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With the holiday season upon us, our team of animal care experts remains grateful for one of the best gifts of all … the successful birth of a white rhino last month at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park! Lola, one of the beloved white rhinos in our care, delivered a healthy and adorable female calf in early Nov., and I’m happy to report mom and baby are thriving backstage under the watchful eye of our sensational Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment team. View the full article

Want to win some FREE Disney items? Then you’ll want to watch out for D23’s Season of Magic sweepstakes! ©D23 Each day D23 is releasing a NEW special prize that you would win. We’ve seen prizes themed to video games, coffee, trains, and more. Today’s special prize comes with 5 Disney items that you’ll actually use over and over again! Calling all Star Wars fans and fans of USEFUL Disney items — today is your day! D23 has partnered with Corkcicle for today’s special prize. We’ve seen quite a few Disney Corkcicle items released in the past, and today you could win 5 of them. If you win today’s D23 Season of Magic prize you’ll get all of the following items from Corkcicle: Grogu Stemless Boba Fett 16 oz Canteen R2D2 16 oz Tumbler Darth Vader Mug The Mandalorian 20 oz Sport Canteen ©D23 Star Wars-themed, useful, and fun? This could be the perfect prize pack for you! You could keep all of the items for yourself, or split them up and give them as gifts to friends and family members in the future (and maybe keep some for yourself too!). To enter for your chance to win, visit the D23 website. Then you’ll need to sign in to your D23 membership. If you aren’t already a D23 member, you can register for an account (either paid or free) and enter for your chance to win the sweepstakes. Once you log in to your D23 account, fill out your remaining information and hit “submit.” Join the Dark Side and Enter for Today’s Prize! D23’s Season of Magic sweepstakes will continue to go on, with new daily prizes(!), through December 23rd, so be sure to check back for more updates. Click here to see every pair of Minnie ears you can buy online right now! 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! Preorder 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 preorder 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 entering to win D23’s prizes? Tell us in the comments! The post TODAY ONLY: You Could Win 5 Disney Items You'll Actually Use Over & Over Again! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World recently launched its new planning tool, Genie, in the My Disney Experience app. ©Disney The tool is free to use and can help you plan your day in the parks. Also launched with Genie was Disney Genie+, which is a paid replacement for FastPass+. Genie+ gives you access to make reservations to skip the standby lines of 46 attractions in Disney World through the Lightning Lanes (old FastPass lanes). There are also Lightning Lanes at certain high demand rides that are not included in Genie+, but instead, access to the lines is able to be individually purchased. But, this morning we experienced something a bit odd with the pay-per-ride system. Individual Lightning Lane sales were paused this morning for an unknown reason. Before we even opened My Disney Experience this morning, we got this message in our notifications. Delayed Sales Message Then, when we did open My Disney Experience and went to Disney Genie, we were given an extended version of the message. It said that sales were planned to resume at 9:30AM and Genie+ sales and selections have not been impacted by this delay. Delayed Sales Message But, 9:30AM came around, and we were still receiving the message that Individual Lightning Lane sales were not available. Luckily, a little before 10AM, we tried the app again and Individual Lightning Lane sales were back! ©Disney We’re not sure what the reason was for the delay, but just be prepared that this could happen to you in Disney World during your trip, so have a backup plan, like rope dropping one of these popular rides instead. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World news and updates! Click here to learn more about Disney Genie All About Disney Genie, Genie+, and Individual Attraction Selection READ THIS Before Using the New Genie Planning Tool in Disney World Check Out the FULL List of Rides Included With Genie+ in Disney World See What Rides You Can Pay EXTRA For in Disney World & How Much They’ll Cost Learn What Rides Are Included With Genie+ in Disneyland (Plus the Ones You’ll Pay EXTRA to Ride) You CAN’T Re-Ride Disney World Attractions With Genie+ You CAN’T Cancel Pay-Per-Ride Selections in Disney World Get the Answers to All of Your Burning Questions About Disney Genie See Why You’ll Want to Stay in a Disney World Hotel When it Comes to Disney’s Pay-Per-Ride System Here’s What Annual Passholders and Magic Key Holders Need to Know About Genie+ See 5 Ways Genie+ Might Surprise You Learn About How Disney Genie Can Be Your Personal Assistant in Disney World Click HERE to See More About Disney Genie Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Have you tried out the individual Lightning Lanes yet? Let us know in the comments! The post Pay-Per-Ride Sales Had a Multi-Hour DELAY in Disney World Today first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Many things have changed about Disney World over the past couple of years! This is how you meet Mickey now! We have a whole new paid system that has replaced FastPass+ called Genie+, there are new Annual Passes (but, sales for most passes currently on hold), character meet and greets have been adapted, and there’s even a brand new ride at EPCOT. One thing that’s changed a lot of people’s vacations drastically is the Disney Dining Plan no longer being available. Disney has said it will come back, so let’s break down if the Dining Plan will return in 2022. The Disney Dining Plan is a pre-purchased plan that can be added to a Disney Vacation Package. You have to be staying at a Disney-owned-and-operated hotel and have tickets to the parks in order to qualify for the plan. Disney Dining Plan Shirt The Dining Plans offer a set number of counter-service and table-service restaurant meals, as well as snacks. This way, you can pay for your food ahead of your trip. You simply will have your dining plan points deducted instead of paying at the restaurant you’re visiting. Quick Service Disney Dining Plan Chart Many guests love the ease of the Dining Plan because they don’t have to think about paying for every single meal when they are at the parks — everything is already paid for! But, others can feel restricted by the Dining Plan when it comes to where they’re allowed to eat or if they can even get their money’s worth from the plan. It can be a lot of food in one day! But, there are different types of Disney Dining Plans to fit your group’s needs. Boma Breakfast Spread Disney World suspended their Dining Plan in March of 2020 when the parks shut down due to the global pandemic. When they reopened in July of 2020, the Dining Plan did not return with them. It has been suspended ever since! Trails End Disney did say earlier this year that the Dining Plan WOULD be returning, but did not give a return date or a timeline, saying “While we’re not quite ready to share an update on timing, we are planning to bring this guest-favorite option back at a later date.” And, we haven’t heard anything since! So, what’s the deal? It’s obviously not coming back in 2021 (unless we’re in for a BIG surprise in the next 2 weeks!), so will we see it in 2022? Dining Plan Credits Could Be Used at EPCOT Festivals, Too! It seems like it would return in 2022, since Disney DID announce over the summer that it would be coming back. We’re not sure why they would confirm the Dining Plan’s return and then wait multiple years for it to actually be available again! DONUTS!!!! When it does come back, there are some things you may have forgotten about. For example, at the end of February 2020, Disney announced a new dining plan option for guests: the Disney Dining Plan Plus. This option is easy to forget about as it was announced almost right before the closures! ‘Ohana So, when Disney put the plan on pause, the plans available were the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan, Disney Standard Dining Plan, the Disney Dining Plan Plus, and the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan. All of these offered different options in terms of flexibility and which kinds of restaurants you could visit on your trip. Casey’s Corner Here’s a look at what the Dining Plan options looked like in 2020 before the closures: Disney Quick Service Dining Plan — 2 quick-service meals, 2 snacks per day, per person. $55 per adult each day, $26 per child (ages 3-9) each day. Disney Standard Dining Plan — 1 quick-service meal, 1 table-service meal, 2 snacks per day, per person. $78 per adult each day, $38.50 per child each day. Disney Dining Plan PLUS — 2 meals (any combination of quick- or table-service), 2 snacks or non-alcoholic drinks per day, per person. $95 per adult each day, $35 per child each day. Disney Deluxe Dining Plan — 3 meals (any combination of quick- or table-service), 2 snacks or non-alcoholic drinks per day, per person. $119 per adult each day, $47.50 per child each day. All of the dining plans also came with a refillable resort mug for soda or hot drinks at the resort where guests were staying. Skipper Canteen But, we do not know if this is how the Dining Plan will return when it comes back! It could look completely different, like how Disney World decided to completely change the Annual Pass system when sales resumed this year. Keep in mind that the Annual Passholder Program returned at a higher price, so it would not be surprising to see the Disney Dining Plan follow suit. But again, we still don’t know any details about its return. Chef Mickey’s Spread While we’re hoping for a 2022 return of the Dining Plan, it remains a mystery! But, we’ll be on the lookout for more news and updates about its return, so stay tuned to DFB to stay in the loop. Click here to learn more about the Disney Dining Plan 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! Preorder 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 preorder 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 miss the dining plan in Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post Will the Disney Dining Plan Return in 2022? Here's Everything We Know. first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

“Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular” returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park Sunday. View the full article The ‘Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!’ show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, on Thursday, May 23, 2019. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel) (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda / Orlando / Orlando Sentinel) The big rolling boulder is heading toward us again. “Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular” returns to the live-entertainment lineup at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Sunday. The production has been dark since March 2020, when Walt Disney World entered its pandemic-related shutdown. Its revival keeps the storyline, but new effects, dialogue and setup have been incorporated, says Tom Vazzana, show director. “The temple scene is still intact, and then we tweaked the dialogue. We actually tightened it up a bit,” he says. “That set is massive and beautiful, and we arranged the dialogue so that we could move more swiftly through the scenes and get to the stunts and show off our performers.” The show demonstrates the secrets behind stunts and action sequences — including outrunning a boulder — inspired by “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” It debuted at the theme park in 1989. Some elements have been updated, Vazzana says. “When we describe about how we make — not even on film — but how can we capture and record. We relate it, so that the kids in the audience could understand it, on their iPhone,” he says. Stunts have been tweaked, too, he says. “There’s this peekaboo that happens with Indy and Marion coming through the clothes rack and we decided let’s focus on this fun part of this stunt,” he says. “A kerfuffle happens that was never there before.” And there are changes to the fight scene that feature an on-set airplane. “We tried to make this a little more energetic,” Vazzana says. “We also integrated all the stunt performers coming into the scene and running away from it in a really eclectic way. That was never there before.” Cast member Andrea Miceli was in the “Indiana Jones” show before pandemic and is returning as a stunt performer and in the role of Marion. “It’s a very unique show,” she says. “Once we started getting back into the show elements, it was it was like riding a bike and it was great. We definitely wanted to focus on the safety of everything as well, bringing it back right.” The performers took their time learning the moves from professional trainers, she says. “We walk through everything first before we go full speed,” she says. The show’s set, located near the theme park’s Echo Lake, and its machinery also were evaluated during the hiatus. “We refreshed every facade,” Vazzana says. “We have we have revitalized every vehicle on the show. Every set piece has been repainted. The marketplace has been repainted, the fabrics have been repainted and we replaced all of the lighting and soundboard.” Audience members will hear new sound effects. “We’ve actually changed that up a bit, too, so that our punches are more authentic,” Vazzana says. The return of “Indiana Jones” is part of a phased comeback of live entertainment at Disney World parks. A modified version of “Festival of the Lion King” debuted at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in May, and “Beauty and the Beast — Live on Stage” ramped up again at Hollywood Studios in August. “Fantasmic,” a nighttime spectacular with live performers, is returning to Hollywood Studios in 2022, as is the Festival of Fantasy parade at Magic Kingdom, Disney says. “I wouldn’t say this is a total refresh,” Vazzana says of the “new” Indy show. “But I would say that every line, every scene, every lighting element, has been looked at with a fresh and caring eye.” The stunt show will be performed multiple times daily. During its first week back, the productions start at noon. Full schedules are available at Disneyworld.com. Dewayne Bevil Orlando Sentinel

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Disney World has been seriously upping their Minnie ears game, with some gorgeous embroidered ears, sparkly 50th Anniversary ears, and even elaborate ears for the New Year! Minnie Ears But Disney just dropped a NEW set of Minnie ears that might take the cake…er…waffle? The amazing new accessory combines two of our greatest passions: Minnie ears and Disney snacks. But you’ll need to hurry if you want to add these beauties to your cart! On shopDisney right now, you can find the Minnie Mouse Waffle Ear Headband, which is the glorious combination of those malty, golden Mickey waffles and a classic Disney parks accessory. ©Disney These Minnie ears are white with little golden Mickey waffles all over them, and each waffle has a little pat of butter on top. ©Disney The headband and bow have a criss-cross waffle pattern, and in the center of the bow is another pat of butter! ©Disney The inside of the headband has a non-slip lining, and there’s a metal plate with the Disney logo on the side as well. You can get a pair of these tasty ears for $39.99. Click Here to Buy the Minnie Mouse Waffle Ear Headband The ears are made by Loungefly, who are best known for making the mini backpacks with cute Disney characters on them that you’ll see around the parks. And speaking of those cute bags, you can get Mickey waffle-themed backpacks AND Mickey waffle wallets online now too! Click Here to Check Out the Mickey Waffle Backpack and Wallet Online But if you’re in Disney World already, you won’t even have to go online to find the amazing Mickey waffle backpacks. We spotted these bags today in the Magic Kingdom! Mickey Waffle Backpack The bags have the same waffle pattern as those amazing Minnie ears, and the pocket in the front is another waffle with its own 3D pat of butter. The front pocket is a waffle The inside has even more waffles… Inside pattern …and the shoulder straps have the criss-cross waffle pattern. Here’s the back The backpack costs $85, and we found it at Uptown Jewelers in the Magic Kingdom. It’s cheaper online! You can actually get this bag for $80 online, so if you buy it on shopDisney you’ll save $5. Click Here to Buy the Mickey Waffle Backpack Online Now you’re all set with the most delicious Disney parks outfit ever. Keep following DFB for more updates on the best Disney merchandise! Click Here to Find Another Disney Snacks-Inspired Accessory We’ve Seen Recently 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! Preorder 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 preorder your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Would you wear the Minnie waffle ears? Let us know in the comments! The post All Your Other Minnie Ears Will Be JEALOUS Of Disney’s Newest Ears first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

During the hustle and bustle this time of year, there’s nothing I like more than taking a break between wrapping holiday gifts to enjoy a cup of tea. Today, I’m bearing gifts for you featuring Twinings: an inside look at the historic brand’s relationship with Disney, where to check off your list for last-minute Christmas gifts, an indulgent recipe perfect for those entertaining this holiday, and a special interview with Stephen Twining. So, grab a cuppa of your favorite blend and read on!View the full article

Planning a trip to Disney World for 2022? You’ve got a lot of things to factor into your budget including hotel costs, travel costs, and ticket costs. Mickey in EPCOT From what we’ve seen, the prices for tickets themselves in 2022 haven’t increased, at least in terms of the range of low to high prices. But, we have noticed that MORE days in 2022 appear to fall into higher-priced categories. That means that depending on when you go, a trip that you took this year could cost you MORE next year, even if you were to visit during the exact same days. So, how can you SAVE on the price of theme park tickets in 2022? We’re breaking down all the information you need to know right here. Tip 1: Go During the “Slow” Season There may not be as much of a “slow” season in Disney World as there used to be, but at certain times of the year, you will find that tickets (and typically crowds) are lower than at other points. Visiting during these slower times usually equals cheaper tickets and sometimes cheaper hotels too. Animal Kingdom Generally, Disney experiences a slower period in mid-January, after any marathons or cheerleading competitions, as well as in September. But, if you’re really serious about going during the very cheapest days of the year, you can quite literally look through the Disney World ticket price calendar and see what days have the lowest priced tickets. For 2022, we found some of the cheapest tickets (1 park per day, 1 day ticket — $109) near the end of August… ©Disney …and throughout various days in September. ©Disney Some of the most expensive tickets were during peak holiday times like around Christmas and New Year’s Eve… ©Disney …and Thanksgiving. ©Disney These more expensive tickets were priced in the $150s. That’s a significant difference compared to $109, especially if you multiply that across multiple members in a single party. Going during some of those cheaper/slower times could provide you with substantial savings. We know it’s not always possible given that many kids are in school during those times, but if it’s something you and your family can arrange, it might be worth the effort. Click here to see more about the ticket prices for 2022. Tip 2: Check for Ticket Discounts Another huge way you can save on tickets to Disney World is to check for ticket discounts. From time to time, Disney will offer special discounts on its theme park tickets. These could be military discounts, offers for Florida residents, or just general discounts. This past year, we even saw a special discount offered where, if you purchased a certain package, you could get 2 additional days added to your theme park tickets for FREE. Cinderella Castle We’re constantly searching for these discounts and posting about them so you can make sure you get the very best deals. Be sure to check back with us for more updates on that, visit our page FULL of information about the current discounts being offered, and subscribe to our newsletter to get all of the updates sent directly to you so you don’t miss out. Disney isn’t the only source to look for discounts on tickets though. If you work for a company that utilizes Tickets at Work, you might be able to get special deals there on Disney World theme park tickets. Be sure to see if your company has that available to you and what discounts you might be able to get. Galaxy’s Edge Just be sure you’re buying your tickets from a reputable source. There are lots of third-party vendors out there that sell “discounted” tickets that claim to work, but actually are not a true deal. The last thing you want is to spend your hard-earned money on “discounted” tickets that don’t work when you arrive. If you’re buying Disney World tickets, make sure you’re buying from Disney directly or reputable sources like Tickets at Work that are fully authorized by Disney to sell tickets. Looking for the Best Ticket Deals Another thing you can do is work with a travel agent. Travel agents stay up to date on all the latest discounts, so they can help you get a sense of what’s available and just how much you could save (so you don’t have to do all of the investigative work). We highly recommend our friends over at Small World Vacations. Their services are totally FREE and they’ve got a wealth of knowledge about Disney that could help you save time, money, and stress during your trip planning! All of their information is below if you want to reach out to them for help. Click here to see our page full of information about the current Disney World deals and discounts. Tip 3: Don’t Park Hop A “standard” Disney World theme park ticket will let you enter 1 park per day. But, you can add on a “Park Hopper” option, which allows you to visit multiple theme parks in one day. The way Park Hopping works right now is that you’ll need a Park Pass for the first park you want to enter. Then, starting at 2PM each day (time is subject to change), you can hop to another park (other parks) of your choosing, provided there is availability. Park Hopping Information Park Hopping is a fantastic advantage as it can help you visit multiple parks and potentially get more done in one day, but it will cost you! The added cost of the Park Hopper option depends on how many days you go. For a 1 day ticket, the standard price (1 park per day) starts at $109. Add on the Park Hopper option and that 1 day ticket jumps up to a starting price of $174. How Many Parks Would You Visit in 1 Day? Here’s a look at the prices for standard, 1 park per day tickets. ©Disney And here’s a look at the prices for tickets with Park Hopper abilities. ©Disney Adding on the Price Hopper can make a BIG difference, particularly if you aren’t going for very many days (the difference in cost becomes less if you are going for more days). And keep in mind that’s just a starting price — tickets will be more expensive depending on the day you visit. If you multiply that cost across even just 2 people, things can start to seriously add up. The other important thing to keep in mind is that once you pay for a ticket with the Park Hopper option, you generally cannot remove it. You can, however, buy a “standard” ticket and add on the Park Hopper option later. But, you’ll be charged for this Park Hopper add-on for every day of your trip. Meaning, if you buy a 5-day ticket, you’ll be charged for the Park Hopper add-on for every single day. Pandora — The World of Avatar If you add on the Park Hopper option on day 2 of your trip, you’ll still be charged for day 1 even though that day has passed. So, if you’re going to add it on during your trip, it’s important to do so as soon as possible. If you’re going to pay for the additional cost, you might as well get as much use out of it as possible. If you aren’t sure if you’re actually going to need to park hop, we recommend holding off on paying for that additional option. If you get to the parks and decide you need it, then you can add it on. Welcome to EPCOT! Not sure whether you’ll need a Park Hopper or not? Take a look at the parks you’re planning to visit, how many days you’ll be there, and just what you want to do in each park. If the number of attractions you want to see, the food you want to try, and shops you want to visit will essentially fill your entire day (which it generally can at most parks, depending on your likes/wants), then a Park Hopper might not be worth the cost for you. Click here to see the 3 best things about Park Hopping in Disney World and the 2 worst. Tip 4: Stick to Just the Theme Parks or Choose Your Options Carefully This will obviously depend on your plans, but (as we mentioned above briefly) there are different types of park tickets you can buy. You can buy standard tickets that allow you access to 1 park per day. There are Park Hopper tickets that allow you to hop to multiple parks in one day. And there are also tickets that come with a water park and sports option. There are standard 1-park-per-day tickets that have a water park and sports add-on, and there are park hopper tickets that have a water park and sports add-on. With this water park and sports option, you’ll get to visit the theme parks PLUS you’ll get a certain number of visits to a water park or sports-related option (like golf, FootGolf, and mini-golf). Toboggan Racers at Blizzard Beach But, getting this water park and sports option will cost you. A 1-park-per-day ticket with the water park and sports option jumps from $109 for a single day to $179 for a single day. That’s a $70 add-on. But, note that the additional price decreases as the number of days on your ticket increases. Ticket Prices for Standard Ticket with the Water Park and Sports Option ©Disney You’ll also pay a bit of an increase for the park hopper version with the water park and sports add-on ($174 for a 1-day park hopper, $194 for a 1-day park hopper with water park and sports). That’s actually not too bad of an increase though at only $20. Ticket Prices for Park Hopper Ticket with the Water Park and Sports Option ©Disney Now, if you feel like you’re actually going to take advantage of the water park and sports offerings, then this add-on could work out for you, especially considering the fact that a single-day ticket to Blizzard Beach Water Park alone costs $69 per adult and $63 per child (with no blockout dates, tickets are slightly cheaper if you buy the ones with blockout dates — $64 per adult, $58 per child). But, if you don’t feel like you’re actually going to take advantage of what these water park and sports ticket add-ons offer or if you’re purely just trying to save money, then our recommendation is to stick to theme park only tickets. Melt-Away Bay at Disney’s The key here is to determine what you actually want to do during your trip, how much it would cost to pay for those things separately (i.e. just buying a 1 day water park ticket as opposed to adding it onto your ticket), and then deciding whether getting the water park and sports add-on is worth it. And, ultimately, if your goal is to SAVE money on tickets at all costs, then skipping out on water parks and sports options altogether could be a good choice. Click here to read more about the reopening of Blizzard Beach! Tip 5: Consider How Many Days You’re Really Going to Need Planning to visit Disney World for 5 days? That’s great! But, that doesn’t mean you need to buy 5 days worth of tickets. If you really want to save money, you could instead opt to buy only 3 days worth of tickets (or 2 days, or 4 days — you get the idea) and spend the other non-park days doing FREE or lower-cost things. For example, you could spend one day at your resort enjoying the pool, doing resort activities, searching for hidden details, or just walking around. You could also (by following the proper procedures) go hop to other resorts and see what unique things they have to offer. Wilderness Lodge is a stunner Or, you could spend the day at Disney Springs (which is totally FREE to visit). While a visit there might end up costing you a bit of money (you may not be able to resist some of the food or souvenirs there), it could end up being much cheaper than a full park day. So Much Merchandise! You could also opt to spend those non-park days doing lower-cost things like playing a round of mini-golf. (Again, you’ll want to look into whether getting the water park and sports option is worth it for this, or if it would make more sense for you to simply pay out of pocket for these additional costs.) Winter Summerland miniature golf Ultimately, the important thing is to think about your family, what they want to accomplish during the trip, and what your budget can realistically afford. Buying 3 days worth of tickets will be less than buying 5 days, but you will want to make sure that your family feels they can accomplish what they want to do during that time (or are okay with the idea of not getting everything done and coming back in the future). Click here to get a look at the Winter Summerland mini-golf in Disney World! Tip 6: Consider Going During the Week Generally, park tickets during the week are priced cheaper than those on the weekend. If you can manage to arrange for a week-day trip, as opposed to a weekend trip, you could save some cash. Take October of 2022, for example. ©Disney While park tickets during the week are typically around $134 or $140 in price, tickets for the weekends are around $141-$144. That might not seem like a dramatic difference, but every penny adds up! 7 Little Disney World Mistakes That Will Cost You BIG Money Tip 7: Consider Taking Kids When They’re Little That’s right folks, you really gotta milk those younger years while you can! Kids under 3 can visit Disney World’s theme parks for FREE. If you’ve got a little one, visiting during their younger years could help you save quite a bit. (They might not remember much from those trips, but you will!) ©Disney This can be especially important though if you’ve got a little one who is nearing their 3rd birthday. The cost of a trip before they turn 3 would be much less than the cost of a trip after they turn 3. If you can manage to schedule that trip for BEFORE their 3rd birthday as opposed to after it, that could help you save a substantial amount on tickets. Click here to see 8 lessons we learned the HARD way about taking a baby to Disney World. Tip 8: See if an Annual Pass Makes Sense for You NOTE: New Annual Pass sales have been PAUSED for most pass types. Depending on how many days you’ll be going to Disney World during the year, an Annual Pass might actually offer you a good savings from a pure ticket perspective. For example, if you’re a Florida Resident, the cheapest new Annual Pass option is the Pixie Dust Pass, priced at $399 plus tax. The pass allows you to park hop and comes with certain benefits like Passholder discounts on select merchandise and food/drinks, and free parking in the theme parks. Annual Passholder sign The pass does have blockout dates though — specifically weekends, peak times, and holiday periods. But, if your trips work within those blockout dates, this pass could be a could deal for you, depending on when you plan to visit during the year and how many days you plan to visit. If you’re not a Florida resident, your options are more limited when it comes to Annual Passes. Specifically, if you’re not a Florida resident and also not a Disney Vacation Club Member, you really only have one Annual Pass option available — the Incredi-Pass for $1,299 plus tax. ©Disney That’s not cheap, make no mistake about it. BUT, if you’re planning on visiting multiple times throughout the year, this could actually provide you with a good savings in terms of ticket price (especially if some of those trips are during peak/holiday times). And keep in mind that only 1 member of your family needs to get an Annual Pass to get those discounts on food and beverages and merchandise, as well as the free parking. So, not every member of your party needs to pay for the Annual Pass necessarily, if that doesn’t make the most sense cost-wise. Annual Passes in action! You’ll have to crunch the numbers and see if it’s worth it for you depending on how many vacations you plan on taking and when you plan to visit, but it’s definitely something to consider. Click here to learn more about the Annual Passholder program in Disney World. Tip 9: Consider What You Place as Your Start Date Next, we’ll talk about an important secret to saving some cash on your park tickets! Let’s say you’re planning on visiting Disney World in February and want to visit the parks from February 10th through the 13th. You’ll be buying a 4-day 1-park-per-day ticket for your trip. Your natural inclination is probably to select February 10th as the start date for your tickets when buying them. That would make your total ticket price $488.32 per ticket. ©Disney But, did you notice how far out that blue ticket range extends? Tickets can actually be used on non-consecutive days within a certain range, and that range may actually go past the days you actually plan to be there. By buying a 4-day ticket and choosing a start date, you’re actually able to use it on non-consecutive days from February 10th through February 16th. Goofy is shocked! So, what happens if you move that “start date” up a little bit? Well, if you actually select a start date of February 7th, you can use your tickets on non-consecutive days (if you want) from February 7th through February 13th. That still covers your trip dates (10th -13th), but the cost is actually LESS. Instead of $488.32 per ticket, the cost is actually $463.16 per ticket! Multiply that savings across multiple tickets and it could make a big difference. ©Disney So, be sure to play around with those start dates to see how to get the best deal. Just make sure the date range it covers will work for your trip dates. 10 Problems You’ll Have To Solve In Disney World RIGHT NOW Tip 10: Plan Your Water Park Days Carefully If you do decide to visit a water park, the first thing you’ll want to see is whether getting a ticket with the water park and sports option is your best value. That’ll depend on how many days you’re buying park tickets for and how often you were planning to visit the water parks (or do those sports options). If it is the best deal, then that will probably be the way you want to go. Cross Country Creek But, if it doesn’t make sense from a financial perspective, then it’ll be best for you to buy that park ticket alone. If you are going to buy the water park ticket on its own, see if you can schedule that water park date to be on one of the more expensive theme park ticket dates. Water park tickets are not on a date-based system, unlike theme park tickets. So they’re essentially the same price for any day you buy them, there’s only a difference between some that have blockout dates and some that don’t. If you can, try to schedule your theme park tickets (and the start date for your park tickets) so that you can visit the parks during the cheapest time of your trip, and leave the water park day for the date when the theme park tickets were most expensive. Ski Lift Depending on how many days you’re visiting, this could result in some savings. It’s just something you may have to play around with. Passholders Can Score a BIG Discount on Water Park Tickets in Disney World Tip 11: Utilize Disney Gift Cards If Possible You can get Disney gift cards at a discount in certain stores. For example, at Target, if you have a Red Card, you can utilize your Red Card savings to get 5% off. So, you could get a $100 Disney gift card for $95. That savings is small, but if you’re able to buy multiple cards and combine their values, you might be able to utilize them to pay for your tickets or other aspects of your trip and really take advantage of those savings. Gift cards can help you budget for your trip! If you have a Disney Visa credit card, you may also be able to utilize any points you’ve acquired, turn those into a Disney gift card, and again use that to help you pay for your tickets or other vacation needs. And those are our tips to help you SAVE on tickets for your Disney World trips. Want to hear some of the BEST Disney World tips of all time? Check out our video below! Want to partner with someone to help you find the best deals and make your trip planning much less stressful? Check out our friends over at Small World Vacations. Their services are totally FREE and they can help you save time, money, and headaches when planning your trip. We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more discounts, tips, and tricks, and we’ll be sure to share them all with you! 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! Are you planning a trip to Disney World in 2022? Tell us in the comments! The post The Ultimate Guide to SAVING on Disney World Tickets in 2022 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil and food writer Amy Drew Thompson discuss the party atmosphere at Mango’s Tropical Café on International Drive and the Latin American-inspired fare. View the full article

Avast! The century-old pirate “invasion” of Tampa is coming back to celebrate the pirate lore of Florida’s Gulf Coast after a virus-related year off. It’s like a miniature Mardi Gras but with eye patches, cannon fire and many cries of “Arrrrgh!” View the full article

In the spirit of the holiday season, here are Central Florida's best home holiday displays as named in the fourth annual Twinkly Awards. View the full article

The West Orange Trail, managed by Orange County, supplies walkers, runners and cyclists with 22 miles of paved recreation with scenery and rolling hills. View the full article

Earlier this year, Disneyland discontinued its regular Annual Pass program and later introduced its new annual pass program — Magic Key. Disneyland The different types of Magic Key passes come with their own perks and benefits regarding things like blockout dates, etc. But Magic Key holders must also abide by Disneyland’s current theme park reservation requirement. At the moment, all guests planning to visit the parks, including Magic Key holders, must have a park reservation for the park/day they want to visit. Sometimes park reservations can fill up for select guests. Now, a Magic Key holder has filed a lawsuit against Disney Parks and Resorts regarding Magic Key passes and park reservations. According to the Orange County Register, a lawsuit has been filed against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts regarding Disneyland’s Magic Key passes. The lawsuit alleges that “Disneyland deceived its most loyal fan base by artificially limiting theme park capacity and blocking passholders with ‘no blockout’ annual passes from making reservations.” Exclusive Magic Key Lounge The Orange County Register reports that the $5 million suit was filed on behalf of all Disneyland passholders (or Magic Key pass holders). It claims that Disneyland “relegated them to ‘second class’ ticket holders by artificially limiting Magic Key reservations and the number of passholders that can visit on any given day.” Magic Key Lounge The complaint was originally filed in the Orange County Superior Court on November 9th by Magic Key passholder Jenale Nielsen. It was moved to the United States District Court on December 15th reportedly because the matter exceeds the sum of $5 and because Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is based on Florida while the plaintiff is based in California. Though this step has not yet happened, it appears the Plaintiff’s attorneys are seeking to “have the case certified as a class action.” Magic Key Embroidery options A Disneyland spokesperson has responded by saying “We intend to respond as the case proceeds in court.” As the Orange County Register notes, Magic Key passes became available for purchase back in August after Disneyland discontinued its previous Annual Passholder program earlier this year. Since that time, both the Dream Key and the Believe Key have sold out. The Enchant and Imagine Keys are still available to purchase. ©Disneyland According to the Orange County Register, Magic Key reservations have been “frequently unavailable on weekends and near-term dates stretching for weeks have been completely ‘sold out’ to annual passholders still looking for a reservation.” The Register notes that, in comparison, guests with daily admission (not Magic Key passes) have had availability on “virtually all weekdays, weekends and holidays — with a few near-term dates ‘sold out.'” Disneyland In the lawsuit, Nielsen claims that she purchased the Dream Key (priced at $1,399) in September. Again, this ticket has no blockout dates. Nielsen claims she was not able to make theme park reservations for certain dates in November. Nielsen claims she was “disappointed to learn Disneyland had already blocked out Dream Key passholders on many days and all weekends in November” when she went to make reservations in October. At that time, Nielsen claims she checked the availability calendar for single-day visitors and says that, for those guests, “neither Disneyland or Disney California Adventure were sold out on any days in November.” Avengers Campus The lawsuit alleges, “The problem was not that Disney had reached its capacity and therefore could not provide reservations to its Dream Key passholders…The problem was that Disney had decided to block out reservations so that they were only available to new purchases and were not available to Dream Key passholders.” Rise of the Resistance According to the Orange County Register, the lawsuit claims that Nielsen believed “when she bought the Dream Key annual pass that passholders would be allowed to make reservations if Disneyland and DCA had capacity.” The lawsuit alleges, “Ms. Nielsen did not know — and had no way of knowing — that the Dream Key was, essentially, a ‘second class’ ticket with limited availability because Disney had reserved an unknown majority of the available reservations for single day or other full price ticket purchases.” Disneyland The lawsuit also claims that Nielsen ultimately ended up having to buy a single day ticket to visit Disneyland on her desired date in November even though she was a Dream Key passholder. The complaint alleges Disney is “engaging in unfair, unlawful and deceptive business practices” and accuses Disney of “breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation and false advertising.” Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has reportedly not filed an answer yet to the lawsuit. Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure At the moment, the Disneyland park reservation calendar shows limited availability for 1-park-per-day ticket guests… ©Disneyland …and park hopper ticket guests in December. ©Disneyland There appears to be much more availability, however, in January… ©Disneyland …for both. ©Disneyland Here’s a look at the theme park reservation availability for Magic Key holders as a comparison. This is the availability for the Dream Key, which has no set blockout dates. ©Disneyland This is just a snapshot of what things look like today, but theme park reservation availability has and can vary greatly. We’ll be on the lookout for more details and we’ll share those with you. Click here to learn about a Magic Key holder celebration coming next year. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post NEWS: Million Lawsuit Filed Against Disney Regarding Magic Key Passes and Park Reservations first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Over the past several months, character dining options have become available at several Disney World spots, including Chef Mickey’s, Tusker House, and Hollywood & Vine. Artist Point Not too long ago, we shared that Story Book Character Dining at Artist Point in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge would be reopening on December 16th. Recently, we got our first chance to check out this reopened spot, and here’s what we saw! We’ve experienced the Story Book Dining at Artist Point in the past, so we were excited to see what this reopened experience would be like now that character dining has changed due to COVID-19. Check-In We started our dining experience by accessing our reservation on the My Disney Experience app and using Mobile Dine Check-In to let the restaurant know we were there and ready to eat! Once we checked in, we got a message indicating that we’d be alerted once our table was ready. Entrance to Artist Point Not too long after, we got a text telling us that our table was ready, so we headed up to the host stand to let the Cast Members know. Host stand Let’s head inside! Atmosphere Artist Point now serves as the home of Story Book Dining with Snow White. When you step into the space, you’ll truly feel like you’ve been transported to the Enchanted Forest. Gorgeous theming! There are decorations all around of leaves and trees to really immerse you in that storyline. Enchanted Forest All of those trees and leaves really bring the outdoors in. That, coupled with the large windows in the restaurant, give this spot a unique feel. Dining Room At each table setting, you’ll find plates, silverware, and a dish stand that’s shaped like a tree. Your server will use this stand for your appetizers and desserts, which is a beautiful and on-theme way to display the food. We love this tree stand But, this is no ordinary dinner, this is a CHARACTER meal! So let’s get on with how the character aspect is being handled right now. Characters Previously, during your dinner at Artist Point you had the chance to see Snow White (of course), Dopey, and Grumpy. There was also a special photo opportunity with the Evil Queen. Currently, Snow White, the dwarfs, and the Evil Queen are still hanging out at this dining spot. All of the characters now walk around the dining room to wave hello to the guests from a distance. We’ll be sharing a FULL review of our experience at Artist Point soon, so stay tuned for that. And check back with us for all the latest Disney news. Click here to see how the character dining photo policy has CHANGED at some restaurants in Disney World. Disney Park Reopening Details and Info Click HERE for the All Latest Updates Click HERE To See FULL LISTS of the Rides, Attractions, Shopping, Entertainment, and Restaurants Opening in Disney World! TUTORIAL: How To Use Disney World's NEW Park Pass Reservation System ALL Disney World Reopening Procedures Disney World Hotel and Ticket Booking Information We’re Visiting ALL the Reopened Disney World Hotels and Have All the Need-to-Know Details We’re LIVE in Disney World's Magic Kingdom For the FIRST Time Since the Closures We’re LIVE in Disney’s Animal Kingdom For the FIRST Time Since the Closures We Got a FIRST LOOK at Disney World’s New Character Cavalcades and Entertainment! Everything You NEED To Know About Wearing Masks in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter To get all the latest Disney Park Closure News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe What do you think of the character dining at Artist Point? Tell us in the comments! The post FIRST LOOK: Story Book Character Dining Has Reopened in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Some flavors just scream HOLIDAYS at Disney World. And one of the most iconic flavors happens when peppermint and chocolate come together in perfect harmony. The Drop Off Pool Bar at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort So far, we’ve seen it with our old favorite, the Starbucks Peppermint Mocha, but we’ve also seen it with a Chocolate Peppermint Cookie sandwich, a Chocolate Peppermint Donut, and a Chocolate Peppermint Cupcake. But now we’re having another drink that combines those two flavors! Meet the Spiked Frozen Peppermint Hot Chocolate, which is made with Svedka Vodka and Bols Peppermint Schnapps blended with Chocolate Ice Cream, topped with Fresh Whipped Cream and Peppermint Sprinkles. Yes, please! It’s like Disney World asked how it could make a hot chocolate even better and then just did it! It even looks Christmassy And it was done well — this is a very creamy delicious drink — and we liked that the peppermint flavor isn’t too overwhelming (because let’s face it — sometimes it’s a bit TOO much). The vodka is also nice and smooth — needless to say, this is one boozy drink that goes down easy. Whipped cream and sprinkles! Even more important is that the chocolate flavor tastes very decadent. So if you’re a chocolate lover, you’ll need to try this! But if you’re one of those who prefer more of a minty taste, this might not be the drink for you. But here’s the odd thing — we found this drink…at a POOL BAR. Like this isn’t standard pool bar stuff, not that we’re complaining! Delicious! So if you find yourself over at Disney’s Art of Animation and want a nice boozy taste of Christmas, head on over to The Drop Off Pool Bar and order up this drink for $13. And we’ll keep trying all the holiday food and drinks at Disney World, so stay tuned for more reviews! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney World Fun This Holiday Season! The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2021 is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World. Order The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2021 now! It includes over 400 pages of must-have information, including: A full What's New!! chapter for the 2021 Holiday Season A full Monthly Schedule of Events for the Holiday Season How to avoid the crowds on Disney World's busiest days (and when Disney World closes their parks due to capacity!) ALL of the events, activities, and holiday additions in Walt Disney World. ALL. OF. THEM. And, of course, we'll tell you where to eat! ;-D Click HERE to order your 2021 Guide now and get 20% off with code PEPPERMINT! As always, our e-Books are 100% guaranteed! If you don't love it, you get your money back! Want Even MORE? The DFB Everything Bundle comes with ALL of our guides, including the Holiday Guide, for one low price! It includes: Pre-order of the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2022 The 2021 Food & Wine Guide The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Holidays 2021 Pre-order for the 2022 Flower and Garden Festival Guide All three DFB Snack Guides Click HERE to order your DFB Everything Bundle! MORE Disney World Holiday INFO! Check Out the FULL List of Holiday Treats Coming to Disney World This Year See the List of Holiday Treats Coming to Disney World’s Hotels Get All of the Latest Information about the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays See the Booths, Menus, and Food Photos for the Festival of the Holidays Check Out Our Photos & Reviews of the Holiday Treats in Disney World Watch Our Video About What We Wish We’d Known Before Going to Disney World During the Holidays Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest holiday news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What’s your favorite holiday drink at Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: Disney World Is Hiding Boozy Hot Chocolate In An Obscure Place! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Though Disney World is the Most Magical Place on Earth, emergencies can take place in the parks. Image from DFB reader @ptolley_ on Twitter In the past, we’ve seen complications arise with the Skyliner, evacuations take place on rides, and most recently there was a fire reported in Magic Kingdom. Now, we’ve got an update from some of the first responders serving Disney World and a staffing situation they claim to be affecting their work. According to the Orlando Sentinel, the first responders at Disney World are dealing with short staffing. Reportedly this is an issue the department has been working with for years. Tim Stromsnes, the communications director of the Reedy Creek Fire Department’s union, has indicated that staffing issues being experienced by the fire department could cause issues. Specifically, Stromsnes stated, “We’re putting people who are visiting Disney in danger.” Emergency vehicles in Magic Kingdom Avery Maeher, a Disney spokesman, has said that the union’s claims about safety in Disney World are “simply not true.” In a statement, Maeher said, “The safety of everyone who comes to Walt Disney World Resort has always been extremely important to us, and we are grateful to all the first responders who continue to keep our property safe.” Eryka Washington, a spokeswoman from the Reedy Creek Improvement District (which runs Disney World’s emergency services and other matters) has said that “Reedy Creek prioritizes safety and ensures the fire department has ‘appropriate levels of fire and medical services at all times.'” Reedy Creek Fire Department ©Reedy Creek According to Stromsnes (the communications director of the Reedy Creek Fire Department’s union), they used to have 2 rescues assigned to the Magic Kingdom area. Smaller shift staffing, however, has “led to gaps in coverage” Stromsnes says. Firefighters have reportedly told the Orlando Sentinel that Reedy Creek has not increased the firefighter staffing since 1989, before Disney opened Animal Kingdom and other new spots. Firefighters Leaving the PeopleMover | 2020 Shirey has said that the current Reedy Creek Fire Department has a minimum staffing per shift of 26 firefighters. These firefighters are spread across 5 ambulances and 4 fire engines. They are responsible for responding to emergencies in Disney World’s theme parks and resorts, as well as accidents on some neighboring roads. Shirey has indicated that pre-pandemic they had 32 firefighters between 8 ambulances and 4 fire engines per shift. Jon Shirey, President of the Reedy Creek Firefighters Association | ©Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel Previously, during peak times, Magic Kingdom had up to 3 medic units of 2 people each in the park. EPCOT and Hollywood Studios previously had 2 and Animal Kingdom had 1. This is all according to statements from Shirey. Currently, all parks have 1 medic unit in the park, except for Magic Kingdom that has 2 units (but “their shifts only overlap during peak hours”). Magic Kingdom According to Shirey, the staffing concerns also impact “members of the special operations team, which evacuates riders from complex rides and transportation when they break down, including the monorail and gondola system.” Disney Skyliner The union is actually in arbitration with the district regarding the staffing issue. They are “pushing for more first responders.” Union members have indicated that the Reedy Creek Improvement District (which encompasses Disney World) reduced staffing in March of 2020 in response to the pandemic and park closures. The reduction in staffing was reportedly part of an agreement that was made to avoid layoffs. The union has alleged that Reedy Creek is continuing to operate under the temporary staffing agreement made due to the pandemic. Animal Kingdom Emergency Responders The Sentinel reports that union members say “now they are not adequately staffed to respond to a fire at a resort hotel, much less a large-scale emergency.” Shirey (the president of the Reedy Creek Firefighters Association) has said “If there is a big event, we’re not even remotely close to being able to handle it on our own.” Hollywood Studios Crowds Shirey has said that when staffing concerns were raised to the district, the district has reportedly said that the “call volume does not show the need for larger staffing.” Reportedly, the Reedy Creek Improvement District’s website shows that it is hiring firefighters and paramedics. Shirey told the Sentinel that the district “told firefighters they were looking to start the process in January.” The Sentinel notes that the firefighters and paramedics are “bracing to be stretched further” as the holiday season approaches. The emergency response team has claimed that they are “increasingly relying on outside fire departments to respond to call and take people to hospitals, which can lead to delayed care at vital times.” Tomorrowland Crowds Keep in mind that this post is based on the information reported by the Orlando Sentinel and the statements provided to them by the firefighters association and others. When a fire was recently reported in Magic Kingdom, emergency responders did arrive on the scene and handle the situation. Fire trucks and ambulances were seen in the park during that night. Another look at the crowds We will continue to look for more updates. Check back with us for the latest Disney news. Click here to learn more about the fire that recently took place in Magic Kingdom Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post NEWS: Disney World Firefighter Union Indicates They Are Short Staffed first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Has anyone else been following the very strange prizes that EPCOT is offering to guests who complete the Olaf’s Holiday Tradition scavenger hunt? Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Map In case you’re new to this strange saga, there’s a holiday scavenger hunt happening in EPCOT that guests can complete to win a prize. That prize keeps changing, and we’ve seen some very interesting options available to guests. But today we FINALLY found the official prize for this scavenger hunt! And it makes way more sense than any of the other prizes. Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt is an activity that came to EPCOT for the International Festival of the Holidays, which runs through December 30th of this year. Olaf hiding in World Showcase For the hunt, you’ll buy a map (for $9.99) from the Creations Shop, Port of Entry, or International Gateway gift shops. Then you’ll walk around the World Showcase and look for Olaf, who is hiding in each country’s pavilion with an item that represents a holiday tradition from that country. There he is! You’ll match the traditions to each location on the map and then return the completed map to a participating gift shop to win a prize! In past years and at other festivals, the prizes for completing a scavenger hunt relate to the theme of the scavenger hunt or just to the festival in general. Prize for the Food and Wine Festival scavenger hunt But lately, we’ve seen some odd options available as prizes for this year’s activity. There have been 2021 lanyard pouches… Scavenger Hunt Prize Lanyard Pouch …Disney nerd lanyards… Scavenger Hunt Prize Lanyard …random pins… Pins …and the kitchen sink. Literally. One of the prizes was an actual Mickey-themed kitchen sink. This sink can usually be found at Disney World ice cream shops holding a big ice cream sundae, but you could win one to make your own sundae if you completed this hunt. Well, That’s…Unique Today, we FINALLY learned what the prize for this scavenger hunt was supposed to be all along! We stopped by a gift shop in EPCOT to ask about the prizes for today, and a Cast Member told us that the official prizes have arrived (a bit late to the game). The real prizes are here! If you finish Olaf’s scavenger hunt, you can win an adorable plastic plate with a Frozen theme! That makes a LOT more sense than a kitchen sink. There are plates with Olaf… Olaf plate …Olaf and Sven together… Olaf and Sven …and Olaf, Sven, Anna, and Elsa! All together plate The Cast Member we spoke to told us that the plates had been stuck on a shipping boat for a while before they finally made it into EPCOT. This is one more example of the supply issues that we’ve seen in Disney World lately, which have also caused a shortage in some merchandise and food items in the parks. Some shelves have been empty due to supply issues If you want to snag one of these plates (or just want a fun activity to do while you snack around the World Showcase), you can head into EPCOT to the Creations Shop, Port of Entry, or International Gateway to get your map. Port of Entry Keep following DFB for more updates on the latest news from Disney World! Click Here to See Some of the Unusual Prizes We’ve Spotted for This Scavenger Hunt Don't Miss Out on Any Disney World Fun This Holiday Season! The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2021 is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World. Order The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2021 now! It includes over 400 pages of must-have information, including: A full What's New!! chapter for the 2021 Holiday Season A full Monthly Schedule of Events for the Holiday Season How to avoid the crowds on Disney World's busiest days (and when Disney World closes their parks due to capacity!) ALL of the events, activities, and holiday additions in Walt Disney World. ALL. OF. THEM. And, of course, we'll tell you where to eat! ;-D Click HERE to order your 2021 Guide now and get 20% off with code PEPPERMINT! As always, our e-Books are 100% guaranteed! If you don't love it, you get your money back! Want Even MORE? The DFB Everything Bundle comes with ALL of our guides, including the Holiday Guide, for one low price! It includes: Pre-order of the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2022 The 2021 Food & Wine Guide The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Holidays 2021 Pre-order for the 2022 Flower and Garden Festival Guide All three DFB Snack Guides Click HERE to order your DFB Everything Bundle! MORE Disney World Holiday INFO! Check Out the FULL List of Holiday Treats Coming to Disney World This Year See the List of Holiday Treats Coming to Disney World’s Hotels Get All of the Latest Information about the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays See the Booths, Menus, and Food Photos for the Festival of the Holidays Check Out Our Photos & Reviews of the Holiday Treats in Disney World Watch Our Video About What We Wish We’d Known Before Going to Disney World During the Holidays Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the latest holiday news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Have you tried Olaf’s scavenger hunt in EPCOT? Let us know in the comments! The post The Official Prizes for Olaf’s Scavenger Hunt in EPCOT Have Finally Arrived first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’re looking for the next great show or movie to stream on Disney+, we’ve got you covered. ©Disney This month has brought us a LOT of new offerings on Disney+ and there are still more to come, but what will the first month of 2022 bring? Let’s take a look at EVERYTHING coming to Disney+ in January! January 1st New Library Titles X-Men: First Class January 5th Disney+ Originals The Book of Boba Fett — Chapter 2 New Library Titles Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug & Cat Noir (S4, 7 episodes) ©Disney January 7th New Library Titles Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Like Mike Like Mike 2 The Sandlot January 12th Disney+ Originals The Book of Boba Fett — Chapter 3 New Library Titles Eternals Look at those colors! ©Disney January 14th New Library Titles Betty White Goes Wild! Catch That Kid January 19th Disney+ Originals The World According to Jeff Goldblum — Batch 2 Premiere – Season 2, Episodes 6-10 Assembled: The Making of Hawkeye — Premiere The Book of Boba Fett — Chapter 4 New Library Titles Vets On The Beach (S1) Vets On The Beach (S2) The World According to Jeff Goldblum ©Disney January 26th Disney+ Originals The Book of Boba Fett — Chapter 5 New Library Titles Random Rings (S1) Random Rings (S2) January 28th Disney+ Originals The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild — Premiere ©Blue Sky Studios And that’s a look at what will be coming to Disney+ in January! We’ll stay on the lookout to see what else might be coming soon to Disney+, so keep an eye on DFB for the latest updates. Click here to see more of the latest TV shows and movies on Disney+! 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! Preorder 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 preorder your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What are you most excited to watch? Tell us in the comments! The post Everything Coming to Disney+ in January first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s not unusual for rides to get refurbished in Disney World. Kali River Rapids has reopened With 50 years of wear and tear on some of the longer-running attractions, it makes sense that they would need a touch-up every once in a while. Disney World’s water rides tend to need those refurbs more frequently than others, and one of them just reopened after a long one! Today, Kali River Rapids reopened in Animal Kingdom after being closed for several weeks. It’s back up and operational as usual, so we hopped in line! Let’s do this! Kali River Rapids is a ride that takes you whitewater rafting on the Chakranadi River, courtesy of Kali Rapids Expeditions. It’s an expedition The line wasn’t long with the wait time as of this writing at around 10 minutes. But yes, even in Florida’s “winter weather,” people still want to ride what is probably the wettest of rides at Disney World! The line There are several signs throughout the queue reminding guests that they must wear shoes. Don’t forget your shoes And like many Disney World attractions, the line is just as interesting as the ride itself — there are loads of Imagineering details to take in. Imagineering details We watched as other rafts took off for the rapids. These people are going to get wet And then we got on a raft, too! And it is still definitely a WILD and VERY wet ride! We’ve got a bad feeling about this. We’ll make sure to keep you updated on all the refurbishments in Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB! Click Here to See What Other Disney World Ride is Getting Refurbished Soon! 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! Preorder 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 preorder 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 like Kali River Rapids? Tell us in the comments! The post PHOTOS: An Animal Kingdom Ride Has Reopened After a Multi-Week Closure! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disneyland Resort introduced a new annual passholder program this year called Magic Key. ©Disney There are new names for the passes, new blockout dates, and new prices. And, both the Dream Key and the Believe Key are sold out. The Enchant Key is still available, and the Imagine Key may still be available, but it’s only available for Southern Californian residents. When the program was announced, Disney also said they would be hosting a Magic Key Holder Celebration Month, but didn’t say when the festivities would be happening. But, we just found out when Magic Key holders can expect to be celebrated! Magic Key Holder Celebration Month will take place in February of 2022! Disney said Key holders will be celebrated throughout the ENTIRE month! Disney also said that the celebration will happen in the parks, in the Downtown Disney District, and at home with a variety of exciting offerings. At home?! That’s an interesting one! We’re wondering if that means something virtually will be happening or some kind of gifts might be going out, kind of like how Disney sent Magic Key welcome packages to the first people to buy Magic Key when it was released. ©Disney Until February, Magic Key holders can enjoy other perks, like visiting Magic Key Terrace in Disney California Adventure, a lounge only accessible by Magic Key holders and their friends and family. Magic Key Terrace Also keep in mind that Downtown Disney District Discounts are offered at participating locations, exclusive Magic Key merchandise, novelty souvenir items, menu items, and more will be available for purchase throughout the year, and Magic Key Disney PhotoPass Opportunities will also be exclusive to Key holders for certain events and times of year. Mickey is ready for the holidays! Magic Key holders also have access to special offers, like up to 30% off some rooms at Disneyland Resort hotels in 2022 for trips between January 3rd and April 7th, 2022. No other details have been released yet about the Celebration Month, but we’ll keep an eye out and let you know as soon as Disney says more! Stay tuned to DFB for updates. Click here to see 3 NEW spots you should check out at Disneyland Resort! Disneyland Reviews and Information Click HERE to Check Out Lots of DFB Posts About Disneyland See the Latest Updates About Disneyland’s Mask Policy Check Out Our Disneyland Restaurants Guide See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Park Check Out Details from the Historic Reopening of Disneyland Resort See What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Learn About the Disneyland Mobile App Get All the Details About Mobile Order in Disneyland See More About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure What’s Going to Be Different About Your Next Disneyland Trip? Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Are you a Magic Key Holder? Let us know in the comments! The post Disneyland Magic Key Holders — Prepare to be Celebrated for a WHOLE MONTH Next Year! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Last month, the Disney Technology & Digital team hosted the eleventh annual Special Olympics of Florida Golf Invitational at Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course, helping to raise funds and celebrate athletes of all abilities. Centered on inclusion and community, the event started as a grassroots initiative 11 years ago and has since grown to be one […]View the full article

We’re having a WILD holiday season! Animal Kingdom And that’s because we’ve spent a lot of it exploring Disney’s Animal Kingdom! We love strolling around this park and we’ve been lucky enough to pay a few visits this week. Now, we’re bringing you everything NEW in food, construction, and merchandise! Animal Kingdom Food Updates Joffrey’s Locations As you may know, Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea kiosks around the theme parks are currently dealing with a bit of a stinging situation…literally. It’s BEES! Bee-Wave Some of the kiosks have paused the use of syrups at this time to reduce the “bee-wave.” This week, we spotted that the Asia location had syrup pumps, but the Joffrey’s outside of the entrance did not. Want to learn more about Joffrey’s battle with bees? Click here! Harambe Market Harambe Market in Africa had a few more tables outside where guests can stand while they eat. Harambe Market Animal Kingdom Construction Updates Discovery Island Just outside of Discovery Trading Company, we spotted a new Encanto photo op! Interestingly, this spot looked a little bit like it could be a set for a new character but multiple Cast Members told us that’s not the plan; it’s just a photo op! Encanto photo op Animal Kingdom Merchandise Updates Island Mercantile Island Mercantile had new Luxe Logo 50th Minnie Ears for $39.99. So snazzy! New ears! These sold out FAST on the first day they were stocked, but don’t worry! On our most recent visit, we spotted that they had been restocked. Click here to see more of these ears! This spot also had a new Purple Holiday Animal Kingdom Hoodie for $49.99. Purple Holiday Animal Kingdom Hoodie Photography Stand Just outside of Discovery Trading Company during one of our stops, we spotted a Photography Stand where you could purchase prints, slate coasters, and ornaments featuring wildlife photography from Simone Amaduzzi. Photography Stand And that’s all the latest from Animal Kingdom! We’ll check in again soon. In the meantime, keep an eye on DFB for all the latest updates! Want to see more of the latest from Animal Kingdom? Click here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Preorder 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 preorder 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. Headed to Animal Kingdom soon? Tell us in the comments! The post What's New in Disney's Animal Kingdom: FANCY Ears and a Suspicious Photo Op 👀 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

planDisney: Baby Care Centers | Walt Disney World ResortView the full article

If you have ever vacationed with a young child, you know finding accommodations to care for your little one, feeding or changing, while out and about can be … well let’s just call it challenging. However, this is not the case when vacationing with your child at Walt Disney World Resort, thanks to the Baby Care Centers.View the full article

In-person runDisney races are BACK in Disney World. Finish Line! Earlier this year, the Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend returned to Disney World, and more runDisney events are set to take place in 2022. We’ve already seen details about some races, including the NEW Springtime Surprise Weekend. But now Disney has shared MORE dates and information about races coming in 2022 and 2023! The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend will take place in January of 2022. The Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend will be after that in February, and in late March the Springtime Surprise Weekend will take place. Now, more dates for 2022 and 2023 races have been announced. Check out the race weekend dates below: 2022 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend powered by AfterShokz — November 3rd-6th, 2022 Wine & Dine Start 2023 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend — January 4th-8th, 2023 runDisney Time! 2023 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend presented by CORKCICLE — February 23rd-26th, 2023 runDisney 2023 runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend — April 13th-16th, 2023 runDisney Disney has shared that runDisney virtual events will also be returning, giving guests the chance to enjoy the races even if they can’t make it over to Disney World. Registration dates for these races have not yet been announced. We’ll be on the lookout for more details. Stay tuned for all the latest Disney information! Click here to learn more about the upcoming runDisney events! 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! Preorder 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 preorder 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 participated in a runDisney event? Tell us in the comments! The post DATES ANNOUNCED for 2022 and 2023 runDisney Races in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article