Jump to content

Disney4me

Administrators
  • Posts

    88,074
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    15

Everything posted by Disney4me

  1. Magic Kingdom is famous for its incredible atmosphere, the iconic view of Cinderella’s Castle, and attractions that build memories. Magic Kingdom But when it comes to dining? Let’s just say this park doesn’t always live up to expectations. Sure, you can find a decent meal if you look hard enough (we’re looking at you, Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen), but compared to the rest of the parks, the options here can feel surprisingly underwhelming. In fact, there are a few dining quirks in Magic Kingdom that make us cringe so hard we’ve seriously considered leaving the park altogether just to grab food somewhere else. Why Can’t I Meet The Beast in His Own Castle?! When Be Our Guest first opened, it was quickly beloved with the quick service option for breakfast and lunch, and you could meet the Beast during dinner. However, now it’s 2026, and that has all changed. I’m still not over them taking away the quick service options here, but what really does not make sense to us is why we can’t have the Beast meet and greet back. For now, many dinners, you might see the beast do a quick walk-through around the room, but he won’t stop at your table or sign for items. Do not book Be Our Guest, thinking you’ll get a traditional character meal — you’ll leave disappointed. It’s a lot of money to dine here, so we feel like Disney could throw us a bone and give us back the meet and greet. The Beast at Be Our Guest Restaurant I’m Ashamed to Eat Here, But I Still Will Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe is a quick-service dining location at Magic Kingdom. This restaurant is definitely not serving the best food in Disney World. But here you will find cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, and chicken strips — your typical theme park food that’s mediocre. So why would we still choose to eat here when there are better quick-service restaurants just a short walk away? Even though the food is pretty basic, that also means it can be somewhere your party can get something everyone can eat. Cosmic Ray’s Just know it’s going to be crowded, and your food will be just ok. If you have low expectations and just need something quick, we’ve been there, and Cosmic Ray’s delivers. We will say that during holiday parties, Cosmic Ray’s usually has some solid menu options that are only available for party guests, and we will happily stop here then! 2025 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Spread at Cosmic Ray’s These Restaurants are Underwhelming Speaking of mediocre, why are many of the Magic Kingdom’s restaurants so underwhelming when it comes to theming? Skipper Canteen and Be Our Guest are the exceptions, but we find many of the restaurants lacking in decorative theming. Think about Satuli Canteen or Docking Bay 7; these quick service restaurants are very detailed and well-themed. We would love to see more storytelling in these spaces to keep up the atmosphere throughout the park. Pecos Bill’s indoor seating! They are Frozen in Time A lot of the restaurants could use a refresh, not in theming alone. Many of these menus have had the same items for decades. Disney World has recently added more enhanced menu options, specifically for quick service restaurants. Options like ABC Commissary or Satuli Canteen offer a more interesting menu than just chicken tenders and burgers. We would love to see that effort placed into Magic Kingdom restaurants — let’s spice it up! Full spread at Plaza Restaurant There is so much to love about Magic Kingdom, but we really wish they had better dining options. For more dining tips and Disney news, be sure to follow DFB! We’ve Eaten at Every Disney World Hotel Restaurant. These Are the BEST. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What is your favorite Magic Kingdom restaurant? Tell us in the comments below. View the full article
  2. The Disney Adventure is Disney Cruise Line‘s newest ship, and we got to check it all out! Full Spread from Tiana’s Bayou Lounge! We’ve tried the restaurants, checked out the pools, explored the ship, and more on the Disney Adventure. There is just SO much to do on board, like some exclusive dining experiences and even some Disney attractions at sea! You can check out our big overview on the ship right here, but we wanted to break down a specific location that has some special details — the Tiana’s Bayou Lounge! Will you be setting sail on the Disney Adventure cruise ship? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article
  3. The new Disney Adventure cruise ship, the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, has a pirate-themed bar – but it’s not the pirates you’re thinking of. Buccaneer Bar is a brand-new concept themed after Captain Hook from Peter Pan! How’s THAT for different? Dead Man’s Chest This bar has some awesome drinks with cool pirate names like Shiver Me Timbers, The Kraken, Loose Cannons, and more. Now let’s dig in! Because we wanted a real pirate-like adventure (while sailing ON the Adventure), we had to order the Dead Man’s Chest for $25, which is an experience for two people. Not just drinks…an EXPERIENCE. And it delivers on that. First, it’s served IN a treasure chest (and for you D&D fans, we did make sure it wasn’t a mimic). Okay, so confession time: we had this on the Disney Destiny, too, and it’s still impressive. Plus, you get TWO drinks for $25, which is a pretty good deal on a cruise ship! The treasure chest When you open the chest, there’s smoke and lighting effects, and your drinks look like something straight out of a movie. Honestly, we didn’t really get Captain Hook vibes with this. It’s more Pirates of the Caribbean to us, but it’s still piratey…and that’s what counts. Who’s to say Hook and Sparrow haven’t run into each other at some point, right? SO cool You get two drinks made with Zacapa XO Rum (because pirates love that rum), Pineapple, Lime, Agave, and Coconut Froth. Okay, starting with the coconut froth…it was so good that we were licking it off the glass. NO SHAME in our game! It’s so light, creamy, and sweet, without being too sugary. The coconut flavor was spot on. The rest of the drink is like a classic beach drink that’s fruity and rummy (is that a word?). It’s sweet with hints of spice (we could’ve sworn we tasted nutmeg). That coconut froth… We’ve been loving the food and drink options on the Disney Adventure. Stay tuned for more Disney Adventure food reviews! FULL LIST of Every Single Disney Adventure Cruise in 2026 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Will you be sailing on the Disney Adventure? Comment below! View the full article
  4. Are you ready for the showdown of the year? Rapunzel Owala Ladies and gentlemen, on this side we have Stanley, and on this side we have Owala. It’s Stanley vs Owala in the ultimate matchup to determine which is the perfect water bottle for Disney World. Who will come out on top? DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Check out the Stanley IceFlow Stanley IceFlow We want to make something VERY clear. We actually don’t recommend the typical Stanley due to the handle and exposed straw. This is the Stanley IceFlow — we tested it and we LOVED it! Ours is just in a different color. One thing we like just a tad bit more about this than the owala, is it was so easy to clean. Stanley IceFlow We think this is totally worth the price, because we love everything about it. The handle flips down on both sides for easy carrying, and the top has a very flush design to it. It’s slimmer like the Hydro Flask, but hefty enough to really do what it says in keeping the water cold and even keeping ice in your drink for several hours. Stanley IceFlow We think our favorite feature is the lid to it — it completely comes apart, so you can really dig in to clean it, which is our main complaint about Owala water bottles that we can’t ever get into the drinking spout without scrubbing in between the tiny spaces. Carrying Handle All in all, there really isn’t anything we would change about the Stanley IceFlow. This water bottle is the right size. It’s not too big for carrying around and not too small that you’re constantly running back to fill it up sooner than you anticipated. We love having this at Disney World, and 100% recommend it to you! View on Amazon Then, there’s the Owala Owala Rapunzel Water Bottle Everyone knows about the Owala Water Bottle! It’s a favorite brand that proves itself time and time again. It’s got a great design that comes in lots of different colors. It’s also got a soft close spout to it that locks with another layer to keep it spill-proof while you’re carrying it around, especially in your bag. It doesn’t sweat on the outside and keeps your drink cold along with your ice for several hours, even on some of the hottest days. Top close lid and mouthpiece There’s not a lot of fault we can find with these. Their size is slim but ideal to hold quite a lot without the extra bulk. They’re easy to take apart and clean for reuse, and they’ve stood up to even the hardest drops on the ground. Owala FreeSip You can never go wrong with an Owala. We also 100% recommend taking this to Disney World. It’s made staying hydrated at the park so much easier for us! view ON AMAZON We tested both water bottles in the parks over different hot days for hours on end. So they both really passed the test, and you can’t go wrong with either! Is that cheating…ending in a tie? We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article
  5. Disney’s newest cruise ship has joined the fleet! The Disney Adventure is the FIRST Disney Cruise ship to have a roller coaster at sea, the first to have literally NO port stops, and the first to make its homeport in Singapore. It’s also now the largest ship of the fleet, and it’s completely different from any other Disney Cruise. Come aboard with us to see why you might want to start pricing flights to Singapore. Check out our video below: Disney Put a Roller Coaster on Its BIGGEST Cruise Ship — Disney Adventure 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! And stay tuned for more theme park news! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of this video? Tell us in the comments. View the full article
  6. One of Disney World’s budget-friendly — and most popular — hotels just went through some big changes! Pop Century Over the last few years, the Value Tier Pop Century Resort has been undergoing a refurbishment and refreshment process that has touched all corners of the fan-favorite resort, including the lobby, pool bar, food court, and even the guest rooms. The changes at Pop Century begin as guests enter the lobby. The whole space has been given a “bright and energetic” makeover, including “vibrant floor-to-ceiling artwork inspired by pop culture from the 1950s-1990s and larger-than-life illustrations of Disney’s Fab Five”, a TV wall featuring “a collection of vintage-style television frames that creates a delightfully retro backdrop”, and a rearranged space featuring more seating and tables that have “made the space work better for today’s guests” according to Disney. Pop Century Resort Luis Sanchez, project manager on the Facility Asset Management team, said of the project, “One of our biggest goals was making the lobby feel brighter, more vibrant, and more functional for Guests. We looked at everything from the lighting to the seating layout so the space feels more open and comfortable — and supports the look and feel Disney Imagineers envisioned.” Kids’ Area Beyond the lobby, the resort’s other public areas have also been refreshed. The Everything POP! food court and gift shop were spruced up last year… Everything POP! … and the Petals Pool Bar has received several updates — including new clear digital menu boards — that make the overall experience “more comfortable for both guests and cast members.” Petals Guests rooms received new decorative elements focused on “warm, wood-toned flooring and a geometric inset area with pops of blue, gray, green, and orange, and soft sky-blue accents near the bed wall and bathroom” as well as refreshed curtains and patterned upholstery featuring subtle touches — including Hidden Mickeys in the chair fabric — that “keep the space feeling unmistakably Disney while still clean, comfortable, and functional.” ©Disney All of that is in addition to Pop Century’s access to the Walt Disney World Skyliner, as well as the availability of the Airport Luggage Transfer service. Southwest Airlines passengers can have their luggage transferred to and from Orlando International Airport. All you need to do: Fill out the registration form for the Airport Luggage Transfer at Disney service anytime from 30 days to 5 days before your departure flight. You will need your Disney Resort confirmation number and your Southwest Airlines confirmation number when you register. You will receive a confirmation email after registering. Check in to your flight online as normal and pay any necessary baggage fees. Head to the airport and follow the Southwest Airlines procedure to drop off your luggage. From there, the bags will go straight from their flight to their hotel room. When returning home, you’ll simply check in for your Southwest Airlines flight online starting 24 hours before departure and pay any necessary baggage fees via the Southwest mobile app or online. Drop off your bags at Luggage Assistance in the Resort hotel lobby area by the required drop-off time. Please be aware that you will need to provide a valid government-issued form of photo identification in order to drop off your bags. You can also call Luggage Assistance from your in-room telephone to ask for help with your bags. For a smoother experience, leave all inbound tags on your bags. Head to the airport, skip the check-in line, enjoy your flight, and pick up your bags at baggage claim when you arrive at your final destination. The luggage assistance desk! Already one of Disney World’s most popular hotels, Pop Century has undergone a major refresh of its public areas and guest rooms. Stay tuned to DFB for further updates on the “Most Magical Place on Earth.” I Have Beef With Disney’s Pop Century Resort That I Need to Get Off My Chest Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you stayed at Pop Century recently? Let us know in the comments below. View the full article
  7. Three out of the four Disney World parks are under pretty intense construction right now, and Magic Kingdom is no exception. @bioreconstruct on X We know it’s all about bringing exciting new attractions and experiences to the parks, but right now? Well, it’s just construction walls all over, and when we can’t see how progress is going behind them (which is the point, Disney doesn’t want us to see behind the walls!), it can sometimes feel a little discouraging. However, thanks to @bioreconstruct on X, we’re able to see just how much progress is being made on these new additions from the sky! From this large aerial overview photo, we can see the exterior work being done on Haunted Mansion, the Villains Land construction, Piston Peak National Park construction, as well as the dirt being placed over to the right, where the riverboat landing originally was. @bioreconstruct on X Looking closer over at Piston Peak, the foundation for the retaining wall continues to grow closer to Liberty Square. More dirt has also been placed here, again, to cover where the Liberty Square Riverboat landing originally was. @bioreconstruct on X Speaking of water, the service canal that used to connect to Rivers of America is also seeing more work. It’s possible this could connect to the new water addition we’ll be seeing in Piston Peak (if the concept art is correct/truly comes to life), but we’ll have to wait and see! @bioreconstruct on X A drainage pipe has also been placed for construction, which will likely serve both Piston Peak and Villains Land. @bioreconstruct on X Speaking of Villains Land, we were happy to see that earth has been moved for this land, but we’re still not seeing any major construction at this time. This could partly be due to the fact that rumors have been swirling that Disney just reportedly had to go back to the drawing board for the design of the new land. @bioreconstruct on X Looking for more recent construction news? Check out our posts below! More Recent Construction News! This NEW Look at Magic Kingdom’s Villains Land Makes Us Think Disney Has a Long Way To GoThis Popular Magic Kingdom Store Looks TOTALLY Different!6 HUGE Hidden Secrets in Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin that We ALMOST MISSED!7 Ways Your Disney World Plans Need to Change in Summer 20262 NEW Ride Closures Announced for Universal Orlando We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the latest Disney World construction news, so stay tuned to DFB! I Have Beef With Disney’s Pop Century Resort That I Need to Get Off My Chest Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW How do you feel about these new additions? Tell us in the comments! View the full article
  8. In case you missed it, Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom is getting repainted! Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle The castle is in the process of returning to its original color scheme of blues, grays, and gold accents — a color scheme we haven’t seen since 2020. From 2020 to now, the castle has been pink, blue, and gold, which was for the park’s 50th anniversary. But because of this, there is merchandise that is about to become extinct. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. During the 50th Anniversary celebration at Disney World, we saw a ton of merchandise featuring the new colors of the pink castle. From t-shirts to mugs, blankets to ornaments, it all featured the pink castle. But now, this merchandise is going fast as it’s the last of it. Cinderella Castle We’ve already started to see new merchandise featuring the “classsic” castle come to the parks since the repainting is almost complete! If you want to have something to represent these short years where the castle was pink and to remember the 50th anniversary, there is still time. We found a few last merchandise pieces of the pink castle that you can still grab online, but you’re going to want to hurry before they’re gone. The back of Cinderella Castle Get the LEGO Castle Here! ©Disney This LEGO Cinderella’s Castle features nearly five thousand pieces. This detailed set showcases different rooms, classic Disney references, and nostalgic details, all in a Fantasyland Castle designed for display. It includes a spinning dancefloor in the grand ballroom and an ‘enchanted’ fireplace that rotates to reveal the iconic spinning wheel from Sleeping Beauty. To bring the castle to life are eight LEGO minifigures from some of Disney’s most beloved fairytales. It also includes eight LEGO minifigures: Cinderella, Prince Charming, Snow White, the Prince, Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen, Rapunzel, and Flynn Ryder. view ON Disney store Grab this Loungefly Mini Backpack here! ©Disney This Loungefly features a colorful appliqué illustration of Cinderella Castle. It comes with a light-up multicolor pyrotechnics show when you flip the switch inside the front pocket. This Loungefly has a main zipper pocket and two side pockets, giving you plenty of space for everything you need for a park day. View on Amazon This Castle Playset is available online! ©Disney This castle play set comes with Mickey and his friends, featuring lots of exciting features including lights, sounds, and even a dramatic ”fireworks” display. Standing two feet tall, it opens up to reveal motorized attraction rides, an elevator stage, a Monorail, and a slide. view ON AMAZON We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article
  9. Halloween Horror Nights is turning 35 this year! To celebrate, Universal Orlando has something big planned. Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights This year’s theme will be the Infernal Carnival of Nightmares! It will be hosted by Halloween Horror Nights icon Jack the Clown, and his legendary rival, Dr. Oddfellow, will band together to scare Universal Studios guests. Halloween Horror Nights starts on August 28th and runs through November 1st, so get ready to scream! A brand-new, original haunted house will debut at this year’s event. In Jack & Oddfellow: Chaos & Control, the long‑standing conflict between Jack and Oddfellow comes to life for the first time as guests journey into the unsettling origins of their undying rivalry. As chaos and control collide, the two Icons battle for dominance until they ultimately discover that the only way to obtain the power they seek is not to fight each other, but to join forces instead. Jack the Clown debuted in 2000 as the host of Halloween Horror Nights X. The homicidal clown became well known for his chaotic personality and dark humor. He typically appears on commemorative anniversaries. Dr. Oddfellow, a sinister ringmaster and longtime rival of Jack the Clown, was brought into the spotlight as the icon of Halloween Horror Nights 32 in 2023. We’re dying to know what made them team up! Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights Halloween Horror Nights 35 will take place on select nights from August 28th through November 1st at Universal Studios Florida. There will be a new slate of haunted houses, scare zones, and live entertainment inspired by elements from both Halloween Horror Nights’ history and some of the biggest names in horror. But if you can’t wait, Universal has released a few items from the Halloween Horror Nights 2026 merchandise collection early! Apparel and more featuring Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow are on sale right now. To shop the new merch, head to 5 & Dime at Universal Studios Florida, All Hallows Boutique: Lost Emporium at Islands of Adventure, or online at shopUniversal.com. Shop ’till you drop! We’re so excited for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights! And for the best part? Universal told us even more info will be coming soon – stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more Universal news! 5 Universal Orlando Essentials Every First Time Visitor Needs Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you been to Halloween Horror Nights? Comment below! View the full article
  10. I’m here to warn you about a problem we encountered at the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival! 2026 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival This festival has a lot to offer, with stunning topiaries and gardens, plenty of activities, and some delicious food options. However, because it’s so wonderful and it takes place during some prime travel seasons of Spring Break and early summer, it can be CROWDED. When those crowds arrive, there’s one problem in particular that we noticed. The one new food booth at the festival this year is Nectar, which is located at the former home of The Land Cart, outside The Land Pavilion. It’s home to poke bowls, a panna cotta, and the Frozen Island Escape beverage. Honestly, a pretty good menu. Tuna Poke Bowl Unfortunately, the experience at this booth is a little bit lacking. First of all, there were only a couple of tables nearby, which meant that it was a challenge to find somewhere to park it with our multiple items. Full Spread at Nectar We’ve experienced the table issue before at other festivals, so we’re not new to that problem. No, the problem that’s really plaguing Nectar is that the booth creates a serious pinchpoint in the flow of traffic. It’s located smack dab in the middle of the walkway between The Land and the Imagination Pavilion, and that walkway isn’t very wide to begin with. Crowds at the booth Since the booth is new and it has an interesting menu, there were quite a few people lined up to try it on opening day, and that just contributed to the crowding. Add in the folks who’ve just picked up their food and are wandering around searching for a table, and you get a very confusing situation over here. The people who are just walking past from one ride to the next get frustrated with the sudden blockage in the walkway. Coconut Panna Cotta This booth is located firmly in a high-traffic zone, and if it’s going to be there, it would be best if they moved it a bit more out of the direct walkway, plus added more tables and seating nearby. Since it’s the only booth in the area, it gets busier than some others we visited that were located amidst a larger group (like the several booths that are situated at the front of World Showcase). EPCOT’s The Land Pavilion So heed this warning if you’re heading to Nectar at the Flower & Garden Festival. Honestly, this might be one of the few times when we recommend visiting a booth later in the day — the front half of EPCOT tends to be more crowded in the morning. For more tips and tricks from the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, subscribe to our YouTube channel and our newsletter! 7 Important Rules to Avoid Wasting Money at EPCOT’s Flower & Garden Festival DON’T WASTE A BITE AT FLOWER & GARDEN The EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival is gorgeous — and overwhelming. Our DFB Guide shows you exactly what’s worth your time, money, and stomach space (and what to skip). Inside the guide: Full booth menus with photos + our Best of the Fest picks Smart booth crawls so you’re not zig-zagging the park Complete event schedules in one place Topiary locations, festival exclusive merch, and hidden extras Budget tips to help you prioritize the must-haves GET THE FLOWER & GARDEN GUIDE Are you going to the Flower & Garden Festival this year? Tell us in the comments! View the full article
  11. If it’s your first time heading to Universal Orlando, you’re probably already bracing yourself for long lines, big thrills, and a whole lot of walking (and trust us, you’re going to feel every single step by the end of the day). Universal Orlando That’s why packing smart can seriously make or break your trip. We’re talking about the kind of essentials that keep you comfortable, hands-free, and fully immersed in the experience instead of stressing over the little things. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Grab this Lululemon Belt Bag ©Amazon You’ll very quickly realize that juggling a phone, wallet, and park ticket all day is not the move. This Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag is basically a theme park lifesaver. It’s compact but still somehow fits everything you actually need, and the adjustable strap makes it easy to wear across your chest or around your waist. We also love that it’s made with water-repellent fabric, which is a huge plus when you’re hopping on water rides or dealing with those random Florida rain showers. There are zippered pockets to keep your valuables secure, and once you get the fit right, you can tuck away any extra strap so it’s not flapping around while you’re running to your next ride. view ON AMAZON Snag this Harry Potter Mini Backpack ©Amazon If you’re planning to spend any time in The Wizarding World, you might as well lean all the way in. This Loungefly Harry Potter mini backpack is both practical and seriously fun. It’s small enough to carry comfortably all day, but still roomy enough for your essentials. And it should easily fit in the Universal lockers!! So that’s a BIG win. The design is where it really shines, though. It features a peek inside the Great Hall and even has glow-in-the-dark candle details, which feels extra magical once the sun goes down. Plus, you’ve got the Hogwarts crest and Hedwig on the back, which makes it a must-have for any fan who wants to fully commit to the theme. view ON AMAZON Wear this Luna Lovegood Tee ©Amazon Universal is the perfect place to show off your fandom, and this Luna Lovegood shirt is one of our favorites. It’s casual, comfortable, and has that iconic quote that instantly lets other fans know you’re in the club. On a practical level, it’s also just a great park shirt. It’s lightweight, easy to move around in, and perfect for those hot Florida afternoons. You’ll be thankful you picked something breathable when you’re halfway through your day, and the humidity is doing its thing. view ON AMAZON Rock this Homer Simpson Shirt ©Amazon If your Universal plans include Springfield, you need something that fits the vibe. This Homer Simpson shirt is a fun, low-key way to rep one of the most iconic areas in the park. The design features Homer mid-golf swing with a classic country club look, which honestly just adds to the humor. It’s the kind of shirt that gets compliments in line and makes for great photos around Springfield. Plus, it’s easy to pair with pretty much anything, so you don’t have to overthink your outfit. view ON AMAZON Top it off with this Quidditch Snapback ©Amazon Florida sun is no joke, and you’re going to want something to keep it out of your face. This Harry Potter Quidditch snapback does the job while still keeping your outfit on theme. It’s got that clean white and red look with embroidered “Quidditch Champs” detailing, plus some extra design touches on the side that fans will appreciate. The adjustable snapback makes it easy to get the right fit, and it’s one of those items you’ll end up wearing long after your trip is over. view ON AMAZON We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article
  12. This past week in Disney World, one of our FAVORITE spots opened back up after being closed for SIX years — there was a time when we didn’t even know if we’d ever be able to dine there again, and now, we can! It’s finally back open! This past week, on March 19th, the Garden View Lounge in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has finally opened back up its doors for guests to experience its beloved tea experience. Reservations for opening day, as well as the weeks following, booked up fast, but keep checking back for reservations! However, in true Disney fashion, that wasn’t the ONLY upcoming change announced last week. Disney’s Hollywood Studios Animation Courtyard Animation Courtyard closed on September 25th, 2025, to make way for Walt Disney Studios. This new area will open on May 26th, 2026, and will be a special nod to the Walt Disney Studios lot. Star Wars Launch Bay will be turned into The Magic of Disney Animation. This attraction will have you interacting and exploring with this fun take on Disney Animation headquarters. Disney announced that a new Animation Academy experience called Olaf Draws! will be added into this new area, and it’s been…controversial, to say the least! ©Disney However, most recently, we’ve seen a lot of progress on this upcoming land — new pavement is almost all set, and it’s really starting to come together. @bioreconstruct via X This area will also feature a new Drawn to Wonderland indoor play area and the current Disney Jr. Play and Dance! show will be getting a makeover. During the transformation, you will still be able to visit “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” and Walt Disney Presents. Muppets Courtyard, including Muppet*Vision 3D, PizzeRizzo, and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano Muppet*Vision 3D AND PizzeRizzo closed on June 8th, and Muppets Courtyard has been walled off so construction can begin on the new Monsters, Inc. land. Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano has been closed since May 11th. Most recently, we got a good look at the building being formed for the new attraction, which is set where Cast Member parking used to be, and we’re SHOCKED by how massive it is! ©bioreconstruct Don’t worry, the Muppets won’t be missing from Disney’s Hollywood Studios forever. The Muppets will eventually be taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster in summer 2026. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets Disney has already made tons of progress on the new version of this iconic attraction! The previous name of the ride has already been removed from multiple locations, including on the guitar, which is now behind the scrim and scaffolding. Scrim in front of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Disney is also already putting new paint on the car at the entrance to this area, so it looks more like the Electric Mayhem’s iconic van. New paint job! KRNR The Rock Station is also currently closed, and we’re curious to see if it’ll reopen as a new snack spot, just rethemed, in the near future! Closed! We’ll be keeping a close eye on this spot — we know a lot is to come! Does This NEW Disney World Permit Mean a Popular Ride Could Be CHANGING? EPCOT Refreshment Port Refreshment Port located near the Canada Pavilion in EPCOT’s World Showcase is temporarily closed for refurbishment as of January 12th. Not so great news if you were hoping to snag a specialty poutine during EPCOT’s International Flower & Garden Festival. The Refreshment Port is closed However, there will still be plenty of yummy snacks to grab! Disney hasn’t yet announced what will be done at Refreshment Port or when the stand will reopen. However, we will keep an eye and ear out for progress and keep you updated. These 7 EPCOT Area Hotel Hacks Are Getting Out of Control Disney’s Animal Kingdom On February 23rd, Disney temporarily closed Rafiki’s Planet Watch and the Wildlife Express, which takes guests over to this part of the park, to make way for the new Bluey attraction coming to the park for Cool KIDS’ SUMMER on May 26th. For the time being, you can still visit the Wilderness Explorer badge offerings, as well as a few character meet and greets, at the train station. The signs are covered up! Since February 2nd, it’s been official that DinoLand U.S.A. is officially closed to make way for the new Tropical Americas land, Pueblo Esperanza. Don’t get us wrong, we’re looking forward to what’s new, but especially since we just recently saw the DinoLand sign come down, we’re missing DINOSAUR and the rest of this uniquely themed land already! Most recently, we’ve seen updates that show the exterior fountain and Iguanodon statue have been removed outside of the former DINOSAUR attraction. ©Bioreconstruct We’re also seeing lots of progress on the new carousel attraction coming to this land, which is very exciting! ©Bioreconstruct This new land is expected to open sometime in 2027 with three new rides, a new restaurant, shopping spots, a beautiful fountain, and more, so we’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the latest! REVIEW: One of Our Favorite Disney World Restaurants Changed, and We Aren’t Too Sure About It Blizzard Beach On February 15th, 2026, Blizzard Beach reopened in Disney World, and Typhoon Lagoon closed for refurbishment. Visiting during the summer and don’t want to worry about tons of crowds in one park? Typhoon Lagoon will reopen again on May 12th, 2026, so for the majority of the summer, we’ll have both water parks open again. Blizzard Beach The One Thing I Never Forget to Bring to a Disney World Water Park Disney World Hotels Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa This hotel has been undergoing refurbishments all over for quite some time now, but we know that sections of the hotel — specifically the porte cochere — will continue to undergo refurbishment through early 2027 at least. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa We certainly hope it’ll actually be able to hit this timeline — we’re a little tired of seeing construction all over this beautiful hotel! Bay Cove Pool Area — Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort This week, the Bay Cove Pool, the water play area, and the whirlpool spa at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort will temporarily close for maintenance. From January 26th through early May 2026, the pool area will be unavailable. Disney’s Contemporary Resort During the closure, guests can still use the Bay Lake Pool, the feature pool, the water play area, and the whirlpool spa at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort For those looking to dine at this hotel, you need to know that the Turf Club Bar & Grill and Turf Club Lounge will both be under refurbishment from mid-March through mid-September 2026. To break it down, in early April, the Turf Club Lounge will close for refurbishment and will reopen in early August. In the meantime, the Turf Club Bar & Grill will remain open with a pop-up bar serving a modified Lounge food and beverage menu. The Turf Club Lounge Then, from early to mid-August, the Turf Club patio will close for refurbishment, and finally, from mid-August through mid-September, the Turf Club Bar & Grill will be closed for refurbishment, but the Turf Club Lounge will be open. Leisure Pools — Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s Beach Club Resort Disney’s Yacht Club and Disney’s Beach Club Resort are currently undergoing visible exterior maintenance. The maintenance could affect views and may require alternate routes at times. In addition, two of the resort’s leisure pools will close for routine maintenance. At Disney’s Yacht Club, the Admiral leisure be will be closed for maintenance through early May 2026. Admiral Pool At Disney’s Beach Club, the Tidal leisure pool will be closed for maintenance through early May 2026. During the construction, guests may see or hear construction work, but it will only be done during the daytime hours. Crew’s Cup Lounge — Disney’s Yacht Club Resort On February 23rd, Crew’s Cup Lounge closed for refurbishment until May 2026. Crew’s Cup Lounge While we don’t have a specific reopening date yet, we do know that when the lounge reopens, Yachtsman Steakhouse will close instead, also to go under refurbishment. Turtle Pond Pool, Turtle Pond Pool Spa, BBQ Area, and Playground — Disney’s Old Key West Resort Starting early January through early February 2026, the Turtle Pond Pool, Turtle Pond Pool Spa, the BBQ area, and the playground at Disney’s Old Key West Resort will be closed for routine maintenance. Turtle Pond Pool at Old Key West During the closure, guests can head over to the Sandcastle Pool or one of the resort’s leisure pools. There are two different leisure pools available: the South Point Pool and Miller’s Road Pool. Surfboard Bay Pool and Kiddie Pool — Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort From January 2026 through April 2026, the Surfboard Bay Pool and Kiddie Pool at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort will be closed for maintenance. Don’t worry, though, if you are in the swimming mood, you will still have plenty of options for pools. You may just need to travel a bit farther. Surfboard Bay At Disney’s All-Star Sports, the Grand Slam Leisure Pool will still be open. As well, you can also use any of the pools at the other All-Star Resorts. You can use the Calypso Pool and Piano Pool and kiddie pool at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort or the Fantasia Pool and Duck Pond Pool and kiddie pool at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort. Promenade Fine Art Gallery — Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Resort The Promenade Fine Art Gallery will be closing its Disney’s BoardWalk location on October 20th, 2025. However, the Promenade Fine Art Gallery isn’t closing for good, and it will just be moving to a new location. Promenade Fine Art Gallery The gallery hasn’t announced yet where that new location will be, but we will keep you updated as we learn more! Jellyrolls — Disney’s BoardWalk Jellyrolls at Disney’s BoardWalk officially closed on April 19th, 2025. This entertainment venue has provided our team with countless memories, and we know many others are also sad to see it close. Jellyrolls had its final farewell performance on April 19th and closed its doors forever on Disney’s BoardWalk. Jellyrolls However, this isn’t the end for Jellyrolls, as the bar has said they are “making a move.” We don’t know many details about that move yet, but we will keep you updated. My Mom Wants an All-You-Can-Eat Meal on a Budget, So I Sent Her This Disney World Hotel Restaurant Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts, and determine which works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. They also share expert tips and first-hand advice about your magical vacation. Small World Vacations Looking for more resources to help you get ready for your upcoming trip? Check out these posts to learn all about Disney World’s rides: 10 Rides to AVOID in Disney World if You Struggle with Motion Sickness What It Takes to CHANGE a Disney World Ride 9 of the SCARIEST Rides in Disney World, According to YOU! A FULL LIST of the Thrill Rides in Disney World! The Ultimate Guide to the BEST and WORST Seats On EVERY Magic Kingdom Ride We’ll keep you updated with all the latest news, so stay tuned to DFB. This Is the Dumbest Thing I’ve Ever Tried for Disney World — I’d Recommend It to Everyone Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW When is your next Disney World vacation? Let us know in the comments! View the full article
  13. Every week, we report the average Disney World wait times in every park so that you can be prepared for your next trip to Orlando! Queue Disney World wait times have a reputation for being, well, unpredictable. Sure, we can look at past data to get an estimate of the crowd levels in Disney World, but you never know what may happen from year to year. This week, the Guardians of the Galaxy held on to the top spot, topping 90 MINUTES! Take a look at this week’s average wait times for proof! This is everything you need to know about the average wait times in Disney World over the past seven days. Magic Kingdom Wait Times Blue is back! TRON Lightcycle / Run — 83 minutes Seven Dwarfs Mine Train — 59 minutes Space Mountain — 46 minutes Peter Pan’s Flight — 44 minutes Tiana’s Bayou Adventure — 40 minutes Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh — 38 minutes Jungle Cruise — 36 minutes Haunted Mansion — 27 minutes It’s back up! Astro Orbiter — 20 minutes Enchanted Tales with Belle — 20 minutes Pirates of the Caribbean — 19 minutes Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid — 18 minutes Barnstormer featuring the Great Goofini — 17 minutes Dumbo the Flying Elephant — 17 minutes Tomorrowland Speedway — 17 minutes Magic Carpets of Aladdin — 15 minutes “it’s a small world” — 15 minutes “it’s a small world” Mickey’s PhilharMagic — 12 minutes Mad Tea Party — 12 minutes Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover — 11 minutes Country Bear Jamboree — 9 minutes Carousel of Progress Enchanted Tiki Room — 9 minutes Prince Charming Regal Carrousel — 7 minutes Carousel of Progress — 4 minutes 3 Magic Kingdom Restaurants the Experts Refuse to Book EPCOT Wait Times Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind — 92 minutes Test Track — 82 minutes Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure — 55 minutes Frozen Ever After — 53 minutes Soarin’ — 37 minutes EPCOT Mission: SPACE — 17 minutes Turtle Talk with Crush — 15 minutes Spaceship Earth — 15 minutes Living with the Land — 14 minutes Journey into Imagination — 13 minutes The Seas with Nemo and Friends — 12 minutes Gran Fiesta Tour — 8 minutes Awesome Planet, American Adventure, Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival, Frozen Ever After, Impressions de France, and Reflections of China had no wait times this week. Frozen Ever After, while reopened, was not online long enough to establish an accurate average wait time. This Is One of the BEST Things To Do in EPCOT, and You Can’t Change My Mind Animal Kingdom Wait Times River Journey Avatar Flight of Passage — 70 minutes Na’vi River Journey — 41 minutes Expedition Everest Expedition Everest — 37 minutes Kilimanjaro Safaris — 35 minutes Zootopia: Better Zoogether — 16 minutes These Disney Adult Animal Kingdom Hacks Are Getting Out of Control Hollywood Studios Wait Times Slinky Dog Dash in Hollywood Studios Slinky Dog Dash — 77 minutes Rise of the Resistance — 62 minutes Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run — 53 minutes Toy Story Mania — 48 minutes Tower of Terror — 47 minutes Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway — 45 minutes Alien Swirling Saucers — 25 minutes Star Tours — 8 minutes Walt Disney Presents had no wait times this week. 5 Magic Kingdom Secrets Disney Doesn’t Want You to Know Stay tuned to DFB for more updates from Disney World! Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts, and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW How long would you wait for your favorite ride? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article
  14. It’s official: Bluey is taking over the Disney Parks! Bluey is in Disneyland! While we wait for the new Bluey’s Wild World experience at Conservation Station to open at Disney World on May 26th, we’re celebrating the first Bluey parks experience over at Disneyland Resort. Bluey’s Best Day Ever!, a live show with music and games, is taking over Fantasyland on March 22nd! We got a preview of the experience, but now it’s time to talk about the new themed food at Troubadour Tavern! Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disneyland to attend their media preview of Bluey’s Best Day Ever. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ View the full article
  15. This is not a drill. We repeat: This is NOT a drill! ©Disney Amazon is having a MASSIVE spring sale for 100 Disney items and essentials, and you seriously aren’t going to want to miss out. We’ve put together a small list of a few items that stood out to us, but save this page because we will be updating it leading up to the same day, and every day throughout the sale. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Get the FuelRod Max10 FuelRod MAX10 We seriously love the FuelRod Max 10! This is a HUGE Fuel Rod portable charger that’s been completely revamped from the form we once knew. We’ll be completely honest, it’s a little expensive. However, the huge advantage here is that you can swap it for free at Disney World, so you’re never without power. The key features of the product include multiple charging ports, a lit battery life indicator on the side, a button to turn power off and on, multiple chargers for different charging ends, and MagnaSafe so you can magnetically charge your phone. It’s 13% off right now, and we think it’s a must! View on Amazon This Disney Beach Bag is a must! ©Amazon We love this Simple Modern Rubber Tote Bag for the summer! This waterproof tote bag is perfect for those summer activities — the beach, pool, Disney World water park, or wherever your adventures take you. The tote will fit all the essentials you need, plus it has cute Minnie Mouse bows all over it. The bag is an absolute steal at 30% off! View on Amazon We love the Disney Adults Book Disney Adults Book! You can get the ‘Disney Adults’ by AJ Wolfe! The book goes into a fascinating and enlightening deep dive into the Disney Adult community from the woman behind our website, The Disney Food Blog. You won’t want to miss out on a look into a misunderstood subculture, exploring the lives and experiences of a fascinating community to better understand its devotees’ unwavering passion for all things Disney, why it offends, and why it matters. Get it on SALE now for 33% off! View on Amazon Or, you can grab this FROGG TOGG Poncho Frogg Toggs Poncho The Frogg Togg Waterproof Poncho has yet to fail us! When it comes to Disney World trips, we all know you can NEVER count out the chance of rain. We find these ponchos always come in handy. It’s 100% water proof and very breathable. It’s super easy to put on and has a pull-over hood. It’s also very easy to pack, as it comes with a little stuff sack to put the poncho in. View on Amazon Don’t forget about this Disney Card Game ©Amazon Dive into Disney “Eye Found It!” Hidden Picture Card Game! This game is fun with toddlers, preschoolers, kids 3–8, and even adults. It’s fun and educational, mixing Disney magic with learning, keeping children excited, focused, and entertained as they race to spot characters. At 30% off, you’ll be shocked to see the price! View on Amazon And finally, get this Bluey Wackadoo Dice ©Amazon You and your family will have a blast with the Bluey Wackadoo Dice! The set is designed to help children learn and have fun while playing silly games. It features Bluey and Bingo and is a perfect starter game for your preschooler. Roll the dice and then use your imagination to act out the combo. Roll the first die to choose the animal and the second die to choose the action. The game is currently 29% off! View on Amazon There’s so much more where that came from, and you can take a look at the whole store — all 100 deals! SHOP THE WHOLE SALE RIGHT HERE! We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article
  16. A new exclusive Disney World dining discount just dropped – D23 Members can now get 10% off at Todd English’s Bluezoo! The Dolphin Todd English’s Bluezoo is a popular table service restaurant in the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, which serves seafood and coastal cuisine. Todd English’s Bluezoo is highly acclaimed for its innovative seafood dishes. The restaurant has won several awards, notably the AAA Four Diamond Award, the Fodor’s Choice Award, and Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence. Todd English’s Bluezoo The restaurant has a vibrant, ocean-themed atmosphere. It was designed by renowned architect Jeffrey Beers, who is well known for his glass art. This restaurant is truly a work of art. There are so many awesome glass installations across the restaurant; we love these bubbly chandeliers. ©Disney There’s also a window where you can watch the chefs prepare your food. We could sit here all day! ©Disney Its staple menu items are raw bar oysters and clams, plus teppanyaki grilled fish. Our personal favorite is their BBQ Swordfish! We’d recommend Todd English’s Bluezoo to anyone looking for a sophisticated and upscale vibe at Disney World. This is one of those hidden gems where, while you’re technically at Disney World, it doesn’t feel like it at all! We love going to their bar on a night out since they have so many great drink options. ©Disney We also love their happy hour, which is daily from 4 PM to 6 PM. Get half-off beer, specialty cocktails, and bar snacks. You don’t need a reservation to sit at the bar, and their appetizers are all around the $20 mark, so it’s a steal for half off. Bluezoo Smoked Fish Cake D23 Members can enjoy 10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages. Just present your D23 Membership card for the discount! Plus, Bluezoo offers even more savings – Todd English’s bluezoo will validate your valet parking at the Dolphin Hotel for every order! Bluezoo’s Dynamite Shrimp Tempura D23 members, you can’t miss this deal. Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more Disney discounts! REVIEW: We Just Dined With ROYALTY At Disney’s NEW Restaurant Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you been to Todd English’s Bluezoo before? Comment below! View the full article
  17. Who’s ready to celebrate “Bluey’s Best Day Ever!” Bingo and Bluey The beloved Bluey from the show of the same name is officially at the Disneyland Resort. With this experience, you’ll get to enjoy Bluey-themed eats and treats, along with a new show featuring Bluey and Bingo. We’re excited for it all, but the show is what we’re super intrigued by. Over at the Disneyland Park, the Fantasyland Theatre has been transformed into a fun fair at Bluey’s School! There, you can join Bluey and her sister Bingo for a fun-filled celebration with interactive games and a live musical show! Throughout the day, Bluey and Bingo appear live on stage, joining a troupe of comedic actors and musicians… Best day ever It’s an adorable show that brings the popular show to life. It’s filled with iconic music and games inspired by beloved Bluey episodes that you’ll definitely recognize. It’s so much fun The audience had a BLAST watching Bluey and Bingo live on stage. All the kids were really into it This is an adorable show that you need to check out; it’s only here for a limited time, so you’ll want to catch it as soon as you can. You can see showtimes on the Disneyland website and Disneyland app. Don’t miss it! In addition to the live show, you’ll also find storytelling, games, and dance-alongs at Fantasyland Theatre. You can even explore the real life Fairy Garden and Gnome Village, race Barky Boats, and take a pretend ride on Bluey’s helicopter stump. We’ll be sharing a lot more of the Bluey experience, so make sure to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog. A NEW ‘Hoppers’ Attraction Just Opened at Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Will you be checking out the new show? Let us know in the comments! Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disneyland to attend their media preview of Bluey’s Best Day Ever! Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ View the full article
  18. Bonjour! We are visiting Disneyland Paris (!!!) to check out all the big updates that have happened to the resort recently, including the brand-new World of Frozen, and checking out Disney Adventure World, which has been completely reimagined from its previous days as Walt Disney Studios. New restaurant? Yes, please! The most exciting part of all that? Checking out all the new restaurants and food, of course! Seriously, you know us, we get excited about new Disney food. So, come with us as we check out the brand-new Nordic Crowns Tavern at World of Frozen! Atmosphere This is a new quick-service restaurant that is open for lunch and dinner. It features decorations that tell the story of the kingdom through galleries of paintings and royal artifacts. On the outside of the buildings, the colors match Elsa and Anna’s coronation dresses. There are purples and blues along with yellows and greens, and we love how colorful it is! Nordic Crowns Tavern Inside, you can see family portraits of Anna and Elsa throughout the years, along with some of their closest friends and family, like Sven, Kristoff, and Olaf. You can even spot a cat that was in Olaf’s Frozen Adventure! The cat’s sibling is in Hong Kong Disneyland. So adorable! There are lots of Norwegian and Nordic details around the restaurant, as well. You can see Rosemaling, the design along the bottom, throughout the movies and other Arendellian craftsmanship. It’s a gorgeous spot! But enough about the restaurant — what’s on the menu here?! Menu At this spot, you can find a customizable experience inspired by Nordic cuisine. The menu will have 16 possible combinations with bases like mashed potatoes or quinoa, paired with proteins like grilled salmon or Nordic meatballs, plus seasonal vegetables and tangy cranberry or creamy dill sauce. Menu You’ll also find salads, platters, desserts like an Arendelle swirl and an Everlasting Snowflake shortbread, wine, and a full kids menu — affectionately called the Mini Trolls Menu. We’re excited! And now, onto the main event — the food! Eats To eat, we grabbed the Salmon Steak with vegetable mix and crushed potatoes or quinoa, mustard, and dill sauce for 24€/around $27.77 USD (which came with a dessert and drink). Unfortunately, this wasn’t exactly what we were hoping it would be. It looked like it would be okay, but the salmon was way fishier than we expected — probably the fishiest salmon we’ve ever had. We hoped the dill sauce would balance it out, but unfortunately, we only got a bit of a bitter flavor from it! Salmon Steak The potatoes were pretty bland, and the texture of them was only what we can describe as gluey. The vegetables were fine, though slightly overcooked in our opinion. It’s not a meal we would personally get again, but we have hopes that it’ll improve as the restaurant finds its footing! We were NOT fans of this one For dessert, we tried Olaf’s Cold Hug, which is your choice of vanilla or tutti frutti flavor ice cream. Olaf’s Cold Hug It wasn’t the best soft serve we’ve had, but hey, we love ice cream! Now, the tutti frutti flavor did taste a bit like stale bubblegum from a gumball machine, but perhaps we just got a not-so-solid batch. Now, it was SUPER cute, and we loved taking photos of it before it started to melt (as ice cream normally does), and again, we’re hoping this one stabilizes when the land fully opens on March 29th. Nosh or Not This Disney restaurant is a must-visit if… You or someone in your party absolutely loves Frozen and wants the whole World of Frozen experience. You’re the furthest thing from picky — some of the options here won’t be familiar to those outside of Europe, so you’ll need to be a bit adventurous. You’re starving and just need SOMETHING with some protein to eat ASAP, and you want to sit somewhere with plenty of seating to enjoy it. You should skip this Disney spot if… You want a meal that will leave you REALLY impressed — something that you won’t be able to stop raving about when you get home! You need a menu with more options for both ultra-adventurous eaters and picky eaters. You and your party don’t have any interest in Frozen, or aren’t interested in checking out the dining options inside World of Frozen. Overall We really wanted to love this spot, don’t get us wrong, but with this food quality — the lack of flavor, the startling textures, and the low-quality — we were the furthest thing from impressed. We’re really hoping to hear that things have improved before the land officially opens on March 29th, along with the rest of Disney Adventure World, and we’ll be sure to keep you updated! We did enjoy the glittery silverware, though! In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for more restaurant updates from Disneyland Paris and beyond. Make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more! See more Disneyland Paris news at the links below! REVIEW: Disney’s New ‘Frozen’ Themed Restaruant Just Threw Us for a Massive LoopWe Saw The Animatronic Olaf, and We’ll Be Thinking About It ForeverREVIEW: We Just Dined With ROYALTY At Disney’s NEW RestaurantWe Never Knew a Disney Nighttime Show Could Be THIS Mind BlowingCome With Us For A FIRST LOOK INSIDE Disney’s New Princess Dining Experience DON'T DO IT ALONE! 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 GET MORE INFO Will you be checking out the new World of Frozen at Disneyland Paris? Tell us in the comments! Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disneyland Paris to attend their media preview of the new World of Frozen land. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ View the full article
  19. Have you ever just looked at something on Amazon and thought it was a really dumb idea, but you thought it might also be a great idea? Because that happens to us all the time. We’ve tried out some things in Disney World that we thought were ridiculous, that we ended up loving (hello, fan hat). They look ridiculous…but hear us out. Well, one of those things turned out to be some rain shoe covers that look OUTRAGEOUS and so NOT glamorous, but then we tried them on a rainy day in Disney World…and well, they changed our lives. So we’re going to tell you all about them. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Get the Silicone Waterproof Shoe Covers Silicone Waterproof Shoe Covers Now, we won’t be winning any high fashion awards with these shoe covers, but they are gamechangers. We’ll be honest, though…when we first saw them, we had our doubts. But they actually work! They will keep your shoes and feet dry even on the wettest day in Disney World (and as you know, you’ll probably face a rainstorm in Disney World at least once during your trip). You literally just slip them on over your shoes and zip them up. Easy does it! The sizes are pretty standard, but if you’re on the upper part of the sizing for the shoes, you might want to size up so you can fit your shoes in there, especially if you’re wearing a bulkier shoe like HOKAs. zipped up So if you want to wear your sneakers to Disney World, even on a rainy day — or when it might rain — you can still wear your favorite shoes and not have to worry about walking around in wet shoes all day if you’ve got these. As far as we’re concerned, these are definitely worth the price. view ON AMAZON We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article
  20. We’re at Disneyland Paris for the revamp of the Walt Disney Studios park, now called Disney Adventure World! We’re so excited for their new Frozen land, but that’s not the only new attraction over in the area! Welcome to World of Frozen in Disney Adventure World! World of Frozen features NUMEROUS new offerings, including rides, a new show called A Celebration in Arendelle, meet and greets, and so much more. However, we really loved the new character experiences in this new land, and figured it was time to do a deep dive! One of the things we were most excited for was A Celebration in Arendelle, which is a show that happens nightly in the new land. It takes place on the harbor, entirely in boats, and we absolutely loved this show! Olaf and Kristoff come out on the first boat, where you’ll hear Olaf speaking English and Kristoff speaking French, and they set the story of the show, which is that Olaf has been put in charge of decorating for the Snowflower Festival. Olaf looked AMAZING on that boat — we were blown away by how realistic he looks, and how well he moves! We did hear that B-mode for Olaf in this show, meaning that robot Olaf isn’t working, is a puppet, so it’s possible you may see that instead of robo-Olaf on your trip. He looks amazing! This is the only way we saw Olaf on our trip; we didn’t see him roaming around the land. Therefore, if you want to be sure you can see this incredibly animatronic, be sure to snag a spot for this show, as it’s unclear if he’ll be wandering around the land greeting guests, but we’ll find out when the land opens on March 29th! He’s so cute! A float with dancers comes out, then, as some colored jets of water begin creating flowers. However, as they finish decorating, Olaf realizes he’s forgotten the snow crystals for the Snowflower, which doesn’t make it a true Snowflower! Beautiful! He doesn’t want to tell Anna and Elsa, but, being Queens, they already know. When the final boat comes out with Anna and Elsa, Elsa uses her powers to create some really amazing water effects and fireworks, and puts the snow crystals on the flower. We thought the show was lots of fun and super cute, so we highly recommend! It’s Anna and Elsa! We also visited Royal Encounter to visit Anna and Elsa! The meet and greet itself is actually inside the castle, which is incredible, and you enter through a side archway. Royal Encounter You’ll walk through a few doors at the start of the queue, and then you’ll find yourself inside the entrance hall — right where Anna sings “For The First Time in Forever!” You’ll recognize the portraits on the wall, the details on the ceiling were stunning, and overall, we felt like we had just stepped into the film. We’re in the main hall! It’s here that you’ll meet a Cast Member who will ask you how many people are in your party. When there is space, you’ll then be sent through to the final hallway. The Cast Member You’ll wait in another castle-like hallway… Final hallway! …and then you’ll be directed to one of three doors to meet Anna and Elsa together! We have a feeling this will be a VERY popular meet and greet, but those three doors will help things move relatively quickly. However, it’s important to note that when this experience officially opens on March 29th, it’ll require a Virtual Queue! It’s Anna and Elsa! There is PhotoPass inside the space to take photos for you, and then you can head to the kiosk at the end to grab your ticket that will activate your photos. Overall, we thought this ran very smoothly, and it was SO neat to step inside the castle. This is the first time we’ve met both of them together, at the same time, which was a tiny bit overwhelming, but that may have just been us! Originally, we thought it would be cool to walk across the bridge for the meet and greet, so you’re entering the castle from the front, but then we realized just how much that would mess up people’s photos! Our ticket for our photos! That’s far from the only new meet and greet in Disney Adventure World, though, because now you can meet Mickey at Adventure Way! We loved his outfit, and it’s always great to say hello to the main mouse himself. Hi, Mickey! The park itself has remained open through all this construction, but the new areas officially open on Sunday, March 29th, and the name of the park will switch over then. Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more Disney Adventure World updates! All About Disney’s Roaming Olaf Animatronic! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Will you be going to Disney Adventure World? Comment below! Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disney to attend their media preview of Disney Adventure World. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ View the full article
  21. Summer at Disney World is getting closer than you realize. You can already start to feel some of that summer heat from time to time. Magic Kingdom When it comes to going to Disney World in the summer, packing essentials can look a lot different. We’ve put together a list of the seven essentials you NEED this summer to help you avoid heat exhaustion. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Get this Rapunzel Owala Owala Rapunzel Water Bottle Owala is one of our favorite water bottle brands. They’re great to bring to Disney because of how much water they hold, their light weight, and the ability to sip it from the spout or the straw. It got even better when we saw this Rapunzel Owala water bottle! The 24-oz water bottle comes in the iconic princesses’ colors, and it has a floating lantern on it as well. View on Amazon This JISULIFE Handheld Mini Fan JISULIFE Handheld Mini Fan We recommend getting a JISULIFE Handheld Mini Fan for your next park day! You’ve probably seen us bring this up a few times, but we LOVE it! It’s a 3-in-1 USB rechargeable portable fan. It offers great cooling while you’re at the park, a power bank that can last 12-19 hours, and a flashlight. view ON AMAZON We love the Portable Neck Fan JISULIFE Portable Neck Fan Another way we love to stay cool is the JISULIFE Portable Neck Fan! It can last up to 16 hours on a full charge, which can easily get you through a hot theme park day. DFB reporters have found it fairly easy to pack, and a great Disney day essential. Right now, you can get it for 18% off! view ON AMAZON Or, you can grab this AMKEN Waist Fan AMKEN Waist Fan We love using the AMKEN Waist Fan at Disney World! It has three wind speeds depending on how much cooling you need. It’s great for everyday use. Outside of the parks, this actually makes for an amazing camping tool — it can act as an LED flashlight AND a power bank to charge your phone. It’s currently 17% off! view ON AMAZON Don’t forget about this Mouse Misting Mini Fan LACOVIA Cute Mouse Misting Mini Fan Another great device we use to stay cool is this Mouse Misting Mini Fan! The fan has three different speeds, plus it’s a fan with Mickey ears — how can you say no?! The fan is rechargeable with a USB-C charging cord included with it. The back stick rotates down so you can have a longer handle to it, and the button will work for the fan and mister. view ON AMAZON There’s also this Mickey Stroller Fan J.L. Childress Disney Baby Mickey Mouse Stroller Fan For all of you who are bringing kiddos to Disney World, this Mickey Mouse Stroller Fan is a great buy! Keep your child cool with this lightweight, clip-on fan featuring three speeds and 360-degree rotation for customized airflow on strollers. It also works in the car and other spots. view ON AMAZON And finally, Neck Cooling Tube ©Amazon Lastly, you need to check out this Neck Cooling Tube! This uses “innovative liquid plant Phase Change Material,” and these coolers freeze faster and last longer than water. The outer layer is “wrapped in Thermoplastic polyurethanes, so there is no need to worry about frostbite on the skin.” It’s the ideal way to keep cool. view ON AMAZON We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article
  22. Bonjour, nos amis! We are visiting Disneyland Paris (yes, we are REALLY THERE) to check out all the big updates that have happened to the resort recently, including checking Disney Adventure World, which has been completely reimagined from its previous days as Walt Disney Studios. We got to be part of her world! The most exciting part of all that? Checking out all the new restaurants and food, of course! Seriously, you know us, we get excited about new Disney food. Well, we just got a chance to visit The Regal View Restaurant & Lounge in Disney Adventure World, and we’re going to tell you ALL about it! Atmosphere The Regal View Restaurant & Lounge is a table service restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and yes, it lives up to its name of “regal view.” First, it’s located in the new World of Frozen land, aka Arendelle. But it also looks like royalty lives here…so yes, it’s FANCY. Oh, and did we also mention that it’s a character dining experience? Well, it is, and this is where you want to go if you want to meet Disney Princesses. Let’s go inside Disney’s new restaurant! It looks like a royal palace from the outside with a “regal view” of the lake. Not a bad view Inside, you’ll find some gorgeous murals of Disney Princesses, because what’s more royal than that? STUNNING You’ll definitely want to spend some time wandering around the restaurant and checking out all the murals because they really are GORGEOUS. Another mural As you can see, this restaurant is a MUST for Disney Princess fans. SO pretty The lightning fixtures are even fit for a princess. Lighting Also, be sure to check out the silhouettes of the princesses hanging on the walls. These are like the special silhouettes you can get on Main Street, U.S.A., which is one of our favorite Disney World and Disneyland souvenirs. Silhouettes Also, be sure to look at the smaller details. You’ll see nods to the princesses everywhere, like these details that include Snow White’s bird friends. Cindy’s birds! Even the draperies are worthy of royalty! Gorgeous draperies You’ll also see decorative plates inspired by the Princesses that were handmade by renowned Dutch porcelain crafter Royal Delft — oh, and they also make plates for the Dutch royal family! Plenty of seating is also available at standard tables and pretty chairs with velvet backs. It’s GORGEOUS Speaking of princesses, you’ll get to meet them here, too! Yes, this is a character meal. So it’s giving Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom a run for its money. In case you were wondering, the restaurant officially opens on March 29th. But enough about the restaurant — what’s on the menu here?! Menu Disney describes the menu of The Regal View Restaurant & Lounge as “international cuisine.” The set menu features an “entree,” a “plat,” and a dessert (note: an “entree” in French is what Americans call an appetizer or starter, and a “plat” — or “dish” — is the main course). You’ll have a choice of various selections for each. A children’s menu is also available. You can even order wine and champagne pairings to go with your meal. The set menu is 110€, which comes to about $115 USD. Specialty drinks cost extra. Food menu For drinks, you can order a variety of specialty drinks. Specialty drinks Other beverages are also available, including classic cocktails, beer, cider, aperitifs, champagne, and even non-alcoholic sparkling wine. Other beverages There is also an extensive wine menu. Wine menu A variety of other spirits and liqueurs are included on the menu, as well as non-alcoholic cold and hot drinks. Other drinks If you want something to take home to remember your meal by, you can order a drink in a souvenir champagne flute. Souvenir flute If you’re celebrating a birthday, you can even order a special birthday dessert. You can get a birthday dessert And now, onto the main event — the food! Eats We started our meal with avocado and ginger mousse with mango tartare, pumpkin seed crumble, and dill oil sauce. This might have been our favorite thing we ate during the whole meal. The mousse is served very cold, but it’s super creamy with lots of avocado. We hated that we couldn’t really taste the ginger, though. You also get these huge chunks of mango that pair SO well with that avocado, like YUM. We didn’t care for the pumpkin seed crumble on the bottom. It tasted wheaty, and although it added some crunch, it didn’t work with the other flavors. The dill oil sauce was light, so it didn’t overpower anything. Avocado and ginger mousse We also had the bluefin tuna tataki with sesame seeds, daikon and wakame salad, pineapple, and Sichuan peppercorn chutney. The bluefin was meaty, but mild, and it didn’t have a strong fish taste. The sesame seeds added a nice nutty flavor. It’s a pretty straightforward dish, but we’re not going to hold that against it. The salad underneath was a bit plain, and honestly, it wasn’t as fresh as we would have liked. It mostly just added some crunchiness to the whole dish. The pineapple and chutney were the stars of the plate because it was sweet, fruity, and complex. We would’ve loved more of it! Bluefin tuna tataki For our main course, we chose the gilthead seabream with kaffir lime and vanilla sauce, sweet potato purée, and braised bok choy. This is one of the better entrees we’ve had at Disneyland Paris, but we haven’t had good experiences with many! The fish, though, is well-cooked and flaky, like it fell apart when you put your fork in it. The skin didn’t really add anything, except that it looked cool. The sauces worked well with the fish, while the silky sweet potato purée added some sweetness. The bok choy added some nice texture, and overall, we would 100% recommend this dish. Gilthead seabream We also had the steak with onion confit with red wine sauce, potato pancake with Comté AOP, and thyme. Okay, so they had us at Comté AOP because it’s seriously a fantastic French cheese. Steak and potato pancake with CHEESE? Say no more! HOWEVER promising it sounded, it turned out to be the biggest letdown for us. The steak was more like a pot roast, and it was fatty. The flavor was good, but the cut of meat…well, we didn’t think it was great. The onion confit does add a nice savoriness, but the one single piece of broccolini was not seasoned…at all. At least, the potato pancake with cheese was savory, as well as cooked decently, but yeah, this just didn’t work for us. We had high expectations, and they weren’t met. Steak with onion confit So with that being said, surely dessert would be good, right? This is PARIS, after all. And one thing the French do well is dessert. We ordered the vanilla ganache mousse cake with raspberry insert and crispy praline. The presentation was PERFECTION. This looks like something Belle might have cooked up. The presentation was our favorite thing about this sweet treat. The shortbread cookie was fine — it was plain, but crumbly. The mousse was…well, fine — it was airy, fluffy, and chocolatey, but was on the bland side. We wanted more vanilla bean flavor, and we just didn’t get it. The tart raspberry in the center, though, livened things up, but beyond that, everything else is just okay. Vanilla ganache mousse cake We also got the white chocolate, pineapple-passion fruit, and almond and coconut mousse cake. Now, on paper, this one sounded more exciting. This dessert is Ariel-themed, hence the shell shape. This is a VERY Disney dessert, and by that, we mean, it’s got that gel on it. White chocolate mousse cake What we really enjoyed was that the mousse was light, airy, and sweet. Then you have the shell of white chocolate that pairs perfectly with the mousse. It’s not a complicated dessert, but it’s a light treat to eat after two courses. Drinks To drink, we picked up the non-alcoholic Floral Whisper, with hibiscus green tea, apple juice, as well as raspberry and black currant flavors. We like that this didn’t taste like something made for kids, but an elevated non-alcoholic drink for adults. It gave us tea vibes, and it was slightly bitter without a lot of sweetness. Although it has “floral” in its name, we really didn’t get a lot of that flavor. It was sort of like a savory iced tea that felt like a cocktail. Floral Whisper We also had the Orchard Whisper with white wine, apple juice, elderflower liqueur, and verjuice. It’s basically a fancy juice drink, but for adults. It was sweet with lots of fruit and apple flavor, but it didn’t taste overly sugary. You can’t really taste the wine, but you get a HINT of alcohol flavor that is barely noticeable. This is one of those cocktails that could please just about anyone who wants a light, refreshing, and boozy drink. Orchard Whisper It’s a sweet, fruity, elevated fruit juice cocktail. Characters So, who all did we get to meet when we visited the restaurant? Well, there was Ariel, who we were super excited to see in her more casual outfit. Ariel at Regal View Restaurant We also got to say hello to Merida, but she did not have her b00000000000wwwww… Merida! Aurora met us in her Briar Rose dress. Aurora Belle is dressed in her village dress. She told us about all the latest books she’s read. Belle Disney also mentioned that Mulan would be meeting with guests here, too, but it’s random which princesses you might see at any given meal. Nosh or Not This Disney World restaurant is a must-visit if… You want to eat somewhere fancy. If you want to feel bougie, this is the restaurant to do it. The entire experience is elevated and fit for a princess. Yes, it’s pricey, but you’ll feel like a million bucks just sitting in this restaurant. You love Disney Princesses. It’s a no-brainer if you’re a fan of Disney Princesses to book a special meal here. You’re celebrating a special occasion. This is the perfect restaurant for celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion, and you can even add on a special celebratory dessert. You should skip this Disney World spot if… You’re on a budget. You pay serious $$$ for the experience of dining here, and at over $100 per person, this is not the place you want to eat if you need to stay on a budget. You don’t really care about Princesses. The entire theme of this restaurant is designed around Disney Princesses, so if you’re not a big Princess fan or want to see other characters, you’re not really going to enjoy the ambience or characters here. You want a quick meal. This is a three-course meal, so it will take a little time to get through it. If you’ve ever dined in France, you know service is generally more on the relaxed side, so this could eat into our valuable park time. Overall We were very impressed with the whole theme and ambience of the restaurant, and it really is gorgeous. We felt like princesses ourselves just by dining here, but we also enjoyed meeting the princesses while we ate. The food was also better than a lot of what we’ve had in Disneyland Paris, although there were some clear misses. Overall, this is one of those restaurants you book when you want to feel special or you just really want to live out your Disney Princess dreams. In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for more restaurant updates from Disney World and beyond. Make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more! Every Disney World Change I’m Not Prepared For in 2026 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you eaten at this Disney World restaurant before? Tell us in the comments! Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disneyland Paris to attend their media preview of Disney Adventure World. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ View the full article
  23. Last month, Big Top Souvenirs, a popular shop in Magic Kingdom‘s Storybook Circus, closed for structural updates with no reopening date in sight. Big Top Souvenirs When we headed to Magic Kingdom recently, we had to check it out and see if they’ve made any construction progress. Spoiler alert – It looks totally different! Big Top Souvenirs is a massive circus tent that closed for extensive refurbishment of the tent’s structure on February 20th. It won’t reopen until later this year, and no specific season or date has been announced yet. When we visited the store the day it closed, construction walls were wrapped all around the building and the Storybook Circus entrance. Yes, even MORE walls! While we couldn’t get too close, the tent was still there, just very far away. Disney didn’t announce what structural fixes would occur, so we were very surprised by what Big Top Souvenirs looks like today. So close, but so far! When we came back another day, the Big Top tent had disappeared completely! Talk about a jumpscare. It looks like construction teams are working on the steel frame of the tent, and the tent might need to be refreshed as well. This closure could be much longer than we originally thought. It’s gone! Big Top Souvenirs isn’t the only Storybook Circus closure right now. Pete’s Silly Sideshow, the character meet-and-greet area for Minnie Mouse, Donald and Daisy Duck, and Goofy, has been closed since January 4th. The tent also needed structural repairs, but the building has no reopening time at all! The characters have been meeting around Storybook Circus instead, so you can still get your hugs in. Pete’s Silly Sideshow Big Top Souvenirs is set to reopen later this year, while there is currently no opening timeline for Pete’s Silly Sideshow. Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more Disney World construction news! Does This NEW Disney World Permit Mean a Popular Ride Could Be CHANGING? Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you been to Storybook Circus? Comment below! View the full article
  24. Change is a fact of life at Walt Disney World. Over the years, the company has closed and opened new rides, lands, and even changed hotels to the point of being unrecognizable, and Disney fans — as would be expected — have never been shy about expressing their opinions. ©@bioreconstruct Currently, Disney is building the new Lakeshore Lodge on the space formerly occupied by the River Country water park, and our readers have THOUGHTS. We took to Facebook to ask why some aren’t thrilled with the resort. The new resort is set to be a mixed-use offering with both Disney Vacation Club and Deluxe Resort Tier lodging. Set to be “inspired by the majesty of nature and its enduring influence on Disney artists”, the resort will include numerous amenities, including a large pool complex and dining. That said, many readers take exception to elements of the resort. ©Disney Several readers expressed concern about how Lakeshore Lodge could potentially impact the nearby Fort Wilderness campground, a Disney World staple since 1971. Reader Elizabeth wrote, “I personally don’t like the idea of Lakeshore Lodge being built because I feel like it will ruin the peace and quiet of the campground a d and I think it will get overcrowded and lose its charm, which is what makes it special in the first place.” Reader Karen expressed, “For me it’s the location. And how that location is going to impact things at the campground. Right now, there is nothing blocking the road between the horse barn and the settlement area. So it appears that you could just drive on over. The thing is that at the campground, there are very few parking spots, and most use golf carts to get around. I can only imagine what not having a gate to block off this new resort will do during times when entry to the campground is limited to guests only- like Halloween and Christmas. I just question the closeness of where they actually built this thing.” Fort Wilderness campsite ©Disney Reader Christine expressed a similar sentiment, opining, “I didn’t realize why people were upset about it until I went to Hoop Dee Doo (Musical Review) for the first time last week. It’s such a vibe killer if you’re in the Fort Wilderness bubble and then have to stare out to a super modern building. I’m sure it will be beautiful but it just looks weird from Fort Wilderness.” ©@bioreconstruct The issue of the resort’s theme, or perceived lack thereof, was brought up by several readers. As Ray expressed, “I think the backlash is more related to the lack of grounds theming and them looking like a run-of-the-mill Hilton or Marriott. Most Disney fans want to be immersed, and Disney corporate has lost vision of a lot of theming. If I wanted to stay in a “hotel” I’d just stay at the Drury in Disney Springs and be done with it. Give me Art of Animation, the OG Poly, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Port Orleans, or Old Key West any day, every day, all day long.” Reader Jean took issue with the property being a Disney Vacation Club property, writing, “I like the idea of the hotel, what I don’t like is it’s yet another DVC property. I know Disney makes a ton of money off DVC memberships and that’s why they keep pushing for more and more of them. Also, it would be nice to have another moderate resort on property somewhere rather than so many deluxe resorts.” Lakeshore Lodge under construction Reader Dianna expressed annoyance less at the Lakeshore Lodge specifically, and more at the idea of Disney adding more hotel rooms in general, writing, “The problem is they keep adding more hotel rooms, but not more rides and attractions. So you’ve got thousands more people in the parks every day, and no additional space in the parks for them to enjoy. So now we are really packed like sardines in the parks, and lines are even longer. Not to mention all the areas in the parks that they are closing down. Dinoland is closed, the Muppet show is closed, the riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island are closed, Thunder Mountain is closed, etc., etc. They should consider opening a fifth park. That’s what is really needed, in my humble opinion, not another hotel.” Of course, it is worth noting that several of the rides they mentioned will either be reopened or replaced by something new by the time Lakeshore Lodge opens. Lakeshore Lodge at night Not everyone is upset, however, as reader Kari pointed out, “I’m excited! As a DVC member, it looks to be a BIG capacity resort to fill a definite need. It’s become increasingly difficult to get a room (within) the 7-month window. Hope this helps that a bit!” ©@bioreconstruct If you’re interested in sharing your thoughts on this, or any other Disney or travel-related topic, follow us on the DFB Facebook to join in on the next conversation! Why So Many Disney Fans Accidentally Sabotage Their First Hour in Magic Kingdom Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you excited or anxious about Lakeshore Lodge? Let us know in the comments below. View the full article
  25. Here at Disney Food Blog, we’re Disney experts. We go to Disney World or Disneyland every single day! We’re constantly trying out items to stay organized, beat the heat, and make traveling easier. We can’t go to Disney without them! We’ve rounded up our favorite gadgets that make our Disney days 10x easier! And as an added bonus, they’re all available on Amazon right now for $20 or less with free shipping for Prime members! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Get the Frogg Toggs Poncho! Frogg Toggs Poncho This Frogg Toggs Poncho is 100% waterproof, seam-taped, lightweight, and durable. It’s constructed with an outer layer that provides waterproof and breathable protection, with an inner layer that remains soft next to the skin. Plus, it comes in a handy waterproof sack for easy carrying. view ON AMAZON This Multicharger for MagicBand+ is perfect for families! MultiCharger for MagicBand+ This MultiCharger for MagicBand+ can charge up to four MagicBands. This makes charging all of our MagicBands so easy, and we think this little device is worth every single penny! Or, you can use the USB-A ports to charge your phone or portable charger. No more fighting over hotel outlets! view ON AMAZON We love these Silicone Shoe Covers! Silicone Waterproof Shoe Covers The Silicone Shoe Covers provide better slip resistance while keeping your shoes dry. They’re made of 100% high quality, non-toxic silicone rubber that’s safe and durable. We love them for rainy park days! view ON AMAZON Or, you can grab our favorite Handheld Mini Fan! JISULIFE 3 IN 1 Handheld Mini Fan The JISULIFE Handheld Mini Fan keeps us cool from rope drop to fireworks. It also has a built-in flashlight and a power bank to charge your phone. It barely takes up any space in your backpack, but when you need it, you’ll be so glad you grabbed it. It might be small, but this fan works hard even on the hottest summer days. This is another one we constantly find ourselves reaching for! view ON AMAZON Don’t forget the Dreamegg White Noise Machine! Dreamegg Portable Travel White Noise Machine The Dreamegg White Noise Machine is a portable egg-sized sound machine made for traveling! It has 16 soothing nature sounds, including ocean waves, rain, birds, fan sounds, and white noise to mask background noise, help you fall asleep faster, and stay asleep longer. You’ll sleep like a baby even in the loudest hotels. view ON AMAZON And finally, this Mini Backpack Organizer Insert will help you stay organized! HOYOFO Mini Backpack Organizer This Mini Backpack Organizer Insert fits perfectly into a Disney Loungefly Mini Backpack to stay organized! It has 7 multi-pockets of different sizes that fit portable chargers, water bottles, umbrellas, cosmetics, travel items, wallets, purses, or phones. view ON AMAZON We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article
×
×
  • Create New...