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New vaccination rules for cruises, mask rule changes at Disney World, and new guidelines for cruise lines have led to a LOT of COVID-related news lately. Hollywood Sign Today, we’ve got a new update for you from the West Coast. According to the California Department of Public Health, indoor events with 1,000 people or more will have to require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test for entry starting September 20th. This was previously the case at events with 5,000 or more people. This rule will be in place at least until November 1st. Do note that self-attestation to verify a person’s vaccination status will no longer be accepted. Governor Gavin Newsom ©California As of now, these changes are not impacting Disneyland Resort. But if anything changes, we will be sure to let you know. As we have said before, we want to keep you up to date on important travel news since changes could impact other parts of our readers’ vacations. Are you planning a trip to Disneyland? Let u know in the comments below. The post Proof of Vaccination or Negative COVID Test to Be Required for More Indoor California Events first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Hello, DFB Readers! The Animal Kingdom Lodge lobby is GORGEOUS. What a week we’ve had at Disney World! We’ve been trying to make sense of Disney Genie (and we hope we’ve helped you make sense of it, too). We’ve been checking out all the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival booths that have opened early. We’ve been to some restaurant reopenings, too! But we’ve also been to the resorts to see what’s new! So on with the updates! Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Food Updates Boma Boma has officially reopened, and this reopening is different because it’s the first buffet to be served at Disney World since the resort’s closure last year. It looks like buffets are back. Buffets are back at Disney World! We’ll have a review up soon of the Boma buffet, so keep an eye out for that! See Photos and Videos of Boma’s Reopening Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Food Updates The Artist’s Palette We’re pretty sure we had one of the best noodle bowls at Disney World at The Artist’s Palette. We tried the Asian Noodle Bowl with Rice Noodles with Miso Pho Broth, Napa Cabbage, Tofu, Onions, Mushrooms, Carrots, Jalapenos, Cilantro, and Lime. Yummy broth And for $12.99, it was flavorful and delicious! Read Our Full Review of the Asian Noodle Bowl Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Merchandise Updates The Artist’s Palette Shop There’s a new Saratoga Springs Clothing Collection, including these super-comfy-looking Saratoga Springs Shorts for $27.99… Comfy shorts …a Saratoga Springs Women’s Cropped Shirt for $29.99… Women’s Shirt …a Saratoga Springs T-Shirt for $27.99… We like this green! …a Saratoga Springs Baseball Cap… Cool hat …and a Saratoga Springs Sweatshirt! Need a sweet new sweatshirt? The sweatshirt is $59.99. Disney Isn’t Done Releasing New Halloween Merchandise Quite Yet Because Here’s More Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort Construction Updates Carriage House There’s some construction going on at Saratoga Springs — the carriage house is currently getting some work done. Guests have to check-in OUTSIDE right now. As such, guests are being checked in outdoors. Here’s When Cirque du Soleil’s New Show Will Debut in Disney World Disney’s Contemporary Resort Merchandise Updates Bayview Gifts This is Halloween — or a Halloween display. We are SO ready for spooky season. This is Halloween!!! The Ears Loungefly Backpack has also been restocked — grab it while it’s back! TOO cute! We also spotted the new Mary Blair Alice in Wonderland collection here. Such a cute collection The Home Mug has also been restocked! It IS Home! And we spotted the 50th Anniversary Calendar. 50th Anniversary Calendar We’re seeing the 50th Anniversary merchandise popping up all over the resorts now, too! Check Out The Full Mary Blair Alice in Wonderland Collection! Fantasia The 50th Anniversary Pin is here! 50 years!!! And check out the Hocus Pocus Mystery Pin Boxes…we’re intrigued! Oooh… what will we get? We could easily go amuck, amuck, amuck with these! Check Out The Hocus Pocus Crocs We Found at Disney World! Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Merchandise Updates Basin Did someone say bath and body stuff? We LOVE how this place smells! And you can grab the Basin Disney Collection here! Basin Disney Collection That includes Mickey Soap… Mickey soap …and the Mickey Bath Bomb! Mickey Bath Bomb And get this — the bath bomb smells just like the cannonball scene in Pirates of the Caribbean. Check out Basin’s New Line of Disney Character Lip Balms Curiouser Clothiers There’s a new Grand Floridian Women’s Shirt for $36.99. Love this shirt And if you buy Guerlain perfume, you can get a free gift if you purchase $100 or more. FREE gift! So if you’re needing some new scents while at Disney World, now you know where to go. Here Are 10 Disney Shirts That EVERYONE Will Be Asking You About Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Other Updates Crafts We spotted a new arts and crafts opportunity at the Grand Floridian. Cast Members were offering a button craft. Crafts? Sign us up! It costs $10 plus tax per canvas. Here Are 10 Disney Halloween Crafts For Your Kids Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Food Updates Pineapple Lanai We TOTALLY kicked our Dole Whip up a notch at Pineapple Lanai. So we got a Raspberry and Lemon Dole Whip Swirl for $4.99 and guess what, they now have Tajin (they have them on the counter in a cup)!! We sprinkled the Tajin on the Dole Whip and created a delicious Dole Whip with a hint of spice. Double thumbs up We LOVED it! Here’s How We Kicked Our Dole Whip Up A Notch at Disney World Kona Island Now that Kona Island has reopened, we checked to see if there was anything new. That’s when we saw the Pumpkin Spice Syrup. YAY! YES! It’s pumpkin spice season and we are here for it! See More About Kona Island’s Reopening Moana Mercantile The Loungefly Aulani Mini Backpack has officially arrived in Disney World! Such a cute bag This backpack is available for $90. Here’s How To Pre-Order the Latest Haunted Mansion Loungefly x Disney Collection NOW! Boutiki The Polynesian Hat has also been restocked. Polynesian Hat We also noticed MORE 50th anniversary merchandise here. Get A First Look at Disney World 50th Anniversary Merchandise! Those are all the updates we have this time around, but stay tuned because we’ll be back for more! ALL the Disney World Resorts and Attractions Under Construction This Week Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What’s your favorite Disney World resort? Let us know in the comments! The post What's New at the Disney World Hotels: A Delicious Noodle Bowl, A Spicy Dole Whip Hack, and 50th Anniversary Merchandise first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The global pandemic remains a fluid situation when it comes to Disney World vacations. Previous Face Mask Signage When the parks first opened, face masks were required at almost all times, social distancing markers were all over the place, and there was limited capacity in the parks. Most of those things have gradually faded away as things began to shift nationally and vaccines became widely available. But recently, safety measures like face masks were put back into place, regardless of vaccination status. COVID-19 vaccines are currently only approved for people ages 12 and up. So, we asked our readers on Instagram if they are comfortable bringing their kids under the age of 12 to Disney World right now, as they can’t be vaccinated. Here are the results: Instagram results 6,107 people voted “yes” and 4,469 people voted “no.” So, there’s a good chunk of people on both sides, but the majority of our readers who answered the poll say they are comfortable bringing their kids under the age of 12 to Disney World. The majority voted “yes” Disney World does have safety regulations in place, like face masks being required for all guests ages 2 and up while indoors and there being no character meet and greets right now. Hollywood Studios Face Masks Sign That’s our look at what our readers said about bringing kids under 12 to Disney World right now. Stay tuned to DFB for Disney World news, updates, and info. Click here to see the most recent Disney World face mask requirements Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! How would you have answered the poll? Tell us in the comments! The post How Our Readers Feel About Bringing Kids Under 12 to Disney World Right Now first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

With new vaccination requirements and a flurry of cancellations, Disney Cruise Line is making lots of changes to adapt to the times. The tower on the Disney Wish However, cruises have started to set sail again, including Disney cruises. Today, the CDC has some new guidances for certain individuals seeking to go on a cruise. According to USA Today, the CDC has officially updated its guidances for cruise ships. The CDC has determined that individuals who are at risk (older folks, pregnant or recently pregnant people, and other people whose immunities are decreased or compromised) should avoid trips on cruise ships regardless of vaccination status. ©Disney This is due to the fact that although the vaccine prevents most COVID-19 contractions and increases the body’s ability to fight the disease effectively, at-risk individuals should still be cautious during these times, especially with the appearance of the new Delta variant. ©Disney So, according to the CDC, it’s best to avoid cruise ships if you’re at risk in any way, regardless of vaccination status. We’re always keeping up with the latest news that could affect your Disney trip, so stay tuned for more. Click here to read about the latest news in the Scarlett Johansson case Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post NEWS: CDC Updates Cruise Guidance For High-Risk Passengers first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’ve dined at Disney World in the last year, then you’re probably familiar with QR code menus! You can scan these codes with your phone’s camera, and then boom! You’ve got the restaurant’s menu open on your phone. QR Code Menu at Trail’s End Restaurant Although there are some restaurants where you can ask for a paper copy of the menu, QR codes became popular at the Disney Parks upon reopening. Well, those QR code menus could be here to stay! According to CNBC, QR code menus are not just here to stay at Disney World, but everywhere! The convenience and speed QR codes provide often makes them more beneficial for restaurants than old paper menus. QR Code Menu Link management service Bitly said it’s seen a 750% increase in QR code downloads over the last 18 months. Bitly’s president Raleigh Harbour said that “restaurants have realized how valuable the technology is.” Harbour also said, “They’re able to adjust their menu offerings on the fly to account for elements like inflation, fluctuations in food and commodities prices, and other variables.” QR code for the Food and Wine Festival Guidebook So, what does this mean for your Disney trip? Well, don’t expect those QR code menus to go anywhere soon! More likely than not, QR codes are here to stay at the Disney parks for menus, mobile ordering, and more. We’ll continue to keep an eye on it in the parks, but it seems like QR code menus could be around for a long time. Mobile Order Sign with a QR Code We’re always keeping up with the latest Disney news! Stay tuned for more! Click here to read about the difference between Genie+ and Pay-Per-Ride! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think about QR code menus? Let us know in the comments! The post Are QR Code Menus Here to Stay at the Disney Parks? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

This week was a doozy when it came to Disney World news. It’s Fall in Disney World! From Disney announcing the retirement of FastPass+ to the Disney Genie news, we’re here to go over all the unexpected surprises in Disney World news this week. Disney Genie We learned this week that Disney will be launching the FREE Disney Genie service this fall, which will offer guests a personalized Disney experience with the planning service built into the My Disney Experience app. You can almost think of the Disney Genie as your own personal assistant. ©Disney Once you enter all your Disney preferences, the Disney Genie will build a customized and flexible itinerary for your family. It will also provide guests with current and future ride wait times, dining and mobile order, virtual queue information, and more. Read more about the Disney Genie here! Disney Genie+ One of the biggest announcements this week was the official retiring of Disney World’s FastPass+ and the replacement of it with a paid service called the Genie+, which is built into the Disney Genie service. It will cost guests $15 per ticket per day in Disney World, and $20 per ticket per day in Disneyland. ©Disney The Genie+ will grant paying guests access to the Lightning Lane, which is basically the same as the now-discontinued FastPass+ Lane in Disney World. Genie+ will allow paying guests to reserve time for Lightning Lane access to qualifying attractions and experiences. It will also provide certain experiences like Augmented Reality Photo Lenses and more. Click here for the differences between the Disney Genie and Genie+! NBA Experience This week we. learned that the NBA Experience in Disney Springs is now permanently closed. The NBA Experience was a space for fans to experience immersive experiences inspired by the NBA. NBA Experience at Disney World The NBA Experience opened on August 12, 2019 and closed along with Disney World due to the global pandemic in March 2020. Disney has not yet provided an update about the future of the NBA Experience building. Learn more about Disney closing the NBA Experience here! Mask Policy Update In July, Disney World updated their mask policy to require masks worn in all attraction queues and indoor spaces, including outdoor attraction queues and rides. Now they again updated their policy that as of August 19th, masks are now optional for all Disney World guests in outdoor ride queues, outdoor attractions, and outdoor theaters. Indoor Mask Sign Masks are still required on most forms of transportation in Disney World and in all indoor locations, regardless of vaccination status. Read more about Disney’s updated mask policy here! Steakhouse 71 Disney announced that a new restaurant called Steakhouse 71 will replace The Wave…of American Flavors restaurant in Disney’s Contemporary Resort. This new spot will reportedly open in time for Disney World’s 50th anniversary on October 1st, but there is no exact opening date yet. ©Disney Steakhouse 71 will be a casual dining spot, and the name is based on the year Disney’s Contemporary Resort opened in 1971. Read more about Steakhouse 71 here! And that’s everything unexpected that happened in Disney World this week! Stick with DFB for all your Disney World news and updates so you can plan your best trip ever! Click here for the answers to ALL your burning questions about Disney Genie! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you surprised by any of the news this week? Tell us in the comments! The post 4 Unexpected Disney Announcements From This Week first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Another day, another Disney World reopening! With the recent reopening of Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor and the reopening of Boma, there’s a lot of exciting things happening! Boma Today, an interactive attraction in EPCOT reopened! Turtle Talk with Crush in the Seas with Nemo and Friends section of EPCOT reopened today! The attraction features a fully interactive version of Crush from Finding Nemo that guests can talk to and have fun with, similar to Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. Turtle Talk with Crush Since its original opening in 2004, the attraction has gotten some major updates, including the addition of new characters from Finding Dory! This is definitely a must-do for any Nemo fans out there, plus it can be a fun break from the hustle and bustle of EPCOT! Today, we stopped by to check out the newly reopened show! Turtle Talk with Crush The attraction was very similar to how it was in the “before times” (just with the addition of masks since it’s indoors!). There was plenty of floor space for the kiddos who wanted to interact with Crush and friends! We’re always keeping up with the latest Disney news! Stay tuned for more! Click here to read about the new Halloween donut at Joffrey’s! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think about the return of Turtle Talk with Crush? Let us know in the comments! The post PHOTOS & VIDEOS: Turtle Talk with Crush is BACK in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney is an entertainment company, but it is also at the forefront of robotics development! ©Walt Disney Imagineering R&D Inc. Earlier this year, Disney released a preview of their new walking robot Baby Groot. This bot is extremely realistic and honestly kinda hard to believe, but robo-Groot is just the start. Let’s look at some MORE details about the little guy and a much BIGGER innovation hitting the scene… Robot Groot is meant to be “a small-scale, free-roaming robotic actor — the first of its kind for Disney and a real robotics milestone.” In the preview, it’s hard to tell exactly what this little robot is capable of. Take a look for yourself! This video shows that robo-Groot is capable of complex movements and facial expressions, but now, we have a few more insights about him. The New York Times had a reporter meet robo-Groot. His response was calling this little guy a “sentient Disney robot.” ©Walt Disney Imagineering R&D Inc. Is robo-Groot actually sentient? Not exactly. But, the reporter talks about his capability to respond to humans in a way that is utterly realistic. Plus, he was capable of conveying emotions like happiness and sadness. Imagineers called such a level of interaction a way to stay relevant. ©Walt Disney Imagineering R&D Inc. When this “sentient” technology debuts to the public one day, it’s sure to be a massive step for the entertainment and robotics field. But what about that bigger project? Spoiler alert: We mean “bigger” literally. ©Walt Disney Imagineering R&D Inc. Robo-Groot is pretty small but Imagineers are working on larger-than-life meet and greets too! Check out this video of Imagineers, Jonathan Becker (Research and Development Imagineer) and Richard-Alexandre Peloquin (Research Engineer Imagineer), working on tech to support HUGE character interactions. There isn’t much concrete detail released about this tech, but it appears to be human-controlled mechanical puppets that look shockingly realistic as large creatures. If we had to guess, one of them looks like it could become a walking Yeti and that red hand looks suspiciously like one we’ve seen wearing the Infinity Gauntlet (we’re talking Thanos). Yeti Shrine We can’t wait to hear more about BOTH of these innovations! As always, stay tuned to DFB to make sure you’re in the loop on all the most exciting Disney technology! Click here to see more of Robo-Groot! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think of these tech updates? Tell us in the comments! The post VIDEO: A Real Yeti and Sentient Robots? You Have to See Disney's Upcoming Technology! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Marvel’s Black Widow was one of the biggest releases of the year, with it being a critical and public success. ©Disney/Marvel However, the movie wasn’t without controversy. Today, we have an update on the ongoing legal situation between Scarlett Johansson and Disney. Scarlett Johansson’s lawsuit against Disney, which argued that Disney breached their contract by releasing Black Widow through Disney+ at the same time as theaters, is in motion to become a private arbitration. ©Disney/Marvel According to Variety, Disney has filed a motion to force this lawsuit into a private arbitration to decide if the actress is owed millions of dollars for Black Widow‘s hybrid release. ©Disney/Marvel Disney argues that the film did better than other pandemic releases that had only theater releases and did very well given the circumstances. Meanwhile, Johansson’s team argues that Disney breached their agreement about the release of Black Widow in order to boost Disney+ and decrease her backend profits from the film. ©Disney/Marvel We’ll keep you updated as this story evolves. We’re always keeping up with the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more. Click here to read about the Scarlett Johnson and Disney lawsuit Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post Disney Seeks Private Arbitration In Black Widow Lawsuit first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney and Cirque du Soleil have a long history together! Disney Springs has been home to the Cirque tent for over twenty years. ©Disney Since the end of La Nouba’s seventeen year long run, we’ve been looking forward to the debut of Cirque du Soleil’s new show at Disney Springs, Drawn to Life! Drawn to Life‘s November 18th debut is nearly sold out and now a new date has been added to the show’s lineup! ©Disney Drawn to Life You can grab tickets for Drawn to Life’s November 19th date NOW! There are some better seats available for this show compared to the November 18th debut show, but they’re going quick, so grab yours soon. ©Disney Drawn to Life Ensemble Drawn to Life, the first collaboration between Disney Animation, Imagineering, and Cirque du Soleil, is a love letter to Disney animation! Characters like Baloo, Baymax, and Cinderella along with some of the Big Five (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Pluto) are all set to appear as teased by Disney legend Eric Goldberg. ©Drawn to Life We’re excited to see the new show! We’re always keeping up with the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more! Here’s how to get tickets to Drawn to Life! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think about Drawn to Life? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney World's New Cirque du Soliel Show Adds Performance to Its Opening Weekend! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Confused about Disney’s new FastPass replacement, Disney Genie? ©Disney Don’t worry — we understand! There’s a LOT to break down about the new system, especially since it comes with three different parts: the Genie, Genie+, and Individual Ride Selection (pay-per-ride). In this post, we’ll give you the details on the difference between the two paid features: Genie+ and Individual Ride Selection. Both the Genie+ and the Individual Ride Selection are paid features, so you’ll have to purchase them in order to use them in the parks. ©Disney Let’s take a look at what each feature is for, what rides are included in each one, how to use both, and how much they will cost. Genie+ We’re starting with all the details about Genie+. What Is Genie+ For? Genie+ and Individual Ride Selection are both used for reserving your spot on attractions in Disney World. You can select a ride or attraction that you want to go on and make a reservation at a certain time. This is similar to the old FastPass system. The FastPass lines are now called Lightening Lanes Like the FastPass system, for both Genie+ and Individual Ride Selection, you’ll get to skip the standby line when you return for your reservation and go in a different, faster line called the Lightening Lane (these are the same as the FastPass lines). What Rides Are Included in Genie+? Disney has stated that Genie+ will include over 40 attractions in Disney World, including Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run In Disneyland, it will have over 15 attractions. So, if you buy Genie+ (and we’ll get to prices in a second), you have access to those rides in each park. How Do You Use Genie+? For Genie+, you make a one-time payment for each guest, each day of your trip. You don’t have to buy it for every day of your trip if you don’t want to skip the lines every day. With that payment, you can make one ride reservation at a time. The app will show you which rides are available for reservations at which times, and you choose the one you want to reserve. ©Disney Once your reservation time comes and you finish the ride or attraction, you can make another reservation. You can continue to do this throughout the day that you purchased the Genie+ for. According to Disney, you cannot make ride or attraction selections until the day of your ticket. In Disney World, you can make reservations starting at 7AM. In Disneyland, reservations open once you’re in the park. How Much Does Genie+ Cost? This is the simple (albeit less fun) part: Genie+ costs $15 per ticket, per day in Disney World. ©Disney It costs $20 per ticket, per day in Disneyland. Individual Ride Selection What Is Individual Ride Selection For? Like Genie+, Individual Ride Selection is used for reserving your spot on attractions in Disney World. You’ll still select rides you want to go on and make reservations for a certain time. ©Disney You will also get to use the Lightening Lane (the FastPass line) to skip the standby line. So what’s the difference? That comes in with the rides that are included and the price. What Rides Are Included In Individual Ride Selection? Individual Ride Selection allows you to purchase reservations for the most popular rides in each park. Disney said some of those rides include Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom, Radiator Springs Racers in Disney California Adventure Park, WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure at Disney California Adventure Park, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT. We should learn about what other attractions will fall under this character soon. Cars Land It’s important to note that standby lines for all attractions and boarding passes for rides like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure will all still be available. So if you decide not to use either of these paid features, you can still get on the rides. How Do You Use Individual Ride Selection? With Individual Ride Selection, you will need to pay for each ride reservation you make. The rides that aren’t available for Genie+ (those more popular ones we mentioned before) are available for reservations, but you have to pay for each one separately. You can buy up to two rides for each guest in your party each day. The rides don’t have to be in the same park, but the total is two, even if they’re in different parks. Just make sure you have a park hopper ticket if you choose different parks for each ride. Rise of the Resistance At Disney World, guests can make their Individual Ride Selection purchases when the park opens. However, Disney World hotel guests can make those reservations a little earlier, at 7AM. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train The Individual Ride Selection rides are not available on Genie+, so you’ll have to purchase them separately, even if you have Genie+. You do NOT have to have Genie+ in order to purchase rides with the Individual Ride Selection. How Much Does Individual Ride Selection Cost? Disney has stated that the Individual Ride Selections will vary in cost depending on the ride and day. They didn’t release any more information about what the range might be for certain rides. WEB SLINGERS Hopefully, that helps a little with understanding the new Genie system! We’re still learning and breaking down all the info, so stay tuned with DFB for more updates. Click Here to Read a Disney Genie Guide in 500 Words or Less Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think of the new Genie system? Let us know in the comments! The post What's the Difference Between Disney's Genie+ and Pay-Per-Ride? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Heads up, Stitch fans! ©Disney Each month this year, Disney has been releasing a new series from the Stitch Crashes Disney Collection. The merchandise from each series features Stitch with a design inspired by a classic Disney movie. So far, we’ve seen designs inspired by movies like The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Lady and the Tramp, and more! The latest series is a nod to Sleeping Beauty, with Stitch repping the iconic “make it pink,” “make it blue,” debate between Flora and Merryweather. The collection dropped online earlier this month, and now it’s getting ready to head to Disney World! ©shopDisney According to the Disney Springs Twitter account, select pieces from the Stitch Crashes Sleeping Beauty Collection will be available at World of Disney in Disney Springs on Monday, August 23rd! The post says that the pin from the collection will be available at a later date, so it seems that will not be included in the merch drop on Monday. World of Disney We’ve often seen items from limited-edition collections like this go FAST, so be sure to plan accordingly if you want to snag one of these souvenirs on Monday. We’ll keep an eye out for more merch news around Disney World, so stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for all the latest updates! Disney’s Newest Stitch Crashes Plush Is Actually…Kind of Pretty?! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What’s your favorite series from the Stitch Crashes Disney Collection? Let us know in the comments! The post The Stitch Crashes Sleeping Beauty Collection is Coming to Disney World SOON! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs is constantly turning out delicious cookies, cake, and cold brew! This spot is a favorite here at DFB and among many Disney foodies, and for good reason: their treats are super rich and HUGE. Gideon’s Bakehouse Today, we have news about all sorts of new stuff going on at Gideon’s! Gideon’s Bakehouse is back with another limited-edition flavor of their Gideon’s Bites, which are cookies cut into quarters and dipped in chocolate! On August 21st (that’s today!), Gideon’s will have Peanut Butter Chocolate Swirl Bites! Grab yours quick (and keep them out of the sun!), these are gonna go fast! ©Gideon’s Bakehouse Plus, when you get a bag of Bites starting on Monday, you’ll also receive one bite that’s a limited-edition flavor from the past. Limited flavors like The Eternal Flame could come back in this new mystery addition! Gideon’s Bakehouse hopes to have this bonus available through the end of September. A Bag of Bites! In other news, Gideon’s is also bringing back its Rocky Road Cake Slices for this weekend (August 21-22), which is a delicious array of toasted marshmallows, marshmallow buttercream, and candied almonds on three layers of decadent chocolate cake! ©Gideon’s Bakehouse We’re always keeping up with the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more! Click here to get a first look at Boma’s reopened dinner buffet! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think about Gideon’s latest additions? Let us know in the comments! The post A Fan-Favorite Gideon's Bakehouse Treat is Getting a Fun Twist in Disney Springs! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Can we let you in on a little secret? Sometimes we dream about driving away and just ~escaping~ for a bit. Do you relate? Welcome to Disney World! Maybe you’re thinking about escaping over to — oh, I dunno — Disney World, perhaps? No judging here. We love that place (did our name give it away? ). Gives us something to write about on a daily basis. But before you make the trek out to the Most Magical Place on Earth, let’s play a rousing game of Red Light, Green Light. Escaping to Magic Kingdom to eat a Mickey Pretzel the size of your head and take a nighttime joyride on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is tempting. But before you make that impulse decision to book a last-minute vacation, you’ll want to play Red Light, Green Light with your travel party. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad No, this version of the game doesn’t require any REAL running (unless you’re running to your car already to get a head start to Disney World). All you’ve got to do is consider the following factors: Red Light factors are those pesky problems you may run into that’d suck away the joy of making the last-minute trip in the first place. Green Light factors are why you should say, “Not today, adulting! I’m going to Disney, y’all!” Let’s play. (Red Light) BOO Bash Isn’t a Full-Scale Halloween Party Sorry, we’re starting off on a “Red Light.” We’re not trying to be pessimistic here — just giving it to ya straight. Time for Some Halloween Fun If the main reason you want to book a last-minute trip to Disney World right now is to see what Magic Kingdom’s new BOO Bash After Hours Event is all about, just know it’s not going to be like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Mickey wreaths are just so tempting, though… . The hours have shortened (9 PM to 12 AM most nights), the tickets are pricier, and the entertainment has dwindled down significantly. Not to mention: NO event merchandise and VERY limited exclusive treats. If you’ve experienced Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in the past, this new event may not live up to your full-scale Disney event expectations. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Plus, BOO Bash After Hours tickets are selling out fast. If the day you’re wanting to get your spook on is also sold out (because, you know, you wanted to make plans last-minute and all), then you may want to put off that impromptu trip for now. Is Disneyland’s Halloween event a WAY better deal than BOO Bash? Find out HERE! (Green Light) Modified Holidays May Be Sticking Around For a Bit If you really love the holidays in Disney World and you’re willing to pay the price for a BOO Bash ticket, don’t let our little Red Light, Green Light game stop you — especially when we start comparing Disney World After Hours events to former Disney World Party events. We miss you, MNSSHP! The truth is, it’s unclear how long Disney’s going to keep up these modified events. We’re already hearing about modified similarities between BOO Bash and Disney’s newest Christmas event starting in November, Disney’s Very Merriest After Hours. Sure, guests will get a liiiiittle more time to play in the parks for the Christmas event, plus a parade and fireworks — they’ll also pay a heftier price tag for it. That being said, we’re still learning the details about this new Christmas event — so we’ll continue to keep you updated when we learn more! Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration So why would Disney World continue to provide modified events with fewer hours, fewer experiences, and more expensive prices? Well, the first factor is because of the gradual rephasing due to COVID-19, with guidelines and restrictions being fluid it impacts when and if certain features are available. Consider things like stage shows and parades, which require actors and performers who are restricted based on their union negotiations and their own unique safety concerns. Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire Or food availability, which fluctuates based on manufacturing, transportation, and even harvest, which was also impacted by COVID. Because these events are planned months in advance and because COVID protocols have changed, it’s likely that Disney’s BOO Bash plans erred on the side of caution when they were developing it. A BOO Bash physically distanced howdy But possibly the biggest factor to consider is that Disney is a business, and businesses like to make money. Disney’s still selling a LOT of tickets for these events without having to put on a full-scale production! Think about it — would YOU really want to create a full-scale event that took more effort and planning on your part if you knew you could make just as much money (if not more money) for putting in half the effort? If people will pay more for less, why give them more? What incentive does Disney have to bring back the bigger production events they previously put on if just as many people lined up to pay for the limited events? Happy Halloween! On a more positive note, if you haven’t ever been to a Disney World Halloween Party in the past, then you have nothing to compare this one to. And even if you have been to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party before BOO Bash, there are still a handful of activities to experience at this modified event — such as trick-or-treating, character sightings, Cadaver Dan performances, and (limited) exclusive Halloween treats! Oh, and you get to wear your costume to the Magic Kingdom! (Uh oh, now that may take a little more planning. What are you going to *wear*??) Click HERE to learn more about Disney’s Very Merriest After Hours Event! (Red Light) Crowds Are MASSIVE and Lines Are LONG Say whaaaa? Disney World is crowded?? Surely not, right? Kilimanjaro Safaris Crowds LOL we know — Disney World is usually crowded. But ever since park capacity increased, the crowds have felt worse than usual, thanks to our missing FastPasses. Recently we learned about Disney’s new planning feature, the Disney Genie and the Disney Genie+! The basic premise is that anyone can use Disney Genie to help plan their day and navigate the parks for free, just like My Disney Experience. However, if you want to use the FastPass+ (now called Lightning Lane) feature, you’re gonna have to pay for it. It’s the “+” part of Disney Genie+. Yup, + equals $$$. $15 per day per person, to be exact. Wanna go on the most popular rides? You’re gonna have to pay a premium per person for that as well. FastPass Kiosks Closed in Magic Kingdom Before last year’s shutdown, we could make FastPasses for our favorite three rides for FREE and skip those long lines. We could even make MORE FastPasses after using all three if more FastPass selections were available for the day. (Good times, goooooood times…). Now we know, if want want to skip the standby line, we’re gonna have to fork out some money for it OR endure the incredibly long standby lines. Wow! That’s a lot of people We’re still waiting to learn about WHEN exactly we can start using Disney Genie & Genie+. The latest news is that it will available in Fall 2021, but since “Fall” technically runs from September 22 until December 21 (according to the Northern Hemisphere calendar), that release could be at any point in that three-month window. So, until then we’re FORCED to wait in those massive lines for hours on end just to have a single ride on Space Mountain. (Are we speaking from personal experience? Perhaps.) Even going to the park early for Rope Drop isn’t the fail-safe plan it used to be — you’re just going to run into another giant crowd that’s probably heading toward the same ride you’re wanting to head toward. Basically, even with school JUST back in session and the brief window of lighter crowds we’ve seen, Disney World is about to get REAL busy and STAY busy for the foreseeable future in the coming weeks (that whole “50th Anniversary” thing might have something to do with it! ). So if you plan to go like NOW…expect to wait. Read more about Disney Genie HERE! (Green Light) Your Expectations Have Been Managed If you’re a frequent flier to the Disney World parks, then what we’re telling you right now about the massive crowds and long lines probably isn’t a shock to you. Magic Kingdom morning crowd You can still have a fulfilling day in the parks without hitting up those major attractions. Take pictures with the newly-decorated Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom. Stroll around the World Showcase and visit 11 different countries in EPCOT. Say hi to the different animals in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Shop the Hollywood Boulevard strip at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Ah. Peaceful… . Or don’t enter the parks at all! You can spend time at Disney Springs, play a round of mini-golf, swim at your resort pool, or enjoy some fine dining at one of the signature restaurants around the property. Mini Golf For Disney World fans, going to Disney isn’t so much about accomplishing EVERYTHING, but rather enjoying being there and escaping from everyday life for a bit. Plus, if you’re a seasoned pro, you probably already have a game plan to escape those massive crowds… right? Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run FastPass…er….Lightning Lane… If you happen to hit the parks after the release of Disney Genie+ and it fits within your family’s budget and vacation style, you might find that shelling out some extra dough for a chance to spend less time waiting in line to be a worthwhile investment! They do say that “time is money” so when you consider the length of your trip, your vacation expectations, how often you visit, and how long (or short) your “impatience-fuse” is, you might discover that your time and sanity is worth an extra $15+ a pop (per day/per person). Click HERE to see some of the best meals you can have OUTSIDE a Disney World park! (Red Light) Not Everything Is Open And Operating Like Before How many different ways can we hound you about how *different* Disney World is now? Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Another reason why crowds are feeling worse than ever is that there are still numerous entertainment options that remain unavailable for guests. So the experiences that ARE open are getting that crowd influx that they might not have experienced before last year’s shutdown. Meaning your impromptu trip might feel a little *stuffy.* Finding Nemo the Musical, we miss you! A few of the entertainment options that remain currently unavailable are Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade, Meet and Greets, Fantasmic!, Finding Nemo the Musical, Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire, and several other fan-favorite shows and attractions. Many resorts and restaurants also remain temporarily unavailable, making your last-minute trip more difficult to book. You can find a more detailed list of everything that STILL hasn’t opened here. Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter FINALLY has a reopening date! On top of the entertainment that remains unavailable, many restaurants that are open and operational have limited operating hours. In fact, finding restaurants that are open and ready to serve after 10PM is SUPER hard to find right now — which may be bad news for guests who’ve put off eating to squeeze in a few more rides before wrapping up their evening. Never fear! We’ve got a list of the places that ARE open in Disney World after 10PM! And you can find it HERE! (Green Light) You Want To See Happily Ever After and EPCOT Forever One Last Time We were so excited to see the fireworks shows, Happily Ever After and EPCOT Forever, return to the Disney World parks! But just as soon as we said “hello, old friend,” we learned we’d have to say “goodbye” again very, very soon. Happily Ever After Starting on October 1, Magic Kingdom and EPCOT will be getting two brand-new fireworks spectaculars to celebrate Disney World’s 50th Anniversary. We knew EPCOT Forever would be permanently replaced by Harmonious, but we were taken off-guard when we learned Happily Ever After would be gone for good after Disney Enchantment takes its place. ©Disney Happily Ever After has been around since 2017, so long-time fans of the production are heartbroken to see this still relatively new show wrap up. If you’re one of those fans, you may want to book a trip ASAP to say farewell to this production. (Ugh. We’re getting teary-eyed just thinking about it!) Disney Enchantment ©Disney However, we’re excited to see what Disney Enchantment has in store, too! Based on the concept art, it’s looking pretty epic. But will it compete with Happily Ever After? Hmm… . Guess that’s something to write about come October. What’s the BEST way to see the Happily Ever After fireworks? Learn more HERE! (Red Light) The Experiences You’re Wanting To Do Require More Planning Last-minute trips are fun to plan and all, but if there’s something you’re wanting to do that requires reservations waaaaaaay far out, you may want to pump the breaks on your impromptu trip. Oga’s Cantina Are you wanting to fully experience ALL that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has to offer? Then you’re going to have to plan ahead. Building your own droid at Droid Depot, customizing an authentic lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop, and having drinks at Oga’s Cantina are popular attractions — so they’re going to require a 60-days out reservation to secure your spot. (Okay, so the droid customization is a little more lenient. But the other two experiences FOR SURE you need to book waaaaaay in advance.) Droid Depot Many popular signature dining locations also book up ahead of time, such as Cinderella’s Royal Table, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Le Cellier Steakhouse, ‘Ohana, and several other seated restaurants that you can learn more about here. Inside Cinderella’s Royal Table Quick note, though — if wanting to make reservations for a character dining experience is keeping you from making that last-minute Disney trip, don’t let it. Many of the signature dining restaurants with character meet-and-greets have been heavily modified for the time being, so study up on the restaurant you’re wanting to make a reservation for before you go. Learn more about how character dining is different right now HERE! (Green Light) The Experiences You’re Wanting To Do DON’T Require More Planning There are WAY more Disney World experiences on property that you can do without having to plan 60 days out. Are you wanting to experience the International Food and Wine Festival over at EPCOT? No reservations are needed there! (Besides reserving your place in the park for the day, that is.) EPCOT! Do you want to ride Rise of the Resistance? All Boarding Passes are distributed the DAY OF your park visit — so no need to worry about prior reservations. (Although we DO recommend you study up ahead of time so you know exactly *how* to snag those day-of Boarding Passes.) Rise of the Resistance Plus, if we’re talking about the lack of FastPasses again, there is ONE positive side of it — you don’t have to stress over making those FastPass reservations ahead of time! You just go to the parks and jump in the lines you wanna jump in. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. This is a great chance to try your hand at a truly spontaneous Disney day. Check out the International Food and Wine Festival offerings HERE! Red Lights and Green Lights aside, the decision to book a last-minute Disney World vacation is ultimately up to you and your travel party. Just be prepared for the major park changes in the midst of your impromptu getaway fantasy. Still wanting to do a last-minute Disney World trip? Click HERE to figure out how to ROCK it! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! What other Red Lights/Green Lights would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments below! The post Should You Book That Last Minute Disney World Trip in 2021? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

If you’re heading to Disney World for Halloween, this news is for you! Halloween Decor There’s A LOT happening in Disney World this October. The 50th Anniversary kicks off on the 1st of the month, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is set to open at EPCOT, and two new fireworks shows AND a new daytime show will premiere. Oh, and of course, Halloween will be in full swing too! Previously, Disney World had released hours almost all the way through October. We were just waiting to see what the park hours would be on Halloween itself. And now, the hours for October 31st have been released! Let’s start with Magic Kingdom! The hours for Halloween are currently set for 9AM-8:30PM for regular day guests, with the BOO Bash After Hours Event running from 9PM-12AM. Magic Kingdom Halloween Park Hours Next up, let’s look at EPCOT! The Halloween hours at EPCOT are currently scheduled for 10AM-10PM, with the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival starting at 11AM. EPCOT Halloween Park Hours Moving on to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the hours on Halloween are currently scheduled for 9AM-9PM. Disney’s Hollywood Studios Halloween Park Hours And last but not least, the Halloween park hours at Disney’s Animal Kingdom are set for 8AM-7PM! Disney’s Animal Kingdom Halloween Park Hours Remember, the park hours are subject to change, so be sure to keep an eye on the Disney World calendar before your trip in case any adjustments are made! Happy spooky season, Disney fans! Here’s Why It’s ESSENTIAL to Check Disney World Park Hours! Halloween at Walt Disney World Get a Look at All of the New Halloween Merchandise in Disney World Learn All About Disney After Hours Boo Bash at Magic Kingdom See Every Date That is Sold Out for Boo Bash Check Out the Full List of Halloween Treats Coming to Disney World See Photos and Reviews of the Fall and Halloween Treats in Disney World Take a Look at the Halloween Decorations in Magic Kingdom See Disney World’s NEW Halloween Ears Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Do you plan to visit Disney World this Halloween? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney World Halloween Park Hours Now Released first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Hey, friends! We’re back with another DFB Video covering all the latest Disney news! Spaceship Earth Red alert!! Major, super huge Disney Parks news incoming! FastPass is GONE and we’re gonna be paying to skip the standby lines from here on out! Disney also dropped some new mask policy updates this week, a bunch of brand new Food & Wine Festival booths, and a whole lot more. Check out all of the major Disney news in our latest DFB Video! By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/subscribe.png So check out the video and then let us know: Do you plan to use Disney Genie+? The post DFB Video: Latest Disney News: Paid FastPass, New Mask Policies, New EPCOT Festival Booths & SO MUCH MORE!! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re heading back to Jaleo by Chef José Andrés today! We haven’t been back since the restaurant reopened in Disney Springs last August, so we are ready to get stuffed with paella, cheese croquetas, and sangria again. Jaleo in Disney Springs In the past, we’ve really enjoyed the delicious tapas and unique eats at Jaleo in Disney Springs. Let’s take a look at some old favorites and what’s different now at this restaurant! Jaleo is an upscale Spanish-inspired restaurant in Disney Springs. It’s a signature restaurant as well, so it’s a little pricier than you’ll find at other spots. Jaleo has tapas and other dishes that are meant to be shared around the table, with everyone trying a little of each food that comes by! The food comes out a bit at a time, so it’s not a classic everyone-gets-one-meal-all-at-once kind of situation. The style is based on the Spanish tradition to share food and conversation with your party, so you won’t be rushed. We’d recommend going with people you know well and like so that you’re more comfortable sharing around and trying everything! Jaleo Jaleo is infused with the cultural traditions of Spain and its focus on community and family. This is portrayed in its open dining areas and kitchen, the style of food and how it’s meant to be shared, and even the menu with recipes the chef is sharing from his own family. Atmosphere José Andrés is an award-winning Chef, restaurant owner, and humanitarian. He owns 31 restaurants world-wide, ranging from food trucks to the huge Jaleo in Disney Springs! Jaleo Dining Room (photo taken pre-pandemic) Jaleo has an upscale feel with two stories of dining area and large, artistic displays of lighting and decor. There are options for tables or booths in the dining rooms. Jaleo Dining Room from Second Floor You can find a bar area too, which is also serving up small dishes and drinks. Bar at Jaleo (photo taken pre-pandemic) Jaleo operates with an open kitchen, so you can go see the chefs creating their culinary masterpieces! This just added to the Spanish culture rich with the sense of community. Jaleo Open Kitchen The centerpiece of this kitchen is the Paella Pit, which has giant bowls of paella cooking over hot coals. Keep an ear out, you’ll periodically hear the chefs back here having what sounds like WAY too good of a time! Paella Pit As a fun decor item in each of his restaurants, José Andrés always puts a bull with a luchador mask inside somewhere. (Luchadors are those fun, dramatic wrestlers who wear sparkly masks.) Decor at Jaleo We’ve taken in the sights and decor, so let’s get on with the meal! Eats Once we were seated, we took a look at the menu, which included a few choices for the signature Sangrias. It couldn’t be a Spanish restaurant without sangria. Sangria was created in Spain and its origin dates back to the 700s (yep, it’s a centuries-long recipe!). Traditionally, it’s been made with Spanish Tempranillo and other red wine from Rioja with added citrus fruit. But nowadays you can find variations on sangria with white wine, rosés, and cava (or Spanish sparkling wine). So raise your glass and say “salud” for this culturally rich beverage! Sangrias …they also have several cocktails and other drinks… Drinks Menu …and an extensive wine menu! Not the biggest wine connoisseur? That’s OK, they got you covered. Wine Menu The wine menu is coded by wine style and body to help you find which drink you want. France and Italy are known for their robust red wines, and Germany has developed a reputation for its crisp white wines, but Spain has a wine country all its own. Spain’s distinct wine is Tempranillo, which is a full-bodied red wine, a perfect pairing with some of the bold spices in Spanish recipes. Wine Menu Seriously, there’s no shortage of options for wines here! Wine Menu For the food, there’s a section of Chef’s Tasting Menus that include different experiences for trying a diverse selection off the menu. Tasting Options And the rest of the menu has tapas, including cured meats, cheeses, signature dishes, soups and salads… Entrees …and also vegetables, fried foods, sandwiches, seafood, paella, and desserts! The Paella and Arroces (paella and rice) section is the star here — Jaleo is known for their paella! Entrees There’s also a kids’ menu with a few options for little ones to choose from, including appetizers, croquetas, grilled cheese, and meat. If you’re looking at the Potato Bravas for the kiddos, just be aware that, even though it’s fried potatoes, it’s not just like french fries. It’s VERY tasty but definitely a unique dish with a bit of a kick and lots of sauce over those potatoes! So, if this is the choice for your kiddo, try it with the tomato sauce on the side. Kids’ Menu We started out with the Sangria de Cava, which we got in a half-pitcher for $30. You can also get a glass for $10 or a full pitcher for $52, but we got about 4 glasses out of the half-pitcher, so we thought it was a pretty good deal. The Sangria had Cava, Gin, Vermouth, Seasonal Fruit, and Citrus. We thought it was a decent Sangria with a good fruity flavor. Sangria de Cava It wasn’t sickly sweet, like some Sangrias in Disney World can be. Our waiter told us the Red Sangria was even less sweet. The predominant alcohol was the Cava, and there wasn’t a lot of Gin in it. Ultimately, this was a good drink but pretty forgettable. In terms of other drinks, we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out one big thing for you soda fans. A tiny bottle of Coke cost $4 at Jaleo. These are the Mexican versions of Coca-Cola (Coke, Sprite, Diet Coke, and Fever-Tree Ginger Beer). They are made with real cane sugar and in the serving size available in Mexico. If you want to grab one of these, by all means. Just know that they do NOT come with refills and are much smaller than what you might be expecting if you’re used to big fountain drink cups of soda. We…enjoy soda. A lot. It’s often a big part of a meal for us and those little bottles just wouldn’t cut it. (We’d probably spend more on Diet Coke than Sangria!!) It should be noted that bigger 20oz bottles of (American) Coke are sold at nearby snack stands around Springs for still about $4, but at least they’re bigger than the tiny things at Jaleo. If you’re a big soda drinker, just FYI you could go broke on Coke! We went out and found our own Coke We chose the selection of five kinds of cheese from the Quesos menu for $28! The portions were a good size, and there was plenty of each cheese for two people. The sides that came with them were a little disappointing, though. There was just one slice of apple and one of plum, which we thought was a little weird. We loved the fruit and nut enhancements with the cheese — we just wish there were MORE of them! We get that the star of the plate is the cheese, but you can spare more than one apple slice, right? And the tiny baby breadsticks weren’t our favorite. But the CHEESE. That was good stuff. We got Valdeón (Blue Cheese), Murcia al Vino (‘Drunken Goat’ Semi-soft Cheese), Queso Manchego (Traditional Unpasteurized Manchego), Caña de Cabra (Semi-soft Goat Cheese), and Tetilla (Cow’s Milk Cheese). Five Quesos It’s fun to mix and match cheeses with fruit, breadsticks, and nuts, like a build-your-own-adventure appetizer! We thought the goat cheese (Caña de Cabra) was delicious, but it was pretty pungent and you might have to be a goat cheese–lover to enjoy it! The drunken goat cheese (Murcia al Vino) was soaked in red wine. It was a bit firmer and still very strong. The blue cheese (Valdeón) was a strong, classic blue cheese. The Manchego reminded us of the nutty flavor of parmesan but just a little softer. And the cow’s milk cheese (Tetilla) was the hardest, with a nice rine on it. The flavor was creamy and it wasn’t as strong as some of the others. Cheeses and Tomato Bread Next, we ordered the Pan de Cristal con Tomate for $12, which was a simple plate of lightly toasted bread brushed with crushed tomatoes and a hearty pour of olive oil. Don’t let its appearance throw you off, sure it looks a little bit like a crime scene, but it delivers some wonderful fresh flavors! It was simple and very delicious, with olive oil and very fresh tomatoes. There’s a really nice sprinkling of flakey salt on top too. If you didn’t know what to expect, you might think they just forgot to put the toppings on a French bread pizza and served it bare. But if you love fresh tomatoes or bruschetta, you’d probably really enjoy this! Pan de Cristal con Tomate We ordered the Paletilla Ibérica for $25, which is a must-get if you’re going to Jaleo! It’s 36-month Cured Ham Shoulder that comes from the legendary acorn-fed, free-range, black-footed Ibérico pigs of Spain. This is $17. The waiters used to come around with a pig’s leg and carve the meat right in front of you, but they aren’t doing that right now because of the health and safety restrictions. If you’re not familiar with it, the Ibérico pork is to cured meat what Waygu beef is to steak. How it’s cultivated and cured creates a melt-in-your-mouth salty delicacy. That’s why such care is taken in serving it! They’re not carving at the table right now! We’re huge fans of salty, savory, flavor-packed meat, so this is definitely a winner in our books! It’s also a classic for the restaurant, so it’s kind of the law to get it. It’s really high-quality meat, and we even think we can taste the nuttiness from the acorns in the meat. If you’re not familiar with this sort of meat, we’d say the flavor here is probably most similar to an Italian Prosciutto, but this meat has a much richer, fuller flavor we think. Jamon Iberico de Bellota Cortado a Mano Here comes the star of Jaleo dining — PAELLA! Paella is a cornerstone of the Spanish food tradition! Paella Pit It is a dish that dates back hundreds of years, when farmers would gather together, each bringing with them some of their own crops to contribute to the meal along with whatever meat (rabbit, chicken, fish, etc) they had on hand. Everyone contributed to the meal, cooking it in one pan. This hodge-podge recipe still exemplifies the Spanish sense of community The chefs are constantly cooking paellas in two big paella pans. Each time a paella is done, they shout “Paella!” and the whole restaurant shouts it back. (That happens about every 45 minutes or so.) Jaleo has different paellas every night. The one we got was the most standard one, with Chicken, Pork, Pork Ribs, and Shrimp. It was heavenly. SO GOOD. Paella If you haven’t had paella before, think creamy, starchy dishes like jambalaya and risotto — it’s in that family. There’s a big old heap of super flavorful rice and mix-ins. The paella changes nightly but you can usually expect the classic Spanish spices like saffron, garlic, and paprika as a baseline for the flavoring. It was amazing and we kind of wanted to fight our friends so we could eat all of it. There’s also loads of meat scattered throughout as well. They do NOT skimp here! Be sure to call the restaurant before you go so that you’re booking on a night that they have a paella you like. We’ve come before on a squid-ink paella day, and it was an…interesting experience. If you don’t really love the taste of seafood and would rather avoid a big bowl of black rice, we’d recommend skipping that one! Paella Close Up All of the meats were tender and very flavorful. The pork was especially phenomenal, with a little bit of spice to it. The flavors from the meat, veggies, and rice blended super well together. If you want just a vegetarian paella, the restaurant can do it for you any of the nights, but it’ll take about 45 minutes because they start from scratch! This funky-looking cigar-type thing is called the Cono de Queso de Cabra con Mermelada de Tomate, which is $3. That’s a really big name for such a little tapa. The name translates literally to “cone of goat’s cheese with tomato marmalade” which is exactly what this is! Cono de Queso de Cabra con Mermelada de Tomate It’s a fried pastry cone that’s filled with goat’s cheese and has fresh tomato on top! This was actually really tasty, even though it looks so strange. The little stand is made of plastic, not ice (we know, it really looks like an ice cube). It was a simple dish, and not for people who don’t like goat’s cheese. But we love goat’s cheese and thoroughly enjoyed this! Goat Cheese Cone So there’s a story to this next tapas, the signature Croquetas de Pollo or Chicken Croquettes for $12. When chef José Andrés was a little boy, he would put his feet up on the table, and then his mom would get mad at him for it. When he opened his own restaurants, he decided to serve his signature dish in shoes (clean ones, we’re pretty sure) because he wanted shoes on the table! (Take that, mom?) When Jaleo opened its Disney Springs location, José Andrés changed the serving dish here to a royal pillow like the one used in Cinderella to hold the glass slipper, as a special nod to Disney. Croquetas de Pollo These are kind of a big deal here. Adults love them, kids must love them too to make it on the kids’ menu! We’ve got a confession with these, though: we didn’t really love them. All of our friends who also tried them thought they were delicious. But we had one and thought it tasted like chicken chowder in a fried shell. The texture was way off — it was too soupy for us. It was almost like a homemade chicken casserole that got put in a blender then deep fried, which is fine but not our favorite thing here. Our friends, however, thought they were delicious, with a melt-in-your-mouth flavor and crunchy outside. These would be good for people who aren’t super adventurous eaters because the flavor is so mild. To make up for our disappointment with the shoe-chicken, we got Chorizo Casero con Puré de Patatas al Aceite de Oliva for $14. Translated, this dish is very self-explanatory: “homemade chorizo with mashed potatoes and olive oil.” Chorizo Casero con Pure de Patatas al Aceite de Olivia We love a good spicy sausage, and this one was DELICIOUS. We would have happily ordered more of these, mixed them into the paella, and had a grand old time. Our last savory dish was Patatas Bravas for $10, fried potatoes with spicy tomato sauce and aioli. If you get one thing when you come here get these (well, you should get lots of little things, so maybe add these on your list!). These were really good! The sauce had a lot of Spanish flavor, and the tomato sauce was pretty spicy. It was spicy-hot and spicy-flavorful, so be aware of that if you’re not a big spice fan! If you’re ordering this for kids, be aware that it’s not just french fries. You might want to get the sauce on the side if you’re not looking for unique flavors, just in case you don’t like it. Patatas Bravas We thought the aioli dotting the top of the dish was really flavorful, garlic-y, and delicious! The potatoes were crispy on the outside but still soft in the middle, which we thought was perfect. The tomato sauce is served underneath the potatoes, so give it a quick stir or make sure you scoop up plenty of sauce. If you get them at the same time, we recommend trying this together with the paella and chicken croquetas. For dessert, we ordered the Pan con Chocolate for $9, which our waiter recommended as one of the most popular desserts. It’s Chocolate Custard with Caramelized Bread, Olive Oil and Brioche Ice Cream. When we took the first bite, the strongest flavor was the olive oil, which we weren’t expecting in a dessert. It was a little bit strange. Pan con Chocolate We really enjoyed the Chocolate Custard and the bread, and the ice cream had a very mild flavor. It’s a really unique dessert — gooey, chocolate-y, but also olive oil-y. Honestly, we wouldn’t get it again, mainly because you can get better desserts at other shops in the Springs! But if you’re itching for a finale to your meal at Jaleo, this was quite unique. Nosh or Not Pop in to shout “PAELLA” if you: Want to try a lot of different, smaller dishes for your meal. Are an adventurous eater who wants to try some unique dishes and flavors. Are in the mood to celebrate with upscale dining and a lively atmosphere. If you can’t get into Wine Bar George, Jaleo offers a wide selection of wine, some international flavors, and that date night vibe. Consider another Disney Springs restaurant if you: Don’t want to share your food with everyone at the table (for a delicious, traditional-style meal, we love Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’). Want to save some money on this meal (maybe try Chicken Guy for a more affordable but still tasty option?). The individual dishes aren’t too pricey but combined into a full tapas meal for a table, it can add up quickly! Aren’t a fan of Spanish spices and flavor (maybe you’re in more of an Asian-food mood, in which case we’d recommend Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs!). Overall In general, we had a lot of fun at Jaleo in Disney Springs. We liked the tapas-style dining, sharing plates with our friends, and trying a little of everything. Some of the dishes were definitely winners (like the paella and Chorizo ibérico), but others really fell flat for us, like the Croquetas de Pollo. That said, this kinda “meh” dish for us IS one of their most popular. So it really goes to show everyone’s tastes are unique. You know what flavors and textures work for you, so skim the menu beforehand and decide what sounds fun to try. If you’re looking to try some different dishes and experiment with your meal, this is a great place to do it! Get a few different things and see what you like best — you might get a new favorite! The atmosphere here is really fun, with eccentric artwork, fancy decor, and everyone shouting “PAELLA” every 45 minutes! You can easily spend a long night here drinking, nibbling, and talking. This is a really unique spot in Springs. This could also be a spot for you if you’re doing a Disney Springs crawl. Grab a glass of wine or sangria, and share a few tapas as appetizers as a strong start to your crawl! With such a variety of dining in Disney Springs, a lively tapas and paella joint fits in well but also manages to stand out. We’ll be back for sure. Click Here to Read About a Nocturnal Disney Springs Treat! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What’s your favorite spot for dinner in Disney Springs? Tell us in the comments! The post REVIEW: We Stuffed Ourselves With Carbs and Cheese (But NOT Tiny Cokes!) at Jaleo in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Imagine this! You are spending a beautiful summer morning on the planet of Batuu at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort. As you watch the Batuuan suns rise overhead, you spot your Resistance friend Chewbacca in the midst of an animated discussion with a mysterious figure. In walking towards the duo, you recognize the figure to be none other than actor, musician and prank show host, […]http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/Pili1bWd1EwView the full article

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated is guidance Friday to warn those at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 to avoid cruise ships, whether they’ve had the vaccine or not. View the full article

Disney’s Theme Park Reservation System requires linked tickets in order fo you to make reservations. (Updated August 2021) The Problem Theme Park Reservations You need a linked ticket in your My Disney Experience account in order to make your Theme Park Reservations. If you wait to purchase your tickets after arrival, you may miss out […] The post Pre-Purchase Disney Military Theme Park Tickets at Shades of Green appeared first on Military Disney Tips Blog. View the full article

With Walt Disney World’s temporary Theme Park Reservation system, the pre-purchase of Disney Military Discounted Tickets has become essential. In order to make your Theme Park Reservations ahead of time you need to link the temporary tickets (or vouchers) that you purchased from a military reseller (Base Ticket Office) to your My Disney Experience (MDE) account. […] The post Linking Disney Military Tickets and FastPass Plus Reservations appeared first on Military Disney Tips Blog. View the full article

If you were hoping to get an early look at “Drawn to Life,” the new Cirque du Soleil show opening at Walt Disney World in November, you now have a new chance. View the full article

It’s time to come along with us to another reopened restaurant in Disney World! Animal Kingdom Lodge Over the past few months, we’ve been eating our way through all of the Disney World restaurants as more and more continue to reopen. Plus, we’ve even been to some more than once to try the ever-changing menus (we’re looking at you, ‘Ohana). And, after spending our morning eating through Disney’s FIRST returning breakfast buffet, we’re headed BACK to Boma — Flavors of Africa in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge for more! Atmosphere When we first arrived at the resort, we checked in through the My Disney Experience app and waited to be notified that our table was ready. ©Disney When we received a message that our table was ready, we went to the check-in area. Once inside the open-concept restaurant, the Cast Member seating us gave a quick run-down of how the buffet works now that the restaurant has reopened. We were here for breakfast, so we pretty much had it figured out. We sat down for a second, but it was time to get our eat on! Eats Because the menu here is buffet-style, you never know exactly which African-inspired dishes you’ll find, but you can expect a selection of soups… ©Disney …and salads. ©Disney Plus, you can even find a wide selection of entrees including an entire Rotisserie Area where a Cast Member will cut slices of meat for you from under the hot lamps. ©Disney And, you’ll need some sides to go with all those main dishes, right? ©Disney Of course, there are also some returning favorites to the dessert bar, including the oh-so-delectable Zebra Domes. ©Disney And, if you’re traveling with the kiddos, there’s also a small selection for them that features more American-style dishes like Pasta, Chicken Bites, and Mac & Cheese. ©Disney So we grabbed a plate and made our way around the room. Time to grab a plate! Some of our favorite dishes were being represented. Time to get some food. There were plenty of healthy salad items and delicious dressings to get us started. Care for a salad? Over at the soups, our beloved Butternut Squash Soup was available! Soups We also check out the variety of sides — we’ve really missed dinners here! Sides And would you look at those ribs? Ribs And of course, we can’t forget dessert! Hello, my pretties! Don’t worry, Zebra Domes are back where they belong! Zebra Domes are back at Boma! We’ll be doing a full review later, so keep an eye out for that! We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more news about restaurant re-openings all over Disney World and let you know what we find so be sure to check back with us for all the latest Disney news! Click HERE to Check Out Our First Look at the Reopening of Citricos in Disney World! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you ever eaten at Boma? Let us know in the comments! The post FIRST LOOK: Boma's Dinner Buffet Has Returned to Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

“People have complained about Disney World’s FastPass/FastPass+, I’m going to say, for more than 20 years. And now we’re going to have something new to complain about,” Orlando Sentinel theme park reporter Dewayne Bevil summed up the reaction to Disney Genie. View the full article

It’s an exciting time when we get to reunite with our favorite Disney World restaurants. Animal Kingdom Lodge We already spent the morning at a reopened Boma in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (and we’ll be back for dinner at the first buffet to reopen in Disney World). Now, though, we’re visiting ANOTHER relaxing spot at this resort that just returned today! Victoria Falls Lounge is BACK. This cool bar is situated above Boma and serves South African wines, beer, and mixed drinks. It’s a great place to wait for your table at one of the table-service restaurants! While we waited for our Boma dinner time, we checked out the Lounge to see if anything’s changed. Welcome Back! Inside the Lounge, you can sit at the bar… At the bar …or there’s also tables and chairs. Tables and Chairs You could also opt for a booth if you’d prefer! Booths We were given a paper menu, but the menu is online as well! Victoria Falls Lounge Menu On the menu, there were some options for food (available between 5PM and 10PM), which we didn’t order because we’ve still got to eat at Boma later. It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it. ©Disney There are also a lot of cocktails to choose from… ©Disney …beers and rosé… ©Disney …wine by the glass or in flights… ©Disney …whiskey… ©Disney …and other liquor options. ©Disney For our return, we ordered the Flame Lily and settled in for a bit. The Flame Lily has Cruxland Gin, Campari, Van De Hum Tangerine Liqueur, and Lemon Juice served with a souvenir Lotus Glow Cube. Flame Lily Cocktail This drink was introduced to the lounge right before it closed, so it’s sort of new! It has a light-up lotus souvenir cube Isn’t it just so pretty? We loved the drink, and we’ll be bringing you a full review of this place soon! We’re big fans of spaces where you can slow down in Disney World and Victoria Falls is certainly one of them. As always, we’ll be bringing you all the latest news from Disney World so keep an eye on DFB. Want to see more about our return to Boma? Click here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Will you visit Victoria Falls? Tell us in the comments! The post A Fan-Favorite Lounge Has Reopened at Animal Kingdom Lodge in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article