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Minnie & Mickey Ears: they come in all kinds of different designs, including some that are inspired by a galaxy far, far away! Star Tours We’ve seen ears themed to Chewbacca, Baby Yoda, Ahkosa Tano, and more in the past. But now we may have found some of the most epic Star Wars ears we’ve ever seen! Introducing one of Disney’s latest set of Star Wars ears — the Lightsaber Ears! We found these over at Tatooine Traders in Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Disney World today. Lightsaber Ears! We had already spotted these ears in Disneyland, but we were happy to see they’ve made their way to Disney World too! Lightsabers ON the ears? Ohh, yeah! | Ears in Disneyland On one side of the ears you’ll find the symbol for the Rebel Alliance. Another Peek at the Ears On the other side, you’ll find the symbol for the Galactic Empire. Truly, these ears symbolize the ultimate battle of good versus evil! Battle of Good Versus Evil! In the center, you’ll find a Star Wars logo with two lightsabers battling — one in red and one in blue! These Are So Cool! The ears light up, making them even MORE amazing. Could you imagine wearing these while holding up your own lightsaber at night in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge while standing in front of the Millennium Falcon?! #GOALS. What Do You Think? The ears are priced at $22. Check Them Out! Forget building a lightsaber, you could WEAR TWO of them on your head at all times! Be sure to check these ears out over at Tatooine Traders if you want to bring them home. And stay tuned for more Disney news! Would you spend over $200(!) on a Star Wars collectible? Click here to see what item we’re talking about! 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 buy these ears? Tell us in the comments! The post PHOTOS: Light-Up Lightsaber Ears Have Arrived in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s time for the Lunar New Year Festival at Disney California Adventure! Happy Lunar New Year! This festival celebrates Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean cultures with special character sightings, a parade, and of course — tantalizing food and drink offerings from the Marketplace booths! And today we’re bringing some more good news about the fest to Disneyland Magic Key holders! One of our FAVORITE parts of a Disney festival is the FOOD! We are Disney FOOD Blog, after all. Pork Belly Egg Rolls | Lunar New Year 2020 Not to mention the wide selection of drinks, both with and without alcohol! Lunar New Year Cocktail from 2020 But — one of our favorite ways to celebrate the fest is with the Sip and Savor Pass! ©Disney This pass allows you to enjoy SIX dishes for one set price, paid up-front. And, this year, Magic Key Holders get a discount on the Sip and Savor pass! Check out this post from the Disneyland Magic Key Instagram: The Sip and Savor pass comes with a lanyard so you won’t lose it, and makes for a great souvenir! Lunar New Year Sip & Savor Pass We’ll be bringing you more news throughout the Lunar New Year Festival, so be sure to check back here for updates! Click Here to See ALL the Menus for the 2022 Lunar New Year Festival Want to Learn More About Disneyland? Check Out the Links Below! Check Out Important Details about the 2022 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival Learn About Disney Genie and How to Use it in Disneyland See the Latest Updates About Disneyland’s Face Mask Policy Check Out What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Check Out Our Disneyland Restaurants Guide Learn All About Disneyland Park See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure See More About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Learn About the Disneyland Mobile App Get All the Details About Mobile Order in Disneyland Learn More About Disneyland’s Magic Key Program What’s Going to Be Different About Your Next Disneyland Trip? Click HERE to Check Out Lots of Other DFB Posts About Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe What’s your favorite food at the Lunar New Year Festival? Let us know in the comments! The post Disneyland Magic Key Holders Can SAVE on the Lunar New Year Sip and Savor Pass! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Office Depot is now the official sponsor for Disney Institute Online Courses and National Geographic Live events on stages across North America in 2022. This iconic brand is well known as a leading provider of business services, products and digital workplace technology solutions and as part of their sponsorship of Disney Institute they will support professionals in learning time-tested insights and best practices of Disney parks and resorts.View the full article

There are a number of neat items you can pick up in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney World. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge You could sip on some blue milk, create your own lightsaber, get a creature or two, and even build your own droid. But during a recent visit to Galaxy’s Edge, we saw that one of the simplest and most treasured Galaxy’s Edge items is BACK. SPACE SPORK ALERT Y’ALL. The space sporks have returned to Galaxy’s Edge (for now) and we’re thrilled! Now you can pay for your galactic utensil These babies have a complicated past. At first they were available for guests to use at Docking Bay 7. They then experienced some problems when guests didn’t exactly want to part ways with them after eating. The sporks were taken away and regular utensils were put in their place. But they then became available for guests to purchase. This is similar to the pattern of events that took place in Disneyland when their version of Galaxy’s Edge opened. That’s one fancy shmancy WEIRD spork. We haven’t seen these beauties available for a while so you can imagine our excitement when we found that they were available again today. They are priced at $10.99 and come with their own travel bag. There is a limit of just 1 per guest per transaction, so keep that in mind. They’re BAAACK If you want to grab them, be sure to look for them at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo. You can also get them at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo through Mobile Order by selecting the “Cargo” option. ©Disney If you’ve been hoping to grab these sporks, be sure to act fast and get one while they’re available. And stay tuned for more Disney news! Click here to see the Star Wars item you’ll literally use every single day! 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 own a space spork? Are you a member of the space spork fan club? Tell us in the comments! The post SPACE SPORKS Are Back in Disney World's Galaxy's Edge first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay sets opening date for Iron Gwazi roller coaster: March 11. View the full article

Heading to Disney’s Hollywood Studios soon? There are quite a few things to know about before your visit. Hollywood Studios Some supply issues could impact your shopping there, there has been a change when it comes to the Lightsaber building experience, and there’s even a secret snack available for a limited time. But if you’re heading to see one of the popular shows in this park, there are some changes coming soon that you’ll also want to know about. The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular show reopened at the end of 2021 and has been playing to excited audiences for a little while now. Time to Go to the Show! But just WHEN you’ll be able to see this show is about to change. Run, Indy, run! For today, January 20th, the showtimes are listed as 12PM, 1:15PM, 3:15PM, 4:45PM, and 6PM. ©Disney These same showtimes continue throughout the rest of January and mid-way through February. ©Disney But, starting February 18th things change. On that date you’ll note that the showtimes are listed as 10:45AM, 12PM, 1:15PM, 3:15PM, and 6:30PM. It seems the 10:45AM time has been added, the 4:45PM time has been removed, and the evening show has been moved from 6PM to 6:30PM. ©Disney These new times continue for the days we checked in February… ©Disney …and March. ©Disney Of course, show times are subject to change again. If you’re hoping to see this show during your visit, be sure to check the showtimes ahead of your trip and check on the day of your visit in case anything changes. We’ll continue to look for more updates and let you know what we find! Click here to see what’s new at Hollywood Studios! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you a fan of the Epic Stunt Spectacular? Tell us your favorite part of the show in the comments! The post Showtimes Will Soon CHANGE for the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Walt Disney World reported nine injuries over the three months. Universal Orlando reported one. View the full article

Disney World wait times can be brutal sometimes. Seven Dwarfs Wait Time We’ve seen wait times for popular rides like Rise of the Resistance and Flight of Passage reach up to 4 HOURS during busy seasons. And, we regularly see high waits for rides like Slinky Dog Dash, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Frozen Ever After. But, these wait times can be even longer than usual when part of the ride isn’t working, which is exactly what’s going on with a popular ride in Hollywood Studios right now! Only half of the elevators are working at Tower of Terror right now! The hotel is having some issues! When we first walked past Tower this morning to go check out what new merch might be in the gift shop, the wait was at 45 minutes. Look closely at that wait time But, on our way back just a few minutes later, Cast Members were making the announcement that half of the elevators are down right now. We looked at the wait time, and it had shot up to 120 minutes! Yikes! Tower of Terror has 4 elevators total, so only 2 are operating right now, which definitely affects the wait time. Just be prepared for a longer than normal wait if you’re trying to ride Tower of Terror today. We’ll keep you updated on if and when all of the elevators are running again, so stay tuned to DFB for more! Do the latest wait times mean that Disney World is entering its slow season? 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 the longest you’ve ever waited for Tower of Terror? Tell us in the comments! The post Why You Might See Longer Wait Times at Tower of Terror in Disney World Right Now first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Looking for a Disney World hotel that’s going to provide you with the quickest access to your favorite park, the best dining options for your refined palate, and the most extravagant new experiences for your sense of adventure? Guess what? Disney’s BoardWalk Inn We’ve found *just* the hotel you’re looking for. Check out our video below The BEST Disney World Hotels in 2022 Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! Watch the video and let us know your favorite Disney World hotel. The post DFB Video: The BEST Disney World Hotels in 2022 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

SeaWorld Orlando releases on-board video of Ice Breaker roller coaster, which opens Feb. 18 View the full article

Disney World is an EXPENSIVE endeavor as is. Booking flights, reserving hotel rooms, paying for park tickets, and don’t even get us STARTED on all the merch we *know* you’re gonna be tempted buy! Magical! (And pricey… .) But Disney World prices never “cap off.” There’s never a time where Disney looks at their ticket, hotel, food, and merchandise prices and just goes, “Yup! That’s a good price for forever!” Disney’s prices — and travel prices, in general — are always fluctuating. And if you’re planning a Disney World trip for 2022, you might find yourself forking over more cash than you’d originally budgeted. Between 2020 and 2021 we saw the prices on a number of things increase. Magic Bands now cost more, Savi’s Workshop bumped up its saber prices, and the Magic Kingdom spring rolls will now cost you way more moolah. 2022 has already brought some big price increases too — namely, HUNDREDS of price increases at Disney World’s restaurants. Spring rolls got a price hike! Let’s take a look at some of the MAJOR price changes that might make you rethink your budget for your 2022 trip. Ticket Prices Last year we reviewed the Disney World 2022 ticket prices. The costs we’ve seen thus far are… not surprising. Tree of Life looking fiiiiine today! Disney World ticket prices vary depending on the day (a.k.a.: peak vacation days = higher prices). So far, ticket prices themselves have not increased in 2022, as compared to 2022. The lowest price is still the same ($109 for 1-day, $103 for 4-day, etc.) and the peak price remains the same. BUT when we compared the previous ticket prices for select days in 2021 compared to the ticket prices for the same days in 2022, we noticed that select days now fall into the higher ticket brackets, meaning they cost more. That means that even if you visit Disney World in 2022 during the exact same days you visited in 2021, your trip could be more expensive. ©Disney This can vary by day though, so you’ll want to check your travel dates carefully. If your travel dates now fall into a higher price category, be prepared to shell out a bit more cash when it comes to those tickets. Keep in mind that ticket prices have also changed for those wanting to buy an Annual Pass. Though Annual Pass sales have now been suspended for most types, it’s still something to keep in mind if you were considering buying an Annual Pass. ©Disney Ticket prices haven’t yet been released for 2023. It’s possible we’ll see more days fall into higher ticket brackets or even get a pure price increase when it comes to ticket price ranges. We’ll be sure to share an update on that as soon as we get more information. Click here to check out the MOST expensive days to visit Disney World in 2022. Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Experiences Could Dominate in Disney World Lately, it seems like Disney World has been starting to focus more time, energy, and investments on their Deluxe resorts or more deluxe hotel experiences. Wanna stay at the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser (a.k.a. the Star Wars Hotel) this year? Then you’re DEFINITELY going to have to start saving up! Since this hotel is more of an immersive, deluxe, cruise-type experience, it costs a pretty penny. Rates for 2 guests per cabin start at $4,809 total. Deluxe & unique experience = big price tag. ©Disney Disney also been focusing on refurbishments and transformations at their Deluxe hotels. Moana has taken over rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort with floral embellishments and island vibes, while Disney’s Contemporary Resort is looking a little more *super* with its modernized Incredibles rooms. Moana rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Another notable update for Deluxe resorts is the expansion of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort with the all-new 14-story tower called the Swan Reserve. This hotel features guest rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, new restaurants, and other amenities. The Swan Reserve is now open for guests to enjoy. Suite at the Swan Reserve Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is also set to undergo some major remodeling starting in Spring 2022. An entire building — The Big Pine Key — will be transformed from regular Deluxe guest rooms into 200 Resort Studios for Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members. Disney had also previously announced that certain renovations and enhancements would be taking place at the Disney Vacation Club Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and the Polynesian. And we’ve got a first look at what some of the updated villas will look like. ©Disney Disney Vacation Club Villas seem to be all-the-rage for Disney World as of late. It seems Deluxe resorts just aren’t enough anymore — Disney wants to provide more wiggle-room for families (and higher cost rooms, too). Grand Floridian Resort in Disney World If you think about the last hotel to open — Disney’s Riviera Resort — that’s also a Disney Vacation Club Resort. And the last new hotel Disney announced — Reflections — A Disney Lakeside Lodge — was also set to be a Disney Vacation Club Resort. We haven’t really heard much about Reflections lately and it appears it may have been canceled or severely delayed, but still it shows the direction Disney seems to be heading in — toward more villas/deluxe accommodations. You can currently book villas over at a number of resorts including Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (Copper Creek Villas and Boulder Ridge Villas), Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort (Jambo House Villas and Kidani Village Villas), Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows), Disney’s Contemporary Resort (Bay Lake Tower), and more. Basically, there are quite a lot of villas to pick from. ©Disney Even when it comes to the value hotels — the last value resort that Disney World opened was Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (which opened nearly a decade ago in May of 2012!), which mainly features family suites, an upgraded and more “deluxe” (and more expensive) value resort experience compared to standard rooms. Family Suite If recent history is any indicator, we expect more deluxe accommodations or deluxe-style experiences (with higher price tags) could be in Disney World’s future, meaning you could find yourself shelling out more for your room either in 2022 or beyond if a deluxe-style or more expensive type of room is all you can find once other rooms — potentially many of the regular (cheaper) rooms — get booked up. Forget 2022 — How expensive will Disney World be in 10 years?! Click HERE to learn more! Dining Prices Just. Keep. Changing. Hotels and ticket prices aren’t the only things Disney likes to switch up on us. Dining prices change constantly around the Disney parks. Though there have been a few instances where the dining prices decreased, those instances are typically few and far between. Usually, we’re looking at bump-ups for menu items. Be Our Guest Gates A good example of this is Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland. Previously, Be Our Guest featured a quick service option for lunch as well as breakfast (AKA — it was much more affordable for many guests than the pricey prix fixe set priced meal for dinner). But, when the restaurant reopened after last year’s pandemic-related shutdowns, the experience switched over to a prix-fixe table service experience for lunch and it suspended its breakfast service. The prices for lunch are now the same as dinner — set to $62 for adults and $37 for children ages 3-9 — making lunch, specifically, a much pricier experience! Forget it… . YIKES. That’s SO different from our old Croque Monsieur that used to cost us about $15.99… . Post the pandemic closures and reopenings, we saw a number of other restaurants (especially former buffets) switch to prix fixe or family-style meals. And a new prix fixe dinner menu was introduced at California Grill for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary. Though some buffets are returning and select spots are changing, it still seems prix fixe dining could be a new trend. Appetizers from California Grill’s 50th Anniversary prix-fixe menu But it’s not just the prix fixe menus (which can make you spend more on your meal). We’ve also seen lots of individual items increase in price. Earlier in 2021, the Spring Roll Cart in Magic Kingdom went from $7.50 to $9.50 for those oh-so-tasty spring rolls! That’s a hefty price for a snack! Spring Roll Wagon Menu The France Pavilion over in EPCOT also experienced some significant price increases to their menus back in 2021. At that time, many prices rose by only a few cents across the board. But a few cents can add up over the course of a trip with several guests. Pumpkin Spice Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich In early 2022, the price increases continued in a BIG way. In fact, 2022 has already brought some of the most sweeping price increases we’ve ever seen — not necessarily in terms of the actual amount of the increase, but in terms of just how many snacks and restaurants were impacted. HUNDREDS (literally, hundreds) of price increases hit Disney World restaurants and snack carts throughout the parks and resorts. Main Street Popcorn Cart menu DOLE Whips, select popcorn buckets and popcorn refills, Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bars, Mickey waffles, Mickey pretzels, bottled beverages, and more are all now MORE expensive than they were before. Price increases hit Aloha Isle! If you haven’t already read up on the price increases, you’re going to want to. In some cases the difference is just a few cents, but other times the prices have increased by $1, $2, or even $3. These are things you’ll want to account for when making your budget for your upcoming trip. Click here to see the biggest takeaways from the hundreds of price increases! Do you remember that one scene in A Bug’s Life where the big, bad grasshopper antagonist (Hopper) talks about how one, puny ant wouldn’t be able to take down the grasshoppers, but ALL of the ants coming and attacking at once WOULD? (If you totally don’t remember this, it’s time to go watch it again! Fun movie!) ©Disney That’s kind-of the way to think about the dining price increases. One increase here or there or increases of a few cents/dollars might not make a difference. But sweeping changes (like what we saw recently) when applied across many guests for all of the days of a trip can definitely add up. Click here to see more details about the HUNDREDS of price increases we’ve seen! Travel Prices Increase & Other Costs You’ve Got to Think About Prices at Disney World aren’t the only things on the rise. You’ve likely seen it when booking other travel necessities or even at your local grocery store. You’ve likely felt the pain. According to CNN, gas prices hit a 7-year high of $3.42 a gallon in November of 2021. They then dropped below $3.30 a gallon, but national average prices have seen increased to $3.31 a gallon “and the market is signaling further gains ahead. Gasoline futures are now trading at two-month highs.” Speedway Gas Station If you need a rental car to get yourself to Disney World or for once you arrive in Orlando, you might also find yourself paying a pretty penny for that. Back in 2021, we shared that a rental car could cost you more than your Disney World ticket, and it seems high rental car prices is a trend that’s continuing at the moment (largely due to supply chain issues and the large sales of used cars by rental car companies in the early part of the pandemic). Renting a Car Might Be More Expensive Than You Expect Supply chain issues and inflation are also impacting a number of other items. Everything from hotel rates (which leaped 23.9% annually according to USA Today), to beef has increased in price. Air travel costs are also predicted to increase, even as many flights continue to be canceled. As reported by CNBC, Cowen airline analyst Helane Becker said that demand for air travel will continue to strengthen, and analysts “expect inflationary pressure in fuel and labor cost, as well as high-interest costs, to lead to higher ticket prices.” Airport Getting from your airport to your Disney hotel will also cost more now. Disney’s Magical Express has officially ended. That means Disney World Resort hotel guests no longer get free transportation to and from the airport. Instead, guests will have to make arrangements to get to and from the airport and their Disney hotel on their own, and they’ll have to pay for those services. Uber and other rideshare services are an option, as well as renting a car (as we discussed above), using a taxi, using a private car service, and other alternatives. There are also 2 Magical Express-type replacement services — Mears Connect (run by the same company that operated the Magical Express; now fully available) and The Sunshine Flyer (run by a separate company; set to be available in February of 2022). Mears Connect Both of these services will cost you, so that’s an added expense you’ll need to be prepared for. Click here to see how the Magical Express replacement services compare Oh, and then when you get to your Disney Resort (if you drive a car there) you’ve got to pay those parking fees! A number of years ago, Disney stopped providing complimentary parking to their resort guests. Now, you’ll have to pay $15-$25 per night if you’re parked as a guest on resort property. And if you’re not a Disney World Resort hotel guest and otherwise don’t have an Annual Pass ticket that provides free parking at the parks, be prepared to pay for parking at the theme parks. Could we see an increase in these prices in 2022? Only time will tell. If you bring a car to Disney World, don’t forget about those overnight parking fees! So just be prepared to dish out some MORE transportation money in 2022 on top of what you’re already planning on spending. Read more about some first reactions to the Mears Connect service by clicking HERE! Souvenir Prices Have Been Rising On top of rising ticket costs, food costs, and more, you might find that your favorite souvenirs are a bit pricier too! Tower of Terror Ears Here’s a short list of just a FEW items we’ve seen increase in price these past few years: Minnie Ears now generally cost $29.99 instead of $27.99 (we saw this change made back in 2019), but you will find some ears priced more expensive than that — we’re talking $39.99 and even specialty ears that can reach $1,000(!!!). NuiMOs are $19.99 instead of $17.99 (We saw this change made in 2021. Plus, remember that you’ll likely want to buy some clothes for them on top of that — like a tiny Build-a-Bear — and those cost money too. Lightsabers at Savi’s Workshop are $219.99 instead of $199.99 (Again this increase happened in 2021. But keep in mind that you might find a discount being applied due to supply chain issues which have meant that lightsaber carrying cases are no longer available as part of the experience). Reusable Shopping Bags fluctuated in price at certain spots in 2021 (and have fluctuated in the past), but in some spots we did see increases making it $2 for a small bag, $2.50 for a medium bag, and $3 for a large bag instead of being $1 for any size. MagicBands also got a big price increase in 2021, making many of them $19.99 instead of $14.99. The glitter MagicBands are BACK! Again, these are only a FEW of the price increases we’ve seen made over the past year or so. We’ve also noticed price increases for Wishables, Spirit Jerseys, and other items… . MouseGears Spirit Jerseys We’ve also seen some incredibly expensive items arrive for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary, like the $1,000 ears we mentioned and $300 bags. Only time will tell how expensive the souvenirs in Disney World will be in the next 5 years, but you might want to consider bumping up those souvenir budgets or taking a close look at just what items you really need/want to buy. Click HERE to see all of the 50th Anniversary merchandise you can get online right now! Disney Genie+ Another free perk that has gone away recently is FastPass+. FastPass+ has been discontinued. Now, if you want to skip the lines at Disney World’s rides, you’ll have to PAY to do it through the new Disney Genie+ system and Individual Attraction Selection. ©Disney With this new system, guests can pay $15 per ticket per day to see available return times for select Disney World rides. Guests can then select 1 return time at a time. When the return time for that ride arrives, they can then use the Lightning Lane (a.k.a. the old FastPass+ lane) for that ride, skipping the standby line. Disney Genie Selections BUT not all rides are available through the regular $15 Disney Genie+ service. Select popular rides are not available through the standard Genie+. If you want to skip the lines at these select attractions (like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Avatar: Flight of Passage, and select others) you’ll have to pay to get access to their Lightning Lanes individually through Individual Attraction Selection (pay-per-ride). With this service, you’ll pay a set amount to use the Lightning Lane at one of these popular rides once. You can only get a maximum of 2 of these selections per day (though you cannot buy it twice for the same ride). Rise of the Resistance Lightning Lane If you don’t want to use these services, you don’t have to. But if you do want to skip some of the standby lines, be prepared to pay. Click here to learn more about the Genie+ service! Overall Whether it’s paying more for food items, rental cars, airfare, or even your park tickets — your trip in 2022 could cost you more than you might think. It’s important to really take a close look at your trip and estimated costs to see if anything has changed since the last time you worked on your budget. If your estimated costs have gone up, look to see if there are any ways you can save — maybe by sticking to quick service spots, reducing the number of souvenirs you’ll bring home, or skipping out on some “extra” experiences like a water park day. Cinderella Castle Don’t forget that a number of deals and discounts have also been announced for 2022. You might be able to take advantage of some of those to help you save BIG. Click the links below to learn more: Annual Passholders can save on rooms in 2022 Florida Residents can also save on hotel rooms this year A special Florida Resident ticket deal has been announced Guest staying at select Walt Disney World hotels from March 6th-July 7th, 2022 can save up to $100 a night! Florida Residents can also save on hotel rooms on some dates between March and July of 2022 And Annual Passholders can save on select dates from March through July of 2022 as well Don’t want to deal with booking your trip on your own? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! They can help take the stress out of your vacation planning and their services are totally FREE! We’ll continue to keep an eye out for news about price increases and discounts, so be sure to check back for more updates! Tired of these high Disney World prices? Click HERE to read about 7 things at Disney World that cost less than you think! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/customemailexample.jpg Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What price increases do you think we’re going to see in Disney World this year? Let us know in the comments below! The post Why Disney World Will Cost You THOUSANDS More in 2022 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Adventures by Disney just announced a return to three enchanting rivers in 2023: Rhine, Danube and Seine. With 27 action-packed departures that include family, adult-exclusive and holiday-themed sailings, you’ll experience firsthand the people, places and stories of iconic destinations. Plus, our team of specially trained Adventure Guides will provide a seamless and authentic experience that is marked by Disney’s signature service.View the full article

We have seen almost every Disney World restaurant reopen since the 2020 closures — with a few exceptions! Flying Fish at Disney’s Boardwalk Lucky for us, though, Disney just announced that they are reopening three of their restaurants! And this morning, reservations became available for those spots. For starters, you can now book Flying Fish at Disney’s BoardWalk. This spot serves seafood and steak, and will reopen officially on January 27th. ©Disney Also, dining reservations are now open for the grand reopening of The Turf Club Bar & Grill over at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. Here, you’ll find some new entrees, including The Grilled Pork Chop and Braised Lamb Tagliatelle. This spot reopens on February 3rd. ©Disney In addition to those two fully reopening restaurants, there are changes coming to other dining locations as well. On February 15th, the buffets are returning to Cape May Cafe at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, with options for both breakfast and dinner. And over at Ale & Compass, lunch will be available once again on January 31st. You can now make dining reservations for these returning offerings as well! ©Disney If you’re hoping to make reservations for any of these spots (or Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge, whose reservations ALSO opened today!), then you can do so through the Disney World website or the My Disney Experience app. We’ll keep looking for updates about more Disney restaurant reopenings — we’ll keep you updated with the latest! Click Here to Get All the Details On These Restaurant Reopenings! 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 Flying Fish? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! The post Reservations Are Now Available For Several Reopening Disney World Restaurants first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Wheel at Icon Park offers romantic private rides with “I’m Sweet on You” package in February. View the full article

When preparing for a Disney World vacation with kids, there are a lot of things to consider! Kids meeting Pluto You have to think about what rides your kids are tall enough to go on, which characters are a priority for them to see, and make sure they have the proper attire for whatever weather you may encounter. Another thing to think about is if you need a stroller for your trip. You can bring your own stroller, rent one through a stroller company, or rent a stroller through Disney. And, the Disney World strollers just got a big upgrade! NEW Mickey and Minnie strollers have debuted in Disney World! They’re here! We spotted these new strollers today at Hollywood Studios today and they are so cute! They feature a red, black, and yellow color scheme and this new design will be replacing the previous plain beige strollers. Loving this look Ah…that new stroller smell! Brand new strollers These guys have Mickey Mouse on one side… Mickey! …and Minnie Mouse on the other! Minnie! There are both single and double strollers available. So bright! This design has been used at Disneyland since last summer, and now we get them over in Disney World! Right now, stroller rentals are $15 per day or $13 per day if you get them for the length of your stay for single strollers, and $31 per day or $27 per day for the length of stay for double strollers. Children also must be 38 inches & 50 pounds or under to use the strollers. Pricing Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World news and updates! Click here to see our ULTIMATE packing list for toddlers 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. Do you rent a stroller when you go to Disney World or do you bring your own? Let us know in the comments! The post PHOTOS: NEW Mickey and Minnie Strollers Have Debuted in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Although most things in Disney World have returned or reopened, there are still a few spots that remain closed. Animal Kingdom Lodge Soon, though, we’ll see popular entertainment return to the parks (we’re looking at you Fantamic! and Festival of Fantasy Parade!), and there are a few restaurants we get to visit for their reopenings in the coming weeks! Disney recently announced the reopening dates for several restaurants including the fan-favorite Jiko at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. If you’re looking to dine at Jiko anytime soon, you’re in luck! The restaurant officially opens on February 17th, but reservations are available starting TODAY! Jiko is reopening soon! At Jiko, you’ll find plenty of unique menu items including Moroccan Lamb Shank, Seafood Tagine, Oak-grilled Filet Mignon, and so much more! ©Disney If you’re planning to eat at Jiko, we highly recommend making a reservation to guarantee your meal there. Reservations opened up early this morning, and availability is already slim for the first few days that the restaurant is open. You can make a reservation through either the Disney World website or the My Disney Experience app. 3 HUGE Tips For Snagging Hard-to-Get Reservations in Disney World If Jiko doesn’t seem like your thing, you can also check out Sanaa or the buffet at Boma! More sides from Boma! Reservations for Flying Fish at Disney’s BoardWalk are also available today, so be sure to check those out. We’ll continue to give you the latest updates on Disney World dining, so stay tuned for more! Why Disney World’s Price Increases Might Be a Clue About Future Dining Plan News Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Did you snag a reservation for Jiko? Let us know in the comments! The post Reservations Are Now Open for Jiko in Disney World -- And They're Going FAST! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You’ve probably heard people say “it’s best to visit Disney World during the spring.” Or “you should never visit Disney World during the summer.” But, does it REALLY matter when you visit Disney World? Magic Kingdom Is there really a significant difference when it comes to hotel prices, ticket prices, and more that could and should affect when you choose to visit the parks? We’re taking a look at all of that and breaking it down for you today! Hotel Prices We’ll start our analysis by looking at Disney World hotel prices. Specifically, we’ll be taking a look at hotel prices in late January (a relatively slower time for Disney World after the rush from the holidays has passed), April (close to spring break season), June (peak summertime), September (typically a slower time once kids are back in school), November (Thanksgiving time), and December (typically one of the busiest times in Disney World around Christmas and New Year’s Eve). This will give us a good overall view of just how much hotel prices can vary. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa We’ll be using prices from the available bookings in Disney World for 2022 when possible, and looking at the estimated cost for a 5-night trip. And, we’ll limit it to the 1-2 least expensive hotel options for each proposed stay since many guests are looking for something more budget-friendly. Alright, let’s dive in! January For January, we looked at a trip where we’d check in on January 23rd and check out on January 28th, 2022. At the time we looked, the cheapest hotels available were The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort (which was a $95 average cost per night) and Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort (which was a $136.20 average cost per night). ©Disney Now, because January tends to draw lighter crowds to the parks, you can often find additional hotel discounts during this time of year. This can make your stay even cheaper or make a stay at a nicer Disney World hotel more affordable. See What Hotel Deals Were Offered in January 2022 HERE! April For our April trip, we checked hotel rooms for April 3rd through the 8th, 2022. The cheapest rooms available were once again at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort ($152.40 per night) and The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort ($159 per night). ©Disney June For June, we checked for a stay from June 26th through July 1st, 2022, and found that the cheapest rooms were The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort ($101 per night) and All-Star Movies ($167.40 per night). Sensing a trend here? ©Disney September For September, we looked at estimates for a trip from September 11th through September 16th, 2022. To no surprise, the cheapest options available were The Campsites and All-Star Movies with the prices being $66 per night and $153.20 per night, respectively. ©Disney November For November, we looked for a trip from November 21st through November 25th, 2022 and the results were a bit different. The cheapest hotels available were All-Star Movies ($183 per night) and Disney’s All-Star Music Resort (also $183 per night). ©Disney Now, it’s important to note here that The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort is likely a bit cheaper, but the holidays are a popular time at this spot. Disney-goers gather here and decorate their campsites, participate in holiday-themed golf cart parades, and more, so you can expect it to book up fast (and likely cost a little more). December And finally, for December we estimated a stay over the Christmas holiday from December 23rd through December 28th, 2022 and the cheapest hotels available were the three All-Star Resorts. Each one was priced at $288 per night, which is a pretty significant jump compared to what we saw throughout the rest of 2022. ©Disney Overall So, you can see the BIG difference in price just by looking at the different options we’ve outlined above. The cheapest hotel in December is priced at $228 per night, while the cheapest hotel (OK, so less “hotel” as it is a campsite!) in September is only $66 a night. That’s a difference of $162 PER NIGHT! Multiply that by the 5 nights of the trip and you’re talking some serious savings!! Disney’s Beach Club Resort And, to take more of a general look at the numbers based on the price of the least expensive hotel available in each category, the “best” times to stay at a Disney World hotel would be September, followed by late January, June, April, November, and finally December. Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Of course, this doesn’t take into account any specific hotel deals or discounts which could make some of those rooms more affordable. Click HERE to see our page with ALL of Disney World’s upcoming deals and discounts! Ticket Prices Next, we’ll take a look at ticket prices using the same general time periods discussed above — again all in 2022 for a 5-day trip with 1-park per day. Keep in mind that ticket prices can vary a lot depending on what type of ticket you’re buying and how many days you’re visiting but this will give you a general overview of what time periods will cost more versus those that will cost less. January The beginning of January is still filled with holiday-goers, but if we look at the same week that we priced out a hotel for this month, then you can see a fairly significant drop in the cost of tickets. For example, from January 23rd to 28th, tickets cost roughly $95 per day bringing the total to $478.80 for a 5-day trip (1-park per day). ©Disney April Things get a little pricier in April around spring break with tickets costing about $111 to $112 for our proposed April trip. This brings the total cost of tickets for the trip to $550.72. ©Disney June For the June 2022 trip we were looking at, the price is $515.71 with 1-park ticket costing $104 per day. ©Disney September Prices dip down again around the time that most schools begin in September, bringing the cost per day to roughly $90 or $460.82 total. ©Disney November We start to see some of the highest ticket prices in November, with a 5-day trip over the Thanksgiving holiday costing $560.18 per person (or between $106-$113 per day). ©Disney December And finally, for December the same 5-day ticket will cost the most at $598.52. ©Disney So, as you might expect, not only are the weekends in November and December and holidays some of the busiest times to be in the parks, they’re also the most expensive. Click HERE to see the most expensive days to visit Disney World in 2022 Overall Again, you can see a really clear difference in terms of ticket price here. There is a $137.70 difference between the ticket prices for September and December. And that’s just for ONE 5-day ticket without a park hopper! If you’ll be traveling with a party of 3, 4, 5, or more people that can be a HUGE difference in price when multiplied across so many individuals. For this post, we just looked at some general dates, but if you really wanted to get some big savings, you could literally go day by day through the calendar to look for the least expensive tickets within a particular stretch of time. Cinderella Castle So, when is the best time to visit Disney World if you’re looking to spend the least amount on park tickets? Well, based on our search, it would be September first then January, June, April, November, and finally December. This matches the best times based on hotel prices too. Are ticket prices increasing in 2022? Click here to see what we’ve noticed. Crowds It’s not all about the price for many Disney-goers though! Even if you plan your trip solely based on which days are the cheapest, a Disney World vacation is still pretty costly. So, what time of year will make for the BEST Disney Park experience? It can really depend on crowds! Crowds on Main Street, U.S.A. on December 31st, 2021 Of course, Disney World crowds can vary A LOT depending on when you’re visiting. In 2020, the parks reopened with a 35% capacity limit, but Disney has since increased this number over the past 18 months (though they haven’t revealed by how much exactly). However, even with the assumption that a capacity limit is still in place currently, you will generally notice a dramatic difference between the crowds that appear during “slower” times and the holiday season. Plus, you may also notice a difference in crowds between the weekdays and weekends. Crowds in Disney’s Animal Kingdom on January 4th, 2022 In late January 2021, we saw some pretty low crowds with wait times significantly dropping later in the month and that has proven to remain true in 2022. Kids tend to be back in school during this time and it’s winter, which means that you won’t necessarily be able to enjoy the pools and water parks on those rare cold Florida days (and by cold we mean like…50 degrees in Orlando). So, this tends to keep the crowds on the lower end. EPCOT Crowds on January 11th, 2022 April on the other hand has traditionally brought in a few more crowds for the tail end of the spring break period. In 2021, we noticed Park Passes fill up pretty far in advance for the beginning of the month, though some average wait times for attractions were surprisingly lower than what we expected. Magic Kingdom crowds on December 28th, 2021 June is peak summertime and generally when TONS families (thanks to kids being off school!) choose to travel to Disney World to enjoy some fun in the sun. And, with more people traveling, that means there are more people in the parks. So, while the parks remained closed in June 2020, it didn’t take long for things to pick up once again. In June of 2021, the increase in capacity limits (and demand) was clear as a LOT of summer Park Passes filled up MONTHS in advance, although many were later added, increasing availability. Of course, the additional availability was just met with more park-goers, getting the parks closer to the crowd levels we’re used to seeing over the summer. Rope drop in World Showcase at EPCOT in the summer of 2021 In our experience, September tends to be one of Disney’s slower times (except around Labor Day). But, with lower crowds sometimes comes shorter park hours, so that is something to be aware of. Your plans may change if the parks are crowded! When it comes to the holidays, you can generally expect crowds to be at their peak from Thanksgiving time all the way through the New Year. For example, in 2021, we did see some pretty high crowd levels during the week of Thanksgiving and the crowds around Christmas Eve and during the December holidays were pretty large as well. EPCOT Crowds on December 19th, 2021 While it can be pretty easy to predict the ebb and flow of crowds in Disney World over the year, the crowds in Disney World have surprised us from time to time. While we saw pretty big spring break crowds in early March last year, in mid-March things weren’t quite as busy as we expected. We’ve also experienced days where the parks were at capacity but they definitely didn’t look or feel like they were. Basically, what we’re saying is that crowd levels can vary almost any time that you visit Disney. Even during “busier” seasons, you may find pockets of days where the crowds are surprisingly low. But, generally during Disney’s traditionally busier seasons — on holidays, during spring break, and during the summer — you’ll generally find larger crowds. Click here to see our list of the 10 times you do NOT want to be in Disney World! Seasonal Offerings In terms of seasonal offerings, it definitely DOES matter when you visit Disney World. If you visit Disney World during Halloween, Christmas, Mother’s Day, Easter, or other holiday seasons, you’ll find snacks, merchandise, and other things specific to the holidays available in the parks and hotels that you won’t find during other times of the year. Holiday Cake Pop from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa What you do have to keep in mind though is that for most holidays — or at least the major ones — these celebrations, special treats, etc. last for a pretty significant amount of time. So, generally, you don’t have to go to Disney World ON Halloween or even in October to experience a bit of spookiness. Halloween festivities usually begin in August/early September and last all the way through Halloween. And, it’s not just the treats that you can take advantage of well before the holiday season actually arrives — in 2021 Disney’s new Halloween After Hours even (BOO Bash) began in August. So, this meant that guests visiting during the “slower” September months still could take advantage of the holiday event without having to face the holiday crowds. Going Batty Halloween Cupcake from Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort The same goes for Christmas where most of the treats, decorations, and more are typically available for quite an extended time. And, last year, the holiday cavalcades even started in early November! Gingerbread Ice Cream For these major holidays, you’ll have a much larger window to enjoy all of the special offerings but, for things like Easter or Mother’s Day, your time frame may be a bit more limited. So, just keep that in mind when you’re deciding when to visit! Okay, it’s official. This is the cutest krispie ever. All of this is to say, if you want to see seasonal parades (or cavalcades while they’re still around), eat seasonal-specific treats, go to seasonal-specific ticketed events (like the Disney Very Merriest After Hours event), or get seasonal-specific merchandise, then you need to go around the time of that season. You may have a large time to enjoy the festivities (like for Halloween or Christmas) or your time may be more limited for smaller holidays. The same rules apply for the festivals at EPCOT. If you want to go during the International Food & Wine Festival for example, then you need to visit EPCOT during that time. The good thing though is that EPCOT’s festivals last for quite some time — generally a number of weeks at least, but more typically a number of MONTHS. There are A LOT of festivals going on in EPCOT on an annual basis! You’ll be hard-pressed to find too much time in EPCOT where a festival is NOT going on. The park now quickly transitions between its festivities, meaning you’ll almost always encounter some kind of festival or special offering going on. So, between the holidays, EPCOT festivals, and more it’s just a matter of figuring out whether whatever is going on is what you want to see at this point! Click here to see how to tackle a holiday trip to Disney World like a pro! Overall So, does it matter WHEN you visit Disney World? It looks like the answer to that is “yes”! From what we saw, ticket prices and hotel prices can vary by a significant amount depending on when you choose to visit. Plus, you will also likely encounter different crowd levels depending on when you go. And if you MUST get specific holiday items or experience a particular EPCOT Festival, then when you visit Disney World will matter a lot. Keep in mind though, this is all based on estimates of what we’ve seen so far. Things are ALWAYS subject to change. Hollywood Studios Crowds Yes, you will find days during the “busy” season that are pretty empty. And yes, you might find days during the “slower” season that are packed (particularly if you go on a weekend or if there’s a festival going on or some other limited-time deal). But, generally speaking, pricing, crowds, and more can vary A LOT depending on when you visit the parks. You’ve just got to price out the trips you’re looking at, see what offerings will be available during that time, and see what’s best for you! EPCOT We touched a little on the weather and how that can impact your trip (hello, Florida “winter”), but that can be a HUGE consideration for when you choose to visit Disney World as well. For example, if heat and hurricanes are a concern, then you’ll generally want to avoid the late summer and early fall months. A little rain never stopped the fun around here! Think this is ALL too much planning work to figure out? You could always work with our friends over at Small World Vacations to plan your next vacation! The people over at Small World Vacations have a ton of experience planning Disney trips and they can make sure you’re getting the very best deals and discounts, answer your Disney World planning questions, and make some great suggestions. Plus their services are totally FREE!! You’ll find all of their contact info below — be sure to tell them that all of us from DFB say “hello”! Of course, we’ll continue to keep an eye out for updates on crowd level and price changes in Disney World to help you choose the BEST time to plan your upcoming trip, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/customemailexample.jpg Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! When do you typically like to visit Disney World? Tell us in the comments. The post Does It Really Matter WHEN You Visit Disney World? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Here are free ways to improve theme park experiences, a look at lines, restaurants and technology View the full article

The Walt Disney Company is one of the largest and most recognizable companies in the world, spanning multiple business sectors and earning billions as they continue to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. Magic Kingdom As one might expect from a Fortune 500 company, top executives earn a significantly high salary and compensation package. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 2021 salaries for Disney’s top two execs have been revealed. Because Disney is a publicly traded company, they are obligated to release a regulatory filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In that filing, the executive compensations for CEO Bob Chapek and former executive chairman Bob Iger have been released. In 2021, Chapek’s compensation package totaled $32.46 million, and Iger’s compensation package totaled $45.9 million. Compensation packages include a base salary in addition to possible bonuses, stock options, and reward options. ©Disney || Bob Chapek In 2020, Chapek and Iger’s compensation package totaled $14.1 million and $21 million respectively, due in part to Disney executives reducing their salary in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the year prior to the pandemic, Iger’s compensation package as then-CEO totaled $47.5 million. Bob Iger ©Bloomberg The salaries for both Chapek and Iger were for Fiscal Year 2021, which ended on October 2nd, 2021. Iger officially stepped down as executive chairman at the end of December 2021, so his 2021 salary of $45.9 million does NOT include a stock grant which was rewarded to him on December 31st which, according to The Hollywood Reporter, “was worth nine figures.” ©Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images Disney’s next earnings report and earnings call is set for February 9th, 2022, where we’ll learn more about the current financial state of the company as well as insights for the year ahead. Be sure to follow along for more of the latest news and updates! Click here to read about the Walt Disney Company’s most recent earnings report! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you planning a Disney World vacation for 2022? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney CEO Bob Chapek and Former Executive Chairman Bob Iger’s Salaries Revealed For 2021 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Hello artists, foodies, and Disney-lovers! The Festival of the Arts is back in EPCOT, and now that we’ve shown off ALL the event’s new merchandise, entertainment, and food, it’s time to ask YOU for your thoughts! We love asking for our readers’ thoughts and opinions — especially when we’re talking about snacks. The 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Arts is HERE! Speaking of opinions, we shared our festival favorites for this year, and (spoiler alert) there are some COLORFUL foods and drinks on our list! But now, let’s turn it over to you! We put up a DFB Festival of the Arts bracket on our Instagram, and we’re already up to round three! Let’s take a look at the results and see who survived this round of voting! First up, it was a close race between the Molten Cake and the Bombolini from L’Arte di Mangiare , but the Moelleux aux Noisettes et Chocolats Valrhona: Molten chocolate and hazelnut cake from L’Art de la Cuisine Francaise won the competition! This was a close one! We out the Pineapple and Cherry DOLE Whip Swirl from Refreshment Outpost against the Sipping Chocolate Flight from The Artist’s Table! This time, the Dole Whip won the battle — sorry, chocolate-lovers! Dole Whip was the winner! In our next match, we had the Coconut and Passion Fruit Smoothie from Vibrante & Vivido versus The Lily from El Artista Hambriento. The winner? The Lily! Go team Lily! Our readers delivered a decisive victory to the Beef Short Rib from Pastoral Palate, which went up against the Seared Scallops from The Artist’s Table. This was a big win! It looks like we aren’t the only ones who love the Warm Brie in a Bread Bowl from L’Art de la Cuisine Francaise, which beat out the Carne Asada from El Artista Hambriento in a close race. Mmmm, Brie! The next round featured the Chicken Shumai from The Painted Panda and the Arancini from L’Arte di Mangiare. The Arancini won with 66% of the votes! YUM! Unsurprisingly, the Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese from Pop Eats won against the Gnocchi Poutine from Refreshment Port. People love grilled cheese, obviously! Grilled cheese and soup is an elite combination Our next round put the Inside Out Donut from the Donut Box up against the Dulce Chocolate Mousse from Deco Delights. This time, the Dulce Chocolate Mousse won! Now we’re hungry! Those are the results of round 3 of our bracket — now get ready for on to round 4! Be sure to follow us on Instagram and vote in the next bracket. Which snack or drink will you crown the champion? You decide! Click here to see round 2 of our Festival of the Arts bracket! Want to Learn MORE About the 2022 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts? Click Here to See Photos & Videos From Our Time at the Festival of the Arts Check Out ALL of Our Reviews of the Food Booths at the Festival of the Arts See the Full Menus for All of the Food Booths at the Festival Get a Look at the NEW Figment Popcorn Bucket That Had a Multi-HOUR Wait on the First Day of the Festival Learn More About the Disney on Broadway Concert Series and Dining Packages at the Festival Check Out All of the 2022 Festival of the Arts Merchandise Here! See How to Get a Paint Your Own Figment at the Festival Click HERE for All of the Latest News and Details About the 2022 Festival of the Arts! Join the DFB Newsletter To get all the latest Festival of the Arts news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Which snack do you think will win the competition? Let us know in the comments! The post Things Are Getting Interesting with Round THREE of Our EPCOT Festival of the Arts Snack Battle! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

planDisney Welcomes New Panelists | Disney ParksView the full article

Today is National Popcorn Day! Though if you were at EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts last Friday, you may have thought that the holiday was on the 14th with that multi-hour line for the Figment Popcorn Bucket. Who HASN’T heard about the Figment Popcorn Bucket? We’ll enjoy popcorn any day of the year at Disney World, but if you’re visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge over the next few weeks, there will be an exclusive popcorn flavor for those who know the SECRET phrase (don’t worry, we’ll fill you in on what that secret phrase is). If you’re in the mood for a tasty snack to munch on, you can order a variety of unique popcorn flavors over at Kat Saka’s Kettle. Kat Saka’s Kettle From now until the end of February, however, there will be a special flavor added to the mix. Kat Saka’s Popcorn In order to try this secret flavor, make sure to say the phrase “Have you seen a mouse?” when you order to get the special mix! And no, we aren’t talking about Mickey Mouse…we’re talking about an MSE-6 “Mouse” Droid! MSE-6 Droid Popcorn Bucket Check out this TikTok posted on the Disney Parks account that gives you the full rundown: So, next time you’re at Galaxy’s Edge, head over to Kat Saka’s to try out this special popcorn flavor served in a souvenir Mouse Droid popcorn bucket from now through the end of February! Be sure to follow along for more of the latest news and updates from around 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. Do you collect Disney Popcorn Buckets? Let us know in the comments! The post You’ll Need to Know a SECRET Phrase to Order This Exclusive Galaxy's Edge Popcorn in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We recently learned about a few BIG restaurant reopening dates around Disney World! We’ve been waiting to hear about several resort hotel restaurants to return following Disney World’s temporary closure back in 2020, and we finally know about a few of them! Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge One of the returning restaurants we’re most excited about is Jiko — The Cooking Place! This signature restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will reopen on February 17th. Ahead of its reopening, Disney has revealed what the menu will look like! For Appetizers, Jiko will feature dishes including Braaied Wild Board Tenderloin for $19 and Roasted Squash Bisque for $14. © Disney For Entrees, Jiko’s famous Oak-grilled Filet Mignon WILL return with Four-Cheese Macaroni on the side for $52. Other Entrees available upon reopening will be their Moroccan Lamb Shank for $46 and their Plant-based Injera Basket for $30. © Disney If you want to include additional Enhancements to your Entree, a few selections are available: Mozambique Peri Peri Prawns for $23, Zulu Oxtail Samp and Beans for $11, and Bobotie Mac & Cheese for $20. © Disney Still hungry? Jiko’s Dessert menu will include Malva Pudding for $13 and African Drum ‘Beets’ for $13. © Disney One of the unique features at Jiko is their wide selection of Tea! You can order a variety of Loose Leaf Specialty Teas as well as caffeine-free Herbal Infusions. © Disney If you prefer Coffee, Jiko offers Kenya AA Coffee to enjoy after your meal! There’s also a selection of Dessert Wines as well as After-Dinner Drinks to sip on when your meal is finished. © Disney Finally, Jiko’s reopening menu includes a variety of Brandies, Ports, Single Malts, and Liqueurs to enjoy alongside your meal. © Disney Reservations for Jiko will open up tomorrow, January 20th. We can’t wait to sit down at Jiko once again and order from their menu once again! Be sure to follow along for more of the latest news and updates from around Disney World. Click here to read more about the latest restaurant reopening news from Disney World! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you ever dined at Jiko? Share your experience with us in the comments! The post Reopening Menu Revealed for Jiko in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

One of our favorite themed lands in Disney World is Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where you’re shrunk down to the size of a toy in Andy’s backyard. Toy Story Land This area has a quick-service restaurant called Woody’s Lunch Box (we love the totchos there!) along with a couple of rides like the very popular roller coaster, Slinky Dog Dash. Now, Disney has announced some NEW additions coming to this land! OK, so the biggest news here is the table service restaurant opening in Toy Story Land called Roundup Rodeo BBQ, which we just learned is going to open sometime in 2022! Click Here to Learn More About the Opening of Roundup Rodeo BBQ But Disney also announced a new addition called “Jessie’s Trading Post.” In the announcement, Disney said “Andy discovered Jessie’s Trading Post playset tucked away in the attic, and is bringing it downstairs to set up shop—full of the coolest toys and finest souvenirs handpicked by the rootinest, tootinest cowgirl.” ©Disney The wording is a little bit weird here, but it sounds like this addition will be a new gift shop. Since it’s “full of the coolest toys and finest souvenirs,” we’re guessing it will have Toy Story–inspired merchandise for guests to buy. Toy Story merchandise in Disney World And since the only other merchandise locations in this land are a couple of kiosks and the gift shop at the end of Toy Story Midway Mania, it makes sense to add in a little more shopping for all of the Pixar fans out there. Toy Story Land kiosk We’ll be keeping an eye out for any more updates about these new additions, so stay tuned with DFB for the latest news! Click Here to See a Rare Glimpse Behind the Construction Walls at Woody’s Roundup Rodeo 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 of Toy Story Land in Hollywood Studios? Tell us in the comments! The post Woody’s Roundup Rodeo Isn’t the Only New Thing Coming to Toy Story Land in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground is one of those places that no one seems to talk about! Currently, one of the resort’s most popular dining locations is closed ( ), but that didn’t stop Disney from selling merchandise inspired by the restaurant! In fact, Disney has been selling lots of resort-inspired merchandise lately, all of which was (probably) meant for Christmas! Howdy, friends! Clearly, Disney has been having some supply issues lately, but we’ll take any chance we can get to talk about our love for Fort Wilderness’s most FUN dining experience! While were visiting Meadow Trading Post at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, we found a new resort-inspired ornament! This one is modeled after the ICONIC Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue…which isn’t open at the moment. That’s a little awkward, Disney, but we’ll move past it. Disney missed Christmas, but this ornament looks cute! On one side of the ornament, you can see the grand Pioneer Hall on full display. We’re not sure how accurate this thing is scale-wise, but we’re suckers for any kind of miniature Disney merchandise. Ah, memories! The other side features those amazing Hoop-Dee-Doo performers — tambourines and all! This is really reminding us how much we miss Hoop-Dee-Doo, we must admit. We miss these performers! You can find this new ornament at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort for $29.99. We’re always on the lookout for new Disney merchandise, so stay tuned for more! These 5 Ornaments Look Like Your Favorite Disney World Hotels 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 buying this new ornament? Let us know in the comments! The post PHOTOS: A NEW Ornament is Inspired By a FUN Disney World Restaurant! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article