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“To All Who Come To This Happy Place: Welcome” | Disney Parks View the full article

Aaah, the famous Jumbo Turkey Legs… Turkey Leg!! No matter whether they are a must-eat or a hard-pass for you, there’s no denying that the Jumbo Turkey Legs served in the parks are truly iconic in the world of Disney EATS! And we just happen to have a tip on another spot in Disney World that appears to be preparing to serve ’em up soon… If you’re visiting Magic Kingdom, you’ll want to keep an eye out for Turkey Legs at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments! Sleepy Hollow Refreshments Now, we should start by saying that we have been in Magic Kingdom today spotting all the new goodies, and we did not see them on the posted menu at Sleepy Hollow just yet… but we ARE seeing them newly listed on Sleepy Hollow’s online menu on the Disney World website! Online Menu for Sleepy Hollow Refreshments We are hoping they make their official Sleepy Hollow arrival soon, because lines at Liberty Square Market — the main home to Turkey Legs in Magic Kingdom — are often quite long for folks wanting to grab one. Liberty Square Market So, that’s ONE MORE for the ranks of EPIC eats at Sleepy Hollow! From the Nutella and Fresh Fruit Waffle Sandwich (not to mention the Sweet-and-Spicy Chicken version) to Jumbo Mickey Waffles to Funnel Cakes and Hand-dipped Corn Dogs— and NOW potentially Turkey Legs, too! — I guess the main question is… which one will YOU choose? Check out the Hand-Dipped Corn Dogs at Sleepy Hollow 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. What’s YOUR favorite thing to order at Sleepy Hollow… and will Turkey Legs change it? Please let us know with a comment! The post Jumbo Turkey Legs Are Coming to ANOTHER Spot in Magic Kingdom! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Review! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Treats (with Haunted Mansion Portrait Desserts!) Our Favorite Magic Kingdom Restaurants Queso Blancooooooooo + Corn Dog Nuggets at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe View the full article

In celebration of the April 22 release of the Disney+ Original Series “Secrets of the Whales” from National Geographic, artists recently carved a new sculpture out of 40 tons of sand at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. The intricate sculpture took two artists over 16 hours to complete and features a sperm whale, humpback whale and narwhal inspired by footage from the series.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/P6F7LXQNShQ View the full article

Disney has made a BIG change to its company culture. Welcome to Disney World! You’ve probably heard of Walt Disney’s famous quote: “To all who comes to this happy place: Welcome.” It’s crafted who Disney is for over 65 years, since Walt’s dedication of Disneyland Resort in 1955. This quote embodies Disney’s principles of community and inclusion — and it’s led to an enormous change. Josh D’Amaro, Disney’s Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products, has emphasized that Disney is focusing on “creating a place where everyone is welcome and taking action to create meaningful change.” We’ve already seen some examples of this in the parks, like the Jungle Cruise and Splash Mountain reimaginings. Now, Disney is turning its focus to Cast Members, too. Princess and the Frog attraction Concept Art ©Disney You may be familiar with The Four Keys: Safety, Courtesy, Show, and Efficiency. They’re taught to every Cast Member who works in the parks, and they’re the guiding principles behind Disney’s approach to guest service. These Four Keys are meant to be “a blueprint for the decisions” Cast Members make, directing their interactions with others. And now, Disney is officially unveiling a fifth key. ©Disney This fifth key — Inclusion — will be at the heart of The Five Keys. According to D’Amaro, Inclusion will “lead us forward as we continue to realize our rich legacy of engaging storytelling, exceptional service, and Disney magic.” But reimagined attractions and diverse stories are only part of this new initiative. ©Disney Disney is also reevaluating its policies regarding “how our Cast Members show up for work” — also know as the “Disney Look.” These rules previously structured how Cast Members could wear their hair and accessorize while at work. Now, D’Amaro has stated that these policies will provide “greater flexibility with respect to forms of personal expression surrounding gender-inclusive hairstyles, jewelry, nail styles, and costume choices.” Cast Members will also be able to have “appropriate” visible tattoos, which was previously not allowed. Barefoot Pool Bar Cast Member According to D’Amaro, the goal of this new Disney Look is to “enable our Cast Members to better express their cultures and individuality at work.” The concept of Inclusion will guide Disney as it moves into the future. For more details on this addition, you can watch Disney’s video: D’Amaro promised more updates on how Inclusion will function in Disney’s company culture, and we’ll keep you posted as those come. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney updates! Read More About Disney’s New Key! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you excited about these changes? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Disney Relaxes Employee Dress Code to Allow for Visible Tattoos and Gender-Inclusive Hairstyles first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: NEWS: Disney Adds ‘Inclusion’ as a Fifth Key to Its Guest Services Model The Future of the Disney College Program Is “Uncertain” NBA Players Union Gives $50,000 to Food Bank Helping Disney Cast Members View the full article

Changes to the Disney Look, the cast member appearance guide, allow some tattoos, nail polish, newly allowed hairstyles on theme park workers View the full article By DEWAYNE BEVIL ORLANDO SENTINEL | APR 13, 2021 AT 2:03 PM Disney cast members will have more options when it comes to hair, costumes, jewelry and even visible tattoos. 'Moving forward, we believe our cast, who are at the center of the magic that lives in all our experiences, can provide the best of Disney’s legendary guest service when they have more options for personal expression – creating richer, more personal and more engaging experiences with our guests,' said Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. (Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel) Walt Disney World workers soon may look different thanks to changes in the Disney Look, the company’s long-standing appearance guide. Visitors may see tattoos, fingernail polish and newly allowed hairstyles for the first time in Disney theme parks. These dress-code changes and other alterations are part of the company’s broader look at inclusion, the resort says. “We want our cast members — and future cast members — to feel a sense of belonging at work,” Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, wrote in a post on the official Disney Parks Blog on Tuesday. “That means cultivating an environment where all people feel welcomed and appreciated for their unique life experiences, perspectives and culture.” Details and parameters are to be shared with workers Tuesday. For instance, visible, appropriate tattoos will be limited in size and must be below the neck. Going forward, two earrings will now be allowed in one ear, although the size of the hoops will be restricted. In the post, D’Amaro listed greater flexibility with jewelry, nail styles and “gender-inclusive hairstyles.” The updates will allow Disney World “to not only remain relevant in today’s workplace, but also enable our cast members to better express their cultures and individuality at work,” D’Amaro wrote. Josh D'Amaro (then president of Walt Disney World) waves to guests leaving Magic Kingdom in the final minutes before the theme park closed for the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) Disney is also expanding its Four Keys mantra, which guides customer service and other business decisions. The elements of safety, courtesy, show and efficiency will be joined by inclusion as the fifth key, D’Amaro said. The addition was suggested by cast members when asked how Disney could “better cultivate a culture of belonging,” he said.“Culture changes and so does all of the accoutrement that comes with the changes in time,” said Dennis Speigel, CEO of International Theme Park Services. “For Disney, this is huge.” Maintaining a workforce may be a struggle for all kinds of companies as the world emerges from the coronavirus pandemic, he said. “I think retention is the unspoken word here, too, and it’s something that we’re seeing across the board,” Speigel said. Magic Kingdom theme park is in the midst of retooling two attractions with inclusion in mind, D’Amaro noted. Scenes along the Jungle Cruise route will feature a new, diverse characters with a revamped onshore storyline. Work is underway there. Concept art for the revamped Splash Mountain show characters from the film 'The Princess and the Frog.' (Walt Disney Imagineering via The New York Times) In July, Disney World announced it would change Splash Mountain, which features characters from “Song of the South” to a theme based on the film “The Princess and the Frog.” No timeline has been given, and the water ride is operating under its original theme. “The world is changing, and we will change with it, and continue to be a source of joy and inspiration for all the world,” D’Amoto said. “We’ll never stop working to make sure that Disney is a welcoming place for all.” D’Amaro said the company is looking to include more diverse companies its supply chain and that more details would be shared later. “Our goal is also to have more representation and accountability across our organization, starting with my own leadership team and extending throughout our business worldwide, through tools and mentorship and learning programs that create awareness and foster leadership accountability,” he wrote. The adjustments to the dress code applies to cast members at Disney World, Disneyland and Disney Cruise Line as well as at resorts at Vero Beach; Hilton Head, South Carolina; and Aulani, the Disney Vacation Club location in Hawaii. The Disney Look has been around since 1955 and the opening of Disneyland. The style was conservative, but it has loosened over the decades, with female park workers allowed eye shadow and eyeliner in 1994. In 2010, females were permitted to wear sleeveless tops, Capri pants and slingback shoes that also have open toes. In 2012, beards were given the OK for male Disney employees.

“To all who come to this happy place: Welcome.” Walt Disney spoke these words during the dedication of the Disneyland Resort in 1955. Today, more than 65 years later, they continue to inspire us - and remind us that the magic we make must include everyone.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/TxkH7BFM4Vw View the full article

Did you know that Disney’s Animal Kingdom is currently celebrating Earth Month? From specialty snacks and sips and even activities, the extra fun is lasting throughout all of April! Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life Of course, with Disney’s sustainability goals, the efforts to go green extend far beyond Earth Month and Animal Kingdom. We’ve recently spotted Compostable Cups for our beloved Plastic Cheese (!!!), for instance, as just one example. And today in both Animal Kingdom AND Magic Kingdom, we’ve happened upon new merchandise lines featuring all sorts of reusable goodies that you can use in the parks AND take home from your trip to continue in your own efforts to go green… Disney-style! Play, Drink, Repeat Let’s take a look at what we found at the major merchandise spots in Animal Kingdom (think Riverside Depot and Island Mercantile), starting with the Collapsible Water Bottle, as part of the Play, Drink, Repeat line! Collapsible Water Bottle Mickey icons decorate this $22.99 bottle. You’ll notice that the classic Mickey shape is formed with a not-so-hidden-Mickey twist on the reuse symbol! Collapsible Water Bottle Done with your drink? Then simply wind the strap to collapse it for easy storing in your bag, offering the benefits of a reusable bottle without the bulk! Collapsible Water Bottle You can see it all here… Prefer to sip from a straw? This Play, Drink, Repeat Reusable Silicone Straw includes a foldable, reusable straw with a cleaning brush. Reusable Silicone Straw It comes complete with a handy carrying case for $7.99. Reusable Silicone Straw Or maybe you’d like a full set of straws for the whole crew? Reusable Straw Set of Four If so, these Reusable Straws come in a set of four. Reusable Straw Set of Four You’ll find a handy brush available again with this set, along with a cinching carrying pouch, for $19.99. Fun, Eat, Repeat Now, are you ready to have “Fun, Eat, and Repeat”? (We always are around here!) Because that’s what this Reusable Utensil Set is made for! Reusable Utensil Set A fork, knife, and spoon are joined by a reusable straw (and, yep, a brush for cleaning) in an easy-to-carry foldable pouch. Reusable Utensil Set How about a Reusable Silicone Snack Bag? Reusable Snack Bag This sealing bag (for $12.99) will keep you well prepared for any of those HANGRY moments. Fun, Eat, Repeat logo Our next item is ready for at-home use, with a set of Four Dishcloths for $24.99. Four Dishcloths I love the cute Mickey Bundle! Four Dishcloths Again, we spotted these in Animal Kingdom’s major merchandise stops, and also Magic Kingdom’s Emporium. Reusable Items Display So, keep your eyes peeled at spots like EPCOT’s Mouse Gear (which will be replaced this summer by the new Creations Shop!) and World of Disney in Disney Springs. We’re also keeping our eyes peeled for the reusable bamboo Disney Parks Utensil Sets coming to select locations around the parks soon! Have you heard about the earth-friendly way they’re serving Plastic Cheese these days? Click here to see more! And we’ll continue to keep you posted on all of the ongoing Earth Month adventures right 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. What do you think of this new reusable merch line? Please let us know with a comment! The post We Just Found an Entire New Line of Souvenirs You'll Want to Stash in Your Disney World Park Bag first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: What’s New at Animal Kingdom: New Pumpkin Goodies, A SECRET Menu Item, Deals & Discounts, and MORE! What’s New at Animal Kingdom: TONS of Pins, Pandora Gets a Refresh, and More! What’s New at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: nuiMOs Outfits, Banshee Puzzles, and Pearl Minnie Ears! View the full article

We’ve gotten quite a few updates about cruising lately and a look at some changes that could be on the way. Will Disney Cruise Line Set Sail Again Soon? Not too long ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shared their next phase of requirements for cruise lines, the Florida Governor filed a lawsuit over cruise restrictions, and we shared how Carnival Cruise Line is looking to resume cruises this summer. Now, Florida’s U.S. Senators have taken action regarding the cruising industry. According to the Miami Herald, Florida’s U.S. Senators, Rick Scott and Marco Rubio, along with Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan, recently introduced legislation to change the regulations cruise companies must meet to sail again. The new legislation seeks to override the CDC’s existing framework, which cruises must follow to sail again, and replace those regulations with a new set of recommendations regarding the mitigation of COVID-19 on cruise ships. Disney Dream In a statement, Florida Senator Rick Scott said “While many sectors of the economy have been safely operating for months under CDC guidelines, Floridians, and those across the nation that rely on the cruise industry for work, continue to wait for updated guidance from the CDC…it’s time to get the cruise lines open safely.” What a View! The legislation introduced is called the Careful Resumption Under Improved Safety Enhancements Act or the CRUISE Act. It would require the CDC to revoke their existing framework, which requires cruises to get agreements with ports and local health authorities in the cities they intend to visit before beginning to test voyages and then eventually welcome passengers on board, by July 4th. The new legislation would establish a “working group” composed of several U.S. agencies and industry representatives who would work to develop a new set of CDC cruise ship recommendations by July 4th. A Miami representative to the U.S. House of Representatives intends to introduce similar legislation there. Disney Cruise Line Recently, the Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, noted that cruises present a unique set of challenges compared to other types of transportation. But, he noted, “CDC is hopeful that a lot of these operators will be in a position to be sailing by mid-summer.” At the moment, Disney Cruise Line has canceled all U.S. cruises through June and select other cruises through September. We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more updates on the cruise industry and let you know what we find. Click here to see the important milestone that has been reached on Disney Cruise Line’s new ship! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! The post NEWS: U.S. Senators Introduce Bill to Override CDC Cruise Line Requirements first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Read This if You Plan on Taking a Disney Cruise NEWS: CDC to Require Face Masks on Cruises and Other Transportation NEWS: Disney Cruise Line Passengers Sue Due to COVID-19 Allegations View the full article

Theme parks have been implementing and adjusting safety procedures throughout the pandemic. Cinderella Castle Most recently, Disney World adjusted its mask policy to allow guests to remove their masks while taking photos outdoors. And as COVID-19 vaccinations continue throughout the country, states such as Florida are considering making changes to mask and social distancing rules. Now, another theme parks has adjusted its procedures, too. As of April 12th, Dollywood has changed its mask policies. Guests were previously required to wear masks while indoors and outdoors; however, the new policy states that visitors can remove their face coverings when they are outside and able to maintain 6 feet of space from others. Temperature checks will also no longer take place. ©Dollywood All guests are still required to go through ticketing areas and enter the park with approved face coverings. They are also required to keep their masks on while on rides, in queues, indoors, and outdoors when social distancing can’t be maintained. Dollywood has stated that they will mark areas where masks are required to help eliminate confusion. You can read the full policy here: ©Dollywood As before, children 1 and under do not need to wear masks. Additionally, guests don’t have to wear masks while actively eating or drinking, while taking photos, or while on water rides. ©Dollywood We’ll continue to keep you posted as theme park procedures change, so stay tuned to DFB! Read More About Disney World’s New Mask Policy! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you planning a trip to Dollywood? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Major Theme Park STOPS Temperature Checks and Outdoor Mask Requirements first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: NEWS: Temperature Checks May Be Ineffective at Identifying COVID-19 Cases, CDC Says in New Report The 3 Most Unexpected Things That Happened in Disney World Last Month BIG Mask Changes, Magical Express Replacement, and an Opening date — It Was a CRAZY Week in Disney News! View the full article

Ice cream fans: there’s been a small change in Disney World you may want to know about! Tree of Life Maybe you’ve heard about the sweet treats over at Anandapur Ice Cream Truck in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This kiosk is the perfect stop on a toasty day — you’ll find seasonal soft-serve, unique creations, and even ice cream to celebrate new movies! But fair warning: your next ice cream cone here could look a little different. Since reopening, lots of Anadapur Ice Cream Truck’s treats have been served upside-down in a cup. While that’s kinda unique, it serves a purpose as one of Disney’s health and safety precautions — Cast Members have not been allowed to hand cones directly to guests. And hey, it puts a fresh spin on your everyday ice cream cone! Peppermint Soft-Serve Ice Cream Cone But now, Disney’s introduced a new contraption: a fancy cone holder! Ta-da! You’ll no longer get your regular ice cream cones upside-down in a cup. Instead, a Cast Member will put your cones in this holder, and you can grab ’em from there! This still eliminates the direct hand-off of the cone, but you won’t have to deal with the mess of pulling your cone out of the cup. Sounds like a win-win! Here’s how it works! It also spins, so you have easy access to allll the ice cream you want. Score! Take a closer look! Keep in mind that if you order the Mighty Mist Soft-Serve, you WILL still get it upside-down in a cup. We’re guessing that’s because the blue cone tends to stain hands pretty easily! You’ll still get a cup in some cases. But in general, expect to go without cups on your next visit here. Just a little heads-up if you’re planning a visit to Anandapur Ice Cream Truck! As always, we’ll keep ya posted with the latest Disney news, so stay tuned to DFB. Read Our Review of the Mighty Mist Soft-Serve! 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 like the ice cream at Anandapur Ice Cream Truck? Let us know in the comments! The post A Small Ice Cream Upgrade Is Making a BIG Difference in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: REVIEW: The COOL Forbidden Mountain Cone is THE Photo You Need To Take in Animal Kingdom This Year! ALL Our Reviews from the 2019 Animal Kingdom Tasting Sampler! Review: Peppermint Soft-Serve Is Back at Disney’s Animal Kingdom With a NEW Look! View the full article

A female baby mandrill has born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park April 10. The newborn is named Ivy, 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. Summer’s on its way, and that means LOTS of pool time! Beach Club Resort And if you’re looking to stock up on swim essentials, you’re in luck! shopDisney frequently offers sales — and even some free shipping deals — and we’ve got a summery one for you today. We told ya about this swimwear sale a few days ago, but we’re here to let you know it’s still going strong! For a limited time, you can save 20% on select swimwear purchases of $50 or more! Just make sure you enter the promo code SWIM20 at checkout. ©Disney If you need some shopping inspiration, we’ve got you covered! There’s a variety of swimsuits up for grabs, like this Moana Swimsuit. It’s a one-piece with mesh short sleeves, and it features a bright floral print. ©Disney For extra safe fun in the sun, it has UPF 50+ built-in UV protection! It’ll cost ya $29.99. Click Here to Buy the Moana Swimsuit! There are trunks for the kiddos, too! The Toy Story Swim Trunks feature a pattern with Buzz, Forky, Woody, Aliens, Ducky, Bunny and Rex. That’s a lot of Pixar pals! It’s got an elastic waistband with a decorative string tie in the front. ©Disney This one’s also got that UPF 50+ built-in UV protection! You can grab a pair of these for $22.99. Click Here to Buy the Toy Story Swim Trunks! And of course, there are plenty of beach accessories, too. The Mickey Mouse and Friends Towel has Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, AND Pluto on it — and they’re all waving at ya! You can personalize it with up to 10 characters for an extra special touch. ©Disney It’s plush on top and an absorbent terry knit on the backside: perfect for lounging in the sun! It costs $16.99. Click Here to Buy the Mickey Mouse and Friends Towel! And if none of these items catch your eye, you’ve got over 100 other options! Just keep in mind that you will have to spend at least $50 to get that 20% off — and don’t forget to enter the promo code SWIM20 at checkout. As always, stay tuned to DFB, and we’ll keep bringing you the latest Disney news! Click Here to Shop This Sale! 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 stocking up on Disney swim gear this summer? Let us know in the comments! The post Wanna Save on Disney Swim Gear?! Now's Your Chance! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Over 500 Items Are Marked Down in Disney’s HUGE Sale! Save On Disney Summer Essentials For a Limited Time! You’ll Need This Code to Score FREE Disney Shipping! View the full article

A baby mandrill has joined the family at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. And what better time than during Earth Month?http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/UrxAPf0bzOI View the full article

When it comes to buzzy hotel news in Disney World, the Star Wars hotel gets a LOT of the attention! ©Disney (Posted by Jeff Vahle via Instagram @jeffvahle) But there’s a ton happening in the other resorts too, including some pretty MAJOR refurbishments in a few of our favorite — and most iconic — hotels, which will ultimately lead to three Magic Kingdom-area resorts with COMPLETELY new rooms! While Disney World prepares to commemorate its 50th Anniversary later this year, we’ve seen lots and lots of upgrades and makeovers taking place, especially in and around the O.G. park, Magic Kingdom. Those draperies are lookin’ fancy! So it makes sense that the three Disney World resorts undergoing the biggest changes are all near Magic Kingdom! Let’s take a look at three Disney World hotels that will soon have totally different rooms! Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Over the past year, while many resorts, restaurants, and attractions remain closed, some hotels have used the extended time as an opportunity to make some SERIOUS changes. Wilderness Lodge Resort This is particularly true of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, which is still only open with Disney Vacation Club’s Boulder Ridge Villas and Copper Creek Villas & Cabins. So that means the “regular” rooms are still a no-go. Wilderness Lodge But as the resort prepares to reopen on June 6th, we recently learned that the guest rooms will look quite a bit different! Is this new? ©Disney Kudos to Instagram user @christina.kaitlin for tipping us off to the point that room photos on Disney’s website for Wilderness Lodge have undergone a BIG makeover! Gone are the maroon tones and carved headboards… Old Wilderness Lodge Beds …and IN are hardwood floors, lighter curtains, and solid white bedding! Subtle accents In general, the rooms have swapped out darker hues in favor of lighter, softer detailing, which makes them look quite chic! Country Bears-chic… . Country Bears! Disney’s Contemporary Resort A stone’s throw from Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Contemporary Resort is ALSO experiencing a major makeover! Disney’s Contemporary Resort Earlier this year, we reported that the iconic hotel would undergo refurbishment in the Main Tower in April, and now the time has come. Disney’s Contemporary Resort Upon a recent visit to the resort, we saw walls of construction scrims covering up hallways and room areas on an entire side of the Main Tower! The construction has begun! While upgrades to the guest rooms still remains literally shrouded in mystery, with an expected ETA of September, the sheer amount of scrims (and tarps near some elevator landings) certainly indicates some significant changes are afoot! The view from above! Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort The third Magic Kingdom-area hotel to get a facelift is Polynesian Village Resort! Polynesian Construction Moana is very in right now. Not only is she getting an attraction at EPCOT, her own series on Disney+, and joining the cavalcades in Magic Kingdom, but rooms at the Polynesian are getting a Moana-themed upgrade! Teach us your ways, Moana. Currently, you can make Moana room reservations for July 19th. ©Disney Excitedly, we recently got a first look at what these rooms will look like, and they’re STUNNING! ©Disney Per a release from Disney, “These reimagined spaces feature a new color palette inspired by the Pacific Ocean and its many islands, including details, patterns and textures from the hit Walt Disney Animation Studios film “Moana.” ©Disney Design elements are impressively detailed and gorgeous, including the heart of Te Fiti, HEI HEI hanging out by the coffee maker, all-new furnishings, bathroom tiles inspired by the sandy ocean floor, and colorful wall patterns designed to evoke a sense of ocean waves and tropical flowers! ©Disney There’s clearly a lot happening with Disney World hotels these days, and we can’t wait to see them come together IRL! As always, we’ll keep you posted on reopening news and more first looks! Reservations are NOW Available for Moana-Themed Rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort! 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 refurbished Disney World hotel are you MOST excited about? Let us know in the comments! The post Three Disney World Hotels Will Have Completely NEW ROOMS! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Here Are the Opening Dates for EVERY Disney World Hotel (So Far)! DFB Video: Best Disney World Resorts NEWS! Disney World Just Changed A LOT Of Menus, and We’ve Got The DETAILS! View the full article

Ready for a tropical getaway? Well, then it sounds like it’s time for you to start planning a trip to Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa! Time to Hit the Beach! Earlier this year, Aulani shared some great discounts that guests could take advantage of for travel dates through June. But now some deals have been announced for travel dates later this year! You could save BIG on your next Hawaiian vacation and even potentially get a resort credit to use during your stay!! Let’s take a look at these special offers here. 2021 Late Summer and Fall Savings Guests can save up to 30% on select rooms at Aulani Resort for stays of 5 or more consecutive nights on select dates! The deal is valid for most nights from August 14th, 2021 through November 21st, 2021, and from November 27th, 2021 through December 18th, 2021. Your travel must be completed by December 19th though. To take advantage of this offer, you’ll need to book your stay by October 8th! Certain rooms are excluded and there are other specific terms that apply, so be sure to check out the full details on the Aulani website for that. Gorgeous Hawaiian Sunset from Aulani Want to get a FREE resort credit on top of this deal? Well, if you book through May 23rd, 2021, you may be able to get a $200 resort credit for stays of 5 consecutive nights or more. If you book a stay of 4 consecutive nights by May 23rd, you may be able to get a $150 resort credit. Extra souvenirs, snacks, and more could all be yours thanks to this resort credit!! Check out more details about this offer below. ©Disney Again, just be sure to read the full rules and details to make sure you can take advantage of these savings. Military Offer Members of the U.S. Military can also get some special savings at Aulani. U.S. Military members can save on select rooms for stays of 2 nights or longer. Specifically, they could save up to 35% on most Sunday to Thursday nights, and up to 15% on most Friday and Saturday nights. Disney’s Aulani Resort Is So Beautiful The offer is valid for most nights from August 14th, 2021 through November 21st, 2021, and from November 27th, 2021 through December 18th, 2021. Travel must be completed, though, by December 19th, 2021. Want to take advantage of this offer? Then you’ll want to make sure that you book by October 8th! ©Disney Again, there are some specific terms and conditions that apply to this special savings, so just be sure to read those carefully. Planning Your Trip! If you’re considering a trip to Aulani, but you’re not quite sure where to start — we highly recommend that you reach out to our friends over at Small World Vacations. Their services are totally FREE and they can help you make sure you get the best deal possible. It’s Gelatoni! All of their contact information is below, so you can reach out to them to start planning your dream Disney Hawaiian vacation! Just be sure to get booking before those deadlines so you can take advantage of these special deals. We’ll keep an eye out for more deals and discounts and let you know what we find. Click here to see the details about 2022 bookings now being available for Aulani! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/customemailexample.jpg Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you thinking of visiting Aulani this year? Tell us in the comments! The post See How You Could Save BIG at Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawaii! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Reminder: You Can Still Save BIG at Disney’s Aulani Resort Disney’s Aulani Resort Updates Face Mask Policy and More Aulani’s Popular Dinner Show Will Return Soon! 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. Happy spring, DFB friends! It’s springtime in Disney World! As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, we’ve been keeping you posted on the newest Disney merch — and some sales that are going on, too! But 2021 is flying by, and that means Mother’s Day is coming up. And if you’re looking to do some shopping for your mother (or if you just want to treat yourself!), Disney’s got some great deals for the occasion. A Mother’s Day sale is going on this week on shopDisney! You’ll be able to save up to 30% on select products until Friday. What kind of items are included in this sale? Glad ya asked! Here are a few examples of what you can grab with these discounts. ©Disney If you’ve got a coffee lover in the family, you can give them the Mickey Mouse Sketch Art Travel Tumbler! This stainless steel tumbler is printed with sketches of the Mouse himself — and there’s a bright Mickey for a pop of color. ©Disney The tumbler comes with a reusable straw, and you’ll also get a straw cleaner with a red Mickey icon! It’s currently discounted from $19.99 to $15.99. Click Here to Buy the Mickey Mouse Sketch Art Travel Tumbler! Baby Yoda fans: plenty of Grogu gear is on sale, too! The Child Flannel Shirt is a green plaid with text on the back that reads “The Child.” There are some cute details here, too: an embroidered Star Wars logo on the pocket and a frog on the collar. ©Disney It’s on sale from $49.99 to $34.99, so if you want to grab it, now’s your chance! Click Here to Buy The Child Flannel Shirt! What’s a park day without the perfect bag? There are quite a few backpacks featured in this sale, including the Minnie Mouse Bow Loungefly Mini Backpack! There’s an allover pattern of Minnie ears and polka dots — plus bow appliques on the front and sides! — for some serious style. ©Disney You’ll also get plenty of storage here: there’s a front pocket and 2 side slip pockets! And the price is pretty sweet, too. It’s currently discounted from $80 to $64. Click Here to Buy the Minnie Mouse Bow Loungefly! And of course, we’ve gotta feature an item just for the moms out there. The Mickey Mouse “Mom” Necklace include 3 pendants: a “Mom” charm, a goldtone bar, and a Mickey icon! ©Disney All 3 charms are encrusted with clear crystals. This simple statement is the perfect gift for your Disney-loving mom — and it’s discounted from $30.99 to $21.69! Click Here to Buy the Mickey Mouse “Mom” Necklace! Of course, there’s plenty more up for grabs in this sale (over 500 items!), so we encourage ya to go take a look! And if you’re planning on shopping, keep in mind that these deals end this Friday, April 16th. Happy shopping! And stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news. Click Here to Shop This Sale! 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 going to shop this sale? Let us know in the comments! The post Over 500 Items Are Marked Down in Disney’s HUGE Sale! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: FYI: Disney Backpacks Are on SALE! You’ll Need This Code to Score FREE Disney Shipping! Hurry! FREE Disney Shipping Ends TONIGHT View the full article

Have you visited Disney World’s flagship park in a while? Severe weather in Magic Kingdom We positively love strolling the streets of Magic Kingdom, especially when that means we get to look for news to tell YOU. Sometimes, that means braving some pretty wild weather, but we’ve still got all the latest news from the park! Before we dive into the latest news, we wanted to give you a peek at what a “Severe Weather Warning” day looks like in the Magic Kingdom. Sunday was a STORMY day in Orlando, and Disney World was no exception. Tomorrowland on a “Severe Weather Warning” day When the rain really picked up, almost all of the attractions went down save for a few. We noticed that guests were flocking out of the park as the weather got worse and Tomorrowland and Liberty Square both had a significant amount of water on the ground. Rainy Day in the Magic Kingdom If you have to contend with severe weather during your Disney trip, you might want to take a look at some of our important tips. Click here to see more pics of a “Severe Weather Warning” day in Disney World. Magic Kingdom Construction Updates Cinderella Castle Now, let’s talk about some construction updates! Cinderella Castle had a handful of new swirl decorations added over the course of the last few days. 50th Decorations This is, of course, in preparation for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebrations! Want to learn more about the 50th Anniversary? Click here! PhotoPass As you have probably heard, Disney made a MAJOR change to the face mask policy recently. Now, guests ARE permitted to remove their masks for photos when they are stationary and physically distanced. This didn’t use to be the case. No Stickers This policy has been in effect for a few days and on one trip, we noticed that some of the mask stickers had been removed from the ground near PhotoPass spots. Click here to learn more about this change! Frontierland During one of our visits, we spotted that Splash Mountain was being evacuated! Evacuation in Progress We’re not sure what caused the evacuation, but the ride has been back up and running since. To see more of the Splash Mountain evacuation, click here! Tomorrowland Though the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover’s reopening continues to get delayed, we did spot that the attraction was moving on a recent visit. PeopleMover It has been testing for several months, giving us hope that we’ll be cruising through Tomorrowland soon. Want to learn more about this closure? Click here! We also made sure to check in on the current paintwork taking place at the Cool Ship snack stand. Cool Ship Magic Kingdom Merchandise Updates Emporium Now, on to the merchandise! Over at Main Street Emporium, we spotted the Belle Painting Set for $16.99. Belle Painting Set Looking for a new way to block the sun? Look no further than this Denim Hat for $27.99. Denim Hat AND the 2021 Graduation Plushes have arrived here as well for $22.99 each. There’s the Mickey Plush… Mickey Hat …and the Minnie Plush. Minnie Hat Uptown Jewelers Uptown Jewelers featured several new Pandora bracelet charms. There was the Mickey Graduation Charm… Pandora Charm …and the Red Minnie Ears Charm. Pandora Charm Frontier Trading Post Frontier Trading Post has the Black Widow Funko Pop Figurines in stock. You can pick up the Red Guardian Figurine… Black Widow Funko Pop …the Natasha Romanov Figurine… Black Widow Funko Pop …and the Yelena Belova Figurine. Black Widow Funko Pop Tomorrowland Light & Power Co. Finally, there was a new-to-us Chewbacca Magnet for $14.99 over in Tomorrowland. New Magnet And that’s all we have from Magic Kingdom this time! As always, stay tuned to DFB so you never miss any Disney updates. Want to see more of the latest news from Magic Kingdom? Click here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Headed to Magic Kingdom soon? Tell us in the comments! The post What's New in Magic Kingdom: Cinderella Castle Updates and SEVERE Weather ⛈️ first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: What’s New in Magic Kingdom: Cinderella Castle Updates and the Spring Roll Cart Is BACK! What’s New in Magic Kingdom: Facial Recognition and a BIG PeopleMover Update! What’s New in Magic Kingdom — Starbucks Drinks, Spirit Jerseys, and a BIG Attraction Closure! View the full article

There are so many things to consider when planning your first, second, tenth, or even one hundredth Disney World trip! What a Gorgeous View! And there are quite a few things that Disney probably wants us to tell you — like how some of their snacks are ridiculously delicious, or how they’ve got some cool activities you’ll want to check out during your next trip. But, there are also quite a few things that Disney probably does NOT want us to tell you, like that you shouldn’t pay rack rate for your hotel or how to save some BIG BUCKS on Disney merch. So, today we’re sharing 10 things you need to know that Disney doesn’t want us to tell you! 1. You Should Never Pay Rack Rate for Your Hotel Okay, first we’ve gotta address those rack rates. A Disney hotel room can be EXPENSIVE. The “rack rate” is the flat, full price for a Disney Resort hotel room. And while you might see that price online and think that’s what you’ve got to pay, we’re here to tell you “no way!” Ever Stayed at the Yacht and Beach Club? You should NEVER pay the rack rate (or at least do your very very best to avoid it). There are typically a variety of discounts available on hotel rooms from Disney. The full price is almost never the price you have to pay to book your hotel! Such a Beautiful Hotel Lobby Over at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort So, dig around! Check our page of all the latest discounts and deals, look at the special offers and discounts pages on Disney’s website, check for Annual Passholder and Florida resident-specific coffers, do some research on third party sites to see if you can score a discount, and maybe even consider working with a travel agent to help you. Typical discounts can range from 10% to 20% or more! Time to Visit Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa! If you’re thinking of booking a hotel with Disney Vacation Club accommodations, instead of booking a DVC room straight through Disney, consider renting DVC points through reputable third parties like David’s Vacation Club Rentals. Not only could that help you stay in a great room, it could help you save BIG BUCKS! You might need to do a bit more planning when it comes to renting DVC points as you’re more likely to get your first choice if you plan a certain number of months in advance depending on what room you’re looking for, but that advanced planning could help you save a lot of money! Click here to see our page FULL of information about the current Disney World discounts! 2. Value Resorts Have the Same Perks as Moderate Resorts Another thing Disney doesn’t really want you to know is that value resorts generally have the same perks as moderate ones! We know that there are quite a few reasons why you might be drawn to stay at a deluxe or moderate resort like the elevated theming, some larger rooms that fit a 5th guest, their overall size as some are smaller and feel more intimate, and, of course, their reputation for being of high quality. BUT if all you’re doing is going back to your hotel to shower and sleep after spending the whole day in the parks, you can really save a LOT of money by just staying at a value resort! Disney’s Pop Century Resort There are even some value resorts — namely Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s All-Star Music Resort — that have family suites, so you could still fit a larger group all in one room while saving money. WIN, WIN! The value resorts also offer the same basic amenities as the moderate resorts — pools and playgrounds, gift shops, dining, that Disney customer service we all know and love, free transportation to the parks, and more. Well Hello, There Disney Bus! Sure, the theming at the value resorts can be a little over the top. But, if you’re not spending a lot of time there, then who cares that there is a GIANT Ursula in front of your room!! And, if you’ve got kids, the over-the-top theming can actually be a fantastic aspect of the value resorts that they’ll really enjoy. And it’s Disney, so maybe you’re going to a Disney hotel in hopes that there will be a giant Ursula right outside of your room! AAAAH! The biggest difference really between value and moderate resorts is the dining situation. Value resorts generally only have food courts available for guests to enjoy, while moderate resorts typically have some table service restaurants available as well. If all you really need is a food court for some quick and basic snacks or meals, then that might be fine for you. If you want to come back to a hotel after your park day that has more dining options, then you might want to consider booking a moderate or deluxe. BUT just remember that you can eat at any resort (even ones you’re not staying at). Just be sure to follow the current rules regarding resort hopping. Click here to see 8 reasons you should definitely consider staying at a Disney World value resort hotel! 3. Anyone Can Order Off of the Kids’ Menu! There are SO many delicious food options all around Disney World. But, if you’re looking to grab something to eat, save money, and not waste food — then ordering off of the kids’ menu might be perfect for you! Sometimes when you’re in the parks, you don’t necessarily want to eat an entire, adult-sized burger before you hop on Space Mountain. SO, order something off of the kids’ menu instead! Kids’ Menu Fried Endorian Tip Yip Generally, anyone can order off of the kids’ menu. At quick service locations, we’ve really never encountered an issue ordering off of the kids’ menu. This could save you some BIG bucks, and the portions might be just right — filling, but not SO big that it’ll make you feel overly stuffed. At table service restaurants, your mileage might vary in terms of ordering off of the kids’ menu, so just be aware of that. Sometimes, the restaurants will let you order straight off of the kids’ menu without any adjustments. Other times, they might give you the option of getting an adult-sized portion of the kids’ menu item at an adult-meal price. Satu’li Kids’ Menu Cheeseburger Pods Whether you’ve got a picky eater in the group, you just prefer the items on the kids’ menu, you see something on there that intrigues you, or you’d just rather have the smaller portion size — just be sure to speak up if you see something on the kids’ menu that you’d like to order! Click here to see the best and worst snacks we ate at Disney World recently! 4. You Can Order Ahead and Save Money on Fuel Rods In Disney World, you’ll likely be using your phone a LOT — checking the My Disney Experience app for ride wait times, taking photos, Mobile Order, Mobile Dining Check-In, Mobile Merchandise Check-Out, MagicMobile, PhotoPass, and more!! And there’s more phone tech on the way. So, you might find your phone battery dying VERY quickly in Disney World (even if that’s never a problem for you at home). If You’ve Still Got This Type of Phone Though, You’re Probably Good — You Could Stick That in a Washing Machine and It Might Survive So, we highly recommend that you bring a portable phone charger that you can keep with you to use throughout the parks and keep those phones ready to go. One popular choice is to get a FuelRod. FuelRods are portable device chargers and you can find machines to buy them all over Disney World. Once you buy one FuelRod, you can plug in your phone and charge it up. Once the juice from that FuelRod is drained, you can swap it out with a fresh one at any of the machines in the parks as often as you need to FOR FREE! Here’s What a FuelRod Looks Like! FuelRods are definitely convenient in that aspect because you won’t have to worry about charging them back in the room and potentially forgetting them there or anything like that. If you buy a FuelRod in Disney World, it’ll cost you $30 for a starter kit that comes with the portable charger and some charging cables. BUT, if you buy it online in advance you could save some money! For example, on Amazon, you can get a single FuelRod kit for $20, or you could pay $30 but actually get 2 FuelRods. You’ll still be able to swap them out all over Disney World for free without any issues, AND you’ll have saved some money by getting it in advance! Buying or Swapping? Sometimes, you’ll also find FuelRod stations in malls, airports, and other spots, so you can look for them there too. And while saving $5 or $10 might not seem dramatic, that could be one or two extra snacks! You gotta think about the food possibilities, people! Click here to see the situation with FuelRods in the parks and how things have changed! 5. You Can Save BIG on In-Park Merchandise By Buying Online Okay okay, this can be a big one! It is SO easy to drop a lot of $$$ on souvenirs in Disney World. And if you’ve got little ones, it’s even harder to try and stick to a budget. We’ve got lots of tips and tricks to help you avoid the ways that Disney tries to trick you to spend more money, but one of the biggest comes with souvenirs. There is some in-park Disney merchandise that you can truly only get in person. BUT, quite a lot of in-park merchandise has recently started to make its way online at shopDisney. In fact, sometimes Disney will release merchandise online on the very same day that it becomes available in the parks. OOoOo So Much to Pick From! Now, not all merchandise will be available online, but before you head to the check-out counter with that new set of ears in Disney World, be sure to check if they’re available online. WHY should you look to see if an item is available online? Well, it might be easier or more convenient for you to just order the items online. You could also check for those signature items ahead of your trip and potentially buy them before you even arrive in Disney World. But the really BIG reason you’ll want to see if the items are available online is because shopDisney often has sales that the stores in the parks don’t! Here’s One shopDisney Sale that Took Place Recently! ©Disney We have literally found a souvenir in the parks and then found it online for MUCH CHEAPER! There are typically big sales online twice a year, and sometimes special offerings on different days. So, there are a few things you might want to do when it comes to souvenirs. First, before you leave for your trip, look at shopDisney and see if any of the items you’ve been hoping to get in the parks are available and/or on sale. You might be better off buying it in advance and then bringing it with you on your trip. This can be especially great for kids if you buy them souvenirs in advance, when they’re on sale, and then take them out little by little throughout the trip to keep them happy and entertained but also curb their desire to buy more in the parks. Umm…this thing is totally not scary. Second, while you’re in the parks, if you’re thinking of buying something, you might want to take a look and see if it’s available online for cheaper! You might be surprised at how much money you can save. Just be sure to factor in shipping. Click here to see the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge merchandise that has become available online! 6. You Can Get Discounts on In-Store Snacks Looking to grab a snack or bottled drink in Disney World? Well, you’ll want to skip buying those at snack kiosks. Instead, if you’re an Annual Passholder, Cast Member, Disney Vacation Club member, or member of something else that grants you discounts on Disney merchandise, be sure to grab those snacks and drinks in MERCHANDISE locations to get a discount! What Snacks Do You Want? Snack and drink kiosks generally don’t accept these particular discounts. But, if you grab your snack at a merchandise location instead of a snack cart, you could save some money! You also might be surprised what spots are considered “merchandise locations” where you can score a discount on food. One of the greatest examples is Karamell-Küche in the Germany pavilion in EPCOT. This is actually marked as a merchandise location, so you can use your AP and other discounts here on that delicious caramel popcorn and more! YUM So, if/when you can, skip the snack carts and opt to get some treats in the merchandise locations to take advantage of those discounts. Anyone Want Some Blueberry Popcorn? ANDDDDD don’t forget that you can get FREE WATER in Disney World. We know, we’ve said this a million times, but we still see people paying for water so once again we will remind you — you can stop by quick service locations and get a FREE cup of water. Be sure to take advantage of that and save money while staying hydrated. Click here to see what’s changed with getting free water in Disney World right now. 7. You Don’t Need to Go Back Every Year This is something Disney probably doesn’t want us to tell you but, truly, you do not need to go back to Disney World every year. New attractions, restaurants, and more are constantly opening up in the parks. You really can’t do everything in a single trip (no matter how hard you try), and there will almost always be things that you want to come back for. But, you really don’t NEED to go back every year. We Love Seeing Walt and Mickey Often Though! For example, this year Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and La Creperie de Paris are set to open on October 1st, right when Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebrations begin. If you went to Disney World last year you might be thinking “we GOTTA go this year to see all of that new stuff!” And, if your family can afford it and it’s important to you, then you might be able to do it and have the best time ever! But, especially if you’re looking to save money or potentially see these new things with lower crowds, you might want to skip on the trip this year and wait a little bit. If you wait until the new things are not so “new” anymore, the crowds will likely die down some, making it easier for you to enjoy the area. It’ll Be Opening Soon! Also, if you wait, you might get to enjoy MORE of the new area or land, rather than just seeing things open in phases. And you might get to experience shorter lines and crowds. Basically, what we’re saying is plan the trip for when your time and budget allows. If you skip the trip this year and save up more money, you might be able to take a longer trip in the future and see even MORE (because by that point another 2 new restaurants, hotels, etc. likely would have also opened up). Click here to go inside the Ratatouille area in the France pavilion! 8. You Can Buy Just 1 Annual Pass and Get Perks for the Whole Family Another thing Disney probably doesn’t want me to tell you is that you only have to buy one Annual Pass to get perks for the whole family! Annual Passholders get a variety of perks in Disney World including free parking, discounts on some food and merchandise, specific discounts on hotels, access to AP-specific merchandise, and more. But, you can do all of that with just 1 AP. So, for example, if you’re looking to get free parking — only 1 of your family members needs to be an AP to get free parking for the car you’re all driving in. Hey, Donald! You just have to crunch the numbers and see if it’s worth it for you. Depending on how many trips you plan to take in a year and how long each trip will be, it might be worth the price and the savings tied to it. And, if you can, you could try to schedule your trips a bit closer together to make sure you can maximize your benefits while the AP is still valid. Just keep in mind that right now NEW Annual Passes for Disney World are not being sold, except in very specific cases. So, you might have to wait a bit to take advantage of this. Click here to see the glitch that made us think we could buy Annual Passes! 9. You Can Bring Your Own Food Yes, some of the food and snacks in Disney World are DELICIOUS and are totally must-get items, but buying food in the parks for every single meal, every day of your trip, for every person in your party can be very expensive! Pork Satay What Disney might not necessarily want us to tell you is that you can save BIG on food by bringing your own! Snack bars, cereal boxes, water bottles (especially this), sandwiches, chips — you can bring all kinds of delicious treats into the parks to help significantly cut down on your costs. The savings could add up to even equal the cost of another park day, another merchandise item, or something else. Truly, you just have to decide where you want to spend your money and budget/plan accordingly. Click here to see 8 unwritten Disney World rules! 10. You Might Not Need that Park Hopper And finally, the last thing Disney probably does not want us to tell you is that you might not need that Park Hopper Ticket! In 2021, Park Hopping returned. In order to hop between parks, you need to buy a ticket with the Park Hopper option, which is an additional cost for each day of your trip. You must make a Park Pass for the first park you want to visit, you must visit that first park, and then when Park Hopper hours begin (which has been at 2PM so far, but is subject to change), you can hop to other parks as long as they have availability. Want to Take On the 4 Park Challenge?! Right now, a 1-day, 1-park ticket starts at $109, while a 6-day, 1-park per day ticket starts at $75 per day. If you add on the Park Hopper option, that 1-day, 1-park ticket now starts at $174, and the 6-day ticket starts at $90 per day. Particularly on longer stays, the day-to-day additional cost might not seem like TOO much for the Park Hopper, but if you multiply the cost across every person in your party for every day in your trip, you’ll see that the cost can REALLY add up! Do You Always Get a Park Hopper? Before buying the Park Hopper option, you should really figure out if it is something you actually need. Take a look at the days you’re visiting, how much time you’ve allotted for each park, and the things you want to do. If your plan basically only consists of you visiting 1 park per day for the most part, then a Park Hopper must not be right for you. Click here to see why it’s harder than you think to Park Hop in Disney World! Right now, you also can’t even hop until 2PM. With some parks having shorter hours (although we’ve seen quite a lot of hours extended), you’ll have to decide if that’s worth it for your family. You might be tempted to have the freedom of a Park Hopper to go wherever you want to go, but if you’re not actually going to use it that much, buying just 1-park per day tickets can save you LOTS of money. Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Also, you can typically add on the Park Hopper option later if you want to. Just keep in mind that you’ll be charged the price for every day of your trip. So, if you decide to add on the Park Hopper option on day 2 of your trip where you have 5-day tickets, you’ll be charged the Park Hopper option for the full 5 days. So, don’t wait until day 4 to add it on. If you’re going to pay for it, you might as well be able to use it to the fullest! And keep in mind, you generally cannot REMOVE a Park Hopper option from your ticket. Once you pay for it, it’s generally stuck there. So, be sure that you REALLY want the Park Hopper before you take the plunge! Click here to see what Park Hopping is like in Disney World! And that’s our list of the 10 things Disney doesn’t want us to tell you! This post was based on the DFB video below. Be sure to click and watch it to learn more. We’ll keep an eye out for more ways that you can save money at Disney World and other cool things you can do while you’re there. Be sure to stay tuned for all the latest! Click here to see our list of 22 things Disney pros NEVER do! 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. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. What are your very best Disney World money-saving tips? Tell us in the comments. The post 10 Things Disney Doesn't Want Us to Tell You first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Say “Bonjour!” to the NEW Ratatouille MagicBand We Found in Disney World! Delayed Attractions, FREE Ticket Deals, and Other BIG Disney World News You MISSED This Week! What Will New Year’s Eve Be Like at Disney World This Year? Here’s What We Know. View the full article

We’re back with another Disney DIY! Remember this DIY? ©runDisney We love bringing you fun Disney-related crafts — and if they give ya the motivation to get out and exercise, even better! And with the 2021 Star Wars Rival Run virtual race weekend taking place in just a few days, we’ve got a DIY that could give you just the motivation you need. Today, we’re teaching you how to make cheer cards, with a DIY courtesy of runDisney! These cards are sure to keep you on track as you complete your race this week — so let’s start making ’em. ©Disney Supplies: Poster board Markers Paint Glitter, balloons, and any other accessories you want! ©Disney Instructions: Step one: Find your favorite saying or quote from a Star Wars film! Some of runDisney’s favorites? You can’t go wrong with “Move Along” or “Stay on Target!” Step two: Decorate with your crafting supplies! Get creative with that glitter, paint, and even balloons. Step three: Plan your virtual race route and strategically place your signs at key miles you might need a little extra encouragement. Make sure to check out your route in advance so that you avoid placing signs in private areas. ©Disney And there ya have it! This is a super quick craft that’s sure to give you that extra push you need to finish your race strong. Good luck this week, and stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news (and some fun stuff, too!). Read More About the 2021 Star Wars Rival Run Virtual Race Weekend! 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 participating in the race this week? Let us know in the comments! The post Get Excited for the Star Wars Rival Run with a Disney DIY! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: HURRY! Registration for Disney’s 2021 Virtual Star Wars Rival Run Weekend Is Open NOW! GAWRSH! Check Out This runDisney Goofy DIY! Disney DIY Figment Shoes to SPARK Your Workout Routine! 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. Summer is sloooowly creeping closer! Cinderella Castle The sunny season means warm temperatures and fun vibes in Disney parks around the world. AND, it means it’s time to stock up on some summery MERCH. Today, that means new ears that are PERFECT for hanging out in the summer sun! Today, Disney released the brand NEW Mickey and Minnie Mouse Tropical Ear Headband online! They’re available for $29.99. ©Disney These ears have a gorgeous tropical pattern featuring plant leaves like ferns and monstera plants. Plus, Mickey and Minnie are both hiding in the pattern! Click here to buy the Mickey and Minnie Mouse Tropical Ear Headband! In lieu of a bow, the headband features a few flowers and leaf details. Yeah, the topical vibes are STRONG with this pair. ©Disney The green color continues down the headband itself with cute, cursive embroidery noting, “Hello summer.” ©Disney This new pair is a part of the Tropical Mickey and Minnie collection that recently debuted with LOTS of clothing options and some home merchandise as well. You can match it with a Mickey and Minnie Mouse Tropical Pullover for $39.99 and a lot more. ©Disney The Tropical Mickey and Minnie collection, including the new ears, is available NOW on shopDisney. Head on over if you’re looking to start stocking up on that summer merch! Want to shop more of the collection? Click here! As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney updates! To check out those warmer temps in Disney World, click here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Will you be snagging these ears? Tell us in the comments! The post Are These the BEST New Ears We've Seen From Disney in 2021? You Tell Us! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Disney’s NEW Bride Ears Are Now Online! Disney’s NEW Pearl Minnie Ears Will Be Available Online SOON! You Can Now Get Disney’s Pearl-Covered Ears Without Going to the Parks! View the full article

We’ve seen quite a few changes made recently when it comes to the Walt Disney Company. EPCOT Not too long ago, Disney MASSIVELY restructured their media and entertainment businesses to focus on streaming. We’ve also seen a lot of shake-ups within the team of creators responsible for MAKING all the Disney magic, Imagineering. We’ve seen quite a few influential individuals retiring and others getting new titles. So, what’s the deal? What’s going on over at Imagineering and why should you care? We’re sharing all the details here with you. What is Imagineering and Why Should We Care? As Disney itself shares, Walt Disney Imagineering was founded by Walt Disney in 1952. Imagineering is the “creative force behind the memorable Disney experiences that connect and inspire across generations and borders.” Basically, Imagineering is the creative arm of the Disney company that designs and builds theme parks, rides, hotels, and cruise ships around the world. They also oversee creative aspects related to Disney games, merchandise, and other things. If you’ve ever seen something really cool from Disney and thought, “how’d they DO that?!” — that’s Imagineering at work. Anyone for a Ride on Peter Pan’s Flight? One Imagineering job description explained that Walt Disney Imagineering (also referred to sometimes as WDI) is the “master planning, creative development, design, engineering, production, project management, and research and development arm of Disney’s Parks and Resorts business segment.” Imagineering represents more than 150 different disciplines — everything from project managers to sculptors, architects to financial planners, and everything in between. Ah, the Beauty of Pandora Basically, Imagineering takes care of designing and building many of those experiences that make you want to experience the magic of Disney over and over again. From the way that Pandora’s mountains float in the sky, to the way that you feel when you soar over London on Peter Pan’s Flight — these are the people who help design it all and help make it happen. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge So, why should YOU care about changes going on in Imagineering — retirements, new titles, etc.? Well, these people are the ones behind some of your favorite old and upcoming rides. If there are massive behind-the-scenes changes, that could mean some BIG changes IN the parks. And from what we’re seeing, we think there are some changes going on here that could really push the envelope in terms of future entertainment. We’ll explain… . What Has Changed and What Could it Mean? Some Big Imagineers Have Retired First, we lost some fantastic, incredibly influential Imagineers as they retired from the Company. Imagineer Joe Rohde retired earlier this year after 40 YEARS with Disney. Rohde spearheaded or otherwise helped create SO many significant projects in the parks. Most well know was basically…all of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. He also worked on Expedition Everest, Pandora: The World of Avatar, The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, Captain EO, portions of EPCOT, Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission BREAKOUT! in Disneyland, and SO much more. Hey There Joe! ©Disney Rohde has now retired, which means his experience, his knowledge, and his unique talents and perspective are gone from Imagineering. That could mean that projects he was pushing for might get put to the side or other things he was working on might look very different as someone knew takes over. Whoever steps up to the plate to fill his shoes on projects he was working on will likely bring their own perspective to projects. BUT Rohde isn’t “retired” retired. Soon after his Disney retirement kicked in, he announced he’s off working on new exciting projects, like taking us to LITERAL space?! Perhaps we’ll still get to experience his unique work in totally unexpected ways. Click here to see Joe Rohde’s greatest hits! Imagineer Kevin Rafferty has also recently retired. Rafferty worked on a whole bunch of awesome projects over the years including Cars Land, Test Track, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and so many more. Kevin Rafferty ©Disney Again, like Rohde, losing Rafferty means Imagineering is losing someone with a huge amount of knowledge and experience. Both of these men were long-time, major influences in Imagineering. It almost has a “changing of the guard” vibe to everything that a few of the respected veterans are stepping down. Perhaps to make room for new blood and new ideas? Click here to see more about Kevin Rafferty’s retirement. But, the Real Focus Here is the Title Changes The real focus here though is not so much on who has left, but rather on the internal changes being made in Imagineering that might give us a clue of where things are heading. Recently, Bob Weiss, who was formerly titled simply “President of Imagineering,” got a new title — President, Walt Disney Imagineering — Creative and New Experience Development. Weiss’ LinkedIn describes the job as “Leading a multidisciplinary team focused on exploring, developing and bringing to market groundbreaking ideas.” Bob Weiss ©Disney Meanwhile, Barbara Bouza got a new title at Imagineering as well. Bouza was named the President of Business Operations, Design & Delivery for Walt Disney Imagineering last summer. In that role, her job was to oversee daily operations, development, and project delivery. Now, according to her LinkedIn profile, she is President, Walt Disney Imagineering — Business Management, Design, and Development. Barbara Bouza ©Disney Her new position involves working “collaboratively with stakeholders across the business to design, develop, and execute projects for Disney.” While Disney hasn’t really revealed any specific information about what these changes mean, we’ve got some ideas. From the looks of it, it seems Disney has essentially split the Walt Disney Imagineering President role into one position for creative development (Weiss’ role) and one position for more business-driven things (Bouza’s role). Cars Land in Disney California Adventure Park This is similar to what was done with Disney’s media and entertainment side. There, Disney split things so the “creative engines” side could focus on developing new content, while the “distribution and commercialization” side is all centralized into another part of the organization. So, what could the changes at Imagineering be pointing to? Well, it seems that this split would allow Weiss to focus on the creation and development of new ideas for the parks and let Bouza handle the business side of things. More focus on creativity and innovation could mean big advancements in what we see in the parks. France Pavilion Expansion This could mean that experiences we can’t even dream of right now could be given the time and attention they need to grow and develop. Maybe we’ll see HUGE improvements on virtual reality? We’ve kept an eye out for new patents being filed by Disney, and there are lots that could show where the future is headed. The world (and technology) is changing, and it seems Disney has recognized the need to push to new frontiers when it comes to entertainment. By allowing the creative and business sides to be split, it allows each of them to focus on their unique aspects of the business and really dedicate their attention to that. Dumbo the Flying Elephant Disney has already recognized that things are changing. Last year, we heard from John D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products during a conference. In that presentation, D’Amaro said “Why not take our guests to the moon? Or bring the moon to our guests? Why not dream as big as possible? And challenge the very meaning of the word impossible.” ©Disney via IAAPA Expo 2020 Presentation What exactly is D’Amaro hinting at specifically? Is it things like Space 220, the Star Wars hotel, or is there SO much more coming? We have a feeling there are a lot of fantastic projects over at Imagineering that we’ll see in the future with technological advancements and more that will WOW us and the world, and raise the bar when it comes to theme parks. ©Disney via IAAPA Expo 2020 Presentation It seems Disney also realizes that some guests are looking for really personalized, immersive, and customized experiences in the parks as well. Disney has worked on things like the Play Disney Parks app and other features, especially in areas like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to really build up an immersive story. In terms of recent patents, we’ve seen some filed that show how the Star Wars hotel will take you to space, how Disney is working to develop more technology that’ll focus on your NOSE, a system that may be built to interact with the attraction you’re riding, and even a way that could make your bedtime stories REAL. ©Disney We’ve also seen Disney working on things like the Disney Genie app that is meant to help you build customized plans for your Disney trips. Basically, we know or have an idea about SOME of the unique technology and improvements that are (or could be) coming our way in the future. But, with the changes going on in Imagineering and ideally a greater sense of freedom and time being given to those on the creative side, we have a feeling there will be SO much more on its way. Click here to see a Disney patent that points to a virtual environment you can TOUCH! Overall Overall, there’s still a lot about these changes in Imagineering that Disney hasn’t shared. Our thoughts here are based on our understanding of the arrangements and situation. What’s going on at Imagineering has a DIRECT impact on what we see in the parks and even outside of the parks with merchandise or other experiences, so this could matter in a big way. Avengers Campus is really coming together! Back when Walt Disney was designing Disneyland, he famously would refer to his brother, Roy, as the business side of the operation. Walt said he’d come up with the fantastical ideas and it was Roy who’d be the voice of reason and keep him in check. Sure has a similar feeling to what’s going on in Imagineering. If you want your creators to focus on creating, separating out the business stuff bogging them down in their day-to-day seems like a good way to encourage that. But, that side is still there making sure everything is moving along and viable. This feels like a major paradigm shift in Imagineering and time will tell if it was beneficial. These title changes make us feel like some EPIC experiences could be on their way. We’re expecting big surprises out of Imagineering in the next few years. (Remember last week when Josh D’Amaro teased us with a real, working Lightsaber?! Yeah, they’ve got some tricks up their sleeves for sure.) Only time will tell what new things will be coming our way, but we cannot wait to see it all. Stay tuned for more updates and news! Click here to see some patents that might be pointing to the future of Disney World Animatronics! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think about the changes going on over at Imagineering? Tell us in the comments! The post Something Strange Is Going On Behind the Scenes at Disney... first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Check Out What Happens to Disney Imagineer’s Concept Art With This Virtual Tour! Disney Imagineer Kevin Rafferty is Retiring After 42 Years With the Company NEWS: Another Disney Imagineer Gets a NEW Title View the full article

Big fan of theme parks? An exciting event is coming up! ©Disney via IAAPA Expo 2020 Presentation Each year, Disney participates in the IAAPA Expo — that’s the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions! In 2020, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products Josh D’Amaro gave a presentation that included status updates on some major Disney projects like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Space 220 Restaurant, and Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser in Walt Disney World. So if you’re itching for more Disney news, you’ll want to know the dates for this year’s IAAPA Expo! The 2021 IAAPA Expo will be hosted in Orlando this November! The conference will run from November 15th-18th, with the trade show from November 16th-19th. ©Disney via IAAPA Expo 2020 Presentation Based on all the cool updates we got in 2020 about Avengers Campus and Disneyland’s Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, we’re pretty excited to see what this year has in store. We’ll keep you posted with plenty of details as this event draws closer. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news! Check Out What We Learned at Last Year’s IAAPA Expo! 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 new attraction are you excited to experience? Let us know in the comments! The post 2021 Dates Announced for an Expo That Could Bring BIG Disney News first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: The Disney Store is OFFICIALLY Open at Target! NEWS: Disney World’s Space 220 Restaurant Seems To Have Lost Its Captain The Biggest Disney NEWS Bombs You’ve Missed So Far This Week View the full article

Disney World has made certain modifications to their policies throughout the pandemic. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa In order to accommodate people’s uncertain travel plans in the last year, Disney World created and then extended a flexible cancellation policy, which waives select Disney-imposed cancellation and modification fees for guests choosing to cancel or change their vacation details. However, if you have a trip coming up, you’ll want to know that this perk ends soon. Disney implemented this flexible cancellation policy when the parks reopened last March. In October 2020, they extended it to last through April 30th, 2021. Here’s that policy if you need a refresher: ©Disney However, April 30th is coming up soon! That means, unless this policy is extended at the last minute, you can expect to see change and cancellation fees returning for arrivals starting on May 1st, 2021. While Disney hasn’t announced what, exactly, these fees could look like, here was their cancellation policy pre-closure: “For cancellations made 30 days or more prior to guest arrival, amounts paid, minus cancellation fees assessed by third party hotels or other suppliers, non-refundable air transportation, non-refundable runDisney race registrations, non-refundable travel protection plan costs, and other amounts owed, will be refunded.” “For cancellations made 2 days to 29 days prior to guest arrival, amounts paid, minus a cancellation fee of $200.00 per package and minus any cancellation fees assessed by third party hotels or other suppliers, non-refundable air transportation, non-refundable runDisney race registrations, non-refundable travel protection plan costs, and other amounts owed, will be refunded. No refunds are given for cancellations of any personalized products or experiences.” For cancellations made 1 day or less prior to guest arrival or for no-shows, the full price of the package is non-refundable. Disney’s Beach Club Resort Again, Disney hasn’t yet announced if these are the specifics that will replace the current policy — but they should give you some idea of what to expect. The main takeaway? If you’re arriving for your Disney World vacation on or after May 1st, 2021, you may be subject to change or cancellation fees. So heads up! Disney’s Wilderness Lodge We’ll continue to keep you updated as this situation evolves. As always, stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news! Read More About the Current Cancellation Policy! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/customemailexample.jpg Are you traveling to Disney World soon? Let us know in the comments! The post The BIG Disney World Change You Forgot About…But Shouldn’t Have! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: News: Disney World Extends Flexible Cancellation Policy Through April 2021 For Hotel Bookings NEWS: Disney World Extends Waiver Of Cancellation and Change Fees Through December 31st DFB Video: Our 13 Favorite Ways Celebrate Christmas in Disney World! View the full article

Disney World can be full of beautiful and heart-warming moments. But there are also some moments that are just downright adorable. White Rhino Baby Ranger and His Mom Kendi A lot of the time, these super cute moments happen on Kilimanjaro Safaris. This attraction in Disney’s Animal Kingdom features a LOT of real-life animals, including some little baby ones. Well, it seems like one of the newest additions to the Safaris was causing a bit of mischief last weekend… . Getting stuck on a Disney attraction can be a total nuisance. Sure, it can be an AMAZING experience to walk off your favorite ride, but in many cases, you end up sitting still for some time before moving on. Well, we just heard about one experience where it was a VERY good thing that a Disney World ride got stuck. Kilimanjaro Safaris Earlier this year, a baby white rhino named Ranger joined his mom out in the wildlife of Kilimanjaro Safaris. You might remember when Ranger was born last October! ©Disney Parks Blog Well, thanks to reader Melissa Walton we got a glimpse at this little guy causing a bit of mischief. Melissa was riding along on Kilimanjaro Safaris when their vehicle had to pause. Why? Ranger was scurrying about in the roadway! Look, baby white rhinos don’t care about your schedule. They are here to PLAY. Ranger had the attraction paused for between five and eight minutes. According to Melissa, the Cast Member driver had to call for some help to get Ranger back in the grass, and eventually, another rhino (maybe Ranger’s mom!) helped to herd him off the road. ©Disney We’re super happy we got to see this sweet moment and share it with you (Thanks Melissa!). And hey, we wouldn’t mind getting stuck on a Disney ride if it meant getting to watch a little baby rhino hop about. As always, stay tuned to DFB for the latest update from Disney World. Want to see more of Ranger? Click here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think of this cute clip? Tell us in the comments! The post Here's How Getting Stuck on a Disney Ride Can Be a VERY Good Thing first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: PHOTOS: A New Baby Rhino Has Made His Debut on Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney World! We’re Calling It, This is the Cutest Thing We’ll See in Disney World Today! PHOTOS: The Kilimanjaro Safaris Building Mystery Has Been Solved in Disney World! View the full article

Orange County Regional History Center receives accreditation again from American Alliance of Museums View the full article