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There’s SO much exciting Disney Parks Wishables news today, folks! While just moments ago we told you about the new Pandora: The World of Avatar Wishables Series, now we’re back to tell you about another collection! ©Disney Avatar Wishables And if you’re a fan of Disney and Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. odd couple (and their dark ride which takes you through the streets Monsteropolis in Disney California Adventure!), you’re gonna want to make sure you’re sitting down before you proceed! While yesterday we only had eyes (or shall we say EYE) for this adorable Mike Wazowski Wristlet, today we’re screaming with happiness over these new Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue Wishables! ©Disney Wishables Each blind bag costs $9.99 and contains one of these four toys OR you could even get the mystery plush! Since you can’t tell which plush you picked until you rip open the bag, it’s a surprise every time — and part of the reason why Wishables are SO addictive! ©Disney Wishables Click here to purchase the Monsters, Inc Wishables Plush Toys! Will you get Mike Wazowski, Roz, Boo, Monstropolis Transit Authority Taxi (which is the ride vehicle!), or the mystery variant? Who knows! Quite frankly, we’re crossing our fingers for Roz so she can supervise us while we work from home. Remember — she’s ALWAYS WATCHING! ©Disney Wishables And if you’re wondering where Mike Wazowski’s partner in crime ran off to, here’s here too! You’ll find the Sulley Wishables available separately for $9.99 — without the mystery packaging! ©Disney Wishables To buy the Monsters, Inc. Sulley Wishables Plush Toy, click here! This guy is one cute, fuzzy little dude! From the stars in his eyes to his nubby little hands and toes, we’re truly captivated by this grizzly guy! GRRRR! ©Disney Wishables Yup, we think it’s officially safe to say we’re about to collect yet another new set of Disney Parks Wishables! How can we say no to these sweet little faces??? ©Disney Wishables You can find the new Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue Series Wishables on shopDisney today. And if you’re looking to prep for your next safari trek when the parks reopen, check out this adorable new Animal Kingdom Minnie Mouse Loungefly we spotted here! Have you ever ridden Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue? Tell us which Monsters, Inc. character is your favorite in the comments below! Related posts: Lunar New Year Mickey and Minnie Plush and MORE Are Now Available Online! SIVAKO! Pandora — The World of Avatar Wishables Are Now Available Online! DFB Video: Latest Disney Parks News — CEO Shakeup, HUGE Refurb News, and MORE! View the full article

You know that feeling when you put on your outfit for the day, smell the fresh morning air, and grab one of your favorite Disney breakfasts?? (We’re talking about bliss, people!) ABC Commissary Breakfast Well, even if you can’t be in the parks right now, you can still bring a little bit of that Disney magic into your kitchen back home with the BEST breakfast recipes to make your morning brighter! And, the best part is that you can eat all these eats and treats while you lounge around in your pajamas! Mickey Waffles If you’ve ever been to the Disney Parks, you’ll know that having Mickey Waffles is basically a rite of passage (and a tasty one at that!). So, pull out your Mickey Waffle iron and your favorite kind of maple syrup because this exact recipe will make you feel like you’re snacking in the parks! Mickey Waffles! Learn how to make EXACT Mickey Waffles here! Tonga Toast Cinnamon sugar-coated bread and bananas combined together sounds like a match made in heaven! And, Tonga Toast from Kona Cafe is one of our all-time FAVORITE breakfast options in Disney World. If you’ve never tried it before, you gotta make Tonga Toast this week to share with your family! Tonga Toast Stack together your own sweet Tonga Toast with this recipe! Cinnamon Rolls As you’re walking into Magic Kingdom, the smell of pastries from the Main Street Bakery is basically a sure way to get us to grab a Cinnamon Roll. After making a batch of these, you’re going to want them every morning. Main Street Bakery Cinnamon Roll Hungry for a Cinnamon Roll or two? Check out the full recipe here! Chocolate-Hazelnut Lunch Box Tart Woody’s Lunch Box is a great stop for a snack with those AH-MAZING Totchos. But, it’s also known for its flaky and delicious lunch box tarts! While you’re watching Toy Story with your fam, you can make Chocolate-Hazelnut Lunch Box Tarts that’ll make your taste buds do a square dance! Chocolate-Hazelnut Lunch Box Tart Wrangle in your family for breakfast with this Chocolate-Hazelnut Lunch Box Tart tutorial! Cream Cheese and Guava Stuffed French Toast French toast is practically one of the best breakfast options in Disney (or ever tbh). And, the Spyglass Grill at Caribbean Beach Resort has the SUPER sweet Cream Cheese and Guava Stuffed French Toast that looks just as good as it tastes! ©Disney Make your own Cream Cheese and Guava Stuffed French Toast here! Chip’s Sticky Bun Bake Garden Grill is a fantastic spot to have a feast filled with great food for breakfast, lunch, or dinner while you visit with your favorite characters. Although we’re fans of eggs and bacon, we can’t get enough of Chip’s Sticky Bun Bake with all that ooey gooey icing!! And, it’s a good thing you can make your own version at home. Sticky Buns Create your own Chip’s Sticky Bun Bake just like the parks here! Eggs Benedict Steakhouse 55 has so many amazing menu options, teas, and special events for guests to enjoy. But, you don’t have to travel all the way to the Disneyland Hotel to have the restaurant’s famous Eggs Benedict! You can grill them up in your own kitchen’s skillet (as you play your Disney playlist). ©Disney Follow a step-by-step guide to make the Eggs Benedict with this recipe! Pumpkin Muffins Disneyland is the home to some of our favorite treats, and we LOVE snacking on a Pumpkin Muffin for breakfast. Although we’re fans of blueberry and chocolate chip, these Pumpkin Muffins might become your go-to pastry! ©Disney Bake a batch of Disneyland’s Pumpkin Muffins with the recipe here! Local Style Acai Bowl Aulani Resort comes with a gorgeous view of Hawaii and great tropical breakfasts! And, the Local Style Acai Bowl is layered with SO much fruit that you can feel guilt-free eating it! ©Disney Layer your own Local Style Acai Bowl with this Hawaiian breakfast guide! Senses Juice Bar Smoothies Although we love kicking back on the pool deck of the Disney Dream, you don’t have to set sail on the high seas to have these smoothies from the Senses Juice Bar! You can blend the Strawberry “Restoration” Smoothie… Feel restored with this strawberry smoothie ©Disney …Spinach “Replenishment” Smoothie… Replenish with this spinach-packed smoothie ©Disney …and Banana-Blueberry “Rejuvenation” Smoothie all from home! We can’t wait to have one of these each morning!! A smoothie packed with fruit to start your day! ©Disney Mix up these Disney Cruise smoothies at home with their recipes here! We hope that these recipes will help put a smile on your face! Once you whip up some of these delicious breakfast recipes, share how they turned out with us! We’d love to see your pics and hear your fun stories!! What Disney breakfast are you looking forward to making the most? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Disney Recipe: Add a Little Sugar and Spice to Your Morning with Disneyland’s Pumpkin Muffins! DFB Video: Disney Parks Around the World Close, New Lands Get Opening Dates & Mulan Merch Comes to shopDisney! The 10 Yummiest Disney Recipes To Make At Home This Week! View the full article

Each day during these times of uncertainty, we are thankful for the dedicated cast members who are still here to ensure the magic of Disney stays alive at our Parks and Resorts. Today, we want to share #DisneyMagicMoments with you from Walt Disney World Resort President Josh D’Amaro. Josh shared on his Instagram account the daily flag raising as captured by the security team on duty: “While our world looks very different today, one thing endures…the American flag still flies over Walt Disney World. I’m inspired how our Security Cast Members continue to raise it each and every morning at Magic Kingdom while they are on duty protecting the magic. It’s a symbol that we’re still here and will not falter. I hope this inspires you as well. We will be back. Thanks to all our incredible Cast Members who continue to maintain the magic until that day. Until then, please take care of yourselves and your families. We will see you soon. #OurFlagWasStillThere #DisneyCastLife #DisneyMagicMoments #MagicKingdom” We are thankful for the incredible #DisneyCast who continue to maintain the magic every single day. Be sure to follow Josh on Instagram and check back here on the Disney Parks Blog for similar stories. View the full article

What we wouldn’t give to hop on the back of a banshee right now and go for a quick spin! Pandora But since the banshees are dozing right now at Pandora — The World of Avatar in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we just discovered the next best THING! A whole new collection of Disney Parks Wishables has just debuted online! Since you can’t go to the parks, how about bringing some of these Pandora critters home to you? ©Disney Avatar Wishables Like many of the other sets Disney has released, four of the new Pandora Wishables are sold in blind bags, so you never really know which one you’re going to get until you open the pouch! Each toy costs $9.99 and here are the options: ©Disney Avatar Wishables Click here to buy the Pandora Wishables! The Wishables Pandora — The World of Avatar Series mystery bag plush includes The Sentry, Hexapede, Viperwolf, and an adorable Banshee! We’re also told that there are two mystery variants! While we’d be thrilled if we got one of those rare creatures,, we’d be totally happy with any of these regular dudes. ©Disney Avatar Wishables But if you know anything about Wishables, you’ll remember there’s usually one in the set that you can buy without the packaging! So if you have your heart set on The Shaman of Songs Disney Parks Wishables Plush, you can just pick her up separately for $9.99! ©Disney Avatar Wishables Purchase The Shaman of Songs Wishables HERE! This little plush of one of our favorite animatronics is such a CUTIE! And it’s such a sweet reminder of one of our favorite scenes from the Na’vi River Journey ride! ©Disney Avatar Wishables We know we say this about most Wishables collections, but this series has to be one of the best ones yet! If you’re looking to add a little more Avatar into your daily routine, you can pick these guys up on shopDisney right now! Now if only we could get some Pongu Pongu and Satu’li Canteen delivered to our houses — then we’d be all set! Which Avatar Wishables are you hoping to get? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Uhh I’m Obsessed! A NEW Holiday Popcorn Bucket and Reusable Mug Arrives in Disney’s Animal Kingdom! Show Your Love for the Na’vi with New Merch Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Avatar Wish Avatar a “Happy Birthday” With This UNIQUE Cupcake in Disney World! View the full article

With the current closures of Disney theme parks and the Disney Cruise Line, the company is finding ways to help the world in its time of need. ©Disney You might remember that we asked for all those stay-at-homers out there to donate any extra rain ponchos to New York Hospitals a few days ago (they’re still accepting donations!). Well, Disney parks got in on the charitable spirit as well and donated 150,000 rain ponchos to hospitals in need during this time. Disney parks produce a LOT of rain ponchos — Disney World is in Florida after all. So what better way to support hospitals than with the donation of this much-needed supply?! Rain ponchos can help nurses in protecting their clothing, prolonging the use of personal protective equipment, and even freeing up hospital gowns in overloaded facilities. These donations went to MedShare, a humanitarian aid organization that can distribute them to hospitals in need. ©Disney The company was also able to donate over 100,000 N95 face masks to the states of New York, California, and Florida. These efforts are not the first that Disney has undergone (and they might not be the last) since the world crisis began. Previously, they underwent efforts to donate unused food from the park closures to food banks. Disney has provided nearly $3 million in in-kind donations since March. Currently, the company is working on more ways to help out. If you would like to make a donation of supplies such as masks, gloves, wipes, plastic ponchos, hand sanitizer, and more; click here! What do you think of this charitable move by Disney? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Here’s the MOST IMPORTANT News Disney Announced This Week! For the First Time in Forever See an Exclusive Sneak Peek of “Frozen 2” in Disney Parks! ALL the Disney NEWS and REVIEWS This Week! Here’s What You Need to Know From the Happiest Places On Earth… View the full article

Hey, pals! We’re back with another DFB Video and today we are talking about how the recent closures could change Disney World forever. An Empty BoardWalk Resort We’re living through some unprecedented events and for Disney World, that means the longest park closure in the company’s history. Things will undoubtedly look different after all of this is over, so how could these closures change Disney World forever? We have all the details on possible long-term and short-term changes including the information on how the parks could reopen in stages. Check out all this and more in our latest DFB Video!  By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode! So check out the video and then let us know: Were you impacted by the Disney World closures? Let us know in the comments below. Related posts: DFB Video: These Major Disney World Changes Will Affect Your Next Trip DFB Video: The Best Disney World Snacks Under $5 DFB Video: 9 Things You’re NOT Doing Right at Disney World View the full article

Disney has really been taking the phrase “the show must go on” to heart. Even with the parks closed, Cast Members and celebrities alike have been keeping the magic going through live streams. La Cava del Tequila’s mixologist, Gustavo Ortega, has been showing us the ins and outs of how to make the specialty drinks you can find in Epcot in our own kitchens. Gustavo Ortega-Oyarzun The bar’s Instagram account is once again going to be talking all things tequila live tomorrow and they will be joined by a very special guest that anyone who watched a lot of 90s television will be able to recognize! Ortega will be joined by Maria Lauraoz and Chris Roth, known for his roles as Mr. Big in Sex and the City and Detective Mike Logan on Law and Order, to talk about Roth’s Ambhar Tequila brand. ©La Cava del Tequila You’ll be able to watch the stream live on La Cava’s Instagram page today at 7:00 PM eastern time. Is it too early to craft some Maelstrom Margaritas to celebrate? Looking for MORE live streams? Check out our HUGE list here! What concoctions have you been whipping up at home? Let us know down in the comments below! Related posts: EXCLUSIVE NEWS! A New Signature Margarita is Debuting At La Cava del Tequila in Epcot…And WAIT ‘Til You See Who Developed The Recipe! Celebrate National Chocolate Cupcake Day with a BOGO Offer at Sprinkles in Disney Springs and Downtown Disney! Hoth Has Got Nothin’ On This Icy Star Wars Collection from Igloo! View the full article

Since taking the unprecedented steps of closing our theme parks and stores and suspending our cruises, we have continued to focus on ways we can make a difference during this time. In response to requests from hospitals that are in need of additional protective garments and medical-related supplies, Disney Parks has donated 150,000 rain ponchos to MedShare, a humanitarian aid organization, for distribution to hospitals in need. The idea was inspired by nurses across the country who inventively found that rain ponchos can be an excellent way to protect their clothing and prolong the use of PPE, while also freeing up gowns when needed. “The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything we’ve seen before,” said Charles Redding, MedShare CEO and President. “We have to find ways to pool our resources and work together to help the healthcare workers who are doing their very best to treat patients and contain COVID-19. We appreciate Disney partnering with us to support hospitals and healthcare workers on the frontlines.” Disney Parks also recently donated more than 100,000 N95 masks to the states of New York, California and Florida, and is finding additional ways to give back. These efforts follow the recent donation of more than 270 tons of food to local food banks from Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Paris, and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa. Since March, Disney Parks have provided nearly $3M in in-kind donations benefitting communities around the globe. Disney Parks has a longstanding history of helping hospitals and communities, dating back to the 1930s, when Walt, himself, took Disney characters and animators on outreach visits. Sharing the magic of Disney continues today through contributions, collaborating with nonprofit organizations, in-kind gifts and employee volunteerism. These are some of the ways Disney brings positive, lasting change to communities around the world. View the full article

Hurricane season will be upon us sooner than you think and analysts are projecting an above-average season. Uh oh! Does that mean stormy skies around Disney World? Hurricane Skies in Epcot It’s possible! We’re wondering what the rest of the year in Disney World is going to look like and hurricane season can have a big effect on that. So, take a look at what the weather analysts are saying with us and we’ll help you figure out how an above-active hurricane season could affect your next Disney trip! Analysts are Projecting an Above-Average Hurricane Season As we’ve said, analysts are currently projecting an above-average level of activity in the 2020 hurricane season, June 1st through November 30th. According to Accuweather‘s hurricane expert, Dan Kottlowski, we could very plausibly have a few storms that impact the mainland of the United States. Hurricane Day in Disney How many major storms are expected? According to Kottlowski and his team, we could see 14-18 tropical storms during the upcoming season. On top of that, seven to nine of the 2020 storms are likely to become hurricanes and two to four are predicted to strengthen into major hurricanes (those are the kind we have to worry about for Disney World!). For reference, a typical year has around 12 storms with six becoming hurricanes and around three becoming major hurricanes. Yikes. Magic Kingdom Just because a storm exists doesn’t mean it has to make landfall in the United States. Most storms will dissipate off the coast and never even make it to a threatening point. However, some storms will likely make “impact” whether by moving directly inland or by bordering the coast for enough time to cause damage. This year, forecasters are predicting two to four impacts in the Atlantic basin. And you guessed it, that’s Florida area. Dorian Splash Mountain What are the warning signs? We’re wondering how the forecasters predict a hurricane season. According to Accuweather, a lot of it has to do with water temperatures. Kottlowski says that “warm water is actually what drives a lot of seasons.” That means that meteorologists will be keeping a close eye on water temperatures in the coming weeks. Light Crowds in Adventureland In general, 82° Fahrenheit is the temperature where hurricanes start to become a concern. This year, water temperatures in the Caribbean have ALREADY hit 80° Fahrenheit and it’s MARCH. Whew. That means water temperatures will continue to rise for the next two months leading up to hurricane season and will likely make for a perfect storm of sorts. Cinderella Castle With such high water temperatures so early it’s no wonder that we’ve been seeing storms earlier and earlier each year. May storms are becoming much more common. According to First Coast News, the warmer sea-surface temperatures that we’re already seeing will pair with the warmer air temperatures that are becoming typical. This dangerous duo could act as more energy and fuel for multiple storms. Hollywood Studios Skyliner Lines before Hurricane Dorian What does this mean for Florida? What does this mean for the home of Disney World? Florida is on the front lines of the hurricane season; this has been proven time and time again when hurricanes make landfall in the United States. So, yes, an above-average active hurricane season is a concern for the state. In fact, Kottlowski urged Florida residents that live on or near the coast to go ahead and make hurricane plans. The sentiment was echoed by First Coast News saying, “Know your risks and have a plan because the Atlantic hurricane season will be here before we know it.” Grounded Disney Springs Balloon The 2019 Season was Above-Average, Too The good news is that technically this isn’t anything new. The 2019 hurricane season had an above-average level of activity as well; so the state and Disney World should be ready to handle any storms that make their ways that direction. Still, 2019 showed us that an active hurricane season is no joke. Hurricane Dorian According to the analysts, the 2019 season actually marked the fourth consecutive year of above-average activity and tied with 1969 for the fourth most-active. The season had a total of 18 storms (remember, 12 is average) and caused more than $11 billion in damages. If 2020 continues as they’re predicting, it will make for half a decade of above-average seasons and potentially another round of significant hurricane damage. (Maybe they need to redefine “average?”) Click here to learn about the ONLY times Disney World has closed (spoiler alert — it’s mostly due to hurricanes)! Disney World’s Response to Hurricanes But what does all of this mean for Disney World?? Disney World is located in Orlando, which means it often falls in or adjacent to hurricane paths. We can’t know for sure whether or not a hurricane will threaten the parks this year; but with an active season, it’s possible. We want YOU to be prepared! Contemporary Resort in Disney World after Hurricane Irma How has Disney handled recent hurricanes? Let’s take a look at how Disney has handled the last two hurricanes to get an idea of what happens when a significant storm turns its course towards the Most Magical Place on Earth. Just last year, towards the end of hurricane season, Florida had to contend with Hurricane Dorian, a category five hurricane. Walt Disney World Hurricane Clouds In the event of a serious storm Disney will take precautions. In 2019 that meant going so far as to close the theme parks early in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Dorian. So for half the day on September 3rd, the parks closed. However, Hurricane Dorian changed course prompting the parks to reopen the following morning as usual. Ultimately this storm didn’t have too much of an effect on the property which would be the hopeful case with future storms. Hurricane Irma map September 10 Hurricane Irma in 2017 had a much larger effect on the resort. After halting dining reservations and canceling many shows and a Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, all of the theme parks ended up closing for two full days in September as Orlando weathered the storm. Guests were still accommodated at resorts and Disney has a set hurricane protocol, so all was well in the end. The theme parks reopened without too much damage, and that was for a hurricane that passed RIGHT over Orlando! Want to read about Disney World’s Hurricane Irma prep? Click here! What if a hurricane threatens your trip? Even with an active season, very specific circumstances have to occur for a hurricane to threaten your trip; and it’s historically unlikely that a storm will cause significant damages to Disney World property. Still, we MAY have to worry about what will happen to our trips during the upcoming overactive season! The good news is, you don’t have to think too much about your trip being ruined as in most cases, the parks remain open for all of the hurricane season (even an active one!). Mickey Hurricane Disney actually has an official hurricane policy to protect your plans in the event of a hurricane. If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area OR for where you live within 7 days of your arrival date at Disney World, you can call the Walt Disney Travel Company in most cases to reschedule or cancel your reservations and plans without any cancellation or change fees. Remember, some of your travel plans may not be made through the Walt Disney Travel Company so if you DO make changes you’ll need to reach out to your airlines, off-property hotels, car rental agencies, or travel insurance companies separately. Disney Springs Hurricane Clouds Even if you’re stuck IN Disney World during a hurricane, the company will do their best to take care of you. For Hurricane Irma, guests at the resorts were able to purchase packaged meals and snacks in resort food courts and dining locations. If their room was in the same building as the lobby or a common area, there were amenities like movie marathons, children’s activities, and character meet and greets. Info for Resort Guests Now, hurricane season — even an above-average active one — is no reason to avoid Disney World. Remember Dorian and Irma are the only storms that closed the parks in the past two years! Just be aware that these storms ARE a possibility when you’re traveling during this time. Plus, park closures aren’t the only concern. You shouldn’t travel if government authorities advise against it and you may not be able to if the Orlando airport closes. If you are traveling during this season, be vigilant about weather announcements. You’ll hear from us and from major news networks when a hurricane becomes a concern so you can gauge your best course of action for travel. Make your plans between June and November, just stay in the loop when you do! Wondering what happens when a hurricane gets close to Disney World? Click here! Have you ever been to Disney World during a hurricane? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Tips From The DFB Guide: The BEST Tables To Request at Disney World Restaurants! Here’s What You Need to Know if a Hurricane Threatens Disney World DFB Video: 11 Game Changers For Your Disney World Trip This Year! View the full article

With the current closures in Walt Disney World, the property is primarily empty — even most Cast Members are having to stay away. Contemporary Resort Heart Message But some essential Cast Members remain in Disney World to keep things in working order, and last night they had a sweet and visible message to send out to their fellow Cast. After the sunset in a mostly empty Disney World last night, a set of very specific room lights at Disney’s Contemporary Resort came on. All lit up, the rooms were in the shape of a heart! Thanks to a Cast Member friend for sending us these pictures! We know not many were there to see it in person, but a glimpse of it alone makes us smile. Contemporary Resort Heart Message And Disney’s team isn’t the only one spreading the love. A similar effect lit up Aventura Hotel at Universal Studios to share the message that we’re all together in these trying times. Universal Studios Aventura Hotel Heart Message This isn’t the first show of support that Cast Members have gotten since the park closures. President of Disney World, Josh D’Amaro, released a statement to the Cast to express his gratitude for them. Like him, we are so grateful for all of the Disney Cast Members, especially during such a difficult time for so many. Beaches and Cream Cast Members To all of the Cast Members (both still keeping the property running and home in the interest of safety), we hope you’re doing well! We can’t wait to see your smiling faces when we’re back in the parks soon. To read Josh D’Amaro’s statement to the Cast in light of the closures, click here! Do you have something you wish you could say to a Cast Member right now? Share it in the comments! Related posts: What’s New Around the Monorail Loop: Disney World’s Contemporary, Grand Floridian, and Polynesian Village Resorts! Fall Dates Announced for Tables in Wonderland Chef’s Table Experience! Review! The Clock Has Struck Out on The Newest Cinderella Cupcake in Disney World View the full article

If you’ve been following along at DFB for a while, you know that Via Napoli stole a pizza our hearts from the beginning. Even though there are plenty of exotic foods all around the World Showcase in Epcot, we find ourselves being drawn back to their classic Italian dishes time and again. Via Napoli It’s like a trusted friend or coming home after a long time away — it’s become a reliable and comfortable staple for us. So you won’t be surprised that we snuck another trip back to Via Napoli into our last trip to Disney World! We are reporting back on whether one of our favorite pizza spots lived up to our cheesy expectations! Atmosphere Via Napoli is in the large building located in the back of the Italy Pavilion — and the size of the facade is not all for show. The Italy Pavilion Inside you’ll find vaulted ceilings, large archways, and intricate light fixtures. Via Napoli Main Dining Room Via Napoli Main Dining Area There is a large dining room with a long communal table between several smaller tables; and there’s a smaller dining room off to the side that used to be outdoor seating, but has since been closed in with big, floor-to-ceiling doors to bring the outside in. Via Napoli Side Dining Room In the back of the large dining room, a section has been walled off into a dining room of its own (this is new from when the restaurant first opened). This is where we were seated. It’s a little bit quieter than the main, cavernous dining room. Separated dining space at the back of the main dining room Via Napoli Table Most tables in the main dining room will be able to see the three pizza ovens that are really the stars of the show. The ovens are named for the three Italian volcanoes, Stromboli, Vesuvio, and Etna, and we bow at their pie-making prowess. Stromboli, Vesuvio, and Etna Ovens You can even catch a glimpse of your pizza’s progress through the open kitchen (blow it a kiss, whisper sweet nothings — we won’t judge)! Via Napoli Pizza in Progress Now remember that the magic in the pizzas not only comes from the work of those three giant pizza ovens, but because the chefs use Italian flour and water sourced from a spring similar those in the Campania region. Via Napoli Dough Shaping These special steps give the pizzas their unique flavor that is so difficult to replicate at home (and in other pizza joints). Eats and Drinks Speaking of pizza, should we take a peek at the menu?? We started with a drink as we decided how many appetizers we could eat while still saving room for pizza (we live life in the fast, er, cheese-filled lane, no biggie). Via Napoli Drink Menu Drinks Since we always grab a special, we tried the obvi highlighted Earth Cocktail, with Tito’s, Midori, Orange Juice, and Pineapple Juice. Via Napoli Cocktail Menu This one looked so yummy — vodka? GOOD, Midori? GOOD, Juice? GOOD! ;-D But, sadly, it didn’t have the flavor or tartness we were expecting and looking for. It was overall just kind of blah and boring. Not sure if it wasn’t a good mix or what. It wasn’t particularly strong, so we can’t blame there not being enough juice for there being no flavor. If you tried this one, let us know your thoughts! Earth Cocktail at Via Napoli As we were sipping on our drinks, we ordered apps and the food started to roll in! Appetizers You know we had to return to our old friend, the Arancini! These risotto balls are stuffed with mozzarella and meat ragú then fried until lightly crispy. Arancini at Via Napoli They were served on top of marinara sauce and topped with parmesan cheese. These little babies were $14, and in the past we’ve seen three to a serving. This time around, we received two larger Arancini, but you’ll definitely still want to share with a friend! Unfortunately, on this visit, these didn’t have all the oomph they’d had on previous visits. The textures were still all there — we love a good risotto!) — but the flavor was flat. (Starting to think our taste buds were broken? Us, too!) Arancini at Via Napoli On a previous trip, we hacked our way to our next appetizer by turning to the Children’s Menu! Via Napoli Children’s Menu The Bocconcini are fried mozzarella bites that we still dream of long after our Disney World trips. Via Napoli Bocconcini These give us major flashbacks to the cheese curds that used to grace Liberty Tree Tavern, and these bites of cheese were soft, rich, melty, and coated in the perfectly light layer of crunch. (Why do kids get all the good stuff?!?) They were served with marinara sauce, which made for the perfect dunk. Via Napoli Bocconcini We ended up running out of Bocconcini before we finished the marinara sauce, but we couldn’t waste it! So we ordered up a Garlic Foccacia Bread Basket and kept on dunking away! Focaccia Bread Basket and Wine Menu These yummy bites were topped with garlic, oregano, and olive oil. Focaccia Bread Basket Now, $4.55 is a steep price for something that — let’s be honest — should just come automatically with the meal. But it WAS delicious. So if you can get over your true and just knowledge that bread should be freely given…and if you LOVE bread…this is a good buy. There’s plenty for a group of four. Entrees On this visit, we ordered a pizza and pasta entree to share because pepperoni FOMO is real. Via Napoli Menu We started off with the Pollo Parmigiana (chicken parmesan or chicky chicky parm parm, if you prefer). Via Napoli Pasta and Entree Menu Y’ALL. THIS WAS HEAVEN. We received a jumbo breaded chicken breast topped with marinara sauce and a blanket of mozzarella cheese. Via Napoli Pollo Parmigiana Although we’ve seen this entree served with roasted potatoes in the past, ours was served sans taters on top of spaghetti pomodoro (noodles with red mater sauce). Everything about this was perfect. The chicken was thicker than you normally see with a pounded, breaded cutlet, and it was massive. Seriously — this was enough food to feed a family of four easily. But every bite was delicious, and you know we finished every single drop. Now, at last we’ve made it…to the reason we keep coming back: pepperoni cups. Well, at least that’s how they look once they’ve taken a trip through the volcanic heat of Stromboli, Vesuvio, or Etna. Those glorious pepp cups that are all crispy and greasy and delicious? That’s the goal, my friends. Via Napoli Pepperoni Pizza You can do a create your own type situation if you prefer, but we wouldn’t dare stray from our fave! The Pepperoni Pizza arrived with a wonderful thin crust, sprinkled with little pepperoni [cups], and thankfully graced with much more cheese than some of our previous ventures. The crust was light and crispy, the sauce was as flavorful as we remembered, and the spice from the pepperoni was definitely not something you can find in any ole Lunchables. Via Napoli Pepperoni Pizza You may have noticed that a pizza can set you back $34, but before you settle for the crushed pack of crackers at the bottom of your backpack, take a minute to think it through. Via Napoli serves three sizes of pizzas: 10″ individual, 20″ large (serves 2-3), and 1/2 meter mezzo metro (serves 3-4). Via Napoli Classic Pizza Menu So since a medium sized pizza can easily fill up two adults, so then you’re only looking at $17 a person. Yes, it can be hefty for pizza, but in Disney World, that rivals even some quick service locations! Sharing is caring, especially at Via Napoli! Or if you’re on the Disney Dining Plan and you order pizza to split, one table service credit will be deducted from each guests’ total. Dessert We didn’t save room for dessert this time, but you can check out our previous reviews to see the Zeppole di Caterina, Gelato Frizzante, Coppa di Brutti Ma Buoni, Gelato, or Tiramisu! Overall We’ve been coming to Via Napoli for years, and even despite the rare hiccups, we plan to keep coming back for years to come. We can’t resist their appetizers (how could we resist fried cheese TWO ways) and the pizza is reliably delicious. The menu has plenty of options so there’s a good chance everyone in your party can find something to enjoy. The atmosphere is comfortable, even though it can get a little loud in the main dining room. In our opinion, it wins over Tutto Italia Ristorante next door, but prices can add up so make sure you strategize on who is teaming up with you to tackle that pizza! On this visit, service was extremely kind, but slow (pretty typical for Via Napoli). And we had those little hiccups with the drink and the arancini not really being worth the cost in terms of flavor. But the entrees made up for these in our eyes, and even though Via Napoli is one of our favorites (so we’re a little biased) our visit was good enough that we would have no question about making another reservation in the future. Overall, it’s a great way to enjoy familiar options with a more traditional approach during your Epcot visit! Find out how Via Napoli’s pizza stacks up in our list of the BEST PIZZA in Disney World here! Have you ever been to Via Napoli? Let us know about your experience in the comments below! Related posts: Review: Is Epcot’s Nine Dragons Worth a Visit? You May Be Surprised! Disney News This Week: ALL the News and Updates from the Most Magical Places on Earth! Review: Via Napoli in Epcot’s Italy Pavilion View the full article

Calling all parents, teachers and newly appointed teachers! Looking for ways to ensure your kids’ minds stay active? Check out this series of Learning & Activity Sheets from Disney, Pixar and National Geographic. These make reading fun, and teaching easy! Crafted to use alongside your favorite books, the worksheets and guides engage kids in ways that are fun and enriching. From coloring, to crafts and quizzes, the guides provide helpful instruction that take the excitement from the stories beyond the page. There’s something for every age and skillset. Fun Activities with National Geographic Little Kids First Board Book SeriesNational Geographic First Board Books are great for reads with little ones. With sturdy pages, and bold photos that highlight everything from dinosaurs to racecars and wild-animals, there’s enough to keep babies, toddlers and grown-ups engaged by every page! This worksheet of fun activities tests kids smarts as they read, and after! It includes finding animals and objects in the books, and other accompanying fun facts. Find it here. Elephant & Piggie: The Complete Collection, chronicles 25 different adventures featuring the dynamic duo, and their friendship, in a compelling, comic book style. This teaching guide for Mo Willems’ Elephant and Piggie book directs aspiring storytellers ages 4-8 on ways to address their narratives, and identify the importance of character, respect and fairness. The guide also includes print-out crafts to make puppets! Get it here Disney Frozen II Stick Puppets Craft – OlafFor a mid-day school break, let’s make a craft! Print out Disney’s Frozen II Stick Puppets of Anna, Elsa and Olaf and inspire your next Drama class. Find it here. National Geographic Kids It’s A Number’s Game – Basketball WorksheetWhy do NBA players only have 24 seconds to score a basket? National Geographic Kids: It’s a Numbers Game! Basketball breaks down hoops by the digit, and explains the math behind every bucket, bounce pass, and buzzer beating shot. With this worksheet, National Geographic Kids and ESPN takes you inside the NBA with the ABCs of PPG – an engaging exercise in math that explores scoring averages of NBA stars from LeBron James to James Harden! Get it here. Coco: A Story About Music, Shoes, and Family–Teacher’s GuideCoco: A Story About Music, Shoes and Family is perfect for the Middle grade student in your life. This story retells the film and features original content about Miguel and his family expanding upon a rich, vibrant world and characters. After reading all about the music, and Miguel’s stunning and colorful journey through the Land of the Dead, use this free accompanying guide to engage in discussions and innovative activities that include creating a family tree! See it here. Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky Activity KitIn another Middle Grade favorite, Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, seventh-grader Tristan is transported to a world populated by African-American folk heroes and West-African Gods. In order to get back home, Tristan must ally with the likes of John Henry and Brer Rabbit. The Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky Activity Kit comes with a “Fact or Fiction” quiz, activities including crafts and creative writing exercises, and a special certificate of recognition for your reader. Get it here. For more content from Disney Publishing Worldwide, follow @DisneyBooks on Instagram. View the full article

Disney World has seen its fair share of hurricanes over the last few years. Entrance to Disney World And according to the 2020 Atlantic hurricane forecast that was just released, a few more could be on the way this year. While Disney World is currently taking new reservations starting June 1st, the date also marks the beginning of Florida’s hurricane season which runs through late November. The new report which was compiled by several meteorologists and led by AccuWeather’s top hurricane expert, Dan Kottlowksi, is predicting up to 14-18 tropical storms this year. Of this estimate, 7-9 are predicted to become hurricanes, while 2-4 might strengthen into major hurricanes. Disney Springs Hurricane Clouds “It’s going to be an above-normal season,” the 43-year chief meteorologist Kottlowski said. “On a normal year, we have around 12 storms, 6 hurricanes, and roughly 3 major hurricanes.” Accuweather when on to state, “The 2019 season marked the fourth consecutive year of above-average activity in the basin and was tied with 1969 for the fourth most-active hurricane season on record.” Based on this recent trend, another above-average year for hurricane activity could certainly be in the cards. Walt Disney World Hurricane Clouds Disney World experienced its first hurricane-related closure in September of 1999 when Category 4 Hurricane Floyd approached. As a result, all of its theme parks, water parks, and Downtown Disney (known then as Disney Springs) closed down in the early afternoon. Most parks remained closed the following day as well, but eventually, Animal Kingdom and Downtown Disney were able to reopen with the other parks opening the following day. Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom On August 13, 2004 the parks closed again due to Category 4 storm Hurricane Charley. All of Disney World were able to resume their operations the following day while some storm damage delayed a few attractions from reopening right away. The following month the parks were forced to close again on September 26, 2004 because of Hurricane Jeanne, but this was the Disney World’s last hurricane-related closure for over a decade. In recent years, Category 5 storm Hurricane Matthew caused all of Disney World’s parks to close on October 6, 2016 at 5 PM. and they remained closed the following day as well. Then in 2017, Hurricane Irma struck. Parks were closed starting at 9:00 PM on September 9, 2017, and they stayed closed until September 12th. There was minor damage to buildings and trees, but otherwise, the parks fared the storm well. Caribbean Beach Skyliner Station Disney World’s most recent unscheduled closure happened on September 3, 2019 as a result of Hurricane Dorian. Most parks were closed at 3:00 PM, but since the storm changed course, Epcot hours were extended until 7:00 PM. Hurricane Dorian’s Path Click here to see all the times in history Disney World has closed As you can see, Disney’s had a lot of experience with handling hurricanes, but also, it’s a major relief that the vast majority of these storms haven’t interfered too much with Disney World’s operations in the past. In fact, Walt Disney World Resort was one of the first places to earn the National Weather Service’s StormReady certification which meaning they’re super-prepared and ready to take care of its guests should the weather take a turn for the worse. Even though hurricanes have forced the parks to close a few hours early or remain closed for up to a few days, the Disney World Resort hotels have always remained open for guests safety and ride-out teams of Cast Members have been assembled to provide some unique experiences such as rare character meetings and special sing-alongs. Since you’re technically still on vacation, these hard-working guys and gals still want to make sure you’re having a magical time, hurricane or no hurricane! Grounded Disney Springs Balloon But with that being said, it’s always smart to be prepared! Therefore, you can read up on what you need to know if a hurricane threatens Disney World. Currently, Disney World also offers a hurricane cancellation policy that allows guests to cancel or reschedule their trips if a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area— or for your place of residence—within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date. Hollywood Studios Skyliner Lines before Hurricane Dorian We certainly hope these weather predictions don’t pan out, but we’ll continue to monitor the situation and keep you informed of any and all updates! In the meantime, if you have any unused plastic rain ponchos hanging around in your closets, one of our readers who works in the NYC medical care system could really use them! Click here to find out how to make a donation! Has your Disney trip ever been impacted by a tropical storm or hurricane? Let us know in the comments below. Related posts: DFB Video: 10 Disney World Problems That You Haven’t Even Thought About! Updated! Will Disney World Really Re-open April 1st? Disney World Has STOPPED Construction During Its Closure. Could This Cause Delays on Upcoming Attractions? View the full article

With all of us spending more time at home these days, the simple act of brewing a cup of coffee is something the entire family is experiencing more (and filling the house with the sweet aroma of freshly brewed coffee!). We’ve brought you some recipes on how to recreate Joffrey’s coffee at home, but how can we bring the entire family into this experience? Princess Mugs And let’s face it: not only do we love coffee, but we also love Disney Princesses. So imagine our delight when we saw those two things come together on shopDisney! We spotted one of the most adorable play sets that can get your own little princess into the wonderful world of brewing a cup of coffee in the morning. We spotted this super pink Disney Princess Play Gourmet Beverage Maker and it’s perhaps one of the cutest things we’ve seen in quite some time. © Disney This set comes with a beverage maker, two play beverage pods, and a play to-go cup! Princess featured in this playset include Ariel, Jasmine, Belle, Tiana, Rapunzel, and Snow White. What we want to know is why no one thought to add Sleeping Beauty, who probably needs coffee more than any of the other princesses! © Disney While we secretly wish this was a REAL coffee maker, this is a super fun way for little princesses at home to enjoy some “coffee” with the rest of the family in the morning! Get one of these on shopDisney for $19.99. Keep in mind that due to current events, shipping and delivery may be delayed. Shop this adorable Princess Play Gourmet Beverage Maker here! Who’s your favorite Disney princess? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: GOODBYE MONEY! Disney and Colourpop Debut a Midnight Masquerade Collection of Makeup, Mugs, and MORE! 10 Ways To Online Disney Shop Your Way Through Quarantine! Our Favorite Disney PJ Sets Now That We Wear Nothing But Sweatpants! View the full article

Disney has released a bunch of fun content for us to enjoy while we’re home! Now, we can fill our days with drawing tutorials and baby animals. We can also learn how to think like an Imagineer! ©Disney Speaking of Imagineers, Disney is now also offering a special behind-the-scenes look at Walt Disney Imagineering with a new online series! If you watched The Imagineering Story on Disney+, then you may know just how rare it is to be shown behind-the-scenes footage of Walt Disney Imagineering. It looks like Disney is peeling back the curtain to give us a glimpse at the everyday lives of the people who bring the magic of Disney parks to life! ©Walt Disney Imagineering Part One of this new series shows a brief introduction to Disney Imagineering and what Imagineers do on a daily basis! This is such an exciting look behind-the-scenes and we can’t wait to see more episodes from this “Journey Into Imagineering” series! You can check out more incredible Imagineering moments here! What’s your favorite Imagineering feat? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Check Up on Your Favorite Disney Animals For FREE Online! News: 2017 Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival at Raglan Road in Disney Springs News: Amorette’s Cake Decorating Experience in Disney Springs Now Available For Booking View the full article

We’re feeling a strong urge to splurge coming on! Luckily for us, we know all the best places to find some of Disney World’s priciest stuff! Come along with us and let us spoil you, TOO! Cinderella Castle Who’s ready to roll like a Disney World VIP? You are? That’s good because here we go! Swarovski Encrusted Gift Card First, you’re going to need a little pocket change! That’s why we’re issuing everyone a $300 Swarovski jewel-encrusted gift card! JK — as if we had that kinda money laying around! But if we did, you’d certainly find one of these little guys under your pillow from us! Swarovski Disney Gift Card These limited edition gift cards were released last year to celebrate Mickey’s 90th birthday and are covered with 2,500 Swarvoski crystals. It also comes with a custom collectors gift box and $90 bucks spending money already loaded onto it — now we know why Mickey’s got such a big SMILE! Cinderella Castle by Arribas Brothers If bling is your THING, allow us to tempt some of that $90 towards a down payment on your very own Cinderella Castle! You’ll find this enormous figurine at Arribas Brothers Crystal Arts Shop over in Magic Kingdom. While it may look like it’s part of the store’s decorations, we can assure you the replica made with 28,255 handset Swarovski crystals is actually for sale! Cinderella Castle For a mere $37,500, this castle can be yours. Plus, with that hefty price tag, it also includes a custom metal case and certificate of authenticity. Since there are only 50 of these bad boys in the whole world, we’d say that’s a steal of a deal! Roberto Coin Olaf Necklace If you’d rather be the one that’s bedazzled, you’ll find a wide selection of jewels to choose from at Disney World! If you want to give this adorable Roberto Coin Olaf Necklace warm hugs, it’ll cost you $2550! Olaf Pendant Necklace See more pieces of the Roberto Coin Frozen 2 Jewelry Collection here! Citizen Watches If you’re having trouble keeping track of time, how about one of these stylish Citizen watches? They range in price from $375 all the way up to $850 for some of the more exclusive timepieces such as this Limited Edition Snow White Watch! Snow White Limited Edition Watch Only 820 of these stunning beauties were ever created making them something truly fit for a priceless princess! Check out some of the other Citizen watches here! Victoria and Albert’s Chef’s Table If all that shopping has worked up your appetite for some extra-luxurious eats, look no further than Victoria and Albert’s Restaurant at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. While the prices are similar from other fine dining restaurants on property, we’d like to sit at the Chef’s Table for $250 a person — that way we can spy on the culinary masters as they prepare our delicious feast! Victoria and Albert’s Chef’s Table Read our FULL REVIEW of one of our Victoria and Albert’s Chef’s Table meals here! Add-ons, including a wine pairing for $150, will cost extra, but why not indulge? We might just hold off on their selection of upgraded waters which includes a $120 bottle of Svalbardi polar iceberg water. Why does it cost so much? It’s 4,000 years old and comes tapped from ACTUAL icebergs! They also have several bottles of wine over $6000 — including a $13000 Bordeaux red blend and a vintage port which costs $1000 by the glass! Supreme Spirits Speaking of pricey booze, you’ve heard of bottle service, right? Well, there are all sorts of exclusive liquors that are reserved only for Disney World’s biggest spenders! Many of these options won’t appear on just any regular old menu (also because many of ’em are super rare and can sell-out quickly!). So if you’re feeling extra fancy, be sure to ask your server what they’ve got in stock! Morimoto Asia recently ran out of their 18-year aged Yamazaki Mizunara Japanese Whisky. Only 5,000 bottles were ever made and each one had a value of around $4,000! Morimoto Asia Meanwhile, the majority of these special reserves can be found throughout the rest of Disney Springs’ finest dining establishments. Enzo’s Hideaway has also been known to stash exclusive rums and whiskeys that you’ll have to be in-the-know to know about! Enzo’s Hideaway Click here to read our FULL REVIEW of Enzo’s Hideaway! Of course, one of our favorite stops to have a shot is La Cava del Tequila in Epcot’s World Showcase! We miss these Cast Members so much, we’ve been tuning into their margarita mixology classes just to see their smiling mustachioed faces again — AND learn how to make a drink or two! La Cava del Tequila La Cava serves up a $207 Supreme Tequila Flight as well as a Jose Cuervo 250th Aniversario Tequila that sells for $250 a glass — and not just any glass! We’re talking a SHOT glass! Now that’s an expensive swig! Designer Ears When it comes to Designer Mickey and Minnie Ears, the prices can really run the gamut! Heidi Klum Designer Minnie Ears made our jaws drop when they hit the shelves last year. They could be yours for only $600. And while we thought maybe some folks may have had some buyers remorse, The Blonds Mickey Ears sold out online in mere moments! They also cost $600! The Blonds Designer Mickey Ears Learn more about Disney’s expensive Mickey and Minnie Ears trend here! So far, we haven’t seen Disney release any ears that have gone over $600, but we have a feeling that could definitely happen someday! VIP Tours If you truly want to feel like you own the keys to the castle, you gotta check out Disney World’s special VIP tours. Plus, we’ve got some good news for you folks with DEEP pockets. These already quite-opulent experiences just got a price hike making them even ritzier! For the standard VIP experience, you must book a minimum of 7 hours, with rates starting at $425 per hour. However, depending on what time of the year you go, this base cost can fluctuate. These tours previously peaked at $625, but with the latest price increase they now cost up to $750 per hour! Yikes! Cinderella Castle Makeover Progress Not extra-spendy enough? How about Disney World’s brand new World of Dreams Tour? It costs $12,000 and can accommodate up to six guests, so that’s really only $2,000-a-head! The tour is 12 hours long, totally customizable, and can include pretty much whatever you want it to! Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Wanna see the Cinderella Castle Suite, have a photo sesh in front of the castle, and special viewing of any of Disney World’s many nighttime spectaculars? That all included! Stuffing your face including all meals and snacks — no problem! Cinderella Castle Suite ©Disney The only things that are not provided are your actual park tickets (strangely), but you’ll still get the full VIP treatment including minimal wait times for attractions, private transportation between the parks, and even better, any additional days can be purchased for a discounted price — only $10,000 for any additional days you tack on! Accommodations Which Disney resort is the biggest budget buster? While you might think it’s the aforementioned Cinderella Castle Suite, that room isn’t actually for rent! Guests have to be invited to stay there by Disney, a privilege that’s given instead of paid for! The honor of “Disney World’s priciest cribs” was actually bestowed to the Polynesian Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort! Bora Bora Bungalows These Disney Vacation Club properties are typically rented using DVC points, but a stay in one of these overwater joints is valued at $2,700 to $5,000 per night! Each 2 bedroom/ 2 bathroom suite can sleep up to 8 and also boasts a full kitchen, plunge pool on the deck, and prime views of Magic Kingdom over the Seven Seas Lagoon! Polynesian Village Resort Other $2,000+ Disney guest rooms include the Steeple Chase Suite at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, The Presidental Suite at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and the Royal Asante Suite at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge! Talk about lifestyles of the rich and Disney famous! Cruise the Lagoon Not only can you lay your head down in your sweet Polynesian Bungalow abode right over the Seven Seas Lagoon, but you can also charter a private yacht to sail around it! The Grand One boat is docked at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and you can rent it for $400 per hour. Yachts at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort You can bring up to 18 party people with you for the ride (only 17 if you bring Mr. Bevediere along with you. You heard us right, there’s a BUTLER INCLUDED!) Why not go for a ride next time you travel to Disney World to see the fireworks in a whole new way or add-on private dining experience! Tying the Knot at Disney World Of course, the ultimate way to spend some cash at Disney World is to get married there! We know this is like living in your own fairy tale for many Disney fans! Prices can vary greatly for the chance to exchange nuptials at Disney World. Baseline prices start around $3500 for four people (bride and groom included!). And that’s just for a 1-hour private ceremony — no cake, no food, nothing! Bridge to the Wedding Pavilion An after park hours ceremony at Magic Kingdom starts at about $50,000 while Magic Kingdom’s East Plaza Garden can be rented out for upwards of $75,000. Of course, we’re talking ceremony-only — if you want to arrive in Cinderella’s Carriage, that’s an additional $3,000. Wanna have Mickey and Minnie swing by for half an hour? That’s a cost-effective use of $1650 because having three Disney princesses attend your wedding runs $2150 per half hour! Wedding Cake, Disney Fairy Tale Weddings ©Disney Can’t afford to tie the knot? Custom engagement packages start at around $7500, just don’t forget to BYO engagement ring — that isn’t included in the cost! We’ll, it’s probably time to start saving up some funds for our next trip to Disney World, otherwise how are we going to pay for all this stuff!? It’s fun to think about how incredible some of these experiences cost, but we’re usually just as happy eating a Mickey Ice Cream Bar and walking down Main Street, U.S.A. — make that a Premium Mickey Ice Cream Bar, if you catch our drift! Have you ever treated yourself to something insanely expensive at Disney World? Tell us what it was and if you feel it was worth the money in the comments below! Related posts: 21 Myths About Walt Disney World Food DEBUNKED News: New Dining Discounts for Disney World Annual Passholders for 45th Anniversary Year Disney World Mac and Cheese Gallery View the full article

Loungefly has given us some adorable new merchandise lately like this adorable Minnie Mouse Animal Kingdom backpack! We’re definitely building up our backpack collection to bring to the parks when they reopen! © Disney But now there’s a new Loungefly wristlet on shopDisney that we definitely have our “eye” on! Check out this adorable new Mike Wazowski wristlet! He’s the perfect addition to your new Monsters, Inc. look. And he would really fit in with the new Harveys Monsters, Inc. collection! © Disney Take a closer look at the Mike wristlet here! Designed to look like Loungefly’s signature mini backpacks, this little guy is a smaller size with a wrist strap. It also comes with a loop on the back to fit around your belt. © Disney The inside of the wristlet features a fun Monsters University design! © Disney Scoop up this adorable wristlet for $40.00. Please note that due to current circumstances, shipping and delivery may be delayed. Shop the new Mike Wasowski Loungefly wristlet here! Do you collect Loungefly bags & wristlets? Which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: 10 Ways To Online Disney Shop Your Way Through Quarantine! Check This Out! Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction Collection Will Include Special Items For Pin Collectors! The NEW Pixar Dooney and Bourke Collection Has Arrived at Disney World! View the full article

A Virtual Tour of Walt Disney Imagineering: Part 1 View the full article

Walt Disney Imagineering is known for making the impossible possible. That’s why—despite our offices being closed—we are opening up our headquarters virtually for a tour on the Disney Parks Blog. Tours of Walt Disney Imagineering are rare. So rare, in fact, we are excited to bring you this video series to show you some of the unique spaces where innovation and storytelling combine to bring Disney stories, characters and worlds to life. A creative force, a historical treasure, a dream factory and a hub of science and technology, Walt Disney Imagineering is a place of legend and the only think tank created by Walt Disney himself. Ann Myers is ready to welcome you—let’s go! Stay tuned for the next video in our virtual tour series and don’t forget to check out Imagineering in a Box – a one-of-a-kind online learning experience from Disney Imagineers! View the full article

What we wouldn’t give right now to have some corn dog nuggets or a bag of Mickey beignets! We aren’t gonna lie, Disney snack withdrawals are hitting us hard right now. So much so that we’ve been hosting an entire ‘March Madness’ tournament to let some of our favorite snacks duke it out for the ultimate snack prize. Mickey Bar In addition to being able to re-create some of our favorite Disney snacks at home, we’ve discovered a few places that actually sell some snacks that sure taste like the real thing! Next time you’re out making your weekly grocery trip, check to see if you can grab some of these items! Then listen to some theme park music while you munch on these yummy treats, close your eyes, and maybe it’ll feel like you’re back in the parks! Cream Cheese Pretzels Have you been craving a cream cheese pretzel like we have lately? If you have a Wawa convenience store in your local area, you’re in luck! They sell their own version of this tasty treat, and we won’t judge you if you add them to your stockpile at home. Cream Cheese Pretzel Dole Whip Menchies, a frozen yogurt chain, carries a Dole Whip Pineapple sorbet in the rotation of flavors they offer, as well as a Dole Whip Lemon sorbet! Check to see if your local Menchies is currently offering the flavor, and if they currently have take-out or delivery. Dole Whip at Typhoon Lagoon Mango Pie The grocery store chain Kroger sells none other than mango pies! Check your bakery section next time you’re there! They’re the perfect little bite-size snack option and are, as the packaging implies, “a slice of paradise.” Kenny’s Mini Mango Pie Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Bars We’ve previously shared that classic Mickey Ice Cream Bars can be found in the freezer section at your local grocery store — we check for some every time we shop! Mickey Ice Cream Bars at Home Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Sandwich We’ve also spotted Mickey Ice Cream Sandwiches being sold, too! We know the freezer section might be extra picked over these days, but maybe some Disney magic will find its way to you and you’ll be able to pick some up! Mickey Mouse Cookies ‘N Cream Ice Cream Sandwiches Werther’s Caramel Popcorn Caramel fans might know that Karamell-Küche in the Germany Pavilion sells exclusively Wether’s products, including the beloved caramel popcorn. Well, it’s a good thing Werther’s is popular everywhere, because that means you probably aren’t too far from a store that sells Werther’s caramel popcorn! If you aren’t looking to get out, Werther’s caramel popcorn can also be found on Amazon! Caramel Popcorn Cheshire Cat Tail We’ve also recently learned that Walmart sells a near-identical snack to the Cheshire Cat Tail! Walmart may not have the icing in the Cheshire Cat’s signature colors like we have here, but you can certainly go the extra mile and add it yourself! Cheshire Cat Tail Disneyland Churros Are you missing those classic churros? You can find some very similar churros at Smart & Final. Look for the Tio Pepe brand and heat them up at home! Whip up a delicious dipping sauce and presto! A yummy Churro is a classic Disneyland treat! Other Yummy Treats You Can Find At Your Local Store! We all know that the freezer section is just full of many wonderful things (although they may sadly be a bit scarce at the moment). If you get lucky, you may be able to find some snacks that are pretty similar to some of our Disney faves! Mini Corn Dog Nuggets For example, you may be able to score some frozen mini corn dog nuggets, similar to the ones you can indulge on at Casey’s Corner in Magic Kingdom! Casey’s Corner Corn Dog Nuggets Giant Soft Pretzels Giant soft pretzels are pretty easy to score, too! While we can’t guarantee you’ll find one in the shape of Mickey Mouse himself, stores like Costco typically sell soft pretzels in bulk. Soft Pretzels Popcorn And who can forget about the yummy Disney popcorn?! Disney’s current popcorn partner is Pop Secret, which you can find at your local grocery store! For added Disney magic, serve the freshly popped popcorn in your souvenir Disney popcorn bucket! Mary Blair Popcorn Box We hope that knowing where to find these Disney treats outside of the parks will help with your Disney blues! And if you know of any other Disney treats that can be found outside of the parks, please let us know!! If you’re looking for more ways to fix those Disney snack cravings, check out a few of our favorite Disney recipes here! What’s your favorite Disney snack to shop for at home? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Disney Food Tips: Everything You Need to Know About Disney Snacks What’s New at the Magic Kingdom Monorail Resorts: Grand Floridian Easter Eggs Arrive, Contempo Cafe’s NEWEST Cupcake and a Dole Whip Margarita at Disney’s Polynesian Resort! 11 AWESOME Disney World Snacks UNDER $5 (Plus 4 BONUS Favorites!) View the full article

64 of Disney World’s sweetest, saltiest, crunchiest, and doughiest snacks entered the DFB Thunderdome of Snack Madness, but only ONE could be crowned the WINNER! Main Street, U.S.A And while we last reported the final throwdown would be a battle between two HUGE titans, Dole Whip vs. Mickey Beignet, a winner has stepped forward to claim its snacky scepter and CROWN! Many of our favorite snacks were defeated early on with rounds one, two, three and four proving to be huge upsets for some of Disney World’s most iconic treats! But when round five commenced and the powdered sugar dust cloud settled, it was only Dole Whip and Mickey Beignet who remained standing… And now it’s Dole Whip that has been CHOSEN! You guys sure have a great appreciation for the CLASSICS — and we love you for it! Snack Madness Completed Bracket Here’s your winner, Dole Whip! Look at how cool and collected he looks — even after duking it out against 63 other snacks! What we wouldn’t give for a bowlful of this tropical goodness right about now — we don’t even need a spoon — we’ll just use our FACES! Pineapple Dole Whip We enjoyed playing Snack Madness with all you guys at home SO MUCH that we’ve decided to cook up ANOTHER food competition which we’ll be unleashing shorty! We just want to let Dole Whip have its moment right now — don’t want to step on this well-seasoned warrior’s toes! Stay tuned for our next tournament which we’ll be announcing SOON! Are you excited to see Dole Whip be crowned the winner of DFB’s Snack Madness? Which snack were you rooting for? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Grab Your Printable Brackets RIGHT HERE For The Disney Food Blog’s Ultimate “Snack Madness” Tournament! The 31 Things To Eat In Disney World If You’re Obsessed With CHEESE!! We’re Reviewing EVERY Holiday Treat At Walt Disney World! See Them ALL Here! View the full article

With the Disney parks closed, for now, we’ve been turning our mind to the great, big, beautiful tomorrow of our next Disneyland and Disney World vacations that we can take with some big discounts. Sleeping Beauty Castle If you want to learn what goes into making the Disney parks and resorts so special, the Disney Institute is now offering a special discount for all you Disneyland Annual Passholders out there! If you’re a Disneyland Annual Passholder, you can save 15% on select professional development courses and summits offered by the Disney Institute. These offerings take a deep dive into the business side of the Disney parks and resorts, and will show you how to bring the Disney touch to your own professional goals. ©Disney These courses and summits are spearheaded by Disney leaders and executives, giving you the chance to collaborate in and learn Disney’s approach to service from the pros! ©Disney You can register for this discount by going to the Disneyland Resort website or check out the Disney Institute for more information on their offerings. Have you ever taken a course from the Disney Institute before? Let us know what you thought down in the comments below! Related posts: NEWS: Want a Special After-Hours Ride on Radiator Springs Racers in Disney California Adventure? Four NEW Disneyland Discounts That You NEED To Know About Right Now! Nothin’ But Net! Shoot and Score With This NBA Experience DISCOUNT in Disney World! View the full article

While it may be many months away, it’s definitely time to start thinking happy Epcot Food and Wine Festival thoughts! Frothy Ramen from 2019 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Yep, food is a major mood lifter, people! And so is music — which is why we’re super-stoked we just found out the name of another performer who’ll be at this year’s fest! It seems like a long, long time ago, all the way back in February when we found out Tiffany and Taylor Dane were coming to perform at Epcot’s 2020 Food and Wine free concert series, Eat to the Beat! And thanks to our buddy Bob Dankese, we now .38 Special is also on the books to play! 2019 Italy Booth Spread Although the exact dates for Epcot’s 2020 Food and Wine Festival still haven’t been announced, it looks like .38 Special will be playing on October 29th and 30th! We could sure go for stirring rendition of “Hold on Loosely” right about now — as could most of us! We’ll be sure to let you know of any additional info we hear regarding Epcot’s 2020 Food and Wine Festival including dates and other performers, so stay tuned! Click here to learn more about Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival! Which Epcot festival is your favorite? Tell us in the comments below! Related posts: We Know Two of The Performers to Expect at Epcot’s 2020 Eat to the Beat Concert Series! Review! The Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen Returns To Epcot AND It’s Bringin’ A SUSHI CHRISTMAS TREE! Going to Disney World?? You Need Our BEST Disney Dining Plan Snack Credit VALUES for 2020! View the full article

It’s hard to pinpoint the best thing at Disney World. Of course, we’re inclined to say that the food is the best part, but honestly, the RIDES might give the food a run for its money! Slinky Dog Dash Now, riding attractions in Disney World may seem to be pretty straight forward. You just get in line, wait for a while, and then have a blast on the attraction, right? Well, it’s actually not so simple. There are a BUNCH of ways that you can make rides in Disney World even BETTER! So, we’re helping you out with 20 of our very best ride hacks to make sure you make the best of your next Disney vacay. We’re gonna start off with a few tips that will help you have the best experience you can on certain rides. 1. Best View On Soarin’ For instance, you might be wondering how to get the best view on Soarin’! This Epcot attraction is supposed to make it feel like you’re really flying around the world through the use of a curved screen. Soarin’ Around the World at Epcot The downside to this is that the curve can distort the picture for those on the sides. To avoid this, request Concourse B and row 2 when you get to the gate. That will put you right in the middle. If you’re worried about feet getting in your way, you’ll want to request the top row. 2. Experience A Wilder Ride On Roller Coasters Disney World has a bunch of really fun roller coasters (we can’t decide whether we like Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster or Space Mountain better!). Now if you’re a thrill-seeker, you might be wondering how to make sure you get the best seat on the ride. Well, when you get to the end of the line for Expedition Everest, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, or any other coaster, request a seat in the very back. Because of the fact that the rest of the ride vehicles are pulling you along, you’ll have a much crazier ride! Rockin Roller Coaster Alternatively, you can request the very front if you want a smoother ride. This can be great if you’re not a fan of a jerky ride. You’ll still get all of the same thrills, but you won’t have quite as jerky/wild ride experience as you will elsewhere in the car. Check out our ranking of 18 popular Disney World rides! Click here! 3. Best Time For A Safari Kilimanjaro Safaris is one of the coolest rides in Disney World because you will see and experience something different every single time you ride it! You never know what animals you’ll see out on the reserve and you’ll never know what they’ll be doing. Still, there are times that are better to ride the safari than others. Just like us, the safari animals don’t love the blazing heat of midday and tend to be more active in the morning or in the evening. Elephant on Kilimanjaro Safaris So, if you’re hoping to get some good views of the safari, grab a spot in a truck sometime in the morning or right at dusk! Alternatively, Kilimanjaro Safaris can be an AWESOME ride in the rain because (NOT like us) the safari animals love to hang out in the cool rain. So, you may want to hop on the safari when you’re stuck in one of those afternoon downpours. Click here for a glimpse of Kilimanjaro Safaris AT NIGHT! 4. Rides That Are Better At Night We definitely recommend making sure you ride certain rides at night. Of course, we love these rides during the day too, but they’re extra special when the stars are out. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Slinky Dog Dash are two rides that introduce a super fun element at night. They’re both outdoor coaster with really pretty light displays, so you’ll be zipping around through a whole new world of color. You will also get a STUNNING view of the castle and maybe even Happily Ever After if you ride Big Thunder Mountain at the right time. Astro Orbiter Another ride that’s super fun at night — specifically during the fireworks — is Astro Orbiter in Tomorrowland. If you crank your spaceship up to the highest level, you can also get a wonderful view of Happily Ever After. Now, this can be a little difficult to time out so keep an eye out on Astro Orbiter wait times leading up to the fireworks so that you can make sure you’re taking flight at the same time as the fireworks. 5. Score BIG On Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin Some Disney World rides can really bring out the competitive side in families. That’s right, we’re talking about those game rides like Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin! This attraction has guests fighting the evil Emperor Zurg by shooting targets to rack up points. Now, it’s pretty darn hard to do super well in this game (in our opinion anyway!) unless you know which are the best targets to aim for. Buzz Lightyear So if you’re trying to really rack up some points there are THREE targets you need to be aiming for! First, when you head into the room with the big robot, aim for the target on the inside arm to rack up a bigger point value. Then, in the boss scene with Zurg’s ship, there’s a target right at the bottom of the ship that a lot of people overlook, so point that blaster down for big values. The last one that’ll get you the big point values is in the star tunnel. Try to hit the spaceship flying around and you just might come out on top! These targets can be hit multiple times and may even help you become a galactic hero!! If ya do become a galactic hero, don’t forget to snag your sticker from a Cast Member. 6. Get A High Score On Toy Story Mania Toy Story Mania, another game-based ride in Disney World is in Hollywood Studios. This midway game takes you through a variety of carnival vignettes where you use a blaster tool on your ride vehicle to launch rings, throw darts, and more. Just like with Buzz, there are a few big tips to finding some hidden scenes and making sure you end up with a higher score than the rest of your fam and maybe even to make it on the leaderboard at the end! Toy Story Mania new entrance In the first scene, the one with the barn, focus on the barn walls. When you see mice running up them, start shooting! This won’t get you too many extra points but it will reveal a special surprise. Also, go ahead and try to knock the roof off the hen house, if you can, it will release some hens who will give you a lot of points when you hit them. The best-hidden advantage is in the ring toss game. Try to ring ALL of the green men (you’ll want to work together with your ride partner) and a robot will pop onto the screen and give you an opportunity for tons of points. Want to get a Fastpass for Toy Story Mania? You’ll need to understand the Fastpass tiers! Click here! 7. Rider Switch Now we’re going to talk about some tips that are SUPER helpful for if you’re riding with your kiddos! First off, a super big hack for parents is the Rider Switch service that Disney offers. This is a great option for families where the kiddos meet different height requirements around the park. Say your 11-year-old really wants to ride Space Mountain and your 6-year-old just isn’t tall enough — you don’t have to skip it altogether! Space Mountain Instead request Rider Switch from the Cast Member at the entrance to the attraction. One adult can take the riding kiddos through the line and ride, then the other adult can ride without going through the whole queue again. Up to three guests can use Rider Switch at a time, so it’s a great way to make the most out of some of those less kid-friendly rides. Sometimes you can even nab Fastpasses for just half of the party and use Rider Switch so that no one really has to wait! Now, this is up to Cast Member discretion and you’ll have more luck on the less slammed rides. 8. Dupes For Dumbo Here’s a really important one if you have a little kiddo who’s deadset on riding Dumbo OR if you want to make sure you get all the classic attractions in. Dumbo the Flying Elephant tends to have really long lines, but here’s the thing — The Magic Carpets of Aladdin in Adventureland and Triceratop Spin in Animal Kingdom are EXACTLY the same ride! Annnnd they tend to have shorter lines. Your little ones likely won’t notice the difference and they’ll have just as much fun for a much shorter wait. Dumbo! Now, if those little ones are just obsessed with Dumbo and you HAVE to take a spin, the queue area is actually pretty pleasant. It’s a massive indoor play area with plenty of seating so parents can chill out (literally, there’s AC!) while kids frolic on a super cool circus-themed playground. Upon entering, you will be given a pager (much like the ones you’re used to receiving at a restaurant). When it’s your turn to ride, the pager will light up! Therefore, this can make waiting for the Dumbo attraction a lot of fun! 9. Introducing Kids To Rollercoasters Okay, so if you’ve got a little one who you think might be ready to try rollercoasters, there’s a very specific order you should use to introduce them. It may not be a great idea to toss your kid on Space Mountain as their first coaster when they aren’t ready! Instead, we suggest starting with The Barnstormer, then try Slinky Dog Dash, then Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, then Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and then (if they’re still comfy) you’re at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Space Mountain level. The Barnstormer Another big tip is to let your kiddo watch the coaster before you ride! Stand by the gates at Barnstormer and let them tell you if it’s the kind of thing they might want to try. You can do the same for all of the outdoor coasters up to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Now if your kid is still into the thrills and wants more, you obviously can’t watch Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster or Space Mountain. Instead, pull up some videos on your phone so they can decide if they’re up to it. Click here to check out the Disney World rides you’ll never ride again! 10. Snagging Last-Minute Fastpasses Now we’re moving on to some tips that will keep you out of line as much as possible. After all, your time in Disney World is limited, so why waste it in hours and hours of queues if you can avoid it?! Our first big tip is for finding last-minute Fastpasses! So, you’ve probably made your three Fastpass+ reservations in advance, but after you use those you can make more on your day in the park. The problem is, all of the good Fastpasses are usually gone, right? WRONG! Test Track FastPass Kiosk People’s plans change all the time, so you never know when someone might cancel a Fastpass reservation. The trick here is to keep refreshing the Fastpass screen or My Disney Experience. We like to pick a few times within about 30 minutes and go back and forth. The key here really is perseverance and dedication!! We’re not kidding you can even find coveted Fastpasses like for Flight of Passage or Slinky Dog Dash! And remember, if you are those people who have a change of plans, make sure to cancel your Fastpass reservations so that someone else can use them. Want some more of our BEST Fastpass+ tips? Click here! 11. Single Rider Line You might have walked right past this ride hack and not even known it! We’re talking about the Single Rider Line. So, not every attraction in Disney World has this feature — in fact, it’s only a few — but it’s a super awesome trick to getting on thrill rides with less of a hassle. The rides that have Single Rider Lines are Test Track, Expedition Everest, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. So if you’re park-going alone or if you don’t mind splitting up for a ride, check this out. Expedition Everest Basically, look out for a separate queue area labeled “Single Rider.” You’ll get to wait with your group and you’ll only be split up for the actual ride itself. Sometimes we’ve even ended up in the same car anyway! The best part about this? The line is usually similar or even shorter than the Fastpass+ queue, so it can be a great way to save some time in line. These lines usually have wait times, so you should know what you’re in for before you hop in line. 12. Avoiding Lines Now we’ve got a hack on how to avoid long lines altogether. Typically, the best time to find shorter lines in Disney parks is in the first hour of the morning or the last hour at night. Usually, people trickle in for a little while at park open and start to trickle out a little early for park close, so you’re more likely to find lines that are a little shorter than they normally would be. Morning at Magic Kingdom Also, you can usually find shorter lines during the larger shows and parades like Festival of Fantasy, Epcot Forever, Happily Ever After, and Fantasmic. The shows draw large crowds, so if you don’t mind missing them, we suggest hopping in line for those heavy-hitter attractions like Splash Mountain or Peter Pan’s Flight. Click here to learn how to get the MOST out of your Disney parks morning! 13. Getting In Line At Park Close Another way that you may be able to hop on an attraction with a much shorter wait time is by getting in line right at park close. As long as you make it into that queue at least one minute before the park closes you will get to ride the ride. This is awesome because you aren’t wasting any precious park hours trying to get a spot on Flight of Passage or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Spaceship Earth Plus, wait times are sometimes be exaggerated as you near the end of the day, so that 2-hour wait for Flight of Passage could be a little (or a lot) less. If you’re really wary of wasting park hours, definitely save those longer-wait favorites for right before the park closes. 14. Ticketed Events Another special way to get some short-line time is with a few extra hours in the park. So, Disney does do special events on select mornings and evenings called Early Morning Magic or After Hours. These events are separately ticketed events. The cost usually runs above $100, so it can be expensive but it also can be worth it. If you’re someone who really wants to ride a bunch of big-ticket attractions in a little bit of time, a splurge on one of these special events might be worth it. Early Morning Magic Alternatively, Disney World resort guests get a fun perk called Extra Magic Hours where select parks will let resort guests in an hour early or let them stay in for a few hours late. Making plans to spend some time in the parks during Extra Magic Hours can get you on a few rides in less time than it would usually take. Want to know more about Disney After Hours? Click here! 15. Disability Access Next, we’ve got a few hacks for you to make sure that your time on rides in the Disney parks is as comfy and as fun as possible. For guests with disabilities, you’re definitely going to want to check in on Disability Access. Disability Access is available for guests who have a disability that prevents them from waiting in a conventional queue environment. International Gateway Guest Relations This service can make the park enjoyable for those with challenges being in a theme park environment. If this applies to you or someone in your group, head to Guest Services for more information and to pick up a guide for navigating the parks with disabilities. 16. How To Use Lines To Your Advantage Days at Disney can be long and HOT, but you still might be surprised that you can use lines to your advantage. Still, queues can be a GREAT way to seek some much-needed shelter from the sun, heat, or rain. After all, many queues in Disney World are air-conditioned and most of the are covered in case of a sudden downpour. The Inside Queue for Frozen Ever After Our favorite queues to relax in tend to be indoor and are well-themed. The Soarin’ queue has spacious air-conditioned hallways and games to play. Like we mentioned before, Dumbo the Flying Elephant is a great spot for parents to take a breather and kids to get their play on. And we LOVE the theming in the Frozen Ever After queue, so if the line isn’t stretched out the door, this can be a great option. Note that outdoor ride queues like Big Thunder Mountain can be quite stuffy in the middle of the day, so you may wanna keep this in mind when planning. 17. What To Do When Things Break Down A big and surprisingly necessary hack for Disney rides is what to do when a ride breaks down. Sure, a ride breaking down can be a MAJOR bummer, especially if you’re stuck on it or were REALLY hoping to ride! But, there are actually upsides to when things go wrong. First of all, it can be really cool to get stuck on some rides. You’ll notice details you’ve never seen before and can even look out for Hidden Mickeys. Closed PeopleMover Plus, if a ride breaks down for a significant amount of time while you’re on it or if you had a FastPass for it while it’s down, you’ll usually get a Fastpass that’s good for any ride in the park. Now, sometimes these exclude super big-ticket rides like Flight of Passage (unless that’s the one that broke on you!) but you can still use those fancy Fastpasses to catch a ride on something you might have missed otherwise! Just check your My Disney Experience App as this should automatically update on its own. 18. What To Do If Your Fave Ride Is Down For Refurb Now, what do you do if your favorite ride is down for refurb? Well, this is a tricky one. First of all, try to avoid this issue altogether by keeping up with refurbishment schedules. In fact, we do a weekly refurbishment update here on DFB! That way, you can schedule around a closure of one of your favorites, or at least be aware that it’s coming. Splash Mountain If you do end up on a Disney trip where your fave ride is closed the whole time, it’s time to look for an alternative! There are some rides that are pretty similar around the parks. If a thrill ride like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is down, head to another like Space Mountain. If you were hoping to hop on “it’s a small world!,” Gran Fiesta Tour may fill the void. 19. Dealing With Motion Sickness Or Fear Of Heights For some guests, motion sickness and fear of heights is a very real issue, so you’ll want to know what rides to avoid if these affect you! If you tend to experience motion sickness, we recommend you steer clear of any simulator rides like Star Tours or Mission: SPACE, jerky rides like Dinosaur, or spinning rides like Mad Tea Party. Now we will say that Mission: SPACE has a much less intense version of the attraction (the Green Side) and that tends to be a lot more manageable for those prone to motion sickness. Tower of Terror If you’re afraid of heights there are three big ones you’ll definitely want to avoid. Skip Soarin’ and Flight of Passage since they’ll make you feel like you’re flying super high up. It’s probably also a good idea to skip Tower of Terror. The dropping feeling probably won’t be fun for someone with a fear of heights. 20. What To Do With Your Bags Last but certainly not least we have a tip on what to do with your bags! So, Disney doesn’t really use ride lockers like some other theme parks do, so you might be wondering where your bags are supposed to go! Well, usually rides have a pouch that you can tuck your bag in to keep it safe. On Soarin’ and simulators, you can often just leave it on the ground under your seat! Orange Bird Loungefly Backpack Now, if you do have a bigger bag, you can always loop a strap around your knee to keep it safe on thrill rides. Plus, if you’re planning on a big thrill ride-filled day or are headed to a bunch of water rides, you can always pay for a locker near the front of the park to make sure your stuff is kept super safe. Want to know what you NEED in your park bag? Click here! So get memorizing! Those are our twenty ride hacks that will really give you a leg up in the Disney parks. Whether you’re looking to have the best ride experience, ride with your kids, spend less time in line, or just have the most fun; these tips have got you covered. For more GREAT Disney ride tips, click here! If you’re looking for an easy way to document all this information, please check out our DFB ride hack pdf here. Do you have any special tips and tricks for Disney World rides? Have you tried one of these tips before? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Three Tips You NEED to Master Disney World’s FastPass+ Tiers in 2020 News! Disney World Theme Parks Will Reopen Wednesday, September 4th Following Hurricane Dorian Closures Whew!! Here’s How To Get Out Of 6 Sticky Situations in Disney World! View the full article

Wishing you could blast off to a galaxy far, far away right about now? Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge We’d be lying if we said we weren’t also looking for an escape right about now! But if you’re looking to do something good for others AND maybe even win a little something good for yourself in return, get all the details you need here to enter for your chance to win Omaze’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge vacation giveaway! If you’ve never heard of Omaze, its an online fundraising platform that offers campaigns and prizes in support of charitable causes. Not only are you entering for a chance to win a Disney World trip and private Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge for four people, but you’ll also be donating money to a worthy cause! The net proceeds of this giveaway are going to the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation and here’s what’s included in the GRAND PRIZE: Score a private tour of the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge area at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® with a Walt Disney Imagineer and VIP tour guide Fly the fastest ship in the galaxy on the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction and battle the First Order on the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance attraction Enjoy a private reception with out-of-this-world desserts and specialty cocktails Be flown to Florida and put up at a 4-star hotel You can invite up to 20 additional guests—but they have to pay for their own flights and hotel. Approximate value of this prize package = $21,500 Rise of the Resistance The best part is the more you decide to give, the more chances you’ll get to win! While $10 will get you 100 entries, $50 will double your chances with 1,000 entries! The deadline for entering is April 14, 2020 at 11:59 PM PT and the winner will be announced on or around April 29, 2020! Galaxy’s Edge Baby Yoda See where we spotted Baby Yoda and other references from Disney+’s The Mandolorian here! Click here to enter and read additional information including who’s eligible and other details! Good luck and “May the Force Be With You!” Have you been to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge yet? Tell us what your favorite thing to do there is in the comments below! Related posts: Find Out How You Can Win a Night in the Cinderella Castle Suite at Disney World by Donating to a Good Cause What’s New in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Construction Updates, the CUTEST Christmas Ornaments, and MORE! We’re Reviewing EVERY Holiday Treat At Walt Disney World! See Them ALL Here! View the full article