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Disneyland Paris Resort won’t remain COMPLETELY closed this holiday season. ©Disney Disneyland Paris was recently reclosed due to government restriction in France. Though the resort was initially supposed to temporarily reopen for the holidays, it was soon announced that it would remain closed. Now, we know one spot in Disneyland Paris that will be open this December. The World of Disney store in Disney Village will be reopening 2PM to 8PM from December 5th through December 23rd so that you can get some holiday shopping done! ©Disney The store reopening will function with the new Click & Collect service where guests can order their desired merchandise online and pick up their purchases during a designated time slot at World of Disney. Some items will even be 30% off! Disneyland Paris Since the visitor parking lot is closed, guests can park in the Indigo Car Park for free for one hour with a purchase from World of Disney. According to their website, the Gaumont Disney Village Cinema will also open beginning on December 15th, “if sanitary conditions allow.” Disneyland Park Decor We’ll be keeping an eye out for confirmation of the Disneyland Paris reopening, so stay tuned! Click here to learn more about the closure of Disneyland Paris. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Will you be shopping in Disney Village? Tell us in the comments! The post Disneyland Paris to Reopen World of Disney for a Limited Time first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: NEWS: Disneyland Paris Is Officially Closing Again NEWS! Disneyland Paris Has Extended Its Cancellation Offer for Reservations Into July BREAKING NEWS! Disneyland Paris to Reopen on July 15th! View the full article

JAMBO — and Happy Holidays! — from Disney’s Animal Kingdom AND Animal Kingdom Lodge! Animal Kingdom Christmas Tree We’re bringing you all of our latest finds from our most recent visit, which just so happens to include OODLES of snacks… from festive finds for the season to some new not-so-sour gummies and MUCH more. We’re also checking in on the goings-on at Kilimanjaro Safaris and paying a visit to a certain returning AVATAR. There’s no time to waste, so let’s dive right in! Animal Kingdom Food Updates Creature Comforts Are you starting your Animal Kingdom day early? Well, then… you’ve got to fuel up first! What better place to start than Creature Comforts, the park’s Starbucks location? Approaching Creature Comforts That’s where we got to try this year’s version of the returning Santa Mickey Mousse. Santa Mickey Mousse This year’s mousse is a white chocolate peppermint mousse dome on a brownie base, topped with snowflake sprinkles, and garnished with chocolate Mickey ears. Santa Mickey Mousse And what did we think of it compared to last year? Well… Check out our Santa Mickey Mousse review right here! Gingerbread Cream Cheese Muffin And there’s also a new option for you with the Gingerbread Cream Cheese Muffin at snack carts around the park! Gingerbread Muffin Actually, though… this one’s not exactly new. The hit Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin basically got a makeover. You can see our thoughts on this festive version for the season here! Is the Gingerbread Muffin as good as the Pumpkin version? Find our thoughts here! Dino-Bite Snacks WOO HOO!!! One of our favorite seasonal snacks from last year has hit the DinoLand scene once again: it’s the Double-Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream Sandwich at Dino-Bite Snacks! Double-Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream Sandwich But while we were pumped, we were surprised to find that it didn’t exactly live up to its rep from last year. We have high hopes for future visits, though, and you can find out why… See our review of this returning ice cream sammie here! Anandapur Ice Cream Truck Peppermint Soft-Serve Ice Cream is also BACK for the holiday season at the Anandapur Ice Cream Truck! Peppermint Soft-Serve Ice Cream Cone The red swirl is new this year in this seasonal snack, and you can find out more about the treat’s new look and its peppermint flavor punch here! Click here to see our Peppermint Soft-Serve review! Pandoran Dried Helicoradian Gummies While these may not match the visions of sugarplums dancing in our heads this time of year, we were still excited to find — and try! — the new Dried Helicoradian Gummies at Windtraders, the merchandise location in Pandora. Dried Helicoradian Gummies The packaging notes these as a “Sour Gummy Candy,” but our taste buds told us a little something different… Check out our review of the NEW gummy candy in Pandora here! Hot Cocoa BRRR… yep, even in Central Florida, you’ve got to have access to a nice warm cup of Hot Cocoa sometimes! Cocoa at the Carts Cocoa at the Carts Fortunately, snack carts around the park were ready for the cooler weather, and guests can purchase a cup on its own, or with a souvenir Animal Kingdom Menagerie mug. Animal Kingdom Menagerie Mug See all the details on the Animal Kingdom Menagerie Mug here! Drinkwallah And when it comes to souvenir mugs, we’ve got another option for you. Drinkwallah Drinkwallah Menu Asia’s Drinkwallah has officially added the Lion King Novelty Cup to the menu, served with your choice of frozen beverage (even though it’s been around for a little while). Drinkwallah items At $9.99 with your drink included, this is a little less than the $10.99 price tag we’ve seen previously at various carts in the park. See the Lion King Stacking Cup right here! The Feeding Ground And, just a note that a certain Discovery Island popcorn spot has really been poppin’ since it reopened recently. The Feeding Ground The Feeding Ground, cast members have informed us, has stayed open regularly recently (as opposed to limited operating days) since it’s been such a POPular spot! Animal Kingdom Attraction Updates Kilimanjaro Safaris Have you heard the news :)? TWO baby giraffes — by the names of Maple and Zella — have taken their first steps onto the savanna of Kilimanjaro Safaris! Baby Giraffes at Kilimanjaro Safaris ©drmarkatdisney We learned that a mandrill is being introduced to the safari, as well. We didn’t have too much luck spotting them on our most recent visit (a Cast Member told us babies can be a little shy here in the beginning), though we did spot lots of other animals! Kilimanjaro Safaris Kilimanjaro Safaris And, while we wait for our next safari adventure, you can learn more about the new additions here! Find out more about the latest arrivals to the savanna here! And, hey, while we’re here… let’s check in on construction of the structure that guests can see towards the end of their safari! Construction at Kilimanjaro Safaris Cast members are referring to it as a warden headquarters… Construction at Kilimanjaro Safaris … and, by the looks of things, someone is settling in, indeed! Construction at Kilimanjaro Safaris Construction at Kilimanjaro Safaris Avatar Flight of Passage Look who’s baaaaaack…. Avatar Flight of Passage Queue The floating Avatar, who was missing from the tank in the queue for the MEGA-popular Avatar Flight of Passage attraction, was — according to cast members — “out for a walk” for awhile. But now the Avatar is safe and sound back in the queue! See our most recent trip through the Flight of Passage queue here! Let’s make one more stop. Don’t worry, the trek isn’t too far… Animal Kingdom Lodge We’ve got just a quick update from the lovely Animal Kingdom Lodge before we say, “So long!” Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge At Maji Pool Bar, we were introduced to a new Mickey Cookie! Mickey Cookie Cute, right? But does this Mickey measure up to other Mickey treats around Disney World? Find our review of the new Mickey Cookie here! We hope you’ve had fun joining us AND a few of our friends! The ANIMALS of Animal Kingdom! The ANIMALS of Animal Kingdom! We can’t wait to bring you more from Disney’s Animal Kingdom soon! And if you’re curious about what else is new around Walt Disney World this week… Click here to see what’s new at TWO Disney World Resort hotels this week! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Preorder 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! Your order will include a FREE instant download of the 2020 Edition of the Guide! 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 is your favorite thing about Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Please let us know with a comment! The post What's New at Animal Kingdom and Animal Kingdom Lodge: Tons of SNACKS, Safari Updates, and MORE! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: We’re RANKING the Lands at Disney’s Animal Kingdom By Their Snacks! Which Will Prevail…??? Easter Eggs and Eats around Disney World! What’s New in Animal Kingdom: A Missing Animatronic, a Restaurant Reopening, and More! View the full article

Everything Pop Shopping and Dining is the place to be for all your munching and crunching needs at Disney’s Pop Century Resort! Everything Pop Shopping and Dining This food court has got lots of dining options and today it saw a BIG shakeup when it comes to the way the menu is organized. Most food and beverage items are still around, but a few got CUT — and a few NEW options were added! Breakfast Sides First up, there’s a new side option on the breakfast menu! You can now get a side of scrambled eggs with your breakfast for $2.99. Everything POP Shopping & Dining Sign Snacks On both the breakfast and the lunch and dinner menus, we noticed that you can no longer get the Pickle in Pouch, but you CAN get PB&J Uncrustables for $2.99. Uncrustables Lunch and Dinner Entrees There was a small change to one of the entrees in the Burgers and Chicken section. The Applewood Smoked Bacon and Cheddar Burger saw a slight price increase and no longer comes with Garlic-Ranch Sauce on the side. The price increased from 11.99 to 12.49. Picnic and Oscar Burgers Beverages Most of the changes were to the beverages on the menu. You can no longer get the Odwalla Mango Tango Smoothie, the Zico Watermelon Coconut Water, or the DASANI Sparkling Lime Water. We DID see the addition of a regular-sized Minute Maid Apple Juice for $3.29. POP In the Specialty Cocktails sections, the Cutwater Bloody Mary, Mini Mudslide, and Cutwater Rum & Ginger are no longer available. The menu also no longer lists the 6-Packs of Bud Light Lager, Coors Light Lager, or Miller Lite Lager. The Leinenkugel Seasonal Shandy has been removed as well. Everything Pop Otherwise, the menu looks a little different but still has alllll the other favorites that it used to! As always, stay tuned to DFB for the latest updates from Disney World! Click here to learn everything you know about Everything Pop Food Court! 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! Preorder 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! Your order will include a FREE instant download of the 2020 Edition of the Guide! 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. Staying at Pop Century soon? Tell us in the comments! The post LOTS of Menu Changes Are Rolling Out at Disney's Pop Century Resort! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: NEWS: Here Are ALL the Restaurants and Experiences Reopening at Disney World’s Pop Century Resort! What’s New at Disney’s Pop Century and Art of Animation Resorts — Character Cupcakes, Menu Changes, and Halloween Merch! We’ve Tried Every Frozen Drink at Disney World and These Are Our Favorites! View the full article

Disney Springs has a few new SWEET spots opening soon, like Gideon’s Bakehouse and a brand-new M&M Store. Gideon’s Bakehouse Construction We’ve also been keeping a watchful eye on the construction happening over at Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew, which was showing some signs of progress on our most recent visit! We noticed that the construction walls that were surrounding the location have almost entirely come down! Everglazed Construction A couple of smaller construction walls still in place, but it looks like the building itself got a nice coat of paint and is coming together! Everglazed Construction We even spotted a crew actively working on the location while we stopped by! Everglazed Construction We still don’t have an exact opening date for Everglazed, but we’re hoping we can sink our teeth into some delicious donuts SOON! Everglazed Construction Taking a look at the concept art for Everglazed, we’re still waiting for that giant donut to appear! Otherwise, we’re getting closer and closer to completion! ©Disney/Everglazed Everglazed will be located right next to Splitsville, which we noticed had some construction walls up on our latest visit. Splitsville We’ll keep checking in on the progress happening at Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew, and we will let you know as SOON as we hear when this new location will open! Click here to check out some of the donuts you’ll be able to find at Everglazed! 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! Preorder 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! Your order will include a FREE instant download of the 2020 Edition of the Guide! 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 check out Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew once it opens? Let us know in the comments! The post PHOTOS: Construction Walls Have Come DOWN at Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Construction Update! We Spotted Progress Being Made on the NEW Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew Coming to Disney Springs! 4 New Projects Disney World Quietly Launched This Summer FIRST LOOK at the NEW Everglazed Donut Shop Coming to Disney Springs! View the full article

The holiday season can really inspire people to be kinder, more joyous, and more generous to those in need. Make a Wish collection But the truth is, no matter what holidays you celebrate or don’t celebrate, it’s always a good time to help others. Earlier this year, we compiled a list of resources for and ways that you can help Cast Members in need in light of the recent furloughs and layoffs. We also shared other ways that you could help others, like by purchasing some of Disney’s Wishes Come True Blue collection to benefit Make-A-Wish. Now, we’re compiling a list of some fantastic organizations that you can donate to or purchase from to help kids, Cast Members, and more. We here at DFB know that the pandemic has been difficult for so many people. So, while we’re compiling this list, we’re keenly aware that some of you may not have the resources at this time to donate any money at all. This is not meant to be a list to pressure anyone into donating or make anyone feel guilty that they can’t donate. Disney World Cast Member Even if you can’t donate any funds to these organizations, you can help in so many other ways like by sharing this post with others who can donate, or just by giving your time and energy to others — whether it’s your own family or local community — to promote happiness and joy. That could mean opening a door for someone else, checking in on a friend who may be spending the holidays alone, or spending some time with elderly family members via Zoom. Magic Kingdom Holiday Cavalcade And even if you are inclined and have the resources to give back to others with your money, this list is not all-inclusive. There are many great organizations out there helping people, pets, wild animals, and more. This list is just a small sampling of some of those awesome organizations that we wanted to share with you! Alright, let’s dive in! 1. Give Kids the World Village Recently, we visited the Night of a Million Lights event at the Give Kids the World Village and it was absolutely gorgeous and such a great way to give back to this organization. If you’re unfamiliar with this group, Give Kids the World Village is a large nonprofit resort that provides week-long, cost-free vacations to critically ill children and their families. There are accessible attractions and so much for families to enjoy there. Since 1986, Give Kids the World Village has welcomed more than 176,000 families. Night of a Million Lights Due to the pandemic, the Give Kids the World Village has been closed since March, but they are getting ready to welcome families one day in the future, once it’s safe to do so. The Night of a Million Lights event is meant to raise funds for future wish-granting once the Give Kids the World Village can reopen. If you’d like to help make future wish kids’ stays at this resort possible, you can visit the Night of a Million Lights event at the village in Orlando while it lasts through January 3rd. You can learn more about it and purchase your tickets by visiting the Give Kids the World Village website. Night of a Million Lights You can also make a financial or in-kind donation, or even sign up to volunteer your time to help Give Kids the World Village in their events. See more on how to help by visiting their website. 2. Make-A-Wish The next organization we want to highlight is Make-A-Wish, which has a long history with The Walt Disney Company. Make-A-Wish’s mission is to create life-changing wishes for children diagnosed with critical illnesses. In the U.S., a wish is actually granted every 34 minutes. There are a few days in which you can help the Make-A-Wish foundation. First, you can donate to the organization directly by visiting their website. Nathaniel’s going to Disney World! You can also purchase the Disney Parks Wishables: Magic Carpets of Aladdin series as 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Make-A-Wish. New Wishables These Wishables are available online and in Walt Disney World. Additionally, for every Mickey Mouse Vintage Holiday Plush sold through January 31, 2021, Disney will be donating 25% of the purchase price to Make-A-Wish. ©Disney You can grab this plush on shopDisney right now to help this great cause. 3. Cast Member Pantry Looking for a way to help Cast Members in need specifically? We’ve got a couple of options there as well. First, you could consider giving to the Cast Member Pantry, which now serves Cast Members in Orlando and California. The program provides Cast Members in need with a reusable grocery bag filled with foods to make meals for 4, with breakfast and snack options as well, once a month. @castmemberpantry Want to help this organization? You can scroll through their Amazon wishlist where you’ll be able to purchase Visa gift cards, Amazon gift cards, and other things that will be donated to Cast Members. You can also send the group a donation via Venmo (@castmemberpantry) or visit their Facebook page for more information. 4. Castgiving You can also consider donating to Castgiving, which is an organization that helps Cast Members and their families. You can nominate a Cast Member in need or nominate yourself. During Thanksgiving, the organization worked to provide Thanksgiving Day Baskets full of grocery essentials. The organization is working to help Cast Members even more during this holiday season. ©Castgiving Due to the global pandemic, the group will no longer be accepting physical food or food basket donations, but is accepting donations and gift cards. If you want to help, you can donate via Venmo (@CastGiving2020) or PayPal (@CastGiving), or you can purchase some items from their Amazon Wish List, which include lots of gift cards to be provided to Cast Members in need. 5. Second Harvest Food Bank Second Harvest Food Bank works to provide food to thousands of hungry children, seniors, and families every month. There is a Second Harvest Food Bank that benefits Orange County, California (where Disneyland is located and where many impacted Cast Members may also be located). And there is a Second Harvest Food Bank that benefits Central Florida (where Disney World and many of its current or former Cast Members are located). Both organizations partner with local partners to supply food to those in need. ©Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida You can visit both of these organizations’ websites to see how you can give in a variety of ways including financial donations and even by using AmazonSmile when you shop to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank. 6. WDW Cast Member and Hospitality Pets in Need We can’t forget that those in need may also need some assistance caring for their loving pets. Cast Members and hospitality workers with pets can visit the WDW Cast Member and Hospitality Pets in Need group on Facebook to ask for food or supplies. Others can also join the group and offer pet food or supplies that they do not have use for any more to others who may need them. Pet Costume The group administrator will also post in the group about the pet food needs of a particular family and members can post about their own needs. If you join the group, you can respond to these requests and contribute or help. You can also purchase Chewy gift cards for the organization and have it sent to their email, which they note is helpful for assisting families who need specialty foods. You can also reach out to the group to ask about what their current specific needs may be so you can best help — their email is: wdwcastandhospitalitypetsinneed@aol.com. 7. Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando The Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando works to educate, shelter, place, and heal pets and their families. They also run a Pet Food Pantry for families who need it. You can make a financial donation to the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando overall by visiting their website, or you can donate to their pet food pantry specifically by dropping off food or ordering the food online and having it shipped to the organization directly. They also have wish lists that you can buy from to get the pets specific items that they need. ©Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando Learn more by visiting the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando — Pet Food Pantry website. Cast Members in need can access this resource to help their pets during this difficult time. 8. Toys for Tots Looking to give to children in need? Then you can consider donating to Toys for Tots. This organization collects new, unwrapped toys and distributes them to the less fortunate children at Christmas. Toys for Tots You can help this organization in many ways including by giving a financial donation on their website. You can also donate a physical, unwrapped toy to a Toys for Tots collection box, which can be found in many locations. Right now through December 13th, for every new, unwrapped toy donated at a Disney Store in the U.S. or through shopDisney, Disney will donate $1 to Toys for Tots. That can help add even more magic to your donation. ©Disney Disney is also donating $1 to Toys for Tots for every Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Gingerbread pin purchased at a U.S. Disney store or on shopDisney right now through December 24th, 2020. ©Disney We’ve seen Toys for Tots drop off boxes in both Disney World and Disneyland, so if you’ll be visiting the parks soon, be sure to check those out. 9. Salvation Army Another organization that you may want to consider donating to is the Salvation Army, which works in 130 countries around the world, and assists approximately 23 million Americans annually. The organization offers disaster relief services, help for domestic abuse, services for the aging, and much more. ©Salvation Army You can visit the Salvation Army website to donate money or buy gifts from the angel tree registry. 10. American Red Cross Another organization you can donate to is the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross works in various areas including disaster relief, providing lifesaving blood, and more. ©American Red Cross Disney is actually an American Red Cross supporter, and you can learn more about their long-standing relationship here. You can donate to the American Red Cross, and see other ways that you can help, by going to their website. 11. Disney Conservation Fund If you’ve been to the Disney parks (especially Disney’s Animal Kingdom) you’ve probably seen buttons or other things referencing the Disney Conservation Fund. The Fund is committed to protecting wildlife around the world and donates to support nonprofit organizations working to save wildlife, inspire action, and protect the planet. ©Disney To donate to the Conservation Fund, you can either visit one of the spots in the parks, or send a check to the organization. Find out more here. 12. Points of Light Volunteer Opportunities If you’re looking to volunteer your time, you can go online to Points of Light and search through thousands of volunteer opportunities — some of which you can do remotely. 13. Buy from Cast Member-Owned Businesses There are also LOTS of Cast Members, current and former, who have their own businesses which you can purchase from. We’re talking stickers, jewelry, clothing, masks, art, and so much more! You’re sure to find some unique items on that list that will be perfect holiday gifts for yourself or your family and friends, and you’ll get to help out a Cast Member while doing it! Cast Members at the Boardwalk Bakery There’s an entire spreadsheet of Cast Member businesses that Jessica and Ashleigh of The Theme Parkettes Podcast put together, so that’s a great resource to turn to. Click here to access the spreadsheet! You can also check out the Ear for Each Other Facebook group which works to support Cast Members. Specifically, furloughed and laid off Cast Members can share their “side hustle” and others can then buy from those Cast Members or hire them to do work for them. “Capture Your Moment” Memory Maker Want some cool magnets or maybe even amazing character-inspired candy apples made by a former Main Street Confectionary Cast Member? That’s the place where you’ll find it all! 14. The Actors Fund Finally, the Disney layoffs have also affected many of our beloved performers in Disney World, and the pandemic has hit Broadway performers hard as well (including those from Disney on Broadway). If you’re looking to help those performers, you may want to donate to The Actors Fund, which offers support groups, education, emergency financial assistance, and help to those who work in entertainment and the performing arts, as well as career counseling, employment training, and much more. Festival of the Lion King You can visit The Actors Fund website to donate. 15. The TwELF Days of Christmas If you’re in the Central Florida area, you can also help members of the arts community in need by visiting The TwELF Days of Christmas drive-thru experience. St. Luke’s United Methodist Church has teamed up with We Bring The Funny to create a socially distanced event where you drive alongside North Pole Elves “on a journey to create the greatest gift for Orlando.” It’s got holiday lights, live music, comedic vignettes from local actors including several Disney actors who have lost their jobs due to the layoffs, and more! ©The TwELF Days of Christmas The TwELF Days of Christmas is available select nights from December 11th-13th, and December 18th-20th from 6:30PM to 9:00PM. The event is actually FREE but you must reserve tickets online to help manage capacity. You can reserve your spot by visiting their website. St. Luke’s United Methodist Church has also teamed up with Cheers Bar and Restaurant to offer free food via weekly drive-thru distributions for artists and entertainment industry professionals impacted by this difficult time. This food is available to anyone in the arts community, including musicians, costumers, designers, characters, entertainment management, and more. You can donate to their efforts in helping the Central Florida arts community by visiting their website or giving a donation when you visit The TwELF Days of Christmas event. That’s just a small grouping of the many organizations out there helping Cast Members, kids, and others in need. We’ll update this post if we find any specific additional groups we want to highlight. We hope that no matter what your financial situation may be, what holidays you celebrate, and where you find yourself this year, that this holiday season will bring you lots of joy, love, and hopefully a little bit of magic. And, if you can, we hope that you’ll be inspired to create some magic (in whatever way you can) for others. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Let us know what special ways you’ll be making some magic for others this holiday season in the comments below! The post 15 Ways You Can Make Disney Magic For Others By Giving Back This Holiday Season! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Splitsville in Disney World Is Celebrating Cast Members With These Special Discounts! I’m Not Crying, YOU’RE Crying at Our Readers’ Favorite Cast Member Experiences Here’s A List of Disney Cast Member-Owned Businesses You Can Support View the full article

The Disney World water parks closed earlier along with the rest of Disney World. But now, even after much of Disney World has reopened, the water parks remain closed, at least until March 2021. Typhoon Lagoon Several months ago, Disney sent an email to Annual Passholders about receiving a partial refund on their passes due to the water parks’ extended closure. As of today, Annual Passholders are starting to receive emails indicating that these refunds have been processed and that they should expect the refund in the mail soon. Annual Passholder Partial Refund Per the previous email, the refund amount is calculated based on the price difference between what was paid for the Platinum Plus Pass and the price of a Platinum Annual Pass prorated by the number of days left on the pass before the water parks’ reopening. Refunds will be paid in a lump sum. Blizzard Beach Passholders with questions or concerns can call V.I.PASSHOLDER Support at (407) 939-7277. And if we get any more updates, we’ll be sure to let you know! Annual Passholders Can Shop for Exclusive Holiday Merchandise in Magic Kingdom SOON 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! Preorder 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! Your order will include a FREE instant download of the 2020 Edition of the Guide! 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 a Disney World Annual Passholder? Let us know in the comments! The post Water Park Refunds Being Processed for Disney World Annual Passholders! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: BIG Changes Announced for Transportation and Water Parks When Disney World Reopens Could Disney World’s Water Parks Be Reopening SOON?! NEWS: Due to Extended Water Park Closures, Some Disney World Annual Passholders Will Receive a Partial Refund View the full article

As Downtown Disney continues to welcome guests to the Disneyland Resort, a series of shopping events have taken place at the former location of ESPN Zone. These reservation-only events are an opportunity for guests to more easily purchase high-demand merchandise items! Wooden Boba Fett doll from a Disneyland shopping event Recent events have included items from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge as well as the upcoming Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure! Shoppers will have another chance to collect limited-release merchandise items next week, and reservations are available now! The upcoming shopping event, which will take place from December 7th through December 10th, is all about celebrating anniversaries! Shoppers can purchase pins commemorating the 80th anniversary of Fantasia, including a Jumbo Scene Pin for $74.99. Items available at next week’s shopping event © Disney You can also mark the 30th anniversary of Rescuers Down Under with a series of limited release pins that will retail for $19.99 each. Items available at next week’s shopping event © Disney Also, this shopping event is when you can finally find the Disneyland 65th Anniversary Funko with the NEW Walt Disney vinylmation! This Funko is part of a 65th Anniversary series and will retail for $39.99. ©Disney We’ll continue to keep our eyes peeled for even more shopping events taking place at Downtown Disney in the coming weeks! Click here to check out other Disneyland 65th Anniversary Funko Pops! 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! Have you shopped at one of the Downtown Disney events this year? Let us know in the comments! The post Collect Anniversary Pins and MORE at the Next Disneyland Shopping Event! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Disneyland Funko POP! Figurines Are Here for the 65th Anniversary Featuring Classic Attractions! What’s New at the Disneyland Resort: Indiana Jones Anniversary Merch and a Lemon Raspberry Dole Whip Float! What’s New Downtown Disney: Halloween Snacks and Backlot Premiere Shop Opens View the full article

Since Disney World’s reopening this summer, we’ve slowly started to see more and more dining locations reopen throughout the parks! KRNR The Rock Station Food Truck Most recently, we’ve seen the reopening of ABC Commissary and Woody’s Lunch Box at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but we’re happy to report that one more food spot at that park has also reopened TODAY — KRNR The Rock Station Food Truck! KRNR is a quick-service food truck where you can pick up quick snacks like cookies and chips, but it’s the frozen treats that we really appreciate here, including soft-serve ice cream, root beer floats, and frozen lemonade. Pineapple Orange Smoothie Taking a look at the menu, we’re happy to report that all of our favorite frozen beverages are available for purchase! If you find yourself over near the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and need a quick snack, hop on over to KRNR for a fast pick-me-up! And in the meantime, we’ll let you know if any other dining spots reopen at Disney World! The Menu at the Reopening Tomorrowland Terrace in Magic Kingdom Looks Oddly Familiar Disney Park Reopening Details and Info Click HERE for the All Latest Updates Click HERE To See FULL LISTS of the Rides, Attractions, Shopping, Entertainment, and Restaurants Opening in Disney World! TUTORIAL: How To Use Disney World's NEW Park Pass Reservation System ALL Disney World Reopening Procedures Disney World Hotel and Ticket Booking Information We’re Visiting ALL the Reopened Disney World Hotels and Have All the Need-to-Know Details We’re LIVE in Disney World's Magic Kingdom For the FIRST Time Since the Closures We’re LIVE in Disney’s Animal Kingdom For the FIRST Time Since the Closures We Got a FIRST LOOK at Disney World’s New Character Cavalcades and Entertainment! Everything You NEED To Know About Wearing Masks in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter To get all the latest Disney Park Closure News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Have you ever picked up a snack or drink at KRNR? Let us know in the comments! The post The KRNR Rock Station Food Truck at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Has Reopened! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: How To Ride Slinky Dog Dash with NO WAIT! Is After Hours At Disney’s Hollywood Studios Right For YOU?? This Is the ONLY Place You Can Grab a Sweet Cream Cheese Pretzel at Disney World Right Now! Howdy, Partner! Woody’s Lunch Box Has REOPENED in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! View the full article

Heading to Disney World next week? Let us help you plan your trip! Cinderella Castle We have all the latest info you’ll need to know if you’re heading to the parks, including park hours as well as current Disney Park Pass Reservation availability! Disney World Park Hours the Week of December 6th Next week, Magic Kingdom will have park hours of 8AM-8PM Monday through Thursday, and will stay open for one hour later from 8AM-9PM on Sunday, Friday, and Saturday. Magic Kingdom park hours the week of December 6th, 2020 © Disney EPCOT will have daily park hours of 12PM-9PM Monday through Thursday. The park will open one hour earlier and stay open one hour later from 11AM-10PM on Sunday, Friday, and Saturday. The Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will be open the same hours as the park each day. EPCOT park hours the week of December 6th, 2020 © Disney Disney’s Hollywood Studios will have daily park hours of 9AM-7PM the week of December 6th. Disney’s Hollywood Studios park hours the week of December 6th, 2020 © Disney Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open from 8AM-5PM Monday through Thursday, and will stay open three hours later from 8AM-8PM on Sunday, Friday, and Saturday. Disney’s Animal Kingdom park hours the week of December 6th, 2020 © Disney If you’re looking to hit the parks as soon as possible, your best bets for early mornings will be Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, which open at 8AM each day. Tree of Life If you’re looking to stay in the parks later in the evening, EPCOT has consistently the latest park hours, closing at either 9PM or 10PM each day. Spaceship Earth at night If you want to maximize your time at Animal Kingdom, you’ll get a whopping three extra hours on Sunday, Friday, and Saturday next week. Heading to EPCOT next week? Click here to check out all of the menus from this year’s Festival of the Holidays! Current Disney Park Pass Reservation Availability the Week of December 6th Let’s take a look now at the current Disney Park Pass Reservation System availability for the week of December 6th. Disney Resort Guests Disney Resort Guests currently have available reservations at EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom on December 6th. Disney Resort Guest Park Pass December 6th availability as of December 4th © Disney On Monday, December 7th, Resort Guests can book a Park Pass Reservation at each park with the exception of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney Resort Guest Park Pass December 7th availability as of December 4th © Disney From December 8th through December 11th, Resort Guests currently have Park Pass availability at all four parks! Disney Resort Guest Park Pass December 8th availability as of December 4th © Disney On Saturday, December 12th, Disney Resort Guests can only make a reservation at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The other three parks’ reservations are filled as of this writing. Disney Resort Guest Park Pass December 12th availability as of December 4th © Disney Theme Park Ticket Guests On December 6th Theme Park Ticket Guests have availability at EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Reservations for Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are currently full. Theme Park Ticket Guest Park Pass December 6th availability as of December 4th © Disney On December 7th, Magic Kingdom EPCOT, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom currently have Park Pass Reservations available. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is filled as of this writing. Theme Park Ticket Guest Park Pass December 7th availability as of December 4th © Disney From December 8th through December 10th, Theme Park Ticket Guests can make reservations at each of the four parks. Theme Park Ticket Guest Park Pass December 8th availability as of December 4th © Disney On December 11th and, Theme Park Ticket Guests can make reservations at EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Magic Kingdom is currently full as of this writing. Theme Park Ticket Guest Park Pass December 11th availability as of December 4th © Disney On Saturday, December 12th, Theme Park Ticket Guests can only book a Park Pass Reservation at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The other three parks are full as of this writing. Theme Park Ticket Guest Park Pass December 12th availability as of December 4th © Disney Annual Passholders Disney World Annual Passholders currently have the most limited availability as of this writing. On Sunday, December 6th, no parks currently have Park Pass availability. Annual Passholder Park Pass Availability for December 6th as of December 3rd © Disney From Monday, December 7th through Thursday, December 10th, Annual Passholders can book Park Pass Reservations at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is currently full on those dates. Annual Passholder Park Pass Availability for December 7th as of December 3rd © Disney On Friday, December 11th, Annual Passholders can book Park Pass Reservations at EPCOT or Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Annual Passholder Park Pass Availability for December 11th as of December 3rd © Disney Finally, on Saturday, December 12th, there are currently no Park Pass Reservations available at any of the four parks. Looking ahead to the rest of the month, however, there is still plenty of days left where all four theme parks are available. Annual Passholder Park Pass Availability for December 12th as of December 3rd © Disney Be sure to keep checking back every week for more updates on the latest information when it comes to Disney World park hours as Park Pass Reservation availability! Looking to do some holiday shopping in Disney World next week? Click here to learn about a new mobile check out system! 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! Preorder 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! Your order will include a FREE instant download of the 2020 Edition of the Guide! 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 at Disney World next week? Let us know in the comments! The post Disney World Park Hours and Park Pass Availability For the Week of December 6th first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: There’s One BIG Problem That Could Derail Your Disney World Trip This Year NEWS: Disney World Park Hours Are Now Available Through December 19th! NEWS: Disney World Park Hours Are Now Available Through December 26th! View the full article

Welcome, Adventurers! I hope you have enjoyed traveling “around the world” with our collection of at-home virtual trips inspired by beloved Adventures by Disney destinations. Today we’re taking you to the storied land of pyramids and pharaohs, where many have traveled to experience the mystery and wonder of this ancient civilization. Next stop: Egypt! Gather your family together to virtually explore this remarkable destination. 1. Play like an Egyptian When it comes to Egypt, there are so many stories to share. It is a destination that has fascinated historians, archeologists and explorers for centuries. On an Adventures by Disney guided group tour or Private Adventure to Egypt, you will experience this amazing destination and learn so much about the people, places and culture. But rather than simply sharing some of the highlights, why not give you a chance to test your knowledge? We’ve put together a matching game in which you and your family pair each subject with its corresponding description. Think you can get a perfect score? Print out the game and answer sheet to get started. 2. Taste the flavors of Egypt TOn day six of our Adventures by Disney itinerary in Egypt, families learn how to cook traditional dishes using fresh, local ingredients. Well today, get ready to enjoy the flavors of Egypt in your own kitchen with this delicious Ginger Carrot Soup recipe. This savory dish, from our friends at Disney Family, is the perfect addition to your at-home Egyptian adventure. 3. Take your next meeting to Egypt Display your love for travel during your next video conference with these Adventures by Disney virtual backgrounds. Guests visit the pyramids and Sphinx of Giza (left) and the Luxor temple (right) on both our Adventures by Disney guided group itinerary and Private Adventure to Egypt. Just marvel at the grandeur of these iconic monuments! How the ancient Egyptians built these impressive structures remains somewhat of a mystery to this day. To use the backgrounds, right-click on the images and save them to your computer. Be sure to check out the terms of use  before downloading. Then, follow the conferencing platform’s instructions to add some Adventures by Disney magic to your video conferencing. 4. Become a “seasoned” traveler On every Adventures by Disney trip, guests are immersed in the culture and experiences that make up the heart of each destination. And in Egypt, the traditional “souks,” or marketplaces, are a big part of everyday life. On the Egypt itinerary, adventurers will visit Khan el-Khalili, a famous marketplace established in the 14th century. There, you’ll find all sorts of goods and products – including herbs and spices. So, let’s bring a small taste of this adventure to you with a sampling of spices you might find when exploring the marketplaces of Egypt. For this activity, gather together the below list of spices and display them in separate bowls. Take turns with your family members exploring the properties of each spice as you read its description (listed below). Do you taste the strong bite of the ginger? How about the sweetness of the cinnamon? Which one is most fragrant? After trying them all, make a meal combining your favorite flavors. May we suggest the Ginger Carrot Soup? (See above recipe.) Ginger: Refreshing, spicy, pungent, sweet and warm. Ginger is considered a “hot-tasting” spice and is used for many things, including herbal medicine, baked goods, condiments, beverages, candies and even pickled ginger. Cinnamon: Sweet, spicy and warm with a woody fragrance. Used in both sweet and savory dishes. In ancient times, cinnamon was a highly sought-after and valuable spice. Did you know that Egyptians used cinnamon – along with other spices – in the embalming process due to its antibacterial properties? Coriander: Warm, nutty and spicy with a distinctive citrus flavor. Some uses for this spice include condiments, desserts, stews, marinades and meat dishes. Coriander leaves are popular garnishes. Cardamom: Intense sweet flavor and aromatic. Cardamom seeds are often used for cooking, but this spice is also commonly used to flavor coffee. If using whole cardamom pods, break open the pods and grind the seeds to taste this spice. Cumin: Earthy, spicy and strongly aromatic. Cumin is one of the ancient Mediterranean spices. The seeds can be used whole or ground, and popular uses include kabobs, couscous, stews, breads and sauces. Turmeric: Aromatic and bitter. This spice is believed to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is commonly used in curry and rice dishes. With its bold color, this spice serves as a natural coloring agent. Expert at-home traveler tip! Enjoy your meal along with some freshly brewed mint or hibiscus tea – two popular beverages in Egypt. In 2021, families can travel to Egypt with Adventures by Disney by booking a guided group tour or a brand-new Private Adventure. For more Adventures at Home, be sure to check out our collection of virtual trips and at-home activities. Travel to Greece, the land of powerful gods and extraordinary heroes; explore the majestic natural wonders of Iceland; discover the wilderness and rich culture of Alaska; learn about time-honored traditions in Ireland; join a safari to South Africa or experience the beauty of  Montana and Yellowstone National Park. Stay tuned to Disney Parks Blog for even more #DisneyMagicMoments and experience the magic of Disney wherever you may be. See you next time, adventurers! http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DisneyParks/~4/LqPEU_QwPxgView the full article

There’s just something about baby animals, right? Baby Giraffe at Animal Kingdom @drmarkatdisney We’ve been so excited to see some of the recent babies born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, too, including a baby white rhino, a baby aardvark, and a baby giraffe! And now two baby giraffes have taken their first steps into the savannas of Kilimanjaro Safaris! Guests riding the attraction can now see the baby Masai giraffes, Maple and Zella, enjoying their time on the savanna, with their giraffe family, along with zebras, springboks, and wildebeests. Baby Giraffes at Kilimanjaro Safaris ©drmarkatdisney We hopped on Kilimanjaro Safaris ourselves to see the babies, but only got a slight peek — they were hiding out in a corner of the savanna. A Cast Member told us the baby there was taking her time and being shy — we totally get it. The savanna is HUGE and that’s got to be a little scary for a first-timer! Baby Giraffe at Kilimanjaro Safaris But we did see plenty of other animals, and we’ll be back soon to check on the babies! Kilimanjaro Safaris And when we do — we’ll be sure to share photos! So stay tuned! Fly Like a Banshee With Two NEW Items We Spotted in Disney’s Animal 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! Preorder 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! Your order will include a FREE instant download of the 2020 Edition of the Guide! 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 animal on the safari? Let us know in the comments! The post PHOTOS: You Can Now See Two Baby Giraffes At Disney's Animal Kingdom! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: What’s New in Animal Kingdom — Construction Updates, a Mary Poppins Pin, and MORE! What’s New at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Food Specials, an Adorable Mickey Throw Blanket, and Fun Animal Encounters! What’s New at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Animal Kingdom Lodge: Construction, Muffins, and More! View the full article

The child was brought to tears by the situation, embarrassed he had to take his prothesis leg in front of strangers and then was stranded, his mother said. View the full article

There’s a lot to consider if you’re planning a trip to Disney World in early 2021! Not only has a lot changed at the parks due to the global health crisis, but January 1st will also bring park hopping back into the equation! Spaceship Earth One thing we’re also keeping an eye on is park hours — we’ve seen a lot of changes just for the hours these past few months. The good news is that if you’re planning a trip in February, we’ve already got park hours for early that month, but Disney also just released hours through February 20th! So here are the hours you need to know if you’re planning a trip to Disney World for mid-February! Magic Kingdom Magic Kingdom hours are pretty much remaining exactly the same throughout the month of February: the park will open at 9AM and close at 6PM. February 2021 Magic Kingdom Hours ©Disney EPCOT EPCOT’s hours for mid-February will also remain the same: 11AM to 7PM. February 2021 EPCOT Hours ©Disney Disney’s Hollywood Studios Over at Hollywood Studios, the hours are also the same as those in early February: 10AM to 7 PM. February 2021 Hollywood Studios Hours ©Disney Disney’s Animal Kingdom Finally, the hours at Animal Kingdom will not change throughout the month. Those hours will stay at 9AM to 5 PM. February 2021 Animal Kingdom Hours ©Disney So far, we don’t see any changes in hours at the parks, but we’ve seen park hours change in the past. We’ll be sure to keep an eye on it, though, and if something does change, we’ll be sure to let you know! These Are the Most Popular Disney World Rides. Do You Agree? 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! Preorder 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! Your order will include a FREE instant download of the 2020 Edition of the Guide! 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 visiting Disney World in February? Let us know in the comments! The post NEWS: Disney World Park Hours Released Through Mid-February first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: NEWS: Disney World Park Hours Are Now Available Through December 26th! News! Disney World Park Hours Announced for Early November! NEWS! Disney World Extends Hours for Select Parks on Columbus Day Weekend View the full article

Things are constantly changing at Disney World. Cinderella Castle You may be thinking — “it’s only Disney, how much MAJOR news could happen in just one week?” Well, buckle up partner! We’ve got 3 pieces of BIG Disney news that may have a huge impact on your next Disney World vacation. 1. You Can Now SKIP Long Merchandise Lines in Disney World Love to use Mobile Order to get your food in the Disney Parks in a quick and convenient way? Then we have a feeling you’re going to love the new Merchandise Mobile Checkout system that Disney has been testing this week at both Disney World and Disneyland. Mobile Checkout With this new system, you go to the store you want to shop at in the parks, open the My Disney Experience app (in Disney World) or the Disneyland app (in Disneyland), scan the items you want to purchase as you’re walking around the store, and put them in a special Mobile Checkout bag. Screenshot from My Disney Experience When you’re done shopping in the store, you can pay through the app (instead of waiting in line), and then go through a quick final check with a Cast Member, and you’re DONE! The time for waiting in looooong check-out lines may be over thanks to this new system! Screenshot from My Disney Experience of Mobile Checkout We felt like it was really easy to use. When we tried it, the system was only testing in Mouse Gear at EPCOT and World of Disney in Downtown Disney, but we’re on the lookout for more information and to see if the system will eventually become permanent. Click here to see more about our mobile checkout experience in Disney World! 2. Disney Characters May Be Coming to Your Disney World Resort Hotel Another BIG piece of news that came out this week was that Disney characters MAY be coming to Disney World Resort hotels this month in (get this) customized RVs! We’ve mostly seen characters in the park — save for some hotel character dining experiences, and our recent spotting of Goofy and Pluto at the Stormalong Bay pool in Disney’s Beach Club Resort, so seeing the characters in a bigger way at the hotels would be a big and really fun change. Pluto and Goofy! WDWMagic reported about these pop-up events potentially coming to the hotels soon, but we haven’t heard anything from Disney just yet. We’re definitely on the lookout for more information about this and will let you know if we are able to get more details in the future. Click here to read more about whether Disney characters may be coming to your Disney World Resort hotel soon! 3. Disney Is Editing On-Ride Photos to Add Masks for Guests Wearing Them Improperly Finally, we end our news roundup with some information we found out very recently. Some guests’ masks may accidentally slip or be removed (perhaps accidentally their child) during a ride, resulting in a ride photo featuring that guest without a mask or wearing the mask improperly. Disney will not provide guests with photos where a face mask is not worn properly. So, what can be done for those guests who still want their on-ride photos? Disney is testing out a solution. © Kylene Wimpsett | DisneyFoodBlog Disney is now testing out a system where they edit guests’ photos to show the guests wearing a face covering. Of course, Disney does still require guests to wear masks at all times (including on attractions), except when actively eating or drinking AND stationary. But, this new system could help guests whose masks slip accidentally on rides but still want to get their photos. It’s still in testing though and is only available on Dinosaur in Animal Kingdom and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in Magic Kingdom. We’ll keep an eye out for more information as things move forward. Curious what this edited face mask looks like? Click here to see our post with a photo sent to us of how it looks! And that’s all for the BIG Disney World changes this week! Of course, there were lots of other news stories like changes in D23’s Gold Family Membership, updates on the coronavirus situation in Florida, chances for you to enter to win 23 days of Disney prizes, and some amazing patents filed by Disney giving us a peek at the future. For ALL the latest Disney news, be sure to check back with us often at DFB! Click here to see news about Disney’s stock values! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Are you planning to visit a Disney theme park soon? Let us know in the comments! The post The 3 Most Unexpected Changes That Happened in Disney World This Week! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Disney News This Week: ALL the News and Updates from the Most Magical Places on Earth! What Has To Happen Before Disney World Reopens Remember When Disney Had the WORST Timing Ever? View the full article

We have been tasting our way around the Holiday Kitchens at the 2020 Taste of EPCOT Festival of the Holidays since it kicked off just last week. EPCOT Festival of the Holidays And if you’re planning on spending some of the holiday season in Walt Disney World doing the same, we’ve got just the thing to help you find ALL the food and drinks at this very festive Festival, indeed! It’s the Disney Food Blog 2020 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Map! (Be sure to click the image to enlarge for easier reading and printing.) 2020 Epcot Festival of the Holidays Holiday Kitchens Map – – CLICK TO ENLARGE OR PRINT We’ve created this tool so you can find every item on your own Must-Try list for the Festival. Are you planning to try all of the DFB picks for the Best of the Fest? Or are you getting ALL THE COOKIES on the Holiday Cookie Stroll? With locations marked for all of the Festival’s Holiday Kitchens, our DFB Map will get you there! Eating all those cookies, though? That’s all on you! (Ok, unless you invite us to help… I mean, you know we’re here for you, right? ) HAVE FUN!! Find ALL of the information you need for the 2020 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays here! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney World Fun This Holiday Season! The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2020 is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World. Order The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2020 now! It includes over 400 pages of must-have information, including: A full What's New!! chapter for the 2020 Holiday Season A full Monthly Schedule of Events for the Holiday Season How to avoid the crowds on Disney World's busiest days (and when Disney World closes their parks due to capacity!) ALL of the events, activities, and holiday additions in Walt Disney World. ALL. OF. THEM. And of course we'll tell you where to eat! ;-D Click HERE to Order your 2020 Guide now and get 20% off with code PEPPERMINT! As always, our e-Books are 100% guaranteed! If you don't love it, you get your money back! MORE Disney World Holiday INFO! ALL the Holiday Treats in Disney World This Year (With Reviews!) Disney World’s 2020 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Has Been Canceled Photos! The Holiday Season Has Begun in Disney World! Disney World’s 2020 Candlelight Processional in EPCOT Has Been Canceled EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays Is Returning to Disney World This November! Disney World Will Have NO Gingerbread Displays in Hotels This Holiday Season! Check Out Cinderella Castle's NEW Holiday Projections For the Holidays! Here’s ALL of the Christmas Entertainment Coming to Disney World This Year! Photos! Check Out This Year's Christmas Tree Stroll in Disney Springs! We Reviewed the New Minnie’s Holiday Dine at Hollywood & Vine in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Are you going to the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays this year? Please let us know with a comment! The post The Disney Food Blog Exclusive 2020 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Map is HERE! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: The 2020 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Booth MENUS Are HERE! We’re BACK at the Citrus Blossom Booth for the THIRD. EPCOT. Festival. In. A. Row. 😂 NEWS: EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays Is Returning to Disney World This November! View the full article

Disney World is constantly updating and improving attractions, resorts, and restaurants on property. Drained Rivers of America It takes a lot of effort to make the theme parks look fresh and new! The scheduled refurbishments can sometimes put a snag in your plans, however. We’re here to update you on all the scheduled weekly refurbs between December 6th through December 13, 2020. This way, you can plan around the closures on your trip! The holidays are here and crowds are picking up a bit! Let’s take a look at what Disney has scheduled refurbishments in the theme parks. Tom Sawyer Island and Liberty Square Riverboat Rivers of America is officially bone dry. We may not notice what was updated when the construction is finished, but the area is undergoing some major refurbishments. Without water, the two main attractions located on Rivers of America can’t operate. The attractions affected are Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island. Drained Rivers of America It’s a little bizarre to see the river totally drained and it definitely makes for some interesting pictures! They have been laying a new track, which is pretty cool to see. The refurb is scheduled to last until February 28th, 2021. Read more about the Rivers of America Refurbishment here! Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover Tomorrowland fans everywhere are mourning the temporary closure of the PeopleMover. What can we say? We love getting a bird’s eye view of the Magic Kingdom! The attraction was originally intended to reopen with the rest of the Magic Kingdom in July. The closure was extended and the ride eventually landed on the refurb schedule. PeopleMover Closed The PeopleMover is scheduled to remain closed until January 9th, 2021. Read more about the PeopleMover’s refurbishment here! Walt Disney World Railroad Ah, the beloved Disney World train! The train tracks are currently being interrupted by the TRON: Lightcycle Run construction happening in Tomorrowland. It’s unclear when the train will be making its way around the Magic Kingdom again. TRON is projected to open in October 2021 so it could be around that time. Disney hasn’t announced any official details on the reopening date for the train as of now. Magic Kingdom train station The train is currently parked in Fantasyland Train Station so you can visit the iconic attraction and take photos! Read more about the TRON construction here! Additional Construction There is a lot more construction happening outside of the scheduled refurbs. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is getting a major facelift. Over in EPCOT, the park is a maze of construction walls as Disney prepares for its massive transformation. Also, you’ll see new enhancements like the Magic Kingdom entrance sign and the Welcome Gate. Plus, both water parks, attractions, shows, and a few resorts have yet to reopen. Polynesian Construction Keep in mind that all of the refurbishment schedules are subject to change. The construction could end earlier or later than Disney intended. We’ll continue to keep a close watch on the refurb calendar and inform you of any changes! Read more about EPCOT’s transformation the park’s progress 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! Preorder 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! Your order will include a FREE instant download of the 2020 Edition of the Guide! 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 below! The post 4 Magic Kingdom Attractions Will Be Closed in Disney World Next Week! 😱 first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: ALL the Attractions That Will be CLOSED for Refurbishment in Disney World Next Week! Here Are the Disney World Hotels and Attractions that Are Closed in November 2020 PHOTOS: Here’s What Disney World’s Rivers of America Looks Like Now! View the full article

Disney has just announced the latest round of cruise cancellations. ©Disney Cruise Line Sailing to Alaska Just yesterday we reported that several cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, had pushed their earliest sailings into March or April 2021. Now, Disney Cruise Line has once again delayed its return to sailing with another round of cancellations. This morning, Disney Cruise Line announced that all departures through February 28th, 2021 have been canceled. Like with the other cruise lines, the reason for this delay is to meet the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance for cruising. Screenshot As with previous cancellations, those who have paid their reservation in full will be offered the choice of a cruise credit to be used for a future sailing or a full refund. Guests who have not paid their reservations in full will automatically receive a refund of what they have paid so far. You or your travel agent will receive an email detailing the next steps. They have also extended their final payment deadlines. ©Disney Magic Those who have booked through a travel agent should contact them with questions. For those who booked directly, you can call (866) 325-6685 or (407) 566-7797 with any questions you may have after receiving your email. ©Disney Disney has previously noted that cruising will be one of the last arms of the company to return. As always, stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney updates and news. Click here to learn more about delays at other cruise lines. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Were you sailing on an impacted cruise? Tell us in the comments! The post NEWS: Disney Cruise Line Cancels Cruises Through February 2021 first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: NEWS! Disney Cruise Line Has Canceled MORE Sailings Into July Disney Cruise Line Offers Extension of Future Cruise Credit for Guests Affected by Cancellations News: Disney Cruise Line Is Canceling Sailings Through Early November View the full article

Disneyland might not be open yet (and we miss it dearly), but Downtown Disney has still been one of our favorite date night or family getaway spots recently. As restaurants have continued to open in the shopping and dining district, table-service locations have been modifying their experiences with limited capacity, seating, and menus. BUT, they’re just as great as we remember them to be! Downtown Disney District Downtown Disney dining has been exclusively offering outdoor seating for guests to relax and enjoy their meals in the nice California weather. For a while, select restaurants started to reintroduce indoor dining again (with limited capacity) once California law permitted it, but they’ve since been pushed back to only outdoor dining, as the county Disneyland resides in has moved to the strictest tier of the state’s Coronavirus protocols. Since we’ve been back in the district, we’ve already kicked back with a few drinks over at Ballast Point Brewing Co., and snacked on a cupcake or two at Sprinkles. We even explored all that the newly reopened Buena Vista Street in Disney’s California Adventure had to offer, including al fresco dining at Carthay Circle Lounge. But, there’s nothing like an evening with great Mexican food and even better company (oh, and LOTS of chips and salsa). Tortilla Jo’s So we’re heading to Tortilla Jo’s in Downtown Disney — those refried beans and enchiladas have been calling our name! Check-in Process and Seating When guests first arrive to indulge in all that Mexican food, the outdoor dining area is sectioned off to people walking past or lining up to check-in. Tortilla Jo’s Seating Many Disney World restaurants are currently using the Mobile Dine Check-in feature, but as for anybody visiting Tortilla Jo’s or other sit-down dining locations in Disneyland, they will wait in a socially distanced line before reaching the hostess counter to check-in. Tortilla Jo’s Queue A hand sanitizing station is available for guests to use, and masks are required at the restaurant, as they are around the rest of Downtown Disney. The hostess will confirm your reservation before you’re taken to your table. Hostess at Check-in We were led to our table out on the restaurant’s patio area. Again, note that, at this time, dining is limited to outdoors only in California due to Orange County entering the most restrictive tier of state restrictions. This could change to allow indoor dining (Tortilla Jo’s DID allow it dining indoors until this changed recently) once Orange County moves to a higher tier. Tortilla Jo’s Outdoor Seating Seating is distanced so guests are kept apart from one another while they’re dining. The Cast Members are required to wear masks at all times, but guests are able to take them off when they are seated at their table and eating or drinking here. Tortilla Jo’s Outdoor Seating For those of you who haven’t yet had the pleasure of visiting Tortilla Jo’s, here is what the inside typically looks like (pre-social distancing requirements). It features some really great Mexican-vibe decor, including this mural! Tortilla Jo’s Indoor Seating and Mural Seated at our outside table, it was time to take a look at what’s on the menu! Eats The tables each have stickers that have a contactless menu QR code that features the restaurant’s slightly reduced options. Contactless Menu QR Code As you can see, while the menu is still technically “limited” during the phased reopening of Disney, there’s still a TON to choose from at Tortilla Jo’s! In fact, for someone who hasn’t been here before, you’d probably have no idea that it’s missing some of its usual dishes. Tortilla Jo’s Current Menu Note that the stellar “made to your liking” Guacamole IS still available, but it’s just not prepared tableside due to health and safety measures. Your server will ask how spicy and what options you’d like added and it will be prepared in the kitchen. Tortilla Jo’s fresh made guac is downright delightful and, while the very customizable tableside presentation was nice, we’re still glad to see it’s available. If you’ve never tried it, it’s well worth the $16 price tag. ©Tortilla Jo’s Like most Mexican restaurants, Tortilla Jo’s offers a combination plate for guests who can’t decide on just ONE thing off of the menu (definitely us). Here, you can pick 2 items for $21, or 3 items for $26. Our combo of Mexican cuisine included a Crispy Taco and Chicken Enchiladas along with Mexican Rice and Refried Beans. Combination Plate with a Crispy Taco and Chicken Enchiladas The chicken inside the enchiladas had great seasoning, but we were ALL about that salsa verde on top! The sauce added a kick of bright, fresh flavor to the somewhat simple flavors in the enchilada. The Crispy Taco had a fresh-fried corn tortilla filled with ground beef (you can also order shredded chicken) — no pre-packaged boxed tortillas here! The crispy shell combined with the Cotija cheese and pico de gallo on the inside really hit the spot. Combination Plate with a Crispy Taco and Chicken Enchiladas Next up on our trio of dishes, the Tacos de Carne Asada was a HIT for us. The grilled steak cooked with adobo sauce and an onion-cilantro mix had a crazy amount of flavor that came through with every bite. They’re very simple and straightforward, but taste great. And, as always, the refried beans and rice on the side are a plus for us! This dish is offered for $21 and is worth every penny! Carne Asada Street Tacos Last, but certainly not least, we weren’t expecting to get such a HUGE amount of food with the Shredded Chicken Burrito ($21). On the side, it comes with Mexican rice, extra pico de gallo, and sour cream. But, with that big of a portion, you might need to share it with one of your friends or family members! It barely fits on the plate and it’s almost the size of a football! Shredded Chicken Burrito The burrito is packed with refried beans, Monterey jack cheese, and salsa rojo, along with all that tender chicken. Anybody else here already OBSESSED after looking at how much melted cheese is inside that burrito?! Shredded Chicken Burrito Not surprisingly, this was a monster of a meal. We could have easily split this with two people. And, with all of those delicious meals, we left Tortilla Jo’s more than happy (and very, very full) to pop over to the World of Disney… and we maybe even saved room for dessert at Black Tap. Nosh or Not Consider dining at Tortilla Jo’s if: You’re REALLY craving Mexican food! Although there are plenty of great restaurants in Downtown Disney, Tortilla Jo’s is the only spot where you can be at an actual specified Mexican restaurant in the district. You enjoy fresh ingredients in your meals! Tortilla Jo’s uses quality meat and produce in its dishes, which means that you can expect plenty of fresh flavor when you’re dining there. You’re game for unlimited chips and salsa (which are BOMB), since Tortilla Jo’s brings the complimentary appetizer to your table for free (and will keep refilling them as needed!). You may want to skip Tortilla Jo’s if: You’re looking for an inexpensive date night or family outing! Tortilla Jo’s can get pretty pricey for Mexican food, especially when you’re looking at the cost of other Mexican joints outside of Downtown Disney. While $21 for many of their plates seems a tad steep, it’s important to remember that the meals are all cooked using high-quality ingredients (that might make it worth the cost for you). You want more bang for your buck when it comes to food! If you’re looking for a bigger meal for a fraction of the cost, Tortilla Jo’s may not be your first choice. For the amount you’re paying, the portions of the meals could be bigger (with the exception of that Shredded Chicken Burrito!). However, there’s still the unlimited chips and salsa that you could easily fill up on while you’re there, too! You’re looking for more unique dining. You can get Mexican food just about anywhere you live, so if you’re looking for something you’ll only find at Disneyland, consider heading to Buena Vista Street to dine at Carthay Circle Lounge. Overall Though it can be pricey for Mexican food, Tortilla Jo’s has been one of the most reliable places to dine whenever we’re in Downtown Disney. The eats in Downtown Disney tend to skew more towards fast-food type options or smaller bites so if you’re looking for a solid, hearty meal, Tortilla Jo’s will do nicely (especially with limited options in Downtown Disney right now!). Tortilla Jo’s in the Evening At the end of the day, it is basically the same grub you’d find at your local Mexican joint but prepared fresh with quality ingredients. So if you’re looking for truly unique eats, this might not be the spot for you. You’re going to find all your basic Mexican staples like enchiladas, fajitas, burritos, and more. That said, everything we ordered still tasted great! It was all fresh and flavorful, so no complaints here! Shredded Chicken Burrito However, most of the plates from Tortilla Jo’s are over $20, so the eats here don’t come cheap! If you’re looking to dine in the district on a budget, some of the other restaurants around Downtown Disney might be a better choice. Regardless of the price tag, we still think that Tortilla Jo’s is one of best restaurants in Downtown Disney to have a reliable meal, high-quality ingredients, and a relaxing time. Take a look at the new Disneyland Walkway and Park Reservation signs we spotted near Downtown Disney! 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! What has your dining experience been like back in Downtown Disney? Let us know in the comments below! The post Review! We're Eating a Football-Sized Burrito and More at Tortilla Jo's in Disneyland first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Fiesta Time! Dia de los Muertos Celebration is Coming to Tortilla Jo’s in Disneyland! Review! You Have to Check Out the CRAZY Candy Shoppe Sundae in Downtown Disney! A Five-Course Meal? With Wine? And PRIZES? Find Out WHERE in Downtown Disney! View the full article

Disney Cruise Line followed other lines in canceling sailings through February 2021. View the full article

Universal Orlando has released images of its Jurassic World VelociCoaster, the under-construction roller coaster at Islands of Adventure theme park. View the full article

It’s finally sweater weather (even in Florida on some days!). Silver and Gold Minnie Ears Wintertime means it’s time to get COZY, and we’re not complaining. Just wrap us up in a blanket next to a fire with a spiked hot cocoa flight, and we’re happy campers. Today, we’re PUMPED to say we’ve finally found what may be the single coziest pair of Minnie Ears OF ALL TIME. Disney first unveiled these ears WAY back in October and we spotted them in Disneyland Resort last month, so we’ve been waiting not-so-patiently for them to arrive in Florida. Now, they’re finally here! Take a look at the Silver and Gold Minnie Ears! Silver and Gold Minnie Ears No, your eyes do not deceive you. Those ears are FUZZY — and we’re into it. The ears themselves are covered in a super-soft, super-snugglable grey fuzz that gives us super cozy vibes. Silver and Gold Minnie Ears The bow is a big plush feature covered in the silver and gold snowflake pattern that we’ve seen used elsewhere in this new merchandise collection. Plus, the fabric appears knit which only INCREASES the comfort factor. Silver and Gold Minnie Ears We spotted these at World of Disney in Disney Springs for $29.99. These super cute ears are JUST what we’re looking for this winter season! As always, stay tuned to DFB to make sure you’re in the know for all the Disney updates! Check out the brand new Mexico Pavilion Ears 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! Preorder 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! Your order will include a FREE instant download of the 2020 Edition of the Guide! Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What do you think of these new ears? Tell us in the comments! The post FINALLY! The COZIEST Ears We've Ever Seen Just Arrived in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: NEW EARS ALERT! The GLITZIEST New Minnie Ears Just Arrived in Disney World! These Blinged Out 2020 Ears in Disney World are Our EVERYTHING Right Now! Check Out These Super Sparkly Minnie Ears We Spotted in Disney World! View the full article

Walt Disney World reopened with new health and safety guidelines in light of the global health crisis. Together Again Face Mask Some of the guidelines are encouraged, but wearing a proper face covering is a required mandate. Guests are asked to wear masks unless they are actively eating or drinking while remaining stationary or in a Relaxation Station. We’ve shared OODLES of tips with you over the past few months but we’re back with tips we HAVEN’T told you a billion times! Make Sure Your Mask Fits COMFORTABLY On Your Face — And You Can Talk Easily! There is nothing more uncomfortable than wearing a mask that doesn’t fit. If your mask is too tight, it will put tension on your head and ears. This may result in headaches and more discomfort. If it’s too loose, it will slip down your nose all day, which can get pretty annoying. BUT, what about how your mask actually lays on your face? Disney Character Face Masks Don’t like the sensation of your mask against your mouth while you talk? You can add a mask insert to keep the fabric slightly away from the area around your mouth. These are thin plastic shells that sit between your mask and your face that make a small pocket of space near your mouth. This makes it WAY easier to talk (that means less muffled talking and everyone saying “Wha did you say?!”) and if you’re sensitive to the fabric rubbing on your mouth, this helps alleviate that as well. Find out which masks are the most comfortable for your trip to Disney World! Buy a Mask Chain This was one of our biggest lightbulb moments when we realized how useful these guys are! Mask chains can help your mask stay attached without falling on the ground. You simply attach them to your ear loops behind your head (think along the lines of those chains people add to some reading glasses so they can keep them around their neck when not in use). A mask chain will make your life at Disney SO much easier. You can easily slip off your mask while you’re sitting down to eat. It can hang around your neck so you can quickly put it back on when you need to. Rainbow Mickey Face Mask You also don’t have to worry about where to stuff it when you’re removing it to eat or at a Relaxation Station. Putting your mask in your pocket or on a table isn’t super sanitary and you might lose it that way. Added bonus? Mask chains are great for kids! You won’t have to worry about your little one fussing with it and having it fall off somewhere during the day. After discovering mask chains, we use them ALL. THE. TIME. These are SO handy and, for us personally, downright essential! Learn more about helping your kids wear a mask in the parks here! Bring Something to Store Your Masks If you ARE removing your mask when eating, you should have something to keep your masks safe and clean when not in use. They will get dirty and (if your bag is anything like ours) GROSS sitting at the bottom of your park bag. You’ll risk the chance of something leaking onto them or getting them wet if it rains on your bag! If you’re like us, rummaging through a park bag or pocket can mean you accidentally drop your masks as well! DFB Orange Bird Mask Pouch A Ziploc bag, glasses case, or cosmetic bag can help keep your mask safe and sanitary. Even better, have two reusable zipper pouches so you can differentiate clean and used masks throughout the day! We created some handy dandy storage pouches that can help you out in fun Disney-themed prints too! Especially if you have a large family, this makes mealtime much easier to stuff all your masks in your zipper pouch and when the meal is over you can easily dispense out your family’s masks. Find DFB’s Mask Storage Pouches right here! Watch Your Step! You have to be mindful that masks can actually throw off your depth perception somewhat. It can be harder to see the ground in front of you and it’s easier to trip over objects below you. Disney World is full of objects just waiting to be tripped over…even without masks. The deep, inset trolley tracks on Main Street, U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom are just begging to be tripped on every day. There are also decorations, posts, plants, and not to mention little ones running around at your feet! Rainy, Slick Day on Main Street Take your time making your way through crowded areas and be aware of your surroundings! Especially if you’re sensitive to having something covering your face or the sensation of the mask over your nose in your eye line, try to be vigilant as you navigate the parks. Disney World is far more hectic than the real world. It’s easy to be distracted by a character, show, or statue then accidentally trip over a curb! Take this as an opportunity to slow down and enjoy the parks at an even pace. Face ID Doesn’t Work on Your Phone You may have already noticed that Face ID…doesn’t work on phones when wearing a mask. This can get really old when you’re inside Disney World and CONSTANTLY feeling like you’re pulling out your phone. Disney is now very reliant on cashless payments park-wide. That means you’ll be constantly opening your phone to use the My Disney Experience app for dining, checking wait times, and looking up park maps even more than you might have prior. You might need to change some settings on your phone to make things easier and so you’re not pulling down your mask to unlock your phone. Stitch Phone Case We suggest creating an easy to remember passcode for your lock screen and perhaps using a password manager app like LastPass to help whenever you need to manually log into My Disney Experience. Apps like this can generate and save passwords for you so you don’t have to remember them. If you’re comfortable with it, you can also completely disable your passcode on iPhones under settings. This means simply swiping up will unlock your device. All of these tips will save you loads of time when your phone isn’t recognizing your face or you can’t remember your password. Be Aware of Some Unique Side Effects You may end up developing a very mild sore throat after wearing a mask all day. Don’t fret! It happens to some people after wearing a mask for a long period of time. It’s very common for Disney guests to go home and feel a little bit of soreness and fatigue. The Cleveland Health Clinic claims that you may be getting a sore throat after wearing a mask because you’re straining your voice throughout the day. Mask-wearers have to speak louder and enunciate to have others understand what they are saying. Face Mask Sign Wash your masks so you’re not breathing in any additional debris and always be sure to wash your hands before handling your masks as well. Be sure to stay super hydrated throughout the day too. Drinking water will help reduce your sore throat and keep your energy up. It should also be noted that face coverings might give you a case of “mascne,” which means you break out after wearing a mask for so long. Rinse your face throughout the day (we recommend keeping some portable face wipes with you!) to reduce the build-up of sweat or have multiple masks to change throughout the day as a way of “freshening up.” Be sure to wash your face with a mild cleanser once you take off your mask in your room as well each evening! See how Disney World’s face mask requirements have changed over the past few months and what to expect now! What would a mask tip post be without some tried and true favorites? If you’re new to the Disney World mask game or simply looking for a refresher, here’s some advice you need to know! Yes, It Gets Hot! Many guests wonder how hot it gets while wearing a face covering in Disney World. The majority of the year is VERY toasty in Florida. Combine the heat with humidity and it can feel insufferable for some people WITHOUT a mask, but strap some fabric over their mouths and it’s not any better. A few ways to beat the heat is by carrying a fan, drinking plenty of water, and taking plenty of breaks. Locate the Relaxation Stations when you enter a park so you head there quickly when it gets too hot. Tie-dye Mickey Face Mask We also suggest becoming accustomed to a mask by wearing it for prolonged periods at home. Put on your mask and go for a long walk (or jog!) around your neighborhood. Wear it to the gym and hop on a treadmill. Go for a bike ride. You want to stress-test your masks (and yourself) for being in uncomfortable situations for prolonged periods of time. You’ll most likely get used to wearing it after a while. If things get too insufferable in the parks, head back to your resort for a break and some much-needed air conditioning. Find out what it’s like to wear a mask all day at a theme park! Bring an Extra Mask or Two We see a lot of abandoned masks in lines, restrooms, rides, and restaurants. You may drop your mask on the ground and need a clean one. Or, it might rain unexpectedly and you’re left with a soaking wet face covering (the CDC advises you change your mask if it becomes wet). You’re bound to lose a mask amid all the excitement and commotion of experiencing a Disney World trip! You should pack at least two masks in your park bag, just in case you lose one. It’s also advisable to bring several reusable masks if you run out of clean masks. Vending Machines Outside of the Park Entrance Disney sells masks at most gift shops in the parks if you’re looking to buy extras. (We also sell a bunch of cute masks too!) Just be aware that the masks in the park might be more expensive than the masks you’d find at home. They also sell reusable masks for situations like this. Plus, every Disney World resort has a laundry room onsite so you can wash your dirty masks throughout your trip or you can opt to wash your masks in your hotel room sink (just remember to pack a small amount of detergent!). Get Your Own Disney Food Blog Face Masks! With plenty of fun designs to choose from, you’ll be ready for that Disney vacation in style! PLUS, $1 from each mask sold donated to No Kid Hungry! Check out the entire Disney Food Blog mask collection available online here! Fogging Up Your Glasses Masks tend to cycle your warm breath upwards towards your nose. This will cause glasses and sunglasses to fog up fairly often. The effect is two-fold at Disney World. You’re often transferring from blazing heat to freezing air conditioning. Glasses and sunglasses tend to fog up much more given your breath and temperature changes. Animal Kingdom Statue with Sunglasses The constant fog can get irritating and you might have trouble seeing. Consider buying a small bottle of defogger spray for your glasses and sunglasses. Also, make sure the bottle is portable enough so you can stash it in your carry-on and easily care it around with you in the parks. Hang Onto Your Hats and Glasses…and Masks! Disney guests are required to wear a mask on all rides…including high-speed roller coasters and water rides. We’ve seen many masks fly off of guests where they drift into the coaster abyss below. It can feel a little panicky coming off a coaster and realizing your mask has flown off somewhere during your ride. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train This is where all of our tips come into play! Make your mask fits properly, buy a mask chain for extra security, and bring an extra mask if all else fails! If for some reason, you’re particularly attached to a certain mask and don’t want to lose it, maybe it’s best to save it for when you’re not being tossed around in the dark on Space Mountain! See what it’s like to experience a Disney World attraction with the new health guidelines! Arriving prepared will certainly help ease some discomfort on your Disney World trip. It may not be the same experience as you had prior to the new mandates, but you can prime yourself for the changes ahead of time. Bringing extra masks, wearing a comfortable mask, and being conscious of subtle side effects will certainly help make your experience better! Click here to learn everything you need to know about wearing a mask at Disney World! Want to Learn More About Face Masks in Disney World? Take a Look at Our NEW DFB Face Masks HERE! Everything You NEED to Know About Wearing a Mask in Disney World Which Face Masks Are the MOST Comfortable to Wear ALL DAY at Disney World...And Which Should You Avoid! How is Disney World Enforcing Face Mask Wearing (And Are Guests Following the Rules)? 10 Face Mask Accessories You’re Gonna NEED In Disney World! How Many Face Masks Do I Need to Bring On My Disney World Trip? 8 Ways to ACTUALLY Convince Your 2 Year Old to Wear a Mask in Disney World Join the DFB Newsletter To get all the latest Disney Park Closure News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Click here to Subscribe Are you venturing to Disney World soon? Let us know in the comments! The post 5 Tips You HAVEN'T Heard 1000 Times For Wearing a Face Mask in Disney World! first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: Three Reasons You Should SERIOUSLY Consider Bringing Your Own Hand Sanitizer on Your Next Disney Trip! NEW! Disney Is NOW Selling Extra-Large Face Masks NEWS: Disney Updates Policy Surrounding The Use of Gaiters and Bandanas as Face Coverings View the full article

Youngest giraffes at Disney’s Animal Kingdom are within sight of theme park visitors at Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction View the full article

We tried some holiday treats at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. Here are a few favorites. View the full article

Pandora: The World of Avatar is home to some pretty iconic snacks. Items like the Cheeseburger Steamed Pods and the Night Blossom are unique to Pandora, and we love ’em! Cheeseburger Pods We were checking out what’s new at Windtraders, the store that has all your Avatar merchandise needs (some of the merch even glows!). We spotted some bright-colored gummies that caught our eye! And since we love candy, we wanted to give them a taste! Windtraders has some gummy candies that we’ve tried in the past, like the Celia Fruit Gummies, but today we decided to try the NEW Dried Helicoradian Gummies! Celia Fruit Gummies This sweet is described as “sour gummi candy,” and we thought they had an interesting flavor, but they weren’t necessarily that sour flavor we’re used to with other Disney sour candies. Dried Helicoradian Gummies We noticed on the label that fruit and vegetable juices are added to help color the candy, and although we wouldn’t say these gummies tasted like vegetables, they did have an unusual after-taste. Dried Helicoradian Gummies We were definitely happy that these candies came in a large portion, compared to some of the pre-packaged sour candies that you’d find at locations like Goofy’s Candy Company in Disney Springs, and they were less expensive as well. Dried Helicoradian Gummies We’re not totally sold on these due to the fact that these gummies have carrots listed under the ingredients, but you can try them out for yourself and see how you feel! We found these gummies at Windtraders for $5.79. Follow along with us for more Disney food reviews! Check out this Mickey-themed cookie we tried from Animal Kingdom Lodge! 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! Preorder 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! Your order will include a FREE instant download of the 2020 Edition of the Guide! 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. Would you try these gummies? Tell us in the comments! The post Review! Does This New Gummy Candy in Disney World Count as Eating Your Veggies? first appeared on the disney food blog. Related posts: First Look! Pandora — The World of AVATAR in Disney’s Animal Kingdom! Disney World Annual Passholders Can Save 20% On a Banshee in Animal Kingdom’s Pandora at an Exclusive Shopping Event Show Your Love for the Na’vi with New Merch Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Avatar View the full article