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For many theme parks, the terror attacks on America on 9/11 highlighted the need for tighter security measures. Orlando's parks have been updating their security protocol since. View the full article An Orange County Sheriff deputy is posted outside Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Tuesday, August 31, 2021. OCSO, Osceola County Sheriffs and Florida Highway Patrol assist Walt Disney World Security in patrolling the 40+ square-miles complex of theme parks, restaurants and hotels. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) On Sept. 11, 2001, Brian Avery was an accident investigator at SeaWorld Orlando and watching the news in a conference room when footage of the terrorist attack at the World Trade Center flashed across the screen. Shortly afterward, SeaWorld leaders made the unprecedented decision to close the park. Guests visiting SeaWorld, as well as Disney World and Universal, “left quietly” as the parks were evacuated smoothly within an hour of the attacks, according to an Orlando Sentinel article In the days that followed, Avery took part in discussions on new security protocols and procedures at the resort. “Essentially it boiled down to this: everyone was a suspect moving forward, and that whether you were a staff member, a patron [or] a vendor that was delivering products to the property, we were going to check you,” he said. Immediately following the attacks, SeaWorld mandated employee and guest bag checks and began conducting searches of all vehicles coming onto the property, even including employee golf carts, Avery said. The company realized that theme parks, like stadiums and other places where lots of people gather, could be potential targets for an attack and so it also bolstered its security department, installed additional surveillance cameras, and got another police K-9 to monitor the property, he said. “No stone was left unturned after that day,” he said. “It was an eye-opening experience, and I think people realized it was a necessary one in order to make the environment as safe as possible so that we could continue operation. ... There was a lot of uncertainty, and there was fear, but we realized we had a job to do.” For many theme parks, the terror attacks on America that day highlighted the need for tighter security as officials realized that large venues could become targets for terrorism. And in the 20 years since, other attacks and events — including the Pulse shooting and the COVID-19 pandemic — have prompted the parks to constantly update their security protocols in a changing landscape. Brian Avery has nearly three decades of experience in theme park security. A lecturer at the University of Florida, he also serves as an expert witness in attractions and entertainment matters and works as a managing member at Event Safety Services (photo courtesy of Brian Avery) Security evolves over 20 years Many of the basic security upgrades at Orlando’s theme parks after 9/11 have remained today, but resorts have adjusted as new threats and technologies emerged. In the months after the attacks, Disney, Universal and SeaWorld searches of guest bags were so intensive that they included removing batteries and tapes from video cameras to ensure they were not weapons in disguise. At Disney and Universal, off-duty officers from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and Orlando Police Department supervised bag searches outside the gates while private security patrolled inside. After hours, officers would bring bomb-sniffing dogs into the parks. Disney also installed gates capable of withstanding vehicle rammings at employee and vendor entrances and, with the help of federal authorities, established a no-fly zone over its parks. The company briefly used metal detectors in 2004 before they returned in late 2015 as all area theme parks began using the technology following deadly attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, Calif. The 2015 attacks sparked other security changes at area parks during an active holiday season. All three resorts enhanced their security; at Disney, police dogs again patrolled the property. Disney also stopped selling toy guns and banned guests 14 and older from wearing costumes at the resort. In January 2016, Disney and Universal representatives confirmed the companies hired additional security employees but declined to provide details on the security expansion at the time. The shooting at Pulse nightclub in downtown Orlando brought new concerns months later. Omar Mateen, the shooter who killed 49 people and wounded dozens more early on June 12, was at Disney Springs and near Epcot just hours before the shooting, court records showed. Authorities said the shooter’s wife told them her husband contemplated attacking Disney Springs and during her trial prosecutors argued he planned to conceal his gun in a stroller and bring it into the shopping district. Additional security cameras were added to Disney Springs following the shooting, though at the time Disney said their installation had been planned for months prior. The COVID-19 pandemic brought security to the forefront of park operations once again, said Avery, now a lecturer at the University of Florida and a managing member at Event Safety & Security Services. Before, where security personnel might just be “going through the motions” in performing bag checks, COVID made personnel aware of potential lapses, he said. Security technologies have also advanced because of the pandemic, including touchless systems used to scan bags and take guests’ temperatures. Temperature screenings became standard as parks reopened, and visitors lined up to have their foreheads scanned for nearly a year until parks began phasing out the practice in May. Disney also upgraded its security checkpoint technology in summer 2020 with walk-through weapons detectors that scan guests using an artificial intelligence system. Disney also instituted bag checks at Disney Springs’ entrances in 2020. The exact technologies and strategies used at parks largely remain trade secrets. Representatives for Disney, Universal and SeaWorld all declined to discuss specifics of their parks’ security measures for this story. Local law enforcement also works alongside area theme parks to keep the properties secure. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has a dedicated sector to monitor Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, which encompass Disney property, and works with Disney and SeaWorld security. The Orlando Police Department helps monitor Universal. For theme park companies, not talking about their security measures is a security decision itself, Avery said. “We’re close-lipped in this industry about our security protocols, with good reason,” Avery said. “You don’t want these protocols, and the exact measures we’re taking, to be leaked to the public because then they can test the vulnerabilities of it.” Walt Disney World Security officers at the International Gateway entrance to Epcot, Tuesday, August 31, 2021. The security force has 800 on staff to patrol the 40+ square-miles complex of theme parks, restaurants and hotels. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) Guest security and comfort Security often works so seamlessly behind the scenes that guests don’t notice it, said Jim Seay, president of Premier Rides and former chair of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions’ Global Safety Committee. The events of 9/11 made theme park security more visible. Bringing metal detecting technologies to theme parks was “a very big deal,” because it could hurt the fantasy experience, Seay said. “You have this intense aspect of security laid on top of you when you enter the park, and it starts the day at a point where you’re only focused on security as a guest,” he said. Technological advancements make screening less intrusive and inconvenient for guests, said Todd McGhee, co-founder of Protecting the Homeland Innovations. Now, security can screen multiple people at once, lessening the time visitors spend in line and in close proximity with each other. Innovations such as high-frequency radio wave systems and facial and biometric scanners can provide better security at a fraction of the time, Avery said, and theme park companies are consistently looking toward emerging technologies that can handle large crowds safely and efficiently. Theme parks also are sharing more security information on a global level to be better prepared to respond to emerging threats. McGhee helped develop a mass notification system called the IAAPA Security Advisory Program. It debuted in 2017 to alert IAAPA members about global and regional safety and security events. “Oftentimes the expression [is], ‘Not if, but when,’” he said. “And I think that what I’ve seen is that the theme park industry is open-minded to see what happens within aviation, or mass transit, and then self-reflect: ‘If that happened here, are we prepared for the response?’ ... In a post-9/11 world, we just can’t look at a specific incident in a specific industry.” Theme parks bear the responsibility of keeping guest safety at the forefront, but visitors can help keep themselves safe by reporting suspicious activity they see at the parks, Avery, McGhee and Seay said. “It’s supposed to be a lifetime memory to come to a theme park or an amusement park, and that should be [guests’] focus, because the professionals are spending their time to make sure that they’re in a safe environment,” Seay said. krice@orlandosentinel.com Katie Rice Orlando Sentinel

First Look - First Sculptures In Disney Fab 50 Character Collection Unveiled | Magic Kingdom ParkView the full article

Disney’s Contemporary Resort is undergoing a BIG renovation right now, with new Disney theming coming to the guest rooms, the Wave…of American Flavors turning into Steakhouse 71, and changes to the lobby as well. Construction at the Contemporary Most of these projects are still ongoing, but we spotted one finished project inside this morning! Theming is all in the details, so we think the subtle update fits the Contemporary perfectly. The Contemporary Resort elevators have been updated with a new design! New Contemporary Resort elevators We saw earlier this week that the elevators weren’t in service… Elevator not in service sign …and now that they’re back, we can see why the elevators were closed. They’ve been getting a refurbishment! New design The new design is very…well…contemporary-looking. It’s a matte silver background with shiny silver designs, including diagonal stripes on one side and a monorail design on the other! Very fitting Very fitting for this modern Monorail resort! More changes are coming soon to the Contemporary, like new Incredibles-themed rooms… Incredibles Room ©Disney …a brand new Steakhouse 71 restaurant taking over the Wave… Steakhouse 71 ©Disney …and even more changes in the lobby area. The lobby at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Keep following DFB, and we’ll let you know about more changes happening around Disney World. Click Here to See the First 50th Anniversary Character Statues that Arrived 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 What do you think of the new Contemporary elevator design? Let us know in the comments! The post PHOTOS: The FIRST Signs of the BIG Renovation at Disney's Contemporary Resort Have Been Spotted! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Growing up, I can still remember the euphoric feeling while walking down Main Street, U.S.A. and seeing the beloved Partners Statue of Mickey Mouse and Walt Disney. This statue has become a beacon of inspiration and joy at the Magic Kingdom Park, just as the new Disney Fab 50 Character Collection of sculptures being installed for the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration will instill that same sense of wonder and excitement for guests.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/2kI_hY1GVZcView the full article

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. It’s September now, which means Halloween is less than two months away! Mickey Pumpkin at Disneyland While some of us like to celebrate the Halloween season in a big way, others might prefer to show their spooky side in a more subtle way. We searched the internet for the best Halloween t-shirts for people who don’t want to go full spooky, so let’s get into it! We’ve compiled a list of ten spooky t-shirt options for people who don’t want to wear bright orange or some kind of terrifying character. These shirts are available from BoxLunch, Target, shopDisney, and Hot Topic, and some of them are even on sale! Let’s start with The Nightmare Before Christmas His Sally Women’s T-Shirt that’s on sale at BoxLunch for $23.12. ©BoxLunch This shirt is 100% cotton with a white image of Sally on a black background. The Sally T-Shirt is currently 20% off and comes in sizes small to 2XL. Shop the His Sally T-Shirt at BoxLunch here! If you want to be even more low-key, this The Nightmare Before Christmas Jack Pocket Scribbles Women’s T-Shirt is on sale at BoxLunch for 20% off at $23.12. This t-shirt features Jack’s grinning face in a white outline on a black background. ©BoxLunch The Jack T-Shirt comes in women’s sizes small to 2XL and is 100% cotton. Get the Jack Pocket Scribbles T-Shirt at BoxLunch now! Another spooky option for Disney people is this Mickey Mouse Ears Halloween Icons Women’s T-Shirt from BoxLunch, which features an orange Mickey head shape made up of a Halloween print including pumpkins, skulls, bats, ghosts, and more. From far away, it just looks like an orange Mickey! ©BoxLunch Like the other t-shirts, this shirt is 100% cotton and on sale for $23.12. It comes in women’s sizes small to 2XL. This is a great option to wear for Disney World’s BOO Bash After Hours Party! Find the Mickey Mouse Ears Halloween Icons T-Shirt here! The Nightmare Before Christmas Oogie Boogie Moon T-Shirt features a tiny iconic image of the outline of Oogie Boogie on the moon. This t-shirt comes in men’s sizes, with sizes small to 2XL for 20% off at $23.12, and size 3XL at $24.72. ©BoxLunch This Oogie Boogie T-Shirt is made with 100% combed ring-spun cotton for a soft, lightweight feel. Get the Oogie Boogie Moon T-Shirt here! Let’s take a trip over to Target now, where you can find the Women’s Halloween Pumpkin Face Graphic T-Shirt for only $8! This t-shirt features a winking jack-o’-lantern face on a soft orange background. Super cute and just a little spooky. ©Target The Pumpkin T-Shirt comes in sizes XS through XXL, and plus sizes 1X to 3X. A few sizes are already sold out, so you might want to order now! Here’s the Women’s Halloween Pumpkin Face T-Shirt at Target! At shopDisney we found two great options, including this Hocus Pocus Woven Shirt for Adults by Her Universe, which features a Hocus Pocus-inspired print of symbols from the 1993 film on a black background. It costs $69.99 in sizes small through 3XL. ©shopDisney From far away it looks like a fun, colorful print, but up close you can see the candlestick, cauldron, Binx the cat, and more. Sizes are going fast, so don’t hesitate to order soon! Shop the Hocus Pocus Woven Shirt here! There’s also a Customizable American Apparel Maleficent T-Shirt, which can be customized onto several different t-shirt styles, colors, and even men’s or women’s sizing! It costs $24.95. ©shopDisney You can pick the background color of your choice, or maybe you want it in a v-neck t-shirt style. You can really make this Maleficent T-Shirt your own. Customize your own Maleficent T-Shirt here! And finally, at Hot Topic, we found three more t-shirts that might work for you, like this Disney Hocus Pocus The Sisters Tarot T-Shirt. This t-shirt features artwork of the Sanderson Sisters and other Hocus Pocus imagery as a tarot card. ©Hot Topic The cream background and detailed art make this a more subtle spooky t-shirt you could wear all year! Sizes small to XL are $18.32, 2XL is $19.92, and 3XL is $21.52. Find the Hocus Pocus The Sisters Tarot Card T-Shirt here! For all the cat people out there, you could wear the Disney Hocus Pocus Cat Person T-Shirt starring Binx himself from Hocus Pocus. On a grey background, Binx is in three different poses with “I’m a Cat Person” written alongside him. This t-shirt comes in sizes small to XL at $18.32, 2XL at $19.92, and 3XL is $21.52. ©Hot Topic Whether you’re a cat person or a Hocus Pocus fan (or both!), this is one of those spooky tees you could wear any time of year, and certainly all through the Halloween season! Get the Hocus Pocus Cat Person T-Shirt here! And last but not least, The Nightmare Before Christmas Zero Pocket Scribble T-Shirt has a tiny almost transparent ghostly image of Zero in sizes small to XL at $18.32, 2XL at $19.92, and 3XL is $21.52. ©Hot Topic This t-shirt stars Zero the ghost dog from The Nightmare Before Christmas in a soft cotton blend. If subtle is the name of the game, a tiny ghost fits the bill. Shop the Zero Pocket Scribble T-Shirt here! So that’s ten different t-shirts with subtle spooky vibes! Do any of them fit your style? Keep reading DFB for all your Disney and Halloween merchandise news! Here’s how to decorate your entire house with Halloween merchandise for under $100! 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 kinds of Halloween clothing are you looking for? Tell us in the comments! The post 10 Subtly Spooky Tees You NEED For Halloween SZN 👻 first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There have been some changes happening around Disney’s Magic Kingdom today in preparation for the 50th Anniversary Celebrations! Get ready to celebrate 50 years of Disney World! All around the park, we’re hunting down the new golden Disney character statues, which appeared today. But that wasn’t the only change we saw in the Magic Kingdom — some construction walls around a big project on Main Street have finally come down! The Main Street Confectionery has been closed for a while now due to renovations happening inside. There have been construction walls up around the sweet shop for a while now… Construction Walls in front of the Confectionery …but this morning we saw that the walls are down! No more walls! There are no more construction walls around the confectionery, but it’s still not open for guests yet. Main Street Confectionery There are signs on the window pointing guests to the Main Street Cinema to find the Confectionery’s treats there. Head to the Main Street Cinema to find the Confectionery’s sweets We checked the Disney World refurbishments calendar, and the Confectionery is still listed as being under construction through mid-November at least. Of course, this can change at any time. Still not open yet! We’ll keep our eyes peeled and our fingers crossed, just in case it opens a little earlier than planned! Keep following DFB, and we’ll let you know about all the Disney World news. Click Here to Get a Sneak Peek at the Music for Magic Kingdom’s New Fireworks Show 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’s your favorite treat in Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments! The post The Main Street Confectionery Construction Walls Are GONE in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

In a perfect world, your Disney World budgeting tactics will have paid off SPLENDIDLY. Disney’s Beach Club Resort Not only will you be prepared for those pricey resort stays, dining options, plane tickets, and any other side funds for just-in-case purposes, but you’ll also be able to find a random bit of “splurge” money leftover — just for you to treat yo’self with! How much? How about $500 extra? Check out more details about What Difference Does $500 Make in Disney World!  Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! Check out our latest video and then comment below: Your favorite thing to splurge on in Disney World. The post DFB Video: What Difference Does 0 Make in Disney World? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’re headed to Disney World soon, you might already be crossing your fingers for that Rise of the Resistance Boarding Group. Rise of the Resistance We’ve seen a few changes to the Virtual Queue process for this ride over the recent months. As it stands, you can snag a spot at 7AM as long as you have a Disney Park Pass reservation for Disney’s Hollywood Studios and at 1PM as long as you have been admitted to the park that day. The process is similar in Disneyland. Now, there’s been ANOTHER change to make snagging a Boarding Group a little easier. According to theme park reporter Scott Gustin on Twitter, Disney has made a change to the Virtual Queue process in BOTH Disney World and Disneyland. Rise of the Resistance Now, instead of confirming your party when groups drop at 7AM, you can confirm your party up to an hour before in the My Disney Experience app. Beginning at 6AM, you can tap into the Virtual Queue and set your party so that you have fewer steps when Boarding Groups are available at 7AM. When the window opens, you can refresh the page and join the Virtual Queue with one less button to press! If you’ve tried to get a Boarding Group before, you know that every second counts. This change could make the process easier. Rise of the Resistance We’ll be sure to give this new process a try and report on how it’s working. As always, keep an eye on DFB for the latest Disney news and updates! Want to learn more about Rise of the Resistance? Click here! Want MORE Details About Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge? Click HERE for All the News and Details for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge — Including Our REVIEWS! We're LIVE at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in Disneyland The ULTIMATE GUIDE to Disney's Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge PHOTOS: Build Your Own Astromech Droid at the Droid Depot in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run - REVIEW AND TIPS PHOTO TOUR: Don-Okdar's Den of Antiquities PHOTO TOUR: Head Inside Oga's Cantina in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge With Us! Go INSIDE Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in Disney’s Galaxy’s Edge! See How the Interactive Technology for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Will Blow Your Mind! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What do you think of this change? Tell us in the comments! The post Getting a Rise of the Resistance Boarding Group Just Got Even Easier! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Prost! In case you missed it, Biergarten in EPCOT’s Germany Pavilion recently became a buffet again. Is Biergarten better now that it’s a buffet again? Well… After Disney World’s reopening, Biergarten switched to a family-style all-you-can-eat menu, and we’ll have to admit, while many of the foods were the same as at the previous buffet, the family-style presentation was wonderful. But now that it’s reverted to a buffet, so how does it fare? Well, let’s find out. Atmosphere One thing we can say about Biergarten as a buffet — the atmosphere has mostly remained the same. You’ll find it in the back of the Germany Pavilion — and you might miss it if you’re not looking for the painted sign just above it. Go through the archway below the sign, and you’ll find the podium where you can check-in. Check in here! Note that this restaurant uses Mobile Dine Check-in, which allows you to check-in via the My Disney Experience app. There’s also a QR code you can use at the check-in desk that allows you to check-in. Whichever method you choose, you’ll be notified via text when it’s time to be seated! Dining Reservation Check-in or Availability Once inside, you’ll notice that this Disney World restaurant is VERY unique. It’s basically set up like an authentic German beer garden! The story (because every Disney experience has a story) is that this quaint Bavarian village is celebrating Oktoberfest and you get to experience it! No matter when you eat here, for lunch or dinner, every experience is set on this Oktoberfest evening. And see that stage? This is where you’ll see LIVE polka music, dancing, and entertainment throughout your meal! It’s a beer garden! You’ll also see tables and chairs, as well as longer communal dining tables. Because of the storyline of this restaurant, it does stay kinda’ dark in here, no matter when you dine. But when the performers are on stage, it really lights up the whole experience (literally and musically)! Seating Also, it’s helpful to know that, traditionally, guests dining here are seated at communal tables, meaning that you could be seated with another family. Right now, depending on availability, Biergarten is currently seating one party per table, but your experience may vary. If you have concerns about being seated with another family, make sure you address that with the host or hostess when you check-in so they can work with you. A smaller table for four At the entrance, you’ll spy a sign noting when you can catch the Oktoberfest Musikanten. For many guests, this band is a highlight of a visit to Biergarten, so come prepared to get loud and silly and occasionally yell out “Zicke zacke, zicke zacke, hoi hoi hoi!” Showtimes! Like we said, you’re getting a meal AND entertainment here. And it’s always SO much fun to watch the lively performances. Note — if you’re looking for a quiet meal, you ain’t gonna’ get it here, at least not when the band is out. Feel free to clap along (or bang your big mugs of beer on the tables) to the music — that’s what they do in Germany! Polka band We especially like the guys with what we call the “Ricola Horns.” They’re actually called Alphorns, and honestly, where else at Disney World are you going to get to experience that? Previously, the stage area in front of the stage was open to guests to come dance. This was especially popular with children. For now though, the stage area still remains roped off to discourage gathering in front to dance. Alphorns You’ll catch a variety of German classics mixed with a bit of Disney magic here. We love hearing the traditional German Bell Ringing! Such unique music! Or you might get treated to a really funky cool tune played on the Holzern G’lachter (basically, a Bavarian Xylophone!). Playing the Thither! This place is such a blast. We seriously can’t understate how great the band here is. These guys have been making fantastic music in EPCOT for years and it’s well worth a trip just to listen to the lively tunes! Polka! Yes, we’re here for the entertainment, but then again, we’re also here for the food, so let’s dive in. Eats The general layout of the restaurant is big open dining area in raised levels surrounding the stage with the buffet behind you. You’ll pass the buffet as you enter. The buffet stations are laid out by course — so you’ll find all the salads at one station, the meats at another, etc. Note that you must remain masked while up and moving around through the buffet. Masks can only be taken off when you’re stationary and eating. Sanitizer is available at the buffet as well, if you wish to use it. Buffet Station As we mentioned, this was previously a family-style all-you-can-eat meal, and we were surprised at how good the food was when we visited it last year. Yes, we lost the ability to pick and choose our foods with the setup (which, with a more unique cuisine people may not be as familiar with like German food, we thought could pose a problem for pickier eaters), but the meal offered so much comfort and space to dine that we loved the experience. But it’s now a buffet again, so that means there’s a much larger variety of food to dig into. We’re going to go ahead and say it now, though — sometimes less is more. But we’ll get to that in a bit. Pricing is as follows: $46 per adult (plus tax and gratuity) and $25 per child (plus tax and gratuity). Our spread For drinks, there are a variety of beers available — and yes, you can get those gigantic 1-liter mugs full of beer if that’s your thing. ©Disney You can also get a variety of German Wines, as well as Schnapps and Shots. Alcoholic drinks come with an additional charge. ©Disney A variety of non-alcoholic drinks are also available, including Assorted Fountain Drinks, Coffee, Tea, and German Spezi. These are included in the price of the meal. ©Disney When it comes to food, German specialties are what’s on offer on the buffet, along with seasonal salads, sides, and assorted desserts. As buffets are being phased back in across Disney property, we’ve noticed that the online lists “Partial Listings” as offerings may vary from day to day. But these are the standard options you can expect with some other variety brought as it becomes seasonally available. ©Disney For drinks, we kept it simple and ordered Diet Coke. Then it was time to hit the buffet, masked up, to get our grub! We started with cold salads, cheeses, meats, and soups. “Salads” in this context refers more to cold veggie and noodle salads. Many are premade and you just scoop and go. This can be great, if you like that sort of thing, or a turn-off, if you don’t know exactly what you’re scooping! First up, time to grab a plate! Plates The Cucumber Salad is an old favorite — it was very fresh! The cucumbers were pickled and that added a nice blend of flavor with the tomatoes. Cucumber Salad They also offer a Three Bean Salad… Three Bean Salad …Macaroni Salad (we actually really enjoy this creamy cold mayo-based macaroni salad!)… Macaroni Salad …a traditional German Cold Potato Salad… Potato Salad …MORE cucumber salad, this time in a creamy base… Cucumber Salad …Pickled Beet Salad (a hit or miss, depending on how much you love a good beet!)… Beets! …a small selection of cheeses (Cheddar and Swiss Cubes)… Cheese …butter balls… ALL THE BUTTER …and a selection of cold meats. Meats Forewarning, there’s NOT a lot in terms of descriptions for some of these. Feel free to ask a Cast Member for a description of what you’re about to put on your plate if you’re not sure! They’re happy to help. Fortune favors the bold, right? We recommend you step out of your comfort zone and pick a few new-to-you foods to try! Sausage You never know what new favorites you might discover! Cold Meats Now, as far as actual “salad” they DO have a small selection — basically some lettuce and dressing! The salad star here is those prepared salads, so dive in and give a few a try! Salads Of course, no trip to this buffet is complete without a big bowl of their bonkers good Beer Cheese Soup. This is less “soup” and more like cheese dip, really. It’s THICK, rich, and decadent. A little bowl will do ya! ALL THE YUM Our tip? Dunk it with some of the delish Pretzel Rolls on hand! These are the BOMB Oh, look, we’re eating cheese again — big surprise, right? The soup was very creamy and cheesy with lots of bacon in it. And we’re going to go ahead and tell you that it’s the best thing we had here this time! The Pretzel Rolls, though, are also still pretty good. Soup, Salad, Bread, and Cheese Ready for round 2? You want meat? There is a TON of meat to choose from here. You’ve got Traditional Sausages (usually Bratwurst and Bockwurst)… Traditional German sausages …Roasted Chicken… Roasted Chicken …Meatballs… Meatballs …(with lots of extra gravy close by!)… Extra gravy on hand! …Pork Schnitzel (this is a solid pick for pickier eaters and kids in your crew — it’s a thin crispy breaded boneless piece of pork!)… Hello crispy fried pork schnitzel! …Pork Loin (at a carving station)… Carving Station …and Sauerbraten. For anyone not familiar with Sauerbraten, it is the German cousin to pot roast, usually served with a rich gravy. Don’t let the unique name fool ya! Sauerbraten …and Seasonal Fish. On our visit, it was a Salmon in a dill sauce. Salmon with dill sauce Plus there are loads of sides like Spätzle (the most nummy tiny buttery pasta bites with a slight herb flavor. if you have kids, prepare for them to ask for a plate of JUST this, it’s so good!)… Spätzle …Roasted Potatoes… Roasted Potatoes …Sauerkraut… Sauerkraut …Green Beans… Chicken and Green Beans …Warm German Potato Salad in a vinegary sauce… Warm German Potato Salad …and Red Cabbage. Red Cabbage The Kids’ area has Sausages… Sausage …Potato Pancakes… Potato pancakes …Mac & Cheese… Mac and Cheeeeeeeese …and Peas and Carrots. Peas and Carrots There are also condiments scattered around as needed. You’ll spy plenty of Ketchup, grainy Mustard, and Applesauce… Condiments …and what would Potato Pancakes be without Applesauce and Sour Cream?! Sour Cream and Applesauce Back at our table with round 2, we dove in. The Sauerbraten was very tender and had a nice tanginess to it — we thought it was better than the pork loin. The pork loin, which we picked up at the carving station, was simply roasted and was fine but nothing super special and we found it to be a little dry. Plate full of meat The Pork Schnitzel and Meatballs were probably our favorite meats. It’s hard NOT to like breaded and fried meat, and pork schnitzel is just that! Though this version did come across a little bland, it was fresh and crispy, and, with a little help from our good friend gravy, it was pretty tasty. Meats and Potatoes! The Sausages were good but seemed to lack some of the flavors that we would expect. Likely a result of Disney trying to make foods more accessible to American palates. Luckily, there is sauerkraut and mustard available to help “zhuzh up” your sausages with some extra tang. Sausage The Sauerkraut, though, was great. If you’re a sauerkraut fan, you’ll love this! And if you’re not, it might be worth trying a small bit of this option to see what you think. This is far from the canned stuff you find in the grocery store. This warm cabbage side complements the sauerbraten perfectly, and can you really have a bratwurst without sauerkraut? We liked the sauerkraut We also grabbed the Potato Pancakes from the Kids’ buffet area. All’s fair game at a buffet, and we’re not above raiding the kids’ section! And we weren’t disappointed, where else would we be able to find two different starchy sides each in their own version of perfection: crispy, fried potato pancakes right next to our long-time friend, Mac and Cheese! Sadly, though Nudel Gratin was listed on the menu, but we didn’t see it during our trips to the buffet. We suspect it just wasn’t out when we visited. So, we consoled ourselves with the less-sophisticated, but still ever so cheesy dish from the kids’ section. Do you SEE the THIKK layer of cheese melted on top? Mac and cheese and Potato Pancakes With all of the meat, and potatoes, and cheesy-noodly goodness we already had piled on our plate, we had to grab some Green Beans, you know, to balance it out. The green beans were warm and fresh but leaned a little on the undercooked side. They also seemed to lack seasoning, so we definitely adding some salt and pepper to them. Our plate OK, 2 plates down, one to go. Desserts included a lot of offerings here. Time for a little something sweet! There’s Black Forest Cake… Black Forest Cake Roulade …Blueberry Cobbler Cheesecake… Blueberry Cobbler Cheesecake …Biergarten’s light, fluffy take on cheesecake (this is actually really yummy!)… Cheesecake …some fresh Pineapple (cause why not!)… Pineapple …Red Berry Compote for whatever you feel like topping… Red Berries …Brownies with Pretzels… Brownies …a selection of Cookies… Cookies …and did we mention apple strudel? Of course, there’s apple strudel! We had to grab this classic. And as much as we wanted to love it (and have many times in the past!), it could’ve been better if it was served warm, maybe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. A Vanilla Sauce is on hand to ladle over if you want a bit of a creamy extra. Sweet apples, flaky pastry — it’s German apple pie and we’re here for it. If you’re a fan of classic and simple desserts, this one is for you! Apple Strudel We liked the Blueberry Cobbler Cheesecake — it had some fun spices in it. And well, you can never go wrong with cheesecake. Of all the desserts, this was probably our favorite. Everything else was good, but not mind-blowingly good. For the chocolate lover, you’ll likely really love the Brownies. They were extra chocolatey with the chocolate chips added and had that great chewy, fudgy consistency. The Black Forest Cake was full of whipped cream and cherries and was much lighter flavored than you might expect for a rich chocolate dessert. Desserts! To sum up, this is a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal. It has lots of meat (especially pork…pork loin, pork schnitzel, pork sausages…) and classic sides like potatoes, green beans, and cheesy noodles. So don’t let the fancy German names like sauerbraten or spätzle throw you off. If you like fried meat, sausage, and noodles, you’ll like Biergarten. Nosh Or Not… Make reservations at Biergarten if… If you like meat (particularly pork) and starchy sides like potatoes and noodles! This is a meal made to FILL YOU UP. You want to eat authentic German food — the food here is legit, if not spectacular. But it is the only place to get German food at Disney World. You love beer. You can get a LOT of beer here for a pretty decent price. You don’t mind a lively — and noisy — atmosphere. It can get pretty loud in here at times. Skip Biergarten if… You want the best food at Disney World. This is not a signature dining experience, especially now that it’s a buffet again. We think it’s good, but there’s much better food out there if a buffet of meat isn’t your thing. You don’t like noisy restaurants. As we previously mentioned, things can get loud in here. You’re vegan or on a limited diet. For some, the meat-heavy menu might bode well, but if you don’t do meat or dairy, this spot can be challenging. You’re looking to eat lighter with a lot of healthy options, though there is a salad bar, most of the food is heavy, rich food and it would be hard to justify the price of the buffet to just eat off of the salad bar. Plus, many of the salads are tossed in thick creamy sauces! Overall There are pros and cons to Biergarten returning to the buffet option. We think the quality of food was better when it was served family-style, but the options were limited and all of the food was served on the same platter. Guests who may not enjoy juice from sauerkraut or pickled beets mixing in with their spätzle and pork loin might not enjoy the family-style platter with everything piled in together. At the buffet, you have more control over what you choose, how much, and if any of your entree selections “interact.” While it was fresh when we ate here, we could still taste that difference in quality. What can we say? Buffets are returning to Disney World whether we like it or not. We thoroughly enjoyed everything we ate here, though we did enjoy some options more than others (beer cheese soup, schnitzel, and pretzel rolls — we’ll be back for you!). If Biergarten makes your list of places to check, we think you’ll find some new favorites. This is a spot we find you can usually get a last-minute reservation. It’s not the MOST popular spot in World Showcase, but we really enjoy our visits here. If you’re in the market for German cuisine in Disney World, it’s a solid pick, but just know it’s not the BEST food you’ll likely find while in Disney World. Considering the cost, you might be better off choosing a different cuisine unless the buffet really speaks to you and your palate. If you’ll be picking at a plate of Spätzle and wondering why you picked this place since you hate all the foods, consider a different option. We will say that the service here is fantastic, and that’s something to keep in mind, too. In our experience, we’ve taken adults and kids alike here and had great visits. There are certainly more unique German foods for the adventurous, as well as plenty of simple meats and starches. You’ll likely find plenty to please you, which is something we couldn’t necessarily say when this was family style. We do miss the “OMG, do we have this place ALL TO OURSELVES?!” vibe this place used to throw down when the family-style menu was being served though. This spot was a dark, cool respite from the heat and crowds. It still is, but the experience is different. Depending on your personal tastes, you might prefer the new way to the old or vice versa. Give it a try and see what you think! Read Our Previous Review of Biergarten Before It Became A Buffet Again 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? Do you prefer family style or buffet? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: Disney World's Lively German Buffet is Back, But is It Better? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Exploring Walt Disney’s Railroad Barn With A Disney Legend | Disney Files On DemandView the full article

The countdown continues, as we are 23 days away from the beginning of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” on Oct. 1 at Walt Disney World Resort. You may have read the interview with Merchandise Graphic Designer Desma Thompson on the Celebration Collection. Today we are giving you an in-depth, behind-the-magic look at the Vault Collection filled with nostalgic replicas from the 1970s – with a modern twist!http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/FfFX0HFoj68View the full article

We are just a few short weeks away from Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration. Main Street, U.S.A. Railroad Station In preparation for the 18 month-long event, Disney World has introduced new fireworks shows, spruced up Cinderella Castle, announced special character costumes, special merchandise, and more. On top of all of this, Disney is adding 50 interactive GOLDEN character statues to the parks. All 50 statues have been announced and now the first 50th anniversary statues have been spotted in Magic Kingdom. We recently shared that the well-known hub statues had been removed. No more statues Now, they have been replaced with brand new golden statues. Statues of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Chip, Dale, Pluto, and more have arrived! Mickey and Minnie They aren’t as golden as we were expecting, but they are still a stunning addition to the park. Mickey We can’t wait for the rest of the statues to show up around the parks. Stay tuned to DFB for all your need-to-know Disney news. Have a great day! Learn more about Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration HERE! 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 visiting Disney World during the 50th anniversary? Let us know in the comments below. The post PHOTOS: The First 50th Anniversary Character Statutes Have Arrived in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney Cruise Line will have all four of its ships sailing from the U.S. by the end of October as it announced the date for the return of Disney Magic to Florida while also announcing the resumption of longer sailings on Disney Fantasy. View the full article

SeaWorld Orlando touts an early preview of Ice Breaker roller coaster as annual-passholder benefit. There are strings attached. View the full article Ice Breaker is scheduled to open at SeaWorld Orlando in February. (Dewayne Bevil / Orlando Sentinel) SeaWorld Orlando is touting an early preview of its upcoming Ice Breaker roller coaster as an annual passholder benefit, but there are a couple of strings attached. To be invited to the exclusive preview, passholders must visit SeaWorld Orlando at least three different days between now and Dec. 31. They also must be opted in for emails that will contain the invite to the evening, which will be the first pass preview night scheduled. An exact date was not announced. Participants must continue to be passholders through Feb. 28. Scenes from the construction site of Ice Breaker, a roller coaster scheduled to open at SeaWorld Orlando theme park in February 2022. (Dewayne Bevil / Orlando Sentinel) Ice Breaker is scheduled to debut in February after months of delays. The coaster, which features multiple launches and a dead-end spike, faces the theme park’s central lake and is adjacent to Bayside Stadium, Wild Arctic and Shamu Stadium. A similar promotion is planned for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay passholders for that theme park’s debut of Iron Gwazi in March. SeaWorld also revealed its list of festivals for 2022. New in the lineup is a St. Patrick’s Day celebration built into the Seven Seas Food Festival. It makes reference to a second year of Howl-O-Scream in September and October 2022. SeaWorld Orlando’s first Howl-O-Scream debuts Friday. The park’s gentler Halloween event called Spooktacular is scheduled for this year and next year too. Meanwhile, back in 2021, SeaWorld has announced it’s extending its Craft Beer Festival, held on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, through the end of October. It was scheduled to end this Sunday. Dewayne Bevil Orlando Sentinel

It’s almost Disney World’s 50th anniversary! Happily Ever After Fireworks The 18-month long celebration kicks off on October 1st with new entertainment, experiences, and MORE! One of the most anticipated things coming to Disney World is the new nighttime spectacular, Disney Enchantment. That means that Happily Ever After (the current fireworks show at Magic Kingdom) is going away soon, and guests trying to see the show tonight might have to wait a bit! We were hanging out at Magic Kingdom when we heard an overhead announcement that Happily Ever After was being delayed tonight. Plenty of guests were still crowded around the castle to watch the show before it goes away later this month! The announcement did not say how long the show would be delayed, but it did mention that it was due to inclement weather. Happily Ever After Crowds Tonight Sometimes firework shows get cancelled if the weather does not seem to be improving, but Disney has only announced a delay so far. We’ll continue to update you on the latest from the Disney parks, so stay tuned! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! 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 part of Happily Ever After in Disney World? Let us know in the comments! The post Happily Ever After Fireworks DELAYED Tonight in Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Many of us enjoy having a pop (or MANY pops) of Disney around the kitchen. So many mugs, so little time Sometimes that comes down to Disney mugs, aprons, or kitchen towels, but have you ever wanted to store your food in a Disney container? Imagine every time you open your fridge to eat some leftovers, there’s Mickey and all his besties! If you enjoy storing your food in Disney kitchenware, Pyrex just released a new collection of Mickey and Friends storage containers, such as this 6-Piece Pyrex Set of Round Mickey and Friends glass containers for $30. ©Pyrex They also released this 2-Cup Pyrex Measuring Cup that features Mickey and Pluto on one side, and Minnie on the other for $8. ©Pyrex If you prefer to shop on Amazon, you can find this 8-Piece Pyrex Set of Mickey and Friends glass storage containers with plastic lids for $39.99. Each container has a different design and different color lid, with images of Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, and Daisy, along with cute phrases like “Already Fabulous” or “Forever Friends.” ©Pyrex ©Amazon The round containers hold 4 cups, while the rectangle containers hold 3 cups, and these containers are dishwasher, microwave, AND freezer safe, all for $39.99 on Amazon. Buy the 8-Piece Set of Mickey & Friends Pyrex Storage Dishes here! You can find the new Pyrex Mickey and Friends Collection on Pyrex’s website and select items on Amazon. Keep reading DFB for all your Disney merchandise news and updates! Add some spooky new mugs to your kitchen for under $10! 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 have any Disney kitchenware? Tell us in the comments! The post Disney's New Pyrex Collection Will Make You EXCITED to Meal Prep! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Look around Tenaya Stone Spa and you can’t help but feel the tranquil beauty of California’s Yosemite Valley. Natural elements are everywhere, from the wood rounds in the flooring and décor of agate and quartz crystals to a chandelier made of old tree roots hanging in the boutique. A closer look at the design details […]http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/dCy1bnWldKgView the full article

Disney World Annual Passes are now on sale again! ©Disney Disney recently announced a brand new Annual Pass system with four new Annual Pass options. The new program comes with some changes including bonus Park Pass Reservations for current Annual Passholders, a new calendar system, and more. One of the biggest changes is the fact that PhotoPass is no longer included with any of the Annual Pass options, and if you’re thinking of adding it to your pass, there is an important detail you need to know about! PhotoPass is now an add-on for Disney World Annual Passes at $99 per pass. If guests are purchasing Annual Passes for their entire family, it might make sense for a lot of families to buy this add-on for ONE person’s Annual Pass. However, we made an interesting discovery for any groups trying to do that. Disney World Annual Pass When going to purchase several Annual Passes, we noticed that Disney automatically adds PhotoPass for EACH Annual Pass you are buying. For example, we looked to purchase two Annual Passes at once and if we wanted the PhotoPass add-on, we would have to pay for it for BOTH passes ($198 total). We also tested this with kids Annual Passes and it added the PhotoPass automatically for those passes too. The Disney World website did NOT give us the option to pick and choose which Annual Pass had the PhotoPass add-on — it was automatically added when we checked the PhotoPass box. ©Disney This can REALLY add up if you are buying Annual Passes for your entire family, and for groups with young kids, it may not make sense for them to have their own PhotoPass add-on. Also, you can have up to 25 people on your Family and Friends list in My Disney Experience that can take photos and they will show up on your account. Disney PhotoPass Studio To avoid adding PhotoPass to every pass, buy the Annual Passes one at a time instead of grabbing them all in one transaction. Another way to avoid this situation is to add PhotoPass at a later time. We confirmed with a Cast Member that you can buy an Annual Pass WITHOUT PhotoPass, and add it on later. Cast Members also confirmed that this is the same for the Water Parks and Sports add-on. Cinderella Castle So if you are looking to buy several Annual Passes, but don’t want each pass to have PhotoPass, you know how to avoid it! We’ll continue to keep you updated on the latest Disney World Annual Passholder news, so stay tuned. Understanding Disney World’s New Annual Pass Program in 500 Words or Less 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. Did you buy a new Disney World Annual Pass? Let us know in the comments! The post Read This If You Want to Add PhotoPass to Your Disney World Annual Pass first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The new Tenaya Stone Spa opens on September 16, 2021, at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at Disneyland Resort – and we’re sharing another sneak peek! First, be sure to see our recent story on the Disney Parks Blog for an introduction to this all-new, one-of-a-kind retreat. Tenaya Stone Spa is a new 6,000 […]http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/q4KxCoFpzt8View the full article

Peyton Elizabeth Lee Shares Her Favorite Things From Aulani, A Disney Resort & SpaView the full article

Disney Parks holiday popcorn buckets are such fun and collectible souvenirs. Mickey Mummy Popcorn Bucket So far this year we’ve seen a new Jack Skellington popcorn bucket, a Mickey Mummy popcorn bucket, and a glow-in-the-dark Halloween bucket. Today we discovered a classic Halloween popcorn bucket is BACK in Disney World, and if you’ve missed out in the past, here’s your chance! The Evil Queen must be working some magic, because the Cauldron Popcorn Bucket is back in Disney World for $17! We found it at a popcorn cart in EPCOT today. Cauldron Bucket is BACK! Weirdly, the cauldron we found being sold right now is purple and not green like the sign advertises, but either way we love it. It’s designed to look like the Evil Queen’s cauldron with the same creepy melting face we see on the poison apple in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It’s purple! The back of the bucket says Happy Halloween under the dripping purple potion and it comes with a lanyard featuring Mickey and friends in their spooky Halloween costumes. Happy Halloween! The “bubbling” top actually opens up so you can nom on Disney popcorn, or just pretend you’re brewing your very own potion. This bucket holds a good amount of popcorn, too! Bubble bubble toil and trouble We’ve seen the Cauldron Popcorn Bucket in orange, green, AND purple in the past, so we’ll be watching out for other colors around Disney World. Keep reading DFB for all your Disney World popcorn bucket news! Here’s how to get the Jack Skellington Annual Passholder EXCLUSIVE Popcorn Bucket in Disney World! 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 Do you have any of the Cauldron Popcorn Buckets? Tell us in the comments! The post PHOTOS: An Iconic Halloween Popcorn Bucket is BACK in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney attractions becoming movies is not necessarily a new thing, but with the wild success of the Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise, and now Jungle Cruise (which is getting a sequel), we’re certain to see more! There’s always room for one more… One upcoming Disney movie based on an attraction we’re excited about is the Haunted Mansion movie. Yes, there was a previous Haunted Mansion movie with Eddie Murphy, but Disney is making another one, and well, you know what they say — there’s always room for one more (see what we did there?). It was previously reported that LaKeith Stanfield and Tiffany Haddish will star in the movie, but today, we’ve got another big name to add to the movie’s cast. And, according to The Hollywood Reporter, that’s none other than Loki actor Owen Wilson! ©Disney Disney has described the film as an ensemble piece, but we still don’t have a lot of details about it. The movie will reportedly follow a family that moves into the mansion, and well, we know it’s haunted with 999 happy haunts, so we assume that chaos will ensue. If we get more details about the movie, though, we’ll let you know! Here’s How To Get a Hocus Pocus or Haunted Mansion Mug for UNDER $10! 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 this casting news? Let us know in the comments! The post Owen Wilson Will Star in Disney's Upcoming Haunted Mansion Movie first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

You might have already heard of a little thing called Disney World’s 50th anniversary? NEW 50th Anniversary Sign All jokes aside, Disney’s 50th anniversary is less than a month away and we’re excited to see everything Disney World has in store. While many of the 50th anniversary changes so far have been BIG or super noticeable, some of them are a bit more subtle but still JUST as important. One of the changes Disney World is making for the 50th anniversary celebration is name tag makeovers for Cast Members! The new name tag design will be shiny and EARidescent like much of the 50th anniversary decor we’ve seen. Brett Owens, a graphic designer with Disney Live Entertainment, contributed to the design, intending it as a big “thank you” to Cast Members. ©Disney Jeff Vahle, President of Walt Disney World Resort, posted on Instagram today that 50-year Cast Members (!!) have begun receiving their shiny new 50th anniversary name tags! He noted that the remaining Cast Members will start getting their new name tags next week. We can’t wait to see Cast Members wearing their EARidescent new name tags! Vahle also added that final preparations will soon be made for the 50th anniversary, so we’ll be keeping a close watch for more 50th additions in Disney World over the next few weeks. Keep reading DFB for all your Disney World news! Here’s a VIDEO of the new 50th anniversary Cast Member name tags! 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 the Cast Member name tag makeover? Tell us in the comments! The post Disney World Cast Members Are Starting to Get Their 50th Anniversary Name Tags 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. The global pandemic continues to impact the tourism industry in Florida. COVID-19 Health and Safety Sign The rise of COVID-19 case numbers in Florida, and around the country, due to the delta variant has been met by the CDC issuing new mask recommendations and travel restrictions remaining in place. Masks are required again indoors at Disney World and all Disney employees must get a COVID vaccine. Now, we’re seeing a slight decline in tourism in Florida due to the high case numbers. The state of Florida is seeing a decrease in tourism due to the high case numbers from the delta variant, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Travel industry experts expect the slowdown to be brief. Face Mask Sign Visit Florida Board of Directors just approved plans for the state’s tourism-marketing arm to apply for a federal grant of $14.8 million to help Florida try and attract more tourists from other states around the country. The money is tied to $3 billion in grants that were made available in July through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. Plane View According to the Orlando Sentinel, the president of Visit Florida, Dana Young, told board members that, “these funds are not yet received. Actually, we haven’t even applied for them yet. We feel confident, because this money has already been allocated, that we will receive them.” Indoor Mask Sign They are trying to keep up the pace of recovery that the leisure and hospitality industry has seen in Florida this year after the global pandemic caused a significant amount of economic damage in 2020. Low crowds in Animal Kingdom According to the Sentinel, travel into Florida (driven by tourists from other states), was 223% higher in the second quarter of 2021 than during the same 3 months in 2020. The state attracted 31.7 million domestic and international visitors during the second quarter of 2021, which was 2.2% lower than the same period in 2019. Hollywood Studios Entrance Concerns about traveling to Florida have been raised because the state is a hot spot for COVID-19 due to the highly contagious delta variant. The Orlando Sentinel says that since the second half of July, Florida has had more than 10,000 new COVID cases a day. Face Mask Sign However, Visit Florida’s director of consumer insights and analytics, Jacob Pewitt Yancey, said that recent surveys have only shown a slight indication of people altering their travel plans for the next 6 months. He said, “people in general, travelers seem to be very confident that this is just a temporary bump in the road.” EPCOT Visit Florida spent $19.2 million on its “rebound” campaign and also received $50 million from the state for marketing in the current fiscal year, which is the same amount they received last year. They also will be getting an additional $25 million through the American Rescue Plan Act and other federal stimulus money. Stay tuned to DFB for more news and updates. Click here to read more about COVID-19 cases in Florida Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post How the Delta Variant is Impacting the Florida Tourism Industry first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The Halloween season is a GREAT time to visit Disneyland! Halloween Time! The past week in Disneyland has been full of Halloween treats and more spooky fun and festivities, but the spooky season is still just starting! If you’re thinking of visiting Disneyland this Halloween, we’ve got a deal you DEFINITELY want to know. 11 Hilton Good Neighbor Hotels in Anaheim are offering a special offer to encourage guests to enjoy the Halloween festivites in Disneyland. A deal!? We’ve got the details! Disneyland Guests with stays at participating Hiltons September 3rd through 30th can receive a daily food credit or FREE premium Wifi, a 5% discount on park admission at Disneyland, AND a $10 Disney Dining Gift Card per stay! ©Hilton Hilton Director of Sales and Marketing, Peter Kane, notes, “This September is the perfect time to try the Halloween-themed foods, check out the new Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure park and enjoy the great weather in Southern California. Our Hilton Good Neighbor hotels are excited to help our guests make new memories with friends and family.” Disneyland This is certainly a deal to have in mind if you’re already headed to Disneyland or considering planning a trip this spooky season. To book this offer, head to the Hilton website to take a look at the participating Hilton hotels. And, as always, stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney deals and discounts! Want to learn more about Halloween in Disneyland? Click here! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/customemailexample.jpg Disneyland Reviews and Information Click HERE to Check Out Lots of DFB Posts About Disneyland See the Latest Updates About Disneyland’s Mask Policy Check Out Our Disneyland Restaurants Guide See What Marvelous Stuff You’ll Find at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Park Check Out Details from the Historic Reopening of Disneyland Resort See What You Need to Know About the Theme Park Reservation System for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Learn About the Disneyland Mobile App Get All the Details About Mobile Order in Disneyland See More About Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure What’s Going to Be Different About Your Next Disneyland Trip? Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Headed to Disneyland this fall? Tell us in the comments! The post A Disneyland Ticket Discount AND Free Food? Check Out This Hilton DEAL! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article