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Looking to bring some Disney magic to your dinner table? Many recipes from the Disney parks are accessible via our recipe page as well as various cookbooks that you can purchase online! Minnie Mouse at Chef Mickey’s Today we’ll be highlighting three Disney recipes that you can make tonight with ingredients you most likely already have in your pantry! Fried Endorian Tip-Yip from Docking Bay 7 Yes! You can easily re-create a dish from Galaxy’s Edge! The Fried Endorian Tip-Yip is a popular dish at Docking Bay 7, and it can be made at home with staple ingredients. Fried Endorian Tip Yip If you don’t want to deep fry your chicken, you can easily pan fry or bake the chicken for a near-identical taste and texture! If you wish to try baking in the oven, batter like normal and then bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until the juices run clear. Fried Endorian Tip Yip Recipe You can see the FULL Fried Endorian Tip Yip recipe here! Macaroni and Cheese from Jiko Jiko’s beloved macaroni and cheese has been a standout menu item for years. Luckily, it’s one of the easiest recipes to re-create at home! Filet and Mac and Cheese at Jiko (Mac and Cheese can be ordered by request) This is also an easy recipe to substitute with whatever cheese you happen to have at home! Serves 4 to 6 Ingredients: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 1/2 cups whole milk 8 ounces shredded Italian four-cheese blend (such as mozzarella, asiago, fontina and provolone) 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 pound elbow macaroni, cooked and kept warm Instructions: 1. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour, stirring until combined. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes, or until golden (do not let brown). 2. Add milk to butter mixture, whisking until completely smooth and no lumps remain. 3. Simmer mixture, stirring frequently, until sauce coats the back of a spoon, 5 to 8 minutes. 4. Add cheese to saucepan in batches, stirring until completely melted. Add salt and pepper, stirring to combine. 5. Place cooked macaroni in a large bowl. Add cheese sauce, stirring to combine. Serve immediately. Mousse au Chocolat from Boulangerie Patisserie Les Halles And finally, dessert! Bring a little bit of Epcot into your home with the chocolate mousse from Les Halles! Mouse au Chocolat This recipe calls for a double-boiler, which you can easily DIY with two pots you already have in your cupboard! Yield: Approximately 3 cups Ingredients: 5 ounces semi-sweet chocolate 2 egg yolks, lightly beaten 1/4 cup heavy cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 egg whites 1/4 cup sugar Instructions: 1. Melt chocolate in a double boiler over warm water. Remove from heat. 2. Combine egg yolks and cream and gradually add chocolate, stirring rapidly. Add vanilla extract. 3. Beat egg whites with sugar until stiff peaks form. 4. Gently fold egg whites into chocolate mixture. Spoon mousse into a decorative mold or individual serving glasses and chill until firm (about 2 hours). You can see our FULL list of Disney recipes you can make at home here! What’s your favorite Disney dish to re-create at home? Also let us know in the comments if you try any of these recipes out! Related posts: Disney World Mac and Cheese Gallery Will Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Impact The Epcot Food And Wine Festival? How To Get Your Hands on the Starbucks “You Are Here” Disney Parks Mugs WITHOUT Actually Visiting the Parks! View the full article

Cirque de Soleil Entertainment Group has just made the decision to postpone all future performances of Drawn to Life indefinitely. ©Disney This action comes at a time of much uncertainty when many organizations and businesses are having to choose how to navigate the escalation of COVID-19 in the United States. According to the Cirque de Soleil officials, they are acting under the most recent advisements made by the World Health Organization and CDC. “From the very beginning of the new coronavirus outbreak, the Group took rigorous measures to protect its work teams and the public. Our priority has always been, and remains, the health and safety of our artists, our partners, our employees, and our audiences. We will continue to monitor and assess the situation to determine when the show previews will start.” Drawn to Life If you’ve already purchased tickets to attend a performance of Cirque de Soliel’s new show in Disney Springs, they’ve stated you, “will be contacted by [your] point of sale.” We’ll continue to look for updates regarding when shows will be resuming, but for the meantime, you can check for information about all Cirque du Soleil shows by visiting cirquedusoleil.com. For any questions you might have about performances including Drawn to Life, you can contact Cirque du Soleil directly at lasvegas.customerservice@cirquedusoleil.com. Wondering what’s open and closed in Disney World? We have all the answers you need here. Related posts: News! AMC Theatres Are Now Lowering Guest Capacity at Movie Showings! The Paella Block Party in Disney World Is Getting Rescheduled! Will Disney World Really Re-open April 1st? View the full article

As you know, Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort have begun their temporary closures as part of the efforts to mitigate the effects of the Coronavirus. ©Disney Last week, Disney announced that the company is partnering — as it has done for many years in various ways — with Second Harvest Food Bank to distribute Disney’s donation of excess food during the closures in order to help serve local communities in Central Florida and in Orange County. Walt Disney World cast members joined the Distribution Services team of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida today. This team oversees the collection and delivery of donations to the community where extra food inventory includes fresh salads, greens and “expertly cooked hot items.” ©Disney Tajiana Ancora-Brown, Director of External Affairs at Walt Disney World Resort shares: “These donations would not be possible without the dedication of cast members behind the scenes who collect, sort and distribute every item to ensure it’s delivered with the highest level of freshness, keeping food safety top of mind.” She also states, “We feel an immense sense of pride and excitement every time we see the Disney Harvest truck making deliveries in the community, and we’re so grateful for the team that makes these donations happen.” ©Disney Food donations began over the weekend at Disneyland Resort. Donated food included excess inventory of dairy, fruit, vegetables, and packaged goods along with banquet meals. Second Harvest Food Bank quickly distributed the food to pantries and food distribution sites in Orange County. ©Disney Harald Hermann is the CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. He shared: “We are deeply grateful to Disneyland Resort for their generous donation of food.” ©Disney “Donations of food, especially shelf-stable food, will be critical in the days and weeks ahead to serve those in our community impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.” This is not the first time Disney has partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank. As part of a commitment to reduce food waste, unserved food from select locations is donated to Second Harvest Food Bank on a regular basis. In fact, over 1.2 million meals are provided to the resorts local Second Harvest Food Bank each year. ©Disney Disney also contributes monetary donations, and Disney cast members donate time collecting, sorting and distributing food donations through the Disney VoluntEARS program. You can see a bit of the efforts in action through the video from Disney by clicking here to visit the Disney Parks YouTube channel. We here at DFB have been tracking the steps that Disney has taken around the parks to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. You can learn more about that here. Related posts: News! Walt Disney World To Donate Excess Food During Temporary Closure Due to Coronavirus Concerns News! Disneyland Will Be Donating Its Excess Food During Coronavirus Closure Worried About Losing Your Disney Vacation Club Points with the Coronavirus Outbreak? We Have All the Details You Need to Know! View the full article

Not too long ago, we told you March’s new Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction collection will be launching online in just a few days! ©Disney And while this weekend you’ll be Mad as a Hatter with the new Alice in Wonderland series, we’ve just snuck a peek at April’s theme! If you’re a fan of the “Happiest Cruise to Ever Set Sail”, get ready to squeal with excitement! April’s collection is centered around one of our favorite classic Disney attractions of all time — “it’s a small world!” it’s a small world Just like with the other previously-released series, this new Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction line of products will include a Minnie Plush, Minnie Ears, Mug, Pin Set — and look! Is that a Fanny Pack?!? It SURE IS! ©Disney The new Minnie Mouse “it’s a small world” series will be online starting April 18th at 7AM pacific, so look for it then! And if you’re looking for a little Mary Blair inspo to tide you over until the third Saturday of April, check out the new “it’s a small world”-themed popcorn boxes and paper cups we spotted recently at Disney World here! Which Loungefly style do you prefer, backpack or fanny pack? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Check This Out! Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction Collection Will Include Special Items For Pin Collectors! New Monthly Disney Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction Collection Is Launching SOON! A Pirates Life for Me! We Just Got a Peek at What the February Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction Will Look Like! View the full article

Disney has announced that Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort in South Carolina will close at 5:00 PM on Friday, March 20th through the end of the month. ©Disney This temporary closure is in keeping with the Walt Disney World Resort hotels and Disney’s Vero Beach Resort in Florida, which will also close at 5:00 PM on Friday as part of the precautionary measures in light of concerns over the Coronavirus. Screenshot from Disney’s Beach Resorts website The 5:00 PM closure on Friday, specific to Resort hotels, is provided to give guests time to make necessary travel arrangements. In Walt Disney World, the Resort’s four theme parks and two water parks are already closed, as are all Disney owned and operated locations in Disney Springs. You can see a full, continuously updated list of what remains open and what is closed around Walt Disney World by clicking here. We here at DFB have been tracking the steps that Disney has taken around the parks to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. You can learn more about that here. Related posts: Worried About Losing Your Disney Vacation Club Points with the Coronavirus Outbreak? We Have All the Details You Need to Know! DFB Video: Disney Parks Around the World Close, New Lands Get Opening Dates & Mulan Merch Comes to shopDisney! NEWS: Coronavirus Concerns Bring Changes to Character Meals at Disney World Resort Hotels View the full article

Are you working from home this week? Do you have kids that are now attending school at home? A lot of us are experiencing this new normal and it can be difficult to fill the sudden hours of time you have at your disposal! Magic Kingdom That’s where we would like to come in! Let us keep you and your family entertained with TEN DFB Guide videos! The 50 Greatest Disney World Snacks! Grab a snack for this video because it’s a long one! We talk about FIFTY (yes, fifty!) Disney World eats. You might want to have a pen and paper ready for some serious note-taking! The 13 Weirdest Things We’ve Eaten in Disney World (And Some Were REALLY GOOD)! Speaking of snacks, we’ve also tried a bunch of eats that are iconic in a different kind of way. From drinks that make your mouth go numb to BUGS, Disney has no shortage of bizarre foods! 12 Weird Disney World Rules, and Why They Exist! This video covers all those odd rules that you may or may not have known about when it comes to Disney World! For example, did you know that Mickey Mouse can’t hold your child? Here are a dozen weird rules (and why they exist!). The Secrets Behind Disney World’s Most Mind-Blowing Rides (and Two More That Are Coming Soon)! Ever wonder how Disney creates the magic behind some of their most popular attractions? A fair warning for those who like keeping the mystery in Disney’s magic: we peek behind the curtain a little in this video! 26 Disney World Eats For the Cheese Obsessed Traveler We’ll be honest, this is a video we keep coming back to over and over because, well, we’re obsessed with cheese! And who knows, maybe you can even get some fun cheese-inspired meal ideas from this video! How to Beat Your Best Score — Disney Ride Tips and Challenges for the Competitive Traveler! This is a great video to research before your next trip to Disney World! When those gates open up again, you’re going to want to be prepared to tackle the parks like a pro! Whether you want the highest score on Toy Story Midway Mania, or you want to build the PERFECT car on Test Track, this video is your ultimate resource for ride tips and more! 25 Fun Facts About Disney World That You Probably Didn’t Know! We all like to think of ourselves as Disney World experts, right? Disney World is full of facts that we bet you didn’t know! For example, did you know that Disney World home to the largest collection of South African wines outside of Africa? And we all know about the MASSIVE aquarium in Epcot, right? But did you know that the dolphins in that aquarium eat the same high-quality fish as guests dining at Coral Reef? Check out some more fun facts in this video! Things No One Will Tell You That You Can Do at Disney World (But We Will)! This video is filled with fun tips for making your next Disney World vacation truly unique and special! From special in-park happenings to free events at the resorts, this video is a great tool for fun activities to keep in mind! 7 Risks I’m Willing To Take in Disney World (And One I’m NOT)! Thinking of braving the Christmas and New Years’ crowds? Or perhaps you want to score discounts on Disney park merchandise? This video is all about what we might consider ‘risky behavior’ when it comes to planning your Disney World vacation. You’ll find all sorts of tips and tricks on what to keep in mind when it comes to going against conventional wisdom! 37 Hidden Secrets in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! We’re wrapping up our list by showing some love to our beloved Magic Kingdom. This park is full of hidden secrets that you’ll definitely impress your friends with the next time you visit! Want to stay up to date on the latest news from Disney Food Blog? Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter! What Disney-related videos can you watch over and over again? Are they ride-thru videos? Parades or fireworks spectaculars? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Disneyland Paris to Close This Saturday Until Further Notice Due to Coronavirus Concerns Disney Cruise Line Refund Information For Sailings Affected By Coronavirus Cancellations Will Disney World Really Re-open April 1st? View the full article

As part of the efforts to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus, new policies are being put in to effect immediately in Orlando and throughout the state of Florida with the goal of reducing the number of people gathering in bars and restaurants. New Policies Being Put Into Place for Restaurants, Bars The Orlando Sentinel reports that Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis ordered that bars and nightclubs throughout the state will be closed for 30 days. Additionally, Governor DeSantis “called for restaurants to operate at a maximum of 50% capacity with at least 6 feet between tables.” Moments prior to the announcement by DeSantis this morning, the Orlando Sentinel also reports that Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced “that bars would be prohibited from serving drinks on-site” through the end of March. Mayor Dyer’s order includes restaurants and hotels as well as bars nightclubs. Sparkling Wine Note that other steps are being taken in the state outside of the restaurant world. For instance, though Florida’s beaches are not closed, DeSantis states that gatherings of people on the beach should be limited to 10 people. For readers looking for information on Disney parks and resorts, specifically, you can find more information by clicking below. We here at DFB have been tracking the steps that Disney has taken around the parks to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. You can learn more about that here. Source: Orlando Sentinel Related posts: DFB Video: Disney Parks Around the World Close, New Lands Get Opening Dates & Mulan Merch Comes to shopDisney! Worried About Losing Your Disney Vacation Club Points with the Coronavirus Outbreak? We Have All the Details You Need to Know! The Paella Block Party in Disney World Is Getting Rescheduled! View the full article

Get in, everybody! We’re going on a virtual shopping ADVENTURE! Onward Photo-Op That’s ’cause there’s a bunch of new adorable Cakeworthy Onward stuff online that you need to know about pronto! If you want to look at magical as a unicorn, we think this new Onward Dress for $47.95 would do the job nicely! It’s a gorgeous shade of violet and the dress is studded with little designs of unicorns all over it! ©Cakeworthy Click here to take a closer look at the Cakeworthy Onward Dress! This cute Onward Flannel Shirt for $49.99 would be perfect to throw on before running to the grocery store. The back says “It’s Not a Quest, It’s a Strange Errand” and we couldn’t agree with it more! ©Cakeworthy Snag the Cakeworthy Onward Flannel Shirt HERE! Cakeworthy’s new Onward Hat for $24.95 is also worthy of our admiration! It’s got a big letter “Q” on its front which stands for quest! After all, we can’t think of many other words that start with the letter “Q”! Maybe you could tell your kiddos it means “Quiet”! ©Cakeworthy Diggin’ the Onward Hat? Buy it HERE! And to keep all your money nice and secure, check out this new Onward Wallet for $24.95! We love how it looks just like Guinevere’s personalized license plate from New Mushroomton! LOVE! ©Cakeworthy Pick up the Onward Wallet here! While you’re shopping on Cakeworthy today, be sure to check out their other Disney merch including Star Wars and Muppet-themed products! And if you know of a couple of Disney lovers who are thinking about tying the knot soon, make sure you tell them about these amazing Disney engagement rings we also spotted online that are fit for a fairy tale princess! Have you seen Onward yet? Tell us who your favorite character is in the comments below! Related posts: Your ULTIMATE Guide to ALL the Holiday Merch Around the Disney Parks This Year! NEWS: Mickey’s Pantry In Disney Springs Has Closed to Make Way for a Spice and Tea Exchange Expansion! Minnie Mouse Fans NEED to See These New “Positively Minnie” Accessories! View the full article

As you may have seen earlier on Good Morning America, Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort started donations of surplus food to help the local communities we call home during our temporary closures. Since making the important decisions to close Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts through the end of the month, our focus has been on the well-being of our cast members, guests, families – and of course, local communities. Today, Walt Disney World Resort cast members joined the Distribution Services team that oversees collection and delivery of donations to help the community and share surplus food inventory like fresh salads, greens and expertly cooked hot items with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. “These donations would not be possible without the dedication of cast members behind the scenes who collect, sort and distribute every item to ensure it’s delivered with the highest level of freshness, keeping food safety top of mind,” said Tajiana Ancora-Brown, director, External Affairs at Walt Disney World Resort. “We feel an immense sense of pride and excitement every time we see the Disney Harvest truck making deliveries in the community, and we’re so grateful for the team that makes these donations happen.” At Disneyland Resort, food donations actually started over the weekend. While closely following safety guidelines, excess inventory of dairy, fruit, vegetables, packaged goods and banquet meals were shared with Second Harvest Food Bank to be quickly moved out to pantries and food distribution sites throughout Orange County. “We are deeply grateful to Disneyland Resort for their generous donation of food,” said Harald Herrmann, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. “Donations of food, especially shelf-stable food, will be critical in the days and weeks ahead to serve those in our community impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.” Both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort have an ongoing commitment of reducing food waste, and unserved food from select locations is regularly donated to support those in need within the local community. Each year, the resorts donate over 1.2M meals to their local Second Harvest Food Bank as part of the ongoing food donation programs. Disney’s support of Second Harvest Food Bank doesn’t stop there – our longstanding support includes monetary donations and Disney VoluntEARS efforts, where cast members donate their time to collect, sort and distribute food donations. Keep checking the Disney Parks Blog for future updates. View the full article

These are trying times! Unprecedented really! Disney parks have closed before, but just for a day or so due to natural disasters and 9/11. Never like this! All we can do is try to keep in a good frame of mind and think about that next vacation, whenever it might be… In order to help […] The post Military Disney Tips Guidebooks On Sale appeared first on Military Disney Tips Blog. View the full article

The four Walt Disney World theme parks are temporarily closed as of today as part of the efforts to promote safety during the Coronavirus outbreak. However, there are various areas of the Resort that remain in operation in service of guests in these transitional days. Walt Disney World Entrance Please note, we will continue to update this post daily as various parts of the Resort begin their temporary closures. Here is an at-a-glance list of what remains open today, March 16, 2020. Walt Disney World Resort Hotels All Walt Disney World Resort hotels remain open today. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge At press time, Walt Disney World Resort hotels are still in operation through 5:00 PM on March 20, 2020. (Note that it is anticipated that the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel is planning to close its doors on March 17th, and remaining guests will be transferred to the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel.) The Resort restaurants also remain in operation, including Character Meals and dinner shows. However, Disney has shared that Character dining experiences may be modified this week. Disney’s Magical Express Disney’s Magical Express — which provides transportation to and from the Orlando International Airport — is still open and will remain in operation for Resort guests through March 20, 2020. Disney’s Magical Express Bus Disney Transportation Walt Disney World transportation options still in operation today are the Disney buses servicing Resort hotels and Disney Springs. Mickey Bus The Walt Disney World Resort Monorail is in operation transporting guests to Disney’s Grand Floridian, Contemporary, and Polynesian Village Resorts. (Please note, this loop is NOT currently stopping at the Magic Kingdom or the Transportation and Ticket Center.) Contemporary Monorail At press time, all Disney transportation will be suspended beginning the morning of Wednesday, March 18th. Disney Springs Disney has announced that all Disney owned and operated locations in Disney Springs will be temporarily closed starting tomorrow, March 17th. Independent tenants in Disney Springs, however, may make their own decisions regarding operations. Disney Springs Town Center We are taking a different approach in this section, as most locations in Disney Springs are still open today. So we are presenting a list below of which locations are already CLOSED in Disney Springs. Then we will focus on which stores and restaurants plan to be open tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17th, as of press time. Disney Springs Today — March 16, 2020 The following restaurants and stores are CLOSED as of today. Restaurants Jaleo Starbucks locations Stores Under Armour Stance Anthropologie MAC Melissa Kipling Coca Cola (including Rooftop Beverage Bar) Columbia Everything but Water Free People Lily Pultizer Love Pop Levi’s Origins Note that some locations may have shorter hours than usual this evening, including The Ganachery, which will close at 9:00 PM and City Works Eatery and Pour House which will close at 10:00 PM. Disney Springs Tomorrow — March 17, 2020 Though we will continue to update this post focusing on each present day, we do want to provide a list for you of locations in Disney Spring which plan to be OPEN TOMORROW, March 17th — as of press time — so guests can keep these options in mind. We do want to stress, however, that this list is very much subject to change and we will update with new information as it becomes available. (Also note that many locations will have modified hours.) Blaze Pizza Again, at this time, these are the restaurants and stores that are planning to be open tomorrow, March 17th: Restaurants and Food Kiosks Frontera Cocina Sprinkles Morimoto Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza Haagen-Dazs Sunshine Churros Planet Hollywood Erin Mckennas Earl of Sandwich 4 Rivers Cantina Stores Superdry Shore Kiehl’s Lacoste Zara Pandora (Note: the location is limiting store to a very small amount of people, 5-6 people at a time depending on how many stylists they have. One stylist per person.) Just Fun Socks Chapel Hats Pele Soccer Sugarboo Vera Bradley Johnny was Kate Spade Lucky Brand Tommy Bahama Art of Shaving Oakley Rustic Cuff Happy Hounds Lefty’s LEGO Volcom Again, we will continue to update this post daily to keep you updated on the latest on the operations throughout Walt Disney World Resort. As a reminder, Disney has stated that these measures are taken in “an abundance of caution” for the safety of all Walt Disney World guests and Cast Members. We here at DFB have been tracking the steps that Disney has taken around the parks to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. You can learn more about that here. Related posts: NEWS: Date Announced for Suspension of Disney Transportation in Walt Disney World Resort MagicBand Upgrades for Disney World Resort Guests and Annual Passholders Now Live on My Disney Experience Disney World Annual Pass Price Increases for Disney Vacation Club Members View the full article

In news not related to the Coronavirus pandemic, Ample Hills Creamery, one of our most beloved spots to enjoy hand-crafted ice creams at Disney World’s BoardWalk Inn, has had to make a very tough decision. Ice Cream Taco at Ample Hills Creamery The company which is based out of New York has just filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. If you’re anything like us (and we already know you are!), by now you’re probably thinking this day is already pretty crummy. Disney World is closing down, the world is going totally cray, and now one of our favorite ice cream joints is going AWAY?!? Inside Ample Hills Creamery But don’t panic! Chapter 11 bankruptcy is very different from Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The main difference is a debtor’s assets are sold off to pay the creditors in Chapter 7 bankruptcy whereas in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the debtor can negotiate with creditors to modify the terms of the loan without having to liquidate their assets. Ample Hills Creamery Ice Cream Flights And according to an Ample Hills Creamery spokesperson who talked to Eater, this bankruptcy is going to allow the company “to restructure and refocus” as it moves forward. Currently, Disney World’s Ample Hills Creamery is still open at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, however, according to its website, it will be closing at 5 PM on March 20th when the rest of Disney World’s resorts shut down for the remainder of the month. When the Disney World resorts reopen, we have no reason to suspect Ample Hills Creamery won’t also reopen at this time. But things can change, so we will continue to keep you posted. Ample Hills Creamery’s Website Whether or not this means we will still see an Ample Hills Creamery in Disney Springs or not, we’re not totally sure, but the page on the Walt Disney World website still says “coming soon.” We’ll continue to follow the story and let you know if and when we hear of any updates! What do you think of Ample Hill Creamery’s decision to file for bankruptcy? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Ample Hills Creamery Introduces Marvel-Inspired Ice Cream Flavors to Commemorate 80th Anniversary! Review! Breaking News: The Ice Cream Taco Has Arrived at Disney’s BoardWalk! Our FAVORITE New Disney Tacos Have Been Moved to the Secret Menu! View the full article

Earlier today we showed you what Magic Kingdom looks like now that the parks have temporarily closed until the end of March. Disney Springs Crowds But today, many of the Disney Springs shops and restaurants have remained open. Here’s a look at how Disney World’s entertainment district looked today around lunchtime. With the theme parks now closed and the Disney World resorts shutting down by Friday, travelers are being left with fewer and fewer options right now. Many of Disney Springs’ businesses will close temporarily starting tomorrow — and the list of locations seems to be growing longer by the minute! Disney Springs At Disney Springs’ AMC Theater, workers were busy taking down their Onward decorations. The movie theater will not be closing but is instead lowering its capacity. They’ll be selling only a select number of seats to enforce “social distancing” and they’re also enhancing their cleaning protocols. AMC Theater in Disney Springs Read more about AMC Theater’s new policy changes regarding Coronavirus here! And despite the Disney World parks being empty, parts of Disney Springs felt rather packed! Splitsville in Disney Springs The mid-day lunch rush seemed to be in full swing over at Blaze Pizza. Most of the tables outside appeared to be occupied. Blaze Pizza in Disney Springs Today Meanwhile, there was a line out the door for D-Luxe Burger which is set to close temporarily after this evening. D-Luxe Burger in Disney Springs The food trucks at Disney Springs were pumping out lunch orders including the newest addition to roll over, Hot Diggity Dog! Disney Springs Food Trucks Check out our FULL REVIEW of Hot Diggity Dog’s menu HERE! Disney Springs’ Starbucks locations have already closed, so Joffrey’s was the only place around slangin’ around coffee beans and lots of caffeine today! Disney Springs As we headed back to the parking garage, more guests were streaming in. We know a lot of them are wrapping up what must’ve been a pretty stressful vacation and we wish them a safe trip home! Disney Springs Parking Garage Escalators In fact, according to how full the parking garage was, it looked like a lot of folks were just trying to get in one last happy memory, be it a cheeseburger or slice of pizza before they hunkered down! Disney Springs Parking Garage All of the Disney owned and operated locations at Disney Springs are set to close tomorrow and many other locations are following suit. We will continue to keep you posted on which stores and restaurants choose to remain open and which will close temporarily. You can learn more about Coronavirus and travel to Disney World here. Related posts: What’s New in Disney Springs! Happy Hours, Star Wars Shoes AND New Bags, and Minnie Ears Ornaments! The 31 Things To Eat In Disney World If You’re Obsessed With CHEESE!! What’s New at Disney Springs! NEW Menus, Ball Gowns, and Spooky Merch! View the full article

As many of you may know, Universal Studios in both Orlando and Hollywood have decided to close their parks for the time being just like Disney World and Disneyland. Universal Studios Now, Universal has also announced that they will be closing their hotels and Universal CityWalk as well. Universal CityWalk will close at both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando at midnight tonight, March 16th. ©Universal Universal Orlando, like Disney World, will close their hotels at 5 PM on Friday, March 20th. They anticipate these closures to be through the end of the month. Looking for more information on the Coronavirus and travel to the Orlando or California area? Check out everything we know SO FAR here. Related posts: News: Joffrey’s Disney Coffee to be Sold in Grocery Stores Nationwide! Disney World’s Be Our Guest Restaurant Will See Brief Closure in August Which Grocery Stores Are Selling Disney Mickey Bars Ice Cream? We’ve Got A Growing List Here! View the full article

Whether or not you were you excited when Disney World unveiled a fourth tier option to its Disney Dining Plan recently, you probably have more questions NOW than ever before! Mickey Pretzel and Cinderella’s Castle You might be asking, “Will it save me money?”, “How do I know if it’s right for my family?” and maybe even, “What’s the catch?” But that’s why you’ve got us, your Disney food gurus! We spend a lot of time pondering life’s little questions, especially when it comes to the Disney Dining Plan! Up Close and Personal with Plaza Ice Cream Parlor’s All-American Sundae See what our DFB top picks for the best use of your Disney Dining Plan snack credits at Disney World are right now! Having spent A LOT of time studying the various Disney Dining Plan options, we totally get how confounding these various dining packages can be. And throwing a NEW one in the mix just makes things even more confusing! Jungle Skipper Canteen Sign But we want you to have ALL the information you could possibly ever want and NEED when it comes to deciding whether or not the Disney Dining Plan might be right for YOU! That’s why we’re sharing EVERYTHING we know so far about the new Disney Dining Plan Plus package. Turtle Brownie at Sunshine Seasons AND we’re gonna give you our unbiased opinion about whether or not we think it’s a good value! Click here to read our Disney Dining Plan FAQ! What’s included with Disney Dining Plan Plus? Disney Dining Plan Plus comes with 2 meal entitlements that you can use however you want — which we’ll get to more in a sec! This new package also includes 2 snack credits and a refillable resort mug, which come standard across the board for all the Disney Dining Plans. Disney Dining Plan Plus Read our Disney Dining Plan Plus FAQ here!!! So what’s the difference with the other Dining Plans?? That means the only major difference between this and the Standard Dining Plan is that this plan has more flexibility when it comes to making your quick service and table service selections. The choice is yours for how you choose to spend your meal entitlements. Sci-Fi Screen Check out our best Disney Dining Plan Quick Service Values HERE! This sort of flexibility was previously only offered on the Deluxe Dining Plan but that also costs a good bit more than the others and locked guests into 3 full meals per day that could be any combination of Table or Quick Service meals. The Quick Service Dining Plan, and Standard Disney Dining Plan, are more rigid, granting guests 2 Quick Service meals per day or 1 Quick Service and 1 Table Service meal per day, respectively. Wookiee Oatmeal Cookie Sandwich at Hollywood Studios And remember — whether or not you choose one of these Disney Dining Plans, you’ll still want a GAME PLAN for your Disney World meals! Since guests can make their dining reservations up to 180 days from their arrival date, many of Disney World’s most popular Table Service restaurants book up FAST! With the new Disney Dining Plan Plus option, you’ll still pretty much need to know which theme parks and restaurants you’ll be visiting on certain days MONTHS before you actually leave for Disney World! Disney Dining Plan Options Click here to see all the current info on Disney World’s four different Disney Dining Plans! Why did Disney World release a fourth Disney Dining Plan? You might have noticed there’s a pretty big gap between the Standard Dining Plan and the Deluxe Dining Plan. While the Standard Dining Plan is generous in the amount of food you’ll consume on it (actually, we DARE you to go hungry on ANY of these plans, especially the DELUXE one!), you might want to enjoy more Character Meals or Table Service restaurants than the 1 entitlement you receive on the Standard Dining Plan each day. Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo Vice versa, the Deluxe Dining Plan’s three Table Service meals might sound like overkill, especially if you’re on a tight budget and schedule! That many Table Service meals tend to take up a significant chunk of your day with EVEN MORE FOOD than you’ve probably ever seen in your life. Tusker House Breakfast Haul And while the grub at many of these table service joints is some of the BEST you’ll find anywhere on-property, you might have to trade off some reps on your favorite Disney World rides for these more time-consuming meals! Not to mention, the pricepoint for Disney World’s Deluxe Dining Plan might be more than you’re wanting to shell out for food on your vacay! Tiffins How does the price of Disney Dining Plan Plus compare to the other Disney Dining Plan options? Next, we’re going to talk about the prices of each level of the Disney Dining Plan. We’ve listed them from least to most expensive below. As you can see, the new Disney Dining Plan Plus costs slightly more than the Standard Disney Dining Plan, but is less costly than the Deluxe Dining Plan. Quick Service Dining Plan Cost per Adult: $55 per night (ages 10 and up) Quick Service Dining Plan Cost per Child: $26 per night (age 3 to 9) Standard Disney Dining Plan Cost per Adult: $78.01 per night (ages 10 and up) Standard Disney Dining Plan Cost per Child: $30.51 per night (age 3 to 9) Disney Dining Plan Plus Cost per Adult: $94.61 per night (ages 10 and up) Disney Dining Plan Plus Cost per Child: $35.01 per night (age 3 to 9) Deluxe Dining Plan Cost per Adult: $119 per night (ages 10 and up) Deluxe Dining Plan Cost per Child: $47.50 per night (age 3 to 9) Fish and Chicken Combo at Columbia Harbor House Can the Disney Dining Plan Plus save me money? Now let’s tackle the question that’s likely at the forefront of just about EVERYONE’S minds — can you save money using the new Disney Dining Plan Plus? And our answer is: well, maybe… just like the other Disney Dining Plans, you’ll have to really be looking to get the most out of it. Mama Melrose’s We’ve already shared with you some of our savvy secrets for how to get the most out of your Disney Dining Plan, which often means having to order to the most expensive item on every menu AND an alcoholic beverage to maximize the value of your meal credits. Floradora Drink at Homecomin’ We’re also all about redeeming those Table Service credits for Character Meals or Buffets since these options have the potential to offer a pretty hefty bang for your buck. While 2 credit Signature Dining experiences are a little harder to maximize your Disney Dining Plan with, smart selections can help you make the most of these experiences as well. Check out our list of signature Disney World restaurants we recommend if you’re considering forking over 2 table service meal credits! Brown Derby Lounge Let’s break down the numbers Time to put on our math hats for a little bit here. Wanna know, on average, how much you need to spend to make your Dining Plan cost-effective? Well we’re crunchin’ the numbers! We spent some time figuring out ON AVERAGE (remember, there are hundreds of food locations at Disney World!) how much a typical snack, Quick Service, and Table Service meal could run you at Disney World. Mickey Pretzel First, we selected five popular snacks and calculated the average snack credit value to be worth about $5.35. Next, we selected five popular Disney World Quick Service restaurants at random and chose the cheapest entree selection plus a fountain drink for a value worth $15. Choosing the most expensive meal option and alcoholic beverage on each of the same Quick-Service spots, we came out with an average value of $32. We repeated this method by selecting five of Disney World’s popular Table Service restaurants and discovered the low-end options with a fountain drink at each one to be worth $28 while the high-end value with pricier alcoholic drink was $56. Keep in mind each restaurant will be different and can offer more or less expensive options, depending on the location. This is just an average. Things get trickier for you Deluxe Dining Plan folks who get an appetizer with your Table Service meals. The low-end we found at Table Service spots for Deluxe was $42 and the high-end options averaged out to $68. Mom’s Favorites! As you can surmise from these numbers, depending on which foods and drinks you choose, you can either lose a decent amount of money or save a nice chunk of change! What does this mean compared to what you’re paying for the various plans? We broke things down one step further, averaging out how much a day of eating on each plan would cost, including 2 snacks per plan. You get a refillable mug too, which out of pocket would cost $19.99, so if you want to go one step further, you could add that cost in divided by the days of your trip. Quick Service Dining Plan — costing $55 per day, you could spend anywhere from, on average, around $41-$74 per day, depending on your choices. This averages out to $58 per day. Standard Dining Plan — costing $78.01 per day, you could spend anywhere from, on average, around $54-$99 per day, depending on your choices. This averages out to $77 per day. Dining Plan Plus — costing $94.61 per day, you could spend anywhere from, on average, around $41-$123, depending on your choices. This averages out to $82 per day. That number seems a little low, right? Well, with the flexibility this plan allows, that makes sense! If you only eat at Quick Service spots, you’re essentially paying a lot more for the same plan guests on the Quick Service Plan are getting — a value of around $41 per day. BUT, breaking this one down even further, if you were to choose 2 Table Services meals per day on the Plus plan, you could spend, on average, around $67-$123. So if you were to take full advance of the plan and only dine at Table Service spots, on average you’d spend $95 per day. This is in line with what you’re spending for the plan. Deluxe Dining Plan — costing $119 per day, you could spend anywhere from, on average, around $57-$215, depending on your choices. This averages out to $136 per day. Again, same deal here as with the Plus Plan. That flexibility can cost you if you don’t use it to your advantage. Say you were to ONLY dine on 3 Quick Service meals per day. You could spend anywhere from $57-$106, averaging out to around $81. If you ate 3 Table Service meals per day, you’d spend anywhere from $137-$215, averaging out to $176. So clearly, to get the most value out of Deluxe, you’d want to eat as many Table Service meals as you could! Ohana Ok, math lesson over. We promise (unless you want to break down the numbers for kids Dining Plans, but we think you get the point!). So basically, if you wanna make the most of your plan, you gotta think big. Big entrees. Big drinks. The Dining Plan rarely comes out as a savings for folks ordering from the cheaper side of the menu. If you have a plan with any amount of flexibility to it, like the Plus or Deluxe plans, favoring Table Service spots will almost always help you make the most of your plan. 20oz. Bone-In Black Angus Ribeye at Kona Cafe But, it should be noted that our average numbers we found — meaning if you ordered at a variety of price points and don’t always get the priciest beverage options — still averaged out the right at the cost of the plans per day for Quick Service, Standard, and even Plus (IF you chose only Table Service.)! Deluxe plan folks can easily recoup their costs with more Table Service selections as well! How can you make the best choices when dining? Having reviewed the cheapest and priciest items across Disney World’s Quick Service and Table Service restaurants, the most-expensive entrees are almost always heavier meat-based items (usually steak or beef offerings) while mixed cocktails and wines by the glass are among the highest value beverage options. BBQ Ribs Slab If you’re a non-drinker, vegetarian, vegan, or just someone who prefers to eat lighter foods and only enjoy drinks occasionally, we wouldn’t recommend using the Disney Dining Plan as a way of saving money. Salads, meatless cuisine, and “lighter fare” are almost always the most affordable options. Keep in mind, non-drinkers can still enjoy milkshakes, smoothies, or other “premium” non-alcoholic drinks on the plans that are typically a higher price point than a soft drink if they want to get more value out of their plan. Beaches and Cream Salad Ultimately, the endeavor of maximizing a Disney Dining Plan’s true money-saving potential might prove a little too harrowing for some. It’s a mental strain to try and figure out the math each time you sit down to enjoy a good meal and eating the enormous piles of food you’ll need to order to get the most out of your plan may take a physical toll as well (and we don’t just mean on your waistline!). How can I get the most out of the Disney Dining Plan Plus? Referring to the math we showed you above, to truly get the most money value out of the Disney Dining Plan Plus, you’ll want to forgo the option of dining at most Quick Service restaurants. Entrées at these places average out to be around $24 while the average Table Service restaurant meal costs considerably more — around $42. New York Strip Steak with Loaded Yorkshire Pudding If your goal with the Plus plan is simply having more flexibility, just use the plan as you see fit! You may get your money’s worth out of simply being open to options. We’d recommend booking a few table service locations if you’re not set on your plans and as you get closer, if you want the table service options, you’ll have them available. Just keep in mind you’ll want to cancel any you DON’T want to use over 24 hours before they’re supposed to be for to avoid cancellation fees! Why should I choose Disney Dining Plan Plus? Disney Dining Plan Plus appeals most to guests who want more variety of choice than the previous Disney Dining Plans allowed. It also appeals to guests who’d like to enjoy a few more sit down meals than the one per day that the Standard Disney Plan allows but who don’t want 3 full Table Service meals per day and extra food that comes with the Deluxe plan. Spiced Sausage Hash Even if you’ve never been tempted by a Disney Dining Plan before, the new Disney Dining Plan Plus might actually appeal to you, especially if Table Service meals are a highlight for your family! Why shouldn’t I choose Disney Dining Plan Plus? Just like the other Disney Dining Plans, Disney Dining Plan Plus includes A LOT of food and careful forethought! And like the other dining packages, it doesn’t come cheap. Liberty Tree Tavern You’re paying a premium here for the ability to enjoy more Table Service meals as well as to have the added flexibility to choose. So if your family is looking to primarily chow down on Quick Service meals, consider sticking to the considerably cheaper Quick Service Dining Plan or the perfect in-between, the Standard Plan. Regal Eagle Smokehouse Sliced Beef Brisket Sandwich Also, consider how much time your family is ok with committing to sit down meals. We’ve already shown that to really get your money’s worth out of the Plus plan, maxing out your credits at Table Service restaurants is the way to go. But Table Service meals often take a fair bit of time, and that means time you’re NOT spending around the parks and on rides. Seriously consider before your trip how much of your day you’re ok spending sitting and eating. What are the restrictions of Disney Dining Plan Plus? Disney Dining Plan Plus has many of the same restrictions as the other Disney Dining Plans. Only guests who are staying on property at a Disney World resort are eligible to book a Disney Dining Plan. Gratuity is not already factored into the cost of Disney Dining Plan Plus, so you’ll want to factor in some extra money for tipping your servers. Also, snack credits can’t be used on souvenir food items such as sippers and popcorn buckets. Beaches and Cream Can I change my already-booked Disney Dining Plan to the Disney Dining Plan Plus? That depends! The Disney Dining Plan Plus is a super new offering so as you can imagine, we’re still figuring out how to navigate some of the more specific circumstances. For instance, many people have already booked a Disney Dining Plan (whether it be the Quick-Service, Standard, or Deluxe) and might want to upgrade or downgrade to the Disney Dining Plan Plus option. In some cases, this can definitely be done! Raglan Road However, if you booked with a discount or a unique package, you may not be able to and it may depend on the guest services rep you speak to. If you ARE interested in switching to the Plus, call Guest Services at (407) 939-5277 and let them know. Depending on who you’re talking to, and your situation, they may be able to switch your plan so you can have your vacay your way. It can’t hurt to call and ask! Restaurant Marrakesh Dining Room Is the Disney Dining Plan Plus WORTH IT? We think the Disney Ding Plan Plus is definitely worth exploring, especially if you’ve always been curious about visiting Disney World WITH a Disney Dining Plan (you’ve probably been asked “Are you using the Disney Dining Plan?” by just about EVERY Cast Member who’s ever rung you up!). We’ve definitely felt the need for another Disney Dining Plan that offered a better selection when it came to picking restaurants, and the Disney Dining Plan Plus fills that void rather nicely! If it’s truly worth the cost is solely dependent on how you choose to use it! Do you normally purchase a Disney Dining Plan when you travel to Disney World? Let us know if this new Disney Dining Plan sounds like something you’ll be trying on your next vacation in the comments below! Related posts: Disney World Just Released a NEW Disney Dining Plan Plus Option! Is It a GAME CHANGER? Get All the Details Here! What Are You Waiting For? It’s Your Last Chance To Snag Walt Disney World 2020 FREE DINING! Check Out the 2019 Disney Dining Plan Restaurant List for Disney World! View the full article

Among several frequently asked questions we’ve been receiving, many of our concerned readers have been asking us whether or not we think Disney World and Disneyland will reopen in April. Cinderella Castle And frankly, we honestly don’t know right now. But we’ve been following the impact of COVID-19 on the Disney parks since the outbreak first began back in January, and we have some insight on what news we should all be preparing ourselves to hear. To put it very bluntly, not even Disney knows if Disney World will reopen in April. Just like the rest of the world, they’re assessing the pandemic day-by-day and taking extreme precautionary measures one step at a time. Disney will not put guests or Cast Members’ safety at risk, so whether or not the parks will reopen on time has more to do with the course of events that will happen from now until the end of the month than anything that’s been decided so far. Main Street USA Why Everything is Closing Down As a country, we’ve witnessed wide-scale, sweeping closures and cancelations of schools and businesses affecting millions. We’ve seen major sporting events dropped including the NBA, NHL, MLB, PGA, and NCAA series. Flying anywhere has become its own unique challenge as Coronavirus screening has increased and travel bans are becoming a more frequent occurrence. And now, the CDC is advising groups of over 50 people should postpone or call off their assemblies for the next 8 weeks. If you’ve been following the news and have seen the reported numbers, you might think this is an overreaction. After all, as of today, there are just over 3,700 reported cases of Coronavirus in the United States resulting in at least 71 deaths according to CBS News. In a nation of over 331 million people, this number may seem small, but here in the U.S., we’re only in the initial stages of the outbreak. Things are shutting down right now NOT out of how many people might be already possibly infected with Coronavirus, but in an effort to “flatten the curve.” Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Flattening the Curve From government officials to leaders of every organization and industry, decisions are being made to shut down as many public gatherings in an attempt to help “flatten the curve.” What we’re actively seeing overseas right now in Italy and other parts of the world is what we are racing to prevent from happening here in the States. COVID-19 has exploded and overwhelmed the hospitals forcing healthcare workers to make life-or-death decisions regarding patients due to limited resources. They just don’t have the means or space to take care of everyone who’s infected. By “flattening the curve” we can help keep our hospitals from getting overcrowded and slow the infection down. Instead of everyone getting sick at once, by “social-distancing” ourselves (not going into crowded places and staying 6 feet away from each other) we can have a greater impact on how the rate at which this highly-contagious disease is transmitted. Take a look at the graph below. We are still in the initial outbreak phase and we’ve already begun to see our number of cases dramatically rise over the course of just a few weeks. If the infection continues to accelerate, we’ll see our healthcare system buckle under the overwhelming amount of pressure. Graph of What Flattening the Curve Means It’s Going to Get Worse Before It Gets Better Given the trajectory of the course we find ourselves on and the limited resources that are available to test for the Coronavirus, we will see these numbers continue to rise. Disney World and Disneyland are not likely to reopen until we see these numbers decrease. Splash Mountain What You Should Do About Your Upcoming Disney Trip If you have a Disney vacation scheduled in April or May, we suggest that you keep the trip on the books for now. Should the parks extend their closure, accommodations will be made to allow for fee-free refunds and rescheduling as necessary (just like we’ve just seen for guests affected by March’s temporary closure dates). It is likely airlines will also allow you to change or cancel your flights without incurring a penalty fee as well if or when the time comes to do so. Flower and Garden Passport Final Payments If you’re worried about making a final payment on a vacation package for later in the year, go ahead and make it. Disney has modified its terms to allow fee-free cancellation up to June 30th, 2020, without incurring a fee to accommodate any park closure extensions. So right now, keeping your reservation is pretty safe from a fee-sparing perspective. Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Fast Passes and Advance Dining Reservations If you’re wondering if you should be making your Fast Passes and advance dining reservations for later in the year, go for it! These are cost-free and can always be canceled if necessary. Hesitating now could cost you a ride on one of your favorite attractions or a meal at one of your favorite restaurants should the parks reopen. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge We will continue to provide you with advice in the next coming weeks, but for all the latest news including official statements released by Disney. For now, you can get all the info we currently know about Coronavirus and the Disney Parks here. Related posts: The ULTIMATE GUIDE To Opening Dates for ALL THE 2020 Disney World Attractions! Going to Disney World?? You Need Our BEST Disney Dining Plan Snack Credit VALUES for 2020! Should You Even Go to Disney World with All This Construction? Your Questions Answered. View the full article

If you’re a fan of Disney history and a nice cup of tea, we may have found the perfect event for you! We checked out this fancy new tea service at the Bowers Museum and had a fantas-tea-c time! Table Set for Tea The Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California recently opened an exhibition that features rare Disney memorabilia called Inside the Walt Disney Archives: 50 Years of Preserving the Magic — but the fun doesn’t stop at the exhibits! They’re also offering culinary experiences, including the swanky Tea on the Terrace! So what can you expect during your tea time? The event is a traditional tea service and it’s hosted in the courtyard of the Bowers Museum. Tea on the Terrace at the Courtyard of the Bowers Museum On the menu, you will find a selection of teas (of course!) so you can choose whatever suits your fancy! Tea Menu The teas are all provided by Art of Tea! Tea Selection is Provided by Art of Tea Offerings include English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Passionfruit Jasmine, Raspberry Nectar, and Chamomile Clementine. A Selection of Tea Beautifully Displayed at Tea on the Terrace There are also some light sweet and savory bites to enjoy! Menu The menu begins with traditional scones served with strawberry preserves, Devonshire cream, and lemon curd, so you can jazz up your snack however you please! Scones There was also a selection of petit sandwiches that were just right to pair with our cup of tea! You can pick from cucumber, smoked salmon, chicken Waldorf, or burrata with sun-dried tomato. Cucumber Sandwiches Served at Tea on the Terrace The presentation of the menu items was beautiful. Check out the flowers accenting this plate of chicken Waldorf sandwiches with apple, red grapes, golden raisins, walnuts, tarragon, and marbled rye bread! Petit Sandwiches Served at Tea on the Terrace And don’t forget about the desserts! The selection of sweets included raspberry macarons, chocolate hazelnut rochers, passion fruit tart meringues, and pistachio financiers! An Assortment of Food Options Available at Tea on the Terrace Here’s a closer look at those tempting passion fruit tart meringues. They literally sparkle with edible glitter! Passion Fruit Tart Meringue Another fantastically fruity option, the raspberry macarons. Raspberry macarons Or if you’re in the mood for a chocolatey dessert, try a chocolate hazelnut rocher. They even came topped with edible gold leaf! Chocolate Hazelnut Rochers The tea service ties in perfectly with the classic theme of the archives exhibit. And speaking of theming, this event didn’t disappoint! Check out these gorgeous centerpieces, which are giving us hybrid “Alice in Wonderland” and “Mary Poppins” vibes. Teapot Centerpiece I mean, really! We’re swooning over the decor — and also gathering ideas for our own homes! Teacup Decor Tea services are held on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through August 2020, and each sitting is an hour and a half long. Seatings begin at 11 AM or 1:30 PM. Tea Decor Admission will run you $60 per adult or $35 per child and that cost does include admission into the Inside the Walt Disney Archives: 50 Years of Preserving the Magic exhibit! Bowers Museum Located in Santa Ana, CA If you like the idea of treating yourself to a fancy tea service while soaking in some Disney history, then this might just be your cup of tea! If you want to learn more about the Inside the Walt Disney Archives exhibit, check this out! Will you be enjoying Tea on the Terrace? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Review: 10-Gallon Challenge Sundae at Whispering Canyon Cafe in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge THIS Is Why You Need To Sail On The Disney Dream: Vanellope’s Sweets and Treats News: Morning “Tea Experience” Arrives at Rose and Crown in Disney World’s Epcot View the full article

You may already be aware that all Disney owned and operated locations in Disney Springs will begin their temporary closure as part of precautions due to the Coronavirus effective tomorrow, March 17, 2020. Disney shared in the announcement that individual tenants will make decisions on whether to continue or adjust operations. Raglan Road We are busy compiling a list so guests who are staying at a Walt Disney World resort hotel before their closure on Friday, March 20 can soon know the status of the individual shops and restaurants. However, we want to let readers know immediately that Raglan Road has announced via Instagram that the Irish pub will be closing its doors late tonight to begin their temporary closure. We imagine that many guests had planned to spend St. Patrick’s Day at Raglan Road (since there’s no better place in Disney World to do exactly that), which is why we wanted to direct attention to this announcement immediately. @Raglan Road on Instagram But we also wanted to share it because we do dearly love Raglan Road, and look forward to raising a glass with our friends there again as soon as possible. Irish Coffee at Raglan Road As Raglan Road says in their post, be sure to “share some love…” We here at DFB have been tracking the steps that Disney has taken around the parks to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. You can learn more about that here. Related posts: The Paella Block Party in Disney World Is Getting Rescheduled! News! Some Disney Springs Stores Are Closing as a Coronavirus Precaution! News: Special Thanksgiving and Christmas Menus for Raglan Road in Disney World View the full article

In what has been a historic, unprecedented moment, Disney World has started the first day of its temporary closure due to the COVID-19 outbreak, otherwise known as Coronavirus. Magic Kingdom Today Photo c/o News 6 WKMG Orlando News 6 WKMG flew their Sky 6 helicopter over Magic Kingdom this morning, revealing a whole new version of Disney World as we’ve rarely seen before. Disney World has experienced some unexpected closures over the years, which were mostly due to inclement weather, but this time the decision to close all the Disney parks looks and feels very different. Normally, Magic Kingdom’s “hub” would be bustling with spring breakers right about now, but instead, the park appears almost dormant. The cranes are up at the castle — which they have been painting. You can see the latest progress here! Magic Kingdom Today Photo c/o News 6 WKMG And guests just arriving at Magic Kingdom’s gates primarily by bus, ferryboat, and monorail, would normally be streaming into Main Street, U.S.A., but such will not be the case today — or for the next two weeks. Magic Kingdom Today Photo c/o News 6 WKMG Zooming in closer, you can see the American flag is still proudly waving on Main Street, U.S.A. today; a symbol of hope many Americans will be happy to know is still being raised and lowered even in the absence of guests. Magic Kingdom Today Photo c/o News 6 WKMG And while there are just a few vehicles and Cast Members moving about, the vast majority of Magic Kingdom is a ghost town. Magic Kingdom Today Photo c/o News 6 WKMG Plaza Ice Cream Parlor and Casey’s Corner’s umbrellas are up and everything appears to be business as usual, except for one important detail missing — the people. Magic Kingdom Today Photo c/o News 6 WKMG In Adventureland, from pirates, to singing parrots, not a creature appears to be stirring. Magic Kingdom Today Photo c/o News 6 WKMG Liberty Square and Frontierland are also deserted, while the Liberty Square Riverboat appears to be docked for the interim. Magic Kingdom Today Photo c/o News 6 WKMG Fantasyland’s Dumbo the Flying Elephant appears frozen in time with all pachyderm flights grounded for now. Magic Kingdom Today Photo c/o News 6 WKMG And Tomorrowland Speedway’s cars are all parked in neat little rows for the time being, ready to roll once guests return. Magic Kingdom Today Photo c/o News 6 WKMG Last time we visited Magic Kingdom, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover was experiencing operational delays, so we’re hoping to see the attraction reopen with the rest of Disney World — fingers crossed! Magic Kingdom Today Photo c/o News 6 WKMG We’ll continue to report more Disney World news and information to you as it becomes available. If you have any questions or concerns regarding how Coronavirus is impacting or could impact your future vacation plans, see our FAQ post here, and please feel free to reach out to us! We’ll do our very best to answer every comment you send us! Related posts: The ULTIMATE GUIDE To Opening Dates for ALL THE 2020 Disney World Attractions! Haunted Mansion Has Been Closed for Over 24 Hours in Magic Kingdom! NEWS! Hand-Washing Stations Have Been Added Around Disney World as a Precaution Against the Coronavirus View the full article

We think that mutual love for Disney is a solid indicator of a strong relationship! So we were thrilled when we saw these new rings pop up on shopDisney! Bridge to the Wedding Pavilion If you’re in the market for an engagement ring, wedding band, or anniversary band for your favorite Disney fan, we’ve got great news! These gorgeous new rings just popped up online! Let’s start with the engagement rings! We’re in love with the Cinderella Carriage Fairy Tale Sapphire Engagement Ring! This white gold ring has 0.215CT of diamond accents in addition to the 7 x 5 mm sapphire. You can pick up this ring to pop the question for $3,000. Cinderella Carriage Fairy Tale Sapphire Engagement Ring Or maybe the Cinderella Carriage Fairy Tale Diamond Engagement Ring is more your style! This ring has a 0.5CT center diamond surrounded by two 0.25CT diamonds and two diamond accents on Cinderella’s carriage, for a total of 1.01CT. Cinderella Carriage Fairy Tale Diamond Engagement Ring The Disney Crown Fairy Tale Diamond Engagement Ring really shines! The central diamond is available in either 0.5CT, 0.75CT, or 1CT. It comes circled with additional diamonds and the crown setting is also accented with diamonds. The price ranges from $5,500-$14,000, depending on the central diamond you choose. Disney Crown Fairy Tale Diamond Engagement Ring If yellow gold is more your style, check out the Mickey Mouse Fairy Tale Diamond Engagement Ring! This features a 0.75 center diamond surrounded by diamond Mickey accents! You can have your very own hidden-Mickey engagement ring for $8,000. Mickey Mouse Fairy Tale Diamond Engagement Ring You’ll feel like a princess with the Fantasyland Castle Fairy Tale Diamond Engagement Ring! The central diamond comes in your choice of 0.5CT, 0.75CT, or 1CT. The top half of the band is encrusted in diamonds and the ring features a figural Fantasyland Castle setting! This fairy tale ending will run you $6,000-$14,000. Fantasyland Castle Fairy Tale Diamond Engagement Ring If you’re looking for something a little more simple, the Mickey Mouse Fairy Tale Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring might be for you! This diamond also comes in your choice of 0.5CT, 0.75CT, or 1CT carat size. The price ranges from $5,000-$13,500. Mickey Mouse Fairy Tale Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring Rounding out the new engagement rings, we have the Mickey Mouse Fairy Tale Halo Diamond Engagement Ring! The central diamond can also be 0.5CT, 0.75CT, or 1CT, and is surrounded by a halo of diamonds. The cost ranges from $5,500 to $14,000. Mickey Mouse Fairy Tale Halo Diamond Engagement Ring Now let’s take a look at the wedding bands! This Mickey Mouse Icon Fairy Tale Wedding Band in Yellow Gold features debossed Mickey icons around the band. You can snag this one for $900. Mickey Mouse Icon Fairy Tale Wedding Band in Yellow Gold This also comes in white gold! The Mickey Mouse Icon Fairy Tale Wedding Band in White Gold has the same design as the above ring, just in a different color. This one will also run you $900. Mickey Mouse Icon Fairy Tale Wedding Band in White Gold Last but not least, we also saw a new anniversary band! The Mickey Mouse Fairy Tale Gold Anniversary Ring features a filigree cut-out design with diamond Mickey icons. The price for this ring is $1,400. Mickey Mouse Fairy Tale Gold Anniversary Ring Each of these new rings is also part of Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings Collection! All of the rings are available for purchase at shopDisney.com. Which of these new Disney rings is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: These Nightmare Before Christmas Disney Pet Toys Are SO CUTE We Wish They Were For Humans! BIG Cyber Monday Deals on shopDisney are HERE! Shoppers Alert! The Cutest Two Disney Kitchenware Collections Just Popped Up Online! View the full article

If you have been staying informed about the ways concerns over the Coronavirus have impacted the Disney Parks, then you may be aware that — in efforts to protect Walt Disney World guests and Cast Members — multiple Disney Programs are temporarily suspended out of precaution as the four Walt Disney World theme parks have also temporarily closed. Walt Disney World Cast Members These include the Disney College Program, the Disney Culinary program, the Disney Cultural Exchange Program, and the Disney Academic Exchange Program. The suspension is effective today, March 16th. The President of Walt Disney World Resort, Josh D’Amaro, has sent a message to Cast Members in light of these measures: “It’s an understatement to say that it has been an unusual few days at Walt Disney World Resort. Yesterday, we closed our theme parks through the end of the month to do our part to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus here in Central Florida. We will also close Disney Springs by the end of the day today while working on ramping down our hotels. It’s not like anything our community has faced before and our focus has been on the safety and well-being of our Guests, Cast Members and their families as well as our neighbors. As I reflect on the events of the past several days, I feel tremendous gratitude. First, I’m grateful to our Cast Members for the way they rose to this challenge — not only in preparing for this closure, but also in continuing to deliver unforgettable experiences for our Guests and each other. We look forward to making magic for Guests again soon. I want to acknowledge our hardworking college, culinary and exchange program participants. We made the difficult decision to suspend these programs, based on guidance from leading health agencies as these participants live in dorm-like housing here at our Resort. We believe it’s the right thing to do and is consistent with the way college and university programs are prioritizing social distancing. We are actively working with each individual to help them get home, including finding the right solution to each of their unique circumstances. I’m also grateful to live in a community where our civic leaders are focused on protecting our fellow residents. I want to share how proud Walt Disney World is to be part of the Central Florida family. These are unique times, and we’re all working through this together. As you can imagine, closing our resort so quickly leaves us with a great deal of extra food. To help other Central Floridians in need during this time, Walt Disney World Resort will donate excess food inventory like fresh salads, greens and hot items to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. This donation is part of our ongoing Disney Harvest program, which collects and distributes enough food each year to provide one million meals to people in need, and this donation will help to further support the important work Second Harvest is doing in our community during this time. Like all of you, we will continue to actively manage through this issue. ‘May Walt Disney World bring joy and inspiration and new knowledge to all who come to this happy place…’ That was our wish when we first opened in 1971, and that will be our wish when we open our parks again. Stay safe and healthy. We’ll see you soon. With respect, Josh” The Partners Statue in front of Cinderella Castle Currently in Central Florida, the four Walt Disney World theme parks have begun a temporary closure. Disney owned and operated stores in Disney Springs will begin closure tomorrow, March 17th, and Walt Disney World Resort hotels will close on March 20, 2020. We are looking very much forward to welcoming back the Walt Disney World Cast Members once the temporary closure is complete, and we want to say THANK YOU for ALL THE MAGIC. We here at DFB have been tracking the steps that Disney has taken around the parks to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. You can learn more about that here. Related posts: Disney Food Challenge: Can You Eat ALL 14 Of Disney’s BEST Cupcakes?! 36 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do at Walt Disney World! DFB Tips: How To Plan Your Girls’ Weekend in Disney World! View the full article

Hey, DFB friends! We’re here with another DFB Video and today we’re answering all your park closure questions. Magic Kingdom As of this morning, March 16th, 2020, all Disney parks around the world are temporarily closed and Disney Cruise line has suspended all sailings due to the Coronavirus. You might be at a loss for words and you may have more questions than you can possibly ask. That’s why we’ve been tirelessly searching for answers to help you make sense of this very difficult time. Get all the answers you’re looking for in our latest DFB Video!  By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode! And if you have any more questions please let us know. You can also check out this page where we will be keeping you up to date on the latest Coronavirus information. Related posts: DFB Video: 7 Things You NEED to Buy Before Disney Raises the Price! DFB Video: Bizarre Disney Honeymoon Stories… and Tips We Learned From Them! DFB Video: 5 Disney Changes That Turned Out Way Better Than Expected View the full article

Last night across Walt Disney World Resort was a reminder that even during challenging times, magic can be found all around us. As our four theme parks prepared for a temporary closure, Disney cast members waved goodbye, wished our guests well, and promised to see everyone again real soon. As the night drew to a close at Magic Kingdom Park, one special moment saw Walt Disney World Resort President Josh D’Amaro joined at the Main Street, U.S.A. train station by Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and many of their beloved Disney pals to wave a fond farewell – for now. Here’s a look at how Disney cast members across our parks said goodbye, including a special message for all our fans around the world: We’re all looking forward to a great, big, beautiful tomorrow … and remember, tomorrow’s just a dream away. View the full article

In response to the Coronavirus outbreak, Disney World’s parks will not be opening today along with all the rest of the Disney parks across the world. Magic Kingdom And while Disney World’s theme parks have been forced to temporarily close in the past before (mostly due to hurricanes), its Hotels have decided to remain open until 5 PM on March 20th, but are cancelling some of their normal operations in the meantime. In the wake of Disney’s decision to shut down the parks as an abundance of precaution, Disney World’s Hotels have been modifying and cancelling some of their guest experiences as they begin to wind down. Recently, Disney World Hotels have suspended all of their salon and spa services including Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutiques at Magic Kingdom and Disney Springs are also now temporarily closed. We’ll continue to monitor Disney World’s closures and keep you current as this situation unfolds. You can learn more about Coronavirus and travel to Disney World here Related posts: First Look: Come Inside the NEW Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort! Review: We’re Sipping On the Enchanted Rose Milkshake in Disney World REVIEW! We Found a Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Coffee in Disney World! View the full article

Last night, it was announced that the Walt Disney World Resort hotels will close at 5:00 PM on Friday, March 20, 2020 to take precautionary measures in response to the Coronavirus. Mickey Mouse at Chef Mickey’s While the Resort hotels remain open, alterations are being made to Resort services such as transportation and store and dining operations in Disney Springs. Resort restaurants will be open to guests, including Character Meals. However, guests will want to be aware that there may be modifications to character dining experiences this week. Though we do not know exactly what these changes will entail, Disney states on the Walt Disney World website that: “Character dining and dinner shows at Disney Resort hotel locations may have modified experiences and characters present from March 16 through the morning of March 20.” Snow White Restaurants which offer character meals at Walt Disney World Resort hotels include: 1900 Park Fare at Grand Floridian Resort, Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club, Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort, Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, and Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Dinner shows include Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds and the Spirit of Aloha at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. We will continue to keep you posted on information regarding the impact of the Coronavirus on Disney Parks here. Stay well, readers, and thank you. For more information on what we know about how Disney is responding to the Coronavirus, check out our answers to frequently asked questions here. Related posts: NEWS: Date Announced for Suspension of Disney Transportation in Walt Disney World Resort DFB Video: 15 Disney World Hotel Hacks! DFB Video: Why People Keep Ending Up in the WRONG Disney World Hotel View the full article