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If you’re flying soon, make sure you’re up to date on the latest TSA rules. MCO TSA Precheck In 2026, TSA’s current restrictions regarding carry-on bags include limitations stating that liquids, gels, and aerosols must be less than or equal to 3.4 ounces (100ml) and fit in one clear, quart-sized bag. Additionally, the max carry-on size allowed 22″x14″x9″. Keep in mind that certain sharp items are also prohibited, and electronics may need to be removed and placed on a tray. If you’re trying to find some bags that will make going through security a breeze, check out these finds on Amazon! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. This toiletry bag is ideal for travel BAGSMART Travel Toiletry Bag Available in several different colors, the BAGSMART Travel Toiletry Bag comes with four compartments and can comfortably organize travel toiletries and makeup. It includes a large top opening for easy access, a main compartment that keeps toiletries and cosmetics organized, two mesh pockets, and a zippered visual mesh. The bag itself is made with a waterproof PVC fabric and comes with a zipper pocket that separates dry and wet items — perfect for when you’re on vacation. BUY ON AMAZON This suitcase is super reliable for air travel ©Amazon The Samsonite Freeform Hardside Carry-On Luggage is also available in multiple colors and is airline-approved for cabin use. This hard case suitcase features spinner wheels and a lock, so you can feel safe about your belongings while you travel. BUY ON AMAZON Check out this TSA-approved set ©Amazon The Diaper Bag Organizer Pouch Set comes with five pieces of different sizes that are all waterproof. Ideal for storing wet items and clothes, these pouches are great for diapers, makeup, and more — and they’re available in multiple colors on Amazon. BUY ON AMAZON Sharp items are generally prohibited, but these scissors are allowed ©Amazon These Folding Scissors are TSA-approved and are the perfect size for when you’re on the go. Made with stainless steel blades, these durable scissors offer a sharp and reliable cutting performance despite their small size. BUY ON AMAZON And there you have it! Keep it posted right here at DFB for more travel packing tips throughout the year! View the full article

Today is Volunteer Recognition Day, and as part of Earth Month, we’re celebrating how Disney Cast, Crew, Imagineers, and employees are making a positive difference for the planet. From supporting their local communities to using their professional expertise for conservation, we’re spotlighting the many ways they care for people, wildlife, and the environment all year long. Disney VoluntEARS Around the World Volunteering has long been a central part of Disney’s culture. Through Disney VoluntEARS, The Walt Disney Company’s global volunteer program, Cast Members and employees are empowered to “VoluntEAR” by giving back to their communities and caring for the planet. Through hands‑on environmental projects and purpose‑driven activations, VoluntEARS help protect nature, support wildlife, and strengthen ecosystems. Together, Cast Members are creating a lasting impact in their communities and beyond. Recently, VoluntEARS from the Disneyland Resort and the greater Los Angeles area participated in the Children’s Water Education Festival, the nation’s largest educational event teaching elementary school students about water conservation and environmental stewardship. Cast Members, alongside local conservation organizations, helped students gain understanding of local water issues and the importance of protecting the planet’s vital resources through several interactive and hands-on activities. At Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, Cast Members regularly volunteer with the Na Mea Kūpono Learning Center, where a dedicated group of VoluntEARS come together each month to care for the loʻi kalo (taro patch). While honoring the environment, participants also deepen their understanding of Hawaiian cultural farming practices and the powerful connection between land, culture, and sustainability. Throughout April, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Cast Members came together through Disney VoluntEARS and environment‑forward activations to make a meaningful difference in their community. In collaboration with St. James’ Settlement Jockey Club Upcycling Centre, HKDL hosted a series of upcycling workshops that highlighted how small, everyday actions can create a lasting impact. During one workshop, Upcycle Magic: Costume Reborn, around 120 VoluntEARS gave retired costumes a second life by transforming them into specially designed Mickey and Minnie Mouse headbands and bag‑charm plushes. “As we celebrate Hong Kong Disneyland Resort’s milestone 20th anniversary, service has remained central to who we are,” said Tim Sypko, managing director, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, who also joined Cast Members at one of the upcycling workshops. “Through Earth Month and Disney VoluntEARS, our Cast Members bring this spirit to life by turning compassion into action and making a positive difference in the communities we call home.” For more than four years, The Walt Disney Company ANZ has supported Citizens of the Reef on the Great Reef Census, empowering VoluntEARS to support coral reef conservation. In 2024, the campaign because the largest Virtual Volunteering event in Disney history, with more than 18,000 analyses completed by VoluntEARS from 81 locations. In 2025, Disney’s support helped expand the project beyond Australia’s Great Barrier Reef for the first time, partnering with local nonprofit Kuleana Coral Restoration to help scientists better understand reef health across the Hawaiian Islands. Communities around the world can join the effort again this April at greatreefcensus.org/aloha. Near Walt Disney World, VoluntEARS recently spent a morning alongside Florida Trail Association staff and volunteers, as well as volunteers from the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation to help improve sections of the Florida Trail. This work is supporting the first of the new Florida Wildlife Corridor trailheads made possible by Disney’s $1M donation in 2025 to make nature accessible to all Floridians, helping them connect with and appreciate the state’s wild beauty. Earlier this year, VoluntEARS at Disneyland Paris took part in a bird‑observing program in which Cast Members monitored local bird behavior at feeding stations in real time throughout the winter months. Developed by the French National Museum of Natural History through its VIGIE‑NATURE initiative, the BirdLab App collects critical data that helps researchers better understand attraction and repulsion behaviors among individual birds and across species. For Nathalie, a participating Cast Member, the experience has been both educational and rewarding. “This is my second season participating,” she shared. “It’s always a very rewarding experience that allows me to observe and deepen my knowledge. I can’t wait to be part of the next season.” From beach cleanups to engaging festivals, Cast Members at Shanghai Disney Resort are celebrating Earth Month through meaningful community action. VoluntEARS and their families spent time restoring Shanghai Binjiang Forest Park, combining hands-on cleanup efforts with creative activities — including turning collected waste into “Garbage Fish” art — to raise awareness about ocean protection. The celebration continues as Cast Members engage guests and team up with nonprofit organizations to bring interactive activities to life during the Celebrate Earth Month Fair. Disney Conservation Impact Every Day Conservation is truly a team effort and even in the workplace, Cast Members are finding ways to make a difference for the planet. Our Disney Conservation team is supported by an extended “family” of Cast Members from across the company, who lend their skills in innovative and impactful ways. Engineers from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Sustaining Engineering team have partnered with Disney Conservation and Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment animal care teams to support sea turtle research near Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. Weighing nesting female loggerhead sea turtles is essential to assessing their health — but challenging to do safely on remote beaches at night. Through years of collaboration, engineering partners helped develop and recently field‑test a custom digital “turtle box” scale, enabling faster, more accurate data collection while minimizing disruption to the animals. Behind the scenes, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Paint Shop Cast Members also contribute by refreshing the color‑coded stakes used to mark and monitor sea turtle nests along the beach near Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. While simple in design, these tools are critical to long‑term research and species tracking that the Disney Conservation team has led for over 20 years — and the Paint Shop team takes pride in seeing their work support conservation. In addition to these efforts, conservation work is further supported through the Cast Conservation Opportunity program, which invites Cast Members — primarily from Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment teams, along with select participants from other areas — to support hands‑on conservation projects that apply their skills, passion, and curiosity to real‑world conservation work. Celebrating 30 Years of Protecting the Magic of Nature This Earth Month, we’re celebrating the Disney Conservation Fund’s 30th anniversary by spotlighting 30 of Disney’s biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability stories. Follow along as we count down to Earth Day at thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-planet-possible and discover how Disney is taking meaningful action to protect wildlife and support a healthier planet. The post Possibility in Progress: Disney Employees and Cast Members Taking Action for a Healthier Planet appeared first on Disney Experiences. View the full article

A version of this article previously appeared on Life at Disney At Disney Experiences, finding ways to protect the environment starts with people who care. Across the world, cast members are finding creative, impactful ways to reduce our environmental footprint and help build a more sustainable future. In honor of Earth Month, we’re celebrating recipients of the Disney Environmental Champion of the Year (DECOY) Awards, which honor cast members who go above and beyond to advance environmental sustainability through their work. From behind-the-scenes operations to guest-facing experiences, these Environmental Champions at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort are helping care for the planet we call home. Jared’s Making Waves in Water Conservation Jared is helping make sustainability part of the guest experience at Walt Disney World — one gallon of water at a time. As a senior mechanical engineer on the Facility Asset Management team, Jared played a key role in the recent refurbishment of Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts. Thanks to his strategic thinking and engineering expertise, the refreshed water park area now conserves thousands of gallons of water every day. By advocating for sustainable design and collaborating with teams across Walt Disney World, Jared helped guide a complex project forward while supporting Disney’s broader environmental goals. Cutting Down on Plastic, One Hotel Stay at a Time This year, the Hotels & Resorts team delivered a major environmental win by completing a multi‑year effort to reduce single‑use plastic in guest amenities in Walt Disney World hotels. As a result, plastic packaging has been phased out of bath amenities and vanity amenity kits, helping prevent millions of pieces of plastic waste. Housekeeping Line of Business managers Tommy, Summer, and Katie played a key role in bringing the initiative to life. Working closely with teams across Disney Experiences, they helped source alternative amenities, designed labels that maintained Disney show quality, and streamlined new processes for filling amenities. Through collaboration, creativity and a shared commitment to sustainability, the team turned a challenge into a meaningful, lasting change. Valerie Demonstrates Bayou-tiful Sustainability Valerie is a retail cast member in New Orleans and Bayou Country at Disneyland Resort and is known for inspiring their fellow cast members to commit to Zero Waste to Landfill efforts through their own dedication to disposing of waste properly. As an area lead, Valerie has created an engaging learning environment for cast to understand the impact and importance of the Zero Waste to Landfill goal at Disneyland Resort, which includes sharing ways cast can participate in existing recycling programs and partnering with their management team to initiate new Zero Waste programs for the resort’s retail and food and beverage teams. Jason Sources Change Through Sustainability Jason Horn is a senior sourcing specialist who is always looking for new opportunities for supply chain sustainability. Throughout his forty years at Disneyland Resort, Jason has used his influence to reduce the environmental impact of the food served at Disneyland Resort. He pioneered sustainable seafood purchasing, championed recyclable packaging and shifted to locally raised beef as part of his role on the Strategic Sourcing team. Jason has made sustainability a core part of his long career at Disneyland Resort and we’re proud to call him an Environmental Champion. Candy Production’s Sweet Steps Toward Sustainability The Disneyland Resort Candy Production team was awarded the 2026 Environmental Team of the Year Award for its multi-year commitment to weaving sustainability into their daily work. What started with simply counting waste bags evolved into rethinking processes, finding ways to reduce parchment paper, plastic wrap, and food scraps throughout their operation. Candy Production applies innovation to their waste reduction measures, including a recent partnership with Circle D Ranch, home of the horses at Disneyland Resort. Candy Production provides any apples unfit for use to the Circle D Ranch stables as treats for the hardworking horses of Main Street, U.S.A. The team has shown what’s possible when people think about how they can make a difference through their work. Thank You to Our Environmental Champions We thank our Environmental Champions for helping us reduce our environmental footprint and reminding us that we all have a role to play in that effort. Learn more about last year’s Environmental Champion award recipients to see more examples of cast members making a difference. This Earth Month, we’re celebrating the Disney Conservation Fund’s 30th anniversary by spotlighting 30 of Disney’s biodiversity, conservation, and environmental sustainability stories. Follow our countdown to Earth Day at TheWaltDisneyCompany.com/Disney-Planet-Possible and visit Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment on Facebook and Dr. Mark on Instagram. The post This Earth Month, Meet the Newest Environmental Champions appeared first on Disney Experiences. View the full article

After over a YEAR of waiting, we are closer than ever to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopening in Magic Kingdom! Big Thunder Mountain Railroad construction The popular coaster has been closed for general refurbishment as well as some big upgrades! While we are seriously excited to finally hop back on the wildest ride in the wilderness, we won’t lie to you. A lot of Disney experts are SKIPPING Magic Kingdom on May 3rd, and we’re breaking down why right here! Hear us out, going to Magic Kingdom on May 3rd might not be the best idea! Now this is obviously just an opinion, but we’re here to share the facts with you. The biggest issue? The crowds are going to be pretty wild. Magic Kingdom Big Thunder Mountain is reopening on May 3rd, and each time a ride opens, reopens, or just before it closes, you can predict that the crowds are going to turn up! The day before Big Thunder Mountain closed in 2025, the ride’s wait time was over an hour for most of the day. Now that it’s been closed for nearly a year and a half, fans are clamoring to check out the changes. This was the day the ride closed for refurb — BUSY! On May 3rd, we’re expecting the crowds to rush towards Big Thunder Mountain, creating a consistently long line throughout the day. If Figment’s meet and greet can wrack up hours-long lines on its opening day, it’s safe to assume that the Big Thunder Mountain reopening will create some pretty big chaos. Inside the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad queue We’re not telling you that you can’t go to Magic Kingdom on May 3rd, but we are saying that a lot of Disney experts are skipping that date. While we are expecting some seriously long lines, we know that those lines won’t last forever. The Figment meet and greet is a great example of this, because within a few weeks of opening, his lines were fairly short, if not totally empty at times. If the option to wait, we feel confident that lines will calm down within a few weeks of opening. Now, we aren’t saying lines will be short! We’re just saying they won’t be as long as we think they’ll be on May 3rd. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Magic Kingdom If you’re trying to avoid those long lines, even on May 3rd, we have a few recommendations. The first is to rope drop! Rope dropping is when you get to the park before it officially opens to get ahead of the crowds. This is basically waiting in line without using precious park time, then once the park opens, you can head straight to popular rides with smaller lines. Rope drop for Big Thunder Mountain on May 3rd is probably going to be chaos, so just a heads up! Magic Kingdom Rope Drop crowds If you’re prepared for the chaos, rope drop can lead to some shorter lines. Heading through Liberty Square might be a bit quicker, but you can also get to Big Thunder Mountain through Adventureland. If you’re a Disney World resort guest, make sure to use your Early Entry to its fullest potential. The next way you can save some time is by purchasing a Lightning Lane Multi Pass. Crowds at the Lightning Lane for Big Thunder Mountain before it closed Disney World Resort guests can buy their Lightning Lanes 7 days before their park visit. If you’re visiting, but not staying at a Disney hotel, you can book your Lightning Lanes 3 days in advance. That means Disney World Resort guests can book at Big Thunder Mountain Lightning Lane starting on April 26th at 7 AM, assuming May 3rd is the first day of your visit. We expect this Lightning Lane to sell out quickly, so don’t hesitate to grab it as quickly as you can if you’re hoping to skip the line. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Lightning Lane Big Thunder Mountain will be part of Tier 1 on the Lightning Lane list for Magic Kingdom. You can prebook one attraction from Tier 1 and two attractions from Tier 2, so we definitely recommend prioritizing this ride. While we do expect some chaos, we don’t think it will be impossible to enjoy the ride or the experience! Just because some experts are skipping the park on May 3rd doesn’t mean you have to. If you don’t care about being one of the first people to check out the changes, we definitely recommend waiting it out if possible. ©Disney We can’t wait to see all of the changes coming to the new ride, including a lower height requirement, new rainbow caverns, and more! Be sure to keep following DisneyFoodBlog for more Disney news, updates, reminders, and more. Disney World Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane Strategy for 2026 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you going to the park on May 3rd? Tell us in the comments! View the full article

If you’re getting ready to pack a park bag for Disney World, there may be some essentials you’re forgetting! Silicone Waterproof Shoe Covers You’ve probably got your phone charger, water bottle, poncho, and sunscreen, but what about the next level of must-haves? We have two recommendations for packing that you’re probably forgetting. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Get the MultiCharger! MultiCharger for MagicBand+ One very useful item we’ve been packing in our suitcases is the MultiCharger for MagicBand+. If you’re traveling with multiple people or a lot of devices, this is a MUST. It’s USB-C and USB-A compatible and works even with your portable charger of choice. MultiCharger for MagicBand+ It’s designed specifically to charge multiple MagicBand+ bands at once, but it can be used for phones, tablets, smart watches, and other devices. It’s compact and portable, so you can even carry it in your park bag throughout the day. Plus, one of these bad boys is less than $10. view ON AMAZON These shoe covers have been a lifesaver! Shoe Cover! Perhaps one of the weirdest items we’ve tested in the theme parks is these Shiwely Silicone Waterproof Shoe Covers. They’re reusable with grips on the bottom and a simple zipper to open them and slip them on over your socks and shoes. Did we just find the ULTIMATE rainy day solution? They work surprisingly well to keep out the rain and puddle water, and they’d even be great to have on hand for water rides. Nobody wants soggy socks in Disney World, and these have been incredibly effective at preventing that when we’ve worn them. view ON AMAZON We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article

If you’re going to Disney World, you’re going to want a hair clip on hand. ©Amazon Whether you’re visiting in the summer and needing to get your hair off your sweaty neck or you’re about to board a roller coaster and want to avoid a bird’s nest afterward, it’s just a good idea to keep one on hand…even if you’re not planning to wear it all day. Luckily, beloved hair accessories brand Teleties just came out with NEW Disney-themed hair clips, and they’re now on Amazon! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Get the classic Mickey clip! ©Amazon First up is the adorable and classic Disney TELETIES Mickey Mouse Shaped Tiny Flat Hair Clip. This one has that iconic Mickey head design and is perfect for a half-up style or an updo for thinner hair. This would be a great accessory for a Mickey-inspired outfit or Disneybound. view ON AMAZON This is a favorite clip design! ©Amazon One of the classic Teleties clips is this flat, round hair clip — it has great grip so it can stay all day! The Disney TELETIES The Iconic Mickey Mouse Medium Flat Round Hair Clip has a more subtle Mickey head design, and it can be ordered in a bunch of different character patterns. view ON AMAZON We love the Elite 8 version! ©Amazon Speaking of character designs, we LOVE the Disney TELETIES Mickey and Friends Medium Flat Round Hair Clip. This one has the Elite 8, otherwise known as Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto, Chip, and Dale. They’re so cute! This is the design for the Disney fans who want to be bold in their style. view ON AMAZON Check out our storefront! And if you’re looking for more Disney hair accessories, we have an entire storefront dedicated to “Disney Hair Finds.” This page is filled with cute hair clips, scrunchies, bows, pins, and more. The perfect way to top off your look! view THE STOREFRONT ON AMAZON HERE We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article

EPCOT fans, listen up! You’ll be excited to learn about this news coming to World Showcase very soon. Especially, if you love the France Pavilion! EPCOT While we have been visiting Remy, stuffing our faces with crepes, and waiting in line for pastries at Les Halles, two attractions in the pavilion have been closed for refurbishment. But now, Disney has finally announced when they will be returning! In the France Pavilion, both the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along and Impressions De France have been closed for routine refurbishment. However, they are both set to reopen on May 10th! EPCOT’s France Pavilion At the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, you can find a cozy French cinema showing a 15-minute show featuring the beloved songs from Beauty and the Beast. Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along However, this show has a fun twist! It shows LeFou working behind the scenes and orchestrating Belle and Beast’s love story, in this unique take on the classic story! This is a fun show, and who doesn’t love singing along to the iconic Beauty and the Beast soundtrack? When the show returns, you’ll be able to catch it from 10 AM to 6:30 PM. Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along Impressions De France is another indoor show, however, this time featuring the country of France! This is an 18-minute show that highlights the charm and romance of the country. It features iconic places across France with classical French music playing in the background! When it returns on May 10th, it’s set to play here from 9 AM to 9:30 AM and 7 PM to 8:30 PM. Impressions de France However, don’t worry if you’re planning a trip to EPCOT before May 10th and want to check out the France Pavilion; there is still so much to do! France! Of course, you can check out the newest section of the Pavilion, which features Ratatouille! Here you can catch a ride on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure or grab a delicious crepe at La Crêperie de Paris! Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure In the original park of the Pavilion, you could have a delicious French meal at Chefs de France! Chefs de France Or if you’re looking for something quicker, you could get a gourmet ice cream at L’Artisan des Glaces or a quick service meal at the fan-favorite Les Halles Boulangerie-Pâtisserie! Les Halles Boulangerie-Pâtisserie Regardless of when you are visiting, there is so much to see and try at the France Pavilion and all around World Showcase! Make sure you follow DFB so you never miss any Disney updates! Click here to learn why Annual Passholders need to visit EPCOT in May. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What’s your favorite thing to do or eat in the France Pavilion? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Some Disney snacks are trying to be pretty. Some are trying to be iconic. Some are out here wearing glitter and whipped cream and the kind of garnish that suggests they’ve hired a publicist. And then there’s The Friar’s Nook Mac & Cheese Hand Pie. Mac & Cheese hand pie This thing looked at the concept of subtlety, laughed in its face, and stuffed macaroni and cheese inside fried dough instead. That is not the behavior of a balanced individual. It is, however, exactly the sort of deeply unnecessary, delightfully unhinged snack move that makes Magic Kingdom food so much fun when it’s in the mood to get weird. The hand pie is currently on the menu at The Friar’s Nook in Fantasyland, where Disney lists it as a Mac & Cheese Hand Pie with Cheese Sauce for $8.99. Friar’s Nook Mac & Cheese Hand Pie This Is Not Health Food. This Is a Cheese Pocket. Let’s just set expectations properly. This is basically a portable carb bomb. A cheesy little grease comet. A hand-held monument to the idea that maybe food does not always need to make sense if it tastes good enough. It’s a fried hand pie filled with mac and cheese, and then, because apparently we were not done making choices, it also comes with cheese sauce. The whole thing showed up on Friar’s Nook’s menu in August 2024, and yes, it is still hanging around in 2026 like the park’s resident crispy pasta goblin. Friar’s Nook Mac & Cheese Hand Pie And honestly? We love the commitment. Why We Like It Because it is gloriously stupid in the best possible way. There is something beautiful about a snack that hears “mac and cheese” and says, “Great, but what if we also made it portable and a little chaotic?” This is not refined cuisine. This is not elegant. This is not the snack you get because you’re trying to “keep things light.” This is the snack you get because you’re in Magic Kingdom and your lunch brain briefly blacked out in the most delicious direction. Friar’s Nook Menu The appeal here is pretty obvious: crispy outside, cheesy middle, extra cheese on top, and enough heft to feel like more than just a throwaway little nibble. The pastry shell is crunchy, and the inside is ooey-gooey, which is exactly the kind of texture math this snack needs to work. Why You’ll Probably Like It, Too If you are the kind of person who has ever looked at macaroni and cheese and thought, “Love this, but I wish I could hold it like a villainous little turnover,” congratulations. Disney made this for you. Friar’s Nook Mac & Cheese Hand Pie This snack makes a lot of sense for people who like savory snacks more than sweet ones, who want something portable, or who are just a little tired of every Magic Kingdom snack decision ending in frosting. It’s also one of those rare park snacks that feels like actual food-food, not just a sugar spiral in a paper tray. At $8.99, it’s more substantial than a lot of the cute little sweets that disappear in four bites and leave you with nothing but emotional damage and powdered sugar on your shirt. It also helps that Friar’s Nook has been one of Fantasyland’s low-key comfort food corners for years. It is a Robin Hood-inspired quick-service kiosk serving crowd-pleasing American fare, and that checks out. This is very much a place for tots, hot dogs, and snacks that feel like they were invented by somebody with zero fear and a deep love of cheese. But Let’s Be Fair. It’s Not for Everybody. Now, is this snack a flawless masterpiece sent from the heavens on a golden cheese pull? Not necessarily. If you want a ton of filling, this might not fully wreck you in the way you’re hoping. It’s had its share of inconsistencies. Sometimes we’ve found it crisp and delicious, while others thought it skewed dry or a little under-filled, which means this snack can land somewhere between “surprisingly fun” and “I wanted more mac in my mac vehicle.” Friar’s Nook Mac & Cheese Hand Pie So if you’re not into fried dough, cheese sauce, or starchy snacks that lean more “snacky comfort food experiment” than “life-changing culinary event,” you may want to keep walking. This is also not the move for anyone seeking something light, fresh, plant-based, or nutritionally capable of making eye contact. Where You’ll Find It You’ll find this cheesy little chaos pocket at The Friar’s Nook in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom. Disney’s official page lists the location as a quick-service kiosk with mobile order, which is useful, because this is exactly the kind of snack people start craving when they do not want to stand around debating lunch for half an hour. The Friar’s Nook More practically, this is a very easy grab if you’re hanging around the middle of Fantasyland. It’s a smart stop when you’re bouncing around that side of the park and need something savory, portable, and a little more interesting than the usual hot-dog-adjacent suspects. When You Should Grab It This is not really a rope-drop croissant situation. This is more of a late morning, lunch-ish, or I need a savory reset before I turn into a cinnamon roll myself kind of snack. It works especially well when you’ve hit that point in a Magic Kingdom day where the sugar parade has gotten out of hand and you need to pivot. Maybe you’ve already had something sweet. Maybe you’ve been seduced by popcorn, a slush, and one poor decision too many. Maybe your body is begging for cheese and fried dough in a form that can be eaten while walking. That is where this hand pie enters the chat. And because Friar’s Nook is open for breakfast and lunch/dinner service, the hand pie is one of those rare “sure, why not” items that can technically happen pretty early if your park day is already off the rails. Is It on the Disney Dining Plan? Generally, yes, this is the kind of snack that tends to land in snack-credit territory, which is exactly what we like to hear when Disney is asking us to spend close to nine dollars on a cheesy fried pocket. The Friar’s Nook location accepts some dining plans, and current Disney menu trackers list the Mac & Cheese Hand Pie under Friar’s Nook’s Snack (2026) dining plan category. Disney Dining Plan logo And honestly? It feels like a snack-credit snack. It’s hot, portable, more exciting than a bag of chips, and weird enough to make you feel like you’re getting away with something. Is It a Good Snack Credit Value? At $8.99, yes, this is actually a pretty respectable snack-credit play. It clears that mental line where a snack credit starts to feel like it’s pulling its weight instead of being wasted on something boring and emotionally vacant. The bigger thing, though, is that this is a savory snack credit, and those can be weirdly valuable in Magic Kingdom. When so many snack-credit temptations are sugar-based, having one that leans cheesy and filling gives it a little extra swagger. This is not just a cute treat. This is a snack credit with boots on. The Real Appeal Here The Mac & Cheese Hand Pie is not trying to be the most sophisticated thing in the park. It is not trying to win awards. It is not pretending to be anything other than a fried container of cheese and carbs. And that is precisely why it has charm. It feels like the kind of snack Disney invents when someone in a kitchen says, “What if we stopped acting like we have to impress people and just made something fun?” It’s silly. It’s savory. It’s easy to eat on the go. And in a park where so many snacks lean aggressively sweet, that alone gives it a reason to exist. Friar’s Nook Mac & Cheese Hand Pie Plus, it has a little baby snack backstory now. It joined the menu in August 2024, which means it’s still relatively new by Disney snack standards, but it has already stuck around long enough to suggest it found an audience. The Last Bite The Friar’s Nook Mac & Cheese Hand Pie is weird, cheesy, portable, and exactly the kind of snack that makes Disney food fun when it’s feeling a little unhinged. If you like savory comfort food, portable snacks, mac and cheese, fried dough, or just the idea of eating something that sounds like it was dreamed up at 1:00 AM by a very hungry genius, this is an easy yes. If you want something light, fresh, veggie-forward, or overflowing with gourmet finesse, this probably is not your fairy tale. But if you’re building out a Disney snack list and want a few picks that break up the nonstop sugar parade, this one absolutely deserves a look. Friar’s Nook Mac & Cheese Hand Pie And, not coincidentally, that is exactly why our Best Snacks guide exists. Because Disney snack planning is adorable until you’re sweaty, overstimulated, and suddenly forced to decide between a cinnamon roll, a spring roll, a mysterious hand pie, and whatever emotional support dessert just caught your eye from across the walkway. Our Best Snacks guide helps you sort the legends from the letdowns, the icons from the impostors, and the treats actually worth your money, your snack credits, and your rapidly shrinking park-day appetite. So if this weird little cheese pocket just elbowed its way onto your must-try list, go grab the guide and let us help you map out the rest of your snack strategy before Magic Kingdom talks you into three more questionable but very compelling choices. Mac & Cheese Hand Pie? More Menu Changes Arrive in Disney World This Week Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you had the Mac and Cheese Hand Pie from Friar’s Nook? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! View the full article

Here at Disney Food Blog, it’s probably no secret that we love, well, Disney food. It’s in our name, after all! Yum We’re always on the hunt for the newest Disney World snacks, the latest snack changes, and, much to our dismay, when our favorite snacks disappear from the parks. So, when we noticed something had changed about this iconic Disney World snack, let’s just say that we weren’t too happy about it — and chances are you won’t be either! Have you ever wanted an entire BUCKET full of ice cream? Well, Disney World is the land of dreams, and at Blizzard Beach, your dream of eating ice cream out of a bucket can come true! Blizzard Beach The Sand Pail Sundae, available at I.C. Expeditions, is made with Vanilla and Chocolate Swirl Soft-serve, Vanilla Cake, Cookies and Cream Crumbles, Hot Fudge, Caramel Sauce, Whipped Cream, M&M’S® Milk Chocolate candies, and a Cherry layered into an exclusive Souvenir Sand Pail Bucket. This bad boy will run you $18.29, but is certainly shareable. In the past, this has been one of our favorite over-the-top treats to get at this water park, but on a recent visit to Blizzard Beach, we couldn’t help but feel like something was different about this snack. Sand Pail Sundae You see, when we got the Sand Pail Sundae on our recent visit, it seemed… smaller. We weren’t entirely sure if the bucket itself was smaller — though it looked like the same bucket we had back in 2022 when it was the 50th Anniversary version, or if it was just the ice cream itself. Either way, SOMETHING about the sundae was smaller… even though it had increased in price since we last got it. It looks smaller! Our other MAJOR complaint is that the Sand Pail Sundae is no longer served with a shovel! That’s right, back in the day, when you used to order this monstrosity, it was served with a literal shovel that you could eat it with. A little bit excessive? Maybe. Adorably kitschy and fun? Without a doubt. Sand Pail Sundae with shovel It’s also worth mentioning that at one point, the ice cream wasn’t actually served in the bucket itself, and was instead served in a cup that was placed into the bucket — that way, the bucket itself didn’t get all messy. In any case, the Sand Pail Sundae seems to be lacking in both ice cream and whimsy lately, and we simply won’t stand for it. Bring back the giant pail of ice cream, Disney! Bring back the shovel! Sand Pail Sundae with a separate cup We’ll be on the lookout for more Disney World snack changes you need to know about and more. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more! Check out more Disney Water Parks news at the links below! DATE ANNOUNCED for Reopening of Typhoon Lagoon at Disney WorldNEWS: Universal Volcano Bay Makes a HUGE ChangeCONFIRMED: Mattel is Bringing an Indoor Water Park to OrlandoREMINDER: This Disney World Water Park Is Closing SOONDisney World May Be Changing a Popular Waterslide After Multiple Lawsuits Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you been to Disney’s water parks before? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

As summer gets closer, do you need help finding the best spots to get a refreshing drink at Disney World? We got you! Caribbean Beach Resort Between the four parks, Disney Springs, and the many Disney World hotels, it’s hard to figure out where the best place to grab a drink is. Well, here at DFB, we love going around trying out anything and everything that we can. We recently tried a drink at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and we wanted to tell you about it! Banana Cabana is a bar at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort that provides beach drinks in a lounge setting, while being right next to the pool. It’s a great place to wind down, relax, and go for a swim. We find ourselves here every once in a while. More when we’re around or at the resort hotel. Banana Cabana We recently went to the Banana Cabana to get the Pink Guava Colada for $16.50, and we loved it! Pink Guava Colada The drink had soft colors that were really pretty, making for a presentation that left us craving to try it. It’s a sweet tropical-style frozen drink, but the sweetness is not unpleasant or cloying. The reserve rum balances the sweetness of the drink itself, and the guava brings through a very slight tartness. It looks so pretty! This drink was a very pleasant tropical-style drink that will not leave you feeling like you had an ice cream, if you know what we mean. It almost brings Caribbean holiday vibes — a taste that is almost too hard to explain. We highly recommend this drink. Be careful, it’s a little dangerous as it is super easy to drink. This was so delicious! The agents at Small World Vacations know how to save money on your Disney Vacation! When you book your trip with Small World Vacations, their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings. They also compare discounts and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation. If you want to see more food and drink reviews, make sure to keep following us at the Disney Food Blog! Wait Until You See These Utterly Ridiculous Disney World Snacks Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Would you try this drink? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Mark your calendars because NEW snacks are coming to the Disneyland Resort soon! ©Disney Here at Disney Food Blog, we’re all about, well, Disney FOOD, of course. Disney recently shared that new snacks are making their way to Disneyland on April 28th, and we’re already making plans to try them! If you don’t have an upcoming Disneyland trip planned, chances are you’ll want to plan one after checking out what’s coming — let’s get into it. Will you be heading to Disneyland to grab these new snacks? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

A guest staying at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort in 2022 is suing Disney World seeking damages for $50,000 due to being “bitten numerous times by cimicidae (‘bedbugs’).” All-Star Sports The lawsuit says that Walt Disney Parks owed him “to use reasonable care in maintaining the premises in a reasonably safe condition; and to give the guest warning of concealed perils which are or should be known, and which are unknown to the invitee and cannot be discovered by the invitee through the exercise of due care.” It also says that due to the Defendant’s negligence, the plaintiff has “suffered scarring, bodily injury, pain and suffering, disability, mental anguish, loss of the capacity for the enjoyment of life, medical expenses, loss of earnings, loss of the ability to earn money, financial loss, and property damage. The losses are either permanent or continuing, and Platform will suffer losses in the future.” All-Star Sports The $50,000 is for damages and excludes interest, costs, and attorney’s fees. The visit happened on May 15th, 2022, while the plaintiff was bitten by bedbugs and says that Disney owes him a duty to “use reasonable care” to maintain the hotel in safe conditions. All-Star Sports The lawsuit is requesting trial by jury, judgment for damages, and costs, and anything further that the court sees as appropriate. As this is an ongoing case, we’ll be looking for more information as it develops and possibly goes to court. Make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for more updates. $2 MILLION AWARDED IN HOTEL BED BUG LAWSUIT Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW View the full article

A LOT is happening in Magic Kingdom right now. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin just recently reopened with some HUGE updates. A Villains Land is in the process of being constructed. A new Cars-themed expansion is being built in Frontierland. Magic Kingdom Well, a LOT of big changes are happening in Magic Kingdom as early as this summer. So if you’re looking to check out some new things in the park, this summer might be the perfect opportunity to do that. Let’s chat about these big changes! Big Thunder Mountain Railroad It’s been over a year since Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed, but the ride received a TON of new updates, including new track, a new scene, a new exterior, and more. Finally, the ride is set to reopen on May 3rd, which is about the best way we can think of to kick off the summer season in Disney World. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Disney has been teasing some of the changes that were made to the ride, and it sounds like the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness is about to get even a little wilder! Cinderella Castle The ICON of Magic Kingdom, Cinderella Castle, is in the middle of a paint job to bring its colors back to its white, silver, and blue hues. Painting will probably continue into the summer, but the good news is that the work is only being done in the mornings, so you can still get those great castle selfies in the afternoons. Painting the castle Disney has not yet announced a timeline on when the painting might be complete, so it could be happening further into the year than we even thought. These things do take a while, after all. Characters during early theme park entry For those Disney World visitors staying at Disney World hotels, Early Theme Park Entry just got a little more exciting. As part of Disney World’s Cool Kids Summer, which runs from May 26th through September 8th, you’ll get to meet characters in the parks during Early Theme Park Entry. This means you’ll have 30 minutes to meet with your favorite characters before everyone else. Tigger in Magic Kingdom Disney has not revealed which characters you might see during this time, but Disney is asking guests to keep an eye out for characters during this time to take advantage of all the special meet and greets. That means there may be some surprises! Jessie’s Roundup The Diamond Horsehoe is getting a bit of an upgrade on May 26th. Jessie’s Roundup: A Rip Roarin’ Revue will be happening at the restaurant during Cool Kids Summer. According to Disney, you’ll be able to “join Jessie, Woody, and friends for some energetic fun at Jessie’s Roundup, where you’ll craft, dance, and yodel your hearts out in the western revue.” Woody and Jessie Disney has not released a lot of other details about Jessie’s Roundup, but it certainly sounds like a great addition to The Diamond Horsehoe. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin reopened on April 8th, but there’s a big likelihood that most folks won’t be experiencing the updated ride until this summer, so we had to mention it. SO much has changed, including the ride vehicles, the pistols, the targets, and more. It’s Buddy! You’ll want to make sure to check out the new and improved version of this ride. Maybe you’ll even become a Galactic Hero! So if you’ll be visiting Magic Kingdom this summer, you have a LOT to look forward to. We’ll be keeping an eye out for more updates in all four of Disney World’s theme parks, so stay tuned to DFB for more. No Lie. You Need to Skip These 5 Disney World Rides in 2026. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of these changes? Share your thoughts in the comments! View the full article

Yo ho ho! Pirate Night is one of the most beloved traditions on board. 🏴‍☠️☠️🦜 #DisneyCruiseLineView the full article

We visited one of the world’s most unique and whimsical theme parks, and the food did not disappoint! We went to Efteling! Recently, we set out to travel around the world, starting with Singapore for a cruise on the new Disney Adventure, then flying to Paris for the opening of Disney Adventure World. However, delayed flights interrupted our plans and threw off our schedule. With a few days to spare, we made a trip to Efteling Parc, a fantasy theme park in Kaatsheuvel in the Netherlands. While we visited, we tried some pretty interesting and delicious food that you have got to see! First, at ‘t Koetshuys, we grabbed the Griezelspin premium for €4.50. This is a high-quality, white cotton candy. This was at a snack stand located in the spooky section of the park, so it’s perfect that the snack looked like spider webs. Griezelspin premium Inside the cotton candy, you’ll find a gummy spider, which we loved the surprise. Kids will appreciate this snack, and we love that it’s easy to share with multiple people. What made this “premium” is that, instead of a traditional cotton candy stick, the snack came on a conductor’s wand. Griezelspin premium You know we appreciate a good cup of coffee. Over at De Gebrande Boon, we tried the Iced Stroopwafel Coffee for €5.85. We will say that the speciality coffees we had here were incredible. The Stroopwafel Coffee came with one to two mini stroopwaffles. This was a very buttery coffee, which we loved. Iced Stroopwafel Coffee But one cup of coffee wasn’t enough, so we also had to try the Pistachio Coffee for €5.85. We won’t lie to you, we ordered this four times. We tried it both hot and iced, but we found hot to be perfect for the cool weather we had during our visit. The overall flavor was nutty, but it wasn’t overly sweet. The whipped cream really stood out to us as a high-quality ingredient. It was topped with not just crumbled pistachios, but it was a pistachio cookie crumble — making this the perfect topping. Pistachio Coffee At De Meermin, we tried Crushi sushi salmon with soy sauce pearls and sriracha mayonnaise for €12.50. Theme park sushi can be a hit or miss, and this one totally surprised us. We loved the crispy outer layer, which paired well with the warm rice and salmon. The sriracha mayo added a little bit of heat without being overpowering. While we weren’t expecting to try warm sushi, we loved it because of the cold weather. Crushi sushi salmon with soy sauce pearls and sriracha mayonnaise A giant pickle? Sign us up! We grabbed the Giant Gherkin as well for €2.00. We were expecting this to be a Dill pickle, because in the U.S., that’s typically what these are. However, this was more of a sweet and sour pickle. It was huge and juicy, and we would grab this again. Giant Gherkin Next, we got the Fried Potato Snack for €6 at Eigenheymer. This is a potato with chocolate and spicy crunch. This was very similar to the potato stacks that you find at Halloween Horror Nights, which we love, so we were excited to try this. This was similar to a potato chip level of crunch, which paired well with the light amount of chocolate on the edges. The spicy crunch was not too overwhelming, but added a great dimension of flavor to the snack. Fried Potato Snack w/ chocolate and spicy crunch We also grabbed the Noodle Snack for €2.50 over at Frau Boltes Kuche. This came out of a vending machine snack stand. This was a crunchy rectangle filled with vegetables and noodles that reminded us of a casserole. Noodle Snack The crispy outside had a little bit of spice to balance it out. As someone who is a big fan of convenience foods, this is one we’re wishing we could eat right now. Look inside! Time for something sweet. We headed to Hollandsche Gebakkraam to try an Oliebol for €1.30. Oliebol is a traditional Dutch doughnut. It was topped with powdered sugar, and it was delicious. It was doughy but not raw on the inside, giving it a really great texture. Oliebol We also got a cupcake for €3.25. This was a standard vanilla cupcake. There was a nice, thick layer of icing on the top with some crunchy pearls that added a nice, subtle texture, which we enjoyed. The cake was a little dry and would have really benefited from a filling. Cupcake At Smulpaap, we tried the Dutch-style Loaded Fries for €7.50. This was a huge portion. The fries were thick, and there were plenty of them. The beef stew on top of them was salty and really savory. The onions were pretty powerful and took over most of the flavor profile, but we love onions, so we weren’t mad at it! Dutch-style Loaded Fries We also grabbed the Spanish-style Loaded Fries for €7.50. Again, a huge portion that filled us up! The chorizo had great flavor, but was not spicy. It was loaded with grilled peppers, which we loved. The only negative was that the fries got soggy, which seems unavoidable in a dish like this. Spanish-style Loaded Fries Since we stayed at EFTELING Wonder Hotel, we were able to eat from the Buffet Breakfast for free. We were surprised at how great the buffet was! There were some very familiar items like savory bacon and sausage links. The pancakes were banana pancakes, and they were SO good. The eggs were either scrambled (fine but kinda water) or hard-boiled eggs that you had to peel, and there was a little egg stand for them. Our breakfast buffet plate The toast was super fresh, and we loved the variety of unique juices. You get a good meal here, better than traditional buffets in my opinion, but nothing you have to go out of your way for. Ours was included in the room, which we loved. Breakfast buffet We also ordered room service to our hotel room. We got the Burger Sliders, a Cheese Plate, and the Seasonal Fish. The burgers were delicious, super flavorful, and they made us want to get burgers again around the park. The fries were also crispy and salty. They were so good that we made a second order for more. The cheese plate was standard with mostly savory cheeses. Finally, the seasonal fish was amazing. We ordered this because we wanted something light, and that’s exactly what we got. The fish was super flaky and moist. It was a great ending to our day! Room Service That’s a wrap on everything we ate at Efteling. For more theme park news and dining reviews, be sure to follow us at DFB! “It Was So Weird and Wonderful.” We Visited Europe’s Fantasy Theme Park Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Would you like to visit EFTELING? Tell us in the comments below! View the full article

A new celebration is offering an exclusive group FREE tickets to Universal Orlando Resort! Universal Orlando Xfinity just launched its membership program, and as part of its limited-time Member Celebration, members can get two free 1-day Universal Orlando Resort tickets, plus a chance to win a VIP trip to Universal Studios Hollywood and the grand opening of the new Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift roller coaster! Comcast’s Xfinity has officially launched its Xfinity Member Celebration — a limited-time event running now through May 10th that delivers three full weeks of bonus benefits, sweepstakes, and exclusive experiences for Xfinity members. Available automatically and at no additional cost, Xfinity membership rewards eligible customers with weekly perks, meaningful discounts, and special experiences. Universal Orlando But the most exciting part is that Xfinity Diamond Members can claim two free 1-day park tickets to Universal Orlando Resort! These tickets are only available while supplies last, so you’ll want to hurry to claim them! Islands of Adventure In addition to free Universal tickets, Xfinity members can enter for a chance to win a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood with VIP access to the grand opening of the new Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift roller coaster! Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift All Xfinity Member Celebration perks and sweepstakes are accessible directly in the Xfinity app, where you can also explore offers, enter for a chance to win, and discover new surprises each week. Universal Orlando Curious about which Xfinity membership tier you might be in? It depends on how long you’ve been an Xfinity customer! Here’s a breakdown of the tiers: Silver (0-1 Year or 1 Service) Gold (>1-5 Years or 2 Services) Platinum (>5-10 Years or 3 Services) Diamond (10+ Years or 4+ Services) Only Diamond members can claim the free Universal Orlando tickets, but the Universal Hollywood sweepstakes is open to all customers! Universal Orlando! In addition to the Universal perks, members also receive insider access to fan-favorite shows and movies like: Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen Audience Takeover: A special Xfinity-hosted taping of WWHL for fans Love Island Exclusives: Exclusive access to extended cuts of Love Island Beyond the Villa – Season 2, episodes 1, 2, and 3 – only available on Xfinity X1 and the Stream app, for Platinum & Diamond members. Additionally, fans can enter for a chance to win a Love Island fan experience in Fiji Illumination’s Minions & Monsters: Xfinity members can get early access to screenings of the upcoming Minions & Monsters film, exclusively through Fandango (coming soon) Emmy Awards: In celebration of NBC 100, enter for a chance to win a trip to the 2026 Emmy Awards in Los Angeles During the celebration, Xfinity is also giving fans the chance to experience some of the biggest moments in sports, including the chance to win: an NBA Tip-Off experience, additional NBA and MLB experiences, and El mundial es nuestro Fan Fest experience in Los Angeles — each including travel and exclusive access. Universal Orlando “Being an Xfinity member should feel like having an insider pass to the best of entertainment, sports and more,” said Nikhil Takalkar, Senior Vice President, Membership and Retention. “From a trip to the Emmy Awards to early movie screenings to exclusive streaming content, these are the kinds of experiences only Comcast NBCUniversal can deliver. Xfinity Member Celebration is our way of saying thank you — with more perks, more surprises, and more unforgettable access for Xfinity members than ever before.” Hogwarts Castle We’ll be on the lookout for even more Universal updates you need to know about and beyond. In the meantime, stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest theme park news and more! Check out more Universal Orlando news at the links below! An Exclusive Group Can Claim FREE Universal Orlando TicketsOkay, This Is The Absolute BEST Job at Universal Orlando — And They’re Hiring!Universal Just Made It EASIER To Skip the Line for Your Favorite RideREVIEW: We Got to Experience a SECRET Speakeasy at Universal OrlandoWhy Universal Could Be Empty in 2026 Are you an Xfinity Diamond Member? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

For locals, or those who aspire to visit as often as one, the Walt Disney World Annual Passholder and Disneyland Resort Magic Key programs create opportunities to experience the Disney magic over and over again. Long-time passholders say they love the chance to visit frequently, discounts, and other benefits. What they like most, they say, is the traditions and memories annual passes make possible. Two planDisney panelists share their families’ stories. A Purchase that Becomes a Decades-Long Family Tradition From Wilma Norton, a Walt Disney World Annual Passholder The decision to buy our first Walt Disney World annual passes in August 1997 came down to the value and flexibility they offered our family. As we planned a five-night visit to celebrate our daughter’s fifth birthday, the Florida Resident annual pass gave us the chance to enjoy multiple park days and keep the magic going with future visits. It must have been a good decision—we’re still annual passholders today. We figured we would visit a few more days in the months ahead and get the most for our money. Oh, were we right! During the rest of 1997 and through our second daughter’s first Walt Disney World visit as a 2-month-old in August 1998, we spent something like 20 more days in the theme parks. We’ve never looked back. We have been passholders almost every year since and estimate that we have visited the theme parks more than 600 days. As Florida residents who live about 90 minutes away, we love the flexibility an annual pass gives us, plus the convenience of monthly payment options available exclusively to Florida residents. We’ve had several versions of annual passes through the years, always choosing the one that was best for our family’s schedule at the time. All annual passes offer the benefits we appreciate most: ability to park hop; resort, merchandise, recreation and other discounts; and included standard parking. How We Maximize our Annual Pass: Wake up on Saturday morning in an EPCOT mood? Off we go. Birthday or anniversary? We use our passholder discount to book a resort room and a celebration dinner. Want to see all the holiday decorations in the four theme parks? We call our passholder friends and meet up for a four-parks-in-one-day tour using our park hopper benefit. Out-of-state friends or family at Walt Disney World? Sure, we’d love to join you and show you all our favorite Disney things. New ride or attraction opening? We’re there for the passholder preview when available. The main difference between the Pixie Dust, Pirate, Sorcerer, and Incredi-Pass is the number of days you can access the parks. Florida residents can choose from all four pass types, while guests who live outside of Florida may purchase the Incredi-Pass. After our daughters were grown, my husband and I upgraded to the Sorcerer Pass, which allows us admission to the parks more than 350 days a year. While park reservations are required on many days, Annual Passholders also have opportunities to visit without one, such as on select Good-to-Go Days or when entering the parks after 2 p.m. (except Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom). When we bought those first annual passes back in 1997, we had no idea how much Walt Disney World and the friends and memories we would make there would mean to us over the next three decades – as parents of young children, then empty-nesters and a retiree. Disney magic, indeed! Unlocking the Magic Key Program From David Quintanilla, a Magic Key Holder Growing up, our family’s visits to Disneyland Resort felt sporadic (at least to my kid brain). I have a distinct memory of spotting the Matterhorn from the freeway and asking my dad when we would be back. “One of these days,” he’d say. As an adult, I decided I wanted “one of these days” to come around as often as possible. Thanks to the Magic Key annual pass program, it does. The Magic Key program is the annual passholder offering at Disneyland Resort, designed to unlock an entire year of magic. Key holders enjoy reservation-based admission to both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park and can hop between the two parks during their visit, plus enjoy discounts and special experiences sprinkled throughout the year. With four different pass levels available, families can choose the Key that best fits their visit style and schedule. The program currently includes the Inspire Key, Believe Key, the newer Explore Key, and (for Southern California residents) the Imagine Key. Each level offers its own collection of perks, but all Keys include discounts on food and merchandise, which is great when snacking in the parks or shopping while visiting. Key holders also enjoy access to unique dining items, merchandise, photo opportunities, and special events. For example, during the 25th anniversary celebration of Disney California Adventure park, Magic Key holders were invited to an extra experience featuring backdrops celebrating the history of the park and Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse dressed in their original opening-day outfits! My wife and I have been lifelong fans of Disneyland, and our monthly visits have become a meaningful way to relax and reconnect, especially while enjoying a peaceful afternoon loop on the Disneyland Railroad. She’s a teacher in our Northern California town, which means our travel windows are typically weekends and school holidays. For us, the Inspire Key has been the perfect fit since its introduction, allowing us to plan visits during those peak times with confidence. Between our regular monthly trips and our annual week-long adventures with our daughters, the pass has more than justified itself. And honestly, knowing we have time set aside to wander, decompress, and share a plate of fried pickles at Carnation Café makes it feel priceless. The Magic Key program makes it possible to keep the magic of Disneyland just one reservation away, throughout the year. Whether someone hopes to explore both parks from rope drop to closing, pop in for a quick ride on the Haunted Mansion, or linger over sunset views at Lamplight Lounge, the flexibility is there. With a Key that matches nearly every visit style, it truly feels like having “one of these days” whenever you need it. If you have more Disney vacation planning questions, visit us a planDisney.com. How to Plan a Disney Vacation: What to Know Before You Go READ MORE Meet the planDisney Class of 2026 READ MORE Ways to Enjoy Disneyland Resort Beyond the Parks READ MORE The post Why planDisney Panelists Love Disney Parks Annual Passes appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

In case you’ve missed it, Bluey has taken over Disneyland! The massively popular children’s TV character and her family have arrived, and they’ve brought some serious excitement with them. Bluey’s Best Day Ever If you’re planning on heading into Disneyland Park soon to party with Bluey and Bingo, you should know show times for Bluey’s Best Day Ever! have changed. We don’t want you to be caught unaware and experience a kiddo meltdown, so we’ve got all of the information right here. Bluey’s Best Day Ever! is the hottest ticket in Fantasyland these days! (Don’t worry, there’s not an extra ticket — you only need your Disneyland Park admission). This is a live show in the Fantasyland Theater (near the entrance to Mickey’s Toontown) that features Bluey, Bingo, live dancers, and more. Bluey’s Best Day Ever! The crowds for this show’s opening day were absolutely wild (which we were blown away by). There are two different shows you can experience — one is a story time, and the other is a game show. They traditionally alternate throughout the day. In the first few days of the show’s opening, there wasn’t much room to dance and play because the theater was so packed. Look at all the people! The show has continued to be popular, and now, they’re changing up the show times! Starting on April 26th, there will still be 5 show times a day. They will be at 11 AM, 12:20 PM, 1:40 PM, 3:20 PM, and 4:40 PM. We’re super pleased to see that they aren’t cutting a show, especially because it’s so popular. Bluey’s Best Day Ever Currently, the show times are 9:30 AM, 10:50 AM, 12:10 PM, 1:50 PM, and 3:10 PM. These show times will be available through April 25th. Disney tends to change show times and availability for different shows, parades, and more throughout the year, so this is a great reminder to always check show times. In addition to Bluey’s Best Day Ever, Disney also released several Bluey-inspired snacks! The Bluey Mud Cake Cold Brew If you or your group loves Bluey, this is a great time to be in the parks. If you can’t get over to Disneyland, no worries! Bluey and her pals are also coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom starting on May 26th. We are also Bluey obsessed, so we totally get why the crowds are going wild. As always, be sure to keep following DisneyFoodBlog for more Disney updates, news, and more. What Disney World Can Learn From the Bluey Fiasco in Disneyland Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you a Bluey fan? Tell us in the comments! View the full article

Our favorite silly old bear has a new souvenirs, and yep, we’re going to have to raid the honey pot because we need them ALL. ©Disney Store Disney has been coming out with Pooh Bear collection time after time and they keep getting better and better. You can grab these items right at the Disney Store, and don’t forget to get free shipping on orders of $85 or more with code SHIPMAGIC. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Winnie the Pooh Stainless Steel Travel Tumbler ©Disney Store This is 22 ounces of cuteness. Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger, and Piglet are on the cup along with honey bees. It also says “Here for the honey” and if you’re anything like me and add honey to every possible dish, you’re probably going to need this cup. It comes with a lid and a straw and even has a silicone grip on the bottom. Check it out here! Winnie the Pooh “Hunny” Pot Kitchen Timer ©Disney Store IT’S SO CUTE! It looks like a honey pot but is really a kitchen timer! The timer goes up to 60 minutes with 5 minute markers and the kid rotates as the timer winds down. It also says “Pooh’s Farm — Support your local farmer” which is the cutest thing ever imagining Pooh running his own honey farm. It also looks like honey is dirpping out from under the lid! Check it out here! Make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for more of our favorite Disney finds. View the full article

If you’re heading to Animal Kingdom this May, there are some major changes you need to be prepared for. Disney’s Animal Kingdom From special scheduling, new perks, a new ticket option, and a LONG-ANTICIPATED new meet & greet, all are coming to Disney World’s newest (nearly 30 years old, but it still counts) theme park next month. Bluey Is Coming! After years of waiting, characters from the smash hit Australian series are finally coming to Disney World. Both Bluey’s Wild World and Jumping Junction will open at the park’s Conservation Station on May 26th. Guests will be able to meet Bluey and Bingo, as well as encounter animals native to Bluey’s home country of Australia. ©Disney Extended Evening Hours On select nights, guests staying at Disney Deluxe Tier or Deluxe Villa resorts can access select theme parks for two extra hours after the park closes to the general public. Animal Kingdom will be open for these guests from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM on May 4th and 13th. Attractions included in Extended Hours include Avatar Flight of Passage, Na’vi River Journey, Expedition Everest, and Zootopia: Better Zoogether. Animal Kingdom at night Have a Lovely Afternoon Beginning on May 26th, Disney will be offering specially priced 2 or 3-day tickets that provide admission to one theme park each day, after 2:00 PM. The 2-day ticket must be used within 4 days of the selected start date; the 3-day ticket must be used within 5 days of the selected start date. The ticket can be used for any of Disney World’s 4 theme parks. These tickets can be especially useful in Animal Kingdom, as the park often empties out in the early morning since so much of it is currently closed for refurbishment. Expedition Everest NEW AP Perks Beginning on May 1st, Disney will once again launch V.I.PASSHOLDER Summer Days, a “summer celebration brimming with limited-time offerings and exciting perks just for Passholders!” APs who visit Animal Kingdom can purchase new exclusive merchandise, including a Zip-Up Hoodie, a Tee, a Loungefly Crossbody Bag, a Baseball Hat, and even a Corkcicle Canteen at Discovery Trading Company ©Disney . APs can also head over to Chakranadi for an exclusive Popcorn Bucket featuring a design from illustrator Ashley Taylor. ©Disney Passholders can even save big on dining, with 40% off at both Tiffins Restaurant (dinner only) and Tusker House Restaurant (lunch and dinner), on Mondays to Thursdays from May 1st through July 31st. Tiffins Menu Guests heading to Walt Disney World in May will find a lot going on at Animal Kingdom. Stay tuned to DFB for more on Disney World’s 2026 offerings. CONFIRMED: 9 Exclusive Perks for Disney World in May 2026 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you heading to the parks in May? Let us know in the comments below. View the full article

As runDisney participants race through Walt Disney World, they’re making memories that will last far beyond the finish line thanks to Disney PhotoPass cast members who creatively capture the magic of every mile. Nearly 3 million photos are taken during a race season with cast members like Dave Devore stationed throughout the course. Dave’s Disney story began almost 15 years ago after retiring from the U.S. Air Force. “During my time in the service, I traveled the world, and I always had my camera with me,” Dave said. “Once I retired, I was able to continue my passion for photography here at Walt Disney World.” Turning a Passion into a Disney Career Over the years, Dave has turned his personal passion for photography into a career at Disney, leveling up his skills through specialized training available to each photographer. Before race day ever begins, PhotoPass photographers learn how to best capture action shots, so they’re ready for all the smiles, waves and celebrations that make each runner’s story special. “We cheer on each athlete and share in their excitement,” Dave said. “It’s a nice feeling when they run by and thank us for being there. You’re not just capturing these moments; you become a part of them.” This spirit of capturing race day photos is part of what earned him The Walt Disney Legacy Award, which is the highest honor a cast member can receive. “It’s such a great honor to be recognized,” Dave said. “Every day I make sure to uphold that legacy and everything that it represents.” runDisney Race Photo Tips from Cast Members Want to know how to get the best race photos? Dave’s got you. Here’s his tips: Dave's runDisney Tips Look out for the bright green shirts and lights along the course. Wave, smile or show your style to get the best action pics. After crossing the finish line, keep the celebration going! Visit Disney PhotoPass locations across the resort for fun runDisney-themed Magic Shots! How a runDisney Race Weekend Happens In addition to Disney PhotoPass photographers, there are more than 1,000 other cast members across Walt Disney World who support each race weekend from the operations team who sets the course, to entertainment, custodial and more. “My favorite part of any race weekend is taking a step back and seeing our cast in action,” said Adam Ball, Vice President of ESPN Wide World of Sports and runDisney. “They’re the reason why runners come back year after year.” Want to take a peek behind the scenes of a runDisney race? Check out this episode of Disney Unscripted to follow some of the cast members who make it all possible! Everything You Need to Know About runDisney READ MORE Run, Don’t Walk: 2025-2026 runDisney Race Dates Reveal READ MORE Early Bird Guide to Disney Springs: Shopping, Dining, and More READ MORE The post Behind the Lens of runDisney Race Photos appeared first on Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

According to News 6, a cold front is passing through Central Florida on April 20th, bringing cooler, drier, and windier conditions throughout most of the week. As a result, there will be an increase in fire danger. Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle We can expect breezy to windy north- to northeast winds throughout the day, with sustained speeds of 15 to 20 mph and gusts of 25 to 30 mph. The skies will be mostly cloudy, with temperatures in the upper 70s to near 80 degrees, and overnight lows can fall into the upper 50s and 60s. If you’re heading to the beach, the water conditions could be dangerous. Strong onshore winds can create a rough surf and a high risk of rip currents. Boating conditions will also be hazardous with seas between 4 and 7 feet. EPCOT Fire danger will be a growing concern at the start of the week. A Red Flag Warning is in effect on Monday for Marion County, with a Fire Weather Watch in place for Tuesday across different areas. This is because of the strong, gusty winds, low relative humidity, and very dry fuels, which allow fires to start and spread easily. Tower of Terror In the middle of the week, high pressure builds, bringing drier air and more stable conditions. On Tuesday, it will stay breezy with northeast winds gradually easing later in the week. Rain chances remain very low, though a few brief onshore-moving showers might happen on Wednesday or Thursday. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Temperatures will return to seasonal norms on Thursday, with highs in the upper 70s along the coast and in the low 80s inland. By Friday into the weekend, a warming trend returns, with highs climbing into the mid- to upper 80s and even approaching 90 degrees in some inland neighborhoods. If you’re heading to Disney World or Central Florida this week, make sure you keep an eye on the weather and be prepared to change your plans. Some outdoor rides can close due to weather, so it’s good to have backup plans along with extra layers and rain gear. Make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for more tips and tricks for your Disney World vacation. OUR TIPS AND TRICKS FOR CONQUERING RAINY DAYS IN DISNEY WORLD Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW View the full article

Who doesn’t want a Disney-themed kitchen? Well, now you can upgrade your Disney style at home with some all-new salt and pepper shakers. Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle And they look like mini trash cans? Let’s dive in and see if these salt and pepper shakers might just be the perfect addition to your Disney kitchen! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. We love a fun product that helps to bring a little Disney Magic into your home, especially if it’s miniature, adorable, and functional! Check out this new Salt and Pepper Shaker! ©Disney Store How cute is that? This version of the salt and pepper shaker is a beautiful teal color and includes images of Mickey and the castle, as well as the little push sign, really making it feel like a classic Disney trash can. It also includes seven small holes on top and a plastic stopper on the bottom, so it is both cute and functional! SHOP ON DISNEY STORE Check out the other Salt and Pepper Shaker option! ©Disney Store This purple is absolutely gorgeous! The purple shares the same design and features as the teal, just in a new color. So if teal isn’t your vibe, or you just love purple, this is a great option! Or you could grab one of each and have one color for salt and the other for pepper! SHOP ON DISNEY STORE You already have salt and pepper shakers? You have to check this out! ©Disney Store That’s right! These are Corn Cob holders in the shape of the monorail! This is the Disney kitchen addition you never knew you absolutely needed in your life! SHOP ON DISNEY STORE Which of these fun and unique Disney items do you need to add to your cart? Make sure to follow DFB so you never miss any cute new items coming to the Disney Store! View the full article

We eat at Disney World restaurants EVERY SINGLE DAY. Lots of Windows Now we’re READY to rank our TOP 20 FAVORITES, here on DFB Guide. Check out our video below: Ranking the 20 BEST Restaurants at Disney World Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! And stay tuned for more theme park news! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of this video? Tell us in the comments. View the full article

If you’re anything like us, Disney’s Starbucks Tumblers have become something of an obsession. Disney’s NEW Starbucks Tumbler There are tons of them, and we can’t get enough. Favorite theme park? They’ve got one! Mickey Mouse tumblers? They’ve got that too! During our latest trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we found a NEW Disney Starbucks Tumbler that will brighten up your life. Spring is here, and the flowers are blooming! The days are becoming longer, and we’re seeing more color every day. That’s why we are so obsessed with this new cup from Creature Comforts on Discovery Island. Creature Comforts The new cup is inspired by Disney’s Animal Kingdom, so there’s a lot to see here! Mickey is front and center, holding a smiling toucan bird. A unique version of the Tree of Life is in the background with a bright pink trunk! Animal Kingdom! You can also spot Expedition Everest in the background, as well as a Kilimanjaro Safaris truck. There are so many more animals, flowers, and more around the design. A closer look! The best part? The straw topper is Kevin from Up!, and she looks beautiful! The color is popping! KEVIN! Kevin often roams around Animal Kingdom checking things out, making cute bird noises, and taking pictures with guests, so this is the perfect way to make this colorful cup even better. The lid also has a slight sparkle to it. We won’t be surprised if these fly off the shelves! They’re so cute! We are eager to see if the other parks get cups of a similar design or if this will be an Animal Kingdom exclusive. At the time of writing, these are not available online. As always, be sure to keep following DisneyFoodBlog for more Disney merchandise, news, updates, and more. REVIEW: These NEW Starbucks Drinks Weren’t What We Expected Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Do you like this design? Tell us in the comments! View the full article