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Welcome back to Magic Kingdom! Cinderella Castle We’re back in the park to check out everything new and exciting in construction, merchandise, and more. Let’s get started! Magic Kingdom Construction Updates Main Street Train Station Earlier this year, the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom game closed in Magic Kingdom. Recently, we spotted one of the interactive areas being removed from Main Street Train Station. Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is gone! Initially, Cast Members informed us that the closure was temporary. However, we were later told that the closure is expected to be permanent. Read More About the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom’s Closure! Cinderella Castle A little further into the park, work continues on Cinderella Castle’s transformation for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary! A few days ago, the last of the draperies were installed on the castle. Now, gold ribbons have been added to a castle spire! These ribbons are the next phase of the iconic makeover. SO gorgeous! And on the castle stage, the mystery construction continues! Disney hasn’t announced exactly what they’re doing to the stage (or why), but we have a sneaking suspicion it has to do with the 50th anniversary. Most recently, we saw flooring installed on top of the wooden planks! Castle Stage Construction We’ll keep an eye out for more progress! Take a Closer Look at the Cinderella Castle Transformation! Pirates of the Caribbean Onto Adventureland! Due to social distancing, the line for Pirates of the Caribbean stretches a good ways outside of the building. Disney has added a little theming to the space by putting pirate flags on the queue’s ropes! Pirates of the Caribbean Flags The flags direct traffic while hyping up guests to join Captain Jack’s crew. Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak remains temporarily closed due to Disney’s health and safety guidelines. It looks like Disney’s taking advantage of this, because hedges are up and the space is getting some spiffying! The hedges are UP, people! The Storybook Circus play area is currently getting a new paint job. We’ll keep ya posted on the progress! Cool Ship Cool Ship is a simple snack stand in Tomorrowland that’s getting some major TLC: a brand-new paint job! It’s looking nice and refreshed over here. The space already looks significantly more vibrant, which really helps add some color to the land. That is one VIVID blue! It’s good to know what those mysterious construction walls were for! Read More About the Work on Cool Ship! Magic Kingdom Merchandise Updates Emporium All right, guys. We’ve got LOTS to show ya in the Emporium! There are lots of new kids’ clothes up for grabs, themed after Toy Story and our favorite mischievous ‘munks Chip ‘n’ Dale. There’s a striped Chip ‘n’ Dale tee with sketches of our pals… Chip ‘n’ Dale Shirt …a vibrant red tee with them peeking out at you… Chip ‘n’ Dale Shirt …a gray tank top with a pop of color… Chip ‘n’ Dale Shirt …and even Chip ‘n’ Dale shorts! Chip ‘n’ Dale Shorts As far as Toy Story goes, everything is alien-inspired, from an allover-pattern tee… Toy Story Aliens Shirt …to a shirt with their favorite catchphrase. Toy Story Aliens Shirt There are alien shorts, too! Ooooh, the claw! And if you grown-ups wanna match, there’s an adult aliens tank, too! Everything here — both kids’ and adults’ — will cost ya $24.99. There’s one for grown-ups, too! We also spotted the brand-new Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout Wishables here! We’ve previously seen these online, but now you can choose from the mystery bag or the standalone Rocket Wishable in the parks, too. Guardians of the Galaxy Wishables! Both the mystery pack and the solo Rocket Wishable are $9.99! Take a Closer Look at These Wishables! Fantasy Faire We spotted some new shirts in Fantasy Faire, too! First is a bright yellow tee with pop art of Mickey and friends. Talk about NEON! So colorful! There’s also a more subtle tee that says “Vacation Mode On” (with Mickey ears, of course!). Vacation Mode On! All the tees here are $24.99 — or 2 for $22 each. Star Traders Mothers’ Day is on the way, and Star Traders is already getting ready! There were 2 mother/daughter necklaces up for grabs: one with “mother” and “daughter” hearts… Mother/Daughter Necklace …and another with some more obvious Mickey detailing. Mother/Daughter Necklace There was a necklace set for dads, too! There’s one for dads! Each set is $19.99. Sunglass Hut Island Supply Stand Our last merchandise stop is Sunglass Hut Island Supply Stand in Adventureland! Here, we spotted TWO new parks-exclusive Ray-Bans. The arms on both feature Mickey making a ton of faces! One of ’em has black frames… OoooOO! …while the other frames are clear! What Do You Think of the Clear Frames? They’re $219 apiece, so they definitely make for a Disney-inspired splurge! Read More About These Sunglasses! Magic Kingdom Additional Updates If you’re on the hunt for some new characters in the parks, you’re in luck! We spotted 2 new additions in Magic Kingdom: Mulan… Is that the savior of China?! …and Moana! We want to go where the sky meets the sea too. Both greeted guests at Main Street Train Station before appearing in a character cavalcade. Check Out Those Cavalcades! And if you’re a Hundred Acre Wood fan, you also had a chance to meet FIVE of those characters at once! Winnie the Pooh and his pals were all at Main Street Train Station giving a big hello. The whole gang is here! We usually see Piglet, Rabbit, and Eeyore separate from Pooh and Tigger, but we spotted them all together! It definitely made our day. Click for More Photos of Pooh and Friends! Lastly, Disney announced a BIG update to their mask policy recently: face coverings are no longer required for outdoor photos. The relaxed rule was not supposed to go into effect until April 8th, but it actually began earlier. We noticed PhotoPass photographers were already permitting guests to remove their face coverings for outdoor pictures. New Photo Policy in Place Keep in mind that masks are still required for indoor photos, and you’re only allowed to remove your mask outdoors for pictures that are stationary and socially distanced. We’ll keep you posted as we receive news of any more policy updates. Check Out the New Policy in Action! Well, that’s all for our trip around the park! As always, we’ll keep bringing you the latest Disney news and updates. Stay tuned to DFB! Check Out Some Secret Eats in Magic Kingdom! 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 Magic Kingdom soon? Let us know in the comments! The post What’s New at Magic Kingdom: A New Mask Policy and RARE Characters first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: What’s New at Magic Kingdom: A RARE Character and MORE Mystery Construction! Our Day in Magic Kingdom: NEW Pins and A Spicy Sammie What’s New at Magic Kingdom: Halloween Merch (?!) and 2 Shop Closures View the full article

Headed to the Most Magical Place on Earth next week? Main Street, U.S.A. If you’re getting set for a springtime vacation, it’s probably time to start thinking about what to pack and expect for your days in the park. To help, we’re here with a weather update for Disney World next week! Weather Forecast According to The Weather Channel, we’re officially saying goodbye to winter temperatures in Orlando! Last week we were still seeing some lows on the cooler side, but not this week! Oh! And it looks like those “April showers” we were missing last week are finally making their appearance… . This sparse and almost random rain can cause some inconveniences, so we’re here to hello you get prepared! April 12th Monday, April 12th will start the week with pretty toasty daytime temps and a comfy night. That day is going to max out at an 84-degree high and we’ll see 63 degrees at night. ©The Weather Channel YES! This week we’ve FINALLY made it out of the 50s. 63 degrees might still feel a little chilly but if you’re used to mild temps, you can probably skip packing the layers. Just don’t skip that rain layer! April 13th The next day, April 13th, brings us warmer temps hitting a toasty high at 86 degrees during the day and keeping that low down at a cool but still comfy 66 degrees. ©The Weather Channel This day should be pretty rainless but there might be a stray shower! The rainy season is coming so it’s extra important that you don’t leave that poncho or rain jacket at the hotel. April 14th On Wednesday, April 14th, we’re going to see temps that are pretty similar to the day before. Your low is gonna eek its way up into the high 60s for a mild but potentially stormy evening! ©The Weather Channel Odds are these days will be more sun than rain but in Florida, you could find yourself standing in a downpour at any moment! April 15th For Thursday, April 15th, we’re seeing a day with continued warm (but not too warm!) temps in the mid-80s and a comfy evening in the mid-60s. ©The Weather Channel Keep in mind this is still a 20-degree change in temperature from day to night. 64 degrees might not be cool enough for a jacket, but it never hurts to have one just in case. April 16th The week continues with pretty similar temperatures in both the day and the nighttime on April 16th. ©The Weather Channel This day has a little chance of rain but we might end up with an all-gorgeous day! April 17th Saturday, April 17th brings us slightly cooler temps in the low-80s and. YEP, we’ve got some rain. ©The Weather Channel Here, we’ll see an 81-degree high and a 64-degree low. April 18th And we’ll wrap up our week on April 18th with our coolest day of the whole week. Don’t worry, it still warmer than the recent weeks we’ve seen — you just might have to contend with some showers and storms. ©The Weather Channel This might be the one day you’ll need layers. 60 degrees can be a lot chillier than you expect — especially when rain is involved. Overview of the Week Here is a full overview of the week according to The Weather Channel. Temperatures are projected to be pretty stable for daytimes and evenings over the week. We’re looking at a range of 70s to 80s highs and 60s lows. Finally, no more 50-degree nights! ©The Weather Channel Other websites like Click Orlando News 6… ©Click Orlando News 6 …and WESH 2 News have similar forecasts throughout the week. ©WESH 2 News There’s a fair amount of rain in the forecast this week which is what we’ve come to expect from dear Florida! If you’ve got a trip planned, make sure you keep checking in on that forecast to make sure you don’t miss any sudden downpour predictions. Click here for tips to survive Disney World weather! Tips for Weathering the Weather! Now that we know the weather, we’ve got a few tips on how to pack and plan so you stay comfortable! It’s time to prep for rain! ALRIGHT, so winter is the dry season in Disney World but Spring is officially in full swing here in Orlando. What do warmer temps mean for Disney World? Rain, rain, RAIN. It still looks like we’ll see some serious sun this week, but storms and showers are sprinkled throughout the forecast. Reigning Cats and Dogs Rain Jacket The big thing here is to make sure you bring that rain layer! Even if the forecast is rain-free when you’re leaving for the park in the morning, showers can crop up out of nowhere. Bring a poncho, umbrella, or rain jacket to be safe. You may wanna pack an extra pair of shoes as well — just in case yours get wet! Need help with a Disney World packing list? Click here! Get ready for the heat! Alright and almost ALL of our highs are in the 80s this week which means those days are going to be TOASTY. You’re going to be out in the sun walking MILES to get around the theme parks. You need to make sure you’re protecting yourself from overheating and the sun’s rays. Pool Items available for purchase at Disney World hotels Make sure your park bag includes sunscreen and sunglasses. You’ll also want to get plenty of water! You can speak to Cast Members at most quick-service locations to make sure you’re getting your fix of hydration with a free cup of water. Click here for more tips for packing your park bag! Well, we’ll certainly take a rainless week! Stay tuned to DFB for all the news next week in Disney World and beyond. Click here for the latest news from Magic Kingdom! 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 headed to Disney World next week? Tell us in the comments! The post A BIG Disney World Weather Inconvenience Returns Next Week first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Disney World Weekly Weather Update: Brace For Chilly Evenings! Traveling to Disney World for Christmas? Prepare for Chilly Nights and Rain! It’s Going to Be WARM and Sunny in Disney World Next Week! View the full article

Disneyland is reopening on April 30th, and BOY are we excited. Disneyland We’ve already shared some details on Park Pass reservations and rides — and we even got an opening date for the brand-new Avengers Campus! And as the big reopening creeps closer, Disney is announcing still more. Today, we got some news on ticket pricing and block-out dates! First of all, if you’re purchasing new tickets, you’ll be able to grab ’em starting April 15th! And good news: ticket prices are not increasing. You’ll be able to purchase for the same price that you could in March 2020, before the closure. Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle The five-tiered ticket system will remain in place, too. These tiers allow Disneyland to charge less for entry on slower days, and more on busier days. You can find those tiered prices below. And as before, your Park Hopper tickets will cost more. ©Disney Those Tier 5 tickets will be valid every day the first 2 months the parks are back open. Tier 3 and 4 ticket-holders will be able to make reservations on select weekdays… ©Disney …with Tier 3 ticket-holders having just a few more block-out dates. ©Disney Tier 2 ticket-holders may have some luck with reservations on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Tier 1 ticket-holders are currently blocked out for the first 2 months, but they can wait for any added availability or request a refund. ©Disney Disneyland also shows the blockout dates for Regular Tickets… ©Disney …and Value Tickets. ©Disney If you already have a ticket, you’ll be able to make your Park Pass reservations starting on April 12th. However, Disney doesn’t expect any dates to be fully booked by the time tickets go on sale on April 15th. And if you’re trying to make a Park Pass for April 30th or June 4th (2 hugely popular days in the parks), don’t panic too much. According to the Orange County Register, Disney will reportedly hold back a select number of tickets so they’re not all reserved by existing ticket holders on April 12th. Disneyland If you’re currently blocked-out or the date you’re looking for fills up, there’s a chance Disney may add additional reservations as time goes on. So keep checking this calendar! And of course, we’ll keep ya posted here at DFB too. We’ll keep an eye out for more Disneyland reopening news, so stay tuned! Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Disneyland’s Reopening! Disneyland Reopening Details and Info Click HERE for the All Latest Updates Disneyland Aims to Reopen Late April California Residents May Be the ONLY People Allowed to Visit Reopened Disneyland Initially Avengers Campus Still Set to Open at Disneyland "Later This Year" Click Here to Learn More About the "Touch of Disney" Ticketed Event in Disney California Adventure Disneyland's Grand Californian Hotel Reopening Date Announced! Everything You NEED To Know About Wearing Masks at a Disney Park Join the DFB Newsletter To get all the latest Disney Park Closure News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Are you planning on visiting Disneyland when it reopens? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Disneyland Releases Ticket Prices and Block-Out Dates first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: What Could Disneyland’s Reopening Look Like For the First Guests? Monthly Payments for Disneyland Annual Passes May Be Eliminated Disneyland Ticket Purchasing Guidelines for Reopening View the full article

It’s almost summer in Disney World! Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom The lines have been long and the pools have been crowded as people enjoy the heat. And as Disney’s gearing up for the months ahead, they’re slowly releasing more park hours! We previously known these hours through June 19th. Now, Disney’s released when the parks will be open from June 20th through the 26th! Magical Kingdom will be open from 8AM-9PM from June 20th-26th. ©Disney At EPCOT, you’ll be able to enjoy the Flower and Garden Festival from 11AM-9PM! ©Disney Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open from 9AM-8PM. ©Disney And the hours for Disney’s Animal Kingdom are a bit all over the place! The park will open at 8AM each day, but closing hours vary from 5PM to 7PM. ©Disney Lastly, if you’ve got plans that don’t involve the parks, Blizzard Beach will be open from 11AM-6PM. Disney Springs will be open from 10AM-10PM Sunday-Thursday and 10AM-11PM Friday and Saturday. ©Disney You’ll be able to Park Hop after 2PM until park close, as long as capacity permits. If you’re planning a visit, keep in mind that these hours are subject to change — and they often do! We’ll keep ya posted with the latest news here at DFB, so stay tuned. Here’s What You Need to Know About Park Passes in June! 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 visiting Disney World in June? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney World Releases Park Hours for Late June first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Going to Disney This Spring? Here’s What You Need to Know About Park Hours Disney World Park Hours Released Through Early June NEWS: Disney World Adds More Park Hours in January! View the full article

Disney is seriously blowing our minds with the fun news recently. ©Disney Not only did we hear when Avengers Campus is going to open, but we also got to see a REAL LIGHTSABER. Still, real-life energy sabers aren’t the ONLY exciting things that Disney surprised us with yesterday — Disney also showed a whole new kind of robot that we could see in the parks or elsewhere. Yesterday, after a private media event, a brief (VERY BRIEF) clip played that showed Imagineers looking at a WALKING robot Baby Groot that was about the size of a toddler. Yep, walking on its own!!! And we had to do a double take…like did we really just see that?! Due to the fact that this was a private event, we were prompted to not take photos. So we’re simply going to explain to you what we saw! Interactive Groot The bot looked just like the Baby Groot we know and love from the films, complete with his tiny red jacket. ©Marvel | Disney Walking robots have been around for some time, but this one was untethered and walking without connection to anything. He was slow, but walking sturdily. Um…WHAT. Could we see an interactive, walking, and talking Groot in the Disney theme parks!? It’s important to note that guests have been able to meet Groot in the past at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but he was MUCH smaller and could only interact from within a set area. ©Disney Guests have also been able to meet a MASSIVE Groot in Disney California Adventure. Groot at Disney California Adventure But…as we said. This bot moved on his own. Could Groot be seen walking around Avengers Campus or will he be an animatronic in EPCOT’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind? Could he be a part of a show featuring all of our favorite Guardians?! There are so many possibilities! Guardians of the Galaxy attraction Concept Art ©Disney Disney only showed the clip for a brief moment and refrained from comment, but we HAVE actually seen similar tech before. Disney filed a patent at the end of 2020 for a “Legged High-dexterity Self-balancing Capable Robot Actor.” At the time, we were pretty interested in how one of the illustrations looks a lot like a robot Judy Hopps… ©Disney …but there’s actually another illustration that’s catching our eye today. Though this robot doesn’t have a face or any distinguishing features, it DOES have slightly long arms for its proportions. You know who else has slightly long arms? BABY GROOT! ©Disney We serisouly hope Disney releases more footage and information about this little guy. We’re serisouly still sitting here thinking did we see that right?! Was that the insanely cool thing we think it is?! Honestly, only time will tell! We’ll be keeping a close eye out for news and crossing our fingers that we’ll get to see the ADORABLE WALKING ROBOT BABY GROOT in person someday soon! Want to learn more about the REAL lightsaber? Click here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Would you like to see a robot Baby Groot? Tell us in the comments! Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disney to attend their press event for Avengers Campus. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink.You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ The post Wait...Is Disney Not Going to Talk About Their Life-Size Walking BABY GROOT 👀 first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Are These Patents Pointing to the Future of Disney World Animatronics?! Disney’s Latest Invention Might Be The CREEPIEST Thing You See This Halloween Season Robot Handshakes and Earthquake Floors?! These Documents Hint At The Future of Disney Parks! View the full article

If Disney’s going for the Guinness World Record for most construction going on at one time, well, let’s just say we’d put them in the running! Construction is Going on at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Now! Right now, there’s construction going on at EPCOT as part of that park’s transformation, work being done on the TRON coaster in Magic Kingdom, new decorations being added to Cinderella Castle, lots of construction happening over at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and MORE!! Construction has also now begun at Disney’s Contemporary Resort as select guest rooms at the hotel get some refurbishment and the inside of the hotel is looking…interesting. Earlier this year we shared that Disney’s Contemporary Resort would undergo refurbishment in the Main Tower Guest rooms starting in April. The Disney website notes that while some Main Tower Guest rooms may be unavailable during this refurbishment, most resort areas and amenities will still be available to guests. So, today we made our way over to the Contemporary to see what was going on. Let’s Head Inside! Normally, when you either take a monorail or head up to the Grand Canyon Concourse area in the Contemporary, you can look up at the hallways and doors to the rooms on the floors up above. But today, we saw that construction had begun in these Main Tower Guest rooms and things were looking VERY different. The photo below is how things would typically look. How it Started… And here’s what this space looks like now. WELL, THAT’S A LOOK. How It’s Going! As you can see, there are construction scrims covering the various hallways and room areas on many of the floors on one side of the Main Tower. Hello, scrims! We can’t quite see what’s going on behind those scrims, but it seems like work is truly underway on these room refurbishments. Upstairs, tarp has been set up at some elevator landings as construction takes place behind it. More construction! Disney has not yet shared exactly what these room refurbishments will involve, or what the rooms will look like once the refurbishments are all done. But, we’re on the lookout for more information and will let you know what we spot anything new. A peek at the construction! While the view isn’t too pretty right now, the main thing you should keep in mind if you’re staying here is the noise. Due to the open nature of the hotel, the construction sounds are loud. And they aren’t too pleasant if you’re planning on a relaxing day at your resort! When we spoke with a Cast Member earlier this year, they indicated that the construction would continue through September of this year. Of course, that date is subject to change. So, just keep in mind that this refurbishment may limit the availability of some rooms at the Contemporary for the next several months. We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more details and let you know what we find! Click here to get a FIRST LOOK at the Moana-themed rooms coming to 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. Are you planning to stay at the Contemporary soon? Tell us in the comments! The post Well...Those Staying At Disney's Contemporary Resort Didn't Sign Up For This! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: NEWS: Room Refurbishment Coming Soon to Disney’s Contemporary Resort Water Play Area at Bay Lake Tower in Disney World Set to Be Under Refurbishment Is It REALLY Harder to Get a Dining Reservation in Disney World Right Now? View the full article

Last year the South Florida Sweet Corn Fiesta was a drive-through event because of COVID-19. But this year's 21st annual edition will return to the real thing. View the full article

Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, turned on a lightsaber, looked at the camera and said “It’s real.” View the full article

Have you ever visited a Disney Park and noticed how some of your favorite brands show up in fun and unexpected ways, such as Chevrolet a Test Track? Or, did you know that other brands help create some of your favorite souvenirs (I love my Pandora charms!), snacks (Nestlé Mickey's premium ice cream bar or DOLE® Whip, anyone?), beverages (Joffrey’s is my go-to caffeine fix for a long day in the parks!) and more?http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/HB4ZAL3GJg0 View the full article

What if we told you one of the BEST dessert spots in Disney World just got a little better? mmmmm cookies Gideon’s Bakehouse is one of the newest locations in Disney Springs and has already become WILDLY popular thanks to its DELICIOUS almost half-pound cookies. Now, this Orlando local bakery is bringing us a NEW treat to try. To preface, Gideon does not only have awesome cookies, but they have MASSIVE double-frosted slices of cake too. You can even get little tubs of the icing for cookie-dipping (or eating with a spoon)! Today, though, Gideon’s has started testing a new way to dip. Holy Moly Introducing CAKE DIPS. Gideon’s Bakehouse announced this morning that they will be testing the new treat at both the Disney Springs location and the East End Market location today and throughout the weekend while supplies last. ©Gideon’s Bakehouse So, what exactly is Cake Dip? Cake Dip is a Gideon’s Cake that has been FULLY PREPARED before getting dumped into a blender and blended into a yummy, smooth, dip texture. So…basically a beautiful, delicious glob of cake. Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Slice The first cake dip flavor is made from the PB Mocha Chocolate Cake. Um, yep, we’re gonna need to get a taste of the PB Mocha Chocolate Cake Dip. LAYERS on layers We’ll bet dipping cookies in this stuff will be DELISH! Try it for yourself, and let us know your thoughts! Click here to learn more about the Gideon’s buttercream cups! 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 trying Cake Dip? Tell us in the comments! The post Wait...A Disney World Restaurant Put a Slice of Cake in a Blender? On Purpose?! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Rustic Cuff Just Closed in Disney Springs — Could THIS New Spot Take Its Place? Gideon’s Is BACK and We’re Stuffing Our Faces With ANOTHER Massive Cake in Disney World! NEW Coffee Cups Have Arrived at Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs! View the full article

Sometimes, Disney World closes rides for a little spiffying up! PeopleMover We keep a close eye on all these refurbishments, so we can keep YOU in the know! After all, if you’re planning a trip to Disney World, you’ll want to know what will be unavailable. And today, we’re bringing you our weekly refurbishment update for April 12th through 18th! Magic Kingdom Refurbishments Hall of Presidents Whenever a new U.S. President is elected, the Hall of Presidents will close for refurbishment! It’s currently closed while an animatronic for President Joe Biden is installed. The Hall of Presidents The show’s been closed since January, and Disney hasn’t announced when we’ll be able to stop by again. We’ll keep you posted with any updates! Learn More About the Hall of Presidents’ Refurbishment! Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover Shocker, guys! The PeopleMover is STILL closed in Tomorrowland. It was scheduled to reopen on April 4th, but was recently rescheduled…AGAIN…to May 1st. At least we spotted it moving! We’ve seen pretty extensive testing on the ride — it was even moving (WITH the sound) recently! So…what’s the deal?! Well, we don’t know what exactly is goin’ on, but we’ll keep you posted as we learn more. Get ALL the Details on the PeopleMover’s Closure! Walt Disney World Railroad The Walt Disney World Railroad has been closed for a WHILE: over 2 years! It can’t complete its circle around the park right now due to construction on TRON: Lightcycle Run. Main Street Train Station Well, construction on TRON has likely been delayed, which probably explains the railroad’s 2-year closure. It could be a while before we could ride around these tracks again, and that makes us REALLY sad. We miss you, old friend! Check out the Main Street Station’s Makeover! Main Street Confectionery The Main Street Confectionery will be closed for quite a while! It shut its doors last month for a LONG refurb. Disney hasn’t announced an opening date yet, but it’ll be closed through June 19th at the earliest. That’s as far out as Disney World’s refurbishments are currently scheduled — but we could see the refurb last even longer! Main Street Cinema has plenty of candy in the meantime! If you’re craving something sweet in Magic Kingdom, head over to Main Street Cinema instead! They’ve got plenty of the Confectionery’s goodies (pre-packaged, of course) for you to munch on. Check Out What Main Street Confectionery Will Be Like When it Reopens! Disney World Resort Refurbishments Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort A whole new look is coming to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort! Refurbishments are taking place on the main entrance, lobby, and monorail station… SO much construction! …and the guest rooms are getting a Moana-themed reimagining! We’ve already taken a peek into these rooms, and WOW do they look incredible. ©Disney You can book a stay in one of these rooms for July 19th forward! And all the rest of the resort’s construction should wrap up around then, too. Here’s How to Book a Room at a Reopened Polynesian! Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort Over at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, a pool refurb is just kickin’ off! The waterslide and splash zone at Meadow Swimmin’ Pool are getting some touch-ups over the next couple of months. Meadow Swimmin’ Pool The work will start on April 12th and last through May! Keep in mind that Meadow Swimmin’ Pool and Wilderness Swimmin’ Pool will BOTH remain open throughout the refurb, so you’ll still be able to enjoy some pool time! Read More About Meadow Swimmin’ Pool’s Refurb! Well, that wraps up this week’s refurbishment update! We’ll be back with more news on closures (and everything else Disney!), so stay tuned to DFB. Click Here to Learn About an Upcoming Refurbishment! 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 visiting Disney World soon? Let us know in the comments! The post 3 Magic Kingdom Attractions Are STILL Closed Next Week! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Everything You WON’T Ride in Disney World Next Week! Everything That Will Be CLOSED for Refurbishment in Disney World Next Week 2 Classic Rides REOPEN Next Week in Disney World! View the full article

Walt Disney World will open Creations Shop as a new flagship merchandise store for Epcot this summer View the full article

Ah, the joy of sipping on a unique Coca-Cola creation from around the world and tricking your family members into drinking Beverly. The Coca Cola Store Is So Cool You can still sample some great Coca-Cola products and grab ALL kinds of soda-themed merchandise over at the Coca-Cola store in Disney Springs. But, Club Cool — the spot where you used to be able to sip on some free Coca-Cola samples and more in EPCOT — closed some time ago as part of the EPCOT transformation. Well, if you were a fan of Club Cool, it’s time to GET EXCITED!!! Club Cool will be coming BACK to EPCOT soon!! Earlier today Disney shared some updated information about the transformation going on at EPCOT. One of the things they announced is that a “revitalized” Club Cool, hosted by Coca-Cola, will open THIS SUMMER in EPCOT! The Old Club Cool! Disney shares that this revitalized Club Cool will “celebrate Coca-Cola in a fresh new way, while keeping the fan-favorite experience that invites you to explore tasty drinks from around the world.” According to Disney, “this space will also have some new magic to bring the global experience of Coca-Cola to life for you.” OoOooO! Old Club Cool Sodas We have SO many questions! What special drinks will we get to taste? Will Beverly be making an appearance? What will this “new magic” involve? Disney hasn’t shared too many details yet about this revamped Club Cool experience, but we cannot wait to learn more! We’ll keep an eye out for more details and let you know what we find. Click here to see more about the EPCOT Transformation! 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 was your favorite drink to try from Club Cool? Tell us in the comments! The post NEWS: Club Cool Is Coming BACK to EPCOT! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: NEWS: Goodbye to Club Cool! Epcot’s Transformation is Officially Underway! Review: There’s a Whole NEW Menu With DELICIOUS Eats at the Mosaic Canteen Booth in EPCOT! We’re Going to Be Celebrating Disney World’s 50th Anniversary in 2023?! View the full article

We’ve seen some major changes at EPCOT recently. EPCOT As the park’s transformation continues, we’re looking forward to the opening of brand-new rides and restaurants — and even a new fireworks show! Now, Disney’s announced that a new SHOP is on the way, and it’s gonna be a big deal. The new Creations Shop isn’t just any ol’ store: it’s going to be the park’s flagship merchandise location! That means this will be a BIG store with lots of options for ya. And as for the design: it’s inspired by none other than Mickey Mouse! You’ll see him featured in a large mural on one of the walls and in smaller touches throughout the space. ©Disney The shop, according to Disney, will feature a “bold, sleek design” in an “open, bright, welcoming environment.” Like the rest of the transformation, this store will combine vision and tradition. And speaking of tradition…a new and improved Club Cool will be reopening next door! And boy are we EXCITED for that. ©Disney The shop will open this summer in EPCOT’s World Celebration area. Its opening builds on other park additions like the new main entrance fountain and lighting. We’ll keep ya posted with updates and more Disney news, so stay tuned to DFB! Read More About EPCOT’s Transformation! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you excited for this store to open? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: A New Store Is Replacing Mouse Gear in EPCOT! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: VIDEO: 2 Big Changes Are Taking Over EPCOT Today NEWS! Epcot’s Future World to Grow Into THREE New Neighborhoods: World Discovery, World Celebration, and World Nature! VIDEO! Step INSIDE Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Opening Next Year at Disney World! View the full article

EPCOT is a park about people – about our hopes, our dreams and the magic in imagining the impossible and making that a reality. That idea is at the heart of creativity and our inspiration for everything we are doing as the park undergoes a historic transformation. This summer will mark another big step when we unveil the new flagship merchandise location, called Creations Shop.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/JbL-sK-YJco View the full article

What’s your favorite restaurant in ALL of Disney World? Feeling Hungry Yet?! Maybe it’s Chef Mickey’s because you remember eating there with your family years ago. Or, a place like Be Our Guest Restaurant could be at the top of your list because of the GORGEOUS theming there. But, did you know that Chef Mickey’s and Be Our Guest have both changed a LOT over the years? Did you also know that Cinderella’s Royal Table used to be named after a character from Sleeping Beauty?! Today we’re sharing some of the ways in which your favorite Disney World restaurants have COMPLETELY CHANGED! The Restaurant Currently Known as Paddlefish You can’t miss Paddlefish as you walk around Disney Springs — it’s the restaurant located inside of the beautiful white riverboat on the water! But, BOY has this restaurant been through some changes and quite a few names. It’s Paddlefish! When it first opened in 1977, this spot was called The Empress Lilly, named after Walt Disney’s wife, Lillian Disney. in fact, she was on hand to “christen” the boat at its opening! (It’s not a REAL boat — it’s actually a stable building designed to mimic a boat!) And it was one of the VERY first places in Disney World to offer character dining. We’ve got a long history of character dining now that was, in some ways, started by this very spot. According to D23, the Empress Lilly Riverboat actually had 3 different restaurants and a Jazz Club inside of it — the Fisherman’s Deck, the Steerman’s Quarters, and the Empress Room. The vibe was upscale and reflected classic Dixieland music and style. Until Victoria and Albert’s opened at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the Empress Room was actually the most elegant dining experience on the Walt Disney World property. FANCY! Fancy Dining on a Boat Anyone? In 1996, Levy Restaurants took over the space and the Empress Lilly became Fulton’s Crab House, with a new giant neon sign to prove it. Fulton’s Crab House When Downtown Disney was later revamped to Disney Springs, the restaurant’s owner, Levy Restaurants, decided to stay on. This spot was then TOTALLY reimagined to be what we now know as Paddlefish. Tables and Booths at Paddlefish Now, this spot no longer looks like an old riverboat — but has been re-designed to look like an upscale, modern, and chic place to dine inside or outside on the rooftop patio. But, if you’re curious to know what the treats from the Empress Lilly were like, you can make one at home!! We’ve actually got the recipe for the Bread Pudding Souffle with Bourbon Sauce from this spot. Sounds yummy! So, now you can take a tasty trip to the past! Click here to check out the Bread Pudding Souffle recipe! Chef Mickey’s Spinning your napkins in the air and taking pictures with Goofy at Chef Mickey’s in Disney’s Contemporary Resort might be a staple of your past Disney vacations, but did you know that this spot hasn’t always been here? As D23 shares, the original “Chef Mickey’s Restaurant” actually opened at the Disney Village Marketplace (AKA Disney Springs) in 1990 (taking over the spot that was previously known as The Village Restaurant). It was a character meal where you could enjoy some time with, of course, Chef Mickey himself! Chef Mickey’s Now But, that spot closed just a few years later. After extensive remodeling the restaurant in the Disney Village Marketplace actually reopened as…Rainforest Cafe!! That’s right!! Mickey’s old hang-out spot has now been overrun by gorillas and elephants and…volcanoes! But, a restaurant by the name of Chef Mickey’s eventually opened in the Contemporary in 1995, taking the place of the Contemporary Cafe. Chef Mickey’s And there it has remained for the last 26 years, becoming the buffet, napkin-spinning, character meal spot many know and love! Over the past year, Chef Mickey’s went through lots of changes due to the pandemic. In 2020, Chef Mickey’s re-opened as a family-style dining location (instead of a buffet) without any characters. But now characters have been returned to the restaurant once again! Chef Donald Is the return of characters worth a 98% INCREASE in price at this spot though? Read our full review to find out. Click here to see our most recent review of Chef Mickey’s! Be Our Guest Restaurant Love dining in the West Wing or perhaps the breathtaking ballroom in Be Our Guest Restaurant? This spot in Magic Kingdom is your chance to dine IN the classic animated film, and it has been WILDLY popular since the day it opened. Well, things weren’t always the same in this castle. This is one of the newest spots on our list but it’s also seen a lot of change in a short time! Be Our Guest Previously, Be Our Guest offered quick-service lunch options, with table service style dining at dinner when it opened in 2012. This meant the restaurant slightly transformed from lunch (where you could see self-serve soda machines lining the walls) to more a slightly more upscale experience at dinner (the soda machines were hidden). Drink Station during lunch For the quick service meals, you were actually given an RFID rose which you would take to the table of your choice, and your meal would “find you.” At some points, certain guests also received yellow, instead of red, roses. Food was served on real plates with real metal cutlery — no disposable stuff here! Magic Rose Lunch became quite unique at Be Our Guest because guests could make Advanced Dining Reservations for that meal, which was NOT commonplace for a Counter Service experience. Reservations were introduced because of how popular this spot was! It was also the first restaurant where you could pre-order your meal. But, you’d have to order within 30 days of your reservation date. Forget to pre-order? You’d have to wait in an often very long and slow line to order in person. In some ways this was a precursor to the Mobile Order system we have now. Screenshot: Beginning the Pre-order Process A couple years after opening, they began introducing a counter service breakfast option. This was plated and served to your table like lunch, but with the addition of a pastry basket for the table. It was part sit down meal, part fast food meal. And if you were on the Disney Dining Plan, it was a slam dunk in terms of value. It only cost one quick service credit to eat here for breakfast or lunch! Closeup on assorted pastries at breakfast Since the COVID-19 park closures and later reopenings, Be Our Guest has changed again. Now, Be Our Guest no longer serves breakfast. And lunch is no longer quick-service at this spot — it is now a table service meal with a prix fixe menu (the same previously offered only at dinner). Enchanted Rose Additionally, this spot used to have a special character element during dinner, where guests would be able to meet the Beast and take a photo with him after eating. He’d also periodically march around the restaurant. But, now that meet-and-greet is gone. The Beast greeting guests at Be Our Guest Restaurant BUT don’t get too down just yet. When we last visited Be Our Guest, the Beast actually still walked around the room, and guests could wave and take photos of him from afar during their meal. And the best part is that the Beast actually appeared during our LUNCH — making his appearance not just limited to dinner guests. Beast in Be Our Guest Of course, this is what we saw during our experience, and things are subject to change. How will Be Our Guest evolve in the future? Will those fast food-style breakfast and lunch offerings ever return? Time will tell, but you can bet we’ll be on the lookout for any updates! Click here to see how Be Our Guest is different now! Restaurantosaurus Years ago, if you REALLY needed to get that McDonald’s fix while at Disney World, there were a few spots serving up delicacies like those coveted McDonald’s fries. One of the places that used to serve up quite a few McDonald’s items was Restaurantosaurus in Disney’s Animal Kingdom! Restaurantosaurus Looking for a 10 piece McNuggets meal with fries? How about a McDonald’s Happy Meal? Both of these items were available years ago at Restaurantosaurus! But, unfortunately for all you McDonald’s fans out there, those fries and McNuggets eventually left this spot. But, that’s not the only big change that’s come to Restaurantosaurus. A number of years ago, this spot also held a character breakfast in the mornings called Donald’s Breakfast-o-saurus! Eventually that was taken away and the character dining was moved to Tusker House. The Hip Joint Sign One of the popular items from the Donald breakfast was some delish cheesy potatoes! Miss those potatoes or wonder what they taste like? You can actually make them at home with this recipe from AllEars.net! Restaurantosaurus also went through a bit of a “table service phase” at one point with its special Burgers and Sundaes offering. While the regular quick service part of the restaurant was still available, a separate section was dedicated to the Burgers and Sundaes experience, and you could actually make advanced dining reservations for this meal. As part of this menu, you could select from a number of burgers and sides… The Burgers! …and you would also get a token to use at the sundae station. Yeah, you read that right — SUNDAE STATION!! There, you could get 2 scoops and ALL kinds of toppings! I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for ICE CREAM! This special offering is not available anymore, but with all the changes that have come to Restaurantosaurus, who knows what will be next! Click here to check out photos and more details all about this burger and sundaes meal! Finally, did you know that Restaurantosaurus actually has a lounge?! The lounge is tucked away to the side of the building, with part of the seating from the restaurant actually blocked off for the lounge space. If you’re looking for some specialty beverages (alcoholic and not), you might want to check out this spot. There’s a Lounge Here!! It’s actually where we found some Passholder-exclusive drinks recently. This spot used to have some more food offerings, but the menu is a bit reduced in that area for the moment. We’ll definitely be interested to see what comes to this spot in the future! Click here to see more about the Passholder-exclusive drinks at the Lounge! California Grill You might have eaten at California Grill in Disney’s Contemporary Resort as a fun date night or fancy night with the family. And, hopefully you got the chance to either return or stick around long enough to see one of the big draws of this spot — the view of the fireworks over in Magic Kingdom. But, this restaurant actually opened with a different name and had some unique entertainment back in the day! California Grill As D23 shares, California Grill was previously the Top of the World Nightclub/restaurant. In 1981 a dinner show started to be presented at Top of the World twice nightly called “Broadway at the Top,” during which performers actually sang a number of hit songs from Broadway shows. Dinner and a show?! Sometimes there’s nothing better than that! Broadway at the Top Performers in 1985 | ©Disney According to Disney, the Broadway at the Top dinner show ran until 1993. Then, in 1995, the Top of the World Nightclub/restaurant transformed into California Grill. California Grill A number of years ago the restaurant got a pretty extensive refurbishment, giving it the look and feel we know now. As for the Top of the World Club? It still exists…kind of. Head to the top of the adjacent Bay Lake Tower to find it. But heads up — this lounge is ONLY for DVC members and their guests! What do you think? Do you like California Grill as it is now, or would you have liked the dinner-and-a-show concept? Tell us in the comments! Is California Grill worth it without the fireworks? Check out our thoughts here. Cinderella’s Royal Table Eating in Cinderella Castle is one of those things we think every Disney fan should probably do once, just for the experience alone. You may have already gotten the chance to dine like royalty in Cinderella’s Royal Table, but did you know that when this restaurant in the castle first opened up, it was actually named after someone from an ENTIRELY different Disney movie?! Cinderella’s Royal Table It’s TRUE! When Cinderella’s Royal Table first opened it was actually called King Stefan’s Banquet Hall. Ever heard of King Stefan before? He’s Sleeping Beauty’s dad! Why on earth would a restaurant inside of Cinderella Castle be named after someone from a totally different princess movie is a total mystery. Cinderella’s Royal Table In fact, D23 shares that Disney designers have not been able to explain why Cinderella Castle held a “King Stefan’s Banquet Hall” restaurant. Were they still thinking they were in Disneyland where the castle belongs to Sleeping Beauty?! Who knows! Anyway, eventually the restaurant was (appropriately) renamed to Cinderella’s Royal Table in 1997. WHEW! Cinderella Card But, the changes don’t just end with this restaurant’s name. Did you know that when the restaurant originally opened the costumes for the men and women were QUITE themed? There were actually “13th century costumes of brown and orange tights and tunics for the young men, and medieval headdresses and gowns with overskirts for the young ladies.” Sounds like quite the get-up! Oh, and the best part — D23 notes that “when the park first opened, diners were frequently serenaded by madrigal singers.” WHAAAT!!? If any of you got “serenaded by madrigal singers” while at this restaurant, PLEASE tell us in the comments! Cinderella’s Royal Table Recently, Cinderella’s Royal Table has also seen some big changes. Prior to the pandemic, this spot was a signature character dining experience where you could meet Cinderella (of course) as well as several other Disney princesses. When Cinderella’s Royal Table reopened in Magic Kingdom in 2020, the princesses were all missing…ALMOST. Cinderella Cinderella now makes a VERRRY abbreviated appearance in the restaurant. You can wave at her briefly as she comes out and greets guests from a distance. Is Cinderella’s Royal table worth it without the princesses? See our thoughts here! Odyssey And finally, we end our tour of big changes at Disney World restaurants with one of the places you may have walked past in EPCOT for years and never known what it was — the Odyssey! As D23 shares, the Odyssey Fast-food restaurant opened between Future World and World Showcase in EPCOT in 1982. It’s that hexagonal building you probably walked around for MANY years on the path from Test Track to Mexico. You might also know it as the location of First Aid and the Baby Care Center in the park! It’s also the spot now that houses the EPCOT Experience. The Epcot Experience at the Odyssey Center According to the Orlando Sentinel, the Odyssey was a counter-service restaurant at first, “offering hot dogs and hamburgers at lunchtime and beef stew and fried clams during dinner hours.” Later, it became home to a character show called “Mickey’s Rockin’ Celebration.” D23 notes that the Odyssey closed 1994, and was then used only for special events and banquets for a time. The Odyssey Then, a few years ago, the Odyssey started being used as a stop during EPCOT festivals. During some of the festivals you could often get a number of beers and other beverages at a craft beer booth here. It also became home to some unique festival eats like the Trio of Savory Croissant Doughnuts! Guests passing through could also check out some festival merchandise, art exhibits, and presentations here. Trio of Savory Croissant Doughnuts Minnie even hosted a special garden party event in this space for a while in 2019. So basically, the Odyssey has had a LOT of different uses over the years. What is it being used as right now? Well, at the moment, the Odyssey is home to the EPCOT Experience. This is a unique space with an INCREDIBLE video showing the many things coming as part of the EPCOT Transformation. There are also posters, photo ops, and more. EPCOT Experience And you used to be able to grab some drinks at the Eats at the EPCOT Experience counter area. This spot used to have a more extensive menu, and then became pretty limited. But recently, we’ve seen the Eats at the EPCOT Experience counter completely closed. According to a Cast Member, the location will be closed for the next 3 months while the kitchen gets redone. Disney has not yet made an official statement on that yet though. Eats at the EPCOT Experience Is Closed! Once the EPCOT Transformation is complete, how will the Odyssey be used? Disney hasn’t said! The location is quite unique — not quite Future World, not quite World Showcase. It’ll certainly be interesting to find out what becomes of this space! Click here to learn more about the EPCOT Transformation! Tons of other Disney restaurants have changed a lot over the years, but these are some of the most interesting or exciting ones. If there’s one thing we’re pretty sure about, it’s that many changes will likely continue to be made at Disney’s restaurants in the future. What those changes will be is something only time will tell, but we can’t wait to find out. Click here to see what restaurants we WISH Disney would build in the future! 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. Did you get to eat at any of these restaurants when they were TOTALLY different than what they are now? Tell us all about it in the comments! The post Disney World Restaurants That Have COMPLETELY CHANGED first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: News: New Dining Discounts for Disney World Annual Passholders for 45th Anniversary Year What’s New Around Walt Disney World: October 20, 2016 21 Myths About Walt Disney World Food DEBUNKED View the full article

Disney fans in Seattle: a little piece of Disney history is coming your way! ©Disney The Walt Disney Archives offer us all kinds of opportunities to take a never-before-seen sneak peek into the company, from Imagineering to animation. We’ve seen the opening (and extension!) of an exhibit in California — and now, another is on the way. The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) in Seattle, Washington will host the exhibit Heroes and Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume! Visitors will be able to see more than 70 original items — think ball gowns, tiaras, sorcerers’ capes, and more — created by renowned designers like Colleen Atwood and Sandy Powell. ©Disney As you may be able to guess, 2 of the gallery’s sections will be “Disney Heroes” and “Disney Villains.” But a third will be reserved for “Spaces Between,” aka Disney’s antiheroes. You’ll be able to take a peek at Maleficent’s gown from the 2014 film (and so much more) here! Other costumes throughout the galleries include Belle’s ball gown from the 2017 Beauty and the Beast, a Mary Poppins “traveling dress” from the original 1964 film, and the 3 witches’ dresses from Hocus Pocus. ©Disney MoPOP Executive Director Alexis Lee stated, “Disney in particular is a master of the art and sets a standard for using wardrobe as a device for creative expression.” Disney hopes the exhibit will showcase how its characters are “shaped through the artistry and creativity of costumes.” Through the interactive elements and photo ops that will be offered, visitors will definitely get a unique opportunity to explore this part of Disney’s history! ©Disney The exhibit premiered at 2019’s D23 expo, but MoPOP will be the first museum to showcase it. And if you’re interested in visiting, it opens on June 5th, 2021, with tickets going on sale in May. Disney plans to announce more information on the exhibit later this year, and we’ll be sure to share it with ya! Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news. Check Out Another Walt Disney Archives Exhibit! 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 costumes would you like to see in this exhibit? Let us know in the comments! The post Movie Buffs! The New Walt Disney Archives Exhibit Is All About COSTUMES first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: NEWS! New Film Release Dates Announced For Mulan, Jungle Cruise, Black Widow, and More! Tune In To This Live Stream With Imagineer Bob Gurr To Find Out How Disneyland Attractions Were Made! Disney Recipe! We’re Happy Campers Thanks to These Mickey S’mores Cupcakes View the full article

The world’s longest fingernails can be seen now at Ripley's attraction in Orlando View the full article

Barnett Park provides 159 acres of urban space for Orlandoans to enjoy basketball, tennis, a dog park, disc golf, a gym and other recreational opportunities. View the full article

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Can we tell you how happy we are to be snacking at Disney California Adventure again? Like we could CRY! Helloooo From Pixar Pier! Not only did we get reunited with Disneyland Dole Whips (insert happy sigh here), but we also got to indulge in some amazing chicken gumbo, Walt’s Chili, AND Mimosas and Cheese. And yes, we even tried that controversial snack, the Pickle Corn Dog! But we just recently found what might be the CUTEST of ALL snacks at Disney California Adventure: Up Cake Pops! And there are two designs!!! There’s a Russell Cake Pop with candies shaped like his Wilderness Explorer sash. And the other one? It looks like Dug’s Head! ADORABLE! We have to say that our Dug pop looks a little scary, but for fans of the lovable character, it’s easy to overlook. Aren’t they ADORABLE? The Dug Cake Pop is a Vanilla Cake Pop, while the Russell is a Chocolate Cake Pop. Both are dipped in White Chocolate. Not only are they cute, though, they’re also moist and tasty, albeit VERY sweet. If we had to choose a favorite, though, we’re totally going with Russel — for reasons (those reasons are chocolate, obviously). Up Cake Pops! These are $5.49 each, though, and that makes them a little small for that price. But sweets fans, and fans of Up are probably going to find them hard to resist! You can try them for yourself now at Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff. We’ll let you know if we spot any other fun snacks at Disney California Adventure! Click Here to See if A Tiny Mickey-Shaped Treat at Disney California Adventure is Worth $10 Check out more Disneyland Food Reviews Here!! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Do you like Cake Pops? What flavor is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: Think You've Seen The Most Adorable Disney Treats? Think Again! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Breaking! NEW Dining Spots Coming to Disneyland’s Pixar Pier; PLUS Pixar Fest Food Sneak Peek… REVIEW: Is a Tiny Mickey-Shaped Treat Worth $10 at Disney California Adventure? NEWS: Lamplight Lounge Reopening In Disney California Adventure View the full article

Don’t mind us — we’re just sitting here remembering all of the international sodas we used to get at EPCOT’s Club Cool… . We got a bad case of nostalgia At the closed location, there used to be an orange-flavored Coca-Cola drink called Mezzo Mix that we — and a lot of other guests — just couldn’t get enough of! But then Club Cool went away to make room for EPCOT’s big transformation and we thought Mezzo Mix was gone forever. But Mezzo Mix later turned up at the beer cart at the German Pavilion in the World Showcase — and then it went away again. And it’s currently NOT on the menu — at all. Come back, Mezzo Mix — we miss you! BUT… the machine that makes it? It’s THERE! So we 100% asked about it. A Cast Member told us that although Mezzo Mix isn’t currently on the menu, the machine is set up for it. Right now, the machine is serving up Frozen Coke, but guests continue to request the Mezzo Mix, so they’re working on getting it back in there soon. YAY! The machine that makes the magic We were also told that you can still get a booze upgrade for the drinks, too, with a shot of bourbon honey liquor. While we were there, we couldn’t help but grab a boozy Frozen Coke, and don’t you even @ us! Boozy Frozen Coke is what the doctor ordered for a hot day You KNOW we’ll be back to check on the Mezzo Mix soon, and we’ll be sure to let you know when it’s available. In the meantime, stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney World food and drink updates! Read Our Review Of A Cupcake COVERED In Bees! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Have you ever had the Mezzo Mix? Let us know in the comments! The post What's Going On With This Popular EPCOT Drink?! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Another EPCOT Shop Is Serving Wine By The Glass Again! There’s A New Beer at EPCOT’s China Booth — But Is It Any Good? Don’t Miss Out on These Cocktails at EPCOT’s Flower & Garden Festival! View the full article

We got a TON of new information about Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure today — including an opening date! THE QUINJET! While we are excited for all that Avengers Campus has to offer, it seems that a character is getting a new look. Iron Man will have a BRAND NEW costume! During a 5-year anniversary fan event at Shanghai Disney Resort, guests were taken on a behind-the-scenes video tour of the making of “Illuminate! A Nighttime Celebration” with a surprise appearance from some of the Avengers on stage — and Iron Man was looking a little different! He was seen spotting a NEW suit! ©Disney The suit, seen above, is crimson red with silver and gold accents. It features a hard chest, face and leg covering with a softer appearing torso and neck, making movement seemingly easier. It’s unclear if this is the suit that will appear at Disneyland’s Avengers Campus, but according to ComicBook.com, Tony Stark will look different. We also know that Avengers like Captain Marvel, Black Panther, the Dora Milaje, Black Widow, Ant-Man and The Wasp, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor, and of course, Iron Man will be available for “encounters” with guests at Disney California Adventure! ©Disney There’s still SO much to learn about Avengers Campus, though we DO know that WEB Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure, Pym Test Kitchen, and stores like WEB Suppliers and the Campus Supply Pod will open with the land! ©Disney When we learn more about Avengers Campus at Disneyland (or at other parks around the world), we’ll let you know! PHOTOS: We Spotted the QUINJET at Disneyland’s Avengers Campus! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. Are you excited to meet Iron Man at Disneyland? Let us know in the comments! The post Iron Man Will Have a NEW Look at Disney Theme Parks! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: VIDEO: Disney’s Avengers Campus Has a Special New Resident Get a PEEK at Avengers Campus With Disney’s New Virtual Event What’s New at Disneyland Resort — TWO New Menus, Delicious Funnel Cakes, and EVERYTHING Oogie Boogie! View the full article

Disney has been known to rotate its cocktails every now and then, and we’re not just talking about seasonal sips like the new (refreshing!) Earth Month cocktail at NoMad Lounge! Mother Earth Cocktail They’ll also bring back old favorites from time to time, and today we spotted a welcome friend at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! We spotted the Singapore Sling at Thirsty River Bar today in the Asia area of the park! This $12 cocktail features New Amsterdam Gin, Bols Cherry Brandy, Sweet-and-Sour, Grenadine, and Sprite! (It’s the same drink we spotted in 2018 but $2.50 more, because such is the way at Disney World.) Singapore Sling So, is this drink worth your $12?! We found it to be a really solid drink, thanks in large part to to the crisp lightness from the Sprite and fruit flavors from the grenadine. Our reporter doesn’t even particularly like you don’t like cherries but found this drink to be fruity and refreshing. The alcohol isn’t super present, so it’s an easy drink for those upcoming HOT summer days. It’s pink — and not much else But we couldn’t help but think this drink needed…MORE?! Disney has been UPPING its cocktail game lately with totally Instagrammable drinks lately — we’re talking Mickey ears made out of lemons, drinks that look like rainbow fish tanks, and poofs of cotton candy! Beyond that, Animal Kingdom is THE place for snacks at Disney World right now with really unique looking and DELICIOUS treats. Comparably, this drink is just so PLAIN! We could at least use a little maraschino cherry or something in the top for a little pizzazz! At least the color matches this sign?! But if you’re not looking for something for your social media feed, this is a good option in Animal Kingdom for those who like sweet drinks and we would get this one again. And when more new cocktails come to Disney — with our without a photo-worthy element, we’ll let you know where to find them! REVIEW: A Fiery Cocktail in Disney World Has a Rare Flavor Combo 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. How important is appearance for your cocktails? Let us know in the comments! The post REVIEW: This Disney World Cocktail Is From Another Time! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: What’s New at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: An Adorable ‘Up’ Shirt, Updated Bar Hours, and Halloween Cups! News! Labor Day Weekend Park Pass Availability for the Disney World Theme Parks Has Changed…AGAIN! New Merchandise Holding System Being Tested in Disney World View the full article

Heads up! An incredible Disney artist will be paying a visit to Disney Springs soon! The Art of Disney The Art of Disney in Disney Springs hosts many Disney artists throughout the year and this weekend someone different is coming! According to the Disney Springs Twitter account, Dirk Wunderlich from Thomas Kinkade Studios will be visiting the Art of Disney building in Disney Springs from April 9-11! Dirk Wunderlich ©Disney Springs You’ll be able to meet him, shop his latest collection, and take home some of his amazing artwork! The Art of Disney Disney Springs did mention that this event is subject to change, but we’ll keep our eye on it for ya! Click Here to View More Thomas Kinkade Products! 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 paying Dirk Wunderlich a visit? Let us know in the comments! The post Heads Up -- You Can Meet Another Artist in Disney World Soon! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Meet a Disney Artist and Shop His Original Collection in Disney World for a Limited Time! Disney News This Week: ALL the News and Updates from the Most Magical Places on Earth! Learn How You Can Help Communities in Need By Eating Sprinkles Cupcakes! View the full article