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Guests get the feel of visitng in a resort on the French Riviera when staying at Disney’s Riviera Resort at Walt Disney World Resort. Located in the EPCOT area, this Disney Vacation Club Resort is a luxurious, artistic blend of Disney details and European style. Designed to capture the parts of Europe that Walt Disney fell in love with, it will be hard for you not to fall in love with this resort yourself!View the full article

After their first day spent exploring the Disney Wish, guests will head to the beautiful Walt Disney Theatre to see an original musical spectacular called “Disney Seas the Adventure.”View the full article

Things are slowly but surely getting back to normal around Disney World! Disney’s Animal Kingdom Shows are coming back, restaurants are reopening, and we just saw a popular daytime parade return for the first time since the parks closed. Disney World special tours have started to come back as well, and we just found out another special tour is set to return soon. Let’s check out all the details! Guests will soon be able to take in the sights and sounds of the African Savanna after dark once again on Disney’s Starlight Safari Tour! Giraffe at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge The nighttime tour takes place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge nightly at 8:30PM and 10:00PM, and guests can expect to see zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, and antelopes — all through night-vision goggles! Animal Kingdom Lodge Savanna Guests will be seated in an open-sided safari vehicle and taken around the Animal Kingdom Lodge grounds on an hour-long tour! Tickets are $89 per person, and the tour is bookable now for dates beginning on April 22nd, 2022. We’re always keeping an eye out for the latest Disney news, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more! Click Here to See the Latest Update on Disney’s TRON Roller Coaster Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you been on this nighttime Disney tour before? Let us know in the comments! The post Find Out WHEN a Popular Nighttime Tour Is Coming Back to Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

With several new attractions in the works, crews throughout Disney World are working around the clock so that guests will soon be able to enjoy the new rides. EPCOT One attraction that we have patiently (okay, maybe not that patiently) been waiting for is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind! This indoor coaster will take guests into space and is set to open in summer 2022 — and today, we’re bringing you an update on the ride’s construction progress. Let’s check it out! We took a ride on the EPCOT monorail to see if there was any new progress on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind — and progress we saw! Hello down there! Last time we checked in on this ride, we noticed that the queue entrance markers had been installed just outside the ride building — and it looks like crews are on the ground again working on the queue markers and the Nova Corps Starblaster. Did you catch it? It also looks like there’s some maintenance being done on the interior of the Starblaster as well. See the feet?! We’re getting closer to being able to finally ride this attraction — check out just how BIG that Starblaster is! Humans for scale. Disney is still keeping quiet on an opening date for this attraction, but it is currently scheduled to open in summer 2022. For more Disney attractions and park news, be sure to stay tuned to DFB! Click Here to See INSIDE the Guardians of the Galaxy Ride! 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 new Disney World attraction are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments! The post PHOTOS & VIDEO: Construction UPDATE on EPCOT's Newest Roller Coaster! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

March is Women’s History Month and Disney is celebrating! Mirabel Cupcake In Disney World, there are special foods honoring women across the resort, like Encanto-themed treats and treats inspired by impactful female Imagineers. In Disneyland, we’ve seen an awesome floral display featuring Minnie Mouse, so let’s check out what other celebrations are taking place for Women’s History Month at Disneyland Resort! In the Downtown Disney District, there are a bunch of festivities happening this month! Chalk muralist Marcella Sweet will be returning from March 15th through the 31st to create 2 different designs honoring women. They will be located near the Downtown Disney LIVE! stage. Swett is a senior production artisan with Disney Live Entertainment and is an award-winning visual artist. She was also a part of the Celebrate Soulfully celebration at Disneyland in February for Black History Month! ©Disney Over at Sprinkles, you can find the bakery’s first Female Chef Series this month! It will launch with a Dark Chocolate Passion Fruit cupcake, which is a dark chocolate cake filled with passion fruit curd, crafted by the Chef Brooke Williamson. The Dark Chocolate Passion Fruit cupcake will be baking until March 13th! And, as part of the series, Sprinkles will also be making a donation to the Step Up Network to help empower young women with the skills and resources to reach their full potential. ©Disney At Ballast Point Brewing Co., there are special menu items inspired by famous female chefs who represent different eras, cuisines, and talents that pushed boundaries and paved new ways in the culinary world. Ballast Point Brewing Co. Lovepop will have an assortment of empowering 3D greeting cards with phrases like “Stronger Together” and “Girl Power.” They will also have a pop-up card of Princess Leia! And, don’t forget about shopping at women-owned businesses in Downtown Disney, like Post 21 and Kayla’s Cake. ©Disney At the Downtown Disney LIVE! stage, there will be 10 different women-led bands throughout the month. You can take a look at the lineup below! The Suffragettes – March 1 The Sweethearts – March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Dueling DJs Featuring Ash & Ashley – March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Darden – March 5, 19, 25 Eva and the Vagabond Tales – March 6, 13, 20, 27 Girls Night Out – March 7, 14, 21, 28 Mariachi Divas – March 8, 15, 22, 29 Sarah Winchester Band – March 4, 12, 18 Amanda Castro Band – March 11, 26 ©Disney And, one more shoutout to the Minnie Mouse floral display — it’s located at the main entrance of Disneyland Park and this is the first time EVER that Minnie has been the star over here. Her bow has 750 individual Nemesia flowers alone! Minnie in full bloom! So, head on over to Disneyland to take part in the celebrations! And, stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news and updates. Click here to see the special things happening at Disney World for Women’s History Month! 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 going to Disneyland for a vacation soon? Tell us in the comments! The post All the Food, Merch, and Live Music at Disneyland Resort for Women’s History Month! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is developing guidance that will ease the nationwide mask mandate on airplanes, buses and other mass transit next month, according to a U.S. official, but the existing face covering requirement will be extended through April 18. View the full article

Sometimes, you gotta spice some things up to keep the romance alive…with your Disney snacks, of course! Waffles with a view Let’s face it, some of the snacks that you can find in Disney World are just plain out BORING. And, you didn’t shell out thousands of dollars to chow down on popcorn, pretzels, and other eats that you could pick up from your local grocery store and have on your couch! But, we’re not saying that you need to ditch the Mickey-shaped Pretzel (after all, everything DOES taste better Mickey-shaped), we’re just saying that there’s a way to make it BETTER. So, as people who make a living off of snacking, we’re bringing you ALL the ways that you can take your dining game to the NEXT. LEVEL. in Disney! Cheese All Over Everything First things first, we’ve gotta start with the king of all snack upgrades — CHEESE! You know that cheese sauce that’s way too yellow to be real but is still somehow delicious? Around here we call that plastic cheese and it is ALL over Disney World as our trusty friend who will always make things better. We can’t resist the cheeeese. No matter where you are in the parks, you’re probably only a short walk away from this liquid gold, but there is a chance you’ll have to pay a little bit extra for this treasure. Usually, there is a $1 upcharge for this beloved addition, but take our word for it — it’s TOTALLY worth it! Cheese Sign And, while plastic cheese is our first love in Disney World, you can find more variety in cheese sauce — you just have to know where to look! For example, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe in Magic Kingdom is home to QUESO and we’ve experimented with a lot of different ways to eat it. For example, we once achieved a new level of cheesiness by combining plastic cheese AND queso on a Mickey Pretzel, and it was nothing short of amazing. See what we mean about the Mickey Pretzels now? EXTRA CHEESY Mickey Pretzel! So, to serve as the source of your cheesy inspiration the next time you find yourself in the Disney Parks, let’s talk about some of the places where you can find this worldly delight and hack your way to the PERFECT Disney snack. If you are in Magic Kingdom, you can easily add plastic cheese to your order at Casey’s Corner. We can’t think of a time that we’ve been here and NOT gotten a side of plastic cheese, but our favorite pairing is with the corn dog nuggets! Corn Dog Nuggets from Casey’s Corner And, if we still haven’t convinced you that plastic cheese is THE ultimate cheese, you can pair your nuggets with the queso from Pecos Bill. White queso with a side of corn dog nuggets But, Magic Kingdom isn’t the only place that offers this magical upgrade. You can head over to Backlot Express in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and top your chicken strips and fries with cheese! Chicken and Cheese! You should also be able to find plastic cheese anywhere they serve Mickey Pretzels. So if life has you down and you just need some cheese, it’s usually not too far away! We aren’t sure what the price for happiness is, but $1 seems like a total bargain! Click Here to Get Some Awesome Plastic Cheese Merchandise! Don’t Settle… You Deserve Better Now, we know that it can be very easy to settle in Disney World. Sometimes the lines may be too long, or you may just not know all the amazing things that are out there. There’s no need to fear, DFB is here, and we know of some classic theme park snacks that have just a little edge over their generic associates. Pretzels We know that it can be hard to say no to a Mickey pretzel, but we are going to tell you to do just that the next time you get the craving! Because we’re here to tell you pretzels are better STUFFED and there’s nothing plain and simple about it! It’s SO good! Disney World is home to both a Sweet Cream Cheese Pretzel (which is a soft, warm pretzel that is covered in breadcrumbs and filled inside with cream cheese frosting) and the ever-elusive Jalapeno Cheese Stuffed Pretzel (which is stuffed with, you guessed it, pepper jack cheese). And, opting for these two (arguably better) pretzels won’t cost you any more than their Mickey-shaped counterpart (usually between $6.99 to $7.25 usually). The only catch is that they can be harder to find in the parks. Most recently we’ve found the Sweet Cream Cheese Pretzel at the snack cart next to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Hollywood Studios and at Lunching Pad in Magic Kingdom. And, the Jalapeno Cheese Stuffed Pretzel can be found at BoardWalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas (under the alias Jalapeño-Stuffed Pretzel) and the Magic Kingdom Churro Wagon (known as the Pepper Jack Pretzel). Sweet Cream Cheese Pretzel And, if you’d rather your pretzels not be stuffed with anything, there are still many other pretzels that offer up more than the Mickey Pretzels. In fact, some of our favorite pretzels are actually more like meals! For example, at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar in Disney Springs, you can order up the Air Pirate’s Cargo Loaded Pretzel which is basically a gigantic soft pretzel stuffed with the components of a charcuterie board. And, BaseLine Tap House boasts the Bavarian Pretzel which comes with delicious beer-cheese fondue and spicy mustard for all your dipping needs. Air Pirate’s Cargo Loaded Pretzel Just keep in mind that these will usually cost you a little bit more than your average pretzel. You’ve heard of a bar crawl, but what about a Disney World Pretzel Crawl!? Click HERE to learn more! Churros Looking for something a bit sweeter in Disney World? Well, many Disney-goers find themselves turning to one trusty snack — churros. We get it, you can find them almost everywhere you look in the parks and there’s just something about carbs and cinnamon powder that you can’t resist. But, what if we told you that there’s a BETTER way to eat your churros? Glimmer and Shimmer Churro The secret lies at Nomad Lounge in Disney’s Animal Kingdom where they serve up their own spin on Churros! These babies are a bit shorter than the ones that you’ll find in the parks, but they uphold the mantle of iconic theme park snack. We NEED more of these churros. It is also worth mentioning that these churros are gluten-friendly and come with two delicious dipping sauces. The first dipping sauce is a Chili-Strawberry Sauce which is reminiscent of a strawberry jam with a kick at the end. And, the second dipping sauce is the Vanilla Crema which is the perfect balance to the spicy strawberry-chili sauce. Give ’em a little mix to achieve the churros you’ll be dreaming about for years to come. We’re dreaming of eating these again. The churros aren’t the cheapest treat at $9 but take it from us — they are WORTH IT! You don’t need a reservation to grab some grub at Nomad Lounge, but it is first-come, first-serve, so if you want to try these, pop on over and put your name down or add your name to the walk-up waitlist on the My Disney Experience app! See more of our favorite items from Nomad Lounge HERE! Popcorn The next thing you just can’t settle on is your popcorn! That’s right, you can even upgrade your popcorn in Disney World, and one of the BEST ways to do this is to head on over to EPCOT at the Canada pavilion. Why? Well, that’s where you’ll find Maple Popcorn! Maple Popcorn is a must-have when you go to EPCOT You won’t break the bank with this upgrade because it is the same price as the regular popcorn in Disney at $6.50. And, if you spring for the $13 souvenir bucket, then you can get $2.25 refills for the length of your stay! All they got is popcorn in Canada! Another popcorn option that will have you wondering why you ever ate regular popcorn can be found over at Karamell-Kuche in EPCOT’s Germany Pavilion. This shop is known for baking up some AMAZING caramel treats and perhaps their most-popular item (for good reason) is the Fresh Made Werther’s Original Caramel Popcorn for $6.99. Caramel Popcorn? Yes, please! Don’t worry, you WON’T regret it, and you will have plenty of popcorn leftover to snack on when you’re done! How To HACK IT — Click HERE to Learn ALL the DFB Disney Snack Hacks! Skip the Standard, Strive for the Exceptional Don’t settle for something that you can get at the grocery store or just order off Amazon, either. Taking a trip to Disney World is a BIG DEAL, and your snack game should show that as well! The next time you think about just grabbing a regular ole cupcake… don’t! Pick up something like the School Bread from Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe in the Norway Pavilion at EPCOT… School Bread! …or perhaps a Pongu Lumpia from Pongu Pongu in Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. After all, what says stepping your snack game up like a pineapple and cream cheese spring roll?! Pongu Lumpia And, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the Croque Glacé from L’Artisan des Glaces in EPCOT’s France Pavilion. This is your choice of ice cream sandwiched and sealed between a warm homemade Brioche Bun for $9.50. Need we say more?! L’Artisan des Glaces Croque Glaces No matter what kind of snack you prefer, always remember — you’re worth it and never settle! Disney World is FULL of snacks so if you can find it in your local grocery store, save the money and opt for something that you can’t get at home instead. Click Here to see 20 lies about Disney Snacks you shouldn’t believe! You Always Miss the Shots You Don’t Take… Ask for MORE! There are some pretty delicious Disney snacks, but that doesn’t mean a little something extra couldn’t make them better. And, what better way to start than with bacon! Over at Everglazed Donuts, it’s already awesome that you can upgrade your grilled cheese experience and get it ON A GLAZED DONUT but you can kick it up a thousand notches by ordering it with bacon! Adding in the bacon is an extra dollar, but it is most definitely worth it. Grilled Cheeeeeese Bacon Donut Sandwich Hack Next up on the list is the Warm Cinnamon Roll that you can get from Gaston’s Tavern in Magic Kingdom for $6.79. While this MASSIVE cinnamon roll by itself is delicious, you’ll want to ask for EXTRA icing to make this snack even more drool-worthy. In fact, this is such a common request here that Cast Members keep cups of extra icing ready to go behind the counter! MORE icing, please! Similar to asking for plastic cheese, this next move will take your dessert game to the next level! Next time you are at the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom, make sure that you ask for a cup of peanut butter sauce. While you do have to pay an extra $.69 to get it, we’ve used it to hack A LOT of Disney snacks! Ice cream…Mickey cookies…you name it — we’ve probably topped it with peanut butter sauce. Mickey Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich with Peanut Butter Sauce is a must-have snack! Now, there has been a lot of dessert talk here with these upgrades, but we’ve also got one for all you breakfast fans out there! If you’re starting your day in Magic Kingdom, head on over to The Friar’s Nook and pick up a Breakfast Sandwich. When you are ordering your sandwich, ask for a side of the sausage gravy (it’ll cost ya $1), and then slather that sandwich with all the goodness! pour it on your sandwich. You’ll never be satisfied with ordering a regular bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich from Starbucks ever again. And, as an added bonus, you get to skip that huge Starbucks line in the park! Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Croissant So, don’t be afraid to mix and match your snacks the next time you’re visiting Disney World! It may not be shown on the menu, but if you take a chance and do some experimenting, you’ll end up having an EPIC treat that’s all your own. Click HERE to See 8 (!!) of Our Favorite Disney World Food Hacks! Treat Yo’ Self We need everyone to channel their inner Tom Haverford right now and TREAT YO’ SELF! That’s right, you are on vacation, and it is time to upgrade your snacks and experiences because this is Disney World! Order the bigger size, ask for the extra sauce, load up on the cheese — usually, the price difference is marginal, and you are, after all, at Disney World. Coffee Cake Cookie and Buttercream Icing And, if you want to turn your snack into a souvenir, treat yo’ self to Disney’s souvenir buckets and cups! Many times, purchasing a souvenir bucket can end up saving you money on refills, but at the very least, you’ll probably get asked a million times where you got that cute popcorn bucket when you walk around the park (and who doesn’t love that kind of a compliment!). Plus, you can also take your souvenir buckets and re-use them at home to infuse some Disney into your day. Depending on which one you get, you can even use them as decorations for holidays! Christmas Tree Popcorn Bucket If you’re okay with spending a little bit more to make your Disney dining a full-on experience, then you can try out a Disney Dessert Party! Have you ever been looking for a spot to watch the fireworks and wondered, “why can’t I have my own little reserved space to enjoy the show?” Well, the good news is you can — sort of. Magic Kingdom offers THREE exclusive fireworks dessert parties where you’ll be treated to unlimited bite-sized desserts (and even drinks!) either before, during, or after the nighttime showing of Disney Enchantment. Disney Enchantment Fireworks Party Or, for that luxury cruise vibe, try the Ferrytale Fireworks Cruise! This event won’t get you a secured position in the parks to watch the fireworks and enjoy some desserts, but it will get you a view from the Seven Seas Lagoon on one of the ferryboats. Ferrytale Fireworks It includes unlimited desserts and drinks (including adult beverages) for $99 for adults and $69 for children. This is one of our FAVORITE dessert parties that is offered in Disney World as it is both entertaining and longer than other dessert parties, but since the view is from the water and not in the park, you miss the projections on the castle. If this is your first time viewing the fireworks show, you may want to opt for one of the other dessert parties, because Enchantment features some awesome projections that you don’t want to miss! See our FULL review of the Ferrytale Fireworks Cruise HERE! Don’t Be a Broken Record The last tip we want to offer up is — don’t get in your own way! So many times, we find what we love and get that over…and over…and over again. While nostalgia is great and there’s nothing quite like a familiar treat, you are missing out on an entirely different world! Hello Beautiful For instance, you don’t ALWAYS have to get a Pineapple Dole Whip when you go to Disney World. Disney is home to lots of different Dole Whip flavors and floats so try something new! Many times, the newest concoction is only available for a limited time so if you skip it you may never try it. And, if you’re not sure if the treat is worth skipping your tried and true favorite, stay tuned to DFB because we share our honest thoughts on every kind of Dole Whip we find! You never know what limited-time treat you might find! It seems like every day a new treat, drink, or dish arrives in Disney World so, yes, have your Mickey Premium Bar, but save some room for other NEW snacks too! Click Here to See Some New Snacks to Try at Disney World To Sum it All Up We know, we know — there are TONS of Disney snacks all over property and it can be hard to see what there is and how to level up your snack game. But, you can rest assured that we have traveled the road before you to help you out! We’re piling the peanut butter sauce on cinnamon rolls, sprinkling Tajin packets on Dole Whip, and testing out every snack hack we can think of to bring you the latest on what you should and shouldn’t eat in Disney World. So, if you want to take on Disney World snacks like the pros, be sure to stay tuned to DFB! Click Here to See the 30 Best Disney World Snacks You’ve NEVER Heard of Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What is your favorite way to kick up your snacks in Disney World? Let us know in the comments below!The post How to Kick Your Disney World Snacks Up a Notch! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

To ensure we are equipping our readers with all the information they need, we will continue to report on all travel, safety, and COVID-related news that could impact a Disney Parks visit. Mask rules and recommendations have started to change in Disney World and around the country, and now we’ve gotten another mask update you need to know about. Airplane Not too long ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated their mask recommendations with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic. Disney World and Disneyland have since updated their mask requirements, and we’ve seen changes made on Disney Cruise Line as well. Now, another mask change has been made when it comes to general travel in the United States. The Transportation Security Administration has had a mask mandate in place which requires travelers using various forms of public transportation to wear a mask. This mask mandate has been applicable on airplanes, trains, buses, airports, and train stations. The mask mandate has been extended several times over the past few months. Most recently it was extended through March 18th, 2022. And now there has been an update on this requirement. Travel Requirements Are Being Updated According to a press release from the CDC, “At CDC’s recommendation, TSA will extend the security directive for mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs for one month, through April 18th.” As USA Today notes, this means travelers in the U.S. who will be using airplanes, trains, or buses, or will be in airports or train stations will need to continue to wear masks during this time. Airport In terms of rules and regulations moving forward, the CDC has issued the following statement, “During that time, CDC will work with government agencies to help inform a revised policy framework for when, and under what circumstances, masks should be required in the public transportation corridor. This revised framework will be based on the COVID-19 community levels, risk of new variants, national data, and the latest science. We will communicate any updates publicly if and/or when they change.” Orlando Airport USA Today shares that while the mandate was overall “welcomed by the industry and unions,” it hasn’t put an end to “inflight resistance by some passengers, with frequent high-profile incidents causing flights to be delayed and diverted and passengers to be escorted off planes.” A Look at the Seats If you’ll be traveling soon, there are a number of COVID-19 related updates you’ll likely want to know about. First, as we mentioned before, the CDC has updated their mask recommendations. The CDC’s updated community levels show what areas individuals should wear a mask in, and where masks are more optional. ©CDC Disney World has also updated its mask requirements. Masks are now optional for fully vaccinated guests in most places, including indoor locations. Masks continue to be required for all guests, however, while on enclosed transportation. ©Disney We’ve seen a number of other COVID-19 or mask-related updates in the past few weeks. Click the links below to learn more: Disney’s Hawaiian resort is changing its COVID-19 policies Disney World counties saw a change in COVID-19 risk category A COVID-19 test-to-treat initiative has been announced by the U.S. President The mask mandate is being suspended for many Disney Cruise Line sailings Face mask rules have changed in Disneyland Paris Mask rules are subject to change again in the future. We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more updates and let you know what we find. Click here to get a look at Disney World’s updated face mask policy Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post NEWS: Mask Mandate Extended for Planes and More in the U.S. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’ve been to EPCOT in the past few years, or even just seen pictures, you know that it’s currently undergoing a BIG transformation (which is why there’s construction ALL over former Future World!). SO much construction! The transformation includes things that have already been completed, like the new fountain, the France pavilion expansion, and the Creations shop. But, there are still a bunch of things in progress, like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. We recently learned that the Mary Poppins attraction is on hold, and now, the attraction showing you everything coming to EPCOT for the transformation is shutting down. The EPCOT Experience is officially closing on March 14th, 2022. This experience is an interactive exhibit that shows the future plans for EPCOT’s massive transformation. The EPCOT Experience In a post from Disney Imagineer Zach Riddley, he writes that “with the transformation now well under way” they have decided to close the EPCOT Experience and “make way for exciting new activities of the Odyssey pavilion to create a great experience for our guests.” EPCOT Experience Riddley also wrote that since debuting in 2019, the EPCOT Experience has seen over 2 million guests. WOW! EPCOT Experience At the end of the post, the Imagineer says they “have a lot more to share in the weeks and months ahead” and specifically calls out Journey of Water inspired by Moana and the ongoing evolution of World Celebration, so hopefully we’ll get updates about those projects soon! You can take a look at the full post below. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World news and updates. Click here to learn about the new restaurant coming to EPCOT! 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. Did you get a chance to check out the EPCOT Experience while visiting the park? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: The EPCOT Experience Is CLOSING in Disney World -- For Good first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Walt Disney World closing down Epcot Experience, a preview center, next week. View the full article

Have you ever seen magic in action? That’s what the incredible members of the Cast Activities, Recognition & Experience Team (“CARE”) at Walt Disney World Resort do to make sure our cast members feel recognized every single day of the year – after all, we are the heart of the magic! And, as part of […]View the full article

Yeah, we’re biased, but we would argue that Disney World has some of the best snacks in the world! Let’s visit the Friar’s Nook! Not a day goes by that we’re not smacking our lips when we think about the Carrot Cake Cookie, the Dole Whip, cookies from Gideon’s cookies, and more. But sometimes, Disney World snacks aren’t so great. Sometimes, folks, they’re just leave us disappointed… . We hate to say it, but we had a big disappointment recently at Disney World. As you may know, Disney World continues to introduce more vegan-friendly and plant-based foods into the parks — and some of those snacks are pretty great. However, the Plant-Based Bratwurst from The Friar’s Nook did not fall into that category. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves here… . First, here’s a photo of what it looks like on Mobile Order. ©Disney It shows that it comes with Sauerkraut on a Pretzel Bun. But what we got was…this. Um…what is this? Do you see the differences here? First, it was served to us without the sauerkraut. When we asked, a Cast Member got us a side of sauerkraut. But the big thing here is that we were promised a pretzel bun, and instead we were served a regular hot dog bun. Sauerkraut on the side? All of that aside, we could’ve forgiven the lack of toppings and pretzel bun, but according to our plant based reporter, the vegan brat was pretty dry — we’ve had way better vegan sausages at other places at Disney World (most notably at B.B. Wolfe’s Sausage Co.). The brat had very little actual flavor — the sauerkraut does all the heavy lifting here. We did grab some packets of Spicy Brown Mustard, which helped…a little. Close? The good news is that the Tots that come on the side with the brat are good, but if we’d just wanted Tots, that’s what we would’ve ordered. The tots are good! If you want to try it for yourself, though, remember that you might have to ask for the Sauerkraut separately (but at no additional charge). This could have just been a misunderstanding and your Bratwurst might come out with all the toppings and the right bun. So you may have a very different experience than we did. The brat is $10.29, but if you’re looking for something that packs a more flavorful punch, we’d probably recommend considering some of the other plant-based options at Magic Kingdom, like the Plant-Based Dog at Casey’s Corner. Plant Based Loaded Slaw Dog Casey’s Corner We’re always trying out EVERYTHING at Disney World, so stay tuned 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. Have you tried any plant-based options at Disney World? Do you have any faves? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: A Magic Kingdom Snack Has Left Us Disappointed. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

TRON Lightcycle / Run has been under construction for years at Magic Kingdom in Disney World. Still a work in progress We’ve been tracking its steady progress, and recently saw parts of the canopy go up, but we still don’t know when the ride will open. We recently got a closer look at the progress taking place on the ride, and now Disney has released another new video showing the next phase of ride testing! You will soon see ride vehicles on the track over at TRON in Tomorrowland as the next phase of ride testing begins! This is known as the “push/pull” process, where sections of the train are slowly moved through the entire ride track. ©Disney Once the track is ready, trains will begin launch tests at TRON at incremental speeds, with the team eventually working their way up to full-speed launches. This ride testing WILL be visible to people visiting Magic Kingdom, so prepare to see some vehicles on the track soon! We should see the ride vehicles pop out from under the canopy soon! After that testing is done and the ride has worked its way up to full-speed launches, test weights will be used on the ride vehicles. ©Disney Several months later, once they’ve done some additional testing and they’re approved for ridership, the TRON team will start putting their ride team members on board, according to Executive Ride Engineer Jerold Kaplan. ©Disney Check out the full behind-the-scenes video below! We’re so excited to see some progress happening on the ride, but we still don’t know the timeline for when it will open. The mention of “several months later” in the video has us thinking it is going to be a while! But stay tuned to DFB, because we’ll let you know as soon as more information is released. Click here to see more about TRON Lightcycle / Run 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. How excited are you for this upcoming ride? Tell us in the comments! The post VIDEO: TRON’s Next Phase of Ride Testing Will Begin SOON in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

IAAPA Expo Asia canceled for 2022, Orlando-based trade group says View the full article

“This will be a day long-remembered.” ©Disney Yes, we’re quoting Darth Vader from the very first Star Wars film. Why? Well, not only is Vader one of the most iconic movie villains of all time, but he’ll also soon be making an appearance in the upcoming Disney+ series, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Even better? TODAY is the day Disney dropped the first photo of Darth Vader on the new show! This comes after Disney released the first trailer for the series, which already had us super excited. But we’re also stoked to see Hayden Christensen return to the role of Anakin Skywalker (aka Darth Vader) for the first time since 2005’s Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. Now, thanks to Entertainment Weekly, we know what he will look like on the series AS Vader. Darth Vader (Hayden Christensen) in Lucasfilm’s OBI-WAN KENOBI, exclusively on Disney+. © 2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & . All Rights Reserved. Insert heavy breathing here… . The photo shows Vader emerging from his meditation chamber, which is one of the few places where Darth Vader takes off his mask. However, when asked about seeing Vader maskless, Christensen wouldn’t say. “I wish I could tell you,” he said. “I’m sworn to secrecy.” Anakin Skywalker in Revenge of the Sith ©Disney It’s still undetermined how much of a role Darth Vader will play in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, but show writer Joby Harold said, “His shadow is cast across so much of what we do. And the degree of his proximity to that shadow is something that we’ll discover. But he is very much a part of the show emotionally for Obi-Wan, and possibly beyond that as well.” OOOOOHH! We can’t wait to watch the first episode of Obi-Wan Kenobi when it arrives on Disney+ on May 25th. Stay tuned because we’ll keep covering this show, as well as other shows in Disney+! Is the Star Wars Hotel Worth Missing 2+ Disney World Park Days?! Find Out 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 you most excited about with the Obi-Wan Kenobi series? Let us know in the comments! The post PHOTO: FIRST LOOK at Darth Vader in Disney's 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' Series first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A controversial Florida bill has resulted in a number of actions and statements from the Disney Company, Disney’s CEO, other Disney leaders, and more. Pride Shirt During the recent Disney Shareholder Meeting, we heard from Disney’s CEO, Bob Chapek, about the Company’s position on the Florida bill and what steps it plans to take moving forward. Now, there have been more developments. The Bill The Florida bill in question is called the one critics call the “Don’t Say Gay” Bill. The full name of this piece of legislation is the “Parental Rights in Education” bill. According to The Hill, if the Bill is ultimately passed in Florida, it would “restrict mention of LGBTQ+ topics in classrooms that are not ‘age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.'” The bill would also give parents “greater authority to take legal action against school districts believed to be in violation.” We won’t go into an in-depth discussion of the bill here. But if you want to read more about the Bill itself, read some of the Bill’s actual text, learn about what criticisms have been made regarding Disney’s response (or initial lack thereof) to the Bill, see former Disney CEO Bob Iger’s response to the Bill, and more, you can click here. Pride Castle Recent Statements Already, we’ve shared a look at the initial statement Disney made in response to the Bill (which was shared by Good Morning America) and the additional statements Disney CEO Bob Chapek later sent out via a memo. Then, during Disney’s recent shareholder meeting Chapek shared more about how Disney was “opposed to the bill from the outset, but [] chose not to take a public position on it because [they] thought [they] could be more effective working behind the scenes.” Chapek shared more about how their weeks of effort were ultimately unsuccessful. The “Don’t Say Gay” Bill has passed the Florida House and Florida Senate, and now needs the signature of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to become law. Pride Rainbow Magnet from World of Disney Chapek also shared that he recently called Florida Governor DeSantis to express his “disappointment” and concerns about what could happen if the Bill becomes law. Aside from sharing what they had already done, Chapek also noted that Disney would be taking further action on this issue. Specifically, he noted that Governor DeSantis had agreed to meet with Chapek and a small delegation of Cast Members to discuss their concerns with the law. Chapek also noted that Disney would be “signing the Human Right’s Campaign’s statement opposing such legislative efforts around the country” as well as “pledging $5 million towards organizations,” including the Human Rights Campaign, that are “working to protect LGBTQ+ rights.” To read more about Chapek’s statements during the Shareholder Conference click here! Following Disney’s Shareholder meeting, a number of developments have arisen. We have now seen a statement made from the office of Florida’s Governor, a statement from the Human Rights Campaign, and more. Statement from Florida’s Governor First, in response to Chapek’s statements regarding his recent call to Governor DeSantis and their upcoming meeting, the Governor’s office has issued a statement. According to CNN Business, Christina Pushaw, a spokeswoman for Governor DeSantis told CNN the following: “Disney contacted our office today to speak with the governor. This is the first time we have heard from Disney regarding HB 1557…The governor did take the call from Mr. Chapek. The governor’s position has not changed.” ©Fox10 News | Florida Governor Ron DeSantis The spokeswoman also indicated that “No in-person meeting has been scheduled yet.” Response from the Human Rights Campaign A response has also been issued by the Human Rights Campaign (“HRC”) based on Chapek’s comments about signing their statement opposing legislative efforts similar to the Florida Bill, and Disney’s pledge to donate money to this organization. The press release posted on the The Human Rights Campaign website notes that Chapek’s comments during the shareholder meeting constituted the Disney Company’s “first public statement of opposition to Florida’s House Bill 1557 or the Don’t Say Gay or Trans bill.” Pride Pins In response to Chapek’s statements and pledge, Joni Madison, the Interim President of HRC issued a statement. In the statement, Madison notes that the HRC will NOT accept the money pledged by Disney until they “build on their public commitment and work with LGBTQ+ advocates to ensure that dangerous proposals, like Florida’s Don’t Say Gay or Trans bill, don’t become dangerous laws, and if they do, to work to get them off the books.” Madison went on to say that “While Disney took a regrettable stance by choosing to stay silent amid political attacks against LGBTQ+ families in Florida — including hardworking families employed by Disney — today they took a step in the right direction. But it was merely the first step.” Mickey Plush at World of Disney Madison’s statement continues by noting that the HRC “encourages Disney, and all employers, to continue to fight for their employees – many of whom bravely spoke out to say their CEO’s silence was unacceptable.” Madison ended the statement by saying, “Every student deserves to be seen, and every student deserves an education that prepares them for health and success — regardless of who they are. This should be the beginning of Disney’s advocacy efforts rather than the end.” Response from Disney Disney has now provided a response to the HRC’s decision not to accept their donation. According to Variety, a spokesperson for Disney said that they “signed the HRC’s national business statement opposing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and pledged to financially support their efforts.” The spokesperson went on to say that while Disney was “surprised and disappointed that [the HRC] will not take our financial support at this time, we remain committed to meaningful action to combat legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community.” Bob Chapek in Disney World on its 50th Anniversary This is, of course, a developing situation. We’ll continue to look for more updates from the HRC, Disney, the Florida government, and more regarding this Bill. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post NEWS: Human Rights Campaign Rejects Disney Donation and Issues Statement first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Calle Ocho Music Festival is Sunday in Miami, with Yotuel Romero, co-author of ‘Patria y Vida’, the now iconic theme of the Cuban diaspora View the full article

Spirit Jerseys have really taken Disney World by storm over the past several years, and they keep getting more and more creative! Orange Bird Spirit Jersey We’ve seen glitter, tie-dye, and vintage-inspired jerseys, as well as those themed to some fan favorite characters, like Figment, Grogu (baby Yoda), and Orange Bird. And now, we’ve found a new Spirit Jersey that’s paying tribute to one of the most popular Disney snacks! This is the NEW Mickey Pretzel Spirit Jersey! Pretzels everywhere! Similar to the Mickey Waffle Spirit Jerseys we saw a little while back, this one is also SCENTED. The scent on this one is supposed to be butter. But, the scent did smell really artificial to us, and (weirdly) slightly sweet. Interesting choice with that smell, Disney The scent of the Waffle Spirit Jersey faded pretty quickly in our experience, so hopefully the same happens with this one! Unless you really enjoy smelling like fake butter. The lettering looks like a pretzel, with little specks of salt. Little salt pieces And it has a ton of Mickey pretzels on it, of course. Pretzels taste better when they’re Mickey shaped — it’s just science! The Mickey Waffle Spirit Jersey also had scented ears and a backpack in its collection, so maybe we’ll see pretzel ears pop up soon! Which food will we see get a Spirit Jersey next? We found the jersey in Creations in EPCOT for $74.99, but we’re sure to see it pop up in other places around the parks! It’s certainly fun! Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney merchandise news and updates. Click here to check out EPCOT’s fireworks-themed Spirit Jersey! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Do you think you could handle the smell of this new Spirit Jersey? Let us know in the comments! The post 🚨A BUTTER-SCENTED Pretzel Spirit Jersey Has Arrived in Disney World🚨 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The Tokyo Disneyland Ambassador program started with the birth of Tokyo Disneyland in 1983 as Ms. Yaeko Terasaki took the helm as our very first Ambassador. Since then, 37 individuals have proudly served and had the honor and title of Disney Ambassador. Originally called “Tokyo Disneyland Ambassador,” the first generation of Ambassadors served as goodwill […]View the full article

Walt Disney Imagineering Ride Team Enters Next Phase For TRON Lightcycle / Run | Walt Disney WorldView the full article

Disney World is slowly but surely returning to pre-pandemic operations, with updates such as additional restaurants reopening and more character meet-and-greets being offered throughout the parks. Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade And, just recently we saw the return of the Festival of Fantasy Parade! This marks the first regular daytime parade to return to Disney World since the 2020 closure of the parks (minus the Christmas parade that we saw during the After Hours Event). But, what does the return of parades mean for Disney’s Cavalcades we’ve come to expect? Well, it looks like we’re starting to find out! The Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade debuted in Magic Kingdom on February 11th, 2022 — less than one month ago — and was originally scheduled for four runs per day. Panchito! But now, it looks like we’ll only be able to catch this performance two times per day. This week’s showtimes are listed as 4:30PM and 5:50PM… ©Disney …while next week, the times shift to 5:10PM and 6:20PM and remain that way going forward, although Disney World showtimes are always subject to change. ©Disney This change in scheduling is most likely due to the return of the Festival of Fantasy Parade, which runs daily at 11:30AM and 2:30PM this week, but as of March 13th will be at 12:00PM and 3:00PM. She’s BACK! Remember, Disney World showtimes are always subject to change, so check the My Disney Experience app for the latest info. And be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World news! Click Here to See the NEW Secret Menu We Found in Disney World! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think of this Disney World scheduling change? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney World Begins Pulling Back on Cavalcade Showtimes as Parades Return first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

With FastPass gone, do you invest in the *magical* Disney Genie+? Lightning Lane sign at Princess Fairytale Hall Or do you wait it out in line the old-fashioned way with the rest of the crowds? Check out our video below When Should You PAY for RIDES in Disney World? Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! Watch the video and let us know your thoughts on Genie+ in Disney World. The post DFB Video: When Should You PAY for RIDES in Disney World? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Our Walt Disney Imagineering project team will soon celebrate a significant milestone on the construction of the TRON Lightcycle / Run attraction, as guests at Magic Kingdom Park will be getting their first glimpses of ride vehicles on the track!View the full article

We certainly hope you’re hungry, because we’re headed to an eye-catching Disney World restaurant for a review. Secret Menu Burger Odds are you’ve seen this spot before if you’ve been to Disney Springs; maybe you went in for a bite or maybe you just strolled by, casually remarking at the idea of a restaurant IN A STEAMBOAT. Yep, we’re talking about Paddlefish today. This spot has garnered mixed reviews from us in the past, so let’s find out if YOU should visit! You’ll probably spot Paddlefish during a visit to Disney Springs due to its unique structure: It’s located in a steamboat! Expect a menu of fresh seafood, chops, and steaks with sweeping views of Disney Springs and the water. Paddlefish We’ve got some tried-and-true favorites on this menu but we don’t always love the eats here. Let’s see how Paddlefish is holding up! Atmosphere Paddlefish is located on Village Lake in Disney Springs with its entrance between T-REX and Terralina Crafted Italian. Waiting Area Seating Of course, the biggest thing to note about the atmosphere here is that the restaurant is a HUGE boat! It’s a very unique and cool-looking spot. Paddlefish With the seating ON the water, you can peak out to see the Amphicars cruising in the lake. Paddlefish There are multiple dining rooms. Because it’s a boat, the rooms have a more unique shape to them and you can be seated on three different floors. Plus, there’s a rooftop lounge! Paddlefish The interior decorations are modern and use an ocean-inspired color palette with lots of whites, blues, blacks, and wood. Paddlefish Seating options vary with the spot offering standard tables and chairs, booths, bar seating, and outdoor seating. Pro tip! You might want to request a window seat! Paddlefish When we got to our table, we spotted a reusable menu, a cloth napkin, and a set of utensils. Table Setting But enough about the atmosphere, let’s eat! Eats Let’s take a look at the Paddlefish menu. You’ll spot mostly seafood options with some other upscale entrees as well. Menu There are a few Starter options (You’re in luck if you like crab; there are THREE crab choices!) as well as a solid Soup & Salad menu. Starters and Soup & Salad Menu ©Disney As seafood stands, Paddlefish features some From the Steamer and some Chilled & Raw Seafood as well. From The Steamer and Chilled & Raw Seafood Menu ©Disney Then there are the seafood Mains and Sandwiches! But don’t worry, you can also find chicken, beef, pork, and vegetarian options. Main and Sandwiches Menu ©Disney Can’t decide? Go for a Half & Half Combination for some lighter fare. You can also complete your meal with Sides to Share and Dessert, of course! Half & Half Combinations, Sides to Share, and Desserts Menu ©Disney The Kids’ Menu has options for seafood and non-seafood, plus a few appetizers and some desserts. We bet kiddos love that Hot Fudge Brownie Sundae. Kids’ Menu ©Disney On to the drinks! You can select from Mocktails, Beer (Draft, American Craft, Imported, and Domestic)… Mocktails and Beer Menu ©Disney …a number of Signature Cocktails and well-known ones, Liquor Flights… Cocktails and Flights Menu ©Disney …and red or white Wine! Wine Menu ©Disney But we’re not so interested in the main menu as we are here for a special SECRET menu! That’s right! This spot has a secret pairing menu for lunch, Monday through Friday from 12PM to 3PM. Secret Menu And THAT menu is what we gave a try today! The servers will NOT bring up this menu. You will have to ASK for it! Let’s DIG IN! The Burger and Paddlefish Lager Pairing We started with a cocktail that is a seasonal item before jumping into our pairing — the Shamrock Sour for $16. Shamrock Sour This drink is made with Jameson, Midori, Sour Apple Liqueur, Agave, and Ginger Ale. It comes out VERY green, perfect for St. Patrick’s Day! Shamrock Sour We thought this drink was delicious! It tasted like an apple-y lemonade with a hint of ginger to it. The apple was the most forward flavor, but you could certainly taste the sweetness from the agave and the kick from the Jameson. Shamrock Sour The drink was sweet so it might not be for you if you were hoping for a more Jameson-forward beverage. It’s the kinda drink that could sneak up on you if you know what we mean. Shamrock Sour But now, on to that secret pairing menu. We opted for The Burger (Cryptic!) paired with the Paddlefish Lager for $25. The Burger and Paddlefish Lager Pairing The Paddlefish Lager is a special beer for the restaurant and we found it to be light, crisp, and refreshing. It had a slight citrus note to it and we noticed that the finish wasn’t bitter at all. If you like an easy-to-drink beer with more delicate flavors, this one might be for you. Paddlefish Lager The Burger on the Secret Menu is a 9-ounce Proprietary Blend Patty with Housemade Pickles, Red Onion, and Pimento Cheese on a Brioche Bun. The Burger and Paddlefish Lager Pairing First impressions? This was a HUGE burger, but man was it good. The patty itself was very moist and well-cooked with classic restaurant-style burger flavors. The brioche bun held everything together nicely and had nice butteriness to it. The Burger and Paddlefish Lager Pairing Our favorite part of the burger was the combination between the onion and the pimento cheese. The red onion added a vinegar flavor to balance the cheese’s creaminess. The trophy goes to the pimento cheese for keeping the burger unique and interesting! The Burger and Paddlefish Lager Pairing The house made pickles were not overly tangy and instead were a lot lighter — still seeming a lot like cucumber. They added a nice coolness to the burger and rounded out the flavors overall. The Burger and Paddlefish Lager Pairing The pairing comes with a side of Fries or House-made Chips and we asked our waitress for the more popular option which turned out to be the fries. They were fresh-cut and slightly salty with a softer texture. We enjoyed them! Overall, we were fans of the pairing! It perhaps could’ve used more sauce but we might recommend asking for a side of the pimento cheese for dippin’ those fries! The Burger and Paddlefish Lager Pairing This is a top-notch burger and it pairs well with the beer. If you’re looking for a solid restaurant burger to fill you up, Paddlefish just might have you covered here. Now that we’re stuffed, let’s bring up some final thoughts. Nosh or Not You SHOULD eat aboard Paddlefish if… You’re a seafood or boat fanatic. The location at Paddlefish is super unique and the seafood, though not the best we’ve ever had, is tasty! You’re looking for a more upscale option. The vibes at Paddlefish are on the fancier side, even if you’re just snagging a burger and beer! You’ve visited many restaurants in Disney Springs and want to try something different. Paddlefish is not one of our favorite restaurants in Disney Springs, but the food can be tasty! You should SWIM PAST Paddlefish if… You’re looking for a great spot for kids. This restaurant seems a LOT more geared towards adults. The kids’ menu is various, but little ones might enjoy a meal more elsewhere. You don’t like seafood. There are SOME non-seafood options (like our burger!) but if no one in your party likes fish, there are certainly more fitting options in Disney Springs. You want something that feels “Disney!” Outside of the outstanding customer service, this spot doesn’t have much of that Disney feel to it. Overall Though we have had some mixed reviews in the past from Paddlefish, we had a pretty good experience this visit! The service was excellent and our food and drinks were tasty as well. With the atmosphere and the VIEW, we can’t complain! Now, keep in mind that we have had some disappointing eats at Paddlefish (Including their Mac and Cheese, and you KNOW how we feel about Mac and Cheese!!!). You might not want to stop into a seafood restaurant just to order a burger — even one as tasty as the one we had today! On the other hand, we COULD see ourselves swinging by for a visit if we’re tired of the usual Disney Springs suspects. There are a lot, and we mean a LOT, of dining options in Disney Springs. Certainly, many of them have earned rave reviews over and over again from us, where Paddlefish can be hit or miss. Still, if you’re looking for seafood, or happen to be around during the secret pairing menu times, you could have a great meal! Click here to see us review MORE eats at Paddlefish! 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 eaten at Paddlefish? Tell us about your experience below! The post Review! Shh, This Disney Springs Seafood Spot Has a SECRET MENU first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

When planning your next Disney World vacation, one of the first decisions you’ll likely make is where your family will spend each night! Picking the right hotel can be a daunting task since there are so many options, so the first factor you’ll probably consider is what you can afford when choosing to stay on Disney World property. Disney breaks its hotels up into three major categories based on price: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. Grand Floridian Lobby Today, we’re going to weigh the pros and cons for staying at Disney World’s Deluxe Resort hotels. You can see our pros and cons for Value resorts here and for Moderate resorts here! Deluxe hotels offer top-tier amenities for top-tier prices. They also offer perks such as awesome pools, top-rated dining, and easy access to the parks. But is it worth the cost? Pros to Staying at a Deluxe Resort There are plenty of reasons why you may want to stay at a Disney World Deluxe Resort hotel on your next vacation. For starters, these hotels offer top-tier amenities. If you want to stay on Disney World property and have the ultimate luxury experience, then the deluxe hotels are going to be where you’ll want to look first. Polynesian Resort The deluxe hotels feature highly themed resort grounds and guest rooms, with tons of attention to every detail. Most have multiple pools to lounge by and enjoy (BTW, some of the deluxe hotels have the best pools on Disney World property), as well as fitness centers, room service, and even Club Level/Concierge accommodations for an additional fee. Stormalong Bay There are also multiple dining options at each deluxe hotel. While the Value Resorts only offer counter service dining and the Moderate Resorts are typically limited to just one table service restaurant, Disney World’s Deluxe Resort hotels offer multiple table service restaurants, some of which are among the best dining across Disney World property. Citricos got a Mary Poppins theme Signature dining options and character dining options are exclusively available the the deluxe hotels. Resorts like Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa are worth a visit even if you aren’t an overnight guest just for the dining! This was plated beautifully! Most deluxe hotels offer their guests multiple transportation options to get to and from the theme parks, and most deluxe hotels are usually pretty close (sometimes within walking distance) to at least one of the parks! Grand Floridian pedestrian walkway to Magic Kingdom There are, of course, the Monorail resorts: Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa — just minutes from Magic Kingdom. Disney’s Riviera Resort is located along the Disney Skyliner route, which gives guests quick access to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Walt Disney World Skyliner Another BIG perk (pun very much intended) are the larger size guest rooms! Some Disney World hotels have notoriously tight accommodations, but the deluxe hotels are sometimes the exception to that rule. In some cases you’ll find that the deluxe hotels give you plenty of elbow room. Refurbished Guest Rooms at the Polynesian Finally, staying at a Deluxe Resort makes you eligible for Disney World’s extended evening theme park hours. On select nights, certain parks will remain open past normal operating hours — but unlike Extra Magic Hours which were available to all on-property resort guests, these extended evening hours are ONLY for guests staying at Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resorts. This exclusivity could make for even lighter crowds, which is indeed a neat perk. Click here to read more about extended evening park hours in Disney World! Cons to Staying at a Deluxe Resort Almost everything at Disney World comes with a price tag, and deluxe accommodations are no exception. In fact, perhaps the biggest downside of staying in one of Disney World’s Deluxe Resort hotels is just that — they’re expensive! Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa This is important to keep in mind not only from a purely financial perspective, but also from a value perspective in getting your money’s worth. If you are not planning on spending any time at your hotel and you’re likely going to be in the parks from opening until close, then a deluxe hotel stay is probably NOT worth the cost. You can easily stay at a Value or a Moderate Resort for more nights (which means MORE time in the parks). There’s a lot to see and do at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn! You may also find that deluxe hotels are particularly noisy. Some resorts (especially those located near the parks, like the Monorail Resorts around Magic Kingdom or the resorts just outside of World Showcase at EPCOT) will get heavy foot traffic from both overnight guests as well as guests visiting for a meal or just to look around. If your idea of the ultimate resort stay involves any level of “seclusion,” then some of the more centrally-located deluxe resorts may not be for your family. If you’re staying at the Polynesian, expect plenty of visitors looking to dine at ‘Ohana Some of Disney World’s Deluxe Resort hotels are destinations in their own right, especially with their highly sought-after dining options we mentioned earlier. They’re totally worth a visit on a day when you are not in the parks — but that means they can get busy certain times of the day. Crowds aside, if you’re a family that likes to go to bed early, you may find that staying at a Deluxe Resort near the theme parks could get noisy with fireworks. Enchantment View from Disney’s Contemporary Resort While some deluxe hotels are in prime locations just minutes from the parks, others are located in more inconvenient locations on property — choose carefully! For example, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is the closet resort on property to Animal Kingdom, but it is farther from everything else, making for long bus rides. On the flip side, the Monorail Resorts are SUPER close to Magic Kingdom, but far from the other three parks. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Some deluxe hotels have limited transportation options, leaving you with really just the buses as your only complimentary option to get to and from the parks. This can lead to lots of long bus rides every morning and every night, and if you’re staying somewhere like Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa or Disney’s Old Key West Resort with those large internal bus loops, you can spend way more time on those buses than you may want. Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa In fact, you may find that several deluxe hotels lack those top-tier amenities we mentioned earlier. Not every deluxe hotel has spas, some lack a distinct theme, not all of their pools are that stellar, and some are less kid-friendly than others. In short, not all deluxe hotels are created equal! Click here to read about some of the Disney World Resort hotels that some guests just hate! It’s important to do your research ahead of booking a Disney World Deluxe Resort hotel. These hotels cost several pretty pennies, so it’s crucial that you make the right decision. Like we mentioned above, they aren’t all created equal — some will have great transportation options but will lack certain amenities like spas or a great pool, while others may have excellent restaurants but are very far from the parks. Figure out which of the perks are most important, and which of the cons you can live with the most — from there, you may find that the deluxe hotels are the only way you and your family want to do Disney World from now on! 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 stayed at a Disney World Deluxe hotel? Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! The post The Pros and Cons of Staying at a Disney World Deluxe Resort first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article