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The wait is finally over. No, we aren’t talking about a new episode or a new series added to Disney+. Disney+ Streaming Service When Disney+ launched, dozens of characters were available to choose from as your profile icon. These ranged from classic animated villains to Pixar to Marvel. Now, with the massive success of The Mandalorian, the true breakout star has joined the ranks of profile icon fame. That’s right my friends: you can now add BABY YODA as your Disney+ profile icon! We’ve reported on all the recent additions to Baby Yoda in the parks, and now there’s one MORE way to express your love (please excuse us while we go change our profile icons…). © Disney If you were looking for even more ways to proclaim your admiration for ‘The Child,’ you can do so by simply editing your current profile icon. Scroll down to ‘Star Wars’ and there he is! SO CUTE ©Disney Note that you CANNOT use the same profile icon multiple times, so be sure to claim him before someone else in your family does! You can watch all of Baby Yoda’s cuteness on The Mandalorian, streaming now on Disney+! Read more on Baby Yoda merchandise here! What other characters do you want to see added to the profile icon lineup on Disney+? Let us know in the comments! Related posts: Baby Yoda Plush IS HERE! ACT FAST! Our Wish Has Been Granted! “Baby Yoda” Merch is COMING…EVERYWHERE! Stop the Presses! These NEW Baby Yoda MagicBands, Phone Cases, and MORE Are MUST-Gets For Mandalorian Fans! View the full article

It’s a wild one in Animal Kingdom, but isn’t it always? Kevin We took a stroll around our favorite conservation-focused park in Disney World today and tried to spot anything new. Check out allll of the Animal Kingdom updates in food, construction, and merchandise! Animal Kingdom Food Updates Discovery Island Let’s start with the most important updates. Yes, that’s right — it’s food. First up, we spotted that Pizzafari is also serving the new Menagerie Cupcake! We L-O-V-E this new cupcake so we’re glad to see it in a few locations around the park. Pizzafari Menagerie Cupcake Click here to check out our FULL REVIEW of the Menagerie Cupcake! Creature Comforts is serving the Menagerie Cupcake too, and they also have a new Cranberry Mickey Brownie for $5.99. Warning: This thing is LOADED with icing, so we hope you have a sweet tooth! Plus, cranberry is a super wintery flavor. Cranberry Mickey Brownie Want to know what we thought of the Cranberry Mickey Brownie? Click here! Multiple Locations You might remember that we spotted a while back a cute winter version of the Lion’s Paw Cookie that Cast Members called the Winter Paw. Well, it officially has a name and signage at snack kiosks around the par, and it’s called the Menagerie Paw Cookie! We’re seeing a theme here… Menagerie Paw Cookie Click here to read about the cookie previously known as Winter Paw. Animal Kingdom Construction Updates Discovery Island Winged Encounters is a show that takes place a few times a day on Discovery Island and features colorful Macaws flying around in front of the Tree of Life. Well, the show just got its very own updated stage area! Winged Encounters Stage We love the design because it has the same type of carved animal faces as the Tree of Life. Winged Encounters Stage Africa There’s also construction over in Africa and it’s technically a mystery. Although, if you ask us, it’s super possible that this is work on the expected Club 33 location that’s supposed to show up in Animal Kingdom anytime now. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this secret location! Africa Club 33 Construction Animal Kingdom Merchandise Updates Riverside Depot And finally, let’s wrap it up with merchandise. We found a bunch of cute new Minnie merch in Riverside Depot! There’s this twist on the classic Spirit Jersey with the Minnie Reverse Spirit Jersey for $54.99. Reversed Minnie Spirit Jersey There’s also this Retro Minnie Kitchen Line which we are FREAKING OUT ABOUT. I mean look how cute it is! There are Measuring Cups for $24.99… Retro MInnie Mouse Kitchen Collection …a Cake Stand for $39.99… Retro Minnie Cake Stand … a Ceramic Canister for $34.99 and a smaller Canister Set for $29.99… Retro Minnie Metal Cannister Set …some Paper Straws for $7.99 (how environmentally conscious!)… Paper Straws …this ADORBS Rolling Pin for $29.99… Retro Minnie Rolling Pin …and, our favorite part, this super sweet Minnie Apron for $34.99! Retro Mickey and Minnie Apron See our FULL Article (and More Pictures!) On This New Retro Minnie Line Here! Discovery Trading Co. And we slipped over to Discover Trading Co. too. Good thing we did, because we spotted this fun 2020 Light Up Lanyard for $14.99! 2020 Light Up Lanyard And there you have it! That’s all the new stuff we spotted in Animal Kingdom today. Have a wild rest of your week! Click here to check out other recent updates to Animal Kingdom! Do you think the construction is hiding a Club 33 location? Still lovin’ the Menagerie Cupcake? Share your thoughts in the comments! Related posts: What’s New in Animal Kingdom — Construction, Brownies, and an ADORABLE Cookie! What’s New in Animal Kingdom — Trading Pins, Jack Skellington Merch, and Colorful New Treats! What’s New at Animal Kingdom — Spooky Face Painting, A Halloween Cupcake, And The Rise of Skywalker Merch! View the full article

Hey everybody! It’s time for another roundup of What’s New in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Season’s Greetings from Hollywood Studios! Think of this week’s edition as a virtual Christmas card mailed to you directly from Walt Disney World! We’ll get you caught up with all the latest happenings at Hollywood Studios including Rise of the Resistance crowds and a sleigh-full of new MERCH! So without further Batuu ado, let’s get rolling! Hollywood Studios Crowd Update When we arrived at Hollywood Studios, we noticed lots of sandwich board signs stating that Boarding Groups for Rise of the Resistance were already full for the day. (The signs were throughout the park as well, including Hollywood Boulevard and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge!) Hollywood Studios Entrance Rise of the Resistance is crazy popular — and it has been experiencing some operational delays since its grand opening last week — which means demand is definitely larger than supply when it comes to this attraction. The Boarding Groups system allows guests to virtually reserve their spot in line. But remember, ya gotta get to Studios EARLY to grab your spot and beat the sandwich boards. Rise of the Resistance Sign Next, we headed over to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge so see what all the Yub Nub hub-bub was about. There were quite a few “Early Risers” on planet already, patiently waiting in front of the entrance to Rise of the Resistance for their Boarding Group numbers to be called. Rise of the Resistance Crowds The numbers of ride hopefuls are starting to get a little overwhelming! Rise of the Resistance Crowd We ducked over to the Black Spire Outpost real quick and noticed Kat Suka’s Kettle was now offering Hot Chocolate for $3.79! Hot cocoa and popcorn sounds like an unusual combination, but hey, it’s the outer rim… . Black Spire Hot Chocolate Heading out of Galaxy’s Edge we ventured over to the Hollywood Tower Hotel. For folks who were bummed about not getting the chance to ride Rise of the Resistance yesterday, there was a special surprise to help soften the blow — a super-secret Character Palooza took place! Characterpalooza Disney characters who appear in Hollywood Studios’ nighttime spectacular, Fantasmic! are known to sometimes secretly greet with guests by the main entrance in a little-known event called Character Palooza. We were told by a Cast Member the Character Palooza yesterday was comprised of Disney characters who were “earning their ears” — which is Disney-speak for training! We saw Tigger, and Smee, along with Goofy… Goofy! …and Donald in their classic attire! Donald! But wait… it only gets better! Holy smokes! We weren’t expecting to run into Rafiki at Hollywood Studios! He usually only meets at Animal Kingdom and maaaybe the Magic Kingdom on rare occasions! Rafiki! But here’s an EVEN RARER BIRD! It’s a Penguin Waiter from Mary Poppins!!!! AHHHHH! Peguin Waiter Why, have you ever seen something so beautiful in your whole LIFE? Rise of the Resistance-who? We’re all about this little guy and his adorable bow tie! YAAAS Penguin Waiter! You just made our millennium! Penguin Waiter Hollywood Studios Merchandise Update Celebrity 5 & 10 As you’re probably well aware, 2019 is almost history, so it’s time to roll out all that shiny new 2020 merch! While we’ve seen A LOT of it flooding into the parks lately, today was the first time we spied this new Disney World Passholder Phone Case for $69.99! Disney World Passholder Phone Case Get more details about the Disney World AP Phone Case here! Legends of Hollywood And 2020 can’t come soon enough for us to start sporting the new 2020 Alex and Ani Bracelet we discovered at Legends of Hollywood for $44.99! 2020 Alex and Ani Bracelet Read more HERE about the new 2020 Alex and Ani Bracelet! Launch Bay Fans of the Disney+ series The Mandalorian can now choose from two unique designs of phone cases including this one for $29.99, which reminds us of a vintage Sci-Fi novel book jacket! Mandalorian Phone Case There was also this The Mandalorian Phone Case for $29.99 — complete with baby pink bumper! Mandalorian Phone Case Click here to find out more about the new Mandalorian Phone Cases! Tatooine Traders We had to resist the urge to buy all the new Rise of the Resistance merch we spotted yesterday, including this new Rise of the Resistance Pin for $9.99. Rise of the Resistance Pin As well as this Rise of the Resistance Pin, also $9.99. Rise of the Resistance Pin We also saw two new Rise of the Resistance MagicBands. We love this steely blue Rise of the Resistance MagicBand for $34.99… Rise of the Resistance MagicBand …and an AP Rise of the Resistance MagicBand for $34.99 in a medium gray! AP Rise of the Resistance MagicBand Check out all of the new Rise of the Resistant merch we spotted here! It wasn’t just Rise of the Resistance merch we spotted for Star Wars fans — check out all this sweet, new 30th Anniversary Star Tours swag! We saw this Star Tours Pin for $17.99! Star Tours Pin And this awesome Star Tours Shirt for $29.99! Star Tours Shirt Read more about the 30th-anniversary Star Tours merch HERE! It’s a Wonderful Shoppe You might remember from a while back some Disneyland ornaments we ran into (click here if you need your memory jogged!). Well today we spotted this adorable Double-sided Cinderella Castle Ornament for $29.99! On the front, it’s all business as usual for the Magic Kingdom’s iconic castle… Double-sided Cinderella’s Castle Ornament …while it’s a party on the back, showcasing what looks like the Dream Suite? Okay, so maybe we’ll never get to spend the night in Cinderella Castle, but this ornament might be the next best thing! Double-sided Cinderella’s Castle Ornament We also saw this 3D Mickey and Minnie Ornament for $19.99! We love the old-timey look of Mickey and Minnie! It kinda reminds us of the Retro Minnie Kitchen Collection we spotted yesterday in the Animal Kingdom! 3D Mickey and Minnie Ornament And as you turn the ornament, you can see how dimensional it is! Such a cool effect! 3D Mickey and Minnie Ornament Mickey’s of Hollywood At Mickey’s of Hollywood, we spotted a new twist on an old favorite! Check out the style of these new Reverse Spirit Jerseys! We’re calling ’em “reverse” because the large lettering that’s been traditionally on the back is now on the front! The material also feels slightly different — more sweatshirt-y — to us than regular spirit jerseys! We discovered this Mickey “Reverse” Spirit Jersey for $54.99. Mickey “Reverse” Spirit Jersey And this Grey “Reverse” Spirit Jersey for $54.99 had glittery, metallic lettering running down its sleeves! Gray “Reverse” Spirit Jersey And last we scouted this Rainbow “Reverse” Spirit Jersey for $54.99, which is TOTALLY becoming our new go-to sweatshirt for cool evenings at the parks — or just lazing around the house! Rainbow “Reverse” Spirit Jersey Click here to find out more about these new Spirit Jersey styles! Well, friends, that’s all for this week’s edition of What’s New in Hollywood Studios — until next time! We’ll be back with more food, entertainment, and merchandise news before you can finish that fruit cake your Great Aunt sent you ! Are you heading to Disney World for the holidays? Tell us about your vacation game plan in the comments below — and how EARLY you’re planning on getting up for Rise of the Resistance! Related posts: What’s New in Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Public Water Works, Hot Cocoa, and Baby Yoda? What’s New at Hollywood Studios — Rise of the Resistance Officially OPENS, Irish Cream Cold Brew, and Jango Fett Steins! What’s New at Hollywood Studios This Week: Skyliner Progress, Tatooine Traders Construction, and More Holiday Fun! View the full article

It’s Thursday night and time to share a look at some of the exciting Walt Disney World Resort experiences you’ve got to try this weekend. If you’re visiting this weekend, don’t miss “Candlelight Processional” at Epcot in the America Gardens Theatre. This weekend’s narrator is actor Gary Sinise, a guest-favorite! And he’ll be taking the stage December 13-15, at 5, 6:45 & 8;15 p.m. And while you’re at Epcot, you can participate in Epcot’s Holiday Cookie Stroll. Just grab a Festival Passport and you’ll be led to five locations. Be sure to get your passport stamped during your stroll and bring it back to the Sweets & Treats Holiday Kitchen to receive a complimentary Santa Mickey Sugar Cookie. Also, if you’re looking for a perfect gift, it’s all about the Belle of the Ball Bronze ear headband! Our latest color collection will have you sparkling this holiday season. Stop by any Walt Disney World theme to pick up a Minnie Mouse ear headband, spirit jersey, Loungefly backpack and more. 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

Ahh, Chicken Guy!, how we love your crispy chicken and 22 (!!!!) amazing sauces. Loaded Fries with SMC Chicken Guy! is a relatively new restaurant in Disney Springs having just opened in August of 2018. Still, it already has a significant following thanks to its simple concept and MASSIVE sauce menu (who doesn’t love sauce???). Well, we just spotted a building permit that hints at some changes coming to the poppin’ Disney Springs spot, and we’re pretty excited about what we found out! The Orange County building permit filed refers to a “Restaurant Remodel” in Suite A of the Planet Hollywood building (AKA Chicken Guy!). Now, that’s literally all of the details the permit gives about WHAT is going to be going down at Chicken Guy! So, we reached out for comment from the restaurant location. Guy Fieri’s newest restaurant is Chicken Guy! A Chicken Guy! spokesperson followed up with us to note that the restaurant is not exactly remodeling. Instead, they will be making space for more seating and restrooms inside the restaurant! They noted that the Florida heat can be pretty intense during the summer, so more indoor seating is a plus (AGREED!). And restrooms inside will be great (so we don’t have to go across the “street” to the closest location)! Even better, the work won’t interrupt the customer experience at the restaurant at all, according to Chicken Guy!, so that likely means there will be no closures (and to end to SAUCESSSSSS) during the updates. Chicken Guy! As for timing, the document is technically a Notice of Commencement, which is paperwork that is usually filed immediately before or after the permit work begins. This notice was filed on December 4. Fried Chicken Tenders Regardless, we’ll be keeping an eye out for any signs of renovation going on at the Sauce Boss location! Click here to read our FULL REVIEW of Chicken Guy! Related posts: NEWS!! All the Treats for WonderFall Flavors at Disney Springs Announced TWO Free Goodies NOW Available in Disney Springs!! Pics and REVIEW! New Pumpkin Cannolis in Disney Springs! View the full article

Holiday treats have been consuming our minds lately. But before we get back to our regularly scheduled programming, we must pause to admire a not often talked about snack. D-Luxe Burger We’re talking about the Loaded Fries from the Mobile Order Secret Menu at D-Luxe Burger in Disney Springs! We frequently find ourselves at this true gem that consistently is churning out delicious burgers, shakes, and much more. The focus turns today on their Loaded Fresh-cut Fries. Loaded Fries on Mobile Order Screenshot These carriers of deliciousness are topped with beer cheese, bacon, and chives, then smothered with garlic ranch and jalapeños. Secret Menu Item Loaded Fries! And they were delicious! These fry babies are topped with lots of yummy beer cheese and they come with their own garlic ranch dipping sauce. The fries alone are enjoyable but this combo just brought them to the next level. The jalapeños were super fresh and could have easily been picked off for the non-spicy fans out there. Loaded French Fries This was the small (hard to believe, right?), priced at $5.99, and it was very sharable. It is also available in a large size for $8.99. Loaded Fries Mobile Order Screenshot Overall, we say D-luxe Burger maintains its winning streak. Read about more SECRET menu items at D-Luxe Burger here! Have you eaten at D-Luxe Burger in Disney Springs? Let us know! Related posts: Loading Up on Chicken Guy! Loaded Fries and Mac ‘N’ Cheese!! Cozy Up to Warm Mulled Wine at Wine Bar George in Disney Springs Gluten- and Dairy-Free Fish and Chips at Raglan Road and Cookes of Dublin in Disney Springs View the full article

We recently shared our visit to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, where we highlighted the delicious food and beverages at Sebastian’s Bistro and Banana Cabana. And over at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the newly opened Enchanted Rose lounge has become a must-see for guests. That got us thinking about our favorite lounges at the many resorts at Walt Disney World. Here are just a few that we feel you can’t miss! Seeking a bit of adventure? Geyser Point Bar & Grill is perfect for those wanting to grab a meal in the great outdoors of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort. Try their amazing Bison Cheeseburger and a refreshing Huckleberry Punch. Just around the corner at Disney’s Polynesian Villager Resort, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto has become a guest favorite, due to the many surprises that await them at this tropical hideaway. They have a variety of specialty cocktails, many available in themed tiki mugs to take home. Just don’t anger the goddess Uh-Oa! Victoria Falls Lounge at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is the perfect “watering hole” for those looking for another way to enjoy the African-inspired resort. Stop by for some Goat Cheese Dip or a Mushroom Flatbread, and pair it with a glass of South African wine. If you’re looking for something more laid back, try Ale & Compass Lounge at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. The nautical themed nook offers a menu that includes an extensive list of New England and local beers and wine. Perfect with an order of Roasted Buffalo-style Cauliflower or Oven-roasted Oysters. Or unwind at Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter’s Scat Cat’s Club – Lounge. The southern-style jazz lounge offers Louisiana-inspired menu items, including Crawfish Étouffée and Baton Rouge Beignets. And don’t forget a refreshing Southern Hurricane, a New Orleans staple. Do you have a favorite lounge you love to visit when you’re at Walt Disney World? Let us know, using #HappyPlace! View the full article

In the short “Pluto’s Christmas Tree,” Mickey and Pluto cut down their own tree for the holidays, and unknowingly, bring Chip and Dale inside their house. The brothers are immediately enamored with the lovely decorations Mickey and Pluto place on the tree – but nearly end up ruining the decor as Pluto chases them around the house. This short inspired today’s Disney Doodle, in which artist Ashley Taylor imagines what Chip and Dale would do if they could visit Disney Springs. “Chip and Dale marveled at Mickey’s Christmas decorations in the 1952 short ‘Pluto’s Christmas Tree,’” Ashley said. “It’s easy to imagine them wanting to help decorate the Christmas Tree Trail at Disney Springs.” View the full article

It’s hard to believe that this month marks a whopping 15 years of Disney’s PhotoPass Service! ©Disney It’s certainly evolved over time as technology has advanced, but it’s always been one of the easiest ways to preserve and relive memories from your vacation. To commemorate this milestone, Disney will be launching the 15 Years of Memories Campaign. This celebration will take place throughout the next year with limited-edition photo opportunities all over Walt Disney World. PhotoPass made its official debut at Epcot in 2004, so naturally, the celebration will kick off there. Now through January 6, 2020, guests can enjoy colorful photo ops after dark. One of the locations will be near the main entrance of Epcot with Spaceship Earth as the backdrop. Celebrate 15 Years of Memories ©Disney Another photo opportunity will take place in Future World with Spaceship Earth once again serving as a stunning backdrop. 15 Years of Memories ©Disney Guests are encouraged to share their favorite Disney PhotoPass memories from throughout the years by using the social media hashtag #DisneyPhotoPass Now through January 6, 2020, as part of the celebration guests will receive 15% off plus free domestic shipping on select orders when they customize and order photo gift products through EZ Prints. For more information and full product list, please visit disneyworld.disney.go.com/photopass/products/ 15 Years of Memories ©Disney We can’t wait to see what other photo opportunities pop up throughout this yearlong celebration! How have you created memories over the years using Disney’s PhotoPass service? Let us know! Related posts: The Holiday Magic Shots That Are Now Available in Disney World Are ADORBS! Here’s What You Need To Know About Disney World’s Memory Maker PhotoPass System! Limited Edition Mezcal to Celebrate La Cava del Tequila’s Tenth Anniversary — But You’ll Have to ACT FAST! View the full article

Minnie has some serious chops when it comes to fashion, but did you happen to know she’s a great baker, too? Retro MInnie Mouse Kitchen Collection Is there anything our girl can’t do? And while back in October we spotted a recipe box and a few other smallish accessories, Minnie’s new line of kitchen goods is now available in Disney World! Let’s take a look at the new collection! Similar to the retro-Christmas line we saw pop up this holiday season, these new baking accessories have a similar kitschy vibe that are making us want to run to our ovens! Can we first just talk about this new Mickey and Minnie Apron for $34.99 for a sec? Retro Mickey and Minnie Apron It’s truly the standout of the show! Just look at all those shiny red cherries printed all over its top and along the bottom. We think we see some hidden Mickeys… And it’s even got POCKETS! One pocket features our ol’ pal, Mickey Mouse! Retro Mickey and Minnie Apron Detail But don’t be fooled — this new collection is all about the hostess with the most-est, Minnie Mouse! Here she is embroidered on the other pocket. Such a cute detail! Retro Mickey and Minnie Apron Detail Have you recovered from the apron yet? Neither have we, but let’s press on! Next up, this adorable Minnie Cake Stand for $39.99! We love how it says, “With a cherry on top,” on it’s top! Plus Minnie’s dress matches the print of the apron perfectly. We’re taking this as a sign we’re meant to have BOTH! Retro Minnie Cake Stand Plus the pedestal of the cake stand is covered in cute little cherries, while the top is red with white polka dots! Retro Minnie Cake Stand And if all that wasn’t stinkin’ cute enough, check out these Retro Mickey and Minnie Pot Holders for $19.99. We love how they come in a set of two because we have trouble deciding when confronted with this much adorableness. Retro Minnie Pot Holders The Mickey pot holder is shaped more like an oven mitt and says, “Magic is the Secret Ingredient.” We were wondering why his casseroles always tasted so good at those potlucks… Retro Minnie Pot Holders While the Minnie pot holder is round and says, “The Secret Ingredient is Love”. Well, whatever the ingredients may be, we know the secret recipe behind this collection is simply fabulous! Retro Minnie Pot Holders The reverse side is floral print, btw! Retro Minnie Pot Holder But wait! There’s more! Check out this Retro Minnie Metal Canister Set for $29.99! You get all three! Retro Minnie Metal Canister Set And each canister comes topped with a lid! LOVE!!! Retro Minnie Metal Canister Set There’s this Minnie Mouse canister… Retro Minnie Metal Canister Set …as well at this red canister, the tallest in the set, featuring both Mickey and Minnie! And you know we’re suckers for a good gingham print! Retro Minnie Metal Canister Set Here’s Mickey again on the final canister! Oh boy! We love the cherry accents along the bottom! Retro Minnie Metal Canister Set There’s also this classy Retro Minnie Ceramic Canister for $34.99! We love how the red and blue colors along with the cherry, floral, and gingham patterns are carried throughout the entire collection! Retro Minnie Ceramic Canister Get your sip on with these Retro Minnie Paper Straws we spotted for $7.99! Retro Minnie Paper Straws And now for the piece de resistance — the Retro Minnie Rolling Pin for $29.99! No retro kitchenware collection would be complete without one! Retro Minnie Rolling Pin Such cute details on this little guy! Plus he’s made of ceramic — perfect for keeping that pastry dough nice and cold. Fabulous-looking and functional? We’ll take a baker’s dozen of ’em! Retro Minnie Rolling Pin So if you’re anything like us, you’ll be gathering up some flour, sugar, butter, and eggs to start making cookies and cakes for your very own bake sale so you can buy the entire collection! Or just ask Santa Claus to stop by Riverside Depot in Disney’s Animal Kingdom — we hear he’s not done shopping for you yet! What do you think of the new Retro Minnie Kitchen Line? Will you be picking up any items? Tell us which ones have caught your eye in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New in Animal Kingdom — Construction, Brownies, and an ADORABLE Cookie! What’s New at Animal Kingdom — Spooky Face Painting, A Halloween Cupcake, And The Rise of Skywalker Merch! What’s New at Animal Kingdom — A Rotten Apple Cocktail, Up Phone Cases, And Your FAVE Disney Recipes! View the full article

Can you believe that Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is almost here?! ©Disney The latest installment of the Star Wars Skywalker Saga will be hitting the big screen on December 20th, and Disney is going all out with the celebration. From The Rise of Skywalker merchandise to themed cupcakes popping up in the parks, Disney is getting ready for the latest debut in the series. But, if you can’t make it to a Disney park to celebrate the Star Wars milestone, don’t despair! There’s a more local Disney spot you might be able to visit to commemorate the big day! On December 16th, fans can visit select Disney stores for a special Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker event! The night will feature meet-and-greets with Stormtroopers, along with photo opportunities, giveaways, and even a live stream of the red carpet World Premiere for The Rise of Skywalker! The Rise of Skywalker ©Walt Disney Studios Receive the commemorative Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker “Opening Night” Pin with any purchase at Disney store! Disney Store Rise of Skywalker Event ©Disney The party will begin between 5:30 and 6 PM PST, with the live stream offered at the following Disney Store locations: Glendale Galleria Del Amo Fashion Cente Northridge Fashion Center Century City Mall, Galleria at Tyler Westfield Fashion Square Valencia Town Center The Promenade Burlington Mall Dadeland Mall Menlo Park Mall Southpark Mall Ridgedale If you can’t make it to any of those locations, though, you can still celebrate at a Disney store! On December 16th you can receive that commemorative Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker “Opening Night” Pin free with any purchase no matter the Disney store! To learn more about this out-of-this-world event, along with a list of participating locations, head on over to shopDisney! Check out the Rise of Skywalker merch available in the parks here! Will you be visiting your local Disney store to celebrate the opening of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New at Animal Kingdom — Spooky Face Painting, A Halloween Cupcake, And The Rise of Skywalker Merch! The FINAL Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Trailer Is Here (And We Have All the Feels)! Our Wish Has Been Granted! “Baby Yoda” Merch is COMING…EVERYWHERE! View the full article

Big Top Souvenirs and Pete’s Silly Sideshow, located in the heart of the Magic Kingdom’s Storybook Circus in Walt Disney World, were closed today! Storybook Circus’ Big Top And we’re not really sure when they’ll open again. Several Disney World Cast Members were on hand and at the ready to help with the unexpected shutdown, and we were able to ask them a few questions about the situation. Storybook Circus’ Big Top is home to a gift shop, a treat shop, and a character meet and greet. As you can probably imagine, it was quite jarring to see the front of Big Top Souvenirs blocked off by these rolling shrub partitions today! But the friendly smiles of the Cast Members helped to soften the blow! Storybook Circus’ Big Top Meanwhile, the other side of the gift shop was also barricaded. (Guarded by more smiling cast members.) Storybook Circus’ Big Top And just to its right, Pete’s Silly Sideshow character meet-and-greet location was also closed! But if you’re in the Magic Kingdom hoping to meet your favorites, don’t worry. The characters who normally meet were still greeting guests — just not in their normal spot! Storybook Circus’ Big Top Over by the restrooms, we spotted Minnie and Daisy signing autographs and swapping fashion advice! Storybook Circus’ Big Top We also saw Pluto out for his afternoon walk, heading back to his dog house after meeting with his fans. It’s Pluto! And Donald Duck and Goofy enthusiasts were meeting next to the Walt Disney World Railroad train station! Donald and Goofy Meet and Greet After speaking with several Cast Members, the reason for Big Top’s sudden closure remains a mystery. And when asked when we could expect Storybook Circus’ Big Top locations to reopen, we received mixed answers. Some reported a reopening within a day or two. Others noted a longer timeframe. We’ll keep our ear to the ground and let you know when when we hear updates! Were you at the Magic Kingdom today and were surprised to see Storybook Circus’ Big Top closed? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New in Magic Kingdom: Bricks, Briar Rose Gold, Balloon Buckets and More! What’s New in Magic Kingdom — An Epic Sundae, New Jewelry, and Haunted Mansion Merch! What’s New in Magic Kingdom — Halloween Treats, Rainbow Glow Cubes, Construction Updates, and MORE! View the full article

What noise does a dinosaur make when he’s sad? Dinoland U.S.A. We’ve got news from the Cretaceous Period. Restaurantosaurus, the kitschy quick-service joint in Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, started offering one of the BEST Quick Service Disney Dining Plan dining credit values with the Burgers and Sundaes option earlier this year. Well, it looks like that’s all about to change and we’ll tell you how! We’re sad to report that, according to the Disney World website, the Burgers and Sundaes Experience at Restaurantosaurus will no longer count as a Quick Service dining credit on the Quick Service Dining Plan in 2020. Nooooooo! One of our fave DDP deals is going extinct! Restaurantosaurus Decor Based on this info on the Disney World website, the change seems to exclude guests who are using the Quick Service Dining Plan from being able to catch the specialty burgers and sundaes meal at this cute spot — at least if they’re dedicated to using the Dining Plan to pay for it. 2019 and 2020 Burgers and Sundaes Dining Plans Accepted And while not explicitly stated, it sure does look like guests will need to cough up a table service credit to enjoy this experience next year if they’re paying with a Disney Dining Plan. The Burgers and Sundaes experience is $22.99 for adults and $14.99 for kids making it an EXCELLENT use of a Quick Service credit, and a pretty meh use of a Table Service credit. Restaurantosaurus Burgers and Sundaes Experience And adding to our annoyance, we LOVED the Burgers and Sundaes experience when we went to try it out! Seriously, the food was tasty AND the service was absolutely STELLAR (and filled with dino puns which you KNOW we loved). Burgers and Sundaes Experience Well, luckily we still love Restaurantosaurus for quick service meals, and their Snack Credit cupcakes are to die for. All in all, though, this news is about as welcome as an extinction meteor. Fingers crossed it’s a glitch and that adorable meal will be a quick-service credit next year after all. Click here to read more about the Burgers and Sundaes Experience! Are you sad about this potential DDP change in Animal Kingdom? Share your thoughts in the comments! Related posts: FULL Review: NEW Burger and Build-Your-Own Sundae Dinner Experience at Animal Kingdom’s Restaurantosaurus! TOP 9 Disney Dining Plan Quick Service VALUES for 2019! Pics and Review! New Menu Items at Restaurantosaurus in Disney’s Animal Kingdom View the full article

Here at DFB, we sometimes like to challenge ourselves with finding the perfect holiday snack! Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Christmas Tree The rules for today’s challenge are such: A. It must be Mickey-shaped, and B. It must be wearing a Santa hat. Believe it or not, our DFB pal @yellowbeadsandme found one that satisfies both — and also our tastebuds! Follow us over to the Animal Kingdom Lodge to see what it is! Here it is! Mickey’s Santa Cupcake! We’re a flurry of excitement over this adorable little treat! Mickey’s Santa Cupcake c/o @yellowbeadsandme The Mickey’s Santa Cupcake features chocolate cake, with a filled with a peppermint frosting center, topped with buttercream and little zebra print chocolate Mickey ears! Too cute! Mickey’s Santa Cupcake c/o @yellowbeadsandme It’s almost a shame to have to attack this adorable treat, but we’re about to pounce on it anyways! Mickey’s Santa Cupcake c/o @yellowbeadsandme And bring on those delicious chocolate and peppermint flavors! The chocolate cake is nice and moist while the buttercream frosting is super rich — and very generously applied! Not to say the frosting to cupcake ratio is off by any means! We would ensconce ourselves in icing if the opportunity ever arose! Mickey’s Santa Cupcake c/o @yellowbeadsandme But be careful, red icing has a way of staining teeth and hands! So be sure to grab lots of napkins! Get yourself a merry little Mickey’s Santa Cupcake for the holidays at The Mara for $5.99. And maybe pick up a few Zebra Domes, because, why not? It’s the holidays! And if you’re in the market for even more Mickey-shaped, Santa-hat-wearing goodies, check out the one we spotted over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom earlier today — here! If you had to come up with your own holiday snack challenge, what would it be? Tell us your rules in the comments below! Related posts: REVIEW: A RARE New Treat Resurfaces In Disney World’s Animal Kingdom! Try Not To Melt When You See This NEW Float in Disney World! News: Peanut Butter Brownie is BACK at Animal Kingdom Lodge…Sort Of… View the full article

Looking to add some holiday cheer to your frozen treats? Sprinkles has got you covered! Sprinkles in Disney Springs With the holiday season in Florida feeling a bit warmer than most of the country, a scoop of ice cream can really hit the spot! A new Candy Cane Ice Cream flavor has been added to the menu at Sprinkles — who are usually known for their wide variety of cupcakes, but from time to time they will offer specialty ice cream flavors as well! Sprinkles Cupcakes This festive flavor features peppermint ice cream, mixed with crunchy candy cane pieces. © Disney And it’s only available until December 31! Grab a scoop (or several scoops) today! Read up on all things holidays at Disney Springs here! Let us know in the comments your favorite treat from Sprinkles! Related posts: We Have the Scoop on Sprinkles’ National Ice Cream Day Deal! What’s New at Disney Springs — The Quake Shake, A Retro Throwback, And The Spookiest Halloween Decorations EVER! Review! NEW Holiday Cookie Dough Rolls Into Disney Springs! View the full article

Step aside egg nog & hot cocoa! Merry Mashups Disney is helping us get into the holiday spirit with a recipe for House-Made Horchata. Horchata is a drink made from rice with its foundation in Spanish and Latin American cultures. You can find the House-Made Horchata at Merry Mashups for the 2019 Festival of Holidays in Disney California Adventure! House-Made Horchata The recipe is non-alcoholic and serves 1 to 2. Rice Base 2 cinnamon sticks 1 cup jasmine rice 2 cups filtered water Horchata ¾ cup whole milk ¾ cup condensed milk ¾ teaspoon vanilla syrup ¼ cup water Garnish Dollop whipped cream Pinch of ground cinnamon 1 Mexican cinnamon galleta (cookie) Directions For rice base: Combine cinnamon sticks, jasmine rice, and water in a container and cover with a lid. Allow to sit, in the refrigerator, overnight or for a minimum of 8 hours to ensure cinnamon sticks and rice are softened. Blend and strain through cheesecloth and set aside. For Horchata: Combine whole milk and condensed milk in a large container and stir in rice base. Add vanilla syrup and stir. Add ice to serving cup and pour Horchata over ice. Garnish with whipped cream and sprinkle cinnamon on top. Cut Mexican cinnamon galleta in half and place on whipped cream to create Mickey “ears. This sounds super yummy! You can learn more about the House-Made Horchata and Merry Mashups here! Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Check out more Disneyland Food Reviews Here!! Have you tried Horchata around Disneyland Resort? Let us know! Related posts: REVIEW: A New Ingredient Makes These Disney World Limited Time Fries Even HOTTER! REVIEW: ORANGE BIRD Christmas Treat Flaps Into Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! NEWS! The Holiday Cups Have Returned to Disney World! View the full article

All these holiday treats at Disney World sure are getting us into the holiday spirit! Creature Comforts The most wonderful time is in full swing in Disney World! From the Double Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream Sandwich to the Peppermint Soft-Serve, Animal Kingdom has been serving up all kinds of festive goodies! Today, we’re heading over to Creature Comforts in Animal Kingdom to try out another cheery treat — or should we say cranberry treat! The Cranberry Mickey Brownie has sleighed into Animal Kingdom! This adorable Santa Mickey-themed treat is a brownie with cranberry icing – and lot’s of it (more on that in a minute…). Cranberry Mickey Brownie First off, just how cute is this treat?! The brownie comes topped with red cranberry icing and white icing to complete the look of the “Santa hat”. The Mickey ears are made of white chocolate, and everything is covered in beautiful crystal sugar. Cranberry Mickey Brownie So, let’s get back to that icing. It’s a lovely mousse-consistency, with a wonderfully strong cranberry flavor. That being said, boy oh boy, there is a LOT of it! Cranberry Mickey Brownie While it’s delicious and has a wonderful cranberry flavor that goes well with the brownie, we found the amount of icing to be slightly overwhelming! We ended up taking a little bit of it off, and found the combination of tastes to be super enjoyable! Cranberry Mickey Brownie If you are a fan of LOTS of icing (or cranberry, for that matter!) then head on over to Creature Comforts, ’cause you’re going to want to pick up the Cranberry Mickey Brownie, available there for $5.99! Check out some of the other DELICIOUS holiday treats we’ve found in Animal Kingdom! What do you think of the new Cranberry Mickey Brownie? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Related posts: Review! There’s A New Member of The Pride As A Christmas Lion Paw Cookie Arrives in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Listen UP! This is the ONE Treat You NEED This Holiday Season At Disney’s Animal Kingdom! REVIEW: Get Ready to Stuff Your Face with the NEW Thanksgiving Cupcake in Disney’s Animal Kingdom! View the full article

After embarking recently on my first Very Merrytime cruise aboard the Disney Dream, let me tell you – I think I have found a new holiday tradition for my family! If you’re anything like me and will gladly trade in white snow for the white sand beaches of Castaway Cay, read below for the top five things you can look forward to on these special holiday sailings! 1. Mickey’s Tree-Lighting Magic When you walk onto your Disney Cruise Line ship on day one, your eyes will likely be immediately drawn to the three-deck-tall Christmas tree in the atrium. And while there is garland and other décor filling every nook and cranny, you also may notice one more thing – the lights aren’t on! Once you’re sailing off into the sunset, however, many of your favorite Disney characters will join you to change all of that. With holiday music, stories from different cultures as told by crew members and special opportunities for kids to get involved, this tree-lighting ceremony is much more than just an opportunity to make these festive lights come to life! 2. Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball What’s a holiday cruise without Santa and Mrs. Claus? That’s right, usher in these very special guests on each Very Merrytime sailing at Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball. This special holiday gathering featuring Broadway-style entertainment, classic holiday tunes, your favorite characters and even a little magical “snow” overtakes the atrium and is sure to leave each and every guest in the holiday spirit. 3. Characters in holiday attire While your favorite Disney characters are at the center of Mickey’s Tree-Lighting Magic Ceremony and Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball, be sure to check your Navigator App for meet-and-greet times all throughout your sailing. Whether it’s Mickey in his winter sweater, Pluto with antlers or Goofy in a full-fledged Santa suit, these pictures are sure to provide both precious memories and a spot on your family’s Christmas card! 4. Did someone say gingerbread? Did you know that each Disney Cruise Line ship features a life-size gingerbread house in the atrium? Each year, all four ships in the fleet create a unique house (from scratch!) and compete against each other for the most creative and whimsical creation. And while the competition has become an annual rite of passage Disney Cruise Line, it also fills the atrium of each ship with the smell of fresh gingerbread. If you want to try your hand at your own creation, be sure to check out the gingerbread cookie decorating classes offered onboard! Unlike the one in the atrium – you can actually eat yours! 5. Castaway Cay As I mentioned earlier, my favorite thing to do for the holidays is trade in white snow for the white sand beaches on Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line’s private island. But even though you may be in the Bahamas, this slice of paradise is decked for the holidays as well – with a tropical flair, of course! A massive Christmas tree, holiday island music and even “snow” flurries await your family, guaranteeing that the only “blue” you’ll be feeling this holiday season is the color of the crystal-clear waters! The holiday season is in full swing, and so are Very Merrytime cruises! Whether you’re planning a holiday voyage for this year or next, leave me a message below with your personal favorite cruising memories or what you’re most looking forward to during these special holiday sailings! View the full article

This month marks the 15th anniversary of Disney PhotoPass Service at Walt Disney World Resort! Since making its official debut in December 2004, Disney PhotoPass Service has continued to introduce creative new ways to capture your memories, like our new Tiny World and Super Zoom Magic Shots, recently opened Disney PhotoPass Studios, and more. Our Cast Members have helped to capture billions of photos in that span of time, giving you the chance to revisit the magic whenever you need a smile or a cozy trip down memory lane. We know your Disney vacation photos are more than just pictures to hang on a wall or post on social media – they’re how you remember what we hope are among the happiest memories of your life. We’ll be celebrating this milestone anniversary throughout the next year by offering special photo opportunities all around Walt Disney World Resort. Since Disney PhotoPass Service first launched at Epcot, we figured this is the perfect place to kick off the celebrations! Now through January 6, 2020, you can enjoy a few bright and colorful photo ops after dark at Epcot. Check out the locations below where you can find photographers to capture these special moments for you. Disney PhotoPass opportunity near the main entrance of Epcot Disney PhotoPass opportunity in Future World near Spaceship EarthAnd if you’re looking for a creative way to display a favorite Disney vacation moment, now through January 6, 2020, you can also enjoy 15% off plus free domestic shipping on select orders* when you customize and order photo gift products through EZ Prints.** Dress up the fridge with a magnet, trim the Christmas tree with an ornament, or remember your vacation every morning as you enjoy a cup of coffee! Visit disneyworld.disney.go.com/photopass/products/ and follow the links to browse the full assortment of products and build and order your items. Even if you won’t be celebrating with us in person, we encourage you to share your favorite Disney PhotoPass photos or memories captured over the last 15 years using the hashtag, #DisneyPhotoPass. Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog and Disney PhotoPass Instagram page to see what other limited-time photo opportunities we’ll be offering throughout 2020 to celebrate. Here’s to many more years of capturing and remembering the joy, wonder and thrills experienced during a Walt Disney World Resort vacation with Disney PhotoPass Service! *Offer valid on Disney photo gift products ordered from EZ Prints from December 1, 2019 (12:01 a.m. ET) through January 6, 2020 (11:59 p.m. ET). Free shipping applies to Standard Delivery on orders from EZ Prints sent to a single shipment address in the continental United States. Additional Shipping & Handling applies for select items or shipments to more than one shipment address. No adjustments to prior purchases. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer or discount and is subject to restrictions and change without notice. Not valid on any in-store, online or in-app purchases from Disney PhotoPass Service or any other Disney affiliate, location or site. Disney will not be responsible for the EZ Prints offer. Void where prohibited. **Photo gift products are offered by a third party, EZ Prints. Not all Disney PhotoPass photos can be used in EZ Prints products. Use of Disney PhotoPass photos by EZ Prints will be subject to EZ Prints’ own policies and terms, and Disney will not be responsible for EZ Prints products, site or actions. More information on third-party products can be found in the Disney PhotoPass terms and conditions here. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. View the full article

Epcot International Festival of the Arts at Walt Disney World Resort will kick-off its annual global celebration of visual, culinary and performing arts Jan. 17- Feb. 24, 2020. The new Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine debuts at this year’s festival, showcasing food creations that make you look twice and delight all your senses. New stellar Broadway talent is slated for the Disney on Broadway Concert Series, and more special performances are scheduled. The festival fun is designed for all ages, so plan for an outing complete with something for everyone in the family, including three brand-new film experiences that debut at Epcot on festival opening day! As Walt Disney once said, “Color does brighten things up, doesn’t it?” We say, “yes!” This year’s Food Studios’ menus are bursting with bright hues and flavors, and you’ll have a chance to sample the spectrum of delicious dishes with the reward of a colorful culinary prize. As you stroll the World Showcase Promenade, you’ll be tempted by the creative bites and sips created by talented Disney chefs. Collect a stamp for each menu item you taste along the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine, fill your Festival Passport “palette,” then collect your colorful culinary prize. Plan ahead by viewing festival menus at Food Studios. You can savor abstract fare at Deconstructed Dish and satisfy your sweet tooth at Decadent Delights. The edible options are endless at 12 Food Studios and other festival food and beverage stops. In November, we shared some of the show-stopping talent lineup for the festival’s popular Disney on Broadway Concert Series, running three times daily at America Gardens Theatre. Now, here’s the rest of the story: Jan. 17, 20, 21 and 24 – Kissy Simmons and Alton Fitzgerald White (“The Lion King”) Jan. 18, 19, 22 and 23 – Heidi Blickenstaff (“The Little Mermaid”) and Gavin Lee (“Mary Poppins”) Jan. 25 – Special performance featuring Simmons, White, Blickenstaff and Lee Jan. 26, 28, 29; Feb. 1, 2, 5 and 6 – Kara Lindsay (“Newsies”) and Kevin Massey (“Tarzan”) Jan. 27, 30, 31, Feb. 3, 4, 7 and 8 – NEW! Liana Hunt (“Newsies”) and Adam Jacobs (“Aladdin”) NEW! Feb. 9 – Special performance featuring Lindsay, Massey, Hunt and Jacobs Feb. 10, 12, 13, 18, 19, 22 and 23 – Ashley Brown (“Mary Poppins”) and Josh Strickland (“Tarzan”) Feb. 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20 and 21 – NEW! Syndee Winters (“The Lion King”) and NEW! Michael James Scott (“Aladdin”) NEW! Feb. 24 – Special performance featuring Brown, Strickland, Winters and Scott. All shows are included with theme park admission. The best way to experience a performance is by reserving a Disney on Broadway Dining Package, which guarantees seating for one show on the day of the dining experience. Packages at participating Epcot restaurants are now booking; guests can visit ArtfulEpcot.com or call (407) WDW-FEST to make a reservation. And remember: age doesn’t matter – art is for everyone! There’s fun for kids of every generation at the Green Landing Family Play Zone. You can pose for some memorable family pictures at several Artful Photo Ops, then paint a piece of our Expression Section: Paint by Number Mural at World Showcase Plaza. When you join us for festival fun, you won’t want to miss the new films debuting at Epcot Jan. 17, 2020. You’ll see art meet science in “Awesome Planet” at The Land pavilion, which employs spectacular imagery, in-theater effects, and an original musical score. You’ll get to perform as part of the audience at the “Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along” in the France pavilion. And you’ll be surrounded by the visual beauty of northern climes when viewing “Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360” in the Canada pavilion – it’s a breathtaking update to the original “O Canada!” film with new scenes, a new musical score and narration by award-winning actors Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy. While visiting World Showcase, be sure to check out a brand new to Epcot performing in the Germany pavilion, Lebendig (“Alive”), Jan. 17 – Feb. 25. This four-piece pop/rock outfit will delight audiences with its contemporary interpretation of the beloved German Schlager style, including covers and originals. Save the dates to come celebrate the visual, performing and culinary arts with us during the 2020 Epcot International Festival of the Arts. View the full article

After nearly 50 years of unforgettable visits and family vacations, many of us have a fairly good idea of what to expect from a stay at Walt Disney World Resort during the holidays. For those of us who have enjoyed Walt Disney World at Christmastime, those memories are an indelible part of our holiday nostalgia. On a recent trip I was awe-struck by the still incredible sight of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, this time of year all festooned and bedecked for the holidays. As a young boy I was mesmerized by the many artist renderings of the hotel I would see in preview brochures or in magazines. In October of 1971, my expectations were completely exceeded as I saw Disney’s Contemporary Resort for real on the “Walt Disney World Grand Opening” TV special. It was an astounding sight to see the monorail effortlessly glide through its imposing form on the freshly landscaped shores of Bay Lake. Today, Disney’s Contemporary Resort hotel still ranks among the world’s most unique commercial structures. Once described by the New York Times as “the best single building through which to observe the blending of technological innovation and far-out fantasy that is uniquely Disney,” the main building of Disney’s Contemporary Resort remains a stunning Walt Disney World Resort icon and architectural wonder. Soaring 14 stories into the Florida sunshine, the hotel’s extraordinary concrete and steel A-frame conceals the lobby area known as the Grand Canyon Concourse, itself nine stories high and the length of one and a half football fields! The A-frame building was built utilizing an experimental method of construction featuring prefabricated, steel, modular units that were assembled offsite (including carpeting, built-in-furniture consoles, wall coverings, lighting fixtures, etc.). Once each of the hotel’s guest rooms arrived on site (more than 1,000 in total and each weighing eight-and-a-half-tons), they were carefully hoisted, slotted into the A-frame, and seamlessly incorporated into the structure. As much as I love the stories, stats and figures behind the creation of Disney’s Contemporary Resort and, in general, its sleek modernistic grandiosity, I have especially enjoyed it through the years during the holidays. With each visit, I’ve always been curious to see how Disney designers create a holiday overlay on an iconic hotel structure that was meant to be a visually compatible backdrop to Tomorrowland in the nearby Magic Kingdom? Through the years the holiday décor at Disney’s Contemporary Resort has been eclectic, bordering on avant-garde. From an astonishing, and seemingly aluminum, towering Christmas tree in the Grand Canyon Concourse, to a massive display of red and green lights on the slopes of its A-frame, to conical futuristic Christmas trees dotting its entranceway, there have been many attempts to convey the holidays at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. To me, the holiday décor at Disney’s Contemporary Resort has always been fun, visually engaging, and interesting. In attempting to be “contemporary,” much of the décor harkens back to late 1960s/early 1970s design sensibilities making them simultaneously vintage in emotion yet contemporary in execution. No matter what form they take, I think they’re terrific and can’t wait to see what they come up with next . . . in the future. View the full article

Some folks firmly believe you can NEVER have too many spirit jerseys! Mickey’s of Hollywood Well, today we found a few BRAND NEW spirit jersey offerings over at Mickey’s of Hollywood in Hollywood Studios, and they’ve got a unique twist! These three new spirit jerseys are fun, colorful, and a little different from what you’d expect! All three come in more of a sweatshirt material than your typical spirit jersey, and feature the writing on the front! Say what?! We’ve spotted a similar type of spirit jersey over in Disneyland previously, and LOVE the take on the classic style! Just look how fun this Rainbow Spirit Jersey is! Rainbow Spirit Jersey The soft, heather gray material comes emblazoned with a colorful, sewn on, satin-y Disney World logo! Rainbow Spirit Jersey The lettering runs all the way down both sleeves, starting on the left sleeve. We are obsessed with the rainbow colors! Rainbow Spirit Jersey If you’re looking for a lil’ more sparkle and SHINE, then this Gray and Metallic Spirit Jersey will be right up your alley! Gray and Metallic Spirit Jersey Look at that pizzazz! We adore the bright, rainbow silver sparkle of the lettering against the deep gray spirit jersey. Gray and Metallic Spirit Jersey Just imagine this sparkling in the Florida sunshine! Plus, it feels so darn comfortable to wear on a slightly cooler winter day (we swear they do happen in Orlando sometimes!). Gray and Metallic Spirit Jersey Ahhh, the Mickey Spirit Jersey might just be our favorite of the bunch! The heather gray jersey is adorned with yellow, black, and red coloring — aka, the signature colors of one Mr. Mickey Mouse! Mickey Spirit Jersey On an up close look, the red stitching on each of the letters is really such a special and fun touch! We loooove it! Mickey “Reverse” Spirit Jersey All three of these “reverse” Spirit Jerseys can be found for $54.99 at Mickey’s of Hollywood in Hollywood Studios! You’re gonna LOVE the Retro Disney Merch we found in Hollywood Studios – check it out here! Will you be picking up any of these new spirit jerseys? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Related posts: Banshee or Millennium Falcon? Is Disney World’s Pandora STILL More Popular Than Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge? Here’s How To Charge Your Phone In Disney World (Now That FuelRods are Too Expensive)! NEWS! The Holiday Cups Have Returned to Disney World! View the full article

Guess what’s returning to Disneyland Resort next Halloween Time? It’s Oogie! The Oogie Boogie BASH! That’s right! Our pal Mr.Oogie Boogie did such a good job MCing his first Halloween Party at Disney California Adventure that his contract’s been renewed! Or should we say, re-booed! You’re joking! You’re joking! We can’t believe our ears! We’re so excited to hear that Oogie Boogie Bash will be returning to Disney California Adventure next year! We can’t wait to boogie with the Big Guy himself, Oogie! But don’t forget, there will be plenty of other baddies in attendance! Villains Grove Sign Read our ULTIMATE Guide to the Oogie Boogie Bash here! If you’ll recall from our coverage of this year’s Oogie Boogie Bash, we saw the Evil Queen brewing up a big batch of “up to no good” — with her giant cauldron! The Evil Queen Read more about the 2019 Oogie Boogie Bash trick-or-treat trails here! And Dr. Facilier, the smooth-talking witch doctor from The Princess and the Frog was holding court on his trick-or-treat trail! Dr. Facilier And we can’t forget our encounter with the Mad Hatter on his trick-or-treat trail! Mad Hatter If all that free candy action wasn’t satisfying enough, there’s even a special Halloween-themed World of Color, Villainous! Villainous! Alright, ghoulish fiends! You’re gonna want to jump on those Oogie Boogie tickets quickly when they become available because they sold out FAST previously! So far we only know the party’s returning, but stay tuned for dates and prices as we’ll be reporting every piece of Oogie Boogie Bash info as soon as it becomes available! 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!! Did you attend the Oogie Boogie Bash last year? Tell us what you thought of it in the comments below! Related posts: Disneyland Hotel Guests Can Enjoy This Exclusive Halloween Event — AND THERE’S FREE CANDY!!! NEW! Oogie Boogie Sipper Gambles Its Way Into Disneyland Resort Oogie Boogie Bash Trick or Treat Trails Are Frightfully Fun in Disney California Adventure! View the full article

Just before the major attraction’s grand opening in Hollywood Studios on December 5th, we told you there’d be Rise of the Resistance merch to commemorate your first escape from the First Order! Hangar and Transport Vehicle on Rise of the Resistance So, let’s check out all of that Rise of the Resistance gear, so you’re prepared for your journey to Batuu! First up, there’s this sharp-looking Rise of the Resistance Shirt for $34.99! Rise of the Resistance Shirt It’s got “Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance” running lengthways along its front and the material has a cool stonewashed effect! Rise of the Resistance Shirt There was also this Women’s Rise of the Resistance Shirt for $34.99 made of lightweight material with a scoop neck! Women’s Rise of the Resistance Shirt The sleeve also had this sweet little Star Wars detail printed on it! Very cute! Women’s Rise of the Resistance Shirt Sleeve Detail Meanwhile, we spotted two new Rise of the Resistance Pins for $9.99 each. Check out this style featuring the rebel insignia! Rise of the Resistance Pin And this version, also featuring the Resistance’s symbol! Rise of the Resistance Pin We also saw this grey denim Rise of the Resistance Hat for $29.99. The fabric has a very subtle pattern of x-wings on it! Rise of the Resistance Hat And our eyes got wide when we saw this new Rise of the Resistance Tumbler for $24.99. This thing is HUGE! Rise of the Resistance Tumbler There was plenty of Rise of the Resistance AP merch on hand as well including this Rise of the Resistance AP Shirt for $34.99… Rise of the Resistance AP Shirt …and this limited edition gray Rise of the Resistance AP MagicBand for $34.99! Rise of the Resistance AP MagicBand Don’t worry! If you’re not an Annual Passholder — you can still get your hands on this blue Rise of the Resistance MagicBand for $34.99, but as with the AP version, it’s also limited edition! Rise of the Resistance MagicBand While that was all the Rise of the Resistance merch we spotted so far, there was also some new Star Wars stuff to explore. Check out this Star Wars Collectible Pin Set! Star Wars Collectible Pin Set The set includes three pins featuring D-O, a droid we’ll be introduced to when Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker debuts in theaters on December 20th! Star Wars Collectible Pin Set The set also includes a pin with D-O, BB-8, and R2D2 all just chillin’ out! Star Wars Collectible Pin Set But we’re picking up this set for this adorable Chewbacca pin! He looks so handsome! Star Wars Pin Set And fans of Disney+’s The Mandalorian, listen up! We found these two new phone cases just for you! There’s this Mandalorian Phone Case for $34.99 that looks like the illustration of an old-timey sci-fi novel! Mandalorian Phone Case And then we spotted this Mandalorian Phone Case, also for $34.99 with a stark-looking black and white Mandalorian helmet! Mandalorian Phone Case We found all of this stuff at Hollywood Studios’ Launch Bay as well as Tatooine Traders, so look for it today! And if you haven’t ridden Rise of the Resistance yet, click here to read about what you should know before you go! Have you gotten the chance to ride Rise of the Resistance yet? Tell us what you thought of it in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New at Hollywood Studios — Rise of the Resistance Officially OPENS, Irish Cream Cold Brew, and Jango Fett Steins! News! Menu Released For the Milk Stand in Disney World’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! What’s New in Hollywood Studios — Scrunchies, Chicken Ronto Wraps, AND Mac and CHEESE! View the full article

There’s been A LOT of Epcot news to digest lately (along with all that delicious Festival of the Holidays food we’ve been feasting on!). Spaceship Earth Last week we got to EXPERIENCE the coming soon Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along, and we also got more details on the upcoming Canada Far and Wide, Awesome Planet and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure attractions! And now, to the cheers of coffee-lovers everywhere, it seems like that new potential Starbucks location is progressing VERY quickly. You may recall that Epcot’s former Fountain View Starbucks was recently demolished as part of the major transformation Epcot is currently undergoing. And Disney has noted that a new, temporary Starbucks would be the works. Former Fountain View Starbucks Well, we’ve been following for quite a while the construction on a new building expected to be additional restrooms located between Future World and Epcot’s World Showcase. New Construction in Epcot Now it appears a new neighbor is moving in! And it sure does look like a Starbs… . But just how temporary are we talkin’ here? Temporary Starbucks Location If not for the fact that this structure seems to have popped up almost out of nowhere, we might have thought it was more than just temporary. It’s looking good! And solid… . Temporary Starbucks Location c/o Rachel Grimes We’ll continue to keep you updated with the news on the new potential Starbucks location, which we’re expecting to see opening very soon! Stay tuned! What do you think of the new Starbucks location at Epcot? What do you think of its spot and do you think it looks temporary, or not? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Here It Is! Our ULTIMATE GUIDE to EVERY SINGLE Arendelle Aqua Treat in Disney World and Disneyland (plus full reviews!)! DFB Exclusive Arendelle Aqua Snack Checklist — Print Yours FREE Today! What’s New in Epcot — Oktoberfest Merch, Construction Updates, Returning Seasonal Treats, and MORE! View the full article