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Debuting Sept. 28th from Disney Editions is a brand-new coffee table book, "A Portrait of Walt Disney World: 50 Years of The Most Magical Place on Earth." I recently sat down with my fellow authors Kevin Kern and Steven Vagnini to share more about the creative process behind crafting this impressive 320-page Walt Disney World salute, released just in time for the start of the 18-month Walt Disney World resort 50th anniversary celebration.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/cSMqlAv1UggView the full article

The 50th Anniversary is set to bring all kinds of new things to Disney World. We’re Going to Disney World! One of the perks that will be available starting on October 1st is Early Theme Park Entry. This special benefit gives all guests staying at Disney World Resort hotels and select other hotels the chance to enter any Disney World theme park 30 minutes early on any day! As we noted above, this perk was set to begin on October 1st, but it looks like plans have changed. Recently, Disney World sent an email to those with upcoming stays at Disney World Resort hotels or other hotels eligible for the Early Theme Park Entry. The email notes that there will be a soft opening for the Early Theme Park Entry benefit starting September 26th! EPCOT According to the email, once a guest has arrived at the main entrance of the park of their choosing, they’ll need to look for the “Earl Entry for Participating Hotels” signage. Animal Kingdom Keep in mind that in order to enter one of Disney World’s theme parks early as part of the Early Theme Park Entry benefit, you will need (1) a valid ticket for the park you want to enter early; and (2) a valid Park Pass for the park you want to enter early. You also must be staying at a Disney World Resort hotel or one of the select other participating hotels that are eligible for this benefit. Click here to see a full list of eligible hotels. We’ll keep an eye out for more updates and let you know what we find. Click here to see the full list of rides available during Early Theme Park Entry 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. Will you be taking advantage of Early Theme Park Entry? Tell us in the comments! The post Early Theme Park Entry Will Start SOONER Than Expected in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney’s Magic Kingdom has been hopping with exciting additions recently! There are so many new things to check out! We’ve seen new Lightning Lane signs, the Disney Fab 50 character statues, 50th Anniversary decorations, new merchandise, and so much more. Want to know what you missed if you haven’t stopped by in a few days? Here’s everything new in Magic Kingdom! Magic Kingdom Construction Update Main Street, U.S.A. Starting out at the front of the park, there were some signage updates on Main Street, U.S.A. First of all, the big sign out in front of The Emporium has returned! It’s back! Also, we noticed some new window signs at Main Street Confectionery. This candy shop is currently under refurbishment but has plans to reopen on September 29th. Does the shop have some new sponsors? We can’t wait to see how the inside of the store has changed, it’s a Magic Kingdom staple! Cinderella Castle Right in front of Cinderella Castle, a new platform had been added to the castle stage, likely for the 50th Anniversary. We can’t wait to see people on this stage again. This isn’t the first temporary stage we’ve seen in this area recently — a few weeks ago a massive stage was built in front of the castle to film the 50th Anniversary television special for ABC. We’ll keep an eye on this new addition to see if it sticks around. We’ll have to wait and see why it’s here! And in front of the castle, we noticed that some of the Disney Fab 50 character statues had been moved around. Mickey and Minnie’s golden sculptures have switched places with Goofy and Pluto! A MUCH better castle view now! The new location for Mickey and Minnie is a much better photo spot with Cinderella Castle in the background, so it makes sense that the two most iconic characters would get the best location. Goofy and Pluto are in the old spot. Make sure to check out all of Magic Kingdom’s Fab 50 statues on your next visit — some of them are a little more challenging to find! Fantasyland Back in the Storybook Circus area, we spotted another Lightning Lane sign! Dumbo the Flying Elephant got its sign recently, but now The Barnstormer has joined the party as well. Another Lightning Lane in Magic Kingdom! Lightning Lane is the new name for the FastPass+ lines around the parks. These lanes can only be accessed through the new Disney Genie+ system (and its add-ons) coming this fall. Click Here for a Full Guide to Disney Genie! Magic Kingdom Merchandise Update The Emporium As we spotted earlier in the week, a TON of new 50th Anniversary merchandise has arrived in Magic Kingdom. When we stopped by, the crowds were pretty heavy — these collections have been incredibly popular the past few days! There’s so much to check out in here! There’s a brand-new purple Mickey Mouse skeleton sweatsuit for the fall season! You’ll look absolutely boo-tiful in this new outfit (pardon the pun, we couldn’t help ourselves ). Check out the new outfit! The sweatshirt is $54.99 and the matching pants are $49.99. You can buy them individually or get one of each to complete the ensemble. Would you wear this? Is it the perfect outfit to wear to the Disney After Hours Boo Bash? We think so! Frontier Trading Post Not one but TWO new magnets dropped in Frontier Trading Post in Frontierland! The first is this awesome Halloween design… It reminds us of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! …and the second is this (also spooky) The Nightmare Before Christmas design! You can leave that one on your fridge all the way through the holiday season. It works for Halloween…AND Christmas. You can grab either of these magnets for $14.99. Click Here to See All the 50th Anniversary Merchandise! That’s everything new in Magic Kingdom right now, but stay tuned to DFB for more news and updates straight from the parks! We’ll keep you up to date! Click Here to See What’s New in EPCOT! 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. When is your next trip to Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments! The post What's New in Magic Kingdom: 50th Anniversary Updates and LOTS of New Signs first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

To ensure we are equipping our readers with all the information they need, we will continue to report on all travel, safety, and COVID-related news that could impact a Disney Parks visit. We’ve been keeping track of the latest updates regarding COVID-19, particularly as they relate to Florida, how the Delta variant has impacted the Disney theme parks, and more, to ensure that you can be best prepared for your trip. COVID-19 Health and Safety Sign We’ve also shared updates about the COVID-19 vaccine and the potential need for booster shots. Now we have an update regarding booster shots from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (“CDC”). According to CNN, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the CDC recently issued a recommendation regarding COVID-19 booster shots specifically for the Pfizer vaccine. As CNN shares, the Pfizer vaccine booster is now recommended for “those ages 18 to 64 who are at increased risk of Covid-19 because of their workplaces or institutional settings — in addition to older adults, long-term care facility residents and some people with underlying health conditions.” Here’s the official list for whom the booster shot is recommended according to the CDC website: ©CDC CNN shares that this determination from the CDC director is a slight deviation from the advice of the agency’s independent vaccine advisory committee. The advisory committee voted to recommend booster shots for those who are 65 and older, residents of long-term care facilities, people ages 50-64 with underlying medical conditions, and people ages 18-49 with underlying medical conditions based on their individual benefits and risks. The advisory committee did not, however, vote to recommend boosters for those 18-64 who were at greater risk for “because of their occupational or institutional settings.” Disney World Health and Safety Signage | Prior to Recent Mask and Distancing Changes However, CNN notes that the CDC director’s recommendations align more with the US Food and Drug Administration. Recently, the FDA “gave emergency use authorization for a booster dose of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine in people 65 and older, people at high risk of severe disease and people whose jobs put them at risk of infection.” Right now, this approval only relates to booster shots for the Pfizer vaccine. The CDC director has indicated, “We will address, with the same sense of urgency, recommendations for the Moderna and J&J vaccines as soon as those data are available.” Health and Safety Signage at Disneyland We’ll keep an eye out for more updates and let you know what we find. Click here to see some of the latest updates about COVID-19 testing on Disney Cruise Line. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post CDC Director Issues Recommendation Regarding COVID-19 Booster Shots first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

In honor of National Neighbor Day on Sept. 28, Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products and the neighborhood network, Nextdoor, have teamed up to create an interactive digital map that showcases the inspirational acts of kindness, compassion, and generosity taking place in neighborhoods across the country.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/9EBL1ECQryMView the full article

We know there’s nothing quite like coming up to that first glimpse of Magic Kingdom, especially if it’s your first visit to Disney World! 50th Train Station Unless you’re coming from one of the Magic Kingdom area resorts, your MK day will likely be starting at the Ticket and Transportation Center. From here, you can grab one of the two iconic forms of Disney transportation — the monorail or the ferry boat — and make your way across Seven Seas Lagoon. However, there’s another way you can get to Magic Kingdom that people tend to sleeping on. Disney buses can get a little bit of a bad rap for being slow (at times) or crowded, but at Magic Kingdom, especially early in the morning, it might just be your best bet to get to the park! Disney Buses The bus starts running to Magic Kingdom when the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC) opens, and they’ll usually run until around 10:45-11AM. Cast Members will often be out letting people know that the buses are available to ride on. Sign for the TTC bus to Magic Kingdom While there are crowds heading towards the ferry, and lines stacked up for the monorail, there’s usually hardly anyone waiting for the bus! Don’t wait in this line! The buses are rarely crowded because many guests don’t even realize it’s an option, and some just would rather take the more “fun” methods of transportation. A while back when we were heading to Magic Kingdom, several buses were lined up, just waiting for guests! A bus at the TTC Depending on the day and the time, you might even be able to snag a bus all to yourself. Plus, this is the best A/C you’re going to get as far as Disney transportation is concerned. On a hot Florida day, the bus is your friend. Inside one of the TTC buses One thing to note, the buses don’t run all day — only in the mornings — and they don’t pick up guests to make the return trip to TTC. You’ll still have to make your way back from Magic Kingdom on the ferry or monorail, which could end up being a good compromise if you’re traveling with someone who loves these more iconic forms of transportation: take the bus there, and something more fun on the way back. Another important thing to note is that they might not be running daily. Bus sign at Magic Kingdom Another great perk that helps you avoid crowds is that the bus lets you off in a separate spot from where the monorail and ferry let out, so won’t have to deal with all the other people debarking. Instead, you can take a calm, crowd-free stroll up to the Magic Kingdom gates. Not a bad walk! It’s not the most glamourous form of Disney transportation, but if it’s not your first trip to Magic Kingdom, or you want to get to the park ASAP, the bus could be a great option! Even if you’re not a huge bus fan, the ride is pretty quick and it will allow you to start your Disney day that much faster. Make sure to stayed tuned for more travel and planning tips to help make your next Disney vacation the best it can be! If You’re Planning a Disney Trip, Be Sure To Check Out Our ULTIMATE Guide to Planning A Walt Disney World Vacation 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 taken the bus to Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments! The post Why You Should Skip the Monorail on Your Next Magic Kingdom Trip first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

This is one small step for DFB, and one GIANT leap for DFB-kind. Eh, Neil Armstrong did it better — but you know what we’re getting at! Space 220 Has Opened! It’s time to blast-off into a dining experience we’ve been waiting EONS to try (or at least since 2017 when it was first announced). The one, the only, Space 220 has finally opened in EPCOT. We checked out this brand new restaurant recently and ate, well, EVERYTHING! Check out more details about eating EVERYTHING at Disney World’s NEW Space 220 Restaurant by watching our video below!  Want to read our reviews in written form too? Click here to see our full review of the lunch menu; click here to read our full review of dinner; and click here for our full review of the lounge menu. Oh, and you can also click here to see some of the best surprise details at Space 220! 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: What food item you’d most like to try from Space 220! The post DFB Video: Eating EVERYTHING at Disney World’s NEW Space 220 Restaurant first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s almost here — Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration kicks off NEXT WEEK! Happily Ever After There’s SO much new stuff to look forward to at the parks, including new merchandise, the gold character statues, the opening of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and two NEW nighttime fireworks shows! Want to watch Disney Enchantment (Magic Kingdom’s new show) and Harmonious (EPCOT’s new fireworks show), but you won’t be in the Disney theme parks next week? No problem! If you can’t get to Disney World to watch those new fireworks shows, you can watch them ONLINE via special livestreams on the Disney Parks Blog! And better yet — you can watch them EARLY! While Harmonious and Disney Enchantment are both set to officially debut in the parks on October 1st, you’ll actually get the chance to see them from the comfort of your couch a few days ahead of their premiere. EPCOT’s Harmonious will be streamed LIVE from the Disney Parks Blog on September 29th at 9PM EST. Note that EPCOT itself will be open until 9PM on September 29th. ©Disney According to Disney, Harmonious “pays tribute to the stories and songs that unite us all featuring new technical magic that includes special pyrotechnics, moving fountains, special lighting, and media.” ©Disney Click here to get a preview of the music that’ll be featured in Harmonious! The Disney Parks Blog will also be live-streaming Magic Kingdom’s new fireworks show, Disney Enchantment on September 30th at 10:15PM EST. The show will feature brand new music, fireworks, and projections along Main Street, U.S.A. Note that Magic Kingdom is currently set to close at 8PM on September 30th. ©Disney Want to get a sneak peek at those fantastic projections AND a new behind-the-scenes look at how the company brought Disney Enchantment together? Check out the video below! So, be sure to set your calendars and tune in both nights to get a full preview of both new nighttime shows! ©Disney We’ll be at Disney World on October 1st covering EVERYTHING you need to know about the 50th Anniversary Celebration, so stay tuned! Check Out The Whole New Disney World Shopping Experience Coming for the 50th Anniversary! 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 Will you be watching the livestreams? Let us know in the comments! The post Here's How to See Disney World's 2 New Fireworks Shows From Home! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Behind The Scenes - Making Of ‘Disney Enchantment’ | Walt Disney World ResortView the full article

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Every day we’re getting closer and closer to Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration! The 50th is almost here! We’re ready to check out the new fireworks shows, the over-the-top decorations, and all the new offerings all around the resort. But here at DFB, one of the things we’re most excited about is FOOD. So what’s the food going to be like for the 50th? Let’s break it down! Special Experiences At Disney’s Contemporary Resort, two restaurants are getting some big updates and changes specifically for the 50th Anniversary. California Grill is planning an extra special unique dining experience for the anniversary. Reservations just opened up on September 23rd and started booking up FAST. The limited-time menu will debut October 3rd. California Grill The prix fixe menu, which includes 3 courses for $89 per adult and $39 per child under 10, features some old favorites like the The California Grill Sushi Classics Trio – Blue Crab California Roll, Shrimp Tempura Roll, Spicy Kazan Roll. The Spicy Kazan Roll has been popular on the Cali Grill menu for years! ©Disney Other favorites like the Oak Fired Filet of Beef gets gussied up with Black Truffle-Brown Butter Château Potatoes, Golden Raisins Vinaigrette, Cauliflower, and Black Garlic Butter. ©Disney Downstairs at the resort, The Wave is currently closed as it gets reimagined before the 50th. The Wave is no more! While Disneyland has reportedly closed their Steakhouse 55 (named for the year Disneyland opened), Disney WORLD is welcoming Steakhouse 71 (for Disney World’s opening year!). This high-end steakhouse will open on October 1st! ©Disney The New Steakhouse 71 is coming! The menu will feature (obviously) steak along with seafood, plant-based options, and more. ©Disney The restaurant will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, AND will also have its own lounge with its own unique menu. The Wave’s Breakfast Has Temporarily Moved to California Grill — Get the Full Review HERE! Celebratory Snacks So far, no special snacks have been announced for the celebrations, but we’re hopeful that there will be a wide variety of options! Disney does dozens of treats for the holidays alone, so they’ll likely take advantage of the 50th Anniversary as well. ©Disney Even though Disney hasn’t made any official announcements, we did get a sneak peek at a 50th Anniversary cupcake on the special recipe book made for the occasion. We’ve also spotted new popcorn boxes, new popcorn buckets, and more appearing in the parks! Not to mention like a zillion pieces of 50th Anniversary merchandise (with MORE to come!). And as soon as we get more treats revealed, we’ll make sure to let you know! Click Here to Learn How to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary From Home! New Restaurants Over the course of the 18-month long 50th Anniversary celebration, we’re expecting several restaurant openings! One that we’re hoping to see soon is Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Toy Story Land, although Disney hasn’t shared an opening timeline. (TBH Disney hasn’t shared much at ALL about the progress on this spot!) ©Disney Also, we’re excited we FINALLY got to eat at Space 220 in EPCOT! It felt like we waited a billion years for it to open (J/K, it was really just 4 but still!). Space 220 The restaurant opened on September 20th and we were there eating EV-ER-Y-THING on the 2-course prix fixe lunch menu, 3-course prix fixe dinner menu, and lounge menu. It was (wait for it)…out of this world. (Sorry. We had to.) That’s a lot of space food… ANOTHER restaurant officially opening on October 1st is La Creperie de Paris in EPCOT’s France Pavilion! The new part quick service, part table service spot is opening with the rest of the pavilion expansion and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure on October 1st, 2021, but we’ve already been inside (and out!) and tried it all! La Creperie de Paris We ate inside and tried all the yummy savory galettes and sweet crepes on offer. We also got a lot more crepes from the walk-up window outside, Crepes a Emporter at la Creperie de Paris. Crepes for DAYS There will be several new options at the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel as well, along with the addition of Salt & Straw to Disney Springs. There’s just so much to look forward to over the Anniversary Celebration! Get More Details on Restaurant Openings in 2021 Here! Things to Know And finally, there are a few things you need to know if you plan on dining at Disney World ON the 50th Anniversary. If you want to eat at a sit-down restaurant, your best bet is to reserve a table in advance. However, dining reservations have already opened for October 1st and they are SCARCE, especially in the parks. Magic Kingdom’s restaurants are all booked up! There is the option to join the Walk-Up Waitlist day of, but this is a highly risky option with the crowd levels we’re expecting that day particularly in Magic Kingdom. You can scan the QR code outside of the restaurant to check for availability throughout the day. Another option is to check the Walk-Up Waitlist, in the My Disney Experience app. This is not guaranteed the way that a dining reservation is, but worth a shot. Look for this Walk-Up Waitlist sign! If you prefer to get your food on the go instead, then you’ll want to dine at a quick-service spot. Somewhere with Mobile Order would be ideal, but you’ll want to place your order early in the day (you can order early in the day and choose a later pickup time) before all the best pickup windows are taken. Even if you secure one when you want to eat, expect to wait a while for your food — like we said, it’s going to be very, very busy. Place those orders early in the morning! And finally, don’t forget that you don’t have to eat IN the park! With your Disney Park Pass reservation to a theme park, you are guaranteed return entry if you leave, so you’re welcome to exit and dine at a resort hotel or Disney Springs instead. (You could even leave the property and come back later!) There are several great options at the Disney World hotels where you could Mobile Order or pick a dining reservation and they likely won’t be as busy as the parks are during the daytime. Great options (like newly renovated Citricos at the Grand Floridian) aren’t far from the parks! Well, that’s a wrap on the things you need to know about food for the 50th Anniversary! As we get more details on exclusive dining offerings and new snacks, much of which we expect to be revealed in the days leading up to the celebration kicking off, we’ll make sure to pass that information along, so stay tuned to DFB…Disney food is what we do! Click Here to Learn More About the 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 Will you be visiting Disney World for the 50th Anniversary? The post What We Know About the FOOD Coming For Disney World’s 50th Anniversary first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

On Oct. 1, two new nighttime spectaculars – “Harmonious” and “Disney Enchantment” – will debut to help kick off our 50th anniversary festivities during “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” at Walt Disney World Resort. And as a special early 50th surprise, we’re LIVE streaming performances of both ground-breaking shows right here on the Disney Parks […]http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/RPnp_HMW3kUView the full article

Walt Disney World barrels into golden years with 18-month celebration of 50th anniversary View the full article Mickey and Minnie topiaries, with a decorative cake and signage marking the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World, welcome visitors to Magic Kingdom. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) Walt Disney World is barreling into its golden years as the resort begins the extended celebration of its 50th anniversary. Disney is introducing three new shows, a family-friendly dark ride and dozens of golden character statues, and it’s tweaking the iconic theme park centerpieces and installing other enhancements for the festivities. But the coronavirus pandemic complicated the proceedings, affecting everything from travel planning to supply chains to health precautions. Amid the shelves stocked with 50th-anniversary souvenirs and the crowds gathering at the redecorated Cinderella Castle, the event feels “underpowered” to Jim Hill, who runs JimHillMedia.com and co-hosts The Disney Dish Podcast. “Some of it is a deliberate choice by Disney,” Hill said. “But at the same time, a lot of it is just the world we’re living in right now: The pandemic that just doesn’t seem to end.” All Central Florida attractions, including Walt Disney World, shut down in March 2020. Disney’s theme parks reopened four months later, an unprecedented closure that included thousands of employees being furloughed. Some anniversary plans moved forward, including work on the castle. “They were just getting ready to sort of turn the key on the actual spending for the 50th when the pandemic shut everything,” Hill said. Disney characters wave to Magic Kingdom visitors while moving into position at the theme park's train station. Costumed characters have been kept at a distance since the park reopened from its pandemic shutdown in July 2020. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) But the show will go on in 2021. On Oct. 1, exactly 50 years after Magic Kingdom opened its gates, Disney World officially launches its 18-month campaign dubbed “the world’s most magical celebration.” On that day, three shows will debut: “Disney KiteTails” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom and “Harmonious” at Epcot, where Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure ride will have its official opening day as well. Light shows are scheduled on and around four of the parks’ most symbolic structures, transforming them into what Disney calls “Beacons of Light.” Anniversary banners are hung, a monorail train has been wrapped in the 50th logo, new name tags have been issued to cast members and segments will bookend the Electrical Water Pageant, a floating attraction on the Seven Seas Lagoon that dates back to 1971. “I think that a lot of people kind of want to see more because in the past, the different anniversaries were such a big to-do,” said Michele Atwood, author of Disney-related books and owner of the Main Street Mouse, a theme park website. More could be more unveiled during the course of the celebration, which will run into 2023. “After the holidays are over, maybe add a parade or add some new dessert parties or something that coincides with the 50th anniversary, because it’s an 18-month long celebration,” Atwood said. “So, in my opinion, you would think they would have that — you know, trickle different things throughout that 18 months so that people stay excited the whole time.” The BB-8 and R2D2 statues at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are part of the Disney Fab 50 collection designed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) Aside from the three show debuts, Disney World has not announced any special events happening on the actual anniversary date. “It’s interesting because we’re a week out, and we sort of don’t know if anything is going to happen that day other than what’s been previously announced. … They dribble out little bits of information,” said Lou Mongello, who runs the WDW Radio website and podcast. “As Disney fans, we set our expectations so high. It’s the 50th. It’s a big deal. … So, we’re almost waiting for this grand reveal, which may or may not come yet,” he said. “All the parks are getting something, and, look, you have to acknowledge the long-term detrimental effect of the pandemic,” Mongello said. “We know of projects that were canceled or pushed back — Mary Poppins [attraction], progress on Epcot, Tron [ride] — all these things that may have been further along were stalled,” he said. “There’s only so many workers and so much money that you can invest at once, and we have to be cognizant of that.” Remy's Ratatouille Adventure ride officially opens at Epcot on Oct. 1, the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. Cast members and annual passholders have been previewing the trackless, 3D attraction. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) Disney World has several projects underway in its parks, including Magic Kingdom’s Tron Lightcycle Run and Epcot’s Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster, both of which were announced in July 2017. Specific opening dates were never announced, although they were said to be ready “in time for” the 50th anniversary. Then came the pandemic. Hill said the situation is fluid for the planned attractions and the celebration in general. He expects promotion tied to the 50th anniversary to go on as usual with pushes via the ABC television special airing Oct. 1 and holiday specials. “Right now, it’s really just keeping the finger in the air and seeing which way the wind is blowing and how many people are showing up,” he said. “It’s — in a weird sort of way — a very dynamic situation, but at the same time, also incredibly underwhelming.” Dewayne Bevil Orlando Sentinel

The more than 7,400-acre Lake Monroe Conservation Area protects sensitive wetlands in the St. Johns River basin east of Sanford. It's also a camping and hiking destination. View the full article

Vera Bradley has launched a series of Disney-inspired collections and patterns over the years, featuring some of our favorite classic characters! Vera Bradley Shop If you’re a fan of Beauty and the Beast, however, their newest collection that we spotted in Disney Springs would be perfect for you! This collection features over a dozen bags and accessories to accompany you to the theme parks or around town as you run errands! We spotted a Campus Backpack for $130… Campus Backpack …a Small Backpack for $120… Small Backpack …a Sling Backpack for $65… Sling Backpack …and Vera Tote featuring a silhouette of Belle for $175… Vera Tote …a Small Vera Tote for $125… Small Vera Tote …a Triple-Zip Hipster for $85… Triple-Zip Hipster …a Plush Throw Blanket for $65… Plush Throw Blanket …another Vera Tote with the Enchanted Rose pattern (and a hidden Mrs. Potts!) for $120… Vera Tote …a Clamshell Cosmetic Bag for $55… Clamshell Cosmetic Bag …and RFID All in One Crossbody Bag for $80… RFID All in One Crossbody …a Rosy Outlook Bag Charm for $38… Rosy Outlook Bag Charm …and a Triple Compartment Crossbody for $115! Triple Compartment Crossbody You can find all of these pieces at the Vera Bradley store located in Disney Springs! We’ll be on the lookout for more Disney-inspired merchandise collections around Disney World as well as online, so be sure to follow along for the latest discoveries! Click here to check out 100 pieces of Disney World 50th Anniversary merchandise! 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. Do you collect Disney x Vera Bradley bags and accessories? Let us know in the comments! The post Vera Bradley’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Collection Has Arrived in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World’s 50th Anniversary is almost a week away! We’ve been covering all of the exciting events that will take place next week along with the following eighteen months, including brand-new fireworks, dining experiences, merchandise, and more! Cinderella Castle If you’re a D23 Member, there’s, even MORE, celebrating to take part in! That’s because the D23 x Walt Disney Imagineering series called Magical Milestones will continue with the 50th Anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort! This five-part journey will take participants through the history of Disney World, touching on each of the four theme parks as well as the resort hotels with conversations between Disney and Imagineering icons, including Bob Weis, Scott Trowbridge, and Wing Chao. © D23 The exclusive virtual event will feature a gathering of Imagineers and will be hosted by Leslie Iwerks, the director of the Disney+ series The Imagineering Story. Disney World D23 Gold Members can acquire their complimentary access code to view the event. D23 General Members can purchase an access code for $10, plus a $1.50 processing fee. This special panel will premiere on Friday, October 1st at 10AM PST and will remain available through Sunday, October 31st at 11:45PM PST. We’ll be on the lookout for more special ways to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Disney World, both in the parks as well as at home! Click here to check out over 100 pieces of 50th Anniversary merchandise we spotted in 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 Are you a D23 Member? Let us know in the comments! The post An Exclusive Virtual Event Featuring Disney Imagineers Will Premiere Next Month For D23 Members first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

It’s time for another update about what’s new in EPCOT! Spaceship Earth EPCOT has seen a LOT of changes in the last week or so, from the openings of Creations Shop, Club Cool, and even Space 220 restaurant! So what else is new? EPCOT Food Updates Mexico Pavilion We tried a new ice cream margarita called “Abuelita’s Mudslide” drink at La Cava del Tequila in Mexico. It cost $21.30 and basically tasted like tequila mixed with melty chocolate ice cream. Ice Cream Margarita This drink is presented with a La Cava’s famous smoke bubble on top, and you even get to choose your cone color! Read our review of the Abuelita’s Mudslide here! Germany Pavilion Over in Germany at Karamell-Kuche, we found new Werther’s Soft Caramels in Cinnamon Creme for $9.99. Cinnamon Creme Werther’s And you can now Mobile Order from Karamell-Kuche as well! New Mobile Order Sign So if you want to try some cinnamon-flavored caramels, head over to Germany in EPCOT! Check out these fall treats we found at Karamell-Kuche! EPCOT Construction Updates International Gateway Pin Cart We noticed that the International Gateway pin cart has reopened! A Cast Member let us know that it opened very recently. IG Pin Cart So now there’s one more spot to shop for new Disney pins in EPCOT! Check out the new 50th anniversary merchandise, including pins! Harmonious Barges There’s been more work on the barges for the new Harmonious fireworks show. This week we saw a crane and the bridge was up for the barges to pass through. Harmonious Barge Construction Harmonious is scheduled to open on October 1st, right in time for Disney World’s 50th anniversary! We’ll be watching closely while Disney puts the finishing touches on the new fireworks show. Read more about the new EPCOT nighttime spectacular Harmonious here! Friendship Landing Boat Dock The Friendship Landing boat dock in the Morocco pavilion is getting a new awning. The Friendship Boats in EPCOT take guests from the World Showcase to Future World, and vice versa. Construction Awning Friendship Boats resumed service in November 2020, and you can catch them at several places around Disney World for transportation. You can read more about Disney World transportation here! Belgium Booth The Belgium Booth for EPCOT’s 2021 Food and Wine Festival is in the process of getting set up in the World Showcase for its October 1st opening. It will be located next to the Australia Booth, and it’s just a white tent for now. New Belgium Booth We can’t WAIT to get our Belgian Waffle fix at the Belgium Booth and we’ll be keeping a close eye on this booth in case Disney decides to open it early! Check out the Belgium Booth menu here! EPCOT Merchandise Updates Creations Shop When it comes to shopping we found new “The Child” (aka Baby Yoda, aka Grogu) Earrings at Creations Shop. They cost $19.99 and they’re like dangly little pom poms with tiny Yoda ears. New Grogu Earrings There were also new-to-us tank tops for $34.99 each. This Winnie the Pooh Tank Top is mostly black and white, except for Pooh’s red shirt and balloon. Winnie the Pooh Tank Top The Mickey Comic Tank Top has various panels of Mickey and friends in color with a black and white background. Mickey Comic Tank Top This Disney Parks Icons Tank Top has lots of colorful stripes with images of Disney icons like the Tree of Life, Space Mountain, and Cinderella Castle. Disney Park Icons Tank Top And this Big Cat Tank Top stars our favorite big Disney cats, like Scar and Mufasa from The Lion King, and Rajah from Aladdin. Lions and Tigers and… These tank tops can be found at Creations Shop for $34.99 each. United Kingdom Pavilion In the United Kingdom pavilion, Twinings Christmas Teas are back! They cost $5.99 each or $5 each when you buy four. You can find Christmas Tea, made with black tea, cinnamon and cloves… Christmas Tea …Gingerbread Joy, which is black tea flavored with ginger and cinnamon… Ginderbread Joy …Peppermint Cheer, peppermint tea flavored with vanilla… Peppermint Cheer …and Winter Spice, an herbal tea with flavors of apple, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. Winter Spice You can also find the Guinness Luxury Fudge restocked! Guinness Luxury Fudge If you prefer your Guinness beer in fudge form, it costs $12.95 for a bag. Read our full review of the luxury beer fudge here! Japan Pavilion In Mitsukoshi in Japan, there are several new series of cat toys, such as these for $12.95… New Toy Series …these cats go for $7.95… New Cat Toys …and these tiny kitties are $6.95. New Cat Toys This new-to-us Dragon Ball Z hat costs $24.95. The hat is orange with the Dragon Ball Z logo embroidered on the side… Dragon Ball Z Hat …and under the bill of the hat is an image of Goku from Dragon Ball Z. Dragon Ball Z Hat You can find these new items at Mitsukoshi in Japan. China Pavilion And over in China, there are new Garlic Cream Lays Chips for $5.50. New Lays EPCOT Various Updates Club Cool We noticed that the line for the Club Cool has gotten shorter since the reopening. We only waited about 5 minutes to get in on this day. Club Cool Club Cool just reopened in EPCOT and you can get tons of Coca-Cola merchandise or try an international soda flavor! Here’s more about Club Cool’s reopening! Space 220 On day 2 of Space 220 being open, Disney World had a smooth process for guiding guests from the entrance of EPCOT to the Space 220 line by Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind construction. They allowed guests to sign up for a return time for a same day reservation. Day 2 of Space 220 Line Space 220 reservations begin on September 27th, and until then they’re taking walk-ins. You can probably expect a long line, but at least Disney has an organized process! Read more about our Space 220 experience here! EPCOT Monorail Rope Drop Process We also wanted to note the EPCOT rope drop process for people who take the Monorail to EPCOT from the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC). The TTC Monorail to EPCOT opens at 10AM, and we boarded right at opening. We arrived to EPCOT around 10:15AM and since we had already gone through security, we walked straight to the entrance. It was a really smooth and easy process. Monorail Line The Monorail closed the doors pretty quickly once we boarded the first Monorail of the day, so try to get there right at or before 10AM to catch the first Monorail. Read about our monorail rope drop experience here! And that’s everything new at EPCOT! Keep reading DFB for all your Disney World news and updates! Click here to read what’s new at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! 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 news from EPCOT? Tell us in the comments! The post What’s New in EPCOT: An ICE CREAM Margarita and Twinnings Christmas Teas Return first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

For over a year, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted and continues to impact a variety of businesses and individuals around the world. Magic Kingdom In the theme park industry, COVID-19 caused massive shutdowns. For several months, many of Disney’s theme parks around the world were closed. We’ve discussed how this impacted the company on various levels during 2020, but now we’ve got more details about just how attendance levels were impacted at all of Disney’s theme parks around the world during 2020. Recently, the Themed Entertainment Association (“TEA”) and the economics practice at AECOM released their Theme Index for 2020. The index serves as an attendance report for attractions around the world, including Disney’s theme parks. Their numbers show clearly just how different attendance was at theme parks and water parks in 2020, as compared to 2019. EPCOT For the majority of their report, TEA and AECOM kept 2019 rankings in terms of the parks with the most attendance. They noted that “2020 attendance declines were largely due to agency restrictions limiting operating days and capacities in the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we have kept the 2019 rankings in place for the 2020 report.” Hey Mickey So, while we’ll ignore the rankings for purposes of this article, the report from TEA and AECOM does show the dramatic changes in attendance levels from 2019 to 2020. Magic Kingdom, for example, saw a 66.9% decrease in attendance in 2020 as compared to 2019. The park went from nearly 21,000,000 visitors in 2019 to nearly 7,000,000 in 2020. Of course, the park was closed for several months in 2020, so that make sense, but seeing it represented with actual numbers just makes the impact all the more clear. Disneyland Park at Disneyland Resort saw an even bigger decrease than Magic Kingdom, with nearly 80% less visitors in 2020 as compared to 2019. This also fits the situation well considering Disneyland was closed for most of 2020. ©TEA/AECOM Disney’s other theme parks saw significant decreases in attendance as well — Animal Kingdom saw a 70% decrease, EPCOT saw about a 67% decrease, Hollywood Studios saw about a 68% decrease. Disney California Adventure Park saw an 80% decrease, and Disney’s international parks were also impacted. But, Disney wasn’t alone. Large decreases in attendance were also observed at Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan, and other theme parks. ©TEA/AECOM Worldwide, the TEA/AECOM report notes that the attendance change at the top 25 amusement/theme parks from 2019 to 2020 was a decrease of just over 67%. But the figures are even more impactful when looked at in terms of attendance numbers. The top 25 amusement/theme parks saw about 253.7 million guests in terms of attendance for 2019. In 2020, that number was reduced down to just 83.1 million. That’s a loss of over 150 million guests. ©TEA/AECOM The TEA’s report also takes a look at water park attendance. Like theme parks, water parks overall saw a substantial decrease in attendance in 2020. Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park saw about an 84% decrease in attendance in 2020 as compared to levels from 2019. ©TEA/AECOM The report also goes through the numbers as they relate specifically to theme parks in North America… ©TEA/AECOM …Asia-Pacific… ©TEA/AECOM …Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and more. ©TEA/AECOM Again, none of these results are particularly surprising given the impact of COVID-19 and the extended park closures we witnessed throughout 2020. But, it makes it all the more impactful to see these changes quantified. In mid-August, Christine McCarthy, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Disney Company, indicated that during the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 “attendance levels were at or near daily capacity levels which increased throughout the quarter.” Rope Drop Crowds McCarthy also indicated that they’re expecting the parks to be fully staffed by the end of this calendar year, and that they will be increasing capacity as they see an increase in demand. We’ve certainly seen crowd levels quite high on some days, while it has been low on other occasions. It will certainly be interesting to see how 2021’s numbers ultimately compare to both 2020 and 2019. But it’ll be some time before we get those figures. Crowds We’ll be sure to keep an eye out for more updates on the Disney parks’ capacity and attendance, and we’ll let you know what we find. Stay tuned for all the latest information. Click here to see the Disney CEO’s latest comments about the Delta variant and its impact on theme park crowds. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post Attendance at Magic Kingdom Dropped By Over 10,000,000 Visitors in 2020, According to a New Report first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Meet cast members David Smith, a merchandise host at World of Disney and Jr. Martinez, a Guest Relations Host. While they work in different departments, they have one very important thing in common: they both can communicate through American Sign Language. David and Jr. first met in 2020 when David noticed Jr. signing along to […]http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/91cirip3qXwView the full article

We’re in the Disney World parks every day, so we keep an eye on any changes and updates that we spot. Tree of Life Today we’re looking at Disney’s wildest park: Animal Kingdom. Let’s see what’s new or changed as far as the food, merchandise, and construction around here! Of course, we’re going to start with the most important update, food! Animal Kingdom Food Update This week, we found the Monster Drink at Isle of Java in Animal Kingdom. Monster The Monster drink is made with POG Juice (Passion Fruit, Orange, and Guava) with Watermelon and Citrus, Gummy Worms, and a Glow Cube. The gummy worm and glow cube have become like a trademark for a lot of Disney World Halloween drinks recently! Gummy Worms! We thought the drink was SUPER sweet, but also very tasty with all the fruity flavors. It’s non-alcoholic, so it’s a great option for kids too. It’s available at Isle of Java for $8.49 now. Click Here to Read Our Full Review of the Monster Drink We also stopped in some gift shops to take a look at any new merchandise. Animal Kingdom Merchandise Update Unlike Disney’s Magic Kingdom, there wasn’t a ton of 50th Anniversary merchandise in the Animal Kingdom. We did spot the reusable bags in most of the gift shops… 50th Anniversary Reusable Bag …and Riverside Depot had the 50th Anniversary Minnie Ears on the wall behind the Dooney & Bourke bags. Riverside Depot At Discovery Trading, we found a rack full of 50th Anniversary pins. Lots of 50th Pins Also, the 50th Anniversary Pandora charms were released at Discovery Trading, including the Castle charm… Castle Charm …and the Mickey “50” charm. Mickey Charm So while you can’t get all the clothes, Loungefly bags, ornaments, and tons more merchandise in Animal Kingdom yet, there are still a few options. We also saw two new pins at Discovery Trading, including a Mickey and Minnie Mouse fall pin, where the two are dressed as scarecrows. Fall pin The other new pin was a Star Wars First Order pin. First Order pin You can get each of the new pins for $19.99 at Discovery Trading now. New pins While we were shopping around, we noticed some cool 50th Anniversary decorations in the gift shops, especially in Island Mercantile. 50th Anniversary Decorations Here we found a big 50th banner… 50th Banner …and big ribbons filled with lights hanging from the ceiling. So pretty! Now that we’ve seen the 50th makeover in Island Mercantile, what else is changing with construction updates around Animal Kingdom? Animal Kingdom Construction Update There was a lot of construction going on in DinoLand U.S.A., including some new construction walls up around Restaurantosaurus. Construction Walls You can still head in here to eat, though! Across the way, deconstruction has started at Primeval Whirl. Construction…or rather, deconstruction We spotted walls up around this closed ride earlier, but now it’s officially being taken down behind the walls. Coming down! In Pandora, the Satu’li Canteen restaurant closed unexpectedly this week. We asked the Cast Members outside what happened, but they didn’t have much information for us. Evacuated Satu’li Canteen The restaurant was evacuated, but it’s up and running again now. Over on the Discovery River Lagoon, we checked on the new KiteTails barges, which are getting ready for the new show that’s coming on October 1st! KiteTails Barges The structures on the barges started as frames (and a couple of them are still just frames), but we’re seeing more progress on some of the little huts. Nearby, more KiteTails decorations were going up, including some character-themed banners! Character Kites These banners are hanging above entrances and walkways on the left side of the theater. We saw Lion King characters, as well as some from The Jungle Book. Jungle Book Kites We can’t wait to see this new show soon! Take a Look at the New KiteTails Show Here Our last construction update is a big one: Mobile Order is now available at Zuri’s Sweet Shop in the Africa section of Animal Kingdom! We spotted the sign this week, which means it’s official. Can you spot the Mobile Order sign? Now you can order your favorite treats on your phone and skip the lines. Mobile Order at Zuri’s That’s all for our Animal Kingdom updates this week! Keep following DFB for more news about what’s going on in the Disney World parks. Click Here to See What’s New at Disney’s Hollywood Studios This Week Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! 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 favorite treat in Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Let us know in the comments! The post What’s New at Animal Kingdom: An Extinct Attraction Is Coming Down and KiteTails Decorations Are Going Up first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney World is preparing to debut TWO brand-new fireworks spectaculars next week: Disney Enchantment in Magic Kingdom and Harmonious in EPCOT. Disney Enchantment ©Disney Both of these shows will premiere on the first day of Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, which officially begins on Friday, October 1st. As Disney puts the final touches on these shows, those around the resort area may hear (or even see!) some fireworks testing taking place. Disney World Cast and Community has announced today on Facebook that fireworks testing will be taking place tonight, September 23rd, as well as the evening of Saturday, September 25th. According to the announcement, the sound of fireworks may be heard between the hours of 11:30PM and 1AM. © Disney The announcement specifically mentions that the fireworks will be heard around the Magic Kingdom area, which means that they could be putting those final touches on Disney Enchantment! We spotted some fireworks testing already taking place over this past weekend in the Magic Kingdom area, so it looks like Disney is ramping up getting this show ready for audiences! ©Disney As Disney World prepares to debut Disney Enchantment, the current fireworks spectacular Happily Ever After will have its final performance on September 29th. Similarly, EPCOT Forever will have its final performance on September 28th before Harmonious debuts next Friday. Happily Ever After We’ll continue to keep a close watch on any updates from Disney World as these two nighttime spectaculars prepare to debut next week! Stay tuned for more news and announcements as we gear up to celebrate Disney World’s 50th Anniversary! Click here to get a sneak peek at the music from Disney Enchantment! 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 Are you planning on spending October 1st in Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments! The post Fireworks Testing Will Take Place Tonight in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disneyland Paris recently revamped one of their hotels to highlight Marvel Studios. Renamed Hotel New York — The Art of Marvel, the resort doesn’t reserve focus for the visual arts — in fact, they pay an impressive amount of attention to music. ©Disneyland Paris Inside, a brand new Marvel-inspired playlist echoes through the halls. It’s a chilled styling at the intersection of jazz and hip hop. The specially made musical stylings run for more than 75 minutes. These tunes were previously exclusive to the hotel. Now, however, Disney fans can enjoy this auditory experience from the comforts of their own homes! It’s now available to stream on all major music platforms. ©Disneyland Paris Naveed Dezfoli, Associate Music Producer behind the album, oversaw the project’s creative needs and guided the team of producers and composers through the entire process of matching the vivacious energy of Marvel films with the chill contemporary vibe of New York. ©Disneyland Paris Give it a listen by scanning the QR code above or by searching for it on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, or YouTube! Read MORE about Hotel New York — The Art of Marvel HERE! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Have you listened to the Hotel New York — The Art of Marvel soundtrack yet? Let us know what you think of it in the comments! The post Disneyland Paris' Hotel New York Has a New Look and Sound. Find Out How to Listen Here! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We know it’s fall in Magic Kingdom when all those colorful decorations appear on Main Street, U.S.A. Fall in the Magic Kingdom Disney decorates for the holidays a little bit early, but we’re not complaining. We love to see the pumpkins, wreaths, and banners go up. What we WEREN’T expecting, though, was to see some decorations come DOWN today. That’s right — a staple fall decoration was missing from Magic Kingdom today! One of the most classic fall decorations in Disney World is the Mickey pumpkin, which you can usually find inside the fall wreaths on Main Street light posts. Mickey Pumpkin But today, while we were walking down Main Street, U.S.A., we noticed that all the Mickey pumpkins were gone. They’d all been replaced by the Cinderella’s Carriage pumpkins that we spotted a few weeks ago near the Castle. Cinderella Pumpkins These Cinderella pumpkins are a new addition, in honor of Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations. More Coach Pumpkins They were just in the Hub area before, near the Cinderella Castle, but now they’ve taken over more of the park, including by the exit to the Magic Kingdom. They’re even by the exit! There’s not a Mickey pumpkin to be found in Magic Kingdom right now. You can still see some at the Toll Plaza and we will let you know if they show up elsewhere. Magic Kingdom Toll Plaza We’re not sure how we feel about this change. The Cinderella pumpkins are really pretty, and they’re fun to have around for the 50th Anniversary. But we’re really going to miss the iconic Mickey pumpkins! We’ll keep our fingers crossed that they reappear on Main Street next year. Cinderella Takeover Keep following DFB for more updates on the Disney World parks! Click Here to Check Out MORE 50th Anniversary Decorations in Disney’s Magic Kingdom 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 do you prefer: Cinderella pumpkins or Mickey pumpkins? Let us know in the comments! The post The Mickey Pumpkin Wreaths Are MISSING in Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Halloweentime has begun at Disneyland Resort! It’s Halloweentime in Disneyland! There’s a Halloween scavenger hunt, Haunted Mansion Holiday is spooking things up, and there are Halloween souvenirs to grab as well. But what if you want to go trick-or-treating at a Disneyland Resort hotel for FREE? Well, soon you’ll be able to do just that! Earlier today, Disney shared that overnight guests of the hotels at Disneyland Resort will be able to enjoy exclusive, complimentary trick-or-treating on October 31st, 2021. Each of the Disneyland hotels will have a map of treat locations, and overnight guests staying at any one of the Disneyland Resort hotels will be able to visit all 3 hotels!! Guests are encouraged to sign-up for the trick-or-treating at the front desk when they check in. Mickey Pumpkin at Disneyland Looking for more Halloween fun in Disneyland? You can stop by Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa to check out an EPIC Oogie Boogie pastry creation. Here are some of the things that went into this masterpiece: 260 pounds of powdered sugar 380 eggs 220 pounds of rice cereal 95 pounds of marshmallow 80 pounds of butter 120 pounds of dark chocolate 80 pounds of white chocolate 480 pounds of fondant 370 hours of planning and hands-on work 13 hidden Mickeys! Oogie Boogie! Heading to Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel? There, you’ll be able to see Ursula who has taken over a bit of the lobby! ©Disneyland And at the Disneyland Hotel, you’ll find that some Haunted Mansion stretching room art now welcomes some foolish mortals inside. ©Disneyland There are also sweet treats in the bakery cart in the lobby of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel featuring Jack Skellington cookies… ©Disneyland …Oogie Boogie Cupcakes… ©Disneyland …and more! ©Disneyland If you’re an overnight guest staying at one of the Disneyland Resort hotels on October 31st, be sure to check out the FREE trick-or-treating to make your spooky celebrations a bit more sweet! And stay tuned to DFB for more updates! Click here to see how to save up to 25% on your Disneyland hotel stay! Disneyland Reviews and Information Click HERE to Check Out Lots of DFB Posts About Disneyland See the Latest Updates About Disneyland’s Mask Policy Check Out Our Disneyland Restaurants Guide See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Park Check Out Details from the Historic Reopening of Disneyland Resort See What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Learn About the Disneyland Mobile App Get All the Details About Mobile Order in Disneyland See More About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure What’s Going to Be Different About Your Next Disneyland Trip? Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe How will you be celebrating Halloween this year? Tell us in the comments! The post How to Trick-or-Treat for FREE at Disneyland Resort first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

As we continue to celebrate Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month, honoring the communities’ cultures and contributions to the United States, we are thrilled to share the stories of a few of the talented cast members behind your favorite products, books and games. Keep reading for some inspiration you won’t want to miss!http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/rtVkeKGOyaIView the full article