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It’s almost 2020, everybody!! And, we are ready to PARTY in Disney World! He’s Ready to Boogie!! Although there are so many places to ring in the New Year, we’re heading down to celebrate the start of 2020 Louisiana-style!! Port Orleans French Quarter has a full evening of food, drinks, and FUN for New Year’s Eve (yaaas!). Port Orleans French Quarter You can begin your night at the Glittering Gold Campfire, where you can roast some marshmallows and meet some new friends from 5:30 PM through 7:30 PM. Anyone want to play Fluffy Bunny?? New Year’s Eve Celebrations Then, if you’re feeling extra festive, you can decorate your own toast glass in the French Quarter from 8 PM to 9 PM! Any purchase of a glass will include one glass full of sparkling cider so you can toast the New Year and sing Auld Lang Syne at 11:45 PM! Champagne And, to end 2019 with a bang, you can bring the whole family with you to the All That Glitters: A New Year’s Eve Celebration from 9 PM until midnight in the Lobby Courtyard! You can jam out to music spun by a DJ, dance the night away, meet some of your favorite characters, and participate in games and giveaways. Plus, you can even purchase crafts for the kiddos to make (so the grown-ups can have a relaxing end to the year ;D). Port Orleans French Quarter Disney World is the place to be this New Year’s, friends!! Be sure to check out ALL of the other events taking place this NYE around Walt Disney World here! Will you be celebrating New Year’s Eve at the French Quarter? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Review! We’re Hooked on the NEW Firecracker Shrimp and Blackened Grouper Sandwich in Disney World!! NEWS: Mobile Order Is Getting an AWESOME Change in Disney World (And We Are SO Here for It)! DFB Video: Our Top Picks for the Most Outrageously Expensive Disney Experiences! View the full article

We are still blown away by how the Rise of the Resistance has taken us to a galaxy far, far away in the INCREDIBLE 20 minute attraction! Rise of the Resistance Queue First we took you with us to a preview of the attraction, and now we’ve given you a few of our thoughts after our FIRST RIDE on the newest must-do in Galaxy’s Edge. Now that we’ve escaped from the clutches of the First Order (phew!), we’re gonna let you in on a few secrets about what to expect during your galactic adventure! Although we are digging the state-of-the-art ride systems and animatronics in the Rise of the Resistance, we are amazed by the attention to detail in the attraction. Rise of the Resistance One of the coolest parts at the beginning of the attraction is the space battle that occurs while you’re in the transport ship. The entire vehicle moves while you watch the battle outside the “windows.” It seriously feels like you’re in the middle of a Star Wars movie (that Disney magic, you guys!!). We got the deets from the Imagineer in charge of Visual Media, who also happened to create Star Tours (!!!), about how they were able to develop the window scenes while the vehicle is moving. Rise of the Resistance Transport Ship Since Rise of the Resistance expands on some of the original Star Tour’s concepts, the Imagineer told us that they had to update the screens to fit the new attraction. Basically, all of the scenes are contoured and set to move with you during the ride. If you just watched the movie on a regular screen, it would jump and move around with weird angles (almost like the moving version of a 3-D film). Rise of the Resistance Transport Ship If that effect isn’t awesome enough for you, then you can spot the physical bullet holes appearing in the walls and “gun fire” laser and light projections as you try to escape the First Order! Where did they come from!? As you make your way through Stormtroopers, AT-ATs, and Kylo Ren, you can watch the ship take actual damage as you bust out of the Star Destroyer. So, if you think about the effects in Muppet Vision 3D or the Haunted Mansion, imagine those times a hundred on Rise of the Resistance. Amazing, right?! Kylo Cutting the Ceiling Buuut, if you’re looking for something a little bit different each time you ride the attraction, you should know that there are two ride “types!” (Wait, whaaat?) As you load into the transport vehicle with the adorable R5 Astromech Droid in the rescue room, you can have two unique vantage points in the front and back “droid mobiles” (as we so lovingly call them here at DFB). Transport Vehicle If you board the front droid mobile, you’ll go to a separate elevator in the AT-AT room where you’ll see the Finn animatronic in his Stormtrooper suit AND two Stormtroopers inside the AT-AT! You’ll also end up on Kylo’s left when you encounter him throughout the ride. Rise of the Resistance The back droid mobile switches things up slightly, taking you to another elevator in the AT-AT room where guests can spot a DIFFERENT Finn animatronic in a different position as well as a Stormtrooper and First Order guard on the screen! The two vehicles experience the probe droid differently as well, with the front vehicle getting a much better view! Rise of the Resistance The difference between the two different vehicle experiences kind of reminds us of sitting in the first row versus the second in Soarin’ or riding the left side versus the right in Space Mountain (which is a neat little trick for some attraction variations!). The experience is largely the same, but there are slight differences and you may prefer one to the other. At the end of the epic ride, you’ll board an escape pod with that surprisingly fun (but only about 2 seconds long) Tower of Terror style drop. While you’re waiting for your “launch,” you can see the outside of Star Destroyer as well as the other escape pods being released! So, if you love that feeling of anticipation before the drop, this is the BEST way to get you hyped up for the end of Rise of the Resistance! Escape Pod So, the next time you join the Resistance, be sure to keep a lookout for all these details! And, you can be the first to know if we spot any more by subscribing to our newsletter! Have you been on Rise of the Resistance yet? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: NEWS: Visit Rise of the Resistance Even EARLIER with the Extended Hours in Hollywood Studios! Banshee or Millennium Falcon? Is Disney World’s Pandora STILL More Popular Than Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge? What EXACTLY Is Going On With Rise of the Resistance? Here’s What You Need To Know About Disney’s Most Anticipated Ride EVER. View the full article

Celebrate good times, come on! Champagne We’re nearing the end of 2019, everybody (and it has been one magical year!). Although it might be time to say goodbye to this year, you can make some new magical memories in 2020, starting in Disney World during New Year’s! So, bring your good times and your laughter too (and don’t forget to put on your 2020 Ears) while you check out every place to party on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in Disney World! Contemporary Resort Disney Countdown to Midnight at the Fantasia Ballroom Are you ready to raise a glass to the new year and boogie to some great music?? During Disney Countdown to Midnight, guests will be able to show off their best moves on the dance floor listening to the New Year’s Bash Band and DJ, while also viewing the New Year’s Fireworks in Magic Kingdom. Contemporary Resort on New Year’s Eve ©Disney Disney chefs will also “produce incredible ‘cheftainment’ behind animated shadowboxes” for the party-goers. The menu for the evening will include items like barbecue-spiced wild Florida shrimp and grits with cherrywood-smoked bacon, pan-seared sablefish with leek fondue and cassis red wine reduction, and New York strip steak with fingerling potatoes, baby spinach, fried capers, and a maple bordelaise sauce. Dessert will feature the white-chocolate-raspberry crème brûlée and a Florida Key lime bar with toasted meringue, raspberry, and passion fruit. New York Strip Steak The party runs from 8 PM until 12:15 AM for $299 per guest (tax and gratuity included). Guests must be 21 and over to consume alcoholic beverages. You can visit the Walt Disney World event page to learn more and book a reservation. View of Fireworks from the Contemporary Disney Ink & Paint Club If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your New Year’s, the Disney Ink & Paint Club VIP lounge experience can be added as an enhancement to the Disney Countdown to Midnight Party. The themed lounge features decorations inspired by the era when animated legends debuted on the big screen and the Ink and Paint department at Walt Disney Animation Studios. Contemporary Resort While a pianist will be setting the mood (and tune!) for the evening, Mickey and Minnie will be greeting guests in their best party outfits. The event begins an hour before Disney Countdown to Midnight and features multiple action stations like the Cones & Shooters Station, the Cold Tapas Station, the Hot Tapas Station, and the Action Carving Station. Guests will also be able to sip on cocktails, champagne, and cordials throughout the night and indulge in dessert during the fireworks. You can check out the menu highlights here. Contemporary Resort on New Year’s Eve ©Disney The Disney Ink & Paint Club is only available as a part of an enhanced ticket that includes access to both the Disney Countdown to Midnight and the Ink & Paint Club for $499 total per guest. Visit the Walt Disney World website to learn more and to book a reservation. Champagne Pixar Party: A New Year’s Celebration Ready to groove with your favorite Pixar friends? We are! The Pixar Party: A New Year’s Celebration will bring families together on the second level of Disney’s Contemporary Resort Convention Center for a night of entertainment and fun! Sarge starts the party off, setting the scene with vignettes inspired by Toy Story, Up, and more with character meet-and-greets with friends from Inside Out, The Incredibles, Up, Toy Story, and Monsters, Inc. Jessie and Woody While the adults relax, kids can participate in Pixar face painting, balloon art, Boot Camp with Sarge, and dance to Radio Disney hits spun by a DJ. A buffet dinner will be served to everyone (see the full menu here), and the Magic Kingdom Fireworks will signal the start of 2020 at midnight. The party runs from 8 PM until midnight for $199 per guest (tax and gratuity included). Visit the Disney World webpage to learn more and book a reservation. Sully and Mike An Elegant Evening Under the Stars at the California Grill You can pour a glass of glass champagne, watch a magician, pose for a portrait painted by an artist, watch the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks from California Grill‘s observation deck, and MORE during An Elegant Evening Under the Stars on New Year’s Eve. Guests will also be able to spot Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy as they have a late-night evening of food and drinks. Check-in is at 7 PM, while the event runs from 8 PM until 12:30 AM for $675 per person (tax and gratuity included). Note that the event has a dress code with dress pants or slacks with a collared shirt, tie, and jacket for men and dresses, skirts, pants, and blouses for women. Reservation can be made by calling (407) 824-1391 with full payment at the time of booking. California Grill Riviera Resort Mezzanotte at Topolino’s: An Italian Masquerade Topolino’s Terrace at the new Riviera Resort is hosting a ball fit for princes and princesses with their Italian Masquerade on New Year’s Eve! The event will include food, beverages, a DJ traditional Italian musicians, and vocalists on top of one of the best views of Epcot’s and Hollywood Studios’ fireworks. Guests can check-in at 7:30 PM with the event running from 8 PM until 12:15 AM. Mezzanotte will be $550 per person (tax and gratuity included). Note that there is an event dress code, which calls for dress pants or trousers and a collared shirt for men, and dresses, skirts, pants, and blouses for women. Disney also suggests that guests wear red since this is an Italian tradition! Visit the Disney World webpage to learn more and book a reservation. Riviera Resort Concept Art ©Disney New Year’s Day Character Brunch If you want to continue the party from Mezzanotte, there will also be a New Year’s Day Character Brunch on January 1st, 2020 at Topolino’s! The event will run from 9 AM until 2 PM with dishes inspired by Italian and French eats and treats with a complimentary mimosa for guests 21+! According to Disney, everyone will be able to “Delight in such fresh-baked pastries as delicious danishes, muffins, and croissants. Your choice of entrées follows: Quiche Gruyère, Lobster Benedict & Caviar, Brioche French Toast, Wood-fired Butchers Steak, King Salmon, hand-crafted pasta, and more. Finally, finish with sweet confections like macaroons or chocolate bonbons.” Topolino’s Terrace Concept Art ©Disney Plus, Mickey Mouse will be making his way to the event with his friends to celebrate the start of the new year with your family! The event prices are $59 per adult and $37 per child (tax and gratuity included) and you can book your reservation online now. If you want to join in on the Italian tradition, you can wear red to signify the beginning of 2020 at the brunch! Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera Concept Art ©Disney Coronado Springs Resort Feliz Ano Nuevo: A New Year’s Eve Party If you’re ready to dine on Spanish New Year’s cuisine and listen to some great music (a flamenco guitarist!!), then you can head to Feliz Ano Nuevo: A New Year’s Eve Party at Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood, located at the new Gran Destino Tower. Guests can check-in at 7:30 PM in the El Centro Lobby before heading to the party from 8 PM until 12:30 AM. This event will cost $400 per person and can be booked by calling (407) WDW-DINE or visiting Disney World’s website. Toledo Disney’s BoardWalk Disney’s BoardWalk Countdown 2020 at Atlantic Dance Hall Talk about a swingin’ good time! Disney’s BoardWalk Countdown 2020 at Atlantic Dance Hall will include “views of the Epcot Fireworks, a live DJ, party hats and horns, a confetti drop, a mouthwatering light-bite menu with savory and sweet eats, and a complimentary Champagne toast at midnight.” Guests will be able to dance all night long and even snap a pic with Mickey and his friends in their party clothes. The event will have check-in at 8:30 PM and run from 9 PM until 1 AM for $99 per person (tax and gratuity not included). The dress code for the night includes dress pants or slacks with a collared shirt for men and dresses, skirts, pants, and blouses for women. You can visit the Disney World webpage to make reservations. Atlantic Dance Hall New Year’s Eve at Flying Fish You can make your way down the BoardWalk to the Flying Fish for a lovely seafood dinner! Chef Tim Majoras will present a multi-course, pre-fixe menu during this dining event with two seatings from 5 PM until 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM until 10 PM on New Year’s Eve. During the second seating, there will be a sustainable seafood tower and an intermezzo included. The event costs $150 per person (tax and gratuity included) and can be booked on the Disney World website. Flying Fish at Disney’s BoardWalk Grand Floridian Resort & Spa A New Year’s Eve Celebration at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa If you’re looking for a relaxing night of conversation and laughter, Grand Floridian has got you covered with its New Year’s events! On December 30th and December 31st, Narcoossee’s will host A New Year’s Eve Celebration at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, where guests can indulge in a 4-course menu earlier in the evening or a 5-course menu later. The earlier dinner time will be more relaxed, while the later event will have an upbeat experience with a band and a dance floor. You can visit Disney World’s website for more information and pricing, or call (407) WDW-DINE to book! Narcoossee’s Window Seating Victoria & Albert’s New Year’s Celebration If you’re looking to have a fancy date night or a luxurious New Year’s Eve, Victoria & Albert’s is the place to go! Guests will be able to enjoy a Champagne Reception from 6 PM until 6:45 PM, followed by the Degustation Wine Dinner from 7 PM until 11 PM at the only 5 Star Five Diamond Restaurant in Florida. A live harpist will accompany the evening, adding a final toast to the new year. Note that there is a strict dress code stating men must wear business formal to black-tie attire with required jackets, while women must wear long dress gowns or dress pants with blouses. The event costs $652.47 per person (tax included, but gratuity is not included), and reservations can be made on Disney World’s website. Main Dining Room at Victoria & Albert’s Information, menu highlights, prices, times, and calendars are populated for each of the events on the Walt Disney World website as accessible through links above, and online booking is now available. Interested guests may also call (407) WDW-DINE for more information. As a New Year’s Eve baby, I’m super excited about these events in Disney World!! Will you be heading to the resorts to ring in the new year? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Ring in 2020 with New Year’s Eve Celebrations at Walt Disney World! The 31 Things To Eat In Disney World If You’re Obsessed With CHEESE!! Cheers to the New Year with This Four-Course Meal at Narcoossee’s in Disney World! View the full article

Are you ready to ring in an incredible new year? We have quite a party in store for anyone planning to welcome in 2020 at Walt Disney World Resort. Here’s a rundown of some of the can’t-miss entertainment planned for this New Year’s Eve at all four parks: Disney’s Animal Kingdom – For the first time, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will stay open until midnight on New Year’s Eve. Join the celebration by experiencing favorite attractions throughout the evening and enjoying all the new holiday entertainment and décor across the park. DJs will crank up the party starting at 6:15 p.m. at Discovery Island, Asia and DinoLand, U.S.A., and as midnight approaches, you can count down to 2020 with special celebratory moments at each DJ location or by experiencing “Tree of Life – Awaken the New Year” on Discovery Island. Epcot – It’s a party throughout Epcot from 7 p.m. – 1 a.m., with unique entertainment including DJ dance parties throughout the park, a “Silent Groove” party in Future World and two showings of the new nighttime fireworks spectacular, “Epcot Forever.” Catch it at 6:30 p.m. and 11:40 p.m. The later performance will be followed by a countdown and pyrotechnic salute to the New Year. Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Ring in the New Year beginning at 7 p.m. with a high energy DJ dance party at Center Stage, leading up to a countdown to midnight and fireworks celebration. You can also enjoy the all-new “Wonderful World of Animation” at 6:05 p.m. and two incredible nighttime spectaculars, with “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” at 6:30 p.m. and “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” just after midnight. Magic Kingdom Park – Get a head start on the festivities, with a special New Year’s Eve eve presentation of “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks at 11:50 p.m. on Monday, December 30, just as guests can experience it on the 31st. The same show will also be presented at 6:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, for families looking to wrap things up a little earlier. Both nights will also include DJ parties in Frontierland and Tomorrowland. So tell me… What are you doing New Year’s Eve? View the full article

Spending the first week of the New Year in Disney World? Magic Kingdom If you are, you might be curious about what you WON’T be able to do at Disney in the first few days of 2020. It’s Friday and that means it’s time to take a look at which Disney World attractions are closed next week in Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom! Refurbishments in Magic Kingdom Walt Disney World Railroad Unfortunately, you won’t see the Walt Disney World Railroad on its loop around the Magic Kingdom as the train remains stopped at the Main Street Station for the foreseeable future. You can stop by for a cute photo op with one of the historic locomotives, but don’t expect a ride on this iconic attraction in the first week of the New Year. Walt Disney Railroad Steam Train “In Residence” at Main Street, U.S.A. Station TRON Lightcycle Run construction directly interferes with the train track, so the train has been closed for a few months now. We don’t have any word on when the return of the Railroad will be, but we DO know that the TRON coaster is set to open ahead of the 50th Anniversary of Disney World in 2021. Hopefully, the track will be intact before then, though! Click here to check out what we know about TRON Lightcycle Run! Refurbishments in Epcot Impressions de France Over in Epcot, we won’t have to wait nearly as long for the reopening of this refurbished attraction. Impressions de France closed last month to make way for the new Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along attraction in the Palais du Cinema. Impressions de France The Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along will be opening on January 17th and will run in-rotation with Impressions de France, so we don’t have to say goodbye to the beautiful film. Bonus: the Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along will feature a twist on the classic tale! Want a sneak peek of the Beauty and the Beast Sing-along? Click here! Canada Circle-Vision Theater Just around the World Showcase, there’s another closure in Canada. The Canada Circle-Vision Theater is currently closed to prep for a brand new Circle-Vision 360° Film, Canada Far & Wide, which is coming to replace O’ Canada! Canda Far and Wide Canada Far & Wide will also be opening on January 17th (lots of new movies in Epcot next month!), so there’s not too long to wait before we can check out the new film. Click here to learn more about Canada Far & Wide? And, with no refurbishments in Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom, that’s all the closures in Disney World this week! We’ll let you know if anything changes but for now, that’s all! Want to see everything new in Magic Kingdom last week? Click here! Which attraction are you most looking forward to the return of? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: Check Out Which Disney World Attractions are Closed for Refurbishment This Week! Find Out Which Attractions are Closed for Refurbishment at Disney World This Week Closing Time! Let’s Check Out All of the Attractions That are Closed for Refurb in Disney World Next Week! View the full article

Exciting news, everybody! Hollywood Studios is extending its park hours! Hollywood Studios That means you’ll be able to get in line for when the park opens to snag those Rise of the Resistance boarding groups even earlier! Find out when and how early the park will be opening below! According to the Disney World website, the park will now open at 7 AM from January 5th to January 11th, 2020. Hollywood Studios’ Website Earlier this month we saw Hollywood Studios extend its hours, and then extend them again to accommodate more guests arriving to ride Rise of the Resistance. So far the hours have only been extended through January 11th, with the park opening at 8 AM starting January 12th. Hollywood Studios’ Website So far, the evening hours for Hollywood Studios are unchanged and the park will be closing at 8 PM or 9 PM most evenings (except for New Year’s Eve when the park will stay open until midnight!). We’ll keep you in the loop with any new extended hours, but for now, read up on the new procedure for getting your Rise of the Resistance boarding group and may the Force be with you! Have you ridden on Rise of the Resistance yet? What time did you arrive at Hollywood Studios? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: We’re LIVE from the Rise of the Resistance Dedication Ceremony! Answers To ALL Of Your Disney World Rise of the Resistance Questions! News! Rise of the Resistance Is Breaking Down! Here’s HOW Disney’s Handling It! View the full article

The year 2019 was a milestone year for the Disney Parks Blog, which included offering 10 meetups, including advanced movie screenings, in-park experiences and returning annual events. Standout events that took place this year include kicking off summer at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park, where we hosted the biggest Disney Parks Blog meetup in history with nearly 4,000 attendees! Our screening of “Toy Story 4” went from memorable to unforgettable when the full cast of the film showed up as a surprise! And of course, the Disney Parks Blog team has always loved celebrating our fandom in costume or themed outfits. I’m pretty sure we hit a new record for showing our Disney spirit at our Disney+ screening of “Noelle.” Our teams at both the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts always look forward to meeting our readers face to face – and to celebrate the newest Disney experiences with some of the biggest Disney fans out there! Check out the video above for a look inside the fun we had with our readers in 2019. View the full article

Christmas might be over, but who says you can’t treat yourself to some Disney merchandise after the holiday? ©Walt Disney Studios And, for all you beasties out there, there’s a sinister new item soaring into Disney World! (Do you have “hot and cold running chills” yet??) The Maleficent Wings have glided onto the shelves in Magic Kingdom, making the park just a bit more wicked! Maleficent Wings While the wings feature Maleficent’s silhouette on the back… Maleficent Silhouette …and on the arm straps (just look at that jawline!!)… Maleficent Silhouette on the Straps …the best part about the Maleficent Wings is the light-up feature and purple sparkles! Who doesn’t love some sparkly merchandise?? All you have to do is push the purple Maleficent silhouette on the strap… Light-Up Wings! …and the wings will light up in shades of green, purple, or both! While you can have a steady beam, there’s also a strobe option too (if you’re feeling especially villainous). Purple Light or Purple Sparkles You can get the Maleficent Wings for $28.17 throughout the park. But, beware — these wings will make your outfit wickedly awesome! Looking for more Maleficent items? You can keep up with all the other villains’ merchandise by subscribing to our newsletter! Will you be picking up the Maleficent Wings? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: These NEW Space Mountain Sweatpants Rock Our World in Magic Kingdom! What’s New at Disney Springs: Construction and Restaurant Updates, New Jewelry and Charms, Fun Star Wars Updates, and MORE! What’s New at Coronado Springs, Old Key West, and Saratoga Springs Resorts: Spicy Firecracker Shrimp and ADORABLE Disney Parks Watches! View the full article

Christmas Day has passed, but the lights are still shining bright at Disney Parks around the world. Tonight’s “After Dark” image was snapped at Tokyo DisneySea, where a Duffy the Disney Bear-inspired tree brightens up the Cape Cod area of the park. Thanks to Mark Willard for the image. View the full article

Today, the Oregon Ducks and the Wisconsin Badgers made their first stop on the way to the 2020 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual in Pasadena, Calif. with a special visit to the Disneyland Resort! Before meeting on the field, the teams joined earlier today for a press conference in the historic Opera House on Main Street, U.S.A. The teams were welcomed by Mickey Mouse, Tournament of Roses President Laura Farber, Disneyland Vice President, Kris Theiler and Disneyland Resort Ambassador Rafa Barron. Featured in the press conference was Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal along with Oregon leading players: linebacker Troy Dye, quarterback Justin Herbert, defensive tackle Jordan Scott and offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton. Also featured was Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst along with Wisconsin leading players: running back Jonathan Taylor, linebacker Chris Orr, center Tyler Biadasz, and linebacker Zack Baun. The teams will face off in the 106th Rose Bowl Game on New Year’s Day. Oregon finished the regular season with an 11-2 record and claimed the Pac 12 Conference title, while Wisconsin won the Big Ten West, with a 10-3 record. View the full article

While we’ve known for quite a while now that Oga’s Cantina is pouring out some seriously good times along with its Star Wars-themed cocktails such as the Jedi Mind Trick, Yub-Nub, and Fuzzy Taun Taun, we’ve also known about a HUGE secret menu item since last fall! Oga’s Cantina But now that The Force has awakened it appears the secret is OUT — as this item is now appearing on Oga’s regular menu! It looks like the secret Charcuterie Board we unearthed in August is now available on Oga’s Cantina’s online menu! Annnnd it’s got an official name. It’s currently going by the Star Wars moniker: Happabore Sampler! Online Menu for Oga’s Cantina We’re going to have to make a trip to Disney World’s Batuu to taste the Happabore Sampler to confirm if it’s the exact same selection of cheeses served with cured meats, pork rinds, and roasted veggies as when we enjoyed it last. Until we do, you can read our review of the secret menu Charcuterie Board at Oga’s — and here’s what the FORMER secret menu item used to look like! Secret Menu Charcuterie Board at Oga’s Cantina Stay tuned for more info on the Happabore Sampler and to stay up-to-date on all the latest Star Wars and Disney World news, make sure you subscribe to our newsletter! What’s your favorite cocktail to order at Oga’s? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge Annual Passholder Preview Dates in Disney World! First Look and Review: We Tried The NEW Takodana Quencher at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo in Disney World’s Galaxy’s Edge! Dedication Ceremony Prepares Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to Welcome Guests in Disney’s Hollywood Studios!! View the full article

Hey, everybody! It’s time for another roundup of What’s New in Magic Kingdom! Once Upon a Christmastime Parade While we’ve been busy celebrating the holidays this week, we’ve also been roaming throughout the Magic Kingdom to see what new construction, food, merchandise, and entertainment we could spot! There’s been A LOT of excitement at the Magic Kingdom this week — as you may have already guessed! But just in case you missed all the entertainment news, we’ll do a quick recap! Magic Kingdom Entertainment Update Liberty Square Hear ye! Hear ye! The Muppets Presents…Great Moments in American History is BACK! That’s right! The show featuring classic re-tellings of our great nation closed in October buuuut now it has magically returned for an unexpected encore performance! There’s no time to waste if you’re a Muppet fan — get ye to Liberty Square ASAP to catch ’em before they disappear again! The Muppets ARE BACK! Find out when and where you can catch The Muppets at the Magic Kingdom here! Main Street, U.S.A. If The Muppets returning to the Magic Kingdom didn’t get your heart racing, perhaps THIS next bit of news will! Have you ever wanted to watch Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party’s exclusive nighttime parade? If so, you can currently catch the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade TWICE daily WITHOUT a separate Mickey’s Verry Merry Christmas Party ticket! Once Upon a Christmastime Parade This is one of our FAVORITE parades to watch at Disney World! The parade is currently scheduled for 12 PM and 3 PM every day until December 31st! And for our friends spending the holidays at home this year, we’ve got a few pics to share with you! We saw Cinderella and Prince Charming rolling down Main Street in their well-appointed carriage! Once Upon a Christmastime Parade As well as the Fairy Godmother, who was on hand for granting the princess’ wishes! Once Upon a Christmastime Parade Anna and Elsa were also going on a sleigh ride in their original costumes from Frozen! Once Upon a Christmastime Parade While Olaf was dashing through the snow right behind them! Once Upon a Christmastime Parade Meanwhile, Clarabelle was cookin’ up some sweet treats in her bakeshop! Once Upon a Christmastime Parade And Mickey and Minnie were dressed to impress in their holiday BEST! Once Upon a Christmastime Parade Snow White and her Prince were also out for a stroll! Once Upon a Christmastime Parade Accompanied by her entourage of faithful dwarfs! Once Upon a Christmastime Parade And we couldn’t forget the BIG GUY! He’s, of course, one of the best parts of the parade, riding in high style with his shiny red sleigh and HUGE bag ‘o presents! Once Upon a Christmastime Parade BUT WAIT — there’s MORE! In addition to the Once Upon a Christmas Parade, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks is also happening during regular park hours every night through December 29th! This all-new fireworks spectacular just made its BIG debut this year, so you kinda gotta see it, right? Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Magic Kingdom Construction Update Entrance The entryway to the Magic Kingdom was looking great this week as saw some construction walls come down and two huge new planters pop up! The flower beds were filled with lovely red poinsettias — perfect for the holidays! Magic Kingdom Entrance See more photos of Magic Kingdom’s new entryway here! Fantasyland New digital tip boards are being installed in the Magic Kingdom to help you check the wait times for attractions at-a-glance! So far, the screens have gone up in Fantasyland, but look for them throughout the rest of the park soon! Digital Tip Board Learn more about the new digital tip boards at Magic Kingdom HERE! Tomorrowland TRON: Lightcycle Run construction continues! We can hardly stand to wait until 2021 when the new rollercoaster is slated to be completed! The work on the show building seems to be progressing more rapidly now that the outer track is finished! TRON Construction Read more about TRON: Lightcyle Run HERE! Tomorrowland Terrace The construction walls we spotted in our last edition of What’s New in Magic Kingdom are now down and it appears a section of the pathway has been repaved in Tomorrowland Terrace. Tomorrowland Terrace Despite the holiday crowds, the seasonally open Tomorrowland Terrace remains closed, but is still used for firework dessert parties! Tomorrowland Terrace Read more about Magic Kingdom’s dessert parties here! Magic Kingdom Food Update Tom Sawyer Island While Tomorrowland Terrace may be closed, the usually-dormant Aunt Polly’s is NOW OPEN! Offering majestic views of the Rivers of America and the Liberty Belle as it floats by, we love this out-of-the-way spot for their Becky’s Buttery Biscuit Barbecued Pork Sliders to their Peanut Butter Sandwiches! Aunt Polly’s We don’t expect Aunt Polly’s to be open for very long, so hop a log raft and make your way over there QUICK! Click here to read more about what you can snack on at Aunt Polly’s! Main Street, U.S.A. The Pretzel and Churro Cart on Main Street, U.S.A. is currently offering Hot Holiday Cider! This warm drink holds a secret ingredient which we’ll whisper in your ear — it’s Gingerbread Syrup! YUM! Hot Holiday Cider Read our review of the Hot Holiday Cider here! Fantasyland And check out the breakfast menu that Friar’s Nook is currently offering! They’ll be serving a selection of tasty morning eats until 11 AM for a limited time! Lucky for you, we sampled them all! Breakfast Sandwich Click here to find out what breakfast eats Friar’s Nook is serving! Tomorrowland While so much our news has been on the up-and-up, it’s a sad day for cookie butter lovers. Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies is no longer serving cookie butter items (including their delicious Christmas Cookie Milkshake and Christmas Cookie Sundae), but we’ll update you in case they return! Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies Magic Kingdom Merchandise Update The Emporium There was a TON of new merch in the gift shops this week as we spotted a whole new collection of retro-inspired Disney World stuff! How obsessed with this new Disney World Loungefly Backpack for $75 are we??? Pretty darn obsessed! Loungefly Backpack We’ve even spotted a few more pieces recently, including prepackaged candy featuring the new design like this Cotton Candy for $6.29! Minnie Cotton Candy See all the new items in the Retro Disney Parks collection here! And even though we were already starting to experience cuteness overload, we pressed on! And luckily, our diligence was rewarded when we spotted the adorable new Mr. Toad Hat… Mr. Toad Hat …and “it’s a small world” Hat! Both are available for $27.99 if you wanna show off your love for classic Disney attractions! it’s a small world Hat See more pics of both the Mr. Toad and it’s a small world Hats here! Briar Patch For your littles, we spotted this sweet Splash Mountain Youth Shirt for $19.99 at the Briar Patch! It actually has a hidden message that reveals itself when it’s wet! SO COOL! Splash Mountain Youth Shirt Read more about the Splash Mountain Youth Shirt here! Tomorrowland Light and Power Co. Our last stop at the Magic Kingdom was a visit to the Shirt Design Lab by Space Mountain where we saw you can design your own Baby Yoda Shirts! You simply select your design, size, and color of shirt from the kiosk… Shirt Design Lab …and then they’ll make it for you right on the spot! Now we can finally wear our love of Disney+’s The Mandalorian on our sleeves — or rather the fronts of our shirts if you’re going to be all technical about it. Baby Yoda Shirts We’re not sure which design is cuter, so we’ll just have to get BOTH! How can you say no to that face? Baby Yoda Design Well, friends, we gotta get ready for the next episode of The Mandalorian (which drops tomorrow!) so that’s all for this week’s edition of What’s New in Magic Kingdom — until next time! And to stay even MORE in-the-know, make sure you subscribe to our newsletter where we give you all the latest scoops! How has your holiday celebration been going so far? Tell us what fun Disney stuff your family likes to do during the holidays in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New in Magic Kingdom! Pop Rocks Dole Whip Lava Floats, Lightcycles, and Lizards?! What’s New at Magic Kingdom — Gummy Worm Caramel Apples, PhotoPass Camera Boxes, And CHRISTMAS TIME! What’s New at Magic Kingdom — Bridal Bling, Entryway Construction, and Ebenezer Scrooge! View the full article

Tonight, in a special edition of our #DisneyWeekend series, we’re highlighting some great ways you can ring in the New Year with us at the Walt Disney World Resort. Magic Kingdom Park will light up the night on December 30 and 31 with “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks, plus celebration dance parties in Frontierland and Tomorrowland. If you’re not able to join us, we will LIVE stream “Fantasy in the Sky” Fireworks from Magic Kingdom Park on December 31 – right here on the Disney Parks Blog. Also, Epcot will celebrate the New Year as it moves around World Showcase. Each international pavilion will offer a festive announcement when the clock strikes midnight in their country, and guests can enjoy live music at the America Gardens Theatre. And when the clock strikes midnight (Eastern), guests can gather around World Showcase to catch “Epcot Forever,” plus a special countdown to 2020. Disney’s Hollywood Studios will also celebrate starting at 7 p.m. on December 31 with a dance party at Center Stage. Then, you can watch “Wonderful World of Animation” at 6:05 p.m., “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” at 6:30 p.m., and “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” just after midnight. And at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, guests can celebrate with specially-themed food and beverage. The park will also stay open until midnight and include a special countdown-to-midnight on the Tree of Life. How are you celebrating? Let us know on Twitter using the hashtag #DisneyWeekend. View the full article

Christmas might be over, but that doesn’t mean the holidays are just yet. Once Upon a Christmas Time Parade Although New Year’s (!!!) is coming soon, there’s another holiday you can celebrate in Disney World! And, boy, do we have a feast to ring in the beginning of 2020! Jaleo is hosting a meal fit for royalty during their Three Kings Day event in Disney Springs! Jaleo During their inaugural celebration on January 6th from noon to 4 PM, the whole family can join in as you meet the Three Kings AND get a taste of festive treats! Jaleo Atmosphere Kids aged 10 and under can participate in storytime led by the Three Kings, snack on a complimentary slice of Roscón de Reyes (or King Cake) with chocolate milk, and even receive a prize if they find the traditional bean in their cake! Sounds like a majestic time to us! And you can make reservations for Three Kings Day for the entire fam bam by clicking here! Jaleo Atmosphere If you can’t make it to Three Kings Day in Disney Springs, you can order a King’s Cake to commemorate the occasion at home! You can pre-order a cake for $40 (or $45 with cream) with a king, crown, bean, and instructions included through January 2nd here. Will you be celebrating Three Kings Day in Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: NEWS: Mobile Order Is Getting an AWESOME Change in Disney World (And We Are SO Here for It)! DFB Video: Our 13 Favorite Ways Celebrate Christmas in Disney World! What?!? Find Out Where You Can Get FACE COFFEE In Disney World!!!!! View the full article

We’re back at Beaches & Cream, babyyyyy! Beaches and Cream As you’ve probably heard, mostly because we can’t stop talking about it, today is the official opening date for the renovated Beaches & Cream and we are PUMPED. This iconic ice cream and soda shop has been closed for significant expansion for the past few months. Yesterday, we got in during a soft open and got to try some new menu items. Well, today we’re back for the ribbon cutting AND for some more of those good, good Beaches & Cream eats! We were super excited to see a familiar face at the ribbon-cutting. In fact, Donald looks beach-ready and like he’s wanting some ice cream! Ribbon Cutting Beaches & Cream Cast Members were gathered outside in their super cute costumes. The air was filled with excitement, the sun was shining down, and we could practically TASTE the ice cream just inside. Luckily, it didn’t take too long before a guest got to cut the ribbon and we took our first steps into the now-officially-open Beaches & Cream! Ribbon Cutting Now that we’ve covered the ribbon-cutting we can get into the REAL exciting news! We tried some more of the NEW menu items! We already got a taste of the Storm Along Shake and the Cookie Fries, but what else does the updated menu have to offer? Beaches and Cream First off, our lovely server was very excited to tell us that they now have beer on tap. Wooooooooh! Beer on Tap! So after our mandatory Vanilla Coke (come on, it’s a soda shop!), we tried a local beer out of Gainesville called the Wakulla Hefeweizen. This drink was delightful! We’d say it had citrusy flavors like a Blue Moon, but we thought it was def better than a Blue Moon overall. Wakulla Hefeweizen With a beer in hand, let’s dive into the food! Beaches & Cream doesn’t really strike us as a go-to joint for a salad but the Beaches & Cream Salad ($14) was actually fabulous. This salad is a blend of romaine, kale, and arugula tossed in a red wine vinaigrette. It’s then topped with tomato, cucumber, carrots, red onions, sliced radishes, and feta. You can add salmon or chicken for an additional price. Salad We went with the chicken and thought the salad was light and crisp and the dressing was AMAZING. This is an awesome option if you want a tasty meal without feeling too full for that dessert. Beaches & Cream Salad Another meal you might not expect is the Salmon Sandwich ($21) which is a pretty light option too! This is served with bacon -aïoli, Bibb lettuce, and tomato on a multi-grain bun. If you’re a salmon person, this is the sandwich for you! It’s a big ol’ piece of fresh fish and the sauce was really tasty. Salmon Sandwich Pro tip: Ask for extra sauce if you’re gonna get this sammie, it’s just too good! Salmon Sandwich Cross Section Next up, we decided to do a little tour of the tot varieties that are new to the menu. Beaches & Cream used to have a bunch of different loaded fry options, however, the chef decided that the reign of the fry is over at Beaches & Cream. Tots are in! First up, we nabbed the Chilli and Cheese Tots for $9. Chili Cheese Tots These tots are smothered in chili, cheese, sour cream, and green onions. Talk about yummy, right?! Now, since these guys used to fries we do notice one new issue with the tot form of the dish. The tots on the edges stay nice and crispy, but the ones under all the toppings can get a little soggy the longer they sit. So, either gobble them up quickly or be prepared for a soggy tot or two. Overall though, the toppings were delish! Chili Cheese Tots They are also serving up a plant-based Chili & Cheese Tots ($9) option, which we thought were just fine! They actually have a little heat because they aren’t smothered in plastic cheese, but we’d choose the real ones every time. Can you blame us? We really like cheese. Honestly, if they could find a way to make a plant-based cheese SAUCE instead of just the shredded pieces, we might be happier with them. Plant-based Chili Cheese Tots To finish our tour of some of the Beaches & Cream tots, we snagged the Sock Hop Tots ($8). These are just your standard tots covered in plastic cheese and green onions. These guys were definitely our fave of the tots we tried — simple AND delicious. Can you go wrong with cheese and crispy potatoes? NO! Sock Hop Tots Of course, after our yummy meals, it’s time to move on to the main attraction — dessert. We started with the last new dessert we haven’t tried yet, the Apple Pie a la Mode ($9). LOOK AT HOW CUTE THIS PIE IS. The new dessert option has vanilla bean ice cream, caramel sauce, and whipped cream. Yum. Apple Pie a la Mode The pie is really nice. It’s not warm which surprised us but overall it’s cinnamony with a good crust and obvi, it’s adorable. BUT would we order it over a sundae? Ehhhhhh. MAYBE if the pie was warm so you had the hot and cold goin’ on, but as is, the sundaes have it beat. Apple Pie a la Mode And for second dessert (TOTALLY a meal course), we couldn’t leave without grabbing out FAVE sundae the No Way Jose for $11! Yes, we were full. And YES, we are still going to eat alllll the yummy peanut butter sauce. No Way Jose If you’re not an endless pit for ice cream like we are, we have good news! You can actually get a smaller version of the No Way Jose with two scoops of ice cream instead of three. Look how cute! No Way Jose Small Overall, we’re lovin’ all the extra space and new menu items over at Beaches & Cream and we will be back for more No Way Jose! Click here to check out our review of MORE ITEMS at the newly reopened Beaches and Cream! Will you be making a trip to Beaches and Cream sometime soon? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: #OnTheList: The Kitchen Sink Sundae — and Chocolate Lovers’ Kitchen Sink! — at Beaches and Cream DFB Video: 5 Best Disney World Snacks for Peanut Butter Lovers These Six INSANE Disney World Treats Are Totally Worth the $$$ Price! View the full article

Walt Disney had the dream of featuring a fairytale castle as the center of Disneyland. Since opening day on July 17, 1955, Sleeping Beauty Castle has majestically stood as the symbol of all dreams and magic for Disneyland guests. During the holiday season, the castle is transformed into Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, adorned with twinkling lights and special effects. Let’s take a closer look and see what magic awaits us. Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle is one of our most recognizable transformations during the holiday season, which celebrates wintertime enchantment through dazzling décor. The castle glistens during the day and is illuminated each night with more than 126,000 twinkling LED lights, sparkling “icicles” and shimmering snow-capped turrets. Specialized sparkle strobe lights are intertwined within the holiday garlands and icicles that decorate the castle. These lights create the magic of “enchanted” snow atop the castle. It takes a talented and dedicated team of over two dozen cast members six weeks to transform Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle. This year, new paint was added to the castle to enhance the new color styling that was unveiled earlier this year. The castle was inspired by several different European castles, most notably the famed Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, with elements from famous French chateaus, such as the Château d’Ussé, Château de Pierrefonds, Château de Chaumont and the Château de Chenonceau, among others. The façade of the castle contains many interesting elements that add to the magic and heritage of this Disneyland icon. Though the castle is only about five stories tall, designers used the illusion of “forced perspective” to make the edifice appear taller. This is done by placing large stones and other full-scale elements at ground level and reducing the size of each element as they reach the top. The stone walls of the castle extend into the surrounding land, providing a protected realm for Disney’s classic childhood stories in Fantasyland. The drawbridge of the castle that connects guests from Main Street, U.S.A. to Fantasyland is fully functional, but has only been lowered twice. On Opening Day in 1955, a medieval knight on horseback ordered the bridge to be lowered and a group of waiting children traveled across the bridge for their first look at Fantasyland. The bridge was lowered once again on May 25, 1983, as part of the grand opening of the “new” Fantasyland. The moat underneath the drawbridge is known as Lake of the Swans. The Disney family crest can be found above the entrance to the castle. The gold crest, which originated in France, features lions and flowers. Sleeping Beauty Castle opened to the world four years before Sleeping Beauty herself appeared in the title role of the animated film. The walk-through attraction inside the castle debuted in 1957, two years before the classic film hit theaters. In 2008, the Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through attraction was reimagined by Walt Disney Imagineers in honor of the 50th anniversary re-release of Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty.” The walk-through features enhanced special effects, show elements and hand-painted illustrated books which portray the story of “Sleeping Beauty.” As you walk through the castle, you will find many fun surprises. In the “Corridor of Goons” inside the walk-through attraction, try to pull the wooden door that is slightly ajar and adorned with chains and padlocks. The door will magically slam itself shut and you will hear all of the locks locking themselves. In the nursery scene, you will see a royal blue background decorated with gold hand-painted fleur-de-lis. This design is inspired by some of the ornate gothic ceilings in France such as the one at Sainte-Chappelle in Paris which dates back to the 13th century. Keep an eye out for more hidden magic and intricate decor as you make your way through the majestic castle. Light up your holidays with the magical enchantment of Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle at the Disneyland Resort. View the full article

You know we love our Disney X Starbucks drinkware almost as much as we love going to Starbucks while visiting the Disney parks! Epcot’s New Starbucks And while we’ve been getting our fraps and macchiatos from Disney World’s newest Starbucks location which just opened in Epcot, we also spotted a newly designed Starbucks Tumbler today! Although we didn’t see the tumbler at the Starbucks in Epcot because its new storefront is rather small and condensed, we did see it over in Mouse Gear. This enormous gift shop located in Future World has been selling Starbucks merchandise since the Fountain View Starbucks location closed — and it appears they’ll continue to carry Starbs gear for the time being! New Starbucks Tumbler The new Starbucks Tumbler features designs of the various Disney World theme parks including the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot! Each park is represented through various stylized icons and attractions you’ll find throughout the Disney World resort! New Starbucks Tumbler A winding dotted line connects the various parks represented in blues, oranges, greens, and purples on one side of the acrylic tumbler… New Starbucks Tumbler …while the other side features the green mermaid Starbucks logo! A true classic! Plus the Starbucks Tumbler is double-walled and includes a green plastic straw with a twist-on lid making it great for on-the-go caffeinating! New Starbucks Tumbler You can pick up the new Starbucks Tumbler for $24.99! And if you’re looking for a drink to fill it with, might we suggest the Irish Cream Cold Brew? It’s SUPER delicious! What do you think of the new Starbucks Tumbler? Will you be picking one up? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Here’s How To Charge Your Phone In Disney World (Now That FuelRods are Too Expensive)! The 31 Things To Eat In Disney World If You’re Obsessed With CHEESE!! NEWS: Who Ya Gonna Call? Maybe NOT the Disney World Dining Reservation Center! View the full article

Epcot has truly been reinventing itself this year! Epcot And if you’re looking to transform your wardrobe right along with it, you’ve gotta see the new Epcot Spirit Jersey! The new Epcot Spirit Jersey features the reimagined Epcot logo on its back in white, bold capital letters against a dramatic all-black background! New Epcot Spirit Jersey Meanwhile, the new Epcot Spirit Jersey features the throwback symbol of Epcot on its front. We love the mash-up of tomorrow and yesteryear’s Epcot styles — all-in-one convenient spirt jersey! New Epcot Spirit Jersey And while black isn’t a color that comes to mind right away when we think about Epcot, (usually we think of pastel purples and pinks like Figment or rainbows of bright colors like the ones you’ll see at Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts or Flower and Garden Festival), the new Epcot Spirit Jersey looks ultra-modern and sleek — kinda what we’re expecting Epcot to look like once its transformation is complete! New Epcot Spirit Jersey You can purchase the new spirit jersey throughout Epcot for $69.99. We expect we’ll be seeing a lot of folks wearing ’em while waiting in line at the new Starbucks that just opened in Epcot! That’s right — read all about the new Starbucks, a.k.a. Traveler’s Cafe HERE! What do you think of the new Epcot Spirit Jersey? Are you a fan? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: NEW DISNEY COLOR TREND Spotted at Epcot’s Mouse Gear! Disney Keeps Oktoberfest Going With This New Headband in Epcot! FIRST LOOK at the 2019 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays Merch in Disney World! View the full article

Are you still looking to plan your New Year’s Eve celebrations? Well then, you might want to tune into Disney Parks Live because Disney will be providing NYE entertainment straight from the parks! Fireworks!!! That’s right, Disney has announced an exciting opportunity to ring in the new year along with guests in the Magic Kingdom. On December 31, 2019, Disney Parks Blog will live stream a special performance of Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks from the Magic Kingdom! New Year’s Eve ©Disney If you’re looking to celebrate the start of 2020 as if you were in Disney World, simply visit Disney Parks Blog at 11:45 PM on Dec. 31st. The live stream will begin just before midnight, and will also feature highlights from what you can expect from Disney Parks in 2020! Check out all the other New Year’s Eve offerings here! Will you be in Disney World for New Year’s Eve? Or will you be live streaming the celebrations from home? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: What’s New in the Magic Kingdom: LIMITED-TIME Eats, Must-Have Merch and MORE!! Is It Time For Pumpkin Spice, Yet? This Kiosk in Magic Kingdom Says YES! The Mickey Celebration Donut Has MOVED in Magic Kingdom! View the full article

Disney is always looking for inventive new ways to interact with us — part of the reason we’re seriously addicted to traveling to the Disney Parks whenever our budget allows! Droid Depot in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge And now that Disney is conducting “playtests” of droids in Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, we’re seriously hoping we have enough galactic credits to check ’em out! While some of Disney’s original artist concepts showed free-roaming droids in early renderings of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, such hasn’t been the case…until now. According to the Orange County Register, R2-D2 has been spotted in recent days roaming by the entrance to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Disneyland, in trial runs of what Disney officials are hoping will become part of the regular “guest experience”. R2-D2 Droid Depot And quite frankly, we’re seriously HOPING it will be too! How cool would it be to see R2-D2 roll by as you munch on a Ronto Wrap? We’re thinking it’d be pretty EPIC! What could be better than a Ronto Wrap and free-roaming droids? At this time, it’s unclear how long R2-D2 will be roving around and so far he’s only been sighted at Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge. Could he be making his way to Disney World anytime soon? Will there be other droids roaming Batuu like BB-8 or D-O, our lastest robo-obsession now that we’ve seen Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker? Only time will tell — but be sure to subscribe to our newsletter below for any and ALL updates! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Check out our Disneyland Food Reviews Here!! Would you like to see droids roaming Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge? Which ones would you like to see? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: “Star Wars” Harvey’s Bags Launch in Disney Parks and on shopDisney! Step Inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge With Newly Released Photos from D23 Check Out Your Star Wars Datapad NOW With New Galaxy’s Edge Features on Play Disney Parks App View the full article

Calling all pin traders! We have an exciting event to tell you about…and it’s happening next week! © Disney Animal Kingdom is hosting a brand-new pin trader event to ring in the new year! Grab a pencil and some paper because there’s a lot of details you’ll need to know about. This pin-trading event will take place throughout Animal Kingdom Park on December 31, 2019. During this event, you can find pin displays in Asia, Africa, Dinoland U.S.A, and Discovery Island. These displays will feature over 90 pins, including Hidden Mickey pins and pins from around the world! ScreenDoor Pin Trading These displays will be out for a limited time on December 31st. You can trade pins at these locations ONLY during the following times: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM When it’s your time to pin trade, you will only have ONE MINUTE to trade TWO PINS. So use your time wisely! © Disney In addition to the pin trading event, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase an exclusive 2020 commemorative pin! There are only 1,000 pins available for purchase. Wrist bands will be distributed at Discovery Trading Company beginning at 7:00 AM on December 31st. Those who receive a wrist band will be entitled to purchase up to two (2) commemorative pins, starting at 7:00 PM at Discovery Trading Company. I hope you wrote all of that down! Best of luck, pin traders! See what else you can do in Animal Kingdom on New Year’s Eve here! Are you spending New Year’s Eve at Disney World? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: NEWS and Review: Thanksgiving Cupcake at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom! Uhh I’m Obsessed! A NEW Holiday Popcorn Bucket and Reusable Mug Arrives in Disney’s Animal Kingdom! REVIEW: You Had Us At Ginger Slaw! There’s a New Dog In Town in Disney’s Animal Kingdom! View the full article

If you need a little escape from the Magic Kingdom crowds on the “mainland” this holiday season, just hop on a log raft and head to Tom Sawyer’s Island! That’s just what we’re doing! We’re off to Tom Sawyer Island! And we’re not just headed to this little Disney World island oasis for the scenery! NOPE! We’re hungry for some food we don’t get to enjoy very often! That’s right — Aunt Polly’s (the island’s usually-closed restaurant) is ACTUALLY open right now! If you’ll remember, Aunt Polly’s is the quick-service restaurant that’s located right smack dab on Tom Sawyer Island — which is ONLY accessible by raft! It’s also only open seasonally, which is Disney-speak for rarely! But due to the holiday season’s heavy traffic, Aunt Polly’s window is OPEN for BUSINESS! Aunt Polly’s Some folks might not even be aware Aunt Polly’s exists since it’s usually closed — and kinda out of the way! But if you’ve never had the privilege of eating a tasty meal or a snack from this restaurant situated on the banks of the Rivers of America, trust us — you’re gonna want to make a beeline for it! Aunt Polly’s Aunt Polly’s menu might not have a ton of offerings, but what they do, they do REALLY well! From Becky’s Buttery Biscuit Barbecued Pork Sliders to their Peanut Butter Sandwiches which are served warm with either raspberry preserves or chocolate hazelnut spread and sliced banana, we think you might just find your next favorite crave-worthy snack! Aunt Polly’s Menu There’s also Soft Pretzel Sticks with your choice of dipping sauce to munch on along with Bottled Water, Soda, and Slushies made with Sweet Tea and Lemonade to wash it all down with! And if you’re looking for a little dessert with your beverage, look no further than Aunt Polly’s Root Beer Float! Root Beer Float The Root Beer Float is made with Barq’s Root Beer and vanilla ice cream. The combination of flavors couldn’t be more timeless — or delicious! Root Beer Float The crispy, sweet root beer is SO refreshing when mixed with the rich, creamy ice cream! We love how simple and classic the Root Beer Float is — making it the perfect treat to enjoy as we watch the Liberty Belle float by! Root Beer Float If you’d like to try the Root Beer Float for yourself (or any of its other tasty selections!) keep in mind you’ll have to hurry to hop a raft over as we suspect Aunt Polly’s is set to close after January 1st, 2020. Also, it’s SUPER important to know the hours for Aunt Polly’s, which like the restaurant itself, are quite unique! While Tom Sawyer’s Island is typically open from 10 AM -4:30 PM, Aunt Polly’s is usually only open from 11 AM – 3 PM! Tom Sawyer’s Island We’ll keep you posted with any additional Aunt Polly’s-related news! In the meantime, stay in-the-know by subscribing to our newsletter! Are you a fan of Aunt Polly’s? Tell us if you’ve dined here in the comments below! Related posts: NEWS! Aunt Polly’s Is BACK OPEN in Magic Kingdom! (We Can Taste Those Biscuits NOW!) Um…There’s Something Weird In Our Eggnog Milkshake at Magic Kingdom. Maurice’s Amazing Popcorn Machine in Magic Kingdom Has MOVED! Find Out Where Its Rolled To HERE! View the full article

Who’s ready to ring in the new year? With new attractions, restaurants and more on the horizon for the Walt Disney World Resort in 2020, we sure are! Today we’re happy to share that our final #DisneyParksLIVE stream of 2019 will again bring you a New Year’s Eve fireworks celebration to remember. Join us at 11:45 p.m. ET on December 31, for a live stream of “Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks” live from Magic Kingdom Park. We’ll be starting the live stream a few minutes before midnight to share some highlights of what to expect from our parks in 2020! To view the live stream, simply visit the Disney Parks Blog around 11:45 p.m. ET. The stream will be at the top of the page. In the meantime, tell us where in the world you’ll be tuning in from! View the full article

There’s nothing like a day well spent in the great outdoors! Animal Kingdom Lodge And Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Fort Wilderness Resort are two pretty awesome places to get outside. Whether you’re gathered ’round the campfire at Fort Wilderness or you’re waving at a zebra from Animal Kingdom Lodge, these resorts are a wild time! Well, we took a trip to BOTH resorts, so let’s check out everything new that we spotted in food, construction, and merchandise! Animal Kingdom Lodge Animal Kingdom Lodge Food Updates First up, let’s take a look at some new food we tried! The Berry Merry Margarita is available for $15.00 at Uzima Springs Pool Bar. It’s a yummy Strawberry Margarita on the rocks with Herradura Reposado Tequila topped with Graham Beck Sparkling Wine and a Jingle Bell Mickey. Pretty darn tasty (and festive) if you ask us! Berry Merry Margarita Click here to check out our FULL REVIEW of the Very Berry Margarita! Animal Kingdom Lodge Construction Updates Good news for anyone with plans to head to Sanaa! For the past few weeks, views of the animals from Sanaa have been obstructed by some construction, but it looks like they’re all wrapped up and the savannah is visible again! Sanaa Construction Gone Want to know more about the construction outside Sanaa? Click here! Animal Kingdom Lodge Merchandise Updates Moving on to merch, we saw a TON of new products at Zawadi Marketplace in Animal Kingdom Lodge. For the dapper gentleman in your fam, there’s the Mickey Icon Fedora Hat for $24.99. It’s a super snazzy combo of black and grey with a gunmetal Mickey. Faaaancy! Mickey Icon Fedora Hat We’re suckers for a good matching t-shirt pair so check out these Queen and King of the Castle T-shirts! We spotted these in Disneyland but they’ve made their way over to the east coast and we’re oh-so-glad. Queen of the Castle These guys are $24.99 each or $22.00 if you buy more than one. King of the Castle If you’ve got a chill little guy running around with you, he might like the “Chill Duuude” Flash youth t-shirt for $19.99. Flash T-shirt Or if you’re celebrating the New Year with a really little one, you can dress them up in the 2020 Baby “shorts” Onesie. Get this. The hood has Mickey ears! Make it yours for $24.99. 2020 Onesie Get your little one a new furry friend and teach them about conservation with the Disney Conservation Fund Blanket Babies Plushies for $29.99. Blanket Babies There are five different animal choices so your child can pick their fave from the panda, hippo, giraffe, tiger, and monkey! Blanket Babies This Lady and the Tramp Pandora charm for $65.00 features the famous spaghetti scene and is a cute way to show “Opposites Attract.” It even says that on the back! Lady and the Tramp We’re still freaking out about Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker so we just might have to grab this Sith Stormtrooper for $16.99. Sith Trooper Star Wars Refillable Tumblers are such an adorable cup option and now you can get one at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Star Wars Tumblers Read all about Disney’s newest refillable mugs here! If you’ve got a kiddo in your life with a MEGA love for Simba, maybe nab them the Lion King Mega Figurine Set for $49.99. Lion King Figurine set And, as a BONUS for lovers of The Lion King, you can get a Lion King Tumbler for $10.00 with any merchandise purchase. WILD. Lion King Tumbler Fort Wilderness Resort Fort Wilderness Merchandise Updates Next up, let’s hike it on over to Fort Wilderness where we found some new merch at Settlement Trading Post. We’re dying at this hilarious Expectation vs. Reality Pocahontas T-Shirt for $24.99 or $22.00 if you buy more than one. Pocahontas T-shirt Probably our fave piece of merch that we spotted today is this Walt Disney World Opening Dates T-shirt for $24.99 or $22.00 if you buy more than one. WDW Opening Sates T-shirt Not only does it have cute little icons of iconic attractions on the front, but it also has a HUGE list of famous attraction opening dates on the back! WDW Opening Sates T-shirt Perfect for this cozy campsite, grab a Disney’s Fort Wilderness Spare Tire Cover for $74.99. There are even two different designs! Spare Tire covers And last but certainly not least is this silly Kevin from Up Wild & Free T-shirt for $17.99 (or $15.00 when you buy two) so that you can show the world how wild your kiddo really is. Kevin T-shirt And there you have it! That’s our FULL roundup of everything new we spotted at Animal Kingdom Lodge and Fort Wilderness Resort this week. Don’t forget to check back with us for more updates around Disney World! Click here to check out a video on what YOU should eat at Animal Kingdom Lodge! Any of this new merch catching your eye? Have a stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge or Fort Wilderness coming up? Let us know in the comments! 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