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All aboard! Who’s ready to set sail on the Disney Wish? ©Disney Although the ship’s first sailings have been delayed, we’re still really excited about everything the Wish will offer. This will certainly be a Disney cruise experience unlike any other, especially when it comes to entertainment. Not only will guests get to have experiences in both the Marvel and Star Wars universes, but they’ll also get to experience Disney Cruise Line’s first attraction at sea, plus so much more. Now, we have even more details about entertainment on the Wish! Disney’s newest cruise ship looks like it will be more immersive and interactive than any other ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. In true Disney fashion, the heart of everything on the ship will be storytelling to appeal to the entire family. Worlds of Marvel aboard the Disney Wish ©Disney “Family is at the heart of everything we do,” said Laura Cabo, portfolio creative executive, Walt Disney Imagineering. “When we set out to design the next generation of Disney cruise ships, we wanted to provide families with more opportunities than ever to make lasting memories together and to experience Disney storytelling in completely new ways. Whether it’s a new take on a guest favorite experience, like our signature sweets shop, or an immersive show in a first-of-its-kind venue like Luna and Hero Zone, there will be no shortage of family fun aboard the Disney Wish.” Star Wars activities aboard the Wish ©Disney Let’s take a look at some of the NEW spaces and new details shared about the entertainment you’ll find on the ship. Olaf’s Royal Picnic Guests on the Wish will be able to attend Olaf’s Royal Picnic, which will transport them to Arendelle for an experience designed for families with children ages 3 to 12 (who are they kidding? We Disney adults will probably enjoy it MORE than the kids!). Guests will get to interact with Olaf, Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff while listening to live musical performances of Frozen songs. Olaf likes warm hugs! | Olaf in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Oh, and there will be delicious food too (we’re in)! Kids will even get some keepsakes to take home with them, including a reversible troll plush, themed picnic blanket, and custom Nordic-style mandolin. SAY WHAT? This sounds awesome, folks. Kiddos will even get to use that mandolin for a singalong with Kristoff! Guests who have already booked a voyage on the Wish may reserve their spot at Olaf’s Royal picnic before sailing for an additional fee. Grand Hall But there’s SO much more in store for guests on the Wish. Although we’ve already learned a little about the Wish’s Grand Hall, which will transform with special effects — it also has the first-ever atrium stage onboard a Disney ship. When families first enter the Grand Hall, they’ll receive a “royal greeting” and each child will get a special wishing wand they can use to make the “first wish” of their vacation during a boarding celebration. The Disney Wish Grand Hall ©Disney The Grand Hall is also where families can meet with Disney princesses. PLUS the stage will host a game called “Who’s Behind The Curtain,” where guests will have to answer questions to reveal the identify of the Disney characters hidden behind the stage’s curtain. On the final night of each sailing, guests will participate in a ceremony with the Fairy Godmother where they will raise their wands and watch a “spectacular farewell show” with tons of Disney characters, special effects, and performances. Luna Luna is an entertainment hub onboard the Wish that has a two-story LED screen wall, stage, AND bar. Here, guests will get to watch a variety of live shows, as well as participate in different themed nights. During “Villains Game Night” “guests will attempt to answer Disney trivia questions amid the jeers and sneers of nefarious Disney foes, including Cruella de Vil, Gaston, Hades, Maleficent and more, who will join on screen.” During the “Disney Songbook” event guests will get the chance to “belt out Disney songs and showcase their star talent for a live camera crew, who will project each performance onto the big screen.” And this space will be used for the live grand finale interactive event for the mobile game guests can play on the ship — “Disney Uncharted Adventure.” ©Disney We previously learned that Luna will be a great place for families during the day, but at night, it will become an adult-exclusive space. It’s based on the Pixar short La Luna. Hero Zone Families who want to get active will want to head to the Hero Zone, which is a “futuristic sports arena where physical activity will blend with imagination, alternating between an elaborate family obstacle course and a free-play sports hub.” Hero Zone ©Disney Here, families will be able to participate in the Incredi-Games, as well as Jack-Jack’s Incredible Diaper Dash. Click here to learn more about Hero Zone! Disney promises a full roster of world-class entertainment “infused with more Disney storytelling, bringing to life the fantastical worlds and beloved characters at the heart of Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars adventures like never before.” In addition to the Star Wars and Marvel experiences, guests will also be able to attend a Frozen theatrical dining experience (in addition to Olaf’s Royal Picnic), watch a theatrical production of The Little Mermaid, and more. The Little Mermaid And earlier today Disney shared details about the NEW sweets shop guests will also be able to enjoy on the ship. ©Disney The Disney Wish will set sail for the first time on July 14th, 2022. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all Disney Cruise Line news, so stay tuned for more. Here’s Everything You Need To Know About The Disney Wish What You Need to Know About Disney Cruise Line Learn All About Disney Cruise Line and Its Various Ships Check Out Lots of Details About Disney Cruise Line’s Newest Ship -- the Disney Wish (Including More About the Star Wars Bar and First Attraction at Sea Coming to the Wish) See the Latest on Disney Cruise Line’s Mask Policy Learn About Disney Cruise Line’s COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Policies Check Out 10 Things That’ll Be Different About Your Next Disney Cruise See More About the Virtual Queues and Other Changes Made on Disney Cruises Check Out How Much It’ll Cost to Sail on Disney’s Newest Cruise Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Do you have a cruise booked for the Disney Wish? Let us know what you’re most excited about in the comments! The post NEW Details Announced About the Entertainment Coming to the Disney Wish Cruise Ship! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

As the cost of a trip to Disney World continues to rise, many fans question if the current guest experience is worth the hefty price. View the full article

Disney is starting on a MASSIVE construction project very soon! Hey, Mickey! Mickey’s Toontown used to be a destination in both Disney World and Disneyland, but now it can only be found in Disneyland. This area has attractions like Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, Mickey’s House, and Gadget’s Go Coaster. Disney announced last year that this area would be getting some major updates, and now we know WHEN those updates will take place! Disney has revealed that the transformation of Mickey’s Toontown will officially begin on March 9th, 2022. This area will be closed beginning on that day, so if you want to see it before all the changes, make sure you visit on or before March 8th. Toontown is expected to reopen in early 2023. ToonTown…more like PARTYTown! We’ve already looked at some of the changes coming to this new area, including the addition of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway (the same attraction can be found in Disney World as well). Disney also said that the updated area will have “all-new experiences, more play and interactivity for our guests, with a focus on families and young children.” ©Disney If you love some of the classic attractions, you don’t have to worry too much. Disney said that fan-favorites like Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, Mickey’s House, and Minnie’s house will still have a home in this area. Some other rides and attractions are going to be “reimagined in new and exciting ways, including Gadget’s Go Coaster, Goofy’s House, and Donald’s Boat.” Toontown in Disneyland Other changes include a new CenTOONial Park, which is a central area that has open, grassy spaces; some water tables and a large fountain; and a dreaming tree. ©Disney We’ll keep an eye out for more updates about this big project, so keep following DFB for all the latest news. Click here to learn more details about Toontown’s transformation. 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 Toontown transformation? Let us know in the comments. The post NEWS: DATE Announced for the Closure and Reimagining of Mickey's Toontown in Disneyland first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser (AKA the Star Wars hotel) is opening up on March 1st in Disney World, and while we’re excited, we still have a lot of questions! ©Disney Who are ALL of the characters we’ll meet? How will the fireworks show work? How “in-character” will the Cast Members be? These are all questions we’ll be trying to find answers to once the hotel opens. Another question we have is about the food. We’ve already seen what some of the food is going to look like on the Starcruiser, but what happens if you have special dietary needs or food allergies? Well, we’re here to tell you! According to Disney’s website, if you have a special dietary or allergy-friendly request, you will need to visit the Crown of Corellia Dining Room for a consultation once you’ve boarded the Galactic Starcruiser. Crown of Corellia Dining Room Concept Art – Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser ©Disney During this consultation, you can meet with a Chef or Crew Member trained in special diets. This is when you can discuss and plan for each meal you will enjoy aboard the Halcyon starcruiser. You have to complete your consult between 1PM and 4PM on the first day of your voyage. Is this organic? ©Disney If you required pureed meals, adhere to medically restricted diets (like very low-protein diets), or prefer a kosher or halal meal, you also need to email Special.Diets@DisneyWorld.com between 7 and 14 days before your trip. A look at the food that will be served aboard Galactic Starcruiser ©Disney If you want to eat a plant-based meal that is made without meat, eggs, dairy, or honey, you do NOT need to have a consult. These options will already be available on the ship and will be marked with a green leaf icon. ©Disney Disney says they “use reasonable efforts” in their food preparation and handling procedures to avoid the introduction of the named allergens into your menu choices. And, while Disney says they do take steps to prevent cross-contact, they do not have separate, allergy-friendly kitchens and they are not able to guarantee that a menu item is completely free of allergens. ©Disney Also, note that allergy-friendly offerings are reliant on supplier ingredient labels and Disney cannot guarantee the accuracy of the content lists for each food item. Allergen advisory statements (for example, “may contain”) are not regulated, and are therefore not taken into consideration when developing allergy-friendly meals. Disney says it is ultimately up to your discretion to make an informed choice based on your individual dietary needs. Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Food Sneak Peek ©Disney So, if you have special dietary needs or food allergies, make sure you visit the Crown of Corellia Dining Room for a consultation once you’ve boarded the Galactic Starcruiser. This way, you can make sure your meals will be figured out and can get on with enjoying your trip into a galaxy far, far away! We’ll be trying and reviewing ALL of the food on the Starcruiser once it opens, so stay tuned to DFB for more! Click here to see more about the food at the Star Wars hotel! Star Wars Hotel -- Galactic Starcruiser News and Information See the Pricing Revealed for the Star Wars Hotel Check Out a FULL Schedule for a Trip Aboard the Galactic Starcruiser Take a Look at a Map of the Star Wars Hotel See Everything We Know About Dining at the Star Wars Hotel What Can You Actually Expect from the Food at the Star Wars Hotel? Learn About the Room Types at the Star Wars Hotel Star Wars Hotel Room Myths DEBUNKED Check Out a Complete Packing List for the Star Wars Hotel Learn About What It’s Like to Step Aboard the Star Wars Hotel How Real are the Lightsabers at the Star Wars Hotel? We Have Some Answers Star Wars Hotel Exclusive Clothing is Now Available Online See What Dates Have Sold Out for the Star Wars Hotel Watch a Video With Groundbreaking Details About the Star Wars Hotel Click HERE to See More About Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Will you be taking a trip to space on the Galactic Starcruiser? Let us know in the comments! The post How to Plan for Special Dietary Needs or Allergies at Disney World's Star Wars Hotel first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Where can you ride a brand-new water roller coaster, dine with the Avengers, and design your own Disney ride? ©Disney There’s only one place like this — Disney’s newest cruise ship, the Disney ‘Wish’! The latest addition to Disney Cruise Line‘s fleet has all kinds of unique experiences, and we’ve already explored several of these offerings that sound amazing. But we just learned about a brand NEW spot that will be onboard the ‘Wish,’ and we already can’t wait to visit. Disney’s latest announcement about the Disney ‘Wish’ made us feel so much joy about the new shop, a little sadness that it’s not open yet, and absolutely no disgust at all. (Did you catch our hint about this location’s theme??) Joy! If you thought of Inside Out, you’re right! The ‘Wish’ is going to have a brand new candy shop called Inside Out: Joyful Sweets. This dessert stop is inspired by the Pixar film, and inside you’ll find sculptures of the five emotions: Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Fear, and Anger. The shop will also be decorated with glowing Memory Orb lights and other features that make it look just like the control center in Riley’s head from the film. ©Disney The decorations sound great, but what about the TREATS? Disney announced that there will be more than 40 flavors of gelato and ice cream () along with hand-made toppings like whipped cream, fruit competes, and sauces. The only flavors that have been revealed so far include Peanut Butter Pretzel and White Chocolate Raspberry. You’ll also be able to find cupcakes that are themed to each of the five emotions: There’s a lemon one for Joy, a blueberry one for Sadness, a pistachio one for Disgust, a red velvet one for Anger, and a bubblegum one for Fear. ©Disney Looking for a new core memory? Joyful Sweets has got them — and they’re edible, too! You can buy chocolate Memory Orbs, which you’ll break open to find candy inside. ©Disney Other offerings include cake pops, handcrafted truffles, brownies, macarons, designer cookies, and all kinds of candy. This isn’t the first immersive candy shop on a Disney cruise ship (although it is the first one with an Inside Out theme). We were super impressed with a similar candy shop called Vanellope’s Sweets and Treats on the Disney ‘Dream,’ which is inspired by Wreck-It Ralph. Colorful displays at Vanellope’s! We can’t wait to see the Inside Out shop when the ‘Wish’ opens to guests for its maiden voyage this summer. ©Disney Keep following DFB for more of the latest updates about all things Disney food! Click here for a full tour of the Disney ‘Wish.’ What You Need to Know About Disney Cruise Line Learn All About Disney Cruise Line and Its Various Ships Check Out Lots of Details About Disney Cruise Line’s Newest Ship -- the Disney Wish (Including More About the Star Wars Bar and First Attraction at Sea Coming to the Wish) See the Latest on Disney Cruise Line’s Mask Policy Learn About Disney Cruise Line’s COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Policies Check Out 10 Things That’ll Be Different About Your Next Disney Cruise See More About the Virtual Queues and Other Changes Made on Disney Cruises Check Out How Much It’ll Cost to Sail on Disney’s Newest Cruise Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Are you planning to sail with the Disney ‘Wish’ this year? Let us know in the comments. The post A New Pixar Candy Shop Is Coming to Disney's Newest Cruise Ship first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Take a breath. Imagine for a second that the computer, phone, etc. in front of you has disappeared. You find yourself on Main Street, U.S.A.. Around you, you can hear the sound of guests talking and laughing. In the distance, you hear some of the background music for this beautiful spot. And then it hits you — the distinct and gorgeous voices of the Dapper Dans reach your ears and your heart and your soul are filled with joy. LIVE MUSIC folks. Sometimes there’s just nothing better than live music. The Dapper Dans — Seriously, the BEST Although Disney World has ALL kinds of entertainment to enjoy at the resorts, in the parks, and at Disney Springs, sometimes all you really want is to just listen to some great live music. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, a night out, want to hit the town in Disney style, or are just a lover of music and want to fill your day with those glorious sounds, we’ve put together a list of EVERYWHERE you can see live music at Disney World. So let’s get ready to jam out! A few disclaimers before we dive in. We’ve included some current times when you can catch these live entertainment offerings below, but note that these times can change depending on Disney World’s schedule. Be sure to check your My Disney Experience app or a times guide in the parks during your visit for the latest updates. Magic Kingdom Not all entertainment offerings are back in Disney World yet, but we still wanted to include those yet-to-return offerings below. If you see an option marked with a red asterisk (*) that is meant to note that the specific offering has not yet returned to Disney World. Again, entertainment offerings can change, so be sure to see if any of those have returned by the time your visit rolls around! Alright, let’s begin! Magic Kingdom Over at Magic Kingdom, the Dapper Dans will regale you with their sweet a cappella tones at several points throughout the day. Currently, you can typically catch them on Main Street, U.S.A. around 9:05AM, 9:45AM, 10:25AM, 12:20PM, 1:35PM, 2:45PM, and 3:40 PM. Again, times can change! If you’re walking around and hear some EPIC singing they’re likely near! The Dapper Dans perform all the hits, from Disney favorites to classic American standards. They’re a Disney classic and a must-see! Lookin’ Dapper! And speaking of classics, you can see the legendary Main Street Philharmonic on Main Street, U.S.A. as well. Again, their times can vary but you’ll usually spot them around 10:50AM, 11:50AM, 1PM, and 3:25PM. If you’re not familiar with it, the Philharmonic is a grand marching band that marches down the street in bright outfits! They’ll take you back in time with their classic marches and big band hits. You may even hear the Mickey Mouse Club March! Main Street Philharmonic Also in Magic Kingdom, you can pop by one of our favorite hot dog joints to listen to the Casey’s Corner Pianist who will dazzle you with an amazing repertoire of ragtime tunes that will have you stepping in time! Casey’s Pianist Times can vary but you’ll generally find them filling the air with music around 11:40AM, 1:05PM, 1:50PM, 2:35PM, 3:35PM, 5:05PM, and 6:05PM. Click here to see our ULTIMATE guide to Magic Kingdom for 2022! EPCOT Ever heard of Taiko? It’s an incredible style of Japanese drumming (and also can refer to some drums). Well, whether you’re a big fan of this type of drumming or have never seen it in your life, you should head on over to the Japan pavilion to see Matsuriza create thundering sounds with their giant Taiko drums. Performances are typically at 11AM, 12PM, 1PM, 2PM, 3PM, 4PM, and 4:45PM on Thursdays through Mondays (there appear to be no performances most Tuesdays and Wednesdays). Drummers in Japan! Channel your inner British rock band fandom with The British Revolution* who cover everything from The Who, Queen, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and more! Their shows are not to be missed when they perform at the United Kingdom Pavilion. *Note that this offering is currently not available Drinking a Crabbie’s Cloudy Lemonade During The British Revolution Show If you’ve visited any of EPCOT’s festivals or simply been to EPCOT over the past year, you’ve seen a lot of great live Disney music, including the JAMMitors who use trash cans, brooms, and tin cans to make some seriously epic beats! You can typically see them perform around 10:20AM, 11:20AM, 12:20PM, 1:20PM, 3:20PM, and 4:20PM. Jammin’ out with the JAMMitors Looking for some traditional Mexican folk music or other unique takes on songs with a Mexican flair? Check out Mariachi Cobre or Marimba de las Americas in the Mexico pavilion (both part of the “Music of Mexico” entertainment offering there). Mariachi Cobre plays classic Mexican folk music from Jalisco, Mexico. Mariachi Cobre Marimba de las Americas, on the other hand, features “marimba arrangements of songs from all across Latin America.” The “Music of Mexico” performances are usually held around 11:15AM, 12PM, 12:45PM, 1:30PM, 3PM, 3:45PM, and 4:30PM. Marimba de las Americas at EPCOT In EPCOT you can also listen to the American songbook as performed by Voices of Liberty. This group will absolutely BLOW you away with their beautiful a cappella melodies (seriously, we get goosebumps every time we hear them!). Don’t miss your chance to sit under the Rotunda and truly take in their incredible voices. Showtimes are usually around 12PM, 12:45PM, 1:30PM, 2:15PM, 3PM, 3:45PM, and 4:45PM. Voices of Liberty Also, hidden in the gardens behind the United Kingdom pavilion, you’ll typically find an EPCOT Pianist performing some gorgeous music. Note that the pianist was over at World Showplace during some EPCOT Festivals, and that’s the location still noted on Disney’s website, but we’ve seen them lately over in the gardens by the U.K. in the gazebo. (This is where you’ll find fan-favorite Carol Stein performing sometimes!) Performance times are typically around 12:30PM, 1:30PM, 2:30PM, 3:30PM, 4:30PM, and 5:30PM. Pianist at the Gazebo If you’re wanting to get some entertainment beer garden-style, head on over to Biergarten in the Germany pavilion, where it’s Oktoberfest every day! While you’re eating some traditional German food and raising your stein, you can watch a band play live German music and chant along! Prost! Biergarten band Over the Canada pavilion, you’ll typically find the folk band Alberta Bound over at The Mill Stage. From all kinds of fiddling to songs from Canadian songwriters, you’re sure to be clapping your hand and dancing along to this group’s tunes. The performance times are typically around 2:15PM, 3:15PM, 5PM, 6:15PM, and 7:30PM. Alberta Bound During EPCOT’s many festivals, you’ll also find some unique entertainment including quite a bit of live music! This entertainment can vary depending on the festival, but here’s some of what we’ve seen in the past or what’s confirmed for the future. During EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival in 2022, the Garden Rocks concert series will be coming BACK! This series brings popular bands from throughout the decades to perform at the American Gardens Theatre. In 2022, performers include Rick Springfield, The Pointer Sisters, The Guess Who, and more! These concerts will take place Fridays through Mondays at 5:30PM, 6:45PM, and 8PM. Local bands will then play in the space from Tuesdays through Thursdays. Garden Rocks! During the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, guests can typically enjoy the Eat to the Beat Concert Series.* Like Garden Rocks, this series features popular bands from the 80s, 90s, and 00s at the American Gardens Theatre. In the past, performance times have typically been 5:30PM, 6:45PM, and 8PM from Sunday-Thursday; and 6:30PM, 7:45PM, and 9PM on Fridays and Saturdays. In 2021, when the Eat to the Beat Concert Series wasn’t available, EPCOT introduced a new live performance offering — America Gardens Bandstand. This featured local bands from Central Florida which played a variety of different song offerings. *Note that the Eat to the Beat Concert Series was not available in 2020 or 2021, but we’ll be on the lookout for updates for 2022 and beyond Eat to the Beat Concert Series | 2018 During EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays, you’ll find quite a bit of live music, including the FAMOUS Candlelight Processional. The Candlelight Processional typically features a 50-piece orchestra and a choir made of Cast Members and guest choirs from around the country as a narrator retells the classic Christmas story. It’s a classic piece of the holiday celebrations in EPCOT and is a truly beloved experience. Showtimes are usually 5:15PM, 7PM, and 8:30PM. Candlelight Processional During the Festival of the Holidays, you can also typically find JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season. This group usually performs gospel, rhythm, and blues music to celebrate Christmas and Kwanzaa. Joyful! When available during the holiday season, the showtimes are typically around 1:15PM, 2:20PM, 3:25PM, and 4:30PM. Click here to see our ULTIMATE guide to EPCOT for 2022! Disney’s Animal Kingdom It isn’t ALL about animals over at Animal Kingdom! You can see some pretty amazing live music here, too, starting with the Discovery Island Drummers. Although they often perform on land, they’ve most recently taken to a flotilla. You can see them floating down the Discovery River during the day. Discovery Island Drummers Flotilla If you’re looking for more upbeat music filled with drums, you can (when available) also catch live drummers in Pandora called Swotu Waya.* These folks will pound out other-worldly beats and perform a “traditional Na’vi Drum Ceremony.” *Note that this offering is currently not available Pandora Drummers Over in Africa, you can check out the Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe as they perform their drums and other instruments, and seriously get the whole crowd into the show! Showtimes are typically 10AM, 11AM, 12PM, 1PM, 2PM, 3PM, and 4PM. Tam Tam Drummers If you’re looking to really get PUMPED UP, the Viva Gaia Street Band will get you dancing! The group leads a Caribbean-themed street party with vibrant costumes, exciting music, and (of course) some serious dance moves! Viva Gaia Street Band And you can listen to traditional Indian music with the sitar-playing Chakranadi in the Anandapur village. Showtimes are usually 11:55AM, 12:55PM, 1:55PM, 2:55PM, 3:55PM, and 4:55PM. It appears that performances are usually done Thursday through Monday (none on Tuesday or Wednesday). Chakranadi You can also see Kora Tinga Tinga — an entertainment offering during which a performer plays a Kora, a hand-crafted African harp in the Africa section of the park. Kora Tinga Tinga Disney World is also home to some serious Broadway-quality musicals, and two are in Animal Kingdom! The first is Finding Nemo The Musical*, which was a shortened retelling of the Finding Nemo movie with live music, singers, and puppets. *Finding Nemo The Musical is not available at the moment. The show will, however, be returning to Animal Kingdom in 2022, but when it does it will actually be DIFFERENT! A reimagined version of the show, called Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond is set to open in 2022. It will still feature some of the fan-favorite songs from the old show as well as new story points. Finding Nemo And then there’s one of our favorite shows, A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King, which celebrates The Lion King with elaborate costumes, puppets, and music. A Celebration of the Festival of the Lion King You can typically catch performances at 10AM, 11AM, 12PM, 2PM, 3PM, 4PM, and 5PM. Click here for the ULTIMATE guide to Animal Kingdom for 2022! Disney’s Hollywood Studios If you ALWAYS have to sing along when Elsa belts out “Let It Go” in Frozen (yes, we do, too), do it with others during a live performance with the Frozen Sing-Along (For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration) in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! There are a LOT of performance times here. Typically, you can see the show at 10:30AM, 11:30AM, 12:30PM, 1:30PM, 2:30PM, 3:30PM, 4:30PM, 5:30PM, 6:30PM, and 7:30PM. Frozen Sing-Along Witness a tale as old as time with a LIVE musical version of Belle’s story with Beauty and the Beast Live On Stage. Trust us — it’s magical! Beauty and the Beast on Stage Showtimes include 11AM, 1PM, 2PM, 4PM, and 5PM. When available, you can also sing along with Ariel and the gang at the Voyage of the Little Mermaid.* Voyage of the Little Mermaid The show features live singing of music from the film, clips from the movies, some fun puppets, and more! *Note that the Voyage of the Little Mermaid is temporarily unavailable. Click here for the ultimate guide to eating in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Disney Resorts Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa One of our favorite Disney World activities is to take a deep breath, sit in the lobby of the Grand Floridian, and listen to the dulcet tones of the Grand Floridian Pianist. Pianist at Grand Floridian On some days, there’s nowhere we’d rather be. You can usually catch the pianist performing at 3PM, 4PM, 5PM, 6:15PM, and 7:15PM. See More Photos of the Grand Floridian Pianist Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort When we went over to Maya Grill for its grand reopening at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, we were able to enjoy some live music there — a guitarist playing Spanish tunes! You can also usually catch some live music out on Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace. Live entertainment! And when the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show* is available, it also includes some drumming and other live music. *Note that this offering is not currently available. Luau Show at Spirit of Aloha Disney Springs There is PLENTY of entertainment to catch over at Disney Springs. The House of Blues Restaurant & Bar hosts live concerts and other live musical performances. All kinds of artists come to perform here, so be sure to check the House of Blues website or social media for details on who will be coming next. Check for music at the Front Porch bar and inside the restaurant itself. House of Blues Disney Springs You can also see live entertainment on the Disney Spring AdventHealth Waterside Stage. The entertainment here can vary — you may find bands, concerts, or a DJ dance party for kiddos. Waterside Stage But if you want to head over to the Emerald Isle for some real Irish dancing and music, you’ll want to visit Raglan Road Irish Pub. Not only is the food amazing here, but the live performances by Irish musicians and dancers will make you want to dance a jig, too. Performance times vary by day, but they usually start around 6PM and last until 10PM or so. Raglan Road Live Entertainment If you want to BE the entertainment, head on over to Stargazers Bar for karaoke on Wednesdays from 7PM to 11PM. Or you can sit back and watch others perform! You can also find some live entertainment here from 7PM to 11PM on Fridays and Saturdays. ©Disney Or visit The BOATHOUSE to sing along with the Captain’s Singalong Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays (and yes, there are dueling pianists!). Or check out the live music there Friday and Saturday nights from 8PM to midnight. The BOATHOUSE Over at The Edison you’ll find live music 7 nights a week. The previous offerings here in terms of entertainment were a bit more elaborate, but it’s still great to see that performances are available here for the family to enjoy when seeking out that live music! The Edison You may also see some artists performing live music at spots like Frontera Cocina, Paradiso 37, and Paddlefish (on the rooftop deck). You never know what you’ll come across in Disney Springs. Most evenings, you’ll hear some musicians throughout the shopping district. So keep your ears open, there’s usually an unexpected delight around the corner! Learn More About The Captain’s Singalong Brunch HERE! If it’s live music you’re looking for, you’ll find it throughout Disney World. We’ll keep you updated on ALL of the entertainment available at the parks, so stay tuned! Click here to see more about entertainment at 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 spot for live music at Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post Where You Can You See LIVE Music in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

As we previously shared, Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland park will soon begin its transformation into a vibrant symphony of sights, sounds, and sensations with some all-new experiences, more play and interactivity for our guests, with a focus on families and young children. To begin this work, Mickey’s Toontown will be closed beginning March 9, 2022, and will reopen in early 2023, alongside the new attraction, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.View the full article

Alright guys, remain calm, but we found…A NEW PAIR OF MINNIE EARS! There are so many ears to choose from! We know that not all of you are freaking out the same way that we are right now, but for those of you who are just as excited as us, we’re about to give you a really great reason to rush over to Disney World today. It doesn’t matter how many pairs of ears you’ve already got, there’s always room for more! Right?! Today, we found these brand-new beauties inside Island Mercantile at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. We’ve seen green ears in the past, but none quite as vibrant and bold as these — perfect for St. Patrick’s Day! Hello, beautiful! And you know what else they’re perfect for? A day in Animal Kingdom! That color is almost a perfect match for the green of the leaves on the Tree of Life. They’re a great way to add a little nature inspiration into your OOTD for Disney’s “wildest” park. They’re practically the same color. But can we stop and talk about those sequins for a minute?! They’re catching the light in just the right way, and the different shades add some depth to an otherwise monochromatic pair of ears. Pair that up with the shimmery bow, and you’ll be shining like a gorgeous green disco ball. So sparkly! Okay, now that we’re done gushing over how beautiful they are, we’ll let you know that you can get these for $29.99 at Animal Kingdom right now. Make sure to stop by and pick up your pair ASAP! Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on the latest merchandise and news from Walt Disney World, including all the deets on the hottest new Minnie ears! Click Here to See ALL the Minnie Ears Disney Released Last Year! 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 wear these ears? Tell us in the comments! The post PHOTOS: Disney World’s NEW Minnie Ears Will Have You Saying "FINE. Take My Money!" first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

While the big guns coming to Disney Wish have already been announced, Disney Cruise Line is filling in the blanks with more entertainment offerings and some new venues coming to the ship when it begins sailing from Port Canaveral this summer. View the full article

The travel industry has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but things are starting to improve in some places. The crowds have certainly returned to Disney World! Due to the pandemic, we’ve seen limits on crowds and capacity due to social distancing requirements and travel restrictions. But, recently many of those limits and restrictions have been removed. We’ve previously shared a look at how Florida tourism was slowly improving. But just what are the numbers looking like now? How many have been traveling to the state? Here’s what we’re seeing. In August 2021 we shared that Florida had 31.7 million visitors in the second quarter of the year. That was an increase of over 200% during the same time from the previous year. Orlando Airport During the third quarter of 2021, Florida saw an estimated total of 32.517 million tourists in the state, which actually topped the same time frame in 2019, meaning that Florida saw more visitors in the third quarter of 2021 than at the same time pre-pandemic. Orlando Airport in August 2021 Now, it looks like Florida has continued to top its pre-pandemic totals. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced that from October to December, Florida had a total of 30.9 million visitors. This (once again) EXCEEDED the number of visitors the state had during that same time frame in 2019, meaning that the current number is more than what the state had seen during that same time before the pandemic. Generally speaking, this time of year (January/February) at Disney World is pretty quiet and less crowded as kids go back to school, but we’ve seen many more guests in the parks than we have previously seen during this time. During Disney’s recent Earnings Call for the first quarter of fiscal year 2022, we also learned that Disney Parks have hit an all-time revenue record, partly due to increased attendance at the parks. Crowds at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Part of Florida’s tourism boost could also be coming from international visitors. Last year, the U.S. government eased certain travel restrictions for international visitors. The cruise industry has also resumed, meaning Florida’s ports are once again seeing more activity. EPCOT Crowds Of course, things are subject to change again. Just what will Florida’s tourism numbers look like a month, 3 months, and a year from now? We’ll be sure to keep an eye out for those updates and share them with you. For now, if you’re heading to Disney World, plan for some crowds to be there with you. We’ll keep you updated on ALL travel news that relates to Disney World, so stay tuned for more! Here Are 5 Disney World Hotels You’ve Got to Check Out 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. Have you visited Florida yet this year? Do you have plans to visit the state in 2022? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Florida Tourism Numbers Once Again EXCEED Pre-Pandemic Levels first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’re heading to Disney World soon and haven’t bought your ticket yet, there’s some important price information you need to know about. EPCOT Price increases have impacted a number of things around Disney World including HUNDREDS of food items, merchandise items, and more. Now, it looks like price increases are impacting some park tickets too. Disney World park tickets operate on a date-specific pricing model. That means each day is priced differently depending on the expected demand for that date. Ticket prices in 2022 range from $109 to $159. We had previously shared that this ticket price range itself hadn’t changed for 2022, but that some dates in 2022 fall into a higher ticket pricing tier, meaning your overall ticket purchase might be more expensive in 2022 than it was for the same days in 2021. Disney’s Hollywood Studios One thing to keep in mind is that depending on how many days you buy tickets for, the price PER DAY changes. So, for example, previously one-park-per-day ticket prices started at $109 for a 1-day ticket and went up to $54 for a 10-day ticket. But now things have changed. WDWMagic initially shared some news on this and we did some digging to see what’s going on. ©Disney | Screenshot from January 7th, 2022 It appears that certain multi-day tickets have now increased in price. For 1-park-per-day tickets, 1-day tickets still start at $109. It appears 2-day and 3-day tickets have also remained unchanged when it comes to that starting price. But, now 4 day tickets have gone from $105 per day to $106 per day, and other tickets appear to have also seen an increase. ©Disney | Screenshot as of February 16th, 2022 Here’s a list of the changes for the starting price for 1-park-per-day tickets: 1-day: no change, still $109 per day 2-day: no change, still $107 per day 3-day: no change, still $106 per day 4-day: from $105 per day to $106 per day ($1 increase over 4 days: $4 increase) 5-day: from $90 per day to $91 per day ($1 increase over 5 days: $5 increase) 6-day: from $77 per day to $78 per day ($1 increase over 6 days: $6 increase) 7-day: $68 per day to $69 per day ($1 increase over 7 days: $7 increase) 8-day: $62 per day to $64 per day ($2 increase over 8 days: $16 increase) 9-day: $57 per day to $59 per day ($2 increase over 9 days: $18 increase) 10-day: $54 per day to $55 per day ($1 increase over 10 days: $10 increase) Some Park Hoppers have also changed in price. Below is a screenshot with the prices taken in January of 2022. ©Disney | Screenshot from January 2022 Here’s a look at the starting price for Park Hopper tickets as they appear now. ©Disney | Screenshot as of February 16th, 2022 Here’s a break-down of the changes for these starting prices: 1-day park hopper: no change, still $174 2-day park hopper: no change, still $144 3-day park hopper: no change, still $131 4-day park hopper: no change, still $127 5-day park hopper: $107 to $108 per day ($1 increase per day over 5 days: $5 increase) 6-day park hopper: $91 to $92 per day ($1 increase per day over 6 days: $6 increase) 7-day park hopper: $80 to $81 per day ($1 increase per day over 7 days: $7 increase) 8-day park hopper: $73 to $74 per day ($1 increase per day over 8 days: $8 increase) 9-day park hopper: $67 to $68 per day ($1 increase per day over 9 days: $9 increase) 10-day park hopper: $62 to $64 per day ($2 increase per day over 10 days: $20 increase) Remember that these are all the starting prices. The actual price of your trip will vary depending on the days you choose to visit and what price Disney has assigned to those dates (depending on expected demand). From what we’re seeing, even though that listed starting price for a 3-day or 4-day park hopper hasn’t gone up, you may find that your 3-day or 4-day park hopper ticket is in fact MORE expensive than what it was before. From our understanding, this may be due to the price level assigned to the dates for 2022. EPCOT For example, WDWMagic shares that 3-day park hoppers previously ranged in price (with tax) for 2022 from $415.77 to $555.88. Now, that range for tickets available for the remainder of 2022 is from $416.37 to $555.88 (just a slight increase there on the lower end of the range). Other tickets also appear to have seen an increase. For example, WDWMagic shares that 10-day park hoppers previously had a range from $644.22 to $794.17 in terms of total ticket price. Now, it looks like that range is $671.55 to $843.95. ©Disney Here’s a full list of changes that we’re seeing for 1-park-per-day tickets. Note that the old starting ranges were provided by WDWMagic. 4-day was $434.83-$596.74, now $447.70-$596.74 5-day was $463.56-$630.85, now $481.94 – $649.39 6-day was $477.79-$645.91, now $496.43-$672.25 7-day was $492.06-$661.56, now $511.10-$694.96 8-day was $518.17-$678.83, now $540.59-$721.18 9-day was $536.00-$691.93, now $561.29-$738.66 10 day was $553.69-$703.65, now $581.02 – $753.42 Changes appear to have also been made for the ranges for Park Hopper tickets and Park Hopper plus in terms of what the actual tickets will cost (tax included) for the remaining high and low priced dates in 2022. The Tree of Life It appears Disney has also changed some things in the calendar when it comes to pricing (this could all be factoring into the changes we’re seeing on those price ranges). From what we can see, certain days appear to now have been placed into different price tiers. For example, here’s a look at the previous March 2022 calendar for a 3-day (1-park-per-day) ticket. This screenshot was taken in January of 2022. ©Disney | Screenshot from January 2022 Now here’s a look at the calendar as it appears now. March 1st was previously priced at $128, now it is $131. March 6th was previously $131, now it is $132. The sample 3-day ticket we had above was $399.72/ticket. Those same dates now give us a ticket priced at $404.78. ©Disney | Screenshot as of February 16th, 2022 So the ticket range itself ($109-$159) hasn’t changed, but you may find that (1) the dates you’re looking to purchase tickets for now fall under a HIGHER price tier, and (2) select multi-day tickets will cost more as their starting cost per day has increased. If you haven’t already purchased your tickets for your 2022 trip, be sure to check and see how prices may have changed since the last time you looked, as it might mean you’ll have to do some budget adjusting. We’ll keep an eye out for more Disney news and let you know what we find. Stay tuned for more updates! Why are prices increasing in the parks? See what CEO Bob Chapek had to say 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 Did Disney World Tickets Just Get MORE EXPENSIVE? Here's What We're Seeing first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s time to RATE the Magic Kingdom Restaurants! Gaston’s Tavern What do we love, what do we hate, and will your favorite get the spotlight? There’s only one way to find out… . Check out our video below of Ranking EVERY SINGLE Magic Kingdom Restaurant! Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! Watch the video and let us know what is your favorite Magic Kingdom Restaurant? The post DFB Video: Ranking EVERY SINGLE Magic Kingdom Restaurant first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The face mask policy has changed several times at Disney World since the beginning of the global pandemic, and today, it has changed again. Mask policy has changed again When Disney World first reopened, face masks were required everywhere and for everyone unless you were eating or drinking while stationary. Then, things shifted to face masks only being required indoors. Masks were briefly removed completely for vaccinated guests (except on transportation), but the indoor requirement was quickly reinstated as case numbers went up in the summer of 2021. Now, Disney World (and Disneyland) has switched things up once again. Disney World announced earlier this week that they would no longer be requiring face masks indoors for vaccinated guests, except for on enclosed transportation. This new policy has gone into effect starting today. Previous Mask Signage Masks are optional for fully vaccinated guests indoors and outdoors. Disney’s policy does say that they “expect Guests who are not fully vaccinated to continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations.“ Masks remain optional for everyone outdoors. Mask language reflecting this change has been updated on Disney World’s website. It also mentions that face masks ARE still required by ALL guests (ages 2 and up) on enclosed Disney transportation like buses, the Monorail, and the Skyliner. ©Disney The chart that has been used to more clearly understand where and when you should wear a face mask in Disney World has also been updated. ©Disney We noticed today in the parks that the signage saying face masks are required indoors has been removed from the doors leading into stores. We first saw that the sign was gone at The Darkroom in Hollywood Studios… Signs are gone …then we saw the change at Island Mercantile in Animal Kingdom. No more signs The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control recommends that even those who are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines (meaning you have received all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including booster doses, when eligible) should wear a mask indoors in places where there is high or substantial transmission. ©CDC Note that both Orange County and Osceola County, Florida (the counties where Disney World is located) are in the “high” category when it comes to community transmission of COVID-19, according to the CDC. This means the CDC DOES recommend that everyone wears a mask in public, indoor settings in these counties. Click here to see the CDC’s full recommendations for wearing a face mask The CDC also recommends that people who are 2-years-old or older that aren’t up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines wear a mask indoors in public. ©CDC The situation with COVID-19 in Florida (and around the world) is continuously changing. Florida recently fell as low as 37th on the list of states in the U.S. where COVID-19 is spreading the fastest. But, on February 14th, 2022, the Palm Beach Post reported that Florida was ranked 8th among the states in the U.S. where COVID-19 is spreading the fastest, based on data from Johns Hopkins University. Stay tuned to DFB for more news and updates. Click here to see to see where and how to get free N95 face masks in the U.S. 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 FIRST LOOK: Disney World's Updated Face Mask Policy is Now In Effect first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Today we revealed new family experiences that will be available aboard the Disney Wish, and do I have a sweet surprise for you! I am excited to share a first look of the sweet shop, Joyful Sweets, which is inspired by Pixar’s “Inside Out.” This colorful and flavorful world is waiting for you to let your emotions take control and try some delicious desserts.View the full article

In case you haven’t heard already, Cape May Café is a hot topic in Disney World right now. Beach Club This restaurant is located at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and it very recently brought back buffets for both breakfast and dinner! We’ve already brought you a full review for the returning breakfast buffet, so now we’re heading back to this spot for dinner. It’s got all kinds of options for seafood lovers and landlubbers alike, but there’s one very important item that’s MISSING from that buffet line. We don’t want to keep you on the edge of your seat for too long, but we need to start out with some general info about this restaurant for context before we dive into why we’re so bummed. Into Beach Club We already mentioned that you’ll find Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, which is a Deluxe-style hotel located near EPCOT. So it’s not too difficult to get to this location if you’re spending the day in EPCOT or you’re close to a Skyliner station. (Beach Club isn’t on the Skyliner’s route, but it’s not a long walk from the EPCOT Skyliner station.) Directions to Skyliner station When Cape May Café reopened last year, the buffets did not return with it. Both breakfast and dinner were served as all-you-can-eat family-style meals. Many of the options were the same as before (salad, seafood, roasted beef, etc.), but the server would bring you dishes of the food instead of you getting up to serve yourself. Seafood Boil at Cape May Café Now, however, the buffets have officially returned for breakfast and dinner, and we’re heading inside to see what’s different about this spot! Atmosphere Since it’s at the Beach Club Resort, Cape May Café holds true to that seaside theme. You’ll see pictures on the walls of beach views… Cape May Cafe atmosphere …as well as decorations themed after seaside activities. We love the colorful umbrellas! Super cute umbrellas A game of croquet, anyone? Croquet equipment And don’t forget to check out the sandcastle art inside this restaurant as well. Cute! There are standard tables and chairs as well as some booths. We’re ready to eat! The restaurant is one large dining room with a few different sections, and the buffet area is in the middle. Inside the restaurant Although this spot has some luxurious menu items and mid-range prices, the decor and atmosphere make it feel like a more casual dining experience. Booth Now let’s get into the eats! Eats Menu The menu at Cape May Café includes a little something for everyone. You’ll pay one set price, and it covers everything at the buffet as well as soft drinks, coffee, and tea. The cost is $42 for adults and $25 for children (ages 9 and under). ©Disney If you’d like to add a specialty drink to your meal, there’s a selection of mocktails… ©Disney …and a LONG list of cocktails. ©Disney You can also choose from a variety of beers, hard ciders, and hard seltzers… ©Disney …white and sparkling wines… ©Disney …and red and rosé wines. ©Disney Note that there are a few food options that are available as extra add-ons (not included in the price of the buffet). We’ll get to those in the next section. Food OK, we’re finally getting into why people are so upset with Cape May Café. One of our favorite items on the buffet line before this spot closed in 2020 was the unlimited snow crab legs. Yes, they were actually unlimited! These were included in the price of the buffet, and it was one of the main reasons we enjoyed this restaurant. They used to be unlimited! When the café reopened in 2021, the crab legs were available as an add-on. You could get 1 lb of crab legs for an additional $29.99. The cost of the meal did go down (it’s $42 now instead of $55), but if you really took advantage of those endless crab legs, that didn’t quite make up for the loss. Snow Crab Legs Paying extra for the (limited) crab legs is still the case now, even though the rest of the buffet is back to normal. Yes, we are upset about it. But if you want to get some of these delicious crab legs, you’ll have to fork over the $29, and your server will bring them out separately in a bucket (with some melted butter). Crab Legs You can also pay extra for a whole lobster, which costs an additional $42. This addition is also delicious, but it also doubles the price of a normal adult meal. So it’s a great choice if you’re looking to splurge a little on some high-quality seafood! Perfect lobster Enough about our crab leg woes. Let’s take a walk down the buffet line to see the rest of the food here. Grab a plate, and let’s go! To start out, there are some Porter House rolls and cornbread. We asked our server for butter to go with them since we didn’t see any on the buffet line. The rolls tasted great, but ours was a little bit dry. It wasn’t bad at all, just a little bit crumbly (especially when we were spreading butter on it). Bread and Butter to Start Things Off There was also a pub cheese spread near the bread, which goes great with those rolls. We had some of that spread on our roll, and it was delicious! The cheese was creamy, and it had a bit of a kick. This is a great option if you’re looking for something a little more exciting than butter for your roll. Pub cheese spread The salads section had Caesar Salad, Chipotle Ranch Salad, and a Seasonal Salad. House salad We tried some of the Caesar, which was good! It was basically just a normal Caeser salad — nothing too crazy or special about it. But if you’re looking for a fresh and tasty salad option, we don’t think you’ll be mad about this one (although you might not be blown away by it either). The dressing had more of a vinegar base than a creamy base, but it tasted fine to us. And the lettuce was nice and crisp, not at all wilted. Gotta Get Those Greens There was also Seafood Pasta Salad… Pasta Salad …fruit… Fruit …and Ambrosia Salad. Note that the Ambrosia Salad does contain almonds. Ambrosia Salad You can also choose some Clam Chowder… Clam Chowder …and Vegetable Soup. Vegetable Soup There’s also a carving station with Roasted Beef, which the Cast Member will carve for you right there. The cut that we had was excellent. The meat was high-quality, and it was cooked very well. What Would You Get? Moving down the line, there was Peel-and-Eat Shrimp… See Them in There? …Mussels and Clams… Serve Yourself …and Corn as part of the seafood boil section. You can also get Paella, Fried Polluck, Mashed Potatoes, Chicken… What Would You Grab? …Pizza… Pizza …and the Sustainable Catch of the Day, which was Salmon when we ate here. Salmon We tried a little bit of everything, and it all tasted very fresh! We enjoyed the seafood especially, and none of it had an overly fishy taste. We also were impressed that nothing had a rubbery texture from sitting out under the heat lamps in the buffet. In general, this is not your run-of-the-mill seafood buffet. The quality is much better, and we love the variety of options. Time to EAT The wide variety makes it easy to eat here with a large group of people who all have different tastes. You can indulge in clams and mussels galore or avoid the seafood altogether and opt for pizza and chicken instead. We will note that the chicken nuggets were missing from the kids’ table, which might be a dealbreaker for some little ones. But this could be different during your visit. Roasted beef Our reporter noted that almost everything tasted just a little bit too salty for their taste. From the fish to the potatoes, there was a little more salt in most of the food than what they would normally prefer. That’s a personal preference, so you might find it to be totally fine. Getting some dessert We did add the snow crab legs onto our meal for an extra $29.99. You get 1 pound, and they’re brought out separately. These were as delicious as we remembered! They’re super easy to break, and you get a good bit of meat inside each one. Our Snow Crab Legs You are limited to 1 pound, which felt like quite a bit less than what we usually ate when they were unlimited (especially if you’re sharing with a few people). 1 lb of Crab Legs Having the crab legs separately made us realize that the rest of the food in this buffet is really just OK. Everything tasted good, and it was all fresh. But the star of the show is really those crab legs! So when they’re not included, the emphasis goes on the other food here, and none of it really wows us. This will set you back $30 For dessert, there are quite a few options! At the pastry table, there are the famous Oreo BonBons (which are ALWAYS a good idea)… YES! …Strawberry Layer Cake… Strawberry Cake …50th Anniversary Boston Cream Tarts and Lemon Curd… More Desserts …Gluten-Free Mickey Domes… Only a Few Left For Now! …and a variety of cookies and mini cupcakes. Sweets But our favorite dessert (and by far the best thing we ate all night) was the Bread Pudding. All the rest of the desserts were fine (and those Oreo BonBons were delicious as always), but the bread pudding was warm, gooey, and incredible. Popular One! It had a cinnamon crumb cake-type topping, and we’re pretty sure there were some apples inside it. We got one bite with a chunk of apple, but there weren’t any other apples in the serving we had. Bread Pudding There’s a vanilla custard served with this dessert, and it was very tasty. Our only complaint is that the custard was served cold instead of warm. We think this dessert could be even better if that sauce were kept warm as well. Yum! This dessert was VERY popular at the buffet. The Cast Members kept bringing more out, and we kept trying to get pictures of a fresh dish so you could see what it looks like whole, but someone literally beat us to the pudding every time because so many people wanted to try some. Nosh or Not Have a day at the beach at Cape May Café if you: love seafood and want a variety of fresh options are still in love with those snow crab legs and are willing to spend $30 extra for just one more taste. are traveling with a large party of people with very different tastes. There was a little bit of everything here, so we think most people will be able to find something they like. Pack up your beach umbrella and head elsewhere if you: are vegan. To put it simply, there wasn’t really anything on the buffet for plant-based eaters except for corn and potatoes (and the potatoes might have even been cooked with butter). are looking for exciting and unique food. Everything here tasted good, but nothing really wowed us. EPCOT is a short walk away, and you can find a lot of more exciting food in World Showcase! have a strong aversion to seafood. Although there’s a great variety of food here, if no one in your party loves seafood, this is probably a waste of a meal. Head to a restaurant with more land-based options to get the best bang for your buck. Overall In general, we enjoyed our meal at Cape May Café, but we have to say that there’s better out there in Disney World. At the risk of sounding obsessive, we’ve got to say that the real problem is that those snow crab legs are not included or unlimited anymore. They were the best part of this spot, and none of the other food on the buffet can really live up to them. So tasty, so pricey Our server seemed a little bit overwhelmed when we visited, but that was probably because of all the changes happening at the restaurant. Usually, the service here is pretty efficient. That being said, our server was still very kind and helpful. Cape May Cafe Unless you’re staying at a nearby EPCOT resort, we don’t really recommend this restaurant for dinner. It’s probably not worth going too far out of your way for, especially with so many other great restaurants in EPCOT. Lots of great restaurants in World Showcase Keep following DFB for more reviews of all the food in Disney World! Click here to see our full review of the breakfast buffet at Cape May Café. 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 to the dinner buffet at Cape May Café? Tell us what you thought in the comments! The post REVIEW: Is This Disney World Buffet Worth It Without the Endless Crab Legs?! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

CELEBRATION, Fla. – New enchantment awaits families aboard the Disney Wish, setting sail this July. From indulging in “Inside Out”-inspired treats to going on a picnic with “Frozen” friends to immersive shows featuring Disney Princesses, villains and heroes, the newest Disney Cruise Line ship has been expertly designed to deliver endless fun for the whole family. “Family is at the heart of everything we do,” said Laura Cabo, portfolio creative executive, Walt Disney Imagineering. “When we set out to design the next generation of Disney cruise ships, we wanted to provide families with more opportunities than ever to make lasting memories together and to experience Disney storytelling in completely new ways. Whether it’s a new take on a guest favorite experience, like our signature sweets shop, or an immersive show in a first-of-its-kind venue like Luna and Hero Zone, there will be no shortage of family fun aboard the Disney Wish.” Inside Out: Joyful Sweets Inside Out: Joyful Sweets will emphasize the sweeter side of life. In this dazzling dessert shop inspired by the Pixar film, guests will find an abundance of handmade gelato, ice cream, candy and novelty treats for purchase. This brightly colored wonderland, designed to resemble the control center inside 11-year-old Riley’s mind where her emotions guide her through everyday life, will feature sculpted figures of the film’s five main characters and glowing Memory Orb light fixtures. The shop will offer nearly 40 flavors of gelato and ice cream, with daily handcrafted gelato specials in decadent combinations like peanut butter pretzel and white chocolate raspberry. Whipped cream, fruit compotes and sauces will be freshly made in-house to complement a wide selection of tasty toppings. Signature treats inspired by the film will include colorful cupcakes that evoke the five emotions — Joy (lemon), Sadness (blueberry), Disgust (pistachio), Anger (red velvet) and Fear (bubble gum) — and chocolate Memory Orbs filled with sweet candy remembrances. Specialty macarons and cake pops will join the assortment of handcrafted truffles, designer cookies, indulgent brownies and vibrant candy offerings. Olaf’s Royal Picnic For the first time ever, guests can join their favorite “Frozen” friends for a summertime picnic in Arendelle during a premium entertainment experience specially designed for families with children ages 3 to 12. At Olaf’s Royal Picnic, guests will interact with Olaf, Anna, Elsa and Kristoff like never before and delight in live musical performances of beloved songs like “Let It Go,” “Fixer Upper” and “In Summer.” Under the expert direction of Baroness Dagmar Birgir — a lively lady-in-waiting to Queen Anna — castle staff will serve up delicious summer treats and picnic fare for the whole family to enjoy. The hall will be decked out in summer splendor just for the occasion, with a canopy of colorful flowers among the festive decor. Children will receive an assortment of gifts and keepsakes, including a reversible troll plush, themed picnic blanket and custom Nordic-style mandolin, which they’ll need for a special “Reindeer(s) Are Better Than People” strum-and-sing-along with Kristoff. What’s more, from royal proclamations to unexpected visitors, the show will be jam-packed with surprises worth melting for. Guests who have booked a Disney Wish cruise may reserve Olaf’s Royal Picnic before their sailing for an additional fee. Immersive Storytelling and Interactive Shows As previously announced, Disney Cruise Line is combining innovative design and technology to create the next generation of family entertainment venues aboard the Disney Wish: Grand Hall, Luna and Hero Zone. These imaginative environments will come to life with immersive storytelling and interactive shows that put families front and center as they play a part in the magic. Grand Hall The fairytale castle-inspired Grand Hall will evolve from a gathering space into an enchanting theater through the magic of built-in special effects and the first-ever atrium stage on a Disney ship. • A royal greeting will await families as they enter the glittering Grand Hall for the first time. Every child will receive their very own wishing wand upon embarkation, which they will use to make the “First Wish” of their vacation during a special boarding celebration. • During the sailing, families can attend a royal gathering of magnificent proportions as Disney Princesses descend into the Grand Hall to meet and greet with guests. • The Grand Hall stage will conceal a host of Disney friends during “Who’s Behind the Curtain?”, a playful game show where guests answer questions to reveal the identity of hidden characters. • On the final night of every sailing, cruisers will return to the Grand Hall and raise their wands with Fairy Godmother to ignite a spectacular farewell show featuring favorite characters, special effects and lively performances. Luna This brand-new entertainment hub — outfitted with a two-story LED screen wall, stage and bar — will offer a variety of live shows designed for families to laugh, sing and compete together. • “Villains Game Night” is a witty game show where guests will attempt to answer Disney trivia questions amid the jeers and sneers of nefarious Disney foes, including Cruella de Vil, Gaston, Hades, Maleficent and more, who will join on screen. • “Disney Songbook” will put guests in the spotlight as they belt out Disney songs and showcase their star talent for a live camera crew, who will project each performance onto the big screen. • During the live grand finale event for Disney Uncharted Adventure, an all-new interactive experience that uses guests’ mobile devices to unlock hidden adventures aboard the ship, families will team up with other cruisers to battle an infamous Disney villain. Hero Zone Introducing a completely new category of active family play to the Disney Cruise Line portfolio, Hero Zone is a futuristic sports arena where physical activity will blend with imagination, offering highly produced show experiences in addition to free-play sports. • Families will test their strength, speed and stamina during the Incredi-Games, a high-energy game show featuring an elaborate obstacle course of over-the-top physical challenges, each inspired by the dynamic characters of Pixar’s “The Incredibles.” • Now with more fanfare than ever before, the guest-favorite Disney Cruise Line experience Jack-Jack’s Incredible Diaper Dash will offer terrific tots the chance to compete for the coveted title of Diaper Dash Champion as they speed-crawl across a 20-foot track amid the cheers (and chuckles) of family, friends and adoring fans. More Fun Throughout the Ship In true Disney Cruise Line fashion, the Disney Wish will offer a robust menu of world-class entertainment infused with more Disney storytelling, bringing to life the fantastical worlds and beloved characters at the heart of Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars adventures like never before. Families will embark on a splashtacular adventure with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse aboard the first-ever Disney attraction at sea; revel in a royal celebration during a theatrical dining experience with “Frozen” friends; team up with the Avengers on a Marvel cinematic dining adventure; travel to a galaxy far, far away in a first-of-its-kind Star Wars experience on board a Disney ship; delight in an original, Broadway-style theatrical production of “The Little Mermaid”; and so much more. Maiden Voyage and Inaugural Season The Disney Wish will sail its maiden voyage on July 14, followed by a season of three- and four-night cruises to Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, from Port Canaveral, Florida. To learn more about the Disney Wish or to book a vacation, guests can visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact their travel agent. View the full article

So you’re thinking about heading to Disney World in 2022. A LOT is going on during this year, with a ton of things to look forward to! Heading here in 2022? But before you book that Disney World vacation, you’ll want to know some important things. First, you’ll want to know how much it costs (we’ve got you covered there). You might even want to know what’s going on with the Disney Dining Plan. And you’ll definitely need to know about some important dates! So here are the MOST important dates you’ll need to know if you’re going to Disney World in 2022. All Year In October 2021, Disney World began its 18-month-long 50th Anniversary Celebration, which will still be going on throughout ALL of 2022. The parks have been decked out for the big party, and you’ll get to check out some awesome themed snacks throughout all four parks. Luxe Logo Ears You’ll also have access to exclusive 50th anniversary merchandise, so be sure to look out for that! We’ve Tried 100+ 50th Anniversary Treats in Disney World — Here Are the 5 You Must-Try! January On January 1st, Disney World’s free transportation service, the Magical Express, ended. Now, there are other options to get to Disney World from the Orlando International Airport, including the Mears Connect shuttle and the Sunshine Flyer both of which cost an additional fee. And as always, rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft are also still available. Disney’s Magical Express Other things that happened in January at Disney World: January 14th-February 21st: EPCOT Festival of the Arts January 4th-Mid-April: Expedition Everest down for lengthy refurbishment January-April: Samawati Springs Pool at Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will be closed. January-Mid-April: Disney’s Art of Animation pools will close for refurbishment January 5th-9th: Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Here Are Important Facts About the New Mears Connect Magical Express Replacement Coming to Disney World February February brings two events to Disney World. February 13th was Super Bowl Sunday, and we sometimes see some special football-themed snacks around that day. And don’t forget the time-honored tradition of featuring the Super Bowl star player in the iconic “I’m Going to Disney World!” who is usually featured in a special Super Bowl Parade the Monday after the big game. This year, the players visited Disneyland Resort instead of Disney World. Super Bowl Cookie Romance was in the air for the dates leading up to Valentine’s Day. Around this time, you may still find some unique photo opportunities and some red and pink chocolatey treats! Disney brought out all of the stops providing park-goers with tons of Valentine-inspired snack options. If you find yourself in the parks around this (or any holiday, really), make sure you book your dining reservations for that special meal well in advance, because popular spots book up even quicker around the holidays! ©Disney Some other February dates to note: February 11th the new Disney Adventures Friends Cavalcade started. February 25th will host the new Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire. February 24th through 27th is the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend. See How A Popular Sprinkles Cupcake Got a Super Bowl Twist in Disney World March March 1st will be a MASSIVE day for Disney World and one Star Wars fans have been anticipating since the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The Galactic Starcruiser, aka the Star Wars Hotel, will finally open its doors. But good luck trying to get in, this pricey hotel is pretty booked for several months already. ©Disney Other important dates are: March 9th brings back the Magic Kingdom’s Festival of Fantasy Parade March 31st-April 3rd: runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend March 2nd-July 4th: EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival March 31st: Disney’s All-Star Sport reopens. Be Prepared For This EXTRA COST If You’re Staying at the Star Wars Hotel in Disney World — Get Details Here April April is a fun month because it’s the beginning of spring at Disney World. Easter is on April 17th and usually, just before that, you can participate in the Egg-stravaganza Easter Egg Hunt at EPCOT. This is a fun and inexpensive scavenger hunt that’s great for the whole family. Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny at Disney World! April is also Earth Month, which usually brings unique snacks and entertainment to the parks, most notably to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. And in mid-April, Expedition Everest will finally reopen after its refurbishment closure since January! Earth Month celebration at Animal Kingdom Finally, you can attend the Spring Dapper Day Outings on April 30th at EPCOT and May 1st at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. May May the 4th is the most important day of the year for Star Wars fans, and at Disney World, those fans can celebrate with some special eats and merchandise. Rey! It’s also the day for some Star Wars surprises. Last year, a surprise display of the Galactic Starcruiser popped up at Hollywood Studios! We will let you know if Disney World announces anything special for this year. May 8th is Mother’s Day in the United States, and you never know what special merchandise or mom-inspired gifts may pop up to honor this fabulous family member. Mother’s Day MagicBand Keep in mind, if you’re planning to book a special meal to celebrate mom, you’ll want to be sure to reserve it early! And of course, there’s Memorial Day on May 30th. Park crowd levels will likely increase during this three-day weekend and will start the beginning of the summer vacation season. See Photos From May 4th, 2021 June June is officially Pride Month, which means we will likely see a lot of Pride snacks AND merchandise being released at Disney World (rainbows everywhere!). Fun dessert for Summer! June 2nd-6th brings Gay Days to the parks. This is the one of the world’s most popular gay and lesbian celebration — it brings over 150,000 gay and lesbian guests to Disney World. It includes a business expo, parties, theme park attraction events, and more. June 19th also celebrates Juneteenth and Father’s Day, in the United States. Father’s Day Tiana Pin Crowds can definitely spike around holidays, so pack your patience-pants and have a plan to enjoy all the special celebrations you’re sure to find! Check Out The Exclusive Pride Collections From 2021 at Disney World July July 4th (Independence Day in America) is known for some exciting celebrations and impressive fireworks displays around the parks. If you’re looking to feel particularly patriotic, made sure to take in the Hall of Presidents or American Adventure shows before “ooh-ing” and “awww-ing” over the fireworks! And speaking of fireworks, you may want to stake out a spot early, as it’s bound to be a popular spot to see a nighttime spectacle! 4th of July PhotoPass Sign Although Disney has not yet released the exact dates for the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, it has started in July over the past two years. We’re very excited! The festival also usually runs through November. Here’s Our BEST of the FEST 2.0! All the Must-Try Eats at the Newly Opened EPCOT Food and Wine Booths August The spookiest season of the year begins in August. That’s right, Halloween! We start seeing the Halloween decor go up, ESPECIALLY at Magic Kingdom, the Halloween after hours parties begin, and the spooky snacks start invading our favorite food joints. Halloween Season! Halloween season at Disney World tends to run until exactly October 31st, and then BAM — it’s Christmas! How Disney World Got CHEATED Out Of Halloween This Year September While school has typically started back for most districts in the US, a national holiday quickly follows on September 5th — Labor Day. Crowds can be pretty wild on holiday weekends! Most of September is still considered one of the slower months in Disney World (if those exist anymore) but you’ll definitely notice a spike in crowds around Labor Day weekend. Read THIS If You’re Headed to Disney World for Labor Day! October October 1st marks EPCOT’s 40th anniversary! So, while all of the resort is celebrating Disney World’s 50th, EPCOT may have a celebration of its own. We’ll keep our eyes open for any special events or souvenirs and keep you posted! Spaceship Earth at Night This is your last chance to get in your spooky vibes. October 31st is Halloween and last year there was a Halloween after hours party for this date is a hot commodity! We will let you know more event details if and when they are announced. Time for Some Halloween Fun! Get your trick-or-treating in before midnight, though, because once November hits, Disney goes full-blast Christmas! PHOTOS: Did Halloween Draw the Crowds to Disney World? November That’s right, as of November 1st, it’s the holiday season, and the decorations literally go up OVERNIGHT (okay, not ALL of them because some of them snuck in before Halloween). November is also when the outing for Fall Dapper Days occurs (although the date for 2022 is still TBA). Everywhere you look, Christmas! November typically is when the holiday after hours parties begin, as well as the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays. And it’s the holiday season through the rest of the year! Bring on those amazing holiday snacks! Before you get too caught up in the Yuletide spirit, there is one other holiday that gets a little overlooked. Thanksgiving lands on November 24th, and some restaurants will offer a special Thanksgiving-inspired meal to celebrate the holiday. Thanksgiving Turkey Cupcake Since so many families will be looking to enjoy those classic Thanksgiving comfort foods, you’ll want to book your dining reservation early to make sure you get that traditional meal (or just eat a plate full of Thanksgiving-inspired cupcakes, we won’t tell)! PHOTOS and VIDEO: See the NEW Stage Show for Disney World’s Holiday After Hours Event! December December is a month of celebration! Festival of the Holidays Get ready to mark your calendars, because there’s a little something for everyone at Disney World, no matter what you celebrate! December 18th-26th — Hanukkah December 24th — Christmas Eve December 25th — Christmas Day December 26th — Kwanzaa starts December 31st — New Year’s Eve Since school is out for the winter break, and families love to celebrate holiday traditions in the Disney parks, you can expect to see peak crowds, long wait times, and booked restaurants. Make sure you keep up with DFB for all of the tips and tricks to navigate around the crowds and still have a fabulous holiday! The Jaw-Dropping Disney Christmas Tree You WON’T Find In the Parks! TBA Now there are a few things we can expect in 2022 that we don’t have official dates for. That includes the grand opening of Disney World’s new attraction Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT. Disney has confirmed that the attraction — which will feature Disney’s first reverse-launch coaster — will open in late Summer 2022, though we don’t have an exact date. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Ride Vehicle Disney has NOT confirmed a timeline for the Tron Lightcycle Run attraction at Magic Kingdom or Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana attraction at EPCOT. We will let you know timelines on these once they are announced. Journey of Water Concept Art as seen in The EPCOT Experience We’re also waiting to learn if EPCOT’s PLAY! Pavilion will open in 2022. The “digital metropolis” will feature interactive experiences, games, entertainment, hands-on activities, and more! It was initially slated to open in time for the 50th anniversary celebration, but many projects at Disney World were delayed after the temporary closure in 2021. PLAY! Pavilion sign in Future World Finally, we’re still waiting on word of when a new food spot at Hollywood Studios will open — Woody’s Roundup Rodeo BBQ. Disney has announced that this restaurant and the new Toy Story Land gift shop known as Jessie’s Trading Post, will open this year!! Rodeo Roundup BBQ ©Disney 2022 will also see the return of Fantasmic! at Hollywood Studios. An official date hasn’t been released, yet, but we’re excited to see it return after such a long closure! Fantasmic! We’ll also see the opening of a new show, Finding Nemo: The Big Blue and Beyond, sometime in 2022 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! Old Finding Nemo: the Musical ©Disney There are so many exciting things coming to Disney World in 2022, from returning entertainment favorites to new dining locations! With so much to keep track of, you’ll want to follow along in the weeks and months to come as we continue to cover the latest happenings from around Disney World. Subscribe to our newsletter for the most up to date information for your 2022 Disney World vacations! And we hope you have a wonderful trip! Here Are 50 Pieces of Advice for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary 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 you be visiting Disney World in 2022? What are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments! The post Dates You NEED to Know If You're Going to Disney World In 2022 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We love taking a walk down Sunset Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios There’s always something new to see, whether it’s the latest seasonal treat or new souvenirs just waiting to be taken home. Let’s see what’s new at Hollywood Studios since the last time we checked in! Hollywood Studios Construction Updates Toy Story Mania The Toy Story Mania Gift Shop received a temporary makeover recently — and by that, we mean construction walls have popped up! Construction walls at the Toy Story Mania gift shop! These have been up for a few weeks as Disney is likely working on the new store making way to Toy Story Land. This new store will be called Jessie’s Trading Post and its set to open this year. We’ll keep an eye out for more updates on this transformation! Here’s Everything We Know About Disney’s New Toy Story Restaurant Hollywood Studios Merchandise Updates Keystone Clothiers Heads up Marvel fans, you’re going to want to see this! We spotted these Marvel Legends Action Figures at Keystone Clothiers for $24.99. When we were there, they had Doctor Strange… Doctor Strange Action Figure …J. Jonah Jameson… J. Jonah Jameson Action Figure …and Morlun from the Spider-Man comics as well! Morlun Action Figure We also found some new Star Wars Resistance Mission Patches! You can get this single patch for $9.99… Star Wars Resistance Mission Patch …or a whole set for $29.99! Star Wars Resistance Mission Patch Set Those were all the new items we spotted at Keystone Clothiers! Click Here to See the Perfect Display for All Your Disney Pins Legends of Hollywood Over at Legends of Hollywood, we found this groovy Tie Dye Keep Smiling Mickey Shirt for $36.99. Tie-Dye Smiling Mickey Shirt The design also features a reminder that smiles are always in fashion! Mickey speaks the truth! That’s it for Legends of Hollywood! Check Out the Disney Princesses Like You’ve Never Seen Before on These Shirts! Droid Depot At the Droid Depot over in Galaxy’s Edge, this R-Series Serving Tray caught our attention! R-Series Serving Tray Decorate your droid with this tray for $17.99. That’s everything new over at the Depot! Celebrity 5&10 Over at Celebrity 5&10, you can look cool as a cucumber with this Jafar mug for $14.99. Jafar mug It even comes with Jafar’s attitude — check out the phrase on the other side! “Insert eye roll here” Jafar was our lone find at Celebrity 5&10 this time! This Might Be the Weirdest Disney Toy We’ve Ever Seen Tattooine Traders We stopped into Tattooine Traders and spotted this BB8 Roll Model Adult Shirt for $24.99! BB8 Roll Model Shirt And then, we saw something else we hadn’t seen here before — this Star Wars X-Wing Sweatshirt for adults! You can get it for $44.99. Star Wars X-Wing Sweatshirt Get a look for the whole family with this Star Wars Padawan Youth Hat! Star Wars Padawan Hat It’s available for $24.99. That’s everything we found over at Tattooine Traders! Find Out How You Can See ‘Encanto’ on the Big Screen Again And that’s it for all the new happenings at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We’re always looking out for the latest updates on Disney food, attraction closures, and merchandise — so stay tuned to DFB for more! Find Out Which Disney Movie Soundtracks Are the Best According to Our Readers! 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 part about Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Let us know in the comments! The post What's New at Disney's Hollywood Studios: Join the Resistance With These Star Wars Patches first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

New and exciting technology is being developed regularly, with some of it even being implemented in theme parks. Courtesy: RAD via the Orlando Sentinel Disney often utilizes new technology when creating new rides and experiences, like trackless ride systems and projection mapping. We recently learned about robotic security guards potentially coming to theme parks and other areas, and now, an Orlando company is partnering up to make and roll out self-driving vehicles. Orlando-based self-driving shuttle operator Beep Inc. is partnering up with Moileye, an Israeli subsidiary of Intel Corp., and German manufacturer Benteler to build and put out “autonomous movers” in the United States, according to the Orlando Business Journal. The plan right now is to deploy these autonomous vehicles in 2024. These are basically self-driving shuttles. If you’ve seen season 3 of Westworld, the vehicles might look very familiar to you! ©Intel Corp. via Orlando Business Journal As part of this new project, a manufacturing facility will be set up in the United States to make the vehicles. It’s not known right now where this facility will be, but Beep is based in Orlando. The company launched its first route in 2019 and since then, the company has expanded to 19 routes across the U.S. ©Tavistock via Orlando Weekly The vehicles will be built by Benteler, integrated with Mobileye’s self-driving system Mobileye Drive, and deployed and operated by Beep, according to the Orlando Business Journal. The vehicles will meet automotive engineer association SAE International’s definition of Level 4 driving automation, meaning they can drive themselves with no human driver intervention under certain circumstances. “We expect, in the first year of deployment, a couple hundred vehicles on U.S. roadways,” said Beep CEO Joe Moye, according to the Orlando Business Journal. ©Jim Carchidi via Orlando Business Journal It’s unknown right now if these vehicles could be rolled out in the Orlando area, but we’ll keep an eye out for any news, so stay tuned to DFB for updates. Click here to learn about how robots might become security guards at theme parks soon Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Would you ride in one of these vehicles? Let us know in the comments. The post More Self Driving Shuttles Are Coming Soon Thanks to this Orlando Company first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There’s a reason Magic Kingdom has the word “Magic” right there in its name… . Magic Kingdom is magical! That’s because it really is magical — just the sight of Cinderella Castle alone is enough to put a happy tear in your eyes. Magic Kingdom is also home to some fun themed restaurants (hello, Skipper Canteen and Be Our Guest) and cool snacks, as well as a ton of fun shops. So what’s been happening at Magic Kingdom recently? Let’s find out! Magic Kingdom Merchandise Updates Emporium This pretty Mickey Wreath would add some green to your house year-round. It’s $59.99. How about some home decor? We discovered a few new mugs, too, like this Ivory Mickey Mug for $19.99… Mickeys all over it …and this Black Mickey Mug for $19.99. Black Mickey Mug How about a slick vintage-looking pink and gold Magazine Rack for $19.99? It’s got Mickeys all over it! Magazine Rack Although we’ve seen a version of this Roz Pin for the 20th anniversary of Monsters, Inc., this one is a little different. Same, Roz. We also spotted this version of the pin at Star Traders. It’s $9.99. DISNEY RECIPE: Make the Abominable Snowman’s Lemon Snow Cones from Monsters, Inc. at Home! Crystal Arts You could be a real Disney princess with this Aurora Tiara. PRETTY We’re always amazed at the handblown glass done here. Check out these beautiful Glass Squid Sculptures. 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea? The larger squids are $125, while the smaller one is $65. What a unique gift idea! Here Are The Disney World Souvenirs We Don’t Regret Buying Frontier Trading Post You can now get FiGPiN Pins at Disney World — we’ve also seen these at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We spotted Steamboat Willie, Mickey, Minnie, Chip, Dale, Maleficent… New FiGPin Pins! …Orange Bird, Figment, Belle, Tinker Bell, Mike Wazowski, Star Wars, and more! MORE FiGPin Pins! Each of these pins is $24.99. What You Need To Know About Pin Trading at Disney World Now Those are all the updates we have for now, but stay tuned because we’ll soon be back with more! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What’s your favorite thing at Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments! The post What's New in Magic Kingdom: A Princess Tiara and Mickey Mugs! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

As we wind down from Valentine’s Day celebrations, it’s time that we start to think about…winter holidays?! Valentine’s Treats at the Boardwalk Bakery That’s what Disney seems to think, at least. We were taking a stroll through EPCOT when we spotted a popular ornament we hadn’t seen since before Christmas! You might remember that Disney came out with several ornaments that resembled various Disney hotels and other iconic buildings. If you missed your chance to get one, you’re in luck! The Via Napoli Ornament is available once again — let’s check it out! This ornament came out back in November and it sold out FAST! We’re happy to report that it’s currently available for sale in the Italy Pavilion! Via Napoli Ornament That’s right, the popular restaurant in the Italy Pavilion, Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria, has its own ornament — and you can get it for $29.99! Disney wants you to celebrate your love of Italian food all year long! We found it for sale at La Bottega Italiana in the Italy Pavilion and just had to get our hands on it! It looks just like the actual restaurant. We’re dreaming of pizza already! Look how cute! If history repeats itself, this ornament will be gone in a flash so hurry on over to La Bottega Italiana in EPCOT if you need it for your collection. We’ll be keeping an eye out for Disney shopping updates, so be sure to check back here for more news! See MORE Fun Disney World Ornaments 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. Do you have any Disney ornaments? Let us know in the comments! The post If You Love Pizza So Much You Want to Marry It, You NEED Disney's Via Napoli Ornament first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. We LOVE collecting anything and everything Disney-related! Who doesn’t want a giant collection of stuffed Disney plushes?! From Mickey and Minnie Ears, to holiday ornaments, to even coffee mugs — there’s probably something for almost any Disney fan to collect. With so many different items you could potentially start collecting, it’s no wonder that you would want to display your collection proudly. We recently found an adorable display for a popular Disney collectible, and couldn’t wait to share it with you! Pin trading is an activity that multitudes of Disney fans participate in — guests can trade pins with other guests or Cast Members around the Disney parks and resorts! Pin trading station at Animal Kingdom But — just because you can trade your pins, doesn’t mean you have to! Pins and more pins! If you love simply collecting pins, you need a place to display them! We recently spotted this adorable and CUSTOMIZABLE Pin Collection Hanging Canvas by Hanger Frames. ©Hanger Frames on Jane This large piece of custom artwork measures 16″x24″ and comes with a ready-to-hang frame! The best part is, it’s currently on sale for $29.99 (originally $80)! Click Here to Buy the Watercolor Castle Hanging Pin Canvas In addition to the Watercolor Castle Design, we also love this Watercolor Castle Mouse Design! ©Hanger Frames on Jane Featuring an extremely familiar silhouette with a colorful flair, this hanging canvas is also on sale for $29.99! Click Here to Buy the Watercolor Castle Mouse Hanging Pin Canvas For the more monochromatic Disney fan, what better way to display your pin collection than with the Black Castle Hanging Pin Canvas?! ©Hanger Frames on Jane Keep your minimalist aesthetic going by maximizing your pin collection and displaying them on this canvas! Click Here to Buy the Black Castle Hanging Pin Canvas This is on sale on Jane.com right now but won’t be around for long! The sale is only happening for a limited time! Whatever Disney item you might collect, you can be sure we’ll be keeping an eye out for the latest and greatest news and updates! Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for all your Disney news. Check Out These Shirts Featuring the Disney Princesses Like You’ve Never Seen Before! 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 collect any Disney merchandise? Let us know in the comments! The post Are Your Disney Pins Stuck in a Drawer Somewhere? Then You Need THIS. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Did you know there are a TON of secret menus at Disney World restaurants? Paddlefish If you’re in the know, you can get that hush-hush strawberry soup, secret cocktails, Scotch eggs, special Dole Whips, and more! Of course, when we spot secret and hidden menus, we’re going to share them with you — and right now, we’re going to tell you about a secret lunch menu that could save you some money at Disney Springs. So lean in because we’re about to whisper this secret in your ear. Are you ready? Okay, here goes — Paddlefish is offering a secret lunch pairing promotion that can get you The Burger, which is made with a 9-ounce proprietary blend, house-made pickles, red onion, pimento cheese, and brioche. On its own, it’s usually $19, but if you ask for the secret lunch promo, you can get it with a Paddlefish Lager for $25. The Burger Another special that you can get by asking for it is the Stuffed Cod, which is made with Shrimp and Scallop Corn Bread Stuffing, Asparagus, Red Potato, and Mustard Cream Sauce. The dish alone is regularly $35, but if you ask for the promo, you can get it PLUS a glass of Sauvignon Blanc for $38 — a $3 glass of wine at Disney World? Yes, please! Paddlefish at Disney Springs There’s even a secret lunch menu for kids. If you ask for it, you can get a Kids Cheeseburger with a kids-size Strawberry Basil Lemonade for $12. There is a catch, though — this secret lunch menu is only available Monday through Friday from 12PM to 3PM. But it will be available as of February 28th, so if you’re heading to Disney World for lunch on a weekday after that, you have an option to save a few dollars! We’ll be sure to let you know about other secret menus and promotions at Disney World, so be sure to stay tuned for more! Here Is Your Ultimate Guide to SECRET Menus 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 secret menu item at Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post There's a SECRET Lunch Menu You Don't Know About in Disney Springs! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A preview of Peppa Pig Theme Park, which opens next door to Legoland Florida next week. View the full article

Disney Veteran Ticket Discounts and Disney Veteran Room Discounts have always been a complicated subject. This is even more true in 2021 with the new John McCain Defense Authorization Act. In this post we will lay out just what every eligibility group is eligible for. We will cover every possible status, that is a wide […] The post Disney Veteran Discount and Disney Military Discount Eligibility Guide appeared first on Military Disney Tips Blog. View the full article