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DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Disney World has been very busy with the 50th Anniversary lately, but you can still spot fall decorations up on Main Street, U.S.A., which means Halloween is on its way! It’s Fall in the Magic Kingdom! If you’re in the parks this season, you can check out the Haunted Mansion-themed pre-show over at Muppet*Vision 3D, try some new spooky treats, or head to Boo Bash in the Magic Kingdom. But what can you do to celebrate a Disney-themed Halloween at home? How about a little seasonal shopping spree? We’ve got some frightfully fantastic new products to show you that’ll help transform your home for the upcoming holiday. Entertainment Earth has four cutting boards that are all themed after a different aspect of one of Disney World’s spookiest attractions: the Haunted Mansion. The Haunted Mansion All four of the cutting boards are made of wood and measure 14″ tall by 9″ wide. Each has a different theme, so you can choose your favorite or order a few of them to have a full Haunted set! They’re great for chopping ingredients for your potions — er — meals, or you can use them as serving platters at your next Halloween party. The first board has the Haunted Mansion logo with an emblem “to the Dearly Departed.” ©Entertainment Earth On it, you’ll find the famous saying from the attraction, “Be sure to bring your death certificate if you should decide to join them.” You can get the Dearly Departed Cutting Board for $54.99. Click Here to Buy the Dearly Departed Cutting Board The next board has our favorite group of ghostly singers — the singing busts! You’ll spot these guys on the Haunted Mansion’s grounds as you travel through the cemetery on the attraction. ©Entertainment Earth Just seeing the singing busts will have us humming “Grim Grinning Ghosts” for the rest of the day. You can get this board for $54.99 now. Click Here to Buy the Singing Busts Cutting Board The lovely clairvoyant spirit Madame Leota graces the next cutting board, which advertises her talents as a psychic medium, “materializing the disembodied.” ©Entertainment Earth You can buy this cutting board “from regions beyond” for $54.99 as well. Click Here to Buy the Madame Leota Cutting Board The last cutting board has some of our favorite spirits engraved on it — the hitchhiking ghosts! ©Entertainment Earth You can pick up the board (and three ghostly friends) for $54.99. Click Here to Buy the Hitchhiking Ghosts Cutting Board The cutting boards have an arrival date of October 2021, so they should arrive before your Halloween party this year — just in time to serve up delicious treats and scary snacks. Keep following DFB to see more Disney-themed merchandise! Want to Make Your Very Own Haunted Mansion at Home? Check Out More Products Here! Halloween at Walt Disney World Get a Look at All of the New Halloween Merchandise in Disney World Learn All About Disney After Hours Boo Bash at Magic Kingdom See Every Date That is Sold Out for Boo Bash Check Out the Full List of Halloween Treats Coming to Disney World See Photos and Reviews of the Fall and Halloween Treats in Disney World Take a Look at the Halloween Decorations in Magic Kingdom See Disney World’s NEW Halloween Ears Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe What’s your favorite Disney way to celebrate Halloween? Let us know in the comments! The post Haunted Mansion Cutting Boards! Need We Say More?! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ve seen many things reopen over the course of the last year and a half. Disney World is slowly returning to normal! We’ve had hotels, restaurants, and even entertainment options all come back slowly. Now, more entertainment is returning to Animal Kingdom, and we’ve got all the details on what you can expect to see soon! Starting next week, both Chakranadi and Kora Tinga Tinga will return to the streets of Africa to perform for guests in the park. And the beloved Tam Tam Drummers will make their comeback in early November! This area will be busy again soon! Currently, no news has been released on the Harambe Village Acrobats that used to perform in the village square. We’ll make sure to share more information on showtimes and specific locations for these musicians when it is released. There will be so much to enjoy in Africa! Stay tuned to DFB for the latest news on Disney World entertainment and reopenings, we’ve got you covered! Click Here to See How Modified Character Meets Are Returning Soon! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 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 listened to these performers in Animal Kingdom? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: More LIVE Entertainment is Returning to Disney's Animal Kingdom! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Although a lot has returned to normal in Disney World, we’re still missing a few things in the parks. Disney’s Hollywood Studios One of the most notable absences has been some of the entertainment, including some shows and character meetings. Today, Disney announced the return of select events, and we’re so excited to see them come back! One of the returning shows is happening soon in Disney’s most glamorous park. “Disney Movie Magic” is a nighttime projections show in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney’s Hollywood Studios Entrance The show premiered a few years ago, but it didn’t come back when the park reopened last year. Now, however, it’s finally returning! You’ll be able to see the Movie Magic once again starting November 7th, 2021. Chinese Theatre The show casts projections from live-action Disney movies on the Chinese Theatre, featuring scenes like those from Indiana Jones and Pirates of the Caribbean. Disney has announced that there will be NEW scenes showing this time, from Disney’s live-action version of Mulan. Mulan ©Disney We can’t wait to check out the show and the new scenes soon! Keep following DFB for more updates and news. Click Here to Learn About More Entertainment In Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 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 going to watch Disney Movie Magic when it returns this fall? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: The ‘Disney Movie Magic’ Projection Show Is Returning to Hollywood Studios SOON! --DRAFTED SM first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Live entertainment is one of the things that makes a day at Disney World GREAT! Beauty and the Beast –Live on Stage From cavalcades to fireworks to shows, there is something to look at around almost every corner. And now, we just learned about when an exciting, popular show is returning to the parks! The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular is returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on December 19th, 2021! It’s coming back!! The cast and crew are FINALLY back to entertain guests with the comedy and thrills of the action-packed show. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular The Stunt Spectacular is a live show that features Indy and Marion battling the bad guys, leaping from tall buildings, and making other thrilling escapes like they do in Raiders of the Lost Ark. The show also gives an inside look at how these stunts are performed with demonstrations. These seats will soon be filled! And, you can be a part of the show, too! The casting director will choose adult volunteers to appear as costumed extras. Indiana Jones was previously being used as a relaxation station We can’t wait to watch Indy and these amazing stunt performers again in December! Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney entertainment news and updates. Click here to learn more about the entertainment at Walt Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 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 excited for the return of Indiana Jones?! Let us know in the comments! The post DATE REVEALED: The Indiana Jones Stunt Show Is Returning to Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Over the past few months, we’ve been able to spot some of our favorite Disney friends in cavalcades, distanced character meet-and-greets, flotillas, and distanced character meals. Hey There Friends! If you’re a big fan of saying “hello” to the Disney princesses, Mickey, Minnie, and more, you’re in luck. Soon, character experiences in the park will be changing! Earlier today, Disney announced that guests will soon be able to have some individualized time with their favorite characters! Disney has noted that the time isn’t quite right for hugs and autographs yet though, so that level of character interaction won’t be returning just yet. Mickey Mouse! But, soon guests will get the chance to get some more individualized time with the characters and the ability to visit these friends in themed locations for a photo or two. Looking for princesses? Soon, the princesses will be returning to Princess Fairytale Hall in Magic Kingdom so you can meet them at a distance there. Princess Fairytale Hall Want to meet Minnie Mouse? You’ll be able to spend a little more individualized time with her over at Red Carpet Dreams in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Also in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’ll find the stars of Disney Junior in Animation Courtyard. Minnie Mouse Looking for the one and only Mickey Mouse? You’ll be able to stop into Town Square Theater on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom to say hello to the mouse who started it all. And even better, Mickey will be wearing his new EARidescent outfit designed specifically for the 50th Anniversary celebration. Based on the photo below shared by Disney, it appears these meets will be distanced but will allow guests to see their favorite characters in more themed settings. ©Disney Disney has noted that each of these spots are expected to start welcoming guests in November. Disney has also shared that many of the cavalcades, motorcades, surprise character appearances, and similar experiences will be continuing around Disney World. Pluto and Goofy! We’ll keep an eye out for more updates about these more individualized character experiences. Stay tuned for all the latest news! Click here to get a first look at the return of character dining to Tusker House! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 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 excited for the return of character meet-and-greets in a modified way? Tell us in the comments! The post BREAKING: Character Meet and Greets Are Returning to Disney World in a Modified Way! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration is off to an exciting start, with 150 new food and drink items around the parks and resorts, well over a hundred new merchandise items, not to mention new fireworks shows in both Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, a new daytime show in Disney’s Animal Kingdom…needless to say, there’s a lot of NEW stuff happening! Be Our Guest Those new food and drink items can be found at all four theme parks, including right here in Magic Kingdom. Recently we went to Be Our Guest Restaurant to check out their new menu offerings! The new items added to Be Our Guest’s menu have a more ‘nautical’ theme, inspired by the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction that operated in Magic Kingdom from 1971 through 1994. Keep in mind that Be Our Guest Restaurant is currently serving a prix-fixe menu for both lunch and dinner, so if you want to try these items out for yourself, it’ll be a part of that prix-fixe dining experience. Lunch and dinner at Be Our Guest currently costs $62 per adult and $37 per child. Be Our Guest is getting in on the action for the 50th Anniversary! First up, we gotta talk about these drinks. Perhaps one of the most talked-about drinks when Disney first announced their 150 new bites and sips arriving for the 50th Anniversary Celebration was the Squids Revenge Drink. This alcoholic beverage is a Michelada with a Salted Rim, garnished with Charred Octopus and Cucumber. Yes, you read that correctly…Charred Octopus. Squid’s Revenge For Disney World history buffs, you may be able to figure out that this drink is inspired by the Giant Squid from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. But, Disney, did you really have to go so…literal? Yup, that’s an octopus tentacle in our drink. This drink…is not it, folks. If you enjoy tomato juice, then you may find the drink itself to be appetizing, but we could not get past the Charred Octopus garnish. Even if you like seafood, we found the garnish to be cold and chewy. Almost inedible. It quite literally tasted like the sea. Well…there’s something for everyone. Keep in mind that alcoholic beverages are an additional cost on top of your prix-fixe menu. Squids Revenge will cost you an additional $13.00. For those under the age of 21 or who wish to enjoy a nonalcoholic beverage, there’s The Nautilus! This drink is a Blue Raspberry Slushy with Swedish Fish and a special 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Glow Cube. The Nautilus This drink tasted exactly like a Blue Raspberry Icee to us! It was super cute, and we love a good glow cube, but the $15.00 was a bit too high (those glow cubes tend to bump the price a little higher). One of the coolest glow cubes we’ve seen! For food, you can choose to start off your meal at Be Our Guest with the Captain Nemo Octopus. This dish is a Seaweed Salad with Cucumber, Pickled Beets, Hearts of Palm, Tapioca Crackers, Beets Mousse, and Carrot-Ginger Silk. Captain Nemo Octopus Let’s start with the positives: the Seaweed Salad component was quite good! However, you REALLY have to be a seafood lover (and we mean hardcore seafood fan) to enjoy this salad. Like the Squids Revenge drink, the Octopus is not for everyone. Captain Nemo Octopus We also found the Pickled Beets to have an odd texture and flavor when mixed in with the other ingredients. This salad was likely curated with a very specific audience in mind, so you should know looking at the list of ingredients if this is something you’ll enjoy or not. For the $62 prix fixe price tag, however, if you’re on the fence…don’t risk it. Yay. More octopus. For dessert, you can finish off your meal with the Ned Land Sea Cake, which is a Lemon and Strawberry Shell Cake, Pistachio Microwave Cake, Chocolate Rocks, Grey Stuff, and Swedish Fish. We’ll be honest, after the ho-hum showing from the first few items, we were hoping that the dessert course would redeem Be Our Guest…and it totally helped! Ned Land Sea Cake The “Shell Cake” were Madelines, and they were terrific — very light and moist! They were accompanied by little bits of Grey Stuff, which is always an appreciated component of any dessert at Be Our Guest. The Pistachio Microwave Cake had some almond extract in it, which we really appreciated! Truly, this may be a new favorite dessert of ours. Ned Land Sea Cake If you’re a monster seafood fan (no pun intended), then you may find these specialty menu additions at Be Our Guest to be right up your alley and will provide you with a unique dining experience you can’t find in many other places. If the mere thought of Octopus gives you second thoughts, however, then either skip Be Our Guest on your next trip or order different items off of the menu. Either way, if you do dine here, definitely give that dessert a try. Delicious! If you’re looking for truly unique specialty menu items to celebrate the 50th Anniversary Celebration, Be Our Guest Restaurant might be the place for you to visit! Don’t forget to read up on our full reviews of Be Our Guest to see if this restaurant is a good match for you and your travel party on your next vacation. Be sure to follow along for more of the latest coverage from Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration! Click here to read reviews of all of the new food and drink items we’re trying for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration! Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Details and Info Click HERE for Your Guide to Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration See Everything That Has Been Announced For Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Check Out Everything Happening in Disney World on October 1st, 2021 Click Here to See The 50 Best Ways to Celebrate Disney World’s 50th Anniversary What Does Hotel Availability and Pricing Look Like for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary? Here Are the 5 News Bombs You May Have Missed Related to the 50th Anniversary Celebrations! Check Out 10 Things You Need to Bring If You’re Going to Disney World for the 50th Anniversary See How Each of Disney World’s Park Icons Will Transform During the 50th Anniversary Celebrations! Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Do you currently have a vacation planned for the 50th Anniversary? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: We Drank an 🐙OCTOPUS Cocktail 🐙 in Disney World and It Went About as Well as You'd Think! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s an exciting time to be at Walt Disney World Resort! We just launched The World’s Most Magical Celebration, with dazzling new EARidescent experiences in every corner of our world. Of course, our cast is at the heart of everything, and since the reopening of our theme parks, Walt Disney World Resort is proud to have returned more than 50,000 cast members to work. Now, more than 65,000 are working across the resort, and we are hiring hundreds more each week as we continue to open more resorts and guest locations. Today, I’m thrilled to tell you we’re bringing back more entertainment cast members this fall, as we relaunch some favorite live entertainment experiences at all four theme parks and beyond!http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/Cxdok7ozjgQView the full article

The 50th Anniversary of Disney World is here, which means we have a new fireworks show at Magic Kingdom– Disney Enchantment! Disney Enchantment Today, we checked out one of the THREE new dessert parties inside Magic Kingdom. Here’s your first look at the most literal-sounding dessert party name: Magic Kingdom’s Disney Enchantment Treats & Seats Dessert Party! Atmosphere For this dessert party, you get to enjoy treats at Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland Terrace during the fireworks. This is similar in structure to an experience that was previously offered in Magic Kingdom, though many of the dessert offerings have changed. Welcome to Tomorrowland Terrace! The first thing you’ll want to do upon arriving to Magic Kingdom is head to Tomorrowland Terrace to check in. We’re Ready! Upon checking in, the Cast Members will check your ID and you’ll be provided with a wristband or two. We were provided with one band indicating we were 21+ (and thus able to drink alcoholic beverages during the party) and another simply for the party. Wristbands We checked in at around 7:30 PM, and the Cast Members indicated that the party starts at 8PM, but that they would start seating us soon after we checked in. Dessert Parties One important thing to know is that Cast Members escort guests to their seats. In other words, you generally won’t be able to pick what table or seats you get. It’s a luck of the draw type of thing. While all of the seats will generally provide you with a fantastic view of the Castle, those that are closer to the edge will obviously give you a greater view of the fireworks and a more unobstructed view of the Castle. Tables Still, because guests are escorted to their tables and you can’t really pick where you sit, it’s important to keep in mind that you might not get the seat you necessarily want. Seating We were let in not too long after we checked in at 7:30 PM, so we’d say arriving and checking in early is a good idea to help you get the most out of the experience. We’ll take this table! Once inside, you’ll be able to check out your table… Seating …and then head to the buffet to sample lots of tasty treats! Menu The dessert items here were served buffet-style. The buffet was 2-sided and the same desserts were served on both sides, so you can hop in whatever line looks shortest. Ready to Get Some Snacks? In terms of snacks, there were chocolate-covered strawberries with a 50th Anniversary design on them in chocolate… Strawberries …a variety of crackers… Crackers …and an assortment of cheese. Cheese So here’s the thing with the desserts. They had individual placards explaining they can be found at various locations around Magic Kingdom. Cute, right? Problem was, not all of them…can actually be found there. Some can, but others? Not as much. So it was a little confusing. For example, the Devil’s chocolate pudding (made of chocolate filling, crumble brownie, milk chocolate, and whipped cream) … Pudding …Tres Leches (made of coconut cake soaked with a three milk mixture)… Tres Leches …a Chilling Chamber Pop (made of vanilla crumbs, caramel buttercream, and graham cracker crumbs)… Chilling Chamber Pop …Oreo Cheesecake Mousse topped with crumble, which can be found at Cinderella’s Royal Table… Oreo Cheesecake Mousse …Chocolate silk pie (made of a chocolate tart shell, chocolate filling, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings) which can be found in bigger form now at Casey’s Corner… Chocolate Silk Pie …Butterscotch pudding with caramel popcorn… Butterscotch Pudding …and Firehouse Doughnuts (ricotta doughnuts rolled in cinnamon sugar)… Firehouse Doughnuts …served with a strawberry topping) which you can find at Tony’s Town Square. YUM What’s interesting is that most of the food are items from Magic Kingdom restaurants. You can see where the items are as identified on their placards. That was a nice touch we really enjoyed! Firehouse Doughnuts In terms of drinks, there was iced tea, milk, water with lemons… Drinks …the infamous POG juice, lemonade, and strawberry lemonade. We were rather surprised that the water option had lemons in it (if that’s not something you like, you’ll want to keep that in mind), and we were surprised that there were no Coca-Cola products available. Having regular water without lemons and more soda options is something we would have liked to have seen. Drinks There was also coffee (regular and decaf)… Get Your Coffee …and hot water, with a variety of tea bags nearby. Hot Water and Tea There was also a table with champagne flutes and some drinks available. Note that these were sparkling apple cider and were non-alcoholic. Apple Cider If you’re looking for an alcoholic beverage, there was Veramonte Chardonnay, a Zolo Signature Red Blend… Some of the Drinks …Villa Rose Moscato d’Asti, Paul Cheneau Lady of Spain Cuvee Cava… More Drinks …Blue Moon Belgian White Ale, and Bud Light Lager. Guests can grab 2 alcoholic beverages at a time. Beer Choices At the end of the night, we were also provided with a Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel square! Yum! Another sweet treat to end the night. End With Some Chocolate! We (of course) grabbed a little bit of almost everything to try! Eats & Drinks The chocolate-covered strawberries were actually surprisingly good! We loved the fun print on them that celebrated the 50th anniversary. LAST time we saw these, they were adorned with Happily Ever After’s logo (RIP!). The strawberry itself was wonderfully tangy, and well balanced by the sweetness of the chocolate it was covered in. Overall, it’s a basic and simple but good treat. There’s a reason it’s a classic. A Peek at Our Items The cheese and crackers were a welcome escape from all the sugar and sweets. It was nice to have something crunchy and more salty & savory to balance out the night. Still, this is essentially the only savory thing on the menu, so keep that in mind. It was a bit of a bummer to see savory foods underrepresented. On past visits we’ve had spinach dip, mini Cheeseburger Springrolls (YUSSSS), and a few other things NOT dripping with sugar! If you’re not a big fan of sweets, the cheese and crackers area is where you’ll likely spend all of your time. Cheese The Devil’s chocolate pudding (made of chocolate filling, crumble brownie, milk chocolate, and whipped cream) really packed a good, real chocolate flavor, rather than just an artificial or surface-level chocolate flavor. The crunchy pearls added a nice change in texture, and the brownie pieces on the bottom added even more chocolate flavor to the treat. If you love chocolate, this might be a good choice for you. It’s a basic treat and a little bit on the boring side (great for little ones) but still very tasty. It’s worth noting some of these foods are labeled to indicate you could currently find them at various locations around the park when, in fact, you can’t. For instance, the Devil’s Chocolate Pudding can be found at the Friar’s Nook (but only…it can’t!). Devil’s Chocolate With the Tres Leches, it was set up almost like a tres leches cupcake. The cake itself was buttery and very yummy. It also wasn’t overly sweet, which was great considering the number of desserts we were consuming all in one go! Our Items and Our View! Next up is the Chilling Chamber Pop (made of vanilla crumbs, caramel buttercream, and graham cracker crumbs). This treat was good but VERY sweet! It tasted like we were eating butterscotch flavored frosting — which can be a good thing depending on what you like. Overall, it was buttery and had a fun presentation we think guests will enjoy. The Dessert Spread We also grabbed the Oreo Cheesecake Mousse topped with crumble. The flavor of this was very similar to the Grey Stuff. It wasn’t too sweet and the pearls added a nice crunch. Overall, if you like the Grey Stuff and that Oreo flavor, you’ll probably really enjoy this! You CAN Find this one (on the kids’ menu) over at Cinderella’s Royal Table for lunch or dinner. Our Spread Then, we had the Chocolate silk pie (made of a chocolate tart shell, chocolate filling, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings). We found that the tart was a bit dry. The filling inside was very light though, which was nice. Overall, we got a light cocoa flavor from this, but not a really heavy amount of that chocolate taste. Just what you’d find in most chocolate silk pies. Silk Pie Then, it was time for some Butterscotch pudding and caramel popcorn. The pudding here was sweet and milky tasting. But, unfortunately, the popcorn was not crunchy and instead was more on the stale side since it had been sitting in the wet pudding. Overall, this was a SUPER sugary treat, so be prepared for a sugar rush! Pudding And finally, we grabbed the Firehouse Doughnuts (ricotta doughnuts rolled in cinnamon sugar served with a strawberry topping). These were cakey doughnuts covered in cinnamon sugar — what’s not to love?! Seriously, these were a favorite for most of our reporters. One of our reporters found them to be a bit dry, but they’re also not a fan of doughnuts in general so this wasn’t their favorite dish. We didn’t get a huge ricotta flavor from them, but the doughnuts themselves were tasty so we didn’t mind! Doughnuts In terms of drinks, the POG juice is a clear winner (of course, no surprise there). We also liked the strawberry lemonade as it was tangy and not overly sweet. And the champagne we got was not too sweet, which was great. Cheers! And that’s a look at the food and drinks served at the party, but what about the view? The View While you’re paying for the food and drinks, with the Treats & Seats option in particular, you’re paying an upcharge to be able to sit and watch the fireworks from a table. There are 2 other fireworks dessert parties where you can enjoy the exact same eats — one where you eat before going to a standing-only fireworks viewing section, and another where you watch the fireworks first from the standing-only viewing section and then have desserts afterwards. Both of those are priced at $99 for adults and $59 for kids. The Treats & Seats version is $114 per adult and $69 per child. For adults, that’s a $15 upcharge to watch the fireworks while seated. So decide: is a table and chair worth $15 buck to you? Some would say yes, others no. But when you’re already nearing triple digits for some cake and cheese cubes, it might be worth the EXTRA extra splurge! Fireworks Overall, the fireworks view is pretty good. You’ll essentially get a slightly side view of the castle, and watch as the fireworks go off to the sides of the castle. Fireworks View This is a great way to experience the fireworks — emphasis on the fireworks themselves. This isn’t really a great way to experience the entire show. Your view of the castle is from the side and the castle itself can be obstructed by trees. That means you won’t get the full effect of all of the projections show on the castle as part of the show. Fireworks Plus, you are a bit further away. You’ll see some of the colors and maybe be able to make out some of the projection designs, but if you’re there to experience the entire show, and really want to see those projections up-close, this isn’t the best way to do it. Fireworks View There’s also a NEW element you’ll be seriously missing out on. You also can’t get a view of the projections that go down Main Street, U.S.A. as part of this show. These interactive projections are a big, fun part of the new show and you’ll essentially miss it completely. Your view will be limited to the Castle and the fireworks around it. Fireworks View Now, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. As we mentioned, this is a fantastic way to see the fireworks themselves. You get a great view of those and also an awesome view of Tinker Bell as she flies right over you! Plus, you get to watch the fireworks from a designated spot, with seating, snacks, and drinks, and without the need to stand in or fight through a big crowd. If we learned anything from opening night of these new fireworks…not having that stress in your life might be a good thing. It’s certainly a more relaxing way to watch the show. Nosh or Not You should grab your spot at the Treats and Seats party if: You want to get a great view of the fireworks WITHOUT the crowds. You want to sit down while you watch the fireworks, while munching on some treats and drinking some tasty drinks. You want to make your fireworks experience more special or do something unique to celebrate a special occasion. You should skip this add-on if: You’re on a budget (this experience isn’t exactly cheap). You want the FULL fireworks show experience — a clear view of projections on the castle, a look at the projections down Main Street, U.S.A., AND the fireworks. You don’t like sweets (there really aren’t a lot of options here that are savory). Overall Overall, we really had a great experience at this dessert party. The Cast Members that were there were fantastic and some of the best we’ve encountered in Disney World. The trays of food were constantly being refilled, and the Cast members were all very attentive, excited, and kind. The cast was incredible – trays were constantly being refilled and they were very attentive and excited and kind. One of them even spoke to us for a while about the fireworks, the 50th Anniversary, and more. Seriously, we cannot say enough just how fantastic the Cast Members were here. Cast Members There was a decent amount of snacks to choose from, and more than enough to fill you up. But, be warned — as it notes, this is a DESSERT party. The only savory snack was the cheese and crackers. We would have loved to have seen another savory option so this could almost end up being a light dinner. That would make the high cost a bit more justifiable. Plus, most past firework parties at Tomorrowland Terrace offered some extra special treats — like a DIY sundae or cupcake bar, hot trays of Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake, and more. We couldn’t help but notice what we were missing (while still paying a high price). But, as it is a “dessert” party, it’s expected that there will be a LOT of sweet treats and that expectation was certainly met! Fireworks Party It is a LOT of sugar, so be warned if you’re planning on doing this with little ones — you’ll likely deal with a sugar rush and crash soon after the party begins! We were seated starting at around 7:30PM, even though the advertised start time is 8PM. Our recommendation is to get there early, because by arriving early we got an extra 30 minutes of eating and drinking. That’s a great bonus time! Spread The event is expensive at $114 per adult and $69 per child. You’re essentially paying that extra $15 for adults, as compared to the other versions of this party, to have those set seats in Tomorrowland Terrace. If you’d prefer to sit down and not fight the crowds (it can even get a bit crowded in the reserved section sometimes), then this could be a good choice for you. Fireworks It’s likely not something you’d add on to every trip. But, if you’re visiting during a special occasion and looking to celebrate with fireworks, drinks, and snacks, this could be a good pick. That said, it would be hard to eat and drink enough in a short time to really get your $$ worth here, but it’s more about the whole special experience. We also (in the name of science) had a reporter checking out one of the other Magic Kingdom dessert party options to compare. We’ll be back with that review soon to see if the extra $15 is REALLY worth the added cost. Stay tuned! We’re always keeping up with the latest at Disney, so stay tuned for all the latest 50th Anniversary news and more! Click Here to Read Our Review of California Grill’s New Disney Enchantment Fireworks Dessert Party! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think about this dessert party? Let us know in the comments! The post Review: Is Sitting in a Chair Really Worth An Extra at This Disney World Dessert Party? first appeared on the disney food blog. 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This past month has been one to remember when it comes to Disney World dining! From new restaurants opening to new menu items STILL showing up at the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival, it feels like this has been one of the most jam-packed foodie months of 2021! Cinderella Castle Of course, with all of that food we’re trying out, there are going to be some winners…and unfortunately some losers. Today, we’re revisiting some of our top and bottom picks for what we had in the month of September around Disney World! The Best Blue Moon Cauliflower from Space 220 We’re starting our “Best” list with perhaps the biggest Disney World foodie event of the last month — the highly-anticipated opening of Space 220 in EPCOT! We tried practically the entire menu for both lunch and dinner (including the lounge!), and there were SEVERAL highlights. However, one item that our reporters were all in agreement on was the Blue Moon Cauliflower. Blue Moon Cauliflower This dish is made from tempura-fried cauliflower, housemade hot sauce, and blue cheese dust. With the perfect amount of crunchiness and flavor, our reporters totally devoured this dish. Blue Moon Cauliflower You can order this as your “Lift Off” appetizer at lunch ($55 prix fixe menu) or at dinner ($79 prix fixe menu), or you can order it from the Lounge à la carte for $17. Click here to read our review of the lounge at Space 220 Filet Mignon from Space 220 While you can get the Blue Moon Cauliflower just about any time of day at Space 220, our next favorite from this month, their 8 oz Filet Mignon, is a dinner-only dish that you won’t find in the lounge — it can only be found on the $79 prix-fixe menu. 8oz Filet Mignon The filet comes served with Cabernet Butter, Potato Leek Croquette, and Haricot Vert. If you wanna go extra fancy, for an additional $10 you can add Shrimp to this dish, or for an additional $15 you can add a Half Lobster. 8oz Filet Mignon This was by far one of our favorite entrees from dinner at Space 220. The filet was cooked perfectly and had that melt-in-your-mouth consistency (the Cabernet Butter certainly helped with that, too!). If you’re a meat fan, there may be no better option for you if you dine at Space 220 for dinner. Click here to read our review of dinner from Space 220 Lemon Poppyseed Cookie from Gideon’s Bakehouse Gideon’s Bakehouse releases limited-time menu items each month, and for the month of September, guests were able to try their Lemon Poppyseed Cookie! This month’s special sweet is a $6 Lemon Poppyseed Cookie with White Chocolate Chips and Mini Lemon Chips on top. This is totally a citrus fan’s cup of tea, and like the other cookies at Gideon’s, it was baked to perfection (plus it’s preeeety). It has white chocolate chips and mini lemon chips We wanted to point out that this half-pound cookie was a little controversial amongst our reporters! Some stressed that this was by far the best thing they had this month, while others weren’t fans of the Lemon Poppyseed flavor! A new month means that the Lemon Poppyseed Cookie will be replaced by another flavor, but hopefully, we’ll see this cookie return in the future so you can decide for yourself! Click here to read our review of this month’s specialty menu items from Gideon’s Bakehouse Crêpes from La Crêperie de Paris Space 220 wasn’t the only new restaurant to open at EPCOT this month! We were also able to check out La Crêperie de Paris, which is located in the new expansion in the France Pavilion! This dining location has both a sit-down table service restaurant as well as a walk-up counter service location. La Crêperie de Paris While overall we enjoyed the variety of crêpes at both locations, there were two that stood out to us the most! At the sit-down restaurant, we were particularly fond of The Savoyarde Galette, which comes with Raclette cheese, onions, and imported Bayonne Ham. It’s FULL of those caramelized onions, so you have to like that flavor to truly enjoy this dish. Thankfully, this Galette was tasty throughout! You can order it à la carte for $15.95, or you can include it as part of your $33 three-course prix-fixe meal. The Savoyarde Galette Another shoutout we wanted to include was the Brie Galette from Crêpes à Emporter, a.k.a. the “to go” window at La Crêperie de Paris. At $9.95, the inside of this Galette was creamy and tangy with a tasty Brie Cheese Fondue — an instant win for melty cheese! Brie Galette! Whether you choose to try the sit-down restaurant or the to-go window at La Crêperie de Paris, we think this will become a nice addition to your list of restaurants to dine at during your trips to Disney World! Click here to read our review of the To-Go window at La Crêperie de Paris Brussels Sprouts from Brew-Wing Yes, of all the many food items we tried this month at Disney World, Brussels Sprouts were among our top picks! You can find them at Brew-Wing at the EPCOT Experience as part of the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival, which runs through November 20th. Brussels Sprouts! At $5, this was a solid snack option! The Brussels Sprouts were the perfect crispy texture, and the flavors were out of this world. It’s also important to note that this is a Vegan dish, and the Ranch and Blue Cheese on top is plant-based! Click here to read our full review of the Brussels Sprouts from Brew-Wing! The Worst Galaxy Grain Salad from Space 220 They can’t all be winners this month! While we loved our time at Space 220, not every dish quite hit the mark for us. One of the dishes we would probably skip the next time we visit is the Galaxy Grain Salad. Galaxy Grain Salad Overall, we found that the ingredients in this dish didn’t quite come together like we hoped they would. And when you’re paying top-dollar for the prix-fixe menus (priced at $55 per adult for lunch and $79 per adult for dinner), we’re going to have somewhat higher standards for all of the dishes we try! Click here to read our review of lunch from Space 220 Skittles Sugar Cookie Pie from Main Street Confectionery Main Street Confectionery reopened at the end of September after a somewhat lengthy refurbishment period! Stepping inside, we were blown away by not only the bright and colorful decor, but the wide selection of new treats to eat! Confectionery We tried several of the new sweets, and while we did enjoy a number of them, we, unfortunately, couldn’t get behind the Skittles Sugar Cookie Pie for $5.49. Skittles Sugar Cookie Pie We thought the Skittles didn’t bake well in the cookie itself and left us with a strange texture. We probably wouldn’t get this particular item again, but there are plenty of others we would repurchase! Click here to read our review of some of the new treats from Main Street Confectionery Witch Way Cocktail from Disney Springs’ outdoor beverage carts Our final two items on our “worst” list for the month of September are cocktails, both of which you can find at Disney Springs. The first one we wanted to mention is the Witch Way cocktail. You can find it at the outdoor beverage carts for $13 through October 31st. It’s a mixture of Vodka, Blue Curaçao Beverage Syrup, Orange Juice, and Pineapple Juice. It’s supposed to be garnished with a Poison Apple Glow Cube…but we got a lemon wedge instead. Witch Way Our biggest complaint with this drink was that it was WAY too sweet between the juices and the blue curaçao. We had a hard time tasting the vodka, and for the price, we would want to know that we were paying for an adult beverage! Otherwise, how is it any different than a regular juice drink you can get for way cheaper? Also, we missed the Halloween vibes and got more “tropical vibes” instead. Not necessarily a bad thing, but we were a little confused with the clashing themes. Click here to read our full review of the Witch Way drink Monster Margarita from Dockside Margaritas The second cocktail we’re including in our “worst” list for the month is the Monster Margarita from Dockside Margaritas. It’s a mixture of Patron Silver Tequila, Grand Marnier, Sweet-and-Sour, Black Cherry, Green Apple, and Lime Juice and costs $16. Monster Margarita We were hoping for something more unique for the Halloween season, but all we were really left with was a very strong artificial cherry flavor along with some sweet-and-sour. It was fine, but ultimately it left us wanting something more memorable and spooky (with a name like Monster Margarita, we’re going to have some high expectations!). Click here to read our full review of the Monster Margarita That’ll do it for our top and bottom picks from the month of September! If you thought there was no way Disney World could top the sheer amount of new food released in a month, think again — October is bringing a whopping 150 NEW treats for the 50th Anniversary Celebration! Rest assured, we’ll be back next month with a whole new list of the best and worst things we tried! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What’s your all-time favorite Disney World snack? Let us know in the comments! The post The BEST (and WORST) Things We Ate at Disney World in September! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are two new ways to experience Harmonious, the brand-new nighttime spectacular at EPCOT. If standing along World Showcase Lagoon just won’t cut it and you’re looking to add a little something special to your evening, new dining packages are available for booking at both Rose & Crown Dining Room in the U.K. Pavilion as well as Spice Road Table in the Morocco Pavilion. EPCOT We chose to experience Harmonious from Rose & Crown Dining Room recently, and we wanted to share our experience and our thoughts with you today to discuss whether or not it’s worth the price tag! Overview So what is that price tag, you ask? The dining package at Rose & Crown Dining Room costs $89 per adult and $39 per child. That comes with one appetizer, one entrée, a dessert platter, and unlimited drinks. This same-ish package was offered for previous fireworks shows for just a couple bucks cheaper. Rose and Crown This dining package also comes with waterfront views of Harmonious, the newest fireworks show at EPCOT! Park tickets to EPCOT on the day of your reservation are required, as well as a Park Pass Reservation. If you have park hopper, you could also “hop” to EPCOT later in the day. Unlike some other fireworks watch parties (like the new party at Disney’s Contemporary Resort for Disney Enchantment), there isn’t a dress code for the Rose & Crown Fireworks dining package. Rose & Crown Sign It’s totally fine to show up in whatever you had planned to wear to the parks that day. Atmosphere This dining package is available at Rose & Crown, which is situated along World Showcase Lagoon in the U.K. Pavilion. Check in for this dining package begins approximately 45 minutes prior to the start of the show. Usually Harmonious will start at 9:45, but the times are subject to change, so make sure to double-check for the show’s time on the day that you’re there. Rose and Crown Patio To check-in, you’ll head to the Rose & Crown check-in podium (the big green podium to the left of the actual building) and let the Cast Members know that you’re there for the fireworks dining package. The Cast Members had cards with our party’s name on it to reserve our table. Rose & Crown Patio When we arrived, we were brought out to the patio area outside of Rose & Crown, which is the designated area for guests who booked this dining package. Seating On the table, we had menus, napkins with silverware, and a light since there wasn’t much overhead lighting (so that we could see the fireworks better). We ARE at a pub, after all, so a bottle of malt vinegar was also on our table. Table setting Our host added the reservation card to our table, and we sat down to take a look at the menu! Menu The dining package includes one (1) appetizer, one (1) entrée, a dessert platter, and unlimited beverages. But what exactly does that all include? Let’s take a look at the menu! Drinks are unlimited at this event, and you can choose from a variety of Ales, Lagers, and Stouts, or check out the long list of Pub Blends available. That’s the full list of draft beers and blends on the regular dining room and pub menu! There’s also a specialty cocktail (the same featured drink as on past visits to this experience) and a couple of options for wine. Drinks are unlimited, so you can choose a variety of alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks throughout the night. This was a nick perk of booking this package in the past so it’s nice to see it’s still the case! Drink Menu Non-alcoholic drinks include sodas, lemonade, iced tea, Joffrey’s coffee, or hot tea. There’s also a Special Character Drink for young kids (9 years old or younger), which is lemonade in a souvenir cup with a glowing ice cube. Menu Most dessert parties offer “unlimited” alcohol, but it’s not quite in a sit down restaurant, real drink menu setting like this. It’s usually pop-up temporary bars with limited canned selections or pre-made punch. So the opportunity to essentially have unlimited draft beer (or a cocktail or wine!) while you watch the fireworks from great seats is likely a huge draw for many. Unlimited THIS for a flat fee might be worth it for you! For appetizers, you can choose from the soup of the day, the United Kingdom Cheese Platter, or a Scotch Egg. (Everything on the full menu BUT the Coronation Salad) Options for entrees are Fish and Chips, Shepherds Pie, Catch of the Day, or Bangers and Mash. (Missing are the Welsh Burger, Tikka Masala Curry, or Impossible Hot Pot from the full menu) And the dessert is the same for everyone — a Pudding Platter with samplings of three different puddings: Sticky Toffee Pudding, Strawberry Trifle, and Malted Milk Chocolate Mousse. Eats and Drinks We started out with something to drink. We chose the Shandy from the Pub Blends menu, which is half Harp Lager and half Sprite. The Pub Blends are a big hit at this spot and a big draw for many guests. If you’re in the mood to change up your normal beer order, blends can be a fun way to do it. The Shandy was nice and light (since it’s cut with that Sprite) and a bit sweet, not surprisingly. Some places prefer to make a shandy with lemonade, but the Sprite kept everything nice and bubbly. Remember, you can switch up your order if you want another round. The entire draft beer selection of Rose and Crown is at your disposal. Shandy Rose & Crown’s menu is full of classic British dishes. We wanted to give you an authentic dining experience, so we started off our evening with the United Kingdom Cheese Platter. UK Cheese Platter On the platter, there were plenty of gluten-free Multigrain crackers to try the cheese and accompaniments with. Crackers All three cheeses are varieties of Irish Cheddar. The first cheese was paired with an apple chutney, and both were drizzled with a blackcurrant sauce. We thought the sweet flavor from the chutney and sauce paired really well with the strong cheese. This was one of our favorite pairings on the plate! Cheese The second group was McCall’s Irish Cheddar with Curry Cauliflower. In the past, we found the curry cauliflower to be a little lacking in flavor, but the cheese here was the sharpest of the three. Overall these were okay, but probably our least favorite on the plate. Cheese The last pairing was Cotswold Cheese with Chives and Onion Jam. The onion jam — along with the apple chutney — was one of our favorite parts of this whole dish. The cheese was creamy and less sharp than the other two. Cheese We did our best not to fill up on cheese, though, because we still had an entrée to choose! We went with a Rose & Crown classic: the Shepherd’s Pie. Shepherd’s Pie This dish is ground beef, seasonal vegetables, and English peas, topped with mashed potatoes with McCall’s Irish Cheddar. Yum! The mashed potatoes on top are whipped, which makes them light and fluffy and SO delicious. The serving size is huge, so you’ll want to come hungry if you’re planning on ordering this dish. Here’s a bite The filling was nice and moist, with tender vegetables and well-cooked meat. The potatoes on top keep the filling super warm, so this is a great dish to have if it’s a little chilly outside. In general, we think Shepherd’s pie is the perfect comfort food — filling, warm, and very delicious. This is stick to your ribs food in the best and most cozy way possible There’s the inside Then it was time for dessert! The dining package came with a full dessert platter, which is the same for everyone. The platter includes Sticky Toffee Pudding, Strawberry Trifle, and Malted Milk Chocolate Mousse. Dessert platter details We thought the little servings of each dessert were a perfect way to try a few bites of several great treats. Pudding Trio The Sticky Toffee Pudding was served warm with vanilla custard underneath the pudding itself. It’s a steamed “cake” that’s topped with a hot butter-rum sauce. The dish itself is a British classic. The texture is like a very moist, dense cake, but the vanilla custard lightens it up well. The pudding is really just a vehicle for the delish rum sauce that was generously poured over everything. Sticky Toffee Pudding Our favorite was the Strawberry Trifle, which had layers of strawberries, vanilla custard, graham crackers, and whipped cream. This was the lightest dessert, and it was the only one with a fruity flavor. It was topped with a white chocolate Mickey head, decorated with images of fireworks! Strawberry Trifle Finally, there was the Malted Milk Chocolate Mousse, which was topped with Chocolate Shortbread Ganache. There was a biscuit sticking out on top, and chocolate crispy pearls were scattered on top as well for decoration. The mousse was creamy and smooth, and it was pretty sweet. The malt flavor was mild, but there, which we liked! Malted Milk Chocolate Mousse All three desserts were delicious! And what made all these delicious dishes even better was that while we ate, we could enjoy views of the Harmonious fireworks show. Fireworks Viewing The major selling point of the dining package is, of course, the designated fireworks viewing. By booking this package, you don’t have to worry about finding a good spot along the rails surrounding World Showcase Lagoon. Finding a spot can be tricky We had great views of the fireworks show from our table, so we could enjoy the show while we ate. Our views The UK pavilion isn’t very central in the World Showcase, so you might get more direct views from the American Adventure pavilion or one close to it if you’re really looking to have a “dead on” view of the center ring in the show with projections on it. Harmonious You can tell from our pictures that we couldn’t see the big circular screen super well, but we did have a great, unobstructed view of other effects, like the water, lights, and fireworks. Harmonious from Rose & Crown And it was great to not worry about staking out a fireworks spot early in the day. More fireworks views So in general, the fireworks views were gorgeous, and our spot right by the water was ideal for seeing most of the show. However, if you haven’t seen the show before, you might miss out on some of the projections on the main circular screen. Nosh or Not? Clear your evening for a trip to the Rose & Crown Fireworks Dining Package if: You want to enjoy the fireworks without worrying about getting a good spot. The seating for this event all has good views, and your place is reserved throughout the evening. You love the food at Rose & Crown, or British food in general. The dishes here are classically British. If you like that kind of food and would want a reservation at this spot anyways, why not do it during fireworks? You’d love unlimited drinks while you watch fireworks. The unlimited drinks is a big plus here, with lots of options to choose from and plenty of time to sample different ones. Skip it if: You haven’t seen Harmonious yet. We didn’t have a great view of the big circular screen, which is where the main projections are. If you haven’t seen those yet, you might want to get a better view of that screen for your first time. You want more options for food. The menu is prix fixe, and you can only choose from the selections on the event’s menu. If your favorite Rose & Crown dish isn’t listed there, you’ll want to just get normal reservations instead. That said, the vast majority of the current menu IS available, so most who enjoy Rose and Crown should be pleased. You’re trying to stick to a strict budget. The event is $89 per adult and $39 per child. That’s a pretty steep price for dinner, even in Disney World. You can get dinner for much cheaper in EPCOT and then find your own fireworks spot along World Showcase, saving you some major cash. Overall We love the food at Rose & Crown, and we were certainly not disappointed by the food we had at this event. You basically have access to the majority of the normal menu at Rose and Crown plus a reserved view. If you wanted to see the fireworks and dinner at Rose and Crown was on your must-do list, this is an easy choice for a nice evening. We’ve told you numerous times we love the food here and, once again, it was solid. However, the price for the package was a little high compared to normal dinner prices at Rose & Crown. For reference, usually the Shepherd’s Pie is $22, and you can get a dessert for around $9 and the cheese plate for $14. The drink that we ordered was $10 on the normal menu. That means our meal would be about $55 on a normal reservation. If you think about it that way, it’s like you’re paying $34 for the fireworks spot ($89 minus $55 for the food). Fireworks Unlessssssss…you’re really looking to maximize that unlimited drink menu. A couple of pints in (drinking responsibly, of course) and the value starts to show itself. In general though, if you’re OK paying a bit more for the reserved seating and view, this is a solid way to view the fireworks. If you happen to be looking to take advantage of the drink situation here though, the affordability is considerably higher. If that’s worth it to you for great, no-hassle views of Harmonious, then this package is a great idea! But remember that you can get a lot of good food in EPCOT, so if fireworks aren’t a top priority, consider all the restaurant options before settling on this package. You can get a great meal at Chefs de France or Le Cellier Steakhouse for cheaper than this package, although neither comes with the fireworks views. So it all depends on your priorities — are fireworks views worth the extra cost? If you’re dying to do a fireworks viewing package, to us, the big deciding factor between this one and perhaps a dessert party in Magic Kingdom is simple. Are you looking for a full, hearty meal to go with the show or some light sweet and savory bites? If you’re looking to really fill your belly, Rose and Crown does just that. We enjoy the other dessert-based parties as well, but here you’re cozying up for a full MEAL. More views Remember that we haven’t seen crazy fireworks-watching crowds in EPCOT the last couple of days. Usually the spots along World Showcase don’t start filling up until right at the start time, so it might not be difficult to get a great viewing spot even without these extra packages. It could be that the new Disney Enchantment show in the Magic Kingdom is taking most of the crowds, and the crowds will start to even out soon. If that’s the case, maybe a reserved spot will become more valuable. We’ll keep an eye on the crowds and let you know what we see going forward. Be sure to follow along for more of the latest dining reviews from around Disney World! Click here to read our full review of dinner at Space 220! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Would you book this Harmonious dining package on your next Disney World vacation? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: Do Unlimited Pints of Beer Make EPCOT's Fireworks Package Worth It first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

A popular entertainment spot in Disney World is reopening soon! Jellyrolls Located at Disney’s BoardWalk, Jellyrolls is a dueling piano bar famous for its drink specials, fun atmosphere, and, of course, awesome entertainment! Even when Disney World reopened after the closures in 2020, Jellyrolls still remained closed. In June 2020, Jellyrolls announced that they would be reopening on October 1st, 2020. But the closure was later extended indefinitely. Now, over a year later, a new reopening date for the dueling piano bar has been announced! Jellyrolls is set to reopen on Friday, October 15th! Jellyrolls It’s finally coming back!! We’re SO excited. Jellyrolls will have the same cover charge as before of $15 and will be open Thursday-Monday from 7PM to 1:45AM. Jellyrolls musicians on stage Masks must be worn inside and while walking around. Once you are seated with drinks, you can take your mask off. ©Jordan Micheal Peterson || Jellyrolls Popcorn will still be complimentary and everyone who is at Jellyrolls on opening night will be given a special 5×7 print! Here is the print you’ll receive on opening night! There will be familiar faces and new talent up on stage, so get ready to have some fun, late nights here in Disney World again! We’ll be sure to stop by Jellyrolls when it officially reopens to check everything out, so stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more. Have You Been to Any of These Underrated Disney World Restaurants? Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you been to Jellyrolls? Share your experience with us in the comments! The post 🚨WHEN Jellyrolls Will Officially Reopen in Disney World!🚨 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World’s MAJOR 18-month long 50th Anniversary Celebration has been years in the making. New fireworks shows have debuted, new restaurants and rides have opened, there are hundreds of new snacks and merch items, not to mention overwhelming crowds, shockingly low wait times and so. much. blue food dye. Cinderella Castle Did you miss out on the first day of the biggest celebration in Disney World history? Don’t worry because we’ve got your ultimate recap right now on DFB Guide. Check out our video below We Were in Disney World for the 50th Anniversary & Here’s What Happened!  Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! Check out our latest video and then comment below: If you’re planning to visit Disney World soon! The post DFB Video: We Were in Disney World for the 50th Anniversary & Here’s What Happened first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The Swan Reserve is a new hotel that is opening soon on Disney World Property! Swan Reserve It is part of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Complex, which means it’s really close to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, as well as other hotels like Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts. The Swan Reserve was supposed to open earlier this year, but after a series of delays, it’s now supposed to open this month. With it getting so close to being complete, we got to go INSIDE the new hotel and take a look around, so come with us as we tour the Swan Reserve! The Swan Reserve is a boutique hotel that is part of the Marriott Bonvoy family, meaning it is not owned by Disney World, but it is on Disney World property. Like the Swan and Dolphin hotels, this is considered a Deluxe hotel by Disney, so guests will have access to all of the perks that Deluxe resorts get, like access to Extended Evening Hours! Let’s go inside! The lobby of the new hotel is very grand, with gold accents everywhere! Lobby area The check-in area follows the same style, with high ceiling and wood details. Who is ready to check in?! Now, let’s go up these massive stairs (okay, we’re definitely taking the escalator) and check out what’s on the second level! This place is HUGE On the second level, you’ll find a large bar and lounge area. That ceiling is so cool! The curved bar has a TON of room for you to hang out with a nice, refreshing drink. Bar area The lounge has a lot of seating, too, with mostly neutral furniture, but a vibrant blue-patterned carpet and pops of green from the many plants! Lounge area Moving past the bar, you’ll find more seating that’s a bit more intimate thanks to these wooden dividers. These are fun! Also on the second level is the space for the Mediterranean restaurant coming to the hotel. How pretty! The bright blue tones continue into this area. Restaurant area There is also some booth seating inside (well, half-booth seating!). Booth seating A marketplace area is on the second level as well. Marketplace It looks like this is where you’ll be able to find snacks and coffee at the hotel. Marketplace area We then found the pool, which is also located up here! The water looks so inviting! The pool has some water features and covered cabana areas. Time for a swim Okay, now let’s move on to the ROOMS! We took the elevator up to look at some guest rooms, which are on the higher floors of the hotel. A lot of patterns going on here! Ready for a peek inside? Let’s go! First, we have the Junior Suite. This room has a king bed and a sofa bed. Good amount of space There are some very fancy closets, which have gold accents and are bright red/orange inside! Blue closet?! There is also a small seating area. Junior Suite The art in this room shows people underwater in a pool and is framed on either side by wooden detailing. Interesting… And, the nightstands are pretty fancy, too! These are snazzy In the bathroom, you’ll find one sink in a small area… That wallpaper is just so fun …that also holds the toilet. Toilet area Then, through another door, you’ll find another sink! We’re so grateful for counter space And, the walk-in shower. Nice and big shower Now, let’s check out the Family Suite! This one has a nice sitting area with a couch and TV. Family Suite It also has a dining area with a table for 4 and another TV. Dining area This suite has two queen beds in the bedroom. Family Suite It comes with amenities like a coffee maker (necessary). Coffee pleaseeee And, the bathroom in this suite has a bathtub as well. Tub and shower Every room has floor-to-ceiling windows that give you great views of EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and you can even see Magic Kingdom from a few rooms! Great views! There is a lot of great natural light that comes in thanks to those big windows. It’s bright in here! Now, let’s go to the top of the hotel to see an awesome event space! WOW!! This is the event space at the top of Swan Reserve. Gorgeous It has some incredible lighting fixtures… So cool! …as well as AMAZING views! Beautiful! Seriously, check out those views! Swan and Dolphin AND EPCOT You can see Hollywood Studios from up here as well. Tower of Terror! The windows surround you to make you feel like you’re in the clouds! We want to go to an event up here! One more look, cause it’s just so pretty. Event space That’s all from our look inside the new Swan Reserve hotel! Reservations are available for later this month! Click here to see which hotels qualify for Extended Evening Hours in Disney World! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 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 the Swan Reserve? Do you want to stay here? Let us know in the comments! Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disney World to attend their media preview of the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ The post PHOTOS: Take a FULL TOUR Of the New Swan Reserve Hotel Opening in Disney World SOON! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Wish you could take some of the Walt Disney World Resort 50th anniversary celebration magic with you on the go? Well, look no further as Disney Magic Kingdoms, a fun mobile game where players can build their own Disney-inspired park, goes all out starting October 5.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/zjIlap3gc-8View the full article

Universal’s Mardi Gras celebration will include concerts and parades in 2022, Universal Orlando says. View the full article

It’s October and that means it’s time to put on Hocus Pocus and get in the spooky spirit! However, if you’d rather see the classic Halloween movie in theaters, El Capitan is showing Hocus Pocus from October 1st to 7th. So, for just a few more days! ©Disney For select groups, there are exclusive perks at these showings of Hocus Pocus! For D23 Gold Members, you can get a free concession set for these screenings! All you have to do is bring your D23 Gold Membership Card and enjoy your free treat! The free concessions will include one 64 oz. popcorn and one 20 oz. soda per membership card. ©disney If you’re not a D23 Gold Member, you can still enjoy the show! Seats for showings of Hocus Pocus are available for $15 for adults, $12 for children ages 3-11, and $12 for seniors age 60+. Click Here to Find Tickets for the Show! D23 Gold Members can also enjoy two exclusive Muppets Haunted Mansion merch collections during the month of October! © D23 We’re always keeping up with the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more! Click Here to Read About the New Hocus Pocus Makeup Collection! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think about this D23 perk? Are you going to see the show? Let us know in the comments! The post Seeing Hocus Pocus At Disney's El Capitan Theatre? You Might Qualify for Free Perks! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The Star Wars Hotel — Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser — will be opening next spring in Disney World! Captain’s Table at Galactic Starcruiser ©Disney And, it’s sure to be a very unique experience. The immersive hotel will let you eat themed food, hang out with characters, and give you views of space from your window! The anticipation for this voyage has been building for a long time, and today, select groups can book their trips on the Starcruiser! You can make reservations RIGHT NOW for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser if you’re a member of Club 33 or Golden Oak (the upscale residential community at Disney World). ©Disney These two groups are eligible to book a reservation at the Star Wars hotel from today, Tuesday, October 5th, through tomorrow, Wednesday, October 6th. Reservations for Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members will be available from October 7th-9th, and reservations will not open to the general public until October 28th. Sublight Lounge ©Disney The first trip will launch from Disney World on March 1st, 2022. Reservations are limited during this pre-sale window, and we are expecting them to go FAST, so don’t wait if you want to book a trip! ©Disney We’ll keep you updated on everything about the new Star Wars hotel, so stay tuned to DFB for more! Click here to read more about the Galactic Starcruiser! Star Wars Hotel -- Galactic Starcruiser News and Information See the Sample Pricing Revealed for the Star Wars Hotel Check Out a Sample Itinerary for the Star Wars Hotel Experience See Everything We Know About Dining at the Star Wars Hotel Learn About the Room Types at the Star Wars Hotel Watch a Video With Groundbreaking Details About the Star Wars Hotel Check Out a Complete Packing List for the Star Wars Hotel See 7 Important Details You May Have Missed About the Star Wars Hotel Check Out Some Important Announcements About the Star Wars Hotel See Why Galactic Starcruiser Isn’t Really a Hotel Click HERE to See More About Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Are you booking your trip on the Galactic Starcruiser today? Let us know in the comments! The post First Reservations for Disney World's Star Wars Hotel Available NOW for Select Groups first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Now through Oct. 15, we’re celebrating Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month by sharing inspirational stories of our Disney Parks, Experiences and Products cast members. Today, I’m honored to share this story about Steve Limones, an entertainment performer at Disneyland Resort.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/WTPHLAn6AusView the full article

At its little window known as a ventanita, Miamians have been trying for 50 years to fix the world as they enjoy one of their favorite activities: sipping Cuban coffee. View the full article

Disney opened ground floor of Epcot’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride to the media. What we saw was big and dark. View the full article Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will feature a reverse launch when it debuts at Epcot in 2022. (Walt Disney Co. / Courtesy photo) One surprise at Walt Disney World last week had little to do with its 50th anniversary. The ground floor of Epcot’s upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind was open briefly to members of the media covering the event. The roller coaster, set to open sometime in 2022, had just moved to the stage of its construction where hard hats were no longer required. Folks were escorted in, a dozen or so at a time, to peer up at the rails and hear spiels from two Imagineers. Photography was not allowed. Questions were not allowed. What we saw, in three words: big and black. There were black walls, black ceiling, black support poles, black fencing and loads of black, curved railing filling much of the available space. There was a purple set piece that looked like a comic book explosion. And this, they said, was about half the experience. They didn’t say much else, but the next day, Alex Wright, senior creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering, fielded my questions. Such as, wow, that’s a lot of black paint, right? “We will not want you to know that you’re on a roller-coaster track,” Wright said. “There are things that we learned about camouflaging things in the dark [at Space Mountain] there that we’re kind of employing here. So, it’s all to this lineage of things we’ve done before and kind of taking them to the next level.” The Cosmic Rewind experience, he said, “is intended to come across as flying around in space.” Deep, dark space, it appears. This illusion also will be achieved by the ride vehicle and techniques adapted from old school attractions such as Haunted Mansion. It’s like that ride’s Omnimover system but cranked up. “We learned about how to orient the guests within a ride through experiences at a slow speed at Haunted Mansion and others. … Now we can do it at high speed. It really does change the nature of the experiences,” Wright said. There will be height restrictions for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, but they haven't been revealed yet for what Disney calls a 'family thrill ride.' (Courtesy of Disney) “It enables us to, obviously, focus you where we want you to be. But with that comes the ability to extend a show scene longer than what you could typically do on a traditional coaster,” he said. Think of the mansion’s Doom Buggy movement, which steers attention toward (and away) from specific items. Now do that quickly. Expect varied speeds and directions for the new ride. “It’s highly controllable and programmable,” Wright said. “We have referenced our reverse launch, so that tells you that you’re going to be somewhere ramping up to speed in a rear-facing orientation.” The intensity level of the new ride will be between Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, he said. “We’re trying to find a sweet spot in between that really pays off on the thrill factor without being intense and uncomfortable,” Wright said. Florida is in the midst of a coaster boom. Disney also is building Tron Lightcycle Run, a thrill ride at Magic Kingdom. Its opening date hasn’t been shared. SeaWorld Orlando says it will open Ice Breaker in February, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will introduce Iron Gwazi in March. Universal’s Islands of Adventure debuted its Jurassic World VelociCoaster this summer. Imagineers aren’t giving out numbers as far as Cosmic Rewind’s speed and height, not even for the building. Wright said that it’s a “taller interior volume than we’ve done before.” It’s a different scale for Disney, he said. “This one still makes people’s jaws drop. Even internally when we share it with people who are not on the project teams, they’re still surprised by it,” Wright said. The massive building containing 'Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind' is painted sky blue (with greens below the tree line). The indoor roller coaster debuts next year. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) Cosmic Rewind is replacing Universe of Energy, but we were standing in the new attraction’s big boxy addition, which is painted sky blue on the outside. “It was a very carefully chosen color, and what we’re trying to do with that is communicate to the guests — much the way we have with the Soarin’ building over the years — this is what you pay attention to and this is what you don’t,” Wright said. “Obviously it can’t say that it’s not visible, but we try to make it kind of blend in and be make it clear to the guests what’s meaningful and what isn’t.” Disney announced last week that Cosmic Rewind will debut in 2022, but it wasn’t specific about month or season of its opening. “You can probably see there’s activity happening outside the building now. … It’s already taking shape and very plainly visible from the monorail,” Wright said. “We’re at the point where we’re putting together all the finishing stages inside the attraction and getting it ready. … For a lot of us that’s the fun part because you’re seeing the culmination of things that you’ve been working on for a period of time and everybody’s efforts coming together, and that’s exciting.” Dewayne Bevil Orlando Sentinel

Lots of new things have appeared throughout Disney World as part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations. California Grill We’ve spotted all kinds of new treats, new merchandise, new fireworks, and more. Now, a NEW dining experience has come to a favorite resort hotel restaurant and we’re giving you a FIRST LOOK at what it’s like!. At the top of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, you’ll find a special restaurant, California Grill. California Grill is popular in its own right, but for the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World, the restaurant is offering a different experience. Instead of the restaurant’s traditional menu, guests will be able to order from a special prix fixe menu that offers dishes inspired by the restaurant’s past as well as some brand new items. California Grill The new prix fixe menu started being offered yesterday, October 3rd. Today, we got the chance to check it out ourselves! Just as when you dine at California Grill normally, you’ll check in online through the My Disney Experience app and head to the desks on the second floor. Checking in at California Grill! There, Cast Members will escort you to special elevators for California Grill guests. After getting off the elevator, you’ll step into the beautiful California Grill space with those GORGEOUS views over Magic Kingdom. Views from California Grill Then, it’s time to order from the prix fixe menu. The specialty prix fixe meal includes 1 appetizer selection, 1 entree selection, and 1 dessert. California Grill prix-fixe menu You can also order an assortment of beverages to accompany you meal. California Grill The three-course meal costs $89 per adult (ages 10 and up) plus tax and gratuity and $39 per child (ages 3-9). Kids Menu! For adults, there’s also a guided wine pairing for an additional $39 per guest ages 21 and above. We opted for a couple of cocktails: the Blueberry Lemon Drop and the Icewine Martini. Blueberry Lemon Drop (left) and Icewine Martini (right) Kids can add on a specialty nonalcoholic drink called the Stardust Sipper for an additional $11. Stardust Sipper No matter which selections you choose, your evening begins with Bread Service. Bread service to start the evening Then it was time for the Market Inspirations, a.k.a. the Appetizer round! Appetizers For our first course, we grabbed the Lobster and Parsnip Bisque (a specialty item brought onto the menu for the 50th Anniversary)… Lobster and Parsnip Bisque …the House-made Artisinal-style Duck à l’Orange Pizza (another 50th Anniversary item)… House-made Artisinal-style Duck à l’Orange Pizza …and the Braised Beef Short Rib Wontons. Braised Beef Short Rib Wontons Kids can start their meal with a Hearts of Romaine Salad, or a bowl of Chicken Noodle Soup. Kids Hearts of Romaine Salad For our entrees, we got the Oak-fired Filet of Beef… Oak-fired Filet of Beef …the Free-range Plancha-seared Chicken… Free-range Plancha-seared Chicken …and the Handcrafted Wild Mushroom Ravioli! Handcrafted Wild Mushroom Ravioli We also got the kids Grilled Beef Tenderloin. Kids Grilled Beef Tenderloin For dessert (Sweet Creations), we ordered the Five Magical Bites 50 Years in the Making… Five Magical Bites 50 Years in the Making …the Valrhona Chocolate Torte… Valrhona Chocolate Torte …and the EARidescent Grand Marnier Soufflé! EARidescent Grand Marnier Soufflé Included in the price of your meal is the ability to view the NEW Magic Kingdom fireworks show, Disney Enchantment, from the private viewing area for California Grill guests (or you could view it right from your table, depending on the timing of your meal). View of ‘Disney Enchantment’ from California Grill Keep in mind that there is a dress code. According to Disney, “Men must wear khakis, slacks or dress shorts and collared shirts. Jeans may be worn if in good condition. Sport coats are optional. Women must wear Capri pants, skirts, dresses or dress shorts. Jeans may be worn if in good condition. Not permitted are tank tops, flip-flops, swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups, hats for gentlemen, cut-offs, torn clothing and t-shirts with offensive language and/or graphics.” California Grill dress code And that’s a first look at this new dining experience at California Grill. We’ll be bringing you a FULL review of our experience soon, so stay tuned for that. Check back with us for all the latest Disney news! Click here to see photos and reviews of Disney World’s 50th Anniversary eats and treats! Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Details and Info Click HERE for Your Guide to Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration See Everything That Has Been Announced For Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Check Out Everything Happening in Disney World on October 1st, 2021 Click Here to See The 50 Best Ways to Celebrate Disney World’s 50th Anniversary What Does Hotel Availability and Pricing Look Like for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary? Here Are the 5 News Bombs You May Have Missed Related to the 50th Anniversary Celebrations! Check Out 10 Things You Need to Bring If You’re Going to Disney World for the 50th Anniversary See How Each of Disney World’s Park Icons Will Transform During the 50th Anniversary Celebrations! Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe What do you think of this new dining experience? Tell us in the comments! The post FIRST LOOK at California Grill’s 50th Anniversary Dining Experience in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney’s Extra Magic Hours have been replaced by Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours. EPCOT in the morning Early Theme Park Entry began on September 26th, with all Disney World hotel guests getting to enter all four Disney World parks an extra half-hour before opening time. Extended Evening Hours are a little different, but now we have some exciting news about this Disney hotel perk! Extended Evening Hours have officially begun in Disney World! These extra hours are offered to guests staying at a Disney World Deluxe hotel or one of the Swan and Dolphin hotels. If you qualify, you can stay in a certain Disney World theme park on select days for up to two hours past normal closing time. EPCOT Today was the first day of this new perk, taking place in EPCOT from 10PM till midnight. We entered the park after 10PM, and Cast Members checked our Park Pass Reservation before scanning our ticket. We were also told at each ride that guests will have to scan to provide their confirmed resort reservation. EPCOT at night Only select rides are open in the theme parks during Extended Evening Hours. In EPCOT, the following rides and attractions remain open: Beauty and The Beast Sing-Along Frozen Ever After Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros Mission: SPACE Mission: SPACE Soarin’ Around the World Spaceship Earth Test Track The Seas with Nemo & Friends Note that one major ride, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, is not listed as being open during the extra hours. When we checked this evening, we noticed that Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and La Crêperie de Paris were both closed. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Here’s a look at the wait times in the middle of the extended evening hours! Wait times at EPCOT during extended evening park hours © Disney All of the rides were either walk-on or had a short wait of 20 minutes or less! Wait times at EPCOT during extended evening park hours © Disney Overall, the crowds were pretty quiet. We noticed that many guests were leaving after Harmonious. Spaceship Earth crowds during EPCOT’s extended evening park hours But one of the best parts about EPCOT is its delicious food! When we were ready to find a late-night snack, we looked around to see which restaurants and snack booths were open. Rose & Crown Pub is open until 12AM! Rose and Crown pub is open all night long! In Disney’s Magic Kingdom, you can go on the following rides and attractions during Extended Evening Hours: “it’s a small world” Astro Orbiter Big Thunder Mountain Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Dumbo the Flying Elephant Dumbo the Flying Elephant Haunted Mansion Mad Tea Party Mickey’s PhilharMagic Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor Peter Pan’s Flight Pirates of the Caribbean Prince Charming Regal Carrousel Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Space Mountain Swiss Family Treehouse The Barnstormer The Magic Carpets of Aladdin The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Tomorrowland Speedway Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress These are the only two parks with Extended Evening Hours listed so far. You can find the complete list of Extended Evening Hours on our main page. Click Here to Find the Complete Schedule for Extended Evening Hours If you’re wondering whether your hotel qualifies for the extra hours, just check this list of all the qualifying hotels: Disney’s Contemporary Resort Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Grand Floridian lobby Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Copper Creek Villas & Cabins Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Disney’s Beach Club Resort Disney’s Beach Club Villas Disney’s Yacht Club Resort Yacht Club Lobby Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Disney’s BoardWalk Villas Disney’s Old Key West Resort Disney’s Riviera Resort Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Walt Disney World Swan Reserve Swan Reserve Keep following DFB for more updates on what’s new in Disney World! Click Here to Learn More About the Extra Theme Park Hours Benefits for Disney World Hotel Guests Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you planning to take advantage of the new Extended Evening Hours? Let us know in the comments! The post We’re at the First Night of Extended Evening Park Hours in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney Springs has joined in on Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration! Dining magic extends to Disney Springs You don’t need a Disney World park ticket to try these new 50th anniversary treats or go on a 50th anniversary shopping spree, so check out what’s new in Disney Springs! Disney Springs Food Updates Disney World’s 50th anniversary has officially kicked off and we got to try lots of new treats in Disney Springs! Amorette’s Patisserie The 50th Celebration Petit Cake from Amorette’s Patisserie blew our minds. It’s made with Vanilla Chiffon Cake with Celebration Blue Mousse, Blueberry Jam, and Lemon Curd. And the “geode” part? It’s vanilla rock candy! Petit Cake You can find this gorgeous new treat for $22 at Amorette’s in Disney Springs. Here’s our review of the 50th Celebration Petit Cake! The BOATHOUSE This Pineapple Upside Down Cake was released as a new 50th anniversary treat at The BOATHOUSE. This cake is a Pineapple Upside Down Cake with Traditional Rum Glaze. Check out the EARidescent Buttercream Frosting! Pineapple Upside Down Cake This cake was…interesting, and we didn’t get a ton of pineapple flavor. If you still want to try it, it costs $10 at The BOATHOUSE. Read our review of the Pineapple Upside Down Cake here! Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew The Nifty Fifty Donut from Everglazed is a new 50th anniversary treat, and it’s made with a Classic Glazed Donut topped with Lavender-colored Vanilla Icing and Buttercream Frosting, with lots of EARidescent Sprinkles. 50 never looked so SWEET! We loved this donut (isn’t it pretty?), and we think it could be a huge hit with lots of kids too. For $5.50, you too can try this delicious new donut! Check out our review of the Nifty Fifty Donut here! Vivoli il Gelato If you’ve ever wanted to taste gold, you can now visit Vivoli il Gelato for the Golden Jubilee, a new shake made with White Chocolate Hazelnut with a Waffle Cone, Caramel Sauce, and Whipped Cream. On top of the whipped cream are 23k Edible Gold Sprinkles! Golden Jubilee This shake was delicious, but the price tag was a bit intimidating at $25. Still, if you’ve ever wanted to eat real gold, treat yourself to this new 50th anniversary treat! Here’s our review of the Golden Jubilee! Gideon’s Bakehouse Gideon’s Bakehouse released several spooky Halloween treats for October, including the Frankenstein Cookie, made with chocolate candies, Double Stuff Oreos, and M&Ms for $6. Frankenstein Cookie We also tried the new Frankenstein’s Bride Cookie, made with white chocolate, Golden Oreos, and M&Ms for $6, the Mephestophelittle’s Snack Cake, which was only available on October 2nd and 3rd, and the Pumpkin Chai Nitro Cold Brew for $6. Gideon’s October Offerings Gideon’s also re-released Frankenstein Cake Slices, a new Pumpkin Chai Cold Brew Candle, and a black cat t-shirt and sticker! See more photos of the new Gideon’s Bakehouse treats for October! Disney Springs Merchandise Updates Disney World continues to release more 50th anniversary merchandise, so let’s go shopping. Art of Disney Art of Disney had the new Delicious Disney Cookbook for sale for $35. It’s filled with recipes and stories from 50 years of Disney World. Deliciously Disney Cookbook This beautiful Disney World 50th Anniversary Portrait Book, perfect for your coffee table, is $60. Portrait Book There’s a 50th Anniversary Wall Tapestry that you can add to your home’s decor. Wall Hanging Tapestry It costs $150, and it features a gorgeous image of Cinderella Castle. Wall Hanging Tapestry Or you can get a 50th Anniversary Throw Blanket with the same Cinderella Castle image for $85. Throw Blanket These new 50th anniversary housewares would be a beautiful addition to anyone’s home. Check out over 100 new 50th anniversary merchandise items here! Marketplace Co-Op The 50th Anniversary Vault Collection was released at Marketplace Co-Op. Among the vintage and nostalgic items was this Metal Lunch Box for $24.99. Okay, that’s adorable. This Vintage Mickey Ear Hat from so many of our childhoods is $19.99. It’s a classic choice. And this vintage Disney World Bell is $14.99. What about a Disney World bell? There’s something nostalgic for everyone in this collection, so take a look if you love collecting vintage Disney items! You can find ALL the pieces in Disney’s Vault Collection here! And that’s what’s new in Disney Springs! Keep reading DFB for more Disney World 50th anniversary news and updates. Disney World tickets just got a 50th anniversary makeover! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 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 surprised by any of the new things in Disney Springs? Tell us in the comments! The post What’s New in Disney Springs: 7 Must-See Treats and Vintage Merchandise first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Since Disney World’s 50th Anniversary started last weekend, there’s a lot of new things around the parks. Tree of Life With 50th Banner We spotted lots of merchandise, TONS of new snacks and treats, and a few new shows around Disney World. Today we’re looking at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to check out what’s new in this park since the 50th arrived. We’ve got to warn you — this is a really big update. There’s a whole lot of new things to catch you up on, so just stick with us to learn about all the new things in Disney’s wildest kingdom! Animal Kingdom Food Update Most of the new things in Animal Kingdom are food-related. We found snacks, treats, and drinks for days in the park! We’ll break it down by the restaurants so that it’s easier to show you what’s new. Warung Outpost This update isn’t necessarily about a new snack, but rather a classic snack in a new location. We spotted popcorn at Warung Outpost! Warung Outpost This stand usually just has drinks (including some frozen margaritas) and very limited snacks, but reccently we saw that they’re also selling popcorn in boxes. There’s popcorn! So now you can enjoy a salty snack to go with your refreshing drinks. Flame Tree Barbecue We headed to Flame Tree Barbecue next, where we usually enjoy some classic barbecue and maybe even concoct a delicious new menu item entirely our own. This time, though, there was a brand new menu item: the Smoked Meatloaf Platter. Smoked Meatloaf Platter The platter came with meatloaf, fries, macaroni and cheese, and chili for $13.99. On the menu, it said it would include garlic bread, fries, baked beans, and coleslaw, so it’s possible that our order got a little mixed up. That didn’t stop us from enjoying this tasty dish, though! Meatloaf Platter Sides There was also a new drink, the EARidescent Firefly for $8.49. The drink is pineapple juice, Powerade Mountain Berry Blast, a splash of Sprite, and garnished with pineapple “ears.” Read Our Review of the Meatloaf Platter and EARidescent Firefly Here For dessert, we tried the Scar-themed cupcake, which was a Red Velvet Cake that has a Toasted Marshmallow filling. It’s topped with Chocolate Marshmallow frosting, Chocolate Pebbles, and White Chocolate flames with an edible icing picture of Scar. Scar! The cupcake was $5.99 at Flame Tree Barbecue! Read Our Review of the Scar Cupcake Here In addition, both the little water cups and the bigger soda cups got a 50th anniversary makeover at this spot. The cups are sponsored by Coca-Cola, so you’ll find their logo alongside classic Disney characters. 50 magical years But we’re not full yet, so let’s look at some other Animal Kingdom treats! Creature Comforts Creature Comforts is the Starbucks location at Animal Kingdom. We found a few different 50th treats here, including a Colossal Mickey Cinnamon Roll with new blue icing for $7.49… Colossal Mickey Cinnamon Roll …the 50th Celebration Mickey Mouse Dome for $5.99… 50th Celebration Mickey Mouse Dome at Creature Comforts in Disney’s Animal Kingdom …and a 50th Celebration Cupcake for $5.99 as well! 50th Celebration Cupcake Not that none of these treats were the top picks in this park, so read on to check out some more options. Click Here to Read Our Full Review of the Treats at Creature Comforts Tamu Tamu Refreshments Remember how we said that cupcake was one of the only tart treats for the 50th? It actually doesn’t even compare to the sourness we experienced with the new Dole Whip at Tamu Tamu Refreshments. This treat is called the Lion’s Lair, and it’s Dole Whip Pineapple topped with a sour-apple flavored syrup and Parrot Bay Coconut Rum for $10. Lion’s Lair Really, this drink was SOUR. The flavor was also super sweet, so it reminded us of sour candy. But the bright colors made it look really fun, and we always love a new Dole Whip option! Click Here to Read Our Full Review of the Lion’s Lair ACE Mobile Treats If you head over to Pandora, you can find the next treat at ACE Mobile Treats. There you’ll find the 50th Anniversary Birthday Muffin, which is a House-Made Blueberry Muffin with a surprise addition of Colorful Sprinkles for $4.25. Not mind-blowing, but still good! This treat wasn’t really very different from other blueberry muffins. Pretty much the only difference was the sprinkles on top. But if you’re in the mood for a tasty muffin, you can’t go wrong with this one! Just don’t expect it to knock your socks off. Click Here to Read Our Review of This 50th Anniversary Muffin Dawa Bar Speaking of knocking your socks off, this next drink might do just that. It’s the Firefly Margarita at Dawa Bar. It’s made with Casamigos Reposado Tequila, Ancho Reyes liqueur, lime juice, simple syrup, and pineapple juice. Firefly Margarita The drink was actually really spicy! The pineapple garnish is dunked in red chili pepper and red chili liquor, and it is not messing around. You can grab one from Dawa Bar or Nomad Lounge for $16. Read Our Full Review of the Firefly Margarita Here Anandapur Ice Cream Truck We stopped by the Anandapur Ice Cream Truck to get the next treat: a KiteTails Sundae! The sundae is strawberry and lemon-flavored soft-serve swirled together and topped with a white chocolate medallion. KiteTails Sundae While it was a fairly basic treat, we thought it tasted amazing. The sweet strawberry ice cream balanced out well with the tart lemon, and it was perfect for a warm day. You can grab one for $5.49. Click Here to Read Our Full Review of the KiteTails Sundae Drinkwallah The next treat we found was a twist on one of the most classic Disney treats out there — the Mickey Premium Bar. This bar got a special 50th Anniversary makeover at Drinkwallah in Animal Kingdom! Mickey Bar The 50th Celebration Mickey Premium Bar was a normal ice cream bar hand-dipped in a blue raspberry-flavored coating with celebration sprinkles and pixie dust. We always love a good Mickey Bar, but the raspberry flavor threw us off for a minute. In the end, we decided we liked the mix of fruity flavors with the classic ice cream, but we recognize that some Disney snack purists might be offended by this new concoction. Hand-Dipped Mickey Bar You can try it yourself now for $6.69 at Drinkwallah! Click Here to Read Our Full Review of the 50th Celebration Mickey Bar Dino-Bite Snacks At Dino-Bite Snacks, we found the latest edition of their classic ice cream sandwich: the 50th Ice Cream Sandwich. 50th Celebration Ice Cream Sandwich We’ve seen lots of themed versions of this treat, and honestly, we’ve loved it in all its forms. This version was vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two house-made double chocolate chip cookies, dunked in glittery celebration sprinkles, and topped with a 50th Anniversary medallion. Everything is covered in sprinkles! Take one of our favorite treats ever and add sparkly sprinkles? Yes, please! We thought the chocolate to vanilla balance was perfect, and the gooey cookies plus refreshing vanilla ice cream made it 100% a win in our books. Read Our Full Review of the 50th Ice Cream Sandwich Here Restaurantosaurus There were a few new treats at Restaurantosaurus over in DinoLand U.S.A.! First, there were two different drinks, although neither of them was really our favorite. The 50th Anniversary Celebration Milkshake was the better of the two. It was a vanilla milkshake with strawberry syrup, a buttercream rim, whipped cream topping, and a sugar cookie coated with crunchy bits of fruit-flaked cereal. 50th Celebration Milkshake As you can imagine, this one was VERY sweet. It was a heavy milkshake, and you need to have an intense sweet tooth to get to the bottom! If you think you can handle it, it’s $8.99 at Restaurantosaurus. But we would order that sweet monstrosity over the Firefly Appletini that we found in the Restaurantosaurus Lounge any day of the week. Firefly Appletini The appletini was very sour and sweet at the same time. It tasted like you were drinking a green apple Jolly Rancher, but not in a good way. Plus it was just way too small for its price of $16. Click Here to Read Our Reviews of These Two Drinks The last new treat here was the Maleficent Dragon Cupcake, which was a purple velvet cupcake with “dragon blood orange curd” inside and vanilla frosting on top. It’s decorated with an edible picture of Maleficent as a dragon, white chocolate flames, and green and purple crispy pearls. Maleficent Dragon Cupcake Once you got through the small mountain of purple frosting, the cupcake itself was really tasty! If you’re curious about what “dragon blood orange curd” tastes like, you can try this cupcake for $5.99. (Spoiler alert: It tastes just like regular blood orange flavor.) Read Our Review of the Maleficent Dragon Cupcake Here KiteTails Popcorn Stand If you’re planning to see Animal Kingdom’s new KiteTails show, you can stop at the popcorn stand right outside to grab a snack for the show. There we found a new Chili Lime Caramel Corn mix in a souvenir popcorn bucket for $12. Interesting! Although the chili and lime flavors weren’t super strong (mostly we tasted the sweet caramel), we could still tell they were there. We really liked the unique popcorn overall, and it’s a great snack to munch on while you enjoy KiteTails. Click Here to Read Our Full Review of Chili Lime Caramel Corn Joffrey’s Joffrey’s is a coffee company with stands in the Disney World parks, and they created a new drink for each of the four parks. In Animal Kingdom, the drink is called the Golden Savannah. VERY Animal Kingdom The drink is a Frozen Matcha Frappe topped with Whipped Cream and EARidescent Green and Gold Sprinkles. We LOVED it. The colors match Animal Kingdom really well, and we thought it was smooth, creamy, and refreshing. Matcha is a very unique flavor, and it can taste a little grassy if you’re not used to it, so be aware of that! Whipped Cream and glittery sprinkles We bought our Golden Savannah at the Joffrey’s location just outside of Animal Kingdom’s entrance for $6.39. Read Our Full Review of the Golden Savannah Drink Here Whew! That’s it for all of the new snacks in Animal Kingdom. So what else is new around the park? Animal Kingdom Entertainment Update One of the BIGGEST updates is that Animal Kingdom has a new daytime show called KiteTails! This show features big kites and floats that sail through the sky over the Discovery River Lagoon. KiteTails There are two different versions of this show: One themed after The Jungle Book and the other after The Lion King. Hey There Simba To watch the new show, head to the Discovery River Amphitheater in the Asia section of the park. It’s showing daily at 11:15AM, 12:15PM, 1:15PM, 3:15PM, 4:15PM, and 5:15PM, according to the Disney World website. Timon and Pumba But that wasn’t the only entertainment update this weekend. All four of Disney World’s park icons got a 50th Anniversary makeover to transform them into “Beacons of Magic.” This makeover came to the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom, which meant colorful projections all over it. 50th Anniversary Tree of Life The show (which happens nightly) has music that plays as the projections appear on the Tree of Life. Beacon of Magic Makeover We’ll admit that the Animal Kingdom Beacon of Magic is maybe not as dramatic as, say, the EPCOT version. But did we still feel the magic from the music and colorful projections? Absolutely we did. Animal Kingdom Merchandise Update We saw 50th Anniversary merchandise all over Animal Kingdom, including at Island Mercantile (which also had sparkly EARidescent decorations), Discovery Trading, and Chester and Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures. 50th Merchandise at Island Mercantile Chester and Hester’s also had a special 50th Anniversary display, made out of gold bottle caps! You can find the themed artwork at the entrance to this store. 50th Bottle caps Sculpture At Island Mercantile, we also spotted a new kids’ t-shirt that looks perfect for the 50th celebrations. It has the Cinderella Castle surrounded by classic Disney characters. New kids’ t-shirt You can grab this shirt for $19.99. Celebration t-shirt Finally, at Creature Comforts, we found a set of all four Starbucks pins for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary. We’ve seen these pins sold individually before, but now you can get the complete set — one for each of the Disney World parks. Set of four Disney World pins You can get the set of four pins for $34.99 at Creature Comforts. Pins at Creature Comforts That’s all for our big Animal Kingdom update! Keep following DFB, and we’ll let you know about all the Disney World news. Click Here to Check Out ALL the New 50th Anniversary Treats and Eats at Disney World Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Details and Info Click HERE for Your Guide to Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration See Everything That Has Been Announced For Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Check Out Everything Happening in Disney World on October 1st, 2021 Click Here to See The 50 Best Ways to Celebrate Disney World’s 50th Anniversary What Does Hotel Availability and Pricing Look Like for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary? Here Are the 5 News Bombs You May Have Missed Related to the 50th Anniversary Celebrations! Check Out 10 Things You Need to Bring If You’re Going to Disney World for the 50th Anniversary See How Each of Disney World’s Park Icons Will Transform During the 50th Anniversary Celebrations! Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Which new Animal Kingdom treat would you try first? Let us know in the comments! The post What's New at Disney's Animal Kingdom: 18 Food Updates and a Look at KiteTails! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

In a galaxy not far, far away, people will soon be able to “board” the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser (aka the Star Wars hotel) for a 2-night immersive Star Wars experience in Disney World. A Model of the Halcyon in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Disney is still releasing information about what’s included in this 2-night itinerary, which carries a hefty price tag, and you’ll probably want to know about one Galaxy’s Edge spot that is NOT included in the price of a Star Wars hotel reservation. So if you’re budgeting for a visit to a galaxy far, far away — read on. During a 2-night stay at the Star Wars hotel, guests will receive a number of perks and even admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios included in the price of the stay. On the date that you’re scheduled to visit Batuu, aka Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios, you can also schedule a reservation at Oga’s Cantina. Oga’s Cantina But, it’s important to note that this is NOT included in the price of a stay onboard the Halcyon. That’s right, you need to make a separate reservation for Oga’s AND pay for it. Guests can call their Galactic Starcruiser Specialist to add an Oga’s Cantina reservation to their visit up to 60 days in advance. Oga’s Cantina Oga’s Cantina is known for its specialty drinks, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, and they only serve two “snacks” that aren’t super filling, so you probably can’t expect to eat a full meal here. But the atmosphere is fun and unique, especially for Star Wars fans! Guests are limited to 45 minutes per party and there’s a chance you might have to stand during your visit. Jedi Mind Trick Included in the price of a Star Wars hotel stay are food and drinks (excluding specialty and alcoholic drinks) and a quick-service meal at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo or select locations in Hollywood Studios. When onboard, there are also additional experiences that cost extra, such as sitting at the Captain’s Table in the Crown of Corellia Dining Room for $30 per person. Captain’s Table at Galactic Starcruiser ©Disney So if you were hoping to visit Oga’s Cantina before starting your 2-day stay at the Star Wars hotel, make sure you schedule your reservation and budget for the additional cost! Reservations for the Star Wars hotel open on October 28th, and the hotel is scheduled to open on March 1, 2022. And keep reading DFB for more Star Wars hotel news! How your Galaxy’s Edge droid can be used at the Star Wars hotel! Star Wars Hotel -- Galactic Starcruiser News and Information See the Sample Pricing Revealed for the Star Wars Hotel Check Out a Sample Itinerary for the Star Wars Hotel Experience See Everything We Know About Dining at the Star Wars Hotel Learn About the Room Types at the Star Wars Hotel Watch a Video With Groundbreaking Details About the Star Wars Hotel Check Out a Complete Packing List for the Star Wars Hotel See 7 Important Details You May Have Missed About the Star Wars Hotel Check Out Some Important Announcements About the Star Wars Hotel See Why Galactic Starcruiser Isn’t Really a Hotel Click HERE to See More About Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Will you be staying at the Star Wars hotel? Tell us in the comments! The post Be Prepared For This EXTRA COST If You're Staying at the Star Wars Hotel in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article