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Welcome back, DFB friends! We’re here with another What’s New at EPCOT! Hello from EPCOT! And, we’ve got plenty of food, merchandise, and construction updates to share with you. Plus, we even got to see how Disney World’s smallest sea creatures are celebrating the season. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s jump right on in! EPCOT Food Update Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie We’ve been eating our way around the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays since it kicked off last week and recently we found a seasonal addition to the menu at Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie. Located in the France Pavilion, this spot tends to bake up something special for the festival and this year there’s a new twist on their returning treat — the Buche de Noël! The NEW Buche de Noel! It is a Christmas log with dark chocolate mousse, mint cream, peppermint candies, and a chocolate biscuit and you can give it a try for yourself for $8.75 through the end of the festival. Click HERE to Read Our FULL Review of the Buche de Noel! L’Artisan des Glaces L’Artisan des Glaces is rivaling Les Halles for the must-get holiday treat in the France Pavilion because they now have TWO returning offerings! First up is the Seasonal Holiday Macaron, which features mint ice cream sandwiched between two almond-flavored macaron for $7. Holiday Macaron And, Gingerbread Ice Cream is the new seasonal flavor that you can have served in either a cup or a cone (we got a single scoop in a cone for $5.25). Gingerbread Ice Cream We’ve seen both of these treats here in previous years, but if you’re craving some seasonal flavors this is THE place to go! Click HERE to Read Our FULL Review of the New Holiday Offerings at L’Artisan des Glaces! EPCOT Construction Update Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind We’ve been keeping up with the construction over at EPCOT’s upcoming roller coaster, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind for quite some time now, and this week there was some MAJOR progress near the entrance to the attraction. If you look close, you can see that the Nova Corps star has been added right in the middle behind what appears to be the awning where guests will enter the attraction. Look closely at the entrance! Disney has announced that the attraction will open sometime in the Summer of 2022 and we can’t wait to hop on what will be known as one of the longest indoor roller coasters in the WORLD with ride vehicles that spin around while you travel on the track! Learn More About NEW Attraction HERE! EPCOT Merchandise Update Creations Shop If you’re looking to do some shopping to celebrate Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary, you can now find the Blue Logo Hoodie in EPCOT at Creations Shop. There’s nothing too fancy about it but it is sure to keep you warm on these cooler Florida winter days. More 50th-anniversary merchandise! We had previously seen this online as well and it costs $54.99. Disney Traders Calling all Marvel fans! If you’re looking to score some bragging rights among your friends, then you’ll want to check out the Iron Spider Helmet in Disney Traders at EPCOT! Iron Spider Mask The full-scale replica helmet features LED eyes that glow red or blue with SIX different light settings. Iron Spider Mask It’s available for $199.99. Other EPCOT Updates The Seas Between Halloween, Christmas, and the 50th anniversary, the sea urchins over at The Seas have been busy celebrating. And, this week they were marking another holiday in the tank — Hanukkah! Their habitat was decorated with a menorah, dreidels, and coins (or gelt), and some of the sea urchins could even be spotted hiding under the coins. Even the Sea Urchins are celebrating! Well, that’s it for everything new that you can find in EPCOT right now! Of course, we’ll continue to keep an eye out for more new updates, so be sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest! Check Out What’s New This Week at Disney’s Animal Kingdom 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. What is your favorite thing to do when you visit EPCOT? Let us know in the comments! The post What's New at EPCOT: Guardians of the Galaxy Reaches a BIG Milestone, 3 Treats Return, and MORE! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Picture it: you’ve got your plush, ears, spirit jersey, and more in your hands. Then, you walk to the registers and realize there is an ENORMOUS checkout line. Mobile Checkout Can Help! That’s where Mobile Merchandise Checkout can help! With this mobile option, you can pay for all of your items and then quickly visit a Mobile Checkout desk before quickly and easily going on your way. So far, the system has only been tested in select stores, but soon you’ll be able to SKIP the long checkout lines at more spots! Earlier today, Disney announced that Mobile Merchandise Checkout will be coming to MORE spots in Disney World and Disneyland soon! Here’s a full list of the places where you can already or will soon be able to skip the checkout lines. Disney World Disney Springs — World of Disney EPCOT — Creations Shop Magic Kingdom — Emporium Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Mickey’s of Hollywood — coming soon! Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Island Mercantile — coming soon! What a time-saver! Disneyland Disneyland Park Disney Clothiers, Ltd., China Closet and Plaza Point Emporium Pioneer Mercantile and Bonanza Outfitters – New! The Star Trader – New! Disney California Adventure Park Elias & Co. WEB Suppliers – New! Knick’s Knacks – New! Downtown Disney District World of Disney Mobile Checkout Sign Of course, locations can change. Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app (for Disney World) or the Disneyland app (for Disneyland Resort) during your trip to see what stores are using Mobile Merchandise Checkout. Here’s a basic summary on how it works. In the My Disney Experience app, you can hit the “+” sign and then select “Shop in Store — Now Testing.” You can also look for this option in the Disneyland app. Or you can scan the QR code in the store for Mobile Merchandise Checkout. ©Disney You’ll be able to see a list of stores that have the Mobile Merchandise option available. Then, you’ll select the store you want. ©Disney Next, it’s time to get shopping! You’ll shop around the store, getting the items you want. There are sometimes clear plastic Disney bags also available for you to use as you shop. Time to Get Shopping Then, you’ll scan the items you want to purchase and pay for your items through the app. Confirm at checkout ©Disney When you’re done, you’ll get a QR code confirming your purchase. Pro tip: take a screenshot of the code so you don’t lose it! Then, you’ll head to a designated Mobile Merchandise Checkout stand or area. There, you’ll show the Cast member your QR code and your items. They’ll check it all out and then you can be on your way! Another Checkout Area What about discounts? If you have an eligible Annual Passholder, Magic Key, or Disney Vacation Club Discount, all of those can be used through Mobile Merchandise Checkout. Just make sure that your pass or membership is linked to your Disney account. If you have a Disney Visa and are looking to use that discount on merchandise, for now you’ll have to check out at a traditional in-store register. The Disney Visa discount is NOT able to be applied during mobile merchandise checkout, so that’s something to keep in mind. Have Your QR Code Ready And that’s it! Especially with the potential of big holiday crowds in the upcoming weeks, using Mobile Checkout could help you skip some lines and make your shopping process easier. Be sure to check it out the next time you’re in the parks. And stay tuned for more Disney news! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! 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 a fan of Mobile Merchandise checkout? Tell us in the comments! The post FULL LIST of Stores Where You Can SKIP the Checkout Lines in the Disney Parks first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Meet Dave MacLean, a lead Architect working with Data Science & Engineering. Dave started volunteering at Give Kids the World Village 9 years ago in hopes to give back but has gotten so much more in return. About Behind the Name Tag Behind the Name Tag is a video series that highlights our Technology & […]View the full article

The holidays are upon us, which could mean quite a bit of shopping for all of your friends and family members. Magic Kingdom Sometimes finding that perfect gift for the Disney fan in your life can be tough (especially if they’re the type of fan that’s got it all). We’ve already shared gift guides for those who love bread (Disney fan + bread lover = perfection), game nights, and more. But what if you need a SUPER last minute gift that you can easily buy online and get ASAP? We’ve got you covered! They’ve got the ears, the 50th merchandise, and the Starbucks mugs. It’s only a few weeks before Christmas. You’ve searched the magazines and read lists and can’t find ANYTHING for that Disney fan. Or, maybe you’re looking for a last-minute item to add onto their existing gift to take it to the next level. That’s where gift certificates for our DFB Guides can come in! (And…they’re 40% off!) Whether the person you’re buying it for is planning a trip for the future or just dreaming about a vacation, our guides could give them some awesome information to help them prepare and start making those must-get lists! DFB Guide to Disney World Dining 2022 We’ve got guides for ALL of it. We have a DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining in 2022 that is in the works and is currently available for pre-order (which comes with a free download of the current edition). We have a Guide to the 2022 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival also available for pre-order. Pre-Order DFB Guide to the 2022 Epcot Food and Wine Festival We have a Guide to the Holidays in Disney World for 2021… Get ready for the 2021 Holiday season! …a guide for Magic Kingdom snacks, and so much more! Each of these guides is packed with ALL the info you need to conquer your next Disney World vacation! Including comprehensive reviews, snack recommendations, money-saving tips and budgeting worksheets, scavenger hunts, food crawls, and SO. MUCH. MORE! DFB Guide As just a brief example, in the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2022, we’ve got bingo cards for you to use as you make your way around Disney World, scavenger hunts, trivia, and Top 5 lists for ALL kinds of snack types. We’ve also got lists of must-do restaurants, information about Genie+, comprehensive details about what’s new in Disney World, and more. There’s So Much to Check Out! If you want to gift a guide to your friends or family members, you can pick up one of our convenient Gift Certificates! We’ve got 3 available. First, there’s the Gift Certificate for the DFB “Everything” Bundle. Give the gift of DFB Guides! This comes with the pre-order for the Guide to Disney World Dining 2022 (as well as an automatic download of the current edition), 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 guide for the 2022 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, the guide for the holidays 2021, and the pre-order for the guide to the 2022 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival. WHEW! And right now you can save 40% OFF this gift certificate for the bundle by using the code 40SALE! Get the gift certificate for the everything bundle here and don’t forget to use “40SALE” to save big! We’ve also got the gift certificate for the DFB Guide Snacks Bundle. Give the gift of DFB Guides! This comes with the guide to Magic Kingdom snacks, the guide to EPCOT snacks, the guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios snacks, and the pre-order for the guide to Disney World dining 2022. You can also get 40% OFF this gift certificate for the bundle by using the code 40SALE! Get the guide and snacks bundle gift certificate here and get 40% with “40SALE”! Finally, we have the gift certificate for just the pre-order for the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World dining 2022. Give the gift of a DFB Guide! This comes with a pre-order for the 2022 guide to Disney World dining. And you can save BIG on this item by using the code 40SALE to get 40% OFF! Get this gift certificate here and use code “40SALE”! Our guides are all digital, meaning they can be quickly and easily downloaded by your gift recipient as soon as you give it to them. You can print out the gift certificate to give to them or just send over an email with the redemption information. No mess, no fuss, quick & easy! And they’ll be able to easily take the guide with them wherever they go. Even if the Disney fan you’re buying it for is an expert, we have a feeling that some of the tips, tricks, or information in these guides could still help them make sure their next experience in Disney World is extra magical! Start Planning! So, if you’re looking for that perfect last-minute gift to get someone, consider grabbing a gift certificate for one of our DFB guides! And don’t forget to use the code “40SALE” to save big! We’ll be on the lookout for more gift ideas and we’ll let you know what we find. As always, check back with us for all the latest Disney news. Click here to shop our DFB Guides! 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 of our DFB guides? Tell us in the comments! The post The PERFECT Last-Minute Disney Christmas Gift for Literally Anyone first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s December in Disney World, which means it’s PEAK holiday season!! The Emporium is looking jolly! Christmas trees, wreaths, and gingerbread houses are up around the parks and hotel, and there is a ton of holiday merchandise you can get your hands on. The festivities are in full swing, and there are so many ways to celebrate, so let’s get into the BEST things to do in Disney World in December! 1. EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays just recently kicked off and runs all the way through December 30th. It’s a celebration of different cultures and their holiday traditions, complete with special entertainment, decor, and food! Festival of the Holidays 2021 One of the main parts of the festival are the Holiday Kitchens scattered around the World Showcase. These are like the booths we see at EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival, but with holiday food from around the world! Expect a lot of festive sweet treats, like Coquito Soft-Serve or a Mini Pumpkin Pie Funnel Cake. Mini Pumpkin Pie Funnel Cake But, there are also a lot of savory dishes, like the Cheese Fondue in a Bread Bowl or the Turkey Poutine! Cheeeeese There are a ton of options to check out, so everyone in your group is sure to find something they like. Click here to see our BEST of the FEST for Festival of the Holidays Another fun food related activity at the festival is the Cookie Stroll! You can grab different cookies from around World Showcase, and once you’ve tried all of them, you can get a free completion cookie and a sundae! This year’s completer cookie! And, there are some delicious options on the stroll, like the Chocolate Crinkle Cookie made with Dove Dark Chocolate. Click here to see our review of the Cookie Stroll The festival has special entertainment, too. There are Holiday Storytellers at the pavilions that share their culture’s holiday traditions. Norway Storytellers One of the most popular things to do at the festival is the Candlelight Processional. This takes place in The American Adventure pavilion and it’s where a celebrity narrator shares the story of Christmas accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and choir. You can check out the celebrity narrators for this year here! Auli’i Cravalho — Narrator for the Candlelight Processional Another fun activity you can do is Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition. By purchasing a map, you can go on a scavenger hunt around the World Showcase to find Olaf in the different pavilions. Can you find all the Olafs? Once you’ve spotted all of the holiday traditions on the map, you get a prize! This is also a great way to check out the different pavilions and see all of the fun holiday decorations they put up. Decorations in Italy Overall, there is a LOT to do at Festival of the Holidays! 2. Disney Very Merriest After Hours Disney Very Merriest After Hours has replaced Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Magic Kingdom this year. This is a separately ticketed event (and beware that prices are higher than they were for MVMCP) and it takes place on select nights through December 21st. Very Merriest After Hours At the event, you can enjoy special offerings like food and drinks included with the price of your ticket. You can get free bottled beverages, popcorn, and frozen treats at the snack carts around the park. Get all the Mickey’s Premium Bars your heart desires! You also can get complimentary cookies, hot cocoa, or allergy friendly treats at marked locations around Magic Kingdom. Free hot cocoa and cookies! In addition to the free food, there are several treats exclusive to the party as well, like the Orange Bird Churro! Orange Bird Churro One of the main draws of the After Hours event is that the parks should be less crowded due to the limited number of tickets, so you can usually enjoy shorter wait times than you would during normal park hours. This is a great time to check out the holiday ride overlays at places like Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor (which is exclusive to the event!) and Jungle Cruise. Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor Holiday Overlay There is also a ton of holiday entertainment to enjoy at the event. You can watch Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, which features some of our favorite characters in their holiday attire… GOOF …and you can also see the new stage show Mickey & Minnie’s Very Merry Memories, which is super fun! The entertainment is top-notch. And, there are special fireworks for the event — Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks. Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks You will also spot characters around the park in their holiday outfits. Eeyore And, you can party the night away over at the Club Tinsel Dance Party in Tomorrowland. Dance party time But, don’t forget to check out the Reindeer Wranglers in Frontierland! The Reindeer Wranglers Last, but definitely not least, you can meet Santa Claus, and even snag a photo with him! Santa! The 4-hour After Hours event still has tickets available, so grab them now if you want to go! Click here to see more about Disney Very Merriest After Hours 3. Holiday Overlays We briefly mentioned it before, but there are several holiday ride overlays you can check out this season in Disney World, just with regular park admission! In Magic Kingdom, the Jungle Cruise becomes the Jingle Cruise, complete with decorations and festive jokes from the skippers. Jingle Cruise Over in EPCOT, Living with the Land gets a huge holiday makeover! There are colorful lights through the tunnels… It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… …reindeer Mickey-shaped topiaries… LOVE! …and even a snowman family! Snowman family! And, at Journey into Imagination with Figment, you can check and see Figment wearing his special holiday sweater! Figment in his sweater!!!!! Not only do some rides get holiday overlays in Disney World, but the park icons do, too! For the 50th anniversary, the park icons transform into Beacons of Magic each night. But, for the holidays, they get a new look! EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth now has a whole holiday section, with the giant structure even looking like a candy cane at one part. So Festive! In Magic Kingdom, Cinderella Castle doesn’t have those gorgeous Dream Lights this year, but it DOES get a special holiday look each night! The festive projections can be seen in between the normal Beacon of Magic projections. Cinderella Castle Christmas At Hollywood Studios, Tower of Terror also gets a spectacular holiday look in addition to its regular nighttime projections! A gingerbread house!! And, at Animal Kingdom, the Tree of Life gets a holiday makeover as well, with animals and wintry scenes! So Pretty! We could stare at these ALL night! 4. More Holiday Offerings Of course, there are also a TON of other holiday things you can do at Disney World this month! Over at Disney Springs, you can check out the Christmas Tree Stroll and admire all of the different themed trees, which are pretty amazing. The Nightmare Before Christmas Tree at Disney Springs! There are also special food offerings at Springs for the holidays, like at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, where you can get Christmas lights deviled eggs! Holiday Lights Deviled Eggs Speaking of food, there are holiday eats and treats scattered all around the parks and hotels, too! You can check out a FULL list of everything at the parks and Disney Springs for the holidays here, and the Disney hotels here. Reindeer Mousse Another fun activity is checking out the awesome gingerbread houses around Disney World during this time of year! At Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, there is a LIFE-SIZED gingerbread house! The Grand Floridian Gingerbread House! You can even buy baked goods here! Click here to see more pictures of this enormous gingerbread house! Over at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, you can find a giant gingerbread carousel! This year, the theme is The Little Mermaid. But, sadly, you cannot ride the carousel (no matter how much we want to!). This is seriously impressive! And, inside EPCOT’s American Adventure pavilion, you’ll find miniature gingerbread replicas of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial… Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial …and the Lincoln Memorial. Lincoln Memorial There is even a mini American Adventure pavilion! Gingerbread American Adventure pavilion There are also a ton of fun decorations around the parks and hotels. In Animal Kingdom, you can meet the Merry Menagerie, which are giant holiday puppets! They’re absolutely adorable. Merry Menagerie Hollywood Studios is crushing it when it comes to vintage holiday decorations… Hollywood Studios …and they even decorated Gertie! YAS, Gertie! As we already mentioned, EPCOT is decked out in decor for the Festival of the Holidays… Mexico pavilion …and, of course, Magic Kingdom’s Main Street, U.S.A. is all trimmed in festive decor. Decorations are up on Main Street! In the hotels, you can find some stunning GIANT Christmas trees, like at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge… Disney’s Wilderness Lodge …and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge! Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Oh, and how could we almost forget — you can also see Santa Claus in the parks! In Animal Kingdom, he comes by on a boat like the characters have been doing since the parks reopened. We’ll yell our Christmas list to you from over here! In Hollywood Studios, Santa is seen riding down Hollywood Boulevard in a red convertible (as he should!). SANTA! In EPCOT, Saint Nick hangs out in the American Adventure pavilion. Santa Claus in The American Adventure pavilion And, in Magic Kingdom, you can see Santa behind Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in the Liberty Square Gazebo! Santa also meets here during the day! But, if you don’t have a park ticket, you can also find Santa in Disney Springs at Once Upon a Toy. 5. Celebrate New Years Eve Finally, the (literal) last thing you can do in Disney World in December is celebrate New Year’s Eve! Last year, the parks closed earlier than usual, so you couldn’t be there when the clock struck midnight. But, this year, they’re open late! EPCOT and Hollywood Studios are open until 12AM, and Magic Kingdom is open until 1AM. The only park closing early is Animal Kingdom at 7PM (those animals gotta sleep!). Can you believe it’s almost 2022?! No special entertainment has been officially announced by Disney yet, but we are hoping to see some special New Years’ fireworks at Magic Kingdom like in the past! We’ll keep you updated if there’s any news on that front. New Years Eve fireworks in 2019 If you’re looking for a party, City Works Eatery & Pour House over in Disney Springs is hosting a “Brew Year’s Eve,” which includes special entrees along with beer pairings, a champagne toast, party favors, and more. You can make a reservation on OpenTable. This could be a great way to celebrate the New Year in Disney World without a park ticket! The Edison is hosting an event as well. ©City Works Eatery and Pour House We’re also waiting to hear if any Disney hotels will host their usual New Years’ parties, you can find more details about those potential parties here. New Year’s Eve ©Disney Either way, Disney World is a great place to ring in the New Year! But, if you want to make sure you’re inside the parks, hop on those park pass reservations soon, because they’ll most likely be gone fast! Click here to see more about New Year’s Eve in Disney World! Those are all of the best things to do in Disney World in December! Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney tips, news, and info. Click here to see ALL of the holiday treats we’ve tried so far in Disney World! 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 celebrating the holidays in Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post The 5 Best Things to Do in Disney World in December! ❄️ first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Since last year, we’ve been testing a new mobile checkout option at select merchandise shops throughout Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, available through our mobile apps. And just in time for holiday shopping, guests can enjoy this feature at even more locations! View the full article

Reggae and soca stars Third World, Barrington Levy, Alison Hinds, Patrick Roberts, Peter Ram and Julien Believe will headline festival in Hollywood on Dec. 12. View the full article

We’ve been really busy trying all the new holiday treats Disney World has to offer, like the Eggnog Cupcake, a Gingerbread Cupcake topped with a polar bear, and even an Elf Dome Cake. The holidays at Disney Springs If you make your way to Disney Springs, Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew recently released six new holiday donuts, so we had to see these treats with our own eyes. Take a look! Excited to try more holiday treats, we visited Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew in Disney Springs to check out their new holiday donuts. There are six different holiday donuts to choose from and you can get all six for $28 or individually for $5.75 each. Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew We had to try the Christmas Ornament Donut first, and it’s your basic glazed donut covered in red frosting and topped with sugar ornaments, decorating gel, and white sprinkles. Christmas Ornament Donut In Everglazed’s Instagram post, the photo showed a donut decorated with Christmas lights, but the one we got was actually decorated with candy ornaments, and they had an almost cookie-like texture. Overall, it was a delicious and festive donut, but it’s VERY sweet. So festive! Next we tried the Gingerbread Donut, which is the cutest! It’s decorated with white frosting, green and red decorating gel, and a gingerbread sugar topper. Gingerbread Holiday Donut Ironically, the Gingerbread Donut is not actually gingerbread flavored. It’s actually a glazed donut filled with a hearty amount of strawberry jelly. And by hearty, we mean there’s a LOT of jelly. That’s a lot of jelly Combined with the thick layer of frosting and the sugar gingerbread man, this donut is a major sugar bomb. If you’re not a fan of sweets or jelly-filled donuts, you can probably skip this donut. We’re here for the Gingerbread Both of these donuts are a decent size and you could easily share them with someone else, and they’d make a great breakfast treat or dessert after dinner! Keep checking back with DFB for more Disney World holiday treat news and reviews! The Eggnog Cupcake in Disney World? We’ll take 10, thanks. 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! Would you try a holiday donut? Tell us in the comments! The post REVIEW: Disney World’s Newest Donuts Laugh in the Face of Sugar first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ve reported recently on the supply chain issues that could impact your shopping in Disney World. Buttermilk Chicken Tenders ©Black Tap Now it looks like supply chain issues could impact a major kids’ menu staple at many restaurants and grocery stores around the nation. If you have a picky kiddo who always sticks to one food, you might want to read on. Today reported that chicken tenders are being impacted by the ongoing supply chain crisis, which could result in higher prices and lower stock in restaurants and grocery stores. Chicken tenders, also called chicken strips, are different from chicken nuggets in that they’re made of a filet from a chicken breast, which requires more work in processing and packaging. Backlot Express Kids’ Meal According to Today and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a value pack price of chicken tenders has increased by almost a dollar per pound since 2020, with an average rise in price from $3.02 to $3.99. Even chain restaurants like Kentucky Fried Chicken and A&W have stopped advertising chicken tenders in hopes it will prevent them from selling out. Cosmic Rays Starlight Cafe Chicken Tenders Only time will tell how this may (or may not) affect Disney World. But do not fear, we will keep our eye out and we will let you know if we learn of a shortage or a price increase on chicken strips around the parks. Keep checking back with DFB for all your news, from Disney Parks and beyond! Check out the average cost to fly to Disney World in January 2022! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Preorder Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to preorder your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you been having issues finding chicken tenders? Tell us in the comments! The post Why Chicken Tenders May Be Harder to Find Soon first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is READY for the holidays! Holiday decorations are up at the Polynesian! We’ve already seen holiday decorations up at the hotel, a special holiday cupcake themed to Moana, and even an elf dome cake. Now, tiki mug collectors can ceelbrate the season with a festive collectible from Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. Here’s what you need to know if you want to get one of these beauties. The Nutcracker Tiki Mug is BACK at Trader Sam’s Grog Gotto! We saw a version of this mug announced for Disneyland earlier this year, and we’ve seen it available in Disney World in the past as well. The Nutcracker Tiki Mug is Back! A Cast Member we spoke to said that there was a line for wristbands early this morning, but that the line wasn’t too long. One Cast Member indicated that distribution for the wristbands actually started at around 10AM. When we stopped by at around 12:45PM, there was no line at all for the wristbands and wristbands were still available. If you’re hoping to get this tiki mug, the first thing you need to do is get that wristband. Once you have one, that wristband allows you to order the drink (which comes with the tiki mug) inside Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto or outside on the patio at Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace. Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace Keep in mind that you’ll have to get the Mele Kaliki Mai Tai drink in order to purchase this mug. If you don’t want your mug to get dirty, you can usually get the drink in a separate cup. While there was no line for the wristbands when we first arrived, there was a line for Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto itself. The lounge opens at 3PM, so guests were already lining up to get inside as soon as it opens. Time to Get in Line The Cast Member we spoke to said that it has been busy, though not as hectic as some other tiki mug releases. Still, the Cast Member shared that they expect the mug will sell out today. The Line As we waited in the area, the line near Trader Sam’s started to get a bit more packed, so to relieve some congestion in the area Cast Members adopted a virtual line system. As of around 1:30PM, the process was as follows: guests can visit Trader Sam’s to get a wristband and get checked in for a visit to the lounge. Guests provide the Cast Member with their phone number during the check-in process, and then will get a text when it’s time to return. Cast Member Checking Guests In The patio still works the same as before, with seating being on a first-come, first-serve basis. As of around 2PM, a Cast Member informed us that if you put your name on the list to get into Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, it would be about a 1.5-2 hour wait. So, after the bar opens at 3PM, you’d likely be able to enter around 4:30-5PM. Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace The specialty mugs at Trader Sam’s typically sell out VERY quickly, and we expect this one will be no different. It appears the wait is also steadily getting longer to enter Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. So, if you’re hoping to get one of these nutcracker mugs, be sure to act quickly and stop by Trader Sam’s at the Polynesian today. We’ll keep an eye out for more updates and let you know what we find. If you love Trader Sam’s, you should try these other spots in Disney World — click here to see more! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! 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 of the Trader Sam’s Tiki Mugs? Tell us in the comments! The post Will You Grab Trader Sam's Holiday Tiki Mug Before it Sells Out in Disney World? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Bob Iger is a name many (if not most) Disney fans are likely very familiar with. Bob Iger ©New York Post Iger has had a long career in Disney in various roles, eventually serving for several years as the Company’s CEO and most recently as executive chairman of the Board of Directors. It has long been known that Iger would be stepping down from his role as chairman in 2021. Just yesterday, Iger’s replacement on the board was announced. And today, the Iger news continues! In an interview with Iger done by SirusXM Business Radio host Alan Fleischmann, which was released back in March of 2021, Iger discussed a number of things including Disney+ being a beacon of hope, the reopening of Disneyland, and his work in the company. Iger also talked a bit about his plans for the future and what he hopes to do in his life after Disney. When asked about whether he’d be retiring, Iger said no way. But, he did say that he would be looking forward to have a little bit more leisure and more adventure, “whatever that is.” Bob Iger ©Bloomberg As we mentioned above, Iger is set to retire as chairman of the board of directors for the Disney company at the end of this year. That was further confirmed in March of this year, and is something that has been in the works for a while. In fact, Iger’s original plans would have had him stepping down in 2018, but those plans were extended twice. Iger’s replacement has already been announced, and now it seems like he might be getting started on some of that “adventure” he has planned for the future. ©Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images According to Front Office Sports (which was then cited by Yahoo and other news sources), “reports have emerged that former Disney CEO Bob Iger is interested in buying” the Phoenix Suns basketball team. This report comes just as the NBA is investigating Robert Sarver on claims of racism and misogyny. Sarver owns about 35% of the Suns. The NBA investigation should continue over the next few months. Bob Iger Yahoo notes that the NBA Constitution bylaws state “‘Membership of a Member or the interest of any Owner may be terminated by a vote of three fourths (3/4 or 75%) of the Board of Governors’ for a number of violations.” Yahoo also points out another provision that might apply in light of the accusations. Front Office Sports notes that the Phoenix Suns were recently valued at $1.8 billion by Forbes. Sarver bought the team back in 2004 for about $401 million. The team could sell for more than $2 billion though. Bob Iger and Adam Silver ©Disney The Phoenix Suns actually made it to the NBA Finals last season, but lost to the Milwaukee Bucks. Front Office Sports notes, however, that nothing is official as of this time. And, even if the team does go up for sale, co-owners of the franchise will have the right of first refusal. From CEO to basketball team owner? It’s certainly possible and Iger wouldn’t be the first big name in entertainment or business to buy a sports team. Again, nothing is official yet and this is just a report indicating that Iger may be interested in making this purchase. We’ll keep an eye out for more updates and let you know what we find! Click here to read about Iger’s interview from March about Disney+ and more! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post From Mickey Mouse to Basketball? See What Former Disney CEO Bob Iger Might Be Up to Next first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Bob Weis stepped down as president of Walt Disney Imagineering this week as his department moves to Lake Nona from California. View the full article Bob Weis stepped down as president of Walt Disney Imagineering this week, but he remains with the company in a mentorship and development role (photo courtesy of Disney) Bob Weis stepped down as president of Walt Disney Imagineering this week as his department moves to Lake Nona from California. Barbara Bouza, who joined Imagineering in June 2020 and formerly oversaw its business management, design and development, now leads the division. A spokeswoman for Walt Disney Imagineering who declined to be identified said Weis will continue to be based out of Glendale, Calif., in a new position as Global Imagineering Ambassador in January. She said his changing role was not due to Imagineering’s ongoing cross-country move to Florida, which has reportedly caused other employees to reevaluate their positions with Disney and even leave the company. Barbara Bouza, current president of Walt Disney Imagineering, joined the division in June 2020 (courtesy of Disney) (Mike Pucher) Weis, has worked with Imagineering for more than 30 years and had served as president since January 2016. He announced his new position in an internal memo Tuesday. As the company’s second Global Imagineering Ambassador, Weis follows in the footsteps of his close friend and mentor, former Imagineer Marty Sklar, who died in 2017. He wrote he was confident in stepping down at an “inflection point for [the] organization” because of his “unwavering belief” in fellow Imagineers. “I am incredibly honored for this opportunity,” he wrote. “If I can accomplish even a fraction of what Marty achieved during his term as Ambassador, I’ll consider it a huge success. I look forward to collaborating with all of you in new ways and supporting the visionary work you do every day.” He said he was confident in Bouza’s ability to lead Imagineering into the future. “Barbara has taken on increasing responsibility during her tenure, and I am continually impressed with her talent, her leadership and the relationships she’s already built across our company,” he wrote. He added he was excited to follow Sklar’s lead in “investing in [Disney’s] legacy” by recruiting and mentoring Imagineers and developing enrichment programs. He will also work on an upcoming book centering on Sklar’s work, the third in the “Walt Disney Imagineering: A Behind the Dreams Look at Making the Magic Real” series. Weis’ Imagineering projects include the creation of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which opened in 1989 as Disney-MGM Studios. He also oversaw significant additions to the park, including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Toy Story Land and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. His work on other Disney properties includes the development of Tokyo Disneyland, the company’s first international theme park. He also helped lead the development of Shanghai Disney Resort and creation of Cars Land at Disney’s California Adventure. Recently, Weis led the ongoing multi-year renovation of Epcot, including the addition of new attractions such as Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. He received the 2021 Buzz Price Thea Award from the Themed Entertainment Association recognizing a “Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements.” The association called him an “extraordinary leader” passionate about philanthropy and global connection. “The admiration he has earned from our community over the decades is rooted in his authentic leadership style, a world class visionary who is sincerely modest, selfless and kind,” the association said in a release. “At the heart of his style is the empowerment of the individual and the team, treating all with respect and trust.” Katie Rice Orlando Sentinel

Say hello to Hong Kong’s furry friends! Over 20 Disney VoluntEARs from Hong Kong Disneyland Resort recently visited a number of dog shelters in the city’s district of Yuen Long, including House of Joy and Mercy – an organization that helps take care of abandoned, injured and sick animals regardless of their breed, age or health […]View the full article

To ensure we are equipping our readers with all the information they need, we will continue to report on all travel, safety, and COVID-related news that could impact a Disney Parks visit. The global health crisis has been ongoing for two years and has had its fair share of effects on Disney World. Disney World We’ve seen closures, significant health measures, changes in demand and capacity, and more as the world grapples with COVID-19 and its variants. Now, a new coronavirus variant has been defined, the Omicron variant. Let’s take a look at its potential effects on your Disney World trip. What is the Omicron coronavirus variant? First of all, let’s take a look at the basics: What is the Omicron variant? Omicron is a mutation of the coronavirus that is the newest variant to be designated as a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization (WHO). ©WHO At this time, research into the Omicron variant is still in the early stages. WHO notes that it is not clear whether the Omicron variant is more transmissible than other variants (like the Delta variant), whether it causes more severe disease, or whether it causes different symptoms from those caused by other variants. What is confirmed by WHO is that all variants of COVID-19, including the currently dominant Delta variant, “can cause severe disease or death, in particular for more vulnerable people, and thus prevention is always key.” Further, there is some early evidence that may suggest an increased risk of reinfection from Omicron (that is, those who have had COVID-19 may be more at risk of infection from Omicron than other variants). At this time, it is also known that PCR tests continue to detect COVID-19 infections — including those from the Omicron variant. ©Orlando International Airport Per CNN, at the time of writing, Omicron cases have been confirmed in around two dozen countries including South Africa, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Botswana, Australia, Brazil, the United States, and more. The first confirmed case of the Omicron coronavirus variant in the U.S. was identified in California on December 1st, according to CNN. The fully-vaccinated individual had recently traveled from South Africa. Chief Medical Advisor to the President of the United States, Dr. Anthony Fauci, noted that the individual had not, to his knowledge, received the booster shot. ©The Florida Channel | Courtesy of WTVT South Africa has noted some preliminary data that suggests an increase in rates of hospitalization, but this may be due to an increase in overall numbers being infected. At this time, studies are underway to determine if the Omicron variant is the reason for the increase in positive tests or if it is due to other factors, per WHO. What are the concerns about the Omicron variant? So, there are still a lot of questions about the Omicron variant but what concerns do health and science professionals have? CBS notes that “Health authorities say Omicron carries a unique set of mutations that might give the virus an advantage in driving new surges of infections compared with the fast-spreading Delta variant, which currently makes up virtually all U.S. cases.” In addition to potentially increasing infection rates, the Omicron variant has been defined as the “most divergent variant that has been detected in significant numbers during the pandemic so far.” The European Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) cited serious concerns that the variant “may be associated with significant reduction in vaccine effectiveness and increased risk for reinfections.” ©Facebook To contend with these concerns, scientists around the world are currently working to research the Omicron variant. WHO is currently coordinating a number of studies including “assessments of transmissibility, severity of infection (including symptoms), performance of vaccines and diagnostic tests, and effectiveness of treatments.” ©CDC The individual vaccine companies — Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer and BioNTech — are in the process of investigating the impact Omicron may have on vaccine effectiveness. According to CBS, “The companies say they are already preparing to potentially change their vaccines to target Omicron.” What travel restrictions have been put in place in response to the Omicron variant? According to Al Jazeera, the United States has currently closed its borders to non-citizens from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. Some countries have enacted total bans on foreigners entering the country — China, Israel, Japan, and Morocco — and partial bans have been enacted around the world. Airport Crowds The current United States travel restrictions could have effects on Disney World travelers. Besides the partial travel ban, the U.S. currently requires all non-immigrant, non-citizen air travelers to the United States are required to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their vaccination status BEFORE boarding a plane to the U.S. The country has also extended the mask mandate on airplanes, per the New York Times. ©CDC If you are fully vaccinated, you must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 3 days before travel. If you are not fully vaccinated and meet the criteria for an exception, you’ll need to show a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 1 day before travel. According to ABC News, the test window will soon be shortened from three days to one for vaccinated travelers. The U.S. also plans to make at-home rapid tests free. ©CDC Proof of vaccination is not required for U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents before boarding a flight to the U.S., but they must meet certain COVID-19 testing requirements, depending on their vaccination status. After arrival in the United States, travelers are recommended to take a COVID-19 test three to five days after travel and quarantine for seven days if unvaccinated. ©CDC Some individuals are being completely advised not to travel by WHO. WHO notes, “Persons who are unwell or at risk of developing severe COVID-19 disease and dying, including people 60 years of age or older or those with comorbidities (e.g. heart disease, cancer, and diabetes), should be advised to postpone travel.” What recommendations have been made in response to the Omicron variant? The recommendations in response to the Omicron variant are similar to the health recommendations we’ve seen over the last two years. WHO says, “The most effective steps individuals can take to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus is to keep a physical distance of at least 1 meter from others; wear a well-fitting mask; open windows to improve ventilation; avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces; keep hands clean; cough or sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue; and get vaccinated when it’s their turn.” Mask Signage The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) echoes these sentiments recommending “prevention strategies such as wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high community transmission, washing your hands frequently, and physically distancing from others.” The CDC also recommends the vaccine for those over five years old and the booster for those who are eligible. COVID-19 Vaccine Sign As a note, the CDC’s current masking recommendation notes that everyone should wear masks in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high community transmission. According to CDC data, Orange and Osceola counties in Florida (where Disney World is located) are both currently classed as having low levels of transmission. What changes could Disney World make? We are still in the early stages of learning about the Omicron variant but what changes can we predict we might see in response in Disney World? Keep in mind, there were not many changes in response to the Delta variant and there have been fewer policy changes in general since the vaccine became widely available. EPCOT The major changes we’ve seen in recent months include the reinstatement of the indoor mask policy which came along with the CDC changing recommendations with rising transmission last summer. Disney World also recently paused most Annual Pass sales to help manage capacity, though this was done before the Omicron variant was widely defined. Annual Pass We’ve seen that Disney World’s mask policy typically matches recommendations from the CDC. At this time, the CDC has not adjusted guidelines but Disney World may adjust policies if the CDC makes major changes. Health & Safety Sign Still, mask policy changes and updates have been much more prevalent than closures. Re-closures for rides, restaurants, shows, and hotels may be unlikely as Disney has continued to announce reopenings despite the Delta and Omicron variants thus far. Magic Kingdom If mask or capacity policies do see changes, you’ll be able to learn all about them and how they might affect your trip here on DFB. So, keep an eye on DFB for any policy updates and major health recommendations from science and health professionals. Click here to learn more about the current travel restrictions. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post The Omicron COVID-19 Variant and Disney World: What You Need To Know first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s been a while since we got our snack on at the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival merchandise 2020 ©Disney The last Food and Wine in Disneyland was way back in 2020 and we had a blast exploring the food booths, seminars, and more! There wasn’t a fest in 2021 due to the global health crisis, but now we know when it will return in 2022! Today, Disney shared the dates for the 2022 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival (and we are so PUMPED.). This year, the festival will begin on March 4th and run through April 26th. ©Disney That’s over a month of food and wine, seminars, entertainment, and MORE at the festival. So, break out your walking shoes and your stretchy pants if you’re going to be in Disney California Adventure around that time. California Food and Wine Festival entertainment stage Disney teased that this year, we can expect a dozen festival marketplaces plus the return of the Sip and Savor Pass to enjoy to fare. Plus, signature events like the Carthay Circle Winemaker Receptions, and Wine, Beer and Mixology Education & Tasting Seminars will return. 2020 Booth We’ll be keeping an eye out for more news about the upcoming fest, so stay tuned to DFB for the latest updates! Want to learn more about this fest? Click 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 Headed to the fest next year? Tell us in the comments! The post NEWS: Dates Announced for the 2022 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are a number of festivals you can enjoy at Disney parks around the world. Happy New Year, Mulan! At Disney California Adventure Park in Disneyland Resort, we’ve recently celebrated the Festival of Holidays. But more festivals are on the way! Today, we got some BIG news about the 2022 Lunar New Year festival at Disney California Adventure Park! In 2020 and in years past, we’ve celebrated the Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure Park, but sadly the festival was not available for 2021 as Disneyland was closed at that time. But, in 2022, the Lunar New Year celebration is coming BACK! The Lunar New Year festival will take place in California Adventure from January 21st through February 13th, 2022. Lunar New Year 2020 If you’re not familiar with it, the Lunar New Year celebration at California Adventure honors the traditions of Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese cultures. During the festival, guests can enjoy special performances, activities, snacks (of course), decorations, merchandise, and more! In 2022, the Lunar New Year festival will celebrate the Year of the Tiger! As you might expect, a very special Disney character will be joining in on the fun…TIGGER! Tigger will join Mulan, Mushu, Mickey, Minnie, the Three Little Pigs, and more in celebrating the festival with some themed costumes. Lunar New Year 2020 Guests will also get the chance to see Raya from Raya and the Last Dragon for the first time at Disneyland Resort during the Lunar New Year festival. According to Disney, you’ll find Raya in a “setting inspired by her native Kumandra, recreated in the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.” © Disney | Raya And The Last Dragon Guests will also get to enjoy Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession when that returns in 2022. The procession is hosted by Mulan and Mushu. It will feature dozens of performers as they “honor family, friendship, and the potential for a fortune-filled new year.” You can see more details about the procession below! ©Disney There will also be live musical performances available at the Paradise Garden Bandstand. If you’re all about the food, there will be special treats to enjoy during the festival too. Disney has shared that the Sip and Savor Pass will be back and there will be four Lunar New Year marketplaces. Guests will also find some Lunar New Year-inspired food and drink options available at select restaurants throughout the park. Pork Belly Egg Rolls | Lunar New Year 2020 There will also be activities and other things for fans to enjoy including the Lucky Wishing Wall and crafts. Lunar New Year Wishing Wall You can see more about the characters that you’ll find during the festival and the Lucky Wishing Wall below. ©Disney We can’t wait to hear more about what will be available during the Lunar New Year festival. If you’re planning to check it out, be sure to mark your calendars and stay tuned for more updates. Click here to see more about a Disneyland ride that could be reopening soon! 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 Will you be going to the Lunar New Year festival? Tell us in the comments! The post DATES ANNOUNCED for the Lunar New Year Festival at Disney California Adventure Park first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World is not only a popular place for guests to visit, it’s also a setting for lots of Disney commercials. If you’ve ever been walking through the parks and stumbled upon a big stage or some sound and lighting equipment, congratulations! You’ve just found a set for what is likely a commercial or Disney special in the works. Filming in EPCOT We’ve seen even MORE of these filming sessions in the parks for both the 50th Anniversary and the holiday season. So here’s a look at what’s happening behind the scenes of that filming you see for Disney World. Today, we were strolling through the Magic Kingdom when we came across a big set area for filming. Roped off for filming In the hub area in front of the Cinderella Castle, a large area was roped off, and Cast Members were directing guests away from the space as well. Cast Member directing guests away Inside that area, we saw all kinds of sound and lighting equipment, directors and other Cast Members, and some actors too! Gettin’ all that filming done When we asked the Cast Member about what was going on, they informed us that the filming was for a commercial. For a commercial So although those Disney World commercials seem simple enough when you watch them on TV, just know that there’s a LOT going on behind the scenes to make all the magic happen! Workin’ hard Keep following DFB for more updates on all the news from Disney World. Click Here to See the TWO Celebrities We Saw in the Magic Kingdom This Week Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Preorder Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to preorder your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2022 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you ever seen filming in Disney World before? Let us know in the comments. The post PHOTOS: A BIG Production Was Happening in the Magic Kingdom Today first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Over at Disneyland Park, a few rides get a special holiday-themed overlay including Haunted Mansion Holiday and “it’s a small world” holiday. “it’s a small world” Recently, we got the chance to see the beautiful holiday lights all up on the outside of “it’s a small world.” The ride itself had been closed to make way for the holiday transformation, but that closure got extended due to some flooding. Now, however, it seems the ride could be reopening very soon! If you look at the regular “it’s a small world” page for Disneyland, you won’t find any upcoming ride times listed… ©Disneyland …but swap over to the page dedicated to “it’s a small world” holiday and you’ll find operating hours listed starting on December 5th! On December 5th, the website shows “it’s a small world” holiday as being open from 8AM to 12AM. ©Disneyland Additionally, a quick look at the Disneyland refurbishment calendar shows “it’s a small world” as being under refurbishment today through December 4th… ©Disneyland …but the ride is removed from the refurbishment list starting on December 5th. ©Disneyland So, it looks like “it’s a small world” holiday could reopen in Disneyland on December 5th! The Orange County Register has also indicated that Disneyland officials have said that the attraction is expected to open next week. According to the Orange County Register, it took a group of “more than 20 Disneyland departments” to work on repairing and reopening “it’s a small world” in time for Christmas. On the early morning hours of November 10th, the flood took place at the ride. The Orange County Register reports that an underground maintenance room was inundated while the ride was being refilled with water. Reportedly, the “brains” of the ride were damaged as the electrical equipment and “ride controls that operate the water pumps and load station conveyor belts” were covered in water. “it’s a small world” The team drained the water from the room, used a dehumidifier to take out moisture, and then worked on repairing and replacing pieces. One member of the team from Disney noted that they were reaching out to other Small Worlds and rides around the world at various Disney parks to ask for parts they needed. The project, which would have normally taken months to complete, was wrapped up in just a few weeks. Of course, times and hours are all subject to change. If you’re planning on visiting Disneyland soon and hoping to get on this ride, be sure to check the Disneyland app ahead of time to see if the ride is open and available. “it’s a small world” Holiday While the ride is amazing to check out during the day with its holiday overlay, you’ll also want to stop by at night to check out those EPIC lights. We’ll keep an eye out for more Disneyland news and let you know what we find. Click here to see what popular rides will temporarily CLOSE soon in Disneyland! 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 Have you ever been on “it’s a small world” during the holidays at Disneyland? Tell us in the comments! The post Classic Ride Could Reopen Soon, Following Flooding Incident in Disneyland first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Today, we are delighted to share that two fan-favorite, limited-time festivals will be back next year at Disney California Adventure park! The Lunar New Year celebration will take place from Jan. 21 through Feb. 13, 2022, and Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival will run from March 4 through April 26, 2022. Mark your calendars!View the full article

“The Making of Jurassic World VelociCoaster” is available on Peacock and looks at creation of roller coaster that debuted at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in June. View the full article

There are a variety of fireworks shows and nighttime spectaculars to watch in the Disney parks, including Disney Enchantment in Magic Kingdom and Harmonious in EPCOT. Hollywood Studios at Night Recently, however, 2 nighttime shows at Hollywood Studios were not showing any performance times for December, but now things have changed! Earlier today, we checked the websites for both the Wonderful World of Animation and Disney Movie Magic nighttime spectaculars at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and noticed that they are now showing performance times for dates in December! The Wonderful World of Animation For Disney Movie Magic, showtimes seem to generally be at 8:40PM each night. ©Disney Note, however, that showtimes were not listed for New Year’s Eve for this show. Disney’s Hollywood Studios will, however, be open from 9AM to 12AM on December 31st. ©Disney Also, no showtimes for Disney Movie Magic are currently listed for January of 2022, but that is subject to change. ©Disney For the Wonderful World of Animation, showtimes were generally at 9PM each night. ©Disney Again, no showtimes for this particular offering are currently listed for New Year’s Eve… ©Disney …or January of 2022. ©Disney Keep in mind that showtimes and schedules are all subject to change. But, if you were hoping to catch these shows in December, it seems you’ll be able to see them on most nights during the month! If you’re still waiting on Fantasmic! to return to Hollywood Studios, you’ll have to wait a bit longer to watch that. Disney has shared that Fantasmic! will be returning to the park in 2022, but a set date has not yet been announced. Disney has also shared that the show will feature new characters, new animation, and more when it returns. It’s coming back! We’ll keep an eye out for more updates and let you know what we find. 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 fireworks show or nighttime spectacular in Disney World? Tell us in the comments! The post December Times Now Listed for 2 Nighttime Shows in Disney's Hollywood Studios first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

D23 is Disney’s official fan club, which gives members access to exclusive merchandise, sneak peeks, and events. Josh D’Amaro with a lightsaber at Destination D23 D23 is currently doing its Season of Magic Sweepstakes, where a new prize is given out every day for 23 days. Yesterday, there was an Encanto LEGO house you could win, and now, we have a look at today’s prize! Today’s prize (December 2nd) is a collection of H2O+ favorites! This is the line of bath products you can find in the Disney hotels. It even includes the 50th Anniversary Travel Essentials Kit! ©Disney Here’s a look at everything included in the sweepstakes: Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Kit Sea Marine Revitalizing Shampoo Sea Marine Revitalizing Conditioner Sea Salt Body Wash Sea Salt Body Lotion Sea Salt Bath Soap Sea Salt Body Gloss Sea Salt Body Butter Cooling Aloe Gel Mint Foot Rub Complimentary Soaps at Disney’s Grand Floridian You can enter the giveaway right here — but, you must be a member of D23 and signed into your account. And remember, there is a free membership available. Check back with DFB every day to see the prize available for the sweepstakes! Click here to see how to win a free stay at the new Star Wars hotel in Disney World! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you a member of D23? Let us know in the comments! The post FREE STUFF ALERT: Check Out What You Could Win from D23 Today! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

When you’re looking for a solid fine dining experience in Disney World, you might want to swing by EPCOT. Chefs de France The France Pavilion in particular has a few options such as the popular Chefs de France restaurant. This spot features classic French cuisine on an upscale menu. Heads up if you’re headed there soon though, we’ve seen some price increases! Appetizers Let’s take a look at the changes we’ve noticed in the appetizers first. There have been a few minor price increases in this section. For one, our beloved French Onion Soup has seen an increase from $10.75 to $10.95. French Onion Soup Additionally, the Salade aux lardons et croûtons has increased from $10.50 to $10.75, the Salade de chèvre chaud (Baked Goat Cheese) has increased from $14.25 to $14.50, and the Assiette de fromages et charcuteries has increased from $16.25 to $16.75. Entrées Some of the entrées have seen price increases too. The Filet de saumon mariné au vin blanc et citron, riz, sauce champagne is now $33.95 instead of $33.25. Grilled Beef Tenderloin You’ll also spot a price increase from $32.75 to $32.95 for the Boeuf Bourguignon and from $39.75 to $39.95 for the Filet de boeuf grillé, sauce au poivre vert pommes purée et haricots verts. Prix Fixe Meal Though there have been no changes to the dessert pricing, there has been a change to the price for the Prix Fixe offering. © Disney The Menu Francais Prix Fixe Meal (which includes Choice of one Appetizer, one Entrée, and one Dessert; plus, a glass of either Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon Georges Duboeuf, or one Non-alcoholic Beverage) has increased from $59.90 to $63.95. Wines Several wines have seen price changes as well — primarily increases in cost. The wine changes are as follows: Les Vins des Chefs (Georges Duboeuf Selection, Pays d’Oc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon) Bottle has gone from $35.50 to $36.95 and Glass has gone from $7.75 to $7.95. There is also now a Carafe option for $13.25 Champagne, Malard, Excellence, Brut Bottle has gone from $96 to $98 and Glass has gone from $17.55 to $17.95 Champagne, Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Brut, N.V. Bottle has gone from $155 to $158 Champagne, Laurent Perrier Rose, N.V. Bottle has gone from $225 to $285 Champagne, Dom Perignon, 2009 Bottle has gone from $560 to $665 Bourgogne Blanc, Bouchard Ainé & fils, 2018 Bottle has gone from $53.50 to $53.95 and Glass has gone from $11.75 to $11.95 Riesling, Alsace, Pierre Sparr, 2017 Bottle has gone from $59.95 to $58.95 L’Opale de La Presqu’ile de Saint-Tropez, 2018 Glass has gone from $14.25 to $14.95 Gevrey-Chambertin, P. Bouchard, 2016 Bottle has gone from $155 to $175 Morgon, G. Duboeuf, 2016 Bottle has gone from $65.50 to $66.25 and Glass has gone from $13.95 to $14.25 Château La Gravière, 2018 has been added to the menu for $46.95 for a Bottle or $9.95 for a Glass. Château Larose-Trintaudon, Haut-Médoc, 2015 Bottle has gone from $96.90 to $98.25 Château Baron de Brane, Margaux, 2016 Bottle has gone from $155 to $169 Château Haut Mondain, 2018 Bottle has gone from $56.95 to $57.75 and Glass has gone from $12.50 to $12.95 Château Cormeil Figeac, Saint-Emilion, 2011 Bottle has gone from $129 to $132 Côtes du Rhône, Les Abeilles, J.L. Colombo, 2017 Bottle has gone from $52.50 to $54.95 and Glass has gone from $11.50 to $11.95. Cocktails & House Specialties And finally, the other alcoholic drinks have seen some changes as well. The Cocktail des Chefs has increased from $10 to $10.95, the French Martini has increased from $15.50 to $15.75, and the St-Germain Cocktail has increased from $17.50 to $17.95. Cocktails des Chefs Additionally, the Kir Royal is now $18.25 instead of $18, the Kir Imperial is now $18.75 instead of $18.50, the Kir au Cassis is now $9.75 instead of $9.50, and the Bière Kronenbourg 1664 is now $9 instead of $8.75. Chefs de France in EPCOT’s France Pavilion So, you might notice that your Chefs de France meal is a bit more expensive during your next visit! As always, keep an eye on DFB for the latest Disney food updates! Click here to see our latest REVIEW from Chefs de France! 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 do you think of Chefs de France? Tell us in the comments! The post PRICE INCREASES Come To Popular EPCOT Restaurant! 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. Disney accessories are hugely popular, from Minnie ears, to Disney purses, and even jewelry. Jewelry But maybe you’re more of a subtle Disney fan and you’re looking for an everyday Disney accessory that doesn’t quite scream DISNEY from the rafters. Well, you’re in luck with this new collection, so check it out! Enso Rings just released their Disney Collection Enso Rings, including a Disney Princess Collection! These silicone rings include designs of Mickey, Minnie, and portraits of your favorite Disney Princesses. ©Enso Rings Each silicone ring costs $44.99, or you can get the entire Disney Princess Collection for $199.99. As you can see, the collection includes rings with portrait designs of Moana, Cinderella, Ariel, Mulan, Jasmine, and Belle! ©Enso Rings Each Enso ring comes with a lifetime guarantee, so you don’t have to worry if your ring gets broken, stretched out, or even if it fades. Enso will replace your ring for free! Get the Disney Princess Enso Ring Collection here! The Disney Collection includes several color options of Mickey and Minnie, and you can purchase individual rings for $44.99 each or selections of four rings for $139.99. ©Enso Rings Enso rings are made in the USA, and they’re designed with to be flexible and comfortable. Shop for Mickey and Minnie Enso Rings here! And Enso didn’t forget about Star Wars fans! There is also a new Star Wars Enso Rings Collection, which includes three new lightsaber rings and a selection of Star Wars character rings. ©Enso Rings The Lightsaber Collection has three rings to choose from, including a Luke Skywalker Lightsaber, Darth Vader Lightsaber, and Yoda Lightsaber. You can buy all three for $114.99 or get each for $44.99. ©Enso Rings Enso rings are a great option for people who can’t wear traditional rings due to safety issues! Order the Lightsaber Collection here! And the Star Wars Collection includes six different character rings at $44.99 each, or get the whole collection for $199.99. Ring designs include the Mandalorian, Grogu, Stormtrooper, R2-D2, C-3PO, and Darth Vader. ©Enso Rings Don’t want to scratch up your jewelry at the gym? Silicone rings are a great alternative! Find the Star Wars Enso Ring Collection here! Visit the Enso Rings website to order your own rings or get a few for some holiday gifts this season! Keep reading DFB for more Disney merchandise and shopping news! Warning: This post may cause you to book a Disney World trip asap. 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 do you think of these Disney rings? Tell us in the comments! The post Are These the Most Practical Disney Rings Ever?! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Planning to visit Disney World in January of next year? Time to Fly We’ve already shared a bunch of things you’ll want to keep in mind for your 2022 trips, including one day in January when you might want to avoid going to Magic Kingdom, an update on fireworks packages, and eight 2022 dates you need to know about. Now, we’re sharing a look at flight costs in January if you’re planning your trip and still haven’t bought those airplane tickets. Our Method Just like what we’ve done for previous months, we’re using a specific method for our flight cost research. For starters, we only looked select airports from around the U.S. and got an estimate on what it would cost to fly from those airports to Orlando International Airport (MCO) in January on various airlines. When it comes to the date of the flights, the price of a trip can differ a LOT depending on when you choose to fly to Disney World. For this post, we looked at what flights would cost for a trip where our family would depart on January 13th (Thursday) and return on January 17th (Monday). ©Disney This set of days contained some slightly less expensive/more average cost days, but it also contained some days that were more expensive. This was based on a flight from New York (specifically JFK) to Orlando. The dates are closer to the middle of the month, meaning you’re already past the holiday period and past the Walt Disney World Marathon. The dates also fall within the start of the International Festival of the Arts.Some dates earlier in the month were much more expensive, and other periods had more dates with cheaper dates. Again, just keep in mind that the dates of a trip can greatly affect travel prices. For this entire post (save for the flights from Southwest Airlines) we used Google Flights to gather our prices. Prices for these flights can vary over time, vary by date, or vary once you go to actually book your flight. So, keep in mind that this post is just based on the information we saw at the time we searched. Airport Crowds Also, note that while we looked at just a price comparison between the various airlines, each airline (and different tickets from that airline) may come with different pros and cons. Some airlines or tickets might be more expensive, but they may come with more benefits like the ability to pick your seat or bring a bag with you. Others might be cheaper but not provide you with those same benefits. The best ticket and airline for your trip will entirely depend on what you want or need. We also wanted to point out that the prices listed below are essentially just base ticket prices. When you go to book your flight, you might find that the ticket is more expensive as additional taxes or fees may be required. We noted the taxes and fees for the Southwest flights. But, note that taxes and fees are likely required for ALL of the other flights/airlines as well. Orlando Airport A few other things to keep in mind: To calculate these prices we looked for the least expensive combination of flights (least expensive departing and returning flights) from the airport we were looking at to Orlando. We also looked at the most expensive combination of flights. These flights might not work for you. They might not be direct flights, they may be at inconvenient times, etc. So, keep in mind that your flight costs can vary. For flights on Southwest Airlines, we only looked at the “Wanna Get Away” tickets. For all other airlines, we used Google Flights to get our estimated prices. Your flight could be more or less expensive if you go to book it on the actual airline’s website or use other travel websites. We tried to limit our flight picks to ones that arrived on the same day of their departure. All of these ticket prices are just for 1 person. Orlando International Airport Alright, now that we’ve gone over our method, let’s look at the average cost to fly to Disney World (Orlando International Airport) in January of 2022. New York (JFK or LaGuardia) Southwest: Cheapest combination of flights: $334.47 from La Guardia to Orlando and back (taxes and fees add an additional $72) Most expensive combination of flights: $760.52 round trip from La Guardia (taxes and fees add about $100 in addition to this cost) Delta: Cheapest combination of flights: $289 round trip from JFK and back Most expensive combination of flights: $845 round trip from LGA and back (Note that there were several more expensive flights to and from Newark Liberty International Airport) United: Cheapest combination of flights: $455 round trip from La Guardia and back (There were a lot of other flights that were less expensive that came to and from Newark Liberty International Airport or which arrived on a subsequent day) Most expensive combination of flights: $828 round trip from La Guardia and back On the Airplane American Airlines: Cheapest combination of flights: $308 round trip from La Guardia and back Most expensive combination of flights: $787 round trip from JFK and back Spirit: Cheapest combination of flights: $138 round trip from La Guardia and back (There were some cheaper flights from Newark Liberty International Airport) Most expensive combination of flights: $307 round trip from La Guardia and back Los Angeles (LAX) Southwest: Cheapest combination of flights: $832.14 round trip (Wanna Get Away was not available for the returning flight, so we looked at the “Anytime” flight option) (taxes and fees are an additional $114) Most expensive combination of flights: $994.94 round trip (Wanna Get Away was not available for the returning flight, so we looked at the “Anytime” flight option) (taxes and fees are an additional $126) Delta: Cheapest combination of flights: $314 round trip Most expensive combination of flights: $1,575 round trip Airplane United: Cheapest combination of flights: $422 round trip Most expensive combination of flights: $932 round trip American Airlines: Cheapest combination of flights: $311 round trip Most expensive combination of flights: $1,598 round trip Spirit: Cheapest combination of flights: $196 round trip Most expensive combination of flights: $424 round trip Chicago O’Hare (ORD) Southwest: Cheapest combination of flights: $263.59 round trip (taxes and fees are an additional $58) Most expensive combination of flights: $760.52 round trip (taxes and fees are an additional $104) Delta: Cheapest combination of flights: $363 round trip Most expensive combination of flights: $1,312 round trip United: Cheapest combination of flights: $323 round trip Most expensive combination of flights: $870 round trip American Airlines: Cheapest combination of flights: $368 round trip Most expensive combination of flights: $1,232 round trip Ready to Fly? Spirit: Cheapest combination of flights: $143 round trip Most expensive combination of flights: $310 round trip Dallas (Love Field or Fort Worth) Southwest: Cheapest combination of flights: $337.08 round trip from Love Field (taxes and fees are an additional $63) Most expensive combination of flights: $760.33 round trip from Love Field (taxes and fees are an additional $91) Delta: Cheapest combination of flights: $437 round trip from Dallas Fort Worth and back Most expensive combination of flights: $1,487 round trip from Dallas Love Field and back United: Cheapest combination of flights: $426 round trip from Dallas Fort Worth and back Most expensive combination of flights: $928 round trip from Dallas Fort Worth and back New commemorative Disney plane American Airlines: Cheapest combination of flights: $401 round trip from Dallas Fort Worth and back Most expensive combination of flights: $1,198 round trip from Dallas Fort Worth and back Spirit: Cheapest combination of flights: $115 round trip from Dallas Fort Worth and back Most expensive combination of flights: $248 round trip from Dallas Fort Worth and back Atlanta (ATL) Southwest: Cheapest combination of flights: $223.40 round trip (taxes and fees are an additional $46) Most expensive combination of flights: $381.73 round trip (taxes and fees are an additional $67) Delta: Cheapest combination of flights: $244 round trip Most expensive combination of flights: $637 round trip United: Cheapest combination of flights: $522 round trip Most expensive combination of flights: $854 round trip Flying American Airlines: Cheapest combination of flights: $239 round trip Most expensive combination of flights: $953 round trip Spirit: Cheapest combination of flights: $107 round trip Most expensive combination of flights: $429 round trip Denver (DEN) Southwest: Cheapest combination of flights: $357.36 round trip (taxes and fees are an additional $56) Most expensive combination of flights: $716.80 round trip (taxes and fees are an additional $101) Delta: Cheapest combination of flights: $340 round trip Most expensive combination of flights: $1,177 round trip United: Cheapest combination of flights: $448 round trip Most expensive combination of flights: $872 round trip Luggage American Airlines: Cheapest combination of flights: $338 round trip Most expensive combination of flights: $837 round trip Spirit: Cheapest combination of flights: $138 round trip Most expensive combination of flights: $321 round trip Now we’ll average these prices together. Overall, the average price to fly to Disney World in January of 2022 (using our specific method outlined above) ranged from about $324.43 on the cheaper side, up to about $844.53 in terms of the more expensive options. Grab Your Bags This is slightly more expensive than the flights we had looked at for our proposed travel dates in December (which ranged in terms of averages from $280.36 to $801.49). Keep in mind, these are just averages and estimates based on the method we used. The actual cost of a flight to Orlando in January of 2022 may be very different. It can vary depending on the dates you choose, when you buy the flight, what airport you’re coming from, and more. Orlando International Airport 50th Anniversary Display If all of this talk of flight costs stresses you out and you want to take out some of the work in planning your trip, then you might want to reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their team has tons of experience planning trips to Disney World. 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