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It’s that time of year again when grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize. Just in time for Halloween, shopDisney is excited to reveal a wicked assortment of Halloween items inclusive of everything you need to go from Super Hero to super scary! The Halloween collection includes all new costumes for adults, kids, and of […]http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/zn0d6EFKmhMView the full article

Disney recently made some HUGE news announcements. FastPass+ and MaxPass are being retired at Disney World and Disneyland, the NEW Disney Genie planning service will be available this fall, and there’s not 1 but 2(!!) NEW paid FastPass-like systems being introduced. ©Disney There’s a LOT to take in, and honestly, some of it can be very confusing. So, today we’re focusing on two separate things — Disney Genie and Disney Genie+. What are these things? What do you need to know about them? How are they different but also interconnected? We’re breaking down everything you need to know right here. Disney Genie Let’s start with the Disney Genie. Genie is a planning service we had been hearing about for a while. As we mentioned, Disney Genie is a planning service. The service will be built right into the My Disney Experience app in Disney World and the Disneyland App at Disneyland Resort. ©Disney Basically, the idea is that you can tell Disney Genie what rides you want to go on… ©Disney …what types of general things you’re interested in (i.e. princesses, roller coasters, etc.), and the Genie will create a personalized itinerary for you taking all of your wants into consideration. ©Disney There will be a tip board where you can see certain attractions and other suggestions. It’ll show you wait times, lightning lane availability (more on that in a second), and more. ©Disney You’ll also be able to see forecasted wait times and more. That could help you decide whether to ride an attraction now or wait until its wait time is expected to be less. ©Disney When it comes to dining, Disney Genie can do quite a bit. It’ll help you make dining reservations, will recommend spots nearby that are convenient in relation to your plans where you can place a mobile order, will show you the next available mobile order time, will help you place the mobile order conveniently through the app, and can be used to join a mobile dine walk-up waitlist. There’s even a dining tip board where you can see all of the reservations that are available, waitlist times, etc. for restaurants nearby. ©Disney Disney Genie’s itinerary will continuously update throughout the day to help you optimize your plans and help you get the most done with your day. IMPORTANT NOTE: The Disney Genie is entirely FREE. You won’t have to pay anything to utilize the Disney Genie planning service when it rolls out this FALL. Check out the video below to get an overview of Disney Genie. Disney Genie+ Disney Genie+ is, however, different. Genie+ will be built into the Genie system, making it easy and convenient to access. IMPORTANT NOTE: Genie+ is a PAID service. To get access to Genie+ you’ll pay $15 per ticket per day at Disney World, and $20 per ticket per day at Disneyland. ©Disney What do you get if you pay that $15 or $20? Well, with Genie+ you’ll get the chance to choose the next available time to arrive at a variety of attractions and experiences and use that attraction/experience’s, Lightning Lane. The Lightning Lane is essentially what Disney previously called the FastPass+ lane. So, you might see that Alien Swirling Saucers has an available lightning lane entrance time between 12:00 and 1:00PM. You’ll make that selection, and when the time arrives, you can hop in the Lightning Lane and skip the standby line for that ride. ©Disney Once you’re done with that ride, you can select another, available Genie+ Lightning Lane time for a ride, and so on, throughout the day. You’ll only be able to make 1 Lightning Lane selection at a time. Important note: Most guests can buy Genie+ in advance for their trip (though Annual Passholders have a slightly different situation). But, guests won’t be able to actually MAKE Genie+ Lightning Lane selections until the DAY OF their trip. At Walt Disney World, guests will be able to make their first Disney Genie+ ride selection at 7AM on the day of their visit. At Disneyland, guests can make their first Disney Genie+ selection once they’re in the park. ©Disney At Disney World, Genie+ will include over 40 attractions. At Disneyland, Genie+ will include over 15 attractions. What rides will be included? So far Disney has mentioned things like Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Note, however, that NOT all attractions will be available through Genie+. If you want to skip the standby line for the attractions that are NOT on Genie+, you may need to utilize Disney’s second paid service. We won’t get into that here, but you can click here to learn more. ©Disney In many ways, Genie+ is similar to and an evolution of the MaxPass service that existed out at Disneyland. Click here to see how Genie+ is different from MaxPass. If you pay for the Genie+ service, you’ll also get access to some extra things like Disney parks-themed audio experiences, Augmented Reality photo lenses in Disney World, and unlimited PhotoPass downloads from your day at Disneyland Resort. ©Disney Overview So, generally, Disney Genie is a FREE, planning service that can help show you wait times, suggest attractions/restaurants for your day, and create a personalized itinerary for you. Disney Genie+ is a PAID, FastPass-like service where you’ll see the next available time to arrive at an attraction/experience and use that ride’s, Lightning Lane. You’ll be able to make 1 Lightning Lane selection at a time. But not all rides’ Lightning Lanes will be available through the Genie+ service. And remember, standby lines are still an option. Disney Genie+ is if you’re looking to get into that Lightning Lane! ©Disney We hope that helps break things down a bit. We’re continuing to work on giving you all the information you need to know about Disney Genie. Click on the links below to see more of our articles explaining the services Disney has announced: Click here to learn about Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selection, including what attractions have been listed for each and more details Click here to see what Annual Passholders need to know about Disney Genie Click here to see how and why you’ll pay for individual rides with Individual Attraction Selection Click here to see more about the features of the FREE Disney Genie planning service (different than Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selection) Click here to see how Disney Genie+ is different from MaxPass Click here to see how being a hotel guest will benefit you with the Individual Attraction Selection service The service will launch this fall and we’ll keep a lookout for more updates. Click here to see more 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. What questions do you still have about Genie and Genie+? Tell us in the comments. The post The Difference Between Disney Genie and Disney Genie+! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Designing The Disney Wish: First-Of-Its-Kind Interactive Experience Sneak Peek | Disney Cruise LineView the full article

It’s time to show some love to the Disney Princesses! As part of Disney’s Ultimate Princess Celebration, Disney is debuting a “once-in-a-lifetime, global extravaganza,” that will include a variety of new princess-themed content, merchandise, FOOD, experiences, and more! Royal Princess Processional in Magic Kingdom Not only that, but a brand new World Princess Week is coming to Walt Disney World, and it will be full of royal festivities! Disney’s Princess Week celebration will officially kick off on August 23 in Walt Disney World, so be on the lookout for some extra princess-y offerings across the parks and resorts! ©Disney As part of the event, EPCOT will unveil a new Tiana-themed playground that will be around for the 50th Anniversary! A NEW Tiana-themed playground is coming soon! We’re already looking forward to the new Disney Princess treats coming to the parks and resorts. Disney announced that they will be offering some delicious new desserts like cheesecake, cupcakes, cookies, and more! ©Disney If you have a little one who LOVES Disney Princesses, check out the Princess Promenade coming to Disney Springs on August 26 (costumes are encouraged)! Marketplace Stage The Princess Promenade will take place at the AdventHealth Waterside Stage (across from the World of Disney store). Here, you can and watch a princess-themed entertainment performance that will take place from 2-6PM. How fun does this sound?! Get ready to see more of her face around Disney! Speaking of Disney Springs, there will be lots of new Princess-inspired merchandise available to purchase, as well as some new Princess selfie walls that will make the perfect backdrop for a cute picture! New photo ops coming soon! Finally, you can even participate in the Princess Week celebration at your Disney resort! The nighty Movies Under the Stars event will show a variety of Disney Princess movies throughout the week, so bring a blanket and enjoy the film! (Bonus points if you bring a Princess blanket!) Movies Under the Stars at Fort Wilderness With so many exciting new Princess things to see and do, we can’t wait to channel our inner Rapunzel and make the most of our day in the parks! In the meantime, stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news, announcements, and updates! There’s A HUGE Disney Princess Eyeshadow Collection Online NOW! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you excited for Princess Week? Let us know in the comments! The post Everything Happening in Disney World for Princess Week! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Yesterday, we got LOADS of new details about the new Disney Genie digital service that’s coming soon to the Disney World My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps. ©Disney We learned more about the features of the app, as well as additional paid options that offer guests access to “Lightning Lanes” (which will replace FastPass+) on Disney Parks attractions. Disney Genie on its own (which will be free for all guests to use) will give guests new tools to help them forecast future wait times, have a virtual assistant on hand 24/7, make personalized parks itineraries, and more. Guests will be able to use the service to map out their days at the parks. Guests will tell Disney Genie about their preferences, and the service will organize a day customized around those. ©Disney An additional paid service, called Genie+ will let guests access the “Lightning Lane” for various attractions — this service will cost $15 per person, per day at Disney World, and $20 at Disneyland. Beyond that, guests can also pay additional fees for additional Lightning Lane access to more popular rides. ©Disney Disney Parks Chairman Josh d’Amaro recently spoke to CNN Business about how this new digital service would benefit guests. He said, “You tell Genie what you are interested in specifically — whether that be an attraction, a food, a character — and Genie’s going to come back to you and tell you how to make the most of your day.” ©Disney D’Amaro did confirm that guests who didn’t want to use Genie didn’t have to — nothing will change in the parks. Standby lines at attractions will still be available to everyone, and virtual queues will still stay in place for rides that have them. He said, “We’ve had 60 years of experience in theme parks. So we know exactly how people are behaving, how the attractions are behaving. We know exactly how to optimize a day. So with technology advancing, we’re able to take all that information and all of that data that our industrial engineers have and serve it up in a very convenient way to our guests.” We’ll continue to keep you updated on Disney Genie and answer any questions you may have, so stay tuned! Learn MORE about Disney Genie 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 be using Disney Genie in the parks? Let us know in the comments. The post Disney Parks Chairman Comments on the New Disney Genie Service first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Big changes are coming this fall at Walt Disney World and Disneyland! Yesterday evening Disney announced the expected release of the Disney Genie Service this fall for both Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort. The Disney Genie will be an update to the WDW My Disney Experience and Disneyland smart phone apps, that replaces […] The post Disney Genie Service Replaces FastPass+ and FastPass, and MaxPass appeared first on Military Disney Tips Blog. View the full article

If the wishing star makes dreams come true, what happens when it goes missing? That’s a big question with an even more epic answer: Disney Uncharted Adventure, a first-of-its-kind interactive experience that will lead guests aboard the Disney Wish on a journey from bow to stern and beyond the stars. Just announced today, this fantastical journey will be a brand-new way to explore and experience the enchantment of a Disney cruise ship.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/TSfspnOXH-0View the full article

Have you heard about Disney’s new princess celebration? ©Disney Next week Disney will host the very first World Princess Week, celebrated around the world at Disney World, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Aulani Resort. This celebration will bring new merchandise, food, and exclusive events to Disney Parks. There will also be a new playground at EPCOT, so read on! Beginning on August 23rd, Disney will unveil a new playground themed after Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog. That means it will be available for guests visiting the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival as well as the 50th anniversary! A NEW Tiana-themed playground is coming soon! Disney World is also working on re-theming Splash Mountain in Magic Kingdom after The Princess and the Frog, so the playground in EPCOT will give guests another way to experience the bayou of New Orleans in Disney World. Just be careful not to kiss any frogs! Princess Tiana We’re excited to see what else World Princess Week brings to Disney Parks, so keep reading DFB for all need to know information about this brand new celebration! Read more about the princess-themed snacks coming soon 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. Are you excited for World Princess Week? Tell us in the comments! The post A Tiana-Themed Playground Is Coming to EPCOT for a Limited Time! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

There are already LOTS of reasons why you might want to book a cruise on Disney Cruise Line‘s upcoming ship — the Disney Wish. ©Disney The Wish will contain Disney Cruise Line’s first Star Wars bar/lounge, Disney’s first Marvel dining experience at sea, Disney’s first attraction at sea, some really unique staterooms, and more! But, recently we got a closer look at the kids’ clubs coming to the Disney Wish and so many other details that might just make you say “I’ve gotta book a cruise on the Wish.” Recently, Disney invited us to a media preview of the Disney Wish. During that preview, we got to speak with Imagineers, see prototypes of certain things, and get all kinds of insider details about the Wish. Here are some of the new things you’ll see on this ship and some of the amazing details that make this ship unique. More Star Wars is On the Way Before we even dive into some of the other cool stuff, we HAVE to mention one exciting thing that was revealed during our time at the Wish conference. While we’ve already heard about the Star Wars Lounge coming to the ship, some wondered if other Star Wars-themed spaces would also be featured on the ship. ©Disney Disney’s response? There will be more announcements coming about other potential Star Wars experiences for the Wish! Get out those lightsabers, put your hair in those space buns — more intergalactic fun is likely in store and we can’t wait to find out what it is! Click here to see more about Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge! Kids’ Clubs Oceaneer Club Next, let’s take a look at some of the details shared about the kids’ clubs and specifically Disney’s Oceaneer Club. We already shared an overview of some of the spaces that make up Disney’s Oceaneer Club, including Fairytale Hall, Marvel Super Hero Academy, and Walt Disney Imagineering Lab. But, before we get into a bit more detail about these spaces, let’s talk about the entryway. During our preview, we actually got a really cool view of one really unique feature about the Oceaneer Club — the slide kids can use to get to it! The slide is located in the Grand Hall area. The slide itself goes directly into an enclosed area for the Oceaneer Club, meaning your kiddos won’t be sliding down and then able to run off toward other parts of the ship. Instead, they’ll be sliding safely into the club. But, parents won’t just have to assume that their kiddos make it down there. There’s actually an area just past the slide that is open to the floor below, meaning parents can peer over and watch as their kiddos exit into the Club. ©Disney Or, they can opt to take the stairs to the club, which are located near the slide. The stairs are themed to Alice in Wonderland. Keep an eye out for little details that show this theme — like a Cheshire Cat design at the bottom of the stairs! The Oceaneer Club is actually made up of multiple spaces. Only 3 (Fairytale Hall, Marvel Super Hero Academy, and Walt Disney Imagineering Lab) have been revealed so far, but more details are set to be shared in the future about what other adventures kiddos might be able to go on in these spaces. ©Disney The spaces will all be connected be a central hub. One of the Imagineers shared that parents have long wanted to sort-of interact in a way with their kids while they’re in the club. While they didn’t provide many details on it, we did see some images of large doors (featuring a variety of Disney characters on them) and the Imagineers shared that they are meant to serve that purpose of providing adults with that small bit of interaction in a way with their kiddos. We’ll definitely be on the lookout for more details about that. Walt Disney Imagineering Lab Within the Oceaneer Club, you’ll find the Walt Disney Imagineering Lab. The lab actually has 2 spaces in it. We’ve already seen images of one side — the mock-up bay. This space is sort-of inspired by the large warehouses Imagineering uses for some of its prototypes and testing (not unlike the one we visited). And this is where kids will get to design their roller coasters and test them out. More on that in a second. But, during the preview, Disney also shared that there will be another space full of desks, and the space showed a Cast Member and kiddos working on some blueprints. There were also some triangular shapes in this room that the Imagineer noted were inspired by Spaceship Earth (EPCOT fans rejoice!). ©Disney Okay, back to the roller coaster designs. What’s really unique is that kids will actually be able to track their scores in relation to their designs by scanning their MagicBand at this spot. As they design more/better coasters, they’ll be able to unlock new track pieces or potentially new show set pieces to add to their coasters. We actually got to see a coaster design/ride test for a Thunder Mountain-style design during which the guest will be able to select different unique items to add to their coaster. And yes, there was a goat. Fairytale Hall Over at Fairytale Hall, there will be 3 unique spaces — an arts and crafts area themed to Rapunzel, a reading area themed to Belle (where Imagineers confirmed there will be physical books as well as iPads for use and it is meant as a sort-of decompress area), and an area with games themed to Anna and Elsa. During our time at the preview, we actually got to see a preview of some of the games coming to the Anna and Elsa area. Specifically, there will be 3 separate digital games involving Elsa’s snowy powers. The games are: Ice Magic (where guests will paint with ice/make ice sculptures), Snow Ball Bash (where guests will duck and dodge snow balls being thrown at them, and toss snow balls back to the trolls), and Snowgie Hide & Seek (where guests will control a search glass and search for snowgies hidden in the screen, and guests may even be able to unlock characters like Bruni during the game)! ©Disney The games looked very fun and interactive for kiddos of all ages. Each child in the concept art was playing on their own screen. And it seems that kids will be able to scan their MagicBands before playing to keep track of their scores. Marvel Super Hero Academy At Marvel Super Hero Academy, your adventure will begin as you design your Super Hero costume. Again, kids will tap their MagicBands to start this part of the game and will get to keep track of what they’ve worked on. You’ll actually get to see the suit “made” on a mannequin nearby much in the same way that the Black Panther suit would just form onto that character. In terms of suit designs, we saw a pretty large variety of options kiddos will have to choose from. There were designs for suits that looked like the ones worn by Ant Man, Black Panther, Spider Man, Iron Man, Captain Marvel, and even variations of costumes that looked like other unique characters like potentially Spider-Gwen. Of course, keep in mind that this was concept art. ©Disney Once you’ve designed your suit, it’s time to carry out some Super Hero activities. There are 2 different games guests will get to play here. First, there’s a game where the kiddos will need to fight oncoming enemies. And second, there’s a game where kiddos will need to fly to dodge things. At the end of these games, you’ll be fighting Hydra and/or Ultron, classic villains from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The higher the scores you achieve, the more abilities you may unlock! The Imagineers noted that in a way it’s a prequel to the Worlds of Marvel dinner show. And there are lots of cool details to look for in this space including notes that Shuri may have just left lying around when she last stopped by. Keep in mind that the age range for these spaces contained in the Oceaneer Club is 3 through 12, but adults can stop by during Open House times (and we have a feeling Marvel, Princess, and theme park fans will WANT to check these things out). Other Kids or Teen Spaces In terms of the other spaces on the Wish, you’ll find the “it’s a small world” nursery for the youngest passengers. The nursery actually features designs of various Disney and Pixar characters that are inspired by Mary Blair’s signature art style. In the concept art we saw, there were images of Woody, characters from Cars, and Peter Pan drawn in a really adorable, fun way. In terms of older spaces, there is Edge and Vibe. We got a look at some of the concept art for Edge (for those ages 11-14) and there was a space with some art from the movie Up as well as a really unique and beautiful skylight on the ceiling of the space. Overall, there’s just a lot to look forward to when it comes to how these spaces have been uniquely redesigned on the Wish. Unique Details and Things that Make the Wish Different If you’ve been on a Disney cruise before, you can probably already see all of the ways that the Wish is different. But there are more unique details you’ll want to look for onboard, and other things that actually make this ship really different than previous ones. Here are just a few we got the chance to learn about: This might seem like a boring tidbit but it can be important when it comes to guest flow and congestion. Previously there were elevators much closer to the central atrium space. On the Wish, in the Grand Hall the staircases and elevators have been moved a bit further away from the central area so you’ll have to walk a bit more to get to them. But, this design should help spread guests out a bit more and ease crowding in the Grand Hall. In the grand hall, you’ll find a statue of Cinderella and she is REALLY big, like full-size, offering guests a great photo opportunity. And the Grand Hall itself is full of amazing details you’ll want to look for. In the rug, there are designs of vines like a pumpkin patch, along with glass slippers and other character designs. The Disney Wish Grand Hall ©Disney The railing has elements meant to sort-of look like a tiara and there’s colored glass fit into it. The chandelier is based on the moment Cinderella is transformed from her rags into her beautiful ballgown and the pixie dust that surrounds her. There’s a true stage within the Grand Hall where they’ll be able to host all kinds of entertainment. Disney has shared that they’ve worked with their live entertainment partners on special offerings and have also been working on a special way to welcome guests aboard! Overall, on the Disney Wish you’ll find that many venues have been made smaller. Where there was 1 large movie cinema before, there are now 2 smaller ones. The goal has been to make spaces feel more intimate. ©Disney In sort-of a similar fashion, on the Wish, Disney has spread out the pool offerings across the ship. Instead of just a few, big pools, there are now various pools spread out throughout various levels of the ship for families to access. And what’s neat is that all of the pools can be covered to become stages. There are also spaces where there is like an amphitheater of sun lounges with the pool spaces interspersed below. That gives families the ability to watch their kids from their loungers while the kids are in those smaller, individual pools. ©Disney We actually got to go into the DISH, which is where Disney can see some of their conceptual designs in a really unique way, and we got to “walk through” some of these spaces. Other cool things to note about the pool areas is that there is a digital panel between one pool area and the Funnel Vision screen where there will be parties/events. The digital screen will be used as a unique backdrop so that’s something fun to look for. ©Disney There are a variety of areas on the upper decks when it comes to pools: there’s a Mickey & Friends area (where all of those various pools are spread out), a Toy Story-themed family area (where there is a play area for little kids as well as the Partysaurus Rex family slide), a quiet family pool area, and then Quiet Cove for adults. The quiet family pool area (that isn’t adults only) is all the way to one side of the ship, so there will be some pretty spectacular views from here. And there’s a unique pool here with 2 layers. Also nice is the fact that Quiet Cove is ALL the way on the other side of the ship. So, people won’t be walking through Quiet Cove to get to other spaces. Instead, adults can really enjoy the peace and quiet of that area to themselves. Plus, there’s a really great infinity pool with a built-in bench. ©Disney When it comes to the staterooms, there will be different themes. The ones discussed during the media preview were Cinderella, Frozen, Princess and the Frog, Sleeping Beauty, Little Mermaid (featured in the solarium suites), Tangled (which will be featured in the concierge level), and Moana. One thing guests are probably really familiar with are the designs of the room numbers next to their stateroom doors, and (more specifically) the design of those mail clips or fish extenders. On the Wish, the design of these numbers in front of the rooms and the mail clips will look different. The clips will actually be designed to look like a crown to fit that overall theme of enchantment. Also, Disney shared that the themes will be different by floor, so some floors will explore the spirit of the sea, while others will be more focused on the magic of the forest, etc. ©Disney During the conference, we also got to learn a really fun detail about Nightingale’s, a piano bar on the ship. In this bar, there is sheet music that surrounds the piano space. Disney shared that the sheets actually contain real sheet music, so if you know how to play an instrument you’d actually be able to read and play them out! When it comes to another unique space — the Untangled Salon — Disney shared that you’ll be able to get a glass of bubbly there as you get pampered (much like how you’ll be able to get some drinks at the barber area onboard from its hidden bourbon bar). Nightingale’s © Disney On one side of the ship, there’s another cool detail you’ll want to look for! You’ll find Rapunzel hanging near the stern of the ship and around her will be 5 stars. Why 5? Well, the Wish represents the 5th ship in Disney’s fleet! Love those signature Disney Cruise Line horn sounds? Well, on the Wish you’ll find that the ship’s whistles have been housed in a Mickey-shaped structure that is something the Imagineers shared others will be able to see for miles. And yes, there will be fireworks on the Disney Wish. The Imagineers we spoke to noted that the theme for the show will be announced soon! ©Disney In terms of overall comparisons to prior ships, the Wish has more mixed-use spaces, is designed to be more intimate, and will offer more entertainment distributed through a variety of spaces. Finally, you might be wondering what adjustments (if any) Disney has made to this ship in light of the pandemic. When asked about this, the Imagineering team said that they’re always looking for ways to make the ship safer and more hygienic (and were doing so before the pandemic even began). They shared that they’re far enough away to deal with flexibility if they need to, but didn’t identify any ways in which the design of the ship or thoughts surrounding it have been specifically affected. Outdoor Oasis © Disney WHEW. And that’s just an overview of some of the amazing things we got to see in relation to the Disney Wish. Seriously, a Disney cruise is truly like a floating theme park — there is a LOT to experience and see, and that’s certainly true for the Wish. We’ll be on the lookout for more details about this ship and we’ll let you know what we find. Stay tuned for all the latest details! Click here to see details about all of the restaurants coming to the Disney Wish! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! 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. We were invited by Disney World to attend their media preview of the Disney Wish. 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 What detail about the Disney Wish are you most excited about? Tell us in the comments! The post Just a Dozen MORE Reasons Why You'll Want to Sail on the New Disney Wish Cruise Ship first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney Cruise Line‘s latest ship, the Disney Wish, will feature a variety of brand NEW restaurants, kids spaces, and more. AquaMouse ©Disney Another brand NEW thing this ship will feature is Disney’s FIRST attraction at sea — the AquaMouse! We’ve already shared some cool details about the AquaMouse, but now Disney has revealed some news that’s going to make you want to ride this water attraction again and again! The general story behind the AquaMouse in general is that Mickey and Minnie are running an excursion company called Port Misadventures (what could go wrong there?!) and are taking you on an exciting trip. As part of this attraction, you’ll get to see the story play out on screens as you head up the initial tunnel. ©Disney During Disney’s initial reveal of the AquaMouse, we got to learn about one story that guests will get to experience on the attraction — Scuba Scramble. In this story, Mickey and Minnie are looking to take guests on an excursion to Mermaid Lagoon. And, of course, some things go hilariously wrong. ©Disney Recently, we were invited to a media preview of the Disney Wish and actually got to see the Scuba Scramble short in full, with voice acting and more. The story is actually really fun! Mickey and Minnie follow a sign pointing (supposedly) to Mermaid Lagoon, but another sign is then revealed showing that the route Mickey and Minnie took is fought with danger. Of course, hilarious, cartoon antics ensue. As Mickey and Minnie swim around and try to get away from danger and over to Mermaid Lagoon, you’ll see all kinds of amazing details and references. For example, in one scene there’s a bronze statue of Mickey, but it’s no ordinary Mickey. It’s actually the same Mickey featured in the atrium of the Disney Magic. At one point, Mickey also says “fish are friends, not food,” referencing Finding Nemo. ©Disney Eventually, the gang does make it to Mermaid Lagoon and guess who they see there? Donald Duck and Daisy Duck as mermaids! And let us tell you, the animation of these characters as true mermaids was SO neat — they looked incredibly adorable. But, Scuba Scramble isn’t the only story you’ll get to see on the AquaMouse. You’ll actually get to see 2 entirely DIFFERENT stories played out, depending on when you ride. ©Disney The other story is called Swiss Meltdown, and it is inspired by the Yodelberg Mickey Mouse short. In Swiss Meltdown, Mickey and Minnie want to take you on a port adventure where you’ll go sledding down the Matterhorn. But, a big, bright sun comes out and starts making snow do what frozen things do in summer (‘ya know, MELT). In order to make that ski trip down the mountain, you’ll have to get to the top before all the snow melts away! This short is also full of easter eggs, and especially fun references to Disney attractions. For example, you’ll see some sky buckets at one point in the short. And there’s even a yeti! ©Disney For each of these shorts, you’ll spend 75 seconds in the conveyor, going up that initial area, and you’ll see the story play out on 9 screens alternating from right to left. Around each of the screens are some spray nozzles that allow the team to synchronize special water effects and unique sprays to match what you’re seeing on the screen. Let’s just say this — Disney emphasized that by the time you get to the top of the conveyor belt you’ll be TOTALLY soaked thanks to those sprayers — and we’re inclined to believe that’s 1000% true. In terms of the attraction itself, after you load onto the ride vehicle, you’ll go through the conveyor belt portion with the main story, then you’ll hit an acrylic section where you’ll be able to see down to the ship and water below, then it’s off to a dark section (spoooky), next there are some bunny hops, you’ll go through another acrylic section, and finally you’ll end in a lazy river that will take you back to the load/unload area. ©Disney But, before you get off, you’ll get one more little story addition. As you’re sailing to the unload area, you’ll see Mickey and Minnie figures with flags in their hands waving goodbye and issuing a final message. One thing you’ll want to look out for in both shorts is the appearance of Chip ‘n’ Dale! These two furry friends are actually hidden in both stories. You’ll notice that their overall goal appears to be to make it on the ship, and they may even be successful as you’ll see one point where they’re holding a sign saying “Castaway Cay or bust.” ©Disney The details aren’t just located in the shorts themselves though. Even the ride vehicles tell a story here. It’s not really evident in the photo below, but the inflatable vehicles have bandaids incorporated into their design. That fits in with the name of Mickey & Minnie’s excursion company — Port Misadventures. Seems these rafts have seen some things out there. ©Disney How will Disney decide what short to play when? When we spoke to Sachiko “Sachi” Handke, Project Coordinator, Show Design & Production at Walt Disney Imagineering, she noted that Disney may show 1 short one day and the other on another day of the sailing, to give people a chance to alternate and see them both. Of course, we’ll keep an eye out for any updates on that. Note that the load and unload area for AquaDuck will be in the same space, so you won’t have to carry that raft around with you anywhere. And keep in mind that there is a height limit for this attraction at sea. Only those 42 inches and taller will be able to ride the AquaMouse (though the family slide, located in another section of the ship, will have a shorter height requirement — 38 inches — for those still looking for water fun). ©Disney And that’s our look at the NEW scene and other details that have been shared for Disney’s first attraction at sea — the AquaMouse! We’ll be on the lookout for more details and we’ll be sure to share them all with you. Stay tuned for more Disney news. Click here to see everything that was previously announced for the Disney Wish Cruise Ship! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! 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. We were invited by Disney World to attend their media preview of the Disney Wish. 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 What do you think about the AquaMouse? Tell us in the comments! The post NEW Scene Revealed for Disney Cruise Line's First Attraction at Sea! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’ve already gotten a peek at some of the new things coming to Disney Cruise Line‘s latest ship, the Disney Wish. ©Disney On the Wish, there will be Disney’s first-ever attraction-at-sea, a Marvel dining experience, a Star Wars lounge/bar, and more! But recently we got the chance to get an inside look at some of the dining/lounge spaces on the ship and now we’re sharing all of that insider knowledge with you. Recently, we were invited to a special media preview/Imagineering Showcase regarding the Disney Wish. While there, we got the chance to see some pretty awesome things and learn all kinds of fun details about some of the dining options coming to the Wish. Let’s break-down some of the biggest ones here! Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge We’ll start with the already very cool looking and sounding Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge. This is a Star Wars-themed bar/lounge that will be accessible to families during the day, but will be adults-only at night. We’ll start at the entrance. What will it be like to step from the Wish into a Star Wars lounge though? Well, we got a look at the entrance area, which is shaped like those classic, rounded Star Wars doors. The Imagineers shared that you’ll basically walk into a dark space and then there will be a metal entrance door that’ll make that signature “woosh” sound (like an airlock release), and inside will be the glorious Hyperspace Lounge. During the Imagineering Showcase we got to see a mock-up of the screen that will be used in the space and let’s just say, it was EPIC. ©Disney The places you’ll visit via this massive window to “space” are Tatooine, Mustafar, Batuu, Coruscant, and the Moons of Endor. But, Disney also revealed that guests will also get to visit an Ace Squadron scene. This is inspired by the NEW animated Star Wars series Rogue Squadron. The Imagineers working on the Hyperspace Lounge project told us that the window to “space” was so large in terms of the number of pixels that they had to work with Industrial Light & Magic to recreate the scenes shown. Fans will get to see several angles of ships and worlds that they’ve never even seen before in the movies. And (of course) there are lots of easter eggs in the scenes — whether you’re a Star Wars novice or an absolute expert. Fans will also get to see all kinds of ships. They may even see a vehicle from the Star Tours attraction. You’ll have to keep those eyes peeled! ©Disney Each of the worlds will pass through on the screens and last for about 7-10 minutes each, with a hyperspace jump in between them. The hyperspace you’ll see here goes from right to left, in sync with the movement of the ship. Sideways hyperspace has really only been seen once in the movies, so Disney has to work on how to embrace this unique perspective and really get it to work. During our time at the Imagineering Showcase, we also got a peek at the layout of the lounge/bar space. Without attempting to re-create our scribbles, we’ll say that essentially there is the bar along one wall, a longer table near the center of the room (with chairs around it), and then various booths and seating areas throughout the space. ©Disney There were also around 4 spots (though that could change) in the lounge where some “space oddities” would be displayed. Basically, the idea is that even if you’re not sitting right at the bar, directly in front of the impressive screen, you’ll still have plenty of unique things to look at. Also, Disney shared that the back area of the lounge is on a raised-up banquette, so even those in the back of the room will get a pretty good view of the screen once the bar starts getting more packed. Speaking of the back area, there is where you’ll find the holotube. We actually got the chance to see the ACTUAL holotube that will be installed on the ship! Essentially it’s a large, cylindrical container that will feature holographs of the ships passing by. With each of the scenes, the ships you’ll see in the holotube will change. ©Disney In terms of the costumes for the Cast Members, the Imagineers shared that they worked with Doug Chiang from Lucasfilm on their design. Crew Member Costume Sneak Peek ©Disney Truly, no area of this bar has been overlooked. Even the bar taps will feature Star Wars-themed designs! And the bottles your drinks will be served from will also be themed. For example, you won’t see something like a Jack Daniel’s bottle here. Instead, the Jack Daniel’s liquor itself will be housed in thematic bottles that match the out-of-this-world look of the lounge, keeping everything in-story. Disney is also working on some specialty beers that will be offered at this space. Also, keep in mind that the lounge is open to families during the day, and is adults-only at night. The Cast Members shared that certain things in the bar, like the music, will change to match that switch in feel. During the day, the music you’ll hear will likely be more of that John Williams score. At night, the place will have more of a Cantina vibe, though they’re still trying to figure out the right soundtrack for that time period. Basically, Star Wars fans are going to want to check out this lounge and they’re gonna have a LOT to look for. Click here to get a behind-the-scenes look at Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge! Worlds of Marvel Worlds of Marvel is the unique, interactive dinner show available on the Disney Wish. At Worlds of Marvel, guests can experience “Avengers: Quantum Encounter.” During this experience, Ant-Man and The Wasp will be embarking on their first speaking engagement for the Avengers and will be hosting a presentation of some super powerful Super Hero technology. The restaurant itself is actually QUITE large at 700 seats (120 tables). But, they’ve divided up the space to make it more intimate, so it’s not as though everyone is sitting in an open-space ballroom-style room. ©Disney At each table, you’ll find a quantum core. We actually got a look at some of these in their testing mode during the media preview. We’ll talk more about these in a second. One unique feature of the restaurant is that it has a glass wall that spans the entire space. The benefit of this glass wall is that it allows Disney to create special effects on it like power downs, red alerts, and more. There are also over 100 monitors throughout the space. These will be utilized in a variety of ways to showcase the story of this spot. ©Disney Overall, there are 3 acts to dinner. Act 1 Act 1 begins after you place your order. At that time, the lights will dim and Ant Man and The Wasp will come on the screens in the restaurant to talk about quantum tech. Act 2 After that, you’ll have some time to just enjoy dinner with the family, chat about your day, etc. During dinner service, the restaurant will actually utilize the monitors around the room to tell a story all about the Super Hero tech being used. That “presentation” of sorts will actually use footage from some of the Marvel films to highlight the special tech being used be the heroes. The screens will show graphics and more about the technology. ©Disney The presentation is meant to flow nicely with your dinner service and be something fun to look at, but not disruptive to your meal. Act 3 Act 3 is where things really get exciting! In terms of the overall story, Friday will be the AI guiding the story along and helping at certain points. During Act 3, there will be an 8-minute sequence where the villain of this entire story is trying to get the Quantum Cores. Let’s just say you’ve seen this villain before in the Marvel movies and it’s someone who you may have thought had been defeated. Turns out, like many characters in Disney, Star Wars, and beyond…things aren’t always as they seem. The villain tries to override some of Friday’s system protocols to get in and get the information they need. Things start to escalate in the battle against this villain, at which point Ant Man and The Wasp will call in for help from Captain America and Captain Marvel! As you look at the screens, you’ll see some of the fighting between the heroes and the villain taking place right on the Disney Wish — you’ll see a video of them battling in the hallways, on the upper deck, and in other spots. ©Disney Then, it’ll be up to you, and those around you, to use the Quantum Cores at your tables to save the day! One the villain has been defeated, Ant Man and The Wasp will come by and thank you! And when it’s time for dessert, you might notice that they’re a bit on the tiny side. Seems like there was a bit of a mishap with the Quantum Cores there! The Quantum Cores on the tables will light up and make sound effects. And the Cores can sync their lighting across the tables. In terms of what the Quantum Cores are in the Marvel universe, one Imagineer explained them as, essentially, remote-controlled Pym particles. They can cause a target in the restaurant or the ship to shrink or grow. From what we gathered, guests will be able to see things shrinking and growing on the monitors around them. ©Disney The entire restaurant it set to be filled with easter eggs for Marvel and Disney fans on the ship, and one Imagineer indicated that it will tie into the new interactive game on the ship — Disney Uncharted Adventure. Click here to see more about Worlds of Marvel! More Details During the media preview, we also got to see concept art and hear about all KINDS of details coming to other restaurants on the Disney Wish. In 1923, for example, we got a closer look at some of the lamps that will be featured near the tables. You can sort-of see in the image below how they’re styled after animator lamps. ©Disney For The Rose, Disney indicated that the lounge space has essentially taken over all of the space that was the Meridian Bar in previous ships. They also noted that guests will have to walk through The Rose to get to Palo Steakhouse or Enchante (there will be no other way to get to those spots, at least not a traditional route). ©Disney We also got to see some cool details for those spaces, like a Lumiere light fixture or a Rose featured in a case, on top of some books. Click here to see a list of all of the restaurants coming to the Disney Wish. Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure For Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure, we didn’t get too many new details except Disney did specify that guests will be walking through Arendelle Castle and that they’ll pass by suits of armor and paintings on the walls. We have a feeling there will be LOTS for fans to look at and enjoy here. ©Disney Overall, Disney said the experience here will be similar to something like Tiana’s Palace from previous Disney Cruise Line ships. Click here to see more about this Frozen dining experience. More to Come But wait, there’s more! During the conference, someone asked what happens on 4 night cruises since those would require some guests to eat for a second time at the Marvel restaurant or the Frozen restaurant. Essentially, the question was whether guests would be stuck experiencing the same Marvel/Frozen story/dining adventure twice during one sailing. Disney’s response? There will be an announcement on that soon! OooOoOoo! We can’t wait to see just what Disney will be sharing about that. We’ll be sharing more details about what we saw during the Disney Wish conference, and we’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more details. So, be sure to check back with us for all the latest updates! Click here to get a sneak peek at some of the Disney Wish Cast Member costumes. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! 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. We were invited by Disney World to attend their media preview of the Disney Wish. 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 What do you think about these dining experiences coming to the Disney Wish? Tell us in the comments! The post The NEW Details Marvel and Star Wars Fans Need to Know About the Disney Wish Cruise Ship! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

After over a year, Disney Cruise Line has resumed sailings from the United States. But, Disney Cruise Line is already looking well into the future and sharing all kinds of details about its upcoming ship — the Disney Wish! Conceptual Design of the Disney Wish ©Disney Over the past few months, we’ve gotten some HUGE reveals about the ship, including details about a special Marvel dining experience, a new Star Wars lounge, and more! But now Disney Cruise Line has announced a brand new interactive experience coming to the Disney Wish! Today, Disney officially announced a NEW, first-of-its-kind interactive experience that will debut on the Disney Wish. It’s called Disney Uncharted Adventure! Think essentially of a mixture of Midship Detective Agency (an interactive game found on the Disney Fantasy and Dream ships), Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure/Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure, Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, and the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Datapad, plus (of course) some special and unique magic. ©Disney We were actually lucky enough to get a preview of Disney Uncharted Adventure and a special look at this new game during a Media Preview Disney recently invited us to. Here’s a break-down of what this game involves: Overview As Disney shares, this new interactive game will take guests on a journey through the worlds of several iconic Disney and Pixar characters. The game is designed for families to play together while on the ship. It’ll really provide the with a brand-new way to explore areas of the ship, especially ones they may have never stopped by otherwise. The adventure, however, technically begins before you even step foot on the Wish! Play Disney Parks App To play Disney Uncharted Adventure, you’ll need the Play Disney Parks app. So, well in advance of your trip, you’ll want to make sure you’ve downloaded the app to the phone of every single person in your party so they can all play along once they board the ship. Remember that once the ship takes off, it’ll cost you to get access to the wifi that would be needed to download the actual app, so it’s critical that you download the app in advance of the trip, or at least before the ship takes off (while you still have access to your regular phone’s internet service). Play Disney Parks App Keep in mind that the game (and the app) is only accessible on mobile phones right now, so it won’t work on your iPad. Also note that this portion of the Play App (for Uncharted Adventure) will only be accessible to those with reservations for the Disney Wish. Before You Board Again, before you board you’ll want to download the app for all players. Ideally, you’ll also want to download it well in advance of your trip not just for convenience, but because the story actually begins before you board! Once you’ve downloaded the app and the game becomes active, you can check out part of it at home. During this part, Captain Minnie and Captain Mickey will talk to you about the night sky, the stars, and the special relationship they have with seafaring. But, there are certain “magical stars” you can reportedly only see from the Disney Wish! You’ll need a magical spyglass to see these, which is where your phone comes in. The Play Disney Parks app will transform into your magical spyglass, giving you the ability to see these special constellations once onboard. Disney Wish © Disney Since you’re at home, you can’t see all of these “magical constellations” just yet, but you’ll be able to play around with the spyglass and get ready for your trip. Before the cruise begins, Mickey and Minnie may just reach out again to remind you to bring your special spyglass! One cool thing to note is that the concept art we saw featured Captain Minnie and Mickey drawn in a very unique style. They’ve got some extra flair and Mickey’s outfit even has some pirate-style touches to it which looked very cool. Once On the Ship The Start of the Story Once you’re on the ship, it’s time to bring out that spyglass! Now, you’ll be able to see all of those “magical constellations” from the ship and that wishing star in the center. During our preview, some of the constellations we saw were shaped like Louis’ horn from The Princess and the Frog (with the name “New Orleans” next to it), Crush and Squirt surfing the EAC from Finding Nemo (with the name “Sydney” next to it), and Maui’s hook from Moana (with the name “Motunui” next to it). Ahoy Mickey! ©Disney During our time at the media event, we also got a peek at one constellation shaped in the design of a certain friendly neighborhood Spider-Man with an “Avengers Campus” name next to it (indicating perhaps the involvement of more Marvel characters?). This was merely concept art though, and Marvel experiences are not yet confirmed to be part of the game. Though, Feder did say that the game presents an amazing opportunity to tell stories that connect including with other things on the ship (hello, Marvel dining experience!). But, we’re hopefully we’ll get to see some Spidey action at sea in the future! Some concept art also showed constellations with shapes like the magic lamp from Aladdin or a slipper from Cinderella, so who knows what other stories we could see incorporated in the game. More characters/stories for the game are set to be announced in the future so who knows — we might just get Marvel, Star Wars, or other tie ins added! We’ll definitely be on the lookout for more details about that. Disney Wish Concept Art ©Disney At the center of these special constellations is the beautiful, shining “wishing star.” But, all of a sudden the picture you’ll see will be filled with a stormy scene, clouds, and more. And then the Wishing Star gets hit by something and shatters! Pieces of the star streak off toward various constellations. That’s when Captain Mickey and Minnie enlist you to help. Using your magical spyglass, you’ll need to help navigate the ship to uncharted regions and find the pieces of the Wishing Star that have landed at the various constellations. Captain Minnie ©Disney Davey Feder, a software product manager at Walt Disney Imagineering, spoke to us about this interactive experience during the media preview. He indicated that the constellations story fit with the story of the Wish given that wayfinders and navigators of ships used stars to sail the seas for many years. Overall, the overarching story idea behind the game is “If wishing upon a star makes your dreams come true, what happens when that star goes missing?” The Quest Begins Now, your quest can begin. Each quest is a self-contained adventure. So far, Disney has officially announced that adventures/scenes involving Tiana, Moana, Peter Pan, and Finding Nemo will be involved in the game. What you’ll do is select the constellation/adventure you want to visit. Then you’ll be sent to multiple spots around the ship. At each stop, different technologies will be utilized as part of the game that may surprise you! During part of the preview, we got to see some concept for a Moana quest. Again, keep in mind that this was concept information that was shared with us, so all of the details are subject to change. When the Moana quest was selected, the spyglass told the guest to head to Dock 4 near the Neverland Cinema. There, guests may see a digital sign that talks about the films being presented, but as the guest holds their spyglass up, they’ll see the sign transform and become a magical porthole! Disney Wish Concept Art ©Disney In the magical porthole is none other than Moana. Moana informs the guests that she thinks she saw a piece of the star land beyond the reef, and she can take you there but she needs your help with something first. She needs you to help get some canoes out of the reef, and that’s where the interactive experience kicks in. Each guest may be given their own digital ship which they’ll navigate with their respective spyglass. That means the whole family can play! If 2 parents and 2 kids each have their own phones, then they can each navigate their own ships and participate separately. Feder indicated that guests will be able to tell the game how many players there are and how many phones the group has prior to the game beginning. So, if the group only has 2 phones and players are going to share phones, that can also be indicated. A family can play with up to 6 devices at once (or up to 6 players at one, sharing devices). ©Disney Disney Wish concept art This Moana game (as well as the other games included in the experience) are communal and team-based, but (of course) there is an opportunity for a little competitiveness (like seeing who can get their canoe out of the reef first). Ultimately, though, the whole family will be working together toward an ultimate goal. Feder and the Imagineering Team really made a point to emphasize that the game is a “heads-up” design, meaning they don’t want you looking down at your phone the whole time. Instead, your phone becomes essentially like a controller (think like a motion-based controller, like the Wii Remote) — it’s a tool that can help you play the games or interact with things you see up, in front of you, on the ship. Disney Wish Deck Plans ©Disney Ultimately, once the canoes are successfully out of the reef, the family may get their adventure interrupted from a message from Minnie instructing them to check out some weird stuff on dock 7 at another location. There, they may encounter a perfectly normal painting that comes to life when they pull out their spyglass. Using augmented reality, the family will be able to see some Kakamora in the painting that are trying to jump onto the Wish and wreck havoc. It’s up to the family to catch these mischievous creatures. Again, the whole family can play and what’s cool is that the whole team will see the same thing — so if I catch one specific Kakamora, others in the group will see my net catching it. Ultimately, once the family catches the Kakamora, they may arrive at another destination and fall into the Realm of the Monsters, but the ship is too big to pass through to get to where we need to get. In order to get through, Minnie can help but you’ll need to power up the ship to make it happen! Kakamora! That’s when you may be directed to the Grand Hall to check out Cinderella’s glass slipper. There, you may do a special input on your spyglass that’ll cause the slipper to light up and activate. Or maybe you’ll be directed to the chandelier and what you do in the spyglass will cause it to sparkle or light up in a different color. Essentially, you’ll be able (in certain circumstances) to cause external things to happen with props on the ship thanks to your spyglass! Once you jump into the Realm of Monsters, you may just find that a certain someone who likes shiny things has found that shiny piece of the Wishing Star you’re looking for. And the adventure will continue with you (and your family) working to get it back! Contemporary Resort Gingerbread Display — Cinderella’s Glass Slipper This is just a concept of what was shared with us, so keep in mind that the final story may change. But, it gives you an idea of what families may experience with the app. What other games might you play? According to Disney, highlights of the game include: “teaming up with Moana to navigate their canoes beyond the reef; helping Tiana cook up the perfect pot of her father’s favorite gumbo; summoning Tinker Bell to give the Disney Wish an extra dash of pixie dust; and making an epic dive into the East Australian Current (EAC) with Nemo and friends.” We actually got to test a prototype of the experience to help Tiana cook and it was a fairly fast, collaborative but still competitive, mini-game that was really fun to play! If a family were to select the Tiana quest, they may be sent (for example) to a digital sign near the Small World Nursery. While the sign may normally display hours of operation, when the family arrives with their spyglass in search of a piece of the star, the board may transform into Tiana’s kitchen! There, Tiana may offer to help you find the star, but inform you that she needs your help first to make the perfect pot of gumbo. During the play test, there were various media attendees all playing at the same time. The gumbo game consisted of 4 different mini-games. During the first part, the main screen in front would show an ingredient we needed to add to the gumbo pot. Then, each participant would have to look at their individual spyglass to quickly select the matching ingredient before time ran out. Princess Tiana Next, we all had to pour in some hot sauce by moving our phones from left to right, but we had to add just the right amount of hot sauce and not make it too spicy! Third, we had to stir the pot at just the right speed — not too fast, and not too slow. We had to make sure we were all working together to stir it correctly, though we were each moving our own phones in a stirring manner. And finally there is a portion of the game where guests blow into the microphone portion of their phones to cowl down the gumbo, though we didn’t get to test that one. The Finale! What’s really unique about this game is that it’s finale moment is set to happen at the same time for everyone. During a special night on the cruise, there may be a scheduled event to place the Wishing Star back in the sky (since everyone has been working to hard and have collected all of those pieces). During the preview, Feder said this event would likely take place at Luna, one of the new event spaces on the Wish, but things are subject to change. During the finale, guests will all join in one place to put the Wishing Star back in the sky, by using their individual spyglasses. But, a certain evil Sea Witch has had her eye on the Wishing Star for quite some time (and was maybe even the one who shattered it!) and isn’t going to just let you put it back in the sky that easy! That’s when the final, epic battle will begin where all those in the room will need to work as a team to defeat the villain. A large screen will allow all of those present to play, and you’ll be able to see how your actions impact the battle. Disney Wish Deck Plans ©Disney There will also be live Crew Members there hosting the event and they’ll have their own roles in the story. Note that you don’t ned to play all of the quests to participate in this finale moment. What to Know About Disney Uncharted Adventure What’s great is that this game can be played throughout your trip. So, you can blast through a ton of the adventures during a long day at sea, just play 1 and then pick it up again later, or do whatever is best for your family. The game is meant to be achievable for a family to do, while not missing out on other things around the ship. If you really enjoy the game or want to unlock even more fun, you’ll be able to replay quests. And you might need to replay certain quests to unlock more things and get all of the available rewards out there. The tower on the Disney Wish ©Disney While you’ll need the external internet access to actually download the game, to play the game on the ship you’ll only need to tap into Disney’s local ship wifi (which is free). To avoid congestion, the system knows what story beats are being played out at any one time, so it will ideally direct families to screens/interactive elements around the ship where they’re alone or where the people who may be in front of them interacting with the same element of the ship will be doing a different quest. In other words, where one family is set to complete the Moana quest may be entirely different than another family’s experience. We’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more news about Uncharted Adventure and we’ll let you know what we find. Click here to learn more about the Disney Wish! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! 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. We were invited by Disney World to attend their media preview of the Disney Wish. 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 Are you excited to play this new interactive game? Tell us in the comments! The post The NEW Disney Interactive Game You WON'T Be Able to Play in the Parks first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Disney Cruise Line is letting loose little armies of Imagineers to make its new ship Disney Wish something special. The vessel arriving to Port Canaveral in summer 2022 is filled with unique offerings, with each one championed by a creative talent that is part of the company’s design arm, Walt Disney Imagineering. View the full article Star Wars, Marvel, wet Mickey and hidden stars: Disney Cruise Line offers up Disney Wish behind-the-scenes look Images of Disney Wish, the fifth cruise ship coming to Disney Cruise Line that will sail out of Port Canaveral beginning ... Disney Cruise Line is letting loose little armies of Imagineers to make its new ship Disney Wish something special. The vessel arriving to Port Canaveral in summer 2022 is filled with unique offerings, with each one championed by a creative talent that is part of the company’s design arm, Walt Disney Imagineering. While many have their hands in many pots, be it Star Wars, Marvel or Frozen, some take the lead on certain projects to get the work done. “We have our fingertips on just an endless supply of stories to put on our ships,” said Portfolio Creative Executive Laura Cabo, who is heading up all of the projects on board. She looks forward to translating them to the cruise experience, which is different than the theme parks. “If we tell a Star Wars story, it’s going to be told on an elegant, elevated level.” Disney Imagineers work on features coming to new cruise ship Disney Wish. (Walt Disney Co.) The company recently previewed some of the behind-the-scenes work on the new spaces coming to the 144,000-gross-ton ship, showing off what will be its marquee attractions coming to life in backlot trailers and off-Disney property warehouses. That includes something new that will interact with the spaces using a cell phone. Using the existing Play Disney Parks app, Disney Wish will be offering up “Disney Uncharted Adventure,” a game that turns your smartphone into a spyglass that lets you see hidden Disney-themed constellations in the sky and then embark on a scavenger hunt around the ship interacting with objects and artwork. The key to the game’s storyline is the biggest star in the sky, the wishing star, which is coveted by Disney villain Ursula from “The Little Mermaid.” The star shatters into pieces that are thrown into the far-flung corners of Disney and Pixar-themed universes such as Tiana’s New Orleans from “The Princess & the Frog” as well as adventures with Peter Pan, Moana and Nemo. Disney Imagineer Davey Feder demonstrates the interactive game Disney Uncharted Adventure coming to new cruise ship Disney Wish. (Walt Disney Co.) Travelers can team up as a family to solve puzzles and games throughout the ship similar to the Midship Detective Agency on Disney Dream and Fantasy, except this one raises the bar with a lot more stories, games and places on board with which people will interact. “It’s a team experience. We want everyone working together,” said Davey Feder, the software product manager leading the game’s creation. He said it’s accessible to everyone, “whether they’re tech-savvy or a technophobe.” Feder said the game culminates in a finale showdown in which all passengers can join in for what gamers would call a Boss Battle, where the combined efforts of the crowd in one venue take on the villain near the end of the cruise. With less than 10 months to go before the ship’s debut, Feder has some more time to work out all the details, while other Imagineers are closer to the finish line before their efforts are installed at the German shipyard where Disney Wish is being constructed. Disney Imagineers Laura Cabo, right, and Danny Handke work on a demo model of the AquaMouse ride coming to new cruise ship Disney Wish. (Walt Disney Co.) That includes the signature water ride attraction on the top deck, the AquaMouse, a mashup between a signature Disney dark ride and the popular water coaster found on Disney Dream and Fantasy. Imagineer Sachi Handke displayed the ride float that will take up to two passengers and the Mickey and Minnie Mouse-themed animation that will be part of the dark ride, a slow trek in which an animated story centered around the mice’s ill-conceived Port Misadventures company. Handke said there will be nine screens playing a short cartoon cut up into 7-second clips, with each clip featuring something that if you were in the scene would get you wet. Each screen is surrounded by 60 nozzle sprayers that will nail the riders in a variety of ways. “At this point in the attraction, you’re completely soaked. You have no hope of staying dry,” she said. She’s also been working on more than one storyline for the ride, so on different days, people will get different experiences. The latest is called Swiss Meltdown, in which Mickey & Minnie “really want to take you on a sledding excursion, but the sun comes out and the snow begins to melt.” Handke said the animation features a lot of Easter eggs, so it may take a few rides to catch them all. The wait, though, should not be as long as the similar rides on Dream and Fantasy. While the water coaster is the star on the top decks, inside the ship there are other gems. They include the Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge, an attraction primarily targeted for adults, although kids will be able to check it out during the day. Disney Imagineers work on a model for Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge coming to new cruise ship Disney Wish. (Walt Disney Co.) While similar attractions are coming to Walt Disney World, concept designer Nick Snyder said it will be unique. “We’re looking to be as exclusive for our space for Disney Cruise Line. We always want to plus up the experience,” Snyder said. The space will be immersive, even to the point of being able to serve brand alcohol in Star Wars-themed containers. “You’ll never see a bottle of Jack Daniels,” said concept designer Nick Snyder. The space will be filled with references and “have something for you to look at from the novice fan to the expert fan,” Snyder said. That includes holograms and “oddities” in jars, and a massive window into space that will cycle through multiple planets using high definition with a resolution that’s equivalent to squeezing four full-size move screens into one room. Each stop will be orbiting a planet from the Star Wars universe like Tatooine and Coruscant married with hundreds of spaceships from the films and TV shows. That theme continues at the Marvel-themed restaurant coming on board the ship. Disney Imagineers work on a model for the Worlds of Marvel restaurant coming to new cruise ship Disney Wish. (Walt Disney Co.) Danny Handke, a senior creative director, has his hands full with the “Avengers: Quantum Encounter” show that will accompany diners at the new Worlds of Marvel restaurant. At its core will be a prop known as the Quantum Core, a hands-on piece of technology at every diner’s table that will let them shrink and grow an everyday object, if only on screens, in the spirit of Ant-Man. The dinner plays out as a three-act structure, so people know when to enjoy the food inspired by real and fictitious Marvel lands like New York and Wakanda. It culminates in diners helping the heroes defeat Ultron, the villain from the second Avengers movie. Cabo said all of the stories, no matter if pulling from Disney, Pixar, Star Wars or Marvel will have the level of detail developed by the Imagineers that will impress when people finally sail. “They pour their heart and soul in this,” she said. “The team has left no stone unturned.” Richard Tribou Orlando Sentinel

CELEBRATION, Fla. – Disney Cruise Line is taking classic storytelling into an all-new realm of immersive family fun aboard the Disney Wish with the debut of Disney Uncharted Adventure, a first-of-its-kind interactive experience that will lead guests on a journey from bow to stern and beyond the stars. Combining imagination, technology and the magic of a wishing star, Disney Uncharted Adventure will take guests on a multidimensional voyage into the worlds of iconic Disney and Pixar characters. Designed for families to play together, this fantastical journey will be a brand-new way to explore and experience the enchantment of a Disney cruise ship. “With the Disney Wish, we have an incredible opportunity to immerse our guests in the worlds of their favorite stories in surprising, interactive and completely unique new ways,” said Davey Feder, software product manager, Walt Disney Imagineering. “With Disney Uncharted Adventure, we’re literally putting the power in our guests’ hands to become the heroes of a grand adventure that can only be done on a Disney cruise.” Using the Play Disney Parks app — and with some help from their guides, Captain Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse — guests sailing on the Disney Wish will transform their mobile devices into an enchanted spyglass, a tool that allows them to magically set sail for the worlds of Moana, Tiana, Peter Pan, Nemo and more. The spyglass will be their key to unlocking adventures, solving puzzles, conquering quests and ultimately saving the day. “While guests will need a mobile device to play, this isn’t a traditional mobile gaming experience,” Feder said. “This is a heads-up, active experience that can be played with family and friends. The magic will happen all around the ship. The spyglass is not where the adventure takes place — it’s just the tool that brings the ship to life, opening portals into new worlds and allowing guests to interact with them.” The adventure will begin before guests even set sail. Leading up to a cruise on the Disney Wish, the app will reveal a special greeting from Captain Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse, who will help guests prepare for the journey ahead by highlighting the important role of the night sky in seafaring — particularly the ever-shining wishing star that lights the way. Once on board, guests will use their spyglasses to reveal never-before-seen views of the stars above, where enchanted constellations take shape as recognizable icons from Disney and Pixar stories. When the wishing star suddenly bursts and shatters, families will watch as its pieces are scattered across the sky, each landing in a far-off realm. Captain Minnie will need guests to help navigate the ship to these uncharted worlds to find the missing pieces of the wishing star. Guests will choose where to go next, charting a course toward adventurous locales such as Motunui, New Orleans, Never Land, Sydney and more. Each quest will take them on an expansive journey throughout the Disney Wish as they are prompted to seek artwork, signs and props that magically transform to bring the characters and settings of these story worlds to life all around them. “We are infusing the Disney Wish with innovative technology, like augmented reality and physical effects, to create a hidden layer of magic that can only be unlocked with Disney Uncharted Adventure,” Feder said. “Guests might admire a beautiful painting today without realizing that, hiding right beneath the surface, there’s a hoard of mischievous Kakamora from the world of Moana just waiting to escape and wreak havoc on the ship. A digital menu board might showcase what’s for lunch in the afternoon, but later it will host a cooking lesson in Tiana’s own kitchen.” Along the way, guests will join the heroic characters who inhabit each destination on a mission to find the star fragment that landed there. Highlights include: • teaming up with Moana to navigate their canoes beyond the reef; • helping Tiana cook up the perfect pot of her father’s favorite gumbo; • summoning Tinker Bell to give the Disney Wish an extra dash of pixie dust; and • making an epic dive into the East Australian Current (EAC) with Nemo and friends. The adventure culminates in a grand finale hosted in one of the ship’s premier entertainment venues. During this live interactive experience, guests will gather with other players to battle an infamous Disney villain (who’s been pulling the strings all along) and finally restore the wishing star to its rightful place in the sky. Disney Uncharted Adventure is being developed with flexibility, replayability and customization in mind. Guests will be in charge of their own adventure, choosing when and how to play. Some guests may not complete every quest but can still enjoy the finale event; others may choose to play again and again, only to discover new surprises and rewards each time. Families can play together on up to six devices at once, or team up on only one or two devices at a time. More details about Disney Uncharted Adventure will be announced at a later date. Maiden Voyage and Inaugural Season The Disney Wish will sail its maiden voyage on June 9, 2022, followed by a season of three- and four-night cruises to Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, from Port Canaveral, Florida. To learn more about the Disney Wish or to book a vacation, guests can visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact their travel agent. View the full article

Tourists and servers alike dance atop tables and in the aisles at one restaurant on the “Redneck Riviera,” a beloved stretch of towns along the northern Gulf Coast where beaches, bars and stores are packed. Yet just a few miles away, a hospital is running out of critical care beds, its rooms full of unvaccinated people fighting for their lives. View the full article

Disney World is full of many amazing things to buy, but they’re not all perfect. Look at this little guy! Some purchases can cause some huge regret, while others can just drive you nuts as you try to cram it into your suitcase at the end of your trip. Think twice before you pull out your credit card for this stuff. Check out all this and more in our newest DFB Video! Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! Check out our latest video and then comment below: What Disney World purchase do you regret? The post DFB Video: The WORST Things You'll Buy in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Close your eyes and picture yourself on the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction in Walt Disney World. Can you see the dutiful prison pup holding the jail cell keys? Can you hear the cannons exploding around you? Can you smell that musty water smell? Now you scurvy scum, do I hear ten? A hen for a ten! Disney Imagineers are masters of creating fully immersive attractions and experiences that transport you to another world (or galaxy). A major part of that experience often involves your sense of smell — can you recognize any of Disney’s classic smells? History of Smells in Walt Disney World Disney uses a special “Smellitizer” technology to pump evocative smells throughout the parks and resorts that make you feel like you’re fully immersed in the space. Once upon a time, when you walked down Main Street, U.S.A., you could smell fresh baked cookies coming from the Main Street Bakery. We haven’t noticed that sweet cookie smell anymore, but the Main Street Bakery still smells amazing on its own! Main Street Bakery Some of the hotels, like Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort pump fresh, welcoming scents through the lobby to invite guests in and make them feel at home. Nothing says “welcome back,” like a clean, fresh hotel! (Seriously. Ask someone how they feel about the smell of the Polynesian lobby in the 80s/90s and be prepared for a LONG excited response!) Take a deep breath in… Even attractions, like Spaceship Earth and Mickey’s PhilharMagic, engage your senses by wafting familiar scents through the air to accompany their visuals! The classic scene where Alexandria is burning on Spaceship Earth is paired with a smoldering firey smell, while Mickey’s PhilharMagic pumps apple pie and champagne scents through the air as Donald gets into trouble. PhilharMagic Seating Other attractions that utilize Disney’s Smellitizers include Soarin’ Around the World, Pirates of the Caribbean, Journey into Imagination with Figment, It’s Tough to be a Bug, and Flight of Passage! The smells range from delightful (like the tropical beach in Soarin’ Around the World) to disgusting (like the stinkbug smell on It’s Tough to be a Bug). Don’t say we didn’t warn you…this ride stinks (literally) Although we haven’t seen a full-blown parade in a long time, Disney also incorporates scent into some of their parade floats! When Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade rolls down Main Street, U.S.A. during the holiday season, you can often smell gingerbread as Clarabelle Cow passes by with her tray of cookies, and peppermint as Wreck-it Ralph waves from his gingerbread house! During Halloween, you might even smell the sweet scent of candy when Mickey’s Boo to you Halloween Parade is rolling! Mmmm…gingerbread! If you’re a scent-nerd like us — good news! Since Disney utilizes SO MANY smells in the parks, there’s bound to be a few overlaps. Say, at places like Bath and Body Works or Target. You know you were waiting for the right time to stock up on those candles. Well, here’s some inspiration! Smell Disney at Home FYI we put our noses to the test for this. We sniffed and we sniffed again. We wanted to determine what candles currently in stock in stores really SMELL like Disney World! Pirates of the Caribbean This first candle recently had people talking on social media; people are convinced that it smells like the iconic Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. We went to smell it for ourselves, and we have to say, it did transport us onto the boats as we pass through the beginning scenes of the attraction! ©Bath and Body Works The candle has notes of crisp autumn air, white driftwood, and a hint of green apple. This is definitely one of those “inspired by” type scents so don’t expect a bromine scented candle here (but TBH, we’d buy that.)! You can buy the 3-wick candle for $25.50 in-store or online (or MUCH cheaper if you hold out for a sale!). Click here to buy the Lakeside Morning candle Flight of Passage We found two close dupes for that refreshing scent on Disney’s Flight of Passage attraction. The first one can be found at Bath and Body Works; it’s called Frozen Lake, and it is available for $25.50. ©Bath and Body Works Click here to buy the Frozen Lake candle This 3-wick candle has notes of lavender leaves, cool eucalyptus, and juniper berries! We also found a smaller (and less expensive) Flight of Passage-inspired candle at Target! ©Target We even noticed that some of the reviews can attest to this candle’s similarity to Flight of Passage! Coastal Linen contains scent notes such as linen, lavender, and grapefruit. You can pick up this candle and transport yourself to Pandora for $10! Click here to buy the Costal Linen candle Mickey’s PhilharMagic: Apple Pie Remember the “Be Our Guest” scene in Mickey’s PhilharMagic where the apple pie magically spins towards your nose? Now, you can imagine you’re on that fun Fantasyland attraction while you’re at home! ©Bath and Body Works Inhale delicious notes of baked granny smith apple, melted brown sugar, and flaky homemade crust in this $24.50 Bath and Body Works candle! Maybe you prefer the scene with the enchanted Champagne bottles? We found a dupe for that smell, too! Click here to buy the Warm Apple Pie candle Mickey’s PhilharMagic: Champagne You can practically taste the notes of bubbly champagne, sparkling berries, and juicy tangerine in this PhilharMagic champagne-inspired candle! ©Bath and Body Works If you’re looking for a more subtle Disney-inspired candle, Champagne Toast might be the one for you! It has a sweet champagne scent that can be enjoyed without the Disney reference. Bring home a 3-wick champagne candle from Bath and Body Works for $25.50. Click here to buy the Champagne Toast candle Churros This next candle won’t take your mind to an attraction, but it might make you hungry for a churro! ©Bath and Body Works We smelled this candle in person, and it definitely smells like a warm, fresh churro. If you like sweet candles, check out this scent from Bath and Body Works! You can find this candle, with notes of ground cinnamon, sugar crystals, and vanilla bean for $14.50! Click here to buy the Cinnamon Spiced Vanilla candle Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Yacht and Beach Club Resort, BoardWalk Inn Resort OK, this one is a hot topic. Many of Disney World’s hotel lobbies have some incredible scents. A few, in particular, share a very distinct and great smell. You can find loads of people online sleuthing the scents used by Disney but it seems the consensus on this one is the smell is called Green Clover and Aloe. Bath and Body Works USED to make a pretty close match called Rainkissed Leaves but, unfortunately, it hasn’t been released in a number of years (fingers crossed for a return!). If you’re like us, you just can’t get enough of that signature as you walk in the lobby of many of our favorite Disney resorts; it’s so fresh, clean, and inviting! ©Amazon We found a brand on Amazon selling a very unassuming-looking candle that boasts the same smells as many of the lobbies! It’s a fresh, green, and clean scent that smells great in the home. Click here to buy the Grand Floridian candle If you want to bring the GrandFlo vibes into your home, you can try this candle for $18.99 with Prime shipping! Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Clarabelle Cow Float While we still have a few holidays to get through before Christmas, it’s never too early to stock up on a festive candle that reminds you of Disney! Now, you can be home for the holidays while enjoying that gingerbread smell from the Mickey’s Very Mery Christmas Party parade! ©Target Target’s Gingerbread House candle features sweet, spicy, and savory notes of richly flavored gingerbread…yum! Click here to buy the Gingerbread House candle While this last candle isn’t necessarily an exact match for any scent that Disney pumps into the air, we had to include it for our ice cream lovers! Plaza Ice Cream Parlor Vanilla-scented candles are pretty common, but can you ever have too many sweet and delicious candles in your home? Pretend you’re ordering a chocolate chip ice cream cone at the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor as you burn this Vanilla Bean candle! ©Bath and Body Works Our final candle comes from Bath and Body Works and is available in-store and online for $25.50. Click here to buy the Vanilla Bean candle With that, we can officially conclude our tour of classic Disney scents both in the parks and at your home. If you give any of these scents a try, let us know! We’re currently burning a vanilla-scented candle and imagining ourselves at the Magic Kingdom, how about you? Disney Is OBSESSED With Your Nose…Here’s HOW! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Do you have a favorite Disney-inspired candle? Let us know in the comments! The post 5 Bath and Body Works Candles (Plus a Few Extra) To Make Your House Smell Like Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

One of our favorite things to do here at DFB is to try out all the exclusive Disney World snacks! You can find some Halloween treats around the parks right now! Disney likes to release limited-time treats for special occasions, and next week they’ll be celebrating World Princess Week with some special offerings around the resort. Some of these snacks are only available from August 23rd-29th, so you’ll want to hurry! Disney Springs Amorette’s Patisserie, Disney Springs Tiana Petit Cake – Dark chocolate chiffon cake, raspberry mousse, raspberry pâte fruit, and chocolate crisp pearls The Ganachery, Disney Springs Princess Chocolate Bars – Ganache chocolate bars featuring Jasmine, Ariel, and Snow White ©Disney Disney Resorts World Premiere Food Court, Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort Mulan and Rapunzel Cookies – Sugar cookie featuring Mulan or Rapunzel Landscapes of Flavors, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Mermaid Cupcake – Vanilla cupcake filled with pineapple topped with coconut buttercream and a white chocolate mermaid tail Contempo Café, Disney’s Contemporary Resort Cinderella Cupcake – Vanilla cake with vanilla crème custard filling, buttercream, white chocolate slipper, and fondant pumpkin (available now through September 30) ©Disney Goods to Go, Conch Flatts General Store, and Turtle Shack Poolside Snacks, Disney’s Old Key West Resort The Artist Palette, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa Snow White Cupcake – Vanilla cupcake with spiced caramel apple filling topped with caramel buttercream, red chocolate dip, and a red bow Capt. Cook’s and Kona Island, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Moana Cupcake – Vanilla cupcake, toasted coconut mousse, and vanilla buttercream with white chocolate Moana accent piece ©Disney Everything Pop Shopping and Dining, Disney’s Pop Century Resort Aurora Cupcake – Vanilla cupcake filled with marshmallow topped with strawberry buttercream, gold chocolate crown, and sprinkles Le Petit Café, Disney’s Riviera Resort Belle Cheesecake – Lemon cheesecake with lemon curd in a vanilla tart shell decorated with modeling chocolate to resemble Belle ©Disney Blizzard Beach Water Park I.C. Expeditions and Warming Hut Elsa Freeze Sundae – Vanilla soft-serve ice cream with a blue raspberry swirl topped with sleigh ride winter sprinkles and a while chocolate Elsa topper I.C. Expeditions Elsa the Snow Queen Cone – Crystalized white chocolate waffle cone, vanilla soft-serve, and spiraled frozen fractals ©Disney Animal Kingdom Creature Comforts Pocahontas Dessert – Pineapple banana cake with cream cheese coconut mousse and colored sprinkles glazed in turquoise glaçage and finished with a chocolate gem, chocolate feather, and sugar flower EPCOT Block & Hans Arendelle Aqua Lemonade – Frozen lemonade with cotton candy syrup Oasis Sweets & Sips Mosaic Cookie – Sugar cookies sandwiched with apricot jam and topped with mosaic fondant and chocolate Jasmine Sunshine Seasons Sisters Cupcake – Strawberry cupcake with strawberry filling and strawberry buttercream topped with a chocolate crown Traveler’s Café Sisters Cookie – Sugar cookies sandwiched with chocolate ganache and garnished with chocolate Elsa and Anna ©Disney Hollywood Studios The Trolley Car Café Seaside Brownie – Brownie topped with chocolate fudge, graham cracker crumbs, and seaside-themed chocolate Merida Cupcake – Yellow cupcake filled with a mixture of green, red, orange, and black sprinkles with green and burnt orange buttercream, gold crisp pearls, and chocolate arrow Magic Kingdom Prince Eric’s Village Market Mermaid Slushy – Frozen blue raspberry and frozen green apple topped with whipped cream and a mermaid tale Cinderella’s Royal Table Cinderella Slipper – White chocolate or milk chocolate slipper filled with chocolate mousse and raspberry coulis garnished with fresh berries ©Disney We’ll make sure to try out these treats when they come available (and share our reviews of those we’ve already had!) so stay tuned to DFB for the latest updates! Click Here to Check Out Our Review of the Mermaid Slushy! 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. Which of these treats sounds the best to you? Tell us in the comments! The post A BUNCH of Princess-Themed Snacks Are Coming to Disney World SOON first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

Over the past several months, things have changed dramatically at Disney World and around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the biggest things we’ve been keeping an eye on is the situation with Disney’s Cast Members — furloughs, layoffs, and hirings. Magic Kingdom As Walt Disney once said, “You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality.” What happens when a lot of those people who make the dream a reality are furloughed or laid off, and then things change and thousands of Cast Members are needed to fill the parks again? We’re taking a look at that today and just what Disney might have done that could become one of its biggest regrets. Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic changed a lot of things for people and businesses around the world, including the Disney company. In 2020, Walt Disney World closed, Disneyland closed, and basically all of Disney’s theme parks closed around the world at one point or another. Disney Cruise Line stopped its sailings, movie theatres closed, many restaurants and stores closed or changed how they conducted their businesses, and more changes were made. Closed Some of the things that were ordinary parts of our everyday lives shut down. And those shutdowns lasted for a longer time than many may have anticipated. Disney World, for example, closed in March and didn’t reopen its theme parks until July (though select resorts and other areas opened earlier). DisneyStyle Mask Sign For several months, there really was not much for many Cast Members (especially those that worked on the front line in the parks) to do. And even after the parks and some hotels initially reopened, not all of Disney World reopened in the same way. The parks and hotels opened with capacity limitations, and several restaurants, rides, and hotels remained closed during the initial reopening phase. Finding Nemo the Musical Many spots remained closed for several weeks and months, and some are still closed today. Click here to see what still hasn’t returned to Disney World. It Started With Furloughs It all began with furloughs. At first, Disney announced that there would be a “temporary, short-term furlough for executive, salaried and non-union hourly Cast Members based in the U.S. with the exception of those whose roles or projects are crucial to maintaining our operations during this closure period, effective April 19th.” We thereafter saw Disney reach an agreement on furlough policy for union members, and a furlough agreement was reached between Disneyland and union security employees. Ultimately, about more than half of Disney World’s union workers were furloughed due to an agreement. Cast Members During that time, we took a look at just how much Disney might be saving by furloughing employees. Even after the parks reopened, Disney World warned Cast Members to prepare for extended furloughs and more Disneyland Cast Members were furloughed in December of 2020. Click here to see what Disney World’s President said about the furloughs. Then Came the Layoffs In September, the situation went from furloughs to layoffs. Disney announced layoffs that would affect 28,000 employees. In the coming weeks, the layoffs continued and impacted many Cast Members at fan-favorite shows and more. Citizens of Hollywood Christmas The Disney College Program, the Disney Culinary Program, the Disney Cultural Exchange Program, and the Disney Academic Exchange program were also all suspended temporarily. Ultimately, the layoffs were increased and impacted about 32,000 employees, primarily in the Disney parks. While continuing to share updates about these layoffs, we also worked on compiling a list of ways that guests could help Cast Members who were furloughed or laid off. Click here to see more about how you can help Cast Members in need! Now, Things Have Changed Gradually, over the last few months, however, things have dramatically changed for the Disney Company. Slowly, Disney’s theme parks reopened, and now all of them are open once again. Magic Kingdom More restaurants have reopened, more hotels have reopened, capacity has increased at the parks and is set to continue increasing in the future, more rides have reopened, fireworks have returned to the parks, and other things have returned to “normal.” Fireworks Time But, not everything is back to “normal” yet. Some rides and locations are still closed. We saw a booth at the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival closed for a period of time due to staffing issues, and other spots reportedly closed for the same reason. If you visit Disney World now, you’ll find many spots may not be open as late as they used to be, or they may not be serving during as many meal times as they used to. Cast Members Still, with more things reopening and greater capacity, more guests are visiting the parks than a year ago. And if there are more guests and more spots that are open, Disney naturally needs more Cast Members to keep things running. Click here to see an update on Florida’s tourism numbers and just how much they’ve grown recently. Disney is Hiring a LOT of People So, months after Disney furloughed or laid off thousands of its Cast Members, it needs thousands of Cast Members back again to keep things running. And it shows. Disney has been posting A LOT of positions for which they are hiring lately. Recent Hiring Posts ©Disney We’ve seen posts for everything from attractions Cast Members, to positions for custodial, merchandise, and quick-service foods spots. Disney has also brought back the College Program and the Disney Culinary Program is also set to return. We’re still awaiting word on the International Program though. Disney World is hiring again, but what could that really mean — click here to see our thoughts. And it’s not just Disney. Various restaurants located in Disney World (especially Disney Springs) that are operated by other companies are also hiring. But, filling all of those empty positions may not be as simple as it sounds. Cast Member reminding guests of the new rules Across the United States, employers from a wide variety of industries have complained that it is difficult to find workers. According to the Washington Post, some have alleged that the President’s stimulus packages for Americans has “created a massive labor shortage.” According to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, what he’s heard from business people, hospitals, and more is that “it’s actually more lucrative for many…Americans to not work than work.” CNBC shares that employers are “going to new lengths” to attract workers including by dropping certain requirements or offering bonuses. As the holiday season approaches, CNBC notes that many companies’ desire to fill their job openings has started to take on a greater sense of urgency. Disney Items in Target According to Nick Bunker, an economic research director for North America at Indeed Hiring Lab, the labor market’s bargaining power has shifted toward job seekers. CNBC reports that the numbers show this shift. The U.S. hit a record of more than 10 million job openings in June, and quit rates have grown the fastest in industries typically associated with lower pay. Marc Perrone, the President of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union shared that the risk of getting COVID-19 has opened some workers’ eyes and caused them to leave the industry. Others have been waiting on the sidelines as they received unemployment payments that were higher than their wages. Disney Masks at Target In the tourism industry specifically, NPR notes that other spots have shared that they’re struggling to find enough workers to keep things open. One individual noted that they have more domestic staff than they did in 2020 and 2019, and that they’re getting employees through recruiting efforts, sign-on bonuses, and new competitive wages. Toy Story Land Could Disney and some of the restaurants located at Disney be experiencing a similar situation with a difficulty finding employees? It’s possible, at least based on the hiring incentives we’ve seen them offering. We’ve seen some Disney World restaurants offer $1,000 or $500 hiring bonuses. Disney has even announced a Culinary Job Fair and Housekeeping Job Fair, both of which will offer $1,000 bonuses to new hires for select positions. All it takes is a quick look on the Disney jobs site and you can see how many positions are being advertised with hiring bonuses. ©Disney Of course, Disney isn’t disclosing why they’re offering the bonuses, but if they are struggling to find people willing to fill these positions, it seems they wouldn’t be the only ones. There could also be a variety of other factors at play. For example, some of the programs where employees used to come from (for example, the international program), are not back yet, meaning there are even more spots to fill up without the traditional channels typically used to fill them. So, Has Disney Shot Itself in the Foot? So, this is where a critical question comes in: has Disney shot itself in the foot? Did Disney make a series of decisions surrounding the furloughs and layoffs that have now left them in a difficult position? Did Disney perhaps lay off too many individuals? It’s certainly possible. Perhaps Disney thought that those individuals would likely come back or that it would be relatively easy to re-hire many of them when the time came and those jobs opened up. But, it’s possible that many of those individuals, while waiting for a job offer from Disney that may not come, ultimately found other positions which they are now set in. Cast Members at Kat Saka’s Kettle in Hollywood Studios Disney, however, seems to indicate that they have had no problem getting Cast Members to return. According to statements made by Disney CEO Bob Chapek at the Q2 2021 Earnings Call, about 80% of the Cast Members that Disney has asked to return have in fact come back. According to Chapek, Disney has “had no problems whatsoever in terms of trying to get our cast to come back and make some magic for our guests.” But, the Q2 Earnings Call was held back in May. It’s possible things have continued to shift over the following months. Cast Members Should Disney have kept more employees on furlough rather than laying them off? It’s possible. It’s possible that by keeping them on furlough, they would have kept waiting for these future positions to open up and would have quickly returned, making Disney’s ability to re-hire individuals smoother. How many Cast Members still remain on furlough? That’s unclear. We have a slightly better idea of what’s going on over at Disneyland though. Be kind to Cast Members! According to The Orange County Register, about “2,500 Disneyland cast members who had been furloughed or laid off last year returned to work in July.” Disney officials have indicated that “Disneyland has offered to rehire 85% of the cast members who were laid off or furloughed.” But, Disneyland union members held a rally recently to call on Disney to restore more jobs and raise pay, as some Cast Members still remain on furlough or laid off. Fantasyland Cast Members in Disney World Could the number of layoffs and furloughs all end up being one of Disney’s biggest regrets? That’s possible. It’s possible that because of the high number of individuals furloughed/laid off, the sudden need now to fill empty positions, and the potential impact of the worker shortage being felt across many industries in the U.S., Disney has had to delay bringing back certain experiences or reopening more spots. Casey’s Corner Cast Members As they say, hindsight is 20/20 though. Whether the handling of the furloughs and layoffs ends up being a regret for Disney remains to be seen. But, Disney seems determined to fully staff its parks again soon. During Disney’s Q3 2021 Earnings Call, Christine McCarthy, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Disney, said that they’re expecting to have the domestic parks “fully staffed up by the end of this calendar year, calendar 2021.” So, perhaps hiring is not an issue and the hiring bonuses are not indicative of a worker shortage or perhaps they’re indicative of a small and not terribly significant worker shortage. Inside a Disneyland shop Only time will tell whether the domestic parks do reach that full staffing by the end of the year, when other programs (like the international one) will return, and how the situation moves forward. We’ll keep an eye out for more updates and let you know what we find. Disney College Program participants can work at the Star Wars Hotel — click here to see more. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post Will This End Up Being Disney’s Biggest Regret? first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

We’re less than 50 days out from Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration! The 50th is almost here! There is SO much happening for the festivities — new fireworks, cavalcades, decorations, and more! It all kicks off on October 1st, which is the actual day of the anniversary. So, as you can imagine, October 1st has been a VERY popular date get a park pass for! And, we have good news if you haven’t been able to get a park pass yet! More park passes were added for October 1st!! The parks available now are EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. ©Disney And more passes were added for October 2nd, too! Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom are now available. ©Disney So act fast if you need a park pass reservation for these days because they’ve been booking up fast! Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news and updates. Click here to read more about the 50th anniversary! Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Details and Info Click HERE for Your Guide to Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration See Everything That Has Been Announced For Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Check Out Everything Happening in Disney World on October 1st, 2021 Click Here to See The 50 Best Ways to Celebrate Disney World’s 50th Anniversary What Does Hotel Availability and Pricing Look Like for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary? Here Are the 5 News Bombs You May Have Missed Related to the 50th Anniversary Celebrations! Check Out 10 Things You Need to Bring If You’re Going to Disney World for the 50th Anniversary See How Each of Disney World’s Park Icons Will Transform During the 50th Anniversary Celebrations! Join the DFB Newsletter To Get All the Latest Disney News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Will you be in Disney World for the 50th anniversary? Let us know in the comments! The post HURRY! Disney World Just Added MORE Park Passes for the 50th Anniversary first appeared on the disney food blog. View the full article

The first-ever World Princess Week, part of the Ultimate Princess Celebration, starts Aug. 23 and celebrates the courage and kindness displayed by Disney Princesses and Queens. We have pulled together a list of all the yummy sweet treats our talented pastry chefs have created for this special week (Aug. 23-29) dedicated to all things Princess and Queens.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/W-nYyeSOOGMView the full article

Hopefully you’ve heard by now that Disney’s Ultimate Princess Celebration is underway. Well, I am thrilled to announce that—as part of the exciting festivities—next week we will kick off the first-ever World Princess Week! “What does that mean” you ask? Well, it means that we’re going to be sharing the latest on all new products, digital content, unique offerings from our parks and resorts, and more surprises! Here’s a roundup of how you can join in on the celebration next week.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/tlPjZJLn4ngView the full article

Few stories incorporate Monica Lewinsky, peanut butter, PTSD, crystals, Vanity Fair and Universal Orlando. View the full article

Shades of Green has announced their Savings in September Special for 2021. This Special is currently a room only discount. Dates: The current dates of this special are: 6 – 23 September 2021 These dates could change, see why Rates Category 1 guests $118.15 per night stay (E1-E6, Cadet) Category 2 guests $143.65 per night stay […] The post Shades of Green Savings in September Special 2021 appeared first on Military Disney Tips Blog. View the full article

Visitors can enjoy free museum admission for one day only in September in honor of Museum Day. Plus, there are giveaways. View the full article