©Chicken Guy With chefs like that planning out the menu, you’re sure to find some of the BEST dining in Disney World here! Here’s How to Eat at Disney World’s BEST Restaurants With NO Reservations! Thinking It’s JUST Shopping and Dining Yes, Disney Springs has some pretty amazing shopping and dining, but that’s not the only thing you can do! For example, did you know that you can ride in a tethered hot air balloon or even take a “drive” in a Vintage Amphicar ON WATER?! Disney Springs has them both! Ride an Amphicar on the Water In the mood for a movie? There’s an AMC movie theater! Want to check out a world-class show? Get tickets for Cirque du Soleil: Drawn To Life. Kids can even ride a train AND a carousel (though they’re more like the ones you’ll find in a mall). Or you can take in some authentic Irish music and dancing while you dine, go for a round or two of bowling, and sing your heart out at karaoke. There’s SO much more to do at Disney Springs than you probably ever thought! See 36 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do at Walt Disney World HERE! So if you’ve been doing Disney Springs wrong, it’s okay — we’re here to give you ideas on how to do it right! So, be sure to make time for Disney Springs during your next Disney World vacation, and let us know how it goes! And, stay tuned to DFB for more Disney planning tips, tricks, and updates! Here’s How Much It Costs a Family of 4 to Do Disney World in 2022 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What’s your favorite thing to do at Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments! The post Everything You’re Doing Wrong at Disney Springs first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re thrilled to celebrate Women’s History Month, and we can’t think of a better way to recognize this moment by highlighting the women in our Armed Forces. We recently had the honor of thanking U.S. Navy Cmdr. Laura Stegherr for her contribution and service to our nation with a very special promotion ceremony held recently […]View the full article

You’re going to make mistakes when planning or during your Disney World trip. There, we said it. Making mistakes is part of life. It’s part of being human. So you’re bound to make a mistake when it comes to your Disney vacation. Maybe you won’t perfectly plan out that Hollywood Studios day and you’ll have to wait in a longer line than you wanted. Or you’ll order the wrong thing for lunch and be left hungry. You can’t avoid all mistakes. But, you can avoid some. And we’re here to help. What a beaut! A lot goes into planning a Disney World vacation and between the hotel reservations, Park Passes, dining reservations, and more, there’s a lot of room for error. One of the first things you’ll likely decide ahead of your trip is where to stay. Your hotel room can easily be one of the most expensive parts of your trip. That’s why we’re sharing our list of common mistakes (that even we have made!) when booking a Disney World hotel so that you know what NOT to do and so you can roll up to check-in with no regrets! Not Looking at Non-Disney World Hotels Staying at a Disney World hotel offers a lot of benefits like free transportation, Early Them Park Entry, extended dining reservation windows, and, of course, the benefit of not having to leave the “Disney bubble.” But, did you know that you can get many of the same benefits for cheaper if you stay at a non-Disney World hotel? © DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando – Disney Springs Area It’s true! Many off-site hotels offer some of the same perks as staying at a Disney World hotel (like free transportation to the theme parks, Early Theme Park Entry, and more). Plus, depending on how much you’re looking to pay, you can get access to more dining options and larger rooms for the same price you’d be paying to stay at a Disney hotel. Swan and Dolphin Resort For example, the cost of a family suite at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (which is considered a Value Resort) is just a bit over $500 on average (per night) and the room is roughly 565 square feet (according to some numbers from TouringPlans). And, this is pretty comparable to some of the deluxe rooms and even select suites at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando (which cost about $500 per night or just over that — though note that some rooms are more). Being at the Waldorf would give you more dining options too and it’s even located on Disney property. ©Waldorf Astoria Or consider the fact that you can use Marriott points to stay at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin, which is located in the EPCOT Resort Area and connected to Disney’s BoardWalk. The other Disney hotels in the area are generally considered Deluxe Resorts, but you might not have to pay deluxe prices for deluxe amenities if you opt for the non-Disney World hotel in this spot! Click HERE to See How Disney World Hotel Prices Compare to Off-Property Resorts Not Knowing All Your Options If you are choosing to stay on Disney property, there are a few hotels that offer extra-special room types. If you’ve got little ones or a big group, you might want to check these out! For example, if you’re traveling with a large group, consider booking a stay in Disney’s larger room options (like the Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, which have space to sleep 9!). Or, you can opt for rooms that are next to each other in the hotel and have a connecting door — you’ll just need to request this before you arrive. ©Disney || Treehouse Villa Disney also has options for those families who like to be one with nature and really experience that rustic connection with the great outdoors! Fort Wilderness Campgrounds has everything a camping family could want from the hard-core tent camping types, to the more luxurious “glamping” options of a cabin! Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground For the kiddos, Disney has some hotel rooms that have an extra amount of theming that you might want to consider booking. There’s the Royal Guest Rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans — Riverside Resort which are decked out in princess details and even have a headboard that has fireworks! ©Disney Over at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, the Pirate Rooms make you feel like you’ve been plopped right into the middle of a Pirates of the Caribbean movie with beds that are shaped like boats, furniture that is made to look like barrels, and more! Pirate rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Now, keep in mind that these highly themed rooms will generally cost you (at least a little) more than the standard rooms, but knowing your options ahead of time will leave you with no regrets once you arrive. Check Out The 8 Most RIDICULOUSLY Awesome Disney World Hotel Rooms HERE! Not Booking With Discounts Another thing to look out for when you’re preparing to book your hotel is discounts — either from Disney or other companies! Disney offers a variety of hotel discounts throughout the year. If you don’t take advantage of these, you could end up shelling out a lot of extra money. What kind of hotel discounts can you expect? Sometimes these will be discounts specific to the hotel rooms or you might find a discount on a whole package. Our advice? You may find that you can save more or things might simply be more convenient if you book your tickets with your hotel reservation so try to plan ahead and know how many park tickets you’ll want to purchase before you book your hotel, just in case! Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa If you’re willing to be flexible on when you vacation, you might be able to find even better deals, especially during the non-peak times of the year, which provide additional savings on your room. Polynesian Lobby If you happen to book your vacation and then find that a deal has popped up for the same time that you’re visiting, don’t panic! You might still be able to add it on after the fact. Just contact Disney and see if/how that can be done. They might be able to add it to your booking over the phone or you might have to cancel and rebook, but that extra cash could mean more spending money for other things like snacks or souvenirs! More SNACK money you say?! We’re in! Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort If all of these discounts, hotel levels, and travel date options have you feeling overwhelmed, consider using a Disney-certified travel agent. We highly recommend our friends over at Small World Vacations! The folks over at Small World Vacations stay on top of all of the discounts available and when they’re released to help guests save money and have a great vacation (at no extra cost to you!). Click here for our page FULL of Disney World discount details! Not Considering the Location of the Hotel Disney hotels are located all over the property in Orlando (and that property is BIIIIIIG) so you won’t necessarily be right next door to a park depending on where you choose to stay. Transportation to and from your hotel and the parks can suck a lot of time from your vacation, so planning ahead and knowing which parks you want to visit most could help you make a decision on where to stay. Fort Wilderness Resort Bus Stop For example, many Disney-goers don’t realize just how far Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is from all the parks (besides Disney’s Animal Kingdom, of course) and might find themselves disappointed by the amount of time they have to spend on the bus to get between the parks and that (beautiful) hotel. But, if you’re staying at a hotel like Disney’s Yacht Club Resort or Disney’s Beach Club Resort, you’ll find that you’re within walking distance to TWO parks (EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios) or you can take a Disney boat or the Disney Skyliner if you want to skip some of the walking. Yacht and Beach Club Resort Area So, think ahead about which parks you plan to visit most and try to find a resort that is located within that area — it can end up saving you a lot of time! Learn About 5 Disney World Hotels That You Can WALK To The Parks From HERE! Not Considering the Transportation Options Speaking of getting between the parks and resorts, another thing to consider before booking your hotel stay is what transportation options you’ll have! Disney bus transportation is standard at every Disney World hotel, but some hotels offer other forms of transportation that you might find more convenient. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Rivera Resort all are on the Disney Skyliner, which takes guests to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Skyliner on a pretty day Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and Disney’s Polynesian Resort are all on the monorail line, which takes guests to Magic Kingdom and also has convenient monorail access to EPCOT through the Transportation and Ticket Center. Monorail Many other resorts also offer boat transportation to certain parks that are in the area. For example, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground have boat transportation to Magic Kingdom, and both of Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts (Riverside and French Quarter) have boat transportation to Disney Springs. Select resorts have boat transportation! So, whether you’d like to avoid Disney busses as much as possible or you just want to have another option when it comes to transportation, knowing what each resort offers before you book your stay can be an important factor that could make or break your vacation. Click HERE for 22 Secrets To Getting Around Disney World Not Reading the “Know Before You Go” Page While nearly all of Disney World’s resorts have reopened and things have started to return to normal, Disney is still operating under some modified health and safety measures. All of the information on what is closed in the hotel, what to expect when it comes to amenities and cleaning, and other health and safety updates can be found on their Disney Hotels Know Before You Go Page. Disney’s Riviera Resort You’ll want to look here to learn about the current check-in process, any adjustments to housekeeping, what restaurants in the hotels are still closed, and more so that you’re aware of what will be offered during your stay. Health guidelines change over time, so keep checking that page as things may change from when you booked your trip to your actual check-in date. And check back with us as we share the latest updates from Disney World. The Omicron COVID-19 Variant and Disney World: See What You Need To Know Not Requesting a Room Another common mistake that Disney-goers make when booking their hotel stay at Disney World is not requesting a room. Select Disney World resorts will allow you to note a room preference when you check-in online. And, if that isn’t a feature online for the hotel you’ll be staying at, you can actually call Disney and the Cast Member that you speak with can note your preference on your reservation. Hippy Dippy Pool view at Disney’s Pop Century Resort Things you can request include what kind of view you’d like to have, what building you’d like to be in, what floor you’d like to stay in, and more. Just keep in mind that some of the rooms with these specific features may be an extra cost on top of what you already booked. Click HERE for 13 Disney World Hotel Rooms That Are Actually WORTH the Upgrade $$$! And those are some of the top things that you should consider before booking your Disney World hotel stay! But, what about other mistakes people make after they’ve checked-in? We’ve got you covered — just check out our video below for the things that most people who stay in Disney World don’t know!  By the way, 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! As always, be sure to check back with us for more tips and tricks to help your next Disney World vacation be the best one yet! Check Out 9 Absolute LIES About Disney World Hotels HERE! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What are the biggest mistakes you’ve made when booking a Disney World hotel stay? Tell us in the comments! The post 7 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Booking Your Disney World Hotel first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

WHAT A WEEK! If you’re heading to the Disney parks soon or are just a Disney fan there are some seriously HUGE updates from this week that you need to know about. Don’t know what we’re talking about? Been too busy with school, work, kiddos, etc. that you haven’t had time to catch up on Disney news? No worries, we’ve got you covered! Time for a Trip to Disney World? From big updates about traditional character meet-and-greets to news about ads on Disney+(!!) we’ve got ALL the Disney you need to know about right here. Put up your feet and grab your popcorn, it’s time to go!! 1 — Ads on Disney+ (& More Disney+ News) Get ready for some ads! Recently, Disney announced that ads would be coming to Disney+ later this year. ©Disney Note, however, that this ad-supported version of Disney+ will be in addition to (not in replacement of) its existing subscription option without ads. In other words, there will still be a version of Disney+ available WITHOUT ads. To learn more about ads coming to Disney+ click HERE But this week’s Disney+ news wasn’t just about ads! We also got some exciting updates about content coming to the service. Specifically, we got a trailer for the new Obi-Wan Kenobi series coming to Disney+ AND a first look at Darth Vader in the series! Star Wars fans: PREPARE FOR SOME EXCITEMENT! ©MATT KENNEDY / LUCASFILM LTD. via Entertainment Weekly We also got a first look at Tom Hanks in Disney’s live action Pinocchio, a first look at the new National Treasure series, and news about a new Muppets series coming to Disney+. In other words, there’s a LOT to look forward to on Disney+! Click here to see everything coming to Disney+ in March! 2 — The Festival of Fantasy Parade is BACK! This week also brought with it the return of the beautiful Festival of Fantasy Parade in Magic Kingdom, fire-breathing Maleficent dragon and all! She’s BACK! If you’ve been seriously missing parades in the Disney parks, be sure to check this out during your next trip! Catch a glimpse of Olaf, too! But note that following the return of this parade, Disney World has been pulling back on cavalcade showtimes. Just keep that in mind as you plan for your upcoming vacations! Click here to see photos and videos of the Festival of Fantasy! 3 — Character Meet-and-Greets Returning Soon, Capacity News, and GIANT Park Updates This week was also a big one when it comes to general park news. Earlier in the week, Christine McCarthy (Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Walt Disney Company) participated in a Q&A session that led to some exciting park news! And then later in the week, we got to listen in on Disney’s Shareholder meeting, which also led to some exciting updates. There was just some overall park news shared in other places this week. It’s been quite the week! Bob Chapek in Disney World on its 50th Anniversary Here’s what you need to know: Are the Disney parks back at full capacity yet? Christine McCarthy has given us some answers and they might surprise you! Click here to learn more. Crowds Miss meeting your favorite characters in those more traditional face-to-face encounters? Well, according to McCarthy, face-to-face character meet-and-greets are returning soon to the Disney parks! Click here to see more about what she had to say. We Love to See Ya Mickey! In other exciting news, this week we also got news about the opening timeline for the NEW restaurant coming to EPCOT — Connections Cafe & Eatery. Spring 2022 is going to be an exciting time to be in EPCOT. Connections Cafe Ever wonder what happened to the Mary Poppins attraction that was supposed to come to EPCOT (which was then postponed) and the big attraction that was set to come to Avengers Campus? Well, this week we got a status update on these projects! In essence, the projects have been placed “on hold” so we’ll have to be on the lookout for more updates. Click here to learn more! Mary Poppins in Epcot We also got some news about the new TRON coaster coming to Magic Kingdom. The next phase of ride testing for TRON will actually be starting SOON and we can’t wait to see more updates. Click here to watch a video all about this news! ©Disney And finally, in the world park news, we also learned that the EPCOT Experience will be closing in Disney World for GOOD. The EPCOT Experience You’ve actually only got a few more days to experience this so be sure to check it out soon! 4 — Genie+ Changes Heading to Disney World and looking to SKIP the standby lines? Genie+ will be your friend. And you’ll likely be glad to know that 2 MORE experiences have just been added to Genie+ — the Festival of Fantasy parade viewing in Magic Kingdom and the meet-and-greet over at Red Carpet Dreams in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We had to say hi to Minnie, too! The list of rides included in Genie+ can change from time to time, so be sure to check back with us for all the latest updates. Click here to see everything you need to know about Genie+ 5 — Changes Coming to Disney’s BoardWalk Ready for a new table service restaurant, a new coffee shop, a reimagined restaurant that’ll be a sandwich shop, AND MORE?! Well, Disney’s BoardWalk will soon have all of that for you! For starters, a new table service restaurant and bake shop — The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers — is set to open at Disney’s BoardWalk in 2023. The shop will feature savory items, sweet items (of course), and a tea service! ©Disney The BoardWalk Inn is also set to get some changes when it comes to its guest rooms and the lobby. A sandwich shop will replace BoardWalk Bakery… BoardWalk Bakery …and there will be a new coffee bar at the BoardWalk Inn! We can’t wait to see all of these changes made over the next years. Click here to learn more about the changes being made at the BoardWalk! 6 — More Food News! We are Disney FOOD Blog, after all, so we had to share some exciting food news with you as well. First up, over in Disney Springs, a NEW food truck has arrived. This is the Local Green Orlando spot we had shared some news about earlier. Local Green Orlando The menu includes a shrimp burger, a pulled BBQ sandwich, and more! We’ll be sure to share more news once this spot officially opens. Menu But Disney Springs isn’t the only place with new food. Recently, new treats arrived in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and we’ve given them a try to share our reviews with you! Tropical Tart More snacks have also arrived in celebration of Pixar’s Turning Red, including a new boba drink in an unexpected spot! See all the boba pearls! And in news for our friends on the west coast, the iconic Disneyland Easter Eggs are returning soon! These beauties are a Disneyland tradition, so be sure to keep an eye out for more updates on them. Click here to see 25 MORE Disney World snacks you must try in 2022! And that’s it for BIG news from this week, but (of course) other news was shared this week too. Check out those stories below. Disney has issued a statement on Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Bill. Bob Chapek has since made comments regarding the Bill via a memo and thereafter made comments during the Shareholder meeting. Following those comments, the Human Rights Campaign refused Disney’s donation and made a statement of their own Disney pauses all business in Russia Disney World counties have seen a change in COVID-19 risk category The U.S. mask mandate has been extended for planes and more Pride Pins Get our DFB Printable for the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Find out when Star Wars Celebration tickets go on sale All of the ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Disney World CHANGES have been made to the Hollywood Studios park map Go inside the new rooms coming to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa New Resort Studios And that’s it for Disney news from this week! We’ll keep an eye out for more updates. Be sure to check back with us for all the latest! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. When are you planning to visit Disney World next? Tell us in the comments! The post Do YOU Know About These 6 HUGE Disney News Updates?! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Without Disney artist Joyce Carlson's mind, the cheerful color-soaked universe of dancing dolls in the "it's a small world" attractions would never have existed — or at least wouldn’t have been the same. View the full article

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. We’d be lying if we said new Disney/Pixar film-inspired merch doesn’t get us SO EXCITED. Encanto merchandise is here! Recently, the release of Encanto meant LOTS of new merchandise — including Mirabel dresses, Minnie ears, color-changing tumblers and so much more! Now, another new movie is entering the spotlight and it has got merch to match. Turning Red debuts on Disney+ today, March 11th and stars Mei, a young girl with an overprotective mother and an unfortunate habit of turning into a giant red panda when she’s overcome with emotion. And now, BoxLunch just dropped an ADORABLE collection of Turning Red merchandise online! ©Disney The collection features bright colors and lots of red panda-inspired cuteness. Let’s start by checking out this Mei the Red Panda Ombre Crewneck. ©BoxLunch This comfy, unisex top features Mei and her fluffy panda persona over a bright pink-to-purple ombre design. You can grab this crewneck for $48.90 and show off your panda pride. Click here to order the Mei the Red Panda Ombre Crewneck! We also spotted the perfect accessories to complement your panda-tastic outfit. Tame your mane with this Panda Mei Figural Scrunchie Set. ©BoxLunch Whether you’re just looking for a touch of Mei-inspired fashion, or you want to complete that head-to-toe look, you’re gonna want to get your hands on these too-cute scrunchies. This 3-pack of soft hair accessories is available for $14.90. Click here to order the Panda Mei Scrunchie set! Pin collectors, time to get excited! Take a look at this fabulous new addition to your collection, the Mei the Red Panda Enamel Pin. ©BoxLunch This jacket-ready pin features Mei as she poofs into her panda alter-ego and is priced at $9.90. Click here to add the Mei the Red Panda Pin to your collection! Looking for a cute way to carry your Turning Red swag while you’re on the go? This Panda Mei Figural Coin Purse might be just what you need! ©BoxLunch The coin purse is a soft sherpa fabric to match Mei’s panda fur and will set you back $12.90. Click here to get the Turning Red Panda Mei Coin Purse! We’re so excited to have another new Disney-Pixar film join the ranks and this merch collection makes us want to show off our inner panda! Be sure to follow us for all the latest news on Disney films, merchandise, and more. Click Here to Check Out New Food Coming to Disney World in Honor of the Film! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Which of these items would you be most likely to buy? Tell us below! The post 4 Pieces of Merch You NEED to See If You Loved 'Turning Red' on Disney+ first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner and Disney is preparing to celebrate! St. Patrick’s Day treat from Main Street Confectionery There are SO MANY things to see and do around Disney World (and Disneyland) for the festive holiday — from a full-on St. Patrick’s Day Festival in Disney Springs to several NEW treats and eats all around Disney Resort hotels! Today we started the celebrations early and tried a new St. Patrick’s Day treat over at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. Is this one you should get during your next trip? Let’s find out! The St. Patrick’s Day Hat Dessert over at Gasparilla Island Grill in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is quite the fun St. Patrick’s Day dessert! So Fun! For $7.99, you get this adorable treat which is made of a shortbread cookie topped with a hat made from Caramel-Irish Cream mousse and chocolate cake, covered in milk chocolate with a white chocolate ribbon and shamrock! The cookie was super crispy and the mousse was VERY smooth! Just be warned: there is a lot of mousse, so if you don’t like the texture of mousse, you’ll probably want to skip this one! Look at that chocolate. The outer layer of chocolate on the hat was super thin and easy to bite into, so that was nice. The chocolate cake on the inside was incredibly moist, and overall the flavors of the mousse went well with the rich, chocolatey flavor. If you love chocolate, we have a feeling this is something you’ll enjoy! St. Patrick’s Day Hat Dessert Just be prepared to get a little messy when eating this one. It wasn’t on any kind of cardboard, so getting it out of its little plastic container was a bit of a messy mission! All in all, we enjoyed this petite pastry over at Gasparilla Island Grill. What do you think? Would this be a must-get for you? Tell us in the comments! We’re keeping an eye out for more St. Patrick’s Day treats, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all of the latest updates! Click Here to See ALL the Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What’s your favorite way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: We Ate a HAT in Disney World and...We Liked It? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article