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This month in Disney Doodles, we’re focusing on witch characters, and what they may wish to do or see if they had a chance to visit a Disney Park. In the 1989 film “The Little Mermaid,” Ursula is a sea witch who seeks to trap Ariel (and other ocean residents) in magical deals. What would she do if she had the chance to visit Magic Kingdom Park? “Ursula is a sea witch looking to rule over the seas,” said Artist Ashley Taylor. “It’s easy to imagine her wanting to start her quest by taking over at Pirates of the Caribbean.” View the full article

With the arrival of 83 dogs and one very special cat rescued from The Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian, H.A.L.O No-Kill Rescue animal shelter in Sebastian, Florida, was in desperate need for linens. Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, a Disney Vacation Club property, and Walt Disney World Textile Services answered the call for help and donated 600 pieces of linen – a combination of blankets, sheets and towels. A group of Disney VoluntEARS from Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, including the resort’s General Manager Paul Hart, delivered the linens to the nearby shelter and gave some much-needed TLC to the “potcakes,” a mixed-breed found in The Bahamas. Who could resist those lovable faces? After Hurricane Dorian moved off the island, the Humane Society of Grand Bahama was left with no food or medical supplies to care for the animals. Together with H.A.L.O., they quickly formed a plan to rescue 83 dogs and bring them to Florida. H.A.L.O.’s Director of Development Allyson Bootes told us that she was ecstatic to learn that Disney was able to help. “We are so appreciative of the linen donation and the help we received from the Cast Members down the road at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort,” said Bootes. “We were in a critical period of need after the hurricane, and this support could not have come at a better time!” The donation of linens was critical to the shelter’s ability to care properly for the dogs since all of the bedding used during the 14-day quarantine period had to be disposed to prevent the spread of disease. This is one of many ways Disney is continuing to help those impacted by Hurricane Dorian. The Walt Disney Company, led by Disney Cruise Line, committed $1 million to non-profit relief agencies to help hurricane relief and recovery efforts in The Bahamas. The company also has donated food, water, medical supplies, cleaning supplies, generators and construction materials, which the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy have delivered to points in Nassau and the Abacos and others have helped deliver in Grand Bahama for those most affected by the hurricane. In addition, Disney Cruise Line is supporting its Bahamian-based Crew Members who live in impacted areas. So far, Disney has provided an additional $500,000 in supplies for these communities and direct aid to employees. View the full article

We’ve got huge heart eyes for ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort — we just don’t always have the funds to indulge in their unlimited tasty meat skewers, teriyaki noodles, and signature bread pudding as often as we’d like to! (Especially dem noods!) ‘Ohana And while we’ve always had a knack for finding crafty ways to get our favorite ‘Ohana eats on without booking a Dining Reservation for the super spendy restaurant — like this super under the radar $60 twilight feast or how you can secretly get ‘Ohana’s famous bread pudding after 4PM at Tambu Lounge — we just unearthed even more ‘Ohana secret menu items! Located in the Polynesian’s lobby upstairs next to ‘Ohana, Tambu Lounge was THE spot to grab a drink at the Poly before there was Trader Sam’s to fill that rum-filled void we never knew we had in our hearts! We’ve enjoyed many a Lapu Lapu here! And since Tambu Lounge shares a kitchen with ‘Ohana, we’ve known for quite a while that you can actually ORDER SOME OF ‘OHANA’S MENU ITEMS HERE! Tambu Lounge What we didn’t know until last night is that Tambu Lounge has now become a literal decadent den of ‘Ohana delights! How is this possible? What’s the sitch with these $5 noodles? Don’t worry — we’re about to spill all our deepest ‘Ohana secret menu SECRETS! ‘Ohana The printed menu of Tambu Lounge’s nibbles includes Conch Ceviche, Shrimp Cocktail, Beef Tataki, Crispy Chicken Spring Roll, and a Mixed Grill Kebab served with a savory peanut sauce. Tambu Lounge Menu But don’t be fooled! Tambu Lounge also has secret ‘Ohana eats you can order from the bartenders after 4PM! You just have to be brave enough to speak up and ask for ’em! That’s how we nabbed ourselves this tasty ‘Ohana dinner on the CHEAP! It’s basically a WHOLE ‘Ohana meal (minus the veggies…we are somehow ok with that!) and we didn’t even have an ADR! ‘Ohana Feast at Tambu Lounge That Mixed Grill Kebab that’s printed on the menu? While it isn’t as secret as the other ‘Ohana items, many folks may not realize that the meat is the EXACT SAME deliciousness that ‘Ohana serves in its restaurant! Mixed Grill Kebab The kebab includes four shrimp, two pieces of chicken and two pieces of sizzlin’ steak — he’s a meaty boy for only $13! Plus, it’s served on a bed of greens so…that counts as your veggies, right?! Mixed Grill Kebab Okay, now for the stuff you won’t find on the printed Tambu Lounge menu, but you can order if you’re in the Polynesian-know (wink-wink!). Check out the loaf of ‘Ohana pineapple-coconut bread we scored! The cost was $6, which was a little steep considering it was just bread with some butter, but the fact that it’s ‘Ohana bread made us have to get it! ‘Ohana Bread And the moment you’ve all been waiting for… you can now order the ‘Ohana Teriyaki Noodles! Just look at ’em all delicious and begging to be eaten! Better yet, they only cost us FIVE BUCKS! ‘Ohana Noodles Whaaattttt?!! We’re still pinching ourselves, but it’s the glorious reality that is happening right now at Tambu Lounge. A Cast Member confirmed that folks had been asking for ‘Ohana’s noodles so often that they’ve finally given in! It’s not the size-of-our-heads bowl of noodles we were hoping for, but for only five bucks (that’s only a bit more than a bottle of water at Disney), we think it’s worth the money! Our entire ‘Ohana feast only cost us $24 before tax! Can you believe it!? What a time to be alive! Of course, if you really want to go in for the FULL ‘OHANA Experience, you can also get ‘Ohana’s potstickers and sticky wings at Tambu Lounge! ‘Ohana Sticky Wings That should help you fill out your meal — and your stretchy pants! ‘Ohana Pot Stickers You’ll want to make sure you save some room for dessert because you won’t want to miss out on the signature ‘Ohana bread pudding you can also get from Tambu Lounge. It’s one of the best-kept secrets of this Polynesian watering hole that we’ve been lucky enough to know for quite a while. It has to be, in all seriousness, one of our all-time favorite desserts at Disney World! Just look at that rich banana caramel sauce and melty vanilla ice cream — I’M NOT CRYING, YOU’RE CRYING! ‘Ohana Bread Pudding By our count, you can now get a total of six, yes SIX ‘Ohana menu items at Tambu Lounge — that’s practically everything except their salad or veggies. (And ‘Ohana salad is such a game changer that we wouldn’t be surprised if they gave in on that soon, too!) So if you’re looking for another sneaky way to eat some ‘Ohana grub at low, low prices (well, a lot lower than it costs to eat AT ‘Ohana, at least!), get on down to Tambu Lounge for some five-dollar noods and tell ’em your DFB friends sent you! Wanna see how you can enjoy a full ‘Ohana meal in your pajamas? Click here! Are you excited about scoring this ‘Ohana deliciousness for a lot less mullah and no reservation required? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Tips from the DFB Guide: Must-Eat Snacks at Disney World Resort Hotels REVIEW!!! This Avocado Toast is Our New Jam at Disney World! What’s New at Disney World’s Monorail Resorts! View the full article

When we heard it was Hennessy week at Wine Bar George, we knew we had to get down there fast! Wine Bar George Because the NEW Dole Whip Cocktail we told you about earlier today? It’s around for THIS WEEK ONLY! Listed as the Cognac Colada on the menu, this Dole Whip Cocktail is made with Hennessy Black, Dole Whip Pineapple, Coconut, Espresso, and Banana — sounds intriguing, right? Some of these ingredients peaked our interests for sure — coconut, espresso??? Dole Whip Cocktail But this is easily one of our new fave of the Dole Whip drinks we’ve had at a Wine Bar George! Dole Whip Cocktail The espresso flavor is nice and strong! We thought it needed a strong coffee punch to balance out the sweet fruit flavors of the banana and pineapple. Meanwhile, the Hennessy wasn’t as sweet as the booze Wine Bar George typically uses in these spiked Dole Whip drinks, so if you like a cocktail that is bold, but not too sweet, you’ll want to try this! You can find the Cognac Colada at Wine Bar George THIS WEEK for $13.00. Will you be hittin’ up Hennessy Week at Wine Bar George? Let us know in the comments section! Related posts: News! Hennessy Week Is Coming to Disney World! Limited Time Only Valentine’s Weekend Menu At Wine Bar George in Disney Springs What’s New in Disney Springs! Happy Hours, Star Wars Shoes AND New Bags, and Minnie Ears Ornaments! View the full article

We’re happy to report that our dear friend Avocado Toast is STILL having a moment at Disney World as we just discovered a new version of this super-trendy eat! Avocado Toast Is it a meal? Is it a snack? Who really knows! What we DO know is where you can get your hands on this tasty little number! We had a fruitful trip to Disney’s Polynesian Resort last night! Not only did we discover a Mike Wazowski Cake, and a new Pumpkin Spice Latte, but we also ran into one of our most favorite things to nosh on ON THE PLANET — Avocado Toast! Avocado Toast Read our review of Kona Island’s Pumpkin Spice Latte here! We found the new Avocado Toast offering at Kona Island — it’s also where we snagged the Pumpkin Spice Latte. Hold up — Pumpkin Spice Latte and Avocado Toast at THE SAME SPOT in ONE EVENING??? How were our millennial minds not exploding?! Somehow we held it together long enough to give you the REVIEW! Avocado Toast The Avocado Toast from Kona Island was truly amazing — the multigrain toast was crunchy yet soft in the middle and the creamy rich avocado complemented the egg nicely! There was lots of yummy arugula too, that added a fresh, peppery note and the cherry tomatoes brought a bright, big pop of flavor to the party! Avocado Toast Plus there was lots of goat cheese and the toast was dressed in lemon juice and herbed sour cream. Hey — if it tastes as good as it looks (and it does!), we’re not even mad that one piece cost us $12! Avocado Toast If you’re in the mood for something light and fresh, then this Avocado Toast is a delight! We could see it being especially popular for breakfast — however, monetarily-speaking, the savory Pork Nachos at Tambu Lounge are seriously legit and probably a better bang for your buck! Pork Nachos at Tambu Lounge For even more Avocado Toast action, check out Disneyland’s Tangaroa Terrace’s new menu — you can read our full review here (including their version of Avocado Toast!) Are you a fan of Avocado Toast or are you over it? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New at Disney World’s Monorail Resorts! NEW! These 12 Varieties Of Chocolate Covered Strawberries in Disney World are SO EXTRA! What’s New at the Grand Floridian and Polynesian Village Resorts in Disney World! View the full article

Hey everybody! It’s time for another roundup of What’s New in Epcot! Spaceship Earth With the Epcot transformation currently underway, along with the recent price increases, and new Star Wars merch that’s been flooding into Disney World lately, there’s much to discuss, so let’s get started! Future World Over in Future World, construction continues on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind! Guardians of the Galaxy Coaster Construction Read more about Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind here! Meanwhile, Space 220 Restaurant construction continues and not much has changed since last week. Will this intergalactic restaurant be open by wintertime as originally projected? We sure hope so! Space 220 Restaurant Find out more about Space 220 Restaurant here! A trip by the Food and Wine Festival booth appropriately called the Chocolate Experience yielded some Pumpkin Spice Caramel squares which are now available for purchase! Chocolate Experience Pumpkin Spice Caramel Read more about the Chocolate Experience Food and Wine Booth here! And new to us were these Milk Chocolate Peppermint Brownie squares! They got our tastebuds pumped and primed for the holiday season! Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays is just around the corner, my people! Chocolate Experience Milk Chocolate Peppermint Brownie At Sunshine Seasons there’s now an actual menu board for the Frozen Arendella Aqua Lemonade. Previously a piece of tape from a label maker had alerted us to the spiked Frozen-themed drink’s presence, but it looks like it’s been made official with the actual sign. At first, we thought they’d misspelled Arendelle, but then remembered Disney serves Odwalla Lemonade — clever, Disney. Very clever. Sunshine Seasons Frozen Arendella Aqua Lemonade To check out our review of the Frozen Arendella Aqua Lemonade, click here! Also, Sunshine Seasons now has its Oreo Chocolate Mousse labeled as plant-based, which makes it the perfect dairy-free delight! Sunshine Seasons Oreo Chocolate Mousse Not even Electric Umbrella could shield us from the downpour of price increases these last couple of weeks at Disney World. We noticed several drinks had gone up in price (hittin’ us where it hurts.) Heineken’s gone up to $8.75 from $8.50, Bud Light went up to $8 from $7.75, Strawberry Margarita up to $13 from $11.50, and Pina Colada up to $12 from $10.50. Electric Umbrella Menu World Showcase Time to see what’s crackalackin down by the ol’ World Showcase! For the first order of business, we saw some scaffolding and construction occurring at the Canada pavilion while their theater undergoes some renovations. Canada Construction Read more about the new “O’Canada” 360-degree movie coming soon! At Canada’s Le Cellier there’s a slew of new fall-flavored entrees and sides! We spotted a new Lobster Poutine, Maple Sweet Potato Casserole, Pumpkin Ale Steamed Mussels, Flavors of Fall Salad, Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Cocoa and Coffee Crusted Venison, Duck and Dumplings, and Wyoming Bison Strip Loin! Holy moly! Le Cellier Steakhouse Meanwhile, they’ve removed their Summer Tomato and Watermelon Salad, BBQ Smoked Half Chicken, Seared George’s Banks Scallops, and Chateaubriand for Two. Also, we noticed the Steak and Frites is now a USDA Prime New York Strip Steak with Cheesy French Fry Potato Gratin. The previous Four-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese has been given another cheese and is now, drum roll, please…. Five-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese! Le Cellier Menu But that’s not all our friends from the north have cooked up for us this week! The Canada Popcorn Kiosk has added a Frozen Coke for $5 and Frozen Coke with Crown Royal Whisky for $11! Way to go, Canada! Canada Popcorn Cart You can also snag your Oogie Boogie or Green Cauldron Popcorn Bucket at Canada’s Popcorn Cart! While passing through England, we saw Yorkshire County Fish Shop was slangin’ something other than fish and chips! They had the Skyliner Cookie for $4.99, despite the Skyliner not currently working. =( Yorkshire County Skyliner Cookie The America pavilion’s Fife and Drum Tavern’s menu reflected the same Popcorn and Pretzel price increases we’d seen throughout the rest of the parks. Also, Bud Light had up to $8 from $7.75, Yuengling up to $8.50 from $8.25, Sam Adams up to $9.75 from $9.50, and Frozen Stag Lemonade up to $14 from $12.75. Fife and Drum Menu At the Germany Bier Cart: we said “hallo” again to Mezzo Mix, now being served as a frozen slushy spiked with bourbon or without. Frozen Mezzo Mix Slushy Read our full review of the new Frozen Mezzo Mix Slushy here! We also noticed our lederhosen weren’t the only things getting hiked up as Schofferhofer, Beck’s, and Warsteiner Dunkel also saw price increases. The standard-sized Schofferhofer, Beck’s, and Warsteinger Dunkel prices increased from $9.75 to $10. And the souvenir cup price increased from $15.00 to $15.25. König Ludwig Weissbier’s standard-size price increased from $10.50 to $10.75 and it’s souviner cup price increased from $15.25 to $16.00. Germany Bier Cart Merchandise Over at MouseGear, we spotted the new Frozen Magic Band with Olaf and Sven. Sadly the new band with Elsa wasn’t in stock when we visited. Frozen Magic Band We also spied a ton of new Star Wars merch! You can join the Galatic Empire with this graphic Stormtrooper Shirt for $24.99… Stormtroopers Shirt …and check out this retro-style Star Wars Tank for $24.99. Can’t wait to work out our triceps in this gym top! Star Wars Tank And after pumping some iron, we can reward ourselves with this tasty Star Wars Krispy Treat for $4.99. Star Wars Rice Krispy Treat We also saw these adorable Donald Duck and Pluto Sweatshirts for$49.99. Each of the sweatshirts features a design on its front and back. Pluto Sweatshirt We love how Pluto is facing backward on the back! We definitely had some shirts like this in the 90s — and you know how Disney is bringing it hard right now with all the retro-style merch like the Mousercise line we told you about yesterday and the Retro Mickey Mouse Club gear we’ve been spotting at the parks lately! Back of Pluto Sweatshirt Here’s the Donald Duck version! Donald Sweatshirt We’re not sure which one is cuter! They’re both pretty rad in our opinion! Back of Donald Sweatshirt To get geared up for the new Mary Poppins attraction that will soon be coming to the World Showcase, you can snag this Mary Poppins Phone Case for $29.99. Mary Poppins Phone Case Or if you’re more into tropical sweets, treat yo’ self with this Mickey Dole Whip Phone Case for $29.99. Mickey Dole Whip Phone Case We also spotted the Frozen Alex and Ani Bracelets at MouseGear! They had the new Double-sided Elsa and Anna bracelet for $49.99. Double-sided Alex & Ani Frozen Bracelet Love not having to choose between our favorite gals — you get both sisters with its double-sided charm! Double-sided Alex & Ani Frozen Bracelet MouseGear also had the Olaf bracelet for $44.99! Just look at that little cutie! Olaf Alex & Ani Frozen Bracelet Click here to read more about the new Frozen Alex & Ani Bracelets How fabulous is this new Dog Person Zero Shirt for $24.99? We’re a big fan of sportin’ our Nightmare Before Christmas clothes year-round — not just for Halloween! Zero Shirt We also saw some of our new favorite Disney merch — the Snack Pens for $12.99 that we told you about the other day! Disney Snack Pens Read more about the new Disney Snack Pens here! We’ve spotted the new Fluffy Spirit Jersey for kids at a few places throughout Disney World, but today we laid eyes on this new Fluffy Backpack for $44.99! Fluffy Backpack While the Force has been strong with the fluffy merch lately, it’s been overwhelming dominate with all the new Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker merch which is coming to theaters on December 20th. They had the Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Spirit Jersey for $64.99… Star Wars Spirit Jersey … and this sweet Be a Hero Tank for $34.99… Star Wars BB8 Tank Check out this angry-looking Red Stormtrooper Loungefly crossbody for $60! Red Stormtrooper Loungefly Crossbody We also like the simple, understated look of this Star Wars: The Rise Skywalker Shirt for $34.99. Rise of Skywalker Shirt And these amazing Star Wars Leggings for $39.99! Star Wars Leggings Check out Rei and Kylo Ren duking it out on the brim of this Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Baseball Cap for $27.99. Rise of Skywalker Baseball Cap While this May the Force be with You Shirt for $34.99 is giving off some good vibes! May the Force Be With You T Shirt For the littles, there’s tons of new Star Wars merch too including this trendy Youth True Jedi Shirt for $24.99… True Jedi Youth Shirt And this Youth Rise of Skywalker Shirt for $24.99! Love the cartoony lettering! Rise of Skywalker Youth Shirt At the Toy Soldier in United Kingdom Pavilion, we saw this precious Mr. Toad and The Headless Horseman Anniversary Plush Set for $59.99. Mr Toad Anniversary Plush While at Toy Solider, we also happened upon this Mary Poppins Anniversary Christmas Ornament for $21.99. Mary Poppins Anniversary Ornament And lastly, we observed Heritage Manor Gifts (the gift shop right next to The American Adventure) has closed. It should be reopening soon as a new Art of Disney location. Heritage Manor Gifts Well folks, that’s all for this roundup of What’s New in Epcot — until next time! We’ll be back as soon as we have more construction, food, and merchandise updates for you! Will you be visiting Epcot soon? Let us know your plans in the comments below! Related posts: What’s New in Epcot: Construction Updates, New Treats, New Menus, and Lots of New Merchandise! What’s New in Disney World’s Epcot! August 6, 2018 The 31 Things To Eat In Disney World If You’re Obsessed With CHEESE!! View the full article

The Nepola family from Pembroke Pines, Florida is now one of the five finalists in the running to be named the Disney and Points of Light Volunteer Family of the Year! The Nepolas have volunteered with HandsOn Broward since 2015. Parents, Justin and Jackie with daughters, Mia and Ava work tirelessly for the projects they volunteer for, whether they’re building gardens, distributing school supplies or packing meals for families in need. Recently, the family took on two big events as project leaders, Night On The Streets and the Florida AIDS Walk. Due to inclement weather, the two events were rescheduled to the same day and, without hesitation, the Nepolas kept their word to handle both, despite the extra work this would require. This example, and many more like it, shows the family’s dedication to serving their community and making the world a better place! The Nepolas were one of thousands of families across the country nominated for the Disney and Points of Light Volunteer Family of the Year contest by schools and nonprofits registered with the Disney Family Volunteering Reward Program. They now join the Orlando, Aguirre, Bell-Wallace and Jeevanayagam families, as one of the five finalists in the running to win. On Friday Oct. 11, Good Morning America will launch a nation-wide online vote where you will be able to vote for the family that you think should be named the first ever Disney and Points of Light Volunteer Family of the Year! Make sure you tune into GMA and visit Disney Parks Blog on Friday for a recap of the all the amazing finalists and details on how you can vote! You can also join the conversation by sharing the families’ stories using #VolunteerTogether The winning family will be announced on GMA on Nov. 1 and will receive a dream vacation to Walt Disney World where they will be the guests of honor at a special event to celebrate Family Volunteer Day on Nov. 23. The nonprofit or school who nominated the family will also receive $10,000 to continue their important work in the community. If you and your family would like to get involved with family volunteering, you can visit Points of Light to find opportunities in your area or search DIY projects that cover a variety of issue areas. Nonprofits and schools in the U.S. can join the Disney Family Volunteering Reward Program and earn Disney Parks tickets by hosting volunteer family events. RELATED STORIES: Meet the Orlandos: Finalists for the Disney and Points of Light Volunteer Family of the Year Meet the Aguirres: Finalists for the Disney and Points of Light Volunteer Family of the Year Meet the Bell-Wallaces: Finalists for the Disney and Points of Light Volunteer Family of the Year Meet the Jeevenayagams: Finalists for the Disney and Points of Light Volunteer Family of the Year View the full article

Runners are gearing up for a delectable race weekend that’s been 10 years in the making as the 2019 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend powered by AfterShokz makes its return to the Walt Disney World Resort October 31 – November 3, 2019. Celebrating countries from around the world, we’re sharing a first look at some of the commemorative merchandise that will be making its way to the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo: This year’s event merchandise collection features the colorful weekend artwork celebrating some of our favorite Disney characters from around the world. Runners participating in the race weekend events will find a variety of logo performance apparel and “I Did It!” products including shirts in different styles. Other exciting products include an event weekend hat as well as limited-release Disney pins. Guests will also find collectible items such as various TERVIS drinkware, commemorative shoe ornament and more. Don’t miss the debut of a brand new runDisney Spirit Jersey, perfect for wining and dining in fall style! Last but not least, add a little extra #WineDineHalf magic to your Walt Disney World vacation with a new Limited Edition Event MagicBand! Event participants can purchase ahead of the race weekend via the Products tab in your runDisney Account. Look for these commemorative items and more during the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. All guests are invited to attend during the following dates and times: Thursday, October 31, 2019: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Friday, November 1, 2019: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday, November 2, 2019: 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. To learn more about other runDisney events, visit us here. Follow us on social: Twitter: @runDisney Instagram: @runDisney Facebook: @runDisney
 YouTube: @runDisney View the full article

Recently, a NEW churro spot known as Sunshine Churros opened two locations at Disney Springs. We reviewed all of their churro options and were pretty blown away with the flavor and quality! Sunshine Churros Now, we’re BACK to try their new fall addition — the Pumpkin Spice Churro. The Pumpkin Spice Churro is a plain churro covered in pumpkin spice sugar and served with a cream cheese frosting. Pumpkin Spice Churro We dunked this baby in the cream cheese frosting and instantly fell in love. We’re not gonna lie, we’re pumpkin lovers, so it would be hard not to like something pumpkin-flavored. Pumpkin Spice Churro But, the flavors were so was nice and subtle. It didn’t scream pumpkin, but instead gave us little hints of pumpkin. Pumpkin Spice Churro We were amazed by how fresh the churro was. It had the perfect balance of crunchiness and airiness. And we could have bathed in a sea of the cream cheese frosting, it was THAT good. Pumpkin Spice Churro You can find this at Sunshine Churros for $6.25. It’ll likely only be around for a limited time, so get your hands on it quick! Looking for more pumpkin treats at Disney Springs? Then, be sure to take a look at some of the pumpkin goodness we’ve reviewed below! Review! Go Apple And Pumpkin Picking With Amorette’s WonderFall Flavors in Disney Springs Review! NEW WonderFall Flavors Menu Items at YeSake in Disney Springs! Pics and REVIEW! New Pumpkin Cannolis in Disney Springs! #SQUASHGOALS: The Ultimate Guide To ALL The Pumpkin Spice at Disney World RIGHT NOW! Will you be giving this Pumpkin Spice Churro a try? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: NEWS!! Ample Hills Creamery is Coming to Disney Springs! SLAM DUNK! New Mickey Basketball Mousse Is Coming to Disney Springs! NEWS!! All the Treats for WonderFall Flavors at Disney Springs Announced View the full article

Earlier today, the Jeevanayagam family from Suwanee, Georgia became one of the five finalists in the running to be named the Disney and Points of Light Volunteer Family of the Year! The Jeevanayagams have been volunteering with Spectrum Autism Support Group for more than six years. Parents, Nicky and Jacob, along with twins, Luke and Hannah exemplify what it means to give back and are always the first to show up whenever there is a need in their community. Including their son with autism in their volunteering work, not only provides him with valuable experience, it also helps others see that everyone can contribute and make a difference, regardless of ability. The Jeevanayagam family’s volunteer work includes fundraising, organizing events, recruiting new volunteers and leading the way by inspiring others in their community with their commitment to service. The Jeevanayagams were one of thousands of families across the country nominated for the Disney and Points of Light Volunteer Family of the Year contest by schools and nonprofits registered with the Disney Family Volunteering Reward Program. They now join the Orlando, Aguirre and Bell-Wallace families, as one of the five finalists in the running to win. On Friday Oct. 11, Good Morning America will launch a nation-wide online vote where you will be able to vote for the family that you think should be named the first ever Disney and Points of Light Volunteer Family of the Year! Make sure you tune into GMA and visit Disney Parks Blog on Friday for a recap of the all the amazing finalists and details on how you can vote! You can also join the conversation by sharing the families’ stories using #VolunteerTogether The winning family will be announced on GMA on Nov. 1 and will receive a dream vacation to Walt Disney World where they will be the guests of honor at a special event to celebrate Family Volunteer Day on Nov. 23. The nonprofit or school who nominated the family will also receive $10,000 to continue their important work in the community. If you and your family would like to get involved with family volunteering, you can visit Points of Light to find opportunities in your area or search DIY projects that cover a variety of issue areas. Nonprofits and schools in the U.S. can join the Disney Family Volunteering Reward Program and earn Disney Parks tickets by hosting volunteer family events. RELATED STORIES: Meet the Orlandos: Finalists for the Disney and Points of Light Volunteer Family of the Year Meet the Aguirres: Finalists for the Disney and Points of Light Volunteer Family of the Year Meet the Bell-Wallaces: Finalists for the Disney and Points of Light Volunteer Family of the Year View the full article

Whether they’re learning advanced language skills or pursuing a Master’s degree, our Cast Members are reaching their educational goals and dreams – all thanks to Disney Aspire. This groundbreaking education program, which recently celebrated one magical year, provides a variety of degree and certificate programs with 100% of costs covered by Disney. For Miranda Tong, a Guest Communications Specialist who has been with the Walt Disney Travel Company for almost ten years, putting her #DreamsWithinReach means earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with aspirations of pursing a legal or security role at Disney! “I’ve always been drawn to criminal justice so when I saw that it was available through Disney Aspire, I was so excited. This is my passion,” said Miranda. Miranda has always had a passion for research and wanted to go to college to learn and grow in the field of criminal justice, but shortly after she began taking classes, she pivoted to start her family. Her first priority shifted from her educational dreams to raising her children, but now that her kids are grown, she says it’s time to put her career goals back in view. “As I got older and my kids started to go to college, I thought ‘it’s my turn,’ and with Disney Aspire, I decided to put myself first,” shared Miranda. When Miranda first heard about Disney Aspire, she thought that it was too good to be true. After seeing how accessible it was and witnessing many of her coworkers enroll in the program, she realized it was time for her to go back to school. That was when Miranda’s Disney Aspire journey began. “This program has changed my life, as it’s given me the opportunity to follow my dreams of pursuing a career in criminal justice. I would’ve had to go out of my way to do this, but Disney put this program in front of me and they’re handing me my dreams,” said Miranda. “Disney has given me a great opportunity to continue working at a job I love, with people I love – all while pursuing my passions.” Miranda is well on her way to reaching her dream career in criminal justice and she has even received two Dean’s List certificates from Bellevue University in the process! “It was such a great feeling to receive my Dean’s List certificates,” she recalls. “It was hard for me to find my groove at first, and I didn’t even know if I could earn it. It was great to know that I still have the knack to learn.” Since launching in 2018, this unique program has been helping eligible Cast Members like Miranda to pursue their dreams. Stay tuned for more stories about how Disney Cast Members are putting their #DreamsWithinReach with Disney Aspire! Learn more about Disney Aspire by visiting aspire.disney.com. View the full article

Recently, we had the pleasure to host Ángela Aguilar at the Disneyland Resort while she celebrated her sweet 16 birthday con amigos and her father, the recognized Mexican singer Pepe Aguilar. The famous Mexican American singer, best known for her performance of “La Llorona” at the 19th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards® in 2018, hopped from ride to ride at Disney California Adventure park as she reminisced about the many times she’s visited the resort and how much she truly enjoys it! Watch as Ángela makes a surprise appearance at Paradise Gardens Park interpreting “La Llorona” from Pixar’s “Coco”, zooms through Cars Land aboard Radiator Spring Racers, chases Jack-Jack in the Incredicoaster, and much more! ¡Feliz Sweet 16, Ángela! View the full article

Something’s blowing into Florida from the Windy City, and we’re not just talking ’bout the cooler weather! ©Portillo’s You midwesterners will know how exciting this news is, as the beloved Chicago-style restaurant chain has just announced it will be opening its third location in Florida right next to Disney World! Portillo’s is a household name in the north, famous for its Italian Vienna beef sandwiches, char-broiled burgers, and Chicago-style Vienna beef hot dogs served with the traditional poppy seed bun, neon green relish, celery salt, tomato, onion, with or without sport peppers, and mustard…BUT NO KETCHUP!! (Well, since we’re not in Chicago, they’ll make an exception and give you some ketchup if you’re reeaaally nice!) ©Portillo’s Even though they’re grilled offerings are usually the star of the show, Portillo’s also has some amazing freshly prepared salads, like the delicious Chopped Salad which has tiny ditalini noodles, crispy bacon, gorgonzola crumbles, and giant hunks of roasted chicken! It’s so good that you wouldn’t even know it’s healthy, well moderately… ©Portillo’s The biggest draw to Portillo’s though has to be its Chocolate Cake, which you can buy whole or by the slice at their restaurants! ©Portillo’s And under the category of things you didn’t know you needed in your life until this moment, file away the Chocolate Cake Milkshake, because, um, yeah, it’s seriously one of the most delicious milkshakes on the planet! It’s literally like drinking a piece of their moist, chocolatey cake through a straw! ©Portillo’s The new Portillo’s will be located on the intersection of Palm Parkway and Daryl Carter Blvd in Lake Buena Vista — about a 10-minute drive from Disney Springs! So, not too far away! Are you excited about Portillo’s opening a location near Disney World? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Rocket to the Moon With This Limited Time Moon Pie Cupcake at Sprinkles in Disney World and Disneyland! New Dooney & Bourke Cat Collection Spotted at Disney Springs What’s NEW in Disney Springs: A Spider-Man Sundae, 18K Gold Ears, MYSTERY TRADING, and MORE! View the full article

This week is Hennessy Week at Wine Bar George in Disney Springs! Wine Bar George And to get the party started, Wine Bar George has introduced a NEW Dole Whip Cocktail! They already have some of the BEST Dole Whip creations with the Friezling and Froscato being two of our favorites. Friezling at Wine Bar George Now, they have introduced a brand new cocktail that will be available THIS WEEK ONLY. The Dole Whip Cocktail is made with Hennessy Black, Dole Whip Pineapple, Coconut, Espresso, and Banana. Super crazy combo, don’t ya think? Espresso?? Coconut?? Hennessy Black?? SAY WHAT! ©WineBarGeorge We’re pretty fond of all of their Dole Whip creations and we can’t wait to see what Wine Bar George comes up with next! Interested in Hennessy Week? Get all the details for the week-long event here. And while visiting Disney Springs, be sure to check out the NEW Olaf Dole Whip Slushie! Read our full review here. Will you be rushing to Disney Springs to try the new Dole Whip Cocktail? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: There’s a NEW Dole Whip Drink in Disney Springs! NEW!! Gun Metal Corkcicle Debuts in Disney World NEWS!! All the Treats for WonderFall Flavors at Disney Springs Announced View the full article

Today, the Bell-Wallace family from Pickerington, Ohio became one of the five finalists in the running to be named the Disney and Points of Light Volunteer Family of the Year! The Bell-Wallaces volunteer story began seventeen years ago when Kevin and Carey Wallace approached Dreams on Horseback to ask if they could offer a therapeutic horse program for their four-year-old daughter Morgan, who had been diagnosed with autism. Kevin and Carey were so impressed with Morgan’s progress, they have been dedicated to supporting the program ever since. Morgan’s grandparents, Darlene and George Bell also joined as volunteers, with Darlene going on to create a new program to help support veterans experiencing PTSD. Now, every event at Dreams on Horseback features the volunteering efforts of the entire Wallace-Bell family —all three generations of them!  The Bell-Wallace family were one of thousands of families across the country nominated for the Disney and Points of Light Volunteer Family of the Year contest by schools and nonprofits registered with the Disney Family Volunteering Reward Program. They now join the Orlando and Aguirre families as one of the five finalists in the running to win. On Friday Oct. 11, Good Morning America will launch a nation-wide online vote where you will be able to vote for the family that you think should be named the first ever Disney and Points of Light Volunteer Family of the Year! Make sure you tune into GMA and visit Disney Parks Blog on Friday for a recap of the all the amazing finalists and details on how you can vote! You can also join the conversation by sharing the families’ stories using #VolunteerTogether The winning family will be announced on GMA on Nov. 1 and will receive a dream vacation to Walt Disney World where they will be the guests of honor at a special event to celebrate Family Volunteer Day on Nov. 23. The nonprofit or school who nominated the family will also receive $10,000 to continue their important work in the community. If you and your family would like to get involved with family volunteering, you can visit Points of Light to find opportunities in your area or search DIY projects that cover a variety of issue areas. Nonprofits and schools in the U.S. can join the Disney Family Volunteering Reward Program and earn Disney Parks tickets by hosting volunteer family events. RELATED STORIES: Meet the Orlandos: Finalists for the Disney and Points of Light Volunteer Family of the Year Meet the Aguirres: Finalists for the Disney and Points of Light Volunteer Family of the Year View the full article

Fall is here! And you know what cooler weather and spooky vibes call for? Pumpkin Spiced Lattes! Pumpkin Spiced Latte And now, we’ve found a PSL in a pretty unexpected Disney World location! Kona Island at Disney’s Polynesian Resort has a BUNCH of new yummy items like the Mike Wazowski Cake and the POG Wine Slush. But those aren’t the only additions that have us wanting to make another trip to the Poly, because they’ve also brought in a Pumpkin Spiced Latte that we’re lovin’ a latte! Pumpkin Spiced Latte The Pumpkin Spiced Latte can be made iced or hot and is topped with whipped cream and pumpkin sugar! Pumpkin Spiced Latte This is a great Pumpkin Spiced Latte that most PSL lovers should approve of. It’s nothing out of the ordinary, but it had nice pumpkin flavor and was a good serving size for the price. Pumpkin Spiced Latte We think it’ll be a good option for guests staying at the Poly that are looking to get their pumpkin fix before heading to the parks. You can find it at Kona Island in Disney’s Polynesian for $5.29. In the mood for more pumpkin yumminess? Then, take a peek at the links below! Review! Pumpkin Spice Beignets Are BACK in Disney World!! Pics and REVIEW! New Pumpkin Cannolis in Disney Springs! Review! Fall in Love with the NEW Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew in Disney World #SQUASHGOALS: The Ultimate Guide To ALL The Pumpkin Spice at Disney World RIGHT NOW! What’s your favorite pumpkin-flavored treat at Disney? Chat with us about it in the comments below! Related posts: Review! NEW Arendelle Aqua Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake at Disney’s Polynesian Resort Review! We’ve Got Our Eye on the New Mike Wazowski Cake in Disney World Disney World is BACON Us Crazy With This Trio of NEW Chocolate Covered Bacon Treats!! View the full article

Hey, all you POG-aholics! If you can’t get enough of the tasty pineapple, orange, and guava juice concoction that can be found at places like ‘Ohana and Tusker House… You may be happy to know that we just discovered a new tasty incarnation of this glass of liquid sunshine! Pineapple, Orange, Guava Juice (POG) Get ready to meet POG juice’s slightly more sophisticated, (but just as yummy!) cousin, the Frozen POG Wine Slushie! We saw a menu advertising the Frozen POG Wine Slushie for $9 at Kona Island in Disney’s Polynesian Resort. The drink was listed as Tropical Wine Slushie, but a closer inspection of the fine print revealed the main ingredient of this cold masterpiece was none other than, you guessed it, POG Juice! Frozen Pog Slushy The frozen POG Juice is mixed with Moncalvina Moscato and Pineapple Soda which enhanced the sweetness of the POG Juice while adding even more fruity notes! Frozen Pog Slushy We grabbed ours in the evening, but you can totally snag the Frozen Pog Slushie in the AM, too! Frozen Pog Slushy We hope the Frozen Pog Slushie will be around for a while because it’s such a delicious new spin on an old favorite of ours! Looking for more places to grab POG Juice around Walt Disney World Resort? Check out the following links below! Guest Review: ‘Ohana Character Breakfast at Disney’s Polynesian Resort Guess Which Classic Disney Drink Is Now Available SPIKED?!? Review: Trail’s End Restaurant at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort #OnTheList: Jungle Juice Slush at Mahindi in Disney’s Animal Kingdom These are just some of the places we’ve seen renditions of POG Juice in the past! But always be on the lookout because it could pop up with a different name in a new place when ya least expect it. Will you be heading to the Polynesian to try the new Frozen Pog Slushie? Let us know in the comments section! Related posts: A REFILLABLE Booze Option and Glowing Glasses Have Landed at Jellyrolls in Disney World!! REVIEW: Smashing Pumpkins Has Got Nothin’ On The WonderFall Autumn Smash Cocktail in Disney World! Kona Beer Flights Now Available at Walt Disney World’s Polynesian Resort View the full article

Disney isn’t letting the Arendelle Aqua trend go… Ice Elixir After reviewing EVERY Arendelle Aqua treat, we spotted ANOTHER Arendelle Aqua-inspired creation at Disney’s Polynesian Resort. The Ice Elixir from Polynesian’s Barefoot Pool Bar is made with Tanquery Gin, Blue Curaçao, lemon, and pineapple! Ice Elixir Honestly, after trying ALL of the Arendelle Aqua drinks around Walt Disney World, this one wasn’t our fav. There is a very powerful pineapple flavor that is quickly followed by a sour flavor. The gin then seemed to be an afterthought. Ice Elixir We did love the color and think this is a great option for all the mega pineapple lovers out there. But, sadly it didn’t thaw our frozen hearts… If you’re looking for a delicious Arendelle Aqua drink, we suggest the Aqua Arctic Punch from The Daily Poutine instead. Ice Elixir The Ice Elixir is available at the Polynesian’s Barefoot Pool Bar for $12.00. Looking for more Arendelle Aqua goodies? Then, be sure to check out the following links below! Here It Is! Our ULTIMATE GUIDE to EVERY SINGLE Arendelle Aqua Treat in Disney World and Disneyland (plus full reviews!)! Look Like You’re The Queen in the NEW Arendelle Aqua Merchandise in Disney World! Review and Pics! “Love Is an Open Door” with the Arendelle Aqua Pearl Cupcake in Epcot What’s your favorite Arendelle Aqua treat? 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!)! Food News! Even MORE Arendelle Aqua Treats Are Coming Soon to Disney World! Review! NEW Arendelle Aqua Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake at Disney’s Polynesian Resort View the full article

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the animals on the Kilimanjaro Safaris are clearly the stars of the show… but did you know they also served as inspiration for Disney’s “The Lion King” – in theatres now and available on digital Oct 11? Filmmakers spent several months at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge closely studying our animals and learning about their care and conservation from our animal care experts. I’m so proud of the end result – a stunning spectacular piece that celebrates the circle of life. Here’s a look at the role the park played in the making of the film. You can visit lions, hyenas, meerkats and more at Disney’s Animal Kingdom with your friends and family and learn more about the species featured in the film. Theme park admission is required. Hope to see you soon! View the full article

Today, the newly enhanced Disney Wonder is docked in the beautiful city of San Diego after completing her first Baja cruise of the season. Throughout the next month, this ship will take Disney Cruise Line guests to explore popular Baja and Mexican Riviera ports of call, such as Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán, Mexico. These itineraries, ranging from two to seven nights, highlight the region’s famous beaches and exciting water activities. Whether you are a snorkeling and scuba diving aficionado, or just like to enjoy the outdoors, these sun-kissed ports provide plenty of opportunity for fun in the sun. Families on our cruises from San Diego are among the first to experience the Disney Wonder enhancements that I gave you a first look at last week, like the New Orleans-themed French Quarter Lounge – a perfect companion to Tiana’s Place Restaurant. From Broadway-style musicals, including “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular,” energetic deck parties, world-class dining and extraordinary youth activities, there’s something for everyone aboard this remarkable ship. What’s more, all of our cruises from San Diego in October offer extra spooktacular fun with Halloween on the High Seas. This one-of-a-kind Halloween celebration features spooky parties, lively entertainment and elaborate décor, including the magical Pumpkin Tree. In fall 2020, the Disney Wonder returns to San Diego for more Halloween on the High Seas cruises to Baja and the Mexican Riviera. Click here to find the best option for your family’s fall getaway from Southern California. View the full article

We still have more than six weeks to enjoy all the fun in store for families during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival running through Nov. 23. Who wants to dance?! Get your festival dance groove on when the nightly Disney du Jour Dance Party pumps up the volume at the Future World East stage! Now through Nov. 23, a DJ will spin your favorite high-energy dance beats, and Fridays and Saturdays Radio Disney artists add celebrity cachet with rock-on performances. Speaking of celebs, save these dates: Oct. 25-26. That’s when that band Honey (“You & Me”) land on the dance-party stage to perform for the crowd. You’ll know lead singer Nils Allen “Booboo” Stewart Jr. from his role as Jay in the Disney television film franchise Descendants. Watch for Disney characters like Remy, Emile and other Disney pals to show up and bust some moves of their own! Make the Disney du Jour Dance Party your weekly family fun night, and don’t miss: Oct. 11-12 – Sky Katz (“Like This,” Disney Channel’s Raven’s Home) Oct. 18-19 – JAGMAC (“Like a Band”) Oct. 25-26 – that band Honey (“You & Me”) Nov. 1-2 – AJ Mitchell (“All My Friends”) Nov. 8-9 – Kylie Cantrall (“That’s What I’m Talkin’ Bout,” Disney Channel’s Gabby Duran & The Unsittables) Nov. 15-16 – Erin Bowman (“Good Time Good Life”) Nov. 22-23 – Tegan Marie (“Horses”) Of course, bites and sips are a big draw at the festival, and you’ll want to check out the new Cool Wash and The Donut Box Future World locations that just opened Oct. 1. Dig into the Sweet Corn Fritter with Fresno and Red Pepper Jelly or the Strawberry-dusted Yeast Donut Holes at The Donut Box. Embrace your inner mixologist and create your own refreshing beverage at Cool Wash, a chill spot where you can combine slushy flavors like Blue Raspberry and Orange Cream, then garnish with sweet treats like with candy pebbles, popping pearls, jelly drops, or popping candy. And there’s more family fun happening daily: Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt – This Ratatouille-themed adventure inspires kids of all ages to locate statuettes of Remy hidden throughout World Showcase and the Global Marketplaces. Just purchase your map and stickers from Pin Central, Port of Entry or World Traveler at International Gateway. During the hunt, match stickers of ingredients you’ve discovered to your map and bring it to Disney Traders, located at World Showcase entrance, for Chef Remy’s surprise. Emile’s Fromage Montage – Just say “yes” to cheese! Remy’s brother, Emile, guides you around Epcot to discover five fabulous fromages. The reward when you purchase and enjoy five kinds of cheese? A complimentary specialty cheesecake at Shimmering Sips Global Marketplace. Candy Sushi – Adventures by Disney presents this fun Disney Chef-driven workshop that instructs you how to roll your own sweet sushi treats at The Land pavilion. (A small fee is required. Reservations are recommended.) Family Play Zone – This family-themed play zone invites kids to burn off energy while they mix and mingle with friends from around the world. The Chocolate Experience: From Bean to the Bar, Hosted by Ghirardelli Chocolate Company – Complimentary chocolates? Yes, please! And while you’re sampling, explore the journey that chocolate takes from the bean to the bar. Parents can select a wine and chocolate pairing or purchase gourmet drinking chocolate. Yum! The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival runs through Nov. 23. Reservations for special programming and premium festival events including Eat to the Beat Dining Packages can be made by calling (407) WDW-FEST.For more information on the Festival, check out TasteEpcot.com and keep checking back to the Disney Parks Blog for more Festival updates! View the full article

We’re traveling to Monstropolis with the new Mike Wazowski dome cake. Mike Cake That’s right, Mike Wazowski has finally found his place in the spotlight at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. The Mike Wazowski dome cake is a chocolate cake with chocolate chips and a green chocolate ganache. This cake reminded us of the short-lived Stitch cake that appeared at Kona Island a few months ago, but we enjoyed this option a bit more. Mike Cake The cake was very light and airy and the flavors were simply delicious. Mike Cake The details on this little cake were so fun and we loved the bright green color! Warning: the cute green yummy ganache may stain your teeth and hands a bit. Mike Cake You can find the Mike Wazowski dome cake at Kona Island in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for $5.99 or a snack credit if you’re on the Disney Dining Plan! Looking for more Monsters Inc. treats? Then, be sure to check out the scary good Mike & Sulley Cookie Butter! Do you have your eye on the new Mike dome cake? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Review! NEW Arendelle Aqua Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake at Disney’s Polynesian Resort Disney World is BACON Us Crazy With This Trio of NEW Chocolate Covered Bacon Treats!! NEW! These 12 Varieties Of Chocolate Covered Strawberries in Disney World are SO EXTRA! View the full article

Um…in case you haven’t noticed…the Disneyverse is EXPLODING with news right now!!! Spaceship Earth From that unfortunate Skyliner Gondola System incident and the debut of Epcot Forever to the new (and AWESOME!) Epcot Experience and PRICE INCREASES (but also Mega Hotel DISCOUNTS?!), so much has happened since the start of October!! Let’s unpack the latest Disney news bomb together! Disney World Skyliner Breakdown In case you missed it, Disney World’s new Skyliner Gondola System opened to the public on September 29. Unfortunately, an incident occurred a mere six days after the new transportation system opened. Stopped Skyliner Gondolas During the incident on October 5, there was a pile-up of gondolas at the Riviera Resort station, and the entire Epcot to Caribbean Beach line was shut down. Some guests were stuck in the gondolas for upwards of three hours, but they did thankfully have access to water and cooling packs under their seats. Disney World Skyliner Rescue Vehicles Read more about the Skyliner incident here! Since the accident, the Skyliner has temporarily ceased operations. Skyliner Closed Disney has recently released a statement on the incident: “We have a team diligently looking into the cause of the malfunction on the Epcot line of the Disney Skyliner. We have been in contact with the guests, many of whom were on the Skyliner for more than three hours until we were able to restart the system. We express our sincere apologies for the inconvenience and continue to work with each guest individually.” We’ll keep you updated as we learn more about the status of the Skyliner Gondola System! Learn more about Disney’s official statement here! Disney World Price Increases Yet ANOTHER change occurred on October 1, and this one didn’t make us as jazzed as the others. We’re talking about price changes, y’all. We’ve seen price increases on just about everything from Mickey pretzels and popcorn, to root beer floats and so much more. Weirdly, white milk at Fairfax Fare in Hollywood Studios has actually decreased in price, but chocolate milk has increased in price by 40 cents. Why no love for the choc-y milk drinkers?! Fairfax Fare NEW Menu Learn more about the Disney World price increases here! Also, refillable mugs have risen in price from $18.99 to $19.99 for the length of a resort stay. Resort Refillable Mugs Read more about the refillable mug increase here! MEGA Hotel Discounts!! Given all the price increases on food, we’re happy to say there are some new DISCOUNTS for 2020! Disney Resort Hotel Discount PLUS Free Gift Card Offer for January-April 2020 First up, let’s talk about this discount that’s available to EVERYONE. Guests can save up to 25% on their Disney World Resort hotel room most nights from January 1-April 25, 2020. Guests must book by January 1, 2020. Port Orleans Resort — Riverside If guests booking this offer decide to upgrade their room-only reservation to a package including a minimum 6-day theme park ticket for everyone in the room, they will also receive a $30 USD Disney Gift Card per person (ages 3 and up) on the reservation. Note that you MUST upgrade to a room + tickets package to get the gift card. Pop Century Bookings at Disney Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villa Resorts save up to 25%. Bookings at Disney’s Moderate Resorts save up to 20%. Bookings at Disney’s Value Resorts save up to 15%. Polynesian Village Resort Lobby Free Dining for Kids Offer for January-March 2020 With this brand new offer, kids ages 3-9 get a FREE DISNEY DINING PLAN with eligible package bookings from January 1-March 7, 2020. We’ve got all the details for this one right here: Disney World Free Dining for Kids in 2020! Note that this offer is only available for Disney’s Value Resort Hotels at this time. Finding Nemo Section at Art of Animation See FULL Disney World Free Dining for Kids in 2020 Details by Clicking HERE Annual Passholder Room Discounts for January – April If you’re a Disney World Annual Passholder, this discount is for you! For most nights from January 1 through April 25, 2020, Annual Passholders can save 25% to 35% at select hotels. Select Deluxe Resorts will offer up to a 35% discount, select Moderate Resorts will offer up to 30% savings, and select Value Resorts will save up to 25%. Select Deluxe Villas reservations can also save 35% with this offer. The BoardWalk More information about this room-only offer can be found here! U.S. Military Resort Discounts Throughout 2020 Active and retired U.S. military personnel are eligible for room-only discounts for dates throughout 2020 as well. This offer can be booked through December 18 and can not be combined with any other offers. The offer (which Disney described as “great rates”) will be valid most nights from January 1 to April 4 and April 19 to December 18, 2020. Banana Cabana at Caribbean Beach Resort There are exclusions for this offer (as with all other offers). For more information, click here. To book using the 2020 military Resort offer, call (407) 939-7825. Disney also recently released information about a military discount for Park tickets, too. Read about the ticket offer here. A huge thanks to Small World Vacations for the information on these new offers! Learn more about ALL these discounts and offers here! Epcot Forever Debuts! On Tuesday, October 1, Epcot’s NEW nighttime spectacular — Epcot Forever — debuted in replacement of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Before IllumiNations’ permanent replacement, HarmonioUS, arrives in 2020, Epcot Forever serves as the temporary nighttime spectacular! Epcot Forever Epcot Forever revolves around a soundtrack of music that guests have loved at Epcot for years. The musical score, which was recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra, includes classic Epcot tunes such as “Tomorrow’s Child”, “Listen to the Land”, and “One Little Spark” for all you Figment fans! Epcot Forever In addition to lasers, fireworks, and lighting displays, Epcot Forever also features a kind of kite technology never before seen in Disney World. These special effects bring some really unique artwork to the sky over World Showcase Lagoon. Epcot Forever The show clocks at about 11 minutes but it went by in the blink of an eye! It’s definitely not as grand or dramatic as other Epcot spectaculars have been, but it’s a great stand-in while we wait for the official replacement for IllumiNations. Epcot Forever Read our full review of Epcot Forever here! Epcot Experience Debuts! Also on October 1, the NEW Epcot Experience opened in the Odyssey Events Pavilion. And y’all — it’s AWESOME. Epcot Experience Inside you’ll find never-before-released details about Epcot’s future and where it’s headed after this major transformation through “engaging and interactive exhibits that allow you to step inside the relentless innovation, energy, and excitement.” Epcot Experience In the main display room, you are encircled by a 360 widescreen with a large three-dimensional model of Epcot at its very center. During a 12-minute presentation, the display changes to give a glimpse of Moana’s Journey of Water… Moana Journey of Water Display …the upcoming Mary Poppins attraction… Epcot Experience …the France Pavilion (we are SO ready for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and La Crêperie de Paris to open)… Epcot Experience …and the Play Pavilion! Epcot Experience While the showroom is undoubtedly the main attraction, there were other parts of the exhibit to explore! We saw colorful posters detailing some old Epcot attractions as well as some new ones to come. Epcot Experience There were also four special photo opportunities including this Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind background… Epcot Experience …Mary Poppins–inspired backdrop… Epcot Experience …and this Spaceship Earth background! Epcot Experience Learn more about the Epcot Experience here! NEW Food and Wine Festival Booths! ALSO on October 1, two new Epcot Food and Wine Festival booths opened! You’ll find The Donut Box in Future World over by Test Track at Epcot next to the other new-to-the-festival booth, Cool Wash. The menu is fairly small but includes some unique items like Sweet Corn Fritters. The Donut Box Booth The standout on the menu is the Sweet Corn Fritter, which features Fresno and Red Pepper Jelly for $5.50 or a Disney Dining Plan snack credit. These were fresh, crunchy, and absolutely delicious. The addition of the pepper jelly is wonderful, as well. Don’t miss out on these! Sweet Corn Fritters We also thoroughly enjoyed the Strawberry-dusted Yeast Donut Holes ($4 or a snack credit)… Strawberry-dusted Yeast Donut Holes …and the Black and White Coffee Cocktail ($14)! Black and White Coffee Cocktail Read our full review of The Donut Box here! The offerings at Cool Wash are all Coca-Cola related so if you’re missing your membership to the now-defunct Club Cool, this might just be your new favorite spot! Cool Wash 2019 Cool Wash is home to assorted Coca-Cola slushies ($6, non-alcoholic) which include special mix-ins such as Spice Drops, Candy Pebbles, Boba Pearls, and Pop Rocks! Slush Options You can either choose a suggested combination or create your own concoction! Either way, this is a cute, fun, customizable drink for the kiddos…and for the big kids (like you and me), too. Cool Wash Slush During our first visit to Cool Wash, we also tried the Coca-Cola Orange Vanilla with St. Petersburg Gin ($13.50) which tasted…fine. The super cool glass was worth it for us though! Coca-Cola Orange Vanilla with St. Petersburg Gin …and a combination of Jack Daniels, frozen Coke, and cherry flavoring — which we really enjoyed! Frozen Coke and Cherry Coke with Jack Check out our full review of the Cool Wash booth here! Plant-Based Menus ALL OVER THE PLACE! Plant-based menu items have officially arrived at ALL quick-service and table-service restaurants in Walt Disney World. Disney Plant-Based Cuisine Guide Every table-service restaurant now has a plant-based appetizer, entree, and dessert. And we had the opportunity to try out a few of these new menu items! You can check out our reviews of these items here (spoiler alert: we LOVED the Cauliflower Rice Risotto from The Crystal Palace). Oak Fired Brussel Sprouts and Cauliflower Rice Risotto In order to help guests better navigate all of the new menu items, Disney has also introduced a new one-stop-spot so that guests can see all of Walt Disney World plant-based items Disney has to offer. AND THERE’S A TON! Plant-Based Cuisine Website You can find this master list by going to disneyworld.con/PlantBased. This website organizes all of the plant-based menu items by park, resort, water park, or location. This is a really great resource for those who have a plant-based diet to check out if when trying to figure out where to make a reservation. You can also look for this leaf icon on Disney World menus if you’re looking for plant-based menu items! Plant-Based Logo Learn more about Disney World’s new plant-based menus here! It’s hard to believe all this news came out in the past week, but we all need a big ol’ NAP! As always, stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for the most up-to-date news from the Disney parks and resorts. Are you going to take advantage of Disney World’s 2020 discounts? Let us know in the comments below! Related posts: Here’s the MOST IMPORTANT News Disney Announced This Week! Here It IS!! The ULTIMATE LIST of Upcoming Disney Attractions, Rides, and Restaurants WITH Opening Dates!! Disney News This Week: EVERYTHING NEW at the Disney Parks and Resorts (Including The Skyliner Accident!) View the full article

Hey, guys! We’re back with another DFB Video and today we’re talking about the BEST Disney World snacks for under $5. Cheshire Cat Tail If you weren’t hungry before this video, you sure will be!! From Pineapple Lumpia to a cup of Dole Whip, there are a ton of delicious Disney World snack options that won’t break the bank! Check out a few of our favs 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: Your favorite Disney World snack! Related posts: DFB Video: These Major Disney World Changes Will Affect Your Next Trip DFB Video: The 13 Secret NEW Snacks at Disney World You Need to See!! DFB Video: 16 Surprising Disney World Savings Hacks View the full article

From time to time I will be doing some Plein Air painting (from the field), from a new, inspiring location in the Disney Parks. I will share my sketches and experiences here on the blog each time. Today, I continue my “Sketches from the Park” series as I visited Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. When I was young I had a toy version of the Millennium Falcon that I loved to play with (ok, I still have it). So, naturally, I decided to sit down across from the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy for my sketching session today. I wanted to capture some quick sketches of the Falcon with the spires of Batuu rising up in the distance. First, was a quick ink and watercolor sketch in my small travel-sized sketchbook just to get things moving. I kept it quick and loose and just used one sepia-toned color to give it some life. After that, I got out my “datapad” to do a digital sketch with a little more detail and color from that same location. Check out the time-lapse below of this digital sketch to see exactly how it was created. I had a great time visiting Black Spire today to sketch a bit and enjoy the views. I hope you enjoy the art and keep your eye on the Disney Parks Blog for my next post from a new location in our “Sketches from the Park” series. See ya next time! View the full article