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Excitement was in the air last night at the AMC DINE-IN Theater in Disney Springs for the opening night of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Opening Night! The gang’s ALL here-including our favorites Chewie and R2-D2– for the third and final installment of the latest Star Wars trilogy. We love seeing the familiar faces here to get us AMPED up for the film! Chewie and the gang! Kylo Ren and some Stormtroopers even made an appearance. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Opening Night They literally rolled out the carpet for us. Opening Night carpet Here’s our MAIN man Poe Dameron. Poe Dameron Poster We even got an up-close-and-personal look at the upgraded Red Stormtrooper costume complete with intricately detailed armor. Red Stormtrooper The coolest part? We found out that to commemorate the monumental event, fans attending AMC Theaters Opening Night Fan Events (sorry guys, these were for anyone at screenings LAST night) received a commemorative “Opening Night” pin and a concession offer. Opening Night Pin This one is going RIGHT into our collection along with the Opening Night Event Ticket. Opening Night Pin and Ticket Well, Folks… The popcorn has been acquired and was SHOWTIME! Opening Night! The bittersweet end to the Star Wars trilogy officially hits theaters TODAY, Friday, December 20. May the Force be with you all, friends! Are you heading to the theaters to see Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker? Let us know below! Related posts: Star Wars Fans: Get Ready for a Triple Force Friday Shopping Spree in Disney Springs! Review! The 411 On ALL The Christmas Tree Trail HOLIDAY EATS You Need At Disney Springs! Review and Pics: We’re OBSESSED with This NEW Holiday Burger in Disney Springs! View the full article

Shades of Green has announced their September Savings Special for 2020. This Special currently includes 2 adult breakfasts per day at the Garden Gallery Buffet. Dates: The current dates of this special are: 1 – 20 & 25 – 30 September 2020 Rates Category 1 guests $132.60 per night stay (E1-E6, Cadet) Category 2 guests $158.10 per […] The post Shades of Green September Savings Special 2020 appeared first on Military Disney Tips Blog. View the full article

Happy Holidays! Tonight’s Disney Parks After Dark brings us to Disney California Adventure park during “World of Color – Season of Light.” Celebrate the season with this enchanting performance that brings together favorite holiday classics with beloved moments from Disney and Pixar animated films. This production of “World of Color” lights up holiday memories with brilliant lighting, lasers and high-definition projections, plus more than 120 characters from 30 Disney and Pixar animated films. This nighttime spectacular adds to the holiday magic at the Disneyland Resort with sparkling entertainment, seasonal attractions, festive décor, yultide foods, specialty merchandise and more, from now through Jan. 6, 2020! View the full article

There’s been a lot of anticipation happening over at Epcot’s American pavilion with Regal Eagle Smokehouse opening any day now… Art of Disney But while it looks like we’ll be waiting a little longer to experience Disney World’s newest barbeque joint, we DON’T have to wait any longer for the new Art of Disney store! It’s now open, so let’s check it out! The new Art of Disney is located right next door to The American Adventure animatronic stage show and was the former location of Heritage Manor Gifts. Art of Disney Inside you’ll find a selection of limited edition prints, figurines, drawings, and collectibles available for purchase, some of which are signed by the artist. On the gallery wall we spotted the Tribute to the Fab 5 Framed Poster we reported about last week! Art of Disney Read more about the Tribute to the Fab 5 Collection here! The new Art of Disney has an impressive assortment of Disney collectibles — including a variety of “Big Figs”, short for Big Figurines! We saw several displayed on some shelves… Disney Collectibles …as well as right by the door when you walk in! We see quite a few Big Figs we’d love to have in our homes! Disney Collectibles A Cast Member was drawing an animation cel free-handed! It’s also so impressive to watch these artists do their thang! Art of Disney There are also floating display cases throughout the room. This one held several Disney World miniature landmarks that were made by Robert Olszewski. We’re more into his PokitPals which are less expensive and MUCH more portable, but these buildings are pretty cool too! Emporium by Olszewski Aside from the selection of merchandise, the details of the new store itself are very well done. There’s a lot of history on display including some old photographs, news clippings, and other nostalgic ephemera. Up on one of the shelves, we spotted some cool props like this caricature of Walt Disney along with some old-timey looking ink bottles! Art of Disney Some vintage books also help set the tone for the new space which feels reflective of the past. Art of Disney There’s also an homage to Walt Disney, the first Disney artist, including photographs from his service days… Art of Disney …up to when his legacy began with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs theatrical release in 1944. Art of Disney So whether you’re looking to take a fine piece of Disney art home with you, or just learn a little more about Walt Disney, the artist, swing by the new of Art of Disney in Epcot’s World Showcase! Art of Disney And stay tuned for our coverage when Regal Eagle Smokehouse decides to finally flap its wings! Until then, did you hear that the performers for Garden Rocks were announced this week? Check out the full line-up here! Do you like to visit the Art of Disney shops? What do you think of the new Art of Disney store in the American Adventure pavilion? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Say ‘Aloha!’ to the CUTEST New Trader Sam’s Inspired Merchandise Collection in Disney World! What’s New in Epcot: Cotton Candy Santa Hats, Construction Updates, and MAYBE a Starbucks? New Farewell IllumiNations Spirit Jersey Coming to Epcot! View the full article

At this point, we can barely remember a time in our lives before Baby Yoda! An adorable pic of Baby Yoda, just because… ©Disney Whether you’re a Star Wars fan or not, it’s impossible not to fall for this adooooorable lil’ green creature. LOOK AT THOSE EYES! And we know we’re not alone in our obsession with the cutest member of the Star Wars universe (sorry, Ewoks, it’s true!). We’ve been seeing Baby Yoda everywhere – from a Baby Yoda plush, to a Pop Socket, and Pop Funkos, there’s been no stopping “The Child”‘s takeover! And now, if you can believe it, we might just have found our favorite Mandalorian-inspired collection YET! Could it be….a collection of Baby Yoda clothing?! Thanks to Black Milk Clothing, our dream has come true! The Australian-based brand has launched an entire collection of Baby Yoda apparel, and it is SO STINKING CUTE AND STYLISH! Just take a look at these “The Child” Short Overalls. “The Child” Short Overalls ©Black Milk Clothing But, that’s not even the best part…look what happens when you wear them as shorts with the top part down! “The Child” Short Overalls ©Black Milk Clothing And, wait, wait, there’s MORE! Including a “The Child” Crop Top. “The Child” Crop Top ©Black Milk Clothing And a “The Child” Tie-Front Tee as well! “The Child” Tee ©Black Milk Clothing The adorable lil’ cartoon Baby Yoda design is also on full display for this pair of “The Child” Leggings. “The Child” Leggings ©Black Milk Clothing As well as “The Child” Skirt (which, incidentally, looks adorable with the matching top!). “The Child” Skirt ©Black Milk Clothing And finally, we’ve got “The Child” Skater Dress which features some of the most iconic snaps of our favorite Star Wars buddy! “The Child” Skater Dress ©Black Milk Clothing If you’ve got a stylish Star Wars fan still on your shopping list, well then hint, hint! This adorable new line is available for sale on Black Milk Clothing (and we kinda want it all!). A BUNCH of new Baby Yoda merch just dropped online (including a Talking Baby Yoda!) – check it all out here! Do you have a favorite item from the new Black Milk Clothing Baby Yoda collection? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Related posts: Our Wish Has Been Granted! “Baby Yoda” Merch is COMING…EVERYWHERE! Baby Yoda Plush IS HERE! ACT FAST! A Baby Yoda Gift You Might Actually Get In Time For Christmas! View the full article

Welcome back, DFB friends! We’re here with another What’s New at Pop Century and All-Star Resorts update! Pop Century Resort We’ve got some updates on merch, food, and drinks coming your way, so let’s talk a look, shall we? Pop Century Resort First up, let’s head over to Pop Century Resort, where there’s a fabulously festive drink for the holidays! Pop Century Resort Pop Century Food and Drink Update Let’s start with what’s MOST important – holiday treats! Petals Pool Bar is serving up the delicious Chocolate POP-Permint Martini, which is sooo yummy and tastes like Christmas in a cup! Chocolate POP-Permint Martini at POP Century Plus, what a fun name! Check out our full review of the merry n’ minty Chocolate POP-permint Martini here! All-Star Sports Resort Next, we’re heading over to All-Star Sports Resort to check out some of the new merchandise at Sport Goofy Gifts and Sundries! All-Star Sports All-Star Sports Merchandise Update It looks like NBA Experience Merchandise is now also available in Sport Goofy Gifts and Sundries! NBA Experience Merchandise at All Star Sports Resort We found this awesome Mickey Slam Dunks T-Shirt! Mickey Slam Dunk T-Shirt Goofy looks ready to get his head in the game with this Goofy Hoopers T-Shirt! Goofy Hoopers T-Shirt And, of course, Donald’s fiery spirit comes out during the competition! We love the aptly named Donald Hot Shots T-Shirt. Donald Hot Shots T-Shirt All the Adult T-Shirts were $34.99, while the Kids T-Shirts were $24.99. We also saw two ESPN Jackets, each available for $59.99! First up was this ESPN Windbreaker, which would be perfect for the current weather in Orlando! ESPN Windbreaker This ESPN Half Zip-Up is another lightweight option for this mild Florida days! ESPN Half-Zip Up There were a ton of really awesome accessories as well! We adore these STANCE Socks, which are $20.00 per pair. STANCE Socks How can you “get-cha, get-cha, head in the game!” without a morning cup of coffee? Enjoy your early morning caffeine with the Basketball Mug and Mickey Basketball Tumbler! Basketball Mug and Tumbler And, of course, no NBA x Disney merch could be complete without some perfectly themed souvenirs! Check out the ball sets and basketball ears! All-Star Sports NBA Experience Merchandise Check out our FULL TOUR of the NBA Experience in Disney Springs here! All-Star Music Resort Over at All-Star Music Resort, we spotted a few new treats and libations that we couldn’t wait to get a closer look at! All-Star Music All-Star Music Food and Drink Update Over at the Singing Spirits Pool Bar, they’re offering up a few festive holiday cocktails! The Merry Margarita is made with Jose Cuervo Gold, Grand Marnier, Fresh Lime Juice, Cranberry juice, and is garnished with lime, cherries and a Mickey glow cube! Merry Margarita This drink is delicious and oh-so-cute! Just look how fun that Mickey glow cube is! Merry Margarita Check out our full review of the Merry Margarita here! Also over at the Singing Spirits Pool Bar is the limited-time The Melted Snowman. Made with Stoli Vanilla Vodka, Baileys Irish Cream, whole milk, peppermint syrup, and garnished with whipped cream, a cinnamon stick, and a dusting of cinnamon powder, this is like the holidays in a cup!! Melted Snowman Read our thoughts on the Melted Snowman cocktail here! Now it’s time for some desserts – and the All-Star Music Resort has certainly been delivering! Who knew our fave one-eyed monster could make for such a delicious treat? You can find the new Mike Wazowski Cupcake for $5.99 over at the hotel’s Intermission Food Court. Mike Wazowski Cupcake Check out our full review of the Mike Cupcake here! The Mike Wazowski Cupcake might be cute, but the Sugar Plum Cranberry Cheesecake at Intermission Food Court is straight-up GORGEOUS! Made with vanilla cheesecake, chocolate ganache, cranberry whipped pannacotta, cranberry boba pearls, candied pecans, and gold luster, this might be one of the most magically festive treats we’ve seen all season. Sugar Plum Cheesecake Read our review of this beautifully festive treat here! All-Star Movies Resort Finally, at All-Star Movies Resort we spotted a BUNCH of new Star Wars goodies at Donald’s Double Feature. All-Star Movies All-Star Movies Merchandise Update With Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker starting screenings tonight (cue internal excited screaming!), it’s no surprise that we’ve spotted a bunch of new Star Wars merch around the parks lately. One of our favorites, though, might just be this D-O Sipper, which we found available for $22.99! D-O Sipper Read more about the D-O Sipper here! Speaking of D-O, we also found this D-O Toy available for $59.99! It comes with a remote control so you can control and move it. So cool! D-O Remote Control Toy Of course, no Star Wars merch collection would be complete without tons of action figures and figurines! We found this First Order Driver and Treadspeeder available for $24.99. First Order Driver and Treadspeeder There’s also this set of “The Resistance” Figurines, specifically from The Rise of Skywalker collection. This one was available for $27.99! “The Resistance” Figurines Finally, we LOVE this Poe Dameron’s X-Wing Fighter! (The Force is STRONG with our love of Poe Dameron! ) This one was available at Donald’s Double Feature for$19.99. Poe Dameron’s X-Wing Fighter That’s all for this What’s New at Pop Century and the All-Star Resorts! We’ll catch you next time for more food, merch, and entertainment updates! What’s your favorite new addition at Pop Century or the All-Star Resorts? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Related posts: New Menus and Updates at Disney World Value Resorts: September 6, 2018 Did Somebody Say Hotel DISCOUNT?! We’re Looking at You, Disney World Annual Passholders! What’s New at Pop Century and Art of Animation Resorts: Menu Changes PLUS Skyliner Updates! View the full article

All Aboard! ©Disney Cruise Line Listen up all you Disney Cruise FANS and FOODIES! We’ve got something sweet to set sail with! The Disney Cruise Line has debuted 4 new cupcakes, each with its own unique flavor palette and artful design. Disney Parks Blog has announced that these treats have arrived aboard the Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream. ©Disney Inspired by the Nautical Navy color trend we spotted onboard earlier this year, the nautical-themed vanilla cupcake features white frosting, blue sprinkles, and an anchor motif. How cute is the Mickey anchor? ©Disney The super adorbs Unicorn Cupcake is topped with multi-colored frosting, sugar flowers, sprinkles, and is complete with a golden sugar horn. This one is stunning and totally dreamy. ©Disney “Ka-Chow”! Inspired by your favorite character from “Cars”, this Chocolate Cupcake sits in an edible chocolate cup and is then topped with cookies ‘n cream mousse, candy rocks, and even an edible Lightning McQueen chocolate decorative topper. ©Disney This final option is truly a work of art! Both decadent AND beautiful, the Red Velvet Cupcake is served in an edible chocolate cup and then topped with chocolate mousse and chocolate curls. A red sugar rose and chocolate butterfly sits atop this mini-masterpiece. ©Disney All four are available from both Vanellope’s Sweets & Treats on the Disney Dream and Sweet on You on the Disney Fantasy. We want to try them ALL! Which one of these new cupcakes from the Disney Cruise Line do you want to try? Let us know! Related posts: THIS Is Why You Need To Sail On The Disney Dream: Vanellope’s Sweets and Treats Here’s Where To Find A Double Stuffed Oreo Cupcake in Disney Parks… Disney Cruise Line Bookings for Summer 2020 Sailings OPEN SOON! View the full article

Disney World has been throwing it back to past decades with the latest retro merchandise collections hitting the parks! Retro Mickey Mouse Club And, even though we’ve spotted 1970’s items, neon Christmas kitchen pieces, Mickey Mouse Club gear, and vintage sweatshirts, we’re taking a trip back to the 50’s with the next retro collection! The Retro Houseware Collection is lookin’ spiffy on MouseGear‘s shelves in Epcot! This one continues the vintage Minnie cherry pie collection, with Minnie in a solid red dress here instead of one covered in adorable cherries! Let’s take a look! Retro Kitchen Towel Set Serve up your favorite homemade eats and treats with the Back in the Day Plates! Back in the Day Plates The set comes with four different pastel-colored plates… Back in the Plates …and four unique designs featuring retro images of Mickey and Minnie for $34.99! Plate Designs! Pair your new retro plates with the matching Keen and Cute Mugs that will brighten up any morning! Keen and Cute Mugs While Minnie looks stunning in her red and white outfit with a floral design… Minnie Is Sweet as Pie! …and Mickey looks dapper as he gets ready for a picnic with a pie and plaid background! Can Mickey Bake Us Dessert?? The blue and white mugs would be pretty snazzy to drink some coffee, tea, or hot chocolate from, if we do say so ourselves! Keen and Cute Mugs Or, maybe you can make your own milkshake in a mug like Mickey and Minnie for $27.99! ;D The Cutest Couple Around! Just when we think the retro merchandise can’t get better, Disney just keeps giving us even cuter items!! You can pair your new plates and mugs with the matching Retro Kitchen Gear (and then subscribe to our newsletter while you’re baking up some goodies!). Will you be using the Retro Houseware Collection during your holiday festivities? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: CUTE ALERT! You HAVE to See the Most Dapper Phone Case Around Disney World! ANOTHER New MagicBand Has Bibbity Bobbity Booed Its Way into Disney World! What’s New at Disney Springs: Construction and Restaurant Updates, New Jewelry and Charms, Fun Star Wars Updates, and MORE! View the full article

Giving a magical experience to someone is one of the best experiences you can have during the holiday season. We were able to do just that when we recently hosted a World War II Navy veteran—who helped build Epcot—for a backstage tour where he was able to see how his work continues to entertain our guests today. We met Stephen Nemeth, a World War II Navy Seaman First-Class, on Veterans Day in Magic Kingdom Park where our Veteran Business Employee Resource Group called “SALUTE” hosted our annual special Flag Retreat Ceremony to honor cast members who have served in uniform. Stephen’s daughter is a cast member who shared with us that not only did her father help defend merchant ships from German U-boats in the Atlantic Ocean during the war but was also a retired pipefitter who helped build Epcot as part of this iconic park’s construction team. After learning of Steve’s many contributions, our Epcot Operations team invited him to take a tour of the areas he helped construct to thank him for his service to our nation and to Disney. The tour transported Steve back in time, taking him to many of the places he helped create. He had a hand in working on some of the Audio-Animatronics and other features inside Spaceship Earth, Kitchen Cabaret, The Land Pavilion, as well as his greatest contribution, the American Adventure attraction inside the American pavilion. Throughout the tour, Stephen smiled as he shared stories and details about his work and the many characters he helped bring to life including: chickens in The Land, Michelangelo in Spaceship Earth and Frederick Douglas in The American Adventure. Many of which are still in operation today. “I enjoyed working here … this was the best job ever,” said Steve. “To me, this is my place.” As the tour came to a close, we had a few more surprises in store for our seasoned veteran. A plaque was presented to him with a work wrench to thank him for all that he did to help build the park. A challenge coin was given to him by our “SALUTE” Business Employee Resource Group, thanking him for his service to our country. But the most special gift of all, and one that brought joyful tears to his eyes, came from our Marina cast at Epcot. Following a longstanding naval tradition, they named one of their workboats after him: a tribute to the many contributions he has made to Disney and the United States. During this holiday season, we are thankful for all that Steve and the countless other Veterans have done in support of our nation. It is an honor to recognize those contributions and make moments like this special for our nation’s heroes. View the full article

Things got real weird one morning in October when we noticed the Gourmet Popcorn Cart in Epcot’s Future World was strangely empty! Epcot Gourmet Popcorn Cart While we tried not to hyperventilate, a Disney World Cast Member assured us we could still get the deliciously-flavored snack, but we’d have to travel to the Epcot Experience exhibit to get it. BUT NOW all is right with the world, and it appears the gourmet popcorn has magically returned from whence it came! That’s right! The gourmet popcorn has returned to its former location! The cart, which has stood vacant in Future World these last few months, was once again bustling with activity today over by the Imagination pavilion! Fresh Gourmet Popcorn is BACK at the popcorn cart And while the Cheddar Cheese, Buffalo Bleu Cheese, and Sour Cream and Chive flavors had been available at the Epcot Experience since the cart mysteriously closed, it was SO NICE to see the cart back in action today — and all the tasty popcorns back in their little compartments! Epcot Gourmet Popcorn Cart Now, remember our mega DFB FOOD HACK TIP: these popcorns taste so good altogether, so ask your friendly popcorn cart cast member to pls pls pls mix all three flavors for you! Gourmet Popcorn Bucket with all three flavors mixed (You can also do this if you’re bringing back your souvenir bucket to get cheap popcorn refills!) If you’re not a fan of the fancy-flavored stuff, the Gourmet Popcorn Cart in Future World is also serving up plenty of the classic Butter-flavored popcorn, too! Epcot Gourmet Popcorn Cart Meanwhile, the Epcot Experience is still serving popcorn as well, but they’re now only serving the Butter-flavored popcorn — no mo’ flavored stuff here! Epcot Experience The bar at Epcot Experience is also still open! They’re crankin’ out some mean Piña Coladas, but they also have a fantastic selection of American craft beers and ciders! Epcot Experience And if the Gourmet Popcorn Cart in Future World doesn’t satisfy your flavored popcorn cravings, don’t forget to check out the popcorn cart in the World Showcase’s Canada pavilion! They’re popping up some Maple-flavored corn on the reg as well as a Caramel Apple variety — for a limited time! What gourmet popcorn flavor is your favorite? Tell us which one you enjoy snacking on during your Disney World vacation in the comments below! Related posts: This POPular Epcot Food and Wine Festival Treat is STILL Available in Epcot! What’s New in Epcot: Cotton Candy Santa Hats, Construction Updates, and MAYBE a Starbucks? FULL MENU For The NEW Cool Wash Booth at the 2019 Epcot Food & Wine Festival! View the full article

The weekend is upon us and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is finally hitting screens! The adventurous conclusion to one of the longest-running movie storylines in film history is about to be unveiled and experiencing it at Disney Springs is a must-do. If you’re visiting Disney Springs this weekend, you can also find the latest film-inspired merchandise at World of Disney, including new Star Wars spirit jerseys and Loungefly backpacks. Also, at Walt Disney World Resort, Star Tours-The Adventures Continue – which marks its 30th anniversary this week at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – will celebrate the opening of the new Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker film beginning Dec. 20. The attraction’s Starspeeders will to travel to a destination from the new film – the ocean moon Kef Bir. Let us know if you’re visiting the Walt Disney World Resort this weekend in the comments or on Twitter using the hashtag #DisneyWeekend. View the full article

Bonjour and Hello from Paris…and, no, we’re not talking the pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase! Sleeping Beauty at Disneyland Paris We are here in Disneyland Paris, the REAL DEAL, folks, enjoying their park-wide holiday celebration, Enchanted Christmas. Now through January, 6, 2020 both Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park come alive with the magic of the Holiday season through specialty character interactions, entertainment, and parade offerings. Disneyland Park Decor Entertainment aside, we’re in Paris after all, the land of tres bon delicacies. We’re reviewing two holiday treats that are exclusive to the Enchanted Christmas celebration. Oh, Christmas Treats! Oh, Christmas Treats! We’re first hitting the Cookie Kitchen on Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland Park for the Sparkling Donuts. Cookie Kitchen Priced at 3.99€, we received two decently sized mini star-shaped donuts. At first glance, we thought they looked pretty dense and heavy. In reality, these donuts were only heavy on one thing… FLAVOR. Sparkling Donut These were super light and fluffy yeast donuts with a thin layer of red icing adorned with white chocolate stars. Similiar to the familiar donuts we find at Joffrey’s locations around Walt Disney World, this shareable snack was incredibly fresh and made for a nice afternoon pick me up. Sparkling Donut The next stop on our DIY Holiday Treat Trail brings us to Walt Disney Studios Park. Walt Disney Studios Park We’re heading to Toon Studio Catering Co. to try out the seasonal Gingerbread Tree Treats. Note: these were also available at Cookie Kitchen and various locations throughout the parks. Toon Studio Catering Co. Priced at 3.99€, we received two festive mini gingerbread tree cakes. We have to give Disneyland Paris props for depicting them in the photo nearly identical to what we were served. The two mini trees were adorned with a thin line of chocolate that resembled garland and then topped with white chocolate snow flakes and powdered sugar ‘snow.’ Gingerbread Tree Treat This was the winner for us! A soft baked treat unlike anything we’ve had before. Imagine taking the flavors of a gingerbread cookie and then combining them with the most moist bundt cake you’ve ever had. Throw in some notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, you have the star dessert of Studios Park. Gingerbread Tree Treat Around Disneyland Park, most of the snacks stands offer an Instant delice. This allows you to sample the booth’s specialty item (like one of these sweet treats) along with a beverage of your choice, including coffee and cappuccino, at a discounted rate. While hot coffee isn’t always appealing in Central Florida, it does wonders to warm you up in the chilly winter climate over here. That’s a wrap! Au Revoir from one of Disney’s most stunning properties. Disneyland Paris Resort Of course, we’ll keep you in the know as we receive more news from over the pond. We can’t wait to learn more about the upcoming Marvel Avengers Campus recruiting in 2021. Have you visited Disneyland Paris? Let us know below! Related posts: We Have NEWS On The Frozen Celebration at Disneyland Paris! Booking NOW OPEN For Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel in Disneyland Paris One Way or Another, You’re Gonna Want to Get the Holiday Blondie in Hollywood Studios! View the full article

This time of year, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is evident everywhere. That’s why we thought it would be fun to make the next “Dusk to Dawn, Dawn to Dusk” time-lapse video featuring Main Street, U.S.A.! This video is from the vantage point of the Main Street, U.S.A. Christmas tree. A second camera provides an aerial view of the Main Street, U.S.A. roofline. There’s nothing quite like celebrating the holidays at Disneyland Resort, now through Jan. 6. It’s easy to see why in this video, and that’s just one land! View the full article

Epcot is in the midst of a very exciting transformation! Epcot’s Spaceship Earth This multi-year makeover includes the full reimagining of Future World, exciting new attractions, and even new dining options. While several new World Showcase pavilion shows will be opening on January 17, 2020, a brand new show will also be opening that day inside Epcot’s Land Pavilion. The Land Pavilion in Walt Disney World’s Epcot “Awesome Planet” has been described by Disney as “an on-screen exploration of the realm we call home,” and “showcases the spectacular beauty, diversity and dynamic story of our earth with all the grandeur guests have come to expect.” Awesome Planet We had recently shared a coming soon sign that we spotted in the pavilion. Awesome Planet Coming Soon Sign The date is getting closer and now they have revealed the permanent signage! Awesome Planet Signage The sign is located just above the entrance to the theater that will host the film. We really love how the big block lettering depicts aerial shots of Planet Earth from high above space. Awesome Planet Signage This new entertainment offering will be joining a “Beauty and The Beast” sing-a-long in the France Pavilion and the Canada Far and Wide Circle-Vision Film in the Canada Pavilion. We can’t wait see this exciting new film when it opens January 17, 2020 in Epcot’s Land Pavilion. Will you be checking out Awesome Planet on your 2020 visit to Walt Disney World? Let us know your thoughts! Related posts: REVIEW!!! Mezzo Mix Has Found a New Home in Disney World Post-Club Cool! FIRST LOOK: Menu Items Revealed For Regal Eagle Smokehouse Coming to Epcot This Winter! Mission Control: We Are NOT Clear For Launch! Epcot’s Space 220 Now Slated For Later Opening View the full article

Hey everybody! It’s time for another roundup of What’s New in Magic Kingdom! Minnie’s Wonderful Christmas Time Fireworks We’re looking for any and all things new at this “most-magical” of Disney World parks today, so come along for the ride while we discuss what new construction, food, and merchandise we’ve spotted! A LOT has been happening at the Magic Kingdom since our last visit, including some new construction walls cropping up and a volcano-inspired treat that’s pretty firey, so we better hurry! Magic Kingdom Construction Update TRON Construction Here’s the latest view of the TRON: Lightcycle Run construction site. As you can see, the attraction’s show building is really coming along now that the outer track is complete. TRON Coaster Construction And while all systems aren’t a go quite yet for this major headliner (it isn’t slated to be finished until 2021), we DID see a pair of lightcycles magically appear over by Space Mountain! Now excited TRON fans can hop on the back of a lightcycle a little earlier than they were expecting! Tron Lightcycle Vehicle Photo Op These bbs GLOW at night! See Daytime and Nighttime photos here! Tomorrowland Terrace Meanwhile, a construction wall has appeared at Tomorrowland Terrace, sectioning off the counter-service area of the restaurant. Tomorrowland Terrace Construction The new construction wall slightly impedes on the ramp, which serves as an access to Main Street, U.S.A. from Tomorrowland, but the walkway is still passable, albeit more prone to bottlenecking in its significantly narrowed state! Tomorrowland Terrace We’ll keep you updated on the progress of the new construction in Tomorrowland Terrace in future What’s New articles! Liberty Square Market And while Liberty Square Market recently revealed a new, refreshed look, today we say they’d gotten a new sign! Love the horn-a-plenty design! It makes us want to eat a Liberty Tree Tavern turkey dinner, (but for reals, tho). Liberty Square Market See photos of the new Liberty Square Market outdoor seating area here! Magic Kingdom Food Update Sunshine Tree Terrace Next, we’re heading to Sunshine Tree Terrace, where we spotted the new I Lava You Float for $6.99! It’s Strawberry Fanta Soda, Orange Dole Whip, strawberry and red passion fruit syrup — topped with strawberry pop rocks! It’s taking over the duties of Redd’s Revenge, but don’t worry — you can still get Strawberry Dole Whip at Sunshine Tree Terrace, minus the pirate’s hat! I Lava You Float Read our review of the new I Lava You Float here! Big Top Souvenirs We were so thrilled to see that the Big Top was back open again! As we walked into the tent at Storybook Circus, nothing appeared to be out of place and it was business as usual for the souvenir and treat shop! Big Top Souvenirs Read more about Big Top’s mysterious and sudden closure here! Storybook Treats And with the holiday season quickly starting to wrap up ( can you believe Christmas is NEXT WEEK?!) we just had to swing by Storybook Treats to get our Gingerbread Sundae fix! We never expected to like Gingerbread Soft Serve THIS MUCH and we’re going to be more than a little sad when this stuff goes away! And there’s been an update to the Gingerbread Sundae since we enjoyed it last — it seems they ran out of the usual Minnie Mouse wafer topper, so we ended up with Bruni instead! He’s normally served with the Arendelle Aqua Soft Serve, but he’s doing double-duty today! Gingerbread Sundae Find out how to hack your Gingerbread Sundae here! Magic Kingdom Merchandise Update The Emporium We’re ready to burn off our sugar rush with some holiday shopping! We saw a bunch of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party merch available during regular park hours, including this Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Spirit Jersey for $64.99! Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Spirit Jersey See all of the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party gear HERE! And this Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Mug for $24.99! Usually, you can only get this party-exclusive merch during the special event, so it’s super-exciting to be able to get your hands on this stuff without buying a Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ticket! Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Mug See our review of this year’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party here! The Emporium also had an updated version of the classic Groom Mickey Ears Hat! Mickey Mouse Groom Hat We haven’t seen the updated Bride Mickey Ears Hat yet, but the new Groom Mickey Ears Hat costs $27.99. Find out more about the new Groom Mickey Ears Hat here! We also spotted these adorable Mickey and Minnie Retro Kitchen Towels for $19.99 that match back to the Retro Kitchen stuff we spotted over at Animal Kingdom last week! Retro Kitchen Towel Set See the rest of the new Mickey and Minnie Retro Kitchen Collection here! Star Traders At Star Traders, we discovered this new Belle of the Ball Bronze Mickey Plush for $19.99! While the latest color trend to hit Disney World just twirled into our lives a little over a week ago, we’re already totally obsessed! Belle of the Ball Bronze Mickey Plush Read more about the Belle of the Ball Bronze Mickey Plush here! Big Top Souvenirs Now that Big Top is up and running again, we just had to check out their shelves. We discovered these cute 2020 Slap Bracelets for $9.99! 2020 Slap Bracelet And also this 2020 Toothpick Holder for $9.99! With so much new 2020 merch in the stores right now, it’s hard to choose a favorite! 2020 Toothpick Holder Click here to see even more 2020 merch! Frontier Trading Post And while Redd’s Revenge may have left the Sunshine Tree Terrace official menu, she’s reappeared at Frontier Trading Post in Funko POP! form! Check out the Redd Funko POP! Vinyl for $19.99 we spotted! Redd Funko POP! Vinyl Read more about the Redd Funko POP! here! Well, folks! That’s all for this week’s edition of What’s New in Magic Kingdom — until next time! Festival of Fantasy Parade We’ll be back with more construction, food, and merch news for ya just as soon as we spot ’em! Until then, we hope you have a holly, jolly holiday season! Will you be spending the holidays at Disney World this year or watching the Disney parade from home this year? Tell us how you’ll be celebrating in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New at Magic Kingdom — PIZZA ROLLS, Strawberry Vanilla Ice Cream, the BEST Little Mermaid Mug Yet, and MORE! What’s New in Magic Kingdom — New Liberty Square Seating, Colorful Cotton Candy, and MORE! What’s New at Magic Kingdom — Gummy Worm Caramel Apples, PhotoPass Camera Boxes, And CHRISTMAS TIME! View the full article

Winter is almost here and the temps in Central Florida have been dropping down to a positively frigid 50 degrees. Brrrrr. Epcot’s Festival of the Holidays You may be thinking the cold never bothered me anyway, but if it does…We have JUST the thing to warm you up! Remember how we spotted all those MEGA cool adult onesies in Magic Kingdom recently? Well, we just found ANOTHER one and it might be our new faaaaavorite! The Adult Spaceship Earth Onesie has landed in Epcot’s Mouse Gear. Spaceship Earth Onesie This is just so cool! It is made from the softest material and we love the classic Epcot logo proudly depicted (Can’t you hear the sweet, sweet voice of Judi Dench whispering in your ear just looking at this?!). Adult Spaceship Earth Onesie The right side of this onesie features a print of the Spaceship Earth geodesic design in a fun and bright color that we are HERE FOR. Spaceship Earth Onesie There’s even a hood to keep you cozy all winter long. ALL THE COMFORT, GUYS!! Let’s be real, we’re going to need the comfort when Spaceship Earth closes for its extensive refurbishment. Spaceship Earth Onesie The Adult Spaceship Earth Onesie is priced at $69.99 and available from Epcot’s Mouse Gear. What are you waiting for? Go get one! And save one for uuuussss!!!! What do you think of this new Epcot merch item? Sounds off below! Related posts: We’re LOVING the NEWEST Form of Retro Disney VHS Merch We Found in Epcot! What’s Popping? Changes To Cult-Favorite Epcot Snack Oh What Yum! A First Look at NEW Foods Coming to Epcot’s International Festival of the Holiday 2019 View the full article

Disney Cruisers, we’ve got the most delicious surprise for you: four new cupcakes have debuted onboard Disney Cruise Line! Each cupcake has a unique design and flavors that can appeal to everyone in the family. As a special addition to our Nautical Navy collection that launched earlier this fall, we’re adding a delicious treat to match! This nautical-themed vanilla cupcake is the perfect treat for the cruise fan in your family with its delicious white frosting, blue sprinkles and anchor motif. Share photos of this cruise-inspired treat using #DCLNauticalNavy. This adorable unicorn cupcake makes for the perfect dessert! Topped with colorful frosting, sugar flowers and sprinkles, this unique treat wouldn’t be complete without a golden (sugar) horn! You’ll definitely be saying “Ka-Chow” when you see and taste the new “Cars” cupcake! For all of you chocolate lovers out there, this chocolate cupcake sits in a chocolate cup, topped with cookies ‘n cream mousse, candy rocks and an edible Lightning McQueen chocolate topper! You’ll fall head over heels for our next delectable treat! This cupcake is just as beautiful as it is decadent. With red velvet cake in a chocolate cup, topped with chocolate mousse and chocolate curls, this work of art is adorned with a delicate red sugar rose and chocolate butterfly. Which cupcake is your favorite? Try them all at Vanellope’s Sweets & Treats on the Disney Dream, and Sweet on You on the Disney Fantasy. These options are just the icing on the cake, be sure click here for more information on all Disney Cruise Line dining options. View the full article

We’re gearing up to look at some foliage and ROCK OUT while we do so. ;-D Rock out at the Garden Rocks concerts! Garden Rocks is an awesome concert series that runs for the duration of the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival and we can’t wait! The concerts are performed by a variety of well-known and loved bands from around the country. Now, we JUST got word of the full lineup for this year’s Garden Rocks, BUT already we’ve spotted a change. Check out which act is no longer on the line-up! Air Supply, the 1980s soft rock duo famous for songs like “All Out of Love,” were set to play on the Garden Rocks stage May 12 through May 14 but are no longer showing up as attending the festival, and Orlando tour dates are not listed on Air Supply’s official website. Garden Rocks! Don’t worry though! You can still catch a TON of awesome artists and groups like Daughtry, Rick Springfield, and the Plain White T’s. If you want to guarantee your place at the Garden Rocks concert of your choice, check out the Garden Rocks Dining Package, because this event is SERIOUSLY popular. Kick off Garden Rocks! We’ll be sure to keep you updated on any changes we spot to the Garden Rocks lineup. In the meantime, get ready to rock! Find out how to secure your spot at Garden Rocks! Click here! Are you disappointed that we won’t be seeing Air Supply? Is there an act you’d like to see at Garden Rocks? Share your thoughts in the comments! Related posts: NEWS! Lineup For Garden Rocks Concert Series at 2020 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival! NEWS! 2020 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Garden Rocks Performer Update! NEWS! New Details Revealed For The 2020 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival! View the full article

Welcome back, DFB friends! We’re here with another DFB Video, and today we’re talking about some of the most expensive, once-in- lifetime experiences in the Disney Parks! Disneyland Paris Disney fans around the world have bucket lists about the things they’d like to see and do in the parks. And, some of those experiences can definitely burn a hole through your wallet. We’re here to give you the scoop on some of the most incredible (and expensive) experiences in ALL the Disney Parks! From staying in exclusive hotel rooms to taking part in the ultimate VIP tour, we’re telling you about the biggest bucket list items around the world! So, what are you waiting for?? Check out these expensive and amazing experiences at the Disney Parks in our latest DFB Video!  And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our DFB YouTube Channel! By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode! So check out the video and then let us know: What bucket list item do you want to experience in the Disney Parks? Related posts: DFB Video: 5 Disney Changes That Turned Out Way Better Than Expected DFB Video: Bizarre Disney Honeymoon Stories… and Tips We Learned From Them! DFB Video: 10 Things That Got Way Better in Disney World in 2019! View the full article

Being the first person at Hollywood Studios won’t help you snag a spot on Rise of the Resistance anymore! Rise of the Resistance Since the opening of Rise of the Resistance in Hollywood Studios Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the process to actually RIDE the new attraction has been a unique one and a bit of a work in progress. Hollywood Studios has been opening at indeterminate times and guests have been arriving in the wee hours of the morning to try to get a spot in one of the ride’s early boarding groups — which still doesn’t even guarantee a chance on the attraction! BUT NOW showing up at Hollywood Studios hours before the park actually opens won’t be all that helpful anymore! Boarding groups will now only be available AFTER Hollywood Studios published opening time. What does this mean? Well, recently Hollywood Studios, for the most part, has had a 7AM or 8AM scheduled open. Guests have been let in usually around 6:30AM, though this has varied some. From the moment they use their ticket to get into the park, guests could access a boarding group. Now guests will have to wait until the ACTUAL open to jump in a group, regardless of what time they can physically enter. You’ll still be able to virtually queue-up for Rise of the Resistance using either the My Disney Experience app or Cast Members stationed on Hollywood Boulevard. Rise of the Resistance Crowds Since Rise of the Resistance opened on December 5th, people have been showing up SUPER early and getting in virtual queues BEFORE the park opened. This meant that boarding groups were often unavailable before the park was even “officially” open for the day. Hollywood Studios Entrance Now, guests aren’t able to get further than Hollywood Boulevard before the set opening hour. On top of that, rides are no longer opening early in other areas of the park, AND Rise boarding groups can’t be officially joined until the park opens! Does this mean the crowds of early EARLY risers will die down? We can’t say for sure, but we wouldn’t bet on it. You still have to be there at open to get a group, meaning we’d expect most eager guests wanting a spot will still plan to be there well before posted opening to ensure they’re ready to go. Rise of the Resistance Sign BUT, this seems like a step in the right direction. After all, they couldn’t keep opening Hollywood Studios at seemingly random times forever! We totally get them wanting to give all guests a fair shake at getting into a group for the day (without having to set an alarm for the wee hours!) but we wouldn’t bet on being able to show up at park open and just walk on in. Expect heavy crowds just getting INTO the park and plan accordingly! Click here to learn more about Rise of the Resistance boarding groups! Rise of the Resistance Crowds Disney has also announced they will distribute “backup” boarding groups which they’ll call after the initial boarding groups have been filled. If all the regularly planned boarding groups are called and there’s time for “backup” boarding groups to ride the attraction, you’ll receive a push notification via the My Disney Experience app informing you it’s time to return to Galaxy’s Edge for you turn on Rise of the Resistance — so make sure you have that feature enabled on your phone! We’ll keep you updated with any additional boarding group changes we hear about, but for now, try to enjoy those couple hours of extra sleep! Are you disappointed or happy with this change? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Dedication Ceremony Prepares Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to Welcome Guests in Disney’s Hollywood Studios!! There Are Actually TWO Ride Experiences in Disney World’s Rise of the Resistance. (Here’s Which One We Think is Better!) Disney World to Extend Boat and Bus Hours for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Grand Opening View the full article

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is one of the most intricately themed areas we’ve ever seen in a Disney Park. Disney World’s Galaxy’s Edge at Night Every single detail has been designed with total immersion in mind, and the whole experience reads like a love letter to the franchise. But there are a few details that, unless you’re a hardcore Star Wars fan with a keen eye, you might not have noticed. Let’s take a look at some secrets of the galaxy, shall we? It Came From the Water Fountain Go to the water fountain at the entrance to the Batuu Marketplace (right next to the restrooms), and you might notice a creepy surprise as you take a drink. Hidden in the piping is a slimy, one-eyed creature that will pop out and stare back at you! Galaxy’s Edge Marketplace This is a Dianoga, more famously known as The Trash Compactor Monster. These monstrous mollusks are used for waste management in the Star Wars galaxy, and one kept on the Death Star almost killed Luke and company in A New Hope. They usually make their homes in the filthiest places imaginable… which says bad things about that water fountain. In fact, if you want to feel sick to your stomach, try using the Translator app on your Datapad to read the sign posted by the bottle filler. Preferably before you fill the bottle. ©Disney The Dianoga isn’t a huge secret in Galaxy’s Edge. You can see crowds of people trying to snap its picture or using the Datapad to coax it out. But did you know there’s a second Trash Compactor easter egg at Galaxy’s Edge? You can find it in… well… the trash! Look at the themed garbage cans around the outpost. All of them are labeled with a seemingly random string of numbers: 3263827. What’s with the serial number, and why is it the same on every can? Galaxy’s Edge Trash Can In the famous trash compactor scene, a frantic Luke sends C-3PO a distress signal telling him to disable the machinery. To help him, he calls out the hatch number of the trash compactor: 3263827! It seems like the Death Star and Black Spire Outpost have the same waste management company! These ARE The Droids You’re Looking For Droid Depot is home to all sorts of robotic references. Maybe you spotted the imperial enforcer droid locked behind a grate; the same model as K-2SO from Rogue One. Considering that K-2 was… um… decisively prevented from making future appearances in the franchise, that likely isn’t our favorite reprogrammed companion. However, several of the droids around Batuu have made appearances in the films! Enforcer Droid There are several references here, from the probe droid that scanned Jyn Erso in Rogue One to one of the GNK droids powering ships at the Battle of Yavin. The most famous, however, has to be an astromech that should look familiar to longtime fans; it’s the same one Uncle Owen tries to buy at the start of A New Hope, only for its motivator to fail just in time to save R2-D2 from the scrap heap! You can only find out the identities of these famous droids by using the Hack function on your datapad, so get slicing! Galaxy’s Edge Droid Batuu Beats If you’re fortunate enough to get a booking at Oga’s Cantina, you might spot a few unique Easter eggs. The most obvious is the fact that R3X, the pilot from the original Star Tours, is now the house DJ. He’s got an adorable pair of headphones and will occasionally make quips from the attraction as he spins tunes. Dj Rex at Oga’s Cantina Occasionally, the hyperdrive powering the whole cantina will fail, leading to a blackout. This leads to an exciting group chant as the bartenders start banging on the engine, erupting in a cheer as the power comes back on and R3X opens his new set with a performance of “Mad About Mad About Me”. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because it’s R3X’s remix of the famous Cantina Band song from A New Hope. Oga’s Cantina Hyperdrive Speaking of which, the entire playlist is available for free online and can be found on every major streaming service. Listening to the songs and looking at the artists will also reveal some fun easter eggs. For instance, if “Modal Notes” reminds you of the Cantina Band song, that’s because it’s by the Cantina Band: F’igrin D’an and the Modal Nodes. Cantina Band ©Lucasfilm Another familiar singer might be RB Snootles, who performs on the song “Moulee-rah”. Sy Snootles is a member of the Max Rebo Band, who famously performed “Lapti Nek” and “Jedi Rocks” at Jabba the Hutt’s palace in Return of the Jedi. Perhaps a relative? Jabba’s Palace Band ©Lucasfilm One last song of note: if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to take part in Batuu’s traditional drinking song, “Una Duey Dee.” A deep-voiced and somewhat intoxicated singer named Kra Mer 5 will perform as the entire cantina bangs the tables and chants along. It’s a high energy experience, and one of the best times to be at Oga’s. A fun fact, “Una Duey Dee” means “One Two Three” in Gungan, giving the only hint we’ve got at the singer’s species. Kra Mer 5, if you’re out there, you’ve done good work in redeeming the Gungan name after what Jar Jar Binks did. A Retched Hive of Scum and Villainy… and tasty drinks! Ok ok, so Jar Jar did usher in 30 years of imperialism by giving emergency powers to Palpatine, but it’s a really good song, okay? Antiquities and Curiosities Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities is one of the coolest shops in Black Spire Outpost. It’s like a Star Wars Museum! The merchandise here is loaded with history, but some of the coolest stuff is only visible if you look up. Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities The inaccessible upper floors of Dok-Ondar’s are filled with artifacts from across the galaxy. There’s a Tauntaun bust, which you might recognize from The Empire Strikes Back as the world’s first arctic mount/sleeping bag. There’s also the medals of valor that Leia gave to Luke and Han at the end of A New Hope. Maybe Han sold his to pay off a debt? Tauntaun Bust One cool detail for Disney+ fans should look for is a familiar-looking helm and rifle. That’s right, it’s the helmet and signature weapon of The Mandalorian, defender of Baby Yoda and star of the hottest new series of 2019. Considering that weapons are a part of his religion and removing his helmet is forbidden, the fact they’re on Dok-Ondar’s wall doesn’t exactly bode well for him… we hope these are just replicas! Mandolorian Helmet A Living Galaxy One thing that’s beautiful about Batuu is how it’s a fully detailed world. We’re just getting a glimpse of it as part of our adventures, but every cast member has a detailed backstory they’ve come up with themselves. Next time you’re in Batuu, just ask them about themselves. Where are they from? What do they think of the First Order? Do they know any cool facts about the outpost? You never know what you’ll get from that conversation; you might even end up invited to a game of Sabacc, or recruited for a secret Resistance mission. Citizen of Batuu One of our favorite parts of the area is the face characters. Unlike your typical Disney princesses, these guys have an agenda. Vi Moradi might give you a top-secret mission. Hux will sneeringly check garbage pails for evidence of contraband, only to recoil in disgust from the scent. Once, Chewbacca snuck up on us and asked if we were half-Wookie… which is we knew we needed a shave when we got home! Try talking to everyone you meet; Galaxy’s Edge is just as much of a roleplaying experience as it is an attraction, and you’re missing out if you’re just a passive observer. Vi Moradi So next time you’re exploring the streets of Batuu, take a look around! You never know what secrets you might be missing right in front of you! Click here to check out the brand new Star Wars attraction in Galaxy’s Edge! Did you know about any of these Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Easter eggs? Tell us in the comments! Related posts: Dedication Ceremony Prepares Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to Welcome Guests in Disney’s Hollywood Studios!! NEWS! Two Daily Fantasmic! Shows Will Be Held During Opening Weekend of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney World Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Cliffs Notes…Here’s What You Absolutely NEED To Know After The Galaxy’s Edge INFO BOMB Dropped Last Night! View the full article

All around the world, children and adults alike are celebrating the holidays in their own unique ways. From Paris to Tokyo, Shanghai to Orlando, and everywhere in between, you can get into the holiday spirit at Disney Parks with fun and festive toys, accessories and apparel, as well as holiday-themed food and drinks. While the items may differ across the globe, guests’ unending love for Disney—especially during the most wonderful time of the year—remains the same. Tokyo Disney Resort: The holidays are really crépe-ing up on everyone at Tokyo Disney Resort, where you can enjoy a Strawberry and Cranberry Crépe, topped off with a festive Minnie Mouse bow. If you’re more of a chocolate lover, you’ll want to treat yourself to a Chocolate and Pistachio Mousse, a delicious Disney Christmas cake set available at Hyperion Lounge in Disney Ambassador Hotel. This year Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea are introducing the new “White x White” fashion collection, which is 16 items incorporating luscious materials such as sheep boa, corduroy and knitwear. With Mickey earmuffs, mittens and hats, it’s never been so easy to stay warm and stylish at the Parks. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort: At Hong Kong Disneyland, the Bakery Pastry group has something sweet for everyone, from a creamy snowman and Olaf cupcake to Christmas Mickey and Minnie cookies and donuts. Ring in the holidays with festive drinks like the Christmas Coconut Mojito with coconut milk, lime, soda, mint leaves and pomegranate or the Chamomile Pear Tea with chamomile, pear puree and aloe. Aspiring culinary artists can decorate their own Mickey and Minnie Soufflé Pancakes with Chef Mickey’s Dessert Live Cooking. Whether you prefer sprinkles, cookies or a little bit of everything, you can customize the pancakes to your liking. NuiMO means “plush model,” and this cute set of dolls will be making its debut at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort this Christmas! With a series featuring Mickey and Friends to choose from, each nuiMO is designed to make different poses, and you can even put different outfits on them. The Tsum Tsum collectors out there will be delighted with a new Duffy and Friends “Keep Me Warm” series, featuring colorful knitted sweaters, warm outfits and cute little hats. They’re the perfect winter companions. You can even keep the environment in mind while shopping in style with a brand-new Disney friends canvas tote. Exclusively designed by the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort team, the bag comes in four magical styles featuring Mickey Mouse, Toy Story, Chip ‘n’ Dale and Winnie the Pooh, with specially designed handles that will help fans get carried away with their holiday shopping. Shanghai Disney Resort: At Shanghai Disney Resort, you can get the holiday par-tea started with The Holiday Duffy Christmas Afternoon Tea Set which contains adorable Duffy-themed treats, both savory and sweet, for two to enjoy together. For those who still can’t “let it go,” there is a Cream Nougat Flavored White Chocolate with mouthwatering marshmallow, cream, nougat syrup and white chocolate, topped off with everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf! It’s sure to satisfy on a cold winter’s day. Lastly, the Japanese Strawberry Pancake with Vanilla Ice Cream will delight any palette when the fluffy pancake melts in your mouth and you’re left with a side of rich, creamy ice cream to wash it down. Shanghai’s love for Duffy continues with a Christmas Duffy headband you can don while cuddling up with Christmas Duffy and Friends plushes adorned in new Christmas outfits. If these adorable, festively decked characters don’t get you in the holiday spirit, I don’t know what will. Disneyland Paris: If you’re in Paris with a craving for sweets, you’ll be more than pleased with these icing-coated Sparkling Donuts and Minnie’s Puf Surprise, a vanilla “choux” pastry, both found at food carts and kiosks throughout Disneyland Paris. If you prefer to sip on a beverage while you watch the fireworks, you’ll love Mickey’s Ho-Ho ChocoOrange, a chocolate milk infused with Orange Puree and Whipped Cream, or Minnie’s Very Berry Hot Chocolate, infused with Red Berry Puree and Whipped Cream. Disney Cruise Line: If you’re setting sail on a Disney Cruise Line vacation this holiday season, you can also enjoy some tasty holiday treats. Onboard the Disney Cruise Line ships you can find Santa cupcakes and Christmas tree treats in more than one form. For souvenirs to take with you off the ship, you can find Disney Cruise Line exclusive holiday spirit jerseys, tumblers and ornaments that would make a perfect gift for a loved one. Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort: At Walt Disney World Resort you can satisfy your sweet tooth with a Cinnamon-Apple Lunch Box Tart, complete with cinnamon apple pie filling and topped with red cinnamon fondant. This treat is what cinnamon dreams are made of, and it’s available at Woody’s Lunch Box at Toy Story Land. At Animal Kingdom get excited about a Double Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream Sandwich. Served up at Dino Bites, it’s the perfect minty dessert to top off any meal. If you’re in the mood for something fruity, you’ll want to try an Orange Bird Christmas. It’s an orange-scented white chocolate mousse filled with orange curd with a citrus almond cream cake, buttercream leaves, and topped off with white chocolate. Orange you glad you know about this delicious treat available at Sunshine Tree Terrace? Plant-based food is tantalizing everyone’s taste buds at Disneyland, and this Shepherd’s Upside-down Pie is no exception. Available at Grandma’s Recipes Marketplace at Disney California Adventure Festival of Holidays, the comfort food style mashed potatoes and vegetables will transport you to your own grandma’s kitchen back home. Dessert-lovers will be delighted at Disneyland’s Hot Chocolate Beignets served with hot chocolate sauce and whipped cream, available at Café Orleans. When your belly is nice and full, be sure to stop by Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort for a Build-a-Droid toy. These BB and R2 droids were recently nominated as a Toy of the Year candidate, so come find out why firsthand. Oh, (ginger) snap! While you’re trying out all of the fun holiday treats, don’t miss both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort’s too-gorgeous-to-eat gingerbread houses. At Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort a lot of kids are choo-choo-choosing a Disney Parks Christmas train this year, complete with a flat car of Mickey and friends, a Holiday Express tanker, tender, caboose and remote control. Kids will also love these adorable new holiday-themed Crocs. Adults are accessorizing the holidays with the newest Dooney & Bourke Holiday collection, including a satchel, tote and cross-body bag with festive patterns celebrating the magic of the holiday season. Wherever you are celebrating the holidays this season, I hope it’s with loved ones, in a fun and special way that is meaningful to you! Happy Holidays to all! View the full article

Today’s Disney Doodle was inspired by wishes. Many of us focus on our wishes and dreams during the holiday season, wishes for our family, for loved ones, and for our dreams to come true. That was the inspiration for artist Ashley Taylor’s Disney Doodle, which features Princess Tiana at Magic Kingdom Park. “Tiana visualizes her dreams and works hard to make them come true,” Ashley said. “It’s easy to imagine her wishing on stars and watching the Magic Kingdom’s ‘Happily Ever After’ fireworks from the Grand Floridian balcony.” View the full article

When it comes to satisfying table service fare in Walt Disney World’s third Park — Disney’s Hollywood Studios — the pickings are pretty slim. Learn About: Hollywood Brown Derby Disney's Hollywood Studios Disney World Restaurants But consistently rising to the top of that small pool is the Hollywood Brown Derby Restaurant. This sophisticated spot takes its inspiration from the real-life Hollywood Brown Derby, and perhaps that mimicry is the reason it tends to serve up likable plates of food (and some tasty drinks). It doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel, style-wise, and the menu includes some tried-and-true favorites from the original location. Hollywood Brown Derby As a Signature restaurant, Hollywood Brown Derby tends not to be as impressive as, say, California Grill, Jiko — The Cooking Place, or dinner at Morimoto Asia. Its surroundings perhaps let Brown Derby shine even brighter than it would if it were in a different location and competing with other Signature restaurants. But Brown Derby is comfortable. The menu contains some truly good dishes. And in a park where Hollywood is queen, Brown Derby is still a terrific overall experience. Hollywood Brown Derby Atmosphere The atmosphere at Brown Derby is tame by Disney standards. The color palette is subdued, consisting of dark wood, creamy white, and some interesting architectural details. Main Dining Room Large circular lights descend from a curved ceiling. Arched doorways provide passage throughout the dining room spaces. Main Dining Room Tables and booths are smart in brown leather (or brown faux leather), and tables are draped in real tablecloths. Corner booth A carry-over from the real Hollywood location, a beloved and dramatic addition to the restaurant is a collection of black and white caricatures. If the restaurant isn’t too busy, take a few minutes to scan through the images and see if you can spot your favorite celebrity! One Side Area in the Brown Derby Like these simple portraits of the stars of yesteryear, the menu at Disney’s Brown Derby includes several throwbacks as well. Eats We’re starting with drinks, of which there are many options. We love a good flight at Brown Derby (or at her no-ADR-required Brown Derby Lounge!), so a Martini Flight or Margarita Flight is pretty much always a good plan here. Drink Menu Drink Menu On this visit, we went in a different direction. The Hollywood Lights is a cheerful and fun drink consisting of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, Pineapple, and a splash of Cranberry juice. The fruity drink is refreshing and strong — not a bad combination when you’re enjoying a leisurely lunch in Hollywood. Hollywood Lights If you want to drink your dessert, before or after your meal, the Grapefruit Cake Martini will do the trick — assuming you’re a grapefruit fan. This drink is modeled on the restaurant’s signature dessert: Grapefruit Cake, of course! (Want to make this famous confection at home? Recipe here!) Grapefruit Cake at Hollywood Brown Derby We’ve sipped on the Grapefruit Cake Martini before (see the review here), and it hasn’t changed over the years. The crushed vanilla wafer half-rim is fun and tasty, and it complements the creamy, citrusy martini. You’ve definitely gotta have an appreciation for grapefruit, though! Grapefruit Cake Martini The lunch menu at Brown Derby is comprised of classics from a variety of cuisines. You’ll find a Grilled Wagyu Beef Burger as well as a Ginger-Lemon Grass Pho (plant-based). Cioppino offers a variety of seafood. Hollywood Brown Derby Menu Hollywood Brown Derby Menu On this visit, we, of course, HAD to get the restaurant’s Famous Cobb Salad. It’s practically a rule to dine here that you must try it at least once. It’s one of the prettiest salads around! It arrives somewhat deconstructed and is mixed tableside. It consists of Finely Chopped Greens, Turkey Breast, Bacon, Egg, Tomatoes, Crumbled Blue Cheese, Avocado, Chives, and Cobb Dressing. Here’s how this beaut is typically presented (pre-toss, that is!)… Famous Cobb Salad This trip, we opted to add chicken to ours! For those looking to fill up on salad, this is a satisfying option. With or without the addition of grilled chicken, there’s a lot to love here. It’s good fuel for an afternoon or evening of park touring. Cobb Salad with Grilled Chicken But the more interesting of the dishes we tried on this visit is the Andouille-Crusted Chicken Breast. We’ve had Andouille-Crusted Shrimp at Brown Derby Lounge, and they are phenomenal. Like, mind-blowingly good. In fact, let’s take a moment to admire them… Andouille-Crusted Shrimp We’re picking our chins up off the floor now. The Andouille-Crusted Shrimp was seriously the best thing we ate the week we had them, and that is saying something, so we had HIGH hopes for the Andouille-Crusted Chicken Breast. It’s served on an Onion Kaiser Roll and topped with Maple-Glazed Nueske’s Bacon, White Cheddar, and House-Made Pickles. A pile of Arugula adds some fresh pepperiness. Andouille-Crusted Chicken The sandwich is delicious; every component has its place, and the combination of flavors is thoughtful. It didn’t wow us quite like the shrimp; the chicken’s crust wasn’t as well cooked or flavorful. But overall, it was a satisfying sandwich. The Vegetable Slaw and the French Fries were straightforward accompaniments. Andouille-Crusted Chicken The chicken is good…but give us a couple orders of that shrimp any day of the week. Note the yummy Shrimp are only on the Brown Derby Lounge menu, but don’t be shy about asking if you can get them in the dining room of the restaurant proper! Nosh or Not? Walk the red carpet to Hollywood Brown Derby if: You’re looking to enjoy Signature dining at Hollywood Studios, and this is it. You love the Old Hollywood vibe. The consistently good menu sounds good to you. #andouillecrustedshrimp Dine elsewhere if: You don’t want to spend time (or money) on table service dining in the Parks. You want to have a Signature meal, but you want it to be truly special in all ways. The menu doesn’t appeal to you; you want something a little more creative. Overall Hollywood Brown Derby is a consistent restaurant, and at Walt Disney World, that’s really an appealing trait. If you’re looking for a good meal in an elegant and simple atmosphere, Brown Derby sounds like your cup of tea. But for us, it’s not the first choice for a signature meal. There are restaurants whose spaces impress us more, whose menu items are more innovative and feel fresher. So while we’re happy with Hollywood Brown Derby, it’s not necessarily a place we need to return to on every trip. And that’s really okay! It’s nice to revisit whenever we do. If you love that old Hollywood vibe and classic drinks and fare, this could be a hit for you though! Are you a Hollywood Brown Derby fan? Share your experiences in the comments below! Related posts: The Five Best Table Service Salads at Walt Disney World (According To The Experts!) Review: The Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge Review: Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater BBQ and Vegan Eats in Disney’s Hollywood Studios View the full article

We just learned that National Sangria Day is a thing, and we are SO on board! Pepe That’s right, National Sangria Day is coming up this Friday, December 20th, and Pepe by José Andrés at Disney Springs is getting in the celebratory spirit with a limited-time deal that is about to make holiday shopping a LOT more fun! On Friday December 20th, Pepe by José Andrés at Disney Springs will be celebrating National Sangria Day in the BEST way. They’ll be offering Sangria by the glass for $6, and even supplying to-go friendly cups so you can sip n’ shop around Disney Springs! WHAT! National Sangria Day ©Pepe We can definitely get on board with this kind of holiday shopping! To take advantage of the one-day-only deal, head on over to Pepe by José Andrés on December 20th to pick up a glass of sangria! Check out our FULL review of Pepe by José Andrés here! Will you be celebrating National Sangria Day? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New in Disney Springs! August 10, 2018 Find Out Which Disney Springs Restaurant Will Launch a Sangria Hour SOON! Cozy Up to Warm Mulled Wine at Wine Bar George in Disney Springs View the full article