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Disney Springs is essentially a theme park where food is the main attraction! We are incredibly excited about a new food “attraction” coming to Disney Springs in 2020 — Gideon’s Bakehouse! Gideon’s Bakehouse In Disney Springs, Gideon’s cookies used to only be offered in very limited quantities at The Polite Pig. We’re excited to get all of the giant (half pound each!!) cookies and even some giant cake slices when Gideon’s Bakehouse opens its own spot! But, the wait for these delicious treats was killing us!! So, we decided to make a trip to Gideon’s current location in Orlando at the East End Market to see what we might expect when Gideon’s Bakehouse opens this year. Oh, and we had to sample the cookies — for research, of course! Atmosphere Gideon’s current location has a quirky and fun vibe! At this location in the East End Market, Gideon’s has a small area to its own in a shared space with lots of other local businesses. Gideon’s Bakehouse We’re excited to see what it will look like when they’ve got a dedicated space all to themselves in Disney Springs! At their current location, you can spot those delicious cookies in the racks to the back and all those boxes of delicious cookie orders! Gideon’s Bakehouse The Gideon’s area has lots of old-style books covering the area, as well as lots of books lining the shelves in the back. Gideon’s Bakehouse They’re really inviting us to go on a culinary adventure! Gideon’s Bakehouse Decor Looks like they’ve been ready to be part of the Disney fun for quite some time now — they’ve got The Wind in the Willows book as part of their decor! Those in the know will recognize that as the book for one of its main characters — Mr. Toad! Gideon’s Bakehouse Decor Many aspects of their decor feels worn and weathered but in a beautiful way. Gideon’s Bakehouse We’re excited to see if the atmosphere in their Disney Springs location is somewhat similar or if we’re in for an entirely new Gideon’s experience! But enough about the decor, let’s get to the stars of the show — THE GIANT COOKIES!!!! Gideon’s Bakehouse Each of the cookies are hand crafted in small batches and weigh almost 1/2 a pound!!! At their current Orlando store, each cookie is $5! Gideon’s Bakehouse Cookies We loved the look of the little individual frames featuring the names of each of the cookies, and how the cookies were displayed on the boards in the back! Gideon’s Bakehouse Limited Edition Cookie The limited edition cookie for August is a Coffee Cake Cookie — an extra buttery, vanilla bean cookie filled with cinnamon streusel and topped with Gideon’s homemade double-baked butter crumbs!! These are only available in August every day until they sell out. This specialty cookie, however, will be offered YEAR ROUND at Gideon’s Disney Springs location!! We grabbed the limited time Coffee Cake Cookie and a few others (we do it all in the name of science!) and we could not wait to dig in!! Gideon’s Bakehouse Cookie Box We loved learning a bit more about the story behind Gideon’s! It made us even more excited for their new location in Disney Springs to open up! The Story of Gideon’s Bakehouse The Cookies! At this point we feel an obligation to provide the following deliciousness disclaimer: If you are hungry, proceed through the remainder of this post at your own risk. The cookies you are about to see may cause your hunger to increase exponentially. You may feel compelled to buy many extremely large Gideon’s Bakehouse cookies immediately. You may even dream of these cookies for the next several days. Please don’t lick your screen. Proceed with caution! Okay, if you’re still here then you are READY for cookie heaven!!! First up, we present to you — the Peanut Butter Vanilla Crisp Cookie! This cookie features peanut butter chips, salt chunks on top, and even some candied peanuts sprinkled throughout. Peanut Butter Vanilla Crisp Cookie Just look at those giant peanut butter chips! If you’re really only a fan of peanut butter when it is mixed with chocolate, then you may not love this cookie. But if you’re a pure peanut butter fan, this is a MUST-TRY for you!!! It’s VERY peanut butter flavored! Next up — the glorious Coffee Cake Cookie! As described above, this is an extra buttery, vanilla bean cookie filled with cinnamon streusel and topped with Gideon’s homemade double-baked butter crumbs!! Coffee Cake Cookie We wish we could send even just the smell of this cookie through the screen to you because it was that phenomenal! This cookie is absolutely delicious!! It’s almost like eating an undercooked cinnamon roll mixed with a coffee cake. Some Gideon’s cookies are so rich we can only take a few bites at a time, but this cookie is dangerous!! We could totally eat the whole thing in one sitting!! Then, we just had to try the Triple Chocolate Cookie! This cookie actually features 5 types of chocolate including Callebaut and Ghirardelli chocolates! It is extra velvety thanks to the chocolate ganache Gideon’s pours straight into the cookie dough! It also features large salt chunks on top to add some balance to the flavors! Triple Chocolate Cookie This cookie is dense but delicious! And the salt on there is INCREDIBLE! You’ll definitely want to grab a glass of milk to pair with this! This cookie is so incredibly rich, you may only be able to take a few bites of it at a time, but we love that because it means this cookie could totally last us a whole week (spoiler alert — they never last that long around us!) and bring us days of deliciousness! If you like to slowly enjoy your desserts over a longer period of time, this may be the cookie for you! Finally, we tried the Cookies and Cream Cookie! Gideon’s describes this as a Cookies & Cream milkshake in a cookie (YUM!!!!!!!)! To make this treat, Gideon’s uses their ultra-soft vanilla bean cookie and fills it with chunks of hand-cut Double Stuffed Oreos. Then, the cookie is completely covered with a coating of crushed cookies! Cookies and Cream Cookie If we absolutely had to pick a least favorite, it would probably be this cookie. We’d probably prefer regular chocolate chip or triple chocolate over this one. But if you’re a big fan of cookies and cream flavors, it may be worth a try for you! We were so excited to get a look and taste of Gideon’s offerings at their current location! We can’t wait to see what Gideon’s will look like and taste like in their Disney Springs location when that opens up! Click here to read more updates about Gideon’s upcoming spot in Disney Springs! What is your favorite Gideon’s cookie? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Here’s a Taste of the GIANT Cake Slices We Can Look Forward to When Gideon’s Bakehouse Opens in Disney Springs! This New Disney World Cookie Already Has Undergone a HUGE Change! REVIEW and PHOTOS: This Crazy Popular Treat Is GONE in Disney World…But There’s A Brand New Replacement… View the full article

When visiting the reopened Disney World parks, all Cast Members and guests age two and older are required to wear an approved face covering. Disposable Face Mask And comments from Orange County officials, one of the counties in which Walt Disney World Resort is located, indicate that guests and Cast Members alike should prepare for the face mask requirement to stick around for a while. The beginning of August marks the fifth straight week of downward-trending COVID-19 positivity rates in Orange County. But according to the Orlando Sentinel, that doesn’t mean we can expect a relaxation of face mask policies any time soon. Orange County officials have said that residents should be prepared to wear masks and adhere to other restrictions until at least the new year or longer. Cast Members Dr. Raul Pino, the health officer for the Florida Department of Health in Orange County, said that the mask requirement could last, “Until maybe the spring, or until we have a vaccine.” Pino credited local face-covering requirements with helping to contain the spike in positive infections. Rainbow Mickey Face Mask On June 20, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings’ mask order went into effect, requiring face coverings in all public places. Positivity rates have decreased in each of the four full weeks since the order was implemented. Haunted Mansion Mask Mayor Demings expressed a message similar to that of Dr. Pino, saying that existing guidelines and regulations can help the county diminish future upticks in cases. Based on these comments by local officials, it appears that mask requirements in Disney World could persist well into next year. Check out the recent updates to the Disney World face mask policy! Have you been to Disney World since the reopening? Share your tips for visiting the parks while wearing a face mask in the comments! Related posts: We Asked Our Readers: Should Disney World Face Characters Be Wearing Masks? Here’s What They Said. Everything You NEED To Know About Wearing Masks in Disney World How Many Face Masks Do I Need to Bring on My Disney World Trip? View the full article

A few months ago Disney Parks Blog took you to the ‘Top of the World’ on Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom with our ‘Ride and Learn’ video and now thanks to National Geographic’s newest augmented-reality experience you can suit up as a climber and ascend Everest in the Himalayas! You will be climbing the mountain with a team of scientists and explorers on expedition as they conduct groundbreaking science to collect information about climate change in the Himalayas. This experience brings National Geographic’s July issue on Mount Everest to life. To put yourself on Mount Everest, click here from your mobile device to experience it on Instagram and for more #DisneyMagicMoments like this one, be sure to keep exploring with us here at the Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

As if we needed another reason to stock up on Disney merch! Mickey Plush From adorable accessories to must-have mugs, it seems like our Disney collection is constantly expanding! And now, we have ANOTHER reason to snag a few more items from our wishlist! This weekend only, shopDisney is offering free shipping AND a free gift for purchases of $75 or more! ©shopDisney And we have to say, there are some pretty tempting gifts to choose from! Check out that adorable Mickey Mouse Baseball Cap! ©shopDisney There are several plushes available to choose if you’re looking for a cuddly friend! ©shopDisney And there are also a few toys if you want an extra treat for the kiddos! ©shopDisney Seriously, so many toys! ©shopDisney We love the gorgeous ballet bags too! ©shopDisney If you want to take advantage of the free shipping and gift with purchase offer, be sure to hop on it — the deal ends TONIGHT! Head over to shopDisney and get your merch on! Did you know you can buy a Disney Food Blog face mask? Check them out here! Which free gift would you choose? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: These Nightmare Before Christmas Disney Pet Toys Are SO CUTE We Wish They Were For Humans! So Nice They Did it TWICE! The BIG Cyber Monday Sale on shopDisney has Been Extended! TREND ALERT! We’re Loving These New Customizable Disney Shoes! View the full article

We’re heading to a galaxy far, far away! Millennium Falcon We’re super excited about the new Star Wars hotel, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser that’s currently under construction outside of Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Once it’s completed, the hotel will offer guests an immersive Star Wars experience that takes theming to the next level! We’ve spotted some progress on the construction from the roadways around Hollywood Studios. But since there’s a solid structure facing the road, we haven’t gotten much of a glimpse of what’s going on beyond that! Galactic Starcruiser construction — late February 2020 But now, we have a bird’s eye view of the progress on the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser! An aerial photo shared by bioreconstruct shows an overview of the hotel, including a peek at where the cabins and decks of the ship will be located. When the hotel opens, guests will be able to book a two-night stay that includes a full itinerary and excursion to Batuu — AKA, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser Concept Art The hotel is currently slated to open in 2021, and of course, we’ll keep an eye out for any additional information regarding a specific opening date! Click here to see what we know about the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser so far! Are you excited to plan a stay at the Star Wars hotel? Share your thoughts with us in the comments! Related posts: Take A Closer Look at the Star Wars Hotel Coming to Walt Disney World! News! Find Out How To Sign Up For Galactic Starcruiser Updates from Disney World! NEW IMAGES! What to Expect From the Disney World Star Wars Hotel! View the full article

Now downgraded from a hurricane, Tropical Storm Isaias is drawing close to the Florida east coast. ©FOX 35 Orlando On Saturday, a pre-landfall state of emergency was declared for the state of Florida. While Isaias has been downgraded to a tropical storm, it is still sustaining winds of 65 miles per hour as it approaches the Florida coast. As of the last update from the National Hurricane Center at 8AM, Tropical Storm Isaias was located 40 miles east-southeast of West Palm Beach and 155 miles south-southeast of Cape Canaveral. The storm is traveling northwest at 8 miles per hour and is expected to make its way up the east coast of Florida today. Palm Trees According to the Orlando Sentinel, the bands of the storm that make it inland to Orlando today are expected to reach wind speeds of 25-30 miles per hour during the day and could increase as the storm gets closer on Sunday night. Orlando Sign Orlando is also expected to receive two to four inches of rain on Sunday and officials have warned residents not to be cavalier, as the tropical-storm-force winds still present a serious danger. Planning a trip to Disney World during hurricane season? Here’s what you need to know. Related posts: NEWS: Hurricane Isaias Has Been Upgraded and Is Headed for Florida NEWS: Tropical Storm Isaias Is Expected to Become a Hurricane with Florida Remaining in the Potential Path Mayor Demings Says Orange County Hotels May Be Used as Emergency Housing for Hurricane Isaias View the full article

We’re taking you on a trip to a jungle in a faraway place…well, Adventureland in Disneyland to be exact! Bengal Barbecue Bengal Barbecue has been serving up bacon-wrapped asparagus and Tiger Tails for just over 30 years (!!!) in Disneyland. And, thank GOODNESS for that! It’s the home to some delicious eats like Poke Bowls, the Jungle Julep, and that incredible Kalua Pork Sandwich. But, most importantly, Bengal Barbecue grills up some of the BEST kabobs and skewers you can get on Disney property! And, we’ve got a HUGE treat for you because, thanks to our pal @DininginDisney, we’re teaching you how to make three of the restaurant’s most popular skewers and sauces! (We’d brave the Jungle Cruise or the Indiana Jones Adventure any day for a taste of these.) Ingredients for the Skewers! Just pretend you can smell the barbecuey smells through the screen. It’s just like being in Disneyland! Beef Skewers The Bengal Beef Skewer and the Banyan Beef Skewer are actually pretty similar — except their sauces couldn’t be more different. But, if you like sweet AND spicy, you’re going to want to try both of them! Banyan Sauce If you like spicy food, the Banyan Sauce has a great kick to it (don’t worry, it’s not face-meltingly hot or anything!). The sauce is a little peppery without being too hot. So, it’s a nice, milder spice that has some zest! Banyan Beef Hot and Spicy Skewer Ingredients: 1 cup of soy sauce 1 1/2 cups of water 1 tbsp of ground black pepper 3 tbsp of sesame seed oil 1 tsp of ground red pepper 1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper 1 tbsp of granulated garlic 3 tbsp of cornstarch You’ll want to combine all of the ingredients above into a pot and bring them to a boil. Add a spoonful or two of cool water to the cornstarch in a cup or bowl and stir til it’s a pourable consistency. Pour that into your sauce, while stirring, to thicken. Banyan Beef Skewers Zulu Sauce Some Disney foodies might not be the biggest fan of spicy food (and that’s totally okay!). If you want something a bit lighter, Zulu Sauce has a sweetness that blends wonderfully with the beef. Bengal Beef Skewer Ingredients: 1 cup of teriyaki sauce 1 cup of lite soy sauce 1 tbsp of red wine vinegar 1 cup of dark brown sugar ½ cup of sherry cooking wine 2 whole bay leaves 1 tbsp of ground black pepper 2 tbsp of fresh ginger root 2 tbsp of fresh garlic Cornstarch as needed to thicken Combine all of your ingredients together and cook them over low heat until the mixture is bubbling and warm. Remove the bay leaves. Mix the cornstarch with a bit of cold water and slowly add the combination to your sauce to thicken it! Beef for the Skewers! You’ll use the same tools to make the beef for both skewers. First, soak 6 bamboo skewers in water (at least 15 minutes or so but an hour is preferable. Even longer is better.) to avoid them burning on your grill and place 3 pieces of 1 oz. sirloin beef chunks on each skewer. Cook them on your grill for 3 minutes on each side or until your preferred level of doneness. After you’ve cooked the beef on the grill, brush your skewers with the sauce of choice and serve them! Our Mouths Are Watering!! Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus Skewer This skewer seems to simple (and it is!) but it’s always surprisingly delicious and one of our favorites. Bengal Beef Skewers Best of all, it’s so simple to make that it almost doesn’t need a recipe! Ingredients: One bunch of fresh asparagus One pack of regular-thickness bacon Soak those skewers ahead of time and when ready, cut the last couple inches from the asparagus spears and trim into 3 inch long pieces. Cut the strips of bacon into three equal-sized pieces. Wrap a portion of bacon around an asparagus piece and skewer with your stick to keep it in place. Repeat with 3-4 more pieces per skewer. Cook over medium heat on your grill rotating frequently until bacon appears cooked through and starting to crisp (about 8-10 minutes). Chieftain (Chicken!) Skewer Last, but not least, one of Bengal Barbecue’s other famous skewers is the Chieftain Skewer made with chicken and BOMB Polynesian Sauce! WARNING: Once you try this skewer, you might want it every night for dinner. But be prepared — this one takes some prep work and some time! Ingredients: Chicken breasts, cut into long strips 4 whole cloves 1 tbsp of red wine vinegar 1 cup of ketchup 1/2 cup of crushed pineapple 1/2 cup of brown sugar 1/2 cup of soy sauce 1/4 cup of orange juice concentrate 3 tbsp of water One red bell pepper One can of pineapple chunks or fresh pineapple, cut into chunks Chieftain Skewer Polynesian Sauce In order to make the Polynesian Sauce, you’ll want to place the red wine vinegar and cloves into a saucepan and bring them to a simmer. Strain the cloves from the vinegar and then discard them. Let the vinegar cool completely before you mix in the rest of the ingredients. Chieftain Chicken Skewer Chicken for the Skewers! Cut your chicken breasts into long strips and place the chicken inside of the sauce (a ziploc baggie is good for this task). Leave it in the fridge for 24 hours. After the chicken is done marinating, you’re going to want to steam the chicken (which is the fun part!!). Cut four large pieces of foil, fold up the edges of one sheet, and seam the sides shut. Take a few pieces of your marinated chicken and place them inside. Add extra marinade to the top and seal the packet closed (SAVE that marinade for later!). Repeat this process until all of your chicken is sealed away. Chieftain Skewers Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Fill an oven-safe dish with around half an inch of water and place the foil packets inside the dish. Cook your chicken in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked through. Be careful, though! The steam will be hot when you open the packets! You can also use a steamer basket if you have one. Soak your bamboo sticks in water so they don’t burn on the grill and let your chicken cool a bit. Chop your red bell pepper into 2-inch pieces. Once cool, skewer up the chicken with the bell pepper pieces and pineapple. Stick your skewers onto the grill for just a few minutes until they are grilled lightly. Put the leftover Polynesian Sauce marinade into a pot. Bring it to a boil over the stove. After the sauce comes to a boil and thickens a bit, remove it and set it aside. Once your skewers are done grilling, take some of the sauce and brush or spoon it over them! And, then you’ve got those DELICIOUS Chieftain Skewers!! The Finished Products! All that grilling and marinating and mixing is SO worth it in the end for these skewers! You can even leave the sauces aside if you want to try the chicken with the Bengal Sauce or the beef with the Polynesian sauce! However you decide to mix and match, your family is going to loooove you for making this awesome dinner. Take a look at all our other recipes from the Disney Parks here! Heather Sievers is DisneyFoodBlog’s Dining in Disneyland columnist! Check out more of her adventures at @DininginDisney on Instagram! Have you tried the skewers from Bengal Barbecue before? What’s your favorite? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Disney Recipe: Make Disneyland Hotel’s Famous Eggs Benedict from Your Kitchen! Disney Recipe: Add a Little Sugar and Spice to Your Morning with Disneyland’s Pumpkin Muffins! Review! You Have to Check Out the CRAZY Candy Shoppe Sundae in Downtown Disney! View the full article

You may not be flying to Disney World this year due to the current health situation. So, if you’re hopping in the car to head to Disney World we have a few fun things to help keep the kiddos entertained! Disney’s Minnie Vans Service Although sitting in a car for a few hours (or more!) might seem boring, you don’t need Fairy Godmother’s wand to make your road trip magical! Instead, you just need to try these bits of entertainment that your entire family (especially your kids) will enjoy during the drive to the Most Magical Place on Earth! Have a Group Jam Out Although your older kids and teenagers may already be listening to their music with their AirPods in, you can actually create interactive playlists for the whole family to enjoy on Spotify! ©Spotify Before you head out on your road trip, you can make a playlist with all your favorite Disney songs that’ll last you the whole ride to Florida. If there are multiple Spotify accounts between your family members, you can all work on a collaborative playlist that everyone can add songs to from their respective accounts. Spotify But, if you didn’t have the time to make a playlist on top of all the other 100 things you were planning for your vacation, you can still have a group listening session on the app! Currently, group sessions are in beta mode through Spotify Premium where everyone can scan the code on whomever’s device started the session. Spotify Group Session Then, each of the people connected can queue songs in the group session. The songs will play in order from the owner of the group session’s device, so be sure to connect it to the car speakers and crank up the tunes! Listen to the ULTIMATE Disney playlist to feel like you’re in the parks while you’re at home! Watch ALL the Disney Movies Is it REALLY a road trip if you haven’t watched Disney films back to back?? (Y’all, it’s just a necessary part of the magic!) Some cars happen to have the built-in DVD/Blu-ray players that come down from the roof or back of the front seats. But, you can still watch DVDs that you bring along with you even if you don’t have new-fangled fancy car tech! All you have to do is play them on dual portable DVD players that wrap around the head-rests of the front seats so each of your kids can watch the movies. ©Wonnie On the other hand, you can always pack your iPad or tablet instead and directly upload Disney Digital movies. It’s a lot less clunky if you don’t want to pack DVDs, and you can have even more options available with a click of a button (and no WiFi!). ©Disney However, if you have WiFi compatibility in your car, you could also pull up the Disney+ app on your tablet so the kiddos can choose whatever movie or TV show they want to watch. (Fair warning, though — your kids will have to share if they’re using a tablet. So, use it with caution! ) Keep in mind if your phone has hotspot capabilities, you can allow your phone to act like WiFi for all devices like those tablets your kiddos may have in the car as well! ©Disney While you’re listening to your own music on the radio or you want some peace and quiet, you can have your kids connect to the tablet through wireless Bluetooth headphones. It’s totally okay to want a break from listening to Frozen for the thousandth time in a row, you know! If you’re a Disney fan, you HAVE to watch these 10 movies! Coloring Books with All the Fun, But None of the Mess Parents, once you’ve tried a Magic Ink Coloring Book, you may never go back. We all know the familiar dread of tears over colored pencils breaking, crayons melting in your car, or markers staining the fabric on your nice seats (ok, YOU might be the one shedding tears on those last two!). But, Magic Ink lets your kids color without the mess (you’ll thank us later). ©Disney The clear pen has “magic ink” that lets the hidden colors on the page appear as you color. These have been around since WE were kids and were staples of road trips. These miracle pens kept us busy for hours on roadtrips wondering what colors we’d. And they still hold OUR kids’ attention a generation later! ©Disney Although the colors are vibrant and look great on the page, the magic ink pen can’t leave a stain anywhere so you don’t have to worry about cleaning up afterward. Plus, the marker often stores in a plastic flap in the front of the book so no more fishing around in the back seat trying to find the lost marker between coloring sessions! We can practically hear your sigh of relief all the way from here! You’ll want to do these Disney crafts at home while you drink a glass of wine! “I Spy” My Favorite Disney Character! Before tablets and DVD players and all that jazz, we played a lot of “I Spy” games or read books when we were on road trips with our family (books are movies for your MIND, guys!). And, you can pass on a little bit of tradition and a lot of fun down to your kids with Disney “I Spy” books! Instead of zoning out, your kids can use their visual skills to spot their favorite characters and stay occupied for hours on end as they search through the different pictures. ©Phoenix International Publications Also, the Disney “Look and Find” books are filled with “spot the difference” games and other visual activities similar to “I Spy.” However, the books are formatted so readers can go through the stories of the Disney movies the books are about. By the time your kids finish them, they are going to be even more HYPED to see their favorite characters in person when you arrive at Disney World. ©Phoenix International Publications Just be wary that you might hear an excited “are we there yet??” a non-magical amount of times afterward! If you play these Disney board games, you won’t have to worry about being bored again! Play Old School Video Games We get it…you’re obsessed with turning your Animal Crossing village into the Magic Kingdom and living your best fairytale life (SAME.)! But, you might want to put down the island getaway package and open up old Gameboy video games available on the Nintendo Switch instead! ©Disney You can download 16-bit classics like Aladdin and The Lion King to bring with you wherever you go (and for your own selfish nostalgia reasons too!). These games were a BIG DEAL in the 90s and are still shockingly fun today. Your kids can also play Disney Lego games that are a BLAST since they put you in story modes of the films. ©Disney If you pull out the controllers for the Switch and share, you can play the games with multiple people, so you don’t have to listen to your kids fighting over who gets to play first. Find out how you might be able to get REAL Jedi powers at this Disney World hotel! Although the drive to Disney World may be short or VERY long depending on where you live, these activities should keep your kids occupied during the trip so you can relax! And, you never know — you might even join in on a few of the playlists or games as an added bonus! You’re going to want to spot these CRAZY rare things in Disney World the next time you go! What are some of your favorite Disney activities to do during a road trip? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Create Your Own Home Movie Theater With This Disney DIY Onward Screening! Support Your Fave Teams at All-Star Weekend at the NBA Experience in Disney World! Disney HOW-TO! Decorate Your Own DIY Adventure Book Inspired by Disney’s “Up!” View the full article

The Seacrest Wolf Preserve, tucked away in a small town north of Panama City Beach, is where lovers of wolves can heed the call of the wild, enjoying stunning interactions with this bright, curious and usually shy creatures. View the full article

Now that EPCOT is open, that means we’ve been spending all our time exploring a newly re-opened park (and waving hello to Pooh and his sweet butterfly net)! Morocco Pavilion Disney has put multiple health and safety regulations in place to keep guests and Cast Members safe during this time. While we’ve experienced temperature checks, hand sanitizer stations, and more around the parks, everyone is also required to wear face masks whenever they’re on property. Recently, Disney has updated their face mask policies and installed face mask vending machines around the parks for guests to use. Disney has also rolled out their own line of face masks in the parks and online. Since many people have reported that the masks run small, a new extra large size was released online. Disney Character Face Masks But, while we were in MouseGear at EPCOT today, we spotted the extra large face masks in person for the first time! While the Mickey Face Mask is the only design that we saw available in the store as the extra large size, we hope to see some of the other character masks we’ve seen online released in the bigger size soon too. Mickey Face Mask Previously, people were also able to snag four masks for $20. But, we were surprised to see that Disney World had discontinued the deal at MouseGear with single masks only available for $6 each. However, Disney also has put a limit in place that there’s a limit of only 4 masks allowed to be purchased per guest. Face Mask Sign The face mask deal is still available, though, online for people to order 4 masks for $19.99! Although we’re not sure if the deal will come back in the parks, we’ll keep an eye for more extra large face masks around a re-opened Disney World! These are the things we’ve LOVED even more than before in a re-opened Disney World! Have you picked up a Disney Character Face Mask? Let us know your experience in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New at EPCOT: Les Halles’ Official Re-Opening, Disposable Masks, and New SPARKLY Rainbow Minnie Ears NEWS: Your Horns Are Showing With These New Mickey Ears at EPCOT in Disney World! This is the Way! The Baby Yoda Spirit Jersey Has Flown into Disney World! View the full article

Although we’ve been grabbing as many Dole Whips and Mickey Pretzels (with plastic cheese, of course) as possible since we’ve been back to Disney World, there have been quite a few menu changes in the parks during the re-openings. Magic Kingdom While multiple menu items are available for guests to snack on again, we were SO sad to see treats like the Kakamora Float, I Lava You Float, and Peter Pan Float disappear from Disney World for the time being. And we’ve missed them tremendously! But, it seems like it’s a good thing that we’ve been thinking of the happiest things since we’ve been back in a re-opened Disney World. Our wishful thinking has paid off since the Peter Pan Float is BACK in the Magic Kingdom! Photo Courtesy of: @mainstreetmom2 DFB reader @mainstreetmom2 happened to stop by Storybook Treats today when she was back in the parks and picked up the fan-favorite snack again. (Thanks for making our day!!) Photo Courtesy of: @mainstreetmom2 The lime Dole Whip and Sprite float is one of THE most refreshing treats that you can have during a hot summer day in Florida. Although we haven’t heard news about some of the other floats that are missing from the parks, we’ll keep you updated if they return now that the Peter Pan Float is back! Read about ALL the menu changes that have happened in a newly re-opened Disney World here! What is your favorite kind of Dole Whip that you’ve had in Disney World? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: NEWS! Aunt Polly’s Is BACK OPEN in Magic Kingdom! (We Can Taste Those Biscuits NOW!) Review! The NEW Royal Majesty Cake Pop Has Stolen Our Hearts in Magic Kingdom! Have YOU Conquered These 5 Snack Challenges in Disney World?? View the full article

Since we’ve been back in a newly re-opened EPCOT, we’ve spotted Anna and Elsa out in the Character Cavalcades, gone to the Relaxation Station at Akershus, and hopped back on Frozen Ever After back-to-back. Norway Troll Speaking of, while it’s well worth making a visit to the Norway Pavilion to visit Arendelle with Anna and Elsa, there’s a new pair of Mickey ears that will have you running that way! The Norway Pavilion is a gorgeous spot with secret Viking swords and some of the most gorgeous restrooms in Disney World. But, The Fjording shop at the exit of Frozen Ever After has a bunch of different accessories, merchandise, and more based on the Scandinavian country of Norway! Photo Courtesy of: @kimchris2009 Thanks to our DFB reader Kim Rohde, we were able to spot brand new VIKING MICKEY EARS (!!!) in the Norway Pavilion! Just take a look at the faux fur, horns, and Viking shields that come with this breathtaking pair! Photo Courtesy of: @kimchris2009 The headband is decorated with Viking runes and Norse writing. While Frozen has taken over the Norway Pavilion currently, these ears remind us of EPCOT’S Maelstrom days with Odin, trolls, and all that Viking history. Photo Courtesy of: @kimchris2009 When you’re over in EPCOT next, head over to the Norway Pavilion to grab the Viking Mickey Ears and to snap a photo in front of The Fjording’s giant troll statue! What is your favorite EPCOT pavilion? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New at EPCOT: Les Halles’ Official Re-Opening, Disposable Masks, and New SPARKLY Rainbow Minnie Ears Yo-Ho, It’s a Pirate’s Life for Us with MORE Redd Merchandise in Disney World! This is the Way! The Baby Yoda Spirit Jersey Has Flown into Disney World! View the full article

Oh, hi. Did you know there’s HOCUS POCUS COOKIE DOUGH???!??!? ©Disney Yeah, we’ve seen Hocus Pocus EVERYTHING the last few Halloween seasons, and we’re even seeing these witchy sisters pop up already this year (check out this super cute mug!). But we’re so excited to share that NOW, my friends, it’s time to REALLY take your Hocus Pocus celebration to the KITCHEN! The Hocus Pocus cookie dough is oatmeal peanut butter flavored, with chocolate chips and “candy-coated gems,” which are generic M&Ms. It’s refrigerated cookie dough, so it’s as easy to use as breaking apart those little squares and adding ’em to your cookie sheet! (c)labelinsight.com This is available RIGHT NOW at many grocery stores, so the next time you’re scoping out the cookie dough case see if you can find the Sanderson Sisters! The most important part of all of this? Halloween is on its way! What’s your favorite Halloween treat in the Disney parks? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Photos and REVIEW! This Hocus Pocus Cupcake Casts a Spooky Spell in Disney World! Your Ultimate Spooky Guide To ALL The Halloween Popcorn Buckets in Disneyland AND Disney World! IT’S BACK!!! Pumpkin Spice Dole Whip HAS RESURFACED! View the full article

Downtown Disney has re-opened to guests so they can visit their favorite stores and restaurants in the district! Downtown Disney! Although we’ve been happy to dine at spots like Tortilla Jo’s and shop at the World of Disney for new face masks, due to Disneyland’s delayed reopening we haven’t yet been able to visit their parks and resorts. And while reservations had originally been available for select Disneyland hotels in August, it now looks like we might have to wait a little while longer before we will be able to visit! Reservations for Disneyland’s Grand Californian Hotel and Paradise Pier Hotel through the end of August have been canceled for guests. Guests are not able to reschedule their stays, or make new ones, until September 1st or later at this time. Disneyland’s Grand Californian Disney has also confirmed that bookings are available for room reservations only for September 1st or later. However, ticketing is still on hold since there’s no re-opening date set in place for Disneyland at this time. New Grand Californian Hotel Pool Bar As Disney continues to update its guidelines for parks and resorts, we’ll give you all the information you need to know about Disneyland’s re-opening! Take a look at what a newly re-opened Downtown Disney looks like! What is your favorite hotel to stay at in Disneyland? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New at the Disneyland Resort and Downtown Disney: Haunted Mansion Refurb and the Best Popcorn Bucket EVER! NEWS! Disneyland Releases More Details About New Vacation Club Tower DFB Video: 10 Things You Can’t Miss in Disneyland in 2020! View the full article

Long ago, in the far away land of ancient Greece… If you recognize these words you are in for the virtual trip of a lifetime! During today’s Adventure at Home we are going to explore the land of powerful gods and extraordinary heroes, so get ready to say “OPA!” as we celebrate the magic of Greece with Adventures by Disney. 1. Did Someone Say Toga Party? A true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength, but by the accessories on his toga. You and your family can celebrate Greece with this historical attire that is easy to recreate at home. All you need is some bedsheets (preferably in a neutral color) and safety pins. If you want to go the distance, you can accessorize with fake gold chains (or real, no one is judging), jewelry, or amulets. A pair of sandals will complete the look. 2. Like Painting a Masterpiece, it’s a Work of Heart! Time to call the Muses, legendary goddesses of the arts. Today’s family game is going to put your artistic abilities to the test as you draw items inspired by our Greece itinerary while your family guesses. Just print this game guide and get ready to play Adventures by Disney – Draw it! Greece Edition. 3. Isn’t it Sweet? (Our Favorite Flavor!) Our Greece itinerary features LOTS of culinary highlights but there is a flakey slice of cheesy magic that stands out. In the beautiful island of Crete, Adventurers learn to prepare a traditional pastry made with cheese, honey and filo dough, the Cretan Cheese Pie. Download the recipe here. 4. I Have Often Dreamed of a Far-Off Place You’ll be the envy of friends, coworkers, classmates and family when you use these virtual backgrounds for your next video conference. The first backdrop gives you a bird’s eye view of the breathtaking island of Santorini, where whitewashed villages envelop cliffs that tower above an underwater caldera. Our second backdrop features the famous Acropolis, a testimony to the greatness of ancient Greece. Located on a flat rock overlooking Athens, this citadel is home to some of Greece’s most famous monuments, including the Parthenon. Right click on each image above to save the virtual backdrops. If you want to continue adventuring together, check out our collection of Adventures by Disney destinations featured in our Adventures at Home series. Explore the majestic natural wonders of Iceland, set sail on a river cruise through the South of France, join our safari to South Africa or embark on an expedition to 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 ya next time, adventurers! View the full article

Although we’ve been seeing our favorite characters in the parks since Disney World re-opened, we are SO hyped that the Muppets have returned to Disney+! ©Disney+ Now that “Muppets Now” is on the streaming service, you can catch up with Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the gang during their wacky adventures with celebrity guests. While you tune into the new show on Disney+, you can also switch out your profile icon to a new set of Muppets character icons in honor of the debut of “Muppets Now.” Muppets Icons Although you can bake up your own Disney Recipes with the Swedish Chef icon or jam out to some of Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem using the band members’ icons, you can’t go wrong adding a bit of the Muppets into your everyday viewing! Muppets Icons And, whenever you switch out your old icon for one of the Muppets, be sure to check out what our favorite puppets are up to in the premiere of “Muppets Now!” Take a look at everything coming to Disney+ in August here! Who is your favorite Muppet? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Life Is the Bubbles! Today’s International Mermaid Day (and We’re Celebrating with Some Disney Magic)! Create Your Own Home Movie Theater With This Disney DIY Onward Screening! Here’s EVERYTHING Coming to Disney+ in May! View the full article

Hurricane Isaias continues on its path toward the Florida coast. ©WESH 2 News We’re received more updates about this hurricane from the 2:00PM advisory and are sharing them with you so you can stay up to date and be prepared. As of the 2:00PM advisory, it appears the storm is expected to be a Category 1 Hurricane when it nears the Florida coast. While some areas like Orlando remain on a tropical storm warning, others closer to the coast are on a hurricane warning. ©WESH 2 News On Friday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency for various counties in Florida including Orange, Osceola, Broward, and Miami-Dade. Governor DeSantis followed this executive order with a letter to President Donald Trump requesting a declaration of a pre-landfall emergency for certain counties in Florida. ©WESH 2 News According to FOX 35, the White House has since approved that request and the Federal Emergency Management Agency has offered federal disaster assistance to Florida in advance of the hurricane’s landfall. As of the latest updates, Hurricane Isaias is expected to bring up to 6 inches of rain in parts of southern and eastern Central Florida. Areas of Florida to the southeast are expect to see the worst of the weather from Saturday evening into Sunday morning, whereas areas of Florida that are further north could see hurricane conditions developing on Sunday. Governor DeSantis has urged Floridians to have seven days worth of supplies prepared. Heavy rainfall and strong winds may bring flooding to parts of Florida, so residents are advised to take appropriate precautions. Click here to read more updates about Hurricane Isaias Have you ever been at Walt Disney World during a hurricane or bad storm? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: News UPDATE: Orlando Airport Has Reversed Its Monday Closure Due To Hurricane Dorian Path NEWS: Tropical Storm Isaias Is Expected to Become a Hurricane with Florida Remaining in the Potential Path NEWS! Florida’s Hurricane Season Has Been Upgraded From Active to Hyperactive View the full article

Welcome back, DFB friends! We’re here with another What’s New at Disney Springs! Disney Springs And, we’ve got plenty of merchandise, food, and construction updates to share with you, so let’s dive right on in! Disney Springs Merchandise Update World of Disney Kevin is a wild gal who we can’t help but relate to (our love for chocolate is the same)! While we stop by to get a chocolate treat in Disney Springs, we totally want to put on the new Kevin Shirts! Kevin Youth T-Shirt Although you can explore the adventure that is out there alongside the Wilderness Explorers (and look for snacks along the way like Kevin)… Kevin Youth T-Shirt …you can also be Wild and Free like our favorite exotic bird! Kevin T-Shirt The new shirts feature our best gal looking as fabulous as ever as she struts her stuff… Kevin T-Shirt …and squawks at her friends in the Animal Kingdom park! Kevin T-Shirt Plus, you can match your Kevin Shirt with the adorable Dug Shirt, since he is everyone’s best pal (and we love him just as much as he loves us)! Dug T-Shirt Take a full look at the new Up Shirts here! If you’re looking for a wild way to stay cozy this fall, you can put on the adorable Kevin Jacket to wear around Disney World. The fuzzy jacket has Kevin’s big eyes… Kevin Jacket …and wonderfully colorful feathers, so all eyes can be on your as you make your way around the parks! Kevin Jacket Snuggle up in the adorable Kevin Jacket in Disney Springs here! Although we’ve already seen the sparkly new pair of sequined Minnie Ears, you can match with the Mickey to your Minnie since there’s another set of classic ears. The new Leather Mickey Ears might seem simple and cute… Classic Mickey Ears …but there’s a surprise pop of color with Mickey Mouse’s signature in red on the headband! Classic Mickey Ears Check out all the details of the Leather Mickey Ears here! Or, you could leave the Mickey ears behind to put on the Baby Yoda Ear Hat instead! The green hat is basically one of the cutest things we’ve ever seen with Baby Yoda’s big eyes, giant ears, and little smile. Baby Yoda Hat Don’t you think it would match perfectly in a picture using the new Baby Yoda PhotoPass spot in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge?! Baby Yoda Hat The sweet Baby Yoda Hat is the CUTEST addition to our Star Wars collection! The Star Wars merchandise doesn’t stop there, though! While you might look Baby Yoda from the newer Star Wars stories in the latest hat, you can throw things back to the original trilogy in the retro Star Wars outfits we spotted at World of Disney! You can look as fabulous as Leia in the Star Wars Retro Sweater… Star Wars Ringer Sweatshirt …stay warm on Hoth in the Star Wars RetroWindbreaker… Star Wars Windbreaker Jacket …(with all our favorite original characters on the back)… Star Wars Windbreaker Jacket Take a look at all the details on the new retro Star Wars outfits! …and even channel some of that Dark Side Energy with the Retro Darth Vader Shirt! Star Wars Shirt Throw things back with the Darth Vader Shirt here! We’ve seen some pretty strange Forky merchandise in Disney World recently, like the hilarious hair brush and Loungefly backpack. And, your kiddos can keep looking as happy to be in Disney World as Forky with the new kids shirt! There’s a cute tee your kiddos can wear on Slinky Dog Dash… Forky Child’s Shirt …and you can match them in the Forky Tank Top! Forky Tank Top Look as kooky and adorable as Forky in the new shirts here! DisneyStyle Our wardrobe has gone from zero to hero recently with all the Hercules merchandise we spotted over in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! While we were in Disney Springs, we also found a new Hercules Tee featuring one of the greatest heroes that Greece has ever known. Hercules Shirt The red shirt has different images of Hercules looking like a hunk alongside his best pal Pegasus and lady love Meg for $36.99! Hercules Shirt Disney Springs Food Update Haagen Dazs Can you believe its been 60 years of Haagen Dazs ice cream?! While we heard all about the anniversary treats that were coming soon, we HAD to have the new Birthday Cake Dazzler Sundae we found at the Haagen Dazs kiosk in Disney Springs! Häagen-Dazs The birthday treat is mixed up with vanilla cake batter ice cream, chocolate brownie batter frosting swirl, yellow cake pieces, and vanilla sandwich cookies. The top of the sundae has a whole bunch of whipped cream and rainbow birthday sprinkles (and we already want seconds)! Birthday Cake Dazzler Ice Cream Read our full review of the Birthday Cake Dazzler Sundae here! Homecomin’ We’re glad to be back home at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, especially since the Shine Bar & Social patio has made its way to the restaurant. Shine Bar and Social Although we’ve already seen a snazzy new Shine Bar & Social neon sign pop up in Disney Springs, a mini bar has also made its way onto the patio too! We could see some of the squeeze bottle sippers behind the counter (with moonshine ready to go). Mini Bar Check out all the details of the Shine Bar and Social here! Disney Springs Construction Update Everglazed We can’t resist grabbing some coffee and morning treats before our walk through Disney Springs, so Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew is going to be a must-visit spot when the coffee shop opens! While there have been construction barriers around the area before, we were able to see some of the Everglazed signs up finally. Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew Since Everglazed will be where the Pop Gallery previously was, the progress on the coffee shop is in full swing. Although we’re not sure when we’ll be able to sip on some sweet cold brew and snack on a chocolate donut from Everglazed, we’ll keep you updated with news about the location’s opening! Everglazed construction progress! Look at all the progress made on Everglazed Donuts and Cold Brew here! Well, that’s all for this What’s New at Disney Springs! We’ll catch you next time for more merchandise, food, and construction updates here! What are you the most excited to pick up in Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New in Disney Springs: Merch That’s Flying Off Shelves and the Reopening of SO. MANY. BARS! What’s New in Disney Springs: a NEW Caramel Sundae, Neon Merch Galore, and Refillable Popcorn Buckets! Do the Old Plush Rush Over to Disney Springs to Get These NEW Toy Story Socks! View the full article

Disney World and Disneyland have LOTS of construction planned for multiple attractions and experiences around the parks over the next few years (we can’t wait to see the new The Princess and the Frog ride). Rey and Chewbacca Construction has just started to pick up in the parks after the closures, with other projects being postponed until later dates. However, Disney continues to be one step ahead in planning the next big thing coming to the parks. And, there might be an entirely new line of space cocktails that could come with the creation of Disney’s next bar! According to the Orange County Register, LucasFilm’s ILMxLAB and Walt Disney Imagineering have given Star Wars fans a sneak peek at a potential new bar that could eventually make its way into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! ©Star Wars The new “Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge” virtual reality experience expands on the story of Batuu’s Black Spire Outpost with brand new characters and locations. One of the places shown in the concept art is Seezelslak’s Cantina, which is run by a six-eyed Azumel alien who overeats, acts a bit dramatic, and has a “love-hate relationship with porgs.” ©Star Wars Seezelslak is somewhat recognizable since he is the same species of alien playing sabacc with Han Solo and Lando Calrissian in Solo. The new character gives his visitors and customers insight into the land by telling stories about things happening around Batuu. Bobby Moynihan from Saturday Night Live voices the wild Seezelslak in the virtual reality experience. ©Star Wars “Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge” places Seezelslak’s Cantina next to Oga’s Cantina as a U-shaped bar with large cocktail vessels. The bar has been overrun by porgs that Seezelslak tries to get rid of constantly. ©Star Wars Although Disney hasn’t announced any plans to update Galaxy’s Edge just yet, the release of the virtual reality experience later this year might open up new ideas for stories, characters, and locations around the lands in Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Read about our readers’ opinions on face characters wearing masks in the Disney World here! Have you been to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge before? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: There’s a SECRET “Chewie Mode” in Disney’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge?! Find Out How You Can Do It HERE! These Cocktail Replicas Look JUST Like the Ones in Disney World and Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge! Virtually Ride Through Disney World and Disneyland’s Star Wars Rise of the Resistance! View the full article

Can you ever have too much Haunted Mansion merchandise? We don’t think so! Haunted Mansion All kinds of new Haunted Mansion items have been materializing lately, like the new Haunted Mansion face mask and lots of other exciting Haunted Mansion merchandise! Haunted Mansion Mask But THIS newest development might take the proverbial cake. Today, thanks to our Instagram follower @hatboxproductions, we got a peek at some Haunted Mansion Crocs!! These beauties feature the classic purple Haunted Mansion wallpaper design all over them, with a Haunted Mansion logo popping out on the sides! Haunted Mansion Cros! @hatboxproductions We like that they’ve left some dead space in the shoes in the form of those Mickey holes! These shoes were spotted at Momento Mori shop near the Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom, so you’ll want to hurry back there to check them out. Thanks again to our instagram follower @hatboxproductions for giving us a peek at these Crocs! We can’t wait to pair these babies with our Haunted Mansion funko pop, ears, and dress! We’re ready to spook our way through the day! Click here to check out MORE awesome Haunted Mansion merchandise! Will these Haunted Mansion crocs (and a ghost, presumably) follow you home? Let us know if they’re a must-get for you in the comments below! Related posts: You Gotta Have this Haunted Mansion Pillow at Magic Kingdom’s Memento Mori The Haunted Mansion Fragrance Has Materialized In Disney World (And It’s Deadly Good)! NEW To-Die-For Haunted Mansion DIORAMAS Materialize in Disney World! View the full article

We definitely have a soft spot for Baby Yoda merch! Baby Yoda Hand Sanitizers We think most people would agree that The Child is absolutely ADORABLE — so it makes sense that we’ve seen a bunch of different plush designs of him! From a talking Baby Yoda to a shoulder plush, there are tons of ways to cuddle this cutie! And we’re OBSESSED with the latest Baby Yoda plush that’s been spotted in Disney World! Check out this barrel of cuteness Instagram user thedisneygirlie came across in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Check out these cuties! ©thedisneygirlie But seriously, just look at his little face!! We love him! ©thedisneygirlie We’ll keep an eye out to see if this precious new Baby Yoda plush pops up anywhere else in Disney World! Find out where we spotted Baby Yoda hand sanitizer outside of the Disney parks! What’s your favorite piece of Baby Yoda merchandise? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Now You Can Decorate Your Car with Baby Yoda! Check Out These Car Magnets We Found in Disney World! This Adorable Baby Yoda Plush Is Now Back In Stock! We Spotted Another Baby Yoda Toy at Disney World Today — And This One Talks! View the full article

Let’s face it, food is basically its own attraction at Walt Disney World. And especially at EPCOT! Epcot Whether you’re eating your way around the world at the 2020 Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, or snacking your way through all of the delicious treats at Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie in the France pavilion, you’re sure to find something delicious! Recently, we tried 3 items new to the reopening menu at a fantastic EPCOT spot and we can’t wait to share them with you! Tucked away in the “mountains” of the Japan pavilion in EPCOT is Katsura Grill, a quick service spot with some unique items! They’ve got everything from sushi to pork ramen! Katsura Grill Menu There are also a few dessert and alcoholic beverage choices available. (FYI, the desserts are usually not awesome — get a kaki-gori instead!) Katsura Grill Menu If you’re looking for more substantial goodies, though, there are lots of teriyaki options. (SO yum.) Katsura Grill Menu Now, we know that Disney World is changing up their menus drastically here after the reopening. This could be due to supply issues or kitchen distancing concerns. But usually we see things LEAVE the menu — not get added on! So this is exciting! We recently stopped in and found some food items that are new to the menu since Katsura reopened, and we just had to give them a try! (Because 1) we love Disney food, and 2) it’s totally our job.) Katsura Grill First up – the Yuzu Miso Wings! This dish comes with 6 fried and saucy chicken wings!! These wings were sweet and had a fresh citrusy, lemony flavor! Yuzu Miso Wings They really didn’t have any heat or spice to them, so if you’re a fan of more sweet style wings, this may be a great dish for you! And those sesame seeds really go give a little texture and nutty flavor to the dish as well. Yuzu Miso Wings This was probably our favorite of the three new dishes we tried! You can chow down on these delicious wings for $8.50. Next up, the Menchi Katsu Slider! This slider features a breaded and fried all-beef patty topped with Sesame slaw, and served with Fries. Menchi Katsu Slider It was very similar to the Menchi Katsu Slider we tried at the 2020 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival! Now we love a deep-fried burger, but while the slider from Katsura Grill was definitely tasty, it was the least memorable of the dishes we sampled. You can munch on this treat for $9.50. Menchi Katsu Slider Last up, the Okonomiyaki Fries! If you like fries with unique toppings and sauces (um…who doesn’t?), this may be the dish for you! These fries come with that yummo Tonkatsu Sauce, Mayonnaise, Bonito Flakes (dried, smoked shavings of tuna), and Aonori (seaweed flakes). Okonomiyaki Fries The fries were surprisingly less flavorful than the wings, but they were still definitely delicious! (Fries and mayo — how can you go wrong?) You can grab these fries for $5.50. Overall, we found these dishes to have great portion sizes and fun flavors! They were all great options for a meal or even a snack as you make your way around the world at EPCOT. Still hungry? Click here to check out our review of ALL of the food booths at the 2020 Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival! What is your favorite item to eat around World Showcase? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New at EPCOT: TONS of Gelato Mickey Merch, New Menu Items at Katsura Grill, and a 2021 Calendar! Review! The Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen Returns To Epcot AND It’s Bringin’ A SUSHI CHRISTMAS TREE! Review: Kaki Gori Treats at the Japan Pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase View the full article

If there’s one pairing that we have completely fallen completely in love with over the past few months, it’s Star Wars and tiki mugs. Baby Yoda Tiki Mug We’ve shared characters like “The Child” and even Jaba the Hut in all their tiki mug glory, and now, we’re seeing a particular bounty hunter that we could see fitting nicely on our cabinet shelf! Toynk Toys is no stranger to SUPERB tiki mugs, and now we’re ready to scoop up our very own ‘Mando’ tiki mug! © Toynk Toys This 20 oz tiki mug will fit all your tropical cocktails, or whatever other types of beverages that quench your thirst! © Toynk Toys You can shop for this Mandalorian tiki mug NOW on Toynk’s website, and add Mando to your tiki mug collection for $26.99! This most CERTAINLY is the way! Shop for this ‘Mando’ tiki mug by clicking here! Have you watched season one of The Mandalorian on Disney+? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Our Wish Has Been Granted! “Baby Yoda” Merch is COMING…EVERYWHERE! A Baby Yoda Gift You Might Actually Get In Time For Christmas! HOLD UP?! Baby Yoda Valentine’s Day Shirts Are Now Available! View the full article

Disney World now requires all Cast Members and guests over the age of two to wear face masks inside the parks — but we’ve noticed that there are some folks in the parks who aren’t wearing them! Face characters! Princesses in Magic Kingdom While character meet-and-greets and character dining are currently suspended (with the exception of modified character dining experiences at Topolino’s Terrace and Garden Grill), guests are still able to spot and interact with characters in the reopened Disney World parks. Characters have been greeting guests from a distance in the form of short, unscheduled cavalcades, motorcades, and pop-up appearances. Disney announced these modified character interactions prior to reopening which had us wondering — will the characters be wearing masks as they make their way through the parks? And when we encountered our first character sighting we got our answer — nope. Merida in Magic Kingdom We’ve been discussing this amongst ourselves here on the DFB team — is Disney not making characters wear masks because they don’t want to infringe on their particular storyline — and we’ve been hotly debating the pros and cons. We wanted to see what our readers think about the character face mask situation. So we asked our Instagram followers, “Should Disney face characters be wearing masks?” And the results were super close — of the first 583 respondents, 305 said yes and 278 said no. Here’s a visual breakdown of the results! Pie Chart of Our Readers’ Responses When Asked If They Think Disney Face Characters Should be Wearing Masks Let’s take a look at some of the common reasons our readers gave for their responses! “Yes, Disney Face Characters Should Wear Masks.” Of those who responded, 52% said they think the characters should wear masks. Many of the readers in this group pointed out the health concerns they have both for guests and Cast Members who could be exposed to harmful airborne particles. “Yes. It’s not okay to compromise one’s health to get a picture.” Elsa in EPCOT Others also mentioned that having the characters wear face masks would be a great way for Disney to help make kids feel more comfortable wearing them too. “It would be a good influence for the kids. If Mickey can wear a mask, so can you!” Pocahontas in Animal Kingdom And some even pointed out that the characters could receive specially designed masks that tie in their stories. “Themed masks to go with the characters would be adorable and may make people feel safer!” We asked our readers if they would bring their kids to Disney World right now. Here’s what they said. “No, Disney Face Characters Shouldn’t Wear Masks.” On the other hand, 48% said they don’t think the characters should wear masks. Some respondents in this group said they think the social distancing measures are sufficient. “No. You can’t get close [and] they’re not close to other characters [so] there’s no need for a mask.” Gaston Others said that they think that wearing face masks would negate the purpose of having the characters since it would separate them from their stories. “No. It doesn’t go with their storylines. Disney doesn’t break the story.” We asked our readers what it would take for them to feel safe traveling to Disney World again. Here’s what they said. While the majority of our readers are in favor of Disney face characters wearing masks, the opinion was split pretty closely. And, honestly, many of the responses we got were impassioned. So people do feel pretty strongly for and against. Disney has continued to modify the face mask policies for guests, so it’s possible that we could see adjustments for the characters as well. Did you know you can get a Disney Food Blog face mask?? From Dole Whips to Sonny Eclipse, check out some of our most popular designs! Do you think the Disney face characters should be wearing masks? Share your thoughts in the comments. Related posts: We Asked Our Readers: Would You Bring Your Kids to Disney World Right Now? Here’s What They Said. 10 NEW Disney World Tips We NEVER Thought We’d Have to Share! We Asked Our Readers: Do You Think It’s Too Soon to Reopen Disney World Parks? Here’s What They Said. View the full article

The Japan Pavilion in EPCOT is one of our favorite spots to find epic food! But our other weakness there is definitely the SHOPPING! Epcot Pavilion Of course, we’re talking about Mitsukoshi Department Store where we stumbled across some face masks. Now, we know what you’re thinking: “Face masks aren’t surprising! That’s all we’ve been hearing about for weeks!” But friend, these aren’t the type of face masks you’re expecting at all. Try to tell us that this packaging WOULDN’T catch your eye if you walked by the shelf! We weren’t sure what this was at first until we realized that it’s a skincare face mask that makes you look like a cat when you have it on! So fun! Yes, I will TOTALLY be a cat! Cat Skin Care Mask But wait, you’re not limited to JUST a cat. You’ve got options! We spotted masks with different cat AND dog breeds so you can emulate your favorite fur baby. The Pure Smile Art Masks in the “Will You Be A Cat?” and “Will You Be A Dog?” styles are available for $4.95 each. Will you be a cat? Will you be a dog? But speaking of babies…! We also spotted this Clear Turn Babyish Moist Mask. We’re not sure this one will make you look like a baby when it’s on your face, but will it give us “babyish” skin? I hope so. You can snag the Babyish mask for $12.95! Babyish face mask We’re still feeling a little caught off guard by these Mitsukoshi Department Store finds — after all, we’re not usually thinking about skincare in the Disney parks! If you want to see (or buy!) these for yourself, head on over to the Japan Pavilion in EPCOT! But be sure to bring your wallet, because we NEVER get out of Mitsukoshi without a VERY long receipt! Want to see what else is new in EPCOT? Click here! What do you think of these face masks? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: What’s New at EPCOT: TONS of Gelato Mickey Merch, New Menu Items at Katsura Grill, and a 2021 Calendar! What’s New in Epcot — a Birthday Cake Muffin, 2020 Merch, and a TON of Construction! Get a Whiff of the New SCENTED Holiday Snack Plush in Epcot! View the full article