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International Mermaid Day has made a splash TODAY, March 29th, and we can’t wait to watch The Little Mermaid on Disney+ with our favorite pair of Ariel Minnie Ears on. ©Walt Disney Studios Although you can make some eats and drinks to pair with your favorite mermaid film while you play Disney Princess board games, we’ve got an accessory you NEED to pair with your Ariel inspired outfit for the day! We can’t get enough of that human stuff, and we especially love the Loungefly X Disney’s The Little Mermaid Dinglehopper Handbag. ©Loungefly The ombré bag features a gradient of blue, purple, and pink tones with a seashell symbol on the front and the Disney X Loungefly logo on the back. ©Loungefly The bag is $75 and features an adorable Dinglehopper handle (so you have an easier way to carry your thingamabobs)… ©Loungefly …with a purple interior with more Dinglehoppers, seashells, anchors, and Ariel symbols etched into the fabric! ©Loungefly We’re already planning out which mermaid skirt and top we’re going to pair with this bag!! Check out the other ways you can celebrate International Mermaid Day here! What are you going to do for International Mermaid Day at home? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Life Is the Bubbles! Today’s International Mermaid Day (and We’re Celebrating with Some Disney Magic)! This Is Absolutely the Most EPIC Piece of Star Wars Merchandise You Could Ever Buy Here’s How Epcot Made Its Attractions Even BETTER Today! View the full article

It’s not nautical nonsense, friends! Today, March 29th, is International Mermaid Day (and we’re ready to rock out like a trout and jam like a clam in celebration)! ©Walt Disney Studios Since Disneyland and Disney World have both extended their closures, we aren’t really sure when we’ll be setting foot inside the parks again. Buuut, that doesn’t mean we can’t think of reasons to commemorate this special day at home (or when we can finally go back to the Happiest Places on Earth). So, grab your whozits and whatzits galore, because we’re taking you on a trip down memory lane with us to celebrate International Mermaid Day! While we love visiting Ariel to talk about life under the sea (what more is you lookin’ for, girl??),… Ariel …we especially adore taking a splash into the parks on those The Little Mermaid attractions! You can kick back, relax, and breathe in that ocean air during The Voyage of The Little Mermaid in Hollywood Studios… The Voyage of The Little Mermaid …or ACTUALLY take a dive into Atlantica on the Under the Sea — Journey of The Little Mermaid ride in the Magic Kingdom (or the matching Ariel’s Undersea Adventure in Disneyland). No big deal, we want more time in those clam shells ASAP!! Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid Although you might have gadgets and gizmos a-plenty with all the adorable The Little Mermaid items you can find, you can add to your ever-growing collection by picking up the seashell Minnie Ears… Mermaid Ears …or the jewel and Dinglehopper encrusted Ariel Ears designed by Betsey Johnson! Who says you can’t make staying at home look FABULOUS?? Ariel Headband by Betsey Johnson While we’ve got plenty of Disney recipes you can make at home (yes, there’s even EXACT Mickey Waffles and Flower and Garden Festival faves), we’re thinking back on the delicious eats and treats inspired by Ariel we’ve had in the parks! We don’t know why but we were dying to try snacks like the Dream Big, Little Mermaid Cake and Dinglehopper Noodles,… Dinglehopper Noodles and Dream Big, Little Mermaid …Pineapple Coconut Mermaid Tail,… Mermaid Tail Dessert …The Little Mermaid Cupcake that had a few bits of treasure hidden throughout the inside (spoiler: they’re blueberries!!),… Little Mermaid Cupcake …and an ENTIRE MENU inspired by the film over at the Coral Reef Restaurant. Just don’t tell Flounder and Sebastian we went to get all that seafood, okay?? The Little Mermaid Menu at Coral Reef At Christmastime, we also LOVED spotting The Little Mermaid Tree at the Christmas Tree Trail swirling up some holiday magic with King Triton’s trident. The Little Mermaid Christmas Tree And, perhaps the best way of ALL to celebrate International Mermaid Day is with an afternoon watching the movies and shows on Disney+! You can flip your fins onto your couch and put on the original The Little Mermaid, The Little Mermaid 2: Return to the Sea, The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning, The Little Mermaid Live!, and The Little Mermaid TV show. Whatever way you choose to party on International Mermaid Day, be sure to have a fin-tastic time with your family! Check out our full must-watch list on Disney+ for the weekend here! What will YOU be doing for International Mermaid Day today? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: 12 Throwback Disney Rides That Are Keeping Our Spirits Up DFB Video: Latest Disney Parks News — CEO Shakeup, HUGE Refurb News, and MORE! There’s a SECRET “Chewie Mode” in Disney’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge?! Find Out How You Can Do It HERE! View the full article

Virtual Viewing of Disney's Magic Happens Parade View the full article

We know Disney fans are searching for ways to bring magic and joy into their everyday lives and we’ve loved seeing some of you recreate your favorite Disney Parks experiences in your very own living rooms! In fact, you’ve inspired us to share #DisneyMagicMoments for you and your family, to enjoy at home. Today, we are pleased to present a special virtual viewing of the all-new “Magic Happens” parade, which recently debuted at Disneyland park! This daytime spectacular celebrates the awe-inspiring moments of magic that are at the heart of so many Disney stories. We hope you’ll gather with family at home to watch this stunning moment of magic: “Magic Happens” features nine newly designed floats, highlighting magic from classic Walt Disney Animation Studios tales, such as “The Sword in the Stone,” “Cinderella” and “Sleeping Beauty,” to more recent stories, including “Frozen 2,” “Moana” and “The Princess and the Frog,” as well as Disney and Pixar’s “Coco.” The new floats were created as pieces of moving art, with their lines and aesthetic design telling a story along the parade route, while also evoking a sense of magic. The stories seen in “Magic Happens” are rooted in iconic Disney lore, but the soundtrack, costume design and choreography are heavily influenced by today’s contemporary designers. Be sure to listen up for the energetic musical score and new songs, co-composed by singer-songwriter, Todrick Hall. We hope you take time to enjoy special #DisneyMagicMoments and keep checking back for even more virtual pixie dust coming to the Disney Parks Blog! View the full article

Now that Disneyland and Walt Disney World will be “closed until further notice,” we are getting a lot of questions about when we think Disney will reopen and whether readers should cancel their trips. Sleeping Beauty Castle We know you are in a tough spot if you have a trip planned in the next couple of months…because how are you supposed to know when “further notice” will be? Disney is throwing a lot of eggs into that June 1st basket right now (you currently can’t make ANY bookings before June 1st, and their new, private offers for guests affected by the closures include bookings for only June 1st and later), but can we bank on it?! Well, let’s put on our thinking caps and start a little logic session. While we don’t know exactly when the Disney Parks will reopen, we can consider a multitude of things that will have to happen BEFORE Disney will consider letting anyone back through those gates. We Need to See Many Of The Following Things Happen Before Disneyland and Disney World Reopen Their Gates As excited as we are to return to the parks, we can’t ignore what makes a theme park what it is. Disney World and Disneyland are GLOBAL destinations that attract millions of people. Walt Disney World Even on the slowest days, the parks are filled with guests, tight crowds, and shared surfaces where germs can spread easily. So in the midst of everything going on, it makes sense that Disney Parks would not be one of the first businesses on the all-clear list. So, what needs to happen for Disney World and Disneyland to reopen? Does America have to be at zero cases? Here are a few indicating factors we can likely rely on. Other Disney Parks May Open First Well, we’ve started to see other countries rebuilding after their own closures, so we can likely expect to follow a similar pattern a few weeks or possibly months behind. Earlier this month, Shanghai Disneyland Resort began reopening select shopping, dining, and recreation areas after closing down about two months ago. ©Disney However, the U.S. efforts to “flatten the curve” may spread the closures over more time to avoid exceeding healthcare capacity. This could lead to a longer timeline of park closures and we will likely see other parks like Tokyo, Shanghai, and Paris opening before the parks in the U.S.. Things Will Need to Start Improving in the U.S. For the safety of everyone involved, it’s difficult to picture Disney opening before we start to see the rate of transmission slow and start to see cases and deaths go down each day. ©Our World in Data America will need to figure out a way to control the number of cases and make it to the other side of the curve. The timeline for this is unknown. And before Disney World and Disneyland open to the public, we’ll likely need to see the CDC approve large gatherings again. Disneyland Main Entrance Previously, the Disney Parks were excluded from what were considered “large public gatherings” that were ceased. But obviously, hoards of visitors is the name of the game at Disney, so it was in the public’s best interest that Disney ultimately made the decision to include themselves and close. Find out about controlling transmission and flattening the curve HERE! But First, California and Florida Would Need to Lift Mandates Disney stating that their California and Florida parks being closed “until further notice” is like a safety net extending into our uncertain future. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster A LOT of things are going to need to change before we can start driving in to work every day — much less sharing a super-stretch limo with Aerosmith and a few thousand of our closest friends. The state of California, and Orange and Osceola Counties in Florida, will have to lift their states of emergency and other mandates or Disney will have to work out a deal to begin operating in a way that abides by health considerations. Orange County International Airport Florida currently has a self-quarantine mandate for flights from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, so if these bans are lifted, it may be a sign that the state is trending toward stability. Orange County International Airport Before thousands of people would be allowed to gather in a Disney Park, we would expect smaller-scale gatherings like schools, health clubs and gyms, and restaurants to resume normal operations. Supply Chain Will Need To Be Somewhat Re-established If you’ve been to the grocery store in the past couple of weeks, you may have noticed some supply and demand issues (are water bottles and toilet paper the newest form of currency in your neck of the woods too?). Although much of the low stock is due to unnecessary hoarding, factories, processing plants, restaurants, and stores around the world have also been shutting down, poking holes in the supply chain. As time goes on, we may see more closures — causing even more issues for companies across the country. Grand Ballroom On an international level, many goods are shipped in from other countries. Since this is a global situation, there may be shortages due to closures internationally or limited resources for international shipping of goods. As Florida and California residents start to return to normal life, it may take some time for orders of raw materials, food, paper products, and processed items to catch up enough for a vacation resort to run smoothly. Disney Has To Find a New Normal When It Comes To Operations So once things DO start to improve and the parks reopen, what then? Will it be business as usual? Probably not, at least not for a while. Up until this point, Disney has not faced a closure like this, so it’s only natural that they will have to reassess several parts of their usual modes of operation after the latest events. Disneyland Main Entrance There are several challenges they will have to overcome to continue to bring the Disney magic while protecting their guests. Will Disney Open The Parks in Phases? With Limited Capacity? It will take some time for Disney to decide exactly how they want to reopen once they get confirmation from health officials that it’s safe to do so. It’s possible the parks will open in a modified format (at least for a while) as an extra precaution to protect guests. Animal Kingdom Entrance during the Holidays This could include opening shopping and resort hotel areas first, as Shanghai is doing, offering limited capacity in parks and restaurants, and/or modifying attractions to support health officials’ recommendations. Click Here To Read How Disney World Could Be VERY DIFFERENT After They Reopen Disney Will Need To Bring In And Manage Resources and Cast Members Differently During the closure, Disney is abiding by recommendations from government and health officials. But the company will face its own set of challenges to figure out how park operations will continue after interruptions in their staffing and resources. Cast Members When parks were shuttered, Disney College Program participants were sent home. And Disney has recently announced they would continue to pay select hourly Cast Members only until April 18th. Many third-party restaurant workers have been laid off. For Disney reopen its parks and resorts, they will need to reassemble a massive crew of Cast Members. Cast Members in Front of Spaceship Earth Disney will be tasked with planning a window of time to hire or re-instate Cast Members, train them, and be ready for the date the parks actually open. Walt Disney World Cast Members Cast Members new and old will need training on the parks’ new approach. It could take days, weeks, or months to train the staff, and that would all have to happen after state and local governments lift the emergency mandates. Other Resources With the recent disruptions in the supply chain, will Disney be able to source enough food and resources to open restaurants and continue construction or maintenance projects? Disney will be walking into uncharted territory as they estimate the amount of food and supplies they will need (and need to obtain) when they really don’t know how many guests to expect in those first few months. Corn Dog Nuggets with PLASTIC CHEESE After Hurricane Dorian, the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor opened with limited flavors for a day due to supply trucks not replenishing their supply in time. That was for a relatively small closure that only affected local resources — not a weeks- or months-long global event like we’re facing now. It’s hard to imagine having to essentially restock an entire theme park with food, merchandise, and supplies. We haven’t seen a closure of this scale before, so predicting initial needs and crowds will be difficult. Disney Will Have To Ensure Guest Safety According to Disney, their top priority is the health and safety of their guests and Cast Members. After a global health crisis of this magnitude, the stakes are high for theme parks packed with people from around the world. So how do they do it? Adventureland hand-washing station We wrote a whole article about how Disney World could approach this monumental task, so be sure to take a look at that for details. Disney’s modifications to the “old way” of theme parking could include opening hotels and parks with limited capacity, adding additional (possibly permanent) hand-washing and/or hand sanitizer stations, sanitizing attraction vehicles between rides, or taking guests’ temperatures prior to admission. Cast Members Cleaning As researchers continue to learn more about the current situation, they may have more concrete suggestions on how to prevent another surge in the future. Click here to check out all of the ways we think the parks could be different when they reopen! So Who Should Cancel Their Trip? As we mentioned, Disney seems to be putting a lot of focus on June 1st as a potential reopening date. They’re introducing discounts starting June 1st, and they’ve limited any new hotel and restaurant bookings to June 1st and later. Crowded Magic Kingdom In their language on the website, Disney is leaving room for an earlier reopening. But for now, we’d recommend if you have a trip booked between now and the end of May that you contact Disney to determine your best options. Disney recently introduced great offers for guests displaced by the current closures (see Disney World offer here and see Disneyland offer here), and they are being transparent in what they’ll refund with cancellations (see Disney World refund details here and Disneyland refund details here). Cinderella Castle “Until further notice” was hard to read because it reminds us of just how uncertain the situation is. We know this vague announcement may be frustrating as a guest because it can leave your plans up in the air, but we want you to feel empowered to keep track of the current situation and make the best decisions for you and your family. We will continue to keep you posted with any new information and, as always, we’re here to help! Do you have any more questions about the park closures? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: DFB Video: Latest Disney Parks News — CEO Shakeup, HUGE Refurb News, and MORE! Disney News This Week: ALL the News and Updates from the Most Magical Places on Earth! It’s Costing Disney HOW MUCH To Close The Theme Parks?! View the full article

Who else here has been trying to think of a to-do list while we’re staying home?? Epcot While we’ve already given you some of the yummiest Disney recipes, the best things to watch on Disney+, and DIY projects to make with all that toilet paper, now we’ve got the best ways to spend a family game night this week! Get that game face ready for some family friendly competition, folks, because board games just got a lot better!! Magic Kingdom If you act out entire Disney movies in your shower (guilty as charged), then you’re going to LOVE the Disney Song Challenge! You’ll compete with your family to try and sing a tune from a movie or TV show with the CORRECT lyrics. But, be warned — if you mess up, you have to spin the Wheel-of-Fun and do whatever the arrow lands on (so we’re expecting plenty of your best impressions). You can sing your heart out like you’re in your own favorite Disney movie for $19.95! ©Hasbro While we know how the those fateful five dropped into the Twilight Zone on the Tower of Terror, you can solve a whodunnit mystery with The Tower of Terror Clue! Whether Goofy as the Bellhop or Daisy as Sally Shine committed the crime, you can have a dreadfully good time solving the mystery for $55.24! ©Disney While we are missing grabbing some treats from the Main Street Confectionery, you can play the classic Disney Princess Candyland! After you choose your favorite princess, you can make your way through their stories to try and win the game (and maybe some candy at home) for $26.88. ©Hasbro Monopoly is basically an ICONIC household game that brings a family together (and sometimes creates chaos). And, the Disney Animation Monopoly adds a magical twist to the game by adding Disney movies, vehicles, and magical objects to the board along with hotels and houses! Will you be able to monopolize Disney animation for $29.95?? ©shopDisney Ahoy, mateys!! We’re taking you on board REAL pirate ships in this version of Pirates of the Caribbean Battleship. You’ll be able to captain five ships while you fire at the enemy to score. Plus, you can snag multiple hits with those special “A Pirate’s Life” cards. We’re ready for a swashbuckling adventure for $44.95!! ©shopDisney While the Disney heroes are cool and all, the Villains are wickedly awesome! And, you can become the villain in your own Disney story with Villainous. As you play through different Disney films, you can create strategies to execute your dastardly plan. Buuuut, make sure to interfere with your opponents’ schemes to be the hailing villain for $34.99. ©Disney You can even buy different Villainous Expansion Packs for $19.99 each that include unique action cards and more villains to choose from! ©Disney Ever imagined what your life would be like if you accepted the invitation to become the 1,000th happy haunt? Now, you can be a Grim Grinning Ghost with The Haunted Mansion Life! Since this is a collector’s item that isn’t sold in parks anymore, you can add this piece of merchandise to your own assortment of board games for $99.95. ©Disney The Moana version of Sorry is about to make a real splash in your own little village at home! You can act as characters from the film as they try to restore the Heart of Te Fiti. While the game still has those “Sorry” tricks we know and love, make sure to watch out for the Kakamora too! You can get Moana Sorry for $17.95 (you’re welcome). ©Disney Have you ever wanted to control your own Galactic Empire or Rebel Alliance fleets? Now you can with the Star Wars Rebellion game for $79.95. During the match, you’ll have to strategize to destroy the opposing side with your starships, troops, and outer systems. The box comes with 2 game boards, character cards from the series, and 150 plastic miniatures that represent 32 of the most well-known star systems in Star Wars. Plus, you can spend an entire afternoon trying to rule the galaxy since Star Wars Rebellion consists of 3 to 4 hours of gameplay. ©Disney Even though competitive board games are a blast, gathering all the pieces to complete a puzzle can be just as challenging!! And, you can put together the Park Life Puzzle… ©shopDisney …The Lion King Puzzle… ©shopDisney …and the Pirates of the Caribbean Puzzle designed by the artist, Thomas Kinkade, for $22.99 each! ©shopDisney You can even play games for FREE with your family by downloading the Heads Up app! As you’re playing through the game of charades, the app films you so you can play back your round to see all the silly and goofy things that are bound to happen! The app comes with a few decks of cards, but you can purchase more for $0.99 each based on your favorite movies, shows, and more. There’s even a Disney Parks deck (that you can get for FREE when you check in at a Disney Park)! ©Heads Up Looks like our family game night just got a whole LOT better! Did we miss your favorite Disney game? Let us know! While you’re playing games with your family, you can even find out what your Disney Snack Food Name is here! What game are you looking forward to playing the most with your family? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: This Is Absolutely the Most EPIC Piece of Star Wars Merchandise You Could Ever Buy DFB Video: Latest Disney Parks News — CEO Shakeup, HUGE Refurb News, and MORE! You’ve Gotta See ALL the Adorable Magic Happens Merchandise in Disneyland! View the full article

While we’ve been watching LOTS of Disney+ and building our own DIY Cinderella Castle out of toilet paper, we’ve worked up quite the appetite staying at home. The Imagineering Story ©Disney Although there are plenty of great Disney recipes to bake, we’ve made a list of the MUST-TRY eats and treats from the Disney films that you’re going to want to make ASAP. We’re ready to get our snack on while we have a movie watch party with our family!! The Grey Stuff from Beauty and the Beast Although Lumière shows an entire array of French pastries and eats during the “Be Our Guest” scene of the film, the Grey Stuff has become one of the most iconic since nobody really knew what it was. That is, until the Be Our Guest restaurant added the treat to its menu as a cupcake. ©Disney But, while you can make a similar cupcake version from Be Our Guest, the actual version looks more like a mousse! And, the Grey Stuff Gâteau at the Red Rose Taverne in Disneyland is more inspired by the original with a white chocolate mousse with red velvet cake and raspberry in the center Grey Stuff Gateau So, you can make two different kinds of Grey Stuff, depending on what your preference is. And, for the grown-ups, we recommend pairing your Grey Stuff with a glass of champagne à la Mrs. Potts and the rest of the enchanted objects from the castle. Want to learn how to make your own Grey Stuff?? Follow the recipe for the Disneyland version here! Ratatouille from Ratatouille You don’t need to be food critic like Anton Ego to love this eat from Ratatouille! While he may have a childhood memory surrounding the famous dish, you can make your own memories at home with your family cooking this for dinner. ©Disney Making ratatouille is actually easier than it looks with its ingredients mostly consisting of vegetables (so it will satisfy the vegetarians in your family and be a fun way to get your picky eaters to get their greens in)! After all, “anyone can cook,” right?? ©Disney Want to learn how to make a twist on the title dish from Ratatouille? Head to the store and pick up these ingredients: 1 zucchini, cut into large cubes 1 eggplant, cut into large cubes 1 yellow squash, cut into large cubes 1 sweet red pepper, cut into large slices 1 red onion, cut into large cubes 2 tablespoons garlic, chopped 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 4 sprigs thyme 1 14oz can crushed tomatoes 4 eggs In large sauté pan over medium high heat, add oil, onions, and garlic. Sweat for 3-4 minutes or until onions become soft. Next add eggplant, zucchini, squash, red pepper, thyme, salt, and pepper, and sauté for another 6-9 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes to the pan and stir. Cover with a lid and cook for 6-9 minutes or until the vegetables soften. Use a spoon to make 4 wells in the ratatouille, and drop an egg in each spot. Cook the eggs for 4-6 minutes or until they are done to your liking. We bet your meal will make Gusteau proud! Apple Pie from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs While we might not have forest creatures around to help us making this dessert, the Apple Pie from Snow White is a pretty classic pastry to bake! And, you can add a little of your own flavor and twist by adding crumbles on top, maybe drizzling a bit of icing over it, or having the pie with a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream! ©Disney Just make sure not to add any poison apples when you’re making it! Plus, if you want an extra kick of apple, grab some sort of cider to pair with you dessert for a crisp, bubbly finish. ©Disney Beignets from The Princess and the Frog We’re BIG fans of Mickey beignets in the parks, but Tiana is practically the queen of making these snacks Louisiana style! Throughout The Princess and the Frog, Tiana’s beignets basically become a renowned city-wide treasure that hail as a signature dish at her restaurant at the end of the film. ©Disney The best part about making beignets, though, is that you can mix and match toppings (but we’re still ALL over that regular powdered sugar version with a hint of honey on top). Beignets! Spaghetti and Meatballs from Lady and the Tramp Whether you’re looking for a romantic way to spend date night with your loved ones or a way to wrangle all your own pups together for dinner, you can’t go wrong with a plate of spaghetti and meatballs (yum!!). Giant Spaghetti We recommend making a big pot of sauce and meatballs so you can have leftovers throughout the week! It sounds like the perfect way to chill in front of the TV and watch Lady and the Tramp while you eat. But, if you’re looking for a way to spice up your bella notte, grab a bottle of red wine and some candles before sharing a string of spaghetti with that special someone. ©Disney Pawpsicles from Zootopia Nick is a brilliant con artist (but we still love him anyway!), who started an entire business with just a giant melted popsicle, some popsicle sticks, and a dream… er, “It’s called a hustle, sweetheart!” ©Disney With the weather warming up, there’s no better time than now to make your own version of this tasty treat! All you need is some popsicle sticks, a paw print mold, and some of your favorite juice flavors! While you can go for the original cherry flavor, you can also switch things up with orange juice, pineapple juice, apple juice, and more for a cool and refreshing snack. ©Disney Get your paw print mold here! You can make the Pawpsicles by gathering these few ingredients: 1 cup strawberries, chopped 1 cup raspberries 1/2 cup sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla 2 cups cherry juice 2 silicone paw print molds 12 popsicle sticks Preheat the oven to 350 and prepare a parchment-lined sheet pan. Combine strawberries, raspberries, 1/4 cup of sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl and mix. Place ingredients onto a sheet pan and place in the oven. Roast for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the cherry juice and 1/4 cup of sugar on the stovetop for about five minutes or until sugar dissolves. Pour into a bowl to cool. Once the fruit in the oven has roasted, place it into a bowl with the cherry juice. Place the bowl in the refrigerator to cool. Pour the juice into molds and place it into the freezer for 30 minutes. Remove from the freezer and place the popsicle sticks at the bottom of each paw print mold. Let them freeze for 5 or more hours before you watch Zootopia with your pawpsicles! Tamales from Coco Abuelita knows best, and that means having a stack of tamales for dinner is definitely the choice for the night! While you can put some chips and dip on the table for your own little fiesta, tamales are extremely fun to make (and they’re super tasty afterward). ©Disney While tamales are super filling as it is, you can also make some Mexican rice and refried beans as sides Just make sure to play the Coco soundtrack while you’re cooking up a storm in your kitchen!! The whole thing is a bop to get you in the dancing and snacking mood! Tamales Worms and Dirt from The Lion King Okay, so Timon and Pumbaa might think that bugs and grubs are slimy yet satisfying, but we’re going to stray away from eating any actual bugs while we’re at home. ©Disney Instead, you can make the Worms and Dirt dessert version with chocolate pudding, crushed Oreos, and gummy worms! This treat is so easy that your kids can even make their own (so hakuna matata for you!!). Kronk’s Spinach Puffs from The Emperor’s New Groove Kronk is one of our favorite Disney characters EVER because he is just so adorkable! And, although he might not be the brightest crayon in the box, boy can he COOK! ©Disney Before Yzma turns Kuzco into a llama during their dinner party (which sounds pretty fun if you think about it), Kronk brings out a plate of very delicious looking, steaming spinach puffs to serve. Although we don’t have to worry about being transformed into an animal, these would be a great appetizer to share with your family before a night of board games or movies! ©Disney To make Kronk’s famous Spinach Puffs, you’ll need: 1 (17.3 ounce) package Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry Sheets 3 eggs 1 tablespoon water 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach thawed and well drained 1 medium onion finely chopped 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley After you’ve gathered your ingredients, thaw the pastry sheets at room temperature 40 minutes. Then, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Mix 1 egg and water and set aside. Mix the remaining eggs with the cheese, spinach, onion, and parsley. Unfold the pastry on a lightly floured surface, and roll each pastry sheet into 12-inch squares before cutting each into 16 (3-inch) squares. Place 1 tablespoon of the spinach mixture in the center of each square. Brush the edges of the pastries with the egg mixture, and then fold squares over filling to form triangles. Crimp edges to seal, place them on the baking sheet, and then brush them again with the egg mixture. Bake 20 minutes or until golden before serving warm or at room temperature like Kronk! “Eat Me” Sugar Cookies from Alice in Wonderland Want an easy treat that your family can have a blast customizing?? You can make your own Alice in Wonderland inspired cookies! While the treats from the film that make Alice grow or shrink come in an array of teensy cookies and cakes, the sugar cookies are a simpler version that you can decorate any way you want. ©Disney You can use different colors, designs, piping, cookie-cutter shapes, and more on top of the iconic “Eat Me” saying. Plus, you’ll have an entire batch to snack on after you use your artistic skills while you watch the original movie AND the live-action movies on Disney+. ©Disney Grab your fun cookie cutters here! Even though you can’t grow or shrink with these cookies, you can still learn how to make your own Alice in Wonderland inspired treats here!  Pizza Planet Pizza from Toy Story It’s super fun to make your own pizza with your favorite toppings and ingredients! And, while Alien Pizza Planet in Disneyland has some interesting flavors (and names) to go with their slices, you can come up with your version of a galactic pie inspired by Toy Story’s Pizza Planet. Alien Pizza Planet Pizza While each member of your family can make their own personal pizzas to eat, you could also make a giant pie with a topping choice from everyone! We just wish we could visit the actual Pizza Planet. ©Disney Harryhausen’s Sushi from Monsters, Inc. Every time we watch Monsters. Inc. or travel through the Harryhausen’s scene in Mike and Sulley to the Rescue in Disneyland, we REALLY crave some of that sushi. ©Disney Instead of having a Spider Roll or Slimi Sashimi, you can roll up sushi at home with different fish and veggies. Although most of Harryhausen’s menu is targeted at monster eaters, the Howling Hamachi Sushi sounds like a pretty normal (but still yummy) option with yellowtail, lima beans, and spinach! Harryhausen’s Menu Okay, we’re SUPER hungry now. Anybody down for a virtual Disney potluck??? We hope that making this meal with friends or family at home will help add a little magic to your night! Try out the fun recipes and let us know how they turn out. You know we always love to hear your stories and to see your photos!! Want to mix up some cocktails to pair with your favorite Disney movies? Then, you HAVE to see these recipes! What snack do you want to try the most? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: DFB Video: Disney Parks Around the World Close, New Lands Get Opening Dates & Mulan Merch Comes to shopDisney! What’s New at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Retro Platform Crocs and a SIMBA Popcorn Bucket! When Disney World Reopens THESE Are at the Top of Our Must-Do List View the full article

If there’s one thing that we’re pretty much CONSTANTLY doing in the Disney parks, it’s taking pictures! Can you blame us? We want to remember every happy smile, good memory, and super cool piece of theming that we encounter. Cinderella Castle With so many opportunities for pictures, our phones are pretty backlogged with Disney memories of years passed. Of course, we treasure each and every one. So, honestly, sitting in our phone memory doesn’t really do these pics justice. It sounds like we need a new way to celebrate our photos and what better way than by turning them into something to be admired ALL the time! Check out nine ways to turn your Disney pictures into art! 1. Turn Your Pics Into Paintings! Our first fun way to flip your Disney pictures into beautiful artwork is by using a photo editing or filters app! It can be super fun to tap through all of the filters and watch as your Disney pics transform from regular photos to super cool creations in almost no time! There are tons of different cell phone apps that can transform your photos into watercolor paintings, mosaics, sketches, and more. Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom We decided to give one of these photo editors a try for your benefit so we picked out Deep Art Effects for free which is available for Apple, Android, and PC. Check out this totally cool mosaic we made out of our plain old picture of the Magic Kingdom Main Street Train Station. Pretty cool, right? Train Station Mosaic Of course, Deep Art Effects isn’t the only photo editing app that can do this kind of thing to your pictures. In fact, there are probably hundreds! So, head to the App Store or the Google Play Store and take a look at your options to get some seriously cool creations going. 2. Craft The Perfect Instagram Story! One thing we LOVE to do with our pictures is to turn them into Instagram stories! If you don’t know, Instagram stories are a feature where you can edit pictures and post them for 24 hours. After a day, they disappear but you can add them to your profile if you want people to be able to check them out again. Check out this story we put together! Instagram Story You can add drawings, stickers, gifs, emojis, text — you name it! You can even tag Disney World or Disneyland (or @DisneyFoodBlog!) to show off your creations! This might not seem like super classic art, but Insta stories can be a great way to make something cute and fun in only a little bit of time. 3. Get Prints And Decorate Picture Frames! If you have a cute family picture that won’t look too good turned into a painting, then go ahead and order regular prints of it to put in picture frames! Then, make the picture frames PART of the art! Maybe you’re crafty and have a great idea for making a plain old frame look absolutely amazing. Or, you could give your kiddos frames to decorate. Throw those new Disney prints in and you have an artsy keepsake to last. ©Disney The best way to accomplish this craft is by ordering your Disney prints and some unfinished wooden picture frames. Then, pick up some glue, paints, and knick-knacks to glue on. We like gems and faux flowers! Soon enough you’ll have a super cool handcrafted creation to display those pics in. 4. Make A Photo Book! A super easy and fun artistic keepsake can be a photo book, either ordered or made at home. Now, the DIY version definitely gives you a lot more creative license. We love this craft because it seriously brings back the good old days of scrapbooking! It’s so much more meaningful to flip through a curated photo book than it is to tap through images on your phone. Belle You can make these books to commemorate a single trip or your favorite pictures from many trips! Websites like Shutterfly and CVS will help you put together a photo book virtually, but you can also order an empty book on Amazon and get those scrapbook skills working! Snag your scrapbook and start creating here! 5. Order (Or DIY) Canvas Or Wood Prints! Now, if you’re looking for some new personalized wall art, ordering or making canvas or wood prints can be a great addition to your walls at home! Pick out a gorgeous Disney picture from your photos folder and get it printed by a site like Zazzle on traditional canvas or wood canvas or even just at CVS. That makes for a pretty neat new decoration! Canvas Prints Or if you’re feeling like passing the time with an artsy project, you can DIY a photo transfer to canvas or wood! You’ll need to print out your picture at the right size with a laser printer and pick up some blank canvases or wood canvases (if you’re going wood, you’re gonna need some Mod-Podge, too). Then, look up a tutorial online. Your hard work will pay off with a one-of-a-kind piece of art. 6. Create Your Own Jigsaw Puzzle! This next one is really fun and you can do it in an app virtually, or by ordering one online. Wouldn’t it be super cool to turn your old Disney pictures into your very own personalized jigsaw puzzle? Um… sign us up! We do this all the time with fun jigsaw puzzle apps like Jigsaw Puzzle Studio for Apple or Jigsaw Puzzles from Astralwire on Android. Check out this one we did of the sculpture outside of the Contemporary. Jigsaw Puzzle Studio Alternatively, you could order a REAL jigsaw puzzle made from your picture! This could be a fun activity for the whole family. Your kiddos would probably love finding the pieces with their faces on them. When it’s done, you could even glue it together and hang it up. Create your personalized Disney jigsaw puzzle HERE! 7. Get Ready For The Holidays With Personalized Ornaments! We know it’s not quite time to start thinking about the holidays yet, but we think Christmas ornaments are still a great project no matter what time of year it is! Then, you can pack them up and have a cute new addition to your tree. These are another project that you can just order personalized ornaments or DIY them if you want! 2019 Ornament Frame There are TONS of different ways to DIY your ornaments too! So search around the internet to find the perfect tutorial for you. It can be SUPER easy though if you just grab a little bit of cardboard, some glue, and some ribbon. Print out your picture, paste it on the cardboard, punch a hole, and tie a ribbon through. Voila! Easy-peasy. Order your personalized Disney ornaments here! 8. Turn Your Pics Into The Perfect Coasters! Another fun way to show your love of Disney at home is through personalized coasters. If you want, you could DIY some of your very own — although this project might not be as simple as the others. Set aside some time and really search around for the best tutorial on how to DIY some Disney pics coasters! Coasters Alternatively, if you’re not as craft-inclined, these are another piece of art that you can order from Zazzle! They’ve got a few different coaster options but we think the coolest ones are the stone coasters. They’ll put your pics right on them and these guys are sure to look super nice on your coffee table. Check out the personalized stone coasters here! 9. Or Pick Out A Wacky Product To Order! Last but certainly not least, you could order something a little more silly (or functional if you want to be practical). Fathead has some awesome product options that you can order using your own pics. Maybe you want a woven blanket with Cinderella Castle on it? Maybe you want a life-size cardboard cutout of your daughter in her princess costume? Our favorite thing offered on Fathead? BIG HEADS! Get a cardboard cutout of Mickey’s face super-sized. If that’s not art, we don’t know what is. ©Fathead We can’t wait to start making gorgeous art and fun crafts from our Disney pictures. We’d love to see what you come up with! If you do something super cool with your pics, post it on Instagram and tag us at @DisneyFoodBlog. We want to see your work! For more Disney arts and crafts to help pass the time, click here! What fun ideas do you have for your Disney pics? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: What’s New at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Coronado Springs Resort: May 26, 2018 Limited Time Photo Op! Get Your Pic in Front of Cinderella’s Carriage in Magic Kingdom! Cinderella’s Coach Returning to Magic Kingdom for Limited Time Photo Op! View the full article

On March 27th, it was announced that Disneyland Resort (along with Walt Disney World Resort) will extend its temporary closure period to promote the safety of guests and cast members in response to the current global situation. 2020 Food and Wine Festival Originally, the Resorts were announced to be closed through the end of March. However, with the closures being extended “until further notice,” the plans of even more guests are being impacted. As we’ve been covering what Disneyland guests can expect with regards to refunds for affected trips and events, we also want to direct guests’ attention to the policy regarding separately ticketed Special Events for the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival (which, as a reminder, began on February 28th and was slated to run through April 21st). If you purchased a ticket to one of the separately ticketed Special Events for the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival, please be aware the Disneyland website states that you will receive a refund automatically if your event falls within the closure period. Screenshot from Disneyland website There is no need to contact Disney directly in this instance. However, please note that the refund may take up to 30 days to process. To learn more about refunds for Disneyland guests during the closure, you can click here. We here at DFB have been tracking the steps that Disney has taken around the parks to promote the safety of Resort guests and cast members. You can learn more about that here. And you can learn more about the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival here. Related posts: Merchandise Revealed for the 2020 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival! They’re Here! The Food and Wine Booths Have Started to Pop Up in Disney California Adventure! Cheese Lovers! These NEW Nuts About Cheese Additions Are a Must-Try at Disney California Adventure’s 2020 Food and Wine Festival! View the full article

The Walt Disney Company is massive, spanning across multiple industries and lines of business, from theme parks to motion pictures to home entertainment. In the past couple of weeks, the global health situation has caused Disney to make tough decisions that will surely have an effect on its bottom line in the coming fiscal year. Bob Chapek at the Hollywood Studios Galaxy’s Edge opening ©Walt Disney Company The Walt Disney Company currently has four primary business segments: Studio Entertainment, Media Networks, Direct-to-Consumer & International, and Parks, Experiences & Products. And most of them are completely under fire right now. Studio Entertainment and Stage Shows Studio Entertainment, according to The Walt Disney Company’s annual financial report, draws revenue from the “distribution of films in the theatrical, home entertainment and TV/SVOD markets, stage play ticket sales, music distribution and licensing of our intellectual property for use in live entertainment production.” Disney on Broadway at Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts In short, Studio Entertainment encompasses Disney’s movies, theatrical productions, and music. How Disney’s Theatrical Releases Have Been Impacted Disney movies can make a crazy amount of money when they hit theaters. Frozen 2 late last year set records with an opening weekend of $127 million. So Disney likely had high hopes for their newest Disney/Pixar film, Onward, which was released on March 6. The timing of the global situation, however, was not in the movie’s favor. ©Disney Patronage at theaters was already declining in the wake of the current situation, leaving the film to make a disappointing $39 million opening weekend, compared to the $135 million that Disney fronted to make it. Soon after release, movie theaters across America and around the globe closed as a precaution to protect customers and employees. This leveled Disney’s potential box office earnings for Onward to virtually nothing. Meet and Greets for Onward in Disney World To salvage a portion of that box office loss, Disney released Onward to digital download early on March 20. You can also catch Onward on the Disney+ streaming service starting on April 3. Disney also released The Rise of Skywalker early across digital retailers, although that was by a much smaller time frame of only 4 days (released March 13 as opposed to March 17). The Rise of Skywalker ©Disney Time will tell how much money Disney is able to recoup through Digital Downloads and if this is a potentially viable option for future releases down the road. How Have Yet to Be Released Films Been Impacted? The global crisis also had a major impact on films yet to be released to theaters. The highly anticipated live-action remake of Mulan was set to open in theaters on March 27. This, along with many other non-Disney films, has had to push their release date back, and a new date has yet to be determined. Disney was banking on this film to be a massive box office hit, not only in the U.S. but in China as well. ©Walt Disney Studios The film’s production budget was reported to be approximately $200 million. How Have Disney’s Stage Shows Been Impacted? Disney is also seeing a significant loss of revenue in its stage show ticket sales. On March 12, all Broadway theatres closed for a month, signaling a massive loss of revenue to not only Disney and the theatre industry, but for the city of New York as well. Disney currently has three productions running on Broadway: The Lion King, Aladdin, and Frozen, not to mention a large number of touring productions of Disney stage shows. To provide some context, during this calendar week last year, those three shows earned a combined total weekly gross of over $4.5 million. Frozen ©Disney on Broadway While the financial hit taken from having Broadway go dark doesn’t even come close to the dollars being lost from elsewhere in the company, everything adds up. Parks, Experiences & Products Next, let’s talk about Parks, Experiences & Products. This business segment was the most profitable in 2019, earning a total revenue of over $26 billion. Overall, Parks, Experiences & Products revenue accounted for over a third of the company’s total revenue for 2019. Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland There are many streams of income for Disney under Parks, Experiences & Products. Their theme parks generate revenue from the sale of park tickets, hotel lodging, food and beverage, and merchandise. Beyond the theme parks, this segment also reports earnings from Disney Cruise Line and Disney Vacation Club. Disney Cruise Line So how has this affected Disney’s BIGGEST sector? Theme Parks Disney’s historic action to close every single one of its theme parks worldwide is unprecedented. As of this writing, all six global parks are still closed. The first two parks that closed, Shanghai Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland, have been closed for almost two months at press time. If the Disney Parks are closed, that means little to no income for this branch of the Disney Company. ©Disney Without getting too deep in the numbers, let’s look at the big picture. Since this crisis began in January to mid-March, Disney has closed its gates on all six theme parks, including hotels and shopping districts (Disneytown and the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel reopened on March 9, 44 days after the closure of Shanghai Disneyland). Mickey Avenue Shanghai Swing ©Disney Due to these closures, Disney has eliminated any potential earnings from guests visiting the parks including food, merchandise, lodging, ticket sales, and more. Disney has also extended Annual Passes based on the number of days the parks have closed, signaling another, albeit smaller, loss of potential earnings. Disneyland Annual Passes Aside from consumer spending, there are questions about how the closures will affect construction on upcoming projects. Construction has been halted in the parks during their closures, throwing into question the completion dates of the worldwide Avengers Campus expansions, the EPCOT transformation, and the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel in Disney World, among many other mega-projects set to open next year. Epcot Monorail In the meantime, Disney can, however, earn revenue through future bookings of hotels or the online sale of future tickets, lodging, and Annual Passes. Though, unfortunately, booking a new vacation may not be at the front of many minds right now. And the potential ensuing recession following this crisis could stamp out massive profits for much longer for the Walt Disney Company when it comes to their theme parks. Read up on everything Disney World will refund during the closure here! See everything Disneyland will refund during the closure here! Disney Cruise Line Out of caution, Disney Cruise Line has suspended departures into mid-April as of this writing. There is a lot of uncertainty for how the cruise line industry will rebound after this crisis has ended, as several incidents related to the current situation were reported on cruise ships. ©Disney Cruise Line Sailing to Alaska While these occurred on non-Disney cruises, it is likely that the cruise line industry as a whole will take some time to recover financially. And again, the economic impacts of the global crisis may affect guests’ decisions to spend on cruise vacations for months. Merchandise In the meantime, the Parks, Experiences & Products segment can continue to earn revenue through the online sale of merchandise, both through their owned-and-operated retail sites as well as third-party online retail sites. Baby Yoda Plush on shopDisney Many online outlets, including shopDisney, have offered free shipping or heavy discounts to entice consumers to continue purchasing in this unique time. But even online retail is being hit hard by the global shipping crisis that began when China’s factories closed for an extended time period, according to CNBC and others. Remember that Disney sources many products from Chinese factories, and they — like other online and brick-and-mortar retailers — are being affected. Items may not arrive on time, or may sell out before new shipments can be received. While Chinese factories are beginning to come back online now, the current back-ups could seriously affect not only Spring and Summer merchandise, but also the highly lucrative back-to-school and holiday seasons. Shipping issues could have long-term affects on Disney’s merchandise sales both in-store and online. Media Networks According to Disney’s financial statements, their “Media Networks” segment encompasses “cable and broadcast television networks, television production and distribution operations, domestic television stations and radio networks and stations.” Most notably, Media Networks is the business segment that contains the ABC Television Group, the multiple Disney Channels, and ESPN. ABC Commissary You would think that with so many in the United States spending more time at home in the coming weeks and months, television would be a bright spot for Disney, but not so fast! ESPN The sports industry has essentially ground to a halt due to the global crisis. The NBA and NHL suspended the rest of their seasons, March Madness was canceled, and MLB delayed spring training and the beginning of their regular season. In the coming weeks and months, there will be virtually no live major sports on television for fans to watch. Hall of fame baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr. and Disney Sports Vice President Faron Kelley ©Disney Unless you’re content getting a more unique sportsball fix from the likes of ESPN the Ocho (Seriously, you can go watch the World Championship for greased stair climbing or Tetris. It’s kind of incredible!), then your options are limited for the time being. This is of particular concern to Disney because, with no live major sports to draw in viewers, many ESPN channels are forced to air repeats and filler content like Disney sports movies. With less compelling content, ad revenue will potentially suffer. ABC On a positive note, network television has actually seen a boost in light of everything. More people home means more people looking for an outlet like television. ABC saw a boost in viewership of around 10% in the past week. But it’s not all good for the major network. ©ABC/Disney Some major hits for the network, like Grey’s Anatomy or American Idol, were forced to shut down production early, cutting seasons and shows. Disney Channel Disney Channel and their offshoots like Disney Junior or Disney XD have seen a HUGE increase in viewers. Not surprisingly, kids are home and can watch more tv! Disney Channel saw a 43% bump in viewers in the past week. ©Disney So while things may seem grim in other aspects of the Disney Company right now, at least kids are…watching TV? Direct-to-Consumer & International In 2018, Disney re-organized their business segments and introduced Direct-To-Consumer & International. Under this segment, Disney reports earnings on various streaming services, including Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu. Disney+ Streaming Service ©Disney While Disney+ has done relatively well since its launch late last year, it’s seeing a boom again now. Streaming Is Thriving, But… In terms of consumer spending, this could be a potential bright spot for The Walt Disney Company. More consumers are spending way more time at home — mostly mandated — and readily available entertainment is thriving. Over the past weekend alone, it was reported that Disney+ signups tripled compared to the weekend before! Disney+ Streaming Service Disney+ also launched in many European countries on March 24th, with over 5 million downloads of the app reported in the first day. Disney has also made massive strides in making its Direct-to-Consumer products more appealing. In the last week, Disney released Frozen 2 to home streaming three months early, making it available on Disney+. Frozen 2 ©Disney We previously mentioned Onward will be available on Disney+ soon as well. Whether for profit or as a gesture of goodwill, this new turn has been positively received by consumers. …Significant Delays are Coming But it’s not all sunshine when it comes to Disney+ for the Walt Disney Company. A number of highly anticipated projects may see delays in their launch on Disney+. Production for Marvel’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was suspended in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Thankfully, Season 2 of The Mandalorian has already wrapped, so we probably won’t see any Baby Yoda delays! The Falcon and the Winter Soldier ©Disney It’s important to note that Direct-to-Consumer, likely due in part to its sheer newness, is the least profitable of the four business segments. In 2019 it accounted for just over 13% of the Company’s total revenue. It remains uncertain at this time how this segment will perform in the coming months. While it may perform well if consumer spending habits change, a delay in anticipated productions may have an adverse effect on revenue. Some final thoughts… After the crisis has subsided and normal business operations can resume, Disney will potentially brace for future financial hardships. If we are indeed headed towards a recession, consumer spending habits will follow suit, meaning less superfluous spending, i.e. vacations to Disney World, cruises, Christmas presents, and other unnecessary purchases. Walt Disney World Entrance We can only speculate as to how Disney should strategize in terms of minimizing expenses to offset the hit on their bottom line. We haven’t even begun to talk about the implications on Disney’s stock price and how that can have an impact on future earnings. Disney is a far-reaching company and, unfortunately, right now they are operating with massive sections of the company unable to function properly. As we mentioned at the beginning, Disney is one of the biggest and most complex companies in the world, so recovering will likely require big and complex solutions; and more importantly: time. How do you think this global crisis will impact The Walt Disney Company? Share your thoughts in the comments! Related posts: ALL the Disney NEWS and REVIEWS This Week! Here’s What You Need to Know From the Happiest Places On Earth… DFB Video: Latest Disney Parks News — CEO Shakeup, HUGE Refurb News, and MORE! Disney News This Week: ALL the News and Updates from the Most Magical Places on Earth! View the full article

Disneyland recently announced an extended closure “until further notice.” Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland We just saw Disney World release an exclusive free dining offer and now Disneyland Resort has just released a new special offer exclusively for guests who were impacted by the park closures! Eligible guests include those who had booked a Walt Disney Vacation Travel Company package to stay at a Disneyland Resort hotel during the park closures and through May 31st. ©Disney Beginning Monday, March 30, 2020, these select guests will be able to book a special Disneyland Resort offer for most arrival dates from June 1st through December 31st, 2020. The Disneyland Hotel Guests will need to book by May 31st, 2020 and can call (714) 520-5050 starting Monday, March 30th for more information or to book the offer. We will keep you posted as we learn more details about this offer! Will you be taking advantage of this Disneyland offer? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: NEW Cake Flavor and MORE from the Disney Weddings Showcase! MAJOR BUMMER ALERT! A Popular Way to Get to Disneyland is Stopping Soon! What’s New at the Disneyland Resort — New Cozy Cone, Luxo Ball Spirit Jersey, Tiki Bowls, and MORE! View the full article

We’ve been having a BLAST thinking up some great ways to spend time with your families while you’re at home! Mickey Waffles! Although we’ve given you DIY projects (with TOILET PAPER!!), all sorts of recipes to bake and cook, and a must-watch list on Disney+, we found the ULTIMATE list of everything you need to know during your stay at home! Our wonderful friend Carlye Wisel has made a guide to fun, health, and safety resources during this tough time! As a way to sprinkle some extra pixie dust on your lives, she’s made a spreadsheet with AH-MAZING details that you’re going to want to see! ©Carlye Wisel You can spot ways to support your community, receive help if you need it, and options for restaurant and grocery delivery — on top of all the things to do, watch, listen to, read, cook, and MORE!! A few of our Disney recipes are even featured on the guide, so you can have some of your favorite park snacks at home. ©Carlye Wisel This guide seriously has it ALL. She’s thought through everything that has been stressing you and MORE so that you can avoid future stressors. Just opening the spreadsheet had us trying to imagine how long a project like this would take…. So we say THANK YOU, Carlye, for putting in so much time and effort then sharing it with everyone for FREE? You cray, and we love you for it! Thank you, Carlye, for sharing your magic with us!! Check it out for yourself here! Do you have questions about the Disney closures? We’ve got all the answers for you here! What have you been doing with your family indoors during this time? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: We Dare You to Watch These Disney Commercials Without Laughing or Crying! 12 Throwback Disney Rides That Are Keeping Our Spirits Up There’s a SECRET “Chewie Mode” in Disney’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge?! Find Out How You Can Do It HERE! View the full article

We will update this post as we get more information. On March 27th, Disney World announced that the parks would remain closed “until further notice.” Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom While we don’t have any official word from Disney on a projected reopening date for the parks, we did notice something interesting on the reservations site. This might give us a clue about Disney’s current thinking on the timeline for reopening. Information provided within the Resort Operations Update section of the Disney World website indicates that, at press time, reservations can only be made for dates June 1st and later. The site states, “For Guests who are interested in modifying their existing travel dates or making a new reservation for a future vacation, reservations are currently available for travel dates June 1 and later. As always, Guests are able to modify these bookings if Walt Disney World Resort opens before or after that time.” ©Disney Additionally, the new private Free Dining offer Disney World is offering only to guests whose reservations were directly affected by the closure is available only for vacations booked for dates June 1st through the end of September. Based on this information, it seems like Disney World is not planning on opening before June 1st at the moment, but they are leaving the door open just in case with language like “Guests are able to modify these bookings if Walt Disney World Resort opens before or after that time.” When researching this possibility, our team tried booking hotel and dining reservations between today and May 31st. We were unable to make a hotel reservation anytime from now through the end of May. Disney’s Pop Century Resort Nearly all of the hotels were listed as unavailable for the dates selected. ©Disney At first glance, it appeared that The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort had availability because they showed a price where the other resorts were listed as unavailable. But when we advanced to the next page, all room types were also listed as unavailable, so no reservation could be made at these resorts either. ©Disney The earliest date for which we were able to book a reservation was June 1st. ©Disney We noticed something similar for Advance Dining Reservations (i.e. restaurant reservations). All restaurants show as having no times available for all dates from now through May 31st, with the exception of Ravello and Capa, which are located at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando. ©Disney As with hotels, we were able to book dining reservations for dates from June 1st forward. ©Disney Again, we have no official word from Disney on when they plan to reopen the parks and resorts, but we will keep an eye out for any additional updates, so be sure to stay tuned! For more information on what we know regarding the current closures, click here! Have you noticed anything out of the ordinary when making hotel or dining reservations on the Disney World website? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Should I Cancel My Disney World Vacation? What’s New at Coronado Springs, Old Key West, and Saratoga Springs Resorts: Spicy Firecracker Shrimp and ADORABLE Disney Parks Watches! Review! These Two Drinks at Banana Cabana Are a Great PEAR in Disney World! View the full article

Yep, Disney World finally extended its closure timeline this week. Magic Kingdom But, it looks like we may be saying “see ya real soon” thanks to the newest Disney World vacation package offer just announced! According to Disney World’s website, the new vacation package includes accommodations at a select Disney Resort hotel, park admission, and a Disney dining plan! ©Disney The offer is only valid on new reservations booked before the end of May and is only available to guests whose reservations were directly affected by the closure. Eligible guests can book an arrival date for most datess from June 1st through September 30th, 2020 — as long as you book through May 31st, 2020. You can call (407) 939 -4251 or your travel professional to learn more! It is likely that guests who are eligible will receive communication from Disney directly. Will you be booking this new vacation package offer? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Is it Possible We Like Beverly Now? Find Out How Disney World’s Most-Hated Soda Got a Remix! SURPRISE! This Premium PLUTO Popcorn Bucket Has Returned to Disney World and Its SUPER CUTE! Bibbidi Bobbidi Bus! New Cinderella Bus Wrap Has Appeared in Disney World! View the full article

One of our favorite pastimes while social distancing is tuning in for live performances by some of our favorite Disney celebrities! La Cava del Tequila And we’re thrilled that La Cava del Tequila has been getting in on the action! Mixologist Gustavo Ortega has shown us some tricks for creating our own delicious drinks right at home! And you’ll definitely want to tune into tonight’s live stream for a special guest! Throughout the week, La Cava del Tequila mixologist, Gustavo Ortega, has been sharing live lessons on Instagram to teach us how to mix our own cocktails at home! How awesome does a Maelstrom Margarita sound?? Maelstrom Margarita at La Cava del Tequila And the live stream this evening will feature a special guest! Bertha González Nieves, the co-founder and CEO of Casa Dragones tequila will be in the house! ©La Cava del Tequila Casa Dragones is an independent, small-batch tequila producer, and having their CEO on the live stream will add even more expertise to the lesson! La Cava del Tequila If you’d like to brush up on your cocktail crafting skills and add a new recipe to your rotation, tune in to the live stream on La Cava del Tequila’s Instagram at 7:00 PM EST tonight! Cheers, everyone! For more information on live performances by some of your favorite Disney personalities, click here! What is your favorite margarita from La Cava del Tequila? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: News! La Cava del Tequila’s Margarita Mondays…and more 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival News: Menu for Mexico Tequila Tasting Lunch News! Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion Celebrates Cinco de Mayo with Special Menu Items View the full article

We’ve been taking you with us through our DFB Snack Madness journey! And, while the tournament’s first round was very interesting, the second and third rounds are totally surprising. We just have two more rounds, friends, so make sure to play along! Corn Dog Nuggets and Cheese We are honestly SHOCKED to see some of the picks that won out. This competition has really gotten us invested in defending the honor of our favorite Disney eats and treats!! We’re going to take you round by round so you can see how the showdown has evolved!! Round Two The Dole Whip still reigns supreme, beating the beloved Disney Churros. But, we are BLINDSIDED that the Mickey Oreo Cheesecake has bumped the Les Halles Napoleon to the side! Umm, we can’t help but mourn for one of our favorite French patisseries!! The madness doesn’t stop there, friends… Round Two Results! We aren’t totally surprised that the Pulled Pork Mac n’ Cheese has taken down the Night Blossom (who doesn’t love some good mac??)… Macaroni & Cheese with Pulled Pork …but we are on the EDGE OF OUR SEATS wondering who will win the ultimate Num Num Cookie and Zebra Domes battle?! They’ve breezed by their Red Velvet Whoopie Pie and Cheshire Cat Tail contenders (we’re pretty taken aback by this one too, you guys) now that they have both moved forward in the competition. Zebra Domes With these twists and turns, we wonder if the delicious Gideon’s Bakehouse Cookie will become a winner, or if it will fall short of the iconic Mickey Ice Cream Bar… Gideon’s Cookies — Chocolate Chip Well, that’s why we’re taking you with us to ROUND THREE of the ultimate snack match! Round Three The tension is SO REAL, everybody! These results have completely blown our minds. Disney Popcorn over Pulled Pork Fries?! The Mickey Ice Cream Bar over a Gideon’s Bakehouse Cookie??!! It’s clear many of you love the classics!! Round Three Results! We cannot wait to see what you guys choose for Round Four since we’ve got some HEAVY competition going. We’ve got a classic showdown between the Dole Whip and Mickey’s Ice Cream Bar (who else is nervous here?)… Dole Whip …plus a sweet vs. salty contest between Mickey Beignets and Disney Popcorn!! Mickey Beignets Will that chocolatey Num Num Cookie goodness be enough to match up against a hot Funnel Cake? Or, will we have to say goodbye to the delicious treat? There’s only one way to found out… Jack Jack’s Num Num Cookie If you haven’t printed out your Snack Madness bracket yet, click here! …it’s time to draft your round four picks! After you choose your snacks, you can follow along with us here and on our Instagram account @DisneyFoodBlog to see what choices will be the ultimate WINNERS! Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich We want all those sweet deets on what you hope will win! Be sure to share pics of your brackets with the hashtag #DFBSnackMadness so we can see your selections for the current round. We’ll continue letting YOU choose what snacks make it to the next segment through a series of polls every day! The next round kicks off TONIGHT on Instagram! Good luck and remember: The past can hurt, but you can either run from it, or learn from it. So, make your choices, friends!! Are you shocked by the Snack Madness results? What other competitions would you like to see on DFB? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: DFB Video: Disney Parks Around the World Close, New Lands Get Opening Dates & Mulan Merch Comes to shopDisney! NEWS: Grab A FREE Cupcake with This Limited Time Offer in Disney World and Disneyland! Wait Til You See The SNACKS For Pixar Nite in Disney California Adventure! View the full article

Both Disneyland and Disney World recently announced that they will remain closed “until further notice.” Now, more Disney properties are following suit. Aulani © Disney Since all of the Disney parks around the globe are currently closed, we weren’t surprised to see other Disney properties taking similar action. Disney Vacation Club properties are now facing an extended closure as well. For the safety of both guests and Cast Members, Disney has announced that all Disney Vacation Club properties will remain closed “until further notice.” This includes Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort, and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa. ©Disney According to Disney, until a decision is made regarding when the resorts will reopen, all reservations scheduled to arrive during the closure will be automatically cancelled by Disney Vacation Club on a week-by-week basis. Members do not need to cancel the reservation online or contact Member Services. Disney’s Vero Beach Resort ©Disney Given the unusual circumstances, Disney Vacation Club has also adopted a temporary cancellation policy. This policy lifts the close-in reservation cancellation restrictions and guests will receive their points back as Vacation Points or Reservation Points without points being placed into holding. Any Borrowed Points returned due to cancellation will not be placed in holding and will be returned to the Use Year they were borrowed from. Mickey and Minnie Musubi at Aulani However, some existing cancellation rules will still apply. According to Disney, the following rules are still in place: “Reservation Points returned due to a cancellation of a Disney Collection Resort reservation will be returned as Reservation Points to the current Use Year. Reservations made with points Banked from the previous Use Year will be returned as Banked Points to the current Use Year. One-time use Points will be returned to the current Use Year as one-time use Points.” Disney Vacation Club Sales Kiosk A burning question on the minds of many DVC Members is what will happen if they cancel a reservation made with Points that are set to expire soon. At this time, Disney is assessing the banking and expiration policy and the use of Points affected by the closures. The company is considering the impact any changes could have on future availability. A decision will be made when Disney has a clearer picture of the full impact of the closures. ©Disney Disney anticipates a high call volume in the coming days, so they suggest Members visit the Disney Vacation Club website for general questions. If guests do need assistance with existing reservations, they can call Member Services at (800) 800-9800. We will continue to keep an eye out for any updates regarding the Disney Vacation Club closures and related policies, so stay tuned! For more information about the impact of the closures at Disney parks and properties, click here! Do you have an upcoming Disney Vacation Club reservation that could be impacted by the closures? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Grocery Delivery Available at Disney Vacation Club Resorts NEWS! Disney’s Hilton Head Resort CLOSES for Hurricane Dorian NEWS: Temporary Closure Announced for Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort View the full article

Disney has been doing everything they can to protect its Cast and Crew Members by continuing to pay them while the parks are closed. Chicken Guy! Buuut, Disney isn’t the only one trying to help out! Guy Fieri, one of the founders of Chicken Guy! in Disney Springs (with all those AH-MAZING sauces and chicken tenders), is also teaming up with other organizations to provide relief to people in need during this time. According to People Magazine, Guy Fieri has partnered with the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation to grant $500 checks to restaurant workers. ©Chicken Guy As a part of the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, workers who have worked in the restaurant industry for at least 90 days, depend on these jobs as a primary source of income, and have either seen lost wages or unemployment on or after March 10th qualify to apply for the one-time grant. ©RERF Starting April 2nd, restaurant workers can apply for the checks that will be released on a first-come, first-serve basis. Business like PepsiCo, UberEats, and more have donated to the fund to continue showing their support. You can also donate to the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund here! We think this is an incredible way to help others during this difficult time (and we love Guy Fieri even more for it). Want to know the other ways the Disney Parks are giving back to the community? Check out their food donations here! Are you a restaurant worker who’s been affected by the closures? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Disney News This Week: ALL the News and Updates from the Most Magical Places on Earth! NEWS: Grab A FREE Cupcake with This Limited Time Offer in Disney World and Disneyland! This Is Not A Drill! You Can Get a FREE Treat at Disney Sprinkles Locations Through the End of the Month! View the full article

Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto has been #OntheList for us here at DFB since it first opened at the Polynesian Resort. Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto And, while there are plenty of great places to grab a drink or two in Disney World, the Grog Grotto is unique with its eclectic atmosphere, delicious eats, and exotic drinks (like the Nautilus). Although it’s one of the best spots to relax or party in Disney World, now you can celebrate Grog Grotto style at home with this live stream! TODAY, March 28th, is the 5th anniversary of Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at the Polynesian Resort (!!!). Although we’re all stuck at home and can’t go grab an Uh-Oa! together, the Disney Imagineers who helped bring the restaurant to life will be doing a commemorative live stream instead! ©Trader Brandon At 6 PM EST on Trader Brandon’s Instagram, an entire crew of Imagineers will talk about how the Grog Grotto was created and feature a few special guests too. Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto We don’t know about you, but we’re already getting our tropical drinks ready for tonight!! Check out the FULL list of the performances and live streams that Disney celebrities are doing from home here! What’s your favorite drink from Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: DFB Video: Can You Believe They Do This in Disney World?! DFB Video: Latest Disney Parks News — CEO Shakeup, HUGE Refurb News, and MORE! DFB Video: Disney Parks Around the World Close, New Lands Get Opening Dates & Mulan Merch Comes to shopDisney! View the full article

Even though we were pretty bummed when Disney World and Disneyland recently extended their temporary closures, we were hoping maybe some good news might come out of it for Annual Passholders. Main Street, U.S.A. You see, recently Universal Studios also announced they were postponing their reopening, but they told their Annual Passholders monthly payments were being deferred. We were wondering if something similar would happen for Disney’s Annual Passholders, too! Buuuut so far, nothing’s changed for Disney World or Disneyland AP members. As it stands, Annual Passholders on monthly plans are still expected to pay for their monthly payments, but we’d really like to see Disney address this situation. Casey’s Corner at Magic Kingdom Luckily, both Disney World and Disneyland have announced they’ll be extending their annual memberships for however many days the parks remain closed. So, the money isn’t wasted by any means, but it can be difficult for families to continue making payments in the midst of the current events for parks they can’t visit right now. Well keep you posted just in case anything changes, but for now, you better keep making those monthly payments! Click here to learn more about how the Disney parks across the world are handling this current situation here What other changes would you like to see to the Annual Passholder program during these closures? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: The Stars are Out for the 2019 Disney World Holiday Specials Filming NOW at Disney World! News! The Change in Leadership Has Begun At Both Walt Disney World and Disneyland! Here Are ALL of the Refurbishment Closures in Disney World AND Disneyland Next Week! View the full article

Welcome back, DFB friends! We’re here with another DFB Video, and today we’re talking about ALL the Disney Parks news happening right now! Disneyland Main Entrance – Closed Due to Coronavirus While you might be stuck at home during the parks’ closure, we’re here to keep you up-to-date on when the parks are slated to reopen AND the best ways to keep yourself entertained during this time! We’re talking about closure extensions in Disney World and Disneyland, stay-at-home orders, Disneyland summer hotel discounts, live performances from Disney celebrities, and MORE! So, what are you waiting for?? Check out the all the Disney Parks news in our latest DFB Video! And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our DFB YouTube Channel! 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: What are you looking forward to doing the most when the parks open back up? Related posts: DFB Video: Latest Disney Parks News — CEO Shakeup, HUGE Refurb News, and MORE! DFB Video: Disney Parks Around the World Close, New Lands Get Opening Dates & Mulan Merch Comes to shopDisney! DFB Video: Bizarre Disney Honeymoon Stories… and Tips We Learned From Them! View the full article

We’re ready for Mulan to bring honor to us all when the new film hits the big screens soon! The Official Mulan Poster ©Walt Disney Studios Although we have been LOVING the entire line of live action merchandise (and the shades from the ColourPop collection), this collector’s item might be the must-have Mulan gift for your family and friends! What do we want? A girl worth fighting for! And, you’re going to want to pick up the Limited Edition Mulan Doll ASAP! ©shopDisney Mulan looks fierce like a warrior and as beautiful as a flower that blooms in adversity… ©shopDisney …accompanied by the colorful phoenix (who will be replacing Mushu in the film as Mulan’s protector)! ©shopDisney We can’t wait to see what happens in the new movie!! You can get the Live Action Mulan Doll for $129.99 on shopDisney. Buuut, you might want to be as swift as a coursing river to grab it since there are only a limited amount available! ©shopDisney While we aren’t sure when Mulan will be coming to theaters, we’d love to see it come to Disney+ soon like Onward! Looking forward to summer? We’ve got all the Disney merchandise you need for sunny days here! Are you excited for the new live action Mulan film? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Take a Trip in Style With This NEW Disney Travel Collection! FINALLY! The Best Phone Case EVER (imho) Is On Its Way To Disney Parks! Look as Classic as Mickey and Minnie with these NEW Loungefly Backpacks! View the full article

On March 27, Disney officials announced that Disneyland Resort will remain closed until “further notice.” Disneyland Main Entrance Disney hasn’t provided a timeline for when they expect Disneyland to reopen, but they have stated that Cast Members will continue to be paid through April 18th. If you’re planning on cancelling your Disneyland vacation, you don’t have to wait on the phone! When Disneyland first announced the closure through the end of March, the only way for guests to refund or change their hotel reservation was by calling The Walt Disney Travel Company at (714) 520-5050. Disneyland Hotel But now, guests can cancel reservations for select Disneyland Resort hotel rooms and Walt Disney Travel Company vacation packages online. ©Disney At this time, only guests with a check-in date between March 27th, 2020 and March 31st, 2020 are able to cancel online. However, since Disneyland just announced the extension of the closure today, online cancellations might end up being offered for a larger window of expiration dates. ©Disney At this time, tickets will be valid through their stated expiration date. Sleeping Beauty Castle To cancel their hotel reservation online, guests can visit the Disneyland website here. We’ll continue to provide updates on any future announcements about the Disneyland closure, so stay tuned! For more information on the Disneyland Resort closure, check out what Disney will refund HERE! Have your Disneyland travel plans been affected by the closure? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Disneyland Hotels Offer Trick or Treating and Halloween Decor 2020 Disneyland Hotel Packages Are NOW Available for Booking! Disneyland Hotel Guests Can Enjoy This Exclusive Halloween Event — AND THERE’S FREE CANDY!!! View the full article

Greetings from Epcot! Spaceship Earth This park is an eating PARADISE! From Outdoor Kitchens at Epcot’s renowned festivals to fine dining at Epcot’s newest signature restaurant, Takumi-Tei, there is something to please any palette. And amidst all of this gourmet delicious-ness is a (somewhat) hidden character dining gem — Garden Grill! Garden Grill Sign We recently snagged an early reservation and headed in for a tasty breakfast with Chip, Dale, Mickey, and Pluto. Would it still stack up as one of our favorite character meals? Read on to find out! Atmosphere: Garden Grill Restaurant is located on the top floor of the Land pavilion — aka the building with Soarin’. Garden Grill Restaurant The check-in podium is located to the left of the circular restaurant, and they’ll provide you a buzzer to wait for your turn. Garden Grill Tables While there, we recommend requesting a lower level table –you’ll see why in a moment! There’s no guarantee they can accommodate, but it’s always good to ask. Table Setting Garden Grill has a mix of booths and tables, with booths being on the bottom level and tables primarily being on the top level of the restaurant. Booth — with a hidden Mickey! The real reason the lower level seating is superior, is because this restaurant slowly rotates throughout your meal, and provides you a bird’s eye view of Living with the Land! Living with the Land – Prairie Scene It’s an extra layer of fun and entertainment to be able to gaze down into one of Epcot’s classic attractions as you slowly spin and enjoy your meal! Farmhouse Scene in Living with the Land We highly recommend riding that attraction before or after your meal — especially since Farmer Mickey got a lot of his ingredients from the greenhouses you ride through! And speaking of Farmer Mickey… Characters: The meal at Garden Grill is officially called “Chip n’ Dale’s Harvest Feast” so naturally those crazy chipmunks are coming to your table! Chip This is the only character meal that features these two, so if they are on your must-meet list, this is a great meal to reserve. (And they should be on your must-meet list — they are so much fun!) Dale Joining the ‘munks is Pluto, in the cutest li’l bandana. Pluto And don’t forget Farmer Mickey! He’s joining you at your table looking so-adorable-I-could-cry in his overalls and flannel. Farmer Mickey One of the best parts of any character meal is, of course, the characters, and here they are exceptional. Every time we’ve been they are lots of fun, and in this relaxed atmosphere, they take their time with each family. I’ve never felt rushed! Plus, thanks to the easy circular layout of the restaurant, you may get to see them more than once in your meal! Eats: Garden Grill is served family-style, meaning everything comes to your table to be shared among everyone in your group. It makes it a lot easier if you have little ones than a buffet, so you don’t have to worry about getting up and down to get food. Plus — you’re never going to miss the characters at your table when the eats come to you. It’s still an all-you-care-to-enjoy meal, so if you’d love more waffles, just let your server know. They’re happy to bring more! Passion Fruit Orange Guava Juice Included with the cost of the meal is a standard beverage such as juice (including the legendary POG juice!), coffee, tea, and soda. Coffee There’s also a specialty beverage menu, should you choose to add alcohol or a kid’s character cup for an additional charge. Specialty Beverage Menu Remember, if you’re on the Disney Dining Plan you can add an alcoholic beverage to your meal as part of the plan. Specialty Beverage Menu For food, the first item we were brought was a big bowl of fresh fruit (some of this was actually grown in the Land greenhouses!). Fresh Fruit This was simple and delicious! All the fruit was perfectly ripe and naturally sweet. It may not be the most exciting food, but when you see the carby goodness headed your way, you’ll be glad for something fresh! Sticky Buns We were also given Chip & Dale’s sticky buns! Just look at this mound of cinammony-bready-frosting covered goodness. Sticky Buns This was excellent — one of the best sticky buns I’ve had at Disney in recent memory. There isn’t anything overwhelming unique about it (like the Pineapple Coconut Sticky Bun at ‘Ohana), but it’s got a wonderful icing to bun ratio, and it’s delightfully moist and chewy. Breakfast Skillet Shortly after the arrival of the sweets, our server brought us our tasty Breakfast skillet! We loved that it’s literally served in the frying pan — it makes it easy to dole it out among the table. Plus, it’s cute! So what kind of breakfast delights did our skillet hold? We got plenty of crispy bacon… Bacon …scrambled eggs… Scrambled Eggs …pork sausage… Sausage Links …tater tots (or as Disney calls them: Potato Barrels)… Potato Barrels …and of course, the breakfast staple: Mickey Waffles. Mickey Waffles While these aren’t unusual or adventurous options, each item was cooked very well! That’s not always easy to do when mass-cooking eggs. You’re should be able to delight everyone in the family — especially the kids — with these classic breakfast foods. Accompanying the skillet, we had a variety of sauces and condiments. Syrup No waffle is complete without some tasty syrup! But we were also given a few other options as well. Our server brought us ketchup (a must for kids and their tater tots), chocolate sauce, and homemade salsa. Sauces The salsa was fantastic — tons of flavor and it tasted really fresh. Which it should — our server confirmed it was house-made with tomatoes and herbs from the Epcot Greenhouses! It wasn’t overwhelmingly hot, but there was a perfect balance of herbs and spices with the sweet tomato. Seriously it was so good, if they sold it, I’d buy it to bring home. We highly recommend putting this on your scrambled eggs! Salsa The Chocolate Sauce was a welcomed surprise addition to the meal! It was perfect atop our Mickey Waffles — pro tip add a few of those fresh strawberries on there too. You won’t regret it! Chocolate Sauce Overall, the food was really good! Like we said, it’s nothing too adventurous but it’s all well prepared. The tater tots were crispy, the eggs where creamy, the bacon was thick, and the sausage was flavorful. You can’t ask for better than that! Breakfast Skillet Overall: Garden Grill continues to be a great option for a character meal in Walt Disney World. The food is consistently delicious, at any time of day. (Read a recent dinner review here!) The characters are so cute and so fun — while there may not be as many as say, Chef Mickey’s, the laid back atmosphere allows quality, unrushed interactions. Plus, they may come to your table more than once! And the atmosphere is unique and entertaining in its own right — we just love looking down onto Living with the Land! If you’re looking for a quality meal, with fun characters, and a laid back feel, you can’t do better than Garden Grill. To learn more about character meals in Walt Disney World, check out this DFB Guide Video! And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our DFB YouTube Channel! 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! Have you been to the Garden Grill Restaurant? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! Related posts: Review: Chip N’ Dale’s NEW Harvest Feast Breakfast at Epcot’s Garden Grill Review: Dinner with a View at Epcot’s Garden Grill! Disney Recipe: Chip’s Sticky Bun Bake from Epcot’s Garden Grill View the full article

Looking for something to do this weekend? Why not cook up a Disney recipe, curl up on the couch in your pajamas and watch some Disney+? Disney+ Streaming Service ©Disney Ok, we know there might not be a ton of other options right now for weekend activities, but we have a bunch of fun suggestions for you and your family to watch (or re-watch!). Whether you’re missing the theme parks or looking for a something new to enjoy, we got you covered. If you want to take a look behind the scenes: Disney Insider © Disney From American Idol to the live-action remake of Mulan, Disney Insider dives behind the scenes and peels the curtain back at some of Disney’s biggest projects! The second episode of this multi-part series was just released, so check it out! The Imagineering Story The Imagineering Story ©Disney The Imagineering Story is one of our FAVORITE original series on Disney+. This six-part series debuted with the launch of Disney+ and shows a detailed behind-the-scenes look at the building of all Disney parks worldwide. If you’ve wanted to learn more about the parks and what Imagineers do to bring the theme parks to life, this is the perfect show for you! One Day at Disney One Day at Disney “Este Meza: Lucasfilm Events” ©Disney Announced at last year’s D23 Expo as a special project, this series and accompanying book showcases the day in the life of Disney Cast Members across the entire company. From the theme parks to television studios, One Day at Disney introduces us to the many “people who make the magic across the globe”! Check out even MORE ideas on what to watch on Disney+ to make you feel like you’re at the Disney parks! If you want to see the newest releases: Be Our Chef Brand new to Disney+ this weekend is the original series Be Our Chef. This cooking competition pits families against each other to create some amazing dishes, inspired by Disney films and characters! Their dishes are then judged by legendary Disney chefs! What better way to check out some new Disney+ content while getting some unique meal ideas to cook at home? Check out the trailer here!  Frozen 2 Maybe you’ve heard about a little film called Frozen 2 that was added to Disney+ three months ahead of its original home release date! Join Elsa, Anna, and the gang as they venture ‘into the unknown’! Frozen 2 ©Disney Stargirl This new original Disney+ film stars Grace VanderWaal and is based on the young adult novel of the same name! It was released on Disney+ a couple of weeks ago, so check it out if you haven’t already! Stargirl ©Disney If you need to empathize with someone stuck inside their home: Tangled Need a list of things to do while stuck at home? Take a few notes from Rapunzel (listen to ‘When Will My Life Begin’ and you’ll know exactly what we mean!) As someone who spent years stuck inside her tower, Rapunzel may know a thing or two about passing the time indoors. ©Disney The Hunchback of Notre Dame What we would give to have “one day out there”! This classic animated film may hit a little closer to home these days. Have you noticed you’ve started talking to your pets like they’re your only friends these days? Quasimodo knows what that’s like with his gang of gargoyles! © Disney What if after you watch ALL of those you need more suggestions? Re-watch The Mandalorian We’re in need of some extra joy these days. Why not get it in the form of Baby Yoda? Re-watch The Mandalorian and get your daily dose of “The Child”. You can thank us later. ©Disney Watch every Marvel movie! How about a massive Marvel movie marathon this weekend? Watch them in the order they were released or in chronological order according to the storyline – you decide! ©Marvel No matter what you decide to watch this weekend, we hope it brings some magic and joy to your household! Here are some more suggestions on what to catch on Disney+! What’s been your favorite Disney+ movie or series lately? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: The DFB Disney+ Movie Marathon: What To Watch While You’re Stuck at Home! What To Watch on Disney+ If You Want To Feel Like You’re In The Parks! ALL the New Content Coming to Disney+ Through January 14th! View the full article