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To ensure we are equipping our readers with all the information they need, we will continue to report on all travel, safety, and COVID-related news that could impact a Disney Parks visit. It has been a complex few years for the world and for the Walt Disney Company. Disney took a big hit during the closure of the parks. When the theme parks closed, the company suffered greatly due to the loss of a major source of income. Now, as we see record case numbers in the United States and different recommendations from health and safety officials, many are asking the question: Could the Disney parks close again? Let’s break it down. What Was the State of the World When Disney Parks Closed? When the Disney Parks around the world first closed in early 2020, COVID-19 was still relatively new. At the time, there was no vaccine, and health organizations around the world were trying to learn more about how to best handle the virus. ©Disney With all those unknowns, it only took about 3,000 cases of the virus in the U.S. to make the domestic Disney parks close down temporarily. When the closure was first announced it was only supposed to last for two weeks, but as case numbers began to grow, the parks stayed closed for several months. Disney World was ultimately closed for about 4 months while Disneyland Resort was shut down for more than a year. Click here to see what reopening day was like at Disneyland Resort. What is the State of the World Now? Well, if we thought things were interesting back then, we’d be shocked to glimpse into the future and see what they’re like now. Since the time of the park closures, there have been more than 62 million cases in the United States, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s almost 19% of the country’s population! In fact, over 5 million new cases have been found in the last week. Don’t forget that mask! At this time, 74% of the U.S. population has had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination. In Florida specifically, 72% of those able to be vaccinated have at least one dose, and the state has had 390,000 new cases in the last week per Florida Health Department data. Over in California where Disneyland Resort is located, there have been about 360,000 new cases in the last week and 80% of people have had at least one vaccine dose, per California Department of Health data. COVID-19 vaccination tents at the Disneyland Resort earlier this year ©Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG At this time, our country is also dealing with the Delta Variant and the highly contagious Omicron variant, both of which experts have noted spread more rapidly than the original strain of the virus. Omicron, especially, has been a driver of increasing case numbers significantly. ©WHO Interestingly enough, though case numbers are much higher than they were with the initial shutdowns in 2020, there have been fewer calls for shutdowns and larger social interventions. The Atlantic writes that “If Omicron starts to send patients to ICUs in the tens of thousands, bringing hospitals to the brink of collapse, both politicians and citizens are going to respond. But shutdowns are still largely off the table.” Click here to read about CDC mask recommendations. What Has Changed Since the Disney Parks Reopened? Since the domestic Disney parks first began to reopen last July, there have been quite a few changes in health and safety guidelines. Nowadays, Disney has done away with social distancing and temperature checks, and masks are no longer required outdoors. More attractions and entertainment options have returned in the past few months and capacity restrictions have been relaxed quite a bit. Temperature Check at Blizzard Beach in 2021 Many of these safety measures were taken away just as the vaccine started to roll out to the whole population, and things have continued to change rapidly. The Disney park experience is much more full and “normal” now than it was several months ago, even though there are still some major differences. Click here to check out the current mask rules. Could the Disney Parks Close Down Again? We’ve seen some international parks close and reopen throughout the pandemic. In fact, with growing case numbers once again, Hong Kong Disneyland is set to close this month and Paris has strict travel restrictions, though the parks remain open. Could Disney World or Disneyland Resort close once again? ©Disney As a note, closures at the international theme parks do not necessarily indicate Disney’s intentions to close the parks. Hong Kong Disneyland is partially owned by the Hong Kong government, Shanghai Disney is partially owned by the Chinese government, and Tokyo Disneyland is owned by Oriental Land Company. These differences in ownership can mean differing responses to health concerns and the closures of the theme parks. According to the Orange County Register, “Disney’s theme parks in Hong Kong and Shanghai have faced much stricter COVID-19 restrictions than the parks at the Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts. The sharp contrast in COVID-19 restrictions largely has to do with the approaches taken by local governments.” In a recent earnings call, Disney CEO Bob Chapek said that he wasn’t concerned about the Delta Variant impacting the parks or causing them to close. Instead, if case numbers continue to grow, it’s more likely that Disney will bring back some of the old health and safety measures. In fact, we saw this in particular when Disney reintroduced indoor mask requirements. Cast Member reminding guests of the new rules. Even though bringing back mask requirements is a relatively simple change, it would be much more complicated to increase capacity limits and social distancing. However, even making these changes (if necessary) wouldn’t cost Disney as much as it would cost to close the parks again. It took the Disney Parks division five quarters to turn a profit again, and they haven’t been able to make up the deficit yet. Disney doesn’t want to close down again! So looking at all of this together, Disney will likely do whatever they can to keep the parks open, but guest safety is the priority. Disney may make the call to close the parks once again if health measures are deemed insufficient to keep guests and Cast Members safe. That said, there has been a significant spike in cases in the time since the parks reopened, yet none of the domestic parks have closed again or seen much change in terms of protocols. Many scientists foresee the future of the COVID pandemic shifting to more of an endemic — meaning it’s still very much here, but it’s more manageable as a population. We’re not there yet, but a number of scientists feel it’s closer than we think. Time will tell, but given what we’ve seen in the past year and a half in Disney World, it seems reasonable to think it would take a pretty significant event to re-close the parks at this point. We’ll make sure to keep you updated on any health and safety changes, so stay tuned to DFB as we follow along with all the pandemic and travel news. Here’s what still hasn’t returned to Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post Could Disney World Close Again Due to COVID-19? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Your choice in Disney bag can say a lot about you as a person. There Are Lots Here! Whether you’re into Kate Spade classics or offbeat Loungeflys, it’s important to have the right Disney bag, especially when it comes to the parks. Thankfully, Danielle Nicole has put out some AMAZING bags in the past, like these precious Pooh bags, and this Cruella bag, so you’ll never have to be caught without a stellar bag. Their next bag is almost here, and it’s a SCREAM! This isn’t a 2319! Toda, Danielle Nicole will be releasing this Monsters, Inc. Scream Tank Crossbody! If you’ve ever dreamed about turning an iconic Monsters, Inc. prop into an accessory, today is your lucky day! This bag goes on sale today and is perfect for the Pixar fan with a funny bone who needs somewhere to store all of their laugh power. Or like, a water bottle, wallet, keys, phone, etc, (boring stuff.) Make sure you snag this bag and check out Danielle Nicole’s other handbags here! We’re always staying up to date on all of the latest Disney news, so stay tuned to DFB for more! Look at the fun SCREAM Canister you can get in Disney World here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you gonna get the Danielle Nicole Scream Tank Crossbody? Let us know in the comments! The post The Latest Danielle Nicole Disney Bag Is a Total SCREAM first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Every once in a while, the rides and attractions in Disney World may experience a temporary downtime. These downtimes can occur for a number of reasons, and they are often quite brief and don’t cause any major disruptions to the ride’s operations. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Brief technical hiccups are bound to happen, and from time to time, you may find yourself ON the ride when those hiccups occur! That’s exactly what happened today to our reader Lisa F., who reached out to us on Facebook to share her experience on Dinosaur! Dinosaur According to Lisa, their Time Rover temporarily paused while they were in the middle of the ride. Lisa told us that “We just got stuck on Dinosaur for about 10 minutes, lights on, and some lovely engineers came to fix our car so we could keep going!” Photo Credit: Lisa F. It’s not every day you get to see a ride with the lights on! It gives you a neat opportunity to get a small glimpse into a “behind the scenes” moment at how the magic is made in Disney World! Photo Credit: Lisa F. Though if you ask us, it was pretty lousy luck to be stuck RIGHT next to the Carnotaurus. Personally, we would prefer to be stuck next to a cuter, friendlier dino — even if it looks like the Carnotaurus is just taking a nap. Photo Credit: Lisa F. No evacuation was necessary and it sounds like the ride was up and running in just a few minutes! Thanks, Lisa for sending in these awesome photos! We’ll continue to bring you the latest news and updates from around Disney World, so make sure you’re following along. Click here for some of the best and worst lines to be stuck in 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. Have you ever been stuck on a ride in Disney World to the point where the lights were turned on? Did you need to be evacuated? Share your experience in the comments! The post PHOTOS: See Dinosaur With the LIGHTS ON in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Let’s face it — sometimes Disney World can get crowded — busy days happen. How do you handle a busy day at Disney World? But how you navigate those days could determine how your day goes. And yes, although it can be frustrating when Disney World is busy, there are ways you can keep from letting a busy day ruin your magical vacation. So here are our tips — or life hacks, if you will — to help you get through the busiest day at Disney World! 1. Plan as much as you can in advance The best thing you can do to avoid a LOT of frustration during a busy day at Disney World is to plan ahead. Get that hotel booked as soon as you can. Get those must-have dining reservations as early as you can (preferably at the 60-day mark before the start of your trip). Make those park pass reservations. © Disney Doing all of this as early as possible will make sure that you get to stay where you want to stay, eat where you want to eat, and get to each park when you want to get to it. Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Advance Dining Reservations 2. Understand you might not be able to do everything Even if the crowds are light during your trip, you’ll need to understand that there is no way it’s humanly possible to do everything at Disney World in a normal trip. There’s just TOO much. So keep a small list of priorities (especially with rides, experiences, and dining) and focus on those. Be sure to break it down PER PERSON in your group. While one might want to drink around the World in EPCOT, another might be all about tackling thrill rides. Gotta make sure you carve out time for EVERYONE in your crew. That means anything else you get to do beyond your list is extra bonus icing on the cake (and you know how much we love icing, here!). If Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is at the top of your list, make it your priority You’ll also want to learn to use the My Disney Experience app and Disney Genie to help you plan your days. (And, take it from us, you’re gonna want a crash course in Genie BEFORE it’s 7AM the day of, and you’re staring at your phone confused and mad!)And if there are rides or experiences you HAVE to do, you can always pay an upcharge of $15 per day for Disney Genie+ to book Lighting Lane passes to skip the long lines. AND you can do that with certain premium individual attractions, too, for an additional cost. Here’s the Difference Between Disney Genie+ and Pay-Per-Ride? 3. Plan extra time to do everything When Disney World is busy, EVERYTHING is going to take longer to do — that includes rides, taking Disney transportation, and even walking from one part of a park to another. Make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to get to your planned destinations, whether that’s Lightning Lane pass rides, dining reservations, or something else. Lightning Lane could save you time This also falls under the rule to not over plan your day — under plan and assume that everything on your list will take more time than normal on a busy day. This will also help you have some buffer time built into your schedule to enjoy some of those magical Disney “extras” like if you happen to stumble across some Streetmosphere (AKA characters or performers out and about) or a Character Cavalcade. That way you can pause and enjoy it, instead of having to rush past it in an anxiety-driven dash to meet your next scheduled attraction or reservation. Disney World Planning Advice We IGNORE. 4. Keep your expectations low Hey, we get it — you’re spending a lot of money and time planning the perfect Disney World vacation, and well, your expectations are likely to be VERY high. This is YOUR vacation, after all! It should be PERFECT, right? Weeeeell…it should, but that’s not how life typically plays out. We recommend dialing those expectations down a notch so that you’re not disappointed if your trip doesn’t meet every single one of those lofty expecations. Disney World is full of magical moments — don’t let your expectations ruin them A busy day means you’ll get to do less, but it doesn’t mean that your Disney World trip will be any less magical. Magic is everywhere at Disney World, especially when you’re not looking for it, and yes, it’s even there on a busy day. It might rain, or an attraction might go down for maintenance, but just because your Disney trip isn’t exactly how you envisioned it doesn’t make it any less memorable. Control what you actually can control and just go with the rest. Just keep a positive outlook and remember that even vacation snags can turn into lifelong memories! Read This Before You Stay at a Disney World Hotel in 2022 5. Rope drop Okay, we know that some of you are NOT morning people, but at Disney World, the early bird really is the one to catch the worm…or in this case, the one that gets to do more stuff at Disney World. Be at the parks as early as you can (and depending on what hotel you’re staying at, that could be an extra 30 minutes before the park opens). And as soon as that rope drops (figuratively speaking!), start knocking off the to-do stuff on your priorities list. Disney’s All Star Movies Resort You’ll be amazed at how much you can get done if you get to the parks early. And then that leaves you with the rest of the day to do stuff you hadn’t even planned for or revisit some of those favorite attractions or shows for a second (or even third!) time. Plus, if you’re looking for hard-to-score individual attraction selections or Genie+ Lightning Lanes, you’ll want to be up and at’em! These Hotels Will GUARANTEE You More Park Time in Disney World 6. Use Disney Genie+ We know, we know — the whole idea of Disney Genie+ is controversial for many of you, but on a busy day, the $15 price tag could very well be worth it. Crowded days mean long lines, and if paying $15 per person, per day can help you skip spending your day standing in line, well, Disney Genie+ could be worth the upcharge. ©Disney We’re not telling you that you HAVE to pay for Disney Genie+ or even fork out more $$$ for individual attraction selections, but if your priority attractions have super long lines and you don’t want to wait in them, that’s probably your best bet. But again — we seriously recommend learning e-ver-y-thing you can about navigating and using the service beforehand to save yourself MASSIVE headaches later on. Here Are The Answers to ALL of Your Burning Questions About Disney Genie 7. Ride more underrated attractions There are SO many attractions at Disney World that are underrated, and you know what? These are usually the attractions with the shortest lines. On a busy day, take advantage of these underrated attractions and enjoy something you might not normally experience at Disney World. Walt Disney Presents is SO underrated! If you’ve never checked out Walt Disney Presents over in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it’s time to do so. And what about the relaxing boat ride that is Living With the Land in EPCOT? Or maybe you want to enjoy some air conditioning and check out MuppetVision 3D in Hollywood Studios? And don’t forget you can get some amazing views of Magic Kingdom from the Liberty Square Riverboat. Hit up those attractions with the short lines — You might just discover a new favorite! Did Your Pick Make the List? The Most Overrated and Underrated Attractions at Disney World According to YOU! 8. Use Mobile Order During Off Times You might think that using Mobile Order to get your quick service meals at Disney World would save time, but on busy days, it could actually take up a LOT of time because everyone’s doing the same thing. So the best thing you can do is order your meals with Mobile Order at times that are between normal lunch and dinner hours. Mobile order your food earlier or later than normal for faster turnaround times This could make the difference between waiting an hour or longer for your food or waiting just a few minutes. You can still schedule your order for when you would normally eat lunch or dinner, but getting that order in early means your food gets prepared faster than those who waited until later to put their orders in. Here’s The Harsh Reality Behind Mobile Ordering in Disney World 9. Be flexible There’s a good chance that a lot of things just might not go according to plan on a busy day at Disney World. And you know what? That’s okay! And you have to tell yourself that’s okay — prepare for that and be flexible to make alternate plans on the fly. Be flexible and the crowds won’t even bother you! Who knows? By being flexible, you might just find a new activity or attraction that you’ve never experienced before and end up having even MORE fun than you would have had otherwise. Let’s remember the crazy crowds we saw on the 50th Anniversary in Disney World 10. Ride attractions at select times What if we told you that if you ride attractions at certain times at Disney World, you’ll have less of a line to stand in? One of the best times to hop on a ride is during fireworks! While everyone is packed in tight on Main Street, U.S.A., and in front of Cinderella Castle, you could be walking onto Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and enjoying the fireworks view ON the ride! Ride this DURING the fireworks — you get a show AND a ride! Key with this technique is considering when the masses will likely NOT be interested in riding. That means early morning and late evening, especially right before the parks close. A great time to hop in line for a ride is just before park close — as long as you’re in line at the time the park closes, you will be able to ride. This also gives you a little extra time to avoid the crowds exiting the park all at the same time. Here’s A FULL LIST of the Thrill Rides in Disney World! 11. Take a break If the crowds just get to be unbearable, take a midday break and go back to your hotel. You could use this time to get in a quick power nap or hit the pool, and it gives you a chance to get away from all the noise and people. Or you could even take some quiet time to explore the resort while everyone else is at the parks. If you’re staying on property, you likely shelled out some $$$ to be at a Disney hotel so get some of your money’s worth of the experience with time at the resort! Hit the hotel pool for a break! A midday break will not only leave you feeling refreshed, but it will also get you relaxed again and ready to tackle the parks again later (after some of the crowds have dispersed!). Here Are The BEST of the BEST Disney World Pools, According to You! 12. Be nice to Cast Members One of the best things you can do on a busy day at Disney World is being nice to Cast Members. Well, OK you should be nice to Cast Members on any day that ends in “y” really!!! Crowded days stress everyone out, and Cast Members probably feel it more than others — so take the time to tell a Cast Member “thank you” when you can and offer them a smile, even if you yourself are feeling frustrated. Always be nice to Cast Members Cast Members go out of their way to make everyone’s trip to Disney World magical, and it’s just a simple thing to be nice to pay the magic right back to them. After all, it costs nothing to be kind. Here Are The BEST Ways To Show Cast Members You Appreciate Them! Bonus Tip: Be on the lookout for multiple lines Sometimes, at park entrances and quick service restaurants, there could be multiple lines. Look closely at the registers and tapstalls and you’ll see that there is usually an option to be served on the right and left side of the register or tapstall. Flame Tree Barbecue Feel free to move over to the side with the shorter (or sometimes NO line!), it’s not cutting! If you want to be super friendly to your fellow guests, you can point this out to them as well, and evenly distribute the lines to all open windows. This little observation can help you save some of that precious time in your day for more enjoyable things other than waiting in line! 9,000 Fans Rank Every Quick Service Restaurant in EPCOT So although you might end up at Disney World on a busy day, we hope these tips will help you navigate it and adjust your perspective in such a way that you still have a great trip! And we’ll continue to share all our best tips and tricks, so please stay tuned! 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 best tip for dealing with Disney World on a busy day? Let us know in the comments! The post 12 Disney World LIFE Hacks for the Busiest Days first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has had the cruise industry subject to special sailing orders to battle COVID-19 since March 2020. First it was a no-sail order, which then shifted to a conditional sail order. That order is set to expire Saturday. View the full article

Walt Disney’s plane, grounded for years at Disney World, will be restored and displayed at D23 Expo 2022. View the full article

Camping is on the rise across the United States, with Recreation.gov tallying 3.3 million camping reservations in 2020, up by more than two-thirds from five years prior. This comes from a research report from Outdoorsy, an online marketplace allowing RV owners to rent their homes on wheels to campers. View the full article

A new year brings new milestones and more conservation efforts for our white rhinos! Today Mylo, our 4-month-old rhino, joined his 1-year-old half-brother Ranger and the rest of the “crash” (a rhino herd) on the savanna at Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.View the full article

If you’re looking for a delicious snack or dessert but don’t have a Disney World park ticket, Disney Springs is the place for you. Disney Springs This shopping and dining center actually has some of the best food in all of Disney World, parks included. We love the fried chicken at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, the half-pound cookies at Gideon’s Bakehouse, and the melty cheese paired with wine at Wine Bar George. Today, we’re looking for a lighter treat in Disney Springs, and we think we found the perfect one. Vivoli il Gelato serves up a variety of gelato and sorbetto flavors, along with milkshakes, floats, and special treats. While we haven’t been fans of every treat at this spot, it has definitely has had some winners in the past. Vivoli il Gelato Today, we’re trying the new Rosé Sangria, which is a sangria rosé containing strawberry sorbetto, orange gelato, SanPellegrino limonata, and Terre Di Bacco Rosé Prosecco. There’s a candy orange slice on top as the garnish. Rosé Sangria Isn’t she pretty? The bright colors definitely give us summer vibes, which might be exactly what guests are looking for if they’ve escaped to Orlando in mid-January. The orange gelato isn’t mixed into the drink. Rather, there’s a full scoop of it plopped inside, which makes this more of a float! We thought this drink was really tasty. There wasn’t a strong Rosé flavor because there were so many other flavors mixed in. Orange garnish It reminded us a little bit of the beer floats we’ve had here in the past, only with Prosecco flavors instead. We didn’t really notice the alcohol flavor at all. It mostly tasted like a sweet gelato float. Our only problem with it was that it was a little pricey for the amount you get. This drink costs $17.04, and it didn’t take us very long to finish it. The orange gelato floats to the top after a minute But if you love Prosecco or are interested in trying a lighter alcoholic float, head down to Vivoli il Gelato to get the Rosé Sangria. And keep following DFB for more reviews of the newest treats in Disney World. Click Here to Find Out What Else is New in Disney Springs 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 try the new Rosé Sangria? Let us know in the comments. The post You'll Basically Be Sipping Summer with Disney World's Newest Drink! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney Cruise Line has been updating their health and safety procedures since cruising resumed after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Disney Dream Perhaps the biggest update came when Disney Cruise Line began requiring that all guests who are vaccine eligible based on age be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to sail. Back in November, the CDC approved the use of the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 and up. In response to this updated guidance, Disney Cruise Line adjusted their vaccine policy to include this age group. At the time, Disney announced that their latest vaccine requirements would go into effect on January 13th. Disney Dream That means that as of today, January 13th, all guests who are vaccine eligible based on age (which as of this writing is ages 5 and up) must now be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of sailing. The Disney Cruise Line website now reflects this change. ©Disney Cruise Line You can visit the Disney Cruise Line website or check out the image below to review their definition of “fully vaccinated.” ©Disney Cruise Line Before today, guests ages 5 through 11 could “provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken between 3 days and 24 hours of their sail date” instead of providing proof of vaccination. However, a negative COVID-19 test will no longer be sufficient for this age group, and guests ages 5 through 11 must now be fully vaccinated, along with all guests ages 12 and above. Guests ages 4 and younger will still need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test for all upcoming cruises. Disney Fantasy atrium We’ll continue to keep a close watch on the latest health and safety measurements from Disney Cruise Line. If you have an upcoming sailing, be sure to follow along to keep with all of the news and announcements. Click Here to Learn About the NEW Year-Round Port that Some Disney Cruises Will Depart From 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 an upcoming trip with Disney Cruise Line? Let us know in the comments! The post COVID-19 Vaccines Now Required for Guests Ages 5 and Up on Disney Cruise Line first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Hey, DFB friends! It’s time for another round of what’s new at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Hollywood Studios In addition to the price increases throughout Disney World, we also saw the return of some fan-favorite treats, and we even learned some fun Disney World trivia! Check it all out here. Hollywood Studios Food Updates Trolley Car Cafe The Carrot Cake Cookie and Peanut Butter Crunch Cupcake are back at Trolley Car Cafe. Just be aware that the fan-favorite Carrot Cake Cookie got a price increase, jumping from $3.99 to $4.99. The giant cookie is made with sweet cream cheese frosting sandwiched between two carrot cake cookies. IT’S BACK! And the Peanut Butter Crunch Cupcake, which is a chocolate cupcake topped with peanut butter buttercream frosting and covered with a peanut butter candy shell, along with two chocolate Mickey ears, is back for $5.29. So cute! You can visit Trolley Car Cafe to grab these two delicious treats! Read more about the return of these two Disney World treats here! Hollywood Studios Construction Updates On one visit we noticed some construction happening in the Woody’s Lunch Box seating area. There were some planter barriers… Woody’s Lunchbox Construction …as well as some other green tarps covering a part of the seating area. Woody’s Lunchbox Construction Disney hasn’t specifically made any announcements about what’s going on here, but we’ll be keeping an eye out for more developments! Hollywood Studios Merchandise Updates Darkroom At the Darkroom, we found new Ultimate Princess Collection Pins for $34.99 each! There are three Disney Princesses currently available, including… New Princess Pins …Princess Jasmine… Jasmine …Princess Ariel… Ariel …and Pocahontas. Each pin comes with a window that opens up! Pocahontas There was also a new Disney World Annual Passholder Liberty Belle Pin for $19.99, featuring a scene of the Liberty Belle. Liberty Belle Pin Let’s check out the next store! Mickey’s of Hollywood At Mickey’s of Hollywood, there was a new Moana Animators’ Collection Doll Set, including baby Moana and her besties Pua and Hei Hei, as well as the sea turtle she saved from the beach! Moana Doll Set There were some restocked nuiMOs Halloween outfits, as well as some new nuiMOs outfits, like this sweater and hat… nuiMO Outfit …this trench coat and shiny pants… nuiMO Outfit …and this hat and coat outfit! nuiMO Outfit These nuiMOs outfits cost $12.99 each. Rock Around the Shop At Rock Around the Shop there was a new Mickey Camouflage PopSocket. Camouflage PopSocket Disney PopSockets generally cost around $14.99 (though some can go for MUCH more!). Once Upon a Time This teeny Snow White Wishable arrived at Once Upon a Time for $14.99! Snow White Wishable There was also some new Disney jewelry in this spot, like this set of Minnie Ear Headband Necklaces for $29.99… Minnie Ear Necklaces …and this set of Mickey Necklaces for $29.99. More new necklaces There was also this adorable new Minnie Donut Ear Trio of Necklaces for $19.99. Minnie Donut Necklaces Now what about new Marvel and Star Wars merchandise? Keystone Clothiers At Keystone Clothiers, there was a new Spider-Man Bottle for $14.99. Spider-Man Bottle There was also a new Ned from Spider-Man Funko Pop! SO cute. Ned Funko Pop And the 3rd Series of the Bounty Collection Grogu Toys have arrived! There are seven different versions, so you’ll have to decide which one you like best (or you can just snatch them all up)! Bounty Collection Grogu Toys Some of us are partial to the Grogu who is using the Force. Celebrity 5 & 10 At Celebrity 5 & 10, the A Portrait of Walt Disney World book has returned! We’ve seen this book go in and out of stock on Amazon, so this would be a good chance to grab a copy for yourself! Portrait of Walt Disney World We also found a cute new Minnie Mug for $14.99. It’s clear with Minnie on one side and says “all about the bow” on the other side. Minnie Mug Let’s head to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! Droid Depot When we last checked, Droid Depot ran out of boxes for droids being built as part of the experience there, so they were putting droids in plastic bags. Droids in bags Normally, built droids are given in special boxes. It seems like this could be a supply chain related issue, but we’ll keep an eye out for more updates. It reminds us a lot of the situation that’s going on over at Savi’s Workshop where lightsabers are also being placed in plastic bags as opposed to the carrying cases. Creatures Stall Over at the Creature Stall, in the shopping area of Galaxy’s Edge, they still had boxes for creatures “adopted” by guests. Creature boxes These boxes are different, however, from the droid boxes. Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities Dok-Ondar’s is still out of legacy lightsabers, but they had plenty of Jedi Holocrons. Jedi Holocrons They also had Lightsaber Bags in stock for $49.99 each. Lightsaber bags We noticed a Royalty Wig (a.k.a. a Princess Leia wig) was also being sold in round boxes for $29.99. Princess Leia wig The boxes are really nice! If you have dreams of being Princess Leia, you might want to snatch up a wig for yourself. Princess Leia wig Next should we head to…the Dark Side? First Order Cargo First Order Cargo had a new white First Order Sleeveless Top for $34.99. It says “Protect the Galaxy, First Order.” First Order Tank There was also a flowy white First Order Shirt for $36.99, and it had a colorful Stormtrooper helmet silhouette on the chest. Stormtrooper Shirt Now, let’s see what’s up in the Black Spire Outpost. Black Spire Outpost Black Spire Outpost had a Branded Graphic T-Shirt for $24.99… New Shirt …and a Branded Zip-Front Hoodie for $49.99. Zip-Front Hoodie Now let’s head to Tatooine Traders! Tatooine Traders Tatooine Traders had a new Mandalorian Hat for $34.99. It looks like a Mandalorian helmet which is really cool! Mandalorian Hat We also found a truly iconic new Star Wars Spirit Jersey for $74.99. Along with all the beautiful stars, the back of the spirit jersey says, “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…”. Star Wars Spirit Jersey It’s not yet available online, but we’ll be on the lookout! Check out more photos of the new Star Wars Spirit Jersey here! Majestic At the Majestic, there was a bright pink Cheshire Cat Puffer Jacket for $59.99. See if you can spot both Alice and the Cheshire Cat! Cheshire Puffer Jacket Next up is our final merchandise stop in Hollywood Studios! Tower Hotel Gifts Tower Hotel Gifts had a Hollywood Tower Hotel Keychain for $14.99. You can pretend you have a key to your Hollywood Tower Hotel room! Hollywood Tower Hotel Keychain Now let’s check out some fun news. Hollywood Studios Various Updates During a recent trip we chatted with Cast Members Ada and Sahar about their costumes. Did you know that their outfits are based on an outfit Lillian Disney wore on one of her first dates with Walt? Lillian reportedly loved polka dots (which is why Minnie wears polka dots!) and these costumes are worn on the streets of Hollywood, representative of where Walt and Lillian met. If you ever want to know more about a Cast Member’s costume, be sure to ask them! Gorgeous gorgeous Cast Members And that’s all the news from Hollywood Studios this week! Keep reading DFB for all your Disney World updates, from merchandise to food and beyond! The secret spot to get princess makeovers 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. Are you at Hollywood Studios this week? Tell us in the comments! The post What's New in Hollywood Studios: Fun Disney Trivia and More Supply Chain Issues first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A Delta gate employee informed the flight crew of the three passengers’ state, and a flight crew member and the captain of the flight determined that the trio would not be allowed to board, according to court papers filed by prosecutors. Soon afterward, the women assaulted a Delta gate employee and a security guard, prosecutors said. 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. Are you scratching your head, wondering what to buy that special someone for Valentine’s Day? Mickey and Minnie Finding that unique and thoughtful gift can be a challenge, but we’re here to help with some fun ideas that could be perfect for the Disney fan in your life! Funko Pop! has a unique Valentine’s Day collection that is available for pre-order right now. This latest series includes characters from the last season of The Mandalorian all decked out for Valentine’s Day. ©Funko Mando, the Mandalorian himself, is holding a valentine for his little buddy, Grogu. ©Funko Seriously, how adorable is THAT?!?! You can grab this special Funko Pop! figure for $11.99. Click here to Pre-Order the Valentine’s Day Mando! Grogu is already getting into his Valentine’s Day treats! ©Funko Looks like he’s had enough of those blue macarons and has moved on to heart-shaped snacks instead! You can bring home the Baby Yoda figure for $11.99. Pre-Order Valentine’s Day Grogu by clicking here! Ahsoka Tano is a fierce Jedi warrior, but she’s looking pretty sweet with this heart-shaped box of chocolates. ©Funko If you’ve got a loved one who is a big Ahsoka fan, this could be THE perfect gift for them. Bring it home for $11.99. Pre-Order Valentine’s Day Ahsoka Tano here! And Master Jedi Luke Skywalker is ready to take little Grogu under his wing and celebrate the holiday with him. ©Funko Seriously, they’re even holding a little chain of hearts between them. It’s too adorable to handle. You can pre-order this figure for $11.99. Pre-Order Valentine Luke Skywalker by clicking here! You can grab your favorite or pre-order all 4 for $11.99 each. Just keep in mind that these figures WON’T make it in time for Valentine’s Day. They are set to be released in March of April of 2022, so you’ll just have to let your loved one know that their gift is on the way! You can venture out of The Mandalorian timeline and pick up some characters from the Dark Side, like a Stormtrooper…with a box shaped like a heart? ©Funko Seems like even the Dark Side likes to celebrate the holiday of love. You can get this figure for $11.99. Note it says that this figure is restocking soon. Click here to Pre-Order Valentine Stormtrooper! And the ultimate threat to the galaxy, Darth Vader, is ready to share in some love this holiday. ©Funko Note that this figure is also “restocking soon” according to the website. You can add him to your cart and bring him home for $11.99. Pre-Order Valentines Darth Vader here! Star Wars isn’t the only universe getting some special Valentine’s Day attention from Funko Pop! If you’re more into the classic Disney characters, check out the cute Popsie series which displays secret messages when you press the bow. These are all available at Walmart. Collect classic couples like Mickey and Minnie for $7 each. ©Funko The more macabre couple from Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas, Jack Skellington and Sally, are also $7 each. ©Funko Or you can grab the fairytale couple from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Beast and Belle, for $7 each. ©Funko And if your want to express your creativity on Valentine’s Day, why not pick up the Do-It-Yourself Funko Pop! Mickey and Minnie you can color or paint yourself. Sometimes the best gifts are an expression from the heart! ©Funko Valentine’s Day will be here before you know it, so be sure to grab the pre-order for these gifts, now! We’re always keeping up with all the latest Disney news, from the smallest Funko to the biggest bombshells, so stay tuned here for more! PHOTOS: A RARE 50th Anniversary Collectible Appears 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 do you think about these new Funkos? Let us know in the comments! The post Need a Unique Disney-Themed Valentine's Day Gift? We've Got You Covered! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Of all the Disney World theme parks, there’s no doubt that EPCOT is the one you’ll want to visit this week. There’s an excitement in the air that can only mean one thing: it’s almost festival time once again! EPCOT While the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is set to kick off tomorrow, there’s still plenty of other exciting things to see and do around the park. Let’s dive in and see what’s new! EPCOT International Festival of the Arts Updates The most exciting updates this week are all of the preparations for the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts! It’s almost time for the EPCOT Festival of the Arts! We spotted decorations starting to appear around the park, including signage at the front of EPCOT… The decorations this year are as colorful as always! …as well as the entrance to World Showcase! We LOVE this display! We also noticed that some of the chalk art has started to appear around the park! Chalk artists hard at work! Various chalk versions Disney characters that you can spot around World Showcase (as part of the Chalk Full of Character offering) have also arrived ahead of the first day of the Festival. Dante The menus and prices have started to appear around the food booths as well! It’s time to start coming up with the list of items you’ll want to order! 2022 Menu for Pop Eats! Be sure to follow along tomorrow, January 14th for ALL of the coverage from the first day of the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts! Click here to take a look at the menus from this year’s Festival of the Arts! EPCOT General Updates We also have a PAINT update to share from Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind! Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind The ride is set to open sometime this summer, and work has been underway on the ride building’s exterior. It looks so sleek and futuristic. The new paint colors have now stretched to on-stage areas of the park where guests can walk by! We cannot wait for this ride to open! We’ll continue to keep an eye on the construction progress happening over at this highly-anticipated ride! Click here to read about more of the details from Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind! EPCOT Merchandise Updates Creations Shop We found a few new items at Creations Shop on a recent visit. First up we found this cute pair of blue Leggings for $39.99! The design includes Cinderella Castle, the signature “D” from the Walt Disney logo, and “Walt Disney World” written across the top. We would totally rock these in the gym. Those leggings would match this Disney World Sweatshirt perfectly! The sweatshirt is in a pink and blue color scheme that would make Princess Aurora super jealous. It retails for $44.99. So cozy and cute! Creations Shop is where you’ll find a lot of the latest Disney World souvenirs, so be sure to make this one of your stops on your next trip to EPCOT. Canada Pavilion We HAD to share this final piece of merchandise we spotted in EPCOT on our recent visit. Over in the Canada Pavilion, we found a sleep shirt for $31.99 that is covered in all types of PIE! Pie shirt alert! On the shirt it says, “You want a piece of me?” (The answer is yes, pie. Yes we would like a piece of every different kind.). We would like ALL of the pie, please. If you need us, we’ll be trying to figure out a way to make the pie on this shirt come to life so we can eat it. Heading to EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts soon? Don’t sleep on these returning menu items! That’s it from EPCOT! We’ll be back tomorrow with our coverage of the Festival of the Arts, so be sure to follow along for reviews of EVERY food and drink item, plus coverage of everything there is to see and do! Check back often for other reports from the parks, resorts, and Disney Springs ahead of your next Disney World vacation. Click here to read what’s new in Magic Kingdom! Want to Learn MORE About the 2022 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts? Click Here to See WHEN the Festival of the Arts Will Take Place in 2022 The Disney on Broadway Concert Series is Coming Back to the Festival of the Arts -- Learn More Here See the 9 Things That Are CONFIRMED to Return to the 2022 Festival of the Arts Check Out Our Live Coverage of Opening Day from the 2021 Festival of the Arts! See Our FULL Reviews of EVERY Food Studio from the 2021 Festival of the Arts Check Out All the 2021 Festival of the Arts Merchandise Here! 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! Are you planning on attending this year’s Festival of the Arts? Let us know in the comments! The post What's New at EPCOT: Festival of the Arts Menus and Decorations, Plus a Guardians of the Galaxy Construction Update! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Here at Disney Food Blog we’re about ALL things Disney, but we’re especially all about the Disney FOOD (it is in our name after all!). Disney Springs We’ve tried it all — from space foods at EPCOT’s Space 220 to all kinds of Mickey waffles. And the beautiful thing about Disney World is that there’s almost always some new food to try! Today we’re bringing you all of our thoughts about a NEW sweet treat we found at Disney Springs! We recently stopped by Vivoli il Gelato in Disney Springs to try their newest milkshake — Carver’s Peanut Butter Explosion! Carver’s Peanut Butter Explosion Milkshake at Vivoli il Gelato This new delight is made with peanut butter gelato and chocolate sauce… Our mouths are watering! …and it has a layer of whipped cream with crushed peanuts on top. Oh, and in case you DIDN’T notice, there’s also a WHOLE chocolate peanut butter cake on top! Disney heard you like cakes with your shakes The milkshake was very peanut buttery, but it was the cake that topped it all off (literally). The chocolate peanut butter cake was REALLY good! If you love chocolate and peanut butter, this is probably going to be your JAM. If, on the other hand, you prefer treats that have a more fruit-based flavor or you’re not really into peanut butter or chocolate, this is probably going to be a skip for you. Guests on a tight budget or who are just getting a single treat for themselves might also want to think cautiously about this one because it is pretty large and pricey. Chocolate peanut butter cake This dessert would be great to share among a couple of people. You might need another set of hands because we found it to be a bit hard to maneuver by ourselves. It can be a bit unwieldy and sort-of unstable with the chocolate cake on top. Definitely a potential drop hazard! You’ll probably want to sit down somewhere to cautiously disassemble this treat for easier eating. We’ll take twelve Overall, we really enjoyed this limited edition sweet treat. It’s pretty pricey at $19.96. It is essentially 2 treats in 1, but it’s still expensive, especially in comparison to other Disney ice cream treats. It is more expensive though than the specialty shakes like the Mickey Confetti Shake or the Chocolate Brownie Shake over at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop (both of those are $15 each). These sort of follow that 2-desserts-in-1 theme but are a little less expensive. Mickey Confetti Milkshake You could also get an entire Fudge Mud Slide ($12)… Oh MY …or (one of our faves) the No Way Jose ($11) both at Beaches & Cream for CHEAPER than this new snack. No Way Jose If you’re in Disney Springs and willing to spend the cash for this treat, it can be a good one for chocolate and peanut butter lovers, but it’s not cheap. If you’re looking for a slightly better value, then a spot like Beaches & Cream might be one to check out for some DELICIOUS ice cream creations. Be sure to check back here for all the latest Disney snack news! There’s a Secret Spot to Get Princess Makeovers 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. Are you making a trip to Disney Springs for this new treat? Let us know in the comments! The post Review: Disney World's Latest Treat is 2-in-1, But Is it Worth the Cost? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

As a cool, winter breeze filled the air at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney trivia superfans gathered once again for the return of Goofy’s Mystery Tour, an after-hours park event just for our cast! For decades, cast members have enjoyed this Goofy event battling time machines, studio mysteries and happy haunts. This year, our […]View the full article

We’re back at Disney World, doing what we do — checking out all the food, fun, and more to bring you the information you need to know for your upcoming trips! Welcome to Main Street, U.S.A.! We’re also checking out all the new merchandise in the shops and making sure you stay updated on all the latest happenings in the Most Magical Place on Earth. And now, we’re heading to Magic Kingdom, so come join us to see what’s new! Magic Kingdom Food Updates Cheshire Cafe Cheshire Cafe is still closed. This spot tends to close seasonally, but it was set to get a new 50th Anniversary slush a few days ago so it’s quite interesting to see it closed at the moment. Still Closed We’ll let you know if it reopens! Here’s Why Some Spots May Be Closed in Disney World Magic Kingdom Merchandise Updates Emporium We spotted THREE new Star Wars Mission Fleet toys, including the Outland Tie Fighter… It’s a Tie Fighter …the Jedi Starfighter… It’s Obi-Wan! …and the Gauntlet Starfighter. These toys are $19.99 each. Gauntlet Starfighter New 50th Anniversary gear keeps popping up and we just found EVEN MORE like this White 50th Anniversary Mickey Sweatshirt for $44.99. The BIG 5-0! If you’ve got kids that love Frozen, they’re probably going to really like this Beaded Frozen Bracelet. Frozen bracelet We also discovered that the Snow White Wishables Plush is here. So if you’re collecting all those Princess Wishables, now you know where to find this princess! It’s Snow White! You can grab Snow White for $14.99. Disney World’s Latest Spirit Jersey is Truly ICONIC — See Photos! Tomorrowland Light & Power Co. Although Christmas is over, you can still get plenty of ornaments for your 2022 tree, like this Grogu Sketchbook Ornament. Baby Yoda Look at him — he’s just cruising along in his pram! A NEW Celebrity Margarita is Coming to Disney World! Check It Out Here! Bonjour! Village Gifts If you love to collect Haunted Mansion things, you may very well need to add the Haunted Mansion Light-Up Miniature Model to your collection. It’s not new, but we were glad to see that it was available for Haunted Mansion fans to snatch up. There’s always room for one more But it will cost you — this model is $400. Should You Cancel Your Disney World Trip This Year? Click Here To Find Out. Uptown Jewelers There’s an adorable new Pandora Autograph Book Charm. It looks just like a Disney autograph book… It’s a tiny autograph book! …and it opens up! It features some pages with the characters’ signatures. And it’s got signatures in it! This charm is $80. Here Are The Pros and Cons of Staying at a Disney World Moderate Resort Crystal Arts Look at these three beautiful Disney World Trinket Boxes. You could store items in here or just use them as decoration. SO pretty If you want one, though, it will cost you — these boxes are $275 each. Here’s Why Disney World’s Price Increases Might Be a CLUE About Future Dining Plan News Star Traders Sure, this looks like a regular old Bandana Print Sweatshirt… Red bandana sweatshirt …but if you look closer, you’ll see hidden Sebastians in the print! This sweatshirt is $54.99. Hidden Sebastians And you can also get matching sweatpants for $44.99. It even has matching sweatpants We also found a new Mickey and Minnie Sweatshirt. Mickey and Minnie! You can grab this sweatshirt for $44.99. Does This Mean Magic Kingdom’s NEW Character Cavalcade Could Be Debuting Soon?! Those are all the updates we have for now, but we’ll be back soon with even more! Check back with us for all the latest updates. 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 Magic Kingdom recently? Let us know in the comments! The post What's New in Magic Kingdom: A CLOSED Snack Spot and an Item With a HIDDEN Character! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Have you ever wondered what happens to all the holiday decorations around Disney World once the season ends? Where do the giant Christmas trees go? And all the garland? If a Christmas tree falls in Walt Disney World… Well today we’re bringing you a behind-the-scenes look at how one ICONIC Disney holiday decoration is RECYCLED once the holiday happenings have ended! Disney World does A LOT of things well, and gingerbread houses are no exception to that! The famous Gingerbread House at the Grand Floridian draws in lots of visitors every year. For many people, their holiday season hasn’t started until they see this humongous & delicious-looking home. 2021 Grand Floridian Gingerbread House Recently, Disney shared a look into how they recycle the gingerbread house after the holidays — and you’ll never guess who they’ve recruited for help… . ©Disney It’s BEES! According to the staff, they noticed that the bees were sweet on this treat while they were bringing down the gingerbread house about ten years ago! ©Disney The gingerbread is broken down and taken to the Disney tree farm where the bees are free to munch on the sugary building material until it’s gone! That’s it. The bees are officially winning Disney World. Check out this video that Disney shared on their Disney Parks TikTok: Once the bees have moved on to sweeter pastures, the wooden pieces are power washed and stored until the bakers are ready for the next holiday season! We’re always keeping our eyes peeled for more behind-the-scenes Disney details, so be sure to check back for more! Will the Disney Dining Plan Return in 2022? Here’s Everything We Know 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. Can you bee-lieve this news? Let us know what you think in the comments below! The post VIDEO: See What Happens to Disney World's Gingerbread Displays When the Holidays Are Over! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Visually Impaired Runner Has Wonderfully ‘Dopey’ Experience at Walt Disney World Marathon WeekendView the full article

The 2022 D23 Expo isn’t until this September, but tickets are going on sale soon! ©D23 This event will take place on September 9th through the 11th, 2022, in Anaheim, California. It’s called the biggest Disney fan event of the year, since guests will get to hear breaking news, see behind-the-scenes looks, and learn about upcoming events from the Walt Disney Company. We attended a media event for the Expo today, where we learned about the pricing, costume contest, exclusive merchandise, sponsors, and more. But here are a few more details that you’ll need to know if you’re attending this year’s expo! D23 announced that this year’s Expo will have big stars and celebrities, must-see presentations, breaking news from the Walt Disney Company, and immersive pavilions. They’ll be presenting more than 50 events and shows during the Expo. One of the exhibits will be the Walt Disney Archives exhibit, which will celebrate the upcoming 100th Anniversary of the Walt Disney Company. Guests will also be able to see Walt Disney’s original plane, which is coming to the Expo after restorations are completed. ©D23 The presentations and exhibits will be held in several different areas, including the Hall D23 (which seats 7,000), the Premiere Stage (seating 3,000), the Backlog Stage (seating 1,200), and the Archive Stage (seating 700). The main show floor will have exhibits, the D23 Expo Live! stage, and a “party all weekend long.” ©D23 The Stage Pass will be returning, which is a lottery-style selection process that guarantees some guests seats at the presentations. When you have your D23 Expo ticket, you can enter your top choices for which presentations you’d like to attend, and then D23 will randomly select some ticket holders to receive reservations for those presentations. If you don’t get chosen for the Stage Pass, you can always head to the standby line for each presentation. D23 will be live-streaming many of their 2022 Expo panels. They used the D23 website to show these live-streams for previous events, so they anticipate doing the same for the Expo (but they’ll share exact details later on). This is the only way that non-D23-members can watch the panels, since this year you must be a D23 member to buy tickets for the Expo. ©D23 Joining the general D23 fan club is free, so it won’t cost you extra if you want to attend the Expo. (The D23 Gold Pass costs extra, but this is not required to buy Expo tickets). If you are attending in person, you can join in the Mousequerade, which is the costume contest at the Expo. The winner of this contest (as determined by celebrity judges) will win $2,300! ©D23 We also learned that there will be exclusive merchandise available at this year’s expo. Guests can head to the pop-up shops and the D23 Expo Emporium, which is the main shopping spot at this event. Attendees will also find a new lounge area hosted by Amazon. In addition, there will be a D23 Expo app coming soon that will help attendees navigate the event. In the meantime, you can head to the D23 Expo website to see more information about the event and the official countdown calendar. ©D23 We’ll keep an eye out for any more info about this year’s D23 Expo. So stay tuned with DFB for all the latest updates! Click Here to Learn About an Exciting Antique That’s Coming to the 2022 D23 Expo Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by D23 to attend their media preview of the 2022 D23 Expo. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ 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 hoping to attend the 2022 D23 Expo? Let us know in the comments. The post 10 BIG Reveals About Disney's D23 Expo 2022! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World has had a lot of missing experiences over the last few years. Magic Kingdom One such beloved experience that has yet to reopen is Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Families could head to these spots to see kiddos transformed into Disney princesses. These magical experiences still aren’t available — but there are still SOME princess transformations going on in Disney World. Last year, we spotted that littles could get a princess makeover at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando for a HEFTY price. But, there’s a way to get your royal look without dishing out hundreds of dollars too. ©Four Seasons Resort Orlando Sephora at Disney Springs offers Feature Focus Service makeovers for ALL AGES, where you can get a makeover that focuses on one feature of your face. Keep in mind, this isn’t the full Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique makeover as it focuses on just ONE feature of the face. The rest of the look is on you, but it can be a fun way to get that princess makeover feeling! ©Sephora That means little ones can get princess makeup! Check out this video from Sephora of a little Ariel getting some VERY fitting makeup. These makeup sessions cost $30 and take 30 minutes so it’s a great and FAST way to get a piece of that princess makeover during your Disney trip. To book, head online to Sephora’s website and make a reservation! ©Sephora As always, stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney World updates! Click here to learn more about the Four Seasons Resort makeovers! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think of this sweet makeover option? Tell us in the comments! The post The Secret Spot to Get Princess Makeovers in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We just got some BIG news about the upcoming 2022 D23 Expo! ©D23 The ultimately Disney fan event will be held in September, and along with lots of exciting new and returning events, there will be exclusive new merchandise! Check out what we know so far. The 2022 D23 Expo will take place at the Anaheim Convention Center in Southern California, from September 9th to the 11th. Only D23 Members are eligible to buy tickets, but this includes both paid and free D23 memberships. ©D23 There will be exclusive D23 merchandise released at the Expo, and today we got a first look at some of the items that will be available! So far Disney has shared images of t-shirts featuring the D23 Expo artwork, a water bottle noting the start of the 100th anniversary celebrations, a D23 hat, a lanyard, and a limited release pin. We can’t wait to see what else will be released at the event! ©D23 Note that during the D23 Expo, D23 Gold Members are set to receive special benefits, including “on-site discounts from select retail locations and a complimentary gift.” There will be plenty of shopping to do! D23 has shared that “Guests can also enjoy numerous shopping opportunities, many featuring D23 Expo-exclusive collectibles, at an assortment of Disney and partner pop-up shops including the D23 Expo Emporium, where the ultimate Disney fans can find their ultimate treasures.” 2022 D23 Expo tickets will go on sale for D23 Members on January 20th, or D23 Members who are also Visa cardholders can purchase tickets in advance on January 19th for a brief 24-hour pre-sale. Only D23 Gold Members will receive a discount on tickets to the event, as well as access to purchase a special Preferred Seating 3-Day ticket! ©D23 Make sure you mark your calendar if you’re eligible to purchase tickets for the 2022 D23 Expo, and stay tuned for more D23 Expo news from DFB! Read more about the returning D23 Expo costume contest! 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 going to the 2022 D23 Expo? Tell us in the comments! The post FIRST LOOK at the 2022 D23 Expo Exclusive Disney Merchandise first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Meet Amanda Robertson – Lead Business Analyst in Technology & Digital. A special experience on her 18th birthday inspired Amanda to work for Disney one day – something she achieved years later. About Behind the Nametag Behind the Nametag is a video series that highlights our Technology & Digital cast members and shows what makes […]View the full article

There have been some memorable Walt Disney World Marathon Weekends over the event’s 29-year history, and this was especially true for Iowa runner Kayla Swope. She tackled the Dopey Challenge – running four races on consecutive days – during the race weekend with her visual impairment. That’s a total of 48.6 miles!View the full article

If you’re looking for an event that features BIG Disney celebrities, all kinds of breaking news about Disney movies and rides, exclusive Disney merchandise and more, then you’ll want to check out the D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event! ©D23 The Expo will be taking place from September 9th-11th, 2022 in the Anaheim Convention Center. We’ve already shared details about when tickets for the event will go on sale, but today we’ve got all the details you need to know about just how much those tickets will cost you! Earlier today D23 shared some important information about tickets and ticket prices for the 2022 D23 Expo. For starters, this year ALL guests must be members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club to buy tickets for the expo. If you aren’t a D23 member, you can join online. There are various membership levels including the Gold Membership ($99.99/year), Gold Duo Membership ($129.99/year), and the General Membership (Free). All membership types, including the General/FREE members, will be the only ones able to buy tickets for the Expo. ©D23 Next, let’s talk ticket prices. D23 Gold Members will get access to special discounted tickets. For D23 Gold Members, single-day tickets will cost $89 and 3-day tickets will be $229. D23 General Members can get the regularly priced single-day tickets at $99 and 3-day tickets for $279. ©D23 In both cases (both for Gold Members and General Members) tickets for children ages 3-12 will be $79 for a single day and $209 for 3 days. If you want to go ALL OUT you can purchase the D23 Gold Member Exclusive Hall D23 Preferred Seating ticket for $899. This essentially replaces the old Sorcerer’s Package that used to be available at the D23 Expo. There will be a limited number of these available. These tickets will include admission for all 3 days of the expo and reserved seating for all Hall D23 presentations. Typically Hall D23 is where many of the larger presentations are help. This special ticket will only be available for D23 Gold Members. ©D23 Finally, let’s talk about when tickets will be on sale. Tickets will go on sale to all D23 members on January 20th, 2022 at noon PT. BUT this year Visa is a sponsor of the Expo, and if you’re a D23 member who is a Visa cardholder you’ll get special pre-sale access to tickets. D23 members who are Visa cardholders and who pay with their Visa can access a limited number of 1-day and 3-day tickets for 24 hours starting on January 19th, 2022, at 10AM PT, while supplies last. ©D23 If you’ll be stating at a Disneyland Resort hotel or visiting the Disneyland theme parks, keep in mind that discounted hotel and Disneyland park tickets will be available to all D23 Expo ticket purchasers. If you’re planning on being at D23, be sure to mark those dates down in your calendar and get ready to grab your tickets! Stay tuned for more D23 Expo news! Click here to see a BIG update about Walt’s original airplane and the D23 Expo! 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 going to the D23 Expo? Tell us in the comments! The post NEWS: D23 Expo Pricing Information Announced first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article