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Chances are, we’ve all been there: You find your seat on the airplane, get as cozy as you can, and put your headphones on — only to be met with a sound overpowering whatever it is you’re listening to. That’s right — someone is listening to something OUT LOUD on the airplane. ©United Airlines It looks like that exact act — listening to something out loud — might be banned on one major airline soon. United Airlines recently updated its policy to potentially ban passengers who play audio or video without headphones. On February 27th, United Airlines made a change to its contract of carriage, which includes the legally binding terms passengers agree to when purchasing a ticket on their flights. The changes revealed an addition to rule 21, the section on “refusal of transport.” ©United Airlines The airline writes in this section that it has the “right to refuse transport on a permanent or temporary basis or…remove [passengers] from the aircraft at any point” for several reasons, which now includes “passengers who fail to use headphones while listening to audio or video content.” We don’t know about you, but that sounds like a rule we can get behind! ©Amazon The policy goes on to outline that any passenger who engages in the act and causes any “loss, damage, or expense of any kind” to the airlines is responsible for reimbursing the company for these losses. The rule is added to 21 other regulations in the refusal of transport section. There are additional removable offenses, including passengers who are barefoot or improperly clothed, and passengers who refuse to end voice or video calls when the airplane doors have closed. ©United Airlines If passengers forget their headphones, the airline offers a free, basic wired pair, according to United’s in-flight entertainment page on their website. This change makes United the first major carrier in the U.S. to officially make a legally binding rule about headphone use on airplanes, though other carriers might still instruct passengers to turn off their volume. ©Getty Images As far as other airlines go, Delta advises its passengers to “please use earbuds or headphones with any personal electronic device” for “the comfort of everyone around you.” Southwest says, “headphones are required whenever a passenger is listening to any audio,” but it is not legally binding in their contract of carriage. ©Southwest Airlines We’ll be on the lookout for more updates from United Airlines and beyond. In the meantime, stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more! NEWS: $550 Million Expansion Approved for Orlando Airport DON'T DO IT ALONE! Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise. Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!) So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you GET MORE INFO What do you think of this potential United Airlines change? Let us know in the comments below. View the full article

Some of our favorite Disney finds are on Amazon for up to 60% off! Luxo Lamp Jr. LEGO Bring Disney magic into your kitchen, living room, or playroom with our favorite Disney cookbooks, games, and LEGO sets! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Get The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook! ©Amazon The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook contains 100 easy and delicious recipes inspired by Walt Disney World! Recreate classic Dole Whips and Mickey Pretzels or new favorites like blue milk and Jack Jack’s Cookie Num Nums. View on Amazon We love The Magical World of Disney Trivia Games! ©Target The Magical World of Disney Trivia Games features Disney trivia cards, 3D sculpted locations, Disney character movers, Disney art, and Pixar original sketch art from Disney parks, history, and movies. It’s perfect for your next game night! View on Amazon Or, you can grab LEGO Disney Pixar Luxo Jr.! Luxo Lamp Jr. LEGO This LEGO Disney Pixar Luxo Jr. set lets you build playful Luxo Jr., the iconic lamp character from Disney Pixar’s 1986 animated short film! It has an intricate, articulated design that helps you recreate Luxo Jr.’s unique bouncing, hopping, and rotating movements. View on Amazon Don’t forget The Disney Villains Cookbook! ©Amazon The Disney Villains Cookbook provides simple step-by-step instructions for 50 beginner-friendly recipes, including dishes like Kronk’s Spinach Puffs, Gaston’s Chicken Drumsticks, Cruella Cookies, and many more! It contains a thorough introduction to kitchen basics and a “difficulty rating” for each recipe, so it’s perfect to help teach young cooks. View on Amazon We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article

There are many Disney essentials out there that will genuinely make your trip easier. We’ve done trips without them and deeply regretted being without them, which is why we chat with you all the time about why these items can help make your lives easier…however, there ARE items out there that do the opposite. Disposable Bed Sheets It’s rare that we experience trying something in Disney World that we dislike SO much we actually advise no one use them, but this is one of those situations. We spent $16 to try out this “essential” in Disney World, but here’s what we learned — we’ll NEVER use them again, and we’re here to help you avoid the same fate. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Disposable Sheets? No, Thank You (And That’s Us Being Polite) Disposable Bed Sheets When some people travel, they’re concerned about the cleanliness of their hotel, or sleeping on sheets that other people have before (even though all sheets are, of course, supposed to be washed in between guests). Whether it’s due to a concern they always have about keeping things clean, they suffer from intense allergies, or they have a medical condition that requires them to be extra aware of their surroundings, sometimes the idea of Disposable Bed Sheets can make travel life easier. THIS set, though? Yeah, we don’t recommend using these for ANY reason. Disposable Bed Sheets This set comes with two pillow sham covers, a sheet cover, a quilt/comforter cover, two disposable face cloths, and two disposable bath towels, and while that’s a lot for the small price of $16, these are SO. UNCOMFORTABLE. These are marketed as being reusable, but we think that’s highly questionable. In fact, we feel cleaner washing regular sheets between people/trips than we do with these. We’re not a fan The only thing we could stand to use was the face cloths, but they were strangely long and felt like just wetting a paper towel and hoping for the best. While the towels did succeed in getting water off of you, they weren’t soft or comfortable in the slightest. It’s a no from us The sheets and pillow covers were so uncomfortable, making us feel like we were lying on paper at the doctor’s office, and they smelled similar, as well — you won’t really feel like you’re on vacation, more like you’re doing a sleep study test in an uncomfortable bed. We’d go as far as saying this made our trip HARDER, not easier in the slightest, and if you’re concerned about germs on your trip for whatever reason, we’d actually just recommend getting to the hotel early and taking all the sheets off to wash them yourself at the hotel’s laundry service instead. Either that, or you can contact Disney with your concern, and they’ll do all they can to assure you that things will be sterile and clean. Check Them Out Here (If You Dare) We’ll continue to keep you updated on all the latest Disney news, including the items we ACTUALLY find to be very helpful on our trips, so stay tuned to DFB! View the full article

In March of 2025, Disney announced two major Disney Dining Plan deals, and with March 2026 upon us, we’re wondering if the company plans to run it back? Mickey Pretzel First, Disney Visa cardholders had exclusive access to a new limited-time deal that gave them the Disney Dining Plan for free when they booked a non-discounted 4-night, 4-day Disney World package, including a room at a select Disney World hotel and a theme park ticket with a Park Hopper option. The day after the Cardholder deal expired, Disney revealed a new deal which offered guests the Disney Dining Plan for free when they booked a non-discounted 4-night, 4-day Disney World vacation package that included a room at select Disney World hotels, as well as theme park tickets with the Disney Park Hopper option. So, will Disney bring some form of the free Dining Plan back? Well, while obviously we don’t know for sure, but there are some indications that it may be likely. Disney Dining Plan symbols For starters, Disney is already offering free kids’ dining plans throughout 2026. Guests booking a room at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel and dining plan for each guest ages 10 and up on their reservation can receive FREE dining plans for kids ages 3 to 9. This offer extends through 2026 bookings and is dependent on purchasing the vacation package (which includes a hotel stay and park tickets) as well as dining plans for every other guest. Prix-Fixe Meal at Be Our Guest Restaurant Beyond that, Disney has offered an unprecedented amount of discounts over the last several years, and judging by Disney’s most recent earnings call — where the company revealed that “bookings are up 5% for full year weighted toward the back end” — these discounts seem to be helping the company’s Experiences division continue to rake in record profits. Fantasy in the Sky In fact, Disney is currently offering some major discounts, including the ability to save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels for stays most nights from May 1st to July 29th, 2026. Standard room at Disney’s Pop Century Resort Guests can save up to 30% for stays of 5 or more consecutive nights and 25% for stays of 1 to 4 consecutive nights at Disney’s Deluxe Tier Resorts, 25% off stays of 5 or more nights and 20% or stays of 1 to 4 nights at select Disney Moderate and Value Tier Resorts, and 20% off stays of 5 or more nights and 15% off stays of 1 to 4 nights at select Moderate and Value Tier Resorts, as well as the Fort Wilderness Campground. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort While we’re not sure if Disney will bring back the exact free dining offer as last year, the success of their current discount offerings — including the free dining for kids — would seem to indicate it’s possible, and arguably likely, some kind of free dining offer will return soon. Stay tuned to DFB to find out! 2026 Dates You Should Know If You’re a Disney World Fan Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Are you taking advantage of any of Disney’s discounts? Let us know in the comments below. View the full article

Calling all pin collectors, do we have NEWS for you! Pins at Frontier Trading Post 40 new Disney pins just dropped online on the Disney Store, and they are selling FAST. The collection includes some BIG items for Muppet fans, lovers of The Aristocats, and Winnie the Pooh die-hards. Let’s dive into the list! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Get the Muppets jumbo pin! ©Disney First up on the list is The Muppets Disney Park Day Jumbo Pin. This thing is MASSIVE compared to regular pins, and it’s a limited edition. It features Sam Eagle, Rizzo, and Animal exploring Disney World. How cute! View on Disney Store This blind pack is a MUST ©Disney Another great one for Muppet fans? This The Muppets ”Disney Park Day” Mystery Pin Blind Pack. It has a bunch of different Muppets characters starring in attractions and locations around the Disney World parks. Personally, I’m a big fan of Statler and Waldorf as the sleepy monks on Spaceship Earth. View on Disney Store We love the Disneyland jumbo pin too! ©Disney The limited edition The Muppets Disney Park Day Jumbo Pin — Disneyland is already sold out online, but keep checking back to see if it restocks. It’s the cutest design with Kermit and Robin enjoying some popcorn and fireworks! View on Disney Store Or, you can grab this Marie pin ©Disney Marie from The Aristocats is a rather popular character, and she’s featured in the new collection as well! This Marie Pin – The Aristocats – Brush of Magic is a limited edition and features Marie as artwork on a canvas. View on Disney Store We can’t forget about Stitch! ©Disney Speaking of popular characters, check out this Stitch on Pillow Pin. He’s a sleepy boy with a comfy spot to take a nap. This one is selling out fast, so hurry up and snag it! View on Disney Store Or Sorcerer Mickey! ©Disney In a similar style, there’s the Sorcerer Mickey Mouse on Pillow Pin. This one features a tiny Mickey Mouse in his sorcerer garb (hat, too!) napping on a blue pillow. Like the Stitch pin, this one is selling out fast! View on Disney Store Featuring an underrated icon… ©Disney Continuing the pillow collection, we have an underrated park icon, Orange Bird! The Orange Bird on Pillow pin is like the others, but with an orange-forward color palette (go figure). Once again, it’s selling out fast and it’s limited release! View on Disney Store What about some Winnie the Pooh? ©Disney Springtime is the season for Winnie the Pooh, and he’s featured in this pin drop a couple of times. This is the Winnie the Pooh ”Oh, Bother!” Pin, and it’s simply precious! Pooh has popped a stitch again — thankfully, he can fix it up quickly. View on Disney Store Another one for Pooh fans ©Disney Seriously, Winnie the Pooh is just so relatable. We also love this Winnie the Pooh ”Hunny on My Mind” Pin. Looks like he’s ready to get a good nap in after a full meal of hunny! View on Disney Store Let’s welcome the season with this pin! ©Disney If you want to be a little more overstated with your love for springtime, snag this limited-release Marie Spring 2026 Pin – The Aristocats. This one reminds me so fondly of the Flower & Garden Festival at EPCOT with the butterflies and petals. View on Disney Store The perfect St. Patrick’s Day pin ©Disney Another reason to celebrate this time of year? St. Patrick’s Day! The Goofy St. Patrick’s Day 2026 Pin highlights the holiday with Goofy dressed as a leprechaun in a pot of gold. Of course, it’s all topped with a big rainbow. View on Disney Store Another blind pack to choose from ©Disney If you liked the artist vibes of the Marie pin above, then check out the Disney Brush of Magic Mystery Pin Blind Pack Series 1. This one features 10 different Disney characters in portraits with matching paint pots and paintbrushes. With each blind box purchase, you get two pins. View on Disney Store A Muppets set for the Disneyland fans ©Disney The last of the pins we have to show you is this The Muppets ”Disney Park Day” Mystery Pin Blind Pack — it’s similar to the other set, except these are themed to Disneyland attractions! Kermit as Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is simply iconic. View on Disney Store And finally, don’t forget your pinfolio! PinFolio Go Pin Display Bag If you’re looking for a great way to store your pins when you head to Disney World, we suggest the PinFolio Go Pin Display Bag. It’s lightweight, and it zips closed for easy storage, plus it holds up to 40 1-inch Disney pins. It’s sold out on Amazon currently, but keep checking for it to restock. View on Amazon We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article

Is Hollywood Studios ACTUALLY a park for all-ages? Is park construction gonna completely ruin your day? And what am I gonna prioritize eating the next time I visit this place? We’re answering ALL your MAJOR questions about Hollywood Studios, today on DFB Guide! Check out our video below: Answering ALL Your Questions About Disney’s Hollywood Studios Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes! And stay tuned for more theme park news! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of this video? Tell us in the comments. View the full article

The next generation of LEGO sets is here! ©Disney LEGO dropped some new SMART Play platform sets, and you’re going to want to add them to your collection! This innovative addition to LEGO “allows brick builders to bring their LEGO creations to life like never before.” LEGO called it one of its “most significant innovations” since LEGO Minifigures were introduced almost 50 years ago. Let’s take a look at what you can grab. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Get the LEGO Smart Millennium Falcon ©Amazon Check out the LEGO Star Wars Smart Play: Millennium Falcon! This set allows you to place the LEGO SMART Brick (which is sold separately) in the ship to hear the sounds of the Millennium Falcon and the crew as they fight off the Empire. It comes with innovative minifigures — SMART Han Solo, SMART Chewbacca, SMART Luke Skywalker and SMART C-3PO, plus accessories. View on Amazon This LEGO Smart Speeder is so cool! ©Amazon Next, take a look at this LEGO Star Wars Smart Play: Luke’s Speeder! Add a LEGO SMART Brick (sold separately) to this unique set to activate engine, hammer, and fueling noises as you make repairs to get Luke ready for his next adventure. The set comes with the SMART Luke Skywalker LEGO minifigure and Jawa LEGO minifigure, plus a Gonk Droid. View on Amazon We love the LEGO Smart Yoda’s Hut ©Amazon There’s also this LEGO Star Wars Smart Play: Yoda’s Hut! Use the LEGO SMART Brick (sold separately) to bring the scene to life with Yoda reactions and cooking noises. This set brings you back to the iconic training montage in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Enjoy the set of the planet Dagobah with SMART Yoda and SMART Luke Skywalker LEGO minifigures, plus an R2-D2 LEGO droid figure. View on Amazon Or, you can grab the LEGO Smart Throne Room ©Amazon The LEGO Star Wars Smart Play: Throne Room stands out! Unlike the other sets so far, this one includes two SMART Bricks. Place the SMART Bricks on the dueling arms to hear Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader’s Lightsabers hum as they duel. The set includes SMART Luke Skywalker, SMART Emperor Palpatine and SMART Darth Vader, and the SMART Bricks trigger reactions to situations they encounter. View on Amazon Don’t forget about the LEGO Smart Cantina ©Amazon Relive the iconic Cantina scene from Star Wars: A New Hope, with this LEGO Star Wars Smart Play: Mos Eisley Cantina! Place a LEGO SMART Brick (sold separately) in the cantina that brings it to life with music, singing, roars, and other playful sounds. You can’t have the cantina without the iconic music. The set comes with a SMART Obi-Wan Kenobi and SMART Greedo, a Sandtrooper and 2 Band member LEGO minifigures. View on Amazon And finally, this LEGO Smart TIE Fighter ©Amazon Lastly, check out this LEGO Star Wars Smart Play: Darth Vader TIE Fighter! This LEGO set includes one SMART Brick. Place the SMART Brick on the SMART Tag in the TIE fighter for motion-activated engine sounds and lights, laser-shooting, refueling and repair sounds. The set comes with a SMART Darth Vader minifigure, as well as a rebel soldier. View on Amazon We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article

You could be spending hundreds more on a Disney World hotel… and getting less than what you’d get at this resort on property. The Dolphin If you’ve never seriously considered the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, it’s time to change that. These sister resorts sit right in the heart of Walt Disney World, located in the EPCOT resort area between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. While they aren’t owned by Disney, they are operated by Marriott and are officially classified as Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts, which means they come with many of the same perks as Disney’s top-tier hotels. Before we get into it, if you’re looking for a travel agent to help with your vacation, we recommend our friends at Small World Vacations! They’re experts in the field with vacation planning experience, and they can help take a bunch of the stress out of the entire booking process for you! That combination is what makes them so interesting. You’re getting a Marriott-operated hotel experience, complete with the ability to earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points, while still enjoying Disney deluxe-level benefits. For guests who travel often or already stay within the Marriott family, this is a huge advantage. Your Disney vacation doesn’t just cost money, but it can help earn you free nights in the future. Swan Hotel Beyond the rewards factor, the Swan and Dolphin deliver in ways that matter most on a Disney vacation — location and convenience. These resorts are within walking distance of EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. That means you can stroll to EPCOT for a festival day, head back to your room for a midday break, or leave Hollywood Studios after park closing without standing in a long bus line. The ability to walk to two major parks dramatically changes the pace of your trip and adds flexibility that many other deluxe resorts simply can’t match. Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Transportation options only add to that convenience. Guests can take a complimentary water taxi to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios, with boats departing approximately every 15 to 20 minutes. It’s a relaxing and scenic way to start or end the day. Complimentary bus transportation is also provided to all four theme parks and Disney Springs, running roughly every 20 to 30 minutes. You’re fully connected to the rest of Walt Disney World without sacrificing ease of access. Swan and Dolphin Because the Swan and Dolphin are considered deluxe resorts, guests are eligible for Extended Evening Hours, which is one of the most valuable perks available on property. On select nights, you’ll have access to extra park time with significantly lower crowds and shorter wait times. That benefit alone can make a noticeable difference in how much you accomplish during your trip. Guests also receive Early Theme Park Entry, allowing them into the parks 30 minutes before official opening each day. Disney World’s Dolphin Resort Another standout feature is dining. The Swan and Dolphin complex offers one of the largest collections of restaurants at any Disney-area hotel. From signature dining experiences to casual table-service restaurants, lounges, quick-service options, and coffee spots, there is an impressive variety without ever leaving the resort area. Unlike many Disney-owned hotels, the Swan and Dolphin also offer room service, which I cannot stress what a true deluxe amenity that can be a game-changer after a long park day. Kimonos Now let’s talk about cost because this is where the real surprise comes in. For a six-night stay in June, the Swan Resort totaled $2,143.81. For the same dates, a stay at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa came to $2,318.43. That’s about $175 more to stay at Saratoga Springs, a Disney-owned deluxe resort that does not offer walkable access to two parks, has fewer dining options on site, and does not provide room service. Walt Disney World Swan So what’s the takeaway? If you’re automatically booking a Disney-owned deluxe resort without comparing it to the Swan and Dolphin, you could be paying more for fewer conveniences. These resorts deliver deluxe perks, unbeatable EPCOT-area location, extensive dining, and the added bonus of Marriott rewards — often at a lower price point. Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Before you book your next Disney World vacation, be sure to look into Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin Resort because you might be missing out on saving big! For more Disney news and tips, be sure to follow us at DFB! 12 Disney World Hotels That Make Rope Drop 10X Harder, and 22 You Should Stay at Instead Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you ever stayed at Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin resort? Tell us in the comments below! View the full article

George, the younger brother of the Peppa Pig character, will begin wearing a hearing aid at appearances at Peppa Pig Theme Park in Winter Haven. The change is in conjunction with a storyline development in the animated “Peppa Pig” series. In its “Hearing Test” episode, Peppa’s family learns that George has moderate hearing loss in one ear, and he is fitted with a hearing aid. The in-park experience reflects the character’s status and reinforces the attraction’s committment to accessibility, says Merlin Entertainments Group, which own the theme park. Peppa Pig Theme Park, which opened in 2022, is part of the Legoland Florida Resort and aimed at the youngest visitors and their families. The new-look George also will appear at the Peppa Pig park in Grapevine, Texas, which opened last spring. The two piglets and other members of their family regularly participate in meet-and-greet moments with visitors at the theme parks. More than 400 “Peppa Pig” episodes have been produced since the British series’ TV debut in 2004. The episodes, usually around 5 minutes long, can be found on its YouTube channel. The show and characters became part of Hasbro in 2019. For more information, go to peppapigthemepark.com/florida. dbevil@orlandosentinel.com View the full article

Have you been to The Cake Bake Shop in Disney World yet? The Cake Bake Shop This stunning restaurant opened in 2024 with giant slices of cake, an abundance of floral decor, and slightly controversial prices. It has been pretty popular since then, with offerings like afternoon tea and seasonal decor (the girlies in particular love to dine here). But now, it’s making a change this spring! The Cake Bake Shop official Instagram account recently posted an announcement about changing restaurant hours. The first part of the announcement notes that on Easter weekend and Mother’s Day weekend, all locations of The Cake Bake Shop will serve breakfast until 2PM. Via @thecakebakeshop on Instagram Also, starting on March 11th, the location in Disney World (at Disney’s BoardWalk) will be extending breakfast service until 11:30AM every day. Sounds like it’s time to go to brunch on your resort day! You can make reservations for these extended hours now through their website or the OpenTable app. Breakfast at the Cake Bake Shop So what can you order for breakfast at The Cake Bake Shop? The Disney World location offers a variety of eggs, as well as french toast, waffles, and pancakes, each with its own special spin. You can also choose from a selection of quiche and croques. And, of course, there are some breakfast cakes to try out! Croque Madame Because this restaurant is so popular, we highly recommend making reservations in advance through OpenTable. If no reservations are available during your visit, you can stop by The Cake Bake Shop Bakery instead and grab some sweet treats to start the morning. Inside the bakery We’ll make sure to keep you in the loop with any more restuarant changes in Disney World. For more Disney food updates, subscribe to our YouTube channel and our newsletter. The Best Restaurants at Disney World in 2026 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you ever been to The Cake Bake Shop in Disney World? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

You know that feeling when you’ve waited in a snack line long enough to develop a tiny, personal feud with a stroller… and then you take the first bite and realize you’ve traded 12 precious park minutes for something you could have bought at a gas station? Ice Cream! Yeah. Let’s not do that in 2026. This is your friendly, slightly chaotic “I love you, so I’m stopping you” guide to the Disney World snacks that are very good at looking iconic but are quietly eating up your time, money, and emotional stability. And for every skip, I’m giving you a “grab this instead” option that actually feels like a Disney snack win. Skip #1: The Standard Mickey Ice Cream Bar (and the standard ice cream sandwich) Nothing hurts quite like paying theme park prices for an experience that’s basically… “fine.” The Mickey Bar is refreshing, yes, but the coating can read a little “chocolatey” in the legally distinct way, with that waxy mouthfeel people always side-eye. And now that you can get the Mickey ice cream bars from the frozen food section at your local store, they’re just a bit less “iconic.” Are they still good? Yes. Are there better treats you could be spending your money and stomach real estate on? Also, yes. The ICONIC Mickey Ice Cream Bar! Grab instead: DOLE Whip treats, or better ice cream builds If you want cold and sweet, go where Disney actually flexes: DOLE Whip. That tangy pineapple + creamy swirl situation is a certified serotonin delivery system. And if you want something that feels more frozen dairy decadence, build a hand-scooped moment at Plaza Ice Cream Parlor. Ice Cream Sandwich Hand-scooped ice cream of your choice sandwiched between two giant, fresh homemade cookies?! Try finding that in your grocery store freezer! Skip #2: Popcorn, pretzels, and other “I could get this at home” fillers Listen, I respect popcorn. I respect pretzels. I respect them even more when they’re not costing me Disney money and Disney time. These are the same types of snacks you can find at your local movie theater or ballpark. I’m not saying they’re not good. Heck, they can be considered comfort food. But when in Disney World, get a snack that feels more magical than salty carbs. Mickey Pretzel Grab instead: The snacks that only make sense here Go for stuff that feels uniquely Disney, like the Cheeseburger (or pizza) Spring Rolls at the Adventureland cart, which are a portable, savory little mic drop. Or hop to EPCOT’s Norway pavilion and get School Bread, which is basically a gentle hug disguised as a pastry, with silky custard and toasted coconut. School Bread Skip #3: The dried-out cinnamon roll at most Starbucks locations You know the ones I’m talking about. The one that looks like it’s been in the case since the ghost of Christmas Past visited last December. Starbucks pastries at Disney can be a real “airport food court” vibe. If you’ve ever bitten into a cinnamon roll and thought, “This is… structurally sound,” you know what I mean. Even fans call out issues like not enough filling/icing. ©Disney Grab instead: Cinnamon rolls that actually live their best lives Gaston’s Tavern can be fantastic when it’s fresh: huge, gooey, buttery, served warm, and you can even ask for extra frosting. EPCOT’s Kringla Bakeri og Kafé has a massive cinnamon roll with orange cream cheese icing that brings a bright citrus lift (and yes, it’s a whole situation). Orange Cinnamon Roll And if you’re at Disney Springs, the Summer House on the Lake cinnamon roll has a reputation for being light, airy, and dangerously easy to keep eating. Skip #4: The new savory waffle snacks at Marketplace Snacks Savory waffles sound like a good idea until the toppings start arguing with each other. In my recent experience, the ranch overpowered everything, and the chicken “got lost” in the slaw. And I just have a few words to leave you with: waffle soggy with ranch dressing. Right? Right. That’s a situation we don’t want to relive. ©Disney Grab instead: Dessert waffles here, or go savory somewhere else If you’re at Marketplace Snacks and you want waffles, the sweet options are generally the safer bet. Because if you must waffle here, then waffle with ice cream. Look at this thing! If you want savory that doesn’t feel like it was invented during a sleep-deprived brainstorming meeting, go to The Daily Poutine for something reliably craveable. Or do the classic Disney Springs practicality move: Earl of Sandwich when you need something filling that won’t emotionally betray you. Skip #5: The PB&J Cookie Pie at the Confectionery This one is… divisive. Some people love the nostalgia, but others clock it as “more sugary and artificial than a traditional PB&J,” which is a very polite way of saying “my tongue is tired.” Main Street Confectionery Grab instead: The peanut butter mousse pie at Cake Bake If you’re going peanut butter, go with elegant peanut butter. Cake Bake’s chocolate peanut butter mousse pie has that rich, creamy, ganache-topped “this is dessert-dessert” energy. Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse Pie Skip #6: The Mickey Strawberry Cookie Sandwich at the Confectionery I wanted to love this. It’s adorable. It’s pink. It’s Mickey. It should be a slam dunk. And yet, it didn’t just let me down. It kicked me and then stuck its tongue out. Although I LOVE strawberries, this did not taste like a strawberry. It tasted like it had an artificial bubble gum flavor. Even the Skittles couldn’t save that awful filling. If disappointment had a flavor, it would be this. Mickey Strawberry Cookie Sandwich Grab instead: The Cookie Dough Brownie Ice Cream Sandwich at Terra Treats (Animal Kingdom) Cookie Dough Brownie Ice Cream Sandwich This is what you eat when you want to feel joy again. What is there not to love? The thick cookie dough layer, the soft vanilla ice cream, and a rich, fudgy brownie base. I don’t just love this snack; it’s helped restore my faith in humanity. Skip #7: Honey Buffalo Chicken Strips with Ranch at Backlot Express Hot take: these aren’t bad. They’re just not “I crossed a park for this” worthy. Ultimately, these are chicken tendies having an identity crisis and trying to cover it up with sauce. There’s just A LOT happening here. Honey. Buffalo sauce. Ranch Dressing. Do I like all of these components individually? Yes. Even paired up to some extent? Yes. But all three? Nope. You know what they say about too much of a good thing. Honey Buffalo Chicken Strips Grab instead: The Buffalo Chicken Bowl at Fairfax Fare If you’re craving buffalo, Fairfax Fare gives you a fuller situation (chicken + buffalo + coleslaw + mashed potatoes in a waffle bowl). Buffalo Chicken Waffle Bowl Yes, waffle bowls can be polarizing. But if you’re doing “buffalo meal snack,” this one at least feels intentional. Skip #8: Regular churros Disney World churros can be… aggressively fine. Some folks have compared the standard cart version unfavorably to Costco. While DisneyLAND churros are magical flavor wands of cinnamon and sugar, their Disney WORLD cousins are bland, stale, and chewy. Sad churro Grab instead: Nomad Lounge churros (if you “must churro”) Nomad Lounge understood the assignment: crisp outside, soft inside, served with dipping sauces, and it’s the rare Disney churro that gets people genuinely excited. Nomad Lounge Churros And my long list of snack advice would be complete (nor would it be authentically me) if I didn’t promote my beloved, and at long last returned Key Lime Pie on a Stick, which you can now get at Flame Tree Barbecue in Animal Kingdom, or at Good’s Food To Go at Old Key West. If you’re ever in a situation where the hunger bell is tolling and you’re not sure what to grab—get this, then come back and thank me! Key Lime Pie on a Stick Before you go snack-feral in the comments: yes, you are allowed to love any of the “skips.” If a Mickey Bar is your emotional support dessert, I support your journey. If there’s one thing Disney World is going to do in 2026, it’s tempt you with a snack that looks adorable, sounds iconic, and then tastes like it was assembled in a rush by someone who has never personally experienced joy. Beignets — A Port Orleans Resort tradition! So let’s be strategic. Skip the “you can get this at home” fillers and the treats that lean a little too hard on nostalgia as a seasoning. Save your snack budget (and your precious stomach real estate) for the stuff that actually feels like Disney: the weirdly perfect spring rolls, the bakery items that come out warm and fluffy, and the DOLE Whip creations that make you believe in magic again. Because your park day is expensive. Your time is valuable. And you deserve snacks that don’t make you whisper, “Why did I do this to myself?” after the first bite. Go forth, snack smart, and may your 2026 treats be elite, chaotic, and 100% regret-free. The Best Snacks at Disney World in 2026 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW View the full article

Did you make sure to book your EPCOT reservation for tomorrow? It’s going to be busy, but we’re all gonna be there! Flower and Garden Festival EPCOT’s 2026 Flower and Garden Festival begins TOMORROW, and we’re so excited to dive into all the eats, treats, drinks, entertainment, and experiences! The festival will be running from March 4th and will go through to June 1st. It feels like the Festival of the Arts came and went, and now EPCOT’s stunning spring festival is about to begin. As we mentioned, there is a ton of stuff that you’ll be able to enjoy and experience starting tomorrow. Every festival at EPCOT brings a wide array of unique and delicious food and beverages. EPCOT released their FULL menus for the festival, and we’ve already started marking off what we’re going to be getting! Bauernmarkt in Germany With how much is on the menu to try this year, the Flower and Garden Festival is going to need multiple visits to try everything. The festival is seeing some of our favorite food items return, but the crazy thing is that the festival is also bringing in 76 NEW menu items as well! We’ll be eating until we drop. Primavera in Italy We’re excited to jam to live tunes during the Garden Rocks Concert Series, which has always been a blast at previous festivals. Disney announced the FULL LINEUP for the concert series, starting with the Music of ABBA tomorrow and ending with Maverick City on June 1st. There are so many talented artists performing this year — you might want to mark your calendars for who you want to see. Garden Rocks in 2024 The Garden Rocks Concert Series is held at the American Gardens Theatre in the American Adventure Pavilion. Experiencing the concerts is included with your cost of admission, and you’ll see the bands perform some of their greatest hits three times each night — typically at 5:30PM, 6:45PM, and 8PM. There will be Dining Packages available for the concerts if you’d like to confirm your seats! Garden Rocks in 2024 Don’t forget about all the activities that you can experience during the festival as well, including Spike’s PollenNation Exploration, the Egg-Stravaganza Scavenger Hunt, Butterfly Landing presented by AdventHealth, and the Garden Graze. Spike’s Pollen Nation Exploration Map from 2025 Even just touring around the park during the festival is fascinating, as the festival features gorgeous Disney-themed topiary displays, beautiful flowers, and landscapes across the park. Each one calls for you to stop and look at the details! Tiana! We can’t wait to spend TONS of time at EPCOT during this festival, and we hope you have the chance to come out and experience it. We’re going to be covering everything the festival has to offer, including food reviews for every booth! You’re not going to want to miss it, so make sure to follow us at the Disney Food Blog. 10 Dates to AVOID the 2026 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What are you most excited about at the festival? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin has been closed for refurbishment for a long time, and we’re finally getting close to experiencing this ride with all new features! Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin In August of 2025, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin in Magic Kingdom closed to have a large refurbishment done. Disney has confirmed some of the changes that guests will see when the ride reopens this spring. Let’s go through all of the changes that are underway! New Ride Vehicles With Real-Time Scoring The iconic XP-37 star cruisers are getting a sleek new look inspired by Buzz Lightyear’s signature color palette. The updated vehicles won’t just look different, but they’ll function differently, too. Each cruiser will now feature built-in video monitors that display real-time scoring updates, making it easier than ever to track your progress throughout the mission. Galactic Heroes, it’s almost time! ©Disney Meet “Buddy” Guests will also encounter an all-new character during their adventure. “Buddy,” a friendly robot, will appear in a new scene to help prepare recruits for their mission. This will also introduce riders to some of the attraction’s upgraded interactive target features before they officially begin their journey into deep space. ©Disney Interactive Targets That React When Hit If you’ve ridden before, you likely remember aiming for the glowing “Z” targets scattered throughout the attraction. Previously, many of these targets were static, and you might have been left guessing whether your shots actually landed. That’s changing! The upgraded targets will now incorporate new technology that allows them to light up and visibly react when hit. No more second-guessing your aim because you’ll get instant feedback as you battle Zurg. ©Disney All-New Handheld Blasters One of the biggest changes? Completely redesigned blasters. Instead of being mounted to the ride vehicle, the new blasters will be fully handheld, allowing for greater freedom of movement and improved aim. Each vehicle will feature two blasters, and they’ll come in two distinct colors. Even better, the blasters will include an always-on laser, making it easier to track your shots and make it easier to line up your next target. ©Disney The Mission The basic storyline remains the same, with a high-stakes space battle inspired by Toy Story 2. Buzz Lightyear’s notorious enemy, Emperor Zurg, is stealing batteries from unsuspecting toys to power a destructive new superweapon. As a Rookie Space Ranger, you’ll board your star cruiser and travel into the Gamma Quadrant, spinning 360 degrees as you aim at glowing “Z” targets with your blaster. Your mission? Defeat Zurg and his army of rogue robots before it’s too late. With enhanced scoring, upgraded targets, handheld blasters, and the addition of Buddy, the experience promises to feel more immersive and more competitive than ever before. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin When Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin reopens in Spring 2026, guests can expect a refreshed, interactive adventure. Stay tuned to DFB, where we’ll be reporting more updates as opening day approaches! 3 Weeks When Magic Kingdom Will Be Empty in 2026 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of the new ride changes to Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin? Tell us in the comments below! View the full article

Outside of perhaps the numerous Harry Potter-themed eateries, dining inside Universal Orlando’s theme parks tends to get the short shrift compared to Walt Disney World dining in the minds of many travelers. However, our recent dining adventure shows that the resort has some hidden gems! Confisco Grille Specifically, we dined at Islands of Adventure’s Confisco Grille. While this opening day eatery doesn’t receive nearly as much attention as its park-mate Mythos, the restaurant provided us with a delicious and somewhat surprisingly upscale dining experience. Located at the far-end of Port of Entry, just before the land splits into respective entrance paths towards Marvel Superhero Island and Seuss Landings, Confisco Grille captures the essence of Islands of Adventure’s original concept. The restaurant is themed to be a gathering place for adventurers and explorers who’ve made their way around the park’s titular islands. Confisco Grille The restaurant is even decorated with items “confiscated” from each of the islands — including references to Cartoon Lagoon characters, the Cat in the Hat’s iconic headwear, dino bones from Jurassic Park, and even Marvel Comics references — which combines with some neat whimsical architecture to create a really fun dining experience. Confisco Grill items “confiscated” from the park’s islands. Now, what about the food? Confisco Grille serves a menu of global fare influenced by Asian, Mediterranean, and Greek dishes. The Menu On our recent visit, we sampled three dishes: The first was the Herb Roasted Corvina Fillet. This dish, which goes for $29.95, features a pan-roasted fillet with chimichurri marinade, Parmesan, spinach orzo salad, baby heirloom tomatoes, and tangy lemon butter sauce. Herb Roasted Corvina Fillet We asked a server prior to our meal what the most popular meal on the menu was, and they responded with the Carvina Filet, and we can see why: This fish was AWESOME. It was cooked perfectly, as the filet itself fell apart on the fork, but at the same time, the skin was deliciously crispy. The herbaceousness of the chimichurri marinade was really apparent on the fish by itself, but this was really leveled up with that tangy lemon butter sauce, while the sauce was rich and buttery with the perfect balance of acidity from the lemon. Overall, the dish was excellently balanced! Herb Roasted Corvina Fillet The spinach orzo salad was also a pleasant surprise. It was beautifully cooked orzo plated in a little cylinder with the bitterness of the spinach mingling with the sharp cheesiness of the parmesan. (Do note this was served warm, where the word “salad” might make you think it was cold). Herb Roasted Corvina Fillet As a beverage accompaniment, we went with the $12.00 Mango Lassi mocktail, which was a refreshing blend of plain yogurt, mango nectar, and mango syrup, topped with a dried slice of mango. Mango Lassi While a traditional Mango Lassi is made with yogurt, fresh mangoes, sugar, and sometimes spices, this one instead has yogurt, mango nectar (aka juice), and mango syrup (in lieu of fresh mangoes and sugar). The thickness of the yogurt added enough texture for it to be creamy, but the drink was still very easy to sip with a straw. Mango Lassi The mixture of mango flavor along with the dried mango pieces on top made the drink especially refreshing and revitalizing during a long theme park day. Also, if you find yourself short on time, we checked, and you CAN get this same Mango Lassi at the walk-up Backwater Bar next door. Finally, we wrapped the meal with dessert: The Cookie Butter Cake — layers of brown butter cake, cookie butter mousse, butter cream icing — for $9.95. Mango Lassi Texture-wise, the cake was perfectly moist and had a pleasant density while still feeling light, similar to a traditional angel food cake. The cookie butter mousse gives the cake all the flavor punch of cookie butter without the heaviness that a non-mousse version would entail. In addition, the thick layers of the mousse in the cake are quite aesthetically pleasing. The buttercream icing was also 1. beautiful and 2. another great part of the execution that helped balance the cookie butter. Mango Lassi A couple of notes you should probably be aware of: The serving size was perfect for ONE, and we wouldn’t call this shareable unless you are already feeling a bit full and only want a few bites of dessert. Secondly, we also checked if the cake was available at the Crescent Moon Bakery, and it was NOT. You can only get it at Confisco Grille. Hello friends! Overall, we really enjoyed our most recent at Confisco Grill, and can’t stress enough that the eatery might be one of the best in-park eateries not just at Islands of Adventure, but also the whole of the Universal Orlando Resort. Stay tuned to AllEars for more on Universal’s hidden gems. An Epic Universe Perk at Universal Orlando Has CHANGED Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Where are your favorite places to eat at the Universal Orlando parks? Let us know in the comments below. View the full article

Disney’s Hollywood Studios, like many parks, is undergoing quite a lot of construction in 2026. That means experiencing the park could be a little trickier than normal, thanks to construction walls. Disney’s Hollywood Studios If you’re heading into the park this year and want to make sure you’re as prepared as possible, that’s where we come in! We’re in the parks each and every day, watching how things change, what construction updates are happening, and what items we find to be absolute essentials for your park day. After doing some heavy research, these are the five items we suggest you really look into before heading to this park in 2026! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Carry Your Drinks With Ease ©Amazon There’s nothing worse than trying to get to your table after picking up your food and worrying about spilling your drinks. Or, maybe you’ve grabbed some drinks ahead of seeing a show like Fantasmic! or the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, and you don’t want to struggle to carry them. That’s where the CarryAround Fold Away Cup Carrier comes in! This isn’t just for Hollywood Studios, of course, but as this ride does have more outdoor shows than many of the other parks (meaning you can bring in food and drinks), it especially comes in handy. Grab it right here! Don’t Overheat in Line JISULIFE 3 IN 1 Handheld Mini Fan Some of the lines in Hollywood Studios can get HOT since they’re mostly outside, and a few don’t have a lot of shade. With the hot weather coming up, we suggest grabbing the JISULIFE 3 IN 1 Handheld Mini Fan now, so you’re prepared for your upcoming trip. The last thing you want is to overheat in line and then feel gross by the time you actually get to ride! Grab it right here! Speaking of The Sun… BAODINI Travel Mini Umbrella Some people prefer to use an umbrella instead of a poncho when it rains, and whether that’s the case, or you’d like to use an umbrella to keep the sun off of you. Whichever the case may be, we recommend the BAODINI Mini Travel Umbrella. It reflects the UV rays from the sun right back towards the sky, keeping you cooler, especially when you’re in those long lines at the height of the day. Grab it right here! The Perfect Loungefly Bag Buzz Lightyear Loungefly If you’ve been on the hunt for the perfect bag for your trip, not only do we recommend a Loungefly, but specifically a Loungefly that matches the theme of the park. The Buzz Lightyear Loungefly Backpack is a perfect example! Imagine wearing it and taking adorable photos all around Toy Story Land. Grab it right here! The Best Socks Out There ©Amazon Speaking of staying on theme, having good socks is also very important for your trip, so why not continue having the theme you need with these Cartoon Characters Socks, because they’ll ALSO keep you comfortable! These come with four pairs — Mickey, Minnie, Sulley, and Mike Wazowski. Since we’ve still got time until the new Monsters, Inc. Land arrives in the former Muppets Courtyard area, some people may not get the theming reference just yet, but it’s a fun way to keep yourself excited for what’s coming! Grab it right here! We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the latest Disney news to help you plan your trip, so stay tuned to DFB! View the full article

The window is open, so’s that door! I didn’t think they did that anymore! Who knew we owned 8,000 salad plates? ©Disney World of Frozen is about to open in Disneyland Paris on March 29th, and with it is a new restaurant called Nordic Crowns Tavern. Disney just shared some hidden details, and if we weren’t excited before, we definitely are now. On the outside of the buildings, the colors match Elsa’s and Anna’s coronation dresses. There are purples and blues along with yellows and greens. ©Disney Inside, you can see family portraits of Anna and Elsa throughout the years, along with some of their closest friends and family, like Sven, Kristoff, and Olaf. ©Disney You can even spot a cat that was in Olaf’s Frozen Adventure. The cat’s sibling is in Hong Kong Disneyland. ©Disney If you look closer at the pictures, you can see the history of Arendelle. ©Disney There are lots of Norwegian and Nordic details around the restaurant, as well. You can see Rosemaling, the design along the bottom, throughout the movies and other Arendellian craftsmanship. ©Disney The notice board outside the restaurant has a poster for a concert put on by Kristoff. He’s playing the luth, the instrument he plays throughout the movies. ©Disney This restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner and is a quick service restaurant. The menu will have 16 possible combinations with bases like mashed potatoes or quinoa, paired with proteins like grilled salmon or Nordic meatballs, plus seasonal vegetables and tangy cranberry or creamy dill sauce. They also have some very cute desserts we’re going to need to get our hands on. ©Disney We can’t wait for World of Frozen to open, and we’ll be there to share all the details here with you. Make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for more Disney updates. 4 NEW RESTAURANTS CONFIRMED FOR DISNEY’S MASSIVE EXPANSION COMING NEXT MONTH Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Would you eat at this restaurant? Tell us your thoughts in the comments. View the full article

As a Disney Food Blog reporter in Orlando, I find myself at Disney World almost as much as I’m at home! Having been there so much, I know exactly what it is I need for a Disney day. Cinderella Castle If you have a Disney World vacation coming up and you don’t know what to bring, don’t worry. I put together a list of everything that you NEED to bring with you on your trip to Disney — or any theme park, for that matter! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. You need to bring Sunscreen ©Amazon You’re coming to Florida, so it’s a given that you’ll need sunscreen for your face. The real question is…which brand? We really like the Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick that you can grab from Amazon! This broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen combines Shiseido’s WetForce & HeatForce technology to create SynchroShield, a lightweight formula for the face that becomes even more effective in water and heat. We love this one because of how much it protects your face — you can even put it over and under your makeup. View on Amazon This Handheld Fan is a life-saver JISULIFE 3 IN 1 Handheld Mini Fan Speaking of that hot Florida sun, we love bringing our JISULIFE Handheld Mini Fan to the park! You’ve probably seen us bring this up a few times, but we LOVE it! It’s a 3-in-1 USB rechargeable portable fan. It offers great cooling while you’re at the park, a power bank that can last 12-19 hours, and a flashlight. It’s small and easy to carry around, and it’s currently 15% off — maybe that’s the extra convincing you needed! View on Amazon We love the FROGG TOGGS Poncho Frogg Toggs Poncho Let’s keep talking about that Florida weather because if it ain’t hot, it’s raining. That’s why we always bring our trusty Frogg Togg Waterproof Poncho! When it comes to Disney World trips, we all know you can NEVER count out the chance of rain. We find these ponchos always come in handy. It’s 100% water proof and very breathable. It’s super easy to put on, and has a pull-over hood, which is great for those downpours! It’s also very easy to pack, as it comes with a little stuff sack to put the poncho in. It’s currently 41% off! View on Amazon Make sure to grab this Rapunzel water bottle! Owala Rapunzel Water Bottle Stay hydrated, hydrated, hydrated — we can’t stress that enough. Owala is one of our favorite water bottle brands. They’re great to bring to Disney because of how much water they hold, their light weight, and the ability to sip it from the spout or the straw. It got even better when we saw this Rapunzel Owala water bottle! The 24-oz water bottle comes in the iconic princesses’ colors, and it has a floating lantern on it as well. View on Amazon Don’t forget about the FuelRod Portable Charger FuelRod Another thing we never go without is a portable charger. When it comes to portable chargers at Disney World, there aren’t many that do it better than the FuelRods! Not only are they great for keeping your phone charged throughout a busy day, but you can replace them for FREE when the battery drains. There are many FuelRod stations around the parks for you to swap the dead one for a charged one. On Amazon, you can get a two-pack for a fair price! View on Amazon Then there’s the MultiCharger for MagicBand+ MultiCharger for MagicBand+ Trust us, this Kaizen Kreation MultiCharger for MagicBand+ has done us wonders! This is a must-have since the hotel rooms don’t have very many plugs, and you have to charge MagicBands now. This is great for big groups of family and friends who are travelling together. View on Amazon Don’t forget about the Mini Umbrella BAODINI Travel Mini Umbrella If you want to avoid sunburn and help keep yourself out of the sun, no matter where you are, you’ll want to grab the BAODINI Travel Mini Umbrella! Keep yourself safe from sunburn and sun poisoning. This travel umbrella comes with a case and is super easy to travel with. We find that by using one of these, it lowers the temperature underneath by 5-10 degrees easily. View on Amazon And finally, this Fantasia Loungefly Tote Bag Fantasia Loungefly This one is more of a fun park bring for us, and it’s this magical and versatile Convertible Backpack and Tote Crossbody Bag! This bag is a standout all on its own, with the colorful background and bright blue embroidered velvet on the front. This gives you so much room to bring all the essentials we just talked about to Disney World. It can be used as a backpack, a tote, or a crossbody bag. It’s all up to you! Can’t forget to mention that it’s 6% off?! View on Amazon We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article

Halloween is on the horizon! Now, we know what you’re thinking — “But it’s not even Easter yet!!!” — and we agree. But Disney is already teasing some Halloween content that we’re so excited for! Minnie, Daisy, and Clarabelle as the Sanderson Sisters! 2024 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a seasonal after-hours event that typically runs from late August until the last day of October 31st for Halloween. The main event is the Boo To You Parade with some spooky characters and ghoulish delights. Disney just dropped a sneaky hint that they’re already getting ready for this parade! Disney is currently hiring male parade performers for various parades, including Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away, Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade, The Festival of the Lion King, and more. Magic Kingdom’s Festival of Fantasy Parade But! In the Instagram post, they posted a photo of one of the gravediggers from the Boo To You parade! They’re seeking performers who can begin work within the next eight months. And what’s eight months from now? November! Disney is already starting to hire for the Boo To You Parade, possibly along with Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade during the holidays. Boo To You Parade This means Disney is likely bringing back some of its iconic male parade roles, including the gravediggers… Boo To You Parade Gravediggers …The Haunted Mansion’s Hitchhiking Ghosts, and more! Boo To You Parade Hitchhiking Ghosts This audition is an open call, which means you don’t need an agent or union status to try out. The only requirements are a height of 5’3” through 6’1” and prior dance experience or training. If you’re interested, apply on the Disney Careers site. Disney Royalty Float We’re so excited for the holiday season to start at Disney. (Christmas in March, anyone?) Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more Disney World updates! Everything you need to know about Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party! IT'S SPOOK-TACULAR! Get ready for the spookiest season of the year at Disney World with Halloween at Disney World: DFB's Spook-tacular Guide! From the thrills of Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party to the enchanting resort decorations that'll send shivers down your spine, our guide is packed with tips and tricks to help you squeeze every ounce of ghoulish fun out of your visit. Plus, we've got the inside scoop on all the limited-time-only bone-chilling activities happening across the parks! Get the Halloween at Disney World: DFB's Spook-tacular Guide to make your frightfully delightful adventure even more magical! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What’s your favorite Disney World Parade? Comment below! View the full article

DinoLand U.S.A. is under construction to become a newly reimagined Tropical Americas land! This change will bring three brand new rides, along with a new restaurant and stores. The new Tropical Americas land with Indiana Jones! After DINOSAUR’s closure last month, construction has been well underway to get the new land open by next year at Disney World. We’ve got a NEW look at some aerial photos of the construction progress, and it looks like things are moving right along. Let’s check it out! Thanks to @bioreconstruct on X/Twitter and Instagram, we’ve got a new look at the Tropical Americas construction at Animal Kingdom. At the former DINOSAUR ride, the exterior fountain and Iguanadon statue have been removed. There’s now a layer of dirt in its place. Disney seems to be in the process of gutting the ride since there’s a large pile of metal poles on the ground, in addition to what looks like fossil pieces from the queue in the pile on the top left corner. ©Bioreconstruct They’re keeping the sidewalk in the ride pathway intact, but Dino-Sue has gone missing! The replica of Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil Sue was specifically made for Dinoland, so we’re curious where she’ll end up. ©Bioreconstruct On the other side of the land, Pueblo Esperanza will have an Encanto ride and an animal-themed carousel. The Encanto ride looks similar to our last update, but a lot of new progress has been made on the carousel! ©Bioreconstruct The future carousel has a new yellow tarp on the bottom, which is a moisture barrier that will go under the foundation. There’s a new structure on the left, which is likely an operating booth. There’s also a new concrete wall along the border of the land that will act as a barrier. ©Bioreconstruct Along the back of the land, Imagineering is testing paint colors and patterns for the buildings. They’ll leave these out for a while to see how the colors look in every weather and time of day. We spy some brick, stonework, and faux bushes! ©Bioreconstruct We’re so excited for Pueblo Esperanza to open. Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more construction updates! Disney World’s NEW Tropical Americas Restaurant Will Be One of Its BIGGEST Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW What do you think of the new land? Comment below! View the full article

This year’s EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival is about to kick off, and there’s a warning we need to give you! Flower and Garden Merch 2025 This year’s festival will run from March 4th until May 31st, and we can’t wait! This is the festival that fills EPCOT with beautiful topiaries, delicious outdoor kitchens, and even the Garden Rocks concert series. We can’t forget about the exclusive festival merch either, but that’s where our word of warning comes in. If you’re heading to EPCOT for the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival on opening day, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement. New food booths debut, stunning topiaries take over the park, and new festival merchandise hits the shelves. But year after year, we see guests make one big souvenir mistake, and it can cost them a significant chunk of their morning. Flower and Garden Festival merch in 2025 On the first day of the festival, one of the busiest spots in the park is almost always the Creations Shop. Guests often head there first thing, worried that the newest Spirit Jerseys, Loungefly bags, Minnie ears, or themed collections will sell out within hours. As a result, checkout lines can stretch through the store, and what should be a quick stop turns into standing in a long line. Creations Shop Line in 2025 for the opening day of the Flower and Garden Festival Here’s the reality: in recent years, most festival merchandise has not been selling out on opening morning. While there are rare exceptions, like the wildly popular Figment sweater that disappeared quickly during the 2024 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, those situations are the exception, not the rule. Lately, we’ve seen festival collections restocked and widely available well beyond opening day. Unless Disney releases a surprise limited-edition item tied to a fan-favorite character, the odds are strong that what you’re eyeing in the morning will still be there later. Phineas and Ferb topiary That’s why we recommend a different strategy. If you’re curious about the new merchandise, absolutely stop by Creations Shop to browse. Take photos, make note of your must-haves, and get a feel for sizing and styles. Then, instead of hopping into a long checkout line, head out and enjoy the rest of your morning. Early hours are prime time for shorter wait times at attractions and better photo opportunities with the topiaries before the park fills up. We consistently see shopping crowds ease up later in the afternoon and evening. Checkout lines are typically shorter, the store is easier to navigate, and the overall experience feels far less rushed. Waiting just a few hours can make a noticeable difference in how smoothly your shopping trip goes. Creations Shop on a festival day If you want to save even more time, consider using Mobile Checkout through the My Disney Experience app. Guests can scan items directly in the app, pay digitally, and show their confirmation to a Cast Member at the exit. On busy festival days, this can be significantly faster than waiting in a traditional checkout line and is one of the easiest ways to streamline the process. Mobile Checkout at Creations Shop in EPCOT The bottom line is this: don’t let merchandise panic dictate your festival day. Unless there’s a truly limited release, you can browse in the morning, enjoy everything else the festival has to offer, and return later for a much calmer shopping experience. Your time at the Flower and Garden Festival is valuable, and there’s a lot to do! For more tips for this year’s festival and more, be sure to follow us at DFB! Disney Reveals PRICES For EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Food Booths DON’T WASTE A BITE AT FLOWER & GARDEN The EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival is gorgeous — and overwhelming. Our DFB Guide shows you exactly what’s worth your time, money, and stomach space (and what to skip). Inside the guide: Full booth menus with photos + our Best of the Fest picks Smart booth crawls so you’re not zig-zagging the park Complete event schedules in one place Topiary locations, festival exclusive merch, and hidden extras Budget tips to help you prioritize the must-haves GET THE FLOWER & GARDEN GUIDE Will you be visiting EPCOT for this year’s festival? Tell us in the comments below! View the full article

It’s not every day you get to head into EPCOT and not only get to try a drink created by a Disney legend, but also have a conversation with him for an hour while you sip on it! Time to try a legendary drink! We headed over to La Cava del Tequila in the Mexico Pavilion to try a new drink that was created by the one and only Bret Iwan. Bret has been the voice of Mickey Mouse since 2009, so you can bet we wanted to try out this drink more than anything. We’ve gotta say — this drink didn’t disappoint! This new drink is called The Vaquero’s Falsetto, sketched by Bret Iwan. It’s made with Bardstown bourbon, reposado tequila, mole bitters, orange oil, Terbeau Ranch rosemary, and bourbon-soaked cherries, and was inspired by Terbeau Ranch, the ranch that Bret himself owns. The Vaquero’s Falsetto We were already impressed seeing the square ice cube inside that had the Terbeau Ranch logo on it, but the taste of this drink was also very smooth. It was easy to drink, even if you’re not a big fan of hard alcohol, which was very impressive, as this is an Old Fashioned. The main flavor profile here was bourbon with a slight kick from the tequila, but the additional flavors helped to balance it out so it wasn’t too intense, as well as gave it a slight smoky flavor. We were big fans! We would totally get it again and recommend you snag it sooner rather than later, as these drinks don’t often hang around for long. There’s no specific end date right now, but don’t wait too long to stay on the safe side! Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest news and reviews from Disney World and beyond! The Best Disney World Snacks We’ve Eaten So Far in 2026 Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Would you grab this drink? Tell us in the comments! Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disney World to attend their media preview of The Vaquero’s Falsetto, sketched by Bret Iwan. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ View the full article

Uh, I’m sorry WHAT? Frontier Plane at the Orlando Airport We were recently flying with Frontier Airlines and heard something we weren’t too happy about. Frontier Airlines, like many airlines, makes passengers pay extra to choose their seats, but sometimes, you sit next to your party anyway. On our recent flight, it seemed that the airline deliberately split up parties. ©Frontier Airlines Our reporter was flying with their partner, about twenty rows apart, and most people around them were experiencing the same issues, saying their families were all split up. Some passengers were able to rearrange on the plane to sit with their families, but it caused a lot of chaos and required a lot of trust in other passengers that they were also willing to move. ©Frontier Airlines One mother we spoke to said she asked at the counter if she could be moved to sit with her family together, and she was told it would cost her $40, even though there were empty seats on the plane. Yeah, not cool, Frontier! Orlando International Airport While it’s not kind to split up parties, especially when there are opportunities to keep groups together, our advice? If you’re traveling with a group, maybe don’t take Frontier or be willing to spend the extra money to keep everyone together, even if you plan on asking at the counter. If you’re traveling by yourself, you might not have an issue, but you should still be aware of the chaos that can be onboard while everyone tries to sit with their families. What’s your favorite airline? Tell us in the comments, and make sure you keep following DFB for more. THERE’S A NEW RULE YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AT ORLANDO AIRPORT Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW View the full article

If you’re craving a milkshake in Disney World, then we know the best place to grab one. Head to Disney Springs and go to the Black Tap CrazyShakes Pop-Up in the old Sprinkles building for the best milkshake of your life! Mickey Mouse Shake Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes has a location in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney that we frequent. We love their CrazyShakes – they’re extra, over-the-top milkshakes that are both Insta-worthy and delicious, and now, you can get some of them at Disney Springs for a limited time! Here’s a look at all the milkshakes on their limited-time menu: BAM BAM SHAKE: Vanilla frosted rim with fruity pebbles topped with a fruity pebbles Rice Krispies treat, strawberry Pop-Tarts, Laffy Taffy, whipped cream & a cherry THE COOKIE SHAKE: Vanilla frosted rim with cookie crumbles topped with a ‘cookiewich,’ crumbled cookies, chocolate chips, whipped cream & chocolate drizzle COOKIES ’N CREAM SUPREME: Vanilla frosted rim with crushed OREO topped with a ‘cookies ’n cream’ sandwich, crumbled OREO, whipped cream & chocolate drizzle BROOKLYN BLACKOUT: Chocolate frosted rim with mini chocolate chips topped with two chocolate brownies, whipped cream & chocolate drizzle SPECIAL EDITION MICKEY CRAZYSHAKE: Vanilla frosted rim with Disney’s Mickey Mouse sprinkles topped with a homemade Mickey Mouse-shaped crisped treat, white & red rock candy, whipped cream, red sprinkles & a cherry The menu! We tried the Fruity Pebbles Classic Shake for $12. This was portable and easy to carry around, but we had some issues with the paper straw and ended up opting for the spoon. The Fruity Pebbles on top had a great crunch, and even as they got soggy, they provided that iconic, super-sweet Fruity Pebbles flavor. It tasted like cereal milk, which made for a super nostalgic sweet treat. Fruity Pebbles Classic Shake We also got the Special Edition Mickey Mouse Shake for $24. It’s a strawberry shake served in a vanilla-frosted rim with Mickey Mouse sprinkles. Then, it’s topped with a homemade Mickey Mouse-shaped crisped treat, white & red rock candy, whipped cream, red sprinkles, and a cherry. Let’s try this milkshake! The strawberry flavor was nice and fresh – no artificial taste here! We loved how crispy the Rice Krispies Treat was on top. This milkshake was massive and very shareable, which we loved. It even has a spillguard on the cup, so the toppings don’t get all over your hands, which made this beast of a milkshake very manageable. YUM! Seriously, this will be the best milkshake of your life! The Black Tap CrazyShakes pop-up opens on March 2nd. This limited-time pop-up will be open for 90 days until June 1st. You have plenty of time to grab the best sweet treat in Disney Springs right now! Black Tap We’re so excited that our favorite Disneyland milkshakes have made their way to the East Coast. Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more Disney sweet treats! 8 Restaurants Disney World Pros SKIP in Disney Springs Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Have you had Black Tap’s CrazyShakes before? Comment below! View the full article

We have to admit, we’re a little obsessed with Disney merchandise collaborations these days. ©Disney We’ve seen a TON of new collections that we just can’t wait to get our hands on, and this new one is absolutely no different! A brand-new Her Universe x Disneyland collection just landed online, and we know you’re going to love it too. If you want to get your hands on any of it, make sure you hurry because we have a feeling these items are going to sell out! DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. Get your hands on the Disneyland Collared Tennis Dress ©Disney Show off your Disneyland pride with this collared tennis dress from The Happiest Place on Earth. The stylish and sporty design comes with connected shorts so you can move comfortably throughout the day. It wouldn’t be a Her Universe design without some shimmer! The sequined appliqué at the chest shines while you stay active. View online This Disneyland Sequin Sweater is SO fun ©Disney Shimmer all the way to The Happiest Place on Earth wearing this sequin sweater. The cable-knit pullover by Her Universe features an embroidered Disneyland ”D” appliqué covered in sequins for a bold statement. The contrasting black bands on the collar, cuffs, and hem add a sporty style to this retro top. View online We love the Disneyland Polo Shirt, too ©Disney The Happiest Place on Earth and its biggest fan come together in this Disneyland polo. Walt Disney’s famous quote from the Park’s entrance plaque is embroidered on the front chest, along with Sleeping Beauty Castle. The shirt’s sporty styling, with its striped contrast collar and 1/4 zip, adds a unique Our Universe touch for an elevated look. View online Or, you can grab this Disneyland Sweatshirt ©Disney Relive cherished memories from The Happiest Place on Earth with this sweatshirt featuring Walt Disney’s inspiring words. The quote from the entrance plaque: ”Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy” is embroidered on the right cuff of this retro pullover from Our Universe. Disneyland’s iconic ‘D’ is front and center on this sweatshirt that ensures you’ll never forget the magic. View online And finally, get this Disneyland Crop Top ©Disney Show your Disneyland pride with this raglan sleeve t-shirt featuring a sequin ”D” appliqué and embroidered 1955 details to celebrate The Happiest Place on Earth. Wear this stylish crop top designed by Her Universe on your next trip to the park. View online We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more! View the full article

2026 is going to be a year of major change at Disney World, as massive construction projects, refurbishments, and closures are reshaping the face of the resort and its rides for years to come. New missions will be added to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers run in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort featuring the Mandalorian and Grogu. While some of the larger products won’t be open to guests until the calendar turns 2027 — and beyond — there are major changes are coming to the Disney Parks THIS YEAR! Countdown to Extinction: Complete Early February saw a major change at Animal Kingdom, as DINOSAUR — which opened with the park as Countdown to Extinction in 1998 — closed forever (along with the remaining portions of DinoLand U.S.A.) as part of the park’s ongoing Tropical Americas addition. The ride will be refurbished into an Indiana Jones attraction, which is thematically appropriate since DINOSAUR’s ride system and layout were based on Disneyland’s original Indiana Jones Adventure. The new Tropical Americas land coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom lets guests explore a preserved Maya temple – and the ensuing adventure – alongside Indiana Jones. “For the First Time in Forever” Frozen Ever After Feels Quite Fresh After a month-long closure that began in January, Frozen Ever After reopened (a day early), EPCOT’s Frozen Ever After reopened with brand new animatronics of Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff. The long-awaited update saw new and improved versions of the characters (as seen on other versions of the ride, including Hong Kong Disneyland’s) replacing the original projection-mapped versions in place since the ride’s opening. They look SO good! Mando and Grogu are Arriving at Hyperspeed In conjunction with the release of the new Star Wars Mandolorian & Grogu feature film on May 22nd, Millennium Falcon Smuggler’s Run will see the addition of a new mission based on the titular character and his youngling Grogu (Baby Yoda, to those of you unfamiliar with the Galaxy Far, Far Away). According to Disney, as part of the new experience, “the crew will be in control of their own destination, leading to potential adventures on Bespin, the wreckage of the second Death Star around Endor, or the just-announced bustling city-planet, Coruscant.” In addition, another new gameplay addition allows the engineer positions to communicate with Grogu, making them much more “important” to the ride’s overall story and narrative. Death Star ruins on the new version of Smuggler’s Run ©Disney Soar Across America for America’s Birthday! In celebration of America’s 250th birthday this coming July, EPCOT’s Soarin’ will receive an “all-new airborne adventure across the US, honoring the heart and spirit of the nation.” Disney even brought in “aviation” legend Patrick Warburton (IYKYK) to announce the overlay, which is scheduled to open in the late spring. ©Disney “It’s Time to Start the Music…” On March 2nd, the original version of the Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster is set to close for a comparatively brief refurbishment, which will see the coaster trade its original Aerosmith theming for a new story tied to the Muppets, including a new pre-show featuring the characters and music from the Muppet group the Electric Mayhem. The new, “Muppetized” version of the coaster is scheduled to open this summer. ©Disney Big Thunder Roars Again The iconic E-Ticket Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been closed since January 2025 for a massive refurbishment project. According to Disney, the attraction is scheduled to reopen in Spring 2026 with “new magic,” including a fully refurbished track and a new sequence inspired by the Rainbow Caverns of Disneyland’s Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland. The ride is scheduled to reopen this summer. ©Disney Buzz Is Ready for Liftoff! Tomorrowland’s Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin closed on August 4th, 2025, for a refurbishment that is scheduled to end sometime this spring. The refurbished attraction will feature new ride vehicles, new blasters, and a new scene featuring the park’s original robot character named Buddy, who will ensure “departing Space Rangers are fully prepared for their mission (by) enthusiastically providing encouragement, final system checks on their Star Cruisers, and a chance to hone their blaster aim.” ©Disney BONUS: Progress Paused? In the summer of 2025, Disney announced changes coming to Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress at the Magic Kingdom. A Walt Disney animatronic — similar to the one that debuted at Disneyland earlier this year — will now be part of the attraction’s pre-show, and the entire presentation will be updated, with changes to some of the characters and likely with an updated finale. While the implication at the time was that work on the classic, which was first introduced at the 1964 World’s Fair, would begin soon, nothing has commenced, nor has any announcement been made indicating when the refurbishment will begin. ©Disney 2026 is set to be a massive year of transformation at Walt Disney World, especially when it comes to rides! Stay tuned to DFB for further updates on Walt Disney World’s evolution. 2026 Dates You Should Know If You’re a Disney World Fan Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! WE KNOW DISNEY. YOU CAN, TOO. Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever! GET YOUR GUIDE NOW Which of these rides are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below. View the full article