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Things are HOPPIN’ in EPCOT these days! It’s a busy time to visit EPCOT! We’re in the middle of the International Festival of the Holidays, so there are special food booths, new merchandise, holiday storytellers, and unique decorations! On top of that, the ever-popular Candlelight Processional is back with nightly shows. But that’s not all that’s going on in EPCOT — let’s take a look at everything that’s new! EPCOT Food Updates Les Vins des Chefs de France Let’s kick things off with an update on food! Les Vins des Chefs de France was still closed and blocked off, but we noticed a lot of Cast Members moving around in the area. Still all covered up over here! We also spotted the menu…and there were some BIG price jumps! You’ll need to budget a little extra for this one when it reopens. The menu is looking a bit more expensive. We’ll keep an eye on this area to see if there are any more changes in the coming days and weeks. UPDATE: Les Vins des Chefs de France reopened on the morning of December 9th, 2021. Chefs de France Got Price Hikes As Well — Click Here to Learn More! EPCOT Construction Updates Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Construction is moving along on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Throughout the week, we noticed quite a bit of progress with painting on the building. We can’t wait to check this one out next year! We spotted some painting at Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind! Thanks to recent updates, we know what the interior of the space will look like as well. It’s all starting to come together! EPCOT Transformation Also, the old Mouse Gear location was getting some updates as well. It now has walls of windows, similar to the style of the Creations Shop. We’re curious to see what comes next. There are some big changes happening over here! There’s a lot of new and exciting things coming soon to EPCOT — this transformation is going to be BIG! Click Here to Learn More About the New Restaurant Coming to EPCOT! EPCOT Attractions Updates American Adventure Throughout the last few days, we spotted technical difficulties with the American Adventure show twice. On two separate visits, the show was closed to guests. This show was closed multiple times this week. If this one is a family favorite, make sure to check the app before making the hike to the back of World Showcase in the next few days. When attractions are closed, you’ll typically find that they’re listed as “temporarily unavailable” in My Disney Experience. Click Here to See Which Attractions Close When it Rains! EPCOT Merchandise Updates Pin Traders There were quite a few new merchandise updates this week, and we’re excited to share all of them with you! Starting at Pin Traders, there was several pins leftover from the Disney Heroes vs. Villains Pin Trading event. There were a TON of Heroes and Villains pins! They’ve got representatives from a bunch of different Disney movies in this collection, how cool is that?! Creations Shop We spotted several new Disney-themed patches in Creations Shop this week. These would look great on a bag or denim jacket! Most of the designs ranged in price from $9.99 (for single patches) to $19.99 (for a set of four). We love the balloons designs! There’s also a new pin set with inspirational phrases — they even have little hidden Mickeys! This set is $17.99. There’s a new pin set! And as it gets a little colder in the parks, what better way to dress than with this adorable Tinker Bell long sleeve tee? We spotted it in Creations Shop as well in a few different adult sizes. It’s selling for $32.99. Calling all Tink fans, this one’s for you! But Tinker Bell isn’t the only Disney icon with wings — Figment fans will want to rush and grab the new holiday phone case. It’s a 3-D effect case with Figment in his holiday sweater, but there’s a bonus…the snowman is dressed like The Dreamfinder from the original iteration of the ride! You can get it for $34.99. Figment with a snowman! Don’t need a new phone case but love the design? Don’t worry, Disney has you covered! You can snag the matching magnet for $14.99. There’s a magnet too! Man, that really makes us miss the old Journey Into Imagination! (Now we have creepy Nigel Channing moon and skunk smell instead.) House of Fortune Over in the China Pavilion, there was a new holiday display in House of Fortune. We love seeing the World Showcase countries get all festive! We’re loving the holiday display! And included in the display were these precious little reindeer antlers for $6.99. If Minnie ears aren’t your thing, you can go for the Christmas look instead. How adorable! This shop is a great place to find some really unique merchandise. (And probably a good place to do some holiday shopping, as well!) Mitsukoshi In Japan, we stopped by Mitsukoshi to see what was new, and we were shocked to find a HUGE price increase on the KitKats. The last time we tried one of these unusual flavors, they were $9.49 per bag. They got more expensive! Now, you’ll have to shell out $12.95 per bag, so you may have to pick just one flavor. It’s so hard to choose, though! Germany Pavilion In Germany’s Christmas shop, Die Weihnachts Ecke, we spotted some new holiday items that would make great gifts! First up, there’s a new Nutcracker Christmas ornament for $32.95. This will look great on your tree! They also had a bottle of German wine, Gluhwein, for just $12! That’s a steal! This shop always has the neatest stuff. Make sure to stop by on your next visit to Germany! Disney Traders In Disney Traders, we spotted yet another piece of Encanto merchandise. This new Mirabel tee is beautiful with the floral details! We love those bold colors. We found it in several adult sizes for $36.99. Click Here to Check Out Disney’s Holiday Merchandise! EPCOT Crowds Update And finally, let’s talk crowds. It has been very busy the past few days since Thanksgiving break, and things don’t seem to be getting any lighter. We saw some serious crowds in the parks this week. Especially if you’re visiting on the weekend, expect crowds all around the park during the Festival of the Holidays. Sometimes it was difficult to navigate through the various pavilions. You may have to wait in line a while if you’re visiting the festival booths. Long lines for the festival booths. We’ll make sure to keep our eyes peeled for any more news and updates from the theme parks, so stay tuned to DFB this holiday season! Click Here to See What’s New in Magic Kingdom! 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. When was your last visit to EPCOT? Tell us in the comments! The post What's New in EPCOT: Several Price Increases And Heavy Crowds first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re thrilled to announce that even more entertainment will be returning to the Disneyland Resort in 2022! An expanded “Celebrate Gospel!” musical celebration will come to Disneyland park in February, and this spring, “Tale of the Lion King” will return, but this time to the Fantasyland Theater at Disneyland park. Plus, cherished nighttime spectaculars will return this spring to both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.View the full article

There are a LOT of things fans love about Disney World — many of the attractions, the tasty food, the amazing Cast Members, and more. Magic Kingdom But there are also some things that fans don’t love as much or at all. And there are areas where fans think things at Disney World could be different and possibly better — perhaps more thrill rides, a change in certain experiences, or something else? Recently we reached out to our trusty DFB followers via Facebook to see what things they would change about Disney World if given the chance, and here’s what they had to say! We had a TON of readers respond to our question on Facebook, so first we want to send a big “thank you” out to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts with us. The specific question we posed to our fans was: If you could change ANYTHING about Disney World, what would it be? Here’s just a peek at what some of them had to say. If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It One fans encapsulated a lot of complaints into an overarching change — it seems the change they’d like is actually LESS CHANGE! One commenter said they wish they could change Disney’s “constant need to change things that aren’t broke.” They specifically mentioned things that have changed recently like the elimination of the FastPass+ system, the introduction of Disney Genie+, the changing of classic rides and experiences, changing Extra Magic Hours (which we now have different versions of through Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours), and more. EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth They noted that they felt like some of these changes have taken away parts of the magic they used to feel when visiting the parks, and it’s something we saw echoed in many other complaints about several of those specific things. Click here to read about 10 changes coming to Disney World (some of which have already arrived)! Prices By far, the item that seemed to be mentioned the MOST in the comments was price. Many noted that they were not pleased with some of the price increases they’ve seen in the parks for everything from bottles of water to park tickets and the cost of resort hotel stays. Another said they’d change it so that Disney would be more “cost friendly” so more people could get the chance to feel the magic. One specifically mentioned the Star Wars hotel and making that more affordable (spoiler alert: the Star Wars hotel AIN’T CHEAP). Between Tickets, Snacks, Hotel Stays, and Merchandise — You Can Spend a LOT on a Disney Trip Quite a few mentioned that they can no longer afford to stay at the hotels they used to stay at, or that the prices simply have gotten too expensive for their family to justify. One even said they’re “amazed at how drastically prices have risen over the last several years for tickets and resorts.” One put it simply by saying they’d change the “fact that you have to take out a second mortgage to go.” Like we mentioned above, the cost of a Disney World trip, particularly for larger families, is something that was mentioned time and time again in the comments. EPCOT It’s true that a trip to Disney World can be incredibly expensive, and we have seen a number of price increases hit everything from Annual Passes to holiday events. But you can save some money on your trip if you take advantage of special deals and discounts or use some of our budgeting tips. We’re constantly working to try and find discounts and deals you can take advantage of, so be sure to check back with us for more details on that. Tied in with prices is the note that many made about the feeling of perks (or “magical extras”) being taken away. With the end of Disney’s Magical Express, the end of the traditional Extra Magic Hours, and other changes, some feel that the perks that used to come with staying at a Disney World hotel or even just visiting Disney World in general have been taken away, and they’d like to bring those back or otherwise change things. Do Disney World-owned hotels really have the best perks? Click here to see our thoughts! Crowds Others mentioned the crowds as something they’d change. One said that the Park Pass reservation system helps a bit with this (at least in theory) as it can help manage the amount of guests in the park. Even though the Park Pass reservation system continues to be in place, we have seen some LARGE crowds in Disney World, particularly on big holidays. So keep in mind that the Park Pass system doesn’t necessarily equal low crowds, it simply equals crowd control. How high Disney sets that crowd level and Park Pass capacity limit, however, is up to them. Crowds One said that they’d like to change crowds so people “learn what is personal space” and don’t breathe down their neck or stand close enough to smell their sweat. Crowds As we approach the holiday season, dealing with crowds can be a big issue. If you’re planning to visit Disney World during Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or another part of the holiday season, be prepared to deal with larger crowds and bigger lines. Click here to see how to avoid holiday crowd burnout in Disney World! Magical Express Some mentioned Magical Express and how they’d bring it back, along with luggage transfers. One commenter said that these features are what really encouraged them to stay in Disney World’s resort hotels as it was so easily to hop off the plane and make their way to the resort, without having to worry about the bags. Disney’s Magical Express will conclude its service at the end of 2021 At the end of 2021, Disney’s Magical Express will be discontinued. In 2022, guests who are arriving at Disney World will need to figure out their own transportation arrangements. Mears, the company that operates the Magical Express, will be introducing a new service called Mears Connect that fans will be able to take advantage of in January of 2022. In many ways, it is meant to be a replacement for the Magical Express. Click here to learn more about the service that will replace the Magical Express. Genie+ Though discussed a bit above, several commenters specifically mentioned Genie+ and the fact that they have to pay for this new FastPass+ replacement system. One said that they’d like to see the return of a system that allows guests to reserve rides in advance of their vacation so they don’t have to wake up early while on their trip to make those Lightning Lane selections. Rise of the Resistance Lightning Lane As you may already be aware, Disney Genie+ is the paid FastPass+ replacement system. It allows guests to make 1 Lightning Lane selection at a time for the select rides that are included in it. Guests have to pay $15 per ticket per day to use Genie+. In addition, select popular rides are available through Individual Attraction Selection (pay-per-ride). For those, you’ll have to pay for each ride INDIVIDUALLY to skip the standby line. All guests can make their first Genie+ Lightning Lane selection at 7AM on the day of their visit, and Disney World hotel guests can make their pay-per-ride selections (max of 2 per day) at 7AM as well — hence the reference to the early wake-up time. Some have expressed frustration with the Genie+ system, while others have felt like the cost was worth it. Click here to see everything you need to know about Genie+ and Pay-Per-Ride. Phones & Planning While some guests might enjoy all of the planning and technological gadgets you can use to create your perfect day in the parks, some mentioned that they’d change those things about Disney World. They noted that they feel like Disney is a place you can’t visit now without serious planning, and that guests have to be much more skilled in technology to really make their way around the park. Others also noted that they don’t like the current reliance on phones and would change that. Another shared that they’d change the “level of battle for everything,” mentioning how they feel that you really have to really get up early 60 days before your trip to snatch those hard-to-get dining reservations, make Mobile Orders in advance so you don’t get late return times, deal with rope drops, etc. Rope Drop Crowds One shared that they’d take away Park Passes and also change it so that park hopping can take place all day long (not just starting at 2PM as the system currently allows). Some shared that all of this planning just adds on too much stress for what is supposed to be a vacation. Another shared that they “miss being able to live in the moment,” and that having to constantly use their phone and plan makes them feel like they’re “micromanaging” every part of their day. Sometimes You Need to Take a Breath and Just Enjoy the View We’ve actually heard this complaint mentioned a few times (in this post and others). There is certainly quite a bit of planning that goes into a Disney World vacation now between purchasing park tickets, making Park Passes, getting your hotel reservation, getting dining reservations, booking Mobile Orders, and (if you choose to use it) making use of the free Disney Genie planning service or paid Genie+ FastPass+ replacement service. And a lot of that planning makes use of technology — primarily your phone, especially when in the parks. It’s easy to get so caught up in making your next Genie+ pass, booking dining, checking wait times, etc. that you truthfully just forget to enjoy the park around you. There are a few things you can do to help alleviate SOME of this. If you can, book those dining reservations well ahead of time so you don’t need to worry about that during your trip. Also, consider booking those Mobile Orders first thing in the morning so (again) you aren’t stressed about it later in the day. Consider designating one person to be the “phone/wait times/etc.” person for the day and switch off with others so everyone gets the chance to be phone-free for a bit. So Beautiful! And, most importantly, remember to take a break and stop for a second to really soak in all of the magic and beauty around you. Consciously put away your phone in those moments and just look at the people and sights around you. It’s not always easy, but making these little efforts can make a bit of a difference. Click here to see the 16 DFB videos to watch today to start planning your 2022 Disney World vacation. More! We got a TON of other comments mentioning a bunch of other things as well. There’s no way we could include them all here, but let’s go through a few of them! One noted their desire for the return of Pleasure Island and the old Downtown Disney feel. Pleasure Island Logo Another said they’d like more snack/restaurant options that allow you to simply walk up to the window and place your order. One person said they’d want monorails connecting every resort and park. Others mentioned their desire to bring back some classic rides or classic versions of rides like Journey into Imagination. One suggested creating a vintage land with all the old rides, including Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and more! ©Disney Another wanted to very specifically make everything 25% larger — walkways, rides, restaurants, etc. and they’d add on another park. Go big or go home, right?! One said they’d reduce the influence of IP/Disney movies in the parks and resorts and stick to Disney being “an escape from the real world.” On the flip side, one said they’d want MORE Disney movie-themed restaurants. One said they’d like to turn down the heat and humidity in Disney World during the summer. SAME, friend. SAME. Sunny day on Sunset Boulevard! Some had unique ideas like changing Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to have several areas themed to different lands in Star Wars (like Hoth and Coruscant). One wanted to bring back SpectroMagic or the Main Street Electrical Parade to have a nighttime parade in Magic Kingdom. And (of course) there were a few mentioning or agreeing with a comment about bringing back Malestrom to EPCOT (there’s always one). One shared that they’d like to be able to use their MagicBand to pay for items even if they’re not staying in a resort. Galaxy’s Edge Other things we saw mentioned: Bring back the Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights Create an adults-only Disney week or weekend End fees for parking at the hotels Better toilet paper! More parking garages Add a Pizza Planet restaurant in Toy Story Land Extend park hours Add more forms of transportation Move Disney World closer to [insert place you live here] Add a ride to every EPCOT World Showcase country And MUCH more! Tree of Life looking pretty! That’s a look at what our readers had to say in terms of what they would change about Disney World. Now, we turn that question to you — what would YOU change about Disney World? Tell us in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you! And, as always, stay tuned for more Disney news! Have feelings toward Disney Genie changed? See what our readers had to say. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! 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 would YOU change about Disney World? Tell us in the comments! The post If You Could CHANGE Anything About Disney World, What Would It Be? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

From t-shirts to plushes, there are some great Disney items you can get for the holidays. ©D23 But what if you could get some cool Disney merchandise for FREE?! Right now, D23 is offering its Season of Magic Sweepstakes, where they’re giving fans a chance to get a NEW daily prize. We’ve seen past prizes themed to video games, Star Wars, and more. Today’s prize is made for Marvel fans! Avengers fans: ASSEMBLE! It’s time to enter for your chance to win a prize pack that includes everything you need for the perfect Avengers: Endgame movie night at home! ©Marvel Today’s daily prize from D23’s Season of Magic sweepstakes features some movie-themed items, including some cool collectibles. If you win today’s prize, you’ll get: Two Blanket Hoodies Six Exclusive Pins Two Popcorn Buckets Tumblers and Coasters A Light-up Cinema Box with Marvel Emoji Four Sets of Super Hero Socks The Avengers: Endgame Ultimate Movie Night Playlist and Four Guitar Picks ©D23 To enter, visit the D23 Season of Magic sweepstakes website. There, you’ll either need to sign in to your D23 membership account OR register for a D23 membership. Note that all D23 members can sign up for the sweepstakes, including general (free) D23 members. So if you don’t have a D23 membership, you can sign up for the free (general) one and still enter for your chance to win! Once you log in and place your information into the site, you’ll hit submit and then it’s just time to wait and see if you win! ©D23 D23’s Season of Magic sweepstakes will be going on until December 23rd, with new prizes to be announced each day. So be sure to check back each day and enter daily for your chance to win that day’s prize. ©D23 We’ll keep an eye out for more details and let you know what we find! Stay tuned for more Disney news! Click here to see how you could WIN a free Disney World vacation and Star Wars hotel stay! 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! Will you be entering to win today’s prize? Tell us in the comments! The post Marvel Fans: NOW is Your Chance to Win a Special Disney Prize Pack! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

These are tricks the team and I have tried in the past that have helped save us money, save time, and — in some cases – save our sanity. Tower of Terror Get ready to outsmart the Mouse. Check out our video below 10 Ways to Outsmart Disney World! Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! Watch the video and let us know your favorite Disney World hacks! The post DFB Video: 10 Ways to Outsmart Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Growing up in southern California, Noah Shumway experienced the wonder of Disney Parks at a young age. From the first time he stepped through the gates of Disneyland, Noah knew he wanted to be part of the magic. After graduating with his bachelor’s degree, Noah joined Disney full-time in 2018 as an entertainment cast member […]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. Each Christmas, the beloved Christmas tree is the star of the decoration show. Families decorate their trees with lights, ornaments, and a star, then Santa delivers presents under the tree. But we think that your Christmas stockings deserve some love too! Stockings are more than just a place to put your gift cards and candy, after all; Christmas stockings are the perfect place to tuck some tiny little bonus gifts! Merry Christmas, Santa Goofy! That’s why we decided to show some love to the humble Christmas stocking with 25 Disney-themed stocking stuffers! You shouldn’t have to break the bank to find a cute Disney present, so rest assured! All of our suggestions are under $10. Now, let’s go shopping! Christmas in Disney World is so magical! Can a person ever have too many sicky notes? Of course not! ©Hot Topic Use these color-coded sticky tabs to help plan your next Disney trip, or use them for everyday note-taking! Gift a pack of Disney sticky tabs to the stationery-lover in your family for $6.90. Click here to purchase the Disney The Sensational Six Rainbow Sticky Tabs Disney World’s newest attraction, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, has reawakened people’s love for Ratatouille! ©BoxLunch This shot glass, AKA a “toothpick holder” in Disney-speak, may not be the best vessel for a fine Parisian wine, but it will still have you saying “Bon Appetit!” You can find this mini glass on BoxLunch for $6.90. Click here to buy the Disney Pixar Ratatouille Remy Bon Appetit Mini Glass Look at Mike Wazowski’s face. Do we really need to explain why this is on the list? He’s adorable. ©BoxLunch The best part? The Mike plush is available on BoxLunch for $8.90. That’s an instant favorite stocking stuffer if we’ve ever seen one. Click here to buy the Funko Disney Monsters, Inc. Mike 4 Inch Plush Give the gift of good hygiene this Christmas with strawberry-scented bath jelly by Mad Beauty. ©BoxLunch BoxLunch sells this strawberry-scented bath jelly for $9.90. You’ll be smelling fresh and fruity in no time! Click here to check out the Disney Mickey and Friends Strawberry Bath Jelly Do you have a pin collector in your family? There’s nothing more exciting than opening a mystery pin — especially when Boo (aka Mary) is involved! ©BoxLunch These mystery pins are available on BoxLunch for $9.90! Collect them all, or try for your favorite characters. Click here to buy the Loungefly Disney Pixar Monsters, Inc. Puzzle Blind Box Enamel Pin Can you ever look at Lightning McQueen and NOT say Ka-CHOW?! We can’t help ourselves! Give your little one the friendliest (and FASTEST) racecar this Christmas so that your family, too, can shout that iconic Lightning McQueen catchphrase. ©Disney Lightning McQueen is available on shopDisney for $7.99. Click here to buy the Lightning McQueen Pull ‘N’ Race Die Cast Car Disney’s Good Night, Sleep Tight touch-and-feel book is the perfect bedtime story for your sleepy little one. Bonus points if you play Baby Mine in the background as a lullaby. Talk about relaxing! ©Amazon Gift the sweetest bedtime story to your baby for $7.30. Click here to check out the Disney Classic: Good Night, Sleep Tight book Is Thor a fan-favorite in your family? Now the resident Thor-lover in your family can add the God of Thunder to their pin collection this Christmas! ©Disney You can find this action-packed pin for $9.99 on shopDisney. Click here to purchase a Thor Pin If your family is tired of the same old bathtime routine, try this Disney Junior bath book! What kind of trouble will Donald and his friends get into this time? You’ll have to read it and find out! ©Amazon You can find this waterproof book for kids on Amazon for $5.95. Click here to check out the Disney Bath Toy Book for Kids Does anyone else have a phone charger that’s hanging on for dear life? Cable clingers to the rescue! These little friends hang out right at the base of your charging wire to keep the cord safe from bending and ripping, and they look cute while doing it! ©BoxLunch BoxLunch sells these funny little cable clingers for $8.90. Click here to buy the Disney Pixar Marvel Character Cable Clingers LEGO sells a TON of Disney-themed figures and kits, but some of them can get pretty expensive! This mini Disney princess castle set features Cinderella and a little friend, and they look like they’re ready to celebrate! ©Amazon Give the princess fan in your family this Cinderella LEGO set for $9.49. Click here to shop the LEGO Disney Princess Cinderella Mini Castle For the true Disney fan in your life, check out this entrance plaque tie clip. It’s a tiny replica of the sign that hangs at the entrance of both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. ©Amazon This clip is sold on Amazon for $9.99. Click here to buy the Disney Entrance Plaque Tie Bar Clip UNO is one of those simple yet fast-paced games that can bring out the competitive spirit in some families. We all know the devastating feeling of being hit with a “Draw 4” card. Now, you can pull a UNO Reverse on someone with your favorite Pixar characters! Seeing those cute characters might lessen the sting of losing. ©Amazon You can find this Disney Pixar UNO game on Amazon for $9.99. Click here to purchase the UNO Pixar 25th Anniversary Card Game We found another adorable LEGO kit, but this one features Mickey Mouse! We’ve seen Mickey as a scuba diver, a sorcerer, and now, a pilot! What CAN’T that mouse do?! ©Amazon This LEGO kit is $9.97. Click here to check out the LEGO Disney Mickey and Friends Mickey Mouse’s Propeller Plane Kit We’re back with some more bath toys! Play with Ariel, Flounder, and Sebastian as they go under the sea (er…bathwater) during your child’s next bathtime! ©Amazon Make bathtime more fun for your little one with these bath toys on Amazon for $9.99. Click here to buy the Little Mermaid Disney Baby Bath Squirt Toys Your next family game night is about to get a galactic Christmas upgrade! We love the idea of Darth Vader sitting by the fire at Christmastime with Luke and Leia stockings behind him, and that alone is reason enough to buy these cards. ©Amazon Side note: is there anything better than seeing your favorite Star Wars characters singing a Christmas carol? How funny is that? You can find these fun holiday playing cards at Hot Topic for $8.90. Click here to shop the Star Wars Holiday Playing Cards PEZ candies are one of those iconic, classic Christmas stocking stuffers that will never go out of style. These Steamboat Willie Mickey and Minnie PEZ dispensers are adorable, and they’ll look cute on display after the candy is gone. That’s a win-win. ©Amazon Fill their stocking with some sugary cheer for $7.59. Click here to check out the Mickey Mouse Steamboat Willie & Minnie Mouse Pill Box Hat PEZ Dispensers Post-holiday spa day, anyone? The stress of Christmas can get to any family, so give them this Donald Duck clay face mask and watch the stress wash away! ©Hot Topic You can find this fruity face mask on Hot Topic for $9.90. Click here to purchase a Disney Donald Duck Blueberry Clay Face Mask If you know someone in your family who loves Minnie ears, they’ll probably love this Minnie Mouse scrunchie set, too! Not to mention you won’t have to worry about a scrunchie digging into your head after a long day in the parks! (Speaking from experience) ©Hot Topic Hot Topic sells these glittery scrunchies for $9.90. Click here to buy the Disney Minnie Mouse Sequin Bow Scrunchie Set We’re a sucker for adorable Disney-themed illustrations, ESPECIALLY when they feature Winnie the Pooh and his friends. Gift this matching game to toddlers and play the cutest game of Memory ever! ©Amazon This matching game is $9.99 on Amazon. Click here to see the Winnie the PoohMatching Game You won’t need much force to open your bottles now! (Like what we did there?) Be the hero of the galaxy, or at least your house, with this Millenium Falcon metal bottle opener from Amazon. ©Amazon You can find this bottle opener or Amazon for only $4.95. Click here to shop the Rebel Alliance Star Wars Millenium Falcon Metal Bottle Opener Baymax is full of knowledge about how to take care of people (and save the city), but now he can store all of your important files, too! Why use a plain, boring USB flash drive when you could use this Baymax version instead? ©Amazon The 32 GB flash drive is $9.64 on Amazon. Click here to buy the Disney Big Hero 6 Baymax USB Flash Drive Ursula may have some wacky sea-witch hair, but we bet her hair is probably pretty healthy if she uses this seaweed hair mask! ©BoxLunch Mermaids and sea witches are so lucky — they have an endless supply of sea salt AND seaweed! Their hair must be so shiny and wavy. Give the gift of luscious hair for only $6.90. Click here to buy the Disney Villains Ursula Seaweed Hair Mask Speaking of friends under the sea, these figural bag clips are shaped like some of our favorite underwater characters! Pudge the fish doesn’t get enough love, so it’s so fun to see him (with a peanut butter sandwich, of course) as one of the character clips! ©Hot Topic Each mystery bag clip is $7.90 on Hot Topic. Click here to shop the Disney Aquatic Animals Blind Bag Figural Bag Clip You can never have too many books; just ask Belle! Help your child learn to read, or just enjoy family storytime with this Disney princess book from Amazon. ©Amazon You can find this book on Amazon for $4.50. Click here to check out the Disney Princess: A Pony Princess Book This year you can hang your stocking with care knowing you’ve got the BEST stocking stuffers around! Looking for more Disney merchandise inspiration? Stay tuned! We’re always on the hunt for new Disney goodies! 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 your plans for Christmas this year? Do they involve Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post 25 Disney World Stocking Stuffers For Under first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It goes without questions that of all the Disney World parks, EPCOT is THE place for festivals! Festival days are BIG here at DFB! With incredible and immersive festivals taking place practically year-round, it’s practically impossible to choose a favorite one! Or is it?! We love a little social media debate about Disney favorites. Flower and Garden Festival In the past, we’ve asked our Instagram followers when they think the Disney Dining Plan will return, which hotels they’d never stay at again, and who the REAL star of The Haunted Mansion is. Now we’re at it again, asking our readers which EPCOT festival is the BEST festival! EPCOT This is a HEATED debate ’round these parts. Every member of our team has a favorite — and a least favorite — but we wanted to know about YOU! The results may shock you! Or…not shock you at all. Overview First, a quick recap. EPCOT The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts kicks off the year, taking place this coming January 14-February 21, 2022. This fest is beloved for its chalk art, over-the-top artistically plated foods, performance artists, and more. Festival of the Arts You’ll usually spy that lovable purple dragon, Figment, front and center as the sort of unofficial mascot of this fest, with loads of merch covered with him! He even has his own scavenger hunt, Figment’s Brush With the Masters, where you hunt for him around World Showcase in artwork from each country! Oh, Hi Mona Lisa…err…Figment! Guests can participate in painting giant paint-by-number murals… Get YOUR paint on! …or listen to the Disney On Broadway Series, where Broadway stars perform most days for guests free with admission! Alton Fitzgerald White and Kissy Simmons They can also check out great artists doing demos and selling their works around the park. Mickey! Or guests can BECOME part of the art themselves with life-sized famous works of art scattered around the park for picture taking! Van Gogh photo op Next up is the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival in the spring, renowned for its gorgeous topiaries and garden-inspired snacks! What a Beautiful View! The adorable Orange Bird is the de facto unofficial mascot this time around, with his cheery face on loads of goodies around the park. Hi There! Guests can sample food from the outdoor kitchens around the park, all focused on fresh, Spring-like produce — some grown in the park in the Land Pavilion! Tomato and Cornbread Panzanella The Garden Rocks Concert Series brings various popular musicians to the park to perform multiple times per day. Steve Augeri Kicks off Garden Rocks! There’s even typically a butterfly house you can stroll through and admire hundreds of butterflies swirling around you! Butterfly Garden The main star of the show at this fest though is those topiaries. The park is covered in gorgeous, colorful topiaries of Disney characters! So cute! The scavenger hunt for this fest involves Spike the Bee — you’ll go on an adventure to find his favorite plants for pollination around the park! Look who’s buzzin’ around the Festival! The longest-running festival is the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, which ran from July 15 through November 20, 2021, and featured a BOATLOAD of internationally themed bites and sips throughout World Showcase and beyond! Food & Wine Guests can enjoy performances at the Eat to the Beat Concert Series, featuring famous bands and musicians of yesterday and today. Wilson Phillips at Eat to the Beat This festival typically offers the most booths of any EPCOT fest, giving you loads of options to choose from! Warm Indian Bread with Dips at the India Booth There are often loads of free and paid seminars and special dining experiences available around World Showcase as well. The scavenger hunt at this festival involves, who else, CHEF Remy! He has ingredients scattered around the Pavilions you need to help find! Hey There Remy! The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays takes place late November through the end of December, wherein the park is adorned with ALL kinds of holiday decor and holiday treats! Festival of the Holidays You’ll find Holiday Kitchens, celebrating holidays and their foods from around the world… Tangierine Cafe: Flavors of the Medina Spread …as well as festive Storytellers scattered around the park, sharing various Holidays celebrated worldwide. Father Christmas in the UK Pavilion The scavenger hunt this go-round is run by Olaf! He’s on a mission to find as many Holiday traditions as he can. Run around the park looking for him and his little sleighs of goodies to get a prize! Can you find all the Olafs? The special entertainment offering at this fest is a fan-favorite: the Candlelight Processional. Here, a full orchestra and choir perform each night led by a celebrity narrator as they share the Christmas story. This is a long-running tradition started by Walt Disney, himself, back in the day in Disneyland! Candlelight Processional WHEW! A year of EPCOT fests, just like that! So…which one is the BEST? Let’s see what you said! EPCOT International Festival of the Arts The fest that got the LEAST amount of votes is the Festival of the Arts — oof! Festival of the Arts Perhaps it’s a mass aversion to chalk art, or the prospect of coloring and decorating is just off-putting, or perhaps it’s just a slow time of year and you can’t muster the post-holiday energy to care? The chalk designs are coming back! The weather can be chilly at times as well. Whatever the reason, y’all just weren’t feeling this fest. EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Did the Grinch hack our Insta? Because Festival of the Holidays barely earned more votes than Festival of the Arts! No love for the holidays?? In a somewhat shocking twist, the merriest time of year in the Most Magical Place on Earth did not get the votes we assumed it would! No tree sushi for y’all It’s all good, though. That just means more Spaceship Earth Cookies for the rest of us! EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival In second place (and earning a LOT more votes than both the Festivals of the Arts and Holidays, LOL) is the International Flower & Garden Festival! EPCOT If you think about it, the fanfare for this one makes sense: it’s a time of rejuvenation and rebirth, and EPCOT simply looks GORGEOUS with all its extra flowers and plants! Beauty and the Beast Topiary at the Flower and Garden Festival Plus, who DOESN’T love eating edible dirt?! (Spoiler alert: 2,458 of you love eating edible dirt). EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival If you were hoping for a plot twist and an unexpected outcome, it’s not happening. Unsurprisingly, the International Food & Wine Festival EASILY took top billing as the BEST EPCOT festival according to you! We have a winner! The fact that this is by FAR the longest festival certainly helps its odds. As does the fact that two of our favorite words — “food” and “wine” — are in the title. Guinness Baileys Shake With 5,126 votes, more than doubling the runner-up, our readers clearly agree! 2021 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Passport Well, there you have it! When it comes to the best of the fests, Food & Wine is the clear winner! It’s all science. Or, ya know, Instagram. Are EPCOT Festivals Getting More Expensive? 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. Which EPCOT festival is YOUR favorite, and why? Let us know in the comments! The post Let's Settle This -- Which EPCOT Festival is the BEST? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. It’s been a LONG year. Maybe you just got back from Disney World and are experiencing the post-Disney World blues. Maybe you haven’t been to Disney World in a while and are missing the magic. Perhaps you just finished wrapping the 50th present for your friends and family members and are exhausted. Now could be the PERFECT time to treat yourself! Time to Shop! You heard us! #TreatYourself!!! You deserve it! You’ve pushed through 2021 and have dealt with everything the year had to throw at you. It’s time to give yourself a little prize. But, if you want to grab some goodies for yourself AND save money while doing it, you’ve come to the right place! Today we’re breaking down 5 deals that you can take advantage of right now to treat yourself and still save some cash! 1 — Get 20% OFF Unique Disney Merch! Do you love DOLE Whip? Then it’s time to profess your undying dedication for this snack by grabbing some DFB DOLE Whip merch! You can snag a Pineapple Whip t-shirt, mask, and even a sticker or other goodies with this same design on it! Time to Grab That DOLE Whip Merch! Or, maybe you’re a lover of ALL things Magic Kingdom. In that case, the Magical Lands sweatshirt could be just what you need! DFB Magical Lands Sweatshirt You could also pick up some shirts to show that you’re “Winning” the parks… Winning EPCOT …or merch to show off your love of all things plastic cheese or Sonny Eclipse! DFB Alien TOUR Tee You can get all this and MORE on the DFB store. From pillows to socks, we’ve got it all. And right now you can save 20% on ALL of our DFB merch with the code MAGIC! Click here to shop the DFB merch store and use “MAGIC” for 20% off! 2 — BIG Discounts on Disney Collectibles Want to stock up on some fun Disney ears… Ears! …board games… ©shopDisney …mugs, and more, but not willing to pay the full price? Let Me SLEEP! Then, shopDisney is where you’ll want to head for the next few days! Right now, shopDisney is offering its 12 days of Magical Deals. Each day (or every few days) different discounts and deals are available through the website. Right now, from December 7th through Thursday, December 9th, you can use code “SAVEMORE” to get 20% off orders of $75+ or 25% off orders of $100+. ©shopDisney That could save you some big bucks on a whole bunch of items! Just make sure that the items you’re looking at are eligible for the deal. Add them to your cart and check that the discount code applies to them. From what we’ve seen, you can save on a lot of collectibles (including the ones we listed above). So, go ahead, treat yourself!! Reading this past December 9th? No worries! Check on shopDisney to see what today’s deal is! Don’t forget to look for free shipping deals too — right now you can get free shipping on orders of $75+ with the code “SHIPMAGIC.” Click here to take advantage of ALL of the deals on shopDisney! 3 — The Guides You Need to Conquer Disney World Whether you’re a Disney expert or novice, our DFB guides can help you conquer Disney World and potentially explore places you wouldn’t have thought to visit! Our guides are FULL of pictures to help you on your trip planning journey, links to help you see the latest information and reviews, details about all kinds of new things that have arrived in Disney World, tips & tricks, and more. Right now, you can grab a number of our guides, but today we’re highlighting two of them. First up, we have the big kahuna — The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2022. This is a MASSIVE e-book filled with all kinds of details about dining at Disney World, bingo sheets so you can have some fun in the parks, top 5 lists, and much more. It can help you navigate the parks, figure out where to eat, and make your planning easier! DFB Guide to Disney World Dining 2022 But, we have a ton of other guides too (including guides for EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival and more). If you can’t decide what guide to get, why not grab our DFB Everything Bundle?! This bundle comes with: the pre-order for the Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2022, the Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks, the Guide to EPCOT Snacks, the Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks, the pre-order for the DFB Guide to the 2022 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, the Guide for Walt Disney World Holidays 2021, and the pre-order for the Guide to the 2022 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival. WHEW. That’s a lot of things all in 1 bundle! Everything!! If you’re hoping to get the 2022 Guide or the Everything Bundle, now is your chance! You can get 20% off these items right now with the code MAGIC! Click here to get our DFB Guides and use “MAGIC” to get 20% off the guides listed above! 4 — Save on Disney Essentials Want to treat yourself to some Disney essentials AND get free 2-day shipping? Oh yeah, it’s time to head to Amazon, where you’ll find all kinds of awesome Disney deals. Black Friday and Cyber Monday might be over, but the discounts continue on this website on all kinds of Disney essentials. You can carry the Disney fun with you wherever you go (for less) by grabbing the Mickey and Minnie Wristlet Purse. ©Disney | Amazon It’s normally $23.99, but is on sale for $13.99 (saving you 41%!). A cute treat yourself gift for UNDER $15?! Yes, please! Get the purse here! Maybe your version of treating yourself is grabbing your favorite snacks. Well, what better way to enjoy those snacks than on some Baby Yoda appetizer plates?! ©Corelle | Amazon This set comes with 8 of the appetizer-sized plates. It’s normally $39.99, but can be yours for $35.10 (saving you 12%). Get the plates here. Or maybe it’s time to REALLY treat yourself to a new tech gadget. Well, if you act now, you could get the Fire HD Tablet with the Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker standing case. With this tablet, you can browse the internet, watch a movie, read a book, and more! ©Amazon The tablet is normally $254.97, but can be yours for $137.48! That’s over 40% off! Get the tablet here! The deals on Amazon can change frequently, so check to see what’s available when you stop by the site. 5 — Beauty & Relaxation Time Alright, now it’s really time to treat yourself! Maybe you can’t get out to the spa, but you deserve a spa day, even if it’s one you create yourself! So get that bath ready with the Winnie the Pooh Bath Salt Set (normally $12.90, but currently on sale for $9.03)… ©BoxLunch …put on that Princess Face Mask (normally $19.90, on sale for $13.93)… ©BoxLunch …and hop in those comfy Disney pajamas (priced at $26.90 normally, on sale for $18.83 right now). ©BoxLunch These specific deals are going on right now at BoxLunch. Their deals can change often though, so be sure to check what discounts are offered when you go to buy your items! Click here to shop all the Disney BoxLunch deals! And that’s our list of #TreatYourself deals you can take advantage of right now. You deserve it! Treat yourself to some fun Disney items right now! It doesn’t have to be a big purchase, but even just a little $10-$15 Disney goodie can turn your day around. We’ll be on the lookout for more Disney deals and we’ll let you know what we find. Click here to see the perfect last minute Disney Christmas gift for literally anyone! 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 is your favorite Disney item from this list? Tell us in the comments! The post Treat Yourself TODAY With These 5 Disney Deals! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Epcot’s Candlelight Processional is at Walt Disney World with hundreds of cast members filling in for community choir musicians. View the full article Cast members perform in the choir for Candlelight Processional, a holiday offering at Epcot. The nightly performances continue through Dec. 30. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) Epcot’s Candlelight Processional is back at Walt Disney World after a one-year pandemic-prompted absence. It looks a little different, and it sounds a little different, but the long-running holiday celebration has returned. “This kind of music was kind of just ripped out from underneath us, and now we have it back and there’s this just overwhelming sense of gratitude and urge to do this,” said Clay Price, a producer with Disney Live Entertainment and one of this year’s conductors. One visible change is fewer singers on stage. It was decided to bring back Candlelight without recruiting community-choir members. Instead, all vocal participants are Disney World employees, aka cast members. “Because of health and safety … and because of the unique nature of the show, we knew that everyone would need to be fully vaccinated. And that’s not something that we expect from our community-based choirs,” Aaron Rowe, general manager of Epcot entertainment, said. Ordinarily, hundreds of non-Disney singers would stream through the theme park for rehearsals and performances nightly. With that decision began rehearsals and rearrangements. The 50-piece orchestra remains front and center, and the celebrity narrator is elevated and behind those musicians. Walt Disney World cast members (and narrator Chita Rivera) perform during Epcot's Candlelight Processional. The event was not held in 2020 but has returned this year with only Disney employees in the choir and Voice of Liberty taking the center 'tree' position. (Dewayne Bevil / Orlando Sentinel) In previous years, the narrator was adjacent to eight members of Voices of Liberty, Epcot’s year-round a cappella group. But this year, 16 members of Voices are in each Candlelight performance, and they each stand in the rounded, tiered platform that resembles a Christmas tree, the previous spot for 48 volunteer cast members. The cast members stand in rows that flank the central “tree” this year, and there are more of them. The group is not as large as when the community choirs participate; there will be about 170 singers there for performances, held three times nightly between Thanksgiving and Dec. 30, Price said. Some people sing in two or three processionals in one night, and some people are in as many as 30 processionals during the holiday season. “Some people would do it every night,” Price said. Candlelight Processional’s format includes the choir carrying (battery-powered) candles and streaming into Epcot’s America Gardens Theater. The narrator retells the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth, interspersed with traditional carols and holiday music. About 2,000 cast members auditioned for the slots, and those selected were required to attend 10 rehearsals that last about two hours apiece. “We’ve been able to really work with them more one-on-one because we’ve added more rehearsals this year,” Davis said. This year, there are about 1,200 cast members in Candlelight, up from about 700. Having twice as many Voices of Liberty members there, each armed with handheld microphones, presented opportunities. “Most of it looks the same. What’s really different is having the Voices in that tree, because they’re such a focal point,” Price said. “In ‘Silent Night,’ we added an extra little harmony there … because we can,” he said. “When you have two first sopranos that can just hit these beautiful, unearthly notes, you use it,” he said. The relocation of Voices led to additional rethinking. Having singers hold both a mic and a candle would be awkward, so, instead, more candles were added to the curved railings in front of them. “Because of the different staging there were some other behind-the-scenes changes from a costuming and a lighting design perspective,” Rowe said. “So, with the different robe colors, you have to look at the lighting. … It’s not necessarily a rinse and repeat from what we’ve done in the past.” Candlelight Processional predates Walt Disney World. Walt Disney introduced the event at Disneyland in California in 1958. It was produced at Magic Kingdom starting in 1971, that theme park’s first holiday season, and it has been at Epcot since 1994. Price said he remembers seeing it at Disney World as a youngster on a family vacation. “We have cast that grew up coming to Walt Disney World and seeing Candlelight. They work here, and now they’re able to sing in Candlelight,” Rowe said. “It’s very, very personal for a lot of people.” The audience is responding, too, he said. “One of the things that I love the most is just to stand there as the guests are exiting and to hear what they’re saying,” Rowe said. “We had so many guests who were generous enough to stop and say, ‘Thank you. Thank you for bringing this back.’” Dewayne Bevil Orlando Sentinel

We’ve been hanging out in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom over the last few days! Magic Kingdom Now, we’re bringing you an update on everything NEW in Disney World’s flagship park. Let’s take a look at all the updates in construction, and merchandise! Magic Kingdom Construction Updates Fantasyland Princess Fairytale Hall in Fantasyland is a spot where guests can meet Cinderella and other princesses! Since the spot reopened, the princesses have been Cinderella, Tiana, Elena, and Rapunzel. Snow White! But recently, Snow White was greeting guests as a visiting princess! Click here to see more of Snow White in Magic Kingdom! Over in Storybook Circus, Timothy Q. Mouse on Dumbo The Flying Elephant was turning around but still not moving. He’s been a little wonky for a while. Timothy Q. Mouse Tomorrowland As usual, we stopped in for an update on construction at TRON Lightcycle Run! It looks like the upcoming coaster is still coming along. We’ll keep our fingers crossed for an update on the opening! TRON Lightcycle Run The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover sign has been updated to reflect that the attraction is now sponsored by Enterprise! PeopleMover Sign Magic Kingdom Merchandise Updates Curtain Call Collectibles At Curtain Call Collectibles, we spotted a little Mickey Bar Pin for $17.99. It’s pretty small for a high price but it is cute! Mickey Bar Pin Emporium Main Street Emporium has Valentine’s Day Gift Cards available. It’s never to early to prep for celebrating loved ones! Valentine’s Day Gift Cards The Lodge Minnie Ears were available at the Emporium this week. Very cute! Lodge Minnie Ears And, we spotted this new-to-us Star Wars Keychain too. Star Wars Keychain There are Adjustable 50th EARidescent Ears that were new to us as well. Adjustable 50th EARidescent Ears Uptown Jewelers Uptown Jewelers has the new Baublebar Holiday collection with pricing ranging from $40 to $55. There are Mickey earrings… Baublebar Holiday collection …rings and bracelets… Baublebar Holiday collection …a snacks bracelet and a balloon bracelet… Baublebar Holiday collection …balloon earrings… Baublebar Holiday collection …Mickey donut earrings… Baublebar Holiday collection …Mickey and Minnie studs… Baublebar Holiday collection …Minnie pom earrings… Baublebar Holiday collection …Minnie heart earrings… Baublebar Holiday collection …Mickey pom earrings… Baublebar Holiday collection …and a Mickey heart necklace. Baublebar Holiday collection Uptown Jewelers also has the Mickey Mouse Sketch collection from Dooney & Bourke. Dooney and Bourke This collection features a crossbody bag for $228, a Mickey Mouse Sketch mini backpack for $268, and a large domed satchel for $298. Want to see more of the new Dooney & Bourke collection? Click here! Frontier Trading Post We spotted new pins at Frontier Trading Post including the Yeti Pin… Yeti Pin …and the Tiki Set for $15.99. Tiki Set And, the Alice Jumbo Pin… Alice Jumbo Pin …and the Jumbo Skyliner Pin for $34.99. Jumbo Skyliner Pin This spot also had a 4-Set of Patches for $19.99. 4-Set of Patches Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe has a Marvel Heroic Holiday Pin! Marvel Heroic Holiday Pin Bonjour Village Gifts Over at Bonjour Village Gifts, we spotted a new Jerrod Maruyama Kingdom of Cute Purse for $54.99. Jerrod Maruyama Kingdom of Cute Purse Star Traders Star Traders had this classic, new-to-us Castle Shirt for $24.99. Castle Shirt Tomorrowland Light & Power Co. Aaaaand our final stop is Tomorrowland Light & Power Company where we spotted a customizable Holiday MagicBand… Holiday MagicBand …customizable 50th Magicbands… Holiday MagicBand …and new holiday phone cases! Holiday MagicBand As a bonus, this spot now has iPhone 13 cases. iPhone 13 cases And that’s all the latest from Magic Kingdom this time around! As always, keep an eye on DFB so you don’t miss any of the Disney World updates. To see more of the latest from Magic 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 Magic Kingdom soon? Tell us in the comments! The post What's New in Magic Kingdom: Designer Collections and a SURPRISE Princess! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Last night, the Disneyland Resort and Make-A-Wish Orange County & the Inland Empire and Make-A-Wish Greater Los Angeles joined forces to host a Galaxy of Wishes fundraising event in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to give even more opportunities for children to have their wishes come true. The first of its kind event on the planet of Batuu provided the perfect backdrop to demonstrate the wonder of imagination as guests were able to have their own wish fulfilled of being immersed in the Star Wars universe.View the full article

Hello from Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Look at those giant ornaments! It’s the holiday season in Hollywood Studios, which means retro decorations, delicious treats, and a dinosaur wearing a Santa hat. We like to keep up with everything new in the parks, so let’s see what’s new in Hollywood Studios! Hollywood Studios Food Updates Hollywood Scoops There is a new milkshake over at Hollywood Scoops! This is the Candy Cane Milkshake which has vanilla candy cane ice cream, and is topped with whipped cream, a chocolate cake doughnut, and little candy cane pieces. This is practically a MEAL! We enjoyed this minty sweet shake, and the doughnut was a fun addition! You can get it for $9.49. Click here to see our full review of the Candy Cane Milkshake! Hollywood Studios Merchandise Updates Keystone Clothiers We found a new Wakanda Forever hoodie in Keystone Clothiers! Black Panther hoodie On one sleeve, it says ‘Wakanda’… Can you guess what comes next? …and on the other, it says ‘Forever.’ Get it for $64.99. We love this design! There was also a new Avengers hoodie in here for $59.99. Avengers…ASSEMBLE Sticking to the Marvel theme, we saw a new Spider-Man toy where he has his own motorcycle! Spider-Man, Spider-Man… And, there is a new Spider-Man mask! Great for staying in disguise You can get the mask for $24.99. Celebrity 5 & 10 In the Celebrity 5 & 10, we saw a very blinged out Cinderella Castle pin! Cue ‘Shiny’ by Tamatoa This sells for $17.99. Sunset Club Couture Over inside Sunset Club Couture, there is a new kids Minnie Mouse purse for $24.99! So stylish There are also new kids Tinker Bell clip on earrings which are super cute. Clip on earrings! And, we saw this awesome blue tie-dye Walt Disney Pictures sweatshirt! We love the classic designs! You can grab it for $52.99. The Darkroom Two new Pop Sockets are available in The Darkroom! The first is this one with baby Donald… Baby Donald …and the other is of baby Mickey! They’re both $14.99 each. Baby Mickey We also spotted some new holiday phone cases in here! We’ve seen these Both of these are $34.99 each. Protect your phone AND be festive And up at the cash registers, there were signs that said “Cashless Terminal” which means it does not accept cash as a form of payment. No cash, sorry! But, you can still use things like your MagicBand or credit card! Mickey’s of Hollywood Inside Mickey’s of Hollywood, the Mobile Merchandise Checkout just became available! A new way to checkout You can use your phone and the My Disney Experience app to check out with your merchandise now, meaning you don’t have to stand in those long lines! Click here to learn more about Mobile Merchandise Checkout We also spotted the Sugar Cookie Ears we previously saw in Magic Kingdom in here! How do we feel about these? These are $29.99. Click here to see more pictures of these festive ears! There are some new holiday nail decals in here! There is a gold set and a more traditional holiday set. Which one is your favorite? Both of these sell for $7.99 each. Click here to see more about these new nail decals! And, we saw a new holiday tumbler in here as well! It shows Mickey and friends having fun sledding in the snow for $27.99. Snow much fun Finally, we found a new kids sweatshirt that says JOY for the holidays and has snowflakes on the arms! Fun details! The sweatshirt is $44.99. Tatooine Traders We saw a NEW Boba Fett shirt in Tatooine Traders, just ahead of the premiere for his new show on Disney+! You can get this shirt for $24.99. Recognize anyone? There is also a new kids Star Wars sweatshirt in here that’s encouraging kids to ‘choose your destiny.’ That’s right! The letters are even holographic! Hollywood Studios Additional Updates Rock Your Face is open again over by Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster! It’s back! This is the spot where you can get your face painted. A lot of designs to choose from Also over on Sunset Boulevard is a new PhotoPass sign! You can hold this “Sunset Season’s Greetings” sign in your next picture in front of Tower of Terror! Say ‘cheese’ Finally, it was recently Walt Disney’s birthday! On December 5th, we celebrated Walt, on what would have been his 120th birthday. Happy birthday to the man who made so many people’s dreams come true! Happy birthday!! That’s everything new in Hollywood Studios! Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World news and updates. Click here to see what’s new in Animal Kingdom! 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. Which ride is your favorite in Hollywood Studios? Let us know in the comments! The post What’s New in Hollywood Studios: Spider-Man on a Motorcycle and Peppermint Milkshakes first appeared on the disney food blog. 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Disney recently announced big plans to transform Disneyland’s Toontown area. ©Disney Toontown is currently scheduled to close in March 2022 and reopen in early 2023 with a new ride and a fully reimagined space. In the meantime, we’ve learned a bit more about one of the most special parts of the new Toontown — and Walt Disney fans will want to hear this. Although Toontown in Disney World was replaced in 2011, this cartoony land has remained in Disneyland since 1993. Inspired by the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit, the area features colorful, cartoon-like houses, decor, and rides. While Toontown is not going anywhere in Disneyland, it will soon be undergoing a huge transformation. Toontown in Disneyland One of the major parts of the remodeled Toontown will be a tribute to Walt Disney’s beloved Cottonwood tree in Marceline, Missouri, where as a child he used to sit and daydream. In fact, according to Marcy Carriker Smothers as reported in the Orange County Register, Walt Disney credited the tree “as the birthplace of his imagination,” and he named it the Dreaming Tree. ©Disney The new Toontown Dreaming Tree will have sculpted roots for children to climb, play, and explore, and Toontown itself will be a green space filled with play activities for children and families to enjoy. ©Disney The Dreaming Tree in Toontown will not be the only Dreaming Tree in Disneyland, as a sapling from seeds of the original Cottonwood Tree, which was sadly struck by lightning, was planted near the Mark Twain Riverboat in 2005, and later moved to the banks of the Rivers of America. If you find yourself in Disneyland, you can find this “Son of the Dreaming Tree” located behind a teepee and a fire pit in the Lakota Village if you take a ride on any of the water transportation on the Rivers of America. Mark Twain Riverboat Walt Disney reportedly used some of his childhood memories from playing beneath the Dreaming Tree as inspiration for Mickey Mouse and Silly Symphony cartoons. You can find another sapling grown from the seeds of the Dreaming Tree on the Disney Family Farm in Marceline, and a third sapling is kept safe in case anything happens to the other trees. Toontown will close in March 2022 and reopen in 2023 with Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Keep reading DFB for more Disney news, history, and more! Read more about the plans to reimagine Disneyland’s Toon Town here! 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 excited for the new, reimagined Toontown in Disneyland? Tell us in the comments! The post A Piece of Walt Disney’s Childhood Will Be Part of the Toontown Transformation in Disneyland first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

More than 300 Disneyland Resort cast members from select areas checked “dog snuggles” off their Christmas lists while visiting with seven dogs and their owners from Pet Prescription Team — a local nonprofit that enhances quality of life through the human-animal bond. “I love it; the dogs are very calming,” said Cashier Nikki Valencia, one […]View the full article

Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville empire has found itself a party ship. 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 still looking for unique holiday gifts that are also Disney-related? DFB Big Thunder Tees Did you know that DFB has all kinds of fun merchandise you could gift to your favorite Disney fan, or even for yourself! You need to order soon to get your gifts in time for Christmas, so check out some of our favorites below! If you want your DFB merch in time for Christmas, you need to order by December 9th for standard shipping, December 15th for rush shipping, and December 21st for super rush shipping! And best of all, right now you can get 20% off everything in the DFB store with the code MAGIC! Get your favorite cheese lover our Plastic Cheese T-Shirt! Or if you REALLY want an inside Disney reference, get the Sonny Eclipse Alien Tour T-Shirt, which references our favorite DJ in Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe. DFB Alien TOUR Tee Surprise your friend with a special Disney t-shirt for Christmas, especially if they love Disney Food Blog inside jokes. Find the Sonny Eclipse and Plastic Cheese T-Shirts here! And since Disney World still requires masks worn indoors, you can also get matching face coverings! Choose from Lanterns, Orange Bird, Au Revoir, and many more! DFB face masks Don’t forget to use code MAGIC to get 20% off EVERTHING in the DFB merch store! Shop for a DFB face covering here! It’s a little chilly in Disney World lately so a cozy sweatshirt is just the right fit for your winter visit! You can have some Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust, or take that pixie dust a step further with the You Can Fly! Sweatshirt. Who are we kidding, we’re dressing up for the ‘gram The Magical Lands Sweatshirt is all about your favorite Magic Kingdom lands, or grab the Main Street, FL Sweatshirt for a more subtle nod to your favorite street in Disney World. Get 20% off DFB Hoodies and Sweatshirts here with code MAGIC! Need some cute stocking stuffers? Check out all the DFB Accessory Pouches! Whether you love Orange Bird, Neverland, Pineapple Whip, or even Magic Kingdom’s Purple Wall, you’ll probably find a pouch for any Disney fan in your life. DFB Accessory Pouches These zip-closure pouches have a double-sided print AND they make an excellent organizer in your Disney bag! Check out the DFB Pouches for 20% off here with code MAGIC! Know a huge Big Thunder Mountain Railroad fan? We have a few variations of this iconic Magic Kingdom ride, with the Big Thunder Tee and the Big Thunder Mt. Railroad Tee! And if you didn’t know, most DFB t-shirts and sweatshirts come in LOTS of different colors! Big Thunder Mountain Tees Or maybe you’re more of an Enchanted Tiki Room fan, and you can show off your Tiki love with the Tiki Tiki Resorts T-Shirt, which has a small “tiki tiki tiki” image on the front, and a big “The Tiki Resorts” image on the back! DFB Merch Make sure to use code MAGIC for 20% off your favorite DFB t-shirt! Check out ALL the DFB t-shirts here! And if you’re still looking for a stocking stuffer for that person who loves unique stickers, here ya go! Choose from three different stickers including Pineapple Whip, Magical Lands, and Let’s Fly to Neverland! The Neverland Sticker Would Look Great on Your Fav Water Bottle! Get one or all three and save 20% with the code MAGIC! Check out all the DFB stickers here! Order your DFB merch by December 9th to get in time for Christmas and don’t forget to use the code MAGIC for 20% off! You’ll also have the option for rush shipping by December 15th or super rush shipping by December 21st, but if you want standard shipping, make sure you place your order ASAP. Click here to shop the DFB Merch Store and use code MAGIC for 20% off! 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. Are you done with your holiday shopping yet? Tell us in the comments! The post 🚨HURRY!🚨Order These Disney Gifts SOON If You Want Them in Time for Christmas! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. It’s winter and that means it’s time to bundle up with coats, scarves, and fun hats! It’s cozy season! Winter Magic Hat and scarf And we’re big fans of the Love Your Melon collaborations with Disney, where you can get a warm hat that also shows off your love for all things Disney! And now you can buy THREE new Love Your Melon beanies online at shopDisney — and these three hats are a MUST for Star Wars fans! The first beanie features Grogu, aka The Child, aka Baby Yoda (whatever you prefer to call him)! The Child Beanie by Love Your Melon is a light brown with a dark brown pom pom on top. AND it has little Grogu on it using the Force — and look at how hard he’s concentrating — he’s going to need a nap after that! ©Disney This beanie is available now for $55.99. This is the way! Click Here To Buy The Child Beanie by Love Your Melon Or you could represent Din Djarin on The Mandalorian Beanie by Love Your Melon — which features Din on the front in his Beskar Armor. And of course, little Grogu is with him, because as Din says, “Wherever I go, he goes.” ©Disney You can grab this hat for $40.99. Click Here To Buy The The Mandalorian Beanie by Love Your Melon Everyone’s favorite Bounty Hunter stars on the next hat in the collection. That’s right! You can now get a Boba Fett Beanie By Love Your Melon! This beanie is dark green and has an applique of Boba’s helmet on the front. ©Disney You can grab the Boba Fett beanie now for $40.99. Click Here To Buy The Boba Fett Beanie By Love Your Melon! So head on over to shopDisney and grab these Star Wars-inspired beanies now! And, hey, they would make great gifts for those other Star Wars fans in your life, too! And if we spot any other cool Star Wars gear online, we’ll be sure to let you know! Check Out This NEW Star Wars Collectible That Celebrates Disney+’s ‘The Book of Boba Fett’ 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 have any Star Wars winter gear? Let us know in the comments! The post Star Wars Hats That Would Make Even a Mandalorian Remove Their Helmet first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Although the high price tag gave us all some sticker shock, Disney World’s Galactic Starcruiser, aka the Star Wars Hotel, sounds like it might be an AMAZING experience for Star Wars fans. ©Disney This isn’t just a hotel stay — it’s an interactive experience where everything you do affects the entire ship, where you can train with LIGHTSABERS, see a host of characters straight out of a galaxy far, far away, and spend some time eating some fun space-themed food and enjoying some unique entertainment. And now you could get a chance to visit the Galactic Starcruiser FOR FREE. Disney has already held a few Galactic Starcruiser giveaways, but there’s a new one you need to know about! There’s a NEW giveaway celebrating the release of a series of new books and comics all about the High Republic era timeline in the Star Wars universe (and yes, the Galactic Starcruiser puts in an appearance in some of these stories!). ©Disney You can now enter to win round-trip airfare for up to four people to Orlando, Florida for a 4-day/3-night vacation to Disney World, which includes a 2-night experience on a test voyage of the Galactic Starcruiser. This voyage will take place in February 2022 — a month before the Starcruiser opens to the public. You could be one of the FIRST people aboard the ship! The grand prize winner will also get a separate meet-and-greet with all five authors of “The High Republic” series of books and comics. ©Disney First prize winners will receive: a LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series AT-AT construction set a Star Wars Galactic Snackin’ Grogu animatronic toy from Hasbro a Star Wars R2-D2 TAMAGOTCHI a Star Wars Corkcicle – Death Star Ice Bucket Star Wars DIFF Eyewear – Darth Vader 2.0 sunglasses Star Wars Jedi Decorative Pillows from Sobel Westex Home a Star Wars Droids Guide to a Galaxy Far, Far Away by USPS a “Star Wars: The High Republic: The Rising Storm” bundle a “Star Wars: The High Republic: The Republic Fair” T-shirt the full collection of “Star Wars: The High Republic” books and comics. ©Disney And you can enter EVERY DAY — head on over to BringHomeTheBounty.com to enter for your chance to win! The sweepstakes starts TODAY with a winner being chosen via a special livestream event on January 4th, 2022. May the Force Be With You! And we’ll let you know if we find any other opportunities to win Disney stays, merchandise, and more, so stay tuned! Read MORE about the Star Wars Hotel here. Star Wars Hotel -- Galactic Starcruiser News and Information See the Sample Pricing Revealed for the Star Wars Hotel Check Out a Sample Itinerary for the Star Wars Hotel Experience See Everything We Know About Dining at the Star Wars Hotel Learn About the Room Types at the Star Wars Hotel Watch a Video With Groundbreaking Details About the Star Wars Hotel Check Out a Complete Packing List for the Star Wars Hotel See 7 Important Details You May Have Missed About the Star Wars Hotel Check Out Some Important Announcements About the Star Wars Hotel See Why Galactic Starcruiser Isn’t Really a Hotel Click HERE to See More About Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Do you have a stay booked on the Galactic Starcruiser? Let us know in the comments! The post A FREE Disney World Vacation And Star Wars Hotel Stay? Find Out How to WIN Here! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The holidays are here, and as cast members around the world celebrate with different festivities and traditions, we all share a passion for giving back to our local communities through philanthropic efforts. This year, Disney kicked off the Disney Ultimate Toy Drive, with Disney Parks, Experiences and Products destinations and teams coordinating toy donation drives […]View the full article

Disney Genie launched in Disney World in October, and today it’s Disneyland’s turn! Disneyland We’ve been in the parks trying out both the free Genie and paid Genie+ and although all was well at first, we learned pretty quickly that things were going downhill. Check out what we’ve experienced so far today all before noon! Disney Genie Goes Down In Disneyland Resort, we could not use the free Genie services until 7AM or purchase Genie+ until we entered the theme park. Once we entered Disney California Adventure around 8AM, we were able to start reserving our first Lightning Lane. But then, around 10AM, Disney Genie went down. We began receiving an error message in the Disneyland app and have been unable to access either free or paid Genie+ services since. ©Disney A Cast Member told us they were resetting the server, but Disney Genie services seem to remain unavailable in the Disneyland app. We’re watching closely for more updates! Disney Genie has arrived at Disneyland Resort! Rides Closed There are three Individual Attraction Selections (or pay-per-ride) available at Disneyland Resort, including Radiator Springs Racers and WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure in Disney California Adventure, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in Disneyland Park. Radiator Springs Racers, one of the pay-per-ride options, went down this morning and remains temporarily closed. ©Disney Another popular ride, Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl, also went down, which means longer wait times around Disney California Adventure. ©Disney We’ve experienced the closure of a ride we paid for in Disney World and received an “experience redemption” good for a Lightning Lane pass as soon as the ride reopened. If the ride was to remain closed all day, a Cast Member told us we’d receive a refund, so people who’ve already paid for Racers passes could experience either scenario today. Read more about what happened when the ride we paid for shut down! Disability Access Service Perhaps as a consequence of Disney Genie going down, Disability Access Service (DAS) has also been unavailable, so Disneyland went old school with paper passes! DAS allows guests with disabilities a way around waiting in the typical standby line in Disney Parks. Generally speaking, people with a DAS pass can request access to a ride, and a Cast Member will give them a return time comparable to the current standby wait time. Disability Access Service Pass On the inside of the paper booklet they wrote our attraction and the return time. This is how it was done before smartphones and Disney apps, folks! Going old school in DCA! Through Disney Genie, guests can register for a DAS pass virtually with a Cast Member, and when visiting Disney Parks, they can also virtually schedule DAS return times. Learn how to pre-register for Disneyland’s Disability Access Service here! Phew! Poor Disneyland! Hopefully, these issues are resolved as the day continues, so we’ll be keeping you updated with everything happening in Disneyland Resort. Check back with us soon! Read MORE about Disney Genie, Genie+, and Individual Attraction Selections here. 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 Are you trying out Genie+ in Disneyland today? Tell us in the comments! The post Genie Launches With a Rocky Start at Disneyland Resort first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World is FULL of delicious snacks! Coconut Dole Whip Churro Sundae But, sometimes those snacks need a bit of improvement, in our opinion. We’ve added Dole Whip to churros to make a sundae, made an EXTRA cheesy Mickey Pretzel, and even made that blue milk taste better in Galaxy’s Edge! And, we have a NEW snack hack for you to try out in EPCOT! This is the new Viennoiserie Au Pommes, or Apple Crumble pastry, from Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie in EPCOT’s France pavilion. Apple Crumble This pastry is $4, but we found a way to make it even BETTER! If you go next door to L’Artisan des Glaces, you can get a scoop of ice cream for $6.13 — we think you know where this is going! Let’s combine these two! We chose to get a vanilla ice cream to pair with the apple crumble, because what’s a more classic combo than apple and vanilla ice cream?! A thing of beauty The crumble is a typical pastry topped with apple and cinnamon. There is not much filling, but you can taste definitely taste the apple flavor. We chose to put the ice cream on top and it was an absolute hit! This was amazing. A classic combo We think the crumble without the ice cream would’ve been a bit dry and plain — the vanilla ice cream really turned this into the perfect dessert combo. It almost reminded us of an apple pie! So much less dry! So, we definitely recommend adding some ice cream to this pastry! The treat is great for the apple pie lovers out there and the ice cream made it 10 times better. Our grand total for the dessert came out to $10.13, and you can for sure share this with another person, so we think it’s worth the extra cost! Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World snack tips and hacks. Click here to see how to hack a cinnamon roll ice cream sandwich 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! 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’s your favorite snack hack in Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post SNACK HACK ALERT: We Seriously Improved this NEW Treat in EPCOT🤤 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Although some things at Disney World that once were free aren’t free anymore, you can still score a few freebies here and there around the resort. Uptown Jewelers For example, you can still get free water at some food locations, free transportation around the resort, and free Wi-Fi. And now, for a limited time, you can also get something else free at Disney World — just in time for the holidays! You’ll want to stop by Uptown Jewelers at Magic Kingdom on December 10th and Legends of Hollywood at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on December 11th from 11AM to 7PM to grab this freebie. Make any Pandora Jewelry purchase at either of those stores on those dates, and you’ll get a complimentary personalized gift tag! ©Disney So this could be the PERFECT time to finish up your holiday shopping — you could grab some special holiday charms, some gorgeous Beauty and the Beast charms, 50th anniversary charms, and more. You’re sure to find a present to please almost every Disney-loving person on your shopping list! We’ll let you know if we spot any more freebies at Disney World, so 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! 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. How’s your holiday shopping going this year? Let us know in the comments! The post Visit These Two Shops in Disney World to Score a FREE Gift Soon! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’re planning on being in Disney World during New Year’s Eve you’ll have quite a few different festive options to check out. Disney Springs We’ve already shared details about the swanky party that will be held at The Edison and the $700(!!!) event going on at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. But now, another popular Disney World spot has announced details about their New Year’s Eve celebrations! Raglan Road Irish Pub is a popular restaurant located in Disney Springs. This spot is well known for their delicious dishes, great drink options, and awesome entertainment. We’ve already shared a look at their special Christmas Day offerings, but now it’s time to turn to New Year’s Eve! Raglan Road Irish Pub On December 31st, 2021, guests will be able to ring in the new year TWICE at Raglan Road. First, guests will get to raise a complimentary glass of bubbly at 7PM ET to ring in the Irish New Year (that’s midnight Irish time). Then, the celebrations will take place all over again at midnight ET. This is a tradition we’ve seen carried out at Raglan Road for a while now. Raglan Road Raglan Road will be serving their all-day menu as well as some tasty drinks. Their house bands and the Raglan Road Irish Dancers will also be there to perform and celebrate the new year with you! You can book your reservations for Raglan Road now so you don’t miss out on any of the fun. Raglan Road Irish Dancers | 2018 If you’re looking for a unique spot to celebrate New Year’s Eve, Raglan Road could be just the thing. Food, entertainment, and 2 New Year’s Eve celebrations?! Sounds like a good place to be! In all seriousness, it could also be a great pick for families with young children who aren’t going to be able to stay up until midnight, as it will still give everyone the feeling of having celebrated the New Year (at 7PM) without having to stay up late. Shepherd’s To Die For Pie from Raglan Road We’ll keep an eye out for more updates about New Year’s Eve and we’ll let you know what we spot. Stay tuned for more Disney news. Click here to learn about EVERYTHING going on in Disney World for New Year’s Eve! 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! Where would you like to spend New Year’s Eve in Disney World? Tell us in the comments! The post Get DOUBLE the New Year's Eve Fun at a Popular Disney World Spot first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We got a sudden surprise earlier this week when the announcement was made that Disney Genie and Genie+ would launch in just two days at the Disneyland Resort! The complimentary planning tool, along with its paid counterpart that officially replaces FastPass+, was rolled out in Disney World back in October. Hello, Genie! Since then, we’ve learned all of the ins and outs of both of these new programs, including how to use the free version to its full potential and which rides you should book first! Let’s see what Disney Genie and Genie+ are like in Disneyland, what the major differences are, and any NEW tips we may have learned along the way! Signing Up For Genie and Genie+ Like Disney World, Disney Genie is complimentary for all Disneyland guests, accessible via the Disneyland App. Make sure your app is updated to use this feature! Disney Genie provides guests with customizable itineraries based on real-time data as well as personal preferences. Genie+ ©Disney When it came to getting our free Genie set up, we were able to select our plans and interests, but the generated itinerary was not visible in the app until 7AM. ©Disney Genie+, however, is a paid feature that gives guests the ability to make reservations for return times at a ride’s Lightning Lane (formerly known as the FastPass lane) across nearly 20 rides at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. As of today, we could not purchase Genie+ until we entered a park, but after today you will be able to purchase Genie+ in advance along with your ticket. Click here to read which rides are included in Genie+ at Disneyland! Major Differences Between Genie and Genie+ at Disneyland vs. Disney World The basics of Genie and Genie+ are nearly identical at both Disneyland and Disney World, but there are a few key differences guests need to be aware of. First, there’s the price difference. While Genie+ costs $15 per guest, per day at Disney World, it costs $5 more at Disneyland: $20 per guest, per day. Another big difference are the times guests can make their first Lightning Lane reservations. At Disney World, guests can make their first Genie+ Lightning Lane reservation as well as their first Individual Attraction Selections (aka pay-per-ride) at 7AM each day, and guests not staying on Disney World property can make pay-per-ride Lightning Lane reservations when the park opens. At Disneyland, however, it’s a little different! According to Disney, guests will “be able to select the next available arrival windows to enjoy a Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane attraction via the Disneyland app upon entering a theme park.” © Disney This includes the three Individual Attraction Lightning Lanes too, which are WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure and Radiator Springs Racers in Disney California Adventure, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in Disneyland Park. ©Disney While we already knew that Individual Lightning Lanes (or pay-per-ride) would cost between $7 to $20, we didn’t know what each ride would cost. As of today, Radiator Springs Racers costs $7 per person… ©Disney …and WEB SLINGERS also costs $7 per person. In contrast, Space Mountain in Magic Kingdom and Expedition Everest in Disney’s Animal Kingdom typically cost $7 in Disney World. ©Disney However, over in Disneyland Park, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance costs $20 per person for the Lightning Lane. That’s quite a price jump, especially when you consider that Rise of the Resistance costs $15 per person in Disney World! ©Disney Prices for pay-per-ride attractions could vary depending on the day, and you can make up to two Individual Lightning Lane reservations per day. Make sure to double-check the Disneyland app on the day of your visit, and keep in mind that you can’t cancel pay-per-ride reservations. Click here to learn about how our readers feel about Genie+ As of approximately 10AM PT, Disney Genie went down in Disneyland Resort, and a Cast Member told us they were resetting the servers. We’ll be watching for when the service is available again! Overall, while the service is very similar to what we have experienced in Disney World, there are still some big differences to keep in mind when using Disney Genie and Genie+ in Disneyland! We’ll keep an eye on the rollout in the days and weeks to come, providing YOU with must-know tips and tricks to mastering the programs on your next vacation. Click here to learn more about Genie, Genie+, and Individual Attraction Selection. Disneyland Reopening Details and Info Click HERE for the All Latest Updates Disneyland Reopening April 30th California Residents Will Be the ONLY People Allowed to Visit Reopened Disneyland Initially Avengers Campus Set to Open June 4th Click Here to See All the Rides That Will Reopen Initially in Disneyland Click Here to See All the Restaurants That Will Reopen Initially in Disneyland Disneyland Ticket Price Info and Blockout Dates Released Disneyland's Grand Californian Hotel Reopening Date Announced! Everything You NEED To Know About Wearing Masks at a Disney Park Join the DFB Newsletter To get all the latest Disney Park Closure News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Are you planning on visiting Disneyland in 2022? Let us know in the comments! The post Genie+ Has Arrived at Disneyland Resort first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article